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

[plate_builder]

As if that comment would earn comment from Reeve. He just nods as if to say ‘of course you don’t.’

“Alright then. If something pressing comes up, please call me.”

Eaten by videogames... hahaha... will hit Rufus tonight

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods, and as if to prove he is reliable, he reaches down to scoop up the cat which has come to greet him again and pet her. "I'll make sure Mittens is fed and rest while you are working."

[plate_builder]

Now don't they make a cute picture? Reeve chuckles and leans in just long enough to brush his lips against Vincent's cheek. And yes, he does enjoy this quite a bit.

"Soon," he promises them both, reaching to scratch his kitten's head before moving away.

He isn't back for a good six more hours, meaning it's pushing nine at night when he finally returns to his home, looking quite tired.

[emovampboy]

Vincent is on the couch when Reeve returns, idly playing with Mittens using some toy or another he has found around the house meant for the purpose, and without breaking the game he speaks. "Welcome home. I got some food earlier, and the leftovers are in the fridge."

[plate_builder]

There is something that is both shocking and intensely pleasing about coming home to such a sight. In a way he hadn't much remembered Vincent was there, with how tired he was. His whole brain had been dedicated to wrapping itself around the few things he would absolutely have to do before he could dare to sleep. Feeding his kitten was one. Figuring out something to eat was another. And there Vincent had taken care of both.

To say it had Reeve looking at the former-Turk with something quite like fondness would be an understatement.

So he crossed to Vincent, setting a hand on his shoulder and smiling at the other man.

"Thank you."

[emovampboy]

Vincent looks back as Reeve approaches, the kitten now more interested in her master than the toy she had been swatting at, nodding a 'you're welcome' before standing slowly, though making sure it is obvious he isn't trying to throw that hand off.

"Sit, and I'll go warm the food for you."

[plate_builder]

Well now Vincent just sounds like his assistant. Reeve doesn’t argue, though. His assistant can’t kick his ass after all. 

“You really don’t have to. I was thinking of just sleeping.”

[emovampboy]

Vincent may not be the best about caring for himself and his needs, something Reeve and everyone else is likely well aware of, but he does seem to have a thing about caring for other's needs; perhaps something retained from his days of being a naive Turk?

Which just means he shakes his head at Reeve gently. "I imagine you have not eaten well today. So you should at least eat something."

[plate_builder]

Vincent isn't wrong about that. With a sigh Reeve takes a place a the table and nods. Fine, he'll let Vincent fuss. Just doesn't know how to let someone else do that when he's home.

"You're doing better, then?"

[emovampboy]

Moving to the fridge, Vincent pulls out whatever it is he had previously bought for himself, grabbing out a plate as he moves to warm the food.

"Still a little weary, but I rested quite a bit before you returned."

[plate_builder]

"Then you'll probably be free to go soon, won't you?"

Not that Reeve wants the man to. But he understands that Vincent isn't very big on the city life anymore.

[emovampboy]

"Perhaps." He sets about gathering up things Reeve might need to eat. "I'll stay for a while, as I believe it will set your mind at ease."

[plate_builder]

"I wouldn't keep you here, Vincent. I'm worried you'd be bored because I'll be busy. I'm comforted enough to see you moving easily."

And he smiles, or tries to. He's so tired.

[emovampboy]

The answer only earns a small glance, an indication he understands, before finishing his task and setting some food in front of Reeve. "What would you like to drink?"

[plate_builder]

But he only has water and caffeinated beverages. Something tells him Vincent won't let him have caffeine.

"Water will suffice, thank you," he says, already starting into the food.

This is so quaint. So lovely.

[emovampboy]

He would certainly not have allowed Reeve coffee. The man probably had blood composed of 40% of the bean-based drink, and that was never good.

Grabbing a cup, Vincent gets Reeve some water, before settling into the seat across from him.

[plate_builder]

"Somehow I thought you wouldn't be here when I got back," Reeve admits. "Which was unfair to you."

[emovampboy]

Vincent seems to have a moment where he almost seems to debate not speaking at all, like he has done more than once in the past, before finally shaking his head slowly.

"Perhaps in the past, but it didn't seem like something to do now... especially since I know you don't mind my being about."

[plate_builder]

Don't mind? Oh, quite the opposite. Reeve smiles fondly at the other man.

"Even without what we're trying here, you're a friend, Vincent. You'd always be welcome. It's just... if we weren't trying this, I'd probably invest in a pull out couch."

[emovampboy]

Always welcome? Reeve should know how Vincent is. How much he worries, avoids and generally feels like trouble for others. And despite his strange behavior the night before, he is still very much Vincent and that means he worries about being someone's burden.

Yet the remark brings a curious tilt of his head. "Pull out couch for...?"

[plate_builder]

"For your use. If we were in only a friendly relationship, or return to that, I would want to make sure you were comfortable with space to sleep for yourself."

With the assumption that Vincent might choose to steal an hour or two. Perhaps it isn't a fair assumption, but he prefers to offer comfort to his guests.

[emovampboy]

Vincent looks as if he starts to say something, but reconsiders. He could see the response if he said the floor would be sufficient if he were not occupying the other dark-haired man's bed with him; the latter part still a curious thought of its own, despite having considered it many times already.

Altogether, the thoughts lead to him remaining quite silent.

[plate_builder]

The thing is? Reeve would not be okay with the whole thing. He's too thoughtful of the comfort of others. If he wasn't like that, he would be a poor man for doing the job he has set himself to. But he offers a brief smile and finishes his water and food before rising and holding his hand out to Vincent.

"For now, though, we have a pleasant bed, and I can think of no one better to share it with."

[emovampboy]

Reeve may seek the comfort of others, but Vincent was terrible at allowing people to do that for him. Although he could admit it was simpler to allow, even if only a little, since waking up at the mansion and assisting Cloud's group. And yet even a bit more easy when it came to allowing Reeve, since somehow he felt both guilty and amused when he disallowed such a thing... not that he would admit to the latter.

Yet he shakes his head a bit at the offer, indicating the dishes. "I'll put these away first."

[plate_builder]

"Of course. Feel free to join me when you finish."

Because there wasn't a lot he could do from there on, other than finding his bed and lying down to watch his companion.