Chapter 11

Hey everyone! I'm truly sorry that it's taken me this long to update. I've spent the last two months spending my time working, crocheting and catching up on my reading now that I've been on summer vacation which also means that I haven't really been on my computer. I'm hoping that I'll be writing more than I have been but just so everyone knows I haven't abandoned the story – so please stay tuned until I complete it! Which won't be for quite some time :)

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING related to Final Fantasy VII or Final Fantasy XII (when it comes to Princess Ashelia's name). All copyrights and ownership belong to the respectable company of Square Enix. I am not creating this story to make money nor am I earning a profit – I simply do this as a hobby because I have a love for writing and this series (and all the other Final Fantasy games for that matter!)

~ oOo ~

The silkiness of the sheets cascaded over luscious skin as Amalia continued to sleep. Occasionally, she would move across the mattress, trying to find a better position to ease her slight restlessness. But as she continued to toss and turn, Amalia gradually began to awaken, her eyelids cracking every so often but not quite ready to fully open and acknowledge the world outside of her sleep. Taking a deep breath, she dared to open her eyes, only to find the other lamp on Reno's side of the room turned on, the rest of the room reverberated in darkness in which she closed her eyelids once more. Turning on her side one last time, Amalia outstretched her hand, hoping that it would fall on a familiar, muscular chest of her favorite red-head.

"Reno…"

Her soft voice echoed across the dark room, and although she expected to hear an answer in reply, she received none in kind. Questioning where he was, Amalia opened her eyes a second time, the lenses adjusting towards the difference in lighting than when she fell asleep. Scanning the bed, she noticed that Reno's side of the mattress was empty. Amalia traced a hand over the sheets and noticed that it was still warm. Then where is he…? she asked herself. Opening her mouth, she tried to say his name but her throat unexpectedly went dry. With a heart that suddenly began to beat past the normal rate, Amalia's fears reverberated against the inside of her brain and she quickly sat up in bed, the sheet falling from her unclothed body as her eyes brimmed with unwanted tears.

"Reno…" Her voice quivered. She knew that Reno wouldn't leave her after one night of lovemaking – especially since it was his apartment – but she couldn't shake the thought away from her cruel mind. So she tried one more time. "Reno!"

The door to the bathroom burst open and Reno appeared in the doorframe, barely standing there for a second before he headed straight for the edge of the bed, dropping down and clasped Amalia's hands within his own. Her skin was clammy compared to his and her limbs were shaking. Looking down at her hands, Reno had no idea what was going on but as he looked into her eyes, he immediately knew, but still decided to ask. "Ashe, babe, what's wrong…?"

She sat there speechless for a moment before looking into his cerulean eyes. "I…I woke up a-and you weren't there…" The unshed tears began to fall down her face. As quickly as they fell she pulled her hands from Reno's and covered her face, not wanting the red-head to see her weakness. "I-I'm sorry Reno…I suddenly got scared because you weren't there…"

"Shhh," his hand cradled her cheek, pulling her fingers away so he could brush away her tears. "Hey listen to me, I'm sorry. I just needed to use the bathroom, ok?" She nodded, but Reno felt as if she was agreeing simply because she could – and not that she really believed him. "Ashe – look at me." He didn't mean for his words to come out as sternly as they did, but he wanted her to understand what he was about to say. It took Amalia a few seconds before her eyes trailed upwards back up into his. "Listen babe, I know your fears. You gained the courage last night to tell me everything that you're feeling and I took that to heart." Both his hands held her face and he brought it towards his, lips mere inches from each other. "But listen to this: I'm never going to leave you."

She gained the courage to speak. "Never…?"

He chuckled. She's so goddamn innocent and sweet that I can't be mad at her. I was her first…not only that, I'm the first man she's ever been in a relationship with. "Why in the hell…would I ever leave such an amazing person such as you? Amalia, I've told you this I dunno how many times but you are everything I've been looking for." Leaning forward, the red-head placed a kiss on his lover's soft lips. "And by the way, about last night?"

"Yes…?"

"Was the best sex I've ever fucking had, yo." This allowed Amalia to express a small chuckle from her mouth. She felt she shouldn't with the way she had acted, but Reno's cocky personality and the way he ended his sentences with his infamous 'yo' always brought a smile and a laugh upon her lips.

As she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes she asked, "The best you've ever had?"

"Oh yes."

"The best out of all those other girls in the past?"

