Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Chauffeur ❯ Chapter 3

“The Chauffeur”

Part 3

~*Part of the “Pass the Cloud” project*~

 

*Disclaimer: The world that this story is set in 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.*

********************************************

 

 

Had there been any travelers passing close enough to the abandoned warehouse to hear the noise coming from within, they might have stopped curiously and looked inside to see a very expensive-looking, extravagant white limousine with hover capabilities rather than tires, parked in the middle of the building. The traveler might have wondered why the vehicle was rocking and why there were sounds of a struggling, cursing and yelling coming from inside of it.

 

“SHIT, that HURTS, man!”

 

“Strife, don't even think of it. W-what do you think you're doing with that?”

 

“OWCH, my hair! Take it easy!”

 

“I'm warning you, if you continue with this, there WILL be consequences!”

 

“Both of you shut the hell up.”

 

The passing traveler might have crept up to the limo and peered inside to find out what was going on. The sight of the blonde, spiky-haired guy manhandling a naked man with ash-blonde hair and another naked man with long, vivid red hair might have given the traveler pause as it was, but what the golden-blonde did to these men next would have probably sent any observers running to the phone to call the authorities.

 

Unfortunately for Reno and his beloved boss, there were no passing travelers. These days most people either had to travel by air, by chocobo or by utility vehicle so the occurrence of traffic this far from most communities was rare. Cloud ignored the protests and struggling, enjoying every moment of his revenge as he treated his kidnappers to a taste of their own medicine. When he was satisfied that they were not only helpless but sufficiently uncomfortable as well, he changed out of his own clothing and into Rufus' chauffeur outfit. Wiping his hands on his pants and nodding with satisfaction, he took the clothes, weapons and what was left of the sexual paraphernalia and put it up front in the passenger seat.

 

It took him a moment to work out the controls on the vehicle but he got it started and he backed out of the warehouse, lowering the privacy divider so that he could enjoy the sound of every muffled grunt and groan his passengers made. The temptation to take Reno up on his “offer” had been tempting to Cloud but in the end, he decided he'd had enough and he could arrange another time on HIS terms to enjoy the redhead's passionate company again. Wincing at the soreness in his bottom, he shifted in the driver's seat and looked at the compass, trying to get his bearings. When he figured out which way Junon was he set his course and relaxed a little, not bothering with the auto-drive feature.

 

The only bad thing about the vehicle's hover capabilities was that it made it harder to jostle his passengers. Cloud improvised, swerving sharply every once in a while and smiling at the sound of the bound men in the back being thrown around and muttering distorted curses. He deliberately took every hill he found at high speeds, gunning the engine near the top so that the limo soared over the rise and jostled when it touched down on its self-generated hover field.

 

“Quit complaining,” Cloud snapped when he heard both Reno and Rufus emit muffled yowls. “You earned this. Suck it up.” The jostling hurt his tender backside too but the mild discomfort was nothing compared to what his passengers were going through—which made it totally worth it. He lowered a window and threw Reno's clothes out.

 

He was grinning all the way to Junon.

 

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

 

Elena of the Turks was just getting ready to leave the parking garage when the company limo pulled in and lazily coasted to its designated parking spot. She watched with puzzled eyes as it pulled to a stop and the driver stepped out, carrying an oddly shaped bundle of clothes. She looked at the driver and smiled a little. What she could see of his face behind the sunglasses was pretty cute and he had long, golden bangs hanging down from beneath the hat. He tipped the hat at her in greeting, shut the door and walked away.

 

“Wait a second,” she called to him, “who used the limo today?”

 

“Special inspection,” The driver said softly, a quiet smile curving his comely mouth. “You can find the report inside.”

 

“Oh,” she said as she watched him walk away. She took a moment to admire the way the uniform molded to his tight butt and she sighed. He was probably gay. The good-looking ones usually were. With a resigned sigh, she shook her head and walked to the limousine to see what kind of inspection it had undergone, figuring Rufus would want the report. She opened the driver's side door and found the keys in the ignition, but no report. Thinking that the chauffeur might have put it in the glove box, she slid into the seat and popped the compartment open.

 

“Mmph! Gakkuf!”

 

Elena stopped at the sound coming from the back seat. “Hello?” She said, twisting around in the seat to peer through the open privacy divider. All she could see was the back of an ash-blonde head. “Hey, what the hell are you doing back there?”

