For anyone who hasn't read my profile recently I should warn you that I'm going away at the end of next week and will not be back until the 2nd June. The way things are going I probably won't get a chance to update again before I go, and certainly won't be able to while I'm away, which means there will be a few weeks between this posting and my next update. For this I can only apologise and say that I will do my best to try and update as soon as I get back.
Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter and please remember to review at the end :o)
A friendly heart-to-heart
It wasn't often that Zack and Reno managed to get a day off together, their schedules normally conflicting and only leaving them evenings or the occasional weekend to catch up. Today however fate had decided to grant them this rare occurrence, the fact that the afternoon was also going to lead into a long awaited poker night only adding to the red heads excitement. It had been a while since they'd had a chance to really kick back and relax together, Kunsel's return from Junon and Zack's happier mood with Cloud's situation meaning that it would almost be like old times again.
The Turk smiled happily as he walked down the street, the soldier beside him also grinning in that boyish way he did when things were going well. In fact the longer Reno watched Zack out of the corner of his eye the more convinced he was that it was going to be a perfect day, the sparkle he saw within those violet orbs leaving no doubt that he was not the only one feeling good about life at that moment.
"So, what are we actually getting for tonight then?" The red head asked casually, his question finally drawing the soldier's attention to him and out of the clouds where it had been.
Reno couldn't help but smirk to himself at that thought, the idea of Zack's head being in the clouds seeming quite appropriate considering who he was probably thinking about.
"Uuuummm the usual I guess." The soldier replied, his thoughts slowly coming back round to the reason for their trip to the shops. "Although maybe not as much alcohol as normal, I don't want to give Cloud the wrong idea about our get-togethers."
"Afraid he'll disapprove and ban you from playing with the other kiddies?" The Turk teased, the comment in fact earning him a playful smack to the arm and unexpectedly a rather serious look as well.
"He's not used to hanging out with people Reno and tonight is a big step for him." Zack explained nervously as they walked. "He knows you reasonably well now, but Kunsel's still a stranger and he hasn't even met Cissnei yet. I just don't want to give him anything else to worry about."
"You do remember that it takes a lot to get either me or Turk girl drunk, right? Plus you and Kunsel have mako in your veins to break it down quicker, so it's not like we're all going to be mindless idiots after a beer or two."
"I'm fully aware that it takes a lot more than a couple of drinks to get any of us wasted." The soldier sighed, his eyes rolling in response to the red head's comment. "But I'm not sure that Spiky does and I don't want him seeing how much we normally drink at these gatherings and freaking out."
"You make it sound like we're a bunch of alcoholics." The Turk sighed, his face scrunching up in mock annoyance. "You know none of us go overboard when we play poker." He huffed, his turquoise orbs glowing brightly with amusement as he spoke again. "Hell, it's about the only time we do get together and none of us drink ourselves silly."
"That's because money's involved." Zack pointed out with a grin, his light-hearted chuckle drawing one from the red head as well.
"Yea, you're right." Reno agreed, his soft laughter fading away as the soldier raised a disbelieving eyebrow in his direction. "Nothing like the thought of losing a few Gil cause you couldn't see the cards right to keep a man sober." He added with a casual shrug, even though they both knew that he could still play a mean game when he was heavily intoxicated.
"I just don't want to make Spiky feel any more uncomfortable about tonight than he already does." Zack continued, his joyful expression slipping a little as he spoke, the need for his reasons to be understood shinning very clearly in his eyes.
"Fair enough." The red head agreed with a sigh of acceptance, the justification actually making sense and being one he couldn't argue without sounding petty. "If it will make him, and you, feel better than we'll cut back this time." Reno said, his next words bringing a surprising reaction from the soldier beside him. "Hell, maybe next time we can even get him to have a drink or two as well. Might be fun to see the kid relax a little with some alcohol in his system."
"What do you mean?" Zack asked, the bewildered and confused look on his face making Reno nearly trip over his own feet.
"Zack man, Cloud can't drink tonight." The red head choked, his aqua orbs opening wide in disbelief at the soldier's stupidity.
"But he's old enough to drink, plus it's in a private residence and ..."
"Shit, legally yea he's old enough." The Turk cut in, his hands coming up to wave the soldier into silence. "But his medication is not one you want to be mixing with alcohol. Trust me when I say that would be a seriously bad thing to happen."
