Perfection: It Takes All Things (Part I)
Title: Perfection: It Takes All Takes Things (Part I)
Author: silence_laughs and calvi_sama
Summary: So Cid has his Vincent and the world is safe, so all should go back to normal right? Wrong. The adventure just begins when these two find out that living with another person opens up a whole new world of trouble, laughs and really great sex!
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Cid x Vincent
Timeline: Post DOC
Disclaimer: We do not in any way own, nor profit from, the FFVII characters - we're just borrowing them. Avatar art is by (the amazing) Spade.
Warnings: Two men having sex...and all things yaoi (just please take note of the rating *winks*)
Author's Note: PLEASE READ THIS!!! This is an RP, Cid is written by silence and yours truly has written Vincent and "Hodge". “Perfection” is not a plot-based “story”, it’s a series of one-shots rather like snapshots (or really strange home movies) of these two and their lives together. It’s an on-going little series within the series so updates will most likely be a bit more erratic than for Prelude To Perfection, and will never really end. If anyone has any suggestions for an “adventure” for these two to have then shout it out, but please realize that it may be a while before we can get to it as we have a lot of work left to do :D. I also want to say that Vincent has more self confidence in these stories, having finally put his past behind him, where it belongs…that and Cid gives him more to worry about ‘now’ so that he doesn’t have the luxury of ‘dwelling’ anymore.
A/N Addendum: In this fic, silence and I exercised our creative license and played a little with the origins of Shiva. We do not know the true story of this entity, so we created one for ourselves. Also, this one is pretty long, so we thank you in advance for your patience and we hope that you enjoy it!
For a chronological listing of the stories (the order in which these events happened in their lives) please click HERE
We would like to extend a belated but very heart-felt "Thank You!" to ani_mama.! She did it again! In a couple of wonderful pics she captured "Perfectly" the relationship that Hodge has with both Cid and Vincent! We continue to be indebted to you for all your support!! Thank you! *hugs*
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Yuffie had taken a new hobby. Convinced that all the world’s materia was already in her possession, she decided that anything she could take from anywhere was probably worth having. She had been “working” as a common thief, raiding what deserted caves and castles she could find. On her journeys, she found several untouched places. She found one such place on her most recent trip.
So enraptured was she with the amount of yet-to-be-claimed treasure in the cave that she paid no heed to the warning inscribed on the pedestal bearing the largest of the gems. Yuffie had also failed to notice the way the eyes of the statue in the center of the room, an intricately carved, outstandingly beautiful woman, flashed upon her exit.
“Good haul today,” Yuffie told herself cheerily. “Never seen that place before. Didn’t look like anybody else had been there, either. Oh well. Only the best for the great ninja Yuffie!” With that, she swung both herself and the sack bulging with loot onto the bed of the truck and signaled to the driver, who gave her a thumbs-up through the window and took off.
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Vincent was warm and comfortable. Hodge was curled up on his back and he had just had the best night’s sleep for the first time since before he could remember. He was buried in blankets and pillows and loving every minute of it. That is, until a bloodcurdling scream jerked his frizzed head straight up as he blinked in panic. That had been a woman’s scream. Looking around, he saw the twisted mess of blankets that had been Cid’s “nest” for the night, and he thought in a blind horror that somehow Cid had hurt a woman. But what is a woman doing in our home? Without a thought for his nudity, he leapt out of bed and ran in the direction he had heard the scream from. He came to a screeching halt in the bathroom door, jaw dropping in shock as he saw a blonde woman gripping the sides of the sink and staring in horror at her reflection in the mirror. “Who the hell are y-” He broke off as he realized that he voice was not his own, and with his own growing horror, he looked down at his body and gripped the door frame to keep from passing out. “Dear gods! What the hell happened?” he said, then looked up at the pale-face blonde. “Cid?”
“I don’t have a fuckin’ clue! Please don’t tell me y’re Vince…” he pleaded, looking the body in the doorway up and down and trying with great effort to keep from throwing up…again. “I don’t really wanna know if y’ain’t, either, ‘cause I dunno how th’hell I’d’ve ended up with a fuckin’ woman in m’bed…oh, goddammit! I wanna wake up. C’n I wake up now?” Cid sat on the toilet and placed his head in his hands. “I don’t like this…” Wide blue eyes looked up at not-Vincent, who now occupied Cid’s former place at the mirror. “Fuck…” A brilliant idea struck Cid; he would go back to sleep. Later, he would wake up and realize that this had all been some awful nightmare, some joke woven by whatever dream-gods there were, and that he was still all male. Yep. The only problem was that he was so uncomfortable in this body that he could not even fathom sleeping. “What th’hell’d we do t’deserve this, huh?”
“Of course I’m Vincent, you idiot! Who the hell else would I be?” Vincent snapped irritably as he stared as his very feminine face in the mirror. He poked under his eyes then stood up and looked down, cupping very real, rather generous breasts in his hands before bringing a hand up to rub his temple, “We just…need to calm down. I’m sure there’s a…rational explanation to this…” But even as he said it, he didn’t believe it. What rational explanation could spontaneously change their genders overnight? He slid down the wall to sit on the floor, looked up at not-Cid, and said rather shakily, “Who can we go to for help? It’s not like we can approach anyone looking like this…oh, crap…”
Cid had no reply save a small whimper of defeat. After perhaps ten minutes of mutual silent panic, Cid lifted his head and said, “Bet it was them ShinRa assholes. Think it happened t’ever’one else too? Let’s just call somebody, huh? That way nobody sees us, an’ if they can’t tell what’s wrong right away, we don’t hafta tell ‘em ‘less it don’t go away overnight. An’ if we’re still stuck like this…I dunno. Reeve fixes shit. Stupid things keep fuckin’ touchin’ me,” he muttered, rearranging his arms so his breasts did not rest against them. “How th’hell d’they carry these things aroun’? Fuckin’ aggravatin’.” He glanced up at Vincent, a small smile daring to pull at a corner of his mouth. “At least you’re pretty,” he mock-grumped. “I just look like some crazy ol’ biker chick gonna run ya down in th’middle o’ the road.”
“Thanks,” Vincent replied wryly, shoving at his hair, then did a double take as he gave Cid’s face a closer examination. “Well, now that you mention it, it does look like you had a rather unfortunate run-in with a door. I had no idea your nose really looked like that until it got stuck on a woman’s face. Ah well, at least you aren’t endowed like this.” He held out his arms to gesture at his chest. “These damned things weigh a ton! Yours are at least manageable.” He sighed and rested head back against the wall, propping his slender arms on his up-raised knees. “I suppose it would be easier to call people rather than go out. Do you want to, or shall I?”
“Think I might be sick if I try t’stand up. Lemme give it a shot…oh, shit, we both gotta put some clothes on. I can’t look at this no more.” Having successfully stood, Cid rummaged around in his and Vincent’s respective closets until he found clothing suitable for lounging around the house. He dressed on the way back to the bathroom and extended a hand to Vincent, reminding himself not to be affected by any personal remarks Vincent made about him.
Vincent grunted and allowed Cid to “help” him up. Taking the T-shirt and sleep pants, he put on both and was appalled at how tight the shirt was across his chest - revealing a little too much shape for his peace of mind - as well as the snug fit of the sleep pants. “Look at my hips! I can hardly wear my pants any more…ugh…and they ride too low.” He grumbled, hiking the pant up as far as he could. “You know, this really, really sucks, Cid.”
“I know it.” Cid winced in sympathy. “Come on. Who we gonna call first?”
Vincent snorted and tossed Cid the phone. “Call Cloud. I’m curious to see if he’s got the same little problem that we have.”
“An’ how th’hell d’ya start that conversation? ‘Hey, chocobo-head, how ya doin’? By th’way, couldja check real quick for me t’see if y’still have yer dick?’ Yeah, that’ll go over real well,” Cid complained, moodily stabbing the buttons on the phone.
“Cid?”
“Yeah. Hey. Uh…”
“Uh…yeah.”
“Yeah?”
Cid heard a heavy sigh on the other end. “Yeah.”
“Shit. Well, I guess it’s good it ain’t just us…got any clue what th’hell happened?”
“Nope, sorry. Look, I’m…kinda busy right now. I’ll get back to you, all right?”
Before Cid could so much as object, there came the distinct click of a phone hanging up. “Well that was real productive.” He stared at the phone a minute longer before asking, “Vince? What th’hell d’ya think happened t’Red?”
“How the hell should I know?” Vincent said irritably, pushing at his hair again, “If it happened to Cloud then it’s a safe bet the others are affected too.” He sighed in defeat, “I was thinking that may…” A loud knocking on their front door interrupted him. “Shit!” he exclaimed quietly, then held his finger to his lips to indicate Cid be quiet before creeping to the door. He peeked out the peephole then whirled around, arms outstretched across the width of the door. “Shit-shit-shit! It’s Rude and Reno!” he hissed, face pale.
“What th- what th’hell’re they doin’ here?” Cid yelled, then winced as he remembered he was supposed to be being quiet. “Dammit all…” Helpless, he glanced at Vincent. “Make ‘em go away…” he whined, not up for company, especially of this variety.
Vincent opened his mouth to speak, but Reno beat him to it: “C’mon, we know you’re in there! We saw lights come on and movement, yo!” He winced and looked around frantically, trying desperately to come up with something quick. Finally he pleaded, “Please, just play along, Cid!” Then, after taking a deep breath to steady his pounding heart, plastered the most charmingly sweet smile upon his lips and opened the door. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
In any other circumstance, seeing Reno and Rude both take a step back in surprise would have made him gleefully happy, but in this instance it just served to make him vaguely nauseous, “U-uh…who the hell are you?” Reno asked suspiciously, narrowing his teal-colored eyes.
