Author's Notes: A fic for Reeve's birthday, which I decided for my own use is April 2nd because that is the Day of the Idealist, which suits him right? Just took me forever to type up. Written in companionship to Birthday Blues

Theme: Birthday

Accept

He hasn't even noticed how much time had passed until Cait Sith had awaken him in the morning, his eyes dancing with that odd light they got when he was excited. Reeve thought long and hard about why the feline could possibly be excited. There were no meetings in his schedule, no parties for the winter holidays for another four weeks, no reason for excitement. There weren't even concerns about the harvest festival for another two days, so Reeve couldn't understand.

It was a memory, one of those kinds you only remember when you're half asleep or if you need to worry about it right then, that put it together. This was what Cait was excited about, and any second the feline would shout…

"GET UP! Time to start planning Reno's Birthday!" the feline shrieked, confirming Reeve's suspicion and killing his eardrums in one fell swoop.

In annoyance the male pushed the cat off of the bed. This was going to be a long two weeks.

--------

It was because of this that Reeve stood nervously outside of a rickety old door in a less desirable area of Junon. Half of him was afraid of knocking on the door because maybe the address that Elena had provided was wrong, maybe Reno wouldn't want to see him, maybe his gifts would be rejected. He was also half afraid of not knocking because this might be his last chance. Weeks of planning, of memories of all of the previous birthdays he had to stop plagued him the whole time. Yet here he was, fist poised over the door and boxes balanced in one hand. And he knocked…

"Get lost!" a voice shouted. Yes, it was Reno's, but it didn't really sound like Reno used to. It was a broken voice.

Still Reeve hoped beyond hope. So his voice was teasing, "Fine, don't let your friend celebrate your birthday with you! Not like I don't have better things to do."

Obviously the ploy worked, because the door opened after a moment. To say the very least, Reno was not a pretty sight. While as a Turk the red-head had made his suit appear unique by being disheveled, the torn jeans and t-shirt didn't bring the same effect. The hair was the same, but his eyes… Reeve hadn't really seen Reno depressed before, and he didn't like it.

When Reno closed the door it was with one of his casual lines that stung Reeve hard, "Well, long time no see… Thought you forgot."

Reeve wasn't sure what hurt more: that Reno thought he would forget, or that he had.

All he could do was answer honestly. "Would've come here sooner but I got caught up at home." It was true. Cait had created some problems with the cake, and the wrapping wasn't fun and… well, excuses wouldn't help.

"Wife?" Reno questioned and Reeve responded before he could think.

"No."

"Girlfriend?"

"No," he responded again. How could Reno think that? Hadn't he hinted enough over the years?

"What then?"

"I finally got some things moved from storage to my house. Only one thing left, hoping to get it tomorrow," the man said in another half truth.

When Reno didn't ask what was moved, Reeve let out a sigh of relief. While he could tell half-truths to the Turk, he could not lie. Any questioning would have brought out the fact that he'd had Reno's car from his youth, Reno's materia set that he'd stored away, and other things Reeve had saved for Reno over the years into Reeve's home. So, Reeve accepted the silence and swatted the former Turk's hand away from the smaller box.

The reaction of Reno to the cake was priceless. There was such joy and shock, something Reeve hadn't seen in so long, that the executive blushed at the sight.

"Reeve… I…"

Quickly Reeve cut him off. "Made it myself. It tastes better than it looks. It kinda… collapsed. And apparently just because I can write well doesn't mean I can write with frosting." Truth was that as good as Reeve was with most desserts, cake always failed for him.

"Reeve…" Reno repeated, and the older man could see the icy eyes lingering on the candy hearts.

"They were all I could find," the man said hastily. "Where are Elena and Rude?" he asked, quickly changing the topic before the topic could start.

"Rude and his wife Claire are in my villa in Costa Del Sol. It sold it to them so I'd have some money. Elena is in Gongaga with her husband. They own a vineyard. I'm alone here."

"You're never alone Reno," Reeve said aloud before adding to himself, 'I love you too much to leave you alone.'

"You're a moron to say that."

"I'm here."

"And I'm amazed," the younger said with no sarcasm at all.

"Oh shut up," Reeve growled, "Do you want your present or not?"

There was hesitation evident in Reno as he nodded, but Reeve was the one that was truly nervous. The nerves only doubled when, as Reeve leaned close, Reno grew tense. Despite his fear, Reeve didn't stop though, this had to be done. And once his lips brushed with Reno's, it was so hard to pull back, more so because Reno was returning the kiss. The sound of complain made his heart jump, but Reeve steeled in case of rejection still. So Reeve now pushed the smaller gift he'd brought into the house of the former Turk and smiled hopefully.

Reno's eyes widened as Reeve spoke, "I know it's sudden but…"

"Reeve…"

The executive shook his head. He had to speak now. "I promised you nearly ten years ago that you would always have a place with me. When Midgar was summoned I knew Cloud would save us, but I knew I could never stay in Midgar. I had some of my stuff sent here to Junon, and some of yours as well. Just got it all set up today."

Here Reeve took a breath and glanced at the key and passcard in the small box. "I guess I'm asking you to move in with me. I want to hire you as my bodyguard."

"Reeve…" the stunned man repeated yet again.

"But, that isn't my gift Reno. My gift doesn't have a prize or a boy that can hold it… I am your gift Reno, if you will accept me."

Now the former executive was shocked by Reno seizing his lips. "Reeve, this is the best gift you've ever given me!"

"Happy Birthday Reno…" Reeve purred, "But let's see if we can't top that gift… Cait won't mind if we don't show up until tomorrow…"

The red haired man grinned. "Absolutely."