An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Ghosts on the Edge of Kalm (1392 words) by EvilRobotCat
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Compilation of Final Fantasy VII
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Vincent Valentine, Veld (Compilation of FFVII)
Additional Tags: Post-Game(s), Survivor Guilt
Summary:
Two figures meet at dawn to discuss the future. Who decides who gets a second chance? What does one do when he's given it?
HEY, HEY, HEY, Y’ALL GOTTA READ THIS AMAZING STORY I LOVE THIS!!
To Be Human - 15: What did you learn from writing this fic?
I’ve learned a lot, actually. I’ve been writing this for two - almost three - years with only a few breaks, and my writing has improved so much that I’m going to have to go back and rewrite the early chapters to my new standard.
More specific things I’ve learned, in no particular order:
first drafts are never as good as you want them to be
sometimes you have to just put out crappy content so you can start editing it into something better
betas are priceless (looking at you @vorpalgirl & @basilton)
I do better writing when I have a deadline to meet
yes I can use said well, and it looks better than constantly using dialogue tags; same for names/pronouns vs epithets
I have a problem with using certain gestures too often… and ellipsis XD
I will never like writing fight scenes but I can actually do them decently
playing music that fits a scene can absolutely help you write it (aka soundtracks are awesome and seriously inspiring)
people who never comment are much more likely to speak up when they think you’re gonna kill a character they love off >_>
everything is better with three dimensional characters, especially “villains”
re the above, I really love writing Hojo (and making people root for him is the best)
there is little so satisfying as making people react; the more flailing the better
comments are my lifeblood, and I will in turn leave them on everything I read because I know how it feels not to get them
a huge amount of the problems in FF7 could have been avoided if people were logical about things (and talked like grownups stg…)
I am capable of truly impressive projects
There’s more, but those are some main highlights. It’s been a great experience.
I got to write for @evil-robot-cat this year for the @gaiasanta holiday exchange to the prompt below. Hope this fits your fancy, hon!
Prompt: Reeve/Vincent or Chaos/Reeve (so predictable) Since I’m not very good at doing romantic scenes, I’d love to see something like that. Sweet or intense, both are good.
Not much made Reeve nervous.
Well, no that wasn’t true. There was plenty that made Reeve nervous. Not much about his lovers made him nervous. Which, given he was currently involved with two of the most deadly beings to ever walk the Planet, probably said something about his priorities. But for all of Vincent’s glares and Chaos’ posturing, the fact was that he knew that when push came to shove, they were on his side.
That was not, unfortunately, something he could really say with any certainty regarding the two of them with each other. The only thing they shared willingly was silence. And tonight, apparently, they were going to be sharing a date.
Not that Reeve had never wanted to go on a proper date, of course he had, but he’d resigned that thought to fantasy territory; neither one of them did ‘people’ and certainly not strangers. They were in Kalm, so any of the restaurants were going to be small and probably cramped with anyone who didn’t want to cook over the holidays. He could protest all he wanted, but Reeve could tell Vincent didn’t like closed spaces for extended periods of time, and Chaos hated feeling confined. Plus, all the mismatched scents were likely to do more harm than good to enhanced senses.
As much as the romantic in him wanted to go on a date, this sounded like a disaster in the making. But, if they wanted to try, by god he would. He’d put aside his favored coat and switched out for a suit. He hadn’t worn one in ages, and was surprised how familiar it still felt. Comfortable, even. It was a nice reassurance when nerves were jangling under his skin.
The clock chimed six, just as he heard the low purr of a car engine. If there was anything he did know he could count on, it was that Vincent would have them running precisely on time. He headed for the door just as Vincent was letting himself in and stopped. Stared.
He knew what Chaos looked like when he manifested in Vincent’s form, silver skin and gold eyes, massive wings and wild red hair. This... this wasn’t quite that. He’d have almost sworn he was looking at Vincent, but there was a sliver sheen to his pale skin, and those eyes... like looking into a roaring fire, a blend of familiar mako red and the brighter gold that was Chaos’. It was beautiful, to be sure, but....
“Staring is rude.” The voice just about did him in, Vincent’s pitch with the black silk of Chaos, and from the tiny smirk it got him he - they? - knew damn well the effect.