"Oh Gaia Reno, I hadn't even thought of that." Zack stammered, his sun-kissed skin suddenly looking a lot paler than it had a few minutes ago. "I could have killed him." He choked, the realisation seeming to freeze the raven haired teen's lungs as he fought to draw the next breath.
"You wouldn't have killed him." The red head reassured quickly, his hands going to the soldier's arms to steady him. "But he would have been pretty sick mixing the two, so don't let him do it later. Ok?" The Turk instructed, his sea-green eyes staying connected with panic filled lavender spheres until Zack nodded numbly that he understood. "Relax and breathe soldier boy." Reno offered lightly, his use of the nickname helping to ease some of the tension he could now feel running through the larger frame in front of him. "We'll pick up some sodas for him and that way there won't be a risk of drinks getting mixed up."
"Do you think he knows? Would they have told him to avoid alcohol?" Was the mumbled but slightly calmer response to his comment, a nodding head of raven spikes showing that the plan had been accepted even as the new questions fell from his lips.
"Maybe, but I doubt it." Reno sighed, his hands falling away and resting loosely by his side. "They probably didn't think he'd get an opportunity too, considering his circumstances I mean."
"I should tell him, shouldn't I?" Zack half stated half asked, his amethyst eyes searching the Turk's for confirmation or dismissal of the suggestion.
"It wouldn't hurt to check." Reno replied gently, his soft smile offering a friendly reassurance that the idea was a good one. "Just to be on the safe side." He added at the end, his right hand once again coming up to squeeze the soldier's forearm in a comforting way.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to ... panic like that." Zack offered weakly, his main concerns now abated and leaving him feeling a little embarrassed.
"Nothing to be sorry about, you care about him and it's understandable that a shock like that would freak you out."
"I ... I can't lose him Reno, I just can't." The soldier managed, the emotional undercurrent of his words very evident in the look he was suddenly giving the red head.
"You're not going to you dumb arse porcupine." The Turk retorted jokingly, as memories of a painful past came rushing to the surface and forced him to act before the mood deteriorated anymore.
"What did you just call me?" Zack spluttered, the sorrowful look which had been forming within his violet eyes suddenly blinking away to be replaced by one of shock.
"You heard me soldier boy." Reno replied firmly, as he crossed his arms over his chest in a moment of proud triumph. "I called you a dumb arse porcupine."
"Why?" The soldier enquired humorously, his curiosity and amusement of the new nickname now showing on his handsome features.
"Well, your hair makes you look like a porcupine." The Turk began, the changes he could see taking place making him feel more confident about what he was saying. "And you're being an idiot for thinking so negatively. I mean, aren't you the one that's always telling me to look on the bright side of life or some shit like that?"
"I do and it's true." Zack chuckled, as he relaxed into a casual stance and settled the majority of his weight on one foot. "But I believe you called me a dumb arse, not an idiot." He pointed out, a single raven coloured eyebrow rising questioningly at the red head.
"Yea well idiot porcupine sounds pathetic, so I got creative." Reno replied with a shrug, his mischievous grin finally drawing a happier more relaxed smile from the soldier as well.
"You certainly did." Zack had to agree, his lavender orbs softening to show that he understood what the red head had done and appreciated it.
"Come on, this mushy stuff's making me nauseous and wasting time, yo." The Turk declared, his dramatic show of exasperation making the soldier laugh out loud.
And just like that Reno knew that things were ok again, the deep rich sound filling the air around him and helping them both to slip back into their more enjoyable plans for the day.
"Ok, so we'll pick up some drinks on the way back as they're the heavier items. Now what about food, do we go for snacks or something a bit more filling?" The soldier aired thoughtfully, as they began to make their way down the street again.
"Pizza should be good, it covers both categories and people can eat as much or as little as they want." The red head pointed out, a sudden memory popping to mind and making him speak again. "Cissnei said to let you know she's bringing her special dip. So I guess we'll need something for, you know, dipping in it." He warned, the mild look of worry they shared showing he was not the only one to be hesitant about this revelation.
"In that case we're also going to need plenty of ice, that stuff was hot last time." Was the kind but clearly concerned reply, the friendly heartfelt tone it was spoken in showing that the words were genuinely happy even if they did sound a little disturbed by the revelation.
