He wore red.

Not many people had ever gotten past the wall Vincent Valentine had built around his heart. Only one was known... The other was kept secret. And both were as good as dead.

The tall, sinister looking man stepped towards the ruins of Midgar, a city he called home twenty years ago. His long, raven black hair flew behind him in the wind, as did his red cape. He was the picture of gothic beauty. Pale skin, black hair, red eyes, and a truly morbid look to him.

The rubble clicked and clattered around the silent Vincent, and he noticed that the local flora and fauna were taking up residence in what was once Midgar.

Your dreams and desires are now dust, Rufus... For even as you aspired to reach beyond the planet... The planet reached back... You died for your greed, your lust, and your wrath. Was it worth it?

Vincent Valentine was ageless. The mako within him had frozen his years... He looked to be twenty-seven... But he was twice that age.

Vincent shook his head, and walked on, until he reached a tall tower. The ShinRa tower. He looked up at it, and it almost appeared as if a flicker of emotion passed across his perfect face.

Perhaps it was an illusion.

The tall, sinister man went inside the crumbling tower, climbing the steps of what was once the center of all ShinRa activities. Now it was an empty shell, falling to ruin.

The room Vincent entered was once the office of the President of the ShinRa Electric company. Vincent kneeled by a particularly dark spot on the ruined carpet. It was dried blood.

Vincent sighed. The bloodstain represented all that was left of President Rufus ShinRa. Many a crime he had committed in the name of power and money... And Diamond Weapon ended his tyranny with one fell shot.

You never had a chance, did you? Raised by a selfish, greedy man... You knew no other way. The only amount of love that had ever been shown to you was taken away... The planet punished you for your father's sins. How is a child to know right from wrong when there is no one to teach him?

Again a flicker of emotion passed across the cold, pale face. And then one lone tear spilled down Vincent Valentine's cheek. Which was soon followed by another. And another. And another. Vincent soon regained control over himself, wiping the treacherous tears from his face.

I remember you, Rufus. Before you became a monster, a slave to your father's will. Before you became your father. I remember you when you were but a youth. And your sins had yet to be committed. I remember you when you still knew how to love...

He wore blue.

Navy blue to be exact. And Vincent Valentine, head of the Turks, wore his blue suit well. He combed his short black hair, staring into his own deep blue eyes in the mirror. Many said he was handsome, devastatingly so... But Vincent cared little for his looks. His looks did not keep Lucrecia in his arms.

Vincent sighed, hanging his head at the thought of his former lover. Now she was with Hojo.

Vincent sighed again. The anger was gone now. He had finally accepted Lucrecia's rejection. But it still hurt. He placed the comb down, and headed out of his hotel.

Vincent was on vacation for the first time in five years. He needed time to think, to sort himself out. So he went to Costa Del Sol for some rest and relaxation. Vincent was quiet by nature, and greeted no one on the street, walking completely alone. He rounded the corner and rammed straight into somebody.

Vincent looked down. A blonde youth was on the floor, true blue eyes glaring up at him. "You asshole!" he cried, standing up.

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Asshole? You were the one who ran into me. Watch where you run, boy," he said curtly, then turned away, continuing his morning walk.

The blonde blinked. Vincent watched him through the corner of his eye, noting the youth's beauty. The blonde was about sixteen or seventeen. He had big blue eyes, and a finely chiseled face. He was slim, and wearing stylish, expensive, and very tattered clothing. He looked shocked to be spoken to in such a manner.

Vincent continued down his road, noting that the blonde was following him. He shook his head and walked into a diner, and ordered breakfast. The blonde crept in, thinking he was unseen. Vincent smirked at that, watching the boy creep beneath a table and stare at him. Vincent calmly ate his breakfast when it was served, noting how hungry the boy looked.

"If you are hungry, you may sit across from me, and I will order you food," Vincent said, not even looking at the boy.

The boy blinked. "You're a Turk... Aren't you?" he asked surlishly, his voice cultured as one well educated.

"I am. I'm also on vacation. If you're in trouble with ShinRa, I won't care for another couple weeks," Vincent said evenly.

The blonde crept from beneath the table and sat across the Turk, staring at him petulantly. Vincent ordered the youth breakfast as well, noting that the boy looked like a runaway from a very rich family. He asked the youth no questions, merely watching the blonde wolf his breakfast down, obviously not having ate in a few days.