“...Vincent? Chaos?” He really wasn’t sure what was going on at this point, just that ‘Vincent’ was looking an awful lot like Chaos and whatever else was going on they cut a fantastic figure in a black suit.
“Yes.” A full smirk then, and a flash of fang that made him swallow hard. “We’re both here. Join us?”
Reeve nodded, accepting a gloved hand and making a quiet sound of surprise as he was pulled in for a kiss that was rather distracting from the question he’d meant to ask. “Both...?”
“An incomplete transformation,” he explained, clearing his throat before it settled to Vincent’s quiet rasp. “We’re both fully aware and receiving physical sensation.”
Reeve stared at him a long moment in shock. “You can do that?”
“For a couple hours,” Vincent confirmed. “For the sake of our vocal chords, we’ll switch off otherwise.”
“Of course, I just...” The thought that there was a middle ground to be had had never occurred to him. Maybe because it never would have crossed his mind that they’d ever try. “You’re alright with it?”
“It’s fine,” Vincent assured him.
“Then... thank you.” He could only assume somehow it had been done for him, and he was beyond touched. “Where are we going?”
“To the car.” There was a hint of mischief in his smile, for once clearly seen since he’d abandoned his usual outfit. “And then for a drive.”
“Yes but where,” he pressed, chuckling as he wasn’t given an answer and was instead led out to the car. “Vincent... Chaos, a little help?”
“Patience, my own,” the WEAPON said mildly, that same gleam of mischief in his eyes; they both knew how he was with mysteries. Probably exactly why they weren’t saying.
Reeve settled into the car, pulling his seat belt across. He wasn’t sure he’d been around Vincent driving before, but he’d heard a story or two. Against all stories, the ride was slow and smooth, and... was he taking them out of town? He leaned forward, peering around as if he might find some clue. Of course, he didn’t, but he did look. They were heading north, as best he could tell. What was north of Kalm?
“I can practically hear you thinking.” There was more than a hint of amusement in Vincent’s voice at the statement. “Just relax. You’ll enjoy this.”
“I’m curious,” he defended.
“Ever curious,” Chaos agreed fondly. “But this time you have to wait. It won’t be long.”
“Fine.” Reeve sighed, but he couldn’t even pretend to be upset, sneaking glances at the shifted form of his lovers, a physical representation of them actually, actively, willingly sharing. “How long did it take you to figure that out?”
“We figured out it was possible a long time ago. There’s just been no motivation to use it until recently,” Vincent explained. “We used it on a couple missions. It was helpful to have us both more aware.”
“And it doesn’t hurt?” Reeve asked; he’d gotten Vincent to admit that the transformations weren’t pleasant, were sometimes painful, so he was concerned about this limbo they were in.
Vincent frowned, weighing his words. “It’s... not pain, exactly. There was some discomfort before we adjusted.”
“’Some discomfort’ like what?” He pressed.
“Reeve.” Vincent glanced at him briefly before his eyes went back to the road. “We’re fine.”
“It’s barely worth notice,” Chaos added
Of course, Chaos had considered getting his wing torn by bullets an inconvenience so Reeve wasn’t entirely sold, but he wouldn’t push it. They’d decided this was something they wanted to do for him, and he was grateful. “Thank you.”
“We thought you’d enjoy it.” He smiled slightly, then a little more at the surprised sound Reeve made as he turned them off onto an older road. “Still not telling.”
“I didn’t ask!” Reeve protested, chuckling. It had been on the tip of his tongue to.
“Mm.”
They drove in comfortable silence for another twenty minutes, Reeve rather thoroughly distracted by how the world had opened up under the stars, the moon unchallenged as the single light along the landscape. He almost didn’t notice when they came to a gentle stop. “We’re here?”
“As far as the car will take us,” Vincent said, getting out and going around to the back to locate a small cooler.
“Here, let me.” Reeve edged around, taking it from him. They were close enough to the ocean to smell the salt in the air, the fresh breeze washing over them. He could hear waves breaking in the distance, so quiet was everything else. “This is nice. I’m not sure I’m at all dressed for it, though.”
“There’s a building up ahead,” Vincent promised, chuckling. His hand briefly fell to the small of Reeve’s back, guiding as they picked their way through the tall grass. The building was visible as they reached the top of a hill, a small building that couldn’t have been more than three rooms if he was being generous. But it was sturdy, and as Vincent let them in he saw that it did have a wood table and chairs they could settle at. More than that, however, he turned and saw that the windows were in a perfect position to stare out at the moon over the water.
