Whispers in the Roses

Whispers in the Roses

Flora Winters

I do not own Final Fantasy VII.

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 Three

Cloud was eating some yummy chicken on a stick. It had been glazed with a spicy honey sauce and cooked over an open fire. His taste buds were being tickled into a delightful frenzy. It was just that tasty.

Ornate lanterns were all aglow with twinkling lights and the velvet sky above was shimmering with trillions of stars. The drums and flutes were like magic, and the dancing was enchanting.

The dancers costumes were made of bright feathers and some had masks on that made them look like giant birds. Some of the others even looked like dancing wolves with bird-like qualities. They were all dancing in mesmerizing circles around the great fire which burned with a mystifying glow.

He saw Mary chasing after Sissy with Mica hot on their heels. They had their arms loaded with food and other goodies. It made him laugh.

He began to walk around in a sellers stall, looking at some of the weird occult wares. There all kinds of items he had never seen before in his life.

His eyes gazed over beautiful looking crystals, brass lamps, and all kinds of gold and silver jewelry. Everything was so bright and shiny. It dazzled the eyes.

That was when his molten blue orbs fell on a lovely little flower. It was tiny little rose. The petals were carved from ruby. The coiling stem and leaf from emerald, and the single thorn looked to be made of solid gold.

“Be careful,” a misty voice spoke as he reached to pick it up, causing him to stop. “This beautiful creation has a most interesting prick.”

Cloud turned to see an elderly woman standing before him. She was dressed in dark purple and had long white hair that fell in straight wisps, like spider silk. Her skin had fine lines around the corners of her mouth and eyes, but was smooth as amber honey.

“It is really pretty,” Cloud said, turning back to stare down at it.

She stepped up beside him and smiled. “And it possesses a strange and very unique magical power.”

“Really?” Cloud asked, turning his head to look down at her. At first, he had thought her tall, but she was short. “What kind?”

“I can only tell the buyer,” she said. “It is the code I follow.”

Cloud nodded. “How much is it?”

“If you have to ask,” she whispered, turning to walk away from him. “It is not meant for you to buy.”

“Oh,” Cloud said, picking up two little crystals that had caught his eye and a little wooden box with a silver star on the lid. “I’ll just take these then.”

The woman chuckled. “That will be 30 gil, young hero.”

Cloud paid her and she carefully placed them into a bag for him. He couldn’t believe how cheap that had been.

“Thank you,” she smiled warmly, bowing her head to him. Her hair glittered like snow in the light above. “May all your days be filled with light and all your nights with comforting warmth.”

“And all of yours as well,” Cloud said, bowing his head to her before leaving. She had been really nice.

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The elder turned around and smiled when she saw another young man looming like a haunting shadow over the bewitching flower. He was so tall, dark, and extremely handsome. Here was a heart who longed for someone to hold it as well.

“How may I help you?” She asked, standing where she was, looking at him with deep brown eyes.

“I want this rose,” he said, slowly turning around in a gentle whisper. His eyes were like molten ruby gemstones. He was like a statue of masculine beauty and he was holding the rose jewel in his golden claws.

“I see,” she said, admiring the fire that burned within him. Here was a tortured beast that longed for someone to tame and cuddle it. “It will cost you one painful memory.”

The dark headed angel cocked his head to the side, causing his black hair to hide his eyes from her. She didn’t have to see to know they were filled with sadness. “Seeing him cry when he thought there was no one around to see him finally break.”

She closed her eyes in satisfaction. “It is yours.”

He bowed his head, vanishing into the darkness as if he were a part of them all. A beautiful young woman was now standing where the old woman had been with flowing jade green silk whispering around her lithe frame. She knew that this man needed no explanation as to how the flower worked its powerful magic. It looked like she had been right. She was right in not letting the beautiful blonde buy the rose. It looked like he would soon be receiving it as a gift.

“I just love helping mortals who can’t find words to express how they feel for someone,” she giggled and began to fade away like the morning mists in the suns warm glow. “I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”

Her silver laughter echoed like the sweet chirping of songbirds as she vanished in wisps of emerald green smoke.

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Cloud was sitting on the steps, holding the two crystals in his palm, looking at them intently. One was a deep blue which was rugged and strong. The other was a brilliant green which was smooth and gentle. They both reminded him of Zack and Aeris’s eyes.

He smiled and carefully slipped them back into their bag where the box was. He was going to keep the two stones in it.

“Wow,” a voice said from behind him. “That looks good.”

