A/N: Here's the next update, as promised.
Special thanks to: LOstGirlz, LAWLIAMMAD, Skykhanhunter, Heloeyes (2 reviews!?! you're awesome) , Milvus, and GaladrielofLorien (yay lotr)
Once again, they're the reason why I update (and the people who put this on their watch/favorites list..you're unbelievable too), and why my parents are confused by my constant happy dances.
I'm just ecstatic that people seem to like this ..haha
now on with the story! this one's from Vincent's POV... and also a little longer than most chapters
"Okay, so I need about 3 more barrels of the red wine."
Vincent smoothly noted the statement on a pad. He was currently in the back storage room behind the bar counter. It was small, with terrible lighting. But he had never minded small spaces. Not anymore at least.
Tifa looked comfortable as well. He supposed this was routine for her, but he didn't question the need for his help. There were a lot of different bottles and nonperishable food supplies littering the shelves and floor. It was going to be a long day. "White flour too…especially after that cake Yuffie had me make for you."
His face brightened. The cake, although extremely delicious, had the clear mark of the energetic ninja all over it. The batter was dyed red, and the frosting was a mixture of yellow and grey. It looked absolutely horrendous, but Vincent had felt a warm sensation at the sight.
Dare he say he felt happy?
I suppose. There was no harm in admitting it. And maybe 30 years of sleeping really was enough penance.
"Speaking of cake…" Tifa began as a very bad transition "I was...um…I guess, curious to know what kind of food you like?" She said the last part flatly, as if realizing it sounded absolutely ridiculous.
Vincent was taken back a bit. What does it matter to her? For some reason, that thought connected to yesterday morning. About how flustered she appeared and her appearance. He had to admit that he was grateful Tifa wore something more practical today. She was wearing loosely fitting black cargo pants and a cable line dark blue sweater, nothing too extravagant. Her hair was up in a messy bun, her bangs falling out and framing her cheek bones. "…I mean, just generally…"
Vincent didn't need to come up with any more avoidance tactics for they were soon interrupted by a very stern looking Cloud Strife. His dark blonde eyebrows furrowed together, making him look distressed. What is wrong with Cloud?
Standing up, Vincent offered Cloud his hand (the one minus the claw), "Nice to see you, Cloud."
The blonde in front of him shook it tentatively, glancing more to the girl on the floor with the inventory list. "…Hey, Vincent, you're here early."
"It is 11:30."
His blue eyes flashed, causing Vincent to smirk, "Right…Tifa?"
"Yeah, Cloud?"
"You need anymore help?"
Vincent gazed back at the girl, becoming confused as her cheeks were flushing, "No! Yuffie should be here any second! Go have fun with her…show her the sights and what not!" Tifa's head immediately went back down to the list.
"Okay…" He was hesitant to leave, it was obvious. Then again so much about Cloud is.
Vincent knew about Cloud's little crush on his childhood friend. He knew about Tifa's crush on the blonde as well. What he didn't know was why nothing ever happened. It seems strange that two people can both be so ignorant.
But maybe it wasn't ignorance.
They may have the right attitude after all. Never developing a relationship means you can never get burned. Vincent felt cold at the thought. It had been decades since he and Lucrecia had fallen in love, and sometimes the human half of him ached with her absence. Ever since the last confrontation with Hojo, Vincent realized that he was not the sole person that needed to repent. Hojo's own sick mind had brought Lucrecia's fate and caused Sephiroth to be the monster he was.
But that didn't stop him from loving her. After everything…after Hojo, the experiments, Sephiroth…his body still longed to lie beside hers. She's gone, gone. The thought echoed repeatedly, causing his mood to remain unchanged.
"Ohh Cloud!!"
The hollering broke his melancholy. His crimson eyes spun up from the store room to the Seventh Heaven's main entrance.
There was Yuffie, straddling the door way with her laced up boot like sneakers. Her constant smile looked especially bright today and seemed contagious. Vincent soon found himself grinning behind the buckles of his cape.
