Haunted, a Cloud/Reno story

By Kigichi and Bekas Strife

Contains extremely OOC!Reno, slight OOC!Cloud, MPreg, angst and much more.

Disclaimer: These characters and the world where they live in aren’t ours. Only the storyline is.

AN: Kigichi mostly writes Reno and Bekas Cloud.

Enjoy!!

--

Seeing tears running down the redhead’s face, Marluxia released him. "Ahh... that felt good." He hadn't tickled someone in a good, long while. Usually Vexen turned the tables and had him pinned and Zexion just didn't care.

Panting harshly, Reno collapsed on top of his lover, small giggles escaping him every so often. "Ohh… ohh... that was mean…!" He protested weakly.

"It was." Cloud agreed as weakly, still recovering from the hit to his jewels.

Still panting, Reno sat up, straddling his lover while yawning. "Did I hurt you? Sorry." He couldn't really control where his limbs flew sometimes.

Shaking her head, Tifa turned to Marluxia. "Why are you here?"

"I came to say bye..." Marluxia said softly. "Me, Vex and Zex are leaving."

Pouting, Reno slipped off Cloud and turned to his friend. "Why? Was it me? I didn't mean to be so scared." Was he the reason his friends were leaving? "Or do you just need to get home? I'll come down and say bye!"

"We don't live here, Red." Marluxia said, ruffling Reno's hair. "We want to go, that's all." He said, exchanging a look with Cloud.

"Aww..." Sighing sadly, Reno leaned forward to hug the pink haired man. "You'll come back soon right? I like having you here!" They made everything more lively and fun.

"Oh, we'll hang out during the week! Don't worry!"

"Yes!" Grinning, Reno leaned up and gave Marluxia's cheek a kiss. "See you later!"

Marluxia grinned and went to hug Tifa. "It was pleasure to meet you, young, beautiful lady." He said, kissing Tifa's hand before waving at Cloud. "Bye."

"BYE!" Waving as Marluxia left, Reno settled back down and turned to Cloud, frowning at the sad look on his face. "Cloud…?" Reaching out, he placed the palm of his hand onto his lover's cheek. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Cloud smiled weakly at his lover, kissing his hand.

Sighing happily at the kiss, Reno leaned forward to gentle press their lips together, pulling back before it could go too far. "If you’re sure…"

"I am sure." The blond replied, sitting and listening to the faint sound of a car driving away.

Sighing, Reno flopped down onto the carpet near his lover’s feet and began to play with the laces of his discarded boots, his own bare feet swinging gently in the air behind him. "What were you guys doing up here?"

"Chilling out..." Tifa replied, taking Reno's seat by Cloud. "And checking out this beautiful nursery…!"

Grinning, Reno rolled onto his back, tossing his lover’s shoe in the air and catching it. "It's nice huh?" He tossed the footwear a few more times.

"Yeah, it is."

Tossing the shoe one more time, Reno rolled out of the way and let it hit the floor. "Rufus went all out, yo!"

"Who cares? It's his wallet." Cloud grinned.

Laughing, Reno sat up and placed his head on Cloud's knee. "Earlier you were saying we shouldn't rely on him too much yo! Now you’re saying screw it?" He grinned and rubbed his stomach. The kids had woken up and were having a grand time beating the crap out of his insides.

Cloud shrugged. "I realized the benefits of having someone who pays the bill in the end of the month."

Chuckling, Reno nuzzled his lover’s leg. "Glad you see it my way."

Cloud chuckled, shrugging. "Welcome."

Sitting up, Reno hopped onto the couch and grabbed Tifa's hand, placing it on his stomach. "Feel, feel…!"

Tifa cooed, feeling the babies kicking. "So adorable…!" She smiled, nudging Cloud's leg. "Twins, uh? Nice shot, Strife."

Grinning at his lover’s sudden blush, Reno giggled and nuzzled his face. "VERY nice shot…"

"Shuddup, you two..." Cloud mumbled, getting up and shifting uncomfortably. "Who wants to go a bit to the pool?" He was so NOT changing the subject!

"YES!" Jumping up, Reno grinned. "POOL…!" He wanted to swim so bad now! "I'm gonna go get changed!"

Tifa blinked as the redhead zipped out of the room in a red streak. "... You think he wants to swim?" she asked sarcastically.

"He's like a fish: He ALWAYS wants to swim." Cloud chuckled. "Go get changed as well. Don't put on something too revealing or people will latch onto the fence!" He mocked.

Giggling, Tifa gave Cloud a small shove. "Same to you…!" Running out of the nursery, she went back to her room to try and find the new black spaghetti strap bikini she had bought.

Back in his and Cloud's room, Reno sat on the bed dressed in nothing but a towel, arms crossed and pouting. He had tried to put on his bathing suit but it wouldn't fit him anymore and he couldn't find one of Cloud's so he sat and waited for his lover to come in and help him. Cloud entered the room soon after and blinked at his lover. "... Is anything wrong?"

Grumbling Reno uncrossed his arms and nodded, standing up and quickly grabbing the towel before it could fall before he pointed to his swim suit. "It doesn't fit and I can't find one of yours. Help…?"

The blond blinked and then chuckled, walking forwards and opening one of his drawers. "Here…" He said, giving Reno a pair of his own swimming suits. "That one should fit you." He said before searching for one in particular, grinning when he found it. Knowing Tifa, she would totally ignore what he said so he would pay in the same coin.

"Thanks!" Dropping the towel, Reno put the trunks on and turned back to his lover. "I'm ready t---WHAT are you wearing!?"

"... Plain, black swimming trousers?" Cloud asked, adjusting his tight shorts. "Why?" he arched his eyebrows, seeing in the mirror as they hugged his hips perfectly.

Reno stared at his lover, then back down at himself. "... You look like your wearing the bottom half of a scuba suit, yo." He could see EVERYTHING. Gulping, he turned around and covered his eyes. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts... "Why can't I wear one like that too?"

"Cos they would hug your belly too tightly…"

Reno blinked and looked down at himself. "Not if I wear it below my stomach." It would work!

"Nope..." Cloud shook his head, picking up his lover bridal-style. "You look great that way, c'mon." He said opening the door and peeking inside the children's room, seeing them both curled under the quilt fast asleep. Poor things, they were exhausted.

"Aww… no fair… Why not…?" Reno asked, hanging onto his lover’s bare shoulders. He was slightly surprised. Cloud had not done that since his abduction. He didn't think he would either for some time to come.

"Too much will be shown if i let you do it."

Reno blinked, before grinning. "No one touches your meat, huh?" Grinning, he placed a small kiss on Cloud's chin. "So I guess skinny dipping is out of the question?"

Cloud nodded, grinning as he saw Tifa waiting in the living room. "What did I tell you?" He asked sighing in exasperation as the woman turned.

Reno's eyes widened at the sight of the woman. She had on a bikini that barely covered all of her breasts with a small bottom that hardly covered her ass. Looking up at Cloud, he raised a hand to bat gently at his face. "And you say I would show too much skin."

Chuckling, Tifa spun in a circle. "You like it, guys?" Smirking at her best friend, she gave him a look over before wolf whistling. "Not like you’re any better! I can practically SEE the details of your baby maker!"

"You love what you see, so shuddup." Cloud mocked, walking to the kitchen and going through the back door, leading his lover and best friend to the pool.

"Ya know..." Reno sighed, crossing his arms. "In my book this is flirting, yo!"

Tifa paused, holding in her next comment when she realized that Reno was right. "I'm sorry." She apologized, settling her towel on a beach chair before sitting down. “I guess we just grew so accustomed to each other that any subject is fine to talk about.”

Shrugging, Reno wiggled out of Cloud's arms and threw his own towel on the back of a chair. "Whatever." He muttered before diving into the water.

Cloud blinked and shrugged in Tifa’s direction. "It's not something we never did." He said, jumping into the pool after Reno. Splashing with long, even strokes, Reno swam from one end of the pool to another. Somersaulting, he kicked off the concrete edge and began a lap to the other side. Cloud settled comfortably on the shallow end of the pool, not risking going any farther away. He liked his life, thank you very much. Grinning, he opened his arms to receive his lover, holding him there with him. "What was that?" He asked, pressing his lips against Reno's cheekbone while Tifa jumped in as well, swimming to the other end of the pool underwater.

Blinking, Reno ducked out from his lover’s arms and swam back a few paces. "What was what?" He didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to swim and try to forget.

"The flirting thing…" Cloud asked, pouting. It wasn't fair: his lover knew he didn't know how to swim.

Pausing for a moment, Reno swam back but made sure to stay out of reaching distance. "I... I don't know." He looked over at Tifa and the way the sun shone off her hair, making her more beautiful than ever. Then he looked down at himself: skinny, slight bump on his front, and dripping with water. Ducking down a bit, he shrugged. "She looks pretty, I can’t deny that."

"AND I'm 90 per cent gay." Cloud retorted, sighing softly. "C'mon... All I felt for Tifa was a crush and I was 14, 15 at the time!" He whispered.

"There is still that ten percent, yo." Sighing, Reno flopped onto his back and let himself float. "I don't blame you either. Tifa is beautiful, kind, funny and sweet." He grinned humorlessly. "I, on the other hand, am moody, pregnant, hormonal, annoying and needy." He gave his lover a smile. "This was to be expected."

Cloud frowned and took the risk, going to his lover. "Stop that." He said, deadly serious as he clung to the redhead before he could sink. "It’s not your looks that keep me with you. It's my feelings you, stupid."

Gasping as his lover came after him, Reno quickly brought them back to the shallow end of the pool. "What are you doing!? You know you can't swim!" What was his lover thinking? "And I never said anything about looks… well... not much…" He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just being a moody little bitch right now. Ignore me."

"No, I won’t ignore you." Cloud refused, shaking his head. "Things between me and Tifa are just about friendship: I don't love her that way because I love you..." He said patiently. "And I went to you because I couldn’t just sit back and watch as you bashed yourself."

Reno sighed and hugged his lover gently, smiling as one of the babies kicked out and hit Cloud in the stomach as well. "Please don't do it again. I don't want to see you die just because I jump to conclusions."

"Then don't jump to conclusions. It'll solve the problem." Cloud hugged back, chuckling at the kick he felt. "They agree with me."

Shaking his head, Reno nuzzled his face into his lover's damp chest. "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay. I forgive you, Mr. I-Better-Start-Believing-At-Once-That-My-FIANCEE-Loves-Me."

Giggling slightly, Reno nodded and leaned up to peck Cloud on the lips. "Okay, okay I believe you!"

"Finally…" The blond grinned.

"You two are so sweet..." Tifa cooed, swimming to them.

Turning around, Reno grinned. "Hey!" He looked Tifa up and down and started to snicker. "We should teach Cloud how to swim, yo." Grinning, he reached out and poked her breasts. "We can keep him afloat with those flotation devices of yours." Cloud chuckled as Tifa proceeded to punish Reno for touching her where he shouldn't. Whimpering, Reno held his poor abused head. "... Oww..." Sniffing, he gave Tifa his best puppy dog eyes. "That hurt." His lower lip trembled for effect.

Cloud then proceeded to roll his eyes, seeing Tifa pass from furious to an overprotective mother. "Enough, children… God, you spoil him."

Grinning, Reno ducked out of Tifa's embrace and swam back over to his lover. "Sorry?"

"Whatever." Cloud shrugged, smiling.

