The Nightmare's Beginning

Chapter 2: Control

Vincent pushed the shopping cart half filled with booze and other alcoholic beverages, while Cid checked out some Tool Kits.

“Cid, I don’t think everybody will drink beer...you should pick some normal beverages too...”

The pilot turned to look at the gunman and smiled “Oh com’ on Vince! If they want soda, I’m sure they’ll bring their soda, now what do you like to drink?”

The gunman placed his hand on his chin thoughtfully “Hmm red wine would be okay”

The pilot patted Vincent’s back “Suits you, now help me pick up the meat for the grill!”

The red cloaked man headed to the freezers, he could see the different types of the red meat, wondering which one would be the best for the occasion. But a smell so familiar immediately made its way through his nose, the smell of blood. The beasts inside him started growling in hunger also the demons, it had been a while since Vincent had to talk to any of them, but they were still there.

The gunman placed his right hand on his forehead, trying to ignore the voices, but they were growing louder and louder each second, they were demanding blood, killing, Vincent usually kept them in place, what was going wrong now?

“Are you hungry, Vinny?” another voice in his head, the most unwanted of all.

Vincent shook his head in disbelief “Not you again! Get out of my head!”

“You want raw meat, you want blood Valentine, you want killing...”

“Lies!” screamed the gunman, gaining the attention of some people around.

“Come on Vincent, Chaos also needs nurturing, don’t you know?”

In that moment, Vincent felt his heart beat almost as twice as fast, as a sharp pain traveled from his chest to all his body finishing on his back. He fell on his knees, clenching his teeth, the pain grew sharper...as he felt his skin was pierced by two bat like red wings with some scratches on them, Chaos’s wings.

“Impossible...the protomateria...” whispered Vincent, he felt a beating sound so strong in his head, and increasing, the screams of the scared people around could barely reach his ears.

The pilot heard the racket and ran towards his friend. “Vincent! What’s...?”

“I...don’t...AARGHH!” Vincent’s figure was surrounded by a red aura and his silhouette transformed into that of the legendary Chaos. The beast started flying desperately around the store, sometimes crashing on things or on walls, like a trapped bird trying to free itself. Cid stared in disbelief, but reacted on time, he jumped over a shelf and threw himself over Chaos, wrapping his hands around the creature’s neck and his legs around the waist.

“Vincent, get a hold of yourself!” said the pilot, trying his best not to fall from Chaos, who started growling at him and flapping his wings strongly, trying to get rid of the unexpected passenger.

“Vince, please, calm down...the protomateria...” Cid reached his hand out to where the blue glowing orb was: on Chaos’s chest. He placed his hand on it carefully and pressed it lightly, bringing Chaos in an abrupt halt that almost made the blond fall.

“There…it’s still here, see Vince? You’ll be all right...just...calm down...” Cid could feel how Chaos’s desperate breathing lowered and how his muscles relaxed under his arms. Shortly after that, the red light appeared once again and there was the slender form of Vincent Valentine in his arms... again, as last night...the bad thing was, they fell immediately, but Cid placed himself under Vincent and braced the red eyed man, crashing on another shelf.

“Ouch...that did hurt...” muttered Cid rubbing his head, then he placed his sky blue eyes on the ex turk, who rested unconscious over him.

“Vince...just how long have you been like this? All alone...why?” the pilot caressed the man’s cheek tenderly, admiring his beauty, his eyes perfectly closed, his figure looking frail...the pilot felt the need to protect him...

“Again these thoughts?! I should stop it...” he murmured as he carried Vincent on his arms and made his way out the store. There was no way he was going to pay for the mess...


The gunman opened his eyes slowly; he was in a large room, with a lot of airplane’s posters on the wall, some newspaper articles about new developing flying crafts, and finally one with the photo of Cid Highwind holding an award for his constructing of the Tiny Bronco. Vincent sat on the bed, knowing now where he was, and then he noticed he was missing his red cape and bandana, also his boots were resting aside the bed. It seemed the pilot had been so gentle to care for his comfort, it made the gunman blush slightly, it never crossed his mind Cid could be so nice...

Vincent stood up; a bit clumsily since he was still worn out by his last outburst of rage and madness...that damned Hojo...he just hoped he didn’t hurt anyone in the process.

“Vince, you’re awake!” exclaimed the pilot as he entered the room, slamming the door open, jumping over the bed, “How do you feel? Are you all right?” he asked, both his hands cupped the gunman’s face, ruby eyes staring a bit surprised at him.

