Promises Made
Chapter Eight

Rating: R
Category: AU
Pairing(s): Cloud/Reno, Tifa/Barret, Aeris/Tseng, Zack/Sephiroth, Vincent/Cid, Reeve/Rufus.
Warnings: Language, lemons, poor taste, Sex Pistols, Godfather impressions, and an epidemic.
Summary: Reno has a wake, and even a tame lion is still a lion.
Notes: This is it, folkses, the final instalment of this mini-series. Really hope you enjoyed it, and I’ll let you know when the next one is ready!

Sex Pistols with straws - (c) Bob Gruen.

It is my humble opinion that The Sex Pistols are a highly underrated and fabulous band, and ‘The Greatest Rock and Roll Swindle’ is one of the best albums ever cut. People who disagree will be tied up and dumped into the mosh pit… of which yours truly was once a frequent visitor with her electric blue hair, spiked dog collar and Dead Kennedys t-shirt.

Sid Vicious reading a MAD Magazine, by Bob Gruen

You left us far too soon, Sid.

It is important to hear the version of the song 'My Way' as 'heard' in this chapter.
Those who can watch videos click here for a YouTube video of Sid singing.
Those who cannot, or whose connection is slow-loading, click here to listen to an extract of the song.

This chapter has several accompanying illustrations by Animama and Orasa

“Oh that is so wrong!” said Tifa.

“That is the single most tasteless thing I have ever seen in my life!” said Aeris. She glanced over at Yuffie, who was hanging off the stair railing, laughing so hard that she had tears coming from her eyes. Aeris stamped her foot. “Yuffie!”

Yuffie snorted and collapsed onto the white marble entranceway, giggling helplessly and pointing to the neat, professionally lettered sign that stood in Rufus Shinra’s foyer;

"THE RENO STRIFE MEMORIAL WAKE AND TAXIDERMY CLASS."

Three drink minimum. Necrophiliacs enter through the rear.

“It’s awful!” said Aeris.

Tseng took her arm and kissed her temple. “Get over yourself, darling.”

“The sign was your idea, wasn’t it?” she said.

“No. The sign was Elena’s idea. I just found the Sex Pistols impersonator band; ‘Piston Broke’.”

The band name sent Yuffie into another paroxysm of laughter.

“I don’t get it,” said Tifa.

“Say it slowly,” said Tseng. “Coming, my lovely one?”

Aeris stared at him. “Is this what I can expect when you die in a hundred or so years?”

“No, don’t be silly. I don’t like the Sex Pistols.”

“I still think this is all in terribly poor taste.”

They found the ballroom, stepping into the enormous chamber, Aeris, Tifa and Yuffie stopping dead, eyes huge.

“Oh… my gawd,” said Yuffie.

Tifa looked around, a nervous grimace plastered across her face. “Who are these people?”

“Mostly Reno and Cloud’s club friends, I should imagine,” said Tseng.

“There has to be over a hundred people in here!” said Aeris.

Tifa searched the crowd of shadowy bodies lost in the smoky lights. Yuffie pointed.

“Look! There’s Cloud, in the mosh pit.”

Tifa followed Yuffie’s finger, finally finding a little blonde chocobo head, holding his own with much larger punks, slamming and bashing with the best of them. They were staring in horror when a silent shape walked up.

“I don’t want to sound as old as I am,” said Vincent, “but wakes were different in my day.”

Tifa grabbed Vincent as if he was a teddy bear, holding him tight against her full breasts for protection.

“So where’s Cid?” asked Yuffie.

“Slam-dancing in the mosh pit,” said Vincent.

“You’re kidding. Tell me you’re kidding.”

“I wish I was. Come on, I have a table with the rest of Cloud’s traumatized friends. Clearly we have not been privy to all the details of his life.”

They made their way over to a large table, sitting down, and looking around. The room was an extravagantly lavish and beautiful old ballroom, built in the days when the manor house was new. The stage meant to hold minstrels who played delicate waltzes and delightful minutes was currently holding four leaping madmen, one of whom was screaming into a microphone so hard the cords on his neck stood out, dodging the intermittent thrown bottle, and sometimes throwing them back along with the occasional punch. Bodies leapt off the stage to crowd surf, hobnailed boots stomping holes into the floor.

“So, after this there will be a wake for Rufus’ floor?” said Tifa.

Tseng grinned. “Not at all. He had a floating floor of cheap pine laid over the polished inlaid hardwood. After the wake they will just tear it out.”