Pouting, Reno wrapped his arms around Cloud's neck and jumped up, wrapping his legs around his partner’s strong but thin waist. Grinning, he leaned over to playfully nuzzle Cloud's nose. "Forgive me? Please?" He whined softly, almost a moan, as he grinded his hips.

The blonde’s eyes dilated. "Fine, you're forgiven." Cloud sighed loudly, prying Reno away before he could get a hard on.

"Aww…" Reno giggled as he hit the water and immediately dove under, popping up on the other side of the pool. "You're no fun!!"

Tifa raised an eye at her best friend and the way he detached his lover so quickly. "What was THAT?"

Cloud folded his legs, glad that when he sat on the floor of the pool, the water just reached his neck. "Nothing...." He mumbled, smirking as he hugged his legs against his chest, blushing a bit. Too late...

Eyes widening as she understood, Tifa began to sicker. "You… he… and you… ohh… ohh poor Cloud!!" Laughing, Tifa sat down next to him with a grin. "What happened to 'I don't want to'?"

"Shut up..." Cloud warned, peeking without calling much attention to see if 'it' was visible. Tifa would tease him FOREVER. Especially when his trunks let everyone see almost everything.

Snickering, Tifa glanced down and her eyes widened more. "... Wow... I gotta say… even though the water makes it bigger, I had nearly forgotten that that is DAMN impressive!" She took a peek at a happily swimming Reno out of the corner of her eyes. "Lucky bastard... How have you not torn him apart?"

"SHUT UP!" Cloud exclaimed, covering his face with his hands and almost chocking on the water when he tried to hide his face on his knees and chucked his nose underwater. "I'll kill you." He whispered, struggling to hide it. He was in cold water; he just needed to think about something bad. "Must think of something disgusting..." He muttered, thinking. "... Barret in a bikini, Barret in a bikini..." AH, worked.

"Oh eww... if I have nightmares tonight, I'm killing you tomorrow." Tifa hissed. Those were some images she did NOT need! Settling back in the water, Tifa shot her friend a grin, completely disregarding his earlier threat. "So… How did you not tear him in half?"

"I'm careful, okay?" Cloud replied, blushing furiously. "I just don't simply ram into Reno every time we... yeah, you know it." He mumbled, sinking until his mouth was underwater and he could start making bubbles out of pure boredom.

Cracking up, Tifa nodded and poked Cloud's spikes. "Such a caring lover...” He had been caring with her too back then. “How did he react the first time?" She grinned, half wanting to freak Cloud out and half just because she was curious.

"Stared and gaped." Cloud mumbled, almost feeling the water heat up.

"Was he scared? Did he cry? Was he nervous? And how loud did he scream?" This was fun! Cloud was almost as red as Cid turned when someone stole his tea. And that was pretty damn red.

"Tifa..." Cloud whined before sighing. "He was a bit scared, he did not cry because I prepared him for long enough not to hurt much and he's a loud screamer." He said as normally as he could. "You're making me remember and have another hard on." He stated, glaring.

"I know!" the cheery answer came. "Did he beg for more or call your name?" Tifa could see her friend getting redder and redder and knew it wasn't from embarrassment this time.

"He cuddled and fell asleep after it was over." Cloud snarled. "Tifa, I'm warning you...."

"Alright, alright... I'm done for now." Grinning, Tifa leaned back and let the cool water lap at her back. "You want me to leave the pool for a bit?" She stated with a naughty grin.

"Fuck you."

"Is that what you asked Reno?"

"I SWEAR THAT IF I WASN’T HARD AND IT WOULD LOOK WRONG, I WOULD DROWN YOU NOW!" Cloud cringed. He yelled. Great. Announce to the world that you have a hard on.

Tifa's eyes widened and she started to snicker quietly. "... Well now..." Glancing around, she pouted when Reno JUST splashed up from his dive.

"What was the yelling?" The red head asked, swimming over to the two on the other end of the pool.

"Dang it…" Tifa commented.

"Nothing..." Cloud muttered, hiding his face inside the water.

"...Okay!" Diving back under the water, Reno shot down to the bottom of the pool, trying to see how long he could hold his breath for.

"...You are so lucky he didn't hear that." Tifa muttered, small grin across her face.

"Shut up." Cloud growled. He had had it. "Alright, I'm leaving. Look away." He warned before jumping out of the pool, sprinting away. Seconds later, he came back and quickly jumped into the water, cursing. "Marlene woke up and is watching TV in the living room. She'll notice if I go. Darn it."

Tifa could not help herself and began to laugh again. "Looks like you’re stuck with us then!" Snickering, she dove under the water and swam off just as Reno was coming over.

Plopping down by his lover, Reno gave Cloud a big smile. "What were you two talking about?"

"Nothing important..." Cloud said, hugging his legs to his chest once more.

Damn.

Reno tilted his head to the side. "Are you okay?" Why was his lover all scrunched up like that? Scooting a little closer, he wrapped his arms around Cloud. "Is anything wrong?"

Cloud felt like whimpering as he rested his head on Reno's shoulder. It hadn't been long since he and Reno last made love but he was also kept in a Mako tube during five whole years. He was STILL a teen if people made the math. 'DAMN YOU HORMONES!' "Err... How can I explain this one...?”

Blinking, Reno smiled and placed a kiss on cloud's head. "Tell me." What could be bothering his lover so much that he was acting like this? It looked like he was trying to hide something. "Still scared of the water yo? It's okay! Just stay in the shallow end!"

"It's not the water..." The blond groaned, hitting his head against the bone of Reno's shoulder over and over again. "When you jumped me a while ago, err... my body 'reacted'."

Reno was confused. "You mean... like... Geostigma…? Umm... the instinct to push me off…?" Was that it? Was he feeling guilty? "It's okay! The water is soft and didn't hurt the babies!"

Cloud closed his eyes in disbelief. It was the babies. It could only the babies making Reno this dense. He grabbed his lover's hand and slid it down his chest, placing it over his crotch and trying to put away the shiver that it sent down his back. "Got it?"

Eyes widening, Reno coughed awkwardly into his hand. "O-oh... I'm sorry." He didn't mean to make his lover react in that way. He knew how sensitive the blond was to certain things. The smallest touch could set the man off. Blushing slightly, Reno began to back away. “Erm… sorry..." He knew very well that Cloud didn't want to feel like that the moment. "I'll just... go over here..." And with that he dived under the water and to the other side of the pool to give his lover time to cool off.

Cloud sighed in relief. At least this way he could get distracted and cool off. The thing was that now he couldn't wait for Reno's touch, his hands all over him and his sweet, hot m---- "Enough!" He whispered urgently, nearly slamming his head against the pool's wall.

Seeing her friend’s problem, Tifa dove under the water and popped up next to him, a concerned look on her face. "Is it really that bad?" She knew the two of them... played… a lot, so why was Cloud acting like he hadn't gotten any in a week or so?

"No, of course not…" The blond answered a little bit too loud, shrugging and chuckling.

"... You suck at lying." Sighing, the woman crossed her arms and relaxed against the wall. "How long has it been? A day…? Two…?"

"Three..."

"Three? That's it?" Taking a glance at her flustered friend, then at the happily swimming redhead at the other end of the pool, Tifa raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't seem too bothered by it."

"He wasn't chucked into a Mako tube at 16 and then taken out at 21!"

Tifa had to stifle a giggle. "Cloud… that way a few years ago... you’re STILL that horny?" Impressive…

Cloud, this time, slammed his head against the pool's wall. "Tifa: When I should have been hanging out with friends, having girlfriends or boyfriends and fucking like a little rabbit, I was being tested on, tortured and many others." He said almost calmly. "When I was freed at 21, I was a boy of sixteen stuffed into a body of a guy of 21. If you do the math, I'm still suffering the effects of puberty that I should have felt when I was a teen!"

"...Okay you have a point." The woman’s grin was back now. "So... all of those times you and Reno went to... ’talk’ or go for a ‘ride’ on your bike, you were really easing your suffering?" She was impressed. "How DOES he stand it all?"

"Fuck off, Tifa." Cloud spat, irritated now. What’s with all this interest in his life anyway? "I'm not a fucking bastard who was only with Reno as if he was a sex toy. We did go out to talk and take a few rides. We did have dates. It wasn't just senseless fucking."

Jerking back, Tifa's eyes widened at the look in Cloud's eyes and the way the Mako in them seemed to shine in fury. "I'm... sorry… I was just teasing." She smiled gently. "I know you too went on dates and I KNOW he's not just a fuck toy. I was just poking fun. Guess I went a bit far and I apologize."

Cloud sighed through his nose and rested his chin on his arms as he rested them on the pool's edge. "Apologies accepted and... I'm sorry for snapping. I'm just bitchy... with quite a bit of reason." He mumbled, mentally glaring at his crotch.

"I understand." Leaning back, Tifa turned her head to study her best friend. “Cloud... does… Reno know…? About how you feel right now? …Because he swam away pretty fast… Did you tell him you were sick or something?"

"I told him what was wrong with me. I don’t like to lie to him." Cloud mumbled, flushing a bit.

Raising an eyebrow, Tifa frowned. "Then why did he run?" She spared a glance over at the happily paddling redhead. "Is he scared?" She thought he WANTED Cloud to touch him?

Cloud rolled his eyes. "I think his ass is so used to me that he doesn't need to be scared anymore." He retorted, sighing. "It's just that... he was raped, Tif'. And he already wants to... ya know." The blond muttered scratching his nose as his cheeks turned reddish pink once more. "But I refused. I mean... I wouldn't feel okay; it would feel wrong. I want to give Reno time to digest what happened, I don't want to break his trust on me during that time. It would be the end. I'll only make love to Reno once I feel he's ready, once I'm ready..."

A bit surprised by Cloud's speech, more then he usually said in an hour, a soft smile came to Tifa’s lips. "Oh Cloud." Reaching out, she pulled Cloud to her chest, holding him as close as she could without suffocating him. "You’re doing the right thing. It would be wrong to do that so soon after everything that happened. You made the right choice."

Cloud blinked and looked up at Tifa, smiling softly. "Thanks... for understanding."

Tifa just shrugged, leaning over to place a kiss on her best friend’s forehead. "Of course... I know you Cloud. You're doing what’s best for the both of you."

Cloud hummed, nodding. "I hope so. I also hope that Reno doesn't think that I'm rejecting or something... because of what happened."

Chuckling, Tifa jabbed her thumb at Reno who was trying to see how many times he could jump on the diving board before he slipped off and into the water. "Cloud… its Reno. If he thought it he would say it."

"... Hmm…" The blond hummed once more, scratching his nose and noticing that his erection had disappeared. "Hey, it went away. Must have been your boobs. Thanks Tif'…!"

"... I hate you..." Flicking Cloud in the head, a satisfied grin came to Tifa’s face as she watched his head fly back with the strength of the impact, sending his body backwards into the water. "You’re welcome."

Cloud threw his arms out of the water, grabbed the edge of the pool as if it was his only lifeline and wheezed, having swallowed quite a bit of water. "You i-idiot, not fun…!" He yelled, coughing.

Shaking her head, Tifa reached out and yanked Cloud back up. "Don't worry, it's the shallow end." Brushing some hair out of Cloud's eyes, she grinned. "And that's for the boob comment!"

Cloud snarled and shook Tifa's hand away, leaving the pool. "Idiot...!" He repeated angrily, going to sulk on his towel.

