Mideel was known for its more... liberal mindedness. It had kind of an unspoken don't ask, don't make assumptions, don't antagonize policy. It was... "Perfect," Rude said, smiling.
M
Reno pulled on his jeans and his Flaming Meteor cconcert t-shirt, They being one of the speed metal bands he LIKED, he'd attended the concert with Rude 6 months after they'd become partners, and he still had the shirt.
"Let's get some breakfast, yo." and his belly grumbled audibly.
Breakfast sounded lovely. "Eggs," Rude said thoughtfully, "and... steak. Steak, eggs and a pile of hash browns. And coffee." Mostly the coffee. "Room service or go out?" he asked.
"Let's go out, yo. There's this diner three blocks down that serves the most absolutely DIVINE hash browns.. .almost as good as what YOU do to me, though ain't nothin' AS good as that." He slid his slipper sandles on. "Gonna check on the boss an' see if they wan' us to bring back anything."
Rude nodded, looking for his other shoe. He waved at Reno, indicating that the redhead could go and get breakfast orders next door while he went on the Quest for the Missing Left Sneaker.
Reno knocked, to be greeted by Tseng's pale and worn face. "Yo, Tseng, you look like hammered shit. "He looks to see Elena had arrived as well, she looked equally drawn.
"Bad news, I take it. .." those drawn and tired faces could only mean that. ..Elena never looked like she did now otherwise.
How the hell did his shoe get that far under the bed? Rude could barely fit under there... must've been Reno. He could only hope it had been Reno and not Elena sneaking into their room at night. He shuddered, grabbing the shoe and putting it on. Lastly, the sunglasses. There. Presentable. He walked over to the next room frowning when he saw everyone's faces.
Reno looked straight over at Elena. "Laney? What, what'd ya find out?"
There were no tears, which meant the President was NOT dead. However, their faces indicated that it was a possibility in the short term future. "Sir?" he asked Tseng, unsure just how effective their leader could be with his lover in the state he was in.
"It's terminal. . .there is no cure. "
m
"Are you...?" Rude started to ask, but he already knew the answer. Of course Tseng wasn't all right. Rufus was in the next room dying of some unknown, deadly illness, and there was absolutely nothing any of them, anyone on the planet, could do about it.
Reno's mouth dropped in shock. ..the pen and paper he'd had in his hands dropping to the floor with a soft clatter as Elena began quietly crying behind Tseng. "No. .. Gods no. .this can't be, shit he's the strongest man I've ever met. ..he can' t be."
Rude was, more so than usual, very glad he wore his sunglasses. "I'm sorry, sir," he said to Tseng, tone and voice low.
Tseng nodded, his eyes somber "We will enjoy what time we have. ..and he has already made legal arrangements. He wishes us and whatever offspring we may adopt. ..or in Elena's case produce. ..to take over the company after. ."And now they could see the stoic bushido's eyes mist, though he'd never let them fall in front of his subordinates.
Rude turned his gaze away. He'd seen the moisture at the corners of Tseng's eyes, and he spared their superior the shame of crying in front of them. Not that their was, but... Rude decided that the best thing to do was to keep their health up and see if there were any other options other than to watch their President die.
Elena finally composed herself "They've opened the mountain hospital near the Mythril Caves to those who have the illness. ..they're searching for a cure. . .it's just a matter of them finding it before. .."
Rude nodded. "It's the best option we have." He turned to look at Tseng, figuring he was the de facto choice maker for the ill President. "Sir?"
Tseng nodded. "We'll pack our things after the ceremony. .." He hands them tickets to Mideel. "He wishes to do this while he is still well enough to be presentable for it."
Rude smiled. So much joy, and so much sadness. What a week it had been... and it wasn't even over yet. Hearing Reno's stomach growl again made him revert back to the present. "Is he well enough for a normal breakfast, sir?" he asked, knowing that they all needed to eat something.
Tseng nodded "He's asked me to have you bring him back some blueberry crepes and sausage along with juice and coffee. Thank you."
"And for you, sir?" Rude asked, then glanced over at Elena. "And you're welcome to come with us, if you want."
"No," she said with a soft smile. "Just bring me back a coffee and a raspberry muffin and we'll call it even, big guy."
