Haunted, a Cloud/Reno story

By Kigichi and Bekas Strife

Contains extremely OOC!Reno, slight OOC!Cloud, MPreg, angst and much more.

Disclaimer: These characters and the world where they live in aren't ours. Only the storyline is.

AN: Kigichi mostly writes Reno and Bekas Cloud.

Enjoy!!

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Axel stirred quietly in the next morning, deciding to get up to quietly check on Cloud. He blinked at the doorway, not finding the blond. "… Where...?" he quickly searched the place and was about to panic when he heard noise from the kitchen.

Cloud looked up from the stove as Axel entered the division. "Good morning." He greeted.

"Erm... 'Morning..." Chuckling lightly, getting over his initial surprise, Axel walked over and peeked over the blond's shoulder. "What ya making?"

"You'll see soon enough. Go sit down."

Raising an eyebrow, Axel chuckled and went over to the table, sitting down with a grin. "Yes, SIR...!" Sitting back, he tipped his head to the side to watch the blond work. "Wow...you really know what you're doing, huh?"

Cloud nodded without looking back. "Like I said before, my Mom made sure I knew how to cook by the time I went to the army." He explained softly, filling his and Axel's plate with eggs and bacon before placing them on the table next to the toasts and going to get the freshly made coffee and natural orange juice.

Axel watched the blond walk around for a while. "You miss her?" He asked softly. The blond was probably missing his family after all that happened.

Cloud stopped for a moment before nodding. "Yeah... But I have to bear with it."

"Why, don't you want to find your family again?" Did the blond even remember about his family at all?

"She's dead. She died in a fire when I was fifteen." Cloud said, turning and going back to the table. "And... I don't remember much from my family." He confessed sadly, sitting down heavily. "I don't remember a thing..."

Axel bit his lip, nodding as he looked down at the table. "…Sorry… I didn't mean to upset you." Picking up his fork he took a bite of food, smiling. "This is really good. Your mom taught you well." Grinning, he grabbed the coffee and nearly moaned at the taste. It was even better than Demyx's! "She left you a very nice gift when she taught you to do this."

Cloud nodded briefly. "Yeah... She was always thinking of the future." He said softly, the corners of his lips turning upwards slightly at the memories of his sweet mother.

Glad to see the blond smile, Axel grinned and tapped Cloud's plate with his knife. "Eat up! You need food."

"I'm good..." The blond protested softly, starting to eat.

"Yea...and I'm a woman." Chuckling, the redhead shook his head. "You're skinny as all fuck. Eat."

"I've always been skinny. And you do have girly hips." Cloud added lowly, stuffing his face with food to avoid a snicker.

"Yea, you-heeeeeeeeeey..." Frowning, Axel glared at Cloud for a moment, only to chuckle soon after. "Okay, so I do. But you NEED to eat more. When was the last time you did?"

"Yesterday."

"...Smartass... What about before that?"

"... I can't remember." Cloud said quietly, taking a sip of his juice. He didn't remember a thing, he thought as he gripped his fork slightly in saddened frustration.

"See? You need food!" Sitting back, Axel took another sip of coffee. "And don't try to attack my skinniness." He said, running a hand down his side, ribs almost easily seen. "I burn calories like a furnace."

"Why do you work... at that place?" Cloud asked carefully.

That made the redhead pause. Sighing, Axel sat forward again and placed his mug down. "It was the only place that would hire me." He chuckled, running a hand across his forehead. "I didn't finish school so I don't have a degree and out here, it's damn hard to get a job without one. Destiny's Sweet Desires was the only place that would take me. And the pay aint half bad either."

The other man cocked his head to the side, looking at Axel. "... You could do so much better." He murmured. "Why didn't you leave?"

Chuckling lightly, Axel shook his head. "I needed the money. And besides..." Looking up, he gave the blond a smile. "If I did leave, then I would never have met you, right?" Cloud blinked and rolled his eyes, feeling his cheeks heating up. That only caused the redhead to grin. "See? It all worked out okay!"

"Yeah..." Cloud sighed, taking a bite of his toast and not noticing the bit of butter that was left on the corner of his mouth.

Hesitating a moment, not sure if he should or not, Axel grabbed his napkin and leaned forward, wiping away the butter. Leaning back, he held up the cloth. "You missed a bit."

The blond blinked and flushed more. "Thanks." he murmured, embarrassed.

"That's okay. At least you're not like my buddy Demyx." Shaking his head with a fond chuckle, Axel put the napkin down and picked his fork back up. "I found the man with jelly in his hair, peanut butter on his fingers and pudding on the back of his neck one day. And he had only been awake for five minutes. Figure that out."

