A Silent Answer to a Silent Question.

*Beep beep beep beee......*

'Fucking thing,' yawned Reno as he hit his alarm to shut it up. He sleepily opened one eye to double check the time. As the bright blue lights of his clock came in to focus he swore, falling out of bed and running for the bathroom - he was running late.

He jumped in the shower and turned on the water, yelling as the freezing liquid ran over his body. He slicked his fingers through his bright red hair and reached for the shower gel. Squeezing some onto his hand, he began to rub up and down his chest, over his abdomen he reached his member, and gripped it firmly enjoying the warm feeling that began to bloom in his stomach. He sighed, and let go to begin rinsing the foam from his body. As much as he enjoyed his usual morning release he didn't have time - if he was late again this week Tseng would kill him.

He turned off the water and quickly ran a towel over himself and his hair, the bangs at the front sticking up more than usual. After dressing from the 'work' side of his wardrobe he headed for the door, grabbing his effects from the desk as he passed - keys, wallet, phone, ciggies, goggles and electromagnetic rod.

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'AND STOP! Not bad for a bunch of girls, 10 minutes then we go again.'

Cloud landed with a thump on the cold, hard ground. His muscles burned so much that he didn't care that his ass now hurt too. Himself and the rest of his squad had been woken before sunrise by the drill sergeant and put through a long and grueling warm up and run.

A cold bottle of water landed at his feet and he looked up to see Rin smiling down at him before landing on the ground alongside him.

'Thanks,' he said before gulping half of it down. Rin was Cloud's closest friend; he left all his others in Nibelheim when he left to join Soldier. They had a lot in common - same music, films, books, and the fact they were both gay made it easier for them in the predominantly straight laced 3rd Class Soldier Infantry.

They had heard the rumors though, of the 1st Class, the Turks, the instructors, even the president’s son Rufus were quite openly gay, bisexual and constantly being promiscuous with one another. They made a pact with each other the day they found out the other was gay to get to 1st Class and shag all the staff senseless.

Cloud squirted the other half of his water over his head and shook as his burning skin was relieved for just a moment. He ran his fingers through his blond bangs, slicking the normal spikes back against his head. Out of the corner of his mako infused blue eyes, Cloud saw a flash of red. He turned to see Reno running towards the main Shin-Ra Building and his stomach tightened at the site of the lanky Turk. There was just something about Reno......though he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. The red hair maybe, the long limbs that would look great draped over Clouds shoulders. Maybe it was the tongue piecing that he had seen when Reno was being cheeky, which was a lot.

'Alright! Party’s Over! Off we go again!' 'MOVE MOVE MOVE!'

Cloud got up, pulling Rin with him, noticing the time on his friend’s watch. ~Aha~ he thought ~He's late, that’s why he's running~. He turned to catch a last glimpse of red before Reno disappeared in the main building.

'Move it Strife!'

Cloud was dragged from his day dream and began to run.
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Reno snuck into the Shin-Ra Building, breathing a sigh of relief when no one was in the foyer. All he had to do was reach his office before anyone saw him and he was home and dry. He ran to the lift, then hesitated - what if he called it and someone was in there? ~I'd better play it safe~ he thought and headed for the stairs. He bounded up them three at a time, his lanky but powerful legs barely getting a work out as he reached the 4th floor. He peered through the door, the corridor was deserted. ~I may just get away with this~

His office was the 3rd on the left, past Rude's and Cissnei's and Elena's on the right and opened the door quietly to walk gingerly down the corridor. He reached his door, and looked around again ~No one, I'm safe~ he thought and put his keys in the door…

...to be greeted by Tseng sitting in his chair.

Reno stood still, a look of shock on his face. Tseng looked exactly as he always did, immaculate, not a hair out place, his suit pressed. He sat left leg over the right, elbows on the armrests, his fingers pressed in a triangle in front of his chest. Reno had seen him sit like this before; he was in big trouble.

'Did you enjoy your lie in this morning Reno?' Tseng asked, his expression unchanging. Reno realized the charm factor wasn't gonna work this time. He stood up straight.

'Apologies Sir, my alarm didn't go off yo'

'You think the 'acting professional' trick is gonna work? You've been late already this week.’ Tseng still hadn't moved, his face ever the calm and collected Turk.

Reno blinked and resumed his usual, slack pose ~Oh well, worth a shot~

'As punishment for your behavior you will be helping me tonight guarding the President's Son as he enjoys an evening at the Gold Saucer and the Races.'

'Oh man, anywhere but there,' Reno whined. The Gold Saucer was one of his favorite places; he liked to chill there on pay day. To be there in a working capacity would just be torture.

Tseng stood up from the desk, and headed for the door.

'Oh and make sure you are smart for once.' The words slid out of his mouth. 'Be in front of the brat's door at 6pm.' And with that, Tseng left, closing the door behind him. Reno wanted to scream and shout like he normally did, but knew for once it was better to keep it zipped, if he made it worse he would be guarding the brat more. He sighed and headed for his desk.

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Rufus Shinra was at his desk, browsing 'The Chocobo Post' to see who was running in that evening's meeting with Dark Nation curled up in front of his desk. Her head came up, and she growled quietly, a few seconds later there was a knock at the door.

'Enter,' Rufus said, looking back down at his paper.

'Sorry to disturb you Sir. I was wondering if you required anything else for this evening’s outing, or afterwards?'

Rufus continued to browse his paper. He was thinking of suggesting five young boys for his apartment afterwards but then again, Tseng had probably already arranged that. He smiled, looking for the first time at Tseng.

'I don't think so Tseng, you have been efficient as ever'

'Thank you Sir,' he said as he went to leave but then stopped. 'There was one thing Sir.' Rufus raised his eyebrows, an invitation to continue.

'Reno was late again this morning. As punishment he will be joining us this evening. You know how he loves the Gold Saucer, I thought it would be fitting'

Rufus eyes widened, a small smirk appearing across his face.

'Good call Tseng, that will be all'

Tseng nodded and closed the door.

Rufus had always liked Reno, he was vibrant, bouncy and full of life. Perhaps this evening he would not require the young boys for entertainment, perhaps after the racing he could entertain himself with something he has always wanted to do, break Reno of the Turks.