This fanfic contains yaoi which should not be read by anyone who is not comfortable with homosexual relationships. It also has a bit of profanity, which isn’t that extraordinary considering that it revolves around Cid. As for the setting and time frame, this occurs before the team takes on Sephiroth. May contain some spoilers…but not many.
Highwind
By: Silver Rayne
How is a person expected to react when they are told that the end of the world is days away from occurring? Knowing that the details of the apocalypse were greatly understated. Seeing unsurpassed degrees of fear, depression and defeat. This was not an act of God or some world war either. If it had been, maybe there could have been a higher existence to look forward to. Sephiroth’s reign of terror had no boundaries and absolutely no promises of retribution.
None of the people aboard the Highwind were sure how they sere supposed to take the news. After barely extinguishing the threat of the four Weapons, the crew had become pessimistic. What if Sephiroth maintained more power than that of the planet itself? Were his Jenova creations a joke? A ruse to make them feel overconfident or uneasy since they had been too simple to crush. That kind of second guessing was what had them on edge. They had scarcely finished the four battles with Ultimate, Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Weapon. Nearly immediately afterwards, with barely a fraction of a day to recover, they would be pitted against Sephiroth himself.
Cloud realized that it was going to be extremely difficult from now on. His only words to the crew was that it was time to pay a visit to family and friends. If he lost some of his companions as a result of their attachment to those people, so be it. He would not deprive them of the right to see their loved ones again. However, when they did say their final farewells to those people, they might gain renewed strength. To clarify and strengthen what they had been fighting for all along. Not mainly to silence Sephiroth’s severely neurotic need to redesign the earth in his image. But to save what they cared about, those who were most important to them.
Barret left to see his daughter, Marlene, also relieved at being able to return to Midgar. As much as he had despised the place before, it was home. And to maybe share a story or two with Elmyra, tell her that Aerith’s death had not been in vain. Enlighten her on the possibility that Aerith’s sacrifice may have been the key to rescuing the planet. Her unselfish deed would not go unrewarded.
Nanaki ventured off to Cosmo Canyon to pay his last respects to Bugenhagen, his grandfather who had recently passed away. To ensure that his people were unscathed from the destruction of the Ultimate Weapon. He still didn’t know if his grandfather had really passed away. The old man had always been very cryptic. Maybe he was recovering somewhere and watching them. The thought gave Nanaki strength but deep down, he knew it was untrue.
The stuffed Mog and cat temporarily appeared to be motionless as the operator disappeared on the other end. Wutai was attacked by Lord Godo’s daughter, Yuffie, who decided to go another round with him. Show him that it hadn’t been just luck that she had kicked his ass the first time.
Other than those members of the party, Cloud, Tifa, Cid and Vincent were deserted to think about the oncoming battle ahead of them. Just four warriors and an empty flying ship floating high above the earth. No one was navigating it at the moment, just letting it drift from one spot to the next.
"Don’t you guys have somewhere else you’d like to be?," Cloud asked. He wasn’t trying to be rude about it but it would be nice to have some quiet time to himself. There weren’t any family or friends waiting for him to return to Nibelheim. They were long since buried, God rest their souls. Now he required a few hours to reflect on the situation and how they had handled it so far. Pretty good all things considered. Each of them deserved a medal for the way they held off the inevitable. Hopefully it was not a lost cause.
"Maybe I could use some fresh air." Vincent spoke more to himself than anyone else but suddenly all eyes were on him. He glanced up, caught with some disturbing thoughts, and looked confused. "If nobody minds, that is," he added.
"Of course you can go." Cloud nearly insisted, pushing the would-be vampire towards the deck. Once there, they all turned to gaze up at the sky, to witness the startling glow of the meteor heading towards earth. Sephiroth had really outdone himself. How had one man brought about the end of the world? If they weren’t careful, the psychotic power-crazed idiot would get his wish.
"Where am I to go?" The mysteriously quiet man lacked twice as many friends as Cloud did. His only purpose was to stop Sephiroth’s tyranny and save the man’s mother from seeing what he had become. Lucrecia may have been Sephiroth’s mother at birth but Vincent had always been closer to her. Until Hojo had taken his first love away from him. The weird scientist had fathered Sephiroth, using his only child as a deranged experiment. Sometimes, Vincent found himself envisioning Hojo crippled at his feet, begging for mercy. It didn’t make him feel any better but his creativity was astounding thanks to the numerous amount of tests he had endured. Before Hojo, Vincent knew nothing about justifying prolonged agony in the name of science. That was one experience never to be forgotten.
