A/N: Okay, so I was totally going to work on my other story that someone actually looked at recently, but I kind of don't have access to so I don't know how to continue it, so I'm working on this one cause I know where it ended at least and, hey, why not spread the totally spread able love all over the bagel that is this story…yes I did just relate this story to a bagel…blame my appetite…ON WITH THE BAGEL!!

-P.S. Thank you to all my reviewers, viewers and watchers, you are all beautiful people 3

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Chapter 4 - Childish Reverie and Confessions

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Cloud tossed and turned in his bed located on the second story of Tifa's Bar. He had the feeling that something was amiss and just couldn't shake it. It was also hard to sleep with Tifa and Yuffie playing next door. Their persistent giggling was somewhat worse than Barrett's snoring next door, which Cloud had finally gotten a costumed to. He got up and walked out onto the widow's peak he had built off of his room to view the Sector and the area around it. The brisk air chilled his body as most of him was exposed. Dressed simply in his boxers he walked over to the railing and leaned on it while standing, deep within thought.

'Something just doesn't feel right,' He thought dismally 'I mean, I trust Cid…but his response has me still worried.' His eyes glazed over as he continued to brood over the situation. 'Maybe…Maybe!! …No…' he stood transfixed in thought for what seemed like hours until a cat-call whistle stirred him from his thoughts. He looked over at Barrett's side where he was beaming maliciously dressed in about the same.

"Heh, hey Cloud. Next time you get the urge to stand somewhere in only your boxers, wake me up." He said with a suggestive laugh. Cloud suddenly noticed how cold he was, well at least everywhere below his now scarlet face. He thanked Barrett for waking him before he caught a cold and took the offer to come over to his room, if anything it would be better than laying awake and listening to Tifa and Yuffie's inane giggling all night.

--

The sun rose slowly in the distance and highlighted the canyons and there beauty. The radiating shades of reds, oranges and lavenders added to the magnificent splendor of the mountainous range as the solar orb beamed through the captain's quarters. Vincent's sensitive eyes picked up the bright sunlight through his pale eyelids and slowly and resentfully began to open his eyes.

Fluttering open he soon regretted the idea and shut them instantly. He rolled his body over to avoid getting caught by the suns evil glare again. The small pain in rolling over slowly woke his senses and he began to realize that there was more than just bandage weight on him now. He also noticed that where he rolled to seemed to be warmer and most strangely of all, breathing; the warm breathe smelling pleasantly of nicotine. Slowly the brain began to resume functioning and a few red flags were beginning to wave. Vincent's eyes decided to give this opening thing another try, this time no more a flutter but more of Champaign cork method. Red eyes met a bare, tan and slightly hairy chest. It was half time for the red flag twirlers in Vincent's head.

His first reaction was: jump up; this tearing all his bandages, make gaping noises without any real meaning, run on to the deck and take his chances with the three or four story drop he faced. But as he continued to lay there, Cid's warm breathing traveling down his exposed back and neck, his arms locked around him tenderly and securely, his chest only inches from his face, needless to say, the warning signs began to become lost between the noise. He decided to give in for now and blame it on sleep if he must later. Vincent warmed into the embrace and laid his head onto Cid's chest and drifted back into sleep.

--

Cid's eyes could feel the glare of the sunlight from beneath his eyelids. Feeling as if a brick had hit him from his little therapy session he wished he could resist the urge to wake up. But his pilot senses were kicking in and the urge for coffee and a nicotine stick were too great. His eyes adjusted slowly as they blinked in the sunshine that flooded in from the windows. His eyes ready, he decided to attempt leaving the bed. Before he could, however, he noted something heavy resting on his chest that wasn't there before. Remembering there would happen to be someone else in the bed, a heavy blush spread across his face as he realized what was causing such weight.

During the time period from when he had fallen asleep to when he woke up, a Vincent had landed on him. The shock fading, he smiled warmly at the sleeping features shrouded by black hair. So peaceful and without a care he seemed in sleep, as if last night had never happened. Without thinking he moved the bangs out of Vincent's face and began to pet his hair. Vincent, noting that something was going on, began to stir, much to Cid's demise. As Vincent began to slowly wake, Cid realized he had something that would probably be a good idea to hide in the lower bed region. Having a small panic attack, he fell of the bed backwards with a small sound of shock. Realizing at mid fall that he didn't make said sound, he wound up pinned by a shocked and weary Vincent, who suddenly wasn't as tired as he was five seconds ago.

Their eyes met in the awkward position and time seemed to slow. Their faces only milliseconds apart.

'I need to do this. I HAVE to do this!!' Cid's heart yelled at him. 'Just kiss him!! KISS HIM!!' It screamed wishing to be heard. Cid began to move his face closer to Vincent's; he was going to do it!! He was going to DO IT!! As his face approached Vincent's, closer and closer, ever so slowly, a feeling in the pit of his stomach hit the mission abort button, and instead of a union between lips, there was a union of foreheads.