“Smart man,” said Aeris.

They found Zack and Barret at the table. Zack looked positively green, but he was smiling, and accepted a hug from Aeris.

“This will all end relatively soon,” said Tseng. “There’s some big event happening at a club, most of this crowd will clear out.”

Cloud suddenly appeared at the table, scooping up his drink. He was scraped and bleeding, his clothes torn, his hair damp with sweat. He grinned broadly when he saw them.

“You made it!”

“Okay, Cloud’s smiling,” said Yuffie. “Now I’m scared.”

He laughed, looking genuinely happy. He searched the group at the table, and laughed again. “Zack! Why aren’t you in the pit?”

“Ah, I don’t think the pit is really a great place for me right now.”

Cloud looked puzzled. “You’ve been quiet all night, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great, just not sure I want to slam after breaking my back a while back.”

Cloud nodded, then laughed as Tifa hugged him.

“You look so happy!” she said.

“This is a great way to get all the anger out,” said Cloud. “You dance around like an idiot, crash into things, throw a few bottles, maybe get into a couple fist fights and afterwards I don’t feel like a walking sack of crap.”

She stroked his hair. “You’re not. You have people who adore you, you know.”

He nodded. “I know. But you wouldn’t recognize me if I didn’t have issues, would you?”

“I’m not sure we recognize you now,” said Yuffie, eyeing his torn jeans, ripped sleeveless t-shirt, engineer boots, and spiked leather bracelet.

“You need a safety pin through your nose,” said Barret.

“No way, that would hurt.”

A woman with a spectacular fan of pale blue hair and a razor blade hanging from one ear walked up to the table, carrying a tray of small glasses. She put a hand on Cloud’s shoulder and kissed his face. It was clear they were not strangers.

“How ya holding up, sweetie?”

“I’m good. Zack’s being a party pooper, though.”

“Just so long as I don’t have to clean it.”

Cloud put an arm around her. “Guys this is my friend Nancy. Nancy this is Tifa, Barret, Aeris, Tseng, Yuffie, and the noisy guy over there is Vincent.”

She looked Vincent up and down, and smiled. “Oooh I bet I could make him scream.”

“His husband is the big blonde with all the muscles in the pit.”

Nancy rolled her eyes. “Typical. What does a girl have to do to get fucked around here?”

“Stop hanging out in gay bars would be my first suggestion.”

“Ah one of them must be bisexual. Anyway, I brought you a present.” She laid the tray out on the table, then kissed his face. “Later.” She smiled and waved at the table full of people, then hastened off.

“She seems nice,” said Aeris.

“You’d adore her,” said Cloud. “She’s an artist. Specializes in modern takes on traditional art. Raises her own silk worms.”

“Oh cool!” She looked at the glasses, staring warily at the contents. “And… what are these?”

“They’re shooters. Aeris you really need to get out more.”

“No, the longer I’m here the better I think I like home. What’s in these?”

Cloud picked up a glass and tossed back the contents. “Amaretto, tequila, bit of cream on top and a raw egg. It’s called a Test Tube Baby.”

Zack fled the table for the bathroom. Barret and Vincent each took a glass and downed the contents, looking speculative. Barret looked at Vincent.

“What do you think?”

Vincent thought, then shrugged. He picked up another glass, and Tifa bravely attempted one.

“Hey these are good! Um… can you make them without the egg?”

“I suppose,” said Cloud. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Zack eventually returned from the bathroom. Cloud downed his drink as Zack grabbed his arm, and the pair ran off into the crowd, passing Cid who was returning to the table. He sank down heavily into his chair, panting, scraped, bleeding, and clearly very pleased with himself.

“Best wake ever!” he announced, and picked up a drink. “Will definitely have a mosh pit at my funeral.”

“I’ve been dreading asking this, but what’s a mosh pit?” asked Aeris.

“It’s like an area on the dance floor where people go to slam-dance.”

“Sounds violent.”

“Nah it was great! C’mon, I’ll take ya.”

Aeris shrieked in horror, and Cid just laughed. He downed his drink, then turned to look at Vincent.

“Having fun, beautiful?”

“Well I’m not hating this as much as I thought I would.”

Cid kissed him again, then looked up as Reeve walked up to take a place at the table.

“Is Rufus not coming?” asked Tifa.

“Rufus Shinra pogos for no man,” said Reeve.