Cloud snorted. "Hard to…"

"Yeah, and I deal with him every day." Grinning again, Axel raised his mug in salute. "So don't feel bad about a bit of butter."

Cloud smiled softly, nodding. "I'll try my best." He said softy, taking another bite of his toast.

"That's all I ask."

The blond kept eating in silence before something clicked in his head. "You're working today?"

"Nope…!" Shaking his head, Axel finished off the last of his sausage before attacking the eggs. "This is my day off."

Cloud breathed in relief. "Oh... Alright…" At least he wouldn't be alone in somewhere he didn't know, wary of every shadow and sound.

Knowing what Cloud was so worried about, Axel shook his head. "No worries. I'll be here all day." Pausing, he bit his lip. "Umm...do you mind if I bring a friend or two over?"

"... No." This was Axel's house, after all.

Sighing in relief, Axel nodded. "Don't worry. It's just my little brother and Marluxia, a childhood friend. They're nice people."

"You have a brother?" Cloud asked, grabbing his glass and taking a sip of the liquid inside.

"Yep…! He's my twin, though I'm older by two minutes." He snickered. "Meaning I get to boss him around!"

Cloud smiled a small smile, shaking his head. "What's his name?" He asked out of curiosity, taking another sip of his juice.

"Reno."

Cloud stopped his movement mid-away, staring at Axel but not really seeing him. That name... wasn't strange. "Reno..." The blond murmured, just tasting the name on his tongue as he seemed lost in thought. Who was he…? Why did the name sound so… dear to him?

Axel's eyes widened. Cloud… he looked so confused. "...Cloud?" He asked softly. The blond's eyes were glazed over like he was looking at something only he could see. Reaching out, he hesitantly touched the other's hand. "...Cloud…?"

The blond snapped out of his dream with a jump, blinking at Axel with large blue eyes. "... I'm sorry." he breathed. "It's just... I thought I knew that name." He couldn't remember...

"I guess I was mistaken..."

Damn. "It's okay. I've had those moments before as well!" Shit, he was so close to remembering too. "Relax; it might come to you later."

"I... I dunno." Cloud sighed, shaking his head as he looked down. "I... I think have severe memory loss... Amnesia..." He confessed, wincing. Why hadn't he asked Tifa?? "I don't remember anything from since I was fifteen… twenty-one… I don't know… It won't be that easy to remember, if there is something to remember."

"All the more reason to relax…!" Standing up, Axel went to stand behind Cloud, hands resting lightly on his shoulders, rubbing out the tension there. "Don't push yourself. If you remember, then you remember. Give it time." The blond nodded, leaning back and letting his head fall back onto Axel's stomach. Happy at the show of trust from the other, the redhead continued, pressing down a bit harder, thumbs rolling along the back of Cloud's neck.

"... You're good." Cloud sighed softly, looking up at Axel. He quietly examined his face, memorizing every trace from the jaw line to the small but attractive eyebrows and even the barely seen wrinkles next to his mouth, probably from smiling so much. The blond blinked as he cocked his head to the side: since day one that he had felt that he knew Axel from somewhere… That feeling hadn't disappeared - maybe it had to with the other red-haired stranger? - But now, he also couldn't help but find the redhead pretty attractive. The blond swallowed hard as the realization hit him.

"...what ya lookin at?" The blonde had been staring at him for a few moments now, just looking at his face. It was a bit creepy. "Do I have something on my face?" Axel chuckled.

Cloud startled. "No, I'm sorry... I... was just admiring you." He looked away, cursing silently for being caught as he felt his cheeks heat up again. What was up with him?!

Raising an eyebrow at Cloud's cute blush, cute, Axel reached over, tilting the other's head up. "Can I admire you too?"

The blond blinked in surprise. "Err... Sure?" He murmured, slightly confused... but it was fair. He stared at Axel so it would be wrong if he didn't allow the other man to do so as well, for as creepy as it was.

"Good." Leaning down, Axel kept his eyes locked onto Cloud's, fingertips tracing his jaw, eyebrows and lips tenderly, lightly. Cloud swallowed nervously, biting his lip gently. It was curious how the other man's actions were almost reminding him of how Saix and Xemnas used to examine him but the sight of Axel's eyes and his touches didn't allow those memories to completely surface. He was glad for that. Sensing the other's discomfort, Axel pulled back, smiling gently. "There. Done admiring…!"

Cloud nodded but reached for Axel's hand, hesitating but grabbing it and holding it, not sure if it was right. He carefully placed it on his cheek after a small moment and rested his forehead against Axel's stomach, softly closing his eyes. "Your touch calms me..." He confessed with a low whisper, frowning ever so slightly. Why? He couldn't put his hand on it… But it was so close…!

