FicWad

ARCADE GAMES
Not really Advent Children, but I guess if you forgot about the Keystone it could be ;)
WARNING: SMUT M/M YAOI SEX
Do not read if you don't like.
-
It was raining.

Cloud looked out the window of the horror hotel. He glanced at the keystone resting on the night stand next to his bed and a sigh escaped his lips. The Temple of the Ancients was waiting. Hadn't the cable car broken down they wouldn't have had to spend the night. He felt anxious. He wanted to keep moving, driving towards something, occupy his mind with work. Thoughts of Vincent had been flooding his mind lately and those were the ones he was most eager to run away from. Often he was able to divert his trail of thought to their mission but alas, forced to stay alone in an empty hotel room ignited his imagination. He leaned his forehead against the cool window, it felt nice. Vincent, Vincent, Vincent. His breath created small condensation on the glass. Raindrops pummeled the window from outside. Lightning stroke once or twice. Otherwise the hotel room was quiet, there wasn't even a clock to tick on the wall.

Cloud sighed. Ever since they had found Vincent in a coffin in the basement of a mansion in Nibelheim, he had been on Cloud's mind. At first he had thought it had been just curiosity towards a man-made monster. Maybe it had been. When his thoughts had started to involve romantic feelings, he had still assured himself that it had been merely admiration of some sort that had made him feel attracted to Vincent. Much the same way he had once felt about Sephiroth. Then had come the dreams of which he woke up panting and all covered in sweat, let us spare the reader of the details of those dreams. He found himself blushing just slightly. Even though he had tried to repress his desire, his dreams were more and more persistent. He had had to admit to himself that he had fallen for Vincent. He had not been able to use the word love. He wanted to call it a curse, a poisonous snake that seduced him day and night. Or a monster. Love monster.

"Cloud..." A voice called out to him from the darkness of the room behind him.

Cloud flinched and jerked away from the window. Vincent could move so quietly. "W-what?"

He stood still and looked at Vincent from across the room. Immediately he could feel his heart beat slow down, his muscles tense, his whole appearance turn awkward. Why did it have to happen only when Vincent was around? He looked at his feet. The one person he didn't want to look dumb in front of.

Vincent stared at him with empty eyes, the only part of his face to be seen. The rest was covered by either his cape or a bandanna. "Aeris was looking for you." He said nonchalantly.

"Why?" Cloud asked, trying to act casual when in fact his insides were twisting into a knot. Love and desire... pain and torture... no matter what he wanted to call it, he couldn't run away from it.

"I wouldn't know." Vincent turned around with his cape fluttering behind him like a cloud of bats. He was already on his way out, having delivered his message he was ready to fall into into sopor until disturbed again. Until the following morning, that is.

"Would you help me look for her?" Cloud asked, not even understanding why he did. Logically he wanted to stay as far away from Vincent as possible, but his heart blew raspberry at logic. It had forced the words out of his mouth, deciding that waiting time was over.

Vincent sighed, stopping on his toes. "I suppose."

Cloud quickly hid the Keystone under his pillow just in case and followed Vincent into the hallway. He wasn't into cheap horror tricks, but he had to admit that Vincent fit the decor of the place. He couldn't help smiling as the thought of an old vampire movie with splendid over-acting passed his mind ("Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make"). He was shot a red glare, Vincent couldn't understand what made him chuckle in a place like the horror hotel. Then again, he had noticed having less and less understanding of human beings the more time passed. It seemed to circle him from afar, withering and aging those around him but leaving him a bystander. A fate worse than death, he lamented.

"Let's try the arcade first. Maybe they're there." Cloud said, a haze in his eyes. Not knowing it himself, his heart had already devised a plan and with those words he had set it in motion.

There was no one there at the arcade. Only the lonely machines and simulators beeped and booped and played their monotonous tunes. They kept each other hollow company, their lights flashing to impress no one. Lots of razzle dazzle but it seemed so fake and uninteresting. Cloud peeked between the machines to make sure they were the only ones there. No one. Only a sense of dull emptiness occupied the arcade. He sighed, turning to Vincent and shaking his head.

