homeless, dusting him off

[uncontrol]

...Hn. You're back.

[ Not that he minded a few years in the "coffin," as it were. He's had plenty to think about, whether or not he was really around to do it. ]

So. Now that you're invested again. [ After all this canon review, there's really no other word for it. ] Do you have a plan? Or will I just continue to drift?

[ An amused huff. ]

I'll wait.

Comments

[hold]

[ well. she didn't think she'd be let out just to say hello. ]

Guess that makes two of us.

[uncontrol]

Tifa.

[ A nod in recognition. For Vincent, that's about as close to a greeting as it's ever going to get.

Still, though his tone is flat, there's a flicker of dry amusement. ]

There are worse fates.

[crystalsorrow]

It's always nice to see more of you.

[hold]

[ Hello, to you, too, old friend. But considering it's Vincent, her smile is still there and well, that greeting's definitely enough. ]

It's been a while, hasn't it?

[ worse fates... hmm, that's true. There's also being adrift in someone's head. ]

True. Mine hasn't done anything with me at all. I'm just... there.

[uncontrol]

[ He's had time to put a lot of things behind him, but seeing her outside of her crystal still gives him pause. ]

--Lucrecia. You're... here.

[crystalsorrow]

I know it's strange. I remember everything, but I've been given a second chance of sorts. ( She doesn't know quite what to do with it yet. )

[uncontrol]

[ A couple of months, for him. He thinks, anyway. Just because he has a phone doesn't mean he's gotten any better at keeping in touch with people. He has a bad habit of disappearing into the world until it needs him.

Tifa, though? He makes a low noise in his throat. ]

Doesn't suit you.

[uncontrol]

[ For a long moment, he doesn't say anything. Can't quite meet her eyes.

He's still... processing everything he'd learned, in the fight against Deepground. What she'd done to him, what it meant. But one thing is clear. Always has been. ]

...You deserve it.

[crystalsorrow]

You really are too kind, Vincent. If I had the choice, I would give you the second chance. ( He has been through far too much. She ruined her chance - he hasn't ruined his. )

[uncontrol]

[ His hand goes to his chest, instinctively. The protomateria. ]

You already did.

[crystalsorrow]

Not enough. Never enough. ( She briefly reaches out to touch his cheek. )

[uncontrol]

[ It's instinct to recoil -- after years of battle, both inside and out, it's hard not to see every movement as a threat. But it's her, and he controls himself after just a few seconds. ]

It's enough. You saved my life.

[crystalsorrow]

You deserve to live your life. ( She understands his tension, but she does look a little sadder. ) With your new friends.

[uncontrol]

Friends...

[ He says the word like it's unfamiliar. In a way, it is. He's still wrapping his head around the idea.

Still, he shakes his head, and leans into her touch this time. ]

If it wasn't for you... I wouldn't know them.

[crystalsorrow]

Then I did some good. ( She laughs softly and strokes her thumb over his cheek. ) Don't be afraid to open up. That's...

I should have done that. ( Her expression falls. ) I should have followed my heart.

[uncontrol]

I'm... working on it.

[ The rest of what she says, though... Vincent's heart catches in his throat. ]

Lucrecia--

[crystalsorrow]

( She is silent for a long moment, her expression troubled. )

Does that make me a bad person? To wish things had been different?

[uncontrol]

No-- no, that's not what I--

[ His denial is quick, the words almost falling out of his mouth. ]

I just-- [ He lets out a breath, the tension rippling through him. ] I didn't... let myself hope.

[crystalsorrow]

I never imagined you wanted to put up with me.

( She is clearly trying to lighten the mood. )

The moments I spent with you brought me happiness. Sometimes I think that was the only happiness I had - especially near the end.

[uncontrol]

[ He manages to lift the corner of his lips, but there's still pain in his eyes. ] I couldn't imagine anything I'd rather do than spend time with you. [ He swallows. ] I'm... glad it brought you comfort.

[crystalsorrow]

( His words mean the world to her and she, carefully and slowly, tries to give him a hug. )

Thank you. For everything. None of it was your fault.

[uncontrol]

[ wait why are you holding me with your body.

It takes Vincent a good few moments to process that she's hugging him, and even then, he has to remember how to respond. Gingerly, he wraps his arms around her, taking care with his claw, and embraces her as emotions bubble up in his chest.

He's heard the words before, but... not like this. ]

Lucrecia... I should've...

[crystalsorrow]

Should have what? It was my decision. I don't blame anyone but myself.

( All the same it's amazing that he remained in her life. Anyone else might have run away. )

My love doesn't mean much to anyone, but I do love you. That's why I want you to be happy.

[uncontrol]

But if I'd stopped you-- If I could've--

[ Then maybe things would have been different. Maybe they wouldn't be here like this. Maybe Meteor wouldn't have fallen.

Maybe a lot of things.

All of that fades at her words -- the words he'd wanted to hear for so long that he'd given up hope. Vincent clutches her tighter. ]

I've always loved you.

[crystalsorrow]

Shhh... ( She gives him a trembling smile, tears blurring her vision. ) The future is before you and it's before me. Why linger in the past?

( Very lightly, she brushes their lips together in a warm, comforting kiss. )

If your Mun sends you somewhere, let others see you. They won't reject you.

[uncontrol]

[ He closes his eyes, and this time he does manages a smile. ] ...Habit.

[ Just as gently, he returns the kiss and tips his forehead against hers. For once, she's warm against him, not cold, distant crystal. ]

I'll remember that. Though I think... one-on-one encounters are more likely.

[crystalsorrow]

Habits are hard to break, but this one is worth breaking. ( For good.

She closes her eyes and enjoys the proximity. How long has she wanted to hold him; to comfort him? It seems like she has always wanted to do that. )

Memories can be made that way too.

[uncontrol]

[ He's not about to move any time soon -- and seeing that she's comfortable makes him relax even more. This really is what he's always wanted. ]

Hn. [ He makes a considering noise. ] I could use some new ones.

[hold]

[ As long as he's still making himself known, Tifa's fine with that. ]

She doesn't let me out much. And it's her first time.

[uncontrol]

Hn. [ He knows what that's like, too. A dry humor threads through his tone. ] Got any plans?

[hold]

[ she taps her chin, as if contemplating in deep thought ] Hmm, she doesn't—

[ oh wait. ]

—Well, she does want me to go somewhere; she's just not ready to do so.

[uncontrol]

[ He gives her an owlish blink of those crimson eyes. ] Where?

[hold]

Some place called Holly Heights. There's a bar with the same name as mine over there.

[ Seventh Heaven in a game! It's probably not the same as hers. ]

It sounds like a nice place, but she has other plans.