I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.
Scars of Friendship
"I'm going to Junon tomorrow," said Reno as they sat on the sofa. Cloud was lounging against him, their fingers entwined. He made a generic sound of acknowledgement but continued to stare at the TV.
"Do you want to come with me?" added Reno.
Cloud sat up and looked at Reno.
"Go with you to Junon?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's an overnight trip and going together will make a business trip more enjoyable," said Reno. "If you're busy, don't worry about it."
"No," said Cloud quickly. "I mean, no, I'm not busy."
"So you wanna come?"
Cloud had been quick to deny being busy but he was not so quick with his reply about going. Reno noticed how their previously loosely entwined fingers changed as Cloud thought about Reno's offer. He didn't pull his hand away though; he shifted his grip to hold Reno's fingers. Reno took it as a good sign. Cloud wasn't put off by the idea.
"Okay," he said after a bit.
"I'll pick you up at nine?"
Cloud nodded but remained upright. For a second Reno thought he was going to leave but he settled back down. Although, not as comfortably as he'd been before. Reno had debated with himself about what changes to make it their relationship. He'd realised that their weekly dinner and TV habit had become automatic, and it was the only time they actually saw each other. They didn't go out to dinner or go for drinks like other couples. He'd also realised that Cloud wasn't comfortable out in the public eye. People stared and whispered – his eyes still unsettled people. Traditional dating seemed out of the question, Cloud might say yes but he wouldn't enjoy it. Then Tseng gave him an assignment in Junon. Reno had thought about it and decided it was a good opportunity to see Cloud outside of his apartment.
Cloud left a little later and Reno set about putting together his documents for the next day. Cloud hadn't settle back as comfortably after saying yes to Reno. Reno wasn't sure how to take it. He had seemed okay enough to say yes, but then seemed to have doubts. Reno mused about for a bit but decided he was over thinking. Cloud was probably just nervous about going. Reno himself was a little nervous, not sure what to expect. But whatever was going to happen was going to happen – little point in worrying.
XxX
"Do you want to stay?" asked Reno eyeing Cloud hovering by the car.
Cloud shook his head.
"Can I drive?" he asked suddenly.
"Hey?" asked Reno.
"Motion sickness," said Cloud. "If I drive, it's okay."
"Sure," said Reno and tossed Cloud the keys.
It was a long drive and he would have asked Cloud to drive a bit, but if he wanted to drive the entire way, Reno wasn't going to argue.
"I booked a room at the inn," said Reno climbing into the car. "I've got some stuff to do so I'll meet you for dinner around seven, okay?"
Cloud nodded and started the car. They drove in silence for a while but as they left Edge and starting going through the remains of Midgar, Cloud turned to Reno and asked,
"Why did you ask me to come with you?"
Reno shrugged trying to make out he hadn't put much thought into it.
"Dunno," he said. "Thought it might be fun."
"But you're working," pointed out Cloud.
"Yeah," said Reno feeling Cloud wanted to talk about something.
"What… Why am I with you?"
"I wanted to spend some time with you," said Reno honestly. "I like spending time with you – I enjoy your company, I really like you, you know."
"I know," said Cloud with a slightly embarrassed smile. "I like…"
Reno waited for Cloud to say the 'you', but it never came. He saw Cloud mouth something but heard nothing. It was the closest Cloud had ever got to actually expressing his feelings for Reno. He showed with his actions but Reno wanted to hear him say it.
"Maybe I should spend the drive telling you what I like about you," said Reno.
"No," said Cloud throwing Reno a look.
"Or maybe what you like about me," laughed Reno.
Cloud opened his mouth to say something, but closed it. Reno waited but nothing further was forthcoming. He decided to leave it there, he didn't want to make Cloud uncomfortable and regret coming. Silence fell as they drove so Reno planned out his afternoon in Junon, the people he needed to see.
"Confidence," said Cloud out of nowhere.
"Hey?"
"Confidence," repeated Cloud. "You're confident."
"True," said Reno with a goofy grin.
"Stop that," said Cloud glancing over.
Reno laughed at Cloud's usual exasperation at his silliness, but he didn't press the conversation. With the tension from earlier broken, the rest of the drive passed in mild conversation. Junon was busy with midday traffic and people going about their business. Reno had Cloud park by the inn. They agreed to meet up later for dinner and then went their separate ways.
Reno spent the afternoon doing his various tasks with his usual efficiency. By the time seven rolled round, he was hungry and ready to have a relaxing evening. Cloud was already seated when he arrived. They ordered and spoke about random things they'd encountered during the afternoon. After dinner they made their way to the inn.
Reno opened the door to the twin room he'd booked and strolled in. He tossed his bag on the nearest bed and turned to see Cloud pause as he entered the room behind Reno. A strange look passed over his face as he glanced round.
"What's wrong?" asked Reno.
Cloud shook his head and went to drop his bag next to the other bed.
"They all look the same," he said quietly, staring at the bed with a faraway expression.
"The inns?" asked Reno.
"Yeah..." Cloud trailed off lost in the past.
Reno watched him for a while before going over and pulling Cloud into a hug.
"What are you doing?" asked Cloud.
"Hugging you," said Reno.
"I know that, I meant why," said Cloud.
"Because I want to."
Cloud stood waiting for Reno to finish, Reno almost laughed. Still so awkward with some things. On impulse, Reno gripped Cloud tighter and spun round so the both landed on the bed. Cloud grunted in surprise as he landed atop Reno, who was still holding him.
"You wanted to do that to," said Cloud.
"Just let me hold you for a bit," said Reno shifting around so they were both comfortably settled.
Cloud complied and got himself comfortable with Reno on the bed. Reno breathed a contended sigh.
