Secret
Hazy vision calibrated to the increasing luminosity of the room, courtesy of the early morning light.
Tifa was the first to stir, stiff and rigid yet warm and secure within Reno's arms; one lay loose around her waist, fingers splayed across the small of her back while the other rested against her hip. They never made it beneath the covers, their bodies bare and entangled in the lazy embrace.
Carefully, she raised her head from his chest to peer into his unconscious face. With mouth slightly agape and an audible rumble of a gentle snore, she realized they had come a long way from being two people on opposite sides of the aisle to lovers, vulnerable and entwined together. She found herself struggling to wrap her head around the chain of events that led to that moment, but whatever led them there had her reveling in the aftermath.
Still, she felt rather sheepish in her current state of undress despite their closeness, and carefully slipped out of his arms and onto her feet. To her relief, he remained unchanged, deep within his sleep as she padded quietly across the room to the bathroom where she tossed a cream bathrobe through her arms and tied it snugly at her waist. The plush fabric reached her knees, its collar hugging her neck to plunge partway down her chest, keeping her frame modestly covered.
She peered briefly into the mirror to take in her reflection, only to discover an extraordinarily bright smile splitting it wide. All seemed impossibly perfect in the afterglow of their passion. To think things morphed from the random bud of a one-night encounter to the bloom of a deep connection she'd never have considered, even in her wildest dreams.
Returning to his bedside, she observed Reno fondly as he appeared quite innocuous and far less feral while unconscious. He'd softened considerably during the time she'd truly gotten to know him, stripping back the rough exterior layers to discover a man who just wanted to know he was worth something to someone, a man who desperately wanted to lift the weight from a dark past and create a different future. She silently wondered if she could successfully help him achieve it as there was still so much to ponder within this new chapter - her friends, her family, the children…
The children.
An alarm resounded in her head as she swiftly carried herself to the door, pulling it open just enough to survey the hall. She managed to slow her irregular pulse as she zeroed in on the children's closed door, taking note they may not have awoken just yet.
Shutting the door, she realized there were certain truths she wasn't ready to display. The predicament was awfully fragile, and she would have to handle it with the utmost care if certain parties were going to be privy to her current entanglement. Some would be harder to deal with than others, but she feared that once the children had a clue, it would spread like an uncontrollable wildfire she'd be unable to contain.
She had to proceed with caution.
Rushing back to his side, Tifa half climbed into the bed, her knee supporting her weight against the mattress as the tips of her toes on her opposite foot remained steady against the floor. She gently shook Reno at his shoulders, who grumbled and swatted at her arms reflexively. The motion was enough to rouse him at least, lids peeling back from his drowsy lens.
Upon seeing her, hair fanning around her face in a sort of dark ethereal halo, he grinned smugly, stretching the length of him like a feline, seemingly unabashed by his nudity. "Hey babe. Looking for round two? My morning wood looks to be on point this morning."
The blush that turned her cheeks scarlet was unavoidable as she instinctively cast a glance below his waist to witness that he was indeed at full attention. She closed her eyes and shook her head to clear her mind of the sudden inclination to accept. "You can't stay here. You have to go."
A slight frown creased his brows, raising himself to his elbows as she pulled back from her hover over him. "And good morning to you. Was my performance not up to par for your standards?"
She rolled her eyes as the flaming hue of her face intensified. "It's not that. I didn't think about what happens after…" she trailed off, clearly hesitating. She looked toward the door and back to Reno, who was slowly descending into something between agitation and impatience. "The kids can't know right now."
"Huh." Something stirred in her gut as she watched him sit up. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, his features growing gradually pensive as the seconds ticked onward. "Getting cold feet already?"
Internally, she chastised herself for expressing her requests so callously. Things were just as fragile with him as they were her family unit and she had no intentions of chasing him away.
Tifa pushed forward to assuage his fears, slipping her hand behind his neck and kissing his mouth. His response was immediate, arms locking around her waist to pull her toward him as he flopped backward against the pillows. Momentarily entranced, she allowed her weight to be carried onto his body, her knees straddling his leg where his need pressed solidly against her thigh. His advances nearly short circuited her brain and rebooted her current resolve.
Breaking from the kiss, she pressed her hands to his chest to create ample distance between them, her back curving away from him. His grip loosened reluctantly, letting her pull back, but the desire in his eyes was transparent. "It's not you, it's not them - it's who they'll tell. And I have to be the one who does it, and very carefully. Please understand."
Silence took the room as he worked through the implication. It wasn't a difficult puzzle to put together, consisting of only a few pieces that linked together.
When the tension finally drained from his face, he grinned wryly at her, smoothing a thumb across her bottom lip that sent a shockwave to her core. "You could have started with that." He placed a chaste kiss to her cheek before abandoning the bed altogether, sliding out from beneath her and moving through the room to scoop up his scattered clothing. "I'll be a good boy and skedaddle."
"Thank you," she said quietly, moving off the mattress and onto her feet.
Reno pulled on his boxers and trousers, securing the buckle across his trim waist as Tifa took to the view with veiled interest. In truth, she didn't want to see him go at all, but the explanation to Denzel and Marlene was too much for her to stomach just then, and she didn't look forward to the song and dance she'd have to perform to hide it should they catch suspicion. This was the easiest path now, even if it wasn't ideal or preferred.
