Ack. Chapter four in one day. What the hell was I thinking? Haha. I must striking that creative streak. XD But anyway, a little more serious this time. And we get a little more of a glance into Mr. Thiefy's life. I'm sorry. That's officially his nickname apparently. XD But even though it is somewhat more serious, there are acouple parts that are funny, at least to me. But most of this chapter is just stuff you have to read for. I can't think of too much to say beforehand. So...chapter four?
Chapter Four--Today is Tomorrow
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" Cid grabbed his bag, stuffing a bagel in his mouth as he dropped down to tie his shoes. He growled into his breakfast as the laces tangled, forcing him to slow down. Finally he sorted them out and stood, resettling his bag on his back.
Zack caught sight of him and leaned against the wall, watching the blonde's hurried antics. "Late?"
"Yeah," he mumbled. "Way late. Overslept right through the first class." He took a quick bite of the bagel, glancing back toward Zack. "Wait. Why're you still here? You're usually gone by this time."
"Nah, not today. My stuff got canceled so I'm a free man." He grinned, opening his arms wide as if to embrace his new one-day way of life. "Planning on sleeping right through it all."
The blonde shook his head. "Lucky." Turning, he pushed his way out of the front door, Zack's shout following him.
"See ya! Oh! And I'm not gonna be here when you get back. Be back later tonight though!"
So he would have the house to himself. The thought of the house being quiet was a little overwhelming, but it wasn't as if he didn't like the idea. No Zack meant no Cloud. It wasn't that he disliked the other blonde; it was just that he could be a little aggravating sometimes. Every time Cid tried to be somewhat personable, Cloud simply brushed him off with some one word answer. He was just hard to get along with. Cid sighed. Maybe he just wasn't the "hi, nice to know ya" type. At least it seemed as such. He just felt that he should try since Cloud was constantly there and Zack's friend. Or whatever he was. The guy practically lived there from what he could tell.
He glanced down at his watch, quickening his pace. Fifteen minutes to get there on time. Good thing it was only a ten minute walk. He had lucked out that Zack lived so close to the university. At least he didn't have to take the train with a ton of detours out of his way. And even though Zack was a little crazy, he had been truly welcoming in inviting Cid into his house and life. I really should thank him one of these days—
"Get out! I don't want to see your face until tomorrow, you hear? If you step one foot in this house, I swear I'll beat you senseless!" A door slammed and Cid raised his eyebrows in slight humor. Someone's pissed. Wonder who got the boot? His eyes wandered to a nearby house, the one the door had belonged to. White siding, white shudders, nothing too special about it. A small neglected garden out front. But his gaze instantly traveled to the black-haired person standing at the door, their back turned to the blonde.
Shaking the ebony ponytail over their shoulder, the person turned and Cid's blue eyes grew wide as his surprised look was mirrored in crimson eyes. "Vincent?" As impossible as it seemed, the boy walking closer to him was the very same. A dull shadow lay over his nose, evidence of where Cid had punched him. But it wasn't alone. A second shadowed bruise lay against his pale throat and left cheek. "Holy shit, what happened to you?"
Vincent cleared his throat, running crimson eyes over the blonde's face. "Hello to you too, Highwind-san. I must say, what kind of a greeting is that?"
"What kind of a—dammit, that's not a greeting. I was seriously asking what happened to you! Yesterday you were fine and now you look like some one took the backside of a two-by-four to you. I'm sorry, but you don't get bruises like that from sleeping." He motioned toward the one against the other's neck and another peeking out from under his shirt collar.
Vincent lowered his head, checking his bag's strap more for a distraction than for a purpose. "They're nothing. Just let it drop." But from the look in Cid's eyes he saw the blonde wasn't about to just let it go. Quickly, he started forward, the other boy struggling to catch up.
"Yeah, right. So say they are nothing; I still don't believe you. But who was that guy who threw you out? You trying to rob houses now?" He took a second bite of his bagel, keeping his gaze on Vincent as he chewed.
A look of distaste came over the pale face. "That guy was my step-father."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Cid reached out and turned the raven-haired boy to face him. "Your step-father just kicked you out of the house? What the fuck, man? That doesn't make any sense!" He let go of the black-clad shoulder, watching as Vincent's eyes shaded over to a burgundy color.
