Dusk
Chapter Four

Rating: R
Category: AU
Pairing(s): Cid/Vincent
Warnings: Angst.
Summary: All the puzzle pieces fall into place at last.
Notes: For ani_mama.

This is Part Four.
If you need to read Part One, click here.
If you need to read Part Two, click here.
If you need to read Part Three, click here.

Cid and Vincent watched as Rufus Shinra arrived on the back of a gold chocobo, followed closely by Elena and Reno. Cid walked over to the great golden bird, helping Rufus off the animal’s back.

“You shouldn’t be out here in your condition,” Cid chastised.

Elena pointed at Cid as she addressed Rufus. “SEE?!”

“Elena I can’t stay in bed forever,” said Rufus.

“You’re not well,” said Reno.

Cid carefully helped Rufus into the cave. “Do you pay them extra to fuss?”

“I give them bonuses to cut it out.”

“You are looking a little frail,” said Cid.

“I’d like to see how frisky you look after being pounded into a wall by a pissed-off rocket-shooting giant.”

Cid helped Rufus over to a pile of rugs and pillows positioned on the sandy floor near some small tables and a little fire pit. It was the closest Cid and Vincent had to a living room, but it was comfortable enough for Rufus’ battered body. In fact he seemed to quite enjoy the way the sand compressed beneath him, cradling his pained joints.

“You okay?” Cid asked, not wanting to face off with a couple Turks who thought their boss was in danger.

“I’m fine,” Rufus insisted testily. “Please sit, I would like to get down to business.”

Cid seated himself on the rugs, facing Rufus. “So what’s up?”

“Cid I will be succinct. I need an airship.”

Cid just stared at him. “You’re not funny.”

“I am not trying to be funny and I did not ride here in unspeakable pain to mock you,” said Rufus. “I need an aircraft. And I need you to find a way to make me one. And before you begin telling me that combustion engines no longer work – yes I know. I have a garage full of beautiful four-wheeled lawn ornaments. And I noticed you have a rather lovely sculpture yourself.”

“Yeah,” said Cid quietly. “So… you want me to design an airship that will run without a combustion engine. Something like the ancient airships that ran on elemental energy.”

Rufus nodded. “Yes.”

“Well I’m not familiar with those engines, I’m gonna need some…”

“Reading material?” purred Rufus.

Cid watched as Elena and Reno each deposited a stack of ancient tomes before him on the rugs. Cid just stared at the books, blinking.

“I think I have a hard-on.”

“That is far more than I needed to know,” said Rufus. “So can you do it?”

Cid picked up one of the old books and began leafing through it, gently turning the pages. “Of course I can, I’m Cid Highwind. It’ll just take a while.”

“I’ll have your crew brought up from Rocket Town.”

“I don’t have a crew in Rocket Town,” Cid snapped. “I have a lot of traitorous shits who were happy to call me friend until they found out I would rather cuddle up to Vincent than Shera.”

Rufus raised an eyebrow. “Really.”

Cid raised his head to look at Rufus. “Yeah. Didn’t you know that? Did you know they sandblasted my name off the plaque commemorating the rocket launch, and the building of the town? Did you know they erased me from the town logs?”

“No,” said Rufus. “Which is interesting because when I showed up with my arm around Reeve they didn’t say shit.”

Cid grinned. “You’re with Reeve? Nice. He’s fine.”

“He certainly is. So you appear to be a victim of what seems to be an outbreak of conditional homophobia.”

“Looks that way,” said Cid, leafing through the books. “They’ve certainly gone out of their way to eradicate me. Funny they didn’t say anything to you.”

“Not so funny, actually. The town is in dire straits, so they very much wanted the money I was going to drop on an experimental airship project. Then when they told me that you no longer lived there, I and my gil left.”

“Oh yeah? How long ago was that?”

“Three or four days. Why?”

Cid looked annoyed. “Just long enough for Shera to take one of those ugly hybrid cars up here to beg me to come back to Rocket Town.”

“I hope you told her no.”

“I damned near killed her.”

