Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice Redux ❯ Chapter 35: Together at Last ( Chapter 35 )

Chapter Thirty-Five: Together at Last

 

Reno breathed in deep of the crisp evening air, even as he brought the cigarette to his mouth again and took a puff. Ah, nothing like nicotine and a fresh breeze. He leaned against the railing with a contented sigh, gazing out over the rapidly passing scenery. He and Reeve had told the pilot to take them to Kalm, but their request got in next to last; it would be a few hours before they got there. No matter, Reno knew pleasant ways to spend the time.

 

He felt hands slide around his waist from behind just then, and a warm body pressed against him. A head settled on his back, somewhere near the base of his neck, and a deep voice sighed contentedly. It went without saying that he knew who it was.

 

The Turk took another deep drag of his cigarette and flicked it out over the balcony railing. He watched the ember as it flared once before quickly extinguishing as he leaned back comfortably into the embrace.

 

“You should quit, you know,” Reeve suggested, placing a kiss on the side of the younger man's neck. His lips were warm and slightly moist, causing a deep shiver to race up Reno's spine, not that he minded.

 

“Then what would I do with all my free time?”

 

The ex-executive smirked. “I can think of a few things,” he murmured into the Turk's ear, warm breath ghosting over the other man's flesh.

 

Reno couldn't help the images that popped up in his mind and moaned happily. He could almost feel Reeve's smile against his skin.

 

There was nothing more satisfying in the world than finally being with the one you love, despite all circumstances. His pessimism had nearly taken over in the time that they had been apart, and truthfully, if he hadn't decided to abandon ShinRa in the end, they might still be on opposite sides. Not that he could have ever brought himself to hurt his lover. Still, it was difficult, and he vowed to never be forced to make such a decision again.

 

Reno smirked and turned around in his lover's grasp, wrapping his own long limbs around Reeve's neck. He grinned lazily and flicked out his tongue, tasting Reeve's bottom lip before nipping lightly. The ex-executive tightened his hold on and pulled him closer, bringing their groins flush.

 

“Is that for me, yo?” Reno teased, grinding his hips into the older man's erection.

 

A flash of heat spread through his body, blood rapidly pooling in his groin and leaving rational thought to the wind. For now, he didn't even want to think about anything, especially not crazed, once-dead Generals or giant glowing meteors in the sky. He just wanted to concentrate on what he had in front of him.

 

Reeve groaned noticeably and started to back slowly towards the room, dragging the redhead with him. “Come inside and find out.”

 

Reno grinned and leaned in for another kiss, enveloping Reeve's lips hotly and diving straight into his hot, wet mouth. He swirled his tongue around, enveloping it in the flavor of the ex-executive, while Reeve struggled to regain control. He gave up and gave in, relinquishing it to Reno.

 

They continued to kiss as they traveled backwards, making their way to the bed before crashing down on top of it in a pile of limbs. Reno ended up on top, falling down hungrily atop Reeve. He tasted blood and realized he had inadvertently bitten his lover's lips. The redhead pulled back a little and propped himself up on his arms. He looked down at his lover, even as he could feel arms creeping up around his back to grab his ass tightly.

 

“Oops,” he whispered softly, not feeling the least bit repentant as he rubbed a thumb gently over the bitten lip.

 

Reeve's lips parted, and he took the digit into his mouth, sucking on it hungrily. Reno moaned at his lover's touch as hot spikes of arousal began to course through his body. Reeve was such a sensualist.

 

Amber eyes met aquamarine, and he knew he couldn't hold it any longer. Reno leaned down and enveloped Reeve in a scorching kiss as his hands started roaming and removing offensive clothing.

 

The older man moaned and moved beneath him, his hands no less busy. He ran fingers up and down the Turk's sides and across his back, feeling the corded muscle ripple through the fabric. It had always amazed him how thin but well-muscled his younger lover was. It seemed as if he had been captivated by pale skin from day one.