Vincent laughed lightly and said, “Oh, where are my manners, won’t you please come in?” And stepped back from the door, galled at the fact that he was allowing Turks into their home. As the two men stepped into the house he said airily, “I’m Victoria, Vincent’s niece, and this is…” He looked over at Cid who was scowling at him, “…Ethel, Cid’s cousin. We’re both here visiting family!” He smiled winningly and cocked his head, mildly sickened that Rude’s eyes went straight to his chest and stayed there while Reno leered appreciatively at Cid. “And you two are?”
Reno snapped out of his perusal of Cid’s “goods” and looked at him, squinting as the young Turk met his eyes. “Yer eyes are red, yo.”
He put his hand on his hip, cocking it smartly and said, “Family trait. Are you two always so reluctant to introduce yourselves to ladies?”
Reno at least had the good sense to blush at that. He caught sight of his staring partner and whacked the bigger man in the chest, which caused him to clear his throat and look away from the straining material over Vincent’s chest. “My name’s Reno, this here’s Rude. We’re Turks, but in your case we could be the time of your lives.” He grinned, fox-like.
“Not bloody likely,” Vincent muttered under his breath then continued smoothly, “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Uncle’s told me a lot about the Turks.”
“Yeah, he was pretty famous back his day, and is still pretty quick on his feet for an ‘old man’.” Reno laughed condescendingly.
Why you little shit! Vincent thought and had to grind his teeth together to keep from reaching out to throttle the scrawny Turk. “I know, I’m so very proud of him,” he said instead, even managing to give a theatrical little sigh.
Reno snorted, “You’re, uh, wearin’ a glove like Vincent does. That a coincidence?”
Vincent just barely caught the wince before it gave him away. His blush, at least, was very genuine. “He’s kind of my hero. It’s like a tribute, you know?” Internally he cursed the runt’s perceptivity. And was incredibly glad he had forgotten to take it off the night before.
“Right,” Reno drawled then looked back at Cid as Rude’s eyes once again fastened on his chest, “And what’s your story, beautiful?”
Resisting the urge to stomp hard on Vincent’s foot, Cid ground out, “Who, me? Just up here t’see Cid. He’s ‘bout all I got left.” He tried his hand at a smile like the one on Vincent’s face, but felt it must make him look even worse than before. “What is it you fellas’re lookin’ for? Y’all some o’ Cid an’ Vince’s friends?” At least his voice was nice, Cid reasoned. Unfortunately, Reno seemed to think so too. Fuck…
“Friends?” Reno snorted, “Nah, what would we want with a couple of ol’ queer has-beens anyway?” He walked up next to Cid and ran the back of a finger down the pilot’s cheek, “Our business can wait. I think I’ve found something a little more…appealing.”
Vincent balled his hands into fists and fought the urge to latch onto Reno’s throat…or at the very least claw the little fucker’s eyes out. He squeaked and jumped, however, as Rude moved up close behind him. “Uh…can I h-help y-you, Mr. Rude?” He said shakily.
“Just Rude,” the tall man rumbled, bringing his hands up to rub up and down Vincent’s arms.
He shivered as goosebumps rose up on his arms and his nipples hardened. Oooohhh crap! He thought, and scooted out from Rude’s vicinity. He crossed his arms over his chest to hide his “high beams” and said haughtily, “I don’t think that’s very appropriate behavior, Rude.”
“Heh,” Rude snorted and moved in again, this time tracing Vincent’s lower lip with his thick forefinger, “You’re very beautiful, has anyone ever told you that?”
Vincent swatted Rude’s hand away and glared at the big man, “Yes, as a matter of fact, they have. Now I think you owe us an explanation as to why you both are here.” He backed away from Rude again.
“Ya know what I find interesting?” Reno said, grinning at Cid and tracing a forefinger down the blonde’s chest to hook into the waistband of his/her pants. “There are no records to indicate that either of you exist. Ya see…” he leaned in close to Cid and said, “I’ve read up on Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind and I know they’re both only children, yo.”
Now it was Vincent’s turn to snort. “Well, your information is wrong. Vincent has a sister…a younger sister. Grandfather, while he was alive, wanted his family protected and so, with Uncles help, effectively…how did Uncle put it?” He paused in his little game of ‘tag’ with Rude around the living room to pretend to ‘think’, “made her ‘disappear’ because he said that ShinRa tended to…’own people’.” He whirled on Rude and put both hands on the man’s chest. “Oh, for the love of Odin, will you stop it!!? Look, Reno, you’ll not find any information on my mother because she’s safe, anonymous, just the way Grandfather and Uncle wanted it, and I’m not about to betray them both and tell you about her. She’s safe this way.” He put his hands on his hips and glared at the redhead. “Now spill it! Or I’ll be sure to tell Uncle that you were here harassing us both! And we all know how he tends to get when Turks are mentioned.”
Reno actually winced. “Yeah, well. We just stopped by to see if anything strange was happening to Cid and Vincent.”
“You sure don’t listen too good fer a Turk,” Cid replied, frowning and removing Reno’s very much unwanted hand from his face. “Said Cid’s my cousin. My Mama’s his Mama’s sister. When Aunt Mia passed last year, me an’ Cid both went t’the funeral an’ decided we really oughta get t’gether a little more often. Under happier circumstances, y’know? An’ Tori, she lives up th’street from me. When I told ‘er I was comin’ up here, well, it was just the funniest thing!” Here he stopped speaking and let out a laugh that, amazingly, did not sound entirely fake. “So we figured she’d just tag along with me t’see Vince. But when we got here…well, they weren’t here, as y’c’n see. So I reckon we can’t help ya much figurin’ if there’s anything weird happenin’.” He frowned again. “Weird like how? Y’know, just in case they come back soon, so’s we c’n letchall know.”
Reno scowled at Cid and replied, “Not important. C’mon Rude, let’s get outta here, these two give me the chills. They’re definitely related to those two wackos.”
But Rude was back at Vincent and had the gunman pinned to the wall with his thick body. Leaning in toward Vincent’s ear, he said huskily, “I want to see you again.”
Vincent twitched and tried to wriggle free but found that he could not. All he could manage was to push ineffectually at Rude’s massive shoulders, panicked that his enhanced strength was apparently gone, leaving him weak and nearly helpless. “We’ll see, just-just leave now…” But Rude only pressed harder against him. “Please,” he whispered and squeezed his eyes shut, “…go away…”
Finally Rude pulled back and straightened his jacket. “I’ll see you around…Victoria.”
When the two Turks had left, slamming the door behind them, Vincent slid down the wall to sit on the ground with his arms wrapped tightly around him and his knees drawn up to his chest. He was shaking badly as he said softly, “That…was a very bad idea…to let those two in…”
“Fuckin’ kill those sons o’ bitches,” Cid growled as he locked the door. He watched out the door until the Turks had left, then locked the windows as well, pulling the shades closed, before sinking down next to Vincent and awkwardly putting his arms around him. “I swear, either of ‘em so much as looks atcha again, I will.” Cid had not been honestly scared in a very long time, and Reno had only irritated him. Seeing Vincent that way, however, had done what so little else could. Why hadn’t he fought back? Fighting would have blown their already thin cover. He failed to suppress a shudder as he took in the weight of that thought. How much Turk training had Vincent undergone to pound that into his head? What had he endured to keep himself in character? He found himself wishing very strongly for his real body; he knew his arms comforted Vincent, but he didn’t think these were doing much. “Fuck…” They needed to fix this, and quickly. His first thought was that they should take the airship and go away somewhere- but running would not change them back, and Turks could easily follow them. “We oughta get the others over here. Even if none of ‘em has a fuckin’ clue what’s goin’ on, there’ll be more of us, an’ I’ll make sure they come armed. We oughta all be in one place, an’ I ain’t lettin’ you out there, not w’freaks like that hangin’ around. Fuck,” he said again, pulling Vincent closer to him and tucking the dark-haired head under his chin. I don’t like this. I really don’t like this.
“It’s funny the things we take for granted when we’ve had them for so long,” Vincent said softly huddling as close to Cid as he could without actually crawling into the ‘man’s’ pants. “The last time I was that helpless was when I was a cadet, before I had had any training. I don’t care to re-visit that again.” He stayed quiet a moment as he collected his thoughts and tried to analyze what had happened. “I think…that Rufus might be having a bit of a plumbing issue, if this little ‘visit’ was any indication. If that’s the case…serves the bastard right. But why weren’t Rude and Reno affected?” He slid his arms around Cid’s waist and held on as tight as he could, which right now was pretty pathetic. “But I think that’s a good idea, Cid. We’re stronger together.”
“C’mon, honey. Let’s go get you dressed a little better, huh?” Cid stood and pulled Vincent to his feet. Back in the bedroom, he pulled off the shirt Vincent was wearing and went to his own collection of clothes: looser, baggier; virtually shapeless when placed on a body as slender as Vincent’s. He pulled out a sleeveless white shirt, followed by one of his “work shirts,” a stained old thing in a dark blue. “You need layers,” he sighed, returning to Vincent with the shirts. Before handing them to him, he paused and set them down, placing a tentative, almost reluctant hand on one breast. His mind told him that he’d better be prepared to get used to this just in case they were stuck this way. The smoothness did not surprise him; Vincent was always smooth. It was the softness, the lack of a solid chest immediately around the nipple he brushed with his thumb, that made him jerk away. “Not…so bad, I guess,” he said nervously, giving Vincent a valiant attempt at a brave smile. We gotta fix this… Cid shook his head and put his arms around Vincent’s waist, only wincing minimally at the feeling of embracing in these new bodies. When Vincent let out a small “hmph” and brought his arms up around Cid’s shoulders, Cid pulled back enough to kiss his lips. These too were softer, fuller. Cid didn’t like them much, but he had only to remind himself that, for better or for worse, this was Vincent for the time being, and it all became a little more okay. But only a little.
