Rude sighed, pressing another light kiss to Reno's forhead before asking. "What is it?" He knew there was something on Reno's mind, and if he didn't let the redhead say it, it was going to eat away at both of them.
"I'm gonna get hassle from the family now that they know about Rennan. .I just know it. Grandpa's gonna want to be in his life, and though I know no court in the world would give him visitation, I'd rather not even have the fuckin' hassle. Well, I'd hope they wouldn't anyway, even though he damn near got custody o' me before they deemed him too old." he shuddered slightly. "I'm starting to regret getting involved with my side of the family again." What he didn't say is that his grandfather had money and influence, much more than his father had had.
Rude just sighed. What really could he do?
"I know, not much, huh?" Reno as always could read his thought from his body language. "Speaking of Rennan, here he comes now. .." He called out. "Bath and bed, Rennan, school tomorrow"
Rude shook his head, heading back towards the couch. HE was not getting suckered into giving the bundle of energy a bath, nor was he getting suckered into trying to get the child to stay in bed. Boy needed to switch to decaf or something...
Rennan surprisingly didn't fuss, just getting in and bathing, Reno helping him into his jammies after.
Rude muttered something under his breath that could have easily been a 'brat'... but instead he chose to step out to the balcony for a cigarette.
It wasn't long before Reno joined him. "Denzel an' Livewire musta tired him out."
Rude snorted good naturedly. "Takes a lot for that kid to get tired out."
"You still gotta go to Kalm tomorrow to pick up that stuff for Reeve?" it was all conversation, but he knew what day it was.
"Should take all morning and part of the afternoon," Rude replied.
Reno nodded, then smiled just the tiniest bit. ..perfect. ..just the time he needed.
Rude exhaled a ring of smoke, watching it rise in the holiday lit darkness. "The President wants me to check on the building's progress in the afternoon. Should take me at least until dinner, maybe later"
"Yea, gotta take Livewire ta be neutered and declawed tomorrow . .Boss's orders.. .oughta be fun." He snorted.
"Busy day," Rude said softly, exhaling another smoke ring.
"Prob'ly should try ta get some sleep."
Rude grunted and nodded, flicking the last of his cigarette off the balcony before moving back inside.
Reno flicked his out, looking at all the lights a moment before stepping back inside. He remembered the first day they'd moved into the condo in midgar with the "Go away fags" having been burned into the yard and painted on their front door and sighed. He was glad things were different for the most part now.
Rude went about picking up stray bits of decoration, putting them in boxes and setting them aside. He picked up a few toys randomly scattered around, placing them in a pile with a tiny smile.
"Yeah, I know, he's messy. ..reminds me o'the day we moved into the place in midgar.. .'cause it was this date. .. 5 years ago. 'sfunny how much thingsa changed in five years"
Rude paused, thinking before letting out a quiet, "Yeah." He found himself moving slowly, almost automatically as he went about turning off lights and putting dishes in the sink.
Even over this past year a lot had changed, in Reno's opinion mostly good changes. .it had been hard, but now, they were more comfortable being open with each other.
Rude finished cleaning up, then went into the bedroom, fully intending to sort some laundry for Reno to do the next day before he flopped into bed.
Reno however when he reached the bedroom was spread out completely nude on the bed, looking like an angel, with champagne and candles next to him.
Rude raised an eyebrow as something else raised. "What's the occassion?" he asked.
"You forgot already? Since we're both gonna be busy all day tomorrow I figured. ..ya know do it a little early."
Rude mumbled, "I wanted to be busy for a reason." But he still smiled at Reno, stripping down to his boxers before climbing on the bed.
Reno popped the champage, though. ..then the little minx he was he waggled his brows at Rude before removing the boxers, then began slowly drizzling just enough of the champagne to make his skin tingle, licking it off as he did so. Arms, chest, legs, even his belly got the treatment, his tounge reaching into Rude's belly button where a fair amount got trapped. ..then a little got drizzled in that special spot before Reno took a little into his mouth and began going to town, his mouth working him very eagerly.
Rude squirmed as Reno's tongue lapped at his belly button; he was extremely ticklish there. The champagne was cold where it touched, sending up gooseflesh on his skin wherever it made contact.
Reno murmured "I love you" into the hardening shaft as he suckled, as the champagne warmed it would begin to send little tingles through, he licked at the head, wiggling the piercing which seemed to be a constant presence now.