 

Irate, she got out of the driver's seat and yanked the back left door open. When she looked inside and saw the source of the muffled complaints, her eyes popped wide and her face turned as red as a beet.

 

“Oh…my…god…”

 

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

 

Cloud was all the way down the street and on the phone with Reeve by the time Elena discovered the gift he'd left for ShinRa inc. He'd unwrapped his sword from his clothes and tossed his ruined shirt in a public bin. Rufus' chauffeur uniform was a little long in the arms and legs and a little tight across the shoulders, but Cloud dealt with it and arranged a meeting point for Reeve to pick him up and give him a ride back home to Edge.

 

When Reeve pulled up to the curb in his hover car and rolled his window down, he looked the blonde up and down with raised eyebrows. “I don't suppose you want to tell me how you ended up stranded in Junon wearing a chauffeur uniform? Not that it doesn't look surprisingly great on you, but…”

 

Cloud circled around to the passenger side and got in, dumping his clothes on the floor. “I ran into a little trouble with some old…friends. That's all I want to say about it.”

 

The older man studied him covertly, knowing better than to push Cloud when he wasn't in the mood to talk. “Are you okay?”

 

Cloud considered the question and smiled softly. “Yeah, it worked out okay in the end. I'm just tired.”

 

“Then let's get you home,” Reeve said kindly.

 

Cloud nodded and took the hat off, sighing as he rested his head against the seat and closed his eyes.

 

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

 

Tseng wasn't fond of interruptions. He and Rude were going over the list of company priorities that the Turks needed to take care of when Elena burst into his office. He frowned at the blond-haired young woman and opened his mouth to chastise her, but the look on her face stopped him cold. He'd never seen her look quite so…peculiar. Her eyes were wide and stunned and she was blushing like a virgin on her wedding night.

 

“Tseng…Rude…you have to come,” she said. “I can't…this is a man's job.”

 

Rude exchanged a puzzled look with his superior. Elena was not the sort of woman that liked to admit she needed any help from males, so whatever the problem was must have been pretty severe.

 

“What is this all about?” Tseng questioned.

 

“Reno and President ShinRa,” Elena said, blushing even more deeply. “They're in the company limo and I don't think the boss would appreciate it I sent for common employees to get them…uh…untangled.”

 

“Untangled?” Repeated Rude with an interested expression on his dark, masculine face.

 

“They…they're…oh, just come on!” she circled Tseng's desk and grabbed him by one arm and Rude by the other. The two men were too mystified to argue with her.

 

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

 

“Sir?” Tseng called out softly as he opened the door. The overhead light of the limo clicked on and when he saw Rufus and Reno, his jaw dropped subtly. He pulled his head out of the limo and waved Rude over to him. Elena has her mouth covered and it was obvious by the trembling in her shoulders that she was snickering silently.

 

Seeing the surprise in Tseng's normally stoic, serene face, Rude hurried over and bent down to look into the limo himself. Rufus and Reno were both buck-naked and in a scandalous position. The redhead was straddling the president's lap and held in that position with a rig comprised of the vehicle's seat belts. They were cuffed to each other by both wrists and they both had ball-gags stuffed into their mouths. Reno's ass had hand-shaped red marks marring the pale, smooth skin and it was apparent that Rufus' dick was impaling it. Both men looked up at him and struggled, coughing and mumbling incoherently behind their gags.

 

“Oh, hell no,” Rude muttered, his eyes wide behind his designer sunglasses. He leaned in closer when he heard a suspicious buzzing sound and he saw that poor Reno had a vibrating cock and ball ring snugly embracing his genitals. By the sound of it, there was more than one vibrator going but Rude couldn't locate it from his position. Pinned to the seat belt securing the two men together was a note.

 

“Hope you enjoyed the ride,” the scrap of paper said.

 

“We'd better get them out of there,” Tseng suggested as evenly as possible. He opened the other door and climbed in, motioning for Rude to get in and help him. “It really wouldn't do for this to get public. Elena, did anyone else see this?”

 

“Only the driver,” she said in an uneven voice. “I sent security after him but he's vanished.”

 

Tseng removed the ball gag stifling Rufus' speech and the president immediately groaned the name “Cloud Strife.”

 

Elena's eyes popped wide again. “Strife did this to you?”

