Disclaimer : I do not own FFVII, Crisis Core, Advent Children, or any of the characters that you recognise. As much as I love these guys, they belong to those other guys.

Ring of Fire

"Reno, what is it with you and cards?"

"This is a new one, I promise!"

"No nudity."

"No promises." The redhead grinned to a chorus of groans. He had, somehow, managed to convince them all that a drinking game was just what they needed that evening. Again. Despite the fact that Reno's drinking games generally spiralled into debauchery with some nudity thrown in for good measure. Around the largest circular table in Seventh Heaven, each person threw Reno a look as he starting laying the cards face down on the table. Rude raised an eyebrow and looked over at Karisa, who gave him a shrug in return. Elena dropped her head into her hands with a groan, and Tseng simply leaned back in his chair, shaking his head slightly. Tifa was behind the bar, pouring drinks for everyone, but even her groan reached Reno's ears as she heard him mention the words 'Ring of Fire'.

"You have a condition, Red, I swear. What's wrong with just enjoying a few drinks and making conversation?" Tifa asked as she returned with the tray of drinks and stared to hand them out. The bar was closed, but the three couples were having somewhat of a lock in to celebrate Karisa getting a promotion at work that she'd worked her ass off for. Not that Reno needed an excuse to harass everyone into drinking with him.

"You guys love it, don't even pretend that you don't." Reno grinned as he placed down the last few cards. "Teef, we're gonna need shot glasses an' a bottle of somethin' strong. And an empty pint glass, too."

"Why always shots?" Elena whined. Tifa gave a small shrug as she took away the tray and returned with six shot glasses, an empty pint glass, and a bottle of dark rum. She took a seat between Reno and Tseng and looked at the cards laid out in front of them.

"He's been bugging me about playing this for a month now. Please just go along with it so I can get some peace." Tifa sighed slightly, a small smile on her face as Reno flung an arm around her shoulders.

"Yep, I'll shut up about it if you guys play it. Promise."

"Anyone actually believe that?" Rude snorted.

"I don't."

"Not a chance."

"Like Reno knows how to shut up."

"Seriously, why always shots?"

"Let's just play the damn game!" Reno whined. "Okay, rules! We take turns picking up a card and each card has a rule. Some of them are simple like take a shot or pick a drink buddy. Some have the classics like Truth or Dare, or I Never. And some have rules like Waterfall or Thumbmaster." Reno explained, earned blank looks from his five companions.

"Waterfall?"

"What the hell is a Thumbmaster?"

"Are you making this up?"

"What's the bets I get the shot one."

"This sounds confusing."

"Look, let's just play! I'll keep ya all right as we go along." Reno shot everyone a look. "Geez, you guys have no faith."

"Right, so Elena you got Ace so that's the Waterfall. Basically, you start drinkin' your drink and keep at it. As soon as you start, the next person starts drinkin' and so on until everyone is drinkin'. Only then can you stop, then the next person can stop, and so on until everyone has stopped. Make sense?"

"No." Elena grumbled as she picked up her glass of vodka and cranberry. Around the table, everyone picked up their glasses. Elena mouthed a few curse words in Reno's direction as she lifted her drink to her mouth and tilted it up. As soon as she started drinking, Tseng did the same with his gin and tonic. Tifa followed suit with her vodka and lemonade, Reno with his Jack Daniel's and Coke, Karisa with her Southern Comfort and Diet Coke, and Rude with his drink to match Reno's. Once Rude had started drinking, Elena quickly slammed her drink down and made a face, despite only drinking half of the glass. Tseng stopped a little more leisurely, and Tifa followed soon after. All eyes went to Reno, who continue to happily chug his glass, earning a slightly panicked look from Karisa.

"He's doing that deliberately, isn't he?" Elena couldn't help but giggle slightly as Rude and Karisa drew looks at Reno, who was ignoring them and keeping his glass upturned. Tseng shook his head slightly with an amused smile.

"But of course. Leave it to Reno to be awkward."

"M'thirsty was all." Reno explained with a grin as he finally put down his now empty glass, Karisa and Rude quickly doing the same. Karisa glared at Reno.

"No fair Reno! First drink of the game and you make me down a full drink?"

