Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Reconciliation ( Chapter 16 )

(inner thought)

 

Chapter 16: Reconciliation

 

Sometimes you just have to take a risk and jump. Can't hide behind your fears and your mistakes forever. It was for this reason that Cid Highwind gave into his desires and took what he wanted.

 

Looking at the raven-haired man before him, one who began as enemy… then awkward friend… then lover… then nothing at all in the space of a couple of weeks, Cid knew what he desired. And the gunman was offering it to him on a silver platter.

 

Who was he to say no?

 

“I can leave now,” Vincent said again, breaking through the silence. “I will walk out the door if you want.”

 

“No,” the pilot mumbled slowly. He shook his head. Vincent looked at him, wondering which question he was answering. “No,” Cid repeated, locking eyes with the gunman. “Stay,” he quietly commanded before leaning in to lock the ex-Turk in a scorching kiss, searing with the heat of desire.

 

He pushed into Vincent's mouth with his tongue, eagerly seeking out the gunman's spicy and unique flavor. Meanwhile, his hands found themselves hurriedly unclasping the other man's cloak, eager to feel skin on skin.

 

The gunman accepted Cid's kiss as he gently pulled the pilot forward with his human hand, unbuttoning his pants with the other. It became of race of frantic desperation to remove unnecessary articles of clothing. He broke away from the kiss, quieting the blond's protests when he started nipping gently on the pilot's neck.

”Fuck, Vince…” Cid moaned, tendrils of desire beginning to curl in his belly. “I want you so bad… “

 

Vincent didn't reply, instead choosing to pull away and standing swiftly. Stunned by the sudden loss of contact, Cid looked up at him confused. The gunman began to shed his clothes, not wasting any time as he tore them off and threw them to the floor. The pilot blinked in sudden understanding as he fumbled to remove his own clothing as well.

 

Finally, the raven-haired man crawled back onto the bed and up Cid's body until he was face to face with the pilot, propped up on his elbows so as to now rest too much weight on him. Vincent locked eyes with Cid even as their erections brushed against each other, sending pleasurable feelings through the bodies of both men.

 

“You're in my head, Cid,” Vincent commented as he shifted his weight to his left arm, trailing his right hand down the other man's bared chest, ghosting his fingers over the skin. “And I want you to stay…” Cid shivered visibly beneath his touch, instantly aroused by that barely there touch.

 

“I'm not going anywhere.” The Captain reached up and brushed some of Vincent's long hair out of his face so that he could see the glowing crimson eyes that had caught his attention so long ago. Vincent closed his eyes at the simple yet caring touch.

 

Cid moved his hand to cup the side of the ex-Turk's face but the gunman had other plans. He turned his head slightly, drawing Cid's fingers into his mouth. Vincent sucked on them lightly, rolling the appendages around his tongue and nipping gently. Cid felt as if there was a direct line from his fingers to his groin as he felt his erection hardening even more if that was at all possible.

 

The gunman's right hand crept up Cid's chest, neatly tweaking a nipple as it instantly peaked under his ministrations. He groaned with the contact; the sensations were unbelievably arousing. But by the feeling of Vincent's hardness pressed into his inner thigh, the pilot knew that the gunman was not unaffected either.

 

While Vincent sucked on his fingers, Cid allowed himself to explore the ex-Turk's body with his free hand. His calloused mechanic hands wandered over a smooth pale chest, tracing scars as he lightly pinched one of Vincent's nipples, eliciting a moan from the gunman that reverberated on his fingers.

 

Vincent shifted his lower body, their erections again brushing up against each other. Cid gasped with the contact, almost forgetting where he was for one brief moment as he lost himself to the feeling.

 

The gunman chuckled softly as he sensuously released Cid's fingers from his mouth only to bend down and latch onto one peaked dusky nipple. Hands wound themselves in his long hair as he tasted the skin of his pilot.

 

“Uhnn…” Cid moaned beneath his touch as Vincent lightly bit and sucked his way down the pilot's body, leaving small red marks that would surely fade by morning. However, the blond found he didn't want them to. He wanted Vincent to mark him… he wanted to feel as if he were owned.