Vincent stared at nothing in particular. His eyes were as hollow as ever, highways to nowhere, mirrors to darkness, portals to an endless void. Maybe he wasn't even there.

"Want to try to race me?" Cloud asked, leaning to the motorcycle simulation G-Bike. It oddly reminded him of an incident during their escape from Midgar (but it couldn't be). He had a natural fondness towards motorcycles and thus even if it seemed a bit expensive he was willing to try it if it got Vincent out of his shell. Or into his shell, whichever seemed to make more sense.

Vincent blinked to his surprise and gave him a long look. "...No."

Cloud sighed. "You're no fun."

"Weren't we looking for Aeris?" Vincent said in an insipid tone.

"I thought we might have some fun doing it. She's not in any trouble after all." Cloud said and took a hold of Vincent's wrist. He didn't know why he did so, but even when Vincent tried to pull his hand away he refused to let go. His heart was in control. It wasn't going to back down. He couldn't help a small gasp escape his lips as Vincent stared at him, no, into him. Past his eyes and into his soul. Vincent wasn't an empty shell at all. Cloud swallowed. They both had a sense that something irreversible was about to unravel in a moment.

"Still no?" Cloud forced the words out. His mouth was dry, his hands sweated, his heart beat like a techno song.

Vincent tried to pull his hand away again, but Cloud held on. He didn't want to hold on. He just couldn't let go. He knew his moment had come. It was time to come clean, spit it all out, show his cards. Tell Vincent what a terrible curse he was. Then they could start all over again, become a tabula rasa if you may, create a new friendship that had no lust nor love. If he swallowed his feelings again, they would boil over one day. And there was no guarantee what would happen then.

Words eluded him, they stuck in his throat and refused to come out. He moved straight to plan B, took a deep breath for luck and pulled Vincent closer. Clumsily Vincent jerked towards him like a wooden doll, surprise in his eyes. To reach Cloud stood on his toes and with one free hand he pulled down Vincent's scarf, trying to steal a casual kiss. Awkwardly, he was slightly too short and his kiss only reached Vincent's lower lip and managed to confuse him even further. Not defeated by a kiss gone bad, Cloud took a step back and decided to try a different approach. Vincent's red eyes were wide with surprise. Cloud was fast enough to make use of his confusion to steal not only one but two kisses. The second one was a success. He took a hold of Vincent's both shoulders and forced him to bend so that he didn't need to stand on his toes to reach. It was a sight to remember, an awkwardly crouching Vincent kissing Cloud who held onto his shoulders like clinging onto dear life.

But Vincent did not resist. He didn't even try to jerk away when Cloud finally let go of his shoulders and softened the kiss. He didn't run away when Cloud's tongue found it's way in his mouth and fingers gently buried into his hair. Cloud was surprised. Were his feelings met? Had Vincent felt the same way? He was afraid to break the kiss in case reality would catch up on him turning Vincent into smoke (or maybe bats, he briefly wondered) and he would be cold and alone in the yellow glow of the machines. Unable to wait he quickly opened one eye to make sure it was really happening, that Vincent was really there. He was there. It was real.

With a newly gained confidence Cloud decided to find out how far he could go before Vincent would stop him. All the way, his heart whispered. With a snap he had Vincent's cape straps open and silently his cape fell on the floor, looking almost like a puddle of blood at his feet. Button after button he opened the black shirt with agile fingers, waiting to be stopped. Each button open was one step closer to his dreams turning into reality. Cloud waited anxiously for any response at all, but Vincent did neither resist nor participate. He pulled away from Vincent's warm lips and gave him a defiant stare. Vincent looked back at him with empty eyes. Cloud was torn inside. Why didn't he react? He submit so completely that he was almost like a doll, like he wanted Cloud to direct him. Tired of trying to get a response Cloud slipped his fingers between Vincent's buttons and ripped his shirt open. Small black buttons fell on the floor. Vincent seemed surprised, but didn't react. Further aggravated Cloud stared at him with fierce eyes and pushed him behind the G-Bike arcade simulation, there was a tight dark spot small enough to hide them among electric wires and dust and plastic.