 

Reno wandered away from Reeve's mouth to trail his lips and tongue over the other man's jaw line and down into the soft flesh of his neck. He nipped and sucked, his arousal quickly rising at the sounds his older lover was making beneath him. The taste of Reeve's skin on his tongue was both nostalgic and necessary, a flavor he had craved.

 

“It feels like forever since I was last able to touch you,” Reeve murmured as he managed to undo the last of the redhead's buttons and pull his shirt off. He tossed it away to the floor, not caring when it landed in a rumpled heap. He didn't think that Reno minded either, not with his usual state of dress.

 

“Too long,” Reno gasped softly, pushing open his lover's shirt to run his hands over the man's chest. His fingers ghosted over tanned skin and lightly pinched an already peaking nipple.

 

Reeve bucked slightly and began to grind his hips up into the younger man's. There was a hot fire building up in him, and he knew of only one red-haired man capable of handling it.

 

“What's this?” the Turk questioned with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. “Getting impatient?”

 

“Urgh,” Reeve growled, desire flashing like a heated fire in amber eyes. “No teasing. Just take your damn clothes off.”

 

The redhead couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he carefully and slowly removed his pants and threw them off the bed. He bent down to remove Reeve's as well, more than ready to feel flesh on flesh.

 

“Still haven't grown out of going commando, I see,” Reeve commented, shaking his head as he pulled his lover down for another kiss.

 

The Turk shrugged. “Haven't had time to do laundry.” He tugged on the belt and buttons of Reeve's black slacks and managed to get them open. Grabbing both boxers and pants, Reno slid them down his lover's body until he had him completely undressed.

 

For a moment, he just sat back on his heels and drank in the sight of Reeve. It seemed like forever since he had last been able to touch, caress, and taste him. He was almost ashamed to say this… but running for his life had done the somewhat sedentary Reeve good. His legs were more firm and well-muscled, and Reno couldn't help but run a hand up them as he climbed back up his lover's body. Reeve had always been in shape, but this was just as good.

 

Reeve sat up and reached out, grabbing Reno's arm. He pulled the younger man to him, enveloping him in another kiss. The position was perfect as their erections brushed together causing both men groan. Heat pooled in the older man's belly, a familiar creeping desire that quickly overwhelmed his senses.

 

Reeve ground his hips into his lover's, enjoying the wonderful sensations it sent throughout his body, and he allowed himself to fall backwards onto the bed, bringing Reno down on top of him. The former Turk smiled as he rubbed along Reeve and kissed him deeply.

 

“I worried for you everyday,” Reeve admitted softly, looking into his blue-green eyes. He brushed his fingers through the bright red bangs that were falling in his lover's face now that the sunglasses were gone.

 

Reno scoffed. “Who was the one running around the world chasing bad guys in an airship, yo?”

 

Reeve laughed, and the kissing and fondling resumed. The Turk mouthed his way down the other man's neck to his collarbone as his hands roamed all over Reeve's body. His teeth nibbled at the flesh that he found there, drawing up an angry, red mark that he knew would last for days, smacking his lips in smug satisfaction. The ex-executive arched up beneath him, trying to satisfy his aching hardness by rubbing his cock against the planes of Reno's body.

 

Reno obliged him by continuing downwards, leaving little licks along the way. He had this sudden urge to taste the older man. He licked and nipped at Reeve's skin as he slowly crept towards the prize. Almost immediately, one of the ex-executive's hands made its way to Reno's head and buried itself in his hair, and Reeve ran his fingers through the red locks, not surprised to find that some were stiff from whatever hair concoction the man put in his hair.

 

Suddenly, he felt a warm wetness wrap around his fully erect cock, and his mind couldn't think anymore as Reeve succumbed to Reno's extremely talented mouth. The man nearly swallowed him completely, tongue scraping along the underside and tracing the pulsating vein, and Reeve shuddered, his fingers unconsciously clenching on Reno's hair quite painfully.

