Past Hauntings

Past Hauntings
by Dora Cianfarra
Chapter 10


Reeve had returned to Cid’s room, with the promised food after he gave the tea to Vincent.

Cid sat up as he made room for his meal, “Man, did ya get lost or something?! What took –“

“Rufus was attacked.” Reeve told him the story as he placed wrapped package of food in Cid’s hands.

“Fuck!! Ah Shit!! How’s fuck is Rufus doing now?” Cid stared at Reeve incredulously.

“He coded once when he got here and then just now. Vincent’s there with him ” Reeve stared at Cid to gage his reaction and saw the pain marked eyes averted to normal once Cid realized he was being watched.

“Oh” It was only one word but there was no need for more to tell Reeve the pain Cid was enduring.

“What, my company is no good?!” Reeve had to try.

“Nah..It’s just that….”

“What?” Reeve was waiting, not knowing what to expect.

Cid was reflecting on the camaraderie between them and thought maybe he could confide in Reeve since “Vincent” was “occupied” with Rufus. It hurt to hell.

Reeve stepped in,” Listen…if you need to talk....I’m here.”

Cid looked his way and murmured thanks. A small smile went with it but it faded quickly. He laid back. “Damn I need beer or smoke…”

Reeve perked up a bit,” Sorry, no beer but I’ve got an idea…how if I get you a wheelchair and wheel you out of here for a smoke?” He had a better idea, though.

Cid shot his eyes at him shocked, “Ya’d go with me? Ah man, that’s shit load of heaven, thanks man”.

“I may not be helping in the health department but I can see you need some stress release.”Reeve went out the room, thinking of a sexual release that he’d love to partake instead. To show he was looking for the item in question, he walked back in after 5 min of waiting outside. “Cid there’s no chairs out there, and how about I help you walk there?”

“Ya …anyway to get my friggin fix” Cid adjusted his hospital clothes but there was still ample butt skin showing.

Reeve placed his jacket on him, leaving him with his white dress shirt. It was the first time he got see a blush on Cid’s face which made him forget to breathe. {A lovely picture for my daydreams}.

He took Cid’s arm around his neck and slowly placed his other hand on the waist. Reeve looked all calm and collected but from within he was trembling with joy.

Cid tried his bed ridden legs and his ankle gave out, allowing Reeve to “rescue him”.

“Woah, partner, maybe I should do the honors.” Reeve used his free arm to gather Cid’s legs.

“Hey, I’m no friggen blushing bride?!!! Put me down, now!” Cid was nowhere close to a freaking girl.

“You could be.” Reeve commented softly as he stared at now a wide eyed stunned friend and was more astounded when Reeve swooped down to place a lingering kiss.

Cid had never been in his whole life been shell shocked. He was unable to respond to the kiss. His silence took a whole new dimension on its own. He belatedly realized he didn’t react and tried to “Reeve, I…”

Reeve had understood the silence, it dashed his emotions, “I’m sorry, I’ve crossed the line but…when I saw you with Vincent, the truth bit me hard. You’ve been through so much… Now I’ve gone ruin a good friendship but… I had to let you know how I felt.”

Reeve had been walking through the doors of the hospital as he gazed about for the smoker’s area.

He found a park bench and placed Cid on it. The grey colored sky matched Reeve’s feelings, with saddened eyes he voiced his apology, “I’m sorry….I’m going to find you a nurse to bring you back to your room.” Reeve spun around and made a quick exit.

Cid gaped distraughtly. He wasn’t ready for this…how long had Reeve felt this way? Those lips had sparked something in him also but he couldn’t figure what. The hots he had for Vincent were slowly cooling but he never looked at Reeve that way, even though he was elegant man. He never thought he’d be in the same league as him let alone being involved.

He smoked his cigarette in the pensive mode when he heard the nurse came for him with a wheelchair. Cid went back to his room in a silent mood. He no longer had the appetite to eat his food but instead he stared at it as his mind displayed the memories that lead to the ‘kiss’. He no longer knew what to think. He felt like he was drowning into black waters but Reeve’s touch kept him afloat – “ah dammit Reeve!” He threw himself back and stared out the window.

