Blond hair flew past the Turks as a particular boy raced in rather late. He wasn't normally the one who did things like this, but lately he seemed a bit off. In his hands was a plate full of cookies, still warm and gooey from the oven. It had been only a few weeks since the explosion that had maimed Rufus and Cloud seemed to be acting very unlike himself since. He sat the cookies down on his desk and then started walking around, cleaning things up and acting very nervous. He bent over and his shirt came up a bit, showing off a dragon tattoo that no doubt he got while under the influence. Rufus meant a lot to Cloud and that was clear from the way he was acting lately. Cloud was a generally nice kid, but he really got mad if someone messed sometime up for Rufus. This whole month Cloud and Reno, a crazy red head who was always being a goofball, had to take care of Rufus at his home. Cloud would cook and bathe him and Reno was expected to clean up and feed Dark Nation. Personally, Cloud was terrified of Dark Nation, seeing as how the large panther sized black cat always growled and tried to lunge for his throat. The beast hated him and Cloud wasn't sure why. He was glad Reno hade to feed the creature. The others were still watching as Cloud looked over to his desk. Most of the cookies were gone and Cloud looked really close to tears. A few people gasped while others stared. None of them had seen him cry, but he was going through a lot and they were afraid he might snap. His lip twitched and then he started yelling. "Who the hell ate my cookies!?" his voice boomed all over the room. He was rather pissed. Those hade been for Rufus and someone had the nerve to eat them. There was only one person Cloud thought would do something like that. He turned on a particular redhead and glared menacingly. "Did you eat my cookies?" he asked Reno through clenched teeth.

Rufus was directly behind the ranting blond and sighed. He rolled his wheel chair closer. "Cloud." the blond turned towards him. "Yes boss? How are you feeling? Are you getting any stronger? Does your back still hurt?" he kept rambling on about other questions that he had until Rufus rolled his eyes. "Cloud. Shut up." He snapped his mouth shut quickly as possible. "I'm fine, and I ate the cookies." that seemed to make Cloud's day and he smiled brightly. "O, did you like them boss?" Rufus nodded. "You're a really good cook. I'll be looking forward to having you taking care of me for the month." he rolled his wheel chair back off to his private office and Cloud turned to Reno. "Sorry for blaming you..." he looked at the floor. Cloud had been so stressed lately and he had been taking it out on other people. This was the first time he'd gone off on Reno. Most of the time it was the other Turks. He sighed and walked around. He didn't notice he was acting strange, but the others did. Rude looked at Reno and pulled him to the side. "Hey, can you try to make Cloud feel better while you two are working together? He seems so off color. I think he needs a friend." Rude was Reno's best friend, but he figured it would be much better if Reno spent more time with Cloud instead if him. He'd miss Reno's company, but at least they'd get blondy a bit happier.

~Later that Day~

It was time for them all to go home and Cloud sighed, putting everything neatly on his desk in decent little piles. He stood and went over to Reno's desk. "Come on. It's time for us to go." he placed a peice of paper on the red head's desk. "I'll meet you at the bosse's place. It's really hard to miss. It's like the biggest mansion ever, but the directions and address are on that paper just in case." he walked off and went to Rufas's office. "Boss?" he said shyly after knocking. "Come in, cloud." the touted blondie opened the door and looked at his handicapped superior. "Are you ready to go sir?" he asked with a faint smile. Rufus sighed at the poor boy. "Cloud." the younger one snapped to attention at the sound of his name. "Have you been sleeping well?" he asked and Cloud amswered a bit to quickly. "Yes." he said as fast as he could and Rufus frowned. "Bend over." Cloud didn't understand what was meant. "E-Excuse me sir?" he looked nervous. "Come Oder, bend down." Cloud did as he was told reluctantly. Rufus took his face in on hand, using the other to rub over the dark skin under Cloud's eyes. "You haven't been sleeping well at all." it wasn't a question. He frowned at how gaunt the younger man's figure seemed. He wasn't deathly thin or anything, but he was a good deal skinnier than he had been before. Rufus sighed deeply and let him go. "go on, I'll meet you there." Cloud left with his head hung.

Ruffs didn't like how Cloud had become. He'd been so much more fun to be around before the explosion that had claimed Rufus's mobility. It seemed to bother Cloud more than it did Rufus himself. He rolled himself out of his office and to Reno's desk. This redhead would have to be his ride home today since he'd shooed Cloud off. "Reno, I need you to make sure Cloud eats and sleeps properly. He's acting strange and getting a bit on the skinny side. Feed him well, get him fat if you have too." he loomed at the red headed man. "I'll give you a handsome reward if you do so." he smiled and held out a small bag with a good deal of money in it. "Consoder this paying half in advance." He figured that was enough to convince Reno. He needed the money and Rufis knew he could use that against him. "Now, I need you to take me home. I'm afraid I told my ride to leave."

A particular red head with an attitude problem and overinflated ego leaned back in his chair with his feet propped up on his desk. For the next while he wasn’t exactly sure how long but he didn’t mind especially because the pay was good. That and he liked the man well enough and the job wasn’t overly strenuous. His main job was just to take care of the cat anyway. Dark Nation was the boss’s large panther like cat, most were terrified of the thing but personally Reno loved him. Every time the cat saw the red head he would jump up and rub against him because he knew Reno always kept little treats in his pockets special for the big normally ferocious cat. The boss and his men were talking about something or other Reno wasn’t really listening, he was more in the process of dozing off, his chin fell on his chest and a soft snore could be heard coming from him when the door opened with a bang bringing the red heads head up with a sharp neck snapping jerk his hand flying to his weapon. But it was just a particular blonde, late unusually late. Cloud burst through the door carrying a plate of cookies, probably the source of his lateness. He moved through the office in a flurry of activity that was until he noticed almost all the cookies he had probably slaved over were almost gone. Of course his first suspect would be Reno, it would be something he would do. But he didn’t eat them, his skin prickled and he opened his mouth to tell Cloud right where he could shove the rest of his cookies when Rude but a hand on his arm and the boss Rufus wheeled forward in his electric wheelchair, that made him shut up real quick.

“Stupid, little ass” he mumbled a few other obscenities poured past the red heads loose lips, he always had had a fiery temper it matched his flaming locks. The very sight of the blonde was annoying him right now and aside from the cookie incident he wasn’t sure why. Sure he and Cloud hadn’t always been on the best terms but something about him today was touching a raw nerve. It was Rude his best friend that kept him from blowing up, though truth be told Rude also pulled him aside to ask that he look out for Cloud which made a little bit of sense. The boy did look rather sickly lately. It was subtle if you weren’t looking for it you wouldn’t see it but it did show in small ways. Dark circles under his eyes, a gradual weight loss, and a general pale tired look. Reno thought he was taking the bosses accident worse than the boss himself was. “Yeah I can do that Rude, but I ain’t gonna be his fucking keeper you got that” he snapped shooing his friend away from his desk. Rude took the hint and left him alone.

