1 The smooth fingers slid down Cid’s back, from his neck to his hip, cool against his warm skin.

2 Grumbling a bit, still half asleep, the pilot wriggled a bit to try to get the hand to touch him some more, but instead he felt a warm breath in his ear:

3 “Time to wake up, chief.” Vincent mumbled.

4 “Nnnngghhh….what for?” Cid didn’t want to leave his very comfortable and warm resting place, snuggled in between Vincent and the soft mattress.

5 “Because its Christmas morning and Avalanche will be here in a few hours. We need to get up and get started.” Vincent pinched his butt.

6 “Ow! No, we don’t, ‘cause Tifa is bringing the booze, and Barret the tree and Yuffie the ornaments, and Aerith the food and Reeve the presents, and Nanaki will be dressed out as a reindeer and Cloud has promised not to mope, so we’re all set.” Cid caught the offensive fingers.

7 “M – hm, and what about us?” Vincent smiled as Cid started kissing his fingers.

8 “Well, we’re bringin’ the cheerful company, right?” Cid grinned back

9 ”*You* might be bringing the cheerful company, but *I* need to be getting useful.” It was hard concentrating with his fingers in Cid’s mouth, but Vincent made an effort.

10 “Ya can be *very* useful ta me right here, ya know…” Cid mumbled around the finger.

11 “Mmmmm….no, Cid!” Vincent tried vainly to batter him away, but was caught around the waist and pulled down on top of the pilot instead. “You are really not helping, you know.” He looked sternly down into brilliant blue eyes.

12 “Hah, ya like it, I know. Else ya would have jest gotten up without wakin’ me first.” Cid gave a revenge pinch back on Vincent’s butt. “Ya want me ta keep ya here in bed, until it’s too late ta do anything but get dressed, and then ya can blame me when things aren’t done when the gang arrives.”

13 Vincent pouted. “You are supposed to be the pretty, stupid one, you know...Ow! I only pinched you once!”

14 Cid caressed tenderly over the bruised area. “Aw, I’m sorry,” he cooed. “So, how about it?”

15 “We-ell, I don’t know,” Vincent mumbled. “Now you’ve destroyed all the fun in my evil plan. Maybe I should just get up and get started anyway.”

16 “Hey, I thought I was the fun in yer plan!” Cid said offended.

17 “Oh, no,” Vincent battered big, red eyes at the pilot. “Oh, no, you were just the means to an end. You couldn’t possibly think I’d really enjoy staying in bed with you all morning, do you?” He ran a finger down Cid’s chest.

18 “Nah, I can see that would be a real chore fer both of us.” Cid kissed him. “Me having ta deal with all these long, smooth limbs…”

19 “And me, having to endure this broad chest….”

20 “The long, silky hair…”

21 “The rugged stubble…”

22 “The way you moan is really annoying, ya know.”

23 “M-hm, like the way you groan.”

24 Avalanche had to knock on the door for at least half an hour before they were let in.