Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 40 )

Warning: Fluff alert! To the nth degree! Lots of angst and crying and many unendings… but you'll have to wait for the sequel to find out.

 

Chapter 40: Epilogue

 

Cloud sighed as stared out the window of his villa in Costa del Sol. Outside the sun was falling slowly, casting the sky in a myriad of purples and oranges that did nothing to calm his turmoiling emotions and soul. He gulped at the vodka in his hand, grimacing at the pleasant burn that trickled down his throat. It didn't help much… as if alcohol ever did.

 

The victorious members of AVALANCHE and extended company had all gathered at his home to celebrate their victory. All of the Turks were there, Barret, Elmyra, Marlene, Shera, Archer, and every member of the final battle…. every member save one.

 

The freedom of the planet had come with a price. They had lost one of their own… more like Vincent had sacrificed himself. That was the choice that had to be made. Cloud believed that it was something he personally had to decide, and in a way that was true. But entirely, it had been up to Vincent. And Cid… well, he hadn't really recovered yet.

 

When Vincent had transformed and taken down Sephiroth, causing the whole crater to start collapsing in on itself, the others had been forced to run. There wasn't anything they could do to stop the manic Chaos demon. After all, it was a tortured voice that had screamed at them hoarsely to run, as if it were the last part of Vincent's true sanity trying to protect the people he cared for. Diablos had summoned himself somehow, and had taken it upon himself to hold back the bloodthirsty demon so that they could escape.

 

It was only from the airship that they saw Holy finally start to work, summoning up the energy of the life stream and using it as a weapon to destroy Meteor. With that the planet was saved, but the gunman… was still gone. He hadn't come back to them as Aeris had… he had been the sacrifice.

 

He wanted to curse at himself. He should have known what was going to happen. After all, the gunman had hinted at it well enough.

 

## Flashback ##

 

The airship landed on the very outskirts of the crater. One of the crew members lowered a rope ladder from the deck so that the friends could climb down into the crater. It was more convenient than trying to exit through the cargo bay.

 

They climbed down one by one, Vincent one of the last to come. As they gathered around the bottom, waiting for everyone to catch up, the gunman had pulled Cloud aside and spoke to him privately while the others checked their equipment and materia.

 

“I want to talk to you,” the ex-Turk said, grabbing the blond's arm lightly and pulling him off to the side from where the friends were gathered.

 

Cid had noticed this event but didn't say anything, briefly wondering on what it was Vincent had to tell their leader.

 

“What about?” the spiky-headed man asked with confusion. He folded his arms over his chest and frowned slightly.

 

“Chaos,” Vincent said simply as if that explained everything.

 

Cloud raised an eyebrow and regarded the gunman thoughtfully. “Sorry, but I am not fluid in onewordese, you are going to have to elaborate.”

 

The gunman sighed. “He is getting stronger, and it is becoming more difficult to suppress him. Despite the control charm I received from Lucrecia, he has stepped up his taunts… and his threats.”

 

The swordsman narrowed his eyes. “Do you think he is going to be a danger to us?”

 

The dark-haired man shook his head and crossed his arms as he looked away. “I don't know. I refuse to summon him on my own, and his bonding with my body is not yet complete. I am not even sure if it will be by the time we face Sephiroth. However, I thought I should give you fair warning.”

 

“What do you want me to do?” questioned Cloud.

 

Vincent turned back towards him and settled his crimson gaze on the man, showing him exactly how serious he was. “If I become Chaos… I can assure you it was not by choice. Get everyone out and away from me. Leave me behind if you must. I will do what I can to restrain him, but I refuse to allow the bastard to harm any of those I care about.” He paused and his gaze traveled over to the other members of their group who had came together and were discussing their mission quietly. His crimson eyes fell on his lover and an indiscernible look passed over his features.

 

“I refuse to harm anyone I love,” he continued.

 

Cloud nodded slowly. “I understand… probably more than you think.”

 

The two men exchanged glances, and the ex-Turk cast a confused look on him. The swordsman shook his head and moved past him to head towards the group.

 

“We haven't got much more time to waste, ne?” he called to the gunman.