~Later that Day~

“Sure boss whatever you say” the red head gave the boss a mock salute and took the money, if this had been a cartoon his eyes would have turned into gold coins or green dollar signs, the sight of so much money would have made him walk the earth twice over. He would look out for the kid, he already said he would do it anyway. With this money he would stuff the goddamn food down the boys throat and listen to him talk about anything. Following the boss’s directions he managed to get him home in one piece. Today was no exception, when he walked in the door the cat was all over his master first and the red head second. Reno laughed a loud hearty sound that echoed through the massive halls, Rufus chuckled as well albeit quieter and with a tad less mirth. “So when does blondey get here to feed you?” he asked wheeling the boss through the hall followed closely by Dark Nation. It was unnecessary to wheel the man seeing as he had an electric wheelchair, but Reno didn’t mind him and Rufus got along well enough. “He’ll be here in a bit, just take me to the sitting room and go feed Dark Nation, he seems hungry” Reno kept his mouth closed though it was on the tip of his tongue to say something rude and sarcastic as was his nature but money kept him silent, he was being paid well and would not lose this job because he couldn’t learn to control his wise ass comments.
Leaving the boss in the sitting room he led the large black cat to the kitchen and dug through the meat until he found the perfect piece, the cat was rubbing against his legs purring like a giant kitten. More than once Reno was almost knocked off his feet by the large cat, but all he did was laugh and through the meat to him. He fed and watered the big cat and joined the boss again waiting to start his other job as little Cloud’s new “best friend”

Cloud had all of his things packed and got back on his bike. He raced off to his boss's house and knocked on the front door. Rufus came over in his electric rolling chair to greet him. "Come in." he said and opened the door so his blond caretaker could enter. "You can put your stuff in the second room to the right upstairs. Cloud nodded. "Yes sir." he went up the staircase and sat his suitcase down on the bed. He went back into the kitchen to begin the meal. Dark Nation growled at him which made him cringe and back away. The big cat hated the blond man for three good reasons. Firstly, Cloud looked more like a snack than a person in the cat's eyes. Second, he was terrified of cats which Dark Nation could sense. Third, Cloud never kept treats for him. Dark Nation kept growling and circling closer to Cloud before Rufus called the cat and it went running to it's master. Cloud was still shaking when he got the meat and stuff from the fridge. He washed his hands and then began preparing the meal. He was tired beyond belief, and almost fell asleep on the job, but managed to keep his eyes open. He was wearing a bright teal apron that had frills at the bottom. He knew he looked like a fruitcake, but it was his mom's and he had to use something. The food was almost done.

Dark nation rose his big head at the smell of pot roast cooking. He snarled, standing up. He wanted some of that food and he planned to get it. Rufus sighed in annoyance. "This is going to be a long month if Dark Nation doesn't get used to Cloud." he grumbled and looked at Reno. "Could you go make sure Dark Nation doesn't kill Cloud." he said this calmly, but he really was afraid his pet might try to eat Cloud alive.

Cloud screamed bloody murder as the large animal jumped on his back, causing him to drop the meal he had just cooked on the floor. Luckily, none of the insanely hot food got on the blond boy so he wasn't burned. Dark Nation was heavy and Cloud was having a heck of a time standing with that creature on his back. He was relived when Dark Nation got off of him and went for the meat that had been dropped. Cloud fell to the floor in exhaustion and curled up under the counter in a cabinet. He pulled the wooden doors on the cabinet so he was in there and Dark Nation couldn't see him. He shivered as he heard that horrible thing eating what was meant for the boss.

Rufus rolled himself into the kitchen. He saw the mess and nearly had a fit. There was food everywhere and glass as well. He saw a bit of blood on the floor as well and could only guess Cloud had cut himself or been bitten one. Dark Nation didn't seem to have any wounds. he was eating what Rufus guessed was supposed to be dinner. He saw Cloud's huge sword laying on the floor near the cabinet. He shook his head and sighed. "Dark Nation! Here. Now!" he commanded his pet. Dark Nation looked discouraged as he stood, tail in between legs and walked off. "Reno..can you clean this mess up and try to convince Cloud to come out of the cabinet?" it seemed like Reno was taking care of both of them instead of just Rufus. Cloud could hear the disappointment in his bosses voice and he came out of where he was hiding. "Sorry boss. I can clean it up." he mumbled and grabbed a broom. He started cleaning up the mess that was made, but Rufus grabbed his hand, making him yelp. A large peice of glass stuck out from it and Rufus yanked it out. He rolled his eyes. "You can fight an armed assailant, but my cat scares the hell out of you. Wow." Cloud shrugged. "That's a big cat, and he was jumping on me." Rufus took a bandage from under the sink and wrapped up Cloud's hand. "Be careful." he said and pulled Cloud down so he was looking straight into his eyes. "Don't worry so much. I'm fine." he said and the blond only nodded. "Yes sir." Rufus wasn't convinced, but let it go. "Reno. Help him clean up. Cloud, just order something like a pizza or Chinese ok?" Cloud nodded and picked up the phone, dialing the number to a pizza place. He knew the number by heart since he didn't really cook much at home. He was normally to busy with paper work. He looked at Rufus. "What kind of pizza boss?" Rufus thought for a second. "Mushroom and pepperoni." Cloud nodded an ordered a large. "it'll be here in about fifteen minutes." Rufus wheeled himself put and gave Reno a look that told hom to stay. Cloud sighed and started cleaning, not saying a word to the red head. He was crying, but he was turned away so Reno couldn't see his face. He was ashamed for messing up his bosses dinner. He felt like Rufus deserved the world and he felt even worse because the boss couldn't do anything for himself. Cloud finished sweeping and mopping. By this time he'd cried so much he was exhausted and his eyes were red. He still didn't look at Reno as he spoke. "I'm going to take a bath." he said quietly and left the room, going to the bedroom he was assigned and getting ready to bathe himself. He ran the water and put bubble bath in it. He climbed in and relaxed.

15 minutes later

Cloud was fast asleep in the tub, breathing heavily. He ha been to worn out to stay awake and he hadn't had good rest in days, well probably more like weeks. He heard a ring on the door bell that made him stir out of a pleasant dream in which Rufus was still perfectly normal and Cloud was himself again. He groaned, not wanting to come back into reality and sat up. He was completly soaked other than his hair which he hadn't washed. He always washed it in the mornings. He stood and let out the water, drying off and clothing himself in his bed clothes before coming down. He was in a black wifebeater and black boxers with little skulls and crossbones all over them. Rufus looked up at him and bit his lip. Cloud had really nice legs and he had the urge to touch them. He kept staring until Cloud turned back aroun again. The blonde got the pizza and paid for it, giving Rufus a plate and them setting the box down so Reno could get his own. Rufus pulled himself onto the couch from his wheel chair. "Come sit with me and have some food." Cloud sat, but didn't get anything to eat. "I'm not hungry." he said with a faint smile that held no warmth. Rufus frowned, but didn't want to force him, so he just sighed. Cloud started leaning closer to him as time passed and Rufus cocked an eyebrow. "Cloud, what are you doing." he paused as he saw the blond had fallen asleep and chuckled, holding him close. He was glad Cloud was sleeping and really didn't mind having him close. He did what he had wanted to earlier and stroked Cloud's thigh which proved to be smooth and hairless. "Mmhmm. I knew it." he whispered. Somehow he'd expected Cloud to be smooth like a girl. He wanted to know if the rest of him was just as soft. He slid a hand underneath Cloud's shirt and listened to him groan in his sleep. That skin was just as soft, but Rufus could feel a few ribs sticking out. His eyes softened and he stopped touching the younger man in inappropriate ways. He heard a light purr and saw that dark nation had jumped up and was curled up beside Cloud. The big cat nuzzled him affectionately and Rufus guessed the cat trusted him now that he'd seen that Rufus didn't mind Cloud.

