Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Guardian ❯ Chapter 21

“Guardian”

Chapter 21

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

*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.*

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

 

They left immediately and Reno had the good sense to call up Rufus and let him know what was going on. The president assured him that Tseng had already explained it to him and since Reno wasn't back on active duty yet, he was free to go where he liked, when he liked. Cloud was silent and brooding in the seat next to the redhead, the precious box resting in his lap as he watched the landscape below absently. Reno didn't try to say anything to him, guessing that his presence was more comforting than words right now. After a couple of hours, Cloud drifted off to sleep. Reno put the auto-pilot on and pulled his jacket off to drape it over the slumbering fighter. He stroked Cloud's hair gently and gave him a light kiss before returning to his seat. With a sigh, he checked his headphones and turned on the radio so that he'd have something to keep him alert.

 

They touched down outside Bone Village in the dark hours of the next morning. Reno was exhausted but he didn't complain. He cut the engine and reached out to shake his companion gently.

 

“We're here, Cloud. Wake up, man.”

 

Cloud stirred and opened his eyes sleepily, blinking in the darkness. “What time is it?” he mumbled as he took his headphones off and stretched.

 

Reno lifted his wrist and pushed the light on his watch. “A little after four in the morning. You crashed a couple of hours after we left and I didn't want to wake you up. You wanna go into the village for some coffee first or just go straight to the Forgotten City?”

 

“Coffee sounds okay,” Cloud agreed. He noticed that Reno was devoid of his usual blazer and he realized for the first time that it was draped over him like a blanket. He managed a smile for the redhead and handed the item to him. “Thanks.”

 

“No problem, babe,” Reno shrugged. “I put a couple of thicker jackets in the back with your stuff. I didn't know if you had something for winter or not so I grabbed two from the gift shop while you were loading Fenrir into the chopper.”

 

“I've got a travel jacket in one of the compartments, but thanks,” Cloud said. He was grateful for Reno's presence and his consideration. He could tell by the glossy look in the tourmaline eyes that Reno was very tired and he frowned. “Hey, you don't have to travel to the city of the Ancients with me. You've been flying all night.” He remembered that there wasn't an Inn at Bone Village…only tents that could be rented. “Uh, you have sleeping cots in the cabin, right?”

 

“Yeah, but I'll be okay,” Reno said as he rubbed his tired eyes. “I meant what I said, I wanna be there with ya. It's not that far to the Forgotten City from here and I can rest when we come back.”

 

Cloud's thankful blue eyes were soft on him. “I really appreciate this, Reno.”

 

The Turk waved a hand negligently. “It's the least I can do for ya. Let's go get some coffee so we can get going, yo.”

 

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

 

The coffee in Bone Village was stale but it did the trick and energized them enough to keep going. Reno kept his shades on despite the darkness, figuring it was better for people to think he was stoned or had a medical condition than stare at his abnormally bright eyes. Of course, Cloud's eyes were Mako enhanced and bright as well but the color of them made the effect more beautiful than startling. After having their coffee and a meager breakfast of hot oatmeal, they got onto Fenrir and headed for the Forgotten City. It was a little rough in places and at one point, they were forced to dismount and walk the cycle because the path was too steep to risk driving on.

 

Reno shivered in the cold morning air as the rising sun shed light on the ruins they were approaching. His memories of the place were vague but he was stricken by a familiar feeling of haunting stillness as they made their way in. The city made him think of ghosts and he felt like the tendrils of mist rising from the ground were reaching out to him. The Turk said nothing to Cloud about how the place made him feel. The fighter had laid a close friend to rest here and even the normally impulsive redhead had enough sense not to disrespect the dead with negative comments.

 

“It's not much further,” Cloud assured Reno when the Turk stumbled with exhaustion. It was safe to ride Fenrir again so he motioned to his companion. Reno got on behind him and put his arms around his waist and Cloud started the engine and continued on. He felt Reno rest his head against his back and he wished he could make him more comfortable.

 

He stopped the motorcycle outside a familiar, large shell house and dropped the kickstand. “Okay, it's just in here,” he informed his drowsy companion. “There's an underground spring. Are you okay to keep going?”

 

Reno yawned and dismounted. “Yeah, I'm good to go. Ready when you are.”

 

Cloud got off the bike and got the box out of the compartment he'd stashed it in. He also retrieved one of his swords just in case, sheathing it in the scabbard strapped to his back. Reno followed him into the house and down the winding staircase to the huge, crystal lined cavern underneath. The glow from the crystals provided plenty of light for them both to see by and Reno hung back when they reached the bottom, keeping a respectful distance so that Cloud could pay his final respects to his friends in private. He watched silently as the blonde approached the edge of the spring and used the stepping stone bridge to reach the platform in the center, where the waters were deepest.

 

Cloud squatted at the edge of the platform and stared into the tranquil waters, where the Lifestream mingled with the fresh water. He held the box for a moment and closed his eyes. “I'm sorry these letters never got to him, Aerith,” he murmured. “Maybe now you can give them to him.” He heaved a sigh and opened his eyes again. It was time to let go. He gently lowered the box into the water and pushed it away, watching as it slowly sank into the depths. His vision blurred for a moment but he smiled, feeling a bit lighter for the action.

