An Ocean of Roses
By kimetara
Multipart
Sequel to "Waves of Pain" and Red Roses Mean Love. References to "Petals" as a side story.
AN: My, it's been a while... Hard to believe I'm going into senior year of high school already, but the workload doesn't lie. Hmm...what to say... It's probably a good thing has altered the format of its uploaded stories and made it so difficult to edit, or else I'd be tempted to go through and revise the whole thing, and if I did that I'd never get around to writing this. p (And I'll accept the sudden lack of indents for the nifty new features. So many new stats, w00t!)
Ah, short explanation? Originally, I was going to make a sequel for this story, but as time went on I decided against it. In fact, for a while I considered just leave it be altogether, but after many insistent and encouraging reviews...I decided what the heck, I'd aim for a little more closure. (Yep yep, this is for all you guys who read and commented on RRML!) My memory's a tad fuzzy since it's been two years since I've worked on this story, so please forgive any errors of characterization, but I hope that with this I'll succeed in making the tale just a bit more satisfying.
Chapter One
"Vincent!" Tifa clambered up the stairs, her feet pounding relentlessly on the new wood. "Vincent!" she yelled again as she blew the door to his room open, a huge grin on her face. "Guess what!"
"What?" he inquired, his tone mildly intrigued. He was sitting in front of his computer, probably working on his newest novel. Tifa still found it amusing to think of Vincent as a sci-fi/fantasy author, but when it came to real life experience, she had to admit he was at the top of the field. She was rather glad he'd taken up writing too; Tifa suspected it helped him deal with his habit of brooding.
"Reeve just proposed to Marianna!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. "They're going to get married in a month! Isn't it wonderful?"
"Indeed." Vincent smirked dryly. "Considering their living arrangements for the past six months, I was beginning to feel concerned."
"Oh, pooh." Tifa propped a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. "That doesn't mean anything. We've been living together too, and we don't have any plans for marriage!" As soon as the words were out, she inwardly kicked herself. What a stupid comment to make... But she couldn't resist the quick glance at Vincent from the corner of her eye, the faint stillness of anticipation in her demeanor.
Taboo conversation topic #1: Themselves.
"No, we don't," he agreed, as smooth as ever, and Tifa inwardly deflated. Of course. Ever since that kiss in the Highwind two years ago, Vincent had been achingly platonic. Sweet, caring, thoughtful, reliable, stable, and totally detached from any sort of flirtation. "But the community relinquished their ideas about us long ago. Reeve and Marianna were still highly speculated about."
"Well, no need for speculation anymore," she replied decisively, forcing herself to ignore the sting in Vincent's words. Yes, to her knowledge all the rumors about her and Vincent had been extinguished. Even when he moved in with her a year ago--the mansion was becoming too much trouble to keep in good condition, and Vincent didn't want to waste the gil he had gathered--people didn't talk for long. She was kind, tough, survivor Tifa, and he was the polite, reserved, gentleman Vincent. Nothing interesting to see here, move along. "They just got the engagement period over with ahead of time. Now come on, we need to go look for a wedding present!"
"I'm working."
"You can take a few hours off to go shopping for a gift for one of our closest friends," she insisted.
"The wedding isn't for a month."
"But you know I hate waiting until the last minute."
"..." He sighed and half-reluctantly rose from his chair. "Very well..."
"Great." Tifa beamed, inwardly reveling about her power over Vincent. Alright, that sounded bad, but she liked the fact that he listened to her when with most people, he'd simply decline and turn away. She liked even more the fact that if she persuaded him enough, he would give in on almost anything. Of course, there were the mutually agreed taboo subjects, but that didn't matter very much. Not much at all. "Let's go!"
-----
He didn't mind leaving his work to go shopping with her. Not really, considering how particularly happy she seemed to be today. It was enough to simply watch her dart around, examining one thing after another with that excited expression on her face.
"I think basket will work beautifully, and these glasses are wonderful...we should probably throw in a picture frame just because it's tradition. Oh! I know, we could put in that photo from Marianna's birthday! I know they haven't seen that one yet, and I'm sure they'd love it," she chattered on, putting one thing after another in her shopping basket. "What do you think, Vincent?"
"It sounds fine. Here," he handed her an item.
Tifa gave him a puzzled look. "An electric razor?"
