"Ergo"

Title: Ergo
Author: Jadesilver
Series: Final Fantasy VII (Post D.O.C.)
Timeline: Based off Information from: http://www.answers.com/topic/final-fantasy-vii-timeline
Pairing: ReevexVincent in many forms. I hope.

Warnings: There will be spoilers. Don’t get spoiled now! There will, knowing me, be angst, fluff, drama, action and such. I try to anticipate upcoming things for marking for content. If something changes, I'll add more warnings. This has plot. Lots of plot. We will be getting to the sex eventually. CHARACTER DEATH. YAOI.

Criticism: If you see any spelling errors or stupid goofs, go for it. Otherwise this is here for you to enjoy. If you don’t enjoy it, walk away and don’t say anything. If you do enjoy it, let me know. Encouragement motivates me, attention whore that I am ^_~.
This will be a Yaoi fanfiction. There will be the ReevexVincent pairing. I like my timeline, and my interpretation of it. I don't care what yours is. If you whine about any of these things, I personally wonder what you are doing here at this site. XD

Thanks: To everyone on AIM for letting me bounce plot off them, and to my beta on LJ.

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Chapter Six:

Vincent woke from an alarmingly sound sleep to find Reeve curled up to him. He tensed for a moment, and Reeve made a sound of disapproval in his slumber. Vincent forced himself to relax then, and hesitantly ran his fingers through Reeve’s thick and sleep tangled hair. It was nice…when he let himself enjoy it. What was this? This feeling, when he held Reeve safe and close…something warm blossomed in his chest. A feeling of significance, of comfort and stability. Something he hadn’t felt since Lucrecia. And with that came the fear.

Reeve needed him, and even seemed to /want/ him. Want the twisted shell that was left behind after the fate of the world moved on to stronger shoulders. Vincent had weathered the pain and trial…but at what cost? He thought he had lost everything, and maybe he had. But he was gaining things back slowly now. Life was still difficult, not without its (no apostrophe) trials, and no doubt the trials to come. The situation they were in now was a grim one. And yet, having friends to help…and having Reeve now…

There was a comfort to the familiarity that made him feel much less like he was hung out to dry. Reeve, well, he wasn’t /his/ per se but he had had claimed him to protect. And once Vincent claimed someone, he was far more loyal than most gave him credit for.

Vincent had run away to town after their last encounter because he had to circle things. Change was frightening to him. He knew that. He could think quickly in bad situations, but he would rather not have to. He would much rather step back.

This was his idea now, being close to Reeve like this, and he no longer felt as if he were doing something wrong or using the other somehow. He wondered if Lucrecia had known this would happen?

Of course she had. She always knew about things like this…knew what Vincent needed before he did. That was why he had loved her. She thought ahead about what he would want and need in the future, when Vincent was a very “now” being, and could only see his passions. Most goals felt insurmountable to the ex-Turk. Goals were in the future…not the now.

He had learned to step back a bit with time. To see himself completely. He had had to, to heal his mind. And now it was just another way to exist in the now, since the future after Meteor was barely existent.

Reeve stirred, and Vincent immediately snapped back from his thoughts. Blue eyes met his, hazy and comfortable with sleep. Trusting, almost satisfied. A long moment hung when they both regarded each other silently.

Vincent closed his eyes slowly as the world moved again, and tilting his head, leaned down to kiss Reeve gently on the lips, taking in an unsteady breath filled with wonder when Reeve kissed back. It made his heart race, and made him even harder than he had already been when he awoke.

Reeve made a tiny, delicious little sound, and Vincent shivered, his flesh hand sliding slowly upwards as he pulled away. He stroked Reeve’s high cheekbone, and he closed brilliant eyes, leaning down to just breathe in Reeve. His cologne, the smell of warm skin, soap, shampoo…and Reeve.

Reeve’s fingers tangled in Vincent’s hair, and the tall man startled briefly, before slowly forcing himself to relax and lean back into the touch.

“Why the change Vincent?” Reeve whispered, even as he dared to hope.

“I’ve had time to think,” Vincent rumbled sleepily, hesitantly leaning down to nuzzle into Reeve’s hair.

“I’m not complaining,” Reeve said, voice oddly tender.

