~Tease~

Chapter 27- Rye​

"What the hell?" Zack said as he grabbed Kunsel's arm and halted him in the hallway. Kunsel had been walking with his head down and he looked as if he didn't want to be noticed.

~don't blame him~

Zack barely held back his laughter that was bubbling forth. "Is this a new fashion statement?"

Kunsel frowned and looked away from him. "Reno decided to have a little bit of revenge."

"What for?"

A SOLDIER walked by, giving Zack a curt salute and continued around the corner. The SOLDIER had the courtesy not to start laughing until he was out of sight.

"I guess he was still pissed at me for telling a few people that he lost to Cloud in that drinking contest." Kunsel ruffled his mutilated hair as if to emphasize a point.

Zack started to laugh at how outrageous his friend looked. Kunsel's hair had been a rich dark brown, but was now a combination of blotchy white, with pale brown and a sickly yellow. It was whitest at the base of his scalp, and the color grew a little darker towards the tips. A very bad bleach job, seemed to be the case. Zack really tried not to laugh.

"You can stop laughing anytime, now," Kunsel said. His face was crimson with embarrassment, but still maintained an angry look.

"Whatever, you say, Skunky," Zack said, calming down to a chuckle as he ruffled the streaked, blotchy hair. "How'd he do it?" Zack asked.

"Bleach in my shampoo."

As Zack suspected. "Wow, I didn't think he was that upset with you," Zack chuckled. "I thought he was over it by now."

"Obviously not," Kunsel said and frowned as a secretary walked by, and wasn't courteous enough to wait until she was around the corner before she started to laugh. Zack couldn't help but snicker. Kunsel glared at him and punched his arm. "Shut up!"

"Sorry, sorry," Zack said. "But it looks damn funny."

"You wouldn't find it funny if it happened to you," Kunsel said, pouting.

"When did Red find the time to pull this prank?" Zack knew that Reno was busy with the punishments that Tseng had given him. Reno was always up for a prank, and it seemed that he found time to sabotage Kunsel's shampoo bottle. "Tseng has him on a pretty tight leash right now."

"Yeah, well, he found the time," Kunsel grumbled. "I didn't think he would be that upset. I mean, everyone saw Rude drag him out of there!"

"Rude doesn't have any hair to bleach," Zack said.

"Hardy-har-har," Kunsel said in an annoyed tone, and was looking quite angry. That look quickly melted away as he stood straight and saluted. "Sir."

Zack looked over and saw Sephiroth approaching with a notebook in hand.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Kunsel, but then turned his gaze to Zack. "I need to speak with you. Can you meet me in my office in ten minutes?"

"Right-o," Zack said. "I'll just get a cup of coffee."

Sephiroth nodded. "Grab me a cup as well." His head went down to look at the notebook in his hand, and then walked down the hall.

"Right-o?" Kunsel whispered as he watched Sephiroth's intimidating form walk down the hall and disappear into a file room.

"What?"

"You just said 'right-o' to Sephiroth," Kunsel said, doing an air quote gesture. "That's awfully casual."

"You think?"

"He would skin anyone else alive if they just went 'right-o', Zack," Kunsel said, again with the gesture.

Zack shrugged. "I guess." It took him nearly a year to get Sephiroth to stop calling him Zackary. He never really thought of the progression of how casual they talked to each other. He had become familiar with Sephiroth, and took it for granted now. It didn't seem that long ago, when Angeal had taken him under his wing, where Sephiroth had been formal and stiff with him. There was a time that Sephiroth would barely look at him, never mind speak to him.

~I was lucky if I got a grunt~

It had been a slow shift. It took him awhile to stop becoming stiff and saluting every time he saw the silver-haired man. Their banter had become a little easier and strayed away from work topics from time to time, and it wasn't forced as it had been in the past.

~when did that happen?~

He wondered if Sephiroth had noticed the shift as well.

~he picked out your clothes~

Kunsel broke him out of his thoughts. "Well, see ya later, Zack. I'm going to go shave my head."

Zack laughed. "Good luck with that."

"Well, this whole situation just sucks," Zack said. Sephiroth looked over to the relaxed form of his Second in Command. The man was slouched in the leather visitor chair, and his heavy boots rested on the corner of his desk. "It's just a big fuckin' mess."

"I concur," Sephiroth said in a low voice, leaning back in his own chair. He was tired. He was tired of the whole situation and didn't know for how much longer he would be able to take it.

Zack took his legs off Sephiroth's desk and leaned forward in a serious manner. "How are you handling this? I mean, you lost your best friends. I know you and Genesis were real close and all. It must not be easy killing his clones."

~not easy at all~

Sephiroth found himself frowning. "I'm managing," he lied.

The last mutated batch that bore the face of the man that he…

~cared for~

…was intimate with was almost more than he could endure. He still did not understand the full motivation of his two friends for leaving, and least of all - the motivation of Genesis.

~never could understand Genesis'motivation much~

"I need more coffee," Sephiroth said, looking at his long empty cup.

"How about something stronger?" Zack stood abruptly.

"Stronger?"

Zack bounced to his heels and said, "Be right back."

Sephiroth watched Zack leave before he could protest his action. His eyes fell on the pictures in the open file in front of him. He quickly closed it, unable to look at the freakish forms of the man that once shared his bed.

He frowned. He had sent Zack on the missions so that he wouldn't have to face him. He sent Zack to kill Angeal, his own mentor.

~and he is asking you how you are doing~

Sephiroth cringed at how selfish he had been.

Of course, he had been having plenty of selfish thoughts as of late, and one of the predominant ones was the other loud mouth redhead. He had not seen Reno since the day in the garage. That stupid encounter had plagued him and he was concerned about his childish actions. He did not understand why he escalated the encounter in such a way.

~didn't like the answers he was giving you about Zack~

He did have sympathy for Reno dealing with Rufus, in the same way that Genesis did. Rufus was a domineering type of man and had an aura that seemed to control the strongest of wills. Genesis crumbled under his touch, and it seemed that Reno did as well.

Sephiroth was not sure what possessed him to buy and deliver the smokes.

~silly thing to do~

He owed the smoking pest nothing, least of all the cancer sticks.

Sephiroth had tried to keep himself busy with mindless paperwork and performing extra workout regimes in order to keep his thoughts away from the redhead and...

~don't forget the raven-haired man~

…Zack.

~shouldn't be thinking about either of them~

Zack had a new interest and seemed quite content with that infantryman, Cloud Strife. He could tell the days that he spent time with the boy, because he would wander in with a greater bounce in his step.

He ran his hand through his bangs and sighed. He had no right to be jealous, and yet he felt that pang when he thought about Zack with another. He had no right to lay claim to him. He had been denying that he had grown fond of the man, and now it was too late. He knew that he should be going for someone that was available. Why would he want something that he couldn't have? There were plenty of other people that were willing to offer themselves to him, and yet he was pining for his Lieutenant.

~and Reno~

But he didn't like the Turk. He was obnoxious and nothing more than a passing fancy. He was a Turk, and that should be distasteful enough for him to divert his attentions elsewhere. The man had interests that were nothing like his own. There was nothing that should be attractive about the Turk.

~yeah, keep telling yourself that~

He knew that Reno was available, even with Rufus' obvious attention. Rufus' interest did not bother him, but amused him, the same as it did with Genesis.

He could not properly discern his thoughts on this matter. He felt as if he were full of contradictions, and it was causing a low grade headache to start.

"Here we are," Zack said as he came in holding an amber-colored bottle and two clean mugs. His trademark smile was bright and wide as he entered. "Just what the doctor ordered."

"Rye? Is that really appropriate?" Sephiroth asked, finding himself grinning as well. Zack was always amusing, even in the smallest of things.

~that is why he grew on you~

"Pfft, it's after six. We are officially off duty anyhow," Zack said and placed the cups on the table with a loud clatter, and went to open the bottle.

"Where did you steal that from?"

He watched him pour the amber liquid into the mugs. Zack's smile turned into a mischievous one, but didn't answer.

"Am I going to receive a theft report in the morning?" Sephiroth asked as Zack pushed the cup towards him.

"Most likely. I'll replace it. Don't worry about it," Zack said, and with the mug in hand resumed sitting with his feet propped on the desk. He took a sip of the liquor with a large sigh. "Good stuff. Drink up."

Sephiroth seldom drank. He found most alcohol not to his liking, and he did not indulge very often. He took a sip of the strong liquor and was surprised that he liked the flavour. They sat in silence for awhile. Sephiroth enjoyed the silent company of the SOLDIER as they drank the potent liquor. He allowed himself to actually…relax.

"Now, back to you. You have been awfully edgy lately," Zack said, breaking the silence. "You've been hiding in the records department in the VR room all the time. What's going on?" Zack leaned his head back in the chair and lolled it to the side.

"It has been stressful," he carefully said.

"You need to find something to help you de-stress a little," Zack said and took another drink.

"And what do you suggest I do? Grab myself an infantryman to make myself happy?" Sephiroth knew that it was spiteful, and he shouldn't have said it. His mouth was rushing ahead of his thoughts.

Zack nearly choked on his drink. He threw himself forward from his relaxed pose and his feet thumped loudly to the floor. Zack's cheeks were bright red as he coughed and took in a big gasping breath. Sephiroth thought fleetingly of apologizing.

~no right to say anything on that matter~

"Well," Zack said, and his cough went to a chuckle. "That would be a start."

It was his turn to be shocked at the comment.

"I'm sure you could snag one," Zack said. "There is this blue-haired boy that would just fall all over you, if you were so inclined."

~hardly appropriate~

Zack seemed to sense his discomfort, but it didn't stop him from continuing. "Or if you want some beefier dudes, there is this sharpshooter in…"

"Enough Zackary," Sephiroth said. "I do not need a match maker."

"You need something," Zack said.

"It seems to have helped you," Sephiroth said, taking another drink of the rye. With how this conversation was going, he was going to surely need a refill.

"You know about that?" Zack said, rubbing the back of his neck, and looking a little sheepish sitting there.

~like a scolded puppy~

"I saw you leaving that room at Monteno's with your date. I saw you with that blond," Sephiroth said. "I am assuming he is the reason you were so chipper this morning."

Zack's smile grew a bit. "Well, it kinda just happened."

Sephiroth shook his head at his Second in Command. He was always a horrible flirt. He honestly thought ShinRa was going to have little Zack's running around with how Zack flirted with women. He was tempted to ask why there was a change, or if he had missed it. He was not the best at interpreting other's emotions at times.

"Kind of happened?" Sephiroth spoke the words slowly.

Zack took another sip of his drink. "Yeah."

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and sighed as he ran his hands through his hair. He then placed the cup on his desk and looked at the ceiling. He had read Cloud's file a couple of times, and still did not understand the thrill of the boy. He was smaller than the average SOLDIER, his fighting abilities were average, and the only place he excelled was his studies, which were all above average. He lowered his head, turning to look at Zack. He was greeted by his Second in Command with a glassy look plastered across his face.

~and then all it takes to peak your interest is red hair~

"You are truly pathetic, Zack." Sephiroth chuckled at how smitten Zack looked. The same could be said about him and how quickly his attentions have been turned.

"Hey, well, can't blame me. Have you seen him?" Zack said a bit defensively.

"I am afraid that blonds are not my type."

~yeah, you prefer proud redheads and dark-haired flirts~

"Don't know what you're missing, there, Seph," Zack said as he took another drink. "Shit, he's gonna kill me for talking like this." He went back to his relaxed pose, with his booted feet on his desk once again. "There must be something in the rye."

Sephiroth was trying to figure out how to word his question of how long Zack and the blond had been seeing each other, when Zack spoke again.

"You got anyone you are at least looking at?" Zack asked.

Sephiroth looked away from Zack. "There is someone that I have my eye on."

"Oh," Zack said in an amused tone. He looked into his cup as if he were examining the contents. "Dish."

"I believe it is a cup," Sephiroth said while he was examining his own cup. It was nearly empty. He did not remember drinking so much, and it was obviously loosening his tongue a little too much.

Zack laughed. "Man, you have the weirdest humour sometimes. I meant – dish it out. Tell me! Come on, who is it? I haven't seen you eyeing anyone."

"It is none of your concern," he said. "I am not asking details about your sex life, and I will not divulge mine."

Zack got that mischievous smile on his face. "You have to have a sex life to give me the details." Zack reached for the bottle. "Top up?"

He placed his cup beside Zack's in silence, as he tried to push back the sensual thought of topping Zack. He watched Zack generously fill up the cup before he returned back to his overly relaxed pose.

Sephiroth found himself leaning back in his chair and was almost tempted to put his feet on his desk.

~Zack does relax you~

"What is it about this Cloud that you are so enamoured with?" Sephiroth asked as he watched Zack's throat work while he swallowed a mouthful of the amber liquid. He didn't understand why he had been attracted to Genesis. He didn't understand what drew him to the raven-haired man in front of him, and he had no clue why he was even thinking of the Turk.

Zack shrugged and looked a little embarrassed.

~nothing like discussing your sex life with your superior~

"Geez, it's kinda hard to place. We were buds right off the bat," Zack said, and then grew a little solemn. "He helped me get through what happened…in Modeoheim." Zack's face grew somber as he must have been remembering that day. The grim look quickly left his face and a smile sparkled in his eyes. "And he's damn cute!"

Sephiroth grunted to hold back his laughter.

"He doesn't like me calling him cute though, so don't say anythin'," Zack said quickly. Sephiroth closed his eyes at an old memory of Genesis. It was a trip to Banora, and he had met Genesis' parents, specifically his mother. The drunk of a woman had been thrilled to show naked baby pictures of Genesis, pinching her son's cheek and announcing that he was still as cute as when he was two.

"Grown men don't usually like to be considered cute," Sephiroth said as he recovered from the past. How Genesis had scowled…

~stop thinking about him~

He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache getting stronger. That was the past. The past could not be changed and his mistakes could not be undone. He wasn't around anymore, and he should not be dwelling on things that were not in his control.

~it is making you edgy~

"Yeah, that's what he said too," Zack said as he took a big drink of the rye. "I can still think it though."

Sephiroth let a chuckle slip out. Zack's smile grew wider.

"Anyway, is there anyway I could get it out of you who you are interested in?" Zack said.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Zackary."

"No need to get all huffy," Zack said. "So, you are okay, right?"

"All things considering," Sephiroth said. "I believe this uncomfortable conversation is enough for the evening."

"I could go for a bit more," Zack said and reached for the bottle. "Since I have to buy a new one anyway, we might as well enjoy this."

~only Zack would want to carry on an uncomfortable conversation~

"I believe I have drank enough of that," Sephiroth said. He had not touched the drink since Zack filled his cup. He felt a bit of a rush, and his words were flowing too smoothly as it were. He did not wish to let his words spout forward without thought behind them. He already had done enough of that.

"Loosen up a bit," Zack said. "You are only human."

Sephiroth shook his head. "ShinRa would have the world believe that I am more than that."
"Yeah, well, they don't know you."

Sephiroth looked at the young, talented fighter sitting there, much too relaxed, as he gazed at him with brilliant mako eyes. He knew why Angeal had taken the vibrant boy under his wing. Zack was not one to let the world around him depress him. Zack had dutifully followed the command of his mentor and learned quickly, and always had a smile on his face. His quick wit and honorable attitude had got him to First Class, and allowed him to stay friends with everyone on the way. He did not know a single person who could possibly dislike Zack.

~so honorable that he even killed his own mentor~

"I am sorry," Sephiroth blurted.

Zack gave him a confused look. "What for?"

"Leaving you with all the dirty work."

~fighting those I could not face~

"I do think I need to retire for the evening." Sephiroth stood and looked down at the calm SOLDIER, who only moved his head to look at him.

There was sadness in his eyes. "It's alright. I can take it," Zack said. "I kept asking for the dirty work, as it was."

"You need not be saddled with what should have been mine to deal with," Sephiroth said.

"Could you have dealt with Genesis?" Zack said in a serious tone. "I couldn't reason with him, and I ended up - well, you know how it turned out."

~should have been able to~

"I do not know," Sephiroth answered honestly. His eyes went to the file, which was hiding the pictures of the clones of Genesis. "But as it seems, I may have yet to find out."

Zack slouched further, and let his feet collapse to the floor in a loud thump. "Damn depressing to think of," Zack said and stood, stretching. "Well, I guess I'll grab a bite. Cloud is on night patrol, so I'm going to scare him."

Sephiorth shook his head. "I thought you liked him."

"Yeah, he's cute when I sneak up on him," Zack said.

"Should you not be discrete with your relationship?"

"Well yeah. I used to scare him before we started with the dating thing," Zack said with a shy smile. "Sharpens his skills." Zack was absolutely smitten with this young infantryman.

~was I ever that smitten with Genesis?~

He frowned as he answered his inner thoughts. Smitten was not a word that described how turbulent his relationship had been. Genesis had said it was passionate, but that was not the word, either…

"You are thinking about Genesis, aren't you?" Zack said and put a comforting hand on his arm. Sephiroth pulled away from the touch. He did not want the warmth, when the only thing he was allowed from him would be the hand on his arm.

~should have approached him sooner~

"And how did you know of my relationship with Genesis, anyway?" Sephiroth asked. It was not common knowledge, and they had both preferred it that way. Angeal knew, of course, and there was Rufus, but he was not sure how Zack discovered it. Angeal was not one to spread gossip, and neither was Rufus.

"Genesis let it slip once," Zack said with a sheepish look. "I asked him why he was walking funny and he made some remark about riding a silver stallion. It took me awhile to get it."

~silver stallion?~

He must have been glaring because Zack took a step back. "His words, not mine."

"He always had a problem with his mouth." Sephiroth scowled.

"That's not what he said," Zack chuckled.

"Keep that up, Zackary, and I will ask Strife about that black bag you brought back to your apartment."

Zack made a small, scared laugh and his cheeks gained a rosy color. "Okay. I got a little carried away."

"Yes. You did." Sephiroth said. "Goodnight, Zack. Go play, and try not to get shot when you scare him."

"Right-o," Zack said with a mock salute, charming smile, and a tip of the bottle of rye.

Sephiroth smiled. Zack's antics were always amusing.

 

Chapter 28- Say it
​

"What the hell?" Zack said as he grabbed Kunsel's arm and halted him in the hallway. Kunsel had been walking with his head down and he looked as if he didn't want to be noticed.

~don't blame him~

Zack barely held back his laughter that was bubbling forth. "Is this a new fashion statement?"

Kunsel frowned and looked away from him. "Reno decided to have a little bit of revenge."

"What for?"

A SOLDIER walked by, giving Zack a curt salute and continued around the corner. The SOLDIER had the courtesy not to start laughing until he was out of sight.

"I guess he was still pissed at me for telling a few people that he lost to Cloud in that drinking contest." Kunsel ruffled his mutilated hair as if to emphasize a point.

Zack started to laugh at how outrageous his friend looked. Kunsel's hair had been a rich dark brown, but was now a combination of blotchy white, with pale brown and a sickly yellow. It was whitest at the base of his scalp, and the color grew a little darker towards the tips. A very bad bleach job, seemed to be the case. Zack really tried not to laugh.

"You can stop laughing anytime, now," Kunsel said. His face was crimson with embarrassment, but still maintained an angry look.

"Whatever, you say, Skunky," Zack said, calming down to a chuckle as he ruffled the streaked, blotchy hair. "How'd he do it?" Zack asked.

"Bleach in my shampoo."

As Zack suspected. "Wow, I didn't think he was that upset with you," Zack chuckled. "I thought he was over it by now."

"Obviously not," Kunsel said and frowned as a secretary walked by, and wasn't courteous enough to wait until she was around the corner before she started to laugh. Zack couldn't help but snicker. Kunsel glared at him and punched his arm. "Shut up!"

"Sorry, sorry," Zack said. "But it looks damn funny."

"You wouldn't find it funny if it happened to you," Kunsel said, pouting.

"When did Red find the time to pull this prank?" Zack knew that Reno was busy with the punishments that Tseng had given him. Reno was always up for a prank, and it seemed that he found time to sabotage Kunsel's shampoo bottle. "Tseng has him on a pretty tight leash right now."

"Yeah, well, he found the time," Kunsel grumbled. "I didn't think he would be that upset. I mean, everyone saw Rude drag him out of there!"

"Rude doesn't have any hair to bleach," Zack said.

"Hardy-har-har," Kunsel said in an annoyed tone, and was looking quite angry. That look quickly melted away as he stood straight and saluted. "Sir."

Zack looked over and saw Sephiroth approaching with a notebook in hand.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Kunsel, but then turned his gaze to Zack. "I need to speak with you. Can you meet me in my office in ten minutes?"

"Right-o," Zack said. "I'll just get a cup of coffee."

Sephiroth nodded. "Grab me a cup as well." His head went down to look at the notebook in his hand, and then walked down the hall.

"Right-o?" Kunsel whispered as he watched Sephiroth's intimidating form walk down the hall and disappear into a file room.

"What?"

"You just said 'right-o' to Sephiroth," Kunsel said, doing an air quote gesture. "That's awfully casual."

"You think?"

"He would skin anyone else alive if they just went 'right-o', Zack," Kunsel said, again with the gesture.

Zack shrugged. "I guess." It took him nearly a year to get Sephiroth to stop calling him Zackary. He never really thought of the progression of how casual they talked to each other. He had become familiar with Sephiroth, and took it for granted now. It didn't seem that long ago, when Angeal had taken him under his wing, where Sephiroth had been formal and stiff with him. There was a time that Sephiroth would barely look at him, never mind speak to him.

~I was lucky if I got a grunt~

It had been a slow shift. It took him awhile to stop becoming stiff and saluting every time he saw the silver-haired man. Their banter had become a little easier and strayed away from work topics from time to time, and it wasn't forced as it had been in the past.

~when did that happen?~

He wondered if Sephiroth had noticed the shift as well.

~he picked out your clothes~

Kunsel broke him out of his thoughts. "Well, see ya later, Zack. I'm going to go shave my head."

Zack laughed. "Good luck with that."

"Well, this whole situation just sucks," Zack said. Sephiroth looked over to the relaxed form of his Second in Command. The man was slouched in the leather visitor chair, and his heavy boots rested on the corner of his desk. "It's just a big fuckin' mess."

"I concur," Sephiroth said in a low voice, leaning back in his own chair. He was tired. He was tired of the whole situation and didn't know for how much longer he would be able to take it.

Zack took his legs off Sephiroth's desk and leaned forward in a serious manner. "How are you handling this? I mean, you lost your best friends. I know you and Genesis were real close and all. It must not be easy killing his clones."

~not easy at all~

Sephiroth found himself frowning. "I'm managing," he lied.

The last mutated batch that bore the face of the man that he…

~cared for~

…was intimate with was almost more than he could endure. He still did not understand the full motivation of his two friends for leaving, and least of all - the motivation of Genesis.

~never could understand Genesis'motivation much~

"I need more coffee," Sephiroth said, looking at his long empty cup.

"How about something stronger?" Zack stood abruptly.

"Stronger?"

Zack bounced to his heels and said, "Be right back."

Sephiroth watched Zack leave before he could protest his action. His eyes fell on the pictures in the open file in front of him. He quickly closed it, unable to look at the freakish forms of the man that once shared his bed.

He frowned. He had sent Zack on the missions so that he wouldn't have to face him. He sent Zack to kill Angeal, his own mentor.

~and he is asking you how you are doing~

Sephiroth cringed at how selfish he had been.

Of course, he had been having plenty of selfish thoughts as of late, and one of the predominant ones was the other loud mouth redhead. He had not seen Reno since the day in the garage. That stupid encounter had plagued him and he was concerned about his childish actions. He did not understand why he escalated the encounter in such a way.

~didn't like the answers he was giving you about Zack~

He did have sympathy for Reno dealing with Rufus, in the same way that Genesis did. Rufus was a domineering type of man and had an aura that seemed to control the strongest of wills. Genesis crumbled under his touch, and it seemed that Reno did as well.

Sephiroth was not sure what possessed him to buy and deliver the smokes.

~silly thing to do~

He owed the smoking pest nothing, least of all the cancer sticks.

Sephiroth had tried to keep himself busy with mindless paperwork and performing extra workout regimes in order to keep his thoughts away from the redhead and...

~don't forget the raven-haired man~

…Zack.

~shouldn't be thinking about either of them~

Zack had a new interest and seemed quite content with that infantryman, Cloud Strife. He could tell the days that he spent time with the boy, because he would wander in with a greater bounce in his step.

He ran his hand through his bangs and sighed. He had no right to be jealous, and yet he felt that pang when he thought about Zack with another. He had no right to lay claim to him. He had been denying that he had grown fond of the man, and now it was too late. He knew that he should be going for someone that was available. Why would he want something that he couldn't have? There were plenty of other people that were willing to offer themselves to him, and yet he was pining for his Lieutenant.

~and Reno~

But he didn't like the Turk. He was obnoxious and nothing more than a passing fancy. He was a Turk, and that should be distasteful enough for him to divert his attentions elsewhere. The man had interests that were nothing like his own. There was nothing that should be attractive about the Turk.

~yeah, keep telling yourself that~

He knew that Reno was available, even with Rufus' obvious attention. Rufus' interest did not bother him, but amused him, the same as it did with Genesis.

He could not properly discern his thoughts on this matter. He felt as if he were full of contradictions, and it was causing a low grade headache to start.

"Here we are," Zack said as he came in holding an amber-colored bottle and two clean mugs. His trademark smile was bright and wide as he entered. "Just what the doctor ordered."

"Rye? Is that really appropriate?" Sephiroth asked, finding himself grinning as well. Zack was always amusing, even in the smallest of things.

~that is why he grew on you~

"Pfft, it's after six. We are officially off duty anyhow," Zack said and placed the cups on the table with a loud clatter, and went to open the bottle.

"Where did you steal that from?"

He watched him pour the amber liquid into the mugs. Zack's smile turned into a mischievous one, but didn't answer.

"Am I going to receive a theft report in the morning?" Sephiroth asked as Zack pushed the cup towards him.

"Most likely. I'll replace it. Don't worry about it," Zack said, and with the mug in hand resumed sitting with his feet propped on the desk. He took a sip of the liquor with a large sigh. "Good stuff. Drink up."

Sephiroth seldom drank. He found most alcohol not to his liking, and he did not indulge very often. He took a sip of the strong liquor and was surprised that he liked the flavour. They sat in silence for awhile. Sephiroth enjoyed the silent company of the SOLDIER as they drank the potent liquor. He allowed himself to actually…relax.

"Now, back to you. You have been awfully edgy lately," Zack said, breaking the silence. "You've been hiding in the records department in the VR room all the time. What's going on?" Zack leaned his head back in the chair and lolled it to the side.

"It has been stressful," he carefully said.

"You need to find something to help you de-stress a little," Zack said and took another drink.

"And what do you suggest I do? Grab myself an infantryman to make myself happy?" Sephiroth knew that it was spiteful, and he shouldn't have said it. His mouth was rushing ahead of his thoughts.

Zack nearly choked on his drink. He threw himself forward from his relaxed pose and his feet thumped loudly to the floor. Zack's cheeks were bright red as he coughed and took in a big gasping breath. Sephiroth thought fleetingly of apologizing.

~no right to say anything on that matter~

"Well," Zack said, and his cough went to a chuckle. "That would be a start."

It was his turn to be shocked at the comment.

"I'm sure you could snag one," Zack said. "There is this blue-haired boy that would just fall all over you, if you were so inclined."

~hardly appropriate~

Zack seemed to sense his discomfort, but it didn't stop him from continuing. "Or if you want some beefier dudes, there is this sharpshooter in…"

"Enough Zackary," Sephiroth said. "I do not need a match maker."

"You need something," Zack said.

"It seems to have helped you," Sephiroth said, taking another drink of the rye. With how this conversation was going, he was going to surely need a refill.

"You know about that?" Zack said, rubbing the back of his neck, and looking a little sheepish sitting there.

~like a scolded puppy~

"I saw you leaving that room at Monteno's with your date. I saw you with that blond," Sephiroth said. "I am assuming he is the reason you were so chipper this morning."

Zack's smile grew a bit. "Well, it kinda just happened."

Sephiroth shook his head at his Second in Command. He was always a horrible flirt. He honestly thought ShinRa was going to have little Zack's running around with how Zack flirted with women. He was tempted to ask why there was a change, or if he had missed it. He was not the best at interpreting other's emotions at times.

"Kind of happened?" Sephiroth spoke the words slowly.

Zack took another sip of his drink. "Yeah."

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and sighed as he ran his hands through his hair. He then placed the cup on his desk and looked at the ceiling. He had read Cloud's file a couple of times, and still did not understand the thrill of the boy. He was smaller than the average SOLDIER, his fighting abilities were average, and the only place he excelled was his studies, which were all above average. He lowered his head, turning to look at Zack. He was greeted by his Second in Command with a glassy look plastered across his face.

~and then all it takes to peak your interest is red hair~

"You are truly pathetic, Zack." Sephiroth chuckled at how smitten Zack looked. The same could be said about him and how quickly his attentions have been turned.

"Hey, well, can't blame me. Have you seen him?" Zack said a bit defensively.

"I am afraid that blonds are not my type."

~yeah, you prefer proud redheads and dark-haired flirts~

"Don't know what you're missing, there, Seph," Zack said as he took another drink. "Shit, he's gonna kill me for talking like this." He went back to his relaxed pose, with his booted feet on his desk once again. "There must be something in the rye."

Sephiroth was trying to figure out how to word his question of how long Zack and the blond had been seeing each other, when Zack spoke again.

"You got anyone you are at least looking at?" Zack asked.

Sephiroth looked away from Zack. "There is someone that I have my eye on."

"Oh," Zack said in an amused tone. He looked into his cup as if he were examining the contents. "Dish."

"I believe it is a cup," Sephiroth said while he was examining his own cup. It was nearly empty. He did not remember drinking so much, and it was obviously loosening his tongue a little too much.

Zack laughed. "Man, you have the weirdest humour sometimes. I meant – dish it out. Tell me! Come on, who is it? I haven't seen you eyeing anyone."

"It is none of your concern," he said. "I am not asking details about your sex life, and I will not divulge mine."

Zack got that mischievous smile on his face. "You have to have a sex life to give me the details." Zack reached for the bottle. "Top up?"

He placed his cup beside Zack's in silence, as he tried to push back the sensual thought of topping Zack. He watched Zack generously fill up the cup before he returned back to his overly relaxed pose.

Sephiroth found himself leaning back in his chair and was almost tempted to put his feet on his desk.

~Zack does relax you~

"What is it about this Cloud that you are so enamoured with?" Sephiroth asked as he watched Zack's throat work while he swallowed a mouthful of the amber liquid. He didn't understand why he had been attracted to Genesis. He didn't understand what drew him to the raven-haired man in front of him, and he had no clue why he was even thinking of the Turk.

Zack shrugged and looked a little embarrassed.

~nothing like discussing your sex life with your superior~

"Geez, it's kinda hard to place. We were buds right off the bat," Zack said, and then grew a little solemn. "He helped me get through what happened…in Modeoheim." Zack's face grew somber as he must have been remembering that day. The grim look quickly left his face and a smile sparkled in his eyes. "And he's damn cute!"

Sephiroth grunted to hold back his laughter.

"He doesn't like me calling him cute though, so don't say anythin'," Zack said quickly. Sephiroth closed his eyes at an old memory of Genesis. It was a trip to Banora, and he had met Genesis' parents, specifically his mother. The drunk of a woman had been thrilled to show naked baby pictures of Genesis, pinching her son's cheek and announcing that he was still as cute as when he was two.

"Grown men don't usually like to be considered cute," Sephiroth said as he recovered from the past. How Genesis had scowled…

~stop thinking about him~

He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache getting stronger. That was the past. The past could not be changed and his mistakes could not be undone. He wasn't around anymore, and he should not be dwelling on things that were not in his control.

~it is making you edgy~

"Yeah, that's what he said too," Zack said as he took a big drink of the rye. "I can still think it though."

Sephiroth let a chuckle slip out. Zack's smile grew wider.

"Anyway, is there anyway I could get it out of you who you are interested in?" Zack said.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Zackary."

"No need to get all huffy," Zack said. "So, you are okay, right?"

"All things considering," Sephiroth said. "I believe this uncomfortable conversation is enough for the evening."

"I could go for a bit more," Zack said and reached for the bottle. "Since I have to buy a new one anyway, we might as well enjoy this."

~only Zack would want to carry on an uncomfortable conversation~

"I believe I have drank enough of that," Sephiroth said. He had not touched the drink since Zack filled his cup. He felt a bit of a rush, and his words were flowing too smoothly as it were. He did not wish to let his words spout forward without thought behind them. He already had done enough of that.

"Loosen up a bit," Zack said. "You are only human."

Sephiroth shook his head. "ShinRa would have the world believe that I am more than that."
"Yeah, well, they don't know you."

Sephiroth looked at the young, talented fighter sitting there, much too relaxed, as he gazed at him with brilliant mako eyes. He knew why Angeal had taken the vibrant boy under his wing. Zack was not one to let the world around him depress him. Zack had dutifully followed the command of his mentor and learned quickly, and always had a smile on his face. His quick wit and honorable attitude had got him to First Class, and allowed him to stay friends with everyone on the way. He did not know a single person who could possibly dislike Zack.

~so honorable that he even killed his own mentor~

"I am sorry," Sephiroth blurted.

Zack gave him a confused look. "What for?"

"Leaving you with all the dirty work."

~fighting those I could not face~

"I do think I need to retire for the evening." Sephiroth stood and looked down at the calm SOLDIER, who only moved his head to look at him.

There was sadness in his eyes. "It's alright. I can take it," Zack said. "I kept asking for the dirty work, as it was."

"You need not be saddled with what should have been mine to deal with," Sephiroth said.

"Could you have dealt with Genesis?" Zack said in a serious tone. "I couldn't reason with him, and I ended up - well, you know how it turned out."

~should have been able to~

"I do not know," Sephiroth answered honestly. His eyes went to the file, which was hiding the pictures of the clones of Genesis. "But as it seems, I may have yet to find out."

Zack slouched further, and let his feet collapse to the floor in a loud thump. "Damn depressing to think of," Zack said and stood, stretching. "Well, I guess I'll grab a bite. Cloud is on night patrol, so I'm going to scare him."

Sephiorth shook his head. "I thought you liked him."

"Yeah, he's cute when I sneak up on him," Zack said.

"Should you not be discrete with your relationship?"

"Well yeah. I used to scare him before we started with the dating thing," Zack said with a shy smile. "Sharpens his skills." Zack was absolutely smitten with this young infantryman.

~was I ever that smitten with Genesis?~

He frowned as he answered his inner thoughts. Smitten was not a word that described how turbulent his relationship had been. Genesis had said it was passionate, but that was not the word, either…

"You are thinking about Genesis, aren't you?" Zack said and put a comforting hand on his arm. Sephiroth pulled away from the touch. He did not want the warmth, when the only thing he was allowed from him would be the hand on his arm.

~should have approached him sooner~

"And how did you know of my relationship with Genesis, anyway?" Sephiroth asked. It was not common knowledge, and they had both preferred it that way. Angeal knew, of course, and there was Rufus, but he was not sure how Zack discovered it. Angeal was not one to spread gossip, and neither was Rufus.

"Genesis let it slip once," Zack said with a sheepish look. "I asked him why he was walking funny and he made some remark about riding a silver stallion. It took me awhile to get it."

~silver stallion?~

He must have been glaring because Zack took a step back. "His words, not mine."

"He always had a problem with his mouth." Sephiroth scowled.

"That's not what he said," Zack chuckled.

"Keep that up, Zackary, and I will ask Strife about that black bag you brought back to your apartment."

Zack made a small, scared laugh and his cheeks gained a rosy color. "Okay. I got a little carried away."

"Yes. You did." Sephiroth said. "Goodnight, Zack. Go play, and try not to get shot when you scare him."

"Right-o," Zack said with a mock salute, charming smile, and a tip of the bottle of rye.

Sephiroth smiled. Zack's antics were always amusing.

 

Chapter 29- Dark Nation​

Reno had a few days to calm down. No other strange gifts had appeared in his apartment or on his desk.

~even though he could use some more of those smokes~

He hadn't heard or seen either of the crazy ShinRa overlord's in a couple of days, and he was quite happy about that. The flowers that Rufus bought him were little creepy. He didn't understand why Rufus would buy him flowers.

~not a damn girl~

He liked them, but he wasn't going to admit it to anyone. He told Rude to give them to Sissy, who surely gushed all over him for it. He had to tell Rude a big lie about how someone had delivered them to the wrong place while he was out, so he didn't want them to go to waste in his dump of an apartment. Rude promised him a bottle of vodka the next day with a silly grin on his face.

~could only imagine what Sissy did to make him look like a dolt~

His only saving grace was actually seeing Cloud and having his magic fingers ease away some of his aches. It was becoming a practice that after that they ate the horrible food in the Mess, Cloud would help him with the aches and pain from the horrible boot camp.

~as long as Zack wasn't around~

He didn't understand why Cloud's touch worked so well. His own fingers touching those points didn't do anything, but there was something in the pressure that Cloud applied that worked and made him feel better.

Today, Zack was hanging around and sitting on Cloud's left side. Reno grinned wide. He actually felt good after today's session, not that it would have stopped him from asking Cloud to ease the pain. Just knowing that he would be able to taunt the Fair Prince Zack was going to make up for the lack of a foot massage.

Reno plopped himself onto Cloud's right side, leaning against the blond for a moment, as he placed his food on the table. Zack gave him a glare. Reno challenged the look by staring right back at him and in a light tone asked, "Where'd ya get shot, yo?"

Reno already knew the answer, but he was going to ask anyway.

Cloud lowered his head and tried to hide the smug smile that was on his face into the collar of his uniform.

~damn, he's cute when he smiles~

Zack gave a sheepish smile and laugh, and instinctively brought his hand up to his arm. "I didn't get shot."

Cloud made a small noise and Zack poked his side. Cloud continued to smile, but began to focus on his food again. John was across from Cloud and was trying hard to suppress his smile. Reno was sure that John was on the same patrol the other night as Cloud.

"So, Zackers, have I been hearin' things wrong?" Reno said. They had a good option for food today, that wasn't going to make him throw up. It was a chicken Caesar salad, and the sauce wasn't too salty and the chicken was not too tough. He could actually eat it. He also noted that everyone else at the table was eating the greasy looking burger – he doubted that it was beef in the bun - and overly deep-fried fries. The smell of the crap was almost turning him off his salad. Cloud nudged him with his elbow and gave him a warning look.

~pfft, like I am goin' to listen~

"Must be," Zack said as he popped fries into his mouth. "Still stuck down here?"

"Yep," Reno said and stabbed at his salad. Tseng told him in no uncertain terms that he was stuck in this job and boot camp. He didn't think that he deserved the extra time, but Tseng told him that he had to cool down.

~jerk~

"Heard ya decide to check," Reno cleared his throat and in a more amused tone continued, "the efficiency of the troops."

Cloud choked on a fry that he was chewing on. Reno went to pat Cloud's back but saw that Zack's hand was already there. Reno narrowed his eyes at the hand and Zack did the same.

~still overprotective~

John spoke next, "We were prepared. AVALANCHE has been making its move again." Reno looked over at the infantryman. "They were attempting to get to Reactor 4 again."

"We already had one scare that night," Cloud said, looking over at Zack with bright blue eyes. "We were all jumpy."

"So," Reno drawled, noticing that Zack still had his hand on Cloud's back and was moving his thumb against his shoulder blade, "You shot Zack."

Zack opened his mouth but it was John that answered, "In the arm. He scared the hell out of all of us by jumping down from the guardhouse roof. Cloud got the first shot off."

Reno chuckled. This was totally making his day.

"Shut up. It's not like you haven't been shot before," Zack countered.

"Not by an infantryman, yo," Reno shot back with a smirk.

Zack removed his hand from Cloud's back. He placed it on the table with a loud smack, leaning into Cloud to look around the blond and glare at Reno. Reno found himself mimicking the motion.

"I believe the last bullet you took was from Elena."

"It was just in the foot."

"She still shot you!"

"Well, she's was bein' a bitch, yo."

"I think you were being the bitchy one!"

Reno didn't realize that he was pressing against Cloud, actually leaning into him as he was arguing with Zack. Cloud slapped and grabbing at both of their hands that were on the table. He squeezed rather hard. "What the hell, you guys?" Cloud said in a stern voice. Reno noticed that Zack was leaning into Cloud as well.

