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]

Wait, what?

Reeve looks up from the coffee pot, turning his head quickly and his head hurts so bad at the motion. His head hurts, his mouth feels like sandpaper, and what did Vincent say?

"Could you repeat that?"

[emovampboy]

"What you think was a dream." He reaches past Reeve intentionally, leaning into him slightly as he grabs a band towel. "I meant it."

He keeps a trained, serious eye on Reeve. He had meant what he said, and had time to consider overnight if the course of action he'd suggested the night before was a mistake. Determined it wasn't.

And since Reeve seemed to be intent to ignore it, or forgot, he was bringing it up again.

[plate_builder]

Oh. Oh dear. That actually... Reeve just stands there, a touch stunned. Perhaps more than he had been when he was drunk. This was really a thing. Vincent had really...

With wide eyes he stares at Vincent, trying to process this for a moment. And then he smiles. So it wasn't a dream. Vincent leaning over him, touching his brow lightly, saying soft words he wouldn't believe.

"And here I do remember telling you that I wouldn't want you to hold anything I said while I was drunk against me. It's not kind to joke with a man my age, Vincent. Old men don't have strong hearts. They break so easily."

[emovampboy]

"Do you think I'm that cruel?" He draws back a way, but doesn't break eye contact. "I was very clear that I'm not sure, which means you have all the facts."

[plate_builder]

"I don't," Reeve admits. His head is killing him, but Vincent had asked him about what a suave Reeve was like. Maybe he can at least show Vincent that.

He reaches up, brushing a stray hair back, tucking it over Vincent's ear.

"I think you're a man who weighs his decisions carefully. And somehow I expect you spent a lot of time thinking about this. Which means I'll do my best to live up to the degree of thought you placed in this."

No looking a gift chocobo in the mouth. Good way to lose a nose. "I'm going to take a quick shower, we're going to abandon this pot of terrible coffee, and I'm going to take you to a place I go some mornings. We'll talk, both sober this time."

[emovampboy]

"I was sober last night." Vincent corrects Reeve a little, but doesn't pull away from Reeve when he reaches up to brush his hair back.

[plate_builder]

"I wasn't," Reeve reminds him. "Thus we weren't both..."

No, he will not quibble. He laughs and shakes his head. But hey, the fact that the guy isn't jerking away from the smallest touch is probably a good sign. So he keeps smiling.

"Vincent, so you know, I wasn't kidding. You're stunning. And you don't give yourself enough credit for your value."

[emovampboy]

Both what? Aware of what they were saying? Vincent had already gathered, by Reeve's words, that he was an honest drunk. What he said was just the truth he knew.

What he said now seemed more of the same, though this time it wasn't liquor induced. Yet with little response, he merely nods at Reeve and moves back enough that the man can do what he needs

[plate_builder]

Weren't both sober enough to make decisions. Yes, Reeve is an honest drunk, but for himself, he needs to be certain. It isn't every day that a beautiful Turk falls into your life. In fact, he spent a long time pursuing one to no avail. So he wants to be sure he's willing to deal with this and the fact that Vincent is prone to disappearances.

Still, Vincent is there. Isn't running. How is this even possible? Reeve shakes his head and smiles to himself. "I'll be right back."

As quick of a shower as he can manage. He doesn't want to have Vincent really disappear on him. He wouldn't know what to do with himself. With that he disappears into the shower and allows himself a cursory wash up. Not much, but enough to be presentable. Once he's dried and has his clothes mostly back on he comes back out of the room. He's back to a fully able and composed man now, thanks. Walks briskly across the room to the bed he was in and looks for his shoes as he buttons his cuffs without a iota of thought.

"You didn't tell me if the alcohol had any affect on you or not."

[emovampboy]

Reeve should know better to even think Vincent would take off after saying such things. He's distant, but not inhuman or without empathy. One doesn't dangle a carrot at someone and then take it away... Well, maybe if you were Shinra himself. Which Vincent isn't.

He's settled on his own bed by the time Reeve emerges, and seems to be busy checking his weapons, though he indicates just below the bed for Reeve's shoes; he'd remembered before he fell asleep to remove them for the man, even if he had worn his own.

Sliding a firing pin back into place, he shakes his head. "I did not have much. So I felt not affect."

[plate_builder]

"You won't need that for breakfast," Reeve chuckles as he looks at the weapon. He sits and quickly gets the boots on. "Unless you fear there will be Kalm Fangs."

That being said once the boots are on, Reeve crosses to his coat, and he does fish his bangles out of his pockets. Look at all that materia, he's got too much of it probably, but he's learned not to go unarmed. Once it's on he grabs his coat.

"I can't remember, are you a breakfast person? Should we meet later?"