"Just a hazelnut muffin and coffee please." It was understandable his appetite wouldn't be that great right now.
Rude nodded, placing his arm around Reno's shoulders. He steered the redhead towards the door, closing it softly behind him when they exited.
"Are you okay?" he asked Reno, knowing that he and Rufus were close, but not knowing just how close.
He nodded, then cursed softly. . .no, he didn't know they'd been lovers before he and Rude had been together. .."Shit, yo. .. if it could happen ta him. ..what's ta stop it from happenin' to one of us?"
"We'll deal with that if it comes," Rude said, leaning over to place a small, comforting kiss on Reno's lips. "First things first. Breakfast."
Reno nodded, kissing back and leading him off with a tug of his hand toward the squat building with the moon shaped sign atop it nearby.
Rude followed, shrugging off the handful of glances they were getting. Both of them were wearing pants, and it wasn't as if they were screwing right there in the street. Ah well. He didn't have the motivation to worry about it... especially after the teenaged girl who whistled at them and tossed out a "You two rock!" with a wink of understanding.
Reno however was in no mood to deal with the stares they got in the diner. "What the fuck are you lookin' at? Ain't ya ever seen two people in love before?"
"Reno." Rude's tone said it all. He wasn't interested in any trouble. It wasn't even noon yet, and they already had bad things to deal with. He didn't want any more for at least a few more hours.
The few who stared got the point though and averted their eyes with soft mumbles.
Rude gave the orders for Tseng, Elena and Rufus to the waitress, followed by his own order, mentioning that they were all to go. He turned to Reno, unsure as to what bizarre thing the redhead was going to order for breakfast. Sometimes, Reno had weird cravings in the morning, which Rude used to joke about being a sure sign of pregnancy. Ever since the Hojo and ass babies incident, he didn't joke about that anymore.
"Chcocolate chip pancakes and eggs here, yo, and a double mocha." Chocolate. ..ah yes, chocolate, ther cure for morning mood.
Rude snickered. Leave it to Reno to overdose on chocolate. "Girl," he teased quietly.
"No pussy here yo." he laughed, putting what Rude called his "game face" on.
"Sometimes I wonder," he jibed, just rolling with it. Sometimes, the best way to get Reno to feel better was to just roll with it. It usually ended up making Rude feel better as well.
Reno snorts, picking up the orders, immediatly taking a sip off the mocha.
Rude helped carry the orders, smiling at the waitress when she opened the door for them. They made it back to the hotel with no real incidents to speak of.
Reno ate quickly, throwing sidelong glances at the boss the whole time. ..it was obvious in the gifts what he thought of the idea of what he and Rude were doing...but he was curious what was going through his head now. Not that Rufus ever showed much of went on in his head a lot of the time, and he was even harder than Rude to read, part of what had caused their breakup.
Rude savored every bite of breakfast, from the hot sauce he put on his eggs to the salt, pepper and cheese he had on his hashbrowns. It wasn't that often he got to sit down and have a real breakfast with anyone other than Reno.
Rufus of course looked as inscrutable as ever as he watches his subordinates, though he looked tired. .as if he hadn't slept well. "Well, shall we get moving now that we are done eating, gentlemen? The helo flight to Mideel is 2 hours and we have much to do."
Rude nodded, standing to collect paper plates, plastic silverwear, empty styrofoam coffee cups and other odds and ends from the meal and putting them in a small garbage bag.
Em meanwhile looked up at everyone after eating the cereal Reno had brought back for her and then peered over at Rude. "Where we goin'? Uncle Rufus and Uncle
Rude squatted down by the girl. If he was going to agree to them eventually adopting kids, he would have to get used to them first. "We're going to Mideel," he said with a little smile. "Uncle Reno and I have a few things to do there."
"Uncle Rufus said you're gettin' married. ..C'n I be your flower girl? my new momma bought me a pwetty dress."
Rude raised an eyebrow at Elena.
"Couldn't help it!" the blonde giggled.
Rude turned back to the little girl. "I don't mind, but you'd better ask Uncle Reno, too."
Reno grinned "'course ya can, kiddo, but better get your basket your mama bought, too, we need ta go as soon's the boss is ready."
