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.

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starrienight : Them being stuck together was fun to write! I would have made it longer but there's only so much you can do in a cabin xD

Chapter 24 : Who Throws A Snowball, Honestly?

To say the journey was entertaining would perhaps have been a bit loose and fast with the word 'entertaining'. When Tifa had hopped onto the back of the snowmobile, she rather enjoyed looping her arms loosely round Reno's waist and sitting pressed against him for the sake of closeness. By the time they reached Icicle Inn, it was a necessary death grip to avoiding flying off into the snow at great speeds. She had almost lost her bobble hat fourteen times and was extremely grateful that she still had her goggles from snowboarding to protect her eyes. By the time they pulled up at the entrance to the small ski village, Tifa was frazzled. She honestly didn't know how it had been possible for him dodge so many trees at that speed, yet they were in one piece. Reno pulled the keys from the ignition and made to get up before he realised Tifa was still clinging to him like a limpet on a rock. Seeing a blatant opening for a bit of mischief, he gripped her forearms as he leaned forward so she lifted onto his back slightly. He heard a slightly muffled squeak as he stood up, Tifa hanging off his back and squirming slightly. He grinned as he managed to get off the snowmobile with Tifa still on his back, her legs wrapping around his waist to keep herself from falling off. Laughing, Reno started walking towards the village whilst bent over at a right angle at the waist, earning a few strange look from some of the tourists that were milling around.

"Reno! Let me down!"

"I ain't stoppin' ya from gettin' off!" Reno called over his shoulder as he let go of her arms, holding his own arms out to the side as if to prove his point despite the fact that he didn't stop walking. He felt Tifa try to maneuver herself off his back with some semblance of grace but she ended up just throwing him off balance. Reno was still laughing as they both went down into the powder soft snow at the side of the path.

"Honestly, you're like a child sometimes!" Tifa flustered as she scrambled to her feet, glad for the fact that her face was covered so the passersby couldn't see her red cheeks. Reno just grinned up at her as he proceeded to make a snow angel, almost as if to agree with her and simultaneously embarrass her even more. Tifa rolled her eyes behind her goggles and made to walk away from him but she was promptly hit in the back of the head by a snowball. She turned around, pulling her goggles up off her eyes and glaring at him. Reno pulled his own goggles off his eyes and she could see them twinkling with merriment. She was too busy concentrating on her 'Really? A snowball?' glare to noticed he had a second one ready and hit her right in the face with it. She spluttered as his laughter filled her ears, frantically wiping at her face with her gloves. When she could see again, she saw him practically rolling in the snow, clutching his stomach as he laughed at her misfortune. Misfortune caused by him. Tifa narrowed her eyes at him but he barely noticed, such was the level of his hysterics. He noticed when she practically pounced on him though, grabbing handfuls of snow and throwing them onto him. It didn't take long for them to end up rolling around in the snow like kids, desperately trying to one up each other and cover the other in more snow. After a few minutes of what could only be described as wrestling, Tifa emerged victorious, her strong legs coming in handy to pin him down. He grinned up at her as she smirked triumphantly.

"No fair."

"No fair?! You started it!"

"Still no fair. You started with the higher ground."

"Yeah right, Reno! You're such a sore loser!"

"Hey, I ain't complainin' about bein' trapped between your legs. Just a shame 'bout the audience."

"What?" Tifa's head whipped around and she noticed more than few people staring at them. She had completely forgotten where they were. Two days trapped in only Reno's presence and she'd practically forgotten the rest of the world existed. She practically jumped to her feet, her cheeks burning as they filled with colour. She was glad this was the tail end of her trip so she didn't have to be known around town as the girl who rolled around in the snow with random redheaded ruffians.

Reno got up, dusting himself off before he jammed his hands into his pockets and started lazily along the path, seemingly nonplussed by the attention they had attracted. Tifa grumbled slightly but fell into step beside him as they made their way towards the large lodge she had been staying at. Reno stopped at the front door and pulled the door open, bowing low as he stepped aside to let her go in first. She rolled her eyes a little but her smile betrayed her as she walked in, Reno following close behind. She headed to the desk as Reno dropped heavily into a small chair by the table at the window. The receptionist raised an eyebrow as Tifa walked up to her. She pulled her scarf down and smiled at the young girl, pulling out her keys with the attached room number keyring from one of the zip pockets in her jacket.

"Hi. Miss Lockhart, I called to let you guys know I had been snowed in elsewhere and asked if my belongings could be kept safe?" Tifa explained. The girl took her keys and checked her details in the paper diary in front of her. Tifa leaned on the low counter, noticing the girl seemed distracted. She noticed the blonde's eyes flicking up now and again, although they weren't focused on her. She followed the gaze over the shoulder and noticed it was locked on Reno who was sitting slouched in the small wooden chair, gazing out the window in a bored manner. He had removed his hat and scarf from his face, his goggles pushed up into his hair and his long fingers drumming on the wooden table. Tifa looked back at the girl who was now looking right at her with a knowing grin.

"Yeah. I woulda stayed 'snowed in' for an extra day or two too." The girl said with a wink. Tifa's cheeks flushered.

