Sticky Fingers and Stolen Moments - Part 1
By Crystal Snowflakes
This can be read as a sequel to Half Past Two in the Morning, but it can also be read as a standalone.
For ladymcgilvra (on AO3): Writing for this rarepair can be a little lonely, but having someone else who enjoys this little dysfunctional pair gives me lots of joy and inspiration. I love reading all of your fics, and I always appreciate your kind words and comments. Thank you for making this journey a little less lonely! :3
Please see Author's Notes at the end for trigger warnings.
I.
The autumn wind ruffled through Reno's hair, but the air was warm and humid and muggy as hell. The sun had disappeared hours ago, and despite letting Elena and Rude know that he would think about dropping by the bar, he hadn't actually been planning on popping in. But it was like his legs had a mind of their own and refused to listen to him as they moved towards the building with intent. The sight of the lights from inside the bar flickering against the dark sky caused Reno to feel uneasy—an unusual feeling for someone like him who rolled with the punches.
It was late. And it was a bad idea—showing up.
But there was a part of himself that wanted to show up—that wanted to see her again.
It sure as hell wasn't because he missed her, but more because he wanted to personally observe the disaster that was her life; it was like being a curious bystander watching a train wreck in slow motion—destructive, yet impossible to look away. At the end of the day, he was a nosy bastard, and he wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by. He didn't care about her, and if she was miserable, then that was an added bonus. If anything, she deserved it because she was the one who left—who decided to go get hitched with some rich asshole she didn't even know.
Except deep down, he knew that it wasn't like she really had a choice in the matter; she'd been trapped between a rock and a hard place.
There had been no hard feelings when they split—not really—and he didn't really blame her for making the decision that she did. It wasn't like he was interested in committing to a relationship, and even if he was—which he wasn't, fuck you very much—he wasn't the type of man she should—or even could—be with. Plus, he was pretty sure that the future Empress was required to pump out heirs every few years—or something equally fucked up—and the mere thought of him becoming a father-figure of any kind was a bit too much for him to handle.
It was nothing but a recipe for disaster, a dumpster fire waiting to happen.
Still, that didn't mean he couldn't be petty as fuck.
Reno paused at the front of the door only for a brief moment before pushing it open. The upbeat music of the jukebox met his ears as soon as he stepped inside, and he was instantly assaulted by the distinctive smell of alcohol and home cooked meals.
Familiar faces were scattered throughout the bar as they talked in hushed tones, and a handful turned towards him briefly before looking away without a nod. He knew if it weren't for Tifa and Reeve, the Turks probably wouldn't even have been tolerated. Despite the cheerful music, the bright balloons, the vibrant banner, and the colourful streamers, it felt subdued. There was none of the exuberance or laughter that usually filled the space whenever the bar was closed to the public.
And it didn't take long for him to figure out why.
Reno scanned the room until his eyes finally landed on her. He didn't pause in his steps, but he also didn't stop himself from looking at her as he slid into the seat next to Rude.
Yuffie was sitting at the counter with her back faced towards him, and it was impossible not to notice her, with her obnoxiously bright orange oversized sweater that went down to her shorts, exposing long legs and toned thighs. A man—tall, lanky, with his dark hair slicked back; one he recognized as her new husband—sat on the stool next to her with his hand resting lightly around her shoulders while his other hand was nursing a beer. Despite not being able to see her face, Reno could tell by the way she was sitting that she wasn't happy, with her hunched shoulders and stiff back.
The two of them weren't arguing, but there was something unnatural about her posture that screamed out 'stay the fuck away' rather than 'we're newlyweds'. Hadn't they gotten married just last month? He'd thankfully managed to talk himself out of the wedding by offering to do paperwork instead, causing Rufus to raise his eyebrows in silent question. It was worth it though; thank fuck he didn't need to see the two of them tying the knot.
Not that he gave a shit or anything.
Sitting at the Turks' usual corner table, he talked with Rude and Elena in low tones, carefully staying away from the festivities. He couldn't help his eyes from flickering back to the couple every few minutes—out of curiosity only—but it was clear to him that everyone else was also watching them—some more discreet than others. Yuffie and her husband—what the fuck was his name again?—continued to talk as though nothing was amiss, though it was obvious that whatever they were talking about didn't seem to be something Yuffie wanted to talk about, and he could see from her body language that she was ready to bolt at any given moment.
It didn't help that Tifa was directly in front of them, pretending to wipe the countertop as she continued to cast side glances—ones that looked too nonchalant to be casual—their direction. But Reno didn't care—wasn't even paying attention. At least not until her husband ran his fingers through the hair at the nape of her neck and whispered something in her ear. Immediately, Yuffie shrugged off her husband's arm and threw him a glare, and Reno had to push away the growing tendrils or irritation and focus on keeping his face impassive.
So when her husband finally stood up and started heading in the direction of the bathroom, Reno didn't hesitate. He finished the rest of his beer in a single gulp before standing and swaggering over, flashing a grin at Tifa to keep himself from seeming suspicious. "The usual, Lockhart."
He felt, rather than saw, Yuffie's gaze snap to him. Tifa merely nodded before turning around and grabbing the top-shelf whiskey, and Reno took the opportunity to settle down in the stool next to Yuffie—the one that her husband had just empted. The seat was warm, and the air smelled faintly like expensive cologne.
"It's been a while, brat," he muttered, glancing over at her.
Yuffied smiled—small, but a smile nonetheless—the corners of her eyes crinkling, and he watched as the tension bled out of her shoulders. "Heya, Turkey."
Tifa slid two fingers of whiskey in his direction, and he could feel her curious gaze on him. But she must've seen something in his expression, because she quickly muttered an excuse before making her way over to Rude and Elena. They both watched her for several seconds before looking away.
For a few moments, Reno was quiet—for once—staring into the depths of his glass. His thoughts were a little more jumbled than he would've liked, and it wasn't until Yuffie broke the silence that he looked up. "Didn't think you'd attend a party just to celebrate with me." Her voice was teasing. Light.
"You look pretty fuckin' miserable for your birthday, yo," he spoke before taking a sip of his drink, letting the burn settle in his throat before swallowing. "Don't think anyone else's havin' much fun either."
She laughed, but there was no humour behind her expression. The grin she flashed at him told him she knew exactly how close to home he struck. "You'd be miserable too if you spent the whole day being nagged at. My shorts are too short, I laugh too loud, and it's unfitting for the future Empress to be hanging out with a bunch of ex-terrorists." She raised her eyebrows, lips curved into what might almost have been a smirk. "It's like I've suddenly gained a new father that I didn't want in the first place."
Reno snorted at that. "He married you to be your moral compass?"
Yuffie let out an over-dramatic sigh that sounded more like a whine before she reached across the bar and snatched the glass from his grasp. "More like a pain in my ass," she said as a snicker escaped her, and she took a large swig. When she set the glass back down, she met his gaze again, expression slightly less guarded. "Why're you here anyway? To flaunt?" A playful smile tugged at her lips. "Or did ya miss me?"
Reno couldn't stop the corner of his lips from quirking upwards as he recalled a similar conversation they had had what seemed like a lifetime ago, and he responded in much the same way. "Yea. Like how I miss havin' mornin' meetings at the asscrack of dawn with Chief."
Her smile brightened; she was practically beaming at this point. "Still means you missed me!"
He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He had missed this—the easy banter between them that was always a second away from being turned into shouting matches. And maybe he did miss her. It wasn't as if he would ever admit to it though. Not even to himself.