Rude nodded, deciding it was time for him to go back their stuff as well. In their last make-up session, things had gotten a little scattered.
Elena grinned "I took the liberty of packing up all your things, they're in front of the door, all you need to do is drop off your key."
"Thanks," he said, then suddenly felt at a loss of what to do.
"I think that is your cue to climb into the car so we can get to the helipad, Mr. Urar" Rufus; voice held an amused tone.
Rude jumped slightly, turning towards Rufus' voice with a slight blush. "Yes, sir," he said, doing just as he was told. He had to admit, finally going through... THIS had him feeling a little apprehensive. Not so much with a cold feet, should I or should I not? feeling. More of a I hope nothing goes wrong feeling.
Reno had their bags loaded into the car already, Tseng assisting Rufus in, Elena was driving. Reno's head was floating several inches above his head in joy it felt like. He had every intention of being on his best behavoir
Rude was getting jumpier with each bump the car drove over. Anyone could see he was getting visably more and more agitated the closer they got to the helipad. Cold feet? Maybe. Second thoughts? Only a couple. Questions and worries with no answers? Yes, lots.
Reno just set his hand on Rude's in a gentle manner, that sweet, genuine smile that was normally only for him showing on his face, the one that said "Nothing will go wrong today, stop worrying and go with the flow."
But Rude couldn't help it. The phrase 'Can I really do this?' kept going through his head over and over. By the time they'd reached the helipad, he was barely able to keep up his stoic appearance.
"You're not havin' second thoughts are you?" The question was quiet, a hopeful tone to it, as if he hoped the answer would be no. For the first time Reno wanted to commit himself to someone, and he had no second thoughts once he set his mind on something.
"No! I..." Rude said, rather louder than he intended. "It's just that..." he couldn't put words to it. Reno was the first long-term relationship he'd had where he hadn't expected to die within the year. His hands moved in front of him in that word-finding gesture.
"You're afraid somethin's gonna go wrong. . .partly 'causea the week we've had, and partly 'causea the boss. m'right, aren't I?"
"Sort of," he said, infinitely frustrated with his inability to both tell Reno what was bothering him and, more importantly, figure out exactly WHAT was bothering him in the first place. All he could come up with was that he was nervous. N-E-R-V-O-U-S nervous.
"Ah, an' you got the jitters. .." He chuckled. " 'sta be expected, yo."
"I do NOT have the jitters," Rude said, sounding and sort of looking like a pouting child. He 'hmph'ed, then added, "Thought seeing the bride before the ceremony was bad luck."
"Ain't no bride yo, besides if I don't fly the chopper we'll probably end up crashin, 'cause you n' I are the only ones QUALIFIED ta fly it an' if I let you do it as shaky as your hands are we won't get there."
A small voice in the back of Rude's head mentioned that Reno was right. Rude told that voice to back off and shut the fuck up as he sat on his shakey hands in the helicopter. There. Who has shakey hands now, eh?
Reno took off with a smirk, peering over at Rude in the co-pilot's seat sitting on his hands. "No need ta be nervous, yo. I'm usually the one who knows when somethin's gonna go wrong, and I don't feel no "Goin' wrong" vibes today, so settle, fer Shiva's sake."
Settle? Settle? How could he settle when he was, Rude gulped, getting married to the most annoying, irritating, self-righteous, unstable, beautiful, loving, caring, cherished person on the damn planet? He was NOT going to hyperventilate. He was NOT.
"I need a cigarette," he said, proud at how normal his voice sounded.
"Rude. .." His voice held a slight tone of sadness to it. "If you don't wanna do this I won't force ya. ..I know forcing someone to do something they don't wanna just leads ta shit goin' wrong.so tell me now. .do you want this? An' be honest."
"I want to," Rude said, "I'm just... just a little sca--" he cut himself off mid-word, choosing to go with a slightly less incriminating word. "Nervous."
Reno nodded, and they flew overhead of Mideel, his sharp eyes spotting the helipad even through the thick overgowth.
When they landed, Rude helped Tseng with Rufus. "We should stop by the clinic," he said, remembering that they had both excellent doctors and wheelchairs.
