Pot of Gold – Chapter 2
By SkyK
AN: Like, Whoooaaah. Has it really been that long? I have to admit I kinda dropped writing this story for a while (thought I never stop developing ideas for it in my head). Then again, the last year as been a huge pain in the… Well you get what I mean. Long story short, exams, more exams, refused in a school program I really wanted to get in, knee injury, knee injury turns out to be a torn meniscus: hello Operation Room and goodbye summer vacation (they did manage to sew it so I'm all fine now thought it was 6 weeks of no weight on it. Technically that would have been a perfect time to write but I just couldn't seem to do it even thought I knew where I want the story to go…). Then we have now. I actually took up to writing this again about 3 weeks ago. At first it would be bits and pieces here and there and then it became my favorite hobby to pass time in philosophy class. I actually finished chapter 2 last week, but I had so much work to do I couldn't type it on the comp. Even now I gotta say I'm giving it a push because I just spent 3 hours in philosophy class (where I wrote about 1/3 of chapter 3 and drew a tribal chocobo but that's beside the point) and the 3 hours before that scrambling to finish my philo homework on time for said class. So yep. I kinda feel like doing nothing except maybe die and come back just in time for lab class tomorrow but I realized when I looked at the story that if I update tomorrow it will have bee exactly one year since I posted and that would be sad =( OK. On with the story. If you read this till the end you're a pro.
RxR
As he waited for his drink, the redhead took a look around, taking in his surroundings. While colourful, the place wasn't as flashy or flamboyant as he'd expected it to be. The décor was simple yet tasteful and the atmosphere was quite pleasant. He was currently sitting at the bar which was located all along one of the walls and had three bartenders behind it. There were a few other patrons sitting on the barstools like him, but most were at the tables scattered in the room. There were also quite a few currently using the decently sized dance floor in the central area or just standing next to other people and socializing. There was music of course but the volume wasn't as loud as it would have been in a real night club like The Lair. It was just loud enough so that you didn't have to yell to be heard. And of course there was what he'd first noticed when he'd stepped in: the couples kissing, holding each other's hands and gazing at each other with love, or just plain old lust. Of course that wasn't an unusual thing to see in a bar but when you were used to the much more subdued displays of affection gay couples usually shared in public, the scene seemed almost unreal.
He drummed his fingers as he waited for the bartender to come back with his drink. Since he was planning to drive back home later he'd only ordered a beer. He didn't have to wait much longer as the bartender was turning back to him with a glass full of amber colored beer. He was just reaching for the wallet in his pocket when a foreign hand holding a twenty dollar bill passed over his shoulder ''Please add my usual to that Roy. You can keep the change''. The stranger's voice was nice and deep and Reno would have been lying if he said it didn't affect him at least a little.
The bartender, Roy, took the bill and smiled at the man behind the redhead ''Of course''. He put the bill in the pouch around his waist and turned around to prepare the other man's drink, leaving the one he'd previously held in front of Reno. The stranger sat on the stool next to Reno's and the redhead quickly turned his head to have a look at the other man.
Curious aqua eyes met amused blue/grey ones and time stood still. The man before him had a slim build and seemed to be in his mid-twenties. His blond hair was carefully styled and although there only seemed to be a minimal amount of gel on his head, he didn't have a hair out of place. He was wearing white suit pants with a black vest and a white dress shirt underneath with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the top buttons undone. He seemed a little older than the guys Reno usually went for but screw that, he was hot.
The stranger offered him a smile ''I know people usually ask first, but I thought it would be a nice 'welcome to the gay bars' gesture''. He nodded at the bartender as he placed his drink in front of him.
The younger man gave a slightly nervous chuckle as a light blush colored his cheeks ''that obvious uh?''.
The other man answered with his smile still in place ''Well, most regulars don't usually freeze in the doorway''. His smile only intensified when the redhead blush darkened a little more. ''So, which is it? A bet with friends, curiosity of a straight man or are you actually gay?''
Reno didn't answer right away as he was a bit startled by the question. ''If you think I'm straight, why are you flirting with me?''
The blond chuckled at the question. ''Because I'm pretty sure you're not''
The redhead frowned at that. ''Then why ask that question?''
The other man's smile made a second appearance and Reno wondered why that seemed to put butterflies in his stomach. ''Well, it got you to relax didn't it?''
The young redhead contemplated this and realized that it had. He'd been feeling nervous, flustered and maybe even a little intimidated by the other man's complete confidence but that unexpected question had effectively snapped him out of it. Reno let himself smile back at the other man and replied with a playful tone ''I suppose it did. But what would you have done if I had been straight hmm?"
The blond just shrugged at the question. ''I grab a bottle and ponder on the ironic fact that the most beautiful man in a place meant for homosexuals happens to prefer women.'' Reno could only describe the smile the man had as he answered as flirty.
At that moment, the redhead couldn't have been more grateful about the untouched glass sitting in front of him because he had no idea what to say to that and he could feel his cheeks heating up once more. He brought the glass to his lips and took a large gulp. He had no idea what was wrong with him tonight. He'd been with attractive guys before, granted none had been quite as hot as the guy in front of him but that shouldn't be making him so nervous right? He knew this game of seduction very well yet here was, blushing like a fucking virgin over some smiles and a compliment. Maybe it was the fact that the other man was so obviously older than him and, more importantly, more experienced that was making him so queasy.
Rufus ran a hand through his hair as he turned to his own drink. He wasn't sure what to make of this young man. He'd been getting mixed signals from him since he'd started interacting with him. Right now, he couldn't tell if his attention was welcome or not. On one hand, his body language and the playful answer he'd received earlier made him believe he might be interested, but the bashful reactions to his flirting confused him. The slightly provocative clothing and confident posture had led him to believe that the other was experienced, but the moment he started flirting, that confidence seemed to waver. He took a sip of the blue liquid in his glass and turned back to the redhead. ''If you'd rather be alone, I can go. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.''
The other male froze at the question, glass hanging mid-air. Surprisingly, the other man's tone wasn't annoyed or disappointed like most people's would be in this situation. It sounded apologetic and that made him feel slightly guilty because the blond had done nothing wrong. He put down his glass and took a calming breath before turning to face the other man again. ''No, I'm the one who's sorry. Here you are, offering me a drink and I didn't even thank you so… thank you.'' Their eyes met again and he only hesitated a second before extending his hand to the other man and giving him his most charming smile. ''Reno Sinclair''
The stranger smiled back and took the offered hand in a firm grip. ''Rufus Shinra''
RxR
I know it's short. I've actually got some more written, but finishing it here just seemed so appropriate. I'll try to update faster, promise. Thought it shouldn't be too much of a problem since my philo class is spent writing this thing… Please review ;) As always feel free to point grammatical crimes as this isn't my first language.