 

Vincent nodded thoughtfully and took off after the blond, his mission complete.

 

## End Flashback ##

 

Cloud had known then that there was more to what Vincent was saying, but he didn't want to make the ex-Turk elaborate any more than he had already. And when the time came, he had done as the gunman had asked. Still… he felt that there was something he should have done. However, it wasn't until Aeris had mentioned the choice did he even begin to realize the full extent of what had occurred. Somehow Vincent had known EXACTLY what was going to happen… and hadn't told anyone. Not even his lover.

 

Still, the friends hadn't given up. Immediately afterwards they searched the crater and Mideel for any sign of Vincent. To be expected, there was none.

 

Cloud doubted that he lived. He had seen the ex-Turk's wounds. Not even the Jenova cells or his demon entities could heal those… at least that was what the swordsman believed. And if the ex-Turk was the new sacrifice as the blond had come to believe… well… there was no bringing him back. Aeris hadn't even been meant to return to him, but in the end… it was the gunman that had to make the decision.

 

The blond took another hearty sip of his alcohol, wondering if it was at all proper to celebrate such a victory when it had come at so high at cost. His mako eyes traveled over to where Cid was standing on the balcony staring morosely out at the ocean. He was leaning on the railing and was holding a bottle of scotch in his hand. The pilot had foregone a glass and headed straight for the bottle. Well, at least Archer was leaving him alone for the time being.

 

The pilot nearly had a heart attack when he connected Reeve's subordinate Archer to the Kyle Archer he had dated so many years ago. Apparently there were still some unrequited feelings there. Cloud supposed that Archer thought he had a chance now that Vincent was gone. The swordsmen hadn't had the heart to tell the ShinRa that there just was no hope. Cid was completely in love with the ex-Turk. He had already vowed to continue looking for the raven-haired man and that he would never stop until he found something. The swordsman didn't have the guts to tell the pilot what he believed had happened. He just wanted the blond to have his hope.

 

Cloud sighed again and stared out the window. He could hear his friends talking and laughing in the background. He could see through the reflection in the glass of the window that some were even dancing. Rude was twirling Shera around in a classical dance that somehow managed to fit with the contemporary music that was blaring through the speakers. Yuffie was doing a fair job herself. Barret had finally overcome his nervousness and had asked Elmyra to dance. They were currently doing a number that Cloud had never heard of, but he wasn't about to go over and ask either. Most of the others were milling about and talking.

 

“Why are you sulking over here?” Aeris questioned as she suddenly appeared beside him. She was holding out another glass with vodka in it.

 

Cloud looked down at his own to notice it was empty. He took what she had offered gratefully. “Thanks.”

 

She smiled and stood beside him, looking out the window as well.

 

“You know,” she began quietly. “It wasn't your fault.”

 

“I never said I thought otherwise.”

 

“Perhaps not, but you're certainly not acting like a man who just helped in saving the world.”

 

Cloud sighed. “It was too high a price, and I know that Cid would agree with me on that. What would you say if it had been me? I didn't get you back only to lose yet another of my friends.”

 

Aeris visibly flinched. She knew that her life had been exchanged, in a metaphorical sense, for that of the gunman's. “I suppose you are right,” she conceded quietly.

 

The upbeat dance song faded in the background and then the lights dimmed low. The man they had hired to take care of the music spoke.

 

“On request, I am going to play this song. I think you have all heard of it.” In an instant, the opening bars of the song, `I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You,' began to play.

 

~Moon so bright, night so fine. Keep your heart, here with mine. Life's a dream, we are dreaming.~

 

Cloud turned towards Aeris and held out a hand to her. “Would you care to dance?”

 

She smiled lightly and the two set their drinks on the windowsill. “I would love to.”

 

As he pulled her out to the dance floor where other couples had slowly started to gather, small colored lights began to circle around them. Cloud pulled Aeris close to him as they swayed lightly to the music.

 

~Race the moon, catch the wind. Ride the night to the end. Seize the day, stand up for the light~

 

Nanaki walked up to the ninja blushing furiously. She was standing at the refreshments table, mulling over the cookies.