~Cloud sandwich~

~yummy~

The last thought made Reno blush as he pulled away from Cloud, ensuring that he kept his eyes focused on Zack. Zack leaned away from Cloud as well, and Reno noticed that there was a blush on Zack's cheeks too.

~Reno sandwich would be better~

"Quit being jerks," Cloud said, letting go of Reno's hand and poking his arm in a sharp, quick motion. "Okay. Reno. Yeah, I shot him. Okay. I had tons of paperwork to do because of it, so you already know what happened. Quit being a dick about it."

Reno slumped at the chastisement from Cloud. He was about to say something about Zack taunting him when Cloud continued, poking his finger in the same manner into Zack's arm, causing the bigger man to wince. "And you - quit with the denial. It is no secret what happened, already. You don't need to be a dick too!" Cloud said. Zack hung his head like a scolded puppy and looked down at his food.

Reno hung his head as well; so much for this being a fun taunting session. He didn't much like the thought of Cloud being mad at him.

There was a click.

Reno looked up and saw that John had his PHS out, and seemed to have taken a picture. "What the hell did you do that for?" Cloud asked.

John shrugged and closed his phone. "Do you have any idea how funny it looks to have you – Cloud - putting the Lieutenant and one of the elite Turks into their place in the Mess Hall? Man, no one will believe me if I don't take a picture." He had a large grin on his face. Zack was giving the infantryman a glare. Cloud was shaking his head with a patient smile on his lips.

Reno reached over to grab the phone and make sure that picture…

~could use it as a wallpaper~

…never saw the light of day.

Reno was trying to go for a smoke.

First Rude had interrupted his path to the courtyard, asking him if he knew that Legend was back. He told him that he knew, but hadn't seen him yet, due to the fact that he missed every morning meeting because of his forced boot camp sessions. He would find him later, but he really needed a smoke.

Then Sissy had to tell him about the flowers. He just about told her that they were actually for him from Rufus, just to burst her bubble. He was so intent on getting for his smoke, that he didn't remember what he did to insult her, but it made her leave in a huff.

Rod wanted to borrow twenty gil.

Katana was looking for Elena.

It seemed that the world was going against him for having a smoke now. His nerves were starting to become a little thin when he started to walk in a determined fashion towards the elevator.

Reno wanted a smoke and that is all he was thinking about as he mashed the button on the elevator. He hoped that there would be no one else to stop his descent to the main floor, to have a smoke without any more pesky interruptions.

The door opened and he just about turned and ran.

~I'll open a window and maybe I should jump~

But he stepped into the elevator…

~glutton for punishment~

…and stood a far away from Sephiroth as possible. He tried not to even acknowledge him. He had made a decision to ignore the General; it didn't matter that he got him the smokes. Sephiroth was most likely just doing it to ease whatever type of guilt that he felt for destroying the last of his precious cigarettes. He didn't leave his name, so obviously he didn't want acknowledgement. Reno would gladly oblige him in that.

He looked out of the corner of his eye at the General who moved to open the notebook that he had in his hand and swept back some of his silver hair that had fallen over his shoulder.

~is that vanilla?~

He took in a deep breath through his nose unconsciously. It was vanilla. He highly doubted the cleaning staff would step up their services by putting air fresheners in the elevators. Why would the elevator smell like…

He looked over to the General as he seemed engrossed in whatever was in the notebook.

"Is there a problem, Turk?" Sephiroth said in a low voice, his head bowed slightly to turn to look at him. Reno swallowed as those bright green eyes focused on him. The hair that he had just swept back over his shoulder fell forward again.

~you had to look at him, moron~

"Nothin'," he said quickly and looked at the numbers of the floors.

~slowest elevator ever~

Sephiroth grunted and turned his eyes back to the book. "I do not want to have any more problems with you."

Reno took another deep breath and regretted it; the smell was of vanilla but there was a hint of something more. He always thought that vanilla was a girly smell, but there was nothing girly about it, now.

~I wonder what it would be like to be able to touch that hair~

Reno clenched his teeth against his betraying thoughts. He was not going to think about Sephiroth that way. He needed a smoke and didn't want to say it, knowing that the General would only berate him for the habit.

~even though he bought you a pack of Gongaga smokes~

"Full of fuckin' contradictions, yo," he spoke under his breath. He had not meant to say it out loud.

He was not expecting Sephiroth to react to him. Sephiroth snapped his notebook shut that caused Reno to jump slightly. "You must work on your lamprophony." Sephiroth turned to him.

~lampro...wha? What the hell is that?~

"Your muttering is quite annoying. If you have something to say, you must enunciate. You're sloppy in the way you speak," Sephiroth lectured.

"Don't have anythin' to say to ya," he said.

~just shut up already!~

Sephiroth grunted and flicked at the hair that had fallen over his shoulder, as if he were annoyed by it. Reno refrained from trying to take another deep breath through his nose.

"Gonna pin me against the wall again?" Reno asked.

~I must have a death wish~

Sephiroth didn't answer as the elevator stopped, the door opened and he left, leaving his scent behind.

He was now dying for a smoke.

~get his smell out of my nose~

Nothing had happened in the elevator other than he was insulted by the General. Nothing, but the silver-haired man was forefront of his thoughts again.

~over a damn smell~

He went into the inner courtyard. It was usually empty. After all, the area was just a bare square with potted plants trying to mimic a garden and a few benches. It wasn't that great of a place and he liked it because he could have a smoke in peace.

He had his cigarette lit even before he opened the door.

~that totally hits the spot~

He let out a content sigh as he walked to the far corner of the pathetic little garden. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall; the long day catching up with him. This new schedule usually had him crawling into bed by seven. With all of today's distractions, he was not done with his paperwork yet and he knew he couldn't put that off, or else Tseng would be on him for that. He was looking forward to crawling into his bed after a shot of…

~Rufus gift~

…alcohol and try not to think about anyone as he slept. The physical wear was allowing him to at least have a few solid hours of sleep but then his dreams would wake him up and with an ache that he couldn't touch.

~doesn't stop ya from trying~

He frowned. He needed to get laid.

He heard a strange sound. He grabbed his EMR on reflex as he opened his eyes.

~oh, fuck a duck~

A large black beast stood in front on him and growled. It took Reno a moment to realize what it was, but the long tentacle swishing back and forth of the pup told him who it belonged to. The beast's jaw was clenched and its lips curled up as it let out another low growl.

"Oh," a calm, cool voice said, "I didn't realize anyone else ever came out here."

~yeah, right~

He looked up as Rufus snapped his fingers and Dark Nation turned its head to him. Its tense jaw loosened and it made a small whinning noise as it walked over to seemingly wrap itself around Rufus' white clad legs.

"Usually, no one does," Reno said, as he looked at the boss suspiciously.

~why? Why? Why does it hafta be him?~

Rufus gave him a small smile as he patted the head of the monster. It made a pleased grumbling noise in response. Reno didn't like the thing. He was never one for pets. Dark Nation was one mean pet and proved occasionally to a few unfortunate victims how protective it was of its owner. Rufus had got the monster as a pup about a year ago, a gift from some dignitary, if the stories were true.

He noticed that Rufus had a ball in his hand.

~wha?~

"Gonna play a little fetch with darko?" he asked.

"He needs his exercise," Rufus said and tossed the yellow ball in his hand. Dark Nation's eyes followed it. Rufus' eyes were not looking at his pet though. They were looking at him.

Reno calculated - Door, beast, Rufus, escape. The answer was…screwed.

~if only~

He ran his hand over his face. Rufus gave him an amused look. He stood there with a slightly crooked stance and looked at him in a casual, but calculating manner.

"Did you get my apology?" Rufus asked in a-way-too-smooth voice.

"Yeah."

"I hoped it was to your liking," Rufus said as he idly threw the ball across the yard and Dark Nation took off after it.

Reno raised and eyebrow. Boss was playing fetch with his monster.

~weird~

"Tseng proved to be more proficient than I calculated," Rufus said and took a couple of steps closer. Reno took a step to the side, not only because of Rufus, but the fact that Dark Nation was barrelling back and didn't seem to have any qualms about turning sharply and nearly whipping him with the tentacle, as it dropped the yellow ball in front of its master.

Rufus bent and picked up the ball and repeated the motion of throwing it. Rufus followed the motions of his pet.

Reno saw him smile; a real smile. Rufus looked…young. It was easy to forget that Rufus was actually younger than him, if only by a couple of years. When the man radiates power…

~sexuality~

…and control, it was easy to forget that he was human. Here was the Little Big Boss, playing fetch with his overprotective monster and actually smiling as he was doing it. It did not look forced, like the ones he wore at meetings or the one seen in all his pictures.

The monstrous dog-like thing was making the boss smile.

Reno gathered his thoughts back up. He noticed that half his smoke was ash now. He flicked it off and took a deep drag, discarding the last of it and stomping it out. "Gotta get back to work," he said lowly and tried to walk past Rufus.

Dark Nation had the yellow ball in its mouth as it pushed its head under Rufus' hand. It let out a growl and those beady eyes glared right at him. That tentacle was whipping back and forth in a violent fashion.

"Must you? It's late already in the day," Rufus said, patting the mutt's head and taking the ball from its mouth. He rotated it in his hand before he tossed it again. "I am not against company."

~neither am I, but I am not going to get caught with my pants down again~

"Gotta go," he said simply. He wanted to go be in misery by himself again. It was safer than starting to think that maybe Rufus wasn't such a prick after all.

~at least not in everything~

Reno took a few steps to the side. Dark Nation had returned and was growling at him around the ball in its substantial jaw. Reno froze. Those beady eyes were boring right into him.

~looks like he wants a snack~

Rufus chuckled lightly and took the ball out of the beast's mouth. "Don't worry, he won't hurt you."

~yeah, right~

"Come sit with me," Rufus said, waving his hand toward a bench.

"But I…" Reno started but couldn't finish. Rufus took that ball out of Dark Nation's mouth and started to move to the bench.

"We can have a civil conversation out here," he said.

~yeah, right, just like in Tseng's office~

He swallowed hard and tried to suppress the shiver that ran through his body. He looked around and recalculated his chance of escape and saw that it was small. He was pretty sure Rufus would sic his monster on him to bring him down if he refused to have a chat with him.

~maybe all he wants to do is talk~

Reno highly doubted that.

Rufus seated himself on the stone bench and patted the spot beside him. "Come now," Rufus said as he threw the ball for Dark Nation who gladly bounded after it. "This area is monitored. I won't try anything disturbing."

~depends on what your definition of 'disturbing'is~

But he found himself slowly walking towards the bench where the Brat Boss was sitting, and made sure that was a respectable distance between them.

Rufus was focusing on Dark Nation as it bounded back and promptly put its taloned claws in the space between them.

~I think I like the beast now~

Rufus laughed as he took the ball from the creature's mouth. "She doesn't like other people paying attention to me. She is very particular of who she allows to get close." Rufus stroked the black ears and the thing whimpered and moved into a position so that he was able to rest its large head in his lap. Rufus kept scratching behind the ears as he placed the ball to the side. "She hasn't bitten you yet, so that is a good sign."

"She?" Reno said trying not to think about those big teeth sinking into him. He had seen other people with bite marks from Dark Nation.

"Yes," Rufus said and moved his hand to her tentacle that sprouted from her shoulders. "Did you know that she was the runt of the litter? Poor thing was going to be disposed of because she only had one tentacle."

~whatever~

"That would have been a shame," Reno said. Dark Nation turned its head towards him and there was loathing in those eyes. She was not fooled by his complements.

"She has been giving me company for those six months that father banished me to Mideel. It has been rather trying," Rufus said. "She had more room to play there, though. This little concrete garden hardly does her good."

"Why didn't ya leave her there?" The creature was huge, girl or not, and looked like something that could have only escaped from Hojo's labs.

Rufus caressed the things head. It whined louder and nuzzled into Rufus' belly. "Oh, I couldn't leave her there. No one else could take care of her like she deserves." Rufus was happy with the beast's head in his lap. "This is one of the few places that I can take my little girl to let her run."

~little girl?~

"Why don't ya take her to Kalm? It's not far away and I'm sure Daddy wouldn't mind ya gettin' out of his hair for awhile, yo," Reno said. That tentacle of hers sure was intimidating. The thick lean muscle twitched and whipped at him.

"I would need an escort," Rufus said and tilted his head in a curious way. "Are you volunteering to be my escort?" He leaned slightly and his hand that had been stroking the head of the Dark Nation reached and stroked his arm.

Dark Nation growled.

Reno coughed.

~did I walk into another trap?~

"What do you think of that, girl?" Rufus said moving his hand to lift the large jaw of the beast to look at him. "A trip to Kalm to run around in those fields? How about Reno escorting us? Hm?"

Reno tried to get his thoughts out of his mouth, but just made some rather pathetic stammers.

~once again, he got me tongue-tied~

Dark Nation gave a grumbling growl that did not sound like she liked the thought of it at all. Reno didn't like the idea, that was for sure.

"Sir!" he managed to finally spit out.

Rufus smiled at him. "I will talk to Tseng about arranging you to fly me out for a weekend trip."

"B-but," he said. Reno's heart was racing at the thought of being alone with him.

~scared or excited~

Rufus gave a sexy…

~scary~

…chuckle as he pushed Dark Nation's head from his lap. The beast gave a protesting growl. "I am sure that I can convince him to let you have a break from your rather harsh regiment right now."

"I-I," he started to protest, but Rufus moved quickly, sliding over so that their thighs pressed together. A strong gloved hand reached out and grabbed his arm firmly, while the other hand held his chin.

"Speechless again," Rufus whispered as he leaned in so that their lips brushed together. Reno felt his face flush and his body lean into the kiss, deepening it. Rufus allowed it for a moment before he pulled back and said, "At least that tongue knows how to move when it counts."

"Ya know it, Boss," Reno said and found himself grinning despite how his stomach was twisting into knots. He wanted to kiss again.

A low growling sound made him look to the side. Dark Nation was growling and looking rather pissed off, the tentacle whipping around its back look like it wanted to take him out.

"Easy, Nation," Rufus said in a soothing voice.

~the same tone he uses on you~

The growl turn into a roar and those eyes were telling him that if Rufus wasn't there, he would be a snack.

"Don't think she likes me, yo," Reno said.

"She will get used to you," Rufus said as he leaned away from him and scratched behind the flattened ears of the beast. The tension left the muscles in its shoulders, and the tentacle slowed its wild, whipping motions. "She does worry about me."

~whatever~

Rufus grabbed the ball that was lying neglected beside him and waved it front of the beast. All the tension left the beast and it turned into a playful puppy again. Rufus laughed softly as he stood and threw the ball. Dark Nation ran after it.

"You will have to excuse her behaviour," Rufus said, watching her run back to him with the yellow ball in her mouth. "She really does need the exercise more often than I have the liberty to."

"This area is always available," Reno said. He wanted another smoke. He wanted to leave, but he didn't dare stand yet. He had to let his hardness soften a little before he moved. He didn't want to show Brat Boss how excited he was getting over those two little kisses.

"I see," Rufus said. "I will remember that." Rufus retrieved the ball from his pet's mouth and scratched under its chin.

Reno doubted that he didn't know that. Rufus was no fool. Reno was about to comment about how he had to go back to work when that tentacle reached him and hit him in the side rather sharply. He gasped.

~better than a bite~

"Nation!" Rufus' tone was sharp. The beast lowered its head, as if in shame, but those eyes narrowing at him told Reno something completely different.

"Ya enjoy your playin'," Reno said and stood, trying to skirt the monster. "Gotta go."

"I suppose," Rufus said and turned to him. Was there a disappointed look on his face? "I was hoping to see the rest of those marking that are on your back."

Reno sputtered and searched for words again.

~how does he do this to me?~

Reno was pretty sure that he was doing it on purpose because he had that soft smile on his face as he looked over his shoulder at him.

"I hope the next time that we meet, we will be able to finish where we had left off," Rufus hummed as he turned his back on his pet and stood in front of him. Reno didn't have time or the brain power to react as Rufus boldly placed one hand on his hip and another on his shoulder and leaned in. There was nothing soft or gentle about the kiss. Reno gave a small grunt as Rufus' demanding tongue entered his mouth. Reno could only go along with the kiss and stroke the warm flesh with his own.

Reno wrapped his arms around the lean waist of his boss and pulled him closer. Rufus gripped his shoulder tighter and steeped up the intensity of his kiss.

~want more~

He knew that the boss was enjoying himself, by the hardness pressing against his own hardened organ. He rubbed himself – shamelessly - against his boss and let himself be consumed with the deep kiss. He tightened his grip around his waist and caused Rufus to moan and twist against him.

~frottage has never felt so good~

Reno was almost lost in the attention. Being allowed to touch was wonderful and the boss touching him was divine. One of the boss's hands moved to thread through his hair and tugged at it gently.

~feels so good~

He pushed himself against the boss, harsher than he planned. It caused Rufus to break the kiss and give out a startled yelp.

That is when he felt a sharp pain in his arm that he had wrapped around Rufus. It took him a few seconds to realize what it was, and before he could react, Dark Nation pulled him away from Rufus with a powerful tug. He felt himself being thrown to the ground and a giant paw press painfully against his chest and a tooth-filled face growled in his.

Reno gapped at the monster.

"Nation!" It was Rufus sharp, commanding voice. "Get off of him!"

Dark Nation turned its head to look up at its Master and growled.

~fuck, I'm gonna be a snack~

"Now," Rufus demanded, and the beast lifted its paw and slunk beside the boss who gave the big beast a swat on its head. "Sit!"

It obeyed.

Reno scrambled to his feet and examined the arm that was in the monster's mouth and started to back away. "Show me your arm," Rufus ordered.

"It's fine, Boss. She didn't break any skin," Reno said, not liking how shaky his voice was. He didn't stop backing away, realizing that he, one again, was suckered into a make-out session with him in, yet another inappropriate setting. His boner had been scared out of him by the sudden attack, but he could tell by the flush on his boss's face that he was still feeling the after effects of the brief…

~much to brief~

…frottage session.

"She thought you were hurting me," Rufus said as he took a step forward. Reno took a step back. His arm did hurt and was pretty sure that there would be some bruising there. Dark Nation had not been gentle with him.

"Whatever," Reno mumbled. "Gotta go, Boss."

~things are so messed up~

Rufus sighed and gave a disarming smile that just about made him want to stay there for a little while longer. A quick look at Dark Nation changed his mind. He didn't want to give that monster another chance to gnaw on him. "Then I will see you later," he said. "I believe that I need to tire out Nation. She is a little too high-strung."

"No shit," Reno muttered as he backed away. He was scared to take his eyes off the creature. Dark Nation seemed quite content now with the fact that he was leaving. Reno's only thoughts were of ditching the report that he was being forced to write and going back to take care of the ache that was developing from that short make-out session.

~getting chewed out by Mr. Frost and chewed on by the bratty Boss's toy monster. I need a drink~

He escaped.

The calmness that he finally gathered in the last couple of days ruined by everyone - Spike-Brains with just being damn sexy, Mr. Frost and his vanilla hair care products, and Brat Boss with his smooth tongue and almost human side.

~I wonder if he will send me more flowers and vodka to apologize?~

Reno sighed and stopped on his way to his office.

"Screw it. I'm going home," he muttered and turned on his heel to leave to the safety of his apartment. He wanted a drink. He wanted a shower. He wanted to curl up in his bed and try to push out the thoughts of all that happened during the day.

So what if he had a stupid report to write? It was just a cut and paste and change the date type of report. After all, Tseng couldn't give him any more punishments to make his life any more miserable than it already was.

 

Chapter 30- Chocobo​

Zack was thrilled that Cloud was going on the mission with him. He just had to figure out how he could get some private time with Cloud with the twenty men that had been sent on the mission as well.

Of course, that was before the mission started to go sideways.

They got to the village and took care of the monsters. That part went well. The monsters were not that strong and they hardly needed his skills to deal with them. He let the troops take care of most of them and ensured that everything was properly cleaned up. They were the heroes of the day. There were only a few minor injuries –mostly muscle strains and a few scratches - among the troops, and he had been proud when it was Cloud that stepped up to take care of the injured.

~silly to be proud~

But he was. Cloud was quick and efficient in ensuring the potions were given out, and that the wounds were properly cleaned before any materia was used. ~almost could imagine him in a nurse outfit~

Cloud even did some massage thing with the injured troops. The guys seemed to take it in stride, like it was nothing unusual. He didn't like how Cloud touched a trooper that had a headache by massaging behind the trooper's temples before he passed out. And yet with another, Cloud pressed his hands into his shoulder and caused a moan.

~didn't like it, but it seemed to be helping the troops~

He had been dragged away by town officials before he could ask Cloud why he was touching the other men like that. The village thanked them, and they had rested there. He was forced to talk late into the night with the mayor of the town, while Cloud bunked with the other men in the town's hall.

~not even a good night kiss~

Zack did get his kiss in the morning. He was cornered by the blond before they went for breakfast. Zack was pleasantly surprised to be pushed into a doorway and have a warm mouth attach to his.

Cloud laughed at him as Zack tried to push him away, but at the same time was kissing him back. "We'll get caught," Zack had protested, but not all that strongly.

"Just a little more," Cloud whispered into his lips and took them again. Zack had been shocked when Cloud palmed his crotch. Zack was so taken aback by the hand squeezing his package that he gasped, and before he could retaliate...

~have to remember that he is not as shy as he acts~

…Cloud slipped out of his grasp and joined the other men for the morning meal.

~damn tease~

He noticed that Cloud ate light. He didn't forget that he sometimes got motion sickness and ensured that he took an anti-nausea pill before they boarded the two trucks. Cloud had been a bit green when they had disembarked from the truck and Zack didn't want him to get queasy on the way back.

They boarded and went on their way. Zack sat beside the driver and was able to look back and see Cloud talking with that pesky Joseph. He had to admit the blue-haired man was a proficient fighter… when he wasn't being an idiot.

That was when the truck broke down.

Zack had stared at the steaming engine. He knew nothing – absolutely nothing - about mechanics. He just used the stuff; he didn't know how to fix it. ShinRa equipment wasn't supposed to break down.

~normally they made such good stuff~

"Anyone know how to fix an engine?" he asked the group of men.

Cloud shrugged and came forward. "I can take a look."

He smirked and stood back. "Have at 'er."

While Cloud worked on the truck, he admired the view and tried not to be so obvious about it.

~very nice ass, and it's mine~

The troop's Captain, Dean, leaned next to Cloud as they fiddled with the engine, and they conversed for awhile. Dean brought a tool kit and they tinkered on the engine.

"You sure?" Zack heard Dean say after awhile. Zack had stopped the squat competition that he was having with the other infantrymen.

"Yep," Cloud said as he stood up and turned around. "The seal broke on the water pump. I can fix it. Get me the first-aid kit and I'll make it right as rain."

Joseph laughed. "First-aid kit?" Some of the others laughed as well.

How could a first-aid kit help fix the truck? Had Cloud been huffing too many engine fumes? It was a truck, but being in his First Class SOLDIER mode, he had to be a little more serious, even though he did want to ask the same question as Joseph did.

Cloud sighed, and in a perturbed tone of voice, "Just get it. It's so we can get back, okay?" Cloud turned and leaned over the engine again. "I need to take this apart, and I will replace the seal temporarily using some of the rubber of the tourniquet. It won't hold for long, but it should be enough to get us back to Midgar. We will also need to put some water in the coolant chamber. We'll have to stop every half-hour to ensure that it's filled. Water is not as efficient as coolant and we may still overheat the engine. We are lucky that it's fall, or this would be a much more difficult task."

"Wow," Zack found himself saying, "you're a grease monkey."

Cloud turned and gave him a small smile. "It'll take me awhile to fix the seal. Maybe an hour."

Zack nodded. He ordered the other truck to take the troops that were hurt the most back, while the more able bodied men remained behind. Unfortunately Joseph was not sick enough…

~at least in the body~

… to go with the first truck.

Zack watched in fascination as Cloud worked on fixing the water pump seal. Dean helped him, mostly by yelling and pushing Joseph around. Cloud also didn't seem to have a problem yelling at the pesky blue-haired man to screw off as he did whatever he did to get the truck fixed.

It took Cloud only thirty minutes to fix the engine and get the truck moving again. Zack had never felt so much pride, and was kind of disappointed that he couldn't share it with anyone.

Cloud's fix was holding, but the truck was guzzling the water. They would watch the temperature gauge to determine where they should stop. They were going to get back late, if this kept up. Cloud had been right - it was almost every hour that they stopped and had to fill the truck up with water.

There were eight infantrymen in the back of the truck. Dean was driving and Zack was sitting beside him. He longed to be in the back of the truck, even if Cloud was looking a little green. Everyone else was laughing and having inappropriate conversation about the girls at the Honeybee Inn, and the trouble they got into the last weekend. Cloud just smiled and tried to keep his rations down.

One of the troopers complained that his head was hurting, and he moved to sit by Cloud. Zack frowned as he watched Cloud massage the temples of the trooper. He noted that this was the same man that he had done it to back in the town. He did not like the groan the guy gave at Cloud's touch.

He narrowed his eyes.

Dean snorted as he looked back in the rear view mirror. "Cloud's at it again, huh?"

~at it again?~

"In what regards?" Zack said formally. He couldn't ask, 'feeling up the other members of his troop?'

"With that voodoo touching stuff he does," Dean said, and focused on the road. "Kinda weird, but it does seem to work."

~voodoo touching stuff?~

"Pardon?"

"Yeah," Dean said. "For some reason, he does this thing where he uses pressure points to help with aches and pains. Never had the kid touch me, though. Too weird for my liking. Other guys like it, though. They all want Cloud in their troop because of it."

"I was not aware of that," he said and looked back. The guy that Cloud was rubbing behind his ears now had his jaw slack and his eyes closed. No one else even blinked at what Cloud was doing.

Dean snorted. "Most guys go to him when they want to get rid of a headache."

Cloud stopped the motions on the infantryman and leaned back in the truck, looking a little nauseous as he did so. The man patted Cloud on the leg and returned to his seat and allowed Joseph to sit beside Cloud again.

Zack felt that jealous pang in his gut. His Cloud was touching another man. It wasn't sexual, but it could be, and he didn't like that.

~he had other experiences before you~

He couldn't begrudge Cloud with that. It wasn't like he didn't have experience before, as well. He knew it was irrational to be jealous about things in the past. He had no right to feel that way, but Zack couldn't help but wonder if the guy that Cloud had been rubbing had been one of his past experiences. He knew that he didn't even have the right to ask that, but now it was bothering him.

~why hasn't he tried that stuff on me?~

Cloud looked up and smiled weakly at him. Zack returned the smile and felt a little sorry for him and his motion sickness. When they stopped next, they would have to ensure that he took another anti-nausea pill.

"Shit!"

The truck stopped abruptly, throwing him rudely against the dash. He turned around quickly to see a group of large yellow birds run around the truck. Panicked sounding 'warks' could be heard. One of the birds bounded up and smashed its foot into the hood of the truck and bounded after the others. Zack looked over from where the birds were running from.

It was his turn to swear. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath. In the field a large lumbering Grand Horn was throwing its head around. One of its horns was covered in blood, and a body of a chocobo lay under its feet.

"What do we do, sir?" Dean asked.

Zack didn't respond. He darted out of the truck. He really hated Grand Horns. Damn things had thick skin and were hard to take down. This one looked completely pissed off, so he knew that shooing it away was not an option. He pulled out his sword and with a heavy sigh, started to fight the pesky thing.

~really hate Horns~

An hour later, he finally finished off the monster. He was tired from all the bouncing and twisting he had to do, to avoid getting gored by its horns. The infantrymen had all been watching as the monster finally collapsed in a heap.

~how does Sephiroth take the things down with one swipe?~

The men cheered him and he smiled, twirling his sword in his grand finishing move before holstering it on his back. "Finally got 'em," he decreed.

That was when he noticed that there were two other men standing beside Captain Dean. They looked like brothers, both with dark red hair and similar builds. One of them was sitting on a blue chocobo and the other was holding its reins. They were also dressed in simple clothes, of well worn jeans and thin t-shirts.

He gave a little nod to the infantrymen and saw that Cloud was grinning widely at him. He wished he could go over and kiss Cloud.

~nothing like a good fuck after a well fought battle~

He shook the thought out of his head as duty called, and he walked over to the two men.

"Thanks, ya," the one on the chocobo said. "That there monster's been terrorizing my birdies, ya."

Zack just about laughed at the atrociously thick accent, but was able to keep the threatening smirk from appearing on his face. He could barely make out what he was saying. "Not a problem, sir," Zack said.

Dean introduced the two. The one on the bird was named Flint, and the one holding the reins was named Flare. They were indeed brothers, and the monster had been terrorizing the two chocobo ranchers' birds for the past month or so.

"Been losing birdies lately, ya," Flare said. His accent was almost thicker than of his brother's. "Lost 'er 'ood, ya"

~what?~

"We's know that it not yours job, sir, an all, ya. Can I ast ya ta help us round up them there chicks, ya," Flint asked, and Zack had to think about what he said to get the gist of his heavily accented words.

"You want us to help you round up your chocobos?" he asked.

"If yer think it won't be much trouble, ya," Flare said.

Zack smiled and announced that of course they would. They were already three hours late returning to Midgar, and with the truck being in even worse shape now, from the look of it, what was an hour chasing some birds?

It turned out to be more like three hours.

There was supposed to be twenty-five chocobos and three chicks. A hell of a lot of birds to round up, especially since they were fast.

Flint had explained that they were bred for racing so they all had a good set of legs on them, but their temperament was a bit on the difficult side. He provided greens to try to get them to calm down enough to 'wrangle' them up. Flint raced them around on his blue bird, and much to everyone's surprise, Joseph took up riding one of the caught birds.

Cloud had laughed at him. "Never knew you were a bird brain," he taunted.

"One of the best," Joseph said, not even flinching at the insult. "Dad raced for awhile. Best warker* a couple of years back. I trained for a bit, too."

"Did you say warker or wanker?" Cloud chuckled.

"I do both well." Joseph preened as they both laughed.

"You should be on the blue one, so at least it matches your hair," Cloud teased as he tossed up a bag of greens to Joseph.

"You want this one then?" Joseph said as he strapped the bag around his shoulders.

"Why would I want it?"

"I believe that it matches your hair - crest and all," Joseph snickered.

Cloud's face went red. One of the other men came up behind Cloud and ruffled his hair. "Yeah, make sure that one of them doesn't mistake you for one of their chicks."

"Whatever," Cloud responded, trying to smooth out his hair.

"Better watch out or one of those big males might take you for one of the girly ones."

"Do you think I could ride you?"

"Soft enough to be feathers."

"Don't get put in the stable."

"Too small to mount."

"I'll be your warker!"

The men around him teased and laughed.

Zack bit his tongue and fought the temptation to join the light-hearted taunting. Cloud's shoulders straightened as he glared at the guys around him who were teasing him and tousling his hair.

"Just go chase the birds!" Cloud protested. "Leave my hair alone!"

Zack had the strong urge to go over and ruffle that yellow hair, but Cloud looked flustered as he finished handing out the greens that he had been given to distribute. Zack chuckled and started to help the infantrymen round up the birds. Zack didn't think that it would be difficult to hunt down the chocobos.

Three hours later, and they still had to hunt down two more of the birds and one of the chicks. Joseph and Cloud were expertly riding around on chocobos, as well as one of the other men who was travelling with Flint. The rest of the men were at the barn getting the stable set up for them to rest and prepare an evening meal, since it looked like they were stuck there for the night.

The birds had done quite a bit of damage to the truck and they had to call to get another transport, but it wouldn't be available until the morning.

Zack waved and called out to Cloud. Cloud moved his bird towards him while Joseph rode his over to where Dean was standing.

"I didn't know you could ride," Zack said as Cloud dismounted. Cloud shrugged as he struggled with a bundle in his arms.

"You don't grow up in the mountains without learning a few tricks. It's a little easier since these ones are pretty tame, just spooked. These guys would have come home when they got hungry. They know where the easy food is," Cloud said as the bundle in his arms, 'kweh'ed. It seemed that Cloud found the last chick.

"What's that you got there?" Zack said and poked at the feathery ball. It gave an annoyed 'wark' and a sharp beak nipped at his fingers. The bird seemed to give Zack an angry look before rubbing its head against Cloud's chest with a 'kweh'.

"Aw," Zack said, "it thinks you're its mommy."

Cloud narrowed his eyes. "I get enough of that from the guys. I don't need to hear it from you, too."

The little green ball of feathers made appreciative 'kewh'ing noises as Cloud scratched its beak.

Zack grabbed the reins of the large yellow chocobo and they started to walk to the farm's pen gate.

"The way you fought that Grand Horn was amazing. It was almost like you were dancing," Cloud said.

"I hate those damn Horns," Zack said, feeling slightly embarrassed at how Cloud was looking at him. It was one thing to have the admiration of the troops, but for Cloud to look at him with that awe was a little strange. It made a pleasant warmth spread through his chest that he never encountered before. It made him want to blush and puff out his chest. It was a nice feeling, but scary at the same time.

"Those Horns sure seem to have tough skin," Cloud said.

"Like stone," Zack said. "Hope you never have to fight one of them."

"Neither do I," Cloud said as he jostled the bird in his arms. "Don't you have a Costly Punch? Isn't that what works best on them?"

"Well, yeah," Zack said and let out a heavy sigh. "I don't have enough gil to buy it."

Cloud chuckled. "I heard that not even Sephiroth uses it."

"He doesn't need it."

"Really? Have you seen him take down a Grand Horn before?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah," Zack said and looked back at his boyfriend. "It's quite a sight seeing him fight."

Cloud gave a small smile and a low hum as a response. Cloud's blue eyes glazed over a little bit. "I bet," he said in a dreamy voice.

~was he thinking of Sephiroth?~

The bundle of feathers in his arms made another distressed noise and the glazed look was replaced with a small worried frown.

Zack was tempted to start teasing him about his crush on the General, but decided against it. It was nearly disastrous the last time he teased Cloud about what Zack suspected was a little bit more than just a crush. He knew that half of the troop would get that glazed look on their face when they thought about Sephiroth.

Zack smiled at his young friend, resisting the urge to ruffle the wild yellow hair. "You did well today too, Cloud," Zack said and looked at Cloud to see him blush slightly.

~damn, he's so cute with that chocobo in his arms~

Zack was not watching where he was going and stumbled on a root, and nearly fell. Cloud rolled his eyes at him. "Quit ogling me and watch where you're going."

"I'm not ogling," Zack said.

Cloud grunted with a crooked smile as he stroked the head of the small bird.

"Where did you learn to do all that stuff?" Zack asked.

"Huh? What stuff?" Cloud said as he stopped walking. He arranged the chick in his arms, causing it to 'wark' in a pained tone. The larger bird turned its head to the distressed chick.

"You know," Zack said, "fixing the truck, and all that voodoo touching stuff."

Cloud snorted and in a tight tone said, "You've been talking to Dean." Cloud pushed the larger bird away and then went to place the chick on the chocobo's back.

"Yeah. A bit," Zack said and rubbed the back of his head.

"Mom didn't have too much money and when things broke, we fixed them," he said. "And the 'voodoo' touching thing - it helps the guys," Cloud said with anxiety in his voice. "It is not voodoo."

The large chocobo gave out a loud complaint and swiped at Zack with its beak, obviously reacting to Cloud's emotional outburst.

Zack chuckled. "I think she has adopted you." He had to take a step back to avoid the bird's sharp beak as it twisted its neck in a protective fashion to separate them.

"Whatever," Cloud said angrily and pushed against the bird's neck. Cloud grabbed the reins from Zack, giving them a hard tug. Cloud's blue eyes narrowed at him and he set his jaw.

"Come on. I'm just teasing," Zack said quickly.

"We should get these two back, and I'm hungry," Cloud said and started walking. Zack fell into step beside him.

"Of course," Zack said.

He didn't want to upset Cloud further, but he did have another burning question in mind before they joined the rest of them in the barn. "I do have something to ask before we head up," Zack said a little nervously.

Cloud looked at him with a stern look. "What is it, sir?"

Zack inwardly winced as he was called 'sir'.

~here goes nothing~

He slowed his walking so that he was right beside Cloud, and leaned a little closer to him, not wanting to risk anyone over-hearing him. "About that touching thing you do - do you use it on the guys all the time?"

"Yeah," Cloud said. "You aren't going to get all jealous?"

~a little~

"No," Zack said. "I just haven't seen you do that before."

Cloud shrugged and ensured that the green ball of feathers was still secure on the back of the larger yellow one. "I used it once on one of the guys who had pulled his shoulder out because the medics weren't around. I helped relieve his pain until the proper medics could tend to him."

"So, you use it quite a bit then?" he asked. He didn't like the idea of Cloud always touching all these other men.

"Yeah," Cloud sighed. "I usually end up helping the medics now because of it, as you saw."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Zack said. "They seem to respect you for that."

Cloud shrugged, "It can be a little annoying. I mean, I want to be able to fight and to get stronger. Pretty hard to do that from the medical tent."

"I wouldn't worry about that. You fought well today. You'll make SOLDIER, and then you won't be delegated to the medical tent," Zack said and patted Cloud on his shoulder.

Cloud smiled at him, but Zack could tell there was a little bit of doubt in it. He didn't know how to comfort Cloud in this. He had always been the top of his class when it came to the fighting, whereas he had a little bit of difficulty with the books. Cloud was opposite of him in that regard, but it didn't mean that he wouldn't make a good SOLDIER. Zack was positive that Cloud would make an opposing force on the battlefield.

~if he would just stop brooding~

They were getting closer to the barn. He didn't have much time to ask the other most important question about the massaging. "The touching thing? Why haven't you used it on me?"

Cloud stopped and looked at him like he said something strange. "What do you mean? I used it on you."

"You did?" Zack was pretty sure he would remember Cloud massaging him like he was doing the others.

"Yeah. When we were returning from Modeoheim, when I was holding your hand." Cloud grabbed his hand and held it. Zack watched as Cloud fingers massaged between his thumb and fingers in a firm but gentle motion. "Remember this?"

Zack remembered. It had calmed him so much that he didn't break down in front of the other men. He didn't think anyone else saw, but maybe it was because they were used to Cloud doing stuff like that. They may not have thought it odd that they were sitting so close because of what he had done for others in the past.

"I remember," he said, "but that is not what I am referring to."

Cloud furrowed his brow in confusion. Zack looked at him and waggled his eyebrows and let his smirk do the talking.

"What? I –oh," Cloud said. His eyes grew wide and he covered his mouth in shock. "Oh." His pale cheeks turned bright red as he covered his eyes and groaned. "I-I never thought of using it that way!" Cloud exclaimed and ran his hands nervously through his hair.

Zack chuckled. He felt a little better knowing that Cloud hadn't thought of his touching in any sexual way.

~even though others might have~

He watched Cloud's face change from brilliant embarrassment, to dark worry, and then melt into a look that he enjoyed seeing on his boyfriend - sexy teasing. "I guess we will have to try that out," Cloud said in a husky whisper before starting to walk again.

Zack grinned, adjusting himself slightly as he started walking, thinking of the new possibilities rolling around in his head. The chocobo warked angrily as they started to walk again. It seemed to be making sure that he was separated from Cloud.

"Hey!" It was Joseph that came running over. "You two, quit lollygagging! Let's get that chick back to its mother."

Cloud nodded and trotted forward, giving Zack a nice view of his bottom as he did so. He forced his eyes away as he walked forward to talk to Dean and the chocobo ranchers.

Being a First Class SOLDIER meant that he was the one in charge, which meant that he had to be courteous to his hosts. He listened to Flint and Flare, with their heavy accents, thank him for helping. He watched as the other men rested in the hay and ate some of the warmed rations and drank some coffee that must have been provided by the ranchers. He wanted to be in with them, not having to worry about image and protocol.

~now I understand what Sephiroth goes through~

Flint and Flare offered him a room in the house for him to sleep in, but Zack declined. Not that Zack was looking forward to the night in the barn. Nor did he have a problem with roughing it, or that they would have to sleep with blankets over top of hay. It was because he knew there would be no way to sneak off and get Cloud to try using those hands in a new way tonight.

