"Doesn't matter," Rude said softly, reaching out to run the back of his hand along Reno's cheek and jawline. "Still beautiful." See? He could be open and honest and all that shit.
"Ya know. ..never thought. .any of this would happen. ..an' I want you back so bad but I understand you're scared too, even if you won't say it. .." He looked up into those dark eyes that were beautiful to him, so very expressive, they told everything. ..probably why Rude hid behind those dark glasses so much. "Baby steps, right?"
"Something like that," Rude replied.
He nodded, then leaned in for another kiss. ..eyes closing. ..showing that the trust was still there, despite it all. .that LOVE was still there. he didn't start crying again, but the emotion was too intense for anything approaching full arousal. ..his heart and spirit hurt being away from the big man.
As Reno leaned in, Rude remembered something his mother had told him a long time ago: Never trust someone who kisses with their eyes open. It was a strange thought to pass through his head as he too closed his eyes and leaned forward. This time, he kept his tongue to himself, instead just enjoying the press of lips and the sharing of breath.
"I . ..I prob'ly should go, uh? I haven't been sleepin' good at all since alla this started. ..and we got lotsa work to do over the next couplea weeks. He was afraid of some of his own past, but he didn't say it. ..it was time to stop hiding, to stop lying.
Rude nodded, then dropped his gaze to his lap. "Can I..." he started, paused, then started again. "Would you mind if I walked you back?"
"Was gonna ask anyway, yeah. ..I'd like that."
Rude's eyes smiled far more than his mouth did before he stood, holding a hand out to Reno. "I guess we better get going then."
Reno held out his hand. .they looked like a couple on a first date almost.
Rude led them out of the diner, blushing slightly as their waitress waved at them and smiled knowingly.
As they reached the step of the hotel room, he leaned up, lips capturing Rude's.. .his eyes teared just the tiniest bit as he leaned against his chest, just listening to his heartbeat. "We're gonna make it, right?" he whispered.
A sound that could have either been an affirmative grunt or a shrug of uncertainty left Rude's throat. He wanted to believe, he really did, but he just... didn't trust himself around anyone anymore.
"If you don't believe. ..guess I'm gonna hafta do it for both of us. ." he stayed there for several moments more before turning and walking inside, no more words spoken. .Rufus and Tseng would know how his heart ached by the tightening in his shoulders though.
"Well?" Rufus prompted. Reno appeared to be unscathed by the encounter, which was a very good thing.
"Baby steps. .he. .he wants ta try. .'sjust hard for both of us."
"I understand," was all Rufus could think of to say.
"At any rate, should prob'ly try ta rest got a lotta work"
Gladys as Rude came in hugged him. .."I know tihings will work out, you CAN do this. .but you have to believe." with that she pressed a kiss to his forehead before going up after the laundry.
Rude decided to just head straight up to bed. His entire walk back to his parents' house had him thinking of Reno, which always would make his pants feel too tight, regardless of whether they were fighting or not. He had to spend some quality time with Tabitha Thumb and her four sisters.
Reno's mood on the other hand was too intense for it instead he slept with dreams of Rude in his headboth good. ..and bad. The last one. .him laying where that kid in the club had been. .begging him to stop. .he awakened with a startled yelp. ..sweating. . .panting.
Rufus had been leaning against Reno's doorway, wearing an open robe and a loose pair of boxers that draped across his hips just so. He'd been watching Reno sleep since he heard the first scream.
"R-rude. ." he scrambled backwards. "How long have you been standing there?"
Rufus shook his head, still not moving from the doorway. "It's me, Reno."
He got up. ..running to him. ."gods. .sorry. .." he shook his head."
Rufus shook his head again, gesturing with the hand that wasn't helping him lean against the doorframe for Reno to go back to sit on the bed. "Tseng heard you screaming," he prompted.
"Nightmares about him?" Rufus asked, his tone almost casual.
He nodeded now, face coloring in shame.
The blonde finally stepped away from the door, and walked towards the bed, his robe swishing just slightly as he walked. "Tell me."
"m'on the floor. .where that kid was. ..begging him to stop but he doesn't. ..an' those eyes are like ice. .so cold. ..emotionless."
Rufus nodded, sitting down next to the redhead. "And?" he prompted again. He had a feeling Reno wasn't telling him the whole story. However, he could be wrong; it was 3am, afterall.
"I woke up. ..last thing I see. .s'him walking away. ..leaving me there bleeding on the floor. .."
