Earlier that night in Reno's apartment.

"...I think you should give him a chance"

Reno paused with a forkful of takeout halfway to his mouth. This was... unexpected.

Last night when Reno had first approached his friend with his dilemma he had sensed definite disapproval from the other man. Although Rude probably thought he had played it cool, Reno was getting pretty good at reading his partner and was almost certain the quiet giant was planning to talk him out of pursuing the blonde any further.

"What changed your mind?"

Rude's eye twitched slightly first surprised then suddenly pleased to realised his friend had read him so easily.

"I spoke to him"

Reno wasn't all that surprised by this. It made sense the other Turk would want to find out more about Cloud before he gave his answer.

"And?"

"He seems... genuine."

The redhead felt his throat catch, suddenly nervous. After seeing Rude's reaction last night and with his own insecurities still nagging at his mind, Reno had been silently hoping the older man would talk him out of it. Would reassure him this whole thing was crazy and that he should walk away.

This... this encouragement to give it a go. To take a chance and put his heart in the hands of a spiky haired blue eyed mystery was unexpected and terrifying.

He wanted to.

He just wasn't sure how.

"What do I do?"

Rude felt a stab of sympathy for his friend. He had never heard the redhead sound so vulnerable before.

"Well... you already know he's interested. Maybe you should just... talk to him."

"But what do I say? How do I...? I've never... dated anyone before." Reno froze. Did he want to date Strife? Is that why his stomach was tying itself in knots? He leant forwards in his armchair placing his head in his hands.

He sensed his friend moving closer and saw from the corner of his eye as the other man perched on the arm of his chair. A large hand rested gently on his back rubbing soothing circles. He relaxed into the touch.

"Maybe he's just as nervous about this as you are. If you don't try, you'll never know, and that will nag at you forever. I'm not saying there isn't a chance you'll get hurt because there is, but time heals that and if it doesn't work out you can always move on and try again with someone else; but if it does work, maybe you'll find something good, something you didn't know you were missing. That's the chance we all take. Do you really want to spend your life wondering?"

He didn't.

Reno shrugged noncommittally not ready to answer out loud.

Rude felt his lips twitch in a fond smile.

"Let's put it another way; is a level 3 Turk really gona let himself be scared off by a little blonde Cadet"

Reno stood rapidly and straightened his stance. "Hell no"

Rude laughed.

...

Reno moved quickly down the hallway towards the cadets rec room, afraid that if he went too slow he might lose his nerve and turn back. He wasn't entirely sure why he had to do this tonight but as Rude had pointed out 'there's no time like the present' and putting it off wasn't going to make it any less nerve-wracking.

Thankfully as a Turk he didn't need to waste any additional time actually searching for the Cadet, just had to track his phone location. Perks of the job.

He reached the end of the hall and slowed to a stop.

There it was. The door. The last barrier between him and that fucking kid.

Why did strife have to be so confusing.

Why did he have to be so nice?

What does he even see in me?

He could walk away. Go back upstairs, have some drinks with Rude and laugh this whole thing off as a bad joke.

Or maybe head into town.

Find a bar.

Find a guy.

Maybe that what he really needs? To remind himself that Strife isn't the only pretty piece of ass around. He could have anyone, his pick of the lot. All safe and easy, no strings attached. None of this emotional shit.

The redhead stared at the door as if it could answer all his questions and wondered how one guy could mess him up so much. What was it about this kid?

If you don't try, you'll never know, and that will nag at you forever.

Damn Rude and his fucking inspirational speeches. When did he become a love guru anyway?

I like you.

Reno took a deep breath. His mind conjuring images of blue eyes and a hopeful smile full of promises Reno wasn't sure he was ready to understand.

He wouldn't run away.

Couldn't just not try.

With a deep breath the Turk placed his hand on the door handle and pushed.

After the initial splat hit, Reno instinctively dived back out the door and drew his weapon in anticipation of a further attack. It took two seconds to assess the situation and determine his life was not in danger and three more before the sound of Zackary Fairs howling laughter could be heard echoing out of the room.

Beside the irritating soldier Cloud stood silent looking towards Reno with an expression of deep concern.

Reno felt his heartbeat slow back to normal following the shock and finally found the presence of mind to wonder what had just happened.

Looking down at his arms the Turk noted the deep red tomato sauce dotted with chunks of vegetables and tortilla and there mixed throughout it all... Reno felt his stomach lurch violently realising he was covered head to toe in minced beef.

He wanted to throw up.

Wanted to scream.

But Fair was right there , still laughing his ass off and he couldn't, wouldn't lose face in front of that prick. He had to get out of here he had to...

A hand was on his arm. A calm voice guiding him from the room, down the hall. He barely knew what was happening, all he felt was nausea.

Then there were hands tugging at his clothes, pulling them off and he was naked. A warm rush of water hit him, washing away the mess and the hands were back, cleaning him, calming him. Another rush of nausea shot through him, and suddenly his dinner was splattered on the tiles below his feet.

When the water finally shut off Reno scrubbed at his face and breathed deep. He hadn't cried. That was enough to offer some comfort.

The gentle hands led him to a bench and guided him to sit. As Cloud rushed off to find a towel and a change of clothes Reno looked around to find he was in one of the training gym showers.

He accepted the towel gratefully.

"You ok?"

The word were soft. Genuinely concerned.

"Yeah" He breathed. "I'm fine. Thanks"

Reno finished drying off and accepted the tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt he was handed, quickly pulling them on, too upset to make any flirty jokes about being naked in front of his sort of love interest.

Cloud sank onto the seat beside him.

The Turk was amazed at how calming he found the blonds presence.

He felt a hand slip into his own and looked up towards the cadet in surprise to find the other mans gaze directed down on where their hands joined. Reno squeezed gently and the boys gaze flicked up to meet his own with an expression that was a strange mix of happy and sad.

It was both heartbreaking and reassuring.

The sound of the shower dripping was the only thing to break the silence as the two men sat quietly watching each other and Reno was ashamed at how long it took him to realise Clouds own clothes were still soaked through.

He squeezed the cadets hand again to indicate he had fully calmed now and handed back the towel without letting go.

Cloud took it without a word and laid the damp fabric on his lap, making no move to dry off.

Off to one side the shower head continued to drip.

"So" Reno began "You wanna maybe go out with me sometime?"