Click.
"Where did you learn to pick locks?"
The blond shot to his feet in surprise. He hadn't heard the Turk approach and wasn't sure if that was because he had been too focused on his task or if Reno was improving. Probably both.
It took a few seconds for it to register that he had been asked a question.
"Um...an ex taught me" Close enough to the truth.
"Hmm...I thought you were friends with Fair?" The accusation in his voice was surprising given Reno's well known rivalry with the SOLDIER.
"I am"
One red eyebrow raised in suspicion "Then why are you breaking into his apartment?"
Fair question.
"He stole something from me. I'm trying to get it back."
The other eyebrow rose to match the first "He stole something? Ya sure yo? Cos I've known soldier boy a while and thieving ain't exactly one of his typical habits."
"Well this time it is, so maybe you don't know him as well as you think"
"Apparently not." The redhead smirked "What did he steal?"
Cloud grimaced slightly, glancing away in embarrassment before mumbling "A hat"
Reno barked out a laugh "A hat? You're breaking into a SOLDIERs apartment to retrieve a stolen hat?"
At the reminder it was a SOLDIERs home he was entering Cloud realised the Turks suspicion was probably due to a perceived attack on the Shinra company rather than any concern for Zack himself. This situation might be trickier to navigate than he originally thought.
Deciding the best course of action was to continue being honest he just shrugged.
"Yep."
A few moments of consideration from the Turk left the air between them dense before he too shrugged and took a step towards the door.
"Ok then yo, let's get your hat back"
Cloud quickly stepped to block his path "Maybe not."
When the eyebrow rose again he realised that might not have been the best move and rushed to clarify.
"It's just that, the last time I was alone in an apartment with you I ended up becoming a celebrity."
It was the first time they had spoken since that night and the sudden reminder of their last encounter and its aftermath was enough to distract the Turk from his suspicion if only temporarily.
Cloud was slightly surprised to see a look of remorse cross the others face before it was quickly hidden behind the Turks customary smirk.
"What's wrong yo? Afraid you won't be able to resist making a sequel?"
The blonde felt a shiver of excitement run up his spine at the thought, Reno didn't know it but he'd hit the nail on the head.
Cloud had to be careful he didn't betray his eagerness though. Experience had taught him his hubby liked a challenge; make it too easy and he'll lose interest.
Sometimes he wondered if the only reason he won the redheads heart the first time around was because he made him work so fucking hard for it. His fiery lover had chased him for almost two whole years before he even agreed to a first date. Now Cloud was the one pursuing and he had to be careful not to let the others interest slip away.
Returning to the present he shrugged once again and gave a light laugh to disarm the situation "You wish. Come on, let's just get the hat already. Zack and Commander Hewleys training session is due to finish in fifteen minuets and I had planned to be long gone by the time they got back. You've already delayed me long enough."
He reached towards the door and was relieved when the other man made no move to stop him, only following him quietly over the threshold and giving a low whistle as he looked about "Wow yo, SOLDIER apartments are swanky"
Cloud hummed in agreement thinking of the cramped conditions of his own living space in the Barracks. He couldn't wait to qualify and get his own private rooms, though it would still be a while before he got anything this nice.
He made a beeline towards the bedroom where he was confident his hat was being kept. The abnormally quiet Turk following close behind. Pushing open the door he was relieved to immediately spot his precious item hooked over the post at the foot of the bed and without any further delay gabbed it, placing the cap on his head immediately without thinking.
He turned again to meet amused greed eyes which he was thrilled to note now held more than a small amount of interest. All previous suspicion gone at the sight of the newly retrieved hat.
"Cute yo. You sure you don't wanna make that sequel?" Reno asked with a lazy nod towards the bed.
Cloud grinned internally at the thought of screwing this gorgeous man in his friends bed, it would serve the two soldiers right for stealing his hat in the first place, but remembering they were due back any minute now he shook his head.
"Best not, it they come back and catch us it'll turn into a slasher flick"
Reno laughed in agreement and the two intruders quickly exited the apartment, the Turk hastily re-locking the door on the way out.
As Cloud stepped into the lift that would take him back down to the lower floors Reno stayed to wait for a second lift up to the Turks offices. As the doors slid closed between them the enamoured cadet couldn't resist blowing his once lover another kiss.
When finally alone he leant back against the panelled wall and swiped the hat off his head, hugging it to his chest in glee.
That went well.
I know I said I would post on Fridays but I wont be able to post tomorrow so I'm putting this one up early. :) Thanks for reading if you're still with me. Let me know your thoughts.
Also please let me know; in chapters where there are different scenes occurring in the present and future/Clouds past, am I making it clear which is which or would you like me to alter the format and use italics or bold text to make it more obvious?
