Author's Note: So this is chapter two, went through and fixed a few mistakes and tried to make the flow more consistent. Hope you all enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who reads and or reviews. I love hearing what you guys have to say.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own FF7/ FF7 Advent Children, or the characters; all rights belong to Square Enix. I make no money from writing this.
The Beautiful Letdown
Written By: Crimson2006
:Chapter Two:
Whoever said that Mako poisoning made you null to alcohol, obviously forgot to factor in that the intoxicating substance slowed down ones reflexes –so that if you pushed enough drinks back fast enough, it would be quite sometime before the body flushed the toxin out. Surprisingly, Cloud had already known this, having gotten drunk on several past occasions. Thus he heedlessly knocked back his ninth shot as if it were his first; clearly intent on getting wasted.
Reno had taken them to a shabby little place that Cloud had never heard of. Quite frankly the blonde had expected the bar to be flamboyant and full of rowdy people, yet the atmosphere around them was rather quite and serene. There did come some realization that it was only a quarter to seven and it was a weekday; so maybe the place was normally unruly under other circumstances. Still, it didn't matter much now, seeing as there were only a handful of stragglers lacing the counter and tables. Cloud appreciated the silence.
"I take it you approve?" Reno slurred slightly, placing the nursed rum bottle alongside the five empty beer bottles that had been downed when they'd first arrived.
Cloud waved the waitress over and then looked at the man who sat across from him. "So what you choose this place for me? I didn't realize this was a date or I would have fixed my hair."
Reno chuckled. "Was that a joke, Strife? Fucking shit, it was, wasn't it! I didn't think that you had it in you."
Cloud watched Reno laugh and a bitter feeling washed over him. "Why, because you think I'm just another one of Sephiroth's clones? Do you think that because he didn't feel anything, that I can't?" The words were pressed out rather coldly and he regretted saying them in such a way when Reno's visage looked genuinely hurt; though that expression turned more to pissed as the seconds rolled on. The waitress came by, dropped of another round of drinks and then quickly left, the TV in the background broadcasted some sort of sports game and an old man in the corner sneezed –but neither male had yet to say another word. Growing tired of looking at Reno, Cloud purposely broke the gaze and reached out for another shot. Reno's hand caught him mid-act.
"I never said that." His words clear, so that they betrayed how drunk he really was. "I'm a Turk, I know your history; but I could careless. It's the past, we all have one, no big deal. You're just as human as I am… maybe a little more." With that Reno released his grip; pale hands slipping around the neck of his rum bottle as he raised it to his lips and washed more of it down.
Cloud couldn't think of anything to say to that, so he lifted up another shot and indulged himself as well. He'd never pegged Reno to answer something like that so seriously –though the longer he mused over it, the more it seemed to make sense. The red-head wasn't the type of person to judge you; he just let you be yourself, even if you happened to be a former SOLDIER member who had fractional memories and a long list of personal issues. To Reno, he was simply another person. The notion made Cloud smile slightly. Lazily, his eyes drifted up from their most frequent location –the table– becoming rather surprised to see that Reno was watching him intently.
"You should smile more, Strife. You wear it well."
"Hum, too dangerous. I might give someone a heart attack. Besides then they'll expect me to do it all the time," He spoke lightly. The alcohol was really starting to get to him; normally he wasn't this open and consequentially he wondered what the downfall was going to be like. After all, alcohol was a depressant.
"Yeah, you've already made my heart stop a few times this evening."
Cloud outwardly rolled his eyes and brushed off the drunken man's flirtatious remark as being nothing more then just another mannerism belonging to Reno.
...
For the rest of the evening the pair shared company in ease, passing words every now and again, but not really holding onto one topic too seriously. There were a few times that Cloud found himself getting depressed, but Reno always seemed to take notice of it and cheered him back up before he fell too low. It was nice in a way, though creepy all the same—that Reno knew just what to say and when to say it. It made the blonde think that maybe the Turk had a few secrets of his own, but he didn't feel the need to pry because Reno wasn't pushing the typically subjects on him. There was nothing about Sephiroth, first battle or last. No mentions of being a famous hero or how it changed it life. The conversation seemed mostly one sided in that aspect. Reno did most of the talking between the moments of silence, and Cloud found himself oddly disturbed at how little he'd known about the Turk, or how much he agreed with the man.
Apparently the red-head was an animal lover, having two cats and a guinea pig, to which the latter of the three was named, Rufus, after his boss, and the former two were named Jack and Daniels. Cloud didn't need to guess why. Reno also enjoyed reading; said it was a forced habit after getting stuck on long missions with nothing to do, though by the elders tone, Cloud could tell that some of the Turk secretly enjoyed it. The red-head also claimed to be a wonderful cook, and a fan of classic movies, but what really shocked Cloud was that Reno could sing. Not trying to sound good while singing in the shower or I think I'm idol material so I'm going to make an ass out of myself type of wannabe talent –but rather a honest to goodness real, hard core, perfectly gifted, sort of singing.
