Hazard Pay, Part 3
Title: Hazard Pay
Part 3
Author: lilymoon1
Fandom: FFVII, Advent Children
Pairing: Reno/Cloud
Rating: PG-13 at present, to go up
Spoilers: references to the movie
Warnings: nothing other than this is yaoi
Disclaimer: the usual, Square Enix owns, I don't.
A/N Special thanks to iggy_lovechild for insights into Reno and Rufus' relationship with the Turks
Reno covered a yawn with his hand and tipped his chair back to lean against the wall. The room was quiet except for the scratching of a pen. As far as Reno was concerned, watching ice melt would have been more exciting. Cloud had been in his office for hours working at getting his business up and running again. Reno had given up all pretense of subtlety and lounged in one of the office chairs. Except for a slightly annoyed frown, Cloud hadn't made any objection. Reno wondered if the man even noticed his continued presence.
For some reason, after the bar incident, Cloud had been sticking closer to home. Reno didn't question why. He was just as glad not to have to ride around in the frigid weather. Winter had fully descended on Midgar and while Reno had argued, whined and coerced Rufus into letting him get a better bike at the company's expense, it provided no protection from the elements. Reno was going to be miserable if he had to follow Strife on deliveries. Shivering in anticipation of the idea, Reno yawned again and let his eyes drift closed.
"Go get us some coffee from downstairs."
The quietly voiced request had Reno's eyes snapping open and the chair settled to all four legs with a soft thud. He looked at the blond head bent over the paperwork in disbelief. Cloud was speaking to him? No. Even more unbelievable. Cloud wanted him to fetch and play waitress?
"Excuse me?" Reno asked.
Cloud sighed and drug his fingers through his spiky hair.
"I said go get us some coffee from down in the bar."
"Do I look like your fetch and carry boy?"
Another tired sigh. "Reno, if you're going to just hang about all day and get in my way, you can make yourself useful. I want some coffee. You're about to fall asleep, in my office mind you, and you have nothing better to do. Since when have you ever turned down a free drink of any kind?"
"Not what I usually drink," Reno mumbled, still a little amazed.
For Cloud, that had practically been a speech. Usually Reno could count on one hand the number of words Cloud said in a day. The man seemed to have a serious aversion to speaking and would refrain if a head gesture could get the point across. Reno had taken to talking to himself just to fill the silence and also to see if he could get a response from Cloud. Purely to amuse himself he would give a running commentary on whatever was going on around them. Cloud had never responded, but once or twice Reno had caught him listening with what looked like mild interest.
"Well?"
Reno huffed and stood to stretch his arms over his head, relieving a kink in his back. It annoyed him that he was getting out of shape doing nothing.
"Fine. How do you take it?" he asked.
"Black. Six sugars."
Reno made a gagging noise. "Why don't I just see if Tifa has any syrup down there?"
Cloud didn't answer the jibe, already back to paperwork. Reno watched him for another minute.
"Whatever. I'm only going 'cause coffee sounds good. Don't think I'm going to wait on you all the time."
The bar downstairs was dark and unoccupied except for Tifa in the morning hours. She looked up from where she was stocking as Reno entered.
"Are you leaving?" Tifa asked.
"No such luck, babe," Reno returned easily. Tifa had been a little nicer towards him after his bike had been destroyed. He reasoned she probably felt a bit guilty that it had been done on her premises. "Cloud wants coffee."
"Hmmm," Tifa pointed at the full coffee pot. "He takes..."
"Yeah, I know," Reno interrupted. "Six sugars. Yechh! I'm surprised he doesn't bounce off the walls if he drinks that all the time."
Tifa smiled at him for the first time in weeks. "Cloud has a sweet tooth. I've got some muffins you can take back upstairs with you, too. He probably hasn't eaten today."
"You, too? Why am I all of a sudden Cloud's personal assistant?"
Tifa's smile faded. "Why are you watching him, Reno? You practically dog his every step."
"The truth? I have no fucking clue."
"Don't you even think about it?"
Reno shrugged. "Sure I have, but I've got my orders. Rufus is trying to get Shinra Company back on its feet. He's even got Rude running errands when he's not on guard duty."
"He's not trying to use mako energy again, is he?" Tifa's voice turned hard and chilly.