It was a unique feeling, kissing a woman’s mouth after so many years. Even with his own “new” lips, Vincent remembered what it was like. But it was not the same as kissing Cid’s lips, and he found now that the softness no longer appealed to him. And he felt like he couldn’t get close enough to Cid, not with this chest mashed up against the pilot’s. However he couldn’t lie and say that it wasn’t nice having Cid touch his breast. It had made his breath hitch in his throat, and he had watched at first curiously, then with a lightning-fast spike of erotic lust that had him blushing furiously. Yes, layers would be good…lots and lots of layers. He eased out of Cid’s arms and murmured, cheeks still pink. “I think we should call Cloud now…”
“Heh. Feel good? Y’re damn cute blushin’ like that. Better get rid of it ‘fore anybody else sees, yeah? Don’t need nobody else all over ya.” He watched Vincent put on the two shirts, then pulled his old jacket out of the closet and dusted it off. “Ain’t nobody else ever wore this,” Cid observed, obviously quite pleased with himself. “But I reckon you c’d use it now, yeah?” He didn’t have nearly as much to hide, but he did slip a sleeveless shirt under the one he was wearing just for good measure. “Come on, kitchen table,” he said, mostly just to hear the sound of his own voice. Or, at least, the voice that issued from his mouth. When they were seated across from each other, Cid picked up his phone and called Cloud again. “Look, Spiky, I don’t give a shit what y’re doin’. Get yer ass over here an’ grab anybody else y’can.”
On the other end of the line, a visibly shaken Cloud jerked the phone away from his ear at the loud demand from Cid Highwind. Hesitantly, and twitching as though he expected a verbal assault, he returned the phone to his ear, “Cid, I-I don’t see what good that’s going to do, but I’ll see what I can do. Are you and Vincent really…” he lowered his voice as though to keep anyone from hearing even though he was alone in the room, “…female?”
Briefly hitting his head on the table, Cid answered, “Yeah. Unfortunately. An’ I don’t see what good hidin’ inside’s gonna do. S’what you’re doin’, ain’t it? S’what we’re doin’ too. But…that ain’t been good. Not at all. We need t’all be in th’same place. Maybe that way we’ll figure somethin’ out, or at least…at least won’t nobody be alone. Say, test somethin’ for me. C’n ya still pick up yer sword? An’ use it well?”
Cloud was silent before answering softly, “Yes, I can still pick it up. I’ll call the others and have them meet you at your home. I’ll bring Tifa.” And without even a ‘goodbye’ he hung up.
Cid winced, not missing the half-answer and the sadness in Cloud’s voice. He turned to Vincent. “We better hope th’girls buffed up or somethin’. He’s comin’ with Tif, but…he ain’t doin’ so well, poor kid. Guess we’re just waitin’ here ‘til they show.”
Vincent sighed, “Well, he’s not the only one not doing well.” He began to slowly trace random patterns on the wooden surface of the table. Finally he looked up and met Cid’s eyes, “Cid, do you feel any different?” He quirked his lips in wry amusement. “Besides the obvious of course. I mean…inside?”
“Yeah,” he replied slowly. “But then I feel like I can’t let it bother me. An’ ever’one else sure does seem bothered, so I guess that’s a good thing. But it feels like…I dunno. Can’t put words to it right now. But I sure as hell don’t like it one bit.” Cid sighed and looked at Vincent. “I want you t’know that if we get stuck like this…I’ll figure out how t’go fer chicks.” He winked and took one of Vincent’s hands, stopping it in its tracks. “But I think we’ll get out of it. We just gotta figure out why it happened in the first place.”
Vincent shot Cid a small smile before lowering his eyes to study their entwined fingers. “I just don’t know what could have happened. Something like this just doesn’t happen. This is the work of the gods, it has to be!” He shook his head. “But why us?” He looked back up at Cid with wide, sorrowful eyes. “Haven’t we all suffered enough?”
“Maybe we’re s’posed’a learn somethin’. See somethin’ from someone else’s point o’ view. Fuck, I dunno. I don’t think we’re askin’ too much by wantin’a be left alone an’ just have peace a while, personally.” Squeezing Vincent’s hand, Cid said simply, “I don’t know, Vince.” He didn’t believe at all that it was some spontaneous decision of the gods, nor did he see what they could learn by losing their power. Perhaps not to take it for granted? But they didn’t. They maintained themselves and defended the planet when necessary. They did not flaunt it or use it to their advantage. Maybe a sign, then, from some darker side of whatever was in control. Perhaps a message along the lines of “use it or lose it.” By not using their strength and standing to their advantage, had they angered some war-loving spirit? Cid didn’t know. “I just don’t know.”
“You would think.” He murmured, and laid his head down on crossed arms. His voice was muffled when he said, “Do you think if we just went back to bed that we’ll be back to normal when we wake up?” He knew that was ridiculous, but what the hell else was there to say?
Cid snorted. “That was th’first thing I thought, y’know. But I don’t think-” He was cut off by a knocking at the front door. “Ah, shit, it’s still locked. I tell ya, that better not be fuckin’ Turks again…”
Vincent shuddered and murmured, “Me too.” But was loath to go to the door. “Cid would you…would you mind terribly to answer that? I-I don’t think I…” Never before had he been so keenly aware of his own helplessness, and it frightened him like nothing else had in a very, very long time.
Cid did answer the door, but not before a long moment standing behind Vincent with his arms about the other…man’s…shoulders and a loud “Hold yer fuckin’ chocobos!” in response to Cloud’s call of “Where the hell are you?” Opening the door revealed a sight that very nearly made Cid forget the seriousness of the situation. “Well, come on in,” he told Cloud and Tifa, barely managing not to snicker. “S’all right, Vince,” he called, locking the door again after admitting their friends. At the puzzled look Tifa shot him, he explained briefly, “We had a couple unwanted visitors earlier. Took a little too much int’rest in us fer our comfort, yeah?”
Cloud nodded; he completely understood. He eyes widened considerably when he saw Vincent come striding into the room. Tall and willowy, the ex-Turk bore a striking resemblance to how Tifa had looked. Except something was off. He frowned and cocked his head. Darker. The gunman was darker, but he was missing something…a presence, a strength. Could it be that Vincent had the same problem that he did? “Vincent.” Cloud said by way of a greeting.
“Cloud.” Vincent replied then gestured that they all move into the sitting room. He noticed that Cloud hung back. How strange, he thought, Cloud hardly looks any different than he did. If it weren’t for the rounder face and quite obvious cleavage, I would think nothing had happened to him.
“Can I speak with you a moment, Vincent?” Cloud asked softly when the gunman stood next to him.
Vincent nodded and said to Tifa and Cid, “Will you two excuse us for a moment?” As the two nodded, he jerked his head in the direction of the guest room.
Tifa looked at Cid and raised an eyebrow. “Well? Not going to say anything?”
Cid snorted. “What the hell can I say? Look at me, fer fuck’s sake.” He shook his head. “They lost it, didn’t they?” he asked, jerking his head toward the room where Cloud and Vincent were speaking. “I thought at first Vin was just playin’ along, but I think…I think ‘e couldn’t fight back even if ‘e tried.” He brought his eyes to meet Tifa’s. “That scares th’hell outta me. An’ I ain’t tried it, but I don’t have as much t’lose as either o’ them did anyway. What about you? Still packin’ a punch?”
Tifa nodded. “And it’s a good thing I am. You’re right, you know. It’s scary, seeing them -especially them- so…I hate to use the word weak, but that’s what they are right now. Do you…have any idea what might have happened?”
Tifa’s voice had deepened, and Cid laughed quietly before answering. “We were just talkin’ about that. We don’t have a fuckin’ clue. I figure once ever’one’s here, we’ll, I dunno, brainstorm or somethin’.”
Nodding again, Tifa glanced toward the guest room. “I’m really worried about Cloud.”
“I know. Hey, didja notice Vin got yer tits? Hell of a lot easier without ‘em, ain’t it?” Cid asked, looking down ruefully at the new additions to his chest.
“Yeah, I noticed.” She laughed, a somewhat scary imitation of her usual laugh. “It’s…weird, not having them. But kind of nice, I’ll admit.”
Meanwhile, in the spare bedroom, Vincent stood leaning back against the closed door, arms crossed over his ample chest, waiting for Cloud to speak. The ex-SOLDIER walked up to the window and stood, silently watching the forest beyond before turning his head slightly and saying softly, “It’s gone.”
“What is?” Vincent asked just as quietly. He knew, but he wanted to hear Cloud say it.
“My strength,” Cloud replied, looking down at his palms, “all of Hojo’s enhancements…just, gone.” He turned around and regarded Vincent sadly. “Yours is too. I saw it when you walked into the room. You lacked…presence.”
Vincent watched Cloud a minute, unblinking, before finally nodding.
“What about the demons? Are they still there?” Cloud asked, walking halfway to Vincent and stopping.
