Cid was pacing back and forth through the kitchen, the small note clutched in his fist. It had been a few hours since he'd woken up, and he didn't know how long before then Vincent had left. His note assured him that he'd be back, but it shouldn't take this long… right? He was still cursing himself for falling asleep to begin with. He wasn't that weak. And Vincent was counting on him, he let him down. What if Vincent had passed out, while he was out there? What if Chaos didn't let him retain control again? He threw open the curtains, peering out at the sky. "Dammit, Vince. Where are ya?"

He dropped the curtain, darting into the den to retrieve his shoes. "Fuck it! I'm gonna look for him." He started to slide on the heavy boots, when he heard the dreaded sound of Fenrir, off in the distance. "What the hell does he want, now?"

Cid finished sliding on his shoes, and ran outside. His jaw dropped, eyes widening in shock to see Vincent get off the back of the large bike. "Vince?" He managed to speak, still half muted by shock.

"Cid." Vincent flushed slightly, at the sight of him. He hadn't expected the pilot to be outside.

Cid's eyes flared as they shifted to Cloud. "I was worried sick about you. What's going on?"

Vincent stepped closer to him. "I just came to get my things." He hesitated, a bit afraid to say what he had to. "I'm moving back in with Cloud."

Cid felt as if Behomet had punched him in the gut. He was going back? But why?

Vincent placed a hand on Cid's shoulder, before making his way inside.

"You alright, Highwind?"

Cid glared up at Cloud, who was just staring at him from where he was still perched on Fenrir. "What the fuck did you do?"

"What?" The swordsman's eyes widened. "I didn't do anything. I actually went to tell Vincent that I was gonna stop chasing him." He shrugged. "It was his decision to come back. You should be happy."

"Happy!?" Cid snapped, unable to contain his fury. "You destroyed him!" His hands clenched into tight fists. "You don't know how many times Vincent has cried in my arms, because of what you'd done! Because you wouldn't let him alone!"

Cloud stood up, frustrated. "I'm not gonna fuck up again, Highwind. I love Vincent dearly. Now that I have a second chance, I'm not gonna let him slip away from me again."

Cid snorted, turning to head inside. "Bullshit."

xXx

"Why, Vince?"

Vincent glanced up at Cid, from where he was packing. "Because I have to."

"No. No you don't." Cid ran over, grabbing Vincent's arms, to stop him from packing, and look at him. "You don't have to do anything that you don't want to."

Vincent just smiled at him. "But I want to. I still love Cloud. I'm happy with him. I've told you that before."

"Yea, but." He released the gunman's arms, allowing him to continue.

"I appreciate all you've done for me, Cid. But I have to go back to him."

Cid layed across the bed, to look at him. "You keep saying 'have to'. Why do you have to?"

Vincent just glanced up at him before turning to the closet. "I can't keep putting Cloud and myself through this. I still love him, and I can tell he's truly sorry for what he'd done."

"But wasn't that the problem?" Cid slid off the bed, running over, but Vincent had gathered his cloths and headed over to the bed. "You were so upset because you loved him. You wanted to let him go. You said there was no chance you could ever trust him again. What changed?"

"I was actually able to sit down and talk to Cloud. Without any interferance."

"Interferance?" Cid slumped against the doorframe. "You mean me?"

Vincent 's eyes widened at the comment. "Well… Yes and no."

"What?" Cid pushed himself off the door frame, walking over. "So, you felt like I was holding you back from returning to him?"

"…Well…"

Cid's sorrow was quickly turning into anger. "I wasn't trying to hinder you. If you wanted to go back, then I wasn't gonna stop you. I just didn't want you to feel like you had to. I was trying to help you, Vincent. You said you wanted to stop loveing him… so I figured…." His face started to redden. "Maybe if..." He sighed, ruffling his hair.

Vincent stuffed his bag, zipping it closed.

"I just … just thought…"

"What?"

Cid jumped at the harsh snap in Vincent's voice. He hadn't been angry with him since the last time Cloud was here.

Vincent whirled around to him. "You thought that just because I was staying here, that I'd fall in love with you. That I would just fall into your arms, and give myself to you. That that would make everything better. Well, it doesn't work that way, Cid. Things are so much more complicated than you seem to think. Our life isn't just some made up fairly tale, that'll make everything so much better, just because we want it to be."

