Reno stayed in his room and stared at the offending pink pile on the floor across from him as if it could spring to life and eat him at any moment. He tried to imagine the various ways he could kill Rufus with it but all his pleasant daydreams of a dead boss ended the same way, Rufus wearing the robe with nothing underneath. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, horrified at the utter perversions his mind was coming up with.
He went into the living room to find Sephiroth reading a book on the couch. He tried not to think about what Sephiroth had found in his room, "Whatcha readin' Sephy?"
"Loveless." Sephiroth flipped a page and Reno noticed a slight flush under his collar as he spoke.
He decided to ignore the other man's obvious discomfort as best he could, " Never read it. Any good?"
"Not sure yet." Sephiroth tried to focus on the page but was having difficulties as he was expecting an angry call any moment from Genesis about the missing book. He knew it was petty of him to get back at his tormentor by taking his favorite book, but when he had seen the precious object laying forgotten on the red-heads desk he hadn't been able to pass up the chance.
"Got any pictures?" Reno glanced at the book over Sephiroth's shoulder.
"A few illustrations." Sephiroth tried to ignore the breath near his ear, "Not really a picture book though."
"That stinks." Reno wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Pictures make everything better!"
"Everything?" Sephiroth couldn't help but ask the question.
"Everything." Reno grinned lewdly and walked to the kitchen.
Sephiroth shivered as perverse thoughts spilled into his mind. Images of him and Genesis sprawled across Rufus' desk changed to images of Reno sprawled beneath him. He shook his head and forced his pent up hormones to focus on the book he was quickly loosing interest in.
"How's it goin' partner?" Reno hopped onto the table.
Rude didn't answer and continued cooking.
"Mad at me?" Reno sighed.
Rude raised an eyebrow at him.
Reno shook his head, "Course you are."
"Three guesses why." Rude stirred the concoction he had brewing on the stove.
"Global warming pissin' ya off again?" Reno swung his feet back and forth.
Rude chuckled and shook his head.
"Hmmmmm..." Reno tapped his chin in mock thought, "That snake egg I hid under your bed finally hatched?"
Rude looked up at him and raised his eyebrows, "You serious?"
Reno winked, "I'll take that as a no."
Rude grabbed Reno by the shoulders, "You know I'm afraid of snakes why the hell would you do that?"
Reno laughed as he was shaken violently, "Because you're afraid of snakes?"
"Asshole!" Rude released Reno and began stirring his pot of food.
Reno grinned and brushed off his jacket, "Feelin' any better?"
Rude rolled his eyes, "No, now I'm paranoid."
"You were paranoid before I did anything." Reno scoffed.
"You made it worse." Rude put his food on a plate.
"Make any for me?" Reno looked at the food hopefully. He didn't know what it was but he wanted some.
"Don't I always?" Rude handed him a plate.
Reno squeed with delight, "Thanks buddy! I knew ya loved me!"
"What's that?" Sephiroth stood in the doorway and sniffed the air.
"Food." Reno held his plate in the air triumphantly as he began eating with his fingers, burning them as he did. "Ow! Rude this is hot as hell!"
"It just came off the stove dumb-ass what did you expect?" Rude handed Reno a fork and made a plate for Sephiroth.
"A warning?" Reno's mouth was soon filled to bursting with food.
Rude shook his head, "Common sense is not your strong point."
Reno shrugged, "I've got enough of ta keep myself out of any major trouble."
Rude raised an eyebrow as he sat down. "What about that time in Gongaga?"
"Don't bring that up it wasn't my fault!" Reno frowned and shoved another forkful of food into his mouth.
"What happened?" Sephiroth watched Reno's cheek bulge with food in fascination. The only person he had seen stuff that much food in their mouth at one time without choking was Zack.
"I said don't bring it up!" Reno hopped down from the table, "Rude if you promise not ta say a damn word about it I'll take first watch."
"Done." Rude smirked and continued eating.
"Sounded like a good story." Sephiroth grinned and started eating.
"Only if you want blackmail." Reno tossed his plate into the sink. "You've already got blackmail so I don't think you need anymore."
Sephiroth's face colored immediately. "I don't think so either."
Rude raised an eyebrow and rounded on Reno, "So you told him but not me?"
"He found out 'cause he walked in on it." Reno frowned and propped his feet up on the table.
"I'd rather not discuss it." Sephiroth cleared his plate and threw it in the sink before retreating to the living room.
Rude sighed, "I really want to know what the fuck is going on."
"Sorry partner," Reno slapped Rude on the back, "I'm not tellin' a soul. You either have ta walk in on it like El General over there or you have ta get him ta spill the beans."
"What do you think it would take to make him talk?" Rude cleared his own plate.
"A helluva lot. I'm about ta see what I can do ta keep him from tellin ya." Reno grinned and skipped into the living room.
Rude frowned as he finished his food and began thinking about just how he was going to get Reno to talk.
Author's Note: Poor Rude, third wheel on this bicycle. xD Let me know what you think about this chapter ok? Reviews are appreciated!