*Good question.* What was he to suggest? Cloud knew very little about the last person who had joined his group. Where was he going to tell the man to go? Having been locked in a coffin for so many years deprived Vincent of the outside world. There were thousands of things to see but only one day to make use of it. "I wish I could say…but I have nowhere to go myself."
"I have an idea."
Tifa gave Cid a sideways glance, her heart pounding from the way he had announced his presence so forcefully. Even in a crisis, good old Cid proved he was tough as nails. Optimism had not fallen short on him or his predicament. He was a fighter which explained how well Cloud got along with him. Cid thought of Cloud as a protégé of his, someone he could mold into his image. The kid possessed a continuous supply of potential that Cid found to be promising.
*If anyone can lead us to victory, it’s Cloud.* Cid returned Tifa’s stare, wondering what had crawled up her skirt. Not like he wasn’t used to people glaring at him for seeming harsh or insensitive. He was just a loud, boisterous guy. If the people around him couldn’t deal with it…then that was just fine by him. Why waste precious time on ignorant jerks who chose to judge him rashly?
"You scared the heck out of me," Tifa gasped, clutching at her chest. All of them were on edge. A raise in someone’s voice or change of tone was enough to start hurtling materia at each other.
"Oh, sorry." As usual, it came out more as nonchalance than any formal apology. Just shrugging off the accident. Cid would try to be more discreet with his excitement in the future.
"What was your idea?" The prospect of finding anything better to do than sitting around was inviting to Cloud. He preferred not to dwell on the oncoming disaster and have his mind absorbed with other matters. A small break would do them all some good.
Cid strolled over to Vincent and clapped him on the back. "Not to be an asshole, Cloud, but the plan was for two."
"Um…okay." Cloud hid his disappointment behind a veil of dead-set eyes. He was becoming an expert at burying things six feet under. So Cid would rather hang out with Vampy. Why should he be jealous? Because…that would leave him with Tifa. Cloud gulped, reminded of the constant flirting that was thrown in his direction. *She should stop acting so desperate.* Would that make him attracted to her? Maybe she could do with cutting her dramatic acting down a bit. He did like her but not when she wanted to jump into his lap.
"Whaddya say, Vincent? You up for some fun?"
"I hardly think that I can find any amusement after all we’ve been through. Besides, I’d rather be alone." Vincent climbed onto the ladder which hung down to North Corel. A chocobo was warking on the ground, pacing back and forth. It wasn’t gold but black was pretty decent to cover a wide range of area. Although Vincent wasn’t too keen on riding chocobos, fearing that it would buck and toss him off, he would get over it for one last chance to truly live.
Cid watched Vincent climb down and shrugged at Tifa and Cloud’s apologetic faces. "What’re you morons staring at? I don’t give up that easily. You’d think that I lost my fucking luster or something? I may not be as young as you two lovebirds but experience and age counts for a lot where I come from. You could learn a thing or two from me."
"Maybe," Cloud murmured, impressed when Cid climbed on down after Vincent. The man hopped off towards the end of the ladder, startling the chocobo. In response to having its peace disrupted, the chocobo raced off, leaving Vincent in a trail of dust.
"Don’t think so," Tifa muttered. However, she did laugh when Vincent began to approach Cid menacingly with his cape swishing behind him. "Cloud, what about us?"
"It’s getting kind of stuffy up here, let’s find someplace to talk."
As the Highwind sailed off, Vincent found that he was only mildly annoyed with Cid. They were stranded in North Corel until one of them either caught their runaway chocobo or purchased another. Cloud and Tifa were probably rolling around in hysterics since they hadn’t bothered to send down the gold chocobo. Cloud could be so selfish with that bird.
"I’m afraid to ask,…what was your plan?"
"It’s one big, monster-bitch of a plan actually." He ignored Vincent who was about to correct him on his foul mouth. "We go to the Gold Saucer and spend the entire night there. With all the rides, the chocobos and great food, we can’t get bored."
*Somebody kill me.* Vincent found himself being propelled towards the Ropeway and into the car which would hoist them into the air. The ride up to the Gold Saucer bumped and jostled them back and forth. If the wind were stronger, the rope would snap and they would begin to drop to certain death below.
"What’s wrong?"