"FINE! But what about Chaos? What do you think Cloud's gonna do about all this? He doesn't even know."

Vincent's features settled. "I'll just have to tell him, now won't I?"

"If you really wanted him to know, you would have already told him."

"Things change, Cid. Cloud and I have already begun to finish our wedding plans. You're welcome to come, if you'd like. You were to be my best man, after all."

Cid folded his arms, eyes shifting down. "I don't know if I could do it anymore. Not after all of this. I won't be able to stay silent."

Vincent's eyes narrowed. "Fine. Don't come." He slung the bag over his shoulder. "I'm going home. I'll come back for the rest of my things." Vincent slid past Cid, heading towards the front door.

Cid's hands clenched, gritting his teeth. "FINE!!!" He ran out into the hallway, blood dripping from his fingernails. "Go back to that bumbass. Just don't come cryin yourself to me when he drops your sorry ass again!!" Without even wanting to see the impact his words had on Vincent, Cid ran into his room, slamming the door.

xXx

Vincent ran out and climbed on the back of Fenrir, keeping his head down. He burried his face into Cloud's back, biting his lip to keep from crying.

Cloud tried to look at him over his shoulder. "You ok, Vincent?"

A pair of slim arms moved around Cloud's waist, clamping tightly to him. "Just take me home."

Cloud patted a hand on Vincent's leg, grasping his hands with the other. "It's going to be ok, Hon." He moved his hands back to the handles, revving the engine, and sped away with a shower of gravel and dust behind them.

Cid watched the cloud of dust fall off into the distance. He cursed himself for his anger, punching the wall. His knuckles stung from the impact, but it was nothing compared to the vice grip on his heart. "What happened to your resolve, Vince?" He slouched back on the bed, burrying his face in his hands. "You were being so strong, why did you have to go back?"

xXx

Cloud opened the door for Vincent to walk through. "Home sweet home."

Vincent looked around the room. It was a lot like he remembered, but the place seemed so different. So unkempt and dark. So much emptier than he remembered. Then again, living with Cid for so long would make any place seem like a graveyard.

"Wish I knew you'd be coming back. I'd have cleaned up a bit."

Vincent shook his head, dropping his gaze to the carpet. "It's fine."

Cloud noted the gaze in his newly-restored lover's eyes, and instictively drew him into his arms. "He'll cool down, Hon."

Vincent clamped onto him, dropping his bag on the floor. "He was so mad at me."

"I don't think so." Cloud's fingers traced through the long raven strands, following the gunner's movements to kneel on the ground. "Cid's just worried about you. I hurt you so bad, and we all know it." He brushed the tears from the head now laying against his shoulder. "Cid doesn't trust me. And his concern's just coming out in anger."

Vincent turned his head up to look at him. "You think?"

Cloud smiled, brushing a few stray hairs from Vincent's eyes. "I'm sure of it. It seems I have to prove my loyalty to more than just you."

Vincent was able to find a smile through his tears. "Seems so." His hand formed up the back of Cloud's neck, to guide their lips together.

It was then that the gunman began to remember that he'd tranformed mear moments ago. He could feel the hunger rising up within his body, as he drew back, pulling Cloud over top of him.

The swordsman was more than happy with the situation. He'd craved the feel of Vincent's skin for so long that he was a bit afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself. He had to keep reminding himself that he was on thin ice with Vincent as it was. He couldn't do anything to hurt him, no matter what it was.

A slight shuffling was the only thing that seemed to distract them from each other. They sepperated exchanging confused looks. "What was that?

"I don't know."

It came again, this time accompanied by an odd squawking noise. Vincent sat up, knocking Cloud back a bit, when he noticed his bag was moving. "No way."

Cloud stared at the bag, a bit confused. "What is it?"

Vincent siezed the bag, zipping it open. A little dark ball of feathers came flopping out of the bag. Keri jumped up, 'waking' excitedly, and snuggled into Vincent.

Vincent just stared down at the Chickobo in shock. "You sneaking little pest."

"What the heck?" Cloud leaned in to get a better look, but the small bird flapped in annoyance with having him so close, and settled in closer to Vincent's arms.

Vincent just groaned. "I do not believe this. Kiwi had a Chickobo, and this little thing seems to adore stalking me."

