The Measure of a Man

Title - The Measure of a Man
Fandom – FFVII
Characters – Yazoo, Kadaj, Loz, Tseng, Reno, Rude, Rufus
Warnings this chapter – yaoi, swearing, angst, sex
Disclaimer – Don’t own the boys, just playing with them
Note – Story begins immediately after Advent Children

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- Chapter 8 – Misconceptions -

Reno watched as Kadaj helped the President to stand, the blonde co-operating numbly as he stared at the far wall. “Maybe we should get him to his bed,” the redhead mumbled, approaching the pair. Kadaj nodded, putting the President’s arm over his shoulder and looking at Reno. He led the way, pulling back the covers and standing back as Kadaj lay Rufus down in the bed and pulled the covers back up. The youngest remnant fussed over the President, even going so far as to move the blonde’s hair off his face in a surprisingly tender move that left Reno feeling a little jealous.

“Rufus, everything will be okay. Just get some sleep and Yazoo will be back for you soon,” Kadaj whispered before backing away from the bed.

Reno took the remnant’s hand, leading him out of the room and closing the door behind them. “Come on, you’re sleeping in my room tonight,” the redhead said, smiling at the surprised look the youngest gave him. “Well, Tseng’s not here and personally, I don’t give a fuck how pissed he’ll be right now. I’m not leaving you alone tonight.”

“Thank you, Reno,” Kadaj murmured, walking forward to hug Reno tightly. “I knew I was right to pick you.” The redhead raised an eyebrow at the youth’s words, shaking his head and grinning at the strange way it was phrased.

“You’re welcome… I think,” Reno responded, walking down the hall slowly with Kadaj still clinging to him. Once they were in Reno’s room, the youngest remnant climbed under the sheets, the redhead keeping one eye on him as he changed into his pajama bottoms. He was about to ask the youth how he was feeling when a knock on his door interrupted him. Reno walked over and opened it to find Rude and Loz standing in the hall.

“Reno, can I ask you a favour?” his partner asked, looking a little uncomfortable. Reno nodded, smiling at Loz when the remnant looked at him. “As you know, I’m on first shift tonight but Loz needs to rest. I don’t want to leave him alone so… could he stay with you and Kadaj?”

“Oh… um… sure, partner,” Reno responded, moving aside to let Loz through. The oldest remnant walked over to the bed, sitting down and talking quietly to Kadaj. “You alright?” Reno asked, turning back towards Rude.

“Yeah, I’m more worried about them,” Rude replied, looking over at the bed.

“Me too. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him,” Reno said with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

Rude just smiled, shaking his head. “Thanks, Reno.”

Reno closed the door, walking over and stopping next to the bed as two sets of eyes turned towards him. “Well, looks like we’re all in together tonight. So, you two have any preferences on what side of the bed you sleep on?” Reno asked, more nervous about this than he was willing to show.

Kadaj pulled back the sheets, Loz climbing in and moving back towards the wall, both leaving an obvious space in the middle for the redhead. Reno stared at the space, finally sighing to himself and climbing over Kadaj to stretch out in between them both. I had to open my big mouth and ask, didn’t I, he thought to himself as Kadaj snuggled backwards into his chest and Loz pressed into his back. The oldest remnant’s arm rested over the redhead’s middle, reaching over to hold onto Kadaj’s hand, and his breath ghosted over the Turk’s neck, making him shiver.

“Is this okay, Reno?” Loz whispered.

“Yeah, it’s cool,” Reno replied, closing his eyes and trying to think non-sexy thoughts.

***..***

Some time after dawn, Tseng woke to find Yazoo cuddled between him and the smoldering ashes of the fire. He started to try and extract himself from the remnant’s embrace, only to find the youth hugging him tighter.

“Warm… stay,” Yazoo’s soft voice mumbled, making him grin and watch as sleepy eyes finally opened. “Tseng.”