 

“Yuffie,” he began, almost stuttering his words. “Would you care to dance with me?”

She looked up at him, brown eyes shining in the multi-colored lights as she smiled. “Of course.”

 

He took her hand and led her to the dance floor where they began to dance slowly to the music, though not as close as the more established couples.

 

~I want to spend my lifetime loving you. If that is all in life I ever do~

 

Reeve and Reno were the first out to the dance floor. They were so close it was as if they were one as their hands were clasped and arms were wrapped around one another. Reeve had laid his head gently on the Turk's shoulder and his eyes were closed as they danced to the lyrics of the song.

 

“Our song…” murmured Reeve softly.

 

The red-haired Turk smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around his lover.

 

~Heroes rise, heroes fall. Rise again, win it all. In your heart, can't you feel the glory?~

 

Slowly, everyone began to couple up, venturing out onto the dance floor. Some were with the one they loved as in the case of Rude and Shera.

 

Some were with friends who just wanted to share a dance, like Elena and Archer.

 

Still others were trying to woo the one of their hearts desire, as was the case with Barret and Elmyra.

 

Marlene had contented herself with the refreshments. Tseng had taken it upon himself to watch the little girl, smiling as she happily consumed cookie after cookie.

 

~Through our joy, through our pain. We can move worlds again. Take my hand, dance with me~

 

Cid heard the song playing, and it roused him from his depressed stupor. He turned around and leaned in the doorway of the balcony, looking in at all the seemingly happy couples. It felt as if a vise had gripped his heart. He could almost imagine himself and Vincent out there dancing.

 

The ex-Turk would be graceful as he led the stumbling pilot around, offering up small smiles at the blond's clumsiness. He would hold Cid tight, and they wouldn't speak as no words were needed.

 

The blond felt tears well up in his eyes at the vision that was so vivid, it almost seemed real. He closed the sky blue orbs immediately, tired of crying. He took another gulp of his scotch trying to drown the pain as his mind instantly gave him memories of the man he loved and lost, the gunman whom he never got to tell his true feelings.

 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small red materia that was supposed to be Diablos. The marble no longer glowed; it was as dead as a regular stone. The pilot wasn't sure what had happened, but since the battle with Sephiroth, Diablos had never returned to his materia. Perhaps he had fallen with Vincent. Cid hoped that the winged bat demon was with the gunman. At least then Vincent wouldn't be alone.

 

Cid sighed, wishing intently that the gunman was standing by his side.

 

~I want to spend my lifetime loving you. If that is all in life I ever do. I will want nothing else to see me through. If I can spend my lifetime loving you~

 

Cloud held Aeris close as he moved to kiss her gently on the cheek. Their eyes met. She blushed as she looked at him.

 

“What?” he asked, noticing the change in her expression.

 

“Nothing,” she said quietly. “I am just happy to be here with you.”

 

He smiled at her, taking in the beautiful jade eyes and soft red brown hair. He loved the flower girl with every inch of his being. She had been the one to save him.

 

They shared a soft kiss, not wanting to do anything more with everyone it seemed watching.

 

~Though we know, we will never come again. Where there is love, life begins. Over and over again.~

 

Reeve and Reno seemed to be lost in their own world as they glided together to the smooth tones of the song. Both men had the type of grace that allowed them to move fluidly across the dance floor.

 

“You remember when we first danced to this song?” murmured Reno softly in his lover's ear.

 

“Of course, I do,” answered Reeve, not moving from his position on the Turk's chest. He sighed contently as he gripped his lover tightly.

 

“We were at your apartment,” said Reno, narrating the events. “It was during the big winter in Midgar; that is how I remember. I wouldn't have been able to notice from the slums… but at your place I could see how everything was covered in a blanket of fresh white snow.”

 

Reeve brought his head up and locked amber eyes with his lover's aquamarine ones. “We were listening to the radio because we had wanted a quiet evening in, without anyone to worry about, sitting in the living room and wrapped in a blanket. You made me get up and dance with you.”

 

The Turk smiled. “You enjoyed it. Don't deny.”