 

The ex-Turk finally found himself at his desired destination, mouth centered directly over Cid's straining erection. He admired the pilot's length for a moment before gently taking it in his warm hand and stroking him slowly. Cid shivered at his touch, some unintelligible words passing through his lips.

 

Smiling softly to himself, Vincent leaned forward and just barely breathed a puff of warm air over the head of the Captain's arousal following it with a gentle lick, tasting the small drop of precum already leaking out. Cid moaned aloud as he thrust up towards Vincent's mouth, eager to feel of his warm mouth. He unconsciously spread his legs a bit more, allowing the dark-haired man the access that he desired.

 

Vincent took the pilot's length in his mouth, caressing the hardness with his tongue, running it up and down, stroking him. When he thought the pilot was sufficiently aroused, he pulled away and sat back on his heels, looking down at the pilot spread out before like a waiting sacrifice.

 

“Huh?” Cid questioned, on a sexual high. He opened his eyes and cocked up an eyebrow.

 

“Do you have anything?” Vincent asked breathlessly, looking around the room. He reached down and gave Cid's erection a small stroke.

 

The pilot groaned. “In the nightstand, top drawer.”

 

Vincent nodded and swiftly rose from the bed. He rustled around inside the small drawer finally pulling out a small vial of oil. He opened up the cap as he moved back towards the bed, giving it a gentle sniff. It smelled like vanilla.

 

“Vanilla?” questioned Vincent with a raised eyebrow. He smiled down at his pilot as he resumed his former position. Cid made sure to spread his legs a bit further, making sure that Vincent would have no trouble bringing him pleasure.

 

The gunman knelt between the pilot's legs as he poured some of the oil into his hand and covered his fingers with the slippery liquid. The delicious flavor of vanilla permeated the room.

 

“I can't help it…” Cid answered, grinning. “It reminds me of cookies.”

 

The gunman shook his head mirthfully. He leaned down and kissed Cid, engulfing his mouth with his lips even as he reached down between the blond's legs and gently began to press one oil-slicked finger into Cid's hole.

 

Cid hissed, a mixture of pain and pleasure, as Vincent slowly pressed into him, inch by agonizing inch. The dark-haired man moaned when the other reached up to tweak at his nipples, sending sharp flashes of arousal down his spine.

 

Vincent moved the one finger around inside the blond, stretching him. He continued to do so, adding another, and then a third. He wriggled them around… searching for that one spot that make Cid scream with pleasure as he continued to gently kiss the pilot, sucking on his tongue.

 

“Uhhnnn,” Cid moaned aloud, his body arching up off the bed, and Vincent knew he had found the spot.

 

Moving his fingers in and out of Cid's entrance, being sure to stroke that pleasure spot, the gunman slowly and languorously kissed the pilot, memorizing his flavor.

 

“Please…” Cid muttered when Vincent pulled away from the kiss to nibble at the pilot's neck. “I won't last much longer.” Already the blond could feel that his length couldn't get any harder. It was as if he were dying and being reborn all in the same moment.

 

Vincent smiled as he sat back on his heels, removing his fingers from Cid and looking down at his pilot. “Begging now?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. The gunman reached out with his right hand and gently stroked him once. Cid's hips thrust up off the bed into his hand as he exclaimed in unintelligible words.

 

“Just fuck me, you bastard,” growled Cid, though it was obvious he wasn't angry.

 

The gunman shrugged. “Only because you asked so nicely.”

 

He knelt back on his heels and reached for the discarded oil, slicking up his hardness with the sweet smelling liquid. Once he felt he was sufficiently covered he tossed the bottle to the side. The gunman positioned himself at Cid's entrance as he slowly and gently began to push inside, giving Cid enough time to adjust to the penetration. The pilot unconsciously lifted up his legs, wrapping them around Vincent's waist, pulling the gunman inside him more deeply.

 

Vincent bit his lip and moaned internally as he felt himself completely ensheathed with Cid's tight and hot passage. There was no feeling in the world at all like it, and he found himself wishing it would never end. For a moment, the gunman remained in that position… with Cid's legs wrapped around his waist and the pilot's tight wet heat wrapped around him. He closed his eyes and lost himself to the feeling.

