Recollecting

Cid could have fainted right then and there, his eyes as white as saucers, his face a blazing red while the rest of him was probably as pale as Vincent on a normal day. His body was shocked still even as Reeve pulled away and stood a few feet away from him, not noticing the embarrassed but highly amused look and laugh coming from Reeve. After a minute of Cid not responding Reeve leaned over a bit and placed a hand on Cid’s shoulder. “...Cid? I...are you alright?”

“,......I think I need...to sit down...for a minute.” His voice came out kind of high pitched, but he let Reeve lead him over to the couch and sit him down none the less. The envelope that he was holding in both hands was now being held so tight Reeve was sure the papers inside would never return to being perfectly straight again. He managed to wedge the envelope out of Cid’s vice grip and set it on the table before he lightly shook his friend worriedly.

“CID ....Cid?...Oh Gods I broke him..Cid, ANSWER — ”

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT’S FUCKIN’ HOLY WAS THAT?!” Reeve recoiled at the volume which Cid finally woke up at, flinching a bit as he rubbed the ear that was next to Cid’s mouth. “FIRST YOU’RE TALKIN’ ALL ABOUT LIKIN’ SOMEONE THAT WAS TAKEN’ AND GIVEN ME FLIRTIN’ EYES AND THEN YOU WENT AN’ K-K-K-KISSED ME? WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”


Reeve sighed a bit, thinking about how he’d probably never hear properly out of that ear for the rest of his life before he turned to CALMLY answer Cid’s...”questions”. “It was a KISS, Cid, a rather chaste one, at that. And while I think it’s very endearing your Southern continent accent gets stronger with your emotions, if you would stop being endearing SO CLOSE TO MY EAAAAAAAAAARRRRR!” Reeve put as much into the scream back in Cid’s direction as he could with a small glare, smirking a bit as Cid winced and rubbed his ear. “...THANK you.”

Cid put his head in his hands, shutting his eyes tightly. His whole head was reeling and spinning, and he felt like he was going to pass out at any given moment. He had to give himself time to think, to analyze the situation. OKAY, he’d just met up with his best friend of fuckin’ forever ago, had some breakfast, came back here to get some papers, just had said best friend just admit he’d been head over heels for him since basic, which he took his sweet time doing might Cid add, and then KISSED him. Everything up to the confessing he could handle. “Now why the hell did you have to go and do that?”

“Consider it something I’ve been holding in for a while and nothing more. I don’t think either of us could handle much more, to be honest.” Reeve leaned forward on the couch with a sigh as he interlaced his fingers on his knees. “Are you alright, or do you need a moment to compose yourself?”


“How the hell do I go around composin’ myself after THAT? I mean...I don’t know what I mean!”

“Listen Cid...how about we just forget that this happened, go back to Tseng’s and think about the next six months you’ll be training WRO special ops?”

“How the hell am I gonna just ‘forget’ about this? 'Specially now after..” Cid looked up at the brunette, scowling a bit. “If anything, I’m going to remember this for about as long as I’ve known you and be equally pissed off about it.”

“CID...” Reeve picked up the mangled envelope and handed it back to the pilot. “Let’s go to Tseng’s. I need to have a discussion with him anyway. I can just say what I have to and be on my way...then you won’t see me again for months and we can let this awkwardness between us pass, alright?”

Cid looked at Reeve, then back up down the envelope with a sigh before he took it again. “Sure.”
*************************************
The walk back to the Willow residence was, at best, awkward. Cid and Reeve kept a distance between themselves, Reeve staring straight ahead and Cid fixating on whatever more-interesting-looking-than-talking-to-Reeve-thing he could find.

The fog was starting to disperse, and the townspeople were coming out in numbers now. Cid kept darting his eyes nerviously around, his face finally settling into its trademark frown. "What the hell do they keep lookin' at? I got a third eye sticking out or somethin'?"

Reeve just smirked a bit, resisting the urge to shake his head. "You're a blonde man in a town full of brunettes, Cid. Vincent should have told you to expect stares."

"Yeah, he did, but that still don't mean it's not annoyin' as hell." Cid stuffed his hands in his pant pockets, grunting in annoyance. "'Sides, not like I'm the only guy with blonde hair in the world. Cloud's got hair that'd put a chocobo to shame, and Shera's hair is so auburn it might as well be RED."

"Well, it doesn't hurt the hair is attached to a good looking man." Reeve smiled to himself, not realizing until he didn't hear Cid's heavy footsteps beside him that the other man had stopped. He turned to look at Cid, one eyebrow lifted. "We're not at Tseng's YET you know."

"I know. Tell me something, Reeve."

"Hmm?"

