Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII characters or any of the affiliated games. Square Enix owns them, I'm merely borrowing them for my own Otaku pleasure. X3

Chapter 5
Snow Games

"Father, I'm going outside." Sephiroth called, running down the stairs and over to the door

"Coat." Vincent called back, not even looking up from his work spread out on the kitchen table.

"But-"

"It is near zero out there. The ground is covered in frozen water that you and your friends are insisting on running around in. Coat, and all the rest of your snow things." Sephiroth rolled his eyes, but his father was already back at work so he grabbed his coat, gloves, scarves and hat, and threw them on before rushing out the door. Vincent shook his head as he rechecked some numbers there were so painfully forged he almost felt insulted, and promptly made a tick, pondering his new situation.

Vincent and Gillian had without intending to formed a sorta duo, sharing certain responsibilities (he watched the Trio of Terror during the day while and Gillian took them during the night as Vincent normally got numbers around sundown) and he... still wasn't sure how to feel about it, really. Gillian was filling Lucretia's shoes and Vincent definitely didn't like that, and there were times he felt she over-stepped her bounds, she was not his wife nor Sephiroth's mother.

Case-in-point. When the boys 'accidentally' found his gun stash, Gillian had been three inches from skewering him. Vincent was NOT an idiot he knew guns didn't belong near kids, especially these three, but nor could he do without them. He'd put them in a trunk, told the trio not to go near it. The fact that the devil-maker masquerading as a boy known as Genesis was immune to threats was hardly his fault. Vincent now had a lock for it, Gillian had one key and he had the other which was around his neck.

However, it was nice to have a second-in-command, to play good-cop bad-cop when the three got into their mischief, and have an actual adult conversation with. Plus she came in handy, keeping an eye on ShinRa for him. Just last month, Hollander had come for a check up with Genesis and Angeal, sending Vincent fleeing for a week.

There were bitter complaints from all three boys, now basically joined at the hip. Being separated for a week, followed by Sephiroth being made to miss Genesis' birthday and the adults being BORING topping the list. But ShinRa remained in the dark about Ewan Rhapsodos' bookkeeper, and so Gillian and Vincent put up with the whining.

Mostly, Vincent mostly put up with it.

Except for today. Today marked the beginning of the Winter Solstice celebrations, lasting twelve days and nights in Banoran tradition. So Vincent was crunching some last minute numbers as he made no doubt Gillian would force him into attending at least one celebration. And his Turk instincts reminded him that it was not a good idea to set himself apart.

THWACK! Vincent paused in the middle of entering in a number. Something had just hit the window...

THWACK-THWACK-THWACK!

What in hades?

Vincent rose from the kitchen table, as he came to see what was going on, then narrowed his eyes just in time for another white ball to be smashed against the window. Those three! Tossing snowballs at his window? Really?

He grabbed a coat, and then jerked open his door, intending to bless them out. What he got was a face full of snow.

Brats.

Vincent let out a GROWL and wiped the snow off his face, eyes blazing. He began to raise a finger, but then swiftly turned sideways out of the way of another snowball, tossed by a giggling Genesis. He released a feral sound, but could already see them preparing to continue the assault.

"Stop it. Stop it now or there will be consequences."

"Dad come play this is a great strategy game." Vincent shot a disbelieving look.

"No. I'm not getting sucked into this- Rhapsodos. Don't you dare." The snowball lowered, "Good boy." Vincent made to go in again to do as he said, but received a snowball to the back of his head. When the man whirled back around, Sephiroth and Genesis pointed to Angeal. Vincent gave a glare as he turned around for another try at going in, the boys let out a sigh but turned back towards Angeal's house. Maybe Gillian would-

Thunk-Thunk-Pooosh!

The trio found themselves simultaneously smacked by a snowball, it exploding as it hit Sephiroth.

000

Gillian contentedly did dishes listening to the boys yell and shriek, then she thought she heard another voice one that made her pause, dry her hands and go to get her coat. Going down the steps of her house, Gillian found the surprise of her life to see Vincent and the boys exchanging snowballs over what HAD to two forts also made of snow... well she certainly couldn't let that go unanswered!

"Well well Vincent Valentine in a snowball fight, are we in hell as I see it's frozen over."

"Just a little lesson in strategy." Was the calm response as Vincent managed to nail Sephiroth neatly on top of his head, "Plus it's most satisfying." Another toss that connected with their red-head's shoulder blades.

"Strategy.. right..." Gillian grinned, shaking her head.

"Care to help?" Vincent inquired looking at her. She was about to refuse... when Vincent calmly shifted to the side, and Gillian found herself covered in snow.

"... They're going down Vincent." she determined, immediately grabbing a snowball and nailing Angeal.

For the next hour, snowballs were shot back and forth, the boys proving themselves adequate foes. Their throws matching the adults blow for blow and, if the adults were entirely honest, a few extra ones were hitting too. And this also did not go unnoticed by boys either.

Vincent and Gillian had taught them too well.

"Gillian... I think it's time for 'the treatment'"

"Powdered doughnut or cream puff torture?"

"Both." His grin was no less then wicked as they checked the boys, making sure they were suitably distracted and clapping each other on the back, and prepared.

"Keep them distracted! I'll bring them back here." Vincent murmured before taking off. He kept his footfalls light as possible as he went through the woods in an arch, pleased that his Turk training hadn't faded at all. He was able to creep up just behind the Trio of Terror with them just starting any suspicious. By sheer coincidence, Genesis was the closest, getting new snow and doing some scouting...

Perfect.

In a blink Vincent had him, wiggling but thoroughly silenced by a hand over the mouth. And then they were gone... like the wind.

About ten minutes later, Vincent and Gillian sat on his front porch, hot steaming mugs clinked as they sipped and watched the three mounds that were the Trio of Terror. Gillian was still giggling and smiling while Vincent stared into his mug.. but his lips definitely had the edge of a smile.

Life was treating him very well it seemed...

Chica's Chatter: TWO IN ONE DAY! OH YEAH BABY!