Chapter Ten

Nicolae

Charmaine, Aria, and I walked through the bustling city that was Midgar Edge. The chatter of those that passed by us, the city livelier than I had remembered. Aria's laughter could be heard as she and Charmaine talked about things that I had paid little attention to, I felt at home in this city, some passersby looked at me, some with smiles, others with waves, however, there were few with snares on their faces. These gazes would cause me to roll my eyes, my hands sinking further into my black jean pockets. Thoughts of backing down and excusing myself from the girl's activity were more tempting with every snare I passed, yet the welcoming glances seemed to outweigh the negative moods by generous amounts. Charmaine's inquiry brought my attention to the woman and child that was my company. "Sorry, Charmaine, what did you say? I kind of zoned out."

"Do you want ice cream? The stand is up ahead. Aria and I are going to get us some." She looked at me, though she wore a smile. Her eyes showed she was concerned. She looked around at the people. "What's wrong?"

"I'll just take a cup of coffee, hazelnut if they have it." I looked at the concrete road.

"Um, alright, but what has you hard at work thinking? This is a stress-free family outing. You aren't stress-free, more like 99 kinds of stress, sums you up right now." She stopped. "Spill it."

I looked at her. "Charmaine, I'm not stressed. No need to worry about it. I'm fine, honest."

"Alright." She looked around us, then back at me. "Do you want to go to 7th Heaven Bar, and visit with everyone? I went there last night and Cid and Yuffie went home. Or do you want to wait until we eat later?"

"I'll wait until we eat. I just go there to see Vincent on Thursdays."

"Vincent is always there. He comes every night. I've seen him on my visits there. What is it, Leonard's night with him?" She smiled. "Do you two take shifts to keep him from getting bored at the bar? I'm sure he appreciates that, but Vincent is Vincent. What do the two of you usually talk about, anyway? I see you two together, and it seems like you two just sit like statues."

"The two of us just sit. It's not me keeping Vincent from getting bored, it's him attempting to keep me from acting out, or acting a fool. He's like a father to me I always wanted, so I try to act human. I enjoy the dreams of him telling me he's proud of me, though I've not gotten it. I can dream."

"Well, I'm proud of you, then."

"You aren't Vincent. You are someone I look up to like, someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. Vincent is a parent that I never had, but I had always wanted. I wish I was his son instead of Sephiroth's. I'm closer to him than I am to my father."

"You don't ask very many questions to Rufus, do you?"

"Why should I? He's the biggest liar to walk the town? What are you trying to tell me, Charmaine? Do I have more in common with Vincent than I do with Sephiroth?"

"Yeah, maybe."

"Are me and Leonard even Sephiroth's sons?"

"Not by blood, no. Only by alien DNA. You two are Vincent's sons, but your mother who Hojo injected Vince's DNA into, she sadly passed because of complications, Vincent doesn't seem to be aware because of the JENOVA cells making you carry Sephiroth's looks, you guys are just two victims of the alien that made Sephiroth go bananas. Which I hope you don't do after hearing this. Please don't go nuts, you had to find out sometime."

I looked at her. "Why would I go nuts? That means I'm not related to Yazoo, Kadaj, and Loz or their loony creator. I'm thrilled at the news."

"Good, in celebration I'm getting you ice cream and coffee. Do you like butter pecan ice cream?"

"Yeah, sound good."

"Awesome."

***

After the three of us got the grocery items, we walked into the house, and I laid the house keys on the table. "Why don't you call and invite Vincent to eat with us? I got some stuff to make some iced tea?"

I looked at her. "I don't think he will come."

"If he doesn't, you can't say you didn't reach out and try."

I looked at her with a sigh. "Fine, but I can already tell you he will say no."

I walked out of the room.

Charmaine

Several moments had passed since Nicolae walked from the room. The food was in the oven and on the oven top. Aria had gone to her room, leaving me alone down here. The sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs caused me to look seeing Nicolae. He exhaled a sigh, and placed the phone face down on the table, taking his seat. "He's not coming? Is he?"

"He didn't answer his phone. I tried several times. That's not like him. Maybe I should go to his house, see what's wrong."

"If you feel something is wrong, then you should go check it out. You can take my truck." I got the key from my pocket and laid it on the table. "Take as long as you need. This will take a while to get done."

I walked back over to the stove. "Will you be safe alone?"

"Nicolae, nobody is after me. I'm not in danger. I left ShinRa but they aren't trying to kidnap me. Aria and I will be just fine here. You go on, now. Go see about Mr. Grumpy Pants."

He chuckled. "Alright, I'll be back soon."

I smiled. "Okay, go." I laughed.

He got the key, walking from the house, shutting the door behind him.

Nicolae

Once I got to the green truck, I got inside, started up the truck, and headed towards Vincent's house, the drive to the man that all my life I had known as a friend, who I had discovered was my father, so many what-ifs clouded my judgment on why he hadn't answered his phone, I knew he wouldn't be at the bar this early. He didn't sleep, so I ruled those choices out. These were peaceful times, so any mission-related thing should be ruled out as well since he brought no missions up to me. Leonard mentioned no ill signs of trouble. Everything seemed in order, once peace was concerned. Darkness was covering the skies when I pulled in front of the home that Vincent lived in. As normal, the tall, dark house looked empty. Save for the flickering of the television in an upstairs window, fireworks lit up the night sky. I got from the truck and walked to the front door, knocking on it. After there was no movement inside, I opened the door, walking in. "Vincent? Are you home?"

The smell of iron filled my nostrils as I turned the overhead lights on, nothing looked out of place, as I made my way upstairs, the television came from a bedroom, the smell of blood was heavy as I opened the door, turning on the overhead light, as I felt my heart sink to my stomach at the sight.