Forbidden Love
The Story of Vincent Valentine Chapter 8
The Candle Burns Too Long
By Leok
Planetary Year- 1904 --- 2/15 Nibelheim
Lucrecia was happier than she had been yesterday. Her
work had been able to relieve her mind of the tension she and Vincent had
experienced yesterday. Strangely enough, or so some tiny part of Lucrecia
thought, when her mind did wander, it was not towards Vincent, but towards
Hojo.
She had seen it as simply Hojo's awareness of what was around
him when he'd handed her a drink. There was nothing strange about
that. That was what she'd first remembered hearing it: "Hojo
is an asshole." Who had said that? Lucrecia couldn't
remember... Who would say something like that, though? Why would
someone have a problem with the Professor, anyway? Hojo was... He was
a great man...
***
Vincent had the chills. He'd slept like a stone last
night. He'd woken up hours later than he usually did, but he didn't
care. He felt much better. As he put on the uniform dark
suit that the Turks wore, more from habit than anything else, he decided
to apologize to Lucrecia. He'd really been jumpy, and hadn't meant
to snap at her. Yet... He felt as though something was
wrong. There was something in the air, present in the same way that
foreboding weather is to a sailor, and danger is to a deer. He just
didn't know what to do about it. He shivered, and left his room for
the lab. He didn't want to be last. He didn't want to be too
late. He would act. Now.
***
"What is it, Hojo?"
"Nothing! I already told you. I just want to see
what you're doing."
"Hojo. Please..."
"What?!"
"Go away. I can't work with someone over my shoulder
like this."
"Fine. Just run all sequences."
"Of course. I'm not an idiot."
"Do you have a problem, Professor?"
"Do you, Hojo?"
***
There was something in the air, of course. Jenova
all but laughed. Vincent had realized that Jenova was around.
Jenova loved playing along the nerves of her puppets. Jenova had them
all hot and bothered, without realizing it. Their confusion was like
a fine wine, their mixed emotions; a sumptuous meal for Jenova to feast
on. Now Jenova did laugh. Of course, Hojo did too; and after
Hojo's "love potion", Lucrecia laughed right alongside them. Now Jenova
would taste something infinitely finer than confusion. She would sup
on passion. She bent the Jenova within Lucrecia, transferred by Hojo,
towards him once again. Soon, all too soon, Lucrecia would be taken
by Hojo, through Jenova. And Jenova's children would be born.
***
"What is it Vincent?"
"Nothing really, Lucrecia. I just wanted to apologize
for yesterday."
"Oh. Well then, apology accepted."
Vincent paused. Lucrecia seemed rather curt today.
How odd.
"Is there something else?"
"Er- No, it's just that, well, are you okay,
Lucrecia?"
She glanced up from her specimen jar and looked at him.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
Vincent scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh,
I don't know. You seem to be distracted."
"Well, this vial is fairly dead. This specimen won't
live much longer, and I just want to get all I can out of it before it
dies."
"Oh. All right then. Sorry to have bothered
you."
He would usually have left, without waiting for an answer he
didn't expect from Lucrecia. But he didn't want to. He was tired
of waiting. He locked the door, and kissed her softly. As that
night before, they kissed more, and more. Endlessly... This time,
caught in the passion, Vincent took it a step further... And Lucrecia
didn't argue.
***
Vincent had lost the game. His pathetic heart was nothing
compared to the indomitable will of Jenova. Love did not come to those
who waited. The candle had died, having burned far too long.
Vincent's flame was snuffed by Jenova. The lights in Lucrecia's mind,
and in her room also went out. When they went back on, she remembered
nothing of her sudden feelings for Hojo. Nor of their night
together. As always, Jenova won. All competitors were left in
the dust to rot.
Jenova had patience. All but infinite patience.
Jenova could wait a week, a month, a century, if it was necessary.
Jenova had to wait. Jenova would have to wait until her child was
born. Then she would win. No one could stop her from rising again,
with all her children. Monsters, they called them. They would
be punished for this insult. Punished a thousand times over.
***
Planetary Year- 1904 --- 3/4 Nibelheim
Vincent heard sharp sobs coming from the bathroom. He
knocked lightly. "Hello?"
"Vincent!" The sobbing continued.
Vincent burst into the bathroom. Lucrecia was on her
knees, crying uncontrollably into her hands. "Lucrecia!" He shot
over to her, and put his arm around her. "Are you all right?
What's wrong, Lucrecia?"
"Oh Vincent!" The crying stopped only long enough for
her to speak, before the tears continued to ripple out of her.
Realizing she was too shook up to help him help her, Vincent
gently picked her up, and all but effortlessly carried her to a big, soft
chair in the main hall.
After countless tissues, reassurances, and deep breaths, Lucrecia
was able to speak. "I-I don't understand it!"
"What, Lucrecia?"
"I-I'm..."
"Yes?"
"I don't know why." She buried her head into the cushion
for a moment. "I'm with child."
And how Jenova laughed.
You'll have to forgive me if this chapter is a bit awkward. I rarely
write anything this "personal." Oh well. Hope you're enjoying
the story. It all ends soon, so hang onto your seats!!!
--- Leok