Final Fantasy VII Fan Fiction

Words Can Hurt

By Kraven Ergeist

Two glasses were set down on the bar. Reno could only slosh the liquid around, losing himself in the pale liquor and ice, gulping back the lump that had been forming in the back of his throat.

Rude picked up his drink and sipped it. "Hey, come on, man," he offered. "It happens to the best of us."

The redhead just sighed, despair written all over his face. "I know, I know…it's just, I was really hoping she'd say yes."

Rude shrugged, tacking another sip, the hard liquor burning his throat. "If Elena says she's holding out for someone else, she's holding out for someone else. There's not much you can do about it."

Reno hung his head. "It wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't asked if we could still just be friends."

Rude almost laughed. "Well…we kind of have to. You're co-workers, after all."

"I know!" Reno growled, angrily. "Damnit, this isn't helping me at all!"

Rude shook his head, patting his friend on the back. "Let it out, man. Just sit back and enjoy your drink - you'll get over it eventually."

Reno picked up his glass and stared at it. He hadn't touched its contents yet, and decided promptly that he wasn't going to.

"I gotta take a rain check, man," he said, getting up.

"Reno," the bald man called back. "Don't let it get to you."

The redhead paused and gripped his fists as though he was about turn and wail on his partner, but just pushed out the door and into the night.

"I hope he doesn't do anything stupid," Rude thought with a sigh, as he finished off the last of his drink.

Outside, Reno kicked cans, rubble, and anything else he came across as he stepped down the sidewalk. Nothing he did took his mind off that cute blonde haired woman among his ranks. He'd been interested in her for quite some time, but never had the courage to talk to her. Finally, after so much time, he'd approached her, only to have her reveal that she was interested in someone else.

"Damnit!" Reno said, delivering a fierce kick to an unlucky trash can. He winced as the force of the kick bruised his toe, and he swore again, tearing off again down the road.

He needed to get her off his mind! Everything in this city, its people, it's buildings, even his own stupid uniform reminded him of her. Taking a forceful breath, Reno sat down, defeated.

"Nice night, huh?" came a voice.

Reno looked over and saw a face. Looking closer, he realized that it was a face he recognized. "Hey…you're one of Cloud's friends…Yuffie, right?"

The Asian girl smiled. "That's right. And I remember, your name is Reno, isn't it?"

The man nodded. "Sure is. Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm really not in a talking mood right now, okay? I just got shot down by this girl at work, and I'm in a really foul mood."

Yuffie tisked. "Aw…that's too bad. Well, if it didn't work out, it probably was never meant to happen in the first place. Back in my hometown, we always believe that everything happens for a reason."

Reno threw the girl a irked glare. "Didn't I just say I didn't feel like talking?"

Yuffie winked. "You don't feel like talking, but you sure wanna get the last word in, I see."

Reno opened his mouth, only to stop short. Not wanting to prove her right, he shut his mouth, turning his face the other way.

Yuffie, for her part, just giggled. "You know, you're pretty funny for a Turk."

Reno threw her an annoyed look. "You're just gonna keep talking, aren't you?"

The Asian girl winked. "As long as there's someone to talk to."

At that, the red head got to his feet, and lit a cigarette. "Fine…"

Yuffie hopped up when he started walking away. "Hey, hey! Where are you going?"

Reno groaned. "I'm tired. I'm going home."

"Aw, come on!" the younger girl pleaded. "All my friend's are busy tonight, and there's no one to hang out with!"

Reno shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I told you, I'm not in the mood."

Yuffie caught up and walked backwards, facing him. "Well, what would it take to get you in the mood?"

Reno rolled his eyes. "I don't know…dinner and a movie?"

Yuffie smiled. "I can manage that."

Reno threw her a look. "I didn't mean with you!"

Yuffie pouted. "What? Why not?"

Reno shrugged, suddenly aware that he had hurt her feelings. "Well, I mean…you're cute and all, but…I'm a Turk. I'm not exactly the most fun to be around."

Yuffie winked, turning around. "You never know till you try."

Reno sighed as he watched her go. He knew that it might not be all that bad, even if she was one of Cloud's friends. Still, something inside him didn't want to let go of the girl he'd just been dumped by. He wasn't ready to stop feeling sorry for himself.

But then his eyes glanced at Yuffie's receding form. He wondered whether she was shaking her rump like that on purpose, or if it just happened naturally. Damn, the girl knew how to wear fishnets.

Reno shook his head. What was he thinking? He barely knew this girl. They had nothing in common as far as Reno knew. And besides, she could only be, what, sixteen? Seventeen? What would Rude think of him if he were to out?

Reno's was distracted from his thoughts when Yuffie turned around and smiled, brilliantly. "Reno? You coming or what?"

Reno found himself lost for words. Even thought it was the dead of night, that girl still seemed to just shed light wherever she went. Why she was so damn happy, Reno had no idea. But one thing was for sure – he certainly wouldn't mind spending more time with someone that brilliant.

The red head sighed, feeling the lump in his throat begin to wither and disappear. He picked up his step, catching up to her. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming…"

She giggled and grabbed his arm, possessively. "Alright! Let's get going!"

And Yuffie took off down the street, a grinning Reno in tow.