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 three
"I can't believe it. I can't %$$#(&* believe it!"
While Tifa shared Cid's sentiments it got tiring after having to listen to him repeat the same sentence all the way to the station. Furthermore, he seemed to have forgotten the no swearing rule about his daughter.
"Cid, I can't either but will you please shut up? We gotta think about how we're gonna tell the others. Specifically, Barret."
That shut him up quick. Just thinking about the black man's reaction made Cid want to crawl under the nearest rock. The black man was dedicated, but that was all Cid ever found to his favour. He was also single-minded and _very_ set in his ways and opinions.
"Why us? Can't they tell him themselves? It's their %^$^#$^ problem."
"I want my bar in one piece thank you. And, I want to hear their explanation as soon as possible. If we wait for Cloud to tell him, they'll fight and we'll have to wait days while Barret recuperates."
Cid mused gloomily that Tifa was right. /What the hell is Barret gonna say? What the hell can we say? We owe it to Cloud as friends to stand by him but... _HIM_?/
And that was the heart of the problem. It wasn't Cloud's preferences which bothered Cid, nor his secrecy, but it was the person he was with. /Why? Why him? Why Him?/ Cid began to feel a steady ache build up in the back of his head and he knew that if he continued this line of thought he was going to be suffering a migraine in the next two minutes.
"Oh look, there's Shera! Yuffie's here too! She must have gotten away early."
Shera and Yuffie spotted them and waved, making their way over in the busy station. "
"Hey guys! Surprise! I got away early, so I caught the last train here." Yuffie was her usual bouncy self as always, irritating Cid no end as he gave a grunt for greeting.
"Hey Yuffie. Hi Shera. How was the ride?"
/Man, how are we gonna keep Cloud and Sephiroth alive?/
"Hello Cid. The ride was pleasant Tifa. These new rails really make a difference."
/Do I even want Sephiroth alive?/
"Mama!"
/But the kid loves him. Waited for him even.../
"Hello Jessi!"
/I guess we shouldn't split 'em up/
"Were you a good girl? Did you learn anything new?"
/But how to get the others to see that?/
Jessi gurgled with laughter and opened her mouth, "%^$^#$^!"
/I guess I'll have... What did Jessi just say?!/
"CID HIGHWIND....."
/Screw them. How do I save myself?/
^^^^^
Vincent opened the door to be greeted by a fuming Shera, bruised Cid and a giggling Tifa and Yuffie. He raised an eyebrow but did not ask. Some things he didn't want to know.
"Have our guests retired?"
Ah, so they haven't told the other two women yet then. He wondered if they were just going to let them find out in the morning or if they would be told later. It was none of his concern though and shrugged aside his curiosity.
"Aa. They're in the last room on the right." The only one with a deadbolt.
Tifa nodded. "I guess we might as well turn in then. Yuffie will be bunking with me. And well, Cid and Shera..."
Shera smiled, "He's too good to be relegated to couch duty. I'd miss him too much." Cid slapped his forehead and growled under his breath.
"Then you guys use your regular room. It's all made up already."
As they made their way up, Tifa signalled Vincent and the raven-haired man fell behind. "Yes Tifa?"
"Ummm, I'm going to tell Yuffie later but I was hoping you could be there too? I don't know how she'll react and she's always been a little intimidated by you so it might help..."
Vincent was tempted to say no but he realized Cloud and Sephiroth needed whatever support they could get and sighed. "Alright."
"Thanks!"
^^^^^
Sephiroth opened his eyes, their emerald glow piercing the darkness as he heard footsteps in the hallway.
"S'jus Cid and the others turnin' in..."
He glanced down to warm body in his arms and was met by a sleepy blue gaze, equally bright as his own. He reached out to caress one pale cheek and was rewarded with a sigh of contentment.
"They smell of... blood?" Cloud snickered.
"I 'ink Cid g' caught swearin' 'round Jessi or summin."
"Ah I see."
"Go back to sleep. Tired."
Sephiroth watched his blonde lover fall back into sleep while absently playing with the soft blonde locks spread out on the pillow. A strike a devilment hit him as he studied the silky strands between his fingers.
"Hmmm..."
