Whispers in the Roses

Whispers in the Roses

Flora Winters

I do not own Final Fantasy VII. I’m not making any money off writing this story either.

Summary: Vincent wants to put Cloud’s heart back together again, but will Cloud let him. This story will contain boy love, some language, and violence.

Chapter Two

The sun, it was so warm, shining down on his pale face in brilliant beams of golden hue. They shimmered like sparkling dust, illuminating all that was around him. The grass under his feet was glowing like emerald blades of stark radiance. Everything was so bright and blissfully blinding.

He could feel those strong arms gently wrapping around his narrow waist, pulling him back against a firm chest where a loving heart beat within. It was like the voice of powerful thunder, echoing across the heavens. It was the sound of a heart that would beat forever, eternally for him.

“You’re such a beautiful man, Cloud,” Zack chuckled, resting his chin on his right shoulder. “You’re such a beautiful fucked up man.”

Cloud smiled, feeling the tears fall from his molten blue jewels, streaming down his porcelain white cheeks. “…I know.”

The arms gently tightened around him, and a warm kiss tickled his right cheek. Those lips were so soft. They were softer than flower petals.

“I’m sorry,” Zack whispered. “I didn’t want to leave…”

Cloud closed his eyes, but the tears just kept falling. “You don’t have to be sorry…you don’t have to be sorry about anything.”

“And neither do you,” Zack said, slowly turning him around. “So stop feeling guilty.”

“He’s right,” a second voice said. It was Aeris. She had her moon white arms wrapped around Zack’s neck peeking over his left shoulder. “We did what we did because we love you.”

“But I,” Cloud tried, but Zack put his index finger to his lips, stopping him from speaking. All he could do was look into their eyes.

“You did nothing wrong,” Aeris smiled with such loveliness. Her eyes were like the color of vibrant limes. They were just that green.

“You did all that you could do,” Zack said, pulling him close to his chest, hugging him tight. “So stop killing yourself.”

“Live your life, Chocobo Head,” Aeris said, reaching around, pulling on his hair.

“And stop worrying about everything,” Zack told him, poking him on the nose. “We’ll all be together again someday. Nothing can stop that.”

A warm breeze blew all around them and the air was filled with glittering yellow flower petals. Cloud noticed that he was in a garden that seemed to stretch on into forever. There were flowers and fountains as far as the eye could see. Everything was so beautiful.

“I heard you sing,” Zack smiled, taking him by the hand. “It made me so happy to hear your voice again.”

“I had no idea you could sing like that,” Aeris said, rolling her eyes at Zack’s smug smile, taking Cloud by his other hand. “Zack teases me mercilessly about having heard you sing all the time.”

Cloud laughed. “That’s mean.”

“It really is,” she said, glaring at the taller man. “He can be such a cruel little boy. How you fell for him, I have no idea, Cloud.”

“Hey,” Zack snorted. “I’m just that awesome.”

Cloud squeezed both their hands. “I’m going to wake up now, aren’t I?”

“It’s going to be such a beautiful day, Cloud,” Aeris said, leaning close to peck his cheek.

Zack nodded, pouncing on him like a big puppy. “And the festival tonight is going to be so loud and full of bright fireworks.”

“And, who knows,” Aeris whispered, smiling with soft pink lips. “You might meet somebody…”

Zack grinned. “Just remember who Number One is.”

Aeris laughed out loud. “See…how did you fall for this jerk?”

Cloud shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think there will ever be anybody else…I don’t think my hearts that big.”

Zack rolled his eyes. “Your heart is bigger than you think.”

“You loved this guy after all,” Aeris chuckled.

“I’m going to push you into the nearest fountain,” Zack said, looking over at her. “And giggle as you splash around, too.”

“I’ll take you with me,” she said, putting her hands on her hips. “And giggle as I push you under.”

“Are you happy?” Cloud whispered looking at the two of them.

“We’re only happy,” Aeris said.

“When you’re happy,” Zack finished for her.

Cloud looked down at his naked feet. They were so white among all the green. They were like the color of snow.

“Forgive me?” He asked.

“Forgive you for what?” Zack asked, cocking his head to the side with a big white grin. “We just want you to be happy, Chocobo Head.”

“Don’t let the past keep drowning you, Cloud,” Aeris said, ruffling his hair. “The future is so warm and it can only be as bright as you make it.”

Cloud smiled. He really did smile and it felt so good. It felt like some heavy weight had just been lifted off of him.

“You have to go now,” Aeris said, kissing him on the forehead. “But don’t worry. We’ll all be together again someday.”

“And when that someday comes,” Zack grinned, pulling him ever so close, kissing him right on the lips, and letting him go. “We’re all going to play tag.”

The light began to get brighter.

“And I’m going to straighten your hair,” Aeris said, bending down to pick a vibrant red rose. “And braid it with these red petals.”

Zack waved. “You get to be IT first, Chocobo Head!”

A bright flash filled Cloud’s heavenly blue eyes and he woke up, looking at the ceiling above his head. A sudden wave of peace rushed over him. He had not felt like this in such a long time. It made his spiky hair stand even more on end. He felt…alive.