"Maybe," he conceded, and he shifted forward so that their shoulders brushed together. Just as he was about to say something more, his ears picked up the sound of the bathroom door squeaking open. Yuffie stiffened next to him, and he knew then that whatever moment they had shared between them just now had come to an end.
In a moment of impulsiveness, he grabbed Yuffie's hand under the bar, his fingers grazing against the back of her hand—her wedding ring—for a split second. And he squeezed her hand briefly, hoping that she understood the sentiment—whatever it was he was trying to communicate because he didn't quite know what the hell he was trying to say himself.
"Happy birthday, brat." Reluctantly, he released her hand, and instantly, he missed the heat of her touch against his skin.
There was a glow in her eyes—impish and bright and unapologetically Yuffie—that he didn't realize how much he missed until that very moment. It reminded him of that last night they had spent together as she ran freely through the darkened alleyways of Edge like she owned all of it—like she was free.
"Thanks." Her voice was soft, barely louder than a whisper, but there was a sincerity in her tone that made him pause. It was a genuine thanks, not laced with sarcasm or snark, and it surprised him.
Before he could respond once more, a figure turned the corner, and Reno stood up, grabbing his drink and spinning around without another word.
When he returned back to the seat next to Rude, he took a long sip to let the alcohol soothe his frayed nerves. Except his whiskey tasted bitter.
And he was suddenly left feeling strangely empty.
Later that night, as he emptied his pockets on his bedside table, he realized his lighter—the one that had been with him for as long as he could remember—was gone.
The little shit.
There wasn't much he could do about it now though. Funny thing was, he wasn't even mad. Having her swipe something off of him had practically become a running joke between him.
Damn her though. It was his favourite lighter and she knew it.
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II.
He knew she was in the building.
It was why he had—uncharacteristically so—offered to run most of the errands he would've otherwise delegated to Elena. Part of him had briefly considered taking the day off, but it seemed too cowardly for someone like him. Plus, he wasn't really avoiding her or anything. Not really. He was just doing his job as second-in-command and making sure everything ran smoothly.
It was what he told himself anyway.
Which explained why he was standing in the elevator of the new Shinra headquarters with a few folders and documents tucked under his arm. It was an urgent delivery from Reeve—one that required immediate attention as well as Rufus Shinra's signature—that had to be returned by the end of the day. What was he? A goddamn errand boy?
Reno scoffed at the thought as the elevator made its way up the building.
The bell dinged on the top floor, and he exited into the hallway as he walked briskly past the conference room doors. Muted voices drifted to him from beneath the closed doors, and he ignored them as he continued to make his way down the corridor towards Rufus' office.
If Reno stayed inside Rufus' office until the meeting was over, then he probably wouldn't have a chance to run into her. Not that he was avoiding her.
Speaking of which, didn't princesses—or soon-to-be empresses—have better things to do than fraternize with the enemy? Didn't she have other people to meet, or more important things to take care of rather than a tour of the new Shinra building all the way in Edge?
And of all days, she had to pick her own birthday for the tour.
Which, now that he thought of it, he wondered if she had done that deliberately so she could be in Edge for her birthday to celebrate with her little group of ragtags. He knew from speaking with Rude that a few of them—Marlene's old man being one of them—was in town.
His dress shoes clacked loudly against the polish floor, causing echoes to bounce throughout the empty hallway. He hated how her choices made him feel like a rat—hiding away in his boss' office while she was outside chit-chatting with his coworkers and his boss.
Just as he was about ready to let out a curse, a door next to him—he didn't even know a door existed here—suddenly burst open with a loud creak. The sound startled him out of his own thoughts, and when he turned around, he glanced sideways instinctively to see who it was.
"Ah—sorry!" Large dark eyes stared up at him before recognition dawned upon them, and instantly, a bright grin spread across her face. "Oh, heya! I thought you were too busy avoiding me all day."
As if realizing for the first time how quiet their surroundings were and how loudly her voice reverberated off the walls, Yuffie winced slightly as she glanced around for any signs of anyone else. Thankfully, there was no one, and she let out a sigh of relief, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.
Reno rolled his eyes before letting out a huff that sounded almost like a laugh and took a few steps back to lean against the cold wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't get paid to sit 'round and do nothin', princess. Certainly wasn't tryin' to avoid you, yo."
Something akin to disappointment washed over her face for a fraction of a second before it disappeared as quickly as it came. And then she moved in closer until she was mere inches away from him, her lips stretched into her trademark cheeky smile. "Guess it's a good thing I ran into you then, huh?"
It was almost too easy, falling back into the rhythm of their usual banter like it had always been between them. Like they hadn't spent a full year apart. He didn't know whether or not that was a comforting thought, however. But before he could stop himself, the corner of his lips twisted upward, and the familiar thrill of being in her company—her presence—sent an adrenaline rush through his veins.
"Is it really such a good thing, dipshit?"
He didn't miss her. Not really. But he couldn't deny that seeing her around every now and again felt oddly…nostalgic. It made something settle deep within him; almost like an itch that wouldn't go away—one that he thought would've gone away by now, but it only grew stronger each time they'd run into each other.
But they were acquaintances and nothing more—couldn't be anything more than that anyway.
And yet despite all odds of him trying to ignore that her presence affected him at all, here she was, standing in front of him looking so relaxed with that stupid grin that lit up her face like she owned the entire world, practically vibrating with energy—like a fucking gremlin on crack.
His gaze locked eyes with hers, and it felt so damn intimate, standing this close to each other. So goddamn close, but so far apart. Reno could see every detail of her, could feel every breath coming out of her lungs, and could even hear the sound of her heartbeat pulsing in his ear. His reckless side didn't care that just anyone could walk by and catch sight of them, but his more cautious side—the one that had saved his hide countless times over the years—knew that Wutai or Shinra couldn't afford a scandal of any kind. Especially not one involving the future Empress and a Turk.
But then again, if he was completely honest with himself, did he really care? Wasn't he always irresponsible? Selfish?
It was better to be safe than sorry though. The last thing anyone needed was more messy drama; nobody needed it right now.
Letting out a sigh, he glanced around to make sure the coast was clear before he sidestepped away from the wall. He got half a step away when she grabbed onto the back of his jacket, stopping him in his tracks. When her grip tightened on the fabric, he looked over his shoulder slowly, and Reno found himself staring at those soft hazel eyes.
Yuffie opened up her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a shaky breath.
"Whaddya want, brat?" His voice sounded harsh against the silence of the corridor.
Her lips pursed together and her cheeks tinted pink as she looked up at him through long lashes, uncertain. He didn't miss the way her fingers danced nervously against the hem of his coat, nor did he miss the way she bit her lip as she thought about what she wanted to say.
She was ridiculously easy to read—to him anyway. And it was endearing, though he'd never admit it out loud. Nor would he admit that he liked how she was one of the few people in the world that could really get under his skin without trying too hard.
"You…" she started, taking a hesitant breath before continuing. "You free to go to Teef's tonight? Because…well, y'know." Her words were rushed, almost nervous, as she waved her hand vaguely in the air.
"Can't, yo," he muttered. "Busy." The lie came out faster than he intended it to, and a bitter taste rose in his throat when he saw Yuffie's shoulders noticeably tense. Even so, he couldn't bring himself to regret his words.