 

The former Turk ignored it, however, instead swirling his tongue over the tip of Reeve's arousal, lapping up the small drop of precum that had already collected before enveloping the entire hardness in his mouth. He could hear his lover moan beneath him, so he ran his tongue across the underside of Reeve's erection as he sucked hard. The ex-executive arched up off the bed, one hand fisting the sheets, the other trying not to pull out Reno's hair.

 

The Turk smirked around the man's cock and reached down between his legs with one hand, finding that small ring of muscle. He traced circles around the opening, teasing Reeve with a penetration that wasn't going to come quite yet. He felt it twitch beneath his touch, a subtle invitation for him to delve deeper, and inwardly, Reno groaned with anticipation. It felt like it had been far too long.

 

Reeve growled in his chest and let go of the bed sheets. As his hips jerked restlessly beneath Reno's ministrations, he reached over with one hand and blindly groped around in the bedside drawer. Pushing aside junk he hadn't even realized he had collected, his hand finally closed over the small bottle, and he grasped it triumphantly. He pulled it out and slammed the drawer shut. When the scarlet-haired man looked up expectantly, Reeve shoved the bottle down at him.

 

“What's this? Vanilla?” asked Reno, smiling as he took the small bottle. He noted the half-full state of the liquid. “Naughty Reeve, have you been busy while I was gone?”

 

The other man shook his head, a strangely sober look on his face. “I'm not even going to tell you where I got it from.”

 

Reno laughed at his lover's sneakiness; Reeve would have made an excellent Turk. However, there were more important matters at hand, and he uncapped the bottle, pouring some of the oil out on his fingers. The cool liquid covered his digits and filled the room with its pleasant scent.

 

The Turk leaned forward and nipped at Reeve's mouth, trapping the man's lower lip between his teeth before soothing the bite with a firm lick of his tongue. Reeve moaned as Reno slid his attention elsewhere, trailing down the man's jaw line until he reached the soft, smooth skin of his neck.

 

His lips ghosted over the tanned skin before he sank his teeth into the soft flesh, smug with the reddish bruise that the motion left behind. A gasp escaped Reeve's mouth but not one of pain. His back arched in pleasure as Reno's tongue soothed over the indentation, and one finger very slowly began to press into his anus, sliding inside thanks to the vanilla-scented oil.

 

Gods! It had been long, and the older man was so tight!

 

Reeve moaned as his hands scrambled to find something to touch, something to hold. He settled on running fingers over his lover's back and chest. He tweaked slowly peaking nipples and traced nonsensical designs over smooth, rippled muscle.

 

The Turk slowly stretched his lover with one finger as he proceeded to leave several marks on the man's neck. He moved down until he reached the collarbone and left another mark there as well. Reno wanted everyone to know who the moaning man in his arms belonged to.

 

The dark-haired man thrust himself downwards on his lover's finger, letting him know that he was more than ready for more. Reno obliged and added another and then a third, using scissoring motions to stretch him. After so long, he wanted to make sure that he wouldn't hurt his lover.

 

“I need you, Reno. Don't make me wait any longer,” Reeve growled, his hips moving to meet every thrust of those fingers. Reno kept curling his digits slightly, enough to rub over his prostate, and he didn't know how much longer he could wait. His muscles shook, and he just wanted to feel that Reno was there with him like they hadn't been able to be earlier.

 

Reno couldn't say no to such a request, not when his blood literally sang with his desire, and his body trembled from holding back. He sat back on his heels and reached for the bottle again. Uncapping it and pouring out the smooth liquid onto his fingers, he smoothed the substance over his cock, and the organ twitched in his hand.

 

Throwing the bottle aside, Reno wrapped an oil-slicked hand around the other man's erection as he leaned forward and enveloped those rosy lips in a passionate kiss. He slowly stroked his lover's arousal and aimed for his well-prepared entrance, and the moment Reeve felt the head of the redhead's hardness pressing in the first few inches of his entrance he reached down and pulled Reno's hips towards him, effectively filling himself completely.