“That’s beautiful,” Reeve murmured, taking in the sight.
“Later, we’ll go down to the beach and make a proper bonfire,” Chaos said. “But for now, this will do.”
“This is wonderful, and a bonfire sounds great.” Reeve smiled at them, catching his gloved hand for a little squeeze. “Thank you.”
They stared at him a long moment, a soft smile warming normally stoic features, their voices coming to a smoky blend yet again. “You’re welcome.”
For a moment there was silence, then he was pulled in again, and if the two of them sharing was what was making them more prone to physical affection he was going to have to encourage this more. The kiss he was pulled into started sweet, but the gentle press of lips opened into something deeper, wanting, and it stole his breath by the time they let him go. He didn’t whimper at the brief graze of sharpness on his lip, but it was a near thing.
The smirk was most definitely Chaos’. “Dinner?”
“I... yes?” Reeve blinked, thrown by the change in topic. “Yes. Actual food, I assume?”
“I did say dinner, not dessert.” Chaos chuckled, going around him and pushing at the wall. It gave way, exposing a small oven, and he opened it. The sound and smell of sizzling meat suddenly filled the small room, a mouthwatering roast and what looked like an array of grilled vegetables as well. It made sense; they had to be burning energy like crazy in the half transformation. “There’s plates and the like in the cooler.”
“Ah, I’ll get on that, then.” Reeve made quick work of setting the table, arching a brow at the wine that was tucked into a chill sleeve. “Nice choice.”
“Not all my tastes are bad.” There was a hint of teasing in Vincent’s tone, a lightness he didn’t often show.
“I think you have some very good tastes,” Reeve said mildly, pouring them both a little before taking a seat. “Nothing else I can do?”
“Just enjoy.” Vincent took a moment to cut slice the roast for them, bringing it over and settling in. He moved his chair around, a little closer to Reeve’s - he knew that specific distance, that was most definitely for Chaos; if his wings had been out, it would have been perfect range to snag him.
Reeve smiled softly, making a pleased sound over the roast. He didn’t expect small talk from either of them, and it was a comfortable silence. Though he did have to ask... “Bonfire?”
“Down a ways on the beach, it just needs lit.” Vincent nodded.
The grin he was treated to was pure Chaos. “We brought marshmallows.”
“Ah, well. We’ll have to do that.” Reeve chuckled, familiar with Chaos’ fondness for them.
“We also brought strawberry syrup,” Vincent added.
Reeve’s first thought was ‘even Vincent can’t want that in his s’mores’ - and then he saw the shift in his smirk. “Oh.”
"Yes, oh,” Vincent said. His grin was smaller, but easily as much trouble. “You’re agreeable then.”
Reeve cleared his throat, blushing faintly with a nod. “Yes, I am... very agreeable.”
“Wonderful.” Vincent didn’t quite purr, but it was close.
Wonderful indeed. It looked like Vincent and Chaos were going to be twice the trouble tonight and Reeve couldn’t wait.
@evil-robot-cat, muse said you are both evil and this one mischievous fan girl. Mun, on the other hand, fully supports you 100 % although she feels her heart may not be able to take it sometimes.
And yes, you should draw the pumpkin baby Sephiroth.
I went ahead and posted up my gift to FrogSlay. One less to worry about for you. ^_~
I saw! That’s great!
I may be trying to find ALL THE PEOPLE so I can promo everybody because seriously, great job. (I may always be really fond of your comics anyway...) Look for a post after a bit to list everyone that’s posted/in-queue.
Um, question! What is "Prompt URL"? And if *ahem* certain people are oh, faintly obsessed with one specific character (not that I um, know of uh... anyone like that) is it okay to ask for said character in every prompt, or should that be varied up, too?
The prompt url is completely optional, it’s basically if you had, say, a Tumblr post where you wanted to talk extensively about basic ideas that relate to the prompt or to link to some things you find inspirational, that would work well.
On the hypothetical situation that someone might be really fixated on a single character, I STRONGLY suggest you offer up at least one prompt with a different one.
Of course, if that someone hypothetically liked a pairing as well, it might work to ask for the other not-as-obsessed-about-but-still-adored character. Or characters, if there were say, three.