"Chocobo head? Come on, Cloud! I don't have all day!" She skipped over to the counter, leaning carelessly on the wiped surface with her elbows. "I want to see Edge before it starts to rain!"
Cloud reluctantly went to meet her, "What makes you think it's going to rain?"
Her eyes widened. "Have you seen the sky?"
"It's always like that Yuffs." Tifa got up from the floor and smiled. "Don't worry about that."
"Fine, but I still want to go soon! Come on!" The ninja grappled Cloud's wrist, but stopped halfway towards the exit. "…Oh, hey Vinnie!"
Vincent rolled his eyes. He never quite understood her. And her affection for him did not always put him in the best of moods. "Hello, Yuffie. And it is Vincent."
"Remind me all you want, but I still like Vinnie better. Sounds less…somber you know?"
Life is somber. She was so young, so naïve at times. Vincent shook his head. It would not be right to disillusion her. Let her enjoy it. "I suppose." He turned back towards the store room. The sooner he could get this finish with, the sooner he could finish helping Reeve.
Yuffie's babbling over took his ears, "So…I'll guess I'll be going now. Alone… with Cloud."
"Yes." Tifa was looking down at the floor.
They are both acting so strangely.
"So you'll be alone with Vincent?" Yuffie was grinning. Why? It was intriguing. Yuffie's expression wasn't her normal happy, go lucky face. There was a line of mischief and even more excitement written in her smile. It made Vincent immediately think back to two years ago. When we landed in Wutai… He knew Cloud still held a grudge ever since Yuffie had 'borrowed' all of their materia. But what could she be plotting now? His interest only heightened.
"Until Denzel and Marlene get hungry and whenever Barret gets back." Tifa hesitantly pushed back her bangs, "That's enough time, right?"
Vincent blinked. Enough time for what? He stole a glance at Cloud, who seemed too distressed with the impending tour to pay attention.
"Hehe." Yuffie edged towards the exit. She was running away from Tifa's comment. "Don't know what you're talking about, Teef. Must be some bartender thing…Bye! Bye Vinnie!"
He gave the girl a slight wave, his eyes sparkling at her happy, bouncy steps. Her happiness, her infinitely pleasant perspective on life, was so admirable. Even if it was the result of naivety, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
Tifa sighed from her position on the floor, drawing his attention back to his duties. She was rubbing her arms aggressively, looking rather anxious. Is she nervous? Why? There was a slight pause between the two, before Tifa finally looked up and caught his attention.
"Umm…well, your favorite food Vincent?"
What? She was still thinking about that?
"I'm not too particular. Though I do find myself liking steak or bisque more frequently than other meals."
"Oh…those are good." She whispered 'steak' and 'bisque' to herself. "Uh…" her voice was quiet again. She lifted away a few cans, trying to appear occupied by her work. "What about music?"
"You mean, you want to know my favorite?"
Tifa nodded profusely. "Yeah…your favorite."
He turned to face her, eyes etched with confusion. He became more bewildered as she turned away, a little red. "I like classic pieces."
"Me too." She said calmly. The air around Vincent became solid. This wasn't how Tifa normally acted. She was an efficient, optimistic, strong girl. But right now, she only looked afraid and confused. Normally, Vincent would have already had a glass of water in hand do to her inability to not act as a hostess. She would have calmly asked about his day, his plans for the future, all with true interest.
The thought made him parched, "If you do not mind, I am going to get some water. Would you like some?"
Tifa's head flared back from her recumbent position, making a hard bellow as it came in contact with a wooden shelf behind her. Her face failed to hide the obvious pain, but she turned the grimace into a weak smile. "No, No! I'll get it!" She scooted back up, a little too anxious to help. Vincent only shrugged. It seemed impossible to stop her, so he started to count the bags of potatoes lining the back floor.
She noticed his confusion. "I mean…I have to go to the bathroom anyway, so it makes sense." Tifa twisted her hair awkwardly and scampered out of the store room and deeper into the house.