~teasing backfired on you again~

At least he would be with the men, even if he couldn't have some alone time with Cloud. He did join the ranchers for a drink, to be polite, before he returned to the barn to retire for the evening. Dean and Joseph were first guard, and the plan for watch rotation was already set when he inquired. He checked on the others and saw they were already sleeping peacefully, with a few snoring loudly.

He was tempted to join Cloud who was alone in his stable, but knew very well that he would crawl all over him, and that would not look good in the morning. He could see that there was another set of bedding in the stall. Most likely that pesky Joseph would be bunking with him once his night shift was done.

He gave out a heavy sigh and went to the stable that was assigned to him. He never thought it could be so hard knowing that Cloud was just sleeping one stall over.

Zack woke with the last shift change. He ordered the two men back to their stalls, so that they could get more sleep before the morning transport would come. He grabbed some of the coffee which was thick and extremely bitter, but at least warm, as he walked down the array of chocobo stalls.

He took a sip of the warm drink as he looked in to check on Cloud. He swallowed incorrectly and tried to stifle the coughing fit, so that he didn't wake anyone.

~cutest thing ever~

Cloud was sprawled out in the stable, flat on his back and oblivious to the world. The green chick and a yellow chick lay curled on his belly; one of Cloud's hands was resting on the green feather ball's back.

Zack pulled out his PHS to take a picture. He knew that he could never show it to anyone, not even Cloud, for Cloud surely would delete it and get mad at him for taking the picture.

He typed in the picture name: 'My Chocobo'.

 

Chapter 31- Vodka​

~such a nice ass~

Reno had his phone out as he observed Zack giving his 'You Want to be a SOLDIER' speech.

Zack walked up and down the line of new recruits in, what looked like, a freshly pressed uniform. His spiky hair was teased perfectly so that it framed the handle of Angeal's sword that was hanging on his back. His voice was loud and strong as he strutted up and down the line.

~and quite a strut he has~

Reno had licked his lips a few times as Zack turned, using that confident voice to pass on encouragement to the anxious men in front of him. It took three passes but he got a great shot of Fair's butt, that wasn't completely blocked by the stupidly large sword.

"What are you doing?"

Reno jumped and turned to the voice behind him. He should have known that there was someone behind. It wasn't like Legend was known for being subtle and with the cigar hanging out of his mouth; he should have at least smelled the man.

He snapped his phone shut quickly. He felt his face burning at being caught taking pictures of a SOLDIER's butt by his mentor. Legend was giving him his 'I caught you' look.

"Nothin', Ledge," he said as he slipped the phone into his pocket. "Jus' observing the SOLDIERs, yo."

"I see that," Legend said as he puffed on his cigar.

Reno swallowed. He felt like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and now was going to get major hell for it. He hadn't seen Legend for about a year, and he knew the first thing he was going to do was lecture him.

~way to go~

The first thing Reno noticed was that the man looked different. He looked older and tired. His blond hair was not as shiny as before, his skin looked a little greyer, and a slight rasp that wasn't in his voice before, was now present. There was nothing wrong with his eyes, which were bright and dark, and full of amusement.

"Heard ya were back," Reno said. "How was it?"

"Eh," he said with a shrug. Legend was never one to talk about his missions once they were over. "Heard you've been getting into trouble."

Reno rolled his eyes. He must have been talking to Tseng. "Nothin' more than normal, yo."

Legend laughed. There was definitely a new rasp in his voice. "That's saying a lot, right there."

"Glad ya find me amusing, too, Ledge," Reno grumbled. He looked over to where the new SOLDIERs were now filing out. Zack noticed that he was looking. The cocky SOLDIER raised his hand in a two finger salute and with that damn charming smile of his, before he turned and followed out the troops.

"I'm hungry. Let's go grab a bite," Legend said as he placed a hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him to walk forward. Reno obeyed.

"As long as it's not the Mess, yo. I don't think I can stomach anymore of that slop," Reno said as they started to walk. Lunch was some horrid cream soup that had hotdogs floating in it.

~thought I was gonna puke~

He had a spoonful of the stuff and that was all it for him. He was amazed at how easily everyone else enjoyed the slop.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Legend said. "Got us a table at Monteno's, just like old times." He chewed on his cigar, pushing his chin towards where the SOLDIERs disappeared. "What was that about?"

"He's just bein' a pest, yo," Reno said.

"You shouldn't mess with SOLDIERs, Reno," Legend said.

"Pfft, Zack is harmless."

~as long as you aren't near Cloud~

"There is no such thing as a harmless SOLDIER."

~a lot less dangerous than Sephiroth~

"Whatever, man," Reno said. "It's jus' Zack. The guy's nickname is 'Puppy', for Gaia's sake."

"I remember what they used to call you as well," Legend said. "It still does not mean that he won't be dangerous when necessary."

Reno rolled his eyes again. "I know what I'm doin'," he said, stubbornly narrowing his eyes to his mentor.

~if you keep saying that, maybe one day it'll come true~

"Is that why you were taking pictures of his ass?" Legend said as he pulled his cigar out of his mouth. The tobacco smelt so good, and he was craving a cigarette badly. Reno answered the question with a grunt as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of gum. It was supposed to taste like cinnamon. It did, but it also had the bitter taste of nicotine in it, as well. He popped a piece in his mouth and chewed it quickly.

Legend grabbed the pack out of his hand. "What is this? Nicotine gum? Trying to quit?"

"Yeah. Trying to stay out of trouble and all," Reno said as he chewed on the gum loudly. Legend tossed the gum back to him.

"By quitting smoking?"

"Yep," Reno said.

~not gonna get trapped again~

"Well, it's a nasty habit, anyway," Legend said, looking at his cigar with an amused glint as he put it back in his mouth. "I want to hear your version of this trouble you're encountering."

Reno grunted. "Sure, whatever." He was not going to confess everything to his mentor. He had no idea how he could explain all the crap that was happening to him.

Reno chewed the gum vigorously as he eyed the cigar in Legend's mouth. He was thinking that he had to buy some of those patches too, to get him through his nicotine withdrawal. He wanted to go for a smoke, but was too unnerved to return to the courtyard, or go any place where he could possibly run into Sephiroth.

He had to try to minimize the chances of having any further possible encounters. His nerves couldn't take it if he had to deal with this persistent teasing. Quitting smoking was one of his tactics, and he knew he should be avoiding Zack and Cloud as well, but he wasn't willing to stop those encounters yet.

~Cloud doesn't even realize that he's a tease and Zack is just such a flirt, when he's not jealous~

He needed to find ways to not think about the past couple of weeks, and a conversation with Legend sounded like a good way to unwind. He was the one man that he could confide in. Legend wouldn't hold anything against him, if he had the courage to talk to him about all the teasing bastards that he had been dealing with. He didn't realize that he missed Legend in the last year. They had only been able to communicate through e-mail, and he had missed actually talking with him. They would make up for that tonight.

"Reno!"

He looked up and couldn't help but smile at seeing Cloud jogging up to him. He was in civvies…

~wearing the shirt I bought him~

…and looking like he was on leave. Strange for a Wednesday, but not unheard of, after all, they had just come back from a mission.

"I didn't see you in the Mess this afternoon. Where were you? Are you finally off that watch?" Cloud asked. He nodded respectfully to Legend who was standing behind Reno.

"Nah. Not yet," Reno said. He wasn't going to tell Cloud that he was actually hiding from him today because he didn't trust himself to behave.

~looks damn hot in that blue~

"Are you feeling okay?" Cloud asked. "Not stiff or anything?"

~getting there~

"I'm good, Cloudo," Reno lied, snapping his gum. "Body is gettin' used to the abuse."

~if he undid that top button, I could see his chest better~

"That's good to hear," Cloud said, turning to point over to the group of four men he was travelling with. Reno recognized Joseph and John right away. Joseph was in full make-up it seemed, and his hair was a wild blue mess, and he had a silly grin. John was already looking annoyed. The other two, Reno knew from his reports - Benot and Cyrus. The two were like Cloud – in the middle of the pack, normal boys trying out to become SOLDIER. Cyrus was known to be a little bit more on the mischievous side. Benot and Cyrus grew up in the same small town and were determined to become the next Angeal and Genesis; grand dreams for small town boys. Not a bad group to go drinking with. They were safe drunks.

~I'm beginnin' to sound as protective as Zack~

"We're going to The Plant for a couple of drinks, and since you still owe me…" Cloud left the rest hanging.

Reno rolled his eyes and looked over at Legend.

~if it was anyone but Legend, I would join Cloud at the pants…~

Reno took in a deep and controlled breath and refrained from slapping himself in his face…plant, not pants. Plant. He was just glad that he hadn't said it out loud. That would be embarrassing.

"Got other plans right now," Reno said, very carefully. "I'll still have to owe ya."

Cloud's brow furrowed. He reached forward and put his hand gently on his arm. "Excuse us, sir," Cloud said towards Legend. Legend just nodded. Reno allowed Cloud to grab his elbow and pull him away from his mentor.

~he should roll up his sleeves so you could see his arms better~

"Are you okay? You look kinda down again," Cloud said in a low voice as he leaned close to him.

~he smells nice~

"Huh?" he said, trying not to look obvious as he took in a deep breath.

~is that aloe?~

"Reno!"

~nah, it's more like honey~

"Wha?" Reno said, prying his eyes off of how that blue shirt dipped into his chest.

~I wonder what kind of soap he uses?~

"You are spacing out," Cloud said. "You've been doing that a lot lately."

"Just worked to the bone," Reno quipped.

~or working my bone, is more like it~

Reno snorted, rolling his eyes, and looked over to where Legend stood. He was looking amused. He really had to curb his irrational and smutty thoughts running through his head.

"You need to relax. You sure you can't come out?" Cloud said, his blue eyes growing large and pleading.

~can make a guy melt~

"Are ya outta money or somethin'?" Reno said, and straightened himself up.

"I have enough to cover. It's Benot's birthday, so were gonna get him hammered." Cloud smiled and looked at his group of friends who were waiting patiently. Well, everyone but Joseph. Joseph was bouncing around the largest boy in the group, who happened to be the birthday boy.

"Gonna catch up with Ledge," Reno said, thrusting his chin toward Legend. "It's been a year."

"If you're sure," Cloud put his hand on his arm again. A small, concerned touch that set his nerves on fire. "Are you sure you're okay?"

~he smells so good~

"I'm fine, yo."

Cloud frowned at him. "Call me if you feel like talking," Cloud said, squeezing his arm in his firm and talented hand.

"Hey! Chocobo-head! We're gonna leave without you!" Joseph yelled.

Reno snickered.

Cloud glared at the blue-haired man and then to him. He let go of Reno's arm and Cloud moved his arms stiffly to his side with clenched fists. "You repeat that and I will hit you," Cloud threatened.

"Whatever, yo." Reno smirked. "Chocobo-head. Suits ya."

Cloud's jaw clenched and his finger pointed straight at Reno's nose, almost touching it. "Don't you dare," he said with a low grumble.

"Wouldn't think about it," Reno said.

~gonna change my phone ID~

Cloud sighed as Joseph called him 'Chocobo' again, and all the other men laughed around him. Cloud slapped his shoulder, said his goodbye, and jogged over to his friends.

"Gonna take a picture of his ass, too?"

Legend was now standing right beside him.

The thought had crossed his mind but there was no way to be subtle about it. He just grinned. "I'm ready for some food, yo," Reno said, trying to change the subject of his obsession with SOLDIERs.

Legend gave a low, husky chuckle. Reno watched as the group of young men loudly started toward the train station, while he walked the other way to enjoy a good meal in a good restaurant with good company.

At least this day isn't going to be a complete waste of time.

Reno was stuffed and felt damn good about it.

He had all the good stuff – no - the best stuff on the menu. He had an appetizer of Escargot, which Legend refused to eat any of the 'slimy things'. Reno enjoyed the meal of steak and lobster that came on a bed of rice. Legend ordered what he normally ordered when they went to Monteno's – a simple steak, potatoes and vegetables. For a guy that introduced him to the great food, he was predictable and boring when it came to his choices. But that was not why Reno was starting to become worried; Legend hardly touched the food he ordered. Reno found himself picking food off his plate.

"Have you been starving yourself?" Legend joked at him as he took a piece of his steak.

"Mess food sucks, yo," Reno said around a mouthful of food. "I haven't had time to come down and eat properly. Ya aren't eatin'." He pointed to his plate.

"Not as hungry as I thought," Legend said simply, waving his hand. "You want to order dessert?"

Reno, of course, did. He was so stuffed. He felt good and relaxed. Of course, they had not talked about anything upsetting. They talked about the gangs still roaming the slums, the latest bludgeoning and the last set of bombs that Legend used to finish off his mission. Nothing disturbing at all.

"Tseng has been keeping you busy, I hear," Legend started.

Reno suddenly wished that he hadn't eaten so much. He knew where the conversation was going to go and he didn't want to have it.

"Yeah," Reno said warily, and he looked over at Legend who was chewing on an unlit cigar. He wondered how much Legend knew.

"Cissnei is even worried about you," he said, leaning forward. "Rude said you were acting odd, as well."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"I do not accept that as an answer," Legend said in a serious tone. Reno could hear his raspy breath, almost a rattle as it left his chest.

"Well, I don't really wanna talk 'bout it," Reno said, a little sharper than he meant too. "And you didn't really ask a question, ya."

Legend sniffed and leaned back in his chair. "I guess I didn't."

Reno put a hand on his full belly and sighed heavily. "I don't wanna talk about it here. I got some good drink back at my place." He was thinking about the half bottle of that Banora Apple Vodka, and then maybe he could talk about it without being too much of a fool.

Legend nodded. "As long as you let me smoke."

Reno couldn't refuse him.

Reno wanted to cry.

He sunk into his couch and stared at the newest offending bottle of flavoured vodka. Legend held the bottle, examining it closely. "This is expensive stuff. You moving into fancy booze too?"

He was able to hide the note that had been attached to it before Legend saw it, and had stuffed it back into his pocket. He hadn't have time to read it, but he knew who it was from.

"Guess so," Reno pouted.

"You are tense."

"Yeah, well."

~at least there weren't any flowers this time~

"I do have some good new for you," Legend said as he walked to the kitchen. He was gathering some cups. "Rufus requested that you join him on a trip to Kalm."

He sank further into the couch and let out a heavy groan. He clutched at the note in his pocket and dreaded reading it even more.

~how is that good news?~

"You won't be going. I will," Legend said as he returned. "Tseng mentioned that you were having some issues with the Little Boss."

Reno waited to respond until he had a good solid drink poured down his throat. He could see Legend's eyes intensely examining him. Did everyone know about Rufus? How did he not know that the Brat Boss was a…

~sexy, controlling, manipulating, handsome, scary, domineering, attractive ~

…horrible tease.

He sighed heavily, enjoying the burn and bittersweet taste of the flavoured vodka. "Why you? You jus' got back, ya," Reno said as he held up his empty cup, wiggling it slightly.

"Oh. Would you rather go?" Legend said as he poured the drink into the younger man's cup.

"No, no, no! It's all fine. I jus' wanted to know why you?"

~even though I may have gotten laid, finally~

Reno frowned at his own betraying thoughts. He took the drink and guzzled it. "So," Reno drew out the word, "what did Tseng tell you?"

Legend made himself comfortable in the chair across from the couch. He let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair, running a hand absently over his chest. Legend took in a deep breath and reached into his pocket for another cigar. "Enough." "Enough?" Reno muttered, "Shit."

"How did you even get on his radar?" Legend said as he lit the cigar and took in a deep drag. Reno frowned as he heard Legend take a shaky breath in, but it seemed to be negated with a heavy sigh.

"Dunno," Reno whispered, leaning forward to pour some more. He was already feeling quite warm from the first two drinks and a full stomach. He was actually starting to feel like he could relax, especially with Legend around to look after him a bit again.

"Well, he can be quite a pest," Legend said, rubbing his chest again.

"Has he ever tried it with you?" Reno asked, sinking blissfully back into the couch. He had a great couch; soft and warm.

"Nope," Legend said. "I'm not on his radar." Legend swirled the liquor in the cup.

Reno frowned. "You haven't taken a sip of that yet, yo."

Legend grunted as he put the cup on the table. "Not in the mood to drink."

Reno blinked a few times. "Not in the mood? What the hell, Ledge? This is good stuff and you don't even sip at it, yo."

"Not in the mood for it, I guess," Legend said, straightening in the chair. "Plus, I came here to talk to you about your problems, not mine."

~Ledge has problems?~

Reno was going to ask what kind of problems he could possibly have. He was Legend after all. He didn't have problems that lasted long.

"What was up with you taking pictures of that SOLDIER's butt and that infantryman asking you to join him at the bar? You are a Turk. Why are you hanging around with them?" Legend said, leaning forward slightly, exhaling the smoke from his cigar.

~man, I want a smoke~

"Just friends."

~unfortunately~

"You took a picture of his butt!" Legend said quickly.

Reno threw his head back.

~Zack's butt is epic~

~always nice to look at~

~wonder if it is as firm as it looks~

~wonder if Cloud's is the same~

"Reno!"

"What?" he yelled back and sat up straight. Legend's eyes were boring right into him. Legend wanted answers and he didn't want to ask questions to get them. Reno cleared his throat and tried to gather his thoughts. "Well! It's all my fault that those two Spike-Brains are together anyway, yo!"

Legend gave him a confused look.

"Shit. If I hadn't been taunting Wannabe about staring at his butt…" he let his voice trail as he realized what he was saying. Is that what was bothering him? It was almost like he set them up, and he highly doubted that they would be together if he had not made that silly bet. What would have happened if he had Zack take him home instead of Rude? What if he had taken Cloud home instead of getting so drunk that he couldn't walk or keep his eyes open? "I pushed them together!"

~hell, I didn't know I wanted them until they kissed each other~

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Legend said. "Are you talking about that First Class SOLDIER and that infantryman?"

Reno really wanted a smoke and Legend's cigar and irritating questions were not helping his craving. "Yeah."

Legend shook his head. Reno wished he could hide from that intense dark gaze of his. "I thought you had a thing with Kaze?"

Reno frowned and looked down at his lap. "We weren't exclusive," Reno muttered and hated admitting to him that they weren't more than just 'fuck buddies'. The last phone call he had with Kaze had been short and tense. He knew Kaze was seeing someone now and wanted to be exclusive with. It wasn't him.

Legend stared at him, he could feel the gaze. He hated the way that Legend could read him at times. He looked right through him. He could do that right from the beginning, and it was annoying.

"So," Legend said, dragging out the word. "You're lusting over SOLDIERs?"

Reno nodded and took another sip of his drink. "Ya, I'm pathetic," he said and looked away from Legend. He couldn't look at him and see the judgement in his eyes.

Reno heard Legend sigh heavily and move in the chair. "I don't want to tell you how to live your life…"

Reno rolled his eyes and threw his head back against the couch. He whispered, "One hundred and fifty-two."

"Pardon?"

Reno groaned. He hadn't meant to say it out loud. He looked over at Legend who was sitting on the edge of the chair, as if he were about to stand. His stern 'fatherly' look was on his face. Legend was as close as he got to a father as he would ever have.

He was caught. "Ya've told me that one hundred and fifty-two times," Reno muttered. "'I don't want to tell you how to live your life', speech."

"You've counted?"

Reno smirked. "Yeah. I do that with certain things, ya." He had a running tally on a few things that either annoyed him or how he annoyed someone else. This was one of the things that he was annoyed with. He had heard it over one-hundred and fifty times, after all.

"I've said it that many times?" Legend seemed taken aback by the number.

"Yeah."

"Have you listened to any of my speeches?" Legend asked in a lower tone that seemed to be coming from deep in his chest.

Reno sniffed. "Yeah, most of 'em."

Legend may have an annoying way of presenting his advice, but his advice was good. "Well, I am going to give you some more. Forget those SOLDIERs. Stay away from Rufus. Find yourself a good girl and quit pissing off Tseng." Legend stood, rubbing his chest and gave out a low cough as he pulled his cigar out of his mouth.

"A girl? Ledge, you know I don't go that way, yo," Reno said, laughing slightly. Legend never did understand his preference for other men. He tolerated it, but didn't understand it.

"Still think you should find a girl. None of your other relationships," Legend paused on that word and cough lightly, "worked. Don't you think you could find someone that is more than sex?"

Reno scowled and stood up. "Not all my relationships were just about sex! I'm not a slut, Ledge."

Legend was getting himself a glass of water and looking like he was trying to suppress a cough. He put his half completed cigar in the sink.

"I didn't mean it like that," Legend said and took a wheezing breath. He watched as Legend reached into his pocket and pulled out an inhaler. He placed it against his lips, pressed on the canister and inhaled sharply. He took a couple of deep breaths before putting the puffer back into his pocket.

"What the hell was that, yo?" Reno charged at his mentor, rifling through his pockets to grab the inhaler. He examined the small medical device and gave him an accusing look.

Legend shrugged. "I was late in administering my dosage," he said, taking it back from him. He gave a heavy sigh, but the harshness that Reno had detected earlier in his voice seemed to be more pronounced.

Reno must have look horrified, because that was certainly how he felt.

"I wasn't just away on a mission, Reno," Legend said in a soft voice and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Reno looked at his mentor and was afraid to ask how sick he really was. "Where were ya, then?" It was a question that he didn't really want to have answered.

"I did have a mission, but got a sniff of something bad, burned my lungs up so I have to huff this shit all the time. I can breathe again, but I need to take a puff every three to six hours. Kind of sucks."

"Were ya goin' to tell me?" Reno said.

Legend scoffed. "Would you have told me about Rufus?"

~hell, no~

"Is that why you can't drink?"

"Yeah. Not supposed to smoke either, but that is a little harder to stop," Legend said as he looked at his discarded cigar. "Maybe I should borrow some of your gum."

"Ledge?" Reno said softly, "How bad is it?"

"Bad," Legend said. "Don't you worry about it. I am more worried about you and this infatuation with SOLDIERs."

~if he knew about Sephiroth, he'd probably stop breathing~

"What about Rufus? You're not worried 'bout him?" Reno said as they stood in the kitchen.

"Tseng will do his best to limit your interactions," Legend said. "And I will as long as I can."

~as long as I can?~

"Hey! Don't look at me like that," Legend said.

"Are you dyin'? Ledge, give it to me straight. Why ya talkin' like that? You can't be dyin'." Reno said, noticing that his voice rose with panic.

Legend pulled away from him.

That answered his question.

"What'd ya breathe in?" Reno asked, his own chest hurting in sympathy.

"I blew up some Sulphuric Acid tanks," Legend said with a smile. "It was great."

~great!~

"It just about killed you!" Reno blurted. "And you are saying that it was great!"

"Like you don't like blowing things up!" Legend yelled back. "I seem to recall that you and your partner like to use explosives, as well."

"We haven't ended up with scarred lungs, yo," Reno said. "Damn, Ledge." Reno felt ill. His heart was fluttering way too fast, his head too light and to top it all off, his eyes felt like they were burning. "You can't die," Reno whispered and sniffed.

~do not cry~

"Damn it, Reno," Legend said and reached out to him. Reno didn't pull away as Legend's comforting arms reached around him. He rested his forehead against his mentor's chest and cried. He hadn't done this since he was nothing more than a brat. Not a Turk yet, but still a kid trying to recover from the horrors that had been his life, and trying to realize that the world wasn't that horrible after all.

He didn't know how long he cried, with the fatherly hands rubbing his shoulders and whispering a string of comforting words that he wasn't really listening to. As his tears slowed, he noticed the rattle in his mentor's chest was persistent, as if he was having difficulty breathing. He pulled away and avoided looking at his face. Strong and wilful Legend never showed weakness, mentally or physically, and now… now, he was broken.

"Was that why ya didn't call?" he whispered, hating the sound of his voice. He sounded like back when he was a stupid, drugged up idiot again. "I hated jus' gettin' e-mails."

"Couldn't talk for six months," Legend said, still rubbing Reno's arms gently. "Made up that bit about the fact that they could trace the call, but my old phone did get trashed. I kinda melted it." Legend let go of one arm and put a hand under his chin, forcing Reno to look up at him. "You going to stop freaking out now?"

"Yeah," Reno said, feeling really silly. He pulled away from his mentor and wiped his face. "For now."

"You know I don't mind you crying on me," Legend said with a smirk. "How many shirts did you wreck on me with more than just your tears?"

Reno snorted. "I was a stupid punk kid then." He waved the thought away.

"You didn't count that?" Legend asked. "I believe it was forty-two. I think I even have the expense accounts to back up that number."

"You counted how many shirts I wrecked?" He sniffed and wiped at his face, trying to get rid of the traces of being a baby.

"You count my lectures. I can count ruined shirts," Legend said as he picked up his unlit cigar and started to chew it. "Let's go have another drink and we can talk about your current SOLDIER fetish."

Reno grabbed the cigar from him and fished out a piece of gum from his pocket. "I am gonna make sure you listen to your docs better. You're gonna stop smokin'," Reno said, grabbing his tea-towel from the stove and blew his nose loudly in it.

"You're a pest," Legend mumbled.

"Yeah, I know."

"Reno, I didn't want to hurt you."

"Finding out when you died would have hurt, yo!" he yelled at him, waving the towel in his direction. Legend backed away from him, with a grimace. "Fuck! We have gone through a lot of shit, and you didn't tell me that you just about killed yourself, Ledge!" The pain was still present in his chest, but now it was converting into anger – anger for not being told that the man, whom he thought of as a father and mentor, had just about died and no one had told him.

"It wasn't like I was trying to kill myself," Legend responded. "Didn't know that was in the tank."

"Well, ya always tell me to look where I shoot, and you should watch where you roll those damn bombs of yours, too!" Reno yelled. "Where's that fuckin' bottle, already?" Reno wanted another drink before he turned into a baby again.

"Was that one of my lectures?" Legend joked.

"Most likely."

They made their way into the living room again. Reno didn't bother with the glass and took a swig right from the bottle.

"Are ya going to tell me about those SOLDIERs?" Legend asked, taking a seat again. Reno didn't like the fact that he pulled out that inhaler again and took two more puffs off of it.

"There's nothin' to tell, Ledge," Reno said. "They got each other. I am dealin' with the flirty boss, bitchy boss, overly happy partner and a trio of flirty bastards. Everyone else is gettin' laid but me, yo. Did ya know that Rude's doin' Sissy?"

Legend coughed and his eyes grew wide.

~I finally knew something someone didn't~

"Yeah," Reno continued, taking another swig. "Those two are so full of sweetness, it's tooth rottin'. Almost as bad as the Spike-Brains are when they think people aren't lookin'. All smoochy-woochy, touchy-wouchy, overbearing, over-protective, sappy-wappy…" He stopped his tirade.

~where was I going with this?~

Legend looked at him. "Trio?"

~trio? Did I say that? ~

"I meant duo," he quickly corrected. "Duo." He did not want to talk about Sephiroth. He didn't know what he should be thinking of Sephiroth. He would have to be a complete uptight ass not to think that Sephiroth wasn't attractive, but he was Mr. Frost.

"Uh-huh?" Legend said. Reno hoped that he bought the 'duo/trio' slip-up. "So, everyone is flirting with you, and no one is giving you any action. Is that what the problem is?"

~that about sums it up~

Reno rolled his eyes and took another drink. "Just a little frustrated," Reno muttered. "Kinda high-an-dry."

"All your craziness is because you are sexually frustrated?" Legend said and chuckled.

"It has been at least a month, yo!"

Legend laughed harder.

Reno frowned.

~why is everyone happy with my misery?~

"I've never known you to have a problem getting laid! When did this start happening?"

Reno didn't answer. He slammed the bottle – hard – onto the table. He crossed his arms and glared at Legend. Legend laughed even harder, sending himself into a coughing fit.

Reno pulled himself out of his self-induced pout as he saw that Legend took a little while to recover and became pale as he did so.

"Are you alright?" Reno asked with a worried look on his face.

Legend nodded. "Sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be laughing," he wheezed.

~everyone else seems to be~

"Well, it's not amusin' to me," Reno grumbled.

Legend stood, shaking his head slowly. "I will do what I can about Rufus, but he is the boss and all." Legend shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Ya know that I don't want to see anything hurt you." Legend looked down at him. Reno felt like pouting again.

"I'm not a child anymore," Reno grumbled as he crossed his arms again.

"I know," Legend said with another heavy sigh. Reno saw the serious look on his face and grew a little concerned. Legend used to give him that look a lot when he was younger – before Reno became a Turk. He was never too sure what that look meant. "I do worry about you."

"I know ya do, but I'm not a runt anymore."

"You're acting like a runt."

Reno stammered, trying to gather the right words for a response to that. Legend reached down and ruffled his hair, which infuriated Reno even further.

~either I am treated like a neglected sex toy or a child~

Reno returned to his pouting pose.

"Take the advice I gave you earlier. Forget those SOLDIERs. Stay away from Rufus. Find yourself a good girl and quit pissing off Tseng," Legend said rattling off the list of things with his fingers.

"I don't like girls. I have been trying to avoid Rufus and his demon pet. Those SOLDIERs are my friends, and pissing off Tseng makes my day!" Reno ticked off the list with his fingers as well.

"There is only so much sway I can pull with Tseng if you upset him all the time."

"Two hundred and thirty-eight times, if you don't count the phone call where I basically told him to fuck-off," Reno said. He couldn't really count that one. He hadn't seen Tseng rub that dot on his forehead, even though he was pretty sure that he did.

Legend shook his head. "You count that?"

Reno didn't bother to answer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his nicotine gum. He had forgotten the note that he had pocketed earlier and it fell out. Reno didn't notice until the piece of folded paper was opened in Legend's hands.

"Rufus seems to be taken with you, especially if he is sending apologies," Legend said as he tossed the paper on his table. "He has broken bigger men than you, with less."

~who the hell else did Rufus do this to?~

"Tseng said the same thing," Reno said with a heavy sigh. "I didn't ask for his attention."

~just want him to stop teasin' and get on with it already!~

Reno looked at the note. It was simple. It read simply, 'Apologies, Rufus.'

~at least it wasn't anything embarrassing~

Legend let out a sigh. "I know. You didn't ask for a lot of stuff to happen to you. You are just a natural trouble magnet."

~trouble magnet?~

"Geez, thanks for that," Reno mumbled, even though he knew it was true. If something went wrong, it was bound to happen to him. A trouble magnet was what he felt like for the last little while.

Legend gave a chuckle and slid beside him on the couch. He let out a sigh. "Do you want me to stay? I can tell Tseng you got sick and you can skip out of that boot camp tomorrow. You look exhausted." Legend put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I can watch over you, kid."

It was tempting, but he wasn't a kid anymore. There was no point pointing out that he wasn't a kid anymore. "Nah. It's not like I have monsters in the closet to worry about."

~just a quartet of hotties in the halls that keep teasin' and playin' with me~

Legend snorted. "Forgot about that." He squeezed his shoulder and let his hand rest there. "You sure? I don't mind crashing here."

Reno swallowed. "Who was it?"

"Who was what?"

"Who else did Rufus tease? You know. Tseng knows. Sephiroth knows. No one has told me who, so tell me who it was," Reno said.

Legend sat silent for a little while. Reno just stared at him. He really wanted to know. Who was the guy that Rufus did it to?

"It was Genesis Rhapsodos."

Reno was pretty sure his heart stopped. Genesis. That arrogant, self-centered asshole had been teased and broken by Rufus.

~I don't have a chance!~

"Reno?"

"Are ya shittin' me?" Reno bellowed and reached for that bottle on the table. He needed another drink. "Right? You're shittin' me?"

Legend shook his head.

Reno took a gulp of the vodka. "I think I changed my mind," Reno said. He very much doubted that he would be able to sleep now. At least knowing that Legend was watching over him would give him a little more time to sleep in the morning…

~hell, Genesis!~

"I think I need a little extra sleep," Reno said. "I-I think I could use it."

Reno took another drink. His head was beginning to hurt with all the drama that surrounded his life. Now he had two more dramas that were on that list. Knowing that Rufus had somehow tamed the temperamental Genesis upset him quite a bit, and knowing that Legend was ill was devastating. He needed some sleep where he didn't have to worry, and with Legend looking over him, like he used to when Reno was a scared druggy, would make him feel a little better.

~hopefully~

"Ledge?" Reno looked over at him. His mentor was giving him a serious look, and an even more intense frown.

~what the hell?~

Legend gripped his shoulder almost painfully. "How do you know that Sephiroth knows?"

~shit~

 

Chapter 32- Voodoo​

"Where ya going with that?"

Cloud jumped and tried not to flush. It was John looking at him from the door. Cloud swallowed hard as he looked at his friend.

"Nowhere," he squeaked.

John shook his head at him. "Are you gonna go visit your sugar-daddy?"

Cloud rolled his eyes. "He's not my sugar-daddy!"

"Well, if you tell me his name, I wouldn't call him that," John said, grabbing the small leather bag from his hands. Cloud gasped and instantly reached up to try to grab it, but John was quicker…and taller.

~I hate being short~

"So? Are you?" John said and smiled.

"Am I what?"

"Going to see your sugar-daddy?" John said, dangling the bag just out of Cloud's reach, but Cloud jumped up to grab it from him.

Cloud blushed. "So what if I am?"

John laughed. "I have it narrowed down."

"Narrowed down?" Cloud gave John a confused look.

"I figure it is either Reno or Zack," John said as he flopped onto Cloud's bunk with his arms behind his head.

Cloud froze and stared at his highly amused-looking friend.

"So it is one of them." John chuckled.

"You haven't told Joseph anything, have you?" Cloud said quickly. If Joseph knew, then everyone would know.

"Nah. He still thinks that Zack and Reno are an item and is amusing himself with those thoughts," John said as he fluffed the pillow under his head.

~I can't say I haven't been amusing myself with those thoughts, as well~

"Which is it?"

"Give it a rest," Cloud mumbled and put the satchel into his shoulder bag. It wouldn't look so conspicuous carrying it that way.

~plus your toothbrush, don't forget that again~

John chuckled. "It could be Reno. I mean, the guy is nearly stalking you at lunch time right now, and he nearly drools when you use that reflexology on him. He eats with you at every opportunity and we all know how he despises the food in the Mess, so something has to keep him there."

Cloud was about to protest but John continued talking.

"And it could be Zack. I mean, you train with him every Tuesday and Thursday and he meets you for lunch or dinner at every opportunity." John turned his head towards Cloud and smiled. "You hardly spend any time here anymore, so we know that your sugar-daddy has to have a place nearby."

"Cut it out, John."

"Or it could be both. You did get awfully flustered when Joseph mentioned a threesome," John said with a large grin on his face. "Never mind when I took that picture of you sandwiched between them."

"Whatever," Cloud mumbled. "I am signed out for the night. See you in the morning." He wanted to get out of there.

"You know who I think it is?" John said, jumping up from the bunk and blocking his path. He leaned forward and whispered, "I think it's Zack. You did always stare at his ass."

Cloud flushed.

"I guessed right then, huh?"

"Whatever," Cloud said again, trying to step around John and trying to make his cheeks cool down.

John grabbed his arm. "I won't tell anyone."

"I'm going to be late," Cloud said, but John was still holding on to him.

"I like Zack. He is a good guy, but he is also a First Class SOLDIER. It may be looked upon as favouritism or sexual harassment," John said with a serious tone of voice.

"It is nothing of the sort!" Cloud blurted a little louder than he intended. He was grateful that there was no one else in the room.

"I know that, but that is how it might look," John said. "He's not just using you, is he?"

Cloud shook off his arm. "Now you are turning things around. You guys go around making it sound like I am using him as a sugar-daddy, and now you are worried that he is using me?"

John chuckled lightly. "Point taken." He moved aside. "I won't bring it up again. I'll make sure that Joseph doesn't phone you."

"That would be appreciated," Cloud said as he adjusted the…

~overnight~

…bag on his shoulder. He searched his pockets to make sure that he had the key card for Zack's place and found it in the front of his pants.

"Is Zack hurt?"

He looked to John and furrowed his brow. "Not that I know of. Why are you asking?"

"Your oils. You only bring those out for those that push themselves pretty hard. I didn't…" John stopped talking as a strange look came across his face and he made a long drawn out 'oh' sound.

Cloud pushed at him and felt his face burning. "Shut up," he mumbled. "See ya later."

John laughed. "Have a good time. I'm sure Zack will."

Zack had been dozing on the couch when he heard his door open. He smiled and looked over to the door to see Cloud removing his boots.

"Wondering where you were," Zack said, stretching loudly.

"Yeah, I can see that." Cloud chuckled tossing his shoulder bag onto the kitchen table.

Zack frowned. "Are you planning on studying? Why'd you bring your bag?"

Cloud gave a small smile. "No reason."

"No reason?" He knew that smile. Cloud was up to something. "What do you feel like for supper? I kinda dozed off and I don't have anything prepared."

Cloud shrugged. "Not hungry yet. You look comfortable." He watched as Cloud walked over and looked down at him with that sparkle in his eyes.

The only think Zack took off when he got home was his sword, and he had promptly fallen onto the couch and hadn't moved. He still had his boots on. Zack grunted. "Was a long day." He moaned and stretched.

"A long day? What did you do? You weren't in the Mess at lunch," Cloud said, leaning on the back of the couch.

"You try staying awake during a terrible six hour meeting listening about the benefits of urban development and act attentive. It's exhausting. I think I even caught Sephiroth dozing once," Zack said as he put his arms behind his head. "What did you do today?"

"The usual," Cloud said, leaning heavier against the couch and leaning over him with that small smile still on his lips.

~teasing smile~

"Are you sure you're not hungry? You look like you are," Zack teased, unable to stop the smirk from forming on his lips.

Cloud made a humming sound and blatantly rolled his eyes up and down Zack's body. "I had some thoughts on that," Cloud said, making eye contact with him again. "But you already look so relaxed…" Cloud's voice trailed off and that smile grew a little more. He moved away from the couch and went into the kitchen asking him if he wanted a drink.

Zack blinked. What was Cloud doing? "Sure, could use something." He watched with amusement as he brought one of the many bottles of hard lemonade that were still stocked in his fridge.

"That stuff?" Zack said with a frown. He didn't particularly care for the sweet drink even if his place was packed with it.

Cloud shrugged as he handed him the bottle. "You don't have any beer," he said simply, and promptly sat on Zack's stomach.

Zack gasped and then laughed at the silly sight of Cloud sitting on him and taking a big drink of the lemonade. Cloud thrust his feet out and crossed them on the coffee table and smiled smugly at him.

"Thought you wouldn't want to drink this stuff after your last encounter with it," he huffed and put a hand on Cloud's thigh. His other was preoccupied with not spilling the open bottle.

"Got over it," Cloud said. "Plus, it's all you have for drinks and I don't feel like water."

"So," Zack drawled as he rubbed Cloud's strong thigh, "what's in the bag?"

Cloud smiled. "You're relaxed enough. You don't need anything that I have in that bag." He took another swig and Zack noticed that he was nearly finished with his bottle.

~must be interesting~

"Then why did you bring it over?" Zack asked, trying to figure out what game Cloud was playing.

Cloud twisted slightly and Zack squeezed his thigh a bit. "Just a toothbrush and a few other things," he said with a smile.

~other things~

Zack reached up, grabbing the collar of Cloud's shirt and pulled him down for a kiss. Zack heard a bottle drop from Cloud's hand and felt fingers push into his hair. He felt the young body shift over top of him so that he was prone. The light kiss quickly grew deeper…

~tastes great~

Zack decided that he would have to change his mind on the lemonade. It made his kiss taste sweet. He forced his tongue into Cloud's mouth to enjoy the flavour, causing the younger man to moan and push back with an equal vigour. The moan that Cloud let out as well as the fingers that were massaging the back of his neck was absolutely heavenly.

Cloud broke the kiss and lifted himself up slightly. "That seems to be working for you."

~totally doing it for me~

Zack found that he couldn't keep his eyes open. He found himself humming and wanting to lean back into how those fingers moved against his scalp. It was the most relaxing thing he had ever felt in his life.

Cloud chuckled, but kept those fingers moving and then grinding his hips against him.

~totally voodoo~

Zack tried to say, 'Stop being a tease' but it came out as a low moan.

Cloud had a smug look on his face as he leaned forward to kiss him again. Zack smiled into the kiss.

~how did I get so lucky?~

Zack wrapped his one free arm around the man and rubbed his back. He tried to place the untouched bottle in his other hand on the coffee table so that he could use both his hands on the younger man.

