"Oh, no!" Reno sighed sarcastically. "A high security lock! How shall I ever get inside?"
"Just pick it, Reno…" Rude's voice came from the ear bud Reno was wearing.
Reno skillfully changed some wires' positions and the lock clicked open. He stepped inside, avoiding the red line hovering a few inches above the floor, and looked around. He could go forward, right, left, or diagonally left.
"Straight forward, second right. Cameras on the first right." Rude read aloud from the map.
Reno timed the cameras, and rolled out of sight. He pressed his back to the wall and peeked around the corner.
"Three against one? That's just unsportsmanlike. Is there no justice in this world?" Reno whined, turning his EMR on. He made quick work of them, a fourth one having heard the scuffle and come to investigate ended up fried by too-many-to-count watts.
"Down this hall, first left, third door on the left. Movement sensors inside." Rude said across airwaves. "The file we are looking for should be in there."
"High security locks, laser sensor by the doors, cameras, thugs, movement sensors…can't we break in somewhere less complicated?" Reno muttered as he made his way through the halls, taking down another two unsuspecting guards.
When he reached the door, he looked up. A few feet further was an air vent entrance. He stretched his lanky arms up and ripped it open. Pausing to ensure no one heard him, he hoisted himself upwards.
"Fuckin' creepy spiders across the air vents, fuckin' webs ruinin' my suit, fukin' stinky air coming from the bathroom next door… this gets better and better!" Reno spotted a blinking red light from the corner of the room. He took out his custom made propeller gun, attached the small device that would turn the sensor off to the plastic bullet and aimed for the light. Six seconds later, he lowered himself into the office and looked around.
"Look, a file cabinet!" he muttered tonelessly. "I wonder what's in there…" he opened the first drawer, and found…files! Rummaging quickly through it, he closed the drawer and opened the second one. Inside were…more files! But not the one he needed. Third drawer…fil-
"Oh, my." He examined the fluffy handcuffs, blindfold and… "I did not want to see that." He closed the drawer again and scowled when Rude snickered. Damn button cameras.
Reno crouched behind the desk and opened the first drawer. Pens, post its, a gun…normal first-drawer stuff. Second drawer.
"Damn, Rude, you sure we got the right address?" Reno closed the 'toy-drawer'.
"I'm gonna pretend I don't know what you have in your desk drawers and say you are a very pure minded person." Rude shuffled some papers.
"At least I clean my stuff after I use it…" Reno opened the third drawer. He cringed at the pictures. "And I don't keep photographic evidence of it."
"And that DVD I found last Thursday?" Rude reminded him.
"Ah…" Reno opened the last drawer. "A picture says a thousand words, but a video will leave you speechless." He scanned the files and exclaimed a small 'aha' when he found the one he wanted. He put it inside a plastic Ziploc bag and secured it inside his jacket.
The only incidents on the way out were five more guards, a camera, and a tripwire.
"A tripwire?" Reno fumed. "Honestly, a tripwire? Who do they think we are?" he jogged to the chopper and took his seat next to Rude. Yanking the ear bud out and putting the unnecessary large headphones on, he flipped his ponytail into place, flipped some switches, flipped the guards that were chasing him off and headed back to ShinRa.
"Mornin', bossman." Tseng's view of his computer monitor was interrupted by a plastic enveloped file.
"I gather the mission was successful?" he took the file from Reno's hands.
"Of course it was successful, the dickheads had tripwires!" Reno flopped down on the leather sofa Tseng had in his office and kicked his shoes off. "Didn't expect the little surprises, though…" he lifted his legs and lay back on the couch. "You need some cushions here, bossman."
"What surprises, Reno?" Tseng ripped the plastic bag open and scanned the file. Reno didn't need to answer, as he was kind enough to add some of the pictures between the sheets of paper. Tseng cringed at them. "And here I thought seeing you covered in lipstick was disturbing.
"Lipstick? I wasn't aware of the lipstick, I thought you were talking about the other fluids…" Reno snuggled deeper into the couch.
"That kind of information is not appreciated, Reno." Tseng fought hard to keep the disgusted look off his normally stoic visage.
"What now, bossman?" Reno opened one aqua eye and looked at his superior.
"We have all evidence we need. Including the pictures you so nicely collected. We send a cleaning crew. End of story." Tseng snapped the file closed and put it back in its bag.
"Hn…" Reno had closed his eye again.
"You're not going to sleep here again, are you?" Tseng eyed the redhead.