Tifa must not be feeling well. What other explanation could there be? Vincent searched his mind but found nothing reasonable. Well, there was one other, but Vincent quickly dismissed that. It negated everything he previously knew about her. He picked up Tifa's notepad in order to add a 13 next to the potato column, but found something completely unrelated.
Scrawled quickly in Tifa's small print were the words 'steak', 'bisque', and 'classical'. That's curious. He flipped through the pad, expecting to find Cloud's and Barret's list of favorites as well. But there were only more Seventh Heaven related notes. I wonder why she—
"Yo! Tifa? Where the hell is everyone?"
Vincent automatically dropped the pad at the sound of the gritty voice. He pulled his torn cape around his torso and gracefully swept back into the main bar area. Was he feeling ashamed for reading it? He did, but strangely didn't mind the feeling. This must be how Yuffie feels. Something in his mind hummed, making him break his stolid expression, but Vincent shook it off. She's rubbing off on me too much.
"Oh, Vincent? What ya doin' here so early?" Barret Wallace patted Vincent's back roughly with his real hand. "That was some party the other day."
Barret had an imposing stature. With his broad shoulders and gun arm, he had a tendency to intimidate people. Though Vincent tried not to be quick to judge. And time proved that even though Barret had a slight temper, he was extremely soft at heart. "It was, and I am just helping Tifa take inventory."
The dark skinned man in front of him gave a loud grunt. "That sure is nice of you. Where's Spike?"
"Out with Yuffie." Vincent blinked at how funny that sounded.
"Haha, alright. As long as no one else minds." He figured the statement was directed towards Tifa. "I've come to see my daughter. MARLENE! You're Papa's back!"
Vincent flinched as a high pitched squeal came from above. Within seconds, 2 pairs of footsteps were drumming though the hall and towards the two men. "Papa!" Marlene rushed towards her adoptive father, her hair perfectly held back with a pink ribbon and braid. Behind her stood Denzel, much more reclusive and quiet than his friend.
"Oh hi Vincent! Tifa said you were coming to help!" She gave him a quick wave. "We would have came earlier but me and Denzel were playing house!"
Denzel rolled his eyes, obviously not fond of the game, "Hi."
Vincent only smiled, hearing another pattern of steps approach. "Barret! Come to pick up Marlene again?" Tifa gave a quick hug to her old friend.
A light sigh was heard from the little boy. Even though Vincent assumed he didn't always appreciate the 'girly' games, hanging out with Marlene was probably better than being bored alone. The boy's face brightened as Barret spoke again. "Actually I was going to bring both of them to Gold Saucer."
"Gold Saucer?" Tifa blinked, "That's pretty far, Barret."
"That's why he had me pack!" Marlene jumped. "I packed Denzel's clothes too!"
Denzel smiled, for once appreciative of Marlene's controlling behavior. "Cool! Cloud said they have fireworks!"
The two children ran upstairs, bringing back small duffel bags. They glowed as Barret led them out the door, "I'll have them back in 3 days, Teef."
Tifa shook her head, "Alright…next time just give me a heads up, okay?" She didn't look too pleased with Barret's spontaneity, but gave a smile seeing how happy the children appeared to be. Her attention than veered back to the pale man, "We should almost be finished here."
The work was going fast considering the amount of stock. "Good." He returned to counting cans of broth. The work was tedious but easy nonetheless. The weird questions seemed to stop too, much to Vincent's relief. He liked Tifa but was beginning to think that…
"So what about movies?"
His red eyes flashed. Why is she being so inquisitive about me? He made no response, acting as though he never heard the question. His gauntlet covered hand counted off the products, eager more than ever to get the day over with.
A/N:
as for my other updates....
I actually finished chapters 5 and 6, do to my lack of a life. So that means I could post 5 today..it really depends...(ugh, there I go, bribing people to review again).
any comment/criticism/prediction (they're oh so much fun)/ and question mean a lot to me.
but most of all, I hope you liked it :)
~Mira