That evening

"Cloud." Rufus poked his cheek and the blond stirred. "Hmm?" Rufus had a hand laying on Cloud's thigh and the young guy lifted his head with amazing speed. "Huh? What? Oh..." he finally realized where he was and who was touching him. "Hi boss." he mumbled. It had gotten rather dark outside and it was raining heavily. Rufus looked into his eyes. "I need a bath so I can go to bed." He figured Cloud knew he was the one who would have to bathe him. Cloud nodded and helped Rufus into his wheel chair, pushing him to the bathroom. Cloud ran nice, warm water and sat Rufus in after he was undressed. The bubbles and suds hid any of Rufus's male anatomy, so Cloud didn't really feel all that akward. He was chatting endlessly until he noticed Rufus had stopped listening. He went silent and then let all the water out of the tub, helping the cripples Rufus get dry and dressed for bed. He picked him up bridal style and carried him to his room. "Jeez...you're so freakin heavy." he whined and Rufus rolled his eyes. "You didn't have to carry me. You could have used the wheel chair dork." Cloud turned scarlet. "Opps." Rufus just laughed. "Silly boy." he mumbled as he got sleepier. Cloud put Rufus under the sheets and tucked him in like a mother would. He then went to his room and shut the door, also climbing in the bed, but he wasn't going to be sleeping. He simply cried into his hands. It wasn't fair that his boss was all messed up like this. Why Rufus? Why couldn't it have been someone else who hadn't already lost everything as it was? The thought made Cloud sob even louder. He hit the pillow and then put his face in the fluffy object.

“Reno why don’t you head back to your place and pick up some clothes, considering both you and Cloud will be staying here for awhile it might be best to stop the whole back and forth thing and just set up your room here.” Rufus ran a long slender finger along the arm of his wheel chair almost as if he were checking for dust though in truth he was fidgety and restless. The older man was used to movement and since the accident had been stationary the majority of the time and that just didn’t sit well with him. Sighing he turned away from the window and made his way back over to the tall red head, the soft hum of the motor purring as he maneuvered around the various pieces of furniture and other obstacles that barred his way. Reno opened his bluish gray eyes eying the boss with a protective eye, though in truth it looked more like he was watching him with a when can I next play a trick on you sort of look. He watched to be sure a wheel didn’t snag on the carpet and upset the chair spilling the crippled man to the floor. It had happened once and Reno didn’t want to repeat the experience.
“Yeah I suppose I can do that, can I borrow the car? Mine is at home I caught a ride with rude today knowing I was going to be driving you home and no doubt staying the night. Though why I didn’t think to pack an overnight bag is beyond me I never was very good at planning ahead of time” he shrugged running a hand through his fiery red hair a sheepish grin on his handsome face.

~15 Minutes Later~

A short while later Reno was backing the silver car out of the driveway and on the way towards his small apartment he kept all by himself. Not too long ago he had been living with Rude but while the two were best friends and often found in each other’s companies Reno did like his space, his privacy, and didn’t want to constantly be around people. Even his best friend. So after living together for a year Reno had found his own place and was now living there quite happily. Although Rude did have a key to the place and could sometimes be found crashed on the couch with the TV on and a bag of cheeto’s spilled beside him the orange still staining his mouth which would be open in a snore. Today wasn’t really an exception when he opened the door to his small one bedroom flat Rude was on the couch flipping through channels. The red head was so used to the sight that it ceased to bother him. A small white bullet raced towards him and rubbed purring between his legs demanding his undivided attention and adoration. The White Queen of the house Shino a small white ball of fur Reno had fallen in love with the instant he had laid eyes on her was his sweet baby kitten. Though in truth she was two years old and getting round and plump from all the treats he just couldn’t say no too. She swiped at his pants meowing a demand to be held and coddled and stroked and treated with love and affection. Which he of course quickly did, Rude looked over his shoulder and smiled though he never left the couch.

“So the caretaker has returned, how are things going with you and your new best friend?” Rude flipped the television off and turned in his seat propping his arms up on the couch and resting his chin in his hands, a perfect I’ve got all the time in the world to listen to you pose. Reno set Shino aside and went into the kitchen to get himself a beer, popping the top he took a quick swig before even answering the question, the sarcastic I already know how it’s going but I still want you to tell me anyway question Rude have laid out. He knew he shouldn’t be drinking since he would be driving back but he wasn’t sure how much drinking the boss did so threw back the entire beer and grabbed another before heading back out into the living room and taking a seat on the recliner propping his booted feet up on the table. “Horrible, the wuss is terrified of Dark Nation, cries over cookies, and is so upset by the bosses accident he just breaks down can’t eat can’t sleep it’s pathetic in my opinion” he knew he was being rather harsh, but honestly something about the guy irked him. Maybe it was the way he just rolled over on his back and let the boss rub his damn belly like he was some sort of dog.

Rude stood up and sat on the end table picking up Reno’s feet and setting them on his lap. “Reno that’s being mean, you know how much the boss means to Cloud, he means a lot to you as well. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve been watching him and looking out for him. Cloud just shows his worry more openly then you do” Rude patted Reno’s leg lightly his hand lingering a bit too long, though Reno didn’t notice. “I know your right but still Cloud needs to man up the boss won’t get better by him worrying himself to death” the red head sighed and leaned his head back against the head rest tension in every line of his back. Rude stood up and moved behind the chair massaging the young man’s back easing the coiled tension in Reno’s muscles until he groaned with pleasure. Rude leaned down closer until his lips hovered just over Reno’s the red head didn’t notice he had drifted off, the man took the chance to press a quick light kiss against his soft mouth.

~Later That Night~

Reno woke with a start running hand over his sleep crusted eyes yawning loudly, Rude was gone and a bag was packed and ready near the door Rude always looking out for him. Getting up he found Shino was already in her cat carrier and grabbing both the suitcase and the cat carrier he drove back to the boss’s house and let himself in through the side door. Everything was dark, feeling his way down the hallways he found his room and let Shino go dumping his suitcase willy-nilly into the dresser. Very faintly he could hear soft sobbing, couldn’t be the boss his room was at the other end of the hallway frowning he followed the noise and ended up at the end of the hallway. Easing open the door he found a certain blond face down on the bed sobbing his little old heart out. Rolling his eyes Reno leaned against the door and made a very loud ahem clearing his throat noise sure to draw Cloud’s attention.

Cloud sat up, back facing Reno and dried it up. "Don't you know how to knock? The door was closed for a reason." he said in a calm tone that would have never suggested he'd been crying his eyes out seconds earlier. he looked down at the bed and hid the little self punishing tools he had under his pillow before Reno had a chance to see them. He knew it was his fault Rufus was in this condition. He hadn't thought to help the boss out of the building. He'd been far to busy helping some dumb woman, then he'd gone to get Rufus. If he'd been there seconds earlier, he would have saved Rufus from the metal beam that had rendered him paralyzed. He pulled his sheets up, not wishing to have to explain to Reno why he had cut himself. "I know you don't like me, now go away. There's leftover pizza in the fridge downstairs if you're hungry. I know the boss is paying you to talk to me. I'm not stupid, but I'll have you know that I'm perfectly fine on my own. I don't need your help. I may seem like a big baby, but believe it or not, I've been taking care of myself and a little orphan for years now. I think I'll be absolutely fine without a jerk like you who only says things behind my back. Like I said, I'm not stupid. I know what you do." he was curled up under the covers now and Dark Nation walked in, jumping on the bed with him, nuzzling the blond and licking the tears from his face. The big cat made a whining noise as he smelled blood andnunderstood that it was an injury. Cloud rolled his eyes, thinking the cat wanted him to pet it. He gingerly pulled one hand out from under the covers and stroked the cats ears. "I told you to get out!" He yelled and Dark Nation snarled, biting down on his arm, making cloud wince, but otherwise show no emotion. The panther thing was getting adjusted to him, but he still liked Reno better. Cloud pushed the cat off the bed, forcing his arm out of it's jaws, sliding it back under the covers. "Good night." He stated and closed his blue eyes, pretending he planned on sleeping any. Cloud needed to cry, but it was obvious Reno wouldn't let him be. He stood and grabbed a coat, slipping it on, pulled on a pair of trousers too. Cloud got a small bag and slid the assorted knives and other items specially made for self torture in it, planning to go else where. "don't worry. I won't bother you again." he said with a snarl and went to the third floor. He climbed onto the roof and began his nightly ritual again, eventually reducing himself to a bloody, sobbing mess. He really couldn't believe the nerve of that red headed punk. He was such a jerk. Cloud's eyes widened as He went a bit to deep into the soft flesh of his stomach, making it hurt even worse, but somehow he found some sort of pleasure in knowing he was suffering just like Rufus had to because of his idiocy. Cloud felt cold and lightheaded after a while and stopped. He didn't need to die...yet... The thought of suicide had crossed his mind on multiple occasions, but he didn't think he should end his life until he had suffered. He took an object that was shaped like pitchfork, only much smaller and much sharper. The ends of the prongs were hook so that when he pulled it back out, It pulled more flesh with it. He couldn't take anymore if he planned on waking up in the morning, so he put the tools back in his bag and laid down, to weak to get back in the house from the roof. He'd just go back in tomorrow morning when he felt normal again.