Cloud pulled back, reaching for the bottle himself, sitting firmly on his stomach again. He took a quick slug of the liquid and smiled down at him. "Were you using that voodoo on me?"

Cloud blushed and grinned. "A little."

Zack licked his lips. "So, what's it like when you use a lot?"

"I guess we will have to find out."

"You know, I am perfectly capable of walking into your bedroom," Cloud said with an amused tone. Zack had scooped him up…

~again~

… and had been planning on carrying him into the bedroom and tossing him on the bed. Zack stopped and adjusted the blond that he had firmly lifted against him with those delicious legs wrapped tightly around his waist.

"But, I already got you," Zack said and squeezed Cloud.

"I can walk!" Cloud squeaked and wiggled, loosening his legs that were around Zack's waist.

"So?"

"So, put me down."

"No," Zack said and pinched his ass. "I said I got you."

"I don't need to be carried over the threshold," Cloud protested and frowned at Zack. "I can walk."

"But…I got you," Zack said looking down at the blond. Cloud didn't look angry or upset, but did have a determined look on his face.

"You've carried me in there just about - well, every time I have woken up in your bedroom." Cloud's face blossomed with a soft blush, and his lids lowered on his eyes slightly.

Zack blinked, and after a moment chuckled. "I guess I have been doing that, huh?" Zack said and held him in the loose hug. Cloud was right. Just about every time that he had Cloud over, he ended up carrying the smaller man into the bedroom.

"You are just so cu…"

~don't call him cute!~

"Don't say it!" Cloud said and pressed his hands against his chest.

"But it's true," Zack said. "Can't I carry you again, huh? Why change what's working?"

~I like tossing him on the bed~

Cloud shook his head. "Just get in there and strip. I need to get my oils," Cloud said, pulling away from his arms and walking to get the bag on the kitchen table.

~oils? Damn~

Zack smirked and cleared his throat. "Is that an order, sir?"

Cloud stood by the table, and a large smile appeared on his face. "If you want me to use the 'voodoo' on you, yeah, that's an order."

Zack started to pull off his shirt as he walked to the bedroom.

Zack was anxious. He followed Cloud's order and stripped, and was now lying on his stomach with his head pillowed in his arms. He peered over at Cloud as he pulled out a bottle that must have been the oil.

"I've never used this for this before," Cloud said, his voice sounding a little nervous.

Zack chuckled. "This for this?"

Cloud narrowed his eyes. "Shut up. You really aren't in a position to start teasing me."

"Sorry, sir," Zack mumbled as he tried to wiggle into a more comfortable position on the bed. He was getting anxious at the thought of Cloud using those hands…

~slicked up with oil~

… on him. Lying on his stomach was not the best position for him at the moment.

Cloud placed the bottle on the end table. Zack watched as Cloud began to undress, only leaving his boxers on. He thought about protesting him and demanding he get naked too, but decided against it.

~I'll get him naked soon enough~

Cloud was unwittingly licking his lips as he looked down at him, his blue eyes moving shamelessly across Zack's body.

"What do I do?"

Cloud blinked. "Uh… just relax." Cloud moved to the bed and bravely ran a hand down his side. Zack shivered and smiled, nestling his head a little more into his arms.

~even without that voodoo, his touch is great~

"Alrighty then," he whispered.

"Close your eyes."

Zack obeyed. He felt liquid drizzle down his spine; it was cold. He tried to remain still and tried not to squirm too much.

"The oil will warm," Cloud said lowly. Zack felt the younger body move around and kneel beside him, and then the hands….

~Oh Gaia!~

The first movements were large, soft sweeping motions to spread the oil across his back. Cloud kept those motions up for a bit before he moved himself so that he was sitting on the back of his thighs; a soft comforting weight.

Then those fingers started to do their magic.

~Damn~

Cloud's hands were on his shoulders and they moved in slow, but sure motions. Cloud's thumbs were at the nape of his neck.

~Pinky, ring, middle, index and the thumb twirling in his hair~

He groaned as both those hands did those movements, and he remembered where else he did that action on him.

~I wonder if he realizes that he did that before~

"How's that?" Cloud whispered in a comforting purr.

"Womberfal," Zack mumbled, not being able to make the words clear.

Cloud laughed and moved one of those hands to reach for the oil again.

He was able to gain some of his composure with his hands not making him turn into goo. "You lied to me?"

Cloud halted his movements. "What? I didn't lie to you." Zack could hear the confusion in his voice and chuckled lightly.

"You using those voodoo moves on me," Zack said, twisting his neck to look at him. "Don't you remember?"

Cloud furrowed his brow. "I think I would remember doing this."

"You just don't know how good those hands are," Zack purred. "The first time was on the train. You were so drunk then, but you should remember the second time in the cab." He examined Cloud's face. He looked confused. Zack chuckled and buried his face into his arms. "You really don't remember, do you?"

"What? I-I… what are you talking about?"

"That motion with your fingers," Zack said, peeking back over his shoulder. "You were driving me nuts that whole train ride back from the bar. It was just resting on my thigh and then you started to move your fingers, like you did just now on my shoulders. And I will never forget the cab on our first date." Zack ended in a whisper and watched Cloud's confusion play across his face.

"I-I don't…I didn't even realize I was doing that!" His eyes grew wide.

"It feels amazing," Zack said with a light chuckle.

Cloud was still for a little while before he lowered his finger to trace down his back again. "I-I," he paused, "I didn't really realize I was doing it."

"You said that already."

"Well, I did that to you and I didn't even realize it," Cloud said in a whisper. "How many times have I done that to others and not even realized I was leading them on?" His voice rose into a higher pitch. "Oh man. I've been doing all this stuff since I got here."

"Were you?" Zack said.

"Was I what?"

"Leading them on?"

"Hell, no! I didn't think of using it like this until you brought it up, you perv!" Cloud snapped and slapped his back.

Zack grunted and then chuckled. "Then don't worry about it and get back at using those voodoo fingers on me."

Cloud snorted and in a low whisper, "Pervert."

But his fingers started to move again tracing up his spine.

"You wouldn't have it any other way," Zack whispered and felt those hands push up his back and to his shoulders.

~magical indeed~

Zack had never felt anything so wonderful before. He had had massages before, but this was absolutely amazing. Areas that were normally ticklish, Cloud was able to graze over with his fingertips and send the most amazingly relaxing feeling through his whole body.

Cloud used some more of the oil that smelled of lavender and sage, working it steadily into every part of his skin. Zack melted into the bed as he worked on muscles that he didn't even realize were sore.

Cloud pulled Zack's arms out from pillowing his face as his fingers began to work the muscles on his biceps. Cloud hummed lowly as he stroked up and down the arm.

"You're so good at this," Zack slurred in a whisper.

Cloud poured more oil on his hands, rubbing them together and kept on going down to his hand where he massaged every single digit. Zack found his eyes drooping as he revelled in each and every magical motion.

~voodoo~

Cloud was taking his time and Zack was not going to rush him. He loved the attention that he was getting, as Cloud moved to his next arm. The pleasant, persistent humming sound became louder. It was just as relaxing as the touch.

"Are you purring?"

Zack took in a deep breath and realized that the noise was being caused by him. He had been purring. Cloud chuckled and moved his hands to the small of his back in a kneading motion. Zack was glad that Cloud couldn't see the bright red flush he developed.

Zack melted. It was the only word that described how he felt. At every fluid, firm motion of Cloud's slick hands, his mind emptied just a little more. He was aware that Cloud had moved and was now doing his legs. He felt himself quiver as his knee was bent and lifted, and a knuckle dug into his foot. Zack let out a whimper.

"Relaxed?" Cloud whispered.

He let out another whimper as Cloud pushed his thumbs into his foot and stroked down to his toes. He heard Cloud chuckle. He tried to think of something smart and witty to say, but he really didn't have anything left in his brain but how damn good those hands felt.

Cloud moved around him after he finished with his other leg. He couldn't see what Cloud was doing, but it seemed that he was hovering over him, using one hand to press against the back of his thighs and butt in firm steady strokes.

~heavenly~

He could hear soft moans coming from Cloud as he pressed and manipulated his muscles into putty. When the motions stopped, Zack started to protest.

"Easy," Cloud whispered. "I need you to roll over now."

Zack obeyed with the help of Cloud so that he could now see the other man, who promptly sat on his thighs. Cloud looked magnificently naked and aroused.

~when did he remove his boxers?~

Not that it really mattered. Cloud poured some more of that oil on his chest and ran his hands down to the crown of hair surrounding his excited cock. Those blue eyes were intense and it made his heart swell.

Cloud gave him a crooked smile. "I should have done this a long time ago," he whispered, leaning forward to kiss him lightly on the lips with hands pressed firmly against his chest. "I don't think I have ever seen you speechless before."

Zack was able to grunt; he couldn't get a word out but he returned the light touch to the younger man's lips. Cloud moved back up again, his hands skimming his body a few more times, causing Zack's eyes to close at the wonderful attention.

Cloud's movements became more precise, starting at the bottom of his ribcage in stroking motions that followed the line of his ribs. He paid each rib that attention until he got to his nipples. The touch caused Zack to gasp and arch his back. Cloud made a small gasp as well. He looked up to see his partner chewing on his lip and looking down at him with lust-filled eyes; his thumbs still twirling on his nipples, making them hard and sending shivers through his body.

"Good?"

Zack was only able to groan in response; his breathing hitched as a new sensation was added. He opened his eyes and could barely focus as he looked at Cloud pushing his erect penis against his own.

Cloud's eyelids lowered as he seemed to be enjoying the sensation as well. Cloud moved his hands from his nipples to reach for the bottle of oil that was by his knee. "Are you liking it so far?"

~best. Massage. Ever~

"Uh-huh," Zack murmured, unable to get any other words out.

Cloud flicked open the lid of the bottle with one hand and reached down to grab Zack by the base of his cock and held it firmly. He brought the bottle up to the tip and let a few drops drizzle onto him.

Cloud moved his hand up to smooth the oil over his member. Simple slow strokes of Cloud's hand, his thumb rubbing the heart-shaped head to have his precum mix with the oil. Zack rolled his hips into Cloud. "Easy," Cloud whispered as he pushed their members together and had his hand surround them both.

Cloud was trying to suppress his moans, but a few whimpers managed to escape his lips, exciting Zack even further. Zack went to reach up and join his hand with Cloud's.

Cloud pushed his hand away and Zack protested weakly. "No touching. That's my job," he whispered as he moved Zack's hand back down to his side. Cloud smirked down at him.

"Wanna touch," Zack whispered as Cloud's hand moved back to surrounding him. He twisted and tried to make the painfully slow hand move quicker. Since he couldn't touch, he clutched at the sheets with vigour. Cloud's other hand went down to caress his balls briefly before he circled his fingers around the base of his penis and squeezed. The other hand stopped stroking and…

~Pinky, ring, middle, index and the thumb~

Zack let out a yell as Cloud's fingers did a long practiced and expert motion around his trembling member. He let out a wordless plea of unbelievable pleasure and twisted his body against the touch; the expert motion making every part of his body quiver in delight after experiencing soothing attention.

~Pinky, ring, middle, index and the thumb~

Cloud's thumb rubbed the head of his penis, while the rest of the fingers danced in easy succession. The fingers moved in slow and measured…

~teasing~

…motions. Zack moaned shamelessly and wanted to grab at Cloud, turn him over and take him, but he didn't want the motions to stop. It felt so damn good.

"Cloud!" he called out in warning, even with the firm grip at his base, he doubted he could stop his imminent orgasm.

Cloud hummed and stopped his fingers from moving, but still had a firm hold on him. Zack took a few moments to catch his breath, torn between being upset at him for stopping and being grateful for gaining his thought process back.

"I think you should call me 'sir' again," Cloud whispered.

"Anything, sir," Zack whimpered.

"Better," Cloud said and he leaned forward and placed a kiss on his nose. "I want you to come when I am riding you." Cloud's face flushed as he spoke.

~he has such a wonderful way with words~

Zack smirked. "Whatever you want, sir."

Cloud reached towards the end table, bringing back with him a condom package that he must have placed there in preparation for this moment. Cloud was looking confident and anxious as he sat on Zack's thighs, concentrating on the small, square package. There were a few moments where Cloud was unable to get a purchase on the plastic; obviously he was having some issues with his oil-slicked fingers.

Zack chuckled and reached for the package and opened it for Cloud who frowned and took it back with a mumble. He fished the condom out of the package and tossed the empty covering aside. Zack watched as it was positioned and rolled down his painfully erect penis.

He was lost in the image of Cloud raising himself; his leg muscles tight as theyflexed, his abdomen quivering slightly, his pupils dilated in anticipation of the acts yet to come…

Zack reached up and grabbed at his hips. "Cloud! I don't want to hurt you," he said in a panic. "You aren't prepared."

"It'll be fine."

"I don't want to rip you!" He knew he wasn't a small guy. He knew he could really hurt Cloud if he wasn't prepared.

Cloud flushed and shook his head. "It'll be okay," he whispered.

"But," Zack started but stopped as he watched as one of Cloud's hands reached down to his groin and slipped beneath his legs.

"I'm ready enough," Cloud said.

It was the sexiest thing he had ever seen to see Cloud hovering like that, fingering himself to prove that he was ready for him. Two of Cloud fingers easily slipped into the warm entrance. He made a few prodding thrusts before he removed his fingers and looked smugly down at him.

"When?" he gasped, his voice soft.

"I wanted to be ready for this," Cloud whispered as he moved his body above him, and used his hand to firmly hold Zack's member so that he could align himself. Cloud was focusing on pressing himself down. Zack gasped as he felt the tightness of his entrance. "I made sure I was prepared."

"I would have loved to watch that, sir," Zack said breathlessly. Zack was still trying to remember when Cloud took off his boxers and when he could have possibly oiled himself up.

~did he do that before he got here?

Just the thought that he would have spent the time, to make sure… was causing his brain to misfire.

"Some other time."

Zack gasped. So tight. He wasn't prepared enough. He was about to protest but Cloud lowered himself more.

Zack took all his effort not to buck into the warmth that was surrounding and squeezing him, but he was still. It took a lot of effort not to toss the blond onto his back and take him. Cloud was a sight to behold – shivering as he sank down, taking him into his body, and with a look of bliss on his face.

~mine forever~

Cloud relaxed and smiled down at him. "So good." Cloud moaned and then started to move.

Zack placed his hands on Cloud's thighs as the muscles bunched when he moved himself up and down in a maddeningly slow pace. Cloud's gasps were low and subdued compared to his normal loud moans and groans, but it was no less enticing.

~not like your groans aren't making up for it~

He was moaning with abandon and letting out pleas for Cloud to pick up the pace. He ran his hands to Cloud's waist and helped the younger man's body with the movements. "Damn it," Zack mumbled and thrust upward. Cloud let out a gasp and reached his hands down to cover Zack's, forcing Zack to let go of his hips and their fingers to intertwine.

Cloud sped up his movements and leaned forward, his whole body hovering over him now, and their hands locked beside Zack's head. The change of position made them both gasp.

Cloud's breathing increased as he continued to move up and down and his erection was now pressed between them. Zack clenched his teeth in determination to hold out against the steady pace that Cloud was setting. It was teasingly slow, but Zack allowed Cloud to set the pace.

He would never get tired of seeing Cloud like this. He enjoyed the feel of being surrounded by the warm tight flesh. He could get lost in Cloud's brilliant blue eyes at half mast, unfocused, and lost in bliss.

~I could do this all night~

Cloud's pace increased and so did his volume. Zack matched the movements as best as he could as he tried not to thrust with abandon.

There was no warning as he felt Cloud yell and burst between their bodies and he tensed with pleasure. Zack felt his member being squeezed in glorious erratic motions that pushed him, very quickly, through to his own release.

Cloud's body kept trembling and Zack thrust forcefully as he felt himself being sucked dry. He didn't think that he could go for that long. Every twitch of Cloud's body just extended his own orgasm a little longer until he was sure that there was nothing left for him to give.

Cloud smiled down at him and was panting slightly.

"Damn that was good," Zack whispered once he gained his voice back. "That voodoo stuff is Firaga on Haste."

Cloud laughed. "It seems that you are in need of a cleanup this time."

Zack smiled back, leaning up and giving the blond a deep passionate kiss. "Why don't we have a shower, sir?" Zack whispered as they broke apart from the kiss.

"Sure." Cloud moved so that Zack slid out of him, causing Zack to groan and Cloud to hiss.

"Did I hurt you?" Zack said, stroking his sides. "You weren't ready, were you?"

Cloud snorted. "Oh, I was ready. I can't believe I lasted that long before jumping you." Cloud lowered himself down completely on top of him, not worried about lying in the mess that he created. "You were so damn sexy lying there all submissive."

"You were damn good with those voodoo fingers of yours," Zack said, gripping one of his hands and bringing it to his lips. "They are like a national treasure or something."

Cloud let out a low chuckle. "I'll have to pay more attention to how I use them," Cloud muttered as Zack continued to kiss his fingers.

~darn right, you will!~

Zack didn't voice his jealousy. Cloud moved to get off of him, but Zack pulled him back down. "Don't think I can walk yet, sir," he whispered.

"I'll help you," Cloud said and pulled away, grabbing both his arms and dragging him towards the bathroom. His legs were like rubber as he obediently followed.

Cloud took care of him in the shower, washing him and his hair and eventually drying him off as they crawled back into the lavender-smelling bed. He sank into the mattress and pulled Cloud into his chest. Cloud chuckled at him.

"What?"

"I have never seen you so quiet."

"I don't think I have ever been so relaxed before," Zack said honestly. "You can do that to me any time, sir." Zack ran his hands through the yellow hair. Cloud made a scoffing sound and stroked Zack's belly in slow, calming motions.

Sleep had just about dragged him into its waiting embrace when he heard Cloud murmur against his chest. Gentle words that he doubted that Cloud even realized he said, but it caused him to pull him tighter to him. He didn't know if he responded to it, but he sure was thinking it as sleep took him.

 

Chapter 33- Incubus ​

"Sir?"

"Come in Reno," Tseng said in a cool voice.

Reno was nervous as he looked around the entrance way. He only had vague memories of somehow making his way to Tseng's apartment. He did remember that he had refused to go to his office again, but he didn't remember why or how he had accepted entering Tseng's personal apartment.

It had been a trying week. Legend had gone to Kalm and even with the knowledge that Rufus wasn't around, he found himself still nervous and edgy.

~Sephiroth is still lurking about and I still don't know what to do about him!~

Reno was so grateful for seeing Cloud today. He wanted to talk to the man, but it was hard with a crowd full of testosterone-enhanced boys eating the awful swill. He was grateful for the oh-so-short shoulder massage that he was given before he had to go through the rest of the foggy blur of a day.

He was still trying to remember how he got to Tseng's place.

He had only been to his boss' place once before and had been in awe of it then, and it was no different now. It was immaculately neat and organized, decorated in muted tans and blacks, with a few decorations on the walls. Tseng didn't have a television, but a nice stereo system that was playing some soothing music in the living room.

"Would you like a drink? Coffee? Or something a little harder? You look dead on your feet," Tseng said as he moved into the little and immaculately clean kitchen.

"Uh…Do ya have some soda?" Reno asked as he realized that the Boss Man was not wearing his uniform or even a suit. Tseng was wearing a pair of dark slacks that were a little snugger than his normal uniform pants, and stretched delightfully…

~never considered the boss' ass before~

…as he bent over to retrieve a can from the fridge.

Reno caught the can of cola that was tossed at him. Tseng's shirt was rose-coloured cotton…

~it looks like the shirt I bought with that fancy suit. I thought he returned the stuff~

… that was rolled up at the sleeves and open at his throat. He had never seen that much skin exposed on his boss. He was always so proper and primped, and here he was… without shoes.

He swallowed hard. Tseng had bare feet and he could see his ankles as he padded into the living room, holding a bottle of water in his hand. "Come join me in the living room," Tseng said in his calm, soothing voice.

Reno was sure that this was the first time that he saw Tseng wear his hair down instead of in the ponytail that he usually wore tied at the nape of his neck.

"How did I get here again?" he asked and followed Tseng.

Tseng sniffed. "You seemed still too nervous to attend my office for a talk, so I thought this would be more relaxing." Tseng sat in a chair, crossing his legs in a formal fashion, but still looking more relaxed than he ever did in meetings or in his office. "I'm not here to trap you."

"Sure." Reno sat on his couch, opening the can. He was sure that Tseng would not wilfully aid the Brat Boss in his sexual harassment pursuits, and he knew that Rufus was still in Kalm, but he still felt a tension in his shoulders and belly. He really didn't want to get trapped again.

~by Brat Boss or Mr. Frost~

"Legend and I had a long talk about your… situation," Tseng said, taking a drink of his water.

Reno sighed heavily and wished he had asked for something stronger. He knew this was where the conversation was going to go, and he really didn't want to talk about it.

"So ya know that I'm bein' sexually deprived and stalked," Reno muttered. "I don' really wan' ta talk about it."

"It is affecting your efficiency." Tseng uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees…

~shit, his chest is awesome~

…resting his chin in the nest of his hands; a posture that reminded him of Rufus.

~and when did I start checkin' out Tseng?~

Reno felt really uncomfortable. Was Tseng hitting on him or was it an overactive imagination? He had heard an unconfirmed rumour that Tseng swung both ways. There was even a rumour that he had a fling with a young male recruit before he was elevated to being Veld's right-hand man. He wasn't sure of any of it. He had never seen Tseng show any interest in anyone but that girl they were watching in the slums, but Tseng was way too professional to let anything show much.

"Jus' tired Boss," Reno said. "Runnin' the gauntlet every mornin' is pretty tirin'." Reno tried to avoid looking into his boss' dark eyes.

"Legend was saying that you've been sleeping better." Tseng leaned back and took a drink of water. Tseng ran his tongue of his lips to catch some water that escaped the bottle.

~fuck, I really need to get laid if I think Tseng is hittin' on me~

"Yeah, a bit," Reno admitted. Having Legend around had been helping him sleep. Of course, Legend was in Kalm now and not having the security of him around was affecting his sleep again. It only took a couple of days for the exhaustion to seep back into his very bones.

"You will no longer be required to attend the boot camp and observe the Mess. I think you have learned your lesson."

Reno smiled. "Really? You're not jus' fuckin' with me, yo? " He stood up from the couch and felt like dancing, but refrained.

Tseng made a low chuckle. "I do not joke, Reno."

Reno whooped and jumped.

Tseng gave a low…

~damn his laugh his sexy~

… chuckle as he shook his head, with his loose hair spreading around his shoulders. He really should wear his hair like that more often, it was sexy.

~stop thinking like that or you'll have to spend an hour in the shower~

"I need you for regular duties."

"This is great! I miss my chopper, man. I haven't been in the air for months, yo!" Reno said, literally bouncing on his heels. "Back to normal duty! Sweet! It's like a dream come true, yo!"

"It has not been that long." Tseng chuckled, rising from his chair and walked towards his little kitchen. "Would you like something stronger now?"

"It's right away, ya? I mean, I can sleep in tomorrow and all, ya?" he asked. Sleeping in would mean at least sleeping until six instead of waking up at the godforsaken hour of three-thirty in the morning.

"Effective immediately." Tseng nodded as he reached into a cupboard that was by the fridge. Even from the living room, Reno could see an impressive collection of expensive-looking alcoholic bottles. "Vodka is your favourite, correct?"

"Yeah," Reno said, walking toward where Tseng was pouring some mighty fine…

~not Banora apple flavoured, but it'll do~

…vodka into a fancy crystal glass.

He licked his lips in anticipation of the drink. "Would you like ice?" Tseng was already reaching into the freezer. "I should have anticipated this and placed the bottle in the freezer earlier."

Reno nodded.

He watched his boss put two cubes of ice in the vodka. Tseng handed over the glass. "Thanks Boss," Reno said gladly, twirling the ice around in the glass, enjoying the clink of the sound of the ice hitting the crystal.

Tseng let out a sigh, a sad uncertain sound that sounded odd coming from the boss. Tseng leaned against the counter; he crossed his arms and looked down at his bare feet. "I also have to offer you an apology."

~what? Am I dreaming? Tseng just apologized… to me!~

"Don't look so stunned," Tseng said, tilting his head so that his hair fell loosely over one of his shoulders.

~Boss Man never looks this relaxed~

"Whatcha apologizin' for?"

"I have been quite harsh with you. You have done sillier things than charge extra clothes on a ticket." He rubbed the sleeve of his pink shirt and a ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.

~it IS the shirt I bought him!~

"I also believe that you were quite justified in not wanting to come to my office after your… exchange with Rufus." Tseng pushed himself from the counter.

~whoa, what is he doing?~

He stood stunned as Tseng reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder and focused those dark eyes on him. His firm hand squeezing gently as he leaned in. "I may have been over-zealous in my actions."

"Hey, don' worry about it, yo," Reno quickly said. He felt a little nervous and a little curious at the same time. Tseng was standing right in front of him in a…

~sexy~

…unbuttoned rose shirt, apologizing. Tseng did not apologize for anything. He always had something to justify his orders and actions. There was never anything random about him.

Reno heard the ice clink gently on the side of his glass. His hand was shaking slightly.

"I am worried about it, though, Reno," Tseng said, seeming to move closer. "I have placed one of my best Turks in a position that may be harmful. I have been selfish in how I have been treating you. I need to remedy what I can."

"Remedy what you can?" Reno whispered and brought the shaking glass of vodka to his lips. Tseng's hand squeezed his shoulder again. "What do you mean by that?"

~oh, Gaia~

"I did mention that Legend and I had a conversation about your… issues," Tseng said, drawing out the last word eloquently. Only Tseng's deep rumble could turn that word so sexy. Tseng blinked slowly as he looked at him. There was no doubt that he was flirting with him.

"Yeah," Reno whispered and took another drink to find the ice bumping against his lip. He had already finished the drink that Tseng poured and he didn't remember finishing it. Tseng took the glass out of his hand, placed it on the counter and then turned his focus back to him.

"I won't be able to remedy them all, but I can help with one," Tseng whispered and moved his other hand to his side and pulled him close. "If you will let me."

~wha? Tseng is offering to lend a hand? ~

"Boss?" he asked, feeling his breath quicken. Tseng was the last person in the world that he thought would put the moves on him. He couldn't say that he hadn't admired his boss. He was handsome and all, but not his usual type that he went for. Tseng was so controlled and a calculating type of person, where as he was sloppy and random. Tseng barely tolerated him some days at work. Why would Tseng even be thinking about sleeping with him…

Is that what he wanted?

This was so unlike Tseng and it felt kind of strange.

~so wrong~

It was wrong. Tseng was offering to help him, but when it came to matters of sex…

"Unsure?" Tseng's voice gave a low rumble. "You need not worry about it. It could only be for tonight, if you wish." Tseng was rubbing his side and was so close to leaning against him.

He was completely unsure. This was Tseng. Casual flings and Tseng were not two things that went together.

~is he just teasin' me?~

"For real, Boss?" Reno said, desperately trying to control his breathing before he started to hyperventilate.

"I do not joke, Reno." Tseng moved closer and Reno just about jumped out of his skin at the feeling his boss' lips pressed against his own. A tongue demanding entry into his mouth with some gentle prodding, and Reno allowed the entry.

~Tseng kisses like Rufus~

Tseng dominated the kiss and Reno felt as if he was losing any semblance of control. Reno backed away, panting. Tseng stood in place, but had a predatory smile on his face.

"I do not intend to tease you like the others, Reno," Tseng promised and ran a hand across his own chest and undid a button on his pink shirt, exposing more of his delicious-looking chest. "Unless, of course, you want to be teased."

"No!" Reno said quickly, very confused by his own words and how his feet pushed him back into Tseng's arms. The dark-haired man quickly started to kiss his neck, and Reno moved his head to allow the man easier access.

~I can't believe this is happenin'

Tseng hummed against his throat, sending the shocks through his whole body and straight to his core. "We should retire to the bedroom," Tseng said, moving his lips against his throat and moving to Reno's jaw as he continued to talk. "It will be more comfortable there."

~bedroom?~

Tseng moved to stand beside him, an arm firmly around his waist and leading him rather quickly to a bedroom.

He thought Tseng's bedroom was kind of disappointing. It looked like his room, just neater. The bed was a double with some plain white sheets and a single boring pillow. The dresser against the wall even looked remarkably like his. Tseng was able to keep his closet door closed. He didn't think he had closed the door in the whole time he had been in his apartment; even the mirror that was on the back of the bathroom door looked like his.

~mustn't have upgraded from the basic ShinRa furnishings~

Reno sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at Tseng. The rose shirt was gone and Tseng's pants were undone exposing the fact that he wore a pair of blue boxers beneath those slacks.

~when did he do that?~

"I will gladly take care of you," Tseng said and reached down to tug Reno's belt. Reno yelled as the belt was whipped from the loops of his pants, and he was pushed onto the bed. Tseng laughed as his hands were working on his pants.

"Holy crap!" Reno blurted and wiggled up on the bed. He was all for an enthusiastic romp, but this was Tseng – controlled, stoic, and conservative.

"Is this not what you want?" Tseng said as he moved onto the bed, hovering over him. "I said I would help with your frustration. It is what I can do for you." Before Reno could even respond, Tseng's mouth was on his with his body pressing against him. He never thought that Tseng would be such an enthusiastic kisser. They pulled apart panting. Tseng had a…

~evil~

…strange smile on his lips. "Or do you need more to drink?"

~he wants to get me drunk?~

"Jus' haven't seen ya like this, Boss," Reno said with his eyes examining his boss that hovered over him. Tseng was even flushed and looking damn hot with his hair loose and framing his face. This was a side that he had never seen in him. "Not used to it, yo."

"Did you think I was that much of a stick-in-the-mud that I could not appreciate some good sex?" Tseng busied his hand onto Reno's shirt, grabbing each side into heavy fists and pulling, causing the buttons to rip and pop.

"Hey! What the hell, yo!?" Reno yelled, grabbing at Tseng's arms which still held fistfuls of his shirt.

"I will recover the cost of destroying your shirt. This one was stained, anyway," Tseng said and lowered his head to Reno's chest. Reno let out another cry as his warm mouth sucked on one of his nipples.

Reno reached up and pushed his hands into Tseng's loose black hair, gripping it firmly. He was torn between pushing him away or encouraging him to keep going.

~this is so weird~

Tseng raised his head slightly and had that strange smile on his lips again. His tongue darted out and licked his wet nipple. "Do you like that?" Tseng said as he continued to tease his nipples.

"Damn, Boss," Reno gasped.

Tseng chuckled. "You are a little oversensitive." He licked again, causing Reno to groan and buck his hips.

~damn right I'm oversensitive~

"And eager."

"But…" Reno began, but Tseng quickly reached down and grabbed Reno's pants and lifted, causing Reno to gasp.

"You are wearing too much clothing for us to continue," Tseng said abruptly and Reno found himself flipped and being stripped in quick, efficient movements.

~naked in Tseng's bed~

Reno tried to scurry forward on the bed, at least he tried to. Tseng grabbed his ankle and kept him prone on the bed. He turned his head quickly and saw that Tseng was now naked too.

~how the hell did he get rid of his clothes too?~

A hard slap across his ass caused him to jerk and yell a bit. "I want you right here in the centre of the bed," Tseng said, reaching around his hips and flipping him back into the supine pose so that he was now on full display.

He blushed slightly. He was not one to blush easily but this was the weirdest foreplay that he had ever encountered.

Tseng licked his lips as he was standing between his legs at the end of the bed. "Well, aren't you just the bashful one," Tseng chuckled. Tseng was very naked and very much standing at attention. Reno licked his lips at the sight of his boss' uncircumcised cock bouncing in front of him. How it was framed in dark curls – it was just like he had imagined it would be. It was the perfect length and girth to hold in one's hand.

"Like what ya are seeing?" Tseng said.

~'ya'?~

He nodded, though, because he very much did like he was seeing and his own body was responding in kind. His very neglected organ stood and wept for attention. He licked his lips and reached up to touch what was being offered to him.

"No," Tseng said, reaching down to grab both his hands to pin them at his side.

Reno felt a familiar panic rise in him. "Ya said ya weren't gonna tease," Reno heard the whine in his voice. He didn't want yet another person teasing him.

"I'm not," Tseng said, giving him a quick kiss on his lips. "I'm going to take care of you." Tseng trailed the kisses across his jaw, over his eyes and then down to his neck.

"Then stop teasin'," Reno whimpered and thrust his hips so that he pressed against the firm belly above him. He didn't care how weird it was that Tseng was the one that was doing this to him. He could regret it in the morning.

Tseng made a humming sound. "I will not tease you like Rufus did. I will allow you to touch, but I do want to taste you first."

Reno couldn't help but chuckle as he moved up to capture Tseng's lips and forced his way into his mouth.

~might as well enjoy the ride~

The kiss broke with Tseng laughing. "Those others will not appreciate what they are missing." Tseng moved lowering himself to the bed. "Your SOLDIERS don't know what they are missing. They had you right under their noses and didn't even realize what they could have with you."

~damn, I can still dream

Tseng lowered himself further and Reno could feel him breathing against his cock. "Sephiroth would only use you as a toy to satisfy his carnal urges."

~being Sephiroth's toy doesn't sound that bad~

Tseng's tongue traced around his throbbing head, causing Reno to thrust – trying to get more – towards the warm mouth.

"And Rufus would turn you into a blubbering fool. He doesn't appreciate the strength in those that he has had, but I can give you what you need," Tseng said, running his tongue up the vein on his cock.

Reno shivered. "Then quit being a damn tease like they are and suck it already!"

Tseng chuckled. "Of course."

And Tseng was as good as his word. He felt that warm cavern surround him. Reno closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation of a blowjob. It had felt like forever since he had anyone in his bed.

~you're in Tseng's bed right now~

Tseng let go of Reno's hands and started to explore Reno's body by rubbing up and down his thighs and sides. Reno looked down at Tseng but couldn't see his face; his dark hair was hanging in the way. He reached down to the man's face to move the hair.

~dreamy~

Tseng's cheeks hollowed as he sucked on him. Tseng's dark eyes rolled up to meet his, there was a sparkle there and his warm mouth sucked a little harder. He felt one of Tseng's hands reach between his legs and caressed his balls.

Reno groaned and tried to keep focused on the dark-haired man pleasuring him.

~still so wrong~

His mind still couldn't let that argument go, even though his body was already inside of Tseng's warm, heavenly mouth.

"Boss!"

Tseng lifted his head abruptly, a small popping noise as Reno's cock left his mouth. "Don't call me that!" His voice was full of demand and authority. "I am sucking you off right now. Do not call me 'Boss'. Call me by my name or else I will not let you release!"

Reno took in a series of rapid breaths. Boss – Tseng was glaring at him with intense eyes. "Sorry B… Tseng," he gasped. "Please continue."

Tseng tilted his head to one side, his agile tongue licking his narrow lips. "Would you rather wait until one of those that are teasing you to do this?" His voice was lit with anger now. "Would you rather have the puppy nipping between your legs?" Tseng nipped at him, causing Reno to jump. His teeth were sharp as they grazed the oversensitive skin on the side of his cock. "Would you rather that chocobo nuzzling you?" Tseng licked at his cock to emphasize the point. "If they wanted you, they would be here taking care of you right now instead of coveting themselves," Tseng said, his hand increasing the grip around the base of his cock.

"Tseng," he whimpered.

"Or you can wait until Mr. Frost melts enough to do more than thrust you against the wall and threaten you in an elevator," Tseng said as he started to stroke Reno's inflamed cock.

~what the hell? Tseng doesn't use slang or nicknames~

"Do you think that the green-eyed monster would kneel before you and pleasure you? Don't let his gifts of smokes fool you into thinking that he may actually like you. No. He would push you to your knees and thrust himself into that loud mouth of yours."

~I didn't tell Legend about the smokes. How would Tseng know about them?~

"Tseng?" He looked at the man at the end of the bed. "This is so surreal," Reno whispered as he found himself staring into those dark, angry eyes.

Tseng gave him a soft smile, still stroking Reno in a steady familiar fashion. The other hand was holding his balls in a snug vice, squeezing gently. "Of course it is," Tseng whispered. "Close your eyes, Reno. Just let it happen."

"Tseng?"

Reno was so confused. Tseng was being strange; using slang and nicknames, being sexy, and so horny, going from angry to soft, then stroking him again. It was all so very odd. He felt like a whore for allowing this to happen. He wasn't a slut anymore. He liked sex and all, but he didn't just throw himself at any man that offered himself to him.

~beg to differ. Tseng is about to jack you off~

"Close those eyes, and let it happen, Red," Tseng said.

~he doesn't call me 'Red'

"Tseng?" he whispered and blinked at the man above him.

"Don't you want to come, Red?" Tseng said, his hands picking up speed. Reno pushed his hips forward to match the movements. "I see you do."

"It's better this way," Tseng said. "Help me make you come." His voice was filled with passion and demand.

Reno released his sheets and put his hand over Tseng's that was moving steadily on his cock. "How did I get here again?" Reno panted, slowly closing his eyes as the intensity of the stroking increased.

Tseng's rumble-like laugh reached his ears. "You dreamed yourself here, of course."

~what?~

He didn't have time to contemplate the thought for long, as an orgasm took him and he felt himself spurt on his belly and chest. He let out a scream that seemed to change the room around him.

When he opened his eyes to look at Tseng, there was no one standing at the end of the bed. The only hands on his body were his own, one holding his softening member, the other cupping his balls, and he was in his own bare bedroom.

~alone~

His sheets were wildly tossed and his legs were tangled hopelessly in them. He was naked and covered in a light sheen of sweat.

~all a fuckin' wet dream~

He looked around for a sign that he just passed out from the amazing hand job that Tseng just gave him. He looked around his stark bedroom and realized that he didn't know what Tseng's bedroom looked like. The only difference from this room and the dream room was the open closet door.

The amazing sex hadn't happened. It had all been a fevered dream of passion because he hadn't been getting any. He looked down at the mess he made and then collapsed back into his messy sheets.

He was going to need a shower.

"I am totally fucked up if I am dreamin' like that, yo," he muttered to himself and slowly got out of bed, not bothering to even wipe himself off as he stumbled to his bare bathroom.

~I'm gonna need to change the sheets~

"Only ten o'clock," he muttered, as he examined the clock. "Fuck."

It was going to be another long night, and he thought about the weirdest damn wet dream he had ever had. He had never had a wet dream before that had a whole plot line. There was so much hope in the beginning. Tseng apologizing…

~should have known it was too good to be true right there~

… and taking him off his punishments, and then offering to remedy his little sexual frustration issue.

~Tseng isn't even gay~

Well, he didn't think so, anyway.

He turned on the water in the shower, muttering a series of curses to himself as he realized that everything that happened in that very vivid dream didn't actually happen.

His punishments were still in effect. Boot camp, Mess Hall watch, and stupid reports were still going to be on his calendar.

~I wonder if he kept that pink shirt?~

Life still was going to suck.

He jumped into the shower, turning on the radio loud to the local rock station. He liked the music. It helped him push the thoughts, of not only the Spike-Brains, Mr. Frost and Bratty Boss out of his head, but of an apologizing and sexy Tseng rattling around in his brain.

~gonna sleep with the radio blaring, too~

 

Chapter 34- Surveillance​

Sephiroth tapped his fingers on his desk. He didn't know how long he had been doing it, but he had just become aware of the loud tapping noise he was creating. He lifted his hand from the desk and pulled at his hair, frustrated. He looked at the image on the screen that he zoomed in on and frowned.

He had started by observing some tapes of a recent AVALANCHE attack. That is what he started to do after lunch. The environmental terrorist group was getting desperate at the latest attempted attack at Reactor 5. They did not succeed with their raid.

AVALANCHE's attacks had become weaker now that they did not have strong leadership. They were now only a bunch of rabble-rousers that were now reduced to nothing more than a loud mouth standing on a soapbox. They were still trying to cause trouble for ShinRa and destroy the reactors, however.

He noted in the videos that he had been examining, that Cloud was one of the infantrymen that had been rounding up a few of the captured AVALANCHE members. He also noted that Zack had come across the scene shortly after. He had watched Zack talk to the captain of the troop, but noticed even with the grainy video, that his eyes were drawn towards Cloud. It was something that he would not have noticed if he did not know that the boy was his Second in Command's interest.

