Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Alliance ❯ Chapter 28

“Alliance”

Chapter 28

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(Warning: Possible spoilers for all FF7 game/movie titles)

*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can't get enough of this world and the characters.*

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Some time between midnight and the dark hours of the morning, Rude woke partially up and shifted his stiff muscles and joints, wondering when he'd fallen asleep in the chair and why Reno hadn't woken him up and told him to come to bed. He got out of the chair and realized vaguely that he was still wearing his clothes. Grumbling in a partial stupor, he undressed to his boxers and stumbled to the bed. All he could see of his companion in the light of the television was mussed hair. Reno had burrowed under the covers in his sleep.

 

Had Rude been more awake and aware, he might have noticed that even in the flashing, blue-ish light of the TV the hair that was visible on the pillow was unusually tame and unusually natural in coloring. He might have also noticed that the outline of the body beneath the covers wasn't as slim as it should have been. As it was, Rude was so muzzy headed with sleep that he neither recalled the recent events nor questioned odd little things about his bed partner that should have caught his attention.

 

With a yawn, Rude sat down on the bed and pulled his shades off, depositing them on top of the nightstand by his side of the bed. He slipped underneath the covers and lay on his side, close to his companion's warmth. As he shut his eyes he absently put an arm loosely around the other man and somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered why Reno smelled faintly like white sage rather than the usual combo of cinnamon and cloves. He fell into a deep sleep only moments later.

 

~******************************~

 

Genesis woke up a couple of hours after the sun rose. He fought to remain asleep, grumbling softly and snuggling deeper into the comforter. He didn't want to get up—he'd been sleeping in caves and makeshift shelters for so long that he'd forgotten how good it felt to be in a bed. His face pressed against something solid, warm and human and his eyes opened abruptly. When his vision focused, he realized that he was staring at a bronze-skinned, muscular chest.

 

Genesis blinked and frowned with confusion. He raised his eyes from the defined pectorals that his face had just been pressed against and he recognized the handsome, chiseled features of the man that came attached to the chest. Awareness returned and with it came a crooked little smile.

 

“So you changed your mind about the bed, after all,” he said in a faint whisper.

 

Rude stirred but didn't wake and Genesis considered the situation. The big Turk was holding him in a loose, comfortable embrace. Some time during the night, Genesis must have instinctively turned around and cuddled closer to him. The redhead was a bit surprised and slightly amused to realize his own arm was returning Rude's embrace, draped over the bald man's waist. He couldn't decide whether it was disconcerting or interesting, how easily and naturally they'd both sought one another out in their sleep. Genesis wasn't by nature a “cuddly sleeper' yet somehow, there he was snuggled close to this big, quiet man.

 

~Now the question is, do I wake him or shall I try to disengage and let him wake on his own? What an interesting problem. As a Turk, he's probably not a heavy sleeper. What to do…what to do?~

 

In light of Rude's quiet, reserved nature, an uncommon twinge of kindness made Genesis decide to try and quietly exit the bed without waking the sleeping Turk—thus sparing him a moment of awkwardness that would probably make him grunt and clear his throat. Though the thought of the bald man trying to conceal his discomfort made Genesis smile, he carefully eased the covers down and watched Rude's face for signs of waking up.

 

The Turk's breathing rhythm changed and Genesis stopped, holding perfectly still with the comforter pulled down to his waist. Rude's hand slid lower down the redhead's back and stoked his leather-clad ass leisurely, making Genesis raise his eyebrows. The bald man settled again and his breathing evened out, indicating that he was drifting back into deeper slumber.

 

~As I suspected, this won't be an easy accomplishment. Not that I mind a pat on the ass from such a…nicely put-together specimen of masculinity.~

 

Genesis's eyes scanned Rude's body again, admiring the hard, toned muscles. He understood that in Rude's sleeping mind, he wasn't aware of what he was doing and he likely thought that Genesis was one of his lovers. The swordsman didn't really mind that, either. The nature of Rude's relationship with the other men allowed him to be fair game…of course, Genesis hadn't courted anyone in so long he wasn't sure how to go about taking advantage of that in the first place.