The car might have been going slower or Vincent wished it would speed up. Anything to avoid a conversation with Cid. A serious one at that. He knew where things were headed and wanted to curtail Cid’s infatuation before it grew. "What makes you assume that something is wrong?"
"Cut the crap! If you don’t wanna hang out with me, just say so. I can take a hint, you know." Cid moved to the other end of the car in a huff. He was also very temperamental when things didn’t go his way.
"It isn’t that."
"Then what is it?"
*It’s best to come out with it.* "These feelings you think you have for me are misplaced." With Vincent’s unemotional tone taking over, he may have succeeded in unwittingly breaking Cid’s heart. He had meant to cushion the blow with a short, ‘you’re a wonderful guy’ introduction. Where had it disappeared to?
"Hmph! You can do better than that, Vampy."
The sounds of screeching metal put them right inside the top section of the Gold Saucer. They had been so preoccupied over what to say that the spectacular lights and decorations of the amusement park had been missed. And there might never be a second chance to view it again.
"Are you going to stay in there all night?" Cid peered back into the car, showing signs of frayed nerves. He had to keep reminding himself that Vincent was not a conquest or opponent. If he treated him right, forgiving the stray curses and vile behavior, then it could work out.
"Very well." Vincent got up and nearly recoiled when Cid took hold of his hand. He was further caught unawares when Cid wrapped an arm around him to lift him bodily from the car. As if Cid were the perfect gentleman, one of the last who worshipped chivalry as a means of swooning the local ladies. "Cid!"
"There you go." Cid set Vincent back down on his feet, a smug grin on his lips as he lit up a cigarette and took a puff. Holding onto Vincent, no matter how brief that contact had been, made the older man feel giddy. He needed to smoke to calm the sparks which sizzled in his veins, particularly below the waist.
There were a few people gawking at them, envying what they presumed to be a partnership. None of the visitors were on a romantic journey as Cid liked to think he was. Only lonely men and women with nowhere better to be and money to blow. For all the money they spent and the adventures they partook in, none of it made them happy. Even the employees were scarce now that family gatherings had reached an all-time high.
"Shall we?" Cid held out his hand for Vincent to take, the cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth.
"Smoking can kill you." Having said that, Vincent strode past Cid, ignoring his hand and paying the woman at the entrance for their admission.
Not deterred in the least, Cid ambled up to Vincent and elbowed him in the ribs. "I was going to pay for you. A man has to shower his date with bottomless pockets, or don’t you know that part?"
Vincent sighed. "No, I’m not familiar with your strange, barbaric customs. One day, I might be interested in your archaic ways. Not at the moment though. If you really insist on paying, then you can pay for yourself. You owe me 1500 gil."
"That’s good!" He tagged along after Vincent who walked into the circle of tunnels which led to various sections of the park. "You’re learning sarcasm. Any man who wants to hold his own in a conversation should have a sharp tongue."
*From now on, I’m keeping my mouth shut.*
"You might be a tad bit rough around the edges but you’re the best date that I’ve had yet," Cid boasted.
Vincent groaned and shook his head with dismay. "It’s so difficult not knowing whether that was a compliment or an insult. Either way, I’m not here with you on a date. We are friends, nothing more."
Then, the metal sheathed boots were clattering down the tunnel, heading for the hotel. A long mass of black hair straggling behind him. Cid watched Vincent slide down the tunnel until he was on the other end. "Why must you play so bloody hard to get?" He jumped into the tunnel and was on his way, pursuing the beautiful man who had attracted his attention from the start. Upon meeting Vincent, everyone had thought him to be frail and messed up in the head. An experiment by Hojo, perhaps even Sephiroth in another body. But, Cid gave Vincent his trust and friendship without suspicion. He could see beyond the scarred memories in those red eyes to reveal the sensitive, lonely man inside.
Cid reached the hotel, being thrown out of the tunnel by some nasty springs. He found himself in a recreated graveyard, each stone marker a door to another part of the park. *Tacky, piece of shit.* Truthfully, he detested the flashiness of nearly everything in the park. In his dreams, having Vincent by his side had reduced some of the cheesy effects of the place. Wherever they went, Vincent brought with him a certain aspect of appeal which distracted Cid from his surroundings. To him, Vincent made the graveyard hotel look like Costa del Sol on the fourth of July.
"Vincent!"
