Summary: Reno likes Cloud. A lot. Unfortunately, Cloud has issues. Reno will have his work cut out for him in trying to get the planet's hero to open his heart, and to win his affections.
Setting: After Advent Children
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy. If I did, Advent Children would be a porno. Nor do I own any songs quoted within, they are attritbuted to the artist, and are only quoted to set the mood. This writing is for fun, not profit.
Rating: M for language, and eventual lemons.
This story is in-progress - it'll probably end up being more than two chapters or so.
"I Wanna Be Your Man" - LA Guns
I'm a hard man to fight
I'm an easy man to please
Baby, don't you mess with me
'Cause you couldn't take the heat
I wanna be your man
I wanna be your lover, baby
I wanna be your man
If anyone had bothered to ask Reno when he and Cloud Strife - and the rest of AVALANCHE, for that matter - had ceased to be enemies, the Turk would have been hard pressed to come up with an exact answer. After all, he and Strife had butted heads more than once. Well, they'd done more than butted heads - they'd tried to kill each other. Repeatedly, and oftentimes with much gusto.
Furthermore, Reno really wasn't sure when he had started to notice Cloud in a different light. Of course, Strife was still all business whenever he had to deal with the Turks and Shinra, and Reno shrugged off his wanton desire for the man, thinking it'd be next to impossible to crack that tough, stoic exterior of Cloud's.
Of course...Reno always relished a challenge.
"Speak of the devil," Reno muttered, glancing up from his drink.
"Huh?" Rude said distractedly, knocking back the rest of his beer.
As if on cue, Cloud entered through the front door of Seventh Heaven, where Reno and Rude were having themselves an after-work cocktail. Cloud glanced over at the two Turks, nodding at them without emotion, merely acknowledging their presence. He said nothing, but walked right past them to the bar. After exchanging a few short words with Tifa, the swordsman tromped up the staircase, probably heading up to his makeshift office/bedroom on the second floor.
Reno smirked, blatantly ogling the backside of Cloud as he ascended the stairs. Swirling the remaining whiskey around in his tumbler - much of it was melted ice-water by now - Reno tilted his head back as he lifted the glass to his mouth, and drained it in one swallow. He placed the emptied glass on the table, and turned to his partner. "Another one, Rude?" he inquired, hoping his partner would say yes.
"Maybe one more," Rude agreed.
"Righty-o," Reno replied, grabbing his empty glass as well as Rude's, to bring them up to the bar. As he approached, Tifa had her head down, returning a few bottles of liquor to their proper places behind the bar. She looked up, startled, as Reno placed the dirty glasses on the bar.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, smiling hesitantly at Reno. "Uh...thanks for bringing those up," she said, taking the glasses from the bar and placing them in the sink. "Not all my patrons are as thoughtful."
"No problem," Reno replied, grinning easily. "I may be an asshole at times, but I'm not all that bad, Tifa."
Tifa chuckled, running her fingers through her long chestnut locks. Reno noticed the light reflecting off of some of the lighter strands. Even Reno had to admit to himself - Tifa was a beautiful woman. Why hasn't Strife tapped that yet, though? Reno puzzled. Or...maybe he has, and he's keeping it under wraps? But you know...Tifa deserves better than that. If Cloud's banging her, she shouldn't be his dirty little secret. That wouldn't be right.
The Turk was trying to piece together everything in his mind. Cloud and Tifa lived together under the same roof; both ran businesses together; and then there were the kids, Denzel and Marlene. But, were they together together? Reno was dying to find out. Strife's body language, Reno thought, indicated otherwise.
"Penny for your thoughts, Reno?" Tifa said pleasantly, interrupting Reno's reveries.
"Huh?" Reno muttered, gaping at Tifa. "Oh. Sorry. I, uh, need a couple more drinks. Whiskey for me, and whatever the hell Rude was having. Some microbrew shit, as I recall." Tifa smiled and nodded, and got a fresh whiskey tumbler out of the clean glass rack. Reno leaned on the bar, when his eye caught a glint of shiny metal. It was Cloud's sword - his newest one - propped up behind the bar. What an odd place to keep that, Reno thought curiously. He doubted Tifa - strong though she was - would have been able to wield the thing properly, if she needed to.
"Strife forget his sword over there?" Reno asked Tifa, nodding toward the weapon. "Seems like a strange place to keep such a big-ass sword."
"Huh?" Tifa muttered. "Oh," she said, rolling her eyes, suddenly noticing the sword there. "That thing. I told him to keep his shit upstairs," she said irritably.