 

“You know, the ink's going to run,” said a familiar voice conversationally to his right. “How am I going to read those now?”

 

Cloud didn't turn but he smiled wider. “Aerith can tell you what they said, Zack. I just wanted you both to have them.”

 

“Of course I can,” a female voice said near his left ear. He felt a whisper-soft caress against his cheek and he closed his eyes. “Thank you, Cloud. You really didn't have to, but it's a very sweet gesture.”

 

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

 

On the bank of the spring, Reno stood bug-eyed with his shades lifted. He shook his head slowly as he witnessed two ghostly figures materialize on either side of Cloud and speak with him.

 

“Oh no…no fucking way,” the Turk gasped. He rubbed his eyes and blinked, thinking it had to be sleep deprivation making him hallucinate. Both figures were still there and he began to realize that it couldn't be all in his head, because Cloud was calmly TALKING to both of them. The blonde seemed to find the situation perfectly normal.

 

“This was NOT what I had in mind,” Reno muttered, taking a couple of stumbling steps backwards.

 

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

 

Zack smiled at his old friend brightly. “You found your friend, right? How's it going between you two now?”

 

Cloud looked at him and blushed. “Yeah, he's recovering pretty well. He flew me here, in fact.”

 

“Are you happy?” Aerith persisted softly.

 

Cloud glanced at her and considered the question. A slow smile curved his lips and he nodded. “You know, I really think I am. I…I love him.”

 

“Good,” Zack said with a nod. “It's about damn time you found some happiness, buddy.” He and Aerith shared a smile and they peered over their shoulders at the same time to look at Reno. “Wow, he hasn't changed,” Zack said with a lift of his dark brows. “Except his ponytail's longer than I remember it and his eyes are Mako-tinged now. Oh, and they're bugging out of his head. He looks a lot paler than I remember, too.”

 

“I think he sees us,” Aerith remarked. She hadn't known Reno very well but she certainly didn't remember that terrified, wide-eyed expression being his customary look. The blue-green eyes were fixed directly on she and Zack.

 

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

 

~Okay, I'm seeing dead people and Strife's chatting with `em like it's no big deal!~

 

Reno wanted to slap himself to be sure he wasn't caught in a nightmare, but his muscles were locked into place. As shocking as it was to see the spirits, when they both turned their heads and looked at him he thought his heart was going to stop. They spoke to one another and Cloud slowly began to turn. Reno cursed as he saw black spots obscuring his vision and he felt himself falling.

 

~Goodnight, Gaia.~

 

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

 

“Cloud, you might want to check on your boy there,” Zack said with a smirk, jerking his chin in the direction of the redheaded Turk waiting on the bank.

 

Cloud began to turn around with a frown, wondering if Zack and Aerith were pulling his leg about Reno being able to see them. He heard the thump of Reno's body hitting the sand just as he faced the embankment and he stood up immediately with alarm as he watched his lover collapse in a sprawling heap onto his back.

 

“Reno?” Cloud hauled himself to his feet and leaped from stone to stone with haste, his fear for the Turk overriding his nostalgia. “Reno!” He reached the bank and fell to his knees beside the redhead, pulling him into his arms and shaking him.

 

“Easy, Chocobo head,” Zack advised as he materialized next to him. “He just passed out. I think we gave him a scare.”

 

“I don't get it,” Cloud said as he took Reno's shades off of his head and fanned his face with one hand. “How could he have seen you?”

 

“He's got a link to the Planet now,” Aerith explained. “Mako is connected to it and I'll bet his ordeal opened up a few extra senses. Poor guy…it must have been a shock to see us sitting there, talking to you.”

 

“You're sure he saw you?” Cloud asked.

 

“He was looking right at us,” Zack shrugged. “He looked like he was ready to shit himself, too.”

 

Cloud felt a range of emotions as he tried to wake his lover up. He was oddly comforted that someone besides him could see Aerith and Zack and he was worried about what it would do to Reno's mental state. “Should I talk to him about it or make something up?” He wondered aloud. “He was pretty tired by the time we got here so I could say he fell asleep and dreamed it, couldn't I?”

 

“I'm sure he can handle the truth,” Aerith advised. “He works for ShinRa after all and he's probably seen plenty of strange things. Maybe it affected him that way because he's so tired.”

 

“Maybe,” Cloud said doubtfully. “He's still getting his memories back though, so I don't think he's as conditioned to weirdness as he was before the accident.”

 

“Well, we don't want to give the guy a heart attack,” Zack said decisively. “Maybe we should make ourselves scarce before he wakes up and sees us again.”

 

Cloud grimaced and looked from Zack to Aerith. “You're leaving?”

 

“You know the drill,” Zack smiled. “We can't stick around for long anyhow. We just wanted to say `hi' and thank you, man.”

 

“We'll never be far away,” Aerith assured him. “Take care of Reno, okay? We're just glad to see you happy, Cloud.”

