Chapter 11: Garlic Bread

It had been another two weeks since the two were able to reconcile with each other. And after that he had been working diligently to earn that one week off he totally deserves after what happened to him for the past month. He hasn't even talked to his siblings since the incident. Surely they're already worried about him just as much as he's worried about them. He's sure that Lio managed to do something with the bills and everything it's not as if they didn't have the money. With how Reno's paid monthly whatever he left them would probably last a few months or so, enough for Lio to think of something if ever they encountered a problem while he's away, he's basically the "father" figure there while he's away.

As for Cloud he's quite pleased that the old Reno was returning slowly. The witty, exaggerated, over reacting Reno was showing himself again. They banter a bit more though not in the presence of his father anymore. Based on his observation, every time the old man would call for Reno or even talk to him, the red head would flinch and be tense even though he keeps it behind a smile. Cloud knew that there was still something wrong and that maybe his father was still doing something behind his back.

He tried confronting Reno about it though but the redhead would always just shrug him off and tell him that everything's fine. He won't even talk about what happened during that week that he was missing. Sure the bandages on his hands and fingers were gone but he could still see Reno wince every once in awhile. Is he still hurt somewhere? That Cloud couldn't answer unless he try to undress Reno which he knew wouldn't turn into something good. And thus he settled with what he knows for now.

xXxXxXx

The thing is, on the day Reno was about to leave, his bedroom door opened and the young heir entered a bag slung over his shoulder and his face was his usual straight one as he said; "I'm coming with you."

Reno's mouth fell open as he stared at the other wide eyed. Cloud couldn't be serious. He can't come with him! His family doesn't have to know who he works for! Sure he would tell them stories about his stay here but Cloud lives in a totally different world than them. The place they moved into was just a simple neighborhood, filled with average people. The house itself was simple, enough to just house their small family and a bit of a backyard where they could spend some time together. He could hardly believe Cloud would last there. There would be maids and butlers and his games. Nothing.

"What are you talking about?" He asked still wide eyed as he stood properly from his crouched position. His eyes never leaving the blonde male.

"I said I'll go with you." The other answered with a shrug of his shoulders and then a smile crawling up his lips. Cloud must've been out of his mind to think about this.

"But Cloud there's nothing to do there! I swear you wouldn't like it that much. There won't be games and extravagant food or whatever else you have here." Reno tried to reason out his hands moving to prove his point. Hopefully this convinces the blonde because he wouldn't appreciate it that the other would just whine about their home. "Besides your dad wouldn't allow you for sure."

The other chuckled before shrugging again. "It's one week long Reno what could possibly go wrong with spending a little time away from this place? My old man wouldn't mind, I told him already, he just said go ahead." Of course Cloud pulled some strings so that he would be allowed but it was just simple things. He said that he wanted to go with Reno so he could spend some time out of the house and of course for the older Strife whatever his son does that pulls him away from his games and into a social life is a good thing and he agrees almost immediately.

Still Reno couldn't believe what he just heard and stared at Cloud even more. The blonde's going to stay with him for a week. Just what exactly does he plan to do? "Are you sure? I swear to God if you're up to something that would lead to my death I'll haunt you for the rest of your life."

"I told you the old man allowed me to go, he can't do anything if I wanted to go anyway."

"Well at least not to you." The other murmured.

"What do you mean?" And that's when he saw it. Fear flickered through Reno's green orbs before he closed his eyes and turned away, whatever he's truly feeling hidden behind a facade of anger.

"Whatever. Just remember that once you make my siblings uncomfortable I'll be kicking you out. And no whining." The red head said as he continued to stuff his bags with his things. If Cloud wanted to come then he's free to do so, he just needs to make sure that he won't mess up his week off or he'll be hearing a lot from him for the following days.

xXxXxXx

Once they got off the bus, Reno started walking through the gates of the neighborhood his siblings were living at, Cloud following behind him quietly. Throughout the trip the blonde was silent as a stone and didn't bother asking where exactly they were going. He just followed Reno anywhere the redhead would go. Though it was fun to see Cloud smile every once in awhile when they change their means of transportation. As said earlier Reno's siblings decided to move to a simple place which is a bit farther from the city but only by a ten minute bus and bullet train away that would take around five minutes.

They walked in silence, passing a few streets and then turning a few corners before they stopped in front of a house painted white with a red gate. Reno gave sigh of relief a smile making it's way on his face as he stared at the house fondly. Moving to the side he rang the doorbell and waited for one of his siblings to come out. He moved back then looked at Cloud. "Well we're here?"

Cloud merely shrugged at him a smile tugging at the side of his lips before he nudged his head to the direction of the gate. Green eyes turned to find the mop of light blonde hair tied in a half pony at the gate opening it. His brother, Kai, slowly pushed it open before he peeked to check who it was and a huge smile was on his face.

"Reno! You're home!" He exclaimed before he practically threw himself over Reno, hugging him. The redhead hugged back before the smaller one let go and held his hand. "I'm sure the other's will be excited." He murmured before he started dragging Reno through the gate.