"Hey, I'm impressed you managed." Reno grinned. Rude wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"We're going to be back and forward to the bar more than anything else in this game." He pointed out as he lifted his empty glass to illustrate his point. Tifa got to her feet.

"I'm just gonna bring beer out to the table if this is how it's going to go down, or I'm gonna have to make a ridiculous amount of fresh drinks." She suggested. A murmur of agreeance went round the room and Tifa went off to fetch a crate of beer. When she had returned to the table and passed a bottle to each of her companions, Reno turned to Tseng.

"Okay boss, your turn. Pick a card, any card!" Reno swept a hand over the table and Tseng picked a card from in front of him. He turned it over to reveal a King. "Ooo you gotta pour some of your drink into the pint glass in the middle!"

"What? Some of my gin?" Tseng almost pouted slightly, looking at the small amount left in his glass. Tifa couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll pour you another one, Tseng." She told him, earning a small smile from the Turk leader. He promptly poured the rest of his gin and tonic into the empty pint glass and handed his glass to Tifa, who disappeared behind the bar to refill his drink.

"Teef! It's your turn!" Reno called over, swinging his chair back so it balanced on two legs. Tifa finished pouring Tseng's drink and hurried back to the table, taking her seat and placing the drink in front of the Wutaiian, who gave her a small nod of appreciation and took a sip.

"Okay, lemme see. Hmm. A seven?"

"Ah hah! That's I Never. You know the rules." Reno grinned as he leaned towards the brunette, resting an elbow on the table. "C'mom, Lockhart, make it a good one."

"Alright, Red. I'm gonna use this to find out what sordid stuff you Turks get up to in your spare time." She grinned back at him. Reno's lips spread into a wide smirk. She knew he loved it when she used that nickname and he also enjoyed when she challenged him. Tifa leaned forward and grabbed the run bottle, keeping an eye on Reno as she did. "Anyone who's done this one has to take a shot. Deal?"

"Oh ho, now you're talking!" Reno grinned. Elena groaned at the mention of the word 'shot'.

"Okay. I've never fooled around or had sex in an elevator." Tifa looked around at the rest of the group. Reno rolled his eyes and reached for the rum bottle and a shot glass.

"Fuck, do I gotta do a shot for each time? Cause there's only a finite amount of liquid in this bottle."

Um, I need a glass too." Karisa said softly, her cheeks a little pink. Rude cleared his throat and extended his hand for a glass also. Elena looked at Rude with a shocked expression, but her mouth truly hit the floor when Tseng shifted in his seat and also reached for a glass. Reno grinned widely as Tifa burst out laughing.

"Elena you gotta be only Turk to have never fooled around in the ShinRa elevators, yo. Maybe the only employee, actually" He grinned over at the blonde as he filled four shot glasses to the brim with liquid. He handed them out to his fellow male Turks and Karisa and made to clink his glass with theirs. They all downed their shots at the same time.

"Hmph. Some of us were too busy trying to do our jobs. Who did you fool around with in the elevator, Reno?"

"More like who didn't he fool around with in the elevator. Sorry, Tifa." Rude added, realising that the brunette might not enjoy hearing about her lover's past indiscretions. Tifa shrugged slightly.

"It's no surprise, really. I wouldn't be shocked if he'd tried it on with one of you guys after an office party." She added with a grin. Reno let out a bark of laughter.

"We only ever had one office party. That was enough." Tseng told her, shaking his head slightly. "Reno was on bar duty and made some rather potent concoctions. That was what caused my, ah... momentary lapse of judgement in the elevator."

"Same." Rude added. Tseng looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"It was that night for you too? With who?" The Wutaiian leaned forward slightly as Rude's cheeks flushed. Reno grinned widely.

"Ohhhh Tseng doesn't know! Don't worry boss, I wouldn't either if I hadn't been heading into said elevator to use it for the same purpose." The redhead's grin was taking on a slightly wicked quality now. Rude cleared his throat and ducked his head. Tseng looked between his two Turks.

"Is anyone going to fill me in?"

"Rude? Would you like to do the honours?" Reno waggled his eyebrows, earning a small giggle from Tifa and Elena. Rude looked at Karisa who simply smiled.

"I'm curious too. Come on, Rude, it can't be that bad."

"Oh, it's a doozy." Reno quipped. Rude shot him a glare.

