Scorch Marks

"Cloud jus-just hang on aight? We're almost there," Reno said nervously as he glanced over at the blonde. After the sudden outburst, demanding that Reno land the helicopter, Cloud became eerily quiet and still. Reno was doing his best to discern whether Cloud was still breathing or not as he tentatively reached out to touch Cloud's face. The contact jolted Cloud out of his trance and in the blink of an eye grabbed Reno's wrist and twisted it violently, nearly breaking in.

"What the fuck yo!"

"Why are you constantly trying to touch me?" Cloud asked as he opened his eyes and looked towards Reno.

Reno didn't like being put on the spot, especially if it was about something he didn't want to answer, ever. It was one thing to let it be know that he wanted in the blonde's pants but another to admit he wanted to be an important part of the ex-mercenary's life. The rejection of a fuck was easier to handle than the rejection of an unrequited love.

Scowling at the horizon, Reno completely ignored the question as he called in the change of plans back to HQ.

"Slyfox68 to Panther1, come in Panther1."

"Reno," Tseng's voice came over the overhead speaker. "Why do you insist on these asinine handles to use when it's only you or I flying the choppers?"

"Cuz it annoys the piss outta you, yo," Reno said as he glanced over at his flight partner and winked. Reno could almost hear Tseng rubbing his forehead at the statement. "Anyways Tsengbird, just wanted ta let ya know that I'm making a pit stop in del Sol."

"Why?"

Reno glanced at Cloud. If he told Tseng that Cloud was having an episode, who knows what Rufus or Tseng would do with that information. They were always looking for ways to blackmail the delivery boy into working with –correction- for them.

"I need ta take a leak and Cloudy looks like he can go for some grub," Reno responded while staring at Cloud, daring him to speak up.

"That's fine," Tseng paused. "I just checked the weather reports, there looks to be a small squall off the coast, it may hit. If you two get landlocked, you may stay at Rufus' condo. You know the code to get in."

"Thanks Boss," Reno said as he ended communication and began to lower the chopper on the helipad of the ShinRa Tower in Costa del Sol.

Cloud sat there, vibrating with nervous energy as he waited for the propellers to slow down enough for him to safely hop out of the chopper. Reno watched as Cloud unbuckled himself and pushed the door open. He shook his head in amusement as he watched the blonde begin to pace back and forth. Looking away from the blonde, Reno went about shutting down the chopper, he had a feeling that this wasn't just a quick stop, storm or not.

Reno was so focused on his tasks of running through his post-flight inspection of his controls that he didn't see the look Cloud cast him as the blonde rounded around the front of the machine, nor did he notice when the pilot's side door was nearly ripped off its hinges. He did notice however when Cloud unceremoniously pulled him out of the seat and tossed him several feet back, so that the Turk landed hard on his ass.

"What tha fuck is your problem yo?" Reno screamed as he scrambled to get back to his feet.

Cloud blatantly ignored the Turk. He had to find that mark, had to see if it was just some fucked up completion to the reoccurring dream he had been having over the years, just matching up Reno's face to the faceless man or was it real and a memory that final fell into place.

Taking a deep breath, Cloud closed his eyes and tried to visualize what he saw in the dream. He attempted to focus on where the damn scorch mark would be. Opening his eyes he looked closely around the head rest of Reno's seat.

Reno was cautiously approaching the blonde all the while cursing himself for not arming himself with his service sidearm. His EMR was still inside the chopper. He didn't think that he needed to worry about an attack from anyone, least of all from Cloud Strife for Shiva's sake. Looking the blonde up and down, Reno mentally went over several options in his head before tossing them all out. There was no way he could match Cloud in strength. He may have some speed on the blonde but truthfully it would be no contest. He had to ambush the blonde and get to his weapon inside.

Rubbing his clammy palms on his black uniform pants, Reno bit his lip as he waited for the perfect opportunity. Seeing Cloud lean into the chopper he knew this was the one chance. Shouting out a battle cry to end all battle cries, Reno charged ahead to plow into Cloud from behind. The blonde heard the sound and waited until his sensed Reno was extremely close and side-stepped out of the way, letting Reno fall over and land bent over his seat. Cloud immediately grabbed the redhead by the back of his coat, lifting him up to stand again.

"Let me GO!" Reno squirmed as Cloud held him slight off the ground. Ignoring the protesting redhead, Cloud asked the question that had been burning in his mind since his spotted the tell-tale mark.

"Reno, how did that happen?" he asked as he nodded towards the headrest.

"How did what happen?"

"That mark," Cloud said as he pointed to a faint darkened area on the wall next to the headrest cushion. If it wasn't for Cloud's Mako-enhanced vision he probably would have missed it at first glance.

