Chapter 8

Confessions

It was strange how he was comforted by the slight snoring of the body behind him. The warmth of a full figure pressed against his, thin arms wrapped about his waist protectively. He could feel someone’s mouth breathing against his neck, tickling the hairs of his neck. A small smile on his features, Yazoo hugged the blankets, not even considering who it was snuggling him.

Until he heard Loz’s stomping in the hallway.

“Rude! Tifa’s made pancakes! Come on! Wake up Yaz on your way!” Darting up in bed, he ignored the small whine escaping his bed mate’s mouth. It wasn’t Loz he was sleeping with? Images of the nights events flooded his mind as he grabbed his head in horror, knees pulled up to his chest. Looking to his bed mate, he groaned at the sight of the mess of red hair, and pale skin. Glancing at the door, he pulled the blanket off the man’s body, glancing beneath the sheets to find his hopes (or would it be to dismay?) that Reno slept in the nude.

A deep blush coated his cheeks as he quickly dropped the sheets, huddling closer to the wall. A small noise escaped the thin figure, making the clone jump in his skin. Hugging his knees, Yazoo stared at the wall, biting his lower lip. He could feel a hand stroke his thigh, and Reno muttered something in his sleep. After drinking so much last night, the red head probably thought he was some random lay he’d grabbed, and wanted one last fuck before separating ways. The senior Turk was in for a surprise when he woke up, a big surprise.

Sliding his way sneakily down the bed, he made sure Reno was tightly tucked in to that if he did wake up along the way, he could accuse Yazoo of nothing. Breathing deeply, he sat on the end. He was in the safe zone.

“Where are you going, yo’?”

Spine straightening, Yazoo spun to find Reno sitting up, blankets pooled about his waist, glaring groggily at the clone. Swallowing, the silver haired man stared at the door, ignoring how intriguing the man’s nipple rings were. And he was sure there were some others below the belt, after the sparkling glance he’d gotten during his quick peak. “I was going to go get breakfast, and let you continue to sleep. Everyone is already up, and moving about. It’s just you and me in bed right now.” Hair shielding his eyes, he looked back at the man, unable to help the deep blush beginning to coat his cheeks.

“So? Its fricken seven in the mornin’, yo’!” The teal eyes glanced at the clock, and Yazoo remembered how much of a morning person he was compared to Reno. Laughing softly to himself, he climbed out of the bed, ignoring the protests from Reno about how cold he was.

“Go back to sleep. While you might not be a morning person, I am. If you want a clone to keep you warm, find Loz. He’s the one most likely to sleep in late. Though I think right now he’s too busy gobbling down pancakes.” Smiling a little, Yazoo left the room, chuckling to himself as he heard Reno throw a pillow at the door. Only in a shirt and underwear, he climbed down the stairs to be greeted by Tifa, the crew, and a few customer’s - who seemed to be accustomed to people walking in, in their underwear – busily eating breakfast. “What’s for breakfast?” He asked, almost moaning at the smell of homemade syrup.

Tifa grinned, flipping the pancake she was cooking. “Anything you want. Just don’t expect it right away.” Nodding, he sat next to Loz who was stuffing down the pancakes like they were about to disappear from his plate at any moment. Rude gave him a little wave before going back to spreading jam on his toast.

Twirling his hair on one finger, Yazoo leaned against his brother, breathing in the scent of syrup. When he tried to look for Kadaj, he found the little brother at a couples table with Cloud, sharing food with their blond brother. Sighing in a depressed manner, he frowned when he noticed how Rude and Loz were openly holding hands. The Hispanic leaned in to discreetly lick some syrup off the corner of his loves mouth, leaving a deep red blush in his wake. “Any private place I can eat?” He asked Tifa quietly, not wanting to discourage his older brother. The man was emotional enough as it was, he didn’t need his troubles adding to it.

“You can go back to your room if you want. I could tell the guys you’re having a hangover…” She whispered to him after topping up Rude’s coffee, noticing his depressing look towards the couple near him.

Shaking his head, Yazoo sighed, defeated. “Reno’s asleep up there. I don’t want to bother him. I think he might blame me for last night…”

“It’s not your fault, Yaz.” Resting a hand on his shoulder, she kissed his cheek. “Reno’s just a grumpy, homophobe, who can’t hold down a decent relationship. He wouldn’t realize a good thing was ahead of him, even if it hit him in the face.”

