2 AM, 7h Heaven Bar, Zack and Aerith's room...
'Be ready Angel; I'll be visiting you very soon.'
The words repeated in her head, causing her to stir awake in the died of night. Eyes wide open, an ear pressed on her partner's chest, her arms comfortably around him. She should get back to sleep and resume her well earned rest, yet her mind was occupied by the stranger's odd message since she heard it.
'Who was that? was it really a wrong number?'
She leaned closer to her lover's chest, listening ever so close to the rhythm of his heartbeat. It always gave her comfort, and within his strong arms, she felt safe. Yet, her concern still occupied her mind. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open and moved upwards to Zack's face. Absentmindedly, she studied his features, all while her mind still thinking over her predicament.
'Should I mention this to Zack? How would he react? I'm sure he won't go overboard, But what if he did? and, what if it was a wrong number and I caused him to worry over nothing.'
The thought was tempting, her mind wondered a bit more about the possible outcomes as her head felt the rise and fall of her boyfriend's chest. His long hair was a big mess on the pillow under him. He usually didn't snore, tonight though, Zack had returned from his string of missions later than usual. Yet he insisted on taking up the bouncer role for the bar in Cloud's absence. Which made her feel bad about telling him something as trivial as the phone call.
'I shouldn't bother him with this stuff. It's not that important anyway. What I should do though is ask Tifa to take me shopping for some clothes, I can't visit his parents like this or my mother for that matter.'
Aerith wrapped her arms tighter around her muscular boyfriend's waist. Her ear pressed against his chest still, and soon enough, she drifted to sleep.
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Midnight, The City of Edge, Kujata Avenue...
Kujata Avenu housed more than just the WRO headquarters. It was also home to the many scientists, agents, and military personnel of the said organization. Other than the usual night patrols walking the empty streets, none were awake at this hour.
"You don't have to remind me!"
correction, almost none...
In one of the top apartments of the agent residence, Yuffie sat across from her gloomy partner holding a deck of cards, biting her lower lip in thought. Her hands glided across the floor of cards as she tried to pick the right one to give her a win in the game. The score was 12 to 0, she was on the losing side.
Vincent, on the other hand, was tired and had planned to sleep hours ago, but the hyperactive ninja insisted on playing, he decided to humor her. Her game of choice though was questionable. Blackjack with the loser stripping an article of clothing each round was not his idea of fun at the moment. He was somehow able to get her to keep her clothes on for the 12th time, but after this, he really needed to sleep.
"Yuffie, just pick one."
"I know! Just let me think!" Yuffie complained, still debating.
He sighed, letting his chin rest on his gauntlet covered arm waiting. As he waited, his eyes wandered to her. She was anxious, as evident from her biting her own lips. Her sights focused on her cards, slender fingers touching the cards once in a while then withdrawing. A headband keeping her bangs away from her eyes. A bright Neon orange tank top and white shorts were her choices of nightwear.
He, on the other hand, was dressed more modestly in long gray sweatpants and a shirt. His long hair tied up in a messy bun, courtesy of Yuffie of course.
As more and more time passed, it was clear that she wasn't going to finish her turn anytime soon. Something had to be done to end this game himself. Vincent shifted his gaze back to her, specifically her exposed belly and sides. That's when he had an idea.
He carefully moved next to her while she was distracted. Then he encircled his arms her waist, causing her to jerk as he dragged her off the floor and onto his lap.
"Hey! Let go!" Yuffie yelled defensively as she tried to wiggle out of his grip. But it was no use as he was much stronger than she was. The cards scattered across the floor as Vincent got up with the struggling girl and got in bed.
"You're a sore loser aren't you?" She pouted.
"Maybe." He was the one winning, but he really didn't want to argue right now. "Now will you let me sleep or should I tickle you?" when he saw her face drop he knew he got her, finally.
"Ok, ok... we'll sleep. But on one condition!"
"You aren't in any position make demands. But fine, let's hear it."
"Your Gauntlet, take it off."
"My gauntlet?"
"Yeah, take it off. It's uncomfortable when you sleep, isn't it? It is to me anyway."
"... Fine." He agreed, reluctantly that is. But he's already tired as it is. Slipping the pieces of gold off wasn't the issue, taking off the glove that it concealed what's underneath was. But he did anyway, and as he did, he heard Yuffie's low sounding gasp.
His arm was covered in scars and discolored in white, a side effect of the experiments and mutations. Yet despite all that it still was shaped like an average human's hand. "Happy now?"
Usually, he won't take off the gauntlet when surrounded by others, the last thing he wanted was to scare people off. Only when he was by his lonesome does he ever do. But he wasn't alone anymore, Yuffie was not only his partner but also his girlfriend, which he's still not used to even if it's been 3 months.
So he waited, both anxious and fearful of how the girl would react to this new discovery. Vincent was prepared for her to start yelling 'vampire' and run to the door, much like how she did when they first met at the Shinra Mansion's basement. But instead, she firmly held his arm and looked straight in the eyes.
"You need sunblock."
Vincent had drawn a blank, the young ninja had thrown him off guard completely. For the first time since he woke up from that coffin, he was entirely and utterly at a loss for words. He didn't even know if she was serious or just faking it.
"You must have run out before you got to this arm. I knew you were pale, but not this pale."
She was honest to god serious, sadly...