 

“Of course, I did,” Reeve assured him. He grinned happily at the memory and snuggled closer to the red-haired man, if that were at all possible.

 

~Save the night, save the day. Save the love, come what may. Love is worth everything we pay.~

 

“I remember thinking how much I really believed in the words. That we were meant to be together. I think that was the moment I first knew that I loved you. It didn't matter that we had to be discreet or that I couldn't shout it from the rooftops. But it was a startling realization,” added Reno in a wistful voice. “It was the first time I realized that I could feel anything other than arrogant nonchalance.”

 

“You are such a romantic,” Reeve teased. “But I love you, too.”

 

“I want to do it, Reeve,” continued Reno. He leaned his head forward just a bit and put his lips nearly directly near that of his lover's ear. “I want to spend my lifetime with you.”

 

Reeve's eyes snapped back open and he moved his head back slightly so that he could see the eyes of the Turk. He searched his face for what he thought he might have been imagining.

 

“You…” He shook his head.

 

~I want to spend my lifetime loving you. If that is all in life I ever do. ~

 

“Don't tease like that,” said Reeve finally, shaking his head slowly.

 

Reno freed a hand and brought it up to cup the ex-executive's face. He leaned forward and absorbed his lover in a passionate kiss that made the dark-haired man weak in the knees.

 

The Turk gently released Reeve from the kiss, though his hand remained firmly grasped on the ex-ShinRa's chin. He forced Reeve to look at him.

 

“I want to protect you always. Be the one who grows grey with you. Stand by every decision you make. I want to make you happy and never lose that feeling of love,” he said softly, making sure that Reeve knew he meant every word.

 

~I want to spend my lifetime loving you. If that is all in life I ever do.~

 

“Reno, I…”

 

However, the Turk only shushed him quietly, rubbing a thumb over Reeve's cheek. The dark-haired man leaned into the touch, sighing softly.

 

~I will want nothing else to see me through. If I can spend my life time loving you.~

 

“I love you, Reeve,” finished Reno as the last of the song's notes echoed through the air.

 

Amber eyes glistened with unshed tears. He opened his mouth to speak but found he had no words to say as Reno pulled away from very slowly only to sink to one knee, grasping Reeve's right hand in his own.

 

The Turk dug into his pocket, neither of them realizing that they had drawn an audience, as he pulled out a small jewelry box.

 

Reeve choked, knowing what was coming next, and he couldn't stop the trail of tears that had begun to streak their way down his cheeks.

 

“I am asking you with all the love a man can possibly hold in his heart. Will you, Reeve Tuesti, marry me?” completed Reno in a voice choked with his own held back tears as he flipped open the box and held it up for the ex-executive to see. The thick silver band with a small pattern of diamonds glistened in the half light of colors.

 

Time seemed to stand still as the Turk waited for his answer, unable to keep his aquamarine gaze off of his lover's amber one.

 

Then the hand in his tightened and Reeve threw himself into the Turk's arms. “Yes, baby, of course,” sobbed the ex-executive as he wrapped himself around his lover. It was all Reno could do not to fall onto the floor as he held Reeve as close as he was able.

 

Cheering erupted from the members of AVALANCHE gathered. The two men had nearly forgotten that they were all there.

 

Cid turned from the happy sight and returned to his vigil out on the balcony. Not that he wasn't happy for the two men… but the sight only served to depress him more. He had thought of doing something similar for Vincent… had even gone so far as to browse the jewelry store while waiting for time to pass those three days. Yet, that moment was gone now.

 

He berated himself for feeling so negative… but without the ex-Turk by his side… he felt empty and alone, as if a piece of himself were missing. He supposed the part that bothered him the most… was the calm anger he also felt with Vincent. The gunman had somehow KNOWN what was going to happen but went through with it anyways. Cid couldn't decide which would have been worst, never knowing the ex-Turk at all or losing him after sharing the words of endearment.

 

He took another gulp of his scotch, still trying to burn out the pain that was rapidly gathering in his chest. It felt as if a huge weight had settled there, it was a feeling he had become quite familiar with. This usually left him dissolving in a pit of tears and anger. But with the added effect of alcohol… he was just sullen and depressed.