Rufus nodded, a tiny sound of acknowledgement leaving his lips. After a few moments, he asked, "Are you afraid he's really going to do that?" There was something to be said about hidden symbols in dreams, but sometimes the symbols weren't all that hidden at all. Sometimes, they were right in front of your face.
"I guess. .I'm more afraida him walking away. ..than anything else."
An arm snaked around Reno's shoulders, pulling the redhead close. "He hasn't done it yet," Rufus offered. It was the best he could do, just hold Reno and hope it was enough.
"I know. ..shit. .I know, m'stupid ta wanna leap right back into it like nothin' happened. ..told him we couldn't go on that way. ..now I wanna"
"You want to what?" Rufus asked, honestly not understanding the redhead's ramblings.
"Wanna leap back into well. ..the whole relationship. ..with both feet. " it was late, he was tired, shaken up. ..likely was rambling.
"What you want and what is best are not always the same thing," Rufus said, gently leaning Reno back onto the bed. He shifted, allowing the redhead back under the covers. "Would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep?"
"Yeah. ..if I start screamin' again. .there's a bottle in my bag. .get out one gelcap an' bring it in. .don't use 'em often, but when I do. ..well now ya see why."
Rufus nodded, shifting himself so he was laying on the bed beside Reno, his arm around the redhead almost protectively.
Reno let off that little twitch as he slipped back into sleep.
Tseng stood now. "It's not going to be an easy path to wak,"
"I know," Rufus said quietly. He moved his head slightly, indicating that he wanted Tseng to lay with him as well. Perhaps it would be best for all of them if someone stayed with Reno thoughout the night.
Tseng strode in, curling up on the other side..."He has more courage than I'd imagined possible, how long, I wonder, had he had inklings of what he was dealing with"
"Probably longer than he'd like to admit," Rufus replied, reaching out to brush his fingertips across Tseng's lips.
Tseng reached over and stole a kiss over Reno's head, one that is gentle. "Probably so. ..how did WE miss it?"
"If you recall, we were a bit... preoccupied," Rufus said, scratching unconsciously at the back of his hand where the Geostigma had been.
"Yes, I guess we were. .."
Rufus sighed. "Perhaps... we should wait and see what happens before we interfere any more."
"Yes, I believe you're right. Though as you have said before, to lose one. ..likely means losing both."
"Have a little faith, Tseng," Rufus said with a soft smile. "I believe we are both underestimating the desire these two have to be together, come what may."
Morning came, as of course it must, to the smell of coffee, and bags by the door.
Rufus had slept through any movement on the bed, but the smell of coffee brought him gently into wakefulness.
Reno had all three of their bags next to the door, he was sitting at the table, drinking some coffee with Tseng across from him, he looked slightly more rested, but not much.
Rufus ran a hand through his sleep-rumpled hair, padding across the room to the coffee machine, his robe falling off one shoulder as the bottom of it trailed behind him like a wedding train. "Morning," he said, voice a little gravelly from sleep.
"Morning, got coffee, room service's comin' with breakfast in a few."
Rufus nodded, pouring himself a cup. He hadn't slept well, what with waking up periodically to make sure Reno was still there, still okay. How many times had the redhead looked out for him? It was time he returned the favour.
In truth Reno had had one more nasty nightmare during the night, but had barely moved. ..the warmth of his boss and Tseng on either side of him had melted the icy fear away. .he finished the rest of his first cup as room servce came in with bacon, egg and pancake platt
Rufus dove into breakfast, rather hungry for no particular reason. He rolled up a few pancakes with eggs and bacon in the middle of them, drizzling syrup over the whole mess before eating it.
"uh, boss.. that looks. ..just ew."
"It all ends up in the same place anyway," Rufus offered, taking another bite. He'd managed to slip the robe off to avoid getting syrup on the sleeves, leaving him dressed only in a pair of loose fitting boxers.
Tseng chuckled. "He's right you know."
Rufus just nodded and grinned, going back to the main tray for seconds.
Reno then calls Rude, his voice hushed.
"Hello?" Rude answered his phone, finally fixed, voice a little groggy.
"Hey, we leave in 90 minutes. ..do you think it'd be allright if I came over and told everyone goodbye?"
Rude cleared his throat, trying to get the grogginess from it. "Yeah, sure."
"Be over in 20, I need ta shower and change real quick. His own voice was somewhat shakey from sleep still. ..he'd debated about telling Rude about the nightmare, but wasn't sure if he should.