 

In unison, the two moaned, Reno biting his lip with the erotic sensations coursing throughout his body. Reeve felt so wet and tight, the Turk could tell it had been a long time. The ex-executive panted, the incredible sense of simply being filled overwhelming him. He could feel every throb and pulse of Reno's cock inside of him, and it was a heady awareness.

 

“A bit… impatient…?” Reno gasped out, refusing to move until he was certain the older man was read for him to.

 

The ex-executive wrapped his legs around his lover and thrust upwards impatiently, preferring to answer with his actions. His body clamped around his lover's arousal, dragging a breathless moan from Reno's mouth before he finally obliged. He began a leisurely and steady pace, pulling out nearly all the way before plunging back in, filling Reeve to the hilt and pressing deeply inside of him.

 

“Nnngh.” Reeve groaned, unable to form anything coherent as his fingers tightened around the other man's arms.

 

Reno carefully shifted his weight, changing the angle of his movements so that he could caress his lover from the inside and find that one erotic spot within him. He balanced his weight on one hand as he stroked Reeve with the other, bending down to kiss Reeve's lips.

 

The ex-executive moaned, meeting him thrust for thrust. He ran his hands down the smooth planes of his lover's chest, brushing over a pink nipple, as if trying to memorize everything he could about Reno.

 

Breathing heavily with arousal, sweat a slight sheen on his tanned skin, the Turk picked up the pace slightly. He drove his erection harder and harder against Reeve's pleasure spot, encouraging lustful moans and cries of ecstasy. He timed his stroking of his lover's arousal to his movements.

 

“Damn… you feel so good,” Reno gasped. He closed his eyes as he lost himself to the feeling of being buried inside the one he loved. “Hot… and tight.”

 

“Gods,” Reeve moaned as his hand clawed into Reno's back, his cries increasing with each thrust. “When you talk like that--”

 

Reno panted, running a thumb over the head of the other man's arousal. “S'true,” he groaned. “Clampin' around me, taking every inch of my cock.” He dipped his head, scraping his teeth along Reeve's flesh and leaving behind a long red line. “I want you so bad.”

 

Reeve shuddered as he spread his legs wider. He pushed downwards with the heels of his feet, wanting Reno deeper inside him, heat pooling in his belly. The former Turk shifted, causing him to move against the man beneath him at yet another angle, rubbing the place inside him with more force.

 

Reno could feel Reeve tightening around his cock, and a purr reverberated in his chest as he buried his face in the other man's neck and breathing in the scent of his lover. He pumped his partner in tune to his increased thrusts, finding that they were both approaching the brink. Sweat was already slick on his skin, plastering his hair to his forehead, but he barely paid that any mind.

 

They began to lose themselves in the sensations of being joined, of being surrounded by the feel of their skin and the scent of their sex on the air. Reno never felt more complete than when he was joined with Reeve and knew that there was none else on the planet that he could love so completely.

His world completely narrowed; there was nothing but the two of them and the feeling building up within him, threatening to overspill. The Turk tried to hold back; he wanted Reeve to cum first. He rained kisses on his lover's neck, nibbling on his erogenous zone as he pumped him harder.

 

“Oh, god, Reno. Baby… I love you,” Reeve cried out as he suddenly exploded in a blaze of white-hot fury, releasing his seed into the hand of his lover. His hips jerked, losing their steady rhythm, and his body began to milk Reno for all he was worth.

 

Reno allowed himself to let go, giving into Reeve pulsating around him and the hot fire racing through his veins. He only needed three more thrusts before he moaned unintelligibly and came.

 

“Love you…” he managed to gasp out before collapsing onto Reeve's chest, his lover's arms automatically wrapping around him. His breath came in sharp pants, and his limbs were bone-tired, but he felt sated and at ease. He was finally where he belonged.