Cid hurried up the crooked path to the hotel, wondering who the idiot was that had the temperature so cold. He already perceived the atmosphere of gloom and death, didn’t need any constant reminders. The door swung open for him, revealing the foyer of the hotel. There were two ghosts seated at a poker table, playing cards, nothing more than projections from behind the desk. And some zombie asking if he needed something.
"Have you seen a really cute looking guy with long, dark hair and red, batty eyes?" He tended to think of Vincent fondly as a bat, roaming from one shadow to the next. An enigma to be solved. Unfortunately, Cid didn’t have all the time in the world to figure out what made Vincent tick. It could very well be their last night together and he would see to it that it lasted.
The zombie didn’t even blink. It pointed to the desk where a short, green man with a hunched back was waiting. So, Cid decided to try again. He walked up to the desk, opened his mouth…and completely forgot about the doll which dropped down from the ceiling. A shriek scream made Cid jump back as Hangman, the sand-bag doll hanging by a noose, greeted him. "Of all the stupid…" Cid took aim and punched the doll, knocking the head straight off. A puddle of sand began to form at his feet.
"Sir? You will have to pay for that," the hunched back man said calmly.
"Whatever. Have you seen…?"
Cid was interrupted when the deformed creature nodded his head and pointed upstairs. "Room three, two single beds, booked for one night." As Cid was heading towards the stairs, the man-creature spoke again. "But he left while you were damaging my merchandise."
*Here we go again.* Okay, so Vincent was one cold fish, frigid even. That didn’t make him any less attractive. Cid ran back down the path he had come from to witness Vincent debating over which headstone to step on. "Hey! Where are you going?" With one clumsy tackle, Cid had Vincent on the ground. "If we weren’t so close to hell, I’d enjoy your little games. But, we only have one night. Is this how you want to spend it? Hiding from me?"
"What are you babbling about?" Vincent squirmed beneath Cid, moving his face to the side so that the man would not be breathing on him. "I could not have been easier to spot."
"Oh…but, I thought…"
"Would you have preferred it if I stood there, watching you embarrass yourself? Now get off of me. Don’t make me do something I’ll regret."
Cid grinned, looking down at his captive prey. "You’ve got me intrigued. What do you have in mind?"
For once, the quiet man didn’t know how to shut Cid up. He had been unprepared for anyone questioning what his warnings meant. There was always the option of transforming into the Chaos demon. But, that would require a whole load of power and he would have to be pretty badly injured first. Anyway, his other forms made him feel nauseous and ashamed. No wonder he didn’t think highly of mirrors.
"Let me up and I’ll show you."
"Okay." Slowly, he rose, pulling Vincent along with him. "Give me your best shot." He closed his eyes and readied himself for the kiss he anticipated. And then he waited some more. "Vincent?" Not even the sound of a heartbeat pounding against his own. Cid opened his eyes and swore. "Damn vampire." His date was now missing, would remain so until Cid relocated him.
The hunt was on and Cid had armed himself well. Both pockets were full of GP and tickets which he had bought in advance. Now, if he could only find Vincent to share them with. He was stunned when he entered the Wonder Square to bump into his date who actually came up behind him.
"What took you so long?"
"Did you have to leave me there looking like an idiot?"
But instead of answering, Vincent went to one of the games where he began to deposit some coins. "It was foolish of you to expect so much from me in the first place. Blame yourself if you must."
"You shouldn’t have threatened me if you weren’t going to make good on it." He stood to one side of Vincent and inconspicuously squeezed his buttocks.
"Hey!" Vincent whirled around and slapped Cid across the face. "Keep your hands to yourself."
Cid chuckled while massaging the bruise he had seen coming. "At least now there’s some energy in your eyes. They always look so dull when I can make them bright and happy."
"I seriously doubt that you have what it takes to make me happy." *I don’t even want to think about what else he can do with those hands of his.* Rubbing his sore flesh briefly, Vincent swung his cape back into place. And kept Cid under extreme scrutiny. The next advance Cid chose to take would be his last.
"How would you know if you haven’t given me a chance?"
"Groping me in public is your way of showing me affection?"
"No. This is." Cid dropped a couple of coins into another of the machines and retrieved his prize. He offered the stuffed Mog to Vincent who wasn’t sure what expression he wanted to make. "Come on, don’t be shy. Take it." There were no hidden motives behind the gift so Vincent eventually did accept it. *I wonder how many points this is worth.* From the beginning, he had been gauging Vincent’s responses to see what the man liked or desired. So far, the only progress he had made was with the Mog. On any regular day, Vincent would shun a cup of coffee, never mind a toy.