“Thanks…” The simple word was choked out, as he rested a hand of his own on the woman’s, eyes focused down, hair over his face to hide the tears threatening to pour from his eyes. Why did he have to like the bad one? Then again, he had no chance with any good guy he knew. Rufus was out of his league, Tseng was taken, and so was Rude and Cloud. All he had left was Reno, who was far from a good choice of boyfriend. He was forgetful, and far from loving. Most of his thought was spent on sex too. This, in particular, disgusted Yazoo. It was as if all Reno thought women were for, was sexual intercourse.

Tifa had gone back to her cooking through his trail of thought, so he didn’t know why she left quickly after looking up, shaking the hair from his eyes. Listening to Rude, he listened as the man gasped, finding his sunglass covered eyes focused on something behind him. Turning in his seat he found Reno there, standing in the door way, looking thoroughly hung over. He was only in his boxers, which the clone bet he’d just picked up off the floor before coming down. At least he had some decency to dress before venturing out into public. That was one good thing. Either wise, they would all have to shoo his ass back up to their rooms. “You woke me up…for food?” He grunted, swaggering over.

“I told you to go back to sleep. You just wouldn’t listen. I thought the idea of sleeping with another man offended you.” Yazoo spoke coolly, sipping on the tea Tifa had snuck in front of him without his notice. Remembering that he hadn’t sweetened it yet a bit late, and scowling, he began placing sweeteners into his drink. “Hey, Tifa, do you make pancakes with fruits in them?”

Grinning, she went through the freezer. “Sure do! What do you want?”

“Blue berry please, and only two. I’m not feeling too well today.”

“Course not!” Reno grunted, resting his hands on the counter. We both go’ ‘angovers, yo’!” Teal eyes glared at Yazoo, and the clone couldn’t help but sigh.

“Is this because you lost your bed warmer? I’m sorry but before I become that, you should at least buy me dinner and take me to a movie. I’m not your personal comforter. We were sharing rooms because it was the only one left, and Loz wanted to be with Rude. So stop having your tantrum, and go back to sleep. Take a beer with you if you have to.” Green eyes glared up at his offender who in turn glared down at him defiantly.

“Maybe I think you look like a girl.” Reno sneered, and Yazoo’s eyes went wide, thankful that the tea cup was on the table, and not in his hands, or else he’d have ruined it. Did Reno just imply that he thought he was hot? Or was he insulting him? He really couldn’t tell.

Cocking his head to the side, he could barely notice how silent the entire bar had gotten. It seemed everyone, including Tifa, had heard the cutting remark Reno had made, and somehow knew (or realized) that the person he’d made the comment to was a man. “I’m sorry…but were you just making a pass at me, or insulting me? I couldn’t tell.” He spoke calmly, and clearly, trying to still the quick beating of his heart. The hope that Reno found some interest in him was making him feel as if there was a chance, but he needed to stop that feeling. It got him nowhere before.

Reno just stared at him, as if he too were considering the meaning behind his own words. “I don’t know, yo’.” He grunted, sitting himself down next to the clone. “It’s too early, and my head hurts too much to think right now.”

The clone had to resist the comment about Reno being capable of thought, instead working on drinking his tea as Tifa set a coffee cup in front of the red head, insisting that she didn’t sell beer before three in the afternoon, and that caffeine was best for a hangover. A small smile came to his face as he breathed in the green tea. Oh how he loved to see Reno in pain some times, especially when he deserved it. For being such a jerk, he should live out the morning with his hang over, though Yazoo had told him to go to bed. But of course, Reno didn’t listen as usual. When did the man ever listen to someone other than himself?

He watched out of the corner of his eye as the red head scanned the menu Tifa had out, listening as Rude questioned as to why she didn’t have help in the kitchen. “I do, usually. But they don’t come in till later. I have them in for rush hour usually. I like to run this place myself most of the time, so I get most of the money, and it can then go to the kids.” She smiled proudly before moving out to serve someone.

Chuckling, Yazoo watched her, noticing out of the corner of his eye how Cloud and Kadaj were now quietly talking. The youngest clone would occasionally giggle at something the blond said, or did. And while it warmed Yazoo’s heart, it hardened it too. Why was it that their little brother was so lucky, while he wasn’t? Sighing deeply, Yazoo rested his chin in his hands, idly stirring this tea.

“Why the glum look, yo’?” Startled out of his depression, the clone looked at Reno, blushing. He tried to say it was nothing, but the red head stopped his answer. “You look like someone kicked your dog, something up? Someone say something to you?”