"Hn…no…" Reno slurred.
Tseng sighed and held the file under his arm. He opened a small cabinet next to the couch and took out a soft blanket. He draped it over Reno and paused to watch him sleep. Tseng knew that even if Reno acted so nonchalantly, the adrenaline rush during a mission left one exhausted. He usually gave his Turks the rest of the day off after a mission to rest.
Tseng pushed a few red strands away from Reno's face with his fingertips. They trailed down one of his cheekbones, following a red tattoo. Shaking his head a little, Tseng left his office, closing the door softly behind him. What was he thinking? Reno was his subordinate, he couldn't feel this way towards him. He doubted highly Reno swung that way. Even if he did, he would probably want someone more active, more outgoing, not some quiet boring guy like him.
He pushed those thoughts aside along with the door to Rufus' office.
"Sir." He announced himself.
"Any news, Tseng?" Rufus looked up from the papers he was reading.
Tseng reported everything and filed the evidence in a specific cabined in a room behind the Vice-president's desk. After he received permission to send the cleaning team, Tseng went back to his office. He went back to his thoughts.
Well, he reasoned with himself, there's only one way to find out…
Reno was half listening as Tseng asked how the mission went. He barely had the energy to enjoy his boss' expression when he saw the pictures, he was already halfway to dreamland. He remembered feeling a soft blanket on him, and something on his face, but he concentrated on the smell of his boss coming from the blanket on him. He snuggled his nose into it and sighed.
Two hours later, Reno opened his eyes, only to have to close them again.
"Goddamn motherfuckin' sunlight shinin' in my eyes…" he grumbled as he sat up. Tseng's office gave a wonderful view to the sunset, but Reno was reconsidering the 'wonderful' part.
"Awake?" Tseng didn't look up from the monitor.
"Hn…I guess…" Reno stretched and slipped his shoes back on. He balled up the blanket and hugged it tightly to his chest, burying his face in it, relishing secretly in the smell.
"Tired. Hungry." His words were muffled by the cloth around his face.
"Speak complete sentences, please." He heard Tseng sigh.
"Reno is tired. Reno is hungry." He hid a grin in the blanket.
"Would Reno like to have dinner?"
Reno snapped his head up. Not only was Tseng offering free food, but he made a joke!
"Who are you, and what have you done to my boss?" Reno squinted against the dying sunlight.
"I guess you don't…" Tseng went back to typing.
"No, no, no, wait!" Reno stood up. "Dinner sounds good." He started folding the blanket neatly.
Tseng watched the redhead stir in his sleep. Dreams were not something Turks looked forward to. He quickly went back to his unfinished report when Reno fluttered his eyes open. He hid a smile when he heard him curse the sunlight. After a brief exchange of words, Tseng gathered his courage and asked Reno to have dinner with him. In his nervousness, he even managed a small joke.
He watched in fascination as Reno folded the blanket to a perfect square. He always did that. Tseng wondered why, since his office was a chaotic mess, but whenever he saw the Turk doing something, it was impeccable. And Tseng wished he could see Reno folding his blanket every day. He even sometimes fantasized him folding his clothes, were they living together.
"Yoohoo, bossman, you in there?" Reno waved his hand in front of Tseng's face, who feigned annoyance and swatted Reno away. He saved his two-line-long report and turned his computer off. He led the way out of his office and greeted a few people on the way to the elevator. Reno cursed the dying sun again and it's 'motherfuckin' heat' as he took off his jacket and pushed his sleeves up. Pressing the button to the garage, Tseng turned to Reno.
"Any preferences?" he studied the Turk slouched against the elevator wall, still tired, eyes closed and head bent back to rest against the wall. His eyes trailed down his jawbone, the pale neck, and the inviting triangle of exposed flesh. That was one of the reasons Tseng didn't reprimand Reno too much about the way he wore his uniform.
"Anything's fine, as long as it doesn't kill me." Reno opened his eyes again when the elevator door dinged open.
Tseng took out his car keys and heard Reno whistle. He looked at him and saw aqua eyes focused on the small galloping horse figure dangling from the key ring. Tseng turned away and smiled smugly. He knew Reno liked cars. He pressed the button on the key and the Mustang Shelby GT 500 blinked it's headlights in hello. He heard Reno 'ohh' behind him and got in behind the wheel. Reno sat on the passenger's seat and looked around with big aqua eyes.