"Thank-you." Although he was grateful that Cid hadn’t tried to choke him in a hug, Vincent almost missed the possibility. For many years, nobody had dated him or had the decency to treat him with kindness. There was only Lucrecia, his first and only love. But, was she his last love? Being with a man had never occurred to Vincent in the past. His ignorance of Cid’s intentions was probably the reason why they had escalated so far. A tiny fragment of his humanity did crave for what Cid proposed to him. Just one night. It might be all they would ever have.
"Does your brain ever stop moping?"
"Huh?"
"You’re staring off into space again. Just when I think I’ve gained some ground with you, I lose it to your brooding. Can you thaw a bit so that we can move on?"
"I suppose."
Their next destination was the large expanse of tracks which housed a long, roller-coaster ride. Fast, exciting and full of holographic backgrounds, it could very well be the biggest ride throughout the world. Then again, the Gold Saucer was the only amusement park in the world. The cost to visit had many expenses incorporated into the price. Not many normal folk could afford to travel there to have fun. So, there would be no point in any other company competing to build their own theme park.
When the roller-coaster came clanking down the tracks, Cid dragged Vincent into the first seat with him. "We’ll be able to see everything from here," he explained. The seat was made for one but luckily Vincent was thin. He was squished into the corner, an arm sneakily wrapping around his shoulders. "Isn’t this fun?"
"Your persistence worries me. I would hardly relate to this as being fun." He attempted to slip away from Cid but the roller-coaster shot up the tracks, the momentum throwing Vincent further into Cid’s open arms. "You planned this," he accused when he heard laughter.
"So what if I did? It’s not like you can jump from here." Cid tightened his hold on Vincent as they climbed up to the top of the tracks. "And, if you really hadn’t wanted to be with me, you would have left with Cloud and Tifa. Am I right?" The tracks dropped out from beneath them, sending the coaster plummeting down on a very steep course into some flying objects. The colorful targets flew around them, sometimes in the shapes of shooting stars or spaceships. A kaleidoscope of images shot by on either side but Cid wasn’t in the mood for blowing them up to gain points. Cid’s hands were busy, either stroking Vincent’s hair or claiming the man’s hand inside of his own. He noticed that Vincent’s clawed arm was digging into his thigh but the pain easily dismissed itself. It was hard for Vincent to let go of his repressed emotions so carelessly. But, Cid had a way of getting to people. "Do you even realize how precious you are to me?," Cid whispered into Vincent’s ear.
The velocity at which they were moving made it impossibly to hear properly. Somehow, each word spoken was captured by Vincent and analyzed tediously. There could be no mistaking Cid’s meaning. The moment the roller-coaster came to a sliding halt in front of the booths, Vincent took off within the blink of an eye.
"You’ve gotta be kidding me!" Cid yelled at Vincent as he pursued him. "What the hell did I screw up this time?"
"Leave me alone, Cid."
"NO! Now, you come back here so we can discuss this like mature adults. Ones that don’t vanish on their dates." He pushed himself harder when Vincent ran into the tunnel leading to the Event section where all of the plays were currently canceled. Within seconds, he had entered the room filled with seats below a massive stage. They were cheaply built, no soft material for the chairs. That was partially how the park could afford all of the displays and light shows, by cutting costs in other areas. Cid glanced over to the right, in a dark corner, where Vincent was curled up on the bench. His knees were drawn up to his chest, arms providing a pillow where he rested his head.
"Vincent?" Cid’s tone became gentle as he approached the man to place a hand on his back. "I’m sorry," he apologized, fearful when he felt Vincent trembling. "Whatever I did…please forgive me."
"It isn’t fair." Vincent gazed up at Cid, his eyes redder than ever, filled with tears which were on the verge of spilling over.
"What isn’t fair?" The solid, tough barrier which Cid erected to make him seem like a bitter, sour man dropped. He was afraid to touch Vincent, to arouse the need inside of him which was not accepted. Here they were, in an empty room with mere hours to go before their companionship would be gone. And the mood wasn’t halfway romantic or anything else which Cid had wished for. He was scared that his opportunity with Vincent had been doomed from the beginning.