Rude wasn't sure what exactly had him wearing his piercing near constantly, but the way Reno's eyes still lit up just a little at the sight of it... that could be a small, itty bitty part of it. There was that, and the way Reno's tongue twitched over it just so, a delightful combination of what-the-fuck and pleasure. He moaned, his hands clenching slightly in the sheets under him.
And then Reno deepthroated with his tounge still wrapped around it, tugging on it just the tiniest bit, something to drive the sanest man batshit with lust, then looked up at him with those eyes ever so teasing before lettiing go, getting up on his hands and knees and giving him that quirky grin.
Rude just looked down at Reno, waiting to see -- feel -- what the redhead would do next.
He took some of the champagne. ..preparing himself with it, moaning softly as he did. ..the bubbles tickling places he never dreamed could be. ..then literally hitched backward, guiding Rude with one hand while holding himself up with the other and shoved himself on. ..letting go a muffled hitching gasp.
There was a tiny bit of pain, and Rude could tell Reno had been hasty in his self-preparation. However, that was quickly drowned out with the gasp that fell from his lips, that noise that dropped into a moan that could have been Reno's name, or a plea to some deity or another, or any combination therein.
Pain soon became pleasure, that piercing finding places it never had for all of the times they'd made love with it in. . .this position did incredible things as his knees wobbled, threateniing to give out, but he held on with a moaned. "Sweet fucking Shiva, Rude." as the larger man began moving behind him, both of them beginning to be carried aaway by instinct.
Words were not on Rude's list of important things at the moment, not that they usually were anyway. He was too caught up in the sensation of his partner around him, slight spasms pulling delicious feelings from his nerves that made him make noises he wasn't sure he was exactly capable of.
When Reno came it was explosively and with no touch up front whatsoever. ..that piercing against his sweet spot doing every single bit of the work, he bit his arm to hold back the scream that erupted from him as he spasmed against Rude in ways he'd not ever thought possible. "Happy birthday, my love" came from his lips.
It was as if something inside Reno reached into him and pulled his climax from him. Rude was surprised by both the strength and suddenness of it.
"Happy birthday" he whispered again as he almost fell into the bed. ..which Rude would suddenly note that he'd had a set of sheets over the normal ones with a rubber liner in between so all they'd have to do is strip the first set and the liner off before collapsing into sleep. Yes, Reno learned to keep effort to a minimum.
Rude's tiny smile and brief kiss was his way of saying 'thank you.'
Reno gave a sleepy "you're welcome" and shooed Rude off the bed for a moment, stripping the dirty ones and the rubber liner off, tossing the sheets into the laundry basket and putting the liner up before collapsing back into the bed.
Rude took a moment to wander towards the bathroom to clean himself off, but quickly returned to the bed. He let Reno curl against him, listening for the telltale sigh and shudder.
That twitch happened when he had stretched himself across the big chest, the sigh one of utter contentment.
Rude sighed as well, glancing out the window once before letting sleep claim him. Tomorrow was just another day; nothing special.
Reno woke up early enough to beat Rude to the kitchen, he made breakfast, the blueberry muffins with the sugar sprinkles on them he and Rude both loved, Eggs, bacon, juice, and he had even hauled the cappucino maker out of the boxes and had chocolate hazelnut mochas on the table.
Rude woke to the smell of breakfast, something he hadn't done since he was 10, living in his mother's house.
Rennan's nose told him the same, and he crawled out of bed at the same time as Rude.
Rude took a moment to stop in the bathroom for his morning routine, but it was shortened when he heard Rennan's loud 'good morning' yawn. He pulled on his boxers and padded towards the smell.
Reno had already showered and dressed in casual clothes, and when Rude came in, he'd see the wonderful spread, He would already have a plate set up for him, including one of those mochas.
Rude just raised an eyebrow, his expression clearly saying 'girl' as he sat down.
And this time Reno didn't mind a bit, after all, he was a decent cook and liked to indulge on occasion.
Rude set about eating, not knowing when he would have time again that day to stop and indulge in something as simple as consuming good food.
Reno as soon as he finished helped get Rennan ready for school, checking over his homework, the things he normally did in the morning, before getting the leash out of the closet and calling Livewire. "I'm takin' the sedan," He called back "But the Firaga and the bike are still here, the keys to the Firaga are up on the hook."
"I'll take the bike," Rude called back as he wandered into the bedroom to put on his suit.