"This is a good way to end the day," he said. "What did you do?"
"Nothing really," said Cloud. "Had a look around, looked at old places."
"I imagine everywhere has a memory," mused Reno.
"Hmm..."
Reno lapsed into silence. Obviously Cloud wasn't in a chatty mood. But he seemed happy enough to lie there fiddling with a button on Reno's shirt. After a long while, he asked,
"Why don't you wear a tie?"
"Hmm, have you ever worn a tie?"
Cloud shook his head.
"Then I can't explain the chocking horror of a tie," said Reno.
Cloud snorted at Reno's drama.
"Being good at your job has its perks," Reno added.
"You don't have to wear a tie?"
"Exactly," said Reno. "Though I do wear one on big occasions. Well, maybe I should say did. There haven't been many big occasions lately."
Cloud didn't say anything but continued to play with the shirt button.
"I remember this one event for old President ShinRa," said Reno with mild amusement. "He wanted everyone to be super smart - black tie stuff. Anyway, we all had to get new suits. They were terrible, and expensive."
Reno launched into a long rambling story about black tie events and the horror of the tie. He ended with a joke and waited for an amused chuckle or something from Cloud, but he got nothing.
"I guess you had to be there," he said.
Nothing. Just even breathing. Actually, too even breathing. Reno glanced down and saw that Cloud was sleeping. Unexpected but hugely telling for Reno. He felt that if Cloud was comfortable enough with him to fall asleep, then their past hiccups must be fading and Cloud wasn't doing what he felt was expected of him, but rather what he wanted. It wasn't particularly late but falling asleep with the one you loved seemed like a scene from a movie. Reno was happy to let the scene play out, however, the romance of the situation quickly left was Cloud's sleeping weight started to numb Reno's arm, and the beer Reno had drank during dinner was pressing his bladder. Now that he was thinking about it, he hadn't showered either. So much for romance.
He tried moving his arm a little but Cloud immediately woke.
"Sorry," muttered Cloud sitting up.
"Don't apologise," said Reno getting up.
Reno went to the bathroom and came out to find Cloud where he'd left him. Reno watched him for a minute; he looked like he was thinking about something.
"Grab a shower first, I'm going to make some calls," said Reno walking over.
Cloud gave himself a little shake and went to get his stuff. Reno sent Tseng an update and made arrangements for the following day. Cloud was just leaving the bathroom as Reno finished. He was wearing a vest and long cotton PJ bottoms. His hair was dump but still stuck up in all directions. So cute, Reno thought before going into the bathroom to shower.
Reno stepped out the bathroom to find Cloud already in bed. He was lying comfortably on his side facing the bathroom. Reno wasn't sure if he should return to Cloud's bed. Their earlier snooze hadn't been planned and hadn't really lasted any decent time. He didn't know if he should just climb back in with Cloud or ask if he could. Before he made a decision, he wanted to just check his phone in case something had come through. As he walked to his bed he saw Cloud watching him, a small frown beginning to crease his brow.
"Checking my phone," he said.
Cloud relaxed back and Reno kept his smile to himself as finished up. Decision made, Reno picked up his pillow and made his way back. Cloud moved his pillow to the side allowing Reno to put his down.
"Maybe I should have requested a double," said Reno climbing in.
Cloud smiled and held up the blanket. Reno got the impression that the lack of double bed, the lack of an assumption, was what got him and Cloud in the same bed. Even if it was a small bed. Getting comfortable wasn't easy but they managed. Reno reached over Cloud to switch off the light before settling down next to him. Reno was feeling rather pleased with himself. His planned appeared to have worked. Reno felt himself relaxing as the day's tension left him, but he could tell that Cloud wasn't sleeping. He also wasn't relaxed either, but Reno chose to ignore it and try to get some sleep. He figured if he relaxed, Cloud would relax and everything would be good.
"Are you awake?" whispered Cloud.
"Hmm."
Cloud moved a little closer and leaned in to kiss Reno. There was less loving and more lusting in the kiss. Reno immediately wrapped his arms around Cloud and pulled him close. Sleeping was good but this was better. Cloud's hands were roaming up Reno's vest and down his pants. His kiss was along Reno's jaw and down his throat. In all their sofa adventures, Cloud always took the bottom role, but Reno wanted him to know that he was open to either option. Cloud broke off the kiss to remove his vest before kissing Reno again but staying firmly on his side of the bed. Reno gave up trying to coax Cloud into getting on top of him. Cloud clearly had no interest taking the top role. Reno threw caution into the wind along with his vest.
Reno moved from Cloud's mouth to his neck and down to his chest. Cloud ran his hands through Reno's hair and brought Reno's mouth back to his. He wrapped his arm around Reno's shoulders and spread his legs further allowing Reno better access while his other hand snaked down between them. Reno held onto Cloud's hip as he moved his hips between Cloud's thighs. This was what Reno had been secretly hoping for. He moved his hands to Cloud's pants and started to pull them down. Cloud placed a hand on Reno's chest.
"Trust me," said Reno looking right into Cloud's luminescent eyes.
"Okay."
Reno pulled off Cloud's pants and followed with his own. Cloud lay waiting, still excited but also nervous. Reno didn't rush as he brought their naked body together. Starting slow and building the excitement Reno waited till Cloud completely into it before he placed two fingers in his mouth. He looked for Cloud's nod of approval before he slowly slid his wet fingers into Cloud. He let Cloud get used to the sensation before he started pushing and probing with his fingers and thrusting his hips. Cloud had one hand down between them with the other gripping Reno's shoulder. Reno wanted to take it slow but ended up keeping pace with Cloud's movements. Cloud's excitement fuelled Reno's excitement and they both lost all concept of time, and were wholly consumed by the other till they reached their climax.