Reno nodded, picking up the limo that had already been arranged for and pulling around to the helipad.
The ride to the clinic had Rude fluctuating between nervous agitation and excited elation. In short, he was an emotional mess.
Rufus when he came out with Tseng was as tight lipped as they came..."Well, you two have nothing to worry about, it's not contagious."
Truthfully, Rude wasn't surprised. Rufus hadn't come in contact with anyone with the disease, yet still seemed to contract it.
They all clambered back into the car, this time headed for a small, rural looking temple in the middle of town. "hey, 'Lena, help me gdet ready, wouldja?"
It was time. It was time and Rude was nervous all over again. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
Reno when he got into the dressing room with Elena finally let on that he, too, had the jitters. "aw, shit, where's my tie? it's not with the suit!"
Rude was in the bathroom, carefully putting on each piece of his new suit with both reverence and purpose. He could do this.
Reno finally got it all on, letting Elena brush out and style his hair, then looked in the mirror. "how do I look.?"
"If he says no, can I have you instead?" Elena asked cheerfully.
Rude sighed, turning to look in the mirror. The cut of the white suit showed off his best assets, and the black and dark grey accents just added to the allure. If he were anyone else, he'd say that he was looking pretty damn hot.
Tseng lead Rude down to the end of the aisle, where they waited quietly. ..the sun shimmering in through the skylights.
Rude took a deep breath. This was it. It was time.
Then, music playing. ..a soft love song, not the traditional, but what about this or the couple was. ..and there he was walking down on Elena's arm, the light shimmering down on red hair that gleamed like glass. .his eyes misty, he looked as if his heart was in his throat. Rufus of course officiated, since despite Shinra's fall he still had the ability to sign off on the certificate. But to be frank. ..Reno seemed to shine with an oddly ethereal sort of inner beauty right now, a true happiness that nothing could mar. Rude of course had never seen him quite this way before outside of post-orgasmic bliss.
When Elena and Reno reached him, Rude let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding with a soft, "Hey." Then he drew in another, shakey one.
Rufus smiled as Elena shoved Reno's hand into Rude's. the blond man thinking about possible futures should he get out of this alive and intact. ..seeing Tseng in a suit like the one Reno wore now. "We are gathered here before these witnesses to bind these two in a permenant life-bond known as marriage. Should any have an objection speak now or remain quiet on the matter forevermore." Seeing as no one stood he continued, looking to Rude.
"I have no objections, sir," Rude said with a soft smile, now that the ceremony was actually taking place, his nerves calming.
Rufus turned to Reno, his eyes flashing with something like happiness. "Do you, Reno Tarshil, take this man to be your husband and lifemate, pledging to love him and remain faithful to him, under the best and worst of circumstances, for as long as you both live?"
Reno was beaming when he solemnly answered "Yes, sir, I do."
Rude just smiled. That's all he really could do as he listened to Reno's affirmation.
Rufus then turned to Rude, asking the same of him, something almost wistful about the look in his eye, the way his head tilted just so.
"Yes, sir," Rude replied, taking his gaze from Reno only to look Rufus in the eyes for his answer. When he looked back at Reno, he added, "I do."
Elena was sniffling as Rufus said "I now pronounce you married, now kiss for Shiva's sake so we can free up the temple and head to the reception hall, we have an 11:30 wedding behind us."
Rude leaned in, lips pursing slightly to kiss Reno delicately on the lips. He closed his eyes, feeling the redhead respond. When the kiss broke, he dropped his head, looking to the floor and just breathing. He just had to breath.
All Reno could do for several long moments was just stare at the gilt silver claddagh on his left ring finger and hope that if this was a dream he would never wake up. ..before letting out a whioop of pure joy, his face lighting in a wide grin.
m
The sound that came from Reno startled him, causing Rude to look up quickly, breaths coming faster than he wanted them to. He would NOT hyperventilate. He would NOT.
"Nothing went... wrong," he said, amazement showing plainly in his voice and face.
Reno threw himself into Rude's arms, kissing all over his face. "My. ..my husband. ..Sweet Shiva I never thought I'd be able to say that."