He turned his head around, seeing to his pleasure that it was Vincent. His blue eyes slightly widened in surprise.

“What?” Vincent asked, turning around to look behind him, and then looked back in amusement. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Cloud said, offering him his extra chicken on a stick. “You’re just dressed like a civilian now…”

Vincent took the stick of chicken from him, taking a small bite. “Oh, it is good.”

Cloud nodded. Vincent looked like a normal person in his jeans and thin sweater. He scooted over, making room for him to sit down beside him.

“Do I look odd like this?” He asked, sitting down, biting off another tender piece.

Cloud shook his head. “You just surprised me.” He even had different shoes on. Well, the others really would look silly with this outfit.

Wow, Cloud thought as he really looked him over, he looks even yummier than ever.

Vincent swallowed and then smiled at him with perfectly straight white teeth. “I’m trying to fit in more.”

“I really like your sweater,” he said, reaching out to touch the thin fabric. “Red really is your color.”

“Thank you,” Vincent said, finishing off the chicken. “We need more of this. I’ll be right back.”

Cloud nodded, watching him walk down the steps with sensual grace. Vincent always walked as though he were floating on air. Wow, his butt looked great in those pants. He looked so normal. He hardly even noticed the golden talons.

He shook his head. What was he thinking? Vincent was his friend. He shouldn’t be lusting after his friend. Plus, Vincent wasn’t into men as far as he knew. His past was just as dark and lonely. He didn’t want to further complicate it with his own twisted emotions.

He tried to force that dream out of his mind. Oh, he could still smell the rose petals and hear the whispers within all that red scent. It had all felt so real, like all of his other dreams. It was like he had really been there with Vincent in that rose scented crypt.

He looked down, seeing Nanaki amidst all the dancing gods. His fur was as red as flame and shimmering in the firelight. He was so bright and colorful.

“Sacred fire, light of souls eternal,” his voice sang out like shooting stars across the vast heavens above. “Shimmer and guide our loved ones to the land of promised peace where the stars burn for all time.”

A great drum was struck and it boomed like thunder all around. They sky was soon filled with all colors of the rainbow.

“Wow,” Vincent said, causing him to snap back into reality. When the hell did he get back? “Look at that, Cloud.”

Cloud did so. A bright explosion of colorful lights filled the air. It brought sudden tears to his eyes. There was Aeris’s name spelled out in glittering green sparkles. They were spelling out the names of passed loved ones in the sky. There was Zack’s all in blue, and there was Lucrecia’s in twinkling violet.

“Are you all right?” Vincent asked in concern and Cloud saw that he had like ten chicken sticks in his hands.

He nodded his head, blinking in order to banish the tears that would have fallen otherwise. “That was really nice.”

“Here,” Vincent said, handing him a few sticks. “Eat up.”

Cloud smiled as he took them, and looked back up at the sky.

Ho Ho Hooo!

The whole canyon echoed with Bugenhagen’s tripped out laugh.

“Hmm,” Vincent said, swallowing his chicken. “I should have gotten drinks.”

Cloud laughed and was about to ask if he wanted to come up for a beer when Nanaki came running up the steps to greet them.

“Hey,” he said, barking in excitement. “What did you all think?”

“This was awesome,” Cloud said, looking down at all the games and dancing. “Thank you, Nanaki.”

“Yes,” Vincent said. “Thank you.”

Nanaki lowered his head. “Happy memories should never be forgotten.”

Cloud nodded with a smile.

“No,” Vincent said. “They shouldn’t.”

“I’ll see you two later,” he said, pawing at his ear. “Mary wants a ride around the canyon.”

Cloud watched him race off in a red blur and turned to Vincent. The taller man looked a little sad. There was that look in his eyes. He had seen it so many times before. They were so lonely. “Would you like to come up for a beer?”

“And leave all this noise behind?” Vincent asked. It made Cloud chuckle.

“Come on,” he said, leading the way up the steps.

He could feel the taller man close behind him and chills swept across his warm flesh like cool water. All of his hair was standing on end. He began to climb up the wooden ladder with Vincent right behind him. He was very careful with his footing because he didn’t want to fall backwards onto the guy should he forget himself and slip. That would just be embarrassing.

“Here we are,” he said, opening the door up for Vincent. “I guess I’m allowed to let you make yourself at home.”

Vincent chuckled. “Thank you.”

Cloud let the door shut behind him and he walked by Vincent to go get the cold drinks. He was really craving one.

