emovampboy | For Reeve

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

plate_builder

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

From:

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."

From:

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."

From:

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...?"

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

emovampboy

Vincent takes whatever time is needed to clean and put things away, no sense in letting things sit over night, before moving with his usual quistness to Reeve's bedroom, just in case the man has fallen asleep.

From:

plate_builder

Not asleep. Not yet. No, instead he was curled up and stroking his kitten, who was already on his chest, curled up and purring away a storm. Normally he didn't let her stay in such a position, but he was too tired to argue with Mittens.

"You ready to rest yourself?"

From:

emovampboy

Cute sight, though Vincent won't express the thought except via the smallest of fleeting smiles, before he moves to sit on the bed and begin removing what clothing he doesn't need for rest.

"I am, and yet it looks like you may not be allowed."

From:

plate_builder

“I am sure the kitten can be handled,” Reeve laughs as he lifts said form, mewling in protest, from his chest and reaching to put her on a padded cushion just beyond the end of the bed.

“You might wake up to her snuggling you. Fair warning.”

From:

emovampboy

"I might wake up to you doing the same." Now dressed down enough for sleep, Vincent shifts so he is fully in the bed, giving Reeve a smile, though that smile is only in his eyes, face as straight as always.

From:

plate_builder

"What? Are you saying you don't trust me to keep my hands to myself?"

Just because he's proven that he can't doesn't mean it's absolutely true.

From:

emovampboy

Vincent shrugs gently, and shifts so he is facing Reeve as he lays down, and the man can do the same if he wants. "It is more of if you want to keep them to yourself."

From:

plate_builder

Ah but to roll over to look at him, he'd have to dislodge the lovely kitten. But he does reach out to rest his hand against Vincent's side.

"I really don't. But you were hurt. I shouldn't push you."

From:

emovampboy

Vincent brushes his hand against Reeve's. "True... though I thankfully heal quickly."

From:

plate_builder

"A single day isn't enough, surely."

So he'll be gentle for a while.

From:

emovampboy

Vincent gives his faint smile again, and stretches a little before seeming to settle down to rest. "Maybe... I suppose it will set your mind at ease that I rest one more night, at least, before doing anything too strenuous."