"Favourite colour?"
"Really? Cloud teased "You can ask me any question and you waste it on that?"
"Hey kid, I'm just tryin to get the ball rolling. This question thing was your idea, you don't like it, you ask one."
Cloud grinned in amusement, mind drifting to summer mornings spent wrapped around his husband, gazing into the others eyes with nowhere to be and not a care in the world "Green" he said confidently.
Reno took a swig of his drink and reached for the snacks. "Ok, now you ask one"
The blonde thought for a moment "Um, same question"
Reno snorted "and you said it was a wasted question." The redhead didn't even pause to think about his answer "Blue, like the sky." For a moment the older teens eyes became glassy and distant, a soft smile settling on his lips "I love the sky"
'I know' Cloud wanted to say, biting his lip to stay quiet. Seeing that look on the others face was reminding him just why he fell in love with this man the first time. The future hero was in serious danger of losing his heart all over again and the prospect was both terrifying and tantalising.
"Right" The Turk continued oblivious "next question, favourite...food"
Cloud snapped out of his trance and grimaced "You're not gona like it"
"Go on you damn carnivore, just say it."
"Steak" He had to duck as Reno threw a potato wedge at him but the other mans laugh let the mountain boy know he wasn't in too much trouble for the admission.
"Yeah yeah yeah I'm a monster, I get it" He teased "Right are you...um...have you... damn it, oh I've got one... can you fly a helicopter? Zack says some of the Turks can."
Green eyes lit up with joy at the question "Yeah! I mean, sort of, I've only had a few lessons but my instructor says I have a knack for it."
"Wow" Cloud gushed with genuine enthusiasm, the pure childlike glee on Reno's face was a delight to witness "That is so awesome!"
"I know right. I can't wait until I'm ready for solo flights, hey maybe I can take you up some time?"
The Cadets stomach dropped at the thought "That would not be a good idea, unless you don't mind being vomited on. Severe motion sickness" He clarified.
Reno let out a low whistle in sympathy "Tough break kid"
"Its fine" Cloud smiled "It will go away once I start mako injections" And they really couldn't come soon enough for the blonde. Discovering his old affliction had returned had been just one of several unpleasant side effects of travelling back in time and one he was highly eager to be rid of again.
"Is that why you wana be a SOLDIER then?" Reno laughed "So you can travel about without losing your lunch?"
Cloud snorted "That would honestly be enough of a reason for me but no...there were other reasons"
"Such as?"
The younger man paused.
"There was a girl"
Reno's eyebrows shot up "Wow man, I didn't know you swung both ways"
The Cadet barked out a laugh "I don't, but I was young and in a small town where the only path in life ever spoken of was 'boy marries girl, has babies, lives happily ever after'" They both smiled at the image.
"She was my friend" Cloud continued "My only friend. Maybe I loved her at the time. I can't even remember anymore. At the very least I cared for her deeply. Still do. She's the girl who's staying with Zack and Angeal at the moment" He added.
The Turk nodded, memory conjuring up whatever information he could recall of the girl. "So she wanted you to be a SOLDIER?"
"No" Cloud hurried to explain. "I wanted to be a SOLDIER. I had seen reports of them in the news, was a bit obsessed with Sephiroth if I'm honest" He ran a hand through his hair in embarrassment but there was no judgement in his dates eyes.
"Tifa..that's her name" He added needlessly. Reno nodded anyway. "She got hurt, really hurt, I tried to stop it but couldn't and I always felt so...useless because of it. I thought about Sephiroth and the SOLDIERs and I decided I wanted to be like that. Be a hero." and I was a distant part of his mind supplied. It seemed like such a hollow dream now.
"So you came here. For her?"
"For her. For me. For a new start. That town was...suffocating me. I needed to get away from it. For a chance to find out who I was and what I wanted."
"And what do you want?" Reno asked softly.
Cloud smiled "Right now I want a vodka martini" He teased, directing the comment to the barmaid who was leaning over to collect their glasses. She nodded in acknowledgement. "...and a kiss" he added as she moved away, blue eyes quickly fixing onto green with a fiery intensity. Cloud shifted out of his seat moving closer to the older teen who in turn was shifting towards him.
With just a moment's pause to make sure it was Ok Cloud leaned forward and pressed his lips to Reno's. The rest of the room faded to nothing around them.
It was meant to be a quick peck to satisfy his need but after a while the blonde found himself shifting over to sit on the redheads lap arms resting gently around the older males shoulders. It was slow and lazy and sweet. Just what he needed. Blue eyes flickered open for a second to find green ones hidden from him behind pale eyelids, dark lashes resting above tattooed cheeks. Reno wasn't distracted. Wasn't scanning the room for hyperactive SOLDIERs, wasn't seeking an audience or trying to get a rise out of anyone.
He was here for him. Only him.
Cloud kissed him again.