Timeframe: Sometime after meeting Lucrecia (which seems to be a strange inspiration for me..); Cid has the Highwind

Vincent forced himself to smile back. Normally, he'd simply nod politely to one of the group members, but Cid was more than that. He was his best friend. His only friend, really. //Strange....we are so different, yet so alike...// "Good evening Cid."

"What's up? Can't sleep?" asked the pilot as he walked towards the railing Vincent stood near. He leaned on it, then spread his arms, indulging in the daydream of true flight.

//One day, Cid. I know one day you'll reach your dream....// "Well...I, uh....sort of." Vincent shrugged, then stared out at the stars, shining brightly in the dark sky.

Cid noticed the hesitation. He turned back to Vincent. "What's wrong Vince?" He remembered the day's events. "...Lucrecia....right?"

Vincent averted his gaze. Her name caused him both joy and pain. But it was the pain that always stayed with him. "Perhaps...."

His blue eyes softening in sympathy, Cid gently placed a gloved hand on Vincent's back. He knew the ex-Turk didn't like to be touched, but hoped it would help this time. He noticed that the thinner man was shivering though. "Geez Vince, we gotta get you some warmer clothes!" He hurriedly took off his jacket, then placed it around the ex-Turk's shoulders. "Better?"

"Please, do not trouble yourself...." Vincent attempted to take it off, but was stopped.

"Keep it on Vince. Remember what you told me, your immune system is still kinda weak," Cid sighed as he stared out into the open sky again. "Vince....why does it hurt you to think about her?"

"What?" Vincent felt his heart constrict again. "Because....she caused me so much joy...and through that joy, I was blind to what caused my downfall..." He held up his claw slightly, staring at it.

"Oh." Cid wondered why he had asked that question, but had no real idea.

"Cid....can you imagine what it felt like when Hojo told me she chose to marry him?" Vincent continued, his red eyes pleading for understanding. "And then all he did to me....So when she next saw me....she hated me...." Vincent's legs suddenly gave beneath him, causing him to fall abruptly. "I'm not human anymore...." His voice cracked, "A monster..."

"No Vince." Cid kneeled in front of the ex-Turk, placing his hands on the other man's shoulders. "You're still human. I know it."

"Then...then why...." Vincent's eyes filled and overflowed with tears, "...Why did she hate me?" He broke down, looking away and sobbing softly.

Reacting purely on instinct, Cid reached forward and pulled the ex-Turk onto him. Before he could react, his hands were softly rubbing his back, while he tried to calm his friend. "Shh....it's over with Vince. You shouldn't have to worry about it. She said she was sorry, remember? She told ya she was wrong." He pulled partially away, feeling a bit embarrassed at his actions.

Tears flowed down Vincent's face, landing on Cid's jacket. "Yet no one.... could ever care for me..... not with me being... what I am...."

"Vince...." //Tell him....// "Someone could care.....Very easily...."

"Who?" asked Vincent, not expecting an answer.

Cid placed his left hand under Vincent's chin, gently holding it up to look at him. "I could...." It was barely a whisper, but Vincent heard it.

"You?" The ex-Turk didn't move an inch, afraid he could break whatever spell he was part of. "But Cid....Why would you want anyone who used to be a part of Shinra? Especially me..."

"I don't care. Vince....I want you for YOU, not for anything else." His gloved hand moved up, the soft leather wiping away what remained of Vincent's tears.

Vincent could not believe his ears. //If this is just a dream....I wish it would never end....// "Cid..." his voice was broken, pleading.

Without saying anything, Cid got up, and grabbed Vincent in his arms. Just as a groom carries his bride, Cid carried Vincent to his quarters. Once inside, he placed the ex-Turk gently on the king-sized bed. "Vince...do you want this? I'll understand if you say no." He desperately wished that would not be the case, but Cid knew he had to go slow with the hurt man.

"Cid, I...." Painful memories of the past were recalled, but Vincent forced them out. "I will do anything for you."

Smiling benevolently, though with a touch of mischief, Cid leaned forward and kissed Vincent's lips with a tender touch. When he pulled away, he whispered, "No Vince. First I wanna make you understand that I DO love you. This won't be a one night stand." He removed his gloves and goggles, tossing them aside.

