Author's Notes: Pre-game, back when the space program was up and running and Cid was a ShinRa pilot.

Theme: Star

Picnic

"You're going home."

It's more of a statement than a question, but the younger man answers anyway.

"Nothing left for me here."

"Where will you go?"

Cid picked at the remains of the picnic between them, not quite looking at his dinner partner. Reeve had already grown used to it, the pilot had been avoiding his gaze all night. Something made the blond unable to look him in the eye, and Reeve knew it wasn't just that he was leaving. There had to be something more for Cid to be so wholly avoiding him and their conversation on what might be their last night together.

"Rocket Town. The place is practically my home anyway."

"I see," Reeve mumbled, looking up at the star filled sky. Except, he didn't see. He didn't understand. Cid said there was nothing left in Midgar for him. But Reeve was here, always would be. The place was the only home he had after all. Midgar was his place. But apparently it wasn't Cid's.

"If you don't want…"

"You're leaving for her, aren't you?"

It's a sudden realization for Reeve, and it hurt all the more because he hadn't known it right off. Or maybe because Cid hadn't felt like telling him from the beginning. Reeve knew why as well. There had been a woman involved with the incident at the recent attempt to put a man into space. A woman named Shera. A woman who lived in Rocket Town. A woman who was apparently stealing Cid away from the young engineer.

"It's not like…"

Reeve easily cuts the man off with a shake of his head. Really, he didn't want to hear it. With a sigh he rose, and gave Cid the best smile he could manage in the given situation.

"I wish you well, Mister Highwind, in all that you pursue. May you one day rest your head among the stars."

There was silence as Reeve walked away, leaving Cid with the remains of their dinner and the same words he'd given the man after their very first meeting.

It was all he could do to keep himself from breaking down until he was out of sight.