Vincent looked away and frowned in thought, eyes growing distant before refocusing, and he felt a little shaky as he said, “They’re still there, but…” he trailed off, avoiding Cloud’s eyes nervously.
“But?” Cloud prompted taking a couple steps closer.
“Cloud, I-I don’t think my body could handle the transformation. If my enhancements are gone…if we’re ‘normal,’ then it…would kill me.” Vincent said shakily.
Cloud had never seen Vincent upset, and right now the gunman was clearly upset, and it unnerved him. “Does Cid know?”
Vincent shook his head vigorously, “No. And I don’t want him to. It would just make him worry and be even worse. I just need to avoid fights, that’s all.”
“We both do. I can’t even lift my sword with both hands, let alone swing it.”
Vincent smiled wryly and stepped forward to clap his hand on Cloud’s shoulder, “Then we’ll just have to use our brains instead of our…brawn. But I say, you’re at a disadvantage there. I mean, you are blonde.” His lips quivered as he fought a grin.
Cloud blinked at him a minute before scowling and punching Vincent in the shoulder. “That is not funny, Valentine.”
Vincent gave up the fight and laughed, a bright musical sound that made them both startle. They recovered quickly and he opened the door, indicating that Cloud should exit first. Upon passing, Cloud muttered, “Although you could do some serious damage with that rack. Ow!” he exclaimed, going ‘turtle’, when Vincent smacked him in the back of the head.
“That would have given you a concussion if I had my strength,” he muttered.
“Yeah, well, when I punched you that would have dislocated your shoulder, so we’re even!”
They were both laughing as they exited the bedroom and sat down together on the couch across from Tifa and Cid, with Cloud curled up against him. He draped his slender arm over Cloud’s shoulders, surprised at how protective he felt of the SOLIDER at that moment as he realized that Cloud was barely more than a child. He sighed, curling his legs up under himself and leaning into the blonde. We just have to stick together.
Cid raised an eyebrow at the entrance the other two made, but was glad to see they were laughing. His face softened after a brief moment of shock and insecurity when Vincent put his arm around Cloud. He left them that way for little while, knowing that they were the two left most vulnerable by this for more reasons than he cared to count. After a few minutes of general conversation, Cid stood and took Vincent by the hand. “C’mon. I got an idea. I know y’don’t wanna go outside, but I won’t know what th’hell I’m pickin’ up.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow, glanced once at Cloud - who was peering curiously at Cid - and allowed the pilot to pull him to his feet with a shrug. "All right."
Cid led Vincent to the shed behind their house -not Cid’s workshop, but the one that served as an actual shed- and unlocked the door. All their old weapons, ones they had outgrown upon updating to the newest model or the more finely crafted piece, were in this shed, organized neatly should the occasion arise that called for one of them. Cid selected one of his old favorites, a spear with a light handle and a sharp blade that could just as easily be used for slashing as for jabbing. “Oughta be somethin’ in here light enough for ya still carry, huh? I know it’d make me feel better if y’had somethin’ on ya.”
Vincent wandered around the shed, peering at the various weapons. “Cid, I…I don’t know…” He was a ranged fighter, not a melee fighter like Cloud. Cid had worked with him a little in wielding a lance, but he had never been very good. He had had some hand-to-hand training back in the Academy, as well training in knife fighting techniques, but he had only ever been average. His eyes settled on his old sidearm Quicksilver - a light caliber handgun. It wouldn’t do much damage, but with his aim he could sure slow something down. He picked it up and made quick work of checking it for corrosion and other damage, and was pleased to see that besides needing a little cleaning, the weapon was in very good condition. Vincent also took a great deal of comfort in briefly immersing himself in something that he was knowledgeable about and was surprised how confident he felt gripping the modest weapon. He looked at Cid and smiled a little. “I do not plan get into any fights, Cid.” He shook his head and flicked the safety back on the weapon.
Not returning the smile, Cid said, “I don’t plan on it either, but…” He shook his head, not wanting to list the possibilities. “Fuck, Vince,” he said, running a hand through his short hair before placing a hand on Vincent’s shoulder. “Do you know that I don’t give a shit what happens t’me right now s’long as you’re okay? An’ that scares th’shit outta me, ‘cause I don’t usually hafta worry ‘boutcha. Done learned not to.” He let out a bark of a laugh that startled him with its harshness. “Please be careful,” he whispered, locking his eyes on Vincent’s and fighting back the tears that an unfamiliar mixture of hormones seemed to think were necessary.
“Oh, Cid,” Vincent laughed softly and stepped forward to briefly embrace the pilot, “I’ll be careful. Believe me, I’ll be careful.” And since it made Cid more comfortable, he tucked Quicksilver into the waistband at back of his pants. “Come on, my girly-man, the others should be here any minute, and it wouldn’t do for us to be out here. They might think we were trying to avoid them.” He winked and laced his fingers with Cid’s and they began heading back to the house when there a loud screeching of tires, the slam of a door and some yelling that could only be from Barret. “Kjata! What in the world?” Vincent looked at Cid, who shrugged once before they both took off for the house at a run.
For his own selfish purposes, Cid kept their hands linked as they ran. It made him smile again, especially since he knew they were running mostly for the sake of running, even if the idea was to get the house quickly. They had not managed to make it through the back door before their ears were assaulted again.
“Somebody bettah tell me what’s goin’ on real quick!” Barret said, making a valiant but fruitless attempt to lift his gun-arm. As it proved to be too heavy, he bellowed again in frustration, the sound making Cid wince.
“Hey, ya big lump, calm th’fuck down! Ain’t none of us knows what happened neither.” If Tifa had been amusing in her new form, Barret was hilarious…if more than a bit intimidating. “Jus’ sit down, a’ right? Who else ya go-” Cid broke off quickly as he finally took in the sight in front of him completely. Both Barret and Reeve were in simple, modest dresses. “What the fuck!?”
“That man…er…woman…whatever, is insane!” Reeve cried, putting as much distance between them as possible.
Vincent leaned in close to Cid’s ear and murmured under his breath, “Is it even possible for women to have beards, Cid?”
“I dunno,” Cid muttered back, quickly raising a hand to his face to check for stubble. He found none. “I ain’t got nothin’. I guess maybe it happens?” He and Vincent shrugged at each other before turning back to what was shaping up to be quite a debacle.
“I ain’t!” Barret shouted back. “Can’t be walkin’ around like you was! People know who y’are ‘cause o’ those damned clothes!”
“Damn…y’d think they was married, huh?” Cid snorted as Reeve replied fiercely. “Wonder how Shera’s feelin’ about this.” He snickered and nudged Vincent with his elbow. “Y’hear how squeaky Reeve is, Vin?”
Vincent grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. Cloud had come up on the other side of Vincent, his blue eyes enormous, and said, “I don’t think I have ever seen anything more terrifying that what Barret has turned into. I think even Sephiroth would have respect for that.”
Both Cid and Vincent laughed outright at that, effectively hitting the “pause” button in Barret’s tirade. Both he and Reeve turned toward them. Reeve’s jaw dropped and Barret said, “Well damn, Spooky! Lookitchoo! You one fiiiiine lookin’ woman. Turn yo-self ‘round ‘n lemme see what’chu got goin’ on.”
“A’ right now, that’s where I draw th’line,” Cid grumbled, stepping in front of Vincent and crossing his arms as well. “Ain’t nobody but me needs t’know what he’s got goin’ on, you got that?” He didn’t much care if the suggestion was serious or made in jest. What was his would stay his, and Barret needed to back off before things got ugly. “Now we’re all friends here, yeah? I suggest we all sit our asses down an’ think about this ‘un. I’ll go get th’tea. Spiky…keep an eye on Vin, yeah?” He disappeared into the kitchen and poured seven regular cups of tea and one “special” saucer with high sides they kept for Nanaki’s visits. He carried them out carefully and distributed them, frowning when he found himself with a leftover. “Well, who ain’t here?” he muttered to himself as he returned to Vincent. “Th’brat,” he declared, narrowing his eyes. “Ain’t nobody knows where th’brat is?” Cid asked, wedging himself pointedly between Tifa and Vincent but allowing Cloud to stay on Vincent’s other side, not protesting at all but sparing him a wink and a small smile.
When Cid had gone into the kitchen, Vincent had looked at Cloud and said wryly, “See?”
Cloud had nodded and replied, “Yep.” Now they were, once again, all seated, and Cloud was the first to speak up. “She wouldn’t answer my calls when I tried.”
“Me either,” Tifa contributed.
Barret only snorted and Red shrugged.
Rather, it was Reeve who had some potentially useful information in that regard. “My latest source of intelligence spoke of some rumors of a string of thefts in the Corel mountain range the last couple of days. It is quite possible that that is our ninja hard at work.”
Vincent rubbed his temple with one hand and said, “Whether it was or was not Yuffie, I think the most pressing issue at the moment is how to switch us back. Can anyone think of someone who might help?” His head was beginning to pound, and right now thinking was the last thing he wanted to attempt.
From his place curled up on the floor, Nanaki said, “Maybe we should-”
“Yeah, yeah, ‘go see grandfather,’ right? Y’always say tha…” Cid stopped and snapped his fingers. “Say! That ain’t a half bad idea, now is it? A’ right then, that’s what we’ll do.” He stood and looked around at the group, who looked back at him as if they were all barely resisting the urge to roll their eyes. “I’ll go start ‘er up. Ever’body meet me in th’Highwind in ten minutes.”
Vincent covered his face with his hand, propped up on his elbow as Cid marched out of the room, and Tifa leaned over and said, “Is he…always like that?”