"Oh." Cloud settled in next to him, staring down at the small bird. "It's cute." He reached a hand over, to scratch the small head. Keri 'waked' pecking at him.

"Ow." He sucked on his sore finger.

Vincent just kissed him on the cheek. "Don't feel bad. She doesn't like Cid either. (But she's never pecked him before.)" A small smile found the gunman's lips at the thought. He held Keri up, staring up to scold her to her face. "Now, Keri, this is Cloud. You're going to have to be nice to him, ya little stowaway." She protested slightly, only seeming to settle down when she was craddled in his arms again. Vincent sighed. "This thing is going to cause problems."

Cloud just smiled, sneaking in another feel of the soft feathers, before kissing Vincent. "But she's got good taste, if she likes you."

Vincent just rolled his eyes, standing up. "You've already got me back, Cloud. Stop kissing up."

Cloud scuttled to his feet, rushing over to wrap his arms around him. "Who said anything about kissing up? I'm serious."

"Oh, really?"

"Yea." He tilted his head to kiss Vincent against the side of his neck.

Vincent smiled, holding a hand around the arm clamping onto him.

Keri seemed to spark with jealousy at the affection. She seemed to growl, literally biting Cloud's arm this time around.

"OW!" Cloud jerked his arm back, knocking the small bird from Vincent's arms. Her little legs set to work, as soon as she hit the ground, and took off through the house.

Cloud clamped onto his arm, wiping away the blood that she'd drawn. "That little shit. I'm gonna stomp her flat next time I see her."

"Cloud, she's just a baby." Vincent took the arm in his hands, to check it. He bent over, laving a tongue over the cut, in a manner of cleaning his wound. Most people would find the gesture a bit odd, but Cloud was used to him doing that. Surprisingly, it worked. His head slid back up to meet his lips, hands pulling Cloud's waist in closer to him. He drew back, smiling. "You know… she can't open doors, yet."

Cloud grinned leaning back up to kiss him. "Good to know-wait… yet?"

Vincent just shrugged, pulling the blonde along with him toward the bedroom door. "Her mother has aquired that skill."

"Mm hmm." Cloud stepped forward, kissing Vincent again, and pulled the slim waist sharply into him. They fell against the door, hands searching around for the handle. Both went tumbling through, Cloud kicking the door closed behind them.

Vincent smiled, drawing back. He undid the buckles on his cloak, throwing it to the ground, soon joined with his shirt. He knew how much Cloud hated to fight with them. Gently rocking back onto the bed, he grasped the swordsman's hands, pulling him in for another kiss. Hands coaxing through the thick blonde hairs.

Cloud broke the kiss long enough to drag his shirt over his head, and toss it to the ground with the growing piles of cloths. His hands traced along the curves of Vincent's figure, enciting appreciative moans from his lover.

Vincent wrapped his arms tightly around him, beginning to feel contented with the familiar motions. The tastes and feels that he knew so well, and hungered for.

*"(What the hell are you doing?)"

Vincent started with hearing the demon suddenly speak, breaking apart from Cloud.

Cloud looked down at him, noting the odd gleam in those crimson eyes as he traced a hand along his face. "What's wrong?"

"Huh?" The gunman stared back at him, and smiled. "Nothing at all. Everything's perfect. (Stay out of this, Chaos. Let me have this.)"

*"(NO!)"

"(What?)"

*"(I said, 'no'. I thought I told you Cid. I don't want Cloud anymore. Go back to Cid, if you wanna fuck.)"

"(Shut up. This isn't about that. At least not entirely. Besides; why should I care what you want? I want Cloud, and that's all that matters.)"

*"(That's bullshit, and you know it.)"

"(I said, 'shut up'.)"

"Vincent?"

Vincent's attention snapped to Cloud again. He was so concerned with Chaos, that he wasn't paying attention to his own actions. He dragged a hand through his hair, trying to push out the small ache that'd started to work its way in. "I'm fine. Just a little tired, I guess."

Cloud eyed him, a bit skeptical. "You sure?"

Vincent smiled. "Yea. I'm ok."

The demon's sinister grin could almost be seen in the back of his mind, at the comment. *"(Are you now?)"

"(Shut up, Chaos.)"

*"(Listen, Mr. Broken Record. What's say we make everyone happy?)"