Weary eyes opened to the dust motes that danced in the sun’s rays. Vincent was alarmed to feel the heaviness of his eyes {why do I feel that I got into a fist fight?}. He pressed his fingers to his eyes and realized that they were puffy from all the tears.

It took a few minutes to realize where he was, the monitors were still functioning as he listened to Rufus’s breath. It sounded calmer, he had survived. Rejoiced, he hugged him closer to him.

“Ouch, cough” Rufus’s voice trembled.

“Rufus?”Vincent’s heart bat wildly to the sound of it.

“Vin-cent?”his breath labored as he spoke.

“Ssshh, remain quiet and heal. You need your strength back. It is so good to hear you.” Vincent’s soul soaked in the sound of him.

Rufus’s mind feeling still sleep deprived, did just that. Soon he felt a hug warming his sore body and a kiss of a delicate flower brushed against his lips. His soul yearned to awaken but darkness swept him under.

Vincent was elated that he survived the night. He had a strong urge to keep him awake to indulge further but knew better. The purpose of rest was for healing and Rufus needed plenty of it. Vincent took the moment to cool his eyes with water and then, tried to manage the disarray hair.

He had to go see Cid. This confrontation was something Vincent dreaded to face. A sulky Cid was a day of jibes and a bunch of bitching that grated eternally on his ears. Well, it would make a good time to take some personal vacation with his reunited lover. Reeve definitely had his hands full.

Cid was so focused on his thoughts that he didn’t hear Vincent come through the door. “Cid”

Wide eyes stared at Vincent, “Glad you’re awake. I..I need to speak with you. Are you feeling up to it?” He sat in the chair close to the bed.

Cid’s cheerless eyes followed him, “Ya sure.”

“I really don’t how to start this but do you remember our kiss?” Vincent blushed; he was in no mood for pleasantries.

“Ya, can’t damn forget either” Cid answered sourly

“Sorry, Cid” Vincent peered at the man with sincerity,”At the time you saw me with Rufus, some strange things were happening to me.”

“Ya, I can bet my life on it” Cid turned bitterly

“Cid look at me and listen….it’s not what you think-“

“What ya mean it’s not what I think…what fuck else-“

“Shut up! And LISTEN. Give me the chance to explain.” Vincent felt frustrated beyond belief. It was all still too new for him get total grasp on his emotional side things.

“When …Rufus and I..I kissed, he laid his hands on me and I found myself on the floor fainted.

“Talk about damsel in distress-” Cid quipped

“CID!” Vincent was damn close giving him new shiny eye.

“It’s hard enough to speak of such things. Do you want to know or do I leave…” Cid stared stump still at the man before him, {when did he get emotional?}

“Hojo has messed around with my mind. I was told I had amnesia, when I was found with my motorcycle in a snowy ditch, before the Turks took me to Hojo's labs to be healed which was a FUCKING DAMN LIE….AARGH! THE SONABITCH TORTURED ME…then erased my memories, the fucker. That’s when my life began as security guard to Lucretia…” Vincent was livid.

Cid astoundly stared on {FUCK! he’s swearing}

“I HAD A LIFE!! It was torn and stolen away from me.” Vincent whispered dishearten, “I had flashes of my past thrown at me…and…Rufus was part of it. At the time, he was under my charge… but also…. He… he was my secret lover which I had to protect against his father.”

Vincent's body trembled as memories surfaced again. He laid his head in his hands. He felt a palm on his head trying to soothe him.

“I’m sorry, Vincent”

Cid felt so guilty for giving the man grief. “Listen man, if it’s too much, let it go, okay Vince? We’ll have lots of time to talk if ya want to.” He spoke in a dejected voice as he faced the truth that this man was spoken for.

“How’s Rufus doing? If ya’re here, he must be doing better. Why don’t go lay down beside Rufus and rest. Ya look ya need it...go, we’ll talk later. Can ya give my best to Rufus...when I can, I’ll come to visit with Reeve. He’s another I gotta deal with.”

“Deal with? Has something gone wrong?” Vincent was truly curious now.

“NO worries…just go on, please” Cid barely looked at Vincent now, being aware of Reeve feelings for him, had him tongue tied and was unable to say anything more.

