Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guardian ❯ Chapter 17

“Guardian”

Chapter 17

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*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all characters therein 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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Rufus noticed the alarm in Cloud's face and he frowned. “Remember your comment over the phone, Cloud? I thought I might lighten the mood.” He held out the collar and leash, draping them over the other blonde's slack free hand.

 

Cloud looked at the combo dumbly, his mind registering that the president wasn't attempting to put them on him at all. “My comment?” He said stupidly.

 

“Yes, Strife. Guard dog?” Rufus smirked at him patiently.

 

“So it's…like a joke?” Cloud took hold of the collar and leash warily, looking from it to Rufus and the others. Reno was shaking his head and giving him a pitying look, while Tseng was tactfully busying himself with the creation of another drink.

 

“Well, more of a visual gag,” corrected Rufus. “I can see by the look on your face that I've failed to humor you.”

 

Cloud looked at Reno again and saw him shaking with silent laughter. He suddenly felt very, very stupid. There was no way Rufus could have read his mind; it was merely a freakish coincidence and the president was only teasing him in his obscure way. He'd just failed on an epic blonde level to comprehend a very obvious gag.

 

“Oh yeah,” Cloud said with an uncomfortable little grin. “That's…cute.”

 

Rufus chuckled softly. “Clearly, I need to work on my delivery. Have your beer and relax, Strife. As I said before; I've learned my lesson concerning you.”

 

Cloud watched as the other blonde mixed himself a martini and walked away, heading towards a hallway at the far left of the main living room. Tseng followed with his drink and Rufus called out an invitation over his shoulder for Cloud and Reno to join them if they wished.

 

“See? I told ya, Blondie,” Reno said as he sidled closer to Cloud and sipped his drink. “You got yourself all worked up over a little gag. Will you unwind, now?”

 

Cloud set the collar and leash on the counter and shrugged, his face burning with embarrassment. “With him, I can't tell what's a joke and what's real,” he said defensively. “What exactly does he want us to join him doing, anyhow?”

 

“Probably the tub, man,” Reno said. “He's got a freakin' Jacuzzi in there. Think I can convince you to come with me for a little R and R?”

 

Cloud looked down at himself, then warily back at Reno. “I didn't bring any swimmers.”

 

“Just go starkers,” Reno suggested with a shrug. “That's what I plan on doing.”

 

“Oh, I don't think so,” Cloud said before taking a swallow of beer.

 

Reno huffed a laugh and shook his head. “I know everybody's already seen you before, Blondie. I don't know why you're so shy…how about if I get a towel for ya and you can wear it around your waist until you hop in?” Reno closed the distance between them and reached out to slide a hand over Cloud's shoulder and down his t-shirt clad chest. “Come on, don't be a puss, yo. Even naked and unarmed you know you could kick all our asses if we tried anything. Can't ya just try to trust me?”

 

“It's not really you I don't trust,” Cloud admitted. He realized that for the first time in history, he actually DID trust Reno. It was the redhead's boss and work associates he didn't trust yet. He swallowed as Reno drew close and nibbled his ear. “Cut that out,” he protested weakly. His eyes closed with pleasure as the redhead's teeth scraped the sensitive lobe.

 

“Come on, Cloud. Let's have a soak with the others,” Reno coaxed seductively, running his tongue over the shell of the blonde's ear. “It'll be nice.”

 

Cloud tried to stop the deft hands that were sliding up under his t-shirt. “Okay look, if I agree to give it a try will you stop mauling me?” He was starting to react to Reno's sensual touch and the last thing he wanted right now was to get caught with a raging hard on.

 

Reno's soft laugh tickled his neck and the Turk obliged him and pulled away. “Okay, I'll knock it off. Don't chicken out on me, Blondie.”

 

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

 

Rufus wasn't all that surprised when Reno and Cloud joined them in the Jacuzzi. He had a healthy respect for his fox's persuasive powers and he admired the redhead's shameless nudity as Reno stepped into the tub and sank down next to Rude. Cloud made Rufus want to laugh, though. The blonde looked like a timid teen. He and Reno had obviously discovered the towel cabinet in the adjoining part of the bathroom and Cloud wore a purple bath towel draped around his waist, which he didn't remove until he stepped onto the hump and started to sink down into the water.