Reno laughed. Trouble in paradise? he thought with a calculating grin. This could be interesting.
"If it's in your way, Tifa, I'll bring it up to blondie," Reno offered. "I don't mind. He's upstairs, right?"
"Cloud probably doesn't want to be disturbed while he's going over his invoices," Tifa said sourly. Her mouth set in a thin line; clearly, Reno had unintentionally touched a nerve. Reno was starting to feel sympathy toward Tifa - and irritation toward Cloud. Man, maybe I should set my sights elsewhere...Tifa's making him out to sound like a real prick.
"Fuck him, and fuck his invoices," Reno retorted. He walked behind the bar, and grabbed the handle of the sword. "I'll bring it up to him, Tifa. Put those drinks on my tab, if you don't mind...I'll cash out when I come back down, this is our last round anyway."
"Okay, Reno," Tifa said, sighing. "Thanks. But don't be surprised if he bites your head off."
Now Reno was starting to feel irritated. What, does everyone walk on eggshells around this guy? Fuck that. I knew Strife had a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but I didn't realize he was this bad.
"You know, Tifa," Reno said lowering his voice. "If Strife is such an asshole, why are you still with him?"
Tifa's eyes widened, as she stared at Reno. She popped the cap off of Rude's beer, without saying anything. Tifa then turned to Reno, frowning. "Together?" she repeated. "We live together, but...we're not together, Reno," she explained. "Not like that."
"Oh," Reno replied. "Good." He flinched as the last word slipped out. Way to make it obvious, that I'm fishing for info...
Tifa laughed at Reno's expression of relief. "Why were you asking, Reno? Are you interested in him?"
"No!" Reno exclaimed, lying. "Why would I be interested in some dude...who...who, ah..." He looked down at Cloud's sword, still gripping it firmly in his hand. "I'm not interested in some dude who carries around a big fucking sword in order to compensate for other shortcomings." He grinned triumphantly at Tifa; now he wouldn't look like some desperate fool lusting after the planet's most celebrated hero. Which he supposed he was, but Reno didn't want the world at large to know this. Yes, Reno wanted Cloud - badly - but he knew it was probably a pipe dream at best. Or, if anything ever did happen between the two, it would probably take copious amounts of alcohol to wear down Cloud's defenses.
"Excuse me?" came a voice from behind Reno. Oh shit. Reno spun on his heel and came face-to-face with Cloud. "Oh...hi, Cloud," the Turk blurted, his face reddening. Shit. I bet he heard that...
The smirk on Cloud's face quickly faded, as he saw what Reno was clutching in his hand. "What the hell are you doing with my sword, Reno?" he demanded, frowning.
"I was bringing it to you, asshole," Reno snapped. "It's kind of in Tifa's way down here, you know."
"Oh," Cloud murmured, his expression softening. He took the sword from Reno, and looked contritely at Tifa. "I'm sorry, Teef. I know, you keep reminding me to keep it out of the way - "
"It's just that one of the kids could get hurt on it, you know?" Tifa said, shrugging her shoulders. "Just...try to keep it out of the bar, please. I mean, what if someone took it?"
Cloud nodded, sighing. "You're right, Tifa. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He gripped the sword in his hand, and smirked at Reno. "Surprised you could even lift this sword, Turk."
Oh no he didn't! Reno thought, raging. That asshole! If he thinks I'll let him get away with fucking insulting me like that...
"You know, you're a real piece of work, Strife," Reno retorted. "I was about to do you a favor!"
"I don't need your help, Reno," Cloud said coldly. He hoisted his sword over his shoulder, turning to head back up the stairs once again.
"By the way, Reno," the swordsman remarked, glancing behind him at the Turk, "I don't have to compensate for anything." He chuckled as he turned away, and continued on up the stairs.
Reno stood there, fuming, as Tifa looked at him curiously, trying to hide a smirk.
"Is he always this fucking moody?" he asked Tifa irritably. She snickered, shrugging her shoulders.
"Actually," she commented, "he seems to be in a pretty good mood today, believe it or not."
"Wonderful," Reno murmured. "Figures, that of all the available men in Edge, I have have the hots for the one with the pissiest attitude." His face reddened as he realized what he'd just blurted out. Tifa raised an eyebrow at him, smirking.
"I knew it," she said accusingly, grinning at Reno. "I knew you liked him. Hell, everyone knows you like Cloud. You're not exactly subtle, Reno."