Shaking his head, Yazoo looked back at his cup. “Just not feeling too happy…” The main word left out, was that he was feeling lonely. With Loz and Kadaj occupied with their love lives, he felt as if he were alone. Though he knew it was untrue, without the constant attention he used to receive, and give out, it was difficult to change to a situation where his brothers’ were instead focused on someone else, outside of their trio.

He couldn’t blame them though, it was their first time being in love, and he knew the feeling could be overwhelming. Smiling a little, he stared into his tea, out of the corner of his eye noticing how Reno was watching him intently. It was as if the man thought he would fall apart at any second. Really, that was close, and yet far from how he was at the same time. He couldn’t admit it to Reno though, as the man made it very clear that Yazoo wasn’t his type. Glancing up at Tifa, he watched her bring his food over. “Do you mind if I bring mine up stairs?” The question was spoken softly; the only one other than her listening was Reno, who gave him a questioning look.

“Of course,” she nodded, handing him a tray to bring it up with.

Nodding his thanks, Yazoo placed his food on the tray, and slowly exited to Loz’s questioning words and Reno ordering something to eat. Climbing up the stairs, he sighed, using his back to open the door to the room him and Reno had been using. Luckily for him the Turk had left it slightly open, or he’d have some fun trying to get in. Setting his tray down on the little bedside table, Yazoo sat, breathing deeply. The red heads show of concern confused him. Just last night the man had been shunning him off in the usual way, and now he was worried for him? What was he up to?

Sighing a little, he began to eat, glad that Tifa had given him a little cup of syrup. Pouring it over his pancakes, he began to think, until he heard the door knob turn. Spinning in the direction of the door, he watched as Reno quietly entered, soda bottle in hand. “Tif said she’d bring mine up. I’m just checking up on you, to see what’s up. Rude and Loz are very worried about you.”

“Then why didn’t one of them come up?” The clone scowled, taking a bite of his food. Her pancakes were delicious.

“I told them I would, yo’. Now would you talk to me? This partnership thing isn’t going to work if you’re continually hiding from me.” Sighing, he sat on the floor across from Yazoo, where his clothing was piled up.

Putting his knife and fork down, the clone stared Reno right in the eye. “I doubt it’s going to work out anyway, Reno. My feelings for you are far from a partnership relationship. Not even friends, or brotherly. I want to have a romantic relationship with you, but as I can clearly see that won’t happen, I am trying to back off from making a mistake, and ruining what relationship we do have.”

Reno stared back at him for a moment, before looking away, as if considering what was going on. Maybe he was as lonely as Yazoo was, after having Rude turn to protecting Loz. Though, Yazoo doubted it, with all the women he took to bed. Turning back to eating, he’d barely noticed the red head rise to his feet once more, until the man grabbed his utensils, setting them on the plate. As he was about to protest, and question the man, he found his lips against cracked, rough ones, a wet, sugary tongue pressing against his lips, begging for entrance.

Gasping in shock, he rested his hands on the man’s shoulders, feeling Reno’s slide along his chest to wrap around his back, pulling him close. Moaning into the kiss, Yazoo fell back, whimpering as Reno followed his body flush against the silver haired clones. His dreams were coming true; he had Reno, willingly in his arms, kissing him like they were the only people in the world. As if Yazoo actually meant something to him.

Pulling back, he gasped, staring into the lust filled teal eyes, finger combing through the tangled red locks. Breathing deeply, he waited for Reno to come to his senses, startled when the man buried his face in his neck. “R-reno?” He gasped, writhing beneath the man’s insistent, tired form. “Reno, get up, I need to eat. I can take a nap with you after.” Sighing, he tugged a little on the man’s hair, glaring as the Turk pouted at him. “As well, I would like an explanation.”

A deep frown creased the man’s face as he pulled back, sitting on the floor once more. Sighing himself, he ran his long fingers through his hair, staring at the floor. “I don’t know…I just don’t like seeing you so depressed.”

“I’m just…lonely…” Staring at his food, Yazoo picked up his fork, taking another bite. He noticed the strange look Reno was giving him out of the corner of his eye. The man must be thinking he was insane, to be lonely when he had so many people around him. But it was true, when you’re used to receiving so much attention, and have it suddenly taken away, you feel lonely…empty.

“I guess I understand…a little. I’m usually in company a lot, so I wouldn’t know.” Looking to the door, they both watched Tifa shyly enter, handing Reno his tray. Softly saying an apology, she left them alone again, to their awkward silence. The red head ate his breakfast special in silence, glancing occasionally at the clone. Yazoo occupied himself with his pancakes, trying to keep his mind off of the disturbing presence of the Turk.

