Simplicity, Sin, Depression...and everything else.

Relief

I sat in the dreaded hell known as my apartment, enduring more Midgar heat than what anyone should ever have to go through. Don't get me wrong, there are parts of Midgar that are enjoyable- to me at least. But the heat is something most if not all people living here can agree is horrendous. Especially for my hair (what? I may be a Turk but I have standards I maintain regarding my appearance.) I picked up my phone from the table next to the puddle of condensation that was my drink and dialed Tifa's number, hoping she would answer.

I heard a click on the third ring. "Hello this is Tifa Lockhart, owner of 7th Heaven, may I help you?"

I laughed a bit. "Its me Reno!"

Tifa's relaxed a little and giggled. "Hey Reno, how've you been?"

I leaned back in my couch. "Dying in this heat."

Tifa clicked her tongue. "That's no good. You should stop by here, have a few drinks."

I scratched my head. "Raincloud won't bother me?"

Tifa laughed at my nickname for Cloud. "I'll make sure. Besides, I got my A/C fixed and Tseng and Elena are already here asking when you'll arrive."

"That's a first. Tseng usually doesn't go out for his drinks."

Tifa adjusted the phone. "Elena wanted to go, and they were already near by."

I snorted. "Very well. See ya in fifteen."

"See ya Reno."

I hung up my phone and proceeded to change into shorts and a grey tank top (ladies imagine for yerselves.) I shoved my feet into a pair of ankle high boots, making sure I could still walk with the knives I had put in there earlier (always be ready folks, for people in general or if Cloud's an asshole.) I threw on a light hoodie (with my emr clipped to my sleeve of course), grabbed my let's and my phone, slipped my wallet in my waistband and started for 7th Heaven. The asphalt felt like it was gonna melt my shoes. But I'm a Turk, so I have considerably better shoes than most people. I smiled at the end destination and walked in through the doors with a big grin.

"Honey, I'm home!"

Tifa sprung up from behind her spot at the counter, leaning over to hug me. "Hey Reno, glad you could make it!"

I gladly embraced her, sitting on a stool. "Glad someone gets my sense of humor."

Elena saw me from her spot and walked over, giving me a fist bump. "Glad you could join us Reno."

I smirked and chuckled at Tseng's stoic demeanor still affecting his presence here. "Why do you still look stonefaced bossman?"

Tseng cracked a minute smirk. "Best nobody knows what a Turk is thinking."

I downed the shot of whiskey Tifa put on the counter for me. "True, very true."

Tifa came by to refill the glass. " I was worried you wouldn't have noticed it there."

I chuckled and lightly gripped my glass. "A good Turk always notices a sitting glass. I don't take chances with poison."

A semi-deep voice cascaded from downstairs. "Yet you'll drink to excess regardless."

I adjusted my goggles and faked a smile when I saw Cloud walk downstairs, boots causing a full thud on each step. "Well, look who finally decided ta grace us with his presence."

Cloud growled and sat a few seats from Tseng. "Fuck off Reno."

I laughed and adjusted my goggles. "Aww, I even got a greeting by name. I'm touched."

Cloud took a shaky breath, resting his sword against the counter. "Whatever. Teef, is the closet in the office available?"

Tifa nodded. "Yeah, if you need to put your sword in there, go ahead."

Cloud kissed Tifa's cheek and started upstairs. "Thank you."

Tifa giggled. "You're welcome."

I waited until I heard a door shut and turned back to Tifa. "So may I ask something?"

Tifa put a plate down next to me and hopped over, settling down for a moment. "Yeah sure, what's up?"

"You like Cloud don't ya?"

Tifa nearly choked on the fry she was chewing. "Why do you ask?"

I snickered and swirled my glass. "I could see tha tension between ya two. Does he know ya like him?"

Tifa sighed. "If he does, he's doing a spectacular job at acting clueless."

I leaned in a bit. "He's got a lot on that mind of his. I barely see him and I can tell that."

Tifa bit another fry. "He has been rather Moody lately. Not even the usual ignoring everybody, I haven't seen him a whole lot and he lives right down the hall!"

I patted her shoulder. "Then being concerned about it and showing it physically might open up the floor to discuss it. "

Tifa smiled. "Thank you Reno."

I smirked. "No problem."

Elena briefly gawked at me. "When did you start caring about other people?"

I raised my glass and laughed. "Three shots makes me understanding."

Tseng snorted. "You won't be standing long."

I grinned wide. "That's the goal."

-end of chapter-