Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ No Promises ( Chapter 35 )

 

~~~~~ meanwhile

******* An indefinite amount of time has passed.

 

Chapter 35: No Promises

 

A spiky-headed blond male and a reddish-brown haired female were lying close together in a bed, though still fully clothed. The man had his arms wrapped tight around the pink-clothed female, and her head was lying on his chest.

 

Cloud sighed as he stroked Aeris' hair. “It will be dusk in a few hours.”

 

“Don't worry,” the flower girl responded. “They will come back.”

 

“Always the optimistic one, ne?” He smiled and shifted in his position, one of his legs starting to go numb. They had lain like that most of the day, reluctant to do anything more than spend the last few days together.

 

“I prefer to believe in my friends,” Aeris answered in return.

 

“I promise,” Cloud began, “When this is over, no more fighting, no more running around the world, no more fearing for our lives; we can just live in peace. Once the world is safe, it can be just you and me.” He reached his free hand into the drawer next to him and started rummaging around as if looking for something.

 

“I'd like that.” Aeris smiled, trailing her fingers over the blond's chest. It seemed that she hadn't known a day in her life when she didn't have to run or fight… the concept of peace was generally foreign.

 

“I'd hope that when we go into battle, we do it together,” Cloud said, having found what he was looking for. He gripped it tightly in his hand as he moved to angle her head so that she was looking at him. “I want you by my side when I have to face him, as my friend…” He brought the item in his hand into her view. “And as the woman I love.”

 

She gasped, green eyes wide with surprise. There nestled in his palm was a small velvet jewelry box, the lid open. Nestled among the soft velvet lining of the inside was a delicate silver ring with the three diamonds, the one in the middle larger but not by much. It was beautiful. “Is that…?”

 

He took it out of the box and looked at her with a question on his lips. She nodded softly and held out her hand. “It's only a promise, but one I intend to keep. I don't know what is going to happen in this battle, but I refuse to make you a widow early. I have confidence that we will all succeed. I still want you to understand how much I care.”

 

Her eyes threatened to overspill as they welled up with tears, green glistening in the dim light of the room. He slipped the delicate ring on her finger, it fit perfectly. They smiled together as she leaned forward, and they shared a short but passionate kiss.

 

“It's perfect,” she said finally. “I have faith that we will all survive.”

 

He opened his mouth to stay something in response when he was distracted by the familiar sounds of the engines of the airship starting up. The two sat up confused.

 

Suddenly Aeris' face brightened and her eyes lit up. “They must be back!”

 

“Let's go see.” Cloud nodded, grabbing her hand. Together, the two of them left his room and headed for the bridge.

 

“Wondering when you were going to show the hell up!” Cid called out in a loud voice when he noticed the two come into the bridge. It was he who had gotten the airship started and ready for flight.

 

“Cid!” the flower girl exclaimed warmly, moving forward to embrace the man. He accepted her hug a bit embarrassed then sort of pushed her back into Cloud's arms.

 

“You never cease to amaze me, old man!” the leader responded with a shake of his head.

 

“Old man!” the Captain spluttered, face turning angry. “Now see here-“

 

Aeris punched her promised lightly. “Don't tease him like that. He is at a perfectly respectable age.”

 

“Damn right!” Cid agreed. “And I can kick your skinny ass any day!”

 

“Well, I am glad to see that everyone is still getting along so well,” came Nanaki's teasing voice. The blond's and Aeris turned around to see the demi-human leaning casually in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He was smirking at the three of them. He had a new claw on his arms and a more dangerous aura about him.

 

“Tch,” Cid muttered in greeting. “That all you have to say?”

 

Nanaki shook his head as he moved from his leaning position to walk further into the room, his movements very feline in nature despite his more human form.

 

“What's this? No, happy to see you? Glad you came back?” He waved his hands to enunciate his point even as he shrugged his shoulders. “Do I have to tell a certain gunman about your rudeness?”

 

Aeris and Cloud snickered. It seemed that what was thought of as a secret now was no longer so.

 

Cid huffed. “I don't know what you're taking about.” He turned back around to the control panel for the Highwind, fiddling with a few random switches. The demi-human had inadvertently reminded the pilot the truth of the events. The pilot wasn't even sure if Vincent was coming back…

 

“The Nile is not just a river in Egypt,” Nanaki commented. He frowned when they all gave him blank looks. “It's something grandfather used to say. It refers to our history.” He waved his hand in dismissal. “Don't ask.”