"With what?" Yuffie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously, and she leaned forward slightly, tilting her head up until their noses were almost brushing against each other. He resisted the urge to pull away. "Bar hopping? Partying? Drinking? Or are you meeting someone?" Her tone was teasing—almost—but the unspoken question hung over them like an accusation, and he felt the tension creep up in his own shoulders.
And it only eased marginally when she pulled back slightly with a grin—one that didn't quite meet her eyes. "You know your partner in crime's coming to the bar tonight too, right?"
Scoffing, he crossed his arms over his chest, expanding the space between them by an inch or two, and for a split moment, he wondered whether there was any point in lying; he had a strong suspicion she'd probably see right through it at this point.
"Stuff," he said, raising his eyebrows—daring her to challenge him further. "The fuck do you care anyway, brat?" He was usually a better liar, too. But there was something about the way she was asking that made him feel on edge, and his tone was more defensive than he'd have liked. Apparently it was easier to lie to someone who was threatening his life than to lie to this little pint-sized gremlin.
She bit her lip, and his fingers twitched reflexively, itching to drum them on his arm, but he kept them still.
The problem was, if she continued to ask and push and prod, he knew he would eventually agree to go to the bar for a drink just to get her off his back. It wasn't like he wanted to be around her, but she had this ability to push his buttons until he caved or snapped—whichever one happened first.
And by the look on her face, she knew it too.
The relief—and mild panic—was instant when he heard the doors to the conference creak open and Rufus' voice turned the corner. Immediately, Yuffie's eyes widened, and she sprung backwards almost as though she'd been scalded, and he felt a rush of disappointment that he tried hard not to let show. A small part of him noted how quickly the emotions on her face shifted from one extreme to another, from fear, to surprise, then finally to resignation.
Her lips had tightened into a frown, and she turned away so fast she was almost out of reach when his own hand shot out, surprising himself. With his fingers curled firmly around her wrist, holding her in place without much thought, she could've easily broken the hold if she wanted. Instead, she stopped short and looked over her shoulder at him in question.
Her skin was soft and warm, and his thumb brushed lightly against her inner wrist. Yuffie sucked in a sharp breath, the movement jerking her arm slightly, but he didn't break his grip.
"R-Reno, what…"
"Happy birthday, princess." The words were lower and gruffer than he'd expected, but he hoped he sounded casual enough. Yuffie was frozen in place, her gaze locked with his, and he could almost see her mind racing a mile a minute, trying to figure out what to say next.
He didn't give her the opportunity though.
Letting go, he turned around without looking back. The last thing he needed was to be caught in a compromising position with her.
When he reached inside his pocket later that night to offer his pack of gum to the barmaid in a bar twenty minutes away from Seventh Heaven, it was empty. Reno couldn't stop himself from scowling momentarily until he realized what happened and began snickering.
The little shit had gone and stolen his last piece of gum as her birthday gift, and he didn't even mind.
It was her favourite flavour, too. Lucky brat.
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III.
Reno didn't try to avoid her birthday—or her.
If last year had taught him anything, it was that avoiding Yuffie was futile; she would somehow manage to barge into his life regardless of how hard he tried to steer clear and make things easier for himself. It wasn't much different from what she'd done since the time she bursted through the doors of his apartment and declared that they were going out that night for a movie date—and he couldn't exactly find an excuse to tell her no.
And if he was honest with himself, it wasn't like he actually wanted her out of his life for good anyway. Seeing glimpses of her every so often was a pleasant reminder of the times they'd had before things had gotten complicated—it reminded him that there was a side of himself that still existed, even though he thought that part of him had long gone straight to hell along with everything else.
So when Reeve had mentioned offhandedly that Yuffie was visiting town on her birthday and had called and demanded—more like coerced—that a birthday party be thrown for her at the WRO headquarters as a political gesture of sorts, Reeve couldn't exactly decline. After all, how many did she have left that she could roam and celebrate freely? And Reno had been happy to let him know that he'd show up—if only for the free alcohol.
He didn't seek her out deliberately because he really was there just for the alcohol.
That didn't mean their gazes didn't catch several times throughout the night. But whenever he managed to catch hers, Yuffie would quickly divert her attention elsewhere, and he'd do the same. They were both all too aware of one another, but neither of them ever made any move to acknowledge each other.
And that was fine.
Afterall, she was a world leader. Who the hell was he other than a lucky lowlife who somehow managed to work his way onto Shinra's payroll?
Reno knew his place in the world all too well.
So he kept his distance and pretended that there wasn't a tugging at the back of his mind every now and then whenever he caught sight of her husband who was following her like a lost puppy as she tried desperately to lose him.
The last thing he wanted was for them to cross paths. Plus, he had bigger things on his plate right now—like a much-needed smoke break. With his whiskey glass dangling from his hand and an unlit cigarette scissored between his first two fingers, he made his way to the elevator with purposeful steps, eager to get a breath of fresh air.
It didn't take long for the elevator doors to open with a ding, and he felt a weight lift off his shoulders when the crisp autumn air filled the small room. As he stepped outside onto the rooftop deck, he took in a few deep breaths and let go of the tension that had built up in the last hour or so, allowing the cold night wind to calm his perfectly unfrazzled nerves.
Reno looked around the large outdoor area, taking note of the various tables and chairs stacked up along a wall. It felt almost unnatural how peaceful it was, especially when just a few stories below, there was a party in full swing. The night skies were filled with dark clouds, and it provided little relief from the biting chill that blew across at this time of the year. If he focused his eyes enough, he could see the dim skyline of Edge in the distance.
Whiskey and smoke still in hand, he wandered to the edge of the balcony when the rooftop access door opened with a loud clang. Casually, he glanced over his shoulder and was both surprised and not by what greeted him. Yuffie came barrelling towards him—breathless and giddy and bright—and with the way she was running in her elegant dress with the material swirling about her knees and billowing out behind her, he suspected she had failed more than her fair share of etiquette lessons.
The thought almost made it impossible for him not to smirk.
A grin broke out on her face as she skidded to a halt, practically slamming her heels against the tiled ground, and Reno raised one eyebrow as he watched her straighten up and smoothed the front of her dress, a sheepish expression on her face. It was almost as if she suddenly remembered that there was a set of decorum to follow, and she'd realized that running around like that was probably not something that someone like herself could get away with again.
"Heya, Turkey!" she said, breathing heavily, her infectious smile still plastered on her lips.
"Didn't think you'd try to get away from your guard dog, yo," Reno teased without even bothering to hide the amusement in his voice. He leaned back against the rail with the glass of whiskey pressed into the palm of his hand, and he watched the dim glow of the rooftop lights illuminate her face as she turned her head up to look at him, a small scowl etched into her expression.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny," she deadpanned as she reached out to swipe at her bangs, which had fallen out of place while she ran. "Realistically though, I've got about five minutes? Maybe ten, if I'm lucky? Are you jealous?" Yuffie flashed him another playful grin, but a hint of seriousness laced through her words, and she took a couple of steps forward as she looked up at him expectantly.
With a snort, Reno rolled his eyes and brought his glass of whiskey up to his lips to take a sip. She was close enough that if he shifted an inch, they would be sharing a breath. And if reached up with his other hand, then his fingers could graze the soft flesh of her neck—right there—where she liked to be kissed.
The thought brought a strange sort of thrill to his gut, because despite their years away from each other, being with Yuffie always left a part of him feeling unsettled. Like there was this itch beneath his skin, wanting and waiting to be scratched.
Reno couldn't shake the feeling that she was always right there—would always be right there—at the back of his mind. Even after everything they'd been through.