Vincent fell on his back and tried to cram himself up. His red eyes weren't empty anymore. They were wide open, questions lingering in them. Cloud jumped on him, suddenly regretting his forceful approach. He had never seen so much emotion in Vincent's eyes. Maybe his importunate harassing was what made Vincent submit so completely? Maybe he needed to be more gentle to get him to respond.

"Vincent..." He said hoarsely, not knowing how to continue.

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he stared at Cloud. He couldn't understand the sudden change.

"I... I..." Cloud tried to confess once more but the words were stuck in his throat. He was choking on them again.

Another awkward silence fell between them. Vincent on his back supporting his upper body with his elbows, Cloud sitting on top of him looking like he was about to sneeze. Vincent frowned. He really couldn't understand. It had been so long since he had even tried to understand. Vincent cleared his throat and rose an eyebrow but Cloud didn't snap out of it. He was like a broken record on a loop.

To get out of the situation as fast as possible, Vincent took a deep breath and plunged into a kiss. It was Cloud's turn to have eyes blown wide open. With a certain determination Vincent began to take off his clothes. Snap and his belt fell off. Vincent's one good hand touched the bare skin underneath, causing goosebumps to run up and down Cloud's skin. Surprised by the sudden change in Vincent Cloud couldn't help but feel like he was the one being harassed and not the other way around. He was even a little frightened. He tried to pull his shirt down, but Vincent trapped his hands and forced his way on top. His black shirt hung on him like a rag in contrast with his smooth white skin. His lips revealed his white teeth, his red eyes shone fiercely, his pitch black hair flowed down his shoulders. Cloud stared at him, laying on his back, feeling defeated and exposed. Vincent was beautiful. Scary as hell, but divine. Eyes like two suns burning into him...

While Cloud was enchanted by the mixed feelings of horror and delight Vincent tore his shoulder plate off, it hit the floor with a clank. With the masked claw Vincent ripped his suspenders off and threw them over his shoulder like trash, glaring into him as he did so. Before Cloud could even grasp what was happening he had already lost his shirt and was losing his pants fast. He tried to put his hands between the two of them and tried to utter a word or two to slow down Vincent, but was lost to feelings of lust and euphoria as Vincent found his way down and licked his erection with a warm, moist tongue. He arched his head back as the sensation spread into his body, letting out a sigh of utter delight. Vincent had a skillful, delicate tongue. His cold claw nipped on Cloud's skin as it explored every inch of his steaming body. The cold metal against his skin and the patient, hungry mouth made Cloud succumb into desire. He wanted more.

Cloud buried his fingers into Vincent's black hair, gasping for air as the other's tongue ravaged his lower body. Vincent watched him writhe in pleasure with red eyes shining, like a beast watching its prey as he continued to service him with his mouth. He found it extremely gratifying to see such enjoyment on Cloud's face and slowly put one finger in, eager to see how the other would react. Cloud closed his eyes tightly and let out a whine, a faint blush spreading on his cheeks. His body tensed up but Vincent kept licking him slowly and determinedly. Gradually Cloud relaxed and gave into his touch, surrendered to the intoxicating sensation and began to crave for more. He was hot and tight, Vincent pulled out his fingers as he found himself keen to take him completely.

He licked his fingers and wiped his mouth as he watched his prey with narrowed eyes. The blush on Cloud's cheeks had deepened in color, his eyes were barely open and their hazy gaze begged for his touch, he trembled and breathed like an animal in heat. Such erotic beauty, Vincent thought as he opened Cloud's legs and trailed his claw down the smooth skin of the inner thigh, pricking in a way that made Cloud writhe in pleasure. Unable to hold back any longer, Vincent lifted one leg over his arm and quickly entered. Cloud whimpered, but covered his mouth to stay quiet. Vincent glared at him as he thrust his whole length in and Cloud grimaced, closing his eyes tightly. The sensation was overwhelming. Vincent purred savagely into the other's ear, giving him a long, gentle lick on his neck, tasting the salty skin. Such warmth and so tight, it was driving him insane.