Vincent shrugged. "Please add it to the gift."
"Alright..." Her doubtful expression didn't lessen, but she dropped it into the basket. Vincent inwardly chuckled. There was no need to inform Tifa of the incident, but he was certain Reeve hadn't forgotten. And even if he had, it would still be useful.
"The wedding's going to be wonderful," Tifa chattered on as she browsed the isles, Vincent ambling along behind her. "Reeve's got connections everywhere, so we'll probably wind up seeing everybody- oh." She frowned. "I'm sure Scarlet will be there as well. Oh dear..."
"You will be fine," Vincent quietly assured her. "You are, after all, a dear friend of the groom and her superior."
"Right. But it's going to be awkward..." Tifa bit her lip and half-frowned. "Oh well. There'll be plenty of people, so maybe I won't run into her at all."
"Most likely," he agreed. "Are we finished?"
"I think so." She surveyed the contents of her basket, tucking her hair behind her ear to keep it from falling. "Yeah, this should be enough."
He nodded and turned to lead the way to the checkout lines, not missing the various glances thrown their way. It was normal, but he still found himself aware and ready. Old habits were difficult to break, and there were a few men in particular Vincent didn't care to have in Tifa's company. The more crude and leering few, to be exact. For a while, his mere presence was enough to discourage all but the most confident or stupid, but by now that effect had worn off. It was a fact he disliked immensely, since it made his job more difficult-
And it means everybody knows she's not yours.
Vincent ignored Chaos. He knew very well she wasn't his. She had never been his, and most likely never would be. Nevertheless, even if it damned him to hell and back, he couldn't resist hoping...but that was unimportant. He had resigned himself to being her "best friend" two years ago.
He picked up the grocery bags, gave a nod to the cashier, and headed out the door and back to Tifa's home.
"Vincent, let me carry a bag," she insisted patiently as she walked beside him. He didn't reply. "Please?"
"There's no need." Vincent honestly wondered whether Tifa actually believed he would ever allow her to carry a bag if she absolutely didn't have to; his upbringing wouldn't allow it.
"I know, but-" she saw his expression and trailed off. "...okay," she gave in with an exasperated smile. "Why did you choose that grocery line?"
"What do you mean?" He knew what she meant.
"There was a much shorter line just three aisles away. Why not that one?" she clarified. For a moment Vincent deliberated whether to dodge the question or answer truthfully, then decided that answering honestly would do no harm.
"The cashier looks at you disrespectfully."
"...ah. I see." Tifa grinned at him in amusement. "I know, but I still think we ought to have used the shorter grocery line. As long as it's just looking, I don't care. Kind of got used to it while in the slums."
Vincent didn't reply with more than a fleeting, cryptic glance. He had nothing to say in response, and they were at her door anyway.
But next week, he still didn't lead her to the shorter grocery line.
-----
"I'm going to be a bridesmaid!" Tifa chirped brightly that morning as she cut Vincent's almost famous pancakes into bite-sized pieces.
"Congratulations," Vincent deadpanned before taking a bite of his omelet.
"Yes. And that means I'm going to be pretty busy..." she popped a slice of pancake in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed, "and so will you!"
"...what?" Tifa inwardly smirked. She knew that would get his attention.
"Come now Vincent, you didn't really believe that Reeve would forget to request you as a groomsman, did you?" she inquired innocently.
"I received no information implying otherwise," he retorted, just the slightest bit defensive.
"Ah, you should be hearing from him today. In about," she glanced at the clock, "ten minutes."
"What makes you so certain I will agree?" he challenged. Tifa gave him a look.
"...you wouldn't leave Reeve to deal with an entire wedding by himself..."
"He has other aides."
"But he's counting on you for support!" Her eyes narrowed. "Why wouldn't you agree?"
Vincent took a sip of his coffee. "I'm not one for festivities."
Tifa nearly growled. "So?"
"...I do not wish to dampen the enthusiasm of those involved."
Oh. So it was the responsibility-pressure complex. Fine, she wouldn't be annoyed about his reluctance, but Tifa swore to herself she would get him to come along. "Vincent," she began seriously, "I think everybody would love to see you there, and it'd be more of a mood-dampener if you didn't show. It's bad enough that not all of the group will be able to come, but those of us that can should be honored to take our special places in the wedding. We've saved each other's lives; it's only right that we accept being an important part of them."
