plate_builder | Open Post

[Vincent, not even that long. SOmeone else woudl come up with a new meeting. Reeve ordered himself a bourbon and something greasy to eat as well.]

Meetings. It's always meetings and many other issues. But I accept that it's likely to happen to me.

Hm, well that's what happens when you're in charge - everyone needs to talk to you.

[Their drinks arrive before he can say more and the waiter cheerfully lets Reeve know that his food will be along shortly.

After taking a small sip of his drink, Vincent looks thoughtfully at Reeve.]

How do these usually go? I imagine they're not the same as they were thirty years ago. [He'd gone on a few dates before meeting Lucrecia and the two of them had only ever really done things like take walks together or picnic.] I should be sitting beside you, shouldn't I?

[It's an unfortunate truth that Vincent hit right on the nose of. Reeve sighed and he took the drink to swirl it lightly in his cup. He has much to think of before he falls into the taste of the drink.]

How do what usually go?

[Reeve tilts his head to consider Vincent. He still isn't certain whether this is... well, intended to be romantic or not.]

I admit, I'm uncertain just what the cope of what you're allowing is. That might need discussed first.

How do your dates usually go.

[The question is direct for once, something he can appreciate. He hadn't given it much thought. Toying with the rim of his glass with one slender, pale finger, he looks at the slowly melting ice in his drink as he decides what to say.]

The conversation that led to your invitation pertained to a blind date... a romantic blind date. [Alright, so maybe it wasn't just Reeve who had an issue with being direct.] If you would prefer to simply share a drink as friends, I'm perfectly amenable to that, but it seemed to me as if we were speaking more on... romantic terms. I'm not opposed to exploring that possibility. [He watches Reeve as he speaks, looking for any sign that he'd completely misread their previous conversation.]

[So it really was a date. Reeve looks nervous. This is really happening.]

Uh, yes. I...

[How do you talk to a close friend and tell them that the very prospect of what they are suggesting excites you?]

On a first date, people usually sit across from each other. To allow them to look at each other more easily.

[Vincent sinks back in his seat a little, uncertain as to whether or not he's crossed a line he wasn't supposed to. He pulls his drink with him, hiding behind a few shallow sips since he couldn't hide in his cloak.

He makes himself set the glass back down as he gives Reeve a slow nod.]

Alright. Though, I'm sure we both know what one another looks like at this point. [It's something like an attempt at a joke though he hates it as soon as the words have left his mouth.]

You know... if you would prefer... that we didn't... [He doesn't finish the sentence, looking off to the side and avoiding looking right at Reeve. This whole thing would be fairly embarrassing if he'd gotten it all wrong. Reeve hadn't taken the first out he'd given him but here was offering up a second just in case.]

Well, I don't mind looking at you, so it's good for that reason as well.

[No, he actually wanted it. he really did. It's just so nervous to be invested for a change.]

Forgive me, most things don't tend to last even this long.

[He looks back to Reeve. There's a brief hint of surprise on his face that melts away quickly into the faintest smile.]

That's going to take some getting used to. [Casual compliments.]

It's not as if I'm not rusty as well. Not that I was ever very good at this. [Lucrecia had turned him down after all.]

[Reeve is full of compliments, thank you.]

I haven't been good at this for nearly a decade, if I am being honest. Which is still newer than you, I suppose.

[Vincent makes a soft sound, almost a laugh.]

This is a terrible competition to have. [The corner of his mouth curls up slightly.]

[Reeve laughs, it's not wrong. He sips his drink and shakes his head.]

Making me laugh, really? I like it.

I'm well known for my humor. [Words that have never been said with a dryer, more neutral tone.

It's wonderful to hear Reeve laugh, however. He seemed to be having a difficult time lately.]

But... good. This is... nice. I appreciate you inviting me. Even if I did have to twist your arm.

Oh, are you?

[Dammit, Vincent, don't drag him. He grins and shakes his head.]

How was I supposed to know you were potentially interested in men or even in me?

Mm. [He nods, expression still neutral as he raises his drink to take another sip.]

Hmm, there wasn't. And... I'm not sure I was ready until... recently.

[He'd been doing a lot of thinking lately. In the crystal caves. And he's sure Reeve can read between the lines. He'd know he was referring to Lucrecia.]

[Not ready until now? Yes, he can understand that.]

Yours has been a rather complicated situatoin. It makes sense.

Mm. [It's a quiet sound, acknowledgment and reluctant agreement.] I guess.

And... I'm equally surprised that you would have any interest in me. Romantically.

[It was surprising enough that anyone wanted to spend time with him as a friend after all.]

Why?

[Reeve doesn't know why he wouldn't.]

You are beautiful, thoughtful, serious in a way that is quite lovely.

[Why? What a difficult question to answer without sounding completely self-deprecating, which he honestly... wasn't. At least not when it came to most things about himself.

He does look up in surprise at the first descriptor Reeve uses. He didn't put much thought into his appearance but 'beautiful' certainly isn't something he'd ever think he'd be called.]

Thank you... Those... some of those are exactly what I thought might not be very desirable. Serious. Not very talkative. It's nice to know that's not the case with you.

I am a serious man myself, VIncent. Why would I have an issue with that?

[And not talkative isn't a bad thing, not all the time. Sometimes it's difficult to understand the needs and desires of others when they are often quiet, but he still thought it was not a bad thing to think before you spoke.]

Yes, I guess you are.

[He took a contemplative sip of his drink, finishing it off.]

Maybe I thought it would be an issue in the same way you thought I wouldn't have any interest. Maybe we've both been making some assumptions that don't make much sense.

Assumptions tend to be the basis for many interactions.

[But he smiles and nods at Vincent. It's a good point.]

Well, if we are attempting to be honest in hopes that this will go better, you've captivated me since we met. In person. Before that it was more a polite interest.

Captivated? [It's a strong word and he isn't sure how he'd been so oblivious up until now.] Captivated.

I'm sure you must have wondered how I survived. What had happened.

Knowing what you knew and nothing more, I'm not sure how you resisted asking me more. Even if your assignment was something else.

[He frowns thoughtfully.] Not that I could have offered you much of an explanation.

[Reeve chuckles, shaking his head.]

My assignment was horrible, but one I am glad I took. And yes, I don't know how I resisted, beyond knowing Veld and knowing he owed me QUITE a bit of information. But I didn't intend to ask. With Shinra, some secrets are better kept.

[A very quiet way of saying that the man didn't have to share what he doesn't want to.]

Veld... [Vincent's thoughts had drifted to his old partner a few times. Even back then, the man had been something of a father figure to him, to all the Turks. Despite that, he'd never really felt that close to him. And, after questioning Hojo and Shinra's experiments, Veld had become just one more person he'd failed. The thought of seeking him out now, after all this time, it hadn't ever really crossed his mind.]

I have nothing to hide. If you're still curious about anything, that is. [He shrugs a little. He realizes his choice of words likely isn't the best. He hadn't meant to imply that Reeve thought he was hiding anything.] Not that I think any of this is about getting information. But, if I don't mind talking about it. I can't promise I'll know in some cases. I still don't understand, or remember, a lot of what happened to me.

[Now he idly wondered if Veld had received some kind of report... no... no, he'd been surprised to see him. If he'd gotten a report, it must have been full of half-truths.]

[Well, if he ever sought information on Veld, Reeve would be more than happy to get the man touch with them. Reeve's contacts were a bit better than so many. And... Well, Reeve had a particular connection with Veld that left them talking to this day.]

Is it wrong that I do not know that want to know? I worked with Hojo, Vincent. I worked with Veld and the Shinra family. I know the darkness behind the curtain. It's not something I want.

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