Rude grunted an affirmative sound, then hung up. He needed a shower. And not just because it was morning. Appearantly, his unconscious mind had been working overtime, making him have to change the sheets as well before he left.
Reno as he climbed into the shower called back "Hey, you guys used up all the shampoo." with a little chuckle, a nervous one.
Rufus walked into the bathroom, rummaged around under the sink, then handed a small bottle over the top of the shower curtain. "You're just not used to sharing a bathroom with someone who has hair like yours," he said before padding back out to finish his breakfast.
"Thanks, yo. .yeah, bald men, no hair ta wash."
Rufus, instead of going towards breakfast, instead ran a finger across Tseng's cheek. "He'll be in there for at least another 20 minutes," he said suggestively.
Tseng nodded, climbing over onto the bed, his hair loose.. lifting that one dark brow in a suggestive manner as well.
"You undo me, Tseng," Rufus nearly moaned, pushing his boxers past his hips and letting them fall to the floor before stepping out of them. With a rather seductive smile, he crawled onto the bed, eyes not leaving the elder man's.
"Do I.. ." the Wutain purred, sliding out of his robe, the black silk boxers sliding off as well, he took Rufus into his arms, lips meeting his gently. .. then his tounge dove in ..he knew Rufus liked his darkly seductive topping, it was his relaxation, his chance to get away from the stress of having to control every aspect of the rebuilding. his hands found the tube of ky inside his bag, he squeezed out a bit within his palm. ..running his lubed fingers over Rufus' back, then following with kisses before his fingers found that puckered passage. ..brushing all around it before delving inside, working past the resistance.
Rufus moaned, pressing himself back against those fingers. Tseng always knew what he needed. Always. It was part of the reason why he loved the man.
Tsegng chuckled darkly wiggling them around, finding all the right places while the gel on his fingers warmed. .. Rufus would then feel the slightest touch of cold steel on his skin, not enough to make him bleed, just the tiniest whisper-scrape, just as he slid ever so slowly ihnside.
A gasp shot from Rufus' mouth at the cold touch, followed by another one as Tseng entered him. His eyes were wide, almost fever bright, as he twisted slightly to look behind him at the elder man. "What are you doing, Tseng?" he asked, no fear in his voice at all.
"You said you wanted me to break out the dagger, correct?" Those dark eyes glinted teasingly.
"You are correct, my love," Rufus purred, wiggling his hips slightly as if trying to get the elder man to move.
Tseng begins moving slowly. ..very teasingly. ..sliding first the blunt side of the dagger along that pale, slender back before turning it over to the blade itself.. .with each motion the tiniest of cuts. ..he licks the blood from each one, his control is ever so perfect. .he brushes the spot inside with each thrust as well.
The pleasure of feeling Tseng inside him cuts off sharply into pain with each of those tiny cuts, only amplifying the pleasure more when it returns with another thrust. Rufus moaned Tseng's name, his hips moving in minute little counterpoints to each of his lover's thrusts.
Tseng moans softly, his own pleasure rose with each thrust as he tossed the dagger onto the nightstand, taking Rufus into his hand, he knew once he got past a certain point that precise control would no longer be possible, and he had no wish to do true injury to this beautiful creature.dark hair fell about his shoulders, as his face took on this look of rising passion.
Rufus gasped loudly, the sound ending in more of a pleased moan as he came, muscles fluttering over the man buried inside him. He had to lock his elbows to keep from falling face first onto the bed.
Tseng was quickly behind him, muffling the soft hitching cry in Rufus' shoulder as he filled the man below him. ..he rolled from him, cleaning them up with the wetnaps from the breakfast trays.
Rufus had to fight to stay awake; the afterglow made him want to just curl back up under the covers with Tseng.
"I would love to as well, but we must shower and dress as well." hhe chuckled hearing a soft panting moan from the bathroom, the moan ending in Rude's name.
Rufus raised an eyebrow then laughed. "Seems we weren't the only ones looking for a little release." He stretched, his knee popping loudly, then got off the bed, searching for his clothes.
"He deserves it, love. .it's been a rough couple of weeks with the near-constant tension between them."
"I know," Rufus answered, holding his clothes in one hand and leaning in for a naked hug. An almost mischevious smile crossed his face. "Shall we get him out of there so we can get going?" he asked.
"I think we should. .. " Tseng then strode in, flushing the toilet, which elicited a startled yelp from the redhead within the shower enclosure as the water turned arctic
Reno growled when he almost SHOT out of the shower, whacking Tseng in the ass with his towel.
