"Okay, you're way too tense, yo." Reno comments, watching as Cloud paces back and forth.

"I should be out there with Tseng!" Cloud wanted nothing more than to see that greasy man's face in person.

"I'm starting to side with big boss about this."

"Excuse me?" Cloud glared heatedly.

"You're usually cool in the head on missions. Focused and all. But right now? You're too emotional that you can't think rationally."

"Because I should be out there!"

"And what, you gonna pull a move and kill the bastard before you got your answers?" Reno raised an eyebrow.

"No! I... I might make him hurt, maybe. But I wouldn't kill him." Cloud almost pouts.

"And there you have it. That's why you're stuck here with us." Reno motions his hand to refer to the others.

Huh. Cloud forgot Elena was in the room. Even she was being uncharacteristically quiet.

"I thought you and Tseng were attached to the hip?" Cloud turned to her.

"Humph. I guess a former Turk means he's got plenty of back up that he didn't need me." Elena crossed her arms.

"Pouting is unbecoming of you, honey."

"Says the one who just had a temper tantrum like a two year old!"

"Please, you get one every day. I need at least one every now and then." Cloud rolls his eyes.

"How about I - "

"Okay, let's go for a walk." Reno was suddenly at Cloud's side, guiding him to the door with an arm around his waist.

Cloud opened his mouth to protest. Before he could even say a syllable Reno shot him a look. Being this close in proximity made the look more intimidating than usual, so the blonde shut his mouth. Soon as they were in the elevator Elena turned to Rude.

"When will those two ever gonna do it?"

"Hmm." Rude wasn't so sure. In fact talking about those two together made him feel uncomfortable.

"So... Wanna take a bet?"

"Bet." He wasn't going to pass this up.

Meanwhile, Reno lead Cloud to the VR machine in the break room.

"Why am I here?" Cloud ignored the obvious stares from other employees. This was going to fuel any rumors they were together, but he didn't care. And neither did Reno.

"Isn't it obvious? To work off some steam. You instigated back there. So time for a good work out before you start a real fight."

"But I don't like VR."

"Come on, with your new abilities, I'm not much a challenge anymore. Don't you wanna test yourself out?" Reno had a point.

"Cloud! You have perfect timing! I just issued some special VR Missions with you in mind. I hope you won't mind testing yourself against them? I would very much like to see your results." Chadley greeted with enthusiasm.

With a sigh Cloud entered the VR room.

When he was done Cloud somehow felt better. Reno was right. He did need a good work out. And he learned that all that Chadley had said was true. He felt stronger and could move faster.

"Thank you! I hope that you will continue to help my research." Chadley was going over the results.

"Feel better?" Reno inquired, although he could already see for himself. Cloud wasn't stiff in the back, ready to pounce on anyone who would raise a hand against him.

"For now, yes. But now I'm starving." Cloud rolled his shoulders. Yes, a huge weight has been lifted off of them.

"Good thing there's a cafe. My treat." Reno lead the way. Cloud gladly took up on his offer.

However as they waited for their orders, Cloud grew antsy again. The redhead picked up immediately.

"So, got any embarrassing stories as a Honey?" It was his first thought.

"Plenty. But do you have any embarrassing stories first?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.

"Well, actually. There was this one time Rude caught me pants down masturbating." Reno said without missing a beat.

Cloud almost choked on his drink.

"Strangely I got off on it? Rude was dumbstruck. I think I broke him for like about a week after that."

"Of course you would get off on that." Cloud snickered.

"Oh don't tell me you don't either. Look at the way you show off." Reno challenged.

"It's for a show. That's different." Cloud shook his head.

"But think about it! You like making people uncomfortable. Get people riled up. Make them question their own ways."

"I don't know if being watched while I masturbate or having sex is the same as putting on a show as a Honey."

"Oh, come on. You reek of sexual energy when you step on stage. Hell, even off of it!"

"I... I don't know about that." From the corner of his eye he saw silver hair. Catching onto what was happening Reno brought them back on the original topic.

"So what embarrassing stories you got as a Honey?"

xXx

"Where's Cloud?" Rufus enters the Turk offices.

"Went for a walk with Reno." Rude answered, not looking up from his work.

"Walk? To where? Why with Reno?" The president grew suspicious.

"They went to the VR in the break room. Now they're enjoying some lunch. Sir." Elena wasn't doing work but watching the most boring date ever.

Rufus moved closer to her desk. On her computer screen were live camera feed of the two in question. Cloud was telling some story, and it made Reno burst out laughing. Even the blonde cracked a smile.

"What exactly is Reno to him?" Rufus narrowed his eyes. He had never seen his brother smile for anyone before. Suddenly growing nervous, Elena couldn't form the words in her mouth.

"They're just close friends, sir. Despite the rumors going on between them, there's nothing going on. It's how they are." Rude to the rescue.

"Rumors? What rumors?"

"Their affection towards each other draws some...attention. But I assure you, nothing has happened between them."

"Affection? What sort of affection? They're not together, are they?"

"No. In the past they had mutual interest with each other, until Cloud broke Reno's heart." Rude simplified. He had been the one to clean up his depressed partner after that. It had been messy business.

Rufus watched the screen as he processed what he heard. The pair laughed again, this time Cloud wasn't just smiling. He was laughing just as hard as Reno. And some possessiveness, some jealousy washed over the president. He walked away calling Tseng.

"Did you know about them? Cloud and Reno?"

"I saw it first hand. But, after Nibelheim Cloud broke it off. Not that they did anything. There hasn't been any rekindling since." Tseng answered without question.

"Keep me updated on the matter."

"Yes, sir."

Rufus returned to his office still livid. Why was he the last to know of this? This was a matter he was going to ask his partner in person once Tseng returned.