And with that Reno was out the door to take Rennan to school and Livewire to the vet. . .when he got back 2 hours later he had Tifa and Elena and Cid and Vincent with him to help him set up.
Rude was exhausted. It had taken far longer, what with Reeve's constant explaining of everything and the arrival of one Vincent Valentine who would NOT stop smirking at the bald Turk, than he originally planned. It was close to dinner and he was just then heading towards the new ShinRa building. He called Reno, knowing he was going to get an earful.
"Yo."
"You're gonna be pissed," Rude started, shutting off the bike just before he spoke.
"Nah, I had a feeling you'd be runnin' late, don't worry about it."
"I just got to the new building. Don't know how long I'll be," Rude said, still waiting for the earful he felt was coming.
Rude would only hear him talking to someone in the background when he said "Just be as quick as ya can, I'll make sure dinner's warm for ya."
Rude rolled his eyes. He had to do SOMETHING to get something out of the redhead. "Valentine gave me a blow job for my birthday," he tried, lying through his teeth and knowing that Reno would be able to hear that fact.
Reno snorted, he was in far too good a mood for Rude running a bit behind to bother him.
"Two blow jobs?" Rude tried, "And a reach around from Reeve?"
"Sh, right, now if Josh blew ya again I might believe it, but I know you're smart enough not to ever do that again."
"Give me something to work with, here," Rude asked, walking into the building and nodding to the hired doorman. He glanced around. The building was looking more and more completed each time he came into it.
"Oh, you'll have something when you get home. . ." He giggles over the phone.
"I'm sure I will," Rude said, his tone indicating that something else was demanding his attention. "Gotta go. See you when I get there."
"Allright." He turns to Tifa now who is setting up the bar. "'sgood he's late, took more time to set up than I expected."
It seemed to take forever, but finally, far, far later in the evening than Rude originally guessed, things are as straightened out as they were going to be until the President returned from his trip to Wutai. He glanced at his watch, showing 11:30 in the evening. He figured it would probably be better if he didn't call Reno, waited until he got home to hear the redhead's complaints about how long he had taken before just climbing into bed and going to sleep. It was all he really wanted after that long, dragging day, anyway.
Reno when Rude walked in looked more than a bit disappointed. ..all the planning was pretty much for naught. .but he did it anyway, the lights coming on, with he, Tifa, Cid, Vincent, Yuffie and even Cloud yelling out surprise.
Rude blinked at the bright lights, his eyes taking a little longer than usual to adjust due to his exhaustion. "What...?" he asked, then looked right at Reno. "Why didn't you call?"
"It was supposed ta be a surprise, yo. .."
"I AM surprised," Rude said softly. "But you could have called to have me come home sooner. I wouldn't have stayed to make sure everything was going to be fine in the morning as well if I'd known..."
"I. ..I just wanted to make this birthday special, and I was afraid if I called, you'd know somethin' was up and it'd spoil it." No, he was NOT going to tear up over this, uh uh.
"Every birthday with you is special," Rude said softly, pulling Reno close and speaking into the redhead's hair. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, yo. .we were gonna party the whole night through, Elena's got Rennan tonight. . ..but I'm bettin' you're too tired."
Rude's guilt came through in that tiny smile. "Just a little," he said softly. "But I can stay up a little later, if you'd like."
"We even got somethin' for ya. ..Tifa. ..sorta knows the drummer." and out of their bedroom came Flaming Meteor, the group they'd gone to see when they'd first gotten together.
Rude smiled, but in the back of his mind he wondered if he wasn't just a little old to have a punk band playing in his condo. That, and he really didn't care for any of their new stuff, since the band had sold out and all. However, he let none of that reach his face or eyes, instead smiling and pressing a kiss to Reno's nose. "What am I ever going to do with you?" he asked.
"Love me?" And he ground against Rude a little as they started playing "Closer."
"Something like that," Rude replied with a tiny smile.
And Reno just siezed his mouth,not giving two shits about everyone else who's there, but then again Reno never had a problem with onlookers.
Rude, however, did. He pulled away slightly, his eyes telling Reno that he wasn't too terribly comfortable making out with all those people around them, especially since he knew full well where that making out would lead.
Reno nodded, then just started dancing.
Rude tried, he really truly did, to keep up with Reno, but he was just too damn tired. After a few songs, he excused himself to head over to the bar, hoping a drink would help wake him up.