 

“Just get us loose and bring us something to wear,” Rufus ordered as calmly as he could. “Cloud was the chauffeur. I want him found.” Elena rushed off to go to his office and bring some clothes while her male associates worked on freeing him and Reno. He shifted in futility, trying to ease the pressure on his ass where Strife had inserted a large dildo. Reno groaned softly as Rude took the gag out of his mouth and started loosening the seatbelt.

 

“Man, that's one red ass,” Rude said with a grin, rubbing his partner's smooth bottom in fascination.

 

“Just get me the hell out of here,” Reno snapped in a hoarse voice. He whimpered uncontrollably as Rude reached between his legs and started taking the cock ring off. “Not that…not yet,” he panted, horrified by the thought of coming all over his boss after his own actions had put them in this mess. He only hoped Rufus assumed Cloud had broken his restraints on his own because for once, Reno had his fill of sexual punishment. All he wanted to do was get a shower, put an ice pack on his rear and climb into bed.

 

As they unraveled the belts and gradually freed the two men, Tseng asked neutrally how this happened.

 

“It was a plan that took an…unexpected turn,” Rufus answered shortly. “Let that be the end of this conversation for now.” Tseng found the key that Cloud had considerately left in the ashtray and he unlocked the handcuffs connecting the two men together.

 

Reno was carefully lifted off of Rufus by Rude and both he and the president groaned as Rufus' sex slipped out of his body. The redhead fell bonelessly into his partner's arms and lay like a rag doll, absolutely exhausted. Tseng helped Rufus to turn on his side and he winced when he saw the end of the vibrating dildo sticking out of his rectum. He worked it out carefully and Rufus didn't complain except to grunt softly.

 

“You would think,” Rufus said breathlessly, “that titanium manacles would be enough to hold a former Soldier.” He grimaced as Tseng removed the rings hugging his groin.

 

Tseng shook his head and stroked the president's sweat-dampened hair. He really wanted to know exactly what had transpired but he wasn't about to ask Rufus for more details. He was certain that he'd eventually get a full account from Reno. The young president's eyes were heavy-lidded with exhaustion as he leaned against Tseng. As for the redhead, he was already falling asleep against Rude's chest.

 

“Must have been a hell of a ride,” Rude whispered.

 

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

 

Both Reno and Rufus walked stiffly for days afterwards and Elena kept herself extra busy to avoid running into them and bursting into giggles. She was smart enough not to spread what she'd seen around but Reno was back to himself soon and he let his fellow Turks in on most of the details concerning the adventure with Strife in the limo.

 

“That guy knows how to screw, yo.” Reno informed Rude shamelessly as they ate lunch at a café three days later.

 

“And I don't?” Rude asked with a frown of jealousy.

 

“Don't be like that, man.” Reno said after sipping his drink. “Everyone's got their own style and you know I love yours. Just because I say someone else is good too doesn't mean I'm sayin' you suck.”

 

Rude smirked a little, pacified. “You know Rufus is gonna want us to bring him in if we can catch him.”

 

Reno shrugged and turned his attention to his sandwich. “Gotta catch him first, yo. Believe me, it ain't gonna be easy.”

 

Rude studied his companion covertly as they ate. Reno didn't seem particularly enthused with the idea of trying to capture Strife, but that could be blamed on what the blonde did to him and Rufus the last time they'd tried to kidnap him. Knowing Reno as well as he did, Rude was inclined to believe there was more to it than that, however. As casual as the redhead was with his relationships and as much as he tried to hide his feelings, the symptoms weren't hard for Rude to see. Strife might just be the first man outside of the ShinRa circle that Reno had ever fallen for.

 

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

 

After the ordeal he'd suffered at Rufus and Reno's hands, Cloud decided it was time for a “family vacation”. He didn't give Tifa the details when he returned home—he only told her that a job offer given to him turned out to be a scheme that resulted in a fight. The last thing he wanted to do was describe such explicit details with his childhood friend. Tifa wouldn't understand, he knew. She'd have called it rape even though it was more of a…tenacious seduction. He'd demanded that Rufus screw him in the end, after all.

