but can they detect their feelings | vincent/kizuna AU

[shotgunsalute]

[ The third anniversary of Meteorfall passes with an exuberant celebration, all of Gaia seemingly lighting up with joy and pyrotechnical displays. There are, of course, moments of silence preceding the festivities–a hush drawn across the continents like a blanket over a child. Everyone remembers who (and what) they lost, the ghosts of those gone keenly felt in the spaces between. But, when the quiet breaks, it's the unbridled relief of surviving that takes over.

Every pop of fireworks or cork from a champagne bottle is another reminder that they're all still here.

Vincent had watched the crowds from the balcony of his tiny flat, silent amusement growing as they'd gotten drunker and more lurid with their bar songs. The celebrations had gone on late into the night; the cleanup crews have taken their place, sweeping up enough confetti to be mistaken for technicolor piles of snow. Careful as ever, he steps around the workers as one of the only other souls out on the street this early in the morning. Reeve had contacted him a couple days prior, inquiring on whether he'd be free to take care of putting down some more of Hojo's woeful experiments. Agreeing, they'd worked out a day to meet and go over the logistics.

Normally, he would have asked for the information to be sent electronically (he is getting more used to the computers of this age), but the president of WRO had added that there was someone he wanted to introduce him to. Not quite a partner to take care of the situation–at least not permanently–but a second set of eyes and quick hands. He is, admittedly, anxious about this part of the meeting the most. Everything else is routine, easy in and out, even if it turned out ugly. But new people...they were an unknown, no matter how much he got from a file. How would they react to him transforming? To his strange abilities? Or in the most mundane of worries: how would they deal with his reticence?

Though he's well aware tying himself into knots over it prior to will achieve nothing, he can't stop himself from mentally looping on the anxious track. It plagues him all the way to WRO's main building and up to the 51st floor, where Reeve greets him warmly and gestures for him to make himself comfortable in one of the leather armchairs.

"You're a bit early, Vincent; I expect my other contractor will be here shortly." He says, leaning casually against the edge of his desk. ]