Chapter 4

Vincent gazed down at the beautiful girl in his arms that had so willingly given herself to him. He had been mildly and pleasantly surprised that she had missed him, but was completely baffled why she seemed so shattered yet taken by him. What made her weep for him like she did? In the back of his mind, he could hear the chuckling of his demon counterparts, quietly relishing the scene of human display in front of them.

I mustn't leave her in this tavern, people could ask odd questions if they saw her through the window with…me. He gently picked her up in his arms, and she sighed into his chest, breathing deeply in her sleep. A single strand of hair obscured her face, yet he found no flaw in her features. To him, she seemed perfect.

He made his way to the back and up the stairs after the kitchen, taking her to her small yet cozy home on the story above. He gently nudged open the unlocked door to reveal a finely decorated and furnished wooden room, complete with even a couch in front of the fireplace.

He gently laid her on the furniture and made his way to the small, tiled kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee. As he drank deeply from his saucer as he studied the house.

It was a standard home, with two room and one bathroom. It was cozy enough, and kept the warmth in and the cool air out. Two windows stood on either end of the fireplace, facing outward onto the damp street, and he could imagine the rays of light flooding the room in the timber house. He smiled slightly to himself and finished his drink, gently setting it down on the table in the small dining room connecting the kitchen and living room. He made his way slowly into the living room and looked at Tifa for a moment, his face blank but his mind racing.

Should I stay here or leave? If I leave, I should wake her up…but then she'd convince me to stay. If I did stay I might be tempted into doing something, and I don't want to take advantage of her when she's vulnerable in this depression. He turned to leave, quietly opening the door when he heard Tifa moan softly from behind him. He turned around slowly and saw her raise her head limply as she stretched, her drowsy eyes on Vincent.

"Where are you going?" she asked softly, getting up to lay on her stomach. "Are you leaving again?"

Vincent shook his head, keeping his face straight. "I…intended on staying and cleaning the bar slightly while you slept. My apologies if I woke you, I had thought better to allow you to sleep."

Tifa laughed slightly and made her way to Vincent and embraced him. "You're too much of a gentleman. Does it make you uncomfortable being alone with me in my apartment?" she asked, lifting her head to stare into his red eyes.

"I thought it not…courteous to stay uninvited in a woman's home."

Tifa gave another laugh and took him by his hand, guiding him to one of the back rooms. He did not try convincingly to escape her hold, and was privately enjoying the feel of her hand on his. She led him into a bedroom and closed the door silently behind her, and before he knew what had happened, she had thrown her arms around him and kissed him.

Their lips slid against each others as they carried their passionate kiss to the bed. They fell together in a crumpled heap, not giving thought to anything but each other. Vincent slowly relaxed his suddenly tensed body, and Tifa felt him finally succumb to her.

She broke the kiss and gazed at him lovingly for a few moments, breathing heavily. His eyes remained closed, and his breathing was not any lighter. "You're invited to stay," she said playfully. "Come on, you can sleep here tonight."

Vincent's eyes slowly opened and he looked at her meaningfully. "But Tifa," he started, not taking his eyes off her, "I already have a room at an inn…"

"Would you rather us stay in a hotel room together?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Vincent shook his head slightly, and tried again. "I don't want to seem as if I am forcing you…"

"You're not."

"…into something you might regret doing later," he finished, as if Tifa had not spoken. "I don't want you to feel pressured…"

Tifa now suddenly grew angry, sitting up slightly. "Damnit Vincent! I just want to sleep with you! Can't you just stop thinking for one night and stop making excuses? If you really cared about me, you wouldn't mind either!" Her eyes held a terrifying look, and she contorted her face into the most intimidating one she could muster.

Vincent, however, appeared unaffected, unruffled. It seemed as though, for a moment, he would say something, but she was caught off guard as he pressed his lips against hers once more and wrapped his strong arms around her. She resisted feebly, savoring the taste of his lips and brought her arms around his neck, letting his hair down and brushing her hand through it. Vincent brought his hands underneath her shirt and massaged her bare back with his hands, his human hand rough yet gentle, and his metallic claw smooth and cool, sending chills pleasantly through her body.

When they broke apart at what seemed hours later, Tifa tried to look angry with him. It must not have been successful, for Vincent's suave expression slipped into a small smile. "You cheated," she said, pouting. "You weren't supposed to kiss me."

He caressed the line of her jaw with the tip of his claw. She moaned slightly and his smile became more apparent. "You welcomed it, though." He removed his claw from her and started to rub her back again. "However, though I must admit I, too, am relishing this, it seems as though we are moving too quickly, Tifa."

She smiled and said, "Oh, just shut up and kiss me again." He happily obliged, and when they finally split apart, she snuggled up against his broad chest, sighed happily and fell asleep.