Oh I see where she's going with this. "Ashe, all those girls in the past were idiotic ways for me to get rid of some tension. I felt nothing by having sex with them – it was just sex with nothing attached with it. But, with you, it's different…" Lifting his hand, Reno ran his fingers through her soft, messy hair. "There's emotion between us, something I've never experienced because I could never find the right girl… Honestly," his eyes dropped her hers. "It's probably because I felt I never deserved someone to love me with all the sins I've committed in the past. But you, my angel," he cupped her cheek and brought his gaze back towards hers. "You've shown me that I'm allowed to feel these emotions running rampage inside me; that I deserve to be with an astounding woman such as yourself. So why would I ever leave someone who fully accepts the sins deep within me?"

Any of the last unshed tears were now gently trailing down Amalia's face. She always knew how Reno felt about their relationship, but the more he opened up to her, the more she came to love and respect him. In a soft voice, she replied, "Because everybody deserves second chances. You are an amazing man, Reno. Yes you've done some crazy shit in your life, but I'm just as guilty – I can share your pain on some of the things I've done as well. I accept you just as much as you fully accept me." Looking down, she finally realized that the bed sheet was no longer covering her bare skin, leaving her breasts openly exposed. Gazing back at Reno, she noticed that his eyes had followed hers down to her chest and he looked at her face, his eyes shining with a wanton desire that he didn't dare hide. With a sudden urge bubbling deep within the pits of her stomach, she too had a wanton desire that suddenly needed to be filled. Falling back down against the bed Amalia looked up at Reno's eyes and, in a seductive voice, said, "So why don't you show me these feelings I help you feel…?"

Reno's eyes opened wide as saucers. Even with the beautiful sight before him, he still couldn't believe what was happening in that moment. Did I just hear her correctly? Oh fuck, the way this girl still manages to surprise me… Lowering his voice he said, "So, you wanna know how you make me feel?" All the while Reno began to crawl amongst the bed, legs and arms standing firm against the bed beside Amalia's body as he towered above her silhouette; she nodded her head, her eyes just as wide as his was a moment before.

His voice became quiet as he lowered his face towards hers. "Oh babe, the things you make me feel…where should I begin?" He noticed her lips parted as her breathing became heavier. This is good, he told himself. "First, you make me feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world," he landed a kiss on her forehead. Amalia exhaled a pleasurable sigh, wanting more, suddenly needing more from her red-headed lover. "And right here is where you make my heart skip a beat every single time I hear your voice," he planted a kiss on her breast, right over her own heart. Scooting downwards across her body, Reno continued kissing and softly nipping Amalia's skin, leaving behind blemishes and marks that proved he had been there. "With you by my side, I feel wanted, needed…" He laid a wet kiss upon her taut stomach as his fingers delicately trailed down towards the apex of her thighs, lightly teasing the sensitive skin as he trailed them down lower. Reno was about to pronounce something cocky when the muscles of Amalia's midriff stomach rippled against his lips – her stomach was once again calling her food.

Growling out of annoyance than anger, Reno laid his forehead upon her stomach and laughed. "Twice," he said, lifting his eyes o look at hers, which were full of amusement. "Twice in one week your stomach has killed the mood."

Amalia couldn't help but laugh. How could she not? The thought of her stomach halting the infamous Reno on his quest to pursue her sexually was fantastic. "I'm sorry. What can I say? I love to eat just as much as you do, Reno."

Reno sat up and groaned, still not able to believe that the fun they could've had was lost. But there will be more, he reminded himself. "Must mean you're hungry for dinner, huh?"

She looked at him questioningly. "What time is it?" Glancing over at the clock her mouth dropped.

"It's almost eight."

"That's it? I thought we slept well into the night!"

"Nope, just through the afternoon."

"Hmph…well, in that case, I'm going to go make us something to eat. What sounds good?"

Reno shrugged his shoulders. "You know I'll eat practically anything – especially if it's something you've made. You're the best cook I know."

"I didn't know I was a good cook. I just try to remember everything my mom cooked." She shrugged her shoulders as well then stood, pulling the loose sheet as she did so. Her embarrassment to be seen naked in front of Reno was still evident and she tightly wrapped the cotton material around her as she made her way towards the closet to grab some clothing, anything she could easily wear around the house that was also comfortable. But as she stepped towards their combined wardrobe, Reno quickly followed suite and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What do you think you're doing?" Amalia glanced at him over her shoulder, a questioning look held within her glowing mako eyes. "Why're you wrapped in a sheet, yo?"

