The true nature of Vincent Valentine
Cid woke up in the middle of the night, just in time to see Vincent leave quietly the room, Death Penalty in hand. The pilot propped himself on his elbows and sighed, he was so tired of this…
- Going out to hunt again, Vinny?
Vincent stopped abruptly and turned his gaze toward his spouse. Cid startled, his blood red irises were glowing with hunger. The vampire nodded and turned his back, but something kept him from moving out. Cid closed the drawer of the small bedside table, holding out a little bottle in his hand.
- You're sure you want to do this?, asked Vincent
- Hell Vinny, I can't stand to see you go hunt anymore… One day, you're not going to come back… and I'll be damned if I do nothing about it!
- But you'll…
- Suffer, I know… And change a little, too, be marked and all… I don't give a damn about it! It lasted too long already!, Cid growled, My body may change, but my heart won't, Vincent… I've weighed it all… I want to be only yours, forever…
Cid was cut short by a finger on his lips. Vincent took the bottle from his hands, spreading some of the liquid at the base of his neck. Slowly, tenderly, he licked some of it and then pierced the skin, following his instincts to reach the vein while Cid was drinking the rest of the mysterious liquid. The vampire stopped when he had enough and bit a finger he brought to his lover's lips.
- By drinking this, you'll become mine, you'll be linked to me, marked by me. However, it will not make you a vampire, I can't give birth to another of my kind, but it'll make you live longer. Once in a year we'll have to go hunt together, perpetuating the unholy ritual… Mixing the bloods will hurt, but it's by the hurting you'll wake up stronger… Cid Highwind… You're mine…
Entranced by the sweet voice of his Vampire, the Companion drank the blood offered. His body reacted immediately and he jerked forward, choking and coughing hard. He fell dully on the bed, trembling, and curled into a tight ball. The last thing he'll remember would be Vincent pulling him into his lap.
******
Some weeks later
The snow had covered Rocket Town, announcing the end of another year. Cid and Vincent were already waiting for the first guests to arrive, and they happen to be no other than Cloud, Sephiroth and their kids, who stayed out to play in the snow.
- Oh my god… So big already? Exclaimed Vincent, You look so tired… Do you want to sleep a little before diner?
The blond nodded as Vincent helped him with his winter coat. He refused the guest's bedroom, saying that his back hurt too much to sleep on a bed. The ex-Turk guided him to his small studio, where they had stored a few cumbersome furniture like Cid's armchair. Cloud sank in the chair and fell immediately asleep.
- &%&* he /is/ tired… There, plug that in and wrap it around his shoulders, that way he won't get cold.
Vincent nodded and did as he was told. The two slowly got out of the room, quietly closing the door behind them. Few hours later everyone was there, soft music filling the house, Vincent, Sephiroth and Yuffie preparing the diner. Angel, Zack, Marlene, Zephyr and Star were running through the house, well Zephyr was mostly crawling. Night Vision sat near his master and his lover, the three of them had become inseparables. Everyone was laughing and celebrating the new year, celebrating also the upcoming brother or sister for Angel and Zack.
- Where is he? Sephiroth is here, so where is Cloud?, asked Elena, catching her daughter to wipe away some dirt of her face.
- Cid said he's sleeping in the studio since he arrived, answered Reeve, So be two good Turks and don't go disturb him, 'k?
Elena and Tifa 'humph'ed. Zephyr was lost for a second by his mother Tifa, and the small toddler find his way to the studio. He pushed the door open and lifted himself on his little feet, going straight for the welcoming warmth radiating from the armchair. Slowly, he walked to it and grasped the blanket, startling the sleeping figure.
- Mmm? Oh! Hi Zephyr… Wanna sleep with uncle Cloud?
He helped the young Shinra up on the chair and the child yawned, snuggling closer to get warmth. Cloud pulled back up the electric blanket over both of them and fell asleep too, an arm wrapped protectively around the small bundle next to him.
******
- Kids! Diner is ready!
Four little ones passed in front of Tifa. The chocolate brown haired fighter got suddenly worried when her toddler didn't appeared, so she asked Marlene where he went. The little girl hadn't the time to answer that a messy shock of blond hair carrying a sleepy brown-haired boy entered the kitchen. He gave back Zephyr to his mother.