Crossing the room to reach the door, she felt his hand clasp over her wrist and spin her around into his bare chest. Her footing was lost, but he was ready for it, steadying her against his frame while holding firm to his shirt and blazer. "Seriously though... you aren't regretting things, are ya?"
The inquiry was sincere, his features soft and inquisitive along with a touch of what appeared to be a bit of worry. They were traversing uncharted waters, both relatively inexperienced in what it meant to move forward, and it was only natural that he would question her current actions. She would have likely done the very same thing.
Tifa smiled reassuringly, her free hand grazing his side. The skin beneath her touch shivered upon contact as the grip at her wrist moved to her backside. "Not at all. I just have to be delicate with this."
She attempted to pull away, but his grip held fast and insistent. A hungry haze spread across his eyes and she fought against the rising temptation to let him consume her again. "You sure I can't interest you in another…?" he jerked his head back toward the direction of the bed.
With a grin, she shook her head and placed a quick kiss to his collarbone, which was rewarded with a groan of approval. "Another time."
"Like tonight, another time?" His voice was thick with it now.
Again, she attempted to break free, but he was unrelenting. She flashed a tight smile. "We'll see. For now, you have a walk of shame ahead of you."
He squeezed her posterior cheek through the robe, and she considered falling prey to the temptation he presented. "Come on, give a dog a bone. Just standing here is giving me blue balls."
Summoning the last of her willpower, she gave him a playful shove, which was enough to disengage from him and release some of the building sexual tension between them. "Get out!"
Reno threw up his arms in surrender, chuckling as he took a stumble backward. "Alright, alright. I know when I'm not wanted." His impish grin alleviated any fears of hard feelings as he tossed on the remainder of his clothing and scooped up his shoes in hand. When she glanced questioningly at him, he shrugged, "If I'm sneakin' out of here, it's a lot easier to hide the noise barefoot."
Nodding her understanding, Tifa opened the door to peek down the hall again. Upon spying the coast was clear, she waved at Reno to follow and moved toward the stairs, footfalls light with careful discretion of their placement.
Coming to the ground floor, Reno stepped into his footwear as she took a quick look around to find the mess from the previous night was happy to greet her. Detaching from the stress of the inevitable undertaking, she approached the door and proceeded to turn the locks.
Warm, inviting hands found their way around her waist as she gripped to the doorknob, one finding the flesh between the folds of her robe to delicately brush the space between her thighs. Her teeth found her bottom lip, biting into it as she strived to control the weakness that followed. His lips found the crook of her neck, nuzzling eagerly into her tender flesh and she nearly submitted to his erotic hypnosis.
"Stop, Reno," she breathed, although the husk of her tone betrayed the truth of her request.
"Mm, but I don't think you want me to," he replied, his voice like velvet against her ear.
"Please…" she pleaded, desperate to separate from his ministrations that equally threatened to cloud her vision and judgment. Time was of the essence and falling into the arms of lust was simply unacceptable no matter how much she burned for him.
And just like that, he released her, stepping back to shove his hands into his pockets with a smirk of purely feigned innocence. "If you say so."
Taking a moment to collect herself, she turned the knob and pulled open the door. Her gaze followed him as he sauntered through, only to stop and lean his shoulder against the door frame. Reaching into his blazer pocket, he pulled out his phone and flipped it open. After pressing a series of buttons, he handed the device to her. "I think we might be past the point where I take a ladies' number, but better late than never."
It hadn't occurred to her that they hadn't officially shared such information with each other before. There was obviously the number to the bar which was public knowledge, but this exchange was meant to be much more personal and intimate - another step forward.
Tifa took the phone and punched in her digits, a small smile taking residence. When she handed the phone back to him, his fingers clasped around her wrist again, but this time the gesture was loose and delicate. She acquiesced to his touch, allowing him to guide her close to bestow a final, gentle kiss to her lips. Her heart sang the sweetest of melodies, and as he pulled away, she yearned for his return.
Releasing her, he took the phone in hand and shoved it away into his pocket. She regarded him coyly, hanging on the door.
"See you later?" she asked, hopeful.
"Oh, you betcha," he replied with a wink.
Without another word, he walked off into the morning with a whistle on his lips. With great effort, she shut the door behind him before she gave into the urge to call him back.
Turning, she pressed her back against the door, mind reeling and pulse thumping. The feeling was reminiscent of a schoolgirl gushing over a schoolyard crush, and Tifa felt her face strain with the smile that radiated through and through.
Nightfall couldn't come fast enough.
Despite the swift kick out into cold morning dew, Reno felt utterly invincible in the aftermath of his night. Forgoing his own vehicle - still parked at his apartment complex - for a cab for quicker passage, he hailed the transport. Its luminescent triangular signal atop the car flickered behind bolded black text as he promised an extra gil or two to lead-foot it all the way to his destination.
So this is what Cloud 9 felt like.
His mind drifted briefly to his last moments with her, the final kiss before his departure. While efforts at seduction had failed him, he couldn't blame Tifa for her nervousness surrounding the kids. Things felt as if they were barreling forward and despite how much Denzel and Marlene had experienced in their short lifespans, another sudden upheaval in routine could very well spiral the delicate balance they already had.