 

Until Cid bucked up restlessly beneath him, letting the ex-Turk know that he was more than ready for the gunman to move.

 

Vincent smiled slightly, opening his eyes to look down at his pilot. “Feeling a little impatient are we?”

 

The blond grunted as he shifted his hips and squeezed Vincent's length within him. “Move already dammit!”

 

The gunman complied, pulling out slowly almost completely before thrusting back in again. He set up a slow and steady rhythm, being sure to hit that bundle of nerves. Cid writhed beneath him, hips rising unconsciously to meet each thrust. Their bodies were covered in a thin sheen of sweat, a testament to their lovemaking and shone in the dim light of the room.

 

Cid's arousal was jutting up impatiently from his body, impatient with being unattended to. The Captain could feel his release building up within him and longed to feel the bliss associated with orgasm. Vincent felt so good inside of him… almost as if he belonged.

 

Cid looked up at the man above him, ivory skin nearly glowing with arousal, black hair sticking to his face even as it settled around his shoulders, and crimson eyes glowing. He was…

 

“… so fuckin' beautiful…” the pilot commented aloud, shooting the gunman a meaningful look.

 

Vincent didn't comment, only stepping up the pace a little. Cid bit his lip even though mewlings and whimpers of delight still managed to escape from his throat.

 

The pilot couldn't take it anymore. He reached down with one hand, intent on taking his own length and finishing the job. That is, until Vincent swatted his hand away.

 

“No,” the dark-haired man said simply, crimson eyes locking onto sky blue one's. “I'm in charge.”

 

“Then do something dammit!” the pilot cursed in frustration. “I'm dyin' here!”

 

Vincent smiled at the Captain's exaggeration but took pity on the annoyed pilot. He sped up his pace as he reached down and wrapped his warm hand around Cid's erection. He began to stroke the pilot to the tempo of their thrusts, matching him move for move.

 

With the oncoming of his orgasm, Cid began to moan relentlessly. Vincent felt it too, knowing that his was fast approaching.

 

The slap of flesh against flesh, the smell of the vanilla scented oil permeating the room accompanied by the sounds of the pilot beneath him was almost too much to take. Even Cid couldn't hold on any longer.

 

“Uhnnn… Vince!!” he exclaimed on a loud breathy moan as he spasmed around Vincent's cock, cumming loudly, his semen splashing on himself and the gunman above him.

 

That was all it took for Vincent. The blond squeezed him from the inside, a result of his orgasm, and the sound of his name on the pilot's lips and the gunman was gone, spurting eagerly inside Cid. It felt so good it nearly hurt. He screamed, something wordless torn from his throat sounding more guttural than anything.

 

Vincent collapsed on top of Cid's chest tiredly; slipping out of him carefully, as the pilot slowly unwound his legs from the gunman's waist to stretch them out more comfortably on the bed. The blond wrapped his arms around the ex-Turk and held him close. Legs tangled together even as their breaths came heavily, a testament to their actions.

 

For a moment, all was silent, only their echoed breaths and the beating of their hearts could be heard.

 

Vincent closed his eyes, settled comfortably on Cid's chest. His right hand had found itself cradled on the pilot's broad and well muscled chest even as his left had thrust itself over the side of the bed, not hurting anyone. The pilot was holding him close with his strong arms, unconsciously stroking his back, tracing the scars there.

 

“Will you be here in the morning?” the Captain questioned in a quiet voice.

 

Vincent's eyes snapped open at that question, knowing what it was Cid was asking. He moved his hand slightly, tracing odd symbols on the other's chest, just delighting in the feel of his skin.

 

“Unless you want me to leave,” he answered. He hoped that Cid wouldn't turn him away though he knew he would deserve it.

 

Cid wrapped his arms tighter around the gunman even as he shifted his weight so that they lay on their sides, and the gunman was no longer crushing him.

 

“Are you going to run?”

 

“Not this time,” Vincent answered truthfully. “I want to be here for you… for whatever happens.”

 

Cid understood what the dark-haired man meant by those words. “I only hope that you don't have to. I don't want this anymore.” He pulled Vincent in closer to him, nuzzling into the gunman's hair, inhaling its scent.