Cloud took a few shallow breaths, feeling Vincent's entire length inside of him hurt worse than he could've imagined yet sent pleasure thundering up and down his spine. For a passing second he was afraid that both the pleasure and the pain he felt would tear him apart, that his body could not take such euphoria and torment at the same time. His trembling hands found their way into Vincent's hair and they pulled Vincent into a desperate kiss. His hungry lips wanted a taste of the other, his tongue eagerly trailed across Vincent's teeth before entering deeper. He devoured him. He wanted him so badly even if it hurt. It didn't matter. It could never be anyone else. He wanted Vincent to claim him as his own, take him and fulfill him completely. His grip on Vincent's back was desperate and needy, his nails dug into the soft flesh, leaving red trails as he tried to pull him ever closer and deeper. Vincent moved as requested, holding Cloud down from his waist, staring at him as he thrust eagerly and aggressively over and over again. Cloud moaned and writhed under him, his muscles tensing and relaxing and at times not knowing what to do when the pleasure was too much for him to take.

Cloud succumbed into euphoria as Vincent repeatedly thrust into him. Everything around them blurred, all he could see was those bright red, burning eyes. All he could feel was the mixture of pain and pleasure again and again, in and out, in and out. All he could hear were the soft noises Vincent made right into his ear, the growls and purrs that he emitted. The black hair curled around his body like tentacles, slithering across his sweaty body, tangling onto his every cell. All his senses had surrendered to Vincent. Reality was meaningless. Goldsaucer, the Keystone, Aeris, pointless. Everything was off and out. All that existed was his lust and Vincent who fulfilled that lust by rocking into him again and again, pushing him into a reverie with wet nibbles and sloppy kisses and that cold claw on his hot, needy skin.

Vincent watched Cloud arch his back as he bit into his collar bone and the sight of the other drowning in such pleasure enticed him, it drove him off the edge of desire and he couldn't control himself any longer. The beast in him wanted rough and it got what it wanted, always. He lifted Cloud's leg over his shoulder with his claw and leaned closer to him to push harder and deeper. Cloud moaned as he was claimed even further, his nails dug deeper into Vincent's flesh as he shuddered with the new sensations being sent across his body. The lust Vincent felt was the kind he had never felt before, so wild and untamed, so overpowering that he felt more like a demon than a man. His thrusts were deep and violent, inconsiderate of the other's body. Cloud cried out as a tear ran down his cheek. Vincent held his waist with the claw and in his heat he clenched the soft skin so tight that the five sharp tips embedded into Cloud's side and a few drops of blood smeared the copper arm. His head was already spinning but the scent of blood mixing into the smell of sweat and desire drove him crazy. He growled as he thrust faster and more forcefully, growling and panting like a beast attacking its prey.

"Vincent", Cloud said hoarsely between breaths, holding his eyes tightly closed. "Slow... slow down..." He clenched his fists, the black hair tangled around his fingers and he wanted to scream out of hurt and delight.

"Isn't this what you wanted?" Vincent hissed between his teeth, flashing his sharp white fangs at Cloud. It was his fault for having seduced him into a frenzy.

"Yes..." Cloud whispered almost inaudibly and cried out yet again as Vincent thrust into him. "Yes", he whispered again.

Vincent suddenly paused, surprised by the answer. He scrutinized the other intensely, unable to comprehend how completely Cloud had surrendered to him. An erotic blush colored his cheeks, eyes halfway open he held a hand on his mouth, his muscular chest went up and down rapidly as he breathed. Tears glistened in the corners of his eyes, his body shuddered from the lingering mixes of pain and pleasure. Vincent let out a delighted sigh. Cloud looked so vulnerable and submissive even though he had been violated so forcefully. His eyes were so mellow and hazy. They were usually hard as ice, arrogant and defiant, but at that moment they were so defenceless and appealing that Vincent felt a sudden bump in his chest. He clenched his claw and swallowed. His heart either stopped or restarted briefly. A single drop of sweat ran down his forehead to the tip of his nose and fell on Cloud's chest from whereon it found the ridges of his muscles and trickled downwards.

