en Face de L'Obscurité

“en face de L'Obscurité“

Epilogue

They stagger to the mansion and Cid goes straight a bed to sleep. He got his ass kicked and felt he deserves it. The storm comes, making departing not an option anyway. This means Tseng has to stay the night. Zack was still not awake. His mind lost in the dark. Searching for an exit he couldn't find. The night is both wet and cold.

Tseng himself was sat in a chair, watching Cid intensely for any signs of a problem. He was worried for the pilot, he'd been injured pretty badly and he wanted to make sure he was okay. Vincent had taken himself of to bed, reluctantly leaving Zack on the couch as advised by Tseng, should he wake up and decide to flip, at least Vincent wouldn't be murdered in his sleep.

As sleep overtooncenncent, that familiar presence seems to walk to him. Aeris, as beautiful as the day she died, lacking the hole made by Sephiroth. Smiles warm and kind as she extends a hand to Vincent

Vincent accepts her hand, mildly confused. “Am I dreaming?” he inquires, staring at Aeris, who looks as alive as ever. “Why have you come to me? It was you who helped me before, wasn't it?”

Aeris speaks softly, "Yes you are dreaming... I only did a little. It was you who reallfeatfeated Hojo. Do you fear him now?" Leading him along a er per path.

Vincent shakes his head, looking around slowly. “Where are we?” he inquires. }Why are we here?” he wonders why he's so full of questions and a strange anticipation, as though something is going to happen but he doesn't have the slightest clue what.

Aeris stops and points down the path,, "Zack is lost, Vincent. I want you both to be finally happy.” Kisses his cheek and hand seems to gesture down the path that leads to a dark shadows, "Please help him... "

Vincent smiled slightly, nodding at Aeris. “Yes. I will help him. Thank you so much.” He walks down the path towards the darkness, not really feeling any fear, just hope that he could save Zack as he promised. He did not look backwards, knowing somehow Aeris would be gone.

Travels through darkness that has a slight chill. Scenes play before him. Zack as a child. he seemed rather happy. Some of his basic training. How he met Sephiroth. Zack seems to become close to him. Then the memory of him facing Sephiroth and how his friend struck him down without a trace of guilt. Then trying to get cloud. Struggling to keep them both alive. How they shot him down like a dog. Cloud wandering off, leaving him for dead.

Vincent watched the scenes in awe. He felt a little dizzied by it all, he felt nauseous as the varying memories of Zack's life bombarded his vision. He almost brought out Death Penalty when Sephiroth appeared, his confusion so great as it was. The scene seems stuck on this last one though. Zack laying in the dust and sand outside Midgarone.one.

Vincent stepped forwards slowly towards the Zack laying on the floor, reaching out to touch his shoulder, to rouse him and help him some how. “Zack? Zack, wake up, can you hear me?” he inquired softly, shaking the other man by the shoulder.

Scene vanishes and Zack wakes up. " So alone.... " Shivering on the ground. hardly aware Vincent was there. Just stares out.

Vincent kneels down beside him, nudging him gently. “Zack, you're not alone, can't you hear me?” he could see his own hand shaking slightly, with hope, slight fear and adrenaline he guessed.

Zack looks at him, "Vincent?" Sits up slowly at looks at him with wide mako bluish purple eyes. Stihakihaking in the dark, "... I don't want to be alone. so afraid.. I'll be like Sephiroth."

Vincent shakes his head, nervous of touching Zack somehow, yet not wanting him to feel rejected. “I'll always be with you...And you'll never become like Sephiroth...You're far too level headed for that.”

Zack bites his lip, ".... you promise?" Eyes seeking his as if looking for something vital.

Vincent nods, his own eyes solemn and sincere as he looack ack at Zack, reaching out slowly and interlocking his fingers with his, gripping onto his hand tightly, pushing away his own doubts. Zack's hand grabs his as he stands up shaky... could feel warmth from Vincent. Farm energy that seem to flow between them. One life force touching another. Yes, this was the guy he loved. The darkness felt less cold now. Vincent dragged Zack into his a hol holding him tight against him and closing his eyes tightly, forcing away the tears which pricked at his lids. Zack felt so cold.

Zack clung him, felt so warm now. Became warmer and warmer by the hug. Leans close to kiss. Shaking calming down to there is none. blackness more seems to cradle them now. "I love you...." As the dream starts to fall... both are sent falling as Zack holds him close. To the waking world they fall.

Vincent jolts awake, his eyes opening quickly as he reaches out into thin air for Zack, panicking as he thinks Zack has been taken from him again, for a split second his heart leaps into his throat, and then all is calm. He lays there for a moment, wondering if Zack is awake downstairs. He stands and walks down the stairs, peering round the corner to see him still laying on the couch.

Zack was laying there.. then he yawns and starts to sit up with groggy blue/purple eyes, scratching the back of his neck. Zack, "Huh?" Looks around some wondering why he was on the couch. Remembers Hojo and nothing else. "Vincent?"

Vincent steps away from doordoorway and walks in, kneeling down infront of Zack and grabbing both his hands, glad to feel their warmth. “Are you okay?” he inquires softly, his red eyes glowing slightly in the dimming light.

Zack, "Yeah.. what happened? I saw Hojo... think I passed out or something." Was very warm like he should be. Shiver of fear, "did I go crazy?"

Vincent shakes his head, simply pullhim him close to him, resting his chin on the top of Zack's head. “Hojo... Hojo's gone.” Vincent replied, frowning slightly into the distance.

Presses against him, snuggling against his warm body. Hojo was gone? Sighs feeling he could trust Vincent. Satisfied to be held and sheltered this moment. "Do I have to sleep on the couch?"

Vincent smiles down at him. “No, that was just in case I rolled ontop of you and you suffocated or something...Tseng and his worrying.” Rolls his eyes a little. “Wanna go upstairs?”

Zack, "Yes... Lot more comfortable oned.&ed." Fingers trancing Vincent’s stomach in a kid like manner.

Vincent reaches out, grabbing onto Zack's hand and standing up, helping him up. “I love you.” he deadpans, wrapping his arms tightly around Zack in an almost crushing way.

Zack hugs back but whispers, "Love you too but I wanna breath..."

Vincent blushes slightly, a little embarrassed and loosens his grip. “I'm sorry...I'm just so damn scared of loosing you.” he replies simply. “You won't leave me will you?” he asks, his voice waving a little in his own nervousness.

Zack looks surprised by that, "Never! You are my family now.." Holding his hand leads him back to the bedroom. Sleepy smile on his face. Still ignorant of the fact they could live both long extended lives due to Hojo's meddling. Just glad to be alive and with Vincent.

As Zack pulls Vincent into the room, Tseng watches from a his doorway. Some reason, he had a feeling it was going to be fine. Glances at the pilot who seemed okay before laying down to sleep. Zack pulls Vincent close to him as they kiss. Close in body and spirit as the storm ends and the Moons shines down.


~ The End ~