“I am fine, thanks for everything Cid, and I’m so sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you...I didn’t mean it, so I must go away...I’m sure you understand it...” the raven haired man stood up and headed for his cape, suddenly he felt a pair of strong arms wrapping him and throwing him to the bed again, then Cid was on top of him, staring at him with a harsh look, Vincent’s mouth opened slightly, his eyes widened in amusement.

“Why hadn’t you told me about these problems, huh?! I am your friend! And friends are always there for each other, and you’re very dear to me, Vince. How long have you been like this? What is bothering you? Tell me everything!” demanded the blonde, his eyes determined and scolding the beautiful man under him.

Vincent blinked and turned his head aside, he felt a bit awkward, more awkward due to the situation than the compromising position. “Cid, I...don’t want to involucrate you...”

“AHA! So THERE’S something!” Cid exclaimed triumphantly, his eyes fixed on Vincent’s, oh how beautiful could a pair of eyes be? Shining pair of crimson eyes staring directly at him, he felt he was being absorbed by them in some manner...

“Cid?” asked Vincent now feeling the deep stare from sky blue eyes, he turned aside, blushing slightly, when the pilot noticed this, he did the same.

“I’m sorry...now you better tell me...or I’ll stay here on top of you making you feel awkward!”

The gunman laughed and shoved the pilot off him playfully “Knock it off...fine, I’ll tell you...”

Both men sat on the bed, and Vincent began his story

“Remember I told you Hojo fragmented himself on the network?”

“Yup, the bastard...”

“Well, he’s still there, and he’s been giving me these nightmares, and threaten to hurt my...friends and the people close to me, that’s something I don’t want, I don’t want to involve anyone in my problems, it ‘d be unfair...”

“You jerk! I will help you! You should have told me this sooner, the bastard’s been messing with your head too, you know? That chaos outburst at the supermarket...you need help Vince, and I’m helping you!”

Vincent smiled, as he lowered his gaze to the floor. “As stubborn as ever, chief” he then turned to look at Cid, with a concerned look “Did I hurt someone at the market?”

“No, thanks god, but I just ran away from there with you...ya know all the mess, I couldn’t have afforded it! But don’t worry ‘bout that, Vince”

“...I see...”

“I’ll do research on that Hojo matter; just wait after the party, that comes first! It’ll help you relax” he said patting Vincent on the back.

A soft knocking on the door, then Shera appeared through it. “Vincent, are you all right?” she asked, walking towards him, then she placed a hand on his forehead. “Mmm, no fever, I’ll get you some tea, anyways.” After that, she rushed out the room.

“Is she okay?” asked the gunman “she acted kind of weird...”

Cid sighed “we had a fight some time ago; it’s been two weeks since she stopped talking to me”

“Oh Cid, that’s too bad, you should fix things up, after all, she’s your wife”

“My wife...yeah whatever, I believe she’s having an affair with someone”

“Cid...I...I’m sorry”

“Hahahaha you sure are cute, it’s not your fault, anyways, she was jealous of the sky, she says I spent more time flying than with her…but the sky was my first lover ya’ know...”

“The never changing Cid Highwind... and about Hojo, you really shouldn’t help me Cid”

“Knock that shit off! We’re friends!”

“All right, Ill never win over you, after all...just I need to ask you to promise me something, Cid...”

“What? Everything except refraining myself from helping you, or smoking or drinking my booze”

The ex turk smiled slightly and then placed his gaze on the nearby window, with a concerned and thoughtful expression “Please, don’t tell anything about these to the others...I just don’t want to endanger them too...”

Cid sighed and passed his hand through his golden hair as he stared at Vincent again, at that wonderful being, who had his own way to do things, even if it was so different from the pilot’s ways, he found them so noble and cute from his part, he couldn’t deny that sole favor. “Ok, you got me, I promise Vince” he said as he patted the gunman on his slender back.

Again, Shera came through the door, with a cup of tea for Vincent, and the phone. “Hey Vincent, I believe this friend of yours called to know if we had found you, she sounded kind of worried”

Vincent thanked Shera and picked up the phone “Yes? Vincent speaking”

“Vincent Valentine! You had me worried, I confess...it’s been a while” responded Shelke, trying to hide her excitement for hearing her dear friend for once in a long while.
“You love disappearing, don’t you? Where were you?”

“I’m sorry Shelke, how have you been?” continued Vincent, who ironically was in the same situation as the girl, doing his best to hide his emotions, which made the pilot laugh loudly, receiving a scolding stare from the raven hair boy and from his angry wife.