 

Rufus was a little disappointed that he only caught a glimpse of the golden-haired fighter's genitals before they were submerged, but he was patient. “I'm glad you decided to join us,” he said courteously, lifting his cocktail glass in a quick salute. “Is the water temperature to your liking?”

 

Cloud was sandwiched between Reno and Tseng and he squirmed and tried to relax. “Feels fine,” he mumbled. Reno was already greeting Rude in a very friendly way and Cloud was embarrassed by how arousing the sight of the two of them kissing was to him. To his credit, Rude was trying to be conservative and he seemed as uncomfortable with public macking as Cloud was.

 

“Easy, Red,” the bald man murmured, his brown features going ruddy as he reached under the water to control Reno's exploring hands.

 

“Haven't had enough to drink yet?” Reno guessed with a chuckle. He frowned as he felt something under the water and he looked at his partner and reached up with his free hand to push Rude's shades up. “You big wuss! You're wearing swimmers!” He groped and Rude grunted and shifted. “Hell, they ain't even swimmers…they're fucking boxer shorts! Yo boss, did ya know about this?” He turned scandalized, vivid eyes to Rufus, who was smirking with amusement next to Tseng.

 

“Yes,” Rufus informed. “Perhaps you don't remember, but it takes Rude a while longer than us to get comfortable in a public setting.”

 

Cloud glanced at the bald Turk enviously, wishing he had thought to wear his boxers too. He barely caught a laugh as Reno began struggling with Rude in an attempt to pull the offending clothing article off of him.

 

“Lose `em, big guy,” Reno grunted, only half-kidding.

 

“Cut it out, man!” Rude grunted back as he did his best to stop his partner's nimble hands from relieving him of his boxers.

 

Cloud found himself sharing a grin with Rufus and Tseng, amused at the antics of the redhead and the bald man.

 

~And here I was worried that I'd be the one getting molested tonight. Looks like Rude's got that covered for me, poor guy.~

 

“Ack! No pinching!” Reno complained suddenly, his groping hands suddenly reaching behind to rub his bottom.

 

“You started it,” Rude grumbled, though he was starting to smile.

 

“Oh yeah?” Reno's eyes flashed with lust and mischief. “I'm gonna finish it, bud.” He sank into the water until he was fully submerged and his presence left Cloud's side.

 

“H-hey,” Rude gasped, reaching beneath the water.

 

Cloud's face heated and he looked away, guessing what his lover must be doing beneath the swirling, bubbling water. His gaze met Rufus's and the president had a mischievous look in his eyes to match Reno's.

 

“Watch this, Strife,” Rufus said.

 

Cloud obeyed with a confused, curious expression on his face. Rufus shifted in his seat and suddenly Reno's head popped up out of the water and the redhead gasped and sputtered, dragging his soaked bangs out of his eyes. Reno looked around at everyone accusingly.

 

“Yo, who poked me in the ass with their toe!?”

 

Cloud coughed and reached for his beer. “Wasn't me,” he muttered.

 

Reno twisted in Rude's lap to shoot a suspicious look at Rufus, who spread his hands innocently. His sly smirk belied the action, however. “Whatever are you talking about, Fox?”

 

Cloud choked on his beer and Tseng scooted closer to him to pat him on the back solicitously.

 

Reno narrowed his eyes at the president. “You're next, boss,” he threatened.

 

“Promises, promises,” Rufus countered lazily.

 

Reno gave him one more narrow-eyed look before going under again while Rude protested. The bald man's face broke into a sweat and he grunted softly, his lips parting.