The red head said nothing, he did not agree with the statements said, nor did he disagree with them. In fact he didn’t acknowledge them at all merely watched the peculiar blonde boy with narrowed bluish eyes. Idly he raised his hand to his face almost as if he were inspecting his nails. Let the guy rail, let him snap and get angry he wouldn’t let it get under his skin. Oh no, they would have time enough to exchange words later, battle with wits later when the boy wasn’t so obviously hurt. He may think Reno a complete numbskull, an unobservant dim witted henchman. But Reno knew what Cloud was doing it wasn’t hard to tell considering how depressed he had been since Rufus had gotten crippled. It didn’t take a mathematician to know that two and two together was four. “You shouldn’t startle poor Dark Nation like that, he is a wild animal after all and more apt to attack then to cuddle” he didn’t feel particularly bad that Cloud had just gotten his arm chomped on by a one hundred plus pound black cat. He had brought it upon himself after all, personally he saw what Cloud was doing as foolish and was going to point it out to the dunderhead sooner or later. Sooner seemed better, but before he could say another word he was knocked sideways by Cloud who was leaving the room as quickly as his long legs could take him. Reno debated on whether he should follow the guy, but didn’t think that would end well. At least not until later when Cloud no doubt passed out from lack of smarts to his brain. Reno chuckled softly to himself and followed Cloud’s advice heading down to the kitchens to get some pizza.
He ate the pizza cold being too lazy to actually take the time to heat it up, picking off the pieces of mushroom he detested he finished the first slice and moved onto the second freshly cleaned of mushroom piece. Dark Nation had followed him into the kitchen licking blood off his lips. Cloud’s blood. Idiot will need to be rolled in a giant swimming pool filled with rubbing alcohol, gauze, and band aids it was a funny thought that made the red head smirk. Throwing the crust of his pizza to Dark Nation, who ate it up as if he just hadn’t had a midnight snake of Cloud arm, he went off in search of a certain blond who no doubt had finished maiming himself for the night.
He found Cloud on the roof passed out, tsking he picked him up easily cradling the idiot to his chest. “Dumbass, do you honestly think being depressed and hurting yourself will help Rufus at all? It won’t it might actually make it worse because he knows it will be him who is the reason for this. Get your head out of your ass and stop being so damn selfish!” he snapped his anger coming to flare up white hot. This little speech was given to just Cloud, who he thought was unconscious, the walls, and a giant black cat padding along beside him. With a quick experience coming from having to dress his own injuries Reno dumped Cloud on the bed, cleaned the wounds, and then bandaged them. And just to be sure the kid didn’t try anything stupid he curled up in bed with him one arm curled carelessly around Cloud’s stomach so his back rested against Reno’s stomach. It was a close position and might be uncomfortable for them both but it would let Reno know if Cloud moved to get up in his sleep.

He felt himself being picked up, but he was to close to passing out to notice anything but an odd mumbling and being moved. He woke a bit later being held by someone. Whoever it was was warm and comfortable. Cloud snuggled closer, feeling safe until he started waking up. He jerked away from the person and saw it was Reno. "What the hell?!" he screamed. "Get off of me you freaking creep!" he fell out of the bed and ran put of the room, going to the living room and laying on the couch. "Ugh. Such a pervert." he mumbled. He was only so mad because he'd actually liked being so close to Reno. He'd smelled nice and been so comfortable. Cloud sighed, feeling really cold without Reno holding him tight. A frown came across his face as he felt his depression returning, preventing his sleep. He stood, walking around, trying to get sleepy. He walked and walked, feeling oddly dizzy. He guessed it was the blood loss earlier.

Reno was jerked out of his sleep by both a sudden jerking movement and loud screaming that slowly transformed themselves into words as Reno became coherent. Groggily he sat up to face Cloud’s wrath a confused look on his handsome face. “I was just watching over you and trying to be nice, no need to turn it into something ugly” he muttered when he could finally get in a word edgewise. But Cloud hadn’t even stayed to listen instead the blond punk had sprinted from the room to take refuge somewhere else. “Screw that” he grouched irritably rolling over and going back to sleep. Or at least trying to go to sleep, he had a hard time at it. “Stupid ungrateful little creep, I ought to give him a piece of my mind, tell him the real reason I was even in bed with him”.
Jumping up he slipped his shirt on and went in search of his blond companion. He found him about ten minutes later pacing the living room looking severely disgruntled and not just a bit depressed. Reno commandeered a recliner his eyes watching Cloud’s form admiring the rounded rear and long legs that actually reminded him of a female. He was bisexual. It wasn’t something he needed everyone to know so the only one who actually knew this, well two was Rude and Rufus. Reno had no interest in Rude and had told him when the man had tried a pass at him. Sometimes though he could still see Rude watching him when he didn’t think anyone else was looking. Shaking his head he put all thoughts from his mind and cleared his throat attracting the blonde’s attention. “For the record I think some gratitude is owed Mr. High and Mighty, it was me that brought you down off the roof, dressed your damn self inflicted wounds, and watched over you as you slept” he stood up advancing closer on the blonde his taller form and broad shoulders an intimidating sight if he used it right, like now. “And while I’m at it just how selfish are you?” he asked backing Cloud up against the wall and pinning him there. Now he had to listen to everything Reno had to say. “You think what you’re doing to yourself is going to help Rufus? No it won’t it will hurt him, think how guilty he would feel if he found this out? God damn it boy use your brain hurting yourself and pissing and moaning about it ain’t going to help so suck it up and do what you can for Rufus. Selfish little brat”

He jumped when he heard Reno clear his throat behind him. Why was he following him around? "I'll have you know that I'm perfectly able of caring for myself! I didn't ask you to bring me down from there in the first place, in fact, it pisses me off that you're so damn nosy. What I do in my spare time is my business!" Cloud started backing away as Reno advanced on him. Cloud glared, only slightly intimidated by the larger man, but not showing it. "You think that's selfish? You're selfish for being able to have a good time when the boss is hurting so bad! Have you all the goddamn pills the man takes just for to pain?! That's all my fault! I was there Reno! I was right beside his office, helping Elena out. I-I saw it...the pole...it fell and it stabbed him. I just watched. I was too damn scared to move and I just watched it nearly kill him." he wasn't looked at Reno anymore, he was staring beyond him. "I had to pull that goddamn thing from his back...the blood was everywhere." he hissed, trying not to freak out as he relived the scene in his mind. "I deserve to suffer." he whispered. "I deserve to feel pain constantly like he does. I deserve to die." I didn't even notice that there were tears streaming down my face. "You see Reno. I have no choice. I have to be punished and Rufus won't do it. He doesn't know about this, and there's no way in hell he could climb onto the roof without the use of his legs. It can't hurt him if I dint let him know about it." he shook his head. "I do everything in my power to make him feel better, but he always feels so horrid. His back hurts and he had more stitches than I can even count. He wanted to die back in that building you know. He wanted to die and I brought him out alive, just to suffer for the rest of his days." Cloud didn't think he could ever get over how he'd been the cause for Rufus' problems. He wanted to die, but them he wouldn't suffer the way Rufus did, so he couldn't die just yet. he wrenched himself from Reno's grasp when he heard Rufus's pained cries and him calling for him. He grabbed the assorted pain pills and ran off to Rufus's room.