"Whether it makes sense or not doesn't matter. He's done it before. It's no big deal." His voice was dark as he pushed away from Cid, stalking down the sidewalk.
The statement hit Cid. "Doesn't matter? Who the hell does it not matter? He just kicked you out for the entire night! Do you even have a place to stay?" He hurried up beside the glaring ponytailed boy. "Hey, I'm talking to you." When Vincent didn't reply, he reached out and grasped the thin arm again.
"I said, drop it. It doesn't concern you whether I have a place to stay or not, does it? No. So back off. What happens in that house between me and that drunken fool are my problems, not yours." Yanking his arm out of Cid's hand, he continued forward, steadily growing more frustrated with the blonde.
Cid watched as Vincent pulled further away, pale fists clenched at his sides. "Fine, whatever. Just thought I'd try to help out a little, that's all," he mumbled. It wasn't that he was too terribly interested in Vincent's life, it was just he didn't see a reason for his step-father to just toss him out like that. And he knew those bruises hadn't come from anything yesterday. They were too new. Shaking his head, he started slowly, keeping his distance from the owner of those glowering crimson eyes.
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Tap. Tap. Tap. Cid leaned his head over, resting his forehead on his desk. It was the last class of the day and here he was completely bored out of his mind. To him economics had to be the worst class ever behind Trig. But it was required by University standards, so he was stuck. Blue eyes roved up to the clock. Five minutes left and the professor was still on a role, droning on about gross capital income.
He groaned inside, gently knocking his head against the desktop. Aiming his eyes forward again, he focused on his pencil and started bouncing the eraser off of the desk again. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. How much longer? Tap.
The lecture turned from income to how it related to households and Cid's mind wandered back to Vincent. Talk about someone with a shitty household. Did he have a place to stay? Sure, he didn't know the guy very well, but he had made the attempt to at least be acquainted. And drunk or not, his step-father shouldn't have done something like that.
He scoffed. Right. This is coming from the guy who kicked himself out of his house. But still… Books suddenly slapped shut and papers began rustling so he broke from his thoughts, glancing around the room. He had missed the end of lecture while wandering through his own thoughts. But at least it was done for the day. Stretching, he pulled himself up, casually slipping his bag over one shoulder.
Now off to a nice, quiet, people-free evening, he thought smugly. He ran a hand though his blonde hair, pushing a few strands away from his face. Maybe he'd go get a pizza. He sure didn't feel like cooking. Yeah, that sounds good. He smiled as he stepped into the hall but his expression faded away as he stepped outside. The sunlight from earlier had dissolved into rain, the droplets falling down in torrents. "Downpour?' he whispered. "Isn't this just great."
Tugging his umbrella free from his bag, he pushed through the standing crowd and entered into the rain, whipping the pathetic excuse for cover over his head. Though his top half might stay reasonably dry, he knew already his pants would be soaked. Great. Just what I want to do on my day alone. Do laundry. He grumbled as he came to the intersection, but instead of taking the straight path, he decided on a different approach. For one, he didn't want to have another run in with Vincent. For two, he just felt like taking a different way today.
The scenery changed dramatically from the college city to quiet suburb. Glancing up he caught sight of the sun peeking through the clouds, the rain sparkling as it fell around him. Maybe this wasn't so bad. Off to his right a small river flowed past, the blue waters reflecting the faded sunlight.
Slowly he stepped closer to the river, eyes watching a tiny paper boat floating by. He almost laughed. At one time he had done the same, sending those paper boats into Tampa Bay, watching as they floated away to join the ocean. It was interesting to think that someone had just done the same thing, even over here halfway around the world. But that was the way it was. No one was really different when it came down to it.
He had started to move away from the river and its shining waters when something caught his eye. Narrowing his gaze, he stepped closer to the dark object, his head shaking slightly as he recognized the black ponytail. Sighing he stepped up behind Vincent, extending his umbrella over the soaked head. "You'll get sick like this, you know."
Vincent glanced upward, crimson eyes forlorn. "Why are you here?" he asked softly.