"Will you shut up? Ugh. It was..." Rude trailed off with an involuntary shudder. Everyone around the table had leaned forward now, save for Reno who was swinging on his chair again with a ridiculously large smirk on his face. Elena seemed to click first with who Rude would be most embarrassed about admitting any involvement with.

"Oh gods. It wasn't..."

"You're probably spot on, 'Lena."

"Rude... Not... Scarlet?" The blonde's mouth hung open as Rude turned various shades of pink. Tseng practically choked on thin air, Reno started cackling, Tifa looked horrified and Karisa simply looked puzzled.

"Who's Scarlet? Is she really that bad?" Karisa looked around the table. Tseng looked downright disappointed, Elena and Reno were laughing and Tifa was rubbing her cheek absentmindely for some reason.

"Scarlet was ShinRa's resident bitch. She was a big fan of sleepin' her way to the top, even though she was actually intelligent enough to get by on her own merit. Not that I have a problem with people sleepin' around, but she was the kinda woman who would bribe and manipulate too. She tried to get her claws into each of us a few times and we all managed to resist. But said office party was before we knew just what kind of person she was." Reno said by way of explanation, a large grin still plastered on his face. "She well and truly got her claws into Rude though."

"Quite literally." Rude snorted, helping himself to another shot of rum. "Damn bitch ripped my skin to shreds in that elevator."

"Oh gods, did you...?" Elena managed to ask inbetween giggles. Rude shook his head.

"Naw. Thankfully it didn't go that far but she apparently has a habit of, erm, marking whoever she has a hold of. If Reno hadn't disturbed us though, I dread to think. That's why I refuse to drink tequila ever again. I'd actually blocked it out but-"

"I recorded the security tapes for him." Reno interrupted, looking almost proud. "Lucy owed me a favour and she got me copies and I gave them to Rude on his birthday. Probably the best present I've ever given anyone."

"It was the worst, Reno. I almost watched it in front of my family." Rude grumbled. Reno had fallen into fits of hysterical laughter.

"I know. Gods, that would have been so good!"

"Reno, you are cruel!"

"That's so mean!"

"Remind me never to piss you off."

"Erm, you didn't get any other footage at any point, did you?" Tseng asked gingerly. Reno gave him a wink and burst out laughing as the Wutaiian's eye twitched slightly.

"Stay on my good side, boss, and you'll never have to find out."

"There's ten cards left."

"That's... two each." Reno counted on his fingers with one eye closed for concentration. Since his revelation about having dirt on the Turk leader, Tseng had made a point of making sure Reno drank as often as he could. No one had survived unscathed by now though. The Thumbmaster rule, where the last person to place their thumb on the table has to down a shot, had been severely abused by Elena when she had picked up the card, meaning that the rum bottle had been demolished and been replaced with a second full bottle. Rude had picked up a three and changed the rules so that Reno had to take a shot every time someone else did. Even with the redhead's impressive tolerance to alcohol, his hazy grin let on his drunk he now was. It wasn't helped by the fact that he was currently wearing Tifa's vest top, thanks to a Queen coming up and him having to swap clothing with someone. Tifa was quite comfy in his oversized t-shirt. The pint glass in the centre of the table had been added to, meaning the gin and tonic was now also mixed with some beer and some rum.

It was now the redhead's turn. He stood up, leaning forward with one hand on the table as the other waved over the cards as if to try and pick a good card. He suddenly grabbed one and held it up triumphantly. Everyone else leaned forward to look at the card, which was the six of clubs.

"Six. What is that one again Reno?"

"Categories. I get to pick!" He let himself drop back into his seat and reached for the bottle of rum before he unscrewed the lid and filled the empty shot glasses. He distributed said glasses and picked his up. "Okay. The category issss... Summon materia. We'll go round the opposite way for a change, and I go first. Ifrit."

"Shiva."

"Titan."

"Urm... Choco-Mog?"

"Bahamut."

"I don't know about materia!" Karisa wailed. Reno grinned and raised his glass to her. The copper haired girl rolled her eyes and lifted the shot glass and tipped it back, which Reno mirrored since thanks to Tseng he had to match every shot taken. The redhead filled his glass back up.

"You're out, Karisa. Back to me. Leviathan."