“You know what I am having for my wake?” said Aeris. “A quilting bee.”

Cid, Reeve and Barret howled with laughter. Vincent just smiled quietly.

“Oh look,” said Tifa, “one of the local fauna is approaching.”

“Don’t look him in the eye,” said Cid, “he might think we’re challenging him for his territory.”

He was a skinny, leggy youth, clad in ripped black jeans and engineer boots, a torn sleeveless t-shirt, and a spiked dog collar. He had intense pale grey eyes, lined in kohl, and shaggy semi-spiked hair. He seemed to be regarding the people at the table with the same sort of curiosity with which they were giving him.

“Are you people sure you’re in the right place?”

“Believe it or not,” said Barret, “we are.”

His eyes lit up. “Cool! I love the whole convergence of differing social hierarchies that occurs at events such as funerals, really makes you aware that death is the great equalizer. Like in the parable about the man who sacrificed his youth in the pursuit of wealth, only to contract leprosy and die alone with none to ease his passing. The only thing we really have in life is the moment, and even that is intangible and subject to unseen forces.”

Vincent stood up. “I want to dance with you.”

“Cool. I mean I don’t usually party with Goths but since we are all here for the common purpose I think we should make an effort to understand where each other is coming from. Your shoes are fucking awesome.”

Cid watched his husband head off onto the dance floor with the skinny kid. He then turned his head and looked at his friends, his expression one of utter disbelief.

“Did… did Vincent just leave to pogo with a punker? Or am I seeing things?”

Barret was slumped back in his chair, laughing. “Cid’s been dissed for a twenty-year-old existentialist!”

“Well I see something cute with big green hair,” said Yuffie. “Later, old folks.”

Yuffie left the table, making a bee-line for a green-haired punker, who seemed to regard her as an alien life form. They watched her chat with him for a while, eventually the pair heading deeper into the crowd. Tifa picked up Zack’s glass and sipped, then made a face.

“Ooh, ech, he’s drinking tonic with lime.”

“Nothing else?” said Aeris. “That’s odd. Zack usually has quite a bit to drink at events like this.”

Tifa showed her the glass. “Well he’s not drinking tonight.”

“Nuthin’s strange about that,” said Cid. “He has to get all the way back to the hill. He doesn’t want to be driving a motorcycle drunk.”

Tifa shook her head. “He’s staying the night, he showed up earlier with an overnight bag.”

“Still, no rule says he has to drink,” said Barret.

“True.”

“I’m not drinking either,” said Aeris. She giggled. “Ask me why.”

Cid stuck a cigarette between his teeth. “Because you’re high on life?”

She squiggled and giggled like an excited child. “I’m having another baby!”

Barret looked at Cid. “I thought it was guys who did that.”

Cid grinned. “Well congratulations. How far along go you think Tseng is?”

“Five weeks. We’re hoping for a boy.”

Cid gave her a hug. “Congratulations, hon.”

“Thanks Cid.”

The others gave her their congratulations as well, then the music stopped, causing the group to look towards the stage. Aeris rolled her eyes.

“Oh come on! That is in such poor taste!”

“Nice coffin,” said Barret. “Very nice. Look at the hint of gold in the border.”

“It’s a paint made with actual gold as pigment. I thinned it out and used a cloth to rub it into the rose inlay,” said Cid.

“You made the coffin?” said Barret.

“Yup. Well Reno didn’t like any of the commercially available ones.”

“A man should be able to decide where he wants to spend eternity,” said Reeve.

Tifa looked at Aeris. “Why are we the only people appalled at the goings-on here?”

Aeris just shook her head, watching as six punkers, clad in worn and ripped black jeans, t-shirts and sneakers carried the beautiful golden-red coffin to the center stage. They carefully propped it up at an angle on a stand as the lead vocalist began limping his way with intentional badness through the opening verse of a song.

"And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
You cunt, I'm not a queer
I’ll state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that’s full,
I've traveled each and every highway.
And much, much more than this,
I did it my way"

“Oh no, what now?” asked Aeris.

“I don’t think those are the right words to that song,” said Tifa, looking worried.

Suddenly the song broke, and the lead vocalist darted out of the way as the coffin was kicked open with an explosion of lemons and Reno stepped out, still too thin but definitely much healthier than he had been three months ago. He was thrown a microphone and began to sing in a snide tone that suited the drastically altered song.