 

Cloud swallowed and nodded. “Thank you. I still miss you both, though.”

 

Zack chuckled and reached out as if to ruffle the blonde's hair. His hand passed through the golden spikes, stirring them slightly but otherwise hardly affecting them. “We're dead, not gone. Don't worry about us, just enjoy your life.”

 

Cloud smiled softly and nodded, holding Reno closer to him as his friends dissolved before his eyes.

 

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

 

Reno woke up to find himself pressed against Cloud in one of the fold-down sleeping cots in the cabin of the helicopter. He frowned in confusion, wondering how they got there. The last thing he remembered was seeing a couple of ghosts casually chatting with his lover in the Forgotten City.

 

“Holy shit!” Reno struggled to sit up, his movements hampered by Cloud's arm around him and the blanket draped over them both.

 

Cloud's eyes flicked open and he immediately held Reno tighter. “Hey, you'll fall off if you do that…this thing's pretty narrow,” he warned as he tried to hold the redhead steady.

 

Reno was twisting around on the cot, his eyes wide and darting at every shadow. “Where are they? Are they still here?” His voice held a hysterical note.

 

“It's okay,” Cloud soothed. “They left. I brought you back here after you passed out.” He held Reno firmly with one arm and stroked his hair with his free hand. “It was just Aerith and Zack…they wouldn't hurt you.”

 

“JUST Aerith and Zack, he says,” Reno gasped, “Hello Strife…they're both DEAD! How could they…I mean…did I really see `em?”

 

“Yeah, you really saw them,” Cloud confirmed truthfully, keeping his voice calm to avoid alarming the redhead further. “They still visit me once in a while. I'm sorry they scared you but I promise it's okay.”

 

“So I'm not crazy?” Reno asked, his struggles weakening as he stared at Cloud with huge eyes.

 

“You've always been a little crazy,” Cloud smirked, “but you weren't seeing things. You're the first person besides me that's ever seen them. Aerith said it's because of the Mako. You absorbed enough to get a connection to the Planet, apparently.”

 

“I don't know how you handle it,” Reno said with a shiver. “Sure, I remember enough about Zack to know he was a nice guy but seeing his ghost?” He licked dry lips and shook his head.

 

“I guess I just got used to it after a while,” Cloud murmured. He kissed Reno on the mouth, then on the neck. “Are you going to stop freaking out or do I need to go into town and ask for something to help you sleep?”

 

Reno returned his embrace and forced himself to relax a bit. “I guess since it was Fair and Aerith I shouldn't worry. It just shocked me, is all.” He sighed and buried his face against Cloud's shoulder. “I'll try to get some sleep so I don't crash us when we fly back to Junon. How'd you get me all the way back here without waking me up or falling, anyhow?”

 

Cloud stroked his back in long, soothing motions and nuzzled his fiery hair. “I tied you to Fenrir.”

 

Reno laughed suddenly, partly from amusement and partly from delirium. “Gotta hand it to ya Blondie, you're really inventive. I must have been out cold, yo.”

 

“You were,” Cloud agreed with a little smile. “It wasn't easy because I had to slump you over the front of the seat and when I could drive, I had to sit behind you to do it. It taught me some new riding skills, though.” He kept rubbing the other man's back and he felt Reno steadily relaxing against him.

 

“Stubborn wolf,” Reno yawned, his eyes fluttering shut. He purred with pleasure at the fighter's soothing touch and snuggled more firmly against him. His nerves were still frazzled but he was so exhausted that sleep only took a few moments to claim him.

 

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

 

Reno didn't wake up until the sun was setting and when he did, he found himself alone in the cot. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, stretching to ease the kinks out of his muscles as he looked around the cabin for signs of Cloud. Finding none, he frowned in confusion and swung his legs over the side of the bed. A scent reached his nostrils and he sniffed, recognizing the smell of cooking meat. His stomach growled and he rubbed it and stood up. He went to the cargo hatch and opened it, sticking his head out to search his surroundings. The air was brisk but not horribly cold yet, so he didn't bother grabbing his jacket before climbing out of the chopper.

 

Cloud was several feet away from the aircraft, squatting by a fire he'd built. He'd fashioned a crude spit out of wood he'd gathered from the forest and he was roasting some kind of meat over the fire. He looked up as the redhead approached, his blue eyes examining him with concern for a moment before he smiled up at him.

 

“Feel better now?” asked the blonde.

 

“Much,” Reno agreed. He eyed the meat curiously, wondering where it had come from.

 

“I got hungry and I figured you'd need something to eat, too,” Cloud explained as he turned the spit to cook it evenly. “I hope you don't mind rabbit.”

 

Reno looked at the size of the carcass and raised an eyebrow. “That's a rabbit?” he asked dubiously.

 

“They're pretty damn big and vicious around here,” Cloud smirked. “I was going to go to the village to buy something but I got jumped by one of them. I didn't see the point in letting it go to waste so I just picked up some seasoning from town and skinned it.”