The redhead blinked, not moving. His touch…? What? Smiling, Axel leaned over, placing his other arm around Cloud's shoulders, leaning his head down and placing it on top of soft, blond hair. "Then I'll stay here for a bit."

"... You don't need to... If you don't want it..."

Chuckling, Axel moved his head to whisper in Cloud's ear. "If I minded, would I be getting closer?"

Cloud hummed, feeling Axel's breath against his skin. "Probably not..." He whispered, the corner of his lips curling up slightly.

"Well then..." Chuckling softly, Axel nuzzled Cloud's ear with his nose. "I guess I'm not bothered, huh?"

"Guess not..." The blond said fluttering his eyes shut.

"That's right." Pulling back, the redhead chuckled, warm breath hitting Cloud's ear before going back to nuzzling his hair. Cloud opened his eyes at the loss of warmth near his ear and buried his nose on Axel's shirt. Chuckling again, Axel kneeled down and nuzzled his and Cloud's noses together.

"Your nose's cold." Cloud murmured, smiling softly.

The redhead just kept rubbing. "Then warm it up for me."

"…How?"

"Uhh..." Blinking, Axel pulled back for a moment. "....use your imagination?" Cloud blinked before pinching Axel's nose, holding it carefully with a shrug. "Guh…!" Eyes crossing, the redhead blinked a few times. "...nuce nob..."

Cloud actually chuckled, releasing the man. "Hmm..." Biting his lip, he hesitantly pulled the redhead forward, hugging him and allowing him to bury his nose on his shoulder or neck. "Better?"

Squeaking a bit in shock at the sudden movement, the redhead nuzzled his face into Cloud's neck, humming in content. "Better." He murmured, satisfied that the blond trusted him this much. It meant not all was lost and that the man would be able to surpass the trauma.

"... Axel?"

"Hmm…?"

"Thanks... for everything."

Pulling up, Axel looked at the blond, noses centimeters away from one another. "You're welcome." Cloud smiled softly in return. Leaning forward, Axel nuzzled Cloud's nose once more. The blond blinked, smiling as he relished on the feeling of peace: Saix and Xemnas were away from his mind and he felt safe with Axel. It was all he could have ever wanted at the moment. Pulling back, Axel stood up and ruffled Cloud's hair. "Finish eating before it gets cold."

"Wha…? Oh yeah, the breakfast..." Cloud winced before snorting, nodding and turning, polishing his food as fast as he could and his stomach let him.

"Good!" Picking up the now empty dishes, Axel walked to the sink and began to clean them before the other could blink.

"I'll do that, it's your day off." The blond began to protest, getting up.

The redhead just shook his head. "Nope…! You cooked. I demand that I get to clean!"

Cloud jerked back. "O-okay... Sorry..."

The redhead paused, realizing his mistake. "I..." Sighing, Axel stepped back from the sink and walked over to hug Cloud. "Sorry. I didn't mean to sound that way."

Cloud nodded, resting his chin on Axel's shoulder with a bit of difficulty, the other being about a head and half taller than him. "I know, I just... I can't help it..."

A sad look came to the redheads face. "I know you can't, hun…" Pulling Cloud closer, he ran his fingers through his soft, blond locks.

Cloud leaned against the contact. "When are your friends coming?" He asked, looking over at the clock on the wall.

"Not a clue. It could be and time between now and tonight." Cloud hummed, nodding. Pulling back with a wink, Axel went back to the sink. "Why don't you go take a shower?" He suggested.

The blond blinked, looking down at himself before squirming. "... Are you saying that I smell?" He muttered.

Axel snickered quietly. "Yes." Cloud blushed madly and ran away, going upstairs to shower. How embarrassing!! Raising an amused eyebrow, Axel shook his head and went back to the dishes. After finishing cleaning, Axel went to the living room and turned on the TV to watch the morning news, blinking as he heard soft, careful steps behind him.

"Err... Axel?" Cloud murmured from the doorway, just with a towel around his waist and feeling really uncomfortable with showing the scars from the brothel's injuries. He squirmed again, feeling the other's eyes on him.

Eyes widening, the redhead looked away, coughing. "Ahh...yeah...hmm..." Biting his lip, he thought for a second before speaking. "Go into the guest room next to yours. The dresser is full of Demyx's clothing for when he decides to stay for a bit. He's even taller than me but some of the clothes in there are from many years ago so they should fit on you." Cloud nodded, hastily going upstairs once more. "Heh...shopping...must go shopping..." Shaking his head, Axel sat back, waiting for Cloud to come back as he rubbed his heated cheeks.

Cloud walked up next to him moments later. "I'm sorry but i didn't know what to do..." He murmured, sitting.