 

Cloud didn't get the chance to feel uncomfortable again, because Tseng was suddenly pressing soft, silken kisses against his shoulder and neck. Distracted by the sensation, the blonde turned his head to say something to the Wutaian and the next thing he knew, he was kissing him on the mouth. He'd forgotten what a good kisser Tseng was and he groaned softly at the gentle swirl of the other man's tongue against his. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Rufus slide closer to Rude and put an arm around him. The sight of the other blond giving the muscular Turk an open-mouthed kiss only served to increase the sudden burst of arousal he felt and Cloud hardened completely beneath the warm water.

 

~I knew something like this was going to happen if I came in here, but I didn't expect it to go this way. It…it's not that strange at all, actually. It feels kind of…right.~

 

Cloud returned Tseng's sensual kisses and he caressed the raven-haired Turk's face with his fingers. Tseng made a pleased sound in his throat that prompted Cloud to explore further. The other man wasn't aggressive so much as intense and it turned him on and made him want more. Tseng's hands kneaded Cloud's shoulders with skillful, soothing strokes and after a few moments, they glided down his arms and caressed his chest and abdomen. Cloud reciprocated the touching, his hands stroking Tseng's toned stomach with eager curiosity. He heard Rude's quickening breath and a muffled groan and he guessed that the bald man was getting some pretty intense stimulation from both Rufus and Reno.

 

“Maybe we should give them some privacy,” Cloud murmured breathlessly against Tseng's lips as Rude swore softly.

 

“Nonsense,” purred the Wutaian with a smile. “They're far too busy now to notice us. Relax, Cloud.” With that said, he captured the blonde's lips again and gave him another deep, disorienting kiss.

 

Cloud couldn't find the breath or inclination to argue further about it. He squeezed Tseng's long-muscled thigh and dragged his hand up the length of it, towards his groin. Tseng rewarded him with a soft, needy moan and the sound encouraged the blonde to continue. His hand discovered the Turk's erect cock and he curled his fingers around it and began to stroke it. Tseng murmured his name in a grateful tone and sucked on his tongue, his skillful hands sliding down the blonde's ribcage and over his hips.

 

Cloud heard Reno come up for air and he almost laughed into Tseng's mouth when he heard the redhead speak. “Ha, I got the damned things off!” There was a wet smack as Reno tossed Rude's soaked boxers out of the tub and onto the linoleum floor. He must have submerged again after that because Rude groaned again and gasped his name.

 

Cloud paid no more attention to what the others were doing after that, because Tseng had begun to reciprocate his fondling. The fighter rolled his hips with the motions of his companion's stroking hand, his breath quickening with pleasure and desire. Tseng likewise shifted his pelvis and he moaned softly with need as Cloud's other hand reached further down to massage his balls.

 

The sound of Rude groaning throatily into Rufus's kissing mouth made Cloud and Tseng pause in their kissing to look at him. The bald man was flushed and gasping, obviously in the latter stage of an orgasm. Reno's head emerged from the water again after a moment and his hair floated around him in crimson tendrils as he kissed his partner's panting mouth before turning his attention to Rufus. Rude was beyond embarrassment at this point, sated as he was. His big hand stroked Reno's pale shoulder as he relaxed and watched the redhead kiss Rufus with greedy lust.

 

“I think our kitsune is going to win this encounter,” Tseng whispered huskily to Cloud as the redhead's hands moved beneath the water and Rufus groaned.

 

“Keeping up with him is a lost cause,” Cloud agreed breathlessly. He bit back a moan as he watched the president's expression relax into pleasure. Tseng's stroking hand hadn't slowed and he was getting close. Making out with the Turk director while watching Reno go to town on his partner and Rufus was hotter than Cloud could have imagined. Tseng began to tense up and Cloud captured his mouth again for a kiss, knowing that he was close as well.

 

“Strife,” Tseng panted when they broke the kiss. His dark eyes were soft with pleasure as they gazed into his and his shapely lips were kiss-swollen and parted. Cloud closed the distance between their mouths and traced his gasping lips with his tongue, groaning softly as the silken length he stroked began to pulse in his grasp. He thrust his tongue into Tseng's mouth as the other man came, muffling the soft cries emitting from his throat.