"Well, hell. I didn't know it was illegal to take a walk. That one of those unspoken rules or something?" He knelt down, balancing on the balls of his feet. "So you just gonna sit here all day or what?"
The crimson eyes turned away and he bowed his head, ebony silk falling over his face. "Why not? I have no where else to go. You've pounded that fact in enough I think."
"So you're gonna sit in the rain feeling all sorry for yourself." Sighing, Cid stood, gazing down at the raven head. Suddenly he reached down, dragging Vincent to his feet and started forward, the crimson-eyed boy too stunned to speak. "Sorry, but my American ass won't let you do that."
"But…but….what are you doing? Are you crazy?" Vincent pulled his arm free, glaring at the blonde.
"Of course. All us Americans are crazy and carry guns, right?" He grinned, a few drops of water falling from his hair. "But I just can't let you do that to yourself. If anyone should be out here, it's that sorry excuse for a step-father of yours. Now. I'm offering you a place to stay for the night, or are you gonna be a huge ass about it and refuse? And no pulling that tatemae crap on me either. I wanna here your actual answer." Vincent stood silent, but didn't protest when the blonde pulled him along again
Cid was actually surprised with himself. He had never been the type to make friends and had most certainly never been the type to reach out like this. But here he was helping out a boy he had just met and who possibly didn't even want his help. But there was no complains from the taller man so he kept on.
The rain had almost stopped when hey reached the house. As Zack had said, it was empty. He led the way to his room, tossing his keys on the small desk and his bag in the corner near his futon. He always sat there at night to do his homework, the scent-filled breezes floating through his window making it easier to concentrate. But tonight was Friday so there was no getting up early tomorrow. He just hoped that Zack wasn't going to drag him out of bed early tomorrow morning and take him somewhere. The spiky-haired man had been talking about it for a while.
Crimson eyes followed him as he disappeared into the hallway, returning a few minutes later. He looked sideways at Vincent who hadn't moved once. "You can relax, you know. I'm gonna bite." The ebony-haired man slowly set his bag down, gasping in surprise as a towel hit him square in the face.
Pulling the cloth away, he glared at Cid. "What was that for?" He glanced from the cotton towel in his hand to the blonde.
"Okay," Cid sighed, moving closer. His voice had taken on a soft tone, one Vincent didn't quite understand. Then the blonde reached out and laid a hand on the taller boy's shoulder. "Now, I know you're new here, but this is just like home, okay? Now, you take this—it's called a taw-wol," Vincent rolled his eyes at the boy, "and use it to dry off. Understand?" He grinned at Vincent's speculative look. He used to pull the "you're an idiot and I'm not" trick constantly, always getting the same results. Perfect. "And you take it in your hands, like this," he pulled the towel free, holding it between them, "and then…rub it all over your thick, idiotic head!" He laughed as Vincent yelled out, trying to fight Cid who was making more of a mess of the black silk than drying it.
"All right, all right! Stop it!" He stumbled away from the blonde, tripping over his bag in the process. The next second he was staring up at Cid. Another second and the towel was tossed at him, the white cotton draping over his head. He tried to be upset, but he couldn't help the laugh that Cid's look of accomplishment caused.
"Hah! Look! He does know how to laugh! The almighty Cid has struck again! Bow before my greatness!" One arm swung out and he lost his balance, falling onto his futon.
"Yeah, Cid the almighty klutz, maybe." Vincent stifled the laugh, shaking his head at the grinning blonde.
"Maybe, but at least I can prove that you do know how to have fun." He reached over, plucking at a strand of tangled ebony hair. "Nice look. You should keep it like that. Maybe then you'd actually look like a guy." He dodged the thrown towel, swiping his blonde hair back. "Damn, your aim sucks."
Vincent laughed again, looking out of the window behind his head. "Maybe, but what do you expect? My target's a chibi." Reaching up, he took hold of a small sakura flower that had settled on the sill. They wouldn't be around much longer. Another week or so. So is this what it's like? Is this what I've been missing? He'd always distanced himself too far from anyone to ever have called anyone a friend. He was still a little wary of the blonde-haired gaijin, but somehow Cid had crept his way into Vincent's life. Now there was just no getting rid of him.