He nodded and sighed, “Yes- yes he is.”
Continued in Part II
Author: silence_laughs and calvi_sama
Summary: So Cid has his Vincent and the world is safe, so all should go back to normal right? Wrong. The adventure just begins when these two find out that living with another person opens up a whole new world of trouble, laughs and really great sex!
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Cid x Vincent
Timeline: Post DOC
Disclaimer: We do not in any way own, nor profit from, the FFVII characters - we're just borrowing them. Avatar art is by (the amazing) Spade.
Warnings: Two men having sex...and all things yaoi (just please take note of the rating *winks*)
Author's Note: PLEASE READ THIS!!! This is an RP, Cid is written by silence and yours truly has written Vincent and "Hodge". “Perfection” is not a plot-based “story”, it’s a series of one-shots rather like snapshots (or really strange home movies) of these two and their lives together. It’s an on-going little series within the series so updates will most likely be a bit more erratic than for Prelude To Perfection, and will never really end. If anyone has any suggestions for an “adventure” for these two to have then shout it out, but please realize that it may be a while before we can get to it as we have a lot of work left to do :D. I also want to say that Vincent has more self confidence in these stories, having finally put his past behind him, where it belongs…that and Cid gives him more to worry about ‘now’ so that he doesn’t have the luxury of ‘dwelling’ anymore.
A/N Addendum: In this fic, silence and I exercised our creative license and played a little with the origins of Shiva. We do not know the true story of this entity, so we created one for ourselves. Also, this one is pretty long, so we thank you in advance for your patience and we hope that you enjoy it!
For a chronological listing of the stories (the order in which these events happened in their lives) please click HERE
We would like to extend a belated but very heart-felt "Thank You!" to ani_mama.! She did it again! In a couple of wonderful pics she captured "Perfectly" the relationship that Hodge has with both Cid and Vincent! We continue to be indebted to you for all your support!! Thank you! *hugs*
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Yuffie had taken a new hobby. Convinced that all the world’s materia was already in her possession, she decided that anything she could take from anywhere was probably worth having. She had been “working” as a common thief, raiding what deserted caves and castles she could find. On her journeys, she found several untouched places. She found one such place on her most recent trip.
So enraptured was she with the amount of yet-to-be-claimed treasure in the cave that she paid no heed to the warning inscribed on the pedestal bearing the largest of the gems. Yuffie had also failed to notice the way the eyes of the statue in the center of the room, an intricately carved, outstandingly beautiful woman, flashed upon her exit.
“Good haul today,” Yuffie told herself cheerily. “Never seen that place before. Didn’t look like anybody else had been there, either. Oh well. Only the best for the great ninja Yuffie!” With that, she swung both herself and the sack bulging with loot onto the bed of the truck and signaled to the driver, who gave her a thumbs-up through the window and took off.
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Vincent was warm and comfortable. Hodge was curled up on his back and he had just had the best night’s sleep for the first time since before he could remember. He was buried in blankets and pillows and loving every minute of it. That is, until a bloodcurdling scream jerked his frizzed head straight up as he blinked in panic. That had been a woman’s scream. Looking around, he saw the twisted mess of blankets that had been Cid’s “nest” for the night, and he thought in a blind horror that somehow Cid had hurt a woman. But what is a woman doing in our home? Without a thought for his nudity, he leapt out of bed and ran in the direction he had heard the scream from. He came to a screeching halt in the bathroom door, jaw dropping in shock as he saw a blonde woman gripping the sides of the sink and staring in horror at her reflection in the mirror. “Who the hell are y-” He broke off as he realized that he voice was not his own, and with his own growing horror, he looked down at his body and gripped the door frame to keep from passing out. “Dear gods! What the hell happened?” he said, then looked up at the pale-face blonde. “Cid?”
“I don’t have a fuckin’ clue! Please don’t tell me y’re Vince…” he pleaded, looking the body in the doorway up and down and trying with great effort to keep from throwing up…again. “I don’t really wanna know if y’ain’t, either, ‘cause I dunno how th’hell I’d’ve ended up with a fuckin’ woman in m’bed…oh, goddammit! I wanna wake up. C’n I wake up now?” Cid sat on the toilet and placed his head in his hands. “I don’t like this…” Wide blue eyes looked up at not-Vincent, who now occupied Cid’s former place at the mirror. “Fuck…” A brilliant idea struck Cid; he would go back to sleep. Later, he would wake up and realize that this had all been some awful nightmare, some joke woven by whatever dream-gods there were, and that he was still all male. Yep. The only problem was that he was so uncomfortable in this body that he could not even fathom sleeping. “What th’hell’d we do t’deserve this, huh?”
“Of course I’m Vincent, you idiot! Who the hell else would I be?” Vincent snapped irritably as he stared as his very feminine face in the mirror. He poked under his eyes then stood up and looked down, cupping very real, rather generous breasts in his hands before bringing a hand up to rub his temple, “We just…need to calm down. I’m sure there’s a…rational explanation to this…” But even as he said it, he didn’t believe it. What rational explanation could spontaneously change their genders overnight? He slid down the wall to sit on the floor, looked up at not-Cid, and said rather shakily, “Who can we go to for help? It’s not like we can approach anyone looking like this…oh, crap…”
Cid had no reply save a small whimper of defeat. After perhaps ten minutes of mutual silent panic, Cid lifted his head and said, “Bet it was them ShinRa assholes. Think it happened t’ever’one else too? Let’s just call somebody, huh? That way nobody sees us, an’ if they can’t tell what’s wrong right away, we don’t hafta tell ‘em ‘less it don’t go away overnight. An’ if we’re still stuck like this…I dunno. Reeve fixes shit. Stupid things keep fuckin’ touchin’ me,” he muttered, rearranging his arms so his breasts did not rest against them. “How th’hell d’they carry these things aroun’? Fuckin’ aggravatin’.” He glanced up at Vincent, a small smile daring to pull at a corner of his mouth. “At least you’re pretty,” he mock-grumped. “I just look like some crazy ol’ biker chick gonna run ya down in th’middle o’ the road.”
“Thanks,” Vincent replied wryly, shoving at his hair, then did a double take as he gave Cid’s face a closer examination. “Well, now that you mention it, it does look like you had a rather unfortunate run-in with a door. I had no idea your nose really looked like that until it got stuck on a woman’s face. Ah well, at least you aren’t endowed like this.” He held out his arms to gesture at his chest. “These damned things weigh a ton! Yours are at least manageable.” He sighed and rested head back against the wall, propping his slender arms on his up-raised knees. “I suppose it would be easier to call people rather than go out. Do you want to, or shall I?”
“Think I might be sick if I try t’stand up. Lemme give it a shot…oh, shit, we both gotta put some clothes on. I can’t look at this no more.” Having successfully stood, Cid rummaged around in his and Vincent’s respective closets until he found clothing suitable for lounging around the house. He dressed on the way back to the bathroom and extended a hand to Vincent, reminding himself not to be affected by any personal remarks Vincent made about him.
Vincent grunted and allowed Cid to “help” him up. Taking the T-shirt and sleep pants, he put on both and was appalled at how tight the shirt was across his chest - revealing a little too much shape for his peace of mind - as well as the snug fit of the sleep pants. “Look at my hips! I can hardly wear my pants any more…ugh…and they ride too low.” He grumbled, hiking the pant up as far as he could. “You know, this really, really sucks, Cid.”
“I know it.” Cid winced in sympathy. “Come on. Who we gonna call first?”
Vincent snorted and tossed Cid the phone. “Call Cloud. I’m curious to see if he’s got the same little problem that we have.”
“An’ how th’hell d’ya start that conversation? ‘Hey, chocobo-head, how ya doin’? By th’way, couldja check real quick for me t’see if y’still have yer dick?’ Yeah, that’ll go over real well,” Cid complained, moodily stabbing the buttons on the phone.
“Cid?”
“Yeah. Hey. Uh…”
“Uh…yeah.”
“Yeah?”
Cid heard a heavy sigh on the other end. “Yeah.”
“Shit. Well, I guess it’s good it ain’t just us…got any clue what th’hell happened?”
“Nope, sorry. Look, I’m…kinda busy right now. I’ll get back to you, all right?”
Before Cid could so much as object, there came the distinct click of a phone hanging up. “Well that was real productive.” He stared at the phone a minute longer before asking, “Vince? What th’hell d’ya think happened t’Red?”
“How the hell should I know?” Vincent said irritably, pushing at his hair again, “If it happened to Cloud then it’s a safe bet the others are affected too.” He sighed in defeat, “I was thinking that may…” A loud knocking on their front door interrupted him. “Shit!” he exclaimed quietly, then held his finger to his lips to indicate Cid be quiet before creeping to the door. He peeked out the peephole then whirled around, arms outstretched across the width of the door. “Shit-shit-shit! It’s Rude and Reno!” he hissed, face pale.
“What th- what th’hell’re they doin’ here?” Cid yelled, then winced as he remembered he was supposed to be being quiet. “Dammit all…” Helpless, he glanced at Vincent. “Make ‘em go away…” he whined, not up for company, especially of this variety.
Vincent opened his mouth to speak, but Reno beat him to it: “C’mon, we know you’re in there! We saw lights come on and movement, yo!” He winced and looked around frantically, trying desperately to come up with something quick. Finally he pleaded, “Please, just play along, Cid!” Then, after taking a deep breath to steady his pounding heart, plastered the most charmingly sweet smile upon his lips and opened the door. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
In any other circumstance, seeing Reno and Rude both take a step back in surprise would have made him gleefully happy, but in this instance it just served to make him vaguely nauseous, “U-uh…who the hell are you?” Reno asked suspiciously, narrowing his teal-colored eyes.
