For Reeve

[emovampboy]

When it came to use of his phone, Vincent was very much like Cloud. He left it on, received messages and listened to or read them, but quite rarely responded. The few times he did respond tended to be if he deemed an actual answer to be required, or when from time to time Marlene got hold of Cloud or Tifa's phone and contacted him. Since it was so rare for her to do so, he always took it as a good thing to answer.

Which meant he had answered when she called him a few days after a message from Tifa asking him to come to a party for the girl, which he had ignored; his first mistake. Once answered, the girl had spent several minutes speaking to him, until suddenly springing the question of if he were coming to her party and making it quite impossible for him to really say no without seeming like a total heel, and so he agreed to go; his second mistake. And then he had made his third mistake - actually going.

At first, it really wouldn't have seemed to have been a bad idea. He knew everyone who was invited, how they acted around one another, and that Tifa would keep the whole group from going completely crazy over the course of the night, but he had not expected having to assist in breaking up one of Cloud and Barrett's squabbles when the woman had to leave for a short time to fetch something, and honestly he was glad that Reeve was invited and could help diffuse the situation with; especially when Yuffie and a very unhelpful Cid decided it would be a great idea to bet on who would win if they actually took to fistacuffs over whatever stupid thing it was this time which set them off.

All of this had left him rather done with company, and as soon as Tifa was back to be the adult in the situation, he'd snuck outside for some relative peace and quiet.

Comments

[emovampboy]

Considering half his issues with Lucrecia were him not speaking up, and her doing the same until things were a mess, this is not the best answer to be giving him, and although he remains entirely calm in appearance, the red eyes keeping steady on Reeve likely tell that more is going on behind them.

If he asks again for Reeve to be clear, will he receive another vague answer? Would it be alright to receive such, and let things alone? Or is this a time to push?

His grip tightens subtly, not painful but meant to keep Reeve from freeing himself, voice lowering and carrying the smallest edge of the danger a former Turk can produce.

"Tell me."

He isn't risking letting things sit this time.

[plate_builder]

Interesting reaction. Reeve was neither expecting it nor sure of how to proceed beyond obeying.

"I was thinking that if I wished a night alone in a bed, I'd go home. In asking to stay I did not mean in this room, that was already the intention, if only so I can spare the efforts of my security. I meant closer to you."

A shared bed. Need he be more specific? He would.

[emovampboy]

More interesting is Reeve. He had seemed to be avoiding much in the way of contact, seeming to worry it would be a bad idea, and now he was suggesting a shared bed? Potentially even something more? What a curious thing.

Yet he doesn't let go, just staring quietly at Reeve. Thinking and debating what his next course of action should be. It may even seem, for a time, that Vincent has frozen in place.

Finally he does move, though, and it's not slow. Releasing Reeve's wrist, he grabs his shoulder instead and shoves, following the shove with a rush so he can press Reeve back against the nearest wall, body flesh against him.

"Closer, like this?"

[plate_builder]

Not at all what Reeve meant. He had stood there through the appraising silence, expecting and waiting for encouragement to be more clear. Or quiet permission that yes the space could be shared. Instead a flurry of motion and there he was, back stinging just a bit from hitting the wall, and then to immediately have Vincent there, so close, pinning him.  Reeve was forced to bite his lip to hold back any potentially embarrassing noises. Which of course would do little to hide the way his body reacted to it all. His heart was racing and he could swear his lips ache from the pounding of it. And no doubt Vincent would be able to tell the other reaction, further down.  But Reeve was trying to stay dignified here. He didn’t want to be the man he was when he was younger, driven into beds quickly and out of hearts even faster. He wanted more than that, and wouldn’t give in to an ache for pleasure because it was easier than building a relationship.  “This was not exactly what I meant,” he answered, somehow managing to keep his voice level. “The beds are wide enough for two men to share one. Proximity was the goal I had in mind. Not that you are not beautiful enough to make a man burn with desire.”

[emovampboy]

This close, even the oblivious Cloud would notice the reaction. Of course, this close, it is fortunate Vincent is not a certain red-headed Turk, because what Reeve is saying would be completely un-listened to.

As it is, Vincent is unsure he believes it completely. He is sure Reeve wants to be close, and probably wouldn't mind just being beside the vampire, but then why act so coy when Vincent has already been ok with a lot?

"You confuse me." Vincent moves back just a little, but not enough to let Reeve free. "You know I lack skill in this department, so you have to be clear with me."

[plate_builder]

He doesn’t mean to be coy. He really doesn’t. 

“If you wonder whether I want you physically, the answer is yes. But that wasn’t my intention tonight. I’ve had relationships that seemed viable at first and fizzled out after a romp in bed. I am more serious about you than that. I want more than that. But... being straightforward about it is strange.”

All his partners before had been men he had to dance around the subject with. And few had ever been the sort to take ‘cuddling’ over ‘fucking.’

[emovampboy]

"If you're not straightfoward, I don't understand." Vincent still doesn't seem ready to move. "You keep acting like physical contact is dangerous, but then you seem upset because I don't take your request as wanting contact..."

[plate_builder]

“I am sorry,” Reeve sighed. Apparently his words did nothing to explain himself.