"Not that I've seen," Reno replied. "Look, Tifa, I'm not any happier about this assignment than the rest of you. There's a dozen other things I'd prefer doing."
Tifa placed a serving platter on the bar with a half dozen muffins on it and took the coffee cups from Reno to set in place. She went back to stocking without questioning Reno anymore.
"See if he'll eat something."
Reno took the platter and left, grumbling something about playing nurse maid to a grown man and overprotective women with mothering complexes. For good measure he threw in a couple of curses concerning bitchy employers with cryptic, boring assignments. Even though he had had a private meeting with Rufus the night before demanding some answers, Reno was still unhappy. Rufus had seemed reluctant to talk to him until Reno had nastily made the suggestion that it appeared that Rufus no longer trusted him as a Turk. The anger that had flashed in Rufus' eyes at the allegation had Reno taking a step back but not backing down. In cold, clipped words Rufus had informed him that it was because he was one of the most dependable Turks that he had the job.
Rufus had then went on to explain that he had received intel that a new group had arisen that was against not only Shinra itself, but had Cloud as a target. They appeared to be some wacked out followers of the deceased Remnants. Reno's job was not just to watch Cloud's activities but to provide backup if Cloud were to be attacked. Incredulous over the idea he was protecting Cloud, Reno had asked why Rufus was so concerned for Cloud's safety. His eyes flashing with anger over Reno continuing to question him, Rufus had only said quietly that Sephiroth had come back from the dead before. Who was to say it couldn't happen again and ruin all that Shinra was helping to rebuild. Somewhat mollified, Reno had snapped a lazy salute to his boss and went back to work. Obviously, he couldn't let Cloud or his friends know the real reason he was tailing Cloud or all hell would break loose led by an irate blond wielding a really big sword.
When he returned to the office Cloud was sitting with his head down on his crossed arms.
"Hey, Cloud! No sleeping on the job, man," Reno said loudly.
Cloud sat up slowly, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes and blinking at Reno. He took the mug extended to him and sipped while watching Reno over the rim. Cloud noticed the muffins and questioned Reno with a raised eyebrow.
"Eat something. Mama Tifa's orders."
Reno would swear Cloud's lips almost twitched into a smile at his description of Tifa. He took a muffin for himself and settled back in his chair. Cloud popped a bit of muffin into his mouth and closed his eyes in appreciation. The look on his face gave Reno a jolt that nearly caused him to spill his coffee. Flushing a bit, Reno had to look away from the other man. His reaction to Cloud's look of pleasure unnerved him and at the same time made him want to see more of it. It was an attractive look for Cloud, much better than his usual world weary frown.
It was Reno's turn to frown at himself. Attractive? Um, yeah, he was definitely spending too much time with only Cloud for company if he was starting to think like that.
"I have a delivery to make tomorrow," Cloud interrupted his train of thought.
"And you're telling me, why?" Reno asked.
Cloud took another muffin. Reno watched him bite into it with small, even white teeth and lick a crumb from his lips before answering. It made Reno shift in his chair and want to cross his legs or adjust his pants.
"You're going to follow me, right? You'll need to dress for the weather or you'll freeze to death," Cloud answered, unperturbed that Reno would tail him again.
"Right," Reno murmured unhappily. Oh joy, a ride through the nasty weather. What a thing to look forward to. Reno wanted to go demand a raise. "You better get some decent sleep, then," he surprised himself by saying.
Evidently it surprised Cloud, too, if the expression on his face was any indication.
"I don't sleep so well these days."
"Why not?" Reno asked as he drank his coffee.
Cloud's face settled into its usual weary frown.
"I just don't," he said and dismissed Reno to get back to his paperwork, his talkative mood gone.
"You're a case, Cloud," Reno said half to himself. "I have no idea why Rufus thinks you need watching, but I can see why Tifa is always so concerned about you."
Cloud just ignored him and continued with his work. Reno shrugged his shoulders and tipped the chair back against the wall again. He might as well make himself comfortable, he figured, if he had to endure the elements the next day. He was still unhappy with his orders, but at least Cloud wasn't treating him like an annoyance anymore. It puzzled Reno all to hell why that little fact should make him feel any better.
Damn Shinra for choosing him and his own wandering mind. If he kept it up things could get really uncomfortable.
