Chapter Twenty Two: Midnight
((Author's Notes: Allow me to interrupt our regularly scheduled program with an announcement. I've published a new multi-chapter fic called Closing the Distance. It's the back story of how Tseng and Elena got together and ended up where they are now within my AU, and ties into scenes and events that happened during Irony of Fate. Remember that one? ;) Anyway, I've been very into the project and would appreciate if you all checked it out and shared your thoughts. Thanks so much! Now on with the show. ~ JenesisX ))
"I am telling you, Cloud must have temporarily lost his mind…"
Aeris sleepily opened her eyes and tried not to sigh with annoyance. She had just about fallen asleep… for the third time… only to have Sephiroth repeat the same baffled statement she'd been listening to ever since Avalanche's meeting. She rolled over to face him and found him sitting up in bed, wringing his hands in his lap. He was wide awake, the moonlight streaming in through the window illuminating his features. At the sound of his voice, his Great Dane had risen from his bed and come to stand next to his master, presenting his massive head for petting and wearing the same tired expression Aeris knew she was.
"Oh, Seph… Are you still stuck on that, sweetheart?" she asked gently, yawning and trying to keep the mild irritation out of her voice. He looked down at her as if she was the one acting strangely, wondering how she could accept what had happened that morning as if nothing was wrong.
"Of course I am," he said, exasperated by how relaxed she was. "I have been part of this team for over a year now, and he has never trusted me to do more than run practice drills and file paperwork. Then all of a sudden he wants me to lead an important military maneuver? It makes no sense…"
Aeris pushed herself into a sitting position as Blade the dog yawned loudly and retreated to his bed with a heavy sigh. He threw Sephiroth such an irritated look that she giggled, shaking her head. "You're keeping him up, too," she scolded teasingly, pulling the covers around herself and shifting closer to her husband. "I'm sure he had his reasons, Seph. Cloud has grown up a lot since we took over the base, and Tifa's a calming influence on him. I'm sure he just finally realized how valuable you've been to the team and wanted to give you more responsibility."
Aeris' face grew just a bit warm, and for once she hoped the strong mental connection they shared would not cause their minds to link. Cloud had told her all about Vincent's outburst earlier in the week, and how frightened and guilty he felt about it afterwards. She didn't want to let Sephiroth know it had taken his father nearly attacking their leader for him to finally change his stance. Sephiroth had more than earned the opportunity on his own, and he deserved to feel proud of himself. She'd been moved to tears by Vincent's passionate defense of his son, but she knew Sephiroth would likely not feel the same.
"I suppose, but… Why now?"
"Aren't you happy about it?" she asked him, leaning against him as he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her. She instantly felt warm and safe, so glad that his aversion to being touched, at least by her, had continued to fade away.
"Yes, of course I am, but… I am uneasy about his motives. And to be honest…" He paused, glancing down at her with a slight flush to his cheeks. "I am a bit nervous about… being away from you for so long."
Aeris reached up to touch his face, their eyes meeting with a rush of emotion. She'd been worried about the same thing, but didn't know how to bridge the subject without insulting him. The bond between them was so strong, far past the usual closeness shared by two people in love, and he was still so desperately dependant on her for his emotional stability. She kept him grounded in reality and soothed his mind when his past rose up to drown him in anger and regret. She helped him cope with his continuing nightmares and flashbacks, and reassured him when he began to doubt his sanity and self worth. Aeris was the only one he really trusted, the one person he could talk to openly and rely on not to judge him. No one else had ever known him, and the effect was intoxicating to the point of near addiction. Their meditation sessions had helped him make amazing progress since they'd gotten married, and they hadn't spent a night apart since their 'honeymoon' at her old house back in the Midgar slums. She knew it was going to be extremely hard to spend several days without him, and she would miss him terribly. But she was far more afraid that he would crumble without her support.
"You'll be fine," she told him, pushing aside her own worries and focusing on easing his mind as she always did. "You've been so strong, and I'm sure you'll be so busy leading the troops that you'll hardly even miss me."