Suddenly Vincent heard footsteps and snapped out of his euphoria. He froze, his shining eyes focusing into Cloud's as he put a finger over his lips. The other panted quietly with a blush on his cheeks, looking into his eyes. Vincent found himself drowning into the turquoise fog in Cloud's eyes, his heart beating irrationally, his body yearning for more.

"He's not here either." Aeris's voice came from behind the arcade simulation.

"We've been looking all over!" Yuffie exclaimed impatiently, jumping on two feet. "Come on, I wanna have some fun!"

"You can go", Tifa responded in a calm voice. "We'll keep looking for a little while longer."

"Yay!" Yuffie squealed and her set of footsteps faded away into the sounds of the machines beeping.

"I hope he's not in trouble..." Aeris said. Suddenly Cloud seemed to pop back into reality and the fog in his eyes lifted. He looked at Vincent with the eyes of a deer in headlights, a sinner looking for absolution, a thief caught red-handed. So guilty, so pleading, so eager for forgiveness. Vincent held the finger on his lips quietly, watching the ocean of emotions in Cloud's eyes.

"Well, he's not here. Let's go get smoothies, we'll find him eventually." Tifa said encouragingly as she started to walk away. Aeris seemed to hesitate, but soon her footsteps followed Tifa's.

"Maybe he's on a date with Barret." They heard Tifa say and she and Aeris burst to laughter as they walked away. Gradually their footsteps faded into the arcade's sounds.

"Barret?" Cloud whispered. "What the-?" His pondering was cut short when Vincent silenced him again with a kiss. His tongue was like a snake slithering in his mouth, tasting him eagerly, exploring him. Cloud answered the kiss by pulling him closer, his body aching for Vincent's touch. There was no denying it, he was addicted. He didn't ever want to be apart.

Cloud broke the kiss to gasp for air, saliva trickled down his chin due to sloppy kissing. He gathered his strength and forced his way on top, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Although primitive lust inside him screamed for more he couldn't help but wonder what had gone into Vincent. From such an apathetic and reactionless doll he had transformed into a forceful and determined, selfish creature. He was a little ashamed that it had turned him on so much. He cast aside such thoughts as his eyes feast on Vincent's steaming body. Cloud's dream had come true. The beautiful beast was right where he wanted him to be. It was such an exiting yet unnerving thought. What if he did something wrong? What if Vincent didn't enjoy it as much as he did? What if he hurt him?

Vincent was surprised that Cloud's touch was so rough. His hands wondered all over, shaking a little as they tried to decide what to do. Brushing against his muscles and playing around his nipples, poking, pulling, pricking. Annoying. Vincent frowned, he didn't know Cloud had dreamt of it night after night. Once the moment was finally unravelling, he was too nervous and too eager to fulfill his fantasy.

"What?" Vincent asked, taking a hold of Cloud wrist to stop the trembling, shy hands.

"I... Uh..." Cloud jerked away and began to explain, but couldn't finish. He was even a little embarrassed that he had fantasized of the other so much and so often. "Nothing..."

"Then finish what you started." Vincent said determinedly, pulling the other closer from his shoulder as he stared him down.

Encouraged by the invitation Cloud shook off his nervousness and drowned in a wet, hungry kiss. Vincent wanted him as much as he wanted him. It was obvious from the tongue that explored his mouth so passionately, the hand and the claw that found their way around him and held him close, the body that pressed against his as it ached for further touch.