Vincent averted his eyes, turning his head to gaze at the stained glass window. "'Not all of the group'?" he repeated.
Tifa paused. She knew Vincent must have been trying to stall if he said something careless like that. "Reeve has connections everywhere...except with Cloud."
"...of course."
The breakfast table suddenly became very quiet. Taboo conversation topic #2: Cloud.
"...I'm going to go finish the laundry," Tifa tossed out brightly and a wee bit desperately. "Have fun talking to Reeve!"
"Mm." He nodded once to show he heard her and continued eating his omelet. Tifa hastily stood and made her getaway.
-----
A cool breeze lifted the curtains in his room while strains of an acoustic guitar emanated from his computer. It was dark, night time with the lights off and the window open. He lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling and the dark spots on his wall that indicated the presence of a painting or another accessory. From outside the window, a barking dog interrupted the guitar, then fell silent.
He wondered, was this the way Cloud had felt? When he was young and loved Tifa, did he feel this weight from being in the position of- no, that was incorrect. Cloud had never been Tifa's best friend. He had not, if Vincent's memory served him correctly, been a friend at all. He had been only an acquaintance, and an admirer.
Then during their journey, had he felt this way, unwilling yet grateful to be considered a close friend of hers? To know that he was so close, and yet so securely kept at an arm's distance? When he had been with Aeris, did he ever wish...
But that was unfair to the blonde, to imply that his love for Aeris was only partial. It was obvious that Cloud cared deeply for the Ancient, as he had never returned and Vincent could only assume he was still searching; it had been over half a year since the blonde had contacted him. Then again, even when Cloud did drop by, it was generally a short conversation consisting of how Tifa was doing, and then he was off again. And yet Vincent wondered...if he knew Tifa, how had he been able to throw her love away?
Then again, Vincent admitted to himself, he had always been the pining sort. Lucrecia called him a romantic of the heart and a brooder of the mind, far too prone to over-thinking and embedding himself in emotions better left behind. He hoped that Cloud would not follow down the same path.
Vincent hoped, too, that he was not walking towards the same road that he had followed a generation ago.
You're an idiot, Chaos muttered. I will never understand this human penchant for trouble.
Nor will I, Vincent agreed. He had come to find that more often then not, he agreed with Chaos, which was at times rather frightening. Even so, the demon was clever enough, not to mention oddly practical and down-to-earth. But it's something I cannot help.
Chaos smirked. Finally admitting that you're human, Vinny dear?
Vincent exhaled and rolled onto his side. Is it so much of an insult to think of me as a demon?
No, but it's stupid, and prefer my containers to be intelligent. He- It- Chaos shifted restlessly. ...although, he admitted, I may not be around for much longer.
That gave Vincent a pause. It was true he had been sensing less and less of his other three counterparts, but Chaos had always existed strong and well in his mind. Why?
A mental shrug. The three brainless entities are fading, why not me too? What, you're actually going to miss me? Chaos cooed mockingly. How sweet. You really are an idiot.
Indeed. The corner of his mouth quirked in a wry smile. It will seem strangely empty if you go.
Yeah, well, at least you won't be making out with an audience, Chaos snorted derisively while projecting the image of him and Tifa being...very busy. Vincent froze in embarrassment and gaze Chaos an angry mental lash, to which the demon merely laughed. No wonder life enjoys playing with you. You make it too easy.
Go to sleep, Vincent snapped.
Certainly... Chaos replied coyly, before recreating the scene with Cloud in Vincent's place and fleeing. Nighty night!
Vincent closed his eyes, forcefully quelling the sickness in his stomach from the detailed imagery he'd been provided to think about. Him miss Chaos? Never.
-----
Midway into the night, Tifa sleepily padded down the hallway and peeked inside Vincent's room. He was fine, good. She and Cloud had set up this system years ago when they discovered how often nightmares visited Vincent. They seemed to have quieted down lately, but then again, Tifa hadn't caught Vincent talking to himself for a while either. Maybe he and Chaos were finally getting along...not that she would know.
Taboo conversation #3: Chaos.
She withdrew and stumbled back to her own bed.
AN: As always, reviews of any flavor are welcome. )