 

Reno stared at him, suspecting a joke. “Giant man-eating rabbits.”

 

“That's right,” Cloud said with a solemn nod.

 

“You're serious, aren't you?” Reno looked around warily and reached for his gun, expecting one of the furry creatures to leap out at him.

 

“Don't worry, they stay away from man-made things and they don't like the scent of their own kind roasting,” Cloud assured him. “I was in their territory when this one came at me.”

 

“Shit,” Reno sighed, hugging himself as the chill in the air started to get to him.

 

“You should go back into the helicopter and put a jacket on,” Cloud advised. “I'll bring the food in when it's cooked.”

 

The Turk studied his companion with admiration. “What would I do without ya, country boy?”

 

“Go hungry, probably,” Cloud smiled.

 

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

 

The wild game wasn't bad. Cloud was experienced enough with outdoor hunting and cooking to tone down the gamey taste of the meat and Reno ate with a healthy appetite. They wrapped what they couldn't finish with brown paper that Cloud had purchased with the seasoning in Bone Village and they stored it in the cooling compartment on board.

 

Reno had every intention of flying them straight back to Junon after that, but he was distracted as he buckled himself into the pilot seat and glanced sidelong at his lover. Cloud looked really, really good in his navy cargo pants and deep green, long-sleeved sweater. Reno knew it wasn't appropriate to start macking on the blonde so soon after he'd paid his respects to his friends, but he couldn't help himself as he reached over to squeeze him on the knee.

 

~We didn't get to have our makeup sex and I'm horny. Okay, concentrate, Reno. The guy doesn't need you trying to bone him right now. Don't be an asshole…just start the chopper up and go.~

 

He said these things to himself even as he continued to knead Cloud's leg. The blonde paused in the action of buckling himself in and looked down at the hand that was slowly moving up his thigh and then at Reno.

 

Reno hastily pulled his hand away and averted his eyes, squirming restlessly in his seat. “Sorry man…that was pretty fucking rude of me.”

 

Cloud's lips twitched and he almost laughed. Reno was blushing faintly—a rare thing indeed. “It's okay,” he assured him softly. “I'm fine now. I feel a lot better now that I did what I came to do, you know? You don't have to walk on eggshells.”

 

Reno hesitated, studying him attentively for signs that he was fabricating anything just to please him. “What do you think about waiting `till tomorrow to fly back, Blondie? We could spread out some blankets and pillows in the back so we'll have a little more room to lay down…I mean, if ya don't mind.”

 

Cloud was bemused and enchanted by Reno's uncharacteristic uncertainty and consideration. Usually when the redhead wanted sex, he just persisted until he got his partner too excited to say “no”. Even in the uncommon cases where he asked first, he used provocative language and actions to entice the object of his desire. Cloud could honestly say this was the first time Reno had ever asked him for it without being lewd or trying to seduce him. He never would have believed the Turk was capable of being modest or shy if he weren't seeing it for himself right now.

 

“I don't mind,” Cloud assured him as he took his seatbelt off and leaned over to cup the back of Reno's head. “I'm not in a big hurry to get back and a little reminder that I'm alive is just what I need.” He drew the other man's mouth to his and kissed him sensually. Reno's muffled groan of desire ensured him that he hadn't misread the Turk's intentions behind the offer. He stroked the redhead's tongue with his, putting all his feeling behind it. He had closure now that he'd never quite been able to achieve before and he was ready to do as Zack and Aerith advised. It was time to enjoy living.

 

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

 

A short while later they had a decent padding of blankets spread out over the floor in the cabin, as well as a couple of pillows. The two men sank onto the makeshift bedding together and immediately began to make out. Reno's clever, eager hands had Cloud's sweater unzipped and hanging open in no time, and they caressed his chest and stomach with practiced skill. The blonde's first action was typical because he loved Reno's hair. He freed the long ponytail from its confines and combed the length out with his fingers, his mouth hot and insistent against the redhead's.

 

Reno pulled the open sweater off of Cloud's body and tossed it aside as he straddled the blonde's lap. He stroked the tight, firm muscles of Cloud's shoulders with practiced skill before letting his hands slide down his torso to his waist. The blonde's fingers were quickly unbuttoning his shirt while Reno worked at the fastenings of his pants. He felt the cool air caress his bared skin when Cloud parted the material of his shirt and his nipples hardened as a result. Warm, calloused hands were suddenly stroking his chest, chafing the tightened buds as they explored.

 

Cloud's breath quickened as his lover tugged his belt free and unzipped his fly. He remembered Reno telling him that he wanted to scream and an idea came to him. It came as a shock to him that he'd so easily considered it, but he reminded himself that the influence of Reno and the Turks had wetted his appetite for less vanilla activities.

 

Reno was always cuffing him.

 

Reno wanted him to make him scream.

 

Cloud knew there was at least one perfectly good set of handcuffs somewhere in the pockets of the blazer he was in the middle of removing from his redheaded lover.