"What the hell are you pointing at yo? Did you skip ya meds? Seriously," Reno groused as he tried to pry Cloud's hand that moved to his shirt collar. "Leeeeet gooooooo dammit," he whined.

"Not happening. Not until you answer me. How did that scorch mark get there?"

"I don't see nuffin yo!" Reno protested as Cloud pulled him closer to the blonde. Cloud kept his finger near the mark as a guide and once he was sure Reno saw what he was talking about he set the Turk back on his feet.

"Well?" Cloud prompted as he crossed his arms.

"It's a scorch mark…"

"I know that. How did it get there?"

"Yo, ya fuckin' made me land to ask about a gahdamn old ass fuckin mark on MY heli? Did the fuckin' Life Stream talk to you again?" Reno taunted as he wiggled his fingers in Cloud's face. Cloud's aggression peaked instantly as he grabbed Reno harshly and drew the loud mouth flush up against his body.

"Tell me now," the blonde said in a deadly calm manner. "You said it yourself; you have many memories with this chopper. Share that one." Sensing that the gruffness wasn't going to get him anywhere, Cloud resorted to an unethical tactic. He looked up at Reno from under his bangs, letting his big blue eyes show all of his emotions; confusion, wariness, hope, and yes a hint of lust. Reno was powerless under the gaze as his mouth went dry and his pants got unbearably tight.

"Dammit Cloud, don't give me that look yo," he breathed, "ya got know idea what that shit does to me," he said as he tried to lean forward and kiss the blonde.

Cloud reached up to cup Reno's cheek, drawing the redhead in closer, "Tell me, please. I-I beg of you, Reno," he said as he let his lips brush up against the other man's.

Reno forgot to breathe; the feel of Cloud's soft lips against caused him to come undone. He would have given Cloud the world, if he just asked for it.

"Tell me," Cloud prompted again as he nipped at Reno's lips.

"I… ah… had an accident with my EMR."

"Uh-huh. What happened?"

"I was… damn," he panted as Cloud started sucking on his neck. "I was playin around wit it and it went off," Reno said, hoping it was the right answer.

"Wrong," Cloud said as he shoved Reno away.

"Wrong? How the fuck wouldja know? That shit looks like it's been there for a long ass time!"

"I know. Would you like to know?" Cloud said calmly.

"Sure Mista I-see-dead-people go ahead and fuckin' enlighten me," Reno growled as he jammed a cigarette in his mouth and patted down his shirt and jacket looking for his lighter. Cloud smirked and handed Reno his EMR to light it. Reno raised his brow at this, Cloud was giving him a weapon to use… dumb blonde, he snickered to himself.

"Don't think of using that against me, Reno. I'm only giving it to you to prove a point," Cloud drawled as Reno scowled at him. "See Reno you have a bad habit of losing your lighter and using your EMR instead. That's how that got there, though by accident. Your arm got knocked and the EMR went off," Cloud finished as he turned to look directly in Reno's eyes.

Reno took a moment to take everything in, for one it was the most the blonde had said without taking a breath, ever. Then Cloud's words slowly started sinking in and the cobwebs on Reno's memory shifted and realization lit in those aquamarine eyes.

"That lil fuckin' shit snitched," he said more to himself than anyone else.

"Hm. Why did you make him keep the helmet on Reno and I want the truth." Reno's head snapped up when Cloud spoke those words. Cloud knew, but… how? "The truth?" Reno sneered. "The truth is I was busy jackin' off thinkin' bout ya tight ass," He said as he pressed himself obscenely close to the delivery boy. "You've always made me harder than a fuckin Wutainese math problem yo," Reno said as he bent his head to try and capture Cloud's lips.

Cloud let Reno kiss him, but the blonde took control of the kiss, stroking his tongue against the redhead's letting him know that he was the alpha in this portion of the relationship. Cloud thrusted his hands into Reno's hair, slightly breaking apart from the kiss to speak against the other's lips, "You still love it being tugged?" Reno groaned in response and pulled the blonde closer to him but Cloud resisted and pushed him away. Licking his lips and looking the redhead up and down, Cloud spun on his heel and headed towards the private stairwell to Rufus' condo.

"Wha… Cloud?" Reno stammered in a lust filled state of confusion.

Looking over his shoulder as the Turk called to him.

"You should have had me take off my helmet… yo," Cloud said as he peered at his old lover from over his shoulder. "But, better late than never."

Reno's heart pounded in his chest as he heard the words Cloud spoke. He was frozen in place; his fantasy had been a reality.

"Reno. Reno, are you coming or what?"

Shaking his head to clear his mind somewhat, Reno gave Cloud a lecherous look as he sauntered over to him. "Oh yeah, and I think we got some catching up to do yo," as the two entered Rufus' condo for the night.