Vincent laughed lightly and said, “Oh, where are my manners, won’t you please come in?” And stepped back from the door, galled at the fact that he was allowing Turks into their home. As the two men stepped into the house he said airily, “I’m Victoria, Vincent’s niece, and this is…” He looked over at Cid who was scowling at him, “…Ethel, Cid’s cousin. We’re both here visiting family!” He smiled winningly and cocked his head, mildly sickened that Rude’s eyes went straight to his chest and stayed there while Reno leered appreciatively at Cid. “And you two are?”
Reno snapped out of his perusal of Cid’s “goods” and looked at him, squinting as the young Turk met his eyes. “Yer eyes are red, yo.”
He put his hand on his hip, cocking it smartly and said, “Family trait. Are you two always so reluctant to introduce yourselves to ladies?”
Reno at least had the good sense to blush at that. He caught sight of his staring partner and whacked the bigger man in the chest, which caused him to clear his throat and look away from the straining material over Vincent’s chest. “My name’s Reno, this here’s Rude. We’re Turks, but in your case we could be the time of your lives.” He grinned, fox-like.
“Not bloody likely,” Vincent muttered under his breath then continued smoothly, “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Uncle’s told me a lot about the Turks.”
“Yeah, he was pretty famous back his day, and is still pretty quick on his feet for an ‘old man’.” Reno laughed condescendingly.
Why you little shit! Vincent thought and had to grind his teeth together to keep from reaching out to throttle the scrawny Turk. “I know, I’m so very proud of him,” he said instead, even managing to give a theatrical little sigh.
Reno snorted, “You’re, uh, wearin’ a glove like Vincent does. That a coincidence?”
Vincent just barely caught the wince before it gave him away. His blush, at least, was very genuine. “He’s kind of my hero. It’s like a tribute, you know?” Internally he cursed the runt’s perceptivity. And was incredibly glad he had forgotten to take it off the night before.
“Right,” Reno drawled then looked back at Cid as Rude’s eyes once again fastened on his chest, “And what’s your story, beautiful?”
Resisting the urge to stomp hard on Vincent’s foot, Cid ground out, “Who, me? Just up here t’see Cid. He’s ‘bout all I got left.” He tried his hand at a smile like the one on Vincent’s face, but felt it must make him look even worse than before. “What is it you fellas’re lookin’ for? Y’all some o’ Cid an’ Vince’s friends?” At least his voice was nice, Cid reasoned. Unfortunately, Reno seemed to think so too. Fuck…
“Friends?” Reno snorted, “Nah, what would we want with a couple of ol’ queer has-beens anyway?” He walked up next to Cid and ran the back of a finger down the pilot’s cheek, “Our business can wait. I think I’ve found something a little more…appealing.”
Vincent balled his hands into fists and fought the urge to latch onto Reno’s throat…or at the very least claw the little fucker’s eyes out. He squeaked and jumped, however, as Rude moved up close behind him. “Uh…can I h-help y-you, Mr. Rude?” He said shakily.
“Just Rude,” the tall man rumbled, bringing his hands up to rub up and down Vincent’s arms.
He shivered as goosebumps rose up on his arms and his nipples hardened. Oooohhh crap! He thought, and scooted out from Rude’s vicinity. He crossed his arms over his chest to hide his “high beams” and said haughtily, “I don’t think that’s very appropriate behavior, Rude.”
“Heh,” Rude snorted and moved in again, this time tracing Vincent’s lower lip with his thick forefinger, “You’re very beautiful, has anyone ever told you that?”
Vincent swatted Rude’s hand away and glared at the big man, “Yes, as a matter of fact, they have. Now I think you owe us an explanation as to why you both are here.” He backed away from Rude again.
“Ya know what I find interesting?” Reno said, grinning at Cid and tracing a forefinger down the blonde’s chest to hook into the waistband of his/her pants. “There are no records to indicate that either of you exist. Ya see…” he leaned in close to Cid and said, “I’ve read up on Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind and I know they’re both only children, yo.”
Now it was Vincent’s turn to snort. “Well, your information is wrong. Vincent has a sister…a younger sister. Grandfather, while he was alive, wanted his family protected and so, with Uncles help, effectively…how did Uncle put it?” He paused in his little game of ‘tag’ with Rude around the living room to pretend to ‘think’, “made her ‘disappear’ because he said that ShinRa tended to…’own people’.” He whirled on Rude and put both hands on the man’s chest. “Oh, for the love of Odin, will you stop it!!? Look, Reno, you’ll not find any information on my mother because she’s safe, anonymous, just the way Grandfather and Uncle wanted it, and I’m not about to betray them both and tell you about her. She’s safe this way.” He put his hands on his hips and glared at the redhead. “Now spill it! Or I’ll be sure to tell Uncle that you were here harassing us both! And we all know how he tends to get when Turks are mentioned.”
Reno actually winced. “Yeah, well. We just stopped by to see if anything strange was happening to Cid and Vincent.”
“You sure don’t listen too good fer a Turk,” Cid replied, frowning and removing Reno’s very much unwanted hand from his face. “Said Cid’s my cousin. My Mama’s his Mama’s sister. When Aunt Mia passed last year, me an’ Cid both went t’the funeral an’ decided we really oughta get t’gether a little more often. Under happier circumstances, y’know? An’ Tori, she lives up th’street from me. When I told ‘er I was comin’ up here, well, it was just the funniest thing!” Here he stopped speaking and let out a laugh that, amazingly, did not sound entirely fake. “So we figured she’d just tag along with me t’see Vince. But when we got here…well, they weren’t here, as y’c’n see. So I reckon we can’t help ya much figurin’ if there’s anything weird happenin’.” He frowned again. “Weird like how? Y’know, just in case they come back soon, so’s we c’n letchall know.”
Reno scowled at Cid and replied, “Not important. C’mon Rude, let’s get outta here, these two give me the chills. They’re definitely related to those two wackos.”
But Rude was back at Vincent and had the gunman pinned to the wall with his thick body. Leaning in toward Vincent’s ear, he said huskily, “I want to see you again.”
Vincent twitched and tried to wriggle free but found that he could not. All he could manage was to push ineffectually at Rude’s massive shoulders, panicked that his enhanced strength was apparently gone, leaving him weak and nearly helpless. “We’ll see, just-just leave now…” But Rude only pressed harder against him. “Please,” he whispered and squeezed his eyes shut, “…go away…”
Finally Rude pulled back and straightened his jacket. “I’ll see you around…Victoria.”
When the two Turks had left, slamming the door behind them, Vincent slid down the wall to sit on the ground with his arms wrapped tightly around him and his knees drawn up to his chest. He was shaking badly as he said softly, “That…was a very bad idea…to let those two in…”
“Fuckin’ kill those sons o’ bitches,” Cid growled as he locked the door. He watched out the door until the Turks had left, then locked the windows as well, pulling the shades closed, before sinking down next to Vincent and awkwardly putting his arms around him. “I swear, either of ‘em so much as looks atcha again, I will.” Cid had not been honestly scared in a very long time, and Reno had only irritated him. Seeing Vincent that way, however, had done what so little else could. Why hadn’t he fought back? Fighting would have blown their already thin cover. He failed to suppress a shudder as he took in the weight of that thought. How much Turk training had Vincent undergone to pound that into his head? What had he endured to keep himself in character? He found himself wishing very strongly for his real body; he knew his arms comforted Vincent, but he didn’t think these were doing much. “Fuck…” They needed to fix this, and quickly. His first thought was that they should take the airship and go away somewhere- but running would not change them back, and Turks could easily follow them. “We oughta get the others over here. Even if none of ‘em has a fuckin’ clue what’s goin’ on, there’ll be more of us, an’ I’ll make sure they come armed. We oughta all be in one place, an’ I ain’t lettin’ you out there, not w’freaks like that hangin’ around. Fuck,” he said again, pulling Vincent closer to him and tucking the dark-haired head under his chin. I don’t like this. I really don’t like this.
“It’s funny the things we take for granted when we’ve had them for so long,” Vincent said softly huddling as close to Cid as he could without actually crawling into the ‘man’s’ pants. “The last time I was that helpless was when I was a cadet, before I had had any training. I don’t care to re-visit that again.” He stayed quiet a moment as he collected his thoughts and tried to analyze what had happened. “I think…that Rufus might be having a bit of a plumbing issue, if this little ‘visit’ was any indication. If that’s the case…serves the bastard right. But why weren’t Rude and Reno affected?” He slid his arms around Cid’s waist and held on as tight as he could, which right now was pretty pathetic. “But I think that’s a good idea, Cid. We’re stronger together.”
“C’mon, honey. Let’s go get you dressed a little better, huh?” Cid stood and pulled Vincent to his feet. Back in the bedroom, he pulled off the shirt Vincent was wearing and went to his own collection of clothes: looser, baggier; virtually shapeless when placed on a body as slender as Vincent’s. He pulled out a sleeveless white shirt, followed by one of his “work shirts,” a stained old thing in a dark blue. “You need layers,” he sighed, returning to Vincent with the shirts. Before handing them to him, he paused and set them down, placing a tentative, almost reluctant hand on one breast. His mind told him that he’d better be prepared to get used to this just in case they were stuck this way. The smoothness did not surprise him; Vincent was always smooth. It was the softness, the lack of a solid chest immediately around the nipple he brushed with his thumb, that made him jerk away. “Not…so bad, I guess,” he said nervously, giving Vincent a valiant attempt at a brave smile. We gotta fix this… Cid shook his head and put his arms around Vincent’s waist, only wincing minimally at the feeling of embracing in these new bodies. When Vincent let out a small “hmph” and brought his arms up around Cid’s shoulders, Cid pulled back enough to kiss his lips. These too were softer, fuller. Cid didn’t like them much, but he had only to remind himself that, for better or for worse, this was Vincent for the time being, and it all became a little more okay. But only a little.