"My name's Rufus," the boy offered, staring at Vincent with fascination.

"I see."

The boy pursed his lips in annoyance. "What's yours?" he asked after a few minutes.

"Vincent."

"Are you always this friendly? Or is it just for my benefit?" Rufus asked sarcastically, looking irritated with the raven-haired man's silence.

"Only with rude young men who are foolish enough to run away from a good home," Vincent said, pulling out the morning paper and beginning to read it.

Rufus snarled. "If it was a good home, I would've stayed," he sighed, looking even more irritated when Vincent began to read his paper.

"Ah."

"If you were going to be a prick, why be nice in the first damn place?" Rufus whined.

Vincent folded down a corner of his paper and stared at the blonde. "Did you want me to hand feed you or something?" he asked drolly.

Rufus rolled his eyes. "Forget it. I'm leaving before you rat me out..." he said, standing up to go.

Vincent ignored the blonde's departure, finishing his breakfast and his paper before leaving. He spent the rest of the day at the beach, swimming.

When he returned to his hotel room, he saw Rufus sitting on the steps, looking forlorn. Vincent sighed and stared down at the blonde, who looked up, his big blue eyes staring into Vincent's dark blue ones.

"What now?" Vincent sighed, seeing desperation in the youth's eyes.

"I don't want to go home... I hate it there... Nobody cares about me... I feel like if I stay there... I'm gonna die... Or worse, turn into my father..." Rufus confessed.

Vincent remained silent. Things were beginning to fall into place. President ShinRa had a teenage son. The boy had run away a day before Vincent left. And the boy's name was Rufus ShinRa. Vincent turned his face. The youth was reaching out to him, practically begging for help.

You've been a cold-hearted bastard your whole life, Valentine. It's why you lost Lucrecia to Hojo, of all people. Help him out... if even for a little while...

"Come inside. You could use a good shower. You can borrow some of my clothing..." Vincent said calmly, walking into his room. Rufus jumped up, looking surprised, and followed him.

Vincent pointed out the shower to the boy. Rufus headed towards it, his whining ended. Vincent picked a shirt and some shorts for Rufus to wear and stepped inside the bathroom to place the clothes on the counter.

Vincent turned to leave, then paused. He stared through the transluscent door, noting Rufus' slim beauty. It was unclear, but enough for Vincent to watch the young man bathe for a few minutes before collecting his wits and leaving.

Wonderful... Now you're letting the boy turn you on... Are you lonely or what, Valentine?

Rufus came out after a few minutes. He sat down in the corner of the couch, drew his knees to his chin and stared at Vincent with his big blue eyes. Vincent sighed. He got up abruptly to take his own shower, ignoring Rufus' puppy dog eyes.

When Vincent came out of the shower, he found Rufus sitting in front of the door, his chin resting on his knees. Vincent blinked. "Is it necessary for you to follow me everywhere I go?" he asked.

"I didn't want to be alone. They might come get me."

".........." Vincent replied, stepping over the blonde to dress. He felt eyes on him, and turned, only to watch Rufus quickly turn away, blushing.

"Like boys?" Vincent calmly asked, continuing to dress.

"I... maybe..." Rufus said, his back presented to Vincent.

"Ah..." Vincent said. He went to the living room and began to watch a movie. Rufus sat beside him, watching the ebon-haired man, rather than the movie.

Vincent remained silent, and eventually went to bed. It wasn't so much that he was rude or mean, but merely that he was not a talkative man.

Vincent felt his bed move and looked up to find Rufus crawling in the bed. He sat up and stared at the boy. "What now?" he asked, a little annoyed.

"I don't want them to find me... You won't let them take me back, will you?" Rufus asked, clutching Vincent's arm.

Vincent's first reaction was to shake the boy off of him, and then kick him out of the bed. And then he looked into the big blue eyes.

"You can sleep here. As long as you don't snore..." Vincent said evenly, laying back down.

Rufus smiled, and nestled down on his side, still staring at Vincent. Vincent fell asleep, wondering if Rufus would ever stop staring at him.

The next few days went by uneventfully. Vincent didn't leave the room often, ordering room service, as Rufus was scared to venture out. Vincent said little, but was rather starting to enjoy Rufus' company. Rufus continued to stare at him, and constantly asked him questions, but was getting used to Vincent's silence.

