Can Barely Hide, chapter 4 (original) (raw)
Jul. 8th, 2008 10:56 pm Can Barely Hide, chapter 4
TITLE: Can Barely Hide, chapter 4
PAIRING: Reno X Cloud
AUTHORS: 
lilymoon1 as Reno, grygon as Cloud
RATING: NC-17
WORD COUNT: 3,924
NOTES: This is a RPG between the two writers but we treated it as a fanfic. Edited slightly for spelling and fragments but otherwise unbeta’ed. Please enjoy and please comment. :)
SUMMARY: Reno comes home torn up and Cloud can’t sleep…
Intro/Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter3
Can Barely Hide
chapter 4
Reno was spared from having the "conversation" with Rude only because Tseng had called them both into his office with the details of what should have been an in and out sting on an small underground group plotting against Shinra. As luck would have it, the intel had failed to include the recent addition of a dozen new fanatical members. Reno was late getting home and he looked like hell. His uniform was torn and burnt. His hair was in wild disarray, and he was splashed here and there with blood, some of it his own. Plus, one of the thugs had managed to blacken his eye before Reno put him down like a rabid dog.
Reno hoped to find Cloud at home and just lose himself in his lover to wash away the day, but he also dreaded having Cloud see him at much less than his best. His job was sometimes perilous and violent. Nothing made it more apparent than coming home looking like the loser of a bar brawl.
Reno's tired body perked up a little when he found Fenrir parked. Steeling himself for Cloud's reaction, Reno let himself in the door.
"Cloud?"
He had dozed off at the kitchen table some time after putting the pizza in the oven on low to keep it warm. Hearing his name called and the door close, he shook himself awake and shuffled out of the kitchen. He was awake instantly when he saw Reno. He'd seen worse, but those weren't exactly fond memories.
He knew he shouldn't be surprised. Reno's job wasn't the most safe, to say the least. But it still caused his breath to catch. Making his way closer to Reno he searched his eyes for any sign that something other than some cuts and bruises was wrong.
"Anything broken?" He asked, gently pushing Reno's burnt jacket off his shoulders.
Reno let his ruined jacket fall to the floor and shook his head mutely. This close, he could breathe in Cloud's scent and feel the warmth of his body. Combined with the impending crash after the rush of battle it made his head swim. Reno stumbled slightly and leaned into the solid strength of his lover's arms.
"It's good to be home...with you," Reno whispered hoarsely into the curve of Cloud's neck.
He didn't want to soil Cloud with the blood and dirt covering him and pushed away to stand, limbs shaky with exhaustion.
"Sorry I'm late," Reno said with a crooked smile.
"Don't apologize," Cloud said softly and put an arm under Reno's. "You did what you had to." He helped Reno down the hall and to the restroom.
"Let's get you cleaned up." Cloud began unbuttoning Reno's uniform shirt, careful of the cuts and bruises he revealed under the ruined material. Sliding the shirt off his shoulders he threw it aside and then took his pants and shoes off.
"Can you stand a shower?" His lover looked ready to collapse, but he had to get that blood off his body and get a better look at his wounds.
Reno nodded in answer and struggled to keep his focus long enough to step into the shower. He didn't tell Cloud that he had been pushed to his limit. Tilting his head to look down his battered body, Reno took in the large, round bruise that was darkening in growing circles on his chest and snorted out a laugh.
"I look like a bulls-eye."
Reno raised one blood stained hand until his fingertips hovered over Cloud's cheek. He didn't touch him but traced a phantom caress over the smooth skin then let his arm drop. He cursed softly against the lethargy and slumped against the tile.
"Turn on the water, baby," he asked.
Cloud frowned in concern and quickly striped out of his clothing. Stepping in with Reno he turned the water on and grabbed the shampoo. "Just relax," he said and began to massage the shampoo into Reno's messed hair. "Let me take care of you."