Slightly puzzled, Vincent wondered if Cid planned to have sex with him. The idea was both intriguing and frightening. "Please Cid....I have never...."

Cid paused. "You mean...you're....a virgin?" He found it very hard to believe.

Vincent blushed and nodded slightly. "I'm sorry."

Grinning, Cid kissed Vincent's cheek. "Don't be sorry. I think that's very....cute." He removed his belt, but stopped there. "My plans will have to be altered, but only slightly." He got up from where he was, then kneeled over Vincent's waist.

"You mean....you're not going to....?" Vincent had never really thought about a male/male relationship, but he had heard the 'act' was very painful for one lover, while the other enjoyed it greatly. He wanted Cid to enjoy it, but was afraid of the pain he would suffer.

"Not until you're ready. I will never force you Vince. Ever." Cid carefully removed Vincent's bandanna, running his fingers through Vincent's raven black, yet bunny soft hair. Without speaking, he continued, slowly unbuttoning the black shirt, gazing at the marble-like chest beneath. "Gods...you're so beautiful...."

Vincent blushed, as he had never thought of himself as even handsome. It felt good to be treated so tenderly though. But part of his mind kept worrying about a certain 'act'.

The Captain removed Vincent's shirt and his jacket with care, enjoying every second. He moved back, now kneeling over Vincent's knees. Using a light touch, he pulled off the black pants, exposing the dark boxers underneath. "Hmm....I always wondered which kind you wore...." Cid chuckled softly.

Feeling extremely calm and serene, Vincent suddenly gasped when he felt Cid pull off his boxers. //But why isn't he removing his own clothes?// Yet he refused to ask, fearing rebuke or something similar.

Touching gently, Cid rubbed his lover's cock, hoping he wasn't going too fast. But hearing Vincent moan assured him. Satisfied that Vincent was comfortable, Cid got off him and sat next to him. He then pulled the ex-Turk onto his lap, the two facing each other.

"I've never felt like this...." Vincent purred as Cid's hand touched him again. "Oh Cid..." He leaned on the pilot, placing his head on the warm shoulder.

The pilot kissed Vincent's neck, feeling him shiver pleasurably in response. "I'm glad you like it. But I want you to enjoy this....fully..." He lowered his head, kissing Vincent's bare chest.

A dozen emotions took over Vincent, mostly dealing with love and lust. //He's so wonderful.....he treats me like a treasure....what have I done to deserve this?// He moaned again as Cid's hand increased it's tempo. "Cid...why me?" He voice was soft and timid, almost as if he was afraid to ask.

"Because. You're incredible Vincent. I've never cared about another person like I care about you." Cid paused for half a second, then continued his administrations while he talked. "I don't want you to be sad or hurt anymore. I want you to be happy. And I wish it would be with me...." The last sentence was uttered in a half whisper, timid as Vincent's question.

"It will be..." Vincent was flushed by what Cid was doing, but he forced himself to stay connected, "How could I leave someone with a heart like yours?" He mewled as Cid began to lick his chest sensually. But his moans took a different sound when he suddenly tensed, as Cid's constant caresses made him reach his peak.

As Vincent spasmed in ecstasy, Cid held him close. The thin man cried out his name with an animal-like need. //He's so wonderful. And he wants to stay with me....// Cid watched as Vincent's shaking body glistened with sweat, his eyes shining with passion. The only problem was that while Vincent grabbed onto him as well, his metal claw bit deep into Cid's shoulder. But for his lover, he would go through anything.

When Vincent finally recovered, he found himself draped over Cid, as the pilot rocked him back and forth. The pilot was humming a soft lullaby, which made him want to sleep, warm and cozy in Cid's gentle hold. But he smelled blood, somewhere very near. Glancing around, he saw where his claw had hurt Cid. "Cid! Forgive me!"

"It's no big deal." The pilot continued to rock Vincent in his arms, "I've had worse." He kissed the worried ex-Turk, relieving him of his fear.

"Thank you Cid...." His crimson eyes gleamed softly as they closed.

"For what?"

"For everything....."