To Square Enix, for such amazing, dynamic characters and revolutionary game. To EntreNous and Teri Stearns, whose splendid writing skills inspired our writing team to try to write fan fiction. To , who let us post this story. To you, the reader, for taking the time to read this work- one of our first- on this site. We sincerely hope that you enjoy this story.

Cherry on Top

A FFVII Remake Fanfiction Ship (Reno x Cloud)

By ChocoWriter

FFVII Remake Square-Enix

When Aerith had proposed a date as payment to Cloud, Reno began to get ideas. It had been while since he had seen any romantic action, and while violence and missions temporarily satiated him, a quick fling had always been the cherry on top. He schemed as Cloud took out SOLDIERS Shinra had annoyingly sent with him. Climbing the pillars, Reno got a good look at his target- and he didn't hate what he saw. He was finally able to join the fight, his heart leaping in his chest as he flew across the room to meet the ex-SOLDIER.

He thought as he exchanged rapid blows. I don't get it. The kid claimed he was a first-class SOLDIER, but I've never heard of such a runt. Hell, if I had, I would have been able to have… have a lot more fun evenings… Oh well.

Reno snapped back to the present, staggering back after a vicious thrust from an oversized blade. He staggered to stay up, his body screaming in pain.

I haven't been this injured since…since…

As two black boots filled his vision, Reno paled.

"You've got it all wrong, man"

It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to win and take HIM as my prisoner! And now…now…

Blushing, he continued, "I just wanted to-"

The clank of the mammoth sword made Reno cringe, but suddenly, a defining crunch erupted from the floor. Reno jumped back, only to be swallowed by darkness.

Similarly, Cloud also fell, for the second time that day, into the unknown.

Reno was the first to wake up. Choking on dust, he lifted his eyes to the eerie darkness he was encased in. Only the barest hint of light from something above allowed him to view another body not a meter away from him. Luckily (or unluckily if it was an enemy of Shinra), the life-form was breathing. Short, panicked breaths, but still breathing. Like a Good Shinra SOLDIER ™, Reno saw that they were in some kind of storage closet. Shelves everywhere with... Reno glanced… books?

How old is this place anyway? I don't smell a hint of Mako. Only…dust and wood.

He looked around for the exit which, unfortunately, the body was obscuring. Groaning from his wounds, Reno crept (okay, admittedly, stumbled) forward. There was less light as he advanced to the door, so he hardly noticed when his foot met a boot. Falling for what felt like the 50th time that day, Reno groaned.

"S-s-sephiroth?" The form uttered in complete terror.

"Uh, no. That guy kicked the bucket a couple of years ago"

The black shape whimpered with yet more terror, wriggling into a ball, foot hitting something solid with a clank.

Wait a second… Reno felt around for a particular spiky head of hair, finding it quickly.

SOLDIER Boy?

"L-l-leave me alone. I…" Cloud sobbed. Feeling around for his face, Reno trailed over Cloud's eyelids, noticing that they were shut, as if he were asleep.

"One hell of a dream that you're having, pretty boy. Let me help" Reno said with an invisible grin.

He slid rammed good shoulder into the door, finding it locked and a world full of pain. He tried again and again- a couple of times with the sword, but to no avail.

"Argh!" Reno shrieked, effectively waking up Cloud, who bolted up, reaching back for a nonexistent sword.

Growling, Cloud blindly punched forward, hitting only a bookshelf, and making him fall again. Despite his pain, Reno chuckled at the events.

"Not doin' so well either, are you, SOLDIER boy?"

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"A lot of things. But I forgot to introduce myself earlier. Reno, best of the best. Ya know, the Turks?"

Cloud grunted then seemed to straighten up.

"What do you want with…Aerith?"

"Now now, enough about that. It's a bit of a secret. Now answer my question. Who are you?"

"A mercenary."

"Obviously. What's your name? Or should I just keep calling you SOLDIER boy" Reno said, rolling his eyes to the darkness.

"…"

"Well?"

"Cloud. Cloud Strife."

Where have I heard that name before? Well, it doesn't matter. I didn't secure the target, but maybe, if I play my cards right, I can secure someone else… Reno thought mischievously.

"Well Cloud, I'll make you a bargain."

"…"

"I'll take your silence as a yes"

"What is it." Cloud growled.

"Seeing as we'll have to wait for back-up to get us out of here- the door won't open- I call a temporary truce."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"I won't fight you if you won't fight me, and I'll get you out of here too. I'll give you time to rescue your lady-friend and go on a…date…" Reno said, gritting his teeth jealously.

"Fine." Cloud growled. Suddenly, he chuckled.

"What?"

"You sound…envious. Don't you Shinra troopers ever go out?"

"I wish. But maybe…" He spoke, groping around until he felt a strap.

Maybe it will be me instead of that…girl….

Wasting no time, he hoisted himself to both straps, mashing his chest to Cloud's woolly uniform.

Cloud tensed up. "I thought you called a tru-"

Just as Reno mashed his lips to Cloud's, prying off Cloud's shoulder plate and straps, shoving his arms to Cloud's back. Cloud was so dazed and tired that he fell back, nearly lifeless. Seeing the opportunity, Reno began to slide his half-gloved hands in the arm holes of Cloud's uniform.

That little frame betrays him. Reno thought as he caressed his hands up and down Cloud's back, feeling the muscles the old SOLDIER uniform hid.

Growing bored, he angled his head to kiss Cloud's neck at a side angle, feeling the strong pecs and abs shielded by the giant belt he had shoved off earlier.

All the while, Cloud couldn't find himself able to resist this thirsty opponent, falling limp, but not entirely against it either. He barely noticed Reno prying off his armor, then belt, then gloves. With his gloves gone, Reno guided Cloud's hands to the clasp and unbutton last three buttons on his shirt. Cloud felt his cheeks burning up as Reno led his hands along his abs, pecs, back. Even injured, Reno's body caused Cloud to blush madly.

Growing bored (yet again) Reno moved back to Cloud's bruised lips and began to kiss downward. From Cloud's lips to his strong jaw, to his bobbing Adam's apple… he smiled slyly as Cloud groaned unknowingly.

Just as Reno began to close the nearly sealed gap between their bodies, shouts came from the hall.

"Reno? Reno! Where are you?" Hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway outside of the door.

Sighing in frustration, Reno called, "In here!" Eyes growing wide, Cloud quickly donned his clothing, finally finding his sword.

"Can't say I didn't enjoy that" Reno panted happily.

Cloud was happy that the dark hid the raging blush in his cheeks.

"What…are…you?" Cloud gasped, regaining his composure.

"Single. Available. And here is my card." Reno chuckled, shoving his card down the back of the black uniform. Whipping his clothes back on, Reno brought Cloud far away from the door, stealing one last long, deep kiss before the Shinra bomb exploded, freeing the two.

"Sir? Sir! Are you alright?" One of the lackeys cried out into the smoke, just as Cloud ran out, past the guards.

Blushing madly, Cloud realized that Reno had simultaneously taken away…something…yet paid for it in pleasure. As Cloud rushed out, madly searching for Aerith, he found that he was running away from something else…

"I'm fine, no thanks to you all taking forever" Reno griped, but without as much spite in his speech.

"Did something…happen? You seem more laid back than usual. Was there something more in that closet?" Rude muttered.

"I had my ass firmly handed to me by a nobody and then fell through several stories. Do you think you could AT LEAST leave me alone?" Reno said, turning away to hide the blush quickly forming as he recalled the past half-hour.

It's been too long since I've had a cherry like that.

Fin. Thank you for reading.