It started with a Drink

Chapter 3


They were here. Reno could sense it somehow. Like a stench that just beyond his normal senses. Vincent took this all in stride. Claimed they were his true Turk senses. But Reno thought it was all crazy.

The creatures were spotted just arriving thorough gate one. The guard on duty left maimed. It seemed too easy for Vincent to track them. They were heading up where the office of Rufus used to be because they were unable to process the fact the headquarters were no longer useful to anyone. It was just a matter of picking a spot and waiting.

Reno understood more why Vincent trained him as he did. The location they close was not safe for them. Perches behind debris on what was left of a plate at the entrance of the subway. The spot gave them great advantage for shooting anything that comes out but left them vulnerable for back attacks if anything should have snuck another way. He did suspect some of it was an excuse to feel him up.

It was hard to wait. Time seemed ti drag by slowly. Reno not moving much aside to breath. Was Vincent breathing? He could imagine the ivory skinned man so still he almost seemed dead. Yet faint traces of sweat upon his pale body. No no! Must not think like that! Arousals were not the order of the day.

Sound was heard in the tunnel. They were sneaking like shadows. These men who are now monsters... so hard to get detail of what they look like. Just enough light to target them. Still, he had to wait till they were clear of the tunnel. They could easily kill them all but only if they don’t miss.

Something was attacking his leg. One of the many monsters who roam the place no doubt. Reno kept his focus. They were almost at the attack point. Pain flared more and more. Sweat trickled as this was indeed what he was trying to prepare for.

The first gun shots were almost unison as both snipers began to fire. Neither of them noting the remarkable damage a hollow point can do to flesh. It was not really hard for them to take all the creatures down. As soon as the last monster fell, Reno pulled out his elector rod and began to beat the creature that was doing considerable damage to his leg to death.

It was some rat like beast. The bleeding was rather serious as it ripped about skin and muscle. Maybe some blood vessels. So hard to keep focus now. But enough sense left to keep pressure on the wound. Vincent was by his side in a heartbeat.

Vincent, “ Trying to get out of our bet?” with humor in his voice as he began to help Reno.

Reno chuckled, “ I have a reputation of a slacker to keep up.”

Vincent, “ Then your secret is safe with me.”

With his leg stabilized, Vincent carried the Turk back to the Headquarters of Rufus. This was an odd experience for Reno. He would have argued this, if not for the fact he felt so tired. It was simply too easy to fall asleep in the safe arms of the ex-Turk. His dream was filled with haunting touched of a man with red eyes. Eyes that were hypnotic. Dream disturbed by a friendly voice.

Rude, “ Hey Reno... “

Rude’s voice woke him from his sleep. The tanned, bald man looking down at him as he was in a hospital bed. His leg in a more professional wrapping but still there.

Rude, “ You feeling okay?”

Reno, “ My leg hurts like a bitch and I need a strong drink. Really strong drink.”

Rude, “ You were lucky man. If you came in any later you would be one limb short.”

Reno looks at his saved leg. Vincent must have really beat feet to get him here. But then he remembered something else... he lost a bet and when he gets out he belongs to Vincent for a whole month. The turk was have been protecting his assets.

Reno in a dry tone, “ Woohooo. “

Several days passed before Reno seen Vincent again. His leg was better though and he could use it with a slight limp. The delay in Vincent taking his reward only made Reno edgier. What was keeping him?! Did this mean the bet was off? He did have a life too.

When Rufus called him to his office, Reno saw this as a chance to maybe keep too busy for Vincent to get his month. Laughed as he walked down the hall. The very idea of being owned! HA. No one owns Reno.

His hope was dashed to pieces when once again he finds himself in same room as Vincent. Then Turk looked especially smug. His caused the hairs on reno’s neck to stand up.

Rufus, “ Vincent here says you own him a month of your time.”

Reno tried to look like his usual cool self but there was cracks in his exterior, “ Oh that... I really should be spending that time protecting you sir!”

Rufus who sometimes liked to torture Reno saw this as an attempt to get out of something unpleasant, “ Oh.. I have Rude and Elena too keep me occupied. I think you should go along with Mr. Valentine. After all he waved aside his reward for his month with you.”

Reno scowled but knew Rufus well enough that he would make sure reno did what he wanted. Felt as if he was being sold off on a corner as some male hooker. But he still had his pride. Left the office following Vincent.

Reno, “ Where to?”

Vincent, “ How about your place. “ more statement then suggestion.

Reno, “ Why not your place?” he growled not liking strangers in his turf.

Vincent, “ I don’t have a home.”

That stopped Reno in his tracks. It never occurred to him that Vincent held no place of his own. At least he had his small apartment. Wondered if the ex-Turk simply stayed at whatever inn he could find and, if not one to be found, slept outside. That was not how he wanted to live. He liked a roof over his head.

Reno, “You might be a great shooter but otherwise you are pathetic! Okay.. follow me.”

True his place was small but it was home. Leather couch, small table and a television was his living room and den combined. The kitchen actually looked like a kitchen with slightly bigger table, fridge, stove and some cabinets. His closet was also makeshift pantry. There was also only one bedroom and one bathroom.

Vincent didn't stay long. Took a shower and left Reno with instructions to make supper. That left Reno a tad upset untill he realized he was not being subjected to anything really embarrassing or demeaning yet. It was possible that Vincent can’t cook. So much, that reno knew too little about on this man. Man? Ha.

Vincent came back to smell some chili dish. Reno hands him a bowl as he was already eating his own. The tall ex-Turk got himself some food and settled on a chair. They ate in silence before Vincent showed reno the bottle of liquor he acquired on way back.

Reno, “ Trying to be me drunk already?” His raised eyebrow implied Vincent had naughty intentions with a drunk Reno.

Vincent, “ Can you not guess? ” Hard to tell if Vincent was flirting or joking.

Reno just took swig from the bottle. Tonight was going to be the first of a whole month? Debated if he should just kick his ass out now. His thoughts were interrupted as Vincent grabbed the bottle away. Hand pulled Reno closer, close enough to press his lips into a passionate kiss. The red haired turk was returning the kiss. Then pushed Vincent back. He looked reno in the eyed.

Vincent, “ I shall not force you... not tonight.” athen went to bedroom to set up a place for himself to sleep.

Reno could still feel the kiss tingling on his lip, “ This is going to be a crazy month. “ he was going to prove to Vincent he was not to be owened.


To be contined----