"I’ve been mourning over my love for Lucrecia…wasting my heart on a woman who was never mine. All this time, I’ve been punishing myself for not being able to save her and wallowing in my own self pity. Look at what I’ve done. By the end of this day, it will be too late to make amends for ignoring your feelings for me. How can we do everything, say everything that we need to? It’s too late, Cid…and it’s my fault." Vincent broke down in front of Cid, burying his face into his arms.
"It’s never too late." Cid crouched down and lifted Vincent’s face to look into his eyes. "I’ll take anything that I can get from you, even if there are only minutes left. I don’t want to die not knowing what it would be like to kiss you." His mouth covered Vincent’s, not bothering to go through the formalities of asking permission. Once more, he felt sharp claws but on his arm this time. It didn’t stop him, only made him climb on top of Vincent to push him onto his back. One arm supported Vincent’s neck and prevented him from hurting his head on the hard cement. The other hand started to unfasten Vincent’s red cape, promising to strip him naked if he didn’t resist. But Vincent was preoccupied with kissing Cid to block the removal of his clothing. "How did I ever prevent myself from jumping you in the Highwind?" He breathed between kisses while Vincent gasped underneath him. "Your room is right next to mine." Another button came undone so that Cid could slide his free hand over Vincent’s chest.
"Cid…"
"Don’t tell me you’re uncomfortable," Cid pleaded. "I’m so fucking horny right now that I might explode."
"No…it isn’t that." Vincent tried to look down to see what Cid was doing but bit his lip to stifle a cry of pleasure. "What are you doing?"
"What do you think?" His finger was lazily rubbing Vincent’s nipples, watching them become taut before bending down to lick them. The body beneath his shivered dramatically with each touch he gave it. None of the women Cid had been with were this responsive. When he got bored of that, he set to work gently sucking each one, rolling his tongue over them. Vincent moaned and wriggled a bit to release some of Cid’s weight from his hips. In doing so, he accidentally set the man’s loins on fire. "Are you trying to kill me?" He panted heavily, his cheeks flushed, studying Vincent’s fine features. "On second thought.." He shifted down lower and held tightly to Vincent’s waist. Then, in one quick motion, his groin pressed down onto Vincent’s abdomen, one knee pushing between his legs.
The next sound Vincent made resembled a keen, drawn out moan. "Have you ever been with a man?," he asked feverishly.
"Nope. Have you?"
"No…but if you keep applying pressure there, you will be carrying me to the hotel."
"Who needs a bed? We can do it right here."
"Do what right here?"
"You know…"
"Actually, I’m not too sure what it is you’d like to do." Vincent accepted another kiss from Cid, reveling in the joy of tasting his welcoming mouth. Even the scent of cigarettes and the faint presence of liquor couldn’t put him off.
"We have the rest of the night to continue this. Right now, I’d rather get to know you better…use our time wisely. We’ve never really spoken to each other as friends, only allies." Cid reluctantly got up, holding out his hand which Vincent took without hesitation. "My vocabulary may be filled with four letter curses but it doesn’t mean that I’m an ogre. I would have killed to have five minutes alone with you for some background information. Any piece of your past which wasn’t common knowledge for the rest of the crew."
"What would you like to know?" He asked it curiously, wondering how his past could possibly intrigue the other man. The others were always poking him about Hojo and Sephiroth but never directly questioning him. To think that Cid had gone to so much trouble just to have a private chat with him. It showed the pilot in a whole new light which the others were not aware of. A man capable of love and compassion and hardly half as cynical as he was believed to be. Vincent discovered that he was grateful for Cid’s openness and honesty. Without those qualities, they might never have admitted their feelings for the other.
Instead of answering, Cid began to button up Vincent’s shirt and lace the red cape back on so that he wouldn’t catch a cold. His concern touched Vincent greatly as well as the lack of F words he was so accustomed to hearing. "Why don’t we start with Lucrecia."
"Why her?"
"You loved her once. I’d give Yuffie all of my materia to learn why she was so lucky. Maybe I have something in common with her. Right now, I feel like one heck of a lucky bastard."
"Luck has nothing to do with it." Vincent hugged Cid and sighed contentedly when those not so alien hands found their way into his hair and down his back. "She was special. That’s all there is to it. We were right for each other. You are special too, Cid."
"Gee…that’s the nicest fucking thing anyone has ever said to me." He gazed into Vincent’s red, gentle eyes to see humor dancing in them. "What?" Then, they both began to laugh although Cid wasn’t sure what was so funny. "Tell me!"