But he was glad that the boy had come along. At least he knew he had a place to stay for night. Otherwise he would have been downtown tonight begging shelter from some of the others in his field. But he was even an outcast there. No one seemed to look too highly upon him. Especially his own family. If it could be called family.
Cid glanced over at Vincent, who had grown silent. "Hey, something wrong?" He stripped off his wet shirt, pulling a fresh one on in its place. The crimson gaze hit him and he shivered. There was just something about those eyes. They weren't natural. There was just something about Vincent that wasn't natural. "Uh, hello." He waved a hand, trying to draw that steady gaze from himself
"No. Nothing's wrong." He shrugged and closed his eyes, much to the relief of Cid. He had seen something hovering in those eyes, something he didn't quite understand. It bordered between a soft confusion and a cold anger. Is he angry that I brought him here? Unless he's thinking about something else. Something like why he's here in the first place.
He stood suddenly, taking Vincent by surprise as the blonde stepped over him and started searching through his closet. A moment later, he faced the black-haired man again, holding a set of clothes. "I figure these'll fit you somewhat good. Might be a little loose though." Vincent simply stared up at him. "Well? You gonna take them or not? There's no point in you staying in those wet clothes. I got you outta the damned rain to try and keep you alive, not to have you die from pneumonia you caught from you clothes."
Hesitantly the other took the clothes, looking down at them. He almost seemed unsure of what to do, but Cid knew that couldn't be the problem. Turning away, he moved into the hallway. "Bathroom's out here. I guess Zack's clothes might fit you better, but I'm not sure he'd take too kindly to someone wearing his clothes that wasn't him." Glancing back, he saw Vincent had joined him, holding the clothes away from his body to keep them dry. "So, you feel up for pizza?"
"Zack?" He didn't remember Cid ever mentioning a housemate.
Cid whirled around. "Oh, right. I forgot. Uh, yeah. He owns the house; he's just out for the afternoon. I think he said something about being back later on this evening. Probably come back drunk and staggerin' around with his little boyfriend." Shaking his head, he moved into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
Drunk and with his little boyfriend? What kind of mess did I get into? Mirroring Cid's headshake, he entered the bathroom, the door clicking shut as he did. He glanced into the mirror. So Cid had been right this morning: there were bruises. The one stretching across his nose had faded for the most part, but the others were only worse.
He pulled off his shirt, wincing at the dark marks along his shoulders and back. His step-father had really taken it to him this morning. He switched on the cold water faucet, splashing his face a few times. Sighing, he stared at his reflection once more, the painful crimson gaze staring back at him. How much longer can I do this? He's already done this much damage, but there's so much more he could do. I never know what to expect. I never know whether I'm going to walk in that door and get by with nothing or if I'm going to get beaten until it hurts to move. And when am I going to walk in that door just to have a gun pointed at my head? He shook his head, water droplets spraying the mirror and blurring his image. I have to get out of there soon.
He jumped as a knock sounded at the door, a few items falling into the sink from where he'd displaced them. "You all right in there? I can send in a rescue squad if ya want." Cid's laughter floated through the door and Vincent sighed. At least tonight he was safe. Even if Cid was a little strange, he wasn't about to give him a beating for not buying his alcohol for the day.
"N—no, I'm fine," he stammered as he righted the small bottles that had fallen. Tugging his pants off, he considered the khakis before pulling them on. It was a good thing that the blonde liked his pants long seeing as how he was shorter than Vincent. But the fact that he was stouter didn't help. He slipped into the sleeveless shirt, not thinking about the fact that his shoulders showed more than he would have liked. Instead he held the pants up with one hand, holding his clothes in the other.
Once he reached the room again he was about ready to steal Cid's belt just to keep the pants up. Loose was right. He dropped his neatly folded clothes on top of his bag and stepped into the kitchen where Cid was kneeling on the sink, searching through the cupboards. "What are you doing? Raiding your own house?"
Cid whirled around. "Oh, hey. No, I'm lookin' for something, okay?" He faced the open cupboard once again. "So the clothes fit all right?"
Vincent laughed causing Cid to turn toward him again. "I feel like a clothes hanger." He stretched out his free arm, the other still holding the khakis to his waist. The blonde laughed, jumping down from the sink.