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“What are you doing?” Nanaki yelled, wagging his tail like a doggy on Mako. “That’s not supposed to go there! The giant star candle is supposed to go over there where it goes every year! You know this!”

“Wow,” Cloud said, walking down into the wondrous looking courtyard. “I sure am glad I’m not on the decorating committee.”

Nanaki sat down and pawed at his ear. “I’m sorry. I just want everything to be perfect like it’s always been.”

Cloud smiled. “Has Vincent gotten here yet?”

“Yes he has,” Nanaki said. “He is over at the inn.”

“Oh,” Cloud said. “I’ll go see him.”

Nanaki nodded and then barked. “Kids, quit jumping on the table! That doesn’t go there! Grandpa would tan your hides!”

Cloud watched him race off in a red blur and made his way across to where the inn was. He went inside and there was some soft music playing. There was the sound of drums, some flutes, and a few wolves howling in the background. It reminded him of the nighttime with a full moon hanging in the midnight blue.

“Which room is Vincent Valentine in?” He asked the kind old lady at the desk.

She looked up from her book and smiled with crooked white teeth, and pointed at the door on the far end. “He’s in there, darling.”

Cloud lowered his head. “Thank you.”

He made his way over to the door and knocked twice.

“Come in.”

“Hey,” Cloud said, opening up the door, seeing him sitting on the bed.

“Hello, Cloud,” Vincent said, rising to his feet in greeting.

“When did you get in?” He asked, walking in and closing the door behind him.

“About an hour ago,” Vincent told him. “Nanaki is a little…unstable.”

Cloud nodded his head. “He just wants this festival to be perfect. He doesn’t want to let his grandfather’s spirit down.”

“How have things been?” Vincent asked, motioning for him to take a seat.

Cloud took a seat in the rocking chair and suddenly felt like an old man. It made him smile, even though he was only in his early twenties…supposedly, and that was when he noticed something. “Things have been good. I find that this place really relaxes me.”

“What is it?” Vincent asked. “You’re looking at me funny.”

Cloud shook his head. “I’ve just never seen you without your cloak on. You just look so different without it.”

“Ah,” Vincent said. “Do I?”

Cloud nodded. “You look…”

“Human?” He asked.

Cloud blushed and lowered his head. “I was going to say nice.”

Vincent smiled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Cloud said, looking back up at him. “How are things at the Gold Saucer?”

“Everybody wants a picture with the resident vampire,” Vincent said, rolling his eyes for the first time ever. It amazed Cloud that they guy actually did something so…normal. “I keep telling them I’m not a vampire, but they won’t listen to me.”

“Well,” Cloud said, crossing his legs. “You’re tall, dark, pale, and you look nice in red.”

“So many compliments today,” Vincent chuckled, making Cloud’s skin crawl with desire. “But, they are paying me good money. Apparently I fit right in with all the spooky things that go on there.”

“Well, you did give us all quite a scare when you came rising up out of that coffin for the first time,” Cloud said, nodding his head, remembering that basement room in the Shin-Ra mansion. “I thought my hair was going to turn white.”

Vincent smiled. “Did I really?”

“I remember nearly jumping out of my skin when that lid went flying off with a crash,” Cloud told him. “And you rising up all gracefully in that slow motion thing that you do.”

“To be quite honest with you,” Vincent said, turning his face to the side. “I really did enjoy that.”

Cloud snorted. “I knew it.”

“How much longer are you going to be staying here in Cosmo Canyon?” Vincent asked, taking his seat on the bed again.

“I’m not sure,” Cloud said, looking around the tiny room. “I just really like it here.”

“I can see that,” Vincent agreed. “This place has a very peaceful atmosphere.”

“How long will you be in for?” Cloud asked, really wanting to know.

“Just a few days,” Vincent said.

“Will you be returning to the Gold Saucer after this?” Cloud asked.

Vincent nodded his head. “Yes. Why?”

“Maybe I’ll go with you,” Cloud said, rising to his feet. “I’m in the mood for some fun. I might even enter that battle championship I’ve been hearing so much about from random people who stop in here.”

Vincent cocked a dark brow. “I don’t mind.”

“Cool,” Cloud said, walking towards the door. “How about you get some rest? I’ll see you at the festival.”

“All right,” Vincent said, getting to his feet as well, following him to the door. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

Cloud smiled and left the room, hearing the door lock behind him. He nodded at the kind old lady with a small wave and left.

What in the world was he doing? He didn’t know? He felt so funny in the tummy and it was in a very yummy way. He decided to go take a shower…a very cold shower. He nearly jumped out of his lily white flesh when a loud explosion boomed all around him. He looked up to see a giant dragon sparkling in the sky.

“What in the nine hells are you doing?” Nanaki yelled, howling like crazy, and barking at two teenagers. “I told you not to play with that! Oh, Grandpa would be so sad…so very, very, sad.”

Cloud snorted and then shook his head. “Tonight is going to be something, guys.”

He could hear soft laughter on the warm morning breeze that smelled of sunshine and incense.

TBC…

Please review and tell me what you think. Thank you all so much for your reviews. They keep me writing.

Flora.