"You don’t even realize how horrible your mouth is." Shaking his head solemnly, Vincent started to push Cid out of the theater. "I seriously hope that your table manners aren’t this bad."
The dinner was delicious considering how much GP they had to waste between them. If nobody would be alive to spend it later, why hoard it? Besides, two growing men needed to eat in large quantities to keep their strength up. For Sephiroth and for the night to come. No expense was spared that evening, they went all out on their final meal in luxury. First, a private room was rented in the manager’s personal dining room. White, incandescent candles flickered all along the walls and in the center of their table. Even the tablecloth was sewn with glittering beads and tapered gold trim. It was amazing what a whole months worth of GP could afford. For over an hour, the plates were replenished with new cuisines to sample and plenty of conversation to keep them coming.
As the menu alternated to fruits, cakes and fine cocktails, Cid and Vincent were both feeling elated. Perhaps a bit drunk on Cid’s behalf but nothing he couldn’t handle. Vincent was leaning forward onto his elbows, listening intently to one of Cid’s elaborate tales of adventure. This one was not new to him, however Cid told it from a different perspective.
"Cloud flew the Tiny Bronco into the ocean?" The dark eyebrows piqued as Vincent made a face of disbelief. "You’re exaggerating."
"No, I’m not. That kid doesn’t even have a license. You’ve seen him on a chocobo. How much more proof do you need?"
"Okay, maybe he did but I doubt he fought off as many monsters as you say to free me from my captivity."
"It’s true. He had to get the key for that locked room in the basement where you were sleeping. Tried several times before he could defeat the monster guarding it. Then there was the creepy music down there and the creature with two heads. Damned morgue! Cloud thought you were some holy treasure…he even started to make plans on how we were going to split it. When he saw you in there, he nearly freaked out. Almost took off too after you closed yourself back in that blasted sarcophagus."
That point of view was entirely fresh to Vincent, he hadn’t known that Cloud was on the verge of giving up so easily back then. But, the kid didn’t react well to returning to his hometown, experiencing resurfacing memories which he longed to forget. "If Cloud was going to leave me there, what changed his mind?"
Cid turned red in the face and not from the ale. He debated over whether or not to reveal that part to Vincent. "I told him I thought…you were cute," he muttered. "Nearly cleaved off my head with that accursed sword of his. Don’t know how he manages to haul around a chunk of metal nearly his height."
"How flattering." Vincent got up from his seat and smiled at Cid. Then, he sat on the man’s lap, wrapping his arms around Cid’s neck. "I’ve never been called cute before."
"How about utterly intoxicating?" He kissed Vincent quickly to tease him, squeezing him tightly. "Or very, very sexy?" His voice lowered as their tongues met and this kiss could not be broken. Even breathing seemed unnecessary while they prolonged it as much as they could. There was no mistaking how much they loved each other. "When we get back aboard the Highwind, I’m not going to let you out of my sight."
"I’ll make it easier for you. Never let me go." A sliver of fear crept into Vincent’s voice as he grabbed on harder to Cid. "This fight…it will end disastrous. All wars end in bloodshed."
"Are you afraid of Sephiroth?," he asked gently.
"If it were only that. I’m afraid of losing Cloud…Nanaki, Yuffie…everyone I hold dear to me. Especially you."
"It’s going to take more than some impotent jackass to get rid of me. Don’t worry about it. You watch my back, I’ll watch yours." Changing the subject would be a good idea now that it had become morbid. "Are you tired? There’s always that room waiting for us." And the bed, but he chose not to add that in.
"The night has worn me out. Either that or you have more energy than I do."
"Here’s my secret." He gulped down another bottle of ale and licked his lips. "What’s yours?"
"My what?"
"Secret. For looking so young. You make me feel old with envy."
"I didn’t age in my prison. For that, I must thank Hojo though I despise him. Imagine how awful I would be if I woke up with the body of an old man. To be robbed of all those years and my youth…that is not a particularly appealing fate. And what would you see in me then?"
"The same things I see in you now. Makes me fantasize about how you’ll look with streaks of gray hair." A playful slap hit his arm but he caught Vincent’s wrist, marveling at the metallic arm in his grasp. "This isn’t a bad thing, you know. Did you ever wonder why it revolts you when you use it as normally as you would your right hand? It’s all in your head." Cid brought the clawed hand to his lips and kissed it, watching Vincent shiver. "I see that you haven’t been deprived of the sensation of physical contact."