 

“I am still afraid, Cid, for many reasons you will never understand.”

 

“Will you ever tell me?”

 

“When I learn to believe in man again, and I can afford to trust… perhaps.” Vincent sighed, closing his eyes in exhaustion. It felt wonderful to be close to his pilot, like he belonged there. “Or maybe sooner. I just don't know because I don't understand myself. I can't explain it but-“

 

“Shh.” Cid hushed the man in his arms, the one he wanted to call his lover but was afraid of scaring him away. “For now, we will sleep.”

 

* * *

 

“Has anyone seen Vincent?” Nanaki asked as he strolled into the common room on the airship. This room housed a few vending machines and a couple tables each surrounded by four chairs. It was for the crew to hang out on their breaks or generally get to know each other. Right now, it was mostly deserted, only Yuffie and Reeve present.

 

“Why?” Reeve asked as he sipped on a fizzy drink, something called Kalm Kola.

 

The lion wolf padded into the room, leaping up into a chair at the table that both Reeve and Yuffie occupied. “I have to ask him something.” He unconsciously leaned his head toward the ninja, receiving a pat and a head scratch for his troubles.

 

“I don't know. I haven't seen him since we came back from North Corel,” Reeve answered shrugging his shoulders.

 

“I think I know…” answered Yuffie slyly. She unwrapped the plastic from around the chocolate confection she was consuming and shoved the rest of it in her mouth, chewing happily.

 

“Please tell me, Yuffie. I've been searching for awhile,” Nanaki responded, flicking her gently with his tail. “He wasn't in his room or on the deck and I cannot think for the life of me where else he could be…”

 

“Did you check Cid's room?” Yuffie asked mischievously, catching Red's tail.

 

The two males gave her confused and startled looks. “Why on Gaia would he search there?” Reeve asked with bewilderment.

 

Yuffie shrugged innocently, running her fingers through Red's tail fur. “An hour or so ago I saw Mr. Dark and Scary standing outside Highwind's room… as far as I know, he hasn't left yet.”

 

The ex-ShinRa's eyes widened in surprise while Nanaki seemed unaffected by the news.

 

“What?” The ninja pouted looking at Nanaki unhappily. “You aren't surprised?”

 

“I had already guessed,” Nanaki answered smugly, a wolfish smile on his face. He pulled his tail free, and again flicked the ninja.

 

“Ah, damn!” she cursed. “I thought only I knew.”

 

“Children should not speak such vulgar words,” Nanaki admonished though there was a playful gleam in his eyes.

 

“Are they together?” Reeve asked suddenly, still shocked by what he had heard Yuffie say.

 

The ninja and Nanaki shrugged in unison. “Can't say for sure, but it looks that way to me.” Yuffie grinned, attempting to catch the pesky tail once more.

 

“How… interesting…” Reeve mused as he slumped back in his chair, Kalm Kola completely forgotten. Perhaps his relationship would not be as looked down upon as he had thought…

 

Nanaki asked innocently, “What of you, Reeve?” His tail batted Yuffie in the face before darting away. The ninja mock-snarled.

 

“Huh?”

 

“Well, you know…” Yuffie continued for the lion wolf, her game with his tail forgotten. It appeared that the two mischievous friends were preparing to gang up on poor Reeve. “Cid lives with Shera. Barret was married at one time. Vincent did have Lucrecia, though that's gone in the past. Cloud had something going on with Tifa AND Aeris.” She suddenly smirked. “What about you?”

 

Reeve reddened slightly as his mind instantly brought him images of one scarlet-haired man with laughing aquamarine eyes. He searched his mind trying to come up with a complete lie that was similar enough to the truth to not be denying him in all the same breath.

 

“I have never been married,” Reeve deftly answered with a smile.

 

The lion wolf and Yuffie exchanged a glance; something unspoken passed between them.

 

Nanaki said, eyes sparkling, “That is not entirely what we asked.”

 

“You got a special someone, Kitty?” the ninja asked, pushing the subject.

 

Reeve groaned. “Why do you insist on calling me `Kitty'?”