"Y-yep," Cid stuttered "Temperatures down."

'SHIT!!' Cid's thoughts protested out right. Vincent stared down, still positioned on top, at Cid with a look of utter confusion. However he realized that sooner or later Cid might notice something in the lower region that might make things severely awkward.

"C-Cid!!" He uttered as he grabbed the sheets that were knocked down with them and hoped onto the bed in a…"graceful" manner. "I'm sorry, I must've…"

"Er, No-no, it must've been…Listen Vinnie," Cid said as he got his torso up to the bed frame so he could look Vincent in the eyes without his early morning intruder poking up to say 'hello'. "…I-I need to tell you…that is to say…um…"

"Yes?" Vincent queered as he could feel his heart race and the earlier confusion fade. 'Could it…could it be that he…'

"Well, um…"

'That's it,' his mind encouraged. 'Go on, do it now! You're alone! You're with him! You're in your boxers! Come on!'

"I-um I l-l-luh…luh-ve the do." He said as his mind started swearing like a sailor. Vincent's mind doing the same looked up to notice his scrambled bed head with a look of utter sarcasm.

"Sorry, it's awful hard to brush in my sleep, especially with some hulking mass on top of me." He said with a defiant grin.

"Well if you wouldn't have gone all crazy-"

"What!" Vincent interjected, the playful grin vanished and one of terror replaced it. Cid gave him a confused look.

"Last night. Fuck, Vinnie you were there!" he said with a joking smile. "You had a miniature breakdown. Its okay, noth-"

"Oh shit, what happened? Did I say something? Did I hurt you? Did I say anything? Did I-" Vincent was silenced by a fingers pressed gently to his lips, keeping them shut. Cid gave a comforting 'shhh' that managed to calm Vincent's breathing back to normal. He was beginning to feel a little light-headed, Cid noticed and moved an arm to keep him stable and sat him on the bed. He then continued what he began to say before being hastily interrupted.

"Its. Okay. Clam. The Fuck. Down. Nothing happened, like I said just a miniature meltdown, you just got some inner demons…literally. I was able to calm you down and everything, notta problem Vinnie." Vincent gave a thankful smile. Once again their eyes locked and Cid's thoughts jumped to the familar point again, this time driven with just a pinch of lust. He began to get closer, closer and as he was about to reach the lips of the other, the pit of his stomach began to take over again and he gave up at the point. Vincent knew this time that was too close for coincidence, but before he could do anything to retaliate Cid got up.

"I-I need to go change." He said hastily as he grabbed some clothing. "Your clothing is trashed, you can borrow some of mine." He than proceeded to leave the room in a rush leaving Vincent alone with his thoughts. Vincent wasn't too sure about Cid's feelings, but he knew that something was up. He decided to pursue it after he himself got changed.

--

Cid sat in the kitchen, his usual on, white shirt, khaki pilot pants, brown boots, a blue jean pilots jacket with rolled up sleeves. Complemented on the top of his spiked yellow hair were his pilot goggles and a small cigarette behind his ear, a pack rolled in his sleeve for later usage. Cigarette embedded in his mouth he waited for his coffee to percolate, while upstairs, his mind was tearing him to shreds.

'Twice…TWICE!!! You could have had him, you could have kissed by now and one thing could have led to another and than another and who knows what else. Golden opportunities! GONE!!' He swore under his breath, 'But I couldn't' He assured himself. "Every time I was close, and believe me, I wanted to taste those lips…I just…kept thinking the worst would happen. I would end up hurting him…and me…I mean, what about that Luricia chick? I mean sure, she's long gone, but fuck man, how do I compare to some women that made him go into a coffin for years on end. It just didn't fucking seem like it would work.'

He gave a deep inhale and exhaled slowly, the nicotine settling his own demons. The coffee began to percolate but he didn't feel in the mood for being awake anymore, so he went for his old favorite and began to bring water to a boil for his favorite Tea. As the water reached a boil, the soft sound of footsteps reached the kitchen. In entered, what Cid thought, was one of the cutest things he had ever seen.

Without his boots he and Vincent were about the same height so on top of looking shorter than normal, Vincent had picked out one of Cid's oversized black sweat pants that hid his bare feet, and the baggiest red sweatshirt that had stayed in the back of the closet since Sherry had bought it. The sweater sleeve, by about a mile covered, the scar hand while the other arm was revealed with the sweatshirt rolled up. The scarred arm side had the top of Vincent's shoulder revealed showing off a black wife beater that Vincent felt was appropriate.

Vincent noticed the way Cid was looking at him and began to blush.