"Rufus found out about it at a Christmas party one year when I got wasted, the bastard never let me live it down. Still makes me sing all the time… like I'm some sort of fuckin jukebox or something…"Reno trailed off when he realized he was rambling." So how about you Strife, can you sing?"
Cloud shook his head, but seemed lost in the question. After a long pause the former SOLDIER's answer came out as a stifled mummer. "Singing reminds me of Aerith…"
The Turk shifted uncomfortably in his chair, knowing that he was treading in deep water if he chose to extend the length of the conversation. Part of him knew it wasn't a good idea. Cloud always got sentimental when it came to the girl, and Reno could already see the thin trail of guilt stirring in those infused blue eyes. The other half however made him open his mouth. Sitting around moping about the past was unhealthy. Cloud may have saved the world twice, but he was still living in the one that Sephiroth had sought to destroy and with that fading image he was dying. "She was a sweet girl."
"You didn't know her." Cloud quickly retorted, his voice defensive and edgy. There was an utter amount of distain in the very thought that Reno would even consider himself privileged enough to have really known Aerith.
"Didn't have to, her altruism said it all." The anger washed away and Reno watched Cloud's face go slack with pain. "But hey, change of topic. How we gettin home?"
Cloud frowned, not really wanting the thoughts of Aerith to leave him. He deserved the pain and torment that haunted him, he'd let her die. Even if she had been willing to save the world at the cost of her life, even if she knew the consequences to what she was so determined to do –he still felt bad for not being able to save her. A tremor of ice swept up his spine and he forced himself to think about the question that Reno had asked him.
Shuffling those dismal thoughts into the depths of his mind, Cloud realized that Edge was quite a ways off and without Fenrir it would be a long walk back, especially in his current state. There was always the option of calling a taxi, but they were rather high priced, and right now, seeing as he hadn't exactly got the delivery business up and running, he was a tad bit short in the Gil department. "Didn't really think that one through…"
Reno took another swig and nodded in agreement. "Well, I'd call Rude but seein as it's one in the morning, he'd be more then pissed."
"Rude gets mad?" Cloud asked absentmindedly, tapping his beer bottle dry and adding it to his own glass collection that was twice as vast as Reno's. By now his guilt had retreated slightly and he was musing over what Rude would look like if he lost his cool. It was hard to imagine… but very entertaining.
"Yeah, it's not a pretty sight, yo!"
Cloud laughed; Reno's expression was priceless. It wasn't a false halfhearted laugh either, but a chores of sound that seemed to ignite the room with a breathtaking display of who Cloud might really be behind that stoic face and those sad, lonely eyes.
Reno felt himself stir with arousal, but quickly composed himself. He'd always admired Cloud for being sexy, and now that the man was sitting across from him, laughing, it was a huge turn on. Cloud looked too damn good for his own good. "My place isn't far, you could stay with me. It's a bit of a walk uphill, but between the two of us we might make it." He wasn't expecting much, even if he did manage to get Cloud up to his apartment there was still way too much negative energy between them to lead anywhere good. The red-head resisted the urge to lick his lips, but wouldn't it be nice to have that fine piece of ass moaning under him, arching, screaming, and begging to be-
"I guess I don't have much of a choice; can't just leave you here and I'm not up to walking back home. I'll need to call Tifa though."
Cloud's silky voice threw him off track, and for a moment Reno was wondering what the blonde was talking about. "Err…um, what?"
"I said I'll crash with you." Cloud's voice slightly annoyed at having to repeat him self. "But I'll need to use your phone to call Tifa; she'll worry if I'm not home come morning."
'I'd like to make you cum all morning,' Reno mentally smirked, but was drawn out of another fantasy when Cloud smacked him upside the head. "Hey!"
"Phone. Reno?"
"Oh, yeah. My bad…" He explained, shuffling through the pockets of his disheveled suit. That damn phone had to been there somewhere. After a few minutes he finally found it lying on the floor beside the chair; apparently it had slipped out at some point. Reno thanked whatever god was watching because he did NOT want to have to deal with a pissed off Rufus for losing company property, again. The last time it had happened his pay check had suffered the default and that had put quite a pinch on his social life. Reno had admitted to himself long ago that he drank way too much for his own good, but that didn't stop him from indulging in the substance. He also figured that he should cut back on smoking as well, but that didn't seem likely to happen unless he had no other choice. Of course being short on cash was one of those vexing predicaments.
