This is my shrine to Cid and Vincent, a somewhat overlooked couple in the Final Fantasy VII fandom.
It's called Shattered because this site is supposed to that in a way. Shatter some preconceptions or some limitations. Present a new point of view and open, or break, some doors.
Now, for why I like this couple so much...
First, let's start small.
I think Vincent and Cid would get along well together because their personalities don't clash. Don't jump on me here, just let me continue. I think that Cid would allow Vincent to do his own thing, to think and brood and spend hours not talking, without complaint. Cid, or at least, my perception of him, isn't someone who tells people how to live their lives, which is something that many of the other characters in Final Fantasy seem fond of telling Vincent (at least, in fanfics and the like). Cid would let Vincent be himself, which would suit him just fine.
I think Cid would get along with Vincent because Vincent doesn't get upset or angry at him for his opinions, something the other characters also do a lot. Vincent is generally quiet and, I would think, accepting, so he would allow Cid to speak his mind, something he would find invaluable. Also, I think Vincent is strong enough to resist Cid when Cid would try to bully him, like he does to Shera, to make sure that he's in control. However, the entire point of the matter is that Cid doesn't have to FEEL that he's in control when he's with Vincent, he can just feel at ease with himself. He wouldn't always have to be asserting his power or making sure he's dominant like in other conversations.
Without having to justify himself, as he often has to to others, Vincent would be able to talk to Cid freely, or at least, as freely as a person like Vincent can. I believe they, if not in love, would at least be good friends, and I'm not alone in this view.
Now, on to the controversial part.
Keeping in mind the above statement, let me state some of my own opinions and beliefs.
I don't think Cid truly feels at ease with Shera. I think that the reason for his constant abuse and badmouthing of her is because he feels threatened by her in some way. Perhaps subconsciously, since she ruined his dream, he still feels that she can ruin more. Of course, this may not be conscious. Anyway, I don't think he truly feels at ease with her. At one point he tells Cloud so...

Cloud: How 'bout your wife? How 'bout Shera?
Cid: Wife? Don't make me laugh! Just thinkin' 'bout marryin' her gives me the chills.

Either way, I don't think Cid and Shera could truly make a happy couple, but this is just my personal belief. I think Cid would just become very frustrated and very angry and may at some point do something he would regret.
I can't really think of any other possible pairings for Cid...he is often typecast in fics and not usually involved in serious romantic ones, much like Barret.
Vincent...
Lucrecia is dead. The only feasible living female match (Don't even get me STARTED on Yuffie. Or Tifa for that matter. As for Aeris? See Lucrecia.) for Vincent has passed on and, although she still lives on by haunting Vincent with a constant irrevocable sense of guilt, there is no true way they can ever be together. Except in fanfiction, but that's beside the point.
Sephiroth is also dead at the end of the game, where most fanfiction takes place. This also somewhat rules out this pairing as well, but there have been numerous theories on how Sephiroth could still be alive, therefore...I don't particularly think Vincent could ever feel at ease with Sephiroth either. After all, he views Sephiroth as the living embodiment of all his sins. If his guilt is to such an extent throughout the game, I can only imagine what it would be like if he actually got close to Sephiroth for extended periods of time.
Cloud is a popular pairing for Vincent, but I don't think this one could truly work out either, personally. Both Cloud and Vincent have deaths hanging over their heads, one of Aeris, one of Lucrecia, and I doubt either could truly get over their guilt complexes in that kind of atmosphere. Also, I think Cloud must feel some kind of obligation to Tifa for all the things she's done to him and I don't think he'd be comfortable leaving her alone to be with Vincent. Also, there's the matter of Sephiroth to Cloud, which he seems to have an unhealthy fixation about, taking form in the fact that Cloud's mental image of Sephiroth in the final sequence is shirtless (hee hee). Cloud has many romantic isues in his life and I doubt that Vincent could ever truly be one of them...their personalities don't really seem to co-incide, either, considering Vincent's sullen nature and Cloud's sometimes obtrusive enthusiasm.
Vincent is truly alone and really has no one to be with after the game, at least, in my point of view. Out of all those who had been fighting against Sephiroth, I believe that Cid would most likely be the one he would remain in contact with. Red XIII is another possibility, but Red is busy with his own affairs and such, finding a mate and all to have those children five hundred years later. ^_^
I don't think Vincent would live with Cid or Shera, because he wouldn't want to impose himself on them in such a way, I believe it goes against his nature, but I do think he would take up residence back in the old Nibelheim mansion and visit them often.
Cid doesn't really feel at ease with anyone truly, except for Vincent, and he also must feel alone. No doubt that within the two, for sure with Vincent, the desire to love and to be loved is very strong. Vincent wants to love someone correctly and not hurt them or betray them again, and Cid is the only person who can even get remotely close enough for him to love. Since Vincent fell asleep, Cid would have been the only person who would try and get close to him and I feel that Vincent would most likely suspect Cid of perhaps loving him, but would not move on the assumption because he would fear that his friendship with him would be in jeopardy.
Cid, I think, would find it strange that the only person he could ever truly feel at ease with would be Vincent. Not sure of what to do, since he couldn't really get close to anyone else, half because they wouldn't let him and half because HE wouldn't let them, I think he would get a fondness for Vincent that would eventually turn into more. I think, if the two were confronted together, that he would, albeit reluctantly and not seriously if Vincent should recoil from him, reveal how he felt.
Anyway, this is what I think. Most of you probably think different. But I know there are some out there who have to feel the same way I do. ^_^ Personally, I don't really think Cid is gay. I think gay is a very narrow term. I don't think you could really consider someone "gay" just because they love one member of the opposite sex. Say, if Cid hit on a bunch of other guys, then I would say "Sure, maybe he's gay", but if he only loved one person, I don't think that's enough to define someone's whole sexuality. Same with Vincent. So, I don't think they're gay. I think they're in love. ^_^ Make any sense?

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