 

Wanting to forget about the entire ordeal and enjoy being with the family he'd formed with Tifa, Denzel and Marlene, he organized a trip to Kalm for the fall festivals. It was two weeks after his limo fiasco and he was determined to enjoy himself. Once they got to Kalm, however, he felt strangely detached. It was a feeling he was all too familiar with having and he hated it. These spells didn't happen as often as they used to but due to everything he'd been through, there were days when he just didn't feel like he was all there.

 

“Oooh, look at that one!” Marlene cried as she pointed at a firework explosion overhead. Cloud looked up at the night sky and forced a smile. It was a pretty display but it didn't particularly excite him.

 

“Is anyone hungry?” Tifa asked. “We could go to the food booths and get something for dinner.”

 

“I'm starving!” Denzel said enthusiastically. He looked at Cloud and frowned, noticing the distracted look on the blonde's face as he stared up at the fireworks bursting in the night sky. They'd all come to know that look and what it meant. “Hey Cloud, we're going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?”

 

Cloud blinked owlishly at him, startled by the question. He started to answer when he spotted a familiar head of shocking red hair in the crowd across the street. Reno was standing in front of an ally between two houses, smoking a cigarette and watching him. He jerked his chin meaningfully at the alley behind him and backed into the shadows.

 

“Uh, I'll tell you what,” Cloud said as he fished his wallet out of his pocket and turned his attention back to Denzel and the others. “You guys go get something to eat and play some of the games. I'll meet back up with you in a couple of hours.” He counted out some gil to Denzel and smiled at him.

 

Tifa gave him a concerned look as she ushered Denzel and Marlene to go on ahead. Cloud leaned in and told her he had something to take care of.

 

“Is there going to be trouble?” she muttered, knowing that look in his eye. She'd spotted Reno too and the Turks usually meant problems were on their way.

 

Cloud shook his head. “I won't let that happen. Just keep an eye on the kids and stay in the crowds until we meet up again. I don't think it's anything to worry about but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll call your cell when I know what's going on, okay?”

 

“I don't like it,” Tifa sighed, “but I'm sure you know what you're doing. Be careful, Cloud.” She didn't know about his most recent encounter but he'd been up-front with her about the first one over a month ago. She didn't blame him for being attracted to Reno but she hoped he didn't let that sully his judgment.

 

“I will,” he promised, “then we can enjoy the rest of our time here.”

 

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

 

“So how's your butt feeling, yo?” Reno asked as Cloud stepped into the alley warily.

 

“Probably better than yours,” countered the blonde with a spontaneous smirk. He had his hand on the hilt of the smaller sword he'd brought with him, which was still in its scabbard on his back for the moment. Like most intelligent people adept with weapons, he rarely went anywhere unarmed.

 

Reno put his cigarette out on the wall and tossed the butt in a trashcan lining the alley. He smiled crookedly at Cloud, his hand likewise on the handle of his Electro-Mag Rod, just in case Strife decided he hadn't punished him enough the other day. Cloud smelled the sweet aroma from the redhead's smoke and he recognized it as clove.

 

~Well, at least if the guy's going to smoke he's picking something that doesn't stink like hell and make him taste like an ashtray. Wait…why am I worrying about that right now?~

 

“Are you going to tell me what you want or are we going to stand here all night?” Cloud asked.

 

Reno nodded and took a couple of steps forward. “Come a little closer, Blondie.”

 

“I don't think so. Just tell me what you're doing here.”

 

Reno sighed. “All right. I found out you booked a room here and I came to let ya know, the president wants you brought in for what you did to him.”

 

Cloud grunted softly without concern. “Big surprise. I guess this means you and I are going to have to fight, then.”

 

Reno shook his head. “Not unless you make me, yo. I didn't come here to try and get you, man. But hey, we can still fight if you want. Fighting you is almost as good as fucking you.”

 

Cloud released the hilt of his weapon and shook his head, his blue gaze unwavering on the Turk. “Unbelievable,” he muttered. “I just don't get you, Reno. One minute you're giving me tips about the Turks' kidnapping targets, then you're trying to kidnap ME the next, and now you're warning me that your buddies have plans to try it again. What's with you?”

 

“I'm complicated, yo,” Reno shrugged, smiling mischievously at the blonde.

 

Cloud stepped closer and the redhead felt his heart rate pick up. He resisted the urge to reach for his weapon, since the fighter didn't make a move to do the same. Cloud didn't stop until he was only inches away and he braced his hands against the wall on either side of Reno's body. His Mako gaze was hot on him, giving him that thrill of danger and sex all in one.