 

“Quit trying to change the subject… but I'll answer your question anyways,” Yuffie grinned at the ex-executive.

 

“Is it not obvious,” the lion wolf snorted, interrupting them. He glanced at Reeve whose face was still burning with embarrassment. He knew what the man was trying to hide but thought it fun to tease the older Reeve.

 

“No, it's not.”

 

“It's because of Cait Sith. He is a cat, isn't he?” the ninja asked.

 

“Yeah… but…”

“Well, if you look close enough… you do kinda look alike.” Yuffie giggled again.

 

“I do not!” the ex-ShinRa yelled indignantly. He stood up angrily from the table, amber eyes flashing.

 

“I'm just teasing, Reeve. Sit back down,” Yuffie laughed waving her hand at him.

 

He huffed quietly but took his seat.

 

“So, about your lover…” Nanaki began, locking eyes with the ex-executive.

”What? I never said-“

 

“Is there?” Yuffie interrupted. She and the lion wolf exchanged looks. They intended to drag the conversation out all night if they had to.

 

“Well…” the ex-executive began slowly. “There is someone…”

 

“Who is it?” asked Yuffie innocently. “Someone we know?”

 

Reeve blushed again, his face darkening even more if that was at all possible. He appeared to be searching for a way to answer that question without revealing too much.

 

“Oh, Vincent!!” Reeve exclaimed suddenly, eyes widening as he looked past Nanaki and Yuffie. Both turned their backs on the ex-executive expecting to see the dark-haired gunman in the doorway. The ex-ShinRa took this chance to escape, darting from the common areas before they could notice.

 

“There's no one there,” Yuffie complained aloud, as she turned back around. “I think you're… he's gone!”

 

“He is a sneaky one,” Nanaki commented, eyes twinkling with merriment. “I cannot believe we fell for that.”

 

“That was just fun!” the ninja said giggling. “Wait'll he finds out we already know.”

 

Nanaki nodded. “Still, it is fun to tease in the meantime…”

 

“True… and now we can tease Vincent and Cid, too.”

 

Nanaki laughed in agreement, the amulet around his neck shining in the lights.

 

* * *

“…Cid?” Vincent wasn't sure if the pilot was awake but being as he had woken up first he thought that the blond should join him.

 

“Hmm?” Cid questioned sleepily, not even opening his eyes.

 

“I think that we should go see, Cloud.”

 

Cid cracked open sky blue eye and looked down at the gunman lying on his chest. “Why?”

 

The gunman shrugged. “It might make you feel better.”

 

“Or worse…” the Captain mumbled closing his eye again and sighing. He settled back into the bed more comfortably and proceeded to try and go to sleep.

 

“Well?” Vincent prompted after a moment of hesitation.

 

“We'll go tomorrow,” the pilot muttered, already drifting back into dreamland.

 

* * *

 

The Highwind landed on the outskirts of Mideel, and all of the friends proceeded to tumble out. Most were excited to be checking on Cloud again, despite his condition. Even if he never came out of that mako-induced coma, he would always be a part of them.

 

Cid, Vincent, and Yuffie went into Mideel first. Yuffie skipped ahead of the two men, seeming every bit the sixteen year old that she was. She hummed quietly under her breath, some type of calm marching song, but there was a mischievous look to her eyes.

 

“You know,” she called back to the two men as she walked a few steps ahead of them. “Nanaki was looking for you last night.”

 

“Who?” Cid asked.

 

“Vincent,” she added without turning around. “He said he had to ask you something but he couldn't find you.” She paused, turning to walk backwards as she locked eyes on the gunman. “Where were you?”

 

Vincent shrugged. “Where I always am,” he answered vaguely. He could feel Cid's eyes on him but he didn't turn to check. He wasn't sure if the pilot was all that ready to make their relationship known.

 

“Is that so?” the ninja questioned, the corner of her mouth turned up into a grin. “Reeve was real flustered about something yesterday, too.”

 

“Just shut up already, you little brat, yer gettin' on the grown ups nerves!!” the pilot exclaimed, lighting up a cigarette. He inhaled quickly, calming when the nicotine hit his bloodstream.

