Title: Status Change
Author: Enide Dear
Pairing: Valenwind
Rating: fluff
Summary: Different status changes effect on our fave gay couples relationship!

Silence
"Cid!" Tifa screamed at the top of her quite impressive lungs, straight into Cid's ear. "Would you like some tea?!"

"…?"

"She said tea!" Cloud shouted as loud as he could in the other ear.

"…!"

"It might help your throat old man!" Yuffie had a surprisingly strong voice for someone so delicate looking. And shrill.

"….?!...!...!" There was the distinct feeling that this tome the expressive silence was filled with cussing.

"What is going on here?" Hands firmly clasped over demon-sensitive ears, Vincent frowned at the newly returned adventurers.

"…!"

"Cid was hit by a Silence spell." Exhausted, Tifa sank down on a chair. "He can't speak and I suspect he can't hear us."

"…?!"

"We can't do anything about it right now." Cloud sat down opposite her, watching with pity as the pilot gesture about wildly, his face red with frustration as he tried to make himself understood. "We're broke and out of Echo Screens. He will have to wait until tomorrow."

"Hmf." Crossing his arms, Vincent studied the pilot.

"Yeah, that's one way to do it," frustration made Yuffie even more pesky than usually towards Avalanche's ordinarily quietest member. "You two can just sit around all day saying nothing at all!"

Red eyes glared at her from far superior height.

"There are forms of communications other than speech." Vincent mumbled and took a gentle but firm grip on Cid's arm. "Something I suspect you'll never learn, brat."

Cid turned at the grip, still red-faced with frustration but as burgundy eyes caught his, he immediately stilled. Keeping the pilot caught in the gaze for a second, Vincent then waved his free arm in a complicated pattern.

Cid's eyes got huge. Then, with relief washing over his face, he made his own gesture, biting of his workglove so his fingers could move more freely.

Vincent gestured, face serious. Cid answered with a smile and an enthusiastic nod.

"Chief would like some tea, three sugars, no milk." Vincent translated.

"How do you know? Yuffie demanded.

"ShinRa standard sign language. Hasn't changed much in 30 years." Glancing at Cloud. Vincent added. "I'm surprised you don't know it."

"Soldier didn't teach it," Cloud said fast – too fast. "Didn't need to. Mako-hearing can pick up any whisper."

"I suppose. Chief says thank you," Vincent added to Tifa who had brought the tea to the parched and much grateful pilot.

Avalanche watched with surprise as Vincent then started waving his hands again, Cid answering in between sipping his tea. It seemed the gunman was positively chatty when he didn't need to use his voice. Cid grinned and waved and at one point threw his head back and laughed silently, making Avalanche drop their collective jaws. Vincent wasn't known for being funny.

"What are they talking about?!" Overcome with curiosity and nosiness, Yuffie jumped around the two men who ignored her, caught up in their quiet, secret discussion. "C'mon, Vince, tell me!"

Vincent made a sly gesture, red eyes burning. Cid suddenly turned beet-red ans almost choked on his tea. The gunman made another gesture, an almost seductive gesture and Cid's eyes got huge. He almost took a step back before answering warily. Vincent pushed forward, his gestures firm but gentle, half a smile on his face. Cid looked almost cornered, his fingers fluttering and halting but strangely submissive.

"Oh my gods, what are you saying old man?!" Yuffie was almost jumping up and down with pure nosiness until Cid gave her a scowl and a one fingered universally understood gesture.

Vincent tilted his head towards the Inn's bedrooms. Cid gulped but nodded.

Avalanche stared as the two men disappeared into their room in stunned silence until Tifa sighed.

"Ah well. At least they won't be making much noise tonight."