 

“I can't trust you,” Cloud murmured, letting his eyes roam over the portion of chest exposed by the open part of Reno's shirt. No, he couldn't trust the redhead, with his fox-like, sly mannerisms. It didn't stop him from wanting him though. His lethargic feeling vanished, replaced with hot desire that made his blood burn.

 

“Most people can't,” Reno agreed, holding his eyes unflinchingly. “Wanna cuff me, baby? I promise, no tricks.” He flicked his right hand and produced a shiny pair of handcuffs, which he held up for Cloud's inspection with a grin.

 

A shower of golden sparks exploded overhead and the lit the alley briefly, highlighting the Turk's fine-boned features and gently curving lips. The dangling cuffs spun in his grasp and his sea-green eyes were lit with the reflection of the sparks overhead. Instead of taking the cuffs, Cloud slowly reached out and around behind Reno's head to pull the elastic band out and free his hair. Reno held still as the blonde sifted his fingers through the soft, bright strands. Without warning, Cloud swatted the cuffs out of Reno's hand.

 

“Yo, what's up with that?” Reno exclaimed just before Cloud's body pressed flush against his and forced him against the alley wall. The blonde's mouth crushed against his and the Turk grabbed fistfuls of Cloud's jacket and responded to the brutal kiss, teasing the other man's thrusting tongue with his own.

 

~Looks like I'm going to get to see that unrestrained wild side of his after all,~ Reno thought with excitement. He'd been…worried…that Strife would never want to touch him again after their last encounter. That leaden feeling in his damned stomach stayed there, making him miserable. Now it was replaced with the annoying warmth in his chest that was usually reserved for his boss and his fellow Turks. If only Cloud could be convinced to join HIS family instead of playing house with that barmaid and the orphans.

 

~Ah well…I'll take what I can get from him. He can't be domesticated like Rufus wants, anyhow.~

 

Reno gasped as Cloud pulled his shirt open so roughly that some buttons flew off. Strife's mouth was hot and insistent on his as the blonde's hands stroked his bared chest and stomach. His pelvis was pressing firmly against Reno's and the Turk could feel how hard he was between the layer of his designer pants and the fighter's jeans.

 

“I don't have a lot of time,” Cloud gasped roughly against his lips.

 

Odd that someone could be so rough yet retain an apologetic tone. Once a hero, always a hero. Instead of annoying him, the chivalry only turned Reno on more. “S'okay,” Reno assured him just as breathlessly between kisses. “Neither do I.”

 

“You've got protection?” Inquired Cloud as he started undoing the redhead's pants.

 

“Pfft…please,” Reno rolled his eyes and grinned. “It's Reno you're talkin' to, here. I've always got what I need, yo.”

 

Another set of fireworks exploded in the sky and Cloud cupped his companion's ass and lifted him, carrying him deeper into the alley to lessen the chance of being seen. If the Turk minded being hefted around like this, he didn't show it. When he was satisfied that they were safely hidden from public view, Cloud pushed Reno against the wall again and finished undoing his fly. The redhead whimpered into his mouth as he reached into his pants and stroked his straining cock.

 

“Right blazer pocket,” Reno panted helpfully.

 

Cloud reached into the pocket with his free hand and found a couple of packs of condoms and unsurprisingly, a small tube of precious gel that would make their activities go smoother. He pulled the items out and handed them to Reno while he kept massaging his groin. He ran the fingers of his free hand through the Turk's hair and groaned as the slimmer man undid his jeans and deftly freed his rigid sex from them. They explored each other for a little while, pleasuring one another's straining cocks and kissing hungrily. Cloud was again amazed; he'd never had such hot encounters with anyone before and he'd never have dreamed of fucking someone in an alley.

 

“I need you now, Blondie,” Reno panted.

 

Cloud took the lube dispenser back from him and pulled his pants down over his hips. Reno worked at opening the condom packet while the fighter began to lubricate his entrance. Reno moaned softly as he felt Cloud's fingers work into his body. Because of their urgency and time limitations, gradual preparation wasn't an option this time.

