Summary: Cloud is Reno's date for the ShinRa holiday party, and Rufus is carrying a torch for one...or maybe even both...of them. Things may get a little…sticky.
Setting: post FF7, with a bit of revisionist history…in this story, the ShinRa building is still intact, etc.
Oh…and I threw in a character from FFX, just so Rude would have a date. :) This isn't a true crossover fic, though!
Disclaimers: The usual, I do not own Final Fantasy, alas - Square Enix does.
Warnings for this chapter: language, innuendo. Lemons to come in later chapter(s) Rated M!
This is probably going to be no more than two chapters, so...a two shot it is. :)
It was to be a gala celebration, and Rufus was sparing no expense in throwing his first annual company holiday party at ShinRa. While his late father had frowned upon such frivolities, now that the old man was dead, Rufus figured it was high time to change things up, and in grand style. If nothing else, Rufus did know how to throw a damned good party, and he was determined to do just that.
The best chefs in Midgar had been hired to cater the event, along with musicians, bartenders, and other wait staff. Rufus had decided to utilize the little-used 57th floor for his party. It had been serving as a holding area for old files, and housed a few vacant offices and cubicles; so, Rufus ordered that all files be moved to another location in the ShinRa building, and some minor remodeling began in mid-October, to transform the drab office environment into something resembling a Costa del Sol nightclub. Rufus was determined to throw the party of the century.
Rufus was wandering around, supervising the last minute decorations and final touches that were being worked on. The party would be starting in four hours. He yawned, suddenly wondering if he'd have time for a bit of a nap before the first guests started to arrive. Ah, my guests, he thought, a smile on his face. There was one guest in particular that he hoped and prayed would show up – the one and only Cloud Strife. Rufus had found himself quite taken with the Planet's hero, and hoped to get a moment alone with him, perhaps.
The president got back into the elevator, and slid in his keycard, planning to return to his office on the 70th floor. His thoughts turned back to Cloud Strife; he began to wonder if Cloud – if the man even showed up, that is – was coming alone, or, Gaia forbid, with a date.
That would not be…ideal, Rufus mused thoughtfully. However…I am always up for a challenge, he thought, grinning as he reached his floor and exited the elevator. And I do think Cloud Strife might worth a bit of effort…
Finally reaching the 70th floor, and his office, Rufus got off the elevator, mulling over what the Planet's hero might look naked. Rufus smirked, as he vowed to somehow get Cloud Strife naked – and in his bed – by the end of the evening's festivities.
Reno had been distracted all day at work; even more so than usual. He was stuck in the office filing reports, and his mind was focused on Rufus's holiday party. For the most part, his mind was on who he'd be bringing to the party in question – the one and only Cloud Strife. The two had been dating quietly for the past few months; so far, only Reno's fellow Turks, and Cloud's best friend Tifa Lockheart knew about their relationship. While Reno was ready to broadcast this to the world, his boyfriend was a bit more shy and reticent, and thought that people would figure it out eventually anyway, the more they were seen in public together.
The Turk smiled as he thought back a few months to how things had started between himself and Cloud; one evening after way too many drinks at Seventh Heaven, Reno propositioned Cloud to 'come back to my place and I'll fuck you into next week.' It wasn't the first time a drunken Reno had made a drunken Cloud such an offer; usually the offer would be quickly shot down, accompanied by a bleary-eyed glare from Cloud.
That one night, though – Cloud didn't say no. He said yes – didn't even say yes, just nodded at Reno – upon which Reno slammed his last drink down, settled his tab, and grabbed Cloud's hand and dragged him out, hoping to get him home and have his way with him before he sobered up. Cloud was more sober than Reno was, though; he followed the Turk home willingly that evening, and ended up staying through breakfast. The first time Reno woke up with Cloud Strife in his bed, it was a bit of a surreal experience. Even more surreal, was when Cloud seemed like he was interested in seeing Reno -continually, and frequently. So Reno was quite looking forward to showing up at Rufus's big shindig this evening with Cloud on his arm; it would be their first real 'public' date, and it was high time for that, Reno thought. He was tired of sneaking around, and he was pretty certain Cloud was too.
Sighing, Reno turned his attention back to the computer monitor in front of him. Paperwork was definitely not one of Reno's favorite things to do, which was likely why he neglected filing his reports in a timely manner, much to Tseng's chagrin.
"Tseng," Reno complained, "can't I just do the rest tomorrow? I've only got two more left…I want to clock out early and pick up Cloud - Rufus's party is tonight, you know."