She faced another challenge; one he simply couldn't relate to pertaining to the rest of her inner circle. He couldn't honestly care less about whether they approved of their intimate rapport, but it was unrealistic of him to expect her not to as well. He knew he would have to employ a bit of patience and restraint, yet as her image crossed his mindscape, he also knew doing so would be a feat, and Reno wasn't one to hold back.
Squealing tires and shouting pedestrians weren't enough to deter his drivers' speedy pace or sour the Turks' jovial mood. The grin plastered to his countenance was nearly unflappable, even as his driver extended a shaking palm to accept his payment for likely infuriating every driver within the city once they screeched to a halt outside of the Shinra High rise.
Producing several notes from his wallet, he slapped the currency into the awaiting hand and just about glided out of the vehicle. He knew the suit in all probability terrified the gentleman, taking to Reno's direction purely out of fear of consequences should he object, but the sizable tip was sure to alleviate some of the terror from the experience. There was a time he relished the idea that he struck fear in the hearts of men and women alike, that the general public would risk death to cross a street sooner than to walk his path. But those days were long behind him now and they no longer brought such satisfaction. There were far greater pleasures to seek out, and he was still basking in the glow of at least one of them.
The whistle didn't seem to falter in tune as Reno waltzed through the doors of Shinra Headquarters. He passed reception with a mock salute, the employees surrounding the crescent shaped desk taking notice and descending into curious whispers as he pressed his thumb for the elevator. The door swished open, and with the swipe of his Shinra badge with a zestful flare, he rode it to the fifteenth floor. Energy was suddenly boundless, skin tingling with the buzz of good fortune as he practically skipped through the opened doors after the resounding ding at his desired destination.
Heels clicked against freshly polished flooring through the hall as he passed by several transparent offices, most unutilized. He always noted how the apple didn't fall far from the tree as he traversed these halls; the design sleek, lavish, and filled with empty space. Yet even with such a spacious floor plan, he was still required to share an office with his fellow Turks. Not that he minded as close quarters made it that much easier to delegate his work to others.
He was intercepted before he reached the office, Tseng seemingly appearing out of thin air from around the corner. The man knew how to veil the sound of his footsteps even against such an echoing atmosphere.
"Reno. You're early," Tseng remarked with a touch of genuine surprise.
"I was in the neighborhood," Reno grinned with a shrug.
Tseng appeared skeptical, a single brow rising in suspicion. "I see." A few beats passed, and Reno awaited a jab at his unusual punctuality.
"Come with me." Tseng said instead, turning on his heel with Reno close behind, leading them down the hall opposite the elevator.
Unlike the other spaces he passed upon his entrance, Tseng's office lacked transparency - walls thick and soundproof for sensitive conversations and scathing reprimands. Reno was not unfamiliar with either scenario.
He plopped into the chair directly in front of Tseng's neatly pristine mahogany desk. His heels kicked up onto the corner as he grinned, weaving his fingers behind his neck and leaning back comfortably. Tseng sank down into his seat with an assertive grace only he could muster and took a wooden ruler from the drawer to his left. With it, he shoved Reno's shoes from the surface where they fell heavily to the floor.
The grin only widened further, having expected the predictable move. "Sorry, boss. Force of habit."
Setting the ruler aside, Tseng folded his hands in front of him as he looked upon his subordinate with quiet authority, seemingly ignoring the apology to get right to the meat of the matter. "As you know, Rude is leaving us."
"Breaks my heart," Reno mused, but there was a certain amount of truth within the jest.
"It will create quite the void," Tseng admitted. "Are you looking to follow?"
He supposed such a question wasn't out of the ordinary. The two had been damn near inseparable since their first mission together, working in tandem with such ease and finesse that little communication was ever required. Rude's departure was likely to set many things completely off balance for him and the department, and Reno wasn't quite certain how they posed to stabilize it just yet. "Hadn't really considered it, but good ol' Rufus doesn't seem to mind given the most recent contract."
Tseng fell silent for a moment, long enough for Reno's suspicions to perk. "There is a reason for this; the President is looking to test for loyalty."
Reno scoffed, his leg bouncing as he moved his hands from his neck to drum his fingers against the armrests. "Sounds like him. Just don't tell me he's looking toward World Domination again."
A stoic expression settled on Tseng's visage as he regarded him shrewdly. "And if he is?"
Reno didn't like where this was going and wasn't fond of these kinds of games Tseng sometimes played, preferring a much more direct approach to enigmatic allusions. A gentle narrow of his eyes made this perfectly clear, searching meticulously for any number of his boss' tells, but he managed to hide every one of them. "Boss, get real. Rufus nearly croaked twice because of our shenanigans. I thought we were all about atoning and shit. You're telling me we're gonna do another 180?"
Tseng smirked, dark eyes cool under Reno's scrutiny. "Of all people, I hadn't thought you'd feel so...passionate about our new role in the world."
Within that moment, Reno realized just how staunchly he felt about forgiveness, about redemption. It was no longer just to alleviate the pain in his chest or the nightmarish visions that haunted him like a looped projection, but to prove to himself and to her that he was capable of being a different man. "Yeah well, I've had my fill of silver-haired freaks to last the next few lifetimes, so excuse me if I tread with a bit of caution these days."