Vincent found himself watching the blonde as well. Rufus was petulant, and quite arrogant at times, but rather engaging. He was an intelligent young man... and very beautiful.

Vincent found the attraction to the youth irritating at times. But he couldn't shake it. He showed none of his attraction outwardly, even though Rufus was apparently attracted to him as well.

After spending a week in his hotel room with Rufus, Vincent realized that the atrraction to the youth was driving him crazy. He needed to get out... Maybe find a brothel... And relieve his tensions.

Rufus noticed the raven-haired man getting dressed. "Wh-where are you going?" he asked, looking worried.

"Out. I need air," Vincent said simply, heading towards the door.

"No! Don't leave me! If they find me, I have to go back home! Please! Stay... please?" Rufus begged, grabbing Vincent's arm in his desperation.

Vincent shook the boy off of him roughly, knocking the handsome blonde onto the floor. Rufus began to cry softly, trying to stop himself, obviously afraid of being alone.

Vincent got to the door, reached for the doorknob and stopped. He looked back at Rufus, who was gulping to prevent himself from crying and standing up.

Look at what you've done, Vincent.... He's scared... A scared kid, who's never had anyone care about him before. As much as asshole that you are... He thinks you care... And you just hurt him...

Vincent sighed deeply and turned back around, standing over the boy. "Sorry," he said quietly, bending down to help Rufus up.

Rufus angrily shook Vincent away. "Go. You want to leave? Fuck you..." he swore, looking angry now.

"I..." Vincent sighed, not knowing what to say or do.

Rufus turned away. He stumbled up and started to walk towards the door.

Vincent grabbed the blonde's hand, and pulled him back. He looked down into the angry blue eyes. "I.. said I was sorry... I'll stay..." he sighed.

Rufus blinked. He stared up at Vincent with a petulant face. "You promise?" he asked sulkily.

Vincent sighed. "I promise," he replied.

Vincent looked down at Rufus for a moment, then released him. He sat down on the couch, prepared to watch another movie.

Rufus sat beside him, unusually close. "Why do you stay? Do you like me?" he demanded.

Vincent looked over at the blonde. "Does it matter? Why push your luck?" he asked, in his usual deep stone cold voice.

Rufus looked undeterred by Vincent's brush-off. "I want to know..." he continued.

Vincent just blinked and returned his attention to the television, not knowing how, or even wanting to express his feelings.

Rufus placed a slender hand on Vincent's crotch, much to the man's surprise. "If you do... I could... pay you back...." the youth whispered.

Vincent grabbed Rufus' hand and removed it from his crotch. "No... you don't... I'm not like that..." Vincent said quietly, surprised at the boy's action.

"I... thought you... might like it..." Rufus said quickly, blushing and snatching his hand way as if it was on fire.

Vincent sighed. "I don't take boys in, just so I can fuck them..." he said harshly.

Rufus scooted away from Vincent, looking a little hurt, and a lot embarrassed. "I... I'm not a child... I'm seventeen.... I thought..." he said, getting up.

Vincent looked up. "I meant no insult. It is not that I don't like you... But I'm not going to take advantage of you..." he said quietly, reaching out to the boy's hand, trying to calm him.

Rufus stopped backing away. He sat back down on the couch, but away from Vincent now, no longer staring at him. He remained quiet and brought his knees to his chin, still embarrassed.

Vincent soon went to bed, frustrated with his incapability of relating to people. This same problem had driven Lucrecia from him. And this boy was...

Was starting to find a way into his heart.

Vincent sighed and gazed into the mirror. He didn't want to fall in love again, to have his heart broken... But the boy needed him.

And he was beginning to think maybe he needed Rufus.

Rufus crept into the bed after half an hour, very quiet, not with his usual prattle of questions and comments.

After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Vincent rolled over, and reached over to Rufus, pulling the youth against him. Rufus gasped and turned, looking at Vincent with shock.

Vincent looked deeply into Rufus' eyes, trying to convey what he felt through look rather than speech. Vincent was unable to express himself with words.

Rufus blinked, relaxing against Vincent. "You... like me?" he asked tentatively.

Vincent nodded. He reached up to gently stroke Rufus' soft face. He leaned over a bit, touching his lips to Rufus', slowly drawing the boy into a kiss.

