Disclaimer: I own not the characters but only the story in which they appear in here. The idea is mine but everything else belongs to their respective owners. (Although I wish otherwise.)
Chapter 2
Vincent placed his head in his claw and let out a soft groan. That was one of the worst ways they could have announced themselves. He had of course, kept his promise to Cloud and had explained to Tifa in private about Cloud's sexual orientation and his hesitancy to hurt her. She had taken it better than expected and had only nodded saying she had suspected it to be the case and that she wished him well. He had however, not told her who Cloud had been involved with in the past. He had also partially revealed to the others that Cloud had _not_ been insane or lost his memory when he thought he was Zack either. It had all been intentional.
Aforementioned person had frozen and was now looking at the ground trying to think of a way to get himself out of this mess he and his lover had inadvertently created. Scratching the back of his head uncertainly, he mustered up a tentative smile. He knew Vincent would have mentioned that he was waiting for his lover to be returned to him as the Planet promised but the ruby-eyed man would not have revealed the identity. When they finally heard the full story, what would happen? Whatever happened, Cloud was sure of one thing. If he didn't handle this situation carefully, he and Sephiroth would probably not be here this time tomorrow.
"It's been a long time."
Cid managed to come out of his stupor at that moment. "Like $&%#!!! Who the hell cares about the (&@#$ time?! What the **&%@!!# is that %$@@$ doing here?!!! ALIVE?!!!!!" The cigarette hung on the cursing lips like a desperate suicidal victim as Cid gestured along with his words. "Goddammit!!! %$@#*&#@ I KNEW you were a liar!!!! And a bigger *&#@ traitor than I thought!!!!!"
Cloud cringed visibly at the words but Sephiroth would have none of it. Physically they were both superior to anyone in the room but emotionally, Cloud was still on thin ice. A few months of love while helping a lot could not erase ten years of nightmares and deliberate sins. It did not wash away the blood on their hands or the grief in their souls but burdens were made to be borne and they were theirs. However, Sephiroth would not allow anyone to hurt Cloud anymore and especially not when he couldn't handle it.
"That's enough! What did you expect him to say?" The anger in his voice surprised them all, even Vincent. They never expected this development. Never thought that Cloud and Sephiroth had been anything other than enemies. Vincent who did know, was more surprised by the fact that Sephiroth was being openly protective of his lover.
However, although it had silenced Cid, Sephiroth's question did nothing to dispel the tension in the air. Cloud was leaning against Sephiroth lightly, his face hidden by the shadows cast over his face by his blonde locks. Sephiroth had one arm around his waist, anchoring Cloud to him and glared at the others. Tifa and Cid were glaring right back. A sudden squeal of laughter distracted everyone and Vincent thanked the Planet this once for children who were never asleep when they should be.
"Jessi! What are you doing up there?! You could get hurt! And then your mother would brain me with her rolling pin!" Cid darted up the stairs and scooped up his daughter who had been poised at the top step. His wife wasn't here on this little visit but she had been very clear on how he was to watch out for their daughter.
"Jessi…? Cid and… Shera…"
The questioning look sent his way prompted a nod from Vincent. "Yes. They were married a year after. Jessi was born three years ago. Tomorrow is her birthday. All the old members are coming…"
Blue eyes widened and met equally troubled green. "All…?"
"This will be a good chance for the explanation you promised Cloud. To _all_ of us."
The steel in Tifa's voice told them that no matter if they didn't explain things now but by the end of tomorrow, she would have the true story.
^^^
Vincent watched discreetly as Tifa and Cid left with little Jessi to picked up Shera at the station. He wanted to speak to Cloud and ... him but he refrained not because he was suspicious but because he was afraid of walking in the middle of something he really didn't want to know about.
"Vincent."
He turned to see two pairs of solemn eyes glowing at him. Sephiroth had his arms around Cloud in a protective and possessive manner. "You want to speak to us." The voice was cool and confident, very much The General he had heard about.
"Actually, I just wanted to ask you two a question. What happened to JENOVA?" He was worried with the fact that if Sephiroth could be brought back from the dead, then the possibility that JENOVA had revived with him was present.
Cloud murmured something indistinct and Sephiroth hugged him tighter. Vincent could see a lot of pain in their eyes and wondered about it. What was their story? More importantly, what was real? Had the struggles, the pain and heartache they had gone through been for nothing? There was so much guilt in them. Everything they did screamed out that fact. Why? What were they hiding?
"JENOVA is… gone. If there were any chance that she could have returned at all, Sephiroth wouldn't be here. The Planet and the Lifestream would have not allowed it." Vincent saw the remnants of old fear and sorrow in Cloud's face. He realised that Cloud must have spent those five years waiting faithfully but never certain, never /knowing/ if his lover would truly ever be returned to him.
For once, Vincent was glad he was certain that Lucrezia was dead. At least there was some sort of closure in that. But Cloud… /How does a person live in such uncertainty?/ And Cloud had a /long/ time to wait.
"I see. Why don't you guys go rest for awhile? You might as well make the best of the peace you have now. Barret is scheduled for the early morning shuttle so tonight's the last you'll have. Especially privacy wise."
It was truly amusing to see two of the most powerful men on the Planet blush like schoolboys and stammer their thanks before fleeing to their room.
