Stained Souls
Chapter 27: Habit
Smile like you mean it.
-The Killers
Reno stood by the wall sized window of his new flat, looking down at the city and street where still people walked on at this hour. Night was the roof of Midgar; showing off its still newly shone stars where the reactor tin roof once covered.
He would always get a little nervous now and then when he stood by the edge. A fear in his mind always ticked that a stranger would walk up behind and push him through the glass to plummet down into the sidewalk. Knowing he had enough city-watching for the time being, he stepped away from the glass but still kept his eyes on the wide moon. In the large hunk of rock Reno would always see a skull but no face. Maybe one use to be on it a long time ago, but now its inner shell etched into the moon. Almost screaming still from having its face cut off and skinned.
This was how his childhood belief went. A face use to be on the moon until someone shaved it away, cutting it off in large chunks. Not the typical happily ever after story but the eight year old was far from normal.
Inside he felt like screaming like that, crying for a part of him that was lost a long time ago.
Vincent came into the room, seeing Reno again looking out into the city. Silently he came over and placed his unmarred hand on his shoulder. The Turk trembled under his touch and it startled him.
"It's okay." Vincent cooed. "Just me." His red eyes followed Reno's and found their way staring into the moon too.
"It's different today." Reno spoke.
"The moon changes it phases constantly in a pattern." Vincent explained.
"No." Reno said. "There's a different tint to it tonight then the last ones. I think it's red." Vincent studied the rock closer and did notice, very faintly, a cloud or smear of red seeping into the moon.
"Do you know what it means?" Vincent asked.
"It's not like the dawn where you can tell weather by it, but…" Reno thought for a moment. "I think it's trying to warn something." Vincent's concern for Reno made him give up looking into the night.
"You need to sleep." He said looking into the Turk's face. "Common." He gently took the youth's hand and led him to his bed. When the two neared the doorway Reno stopped and wouldn't budge.
"You said tonight you'd be ready." Vincent reminded him.
"I was wrong." Reno said while staring into the room. "Can I sleep with you? For the night." Vincent's eyes soften.
"Of course." The ex-Turk enjoyed his nights curling up to Reno. It made the night go by so fast and the dreams less disruptive. Since there was only one bedroom, Vincent took Reno to the large couch and laid on it first with the youth on top.
When he was comfortable, and his body meshed perfectly along Vincent's Reno's eyes were veiled over the black cloak of sleep. Vincent stayed up a little longer; making sure Reno was peaceful before closing his eyes too. As habit, every night Vincent would coil his arms around Reno and a light grin would prick his supple lips before losing himself in sleep.
Couldn't allow Reno to be alone and this chapter may bring about another story from here. Hmmm. REVIEW!