"You know what, bossman? I knew you had a hot ride, but answer me one thing?" Reno pushed his seat back a little to adjust his long legs.
Tseng could barely contain his grin when he started the car and looked at Reno. He noticed the goosebumps on his forearms trembling in synchronization with the motor and the small but sharp intake of breath through perfect teeth. When he calmed a little he looked at Tseng with those beautiful sexpot aqua eyes.
"Blue?" Reno smirked.
Tseng couldn't help but laugh as he drove out of his parking spot. He even let the motor roar a bit more than necessary, and relished in the quiet little whimper/groan Reno made with the back of his throat.
Just when Reno was about to make a smart comment, Tseng had to start the car. He had to show him that attractive lopsided smirk, he had to pucker those plum lips, he had to pierce Reno's soul with those chocolaty eyes. Reno pretended that it was the car's vibrating motor that made his blood pool down below.
Yeah, right.
And when he laughed, Reno swore he would blame it on the car if he came then and there when he saw the dark pink lips pull back to reveal perfectly straight white teeth contrasting with his tan skin. The way his throat flexed when he laughed was begging Reno to chomp down on it. It wasn't even a real laugh, more like a deep, short 'haha', that sent his goosebumps somewhere he did not want to stir alive, for the sake of his dignity.
They drove through the streets of upper Midgar, the streetlamps starting to flicker on. Tseng didn't turn the radio on, he thought the car's soft rumble was enough to keep that delicious little shiver on Reno's skin.
After a few minutes, he pulled in the valet parking and handed the keys to the fat guy that worked there. The restaurant was a recent favorite, he had discovered it when he was doing bodyguard duty for Rufus. The walls were dark gold, an accent in red here and there. He strode up to the lady holding a clipboard and wearing an earphone, the wire disappearing into her shirt.
"Good evening sirs." She smiled kindly at them. "Someone will escort you shortly."
"You made reservations?" Reno smirked at Tseng while the lady talked into her sleeve.
"I come here every Friday." Tseng explained, studying a painting next to them. "They always leave a private booth reserved, in case I drop by."
Tseng could see Reno was impressed, but tried to hide it. Money was never an issue for a Turk, but Reno obviously lacked the class to be willingly accepted into a restaurant like this. Not that he cared, of course.
They were led to a small booth, fit for seating six people, three on each side. The couches were deep red, the table a dark mahogany and the glass walls separating one booth from another were mosaic, each one a different picture.
The lady that had escorted them set two menus on the table and poured each one a glass of water. Before she could leave, Tseng asked for a bottle of his favorite wutaian wine.
Reno tried not to look too amazed. He was failing epically, judging by the grin on Tseng's face. He ignored the few wutaian spoken words between Tseng and the waitress and opened the menu. There were no prices. Reno scanned the list of strange foods and gave up, putting the menu down. Tseng was playing with his water glass.
"Shall I order for you?" Tseng smirked at Reno.
"You're enjoying yourself, aren't you, boss?" Reno narrowed his eyes at Tseng. "Well, I'll let you know that I don't care." He childishly crossed his arms.
Tseng laughed and took a warm slice of bread from the basket. He tore it in half and buttered it. Reno watched as his lips closed around it and wished it wasn't a piece of bread, but instead his…
"What would you like to order?" the waitress interrupted Reno's thoughts. While he was busy recomposing himself, Tseng asked for a dish (again with the damn foreign language) and held up two fingers. The waitress nodded and took off with her notepad in hand.
Reno sighed and took some bread too. He spread some greenish-white dip over it and was pleased to taste ricotta and herbs.
"So…" he munched. "What am I eating?"
"You'll like it." Tseng smiled and ate another piece of bread.
"I better…" Reno muttered. He smiled when Tseng laughed at him.
It was different seeing his usually stoic boss outside of work. He had taken his jacket off, loosened his tie and opened the first button. Not enough, Reno thought, but at least he seemed more relaxed.
"Hey, boss?" Reno asked when their food arrived. "What exactly is this?"
Tseng smiled and stirred one of the five pans containing what Reno had baptized as 'blob'. It was light beige and had chunks of…something in it. Next to it, the waitress had set a small portable cooking oven and a weird pan with little sphere like holes in it. Tseng but a bit of blob in four of the holes, then four other with the other blob, then four others, and so on.
"This is called takoyaki." He explained as the blob balls began to sizzle.
"Gesundheit." Reno laughed.