 

The pilot also couldn't help the slight anger he had towards Cloud. He suspected that the leader knew something was going to happen to the gunman before anyone else realized it. How else would he have known to get everyone out of there? After all, hadn't Vincent spoken to the swordsman before they climbed down into the crater?

 

He had pushed away everyone's attempts to comfort him. He didn't need anyone to tell him that it was going to be okay or to say they were sorry for something that wasn't their fault. Those types of endearments didn't help him at all. Aeris… she had tried but Cid felt a slight tint of bitterness towards the flower girl. In his mind, they had been traded… Vincent for Aeris.

 

He felt that familiar weight on his chest again and gulped the cool night air in an effort to quell the burning ache. He downed his scotch wondering if it was capable of chasing away the dreams as well.

 

That was probably the worst part of him being gone. At night, Cid could still feel as if the gunman was right beside him. His scent was in the sheets - last night Cid had torn them all off in a fit of rage and slept on the bed without any coverings at all, fully clothed - and the memories were everywhere in the pilot's room.

 

Once he finally managed to pass into sleep from pure exhaustion, he was haunted by his dreams. Sometimes he had nightmares of the moment that Sephiroth had speared his lover through. However, usually he just relived the happy moments: that fateful kiss on the plains of Rocket Town area, the night at Gold Saucer, the kiss in the cargo room, and especially the night Vincent had allowed Cid to take him for the first and only time.

 

He took another gulp of the alcohol, relishing in the burn that spread down his throat and straight to his belly. Perhaps tonight he could just pass out and forget… if only for a little while.

 

“Have you given up then?” questioned a voice he knew belonged to the dark-haired ex-executive. “Do you think he is gone?”

 

Cid sighed as he turned around. If anyone had come to talk to him, he was glad it was Reeve. Other than Vincent, the dark-haired engineer was his closest friend. “No. I will never give up. But it is times like this that it hits me the hardest. He should be here… dancing, laughing, celebrating… but he's not.” He swished around the contents of the bottle, noting morosely that it wasn't that full anymore.

 

“I can't help but feel a bit guilty for being happy,” admitted Reeve.

 

“Don't,” Cid put in. “Congratulations, I know he will make you happy.”

 

Reeve blushed as he glanced down at the silver ring on his hand. “I wish I knew what to say to help you through this, Cid.” He looked over at his friend, noting the dark circles under the man's eyes and the paleness of his skin. The pilot probably hadn't had a decent night's sleep.

 

The pilot heaved in a heavy breath and shook his head as he stared at the floor, frowning slightly. “Reno stole my idea. I was… going to ask him after the battle. I was going to hold him down and tell him for the first time that I love him. He wouldn't let me say it before.” His head snapped up and sky blue orbs locked with those of amber. “I didn't get to tell him… before… before…” Cid fell silent and closed his eyes, already feeling the tears well up.

 

Reeve's heart broke at the sight of his friend trying to hold back his sorrow. He swiftly crossed the length of the deck and moved to take the bottle of alcohol from Cid's grasp. It wasn't going to help him anymore than holding all his emotions would. “I am sure he knew. It's the kind of feeling that sometimes goes without saying,” intoned Reeve gently.

 

A small line of tears began to slowly make its way from the corner of Cid's closed eyelids down the line of his face. He choked as he tried to draw a deep breath and buried his face in his hands, shoulders begin to shake lightly.

 

“If I don't find him… If he is gone,” sobbed the pilot stuttering, unable to get out what he was trying to say.

 

Reeve could feel his own emotions turning to sadness as he regarded his weeping friend. Without thinking, he drew the pilot into his arms and wrapped them around the crying blond. Cid kept his face buried in his hands even as he leaned into the ex-ShinRa's comforting hold, leaning his forehead on the man's shoulder.

 

The ex-executive searched for something to say… some type of words that could comfort the man but he found his mind drawing a blank.

 

“He knew…” added in Cid in a muffled voice. “He knew what was going to happen and yet… he wouldn't tell me… he wouldn't let me get too close.”

 

“I'm sure he had his reasons.”