"Tell me about it." Reno chuckled briefly, before the sound was cut short as they turned down a road he hadn't been expecting. "Uuuummm Zack, the stores that way." He pointed out, his feet continuing to follow the soldier's progress while his thumb was now jerking in the opposite direction.
"There's something else I need to get first." The soldier mumbled, his cheeks warming slightly as he spoke.
"We wouldn't happen to be heading to a certain store where they sell alarm clocks, would we?" The Turk asked playfully, as he began to recognise the familiar road Zack was now leading him down.
Reno grinned as he watched the soldier beside him squirm, the tell-tale blush which filled Zack's cheeks instantly letting him know that he'd guessed right.
"I knew it." The red head all but cheered, as their progress down the street came to a gradual stop. "So you killed another one." He chuckled, as sun-kissed skin began to develop an obvious dusty pink shade. "Isn't that like, the fifth one this year? Or something like that." He noted with highly amused glee.
"Bite me." Zack retorted with a poor attempt at annoyance, the sight of Reno's joyful mood mixing with his own embarrassment and making it hard to actually be angry about the light-hearted teasing.
"No, that's Cloud's job now." The Turk threw back offhandedly, his next comment disappearing into full out laughter as the soldier's face suddenly exploded with colour at the unexpected comeback.
"Oh, this is priceless." Reno exclaimed happily, once he was finally able to draw a decent breath and began to wipe the tears of mirth from his face. "I've never see you so easily flustered man, it's great."
"Glad I amuse you." The soldier grumbled as he kicked at the ground where they stood, his body suddenly feeling too hot in his casual dark blue jeans and t-shirt.
"Sorry, but you know I can't help myself." The red head offered by way of an apology, his hands brushing the sides of his own faded denim jeans to rid his fingers of the lingering dampness. "Besides, I never thought you'd react like that to what I said."
"You didn't have to say it at all." Zack pointed out, his cheeks becoming an even deeper shade of red as if he'd somehow managed to develop a minor sunburn.
"Yea, yea, I know." Reno sighed, the face splitting grin he wore not giving in for one moment as they continued to look at each other. "But seriously, all jokes and stuff aside, how are things going with you two?" He asked the soldier, his thoughts about the blonde now revolving around the newest gossip he'd heard about the cadet since returning from a mission the night before.
For a minute Zack actually considered brushing the Turk's question off with a simple it's fine, the thought of doing so dying as soon as he saw the determined searching look within the turquoise eyes which now seemed to be watching him intently.
"You aren't going to accept me saying it's great and just leave it at that, are you?" He found himself asking, the answering smirk which appeared on Reno's face instantly letting him know that question had been a pointless one.
"No way soldier boy." The Turk replied with a warm light-hearted chuckle. "I may have been away on an assignment for a couple of days, but that doesn't mean I don't know what's been going on here."
"So you know about the punishments and stuff?" Zack asked, a silent nod from the red head confirming what was suspected. "And now you're wondering how it's affected us, right?" He guessed, a second dip of fiery red hair confirming what he already knew would be the case.
For a minute Zack wasn't sure what to say and so turned and began to walk again, his progress down the street coming to an abrupt halt after only a few feet as Reno's hand clamped around his arm and pulled him to a sudden stop.
"I'm sorry." The Turk offered, a soft compassion visible within his eyes as they held the soldier's questioning gaze. "I honestly thought things were ok between you, especially after the way you reacted just now when I spoke about him."
"They are ok." Zack mumbled, now confused by the change in Reno's behaviour. "Why would you think they weren't?"
"Cause you look like you've just been hit." The Turk replied coolly, his tone showing that he was not yet convinced by the answer. "It ain't like you to just walk away either, so it tells me that something's wrong."
It was only then that Zack understood why the red head looked so concerned, that the rarely seen expression of sympathy which was now displayed in Reno's aqua orbs as they held his own violet ones looked so worried.
"Things between us are fine, really they are." The soldier tried to reassure, the argument he saw forming in sea-green spheres warning him that more was needed before the words would be believed. "We fought about the punishment, about the reasons for it happening." He admitted with a sigh, the look of triumph which briefly flickered in Reno's eyes making him frown and his insides bristle. "Why the hell would you be pleased about that?" Zack challenged, his arm wiping out to the side so he could yank it free of the Turk's grip.