That was where he should have stopped watching. He wrote his report on the actions of the infantry and found them adequate. There was nothing more to add.

But he was curious.

He was very adept at getting around the ShinRa computer system. He knew how to get the system to do just what he wanted.

He followed Zack's movement with the cameras.

Cleanup of the mess that AVALANCHE made was organized and the crews filled the area. Once Zack seemed satisfied with the actions of the crews, Zack left the area, walking down one of the corridors. Sephiroth switched cameras effortlessly and was able to watch Zack casually walking down the halls of ShinRa headquarters. At one point Zack stopped and talked with Kunsel. It looked like Zack was trying to take off his helmet before Kunsel scurried off. Zack was laughing at the exchange as he continued on his way.

Zack then talked and looked like he was flirting with a young woman. That was brief as he moved on to another hall. Zack stopped in the middle of the hall and looked around him and said something. The camera angle didn't allow him to see where Zack was looking, but a large smile appeared on the dark-haired man's face.

Zack was then approached by a man in an infantry uniform, who promptly violated Zack's personal space.

They kissed for one minute and thirty-six seconds before they pulled apart. Zack stroked the man's face as they talked to each other for another sixty-five seconds before they kissed again. It was a brief kiss before they walked beside each other at a more respectable distance.

He switched cameras to keep them in view.

They went to the Mess Hall. The man that had been kissing Zack turned out to be Cloud when he removed his helmet. They ate for a full hour with a bunch of other men that he did not recognize. Zack sat close to Cloud and seemed to take any and every opportunity to touch him.

They parted from the Mess Hall. He noted the time. He had the cameras follow Zack. Zack did nothing too thrilling after that. He talked to a few men, grabbed some groceries and sharpened his sword. Zack returned back to his quarters at a quarter to nine.

Sephiroth set the time back to where the two had left the Mess Hall so that he could follow Cloud's movements. Cloud did nothing too thrilling after that, either. He went to the study hall with some of the other men and then returned to his bunk right at nine.

~did they kiss in the halls often? ~

It was a curious question.

He scoured the videos.

He knew Zack was mentoring an infantryman. He didn't realize it was the same as his boyfriend until he watched the training room tapes. He went from the most recent tapes, where there was definitely heavy sexual tension, and it was obvious that every time that Zack pinned Cloud he wanted to do more than just hold the boy down.

As the tapes got older, he saw how clumsy Cloud was in the beginning and how much he had indeed improved.

Sephiroth was getting a time-line for when Zack started to show a sexual interest in Cloud. Cloud and Zack had been a couple for about a month.

~around the time that Zack brought home that black bag~

He became obsessed with finding glimpses of them in the videos. He found one from a return from a mission. He remembered Zack coming into his office after his late return, staring at his phone with a silly look on his face, muttering something about chocobos. He watched the video of their arrival. Cloud went with the other infantry men to their barracks. The men had lazed around in the lounge, some of them dozing, before it seemed a decision was made. There was a flurry of activity in the young men as they showered and changed into civilian clothing. The group was most likely getting ready to go out to a bar. Cloud was with a group of four other men. He traced Cloud's movements and was quite alarmed when he saw Cloud talking to Reno.

~why was Reno talking to Zack's boyfriend?~

It was a short conversation and after, Cloud pawed at Reno before he went on his way to catch a train to the slums with the other men.

Reno was with Legend. Sephiroth didn't know that Legend had returned. The man had been away for quite awhile. He was aware of his connection with Reno.

He set the time back and watched as Zack gave a group of new SOLDIER wannabes a pep talk.

~what is Reno doing?~

He had to rewind and zoom in a couple of times to see that Reno was holding out his phone… to take a picture? Of Zack?

He furrowed his brow as he watched Reno take a couple of pictures before he seemed satisfied with what he took. Zack seemed to be aware that Reno was taking pictures of him and gave the pesky Turk a salute as he took the recruits back for their assessments.

~will have to take possession of Reno's phone to see what pictures he has on there~

He then trailed Zack. He was pleased to see that he was actually doing his job. Even with his lightheartedness, Zack put the new recruits through their paces with as much vigour as he would have, but not with as much fear.

~I will have to take him more seriously if that is how he performs~

He watched the video as Zack dismissed the troops and promptly the self-assured persona crumbled. His normally square shoulders slumped as he leaned against a wall. He looked tired.

Sephiroth remembered their conversation they had over a bottle of rye, and felt that he had truly burden the young man with too much. He had pushed Zack to meet the newest members of ShinRa.

~even making sure that his uniform was freshly pressed~

He had just come back from a mission and he went and pushed him to perform yet another one of the duties that was supposed to be his.

~selfish again~

He watched as his Second in Command pulled out his phone and made a call. The call seemed to perk him up. After the five minute and ten second conversation, Zack's spirits seemed to be regained. Zack walked out of the evaluation room looking more like his cheerful self, and went back to his quarters.

~will have to go through his phone records~

Sephiroth ran the tape fast forward, staring at the empty hallway to see that around midnight a swaying Cloud let himself into Zack's apartment.

~rather bold~

Bold indeed. He looked back through the surveillance archives and saw that Cloud had taken quite a few liberties entering Zack's apartment and sometimes when Zack was not present. He moved the time forward to see them both leave the room at six a.m. with a goofy look plastered across both of their faces. He followed to the elevator camera and saw them blatantly groping each other.

They were obviously getting along…swimmingly.

He scoured the tapes looking at the intimate glimpses of his Lieutenant's love life, and it bothered him. Small touches in the halls, sitting beside each other in the Mess Hall, private training sessions, and apparently, plenty of private sessions in Zack's apartment.

He also found that Cloud was having quite a few conversations with the pesky redhead. Sephiroth found that Reno and Cloud would often see each other in the Mess Hall at noon. He was curious to see Reno lying on the floor while Cloud massaged his feet or knees.

~what. The. HELL?~

He could understand them talking, but an infantryman massaging a Turk's feet, in full view of everyone, and no one even gave it a second glance. The look on Reno's face while the young man massaged him told him that Reno was enjoying it way too much.

He watched the scene a few times to try to understand it. He watched it happen every time that Zack did not meet Cloud for lunch. It was some sort of touching, whether it be his legs or shoulders.

~was Cloud cheating on Zack?~

He didn't find any other evidence in the tapes of that. It seemed that Cloud massaged quite a few men and no one said anything. He would have to ask Zack to explain why Cloud was touching his…

Sephiroth had stopped the tape and had taken a break at that point. It had been six in the evening by then, and the office was empty. He went down to the kitchen to see if there was coffee or something more enjoyable to drink. He had to settle for tea as he tried to push thoughts of the Turk out of his mind.

~you called him yours~

He went back to flitting through the video trail, now following Reno's path for a bit. Reno spent two hours in boot camp in the morning, five hours in the Mess hall, two hours in his office and then he would return to his quarters. The days with the anomalies were… interesting.

The day that he had run into Reno in the elevator and caught him looking at him had been attention grabbing. He watched him eat lunch with Zack and Cloud in the Mess. It was rather strange to see Reno and Zack sitting with the smaller infantryman between them.

~almost as if they were fighting for his attention~

He wished he could hear the conversation. Once Reno left the Mess, Sephiroth presumed that Reno had been trying to go for a smoke. Sephiroth watched how he reacted to Reno in the elevator, remembering what the Turk had said to him.

~should take him up on his offer~

Sephiroth pushed the thought aside and used the cameras to follow Reno to the courtyard where he lit a cigarette even before exiting the building.

~deplorable~

The scene with Reno and Rufus that occurred he found… amusing. He watched as the Turk was pulled into Rufus' clutches. They both seemed to be enjoying themselves. He let out a laugh when Dark Nation threw Reno to the ground and looked like it threatened to eat him.

~I will have to buy the beast a treat~

It seemed that Rufus was as frustrated as Reno. Maybe the bastard would learn his lesson and leave his Turk alone.

He narrowed his eyes in frustration at his betraying thoughts.

~Reno is not my Turk~

~But you want him to be~

He rubbed his forehead to fight off the impending headache.

He went back to watching…

~stalking~

…Reno on another day. He wished he knew what happened in Tseng's office, but could guess when he saw a smug Rufus leave with a confused-looking Tseng.

Rufus was up to his old tricks, that was most evident.

Then he recalled that was the day that he delivered the smokes to his office. He found a tape that showed Reno sitting at his desk and examining the pack. Reno seemed pleased.

Sephiroth felt himself smile.

He wondered what other interesting tidbits he could find, so he kept looking, but stumbled across something more interesting. He found Zack in the video trail the day that he brought home that black bag of goodies.

That was a couple of days before his supposed date with Cloud, if he remembered correctly. Sephiroth advanced the tape to the day where Cloud and Zack had the date at Monteno's and had returned to Zack's apartment. Nothing too much happened in the hall or elevator, even though there seemed to be a disagreement that resolved itself with a kiss in the lobby. The next day he watched Zack leave early in the morning in full uniform, and Cloud looking a little grumpy as he left shortly after.

~at least Cloud seemed to be more aware of his surroundings when he left this time~

Sephiroth remembered all too vividly being ignored by the blond that had been wearing Zack's shirt walking down the hall. He rolled the clock back on that hall camera to that scene.

~utterly and completely ignored~

He moved the video back and forth, seeing when Zack left the apartment a couple of hours before the blond encountered him in the hall.

~when did Cloud arrive?~

He rolled the recording back to see Zack hauling a very drunk and passed out infantryman over his shoulder…

~and a hand in his back pocket!~

…and walking to his door. He watched as Zack opened his door, adjusting his hands…

~placing a hand on the blond's butt~

…so that he could get his key out and let himself in. He followed the path of cameras to see Zack dealing with a drunken scene. The camera couldn't get close enough to get all the detail of what was happening, but he got a good idea that the drunken Cloud, once placed on Zack's shoulder, started to fondle Zack's butt, and it looked like Zack slapped the infantryman's.

It took a little bit more work to get the surveillance video from the train but he got it. He got a very close and detailed look of how Cloud nestled into the SOLDIER's side, cuddling closer and… was he groping Zack on the train?

He paused the tape on this picture and looked at his clock. It was nearly midnight now. He had spent nearly twelve hours looking…

~stalking. Don't delude yourself~

…surveillance videos. A low grade headache that had been threatening earlier was now pounding in his head. His finger had gone back to tapping loudly on the desk and he had to force himself to stop.

A month and a half. He believed this was around the time where Reno lost his bet to the infantryman, as well. Was this the night that Reno lost his bet?

Sephiroth knew the answer was yes.

He took one last look at the scene, trying to push past the jealousy of Zack obviously be so close to another, even if it was in a drunken stupor.

~you should have been more forceful~

Forceful. Zack had a little boy-toy all his own, and it did make the dark-haired man pathetically happy. Sephiroth had been happy when he had his own boy-toy to play with. Well, happier than he was now. Maybe he should take Zack's advice and take up interest in one of the infantry or a lower class SOLDIER.

~since Zack is out of reach~

A new decision made, Sephiroth grinned as he shut down his computer. The only thing that kept him alone was his own self-imposed isolation.

~I think I will start with Reno~

"Reno?"

"Wha?" Reno startled awake. He was having a comfortable snooze at his desk, leaning back in his leather chair, with his feet crossed on his desktop. The sounds of Tseng's voice nearly caused him to crash to the floor.

Reno looked up from his desk at the door. Tseng was standing there, looking a bit amused.

Reno had been doing a good job of avoiding him in the last couple of days…

~especially after that dream~

… and he would have liked it to last a little longer. He didn't want to deal with this.

Rude was at his desk and looked up.

"A word," Tseng said, nodding a simple acknowledgement to Rude, "Please, follow me."

~please? Shit, was this another weird dream?~

"Where we goin'?" he asked, not rising from the chair.

"To my office," Tseng said simply.

Reno hesitated. He had no reason to doubt that Tseng wanted to just talk to him, but after the amused tone he gave him when he returned his tie and being trapped in the office …

~and bedroom~

…made him hesitant.

"Can we talk here, Boss?" he asked quickly. He looked over at Rude, hoping that he wouldn't leave. He really wanted his partner to stay. He knew that it was only a dream about Tseng hitting on him, but it had been so real.

Tseng blinked slowly. "It does not matter," Tseng said and moved into the office. Reno was almost grateful to see that he was wearing his normal plain Turk suit, with a white shirt and a tie done up snugly at his throat. "I have changed your assignment, Reno."

Reno felt his eyes grow wide and waited for Tseng to say more.

"You will no longer need to attend to the boot camp or the Mess. You will have tomorrow off, but you will be flying off to Icicle the next day to escort some troops. Your piloting skills are necessary. After that mission, Rude and yourself will be partnered together again," Tseng said, matter-of-factly.

"Really?" Reno said with a large grin on his face, but that quickly faltered.

~what if it is a dream?~

"I can handle this part of my dream coming true, yo." Reno decided to make sure that he wasn't going to wake up in another mess. He pinched his arm, hard. He didn't wake up so it must be real. He gave out a loud 'whoop' and grinned at his partner and Tseng.

Tseng raised an eyebrow and tried to suppress a confused look; it looked like he was going to ask what he was doing but changed his mind with a small shake of his head. Rude's lips twitched and his brow furrowed a bit. He was going to have questions later.

"I am glad that you are pleased with this news," Tseng said, turning to Rude. "Cissnei will be on a mission with Rod. I am sure she has already told you."

Rude nodded.

Tseng's lip twitched slightly as he looked over at Rude. "I am sure you are rested enough to handle Reno again."

"Hey! There is no need for that, yo," Reno blurted and pretended to look hurt. It didn't bother him that people thought of him as a bit of…

~well, supreme pain in the ass~

…troublemaker and sometimes difficult to handle. It was, after all, who he was.

Rude made a small noise and Tseng just shook his head.

"So, what is with this mission?" Reno asked as he popped a piece of gum in his mouth. There was another pack of smokes on his desk when he had arrived from the Mess. He didn't even touch them or ask Rude where they came from.

He was determined to quit even if Sephiroth was going to keep tempting him with those damn sweet Gongaga smokes. He was sure it was Sephiroth that had left it on his desk again. He didn't open them to see if there was a note in them or not. He was a little scared to.

~don't know what he's up to~

"Just transporting. You will get the details in your PHS before you leave," Tseng said, noticing the smokes on the desk. "I thought you were quitting?"

"I am. Gotta return those," Reno said simply. "You wan' 'em?"

Tseng shook his head, but picked up the smokes. "These are Gongagan. Don't you whine to Zack about getting these for you?"

Reno shrugged. "Well, yeah, but I'm quitting." He wasn't going to explain that going out for a smoke was not just hazardous to his respiratory health. He still had bruises from Dark Nation's teeth on his arm and didn't want any more to join it. He blew a bubble with the gum and let it pop loudly to prove his point.

"You should save them for Legend. He would appreciate them."

"Bastard is supposed to be quittin' too, yo. I bought him a whole crap load of this shitty gum, but I know he's still smokin'." Reno leaned back in his chair. "Cigs are goin' back ta the guy that got 'em for me."

"And who got them for you?" Tseng asked placing the smokes back on his desk. Rude even looked interested in the answer.

He tried - and hoped he succeeded - in looking casual about it. "Secret admirer. Tryin' to discourage him, yo." It wasn't far from the truth, so he wasn't lying to them.

He heard Rude make a small sound and saw him adjust his glasses. Tseng rolled his eyes. "There are still some things we need to discuss, Reno," Tseng said, straightening a cuff on his jacket. "We can discuss them after you return. Make sure that Mary-Beth is there before you enter my office."

~no way I'm going to make that mistake twice~

"Sure thing, Boss. But I do have a question for ya."

Tseng looked at him, waiting.

"I was balancin' my bank account last night," Reno said and looked Tseng in his dark eyes. "Saw that the amount docked was a little lower than I thought, ya. Is more still gonna get taken out, or am I good, ya?"

He watched something flash through his eyes. "The appropriate amount was removed from your pay."

"Alrighty then," Reno said. He knew how much every item cost. He had even phoned Lore's to find out what had been returned. This just confirmed that Tseng had kept that rose-coloured shirt.

~I know how to pick out clothes~

It creeped him out a little at first. After all, it was just a dream that he had seen him wearing it in, but at the same time he was a little proud that he was able to buy something for his stick-in-the-mud boss. He knew that he was grinning like a cat and saw that Tseng was trying to keep a straight face.

"Make sure you are rested enough to fly," Tseng said as he left.

"What's up with you?" Reno asked his partner as he looked over at the dark-skinned man. Rude had his head tilted and was giving him a curious look.

"Explain," was his simple response.

"Ya don't wanna know," Reno said simply, blowing another bubble with his gum.

"I'm sure," Rude said. "Am I going to encounter any… backlash?"

Reno chuckled. "Never know, yo."

Sephiroth crushed the smokes in his hand and gritted his teeth.

~doesn't he know how much trouble it took to get these?~

He took a couple of deep breaths and tried to gather his thoughts over this development; over this new rejection.

He did not accept the note that accompanied the smokes.

'Quit. Don't need them.'

He did not accept the rejection.

~again~

He would not be turned aside.

~again~

He would not be ignored.

~again~

He would not be forgotten… especially by a loud mouth Turk.

 

Chapter 35- Moves ​

"Not in shit anymore, hey?"

Reno smiled brightly at him as he sat at the control of the helicopter, his finger tapping lazily on the cyclic stick as he tilted is head back to look at him.

"Just fine and dandy now, there, Zackers. Ready to go visit some more ice and snow?"

Zack nodded his head as he unstrapped his sword; he couldn't sit down with it strapped to his back. "Glad to see that you're all chipper." Zack smiled and walked to the seat behind him and secured his sword under it .

"I am so glad to be back in my chopper, yo," Reno said. "Cloudo not goin' on this mission?"

"No," Zack said. He did not like the smirk on Reno's face when he mentioned Cloud.

"How long ya gonna be gone?"

~oh, don't like that at all~

"Should only be a couple of days. Why are you asking?" Zack was aware of the tension in his voice.

"Just wondern'," the Turk said with a smirk. "Got some free time now, and I still owe him a night out on the town, yo."

Zack snorted. "Don't you mean, 'us'?"

"Shit. It would be cheaper if it was only one of ya," Reno said, snapping his gum.

"You're not getting out of the bet that easily," Zack said and clasped Reno hard on the shoulder and leaned into him. "You have to pay back that bet in full."

Reno's smile grew and his voice lowered. "Thought you two already got a whole lotta 'perks' out of that little bet."

Zack pulled away and blushed. "Yeah. Well," Zack stammered. "You still have to pay me back for that night."

"Thought I didn't have to pay ya back for that, Zackers," Reno said, blowing a bubble and snapping his gum again. "Going back on your word?"

"I should," Zack said as he bent over to adjust the straps on his sword. "You've been a real pain in the ass." He turned back to look at Reno. Reno had a strange glazed look on his face and his mouth was open. His eyes blinked a few times and he straightened himself up against his seat.

~what is that look about?~

Reno cleared his throat. "You guys wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't around to amuse you, yo." Reno snapped his gum again.

"I think we can find others things to amuse ourselves," Zack said as he sat in the co-pilot seat and immediately regretted it from the sparkle in Reno's eyes and his wiggling eyebrows. "Quit with the innuendo."
Reno laughed and Zack couldn't help but smile as well. "Ya love it and ya know it, yo."

"You certainly are chipper," Zack said, putting on the headphones.

"Are ya kiddin'? I finally got outta the stuffy buildin'. I missed my chopper, yo." Reno snapped his gum and placed a foot on the console. He slouched back in a very relaxed pose.

~looking very good~

"The boot camp looks like it did you good," Zack said and couldn't help but notice the new muscle in the Turk's thighs, as his black pants were stretched tighter than normal.

"That fuckin' torture? Never gonna do it again, man."

"You better not piss off Tseng again, then. You always try his patience." Zack smirked. "It kept you relatively quiet for awhile."

Reno leaned his head back and chuckled. "Well, things are gonna be back to normal now." He watched as Reno pulled out a pack of gum from his jacket pocket and fiddled with it.

~that's how he normally fiddles with his smokes~

"I guess we will be able to eat in peace in the Mess." Zack smirked.

"Not a chance," Reno said, sitting more appropriately in his seat as more SOLDIERs started to seat themselves in the back of the chopper. "Wouldn't think of deprivin' you Spike-Brains, yo."

~Spike-Brains?~

"We wouldn't be deprived. We may be able to finally eat a meal in peace, instead of you whining about the food."

~and your flirting with Cloud~

Zack watched the group of young SOLDIERs strap themselves in to the back of the chopper.

"You would miss me," Reno said with a large grin and a wink. "So, what's the deal with the mission? All I'm doing is moving men about."

"Jumpings," Zack said, pulling his harness to strap himself in the seat.

"Ha. Killer bunnies." Reno chuckled. "Really? What's so scary about killer bunnies, yo?"

It was Zack's turn to laugh. "Have you ever fought a Jumping?"

Reno shook his head, looking at the men that were settling in the back. "Nah. Not scared of rabbits." He had seen a Jumping before. He could stomp them, they weren't that threatening of a monster.

Zack shook his head. "Even one that is six feet tall and has large teeth and a giant club in its clawed paw?"

Reno laughed and looked at him.

~he thinks I'm joking~

Reno's blue eyes grew wider. "Seriously, you're not jokin', are you?"

"The wolves don't even attack them." Zack looked back at the men in the chopper. Six sat there looking anxious and holding their rifles in ready position. "Relax, troopers," Zack said to them. "We'll be able to kick some fluffy butt soon enough."

The troopers laughed and did relax. Reno looked at him. "Take a pic of those bunnies, eh? I don't think I have seen such a large Jumping before."

"Sure thing, Red," Zack said. "Let's get this thing off the ground."

Reno straightened in his chair, and snapped his gum. "Right-o Lieutenant."

Zack joked with the men and Reno for the flight. He realized that he had been a little unfair to him. He couldn't stop Cloud from talking with everyone.

~as much as locking him in a closet is growing more and more appealing~

He hadn't realized that he hadn't really talked with Reno over the last month or so. He felt a little bad that he was ignoring his friend when he heard that Legend, his mentor, was ill.

"Shit, really."

~lame~

Reno shrugged his shoulders and reached into his pocket and grabbed the pack of gum that was there. "I convinced him to try quitin', too."

"Quitting? You're quitting smoking?" Zack said. "Is that working?" He pointed to the gum in his hand.

Reno snickered. "I have some good motivation to quit this time." He pulled out a new piece of gum and popped it in his mouth.

"Yeah, I guess with Legend being sick and all, it'll put things in perspective." Zack had smoked when he first joined SOLDIER. He only smoked for six months before he quit. It was damn hard to quit, but given that his physical scores were dropping and because of it, he had to quit.

"That's only part of it. Jus' tryin' to stay outta trouble for a change," Reno said, chewing with vigour.

Zack snorted. "That certainly is a change."

Reno was going to say something, but a voice came over the radio.

"Copy. Awaitin' clearance for landin', over," Reno said as he snapped his gum, turning to Zack. "Almost there, bud."

He nodded and yelled back at the troopers to prepare for landing and to disembark.

Reno landed easily and shut down the chopper. Zack bent down and picked up his sword. When he looked back, Reno had that strange look on his face again. His eyes were glazed and a small twitch on his lips.

"What are you looking at?" he asked as he straightened up and placed his sword on his back again.

"Huh? Nothin'," Reno said, blinking a few times.

~is he blushing?~

Before he could ask, Reno slid out of his seat and went to the door. "Gotta check my rotors before my next transport."

Zack exited the helicopter and saw Kunsel and Sephiroth standing by some crates. Sephiroth looked over at him and gave him a nod.

"Aw shit."

He looked over to Reno who was staring at Sephiroth as well.

"Why the hell is he here?"

"Who?" Zack asked.

"Mr. Frost over there," Reno grumbled.

Zack laughed. "When did you start calling him that?"

Reno was so tense-looking. He looked over at Sephiroth who was still beside Kunsel, apparently going over some paperwork for the crates they were standing by. "Shit. I hope he isn't going to join me for the hop."

"You do something to piss him off?" Zack asked. He hadn't heard anything in the rumour mill, and he knew that Reno had been busy with the punishments that Tseng had laid out for him. He remembered him saying that he was trying to avoid Sephiroth some time ago.

"Jus' been tryin' to avoid him," Reno said, and in a low mutter, "Don't know what he's gonna do next."

"What's that?"

Reno's face turned red. "If you are gonna complain 'bout my articulation, too, ya can go stuff it," Reno blurted, poking at his chest. He muttered something under his breath. He snapped his gum a little more vigorously.

"Where the hell did that come from?"

Reno sighed. "It has been a rough month." He rubbed his forehead and looked over at Sephiroth. "I still need to catch up on my sleep." He rubbed his face and sighed heavily. "With Legend outta town, I haven't been sleepin' well."

"You are worried about him, aren't you?" Zack said, putting a hand on the redhead's shoulder.

"He's my mentor," Reno said. "I dun wanna lose him." Reno's eyes grew large and he took an sharp intake of air. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry Zack. Shit. That's fuckin' insensitive of me." He averted his eyes and looked at his feet.

"It's alright," Zack said. "I – I dealt with it. You shouldn't have to go through that too."

"Shit. I'm good at stickin' my foot in my mouth lately."

"Hey. Don't worry about it, Red," Zack said putting a hand on each of his shoulders. "If you can keep Legend from smoking, that will be an accomplishment enough."

Reno looked at him. Zack didn't know how to read his look. It was a strange mixture of compassion and…

~longing~

… concern.

"Shit," Reno said with a sigh. It looked like he was going to say something else but his eyes looked behind him. "Crap. He's coming over." Reno mumbled something else as Zack let go of his shoulders. He watched as his agile friend climbed the rungs along the side of the helicopter.

"Zackary."

Zack turned and saw that Sephiroth was eyeing Reno who looked overly intense as he inspected the rotor heads.

~what's going on with these two?~

It was amusing to see Reno looking all flustered and Sephiroth looking slightly annoyed, which with Sephiroth, could mean anything.

"Sir."

"This should only take a day or two more. We already have procured many samples for the research department." Sephiroth said and pointed to the boxes. "I will be going to the next site to make sure that the collection goes smoothly."

"Did you leave anything for me to fight?" Zack asked seriously.

"I was only out for an hour when I was called back. I want to take care of the monsters at Site B," Sephiroth said, his eyes darting to Reno who was still intently looking at the rotor parts.

~is Reno who Sephiroth was mentioning?~

He just about laughed out loud at the prospect. The two did not mesh at all, but then he didn't think that Sephiroth and Genesis went well together, either.

~well, he is a redhead~

"Right-o," Zack said and tried to control the smirk that was threatening to surface.

Sephiroth raised his voice. "Once the chopper is loaded, you will transport me to Site B and then take the samples to the base. Are you paying attention, Turk?"

"Yeah, yeah. Heard ya," Reno muttered as he straddled a blade. It looked like he didn't want to come down. It was amusing. "Taxi Reno at yer service, yo."

Zack chuckled, but stifled it at the glare that Sephiroth was giving him.

"Kunsel will fill you in on the further details. I expect the chopper ready to go in one hour," Sephiroth commanded and stalked away, but not without a look at Reno who was climbing down.

"What was that about?" Zack asked.

"Huh? What?" Reno snapped his gum vigorously and Zack could see his hand reaching into the pocket that he used to keep his smokes in.

"What's the deal with you and Sephiroth?" he whispered.

"Nothin'."

"Nothing?"

"I'm tryin' to stay clear of him," Reno said. "So shut up about it, yo!"

"Uh-huh," Zack said. "I think he was eyeing you."

"Shut up," Reno said quickly and flushed.

~hit the target~

Zack obeyed. He just smiled at the flustered Reno. Reno's eyes narrowed at him as he snapped his gum. "Don't ya have some Holy Grenades to round up or somethin'?"

Zack smiled, patted his friend on his back, and walked over to Kunsel.

Zack and Kunsel had organized loading the chopper and it was ready to go. Reno snapped his gum in an almost angry fashion. Sephiroth was in the chopper and already sitting in the co-pilot seat. Reno looked edgy as the last crate was loaded in.

"Isn't anyone else going for the jump?"

"Nope. Just Sephiroth," Zack said as he patted him on his shoulder. "It won't be that bad."

Reno shook his head as Kunsel exited out of the chopper and announced that everything was done, and handed Reno the manifest.

Reno grumbled something under his breath and Zack was going to start to complain about his mumbling, when Reno cleared his throat loudly. Zack felt a hard slap on his ass and jumped a bit. He turned to glare at Reno.

"Well, Zackers. Watch that cute butt of yours…"

~cute butt~

"…out there with those killer bunnies. Wouldn't want ya comn' back with it all torn up by those big teeth," Reno said, making a face that bared his top teeth. He then made a clicking sound as he jumped into the chopper. "See ya."

He stood stunned for a bit at the Turk's comment. Zack felt his face absolutely burning.

His butt still burned from where the Turk had hit him. He looked over at Reno and saw him give him a two-fingered salute through the side window of the helicopter, and smirked as he took off.

He shook his head at the Turk's antics. He moved back with Kunsel and watched the chopper leave.

~hope he has fun with Sephiroth~

"You know," Kunsel said, his voice thick with humour. "I agree with Reno."

"Agree with Reno? What do you agree with Reno about?" Zack said as he looked over at his friend.

"Wouldn't want to see that 'cute butt' of yours get hurt out there." Kunsel laughed and the other men joined in around him, and he felt his face start to burn again, but he joined in with laughing.

He remembered that drunken phone call that he had intercepted where he was asking Cloud about his butt.

~maybe Cloud wasn't the only one staring at your butt that night. It certainly would explain the looks on the helicopter~

Kunsel slapped his ass after he made a comment that he didn't hear him make to the other men in the area. He pushed his friend harshly away and laughed as he landed ungracefully in the snowbank.

Now it was nice laughing at someone instead of himself.

But now he had to find out if that pesky Turk had been staring at his butt or not.

Joseph had a lot of gil in his hands. Cloud wondered where the blue-haired man could have that much gil. There was only one way that he knew of.

"Where'd you get that much dough?"

Joseph jumped and scrambled to grab a large scrap of paper that was on his bunk. He frantically was trying to stuff them into a pouch. "Nothin'. Absolutely nothin'. Nowhere."

"Joseph?"

Joseph flashed him a large smile and tilted his head.

~like that is going to work on me. Nothing beats Zack's puppy smile~

"Are you gambling again?" Cloud grabbed the pouch from behind Joseph's back. Joseph made a small attempt to get it back.

"No! I'm not gambling." Joseph reached forward quickly and got his hand on the pouch. Cloud increased his grip so that Joseph couldn't take it back.

"Then explain the gil," Cloud said. "You know how much shit you got in last time!"

Joseph swallowed. "Well! Benot started it!"

"So it is Benot's fault you are gambling," Cloud said, pulling the leather pouch completely from Joseph's nervous fingers.

"And yours!"

"Mine? How did I get you started with gambling again?" He opened the pouch, still keeping an eye on the jittery Joseph.

"Yeah. It's your fault!" Joseph said, chewing his lip. "Can I have it back?"

"Why is it my fault?" Cloud demanded, pulling out the piece of paper from the pouch. "There is at least six hundred gil in here!"

Joseph tried to grab the paper. Cloud pulled it away and started to read the note.

~you've got to be kidding!~

"Shit. You aren't going to be mad, are you?" Joseph said, giving him the most pitiful look possible.

"This list…" Cloud sputtered. He couldn't believe that he was reading it right. He looked at it, reading the names down the side and the dollar amounts beside each name.

"Well, you know, we all want to know who your sugar-daddy is and at Benot's party, you kinda disappeared. You know that Benot was looking for his," Joseph said, then cleared his throat, "birthday present, and you had already taken off."

Cloud rolled his eyes. He had blown Benot once, last year for his birthday. They had been both drunk and well, Benot was a nice-looking guy…

~oh man~

…it was his birthday and they both were single. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, you got that call and got all goofy-sounding. We figured that it was your sugar-daddy. When Benot couldn't find you, we all kinda started talking about how you are seeing someone and nobody knows who it is." Joseph licked his lips nervously. "We started the pool, guessing who it was."

Cloud looked at his list and blinked at some of the names. Zack and Reno weren't a surprise, since they already teased him about them anyway. "What the hell? Sephiroth? How would that even happen?"

"You know Zack, and Zack hangs around Sephiroth. He could have introduced you two," Joseph explained.

"That is so frickin' lame," Cloud mumbled as he continued down the list. "Instructor Clark. Gag me! How did he get on the list?" Cloud shook the paper.

"He's cute in the right light," Joseph said.

"You're a total perv."

Joseph grinned and tried to take the paper away from him.

Cloud continued to the next name. "Rufus!"

"Well, he does have lots of money," Joseph said with a sigh.

"Who put down Rude? He is dating Cissnei, why the hell would he be my boyfriend if he's got a girlfriend?" Cloud was trying hard to stay angry, but the list was rather silly and he couldn't help but smile, now that he was over the initial shock.

"Cissnei is just a cover, or he could be bi."

"Tseng!" Cloud couldn't believe that he made it on the list.

"Well, you said he seemed like a nice guy after the Modeoheim mission," Joseph said with a shrug.

Cloud rolled his eyes and looked at the last name on the list. He couldn't help but laugh at it. "Do you guys think I am that much of a perv?" He laughed.

"Well, she is known to hunt down young men and treat them like toys," Joseph said.

"Scarlet!" He laughed. "I think I have seen her once, and that was when we were going through the recruiting placement."

"Cyrus thought we should throw a girl in there. He still insists that you're not gay," Joseph said. He licked his lips nervously.

"You could have picked Cissnei. At least I know her," Cloud said and folded the silly list.

"It's a long shot," Joseph said and took the pouch and note from him. Cloud let him. "So, are you going to tell me who it is?"

Cloud rolled his eyes again. "No."

"Aw, come on!" He whined and grabbed Cloud's shoulders. "You found out about the list, now ya gotta tell!"

"I see your name was under Reno," Cloud said.

"Well, yeah. I totally think you're doing him," Joseph said bouncing on his bed. "So, are you?"

Cloud shook his head. "This is why I don't tell you guys things! You are a bunch of pervs." He started to walk away.

"Hey! Cloud!" Joseph yelled, bouncing from the bed. "You can't leave me hanging like that. I need info here!"

"Maybe if you put me in for a cut, I may tell," Cloud called back over his shoulder before he went to go grab a bite to eat.

Reno couldn't help but fidget. Sephiroth usually sat in the back, even if there was cargo. It was strange to see him sitting there with the muffs and sitting in the co-pilots seat.

Sephiroth was not a social person.

Ever.

~thank goodness it is a short jump~

"So did you kill any of the killer bunnies?" he asked as the silence between them was killing him. He knew that it wasn't a good idea to talk either.

"I killed Jumpings. Thirty of them before I became aware of the transport arriving," Sephiroth said.

~damn his voice is sexy~

Did he notice before, or was it something that he chose to ignore? Didn't matter. He shouldn't be finding anything about the silver-haired SOLDIER nice at all. Nothing at all. He was supposed to be ignoring the man, even though it was hard to ignore the man when he was sitting right there with that great smelling hair.

~it's filling up the whole chopper~

He stole a glance up over at Sephiroth and how he was sitting with his back perfectly straight and his hair swept over the shoulder that was closest to him. His face was staring forward with his usual flat look.

~wait a minute… he stopped killing bunnies to meet the transport… me?~

He swallowed hard.

~was he lying in wait for me… is this a trap?

He hadn't moved or tried anything. Sephiroth hadn't moved or said a word or even looked in his direction, either.

He really wanted to smoke. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his pack of gum and popped a fresh piece in his mouth. He quickly returned it.

"You have really quit?" Sephiroth said, his eyes now examining him.

~blatantly scoping me out~

"Decided to get rid of one of my dirty habits," he joked and regretted it.

~not supposed to be flirting with Mr. Frost~

Sephiroth's eyes gave him a strange flash and his jaw tightened.

~is he pissed that I returned the smokes?~

"When did you decide this?" Sephiroth's tone was brisk with anger tinting it. He really didn't want to piss off the General, especially in a small place as his helicopter.

~and after I got my privileges back~

"After I discovered that it was more than the smoking that was dangerous to my health, yo."

"Oh?" Sephiroth spoke through clenched teeth.

He snapped his gum. "Yeah."

Sephiroth leaned forward in his seat and a grin crossed the normally stoic face. Reno swallowed hard and couldn't look away. He felt a hand reach into his jacket pocket. He looked down to see that Sephiroth was pulling out his gum. His other hand undid the safety harness.

"Is this working?" Sephiroth examined the gum.

Reno had to take a couple of deep breaths. "Yeah," he whispered, knowing that he was sounding rather pathetic.

Sephiroth made a small humming noise as he smelled the gum; his green eyes closed slightly before opening and focusing on him again. "Cinnamon."

~vanilla mixes well cinnamon~

~stupid brain~

Reno's eyes darted across the General's face before he remembered that he was supposed to be flying a chopper and turned his attention to his controls. He was going to crash if he was going to be distracted like this. It was bad enough that his stomach felt like it was full of butterflies.

A voice came over his headphones, telling him that the landing zone was not yet clear and to hold his position.

"Roger," he responded.

That was when he realized that Sephiroth was no longer sitting in the chair. He had removed the headphones and they had been tossed into his seat. He was now standing right beside him. His actual hair was flowing down his shoulder and touching his.

~holy shit~

He was so close to him and he had to resist the strong temptation to reach up and stroke those strands that were touching his shoulder.

~wanna do more than that~

He was frozen as Sephiroth reached down. He held his breath as more of Sephiroth's hair cascaded down his side. The hand that held his gum slid underneath his jacket…

~my heart is going to explode~

…and moved it gently to the side. He looked over at the face of the General as he felt the pack of gum slide into the front pocket of his white shirt. He felt the hand smooth the fabric across his chest. His hand was warm, even through the leather gloves he wore, and there was gentleness in the touch.

~is this how he flirts~

He did look amused.

"No need to land. I'll jump." Sephiroth said, straightening up and then placing the hand that had smoothed across his chest on his shoulder.

Then he thought about what he had just said.

"Jump? Are ya fuckin' nuts, yo?" he blurted.

Sephiroth patted his shoulder and moved towards the door. "It is a manageable height. Relay the message."

"But…"

"Reno. Are you questioning me?" Sephiroth was serious now.

He was about to protest further, but then thought better of it. It was not healthy to argue with Sephiroth.

"He's gonna jump in two, over," he said over the radio.

"Surely you're joking, over."

"Nope, and don't call me 'Shirley', over," Reno announced back.

He heard Sephiroth snort and open the helicopter door. He argued with the guy on the other end of the radio for a bit before blurting, "Yo! Then you tell Sephiroth what to do! Over!"

He heard Sephiroth laugh.

He looked back and saw a smile on his face.

~fuck~

He looked so damn hot standing there with the coat whipping around those heavy leather boots, and his hair was swirling around him like some sort of silver dancers' ribbon. His bare chest with those leather straps…

~inappropriate thoughts! Inappropriate thoughts!~

"You're fuckin' insane," Reno yelled over the wind.

Sephiroth just smiled, but there was so much more in his eyes. "I have been told that before, Reno."

The way Sephiroth said his name made a shiver run right up his spine.

~not the place to get aroused~

"We have things to discuss," Sephiroth said and then was gone in a flash of silver and black leather.

Reno let go of the breath that he was holding and pressed the button to close the door. He took a moment to regain his breath.

"Received package, over," rang in his ears.

~package~

"Copy, over," he responded and listened to the coordinates of the base as his fingers automatically set the instruments.

"What do we have to talk about?" he whispered. He felt very confused at Sephiroth's strange flirting and words, and how absolutely hot he looked when he smiled and laughed.

"This is just so fuckin' weird," he muttered to himself before he started off to the base camp.

 

Chapter 36- Warmth ​

The apartment was quiet when he got home.

He knew Cloud was waiting for him, and it was more than just from his boots that were sitting at the front door. He looked around his place and sighed heavily. He could smell garlic in the air. Cloud had mentioned that he would cook something instead of going to the Mess, and would wait for him in his apartment when he had told him that he would be home in two hours.

~stupid Reno~

It was all Reno's fault that he was late. He was supposed to be the one that picked him up, but for some reason his chopper was diverted and he had to wait for a new ride. That took six more hours waiting in the snow, and he couldn't even phone Cloud to let him know because his phone decided that it didn't want to pick up any signals.