Rufus sighed quietly. “I don’t like people who try to run games on me. Let me know what you need, I’ll have it brought in.”

“Well right now all I need is equipment to start messing around with schematics – desk, paper, calculator, rulers…”

“I’ll see you have everything you need. Then I will send Tseng into Rocket Town to investigate what was done to you. I take a very dim view of such nonsense, especially since I prefer a warm male body myself. They actually erased you from the town records?”

“Well they told me they did. I haven’t been back to look.”

“Hardly surprising.” Rufus sighed quietly. “Cid I’m sorry.”

“Ah it’s not your fault. But I think you should spend the night. You look like hell.”

“That’s only because I feel like hell.”

Rufus dozed on the rugs, finding the sandy floor quite comfortable on his damaged bones. Cid sat nearby, reading, far away in the land of airships and schematics. Vincent left him alone and put Elena and Reno to work clearing brush near the door while he spent a pleasant afternoon reading and enjoying some wine.

“I’m a Turk, not a gardener, yo!” Reno complained.

Vincent sent Cloud a photo of Reno, tousled , sweaty, and shirtless. “And I’m a Turk also. I have been for over thirty years. That gives me seniority.”

Reno grumbled, then looked puzzled as his phone rang. He drew it out and looked at it. “Why is Cloud calling me?”

“Can’t imagine,” said Vincent.

“Sneaky,” said Elena, smiling.

“I’m a closet romantic,” said Vincent.

“Sweetie no man who spends thirty years in a coffin after his girlfriend dumped him is a closet romantic. You are hardcore. Now give me a sip of your wine.”

Vincent did, relaxing in the warm sun. It was a nice day, and it was good to see Cid pouring over Rufus’ books. He hoped Cid could find some way to recreate his beloved airships. He rather missed the obnoxious arrogance and over-confidence.

Reno closed his phone, and looked over at Vincent. “Why did Cloud Strife just call me up out of the blue and ask if I’d like to do sushi with him?”

“He likes sushi,” said Vincent.

“Well so do I but I never thought about calling him to go eat it.”

“Maybe he was eating oysters and needed someone easy,” said Elena.

“Then he should have called you.”

Vincent rose from his perch and closed his book. “Now, now. Don’t make me send you to your rooms. If you’re good I’ll make dinner.”

“What if we’re not good?” asked Reno.

“You can lick the moss off the rocks.”

“Eyew,” said Elena.

“Aw come on, Elena,” said Reno. “You can’t tell me you’ve never licked…”

Elena punched him. Vincent went inside to start dinner.

***---***

It was late, and it was dark and cold. The cave was silent, and all the inhabitants were settled deep in sleep. Rufus Shinra was asleep on the rugs under a chocobo down quilt, nestled between Reno and Elena, the Turks diligently keeping their boss warm at night as well as fairly safe from anything that may creep into the cave. Outside, something made a quiet sound. Reno raised his head, but, deciding the noise was nothing he needed to worry about, he settled against Rufus once more.

Vincent was sound asleep in bed beside Cid, snuggled close beside him, an arm across his midriff, lost in his dreams. The wind whispered sleepily through the trees, and small creatures scuttled quick and silent through the underbrush. The golden chocobos were stabled in one of the cave’s chambers, huddled together, feathers fluffed against the chill of the spring air as they slept.

Cid shifted in his dreams, and as if on some cue, Vincent sat up. His red eyes gleamed in the night, but he was by no means awake. Naked, he slowly stood up, his long black hair hanging loose and wild down his back as he moved silently out of the cave and into the night. He walked along the empty black streets, his hair blowing as he went directly to the ruins of a large house. Long ago his lover had lived here, and he still had a few things…

Vincent walked unerringly to a battered house with large portions of the walls missing. The floor was broken and covered in leaves and debris, but he neither saw not felt it as he walked to what had once been a bedroom, and over to a closed chest. He knelt before it and raised the lid, finding within a long black lace gown, and lace veil, and other items of clothing. Though the house was decayed and collapsing, the garments within seemed as if they had been made but days before. But then it had been a very costly gown, and Vincent’s father had insisted upon a chest with an enchantment on it…

Vincent slowly dressed in the weighty lace garment, pulling on the undergarments first, then the layers of hand crafted silk lace, then finally the veil. It was the custom for some powerful men of business to raise a son as a daughter, if they had no real daughters. He was expected to fulfil the duties of an obedient daughter, and marry whom he was told to in order to better his family. But no appropriate suitors had been presented, and Vincent was lonely. Did it truly matter if he chose his own lover? He certainly was not about to disgrace his family with illegitimate children.