Fuck.
It was tempting, almost, to see how she'd react. But he refrained, because even though he was curious, he wasn't fucking stupid.
"Of a fuckin' guard dog?" he drawled with a scoff as his gaze met hers, and she laughed. "Nah."
His eyes wandered back towards the sky—towards Edge, and the silence between them stretched as they stared out at the city together, lost in their own thoughts. And though the stillness between them was comfortable—almost natural—it was also uncharacteristic of them. They were usually too busy bickering and complaining and throwing snark back and forth between themselves.
But this? This quiet moment between them reminded him of that night years ago when they walked back to Seventh Heaven, their fingers intertwined as the city lights flickered down on them.
And Reno hated it. It brought up that particular memory so vividly in his mind, and he knew that all those feelings were probably better forgotten. Below, the rowdy music drifted through the open balcony doors and on the breeze, the bass thrumming beneath his feet.
"I didn't think I'd see you here." Yuffie's voice broke through his reverie, and he shifted once more to turn to look at her as he took another mouthful of his drink. At this rate, he'd need a refill soon.
"Why?" he finally asked after swallowing. "There's free booze."
She let out another small laugh and turned to lean her back against the railing as she looked up at the sky. And then a small sigh escaped her lips as her fingers twisted in the material of her dress. She spoke again. "So there is."
Before he could respond, she continued.
"But ya know what I mean." She turned her head slightly and met his eyes for just a moment before looking back up at the starless skies above. Her lips quirked upward into a small smile, and he felt a small tug in his chest as he watched her.
He averted his gaze by turning around and once again looking out into the distance. "Do I?"
"You're gonna make me spell it out for you, aren'tcha, you stupid dumb turkey?" she asked with mock exasperation.
"Maybe."
She shifted slightly beside him, but she didn't say anything else for several moments; he doubted the silence would last long. When he did finally turn back towards her, Yuffie was looking down at her hand, her fingers twisting the wedding ring on her finger. He could see the gears turning in her mind as she contemplated what to say, but then she bit her lip, looked back at him, and flashed him a practiced grin that seemed far more forced than anything. "Nevermind. Forget it."
Reno felt his forehead crease as he tried to decipher what she had been planning to say, but when he realized she wasn't going to elaborate, he dropped it. It was probably for the best.
Just as he was about to straighten up and leave—even before he had his damn smoke break—Yuffie spoke again. "Didya realize that we've met three birthdays in a row?" Her smile was a little too wide, her tone a little too sharp. "One of these days, I've gotta return the favour." She gestured vaguely to him with her hand before letting it fall limply to her side.
He shrugged a shoulder noncommittally. "Don't remember when mine is, yo."
A look of confusion crossed her face, before her expression turned sombre—but only for a moment. He wished he knew exactly what she was thinking, but if there was one thing they had never talked about during whatever the hell they had between them, it was his past.
"Well, that sucks," Yuffie said matter-of-factly, and he was glad she didn't try to pity him or make things awkward. Instead, she shifted back to look at him, her characteristic grin back in place. "Guess we just gotta celebrate mine twice as hard, huh?"
Reno snorted in amusement. "Yeah?"
"Yep." She peered up at him expectantly, her eyes big and round and so goddamn bright with mischief before an airy laugh escaped her. "Soooo… where's my birthday gift?"
His lips twitched upward involuntarily, and he resisted the urge to rub at the bridge of his nose. He really should've seen that coming from her. "You've still got my lighter you swiped from me a coupla years ago."
Yuffie had the grace to look embarrassed—only for a fraction of a second—before she let out a loud cackle and shoved him playfully on the arm. "Birthday presents are supposed to be a yearly thing, you cheapskate! And I wouldn't have to get my own presents from you if you had the decency to buy me something!"
"Whaddya want? An ass-kickin'?" Reno's reply was blunt and pointed, but it only served to make her laugh harder as she threw her head and cackled like some deranged gremlin. And he couldn't quite stop himself from snickering. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was her, but seeing her laughing like that…
It reminded him of the good old days. Maybe a little too much.
After her giggle subsided enough, Yuffie smiled up at him, and he could see how much her cheeks were flushed. "A smoke!" she finally managed to choke out when it looked like she could speak without bursting into laughter once more. "I just wanted a smoke!"
What a terrible fucking habit—but who was he to judge?
Shaking his head, he was about to transfer his glass of whiskey to his other hand so that he could hand her the cigarette that had been between his fingers this whole time when he realized that it was missing.
"The fuck?" he muttered as he looked down at his hand, eyebrows furrowing. Had he been so drunk that he dropped it somehow without realizing?
The distinct sound of a lighter flicking open and the flint scraping against the wheel could be heard. His head snapped up, and the cigarette that had been dangling between his fingers was hanging out the side of her mouth. In her hand was a familiar lighter—the one that she'd stolen off of him two birthdays again.
Reno couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. "You little shit."
"Finders, keepers!" Yuffie sing-songed, her cheeky grin broadening. And then she took a drag before holding it loosely in her fingers and exhaled slowly, deliberately. The smoke curled around her face lazily, floating up until it disappeared into the night sky above them.
Suddenly, he remembered the first time she stole his cigarette to take a puff before coughing out a lung. The memory made him feel strangely nostalgic.
At that moment, Yuffie handed him the cigarette without a word, and he took it, raising it to his lips without thinking. He inhaled deeply, and the familiar warmth and comfort of nicotine seeped through his system almost immediately.
"Happy birthday, brat."
For the first time, he noticed the way Yuffie's gaze softened at the corners as a genuine smile crept across her face. Exhaling slowly, he blew the smoke upwards and watched the mist drift from between until it vanished. Even the taste of nicotine wasn't enough to banish the bitterness that lingered, and he wondered fleetingly why his chest felt so tight and hollow and heavy.
"Thanks, Turkey."
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IV.
The what-should've-been grand and magnificent celebration of the future Empress' twenty-fifth birthday was dulled by the unanticipated passing of the Emperor. Everything had proceeded as per usual, but the late Emperor's presence—or lack thereof—was felt throughout the country like a looming shadow.
As Reno continued to observe the surroundings and keep an eye on Rufus Shinra, who was busy networking and making conversation with various important officials, he found his thoughts drifting towards one person in particular.
They hadn't had a chance to talk at all since he'd arrived at Wutai early this week, and Reno found himself wondering how she felt now that her old man had kicked the bucket so unexpectedly. He knew that Yuffie had always been troubled by the idea of Godo passing because of all the duties and obligations that would inevitably follow after and fall upon her as soon as his reign ended.
Still, no matter what her feelings were, the plans were set into motion, and he doubted anything she said or did would change much of anything.
Before the end of the week, she'd be crowned Empress of Wutai.
And then things would get serious; he doubted she'd have time for him once that happened.
The thought made him uneasy in a way he didn't quite understand, but it was probably for the best. People like her were never meant to interact with someone like him for any length of time. The fact that they'd been in each other's lives long enough to come close enough to develop some kind of relationship—however fucked up it was—despite the circumstances was an anomaly.
In hindsight, it probably would've been wise to have avoided this trip all together.
A flash of red caught Reno's eye from the corner of his vision, drawing him out of his thoughts before he even knew what was happening. He glanced over just in time to see Yuffie ducking around the corner with the most uncharacteristic look of panic on her face.
Before his brain could fully process what he saw, his body reacted. Motioning to Rude that he was going to take a bathroom break, Reno disappeared after her even if he wasn't entirely sure why he felt compelled to go running after the little shit.