Frowning, Tifa stalked after him. "Cloud…! Cloud, wait…!" What was the problem? She knew he wouldn't have been hurt. "You’re overreacting! You know I would never have let you drown!"

"Well, you wouldn't like if I held your face close to a fucking fireplace, now would you?" Cloud asked angrily, knowing of Tifa's great fear of fire. "It’s the same way as what you did in there scared the shit out of me!"

Pulling back in shock, Tifa sighed and nodded. "Your right… I'm sorry." Cloud was right. It was exactly the same. Frowning, Tifa walked over to Cloud, stopping just out of arms reach and stuck her hand out, not sure if he would want a hug just yet. “I'm sorry." She muttered. "Forgive me?"

Cloud closed his eyes and sighed deeply: it was always like this with everyone he knew. First, they screw up badly; then apologized. "As if it was that simple..." He whispered, sighing softly but taking Tifa's hand. "But yeah, you're forgiven... just, to try to control your impulses next time, alright?"

Grinning, Tifa pulled Cloud close for a hug. "Got it…!" Pulling back, she smiled sadly at the look in his eyes and reached out to cup his cheek. "Don't be like that. It was my fault." She knew what he was thinking. She wasn't his best friend for nothing!

Cloud smiled weakly and planted a small kiss on Tifa's shoulder, hugging her as he rested his head against the curve of her neck. "Sorry." He apologized.

"Don't be sorry." Tifa whispered, pulling Cloud close for a gentle hug, kissing the top of his head. "You know I don't blame you for anything." Cloud could murder someone and she would still love him. That's just what friends do.

The blond hummed as an answer, lifting his head from Tifa's shoulder. "Thanks." He said, smiling softly as he tucked a strand of Tifa's black hair behind her ear.

Humming, Tifa closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side and into Cloud's hand. "You okay now?" She asked, pulling back from the gentle touch. "We kind of abandoned Reno in the pool..."

Cloud chuckled, shaking his head. "As if he noticed it…" The blond teased, nodding towards the pool where Reno was floating with his eyes closed, just relaxing as the summer sun hit his skin and warmed him. "I think I'll sit here now." Cloud decided, picking up his towel and putting it on the marble beneath his feet before crashing down. "You can either join me or go back to the water."

Snorting at her friend’s sudden movement, Tifa shook her head and walked away, coming back a few moments later with her own towel. "Here is good." Setting the cloth next to Cloud’s, she flopped down on it, sighing as the cool stone cooled her heated skin. "This feels nice." Looking up momentarily, she took a peek at Reno. "How long can he stay in there? It's going to get dark and cold soon."

"If we let him, he'll spend the night in there." Cloud yawned softly, rubbing his eye before rolling to his stomach, having to keep his head up to keep an eye on his lover since Tifa's boobs were on the way. "Let him be for another while... he looks peaceful." He murmured, resting his chin on Tifa's ribcage as he kept studying Reno.

Chuckling, Tifa brought a hand down to run through Cloud's hair, careful of the bumps. "You’re really protective of him, aren't you?" She noticed how Cloud never took his eyes off of his lover, even when he seemed to be relaxed and not paying attention. Petting Cloud for a few more minutes, she sighed. "So... what is there to do for fun around here?" The kids would only stay inside for so long.

"Honestly, I don't really know." Cloud mumbled, looking up at Tifa, blue gems locking with crimson ones. "I heard there is a water park somewhere near so we can go check it out. We can also go and check out the city and stuff. Besides, Gold Saucer isn't that far from here as well."

"That's great! The kids will love it!" Denzel had been going on and on about Gold Saucer for weeks and she knew Marlene would love the water park. "Will Vexen, Marluxia and Zexion be joining us? The kids seemed to like Marluxia and he would be able to keep up with them." Sighing, the woman shifted a bit, the hard stone starting to become uncomfortable, but she didn't want to disturb Cloud.

Unfortunately Cloud noticed and lifted his head to roll Tifa to her side, extending his arm and letting her rest her head there. "I don't know... Marluxia and Zexion could come but... if Vexen goes, I don't know if I'll want to go. I'm sure I’ll act strangely around him and I don't want Reno or the kids to notice that something happened."

Smiling at Cloud's movements, Tifa cuddled her back to Cloud's chest and trailed the fingers of her left hand up and down his arm. "You can't avoid him forever. And according to Marly, he usually never gets like that and doesn't remember a thing afterwards." And she couldn't blame the poor man for acting the way he did. She had seen firsthand the after effects of being around Hojo for too long.

"I know but I’ll be always on alert..." Cloud murmured petting Tifa's hair away from his face as it tickled his nose.

Nodding in agreement, Tifa moved a piece of hair that had fallen in front of her face, giggling lightly at the sight of Reno trying to construct a chair out of several pool noodles. "Who are you more afraid for? Reno or yourself…?" She knew very well that if it came down to it, he could beat Vexen in a fight.

"Reno... And the babies..." Cloud whispered. "I'm afraid that if someone catches them, it'll be Lucrecia and Sephiroth all over again... I don't want them to suffer, Tifs..."

Frowning, Tifa rolled over and rest her forehead against Cloud's. "He won't; THEY won't suffer." Leaning up, she kissed his brow. "Because you’re here and you won't let it happen."

Cloud nodded, closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against Tifa's once more. "I'm just scared... I guess it’s normal." He murmured, smiling sadly.

"Of course it's normal! You’re gonna be a daddy!" Smiling widely, Tifa bounced a bit. "And a good daddy at that…!" She giggled, looking up at Cloud eagerly. "How many do you think he has?" She squealed. "Reno is going to be so CUTE with a big baby belly! Like he swallowed a beach ball…!"

Cloud rolled his eyes and rested two fingers against Tifa’s lips, shaking his head and consequently rubbing Tifa’s forehead. "Don't say that, he'll get depressed about his size. I think it'll be twins, I don't know. I'm hoping for a boy and a girl." He smiled softly.

Giggling widely, Tifa opened her mouth to nip on the tips of Cloud's fingers. "Nom…!" Shaking her head, she looked over at Reno, who has successfully made his chair, and grinned. "I still say he will look cute! And he won’t feel like that if you don't let him!" Leaning over, she gently nuzzled her nose against Cloud's. "One of each sounds great. Then you get to experience everything!"

"Just, be prepared: if we get a girl, you'll be receiving many calls from me when she’s older." Cloud chuckled. "Or do you expect me to know what to say when she gets her first period?"

“‘go ask mommy'?" Tifa asked, laughing. "Don't worry. I'll teach her all she needs to know about the wonders of being female." She looked up at Cloud, grinning evilly. "How to function through her period, how to flirt with the boys, how to control them and bend them to her will... All that good stuff…"

"Tifa..." Cloud called warningly, tapping his friend's nose. "Behave yourself or I won’t let you close to my children..."

"Like you could live without me...!" the woman shot back, grabbing onto Cloud's finger with her teeth and not letting go. "Du you wherly twust Huwfi?"

"Wha...?" Cloud chuckled, biting Tifa's nose to make her release his finger anytime soon.

Squealing, Tifa released Cloud's trapped digit and gently poked Cloud away. "I said, do you really trust Yuffie?" She asked. "Lord knows what she will teach the kid."

"Yuffie's young but when needed she has her head on its place." Cloud nodded. "We trust her... for now."

"Good choice." Yuffie was rather immature, but she could clean up her act when the time called for it. "What are you going to name the children?"

"We have Bella, Jasmine and Jennie for girls and Balthier and Sora for boys... if my memory isn't playing tricks on me." Cloud said slowly, trying to remember the names.

Grinning, Tifa cooed and snuggled closer to Cloud. "Aww... how cute…! I like Jennie and Balthier the most!"

"I prefer Bella and Sora." Cloud mused, embracing the woman gently. "They sound better together."

Thinking for a moment, Tifa nodded. "True... good twin names..." Shifting a bit, she cuddled closer to Cloud and closed her eyes, the trip and the day before finally catching up with her. "When do you go to the doctors next?"

"When Reno's sickness it’s over... but Marluxia says he shouldn't walk around much because he was close to having another miscarriage when Squall..." The blond stopped, swallowing hard. "Anyway, I think I'll ask Marlu to be our doctor here, in Costa del Sol."

"That might be for the best." Eyes narrowing in concern, Tifa took another peek at Reno, the little red fuzz ball currently playing with a rubber duck that he got from god knows where. "Should he be swimming then? It requires a lot of movement. Maybe it's bad for him?"

"I know but I can’t tie him up and expect him to be quiet during the rest of the pregnancy... let him have fun today." Cloud murmured.

"It's good for him too. He was always calmer in the water." The small Turk was a natural water bug. There was no place that he seemed more at home than either with Cloud or in the water. "I don't think we could stop him either." Tifa mumbled, eyes beginning to drift shut.

The blond smiled, nodding as he tucked a strand of black hair behind Tifa’s ear. "Yeah, you're right…" he said.

Humming, Tifa moved closer to Cloud's warm chest, curling up slightly. "We should move." She mumbled. "The sun is too warm..." It was putting her to sleep.

"You don't want that." Cloud chuckled, watching as Tifa curled against him. Reaching behind him, he tugged on Reno's towel on a chair nearby and pulled it to lay it on top of the black-haired woman. "There."

Whining, Tifa curled up tighter and pulled the towel closer, eager for more warmth. "Not... fair…" Cloud knew well and good that when she was warm and comfortable, there was no stopping her from drifting off.

"Just sleep." Cloud whispered, petting her hair and watching as the woman fell into a deep, deep slumber.

Splashing up from the pool, Reno hung over the edge and watched his lover place his towel more securely over Tifa's body. "She okay…?" He called out softly, not wanting to wake the slumbering women.

Cloud looked up and smiled lovingly at the redhead. "Yeah..." He whispered, adjusting the towel around Tifa to make sure she wouldn't get sun burnt. "She’s just tired from the trip."

Nodding, Reno heaved himself out of the water, stumbling slightly as he did so, the sudden weight throwing him off balance. "Not surprised. She was awake longer then the kids were." Walking over to Cloud, he leaned up to give him a brief kiss. "Will she be okay there?"

"Yeah, I put your towel around her to avoid getting her all burnt like a crisp." The blond nodded, returning the kiss gently. "Tired of the water?" He asked, brushing his lips against Reno's.

Humming happily, Reno leaned into the kiss and shook his head. "Am I ever? But I am getting a bit tired." He chuckled, reaching up to wring some water out of his hair. "The babies wear me out."

"Sorry..." Cloud murmured, smiling apologetically. After all, he was the one who put them there.

Chuckling, Reno raised a hand to bob Cloud gently on the back of his head, wary of the bruises. "Goof…! It's my fault too!"

"I know... but I felt like I should apologize."

Shaking his head, Reno leaned up for another kiss. "Don't be. I'm happier then I can ever remember being."

Cloud smiled into the kiss, cupping Reno's face with a gentle hand. "Okay then." He whispered, feeling Tifa shift against him.

Feeling his lover tense a bit, Reno looked down and chuckled, pulling back from Cloud. "I don't think she really wants to see that."

"Yeah..." Cloud grinned, running a hand through his hair to try and keep it away from Tifa's face before it poked one of her eyes out.