Rufus sighed, closing his eyes and kissing back. He was inexperienced, but eager, responding to what Vincent did in kind.

Vincent pulled back. He stared silently into Rufus' true blue eyes, studying the boy intently. Rufus blinked, obviously unused to this kind of scrutiny.

Vincent smiled and slowly kissed Rufus again, wrapping his arms tightly around him. Every movement Vincent made was slow, and drawn out. Rufus squirmed at this, his youth and hormones wanting the pace to quicken.

Vincent paused at Rufus' squirming, and pulled back again. "What's wrong?" he asked solemnly.

Rufus sighed. "I..." he said, squirming again to bring their bodies closer, grazing his hardening crotch against Vincent's.

Vincent gasped and blinked in surprise at Rufus, who was beginning to kiss Vincent again, more urgently. He didn't resist the action, starting to feel the tightening of his own loins. He sighed, and relinquished himself to Rufus' desires, allowing his hands to roam the youth's slender body.

Rufus was very pleased at this, thrilling at every gentle touch Vincent made. He moaned softly, almost inaudibly, exploring Vincent's sinewy frame as well. Vincent sighed and began to undress both of them, his pale skin sliding against Rufus' smooth skin.

Vincent stretched out his full length against Rufus' when they were undressed, pressing his nude form against Rufus', their erections now pressed against each other. Rufus gasped loudly at the contact, shivering in pleasure. Vincent held the youth tightly to him, breathing softly in the blonde's ear.

Rufus looked up at the dark-haired man, shuddering in his arms. Vincent leaned down and kissed the boy, rocking his hips against Rufus', giving the boy jolts of pleasure as their erections slid against each other.

Rufus moaned, his body instinctively rocking back, creating an intensely pleasurable friction between the two. Vincent began to moan very softly, rocking himself against Rufus, clutching the boy tightly against him. Rufus stared into Vincent's eyes. No words were exchanged between the men, other than their soft moans of pleasure.

Rufus began to mewl softly. "It hurts... It feels so good it hurts..." he whispered.

Vincent sighed and shifted the boy's legs around him, his erection sliding downwards. "Let it go... It hurts when you don't let it go..." Vincent whispered, slowly sliding into Rufus' tight entrance.

Rufus gasped when Vincent entered him, clinging to the tall man tightly. "Relax...." Vincent whispered, taking Rufus' erection and gently stroking it, thrusting gently into the youth, massaging his back with the other hand, trying to relax him.

Rufus began to slowly relax, the stimulation Vincent was giving him help take his mind off of the pain. Vincent began to breathe harder, every thrust into Rufus bringing him closer to orgasm. Rufus was mewling against Vincent, leaking all over the ebon-haired man's hand.

Vincent stroked Rufus a little faster, knowing the boy was close to orgasm. Rufus cried out, clinging to Vincent again when he climaxed. Vincent thrust a few more times, and released himself. He lay still against Rufus, breathing heavily and still inside the blonde.

Rufus looked up at Vincent, his big blue eyes half closed. He snuggled against Vincent, making no move to remove Vincent from himself. Vincent smiled and snuggled back, content now. It was nice to hold someone in his arms again.

"Vincent...?" Rufus said after a few minutes.

"Yes?" Vincent replied, almost asleep.

"I... think I... love you..." Rufus whispered.

Vincent snapped his eyes open and looked down at the blonde. "You barely know me..." he said.

"I... know. But I think I do."

"I... perhaps... might feel the same way..." Vincent said after a few moments.

Rufus looked up at him and smiled. He lay back down again, embracing Vincent. Vincent fell asleep with a small smile on his face.

Smiles never came easy to Vincent Valentine.

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Vincent woke to the sound of a window being opened. Without moving he turned his eyes, opened only to slits, to look towards his bedroom window. A man wearing blue was creeping in.

Vincent waited patiently, reaching slowly under his pillow for his gun, so as not to be noticed. The intruder crept closer, and Vincent recognized him as one of his Turks, obviously here for Rufus. When the Turk reached the bed, he leaned over to inspect the sleeping Rufus and nodded in satisfaction when his suspicions were confirmed.

It was the Turk's last action, as Vincent whipped out his gun and shot the Turk point-blank in the head. Rufus woke up and started screaming, even as the body fell on top of him.