He followed her down one of the less travelled halls as discreetly as possible—in case he spooked her and she'd take off running even faster—his footsteps muffled against the floorboards. Keeping the same distance between them—just a few paces behind—he trailed her, making sure not to draw anyone's attention with his sudden movements.
Yuffie looked out of place, but so did he, in his crisp navy suit and leather shoes. He was used to being able to blend in, but it was hard to blend in when he was chasing after the future Empress decked in her extravagant ceremonial robes. As she climbed the stairs, he followed behind, keeping up with her long strides. He knew she could hear him trailing her, but she paid him no attention as she continued up the steps, her steps swift and purposeful.
They reached the top, and Yuffie glanced back at him briefly before sliding the balcony door open. Immediately, the cool autumn air swept around them, and she took a deep breath almost as if she was savouring it. And then, as if that breath of fresh air gave her courage, she stepped outside onto a small courtyard and continued to walk until she reached the edge of the railing.
Sliding the doors behind him quietly, he followed close behind her heels. The garden itself was lush, green, and bursting with life. In the middle of the courtyard sat a small fountain surrounded by large trees and shrubs. Yuffie looked over the edge of the roof and down at the village below, where bright lights could be seen as far as the eyes could see.
The entire country was awake and bustling and celebrating.
She seemed oblivious to all of it as she turned away from the scene below and faced him again. His eyes fell on her face for a moment as he tried to read her expression, and while the panic was no longer present, there was something else there now.
She looked tired, her shoulders were slumped, and he wondered how long it had been since she'd gotten a full night's worth of sleep.
"You alright, brat?"
Reno had never pegged himself as someone who cared about women's fashion at all—he'd much prefer they weren't wearing anything to begin with—but Yuffie was stunningly beautiful in her traditional red and golden gown. The dim garden lighting made her skin appear glowing and soft, and her eyelashes cast shadows across her cheeks. He hadn't noticed—nor had he given it a thought—until then just how much makeup was on her face, but it almost felt like it only served to cover up all her delicate features.
Part of him had expected her to lash out or snarl as a retort, but none came. Instead, she shrugged and gave him a lopsided grin before letting out a breathy laugh. "Just peachy, Turkey."
She glanced towards the streets below once more, and there was a look on her face that made him wonder if she was secretly contemplating on jumping off the roof. Part of him wanted to reach over and grab her hand just to stop her impulsivity from doing something stupid. Instead, he forced himself to shove his hands into his pockets just in case his own recklessness did something he would regret.
"Ya know," Reno spoke up with a roguish smirk, knowing that whatever he was going to say next would distract her from her thoughts—at least for a little while. "Didn't think there was anythin' you could wear that would make you look flatter than usual, yo."
The corner of her lips lifted slightly—probably against her own wishes—as amusement flashed across her eyes, and she let out a huff of mock indignation. "Shaddup, dickwad. You wouldn't know beauty even if it slapped you across the face." Before Reno could respond—nor could he help the way his gaze lingered at her figure—she dug underneath the folds of fabric at her feet and pulled out a bottle.
She squinted to read the label on the bottle, only to frown a second later when she realized what it was. "Ah shit. Wanna join me in bleaching my insides?" Without waiting for a response, she uncorked the bottle and took a small gulp. Immediately, her eyes watered, and she coughed so harshly Reno wondered if she was going to choke and die right then and there.
Grimacing, she held up the glass bottle—flicking her long sleeve away in annoyance—and shook it as if to tell him to take it. The clear liquid inside sloshed around, threatening to spill onto the ground beneath their feet and leave a puddle on the concrete. The worst was the smell though. And Reno couldn't imagine what the liquid would taste like if it smelled like that.
Well, that was a lie. He could.
He had had something similar once—and only once—a long time ago.
His laugh—low and rough and dry—rang throughout the air between them as he accepted the bottle. With one swift movement, he tipped it back and took a small sip. The alcohol burned down his throat, almost bringing him to tears, and it made his throat feel raw and scratchy.
"You stupid brat," he choked out after he caught his breath and handed her back the bottle. "Outta all the bottles you could've gone for, you went for a fuckin' bottle of Moonshine?"
Yuffie grinned, looking entirely too smug for someone whose mouth probably tasted like death. "Oh good. You hate this stuff as much as I do." Taking another—this time, a more careful—swig from the bottle, she wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her dress. "But hey, in my defense, I grabbed the first bottle I saw, so…"
Reno eyed her drink warily. It wasn't his job, he knew that. The boss man that he tailed was usually more socially aware and wouldn't be caught getting drunk at any event, so Reno felt a little out of his depth. She wasn't in his charge, and he wasn't obligated to care whether or not she drowned herself in booze and made a fool of herself.
A small part of him wanted to watch her suffer the consequences of a Moonshine hangover, but the more logical side of him knew that it would be catastrophic for her image. "You sure you wanna be drinkin' so much? Don't you have a speech at the end of the night or somethin'?"
Another sip brought colour to her cheeks, and she smiled bashfully as she waved a hand through the air dismissively. "It's fine! I need liquid courage, y'know?" She paused and glanced out into the darkened sky far away. "Plus, it's my last birthday before becoming Empress, so… gotta live it up."
Her words hit Reno square in the chest. He had known, but the words coming from her own mouth suddenly made it real. The professional side of him knew he couldn't allow her to go along with her spur-of-the-moment whims, no matter how tempting it was, but it also seemed wrong to deny her that one simple joy for her birthday.
"Fine," he conceded, however reluctantly. "But ya better not drink till you hurl, cause it ain't gonna be good PR if you—"
"I. Don't. Care," Yuffie interrupted with an irritated huff. "I'm being forced to wear a stupid dress and throw a stupid party right after my old man's funeral. I don't fucking care about PR." Her voice wavered and carried a sharp edge that betrayed just how much she was feeling on the inside, and her fists clenched by her sides. A moment passed where she struggled to regain control of her emotions, her teeth gritting as she fought to hold it together.
She managed a shaky breath and a strained smile a few seconds later, and she met his gaze with a determined tilt of her chin. "Don't worry though. I promise I won't throw up on your pretty face, 'kay?"
His mouth twitched in an attempt to conceal his smirk. Leave it to Yuffie to crack a joke even now in the midst of her grief and anger. "I'll believe it when I end the night without any on me."
"Fricken impossible," she muttered as she took another sip, but her voice wasn't harsh and didn't carry any bite. "I can't believe you had the audacity to bring up PR. You. Reno." She emphasized his name, shaking her head as she chuckled humourlessly. "You're the goddamn PR nightmare for the company."
"Yeah, yeah," he said with a shrug before reaching over to pluck the bottle of poison out of her hand, causing her to glare playfully at him. "Gotta give it to your PR team though. Celebrating instantly after the mourning period is an effective way to boost morale, huh."
Yuffie's expression changed immediately, and she leaned against the railing and slumped forward as a groan escaped from her lips. "Ugh. I know. But I hate it. Give everyone a fricken reason to be joyful but me—the goddamn ruler." Her head hung low, her hair covering her face completely as she closed her eyes with a sigh.
"Sometimes, I don't like anything 'bout my life, y'know?" she muttered, glancing up from her hair to meet his eyes with a wry grin before her eyes wandered the streets below once more.
"I know."
