Ahh, I gotta say thank you to the reviewers who inspired me to continue!
NOTICE! I actually ended up finishing this Chapter DAYS ago. didn't let me upload anything for a good while until yesterday. But my Comcast kept going out when I needed it most. It only stays on during the daytime.
Enjoy.
Stranded with a Blondie
Shittiest Day Ever!
(No POV)
Frighteningly tough arms lifted under Reno's shoulder blades, Cloud attempting to lift the redhead up from his defenseless position. However, a strong hiss rang out from the Turk, blue irises hiding in a wince.
Cloud for the most part was just a tad upset and questionable as to how and why Reno found himself washed up into the sand. Then again, the giant fireball of metal hovering in the sky from earlier would make sense. Something obviously blew to smithereens, so perhaps that would give some actually clearance as to why he was crouching by the redhead and trying to lift the idiot up.
A loud groan emerged, the squinting eyes of Reno the only thing signifying he was actually there in the flesh. Suddenly, a menacing air wrapped around them both. The redhead stiffened as it briefly took him to notice that Cloud was sending him one hell of a glare that produced its own wicked aura. It sent a shiver down his spine, also causing the red strands to stick up at the back of his neck despite the heat.
Abruptly, a seemingly detached voice rang into the air betraying the hot weather with its icy jabs.
"What do you want Reno?" Mako induced eyes narrowed to near slits.
And for the life of him, "What?" the redhead had no idea how this would turn out.
"How did you get here?" The tone was clipped.
For a moment there was no answer as only so many thoughts could process all at once. 'What does he think? I'm here for fun?' Reno mentally scoffed at that, throwing his own glare to counter the blonde. Oh if he could move, this would so be different!
"My chopper blew up if you must know…" Yet that didn't explain to Cloud why the other was here.
"Where you looking for me under some ShinRa order?" If possible, the voice grew colder and Reno actually winced under that account instead. And surprisingly enough, Cloud was still half way holding him up even though it killed like a bitch.
Yet that didn't stop Reno from rolling his eyes and huffing out a sigh. To his own digression, he even grinned with amusement.
"Not everything I do has something to do with your cocky ass, ya know." Bad move…
Cloud promptly dropped the man he considered an idiot and stood to his full yet smaller stature. Observing the Turk who once again yelped in both surprise and pain, there was still the question if the other was lying or not.
Bare arms crossed over one another, the blonde scrutinizing the possibility. That was also when Reno figured out just how paranoid the little savior has grown to be. Not to mention a cold jackass with no heart!
A reluctant grunt and groan emitted from the Turk, his eyes peering up to connect with mako hues. It was then he bit his own lip and did the one thing he really didn't want to.
He rationed with Cloud. "Look, I wasn't looking for you and hell if I wanna be stuck here yo. But right now it would be nice if you could tell me where I am." Also adding in. "Plus, if I could move I would have swam off long and forever ago!" A disdainful snort came out.
And for all the rationality in the world, Cloud was still giving a perplexed glare. But with lady luck somewhere in town, the inquiry wavered. Reluctantly the blonde crouched back down, still defensive about the whole ordeal yet somewhat compliant.
"Can you walk?" The hesitance showed, but silently Reno appreciated it.
Though, his smart ass mouth went off like fire. "Didn't I just say I can't move?" The snarky attitude didn't chase the other off though. It only earned a twitch of the eye.
Cloud would have grumbled but instead he once more slipped his arms under the redhead and took steady hold of Reno's sides. This earned our little savior a look of disinclination, Reno a bit too nervous to deal with his damaged back to be man handled.
"Just… be careful yo. I'm pretty banged up." And there was the trademark grin once more. But it only managed half way to his face.
In compliance, Cloud shifted on his heels and did his best to keep Reno's back straight when lifting the lazy Turk up. Yet that wasn't enough to stop another half growled groan of pain and a grimace.
Chewing on his bottom lip, the blonde eased the idiot against him, back to chest. It was the most logical way to keep the other male's back straight but the process itself heard many cusses and damnation proclamations.
"Easy… easy…" Despite the general situation between them, Cloud was actually being a bit more sympathetic and did indeed hoist Reno back onto his feet. They weren't exactly stable, seeing as a stagger here and there took place in the position. The final result ended with Reno mournfully hobbling with his left arm around Cloud's neck while the other dangled lifelessly to the side.