"Nice. Perfect fit, if I do say so myself." He plucked at the shirt which was loose on himself when he wore it. On Vincent's thin frame it looked like it was hanging on a mannequin. "But there're some belts in the closet. Go ahead and grab one. Don't need ya losing your pants every five seconds." He laughed again, pulling his wallet free from his pocket. "And don't get any ideas, you hear me?" Waving the wallet, he started for the front door.
"How would that even work?" But Cid hadn't heard him. The blonde had already left the house. Quietly he made his way back to the room, opening the closet slowly and grabbing the first belt he saw. He threaded it through the loops, tying it as tight as possible, and stepped outside. Cid was sitting on the steps, his wallet in hand.
"Hey, you found one."
"One? I would think you lived off of belts." Vincent laughed as he sat down next to the blonde. "So what, they don't know the address or something?"
Cid sighed. "It's not that, I just like to sit outside and watch the sunset at night, all right?" He turned his blue eyes on Vincent. "And if you even think about saying that sounds really gay, I swear I'll punch you again."
"Oh, I don't think that. No, I know it's gay." He grinned as Cid half-heartedly swung at him. He glanced up, surprised. The sky had cleared out considerably and there wasn't a single hint there had even been rain except for the shaking droplets clinging to the nearby trees. The falling sun glistened through the drops, tiny bits of color sent in every direction.
A horn honk brought his attention forward and Cid leapt up, walking briskly toward the man who was getting out of his car. A few minutes of talking and the blonde returned, already peeking inside the box. "Damn, this smells good." He waited for Vincent to go back inside, sneaking a small piece out after a few minutes passed.
"I sure hope you're not eating that out here. The neighbors will start thinking I'm not feeding ya or something." A hand reached over his shoulder, pulling the end off of his chosen piece. "We'll start getting all those weird rumors of 'Zack-san's starving his exchange student' and 'Zack-san's a slave-driver' and 'Zack-san's a freakin' tiger in bed'." Cid whirled around, staring at the black-haired man.
"A tiger in bed? What the fuck? Where the hell would they get that idea and what does that have to do with me?" He watched as Zack stuck part the pizza in his mouth, swallowing it down. Out on the street ha caught sight of Cloud clambering out of the passenger-side door. Sure looks drunk all right. Damn. And it's not even past five. Or six. Something like that.
"Aha! No, see, that's the trick. I started that last little rumor." Zack laughed, his violet eyes shining. Wrapping an arm around Cid's neck, he walked the blonde inside. "So what's the occasion for a pizza? I figured you ate it all the time back in Tampa. After all, college student."
"Hell no," Cid grumbled. "I haven't had a decent pizza for over a year. When you're like me and don't have much you gotta learn to live without the stuff ya love. Learn to love instant ramen instead." He wrinkled his nose at the thought. Back home he had eaten it almost every day. But that's what you got for never having any money and having too much pride to ask for help.
"Hah, that's a good one. So I ask again? What's the—oh." He unwound his arm from Cid's shoulders, standing up straight as he looked Vincent over. "Didn't know I was gonna meet my long lost brother." Looking again, his black eyebrows knit together. The younger man was standing before them, hands at his sides. "Hey, I know you."
Vincent winced. Yeah, I know you too. Oh god. I didn't know Zack was this guy. This isn't going to go good, I just know it. He shifted from one foot to the other, his crimson eyes shaded.
"Yeah." Zack came closer, looking down at the boy. "Yeah, I do know you. You're that guy! That one who works at school, right? Messenger-boy."
The younger raven-haired boy felt the relief flow out of him with his held breath. He hadn't even known he'd been holding it until he let it go. "Uh…yes. That's me." He smiled faintly as Cid grabbed his arm and shoved the pizza into his hands.
"Here. You take this before mister tall, dark and crazy eats it all." Zack laughed as he popped the rest of his stolen piece into his mouth, Cloud staggering in the door and leaning on the violet-eyed man's shoulder. "So, uh, we've had intros and all that. Zack, Vince just needed a place to stay tonight. I figured it'd be all right with you."