“Why me?” Vincent asked roughly, almost afraid to know the answer.

“You inspire me…you know me better than I know myself…you believe in me…” Reeve breathed, as if he himself was a bit hesitant to say what he was thinking. “I always wanted to…well…” Reeve trailed off and started to laugh softly, but it was the laugh of a man who was nervous with someone he was comfortable with.

Vincent smirked, touching his forehead to Reeves. These were odd feelings of exhilaration and letdown, as they were able to subtly /talk/ about what they had both obviously been a bit hesitant and desperate with. Less words and more touch but…that was all right. It was less awkward this way.

Vincent understood actions better than he did words.

“Vincent…I know you’ve been hurt, that you still hurt. I just want a chance to be…with you. Can you give me that?”

Vincent felt fear race up his spine, and for a moment he almost pulled away. But Reeve’s fingertips found his shoulders, and massaged at them gently, and Vincent felt the reflexive need to flee his emotions ease.

If Reeve was comfortable with him, then he would learn to be comfortable with Reeve.

“I know nothing about…these sort of things,” Vincent admitted, and hoped he didn’t sound stupid. He bit his lip, hoping to god that Reeve would not make him regret this vulnerability he was allowing in himself.

“No one has forever…” Reeve murmured. “But I don’t want to spend it alone when I don’t have to…I know that now, more than ever, there are risks in this. I’m aware of them…but I have to take that chance. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

He knew Reeve was thinking of Tifa then. Tifa. He bit his lip. It hurt to think that he had let her down so badly.

“Have you ever loved someone Reeve?” Vincent asked quietly, hoping again that he wasn’t prying.

“I did once, yes,” Reeve admitted.

Vincent sighed, slowly leaning into Reeve, who took it easily, still rubbing Vincent’s shoulders.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Reeve admitted softly.

“At least there is still a we?” Vincent offered, resting his forehead comfortably on the pillow over Reeve’s shoulder.

“I was counting on that. If not, then everyone is sunk,” he admitted. “Our friendship is what keeps us strong.”

Vincent soaked up touch and warmth, loving it. It was such a rarity, and Reeve was, broad and comfortable, and Vincent didn’t feel like he would hurt him, just being close like this.

“We have to face the day….don’t we?” Reeve finally said, reluctantly letting go of Vincent, who sat up slowly, looking a bit disappointed that this was over, and a bit curious at the concept. Usually he didn’t WANT people to touch him, and he just wanted to be alone.

Again, he was a bit frightened and overwhelmed, even by this simple and easy exploration between them.

“Too much?” Reeve asked Vincent softly, touching a shoulder gently as he sat up.

“I…yes and no.”

“It’s all right…it gets less overwhelming with time.” Reeve murmured.

“Can you…”

“I am a very patient man Vincent, especially with my friends.”

Vincent nodded.

“I would like…to do this again,” Vincent admitted. “Although I am concerned I might become distracted and put your safety in jeopardy.”

“Vincent, I’m probably safer here with you and with both of us dead asleep than I am where they are looking for me and I have dozens of bodyguards.”

~*~

Marlene was awake when Vincent returned to the hospital, and she gave him a weak smile. She couldn’t speak from the feeding tube irritating her throat, but when she clasped his fingers it was quite possibly the biggest miracle since waking up next to Reeve and feeling like he had a purpose in life again.

He spoke quietly to her for a few moments, and then left Denzel to look after her. Barret was returning from town, and Yuffie, Cloud and Nanaki were off scouting the area where the pack of “Bone Collectors” had recently been eradicated. Of course, Cid was in charge of transportation, which meant that Vincent had to swallow his fears and make his way to the room of eerie glass tubes that put his teeth on edge.

Tifa lay in one of them.

He barely recognized her with all of the tubes and bandages. He sat down on the chair that Cloud had practically worn a groove in, and touched his claw tips to the glass. Dark eyelashes fanned out over her cheek bones, dark circles under her eyes like accusatory bruises. Vincent sighed, steaming the glass for a moment.

Her hair was a shocking contrast to the pillow, and a hint of the fever she was still fighting colored her cheeks.

“Tifa.” He murmured lowly to her. “I wish you were well, so that I might speak to you. I wish that I could….have protected you.”