“Good morning,” the Turk murmured, a finger tracing a line over the pale skin of the remnant’s cheek. He found he couldn’t stop touching the youth, entranced by the curves and dips of his face and the features that were so perfect.

“Morning… hmmm…,” Yazoo said sleepily, his hands rubbing Tseng’s back as he moved closer to nuzzle his neck. “You smell good.”

The Wutain breathed in sharply, his body reacting instantly. “Yazoo, this isn’t the place for… I mean, we should be getting back.” He heard a soft chuckle coming from the youth and frowned at how the sound made his heart beat quicken.

“There’s no better place to make love than in nature,” Yazoo purred, nipping his earlobe and pulling his hair free of its tie.

“Yazoo… stop,” the Turk insisted, pulling back to meet the youth eyes. The desire he saw quickly changed to hurt, the remnant obviously taking his rejection the wrong way. “I want you, so very much, but I don’t want it to be so…,” his voice stopped, words failing him for a moment. “I want it to be special,” he finally managed, looking away from the youth. “Our first joining was so tainted and I just wanted the next to be different.”

***..***

Yazoo gazed at Tseng, the Turk’s words making his heart beat faster. I want it to be special… Could he really think Yazoo was important enough for that? “Tseng, no matter where, it would be special because it’s with you,” Yazoo whispered, leaning up to kiss the Turk gently. “But if it’s what you want, than I can wait.” Tseng’s face lit up in a smile and Yazoo’s heart skipped a beat. The Turk’s smile was usually so rare but last night and this morning, he had been gifted with it so many times. Did Tseng smile like this for Rufus too?

Yazoo sat up as the Wutain moved away, watching the Turk as he went about digging through his back pack, as if looking for something, just as he had last night. “Tseng, what is it you keep looking for in there?” he asked curiously.

“I thought I put my phone in here, but it looks like I’ve misplaced it. If I had the phone, I’d call Reno and have him bring out some shoes and warmer clothing for you, but unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to do with what we have,” Tseng muttered, stopping and glancing over at Yazoo. “Here,” he suddenly said, picking up his own boots and passing them over to the remnant. “They’ll be too big, but still better than walking back barefoot.”

“But what will you wear?” the remnant asked.

“I will be fine without them, Yazoo. After all, your feet must be sore from last night,” he said, walking over to kneel down near the remnant’s feet. Pushing back the blanket, he lifted one foot and placed it on his knee, running fingers over the sole which made Yazoo flinch. He hadn’t even realised that they were damaged. “See how sore they are?” Tseng said, his hands gently moving to rub the top of the remnant’s foot, massaging absently as he looked up. “You have scratches, cuts and probably bruises too. I insist you wear my boots.”

“O… Okay,” Yazoo moaned. The remnants face blushed red, his reaction to having his foot rubbed a complete surprise to him. To his relief, Tseng just grinned, putting down his foot and picking up the other one to massage the top of it too, carefully avoiding the tender sole.

“You like this, hm?” Tseng murmured, his gaze darkening. “Once your feet have healed, I will have to give you a proper foot massage.”

“I… I would like that,” Yazoo whispered, biting his bottom lip. He failed to hold back a disappointed murmur when Tseng stopped, slipping a boot over his foot.

“I think we should start making our way back now,” the Wutain explained while putting on the other boot. “Otherwise we may never get home.” Yazoo smiled and nodded, pushing down his desire as he pulled the blanket around himself tightly, standing up and looked down at his feet in the oversized boots. They looked a bit funny, but he was happy that they were Tseng’s and that the Turk was willing to go without for him.

***..***

Kadaj rolled over, opening his eyes to find Reno fast asleep beside him. Loz was spooning the redhead and Kadaj thought they looked so cute together. He couldn’t help but smile, noticing his brother beginning to wake and reading the thoughts going through the elder’s mind. Loz was horny and with Reno’s back pressed up against his front, Kadaj knew what would happen next.