Snorting at his lover’s actions, Reno took Cloud's hand, helping him place Tifa carefully on the ground, and led him over to a nearby table on the other side of the pool. "C'mon. We don't want to wake her up." Setting Cloud down on one of the chairs, he took the one next to him and settled his head on Cloud's shoulder with a sigh.

Cloud smiled and rested a hand on top of Reno's head, closing his eyes in delight. He only opened them again when a small weight sat on his lap, effectively snapping him out of his daze. "Tired of watching TV?" He asked, poking Marlene's nose as she rested her head on top of Reno's.

Nodding, Marlene reached up and poked Cloud back, grin on her face. "Nothing good on..." Reaching down, she ran her hand through Reno's hair, giggling when he arched and purred.

Grinning at the girl’s reaction, Reno titled his head again, mewling. "Kitty likes head pats!" He said, reaching up to rub Cloud's hair.

Cloud chuckled, hugging the girl sat on him gently. "Is Denzel still sleeping?"

"Yep…! And snoring like a big bear…!" Marlene pulled a face, sticking her tongue out, remembering the way Denzel's loud snoring woke her up from a deep sleep.

Cloud laughed softly. "He doesn't snore that loud... okay, just a bit." He conceded defeat at Marlene's glare. "You want me to put you in another room?"

"Yes please." The girl was still a bit sleepy but she couldn't rest with him in the same room. "Or some earplugs..."

"I bet we have more rooms in this house than earplugs so a new room it is." Cloud smiled, kissing Marlene's forehead gently. "Still tired…? You can go to our room if you'd like."

Shaking her head, the girl jumped off of Cloud's lap after kissing his cheek. "No. I'm gonna go to Tifa's. She has my stuff in her bags anyways." Yawning one more time, she leaned up to kiss Reno on the cheek before walking back into the house.

Watching Marlene walk off, Reno picked up Cloud's hand and started to play with his fingers. "Hmmm... I’m bored now..."

Cloud chuckled, lifting Reno's hand to his lips and kissing it gently. "Is there anything you want to do? Talk about something, anything…?"

Thinking for a moment, Reno shook his head, placing his hand on his belly. "No... Not really." Pausing for a moment and then squealing quietly, the redhead looked down at his stomach, wide eyed. "I think one just did a summersault!!"

Cloud quickly rested his hands on Reno's stomach, feeling it. "You think?" He grinned, rubbing the lump with his thumbs.

Nodding with a grin, Reno placed his hands on top of Cloud's. "Yea…! Felt weird as hell too!" He was surprised there was even room for something like that! "Felt like a squid!"

The blond rolled his eyes and leaned forward to gently kiss Reno's high cheekbone. "You better get used to it."

Rubbing one hand over his slightly swollen belly, Reno let loose another small noise of surprise. "I swear they’re fighting, yo!" He felt like he was on a boat! Winching, he rubbed his stomach a bit more, praying to any gods that were listening that he didn't get seasick.

"Could be..." Cloud smiled tenderly, bending down to kiss the bump but quickly removing his lips from the skin. "One kicked me!"

"That's what you get for getting in the middle of them!" Reno giggled, wincing lightly as one of the kicks landed on his kidney. "Oww..." Grunting, he looked down and poked his stomach, speaking sternly. "Stop that." Blinking, he poked his stomach again when the kicking died down. "Hey, it worked!"

Cloud chuckled, rubbing his lower lip. Even inside Reno, the two kicked hard. "Well done, mommy. It seems like they turned against me... before it was my touch that made them stop."

Smiling softly, Reno reached out to gently move a piece of hair from Cloud's face. "They missed you. And I think kicking you this time was an accident." Picking up his lover hand, he placed it against his now calm belly. "Wanna try once more? I think they would like to know that you’re not mad at them."

"You think so?" Cloud asked with a soft smile, gently rubbing his lover's stomach with his thumbs.

"Yep..." Reno nodded, placing his own hand on top of Cloud's, pouting cutely. "They’re sorry they hurt daddy. Forgive them?"

The blond chuckled softly, leaning down to press his lips against Reno's stomach once more. "Daddy forgives them." He reassured, nuzzling his nose against the soft skin of his lover's stomach.

Reno smiled when he felt one of the babies reach out and softly press its hand against his stomach, touching Cloud's nose. "They’re happy." Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to the crown of Cloud's forehead. "And so am I. Really happy, yo." Happier then he could ever remember being.

"Good." Cloud smiled, turning his head up to gently kiss Reno's lips. "I'll try and make sure you'll feel that way forever."

Leaning into the kiss, Reno hummed and bumped his forehead against Cloud’s. "I'll always be happy." He had a wonderful husband-to-be that loved him, great friends, nice house and a couple of kids on the way. How much better could his life get? "As long as you’re with me..."

"Then you'll die with a stupid smile on your lips." Cloud teased, biting Reno's lower lip before licking it in an apology.

Reno let loose a squeak of surprise at his lover’s sudden move. Blinking, he licked his lips, leaving them shining. "Umm..." Smiling, Reno shook his head and leaned over to kiss Cloud on the cheek. "I'll make sure you do too." Cloud chuckled and cupped Reno's face gently, pressing their lips together in a gentle but firm kiss. Gasping, Reno pulled back from the kiss, hesitance and surprise written across his face. Cloud had not kissed him like that since before Squall took him.

"W-what…?" Cloud asked curiously, wondering if he had done something wrong.

Shaking his head, Reno leaned in, pecking Cloud on the lips quickly before pulling away. "Nothing…"

"You sure…? You know that you can tell me..."

Leaning in for another quick kiss, making this one last a bit longer, Reno shook his head again. "I’m just fine."

Cloud eyed Reno for a little while before shrugging, pulling the redhead gently to his lap. "Okay then." He sighed, grabbing Reno's chin gently and leaning forward for another kiss. It felt like it had been ages since they had a moment just for the two of them.

Pausing for just a moment, Reno leaned into the kiss with a happy sigh. 'Just once...' He told himself. 'Just this once... It must have been because of his problem earlier.' Why else would Cloud be holding him like this when he said he wouldn't until he thought Reno was ready? Cloud sighed through his nose as well, gently kissing his lover with his eyes softly closed in delight. Pulling back from the kiss after a few moments, Reno cracked his eyes open and studied his lover, trying to decide whether or not he should take it to the next level. Mentally shrugging, he leaned over and pressed their lips together once more, lips parting in invitation. What was the worst that could happen? Cloud would push him away? To the redhead's surprise, Cloud simply smiled into the kiss and inserted his tongue into the other man's mouth, gently rubbing their tongues together with a soft 'hmm' of approval. Eyes going wide, Reno closed them and allowed a few moments of the passionate embrace before placing his hands on Cloud's chest and gently pushing him away. "Stop…"

Cloud accomplished his lover's wish and pulled away, softly opening his eyes to look up at the redhead on his lap. "Sorry..."

Shaking his head, Reno licked his lips, panting softly, body humming for more. "No... I should have said something instead of letting it go on." Taking a few deep breaths, he smiled up at Cloud. "Sorry. I know you didn't want to do that."

The blond blinked and cocked his head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean, I 'didn't want it'? I was the one who started it, wasn't I?"

"Well… yea... but that's just because you were having a problem earlier." Reno shrugged. "I didn't mean to egg it on. Sorry." Didn't Cloud understand? A bit more of that kissing and Reno would not have been able to handle himself.

"I just don't want to blow up the trust you have in me..."

Blinking, Reno sighed and leaned over to rest his head on Cloud's chest. "Cloud... I trust you more than anyone…" Grabbing Cloud's hand, he placed it over the lump on his stomach once more. "Can't you tell? I love and trust you. Nothing can change that."

"I know... but I'm scared the memories of Squall will get between us and that you'll, unwillingly, start paring me with him..."

"That's... understandable…" Sighing once more, Reno leaned up and pressed his lips to Cloud's again, licking the smooth flesh before pulling back. "But we'll never know unless we try right?" Pulling back, he ran the back of his hand down Cloud's face. "I'm not pressing though."

"I know…" Cloud sighed, kissing Reno's chin gently: he knew the redhead was right... "Later tonight we'll see, okay?"

"Yea, later..." Later it was. The redhead knew that Cloud was still freaked out, but they couldn't ignore this forever. Placing a hand on his stomach, he winced at a hard kick. The babies had been getting more violent over the days. 'Maybe their hungry...' He thought to himself, taking a few deep breathed to try and breath through the ach.

Cloud frowned worriedly. "You okay?" He asked, placing his hands on his lover's stomach.

Wincing once more, Reno nodded. "Yea… They just like to beat the crap outta my insides yo. Been doing it since... well... that incident..."

The blond frowned sadly and hung his head, still feeling guilt that he hadn't woken up when Squall took Reno from him and that he hadn't been fast enough to get to the shack before it was too late. "Want me to call Marlu?"

"No, I'll be fine." Glancing up at Cloud, Reno's eyes saddened at his guilty state. "Hey... look at me." Grasping Cloud's face in his hands, Reno tilted his head up and leaned over to press their lips together. "Stop moping over it. I'm here now, aren't I? And the babies are fine. We all are."

Cloud smiled sadly. "I'm sorry... but no matter what everyone says, the guilt over what happened will never leave me."

Looking down, Reno nodded. "Then I guess... I should feel guilty as well... I mean... I wasn't even drugged and he STILL took me." He bit his lip. "And I did nothing to get away. I mean… I'm a TURK, for god’s sake! I should have been able to do SOMETHING." It was his own fault he almost lost the kids, not Cloud's.

"You're pregnant: you probably remembered that deep inside your mind and that's why you didn't do anything. If you had fought back, probably the babies would be with us anymore..."

Reno whimpered, curling up slightly on the other man’s lap, arms wrapped around his middle. "I could have played along and not fought back."

"Maybe if you did that, Squall could have still hurt you or the babies if not both." Cloud tried to reason, taking Reno's hands into his own and squeezing them, unaware that Tifa had woken up and was simply listening to them while trying not to give her away.

"Or he would have been kind and not hurt me at all." Nibbling on his lower lip, Reno squeezed Cloud's hands back. "He didn't want to hurt me... not at first, at least… he... he said he loved me."

Cloud looked down and sighed softly. "People say many things that they may or not feel." He murmured, looking up again.

Sensing that he was just making things worse, Reno nuzzled his head under Cloud's chin, leaning up briefly to kiss him. "Please cheer up." He hadn't meant to upset his lover this much.

Cloud closed his eyes and gently hugged Reno against his chest, rubbing his back soothingly. "I’m alright... are you alright?"

"Yea, I'm fine." Leaning into the soothing touches to his back, Reno let loose a sigh and kissed Cloud's chest, right above his heart. "I'm just upset that I upset you… if that makes any sense…"

Cloud smiled sadly and pressed a kiss against Reno’s head. "It’s alright… you didn’t upset me that much, baby." He whispered gently.

"Well, it should have..." Reno sighed. "I never wanted to upset you; you don't need any more stress in your life."

"And you do?" Cloud retorted. "Stop thinking about me... think about you, Reno. I’m fine."

Reno cringed a little at his lover’s firm tone, but didn't stop. "I'm going to think of you, yo." He shot back, sitting up to look Cloud in the eyes. "You don't think I remember how you almost broke the other day? Or how much this whole Squall thing is tearing you up inside?" his eyes narrowed. "I will think about you because you won’t do it for yourself!"