"I'm not pleased that you guys fought, trust me on that one." Reno retorted, as he lowered his empty hand back down to the side of his body. "But I was right about there being something wrong."
"There's nothing wrong." The soldier insisted, his frustration with the Turk becoming obvious now. "The fight was ... it was a good thing, we ..."
"How the hell can you two fighting be a good thing?" Reno interrupted demandingly, his turquoise orbs narrowing suspiciously at the unexpected words.
"Because it made us talk about things, made us admit to how we felt about each other." Zack replied evenly, the sudden wisp of green which appeared in his lavender spheres making the red head take an involuntary step back.
"Calm down Zack, I was just asking." The Turk tired to sooth, his own muscles automatically tensing in response to the possible threat which was forming. "You know I'm all for you guys talking, and I'm glad that you are, but you can't blame me for being worried about you."
It only took the soldier a few seconds to see what was happening between them, his heart skipping a beat in protest as he realised that the red head was now in a defensive stance in front of him. It was not something he'd ever wanted to see happen between them, the bond which they had being like that of brothers and a friendship which he never wanted to damage or lose. As a result the feelings of guilt hit Zack like a tidal wave and caused him to nearly choke on his next breath, the physical reaction of him stumbling back a few steps catching Reno by surprise as well.
"Zack?" The Turk asked uncertainly, his previously guarded features once again showing the concern he was feeling. "Shit man, you look like you've just seen a ghost. Are you ok?"
"Yes, no, damn it." The soldier breathed, his hands shaking noticeably as he ran them across his face and through his spiky black hair. "I didn't mean to ... to ... you know ... at you." He mumbled, his amethyst eyes unable to meet the aqua ones which still looked at him with guarded concern.
"You mean go all 'angry soldier' on me, right?"
"Yea, that."
"Then make it up to me by telling me what's going on." Reno demanded, his tone mixed with both an attempt at gentleness but also unquestionable insistency. "We've talked about stuff before and it's never got you this wound up, so what the hell's happened to make you so ... defensive?"
"He told me more about his past, about the things that happened to him back home, and finally admitted to what the other cadet's have been putting him through here."
"So the kid opened up to you, that's a good thing Zack." The Turk pointed out, his arm reaching out slowly and carefully to rest comfortingly on a powerful arm. "I thought you wanted him to be honest with you."
"I do but, there was so much ... he's been through so much. I knew he was hiding things, but I never ... I never imagined it would be that bad." The soldier tried to explain, his voice cracking as he remembered Cloud's tears as it was all confessed to him.
"You're blaming yourself again, aren't you?" The red head asked, a heavy knowing sigh escaping him as soon as the words were spoken.
"Damn it Reno." Zack groaned, his shoulders slumping in weary defeat as he let out a long frustrated breath. "How can I not blame myself for letting him suffer? I mean you were right all along, about him needing to talk to someone, but I just kept denying it."
"You were trying to protect him Zack, we've had this conversation already, remember?"
"Yea, I remember."
"Good. Now stop worrying about what you think you screwed up on in the past and talk to me about what's going on now. Tell me what's happened between you both to have gotten you so worked up like this."
"I don't think I screwed up, I know I did." The soldier corrected with a small scowl, his comment being brushed off by a roll of the red head's turquoise spheres before they settled on him again.
"Fine, whatever." The Turk huffed, as he let go of the soldier's arm and threw his hands in the air in exasperated defeat. "But just now you said things were ok and if you want me to believe that you need to start talking."
"I told him about Kyle." Zack whispered, his irritated mood instantly changing to one of quiet withdrawal.
The revelation was not one Reno had been expecting and this time it was his turn to stumble back in surprise, the shock of hearing the soldier admit to such a thing making him stare in wide-eyed silence at Zack for a few seconds before he found his voice to speak again.
"You ... did?" The red head stammered, the sea-green orbs which now studied him closely making the soldier shift uncomfortably where he stood.
"Yea, I did." Zack breathed nervously as he looked away, his violet spheres unable to stay connected with the Turk's questioning gaze any longer.
"Well shit, that puts a whole new spin on things." Reno exclaimed softly, a long breath escaping his body as he shifted awkwardly on the spot and looked around uncertainly. "It must be pretty serious for you to ... talk about that."