"Knights of Round."

"Isn't that just a legend?"

"Nope, we managed to acquire it."

"Acquire it, she says. Sounds like something I would say."

"We didn't steal it, Reno!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll let ya off with a mythical summon since you're so pretty."

"We did find it!"

"Sure, Lockhart. Tseng?"

"Ugh!"

"Ahem. Leviathan."

"Ah-hah! I said that already!" Reno grinned widely as he held up hit shot glass. Tseng gave a soft sigh, silently cursing the alcohol's affect on his usually sharp memory as he joined Reno in tipping the rum back. Reno banged the table a few times and filled his glass back up, closing one eye to concentrate on not spilling it everywhere.

"My turn? Typhoon." Elena said with a grin, casting a glance at the slightly rumpled Wutaiian beside her.

"Ramuh."

"Uhh... da'fuck's that dude's name with the crazy horse with the extra limbs." Reno scratched his head, his eyes slightly unfocussed thanks to the extra shots. Tifa leaned towards him and nudged him gently.

"Is that a hesitation, Red? You know you have to forfeit if you can't remember."

"Aw c'mon, Teef! You know who I mean. Big dude. Red eyes. Weird horn things."

"Nope, I can't recall. Can you, Rude?" Tifa smiled innocently at Reno before turning to Rude who simply shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We have no idea. One last chance." Tifa leaned close to Reno, her smile turning into a small smirk as she looked up at him with half shut eyes. Reno rolled his eyes and picked up his shot glass.

"You know exactly who I mean and you're just tryin' ta get me drunk." He grumbled as he lifted the glass to his lips. Tifa let out a small laugh and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Maybe." She murmured softly so that only he could hear. Reno gave her a grin before he tipped back the shot, his eyes never leaving hers. He slammed the empty glass down on the table and quickly caught Tifa in a kiss, earning a small squeak from her. The taste of the rum still on his tongue and the alcohol already flowing in her own veins made her almost forget where they were as her eyes began to drift shut. She made a small noise of annoyance as Reno pulled away from her, which was quickly followed by an intake of breath as she remembered that she was in company. She let her eyes scan her companions and her cheeks flushed with colour. Elena was grin on widely, as was Karisa, but Rude and Tseng had averted their eyes. Reno was now leaning back on his chair, a smirk on his face and eyes that seemed suddenly sober. Tifa cleared her throat and poured herself a shot, slamming it back quickly.

"Aaaanywaaayyy..." Elena hiccuped slightly as she leaned forward on the table. She slid a card across to Tifa. "Fancy getting back to the game, or do you need to leave early?"

"Shut up."

"No more!"

"There's only two cards left!"

"I can't drink any more..." Tseng ran his hands down his face as he sat back in his chair. Rude was slumped on the table, his cheek resting against the cool surface and his sunglasses askew while his brown eyes stared blankly across at the remaining cards. Karisa and Elena had curled up under the table and had fallen asleep, both long past their limits. Tifa had her head resting in her hands, her elbows on the table and a slightly dazed smile on her face. Reno was sliding the cards back and forth on the table in Tseng's direction.

"Come on. We're nearly finished! It's either gonna be a King or a Two. Easy!"

"What does the last King mean?"

"You gotta down the dirty pint."

"Ewwww." Tifa stifled a giggle wth her hands. "I hope you get the shots, Tseng."

"Why, Reno. Why did I let you talk me into this game?" Tseng sighed deeply, reaching forward for one of the cards. He was long past done with this game but it wasn't worth hearing Reno going on about him quitting for the next few months. Reno pulled the remaining card to himself.

"One for you and one for me, boss. Let's turn 'em over at the same time. Drumroll, please!" Reno grinned at the Wutaiian. Tifa drummed her hands on the table, earning a groan from Rude as his face vibrated with the impact. Tseng covered his eyes with one hand and flipped his card, opening her fingers slightly to peer through them.

"Ah hah! Yes!" The usually stoic man let out an uncharacteristic cry of happiness, holding up the two of hearts. Reno groaned as he looked at the King in his hand as Tseng kissed his card and flung an arm over Rude. Tifa was now laughing loudly, her arms wrapped around her stomach. Rude had sat up, a discarded card stuck to his cheek. Mumbling from under the table gave away that the two girls had been roused from their slumber.