"What? I... Oh no, we really were snowed in! I was in Modeoheim and-"

"Sorry miss, I didn't meant to imply anything!" The girl quickly explained herself, looking equally as embarrassed. Tifa folded her arms across her chest and looked off to the side, her face still feeling warm. The girl hadn't exactly jumped to false conclusions, but it was quite another thing for someone to imply that she'd been in bed with Reno for two days straight. The girls placed her keys back on the desk in front of Tifa. "I just assumed he was your boyfriend." She added as she cast another glance at the redhead.

"He's not." Tifa told the girl as she took the keys.

"I see. So he's single?" The girl suddenly looked hopeful. Tifa couldn't help the little niggle of jealousy she suddenly felt as she frowned. Was he single? She supposed he was, but damned if she was letting this girl know it. She was saved from trying to think of a reply that was both nonchalant yet a warning as Reno sauntered up beside her, casually throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"Ya get yer stuff okay?"

"Your belongings are still in your room, Miss Lockhart. We extended your room to a late check out free of charge. You have until 6pm before we need you to return the keys." The girl told them, her voice taking on a slightly flirty tone as her large blue eyes seemed to stare hungrily at Reno even though she was talking to Tifa. The brunette couldn't help but notice the girl had leaned forward in her chair, causing the shirt she wore to gape open a little at the neck. Oblivious, Reno turned to Tifa with a wicked grin.

"So you're telling me you have just over two hours left to make use of that room?" He hinted, his voice dropping a little. Tifa blushed slightly but couldn't help feeling slightly smug as the receptionist's face faltered. She was clearly interested in Reno but he was barely looking in her direction, his attention on Tifa alone. Tifa picked up the keys and flashed an overly friendly smile at the blonde, who suddenly lost interest in the couple as she dropped her head to read some paperwork on her desk. Tifa turned and headed for the stairs, her hand finding Reno's as she led him along behind her. She had just intended to pack her stuff and leave, but the little exchange with the receptionist and seeing the way the girl had stared at Reno made Tifa want to give him one last lasting memory of her. How ridiculous that she had allowed one other woman's desire for the redhead affect her at all, especially when Reno hadn't even given the girl the time of day. But as far as she was concerned, her little holiday romance wasn't quite over yet, and the girl's interest made Tifa aware that she currently had the redhead's undivided attention and she didn't want to give it up just yet.

Reno couldn't believe his luck as Tifa took him by the hand and led him up to her room. He had made that comment as joke to get a rise out of her and to throw off the blonde who had been making extremely obvious googly eyes at him, but she hadn't callied him a pervert OR rolled her eyes at him. Maybe she isn't quite ready to let this end just yet. Or did she feel threatened by Blondie? Tifa, threatened by another woman? Pfft. Reno internally snorted at his musings, which were cut short as Tifa stopped in front of him. Clearly they had reached their destination. She let go of his hand to open the door and stepped in, looking at him over her shoulder to see if he would follow. Reno felt a small grin creep across his lips as he followed her into the room. He looked around as he walked into the middle of the room, letting Tifa close the door behind him. It was a cosy enough little room, and very tidy. Short of the backpack in the corner, it barely looked like anyone had been here. He wandered over to the window and looked out over the sleepy little mountain town. He could see why Tifa had chosen here to take a break. No one here cared if she was a saviour of the Planet, she was just another tourist wanting to enjoy the slopes. He was watching the locals wandering around and wondering what the hell they did all day when he felt two arms wind around his waist from behind. He tilted his head to look over his shoulder slightly and saw Tifa giving him a look that instantly caused a twinge in his groin. He raised an eyebrow with a grin as he turned in her arms, lifting his own to wrap around her. They were still dressed in their waterproof snow gear which greatly annoyed Reno at this current moment since he couldn't feel her curves pressed up against him thanks to the padding. His train of thought was halted as Tifa reached up with her bare hands, obviously having shed her gloves while he was looking outside, and ran her fingertips across his cheek. Reno leaned his head into her touch slightly, his eyes locked with hers. He searched her eyes, his gaze flicking back and forth, unsure what she wanted. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle in a pleasurable way as her fingers ran across his bottom lip lightly. Did she want him to kiss her? Or something more? He didn't have to wait long for an answer as she slid her hands round to the back of his neck and pulled his head down to hers.

He watched her as she closed her eyes, pressing her lips against his gently. He realised she was being a little hesitant, as if she wasn't sure if he still wanted her. Usually, he would play with that information a little. Tease her, make her wonder, before completely seducing her and taking control. But they had a finite amount of time in this room. Hell, before she had to leave completely. Reno wasn't about to let it go to waste. He dipped his head slightly, pressing his lips against hers more firmly. She obviously wasn't expecting him to move so suddenly and her lips parted slightly as she gasped. Reno took advantage and gently slipped his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss and practically dipping Tifa over backwards. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck, as best they could around the padding of his clothing, and she kissed him back with equal passion. Reno closed his eyes fully as he grinned slightly against her lips. Who was he to say no to one last hurrah?

AN : A little silliness to punctuate the endless fluff haha! I reckon Reno would be like a kid in the snow, regardless if he'd lived in it for months.

I admit I was gonna have Reno basically drop her off and disappear back home, but this kinda just kept going. So yeah. Few more chapters to go!