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]

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.

[emovampboy]

Vincent realizes a short-coming in his lack of communication when Reeve speaks of leaving to step into the hall, and any remark he might have made to the man's other comments drops, replaced with a long moment of silence where it almost seems that the long-haired man might be a tad embarrassed.

When he speaks, it certainly sounds as if he is. "I didn't mean I was worried they'd see you here at my room, or us together, I just know Yuffie would have pushed her way into coming along for breakfast and there would be no way we would be able to speak seriously, and Cid would come to keep an eye on her and make it even harder."

Was there a breath in there? Vincent isn't even sure.

[plate_builder]

Oh. Interesting. When that point is concerned he supposes he can truly understand the point that Vincent makes. Having companionship for something like that would be a poor idea. So he offers Vincent a warm smile, a sort he barely uses on anyone. It's just warm and fond and soft for a man who typically only presents a composed, perhaps even a touch hard look to the outside world.

"That is a dreadfully good point. I hadn't thought of that. I'll be just a moment. And thank you."

With that he steps outside to make his calls quickly. In the end it's nearly ten minutes before he steps back in, looking a bit less than impressed by whatever his calls had produced.

[emovampboy]

If Reeve had wondered about Vincent not being suave, he'd just seen an indication of how awkward he could be. Ask him to come up with a plan, he was good for it. Explain something more personal? Screw it up.

He's a bit grateful that Reeve goes out the door, as he does feel quite like when he was dealing with Lucrecia and needs a moment to compose himself.

The look on Reeve's face probably helps a little. "What's wrong?"

[plate_builder]

Sometimes a lack of suaveness is charming in and of itself. Makes the approach more interesting. The balance between the give and take will be different with Vincent than anyone Reeve has pursued before, and that makes it even more exciting in its own way.

"Just work," Reeve dismisses when asked. The fact of the matter is that he's a very busy man, and not all of that is easily pushed aside. For Vincent, however, he can manage, for a day. "I never anticipated just how much work it would take to do this. Sometimes I forget that it's easy to get myself overbooked. Beyond overbooked. But I manage."

[emovampboy]

He nods, unsure what else he should say on the situation, since truly it would only be maybe useless words about taking it easy that the man would not listen to anyway. Easier instead to let him rest by not mentioning it any further than necessary.

[plate_builder]

Perhaps if he's truly concerned and develops enough of a taste for it, Vincent will make sure Reeve takes more time off by entertaining him outside of his work hours. As it is Reeve moves to sit down on the bed he had slept on and he gestures for Vincent to sit as well.

"I've also called down to the front desk and asked them to send the food up when it's here. Don't worry, I'll cover that tip. Do you mind if I ask a question? Fact of the matter is that I don't know much about you, Vincent, and I find that to be quite the crime."

[emovampboy]

Vincent settles onto his own bed, not even thinking far enough ahead to wonder about Reeve's overwork or how he might entertain the man.

At least he's focused on him, though.

"There isn't a great deal to know that you don't know."

[plate_builder]

"Of course," Reeve agrees with a warm chuckle. Nor would he imagine that there was any chance he would ever know it all. Nor that he would desire such. What he does know is that he's got a chance here to find some things out.

"I don't intend to pry much, but... have you ever been romantically involved with anyone beyond Lucretia before?"

[emovampboy]

Is that the question he wants to ask? Why? Concern or curiosity on Reeve's part? After all, the way he spoke before implied the assumption Vincent was entirely straight, and that Reeve himself has serious doubts about himself and Vincent's sincerity.

If it's that, he imagines the answer he is going to give won't be of much assurance, but he will see what is said.

"Nothing of seriousness. Only crushes."

[plate_builder]

The question comes from concern, because Reeve knows this is a bit complicated. His own feelings he is in no doubt toward. It's more his concern that he get his heart broken too easily. It was the way with him, wasn't it? Feeling too deeply even if he tries not to do so.