Setting his fork down, sighing loudly, he wanted to laugh at how Reno jumped out of the corner of his eye. The silence was getting annoying, and he was going to smack Reno if the man didn’t say something soon. Making a good relationship, and making the clone less depressed required more effort, and less awkward silences then this. This just showed how bad of a relationship they had, and made Yazoo even more depressed. Though he didn’t blame Reno, being a straight homophobe, and suddenly feigning bisexuality must be hard on him. Turning slowly to look at the man, he chewed his nails, a habit he’d gained in the laboratory. He’d lost it during their travels, but now, while in Reno’s presence, it came back with a full fervor. It was an old nervous habit of his, suitable that it would come back now. “You know…you can go back downstairs if you want. I won’t mind. I just seem to be making things awkward for you.”

“I came up to keep you company.” Reno huffed, forking a sausage into his mouth, much to Yazoo’s disgust. How he ever got a girlfriend was amazing. They must be some pretty desperate girls after him. Tapping his lower lip, the silver haired man considered his companion for a moment.

Finally deciding it was best to speak, Yazoo opened his mouth; “have you ever had a decent girlfriend?”

“No, why?” Reno asked, cocking one eyebrow as he sucked in a piece of bacon sticking out of his mouth. “You’re probably the most decent person to come after. Too bad you’re a guy.” Snorting, the red head ducked as a pale foot kicked out for his head.

Scowling, Yazoo crossed his arms, “it’s no wonder! You’re habit’s are atrocious. I can help you clean up you’re act though. It’ll only take a few tweaks in your habits, nothing too big, but it’ll make you more appealing.”

“Will I need to change what I wear?” Reno winced, and the clone shook his head, laughing.

“No. Just change what clothes you wear from day to day, and your underwear. Also, shower more. You don’t need to be a walking stink bomb on a date. So no stains on your clothes, we’ll need to start bleaching your whites.” He eyed the man before him, finding away to keep Reno, Reno, but make him more appealing. “Also, you’re eating habits are a bit…animalistic. That’s one of the big habits we’ll need to adjust.”

Finger in his mouth, Reno dug out some of the dirt beneath his nail as he chewed. Silent for a moment, he looked up at Yazoo, then back to his nails. “What about nail biting?”

“Not a biggie, though might want to lower down on it. I have this feeling you only do it when bored though.” He took Reno’s hand from his mouth, inspecting the roughly bitten nails, and callous skin. Running his own over them, he couldn’t help the romantic images running through his mind.

The pale, freckled hand escaped his own, stroking his cheek, and he looked into the teal eyes, blushing. As he was about to speak the man’s name, when Reno spoke first; “I could give you and me a try first…after all you’ve put up with, with me, you deserve it, yo’.” The red head sighed, taking Yazoo’s hand, and holding it to his own cheek. “An’ before you ask who put me up to it, Rude did yo’. Told me that you’re probably the best thing I’ll ever have, and that before I decide against it, I should try.” Sighing, he rested his for head against Yazoo’s kissing him gently.

“While he may be right, are you sure you want to try? You’ve never done something like this before, and you’ve strictly sworn against homosexuality.” Innocently he played with the blankets, trying not to stare at Reno’s boxers, and what they were hiding from his view.

“It might help me find out what your brothers’ see in Cloud, and Rude, yo’.” The man snorted. “I was kinda hoping Rude would finally catch Tif’s eyes. He also told me, if I continued being a stuck up ass, he’d castrate me, yo’.” Huffing, he laid his head in the clones lap, playing with some strands of hair that fell into view.

Thinking for a second, Yazoo looked into Reno’s eye, raising his head to look at him properly. “If you promise to actually try and work this right, I will go along with you. Just no insulting comments against homosexuals, okay?” Brushing some stray bangs from the man’s eyes, he sighed, resting his forehead against Reno’s. “I don’t need you breaking my heart again…” Closing his eyes, he resisted the need to cry, feeling rough fingers run through his hair in a comforting gesture.

“I’m sorry…but I’ll try. Can’t guarantee anything though, yo’.” Chewing on the corner of his mouth, Reno pulled back, feeling desperate hands holding him there in place.

“Stay like this with me please…just for a moment…” Yazoo begged, giving the red head a pleading look.

“Why, when I can do it again later, yo’?”