"Thankfully, his plans aren't quite so ambitious." Even Tseng was hard-pressed to not acknowledge how treacherous the past few years had been due to previous ventures. "He simply wants to govern Edge."
Reno didn't hide the slight surprise that flickered in his eyes and tensed his jaw. "Abandoning the energy biz for politics? That's why he's giving those who want out a doorway?"
Tseng simply nodded.
"And we're what? His armed security?"
"Among other things, for now," he answered evenly. "All other staff, should they remain, will be integrated into either a different role altogether, or they will be tweaked to satisfy Governmental requirements. Since WRO has adequately expanded its Energy operations through the Presidents' funding, it provides him opportunity to pursue other avenues."
A frown creased Reno's brow as he absorbed the information, "You actually think the people are gonna welcome him with open arms? They begrudgingly tolerate our presence now." He thought back to his cab driver that morning, fear dancing in his eyes, a shudder visibly jarring his robust frame as gil exchanged hands.
Tseng shrugged. "With WRO's support, why not?"
Money and power - the two were always closely related. Find one, and the other almost inevitably would follow. It all clicked together for Reno now; Rufus wasn't getting fucked over at all - he planned it this way. "Fuck...did we seriously bribe Reeve for a power grab?"
"It is small compensation for what has been provided thus far," Tseng's visage remained unchanged.
"You believe that?"
Silence permeated through the office, a heavy blanket of unease weighing over the office. Reno didn't miss the rapid blink from his boss, a crack in the otherwise impassive facade.
"My loyalty remains with the President and his ambitions, whatever they may be. I assume you feel the same."
No answer came from the Turk as he roved over what all of this meant. While Rufus' methods weren't exactly scrupulous, he wondered if perhaps he believed he would do the city some good as its official leader, to aim his laser focus on a more concentrated effort for true and direct change instead of throwing money at the problem while hoping such an act would absolve him of the guilt he carried toward the worlds' degradation. Midgar residents suffered the most, bearing the brunt of those efforts and their kind was responsible for all of it - they owed them everything.
Tseng spoke up suddenly, his voice smooth as silk even as it penetrated and broke through Reno's thoughts. "If it makes you feel any better, WRO will be applying a series of checks and balances to ensure the President doesn't become, how do you say, rapacious."
"Probably a good idea. I guess Reeve isn't as dumb as I thought." He stilled his hands, clutching to the armrests instead. The drumming had become loud and distracting.
"Reno…" Tseng began, an uncharacteristic softness to his tone as he leaned in, "Between you and me, I am not looking to repeat the past, either. Perhaps, this is our way of atoning."
The glint in his eye revealed more than words ever could, and Reno understood perfectly. Tseng was just as cautious as he was regarding the Presidents' motives, his own guilt weighing heavily against him. Afterall, he was unceremoniously slashed by Sephiroth, left to die in the Temple of the Ancients and tortured by the Remnants. He had just as much to fear and lose as any of the rest of them when it came to repeating history.
"How does Elena feel about all of this?" he asked. She too, suffered greatly and still bore the scars to prove it.
"She will support The President, and us, in this endeavor."
The grip he had relaxed somewhat, his fidgeting downgrading to a simple tap of his toes. "Does Rude know?"
"I imagine if he did, so would you. But this will be shared with him as well, either by myself or his inevitable new employer." Tseng leaned back then, a signal that further discussion would range within casual territory. "I failed to ask him this when he was providing his resignation but...do you know why?"
Reno smirked. "Couldn't you just ask him yourself?"
Arms folded at his chest. "I could, but I'm not."
Given the previous subject, Reno knew a few simple words would fulfill his curiosity, "Guilt runs deep."
The prediction was correct. "What about for you?"
Good question; one he wasn't open to answering with any specific detail, but there was difficulty in reeling back the smile that spread. His response was smug. "I've obtained other ways of coping."
Tseng angled his head. "The standard ways?"
"Not quite - I guess you could say they've been modified," he replied cryptically, a generous yawn escaping his open mouth. "That all, boss?"
"Quite. You're dismissed," Tseng answered, waving a hand in the direction of the door.
Reno jumped to his feet and made his way to the exit. The initial foreboding that bloomed at the start of the conversation had settled rock solid at the base of his abdomen. They faced a delicate balance of keeping the President in check while supporting his vivacious appetite for power. He kept his continued reservations hidden behind a smirk, but he was somewhat troubled by the whole thing.
As his hand reached for the knob, he heard Tseng stand behind him. "Reno?"
He looked over his shoulder. "Yes, dear?"
Tseng didn't seem to react or notice Reno's attempt at getting his goad. "Have you gotten your... issue sorted?"
He wondered when the subject of his dour disposition would arise, all having carefully skirted around it. The newfound pep in his step evidently suggested improvement but he surmised, like always, Tseng wanted verbal confirmation. "Sure have, boss."
"Good," he replied. "One more complaint about your surly attitude and I was putting you on probation."
It amused him greatly that the man still thought threats of such caliber would shake him. "Promise?"