It was a unique feeling, kissing a woman’s mouth after so many years. Even with his own “new” lips, Vincent remembered what it was like. But it was not the same as kissing Cid’s lips, and he found now that the softness no longer appealed to him. And he felt like he couldn’t get close enough to Cid, not with this chest mashed up against the pilot’s. However he couldn’t lie and say that it wasn’t nice having Cid touch his breast. It had made his breath hitch in his throat, and he had watched at first curiously, then with a lightning-fast spike of erotic lust that had him blushing furiously. Yes, layers would be good…lots and lots of layers. He eased out of Cid’s arms and murmured, cheeks still pink. “I think we should call Cloud now…”
“Heh. Feel good? Y’re damn cute blushin’ like that. Better get rid of it ‘fore anybody else sees, yeah? Don’t need nobody else all over ya.” He watched Vincent put on the two shirts, then pulled his old jacket out of the closet and dusted it off. “Ain’t nobody else ever wore this,” Cid observed, obviously quite pleased with himself. “But I reckon you c’d use it now, yeah?” He didn’t have nearly as much to hide, but he did slip a sleeveless shirt under the one he was wearing just for good measure. “Come on, kitchen table,” he said, mostly just to hear the sound of his own voice. Or, at least, the voice that issued from his mouth. When they were seated across from each other, Cid picked up his phone and called Cloud again. “Look, Spiky, I don’t give a shit what y’re doin’. Get yer ass over here an’ grab anybody else y’can.”
On the other end of the line, a visibly shaken Cloud jerked the phone away from his ear at the loud demand from Cid Highwind. Hesitantly, and twitching as though he expected a verbal assault, he returned the phone to his ear, “Cid, I-I don’t see what good that’s going to do, but I’ll see what I can do. Are you and Vincent really…” he lowered his voice as though to keep anyone from hearing even though he was alone in the room, “…female?”
Briefly hitting his head on the table, Cid answered, “Yeah. Unfortunately. An’ I don’t see what good hidin’ inside’s gonna do. S’what you’re doin’, ain’t it? S’what we’re doin’ too. But…that ain’t been good. Not at all. We need t’all be in th’same place. Maybe that way we’ll figure somethin’ out, or at least…at least won’t nobody be alone. Say, test somethin’ for me. C’n ya still pick up yer sword? An’ use it well?”
Cloud was silent before answering softly, “Yes, I can still pick it up. I’ll call the others and have them meet you at your home. I’ll bring Tifa.” And without even a ‘goodbye’ he hung up.
Cid winced, not missing the half-answer and the sadness in Cloud’s voice. He turned to Vincent. “We better hope th’girls buffed up or somethin’. He’s comin’ with Tif, but…he ain’t doin’ so well, poor kid. Guess we’re just waitin’ here ‘til they show.”
Vincent sighed, “Well, he’s not the only one not doing well.” He began to slowly trace random patterns on the wooden surface of the table. Finally he looked up and met Cid’s eyes, “Cid, do you feel any different?” He quirked his lips in wry amusement. “Besides the obvious of course. I mean…inside?”
“Yeah,” he replied slowly. “But then I feel like I can’t let it bother me. An’ ever’one else sure does seem bothered, so I guess that’s a good thing. But it feels like…I dunno. Can’t put words to it right now. But I sure as hell don’t like it one bit.” Cid sighed and looked at Vincent. “I want you t’know that if we get stuck like this…I’ll figure out how t’go fer chicks.” He winked and took one of Vincent’s hands, stopping it in its tracks. “But I think we’ll get out of it. We just gotta figure out why it happened in the first place.”
Vincent shot Cid a small smile before lowering his eyes to study their entwined fingers. “I just don’t know what could have happened. Something like this just doesn’t happen. This is the work of the gods, it has to be!” He shook his head. “But why us?” He looked back up at Cid with wide, sorrowful eyes. “Haven’t we all suffered enough?”
“Maybe we’re s’posed’a learn somethin’. See somethin’ from someone else’s point o’ view. Fuck, I dunno. I don’t think we’re askin’ too much by wantin’a be left alone an’ just have peace a while, personally.” Squeezing Vincent’s hand, Cid said simply, “I don’t know, Vince.” He didn’t believe at all that it was some spontaneous decision of the gods, nor did he see what they could learn by losing their power. Perhaps not to take it for granted? But they didn’t. They maintained themselves and defended the planet when necessary. They did not flaunt it or use it to their advantage. Maybe a sign, then, from some darker side of whatever was in control. Perhaps a message along the lines of “use it or lose it.” By not using their strength and standing to their advantage, had they angered some war-loving spirit? Cid didn’t know. “I just don’t know.”
“You would think.” He murmured, and laid his head down on crossed arms. His voice was muffled when he said, “Do you think if we just went back to bed that we’ll be back to normal when we wake up?” He knew that was ridiculous, but what the hell else was there to say?
Cid snorted. “That was th’first thing I thought, y’know. But I don’t think-” He was cut off by a knocking at the front door. “Ah, shit, it’s still locked. I tell ya, that better not be fuckin’ Turks again…”
Vincent shuddered and murmured, “Me too.” But was loath to go to the door. “Cid would you…would you mind terribly to answer that? I-I don’t think I…” Never before had he been so keenly aware of his own helplessness, and it frightened him like nothing else had in a very, very long time.
Cid did answer the door, but not before a long moment standing behind Vincent with his arms about the other…man’s…shoulders and a loud “Hold yer fuckin’ chocobos!” in response to Cloud’s call of “Where the hell are you?” Opening the door revealed a sight that very nearly made Cid forget the seriousness of the situation. “Well, come on in,” he told Cloud and Tifa, barely managing not to snicker. “S’all right, Vince,” he called, locking the door again after admitting their friends. At the puzzled look Tifa shot him, he explained briefly, “We had a couple unwanted visitors earlier. Took a little too much int’rest in us fer our comfort, yeah?”
Cloud nodded; he completely understood. He eyes widened considerably when he saw Vincent come striding into the room. Tall and willowy, the ex-Turk bore a striking resemblance to how Tifa had looked. Except something was off. He frowned and cocked his head. Darker. The gunman was darker, but he was missing something…a presence, a strength. Could it be that Vincent had the same problem that he did? “Vincent.” Cloud said by way of a greeting.
“Cloud.” Vincent replied then gestured that they all move into the sitting room. He noticed that Cloud hung back. How strange, he thought, Cloud hardly looks any different than he did. If it weren’t for the rounder face and quite obvious cleavage, I would think nothing had happened to him.
“Can I speak with you a moment, Vincent?” Cloud asked softly when the gunman stood next to him.
Vincent nodded and said to Tifa and Cid, “Will you two excuse us for a moment?” As the two nodded, he jerked his head in the direction of the guest room.
Tifa looked at Cid and raised an eyebrow. “Well? Not going to say anything?”
Cid snorted. “What the hell can I say? Look at me, fer fuck’s sake.” He shook his head. “They lost it, didn’t they?” he asked, jerking his head toward the room where Cloud and Vincent were speaking. “I thought at first Vin was just playin’ along, but I think…I think ‘e couldn’t fight back even if ‘e tried.” He brought his eyes to meet Tifa’s. “That scares th’hell outta me. An’ I ain’t tried it, but I don’t have as much t’lose as either o’ them did anyway. What about you? Still packin’ a punch?”
Tifa nodded. “And it’s a good thing I am. You’re right, you know. It’s scary, seeing them -especially them- so…I hate to use the word weak, but that’s what they are right now. Do you…have any idea what might have happened?”
Tifa’s voice had deepened, and Cid laughed quietly before answering. “We were just talkin’ about that. We don’t have a fuckin’ clue. I figure once ever’one’s here, we’ll, I dunno, brainstorm or somethin’.”
Nodding again, Tifa glanced toward the guest room. “I’m really worried about Cloud.”
“I know. Hey, didja notice Vin got yer tits? Hell of a lot easier without ‘em, ain’t it?” Cid asked, looking down ruefully at the new additions to his chest.
“Yeah, I noticed.” She laughed, a somewhat scary imitation of her usual laugh. “It’s…weird, not having them. But kind of nice, I’ll admit.”
Meanwhile, in the spare bedroom, Vincent stood leaning back against the closed door, arms crossed over his ample chest, waiting for Cloud to speak. The ex-SOLDIER walked up to the window and stood, silently watching the forest beyond before turning his head slightly and saying softly, “It’s gone.”
“What is?” Vincent asked just as quietly. He knew, but he wanted to hear Cloud say it.
“My strength,” Cloud replied, looking down at his palms, “all of Hojo’s enhancements…just, gone.” He turned around and regarded Vincent sadly. “Yours is too. I saw it when you walked into the room. You lacked…presence.”
Vincent watched Cloud a minute, unblinking, before finally nodding.
“What about the demons? Are they still there?” Cloud asked, walking halfway to Vincent and stopping.
Vincent looked away and frowned in thought, eyes growing distant before refocusing, and he felt a little shaky as he said, “They’re still there, but…” he trailed off, avoiding Cloud’s eyes nervously.