"Not quite what I had in mind, Tseng," Rufus laughed, holding his stomach. "However, it worked quite well."
"You, Tseng, are evil, yo." Reno got into a pair of jeans and a cotten t-shirt, he was NOT wearing his uniform for the 7 hour boat ride and then 4 hour drive back to Edge. he may be reckless, but he was far from stupid.
Rufus laughed, sticking his hand into the shower spray to make sure it was warm again before stepping inside.
Reno walked out, striding over to Rude's parents...knocking gently.
Eric answered the door. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he asked, face holding a sneer.
"I just came to say goodbye to everyone, you got a problem?"
An almost rueful sounding laugh came from Eric as he stepped aside to let Reno in. "Wouldn't say I'm the one with the problem."
"At leas I'm not the one who got hit." he remarked as he stroode in, looking first for Bernard.
"Give it time," Eric tossed over his shoulder as he went up the stairs. "He'll make you his bolso de perforación soon enough."
"you wish. ..he was willing to do the work tpo make things better for me."
"Whatever, mono del asno," Eric tossed back. He always had to have the last word.
"Reno? What on earth are you doing here?" Bernard asked, coming into the room from the kitchen. His hands were covered in grease, and he was cleaning off what looked like a spark plug with a rag.
"Came ta say goodbye ta everyone before we all left. ..no matter what's goin' on between your son n' I. .you're still family ta me."
Bernard nodded once, then stuck out his grease covered hand.
Reno shook. "We're headed to Edge. ..we're gonna try ta make things work. ..hopefully. ..next time we come to see ya there won't be so much insanity"
"In this house?" Bernard snorted, making his way towards the back door. "That'll be the day." With that, he was gone.
Next was Sam. ..he looked for the older brother and found him in the attic. "Hey. .."
If Sam could have knocked over anything else around him, he would have. As it was, he was just startled to the point of flailing wildly for only a moment. "Reno! Hey, hi, um..."
"Came ta say goodbye. ..Rude an' I are going into Edge ta try ta work shit out. .." He opened his arms for a brotherly hug. ..so much had changed since they'd come here. .this trip where he'd discovered so much, some of it now he wished he hadn't, but at least it ws out in the open and could be dealt with.
Sam returned the hug, then asked, voice shakey, "Is um... Is Elena going with you?"
"She hasta, but she'll be comin' back ta see ya I'm bettin'."
A nervous laugh broke from Sam. "Did she find out if she was... ya know?"
"If she is she hasn't told anyone yet."
Sam's eyes couldn't get any wider.
"I ain't gonna hurt ya, Sam. ..Elena's a big girl. ..but I still expect ya to be good ta her. ..no matter what the results are."
A slight look of relief flickered over Sam's eyes. "I... I'm just not sure I'm ready to be a father yet."
"Sam. ..I. ." and he broke off unsure how to broach the subject. "It's about. ..well. .."
He mistook Reno's words entirely. "See, it's not that I didn't want to use protection. She just... she said it would be okay, and it felt so damn good. I mean, you're a guy, you understand, right?"
"Yeah.. do I. ..Sam. ..do you think. ..do you think we can fix things? Is it possible? Or am I just hopin' for nothin'? You're fairly immpartial in the situation."
"Farthest thing from impartial," Sam said carefully. He took a deep breath. "Rudy's my brother, so in my eyes, he can do little wrong. I can't tell you how many times I bailed his ass out, telling myself it was the last time I would. Everything he's done... and Eric's done, for that matter..."
"I love him, you know that, Sam. ..Love him so much bein' away from him this last week has HURT. . .I mean he's willing ta try to get help now, that's a god sign, right?"
"I can't tell you what to do," Sam said after a moment's thought. "All I can say is, do what you think is right. Other than that... I really don't have all the answers. Some big brother I am, eh?" A slight smile touched the corner of Sam's mouth.
"I'm scared, Sam. .." it was a hard admission." I'm scared we're going to do this an' it'll all be for nothin' anyway. ..but I know I need ta try."
"Whatever will be, will be," Sam said, offering his hands up. Typical Costan phrase.
"Guess so. ..well.. .tell him we're 'bout ready ta go. ..gonna say goodbye to your mom, then we gotta move. we got a 7 hour boat ride and a 4 hour drive aheada us to get back."
"Ouch," Sam said, wincing slightly. "I don't miss those..." He paused, finally smiling a real smile. "Take care of yourself, Reno. Maybe next time I'll stay with you and Rudy instead of you guys staying with us."
