Brother
I set my mouth in a grim line as I walk over. Tifa's rolling her eyes at Reno, and Rude's walking over slowly. Did he see the menace in my eyes? Well, can't tell what he's looking at.
"So, when we going out, baby?" Reno purrs, resting his head on his hands, gazing up.
I think it's some sick twisted version of a puppy dog face.
I think I'm going to hurl.
Tifa shoves him off the bar.
"Do you want another drink or not?"
"Sure sure, always up for a drink, right, Rude my man!" Reno exclaims loudly.
Rude clears his throat and shifts on his feet.
How he puts up with Reno I have no idea. Must be numb to him by now.
Tifa shoves a glass over to Reno.
"Rude?"
He nods once and Tifa hands him a glass.
Tifa surprises me, turning quickly towards me.
"Watch the bar for a minute, I need to put the kids to bed."
I nod once and she leaves, leaving me with these two.
Okay, well, Rude's not so bad. I mean, he's just quiet...well, sometimes too quiet, but still. At least he doesn't run his mouth 24/7 like Reno. I guess that's why they hang out. Reno makes up for Rude's lack of speech.
Reno is still talking, though I know not what of.
"Yo, Cloud! How's youse and the missus?"
Excuse me?
I feel the blush rising on my face.
I hate you. I'd say it too, if I wasn't afraid my voice would squeak. That's a common misconception when it comes to me. Many people think I have nothing to say. I have plenty to say, it's just it normally involves some sort of embarrassment on my behalf. It's a little known fact my voice can jump a couple octaves in the span of a word when I'm nervous.
It's just best to be silent sometimes.
Reno howls with laughter.
"Man, I'm just kidding you." he says, acting like he's wiping a tear away.
Oh I'll wipe that tear off your face, you son of a-
"But you know I'm not serious when I come in here, right man? I mean, that one guy...whew! Are you sure he wasn't a stalker?"
Funny, I could say the same about you.
"Man, did he stink! To much cologne! And was that eye liner he was wearing! Man, some people today." Reno laughs.
Well...maybe he isn't that bad.
But I still don't like him.
Or trust him.
Or want him anywhere near Tifa, whether that be in joking or serious matter.
And it better not be serious.
Nor alone. That is forbidden.
"Man, that look of pure terror! I don't think I've ever seen your eyes burn like that, not ever! He must a really pissed in your cereal." Reno laughs, a slight slur in his words.
And now Reno's chugging the glass Tifa gave him now.
Damn, defiantly going to be seeing a lot of him.
Reno's managed to snatch Rude's glass, who looks surprised as far as surprised goes for Rude.
Which isn't far.
Reno sighs, wiping his mouth off with the cuff of his jacket.
"But zeriousleee..." Reno starts.
Something tells me this isn't his first drink of the night.
Or even his fifth.
"Whens youse twos gonna, ya know, yo?" Reno smirks slightly as he draws a heart with his fingers in the air.
I clear my throat, "What?"
"Ya know! I knows youse be a good man with the marriage deal what not...ya know...I mean, look around!" Reno waves his arms about him in a dramatic fashion, gesturing to the bar.
"You're already a family! Might as well 'tie the knot' as them theres sayssss..." Reno spins his finger around in the air.
I don't know what that gesture is suppose to mean, not that I care. I believe in his drunken state he just asked when Tifa and I were going to get married.
Good lord, he just asked when Tifa and I were going to get married.
Let me pause, clear my throat, and say something that will completely distract him from this subject.
In this time Reno's chugged Rude's glass.
"You realize that you just referred every drunk and half sober person, including yourself, as my family." I state, monotone.
Reno reaches up and pats my arm. I think I see something of a smirk from Rude, actually, I know that's a smirk.
"Helllooo brother." Reno slurs before clunking his head onto the bar.
My eyes meet Rude's sunglasses.
The man can barely keep his mouth from twitching into a smile. He loops Reno's arm around his shoulders and heaves the man up easily. Reno twitches, giving a slight wave to me, seeing that Rude is making him leave.
Wait, Rude is making him leave.
"Heyyyyy! I still got drinks to drinks." He protests and nearly falls over.
Yep, time to leave Reno.
"Oh, shove off!" Reno says pushing Rude off.
He runs into several people as he makes for the door, each with a slurred apology, and a 'hey hot stuff' to a man with a gifted bosom. Oh, I really hope that guy is here when Reno comes in sober next time. I see Rude turn to me one last time, the hint of a smirk still evident on his face. He gives a small nod in my direction.
And says his goodbye.
"Brother."
A/N: bwhahaha, I love picking on Cloud! And Reno is just the perfect guy to give Cloud those little 'hints'. And yes, Cloud's voice does rise to octaves on certain ocassions...tis true, promise, or at least in my world. Thanks for everything! Love ya!