"Yes, I'm well aware of that," Tseng replied patiently. "However…for one thing, Reno, you're off tomorrow; and, I know how you are – you'll be in no shape to come in and work overtime tomorrow, after this party." He chuckled softly; Tseng really did know Reno all too well, sometimes better than Reno knew himself.
"Hmm, you got a point," Reno admitted. "Rude? Help a friend out here, would ya?"
Rude looked over his sunglasses at Reno and merely grunted, then turned his chair to get back to his report.
"Some friend you are," Reno muttered. "Yo, Laney!" he called over to his fellow Turk seated next to him. "Would you do these for me, real quick?" he asked sweetly. "I'll buy you a drink at the party later…"
"It's open bar, Reno," Elena replied flatly. "But, um…thanks for the offer." She logged off and shut down her computer, and grabbed her knapsack, making to leave. "Boss? I'm all done with my stack, so I'm going to head out now, if that's okay with you?" Elena asked Tseng.
The Wutaian nodded. "That's fine, Elena. See you later at the party, I hope?"
"Yes," Elena replied. "I'm picking up my date at seven, but I'll be there after that."
"Oooh, Laney's got a daaaate," Reno sang. "Anyone I know?"
"Not that it's any of your business," Elena replied coolly, "but yeah. You know her."
"Her?" echoed Reno. "You're bringing a girrrrl?" he taunted.
"Yeah, and not just any girl," Elena retorted. "Tifa Lockheart is my date this evening."
Reno let out a low whistle as Rude turned his chair back around swiftly, staring at Elena in disbelief. "What?" Rude blurted. "Tifa? And you?" He raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Wait a minute, yo," Reno interrupted. "Does that mean Tifa's a lesbian? Are you a lesbian? Why didn't Cloud tell me about any of this!" he complained.
"No!" Elena snapped. "I don't know! It's not like that, it's…complicated!" Elena stammered and began to blush. She wasn't about to fill anyone in on her personal life - especially Reno.
"So," Reno went on, grinning, "if you and Tifa end up…going at it later, can I watch?"
"NO!" snapped Elena. "Reno, seriously! Would you want me watching you and Cloud going at it?"
"Aha," Reno replied, deflecting the question. "So you HAVE gotten it on with Lockheart. Rude, old partner, no wonder she was spurning your advances; Tifa was after a Turk of a different color!" Reno chuckled, ignorant of the icy glares of both Elena and Rude.
Rude muttered something unintelligible, and began playing Minesweeper on his computer.
"Who you bringing, Rude, anyone?" Reno inquired.
"Yeah," Rude replied, not even looking at Reno. "Somebody you don't know."
"Oho!" chirped Reno, his curiosity piqued. "Try me, I know lots of people, yo. Name?"
"Her name," Rude replied quietly, through clenched teeth, "is Rikku."
"Rikku, huh," remarked Reno. "Can't say as I know her, Rude. Where'd ya meet her?"
"You know, Reno," Tseng commented dryly, "if you'd stop yammering, maybe you'd get your work done and get out of here on time, for once."
"Oh shit, Tseng!" Reno said, sighing. He leaned back in his chair and threw his feet up on his desk. "You know how I am, yo. Hey, I always get the job done, right? Right?"
Tseng sighed resignedly. Nothing he said would ever light a fire under his second-in-command to file his reports with ease and efficiency; it seemed a lost cause, and just as Reno said, he did get the job done, after all.
"I suppose you do have a point, Reno," Tseng replied, smiling. "Everyone, let's just call it a day and get out of here. We have a party to get ready for, after all."
"All right, Tseng!" crowed Reno, immediately shutting down his computer, with Rude following suit. "I'll get the lights," Rude murmured.
"Thank you sir," Elena said to Tseng as she left. "I'll see you all later. And Reno?"
"Yeah, Laney?" he replied.
"Do NOT harass me and Tifa this evening!" she warned him, then turned to leave.
"And why would I do that?" Reno said to Elena's departing form.
Tseng laughed. "Because she knows you too well, Reno," he remarked. "I have no doubt you'll be asking Ms. Lockheart all sorts of…inappropriate questions, later."
"I will not," Reno insisted stubbornly. "Tseng, you bringing someone tonight, or are you going stag?"
As he locked the door, Tseng appeared pensive for a moment. "No," he said slowly, a hint of sadness in his smile. "There was…someone I wanted to bring, but it just didn't work out."
"Oh," Reno replied. "That's too bad, yo. But hey, maybe you'll meet someone at this thing, yeah?"
Tseng smiled. "Yeah. Maybe. See you later, Reno."