Tseng rolled his eyes, breaking his typically composed bravado. "Go."
Reno flashed a toothy grin as he slipped from the room and into the hall where his thoughts were suddenly consumed by life beyond the Turks, beyond Shinra, and trailed to much more tantalizing realities.
The end of the workday simply couldn't come fast enough.
The morning ticked by unhurriedly for Tifa. From sending the children to school to tending to the neglected clean up from the previous night and restocking depleted supplies, she sought to distract herself from the gradual flurry of uncertainty that was dead set on disrupting her psyche.
They couldn't remain a secret - not for long, not forever.
It took the course of several hours for doubt to cast shadows over her suddenly reeling mind. Her reverie dipped in and out of the warmth of the not so distant memory of his embrace and the rippling exhilaration that resulted from their intimate liaison. Yet with it also came the persistent gnaw of certain truths she thought she had managed to move past. She was painfully aware of the potential consequences of their continued connection and certain things were simply unavoidable. Eventually, there would be no choice but to face them head on.
A late afternoon phone call from Barret presented her with the opportunity to put it all to bed then and there.
Marlene was the first to speak with him, chatting excitedly about her days at school, the things she's learned, and the friends she had. The phone soon moved to Denzel, who gushed about his work as 'man of the house', a title he carried proudly. The chore of her prep before open kept her occupied as did the growing dread of her inevitable reveal, so much so she was blind to the upcoming third degree her old friend read her.
In his frenzied fascination with the Turk and his encounters with him, Denzel had managed to raise Barret's Shinra alarm bells and naturally set to questioning exactly what she was thinking to allow such lowlife clientele to speak to the children, let alone allow them to play with weapons.
Procrastinating could be dangerous, she knew all too well, but her belly flipped and tumbled its way to dread. It kept her silent, assuring the man there was nothing to fear and that such an event would never transpire again. If he had planned to scold her further, the opportunity was lost, called upon by another voice in the background. Granted with a gruff goodbye, the call ended, but the tremor in her heart had just begun.
The conversation greatly disturbed her, his inquiry haunting her well into the evening that followed:
How could you even consider getting chummy with a Turk?!
And as that Turk strolled through the door, true to his earlier word, the knot in her gut pulled taut against her spine as she acknowledged him with a pleasantly forced smile.
A torrid of emotions washed over her then as she retrieved a Cosmo brew from the fridge, feeling his eyes follow her every move. The cap gave easily, and she pressed the chilled bottle into his awaiting palm. She hadn't realized she'd avoided his gaze until he grabbed her fleeting hand, snapping her to attention as she turned to face him.
"Hey, what's eating you?" Reno asked, quiet and guarded.
The grip to her hand eased and she quickly, nervously, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Nothing, I'm just a bit tired."
His gaze was heavy and piercing, skeptical. "You sure that's all it is?"
"Yes, of course," she lied.
"I don't believe you," he stated bluntly, taking a swig from his beer.
Tifa knew better; his ability to accurately perceive his surroundings was impeccable, the ability to read others even more impressive, and she was silly to think he wouldn't see through the act. "Don't worry about it."
Reno scoffed, agitated. "We'll talk about it later. You've got customers."
The guilt in her eye wasn't enough to provide an honest answer, and it certainly wasn't enough to keep her from walking away from him. But he let her for now, settling on mulling over her sudden change in demeanor.
While their morning together was mostly reassuring, it was clear that worry seeped in to disturb the mood, and it wasn't difficult to understand why; Reno and his kind did not have a shiny past with her inner circle, and having a public relationship with a Turk was bound to attract all kinds of scrutiny. Perhaps it was naive of him to assume she put any real thought or consideration into what she was asking for.
They'd come so far, yet the temptation to walk back out the door loomed in the distance, relieving her of the impossible task ahead. But she chose him, she wanted him, just as he wanted her, and he couldn't walk away now.
Business eventually slowed to a crawl, and Tifa took the opportunity to close the doors early. Pulling the blinds and flipping the sign, she resigned herself to clutter collection. Making her way across the floor, she discarded empty bottles and gathered dishes and glasses that had been left behind.
Reno observed her efforts, a bit of a dark cloud penetrating her otherwise vibrant aura; she was so far away from him.
Once behind the bar, she dumped glasses and dishes into the sink and proceeded to turn the faucet and start the wash, all the while avoiding his gaze.
"Seems like every time I come by, one of us is locked up tight in our own heads," Reno quipped.
Tifa kept her attention averted to her task, sighing. "I'm fine, I told you."
Reno remained unconvinced, reaching for his newly purchased pack for a smoke, only to think better of it and abstain. "I'm not sure if anyone has told you this, but you're a terrible liar, yo."
She redoubled her focus to the sink, scrubbing a tumbler a bit more harshly than necessary.
"If this is gonna work," he began, a thumb tapping against the counter, "you've gotta talk to me. I can't be fishing through that mind of yours only to be slapped over a misunderstanding."
At last, she looked up at him, visibly distressed as she slumped her shoulders forward, lowering the rag and tumbler in hand. "Barret called this afternoon. He became quite upset at me for letting Denzel...interact with you."