"Before you, I never would have realized how normal I really am. You make me feel human, Cid. More than that. For showing me this and for being the man that you are, I am honored to say that I love you."
The look of sheer puzzlement in Cid’s blue eyes made Vincent regret divulging that confession. Until Cid leaned forward and whispered his words right back to him. "I love you too." That was the end of their quiet dinner. Nothing more could be shared for prying eyes to witness. They checked into one musty smelling room to stretch their bonding far into the morning. Just lying side by side, in the other’s arms, and speaking of promises and wishes unfulfilled. Originally, Cid had been anticipating a night of passion and lovemaking. To demonstrate how in love with Vincent he truly was. But, they found it to be more romantic just sharing their hearts and baring their souls.
**
"Where the bloody hell did that brat get to?"
A chocobo had carried Cid and Vincent to the Highwind where it was moving carelessly in circles around the North Crater. The ladder had been inviting them inside so they climbed on up. There was no Cloud or Tifa anywhere to be seen.
"He left my pride and joy running herself like this?" Cid turned some knobs and dials to get the Highwind responding. "At this rate, he’ll have the engines burned out."
"Don’t be so harsh on him. If Tifa is gone as well, they might have lost track of the time."
"Come here." Cid picked Vincent off of his feet and kissed him passionately. It proved to be a difficult task keeping their hands to themselves. Now Cid had the problem of swearing and complimenting Vincent nonstop. "Did I ever tell you how I love to look into your eyes?"
"Yes." Vincent laughed when Cid brushed his lips over a sensitive area in his shoulder. "You promised…you wouldn’t do that," he pleaded.
"No I didn’t."
"Where is everyone?" The third voice came from the plank leading up to the stairs which would bring it into the control room.
"Shit! That sounds like Nanaki!" Cid dropped Vincent onto the railing where he nearly toppled over. Only with the help of one hand steadying him was Vincent able to sit there calmly. "Hey Nana…Barret?" The burly man came thundering into the room, glancing in their direction. Nanaki tagged along behind him, his frisky tail wagging from side to side.
"Cid. Is something wrong?"
"No. Why?"
"You two are acting kind of weird." Barret dropped down to the lower level to study Vincent and Cid. "What’s going on?"
"Nothing," Vincent blurted out, then immediately tried to cover up his tone. "We were just surprised to see you back…so soon."
"Did you think I would bail on you guys? If anyone had it in them to chicken out, it’s you," Barret retaliated. "Where do you get off judging me as a coward?"
"Boys!" Cid stood between them and pointed to Nanaki who had taken off scurrying back down the plank. "I think he heard something. Let’s go."
When they reached the upper deck, Barret began to snicker. Down below, two forms were huddled close together beneath one of the rock formations. One was a brunette and the other had spiky blonde hair which resembled chocobo fur. "That’s where they got to."
"It isn’t nice to spy," Vincent warned.
"I don’t see you looking the other way."
"We shouldn’t be doing this. They deserve their privacy." Nanaki rushed off to look for any other unexpected members of the party joining in. By the time he reached the control room, Cloud and Tifa were not far behind. Even Yuffie and Cait Sith were present and accounted for.
"I don’t know what to say," Cloud choked. "You guys are the greatest. I hate myself for ever doubting that you would want to see this thing through."
"And you should." Yuffie disappeared somewhere peaceful where she could stave off her air sickness. "Little punk didn’t think I’d come back. Of all the nerve."
"There’s no sense in waiting any longer. Now, our mission is to take out Sephiroth, no matter how high the risk. Let’s go!" Cloud took the helm and off they went.
Towards the battlefield which loomed so near, Cid drew Vincent into one last secretive embrace. The others had their eyes glued on the sky so nobody would be paying attention. "Remember our promise. I’m not going to let anything happen to you."
"Nor I you."
"When this is done, I intend on going on a long vacation. Maybe settle down in a hot climate. How does that sound?"
"Perfect." Vincent was at a loss for containing the low moan which vibrated in his throat when Cid gave him something to look forward to. The absolute last thing which Vincent remembered from that day was hope in his friends’ faces. That and motivation, to preserve the future of everyone on board of the Highwind. Cid and Vincent’s love would see them through their darkest hours.
Sephiroth’s unchallenged madness was soon to be overthrown.
The End.