"What?" Reno blurted, shocked. "What do you mean? I never said - well, I never said anything, not until just now - "
"Reno," Tifa said patiently, as if talking to a smalll child. "You come in here nearly every day with Rude. And, anytime Cloud is in the same room, you stop what you're doing and just stare at him. It's so obvious you have a crush on him, gods!"
"But I didn't - I mean, I never - " Reno stammered. "Oh, fuck man! I thought I was being subtle!" A sudden thought occurred to Reno, and a look of terror washed over his face. "Tifa," he whispered. "Does he...does Cloud know? That I...kinda...like him?" he asked hesitantly.
Tifa chuckled warmly. "Yes, he does. But...I have no idea if he feels the same way," she admitted, shrugging her shoulders. "Now, I'm going to give poor Rude his beer before it gets warm...go talk to Cloud if you want, but he's probably asleep by now."
"Asleep?" Reno scoffed. "It's not even nine in the evening!" I'll wake his ass up, Reno thought, setting his jaw as he ascended the back stairs.
It was quiet on the second floor; Reno realized that Denzel and Marlene were probably fast asleep in their rooms. At least, he hoped they were. He crept quietly toward the room where he knew Cloud's office was. The door was the slightest bit ajar; a tiny sliver of light shone out into the hallway.
That is totally lame if he's asleep already, Reno thought, smirking. He eased the door open with the tip of his EMR, edging it open. There were no lights on in the room; the light that Reno had seen creeping out in the hallway was due to the bright moonlight streaming through the window.
Silhouetted against the window, was Cloud - shirtless, hands on his hips. His back was to Reno, and the moonlight reflected off of his pale skin, accenting and highlighting the curves of his muscled shoulders and arms.
Reno sucked in his breath at the sight. In the moonlight, Cloud looked like a god, sculpted of palest marble.
"What do you want, Reno?" Cloud murmured, without turning around. Reno swallowed, and shut the door behind him. He walked over to Cloud, his heart thudding in his chest. Just spit it out, Turk, he told himself. The worst that'll happen, is that Cloud will say no...but at least then, you'll know.
"What do I want?" Reno murmured, standing directly behind Cloud. He lowered his head so that his mouth was right next to Cloud's ear.
"What do I want," Reno said again. "I want you, Cloud." Reno leaned in even closer, his breath tickling the side of Cloud's neck. He's not even reacting! Reno thought frantically. Shit. I'm barking up the wrong fucking tree. I should have known better...
"I thought we were enemies," Cloud said flatly, still not turning around. Oh, this was maddening to Reno - Cloud's stubborn refusal to react, or even look him in the eye.
"And here I thought we were on the same side, now," Reno replied, sighing in defeat. "Look. I get it, okay? I'm a Turk...you're mister high-and-mighty, too good to mingle with scum like me - "
"Shut up," Cloud snarled, suddenly pivoting around, facing Reno. He grabbed the redhead by the shoulders and pushed him clear across the room, pinning him against the wall.
He's going to fucking punch me, Reno thought, flinching and bracing himself for the impact. And it's not like I don't deserve it, I insulted his manhood earlier, then I just fucking barged into his room -
But, much to Reno's surprise, Cloud did not punch him. He kissed him. Roughly, which was the way Reno liked it. Cloud pressed Reno against the wall, still kissing him, pinning his shoulders back with both hands.
Panting for breath, Cloud finally broke the kiss to come up for air. "This will never work," he said hoarsely, and turned from Reno. Cloud sighed, and sat on the edge of his bed, placing his head in his hands. "This can't possibly be happening," Cloud murmured.
Now Reno was angry. "What the hell's the big idea?" he said, fury rising within him, coloring his cheeks. "You go and kiss me like that, and then tell me it ain't gonna work? Oh no you don't, Strife. Don't you fucking toy with me."
"Maybe you should go, then," Cloud said quietly, looking sadly at Reno. "I'm no good to anyone. Not...in a relationship, anyway."
"Who said anything about a relationship?" Reno blurted. Shit. Didn't mean to come out with it like that.
"Oh," Cloud replied sourly. "I get it now. You just want to have a quick fuck, is that it?" he said angrily. "I should have known. I guess I'm an idiot, thinking you might feel something more. Get out, Reno. Just get out."
"Wait! I didn't mean it like that - oh fuck it, Strife! Do you know how fucking pigheaded you are?" Reno shouted. "You don't get it at all!"
"Keep your voice down, asshole," Cloud hissed. "Kids are trying to sleep."