 

“Well,” Aeris interjected, moving forward to embrace her friend. “I am happy to see you even, if Mr. Surly over there is pretending he isn't.” She whispered in his ear, so that Cid couldn't hear her. “Perhaps Vincent is rubbing off on him, ne?” The two snickered quietly.

 

“Who said I was pretending?” Cid huffed without turning around.

 

The flower girl gave Nanaki a smile as she shook her head at the pilot. He returned with a grin of his own, noticing the complete happiness evident in her features.

 

“Oh?” he questioned, noticing the way a certain finger of hers sparkled. He raised an eyebrow as he took the hand in his own, glancing over at Cloud. “What's this?”

 

Aeris couldn't help but blush as he admired the diamond ring. “It's only a promise but…” She looked over at Cloud, and the two shared a loving smile.

 

“Promises are just as sacred,” Nanaki intoned, giving her a great grin.

 

“Yo, Nanaki?” Cid called out. The demi-human looked away from Aeris to raise an eyebrow at the Captain. The blond motioned him over.

 

Rolling his eyes, Nanaki excused himself from Aeris and Cloud and wandered over to the brash pilot. “What?”

 

Cid leaned in conspiratorially and grinned as he whispered in the demi-human's ears. “You should watch who you're alluding to because the cargo bay has cameras.”

 

The demi-human's eyes widened even as he placed a big innocent look on his face. “I didn't know that, Cid; thank you for informing me.”

 

The pilot glared. “Don't give me that. You know what I'm talking about.”

 

The former lion wolf raised an eyebrow. “You must be mistaking me for someone else.”

 

Cid shook his head. “Fine, fine, but wait until Vincent gets here. Payback's a bitch!”

 

Nanaki laughed and wandered away from the pilot as if his words didn't affect him in the least bit. Cid could claim whatever he wanted, but until the demi-human saw the tapes for himself, he wasn't worried. The blond was just speculating… wasn't he?

 

He was distracted from his musings by the arrival of Reno and Reeve, who had come together. They were just the cutest couple Nanaki had ever seen, excluding Cid and Vincent of course. The demi-human had figured out long ago who Reeve's secret liaison in ShinRa was. He and the ninja had had many fun times teasing the older man about it to no end as well.

 

The two ex-ShinRa were conversing with Cloud and Aeris, so Nanaki wandered up to join them. He assumed Cid would either join or ignore them, either was fine with him.

 

“Barret is fine. He and Marlene have taken up residence with Missus Gainsborough, yo,” Reno drawled on, casting Aeris a sidelong look. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

 

“No!” she exclaimed. “Barret and… my mom???”

 

“Seems like it,” Reeve responded. “And you will never guess who Rude married!”

 

“Rude married?” Cloud exclaimed stunned. “To who?”

 

Reno opened his mouth to answer as a smirk took over his features but was interrupted when Cid ambled over and made his presence known.

 

“Hadn't been back more than a few minutes and already got you all gossiping like a buncha old ladies,” the pilot commented as he slapped the ex-executive on the back painfully.

 

Despite his strength and ability in battle, Reeve was still lithe, and Cid's slap was a bit more powerful than he had intended. The dark-haired man jerked forward slightly and frowned at his friend. “You could be a bit gentler, Cid,” admonished the ex-executive.

 

“What about Archer?” Aeris interjected. “You know, your friend?”

 

“Which reminds me,” Cid added in. “I been meaning ta ask you about him…”

 

“He is fine,” Reeve interrupted, casting a look at his friend. “The Turks saved him, Tseng, and Marlene just in the nick of time too. He is staying with Elena and Tseng at the house they all bought in Kalm.”

 

Reno snickered. “And Rude and his new wife are shacking up in a hotel room until they get enough money together to buy themselves a place.”

 

Nanaki shook his head in disbelief. “The world is coming to an end. I think I should get married…”

 

The group of friends laughed. At the speed most relationships were going, it seemed his words weren't far from the truth. With Rude married, Barret and Elmyra living together, Cloud and Aeris promised, Reno and Reeve were together, as well as Cid and Vincent… the time for being with the one you love seemed to have overtaken them all.

 

“You're still young,” Reeve joked, grasping Nanaki warmly by the shoulder. “You have you're whole life ahead of you.”

 

“Unless Sephiroth takes that away,” Cid grumbled under his breath. A quiet hush fell over the group.

”Hey, now,” Aeris admonished. “No thinking dark thoughts until after the battle. We've got enough on our plates without stressing and worrying ourselves to death about what's coming up.”