"Unlikely," he snorted, pulling her closer in a possessive embrace. "I hope I am ready to handle this…"
"You are. I have faith in you, love," she said, stretching up to kiss him softly. "And I'll be right here waiting for you when you get back." She could only pray that her words were true, and that he really was strong enough to stand on his own. The last thing he needed was to fail and prove that Cloud had been right all along… But she knew it was past time, and that Sephiroth needed to prove to everyone, and to himself, that he was still able to be the strong leader who once led the entire Shin-ra army. She'd always be there for him, but it was time for her to step back a little and let him shine. The idea was terrifying, however, and she knew it would not be easy for either of them.
"You are worried, though," he said, tilting his head as he gazed down at her. "I can feel it."
"Well, you are heading off into battle," Aeris said quickly, and it was indeed part of the truth. "I'll always worry about you and want you to come home safely. And I'll miss you so much, but at least I have Blade for company."
"Hmph…"
"Really, love. You've been waiting for this chance for so long, and you've grown so much. When our minds touch, there's such a quiet strength about you now… So much of the fear and confusion is gone. I know you can do this, and that everything will be all right. There's nothing to worry about."
She knew he was not convinced, able to sense that her concerns ran as deep as his own even though she tried desperately to dismiss them. She absently ran her hand along his bare chest, reflecting on how she'd grown so used to her role as Sephiroth's partner and support that she'd forgotten what it was like to worry only about herself. But at that moment, she was suddenly struck by a rush of anxiety, a rising panic building inside her that filled her with shame. She was as frightened of the separation as he was, she admitted, disgusted with herself when she realized why. All her life, she'd felt different and rejected, and no one had ever understood her the way he did. Sephiroth loved her, and he needed her. For the first time in her life, she was content with who she was and knew she had a purpose. But if that were to change…
Gods, she was a horrible person for thinking of her own needs when he was the one about to take a huge step forward, biting her lip as she tried to push her fears aside. She was supposed to be making him feel better and encouraging him to succeed without having to lean on her. Now was not the time to feel sorry for herself, and she hid her face against him so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.
"Aeris… Do you think I cannot tell that you are upset?"
She cringed, slowly daring to look up into his eyes. There was a tender concern shining within them, and when he reached out to stroke her hair she melted against his body. He had grown from a man who barely knew how to express his emotions to one who could simply look into her eyes and touch her soul. The warmth of his love for her filled her thoughts, and she took a deep breath before speaking.
"I guess I'm… a little worried that you'll do so well you won't need me any more…" she nearly whispered, the insecurities she'd harbored all her life rushing back and filling her with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Seph… That's so selfish of me…"
Sephiroth gently lifted her chin, his expression a mixture of surprise and tenderness. It was always he who feared she would grow tired of their relationship and his issues, and he hesitated before managing to speak. "Aeris… that will never happen. Even if I were to someday awakened a completely normal man, I will always need you. I love you, and you are a part of me I cannot live without."
Aeris smiled through her tears as he leaned over to rest his forehead against hers, the familiar warmth flowing through her as their thoughts ran together. He closed his eyes and went very still with his hand against her cheek, and Aeris wrapped her arms around his neck to keep him close. Gods, she had been worrying about how he would cope, and instead she was the one who needed reassurance. He was far stronger than he knew, and maybe than she'd realized as well. He would never be free of the scars of his past, but she finally had no doubt that he was going to be all right as they silently shared their deepest emotions. They were a powerful team, one that had been permanently forged the first time their eyes met in Nibelheim.
"We should be celebrating this occasion, not worrying about it and getting all upset," Aeris finally managed to say, gazing into his emerald Mako eyes when he finally opened them again. "I was thinking…"
Sephiroth leaned back and regarded her suspiciously, and she couldn't help but laugh. He always knew when she was up to something, especially when he suspected it involved something he might not like. "About…?"
"I think we should have your parents over for a late dinner tomorrow," Aeris said with a hopeful smile, absently running one hand along his muscular arm while she left the other resting against the side of his neck. "We haven't spent time with them both in a while, and I know Vincent is proud of you for earning this assignment."