"Geez, Tseng, I thought I was the sore winner, not you." Reno wrapped his long fingers around the concoction in the middle of the table. Tseng was now doing his version of a victory dance as Rude attempted to pour him two shots, mostly missing the glasses. Tifa clapped her hands as Reno attempted to glug the horrid cocktail.

"Go on, Red! You can do it!" She attempted to cheer him on over the sound of Rude grumbling about moving shot glasses and invisible rum. Elena had curled her fingers around the edge of the table and was now peering over the edge at the redhead, making a small gagging noise as she did. Karisa has fallen back asleep, clearly unimpressed by the ruckus. When he was done, Reno slammed the empty glass down and raised both his fists in the air victoriously. Tseng simply grinned as he drank the two shots that Rude had finally managed to fill.

"And that's Ring of Fire!" Reno called as he slapped the table. "What a game! We gotta play that again!"

"No!"

"Hell no!"

"No fucking chance."

"What is wrong with you?"

"Zzzzz..."

"Nnggggaaahhhhh help..." Reno attempted to open his eyes, wincing at the instant stabbing pain that appeared in his brain as he did. A small whine next to him let him know that Tifa was still in bed with him, and probably feeling just as bad as him. He reached out an arm, feeling around around for the other body. His hand finally resting on skin and he held on for dear life as if it was the only thing tethering him to this world. He felt Tifa move slightly, and he could hear her breathing somewhat heavily.

"I hate you. God, I hate you, Red. This is allllll your fault."

"You're right, Lockhart. This is my fault. I'm a fuckin' idiot." Reno groaned as he attempted to sit up slightly. He realised with some confusion that the pillows were nowhere to be seen. He blinked a few times and gently squeezed whatever body part of Tifa's he was holding on to. She gave a small whine of protest.

"Everything hurts."

"Where's my pillow? I wanna block out the light."

"Is this it?" A third voice mumbled and Reno felt Tifa freeze beside him.

"Oh fuck. Reno..." Tifa wrapped her hand around his wrist and Reno couldn't stop the small smirked that crossed his face every time Tifa cursed.

"Partner, as hilarious as it is that you just convinced Tifa for a moment that we partook in a threesome, you better give me my goddamn pillow back." Reno managed to prop himself up on his elbows and pull himself to the edge of the bed, which he now realised him and Tifa were lying across the way on. Sure enough, cramped on Tifa's floor in a mass of blankets, were Rude and Karisa. Well, he assumed it was Karisa by the mop of copper hair poking out the top of the covers beside the bald Turk. Rude simply handed him the pillow and rolled over. Reno chuckled slightly and sat up, the covers falling down around his waist.

"Take the pillow and please for the love of Holy cover yourself up." Rude mumbled. Reno looked down at himself and realised he was naked. He looked back over at Rude and noticed the man still wore his tshirt from the night before. The redhead turned and lifted the covers to look at Tifa and noticed she was dressed in one of his tshirts and a small pair of shorts. Tifa groaned and rolled over to face him, a sudden blush covering her cheeks as she let out a small squeak.

"Reno!"

"Aw come on, it ain't like you ain't seen it before." Reno grinned as he dropped the covers, laughing as Tifa covered her face with her hands to hide her blush.

"I'm not used to seeing it when I know we have company in the same room. Speaking of..."

"Karisa fell asleep. You insisted we stayed here. Tseng and Elena are in the guest room." Rude quiet voice drifted up from the floor. Tifa drew her hands down her face.

"This is ridiculous. Every time we play one of Reno's drinking games, it turns us into a group of teenagers experiencing their first night out and turns into an impromptu sleepover."

"Fuckin' great, ain't it." Reno flopped back down onto his back and stretched his arms up above his head before he reached out for Tifa. She sighed despite herself and allowed him to curl his arm under her head and pull her against him. He gently rubbed her back and she let her eyes close.

"What time is it anyway?"

"I don't even wanna know."

"Time to sleep more."

"I second that motion."

"So you won't be wanting any food then?" A soft voice called from the door. Reno and Tifa looked over and saw Tseng standing in the doorway, a small smile on his lips. He looked slightly dishevelled, but was no doubt in a much better state than the rest of them. "Please excuse me for walking in without knocking but I heard you all talking. I started making breakfast. And coffee."