Cloud gave Reno a hard stare but decided not to retaliate aggressively. "I'll think about myself when you start thinking about yourself." if Reno didn’t, he would be on the spotlight... while Reno was the one hurt.

"I do think of myself." Sighing, Reno lowered his head, staring down at his clasped hands as he spoke. "I think about the babies and the future, whether or not what happened will damage them, what will happen to us as time goes along. I worry everyday that I might slip and somehow harm the kids, that maybe my purging had already done that. And most of all I worry about my job." He shivered a bit. "I know how dangerous it is and... I don't want to leave you guys one day." Gulping, he looked back up at Cloud. "Will you think about yourself now...please?"

Cloud studied Reno’s face for a while before sighing. "Can't you leave the Turks?"

A shake of the head was his only answer. "You know I can't. I'm too close to Rufus and I know too much to leave." He bit his lip, cringing a little bit. "Do you have any idea of what may happen if one of Rufus's enemies gets wind that there is an ex-Turk out there? It won’t be pretty." Cloud remained completely silent, simply resting his hands on his lover's bump. Whimpering lightly at Cloud's sudden silence, Reno decided to risk it and gingerly placed his head on Cloud's chest. "I'm sorry. But I can't leave."

Cloud nodded. "Okay..." he whispered sadly. “I… I guess that I’ll just have to live with the knowledge that maybe one day, instead of being you entering the front door as I take care of the kids, it’ll be Rufus or any other of your comrades bringing bad news…” The blond closed his eyes slowly in pain.

Nuzzling closer, Reno reached down to link their fingers together. "Please don't be sad yo. I'm a great Turk. I survived this long!" He wasn’t going to be taken out that easily!

"I know... but even the strongest rock breaks."

"Good thing I'm not a rock then." Reno grinned. "I'm a sapling." Giving his lover’s hand a squeeze, he closed his eyes and sighed. "An oak tree will fall to the power of the wind but a sapling will just bend with the wind. I will not be broken." Cloud nodded as he closed his eyes and buried his face on Reno’s shoulder. He would not think about himself with Reno still so vulnerable. Glancing up, Reno sighed sadly when he noticed the look on Cloud's face. "... You said you would think about yourself if I did..." He didn't want his lover to focus on only him. "... well... as long as you ignore yourself, then I'm going to take care of you!"

"I’m not ignoring myself." A soft snort was the blonde’s only answer. "Seriously, I’m not."

"Yea, right, uh-uh, sure..." Reno knew his lover better than that. "I'm not stupid yo. You’re going to focus all your energy on me and ignore your own problems. You always do."

Cloud looked away. "I’m fine..."

Taking hold of Cloud's chin, Reno turn his head back to look at him, placing a light kiss on his lips. "I will worry about you and you will let me." He leaned in for another kiss, smiling. "Please? I want to."

Cloud eyed the redhead. "...Fine."

Another gentle kiss was laid upon Cloud’s lips, this one lasting longer. "Thank you. And don't worry; I won’t turn into your servant again."

"You better not, mister."

Glad that their little disagreement had been settled, Reno yawned slightly and blushed when his stomach rumbled. "... I think I'm hungry." He pouted and wrapped his arms around Cloud's neck. "Don’t wanna move!"

Cloud chuckled. “I’ll go prepare you something and then I’ll bring it here for you.”

Shaking his head, the redhead tightened his grip, nuzzling closer to Cloud. "No... I'm warm."

"But you need to eat:"

Moaning, Reno nodded and reluctantly slipped off of Cloud's lap. "Yea... will you make me some fried shrimp with steak sauce, ketchup and sherbet!?" He asked excitedly, rubbing his stomach with a purr.

Cloud cringed. "Sure, why not." He mumbled, disappearing into the house.

"You have some disgusting cravings."

Chuckling, Reno followed his lover, hopping up to sit on the counter. "Blame the kids! They want it!" He called back to the dark haired woman that had spoken, rubbing his stomach some more with a grin.

Cloud turned around, blinking. "Tifa woke up? He asked as the woman entered the house as well. "You were going to leave her alone outside?" the blond scolded softly.

Holding up his hands, Reno chuckled. "Hey! She would have been fine! She’s a strong lady, Cloud!"

Walking over to her blond friend, Tifa ruffled his hair fondly. "Don't be such a worry wart. You know I'm a light sleeper. I've been up for a while." Shooting the blonde a grin, she ruffled his hair once more. "You two are so CUTE!"

Cloud whined and tried to free his hair. "Let go, it’s difficult to make it as it is now without having you ruffling it like that!"

Chuckling once more, Tifa decided to take pity on Cloud and set him free. "I'll be upstairs. I gotta change."

Grinning as the woman left, Reno scuttled along the counter until he was next to Cloud. "You whined!" He cooed, reaching out to ruffle Cloud's hair himself. "How cute…!"

"Reno..." Cloud pouted. "It’s not cute... and what if i whined? Cant a warrior whine anymore?"

"Heh, sure you can whine!" Leaning over, Reno nuzzled their noses together. "But be prepared to be cooed over for being cute!"

Cloud rolled his eyes and licked Reno’s nose. "Meh…" He sighed, starting to prepare his lover's food.

Meeping, Reno pulled back and rubbed his nose. "What? I’m allowed to be cute and you’re not?" He pouted. "No fair!"

Cloud chuckled. "I don’t know how to be cute."

"HA!" Tossing his head back, Reno let loose a few chuckles. "Cloud... you’re cute all the time! Way more than me…!" He smirked, settling back down to watch the blonde cook.

"How so…?"

Blinking, Reno tilted his head to the side to think. "Well...there's that face you make when you talk to the kids, how you always whine and nuzzle up to me first thing in the morning, how you mewl when I scratch your back and give you a massage. And the faces you make when I do something random like biting your nose. That’s all cute!"

Cloud paused to think before shrugging. "I don't think that’s any cute... but if you think so..." he smiled. “It’s alright, I guess."

Grinning, Reno nodded. "Yep…! I think it's cute!" Pausing for a moment, he tilted his head to the side in thought. "What about me? Why do you think that I'm cute?" He sure didn't think so. Annoying, yes, but cute?

"It’s cute the way you whine in your sleep when I have to get up and you lose your warmth... the way you pout when someone picks on you jokingly, the way your cheekbones get all round and cute when you grin... seriously, I can’t name them all."

Reno blushed, amazed at how many details his lover knew about him. Biting his lip, he looked down, swinging his feet slowly as he gripped the counter. "Can... I ask you another question?"

"Of course..." Cloud smiled, kissing Reno’s cheek tenderly.

Leaning into the kiss, Reno bit his lip once more, face burning. "When did..." Licking his lips, he tried again. "When did you first know you loved me?"

Cloud blinked and cocked his head to the side, thinking. "When…? Hmm... Well, you caught my eye the first time i saw you... at Aerith's church... but I guess I finally understood my feelings for you when you kicked my balls at Tifa’s bar, remember?” He chuckled. “I... I wanted to be mad at you. I really wanted. But I couldn't. I tried but I couldn't. All it did when I thought about it was put a stupid grin on my lips." the blond chuckled. "I wondered why it was and when you appeared to apologize on the day after... I understood. I couldn't hate you because I loved you."

Reno looked over at Cloud, wide eyed. "Th-that long?" He could remember seeing the blonde at Aerith's church, the way the sun hit him, making him look like some sort of god. But he never knew that his feelings were returned. "Well… mine isn't as great." Sighing, he leaned back and closed his eyes. "I noticed you as well in the church and after that I stole as many glances at you as I could. When we were fighting... watching you as you defeated Sephiroth, at the bar while you interacted with your friends... I couldn’t get enough... but… I think I fell in love… a few weeks into our dating." A smile came to his face. "We had just gotten into a HUGE fight and I thought we were over yo. I went on a mission with Rude and was hit by a poisoned dart... the next thing I remember is pain… then waking up in a hospital with you sleeping next to me and holding my hand. Rude told me that you hadn’t moved in over three days. I fell in love then." He cracked his eyes back open. "Because you came... Even as mad as you were, you still cared for me."

Cloud smiled and kissed Reno’s soft lips gently, sighing contently through his nose. "I remember that fight… and that day. It was awful, the feeling of regret and helplessness… Just, I will always care for you, mad or not."

Reno deepened the kiss for a moment before pulling back, resting his forehead on Cloud's. "I didn't know at the time. You were just so MAD. I thought I had lost you forever and my heart almost broke."

"AH, as if you would get rid of me that easily."

Giggling, Reno shook his head and gave Cloud a gentle shove away. "I know that now..." his stomach rumbled again, the noise sounding like a dragon’s roar. “...is the food done yet?"

Groaning in disappointment, Reno nodded. "Okay..." Peeking around his lover’s shoulder, a grin came to Reno's face and he quickly reached around him and snatched a piece of shrimp, popping it in his mouth. "Yoink…!"

"Can’t you wait a minute?" Cloud exclaimed, a grin tugging on his lips. "There, it’s done!"

"Yay…!" Snagging the bowl out of Cloud's hands, Reno gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Love you!" And sat back onto the counter, eagerly digging into his food, uncaring about the heat or how it got all over his fingers, not stopping long enough to grab a fork.

Cloud stared and blindly reached for a spoon. "Eat with this, cavern man."

Looking over, Reno grinned and scooted away. "No want. Red eats like animal!"

Cloud sighed loudly and thrust the spoon onto Reno’s hand. "Red uses that! I can only imagine what the children would do if they saw you like this!!" the blond chuckled, slapping his forehead with his right hand.

Snickering, Reno threw the spoon into the sink. "Do not want!" He quickly polished off the rest of his snack, skittering around the counters so Cloud couldn’t catch him. Swallowing the last bite, he put his plate in the sink and sat down; wagging his feet happily as he sucked the excess of juices and sauce off his fingers.

Cloud rolled his eyes and just sighed, going to wash the dishes and clean the counter: he had Reno’s handprints all over. "You dirty... redhead…!"

Crackling, Reno hopped off the counter and went over to give Cloud a kiss on the cheek. "You love me!" Grabbing a wet cloth, he went to go wipe down the counters, marveling at the amount of prints on it. How in hell did they get on the wall?

"I can’t argue against that." Cloud grinned, looking to the side to see Denzel walking into the kitchen sleepily. "Slept well?"

Yawning, Denzel nodded, walking over to the kitchen table and sitting down. "Yea… the beds are great."

"They are." Cloud smiled. "Want me to get you something to eat?"

Mumbling, Denzel raised his head, blinking at the sight of Reno standing on his tip toes to reach some handprints on the wall. "....umm....grilled cheese sandwich?"

"Okay." Cloud smiled, kissing Denzel’s temple before getting to work once more.

Jumping off the counter after getting the last of the prints, Reno walked over to sit next to Denzel. "How ya doin’, buddy…?"

Looking up at Reno, Denzel smiled and curled closer to the redhead, liking the warmth he gave out. "Good, a little sleepy."

Smiling, Reno pulled the boy closer and rubbed his back. "Don't worry. Tifa fell asleep too."

Denzel smiled and rested his head on Reno’s shoulder, running his arms around the redhead's waist. "I guess we're all tired."

Humming, Reno nodded, adding nails to the back motion and scratching it soothingly. "I don't blame you. I and Cloud were exhausted the first day here. It will get better."

"But you probably had to move furniture, clothes and stuff..."

"Well... Cloud did. He FREAKED when I tried to help." Reno winced; remembering what else had happened that day. "But yea… we did do stuff like that."

