1 - Arrogance
There was something about the way the redhead's lips would curl that had evoked an irritated twitch from Rude during their first months of working together. Whatever mission that they were to handle, rather it be simple patrolling or something sinisterly brutal, like taking down one of Hojo's obstreperous creations, Reno's eyes would light up assuredly, and a wide, lazy grin would spread across his face as if to say, "Yeah, I got this."
Reno was loud, obnoxious, and had a heart heavy with cynicism, and all of these qualities were magnified when he had a translucent brown bottle in his hand. He was prone to brawls with anyone who was foolish enough to go against him, and he would break bones with sickening crackling masked by screams for salvation all while smiling proudly.
Rude preferred silence; to him, it felt more professional, and he was less likely to cause confrontation with anyone. He didn't quite understand mindless, drunken fighting, or any other fighting in general unless he had received specific orders from his superiors. He had confidence in himself, and it was because of that fact that he didn't wish to waste his time on those who would be quickly defeated without purpose.
It was Reno's blatant arrogance that pricked beneath Rude's skin like thousands of fine needles. Reno's entire being was pure confidence, from his drawling manner of speech to his shifty demeanor, his untucked shirts and disarrayed hair, and of course, that smile.
Rude was fascinated by how his partner's lips would slowly turn upwards, sometimes accompanied by a cocky chuckle, and with the movement of those twelve muscles, it was obvious that Reno was going to emerge victorious in whatever he was involved. That single, sly smile could arouse fear in even the burliest of men, including Rude. There was no denying that Reno was remarkably powerful as well as thoroughly cunning, and Rude found himself thankful on many occasions that he was on the same side of the battlefield as the haughty redhead.
Over time, Rude lost his aggravation with Reno's self-assuredness. He began to feel that his partner had every right to be as confident as he was because of his outstanding prowess. Rude's stoic presence exerted a feeling of hidden puissance, yet Reno was outwardly capable, and together they were an exceptionally frightening team.
Despite any losses or defeats Reno endured, his hauteur never waned, and with every new battle, his smirk reappeared on his sculpted features. Its presence seemed to have been permanently etched into his expression, and it remained a trademark of Reno's undoubting style.
After Rude and Reno shared their first fiery kiss, the smile seemed to burn with a newer, more intense fervor, and the flames of Reno's arrogance grew. Reno knew that he could get what he wanted, and what he wanted more than anything was the cool calmness that was his partner.
"Rude," the redhead spoke in a whisper with hot breaths against the taller man's ear. "I want you." Rude could feel Reno's lips curl into his prideful grin as he continued his enticing breaths.
Lured by his partner's confident actions that had ensnared so many before him, Rude succumbed with a passionate kiss, and Reno's arrogance continued to burn.