He looked to the kitchen and saw some pots in the sink. He opened the fridge and saw noodles, spaghetti sauce and garlic bread.

~damn it~

He felt so guilty. Cloud cooked for him and he didn't have the courtesy of arriving on time.

~where was Cloud?~

He smiled as he walked towards the bedroom and saw an adorable sight. Cloud was cuddled under the blankets, hugging his pillow. His yellow hair was messier than usual as his face was hidden in the blanket. He could see that his breathing was slow and easy, as if he was in a deep sleep.

He leaned his sword against the wall and admired Cloud.

~what did I do to deserve this?~

It was midnight and the only light that was illuminating the room was from the hall, and it made the man in his bed look young and vulnerable.

~and damn cute~

He moved forward and crawled onto the bed so that he was hovering over the blond, and leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead.

Cloud made a small moan and his eyelids opened slightly.

"Hey," Zack whispered.

"Hey," Cloud mumbled back. "You're late."

"Yeah. Sorry. It's Reno's fault."

"Oh." Cloud untangled himself from the pillow, as if his arms were leadened, and he reached up and wound them around Zack's neck. "You were with Reno? That's okay."

~what was that supposed to mean?~

Cloud pulled him down for a gentle kiss and made him forget the thoughts of Reno. The kiss was enough to make him want to melt.

Zack hummed as Cloud sleepily looked up at him, with his slack arms resting on his shoulders and his skilful fingers fiddling with his collar. "You're wearing too many clothes to come to bed."

Zack chuckled as he moved to do as Cloud suggested. He undressed and tossed his clothes by the hamper. He watched as Cloud sleepily grabbed the pillow again and hugged it to his chest.

Zack stripped down to his underwear as he crawled beside the drowsy man. He tried to remove the pillow from Cloud's arms with some protesting, but as soon as he settled where the pillow had been, Cloud calmed. The blond wrapped around him and laid his head against his shoulder, as if he were the pillow.

"I cooked dinner."

"Sorry," Zack said, stroking the other man's hair. "You can yell at Reno."

"M'kay," Cloud mumbled, breathing against his throat, sending a sensual thrill down his spine. "You didn't get mad at him, did you?" His words were slightly slurred with sleep.

"Not yet."

Cloud grumbled something as Zack was distracted by his hand that was roaming across his belly. "Was he okay?"

"Huh?"

"Reno. He seemed distracted. I'm a bit worried," Cloud said, his fingers dancing across his belly in a slow and easy fashion.

~Reno should be. Sephiroth is gunning for him~

"He'll be fine. He just got off his punishments from Tseng," Zack spoke into the yellow hair and stroked the warm shoulder.

He could feel Cloud smile. "Oh. That's good." Cloud's legs started to rub against his under the covers. He was so warm and his body felt so hard and soft at the same time. It was the most comforting feeling that he ever remembered. "You smell like snow," Cloud whispered as he inhaled deeply.

"Sorry."

"For what? Smelling like snow?" Cloud asked in a confused voice as his eyes drooped, as if he was ready to fall asleep at any moment.

"For being late. You made a meal, I should have told you not to."

"Wanted to," Cloud murmured, the hand that had been rubbing Zack's stomach moved to rest on his chest. "Do you think Reno would like some? I cooked it without mushrooms."

~why was that significant?~

"Maybe."

Sleepy Cloud mumbled something against his neck that he couldn't make out.

"Go back to sleep," he whispered, stroking the blond's soft hair and watched him easily sink back into dream land. "We can talk in the morning."

~why is he so concerned about Reno? Does he know about Sephiroth?~

He saw how edgy Reno was when he had to deal with Sephiroth and how the General had been eyeing the redhead. He was well aware that Cloud spent too much time talking with Reno while the redhead was on his Mess hall duties. Could Reno have told him about Sephiroth's strange behaviour?

He turned his focus back to the comforting warmth of Cloud pressed against him. He smiled as Cloud snored lightly.

~damn cute~

Zack was lulled into a comforting sleep, surrounded by the overwhelming warmth that Cloud had created in the bed for them.

Zack woke up first. Cloud was still sleeping draped over him. The thick warmth still surrounded them and he didn't want to lose the soft heavy feeling. He revelled in how comfortable it was.

He looked over at the clock. Sephiroth was still out in the field, and he had already had a debriefing with Lazard, so he at least had until noon. He never got to spend mornings with Cloud. He always got called out or Cloud had to return to the barracks or patrol.

~don't have to worry about that today~

It was only six in the morning and he planned on using it spending time with the man nestled next to him.

He chewed his lip and moved his hand down the warm skin of the younger man, stroking his side until he rested on the curve of his hip.

Cloud didn't look like he was waking up yet. He was still in a deep and very comfortable slumber. It would be a shame to wake him up, but he had plans for the other man. He had to make up for not being home in time for the dinner that was prepared.

~now, how did it go?~

He moved his hand from the hip and slipped it into Cloud's boxers, carefully wrapping his hand around the soft member and positioned his fingers just right.

Cloud let out a soft moan, but remained asleep.

Zack concentrated on moving his fingers, feeling rather clumsy as he did so.

~Pinky, ring, middle, index and twirling thumb~

He felt as if his fingers were awkward in their slow movements as he massaged the cock, and tried to twirl his thumb around the head.

~how does Cloud make it seem so easy?~

He squeezed a little harder and was awarded with a gasp and the warm body arching against him. Cloud threw his head back, exposing his throat. Zack took advantage and kissed the skin of his neck.

Cloud groaned, a hand moving to his arm and gripped him firmly. He tried keeping his fingers moving while he nuzzled the throat, but it was hard to concentrate on so many things at once. Cloud was awake now; Zack could feel the rapid heartbeat against his lips as he licked down to his shoulder.

Zack felt a hand weave into his hair and massage his scalp.

He tried to concentrate on his finger movements again. He wanted to keep the motion steady and even, trying not to let Cloud's touch distract him. Cloud's blue eyes were bright, but still unfocused as Zack continued the motion. He felt his hand become damp from the excited member; it encouraged him to continue his actions.

~must be doing something right~

The slender body pushed against him and thrust into his hand. Cloud was making…

~wonderful~

…moaning noises. Zack was getting excited by the sounds and pressing warmth of the young body, and he was going to make Cloud come first. They had all morning to play and he was well aware that Cloud was always up for more action.

Cloud's grip tightened on his arm as he made a small protesting sound. Zack smiled at the signs of Cloud already getting near to coming.

~must be doing it totally right~

The wetness in his hand grew and he felt more confident in his motions from the reactions he was getting. Cloud gripped his arm tighter and buried his face into Zack's shoulder with a low groan. His hips pumped against his hand and Zack found his own breath quickening to match that of Cloud's.

He slowed the dancing of his fingers and moved to kiss Cloud. The kiss was hungry as he pushed his tongue into the blond's mouth. Cloud submissively allowed the entry. He focused on the kiss, slowing his fingers even more. Cloud's hand tightened in his hair as he plundered his mouth. He broke the kiss when he needed air to breathe. Cloud arched against him, moving his hips and letting out a passion-filled groan. Zack lost control of his finger movements and fondled Cloud in quick and sure strokes.

The throbbing warm member started to twitch and Cloud gave out a gasp. He felt his body tense and shiver. Zack felt his hand quickly become covered with a slick fluid.

~totally did it right~

He smiled as he listened to Cloud's recovering pants and his blue eyes took their time to focus on his. "Morning," he whispered.

"Mornin'." Cloud's voice was thick was sated lust.

"Are you hungry?"

"You don't need to go to work?" Cloud asked, pressing his mouth in a soft kiss against his throat.

"Nope."

He liked the crooked smile on the blond's face as his arms wound around him and held him close. "You're positive about that?"

"Shouldn't have any problems," Zack whispered into the blond hair.

Cloud sighed and squirmed a bit. "I think we should have a shower first."

He had to admit that it was getting a little uncomfortable, not to mention that he was still very much aroused. Cloud's talented hand running across his belly and toying with the edges of his underwear was just making him more stimulated.

~how much teasing can one man do?~

"I can take care of this in the shower." Cloud's hand patted Zack and gave him a firm squeeze.

~ask a silly question~

"You better," Zack said, giving Cloud a returning squeeze before moving his hand out of the boxers. He pulled the covers off of them, regretting that his apartment was chilly and losing the warmth. "I'll make us breakfast when we are done, to make up for missing the dinner you cooked." He swung himself out of the bed, encouraging Cloud to follow.

"That sounds like a fair trade," Cloud said and clumsily moved out of the bed to stand beside where Zack waited. Cloud's eyes were full of mischief as he put his arms around his waist. Zack smiled as he looped his arm around Cloud's shoulders and escorted him to the bathroom.

"When did you get in last night? How late was it?" Cloud asked. "I remember you crawling in with me."

"You were so sleepy. It was…" Zack stopped himself from saying the offending 'c' word. He could see Cloud's eyes narrow. "…so late that I didn't want to wake you."

They walked into the bathroom. He leaned down to give him a quick kiss to stop Cloud from accusing him of almost calling him cute. He pulled him towards the shower, reaching in so he could turn on the water. He didn't want Cloud to leave his side. He was still so warm and wanted to be surrounded by it again. He pulled the man into his arms, resting his hands on the firm round bottom and held it in a sure grip. He felt Cloud reach around his waist and slip into the waist band of his underwear.

~I love his touch~

He felt a hard snap around his waist and Zack gave a yelp. He grabbed the arms of the mischievous man and grinned. He could almost see Cloud think, 'oh shit'.

Cloud gave a startled yell as he was dragged into the shower. "Hey, I still have my boxers on!" Cloud protested with a whine as Zack pushed him under the warm shower spray and ruffled his hair.

Cloud shook his head in defiance. "Hey. Stop that."

"I thought you were going to 'take care' of me in the shower?" Zack said as he tugged on the wet band of the blond's boxers. "You just had to taunt me."

Cloud gave a snort. "You are so asking for it."

"Darn right," Zack said, grinning and pulling him in for a kiss.

Cloud chuckled against his lips. "I want pancakes after this."

"We'll see if you deserve it."

Zack almost regretted saying it because of the strange sparkle that appeared in Cloud's eyes. He didn't have much time to contemplate what trouble he was in before Cloud pushed him back against the tile wall. The gentle spray of the shower was warming them both in this position. Cloud dropped to his knees and grabbed hold of the boxers and dragged the wet cloth down to his feet.

Cloud grabbed him in a firm grip and repeated the movements that Zack had so clumsily performed on him earlier. He felt the warm mouth surround the head of his cock and his talented tongue twirl along the head.

He let out a moan.

Zack threaded a hand through Cloud's hair and smiled fondly down at him. Bright blue eyes looked up with amusement as he continued the actions.

~damn, he's good at this~

Cloud's fingers slowed their dance and moved to the base of his member where he pressed down. Zack grunted and he involuntarily thrust his hips forward. Cloud took him all the way into his mouth.

"Gaia," he breathed.

Cloud made a humming sound that cause the tension in his belly to grow. He wasn't going to last long if Cloud kept this up. The blond squeezed the base tighter and moved his mouth back, keeping the suction light as he let his member fall out of his mouth.

"I'll show you taunting," Cloud said as he licked the tip of his penis as it jumped in appreciation. Zack groaned as Cloud's mouth surrounded him again. With the shower starting to steam up…

~more than just the action~

…and the water beating gently down on them as Cloud slowly moved his mouth around him, he began to feel his belly tighten with a familiar pleasure-filled tension.

The hand tightened at the base of his cock and the actions slowed. A frustrated feeling replaced the near thrill of an orgasm that he was being denied.

"Cloud?" He looked down at the kneeling man.

~why was he slowing down?~

His cerulean eyes rolled up at Zack and the only movement was the slight caving of his cheeks, as Cloud's tongue probed gently at the tip of his cock. Cloud's teasing caused his legs to start to shiver. Cloud started to move his head again, and Zack watched with bated breath, as his member disappeared inside of the warm wet lips.

~damn it~

Cloud was purposely teasing him. He endured that mouth and fingers bringing him nearly to the brink and then slowing right down. It left him quivering and desperately pleading with the skilful, kneeling man to let him come.

~I let him come~

He used one hand pressed against the wall to keep from falling and the other wound into the wet hair trying to make Cloud move faster. Even with his mouth full, Zack was pretty sure that he was laughing at him.

~teasing bastard!~

"Damn it, Cloud," he whispered, barely able to get the words out as Cloud slowed down again. One of the blond's hands tickled his balls and the other squeezed his thigh.

Cloud hummed. Zack groaned, his eyes rolling back and his head smacked against the tile. "Gaia."

Cloud's blue eyes looked up at him full of amusement. Cloud pulled his head back and Zack just about fell out of his mouth. Zack moaned in protest as he tongued the head of his cock before he descended back down on him. He did that move a few more times. Zack threw his head back again, careful not to crack his head this time, and let the water and passion wash over him.

His hips moved to coordinate with Cloud's teasing mouth. His breath quickened and Zack hoped that Cloud was going to finally let him come.

~damn it~

"Please," he whimpered, not sure if Cloud could hear him over the water raining down on them. He gripped the back of Cloud's head and thrust his hips forward. Cloud pulled back again and Zack could feel him chuckle.

~oh that felt good~

Thankfully, Cloud sped up his movements as the tension built to an unbearable level. He doubted he could put up with any more teasing and was grateful when it appeared that Cloud was finally going to allow him to come. He released into Cloud's mouth with an involuntary shout. He was grateful that his legs were holding up as Cloud slid up his body to kiss him.

"You're a fucking tease," Zack panted.

Cloud smiled. "You like it." He furrowed his brow. "You broke the tile."

Zack rubbed his head where he had smacked it against the wall. He didn't think he had hit it that hard. "Yeah, well. I should make you pay for it since it's your fault."

"Pfft. Your fault for having such a hard head," Cloud said with a large grin as he reached for the shampoo.

"But I want pancakes." Cloud stood in the kitchen wearing a pair of Zack's sweatpants which were too large on him and were slipping off his hips as he stood there pouting about the lack of what he wanted for breakfast.

"I don't have any flour or mix. I do have bread and jam," Zack said, sheepishly looking over to the young man as he held up a loaf of bread.

Cloud crossed his arms and frowned. "I think I deserve pancakes. After all, you stood me up last night without even a phone call, after I cooked a meal. And you can't have forgotten what just went on in the shower. I want pancakes."

"I didn't mean to," Zack protested. "I told you it was Reno's fault."

Cloud narrowed his eyes. "How did Reno prevent you from calling?"

"You don't remember what I said to you last night, do you?" Zack grinned, still dangling the loaf of bread in his hands. "You were so out of it when I came home. I told you that Reno was supposed to be my ride and he was most likely gallivanting somewhere, making a nuisance of himself."

Cloud gave a sigh. "He's back in his chopper again. Does that mean he finally got out of pulling Mess duty?" He leaned against the counter and looked at the jam that he had pulled out. Strawberry had always been his favourite.

~almost looks disappointed~

"Well, if he keeps up his antics it won't be long before he gets on Tseng's bad side again," Zack said, remembering how Reno had been responding to Sephiroth, and even more amused by how Sephiroth had reacted around Reno. "You said that you were worried about him last night."

"I did?" Cloud blinked.

"Yeah. You were so sleepy though, you must not remember asking. Did he tell you something?" Zack asked.

"No. I can't get anything out of him." Cloud sighed. "I know there was something bothering him, but he just won't talk about it." He had to tug on the waistband of his sweatpants again. "Did he tell you anything?"

Zack nodded. "We talked a bit. I know his mentor, Legend, is sick and they are both trying to quit smoking. Maybe that has something to do with it?" Zack offered as a response. He knew that was only part of it, but didn't think it was his place to bring up Sephiroth.

"I told the idiot to come and talk to me and he goes off sulking on his own. He is going to burn himself out!" Cloud said angrily as he twirled the jar on the counter. "He can be completely oblivious at times."

"I agree there."

"Well, do you know if he made it back yet?" Cloud asked. "I want to make sure that he is okay."

Zack shrugged. He had no intention of phoning him to find out. He would ream out the redhead for making Cloud upset and worry about him at a later date.

~cutting into our time together~

"Why don't we hunt him down after breakfast?" Zack said, shaking the bag of bread.

Cloud twisted his lips slightly into a pout. "But I still want pancakes."

"I make some mean toast."

Cloud couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. "You will have to make sure that you have stuff to make pancakes next time."

"Of course," Zack said as he pulled out some bread and moved over to his toaster. "Only the finest toast for you."

Cloud snorted. "I guess that is a compliment."

"Of course," he responded with a wide grin as he went to retrieve some plates and a knife.

Cloud opened the jar and got some jam on his hand. He watched as Cloud brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked the sticky jam off.

~was that on purpose? Shit, that is so hot!~

Cloud found some more jam on a finger and started to suck it. Zack darted forward and grabbed Cloud's hand, moving his fingers to his own lips. Cloud tasted of clean skin and strawberry jam. Cloud's breath quickened and his eyes grew wide.

~It was Cloud's fault for getting jam on his fingers~

"Yummy," Zack said as he took two of Cloud's fingers in his mouth.

~strawberry and Cloud. I think it is my new favourite combination~

He could see a familiar flush start to form on Cloud's cheeks. He heard the toast pop out of the toaster, but it was not what he was concerned with now.

Cloud protested when Zack scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder as he carried him into the bedroom. He gleefully tossed the other man onto the bed.

"I can walk!"

"Pfft. This is more fun," Zack said as he bounced beside Cloud. The blond's sweatpants were dangerously low and showing off the tantalizing lines of muscle leading down to his groin.

~should go get the jam, but it would be so messy~

Zack didn't feel the need to rush as they took their time exploring each other. Zack allowed his hands to roam over every part of Cloud's body and learn all the spots that made the blond gasp. He let his lips find the tastiest parts to nibble on and he let the soft pleasure-filled sounds that filled the room guide his actions.

~finally be able to tease Cloud without it being turned against me~

Once he got his fill of stroking and fondling the now shivering blond, he turned Cloud so that his back was pressed against his body. He had got the lube out and was reaching down and was stroking his fingers slowly inside of Cloud. Cloud's twisting as he stretched him, and the wiggling was testing his resolve. Zack had to focus on his breathing to make sure he could pay back his teasing friend for the treatment he got in the shower.

Cloud was trying to make him move quicker as he pushed his ass against the fingers. He had the condom package already open, holding it in anticipation of the next act, ready to hand it over.

He kept his other arm firmly wrapped around the blond's chest, limiting the movement of his arms. Zack was pleased with the frustrated sounds as he held the wiggling warm body tight.

The small cries and soft whimpers coming from Cloud were becoming more urgent; needier.

~and it is absolutely wonderful~

Cloud was getting impatient…

~and so was he~

… but Zack was determined to make this last. He kept his fingers pressed inside, nibbling at the tasty neck…

~should get the jam. Can do laundry later~

… and holding Cloud's hands at bay.

"Damn it, Zack!" Cloud blurted and twisted harder against him. "Are you going to take all morning teasing me?"

"I could," he whispered, tightening his grip around his chest as he nibbled on Cloud's ear. "I wanted to see how long it would take before you got all flustered." He stopped his fingers from moving inside of Cloud and gained a frustrated growl from the younger man. "I need that condom now."

Cloud's breathing quickened as he handed it over. Zack had to release his hold and pull his fingers out to place it on. "Now, stay still," Zack said as Cloud moved to lay on his back. "I want to spoon you."

Cloud moved back to lying on his side, and had to look over his shoulder at Zack. His cheeks were flushed and his breathing quickened again. Once ready, he got back into position, wrapping both his arms around Cloud and pressed against the eager bottom, so that they were spooning each other tightly. He pushed a leg between Cloud's and rubbed himself against the warm entrance. Zack made sure that he gripped Cloud's arms so that they were pinned tightly against his chest.

~don't want him touching himself~

He entered slowly, enjoying the slow anticipation of being surrounded by Cloud. He felt Cloud trying to pull his arms free, but Zack kept himself wrapped around the man tightly. He was going to take his time and if Cloud's hands were free, there was no way that he could take it slow.

Cloud pushed back against him.

~damn his agile hips~

"Easy," he whispered.

Cloud groaned and pushed back again.

"Damn it, Cloud," he panted as he started to move his hips, keeping his movements slow and steady, despite the attempts of Cloud to speed things up. Cloud tried to free his arms but Zack kept them pressed at his side. That little struggle allowed him to last longer before he couldn't resist speeding up his pace. He shifted his position slightly, so that he was thrusting directly on the sensitive inner bundle of nerves. The change was greeted with a sharp gasp.

He moved his grip on Cloud's arms so he could reach down to Cloud's hard member and gripped it firmly and increased his pace.

Cloud's back arched and he let out a howl…

~actual howl, damn hot~

…as he came.

It only took another thrust before he followed.

They lay like that, panting and gripping each other tight for awhile before the discomfort of the arm that was under Cloud made him move and clean them up.

~could have used the jam, have to change the sheets anyway~

He curled gladly back into the bed and Cloud's sleepy and content eyes looked at him.

~damn it~

That look…it was so warm.

They lay together in comfortable silence until a phone rang. Zack startled at the sound, as he did not realize that they had fallen asleep. They both groaned at the sound. It was Zack's. He reached over to the end table and looked at the number. It was Kunsel. He was tempted to let it drop back down but looked at the time.

"Shit, it's after one," Zack blurted. That meant he and Cloud were late.

~they truly had fucked away the morning~

He heard Cloud let out a string of curses as his naked body went flying toward his clothes. "I had to be at Sector Four - ten minutes ago!" Cloud frantically tried to get his clothes on.

Zack opened his phone to answer Kunsel. "Hello?"

"Where are you?"

"I just woke up," Zack said as he watched the blond trying to put his shirt and pants on at the same time.

"Lazard will have your ass! He is edgy enough. You need to get your butt down here and a half-hour ago!" Kunsel snapped into the phone.

"Yeah, yeah," Zack said. "I'll be there."

He looked over at Cloud and saw that he was dressed but still muttering a series of curses with a flushed face. "Man, the guys are going to bug me about this," he muttered as he rushed forward and Zack was given a quick kiss. "Training tomorrow?"

"Yep," Zack said and only got to enjoy the smile for a little longer as Cloud nearly sprinted out of his apartment.

He sighed at his own naked state and started to get dressed. As he put on his underwear, he realized that Cloud was now running around commando. Cloud's boxers were still sitting on the floor in the bathroom, soaked from being thrown in the shower.

~man, I'm going to be thinking about that all day~

He finished dressing and left the apartment's warmth. He wished the morning could have lasted longer.

As he got in the elevator his stomach growled.

He chuckled. They had never got around to eating anything for breakfast.

 

Lol Well gracias amigo! XD

 

Chapter 37- Junon​

Reno was grateful for a helicopter full of samples. It meant that he didn't have to talk to anyone, and that was wonderful. He was also thankful that he was going home. He didn't want to lie in wait of a Sephiroth ambush, and he was looking forward to crawling into his own bed.

~even if I'll be alone~

He frowned heavily at that, but didn't have much time to contemplate it as a voice came over the radio demanding his attention.

"Yo, Reno here, over."

"Requesting current location. Over," the voice over the radio crackled.

Reno gave the coordinates and tapped his finger impatiently as he waited for word back. "How much cargo room is available? Over."

"I can carry another tonne. Over," he stated.

"Do you have room for passengers?"

"Uh, yeah. Three at most, but it won't be comfortable, yo. Over." He looked at the back. The three seats would be pretty cramped with the boxes arranged the way they were.

"Change of coordinates. Urgent transport of personnel from Junon to Midgar. What would be your ETA?"

He quickly calculated it. "Twenty, over."

There was some buzzing on the line before it was confirmed. He was heading to pick up some pricks in Junon.

~damn it. I'm probably expected to entertain them as well~

Upon landing in Junon and watching the ground crew do all the checks, he started to pine for a cigarette. He only had one piece of gum left, and his mind was turning back towards how Sephiroth had settled the pack of gum into his pocket and the leather hand that smoothed his shirt…

~and how fuckin' hot he looked with the wind blowing his hair around like that~

He reached in and grabbed his last piece of gum. One of the men on the crew was having a cigarette as he worked. Reno almost asked him for one, but refrained.

~cigarettes cause too much trouble~

"Yo," he called out to get the attention of the crew. "Do any of ya know who the prick is that is supposed ta be arrivin'?"

The young man with the cigarette shrugged. "Don't know, but there's the limo."

He looked at the long black limo drive in. "Wonderful," he moaned. He hoped it wasn't some of those fat-cat executives. He was beginning to think that he should have lied and said that he was stocked full.

~I could be in the Mess hall complaining about my shoulder or something to Cloud~

Reno really wanted to pull the smoke out of the young mechanic's mouth and take a drag off of it. The gum was not cutting it today.

The limo stood there for a bit and whatever obnoxious asshole that he was supposed to take with him to Midgar was taking his sweet-ass time.

He snapped his gum, irritated. "Are we refuelled, yo?" he asked.

The guy with the smoke, inhaled sharply and nodded his head. Another added. "Just a few more checks and you'll be ready ta fly."

Now he just had to wait for the pompous prick to get out of the damn limo so he could get out of there.

The door of the limo finally opened. He turned to look at who he was most likely going to be insulting and ending up back in shit with Tseng.

~fuck~

The thought of jumping in the chopper and just leaving sounded really good right now, but he was frozen in his spot. He wasn't sure, but it looked like Rufus. The hair was like Rufus', but the clothes were nothing like what he normally wore. The guy was dressed in a pair of light blue jeans…

~very tight~

…and a simple white short-sleeved golf shirt. The guy was even wearing sandals on his feet, which was pretty laid back for some bigwig. Of course, he wasn't positive that it was the brat until a dark shadow bounced out of the limo and sat by the feet of the man in question.

The casually dressed man was still talking to someone on the inside, but it definitely was Rufus and the damn shadow with him was Dark Nation.

~please let Legend be in there too~

It was Dark Nation that spotted him first. She uncurled herself from around the feet of her master and glared right at him.

~this is goin' to be fuckin' great~

His stomach filled with dread as Dark Nation curled her lips up baring her teeth. Rufus was still chatting, and he could hear his light laughter.

~goin' ta eat me as a snack~

Rufus did have his monster on a leash, but that did not stop Dark Nation from running right at him. He saw Rufus turn with an alarmed look and a yell, but that was the last thing he registered before a large black body was on top of him. He had managed to pull out his EMR, but the cursed creature was quick. He got the rod up and used it to protect his arm, which seemed to be the target, and that large jaw was around his EMR. His finger was itching to press the trigger to give the stupid thing a shock.

"Get off me ya damn mutt," he growled and pushed. Dark Nation shook her head and pressed harder.

Her teeth were denting his weapon.

"Nation!"

The monster did not heed her master. He felt a claw on his chest and it was starting to dig in.

~screw it~

He pressed the button on the rod and immediately regretted it.

~first rule of using an EMR -- don't shock what you're touching~

Dark Nation made a sharp yelping sound and fell off him. He was shaking from the shock and gasping for air. Reno blinked his eyes frantically as he tried to get them to focus. There was a lot of yelling going on.

~I hope I killed the pet monster~

He sat up and glared at Rufus who was holding the beast's head in his lap and petting it as she quivered. Dark Nation's tongue lolled out and she was panting and whining. The mechanics were standing around with their mouths hanging open. Beside Rufus stood a tall thin man in a long blue coat who was looking down at the boss and beast with a concerned look. He knelt beside the monster and ran his hand over her head. There was a soft green glow that engulfed the mutt before the man made a diagnosis. "It was a mild shock. She'll be fine."

"Yo, anyone care that thing just pounced me?" Reno grumbled.

The man with the blue coat looked at him. Reno recognized him now. It was Reeve, the guy that was always trying to fix things up in the slums and spend money on environmental stuff. He didn't have much to do with the bearded man, but was aware of his reputation of talking people into a slumber during meetings.

Dark Nation lifted her head and growled.

~thing was just playing it up!~

Reeve snorted. "See, she's fine." Reeve moved to kneel beside him. Reno saw the bangle that had various coloured materia nestled in it. He felt the tingle of a cure run through him. "Better?"

"Yeah. Thanks," he muttered and stood. He didn't like the amused look on the man's face.

~I hate bigwigs~

Rufus' grey eyes turned to him and they weren't as cold as he suspected that they would be, considering he had just shocked his pet. Even if the damn thing did deserve it for charging at him and taking him down. It didn't look good to be taken out by a monster. He was a Turk, and he wasn't supposed to be that easy to take down, least of all by a pet.

Rufus was standing now, still stroking the head of the monster and looking at him.

"Well, it seems that Nation still doesn't like you," Rufus said, amusement thick in his tone. The monster grumbled at the sound of her master's voice. "You are lucky that I sedate her when we fly."

"Should've sedated her before ya got here, yo," he grumbled.

Reeve gave a low chuckle. "Well, sir. I believe we both should be about our way. Shall we get her aboard before I cast Sleep, so she will not attack the pilot?"

Reno bristled and twirled his rod. "I don't wanna deal with that thing on my chopper, yo. Get a muzzle for it!"

Rufus looked offended. "Sleep will keep her just fine," he said firmly. Dark Nation seemed to know what was being said and whimpered. "She will not be muzzled."

Reno took a deep breath, smelling the cigarette smoke of the mechanic, and now was desperately craving one. He glared at both the men and the monster. "If we crash, it's your damn fault." He couldn't look at the two men anymore and he was not going to help get that monster in the hold.

He climbed into his seat and watched as Rufus and Reeve climbed in. He noted that Rufus frowned at how crowded it was.

~that's what the pompous ass gets for waylaying me~

Dark Nation nervously looked about and gave him the evil eye. He sparked his rod to give the thing a warning. Rufus glared at him for that, but Reno was beyond caring at the moment. He had been attacked by her for the second time and he did not appreciate that she seemed to have more value than him.

Dark Nation made herself comfortable on a crate, circling a couple of times before settling down. That was when Reeve cast a Sleep spell.

~who woulda thought an office rat would be good with magic?~

"Well, sir, I will be heading back. I will be returning to Midgar in a week's time, and we can discuss the issues of the sector supports," Reeve said.

Reno thought his heart was going to stop.

~that meant…~

"Yo! You're not comin'?" He turned sharply and looked at the two men. If Reeve wasn't coming with them, that meant that he was going to be transporting Rufus.

~shit, I don't want to be just transporting Rufus. That would mean that I would be in the helicopter - alone - with Rufus. I dun wanna be trapped by the boss again. I dun wanna be alone with the brat~

He must have looked panicked because Rufus' eyes almost sparkled with amusement.

Then there was the other question of where was Legend. Legend was supposed to be assigned to watch the brat. Where was the boss' bodyguard? He was supposed to have a Turk with him at all times when he wasn't in Midgar.

Reeve left the helicopter, much more gracefully that a chair jockey should, leaving him alone with Rufus.

He stared at the man that remained behind.

~shit~

He was sitting in a seat beside the crate that the monster was sleeping on, rubbing the thing's ears as if she were a puppy.

"Are we waitin' for anyone else, yo?" he asked hopefully.

"No. It is just me," Rufus said with a twisted smile playing across his lips. "My father urgently wanted me back in Midgar."

Reno swallowed hard. He doubted that the brat's father wanted him back. The lack of love between the two was well known.

"Are you going to sit there or are we going to head home? The spell does have a time limit for its effectiveness," Rufus said as he stroked the neck of Dark Nation.

"What 'bout Legend? Where's he? Where's your protection?" It was strange to see Rufus sitting in such snug casual clothes. His normal bulky suit did not do his body justice. Reno examined the boss who was now leaning casually in the cramped seat, but looking like it was something that he had planned all along.

~and probably did~

"The rearrangement of those that are assigned to me was quite difficult," Rufus said, crossing his legs. "I had Legend accompany Cissnei instead of Rude for another mission. I knew you normally travelled with him, but it seemed I was mistaken on how Tseng had arranged you all. It was quite a bother."

~bother~

Reno looked back at the brat.

~Nothin' is ever an accident with him~

"Well, I suggest that we start, unless you want Dark Nation to wake during the flight. She doesn't particularly like flying," Rufus spoke in low tones and with slow blinking eyes.

Reno turned back to the controls with a tightening in his belly, not just from nervousness, but how the brat's voice and sexy casual clothes affected him.

~he can't do too much damage with me flyin' the chopper~

Reno was in his element now. He was at the controls of the helicopter and he was the one that was in power.

~why am I shaking then?~

Rufus couldn't do anything to him here while he was working. He was strapped in the back, still stroking the head of his pet. Rufus may have planned for him to be his escort, but he could do nothing about it.

~hopefully~

Reno focused on the chopper, even though he could feel those grey eyes burning in the back of his skull and found it extremely distracting knowing who was in the back seat. He went through the start up procedures and was planning on making it to Midgar in record time.

He was soon in his pilot mode as routine took over his thoughts, and he was able to block out the burning sensation that he felt boring into his shoulder blades. He was going to concentrate on flying as if he had just got out of training.

He was not going to think about the sexy passenger sitting behind him.

He was not going to think that Rufus had set this all up.

He was going to pretend that he hadn't been attacked by his pet.

He was going to push the chopper to its limit before Rufus started to try something funny from the back seat.

~shit, too late~

He heard a movement behind him and the click of a seatbelt being removed. He wanted to turn and run, but he had nowhere to go as he felt his headphone get ripped unceremoniously off his head and thrown to the other chair.

~totally trapped~

He felt warm arms curl around him from behind; one hand resting across his chest and moving sensually down to his belly. Rufus' other hand was pressing briefly against his shoulder, and then played across his neck to rest in his hair. A solid chin pressed against his shoulder and he could feel his warm breath gently playing along his ear as Rufus leaned into him.

"Sir," he whimpered. He hated how he sounded and how his body was reacting to his touch. The hand on his belly was so warm and his skin was burning. Again, he was in a situation where he couldn't touch, and the boss had complete control.

His hand tensed and pulled back on the cyclic stick. The nose of the helicopter pitched.

"Ah-ah," Rufus breathed into his ear. "You better get it under control or else you will have to explain why the Vice-President was tossed around a helicopter by a careless Turk."

He levelled off the helicopter again, but his breathing was hard to control. He was nearly panting as Rufus' hand ran over his belly and the other played in his hair, tugging at his red strands gently.

Rufus made a humming sound and he felt lips against his neck.

~fuck~

"This isn't a good idea, yo," he said, but he found himself moving so that Rufus had more access to his throat. He let his eyes dart around his instruments to make sure that he hadn't shifted course too far, and that there was nothing on the radar as he felt teeth pull at his flesh.

Rufus chuckled. "No, probably isn't, but you were supposed to be in Kalm. I was very disappointed that I was escorted by that prude mentor of yours." His teeth pulled a little harder on his skin and Reno couldn't help but moan in response. "So I will have to take what little time that I have."

"Yo, man. You're distractin' me," Reno said, trying to keep his eyes from closing completely and to keep them on the control panel. Rufus' hand was caressing him through his shirt as if he wasn't dressed at all. The man was absolutely amazing with his hands.

"That is the point," Rufus said, taking Reno's earlobe into his mouth and tugging gently.

~fuck~

He moved to look at Rufus and protest, but was surprised as Rufus' mouth latched onto his. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. Rufus was aggressive as he harshly kissed him. He fought against the kiss, but the hand in his hair firmed and held his head in place. A warm tongue forced its way into his mouth. Rufus made a very pleased noise as he explored his mouth until Reno thought he was going to suffocate.

His hand moved the cyclic stick, causing the helicopter to pitch to the right. He was forced to level out and look back at the controls to make sure that they weren't going to fly into anything. Rufus' hand was still stroking his belly as he let out a low melodious chuckle when he pulled out of the kiss.

He watched as Rufus licked his lips. "You taste divine. Cinnamon is a much better flavour than those cigarettes. I approve."

~even chewing gum is dangerous to my health~

Before he could protest, a hungry mouth and teeth were against his lips again. The brat could kiss, he would admit, but it was hard to enjoy the kisses when he was supposed to be concentrating on flying. His hand moved on the stick and the chopper shook. It did not seem to faze Rufus as he was jostled slightly, as it only seemed to tighten his grip in his hair, and he pushed his tongue further in his mouth. The hand on his stomach tugged at the hem on the button of his pants and tugged.

His pants were already uncomfortably tight and the tugging just brought that more to his attention.

Rufus pulled out of the kiss. "We are drifting, Reno. You need to get us back on course."

Reno snapped his attention to the controls and saw that they were indeed drifting. He reset the course so that they were heading to Midgar. Rufus was resting his chin on his shoulder again and made an amused humming sound.

"Sir?" he whispered. He looked down and saw those long fingers delving into the hem of his pants. He could feel him stroking the hairs around his groin and nimbly teasing him.

"Your mouth protests, but your body tells me that you want this," Rufus whispered, the hand in his hair tugging to ensure that his neck was exposed to him. Reno moaned as he felt that mouth sucking and nibbling on his sensitive throat. "You have such a tasty neck, my swan."

"Let me – uh – put –ah – on the autopilot," Reno said, trying to move forward to flip the switch that would allow him to free his hands and respond to the teasing.

The hand in his hair tugged to keep him where he was. "No. I like you like this." Rufus assaulted his ear with his teeth again. The hand that went to reach for the small little switch fell back to his side.

He whimpered. It was just a short reach to the switch, if he could move forward instead of being held back in the seat by warm…

He felt the pressure in his pants lessen as he felt the button pop. He involuntarily moved the cyclic stick again, causing the chopper to yaw to the left. Rufus chuckled but didn't stop his hand from delving into his underwear to smooth the hairs around the base of his arousal.

Rufus' sensual voice whispered in his ear. "Just think of all the things that we could have done if you had come to Kalm. We wouldn't have been restrained by time and in the confines of a helicopter. We would have been in the chalet that we have there. I even had the bed fitted with some smooth, silky sheets for you to writhe on." Rufus spoke those last words slowly and licked his ear for emphasis.

Reno leaned back to ease the tension of the fingers that were in his hair, and to alleviate the coils of tension that were growing in his belly as those fingers moved in his underwear. Teasing him! Rufus was not quite touching his swollen cock, but tracing his fingers around the base and stroking his pubic hair.

~so close, yet so far~

"I wanted to see the rest of those markings," Rufus whispered and moved so that he was kissing Reno's neck. The brat's fingers tightened in his hair as he was nibbling on his throat. "I wanted to run my tongue over every line and curve that was drawn there. I wanted to taste every part of you."

Reno twisted in his seat at the pleasurable assault. He really wanted to reach that autopilot switch so that he could at least touch the boss. It wasn't fair that he was always turned into the submissive one at a simple touch and smooth words. He didn't know when he turned into such a subservient one. He was an elite Turk. But Rufus effectively made him whimper and want to beg to let him do more.

~or have more done to you~

"We could have had so much fun together." Rufus bit the fleshy muscle on his neck. It caused Reno to let out a startled yell and he tried to pull away. The helicopter jerked as he clenched the cyclic stick tightly in his hand. He had to focus on the chopper as the grip in his hair increased and the hand around the base of his member gripped him firmly. Rufus was already kissing the bite mark as if he were apologizing for it. Rufus made that pleasing humming sound as he did.

"Gonna crash if you keep this up, yo," he weakly said. His whole body was on fire and he wanted more than just the teasing touches and nibbling lips. Rufus' words were setting him on fire and he was wishing that he had gone to Kalm after all.

"I have more trust in your pilot skills."

~Glad he does. I'm almost willin' to let go of the stick and get a good feel in before we crash~

"You are still on course," Rufus announced. "Keep it steady, Reno. I really don't want to be thrown about."

"Then ya gotta quit toyin' with me, Boss." Reno gasped and thrust his hips forward. Rufus' hand was now grasping him fully and gave him a little tug.

Rufus gave a chuckle and nibbled his ear. "I am rather enjoying myself." Reno felt the tension building in his belly at the humiliating treatment and his face flushing. His breathing became shallow as he tilted his head back.

"Fuck."