She reminded him a little too closely of Lucrecia. Always it proved more difficult to protect a loved one. His stomach clenched. What if this was Reeve in here? In one of these glass tubes?

“I don’t know anything about matters of the heart, and I could so desperately use your guidance. You always understand people,” he murmured to her.

Something stung behind his eyes, and he rubbed them with his fist. He was tired. He knew that it was unreasonable to believe he could protect everyone he cared about at once. But somehow he expected it of himself…even when they didn’t expect it of him.

~*~

The others returned, and had a victory celebration for Marlene’s return to the land of the living. Cake was had by all, and to the delight of the physicians, several pieces by Marlene. She had let Cloud carry her to see Tifa, and she had spent nearly an hour just curled in Cloud’s arms, which had been therapeutic for the blond to say the least. Barret was tucking her into bed now, and exhausted, she was letting him.

“They found no more of the creatures, but several of the eggs in the lab have hatched,” Reeve said, stretching and looking bleary.

“How are your wounds?” Vincent asked, watching Reeve wince as he stretched a bit too hard.

“Healing nicely…” Reeve said. “I don’t feel feverish in the slightest bit.”

Vincent nodded.

“So what is our plan?” Vincent asked.

Reeve shook his head.

“I know we’re missing something, but I can’t prove it,” Reeve said, fingers rubbing the goatee on his chin thoughtfully.

“There is something amiss with the planet,” Cloud said, drifting into the research room.

“There is without a doubt,” Nanaki said softly.

Cid nodded, and Yuffie propped her elbow on the table, trying to look thoughtful instead of sleepy. Shelke drummed her fingers thoughtfully on her thigh, off in some other realm of contemplation, and Barret made his way into the room to read the reports he had missed out on.

“The bar is as good as new, just needed a little spit and polish,” he said, flashing his teeth in a contented smile.

Things were looking up, until a doctor thundered into the room.

“Mr. Strife? You had best come quickly.”

Naturally, the rest of the room came with Cloud.

Another physician was backing away from Tifa and the now opened glass tube.

Shaking his head, he took one look at Cloud, and his expression became grim and neutral.

“Tifa!” Cloud gasped, running to her side, stroking her hair. She was breathing shallowly despite the tubes, she was even paler than she had been before.

“The patch to the artery isn’t holding,” The man said. “And we can’t repair it again…”

Cloud looked blankly down at her.

“Can you help her at all?” his panic gave way to grim reality.

The doctor shook his head no sadly.

“Take the tubes out,” he said, moving to sit beside her.

His sitting was more like a sprawl, and he took her in his arms.

The doctor removed her IV line, putting a small bandage on the back of her hand, respectful, even though she was dying. He removed the breathing and feeding tubes, wiping down her face gently with a cloth. With a respectful bow, the doctor backed out of the room to join his colleague in the hall. Leaving Tifa’s friends and family with her.

Nobody said anything. The room was completely silent.

Cloud held her in his arms, tears streaking slowly down his face. She breathed pitifully a few more times, and as she paled further, her last breath left her with a tiny sigh. And then there was nothing.

Nobody was prepared for this. Even knowing, how could they be?!

Cloud laid his head on her still chest, and he screamed. The sound was filled with raw agony. He cried her name over and over until he was hoarse.

Yuffie just sat hard on the floor, burying her face in her hands.

Barret rested a hand on Cloud’s shoulder, his expression raw and full of pain. He trembled.

Cid sat down beside Yuffie, holding her safe while she cried in shock.

Nanaki nosed Cloud’s pant leg sympathetically.

Reeve? Reeve just finally backed from the room, fleeing.

Vincent couldn’t find it in himself to move.

She was lost to them then? After all the battles they had faced.

Vincent’s claw hand clenched, and the other hand he put against the wall. He couldn’t stop seeing Reeve in his mind’s eye, cold and still in that tube…

Cloud had company, he would be…all right. Oh goddess who was going to tell the children?

Reeve? No. He had to go after Reeve…Reeve had no one and…the walls of the room were closing in.

~*~
[A/N: I loved Tifa...killing her for plot SUCKS. T_T Oh well. ]

TBC