They lapsed into silence as they gazed out into the busy streets, each lost in their own thoughts as they continued to pass the bottle back and forth, the liquid sloshing around. Maybe he was getting up there in age, but there was something comforting about being with her in moments like these where they were simply taking comfort in one another's presence—where there was no one else around, where the craziness and bullshit of the outside world couldn't reach them.
Just the two of them.
"Will you be at the coronation?" Yuffie asked suddenly, her voice soft.
His attention snapped back to her instantly, and he noticed the serious expression on her face. "D'you want me to be there?" he replied, his voice just as quiet.
Her eyes flickered downwards as she studied the label on the bottle once more before flittering towards him for a fraction of a second. And then she avoided his gaze once more. "Do you really needa ask?" she murmured, hesitant, before shrugging slightly, causing her bangs to fall over her eyes.
He was tempted to brush away her bangs and tuck them back behind her ears, but he knew better than to touch her at all—to put himself and her in such a risky situation. It was bad enough that they were drinking on the roof by themselves, but at least it could be explained away if anyone caught sight of them.
"I'll see what I can do." Reno shifted his body slightly so that he was leaning more comfortably on the edge of the building, and he leaned forward once more, curling his fingers around the neck of the bottle. If he drank a little more, then maybe he could push aside the bitterness that was trying to crawl its way to the forefront of his mind.
"Thanks," Yuffie mumbled, her shoulders relaxing as if his answer took some weight off of her. "Kinda glad you came to drink with me, by the way. This stuff's nasty."
He grunted nonchalantly, his tone noncommittal. "Yea, well. Who else is gonna make sure you don't get hammered on your big day, yo?"
She laughed, a quiet tinkling sound which echoed across the rooftop, and the sound caused a fond smile to curl onto his lips. "So, Reno…"
"What?"
"Do I get another present this year?" An impish grin split across her face, amusement sparkling in her eyes.
Reno gave her a sideways glance, raising his eyebrow in exasperation. Still, it was a relief to see that she was in a better mood. "Don't you help yourself to one each year?" he asked with a scoff. "The hell do you want anyway?"
"You got a smoke?" she asked cheekily as she pulled a lighter—his lighter—from somewhere within her dress before flicking it up in the air and catching it between two fingers. "Turns out Wutai doesn't quite have the same cancer sticks as Edge does, and nothing tastes or smells quite the same."
Reno sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before taking another sip, the burn of the alcohol spreading across his tongue and making him grimace. "Don't have one on me."
Blinking in disbelief, her brow furrowed as she cocked her head. "What? You don't have a smoke on you?" she repeated quizzically.
"I quit. Two months ago."
She stared at him incredulously, and the lighter slipped out of her fingers and clattered to the ground beneath them, bouncing once before landing on the gravel with a dull clank. Her eyes were wide with surprise, and she glanced down on the ground, a confused expression crossing her face before she slowly returned her gaze back to him, staring at him like he had grown a second head. "W-what?"
He could almost see the gears in her head turning rapidly as she tried to figure out whether she'd misheard him or not. Clearing his throat, he bent down to pick up the lighter and pressed it into her hand before straightening up and leaning back against the ledge.
"I quit," he repeated with a casual shrug, his gaze wandering up towards the sky. "Doc said I should cut back on either smoking or drinking if I was gonna do both excessively since I wasn't getting younger. So, I stopped."
There was an awkward silence as Yuffie fiddled with the lighter—opening and closing it repeatedly—while she processed everything in her mind, digesting everything he said. Eventually, though, she broke the silence again, clearing her throat quietly as she looked upwards, her eyes fixed upon the stars.
"Everything's changing…" she murmured in a subdued tone, her fingers tightening around the lighter. "I guess it was kinda dumb of me to think that things would… stay the same forever, y'know?" A faint hint of a sad smile crossed her features.
A bitter chuckle passed his lips, and he shook his head, unable to hold back his amusement. "You ain't gettin' any younger either, brat."
The wind whistled through the open space above their heads, rustling the few fallen leaves that had littered the rooftop and sent them scattering.
"Guess not," she responded, pursing her lips. And then, not for the first time that night, frustrated with her long sleeves and constricting dress, she pushed the sleeves of her dress up to her elbows and reached for the still fairly full bottle. Her wedding ring was not the only thing that reflected the dim lighting in the garden however; something on her wrist caught his gaze, and it caused him to stop breathing momentarily.
Eyes narrowing, his hand snapped up and grabbed her wrist before she could get what she wanted. At that moment, he didn't care if anyone would see the scene unfolding between them. All he needed was to confirm his suspicions.
"What the hell are these?" He leaned down, his thumb brushing the scars on her wrist gently, the tips of his fingers caressing the skin with a tenderness that surprised himself. None of the cuts were recent, but there were enough that it would be a concern. And knowing who she was, someone should've looked close enough to realize that something was fucked up right away. He felt the muscles of his jaw tighten as he glanced up at her face.
She stiffened slightly under his gaze, and there were so many emotions flashing plainly across her face—guilt, shame, and resignation. Licking her lips nervously, she let out a shaky breath and looked down at his fingers wrapped tightly around hers.
"It… It wasn't a good day," she confessed in a whisper, her tone low and unsteady and hesitant, and Reno could hear the quiver in her voice.
He continued to run his thumb back and forth along the scars, a slight frown pulling down at the corners of his mouth. "Yuff…"
"It won't happen again." Her lips drew together in a thin line, and her voice became firmer as she met his gaze. "But I don't wanna talk about it."
Swallowing thickly, his fingers tightened slightly around her before he forced himself to let go. He had to remind himself it wasn't his business. They saw glimpses of each other throughout the year, but they weren't anything or anyone to each other; he wasn't anyone to her, just like she certainly wasn't anyone to him.
She was someone he'd crossed paths with years ago, and they were in similar social circles that they'd stumble across each other occasionally. That was it. That was all it could ever be.
Nor did he want it to be more.
With a sigh, he leaned back against the ledge and watched her from the corner of her eye. Her sleeves came down instantly, and she brought the bottle of liquor back to her lips before she tipped it upward and chugged a few gulps down quickly.
He didn't stop her.
A strange silence settled over them as he continued to watch her carefully, and she continued to stare blankly at the bottle held firmly between her hands.
There were so many things left unsaid between them.
"A call," she mumbled suddenly, breaking the silence as she lifted the bottle to her lips once more. "I want you to call and wish me a happy birthday next year. And the next. And the one after that too."
He chuckled, but it sounded forced even to him. "That's a tall ask, yo."
"I'll be the fricken Empress soon," she muttered, scowling lightly at him. "Pretty sure you can grant me this one small wish."
"Sure." His lips curled. "I'll call if I remember."
Yuffie snorted lightly in response. "That's as good as I'm gonna get from someone like you, asshole."
His mind couldn't stop swirling with images of her wrist—of the pale cuts marring her delicate skin. The idea that she had been alone, feeling helpless enough that she would resort to hurting herself made his stomach church and his chest stutter in his chest.
He forced the sudden rush of anger down.
It wasn't the first time he had seen those scars. He'd seen those before on himself when he was much younger and the world was a darker place—when he was in a darker place. But he ignored his instincts to bring it up again, knowing the last thing she wanted to do was to talk about it.
She was a dumb and stubborn. And a stupid fucking brat.
"Happy birthday, princess." The words felt empty—hollow—coming off his tongue, but she smiled faintly at him anyway, and he found himself returning the smile despite his better judgement.
"Thanks, old man."