 

Shaking with the aftereffects of such a forceful orgasm, Reno pulled out of Reeve slowly and laid down next to his partner, allowing the other man to cuddle next to his side. Long legs entangled with his own as Reeve wrapped an arm around his chest and settled his dark head on the Turk's shoulder.

 

“Gods, I have missed this!” Reeve exclaimed in a breathy voice. He snuggled closer to his lover. “And you too, of course,” he added, almost as an afterthought.

 

Reno rolled his eyes and reached for the cigarettes on the bedside table. It was time for his post-coital nicotine fix.

 

“I'm never working for ShinRa again,” Reno commented drolly as he lit up a cigarette and smoked it happily, breathing in the wonderful nicotine.

 

Reeve sighed before responding. “I would have to agree with that.”

 

The Turk didn't say anything for a minute, staring off into the distance. He appeared to be considering something. Then, he paused with his cigarette halfway to his mouth, as if he had suddenly remembered something important.

 

“Why did you ever agree to spy on Cloud and them in the first place? I thought you agreed with what they were doing?” Reno asked. He took another drag of his cigarette, only to find he really didn't want it anymore. He put it out and turned, drawing Reeve into his arms.

 

The ex-executive frowned slightly. “Rufus is a smooth talker. He had me convinced that ShinRa was doing the right thing.”

 

Inwardly, Reno scoffed. Reeve had always been a bad liar, and now was no exception. The man practically radiated guilt-vibes. It was probably a good thing he had never been a Turk.

 

“For some reason, I'm finding that hard to believe as intelligent as you are, yo,” Reno muttered.

 

Reeve raised an eyebrow as he regarded his lover thoughtfully.

 

The younger male sighed as he changed positions, moving from beside Reeve to astride him. He sat on the older man's hips and crossed his arms as he glared down at him.

 

“I am a Turk, Reeve.”

 

“I know.” The older male frowned, unsure as to Reno was trying to say. He shifted uncomfortably underneath him, wondering where exactly the conversation was going.

 

“I don't need protection,” Reno clarified.

 

Reeve furrowed his brow. “I know that, but it doesn't mean--”

 

“It means,” Reno interrupted, “that you should have told me what Heidegger was planning.” He locked gazes with Reeve, giving the older man his most ruthless and commanding stare.

 

Amber eyes blinked. “You… knew?” His voice was hesitant and slightly chagrined.

 

“Did you think I wouldn't find out?” Reno questioned, waving a hand to express his point. “The fat bastard could've tried all he wanted, but Tseng and Rude would have killed him before he got within ten feet, not to mention the damage I would have dealt myself.” He lowered his hand and traced his fingers over the Reeve's smooth chest, amused when his body seemed to shiver automatically.

 

Reeve sighed and laid back against the pillow, hands moving to Reno's hips. “I'm sorry. I can't help but feel this way.”

 

His younger lover smiled. “I worried about you, too.” He leaned down, and they shared a kiss, slow and languid, unlike the hurried and almost desperate affection of before.

 

“Great.” Reeve grinned. “Now that you're done fussing at me like a child, can we go see your friends?”

 

Reno shook his head. “I could never think of you as a child, yo,” he replied seductively, completely ignoring the last part of the sentence. He reached down and tweaked a nipple.

 

Reeve gave him a playful shove, pushing the Turk off of him until he toppled over sideways. “C'mon. We've got to shower. You're all sticky.”

 

“And whose fault is that I wonder?” Reno demanded with a quirked eyebrow.

 

Reeve gave him a look of all innocence, shrugged his shoulders, and scooted off the bed, heading for their adjoining bathroom. Reno contemplated another cigarette as he righted himself and sat on the edge of the bed.

 

“Re~no!” Reeve's came voice from the bathroom. “I can't go out like this!” he exclaimed, aggravated.

 

“What are you talking about?” Reno hauled himself up from the bed as he ventured into the bathroom.

