Best Laid Plans

Rating: PG
Category: AU
Pairing(s): Vincent/Reno, Cloud/Cid.
Warnings: I should think the pairings are a suitable warning…
Summary:Two idiots, one thought
Notes: For pointyebt's birthday. I know this is not quite what you had in mind, but I really hope you enjoy it.

No one was especially surprised that Reno asked Vincent out. But you could have knocked people down with a snowflake when Vincent said yes.

“Well… it’s not that strange, really,” said Tifa, as she and the rest of the crew, sans Vincent of course, sat in a small café eating dinner. “Vincent used to be a Turk. Reno still is. They might have a lot in common.”

Barret, Cloud, Cid, Tifa, Yuffie, Nanaki and Cait stared at the couple in the corner of the café, huddled together, drinking and speaking softly to each other.

“That is just so wrong on so many levels,” grumbled Cid.

“Snooze ya lose, Highwind,” said Yuffie.

“Look on the bright side,” said Cloud. “They could break up.”

“And you could have Reno?” said Tifa.

Cloud said nothing.

“Well here’s a thought,” said Yuffie. “Cloud and Cid could go out!”

Barret rolled his eyes and set down his sandwich. “Well there goes my appetite.”

“No it’s a great idea!” said Tifa as Nanaki, who was seated beside her in the café booth, began sipping ice tea through a straw. “You both like each other…”

“‘Like’ may be a little strong,” said Cid.

Cloud grinned. “You did refrain from killing me when I was airsick on your deck.”

“Blood’s way harder to get out than puke,” said Cid.

“You’re compatible…” said Tifa.

Cloud glanced at Cid. “We do both like the same brand of sausage.”

“And ya did like my small aircraft,” said Cid.

Cloud raised an eyebrow from behind his shades. “Nothing small about your aircraft, Highwind.”

Cid grinned, warming up to the idea a little bit. Cloud was an angst-muffin and a flake, but he was pretty fine to look at. If nothing else he would make a really fine romp in the hay.

“What do you say?” asked Cid.

Cloud downed his beer and rose from his chair. “I say my place or yours.”

“Mine. I have a bed and a functioning roof and a bathroom.”

“Princess,” muttered Cloud.

“Whining angst-muffin. C’mon.”

Cid rose from his seat and draped an arm around Cloud’s small shoulders. Together they left the little café, watched by their friends. Barret just shook his head.

“If I hadn’t seen it, I would have never believed it.”

“Me either,” said Tifa, brown eyes large. Nanaki continued to sip his iced tea, ignoring the strange games of his two-legged companions. He did not understand humans, he never would. But he did appreciate their usefulness at creating such things as iced tea and cheeseburgers.

Across the room, Reno and Vincent watched as Cloud and Cid left the café, arms about each other, strolling through the evening towards Cloud’s motorcycle. Slowly Vincent turned his head to look at Reno, who was staring after Cloud, green eyes huge, lower lip wibbling.

“‘Let’s go on a date’ you said,” muttered Vincent. “‘They’ll get jealous and come to their senses,’ you said.”

“I thought it would work,” squeaked Reno, his green eyes welling up with tears as Cloud and Cid tore off on Cloud’s motorcycle.

“You and your bright ideas,” muttered Vincent.

“You thought it would work too!”

“No,” said Vincent quietly, “I told you it was a ludicrous, juvenile idea and was bound to blow up in our faces.”

Reno sighed, looking down at his drink, idly stirring it. “Now what do we do?”

Vincent thought. “My place or yours?” he finally said.

“Mine,” said Reno, standing up and grabbing his coat. “Yours is creepy.”