 

“I'm just speaking the truth,” Cid countered. “I ain't ashamed to say that I'm scared shitless, and I'll be damned if I try to think rainbows when all I can see is blood.” The pilot was never able to do anything more than be truthful and that was the way he saw it. Nothing anyone could say would change that.

 

“Old men should retire and leave the fighting to us young ones,” a voice from above came. All eyes turned upwards as the Captain sputtered.

”Yuffie!” came the general response.

 

The little ninja dropped down from the ceiling, seeming more composed and stronger than when she had left. She had a grin plastered on her face and an extremely powerful weapon in her hand. She landed in the center of their little discussion circle with only a small bow. Walking up to the pilot she placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him her most solemn look. “I promise that when we get back we will get you the best retirement home.”

 

“You little!” Cid spluttered, unable to complete his sentence as his face turned red with anger and his fingers itched to hold his spear.

 

Yuffie laughed and danced out of his way, coming to stand between Nanaki and Aeris, knowing neither would let the pilot touch her.

 

“Calm down, Cid,” Cloud said, though he was hiding laughter behind his palm. “She was only joking. Right?” He shot Yuffie a warning glance.

 

“Ri~ght!” the ninja chimed. “You're okay for an old man, Cid.”

 

“With that said, why don't you give him back Jade Tiger?” Nanaki commented, turning an amused grin onto his friend. He was more than glad that they weren't acting awkward around each other.

 

“What are you talking about?” Yuffie questioned, giving him an innocent look.

 

“What?” Cid spluttered once he had searched both his weapon and armlet, finding the red materia gone. “You little thief!”

 

“Yuffie,” the leader warned.

 

She pouted. “Oh, fine!” The ninja dug into her pocket and tossed Cid the little red materia. He caught it deftly and scowled as he put it back into the Venus Gospel. Jade Tiger was his favorite summon. “You're no fun.”

 

“I see the three days haven't dampened that unfailing spirit,” Reeve remarked.

 

“Oh, Kitty!” Yuffie gushed. “I didn't realize you were standing there.”

 

Reeve reddened, and Reno burst out laughing. “Kitty! You call him kitty?” exclaimed the Turk in astonishment.

 

The others couldn't help but join in Reno's amusement as they laughed at the embarrassed ex-executive. Yuffie merely smiled broadly as she snickered. It was nice to see everyone getting along so well.

 

“Nevertheless,” continued Aeris, catching her breath. “We are glad you came back Yuffie.”

 

Cloud nodded with her and stepped away from the group to head for the window on the control deck. He stood at the massive glass and stared out as the sun began to dip lower and lower in the sky. It appeared his earlier approximation of the time was less than accurate. Dusk would fall in a mere twenty minutes.

 

“And just in time, too,” he commented, motioning towards the beautiful sunset that was taking place. The others joined him, watching the brilliant colors as they spread across the sky.

 

Cid was the first to break away from the group, heading towards the control panel and busying himself with prepping the ship. None of them had the heart to mention that it might be the last sunset that they would ever see. Aeris unconsciously grabbed Cloud's hand and twined her fingers with his.

 

“Well.” Cloud sighed. “That's the end of it.”

 

“But… where is Vincent?” Reeve asked. It was the question on everyone's minds but he was the only one to voice it.

 

“You mean he hasn't got here yet?” Yuffie asked, looking around the room with wide eyes.

 

“Check the chocobo paddock,” the leader ordered. “He said he would bring back Racer even if…” He trailed off and shook his head.

 

Nanaki nodded and moved over to the control panel. He hit a button and brought up the camera for the view screen in the paddocks. He face fell when he saw the gold chocobo that was standing there, warbling softly.

 

“Racer's there,” the demi-human answered softly.

 

“I'll go close the cargo bay and lock it up down there, then,” Cid muttered as he moved to flip some switch on the control panel. “No sense in leaving it wide open any longer.” They all watched, none making a comment, as the pilot left out of the control room and headed for the cargo bay.

 

“I honestly thought he would come back,” the flower girl commented softly.

 

“Who's to say he didn't?” The little ninja smirked, moving to the control panel where she had last seen Cid standing.

 

“What are you talking about?” Cloud frowned.

 

Yuffie scanned the panel in front of her, trying to figure out what button it was Cid had pushed before he left. Shrugging lightly, she tapped a switch and let out a whoop when the screen popped on revealing the cargo bay.

 

“Found it!” she said excitedly.

 

“What did you find?” questioned Reeve.