Trying to move quickly so he could get Reno off his feet and resting, Cloud then rinsed and conditioned his hair. Taking a wash cloth he soaked it and rubbed the soap into it. He started at his lover's neck and slowly scrubbed his way south.
"Can you stay home tomorrow?" He asked, worried that Reno would go in only half aware and hurting all over. It would be dangerous to send him back out so soon.
Reno gave a weary shrug and relaxed into Cloud's gentle touch.
"Unless we're called, me and Rude got the day off tomorrow. We did several days' worth of work today."
Letting the warm water and his lovers' hands wash away the blood and stress of the day, Reno slowly started to relax. It always amazed him how keyed up and tense he got during a mission even while projecting his usual unconcerned confidence. Now that his hands were clean except for some slightly oozing abrasions Reno cupped Cloud's face in them.
"C'mere, you. I know a little something that would make me feel better."
Reno closed his lips over Cloud's, delicately licking the corner and sliding his tongue across the seam. That simple touch warmed him more than the water and helped him unwind better than any drink. It made Reno wish he wasn't so damned exhausted. He wondered if he could ever get enough of his lover. Reno deepened the kiss and smoothed his thumbs over Cloud's cheeks. When his legs started to shake he broke off with a groan and had to use the slick shower wall to hold himself upright.
"Much better," Reno sighed and closed his eyes.
With his lips tingling, Cloud quickly finished washing his lover. He could see his strength melting away before his eyes.
"Then you're going to stay in bed and let me take care of you," he said firmly and shut the water off. Grabbing a towel he wrapped it around his lover and began to rub him down.
"Sit down," he guided Reno to sit on the edge of the tub. "Where's your first aid?" He asked, toweling himself off.
"Hmmm?" Reno knew Cloud had asked him something and rewound the last few seconds through his hazy mind. "First aid kit. It's in the cabinet under the sink."
The Turk wanted to just brush off the need for treating his wounds and fall into bed, but he really didn't think Cloud was going to let him. He sighed and tried not to slide to the floor. Better to go with the flow and just be grateful he had someone willing to help. Rude had helped patch him up more than once, but he had never done it with such tenderness. Reno smirked and snickered quietly to himself over the mental image of Rude kissing his boo boos all better. His partner was more likely to chuck the gauze at Reno's head and berate him for not ducking fast enough.
"A day in bed with you sounds fine to me," Reno slurred.
Digging out the kit Cloud treated the worst of his lover's wounds from head to toe. The superficial cuts and abrasions he left alone, figuring to watch them for infection instead of worrying about them now.
With Reno bandaged up and clean, Cloud slipped an arm under his lover's and took his weight as he helped him to the bedroom. He wasn't sure how aware Reno was anymore and so wordlessly crawled under the sheets next to him.
He couldn't sleep. Not for a long time. He stayed awake, monitoring Reno's breathing and now and then kissing his shoulder and arm.
As was normal for him after a stressful mission, Reno slept restlessly. Images of blood and horror kept jerking him awake. Only, this time, each time each awoke he was soothed back to sleep by the warmth and the soft press of kisses from Cloud lying next to him. Reno scooted his sore body as close as possible until he could feel Cloud against his skin from shoulder to toes.
Dawn lightened the room and Reno blinked his eyes against the growing brightness. Cloud still slept with his head tucked against Reno's shoulder, but the dark smudges under the delicate skin beneath his eyes showed that his night hadn't been exactly restful either. Reno turned to cuddle him closer, distantly pleased that his accelerated healing made the movement not as painful as it could have been. His mind raced and Reno wondered what would happen to Cloud if he were ever killed in action. Would the blond retreat back into his cold shell or would he go on as he should and make the best of things?
Reno tightened his hold on his lover. That just wouldn't be allowed to happen. He was fast. He was tough. He was Turk. He finally had the lover he had thought about for years and nothing, not even fickle fate, was going to be allowed to take Cloud from him. Reno laid his lips against Cloud's temple and waited for him to awaken. At least Cloud had hopefully slept through his trembling and moment of abject fear.