Rufus was laying there, sobbing with the pain in his lower back. Cloud helped him sit up and gave him his pills, also adjusting the levels of pain killers in an iv that stuck from the injured man's arm. Rufus stared at Cloud's gaunt face and frowned, not pleased with the appearance of him. "How much have you slept tonight?" Rufus asked as the pain started easing up. "Some. Don't worry about me, I'm fine." Cloud said with a fake smile. Rufus sighed. "You look so pale.." He commented and Cloud laughed. "Boss, I don't get a lot of sun. Don't worry. Is there anything o can do for you?" he asked, changing the subject. Rufus nodded. "Come here." Cloud did as was asked. "Could you rub my left shoulder? It's really stiff." Cloud sat on the bed, starting to rub the shoulder in little circular motions to get rid of the stiffness. Rufus yanked him down, kissing him and pulling Cloud even closer to him. Cloud was surprised and rather disturbed. He certainly didn't like Rufus in that way, but he owed the man so he kissed back. Rufus pushed him off and glared. "You're so naive Strife. Stop catering to everything I want from you." the older man said. "I know you see me as a role model, a father even. You shouldn't have complied when I kissed you. It was a test. Why do you always think everything is your fault? What could you have done to save me from this?" Rufus asked. "I just stood there! I could have moved you out of the way!" Cloud said, feeling like his boss should torture him for his mistake. Instead Rufus started laughing. "Cloud. You're a seventeen year old boy. You were in a burning building. I saw your face Cloud. You were mortified. I don't blame you." Rufus took Cloud's face in one hand, cupping it and used the other to stroke the boy's cheek.

Cloud left the room when Rufus feel asleep and went back to the living room, pretending not to notice Reno as he laid on the couch. He flipped on the tv, leaving it on some random fashion show thing and then he faked sleep. He didn't want to even see Reno. It wasn't fair that the red head had just taken him off of that roof and then expected some sort of thank you for it.

Reno shook his head, the kid really was more of an idiot than he had originally thought, and yes what happened to Rufus was awful but he didn’t have to ruin his life over it and certainly Rufus wouldn’t want that. Cloud was a child in many ways and while Reno wasn’t really that much older than him only two years he still felt ages older. The experience had aged him and given him an insight on things he didn’t previously have. He found it silly to not have fun, yes Rufus was hurt, Rufus was crippled and in pain but Reno knew if it were him he wouldn’t want people to pity him, wouldn’t want people to walk on eggshells around him as if he were nothing better than an invalid. Rufus needed to be treated normally, he needed to laugh and Cloud just didn’t get that. Perhaps he would one day but he would never listen to Reno, he hated the red head with a fiery passion as red hot as Reno’s hair. Brushing his fingers through his hair he settled back in his chair and flipped open his phone, he called Rude and had a very calming conversation with him. That was until the last five minutes. “And remember Reno you are a stubborn fool who sometimes places to much credit in what you say despite the fact that it might be wrong. Or just might annoy people into lashing out because you preach” Reno glared at the phone though Rude couldn’t see that and grunted his acknowledgement.

Cloud came back downstairs just as Reno closed the phone with a soft snap and slipped it back into his pocket, the red head avoided looking at the blond instead choosing to focus on the TV which the blonde was currently watching, or flipping through the channels at the very least. He cleared his throat but didn’t say anything instead sinking deeper into the chair a scowl on his normally happy and carefree face. The kid knew nothing on how he felt about the matter. Reno at least was trying to bridge the gap between them the punk wasn’t even trying. “Least I’m trying to get along with you, you ass. It’s more than I can say for you” he snapped finally standing up and heading back up to his room mumbling to himself as he went. Getting to his room he shed his shirt and pants till he stood only in his boxers and climbed into bed.

Cloud tried not to get upset, but that hit a nerve. "WHY WOULD I EVEN WANT TO GET ALONG WITH YOU?!" he screamed after Reno. "I FUCKING HATE YOU!!!" he added, his voice hitting another octave and cracking at the end. That was the last straw. He wouldn't take anymore. He looked around for something, anything to end his misery. He was over taken with depression and Reno had just made it about a billion times worse. The blond boy grabbed a gun, held it in his mouth and pulled on the trigger.

20 Minutes later

Rufus rolled his electric chair down the ramp beside the steps added just for him and screamed bloody murder. Laying on his carpet was Cloud, his head busted through with a bullet that had racked through his skull. The tv had Bren up so loud that Rufus hadn't heard the sound of the gun shot. "Aw shit..." the crippled man mumbled, reaching down, trying to bend the best he could and pulling the dead boy into his lap. He stroked his face and cried loudly. This had been like his own son.

Rufus woke up, sweating cold and crying his eyes out. He noticed it was a dream. Cloud wasn't dead and he was in his own bed, not holding his blond caretaker's corpse. He still sobbed with the thought of that kind of thing. That was a horrible dream. He couldn't stop crying and he called for Reno, hoping Cloud wouldn't come and see his boss in a mess like this. "R-Reno..." he sobbed, hoping the redhead would come.

Cloud was damn pissed at Reno. He had some nerve to say a thing like that. He huffed and sat on the couch flipping aimlessly through the channels before leaving it on a saw movie. Nothing like a good old scary movie to scare the shit out of you. He went to the fridge and got a popsicle. He licked it while he watched the screen. It was peach flavored and he liked it very much. He enjoyed the frozen treat until he thought he heard something. Sobbing? He grabbed two more popsicles and decided to bring a little cheer upstairs. He stopped by Reno's room first, but it wasn't the red head crying. He heard Rufus yelling for Reno and he frowned. "Hey, boss...why call for Reno? I'm the one taking care of you...Reno's job is Dark Nation."

Rufus cried harder at the sight of Cloud, alive and well standing in his doorway. "B-Boss? Was it Reno and my yelling? I'm sorry." Cloud went to his bedside and sat on the bed. He set the Popsicle still in it's wrapper on Rufus's bedside table. "O my god..o my god..." Rufus cried, holding Cloud close. He notched the boy was wearing a big puffy bathrobe when the house was plenty warm. He saw an odd scratch just under the sleeve and grabbed Cloud's arm, pushing the sleeve up and covering his mouth in absolute horror. "OH MY GOD!!!" Rufus screamed, dropping Cloud's arm and slapping the younger blond in the face. "GET OUT!!! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU EVER AGAIN!!!" Rufus screamed at the puzzled and rather frightened teenager. Cloud got up, turned heel and ran. He had to get away from here. He cried and it blurred his vision, causing him to stubble and fall multiple times before he got out of the house with all of his belongings, riding away as fast as he could.

Rufus blinked, surprised my his own reaction. He knew he'd probably hurt Cloud very badly with his word and actions. He sighed deeply and regretted getting so angry with someone who cared so much about him. He should have expected it, but somehow it had been horrifying all the same. His whole arm had been torn all to hell and Rufus was afraid to know what the rest of his body might look like. What he couldn't understand was why Cloud was blaming himself like that.