"Gladly", he replied quietly as he broke off for air. There was the scent of sweat and desire lingering around them. He let his eyes feast on Vincent's complexion. Despite being almost transparent his skin was beautifully smooth, his lean muscles were clearly visible and his long limbs made him look even skinnier than he actually was. Cloud let a finger slide from Vincent's collarbone across his chest down to his abdomen. Satisfied with the muscles tensing and releasing under his touch, he followed the invisible trail made by his finger with his tongue, stopping briefly by a nipple and taking a gentle bite. Vincent shuddered, growled and flashed his white fangs, his eyes focused and unfocused into Cloud's, his claw scraped off the skin on the other's back as he grabbed him tighter. Cloud let out a small sigh of utter delight, satisfied with the reactions he received. No longer second-guessing himself he spat on his fingers, pushing them inside.

Vincent grimaced and threw his hands above him, allowing the other to watch him enjoy the fingers that explored him. His eyes demanded more, he purred loudly and squirmed out of pleasure. Cloud bit his lower lip, he couldn't hold back any longer. He slowly removed his fingers and took a firm hold of Vincent's waist as he plunged into him. The sensation that spread across his body made him almost lose consciousness. It felt so good to finally be inside of him. As he rocked in and out the pleasure only escalated, it began from his fingertips and toes and slithered towards his stomach, tingling under his skin. Vincent moaned and arched his back as he enjoyed every inch Cloud thrust into him time and again, slowly building up the pleasure that dwelled between them. He curled his legs around Cloud's back, still staring him down with his savage eyes, flashing his fangs at him like he was about to eat him. Such a savage creature driven by lust only made Cloud want him even more. He took a hold of his erection and began stroking in time with his thrusts, breathing ever heavier. Vincent bit his teeth together, growled loudly and clawed the ground above him, wriggling and trembling with delight. His body screamed with euphoria, his skin glistened with sweat, his hair glued on his forehead and shoulders. His eyes burned holes into Cloud, drenching him deeper into his lust and he thrust faster, more passionately, more desperately. He panted as he felt the euphoria form inside of him as he came closer and closer to his climax.

"Vin... Vincent, I'm going to..." He huffed, increasing speed and force, drowning in desire. A mischievous smile spread on Vincent's face and he licked his teeth as if he was hungry for more. Cloud let out a whimper and his grip around Vincent's waist tightened. Vincent growled yet again, suddenly lunging towards him, pressing their bodies together and biting into his neck savagely as he climaxed. Cloud threw his head back as he came and his mind blacked out. He had never felt such pleasure, it was almost as if his whole body short-circuited. For a passing moment there was nothing but the overpowering euphoria. Absolute reverie. Abyss of mirth.

Having climaxed Cloud let himself fall on top of Vincent, his body still aching with pleasure, his hot breath burning on Vincent's skin. He could feel the sweaty chest going up and down under him as Vincent panted. With his dream come true Cloud let out a sigh of utter happiness. Had it been visible, it would have been made of tiny hearts. He slid his arms behind Vincent's neck and hugged him, in his mind thanking him for going along with his fantasy.

Vincent felt rather uncomfortable and before long pushed Cloud off of him. Their shared moment shattered and vanished into thin air. Cloud pouted, but didn't say anything- instead he kindly took his shirt and began to put on his clothes. Silence fell between them. Cloud felt a sudden sadness in his heart. Reality had caught up with him. Unlike his fantasies there hadn't been a magical moment in which Vincent had realized his feelings or exclaimed how he had only waited for Cloud to take the first step. Nothing had changed after all. Yet there was a newborn silence between them that he did not know how to break anymore.

Cloud crawled out into the open, where blinking lights and sound effects welcomed him. His shirt was all wonky on him, his belt open and upon finding his suspenders he fiddled them back on. There was a healthy rosy colour on his cheeks. He got up on his feet and staggered, still a little disjointed of the world. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. He wasn't sure was it out of relief or regret.

"There you are! Aeris has been looking all over for you!" Cait Sith shouted from across the arcade. Cloud flinched. Goddamn cats moved so quietly, even on giant white toys, Cloud found himself thinking.

"Wh-what!? How long have you been here?" He asked impatiently.

"Long enough to know you weren't napping." Cait Sith winked as it rang its bell to signify a joke.