 

“I can't help but feel… angry with him, Reeve,” said Cid softly. His shoulders shook as his tears increased. He was furious with himself for that feeling. “I'm mad that he would leave me like this.”

 

“It's okay, Cid,” soothed the dark-haired man. “It's alright to be angry with him. It's acceptable to cry even. You can't hold it all in or it will tear you apart inside. Nor can you drown out the pain in alcohol either. Somehow I don't think that he would approve.”

 

Reeve heard the slightest bit of noise and turned his head towards the doorway. Reno was standing there with a concerned expression on his face, Yuffie at his side. Both were good friends of the pilot. Reeve apologized to him without speaking, and Reno nodded in response. He left from the doorway and the ex-executive could just see him clearing everyone away from the balcony, giving him a pathway out.

 

Reeve sighed and returned to the sobbing man in his arms. The wind was starting to pick up outside as night was falling. Despite being located in Costa del Sol the night was rather chilly and the wind was not making it any warmer. He needed to get the pilot inside, sobered up and warm lest he make himself sick.

 

“I think this party is over for you, ne?” said Reeve softly. “Let me take you to your room.”

 

Cid didn't answer but struggled to regain his composure. He felt like such a child, breaking into tears like that. When had crying ever helped? It certainly didn't ease the tension that had still built in his chest. He had the urge to just go destroy something… anything to get out all the pain and anger that he felt.

 

“Come on,” urged Reeve. He gently steered the pilot out of the balcony and towards the door that would lead to the main hallway. Cid followed him numbly, not really feeling as if he needed to react to anything.

 

Archer noted their escape and waited a few moments before following after them. He wanted to help his ex-lover, understanding how much pain the pilot was going through.

 

Within a few minutes, Reeve was digging into the pockets of the man's jacket and pulling out the key to the pilot's room. He opened the door and ushered the blond inside.

Cid walked over to the bed dully and collapsed on the coverless mattress, his head beginning to swim from his crying sessions and the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

 

Reeve turned and noticed with sadness that the pilot had torn all of the covers off his bed. Leaving him for only a moment, he wandered down to the hall closet and pulled out some new linen.

 

A few minutes later and he had completely remade the bed. He understood why Cid had done it. He helped the pilot out of his jacket and boots and got him settled on the bed. Reeve rifled around in the bathroom, bringing out a glass of water and some aspirin, hoping to forestall the hangover that he knew was going to come in the morning.

 

Cid accepted the offerings gratefully, handed the empty glass back to the ex-executive before collapsing back onto the bed face first.

 

Reeve returned the glass to the bathroom then came back into the main bedroom. His heart ached for the man who had come to be his best friend outside of his lover. He wished he knew of a way to bring Vincent back, just to hear the man curse everyone out of irritability rather than drown himself in alcohol.

 

He sat on the edge of the as Cid looked at him blearily.

 

“Thanks, Reeve,” slurred the pilot, blinking his eyes rapidly.

 

The dark-haired man smiled softly. “It's the least I could do. You are my friend, after all.”

 

“I just couldn't take it,” said Cid suddenly, closing his eyes as he inhaled deeply of the clean scent of the sheets. “It was everywhere. It all smelt like him… like he was still here. It always brought dreams… and the nightmares…” The pilot shivered visibly.

 

“You need some sleep,” soothed Reeve. “You're going to make yourself sick.”

 

Cid snorted. “What do I care?”

 

“Now how do you expect to find him if your holed up here with the flu or something?”

 

Cid went silent before responding quietly. “I don't want to go to sleep. I don't want to close my eyes.”

 

Reeve opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a gentle clearing of the throat. His head swiveled towards the door, and he saw Archer leaning there against the jamb.

 

“Reno and Tseng wanted to talk to you about something,” the amethyst-eyed man softly said.

 

Reeve hesitated, looking at the drunken depressed man lying on the bed. He really didn't want to leave Cid like that.

 

“Go on,” urged the pilot. “I'll be fine.” His eyes were still red-rimmed, making him look like anything but.

 

“I really don't think you should be alone…”

 

“Honestly, Reeve. I'm not going to kill myself.”