Cloud went back home and was greeted by Tifa. She frowned at the tears that streamed down his beautiful face. He looked at her, seeming completely devastated. She shook her head. "Reno?" she questioned and Cloud shook his head no, letting out a heart broken sob. "I-It was Rufus..." he said and dropped his bags. She sat down as he slid to the floor, holding him to her chest. "He said he didn't ever want to see me again." the young man said with a quiet sob. Tifa kept holding him. "Why did he say that Cloud?" She asked, not understanding why Cloud had been kicked out of Rufus's house. Cloud showed her his arms. "He saw and he got mad at me." he said quietly and she nodded. Shed already known about all of the habits of her house mate. "Stay here." she said and went out the door.

Tifa was really pissed. She drove over to Rufus's house and stormed in, walking up to the crippled man's room. "What the hell is wrong with you?! That boy is hurting and you decide to go and tell him that you basically hate him?!" She was fuming. "He's hurt because his guilt is eating him alive! He's going to end up dead if you say crap like that to him! You're all so cruel and don't even try to understand him! He's sensitive and he loves you more than his own fucking life!" she was all in Rufus's face. "Then that dumb red headed bitch Reno always talking shit! You know how many times Cloud has cried simply because he wanted Reno to like him? He feels so unwanted and his self esteem is so low that I sometimes wonder if he even has any." Sje couldn't believe Rufus had done this to her baby and she planned to make him pay.

Dimly through a cloud of sleep and unawareness Reno became aware of someone calling out to him, but he figured it was just his dream. In his dream he was transported back to when he and Cloud were sharing a bed only things had gone so much differently, they actually talked. Sure monkeys were swinging in the background being chased by a bunch of miniature Dark Nation’s while little Shino’s watched from every available perch in the room. From the shelves that contained little bric-a-brac to the nightstand that held a glass of ice cold water with blood red ice cubes floating inside it. But it wasn’t the entertainment of Dark Nation chasing the monkeys around the room, or Shino meowing a cheery tune that caught his attention but the laughter and happiness in Cloud’s eyes as they talked. “Why do you do what you do to yourself Cloud? Dream Reno asked rolling on his side to face Cloud, the blondes face dimmed growing sadder more like the Cloud Reno saw every single day. “It’s because I feel so guilty, everything that happened to Rufus was my fault. Our boss needed my help and I did nothing to help him. I just stood there staring unable to move as he cried out in pain. It’s not an image I can easily forget and each time I see our boss I’m reminded of what I did. I hurt myself to give myself the same pain our boss feels” Cloud looked close to tears and for some reason the sight of the blond crying touched Reno, gathering the blond to his chest he let the boy cry himself out their arms wrapped tightly around each other, Reno’s in strength and comfort, Cloud seeking comfort and needing love. “You know it won’t help him though right, this hurting yourself will only hurt him more if he were to ever find out” Reno pointed out tilting Cloud’s tear stained face up to met his gaze. He was seized by a sudden impulse to kiss those lips but pushed the urge aside.

Unexpectedly Cloud disappeared from Reno’s hold and he was left clutching a Cloud doll with a crooked smile stitched on its eerie face. The smile looked pained, the same smile the Cloud in life wore every day. The real flesh and blood Cloud stood on the edge of the bed a razor in his hands a demented smile on his face though pain flared in his blue eyes. “I can’t stop myself Reno, this guilt it’s eating me alive. I want to tear it out of my body. Tear this body to pieces for being too weak, too selfish to save the man who’s like a father to me” blood spurted from numerable wounds crisscrossing Cloud’s body although he hadn’t moved an inch. Reno could do nothing but watch in horror as blood started to seep from Cloud’s eyes. The razor in his hand turned into a blade with a hook on the end, the evil looking thing caught the light glinting in shades of red. It thirsted for blood that much was obvious, almost like the blade was a beloved child Cloud stroked the edge slicing open his finger to the bone. But he didn’t notice wrapping both hands around the hilt staining the leather crimson Cloud thrust the blade into his stomach and twisted gritting his teeth in the same demented smile as he yanked the blade out spilling his innards onto the ground. Reno swallowed painfully and raised his eyes to Cloud’s face, only now it was free of the blood and the smile was gone replaced by an unfathomable sadness Reno wanted to take away. “Protect me from myself I can’t stop” he gasped his eyes the same remarkable blue filled with tears as he slumped over.

The red head woke with a start clutching his chest as if he had just had a heart attack, he hadn’t but his heart raced about a million miles a minute and he was clutched by the urge to find Cloud and crush the blond to him till he was sure he was safe. Slowly as though his ears were a badly tuned stereo he picked up the sounds of yelling coming from down the hall. He glanced over at the clock 4am. Groaning he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went to check out the noise. What he found surprised him Tifa all up in Rufus’s face spouting shit about Cloud as if the boy were an angel. It was starting to piss him off especially when she got to the part about him talking shit. It wasn’t his fault Cloud was too much of an idiot to think about Reno’s words or to man up and stop crying about every single thing. A frown graced his handsome face and tactfully he slid in between the two people. “Tifa shut the fuck up and listen to goddamn reason for once would you?” he snapped annoyed with the yelling. “If you were so worried about Cloud hurting himself why did you leave him?” he asked an eyebrow raised in question, he wasn’t yelling yet but he might be soon if either one said so much as a word. “Second both of these two are hurt don’t you see it? Sure Rufus shouldn’t have snapped but how would you feel knowing someone was hurting themselves on your account huh? And you know what Cloud really needs is a swift kick in the ass not babysome codling Tifa, if anyone were to leave him with me I would make him happy. I could make him laugh but the boy can’t stand me.” He stopped talking as the words sunk home, Cloud really couldn’t stand him so what was the point of even trying? The money was worthless if he wouldn’t fulfill the requirements. With a sigh he dug the bag out of his coat pocket he had taken the time to put on. Unopened he set the bag on Rufus’s lap. It was all there including the money paid to take care of Dark Nation. “I give up, I quit I’m sorry Rufus please find someone else, Rude. He can take care of Dark Nation and he gets along well with Cloud it should be a lot easier on you”

Reno didn’t wait for an answer he left the house and walked the five miles to his home, Rude wasn’t there having actually gone home for the night. The only thing he had gone to grab before leaving Rufus’s was Shino his white ball of fur. Setting his cat on the couch he went to the kitchen and grabbed a few beers, sadness stuck in his chest making him irritable and snappy even with his cat, flipping on the TV he flipped around until he caught the replay of saw and started to drown himself in beer. After a few drinks he felt better, after a few more he was numb, another and he became mean. Shino slunk under the bed having had a pillow chucked at her when she meowed and tried to crawl onto his lap. Reno sunk lower on the couch glowering at the woman on the screen who was screaming in pain as a body part was torn off. Lifting the bottle to his lips he was surprised to find it empty, throwing it aside to join its brothers in littering the ground. The door opened emitting a surprised Rude who found Reno completely drunk on the couch. “Dude what happened?” Reno waved him off slurring something about Cloud and Rufus being idiots and how they need to shove something up their asses Rude couldn’t really make out the word. Plopping down on the couch beside Reno he drew the smaller man onto his lap and wrapped his arms protectively around his best friend. “Lemme go” Reno slurred struggling ineffectually to free himself. Rude only tightened his grip until Reno finally passed out with a snore. “Idiot” he murmured affectionately brushing a strand of bright red hair out of Reno’s face and placing a kiss on his soft lips open in a soft snore. His breath smelled strongly of alcohol but Rude didn’t mind and kissed him again before picking him up and tucking him into bed.

Tifa went home after Rufus stopped talking to her and went to sleep. She nearly threw up as she walked in. Blood was everywhere. She could hear Denzel sobbing in the background. Cloud was laying there on the couch, torn all to peices. She didn't even think a normal person could sustain injuries like that and live. Maybe he was dead? He wasn't moving. She told Denzel to shut up, making the orphan cry harder. Cloud had taken that child in and become his best friend. Denzel had seen Cloud's transformation from a fun loving man to a hurt and afraid little boy. Tifa knew that Cloud was just hurt because he felt like a failure. He was only 17. If anything, Rufus had been responsible for his safety, not the other way around.