 

Tseng was barely finished climaxing when Cloud started to come. The blonde broke the kiss and buried his face against the Wutaian's neck as he began to buck in his stroking hand. “Feels…so good,” Cloud moaned against the soft skin.

 

Tseng nuzzled his hair, his labored breath stirring the golden strands as he hugged Cloud to him with one arm and kept stroking him with his other hand. He loved the way Cloud gasped as he came and the way he put his head on his shoulder when it finished. He found it endearing and he reached up with the arm he was embracing him with and ran his wet fingers through the blonde's hair.

 

Cloud returned Tseng's half-embrace and rested his head on his shoulder as he recovered. Reno had vanished under the water again and this time, it was obviously Rufus getting an underwater blowjob. Rude was kissing the president deeply, one hand cupping his jaw to hold his head still and the other teasing his nipples one at a time.

 

Cloud blinked with surprise. He thought he remembered Reno telling him something about Rufus playing a more submissive role for Rude from time to time, but this was the first time he ever saw it for himself. The blonde ShinRa leader looked insanely hot right now, with that expression of surrender on his handsome face as he allowed his subordinate to dominate the kiss. Suddenly, Cloud had a new mental picture concerning the dog collar and he flushed. Sure, the man might bottom sometimes for Rude but that was the exception, not the rule.

 

~He'd never go for it,~ Cloud argued with himself as he pictured Rufus in his suit with his shirt hanging open and the spiked collar around his neck. ~I'd probably have to wrestle it onto him and I've got no damn business even thinking about doing that, when I've been holding a grudge against him for pulling stunts like that on me. Shit, I was ready to deck him earlier until I found out the collar was just a gag.~

 

Cloud felt like an utter hypocrite as he watched Rufus and continued imagining it. The fantasy kept switching between him fucking Rufus and Rufus fucking him but in both fantasies, Rufus was the one wearing the collar. The blonde shifted uncomfortably as his recently spent hard on began to return. He desperately willed it to go down and he tried to think unsexy thoughts.

 

~Reno's a bad influence. I'm turning into a fucking pervert.~

 

Reno didn't come up for breath again and Cloud started to get a little worried about him. He realized why the Turk was holding off on it when Rufus began to pant hard and fast against Rude's mouth. The president's hips lifted off the hump he was sitting on as he came in Reno's mouth and his eyes fluttered shut. Reno emerged again, gasping and coughing a little but looking quite pleased with himself. He straddled Rufus's lap and kissed his neck while the blonde recovered from his orgasm.

 

“We seem to have created our own gene pool,” Rufus commented breathlessly.

 

Tseng was the first to get the crack and he laughed softly. The others followed suite, except for poor Cloud. He smirked uncomfortably, feeling like an idiot for his failure to get yet another of Rufus's jokes.

 

“Stewing in our own juices,” Reno chuckled.

 

That, Cloud understood. Everyone except Reno had contributed some of their DNA to the whirlpool and now they were sitting in it. He started to chuckle, but his amusement turned into discomfort as he thought about it. Evidently he wasn't the only one to come to the conclusion that it wasn't so funny anymore, because Rude frowned and Rufus shifted Reno on his lap and grimaced.

 

~Leave it to Reno to tell it like it is.~

 

“Maybe it's time to get out,” Rufus suggested.

 

Cloud was already climbing out and reaching for his towel.

 

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After drying off and getting dressed, they took advantage of the food Rufus provided. His kitchen was huge and Cloud was impressed at the spread. The man had set up a mini buffet on the row of kitchen islands for his guests, with chafing dishes keeping the hot food warm and covered cooling trays keeping the raw fruits and veggies cold. There was a crock-pot in the center containing some sort of hot, homemade dip and a tray covered with various kinds of crackers, chips and cheese slices. He'd even provided a selection of different kinds of sushi.

 

Cloud stood there blinking at the display of food, his mouth watering even as he silently thought it was overkill. “Are you expecting an army, Rufus?” he asked when the other blond began to take the lids off of the chafing dishes so that his guests could get to the food.

