In a deep, dark alley in the outskirts of Edge Vincent sat. Carefully, with his unclawed hand, he took a small glass bottle from a pocket concealed in his tattered red cloak. Sighing, still in the darkness, he momentarily fought an inner battle of composure, and was relieved to find his mind won. Summing the courage, he held the bottle in the thing beam of moonlight streaming into the hovel. The sparkling liquid could clearly be seen.
Water from her cave…
Water that surrounds her… Mako crystals…
That binds her…
That she used against herself…
If only he'd stopped her in the beginning, she'd never have suffered, never…
And she'd still be here…
Lucrecia…
Vincent was ashamed to find himself slightly shuddering from pent-up sobs. Placing the bottle carefully beside him, he growled softly and fought to take control of his emotions once again. He knew he'd lose the battle soon.
He heard footsteps on the hard ground and shrank further back into the depths of the alley. A figure walked by, drenched in shadows, calling softly.
"Vin-cent…"
Peering through half-closed eyes behind a curtain of dark hair so that they would not glow, he hoped the darkness would shield him from view.
The silhouette turned around, and eyes looked into the alley where Vincent was taking refuge. He knew she'd seen him. There was no point in hiding now.
Yuffie padded down towards him, her form touched lightly with pale blue moonlight.
"Vincent, what's wrong? I-"
She slumped next to him.
"You've been having the dreams again, haven't you?"
"It's fine."
He was surprised how heavy and cold his voice sounded, but not even years of practice could not disguise the slight tremble in his voice from her.
Yuffie shuffled over so that he shoulder rested against hers.
"Hey, look at me."
Vincent slowly raised his head, his crimson eyes molten with mixed emotions.
She cupped her hand on his cheek.
"You know there was nothing neither you nor her could have done to prevent any of this."
Vincent dipped his head, and Yuffie gently kissed his forehead. She felt him move as he began trembling, and pulled him into her arms as the sorrow held his heart in its tight grip. He nestled deeper in Yuffies' warmth, finding comfort in her arms as the sobs wracked his body and tears seeped from his unnatural eyes, wetting her skin.
She held him closer, rubbing his back soothingly, lacing her fingers through his hair, and murmuring.
"It's okay. It will be."
Gradually the despair moved from tears to silence, and Vincent lay in Yuffies' arms, healing from the tragedy.