Tifa picked him up, not wanting to take him to a hospital. They'd put him in a straight jacket for behavior like this. She decoded to go to Reno for help. Contrary to popular belief, Cloud didn't hate that guy. Not even close. he just didn't know how to communicate with him. The fact that he wanted to be liked by Rni so bad was proof that he didn't hate him. She put Cloud in th car, ignoring Denzel's terrified sobs and drove to th Sinclair residence. She picked Cloud up and simply walked into the house. She was greeted by Rude who's eyes widened at what appeared to be no more than a corpse. "Help me. I can't help him. He's hurt really bad this time and if I take him to a hospital they'll put him in the crazy house." she stroked the Blond hair that was matted in blood. "Stay with me baby." she whispered to the boy shed come to fall in love with, despite that she knew he'd never feel the same way. He was gay and rather interested in someone, but he wouldn't say who. She figured it was Rufus.

Rude helped her stitch up the really bad wounds and wash up the more minor ones. She looked at his thin figure and sighed. He really was beautiful even in this condition. She took him and washed his hair, getting all of the grusome blood out of it. She dried it and saw that it naturally went up in those unruly spikes of his. "He'll wale up in a day or two.." she said after having Rude pump some of his blood into her friend since they shared the same blood type.

The next morning Tifa woke up on tue couch, leaning on Rude who was still half asleep. Cloud was kind of awake, but still seemed to worn to even sit up. Tifa went to him and saw that his eyes were open. "Hey, how you doing?" she asked and he just shrugged. "Dunno." he whispered almost silently and she shook her head. "Were's Reno..?" he muttered and she smiled. "He's in his bed with a hangover I think. He was smashed last night." Cloud frowned. "Idiot.." he mumbled. She rolled herbeyes. "And you're not one? You were half dead when I found you. Not to mention you were only in a string bikini bottom. Denzel dragged you out to the couch because he's the one that found you like that. It's not good for a boy his age to see something like that." he looked so horribly sad and it was killing Tifa. "I'll go get Reno."

Tifa knew that the only reason he called for Reno was because he was only half awake and he really, deep down, cared about Reno. She went back and picked Cloud up, laying him in Reno's bed. She smiled when the little blond imediatly curled up next to him and fell asleep. He'd nestled his head into Reno's chest and he seemed at peace. She walked out and sat on the couch with Rude.

When Cloud woke up, he was greeting with Reno who smelled like a bar. Cloud frowned. "And you tell me not to hue myself." he mumbled. Cloud stroked the redhead's face lovingly and traced his lips with one finger. He'd never noticed just how handsome Reno was until now. He'd certainly never seen him so close before and he stared at Reno dreamily. He snuggled back up to Reno after gently leaning down and kissing his cheek, catching the side of his mouth in the process.

The red head drifted In and out of sleep, odd flashes of dreams floated across his subconscious little snippets making themselves known here and there. A vivid scene of Rude carrying him to bed that probably wasn’t a dream, a snowman pitching pillows at his head dream, Rude leaning down to kiss his forehead not dream, a bat floating on the water in a canoe dream, Tifa looking down at him dream? Tifa carrying Cloud into the room, Cloud decked out in only a string bikini that didn’t do much to cover him, though showed off his long legs to a real advantage dream? Not dream? Everything was very surreal to Reno’s alcohol clogged mind. Cloud curling up against him and pressing a small kiss to the side of his mouth, dream? That part had to be a dream Cloud would never cuddle up against him, would never kiss him if he could help it. The only possible way Cloud would ever kiss him is if Rufus’s life was on the line or something. Wonder who’s watching him right now? that thought drifted through his mind for less than a second to be replaced by a vivid image of Shino meowing at his face.

He wasn’t dreaming anymore, coming awake with a groan he shooed the cat away without even opening his eyes, pain pounded just behind his eyelids strong and unrelenting. That was the last time he ever drank that much again, he went to lift his hand to his face to massage his eyelids when a warm weight made itself known resting just on his chest. Grunting with pain and confusion he cracked open an eye and immediately closed it as the sun shining through the blinds seared his eye. Taking a few minutes to get a hold of himself and ignore the pain, nausea, and sluggishness that came rolled into the worst hangover he had ever had.

Somehow he managed to open his eyes and peered down into the face of a sleeping Cloud. Soft blonde hair framed a small pale face completely sweet and at peace in its sleep. Forcing back his pounding headache somehow he reached out and traced his fingertip along Cloud’s smooth cheek. A small furry head butted his head demanding attention, still groggy and in pain he pushed the head away instead gathering the smaller man against his chest and nestling his cheek in the soft nest of hair that lay near his head. In a few moments he had drifted off to sleep.

When he woke two hours later Cloud was still resting and his headache had started to ebb away, it was still there pounding right behind his eyes but it wasn’t as demanding as before. Able to focus now he studied Cloud’s face, sleeping I could so take advantage of that slipping his fingers under Cloud’s chin he tilted it up and kissed the sleeping young man lightly. Reno wasn’t entirely sure what had possessed him to kiss the man who still probably disliked him strongly why is he laying here then? Curled up against me with his head on my chest? his inner voice asked in a matter of fact way that left Reno speechless. Ignoring the voice he pressed another small kiss against Cloud’s lips using the young man’s sleeping state to his advantage. That was until he felt him stir in which case he abruptly pulled back and feigned sleep not wanting to have been caught sneaking a kiss.

Cloud was most certainly awake when lips pressed against his. They were gentle and warm, soft. Cloud hadn't dared open his eyes for fear that those lips might move away and sure enough, just as he began to stir, they did. He looked over to see Reno, faking sleep. He climb up on top of him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Why would you stop?" he asked very softly, but gave no time for an answer as he leaned down and kissed Reno, causing a tingle to run up his spine. He laid his head on Reno's chest afterwards and laid in between his legs, peering up into Reno's face. "Didn't you get it before? I don't act like an ass because I hate you, I act like an ass because I want you." He leaned up and pressed a kiss to Reno's jaw. "I don't want to fight with you anymore." he said, his voice cracking like he might cry, but he held it back. "I'll try to be stronger from now on. I won't cry as much." Cloud promised, knowing that he'd never really liked the way Cloud cried about everything that went wrong. He didn't want to be displeasing.

Cloud heard Tifa walk in and she cleared her throat awkwardly. Cloud laughed nervously, knowing he was caught. "Hey Tifa." he said and plastered a smile to his face. She frowned and cocked an eyebrow. "Get off of him Cloud. He's drunk and taking advantage of him is rude. You know that." She saw Cloud's unbearable smile and frowned. "What?" she asked. "He started it!" Cloud whined and made no action to move away from Reno. "He's so warm and comfortable." Cloud said and laid his head back down of Reno's lovely chest.

Rude walked in because of Tifa's scolding and snarled at what he saw. Cloud was laying on Reno and now kissing him. Rude yanked Cloud off by his hair and threw him to the floor. "Get off of him!" Rude said strongly. "What do you think you're doing? How could you take advantage of him like that?!" Rude asked and Cloud scowled. "Listen you jealous punk, he started it! You can't just sling every person to the ground that you're Jealous of!" Cloud frowned and stood, brushing himself off. "Reno, didn't you start this? I didn't do anything wrong!"