“Where do you sleep?” Vincent asked, looking around.

“In Nanaki’s old room,” he said, dropping his bag on the kitchen table, and went to open the fridge, pulling out two cold bottles. “He took over his grandfathers.”

“Ah,” Vincent said, taking a seat on the plush green sofa. “How is Nanaki?”

Cloud walked back in, handing him a bottle, and watched him pop the cap off with a middle talon. “He’s doing really well, and I never get tired of seeing you do that.”

Vincent nodded, taking a sip, turning crimson eyes on him. “And how are you doing?”

Cloud shrugged, sitting down in the chair across from him. “I’m…relaxed.”

Vincent took another sip. “Tifa and Yuffie were worried.”

“Oh,” Cloud said, having him pop his cap off, too. He could have easily popped them off with the bottle opener in the kitchen, but he enjoyed watching Vincent do it with his middle talon. There was just something incredibly sexy about it. “Why didn’t they just call?”

“They didn’t want to disturb you,” he said, handing the bottle back to him.

“I see,” Cloud whispered. He was thankful that they really did respect his privacy, but he didn’t want to worry them. “I’m fine. They have nothing to worry about.”

“What do you do to pass the time here?” Vincent asked.

Cloud took a sip and leaned back in the chair. He told him how he was reading a ton of books on the planet and occult lore. Nanaki let him use the telescope to look at the stars. He also told him about how he loved to go up and sit in Bugenhagen’s model of the universe, letting all the stars and planets dance around him.

“Oh,” Vincent suddenly smiled. “Could we do that sometime before we leave for the Gold Saucer?”

Cloud laughed, almost causing beer to come pouring out his nose. It stung like a mother, causing him to choke, and Vincent was immediately at his side, gripping his shoulder with his golden talons.

“Are you all right?”

Cloud fought not to blush and nodded his head. “I’m good.”

Vincent smiled. “That was…funny.”

Cloud watched him for a moment. Vincent seemed so…normal. “I’m glad I amuse you.”

“Do you want to take our drinks down and get some more food?” Vincent asked, showing him his empty sticks.

Cloud nodded, getting to his feet. “I guess I’ll play some games while you stuff your face.”

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Cloud gently placed each stone into the wooden box with care. He gazed down at them with a warm smile on his face before closing the lid. They really did look just like their eye colors. He placed the box on the table beside his bed before hopping onto it.

He looked at the giant pink bunny that was lying next to him. Vincent had been the one to win it and had just given it to him.

“Here,” he had said, holding it for him to take.

He had just blinked and taken it. In all honesty, he had been trying to win the damn thing all night. He had just been unable to get the little ball into the fishbowl. All of his balls had just kept bouncing and falling off. It must have looked really funny for a guy to hand a guy a really big pink bunny, but nobody had said a word. They were either too afraid or were too in awe of Vincent’s gaming talent. He bet it was both. Vincent could be pretty scary. He had this look that could make a grown man piss himself. He had seen him do it to countless Shin-Ra personal.

The pink bunny had deep red eyes. That was the main reason why he had wanted it so badly. For some funny reason, he started picturing Vincent wearing floppy pink bunny ears. Aw, it was so damn cute. He started to snicker.

The two of them were going to go for a walk around the canyon tomorrow morning. He couldn’t wait.

He pulled the pink fuzzy close and closed his eyes. He was tired.

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The moonlight was bright as he slowly made his way down the steps in whispers of flowing black silk. A warm breeze blew through his yellow hair and he could smell the faint scent of roses. If anyone had been looking, they would have thought him a ghost. His skin was so white among all that gently hissing darkness.

“Cloud…” A voice whispered like a lonely wind.

He looked to see that it was Vincent. He was standing there under the moonlight in nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. They looked as though they had been spray painted on his long muscular legs. He looked like a carved alabaster statue come to life.

Suddenly, large bat wings sprouted from his back in dark splendor. They were black as dragon scales and stained with a crimson glow. He was so beautiful and held out his golden talons for him to take.

Cloud gently clasped those golden talons, entwining his fingers with them, and stepped up to put his other hand against that marble hard muscular chest. He smelled just like a rose and he was waiting with bated breath for a thorns deadly prick.

Vincent slowly lowered his head, whispering warm breath into his sensitive ear. “Fly with me?”

Cloud could only nod his head. He was gently embraced in powerful arms and he was soon dancing in the stars. Even if this was just a dream, he was happy.

TBC…

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

Flora.