 

Reno got the condom out of the package and worked it onto his companion's erection as quickly as he could without screwing up and tearing it. Their mouths met desperately again and the redhead snatched the lube back to coat the fighter's dick with it. He cried out sharply as Cloud's fingers pressed hard against his prostate and he was momentarily unable to concentrate. The blonde eased up on the pressure and kissed him, giving him a moment to finish the job.

 

“All set—“ Reno started to say. He'd barely gotten the words out before Cloud pulled his fingers out, turned him around and pinned him against the wall.

 

“Can't wait any more,” Cloud gasped against Reno's ear as he grasped his aching cock and pressed it against the slick entrance. He rocked forward and covered Reno's mouth with his hand as the Turk hollered with pleasure. “Damn you're loud,” Cloud groaned with a touch of amusement. He sucked on the side of the Turk's neck as he withdrew and pumped again, his free arm embracing Reno's waist to hold him steady. He started fucking him hard and fast, struggling to hold back his own cries and groans of pleasure.

 

Reno breathed heavily through his nose as Cloud took him with angled, sharp thrusts. He pushed his ass backwards against his companion's pumping hips encouragingly, not fighting the blonde's muffling hand because he knew he'd attract attention if his mouth wasn't covered. This was the first time they'd had sex without Cloud being restrained and it was every bit as wonderful as Reno imagined it would be. The blonde's energetic hip action was even more amazing without his movement restricted and Reno was sure he was mewling like a cat in heat behind Cloud's muffling hand.

 

The crackle of the fireworks was very fitting for both men. The encounter was intense and explosive. Though Cloud had been ready to burst before he even entered Reno, he lasted longer than the Turk. He almost lost it when Reno splattered the wall with semen graffiti and his body clenched deliciously around the blonde's sex, but he still maintained and kept going for several minute afterwards. He felt safe enough to remove his hand from the redhead's mouth and the next sound to escape Reno's lips undid him.

 

“Cloud,” the Turk gasped in such a wanton, passionate tone it made the fighter's head spin.

 

Cloud unloaded inside his companion's body, filling the condom and pressing his face against Reno's vivid hair. He swore raggedly as he bucked until he started losing strength in his legs. Squeezing the other man against him tightly, Cloud panted and moaned. Reno turned his head and caught his gasping lips, giving him a slow, seductive kiss.

 

“Now THOSE were some fireworks, yo,” Reno gasped. He was trembling all over and he felt fantastic, despite the ache inside that he knew would lessen in a few minutes.

 

“Too bad we can't package and sell those kind,” Cloud said with breathless agreement, nuzzling the Turk's soft hair. He squeezed him more gently, kissing his neck, jaw and ear. He didn't want to leave but he had people expecting him and he imagined Reno had a schedule to keep too. He procrastinated, enjoying the closeness and the smell of sex, cinnamon and cloves. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Reno when he could see him again, but the Turk looked at his watch and pulled out of his embrace slowly.

 

Reno sighed with regret as Strife's flesh slipped out of his body. He caught himself doing it and a flash of panic pulsed in his breast.

 

~Oh no…no fucking way. I can't go getting soft over him. Keep it cool, Reno. Fun and brief, fun and brief!~

 

“Well Blondie, my time's just about up,” the Turk said as he pulled his pants up and grimaced a little. The bad thing about spontaneous sex in alleys was the lack of options to clean up. “One thing though…where's the nearest public bathroom in this place?”

 

Cloud pulled the condom off and disposed of it in the same trashcan Reno had tossed his cigarette butt. “Come on, I'll show you. I need to clean up too.” He fastened his pants and looked at the Turk's damaged shirt. “Sorry about that.”

 

Reno shrugged. “No skin off my back, yo. I never keep the top buttons done up anyhow.”

 

“Hey Reno?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

Cloud hesitated, wondering if he should even ask what was on his mind. He noticed that Reno always seemed to be in a hurry to leave after having sex but this time, there was a good reason for it. Not wanting to come off as clingy or sentimental to the free-spirited redhead, Cloud shrugged. “Nothing. It's not important. There's a tavern the next block over where we can go to use the bathroom.”

 

Reno followed the blonde out of the alley, staring after him with contemplative eyes. Cloud's tone didn't sound like it was “nothing”. It sounded like whatever he'd started to ask was pretty “something” to Reno, but he had no idea what that “something” might have been.

 

Neither of them knew that they were both afraid of the same thing: getting too close.

 

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

 

-The End