Chapter Five

Now

Within the door of Elena's house they kissed, but it felt awkward. They were being tentative, as though they'd never kissed before, as though they were strangers to one another's bodies. It frustrated Elena. She wanted Reno, there was no delicate way to put it. She pulled him closer, kissing him with renewed passion. For a moment he responded, and Elena gave a little moan. Reno pulled back. She looked at him, her face flushed.

'What's wrong?' she asked, but then she pulled him closer, kissing him again, fingers winding through his red hair.

He sighed, moving further from her. 'I'm not your fucking toy, Elena.'

Elena's eyes widened, surprised by the venom in his voice. 'I don't... I'm not...'

He cut her off. 'You're bitter and lonely, I get it.'

She opened her mouth to speak, stunned, but he wouldn't let her.

'So, tonight we have sex, then tomorrow... you never talk to me again? Forget the fact we were Turks, the fact we were friends?'

Elena struggled to stay calm. 'Yeah, sure we were friends. But that was a long time ago, Reno.'

He blinked. 'So... you really were just gonna fuck me, then never talk to me again?'

She didn't answer immediately. Was that what it was? Was this her kiss off to him? She swallowed. 'I don't know, Reno.'

They stood in silence for a minute, not looking at each other. Reno sighed. 'I guess this is it, then.'

Elena grew angry suddenly. 'You had two years to find me, you know! We might have had a chance if you'd just-'

He cut her off again. 'I know.'

She shivered at the emotion in his voice. It reminded her of something...

'Reno, once you said something to me... when we were in the tunnels underneath Midgar...'

He looked at her in surprise. 'You remember that?'

She nodded. 'You never told me what you meant,' she said, softly.

Reno didn't speak, he just grabbed her and kissed her. She wrapped her arms round his neck, pulling him closer, hooking one of her legs round him. As they pulled at one another's clothes, she wondered if it was worth it even trying to make it to the bedroom. She kicked off her shoes, frantically unbuttoning Reno's shirt, even as he unhooked her bra. It felt weird and familiar at the same time. His touch found her and she cried out, halfway between pleasure and pain.

xoxoxoxo

She woke early the following morning, and was surprised to see that Reno was no longer in the bed. His clothes were gone from the floor; all that remained of him was the hint of his scent- soap and warmth and spice. Elena frowned sleepily, pulling a thin robe on to cover her nudity.

Reno was in the sitting room, on the couch. He didn't smile at her when she entered. She didn't say anything to him, just went to the kitchen and poured herself a coffee. She took a mouthful of the hot drink, watching him the whole time. Eventually, he spoke.

'I'm going back to Edge today,' he said, and the challenge was obvious. She smiled slightly.

'Really.'

He sighed. 'You had everything with us.'

She shrugged. 'Everything except a clear conscience.'

'Things are better now. Truly.' She heard something close to begging in his voice, and it made her uncomfortable.

'I'm happy here.'

'You're not.'

'I'm not coming back.'

He let out a cry of frustration. 'Elena, for fuck's sake, you don't belong here.'

She shrugged, only frustrating him further. 'I'm happy,' she said again.

Reno stood. 'Last night-'

'Was just sex,' she cut him off, smoothly.

He stared at her for a second. 'That's not what I was going to say,' he said, quietly. 'Last night, you asked me about Midgar...'

'I don't wanna know,' she said faintly. 'I, I don't care.'

A sad smile spread across his face. Oh, she cared alright. He shrugged. 'I guess I'll be seeing you then.'

'Probably not.'

Reno swallowed hard. 'I really love you, Elena,' he said softly.

She made herself look him right in the eye. 'I don't love you,' she said, voice steady. She only let her gaze drop when the slam of the door behind her let her know he'd gone.

xoxoxoxo

'Lena, pleeease.'

The whining tone in his voice, meant to be endearing, was just aggravating. But somehow she still found herself relenting.

'Fine. One drink.'

He threw his arms around her, pulling her into a dance. Against her will, she began to laugh.

'Grow up,' she told him, through giggles. He didn't reply, just wrapped his thin fingers round hers, tugging her to the bar.

When he'd bought them drinks, and they were sat at a little table in the corner, she shook her head. 'Our lives are forfeit if Tseng finds out we were drinking on the job.'

Reno snorted. 'Haven't you ever wondered what the Wutain Wonder carries around in that flask of his? 'Cause it sure as hell ain't tea.'

'Wutain Wonder?' Elena had to laugh at that. 'Do you take anything seriously, Reno?'

'I take plenty seriously,' he protested, eyes wide and cute looking. He leaned forward and kissed her, unexpectedly. 'I take women very seriously,' he grinned.

'Reno! Get the hell off me, perve! God, no wonder you don't have a girlfriend.'

He just laughed. 'Whatever, Lena. I know you felt something.'

Elena snorted a bit, rolling her eyes. He didn't fail to notice, however, that she downed her whole drink in one go, to try and hide the blush that suddenly covered her cheeks.

A/N- That wasn't that easy to write, so again, feedback would be appreciated. The last bit was a flashback, to try and show how they used to be friends, so yeah. The next chapter is longer and happier, as Reno generally makes a fool of himself, and Elena does what she does best- drop herself in it by saying waaaayyyy too much at totally the wrong time. But that's why we love her, no? Anyway, review pretty please?