 

He could worry about that later. The Inn had hot and cold running water and Genesis hadn't had a warm shower in ages. If he could disengage from the Turk without waking him, he could get himself cleaned up and possibly even borrow a bathrobe so that he could wash his clothes, too. Cold mountain streams didn't make a pleasant bath and the concoction he made from plant and wild berry extracts wasn't the most efficient shampoo in the world. He could kill for some hair conditioner and he wondered if the Inn stocked complimentary little bottles of it in the bathrooms.

 

Genesis started to reach back and down, so that he could gently lift Rude's hand off his rear and tuck his arm in front of him. He glanced down and his eyes latched on the boxer shorts that concealed the Turk's sexual attributes from view. The redhead froze, his hand hovering over the light brown one that was resting comfortably on his butt cheek.

 

~Who says I can't get something out of this too? He's had his feel of me, after all. A bit of an eye grope isn't entirely inappropriate, is it?~

 

The difference was that Rude was asleep and doing his groping unconsciously, while Genesis was wide-awake and aware of his own actions. The redhead rolled his eyes with annoyance at his own mind for pointing these facts out. He reminded himself that he had much worse to atone for than having a look in some other man's boxers for a couple of seconds. He reached down with whisper-quiet, smooth movements and carefully slipped his fingers into the elastic waistline of Rude's boxers. He waited for a moment to be sure he hadn't disturbed the other man and then he looked down and tugged at the elastic, pulling it out so that he could get a peek at what kind of equipment the big man was packing.

 

Genesis grinned when he saw the size of Rude's cock and his auburn brows shot up with admiration. “Consider me impressed,” he murmured without thinking. If Rude grew much more when hard, he could really do some damage to a sexual partner if he wasn't careful.

 

He realized a second later that he'd spoken out loud and he tore his eyes away from the Turk's crotch to examine his face, freezing with his hand still holding Rude's boxers open at the waist. Rude didn't stir. Genesis sighed faintly in relief and he was just about to ease the elastic back into place and let go of it when someone knocked loudly on the door.

 

Genesis abruptly let go of the elastic and he winced as it snapped against Rude's skin. He shut his eyes quickly and pretended to be asleep, schooling his features into the most relaxed expression he could manage.

 

~*******************************~

 

Rude was unceremoniously woken from his sleep by the sound of someone knocking on his door and a sharp, slapping sting below his navel. He grumbled and opened his eyes, disoriented and uncertain whether the sting he'd felt was real or a phantom product of waking dreams. He went still when his eyes focused on Genesis Rhapsodos's unnervingly beautiful face, only inches away from his own. The fighter appeared to be asleep and Rude watched him silently for a moment, embarrassed that he'd stumbled into bed with him sometime during the night. At least the redhead's fair skin had regained a flush of color…or was the flush on his high cheekbones a result of fever?

 

Rude impulsively reached out to touch Genesis on the forehead, checking his temperature. He was warm but not alarmingly so. The Turk guessed he was sleeping through the knocking because he was just exhausted from his injuries and the medication. He pulled the covers down and got out of bed, retrieved his shades and stumbled to the door. He grabbed his robe on the way and hastily dragged it on, tying it shut before answering the door. A low-ranking young Turk stood there and he looked nervous.

 

“Sorry to wake you, Sir,” the other Turk apologized, “I was told to inform you that we have Weiss in custody, along with a lot of his followers that surrendered during the raid late last night. We're in the process of readying the prisoners for transport back to the holding facility in Junon and our orders are to start packing up for the trip back home.”

 

Rude was a little surprised that it was over. He'd known Tseng planned to arrange a direct strike against Weiss's hideout but he hadn't expected it to be successful so soon. He wondered what would happen with Genesis, now that Weiss was in custody.

 

“Thanks,” Rude said to the other Turk. He was hungry and he guessed that if Genesis was feeling better, he probably would be too. “Have some breakfast brought up here for two, will you kid?”