Fatigue this time kept him from responding as fast as he had each time Reno had woken during the night. Or maybe it was because this time there wasn't the feeling of urgency in the way his lover stirred and kissed his head. Coming to, slowly at first, Cloud then jerked awake with worry and looked at Reno. He was fine. Tired, but here and awake and not having another nightmare. Cloud relaxed and gently nuzzled Reno's cheek before pressing his lips against Reno's.
"How do you feel?" He asked in a soft and groggy voice. There had been several times during the night he had considered giving his lover a mild sedative or sleep aid to help him avoid the nightmares, but he hadn't for fear that Reno would only become trapped in them when unable to wake when he normally would.
"I feel better than I would if you weren't here," Reno answered honestly. "Thank you, little mother chocobo."
Before Cloud could react to the tease, Reno placed his finger over his lips in a move not unlike what he had done we had first come across Cloud just a few days ago. His other hand slipped between their bodies to take his lover's morning erection into his grasp.
"You know, the evening I had planned didn't happen exactly I expected," Reno breathed into Cloud's ear and stroked lightly. "It was supposed to be something along the lines of dinner, some music and then teasing you into begging me to take you."
Okay, so he was burying his fears. But pleasing his lover was much more acceptable to him than worrying about what ifs that he planned to make sure never happened anyway.
"I love you, Cloud. I've felt that way for years, so don't you be thinking that I'm just saying it."
He believed him. It was a thrilling sensation, to hear those words. It still scared him but he was growing out of that fear and becoming used to this feeling. Licking Reno's finger that pressed his lips he found himself falling into Reno's gorgeous blues. "I love you, too... I was so worried last ni-..."
He parted his lips with a soft gasp as Reno stroked over the underside vein in a particular way. Only he seemed to know all of Cloud's buttons. "Are you going to make me beg now?" He breathed out, pushing his hips forward.
"I think I would love to hear the words fall from your lips in helpless gasps," Reno said and smiled wickedly.
He scooted down further in the bed only hissing a little from the twinge of aches. Reno settled himself between Cloud's thighs with his mouth poised above his cock. He gave it a small lick, but that wasn't his true objective. Eyes twinkling with mischief he slid his knees under Cloud's ass and tossed the blonde’s legs over his shoulders. It left Cloud with his weight resting on his shoulders but his entrance exposed to his lover.
Reno braced Cloud's lower body against his own and wrapped one arm around his waist just above his cock. The other hand he laid on Cloud's chest over his heart. Reno blew a soft puff of air on the puckered entrance then very slowly, making sure Cloud could see his intentions, he stuck out his tongue to trace delicate circles over it.
Cloud's eyes widened and he gasped at the wonderful sensation. Squirming slightly, his heart was already hammering his ribs. "This is torture," he tried to sound reasonable but it came out like a plea. Biting his lip he endured Reno's teasing and felt himself growing more and more desperate.
Aching, Cloud's cock couldn't let him take anymore than a few mere moments. He needed Reno too bad. "Reno, please... hnn. I need you so... aah... much..." His fingers twisted in the sheets.
"Not yet, baby," Reno crooned. "I love to hear you and I'm going to play this morning."
With that said, Reno kept Cloud pinned and ran the flat of his tongue over the inside of his lover's thighs, nipping and sucking, only to return again and again to rim him some more. He particularly liked the crease of exceptionally delicate skin at the junction of hip and pelvis.
Reno laced the fingers of his free hand through one of Cloud's and speared his tongue through the ring of muscle to lave and stretch. His own cock was painfully hard and weeping, but he ignored it in favor of driving his lover mad with sensation.
Gasping and moaning, Cloud arched his neck and shoulders against the bed. Feeling Reno's fingers he clamped his hand tight, gripping his lover's hand like a lifeline as tremors cruised his spine.