It took long enough, but at least they were at the crux of the issue that was troubling her. Reno assumed that should have pissed him off, but he was unmoved by the confession. "Denzel ain't his kid."
She frowned. "No, but Marlene is."
"And?"
"And he seems to be doubting my judgment right now."
Reno paused a moment to choose his words carefully. "Are you doubting your judgment?"
Tifa's answer was immediate, almost defensive, which relieved him to some degree. "No, of course not. But… he hates Shinra, still. Maybe not as much as he used to, but there's still a lot of bad blood."
"I see."
Time passed as Tifa returned her attention to the tumbler - the same painfully clean tumbler - and mindlessly cleansed away regardless. He watched the scene uncomfortably, knowing the storm that brewed within was not something to be easily quelled. This one would take extra patience.
"Did you tell him about us?" Reno asked curiously, disrupting the lull.
Tifa shook her head. "I couldn't. He was so angry. It's not the right time."
He chuckled facetiously. "Honestly Tifa, I don't give two shits whether he knows or not, but you seem to."
She pursed her lips, appearing frustrated - whether with him or the situation, he wasn't quite sure. "He's my family. He needs to know."
"Right." Reno drained the last of his beer before he continued, the empty bottle thudding against the paper coaster. "And what if he throws a hissy fit over it? What then?"
Tifa's eyes slightly narrowed from the inquiry, suddenly deep thought. "He'll have to understand."
She answered so simply, so confidently, that he almost let the whole thing go. "And if he doesn't?"
A pause, brows drawn into a frown, yet her eyes were as determined as he'd ever seen them. "He has to."
The tough questions had been asked and answered, and it was fair to give her a bit of a break. "You're one stubborn woman when you wanna be. I like that - it's fuckin' sexy."
Tifa rolled her eyes with a small smile and a light blush. "Speaking of… how'd that walk of shame go?"
He dug an elbow into the bar, tossing his chin lazily into his palm. "You have to have shame in the first place," he winked playfully. "But if you must know, I made it to work early."
"Is that normal?" she inquired.
Reno thought back to the gathered whispers at the reception desk, Tseng's mild awe, and Rude and Elena's wide-eyed surprise at his arrival. "Hardly, so that alone raised some suspicions."
Tifa chuckled while giving her head a shake as she returned to her task.
She was grateful for the change in subject, but she knew he was exactly right. If they hoped to move forward and create a mutually beneficial dynamic, they needed to be open and honest with one another. He already offered much of himself to her, and while it was obvious it wasn't a common occurrence, she thought it only proper that she did the same.
So lost in her contemplation, she didn't take notice of Reno until he appeared beside her, arm to arm with her. He ditched the blazer and rolled his dress shirt sleeves to his elbows. With a dry cloth in hand, he took one of the washed tumblers and proceeded to wipe away any lingering droplets clinging to the surface.
The surprise on her face was evident. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" His half smile warmed her heart and flushed her cheeks.
They worked together in a comfortable silence, washing and drying glassware, dishes, jiggers and shakers. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Reno to dispose of bottles or garbage or even push in a chair or two upon a busy close. Joining her behind the bar after hours was brand new.
There was a semblance of domestication in how he dutifully shined each piece she handed to him, his wordless assistance was mesmerizing as was his attention to detail, rubbing free of any streaks or missed smudges. The spectacle was surreal, and while she was grateful for the aid, she stopped short of placing any recurrent expectations. These were her responsibilities, and she wouldn't rely on others to take them on for her.
"What would you do without me?" Reno mused, tossing the cloth aimlessly to the side once he dried the last dish.
"Handle it all myself," she answered, flicking the excess water from her hands into the sink.
He turned to her fully, offering a much more serious expression than she was used to seeing from him. "You don't have to, ya know."
Those words brought her back to their night together, how she declared they no longer had to be alone anymore. Old habits die hard though, and she wasn't prepared to put so much trust into anyone just yet, no matter how deeply her feelings may run - she'd been burned too often by the past to risk it. "It's easier that way. You can't be disappointed if you don't set up the expectation in the first place."
Reno glowered at her, leaning his hip against the edge of the inner counter. "That pessimism doesn't suit you - you're sounding a little too much like me right now."
She looked away from him, feeling awkward beneath his prudent stare. "I guess we have something in common."
"If I had to pick one thing, that sure as shit wouldn't be it." His tone was solemn.
With a small shrug of her shoulders, she moved away from him toward the kitchen. Quick to intercept her, he stepped out to block her path while taking her hand in his, bringing her knuckles to his lips. She let him, cautious eyes locking with his as he placed a delicate kiss against them.
"What do you want out of this?" He peered into her face, expression curious and earnest, tracing gentle fingertips along the curve of her hairline. Instinctively, she closed her eyes to relish his caress. "What are you hoping for? You know damn well I'm a broken mess."
Opening her eyes, she smiled knowingly with a slight tilt of her head. "You should know by now I'm attracted to broken messes."
"You should probably see a therapist for that."
"I will if you do."
Reno snickered, "Ask Rude how well that went the first time." He clasped her chin between thumb and finger, angling her to look at him directly. "Answer me."