"He deserved to know about my past if I was asking about his."
"So what, you guys had a little heart to heart and just confessed everything." The Turk replied calmly, the hint of disbelief in his words making Zack frown at him again.
"It's a bit more complicated than that." The soldier snipped back, his arms crossing defensively over his chest as he spoke.
"Good, then it gives us more to talk about." Reno noted with a smirk, the sudden change in his mood catching Zack by surprise.
"Why do you suddenly look so pleased?" The soldier found himself asking, the joyful glow within the red head's eyes making him feel a little uncomfortable about what was about to happen.
"You said you guys talked, right?"
"Yes."
"And now things between you are ok, right?"
"Yes." Zack repeated, the excitement he could see building within the Turk making his insides squirm again.
"So ..." The red head began, his aqua orbs flickering with mischief as he threw an arm around the soldier's broad shoulders and leant in close to his ear. "What was it about my Cloud biting you comment that made you blush?" He asked playfully, the unexpected and rather personal question causing Zack's face to become the colour of rose petal once more. "Well I'll be damned, the kids a biter." Reno chuckled, the incomprehensible spluttering protests which escaped the soldier's lips making him laugh even harder. "That good, yo." He managed, before another burst of hysterics overtook his body and he ended up leaning on Zack to hold himself upright.
With a disgruntled huff the soldier took a deliberately step to the side so that the Turk's body was no longer supported by his own, the new position a few feet away effectively leaving Reno so stumble aimlessly as he tried to not end up as an incapacitated heap on the floor. A second later and the red head gave up trying to stay standing and ended up bent over at the waist, with his hands now braced against his knees to keep himself balanced, his athletic frame notably shaking as he fought to draw breath whilst still laughing uncontrollably.
"Some best friend you are." Zack grumbled with only mild irritation, his annoyance at the red head taking pleasure from his embarrassment slowly melting away as the joyful sound filled the air around them.
"Sorry man ... but your ... face. Should have ... seen it ... priceless, yo." Reno managed between gasping breaths, his words being spoken between snorting and sniggering sounds as he tried to pull himself together.
"Arsehole." The soldier retorted weakly, the insult having very little effect considering he was now trying not to chuckle as well.
"Don't go there Fair. You know I'd happily keep making comments to see you blush like that again." The red head warned, his flushed smiling expression revealing the very real possibility of such a thing happening.
"Fine." Zack conceded, his hands going up in a quick show of surrender. "But I'm not about to give you any more ammunition against me, which means this chat is over."
"Oh come on." Reno whined, his humorous expression dipping for a second as he stood tall again. "You were laughing too, I saw you." He challenged lightly.
"You know I can never stay mad at you." The soldier sighed, his posture now a relaxed friendly one again. "And yea, I admit hearing you let go like that was entertaining." He confessed with a shrug. "But I'm still not going to tell you anything, if you're only going to make more comments like that."
"Spoil sport." Reno sulked playfully, the response causing Zack's jaw to drop open in wordless disbelief and another snort of poorly contained laughter to escape the red head's body. "I'm sorry." The Turk spluttered, as the soldier growled at him in warning. "But you've never been this easy to wind up Fair and damn me if you like, but it's actually a lot of fun."
"I'm going now Reno." The soldier informed him, his body already turning in the direction they needed to go and taking the first couple of steps before the Turk shouted an apology and quickly jogged after him to catch up.
For a couple of minutes they walked along the road together in silence, the red head still working to bring his bubbling amusement back under control while Zack tried to figure out a sensible way to tell Reno about what he and Cloud had actually done. It was just entering his mind to not say anything when the Turk broke the quiet between them once more, his lighter tone letting the soldier know that while the teasing was over for now it was not something which would go away any time soon.
"So are we going to talk about this now or later when Cloud can hear us?"
Zack looked over at Reno and let the 'you dare' expression settle firmly on his face, the faint chuckle it received revealing that once again he was only adding to the red head's enjoyment of the situation.
"Or I could always ask him." The Turk aired thoughtfully, the twinkle in his eyes letting the soldier see the unspoken challenge in his words. "I'd love to see how red his pale skin would go if I got that kind of reaction from you."