"Oh, well I…" With a face growing red by the second, Amalia was at a loss for words. She knew the reason but thinking of a well to tell Reno seemed more difficult than she initially thought. So in a quiet voice she whispered, "I'm embarrassed…"

"Of what, babe?" She turned and poked her finger straight into his chest. "Me?" She simply nodded her head, too guilty to say anything. "Why? You were fine a few moments ago when you were displaying your rack, babe." Amalia's face grew redder than a tomato. She hadn't expected him to say something like that and Reno could tell he had made her uncomfortable. "Hey, sorry, I shouldn't have said it. I was just caught off guard by your embarrassment. But babe, listen, it's just me, there's no need to be nervous with your body. I saw everything last night; you have nothing to hide from me." Placing his hand over hers that was keeping the sheet against her body, he gently pulled. "Why don't we take this off?"

Heaving a sigh, Amalia agreed, knowing that Reno was right – once again. Dropping her hand, Reno's fingers grasped the material and pulled it away from her body, allowing it to steadily drop to the floor in a heap around her ankles. As she felt the sheet fall, Amalia closed her eyes, but as the seconds ticked, nothing happened and she gradually opened one eye and then the other, only to find Reno intensely staring into her mako induced orbs. Oddly enough, she felt comfortable and relaxed, completely the opposite from what she was expecting. Last night was so much easier to be naked in front of Reno than this morning. But…it's not that bad. I kinda like the way he's looking at me though. That's hot – I think I could get used to this.

Scooting towards her body and clutching her chin, Reno asked, "So how ya feeling, babe?"

.

"Good. I-I surprisingly feel really comfortable." She blinked a few times. "I'm supposed to feel like this, aren't I?"

Holy fucking shit, is she just going to keep getting cuter the longer we're together? "Of course, babe. Look at me! I'm naked as well and feel great!"

Amalia pulled her chin away and laughed. "Yeah, but you're a pervert – and a proud one at that."

"Hey!" He grabbed her waist and pulled her towards his chest. "I heard that, yo."

"I'd hope you would, 'yo'," she mimicked.

He smothered her mouth with a kiss, hoping to silence her in the process. "Oh you think you're just so funny, don't you?"

"Yep!" Releasing herself from his embrace, Amalia walked into the closet just as she originally planned and grabbed the last clean sports bra she had available.

Reno watched her walk, mainly to see her bottom bounce as she walked, but to see what she was grabbing. "What, you really gonna put some clothes on? We just got you comfortable being naked in front of me!"

"Reno, I'm going to make us dinner, remember?"

He pouted, deep down knowing that she was right but wasn't in the position to admit such an atrocity. And then an idea popped into his perverted brain. "You could always cook naked."

She stuck her head out the doorway and immediately replied, "No."

"Awwwwwww come on, why not?"

"You really want me to potentially burn myself? Yeah, I can cook, Reno, but I'm still a klutz, even in the kitchen."

"Damn…"

"Hey, maybe one of these days, ok?"

"You mean there's hope?!"

"The fuck Reno, we had sex just last night and you're already thinking of different things I can do naked?!"

"What can I say; I'm a man who knows what he wants."

"Yeah, yeah." Walking back into the bedroom, she snatched her underwear off of the floor and slid back into them; Reno followed suit, finding his boxers and throwing them on. As he walked towards the dresser with his night shirts Amalia asked, as she threw the sports bra over her head, "Hey, can you toss me a pair of your sweats?"

"Sweats? You mean you're cold, babe?"

"Kinda. You know how I am."

"That I do, yo." Pulled the grey material from the bottom drawer, he tossed the item to Amalia who quickly pulled them onto her lower half, all the while with Reno watching her. She sighed as a sudden rush of heat seeped into her legs; in which she walked back into the closet to grab a pair of socks which she donned on her feet. "Ahhh, much better."

"Damn Ashe, you really must be cold."

"Told you."

"Maybe…" Reno walked towards her as they made their way out the bedroom and down towards the kitchen. "…maybe there's a way I can help warm you up a bit?"

Amalia chuckled and turned her head towards the red-head when they hit the bottom of the stairs. "How about after dinner?"

"Damn…"

Completely changing the subject with a one eighty, Amalia asked, "So what sounds good for dinner? I can make something really quick like sandwiches or I can make something that'll leave us with leftovers."

"Leftovers would probably be the better choice of the two."

"Alright, how about rotini pasta with meatballs?"

Reno's mouth instantly began to water – she didn't need to repeat herself. "Hot damn that sounds fucking delicious."

"Alrighty-then, that's what we're having. But you're going to help."

"What? Aww…why? I thought I'd get to sit and watch you're beautiful body as you danced around the kitchen."