"Oh, I don't think we have time for that," Rufus whispered. The hand in Reno's fiery hair tugged his head to the side again. The one on his member stopped its stroking, but still squeezed him firmly. Reno couldn't help but give sharp and shallow breaths. His hand shook and so did the chopper before he gained control again. Rufus chuckled and proceeded to work his mouth along his neck, sucking and nibbling so wonderfully that it was hard not to let his eyes roll back in his head.

"You taste wonderfully sweet." Rufus nibbled his neck and jaw between words. "I was so looking forward to dining on you, tasting every part of you. I had days to fill and you were supposed to be there to fill them." Rufus removed his hand from his cock but still stroked the hair around it. Reno involuntarily moved his hips, trying to get that warm hand to grab him again.

Reno tried to talk but all he ended up doing was letting out a short moan with every exhale of his quick breaths.

Rufus continued talking and nibbling at his jaw and throat. "Did I mention the sheets I had purchased for us to use? I believe that I did. Yes, it was a shame to curl up in those silky black sheets alone. I bought black ones, so that your skin would be even more luminous against them. I so wanted to see you laying on them as I..." Rufus trailed off and moved his head so that they were kissing. "...had my way with you," he finished as he pulled away.

Reno's hand slipped again. The chopper jostled sharply. He quickly got it under control and stared at the console to make sure that they hadn't moved off course. Rufus chuckled in his ear. "I had the sheets packed to make sure that they were brought home. It was a shame that they were not used as I intended."

~used as intended~

Reno felt lightheaded and forced his breathing to ease a little. He was going to hyperventilate if he kept breathing shallowly. It was a little easier now that Rufus wasn't stroking him, even though he was still painfully hard and aroused.

"Always try for later," Reno managed to get out.

"Oh, that is for certain," Rufus said with authority thick in his voice. He pulled the hand out of his underwear and Reno moaned in protest as the damp hand ran over his belly. "But our time is short." Rufus felt the grip lessen on his hair, with the arms no longer around him. He was about to protest being left in such a condition, when Rufus pointed to the headphones. "I believe that they are trying to contact you."

Then Rufus was gone. No longer tugging at his hair or touching his stomach. He was handing him the headphones and was smiling at him. Standing slightly stooped in those adorable casual clothes, his hair falling to hide one of his amused grey eyes. But that damn smile - amused and smug - displayed on swollen lips.

~I really hope those jean are uncomfortable~

He grabbed the headphones out of his hand and thrust them back on his head. "Yeah, yeah. Hear ya. What do ya want?"

"Confirming occupancy of Vice-President Rufus on the chopper, sir. Over."

"Yeah. Br… Boss is here, yo."

They gave him the landing pad number he was supposed to go to and he mumbled his response back. Twice, as it seemed they didn't hear him the first time.

~people need to get their ears checked~

He turned to see that Rufus had taken his seat again. He was sitting there like nothing happened and was stroking the head of his monstrous pet. He was already acting like he hadn't spent the whole helicopter ride playing with his body and mind. He was still so aroused that Reno doubted he could do the zipper of his pants back up without injuring himself.

"Such a short ride. What a shame," Rufus said. He didn't even look fazed. He still had the aura of being a pompous, self-righteous, bigwig even in those damn casual clothes. "You better make yourself somewhat presentable before we land. My father will most likely be waiting for me upon landing."

~totally just mind-fucked me~

He arranged himself carefully as he fastened his pants. He hoped that he would be calmed down enough when they landed. He didn't want to walk out of the chopper with a raging and painful boner. He slumped in his chair and glared at the man that did this to him.

~black silk sheets and white suit would be fuckin' hot~

His cock twitched at the thought. He had to calm down, and thinking about Rufus lying on black silk sheets wasn't helping his current situation. He glanced back at Rufus who was crossing and uncrossing his legs. At least he knew that he was turned on.

Reno wanted to wipe that smug smirk off his pompous face.

A voice in his ear told him that he had to pay attention to flying again.

Tseng frowned at Reno's attire. Reno was never one to wear his suit properly to begin with, but this deviation from the normal work attire was way out from the norm.

~turtlenecks do not follow the clothing regulations ~

He might have overlooked it if it wasn't such an atrocious colour. It was a terrible shade of green that nearly glowed and reminded him a bit of Christmas colours with how his red hair contrasted with it.

He was preparing himself a coffee before the morning meeting. He observed his subordinates react to the strange attire on the puzzling Turk.

"A little early to get in the holiday spirit?" Cissnei chuckled.

Reno responded simply, "I ran out of white shirts, Sissy."

"Cissnei," she said as she swirled the coffee in her cup and sat beside Rude. Rude sat there silently, but Tseng could tell he was just as curious about the horrible shirt. "Where did you even get something of that horrible colour?"

"It was fashionable a couple of years back, Sissy. Don't tell me you didn't have a tube-top this colour," Reno quipped. Tseng wondered if she did indeed have a tube-top that colour from the redness of her cheeks.

"Reno," Rude said in a firm, low tone. Tseng was always amazed at how the two communicated. Simple words and gestures between the two spoke volumes.

Reno slumped in his chair and tugged at the snug shirt around his throat. Tseng knew very well that he didn't like things constricting his neck, so why was he purposely putting himself through …

~Rufus~

He saw the marks on Reno's neck as he tugged at it, trying to make it more comfortable for him to breathe.

He had hoped that the helicopter would not be a place where Rufus would try something on Reno, but obviously the Vice-President had, from the bruising that he briefly observed. Reno had left the chopper pad so quickly that he did not have time to talk to him at the time of his arrival. There were other pressing matters with dealing with moving the President and Vice-President to the meeting with the Science Department heads. He did not see him disappear until he had inquired where he was to the crew that was working on securing the chopper.

~we need to have a little chat about his little crushes~

"Reno."

Reno jumped and looked at him. He tugged at his collar again, but this time it was like he was trying to make it go higher up his neck. "Sir."

"After this meeting, we do need to have a chat. Can you free yourself up for an hour? I am available after this morning's meeting," Tseng said as he walked behind him. He could smell the 'flavouring' that Reno had in his coffee and frowned at the thought of him partaking in alcohol so early in the morning.

~Rufus has to stop interfering with him~

Reno nodded. "Sure thing, Boss. Um... your office, right?" He sounded a bit nervous.

Tseng nodded. "Mary-Beth will let you in," he said simply, and was glad to see the relieved look on his face at the mention of his strict secretary.

 

Chapter 38- Impatience
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
​

"Here comes your sugar-daddy," Joseph said.

He looked over to see Reno shuffling over with his tray of food. Cloud looked worriedly at him. He hadn't seen the Turk in over a week. He knew things were busy around Shin-Ra lately, but it was almost as if all his friends were so busy running around, that they didn't have time to have a simple conversation.

~including Zack~

Everyone's duties had increased in the last couple weeks with the clones and other issues. Even the barracks were lacking of troopers in the evenings as they often were on missions or patrols.

~he looks so tired~

"Hey," Reno mumbled and sat heavily beside him. "What's up, yo?"

"Patrols and training. You?"

Reno shrugged. "Same ol' shit." He sat beside him and looked at his tray, as if he were seeing the food for the first time. "What the hell? Is this what I ordered?"

Cloud looked at the food on the Turk's plate and chuckled. "You needed to be specific about the type of soup you wanted."

Reno stirred the white soup with a look of utter disgust on his face. Cloud took pity on him. "Here, I have the beef barley, I'll take the mushroom." He grabbed the bowl and switched it with his.

"Thanks, Cloudo, you're the best," Reno said with a relieved smile.

"I'm sure he is." Reno looked over at Joseph who was sitting across from them, giving them a large goofy smile with his chin resting in his nested hands.

~damn that sugar-daddy list~

Reno frowned at Joseph.

Cloud kicked the pesky blue-haired infantryman under the table. "Don't mind him. He's just being a moron." Joseph winced but kept on smiling as he ate some of his own soup.

"So, it's nothing new, eh?" Reno said as he added pepper to his food.

Cloud chuckled at that. Joseph didn't look offended; he never was by such comments. He pointed to Reno's ear. "Well, it looks like you got something new. When did you change out your earring? I thought you had a silver one before."

Reno reached up to his ear, where there was a gold loop. "Yeah. Got it the other day as a gift."

Cloud turned his head to the side and noted the earring. It was quite fancy; it wasn't a simple little loop, and it look like there was a swirl of white gold or platinum that twisted in with the yellow gold. "Nice," Cloud said as he leaned a little closer to get a better look. "A gift? From who?"

"Looks pretty fancy," Joseph said. He winked flamboyantly at Cloud. "Does your sugar-daddy have a sugar-daddy?"

"Shut up!" Cloud kicked him harder this time. Joseph grunted but kept smiling.

Reno just frowned and seemed to make the conscious decision to ignore Joseph. Cloud glared at him, hoping that Joseph would keep those stupid 'sugar-daddy' comments to himself. Joseph still smiled and continued to stare at them.

"It looks nice," Cloud said. He did like it. It was a bit fancier than what he usually wore and there was a nice sparkle to it. He thought it was a good time to note the unusual shirt that Reno was wearing; it was a little bit strange to see that he wasn't wearing his usual sloppy white shirt, but a black turtleneck. "What's with the shirt? Is that new Turk issue?"

"Is it another gift?" Joseph asked.

~Joseph is finding this way too amusing~

Cloud kicked him under the table again. This time, he got an 'ow' out of the blue-haired pest. Reno glared at Joseph. "We're trying out a new style," he said idly through clenched teeth.

~there is more to that story~

"How you liking it?" Joseph asked. "You look like you're choking." Cloud went to kick Joseph under the table again, but he moved his chair back to avoid the foot with a smug look on his face.

"Much too snug for my likin', yo," Reno said, tugging at the neck of his shirt. Cloud saw something dark cross his face at saying that and he got a brief glimpse of some faded bruises on his neck.

~did he get hurt on his last mission?~

"I think it looks good," Cloud said honestly. It did make his neck look longer and the darker shirt seemed to make his red hair look redder. "It makes you look more professional."

"Are ya sayin' that I normally look like a slob, yo?" Reno said with a smirk.

"No," Cloud quickly added. "I'm not saying that."

"Uh-oh. Lovers' quarrel," Joseph said, leaning forward and pulling out his phone. "You two better kiss and make up." Joseph's voice was raised to a high pitch. "Come on now. I need a picture to win the bet."

Reno stiffened. "Bet?"

~I'll make sure that there is molotov in his sheets tonight~

"Don't worry about the idiot." Cloud frowned. "Hey look." He pointed to Dean as he walked in. "I think someone is looking for you."

Joseph looked, twisting in his chair briefly, but then turned back to them. "Come on Cloud. I could use the money. I know it's him. Just one little…ow!" Cloud was able to kick Joseph again as he had moved within kicking range, but this time Joseph kicked back. Cloud gave a loud yell and glared at his friend. Reno chuckled, but looked a little confused at the banter and kicking.

"Well, I'll let you two work it out," Joseph said with a smile as he stood, grabbing the remains of his food and walked toward where Dean had seated himself.

"What's up with the ditz?"

"I really don't think I can explain him," Cloud admitted. He didn't want to tell Reno about the list and how Joseph was convinced that Reno was his sugar-daddy, as they were all calling the 'mysterious' guy he was dating.

~I don't know why the guys are so interested in my sex life.~

Reno chuckled and it was good to see that the smile seemed genuine. Cloud noted that he was fiddling with his earring now.

~If I don't ask I will never know~

"Are you sure you're okay?" Cloud said, placing a hand gently on Reno's shoulder. "I know you normally don't care for the food in here, but you normally at least ask what it is. What's on your mind?"

Reno gave a sigh and pushed his food away. "Pushy, aren't ya?" Reno said with another sigh as he fiddled with his earring. "I should give this back. I should have never put it on."

"Why?" Cloud asked. "It looks nice."

"Well, when I got it, I was mad at him for all the shit that he put me through," Reno muttered. "Rationalized that I deserved it."

"So you have a boyfriend?"

"No," Reno said quickly. "Well, I don't know if you could call it that. Shit. I don't know what the hell to think, yo." Reno ran a hand through his hair. "It's complicated."

"Nothing is ever simple."

"No shit," Reno said as he tugged at the collar of his shirt again. "My life is a fuckin' mess."

Cloud smiled and Reno seemed to loosen up a bit. "Eat. The soup is good. They didn't get their last shipment of salt so you can taste the food this time." He took a spoonful of his own soup, as he was quite hungry.

~gotta make sure my strength is up for my training session tonight~

Reno followed his example and they ate in silence for a bit. Cloud noted that Reno kept either tugging at his fancy earring or his shirt collar. He got another glimpse of the bruises on his neck and saw now that they were not from a fight.

"Are you going to tell me about any of it? I can tell it's bugging you," Cloud said. "How long has this all been going on?" He had already finished his food and he noticed that Reno had only eaten half of his.

Reno let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his chair, slouching. "I've been getting a lot of gifts." His hand twirled the loop in his ear. "I don't know how I feel about it."

"What kind of gifts?"

"Well, there's this earring, this shirt, a couple bottles of some expensive vodka, smokes, gum and even some damn flowers. I mean, who sends another guy flowers, eh?" Reno sighed. "I don't know if they are tryin' to outdo each other or what."

Cloud remembered Reno asking him if Zack had bought him some smokes awhile back. That was about a month ago. Then what Reno said registered. "Guys? As in two? Outdo each other?" Reno sank in his chair. "You have two guys giving you gifts?!"

"Lower your voice," Reno said lowly, grabbing his shoulder. "It isn't somethin' to brag about, yo."

"Not to brag about? Who are they?" Cloud asked and was now even more curious about who caused those yellowing bruises on his neck. "Are they from the science department or something?" Cloud thought having two guys buying for his attention would be pretty cool.

Reno snorted and gave a chuckle. "No, no lab rats. They are more problematic than a few white coats."

"Then tell them you're not interested and return the gifts if it such a problem," Cloud said. "Are you interested in any of them?"

"No!" He blurted, but went to touch the earring in his ear again. "Well, maybe a little. It's all very confusin'."

"What's confusing about it?"

Reno looked like he was going to say something, but a strange look came across his face and he shut his mouth. He leaned closer to him and whispered. "Because I'm still not sure what to think about it all, yo. I mean, are they just using me for amusement or what?"

"What's going on?" Cloud asked a little worriedly. Reno seemed to slump a bit in his chair and gave out a heavy sigh. Cloud reached his arm around Reno's shoulders so he could pull him into a small hug.

"A little tighter so I can get a good picture!"

He pulled away from Reno and looked up to see Joseph standing at the table near Dean fiddling with his phone. A few of the men in the room laughed – names of which he recognized as some on that cursed list.

"Goddamn blue moron," Reno mumbled, grabbing the pepper shaker off the table and throwing it at him, hitting him in the middle of his forehead.

The room burst into laughter as Joseph broke into a series of curses and sneezes. Cloud found himself laughing as well. It was amusing to see him twisting and Dean trying to help him by brushing the pepper off his clothes, only making it worse.

Cloud chuckled at the humorous show that was occurring at the other table when his phone beeped. He looked at the call display and the name presented made him smile wider.

~Zack~

He quickly flipped open the phone and scrolled to get to the new message. The warm happy feeling at the thought of the message from him quickly left, and he found himself frowning despite the theatrics going on around him.

"This sucks," Cloud murmured.

Reno looked over at him. "Got called in?"

"Zack cancelled our training session. Again!" Cloud said. He didn't like how he sounded. He didn't want to be the needy boyfriend type, but he looked forward to their training sessions, which were becoming less frequent. Work was always the excuse and he knew that there was a lot of responsibility of being a First Class SOLDIER, but…

~I want him to be with me~

Dean was starting to sneeze now and more laughter filled the room. Cloud didn't feel much like laughing anymore.

"Well, that doesn't mean you can't still train," Reno said, glancing over with an amused glint in his blue eyes at the sneezing men. It did sound like they were trying to curse out Reno but the sneezing and watery eyes were preventing coherent words.

"I don't want to train alone," Cloud said, pouting. "It's not as effective swinging my sword around at imaginary opponents. I don't have access to the simulation rooms, just the training room."

"I'm not sayin' that you need to go alone. I'm available, yo," Reno said, tapping is EMR that was attached to his side. "I'm sure that I can put ya through the paces, eh."

"You." Cloud scoffed. "How can your rod go against my sword?"

~oh… that sounded bad. Why does Reno always make me say silly things like this?~

And from the amused smile on Reno's face, he could see Reno was having the same inappropriate thoughts. "We'll have to see how that all works out, yo." Reno's attention turned back to now a group of four sneezing men and chuckled. "You think you can defeat a Turk, yo? I fight differently than Zackers, maybe it'll do ya some good to have someone different workin' with ya, eh?"

Cloud couldn't deny that logic. He had been…

~past tense~

…practicing with Zack a lot and he was getting used to his moves…

~and not just in the training room~

…so practicing with someone that had different patterns would be good for him. "That'll be great," Cloud said as he started to type a message back to Zack.

Reno smiled brightly and Cloud returned the smile.

Sephiroth was restless. He was pacing in the camp and waiting for a chopper. He had only been to Midgar once since his last encounter with Reno and he was anxious to have more than a glimpse of the redhead at a distance.

~I was curious as to why he was wearing that odd turtleneck~

But he did like how he looked, even with the suit. It made his hair look redder and his neck longer.

~graceful~

He had to attend a debriefing and was not able to set up a time to meet with the Turk.

He was well aware that he could call him, but he had a feeling that the redhead would brush off his distant attempts. He was certain that he would be ignored if he did not come face to face with the Turk.

~the sooner the better, too~

He was more than anxious. He was anticipating having a warm body back in his bed, to have red hair splayed across his pillow and the room filled with the sounds of passion.

~pretty sure he'll be vocal~

He stopped his pacing and let out a growl. A member of the infantry made a squeaking noise and quickly took off deeper into the camp. He allowed his eyes to follow the man, but his thoughts quickly turned to plans for the future.

He was still uncertain if how he was approaching Reno was correct. Genesis had been the aggressor in his last relationship. He had been the one that had been seduced and dragged into the bedroom.

~was Reno really interested?~

That was a genuine concern. One moment the Turk seemed to be running from him, hiding on top of his chopper, but at the same time, giving him constant looks and signs that he was interested.

It was confusing and he didn't have anyone to talk to about it. He thought of Zack, but already he was sure that Zack was suspicious of his liking of the Turk. It was not something that he knew how to ask for assistance with.

He knew he was not imagining how Reno's hand twitched and how he inhaled sharply when he leaned into the Turk.

~and he smelled so good~

He wanted to do so much more than just that small little touch that he gave as he was aware of how Reno was reacting to him. It was evident that he wanted to touch his hair. He was always amused at how everyone always wanted to touch his hair. There was many a night that he fell asleep with Genesis stroking or twirling his hair around his fingers.

~Reno surely would do the same~

Reno's hair was quite long in the back. He still had vivid memories of how Genesis would look tossing his head and the hair hanging in his eyes, but his hair was short. Reno's was long and would be able to…

He took a deep breath. He was becoming aroused with the thoughts of Reno, naked and groaning in his bed when he was not even sure that the invitation would be accepted.

"S-sir?" He looked over to see a nervous Third Class SOLDIER give him a salute. "Your chopper has arrived."

"Who is the pilot?" he asked sharply.

"Uh. It is Cissnei of the Turks sir," the SOLDIER said, obviously nervous to be talking with him, and he was not in the mood to make an effort to ease it. "Wh-when will you be ready to depart, s-sir?"

He narrowed his eyes at the stuttering fool. It was not the name that he was hoping for. It would be easier to deal with his growing problem now, if the redhead were here.

He was going to ensure that his invitation was accepted.

Zack hated sending the text message, but he didn't have the heart to tell Cloud that he was going to miss another training session. He knew the tone of voice that he would have and he didn't want to hear his disappointment.

He hadn't been able to make both of their training sessions in weeks and he could see that Cloud was disappointed, even if he hadn't said anything about it yet.

He sighed as he listened to some geeks talk with more geeks about what geeky things they had to do. He was just pure muscle on this and the only time he got asked a question was when they had to ask about if he would be able to take care of a monster or two.

He would rather be training with Cloud…

~and taking him home after~

…than sitting with the geeks.

He sighed heavily as he walked out of the horrid meeting, stretching and groaning loudly as he did so. He would have two more days on this mission that was already much too long. He hoped that he would make it home by Sunday so that he could spend some time with Cloud.

He gave the geeks a nod as they walked in to go talk more about more geeky stuff, but he made sure that he kept his distance so that he wouldn't get dragged into it. He didn't have a clue what they were talking about half the time.

Mako servant qualities and lower base mutation… He didn't know what it meant and he didn't want to, but it was his job to protect the geeks.

But he wanted to be back in his bed, preferably warmed by Cloud.

He walked over to a tree and leaned against it. He was smiling at the thoughts of his plans for Sunday. He should have leave for the whole day and according to the current schedule, so would Cloud.

~hopefully nothing changes~

He would have to make sure that he got groceries to make Cloud pancakes and ensured that they had more jam as well.

His phone beeped. He looked at it and smiled. Cloud had returned his message. He hoped Cloud understood and wouldn't be too mad at him.

~I should have mentioned that I'll make those pancakes he was pouting over~

'It's alright. Reno will help me train instead.'

"What!" he yelled as he read the message. A few people looked at him as he yelled at his phone but went on their way.

He did not like this turn of events. He grabbed his phone and tried to call Cloud but his phone kept cutting out and it wouldn't go through.

~damn it~

"I need to talk with you, Sir."

Rufus hummed and looked up from the papers he had been looking over.

"I need you to stop changing my protocols." Tseng tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice. "Specifically in regards to Reno."

Rufus' eyes grew hard and he saw his body tense. "You have no authority to tell me what to do."

Tseng stood his ground. "I am aware of that, sir, but you are interfering with how we can function to ensure the security of Shin-Ra and yourself. You are putting yourself and the company in a precarious position by altering protection measures. The incident in Junon left you without protection for a full day."

"I was with Reeve," Rufus said with a bored look on his face and waved his hands as if he was dismissing the thought.

"Reeve is not a Turk and does not have the training required to protect you. This is not a game, sir!" Tseng said, allowing the anger to colour his voice.

"I am not playing," Rufus said, straightening in his chair.

"I need you to stop distracting…

~pursuing~

… Reno!"

"I am not the only one on his mind," Rufus said and leaned back in his chair. "Surely you know the full story on what is floating around in his pretty head. I am not his only interest."

Tseng had got some information for Legend and Reno had reluctantly confirmed most of what was said. He was pretty sure there were still some underlying issues that he wasn't seeing or being told about, but he knew the big one was sitting right in front of him. SOLDIERs could be dealt with; Rufus was a completely different issue. "You are his primary concern."

Rufus' mouth twitched. "You are not worried about his SOLDIER interests?"

"A relationship between the infantrymen is doomed for failure," Tseng stated. "If he chooses to have his fling with that boy, that is his prerogative, and I will not interfere with Sephiroth. Neither will last long."

Rufus' eyes turned to him and gave him an amused smile that Tseng did not care for. "You are being hypocritical."

"You are being unreasonable." Tseng found himself taking a step forward and becoming angry. He forced himself to take a deep breath and speak in a calmer tone of voice. "I remember how devastated he looked when I caught you two in my office, sir."

"You were not supposed to return when you did. We already discussed that," Rufus said. "I still have to see all of his tattoos because of your early arrival."

"You don't call that toying with him?" Tseng said angrily.

"Tseng," Rufus said as he stood, straightening his white suit. "I'm not doing anything that he doesn't want. If Reno had not shown interest, I would not have pursued him. I do not pursue lost causes. You are the one that interfered with Kalm and tried to keep him away from me. I did not appreciate being saddled up with that lump, Legend. I know you kept Reno away from me for the longest while knowing of my curiosity. He is not a plaything. I am…" Rufus sighed. "Interested."

"Like how you were interested in Genesis, sir?" Tseng asked, aware of how terse his voice sounded. He knew that he was crossing the line with this conversation.

He saw Rufus' jaw clench. "I do not need to answer such questions." Tseng took a step back, allowing Rufus to have room. "Or do you want to answer questions about your affiliations with SOLDIER?"

Tseng's words failed him. He could not refute the claim that was being tossed at him, but he was not aware that it was such common knowledge. "My affiliations with SOLDIER are none of your concern," he said curtly.

"Everything is my concern, Tseng. If you want me to ignore your past encounters, do not bother me with your petty issues. If time allowed, this would be already resolved," Rufus said simply. "My interest in Reno is more than just a passing curiosity."

Tseng had doubts about that statement. He desperately wanted to turn the conversation back to the issue of Reno. "I need Reno to be able to perform."

"So do I," Rufus said as a crooked smile formed. "I am not having any further discussion with you on this. I will not be told what I am allowed to do by you, or my father." Rufus stood erect and looked him straight in the eye. Tseng made a concerted effort not to look away. "When Reno says that he doesn't want me, I will stop pursuing him. Stop interfering with my affairs, Tseng, or your precious director position will be compromised."

"Are you threatening me, sir?" Tseng said in a low voice. He was a bit taken aback by the blatant hostility coming from the Vice-President. He knew that most of their conversations were terse and often short and they conflicted on many an issue in the boardroom. They had been civil to each other and had a working relationship that he deemed tolerable.

~but I will not have my position threatened~

"You are hardly in that position either, sir, with your own past dealings."

He found himself staring into the cold eyes of the Vice-President. He knew he was not a man to underestimate. His past attempts at taking over the company and to dispose of his father was proof enough. Not to mention his constant squabbles with Lazard ever since the announcement of his rise to his current position.

"If you do not interfere with me, I will not interfere with your future progress within the company," Rufus stated.

~fancy way of saying that we are at a stalemate~

Tseng was about to say something further when Rufus raised a hand to silence him. Tseng snapped his jaw shut, aware that he had crossed a line with threatening the Vice-President. "I do not have intentions of harming him," Rufus said in a softer voice. "I am not lying when I say that I have taken a liking to him."

Tseng examined the face of the young man; a man that had very little control of his life as he was ruled by others around him. Rufus was a man with a very important title that really meant nothing; it was more to allow the President to keep an eye on his actions and to control him.

~nothing more than a paper-tiger~

"I would prefer if you would not 'mark' him then, sir. His choice of cover clothing was quite an atrocity." Tseng had noted that Reno had taken to wearing black turtle necks instead of that horrid green one. He had been very grateful that he had got new attire to hide the bruising on his neck.

"I will agree to that. I am afraid I got carried away. Reno tends to do that to me," Rufus stated and was blushing slightly. "I ensured that he had more appropriate clothing. It was a horrible shirt."

Tseng couldn't refrain from snorting.

"Are we done?" Rufus said. "I do believe I have a boring meeting to attend that I am already late for." He straightened his suit unnecessarily.

"Yes, sir," Tseng said simply. "As long as your…" Tseng had to think of an appropriate word, "attentions do not interfere with how he functions or interfere with Shin-Ra, we should not have any further need of discussion."

Rufus nodded and started to walk out the door. "I will do my best to make sure that we do not have further discussions."

Tseng swore he heard the additional words, 'but I won't make any promises' muttered under the blond's breath.

Tseng closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. The discussion did not go as he had planned and he was now further worried about the redhead and how he could mitigate the damage that he already allowed.

And he also had the concern of what Rufus knew of his past as well.

Cloud lay on the floor panting and sweating. Reno twirled his nightstick and looked down at the infantryman with an amused smirk.

~how did he not make it into SOLDIER yet with skills like that?~

"You fight much differently than Zack. I'm glad that you didn't use the shock on there, or I would have been done in the first five minutes," Cloud said, panting as he was trying to catch his breath.

Reno plopped himself besides the panting blond and pulled his knees to his chest. "You're pretty good for a runt," Reno said nudging his arm with his foot.

~not going to admit to him that he almost had me a couple of times~

Cloud grunted. "Not a runt." Reno handed Cloud a bottle of water. Cloud pulled himself up into a sitting position and drank a couple of loud gulps. "Thanks."

"You did pretty good," Reno said.

"Really? I didn't think I was keeping up," Cloud said as he pulled his shirt up to wipe the sweat off his face. Reno had to look away at the sight of the young man's very well developed abs.

~fuck, he's hot~

The shirt fell back down and Cloud took another drink of water. Reno was more than aware that he was still wearing the annoying turtleneck and he could feel it tightening around his throat again. He tugged at it. He had removed his jacket for their little scrap, as the shirt was making him feel trapped. He hated the shirt but he didn't really want to explain the love bites all over his neck.

"Are you going to talk about that?" Cloud asked and reached forward. Reno was not expecting Cloud to tug at the collar and reveal the fading marks. Reno pulled away.

"Hey!" Reno said as he smoothed it back up. "Not really, yo." He already said too much and was regretting saying stuff about the gifts. He blamed that loudmouth Joseph.

"Which one of the guys did that to you?" Cloud asked. "You got a hickey farm on your neck."

~hickey farm? Rufus did quite a number on me~

"It's not that bad, yo," Reno said as he ran his hand over his neck.

"Come on, Reno. I can tell something has been bugging you lately. I've been worried about you," Cloud said. The look of worry on his face was evident as his eyes were like that of a beaten puppy.

~he's been spending way too much time with Zack~

"Do you want to talk about why you went all pouty when Zack couldn't make your training session?" Reno countered.

Cloud looked away. He smirked slightly at his diversion tactic. He didn't want to reveal that he had Sephiroth hunting him or explaining that extremely sexy and scary helicopter ride.

~both helicopter rides~

"He is always so busy," Cloud said.

Reno's eyes grew wide as he looked at Cloud.

~he wasn't really supposed to answer that~

"Always running off to save the world," Cloud said as he drank some more water. "I don't want to be that type of guy that needs to constantly…" Cloud stopped talking and shook his head and looked away from him. "I just miss him when he's not here." He spoke in a low voice and turned his head away.

~I'd feel the same way if I was with Zack~

"Ya know, he's not doin' it on purpose," Reno said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I can tell he cares for ya, but he's also a SOLDIER, yo." Cloud turned to look at him with large sad blue eyes.

~I wouldn't want to leave Cloud if he was mine~

"I know. I'm just being pathetic." Cloud gave a heavy sigh and finished off his water bottle.

"He'll be back before ya know it and he'll be back to tirin' ya out here and in the bedroom, yo." Reno had to avoid Cloud taking a swing at him. It wasn't a real attempt to hit him, but Cloud's face, which was already red from exertion, turned redder with embarrassment.

"Are you going to tell me who has been sucking at your neck?"

Reno frowned. He twirled the earring that Rufus had gotten him. The brat had left the package on his office desk with a short apology note about how he didn't mean to bruise him. That was the same day a package of turtlenecks arrived at his door when he woke in the morning, all from Rufus.

~and then there was the gum~

It was obviously a flirting attempt by Sephiroth again. The three packs of cinnamon gum total, that appeared in his helicopter and his desk, freaked him out a bit, but he pocketed them. There was another bottle of vodka from Rufus.

~Rufus has gotten me a lot of gifts. Sephiroth has got me smokes and gum~

"Was he at least a nice-looking guy?" Cloud asked with a devious little smirk. "Or is he someone hideous and that's why you won't tell me?"

"No, they are both quite handsome," Reno said.

~fuckin' hotties~

"Oh. How handsome?" Cloud asked as he pulled himself from the floor to stand. He reached down his gloved hand for him. "The way you are blushing I would say that they are pretty hot."

He swatted Cloud's hand away and stood up on his own. "Shut it, yo!"

Cloud gave a light chuckle. "Then what's the problem?"

"Everyone is a bunch of fuckin' flirts," Reno blurted.

Cloud shook his head. "I've never known you to not to take actions into your own hands." Cloud offered his hand again. This time Reno took it and allowed himself to be pulled up.

"It's complicated," Reno mumbled.

Cloud's face got all tense and his grip increased, making sure they were standing close to each other. Reno gulped at the serious look on the young man's face.

~so close I could just kiss him to test the waters~

"How complicated?"

His hand held his firmly waiting for an answer. Reno just wanted to shake him off and make a joke, but he couldn't. "Very."

They stared at each other for a little bit.

"Are you going to tell me anything about your two sugar-daddys?" Cloud said with a smirk coming across his lips. Reno shoved the blond away from him and gave out a serious of curses.

Cloud smiled brightly and laughed.

~Zack's a fool to miss out on Cloud like this~

"I'm goin' to have a shower and crash," Reno blurted and reached for his jacket. "If you ever need another training partner, I'm always up for a tussle."

He watched Cloud's eyes dart down and his face turn slightly pink.

~his mind is nearly as dirty as mine~

"Yeah. Anytime. I'll give you a call next time Zack is not available for a session," Cloud said as he picked up his bag.

"See ya," Reno called out as he watched Cloud leave the training room.

Reno sighed as he threw his suit jacket back on. He was wondering if his previous plan was such a good idea now. He couldn't help but think about how cute and sexy Cloud was. The man was a wonderful fighter and for someone that was supposed to be an amateur, he sure was graceful.

Yet again, someone that was out of his reach.

~damn it~

 

INTERRUPTED​

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes at Rufus. The brat was sitting beside his father who was making yet another speech about the already well-known advancements that Shin-Ra had been making in the last couple of months. He knew he should have cared since it had to do with the army, but he was focusing on the Vice-President.

The smug little brat was sitting there and giving him constant looks.

He was able to deduce from the surveillance that Rufus was responsible for the reason that Reno was out of uniform with that snug-fitting turtleneck sweater. He had made a suggestion that cameras be placed in helicopters to help with instructional flight lessons. He didn't know what happened in the choppers, but he had a pretty good idea. Reeve took the idea back with him, but he doubted the man would be allowed to follow through with such things.

"We need to test the new surveillance bots in the slums and we'll have the Turks ensure that they are functioning properly," President Shinra announced. Everyone nodded at the table as a break was called for the meeting.

Scarlet winked at him.

~doesn't that woman ever give up?~

He had threatened to throw her down a flight of stairs when she decided to paw him once. He just about broke her arm in his fury at her touching him. Luckily, Genesis was able to step in and calm the scene down before it became too chaotic.

~I don't know why they keep her around. She is such an idiot~

The President's group of 'yes men' all surrounded him and congratulated him on his brilliance. The President wrapped an arm around Scarlet's slender waist.

~oh, right~

He walked over to a corner away from the group of suits and hoped to have a few moments of peace, but he knew that wasn't going to happen when he saw the Vice-President's smug smile. Rufus walked over to him with a small notebook in hand. Sephiroth found himself straightening and frowning down at the shorter man.

"Sephiroth."

"Rufus."

"Impressive advancement, is it not?"

He grunted in response. Rufus gave him a small smile.

"It has been an eventful couple of weeks, has it not?"

"Enlightening," he offered as an answer.

"I'm sure."

They stood side by side for awhile with an awkward silence between them. "You have been away on a lot of missions."

"I heard you had a vacation," Sephiroth countered.

"Yes. I needed to get away from the burdens of leadership," Rufus returned. He was one of the few that were brave enough to meet his eyes. It had irked him at first at how Rufus would challenge him. Even when he was younger and obviously nervous, the future leader did not want to show any weakness. Sephiroth was able to make the President cower at times, but not the Vice-President.

It didn't bother him anymore as he knew how to get under the skin of the man. Sephiroth smirked. "It is such a shame that your vacation did not go as planned and you were not able to enjoy the pleasures of the countryside." Sephiroth was well aware of the plan that Rufus had devised to get closer to his Turk and how it had failed. "And then being called back early for that meeting with the Science Department before the nightlife in Junon could be explored. Such a shame your leadership was called upon so quickly to interrupt your vacation."

Rufus' eyebrows twitched as he tried to maintain a calm demeanour. Sephiroth was quite pleased to see that he was able to catch Rufus in his own word games so quickly.

"It was quite a shame," Rufus said, straightening his white coat. "I hear that you have been on so many missions that you don't even have time to let the helicopters land. That could be hazardous to the company's best interests to place you under too much stress. I'm sure your decisions are not as clear as they should be with the amount of stress placed upon you."

"I assure you that I am focused on my tasks," Sephiroth said. He was a little irked at being accused of muddled thoughts but knew better than to comment on it, since he knew what Rufus was really referring to.

Rufus made a small sound and smirked. "Are you sure that your tasks aren't dividing your attentions? I would hate for you to be distracted on a mission." There was a threat in his tone.

Sephiroth let a smile come to his lips, as Reeve was now raising his voice to talk about the next thing on the meeting agenda.

Sephiroth leaned into Rufus slightly so that others would not hear. "I assure you that I am focused on my goal," Sephiroth stated and returned to his seat. He was pleased to see that Rufus scowled as he returned rather stiffly to his own chair by his father.

Zack refrained from running. He was back early and already had everything planned to spend some time with Cloud, and he couldn't wait to see him. He already had everything planned and all the necessary ingredients to make him pancakes for breakfast. He wasn't supposed to be back until Sunday afternoon, but a Saturday afternoon return was a welcome bonus. He finally found Cloud resting in his bunk with a book in his hand, reading diligently.

"There you are."

Cloud looked up from his book and smiled brightly as he looked at his watch. "You're back early."

"The geeks got their job done early. Thought we could grab a bite somewhere other than the Mess. I was thinking some burgers and fries over at Tommy's." Zack bounced on the end of the bed.

"Sounds great!"

Zack turned to see John smiling from his bunk. He had been so focused on Cloud, he didn't see the other man when he entered. "I'm hungry."

~why do I end up paying for everyone when I try to take Cloud out?~

"That would be great," Cloud said as he looked around the barracks. "Joseph isn't around, is he?"

John snorted. "He sucking up to Dean and still complaining about his eyes burning. Those two will be busy for awhile."

"Great!" Cloud said. "Let's go!" He bounded from the bed with an even larger smile.

Zack sighed and followed after the two infantrymen who were talking about greasy burgers.

Reno sighed heavily as he sat in his office chair. He had gotten a fresh cup of coffee and the scene in front of him made him want to reach for something stronger than what he had in the flask that he had in his bottom drawer.

He glared across at Rude and Cissnei.

"Ya know, you've been spendin' a lot of time on Rude's lap, Sissy." Reno sneered as he saw Cissnei wrap her arms around Rude's neck and look like they were going to have a make-out session. She didn't remove herself, seemingly quite content. He could tell from Rude's smile that he was pleased with the arrangement as well.

"Get over it," she said and promptly laid a kiss on Rude.

Rude was enjoying her attention as he saw his hand go under her jacket and run up her back.

"Yo! Really! Virgin eyes here!" he bellowed as he covered his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

Rude made a happy hum and broke the kiss. Cissnei scoffed. "Virgin, my ass."

"Well, I'm sure there's nothing virgin about your ass," Reno quipped.

Rude gave him a glare but he got a very satisfying blush from Cissnei as she wiggled slightly with embarrassment.

~those two really must have bonded while I was on Mess duty~

"Well, it seems like it's been so long for you, that your ass might as well be," she returned.

"Ha, ha," Reno mumbled sarcastically.

~not that she's wrong about that~

Cissnei smiled smugly and he watched as Rude wrapped a hand around her waist and gave her a squeeze. He even kissed her cheek.

Reno was actually hoping to talk to Rude. He had hardly talked to his partner in the last couple of weeks and he needed his level head. From the way that Rude was openly cuddling with Cissnei, he was in no mood to leave her.

~man, he's in love with her~

He sighed and poured some of his 'flavouring' in his coffee.

"Is that wise?" Rude asked.

"Probably not." Reno hated this part of the job but he knew it was necessary, and he had to stay in Tseng's good books if he wanted to keep flying a chopper.

Cissnei sighed and gave Rude a slow kiss. Reno made a face at the scene. Rude sighed after they finished sucking face. "I do have to go now," she whispered and ran her hand over his bald head.

He made a gagging noise and received a glare from both of them.

"Call me," Rude said, giving her another affectionate squeeze before she got off his lap.

"Of course," she said with a soft smile at him.

"Ya goin' somewhere?" Reno asked as he twirled in his chair.

"I have work to do. Maybe it's something that you should try," Cissnei said as she stood with her hip cocked and an accusing finger pointed his way.

Reno just smiled at her. She shook her head and grabbed the stapler off Rude's desk and threw it. He caught it easily, smirking at her. "I always liked this stapler."

Rude just sighed and adjusted his sunglasses.

Cissnei started to walk to the office door when he saw a shadow in the frosted window; there was only one person that made that kind of shape.

