Red roses mean love
By Kimetara
Multi-part
Disclaimer: FFVII isn't mine.
Chapter Eight
Tifa walked slowly to the conservatory on the Highwind, her head bent thoughtfully. She was really surprised by how supportive Vincent had been. Even when the three of them had been living together in the mansion, the crimson-cloaked man had always kept himself at a distance...
*****
Tifa and Cloud walked down the stairs, discussing their trip around town.
"And we have to visit the General Store, and the Inn...oh, and I heard about this great fair that's going to be in today!" Tifa clapped her hands delightedly and made a small jump over the last step. Cloud laughed, shaking his head, and for a moment Tifa appeared somewhat embarrassed by her childish antics, but then she lifted her chin defiantly, and giggled.
Still laughing, the brunette turned to get her purse, when the sight of a dark figure observing the pair caught her eye.
"Hey Vincent! We're going to take a look around Nibelheim, care to join us?" she asked cheerfully.
"No," was the simply answer. Tifa felt a small spurt of guilty pleasure at the idea of being alone with Cloud for the day, which she immediately suppressed.
"You sure, Vincent?" Cloud asked again.
"Yes." Vincent turned away to look out the window.
"Okay then, we'll be back probably around eight!" Tifa chirped, then walked out the door to where Cloud was waiting.
*****
And they had the best day around town, and went to the carnival at night...NO! Tifa drew in a deep, shuddering breath. *No more tears. Cloud is the jerk that left me behind my back.* Resolutely straightening her shoulders, Tifa stepped into the conservatory.
Shera straightened, for a moment looking faintly surprised. "Hello, Tifa," she greeted the girl warmly.
"Hi, Shera." Tifa felt a smile automatically going over her features, even though she really didn't feel it.
"How have you been doing, dear?" Shera asked kindly. Tifa shrugged.
"Okay, I think. Vincent's been a great help to me, and...well...I'm okay," Tifa finished awkwardly.
Shera nodded and left the subject alone. "How have you and Vincent been getting along these past months?" she asked instead conversationally, while re-potting a sunflower from the mansion into the new greenhouse.
Tifa smiled. "We've been fine. We're really close now, Shera. I think he's probably my best friend."
Shera gave her an odd sidelong glance, before smiling back. "That's wonderful to hear." She moved on to planting the rosebush. "Hmm?" Cid's fiancé – yes, he had proposed to her finally – peered at the plant.
"What?" Tifa moved closer, trying to see what was so interesting about the rosebush.
"Here. Look, this stem is broken off. It looks fairly recent too. Do you know what happened?"
Tifa flushed slightly. "Well...um...Vincent gave me that flower yesterday...he called it a rose, I think...are you okay?" Tifa asked when the engineer started.
"Oh. Oh, yes, I'm fine," Shera recovered hastily. "Ah...Tifa, Vincent gave you a rose? A red one?"
"Yes..." Tifa cocked her head to the side. "Why?"
"Hmm..." Shera mused, before standing. "It's nothing. I'm going to go talk to the Captain about researching the original habitats of these plants; I think I even recognize a few of them. I'll talk to you in a bit, okay Tifa?"
"Um...okay..." Tifa replied, confused. Shera smiled and left, leaving Tifa to wonder what had just happened.
~~~~~
"Vincent!" Shera called cheerily. "Vincent!"
She found him still staring out the window. If she had seen him before with Tifa, Shera would've been wondering how on earth he could stay that still for so long, but at the moment...
"There you are, Vincent. How have you been lately?" Shera smiled as she placed her hands behind her back. There was a gleam in her eye that made Vincent very worried.
"...fine."
"That's good!" Shera's smile grew even bigger. "Tifa told me you gave her a red rose."
*Oh holy...* Vincent immediately felt sick to his stomach. How could he have forgotten? Shera and Cid would both be able to recognize the gesture.
"Vincent? Are you alright?" Shera was giving him a worried look while waving her hand in front of his face. "Hello?"
"Yes?" he answered calmly.
"Oh! You blanked out on me for a moment there." The scientist grinned. "So...it was very nice of you to give Tifa a flower."
"I suppose."
Shera raised an eyebrow. "Cid did warn me about you being so non-committal. Oh well then, I'll get right to the point. I'm sure you're not stupid Vincent, you know very well what a red rose meant, do you not?"
"..." This woman was beginning to vaguely remind Vincent of Aeris.
Shera's expression turned serious. "Vincent, do you love her?"
He didn't answer. He didn't even look at her, keeping his gaze trained on the window.
"If you do, then...I could try to help you," Shera suggested hesitantly.
"No." Vincent turned his iciest glare on her. Shera involuntarily flinched.
"Do not help me." The dark man strode away.
"Vincent!" Shera ran next to him, having to jog slightly to keep up with his long, furious strides. "Why not? After all, you love her, and I'm sure that she could love you. She cares for you very much, I could tell that instantly."
*She does?* Vincent ignored his hopeful longing. "No." He stopped walking, and spun to face Shera. "Leave it be, Shera."
She frowned. "Why are you set against loving her?"
"...because I am a danger to her," he answered at last. He had a feeling he would never be able to shake her from the idea of "helping" Tifa and him, so he needed her to understand.
"A danger?"
Vincent gave a slight nod. "Chaos sleeps within me. Should he rise one day and I be unable to control him..." He shuddered at the idea.
"But Vincent! That hasn't happened before!" Shera exclaimed.
"It is still a possibility." He closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I will not risk harming another person I love."
Shera shook her head. "Instead you'll live in fear for your whole life?"
"It is my decision."
"Fine," Shera still frowned, but relented. "If that's what you think is best..."
"It is."
Shera watched him take his leave, thinking.
*I'm sure Vincent would know himself best...but then again, his view of himself is also blurred from his previous experiences...* Well. She'd give a little nudge here and there, and see how it worked out.
"SHERA! GET YOUR BE-HIND OVER HERE! WE'RE GONNA LAND!"
"Coming Captain! And thank you for your use of language!" Shera yelled back.
"Yeah yeah..." Cid's grumbling faded and Shera laughed. She was really quite pleased with the idea of Tifa and Vincent as a couple. Yes, she'd just watch for now, and offer advice...