Sephiroth groaned quietly, his mouth turning down into a frown. He adored his mother, but was still awkward around her and never seemed to how to act. Her shyness and lack of confidence didn't help, but lately she'd begun to come out of her shell and was making more of an effort to reach out to him. With Vincent, however, Sephiroth was even more uncomfortable, something that still confounded Aeris. They were so much alike that she couldn't understand why they seemed unable to communicate. Maybe Vincent's own social unease amplified his son's, or maybe it was because it was so difficult to tell how he felt because he hid his emotions so well. Hoping that their recent monster hunt together, and Vincent's willingness to fight with Cloud in his son's honor, had been positive steps forward, she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. She also knew that Vincent had been struggling as of late, and that he and Lucrecia had gone through a rough patch. It would give Aeris a chance to see them together and make sure all was well. They were a family, after all, and she badly wanted them all to act more like one.
"Oh, come on," she chided him, using her gentle touch and the connection it sparked between them to soothe him as he digested her words. "They're your parents, and I'm sure they'd love to be included in this."
"I… all right…"
Aeris blinked, shocked by how quickly and easily he'd given in. It usually took a bit more careful persuasion than that. She grinned, stretching up to kiss him deeply. Now he was surprised, but it didn't take him long to get over it.
"Thanks, love," she said, caressing his cheek as his eyes lolled closed and he leaned into her touch. He was finally relaxed… She could feel it through the connection between them, along with how tired he really was beneath his nervous energy. Maybe he would actually be able to sleep soon, which meant she'd be able to get some rest as well. And the poor dog. "How about I give them a call real quick, since this is the best time to get a hold of them? Your Mom told me she's becoming something of a creature of the night herself."
Sephiroth nodded absently, keeping his arm around her and running a gentle hand through her hair. She could feel the love and desire burning within him, a strong jolt of electricity passing through them when she met his eyes again. Maybe he wasn't as tired as she thought… "I promise I'll make it quick, then I'm all yours," she said with a wink, leaning over to take her PHS from the nightstand. She was filled with joy and excitement as she dialed the familiar number, hoping his parents would want to share it with them.
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Vincent was seated on the couch holding a stack of security reports in his clawed hand, still trying to catch up on the work he'd been forced to neglect because of Chaos. He was having a bit of trouble concentrating, but was not about to complain. His right arm rested across Lucrecia's stomach, her head in his lap as she lay on her back. Her delicate hand rested atop his and her eyes were closed behind her glasses, but he knew she wasn't asleep. It was such a peaceful, relaxed evening at home that they could have been any number of normal couples who had grown completely at ease with each other. In the past, such ordinary scenes of domestic harmony were the thing Vincent longed for most, and he would not have traded the moment for anything.
He'd returned from the staff meeting in good spirits, and Lucrecia was thrilled to hear that Sephiroth had finally been asked to lead an actual mission with the military. Vincent awkwardly admitted his role in the new development, carefully avoiding any mention of his argument with Cloud. Lucrecia had said she was proud of him, and he could still feel the warmth her words caused to rush through him. Still exhausted from so many recent battles with Chaos, Vincent had slept for most of the afternoon, blissfully free from the disruption of nightmares. He felt guilty for needing to rest again so soon and wished his body was not so hell bent on sleeping during the day, but Lucrecia said she understood. She certainly hadn't seemed bothered when she crawled into bed with him a few hours later, awakening him in a rather pleasant manner. They'd been practically glued together since, and he'd left only to retrieve a pile of paperwork from his office. Far from having cooled in the months since Lucrecia returned to his life, their feelings and desire for one another had only grown stronger. And it seemed the more he relaxed and began to share with her, the more intense they became. The slow realization was a welcome dose of courage when he found himself struggling to express his feelings, and Lucrecia seemed happier and more at ease than she'd ever been. Even though his self doubts and the dark influence of the demon remained, seeing her so content made him happy.