 

She smirked. “Who says Vincent didn't return?” she gestured towards the screen. All those gathered around her to see what was going on.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Cid made his way to the cargo bay. He could have sworn he had seen Vincent in there from the camera. He volunteered to shut the doors, so that he could speak to the gunman in private. However, when he got there, it seemed deserted. Only a bit crestfallen, Cid made his way to the panel and input the code that would close the doors. He watched as the metal slid shut, effectively blocking out the last view of the descending twilight.

 

He sighed as the rapidly approaching night sky disappeared from view.

 

“You didn't believe I would return?” Vincent's smooth and sultry voice came from behind him.

 

Cid whipped around to see the sexy ex-Turk leaning in the doorway that led to the stairs for the upper levels. He had to have been hiding in the shadows when the Captain first came into the cargo bay.

 

He quickly regained his composure. “Well, your letter was rather vague and uninformative,” he drawled in response, shrugging his shoulders.

 

“It was meant to be.”

 

Cid snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't understand it at first… until he realized he was only slightly angry at the gunman. “Did you at least find what you were looking for?” Perhaps it was because he believed Vincent had gone to see Lucrecia… or maybe because he had been made to think that he would never see the gunman again, even if it was for just a moment.

 

It was the ex-Turk's turn to shrug. “In a way…” he trailed off, eyes turning contemplative and inwards for a moment.

 

There was an uncomfortable silence.

 

“I missed you,” Cid said finally, in a quiet voice. His eyes met Vincent's, crimson meeting sky blue.

 

The gunman sighed. “It was something I had to do… and something that had to be done alone….” He looked away, anywhere but at Cid, until he finally added in a voice just as quiet as the pilot's had been. “You were never far from my thoughts.”

 

“You didn't have to,” the Captain said slowly. When Vincent looked at him in confusion the pilot struggled to find the words to explain himself. When he found that they escaped him, he shook his head and tried another tactic. “There's no need in responding just because… I mean… pretending is not your style…” he trailed off, words still making no sense.

 

Vincent pushed himself up off the door panel and moved towards the pilot, crossing the length of the cargo bay quickly to pull Cid into a tight embrace. The Captain reacted instantly, wrapping his arms around the gunman and leaning his head on Vincent's shoulder, the ex-Turk's superior height making that feat possible.

 

The gunman pulled the blond as tightly as he could towards his body with the clawed hand, while his hand of flesh reached around to angle Cid's face towards his own. Within moments, their lips were locked in a passionate union, all of their feelings pushed into that one movement. The gunman had every intention of showing the pilot that he wasn't pretending… that he considered what they had something special and worth being treasured.

 

~ ~ ~

 

And in the bridge, six friends heaved a sigh of `aw!' and smiled happily.

 

“That is so sweet!” Aeris gushed, unable to help herself. Her hands clasped together as she shared a warm smile with her promised.

 

“I always knew it… even from the beginning,” Nanaki commented.

 

“I told you he'd be back,” the little ninja remarked smugly as she crossed her arms over her chest. The demi-human ruffled her hair affectionately, and they continued to watch what was on screen.

 

Reeve sighed and felt Reno's fingers thread through his own. The two men shared a warm smile, and the Turk laid his head on his lover's shoulder. The love that they could see evident between Cid and Vincent only reminded them of the feelings that they shared for each other.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Cid reached up and buried a hand in Vincent's hair, pulling the gunman's head down towards him and deepening the kiss. The exchanged tongues for a moment, taking comfort in the familiar taste of each other before the ex-Turk gave a gentle nip to the Captain's lower lip and pulled back slightly from the kiss. He looked the pilot on the eye.

 

“I would never pretend with you,” he said softly. “Everything is genuine.”

 

Cid smiled. “Vince, there is something I've been meaning to say to you.”

 

The gunman shushed him, putting a finger to his lips softly. “After… when all is said and done… then I can hear it… and say what I want to say as well.”

 

The pilot sighed but nodded slowly. Suddenly, his eyes took on a mischievous tint as his tongue snaked out of his mouth and pulled in the shushing finger. He sucked gently on the digit and ran his tongue over the sensitive pads.

 

As much as Vincent wanted to take him up on the offer, he knew he couldn't. He fought down the rising desires in his body and ever so slowly pulled his finger free.

 

He exhaled slowly as his eyes again locked with that of the pilots. “As much as I would love to do just that… we simply do not have the luxury of circumstance.”

 

Cid pulled away slowly, extricating himself from the gunman's embrace. He seemed only the slightest bit downcast. “Yeah, I know. We gotta take down that Sephiroth bastard and save the planet!”