 

“I think you underestimate how much food five healthy men can put away, Cloud,” the president said with a smile. “Really, it looks like there's more than there is because I wanted to provide enough variety to satisfy everyone.”

 

“Did ya cook all of this stuff, boss?” Reno asked as vaguely remembered that Rufus had a habit of spoiling his employees from time to time.

 

“I didn't have time to cook all of this on my own,” Rufus answered with some amusement. “Given that I planned this gathering overnight, I had to rely on a caterer for some of it. The sushi was the most difficult thing that I prepared myself.”

 

“Your sushi is always good, Koibito,” Tseng complimented, and it was the first thing he went for once he got his plate. Rude was already putting some sausages and barbequed ribs on his, while Reno was going for the chicken kabobs.

 

“Please, help yourself, Cloud,” Rufus encouraged as he handed a plate to the fighter. “I'd suggest if you want any red meat, you should get it now before Rude takes it all.”

 

“Sir, did you cook these ribs?” Rude asked as he paused. Rufus nodded and he took two more helpings.

 

“You must be a pretty good cook,” Cloud said with a smirk as he took the president's advice and started selecting his food.

 

“He does things to meat you wouldn't believe,” Rude informed him.

 

Reno snickered loudly, nearly spilling his plate.

 

“You've got a real smutty mind, partner,” Rude said with an embarrassed frown.

 

“I appreciate the compliment, nonetheless,” Rufus chuckled.

 

At first, Cloud thought that the Turks must have just been kissing their boss's ass with their compliments to his culinary skills. Once he finished filling his plate and sat down to eat, he discovered that they weren't just paying the man lip service. As soon as he took a bite out of the tender ribs, his eyes popped wide. It tasted so good it was practically orgasmic to his taste buds.

 

“Oh my god,” Cloud mumbled as he finished chewing and swallowing.

 

The others paused and Rufus lifted an inquiring brow. “Is something the matter?”

 

“These ribs,” Cloud said, licking his lips. “They're amazing!” His sapphire eyes were full of awe as he looked at Rufus. Rude nodded in agreement and continued to eat with a sharp appetite.

 

Rufus smiled with pleasure at the compliment. “Why, thank you Cloud.”

 

“Why didn't I know about your cooking before?” the fighter went on as he took another bite. “Mmm! I never would have guessed!”

 

The Turks were chuckling softly and Rufus actually looked a little embarrassed. “I once entertained dreams of becoming a chef,” he admitted.

 

“What the hell stopped you?” Cloud asked. His youthful features were still openly amazed.

 

Rufus lifted his pale brows meaningfully and Cloud caught on. “Oh. Dear old Dad,” the fighter grumbled. “Figures.”

 

Things could have been quite different if Rufus had been allowed to pursue his dream and Cloud regarded the president with regretful eyes. It was too late for him to drop everything to take up a culinary career, he knew. Rufus had too much invested in his company and the WRO. Cloud finished another bite and decided to give the other man one more glowing compliment.

 

“I'll bet you'd be just as rich as you are now if you made your living on your cooking.”

 

Rufus chuckled softly, thinking of Tseng's observation that Cloud was “simple but complex”. It seemed that part of that simplicity lay in pleasing his stomach. “Perhaps,” Rufus said with uncharacteristic modesty. “I'm content to show off once in a while for my guests. It's a pity I rarely have the time to do it more often, but it's always a pleasure.”

 

He was touched, really. Cloud was so expressive with his thoughts and emotions and the appreciation in his gorgeous blue eyes as he complimented his cooking was quite rewarding for Rufus. He hadn't felt this flattered over his cooking in a long time and his affection for the unpredictable, golden-haired fighter grew.

 

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

 

Cloud could tell which dishes were Rufus's and which were the caterer's. The sushi was as mouth-watering as the ribs had been and the dip was some kind of cheese, capsicum and tomato mixture that made his taste buds sing. The sausages, chicken and shrimp were good too, but they lacked that special flare that marked Rufus's surprising culinary gifts. He ate until he had to loosen his belt a notch and the others were just as stuffed as he was by the time they were finished.