 

The young man nodded compulsively and bowed. “Right away, Sir.”

 

Rude grunted in acknowledgement and shut the door, locking it behind him. He walked back into the room and found Genesis awake and in the process of sitting up in the bed. The redhead looked up at him with guarded aqua eyes and Rude forced himself not to stare at his bare chest, suspecting that Genesis could somehow see through his concealing shades and tell when he was leering at him.

 

“They caught Weiss and a few of his followers,” announced Rude.

 

“I heard,” replied Genesis. “I would like to travel back with your people to Junon and go to this holding facility to speak with him. Can that be arranged?”

 

Rude shrugged unknowingly. “There shouldn't be any problem with you coming back with us but as far as prisoner visitation, I don't call the shots. Since you helped bring Deepground down I think they'd let you visit him. I can't promise anything and if they do, it'll probably have to be under supervision.”

 

Genesis nodded. “Fair enough.” He grimaced and placed a hand over his abdomen.

 

“I've ordered some breakfast for us,” Rude said, guessing that hunger pangs might be the source of the redhead's discomfort. “You can use the shower first if you want. I could send your clothes to be washed, too.”

 

Genesis tilted his head to one side slowly, studying him with narrowed eyes. “Why are you doing all of this for me?”

 

Rude cleared his throat and tried to think of an appropriate explanation. He could only think of one logical reason for the efforts he'd been making for the redhead's sake that didn't involve a desire to get him into bed. “You had a hand in ending this. You should get something out of it and you'd make a good ally.”

 

The suspicious expression on Genesis's face made Rude want to squirm. “So that's the way of it, then. Your kindness is inspired by what I did and your interest in coaxing me to go back under ShinRa employment?”

 

Rude nodded.

 

Genesis sighed and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood up and stretched languidly, his pretty blue eyes concealed under lowered, thick lashes. “I see,” he murmured after a moment.

 

Rude stared at a crack in the wall to avoid caressing the swordsman's pale, lithe body with his eyes. When Genesis looked at him again, there was something sly in his gaze and a crooked smirk adorned his lips.

 

“Well then, I suppose you've given me something interesting to think about,” Genesis said in a droning voice. “I'll take your offer and have a shower. I suppose there's a bathrobe in there that I could use until my clothes are ready?”

 

“Yes.” Rude's mouth was dry and he resisted the urge to swallow for moisture.

 

“Excellent. I appreciate it, friend.” Genesis strode with animal grace to the bathroom door and left it cracked.

 

Rude stood frozen in place, his ears picking up the sound of clothing rustling as the other man undressed. He saw a naked arm emerge from the bathroom door a couple of moments later and it tossed Genesis's leather pants across the room. They landed near the pile of his other clothes and his boots. Genesis's sword and scabbard leaned against the wall there too and Rude was a little surprised that he trusted him enough to leave his weapon unattended.

 

Rude forced himself into motion and crossed the room to gather the bundle of clothes. His nostrils flared as he caught Genesis's scent on them as he picked them up and he shook his head and huffed a determined sigh. He hoped the people in charge of laundry wouldn't fuck up any of the redhead's clothes. He guessed they knew how to wash and treat leather, since a lot of the WRO and ShinRa militia wore leather body armor.

 

~Hope I don't run into anybody on the way to drop these off…especially Red. He'll read my mind the minute he sees my fucking face and he'll tease the hell out of me. Gotta stop thinking about Genesis, man. I don't even know if the guy swings that way yet. Could be flirtation or it could just be the way he is.~

 

Rude's tangled thoughts were far more active than his vocal cords, as usual. Few people realized how much the bald man actually thought…which had worked in his favor on many occasions in the past. He didn't vocalize much and therefore, he didn't give away his thoughts or feelings as easily as others. Some probably even considered him slow and only Reno knew that his mind was a lot louder than his mouth. At least, only Reno knew until Genesis came along.

 

As he carried Rhapsodos's clothes out of the room and down the stairs, Rude wondered how the man had figured out so much about him in such a short time. For that matter, he wondered how he'd come to understand Genesis so well in such a short time, too. It didn't seem like they'd only known one another as something other than enemies for a few days.