Loz began slowly moving, his hips pressing forward against Reno’s ass lightly at first, causing the redhead to shift a little in his sleep but not wake. Loz’s hip thrusts slowly increased, the elder brother’s hand moving down to grip Reno’s hip as he thrust against the redhead’s ass. “Kadaj,” Reno moaned sleepily, making Kadaj’s breath catch in his throat. The Turk’s eyes flittered open and once he focused and saw the youth watching, his eyes widened. “What the fuck!” Reno hissed, trying to move away only to have Loz’s arm wrap around his waist, pinning his arm and pulling him closer. “Kadaj!”

Kadaj pouted before smiling at the spluttering Turk. “Reno, it’s not that bad, is it? Don’t you like Loz and the way his cock feels against your ass?”

“That’s not the point! He belongs to Rude!” Reno blurted, trying to wriggle free, which only made Loz moan loudly. Kadaj moved a hand down to slip under the waist band of his Turk’s pants, relieved to find the redhead’s cock erect as he squeezed it gently.

“Oh you do like him,” the youth whispered, kissing the wide eyed Turk gently. “Look how hard you are, just from Loz rubbing his cock against you.” Kadaj began to stroke Reno, matching his pace to brother’s thrusts against the redhead’s ass.

“Kadaj… gods… I thought we… talked about this and… you understood about brothers not doing… this shit together,” Reno stuttered, whimpering when Loz began to bite and lick his neck.

“I’m not doing anything with Loz right now, Reno. We’re just touching you,” Kadaj murmured, increasing the pace of his strokes.

“Damn it… I… fuck… didn’t mean…,” the redhead’s words were lost in a moan, and Kadaj watched as his Turk closed his eyes and began to move his hips along with the remnants’ ministrations. The sound of Reno’s moan seemed to push Loz over the edge and the elder remnant climaxed, biting down hard on Reno’s neck as he thrust against the redhead’s ass erratically. Kadaj moaned himself when Reno followed, throwing his head back and groaning as his cock pulsed and released, all over the youngest remnant’s fist. Pulling his hand out of the Turk’s pants, Kadaj smiled as he licked his hands clean, watching as Reno opened his eyes and stared at him.

“Thank you, Reno,” Loz whispered in the redhead’s ear. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Rude,” the elder remnant added, climbing out of the bed while the redhead just lay there breathing. Kadaj watched as his brother went into Reno’s shower, shutting the door just as someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Reno quickly pulled the sheet up over his stained pants and sat up. “What?!” he yelled out, folding his arms across his chest moodily. Kadaj bit his lip, worry starting to build inside him as he thought that maybe this time, they’d pushed Reno too far.

The door opened slowly, Rude poking his head through the gap to peer in. “I let you sleep all night and this is the welcome I get?” the dark Turk asked.

“Shit, sorry partner, I just… well I had a bad dream,” Reno apologized, flicking a look over at Kadaj that made the remnant flinch. “Hey, why didn’t you wake me for my shift?” he said, looking back at Rude.

“Came in to do it and the three of you looked so comfortable that I didn’t have the heart to wake you,” Rude replied as he opened the door up fully and looked around. “Where’s Loz?”

“In the shower,” the redhead muttered, pointing towards the closed bathroom door. “Thanks for letting me sleep in.”

“No problem. Better get up before Rufus does though. Don’t think he’s going to be in a very good mood,” Rude said.

“Fuck, forgot about all that shit,” Reno mumbled. “Any word on Yazoo and Tseng?”

“Nothing yet. Tseng forgot his phone though, so he’s probably already found him and just camped out for the night. Anyway, I’m starting breakfast so send out Loz when he’s finished,” Rude said, closing the door.

“Reno, are you mad at me?” Kadaj asked, his mood dropping even further as he thought about Yazoo. Personally, he couldn’t give a shit about Tseng.

“I just… I don’t want to talk about it right now, Kadaj,” Reno muttered, climbing off the bed and walking over to grab a set of clothes out of the cupboard. “I’m going to shower in Rude’s room. When Loz is finished, tell him Rude wants him in the kitchen. You have your shower after Loz and I’ll see you at breakfast.” Kadaj watched as his Turk walked out of the room, biting his lip as the redhead never looked back. “I’m sorry Reno,” he whispered to the empty room.