"Damn it Reno, I swear I will rip certain private parts of your body off with my bare hands if you upset him." Zack warned with a poor attempt at humour, his effort to keep the banter light-hearted and playful failing miserably as the darker more threatening tone was heard instead.
"Holly shit, over protective much." Was the instant reply, a low whistle and contemplative hum showing that Reno was now absorbing the information and processing it with his Turk skills.
"You have no idea." The soldier sighed, as he rolled his shoulders to try and ease the unnecessary tension which had formed there.
"They really did a number on him, didn't they?" Reno half asked half noted, the slight flinch he saw in Zack's next step as they walked letting him know the guess had been right. "How bad has it been, for him I mean?"
"I'm not sure if he's ready for anyone else to know about it yet." The soldier explained, the apologetic look he gave showing that if he could, he would let Reno know everything. "Can you accept that what I'm going to tell you is the edited version, at least until I'm sure he's ok with other people knowing about it?"
"They're his secrets to keep, so yea I'll take what I'm given until more is allowed." The red head agreed, his expression softening as he spoke again. "So you really told him about Kyle."
"Yea."
"How'd it go?"
"Like eating broken glass and swallowing razor blades."
"Sorry man." Reno breathed, Zack's dejected and pained response making him feel bad for asking. "I know it's not something you like to talk about."
"I'll never forget him or the time we had together." The soldier began, his voice faltering for a second as he drew a steadying breath. "But it doesn't hurt as much to think about it these days."
"That's a good thing Zack." The Turk noted softly, their eyes meeting for a second so that the unspoken words of reassurance he wanted to say were given another outlet to he expressed.
"I know." The soldier sighed, a faint smile ghosting his handsome face as he let his appreciation for the comforting looks be shown.
"So how did Cloud take it?"
"Better than you'd think considering, I mean it's not often you find out that kind of detail about someone's past."
"I take it he didn't freak out about the whole thing." Reno enquired as casually as he could manage right then, his nerves now humming with the need to know as much as possible.
"I think it upset him more that I was so ... affected by it."
"He's never seen you hurting in that way before, it's to be expected. Hell I'm more used to seeing you down than he is and it still troubles me."
"Aaawww Reno, I didn't know you cared so much." Zack teased, the slightly brighter smile he wore stopping the Turk from giving the cocky answer which he'd been about to give.
"Truth is Fair you're a good guy and it takes a lot to pull you down." The red head started to explain, a deep sigh preceding his next words as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and focused on the road in front of them. "I don't know what else has happened between both of you in the last couple of days, but I'm betting Cloud's got to witness a side of you he hasn't seen before because of it."
"I think my ... honesty encouraged him to do the same, made him feel like he could tell me about his own past." Was the carefully spoken response to his words, the tone of the soldier's voice holding too many emotions to work out if he was happy about this fact or not.
"Come on." Reno sighed, as he reached out and tugged Zack in a new direction.
"What, where are we going?" The soldier asked in confusion, as he stumbled slightly before allowing himself to be dragged towards their new destination.
"I don't know about you but it's lunchtime and I'm hungry." The red head replied, his grip not loosening as he continued to pull Zack along. "We can chat while we eat and then go shopping for a new alarm clock afterwards." He proposed as they rounded the corner, the welcoming sight of their usual diner coming into view and helping the soldier to relax a little more.
"Thanks Reno, I appreciate it." Zack breathed gratefully, his humble response causing the Turk's progress to falter as he glanced back at the man he was hauling along just behind him.
"What are friends for, right?" The red head replied with a grin, the casual tone he used not quite matching the real sentiments which the soldier could see swimming within his sea-green eyes.
For the next couple of hours they sat within their usual booth and chatted, the meal being simply an excuse to sit down while they talked and offer occasional moments of quiet when they both needed a minute or two to think about what had been said. Slowly Reno began to understand why Zack was so reluctant to talk about Cloud's past and had to agree that they were indeed the cadet's secrets to share, the few bits he did learn about it only reinforcing his earlier thoughts about the blonde's problems.
With each revelation he was reminded of deep enraged sapphire eyes glowing threateningly in front of him, of fiery rage that burned in dark blue depths where shadows lie and years of anger and pain had been stored away. As a result he was barely containing the emotions which ran through him while the soldier spoke of the incident where Cloud had fallen in the mountains, his own fury at how the town's people had reacted now bubbling just beneath the surface of his skin and making it itch with the need to act. It didn't seem right that they had blamed the cadet for what had happened, the incident painting a very clear picture of how the blonde had been seen and treated back home, and explained a lot about why he'd learnt to be so guarded against the world.