- Cloud! How are you? Vincent told us you were very tired… Zephyr didn't wake you up?
- No, no… I'm better, now…, he said, stretching like a cat, In fact, I'm better but I'm hungry…
Cloud's eyes widened for a second, and then he smiled softly. Tifa put a hand on his belly to feel the baby move, but only succeeded in tickling Cloud.
- Ha ha ha ha haha!!! Stooop ! Tif…
She continued until he couldn't stand on his legs. Cloud wheezed and quickly buckled up his kimono, fearing another tickle attack from the kids, he knew Angel and Zack were pretty good at that. The kids ate quickly and left, Vincent and Sephiroth setting the table for the main dish. Many hours later, after the kids were put to sleep, the New Year party truly began, and the now traditional poker game between Reno, Rude, Cid and Barret too. Cloud was surrounded by the girls, Sephiroth, Vincent and Tseng were chatting while the others watched as Reno was putting down his full house. Music and laughter were filling the house, and after few drinks, Cloud excused himself and returned in the studio for the night. Rufus did the same, with the alcohol he couldn't walk correctly, so he climbed the stairs to go to sleep. He trudged to the room he shared with Tifa, but when he opened the door, he realised he was in the kid's room. He forgot to close completely the door and walked to his bed, where he slumped and fell asleep.
Angel and Zack took the opportunity and crawled out, making their way to the studio. By seeing two little silver-haired child toddle freely in the house, Rude called over Sephiroth, who caught them before they could get inside and wake up their daddy.
- What are you doing up so late?
- I don wanna sweep! Zack whined before sprinting off into Cid's arms
- 'm cold…
- So you want to sleep with Cloud?, asked softly Sephiroth
Angel nodded sleepily so his father installed him cosily against Cloud, and pulled up the warm blanket over them both. In a matter of second the small kid was sleeping deeply, all warmed up. Cid then handed back the little Zack, who as soon as he was in his father's arms, sighed and clutched his little blanky. Sephiroth took the child on the rocking chair in the middle of the living room and rocked his child. Zack brought his wings in his back, and swiftly they disappeared. Lulled back to sleep by the reassuring sound of a heartbeat, he fell asleep. Vincent came closer and spread a blanket over the sleeping child.
- Is he okay?, he whispered
- Yeah… They do this when they don't feel safe… I think I'll go to sleep too, do you mind…
- I'll send Cid with your bedding in a few, just go and make sure to check on Cloud, I'm fearing he might catch the flu with all those kids running around…
Sephiroth nodded and cradled Zack in his arms and went into the studio. Reno looked at Night Vision.
- That was sickeningly /cute/, don't you think?
The dog tilted his head and mewled, while everyone else laughed. It just described well the scene… However, if Vincent was right about the risk of catching the flu, he wasn't right on the person who was the most susceptible to it… because it happens to be him. Poor Vinny had to pass the next days in bed with a runny nose and a headache as big as the Highwind. All the guests had left in a hurry, not wanting to catch anything. Cid wasted no time and as soon as everyone was gone, he went back to his vampire's bedside and held out his wrist to Vincent. The dark-haired man bit and drank a little, lapping the wound to close it and sank back in his pillows. Cid frowned.
- Only that? But you called me for… Oh, okay. You don't want the hunger to wale you up. Sorry.
Cid smiled at the last telepathic comment and let the vampire to his sleep, turning his now violet irises to the windows, watching the snow engulfing the remnants of the launching pad of his rocket. Space… I wanna go back into space…
- We will go back if you want, love…
******
Winter passed lazily as always. Cloud's due date was approaching, they all sensed it, and when the first spring days came, another miracle was about to happen…
End
Author's notes
OWWWIE!!! O_o it hurts! Stop throwing me such heavy things! *kicks out a microwave, two toasters and an old, worn out ribbon printer* I promise I'll do quicker for the updates… I should have my own connection in two weeks… OUCH!!! A CACTUS?!? WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR? *Remember to announce next chapter* !!! Next chapter: History lessons.