"Yeah. ..we'll invite ya after we got everything cleared up." With that he went hunting the house for Gladys, finding her putting more antiques on her shelves in the "junk room."
"Momma!" Rude called, his feet thumping as he ran down the stairs. He'd already said his goodbyes to everyone else, all that was left was his mother before Reno got there.
Gladys turned around "I'm in the junk room, Rudy"
Rude walked quickly in that direction, but stopped in his tracks as a head of red hair stood in the doorway between him and his mother. "Reno," he said, a little out of breath. "You're early."
"Yeah, Tseng. .sorta finished my shower for me. he flushed."
"Oh," Rude said, tone indicating that Reno's presense was making him a little nervous. "I just need to say bye to Momma and we can go.
"Came ta do the same. .." He backed up. .letting Rude say his goodbyes first.
Rude nodded, dodging his mother's antiques as he made his way towards her. "Guess the vacation's over, Momma," he said with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her fiercely. "I promise I'll try to be good," he whispered for only her to hear.
"You treat that boy good, you hear me? He's a good boy, and all he wants is to love you." She whispered back before letting go.
Rude nodded once. "Love you, Momma," he said, placing a kiss on his mother's cheek before turning to leave.
Reno bent in to press one soft kiss on Rude's cheek with trembling lips before stepping into the junk room. "I guess this is goodbye. .." He wasn't sure why there was such a sense of finality to that statement.
Gladys shushed him, smiling. "You say that like the world's going to end tomorrow." She took him into her arms for a hug, waiting for Rude to leave before saying quietly, "My boy's a little messed up sometimes, but he loves you. He might not show it all the time, but he does. Just... give him a chance to make amends." She stepped back to pinch his cheeks. "I'd hate to never see such a cute face again."
"We're gonna give it a go, ma'am. ..I. ..I don't know if I could take losing him.. "
Gladys put her hands on her hips. "Now you listen to me, Reno. I will not have you leave my house in such a sour state." Her smile softened her face. "Just keep in mind that my Rudolph needs you just as much as you need him. Lord knows he'll never admit it, but he does." Her smile widened. "Now go," she said, shooing him with a pat on the bottom. "Don't need you missing your boat."
Reno gives her a hug. ..sniffling, pushing back his tears. "I love you momma.. we'll have all of you over once we've gotten everything fixed and know where we're going to end up permenantly."
She pressed a light kiss to the top of Reno's head. "Love you, too, honey," she answered. "Now, smile a little and get going! You have to get back to Midgar... Edge... Wherever!" She laughed.
He nodded, and out the door he went, when he stepped outside with Rude he gave the house one last long, appraising, almost longing look. "Well. ..guess we should go, huh?"
Rude nodded, lighting a cigarette before tossing the pack to Reno.
Reno took one out, lighting it up as they trailed back over toward the hotel. ..so much had happened in just that short span of time. ..from Friday until Sunday. .. in just 9 days his life had been turned upside down
Rude took a deep breath. He would never admit it, but he was afraid of seeing another shrink. The last one, that bitch Dr. Richardson, wanted to commit him. Who's to say this Chang fellow wouldn't want to do it, too?
"Ya know. ..even if shit goes swirly and ya do end up in a place for a bit. ..we'll make sure everything's still here for you to come back to. .and I am not gonna abandon you. ..an' I'll notthink any less of you. I've been inside one of 'those places' before, an' not all of 'em are horrible places." Yet another tidbit Rude had never known. ..when he'd been admitted for a week by Corneo because he'd tried to hang himself with his bedsheets.
"I'd rather die," Rude said plainly. And he would. He would rather die than be locked up in some looney bin. He wasn't the type to be in a nut house. He just needed a little counselling, that's all... not a full blown pass to Wacko-ville.
Reno just shook his head. "'snot too likely, though. ..and yeah, Richardson was a bitch." He opened the door to the room. "We're ready ta go"
Rude noticed that Rufus wasn't in the room, but he still stood at attention and saluted Tseng. "Sir," he said, voice crisp even though his navy blue track pants and 'ShinRa Security' t-shirt were a little rumpled. "I would like to apologize for my actions over the past few days, sir"
"Forgiven, Rude. ..Rufus will be out in a moment, he is getting dressed."
"Thank you, sir," Rude replied. Ah, ShinRa training at its best. Speaking of, Rude thought absently, he needed to get back to the gym. He didn't want to get flabby.
Tseng set an arm over Rufus' shoulder as the blond exits the room dressed. "I believe we better go, the ship leaves in 10 minutes."