“Please?!!! OH my, who are you? We have an imposter here!” Vincent called out into the hallway. It seemed like Reeve made his move…

Cid looked embarrassed and uncomfortable, “Can ya just GO!”

Vincent walked out LAUGHING?

Cid had his mouth dropped {damn… too many fucking changes going around here}.

Reeve had checked his messages before he went to the cafeteria. He grabbed a coffee and sat down to vacant corner.
He stared at the visitors buying their foods and paying it at cashier’s desk. Each person had their own lives, with their own problems.

Problems…he really wanted to leave the hospital but he could not abandon anyone here…

Cid’s silence was bothering him more than it should. {Cid silent?!! Since when did he have nothing to say?!!} Reeve sipped his coffee. He tried to make sense of what happened between them.

{What made me do a stupid move like that? Why didn’t I take it more slowly with him? All the shit he’s been through, I go ahead a dump this on him…maybe he would have hard time with anybody’s company right now. Wait…Vincent was with him…and he didn’t react badly with him. But he was held by the person he had feelings for.}

Reeve put his coffee on the table to rub away some tears before anyone saw. Everyone was a bit more on the emotional side these days. He needed to have a clear head about this. {Maybe he was shocked. Well…he didn’t know of how I felt. Maybe I just dropped him a hot potato and he froze. I was so worried for the rejection that I didn’t give him chance to have his say}

Reeve was going to get answers and allow Cid to have his say.

Cid’s head was going in circles. He had to get out. {Damn, I need to smoke} He looked at the wheelchair and mustered his drug-weaken legs to the chair. As expected, his knees gave out before he could hold to the chair.

He crawled to his chair, began to pull up at first, then he felt hands under his arms and legs being raised high – Cid had dumb look on his face - and then laid into the chair correctly.

“Ya I know, you no pretty princess” Reeve smiled gently, “There that’s better. Cid, your meds are still affecting you, you need help for this…I..I’ll be here for you if it’s okay? I know you want to smoke…just let me help as a friend.” Reeve remained by his side, looking at him, waiting for the rejection he knew would come.

Again he was immobilized by the gesture, “Can ya…ya push the wheels for me, my body is shaking from only this damn exercise. I’m damn weak like babe, fucking great…I guess I do need babysitting.” Cid looked miserable.

“Cid…listen you’ve just been through an ordeal…and blame it on the meds for the weakness….not your ability to heal. As for a babysitter, I’m willing to volunteer, as long as you want.” He ended the last words in a whispered smile, Reeve, as expected, was slammed for the comment but he caught the hand. He gently rubbed it with his thumb.

Cid cheeks pinked, “Reeve just push, alright, I gotta have my smoke” Reeve was slowly getting used to idea seeing Cid pinking. Maybe it wasn’t a far fetched idea for them to be together.

Out on the hospital grounds, they went to bench near a fish pond. Reeve settled the chair next to the bench as he took place next to Cid. He stared at Cid pulling out his stick and lit it. It was an unusual calm moment as Reeve stared into the pod. He waited until Cid would want to speak, after all the changes in this past week, he could understand there was a lot of issues to be dealt with.

Cid had smoked a few more before he scrounged the courage to ask, “Reeve, ya had said something about a truth? What truth would that be?”

Reeve let a sigh as he looked at the fish swimming, “Cid …I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to push that on you. You’re still injured and I took advantage-”

“What do ya mean ‘took advantage’, I’m no fucking woman!! Ya just caught me off guard is all! Reeve, how long ya felt this way?! Man, shit, we’ve been working and traveling buddies for more two years and you have never given any hint of this. All sudden bang, that’s it, we more than…than …that!”

“Listen Cid…I didn’t know it myself until you weren’t at work anymore; it wasn’t the same doing traveling alone or taking missions without you. The “truth” I was talking about is when…when...I I saw you with Vincent. You were ‘my’ buddy not his….I WAS supposed to be there for you”

“Ya here….now” Cid flushed some more.

He wasn’t sure how to feel but it surely felt nice to have someone running after you instead of doing the running.

TBC

Please *runs away hides* don't kill me...I know this is mostly of Cid and Reeve but they needed a little bit more bonding. I promise to have Vincent and Rufus in the next chapter. :o)

Let me know if anything, constructive criticism appreciated.