"No, Reno." Tseng prodded the blob balls with a wooden stick. He expertly turned them in their holes so the other side would cook. The cooked side had turned an attractive golden hue. "They are like bread, but inside are different ingredients. The original one" he pointed "is with octopus. Then this restaurant gives the option to other ingredients too. Cheese," point "vegetables," point "herbs," point "and for dessert, fruits." point.
"Well," Reno took the stick Tseng offered him and looked at the ball on it. "Here goes." He bit into it. Tseng had given him a vegetable one. His eyebrows shot up and he nodded approvingly, munching on the little ball.
Tseng laughed at Reno's behavior. He was surprised at himself, at how he had let himself go. Shouldn't a Turk always be on guard? Shouldn't he avoid showing so much in a public place? Tseng didn't care. For now, he was spending time with Reno, and he wasn't scolding him, for once.
"Don't eat so fast, you'll be sick." Tseng said. Maybe not work related scolding. He loved that little line between Reno's eyebrows, and how his eyes seemed to calculate if he should heed to advice.
"I don't get sick."
Apparently not.
"Reno, you've had quite a lot to eat, I'm not accepting you calling in sick tomorrow." Tseng twirled his wineglass in his fingers. They had consumed three bottles already. Reno drank more than Tseng. Obviously.
"Tomorrow's Saturday, boss." Reno smirked at him, drowning yet another glass. He eyed the interior for a moment, and reached for the bottle.
"Oh, no, you don't." Tseng held the bottle out of Reno's drunken reach. "Check, please." He called to the waitress.
Reno whined loudly for the bottle while Tseng paid for their dinner. He stood up and let the waitress clear their table. Reno tried to go after the 'bottle stealing mean woman' but Tseng grabbed his arm and dragged him outside. It seemed the cold air sobered Reno up a little.
"Look." The redhead said. "Staaars…" he pointed to very polluted, starless sky. Not sobered.
When the valet brought the car to them, Tseng helped Reno inside and got in himself. He drove off after giving the valet a tip. The lull of the motor soon brought Reno to sleep. Tseng stopped at a red light and admired him. Then he got a little worried. Reno was very heavy, even being skinny like that. Tseng had almost lost his leg once on a mission when he had to carry an unconscious Reno away to the chopper. And Reno's apartment did not have an elevator. Tseng doubted he would make it up, the alcohol was getting to him too.
After a moment's pondering, he shrugged and drove to his own apartment. The garage was a bit dark, but he made his way to the elevator with no problems, apart from a snoozing Reno on his shoulder. Tseng pressed the button for the top floor and waited until the doors opened. He fished around his pockets for his keys and opened the door to his living room. He let Reno fall on the overly large couch and sat by the redhead's feet. He pulled his shoes off and laid them neatly next to the couch. He looked to his right, where Reno was sleeping. His bangs had fallen over his face, and moved as he breathed.
Tseng crawled carefully over his subordinate's sleeping form, until he was hovering over him, his arms and legs keeping him from falling on the beauty below him. He lifted his hand and brushed his bangs away, again tracing the tattoos on Reno's cheekbones.
Aqua eyes fluttered open, but Tseng couldn't move. He stayed there, inches away from Reno's face. His eyes seemed so deep, so pure…
"Are you gonna hover up there or are you gonna kiss me already?" Reno smirked at Tseng.
Tseng blinked. He kept staring at those eyes, to see if they were bluffing, but there were no traces of jokes in them. Only a teasing attitude that egged Tseng on.
He lowered his head slowly, until their lips were mere millimeters apart. Tseng turned his head slightly so that their lips grazed each other. He felt the air being sucked through Reno's mouth in anticipation. Bringing himself lower, Tseng lightly pecked the other, but didn't let their lips stay too far apart. He lowered himself again, this time not only his head, but his whole body, and felt Reno shake a little with shivers. He touched their lips again, sucking lightly on them. He felt Reno respond by pressing back and gripping the back of his shirt. Tseng nibbled on Reno's lower lip, and felt the redhead poke his tongue out. He nibbled on it too before meeting it with his own.
As they kissed, Tseng felt like he was licking a battery. A very tasty battery. His whole mouth tingled as he relished in the bittersweet taste of the other. He could taste the wine they had just had, and the unmistakable taste of cigarettes. But beneath that, it was all Reno.
Author's Note: Hi y'all! I hope you liked this, and if I get enough encouragement, maybe I'll write a second chappy. Then the rating will go up, of course...
review, please!!!