"Shit," Reno said, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I'm sorry. But you were pissing me off!"
"You're pissing me off," Cloud retorted. "Why did you come up here anyway? Just to taunt me?"
"Taunt you?" Reno echoed, arching his eyebrows in surprise. "Why would I do that?"
"I've seen you, Reno," Cloud told him. "I've seen the way you look at me, when you think I'm not looking at you. And I've got to admit, it flattered me. But this will never work," he said dismissively. "It can't work."
"Why?" Reno asked softly. He slowly walked over to Cloud, and sat down next to him on the bed. Reno was grateful that Cloud didn't immediately get up to get away from him, or deck him. The Turk ran a long finger up Cloud's bared spine, causing him to shiver.
"Why do you keep saying it will never work?" Reno whispered, pressing himself ever closer to Cloud. "Is it because I'm a Turk?"
"That's...part of it," Cloud admitted. "But only a small part. Stop...stop doing that, Reno. Stop touching me."
"You like how it feels, don't you?" Reno asked, leaning over to kiss Cloud's shoulder. "I don't think you really want me to stop, do you?"
"No," Cloud gasped. "No - I don't know - damn it, Reno, you're confusing me! I don't know how I should feel anymore!" Reno froze and stopped what he was doing, as Cloud got up from the bed, and began pacing nervously.
"For so long, all I could feel was hatred," Cloud said quietly, taking a seat beside Reno once again on the bed. "And the only desire I had in my heart, was revenge. Revenge on Sephiroth, for everything...and everyone, he took away from me. And I got my revenge didn't I? He's dead now. For the second time." Reno nodded, unable to speak; his eyes were fixed on Cloud, as he waited for him to continue.
"I have no room in my heart for love," Cloud said quietly. "Somewhere along the way, I forgot how to feel...how to be human again. And I don't think I'll ever get that back. It's the last thing Sephiroth took away from me," he concluded morosely. "I just feel...so empty, now."
Reno was shocked into silence at Cloud's candid confession, and almost felt like weeping himself, over Cloud's heartbreak and misery. He wasn't even sure what was the right thing to say - if there even was a 'right' thing to say.
"I refuse to believe that," Reno finally said. He touched his fingers to Cloud's face, gently turning his chin, forcing the blond to look him in the eye. "Cloud. You have a good heart. Don't tell me you're incapable of love, because I think you are. You just feel empty now because your worst enemy is gone. Of course you feel a void now."
Cloud chuckled. "I don't believe this. Reno of the Turks is psychoanalyzing me."
Reno laughed softly. "I'm serious though, man," he said. "It's like...if you're running from something for a long time. That's all you know, is that you're trying to get away from whatever it is, and running...always running, never stopping to look back. Then one day, when you get to stop running - it shocks the shit out of you. And as sick as it sounds, you miss running. Even though you should feel at peace, you miss the adrenaline rush you used to get when you were running."
"Shit," Cloud murmured, visibly impressed. "How in the hell did you get so smart, Reno?" he asked, casting a sideways smile at the Turk.
"Experience is a wonderful teacher. And let's just say, I've done my fair share of running away from shit," Reno replied dryly, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh," Cloud said, sighing. "I won't ask...unless you want to tell me about it," he told Reno.
"Maybe another time," Reno said dismissively. The Turk felt something tugging at his insides, since Cloud spilled his guts to him. "No fucking way," Reno muttered, disbelieving.
I'm falling for him. Damn it, but I am. Falling hard, too.
"What?" Cloud mumbled, not quite hearing what Reno had said. "Did you say something?"
"No," Reno lied. He turned, facing Cloud, and ran his hand along his outer thigh, trying to ease the swordsman back on the bed.
"What are you doing?" Cloud asked - not quite struggling against Reno, but no longer putting up a fight. He leaned back on the bed slightly, Reno still hovering over him.
"I want you, Cloud," Reno said hoarsely. "Like I told you. If you'll have me, that is."
Cloud sank down onto the nest of pillows and sighed. He pulled Reno into an embrace, and the Turk plundered Cloud's open mouth with his tongue, kissing him roughly.
"I just don't think it'll work, the two of us," Cloud murmured sadly, running his hand through Reno's thick red hair. His fingers traced the facial tattoos on Reno's cheekbones, as he locked eyes with the Turk.
"Then let me prove you wrong," Reno whispered, his head descending once more as he kissed Cloud again, over and over.
This time, Cloud did not stop him.