"Er, thanks for letting me borrow these. My wounds have healed well thanks to the bandaging," he said blushing a little at the thought of that again, "I just removed them. I, um, also threw my old stuff into the washer, they are pretty salvageable so I'll wash these as soon as they're done." Cid just shook his head, the ash falling from his fading cigarette.

"Nah, keep those. They look better on you than they ever would on me." Cid said with an approving smile. Vincent gave a small smile, a feature that was for once clearly seen with out the cloaked veil.

"I-if you say so…um do you mind if I-" he said pointing to the coffee. Cid looked over and then back at Vincent.

"I have a better idea…sit down." Cid said as he pointed to the seat across from his. Vincent complied with a curious look that made Cid want to very uncharacteristically giggle. Being too out of character, he settled with a smile, put out his faded cigarette and grabbed two cups and filled them with his own blend of tea and the hot water, topped with a few spoonfuls of honey. He then brought them over. He set his down and then Vincent's next to him.

"I want to hear what you think of it." Cid said with a beaming look. Vincent shied away at first, but decided it wouldn't kill him anymore than those beasts earlier would have. He lifted the glass to his mouth and instantly his nostrils were filled with a strong scent of lavender and chamomile glazed with a sufficient amount of honey. He sipped it carefully as to not burn himself. His senses tingled with a strong, yet sweet taste that strangely had him craving more. His lips parted from the cup satisfied by the taste but not the heat at the moment. Cid looked eagerly over at him having downed the first half of his. Vincent smiled.

"I think you made the right choice," The statement making Cid almost jump out of his chair, "I don't mind drinking this over my usual black coffee." He gave another sip as if to prove the statement. Cid was beaming so much the room seemed too bright to be 9:30 in the morning. He looked over to Vincent as he continued to drink Cid's special creation. He had a regal look to him, so self reserved and noble, sitting up straight and keeping his arms of the table as he lifted the cup to his mouth, holding it with two hands in the traditional since. Cid gave a weary smile, he noted that he always was slouching and his shoulders were everywhere when he ate. What could Vincent ever see in him?

He sighed and was about to get Vincent's attention when the PHS blipped with the incoming sound of a new message. He swore under his breath as he answered the call.

"What the hell you want, it's early." He said grumpily into the PHS, sleepiness not the reason for the aggression. The crewmember gave a little squeak at the sound of the enraged captain.

"Oh, Sorry captain didn't know you were still down and out. Heh-Heh. Well, um, we scanned the area and found no more monsters in the area. Job well done! W-we all ready paged Cloud about it and he gave us the 10-4, so, um the guys and I were, um wondering…"

"…W-E-e-E-LL?!"

"Um, please sir, can we have the day off? The men never get out here that much and they…and well, I guess me too… well, we'd like to stay for one more night. You can dock our pay for it." The crewmembers voice was preceded by a whacking sound of another crewmember followed by an explanation in the background about why he used the taboo topic of pay. Cid just gave an amused smile and shook his head.

"Lazy little bastards, all of ya," he said into the intercom. "Well, as long as you gave the info to Cloud and he gave a 10-4 to it, go have the best fuckin' time of your lives. No pay dock, but we leave early tomorrow and that's final." Shouts of excitement were briefly heard before the PHS was shut off.

"So Cloud sent you out did he?" Vincent said with an equally amused smile at what he had just heard. Cid nodded.

"Yup, finished my job yesterday, when I found you. Glad I did too." He said smiling. "Well, get some shoes on Vinnie." Vincent looked up and cocked his head to the side in confusion. "Well, the men got the day off, so do I. I'm taking ya out. Now go get some fucking shoes on would ya." He said with a wink.

--

Vincent sat down beside the lake that Cid had driven the Highwind too. The crystal clear reflection reflected the beautiful forest that surrounded them, alive with vivid flora and the occasional fauna. Vincent stared into his crystalline reflection until a rush of ripples and a splash that caught Vincent off guard disturbed it. He looked up to find a laughing blonde in the middle of the lake, stripped down to his boxers, motioning him in. Vincent sighed, but decided to, for once not, brood over misery. He stripped to his boxers and followed the blonde in to the warm waters of the lake. Their childish laughter echoed on as they continued to splash around with a youthful vigor.

They continued on until the sun was begging to get lower to the earth, somewhere near two or three o' clock. Cid ended up caring Vincent out, much to his joyful protest. He got Vincent up the step ladder, an interesting sight indeed and managed to get him to the captains quarters and threw him onto the bed, were like children they continued with a little wrestling. Vincent tried to get back at the blonde, but being equaled in size without his boots he didn't exactly have the strength to get the bulky, laughing blonde anywhere. Eventually, laughing uncontrollably Cid was able to pin Vincent who couldn't keep his face straight for a second, hearing the echoes of their laughter through out the room. Then, suddenly it stopped.