“Regrets, I've had a few,
But then again, too few to mention.
I did, what I had to do,
I saw it through without exception.
I planned each chartered course,
Each careful step along the highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it myyyyyyy waaaaaayyyyyy."

“I didn’t know Reno could sing,” said Aeris.

“I’m not sure he can,” said Tifa.

"There were times,
I'm sure you knew,
When there was fuck, fuck
Fuck all else to do.
But through it all,
When there was doubt,
I shut it up or kicked it out.
I faced the walls and through it all,
Then did it myyyyyyy waaaaaayyyyyy.

I’ve laughed and been a snide.
I've had my fill, my share of looting.
And now, the tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think, I killed a cat,
And may I say, not in a shy way.
Oh no, oh no, not me,
I did it myyyyyyy waaaaaayyyyyy.

For what is a brat,
What has he got?
When he wears hats and he cannot,
Say the things he truly feels.
But only the words,
For one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows,
And did it myyyyyyy waaaaaayyyyyy.”

Tifa lowered her head and shook it, bringing her hands up to her face. Aeris just stared, while Cid, Barret and Reeve screamed with hilarity. Cloud leapt onto the stage and threw his arms around Reno, holding him tightly, kissing his face. Yuffie ran up to the table, eyes bright with excitement.

“That was awesome! Did you see that? He was great! This is the best wake ever!”

She grabbed Cid’s lighter and flicked it, waving it back and forth. Aeris looked at Tifa.

“I missed my favourite TV show for this,” she said.

Tifa shook her head, then laughed. “You have to admit, though, he was good.”

“Despite the new words to that song!”

“I think I like Reno’s version better,” said Cid.

“It’s nice to see Cloud so happy, too,” said Barret, watching as his friend kissed his lover passionately. He was then tossed off the stage so the band could begin the next song. Reno, however, was gently taken down by his friends, still aware he could break a bone easily. Then, arms about each other, Cloud and Reno walked towards the table.

“You were fantastic!” said Yuffie.

“Thanks Yuffie. And hopefully that is the last time I will see the inside of a coffin for a long time, yo.”

“I wanna try crowd-surfing!” Aeris suddenly announced. She looked at Cloud, eyes bright. “What do I do?”

“Just run up on stage and leap off. They’ll catch you. Look, there’s Nancy, go with her. She’ll make sure you don’t do a belly flop into the mosh pit. Nancy!” he called. “HEY NANCY!”

She turned her head, and Cloud pointed to Aeris. Nancy ran over and grabbed her by the hand, and the two raced off, Aeris in her new pink and white dress, her hair in ribbons, Nancy in her shredded t-shirt and safety pins. Cid looked at Tseng.

“Aren’t you going to stop her?”

He shook his head. “I don’t even try anymore.”

***---***

True to Tseng’s prediction, most of the crowd had cleared out by eleven. With the ending of the loud music, Rufus showed up, as did Rude and Elena. Yuffie returned to the table with the glazed shining eyes of one who is newly in love, and Cid watched with great irritation as Vincent bid his new friend goodbye, returning to the table as the younger man left. Vincent was about to sit down when Cid grabbed him and sat him on his lap, holding him possessively.

“You’re my Goth, not his.”

“I never said I wasn’t.”

Cid snuggled him, possessive and jealous and possibly a little hurt. Vincent just closed his eyes and settled against him. It was clear that Vincent was exactly where he wished to be. Nancy walked up to the table, and smiled at him.

“Awww… so cute. Okay. Last call, everybody, then I’m out of here.”

“Another tequila,” said Cloud.

“Yeah me too,” said Barret.

“Tomato juice,” said Aeris.

“I’ll have tomato juice too,” said Zack.

Cloud looked at his friend. “Okay, what is up with you?”

“What?”

“You didn’t go into the pit, you haven’t had a drink, you’ve been throwing up all night…”

Zack pushed Cloud’s nearly-finished glass of tequila towards him. “Here, you’ll want this before I tell you.”

“I want you to tell me now.”

“Just drink.”

Cloud did, Zack watching, eyes bright with mischief. He waited until Cloud had a mouthful, then said; “I’m pregnant.”

Tequila shot out of Cloud’s nose and mouth, much to the utter hilarity of most of the males at the table. Dripping tequila from his nose and chin, Cloud stared at him.

“You’re not!”

Zack took Cloud’s hand and placed it on his stomach, clearly enjoying the look of utter astonishment on his friend’s face.