 

“You were certainly trying with all that scotch!” snapped the ex-executive. He felt a hand on his shoulder and started. Archer was standing next to him.

 

“Go on. I will stay with him.”

 

Reeve sighed. He considered his subordinate's offer. Cid had made no decisions about what he wanted. The dark-haired man pushed himself up from the bed. “Make sure he sleeps,” he told Archer in a low tone. “Even if you have to cast Sleep on him.”

 

The green-eyed man nodded, and Reeve accepted that as an affirmative before he left the room to go find his lover and Tseng.

 

“You can go now,” said Cid rather irritably, turning his head so that he did not have to look at his ex-lover. “I don't need a nursemaid.”

 

Archer's jaw tightened but he ignored the pilot's comment. Instead he sat on the bed and idly began to rub small circles in the blond's back, hoping to relax him into sleeping.

 

“We may no longer be together, but I still want to be your friend. I hate to see you like this,” said the amethyst-eyed man softly. “Just let me be here for you… I am not asking for anything else.”

 

He wasn't surprised when Cid jerked away from and reached into the drawer of the desk. He rifled around the contents for a minute before producing a small flask. The pilot snorted as he worked the stopper of the bottle. “Funny that you should be the one asking for anything.” He just managed to get the bottle to his mouth when it was violently taken from his hand and thrown out into the hallway. The pilot winced when it clanged as it hit the wall.

 

“Alcohol is not going to fix anything, Highwind, you should know that,” Archer admonished. He placed his hands back on Cid's back and forced the pilot to look at him. Bleary sky blue eyes met jade fire. “This isn't you.”

 

Cid jerked away from him, his jaw setting in anger. “You wouldn't know. You left, too! I don't want your comfort and I don't want your pity!” He spat, but his eyes told another story. There was great pain there, it was threatening to overcome. Archer regarded him with solemn violet eyes.

 

The pilot gasped and put a hand to his chest where that familiar burning ache was coming back with full force except this time he had no alcohol to chase it away. He gulped, trying to push down the tears that were threatening to envelop him again. He turned away from his ex-lover, showing his back to the man and wrapped his arms around himself, trying to gain a hold on the emotions that were pouring over him in immense waves. Without realizing it, tears began to trickle down his cheeks. He relived Archer again and now had to contend with two memories.

 

(Dammit Vincent… why did you have to leave me?)

 

He felt the arms wrap around him again, and he fought to get away. He didn't want Kyle's comfort… he didn't want his pity. Yet, Archer held him strong and wouldn't let him go.

 

“It's okay,” soothed the dark-haired man. “Above all, I am still your friend Cid, and I refuse to let you suffer through this alone.”

 

The Captain didn't reply but that was answer enough for the dark-haired man. He continued to hold his one-time lover as the pilot cried for love of another.

 

Archer brought his magic up to his mind and whispered ever so softly. “Sleep.” Within seconds, he could feel the taut muscles beneath his arms relaxing as the pilot fell into a sleep.

 

Smiling gently, Archer maneuvered the Captain so that he was beneath the covers and comfortable. Then he set about cleaning the pilot's room. He had made it a mess in the past few days, and Kyle was determined to make everything easier on the blond.

 

Cid might not have been his anymore but they were still friends. Above all else, Archer hated to see those he cared about in pain.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Reeve found Reno and the rest of the Turks along with ninja back in the main room. The ShinRa employees were all standing in a circle in the middle of the room trading jokes and generally laughing.

 

The red-haired Turk had his back to the door, and Reeve took full advantage of the situation. He crept up behind the man, and then attacked, throwing his arms around the Turk and resting his head on the man's shoulder.

 

“You rang?” he teased, kissing him gently on the side of the neck.

 

“Not in front of the kiddies, yo,” Reno answered in return, slyly reaching a hand behind him to grope at his lover.

 

“Ah, my eyes!” Yuffie moaned, quickly throwing up an arm over her grey orbs as she playacted being shocked.

 

Everyone laughed. Reeve extricated himself from being wrapped around his lover and moved to his side, choosing to grab his hand instead.