 

~*************************************~

 

“Tseng.”

 

“Sir?” To his credit, the Wutaian's voice was steady despite the dread he felt as soon as Rufus woke up and uttered his name in that tone.

 

“I want aspirin, hot tea, an ice pack for my head. I also want a report on the conflict and an extensive explanation for your betrayal and subsequent imprisoning of me.” Rufus hadn't moved from his position in the bed. He was lying on his side but his gray, bloodshot eyes were as hard and cold as ice as they glared at the Turk seated in the chair beside the bed.

 

“Of course,” Tseng agreed readily as he stood up and went to retrieve the aspirin and start the hot water running. The icepack he would have to get from elsewhere but he'd brought a supply of assorted teabags with him and the aspirin was sitting on the dresser.

 

His pulse was racing with fear that few men could inflict on him and it wasn't even a fear of physical harm or death. His fear was of loss. In retrospect, he knew that he shouldn't have done what he did. He knew that as the pilot, he'd had the power to withdraw from battle if he thought it was getting too risky. The appearance of the enemy air fighters had convinced Tseng that it was too risky and he'd thought with his heart, rather than his head. He only hoped that his actions hadn't severed the bond that he'd formed with Rufus over the years.

 

He filled a complimentary mug with hot water, retrieved a dunker of black tea to place in it, then brought Rufus the bottle of aspirin and poured him a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on the table. He informed the president that he'd be right back with an ice pack for him and he made his escape, all the while silently bemoaning the outcome of yesterday's choices.

 

As he asked around for the item Rufus wanted, he started to consider things and he began to reason that Rufus might be coming down too hard on him. Reno had crossed the line so many times over the years it was amazing he was still with the organization now. Tseng had never gone against direct orders before. The closest thing he'd ever done to disloyalty to the organization was to try and save Zack Fair and Cloud Strife from the ShinRa militia. Granted, what he did to Rufus was a very dire transgression but he intended to bring up Reno's many fuck-ups if it appeared that his employment or life would be terminated.

 

~Would he really execute me, after all of these years of loyalty and…love? I know that Reno holds a special place in his heart, but is my own status in that matter high enough for Rufus to see my side of the issue?~

 

He finally found a medical assistant who gave him an ice pack out of the supply truck. Forcing down his concerns, Tseng filled it and hurried back to the room he shared with the president. Rufus was sitting up in bed when he returned and the hard, angry expression was still very much present on his handsome face. Tseng approached and gave him the icepack before removing the tea dunker from the coffee mug and throwing it away.

 

“Would you like sugar?” asked the Wutaian as he handed the mug to his lover. “There are some packets on the table if you do.”

 

“You know I don't take sugar with my tea,” Rufus muttered crossly. He'd pulled the covers down and his tail lashed with agitation beside him on the bed. He noticed Tseng's eyes go to it and he smirked humorlessly at him. “No, I can't control that. The more pissed off I get, the more active it becomes. Now sit down and give me the report on the conflict. After that, you can try to explain your actions and we'll go from there.”

 

“Of course, Sir,” Tseng agreed obediently.

 

He took his seat and explained everything that had happened while Rufus was out of commission. Rufus listened with narrowed eyes, commenting or asking a question now and then. He seemed mildly surprised by the news that Reeve's actions were responsible for turning the tide for good in their favor, but he didn't dwell overly on it.

 

“We've captured Weiss and many of his followers,” Tseng finished. “They're being transported to the holding facility in Junon as we speak, and I've arranged for Weiss to get medical and psychological treatment, as we agreed with Genesis. Our forces are in the process of loading up for withdrawal and the return home. We're bringing the Icicle refugees with us for treatment and to try and help them move on with their lives.”

 

Rufus nodded. By the sounds of it, they weren't doing anything he would have objected to. He was still highly frustrated that he'd missed so much of the fighting but he did at least play his role before the final end. Now there was the issue of integrating Genesis into the mix, should he be willing.