“Well you played a very good role of let’s fool Reno into thinking I hate him by yelling at him for every single thing he says” the red head pointed out trying to ignore the roaring in his ears and the onslaught of nausea that decided to make an appearance when Cloud settled himself down on his stomach. Pressing the back of his hand to his lips to hold back the sudden feeling of upchucking he didn’t say anything for a moment. “I don’t want to fight you anymore either Cloud, I actually like you a lot despite the fact that you can be a pansy sometimes” he teased tugging on one of Cloud’s spikes playfully. The jarring movement of the bed as he shifted made his head pound anew “shit I should have never drunk so much last night what the hell was I thinking” he swore closing his eyes and pressing his fingers against his eyes. One arm was wrapped tightly around Cloud and all he wanted to do was stay here in bed with Cloud until his hangover had passed. Then maybe have some fun when it did.

People had other plans though, first in the form of Tifa coming into bug the pair and then Rude who flipped the fuck out and threw Cloud down on the floor by his hair. Reno despite the throbbing in his head sat up as quick as his sluggish body would allow to yell at Rude. “Yes Rude I sure as hell did start it, I kissed him first. Besides I’m not drunk anymore I just have a goddamn hangover that thanks to all you people is worse than ever. At least with Cloud I was warm and comfortable and about to fall back to sleep. But no you guys had to come in and ruin that didn’t you. You Cloud get back into bed with me. Rude! Tifa! Get the fuck out!” he snapped before falling back onto his pillow pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes swearing under his breath. The hangover had not left him in a good mood and he knew he was being mean to the man who had helped take care of him last night and who was trying to do so now. “Rude thank you for getting me to bed last night” Rude grunted in reply stung by Reno’s words. Though only for a second he knew Reno was just being Reno grabbing Tifa by the arm he led the woman out glancing back to be sure Cloud was crawling back into bed with the angry red head.

Reno wrapped his arms around Cloud and rolled so Cloud was on bottom and he could pillow his head on his stomach, it was a warm comfy pillow and instantly or so it seemed he fell asleep.

Cloud winced as Reno laid on his stomach but didn't move him. He still had some wounds that hadn't really healed up. He got over the pain and then smiled at the sleeping Reno. He wasn't sure how Reno thought a bag of bones was a good pillow, bit obviously he did and that was all that mattered. Cloud stroked red hair with love, trying to ignore the smell of heavy alcohol. Cloud frowned a what he was wearing. He waas just in a golden, metallic string bikini bottom. He wasn't surprised, just embarrassed to be dressed in such a sluty fashion in front of Reno. He didn't want his new lover to think he was some sort of skank. He only wore this when he decided to cut. It exposed more skin for him to tear apart. He had to admit he didn't look bad in this though. His legs were smooth and long, very feminine in appearance. He had very pale, smooth skin all over that was only marred by wounds, no real scars. Tifa was good at cleaning up his messes and stitching him up in a way that left no evidence of it being there in the first place. Cloud stopped thinking about all of this and then fell asleep.

Cloud started dreaming some very vivid things that could only be considered as inappropriate. He found them pleasant and didn't really want to wake at that moment. Then they moved on to bad dreams, nightmares. He kept dreaming of being betrayed or dying or someone he loved dying. He jolted a bit in his sleep. His dreams were so vivid. He dreamed of the explosion at the old Shinra again, only this time it wasn't Rufus in the room. It was Reno. He again failed to save the one who needed him most, but Reno didn't just come out paralyzed, he died. Cloud had been to late and the rubble had killed him. Dream Cloud ran to the dead body of the red head and saw his face was still beautiful, he still looked sinfully gorgeous. In his dream he just held th corpse crying and screaming.

Cloud woke and felt tears running constantly down his face. He had the worst urge to torture himself, but with Reno laying here and Tifa and Rude in the other room, he couldn't. He thought of how terrified Rufus must have been, all alone and run through by that metal pole. He wiped away his tears, trying to dry it up and not wake Reno. He didn't want the redhead calling him a pansy again even if he was one. He looked over at a clock and saw it was already six at night. No doubt Reno's hangover would be long gone by then. Cloud gently moved him and then stood, cracking hos back by arching it. He'd shown off his body to the world when he'd done so.

Cloud walked to the kitchen, tiptoeing past the room that was closed and he knew Rude and Tifa were in. He opened the frodge and got some food and a two soda's he then moved back to Reno's room. He poked the redhead's cheek. "Pssst..." he poked him again. "I brought us some dinner." he said, not really knowing if Reno could hear him.

Back with Tifa and Rude

Tifa stared at the bald man for a moment. He was so handsome and so very sweet. She sighed, knowing she was starting to fall for him. "Hey Rude? Are you gay?" she asked, hopeful he'd say he was at least bisexual. She didn't give him time to answer her question though, because she'd captured his lips in a kiss. She'd tried to hold bak how she felt, but it hadn't worked. Shed been to close to him an his lips had seemed far to tempting to back away. She marveled at how soft this man's lips were. They felt nice and she was intoxicated by him. She'd slid her arms up around his neck, still kissing him without seeing how he felt about it.

“Neh, neh” the red head tried to wave off whatever it was that was poking his face, couldn’t they just leave him and Cloud alone? Wait…. Reno cracked open an eye to find the one poking him was Cloud, well that was okay then. Thankfully his hangover had long since left, although he still smelled like a brewery and really needed a shower. But food came first it was actually the word food that really had him opening his eyes, yawning he sat up accepting the soda from Cloud gratefully. “What time is it?” he asked groggily popping the top and taking a long gulp, he drank too much too fast and ended up in a fit of coughing when some of the pop went down the wrong pipe. Taking another smaller sip to steady himself he cast an interested look on the food the blond had brought into the room for them both. “Damn it’s already dinnertime? I slept all day. Don’t you ever let me drink that much again” he said almost as if Cloud had even been able to stop him from drinking last night. To be honest he could barely remember the night before, a parade of elephants could have marched through his room and he never would have remembered, the only thing he remembered clearly was waking up with Cloud on his chest.

Stealing a piece of cold chicken he munched on it finishing it quickly and chewing on the bone like he was some sort of animal. After awhile though he gave the bone to Shino his cat loved to chew on chicken bones and get all the marrow out. “I’m sorry about everything Cloud, I guess we both just didn’t have the guts to admit how much we liked each other, instead we just yelled and got mad at one another to cover up our feelings….” Leaning forward he hooked his arm around Clouds waist and pulled him onto his lap pressing soft little kisses against the back of his neck. “I’m just glad that part is over with, I like you Cloud a lot and it hurt me to see what you were doing to yourself”

Back with Rude and Tifa

Surprised by the sudden kiss Rude almost pushed the beautiful woman away, almost. Once he got over his surprise he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. She wasn’t his Reno and he wasn’t her Cloud but somehow that made it better, they had both been pinning after guys they knew they could never have. It was okay for them to find solace in one another, it was okay to find that they really did like each other despite liking others as well. “Tifa, are you sure about this I mean I know how you feel about Cloud. Maybe you aren’t ready yet” he pointed out though his arms didn’t release their hold and his lips which had found their way to her neck didn’t move instead blowing hot air on it. He didn’t want to let go they had both been lonely way to long.

Cloud watched Remo eat the food so quickly that he was afraid the red head might choke. He himself, in his half starved condition had managed to eat his even quicker than Reno had. He nodded when Reno said he was sorry. "I am too. We could have already been together if either of us had guts." he gasped as he was pulled into Reno's lap. The soft kisses made him shudder, a moan sliding past his lips. "R-Reno?" he questioned, wondering the intentions of the others actions.

Rude and Tifa

Tifa shook her head slowly. "No, I'm sure this is what I want. It took Reno and Cloud to make me realize it, but you're what I want." she whispered and moved closer to him. "I wish I'd taken time to notice it before. I can't believe I never noticed my own feelings for you."