Though his comment induced a heated blush that continued to crawl across her cheeks, Amalia was still shocked by his statement. "Reno!"

"What? You have an amazing ass, yo!"

But she couldn't help but giggle. A perverted man…that was the type of man she was now in a relationship with. And she wouldn't change it for the world. "Alright I'll make you a deal. All you have to do is turn the oven on and when the temperature is ready, place the meatballs on a cookie sheet and tuck them inside. Once the timer goes off, pull them out and I'll take care of the rest. That way, you are technically helping me but you're still allowed to watch this ass." As she finished her sentence, Amalia thrust her hip against the counter as she attempted to push in the drawer she had just pulled a few utensils from.

"Oh…babe you said that so sexily. Do it again, please?"

Turning her eyes towards him, she gave him a smile and, again, thrust her hip against the granite counter. "You like?"

"You know I do babe!"

"Good, good. Now please, turn the oven on while I start boiling the noodles."

"Yes ma'am," Reno obliged, following the direct orders of his lover. Although the red-head wasn't given that much to work with, the two worked in unison, each knew where the other was so they didn't bump into one another. Amalia set to work boiling the rotini noodles and as Reno turned the oven on, he sat down at the kitchen table, admiring the view from behind. Working like clockwork, Reno was correct in his assessment that she would dance around the kitchen. One minute she was stirring the pasta, the next she was mixing different herbs into the now heated sauce. This woman can do everything, Reno thought as he continued to survey her dance – and her ass, for that matter. For Gaia's sake, she could be fighting an entire army and still be able to cook a wondrous meal.

"Reno." Her angelic voice immediately brought his attention back to reality.

"Yeah?"

"Oven's ready. You wanna put the meatballs in?"

"On it!" Standing, Reno grabbed the already filled tray of meatballs and pulled back the oven lid as he slid them in. "How long you think they need to be in there? Twenty minutes?"

"Eh, we'll try twelve and see where that takes us."

"Why the big difference?" Now standing behind her, Reno placed his hands along the contours of Amalia's hips, gently pulling her back against his body.

Amalia simply smiled as she continued to stir the pasta and sauce simultaneously. "When baking in the oven, it's always better to bake for less than the package usually says. All ovens cook differently. Also, if you cook items this way, you'll be able to tell whether you've burnt them or not."

"Oh, ok."

"Besides, you'd rather have cooked meatballs in your pasta than burnt ones, am I correct?"

"Hell yeah, burnt meatballs would be gross."

"And that's why we'll try twelve minutes. Honestly though, they might be done around ten. You have a badass oven."

"I do?"

"Of course. Have you ever tried baking anything and noticing that it sometimes doesn't take as long as it usually would?"

Walking towards her side, Amalia looked at his face and stifled a laugh that developed deep within her chest. The look Reno was giving her resembled that of stupidity and seriousness. "Ashe, do I honestly look like someone who can cook?"

This time she did laugh out loud. "No. And I'm assuming this is where you're gonna say that's why you have me? So I can cook for you?"

"Uh…yeah! Babe, you remember when we first started going out, I lived off of Wutai take-out for months."

"Tch, that's true. But that's something you'll never give up."

"Fuck no! Wutai take-out is delicious!"

"Alright, alright chatter-monkey, I think the timer is about to go off."

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.

Pulling the delicious mounds of meat from the heated convection, Reno placed the cookie sheet on a few hot pads Amalia had placed on the counter. Grabbing a knife, she cut on in half and threw one in her mouth. She grinned, knowing that they were completely done. Grabbing the other half, she told Reno to open his mouth where she threw the meatball inside. "Mmm, damn that's good. So they're done?"

"Yep. Not too hot which is perfect, they'll finish cooking in the sauce – oh yeah. Good job babe, you cooked them perfectly."

"Well, I had a pretty fine teacher to teach me this shit." As he walked back towards the table, Reno slapped Amalia's ass, the SMACK sound echoing across the kitchen. Jumping at the unexpected pain, and pleasure, Amalia quickly turned and lightly punched Reno in the shoulder.

"You are such a pervert, Reno!"

"You know you love me."

~ oOo ~

While writing I felt that this chapter was in the middle between being important and a filler chapter. However, I believe it works for both since I haven't updated in a while (again I'm sorry!). It provides how both are feeling after that came together as a couple and I think it shows how the two interact around one another – in a both comical/serious scene (at least I tried to be comical).

Please enjoy! And to be honest, I will write when I can since school starts again soon so please don't stop reading!

Chocobocolina ~ out! :3