The dark-haired man was gazing at himself in the mirror, counting hickeys. His finger pressed over each one, lips forming a thin line of exasperation as the numbers rose. The edge of his thumb grazed over a set of teeth marks in his collar area.

 

“Seven, Reno, seven. What are people going to say?”

 

A lazy smirk took over the former Turk's expression. “That I've been marking my territory.” He wrapped his arms around his lover from behind and kissed him smoothly on the neck, tongue sliding out to trace over a red mark. He was quite proud of himself.

 

Reeve sighed. “You're lucky I love you.” He put his hands on the arms around his waist and heaved another contented sigh.

 

“You're right,” the redhead said with another kiss to the neck. “I am lucky.” He nibbled on Reeve's ear for a moment and then pulled away but not before swatting him on the butt. “I still say you have the perfect ass.”

 

Amber eyes rolled. “Get in the shower,” Reeve growled playfully as he turned to shoo his younger lover.

 

Reno danced out of his reach but padded over to the tub anyway, turning the faucet and allowing the water to stream from the showerhead.

 

As the water warmed up and steam filled the room, Reeve finally caught his prey, pulling Reno into his arms with startling accuracy. The Turk didn't seem to mind, reaching around to knead his hands over the tanned flesh of Reeve's ass. Their lips unerringly found each other.

 

“I love you, Reeve,” Reno murmured, eyes gleaming with a rather large display of relief.

 

Reeve nodded, burying his nose into the Turk's neck and breathing in deep of the familiar scent that was Reno's alone. “I love you, too,” he responded before nipping on the soft flesh of the other man's neck.

 

“Now, let's shower.”

 

- - -

 

The two well-dressed men stepped off of the Highwind twenty minutes and another round of well-deserved sex later. They immediately headed into the small town of Kalm, and according to Reno, this was where the Turks should have headed if they had successfully escaped from Midgar.

 

Not knowing where else to turn, they first headed for the inn, hoping to find some information about their friends. After all, it was common knowledge that if one was seeking the Turks, it was always best to the turn to the bars first.

 

Their luck held when they walked in the door and immediately caught sight of two recognizable faces.

 

“Archer!” Reeve exclaimed once he caught the familiar man sitting at the bar.

 

As usual, his dark hair was pulled into a short ponytail at the nape of his tanned neck, which made it even easier to identify him.

 

In the mean time, Archer turned when he heard his name called. “Reeve!” he responded, immediately rising from his seat.

 

Beside him, there was a light giggle. “Reno!” Elena added in. She looked resplendent in her civilian clothes, far more feminine than in the rigid lines of their Turk uniform. Whether she was trying to blend in or was simply attempting to forget she had worked for ShinRa at some point was up for debate.

 

Reno and Reeve wove their way through the many tables and suspicious patrons. Archer immediately pulled his former superior into a big hug, in spite of Reeve's startled expression. Reno winced at the show of affection and stuck out a hand, clasping Elena's warmly. He hadn't been worried in the slightest about her; after all, she was a Turk.

 

Reeve was the first to speak once all the greetings had been made. “I am glad to see that you made it out, my friend,” he commented, his tone warm.

 

“Rude will be glad to see you,” Elena commented as she swiveled around in her seat, reaching for whatever alcoholic concoction she had been drinking. “That is if you can pry him from the arms of his new wife,” she added around the straw to her mixed drink.

 

Aquamarine eyes widened in surprise. “Wife? Rude got married before I did?” Reno demanded, clearly shocked. “This's the first I heard of it! When did he get a girlfriend!”

 

Archer chuckled. “That's what I would like to know. He holds his secrets well if Reno didn't even know he was sweet on someone.”

 

Reno nodded. “You're tellin' me, yo. That bastard… I'm gonna hit him when I see him, just for hiding it from me.”

 

He was serious, but he really didn't mean Rude any harm. That was simply the way their relationship worked.

