Rating:  T
BETA:  Ziggy Pasta…
Cue:  "… I can try."
Warning:  Angst, Friendship.
Disclaimer: Don't own FF7 Fandom, just using for my own amusement.  Do not profit from this endeavour.  
Characters:  Vincent, and Cid.
POV:  Cid

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SHAME

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The waterfall was beautiful.  

The water was crystal-clear and nearly shone as the sun set around the waterfall over the cave.   Small rainbows appeared in the air around them, showing them that the world was still behaving as though it wasn't about to end.

The crystal-clear water had a dark spot.  The figure was standing under the pounding of the water, his pale face upturned and red eyes closed as he took the beating from the water.

Cid was the only one that was left that had the patience to remain watching Vincent.  The others were already back in the camp and resting.   He truly wondered how the man could handle the water beating down on him like that, as it had to have been cold and painful.

But after being inside the cave that was behind the waterfall and how he had looked at the woman that was encased in the crystal, the pain was evident in his voice as he whispered the name of the woman and clutched his chest with his clawed hand.

"Yah comin' out yet!?" he yelled over the roar of the waterfall.  The dark smudge moved and walked out of the waterfall towards him silently, despite the fact that he was sopping wet.

"What do you think that freezin' yer butt off in that there waterfall's gonna do?" Cid said.

Vincent stood in front of him, looking completely like a drowned rat.  His hair was hiding half his face and his bandana that he normally wore was absent.  Cid wondered if the waterfall took it away, but Vincent didn't seem to notice yet.  His red eyes blinked slowly at him.

"I wanted to hear her voice again," Vincent whispered and his voice was nearly torn away by the waterfall.

Cid rolled his eyes.  "So, looking like a drowned rat is gonna help ya?"

Vincent's eyes turned back to the waterfall.  The sun was just about done setting and the waterfall was now becoming dark and more ominous.  "I," Vincent sighed and ran his clawed hand through his hair, "I have done nothing but cause shame to those I knew in the past."

"Damn it, man," Cid said and shook his head, "You can't wash away shame."

A wry smile touched the gunman's lips.  "I can try," Vincent whispered as he started to walk back to the waterfall and went to stand underneath the now dark water, where he then disappeared.

Cid grunted and sat on the ground, and waited for him to come out again.