Reno at around 1 whispered at people that it was time to head home and sat at the kitchen counter next to Rude, they were both drinking a couple of Grasshoppers as Tifa got the rest of the bar junk cleared away..
To say Rude was sloshed would be an understatement. He truly hadn't had a bite to eat -- other than a sandwich -- since breakfast, and all the alcohol was being absorbed directly in his stomach.
Reno just kissed him, he'd be polite enough not to try to get into his pants tonight, instead he helped get him undressed, and into bed, and then curled up against him. "Thank you. ..for letting me do this tonight even though you're tired. means a lot."
"'Sokay," Rude said, smiling at the way Reno was pressed up against him.
Meanwhile, Tseng was helping his father set up, he could hear Rufus outside pacing in the hallway, nervous, incredibly so.
Rufus' steps were far louder than he wanted as he paced back and forth through the hallway. This was crazy. Why was he doing this? He was going to mess things up entirely and make a total ass of himself and his name.
Tseng had complete faith that he would not, he'd spent the last two days drilling Rufus in the ceremony until he was able to perform the 9 Cups ceremony more smoothly than Tseng himself was.
Which didn't make Rufus worry any less. In fact, it made him worry more. He was so nervous that he'd almost made himself a very unhappy man while zipping up his pants that morning.
Then it was time, The dressers came to take Rufus back to put him in the kimono, and when they were done escorted him into the temple anteroom helping him kneel as the priest spoke the ceremonial vows, then the cups were placed out. Tseng took three sips off the first, then passed it to Rufus, indicating he was to do the same. ..obsidian never left blue the entire time.
Rufus' hands shook as he took the cups, but he managed to not spill a drop. Point for ShinRa.
Once that was done, Tseng's father came, and bound their wrists with a silk cord, and after a few more ceremonial words in Wutain he spoke to all present, even Yuffie was there. "I now declare, in the presence of all here, that these two are bound for life and beyond, In the eyes of Leviathan and all of the Gods, their lives are now forever bound. What one owns, so too does the other."
Rufus let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It was... done. And he didn't screw up.
Tseng could hear several of the elders present talking, some of them in low, harsh tones, but at the moment he could care less.
Rufus smiled, his eyes asking Tseng if it was acceptable to kiss him now.
Tseng answered that with a deep, toe-curling kiss that left the elders murmuring in even darker tones, while Shion-wi was grinning ear to ear.
"Not exactly what I had in mind," Rufus said quietly with a tiny smile on his face.
One of the elders walks up to Shion-wi now, and he asks "Yes, how may I help you"
"We do not approve," the man said clearly.
"I know, and that is the point. It is time that some of the traditions were discarded. ..we have a dispensation from the princess, whether you approve or not is ir relevant,"
"It does not change the fact that we, as well as others, do not approve."
"If change is not made, our nation will die. Some traditions are good. This law against one committing to another because both of them happen to be of the same gender is a bad one."
"Who are you to make decisions for all the people of Wutai? You must take into consideration the choices of those who also oppose your change, Shion-wi."
"I have heard all of those who support the princess speak, and it is more people than you believe"
"But you are deaf to those who oppose."
"Those who are in opposition are older ones such as you. Ones who would see those like my son whose only crime was being true to his own heart cast out. ..executed. ..his child abandoned because he was not permitted to claim him."
"Yet still our cries to be heard fall on deaf ears. You are so caught up in your ideals that you do not hear the cries of the many other who would oppose you."
"They oppose change out of fear My son is a human being. ..ShinRa. ..is a human being with feellings and regrets like any of us. I have seen the regret for the events which led to their jourmey here.."
"Their reasons for opposing change are irrelevant. The fact that we have heard your words yet you refuse to hear ours, however, is not."
"Then speak. ..why is it you oppose the joining of two who quite obviously love one another?"
"Because were everyone to do it, there would be an end to children."
"Not everyone wishes to, besides which there aremillions of children abandoned just as my grandson was that such couples would be glad to take in. "
Tseng spoke up quietly "As my employee Elena HAS done."
"We still do not accept this." With that, the man turned and hobbled away, having said his peace.
Tseng sighed, shaking his head "Change will be slow, but it will come."
"We cannot force change. We have tried in the past... and failed," Rufus said quietly.
"Once the older generation has died, it will sweep over Wutai like a tide."