The redhead turned to look at Cloud before nodding for him to follow, which the blonde did after closing the gate. He followed the two quietly and watches the events that happened once they went through the door and into the living room. It was a swarm of colors where Reno really was the one who stood out with his bright red hair. His siblings were a bit of mix and match, composing of browns, blacks and blondes which confuses Cloud even more. They're siblings but they don't look a like that much. Be aside from that he couldn't help but smile and get touched with how Reno's younger siblings started to hug and pull at him. Laughing and some even had an expression of relief plastered on their face.

"Reno, who's this?" A voice of a boy said from his right side. Cloud was leaning on the door frame so he could watch properly without disrupting whatever was happening. He means come on, this was like some kind of family reunion or something, especially since Reno has been away for quite some time. When he turned his eyes to the direction of the voice, black irises bore into his blue ones and he cocked an eyebrow.

Reno turned his head to Lio's question and remembered that Cloud was there. With his face flushing a bit he pulled himself away from Soujiro and Nana before he made his way to the blonde by the door. He can't believe that he forgot about Cloud! This is so embarrassing but he couldn't help it, he missed his siblings so much. "Guys, okay listen up. This is my friend," he glanced at Cloud who doesn't seem to be offended with his choice of introducing him as a friend and not his boss in fact he looked happy or relieved. "And he's gonna stay with us till I leave okay? Be nice to him, his name's Cloud."

Everyone was quiet for a moment, looking at the blonde as if judging him if he's allowed to stay or not. If it were a different person Cloud could be guessing that they'll be intimidated by these kids but it's not as if he's not used to it. It was then that a small kid walked towards him, maybe around nine or ten, his brown eyes stared up at him and then a small hand took his. "Will you play with me?"

Cloud was taken aback. He was never good with kids, as far as he's concerned he never socialized during the family gatherings and thus he wasn't able to meet his younger cousins. He looked at Reno momentarily, the other giving him a small shrug and a smile. Looking back down, he crouched and ruffled the kid's hair. "Sure, why not?" He answered smiling.

The kid grinned widely before giving him a hug and squealing with joy before pulling back. "I'm Soujiro!"

And that was the start of the welcoming of the blonde into Reno's little family.

xXxXxXx

It was during dinner that Cloud finally got some rest from all the playing he did with the kids. It was mostly with Kai, Soujiro and Nana. It has been a long time since he last played outside and to be honest he actually missed it. He got to play some basketball and tag and whatever else the three kids thought of he would just go along with it. Reno and the two others, Midori and Lio, stayed inside, Cloud guessed they were interviewing the redhead about his sudden disappearance but that only lasted for a couple of minutes before the three headed to buy some food for the dinner.

So now Cloud sat beside Reno, his hair damp due to the shower he just got out from and his muscles a bit achy. They were having dinner, of course it was Reno who cooked, when suddenly Soujiro spoke up; "Reno-nii~ Since you're going to stay for some time can you build that tree house we asked you to do before? And Cloud-nii is here too! So he could help!" He grinned happily and Cloud couldn't help but smile. The kid was a bundle of energy.

"Souji! Don't be like that to our guest!" Lio reprimanded softly his eyes looking at the small kid beside Nana. Soujiro pouted a bit before he just kept his head down and played with the small potato on his plate.

"Oh come on Lio don't be such a prick." Reno laughed before he looked at Cloud. "So well how's about that? The kid asked, you gonna help or what?" There was a certain energy in Reno's voice that Cloud couldn't lay a finger on, it's not a bad one though. He shrugged again before smiling before he bit into his garlic bread; "Sure."

Reno's face lit up and Cloud felt his heart pound rapidly in his chest. "Did ya hear that Souji? Cloud says he'll help so cheer up okay?" The kid had this huge smile on his face again and he nodded in approval and so does the other kids.

xXxXxXx

That night Cloud laid awake on his bed, he was at the guestroom that Reno prepared for him. It was definitely smaller than his room but to be honest he felt more comfortable here. Actually this house was more comfortable than the mansion. He wasn't sure why though. Maybe because it was filled with Reno's siblings? They have this happy family vibe and whatever else. They smile a lot too and seems comfortable with how things are right now. Cloud can't imagine that a year ago these kids were at the slums scavenging for food. No, not at all.

He can't even imagine how Reno led his life before. Sure he told him some stories but it wasn't all of it. Just a portion of what is truly behind the happy smiles and playful banter. There was more to it, like a deep lake that he has yet to dive into. And he plans to. He wants to know more about Reno, his past, his siblings, his mother that he defended. It only struck him then though. Reno's mother wasn't around. And they didn't even mention her once during the conversations too. Could it be possible that...she's dead? With that thought Cloud became incredibly guilty about their fight. Closing his eyes he tried not to think about too much anymore. He still has to get up early tomorrow, he was going with Reno to get some materials for the treehouse at the marketplace.

He'll get close to Reno, he's going to make sure of it. He likes the redhead, he's getting possessive and... he wouldn't be confessing anytime soon. He would just enjoy the other's company until he felt that it's the right time to tell him about his feelings.

TBC...

A/N: Hey guys! I know it's bee a while and I apologize deeply for this. I have been caught up with college life and I just got my break though I still have school work to do. But anyway, this would be a double update to make up for the two months that I haven't posted.

As always thank you for those who read/favorite/reviewed this story. I hope you continue to support me, thank you~