 

He mentally pictured the Turk wearing nothing but his white shirt, as he had the first time they'd fucked. He knew Reno kept his tie pocketed in his blazer and he imagined fastening it around his neck and using it as a leash. The mental picture of having Reno leashed with his own tie and his hands cuffed behind his back made Cloud groan low in his throat.

 

“Damn, baby…I haven't even touched it yet,” Reno chuckled breathlessly as the fighter's vocal groan reached his ears. He paused in amused confusion as Cloud suddenly began to dig in his blazer pockets. “You wanna hold me at gun point or something?” Reno asked as Cloud fumbled in the pocket holding his pistol.

 

“That's not what I'm after,” Cloud mumbled against Reno's neck. He nipped lightly at the skin and made the Turk gasp. Using the brief distraction to his advantage, he fished through another inner pocket, certain that Reno kept his favorite toy in one of them. He found a wallet and tossed it aside. “Nope,” he muttered, trying again. He frowned against the smooth skin he was worshipping as his fingers encountered keys, a stray coin and what felt like a button.

 

“Nope,” Cloud grunted again as he delved into a front pocket.

 

Reno allowed him to continue searching for whatever the hell he was looking for, thoroughly amused and curious. He paused in his seductive fondling to run his fingers through the blonde's hair and he waited patiently. The fighter's digging tickled and Reno huffed a soft laugh as his fingers inadvertently goosed his ribs.

 

“Nope,” Cloud said again, this time with a growl of frustration. A pair of dice made it into the pile on the blankets. He kept digging and he paused as he tugged a link of condom packets out of a breast pocket. “Keeping those handy,” Cloud said, and then a handful of little lube packs landed next to the condoms.

 

The next try produced a miniature deck of dirty playing cards and Cloud grunted a soft curse and dropped them by the wallet and dice. “What the hell, Reno…am I going to find a rabbit in here somewhere next?”

 

Reno opened his mouth to respond just as Cloud found something furry in one of the pockets he was searching. It was connected to a looped link of chain and he pulled it out and stared at it with round blue eyes. Oh, the irony.

 

“A rabbit's foot?!” Cloud couldn't contain the frustration and incredulous tone in his voice as he dangled it before Reno's eyes.

 

The redhead shrugged and pinched his lips, trying to control his laughter. “They're lucky, yo.” He almost asked what Cloud was looking for but he was having too much fun watching his reactions as he searched through his pockets. He stroked the blonde's naked chest with one hand, enjoying the feel of the hard muscles under the smooth skin. He found one of Cloud's faint scars and he traced it with his fingers while subtly moving his other hand behind his back.

 

Cloud sighed and dropped the paw next to the pile with the wallet before continuing his search. He ran his tongue over Reno's clavicle, scraping lightly with his teeth to provoke a shiver in the Turk's body. This time he found a rolled-up tie and he smirked a little in satisfaction and set it by the condoms and lube. At least he'd found three of the items he was after. He was running out of pockets though, and he still hadn't located the damned cuffs.

 

~Maybe I should check his pants. I know he's always got some on him somewhere! Where the hell else could they be?~

 

Reno had a hunch of what his lover was searching for but he teased him for a little while longer, undulating on top of him suggestively and rubbing his straining bulge against Cloud's. When the blonde groaned in frustrated defeat and looked up at him, it was all Reno could do to contain his sly grin.

 

“Alright, where are the damned things?” Cloud growled.

 

“What damned things?” Reno asked innocently, tilting his head.

 

“You know what things,” Cloud muttered peevishly as he cupped the redhead's hips and shifted restlessly beneath him. He was aching for him, barely able to contain his lust and impatience.

 

Reno brought his other arm out from behind his back and dangled a pair of silver cuffs before Cloud's eyes. “These `damned things'?” He purred. The slow, sensual grin that lifted one corner of his mouth told Cloud that he'd had them sitting behind him all along.

 

“How do you DO that?” Cloud asked as he snatched the cuffs from Reno's hand.

 

The Turk burst into laughter and kissed him. “Instincts, man. So I guess this means you're not gonna let me cuff ya this time?”

 

Cloud slipped the Turk's jacket over his shoulders and pulled it off. “Put your hands behind your back,” he ordered.

 

“Oh-ho, I see!” Reno smirked and did as he was told. “So ya want me helpless, Blondie?”

 

“Something like that, yeah,” Cloud murmured as he snapped the cuffs firmly around Reno's wrists and checked to make sure they were tight enough without hurting him. “Besides that night with you and Rufus, I've never had you cuffed. You owe me a few.”

 

“A few, eh?” Reno said in a teasing tone. “How many times have I cuffed you, Strife?”

 

“I've lost count,” the fighter answered truthfully. He kissed Reno hard then, silencing further conversation. He felt Reno instinctively strain against the bonds he'd fastened on him and it gave him an odd little thrill. Knowing that it wouldn't intrigue him this way if Reno weren't willing, he forgave himself for it and just went with his desires. He teased a pink nipple with his fingers while reaching for the tie lying by the condoms and Reno whimpered softly into his mouth and rocked in his lap. Cloud again marveled at the redhead's unmatched sensuality. No matter what role he took on, Reno was pure sex. He caught the Turk's bottom lip between his teeth and tugged gently before thrusting his tongue into his mouth again and Reno groaned with lust.