"(What?)"

*"(Hehe… let me have him.)"

"No!"

"What?" Cloud moved back at the outburst, his brows furrowing. "Vincent, what's going on?"

Vincent growled deep in his chest, sitting up. He rubbed his temples, feeling his exhaustion setting in more. "I don't know. (What are you talking about? You said yourself that you hated Cloud. Why would you want him?)"

*"(Simple… You want him, and you'd still be able to feel it. I want to get laid, and he likes it rough. I can give that bastard exactly what he wants.)"

"Nononononono (You'll hurt him.)"

"No what?" Cloud tried to pry Vincent's hands off to see his face. "Vincent? Honey, what's wrong?"

*"(So? He hurt you, so why are you so against it?)"

"(I can't let you.)"

"Vincent?"

"I can't do this."

"What?"

Vincent looked up at Cloud, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Cloud. I can't do this."

Cloud felt his heart drop into his stomach. "What? Why? What's wrong?"

Vincent sat up on the side of the bed, burrying his face in his hands. "Nothing's wrong. I just can't."

*"(Heheh… you can't, maybe.)"

"Stop it!" He nearly screamed, confusing Cloud all the more. "I'm sorry, Cloud. I have to go."

"What? No." Cloud jumped up, grabbing Vincent's arms as he started to leave. "Go where? Back to Cid?"

Vincent shook his head. "No. I can't go there."

"Then where?"

"I don't know."

"Vincent, I can't let you just go out there alone again."

"Let me go, Cloud. I can't stay here."

"Why not?"

*"(Yea, Vincent, why not?)"

Vincent shook his head sharply to silence the demon. "I just can't."

"Vincent, please… don't leave me again."

*"(Yea, don't go. I'm itchin to have some fun now.)"

"(Shut up.) I just can't, Cloud. Let me go!!" He pulled at his arm, finding almost no strength to do so. He wasn't sure if it was from being so tired, or Chaos' willpower working against him, but he wasn't able to get away from Cloud's grip.

"Just tell me why? I don't understand. You were so happy to be back here a moment ago."

"I just realized how foolish I was being. Let go!"

Instead, Cloud's grip tightened. "But, Vince-" He was caught off guard by the recognizable sound of metal sliding across leather, as Vincent drew Cerberus. He wasn't, however, expecting to feel the cold barrol pressing against his bare stomach.

Cloud Released Vincent's arm, backing up with his hands in the air. "Whoa. Hold on, now."

Vincent raised the gun, tears staining his face. "Don't make me do this, Cloud." He glanced to the door, which he was standing in the way of. "Move."

Cloud's heart was slamming into his chest. He didn't know what to do. Vincent had never acted like this before. He was obviously unstable, and he couldn't very well allow him to leave in this state. On the other hand… Cloud always felt sorry for anyone caught on the wrong end of that powerful gun, and didn't much feel like seeing how they felt.

"I'll give you to the count of three."

"Vincent, please."

"One." He pushed down the hammer to set one of the bullets.

Cloud gulped, stepping catiously closer. "You and I both know you don't want to shoot me. Just put the gun down, and we can talk about this."

*click* "Two."

He was shaking by now, but still just as determined to keep Vincent from leaving. If not for the sake of having him, but for the gunman's safety. "Vincent… think about what you're-" Cloud's heart froze, along with his body, at the sound of the third bullet being set into place.

Vincent's eyes narrowed in pain. "Two and a half." Both stood quietly, neither able to move or speak.

Cloud could see the hollowly terrified look in Vincent's eyes. He didn't want to shoot him, and they both knew it. All he wanted was to leave. If that was all, then fine. But Cloud at least wanted to get that gun away from him. "Vincent?"

He cried out, as three hot bullets ripped through his shoulder, sending him slamming into the wall. Blood seeped through his fingers on the wound, as he slid to the ground, trailing blood splattered along the wall.

Vincent stared in fixed horror, dropping the gun. "No." He gasped, shaking visibly. Before either could fully grasp what had happened, Vincent flew out of the room, and out the front door, in a panic.

--

AN: YES!! I DID IT!! you do not know how long i've wanted to write that scene. and for those of you who were rooting for Cloud XP i'm just hoping i can do this without making Vincent look like a fickle whore... oops, you didn't hear that ^^;