When You and I Collide

22) The Boredom

~Fang's POV~

I hurry down the hall, my mind going a million miles an hour as it replays Chaos's conversation with that madman. Ragnarock... I am not becoming that thing again. In my rush to go somewhere- anywhere - I crash into someone, mumbling a quick apology without even stopping to think who it is. They catch my arm, and I'm yanked from my thoughts.

"Are you alright?" I snap my head around to see Vincent standing there with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Yeah," I answer quickly, struggling to pull my arm free. He releases me and looks into my eyes, crimson irises holding dread and sadness.

"... Do you fear me?"

"What?" I blink at him. "Why would I fear you?"

"Chaos..." He looks down. He's such a broken man. Sighing, I lift up his chin gently so that I can look him in the eye.

"I don't think I could ever be scared of a doggy." Despite hating it when I call him that, he smiles weakly and straightens a little.

"Good. Now what is wrong?"

"I was lost in thought," I shake my head and look down at the floor. Should I even bother? I didn't have any control over it last time. When the right pair of hands gets to me, I lose it. Is there a point to trying to avoid it?

"About what?" he raises an eyebrow.

"Ragnarock," my look turns to a glare. "Vanille was Ragnarock too. What if... What if he gets to her and.."

"He won't," Vincent shakes his head and grabs my shoulders. I look up at him and frown.

"You can't prevent everything Vincent." He sighs and looks me dead in the eye.

"There are times when I wonder," he says slowly. "Am I on the verge of committing another sin? Or am I atoning as best as I can for only standing by? I let Hojo get to someone I loved once, but I will not let it happen again."

"Vincent," I blink away from his piercing gaze, thinking about all those times I tried to kill those on my side, pushed them away, hated them. "Are sins ever forgiven?"

"I've never tried," he says gently. "But that does not mean they aren't."

"Okay," I nod. His gloved and armored hands slide down my arms until they reach my hands, holding on tightly but gently.

"You do not have to worry about Ragnarock. I will not let any harm come to you, whether it is Hojo or Chaos."

"I'm not a baby, Vinnie," I look up with a sly smile. "But thanks."

He chuckles softly and releases my hands abruptly, clearing his throat. I turn to see what he's looking at and see a smirking Lightning and a confused Cloud looking at us.

"Oh hello Fang," Light sneers. I roll my eyes and cross my arms, turning toward her.

"What do you want?"

"I was just walking through the hallway," she scoffs.

"Suuuuuuuuure," I reply sarcastically. Both men seem unsure of what to do, but we just shrug it off and walk toward one another.