“Do not mistake me. I want physical contact with you in many meanings of the word. I shall try to be more clear in the future. It has not been in my nature for a good many years. I do want you, Vincent. I just want to be certain whatever is happening here is more than sexual tension. It’s been a while since you were intimate with someone no doubt. The same is true for me. I know that sometimes the need for contact with another person can seem to be a desire for a lasting relationship when it is only an ache for sex. Or a need to just be close. I’m trying to figure out what is what.”

If he just wanted fucked, after all, he could ask Reno.

[emovampboy]

Vincent listens silently, letting Reeve spell things out. It's easier if he explains this, and Vincent seems pleased in his way to be hearing it, relaxing slightly and pulling back enough Reeve can move if he wants.

"I don't mind if you are in the same bed."

[plate_builder]

Reeve wants to applaud himself over not whining over the loss of Vincent’s proximity. Even with all he said he still wanted the man. In many, many ways. He’s... going to just stand here and continue to be a bit embarrassed over how little control he has over his body.

“Thank you.”

For wonderful new things to imagine, among other things.

“I... uh, is it okay if I borrow your shower? Having a ridiculously handsome man restrain me against a wall he slammed me into is... well, it does things to a man with an active imagination.”

[emovampboy]

Vincent shakes his head a little, and doesn't hide a chuckle. "You truly confuse me... but, feel free to use the shower."

[plate_builder]

"How so?" Reeve asked, frowning. He knows he's not exactly the easiest to follow at the best of times, but he still wants to know how he can make this easier.

[emovampboy]

"I just don't know what you mean sometimes..." He can't really explain well, but he'll try. "Your words sometimes conflict. I suppose because you are always worrying what I will think."

[plate_builder]

"I admit I am worried a bit what you will think. More than that, I'm worried about doing this right. And I think not sleeping with you on the first night is probably the right choice."

Right? Please tell him it's right because he wants it bad, and he needs reassured he's doing the right thing.

[emovampboy]

"Is there a right or wrong?" A little deep, maybe, but true. "It's fine to take things slow, or fast... but I suppose we should discuss things more when you are done showering. As in what we want, on both ends."

[plate_builder]

"Alright. I can agree to that," Reeve said as he finally moved away from the wall and off toward the shower.

They both have baggage, Vincent. Reeve's is just a bit different. Regrets over what he did do rather than what he didn't.

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods, letting Reeve do so and going to readjust the room, since the table is still between the beds, before sitting down on the bed and removing at least his cloak and shoes and socks to wait for Reeve.

[plate_builder]

It's not too long before Reeve returned, and he's even managed to get himself into his pajamas. Was it wrong that his pajama shirt was a sweatshirt with Cait's likeness on it? Probably. He didn't care. The paraphernalia made to celebrate the 'heroes of the world' came from small businesses and he supported people trying to get back on their feet and make some gil.

He even had Cait Sith socks someone had knitted him, but he didn't bring those.

He moved to sit across from Vincent on the other bed as he worked on drying hair.

"Okay then."

[emovampboy]

Somehow Vincent is not at all surprised by the Cait Sith pajamas. He even imagines Marlene has some and would be delighted to know one of the adults could match her. So he doesn't say anything, instead focusing on Reeve, "Feeling better?"

[plate_builder]

"A bit less tense," Reeve admitted. Cold water did that.

[emovampboy]

"Good." Vincent turns to actually face Reeve. "I don't know how we are supposed to start this discussion..."

[plate_builder]

"Neither do I. It's your discussion," Reeve reminded him.

And... he really doesn't know how to talk about this. How to explain that he's serious and somehow serious and jumping right into bed may not be the same thing.

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods, and takes a bit of time to consider things properly.

There are two things he sees as being necessary to discuss. One is how to communicate, or more accuately what to communicate. The second is explaining themselves so they don't keep confusing things.

Which, then, should be first? Logically speaking...

"Tell me about your past relationships." A pause, and a clarification. "Or more, why you are so concerned what you say will bother me."

[plate_builder]

Oh. That... Reeve can't even look at Vincent as he thinks about the right way to say this. Because there is no good way to do it, right? But it had to be done.

"I have been in a good number of relationships. If you discount the one that I had in graduate school, none of them lasted very long. I was given a lot of conflicting explanations for why. More than one person commented on my... forwardness of language when I was younger. And then sharing too much information and getting a relationship toward an 'emotional level' they were not prepared for."

It had gotten to the point where he'd sworn off of relationships as much because of concern that there was something wrong with him as it was his lack of time.

[emovampboy]

That explains a few things, for sure. Suprisingly, a lot of what he is saying is also the issue they are having, just in a bit of a reverse.

Reeve has made clear where he wants this relationship to go, at least as clearly as he can, but has also said that he is ok going slower for Vincent's comfort as well. So there is no issue with Vincent worrying for that.

The communication, over sharing, well... It would seem that such things would be more useful to Vincent than not. He has already said as much, but it would seem appropriate to say it again.

"I would prefer you be honest and straight-forward. With Lucrecia, I had to guess as well quite often, at least when it came to giving her space and her job. I wasn't forceful enough in many cases, and it lead to trouble.

"And aside from her, I have not had much in the way of a love life. I am very bad at reading the signals..."