Still, he couldn't stop the feeling of guilt and worry from suffocating him—not when he left the party that night, not when he left the coronation three days later, and not when he flew back to Edge the following week.
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V.
It was late.
Reno had never felt like deadlines mattered; he'd never been good at keeping track of them, nor had he ever cared enough. But this time, there was something about not wanting to disappoint her that made him feel the urge to count down every minute there was left until midnight.
And he hated it.
Was the phone in her hand as she waited for his call? Or was she cursing up a storm? Was she even awake right now? Or was she her usual brainless self and had forgotten she'd made him promise her against his will to call?
Letting out a small curse, he unlocked the door to his apartment before slamming it shut behind him and locking it back up. His set of keys flew through the air and onto the kitchen countertop, where they landed with a resounding clatter.
The apartment was quiet—almost too quiet—and flicked on the kitchen lights as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and tossed his suit jacket over the back of the couch. He was grimy and sweaty and needed a shower, but it could wait a bit.
Scrolling through his contacts, he paused on one name—funny thing was, he didn't even use her real name—before tapping on it. Part of him hoped she wouldn't pick up so he could just leave a message. The other part of him, though, wanted to hear her voice.
He hadn't talked to Yuffie since last year, but he'd hear Reeve or Tifa mention her occasionally, and he was relieved that it sounded like she was happy enough. Tifa had remarked how Yuffie had wanted to visit for her birthday, but it had become so much harder for her to leave and get away from Wutai now that she was Empress.
Reno often forgot just how young she was, with all the responsibilities that had fallen on her lap that was no doubt choking her. For a moment, he tried to remember what he was doing at twenty-six, and he couldn't remember anything other than overtime shifts, darkened nightclubs, and one-night stands.
The dial tone rang a few times before it was picked up, causing him to let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. But there was only silence from the other end of the line.
"Yo, brat," he said after a few seconds, half-wondering if he somehow got the wrong number, half-wondering if she had somehow answered the call while sleeping. "You there?"
There were a few moments of complete stillness on the other end, and then the familiar sound of her voice filled his ear. "I thought you forgot," Yuffie said slowly, sounding a little surprised, maybe even a little hurt.
How could he forget? It was like the date was etched at the back of his mind—the inconspicuous reminder he had set on his phone last year also helped.
Reno rolled his eyes as he began unbuttoning his dress shirt. "Don't be stupid," he muttered, tossing his shirt into the laundry basket by the bathroom. "Got held up at work and just got home, so don't get your panties in a—"
"Oh!" He could almost hear the excitement in her voice when she interrupted. "Does this have to do with Midgar and the monster extermination or whatever the heck Reeve is calling it these days? I heard teams were getting sent there to clear away the hordes and that they've been pulling long shifts. Man, I even begged my advisors to let me go and help, but… you know how it is. They kept insisting that it'd be too dangerous! For me? Yuffie Kisaragi, three-time Saviour of the Planet? Pssh!"
She laughed, and the sound washed over Reno like a tidal wave. It almost reminded him of the old days when she would live life with reckless abandon while throwing herself headlong with whatever adventure she deemed exciting or interesting that she found her way into. Maybe Yuffie was happier lately.
After his conversation with her last year—after seeing the marks against her wrist—he'd been uneasy. But at the same time, he was a coward—too spineless to reach out to make sure she was okay. He told himself he didn't reach out because it wasn't like he could change anything. And he probably couldn't.
But maybe he could've tried to at least talk and let her know he was around. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so much like a piece of shit.
"Ya know," he said finally as he tried to ignore the guilt gnawing away at his gut, "For someone who no longer works for the WRO, you're pretty well-informed, dipshit."
Another laugh, and he almost smiled at the sound. There was an ache in his chest—which wasn't anything new by now—but hearing her cheerful felt strangely comforting. Her laughter and cackles had always been contagious, and it wasn't any different now.
"Yeap!" she replied teasingly. "I've got my sources, y'know?"
"You mean the security leak that just happens to be the WRO Commissioner?"
"Maybe." He could practically hear the grin over the phone. "By the way, you realize you're technically late, right? It's past midnight in Wutai."
Reno's lips quirked upwards, and he shook his head at her antics. "It's a good thing I didn't call for any reason then, yo," he drawled out sarcastically, as he took the opportunity to pull out a clean glass from the cupboard.
"Ha. Ha. You're such an asshole," Yuffie deadpanned, and he could imagine her secretly pouting. "So why'd you call then, jerk?"
He hesitated and ran a hand through his hair before reaching out to grab his half-empty bottle of scotch to pour himself a generous shot, ignoring the way his stomach churned uncomfortably.
"Happy birthday, you little shit. You happy now?" The sound of her quiet giggling came loud and clear through the receiver and caused the knot in his stomach to loosen up somewhat. "Now tell me—the hell does someone like you do on their birthday to celebrate?"
"Someone like me?" she scoffed, and he imagined the look of mischief in her eyes.
"Yea. What does a spoiled brat like you do to celebrate? Throw a fancy party, drink wine, and have an orgy?"
"Grossness!" Yuffie protested indignantly, her words muffled by the fact that she was obviously trying hard not to laugh, and he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. "I mean, that does sound better than what I usually do, but still, ew. Since you asked though, I had the wonderful opportunity to stand at my balcony for hours to welcome thousands of people onto our grounds so they could have a tour." Sarcasm dripped from every word, and he fought down the urge to smirk.
It was nice that some things about her stayed the same despite the years that separated them.
"Sounds like you had fun, yo," Reno mused, settling himself down on the stool. His legs were tired from walking around all day; another sign he wasn't getting any younger.
"Fun?! You think that was fun? And d'you know what else they had planned for my birthday? The fricken audacity—"
As she continued to ramble on and on about how everyone around her expected her to deal with her duties and responsibilities, he took the opportunity to sip on his scotch. The drink burned its way down his throat—hot and fiery and bitter—as the alcohol hit his system and spread warmth throughout his body. Taking another drink, he leaned forward and rested his head on his palm.
Subconsciously, his eyes flickered to one of the few photographs stuck to his fridge. He didn't like admitting it, but it was one of his favourites: a picture Tifa had taken of both of them years ago—the only picture he had of them together. It had been from her first birthday party after having gotten married, and Yuffie was in her ugly ass sweater that was gaudy and vibrant enough to blind someone. They were sitting side by side, hunched over together as if they were sharing some kind of secret.
There was just the barest softening in his smirk, and her eyes were so bright and full of life and joy that he still found it hard to look away.
The sudden sound of the lighter flicking brought him out of his thoughts, and Reno shifted his attention back to the call, interrupting whatever it was she was saying.
"That my lighter?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nope. It's mine," Yuffie drawled, amusement evident in her voice. "Got it as a birthday present a few years ago. It's outta lighter fluid too, so if you're ever in the area… I could use a refill, 'kay?"
A small pause ensued, and he swore he could almost see her biting back a grin, if the tone of her voice was any indication. "Interesting choice of a gift since you don't smoke, yo," he responded dryly and listened as she giggled lightly in return. "At least not at the time. Seriously though, you ever gonna return it?"
"Didn't plan on it," she answered cheerfully, and he heard her flick open the lighter once more. "It's not like you need it though, y'know?"
Leaning back, he ran his hand through his hair before drinking the rest of the whiskey. And then he snagged a lighter and the pack of cigarettes—one of many boxes littering around his apartment—off the counter and slid a smoke out with practiced ease before standing up and heading towards the balcony.