Rude was mildly in shock. He hated to admit it, but he was totally expecting something, ANYTHING to disrupt the ceremony. But... nothing did. And that surprised him so much he could do nothing more than hold on as Reno mauled him.
Reno grabbed his hand and led him to the reception hall now where the DJ grinned at them and the lights went down. ..the stage spots turning on as the DJ spoke "This is for the new couple only, folks, so let 'em through."
Slow dance? Rude did NOT slow dance. He thought slow dancing was rather dumb. On one hand, all you did was just rock back and forth on your feet. Woo. On the other, if you were just trying to get close to the other person for a little groping, you could do that better to some speed metal or trance music.
But then Reno looked up at him. ..and one could see the choice of music, which HAD to have been Elena's, had a touched a chord somewhere deep within the redhead's soul. He whispers up into Rude's ear, of course taking care to nibble it a bit as he did, in a surprisingly sweet voice. "Baby when you touch me, I can feel how much you love me, and it just blows me away" before leaning his head on his new husband's chest, now content to just listen to that strong, steady heartbeat.
Rude swayed back and forth with Reno, all thoughts of how stupid slow dancing was were gone as he just enjoyed the concreteness of their union. He kept the fact that he hated country music to himself, though. See? Good husband.
"Blame Elena" he whispered. "Just. ..right now. ..this moment is perfect. .. woudnt give a shit if Enter Sandman was playin' so long's as I'm here with you."
m"Battery," Rude mumbled into Reno's ear with a smile. "Better than Enter Sandman." He rested his chin on Reno's head, just smelling his scent and enjoying his presense like he hadn't been able to do all damn week. Sure, 'enjoying eachothers presenses' in THAT sense was great, but sometimes a little cuddling was nice, too.
"Still can't fuckin' believe it yo. ...we're really. .and nothin' bad happened. .."
"Shh," Rude said into the spikes on top of Reno's head. "Don't jinx it." He glanced over to see Elena giving them the thumbs up, tears of happiness evident on her face.
"Could give 'em a show like the old man got on the cameras, but It'd make Tseng an' the boss horny and Elena turn red." He snorts with that teasin smile as he says it.
"Elena won't just turn red," Rude stated, face pinkening just a little, remembering all her comments about his ahem size.
"Yeah, and that's a threesome that won't fly." He laughs then.
"Why not?" Rude teased, leaning back a little just to see Reno's reaction. He knew that the redhead knew about Rude's attraction to women as well as men. In fact, Reno was his second, and obviously last, boyfriend. All the others had been women.
"'Cause as much as she'd enjoy it. .. you're mine and it'd complicate things."
"'Course Rufus-sama wouldn't mind joining in, either, but then you'd be widowed fast 'cause Tseng would murder me in my sleep."
"Tseng would kill me, too, for good measure," Rude added, smiling and placing his chin back on Reno's head.
"Nah, wouldn't murder you, he's got reason to murder me." He blushed knowing he'd given enough away that he'd probably be questioned about what he'd meant.
Yes, questioned. Immediately. "And what reason would that be?" Rude asked. He wasn't trying to start a fight, but if there were going to be married, and they already were, there were no more big secrets. Little ones, like who ate the last piece of cheesecake between Reno and his cuahl? Those were fine to keep secret. But something that would make Tseng kill him? Had to be told.
"The boss an I were. ..well together before you an' I. ..and before he and Tseng. The breakup was kinda messy."
"How messy?" Rude asked. It was very important for him to know, mostly so he didn't cross any unknown boundaries with the President.
He lifts his hair, and the scar above his eye that was hidden 99 of the time showed, it was a tiny crosshatch pattern in the shape of the Shinra Corp logo. ..like the one on Rufu's ring."'snot to say I didn't bring it on myself. ..I told him he had turned into his father an' I didn't need that in my life."
To Rude, that still didn't give Rufus the right to strike Reno. Okay, so maybe he had different rules for those that were Reno, those that were your friends, and those that needed a beating. Reno, obviously, covered the first category. Rufus and the other Turks covered the second. And the third? Everyone else.
"He apologized for it later, o'course. Unlike ol' Jack Shit, when the boss is wrong he SAYS he's wrong."
Rude nodded. Well, that was... enlightening.