(Reno's POV)
Wow… Shittiest day Ever! I feel like I got stuck in the helicopter blades and then left for dead on the road just waiting for a truck to hit! Hell, in my case the truck did hit but my stubborn ass just didn't die like those damn cockroaches people step on!
Another muttered curse left my lips, but when sending a blonde to the rescue, can we not always expect something to go wrong?
Just like I expected, my foot got caught on a rock and he nearly dropped me. Then he man handled me and grabbed my busted shoulder to steady himself! What a selfish dick, right? By the way… I should mention it hurt like a bitch!
"Jesus mother fuck me!" My voice rang out in a seething growl, still rumbling in my throat.
Cloud just snorted and muttered something that sounded like a 'Shut up.'
Like I said, selfish pissy little bastard. I threw a glare his way but it was ignored. So in return, I hollered his way directly in that ear of his.
"If you haven't noticed fuck tard, my shoulder is out of commission!" I would have said more, but with one look he threatened 'Want me to drop you right here?'
Teeth clamped to the inside of my cheek, my face flushing red in aggravation at his pompous holier-than-thou ass.
Soon enough we were both sweating up a storm, my thirst nearly forgotten until now. Tempted to ask where he was taking me, my blue eyes fell upon a rather… Ok, I'll hand it to the guy; he did make himself a decent shack or whatever the hell it was! Mentally I grumbled, knowing a good beer was far from this place. Oh how I could use one right about now.
No words were passed between us as we leaned against the sturdy make shift home, his arm lugging the door open to make clearance. Onward we went, or so they say. Yet when we were safe from the over exposing sunlight, I found this was not how I'd expect the oh so wonderful savior to be living.
Furniture was sparse compared to normal accommodations, only a cushioned lounging chair, a rather large and inviting bed adorned with a few things here and there. There wasn't much that seemed to offer any entertainment unless you count the splayed deck of cards for amusement. A wooden table hand made and two rather well crafted chairs sat across from one another. All in all, the furniture wasn't shitty, but not exactly luxurious. Then again, I think I'd rather complain on a better day instead of ruffle the chocobo boy's feathers any more than already accomplished.
Yes, I am an asshole, live with it! Most people do, and those who don't usually get a good ass whooping. Good memories…But also a few unpleasant ones too from when Rude wasn't around.
Snapping back to reality, I found Cloud was giving me the most irritating stare in the world.
"What?" I snapped, but not that loud this time.
Another roll of mako irises was all I got. It appears he was actually talking to me but I didn't respond. Thus, the blondie repeated himself.
"Are you going to get on the bed, or what?" …Come on now! You all know I can't pass this one up.
Grinning near manically with a glint in my eye, I did not hold back. "I didn't know that's why you brought me back here Strife… Who knew you'd be that sex deprived?" I even pretended to ponder.
…Ow.
None too gently, he tossed me on the bed and most likely forgot my back was out, though I did suspect he didn't care. Oh… Fuck! Crashing down onto a cushy covered bed, I had no time to notice that as it felt like my spine snapped in half. I gasped for breath with my face first into the blanket and sheets.
Who would have thought it, but Cloud was turned away and occupying himself else ware in this god forsaken shack.
It took awhile, but I did regain my composure and my breathing started to regulate once I was done choking on fuck only knows what. Me being me, I did not bother to move a muscle and actually considered falling asleep. But of course my throat felt a bit more hoarse than usual. Lack of water will do that to a person.
(Cloud's POV)
This is not what should have happened. I left for a reason and came to a place unseen for good rationale. Too many memories and one too many people. I'm not even sure if I buy Reno's bullshit excuse, but he of all people just had to crash in here when I finally got things settled.
I honestly didn't bother to give him a brief checkout at first, but I suppose he did receive some damage. After all, something blew up and he does seem to be in pain. Unless it's all an act of course.
One can never know with ShinRa…
This paranoia I'm having is also an issue or so one would say, but I don't think I truly believe that. I know I get a bit skittish, but am I really full blown paranoid? No, just protective. Of what, I'm not sure of.
Even though I'm grabbing the first aid kit, I can't help but be skeptical of the redhead. He never was one to be serious so there can't truly be a way to interpret whether or not he's telling the truth unless I check him out myself. Plus… there were those times he tried to come at me.
Again I've managed to stumble into the middle of answering a question; this must be why I'm still crouched by the cabinet with the first aid basket in my hand.
Shaking my head, I avoid looking into the mirror and swiftly step out, the clank of my boots being the only noise I concentrate on. As I return to step out to the bed, I see he hasn't moved at all. Had this been anyone else, my brows would have furrowed.