Tifa didn't try to turn away, but the request made her heart pick up its cadence. It was the first time she had ever been asked so candidly and she realized rather quickly her desires and expectations had simplified over the years. They came to her with such clarity, and the words tumbled from her lips without thought. "I want someone who is here, truly here with me, mentally and physically. I want someone who will look at me like I mean something to them." She paused, the heat of his impassioned, ardent stare churning a heat within her abdomen that simmered and settled further south. "I want someone who is looking at me the way you are right now."
Reno stilled, a lump in his throat. Pleasure and pain, it spread and expanded in his core, the tempo of his pulse magnifying. "I don't want to disappoint you," he confessed, somber in his reply, "but I can't promise that I won't be an asshat at some point. It's in my nature."
"I'll have to see if that's true. Right now, I don't think I believe that."
He grinned, moving his hand from her chin to cup her cheek. She leaned into him. "Talk about setting yourself up for disappointment. You've got mighty high expectations of me, Tifa." He didn't give her the satisfaction of a rebuttal, instead bringing his mouth to hers, effectively silencing her.
And she easily relented, giving into the sweet proficiency of his lips, the taste of him rousing the carnal voices of her subconscious. But she still had too much to do, and despite the ache that wrought from it, she pulled from his kiss. "I still have work to finish."
His lips descended into her neck, undeterred. "Finish it later."
"I don't want another repeat of last night," came a whisper, her body wavering at his unrelenting affection.
"You sure?" he breathed against her skin, arms curving around her waist to draw her in. "I thought last night was pretty hot."
A well-placed nip below her ear elicited a sharp gasp. "You know what I mean."
Tifa squirmed from his embrace with ease, his arms dropping to his sides as disappointment framed his face.
"I'll be right back, just gotta restock," she told him, her smile apologetic as she left him, moving through the kitchen and into the garage. A flick of a switch by the doorway illuminated the space, casting shadows against concrete.
The separation and the cool air provided enough distance and clarity to regain herself. In truth, she was just as anxious as he was, her flesh already burning for his body - each caress, every kiss smoldering and searing. A generous inhale calmed the quiver that rattled her bones as she stepped into the garage.
She scooted past her parked vehicle to stand before a shelving unit, each ledge categorized by liquor or wine type and alphabetized by name. Scanning the labels, she found what she was seeking, a Mideel Merlot, relatively quickly.
As she reached for the bottle, the light went out.
Suspicion danced as her eyes tried to adjust to the cover of darkness. She sighed, exasperated. "Reno, that's not funny."
A yelp of surprise tore from her throat as a firm, lithe body pulled her against it by the wrist. Azure eyes glowed at her through the adjusting black, a primal grin spreading across his face that she could barely discern. "I'm not trying to be funny."
"What are you trying to do?" she asked, the words quaking from her lips, the bubbling panic slowly subsiding upon recognition.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Her flesh responded to the husk in his voice and the soft caress of his mouth that found her jawline as a euphoric ripple glided across her skin. Through the dusky atmosphere, they moved, and she felt the backs of her legs collide against the bumper of her car, her back curving along a hard, cool metal surface that gave just slightly beneath her weight. Between her legs he settled, and she became acutely aware of the rod iron firmness that lay between his own. Fingers tenderly caressed her silhouette, his body pressed firmly against her.
"To have me in a dark, dusty garage?" Tifa murmured, struggling to sound agitated but even to her own ears she knew she failed. Her lustful gaze ultimately betrayed her.
As much as she attempted to inject any amount of reason into the situation, her heart and body had just about given up the fight.
"Babe, I have much larger ambitions than just that," he purred, locking her wrists above her head just shy of the windshield wipers. "I want to have you everywhere."
Tifa shuddered beneath him, each breath expanding her chest, crushing her further against him. Securing her wrists with one hand, he brushed the side of her breast with the other, and the whimper that spilled from her parted lips seemed to bounce from wall to wall.
"All you have to do is say 'no', and this ends, and I'll go home and handle it myself," he whispered into her ear, but the eagerness in his tone was ostensible.
Tifa fought the urge from the early morning through the evening, but their current proximity along with the way his breath caressed her cheek and the length of him against her pelvis made the fight utterly futile.
So, she gave up.
The roll of her hips nearly burst the coil that sat tightly wound within him. He could see her clearly now; dark hair spilled across the hood and the irresistibly perfect pout of her pink lips. The temptation of her was too much for him to ignore, his defenses against her beautifully shaped figure, the allure of her smile, and the lyrical charm of her voice all collapsed the moment he kissed her. Perhaps a garage wasn't a romantic location for seduction, but his arousal didn't care about scenery.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he confessed, his tone thick with restrained desire, his face an inch from hers. He was close to losing it, losing the control he held by the tips of his fingers. The pressure was deliciously painful as the vision of her writhing beneath him again encapsulated his thoughts, the haze of hunger blinding.
Two words granted permission to set him loose.
"Show me."
Reno slipped his hands beneath her skirt the moment it registered, tearing her panties from her hips and through her legs. He gazed at her like a savage beast, eyes wild and ravenous as he tossed them clear across the garage.
She gasped, but her delicious squirm was more than enough to confirm his methods weren't unwelcome. As he motioned to sink his fingers between her thighs, she slapped his arm away.