"Wh-what?" Cloud covered his mouth with his hand as he noticed Vincent's cape still lying next to the motorcycle simulation. "Wh-why are you here?" He fixed his eyes on Cait Sith, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"I was looking for the keyst- I mean, you!"

Cloud looked at Cait Sith with a raised eyebrow, shuffling past the simulation and casually pushing Vincent's cape out of sight with his foot. His actions went unnoticed. What a relief. He wasn't sure had he been able to answer the question that would have been inspired by Vincent's cape lying around.

"Well, then, off you go! You don't want to keep Aeris waiting any longer, do you?" Cait Sith pushed him out of the arcade, giving him a giant white toy machine kick on his bottom for luck (I suppose). After having made sure Cloud was really gone it jumped to the submarining arcade game, muttering to itself: "I love this game... Submarines... I should've become a submarine engineer..."

Vincent rolled his eyes, trying to put on his clothes or what was left of them as quietly as he could. He was glad Cait Sith had actually only made a joke about napping and was more interested in gaming than what was hidden behind the motorcycle simulation. He was gathering the memory of their moment passed and filing into his archive of oblivion.

Cait Sith took its time playing. At some point Vincent fell asleep.

The following morning everyone was poorly rested and quiet. At breakfast little words were spoken. They had all spent the night looking for each other and miraculously missing each other. Cait Sith had stolen the keystone. Cloud had chased him and beaten his puppet body into a pulp, threatening to do the same to the guy at the controls if he was ever to meet him.

Tifa only drank her orange juice and exchanged looks with Aeris. They had eventually given up trying to find Cloud, ended up at Chocobo square and lost all their money. Both of them were wondering how to break the news. Cid was still under the influence of his best friend "Jack" on ice and muttered swear words to himself while adding a little whiskey to his coffee. Feeling defeated, Cloud barely touched his cereal. Barret was the only one who had slept like a baby and whilst eating breakfast enough for everyone, complained about the quality of his company.

There was a question hanging in the air, but no one vocalized it. They had subconsciously noticed that someone was missing. No one had seen Vincent. He hadn't been in his room and wasn't at the breakfast table. Cloud idly mixed his coffee with a spoon, staring into the vortex he had created. An announcement began with a tune and an advertisement for the new rollercoaster that was to be completed in a few months, then an uninterested female voice announced that the cable car was back in order. Everyone got up as fast as they could, leaving all of their half-eaten breakfast plates, glasses of juice and lukewarm coffees spread all over the table.

As they rushed towards the cable car Cid was the first one to say out loud the question that had been at breakfast with them: "Where's Vincent?"

The group looked around as if Vincent had just disappeared into thin air, then gave each other quizzical looks. Upon giving it a second thought, no one had seen him since last night.

"%§¶%#"! Always hafta wait for someun'!" Barret clenched his fists. Some anger management problems, maybe.

"I'll go look for him. I have an idea where he might be." Cloud said abruptly in a determined voice. "I'll catch up in just a second."

Tifa nodded, smiling. No one volunteered to go with him, they were all eager to leave and hoped that by going by himself, Cloud would also return faster. And subconsciously they wanted to watch the cable car so it wouldn't leave without them. Cloud was relieved. He had a few words to say to Vincent, having mulled over the events of the night before.

Cloud ran straight to the arcade and past two ten-year-olds playing the motorcycle simulation. Just as he had suspected, from behind the simulation he could see a pointy shoe sticking out. Without hesitation he grabbed the leg and pulled Vincent from one foot into the light. Vincent hissed like an animal, shielding his eyes with his claw.

"Good morning! We're leaving!" Cloud shouted. The two young boys leaned over to look at them in agape.

"There was a dude in the machine..." One boy whispered to the other.

"That's why I kept losing." The other one whispered back.

"Do you mind?" Cloud barked over his shoulder.

The two fixed their eyes on the screen again. Vincent squinted and focused his eyes on his friend, clearly annoyed that Cloud had once again disturbed his sleep.

"Leave me alone..." He said faintly.