Vincent was glad he had the freedom to work from home when nothing serious was happening on the base, glancing down at his lover with a ghost of a smile on his lips. She was beautiful no matter what she was doing, and he still couldn't believe she was his. The fact that she found him so desirable and worthy of her affection almost made him start to reconsider how vile he was. If this attractive, wonderful woman loved him so much, could he really be so awful? He'd never understood what she saw in him, but a part of him had finally begun to accept that it didn't really matter.
He felt her squeeze his hand as he turned back to the next arrest report in the stack, quickly scanning the summary of the incident. Oh, lovely, the arresting officer was Yuffie. And the offender was… His eyes widened when he glanced at the attached booking photo, recognizing the grouchy little old lady who had earlier harassed Cloud. She'd apparently been spotted shop lifting canned cat food, a loaf of bread, and a tabloid magazine from one of the small corner stores on the base, and the owner alerted security. Yuffie quickly located her standing on a nearby dock and throwing pieces of bread to the seagulls, approaching and telling her that she was under arrest. That would have been fine, except that the old woman didn't want to cooperate. She pelted Yuffie with several slices of bread and cans of cat food, screaming obscenities at the top of her aged lungs. When the agile ninja moved to restrain her, the woman whacked her in the head with her wooden cane, causing Yuffie to tumble into the harbor.
Vincent had to stop reading for a moment, snorting with amusement as he pictured the scene in his mind. An odd feeling began to rise up within him, as if someone was tickling his insides and making him need to cough. Lucrecia noticed his slight movement and opened her eyes, looking up at him with a bemused smile.
"What's so funny?" she asked. He realized he was smirking and tried to wipe the expression from his face without thinking. After so many years of mourning for her, and with so much guilt still heavy in his heart, he remained uncomfortable with such displays. It was too late, however, and Lucrecia continued to watch him expectantly. He sighed, glancing back at the report and trying his damndest to hide his amusement. Even though the heavy depression that clung to him had begun to lift the moment she returned to his life, he still felt guilty for experiencing something so normal.
"Yuffie had a run in with an elderly shoplifter," he told her, his deep voice sounding strange to him. "When Yuffie tried to arrest her, she… she…"
The mental image of his hyperactive young employee being attacked by an elderly woman and knocked into the polluted harbor ran through his mind again, and this time he was unable to hold back. His body began to shake with the effort, and before he knew it he had actually started to laugh. The sound was strange and foreign to his ears, and he almost didn't believe it was coming from him. He lifted his hand to cover his face, trying in vain to get a hold of himself, but the thought of backup arriving to handle one angry old woman and Yuffie flailing around indignantly in the water was too much. He was vaguely aware of Lucrecia staring at him in shock, blushing self consciously and looking down into his lap as he continued to snicker. His sides began to ache and his eyes filled with tears of amusement, until she suddenly threw her arms around his neck in a crushing embrace. He automatically reached out to hold her, frowning when he realized she had buried her face against his neck and begun to cry.
He gently eased her away from his body and looked into her eyes, deadly serious once again. He blinked in confusion when he saw that Lucrecia was smiling through her tears, tilting his head as he gently brushed them away with his normal hand.
"Have I upset you, my love?" he asked, embarrassed by his outburst and mortified that he had made her cry yet again.
"Gods, Vincent," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion and her green eyes shining with wonder. "I never thought I'd hear you laugh again…" New tears began to fall as he studied her, their eyes locking intensely. "I missed your laugh…"
He didn't know what to say, realizing that it had been well over thirty years. Nothing had been funny or enjoyable when she was gone, as if he was a ghost walking among the living. "I guess I'd forgotten how…"
Lucrecia reached out to brush the hair from in front of his eyes before leaning in to kiss him, tendering running her fingers along his face. When she leaned back and looked deep into his eyes again, he felt the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. For once, he gave in and allowed it, and the way it lit up her face made the awkwardness he felt more than worth it.
"You're so sexy when you smile," she purred, her voice full of desire. "You should do that more often, baby."