Vincent was shocked. Cid had done this without even knowing whether Zack would approve? He was either brave or overly foolish. And Vincent was willing to bet for the latter. However, Zack just waved a hand. "Nah, I don't care. It's your house too anymore, remember? I don't care what you do." He grinned at an idea. "Hell, you could have a freakin' sex party for all I care, just so long as I'm invited." He laughed as Cloud punched his arm. "Kidding, kidding."
"Well, whatever. I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon, so don't get your hopes up." Cid pushed a little on Vincent's back, maneuvering him toward the hallway. "C'mon Vince. The pizza's getting' cold and Zack's staring at it awful damn hard." Finally the crimson-eyed boy moved, led by the insistent pushes at his back.
He reached the room and slipped inside, Cid closing the door behind them. "So that's your housemate?" Setting the pizza down, he glanced warily at the door.
Cid relieved the box of another slice, pulling a string of cheese loose. "Yeah, what of it? Hey, he's not gonna attack you or something. I know he's kind of a nut, but he's sane enough." He laughed, taking a bite as cheese oozed down the side. Picking a pepperoni off, he popped it into his mouth, watching Vincent. "What're you all tense for? You were acting like he was gonna frame you for something back there."
Vincent shifted his weight again before sitting. "Well…"
"Whoa. Wait. You mean you mugged him? You mugged Zack?" He burst out laughing. "Oh, this is too good! When'd that happen?" He scooted closer to Vincent, the pizza box in his lap. He didn't need Zack or Cloud overhearing this even though he doubted that Cloud would be able to understand anything right now.
"I can't remember. It was just one night. It was really late and I ran into him. He was stumbling all around, completely drunk, and I offered to help him home. It's not my fault his wallet was in easy reach." Vincent picked up his own slice.
The blonde started laughing loudly. "Oh my fuckin' god. I can't believe that. So where did you end up leaving him? You didn't actually bring him home, did you?"
"'Course not," he mumbled back through his mouthful. "Left him in the park with his last bottle. I still remember him the best because I'd never gone after anyone who thought a sake bottle was a microphone." He smiled as Cid stared then burst out laughing again.
Finally gaining control over his laughter, Cid wiped his face. "Oh shit. I can't believe he was actually singing."
"Yep. I think it was something like that one song…oh, crap. What was it? It was so hilarious. Something about…oh god! It was that one English song Be With You." Vincent laughed as he recalled the off-pitch singer in the park, crooning to his empty bottle. "He completely sucked."
"You're shittin' me. That Enrique Iglesias song? Oh shit. He's gonna have to face that so badly. Are you telling me he sang the whole thing?" Cid shook his head, still laughing over the thought of a smashed Zack singing a love song out of key to a bunch of trees. "Damn, I wish I was here then. I miss everything, I swear."
"Oh, it definitely made my night. I usually never got a show along with my earnings." He leaned his head back, smiling. God, when have I ever just enjoyed something like this? Had to be back…I can't remember. His face fell a little and he covered it with taking another mouthful of pizza. Guess I was cheating myself out of all of this.
He grinned again as Cid started imitating what he though Zack might have been like. Yes, he had definitely been cheated out of this. A knock sounded at the door and they both jumped, glancing at the door. Zack's head popped in. "Hey guys, don't have too much fun. Gotta save some for all the other days, ya know." He grinned, his half-sober smile making them both burst out into laughter again. Shrugging, he closed the door. Wonder what that was about? He leaned his head against the door for a moment, listening. And then he heard, intertwined with the laughter, a few lines of an old pop song. Heh, I love that song, he thought as he slipped back into his own room, completely unaware of everything.
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"Oh shit. Is it really that late?" Cid felt his eyes fall out of focus as he stared at the clock. Squinting, he managed to make out the blurry red numbers. "Damn. It's three in the morning." He yawned, looking over to where Vincent was mirroring him. "Hah, got ya."
"Funny, kimpatsu." Vincent wiped his right hand over his face, pushing his ebony hair back. "I guess we should get some sleep then." He blinked a few times, clearing his vision.
"Yeah." The blonde yawned again. "I thought you were gonna stop callin' me that?"
"I was, but it just fits. So either deal with it or tell me what to call you." With one hand he scratched his head. The sleeplessness was starting to catch up with him and he was fading fast. If he didn't intentionally fall asleep, he would end up zoning out right where he was.
