AN: Well, hope you're all liking this so far! It's a little more light hearted than "Obsession's Other Brother" (which you should read, so that some of the history makes sense) but there will be serious parts...just of a different variety. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 – Affetuoso

She had come down, after Cloud's shouting finally got on her nerves. Well, that and she did need to get back to work.

The door was locked, and she had managed to close on time. Having an ex-SOLDIER with a big sword did have its benefits. She was busying herself with cleaning the counter, while Cloud sat at a table towards the back, undoubtedly muttering to himself.

Geez, he's sure gotten weird. Acts kinda like...Vinnie...

She shook her head. Cloud may have been confused most of the time, but there was no way he would ever compare to "guilt on legs." Sure, he'd seen Aeris die, confused his memories with his best friend's, gotten killed after defeating Sephiroth, gotten his body stolen by said mental case, and found out that the one woman who loved him didn't anymore... He still was personable.

That and you'd never see him in a coffin.

"Hey, Spike!" she yelled over, hoping to pull him out of whatever strange thing he was doing, "Wanna go hang out before bedtime?" She gave him her patented smile, guaranteed to either thrill or frighten the hell out of you.

"...Sure," he said, gradually pulling himself from the seat. He reached over to his sword, which he had propped against the wall.

"Oh no. You're so not bringing that," she said forcefully, just before she hopped over the counter. He shrugged.

"Habit," he admitted, putting his hands in his pockets. She narrowed her eyes.

"Ok...what'd ya think we should do?" she asked rocking back on her heels. He shrugged.

I figured you'd be so...helpful... ugh.

"Alrighty, we'll just have to go clubbin then," she said with an innocent look. Cloud's eyes bugged for a moment, then he relaxed.

"Excuse me?" he asked timidly. She chuckled.

"C'mon, it'll be fun," she said bouncing her way towards the stairs, "But first I gotta change, k?" He nodded, shifting his weight.

"Oh, and you might wanna put on something else too," she said slyly, peeking out from behind the wall that hid the staircase, "You smell like a chocobo."

He sighed and then walked over to where his pack lay.

This is going to be so fun...

Earlier, Elsewhere...

She didn't need to turn around to know he was there. His boots always made a certain clicking sound on the floor, no matter how stealthy he was. She turned around, and smiled widely as saw that he was escorting Audrey. The girl was trying desperately to hide her blush, her face downcast.

What a charmer. No wonder Audrey's so taken with him.

"Oh, so you finally decided to show up," she said teasingly, hands planted firmly on her hips. Audrey gave Vincent a shy smile and slinked off, slowly removing her hand from his arm. He gave her a wave and then turned to Tifa.

"You cannot expect me to be punctual every time," he said, trying to sound as serious as possible. She laughed.

"Of course, of course," she said, waving her hand at him, as if shooing him off, "Next thing you're going to tell me is that you're being tied down. Blah blah." He blinked.

"I never implied that," he said seriously. She laughed again and then winked, letting him know she was kidding. He relaxed.

"Hiya Vincent," Rinna said, sneaking into the conversation as always. He shifted his weight, always a little uncomfortable in her presence.

"Well, Vince," Tifa said, breaking the silence, "We were just getting Halloween costumes picked out. Have you any ideas for yours?" He stopped all muscle movement, and gave off an impression of a cornered animal.

"No..." he said quietly, swallowing. Rinna and Tifa smirked.

"Oh! You could totally do some kind of couple thing with-"Rinna stopped suddenly seeing the look Tifa threw her, "-or not." She gave a little nervous laugh and decided to go bother Kale—one of her favorite pastimes.

"She's getting more like her everyday," Vincent said, attempting to change the subject. He fiddled with a piece of his shorter cropped hair, a sign that he wanted to go back outside.

You're not getting away so easily.

"Hmm..." she said, looking him up and down, "...with hair like that...and your height..." He eyed her quizzically.

You've certainly improved. I like your hair like that...

"I have a bad feeling about this," he breathed, standing a little closer. Her eyes snapped up and met his.

"Vampire?" she said jokingly, enjoying the look of pure disgust on his face, "Nah...did you ever have some kind of idol as a kid?" He considered her sudden question for a moment, and then shook his head. She gave him an innocent look, nearly making him chuckle.

"...Well...there was this one thing," he grudgingly began, too charmed by her mannerism, "He was what was called a "glam rocker" in my day..." She was giggling, knowing full well what he meant. He frowned.

Glam rock? Oh, this is just too fun...didn't think you were the type...

"...named Daniel Folly. He was my favorite as an adolescent," he finished, frowning again. She smiled.

"Well, you can borrow my makeup," she said, trying to keep her face serious, "Although, you're going to have to do your own tights..." He tried to turn his face away.

Is he...blushing?

"And what are you going to do?" he said slyly, his complexion yet again pale. She shrugged.

"I don't know," she admitted, shifting around and clasping her hands behind her back. He smirked.

"It might be humorous..." he began, giving her a quick once over, "If you were a gunslinger. I'll even show you how to carry one." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Miss Teefa!" Kale shouted, longish red hair bobbing behind him as he ran towards her, "Rinna's being stooopid!" She sighed, knowing that she didn't have time to converse with Vincent for long. He nodded, slipping over to where some of the other children were gathered. His mere presence at times would keep the trouble making to a minimum.

But before he went to his usual corner, he noticed something on the table.

"You just need to learn to get along with her," Tifa said, patting Kale on the shoulder. He frowned, crossing his little arms in front of him.

He picked up the book carefully, reading the ancient words on the front cover slowly.

"Thoughts and Memoirs..."

"How about you just ignore her next time?" Tifa said cheerfully, waiting for his expression to change, "Besides, you probably bother her just as much." He smirked for a moment, unable to contain that small amount of glee.

"...By Tiphareth Divisi"

"...Tifa? What is this?"

Note: Daniel Folly is the FF7 version of David Bowie. I love the guy, and I thought it would be much fun to have ole Vinnie in makeup and hair like from Labyrinth...evil, I know.

Theme Songs (this chapter):

Yuffie: Supervixen Garbage (hehe)

Tifa: Surrendering Alanis Morisette (for now)