“’Cause…I want to know it isn’t just a dream…that this is all actually for real…I’ve been thinking about this for about a week, and never knew it would happen. I thought I’d still be lonely while my brothers’ were happy…” Tears were pouring from the green eyes, and Yazoo had to hide his face behind a curtain of hair in shame. Reno must think he was being silly…

Rolling his eyes, Reno took the clone into his arms, hugging him tightly. “It isn’t a dream, now stop being stupid, yo’. You’re stuck with me, till either of us decides we don’t want to be stuck together anymore.” Hands holding Yazoo’s face, he kissed the clone, his tongue running along gasping lips insistently, pushing past to explore the silver haired man’s mouth.

Pulling back, Yazoo tried to shake away the dazed feeling. “I get your point,” he breathed, running delicate fingers through his hair. “Now, shall we finish eating?”

“Yeah, man. I’m starving!” Reno laughed, pulling his plate back into his lap to dive into the sausages, bacon, and other morning delights he usually missed out on. Small sounds of pleasure escaped his lips as he stuffed the food into his mouth, grease pouring from his lips. Licking them clean, he cleared off the plate, sitting back as he watched Yazoo now. “God, she’s an amazing cook, yo’…” he moaned, patting his full stomach, “too bad she’s out of my league.”

Laughing softly, the clone stuffed the last of his pancake into his mouth. “Yeah, and I’m sure her standards are pretty high. Especially after Cloud broke her heart.” Pushing his plate away, he sat back, looking down at Reno, using his foot to gently nudge the thinking man.

“Does that mean your standards are low?” The red head asked softly, taking the clones foot, and massaging it as he looked into the green eyes.

“It’s more non-existent, as I’ve never really tried looking for love…so I wouldn’t know what my own standards are…” Shrugging, Yazoo bent over so that his face was close to the Turks. “Don’t let that discourage you though. Falling for you without knowing my own standards is a good thing. It means I wasn’t desperate. I was after you, and only you, accepting everything you are, even your annoying quirks.” Smiling, he leaned in, licking some of the grease, and crumbs from the corner of the man’s mouth.

A blush coated Reno’s cheeks, as he stared at the clone in wonder. Teal eyes wide, he tried to speak, but failed, only sitting there, the silver haired man’s foot in his hands still. Pulling himself in close, the Turk rested his head in Yazoo’s lap, a small smile on his features. “Maybe this will work out…” he murmured, reaching up to play with some of the man’s hair, fingers running through it as he looked at the clone in amazement. “You have such beautiful hair…”

“R-really?” Gasping, the green eyes widened, staring down at his new found boyfriend, “I-I…no one’s ever told me that before…sure Loz has mentioned it…but I figured it was out if brotherly niceness. And there have been guys in passing who’ve mentioned it…but I just thought they wanted in my pants.”

Laughing, Reno tugged the clone down gently by his hair. “So you’ll listen to me since I was strictly straight until now?”

“That…and I want in your pants…” it came out breathlessly as Yazoo kissed him, holding his head in place. The feeling of the red heads fingers running through his hair made him tingle, and blush, having never experienced this sensation before. His own tried running through the coarse short red strands, grimacing inside as he found them greasy in ways other than gel. Reno would need a lesson on waking up early to clean his hair. At least taking more than one shower a week!

Pulling them out, he watched Reno back away, a nervous look on his face. “Sorry, I’ve been working on my car all week…haven’t had the time for a shower.” All thoughts of a training program disappeared from the clones mind as he kissed him again. So this wasn’t normal for him.

Wrapping his arms about the man’s neck, he ignored the knocks at the door, calls from the other side. “Reno! Yazoo! You okay in there!” The distinct voice of Rude called in to them.

“Kinda busy here, yo!” Reno snarled, throwing a shoe at the door. Immediately Rude took the hint and left the tangled pair. “Now where were we…” smirking, Reno stood, pushing Yazoo onto the bed. Straddling him, the red head lifting his companions chin up so he could kiss the mewling clones neck. “Right here…” rough fingers slid along his chest, feeling him up, as the Turk explored territory he’d never encountered before.

Before they could realize it, the door was open, and a flashing light blinded them. Hearing a familiar cackle, they shot up, looking to the door to find Kadaj standing there with a camera. “Boy will everyone love this!” he pulled out the developing photo, waving the evidence of Yazoo’s love and Reno’s change of mind in their faces.

“I’ll kill you kid!” Jumping off of his lover, the red head ran after the youngest clone, leaving a breathless long haired man in his wake. It seemed like the middle clone was going to have his way after all.

Maybe someone up in the life stream truly loved him…