“Fine really, obviously you’re coming to Cid’s party, right? I’ll meet you there, I’m kind of busy right now, so I’m really looking forward to see you...or maybe we really should meet sooner”

“I see, when would that be? Huh? Right now? But I was going to help Cid with the preparations...Oh? Oh! I see, so she’s coming then? All right Shelke, yeah...me too”

Then Vincent hung up the phone and turned to see the pilot smirking. “Me too, huh? Score!”

“It’s nothing like that!” said Vincent shaking his head slightly, expecting that from the blond man.

“Excuse me Vincent, I’m going out, see you later” said Shera smiling, then she walked outside and slammed the entrance loudly.

“...She’s really angry...” just whispered Vincent while staring at the closed door. Cid shrugged “I don’t really care anymore...changing the subject, are you leaving?”

“Shelke wanted me to help her with something, so Tifa’s coming up to help you with the preparations”

“Hmmm I see then...want to eat something? I’m not a really good cook, so we can go out or something before she arrives”

“I can cook Cid, it’s not that difficult, I promise”

“Are ya sure bout that?”

“Yes, or maybe you don’t trust me?”

“Of course I trust ya, Sleepy”

“Sleepy? Why’s that?”

“That’s how I called you the first time we met, at Shinra mansion’s basement”

“Oh yes, I remember it was rather annoying from your part” answered the ex turk, placing his hands on his hips, giving a playful look at Cid, which the pilot found rather cute.

“Awww come on Vince, should I’ve called you Sleeping Beauty?”

“Maybe…” then the gunman headed for the kitchen, leaving a surprised pilot behind.

Vincent fixed his hair in a ponytail, with the usual strands framing his face, and rummaged through the shelves and refrigerator, still making his mind to find something good to cook. He pulled out some vegetables, rice and some shrimps from the cooler.

“Hey Vince, put this on” said the pilot between chuckles

“An apron?” asked the red eyed one, staring at the pink apron in disbelief.

“Yup, now that you’re my substitute wife and all”

“Oh shut up” the gunman turned his back to Cid and begun cutting the vegetables with such a technique, Cid was amused.

“You’re good, aren’t you?”

“I’ve lived alone since I was 15, so I had to learn how to cook, it becomes a necessity” he then put the frying pan on the stove and begun cooking the rice. “I’ll do shrimp risotto, one of my personal favorites”

“Hmmm, well, as long as it’s not like that sushi thing, I dislike it!”

“Hahahaha, thought so, ah yes, pick up the table, you don’t want to eat on a messy place”

“All right, jeez” Cid headed to the table, picked up the scattered newspaper, some cups and put them each in their respective places. He didn’t like cleaning up, but he preferred it rather to be in a dirty place.

He sat down, lit a cigarette and stared at the silhouette cooking before him. He must admit Vincent looked so interesting and cute with a frying pan in his hand instead that Cerberus.

After some minutes, Vincent placed a dish with a generous ration in front of Cid as well a can of beer, then he took a seat next to him with a beer as well.

“Mmmm! Smells great!” exclaimed the pilot, tasting his food “Excellent! Would you marry me?”

“I don’t think Shera’d like that idea” said Vincent half chuckling half blushing

Both men laughed and continued eating. After a while, Cid raised his can of beer “A toast! For you Vincent!”

“Huh? B...but why?”

“For letting me help you with this Hojo bastard!”

“Hmmm I see, very well then” said the gunman raising his can, toasting with the pilot.

Shortly after they had eaten, a knocking came on the door. Cid opened and found Shelke standing there. She was wearing a short yellow skirt and a white t-shirt, her eyes widened a bit when she saw the gunman approaching.

“Vincent!” she exclaimed heading towards him and grabbing his hand. “I’m glad to see you...” she lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing. Vincent stroked her hair gently and smiled. “Thank you, I feel the same, now should we get going?”

Shelke nodded and dragged Vincent by his arm. “See you later, Cid Highwind” the girl said and both disappeared through the door.

“Hahaha...she really likes him, they look kind of cute together...”

“Hey Cid!” Tifa appeared, panting a bit. “Shelke ran all the way here from were we parked, she was so excited. So, let me help you out, I’ll prepare great drinks for you!”

“Thanks Tifa, I’m sure ya’ will, now let’s hurry in”
*******+****************++*

Vincent climbed on the new motorcycle Tifa had bought as Shelke placed herself behind him, holding his waist with her arms.

“Now where are we heading?” he asked

“Southwest from here” she answered, then both were off.

End of chapter 2, yup not much, I know, reviews are welcomed as well as constructive critics :3