 

The tie wasn't difficult to put on. Reno already had it looped for fast application if the need arose, so all Cloud had to do was unravel it and loosen the noose to slip it over his head. The blonde gathered Reno's hair in the back and pulled it through the tie before tightening the noose around his pale throat.

 

A flash of memory of Rufus doing something similar surfaced in Reno's mind as Cloud tugged the tie around his neck and he wondered if blondes' just had a thing for leashes. He didn't say anything out loud to his companion because he wasn't sure how Cloud would react if he knew his former rival had a thing for using Reno's tie as a leash, too. Instead, he nibbled Cloud's lips with submissive consent and sucked on his tongue.

 

Now that he had the leash, shirt and cuffs the way he wanted them, Cloud eased the redhead off of his lap and laid him down on his back. Reno winced a little and Cloud paused in the act of removing his shoes. “You won't be laying like that for long—only `till I get your shoes and pants off. Does it hurt?”

 

“Just got a little pinch, is all,” Reno said as he shifted into a more comfortable position. “I'm fine, baby.”

 

Cloud wasted no time, wanting to get Reno's clothes off before the position he was laying in started to hurt. He took his shoes and socks off first before undoing his pants and pulling them off. As usual, the Turk was naked under his trousers. Cloud reasoned that the redhead was just naturally opposed to wearing underwear, because memory loss or not, that was another habit that never changed—not that he was complaining. He took a moment to gaze down at his restrained lover, his sapphire eyes intense with lust as they roved over the pale, lithe body. He combed his fingers through the triangle of crisp hair surrounding Reno's erection and the Turk licked his lips with anticipation and sighed.

 

Cloud pushed Reno's thighs apart and lowered his mouth to his jutting cock. With a little shock, he realized he'd never given the Turk head before. Hell, he hardly ever even got the chance to fondle him, now that he thought about it. Reno was so aggressive when he was horny that most of the time, Cloud didn't get the opportunity to play around.

 

~Time to make up for that.~

 

He was supremely gratified when Reno moaned his name shakenly and lifted his hips as soon as he drew his cock into his mouth. He stroked the redhead's thighs and pushed them further apart as he began to take him in and out of his sucking mouth, stroking with his tongue as he did so. Reno cursed and strained, his stomach and chest heaving with his quickening breath as Cloud demonstrated his oral skills.

 

“Shit, Blondie…oh…fuck…I didn't know you were so…unh!” Reno panted and tossed his head, forgetting all about the discomfort of having his arms cuffed behind his back. He was further ambushed when Cloud grabbed one of the lube packs while he was distracted by the blowjob. Reno's back arched of its own volition as two slick fingers slipped into his rectum. Before the discomfort could register, they pressed against the firm lump of his gland and rubbed.

 

“H-holy…fuckin'…Hades!” Reno clenched his jaw and tried to buck, but Cloud's free hand splayed over his pelvis and held him down firmly. “Wh-why don't I let y-you do this more often?”

 

The blonde didn't answer verbally but he nibbled at the tender urethra opening. Reno had experienced intense stimulation of that spot before through use of vibrating toys or manicured fingernails, but never with teeth. It sent a jolt through him that damn near made him convulse and he bit his lip on a scream. The pleasure was so intense it was almost painful. Cloud's fingers pushed against his prostate again and the hand that he was holding Reno down with slipped lower and curled around the root of his dick, squeezing it as it began to twitch in his mouth.

 

~Oh god…oh fuck, and I thought Rufus was ruthless! If Blondie's done this to me before, I'm kind of starting to see why I don't give him the chance to do it all the time. Fucking hell…feels too damn good! God, I'm coming but I'm not…I'm not…shit!~

 

Reno's pale skin was shining with perspiration as he struggled and tossed his head from side to side. There was no doubt about it, he was coming but he wasn't ejaculating. It wasn't quite the same thing as being denied a climax. Cloud was keeping him from blowing his load but the orgasm was definitely happening and it went on and on. The blonde paused the urethra stimulation to bob his head a few times, sliding his mouth soothingly over the bucking length of Reno's sex until it started to taper off. Just as the redhead began to catch his breath, he used his teeth again to make the cycle start anew.

 

Reno got his wish before they even progressed to the “fucking” stage. He was screaming incoherently and whimpering within moments, his slim body writhing under the assault of sensation. In the back of his mind he wondered if leashing him wasn't the only thing his two blonde lovers had in common. Rufus used tact and vibrators while Cloud used instincts and his body, but the result was the same. It was so good it hurt and Reno was trembling uncontrollably by the time Cloud eased his grip on his aching cock and swallowed the length of it. Reno's back arched again as he spurted his release down his lover's throat.

 

Cloud swallowed skillfully, remembering everything he'd learned about sucking a guy off—even though he couldn't for the life of him remember where, when or from whom he'd learned these things in the first place. When it was finished, Cloud released him from his mouth and removed his fingers from inside of him. “You okay?” he asked as he looked down at the sweaty, flushed Turk.