 

Reno rubbed a hand through his hair, momentarily dislodging his sunglasses. “Yeah, after Chelsea, he closed himself off completely. I didn't think he'd ever come out of it…” he trailed off, eyes darkening as he remembered the one woman he had ever seen Rude fall for.

 

Reeve blinked. “Who?”

 

But his lover merely waved him off. “Never mind, forget I said that, yo. I don't even think I'm supposed to know.” His lips formed a thin line. “The only night I ever saw Rude that drunk. I don't even think he meant to tell me.”

 

Beside him, Reeve shook his head, eager to change the subject. “Well, who did he marry?” he asked when no one seemed particularly forthcoming.

Elena snickered, the depressive atmosphere slowly fading. “You'll just have to wait and see,” she chirped knowingly, slurping up the last of her drink as Archer laid out several Gil on the table.

 

The bartender nodded as he took the money, pleased to find a high tip.

 

Reno paused, leaning closer to his lover and surreptitiously linking their hands together. No one could really see it, but Reeve knew what he wanted.

 

Comfort.

 

“What about the boss?” Reno asked, voice taking on a more serious tone. There was an edge of concern there as well, and Reeve knew that after the Temple of the Ancients, all of the Turks had carried the same fear. They were like a family, despite the killing and espionage. The loss of one of their own was not taken lightly.

 

Archer slipped his wallet back into his pocket. His face was sober, but an almost amused expression twitched at the corner of his mouth.

 

“We'll take you to him,” he cut in.

 

There was a general nod of agreement as the four turned from the bar and began to weave their way towards the door. The conversation that had died within the establishment, interested in their exchange, picked back up again as they left. Now, it had turned to speculation.

 

Outside, their own conversation continued unabated as Elena and Archer led them down the finely cobbled streets to the house they had been renting for the last few days. It seemed that the Turks had already been making tentative plans long before recent events about finally disobeying ShinRa.

 

“Now that we've finally been able to heal him, he's doing much better,” Elena explained with a sigh. “He is still a little weak though from not getting out of the bed in so long.”

 

Reeve frowned in confusion. With technology and magic, it was rare for anyone on Gaia to remain injured for very long. It had been weeks since the Temple of the Ancients.

 

“I don't understand,” he said. “Why hasn't Tseng healed already?”

 

It was his lover who answered, however.

 

“Fuckin' Rufus!” Reno swore, fingers tightening where they were wrapped Reeve's. “He was pissed because the mission failed, and he blamed it all on Tseng, yo. He wouldn't allow the hospital to use any potions or magic on him.”

 

“We think he was hoping that Tseng would die; then, he could appoint someone more amenable,” Archer added quietly. “Everyone knows that he couldn't simply outright kill Tseng; otherwise, the other Turks would rebel against him. It's happened once before. The previous ShinRa made that mistake with Veld.”

 

Reeve's eyes narrowed at this revelation. He and Tseng had a longstanding professional relationship, as well as a bit of friendship in there. Rufus was a bastard, and he was glad the dick was dead.

 

Elena continued, “We had to sneak in potions and low-level cures when the doctors weren't looking; otherwise, they would've reported us,” she explained, an edge to her voice.

 

“Boss would've been pissed if he knew that we got in trouble because of him.” Reno sighed.

 

Amethyst eyes sparkled. “Must be nice to have such a great relationship,” Archer murmured.

 

Reeve slung an arm across the back of his shoulders, dragging his former subordinate in for an awkward half-hug. “Don't worry. You will be adopted into their clan, just as I have been.”

 

“He already has,” Elena said knowingly, and she smiled brightly as the change in topic brought about a release of the tension. “I took him shopping with me just the other day. He is officially my newest victim,” the woman explained smugly as they finally arrived at the front door to their rented house.

 

The other males laughed at Archer, who immediately flushed red, and Elena dug into her pocket, producing the key to the front.