"Mr. President, sir," Rude greeted, against saluting. He repeated his apology to Rufus. If nothing more, it was for his own sake of feeling like he'd done his best to make amends for the time being.
10 minutes later, they boarded the ship for the long ride back, Reno's eyes had begun drooping he was brutally tired from the past week's stress.
Rude stood on the ship's deck, leaning against the railing as he enjoyed a cigarette.
Tseng stepped up onto the deck behind him, Reno had long since drifted off, Elena with her fingers running through his hair comfortingly.
"Sir," Rude acknowledged Tseng with a nod. He took another drag from the cigarette, then tossed it over the railing into the water. He waited a whole breath before taking another one from his pack and lighting it. He would have offered the pack to Tseng, but as far as he knew, the man didn't smoke.
"I simply wished to tell you. ..I do have faith in you. ..and it is confirmed, you will be 'Uncle Rudy' soon enough. .though she's not told Sam yet, as she just got up the courage to find out for herself and the phones don't work well aboard ship."
The cigarette dropped from Rude's mouth as he coughed. "What!" he choked out, still trying to catch his breath.
"Yes Rude, you heard me right."
Rude opened his phone, confirming that there was, indeed, no signal. A million questions raced through his head. What about her job? What about her health? What was Sam going to think?
"She will be given less physically dangeroua assignments until movement becomes difficult, at which time she will be given leave."
"Permanent leave?" Rude asked. He could recall several times when female Turks who didn't follow the company's policies were given a permanent form of maternity leave.
"No, Rude.. Times have changed since Jack was in charge." He chuckled. "She will be given leave for the remainder of her pregnancy, then child care will be arranged for the child when she has to go on assignments."
Rude nodded, deciding it was probably safe to attempt to smoke another cigarette, considering the last one had rolled right off the deck. "And Sam?"
"He will be given the choice of whether or not to marry her, but he will be required to pay support for the child whatever his decision."
"Sam's no deadbeat," Rude said, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"I know" With that he strode back in.
As the docking call rang through Reno let out another sharp screech.. .he'd been yanked out of sleep once more. .."fuck. ..hate how the stress resolves itself. ..makes for rough sleep."
"Reno," Rufus chided lightly, rubbing his ears. "Close quarters"
"Sorry, yo. ..'snot like I can do anything about it with my pills in the cargo hold."
Rufus just rolled his eyes.
Rude had finished his cigarette and walked carefully into their room on the ship.
Reno's eyes greeted his with a shaken look, but he shook it off, heading for the gangplnk as they called for deboarding.
Rude followed at a slower pace, keeping himself several steps behind the redhead.
Reno turned back. ..his look saying it all. .the want and longing in them. ...but also those tiny traces of fear.
Rude sighed, pulling out another cigarette before offering the pack to Reno. He was becoming quite the chain smoker, lately.
"Thanks. ." His eyes held traces of the nightmares, but he didn't speak of them. ..how could he tell the man he loved above all others that he was also a little afraid of him?
"You can talk, if you want," Rude offered, looking more at his shoes than anything else. "I promise I won't get mad."
"Nightmares. ..'bout. ..that night at the club. ..only.. .it was ME on the floor. .." the words were quiet, halting.
Rude started to say 'I would never...' but could he really, honestly say that? Could he really, honestly promise that he wouldn't do it? Especially with the whole Josh incident back at the forefront of his mind. His mouth just opened and closed as if he were a fish out of water.
"I don't wanna be afraida you anymore. ..I wanna love you. ..it's all I ever wanted. . ."
"I know." Wow. Rude's shoes must be the most fascinating thing on the planet... considering how much he was staring at them.
Reno flings himself against Rude, capturing those lips. ..Rude would be able to feel the semi-firm member against him. .despite his whirl;ing emotions, Reno still found him eminatly sexy..
Rude had to quickly move his cigarette out of the way to avoid burning Reno, but when those lips touched his... it was like he was drowning and really didn't care. He used his free hand to pull him closer, lining their bodies up as best he could as he delved his tongue into that willing mouth.
Reno managed to only let one tear escape this time, though it fell in between the entwined mouths, the salt hitting Rude's tongue as Reno's crossed the passage between them.
That little taste of salt broke the spell, and Rude pulled himself away, reluctantly. As loose as those track pants were, they didn't hide the erection he was trying to hide in there. However, it wasn't the right time. Not yet. He took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm... I'm still not ready yet."