“But?” Cloud prompted taking a couple steps closer.
“Cloud, I-I don’t think my body could handle the transformation. If my enhancements are gone…if we’re ‘normal,’ then it…would kill me.” Vincent said shakily.
Cloud had never seen Vincent upset, and right now the gunman was clearly upset, and it unnerved him. “Does Cid know?”
Vincent shook his head vigorously, “No. And I don’t want him to. It would just make him worry and be even worse. I just need to avoid fights, that’s all.”
“We both do. I can’t even lift my sword with both hands, let alone swing it.”
Vincent smiled wryly and stepped forward to clap his hand on Cloud’s shoulder, “Then we’ll just have to use our brains instead of our…brawn. But I say, you’re at a disadvantage there. I mean, you are blonde.” His lips quivered as he fought a grin.
Cloud blinked at him a minute before scowling and punching Vincent in the shoulder. “That is not funny, Valentine.”
Vincent gave up the fight and laughed, a bright musical sound that made them both startle. They recovered quickly and he opened the door, indicating that Cloud should exit first. Upon passing, Cloud muttered, “Although you could do some serious damage with that rack. Ow!” he exclaimed, going ‘turtle’, when Vincent smacked him in the back of the head.
“That would have given you a concussion if I had my strength,” he muttered.
“Yeah, well, when I punched you that would have dislocated your shoulder, so we’re even!”
They were both laughing as they exited the bedroom and sat down together on the couch across from Tifa and Cid, with Cloud curled up against him. He draped his slender arm over Cloud’s shoulders, surprised at how protective he felt of the SOLIDER at that moment as he realized that Cloud was barely more than a child. He sighed, curling his legs up under himself and leaning into the blonde. We just have to stick together.
Cid raised an eyebrow at the entrance the other two made, but was glad to see they were laughing. His face softened after a brief moment of shock and insecurity when Vincent put his arm around Cloud. He left them that way for little while, knowing that they were the two left most vulnerable by this for more reasons than he cared to count. After a few minutes of general conversation, Cid stood and took Vincent by the hand. “C’mon. I got an idea. I know y’don’t wanna go outside, but I won’t know what th’hell I’m pickin’ up.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow, glanced once at Cloud - who was peering curiously at Cid - and allowed the pilot to pull him to his feet with a shrug. "All right."
Cid led Vincent to the shed behind their house -not Cid’s workshop, but the one that served as an actual shed- and unlocked the door. All their old weapons, ones they had outgrown upon updating to the newest model or the more finely crafted piece, were in this shed, organized neatly should the occasion arise that called for one of them. Cid selected one of his old favorites, a spear with a light handle and a sharp blade that could just as easily be used for slashing as for jabbing. “Oughta be somethin’ in here light enough for ya still carry, huh? I know it’d make me feel better if y’had somethin’ on ya.”
Vincent wandered around the shed, peering at the various weapons. “Cid, I…I don’t know…” He was a ranged fighter, not a melee fighter like Cloud. Cid had worked with him a little in wielding a lance, but he had never been very good. He had had some hand-to-hand training back in the Academy, as well training in knife fighting techniques, but he had only ever been average. His eyes settled on his old sidearm Quicksilver - a light caliber handgun. It wouldn’t do much damage, but with his aim he could sure slow something down. He picked it up and made quick work of checking it for corrosion and other damage, and was pleased to see that besides needing a little cleaning, the weapon was in very good condition. Vincent also took a great deal of comfort in briefly immersing himself in something that he was knowledgeable about and was surprised how confident he felt gripping the modest weapon. He looked at Cid and smiled a little. “I do not plan get into any fights, Cid.” He shook his head and flicked the safety back on the weapon.
Not returning the smile, Cid said, “I don’t plan on it either, but…” He shook his head, not wanting to list the possibilities. “Fuck, Vince,” he said, running a hand through his short hair before placing a hand on Vincent’s shoulder. “Do you know that I don’t give a shit what happens t’me right now s’long as you’re okay? An’ that scares th’shit outta me, ‘cause I don’t usually hafta worry ‘boutcha. Done learned not to.” He let out a bark of a laugh that startled him with its harshness. “Please be careful,” he whispered, locking his eyes on Vincent’s and fighting back the tears that an unfamiliar mixture of hormones seemed to think were necessary.
“Oh, Cid,” Vincent laughed softly and stepped forward to briefly embrace the pilot, “I’ll be careful. Believe me, I’ll be careful.” And since it made Cid more comfortable, he tucked Quicksilver into the waistband at back of his pants. “Come on, my girly-man, the others should be here any minute, and it wouldn’t do for us to be out here. They might think we were trying to avoid them.” He winked and laced his fingers with Cid’s and they began heading back to the house when there a loud screeching of tires, the slam of a door and some yelling that could only be from Barret. “Kjata! What in the world?” Vincent looked at Cid, who shrugged once before they both took off for the house at a run.
For his own selfish purposes, Cid kept their hands linked as they ran. It made him smile again, especially since he knew they were running mostly for the sake of running, even if the idea was to get the house quickly. They had not managed to make it through the back door before their ears were assaulted again.
“Somebody bettah tell me what’s goin’ on real quick!” Barret said, making a valiant but fruitless attempt to lift his gun-arm. As it proved to be too heavy, he bellowed again in frustration, the sound making Cid wince.
“Hey, ya big lump, calm th’fuck down! Ain’t none of us knows what happened neither.” If Tifa had been amusing in her new form, Barret was hilarious…if more than a bit intimidating. “Jus’ sit down, a’ right? Who else ya go-” Cid broke off quickly as he finally took in the sight in front of him completely. Both Barret and Reeve were in simple, modest dresses. “What the fuck!?”
“That man…er…woman…whatever, is insane!” Reeve cried, putting as much distance between them as possible.
Vincent leaned in close to Cid’s ear and murmured under his breath, “Is it even possible for women to have beards, Cid?”
“I dunno,” Cid muttered back, quickly raising a hand to his face to check for stubble. He found none. “I ain’t got nothin’. I guess maybe it happens?” He and Vincent shrugged at each other before turning back to what was shaping up to be quite a debacle.
“I ain’t!” Barret shouted back. “Can’t be walkin’ around like you was! People know who y’are ‘cause o’ those damned clothes!”
“Damn…y’d think they was married, huh?” Cid snorted as Reeve replied fiercely. “Wonder how Shera’s feelin’ about this.” He snickered and nudged Vincent with his elbow. “Y’hear how squeaky Reeve is, Vin?”
Vincent grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. Cloud had come up on the other side of Vincent, his blue eyes enormous, and said, “I don’t think I have ever seen anything more terrifying that what Barret has turned into. I think even Sephiroth would have respect for that.”
Both Cid and Vincent laughed outright at that, effectively hitting the “pause” button in Barret’s tirade. Both he and Reeve turned toward them. Reeve’s jaw dropped and Barret said, “Well damn, Spooky! Lookitchoo! You one fiiiiine lookin’ woman. Turn yo-self ‘round ‘n lemme see what’chu got goin’ on.”
“A’ right now, that’s where I draw th’line,” Cid grumbled, stepping in front of Vincent and crossing his arms as well. “Ain’t nobody but me needs t’know what he’s got goin’ on, you got that?” He didn’t much care if the suggestion was serious or made in jest. What was his would stay his, and Barret needed to back off before things got ugly. “Now we’re all friends here, yeah? I suggest we all sit our asses down an’ think about this ‘un. I’ll go get th’tea. Spiky…keep an eye on Vin, yeah?” He disappeared into the kitchen and poured seven regular cups of tea and one “special” saucer with high sides they kept for Nanaki’s visits. He carried them out carefully and distributed them, frowning when he found himself with a leftover. “Well, who ain’t here?” he muttered to himself as he returned to Vincent. “Th’brat,” he declared, narrowing his eyes. “Ain’t nobody knows where th’brat is?” Cid asked, wedging himself pointedly between Tifa and Vincent but allowing Cloud to stay on Vincent’s other side, not protesting at all but sparing him a wink and a small smile.
When Cid had gone into the kitchen, Vincent had looked at Cloud and said wryly, “See?”
Cloud had nodded and replied, “Yep.” Now they were, once again, all seated, and Cloud was the first to speak up. “She wouldn’t answer my calls when I tried.”
“Me either,” Tifa contributed.
Barret only snorted and Red shrugged.
Rather, it was Reeve who had some potentially useful information in that regard. “My latest source of intelligence spoke of some rumors of a string of thefts in the Corel mountain range the last couple of days. It is quite possible that that is our ninja hard at work.”
Vincent rubbed his temple with one hand and said, “Whether it was or was not Yuffie, I think the most pressing issue at the moment is how to switch us back. Can anyone think of someone who might help?” His head was beginning to pound, and right now thinking was the last thing he wanted to attempt.
From his place curled up on the floor, Nanaki said, “Maybe we should-”
“Yeah, yeah, ‘go see grandfather,’ right? Y’always say tha…” Cid stopped and snapped his fingers. “Say! That ain’t a half bad idea, now is it? A’ right then, that’s what we’ll do.” He stood and looked around at the group, who looked back at him as if they were all barely resisting the urge to roll their eyes. “I’ll go start ‘er up. Ever’body meet me in th’Highwind in ten minutes.”
Vincent covered his face with his hand, propped up on his elbow as Cid marched out of the room, and Tifa leaned over and said, “Is he…always like that?”
He nodded and sighed, “Yes- yes he is.”
Continued in Part II