Part 3
Author: lilymoon1
Fandom: FFVII, Advent Children
Pairing: Reno/Cloud
Rating: PG-13 at present, to go up
Spoilers: references to the movie
Warnings: nothing other than this is yaoi
Disclaimer: the usual, Square Enix owns, I don't.
A/N Special thanks to iggy_lovechild for insights into Reno and Rufus' relationship with the Turks
Reno covered a yawn with his hand and tipped his chair back to lean against the wall. The room was quiet except for the scratching of a pen. As far as Reno was concerned, watching ice melt would have been more exciting. Cloud had been in his office for hours working at getting his business up and running again. Reno had given up all pretense of subtlety and lounged in one of the office chairs. Except for a slightly annoyed frown, Cloud hadn't made any objection. Reno wondered if the man even noticed his continued presence.
For some reason, after the bar incident, Cloud had been sticking closer to home. Reno didn't question why. He was just as glad not to have to ride around in the frigid weather. Winter had fully descended on Midgar and while Reno had argued, whined and coerced Rufus into letting him get a better bike at the company's expense, it provided no protection from the elements. Reno was going to be miserable if he had to follow Strife on deliveries. Shivering in anticipation of the idea, Reno yawned again and let his eyes drift closed.
"Go get us some coffee from downstairs."
The quietly voiced request had Reno's eyes snapping open and the chair settled to all four legs with a soft thud. He looked at the blond head bent over the paperwork in disbelief. Cloud was speaking to him? No. Even more unbelievable. Cloud wanted him to fetch and play waitress?
"Excuse me?" Reno asked.
Cloud sighed and drug his fingers through his spiky hair.
"I said go get us some coffee from down in the bar."
"Do I look like your fetch and carry boy?"
Another tired sigh. "Reno, if you're going to just hang about all day and get in my way, you can make yourself useful. I want some coffee. You're about to fall asleep, in my office mind you, and you have nothing better to do. Since when have you ever turned down a free drink of any kind?"
"Not what I usually drink," Reno mumbled, still a little amazed.
For Cloud, that had practically been a speech. Usually Reno could count on one hand the number of words Cloud said in a day. The man seemed to have a serious aversion to speaking and would refrain if a head gesture could get the point across. Reno had taken to talking to himself just to fill the silence and also to see if he could get a response from Cloud. Purely to amuse himself he would give a running commentary on whatever was going on around them. Cloud had never responded, but once or twice Reno had caught him listening with what looked like mild interest.
"Well?"
Reno huffed and stood to stretch his arms over his head, relieving a kink in his back. It annoyed him that he was getting out of shape doing nothing.
"Fine. How do you take it?" he asked.
"Black. Six sugars."
Reno made a gagging noise. "Why don't I just see if Tifa has any syrup down there?"
Cloud didn't answer the jibe, already back to paperwork. Reno watched him for another minute.
"Whatever. I'm only going 'cause coffee sounds good. Don't think I'm going to wait on you all the time."
The bar downstairs was dark and unoccupied except for Tifa in the morning hours. She looked up from where she was stocking as Reno entered.
"Are you leaving?" Tifa asked.
"No such luck, babe," Reno returned easily. Tifa had been a little nicer towards him after his bike had been destroyed. He reasoned she probably felt a bit guilty that it had been done on her premises. "Cloud wants coffee."
"Hmmm," Tifa pointed at the full coffee pot. "He takes..."
"Yeah, I know," Reno interrupted. "Six sugars. Yechh! I'm surprised he doesn't bounce off the walls if he drinks that all the time."
Tifa smiled at him for the first time in weeks. "Cloud has a sweet tooth. I've got some muffins you can take back upstairs with you, too. He probably hasn't eaten today."
"You, too? Why am I all of a sudden Cloud's personal assistant?"
Tifa's smile faded. "Why are you watching him, Reno? You practically dog his every step."
"The truth? I have no fucking clue."
"Don't you even think about it?"
Reno shrugged. "Sure I have, but I've got my orders. Rufus is trying to get Shinra Company back on its feet. He's even got Rude running errands when he's not on guard duty."
"He's not trying to use mako energy again, is he?" Tifa's voice turned hard and chilly.