"Show me," she repeated with emphasis, her fingers pressing her legs apart for his pleasure. His heart skipped, a sheen of sweat coated his forehead as her command sent a jolt of desire straight to his need, the ache edging toward intolerable.
His restraint dissolved as he found himself throwing open his fly and pulling himself free. The bite of her lip was enough to break him, to want to take her like an animal. He gripped her hips and slid her closer. Her body tensed with anticipation, their eyes locking beneath the veil of darkness.
At the sound of a closing kitchen cabinet, they both fell motionless.
Silence dropped and suffocated, panic flowing through Tifa's veins, eyes flying wide like saucers.
What she feared the most was coming to fruition. Scathing reprimands coursed through her thoughts in a cluster of ridicule for her carelessness. Above all else, she was terrified.
In her panic, she sat upright, but Reno was quick to grab and pull her against him, the more rational of the two.
"Shh," the whisper against her hair was muted, practically inaudible. She complied with his direction, her frame rigid within his embrace as they waited out the culprit in the kitchen.
In the distance, a faucet turned, and a stream poured for several beats before shutting off. Small feet padded a bit closer toward the doorway, and Tifa thought she might scream. Stone still, they continued to wait, breath held tightly within her lungs.
After what felt like eternity, the footfalls retreated and disappeared altogether.
"Well…" Reno said, appearing confident the threat of discovery was gone, "the thrill of getting caught is really something, eh?"
Anger flared as she shoved at his shoulders. He stumbled backward a step or two. "Not by the children!" She slid from the hood and adjusted her skirt with shaky hands. Her panties were nowhere to be found at first glance and she didn't bother to search for them, far too distraught to think clearly.
Tifa was positively mortified. Dread blossomed as the adrenaline drained from her pores and left her heavy and hollow all at once. Hands flew to her face, palms pressed fiercely to her cheeks as she struggled to control her erratic breath. "I can't do this."
Reno settled himself into his trousers and zipped them closed before gripping her by the shoulders, giving her a shake. "Hey, look at me."
Dropping her arms to her sides at his request, she gazed back at him. She didn't expect to find fear behind his eyes. "Yeah, look, I admit, that was a bit dicey. With kids in the house...there should be some level of caution. I get it. But don't tell me you can't do this."
The sincerity in his voice and the sobriety of his expression calmed the wave that threatened to drown her in guilt. His sudden concern for losing it all was clear, and it gave her a sense of reassurance that perhaps he was truly in it for the long haul.
"I'm sorry. That's not what I meant. Maybe we should slow things down." She watched his face for a moment, searching for any alarming shifts at her suggestion, "Just a bit. Until I can figure things out."
Reno looked at her softly, concealing the doubt that sprouted within. As much as he would be perfectly happy to throw caution to the wind, he knew her position was much more tumultuous than his own. If they were to really make a go at anything, he knew he had to respect her situation, respect her family.
"Take all the time you need," he said quietly, placing a tender kiss to her forehead.
"Just a little while," she assured him, smiling up at him. "I do want this."
He grinned as he buried away his unease. "I know, I'm irresistible."
"You would say that," she retorted playfully.
Reno sighed dramatically. "Damn, Tifa. Are you incapable of stroking a man's ego just a little bit?"
Tifa laughed, light and mirthful. "I think you've been stroking your own just fine."
"But it's not nearly as satisfying when I do it alone," he winked suggestively, but lingered any longer there would be more regrets. He pulled away at that, running at hand through his hair. "I better go before I get us into trouble."
"You don't have to," she fidgeted, fingers tumbling over one another.
"Oh no, I have to."
Tifa nodded in understanding as she watched him head for the kitchen through the lingering darkness.
As she followed him out, the pit within her stomach grew, worry clenching to her throat tight. It felt too much like a goodbye, one she wasn't asking for. The challenge her of her family presented a difficult situation to operate, but she wasn't throwing in the towel - not even close.
Reno gathered his blazer on his way past the bar, slipping his arms through the sleeves of it. He carried himself with such a nonchalant poise, and along with his nimble grace and fluid gait, Tifa simply stared longingly after him as he walked on. The aroma of his musk mixed with the lingering scent of nicotine flooded her senses, his essence embedding into her memory. She considered pulling him back and asking him to stay, but personal responsibility was calling far too loudly, and she forced herself to let him go, just for now.
He paused when he approached the door to turn to her. The warmth of his hands spread over her skin as he cupped her face and brought her in. His kiss was calm, languid, and filled with an arduous sentiment he'd yet to verbally express.
He didn't need to.
"I hope you figure it out soon," he told her once they parted.
In a daze, she stood ever still as he cleared the locks and walked through the door, shutting it behind him.
Her heart throbbed as she watched his retreating figure slip into the night, a painful constriction tied to the rhythm beneath her chest. She turned the locks in place to secure the entrance, but she craved to throw it open and call him back to her.
Suddenly, she feared that perhaps this time he wouldn't return. She couldn't really blame him, but it hurt her just the same.
Across the room her phone buzzed and rattled against the counter. Walking to it, she picked it up and flipped it open. The glare from the screen illuminated her face as she carefully read the new message.
She smiled, her previous distress fading away:
Call me when you want me. I'll be there.