Chapter Text
Vincent was broken out of his reverie by someone calling his name. He was hungry, he realized. He didn't know how long he'd been sitting here. Perhaps a week. His altered body let him live at the speed of his thoughts sometimes; going a month without food as he relived a single afternoon staring at the crystalline structure he took refuge in.
Vincent let his visitor call his name once more before looking over his shoulder dolefully. His friends knew better than to interrupt him needlessly, especially in this cave.
"Thought I might find you here," Cloud said, standing just a ways away, giving Vincent the space to finish his vigil in peace.
Vincent turned back to the grave of his love and closed his eyes with more silent prayer and stood stiffly. Perhaps it had been a little longer than a week if the pain in his hips was anything to go by.
"Yuffie said you stopped answering your phone. She was getting worried."
Vincent looked down to his cellphone with callous regard. "It died."
Cloud chuckled lightly and said," Yeah, they tend to do that."
Vincent did make an effort to keep it charged; every couple of days Yuffie would send him a string or characters arranged to make a face or a short question and he'd been informed he was supposed to reply in kind. He sent back the same face every time, (・_・), but she always replied she was happy to hear he was doing well, so he must be doing something right.
"The cord broke," Vincent explained. "I bought a replacement, but it didn't fit."
Cloud held up his hand, and Vincent tossed the phone over. He watched Cloud pop the port cover off and get a good look at it, then shake his head. "No luck. Looks kinda like the cable Tifa's uses."
Vincent caught the phone as it was passed back to him, and he pocketed it. Looking back to the source of his obsession, he asked," How long then?"
Yuffie wouldn't have called Cloud to check in on him if it had only been a week.
"Almost a month. You missed Cid's big launch day."
Vincent hummed in acknowledgment, then bobbed his head with some dismissal and said," Send him my apologies."
"He understands being wrapped up with something. No hard feelings."
Vincent let his gaze rest on the ground. "He's wrapped up in the future, and for all I've claimed otherwise, I'm still tangled in the past."
"It's hard. Losing someone," Cloud offered consolingly. As Vincent's brows furrowed with pain, Cloud couldn't keep the distance any longer.
"Not a day goes by," Cloud whispered, embracing Vincent.
He was rigid in Cloud's arms, ready to pull away but holding off as he felt a tremble to Cloud's breath. Cloud was trying not to cry, Vincent realized. He put together the other big date he would have missed if he was gone for an entire month. Stiffly, like he was controlled by a rusty puppeteer, he hugged Cloud back.
"I'm sorry," Vincent said, full sincerity in this apology this time.
Cloud buried his face against Vincent's shoulder, and Vincent hesitated, but leaned his cheek against the spiky, blond hair tickling his neck. The two of them melted into this unexpected embrace, both typically so reserved but overwhelmed by a sorrow that could never truly stop hurting.
"We fight so others may never know our pain," Vincent murmured, half-lidded eyes resting on the pink ribbon tied at Cloud's bicep. Vincent also wore one, and while this loss tied them together, it didn't entirely ease the pain of its anniversary.
Cloud pulled away eventually, averting his gaze a little solemnly before shaking his head lightly and offering Vincent the barest hint of a smile. A commendable attempt from the often cold swordsman.
Vincent felt… less alone for now, soul still aching as he looked back to the glowing memorial but ready to leave. Ready to join his friends.
Cloud began walking without further word, and Vincent followed.