"Not that I've seen," Reno replied. "Look, Tifa, I'm not any happier about this assignment than the rest of you. There's a dozen other things I'd prefer doing."
Tifa placed a serving platter on the bar with a half dozen muffins on it and took the coffee cups from Reno to set in place. She went back to stocking without questioning Reno anymore.
"See if he'll eat something."
Reno took the platter and left, grumbling something about playing nurse maid to a grown man and overprotective women with mothering complexes. For good measure he threw in a couple of curses concerning bitchy employers with cryptic, boring assignments. Even though he had had a private meeting with Rufus the night before demanding some answers, Reno was still unhappy. Rufus had seemed reluctant to talk to him until Reno had nastily made the suggestion that it appeared that Rufus no longer trusted him as a Turk. The anger that had flashed in Rufus' eyes at the allegation had Reno taking a step back but not backing down. In cold, clipped words Rufus had informed him that it was because he was one of the most dependable Turks that he had the job.
Rufus had then went on to explain that he had received intel that a new group had arisen that was against not only Shinra itself, but had Cloud as a target. They appeared to be some wacked out followers of the deceased Remnants. Reno's job was not just to watch Cloud's activities but to provide backup if Cloud were to be attacked. Incredulous over the idea he was protecting Cloud, Reno had asked why Rufus was so concerned for Cloud's safety. His eyes flashing with anger over Reno continuing to question him, Rufus had only said quietly that Sephiroth had come back from the dead before. Who was to say it couldn't happen again and ruin all that Shinra was helping to rebuild. Somewhat mollified, Reno had snapped a lazy salute to his boss and went back to work. Obviously, he couldn't let Cloud or his friends know the real reason he was tailing Cloud or all hell would break loose led by an irate blond wielding a really big sword.
When he returned to the office Cloud was sitting with his head down on his crossed arms.
"Hey, Cloud! No sleeping on the job, man," Reno said loudly.
Cloud sat up slowly, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes and blinking at Reno. He took the mug extended to him and sipped while watching Reno over the rim. Cloud noticed the muffins and questioned Reno with a raised eyebrow.
"Eat something. Mama Tifa's orders."
Reno would swear Cloud's lips almost twitched into a smile at his description of Tifa. He took a muffin for himself and settled back in his chair. Cloud popped a bit of muffin into his mouth and closed his eyes in appreciation. The look on his face gave Reno a jolt that nearly caused him to spill his coffee. Flushing a bit, Reno had to look away from the other man. His reaction to Cloud's look of pleasure unnerved him and at the same time made him want to see more of it. It was an attractive look for Cloud, much better than his usual world weary frown.
It was Reno's turn to frown at himself. Attractive? Um, yeah, he was definitely spending too much time with only Cloud for company if he was starting to think like that.
"I have a delivery to make tomorrow," Cloud interrupted his train of thought.
"And you're telling me, why?" Reno asked.
Cloud took another muffin. Reno watched him bite into it with small, even white teeth and lick a crumb from his lips before answering. It made Reno shift in his chair and want to cross his legs or adjust his pants.
"You're going to follow me, right? You'll need to dress for the weather or you'll freeze to death," Cloud answered, unperturbed that Reno would tail him again.
"Right," Reno murmured unhappily. Oh joy, a ride through the nasty weather. What a thing to look forward to. Reno wanted to go demand a raise. "You better get some decent sleep, then," he surprised himself by saying.
Evidently it surprised Cloud, too, if the expression on his face was any indication.
"I don't sleep so well these days."
"Why not?" Reno asked as he drank his coffee.
Cloud's face settled into its usual weary frown.
"I just don't," he said and dismissed Reno to get back to his paperwork, his talkative mood gone.
"You're a case, Cloud," Reno said half to himself. "I have no idea why Rufus thinks you need watching, but I can see why Tifa is always so concerned about you."
Cloud just ignored him and continued with his work. Reno shrugged his shoulders and tipped the chair back against the wall again. He might as well make himself comfortable, he figured, if he had to endure the elements the next day. He was still unhappy with his orders, but at least Cloud wasn't treating him like an annoyance anymore. It puzzled Reno all to hell why that little fact should make him feel any better.
Damn Shinra for choosing him and his own wandering mind. If he kept it up things could get really uncomfortable.