 

After eating, they all went into the living room for more drinks and socializing. Rufus turned on the stereo and set the volume at a level that wouldn't interfere with conversation. Reno sat down beside him on the couch, putting an arm around him familiarly. Cloud sat beside Rude on the adjacent love seat and Tseng sat on Rufus's other side.

 

It occurred to Cloud that of everyone in the room, Reno was the only one that hadn't gotten off yet. He wondered why the redhead wasn't complaining about that, but then he remembered that for Reno, half of the fun was making his partners come. He got off on making them moan his name and it was obvious by the way he was stroking Rufus's hair that he was confident he'd have his own orgasm before the night was through.

 

Reno's hair had dried and it hung loose, spilling over his shoulders and down his back. His activities in the tub had rinsed the gel out of it and the layered hair on top feathered over his brow softly—a change from the usual fluffed and spiked style. He looked a bit like he had when he was in a coma, except of course now he was awake and the long mane was vivid red instead of his natural auburn color. Cloud rather liked the softened look on him. Reno always managed to look gorgeous and now was no exception.

 

Reno noticed Cloud's covert stare and he smirked softly, appreciating the attention even though the blonde was trying to be subtle about it. As he chatted with the Turks, Rufus and Cloud he admired each of them for their own unique looks and personality. He'd been thrilled when Cloud and Tseng made out in the tub together and he was confident that eventually, Rude would hook up with the blonde too. With them, it was just a matter of time and Cloud didn't seem to have the deep-seeded trust issues towards them that he did with Rufus.

 

~Hmph…it's kind of ironic that Cloud hasn't fucked or been fucked by Tseng or Rude yet but I'm not worried about him hooking up with them sooner or later. He's gotten it on with the boss a few times now, but those damn barriers are still there. I think it's about time to get rid of `em.~

 

He bided his time, silently plotting while he socialized and flirted with his lovers. He had to wait for the right moment or his idea was going to go down the drain. Rufus had no problems being intimate in front of people but Cloud took a little coaxing and he was already leery of the president. For Reno's idea to work, they needed privacy. When he thought Cloud and Rufus had both had enough to drink to make them less inhibited without blurring their judgment too much, he set his plan into motion.

 

Reno stood up and stretched, shooting a look at Tseng and Rude as he did so. “I'm a little hungry again. I think I'll go raid the leftovers.”

 

After years of working together, their bond was such that they could silently communicate with covert gestures or looks. The other two men both caught the meaning behind his look and they excused themselves to follow him into the kitchen.

 

“I think I'll have a little more to eat too,” Rude said.

 

“That sounds like a good idea,” agreed Tseng, standing up to follow the bald man out of the room.

 

Cloud and Rufus watched them go and the fighter shook his head. “Where do they keep it all? Do they have a hollow leg or something?”

 

Rufus smirked. He knew his Turks well and he suspected that Reno was trying to set something up. He'd caught the look that the redhead had given his fellow Turks before leaving and it was too much of a coincidence that all three of them decided they were hungry at the same time. He glanced at Cloud, wondering if he should take advantage of the moment and make a move on him. The fighter was staring after the Turks as they disappeared down the hallway and while he looked puzzled, he didn't seem to find it too suspicious.

 

~Something tells me that if Strife's instincts weren't dulled with beer right now, he'd have come to the same conclusion that I have. It's rather obvious. You're getting sloppy in your scheming, Fox. In fact, all three of you were sloppy with that display.~

 

Of course, his Turks had also put away a few drinks so it was forgivable that they weren't as stealthy as they usually were.

 

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

 

“What's up, Red?” Rude asked as he and Tseng stepped into the kitchen.

 

Reno picked up a melon ball and aimed it before sending it sailing at an arc towards his partner. Rude opened his mouth and caught it despite being buzzed and the redhead grinned at him. “Good catch. I was just thinking the three of us should make tracks into one of the spare rooms and give Cloud and the boss a little privacy. You know, to work out that trust issue they've got. I'm pretty sure they've never had any one-on-one action and I think it'd be good for both of `em.”