"Later, boss-man," Reno replied, waving to Tseng on his way out.
Cloud had gotten off of work early, having finished up the last of his deliveries well before 5:00. He hopped on Fenrir and headed back to his apartment, planning to meet Reno there after the Turk also ended his workday. Cloud grinned, remembering that Reno had been taunting him about some sort of 'surprise' this evening. Upon further thought, Cloud started to wonder if it was a good surprise, or…something else.
With Reno, you just never knew. This was one of the things Cloud enjoyed most about Reno…but it also frustrated the hell out of him at times. I have no complaints, Cloud thought, smiling, as he let the throttle out on Fenrir, and increased his speed on the bike. Never thought he and I would end up together, but…we're good for each other, I think. And sweet Shiva, the man is good in bed. Cloud grinned widely at the last thought, and sped even faster towards home, hoping that Reno would be there right as he arrived.
Reno decided to walk over to Cloud's place, rather than take his car. He assumed the two of them would be riding to the party on Fenrir, anyway. Shit, Reno thought suddenly. Forgot we'll be wearing those damned tuxes. Eh, maybe it'll be all right. Shrugging his shoulders, he arrived at Cloud's apartment building, and rang the buzzer.
"Yeah," came Cloud's voice over the intercom.
"It's the big bad wolf, yo," Reno said teasingly. "Let me in."
The buzzer sounded, and Reno opened the door, bounding up the three flights of stairs to Cloud's apartment. Reno loved this part of the day; that giddy feeling he got after not seeing Cloud all day, knowing that he would soon have Cloud in his arms. He was starting to wonder if his feelings had somehow shifted from mere lust to…something else altogether.
Reno's thoughts were interrupted as he reached Cloud's apartment door, which was already open, with Cloud standing in the doorway. "Yo," Reno began, "I missed you today—"
Without a word, Cloud made his way to Reno in two quick strides, and pulled Reno into his arms, kissing him fiercely. "Yeah," Cloud said breathlessly, as he broke the kiss, "I missed you too, Reno."
I love you, Reno thought – and nearly uttered aloud."Um…yeah," Reno stammered nervously, kissing the top of Cloud's head, inhaling the scent of his hair. Brightening, he glanced down at Cloud, smirking. "Before we get ready for this shindig, I got something for you. Kind of an early Christmas present."
"Reno," Cloud protested, I thought we agreed.. not to get each other anything extravagant."
"I didn't!" Reno insisted. "It's just a little...something I picked up for you. It's nothing huge, I promise."
"Is that the surprise you've been talking about?" Cloud asked, smiling, as the two made their way to the living room.
"Yeah…well, this is part one, I guess," Reno replied, grinning, as he reached into his pocket. He withdrew a small bundle wrapped plainly in red tissue paper, and handed it to Cloud. "Open it," he urged.
Still smiling, Cloud took the package from Reno, and untied the small ribbon around it. "What…is it, I wonder?" he murmured, as he tore open the tissue paper. Holding the item up for inspection, Cloud laughed aloud. "Underwear?" he blurted, chuckling, as he held up the item in question – red satin bikini briefs. "Nice, Reno. That's, um…very thoughtful, I guess. They're festive, anyways….thank you, babe." He kissed Reno softly on the lips.
"You're welcome," Reno replied. "Hey," he whispered, moving in closer to Cloud, as he brushed his lips against his ear. "I want you to wear those tonight for me…please?"
"O…kay, I guess," Cloud replied, shrugging. "I want to wash them before I wear them—"
"Already done," Reno replied hastily. "I took care of that, yo. Come on, let's get showered, and get these damned tuxes on."
"Yeah, the party will be starting before we know it," Cloud agreed. He made his way toward the bathroom, and turned back toward Reno, a puzzled look on his face. "Reno? Why do you want me to wear those tonight, specifically?" he asked.
Reno blanched momentarily; his hand was in his pants pocket, holding the remote control to the underwear in question. Remote control vibrating underwear, Reno thought with a calculating grin. That's why I want you to wear those tonight, Cloud…because you won't even know what hit you, when I press that button…but hopefully, you'll like it.
Clearing his throat, Reno smiled at Cloud, and simply said, "Ahh…because I'll be picturing them all night long tonight, underneath your tux…and I'll look forward to seeing them again by the end of the evening." He grinned slyly at Cloud, following him into the shower.
"Gods, Reno," Cloud replied, chuckling, as he stripped and got into the shower. "You are such a fucking horndog."
"You have no idea, Cloud," Reno commented, as he removed his clothing, and entered the shower behind Cloud.
You have no idea.