"Get on your back Reno." My voice is soft yet bitter in the same go.
I get no answer yet. My patience is wearing thin and I still damn well need to find out why he's really here.
I try again. "Reno. Did you hear me? Get on your back."
This time he grunts, but a muffled and stressed voice hits my ears. "Can't move…"
Hesitation… Slowly I move over to the Turk's side, bending down just slightly to catch a glimpse of his face. His eyes are closed and every time he breathes it seems to cause pain.
Picking up one knee, I bend it to lean on the bed, the rest of me coming with carefully.
Nearly making me jump, Reno's voice thunders out.
"Get the fuck on the bed yo. You creepin' around don't make this shit hurt any less!" Despite the evidence of repressed physical pain stressing his tone, the last sentiment came out harsh against me.
(No POV)
Cloud's paranoia seemed to subside, his actions more calculated and confident this time around. Leaning over the redhead as he set the basket down, the blonde huffed a long sigh and began his business-only mannerism.
"You said your helicopter blew up and then you ended up here. What on you hurts?"
Reno actually seemed a tad bewildered but the reaction was held back long enough to sustain his answering of questions.
"My back went out, my right shoulder won't move and my left wrist aint too happy either."
Cloud of course, seemed a bit frustrated by the explanation but did take its lack of seriousness anyhow.
This was going to be one hell of a night, that was for sure.
And so the process began, but before things went further, Reno let out the most miserable groan ever thought to be possible.
"Can you get me some water Strife...?" Asking for water from this pissant actually took him a good few minutes after all the bullshit he just went through.
Believe it or not, Cloud just nodded and headed off to whatever kitchen there was that Reno had yet to see.
Yet a problem was quick to manifest itself right when crystal clear water was presented. How in the hell the redhead would get that in his mouth was obviously something he didn't think of.
So once Cloud held out the glass, it seemed there was a feature of nervousness combined with embarrassment laced along the redhead's face. Not to mention there was held back broken pride.
"Heh… Ya know, I just realized something." Oh please God, do not let him embarrass himself any further! Lord knows it was bad enough he was face first into a bed that Cloud Fucking Strife slept in.
Cloud actually became rather keen on this and was tempted to strangle the Turk or throw Reno back where he found him!
Alas, he actually nodded with a grim expression and set the glass down for a moment.
"I need to turn you over." Cloud simply said.
Dread hit the Turk. Though he did have to comply at some point or another.
Cloud bit his lip and formulated an idea. Grabbing the redhead by the sides, he eased Reno to roll over on his left side in order to prevent any more strain on the right shoulder. A cringe was given, but that was about all. Silently a bare arm reached for a few pillows, the blondes' hand coming behind Reno's neck.
"I need to set you upright."
Reno did nothing but nod, merely wanting some damn water. In this, he did his best to lift his own neck but found a pain jabbed right into the center of his spine. Half grunting a groan, Reno was near thankful Cloud did most of the work and moved two large pillows under his head.
Finally! The water was picked up by the sword wielders hand and actually tipped rather kindly to Reno's dried lips. Slowly the water descended its way into the redheads' mouth and down that parched throat that could cry the moment the cooled liquid soothed its need. Unknowingly, Reno closed his eyes and practically moaned. Cloud of course found that weird, but brushed it off.
The blonde kept tilting the glass until Reno finished it all up without even taking a break. Well, someone certainly was thirsty! But that seemed to silence the redhead once and for all. It turns out the water released a lot of tension from the Turk and actually calmed the moron. Miracles do happen! Who knew?
Though in reality, Reno was still sunburned, bashed up, and dead tired for some reason or another. The smallest "Thanks…" actually left his mouth before the muscles in his jaw went slack and a welcoming darkness seemed to graciously take over for the day.
After that, Cloud found himself eyeing the Turk in confusion and very faint interest. It was only a few moments, but it did leave one to think and actually confirm the redhead was telling the truth somewhere along the line.
Putting that aside with one idiot asleep and a paranoid blonde wide awake, it was decided that Cloud could only begin on wrapping the left wrist and hand before he started onto anything else.
It was just one of those situations where duress from both sides clashed.
TBC
Well, I'm not sure what's going to happen from here, but Cloud may lose his shit.
Eh, who knows. Any ideas? Please critique anything you see as a flaw, it would help a lot!
Thank you again to those who reviewed!