Vincent shook his head, baffled, but had no time to protest before she'd pulled him down into a passionate kiss. He held her and kissed her back, having long since forgotten about what amused him in the first place. Now there was nothing but the two of them, their bodies pressed close together, their shared need quickly escalating. He could think of nothing but her and his powerful desire to please her, running his normal hand beneath her shirt and along the soft skin of her back. She shivered and broke the kiss to study his face, and he was about to suggest they move things to the other room when an unwelcome sound shattered the moment.
It was that damn PHS again, ringing from its place on the coffee table. He'd left it switched on because he was still on duty for the next few hours, but at that moment he wished he didn't even own one of the annoying devices. It was as if the thing knew when he was in the middle of something he did not want interrupted, and he swore in Wutaiin as both he and Lucrecia glared at it accusingly.
"Maybe the old lady wants to talk to you," she said breathlessly, running a seductive hand along the inside of his thigh and grinning crookedly. She finally sighed and reached for the device, realizing he had to answer it if it was someone from security. Vincent frowned, his mind and body loudly protesting the interruption. He couldn't tear his eyes away from his lover as she glanced down to see who was calling, raising an eyebrow a moment later.
"It's Aeris," she said with surprise, running a hand back through her hair. "I hope everything's all right…"
"Go ahead," Vincent said reluctantly, taking a deep breath and leaning back against the cushions. He knew they'd both worry the rest of the night if they didn't answer the call, though he was not in the mood to speak with her himself just then. He'd never gotten used to talking into the thing, and at the moment he remained hopelessly distracted by other concerns. He had a feeling it would be obvious what he'd been up to the moment he spoke.
He watched Lucrecia as she greeted their daughter-in-law and began the conversation, his heart still racing in his chest. She was so beautiful even when her hair was a mess and she was in her pajamas, and it took all of his self control not to reach out and touch her. He'd never get tired of just looking at her, still amazed that she was back from the dead and had chosen to be a part of his life. Her ability to love and accept him as he was only made his feelings more intense, and he ached to have her back in his arms. If he'd found her captivating in the past, what he felt now bordered on worship and obsession. And this time, he had her all to himself…
"Oh, that sounds great!" Lucrecia was saying, and Vincent finally forced himself to pay attention to her end of the conversation. He cocked his head quizzically, but she had her back to him as she spoke. He swore she'd done it on purpose. "We'd love to… At seven? Sure!"
Oh no... Maybe it hadn't been such a great idea to have her answer the call after all… What was she agreeing to this time?
He waited impatiently until she said goodbye a minute later and silenced the PHS before setting it back on the table, turning to him with a guilty smile. She shifted herself back against his body and slowly ran her hands up his chest to his shoulders, rather obviously using his current state to her advantage.
"What did you do?" he asked her, closing his eyes despite himself as she began to undo the buttons of his shirt. "That isn't fair, you know…"
Lucrecia giggled, climbing to her feet and pulling him after her. "We're just going to join them for dinner tomorrow, that's all," she said, trying to brush it aside as if it wasn't something she knew made him extremely uncomfortable. "But you don't really want to think about that right now, do you?"
He was annoyed for all of a second before he took her in his arms and claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss, aware that he was responding exactly the way she intended. She could manipulate him all night for all he cared, and he would have agreed to anything just then. She'd always had such a hold over him, and there was little he could do to fight it. He allowed himself to follow her lead and push the engagement from his mind, along with thoughts of angry old ladies being housed in the brig. For all his darkness and mystery, Vincent was slowly learning to accept that he was still a normal man at his core.
((Author's Notes: Hum. That's a touch steamier than I usually go, but it sort of just happened, haha. Sorry? ;) The next chapter will be their fun little gathering… with a surprise fifth guest and more of Blade the dog at the request of my 200th reviewer! Should be interesting… Getting close to the home stretch here, which is weird and kind of scary. But fear not, I'm starting to think my next multi chapter fic that advances my AU and Vincent's story is going to be quite lengthy. I said I'd never write anything as huge as Irony of Fate again, but the more I think about it, the more I realize… Eek. :D Hope you all are up for that, hehe. Thanks again for putting up with me! ~ JenesisX ))