 

“What are we talking about here?” asked the ex-executive.

 

“The rest of our lives,” Elena said, sipping at her drink. “The world is safe, but now we have to worry about our jobs and such.”

”Especially Rude here now that he has a family,” joked Reno, elbowing his partner.

 

“ShinRa is a mega corporation, all of that can't just go unled,” Rude commented.

 

“Who's in charge now?” the ninja questioned curiously as she eyed everyone.

 

The Turks exchanged glances. They still considered themselves employees of ShinRa. They hadn't exactly quit as much as they disobeyed orders. Besides, who was going to stop them?

 

Tseng sighed. “Well, Rufus is most likely dead being as he hasn't shown his face. Hojo is dead. Palmer is dead.” He slowly ticked off his fingers one by one. “Scarlet and Heidegger are both blown up.” After a moment he shrugged. “I honestly don't know,” he responded.

 

The entire group sighed, looking stumped. With all of the power and property that the company owned, without a leader the world might just break down into shambles as groups and factions battled to gain control of ShinRa's enterprises.

 

Elena and Tseng exchanged glances once more. Reno shrugged and squeezed Reeve's hand. Rude's eyes drifted around those gathered, noting Yuffie then Cloud off near the snack bar, and finally landing on Reeve.

 

The dark-skinned man inhaled suddenly. “…. Well, they never actually fired Reeve. They only tried to kill him…” he began slowly.

 

Everyone looked dumbstruck, no one more so than Reno. His mouth had fallen open in surprise.

 

Tseng however, suddenly smiled. “Boss!”

 

Rude and Elena instantly chimed, “Mr. President!”

 

Reno turned to his lover, a small smile creeping up into his shocked face. “Snooky bear!”

 

“Kitty's going to be president!” Yuffie cheered.

 

Reeve instantly reddened, his mind backpedaling on what all the Turks were implying. They wanted him to head ShinRa. Him, Reeve Tuesti, to take over the job of managing the mega-conglomeration.

 

“Was this what you wanted to talk to me about?” the dark-haired man questioned.

 

Reno instantly sobered. “What are you talking about? I thought you were taking care of Cid.”

 

Reeve stiffened. “Archer came into the room and said that you and Tseng wanted to talk to me about something.”

 

Tseng shook his head. “He is a sneaky bastard. We never sent him on such a mission.”

 

“I swear to God if he hurts Cid,” snarled Reeve, clenching his fists.

 

“Easy Tiger,” Reno joked softly, rubbing his hands over his lover's pack. “Or I might start to get jealous, yo.”

 

Reeve tried to calm as his eyes widened. “I'm sorry, baby. That's not what I meant, it's just-“

 

Tseng chuckled. “You've got a father-complex like no one I've ever seen, Reeve. Always trying to protect everyone.”

 

Reno sighed as he agreed. “Especially those you care about. I know Cid is your friend and nothing more.” He pulled his lover into a hug and gave him a sweet kiss to show that he wasn't offended by his actions.

 

“Besides,” Rude cut in. “I think Archer only wanted to help Cid and let you spend time with your new… um… fiancé.”

 

Reeve blushed as he remembered the events of earlier.

 

“Do you think he will ever recover?” Yuffie asked quietly.

 

There was a general sigh around the room as all of them contemplated their friend.

 

Shera shook her head, having been mostly silent up till now. “Of course he will. He is Captain Highwind, after all. And knowing him, he will find Vincent too.”

 

“You really think he's alive?” Reno questioned surprised.

 

Shera shrugged. “Whether or not I believe it doesn't make it any less possible. All that matters is that Captain believes it. He needs that tiny bit of hope until he can handle the truth.”

 

“Time heals all wounds,” commented Tseng softly, taking a sip of his brandy.

 

Rude nodded. “And with nothing but peace to come, it will be much easier.”

 

Reno raised his glass. “Here's to a future with no more battles, yo.”

 

Reeve chuckled as his raised his. “I couldn't agree more.”

 

The others raised their glasses as well and saluted to Reno's suggestion.

 

It was an endearing thought to be sure.

 

* * *