 

It was a nice house, large with plenty of rooms for the entire group. An open living room with big windows gave it a comfortable aura, and a large kitchen, where the faint smell of something burnt still lingered, made it feel as if it were the home of an actual family.

 

Kami-sama only knows who played which part.

 

A thought suddenly occurred to Reeve.

 

“What about Barret?” he questioned, blinking as he remembered what had happened in the tunnel. He had nearly forgotten that Barret had left with Rude and the others.

 

“He, Marlene, and the Widow Gainsborough have taken up residence somewhere else,” Archer answered, a bit of amusement peeking through. “It seems he's taken an interest in Elmyra. We might hear more wedding bells on the horizon.”

 

Elena grinned as she ushered them upstairs, their boots not even making a sound on the carpet. “We'll take you to see them later if you want.”

 

Idly fingering the Fenrir materia in his pocket, Reeve nodded. “Thanks. I'd appreciate that.”

 

Elena inclined her head as they approached a door on the second floor, the one they could only assume belonged to Tseng. She knocked softly.

”Boss? You awake?” she called through the door.

 

There was a loud, aggravated sigh in answer. Elena took that as an affirmative, and she pushed open the door.

 

Tseng's voice, slightly irritated, immediately greeted them. “Elena, how many times do I have to tell you? You do not have to call me…” his words trailed off as he took in the arrival of Reeve and Reno.

 

She grinned pleasantly at him, unperturbed by his grumpy demeanor. “Look who I found wandering around, Boss,” Elena stated cheerfully as she ushered the two inside.

 

Wutaiian lips twitched into a smile, a very uncharacteristic gesture. “Well, if it isn't Berry-head and his lover,” he commented, in a teasing tone.

 

Archer blinked. Perhaps they shouldn't have given him so many painkillers.

 

“Glad to see you're alright, Boss,” Reno drawled as he sat on the edge of the bed, and Reeve pulled up a chair, running his worried gaze over Tseng's very pale face.

 

“I'm going to go find, Rude,” Elena announced, already heading out the door. “So you guys catch up. Come on, Archer.” She grabbed him by the arm and proceeded to bodily drag him from the room.

 

Admittedly, the man did not seem to put up much of a fight.

 

He grinned and winked at Reeve. “We'll talk later,” he assured the other man.

 

Reeve merely waved him off, redirecting his attention to Tseng. Dressed in a shirt that was too large for him with his arms covered in bandages and a few on his face, Tseng did not look too healed. But at least, he was alive, and that was what mattered the most.

 

Silver eyes blinked, concern suddenly kicking in. “Did Cloud force you off his airship?”

 

“No,” Reeve inserted quickly with a shake of his head. “He gave us a few days to get ourselves together.”

 

Reno nodded, rolling his eyes. “Yeah. Something about finding a reason and ourselves and blah blah blah,” he commented. “Not that I need any other reason, yo.” He eyed his lover openly.

 

“Of course, we came to see you and the others. I wanted to know if Archer managed to make it, and Reno was worried about his boss,” Reeve put in. “I have to admit, I may have been just a tad bit jealous.”

 

Beside him, Reno flushed, running an almost embarrassed hand through his hair.

 

Tseng shook his head. “Believe me… you have nothing to worry about. He would drive even me crazy.” His lips twitched, as though he was amused by even the prospect.

 

Reeve laughed, and Reno pouted before suddenly changing the line of thought.

 

“So… Rude got married?”

 

Tseng inclined his head. “Hard to believe, is it not?” His hand rubbed his chin. “And when you going to make an honest man out of my second here, Reeve?”

 

The ex-executive burned with embarrassment, while Reno playfully punched his boss, managing to avoid every bandaged wound.

 

“Don't tease him like that,” Reno admonished. “My snooky-bear is sensitive, yo.”

 

Tseng snorted loudly. “Snooky-bear?” he repeated with bemusement. He was only able to keep a straight face for another few seconds before all three of them burst into laughter.

 

Yes, they really were like a family.

 

* * *