That tongue. He loved it. He whimpered and cried as it drove him to new heights of wanting and needing. He gasped and his eyes widened as he felt it inside him. "Reno!" He was breathless by now, each breath coming in shaking gasps. "More... aahn... so good..."
Reno groaned with desire for the man writhing beneath him. His taste, the feel and scent of pale skin, the way the big muscles in his legs trembled, Reno was intoxicated by it all. He slowly lowered Cloud's body until he rested on the bed once again. Under his pillow was a little vial of scented oil and Reno snatched it from its hiding place. He broke the seal, and the scent of something dark and delicious filled the air.
Reno stretched out on his side next to Cloud and reached between his splayed legs with an oil slick hand. Two fingers pushed in easily to stroke Cloud from the inside.
"Damn me but you are beautiful like this," Reno gasped.
He took the head of his lover's cock into his mouth while continuing to make love to him with his fingers.
Cloud couldn't stop the noises his throat made now. It felt so damn good to feel his lover inside him and around him at the same time. Reaching down he tangled the fingers of both hands into Reno's soft hair.
He had said he was beautiful like this, but only Reno could undo him like this. He'd never had a lover who could make him feel so detached from everything bad. Stroking his lover's hair he gasped and moaned, arching his shoulders back.
"Aah... love you..." He gasped out. Maybe the timing was inappropriate but he hadn't rehearsed it.
Reno shivered with the effect Cloud's soft, gasping declaration had on him. He released Cloud's cock to drag his tongue up his lover's body to nip and suck erect nipples. The leisurely worshipping of soft skin over hard muscles ended with Reno's teeth biting lightly into Cloud's ear lobe. Unable to resist anymore, Reno removed his fingers to slick his cock and press inside in the same breath.
He urged Cloud to wrap his legs around his waist and rocked forward with an easy, deep thrust.
"Cloud. My Cloud," Reno purred in time with his movements.
Crying out as Reno entered him, Cloud gripped Reno's fore arms tight. He felt so right. So deep. So warm and hard. "Yes..." He moaned. "I'm yours. Yours."
He trembled and moaned as his lover hit the right spot deep inside. "Reno! Ooh, again..." His eyelids fluttered and he looked up at his lover through thick lashes.
Mesmerized by eyes so richly blue they almost couldn't be real, Reno stroked deep and harder aiming for the right spot to make his lover writhe in ecstatic pleasure. He was so turned on by Cloud giving voice to his pleasure that he was very close to coming himself. Heat pooled low in his belly to spiral out to limbs that had started to shake.
Reno wanted so badly to taste Cloud's lips but couldn't bear to muffle the sweetest moans and words he had ever heard. Fuck, if Cloud ever learned of the power he wielded over the Turk... Reno braced himself on one arm and reached between their bodies to stroke his lover's cock, so slick and warm in his hand. All of Cloud's body seemed to fit against him just right.
A fierce tide of emotion boiled in Reno's chest, making his voice hoarse and rough.
"Come for me, baby," he murmured. "Let me feel you clench around me and come in my hand."
Cloud was so close to orgasm that with Reno's words he couldn't concentrate on anything but the electricity pumping in and out of his body. His toes and fingers curled, his heels dug into his lover's back and his voice could only produce whimpers and moans between his gasps for breath.
And there was that intense, beautiful gaze above him. Reno's eyes alone held his own as he writhed and arched and became rigid. His eyelids fluttered in pleasure, wanting to roll back, but he couldn't break his gaze from Reno's. Cloud's whole body tightened and trembled hard, his cock spurting his seed into Reno's hand and across his belly.
Even though he felt about to burst Reno stopped his movements to savor the feel of Cloud's orgasm as remained buried balls deep. The rhythmic rippling waves squeezing his cock was a feeling beyond compare. It made Reno feel powerful, desired and...loved. The sight of Cloud completely undone and limp with pleasure was his alone to enjoy now. Humming deep in his throat Reno resumed a slow thrust while he lifted his hand to his mouth to lap at the cooling liquid coating his fingers.