“You son of a bitch! How far are you?”

“Close on four months.”

“FOUR MONTHS? Why didn’t you tell me?! I’m your best friend!”

“I wanted to wait until things settled down a bit.”

“Zack… I…”

Zack looked nervously at him. “You’re not mad at me, are you?”

Cloud lunged out of his seat and embraced him tightly, holding him. “I could never be mad at you. So Baby finally found a way to make you take some time off, did he?”

“Yeah, he did. And he’s loving it. Oh and Aeris is pregnant.”

“I thought it was only men who did that,” said Rufus.

“It’s a damned epidemic,” said Barret. He looked over at Vincent. “And what about you?”

“Nope,” said Cid, stroking the dark hair. He kissed the top of Vincent’s head. “We’re in negotiations, though.”

Cloud gave Zack a kiss, then sat in his seat. Nancy delivered the drinks, then said her goodnights, she and Aeris promising to call each other.

“You have some really nice friends, Cloud,” said Aeris. “I mean they sure look funny, but…”

“Yeah, well,” said Cloud, looking over at Vincent, who was bundled up against Cid’s chest, content and drowsy, “I think we’ve all learned not to judge by appearances.” He turned his attention to Reno. “How are you feeling?”

“Not bad. Tired. But okay. The doctor says I’m perfect, I just have to build up my muscle tone and my weight, yo.”

Cloud kissed him, then raised his glass to have a drink, Reno watching him with green eyes. He waited until he had a mouthful, then said quietly; “I’m pregnant too.”

Once more, tequila shot out of Cloud’s nose and mouth. He almost fell off his chair, shoving it back and standing up, by now completely soaked. He shook liquid off his hand, and stared at Reno, opened-mouthed.

“You’re not.”

He nodded. “Four days. I found out this afternoon. I mean there is still a chance I could do what you did and lose it but I figure with Seph’s blood, maybe…”

“Reno is this a good idea?”

“It wasn’t mine! But the doctor said Seph already has his nanites trained to behave in a certain manner, so when they located semen they thought ‘okay we know what to do with this stuff’. Believe me, yo, I would have waited a year at least. This is an unplanned pregnancy.”

Cloud opened his mouth to say something, but never got a chance as Elena pounced on Reno and hugged him. Then Rufus gently nudged her aside so he could hug Reno as well, holding him tightly as he stroked his hand over his hair, kissing the side of his face. But as Cloud caught a glimpse of his face, he thought Rufus looked less joyous than he did frightened.

***---***

Cid walked up to Reeve, who was standing outside for a breath of fresh air. Cid put an arm around him, smoking with his free hand. Reeve nuzzled him briefly, and the two stood and watched the rain fall softly into the fountain below. They said nothing for a long time; there was no need. Reeve and Cid had many such interactions as this since Cid had returned from beyond the grave. Reeve wondered if Cid had not come to view him as a part of the family in some way. Reeve did not understand Cid, or the way he saw the world, but he knew Cid’s gratitude towards him for the year he spent nursing Vincent back to health was endless.

“Good party,” said Reeve.

Cid grinned. “Yeah, it was fun.”

“So you and Vincent are discussing having another baby?”

Cid nodded. “One more. Three kids is a good number, and I think Serafina wants a grand daughter. I know Vincent would like a little girl. I don’t care much either way.” He gave Reeve a sidelong look. “I just remembered I’m mad at you.”

“Mad at me? Whatever for?”

“Showing up in a hot tub full of baby oil in my husband’s dreams.”

Reeve laughed. “That was not me. It was an android.” He thought for a little while. “A hot tub full of baby oil?”

Cid nodded. “Uh huh. That’s what the little shit dreams of when he goes to sleep, me on top of you in a big old vat of baby oil.”

Reeve flicked his eyes up and down Cid’s body. “Well if I wasn’t married I really would not have much of a problem with that.”

“Too big, too much hair.”

Reeve nipped his ear. “I rather see the appeal in stubble and muscles.”

Cid smiled, then shook his head. “Reeve I’m a man with an issue. I’m a straight man hopelessly in love with another man. I gotta admit, I have a hard time with the concept sometimes, and I think Vincent knows that. If I ever did anything to hurt him I think I’d take Cerberus and blow my brains out. I love him.”

“He knows you do.”