 

“Where is Genesis now?” Rufus asked. He finished his tea and set it on the bedside table.

 

“He's with Rude, to the best of my knowledge,” answered Tseng. “He was injured and Rude took care of him last night.”

 

“Of course,” Rufus said dryly. The two of them, surprisingly enough, seemed to fit together. He certainly wouldn't begrudge Rude the opportunity to have his own exclusive lover on the side. “I suppose he'll want visitation rights with Weiss if he chooses to join us?”

 

“I haven't spoken to Rude yet this morning but I think that's a fair assumption.” Tseng gazed at him steadily; patiently waiting for the judgment he knew was coming.

 

“Well then, I suppose the only remaining thing for us to cover is your rampant betrayal.” Rufus narrowed his eyes at him. “What would you say is sufficient punishment for your insubordination, Tseng?”

 

“That isn't a thing for me to decide,” answered the Wutaian readily. “I want you to know, however, that I did what I did because I truly thought it was too dangerous to risk you, Sir. You're too important to this organization…and to me.” The last was said softly and Tseng's eyes lowered. He'd never told Rufus out loud how much he really loved him.

 

The president considered him silently for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was still frigid. “You're in an important position of leadership yourself, Tseng. You rarely personally engage in conflict and yet you were out there fighting with your peers. I smell hypocrisy.”

 

Tseng nodded. “It's a fair observation. I don't hold myself to the importance that I hold you, though. If you wish to shoot me for it, so be it. I can fetch your weapons from storage, if you truly wish it.” He was testing him. If Rufus said “yes”, he would bring up Reno at least once before complying and accepting his fate.

 

Rufus seemed to consider it. His steely eyes remained level on him and he rubbed his temples absently, wincing at the throb in his head. “Years ago, I would have said `yes',” Rufus murmured. Tseng met his eyes and he smiled bitterly at him. “I wouldn't have hesitated to end your service to me and your life on Gaia without ceremony. However, you've been my trusted confidant, guardian and lover for too long now. It would be wasteful and I admit, I would miss you.”

 

Tseng relaxed and Rufus quickly held one hand up. “However,” the president continued, “I can't let this go unpunished. I never thought you would be the one on the receiving end but there are consequences.”

 

“I'll submit to whatever penalties you deem fit, Sir,” Tseng murmured humbly.

 

“I'm sure you will,” Rufus said with a cool smirk. “No doubt you've heard some details from Reno in the past concerning his various punishments. For you, though, I think a special example should be made. True, this is your first offense, but I want it to be your last.”

 

Rufus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Now isn't the time to conduct this, however. When we return to Junon, you will pack a suitcase and report to my office. That's where you'll stay until I'm satisfied that you've learned your lesson.”

 

“My duties?” Tseng questioned. He wasn't arguing, merely inquiring as to how his job would be handled during his…punishment.

 

“As far as the company will be concerned, you'll be away on vacation during your stay in my office. Reno can fill in for you and I'll permit you to keep your cellphone to conduct business with him and ensure that he's fulfilling your duties properly.” Rufus's eyes traveled the Wutaian's suit-clad body with sexual candor. “I'll have to purchase a chain long enough to allow you to move freely within my office without exiting, of course.”

 

Tseng blinked. “Sir, I wouldn't try to leave,” he argued.

 

Rufus's cold smile came back. “No, but discipline must be maintained. I can think of no better way to remind you of your place in our power scheme than to have you properly collared and leashed like the disobedient dog you are.” He tilted his head and studied the silent Turk. “Actually, if I were to make animal comparisons I'd say you're more akin to a snake. I can't very well leash a snake though, can I?”

 

“You may do whatever you wish,” Tseng murmured. He'd expected something humiliating and painful at best and he was prepared to deal with it.

 

“I certainly can,” agreed Rufus. “Now tell me, where did you find me when you returned? I vaguely remember trying to return to the battle but I'm afraid my memory beyond dinner is somewhat compromised. I'm not certain I can trust my recollections.”

 

“We found you in a tree outside the Inn,” answered Tseng readily. A barely perceptible smirk curved his lips.