"Heh… I would have just walked around naked if I was you." The redhead had no problem with that. Demyx did it all the time so he was used to it. 'Friggin hippie…'

Cloud simply raised an eyebrow. "... You wish..."

"...Can't prove it..."

Cloud narrowed his eyes before smiling. "I guess..."

Snickering softly, Axel scooted away a bit. "Heh... I win."

"Yap..."

Stretching, Axel lifted his hand over his head and arched back, not stopping until he felt a nice 'crack'. "Ahh…that was nice." Axel murmured before he blinked, looking aside as his phone started ringing.

-

"C'mon....c'mon...ANSWER, YOU WALKING MATCH!!"

"Marly, calm down, will ya?" Shaking his head, Reno walked up to the hyperactive pink haired man and placed an arm on his shoulder. "He will pick up sooner or later."

"But I want him to pick up noooooow!!" Pouting, Marluxia opened his mouth to whine again, cutting it off with an exclamation when Axel picked up. "FIRE CROUCH…!"

Axel flinched and pulled the phone away as Cloud jumped on his seat as the sound snapped him back to attention. "W-What...?"

The redhead rubbed the blond's shoulder reassuringly. "It's nothing. Just an ecstatic gay man..." Turning back to the phone, Axel sighed. "What d'ya want?"

"Aww... don't you LOVE me anymore!?" Marluxia demanded to know. Chuckling, he shook his head. "'Kidding… When can I and Reno come over?" He looked over at the redhead, blinking and tilting his head to the side, watching Reno dig around behind a dumpster.

"Anytime you prefer."

"Now it is!!" Crackling madly, the pink haired man snapped the phone shut and walked over to Reno. "WHAT are you doing?" He exclaimed next to the other's ear.

Starting a bit, Reno looked up, an excited look in his eyes. "Look, look, look…!" He exclaimed back, holding something up an inch from the other's nose.

Eyes crossing a bit, Marluxia blinked. "...Cat..."

"Not a cat!" Giggling happily, face a bit red, Reno nuzzled the fuzzy cat. "A kitten…!" And it was so pretty to. All orange, black and white spotted with a bit of brown.

The furry animal mewled weakly. "Oh, poor thing..." Marluxia said sadly, picking it up.

Frowning, Reno reached out and took the cat back, gently rubbing its head. "I'm keeping it." He fell in love the first second he laid his eyes on the baby. Looking down, he gently nuzzled the kitten with his nose, humming when he was licked in return. "I'll take good care of you, Gizmo. Don't worry." He looked back at Marly. "Let's go. Axel should have milk that we can feed him."

Marluxia smiled and followed, happy for his friend.

It was good seeing him so smiley after so long.

--

Bekas: Cloud starts to get more and more comfortable around Axel… x3 Aaaaaaand, since Haunted turns one year old on saturday *pinches the baby's cheeks* we shall give you a preview of some scenes that happened further in the story!! They aren't in order so don't get your hopes up XD

Demyx coughed softy, his cheeks turning pink with embarrassement at the memories. "We sorta kissed and sorta made plans for a ni--" The blond slapped his hand over his mouth. He should listen to what Axel said about his mouth... For they were right!!

Reno blinked, intriged. "A night.., a night for what?" He paused, thinking. "And does it in any way involve what you bought me?"

"Ma-NO!"


"That's a yes!!" Grinning, Reno sat up and kneeled on the bed, poking Demyx's side. "Tell me!!" The blond shook his head like a little child. Reno pouted, nuzzling the other man's face. "Pleeeeeease?"


"Lets say that there wouldn't be innocent actions involved."

The redhead paused, face heating up until it was the same color as his hair. "I... said something like that?"

Demyx nodded. "'Tomorrow night. Your place. That corset'. That's what you said."

"...Erk..." The redhead didn't remember any of it! Well... a little... "Oh God..." Covering his face in shame, he scooted back a bit and moaned. "Oh Gooooooood..."

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The smaller blond pushed the other away agressively. "Don't act high and mighty, you disgusting son of a bitch."

Demyx shrugged. "Now, now. Don't get all pissy. You're the one who started the hostility and name calling."

"Yes because I was the one who got in here, acting as if I had shit under my nose all the time."

"Not all the time. Just when boyfriend snatchers are around."

"Not my fault Axel loves me too." Cloud sneered, watching as Demyx's face darkened considerably. He had rubbed salt on the wound and he felt good.

Growling softly, the blond fisted his hands, resisting the urge to punch the other man until he could no longer speak. He wouldn't be that kind of guy. He prefered emotional damage to physical. "Yeah and we both also knowthat he loves me more than he ever loved you." He shot back, smirking when cloud flinched. "And you know it."

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theeeeeeeeeeeere.