"No. Get up. We're leaving." Cloud took a hold of his good hand and tugged.

"You don't get it..." Vincent said almost to himself as he got up. His whole appearance was different from last night. He looked like a sad scarecrow with his hair in knots, wearing a ragged shirt and his cape drooping on his shoulders. So different from the sleek and cold Vincent Valentine Cloud knew. He couldn't help wondering had he accidentally broken him.

"I just want to be left alone..." Vincent said defeatedly.

Cloud bit his lower lip. Sometimes this hatred and remorse and self-loathing drove him insane. He took a hold of Vincent's shoulders and slammed him against the wall between the machines. Vincent's eyes blew wide open with surprise upon such a violent approach. Cloud held him still with his forearm on Vincent's chest, glaring at him. He was so angry at Vincent, it had suddenly boiled over. A guy in a chocobo suit called out to them in a worried tone but Cloud shot him a murderous glare over his shoulder and he understood to stay away.

"At first I was surprised you didn't resist at all." He hissed into Vincent's ear. "But now I know why you gave in to me so easily. You didn't want me, no. At first I thought you felt sorry for me, but that didn't make sense either. You didn't want me but you submit because you thought I'd leave you alone after I'm done with you. You thought that it'd be easiest to just let me have my way with you and forget you, didn't you? Just like Hojo did!"

Vincent looked away, his pale skin turning even whiter.

"Answer me!" Cloud demanded, pushing once more. He wasn't going to listen to any more of his self-loathing.

"Yes", Vincent glanced at him and closed his eyes.

"Just like everyone before... Abandon you and forsake you. Leave you to rot in a basement!" Cloud jeered, watching his expressions closely as he spoke. He wanted Vincent to stand up for himself just once. To just once admit that he was worth fighting for.

"Stop it." A bleak reply.

"You're so sure, aren't you?" Cloud pressed him harder against the wall, forcing eye contact. "That I couldn't actually care for you?"

"No one cares for me." Vincent said monotonously.

Cloud stared at him for a while in disbelief. Even after everything, Vincent was so sure that it had been just an insignificant trail of events. No feelings. Just sex. Abuse, even. Cloud snorted, so angry he was.

"Why do you think I opened your coffin twice?" He asked, scrutinizing the red eyes. "Because I wanted to annoy you? Or because I wanted you to come with me?"

Vincent looked away again, swallowing. He wanted to be able to turn into thin air and be whisked out of the situation. He hated the part of him Cloud was poking at, stirring something forgotten with his words, awakening feelings lost to despair and hatred. Wrath and disgust were so much easier to succumb to, hope and love made him vulnerable weak and spineless. It was easier to have lost faith on humanity than to believe in one good man, so much easier to harbor hatred than give love a chance.

"Look into my eyes!" Cloud shook him. "I'm right here."

Vincent tried to look at him, but failed. He had seen honesty in Cloud's eyes. It wasn't possible. He wasn't good enough. His insides were torn apart. No matter how much he wanted to repress his feelings, those three words had meant the world to him. He grimaced. It hurt as something inside him changed. Wrath dissolved into discomfort, hatred into inconvenience. For the first time in years he wanted to see colors. Tears stung in his eyes, he tried to crouch to get away but Cloud held him still.

"Don't look away! I'm right here!"

Upon hearing those words twice Vincent let out a defeated sob, one that had been stuck in his throat for years. It had held back all the feelings that he had wanted to forget. He gasped for air, trying to swallow the sob that had got away but couldn't and with an ocean of sobs finally pouring out he collapsed into Cloud's shoulder. No matter how much he wanted to contain those feelings, they refused to stay inside anymore. He had so much to cry for.

"I'm right here." Cloud said slowly and caressed his long black hair as the sobs wet his shirt.

Even if it didn't look like it and even if he didn't realize it himself, Vincent was happier than ever before in his life. Through the black ice that had covered his heart Cloud had planted a seed of hope. There was hope for him. There was someone who had finally reached out for him and pulled him into the light.