"You sure 'bout that?" Reno challenged as he placed the cancer stick loosely between his lips and shifted his weight to slide open the balcony door. The cold hit him full force, and he took in several deep lungfuls of the crisp night air. There was a pause, and it seemed as though Yuffie was trying to figure out if he was yanking her chain or not. In the end, he decided to cut her some slack.
"Turns out quittin's a lot harder than I thought it'd be," he mused aloud as he settled himself against the railing to light up the cigarette. The smoke rose from his mouth in wisps of grey clouds curling upward into the sky, and for a moment, everything seemed peaceful and quiet. As the cool evening breeze caressed him, the nicotine worked its way into his bloodstream, leaving him content and relaxed.
She hummed contemplatively in response before a small sigh could be heard.
"Yeap. Can relate," she replied eventually, her voice a little distant. "I hated it when you smoked, y'know? Hated how it clung to my clothes after I got home. But now? I can't even get that brand of smoke here, and I miss that stupid smell."
Her words were slow and deliberate, careful as though she were weighting each word before giving voice to it. It was just vague enough not to trigger any alarms if anyone was eavesdropping, but still clear enough—at least to him—that he knew exactly what she meant.
Suddenly, his chest felt strangely tight.
If he was honest with himself, he missed the way she smelled too. She had smelled of sunshine and clean laundry, and sometimes, in the early morning hours when she was still sleeping soundly beside him, he'd nuzzle the crook of her neck and enjoy the faint whiff of her floral shampoo that lingered there.
Even now, years later, when they were miles apart and living in different places, he'd catch the familiar scent, and it'd throw him back in time—just for a fraction of a second.
"Maybe I'll send it back one day," she added, her voice a little softer, the lighter flicking once more in the background. It took Reno a couple of seconds to realize that Yuffie was still talking about his lighter.
"Keep it. I got a few new ones, and I've learned a thing or two from Rude about havin' backups," he said, his gaze trained on the dark expanse of the sky, and he heard the click of the lighter again. He inhaled deeply, holding it for a long time before exhaling slowly. The smoke lingered in his lungs until it left behind a warm feeling that spread throughout his body.
"What time is it there anyway?" he asked, glancing down at his phone pointlessly; it wasn't like he remembered the time difference, in any case.
"Late." A wry chuckle escaped her lips, and she paused, almost as if to think. "Should probably be sleeping, but… I was expecting a call."
Reno let out another breath. "Yea?"
He both dreaded and welcomed the inevitable end of the call. It had been nice listening to her voice, bantering with her. And yet, it reminded him of what he couldn't have—what could've been. But he knew that tomorrow, his life would go back to the way it had been before she had come crashing into it like a tornado, ripping apart his carefully constructed plans to be untethered and alone.
Simple, easy, predictable.
It had always been so simple for him—a game, really—one he'd played so many times he had practically perfected it…
And then the little dipshit came along.
"Yep," Yuffie answered softly, and he could hear the slight frown in her tone. They remained quiet for a little longer, but Reno soon heard shuffling noises coming from her end of the line. "I know I like, half-forced you into promising me to call every year…"
As he was about to let out a snort, she continued, "But… I might not be able to pick up next year."
The statement hung in the air, and Reno found himself—for once in his life—unable to formulate a witty response.
"I had to find a hiding place to wait for the call, and I think someone was a bit suspicious, if ya catch my drift." Yuffie chuckled dryly.
It wasn't as if he hadn't suspected as much already, but somehow, hearing it from her—that she had to hide to pick up a phone call—was different. He listened to the telltale sound of Yuffie shifting around and tried to figure out where she would've hidden herself.
In the bathroom? It didn't echo enough.
The closet?
Or the balcony?
"Where're you?" he asked, taking another drag of his cigarette. His heart hammered in his ears, and he was suddenly desperate to know that she was safe. They had toed the line for years, keeping their distance whenever they ran into each other—except on her birthday. Still, they had never crossed the line.
But for the first time, he realized just how dangerous these stolen moments between them could be for her.
Yuffie let out a quiet laugh, and his stomach clenched at the way she sounded so relaxed and happy. "Well, where else would I be? I'm on the roof, dumbass."
Reno felt his teeth grit together so hard they creaked. "It would take a semi-decent sniper to—"
"Take me out," she interrupted, but there was no bite to her voice, only amusement laced into every syllable. "Yep, yep. Could be worse though. I could get eaten by a dragon. Or a bird, I guess. But then again, you're not my bodyguard." He could hear her wave her hand dismissively, and he could picture the cocky grin that adorned her face perfectly.
His knuckles went white as he gripped the metal bars of the railing tightly, his eyes boring holes into the concrete below. He hated how she was so nonchalant about how her bodyguard was doing a shit job. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he let out a curse under his breath.
Despite his better judgement though, Reno held his tongue.
If there was ever a time for him to hold his tongue, it was right now. Besides, there wasn't anything he could say that would make her change her mind. She was always so fucking stubborn.
That had never changed. Not in the ten years he'd known her, and he knew better than to think that it would ever change.
"Speaking of birds…" she murmured, her voice had taken on a melancholy edge. "Sometimes, I feel like a bird trapped in a cage," Yuffie paused for a brief moment, and when she spoke again, her words were heavy with resignation.
"Sometimes, all I wanna do is fly away from all the bullshit, ya know?"
A part of him wanted nothing more than to go to her. The more rational part of him, however, knew that he, himself, was nothing but a pawn being moved along and controlled by something bigger; that he was just some piece in an elaborate game he never truly understood.
Inadvertently, he recalled the last time they'd truly spent time with each other and he remembered the way she ran freely through the darkened city as she laughed—loud and boisterous and free—before tumbling against him. He remembered the way the dry grass clung to her, the way her fingers curled against his, the way her skin felt against his own.
He sighed heavily, and the exhale was loud and harsh against the quietness of the night.
"I know, princess."
There was a beat, and then she laughed—the sound empty and hollow and sad. "It's Empress now, you stupid, dumb turkey."
Reno swallowed hard; there was something incredibly jarring about her using her title, even if he knew she meant it as a joke.
Before he could respond, Yuffie cleared her throat. "I should really go though," she said quietly. "It's really late, but… maybe we'll get to talk soon or something?" The sleepiness in her voice was palpable, but there was also no mistaking the note of affection in her voice.
It reminded him of late evenings in bed when they'd spend time talking about everything and nothing until exhaustion crept upon them and one of them—usually Yuffie—fell asleep. Before his thoughts could spiral too far into the past though, he forced himself to shake the intrusive memories away.
It was better for his sanity that way.
"Sure." He breathed out, his breath curling upwards into the air above him. "See you around, princess."
As he hung up the phone and slipped it into his pocket, he gazed at the dark skies in the distance and felt the bitter cold seep into his bones. He couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like if things had turned out differently.
He couldn't believe that somehow, even over a phone call, the little shit managed to steal his goddamn sanity though.
Trigger Warnings: Mentions of self-harm, mentions of suicide.
Author's Notes: Between the seven one-shot prompts I wrote for another fandom and the Reffie longfic I've been working on, it's been a while since I've posted a Reffie one-shot. So I decided to write a sequel to 'Half Past Two in the Morning' to make it more angsty. Sorry, not sorry.
Having said that, this was initially supposed to be 7k words. 10k tops. It's grown so much because Yuffie and Reno are incapable of shutting up, and because of that, I've decided to post part 6 separately. Don't worry, it'll be posted tomorrow! :)