Vincent stepped out into the street, reaching for the bridle of his faithful horse. Leading the great black animal, he walked down the street, heading for the stable where Cid would be working. He would take his horse to have him groomed; a perfect excuse to meet Cid. He raised his skirts slightly, not wishing them to become dirty. Father would be so angry…

He stepped into the stable, walking over to the large, powerful man feeding hay to a pony. Vincent came to stand beside him, ruby eyes shining.

“My horse is so dirty, I cannot ride him.”

Cid turned to look at him, smiling. “Is he? Better let me brush him for you…”

Vincent shook his head, and suddenly found he was standing in the cave once more, clad in the black lace gown. He blinked in confusion at Cid, looking around.

“Where am I? What… what am I wearing?”

“I don’t know but I like it,” said Cid. “It’s gorgeous. And so are you. Are you okay?”

“I guess I was sleepwalking…” said Vincent quietly.

“Well come into the bedroom before you bother Rufus and his heating pads. Oh man you are hot in that…”

Cid gently scooped him up, carrying him to the bed and placing him down on it, then stepping back to admire the scene before him. He ran his eyes over Vincent’s body, then growled quietly.

“Mr. Valentine, I think we have to have a serious discussion about getting you a few more gowns….”

“You’re not in the least bit concerned that I was out sleepwalking in the dark and somehow managed to find the actual gown I was wearing in your vision?”

“I’ll care after I’m done with you.”

Vincent rolled his eyes, then smiled as Cid got onto the bed with him. “Maybe I’ll get a few more gowns. I’m only wearing them for you, though.”

Cid said nothing; he was far too intent on expressing his opinion of the cascade of black lace enveloping his lover. Vincent kissed him hard, enjoying the enthusiasm, and hoping Cid didn’t tear the dress. He didn’t think he could ask Tifa to show him how to mend it, he wasn’t sure he could deal with the questions. He closed his eyes and sighed, shivering as Cid slowly pushed the lace up, feeling the strong hand lightly caress him between his thighs…

She came out of the darkness like a harpy, screaming and deranged, her hair a tangled nightmare. She fell on Cid with a vengeance, both hands clutching a knife she fully intended to drive into his back. Cid managed to fling himself out of the way, and Vincent got up abruptly, grabbing her wrists as she screamed and fought with him. Seconds later Reno came tearing in, intending to help Vincent subdue the intruder. Vincent managed to get the knife away from her, but then the insane woman punched him, and Vincent felt himself falling. He struck something warm and solid… and felt the knife stab deep. He heard Cid make a strange gasping noise, and felt himself go cold as he heard those horrible whispered words he knew too well.

“My heart…”

“Don’t pull it out!” Elena screamed. “It might make things worse! Let’s get him on the bed. Reno get that bitch out of here!”

Reno hauled the madwoman out of the tent, while Cid lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, blood vomiting out of the wound in an oily gleaming torrent. Elena and Vincent managed to get him on the bed, then Elena tried to staunch the flow of blood with her waded-up uniform jacket. She called out to Rufus in the main room.

“Sir if you could please move your esteemed ass…?”

“Got it,” said Rufus. “Vincent catch.”

A ball of green materia was lobbed into the tent. Vincent caught it, then aimed it at Cid, invoking it as Elena pulled the knife.

“Who the hell was that?” she asked.

“No idea,” said Vincent. “Cid speak to me…”

Cid coughed up a spray of blood. “My heart…” he croaked.

Vincent watched as the materia worked, closing the wound, finally healing it but not before Cid had lost an enormous amount of blood. Vincent set aside the materia, taking hold of Cid’s hand and finding it cool.