"That's why Tseng looks at me funny an' drives me harder than most everyone else, I think."
Rude nodded again. "And when were you planning on telling me this?" he asked, voice even. There was no hidden accusation in his tone indicating that he was angry with Reno for not telling him. He just wanted to know.
"Actually, wasn't at first. .m'past is m'past, ya know, and aside from Tseng bein' funky about shit, that particular past don't affect me much now."
And that would put a new spin on Monday's little "incident" though Reno might not think so. Of course on Tseng's part it was a completely subconscious thing, he didn't realize he drove Reno harder than the others to be a good TUrk.
"I just like to know," Rude said softly. "Just in case it decides to bite us in the ass again." With that, the song had ended and the two men were promptly glomped by an enthusiastic Elena.
"You guys are SO cute!" she squealed.
Reno laughed as Elena dragged them over to cut the cake. "So, you want me ta squish it in Costan tradition, Laney?"
Oh yes, the one tradition Rude would probably hope he WOULDN'T remember, the Costan one of shoving the cake in each other's faces instead of feeding it to each other in a sane manner.
"Yeah!" Elena cheered.
At the exact same time, Rude protested. "No!"
Reno grinned, twisting the bit of cake as he did so in order to get the frosting as much over Rude's mouth as he could, even his little goatee, letting Elena snap a shot before he began to kiss his all up and down his face with tiby cat-like licks to clean the frosting up.
"Reno..." Rude growled, but there really was no hostility behind it. More of a warning that Rude WOULD find a way to get him back. Oh yes. He would. After Reno finished licking his face. And maybe a few other parts. Down boy, there were other people present.
Reno gave him that cheeky smirk that always got the Prince Albert to rise straight to attention.
Rude surprised everyone, himself included, when he grabbed Reno, wrapped his arms around the redhead's back, dipped him backwards, and kissed him soundly. Rather soundly. With tongue. Lots of tongue. THAT would teach him not to tease his new husband.
Reno gave just as good right back, that cheeky smirk never fading, though he himself was now rather hard.
When Rude stood them both back up, he found that he was nearly out of breath, but feeling rather nice. He turned his head quickly when he heard Elena's catcall, something he didn't catch the all the words to: just 'honeymoon', 'lucky little shit', and he swore she mentioned his piercing.
Rufus actually LAUGHED and dragged Tseng into his lap.
Rude's mouth opened in shock. He knew Tseng and Rufus were together, but he'd never seen them do anything more than just casual, easily explained off touching. It was... a little odd to see them like they were.
Tseng of course blushed very deeply. ..and asked Rufus how much he'd had to drink at the reception.
Speaking of drinks... Rude was thirsty. He steered Reno towards the bar, asking him what he wanted.
"Beam n' coke, yo."
Rude handed the redhead his drink, then picked up his own, Captain and coke. He'd decided to take it a little easy until later in the evening. Didn't want to be smashed before dinner.
Rufus was busy committing "Sexual Harassment" at the moment so he probably wouldn't care how drunk they got.
Rude led Reno over to a little table to sit down. He pulled his lover onto his lap, making sure that Reno felt just how happy he was to be there. Well, maybe not THERE exactly, but there in general.
"Hehe, looks like we might not make it outta here, eh? Man, lookit the boss. Almost can't even see Tseng's dot, Rufus is swallowing so much of his face."
Rude could just stare. He'd NEVER seen either of them like that before. Someone please pick his jaw up from the floor before someone steps on it?
"Yo, Rude, if your jaw drops much lower you'll dislocate it." Reno laughed outrageously.
"Do you see that?" he asked, still unable to take his eyes from where Rufus' hand seemed to disappear under Tseng's dress shirt.
"Yeah, and Laney's snappin' pics in case they forget they were makin' out at our reception."
"That girl is nothing but trouble," Rude said, shaking his head a little.
Reno laughed. "Yeah, she is, but she's how we finally admitted how we felt about each other, so we really owe her. You remember how she shoved us together at the boss's 19th birthday party? That was 6 monhs or so after the boss n' broke up."
Rude remembered. The little blonde girl literally shoved them together, muttering something like, "I you're going to dance around each other, at least dance WITH each other. Geez."