 

“I don't know about that,” Rude said dubiously. “They seem to get along okay when you're in the middle of it, but if you leave `em alone there could be a disaster.”

 

Tseng regarded Reno thoughtfully as the redhead approached he and Rude. “I seem to recall another scheme of his that I thought was pure madness, but our kitsune has a way of making even the most insane ideas work for him.”

 

“Oh yeah?” Reno said with interest as he closed the distance between himself and the other two men. “What scheme was that?”

 

“You instigated the relationship between Rude and Rufus,” Tseng answered with a smile, his memories of that night making him chuckle. “After that, I came to realize that whatever Reno wants, he gets.”

 

Rude flushed and smiled a little as he recalled the night of the “kissing lessons” too. “You two poked and slapped me until I was ready to bust heads,” the bald man remarked.

 

Reno laughed. “Aw, I'd better get that memory back!” He sobered and looked at them both slyly. “So what do ya say? I need some action and I know just the cocks to get it from.” He boldly reached out and squeezed each of their respective packages with each hand.

 

“Hey, watch the junk,” Rude grumbled, taken by surprise.

 

“How do you propose we excuse ourselves without offending either of them?” Tseng asked as he swatted at Reno's groping hand.

 

Reno considered the question and grinned. “I think I know a way.” Without warning, he reached out and snatched Rude's shades off of his head, while at the same time he caught hold of Tseng's tie at the noose and somehow managed to pull it off of him without choking him.

 

“Reno, give my tie back to me this instant,” Tseng sighed.

 

“Those are my shades, man!” Rude tried to grab them but his partner danced aside nimbly and made for the door. “Come back here!”

 

“Gotta catch me first, partner,” Reno shot over his shoulder.

 

Rude and Tseng exchanged a look and they both shrugged. It was a perfect excuse to chase Reno into the bedroom, after all.

 

“After you,” Tseng said politely.

 

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

 

“I need a refresh on my drink,” Rufus said as he swirled the ice cubes around in his glass. “And it looks as though you need another beer.” He nodded at Cloud's nearly empty bottle.

 

Cloud considered the beer in his hand and debated on whether he should drink another one. He was getting too relaxed and while he was really enjoying himself, he remembered that he shouldn't let himself go too much around Rufus.

 

“I'm not sure,” Cloud said doubtfully.

 

“Why not?” argued Rufus, “You know you can sleep here tonight and I swear to you, I won't touch you unless you ask for it.” His gray eyes were steady and warm on the fighter as he spoke.

 

Cloud stared into the president's eyes and remembered that he'd promised Reno he'd try to give the man a chance. He shrugged. “What the hell. Let's get another, then.”

 

Both men began to get out of their seats, but before they could finish standing up Reno came tearing out of the kitchen. The redhead was brandishing a pair of shades in one hand and a tie in the other as he charged through the room to the opposite hallway.

 

“What on Gaia?” Rufus said with honest confusion.

 

Tseng came running out next and Rude was close at his heels.

 

“Cut it out, Red! Gimme my shades back!” Rude sounded convincingly upset and Tseng's mouth was pressed into a grim line. They chased Reno into the opposite hallway and there was the sound of a scuffle and a door slamming shut. Shortly after that, Reno's muffled yelp drifted from the closed bedroom, followed by the thump of bodies entangling together.

 

Cloud and Rufus looked at one another and wore twin expressions of amused confusion.

 

“Looks like Reno got frustrated and decided to bait them,” Cloud predicted. “Some things just don't change.”

 

Rufus smiled in the direction of the bedroom, where the sounds of struggle and cursing started to bleed into throaty gasps and husky encouragement. In a way, it was such a similar occurrence to one of his fondest memories of the redhead that it made his heart swell. “Yes,” he agreed, “some things don't change…thank goodness.”

 

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

 

-To be continued