Title: Dogs Playing Poker
Author: Digimon Empress Yaten (de yaten)
Notes: This was written for a drabble request for a livejournal community. This is the more edited and slightly longer version of the story I posted there.
Pairings/Warnings: Reno/Cloud. A bit of sexual mentions, nothing big. Rated for language.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7, its characters, nor do I claim to own them. I just like to play with them from time to time.
Cerulean eyes met mako blue with skepticism. "I can't believe you never learned how to play poker."
Cloud shrugged. "Just never found the time. So, wait—" He regarded his cards with a frown. "What happens if your hand beats mine?"
Reno smirked. Might as well try it Hey, who knows? We could hook up if Cloud loses.
"You strip." He regarded Cloud's skeptical look with a shrug. "I didn't make up the rules, it's just how it is! Whoever has the losing hand takes a piece of clothing off." He paused. "And, to be fair, since this is your first time, I'll start in my boxers. Just to, y'know, be fair."
Cloud couldn't argue with that logic and placed his hand on the table. "I think it's a royal flush?"
Reno nearly stuttered, then caught himself. Cloud had a royal flush. A royal-freaking-flush. For his first hand, during his first game! Lucky sonofabitch. He looked at his two pair and frowned. But then he got an awful idea. A wonderful, awful idea.
"Too bad, blondie." He laid out his hand. "I've got two pair, and two pair beats your royal flush."
"Really? I always thought—"
"Look, Cloud," Reno said, "which one of us has been playing poker since they were five, hm? C'mon," he said, giving a little wink. "Would I ever do you wrong?"
Cloud sighed. "Probably." He still looked skeptical, but peeled off one of his gloves.
The next few hands passed, and Reno couldn't help but think that the former Soldier would be a damn fine poker player, if he didn't take Reno's word for it. ("Yeah, a straight only counts if you got all the cards within five minutes. I didn't make up the rules!")
The blonde was now down to nothing but his black boxers and a deeply-set frown.
"You first, Reno." Cloud nibbled at his lip and started intently at his cards. His hand must've been horrible...
Reno laid his cards down with a flourish, leaned casually back in his chair, and grinned. "Royal flush." His eyes roamed towards Cloud's boxers, waiting for the black silk to slide down, revealing the smooth—and maybe a little hard and blushing, Reno hoped—skin underneath.
"Too bad, Reno."
What?
Cloud matched Reno's earlier grin and laid down his cards with an equal flourish.
"Two pair."
The redhead's lips started to protest, but realizing their earlier mistake, stuttered and began to pout. Grumbling, Reno slid off his own boxers and hoped Cloud wouldn't notice his excitement, which chose the most inopportune time to start growing.
Wrapped in his own thoughts, Reno didn't notice or have much time to react as Cloud scooped up the discarded Turk uniform and threw it out the hotel window to the street... ten stories below.
"You son of a bitch!"
Cloud flung his jacket over his shoulder and made to leave. "Maybe next time you'll think before you try to get into my pants by cheating at poker, Reno."