"Ughhh, coffeeeeeee." Tifa slowly pulled herself up and crawled out of bed, shuffling towards the door and last Tseng with an appreciative nod. Reno burst out laughing then winced when the noise made his head pound again.

"Boss, there better be bacon. And lots of it."

"Never. Again."

"I'm pretty sure you've said that before."

"I'm pretty sure you say that every time."

"Shut it. This is all your fault." Elena rubbed her temples as she shot a glare at the redhead who was leaning across the table grinning at her inbetween mouthfuls of bacon. "How the hell can you eat right now?"

"Stomach of steel, 'Lena." Reno grinned as he picked up another piece from the piled plate Tseng had placed in the middle of the table, chewing on it happily. Tifa leaned back against the counter, her hands curled around her second mug of coffee.

"He's had much more practice than us. Hangovers barely phase him, it's almost disgusting."

"What's disgusting?" A croaky voice drifted through from the the doorway and the five occupants of the kitchen turned in time to see Karisa shuffle in. She had refused to move as the other piled out of Tifa's bedroom, but the smell of coffee had finally roused her. She shuffled over to stand beside Rude, who handed her a mug of coffee and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Karisa leaned against him and closed her eyes, attempting to flatten her hair with her free hand. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck."

"A rum truck. It hit me too." Elena grumbled. Tseng and Tifa nodded slightly in agreement and Reno simply rolled his eyes.

"Fuck, you would think you guys had never drank before."

"I don't think I'll ever get used to drinking with you, Reno. You're not human." Karisa mumbled as she lifted her mug to her lips. Rude smiled slightly and adjusted his glasses.

"You do eventually get used to it."

"I don't think I want to." She looked up at him with a small smile and Rude chuckled, giving her a small squeeze.

"Yer all a bunch of lightweights." Reno scoffed as he bounced up out of his chair and moved to stand beside Tifa. Tseng drained his mug and let out a quiet but satisfied sigh.

"Well, I feel a little more human after that, but I reckon more sleep is going to be the only thing to stave off this hangover." Tseng placed his mug in the dishwasher before he checked his watch. "It's only 9am after all."

"What?!" A loud chorus from Elena, Tifa and Karisa was followed by another chorus of groans as they all winced at their own volumes.

"I thought it was afternoon! I am so going back to bed!" Karisa whined as she drained her mug. "Don't worry Teef, you can have your bedroom back. I need to shower at home and get out of these clothes first. I feel sticky."

"Sleeping on the floor under a bar table will do that." Reno laughed as he wound his arm around Tifa's waist. Rude and Elena also drained their drinks and followed Tseng's lead of putting their empty mugs in the dishwasher. Tifa smiled slightly.

"You guys don't have to rush off."

"Honestly, it's for the best. I'm terrified if I stay here, Reno might think of a drinking game for hangovers." Elena smiled at the brunette as she made for the door. Reno grinned.

"I think I have one of them!"

"Screw you, Reno." The blonde flipped him off as she left the room, followed by Tseng who gave Tifa and Reno a small nod. Karisa laughed slightly and left the crook of Rude's arm to give Tifa a hug.

"We'll go too. Go back to bed, sleep." The girl smiled widely. Rude clapped a hand on Reno's shoulder before he led Karisa out by the hand. She gave a small wave which Tifa returned before Reno moved to stand in front of her, pressing her against the counter gently.

"Y'know, it would be a shame to waste the energy the coffee has given me." He grinned as he wiggled his eyebrows. Tifa couldn't help but laugh as she pushed him back gently.

"I swear there's something wrong with you, Red."

"So is that a yes?" He called after her as she walked past him and out of the kitchen. Tifa poked her head back into the doorway.

"Maybe. Now get your ass to bed."

"Yes, ma'am!"

AN : Oh, Reno. You do enjoy some debauchery. I myself tend to revert to silly teenage sleepovers after this particular drinking game. On Saturday past, I stayed at my friend's house after a night of partying despite the fact that I live 5 minutes away. Ridiculous.

I hope you all enjoyed the silliness! I reckon Tseng would loosen up a fair bit under the influence of alcohol. But if it's too weird, let me know!