"You said you've been holdin' what you told me just a while ago in ever since basic training, an' if I remember correctly, you met me when I was almost sixteen...why the hell'd you wait to tell me this NOW an' not twenty-three years ago?" Cid's scowl deepened, and it was obvious to Reeve he wouldn't be moving until he got an answer.

"Several reasons...but I'd rather not talk about this right now."

"Well why the hell not?" The pilot leaned his weight on one leg, his scowl moving into a frown. "You in a hurry t' get to Tseng's house all of a sudden? Ass on fire to get there and leave?"

"Eloquence never was your strong point...I'd rather us talk about this when we both have more time. And besides, I have a feeling if I keep you out much longer, by the time we get to Tseng's I'll have one very angry gunman looking for me."

"Buddy, with how much explaining you've got to do, Vince should be the last of your worries." Cid didn't wait for Reeve to answer as he conintued walking, leaving a speechless WRO president staring at him in his wake.
***********************

The morning fog had finally lifted, and Tseng watched from where he sat on the back porch the blue of the afternoon sky come out, cloudless. He sipped at his newly made cup of tea, breathing deeply. It had been quiet in the house since Highwind had left, and Tseng secretly wished the blonde to never come back (which he knew wasn’t going to happen). His peaceful revery was broken only by the faint knocking on the front door that echoed through his house. He stood and walked to the front door, taking his cup with him. It took him a moment to open the front door, and who he first saw nearly made him drop his cup.

The man was unmistakably Highwind, but with few rather noticeable details. For one, this version of Highwind was clean shaven and had his blonde hair slicked back, making him look much younger than he really was. This version of Highwind was also wearing something other than mechanic’s overalls or nasty, grease stained blue shirts and khakis. He was wearing a...rather nice fitting formal shirt, black slacks and matching dress shoes and belt. “....Highwind?”

“Yep, believe it or not.” Reeve smirked as Tseng’s attention finally flicked over to the man standing beside Highwind, and he felt himself seize up a bit.

“President Tuesti! Forgive me, please come inside!” Tseng fumbled with his cup a bit as he stepped to the side, Reeve walking inside with Cid following behind. “I apologize, I didn’t realize you were standing there.”


“It’s quite alright. I was actually hoping you would answer the door, Tseng. I would like to talk to you about what we had previously discussed my last trip to Wutaii.” Reeve lifted a brow at Tseng, and Cid took this moment to clear his throat and excuse himself away from the two Wutaiians to go find his own that was probably hiding/sulking somewhere in the house.

It didn’t take long for the pilot to find Vincent who had, he was happy to discover, changed from the fancy house robe and into some comfortable looking jeans, sandals and T-shirt. He cleared his throat as he entered the room Vincent was sitting in, making the Wutaiian lift his eyes up from the book he was engrossed in. “Hey there mister, watcha reading?”

“Mmmmm, which rich man did you mug on the way back here?” Vincent let his eyes roam over the blonde’s body, liking the way he looked in his present outfit. He watched Cid sit down beside him, kissing his neck sweetly before he leaned back onto his hands.

“I ran into Reeve...or should I say, he called and I went over to see him for a bit. I showered and borrowed some of his clothes since we’re the same size. He gave me THESE,” he held up the envelope in his right hand and tossed it on the same table Vincent had his book, “and something that definitely will keep me up tonight wondering what the fuck I did NOW.”


“Oh? And what would that be?”

Cid glanced to the open door in front of them, wondering if he should get up and barricade it in order to keep Vincent from running out of it and killing Reeve when he told him. He finally shrugged and figured he’s just improb if it did go that south. “I told you how me and him met in basic and became friends?”

“Vaguely, but yes?”

“‘Parrently at first it started out and 'ventually ended at friendship, and to Reeve it started at friendship and ended up at him having a crush on me he just now told me about.” Cid frowned and waited for Vincent’s reaction, but nothing but slightly wide eyes and a blank, blinking expression was all he got he continued. “Told me and sealed it with a kiss.”

“He...Reeve...KISSED you?”

“Right on the pie hole.” Cid braced himself as he waited for Vincent to move, and blinked in confusion as all Vincent did was sigh, role his eyes and go back to his book.

“About time he told you. It was as obvious as day to everyone but you.” Vincent just flicked a page in his book, wondering if Cid could possibly look any angrier.
*************************************

“I wish you’d reconsider.”

“I’m sorry to have to refuse your offer again, president Tuesti, but I feel going into any kind of active duty, even if it IS just training recruits, wouldn’t be the best course for me. I’m still trying to recover from the long term effects of my wounds, and I’m sure the other three Turks that I’ve worked with are all qualified to take my place. In all respect, I do not understand why you need ME specifically.”