“I hope so. I know all this… what’s the word? Homophobia I guess, is just my dad. Dad’s never met Vincent, or the kids. Doesn’t even know they exist. Neither does my mom or my brother. Hate to say this about my own blood, but I don’t want those people anywhere near my family. Anyway, forget that shit. Save it for another day. Wanna help me do something for Vincent?”

“I suppose. Do I have to take my clothes off?”

“Reeve you’re a good looking guy, but I have no urge to either see you naked or face off with your husband, who Cloud assures me is no easy mark despite being non-altered. And if Cloud thinks he’s tough then I really don’t wanna screw with him.”

“Well what do you want me to do?”

Cid looked towards the opened glass doors, waiting for a familiar little shape. He spied Vincent after a moment, walking towards the balcony, sleepily seeking his husband. He paused when he saw Cid with Reeve on the balcony. His jaw dropped as Cid pulled Reeve against his chest and kissed him. Reeve sank against Cid’s broad chest, parting his lips, feeling himself become aroused by the strength of him. The kiss ended, and Reeve stepped back, flushed and panting. Vincent stared, blinking. Then he walked up to Cid, taking hold of his shirt and commenced dragging him off to the nearest bedroom.

“I’ll let you know if I survive,” Cid called back to Reeve.

Reeve watched them go, still panting. Gathering himself, he straightened his clothes and went in search of his own husband, while Vincent hauled Cid into a bedroom and shoved him onto the bed.

“You did that on purpose,” said Vincent in his soft, smoky voice.

Cid grinned. “I did.”

“Bastard. Get your clothes off.”

Cid undressed, then caught Vincent as he pounced on him, rolling on top of him, kissing him as he caressed his small body.

“I love you, Vincent, you know that.”

“I know Cid. I don’t know why you worry about it.”

“I have to. You’re the only person I ever met where I feel like a piece of myself is missing when you’re not around.”

Vincent kissed him, tangling his hands into his blonde hair. “Wanna make a baby?”

Cid grinned. “Hell yeah. You know me, I love making things.”

***---***

Rufus stood on the balcony of his manor house, sipping a glass of aged imported vanilla rum which he held in his left hand. In his right were two small squares of paper; official looking documents, stamped in blue. The soft nocturnal wind gently played through his strawberry blonde hair, and a light rain fell, leaving a sweet scent in the evening air. He was aware of his husband looking out the opened glass doors, gazing at him.

“Rufus?”

“I’ll be there in a minute, Reeve.”

Reeve watched him, standing in the rain, his white coat slowly flapping in the breeze. He then glanced towards Tseng, Rude, and Elena, all uniformed, all quiet, all exuding that cold air of menace that meant they were on the clock. Quietly he left the room, closing the door behind him, deciding that whatever Rufus was up to, he was happier not knowing about it.

Rufus heard the door closed, and whispered; “There will not be a repeat of this night, Reeve. I promise.”

He felt Tseng’s quiet presence come to stand near him, Elena and Rude flanking him.

“Reno’s pregnant,” said Rufus, aware of the fact that he wasn’t telling them anything they did not already know. “I will not risk anything happening to him.”

He slowly turned, looking into Tseng’s dark eyes. He was unable to resist gently touching his face, lightly stroking the back of his hand over one fine cheekbone. He was so beautiful. Rufus would never forgive Hojo and Scarlet for costing him a few minutes of pleasure with him. Rufus delicately traced the tip of his index finger over Tseng’s lips.

“Tomorrow night. I don’t care how you do it. Just make it quick, make it quiet, and leave no trace.”

He watched them leave, silent as wolves on the hunt. Once they were gone, he left the balcony, closing the door, and placed the squares of paper down on an inlaid antique table. They were birth certificates, one for Alyssa Shinra, the other for Heather Shinra.

Rufus walked into his bedroom, and smiled as he saw Reeve lying on the bed. He was on his side, his upper body propped up on one elbow, still dressed in his customary long blue coat.

“Such a shame to cover such beauty with clothing,” said Rufus as he closed the bedroom door and removed his coat.

“I’ve seen that little scene out in the parlour before.”

“Nothing for you to worry about, my lover. A bit of industrial espionage, that’s all.”

Reeve watched his husband remove his cuff links, dropping them into an abalone inlaid dish.

“I’d like to believe that.”

Rufus looked at him. “Some things need to be done. Regardless of how unpleasant they may be.” He turned away, pretending to look for something on his dresser, but Reeve knew he simply could not face him.

“Are you coming to bed?” asked Reeve.