Reno chuckled, and they come back serving the food. ..after supper the rest of the reception passes by in a blur, then they are leaving the reception hall for the limo Rufus had arranged for them to have when Elena commands the Rice Brigade.
Rude chuckled when a few pieces of rice stuck to his goatee, but plain out laughed loudly at the amount stuck in Reno's spikey hair.
"Ah shit, " he cursed when a bunch of birds came down out of the tree above the reception hall to try to feed on the rice."I swear, you shit in my hair I'm goin' huntin!"
Rude continued to laugh, almost unable to help his partner shoo away the birds. "Let's go," he said, "Don't want them to eat you alive before I get a
"M'just sweet that way."
"Yeah, yeah," Rude said, helping Reno into the limo. He waved at Elena, saluted Tseng and Rufus, then shut the door.
Reno curled into him, riding high, kissing him thoroughly. "You have no idea how happy I am, yo. ..I am the luckiest little shit in the world yo have you."
"So Elena told me," Rude said, blush covering his cheeks and ears. "In great detail."
"Not just that, yo. ..it's much much more." And his face got serious. "You've watched my back through so much, yo. ..kept me safe not only from outside threats, but from myself, too. I owe you so damn much, an' I got no way to repay it, but ta give you me, for whatever little that's worth."
"Worth about..." Rude paused, then raised his hand that now held a ring. He was going to have to get used to that. "About this much, I think." He smiled, leaning in for another kiss.
He smiles, eyes tearing, he knew Rude was a much better more stable man and Turk both than he was, no matter his past. He really didn't feel himself worthy of someone so decent. "I jus'. .. I don't understand what someone so good sees in someone like
Rude leaned in and kissed Reno's nose tenderly. "You don't have to understand," he said. "Just know that I love you." He smiled sweetly, gently nipping at Reno's nose. "And I'm not that good. You know that."
"Damn sight better than me.. .you don't let people give you shit, you fight back. ..insteada cowering into someone else."
"I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather have 'cower' into me," Rude said genuinely. "Besides, how am I supposed to feel protective if you don't let me protect you?"
Reno smiles a bit. "don't wanna get too dependant. ..scareda doin' that 'cause there'll be times I gotta face shit on my own."
"Not really," Rude said, admiring the ring on his finger. He was starting to get used to it. "Doesn't this mean neither of us are ever really on our own anymore?" He glanced at Reno before going back to looking at the ring.
"Yeah. ..you're right. . .they saw that silver haired asshole few hours ago in town, n' more kids got sick. ..wonder if there's a connection there?"
Rude rolled his eyes. "Reno. This is supposed to be our honeymoon. We CAN take a day off for that."
"Sorry. .just worried for the boss. .."
"Tseng will take care of him," Rude said, then pulled Reno a little closer on his lap. "Now, what is it that husbands are supposed to be doing now?" He smirked.
He kissed him quite fiercely with a soft, needy moan.
"Exactly," Rude moaned into Reno's mouth. He really did love that mouth. The rest of Reno, too, but that mouth was just... he couldn't even try to put words to it.
"Gods, I love you so fuckin' much. .don't deserve ya, an' it's hard not to wonder when th'other shoe's gonna drop." He cuddles into him, fingers finding that "spot" that drove him batty.
"Reno," he moaned, voice dropping to that tone that meant the redhead was in for an interesting night. He paused, fingers going to Reno's chin to lift his face. He wanted to look into his partner's eyes. "Anything you want tonight, you can have. I'm all yours."
Reno smiled while looking into his eyes. "Jus'...jus love me yo. ..promise me nothin's ever gonna take you from me, or me from you. .even if it's false promises, I don't care. .."
"It's me and you, Reno," Rude paused, taking a deep breath before finishing. "Forever."
The next kiss was even more fierce than the last. ..tounge pressing for entrance, and when it finds it a deep moan comes from him.
Rude pulled Reno flush against him, feeling the hardness between his partner's leg pressing against his stomach. His hands travelled up and down Reno's back, then carefully removed the jacket in the way.
Reno whispers "I love you" into every inch of flesh he can reach. .when they reached the inn they just barely got to their room before Reno was feverishly removing the expensive suits as quickly as he could.