“You are more qualified to take on this task more than any of the other Turks from the fact you are proficient in not only desk work, but field work as well. You have a greater understanding of procedure of what needs to be taught to special operations soldiers, and you will be a great asset to the other candidate I have chosen to work as your team mate on this.” Reeve shifted a bit from his seat on the other side of the table where he and Tseng sat. The cup of tea Tseng had offered and made to him sat barely touched, and he took a sip out of respect for his host. It had been a while since he’d had to follow Wutaiian customs, but he remembered respect was primary among all of them.

“Might I ask WHO I would be teamed up with IF I were to accept your offer?”

Reeve grimaced internally, trying to put the fact he’d rather not tell Tseng right away the best way he knew how. “I can not say at the moment, as I’m still waiting to see if he is as qualified as he seems or if I will need to find a replacement." Tseng frowned slightly at that, but said nothing about it otherwise. “I am asking you, Tseng, to reconsider. It would greatly benefit the WRO, you would receive compensation for the time you would otherwise be using to relax, and it will be made so you would not have to spend nearly as much time in the field as everyone else. I can understand and respect your want to take more time off, but I hope you can also understand WRO needs you.” Reeve sighed a bit and put down his cup. “And I would hate to simply come, drink your tea and leave, but you must know how busy I am.”

“Of course.” Tseng and Reeve stood, and the two men bowed to each other.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go say goodbye to Captain Highwind and Mister Valentine. I have a feeling if I do not I will be hearing about it the next time I see them.” Reeve excused himself from the room with another smaller bow before he exited, thinking that could have gone better. “Next time I see them, if I can find them at all that is.”

“I believe they both would be in the study, President, though I’d knocked before going in.”

“Mmmm, good word to the wise. Thank you.” Reeve made his way down the hallway, silently thanking Tseng over and over again for reminding him to knock. He was sure based on the fact he’d just told his best friend a bombshell sure to earn him many years of awkwardness, he would hate to walk into the two of them doing anything. The study door came up quick, and he made sure he knocked on it loud and long enough so the two men inside could collect themselves if need be. The door opened a minute later, and he looked up into the red eyes of one Vincent Valentine, who was giving him an even look. “Ano...I..uh....I was just about to leave, so I wanted to say goodbye to the two of you before I-..”

“Cid, the man that’s been obviously crushing on you wants to tell you goodbye.” Vincent’s voice carried an amused smirk as both of the men, Cid behind him and Reeve in front of him, made the same undignified noise of embarrassment. He opened the door more, letting Reeve and Cid catch each other’s eyes from across the room.

“Um......see ya round?” Cid lifted his brows as he raised a hand from his position on the floor, on his back with one leg lifted up and his free hand behind his head. "Remember you still owe me one hell of an explaination, asshole." He pointed at the brunette, glaring deeply to emphasize his point.

Reeve smiled and shook his head, waving back. “I suppose so. Keep the clothes Cid, I’ll try to get yours back to you as soon as I can.”

“Will do.” Cid flashed a thumbs up to the brunette before Reeve turned away, looking back at Vincent.

“Vincent. I need you to do me a favor.” Reeve continued as Vincent lifted a brow in response. “I’m trying to get Tseng to work in the basic training camp that the WRO will be setting up in a few weeks, and I’m having trouble convincing him. I’ve already thrown in my two cents, but I know you are more...persuasive, than I am.”

“You want me to get Tseng to change his mind?”

“Essentially, but I don’t want you to resort to anything that would compromise any friendly relationship you have with him.” Reeve kept his voice low, making sure only the man in front of him heard him.


“...I will try.”

“Thank you.” Reeve smiled, starting to turn around to walk to the front door. “Oh and Vincent?” He turned back to look at the red eyed gunman, pointing into the room Vincent stood in.

“Hai?”

“You’re very lucky...you know..” Reeve’s face faltered for a second before it went back into a smile, and he waved over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hallway, the sound of the front door shutting closed a minute or so later.

Vincent smiled to himself, turning his head around slightly to look at the blonde behind him, sprawled out on the floor in clothes that probably cost more than he could afford in a week, watching him with curious sky blue eyes and lifted brows. “Yeah...I know.” Vincent shut the door, walking back to reclaim his spot next to Cid. He lay down on his side, picking his book back up from where he left it on the floor, hardly reading the words as his mind raced on how the hell was expected to do the impossible and convince Tseng of anything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN- This chapter has actually stirred an idea for another (side) fanfic, a non-yaoi (to the most degree)one (gaspzorz!), which will have to wait a while. XP Such is an author's curse. bleh!
Author's other note (AON)- a few things have been added to this chappie. The side fanfic (the one I told you about above) will actually be Reeve's explaination over so many chapters with flashbacks. We'll see how this works out. Hope someone is still reading this thing. >_<

Edited (for side fanfics sake, for clarity) 3/14/08