 

Yuffie huffed and turned on her heels, facing the proper direction once again. Vincent was glad for his high collar, as it held his slight smile. It was rather amusing to watch Cid and Yuffie fight. It was very much similar to a father and his teenage daughter.

 

They made it to the clinic without further incident, planning on making their visit reasonably short so that the others could come visit their friend as well.

 

“Well,” Cid began, crossing his arms as he stared down the doctor. “How is he doing?”

 

The doctor shrugged noncommittally. “There has been no change. He has gotten neither better nor worse.”

 

Barret sighed from his position at a small card table where he sat with the nurse playing some sort of card game. “He just sit and stares all day. Seeing without really seeing, you know?”

 

“There has been no response to any kind of stimuli?” the ex-Turk questioned, musing aloud.

 

The grey-haired doctor shook his head. “None at all. Light, temperature, pain, nothing affects him at all.”

 

“Aw,” Yuffie purred, stroking Cloud's hair. “It is like a chocobo's.”

 

Cid opened his mouth to berate the annoying ninja when suddenly the ground beneath them began to shudder violently. Test tube and beaker bottles rattled loudly, some even crashing to the floor to shatter into pieces.

 

“They're … they're… coming…” Cloud muttered, many pairs of eyes turning to him in astonishment.

 

“What's coming?” Barret asked even as Cid made for the door. Cloud said no more.

 

“What the #%$@!!” Cid exclaimed, dashing outside, Yuffie and Vincent right behind him.

 

He ran out the door, skidding to a stop as his mouth gaped open, cigarette falling from useless lips. The ninja slammed into his back, unprepared for the abrupt stop.

 

“Weapon,” Vincent breathed, looking up with wide crimson eyes. “It is attacking?”

 

“What's going on?” Barret's came deep voice from the interiors of the medical center.

 

Cid pulled out his spear, twirling it about expert finger as he exchanged determined looks with his two companions. “Get Cloud and doc and get the hell out of here!!” he called back to Barret.

 

“A'right,” Barret answered breathlessly.

 

“Looks like that big ugly beast is up to us!” the ninja exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

 

* * *

 

Ultimate Weapon reared its big ugly purple head and roared angrily. Cid finished his boost jump attack, coming to a rest besides Vincent as he pumped more ammunition into the beast's hide.

 

Yuffie caught her flung shuriken and grimly searched through her materia again, wondering what would be effective against the creature.

 

As Weapon fixed its beady eyes upon the fighters, the ground beneath them shook violently again, unlike the tremors caused by the movement of Weapons massive body.

 

The three fought to keep their footing even as Weapon roared again, spreading its wings and taking off.

 

“We beat it!!” exclaimed Yuffie, punching her fists into the air.

 

“This is no time for celebration!!” the Captain growled, fighting to keep his balance in the shifting earth beneath him.

 

“What is going on?” the gunman asked, frowning as the moving ground nearly caused him to fall.

 

“The Lifestream is coming to the surface!!” exclaimed the doctor and the nurse, suddenly running past them. “Everyone must evacuate!!”

 

Cid looked up towards the clinic, glad to find that Barret was quickly pushing Cloud out of it in his wheel chair, heading for the town exit.

 

“Vincent! Yuffie! Get the hell out of here!!” he yelled, giving the orders. The two nodded before sprinting for the entrance.

 

A brilliant plume of green liquid suddenly spurted up from the ground twenty feet away from where Cid stood, taking out the item shop as the villagers of Mideel ran screaming. It would not be long before the Lifestream destroyed the whole town.

 

Barret had almost gotten to the small archway, hauling tail as he pushed along Cloud. Seeing that his crew was on their way to safety, Cid turned and headed for the entrance, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

 

He dared one last look over his shoulder only to gape with horror as the ground gave one extremely violent shudder before a fountain of Lifestream poured from the center of the town, throwing up blocks of stone. Barret and Cloud were separated.

 

Barret landed in a pile of human limbs near to where Cid stood staring as Cloud slipped slowly down the slab of rock into the churning depths of the Lifestream gushing to form a mako pool at the surface.

 

* * *