Denzel chuckled with his eyes sleepily closed. "That's Dad for you..."

Smiling down at the sleep boy, Reno gave his shoulder a light shake. "C'mon. No falling back to sleep yo. Don't want you falling asleep again." Then he would be wired all night. Not good.

Cloud smiled at Reno and Denzel’s backs, turning to take a late of Denzel’s food to the table. "Here you have it." He said softly, placing the plate in front of the youngster.

"Thanks dad." Yawning once more, Denzel reached out and took his sandwich, leaning further onto Reno as he ate. "It's good." It always surprised him that Cloud could cook as well as he did, never having seen him practice.

The blond grinned, brushing Denzel’s hair with his fingers gently. "Thank you." he thanked softly, kissing the exposed forehead. Cloud smiled softly, remembering how the soft skin was once all black: Denzel was a strong, strong kid.

Blinking at the sudden kiss, Denzel yawned once more, polishing off his sandwich. "Thanks." He was starting to feel a little more awake now. The boy looked around the kitchen and asked the question that had been bugging him since he walked into the kitchen. "Why are there footprints on the wall?"

"We live with Reno, Denzel. Does that answer?" Cloud smiled widely, shaking his head.

"... Okay, you have a point."

"Hey!" Reno pouted. "I'm not that bad!"

Both father and son coughed slightly. "Uh... of course not…!" They both grinned playfully.

Reno crossed his arms with a 'humph'. "Name one thing that I've done that’s as weird as footprints on the walls!"

"The waffles that are still hanging on the roof of seventh heaven…?" Denzel tried.

"What, those are still there?" Cloud asked with an amused grin.

"Yeah, Tifa fumes every time she tries to take them off! They won’t budge, they're as cement!"

"You didn’t mix the cement with the sugar, did you Reno?"

Sputtering, Reno turned away, redder then his hair. "... Maybe... But it's your fault!" He whipped around, pointing at Cloud. "YOU left me there alone!" Smirking, he shrugged. "Okay, so you have ONE thing. But that’s all you got!" Sniffing, he crossed one leg, sitting back, arm draped across Denzel's shoulders. "I'm perfectly normal!"

"Normal…? WHO mixes cement with sugar?" Cloud asked, laughing.

Muttering, Reno shifted a bit, some red still across his cheeks. "It wasn't labeled and it was right next to the sugar! I was experimenting." He grumbled. "Who puts cement next to the sugar!?"

"Barret; He was there on the morning before." Denzel giggled. "And sugar's white--"

"Or yellow..." Cloud added.

"---while cement is silver…!"

"I said I was EXPERIMENTING!" Sitting back with a groan, Reno rubbed the bridge of his eyes. "I was trying to make Cloud breakfast in bed and wanted to make them taste better! I didn't know!"

"Good thing they never got to the bedroom." Cloud chuckled, peeking Reno’s cheek. "What counts is the intention... and i love you for It." he grinned

Grinning, Reno leaned over and kissed Cloud's cheek. "Damn right, you do!" He pulled back, wincing. "I got some of the batter on my hands and legs... not fun to peel off…"

“Who told you to spill it all over yourself?”

Reno pouted. "Marlene bumped into me and it spilled!"

"Marlene was asleep back then!" Denzel grinned.

Sputtering, Reno whined. "Bu-but... but... fine... I admit, I spilled it." No way in HELL was he telling Cloud that he spilled it because he had walked out into the bar to ask Tifa a question and a random drunk pinched his ass. "So I'm clumsy. Big deal…"

Cloud smiled. "You know we love you, being clumsy or not."

"Yea… I know." Smirking, Reno leaned on the table, head in his hands. "And I love you back just as much yo. Even though you’re a chocobo in human form…!"

Cloud scowled while Denzel laughed. "Why can he call you chocobo and me, Marlene and Tifa can’t?"

"He’s my soon-to-be husband. He has all the privileges."

"I’m your son."

"Then you need to respect me if you don't want me to stop making you these delicious grilled-cheese sandwiches."

Shaking his head wildly, Denzel stopped laughing. "Okay! Okay! I won't call you that! Just don’t take away my cheese!" Glaring at Reno, who was happily laughing next to him, Denzel smirked. "And won't mom be your WIFE?" He asked, grinning when the redhead sputtered.

Cloud grinned, petting the boy's hair. "Way to go, honorable son."

"WH-what the..." Face turning red, Reno growled. "WIFE!?" He yelled, jumping up from his seat. "I'm no wife!!"

"You're pregnant and the bottom on the relationship as we can see from your baby lump - not because I make you do it but because you always want to bottom." Cloud explained wisely. "I was the one who proposed, by the way. It’s more than proved that I’m the one who will wear the pants in this marriage."

Sputtering and choking, Reno looked from his stomach to Cloud and back. "Grr... FINE…!" Stomping his foot, he sat back down, grumbling lightly. "I'm the freaking woman. Happy?"

"Yep..."

Moaning, Reno let his head hit the table with a thump and reached out to shove Denzel’s head down so he couldn’t see him flip the blonde the bird. "Err... Mom…?"

"M'not yer mom…!"

"Yes sir!"

Cloud rolled his eyes and freed Denzel. "I saw what you did there." he said to Reno.

Grinning, Reno released Denzel and gave his lover a wink. "I know. You were meant to."

"I’m sleeping in the other room..." Cloud sang with a small smile.

Blinking, Reno frowned and seemed to deflate. "... I didn't mean it like that…" He didn't want Cloud to leave; he didn't think he would be able to sleep in that room without him.

The blond chuckled, ruffling Reno’s spikes. "Don't worry. M’not giving up your warmth at night; it gets cold." He mused, turning to Denzel. "What do you want do now that we need to keep you awake?"

The boy shrugged, smiling at the loving antics of his parents. "It's too cold to swim. Do you have any videogames or something?" That could kill a couple hours.

"Yep, in your room; didn’t you see them?" Cloud smiled. Rufus had even thought about that.

"But we can get them to the living room if you want to play them in a bigger TV screen..." Reno grinned.

"Downstairs!!" Leaping up from his chair, Denzel raced upstairs excitedly, coming back down a few moments later with the Wii he had found in his room and a few games. "What do you want to play?!"

"Whatever you want…"

Grinning, Denzel dug through the games, leaving Reno to set up the system. "Umm... how about... Boxing…?" That looked like fun! Grinning up at Cloud, he waved a control in his face. "Bet I could kick yer butt!"

Cloud laughed loudly, faking amusement. "I'd like to see you try."

Smirking, Denzel tossed Cloud the controller and stood in front of the TV. "Let's do it then." Standing next to his dad, he used the remote to choose his character. "Ready?"

"Since birth" Cloud smirked, doing the same. "Oh, if you win, next time Sephiroth appears, you're going. Just so you know."

Snickering, Denzel waited for the screen to count down. "Three… two... one… GO!" In a flash of movement, his hands blurred and Cloud's character had been knocked back by several strong hits to the face and gut, half of his HP gone. "Looks like i get to fight next time…!"

Cloud grinned and moved to hit Denzel’s chin, stomach, nose and thigh, also reducing his son's HP to half. "Oh, go ahead... I'm a bit tired of killing that bastard over and over again." He grinned, keeping the hits coming.

Giggling, Denzel blocked Cloud's hits, making his character duck down before coming up, smashing it's fist into Clod's face, HP going down to zero. "First round is mine!" Waiting for the screen to count down again, he gave Cloud a quick grin. "It can't be that hard if Captain Cockroach keeps getting beat by you. I'll just send out a roach motel and wait."

Cloud’s eyes flashed. "Oh yeah?" he grinned. "Let's see." he said and immediately started hitting Denzel’s character once he had the chance, not giving the kid time to block any of the blows. It was over before Denzel could even blink.

Blinking, Denzel snorted. "... Wow... not bad for an old man!" Grinning, he waited for the screen to load and looked behind Cloud, eyes widening as he gasped. "MOM…? What’s the matter!?" Smirking the second Cloud turned; Denzel went all out on his character. "WINNER: PLAYER 1!"

Reno blinked at Denzel’s yell of victory and smirked as his lover wiped around, giving him a small wave. "I think you lose yo."

Cloud gaped at the screen before turning to Denzel. "You cheater!!!" he exclaimed, quickly grabbing the boy and ruffling his hair roughly. "We'll see who wins in swordsmanship, you little runt!"

Shrieking in laugher, Denzel tried in vain to knock his dad's hand away. "ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WII!"

Cloud growled and threw them to the floor, pinning the boy under his body. "You little---!"

"Cloud…!" Jumping over, Reno ran to Cloud and hopped on his back. "No tickling to death!" Grasping hold of his lover’s hair, he tugged lightly. "Off him…!"

Cloud squeaked in pain, stopping the tickling as he rolled over to his back. "Hey--!" He yelped when Denzel pounced on him and retrieved the favor. "If I can't tickle, you can't tickle!" He exclaimed, chuckling as he squirmed.

Laughing, Denzel dug his fingers deeper into Cloud's sides. "Stop me!!" Grinning, he went for his dad’s armpits, his most vulnerable spot.

Laughing, Reno grunted as he landed on the floor, warm body of his lover on top of his as he squirmed from Denzel's attack. "Hey!" Bopping the top of his lover's head gently, he giggled. "As much as I'm enjoying this... you’re squishing me!!"

Cloud immediately stopped, as did Denzel, and they both looked at Reno, panting tiredly. "We hurt you?" The boy asked, leaning against his father heavily.

Grunting at the additional weight, Reno shook his head. "No. But if you don't move soon then your brothers or sisters are gonna come out flat!!"

They both quickly moved away, helping Reno sit. "Sorry..."

Panting lightly, Reno chuckled and shook his head. "No problem, yo..." Turning to Cloud, he waged a finger under his nose with a smirk. "No weights, remember?"

The blond looked down, ashamed. "I’m sorry..."

Frowning, Reno shook his head and got to his hands and knees, leaning over to nuzzle his face. "Hey...don't worry about it yo. I'm fine."

"You really sure…?" Cloud asked, placing his hands on Reno’s stomach.

"Positive. We’re all fine." The redhead nuzzled Cloud's face again, loving the feeling of his lover’s skin on his.

"I’m happy then." Cloud smiled, kissing Reno’s cheek as he smacked Denzel’s stomach gently. He still hadn’t forgotten about their little fight.

"Oww." Rubbing his stomach, Denzel stuck his tongue out at Cloud. "You’re SO lucky mom is so close to you!"

"Oh yeah? What would you do, pipsqueak?"

Growling, Denzel reached out and poked the back of Cloud's neck, smirking when he jumped and squeaked. "THAT! I know your tickle spots!"

Cloud growled before gently sitting Reno in a far away couch and before lunging towards Denzel. "C'mere and say that to my face NOW!"

Screaming, Denzel scrabbled across the floor. "No, no, no, no!! Bad Chocobo! BAD!!" Giggling madly, he ran over and hopped onto Reno's lap, the redhead automatically wrapping his arms around him. "Sanctuary!!"

Cloud had to stop abruptly, tripping and ending on his face on the floor. "Damn you..." He cursed.

Laughing, Denzel nuzzled closer into Reno, looking down at the black and blonde lump on the floor and stuck his tongue out. "Come and get me!!"

"You're the devil! Devil, I say!"