"Any of those on men before? This one you don't have to answer. I'm just curious."

Perhaps it is important to him too, because he wants to know if Vincent is just responding to the fact that Reeve is the first person to have this sort of affection for him since all that happened to him.

[emovampboy]

So it's concern. Not a surprise, truly. He probably would be as well. At least here he can assure Reeve.

"Yes. I like both men and women."

[plate_builder]

Thank goodness for that. There is complications that come from being the first person a man tries to experiment at, especially at his age. Supposes he can raise the issue of whether he needs to shave or not for Vincent later.

"Good to hear," Reeve admits, and he can't help the relief there. "I'm a bit old to be an experiment. I..."

The knock at the door gets Reeve to his feet, smiling. "Sit there."

He goes and meets the employee, passing off a rather substantial tip that he seems to produce from thin air. Given Cait is it really so surprising that learned a bit of slight of hand as part of magic tricks as a kid. He then rolls the trolley in, closing the door behind him. Look at this, a whole box of coffee, seasonings, and an assortment of pastries and bagels with spread.

"Don't worry about how much there is. Usually I give what is left to my guards," Reeve admits. "I advise trying the bagels if you don't have a sweet tooth."

Old ... experiment... yup

[emovampboy]

"Reeve..." Vincent is about to note the choice of words Reeve used, the fact it's rather darkly amusing, when the knock occurs.

He stays silent and lets Reeve bring in the tray, standing as he brings it closer to look. "Is there any juice? I'm not big on coffee."

Re: Old ... experiment... yup

[plate_builder]

No, he didn't think about the choice of 'experiment', but Reeve feels old. He doesn't much care about using it.

"Of course," Reeve agrees. A set of three bottles of different flavors. Apple, orange, and a banana-strawberry smoothie thing. "I do understand that not everyone mainlines the stuff like I do."

He is covering a small plate with pastries before filling a tall cup with coffee. He needs it so bad. "Promise not to try and change that and we can be friends."

[emovampboy]

It's good Vincent isn't greatly bothered by unintentional slips like that, despite the fact most people would think he was. He's had enough time to understand what they are, and they aren't hurtful remarks, just words that happen to match something of the past.

Vincent will go for the apple juice once he spies it, preparing himself some as he gives Reeve a look of vague amusement. "Have I tried to stop Cid from drinking? Aside from when he needs to fly."

[plate_builder]

"Well, drinking alcohol doesn't stunt your growth," Reeve counters. Looks like it didn't stop Reeve. He's tall. Or, perhaps he should have been taller. But he is pleased to see Vincent was amused. One day he would like an actual smile. Or laughter. That might kill him though.

Or give him undeniable pleasure.

"So, you're willing to allow me an attempt to pitch woo at you? Because I could enjoy that. It would require me to see you more than once a year."

[emovampboy]

"I'm fairly sure you're full grown by now." Is the simple retort, even as he seems to wonder about whether he's hungry enough to eat. As to Reeve and 'wooing,' he puts that into his considerations too. Mostly for the fact that it seems perhaps he should be clearer again.

Finally grabbing a bagel to just nibble on, like a bird or a child who would rather not eat but is doing so to make mama happy, he moves to sit back down on the bed, taking his time to chew before responding.

"I said it was alright before. Are you still worried I'm just leading you around?"

[plate_builder]

"I'm less worried about that and more about how I feel," Reeve admits as he looks at Vincent, and there is definitely a touch of fondness in his look. "I get attached, Vincent. I know that about myself. How much of it is ever justified can be an ongoing debate. From experience I expect this isn't a flight of fancy for me. I don't think you're leading me around. You're not cruel like that."

Heartbreak isn't a stranger to him. In too many ways. He sips briefly at his coffee to try and give himself a moment to think.

"I also don't know that you would be comfortable remaining in Edge for long periods of time. It would be presumptuous to expect you to be available to me at all times."