Cid grumbled a little. "Whatever. I don't care anymore. But I'd rather it not be that. It just sounds so…harsh. Like an insult, ya know?" He reached behind him, grabbing a pillow. Rolling it up, he rested his head on the top, closing his eyes. "Damn. I could just go to sleep right here."
"Yeah, and wake up with a hell of a backache." Vincent glanced around them. "Didn't you say you had another futon somewhere? Not to be insistent or anything, just wondering." He stretched his arms up, fingers brushing his head as he lowered them back down.
That's right, he's staying the night. I almost forgot. Not that there's much of a night left. Dragging himself up, he nodded. "Yeah. I think it's out in the linen closet. Hard to tell, the way Zack stashes things." Shrugging, he stepped into the hallway, his eyes slow to adjust to the darkness. Feeling his way along the wall, he flicked on the light switch when he finally came to it. Least I can see now, he thought carefully. Even his thoughts were starting to slow down.
He grasped the closet door, sliding it open. "Okay…" He stared in confusion at the empty closet. Well, that's not good. A shuffling sound made him turn, Zack's face appearing behind him.
"You looking for something?" Amazingly, considering the time, Zack was fully awake. Maybe he had taken that nap today. He motioned toward the closet.
"Uh, yeah. Wasn't there an extra futon in here before?" He bit back his next yawn, a grumbling sound coming from his throat instead.
Zack looked at him curiously then laughed. "Well, that was interesting. But not anymore. Had to go take it in to get it cleaned. Guess I should have said something earlier. I didn't think about that. Wait here." He disappeared into his room and emerged a moment later with a few extra comforters. "This work?"
Cid shook his head, trying to clear it of the threatening sleep. "Uh, yeah. I guess. Thanks," he mumbled as he slid past the older man, pushing his door open. Zack smiled at him and said a quick goodnight, then closed his door. The blonde dropped the blankets, turning to Vincent. "Guess not. Got some blankets though." He slumped down onto his futon, smoothing it out as Vincent began laying out the blankets. "Will that work?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine." The raven-haired boy smiled weakly. As soon as he had laid out the blankets, he was planning on passing out completely. At least he didn't have to worry about his step-father coming in and dragging him out of bed to make a morning run to the liquor store. He smiled again, dropping quietly onto his make-shift bed. Maybe for once he could remember what a good night's sleep was. His head hit the pillow Cid had handed him and as his crimson eyes closed he dropped off into a dead sleep, the night air brushing over his face.
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Sooo...who thinks Vinny's step-fater's the biggest creep alive? Haha, don't worry. He get's worse. But hey, you've gotta have someone to be mad at their existance. But I'm really sorry if anyone is really offended by Zack's little episode. I don't know why anyone would, but you never know. But the song just came on when I was writing that and it fit too good. Hence, the song. Maybe he thought he was singing to Cloud. Haha. Poor Zack. But I guess it's his own fault for getting drunk. lol I just wondering now where Cloud was? lol But Cid is totally right. You have to learn how to love instant ramen. XD Yay for writing from experience. XD But at least we've got those two getting along better now. Still insulting each other constantly, but hell. All friends do that. lol So, besides any little tidbits for waht's coming up, I have nothing else. And no, I'm not telling any. XD Except for the fact that there will be some more cameos running around soon. Hee.
Okay. Not much for the little thingy I've been doing for this. I just haven't been able to find where to fit much in. Oh well.
Tatemae--The concept of honne and tatemae is a strong one in Japan. Honne, or the true feelings of an individual, are placed below tatemae, or the socially expected feelings.
Sakura--I think I actually used the english translation back in chapter one, but this just means "cherry blossom".
So there ya have it. Chapter four in all it's AU weirdness. Haha. But anyway, more soliciting time! XD Mr. Thiefy, get in there!
Vincent: Please, please, please stop calling me that.
But...but...but it's so cute.
Vincent: I dont' care. I'm leaving.
Nononono! Please don't leave! I was wanting you to ask for me! Pwease? Huh? He's gone. Crap. Oh well. Please review? I'd really appreciate it. :)