Crackling Denzel didn't even notice Reno's wiggling fingers coming closer until it was too late. "He-what-NO!!" Bursting out in laughter, he wriggled on Reno's lap, careful not to flail too much. "STOP!!"

"NO MERCY!! USING ME AS A SAFE BASE, HOW COULD YOU? I'LL SHOW YOU!!"

Cloud grinned and just watched. "I knew you wouldn't fail me, love." He purred, kissing Reno's bare foot.

Laughing slightly, Reno tugged his foot back, fingers still attacking. "Of course not!" He continued his attack until Denzel went limp. "There... are we going to be mean to dad again?" He chuckled at the frantic head shake he got in reply. "Didn't think so."

Cloud grinned and rested his head on Denzel's stomach, kissing the boy's exposed skin. "You alive?" He asked softly, petting the boy's hair.

"Barely." Came the panted response. Setting his head on Reno's chest, Denzel ran a hand through his dad's hair. "You two are mean."

"What did you say?" Reno asked, wiggling his fingers in the boys face with a grin.

"I said ‘I love you!'"

"Thought so."

Cloud chuckled. "Love you two." He grinned, resting his ear against Denzel's chest and listening to the hastily beating heart.

Humming, Reno ran his fingers through Cloud's hair. "You guys tired out already?" He had to admit, that was a lot of excitement for such a short amount of time, and Denzel was still tired. Cloud shrugged while Denzel nodded. Chuckling, Reno gave Cloud's hair a pat. "Up." Waiting for his lover to stand up, he stood and helped Denzel lying down on the couch. "Here; Rest a bit."

Denzel nodded and curled on the couch, extending his arms to Cloud who grinned and sat on the floor, running his arms around the boy and allowing him to rest his forehead on his shoulder. "Don't you fall asleep or you won’t sleep at night…" The blond advised, nuzzling his nose against Denzel's hair.

Thinking for a moment, Reno crackled lowly. "I'll be right back…" Running upstairs, he ran back down a few seconds later and into the kitchen, soon returning. "Here!" A big smile of his face, he handed a can of Monster and a foot long pixy stick. "Eat that! You'll wake RIGHT up yo!"

Eyes widening, Denzel momentarily wondered where Reno had gotten that but soon knocked the thought away, reaching out for the sugary treats. "Sweeeeeeet…" He remembered the last time he had one of these. He was up till dawn the next day.

"If he's hyper by night time, you're sleeping in the same room as him." Cloud joked, reaching to pet his lover's baby lump.

Chuckling, Reno shook his head. "How about we strap him to a treadmill and let him run it off?"

Denzel's eyes widened at the threat and he quickly reached to put the sweets away. "Err, I think I'm wide awake."

Chuckling evilly, Reno shrugged. "Your loss!" He cheered before cracking open the pixy stick and swallowing, downing it with a mouthful of monster. "Yum!"

Cloud's eye twitched. "Great, now I'm the one who'll be forced to be awake all night." He muttered, banging his head gently against Denzel's chest.

Grinning, Reno sent his lover a wink. "You LOVE it." He purred, laughter in his eyes.

"And the proof likes to kick your kidney."

Denzel snorted.

Laughing, Reno felt his cheeks get a bit warm. "That's a whole lot of proof yo!"

Cloud shook his head, a knowing grin on his face. "You know me. " He smiled.

Snickering, Reno nodded. "Yep! And on that note..." Getting up, he went to sit next to Denzel. "Safety Zone!" Cloud smiled at Reno as Tifa walked down the stairs, holding a still sleepy Marlene.

Smiling back, Tifa sat in an armchair in the corner of the room, small girl on her lap. "We heard screaming from upstairs. What happened?"

"Someone cheated on me." Cloud growled, nodding his head towards Denzel. "Then a tickling fight started."

Tifa chuckled and looked at Denzel. "What did I say about cheating?"

"All good except for school?"

"Good boy."

Cloud gaped, hugging Denzel's arm against his chest. "Tifa...! How dare you corrupt his mind like that??"

"Easily!" Tifa answered snickering. "And you looked really gay when you gasped like that, lady."

Cloud pouted. "Have anything against the fact that I'm gay?"

Tifa rolled her eyes and spoke in monotone. "Oh yes. So much. You freak. You freak." She deadpanned.

"Go burn in hell, you homophobe." Cloud said in the same tone of voice, throwing a pillow at Tifa.

Catching the pillow, Tifa tossed it back, nailing Cloud in the face. "I'll bring marshmallows!"

"Hope you chock on them!" The blond tossed the pillow once more.

Catching it once more, she grinned. "Where am I gonna go if I chock in hell!!?"

"... To the devil's bedroom." Cloud puffed his cheeks in annoyance. "I hope HE makes YOU chock." He grinned deviously.

Laughing, Tifa tossed the pillow back once more. "I ain't gonna chock." She grinned. "I NEVER chock."

"That’s not what I remember, miss Lockheart..." Cloud grinned, holding the pillow close. "The day before fighting Sephiroth... we were alone at the Highwind...."

"... Shut up!" Tifa squeaked, horrified.

"You DID chock back then and you know it!" Cloud laughed, tossing the pillow at the woman.

"I HATE YOU!!" Gripping the pillow tightly, Tia paused and looked over at Reno who was staring at them, wide eyed. "Reno..."

Shaking his head, Reno grinned. "I didn't know you guys used to date!"

"We didn't." Cloud looked up at Reno, resting his head on his lover's lap. "It was a one night stand before a fight that could end up with us dead..."

Humming, Reno ran his fingers through his lover’s soft hair. "Pre battle jitters?" He asked. "I remember those. I've had a few like that myself."

Denzel coughed rather loudly. "Ahem... just to let you all know that me and Marlene ARE here."

"Don't tell me that you don't know what a blow job is." Cloud snorted.

"Dad!" Denzel blushed, horrified.

"What? You think I never heard one of your talks with your friends?"

Chocking, Tifa turned to look at Denzel. "You and your friends talk about WHAT now?!?" He was only TEN.

Denzel glared at Cloud who was glaring right back at him. He had been waiting to trap Denzel in one of these. "I'm growing, I have curiosity!"

"Then you ask me or Cloud! You DON'T go to your friends!" Only God KNEW what they had told the boy. "Wait…" Eyes narrowing, Tifa growled lowly, looking at Denzel. "… Just WHAT was the magazine I saw you guys looking at the other day?" Denzel groaned and left his head fall on back onto the couch.

Cloud sighed softly after a few seconds before hovering above Denzel's face. "Denzel." He called softly, just for the two of them to hear. Getting the boy’s attention, he continued. "It’s normal that you ask your friends. I know how it was, even if I don't remember having any other friends but my mom when I was your age. Just, you have me. You have Reno. You also have Tifa, although I understand that it’s a bit uncomfortable to go and talk with her about these kinds of things... you can trust us, you know? You won’t get scolded for wanting to understand." He reassured. "So, next time you have a doubt, any kind of doubt, be it of these kinds of doubts or not... come to one of us. Okay? We like to know that you trust us and that we can trust you..."

Staring at his dad in shock, Denzel nodded, leaning over to give him a hug. "Okay. I'll come to you." He was afraid that they would get mad for something like this. It was nice to know that they weren’t. "I trust you."

Cloud smiled and returned the hug, burying his nose on Denzel's neck. "I'm happy then." He smiled against his son's skin.

Watching father and son embrace, Tifa sighed and reached out to place her hand on Denzel’s shoulder. "Denzel… sweetie? I'm sorry. I shouldn’t have blown up."

Denzel looked up from his father’s shoulder and shook his head. "It’s alright."

Smiling, Tifa leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Thanks sweetie." Feeling a motion on her lap, she looked down just in time to see Marlene reach over and tug on Cloud's hand. "What’s a blowjob?" Tifa could feel her eyes widen: Uh-oh.

"Err..." Cloud stuttered. Crap! He thought Marlene was sleeping! "... A blow--- first of all you shouldn’t call it a blow job... it’s not... right." He mumbled, scratching his nape as his face burned when he felt everyone's eyes on him. "Let’s say that... it’s something that people do... when they're over 20. Yep, only when they're over 20." The blond made sure to underline that, nodding. "And only to people who they like very much and... okay, only to those who they're sure they'll spend a life with. Yep, only with those. Like marriage and stuff. With no divorce." Cloud swallowed hard, feeling sweat tickle down his temple. He was so screwed if this reached Barret's ears...

Marlene blinked, confused. "But... what IS it? And why would it chock you?"

Cloud almost cried out with despair. "It’s... sucking a lollipop. A... big... large... lollipop." The man stuttered, trying to explain. Of all things he could use to describe it...! "Y-you may gag... if you take much of it into your mouth... throat.... whatever." He would never hear the end of it for this one.

Blinking once more, Marlene smile. "Oh! Okay!" Now she understood!

From the other side of the couch, Reno lift his head from where he was silently laughing. "Yea kiddo. A lollipop!" He grinned, sending a small leer at Cloud. "I like it when Cloud gives me a lollipop! They’re tasty! And he likes it when I give one back! It's a sign of love!" He snickered. "Although I don't remember ever choking!"

Cloud growled as he forced himself not to kick Reno. "Don't give her ideas!" He hissed desperately through clenched teeth.

But the girl just giggled. "I don't have anyone I wanna do that with!" She smiled, nodding. "I'll wait till I'm twenty!" From behind her, Reno stuck his tongue out at Cloud.

Cloud breathed in relief, hugging Marlene. "Yes hunny, wait til you’re twenty... if you don't have someone at twenty, just wait till thirty."

"I'll be OLD!!" Marlene looked up at the blonde in horror. "How old were YOU when you gave one to somebody?"

Cloud turned every shade of red known to man at that as everyone chuckled. "... Probably… when I was 15 but I was in the army and was very, very drunk!!" He explained hastily. "I don't even remember the person anymore!"

Marlene looked at the blond and frowned. "That's not 20!" Looking over at Reno, she asked him the same question.

Choking, Reno blushed just as red as Cloud and stuttered. "Err... umm, 17." He couldn't tell her the real age, she would flip out. "And I don't remember who he was either."

Marlene frowned again. "You’re both irresponsible!"

"I was drunk!" Cloud protested weakly. "And that is WHY you need to stay away from alcohol!" He took the chance to make sure Marlene would never got buzzed. Shiva knew what mean people would do to such a pure, sweet girl.

The girl in question just rolled her eyes. "I live over a BAR. I KNOW not to drink."

Reno giggled. "Pwned."

"Even so! Warning never killed." Cloud pouted, crossing his arms.

"True." Sighing, Marlene laid her head back on Tifa's chest. "I won't drink, don’t worry."

Cloud nodded, sighing. "Can... we drop this? It’s embarrassing." He whispered, drained.

"Consider it dropped, yo!" Reno cheered, bouncing a bit. The sugar was kicking in and he felt like there was itching powder in his bathing suit. He felt like DANCING! "I wanna play!" He cheered, giggling madly.

Cloud blinked up at his lover. "Play?" He repeated in disbelief.

Reno turned to his lover, body practically vibrating with energy. "Yes! Play!!"

"Play what?"

Pausing for a moment, Reno crossed his arms across his chest and tilted his head to the side, tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth in thought. A few moments later, his face lit up and he smacked a fist into his palm. "A game!"

Cloud slammed a hand against his forehead. "Sure… What game?"