He didn't think of what he was doing as he instinctively slid out of his chair and hid under his desk. Reno heard the door open and the smooth, deep voice speak, "Ah, I was hoping to find Reno. I thought he was supposed to be here."

He tensed as he heard Cissnei speak. "He's hiding under his desk."

~I'm going to kill her~

He heard a small amused grunt come from the General. "Do you know where he may be?"

"He was going to grab a bite to eat," Rude lied for him. He wanted to jump up and kiss his partner, but that would have to wait until after he shot Cissnei.

He heard the sound of something hitting his desk. He jumped slightly and clutched the stapler to his chest. "Tell him that I am looking for him."

The door closed again but he didn't dare move. He heard Cissnei start to chuckle. "Oh. My. Gaia. What was that about?" He waited until he saw his partner's way-too-amused face peering at him. Rude had his pierced eyebrow raised in question.

"Is this some of the backlash?"

Reno sighed and nodded.

"Sephiroth threw gum on your desk," Cissnei said and there was amusement in her voice.

"He's gone." Rude stood up and Reno crawled out from under his desk and threw himself in his chair. He didn't look up at his fellow Turks.

"I want to hear this!" Cissnei said and sat on the corner and gave him an expectant look. He glared at her and clenched his hands around the stapler. He was tempted to throw it at her. He was grateful when he heard her phone beep. "Damn it. I got to go."

"Toodles, Sissy." He really didn't want to talk with her around. She may be Rude's main squeeze and all, but he didn't really want her to know about his sex life, or lack of sex life ... or was it the teasing sex life that he could be having?

She pouted and he saw his partner's face soften.

~he's a complete sap now~

"I want full details later!" she said firmly, gave Rude's arm a squeeze and finally left.

Rude crossed his arms and stared at him.

Reno sighed and looked at the red Swingline stapler in his hand. "If I tell you, I get to keep the stapler. Deal?"

"So, how did your training session with Reno go?" Zack had been dying to ask this question since they sat down for their food, but John kept talking about his latest patrol.

He normally liked the guy…

~he was better than Joseph~

…but he wanted to talk to Cloud about Reno.

"Yeah, how did that go?" John asked as he stuffed some fries in his mouth.

"Good, I guess," Cloud said with a shrug. "He has a lot on his mind. I'm still worried about him." He poured ketchup on his fries.

~with Sephiroth having him in his sights, he should be worried~

"Why are you worried about him?" Zack said, curious as to what Reno had told him.

"What does that Turk have to worry about?" John talked with food in his mouth. Zack wrinkled his nose at him and John swallowed sheepishly.

"He wouldn't say really. He avoided the topic." Cloud took a sip of his drink and ended up making a slurping sound. "He was good to train with, even though I spent more time on the mat than I would have liked."

Zack coughed and tried not to choke on his mouthful of burger. "Why was that?"

"He kept sweeping me off my feet and forcing me on my back. He's wiry." Cloud stuffed some fries in his mouth.

"You looked pretty sore after that session," John added as he crammed his face with the remains of his burger.

"He worked me over pretty good." Cloud slurped at his drink again.

"Can't have you getting beat by a Turk, we'll have to work on that," Zack said simply, trying to push out all the innuendos that were floating around in their conversation.

Cloud smiled as he slurped at his nearly empty cup again. "I'll hold you to that."

John rolled his eyes. "Are you going to eat that?" He was pointing to the small serving of coleslaw that was on the side of Cloud's plate. He pushed it toward him and John eagerly grabbed it.

~he's a bottomless pit~

"I'm supposed to be back for two weeks before they send me out again, so we should be able to fit in some extra training sessions," Zack said. He was eager to spend some real time with Cloud. Lazard was talking about him having light-duty again because of the latest onslaught of missions. He felt like he had been neglecting Cloud lately and wanted to show him how much that he meant to him.

Cloud's eyes brightened. "That would be great."

"And I was hoping that we could go to a movie," Zack said, leaning a bit closer to Cloud as he squeezed his knee. "We haven't had the time to do simple stuff like that."

Cloud's grin grew wider.

"Which movie?" John asked as he licked his fork.

Zack scowled at him. He may tolerated John for the meal but he was not taking him to a movie too.

"You have patrol at seven, don't you?" Cloud said quickly, patting his hand. Zack was glad to know that Cloud didn't want John to join them for the rest of the evening.

"Shit, yeah." John frowned and gave a heavy sigh. "Just about forgot about that. I was hoping to see that new movie, that one where those guys are betrayed, ya know, 'Losers'."

"You went to a movie last night with Denise. Why didn't you see that one?" Cloud asked.

John sighed and rolled his eyes. "She wanted to see one that was about music. There was no action at all in it and it was boring, but she liked it." He shrugged his shoulders and blushed.

Zack couldn't help but smirk. "Must've been a good night." He finished off his own drink, silently wishing that it was a little stronger than soda.

"By coming back to the barracks as late as you did, I would hope so." Cloud's low mummer caused John's face to turn bright red as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

John cleared his throat and pushed himself away from the table. "Well, I gotta go. You two enjoy the rest of your evening."

They said their goodbyes and Zack was grateful to be alone with Cloud who was still munching on his fries.

"Are you sure you want to see a movie?" Cloud said as he lowered his eyes and gave him a small sexy smile and a nice firm squeeze on his knee.

Zack smiled but shook his head. "As tempting at that is, I haven't been a very good boyfriend lately."

Cloud blinked and gave him a confused look.

"We barely leave my apartment." Zack kept his voice low so that the people at the other tables wouldn't hear. "We train, and then go back to my place. We meet in the Mess and go back to my place. We phone each other, and then meet up at my place."

Cloud twisted his lips slightly and leaned close to him before he whispered, "Are you saying that we're having too much sex?"

Zack snorted. "That's not what I'm saying." There was nothing wrong with that part of the relationship, as that hand gave him another squeeze before he pulled it off his leg. When he couldn't get a hold of Cloud after receiving that text about him training with Reno, he realized a few things. He had been paying attention to Cloud in the bedroom but they hadn't really gone on a date since the one that Reno paid for at Monteno's. Cloud had been spending more time with Reno than he was, and he didn't like that at all. "I want to treat you to a nice night out."

Cloud tilted his head to the side and looked like he was thinking of something. A big smile broke across his face. "So, does that mean that you're going to buy me more stuff too?"

It was Zack's turn to give him a confused look.

Cloud chuckled. "I guess, since you're supposed to be my sugar-daddy, I should make you buy me more things. I mean, the last thing you bought me were those fancy clothes. So, does that mean I am going to get more presents now?"

Zack blinked a few times. "Where did this sugar-daddy stuff come from?" Zack asked in confusion. It wasn't the first time he heard this term.

~he still doesn't know Reno bought those clothes for him~

Cloud groaned and explained the infamous list as they finished talking and started clean up their mess on the table. Zack found it humorous that there was a running bet on who Cloud was in a relationship with.

"Joseph is in charge of it, so unless he gives me a cut, there is no way I'm telling anyone," Cloud said as Zack threw some gil on the table to pay the bill. "They're being silly anyway about it. I don't understand why my sex life is so interesting anyway."

Zack grinned. "They're just jealous that you have one, Chocobo." Zack did notice the glare and frown that he received from Cloud and he realized that he let the nickname slip out of his mouth.

"I don't need you calling me that too!" Cloud pouted and crossed his arms.

Zack gave him a sheepish look. "Sorry. It slipped."

Cloud looked like he was going to say something angry but Zack decided to cut it off. He leaned into him. "I will make you pancakes for breakfast in the morning."

That seemed to melt any anger away that the nickname caused. "You got groceries?"

"I made sure that this day would be a perfect day out for us," Zack said. "Well, I was hoping not to have the John part."

Cloud smiled. "Really. You planned a night out?"

Zack returned the smile. "Anything for you."

Cloud had been in heaven.

The date had been wonderful. He had almost forgotten how enjoyable it was to do something as simple as a date. They had been so busy with all the chaos that had been inflicting Shin-Ra, that he didn't even realize that he was missing out on the time that they spent together.

~not that I'm complaining about the sex~

The movie was a little lame, but there were some good action sequences. Zack insisted on popcorn and liquorice because, 'no movie is worth seeing without it', and he promptly stuffed himself with it. They had gone for a simple walk around by the fountain and just talked by the water.

They talked about simple things. Cloud found out about Kunsel's new hair colouring that was courtesy of Reno, and he had told Zack about the 'peppering' of Joseph in the Mess. They just talked about small things that were really not very important - what they ate for lunch, Instructor Clark's strange colour choices in clothing when he was off duty, and how Mrs. Edwards, the materia instructor, seemed to be stalking Clark.

Zack even talked about his parents and what it was like living in Gongaga. He learned about Zack's best friend from there, Albin, and how much trouble they would always get in. It was nice hearing him talk and he could see a picture of a young Zack being such a trouble maker. Cloud couldn't think of his care-free friend…

~lover~

…being any other way.

He was grateful that he didn't have to talk about Nibelhiem. He wasn't ready to talk about it quite yet with Zack or anyone else, even though he knew that it would come up eventually.

It was late before they made it back to Zack's apartment but Cloud didn't mind. He was with Zack and that was all that had mattered. Of course, the promise of homemade pancakes for breakfast made it even better.

The kisses tasted better than they had in the past. Zack's eyes looked brighter as he looked at him. The touches felt softer as his hand roamed with a familiarity up his thigh. Cloud thought that Zack's laugh sounded softer than it ever had, even when Zack had roughly grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder.

Cloud had called Zack a caveman and earned a low grunt from the bigger man before he was carted off to the bedroom and thrown on the bed.

~he really gets off on that~

Cloud had been in heaven, as they stripped off each other's clothes and played with each other with small teasing touches and sounds. He revelled in how demanding and gentle Zack was as he asked him to get to his knees and directed him into position. He couldn't describe how Zack's rough battle-calloused hands felt as they grabbed his hips to get him to rise slightly before he felt fingers curling inside of him.

Zack's small words of encouragement at his passionate noises nearly drove him over the edge. But Zack stopped the impending orgasm with a firm squeeze at the base of his member before he placed the ring there.

Cloud bit the pillow that he hugged to his chest as Zack entered him in a slow and easy manner. He begged Zack to move faster, but Zack had announced that he was going to take it slow because he wanted to make sure that he felt every inch of him.

As much as he hated the cock ring, he had been grateful for it then. He thought he was gaining some staying power until Zack treated him like this.

Zack slowly pushed in and out of him, his rough hands running from his hips to his shoulders in slow and gentle massaging motions. The action calmed him until one of Zack's hands ran up his neck and into his hair, almost as if he were holding him down. He had gasped Zack's name and began to beg him to move faster.

He had felt Zack's warm hand surround his hardened member, squeezing gently and teasing him. Zack leaned over him and he could feel his breath against his neck and heard his soft grunts. He started to plead for the ring to be removed and for the final release.

Zack grunted and he felt him reaching to release him from the confines of the ring that would allow him to finally come.

Cloud had been lost in the promise of the euphoria that was about to come. He thought that he heard the sound of a familiar ringing sound, but it quit so he assumed that he had been just hearing things.

He didn't have time to contemplate it further as Zack started to move faster and changed his angle to a much more pleasurable one.

The ringing occurred again, and that time he was certain it wasn't his imagination.

"Just a moment."

He felt empty as Zack pulled out of him and moved away. He remained kneeling and observed Zack going through his pants in search of the phone.

Cloud was left panting in the compromising position as he watched Zack flip it open and frown at the message. It rang again as he held it.

"Shit."

Cloud felt a panic in his chest. Zack was talking into his phone and getting dressed at the same time. Cloud rolled to his side, pulling a blanket over his very unsatisfied condition. He wasn't hearing the whole conversation but he was hearing things such as, 'Is it that urgent?' and 'I'll be right there,' coming out of Zack.

"You're leaving!" Cloud managed to stammer out. After all that Zack had said about what this night was supposed to be, he was leaving. Cloud was beginning to wonder if all the talk about how he would do anything for him was just a ruse since it was pushed aside as soon as his phone started to ring.

~ he's leaving~

Zack was nearly fully dressed now and was reaching for his phone again. He was talking as he scrolled through his phone, talking about Genesis copies attacking and how he was needed.

~ he's leaving~

Zack leaned over him and held his face so that he looked at him. "I'll make up for this."

~he's leaving~

Cloud tried to say something but Zack's mouth covered his and he melted into the kiss, thinking for a moment that it was just some sort of sick joke. He wrapped his arms around his neck and tried to pull him back down onto the bed so that they could finish what they had started.

But Zack pulled away with a small parting kiss on his nose and another apology that included the promise of pancakes another day.

His arms were removed from around his neck. Zack muttered some words that sounded like more apologies, but Cloud was not able to really hear him. He watched as Zack gave a small look over his shoulder and left.

~he can't leave me like this!~

He heard the door of the apartment open and close. The formerly warm apartment felt cold and empty. He heard himself taking in deep breaths and he was trying to understand what he was feeling.

Because Zack had left.

He didn't remember a word that Zack had said, he only remembered his actions. Part of him wanted to be rational, after all, Zack was a First Class SOLDIER. He was needed because he was good at his job and there were only a few First Class SOLDIERs left. He remembered Zack saying something about Genesis, but what was repeating in his mind was the fact that he left. It was the other and more larger part that was more pissed off than he had ever had been.

He chose to hold onto the anger, because it was easier than being miserably upset. He let out a frustrated yell, that didn't satisfy him at all, and stumbled out of the bed towards the bathroom.

Zack had just left. He had just checked his phone and left. He left him unsatisfied and alone.

He left.

~what was so important that it couldn't wait until he at least finished?~

Cloud stumbled into the bathroom, blinded by his anger and frustration. He ran the shower and made sure the temperature was low to hopefully cool his emotions. He seemed to have been heating the shower with his own fury.

He contemplated going back into Zack's comfortable bed as he finished the shower and dried himself off. He didn't want to crawl back into the mussed sheets. He chose to pull his clothes back on. Zack left, well, he was going to leave too.

He walked towards the door, looking at his coveted key card. He took a couple of moments to think about what he was doing, but his anger overrode every other emotion as he placed the card on the counter.

And he went back to the barracks.

 

FRUSTRATION​

Rude took the vodka bottle from Reno's hand. Reno made a small sound of protest but was not trying to take the drink back. He drank a few sips out of the bottle but it seemed to be hitting him rather hard. He most assuredly had enough of the drink for one night.

"Buzz ya see," Reno slurred, "I dun know wha' to feel 'bout either of 'em." Rude had just heard Reno babble about Rufus and Sephiroth. "Zay are boff-both hot."

Rude was quite alarmed at the story that Reno told. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to react to the events that he had missed. "What do you want?" Rude asked. He knew his partner and could tell how confused he was.

"I dunno. Roofuss can kiss…um…kiss." Reno blinked a few times and a flush emerged on his cheeks.

~it normally takes a lot to make Reno blush~

Rude didn't voice his thoughts. He was not happy being made aware that Rufus was teasing Reno. He was aware of the actions of where Rufus had entertained Genesis. He had been Rufus' bodyguard on a number of those occasions where the General would leave, looking confused, before he could gather his composure. He never told Reno about it and was now regretting not doing so. He doubted it would have made a difference. He didn't think Rufus' obsession with Genesis would affect Reno like this.

~who knew there were so many people with red hair fetishes around here?~

Reno shook himself. "And Sephy is a fuckin' sizzlin'… I wonder wha he kisses like?" Reno giggled.

"I can't believe that you're contemplating either of them," Rude said as he watched Reno throw his head back with a silly smile on his face. He couldn't believe that Reno actually giggled. He could tell that Reno was interested, but at the same time confused. "Have you talked to Legend?"

"Pfft," Reno said almost throwing himself forward. "Wan's me ta find a girl."

Rude sighed. That was typical of Legend. He was still in denial about Reno being gay. Reno wasn't a flamer in public, but Rude was well aware of what he used to do before he came to the Turks, even if he didn't know a lot of the details. He knew what those tattoos on his cheeks meant. He didn't feel it was his place to ask any more detail or about the tattoos that covered his back. He knew it was because of his former lifestyle and it was something that he knew that Reno was trying to keep behind him. People were allowed secrets; they all had them.

"I drink a bit 'nother."

"I'll get you some water," Rude said as he walked to the kitchen to fetch his drunken partner a drink.

He heard the faint murmur from him as he left. "Wish ya were gay." It was a sentiment that Reno often said when he was drunk. He took it in stride. Reno had never hit on him or made advances, even if he voiced the wish. Rude knew that it was just his drunk self talking. He doubted that anyone but Legend had ever taken care of him before and he didn't mind his friends saying such things.

He brought a cup of water to him. He watched the bleary-eyed redhead drink it down as if he had been dying of thirst.

"What are you going to do?"

Reno made a loud gasping sound as he slammed the cup onto the coffee table. "I dunno. Roof is teasey. Seph is a fuckin' god an' scares me. I dunno if they really wan' me, ya kno'." The thought seemed to deflate the normally happy redhead. "I dun wanna be a game piece." Reno looked remarkably sad for a moment and Rude wished he could help out more. After hearing him talk, he understood a little bit of why he hid under the desk, even if he was curious about Sephiroth. As amusing as the hiding was, he could see that Reno almost regretted the decision.

Rude wished that he was better at understanding relationships. He had always failed in the past when it came to them. He was not an emotional or talkative person and he knew that worked to his disadvantage at times. He was grateful that Cissnei understood, being a Turk herself, and it made their relationship easier.

"If the Spike-Brains weren't so 'amn greedy, I'd do 'em." Reno leaned forward and grabbed the empty water glass.

Rude sighed. He knew that his partner had eyes for the men but he didn't think it went that far. Reno looked at a lot of guys but Rude thought he was smart enough to know when he should act on his certain feelings. Obviously he was thinking a lot about Cloud and Zack. "Cwoud's hands are…" Reno held his hands in front of him and wiggled his fingers. "Like, yeah."

Rude had no idea what that was supposed to mean and didn't ask. He had a feeling he didn't want to know.

"Ah!" Reno gave a shout that startled Rude until he saw that he was pulling out his phone. "Butt pictoor is awesome. Wanna see?"

Rude looked over his glasses at his drunken partner.

"Pfft. Come on. You'd even apress- apess," Reno gave a small sigh as he couldn't get the word out of his mouth, "like a good butt on a guy." Reno seemed to be having trouble trying to get to the menus on his phone.

"You can show me later," Rude said as he took it away from him.

Reno collapsed back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. "If ya coo'd have one, who'd ya pick, yo?"

Rude felt his eyebrows raise up. Reno always did things to shock him, but asking him that question was not something he was prepared for. Luckily Reno wasn't really waiting for an answer. "Ya know, I kinda wan' 'em all. Is tha' greedy?"

Rude shook his head. "Extremely. Like you could handle that." He stood to get Reno another glass of water.

Reno chuckled. "I guess."

Rude returned to see Reno with this tongue between his lips and that flush had returned to his face. Rude placed the glass in his partner's hand that was twitching slightly on the back of the couch.

"Wha's with you an' Sissy? Serious?"

~very serious~

"We're fine," he said as he sat across from him. Reno's eyes were starting to droop. "You need to drink that before you pass out."

"She all smoochy wooshy-like," Reno mumbled. "It's kinda gross."

"Like I enjoy hearing you talk about guys," Rude grumbled. He put up with it, just as Reno had to put up with the other guys talking about girls. He just took it with a lot more grace than the others. Reno was never one for public shows of affection when he was with someone, at least, not when he was around. He had only seen his partner kiss a guy once and it was nothing like what he had been doing with Cissnei.

"I dun make ya watch," Reno said and downed the glass of water, some of it dribbling down his chin. He wiped the water away and collapsed onto the couch.

~he has a point there~

He knew that she was going to be gone awhile with the latest mission and he didn't like the idea of her leaving. He knew that she could do the job. She was as capable a Turk as any, more than some, but he still wished that she was staying in Midgar. He hated that he was turning into a sap over her, but at the same time he was extremely happy with the direction of their relationship.

"You had yous hands all over," Reno whined.

Rude rolled his eyes. "It won't happen again." He never really thought that he would be the type of guy for public affection, but with the thought of Cissnei being away for a whole month, he didn't want to give up a chance to be with her. It did not help that Cissnei had her hand caressing his stomach and encouraging his own hands.

"Good," Reno said and stood up abruptly, which was a mistake on his part. Rude had to catch him as he swayed slightly, not wanting him to fall to the floor. "Oh. I think I had too much, yo."

Rude shook his head at his partner. He really didn't drink that much. He was pretty sure that most of it was due to the low-lying exhaustion that was lingering below the surface. He started to escort Reno to the bedroom. This would not be the first or last time he had to tuck him into bed.

"Yo, you are too good to me," Reno said. "I just wan' someone to be there, ya know?" Reno struggled with his shirt and Rude helped.

"I know," Rude said and for once, he did understand. Rude helped Reno into the bed.

"Rude?"

He looked down at his partner and waited for him to ask the question.

"Would it be so bad to try with someone like Sephiroth?" His voice was soft as he grabbed a pillow and hugged it to himself under the blankets. He reminded Rude very much of a child when he was like this.

He wanted to tell Reno that any of his current interests were probably not any good. He thought Sephiroth was a dangerous choice. "I don't think that any of them are a very good idea."

"Even Roofus?" Reno's voice was soft and almost a pleading tone, as if he wanted someone to be there for him.

"Even Rufus," Rude said as gently as possible.

Reno muttered something into his pillow.

"Sleep it off," Rude said simply and closed the door behind him. He cleaned up the takeout food containers and put the dishes in the washer before he left. He had to figure out how to deal with the General and the Vice-President, so that his partner wouldn't be hurt anymore.

Zack looked at his phone again and hoped that there was just something wrong with Cloud's.

~wishful thinking~

"What's up?"

He looked to see Kunsel looking at him. He smirked slightly. It was humorous to see Kunsel with his shorn head, his hair still trying to grow back from when he got it shaved. It was why he wore his helmet most of the time.

"He's not answering his phone," he whispered as he tried to send a text instead of phoning. If he was not answering at least when he saw a text, after he calmed down, maybe he would talk to him.

He had come back home to such an empty apartment and to the painful sight of Cloud's key card on the kitchen counter.

Kunsel leaned closer and whispered, "Trouble in paradise with Cloud?" The snoop had a small knowing smirk on his face.

"Shut up." He glared at Kunsel. "How do you know about that anyway?"

Kunsel just smiled. "I know a lot of things."

Zack sighed, not bothering to ask how he found out. "I kinda screwed up and he's mad at me."

"What did you do?" Kunsel asked.

Zack sighed. Kunsel may have been his friend, but telling him that he left his boyfriend in the middle of sex to go take care of some demonic Genesis clones was not something that he was willing to share. He really wished he would have remembered to shut off his phone before he took Cloud to bed and this disaster would have never happened. The phone kept ringing so he knew it had to be urgent. He had meant to just shut it off, but after hearing where the clones were attacking, he couldn't not go.

~ I was a idiot~

"Come on. What did you do to piss him off? From what I could see, the kid is totally smitten with you," Kunsel said. "I thought you two were permanently placed in the bedroom."

Zack flushed and turned on Kunsel. "How the hell do you know this stuff?" He grumbled at his friend.

Kunsel flashed him a large smile that stretched across his face. "What happened? What did you do that made him not want to answer his phone?"

"I was an idiot," Zack muttered and hit send on his phone. He hoped Cloud would at least read the message. He planned on trying to call him again in an hour and hoped that he would answer.

"Well that is a given." Kunsel gave him a shove on the shoulder. Zack frowned at him. "I'm just joking, man. Are you okay?"

Zack pulled out the key card that kept rubbing in his pocket. He didn't expect Kunsel to understand the significance of it, but he saw a strange look on his face. Maybe he did understand what the card meant.

"Shit," Kunsel whispered and reached up with a comforting touch to his arm. "That bad?"

"Yeah." Zack slouched into the nearest chair, still staring at his phone, hoping that it would ring and that Cloud would be on the other end. "I'll try to catch him in the Mess at dinner."

"Do you want to talk about it? What happened?" Kunsel said. "What did you two fight about?"

"Well," Zack said rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't really a fight. I got called away and I kinda…"

~I left him high and dry~

Zack looked at his feet and felt himself twisting as if he was being scolded. He did deserve to be scolded, after what he had done.

"Kinda?" Kunsel prompted and leaned forward as if he was waiting for more out of him.

"I left," Zack sighed and his shoulders slumped in a defeated look. "Now that I think about it, I don't think that he heard a thing I said when I was leaving." Zack was pretty sure from the look on Cloud's face that he only heard that he was leaving.

Kunsel examined him and Zack could feel the snoop trying to analyze him. "What were you doing?"

Zack shook his head. "I shouldn't have left. Not like that. It was so wrong, but when I got the message on my phone and it was urgent… my training kicked in and I had to go."

Kunsel patted his shoulder. "Well, you were on call, weren't you?"

Zack shook his head. "Actually, I was supposed to have time off," Zack whispered. He had told that to Cloud too. He was supposed to have two weeks off and he had planned on spending every moment he could with him and now, he was back on duty because of Genesis clones and lack of staffing.

~next time I see Genesis, I will make sure that he no longer causes problems for me anymore~

Kunsel glared at him and then at the card in his hand. "You really fucked up, didn't you?"

Zack nodded and looked at his phone.

~please call, Cloud. I am so sorry for being an idiot~

"Do you want me to go talk to him for you?"

Zack shook his head. "He'll come around." He felt a pain in his chest as he spoke and kept examining his phone, almost willing it to ring.

"Let's go get a coffee and you can tell me how much of a moron you are." Kunsel grabbed Zack's arm and started to drag him away. "Away from the security cameras."

John was staying out of Cloud's way and so was everyone else. The change in Cloud's mood was seen and felt by everyone.

"What the hell happened to piss Cloud off?" Joseph asked as they watched the normally tentative infantryman flip Cyrus onto his back and punch him hard in the chest before Instructor Clark separated the two.

"Shit," John whispered. He had never seen Cloud so intense for so long before. He had been looking happy last night when he left him after the burger that Zack had…

~Zack~

Cloud was acting like a lovestruck fool when he left him and now he was on a complete rampage. He wondered if it was something that had happened after he left. He did remember Cloud coming back to the barracks, slamming his footlocker and throwing his boots so that they hit the wall. Someone had grumbled about how loud he was before it was quiet again.

~I hope it wasn't because I kinda butted my way into dinner~

"Switch partners, and do it again!" Instructor Clark yelled. Cyrus was rubbing his chest and looking at Cloud a little tentatively as he moved next to him for the next practice bout. Cloud got ready for the next stint in the hand to hand combat training class and it was his turn to be paired up against Benot.

Benot was much larger than Cloud; he was a man that would soon rival Angeal for size once he developed a more mature set of muscles. Normally Cloud would be nervous being paired against him, as Benot overpowered him at every opportunity, but that was not how Cloud looked today.

John moved in front of Cyrus who was still rubbing his chest. "You okay?" Cyrus just grunted but looked over to where Cloud was squaring off against the larger man. "He just caught me by surprise," Cyrus said. John highly doubted that it was a lucky shot.

He knew Cloud well enough to know when he was focused and angry. He could accomplish anything and had seen it on missions before, even if he did appear to be clumsy in training. Everyone knew not to sit next to Cloud on a transport because he would get motion sickness. Others didn't want to partner with him because of that, but Cloud was always good in a pinch.

This was the first time he had seen Cloud this riled up.

~I hope I didn't wreck his night with Zack~

"Now!" Instructor Clark yelled.

John focused on Cyrus' attack. He found his fighting partner clumsier than he normally was and was able to throw him and get him on the mat in record time. Cyrus was clutching at his chest. Cloud really had hurt him.

He heard a loud yell and his attention was turned to Cloud and Benot's struggle. Benot was on one knee and holding his stomach. Instructor Clark was there yelling about something. Cloud was looking like he was ready for more. His teeth were clenched and he was almost shaking.

"Decent work, Ladies. We'll do it again tomorrow so maybe you won't be such pussies!" Clark yelled. They must have done well today, because he didn't call them princesses and threaten to send them down to the Bumble Bee Inn to be fitted for tiaras.

Joseph moved to stand beside Cloud and put a hand on his tense arm. He didn't hear what Joseph said, but it was something that made Cloud turn his attention away from whatever aggressive thoughts were running through his head.

"Dork!" was what he heard Cloud yell, gave Joseph a shove before he stormed off to the showers.

"Wow, did his Sugar-Daddy not perform last night or something?" Cyrus was still rubbing his chest and there was a pained sound to his breathing. He even looked a little pale. Cloud must have hit him really hard.

Benot pulled himself to his feet. "Man. It still stings." He rubbed his stomach and grimaced. "I heard him stomp back into the barracks around midnight."

"He usually doesn't come back at all if he is out with his Sugar-Daddy." Cyrus gasped and held his chest. "He woke me up."

Joseph was even frowning as they watched some of the group heading to the showers before he turned his attention towards John. "You went out for dinner with him? Do you know what happened?"

Everyone looked at him.

~thanks for putting me on the spot, Joseph~

"He was fine when I left him. I don't know what happened after that," John said, feeling very uncomfortable under their gaze.

"Well, it was only a matter of time," Benot said with a nasty curl to his lips. John rolled his eyes. Benot had his chance with Cloud and blew it. He needed to get over his jealousy. John just nodded.

Joseph frowned. "Well, Reno must have done something to upset him." They all rolled their eyes at Joseph. "Well, I'm sure that it's Reno!"

"Anyway," John said, ignoring the glare from his blue-haired friend. He could feel the eyes all on him. "He could be just having a bad day."

"He is pissed at the world. In instruction this morning I thought he was going to break his pen with how tight he was holding it," Benot said, moving to stand by Cyrus. He looked at his childhood friend with concern.

Cyrus grunted and held his chest and grew pale. "Shit," he said weakly. Benot's eyes grew wide as he had to hold up Cyrus to keep him from falling to his knees. "I think Cloud broke something."

"Instructor Clark!" Benot yelled as he helped Cyrus sink to the mat. John looked concerned as he saw that there was blood on his lips.

Cloud did break something. Instructor Clark was so concerned that he pulled out his Cure to treat Cyrus and then send him to the infirmary. Instructor Clark, the man that constantly told them scars would make them more of a man and had never used Cure, as far as they all knew, had used Cure..

"Go find out why Cloud has a bee in his bonnet," Benot said as he nearly dragged Cyrus at his side. He didn't look like he was in too much pain anymore, but he sure didn't look comfortable.

"Me?" John said as he realized that they were all looking at him, even Instructor Clark.

~why am I the psychologist?~

"I'll go talk to him." He started to walk to the showers, trying to catch up to Cloud.

Cloud had already left the showers by the time he got in there so he started searching for him. He found Cloud in the Mess. He was going to go over to him, when Zack walked in. He saw Cloud's face tighten in anger as he threw down his fork and left his half-eaten food behind. Zack just spotted him before he left and looked like he was going to rush after him.

It was clear that there was something going on between the two, and it wasn't good. Zack spotted him and came towards him. He could see the worry written on the First Class SOLDIER's face. "Do you know where Cloud ran off to?"

"No. Not yet," John said and saw how tense Zack was and the worry that was filling his eyes. "What happened? Was it because I butted in on your dinner?" John was still a little worried that it was his fault that they were fighting.

"Huh? Oh. Dinner? No. It wasn't because of that," Zack said, his eyes focused on the door that Cloud left from. "He hasn't been answering his phone."

"He left it back at the barracks," John said. "He's pissed. What happened?" He doubted that Zack would really tell him, but he knew it had to be bad.

"He left his phone behind?" Zack whispered and looked at his own which he was gripping firmly in his hand. "Can you talk to him for me?" Zack's face was full of desperation.

John couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Yeah, I can. I'm trying to hunt him down."

"Can you tell him that I'm sorry?" Zack's voice was low. "Please, get him to call me. I really need to talk to him."

John sighed and crossed his arms. "You know, he's been taking his pissy attitude out on everyone else. I can't promise you anything."

Zack looked at his feet and rubbed the back of his head. "Just… try to get him to call me, so we can talk. I really am sorry." John would have been amused if he hadn't seen how upset Cloud was earlier. Zack had hurt him. He didn't know what Zack did, but he doubted that a simple 'I'm sorry' was going to fix it.

"Like I said, I won't promise anything. He did a number on Cyrus in training today. He has been taking out his anger on everyone else." John felt annoyed at Zack. He was the reason for Cloud's attitude change, and him being a counsellor in the whole thing.

"Just try. I hope he will check his messages. I'm sorry," Zack said and he saw him swallow as if he was holding back more words.

John sighed. "I will hunt him down and I will try."

"I'll be back at my place, if he wants to talk. If he doesn't want to do that, we can meet anywhere he wants." There was desperation in his voice. "Just get him to call me." Zack gave him such a pathetic look that it looked like he was going to be beat. "And tell him that I'm really sorry." He folded his arms across his chest and rubbed them. "And that it won't happen again." He looked around the room as if he was hoping that Cloud would appear. "And I will cook him dinner." Zack racked his lips over his teeth. "And …"

"Enough. I'll talk to him." John raised his hands to get Zack to stop apologizing. Zack's large violet eyes looked almost lost. "I'll talk to him and I'll get him to call you, even if I have to dial it myself. Okay?"

Zack sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Thanks, John. I really appreciate it if you could, and I'm so sorry."

"I'm not the one that you need to be apologizing to. I'm going to try to hunt him down," John said. He was glad to see that for whatever Zack did, he was sorry, but he wasn't going to find Cloud listening to him.

Zack nodded and looked at his phone, his thumb brushing over the numbers. "Thanks."

John sighed, gave Zack's arm a quick pat and trudged off to go see if he could find Cloud, leaving a forlorn-looking SOLDIER behind.

It took him another two hours to find Cloud. He was leaving a grumpy trail behind him. Cloud had gone to the materia training room and had blown up a few things there. The poor clerk seemed rattled as he was replacing the destroyed practice dummies.

He then traced Cloud to the library where he had sat for a half-an-hour. The study steward was a little perturbed by the mess of papers that Cloud left behind. John took a look at the scribbles and it appeared that Cloud had been trying to work on his dissertation for the 'History of Materia' class, but was not succeeding. He saw twenty pieces of paper with twenty different headings, and not much else.

He finally found Cloud back at his bunk, lying with a book covering his face.

"Cloud?"

"What?" Cloud didn't remove the book. He crossed his legs and was giving off a major pissed-off vibe.

"You certainly were on today in training," John said, suddenly not knowing how he was going to broach this subject.

Cloud grunted in response. He removed the book from his face and looked over at him. "Whatever," Cloud muttered and placed the book back into its former resting place. John was used to Cloud being evasive at times, but this was ridiculous.

John sat on the cot beside Cloud. He heard Cloud grunt in displeasure but he didn't move. "What happened between you and Zack last night?"

"Nothing," Cloud muttered beneath the book.

"Nothing? You hurt Cyrus in training! Clark used Cure on him and you say nothing happened?" John couldn't help but let annoyance colour his voice. Cloud removed the book from his face and looked at him. "What the hell happened? I had Zack asking me to apologize to you and I can still hear your phone beeping at the bottom of your footlocker. You're going to talk to me about whatever the hell happened."

Cloud grunted again. John could see that every part of him was tense and looked like he was going to bolt. John was not going to allow that. If he was forced to be the mediator in all this, he was going to get it done now. John grabbed the book from Cloud and threw it across the room, so he wouldn't have another chance to hide behind it.

"What the hell?" Cloud said and sat up. "I don't want to talk about it!"

"Well, you're gonna! Cyrus had blood coming out of his mouth because of how hard you hit him. He wasn't the one that pissed you off," John said, glad to see that saying that he had hurt Cyrus got to him.

"I did?"

"Yeah, you did." John sighed heavily. "Cyrus is okay. I got a couple of texts from Benot and they are just doing some tests to make sure that the rib bone is set properly so it won't re-puncture his lung."

Cloud blinked a few times and it seemed to dissolve the impossibly hot anger that he was holding. "I hit him that hard?"

"You did. You almost downed Benot too."

Cloud moved so that he was sitting, and he looked at his hands.

"What happened with Zack to get you so pissed off? He looked like a lost puppy. He has been trying to get you on the phone."

Cloud sighed heavily. The anger flared in his eyes again but it wasn't as intense as before. "I don't want to talk to him right now."

"I get that."

Cloud clenched his hands hard against his thighs.

John could see a million thoughts rolling through his mind. "Zack said he was sorry."

"He better damn well be!" Cloud blurted. His hand turned into fists against his legs and he stared at them.

"Can you tell me what happened?" John asked, giving Cloud's clenched hands a pat. "You guys were fine when I left."

"It was fine. It was great," Cloud said through clenched teeth. His whole body was full of tension.

John waited for an answer. He knew Cloud well enough that it sometimes took him a little while to get talking, especially if something was bothering him. He still wouldn't tell anyone anything about his hometown or why he joined SOLDIER. He was going to make sure that he got an answer today. He was not going to be the go-between for everyone trying to figure out what was wrong.

"He left!" Cloud finally said and looked up at him. He could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Did he get called away for a mission?" John asked, trying to probe more out of Cloud.

Cloud nodded.

"I thought he was on leave." John remembered him saying something to that extent.

"So did I! His stupid phone rang and … and…" Cloud's voice trailed off and he unclenched his fists to cover his face with his hands. "He left!" He ran his hands up his face and through his hair.

"Were you sleeping or something?" John asked.

"He. Left!" Cloud said, putting his hands back into fists in his lap. The anger was coming back in full force and John could hear the phone ringing inside Cloud's footlocker. "I can't talk to him yet. He left."

"Okay. I get it. He left, but he is a First Class SOLDIER. You have to expect that to happen from time to time."

"There are certain times that you just don't leave!" Cloud stood abruptly and looked at his footlocker. "If he didn't answer his damn phone… He could have waited until…" The phone beeped in the locker. Cloud kicked it. "There are things you do not leave in the middle of!"

John did not like the mental images he was getting. "So, you were making out and…"

"Damn it! It was not just a make-out session on the couch. He left!" Cloud hissed between his teeth and kicked the locker again. The phone beeped as if it were protesting the treatment. He kicked it a few more times and then sat hard on the bed, his hands covering his face, and his elbows on his knees. "He… he just left." Cloud's voice no longer held any anger but it was full of heart-twisting sorrow.

John knew that Cloud was enamoured with Zack; half the guys in the barracks had an infatuation with one of the elite First Class SOLDIERs. Of course, Cloud was dating…

~well, more than just dating~

…Zack. Not that anyone knew that they were dating, as they had chosen to keep their relationship a secret. The only reason he knew was because he was pretty sure that Cloud trusted him not to tell everyone. Even though he hadn't directly said it, he hadn't denied it either.

But he was also sure that if Cloud had been ignoring his phone, he didn't hear what happened last night either and John was sure that it was the reason that Zack left. "Did you not hear what he did last night?"

"I know what he did last night," Cloud spoke into his hands. John sat beside his friend and rubbed his back. "I am very aware of what he didn't do last night."

"You didn't listen to any of the briefings and news?" John asked. He knew Cloud had been there sitting right beside him, but he doubted that he was listening. Cloud shook his head, but didn't remove his hands from his face. "You know that some more of those clones attacked, right?"

"I heard something about that," Cloud murmured. Zack must have told him the reason for his urgent departure.

"They were attacking Sector 5. Did Zack tell you that?" John said softly. Cloud pulled his face out of his hands and looked at him. He let it sink in for a little bit. Everyone knew that was where the orphanage and the long-term care hospital were located. It was also known as the 'Despair' sector by some. Everyone had to do a 'volunteer' stint there at one point and even a large number of people had grown up in that said orphanage.

"You are part of his fan club right?"

Cloud blushed but nodded.

"Well, if you would have checked your phone, you would have known that Zack saved a bunch of orphans by showing up when he did," John said. "Those clones were looking for more recruits, from what the reports said." Cloud still didn't say anything, but John could see some of his anger melting a bit. "Zack is the hero type," John continued, "if there is someone in danger, he is going to run into battle to save them. I saw the callout request. They were going after the kids."

"Shit," Cloud muttered and put his face back in his hands. John rubbed Cloud's back.

They sat in silence for a little while. Cloud was obviously gathering his thoughts, when he finally said, "Can you get me my phone?" in a small voice.

John obliged.