“Are you certain you wish for me to be in your bed?”

“Of course. Rufus…do you know the tale of the warrior and the lion?”

Rufus gave him an odd look from over his shoulder. “A bit of a digression, but I’ll bite. No. Share it with me.”

“Many long years ago, there was a handsome warrior…”

“Tall and in a blue coat, wasn’t he? Had a fetish for animatronics?”

Reeve smiled. “That’s him. Well he had travelled far and wide, wherever he was needed. Over the course of his journeys, he met a great lion. And the warrior and the lion fell in love.”

“Ah I do love a bedtime story with a bit of bestiality for flavour.” Rufus sipped his rum, continuing to undress as he listened.

“One day their travels took the warrior and his lion lover back to the village where he lived. And the warrior’s friends were all very glad to see him and came to his house to greet him. But when they opened the door, a great lion leapt out, and ate them all. The warrior was horrified, and he wept for the loss of his friends. But when the lion turned to go, thinking his lover would surely shun him for such a misdeed, the warrior stopped him, and he said; “I knew what you were when I fell in love with you”.”

Rufus did not look at him. “I am not a lion,” he said quietly.

“You are my lion.”

Rufus shook his head, looking desperate and unhappy, the cold blue eyes wet. “I can’t let her hurt him. And she will. She will find out. She will kill him and the baby.”

“Come to bed,” said Reeve quietly.

Rufus and Reeve undressed and put out the lights, getting into bed and sliding into each other’s arms. Soon they were making love, Reeve kissing Rufus’ white flesh as he slowly thrust into him, the only sound other than their passion that of the falling rain on the marble balcony.

***---***

Aeris felt someone kiss her, and blinked into wakefulness, opening her own large brown eyes to gaze into a pair so dark as to be almost black. She looked at Tseng, her expression puzzled, then glanced at the grandfather clock that stood in their living room.

“Well you were out late!” she said. “It’s almost four!”

“I told you not to wait up,” he said softly.

“I know, but you know me, I can’t relax when you’re out at night.” She made a face. “What is that stink? Oh! Tseng it’s you! Oooh! Blech! What were you up to?”

“A little industrial espionage down at the docks.”

“Oh yes? Learn anything juicy?”

He smiled, and leaned close in a conspiratorial manner. “We have it on very good authority that the Neptune’s Delight frozen fish company is importing…” He paused dramatically. “Fish.”

Aeris giggled. “The fiends! Well you are not coming to bed, Mr. Smelly, until you have had a bath and tossed that uniform into the wash! I’ll make tea and something for you to eat, and you can tell me all about your little hunting expedition.”

“All right, I’ll be there shortly.”

He stepped back as she rose to her feet, and puckered up for a kiss. She laughed and waved him aside, fleeing him and the awful, vaguely metallic smell. He watched her go, then walked into the bathroom and locked the door, stripping off his black uniform, revealing streaks of crimson on his skin. His hair too held traces of red, which rinsed away as he stepped under the shower. He scrubbed his well-toned body and washed his long hair, then stepped out of the shower to dry off, using a large white towel that hung on a hook on the door. Once he finished drying, he picked up his uniform and wrapped it in the used towel, placing the bundle on the lid of the toilet before slipping into a pair of grey pyjama pants. Leaving his hair damp and tangled, he picked up the bundle of laundry and did a slow inspection of the bathroom. No stray drops of crimson. Good. He walked out of the small room and passed his wife, who was stirring something in a pot.

“What’s that?”

“Mom’s beef stew.”

“Uh-huh. Did you check it for poison?”

“Oh be nice, she loves you.”

“I beg to differ. No woman is ever completely enamoured of the man who is sleeping with her daughter.”

“Oh don’t mind her; she just thinks I go for the wrong sort of men. Soldiers, Turks…. that piano salesman I’d rather not talk about… Cloud…”

He grinned. “Uh-huh. And who are the right sort?” He stuffed his uniform into the washer and added detergent, turning it on and watching as the machine began to fill with warm water.

“According to mom, I should have settled for a nice farm boy.”

“Tell her you did. I lived on a farm until I was eight. I think we grew rocks.”

She laughed. “Well your stew is ready. I’ll take it upstairs for you.”

“All right, I will be there in a moment.”

The washer filled, and began to do its work, beating the clothes with bored precision, raising white suds that hid the red-stained water.

“Goodbye Elizabeth Shinra,” Tseng said quietly, and closed the lid.