Grinning, Reno shrugged. "Dunno! What I REALLY wanna do is run around." He pouted, poking his lover’s forehead. "But you won’t let me!"

"Damn right I won't."

"So I have to find something else to do!" Humming, Reno placed an elbow on Cloud's head and leaned his own on his open palm. "Hmm... dunno... everything I wanna do you won’t let me!" He whined. "I wanna jump around, twist, bend, do back flips and climb trees!"

Cloud patiently endured Reno's sugar high. "Why don't you go swim a bit more? The sun's still out and it’s still kinda hot." Maybe the cold water would snap him out of his daze.

"But I dun WANNA!!" Taking his arm off Cloud, the redhead began to bounce again. "I wanna do something EXCITING!!" Looking down at Cloud, he smirked. "Play with me! Let's spar! We'll be careful!"

"What?" Cloud nearly had an epiphany. "There's no way in hell we'll do that!"

"Calm down!" Leaning over, Reno pressed his hands on Cloud's shoulder to keep him from flailing too much. "Whoa Captain Spandex! Cool it! I just meant some hand on hand. No hitting below the belt of near the gut." He sighed. "I gotta do SOMETHING to work this energy off!"

"Accidents happen, Reno. I'll jump down the frikin' cliff if I make you lose the babies!"

Pouting, Reno sighed. "I'm much safer with you then doing it alone!" Seeing that he wasn't going to win anytime soon, he grunted and flopped back on the couch. "Well what do you suggest that I do?"

"I dunno, play a video game?" The blond suggested, waving a hand towards the Wii.

"Boring! I want MOVEMENT! And lots of it!" Cloud sighed softly. This was going to be troublesome. Moaning in disappointment, Reno flopped back and forth, the sugar in his system demanding him to move. "C'mon!" Sitting up, he tapped the side of Cloud's head. "I know there is a fun chip in there SOMEWHERE! Switch it and get the ball moving!"

Cloud looked towards the ceiling and joined his hands. "I'm not one for prayers but please, whoever is up there... please, don't let the children be like him. It'll be too much for me to handle." He pleaded softly.

"HEY!" Crackling, Reno swooped down and pressed a kiss to his lover’s lips. "I'm not THAT bad!!" Pulling back with a grin, he winked. "And not even prayer can help you now, yo. You’re doomed."

Cloud let out a dry sob as Denzel chuckled. "Doomed." He underlined, grinning at his father.

Shaking her head, Tifa reached over to pet her friend’s head in sympathy. "You did it. Now deal with the consequences!"

"Doesn’t anyone pity me??" Cloud asked, frowning. Great family he had...

"No." Came the chorused answer.

The blond pouted and kicked away an invisible pebble. "Bunch of morons…" He murmured, crossing his arms.

"I resent that!" Glaring lightly, Reno bopped his love on the head before flicking his nose. "And you should pity ME. I'm the one getting kicked twenty-four seven!"

"You didn't complain when we were making them!"

Squeaking, Reno slapped a hand over Cloud's mouth, blushing. "Shh!!" He took a glance over at Marlene. "Do you WANT her to ask any more awkward questions?! And you weren't complaining either!"

"I know I wasn't. I'm not complaining now. I'm simply... warning whoever takes care of the baby delivering so that they won’t deliver me babies like you."

A frown came to Reno's face and he pulled up, slightly hurt look on his face. "What’s wrong with me?" He himself was hoping the children looked just like their father, but to hear Cloud actually voice his thoughts saddened him a bit.

"The fact that you can hold your liquor but can't hold your sugar." Cloud explained, waving a finger and completely oblivious to Reno's pain. "They'll be children. People offer sweets to children. Children eat the sweets. They'll be children with sugar rush! They'll turn out to be extremely hyper meat balls! And since you'll keep working as a Turk, I'll have to stay home taking care of them. My hair will be grey before thirty."

Biting his lip for a moment, Reno nodded, forcing a smile. "Well, looks like we’re completely in agreement!" Closing his eyes to hide the slight pain in them, he grinned down at Cloud. "Cause I pray every way so that they look just like you!"

"You don't want to curse our children with my hair." Cloud chuckled, having seen a flicker of emotion on Reno's eyes before leaning forward, circling his arms around the redhead's waist and pulling him to his chest. "People will think we stole them from the chocobo farm." He sighed, kissing the corner of Reno's mouth.

Chuckling softly, Reno shook his head and rested it on Cloud's shoulder. "I still want them to be just like you." He sighed. "Face, hair, eyes, attitude… everything." He didn't want a trace if his tainted genes so show anywhere on his children.

"You want emo babies?" Tifa cringed, swiftly avoiding a smack to the head from Cloud.

Snorting, Reno shook his head and grinned, flopping back down onto the couch and out of Cloud's arms. "I just don't want them to be anything like me!"

Cloud sighed and sat on one of Reno's legs, careful to be far from the redhead's growing stomach. "Reno, I was joking. If the kids are like you, I'll be thanking the gods. I have too many issues. If they turn out to be like me... I'll just try and make sure my negative aura won’t affect them." He joked, shaking Denzel's foot to wake him up. Both he and Marlene had fallen asleep while they talked.

Shifting a bit, Reno adjusted himself to accommodate the newly added weight. "You don't have that many issues and you don't have a bad aura." Sighing again, he sat back with his hands in his lap and closed his eyes. "I on the other hand am paranoid, beer swinging, danger seeking, annoying, hated by most of society, destructive, loud, hyperactive, clumsy and can't seem to do anything right. The last thing we need is more mes out there."

"Of course we need more yous." Cloud stated. "I need something to remind me of my beloved wife when he’s out on missions. Who better than two mini redheads?"

Shaking his head fondly, Reno looked up at Cloud, love shining in his eyes. "How about both? A mini me and a mini you?"

"That would solve this stupid argument." Cloud nodded smiling, leaning forward to kiss the redhead.

Kissing back, Reno smiled. "Good. Now... off!" He jiggled his legs a bit. "You’re heavy and I'm still wired. I don't wanna sit!"

Cloud sighed and got up. "There, I'm off."

"And so am I!" Zipping up, Reno ran out of the house as fast as he could. "Freedom!" Looking at the largest tree in the back yard, he grinned and, in a moment of non-existent conscience, jumped up and, using his fingers and toes, managed to climb up to the first branch over twenty feet up. Swinging onto it, he climbed as high as he could before the limbs got too skinny to support him. Ahh, the breeze was nice. The high gave him the adrenaline he needed.

Cloud followed alone and, moments later, ran into the backyard, looking around worriedly. “Reno?” He called and stilled, listening to a giggle before looking up, feeling his heart jump out of his mouth. "RENO…!" He yelped as he saw where his lover was. “ARE YOU MAD?!”

Giggling, Reno hopped down a few branches, feet digging into the bark to keep his balance. Poking his head out of the branches, he peeked down at his worried lover and grinned, arms behind him as he gripped the tree’s trunk, toes planted against it as he bent forward. "Yes?"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE!" Cloud yelled worriedly. "Oh my Ifrit, if you fall...!" He whimpered, running to stand below Reno. That way if Reno fell, he would the one squished.

Laughing joyfully, Reno whipped his head from side to side. "NO WAY!" He flipped off the tree, landing in a handstand before walking along the length of the tick branch. Flipping back over, he shot the concerned blond a smirk. "Ya want me?" He called down, swinging himself into the thick foliage once more. "Come and GET me!"

Tifa ran outside, lured by the noise. She frowned, seeing Cloud almost dying of worry. Peeking up, the bartender gasped as she saw what was worrying her best friend. "Reno!" She squeaked, seeing the redhead. "Get the hell out of there!"

"NO!" high up in the tree, Reno sat on a thick branch, back against the trunk. "I've done stuff like this in the middle of the night with a gunshot wound, yo! I'm completely safe!" Grabbing a pine cone, he tossed it down. "Like I said, ya want me then get yer ass up here and MAKE me!!"

Cloud sighed deeply and pointed a finger at Reno. "You, get your ass back down here!" He ordered, pointing now towards the ground as his eyes flashed with anger and worry.

"No!" Reno pouted, shaking his head. "I've told you, I’m fin--Agh!" He yelped, quickly reaching for a branch and holding onto it as he lost his balance and nearly fell.

Cloud quickly got under Reno, ready to catching him. "See?!" He exclaimed, panicking as hi breathing sped up.

Reno shrugged and grinned widely at his lover. "I said I'm fine!" He laughed. "You're such a mother, yo!"

That did it.

Cloud snarled and stomped a foot, making Tifa flinch and run inside with the tone and volume of his next words. "You will get your ass down here in five fucking seconds if you don't want me to go up there and chuck you towards the house!" The blond yelled, furious as he had never been before with his lover. All he saw was Reno and red before he suddenly gasped harshly, one hand flying to clutch the skin above his heart and the other to hold the tree.

Eyes widening in concern, Reno dropped down a few branches and peeked down at his lover. "Hey... you okay?" Cloud didn't look too good. There was sweat forming on his forehead and it didn't look like he could breathe normally. "... Cloud? You okay?"

Cloud breathed shakily, wincing painfully as he felt another painful sting and his legs gave out on him. "R… Reno." He wheezed weakly, black spots appearing in his vision as his brain barely registered his body hitting the floor.

"CLOUD!!" Climbing down carefully, Reno kneeled down next to his lover, placing a hand on his shoulder and turning his unconscious fiancée, gasping at the sweat covering his face and the erratic rise and fall of his chest. "Cloud…? Cloud? TIFA!!" Screaming out for the woman, the redhead sobbed slightly, tears coming to his eyes when the blond did not stir with his frantic attempts to wake him up. "TIFA! HELP!!"

Tifa ran back to the garden, expecting to find Reno hurt or something. "What, did you fall?" She asked worriedly, before spotting Cloud. "What happened??" She asked worriedly, throwing herself to the ground, kneeling next to the blond.

"I… I… he was yelling at me and then he fell!" Reno gasped, panicked tears falling down his face as he whimpered, shaking his lover’s body frantically. "I don't know why! Tifa, help him!!"

Tifa hurried to Cloud's side and pressed two fingers against his neck. "He has a pulse. Quite an erratic one at that." She said nervously, turning to Reno and wiping his tears. "We all know he's been stressed. Probably, it was just his body just gave out." She tried to reassure. "I'll call an ambulance."

Lower lip quivering, Reno nodded, grabbing Cloud's limp hand. "I-I'll be here." He wasn't going to leave his side, not until he knew he was safe. Kissing Cloud’s knuckles, he rested his head on the hand he had picked up. "I love you, I'm here…" He whispered softly, eyes glued to his lover’s body.

Cloud remained blissfully unconscious, oblivious to the pain of those around him as he kept on fighting to keep going.

--

Kigichi: annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd end of the scene… and hopefully this time I'll get this fixed BEFORE Friday.....-hides- Sorry!! D: Anyway, a nice long chappie for ya all!! ^^ enjoy!

...I want fanart of this fic...i really, really do....

Bekas: C’mon guys! We’ve been noticing the decrease in feedback! The chapters haven’t been very interesting but we’re getting closer to the climax x3 so read and review; support these writers who only think of you, huns!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Next week, there won’t be a chapter! The authors shall take a break so read and re-read this chapter XD AND SORRY FOR LEAVING IT ON A CLIFFHANGER!

EXPECT A CHAPTER THE ON 21ST FEBRUARY!