***..***

Yazoo watched the barefooted Turk confidently walking through the forest ahead of him. He couldn’t help but watch Tseng’s ass as he found it much more attractive than the scenery.

“Yazoo, stop staring at my backside. You’re distracting me,” Tseng’s voice suddenly called, making Yazoo blush and direct his eyes upwards. The man hadn’t even turned around or paused and the remnant was left a little in awe of his senses. It didn’t stop his eyes from going back to watching the other man’s butt though.

The more time he spent with Tseng, the more enamored with him Yazoo became. As soon as the Wutain opened up to him, accepting his apology and agreeing to the possibility of more between them, the Turk’s whole attitude had changed. It was almost as if he was treasured, the stoic man touching him so gently and smiling so softly. Tseng had also given him the shoes off his own feet, insisting Yazoo stay behind him as they traveled through the forest incase they ran into any fiends. The remnant had never had anyone treat him that way before and he was a little lost on how to respond.

“Yazoo, you’re still staring,” Tseng’s voice repeated, making Yazoo chuckle.

“Can’t help myself. It moves so nicely that it draws my eye,” he replied, grinning when the Turk stopped and looked back at him.

“Self control is a beautiful thing. Try some,” Tseng retorted, smiling before continuing on. Watching someone lose it is far more beautiful, Yazoo replied in his mind, remembering just how the Wutain had looked when he was out of control.

Yazoo wanted to see it again, longed to make the stoic man writhe in need and beg to be fucked. He knew for that to happen, he had to earn Tseng’s trust and that would take time. The remnant wanted to have that closeness with both his Turk and Rufus, and while it was already developing with the President, it was just beginning with the Tseng.

Rufus knew all about his relationship with his brothers and had accepted it without any negative results. Yazoo wanted that honesty with Tseng too, wanted him to know everything about him and love him anyway, just as Rufus was beginning to. He remembered the President’s advice, how he’d said that Yazoo should keep the secret of the brothers’ sexual relationship and never tell the Turk. Rufus did know the Wutain better than he did, but the remnant still felt that the gentler Tseng, the one he was seeing out here, would accept the truth too.

“Yazoo,” Tseng’s voice interrupted, jerking the remnant out of his thoughts. Yazoo looked up and found the Turk standing in front of him, looking at him intently. “You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry to tune out,” Yazoo replied, smiling when the Wutain reached out and took his hand.

“Don’t want you walking into a tree,” Tseng murmured, chuckling when Yazoo smacked his arm lightly for teasing him. The remnant definitely believed Rufus was underestimating the leader of the Turks.

***..***

Rude watched his partner push his breakfast around the plate, the redhead usually always hungry in the morning. “Reno, is something wrong?” he asked.

“Just lost my appetite,” the Turk muttered, not looking up. Rude glanced over to see Kadaj pouting at Reno, the youngest remnant’s food also untouched. Great, a lover’s quarrel is just what we need right now, he thought to himself, frowning. He felt a hand squeeze his and looked up to find Loz smiling at him and couldn’t help but smile back.

“This is all his fault,” Kadaj suddenly exclaimed, pushing back his chair to stand up. “He made my brother leave me, hurt Rufus and… and… I hate him!”

“Shut the fuck up and sit the fuck down!” Reno growled, glaring up at Kadaj. “I’m not in the mood for any more of your shit this morning.” Rude stared, shocked at his partner’s reaction. Even more surprising was Kadaj’s reaction, the younger remnant flopping back into his chair and folding his arms, glaring back at Reno. The redhead just went back to pushing his food around, staring at his plate.

Rude looked towards Loz, the elder remnant just shrugging his shoulders before going back to eating. Rude found his own appetite waning as he looked down at his food and sighed, looking up when the sound of a door opening broke the silence.