Sliding the black, compact phone across the table –and nearly off it– he pushed the cell towards Cloud. "Go ahead and do your thing, yo."
Punching the familiar number the blonde phoned 7th Heaven. Normally Cloud would have had his own phone on him, but seeing as he hadn't wanted to be bothered earlier; the said item had been left on his desk in the office. He seriously hoped that Tifa hadn't tried calling him or he might have to deal with one angry woman when she picked up.
"7th Heaven a little slice of paradise, this is Tifa speaking, how many I help you?" The sweet notes carried over the phone and Cloud once again felt guilty in so many lights. He was a horrible friend and even worse companion. He'd known for a long time that Tifa loved him; that she wanted more out of their relationship then what he'd been giving her. Of course, part of him loved her as well –was thankful that the girl who sat under the stars with him all those years ago when he made that promise, was still his best friend. Equal to that was the other half, which cared her for well-being –the person that she was; a kind, considerate woman who was like a big sister or a mother to him. Yet in-between those two humble emotions was a rift of something darker. Cloud would never say that he hated Tifa, but he did feel a grudge towards her for holding the former promise over his head. And a small part of him despised her for that reason; because what she was asking from him was something that he couldn't give. He saw the pain in her eyes, he knew that she wanted him to return some kind of emotion, wanted his hands to touch her in intimate places and his lips to claim every ounce of her soft, milky flesh –but he couldn't do it. As a result, Cloud's hate towards himself spawned deeper.
"Look, if someone doesn't say something I'm going to hang up," She growled over the phone which actually made Cloud smirk slightly.
"Sorry Tifa, it's me. I was just lost in thought."
"Cloud? Are you okay, you sound… strained."
Did he? He hadn't really noticed. "No, I'm fine. I'm in Healin, at a bar with Reno." He was reluctant to disclose that part, though he didn't know why."We're both pretty wasted, so I think I'll just crash at his place tonight."
The other side of the line grew uneasily silent. In the background he could hear a small dispute, but nothing that sounded too dangerous. After a few more second Tifa's voice reverberated through the phone. "I can close up and come get you, if you want."
Cloud frowned. "No, that's alright. You sound busy and I'd feel bad if you lost business because of me. Besides, Reno doesn't mind. I doubt that he could make it back by himself anyway."
Tifa just hummed and didn't sound convinced. She wanted to ask Cloud what was wrong. Implore why he was in Healin and why the hell he was drunk with Reno, but she didn't. Instead the woman bit her tongue and swallowed her nerves and tried to come off a little less conspicuous. "Are you sure it's safe, I mean Reno is a Turk."
Cloud gave a light laugh and surprised the girl. "He's also wasted. But even if he wasn't, I don't think he'd try anything."
Reno arched a brow, this conversation was taking too long, plus he didn't like being talked about as if he wasn't there. Reaching over with his usual tactless grace, the Turk snagged the phone from Cloud with agitation. "Lookie here mamma; I'll play nice as long as Cloud does and whenever our hangover's wear off, I'll bring him back to you in one piece. I promise." Without waiting for a response, he flipped the phone shut and permanently severed the conversation. "I swear, how can you stand that woman?" He quipped drunkenly, flinging a wade of cash on the table and trying to stand up; succeeding to do the latter of the two horribly. "...She's much too loud for my tastes."
"Hum, with the way you're always flirting with me, I didn't think you liked women." Cloud replied, helping the red-head to his feet and swaying slightly himself. Cloud wasn't sure why he'd said that, but he was curious to the way the other always responded. Was the flirting just a game to Reno?A subconscious thing that rolled off his mind just as easily as he protruded the word babe from his lips? The blonde wasn't really fond of the nickname, but he'd been called a lot worst in the past. Still, it had his mind buzzing with questions; ones that he wasn't sure he wanted the answers to.
"Ah, so you do take notice. I figured you just didn't like me or that you were being dense," Reno started but gasped unexpectedly when Cloud slid his arm way, and with it the firm support that was keeping him balanced. He was sure the blonde was going to let him fall, but before he could hit the floor, those warm arms were keeping him upright once more.
Reno resisted the urge to smirk, he rather liked seeing Cloud drunk, or buzzed –he really couldn't tell which, nor did he care– because the normal stoic mask that the other wore was substantially lax. Cloud was almost playful too. The Turks mind wrapped around that concept, knowing that he could think up a few games for them to engage in; but as his vision splotched he thought better of himself, instead brushing the act off with mock criticism. "Kidding… damn Strife, you need to chill out, yo!"
Cloud simply shook his head with a laugh and helped Reno out the door. Despite his earlier assessment of the elder, he realized that maybe the Turk wasn't so bad. Though, he supposed that only time would tell.
TBC