 

Reno couldn't answer immediately. He panted raggedly and tried to focus his vision on the fighter. He swallowed and nodded, closing his eyes. “That was so damn good,” he gasped.

 

Cloud allowed himself a small grin of pride. He was still baffled with the realization that he'd never done that to Reno before and he made a mental note to do it again soon. Right now, he wanted to be inside of him. He scooted so that he was sitting beside Reno on the pallet and he pulled his pants down to expose himself. Reno's eyes immediately went to his erection and the redhead licked his lips, making Cloud swear softly as his cock twitched under the attention like it was preening or something.

 

“Don't look at me like that, you'll make me lose it,” growled the blonde as he reached over Reno's prone form to grab the condoms and another packet of lube.

 

“You don't have much self-control, do ya Blondie?” Reno winked up at him teasingly, still gasping for breath.

 

“It's not easy, when it comes to you,” Cloud admitted candidly as he rolled a condom over is erection and broke open a lube packet. He gave the redhead a little smile as he applied the gel. “Quit looking so smug. Which one of us was screaming a minute ago?”

 

“Guilty as charged,” Reno sighed, shaking some stray bangs out of his eyes. He struggled onto his side and then into a sitting position, eyeing Cloud with a leer. “So am I gonna get to ride you or do ya have other plans?”

 

Cloud paused and considered him for a moment. He'd originally planned to take him on his stomach but he realized with his hands cuffed behind his back, it would be more comfortable for Reno to ride him. The blonde got to his knees and reached out for Reno meaningfully. The Turk caught on and moved closer, maintaining his balance surprisingly well. Cloud helped him to straddle his thighs and he looked up into his eyes as he caught hold of his tie with the hand he'd used to prepare him with and traced his lips with the fingers of the other. Reno sucked the exploring fingers into his mouth and gazed back at him seductively.

 

Cloud pushed his fingers in and out of the Turk's mouth, his breath catching with carnal need at the feel and sight of the lips sealed tightly around them. He pulled them out and crushed his mouth against those lips, sliding his tongue in between them to fence with Reno's. While still holding onto the tie, Cloud reached down between his legs to grasp his cock. Reno rose up a little so he could position himself and as soon as he had the head pressing against his entrance, the Turk sank down slowly.

 

“Ah, baby,” Reno gasped against Cloud's mouth as he broke the kiss and drove his body down onto the other man's sex. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back as the hard length slid into his body. He quivered around the intrusion for a few moments, adjusting to the thickness of it. “Mmm,” he purred when he was fully penetrated. He slowly licked Cloud's lips, his breath hot and uneven against them as they parted.

 

Cloud held himself in check and groaned softly with pleasure as Reno's snug warmth sheathed his rigid flesh. He loved the soft sounds of pleasure the redhead made and the way he expressed such appreciation for the feel of being penetrated. The velvety lips caressed his softly and the moist tongue languidly stroking them until Cloud couldn't bear it anymore and thrust his own tongue inside of Reno's mouth. He pushed it rhythmically in an out in a suggestive manner, making Reno moan with appreciation and begin to undulate on top of him.

 

Cloud slid his free hand over one of the redhead's firm ass cheeks and guided him to move faster. He felt the muscles flexing under his hand as Reno complied and he returned the motions with thrusts of his pelvis. With a groan of defeat, the fighter gave into his needs and bucked hard, driving himself sharply into his lover at an angle that made him break the kiss and holler raggedly.

 

“Titan's nutts, this is what I needed,” Reno exclaimed breathlessly as he hugged Cloud around the waist with his legs. He bit the blonde none too gently on the shoulder, his ragged advocacy driving Cloud to further heights of lust. Reno matched his thrusting motions, rolling his hips so that he was sliding firmly onto Cloud's pumping cock. His erection had returned and there was already precum beading the tip and smearing against Cloud's stomach.

 

Cloud pulled back to look at the Turk, wanting to see his expression. Reno had that look on his face that was caught somewhere between pleasure and pain, while his sultry moans grew louder as they escaped from his parted lips. He felt so fantastic around him and it had been so long since Cloud had let himself go like this, he was worried that he was going to hurt him for real if he didn't reign in his aggression. He growled softly and tugged on the tie around Reno's neck, drawing him closer for a hard, demanding kiss.

 

Reno could tell by the blonde's tension that he was fighting an inner battle and the redhead looked him in the eye and hissed, “I'm not gonna break, baby. Fuck me harder.”

 

“Oh, damn,” Cloud groaned, his expression pained as the lusty demand increased his need. He released Reno's tie and cupped his hips roughly to lift him up and slam him back down hard on his stiffened sex. The Turk's holler of pleasure encouraged him to do it again and again until Reno was whimpering hoarsely. Cloud stopped guiding him, trusting him to keep up the pace while he braced one hand on the floor and reached between his thighs to gripped his cock with the other. He stroked Reno off firmly, bucking his hips hard enough to lift them both off the bedding they had spread out on the floor. Reno moaned and started coming in Cloud's gripping hand, his body clenching tightly around the blonde's throbbing length.

