[ .. oh. that-- he's seen the professor's wrath first-hand, when dealing with people that oppose him. maybe it's a miracle that vincent is even here at all. maybe it's safer this way.

it really sounds as if he'd cared for sephiroth's mother. had he loved her? had she cared for him, too? would sephiroth's life have been different if vincent had remained at her side? she might have left shinra, if so, as impossible as that seems. maybe she would have raised him, and vincent would have been there as.. he doesn't know. family, maybe?

(family..? could he really have had something like that?)

he hesitates for several moments, feeling strange and dizzy and bewildered. his head still aches, his throat tight, eyes hot. his mother.. is gone, and there's no hope of finding her. he's never going to have that relationship. but vincent's still here, kneeling in front of him, like sephiroth really matters to him. whether that's because of sephiroth's mother or not.. does that mean anything? he's still here.

he hesitates, then uncurls one hand, reaching up to cautiously nudge unruly dark hair aside, leaving vincent's face and expression more visible. ]

I'm sorry, [ he ekes out eventually, eyes searching the older man's. ] That-- That you were hurt trying to help us. I'm glad that I've had the chance to meet you. [ his hand falls away again, teeth catching the inside of his cheek. ] Can you.. tell me about her?