Zack's descriptions about the various forms of abuse Cloud had endured since joining ShinRa was not a surprise to the red head, his own past experiences making the revelations sadly very believable. What irritated him however was how the verbal cruelty had become worse for the cadet, how the spiteful words and tormenting digs had led to physical injuries as time went on. Sadly the Turk could still remember his own share of teasing and unpleasant comments in the early days, times when he hadn't met Zack yet and it felt like there was always someone else ready to make a joke at his expense. But at no point had the mockery become so offensive as to destroy his self-confidence, the ribbing he'd got from the other trainees being mild and tolerable in comparison to what the blonde had been through.
Then, just as if someone had flicked a switch in his head, Reno began to realise why Cloud had started to feel as if he would never be happy. The attempt to escape his troubled life at home only leading to more problems here, the hope of starting over being destroyed before it was even given a chance to be born, and the dreams which the cadet had held to dearly becoming shattered as each verbal and physical blow was laid upon him. It was with this realisation that the red head began to understand why the blonde had become so defensive and angry with the world, but most of all he now knew why Cloud had eventually broken under the strain and done something so drastic to try and end it all. And suddenly Reno found himself being even more grateful to the fates for allowing him to meet the soldier, the friendship which had formed between them making even those small miseries he'd experienced as a younger Turk bearable until they had eventually stopped altogether.
The revelation about Cloud's attempted goodbye and insistence on being punished drew the exact same reaction from the red head as it had done from the soldier, his arguing words being almost an echo of the ones Zack had tried to use at the time. Reno had even huffed in annoyance and promised to speak to the blonde about his foolish ideas, that was until the soldier had explained things a little more including the talk with Angeal and how his own letter had led to Cloud being more open about these things. With a reluctant sigh the Turk had bent under Zack's insistencies to let the matter go, the puppy dog eyes which pleaded with him not to drag up old issues making him agree not to lecture the blonde next time they met.
He did have to admit however, that even though both soldier and cadet had overreacted to the situation something good had come from the incident. Not only were the pair talking more openly about their thoughts and feelings, but also helping each other to face painful pasts as they worked towards building a better future together. It was more than Reno could have hoped for at that point in time and so he didn't argue the incident anymore, his apparent acceptance of the situation helping to ease some of the soldier's unspoken concerns as well. It was only once Zack had finished sharing what he could that the red head saw how tired yet at ease the soldier appeared, the emotional rollercoaster which the pair had been on for the past few days clearly visible in his worn-out but happier expression.
"I'd say you guys have had quite a week." Reno concluded, as he slumped back in his chair and let out a long slow breath.
"Yea, it's been ... interesting." Zack agreed with a tired smile, his lavender eyes meeting with the Turk's sea-green ones as he spoke again. "Which is why I want tonight to be a fun and relaxed event for him." He added with a more serious tone. "He hasn't experienced this kind of thing before and I want him to enjoy it, to see that it's ok to kick back and have a laugh." The soldier explained, his words slowly making the red head see what the real intention behind the poker night was.
"You want him to feel like he has friends and people he can trust, don't you?" Reno asked, the question only needing a silent nod from Zack to confirm the answer he already knew would be given. "Alright, I guess we'd better get our butts into gear then or nothing's going to get done." The Turk added, his body already rising from the booth so that he could pay for the meal before they left.
"Thanks Reno. I appreciate it, all of it." The soldier offered, once the bill was settled and they were heading out of the front door.
"Yea, well, I'm sure I owe you in some way already so consider us a little more even now." The red head sighed, as they made their way back down the street towards the shop where they could buy a new alarm clock for Zack's apartment.
"Oh, speaking of owing." The soldier hesitantly spoke up, a sheepish look suddenly appearing on his boyish features as their eyes met again. "Kunsel said to remind you that you still owed him from last time."
Zack didn't miss the faint groan which escaped Reno's mouth at his words, or the soft curses which followed it, and chuckled softly to himself as he added a quick stop at the bank to their ever increasing list of things to do.