 

“Reno,” Cloud grunted through clenched teeth as his pleasure escalated. “Sh-Shiva, I love you!” The breathless announcement was quickly followed by a loud, trembling groan as he followed the Turk into the bliss of climax. Cloud embraced Reno tightly and rested his cheek against his chest, moaning as he twitched inside of him.

 

Reno continued to rock slowly and steadily against him as he spurted his creamy seed all over both of them. He wriggled his hips with delight at the feel of Cloud's sex pulsing inside of him and he nuzzled his hair and moaned again.

 

“Love you too, Blondie,” the Turk whispered hoarsely. His voice had given out from all of the shouting he'd done but he hardly noticed. The sound of their panting echoed inside of the helicopter's cabin as they spiraled back down to Gaia together.

 

When he had the wits to think about it, Cloud reached for Reno's discarded blazer and absently rifled through the pockets again. “Where are the keys to the cuffs?” he asked between kisses. Reno's hands came around from behind his back with only one cuff still fastened. He grinned at Cloud and showed him the key he'd been holding in his palm the entire time.

 

“Had it on me already,” explained the Turk as he freed his other wrist and set the cuffs and the keys on top of his blazer.

 

Cloud shook his head and grinned, embracing the redhead lightly. “You could be a magician with tricky skills like that.”

 

Reno chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. They relaxed against each other as they caught their breath.

 

“Oh, by the way,” Reno panted in an afterthought, “My name ain't Shiva.”

 

Cloud laughed breathlessly and brushed soft kisses over his chest. “Like you don't call out deity names during sex,” he muttered. “I'm not Titan, either.”

 

“Did I shout Titan's name?” Reno asked with surprise.

 

“Well, you hollered about his balls,” Cloud corrected, grinning up at him as the Turk brushed some sweat dampened golden strands of hair away from his eyes.

 

“Heh, I didn't even realize I was doing that,” Reno mused. He kissed Cloud slowly and sensually, reveling in the feel of his softening cock still inside of him. “So where'd you learn to use your mouth like that, Strife? More importantly, why the hell don't I remember you doing it before? I should have remembered something that fucking amazing, yo.”

 

“I don't remember where I learned it,” Cloud shrugged. “Maybe I read about it somewhere and just picked up on it. Doesn't matter…all I care about is that you liked it.”

 

“You don't remember?” Reno repeated with a frown. “Cloud, that's a pretty amazing skill for someone to have and not remember how they learned it. You sure you weren't…uh…you know…”

 

“No, I'd know if it was something I was forced to do,” Cloud assured, “I don't think experiences like that ever go away, even if you don't remember them.”

 

Reno grimaced, forced to agree with him. “I get that. So was this the first time you ever did that with me, or am I just unlucky enough to forget it?”

 

Cloud smiled and lowered his eyes modestly. “First time,” he confirmed softly. “You don't really give me a lot of chances to do that, nympho.”

 

Reno laughed throatily and rubbed his back. He winced when he felt the welts left by his fingernails scraping the pale skin. “Sorry about scratching ya, Blondie.”

 

“I hardly noticed,” Cloud sighed, closing his eyes contentedly as he rested his cheek against Reno's chest again. “Can we stay like this for a little while?”

 

“Sure thing, baby,” Reno whispered as he laid his cheek on the crown of Cloud's head. He closed his eyes as well and enjoyed the closeness. Somehow he drifted off to sleep and Cloud gently shook him. Reno lifted his head and blinked. “Ah, sorry about that, Cloud. Felt so good I just relaxed right into sleep.”

 

Cloud smiled crookedly. “Maybe we should get into a better position for sleeping,” he said dryly. “We'll both end up stiff if we stay like this all night.”

 

“Yeah,” agreed the redhead. He shivered a little as his body heat dropped and he started to feel the effects of the cold. “Let's get under the covers, yo. I can't waste fuel and leave the engine running all night for the heater.”

 

Cloud helped him off of his lap and while Reno straightened the bedding and fetched an extra blanket for warmth, the fighter disposed of his condom and used a disposable wipe from the cockpit to clean himself up a little. When Cloud returned, Reno was under the covers and looking up at him with a sleepy grin. The Turk patted the spot beside him invitingly and his aqua eyes roved Cloud's boy admiringly. It could have been his imagination, but Cloud thought Reno's eyes seemed slightly dimmer than usual…as if the Mako glow was fading very slowly.

 

He smiled back at the redhead, pleased with the prospect. He knew Reno didn't like the way his eyes glowed and if the taint of Mako faded over time, he could stop being so insecure and go without his shades on all the time. While Cloud did miss the soft, pretty blue-green shade of Reno's eyes before the accident, he cared more about the Mako tint fading for the redhead's sake. He lay down next to him and Reno covered him up and snuggled close. Cloud embraced him and exchanged soft kisses with him for a while before they both closed their eyes and went to sleep.

 

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

 

-To be continued