 

Vincent seemed to flinch at his words but didn't say anything to indicate he was upset. He nodded slowly. “You go ahead to the cockpit; I will join you in a moment.”

 

The pilot agreed. He moved as if to leave, but then suddenly changed his mind. He darted back to the gunman, enveloped him in another passionate kiss, before pulling away and heading swiftly towards the stairs.

 

The ex-Turk didn't even try to restrain the smile that had broken out on his face.

 

~ ~ ~

 

When Cid returned to the bridge, he found everyone milling about in random areas of the room conversing quietly amongst each other. He eyed them suspiciously, noting the looks that Yuffie was giving him. No one offered up a word however and he made his way to the control panel. The pilot assumed that they believed he was broken up over Vincent's absence. He cracked a sly smile at that. Little did they know, but the gunman was already back.

 

He stood at the control panel and looked over at the mechanics for his baby. Finally, he would able to pilot his own airship rather than rely on the crew. He had sent them home, told them that this battle was not theirs to fight. He cracked his knuckles and sighed happily as he contemplated which button it was exactly he needed to press.

 

There was a chorus of startled gasps, and all eyes turned towards the entrance to the bridge. Cid kept from turning around lest they see the big grin he had plastered over his face.

 

“Vinny!” Yuffie exclaimed. “You came back!”

 

He quirked an eyebrow. “You didn't want me to?”

 

“What Yuffie is trying to say,” Nanaki intervened smoothly, “is welcome back.”

 

Vincent waved a hand dismissively. “I am sure you all feel the same.” The sarcasm in his voice was most evident.

 

An uncomfortable silence settled over the group.

 

Finally, Cid, having regained his composure and his stoic face, moved from the control panel to the group. He peered over everyone's head as well as he could and snorted loudly. “You don't have to be rude. We are all supposed to be friends here, aren't we?” He crossed his arms over his chest and stared pointedly at his lover. Their eyes locked for a moment and something passed between them.

 

“Well,” Reeve added in thoughtfully. “Vincent HAS a point.”

 

Cloud broke free from the group and walked up to the gunman. He stood before the raven-haired man thoughtfully before sticking out a hand. Vincent regarded him contemplatively before taking it with his own. The two men shook his hands.

 

“You are as much a part of this group as anyone here,” Cloud said. “And… I trust you.”

 

For the two men, this was a major step. The two conflicting powers had finally laid down their weapons and joined forces.

 

“I suppose, I'll take that as an apology then,” the dark-haired man intoned in return. He had the slightest of smiles on his face.

 

Yuffie cheered, and Aeris grinned. They were, at last, a united front.

 

“Great,” Reno put in. “Now that the soap opera is over, how about we go save the world?”

 

The blond released Vincent's hands and turned back to face his group. “All right. This is it. The final battle. Captain Highwind, if you'd do the honors.”

 

Cid rubbed his hands together and almost sprinted towards the control panel. It was time to see what his baby was capable of. “I hope you don't mind, but there's a button I've been dying to try…”

 

“Uh, Cid…” Reeve began. “I don't think you should-“

 

Too late.

 

Cid's gloved finger came down and pressed the shining blue button. The airship gave a great shudder and began to shake violently as it rose in the air. Everyone fought for something to grab a hold of, which ended up consisting of each other.

 

On the outside, parts fell away from the Highwind to reveal two blasters that were superiorly faster than what had been there before. The airship's speed had just gone up by several notches.

 

With a jolt, the ship took to the sky and went soaring faster than it ever had before. Cid could hardly contain the glee on his face as he steered her through the air.

 

Yuffie clapped a hand over her face and went running from the bridge, her airsickness taking over. Nanaki chased after her, a worried expression on his face.

 

“Damn ShinRa for messing with her design, but fuck if they didn't do a good job,” Cid commented.

 

“Captain!!” The sound of a chorus of voices greeted the pilot as he was suddenly swept away from the helm by a group of his crew.

 

“Hey, waitaminute!” he argued as they pulled him aside. “I told you all to go home!”

 

“We're with you to the end, Captain!” exclaimed the newbie pilot as he took over in Cid's stead.

 

“Ah,” the Captain argued. He had wanted to steer his own damn airship! He started resisting their hold on him. “You'll have to hold me down then. Give it all you got!”

 

And with that, the Highwind went speeding off towards the Northern Crater and the members of AVALANCHE prepared to fight their greatest foe.

 

Sephiroth.

 

* * *

 

So, whaddya think? Feel free to leave a review. It's winding down and I still have some surprises in store for you, so be prepared.