Vincent looked shocked for a few seconds as he felt something firm yet gentle and a bit bristly make contact with his lips. He looked in disbelief as Cid's lips kept their place, eyes closed, on Vincent's lips in a tender kiss. Then as soon as it had happened it ended and through the daze he felt, he heard Cid swear and run out of the room.

--

'Fuck!!' He thought as he exited the room resting on the railing right outside, half of him yelling to go back, but the stronger half told him to get the hell outta there. 'I can't believe it. I can't believe it! I gave in. I can't see the result I can't. I just can't.' As he was about to take off he felt something grab his arm. He froze solid as the hand held a firm grip on him. As he turned around he saw Vincent looking at him, still bootless and therefore equal in height.

"I'm sorry." Cid started. " I didn't mean it, I know you probably are disgusted, I don't mind if you leave, take the clothing if you want, yours should be done, or you can take more and get dressed as soon as you're gone. I'm so sorry. I was gonna fucking tell you, but, aw, shit I just couldn't. I could never replace Luricia and aw shit, I just couldn't. I'm sorry Vinnie, I just…I just love you man, and I'm sorry that you have to put up with it, you don't owe me anything." Cid couldn't help holding in the tears anymore, not uttering a cry, small tears formed in his eyes and he felt them sliding down his cheeks.

Vincent continued to look at him, an icy cool, emotionless stare, grip still firm. After a few seconds he spoke. "Finished?" he asked in tone of what seemed like indifference with a hint of intrigue.

"Well, fuck," Cid sniffled confused, whipping his nose and tears with his free, bare arm. "I fucking guess so."

"Good." Vincent replied with a flash of a smile. The grip on the arm lowered to into the palm of Cid's wide hand and he leaned in. Their lips met for a second time, this time Cid in the dark and oblivious, the tears still there and still finding a way out. Cid, noticing that Vincent wasn't leaving anytime soon, deepened the kiss and returned the grasp Vincent had made into the palm of his hand. The stayed there for what seemed like billions and billions of years lost in each other's taste. Cid moved his other arm around Vincent's waist and Vincent's to the back of Cid's neck, linking there almost naked bodies together. After what seemed like hours they finally parted for breath.

"Still sorry about that whole loving me thing." Vincent whispered into his lover's ear. Cid felt like he couldn't say a thing, too happy to speak, but he managed to speak, his grin from ear to ear.

"No, and I never will be again." He said simply. Vincent smiled.

"Again, good. Now then." He said interlacing his thin fingers with Cid's bulky ones. "We still have a night together and since there is only one bed…" Vincent wasn't able to say another word; he was instantly lifted off the ground with a small chuckle and was swept into the captain's quarters.

--

Cloud felt Barrett's warm embrace around his shoulders as he sat down in front of the metal-armed gunner in the back of Tifa's bar followed. The embrace was followed by a tender kiss on the cheek. Cloud accepted the embrace and the kiss and welcomed it by snuggling up against Barrett's chest.

"Getta room." Yuffie said grumpily as she sat down on an exhausted Tifa's lap and nuzzled against her sleepily. They had been exhausted from the workload of another busy day, but felt better in knowing that the beasts were gone and that all these access customers would leave for home tomorrow.

"Feelin' better Spiky?" Barrett teased as he began to rub Clouds chest mockingly. Cloud gave off an amused smile and sigh.

"…Actually, hearing from Cid's men has made me feel better, in fact, there's something else that I can't place, but it's helping immensely." He said as he looked at the kitchen around him. He watched as Reeve walked into the room. He glanced at the four in there and sighed mockingly.

"Am I the only straight person here?" He asked as he lifted his brow with a smile along with his arms in a questioning position. Barrett grunted as he snuggled up to Cloud more. Cloud blushed and looked away. Tifa let out a silent snore and Yuffie was too preoccupied with her pillows to care. Reeve just took that as his answer and laughed his way out into the bar. Peace seeming to be in the air tonight, and not only in their sector.

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A/N: Om-a-gawd!! Longest chapter ever!! I felt like I needed to drag it out less and felt that another chapter would just be too much for them not to realize there feelings. I also just felt like throwing another Yaoi couple in just for fun. Another rarity, some Cloud/Barrett. While writing it I couldn't help but bash my head into my desk, asking myself. "Who the #&$ was straight in this, so I made Reeve be the Single Straight man along with Nanaki, but he's more animal, so I guess it doesn't count as much. I feel this is not complete yet, and that I might just decide on another chapter. And if you are all nice to me, and I'm too tired to care, you can coax me into writing a steamy Lemon. I'm 18 now, so I don't care as much and lately I'm too tired to care. So shout out if you REALLY want one, and you may, MAY receive. Read, Review and Reveal in how much you lurve/hate it.