[emovampboy]

"Better safe, than sorry." Is his simple reply, even as he puts the weapon together quickly, but effectively. Besides, he goes no where without his guns. "Breakfast is fine. I just may not eat a great deal."

[plate_builder]

"Not a problem," Reeve answers as he gets the coat finished up and he looks to the door. "I don't suppose there is a chance you have this room rented beyond this morning?"

Because chances were Vincent had been planning to leave town the second the party was done.

[emovampboy]

"I don't." He stands, putting his weapon away. "I'm sure I could let it out another night, however."

[plate_builder]

"Of course," Reeve says. He would offer to do it himself but... well, that would be presumptuous. Vincent can manage it, and he knows it. With that he moves to the door and opens it. "I can wait in the lobby while you attend to that."

[emovampboy]

Vincent nods, starting to the door before pausing, a thought having clicked into place. Yuffie and Cid were both in the same hotel.

Reaching over, he presses the door shut, once more leaning partially against Reeve. "How about room service instead? I have no desire to run into a hungover Cid or Yuffie."

[plate_builder]

Really? "Do you anticipate either of them being awake at this hour?"

Granted it is possible, but he doubts it would happen. Still, if Vincent would be more comfortable here, he'll accept that.

"Alright then, we can stay here. Let's see what they have to offer."

[emovampboy]

"Cid, no. Yuffie, maybe." He straightens, and moves over to grab a menu and hand it to Reeve as he seats himself by the phone, presumably readying to call down and arrange for another night in the room.

Reeve could always take him to this other place tomorrow.

[plate_builder]

Well, Reeve might feel comforted to know that Vincent is considering beyond this moment. The man lingers more on the past than the future, so to have himself as part of these plans makes Reeve smile briefly. He does look over the menu, not sure how to break it to Vincent that Yuffie is staying in town for another day and a half.

"Seems they have pastries. I didn't know they had danishes. I think I can break my diet for a day," he muses.

[emovampboy]

Diet? Vincent gives Reeve a strange look over that word, even as he seems to speak to whatever unfortunate soul is now having the pleasure of trying to deal with a toneless man asking for the room again. Even if Vincent does manage to say thank you and cradle the phone at the end, he imagines it can be somewhat unnerving.

Duty done, he indicates the phone for Reeve. "Order what you want."

[plate_builder]

"And what about you?" Reeve asks, half amused as he considers the menu. "Surely you'll let me order you something. You've sort of missed the purpose of this, at least let me do something for you."

[emovampboy]

He isn't sure what's so amusing to Reeve, and has to tilt his head a little. Yet he feels a bit of a different form of curiosity, as he's noting something else; Reeve is different, isn't it, while also being the same?

It's something to consider as Vincent nods an okay to Reeve to order for him.

[plate_builder]

Yes, different. Watching Vincent in a different way. Less companion seeking approval from AVALANCHE, more man confident in himself and his surroundings. But really, a lack of ordering almost frustrates him. This man isn't going to give him an inch.

Reeve intends to take a mile.

"Alright then," he says, punching in a number on the phone. Far longer than the normal room service number. Forgive him, he thinks he wants something a bit better than this. This still counts in his book. It's immediately clear from how he speaks to the person on the line that he isn't calling room service but some other nearby business. One that is apparently used to him calling.

"Yes, good morning. It's Reeve. Yes. The usual would be lovely, my dear. Could you add on an extra cup and a few bagels? Shmear? Well of course. Oh, those all sound wonderful. No, not there today. The hotel on fifth. Tell them to call up to Mister Valentine's room. And put it on my tab with a large tip for yourself and Jeremy. Thank you dear."

Once he's done he hangs up and looks to Vincent, as if daring him to protest.

[emovampboy]

Of course the man would be well known to a place that delivers. Vincent imagines he orders out quite frequently with how he works, though he supposes the plus is he at least eats.

Yet if he expects a protest, he won't get one. Vincent did pretty much let him order without giving input, so he has little right to.

"Have you called your security this morning? Let them know you'll be staying in for a while?"

[plate_builder]

Ah, that? Frankly, no he hadn't. Reeve sighs to even think about the fact that he will have to do so. That firmly slots into the category of 'usual routine for a work morning'. His life is typically get up after spending too little time asleep, brew himself a pot of coffee and call his team. It's there before even his shower.

"I hadn't," he admits. "You're correct in noting I should. And it will have to be a proper call lest they decide that you've kidnapped me. As if you'd ever do something so dramatic."

Which in a way is a joke. Vincent is very dramatic, just in his own ways that most people don't recognize. "Well, it will take some time for food to arrive, and if I call then I'll also have to call my assistant and shuffle some things around for today. Do you mind if I step into the hall, or are you concerned that Yuffie or Cid might see me?"

Frankly he's curious as to the concern that they might see Vincent, but he'll leave that be.