***..***

Tseng and Yazoo entered the front door, the Wutain still holding his hand as they walked down the hallway. They found the others in the kitchen, except for Rufus, and Yazoo meekly stepped forward, determined to make amends for all the trouble he had caused as four sets of eyes looked towards him.

“I want to apol…,” he began, his words cut off as Kadaj sprung up from his seat to punch the middle brother in the face. Yazoo’s head snapped back, Tseng’s arms catching him as he stumbled back from the force of the impact.

“You left!” the youngest remnant screamed. Reno was suddenly there, wrapping his arms around the exploding youth and trying to restrain him from any further attacks. “You promised that we’d always be together and you fucking lied!”

Yazoo stared, the shock of his brother attacking him making him momentarily mute as he watched Reno desperately try to keep hold of the struggling youth. “Daj, fucking calm down!” the redhead demanded. “You gotta give him a chance to explain, not attack him. Families don’t attack each other!”

“Families?” Kadaj spat, his face red and his eyes wide as he continued. “Families don’t abandon each other!”

“Kadaj, please!” Yazoo pleaded, trying to step towards his brother, only to find Tseng’s arms holding him back.

“Let him calm down first,” the Wutain insisted, his eyes on Kadaj as he spoke. “I will not let him hurt you again.”

“You… you!” Kadaj growled, his eyes locking onto the head Turks. “How dare you order him around. This is all your fault. You made Yazoo cry, Rufus cry… do you even have a heart in there? You don’t give a fucking shit! You don’t give a fucking shit about anyone but yourself!”

Yazoo could feel his face throbbing but he ignored it, trying to struggle out of Tseng’s hold. Kadaj’s thoughts where pounding into his head like a stampede, thoughts of hurt and pain that he couldn’t bare to be the cause of. “Damn it, Tseng. Let me the fuck go!” he demanded, his head turning to glare at the Turk. “My brother needs me!”

Tseng looked at him for a moment before letting him go, Yazoo instantly running and wrapping his arms around both Kadaj and Reno. “I love you brother. I’m so sorry I hurt you and it will never happen again,” he pleaded into the youth’s ear as the youth’s struggles stopped. “I didn’t think… I was just so angry and confused. It was selfish of me and I need you to forgive me.”

Yazoo pulled back, cupping Kadaj face and peering into the youngest’s burning eyes. “Please Daj? I need you so much,” he begged. Kadaj’s mind had gone silent, Yazoo unable to read anything and so scared that his brother would never forgive him.

“Yaz… do you really need me?” the youth finally whispered. Reno’s arms loosened around Kadaj, his hands resting on the youth’s hips as the redhead watched Yazoo over Kadaj’s shoulder.

“Yes! You are my brother and I will always need you,” Yazoo whispered, one hand sliding back into Kadaj’s hair to caress and calm. Suddenly Kadaj’s lips were on his, hard and demanding, and all Yazoo could do was kiss back. His mind was a blur of need, want and desperation, Kadaj’s thoughts taking over his own. The little remnant’s arms held him hard, their bodies grinding together wantonly until suddenly Loz’s thoughts broke through in a rush of panic.

Brothers, stop!!! Tseng, Reno and Rude!!! A picture of themselves and what they were doing filled Yazoo’s mind, accompanied by images of Reno with his mouth open and Tseng, whose face was a canvas of shock and pain. Both the remnants broke apart, panting as their thoughts remained linked and confused. Reno…want… Tseng…need… shame… don’t hate me… Yazoo couldn’t work out which were his and which were Kadaj’s as they stood staring at each other.

Strong arms pulled them against a muscled chest, the scent of Loz filling Yazoo’s senses. “Don’t hurt them!” Loz exclaimed, backing them away from the others and to the far wall of the kitchen. “It’s not their fault… it’s not any of our fault! Mother made us like this… we didn’t ask to be born different!”