When his hand was clean Reno gripped Cloud's hips with both hands to stroke harder and faster until he came himself. It was almost painful in its intensity and ripped a scream of fulfillment from his throat. Reno lowered himself on shaking arms to cover his lover's body, the warmth of his skin soothing muscles and nerves burning from lingering pain and the blinding orgasm.
"So good, love, so very, very good," Reno chuckled. "Wonderful idea to stay in bed."
Cloud couldn't speak for the longest time. He breathed hard and embraced Reno to hold him covering his own body. The toned, lithe body of his lover on top of him felt like home. Familiar and right.
"Don't ever leave me," he finally said in a hoarse whisper. "You scared me last night..." He cut short, his throat squeezing shut with emotion.
"Cloud..." Reno started then shut his mouth. What could he really say? What reassurance could he really give?
Reno raised himself enough to cup Cloud's face and look into his eyes. "Babe, I promise to always do my best to come back to you. I'll never lie to you, so I can only promise that." He used his fingertips to trace the lips he adored. "I love you, and there's no place else I'd rather be than right here with you."
Although he was softening quickly, Reno was still buried in Cloud's body and flexed his hips to enjoy the sensation of being squeezed. His inner jester joked that it was the most intimate of hugs and made him chuckle. So Cloud wouldn't think he was laughing at him, Reno kissed him deeply and flexed his hips again.
"Being right *here* is like being in the Promised Land, Cloud. No one has ever made me feel like you do."
Cloud knew Reno spoke the truth. He wasn't hiding anything or sugar coating anything. And though it stung a little, it also warmed him. He didn't want to be pacified, he wanted the cold, hard honest truth from those lips because he already knew what it was.
Running his fingers into the hair at his lover's nape, Cloud massaged gently and looked into Reno's eyes. "Thank you," he said. "For being honest." He kissed Reno's lips, uttering a small gasp as he squeezed Reno again.
"I'll venture a guess that you're feeling better this morning...? Should I change your dressings?" He glanced down at Reno's chest.
Reno grumbled under his breath a bit at the reminder of his injuries and shifted off Cloud. He glanced down at his chest and saw that some blood had seeped through the bandages from his exertions. A look at Cloud revealed smears of blood on his pale skin in a similar array. Reno winced and wiped away the smears with a corner of the sheets.
"Sorry about that," he said. "Guess it would be a good idea to change them."
"Don't be too sorry..." Cloud sat up and kissed his lover. "I could have said no." He offered a small smile.
"Stay here," he ordered and disappeared into the bath. He came back and laid the first aid next to Reno. His trip to the kitchen was longer as he boiled water and poured some into a dish with a cloth.
Sitting next to Reno, he gently pried the old bandages off his lover's flesh and threw them in the trash. Ringing the cloth out he cleaned the bloody messes free of bits of gauze that had stuck and tissue near the edges that had been rubbed awry.
Dumping the red rag back into its bowl, Cloud silently reapplied ointment and fresh dressings for the clean wounds. He closed the first aid and looked at the bandage on Reno's chest. Reaching up he pressed the corner of tape threatening to come up back down. His hand lingered, catching the beat beneath the ribs.
Reno captured Cloud's hand and kissed the fingertips.
"You're too good to me, you know, but I like that you want to take care of me, too."
Reno yawned. The night's broken sleep was catching up with him.
"If you don't mind I think I'll go back to sleep for a while."
Squeezing his hand, Cloud shook his head. He pushed Reno back to the bed and lifted the covers up around his body.
Cleaning up the bowl and rag and putting the first aid back, Cloud then returned and crawled in next to Reno. He watched his rising and falling chest a moment before relaxing and placing his head on the pillow.
He slept lightly, jerking awake a few times before he gave up and silently crawled back out of bed. He didn't want to disturb Reno's rest so he began to nose around the kitchen.
