Vincent stood silently in the corner of the room as you remained in a deep slumber. The last battle was…not supposed to end the way it did. You, him, and the rest of your party were ambushed by monsters as you continued your hunt for Sephiroth. It was a grueling battle, yet when victory was in sight, one of the monsters managed to sneak up on Yuffie. But before its claws managed to get her, you had intervened, taking the blow instead.

The rest was a blur - frantically fighting off the rest of your attackers as everyone gathered around you, throwing potions and using whatever recovery materia they had equipped to heal the gash on your side. Thankfully, they managed to sustain you enough to carry you to the nearest town. Vincent's ever-watchful eyes never left your limp body once.

The doctor said you would live, all the efforts of your friends ensured that you would make a full recovery in a short amount of time, even though you remained unconscious. When night fell and everyone was preparing to rest at the inn for the night, Vincent had offered to watch over you in case you woke up, which is where he was now.

Vincent's lips press into a firm line as his gaze drifts toward the floor. He could've done more. Things could've been different if he had paid more attention during that fight. You wouldn't have gotten injured. You wouldn't have nearly gotten killed.

His brooding is interrupted as he hears you shift in your bed, his head shooting up and bright crimson eyes locking onto your form, quietly making his way over to your side.

Your eyes were still closed, your hair scattering across your face as your head tilted to the side. Like a moth to a flame, his hand moves on its own; the lightest of touches as a gloved hand gently brushes your hair aside, lingering as his fingers drift across your cheekbone. His eyes widen when he realizes what he had done, now looking at the hand that had touched you.

Why did he just do that?