 

Rufus wasn't so surprised to find out he'd been discovered in a tree. His fuzzy memories included leaping off of the roof in the direction of a large evergreen. What did trouble him was the use of the word “we”. He frowned fiercely at the Wutaian. “Define `we', Tseng.”

 

“The circle,” responded the Turk leader. “Only your lovers know where you truly ended up. Oh, and Zackary. He was the one that spotted you after we tracked you to the rooftop. He's also responsible for getting you safely down. You were caught up by your coat and passed out.”

 

Rufus shut his eyes and cursed softly. “Fabulous. So nobody else knows about this?”

 

Tseng shook his head. “No, Sir. When you were discovered missing, the search parties failed to check the attic so we fabricated that we found you in there.”

 

Rufus sighed and picked up the icepack to place it on his head. “Dear gods, I'm never drinking again…I swear it.”

 

Tseng kept his urge to smile under control. “This is the first time I've ever known you to allow the drink to get the better of you, Koibito. I don't think there's a need for you to swear it off, considering you were under duress when you over-indulged.”

 

“You're too kind,” Rufus muttered. He rested his back against the headboard of the bed and kept his eyes shut.

 

“Rufus,” Tseng said hesitantly.

 

“What is it?” the blonde grumbled.

 

“May I see to your aches? I have some lavender oil in my suitcase. I may be able to—”

 

“Yes,” interrupted the president. “That would be nice, since you're partially to blame for this headache.”

 

“Of course, Sir.”

 

~**************************************~

 

“Reno, wake up.” The soft, masculine voice was laced with annoyance. “We've got to get packed up and ready to leave.”

 

“Five more minutes,” mumbled the redhead into his pillow. He felt a nudge against his shoulder and he swatted in the general direction of it and snuggled deeper into the bedding.

 

“I'll bet I can get him up,” A deeper, light-hearted voice said.

 

“We don't have time for that,” the other voice said in a warning tone.

 

Reno snickered, his mind immediately going to dirty thoughts even though it was half-asleep.

 

“Boy, you two are both in smut-mode this morning,” the deeper voice chided in an amused tone. “Here, hand me that pitcher you brought up.”

 

“What for?”

 

There was whispering and Reno frowned, his waking mind becoming suspicious. The owner of the deeper voice was quickly gaining a reputation as a prankster and the word “pitcher” made Reno suspect that he might find his hand put in a bowl of warm water, soon.

 

“Don't even think of it, yo,” he mumbled. He rolled the covers up around his body, forming a protective cocoon.

 

“Really?” the softer voice asked in response to something the deeper voice whispered. “I don't know, man.”

 

“You'll see.” The deeper voice was confident.

 

Reno stayed where he was and sighed as he started drifting deeper into sleep. His companions would be in for a nasty surprise if they thought they could pull a prank on him. His instincts were honed so that if he sensed danger, he could respond immediately even if he was dead-tired.

 

He felt a hard-muscled, warm body settle on the bed behind his and he smiled, appreciating the way it fit against his back. Strong hands burrowed into the covers wrapped around him and eased them away. He tensed, but when the other man embraced him and pressed against him from behind without trying anything funny, he cuddled against him. Silky lips caressed his temple and trailed down to his jaw and neck.

 

Reno arched into the kisses and purred when he felt the larger man's growing arousal pressing against his naked rear through a layer of clothing. The hand that was caressing his chest beneath the covers slid down and behind, gliding sensually down his back. It left for a moment and Reno frowned, but then the tip of the index finger returned and traced his spine down to his tailbone.

 

Without warning, something hard, slippery and very, very cold nudged into his sore sphincter. Reno yelped and jerked away, his eyes flying open wide as he came fully awake with brutal abruptness.

 

“What the FUCK?” He shouted as he sprang out of the bed and to his feet. He could feel that hard…something…inside of him and he wriggled in place like a belly dancer and ineffectively patted his naked ass. It was too late…whatever it was had already been inserted and while it was oddly soothing against the soreness, it was too cold.