Yazoo looked up, wanting to see what had made his big brother react so, only to find Tseng glaring at them, his eyes burning with a frightening intensity. “Tseng,” he whispered, reaching out a hand only to have that gaze fix on him, making him flinch back.

“Lock them back in their room now,” the head Turk’s voice suddenly growled, cold and deadly.

“But…,” Reno began, only to quickly shut up when Tseng’s eyes flicked towards him. The redhead looked away, swearing under his breath as his hands fisted at his sides.

“I want them out of my sight,” Tseng spat, turning away and walking back down the hall. Yazoo could only stare after him, his heart breaking at the thought that he had been so wrong about the leader of the Turks.

***..***

Rufus woke up to the sound of yelling, putting a pillow over his head as he swore and wished he was somewhere else. He was still so tired, not wanting to get up and face another day of drama or face the total rejection of Tseng. Just thinking of the Wutain made him want to cry again and he threw the pillow across the room in frustration. Rufus Shinra should never cry and he was mortified that Reno and Kadaj had seen him like that yesterday. The youngest remnant had even put him to bed, like some broken little child. He didn’t know how he would face them today, how could he when they’d seen him so weak and pathetic?

He was staring at the door when it suddenly opened, making him jump as usually everyone knocked before coming in. He was about to complain when he saw Tseng enter, closing and locking the door behind him before leaning against it, his hair down and hanging over his face.

“Tseng?” Rufus asked gently, disturbed to see his Turk in such a state. The Wutain pushed off the door, walking over towards him quickly and Rufus had the sudden urge to run, not knowing what the hell was going on and still unable to see Tseng’s face to try and work it all out. “What… what’s wrong?” the President stuttered out, shifting back across the bed in fear. The Wutain climbed onto the bed on his hands and knees, crawling up and over Rufus until his body hovered over the blonde’s. Rufus was too shocked to speak or move so he just lay there, looking up into the Turk’s intense eyes.

“Tseng?” he finally whispered.

“You knew,” the Wutain growled. “You knew and you never told me.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Rufus retorted, his annoyance at how easy it was for Tseng to intimidate him, overtaking his fear.

“You knew the brothers were fucking each other and you didn’t tell me,” the head Turk accused, leaning closer to Rufus’ face. “And you’re still fucking Yazoo regardless.”

The President tried to push himself further into the mattress, away from the irate Wutain hovering above him. Somehow Tseng had found out and he hadn’t even had a chance to think up an excuse yet. “How… I mean what…,” Rufus stuttered, hearing the weakness in his own voice and scowling. “Get off me, Tseng! I’m your superior and I don’t have to justify my decisions to you,” he retorted angrily.

The Wutain’s eyes darkened, making Rufus flinch. “If you remember, I resigned last night so I no longer work for you, Mr President. That means I don’t have to follow your orders,” Tseng hissed, his face getting closer until their noses where nearly touching. “It also means I can do whatever I wish to you. If you will not co-operate and explain your actions to me, I will be forced to make you tell me.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” the President whispered, his body beginning to tremble despite his attempts to show no fear.

“Keep being an asshole and you will find out,” the Wutain responded, sitting back and resting his backside on Rufus’ hips as he straddled the President. Rufus didn’t move, hating his body as he felt his erection press into the Turk’s ass. Tseng raised an eyebrow, looking down at him with a look of pure contempt. “You’re such a perverted fuck. I threaten to hurt you and you get hard.”

The blush that spread across Rufus’ cheek’s was too much for him to handle, the humiliation of Tseng seeing him like this, kicking in his urge to run. The blonde suddenly jerked his body to the side, managing to knock the Wutain off as he scrambled to escape the bed. His hand just reached the edge of the mattress when a heavy weight bore down on his back, flattening him face first into the bed.

“You leave me no choice,” Tseng’s voice hissed in his ear, Rufus biting his lip to try and stop the moan that surfaced without his permission. Unfortunately, the Wutain heard it, growling before he spoke again. “Since you seem to want this so much, I will oblige you, Mr President.”

***..***

TBC