The Reckoning: Vincent's Goodbye

Chapter VI

Tifa woke herself up from a dream in the early hours of the morning, and looked at the clock on her dresser. (It's only three? I thought it would have been later…) Tifa yawns a little loudly, but tries to quickly quiet herself.

"Are you all right?" Vincent startled Tifa. She didn't expect to hear his voice, but she did not mind. It was always soothing to her, one of the few things that comforted her in nearly any situation.

"Did I wake you up, Vincent? If I did, I'm so sorry. I just woke up from a dream and…" Tifa was interrupted with Vincent laughing.

"No, no. Do not worry Tifa. I could not sleep…"

"Was something troubling you? Or is something troubling you now?"

"No, that is not the reason. It is just… Sleeping next to you like this, I did not want to miss the chance to look upon your beautiful face, and so I've remained awake all these hours simply listening to you breathe, watching your movements, and holding onto you tightly. I was brushing your hair a little bit too; perhaps that is what woke you. It is I that should be sorry." Vincent spoke slowly and carefully, not knowing how Tifa might take his words.

"Vincent… Your words are sweet. No one has ever told me those things. No one has even told me anything close… I wish Cloud cared as much as you did. Try to get some sleep Vincent; we'll need it for today, okay? Goodnight Vincent." Without another word, Tifa reached her arms around Vincent's neck and kissed him first on his forehead, then his cheek, but before she could kiss him on the lips, Vincent stopped her.

"That is enough Tifa… Please, not right now." Tifa looked a little hurt by his words, but she still kissed him, only placing her hand over his lips and kissing it, still letting him know she wanted to kiss him, but would not at his request.

"Just get some sleep Vincent, okay? Please?" Tifa brought her arms down and folded them into her chest and fell asleep in Vincent's arms. (What did I say or do that was so wrong? Maybe I shouldn't have kissed him… Did he want me to though? Ohhh… I'm such a screw up…)

(How can I sleep now, once again being reminded that you care for Cloud? How much do you honestly care for him? Is it enough to push me from your heart? Tifa… If you only knew how much I love you, maybe things would be different between you and I. There is just so much I wish I could tell you, but I cannot. Do not worry Tifa, soon I will walk away and leave you to Cloud so that your peace and happiness may finally be found.) "Goodnight Tifa. I… I lov… Goodnight."

"Did you say something Vincent?" Tifa was rousing from her sleep again. She fell asleep quickly and quite easily in his arms holding strongly."

"No Tifa, I did not. Just go back to sleep. We have a day to be ready for, remember? I'm looking forward to it."

"Really, Vincent?"

"Yes Tifa, I really am." Vincent chuckled a little bit in his dark humorous way.

"Good. It'll be the most fun you've ever had. I promise…" Tifa yawned again, proving she was really tired and didn't need to be talking. (So he does really want to spend time with me… This is wonderful! Will I be able to tell him how I've felt about him since I first laid eyes upon him though? I hope… I heard you Vincent. You couldn't tell me you love me. But it's all right. I love you too… You just don't know it yet love. Goodnight…)

"Let's get some sleep Tifa, alright?" (Maybe I should thank her for these boxers. They are comfortable, and if I may say so myself, they look quite sexy…) Vincent kissed Tifa's forehead, brushed his claws through her hair to soothe her back to sleep, and eventually fell asleep himself, laughing at his thoughts and patiently awaiting the dawn of the new day to come to spend time with the girl he thought to be so precious and lovely.