Rufus kept his questioning opinion inside. He knew that there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, but he was also very aware that there were more than plenty of people opposed to it... some even of the newest generation.
"Now, we should get packing, it will soon be time for us to return home."
Rufus nodded, bowing deeply to his father in law.
Shion-wi bowed in return and smiled.
Reno when he awakened did so slowly and with a pounding headache. "Ugh, yo. . .nasty hangover."
Reno's words fell on deaf ears. Rude was out cold. Still.
So he got up, wobbling to thwe bathroom to do his business, then started a pot of coffee. ..He ordered out for breakfast, he HURT too much to cook, his body completly sore.
Rude was still asleep, a snore coming loudly from his lips as he rolled over into Reno's warm spot.
Finally he brought a cup of coffee into the room, giving Rude a slow, leisurly kiss annd hoping he wasn't getting sick, which after that party last night would be just his luck.
Rude opened his mouth and yawned just as Reno was leaning in for a kiss, making the redhead's noise drop right into his partner's mouth... something which woke him up instantly. Rude pulled back a little and asked, "What are you doing"
"Mornin' sunshine. .. just a good morning kiss.. .fuckin' hung over n' sore, but figured I'd wake ya up pleaeasnt.
Rude smiled, then that smile turned mischevious. "Must be morning," he mumbled, turning his head so as to not breathe Reno's breath. After a long night of drinking, hangover breath was the WORST.
Reno blushed, and popped one of his breath strips "Sorry, yo."
Rude just shook his head good naturedly, indicating with a nod that he needed to head to the bathroom.
Reno got up, noting the muscle stiffness and shook his head, last time he'd gotten sick, as in genuine illness and not some misfortune from Josh or the sort, he'd been in bed for three days and sore and feverish for a week after that. When he did manage to catch something it was normally from being utterly run down and typically after a nasty night of drinking, just like last night. He simply shook his head and headed down for breakfast.
Rude went about his morning routine, even catching a quick, Reno-less shower before he dressed casually and went towards the kitchen for breakfast himself.
Reno did not realize he looked a wreck, instead, he went about setting out the just-delivered breakfast and making himself a plate. "Mornin', yo, get yourself some coffee."
Rude nodded, finally, after a few moments, mentioning that, "You look like shit."
"Yeah, feel it too, yo."
"Coming down with something?" Rude asked, reaching into the fridge for some orange juice.
"Maybe, 'sthe timea year for it. . ." He just ate what of his breakfast he felt like and sipped his coffee. "I gotta go pick up the boss and Tseng, they're gettin'' back later this moorning."
"I can get it. You get some sleep," Rude said, standing to take the breakfast dishes back to the sink.
He nodded, heading back into the room, then went through the mail again, frowning a bit. "Here, this is yours, 'sfrom Josh." His voice was toneless as he handed Rude the somewhat heavy package.
Rude sighed, deciding to open the package later, after he picked up the President and Tseng. "When are they arriving?" he asked Reno.
"11." With that he went, took a quick shower, and headed back to bed to sleep off the funk.
Rude nodded, noticing that he could be ready and out the door by 10, giving him an hour or so possibly at the gym before picking the pair up from their Wutan trip.
Livewire, surprisingly, didn't come out for breakfast, showing his loyalty for his master by laying at the foot of the bed, curled around his feet. The cat had blossomed under Reno's care, just as Rennan had. There was just some indefinable quality about the Turk that most thought a heartless butcher that drew people and animals both to him and inspired unflagging loyalty.
Rude went about putting on his suit, getting ready to go after a quick trip downstairs to the gym. He arrived at to pick up Tseng and the President at 11 sharp.
"Good morning, Rude, I had expected Reno, where is he?" Tseng lofted a slightly questioning brow.
"Coming down with something, sir."
"Oh, and happy birthday." Tseng was leaning against Rufus and he smiled a bit.
"Thank you, sir," Rude replied, holding open the car door for Tseng and Rufus.
Tseng as the trunk was popped lifted their bags out, heading inside with them, and as he did he noted the packkage on the seat. "So he's sending you gifts now?"
"I guess," Rude replied, not really wanting to talk about it.
"That is not a good sign, so I must say I am glad he is where he can no longer do you and yours any harm." And with that he heads into the house with the bags.
"Are you two well? Do you require any more of my assistance?" Rude inquired, wanting nothing more than to curl up at home with a newspaper, some coffee, and a good ball game.
"No, no thank you."