 

Zackary Fair grinned up at him from the bed, lying lengthwise on his side with one elbow propping him up. He was dressed in his boxer briefs and his hair was damp as if he'd just taken a shower. Cloud Strife stood behind him, shirtless and wearing a pair of deep green cargo pants. He held a pitcher in his left hand and he was staring from Zack to Reno with wide, blue eyes.

 

“What did ya do to me, Fair?” Reno demanded, wriggling uncomfortably where he stood.

 

“I got you out of bed,” Zack said simply, flashing a white-toothed smile at him. “Ice cubes do wonders, don't they?”

 

Reno stared at him with growing fury. “You put…an…icecube…up my ASS?”

 

Zack turned his head to regard Cloud with a wry smirk. “Catches on quick, doesn't he?”

 

Reno gave Cloud an equally thunderous look as he tried not to squirm. “You're his fucking cohort, Strife! Don't look so damned ignorant…you're the one holding the pitcher!”

 

Cloud looked at the pitcher in his hand and shrugged. “I didn't expect him to do that with it. He asked for an icecube and I thought he was just going to run it down your spine or rub it over your nipples.”

 

Reno cursed and headed for the bathroom to try and get the thing out of him. He could feel the cold drops from the melting cube trailing out of his body and down his thighs. “Your asses are mine, ya fucking pranksters,” he warned as he dodged around Cloud and ran into the bathroom.

 

“It's going to melt before you can get it out,” Cloud reasoned over his shoulder at him.

 

Reno flipped him off and slammed the bathroom door shut, making both of his lovers wince. Cloud turned to Zack and sighed. “Okay, that was just mean.” He hadn't even had the chance to explain why they were shipping out so soon and the redhead was too flustered and angry to wonder about it right now.

 

Zack was laughing silently and he shook his head. “I'll bet it feels good and he just doesn't want to admit it,” he quavered. “Lighten up, cutie-pie. My pelvis took a beating from him last night so he kind of had it coming.”

 

“You took a beating because you earned it,” Cloud reminded, crossing his arms over his naked chest. “I warned you about teasing him.”

 

“After I'd already done it,” Zack shrugged. He was still grinning. “Don't worry, I'll make it up to him.”

 

The look Cloud gave him said he wasn't sure he'd survive long enough to do it.

 

~**********************************~

 

Rude and Genesis ate breakfast together after the fighter showered and the food arrived. The Turk who had fetched it made sure that there was a variety and Genesis demonstrated his courtesy by offering his share of the bacon to Rude when he noticed how quickly the bald man ate his. Rude in turn offered his small bowl of oatmeal to Genesis.

 

Rude thought it was a little strange that his companion was so silent while eating, given his penchant for quoting poetry or talking about favorite plays, songs or art pieces. He chalked it up to good breeding and knowledge of when it was appropriate to initiate conversation with an eating partner and when it wasn't. From what he knew of the swordsman, he'd come from a well-off family and thus like Rufus, he was well schooled on table manners. Despite his obvious hunger, the redhead ate with quiet dignity and he didn't slop once.

 

“Did you get enough?” Rude asked after they both finished their meal.

 

“More than,” Genesis responded with a quiet smile. “I overdid it, I think. My stomach has shrank a bit.”

 

Rude nodded in understanding. It made sense, given that Genesis had been living on wild game and scraps. The Turk politely excused himself to have his shower and Genesis responded with equal courtesy. As formal as they were both being, their eyes met before Rude got up and their gazes remained locked for several moments before breaking away.

 

Rude generally wasn't one to turn to masturbation…not that he had a problem with it, but he was usually kept so satisfied by Reno and the others that he just didn't need to jerk off to relieve his tension. As he showered, he came to realize that all the sex in the world didn't cure unrequited desire. His erection was still present when he was halfway through the warm shower and he sighed and decided to take care of the problem himself.

 

The thought that Genesis might have done the exact same thing when he'd showered in the same spot an hour ago only made things worse for Rude.

 

~*********************************~

 

-To be continued