“Cid? Cid are you alive…?”

Elena bent down over him, pressing her ear to his chest, her face and hair in the thick coating of blood.

“I hear a heart beat. He’s alive, probably just too weak to respond. There’s not much we can do for him way out here. We’ll just have to hope he pulls through.”

Vincent gathered up his long skirts and left the tent quickly, hurrying over to Reno who was just finishing shackling their intruder to a support brace.

“Who is she?” Vincent asked.

Reno blinked sensual green eyes at him. “Look for yourself.”

Vincent did, pushing back the lace veil so he could see the face of Cid’s assailant. She was so dirty and wild looking that it took a moment, but then his eyes widened in shock.

“Lucrecia?”

She began to weep. “I just wanted you back…”

Vincent’s jaw dropped. He stared in utter astonishment, then felt something within his mind crack, releasing decades of hurt. Vincent Valentine was not a man prone to rages. But he had one now.

“YOU WANTED ME BACK!? YOU WANTED ME BACK!?” He rose onto his toes in an attempt to raise the volume of his voice, clenching small fists, his thin, almost frail frame rigid with fury. “YOU WANTED ME BACK??. You throw me away for Hojo, then watch me die on the floor, experiment on me like a toad in a jar then raise me from the dead only to give away the child THAT COULD FUCKING WELL BE MINE, and you have the guts to follow me all over Gaia and track me down to this cave to stab my lover because you want me back?! ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE OR JUST SO FUCKING STUPID THAT YOU SHOULD BE A POSTER CHILD FOR POST-NATAL ABORTION?!”

Reno carefully helped Rufus to his feet. “Let’s go visit the chocobos, I think the little vampire is ready to discover his fifth limit breaker and I don’t think we should be on hand to witness it.”

“I loved you!” sobbed Lucrecia. “You should have stopped me from…”

“FROM WHAT?! From being every bit as stupid as I tried to tell you that you were?”

“But I loved you!”

Vincent stood panting, feeling his nails cut into the palms of his hands, and the blood begin to flow.

“No. You never loved me. I loved you but all you loved was your own ambition and the sound of your own voice. You killed my father. You killed me. You almost killed Cid and used me to do it. What were you thinking?!”

“I didn’t want to be alone anymore! You’re mine!”

“I’m Cid’s,” he said softly. “I was yours a very, very long time ago, in another life.” He pulled off his brass gauntlet, letting it fall to the ground. Then he pulled the glove off and showed her the withered discoloured limb beneath. “THIS IS WHAT IT GOT ME!”

“Vincent…”

He turned his back on her and returned to Cid’s side, pausing as he saw the blood all over the tent. Elena came to stand beside him.

“Reno and I will move Cid someplace cleaner. You better change out of that pretty dress or it’s gonna get trashed.”

***---***

It was late afternoon when Cid finally opened his eyes, still too weak to do little more than reach for Vincent’s hand. Vincent squeezed the hand gently, then kissed his face.

“You had me scared,” said Vincent.

Cid smiled weakly. “You scared me pretty good too. Who was that?”

“Lucrecia. After we spoke to her in the cave during our travels she began following us. She wanted me back. I guess catching me with you sent her into some sort of fit.”

“So all the ghost stuff was a warning,” said Cid, closing his eyes.

“I suppose,” said Vincent. “Seems to make sense. The dream about seeing you leap off the airship led me to the right cave in which to find the house, and finding the house led me to the images on the screen in the amphitheatre. It was all laid out before me, but I had no idea Lucrecia was following me, or that she was here. If Rufus hadn’t been here… I would have lost you.”

“Ah you would have enjoyed the peace,” Cid whispered.

“No,” said Vincent quietly. “I love you. I know that now. It may be hard to find the feelings because of all that was done to me but I know I love you. I would not have enjoyed the peace. I would have cursed the silence.”

Cid managed a smile. “Then I’m glad Rufus was here too.” He gently squeezed Vincent’s hand. “Hey, wanna hear my idea for a new airship engine?”

Vincent lay down beside him, nestling close. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”