Vincent shoved the body off the boy and grabbed the hysterical blonde by the shoulders. He shook Rufus roughly. "Get a hold of yourself! They know you're here! We have to leave! Now!"

Rufus swallowed and nodded. Vincent got out of bed and dressed quickly. Rufus dressed as well, his hands shaking in fear. Vincent grabbed the boy by the hand, and went to the door, his gun locked and loaded.

Another Turk was down the hall. Vincent shot the man before he even turned when the door was opened. Two more Turks were dispatched before Vincent and Rufus reached the hotel exit.

And Vincent was faced with the business end of Tseng's magnum.

Vincent sighed, realizing he was still holding the frightened Rufus' hand. Behind Tseng, from a black limousine, stepped President ShinRa, who gave Vincent a calculating look and smiled coldly.

"Vincent Valentine. I thank you for finding my wayward son... My sincerest gratitudes... Even on your vacation, you have proven to be an excellent employee. You're job is over... And I need to discuss some things with my son...." ShinRa purred, his false smile never wavering.

Rufus almost seemed to shrink within himself. "Vincent... please... Don't let them take me...." the blonde begged, clutching tightly to Vincent's hand.

Vincent's face remained immobile, even as Tseng cocked his gun. The Asian youth was only a few years older than Rufus, but already second-in-command of the Turks. At 20, he was already one of the coldest killers Vincent knew. He had no doubts that Tseng would shoot him.

"Come along, Rufus.... Tseng has an itchy trigger finger.... And we wouldn't want my star employee to accidentally get shot in the head, because you wouldn't come...." the President purred, cold as ever.

Rufus choked back his tears, looking to the rigid man beside him. He gently released Vincent's hand, walking towards his father slowly, glancing at Vincent.

Vincent did not look at him.

Rufus' father guided the blonde into the car and closed the door. The middle-aged man looked over at Tseng when Rufus was in the car, his expression as hard as ever.

"Tseng. Please demonstrate to Mr. Valentine how foolish it was of him to keep my son without notifying me," ShinRa said, climbing into the car as well.

Rufus twisted in his seat, looking through the back window, as Tseng shot Vincent point-blank in his left shoulder. Vincent fell back, a gaping hole in his shoulder now. Rufus cried out, pressing his hand against the window, wanting to help...

And then his father pulled him away from the window.

And away from ever caring about anything other than himself... for the rest of his life.

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Vincent lay in the coffin, very still. Hojo was attending to the last of his stasis set-up.

His arm was useless after Tseng shot him. Hojo replaced it with a metal arm, with claws for fingers.

Vincent quit the Turks and entered Hojo's voluntary mako experiments. His eyes were now red, and his body held the terrifying power of demons. He allowed Hojo to almost completely destroy his humanity.... in hopes that if he lost his heart, it would stop hurting....

"Are you ready, Valentine?" Hojo asked, a cold smile on his lips. Lucrecia had died, giving birth to this man's child.

But he was learning. Learning not to care, anymore.

Vincent nodded and the coffin slammed shut. Though he remained alive, his heart died that day.

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Vincent stood up, away from the bloodstain. He turned to the broken wall, staring at it coldly.

Vincent walked forward, his pace never slowing.

Not even when he walked off the edge and to his death below....

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Vincent Valentine woke up in the middle of some sort of green energy. He felt disoriented.

He stood up, gazing around. He saw a glimpse of himself. He was naked, for one needed no clothing when one was dead. And his eyes were blue.

Vincent felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw a beautiful blonde male.

"Rufus!?!" Vincent asked, incredulous.

"Welcome to the Lifestream, Vincent...." Rufus said, a soft smile on his face, the one he wore as a youth.

Vincent gaped. "The lifestream... You... but how did I find you? How is this possible?" the dark-haired man asked.

Rufus put his arms around the only thing he ever truly loved in life. "You remembered me... Wanted me. So when you died... The lifestream brought our souls together..." he whispered.

Vincent blinked and looked down, smiling. He embraced the blonde as well, looking joyous, a feeling he never experienced in life.

"Is this what... happiness is like?" Vincent asked.

"It's whatever you make it... The best part of death, is that there are no rules..." Rufus sighed.

"I.. love you, Rufus," Vincent sighed.

Rufus looked up. "As do I," he said.

Vincent smiled.