Whenever Rude looked at Reno, he often wondered who he must’ve pissed off either in this life or a former to have been partnered with the man not only in his professional life, but in his personal one as well. The crazy redhead frustrated him beyond belief. He couldn’t accurately remember the number of times he’d been maimed or nearly killed because of Reno and his sudden impulses.
Rude turned to look at the man in question asleep beside him and sighed. He couldn’t blame it all on Reno and his lack of thinking before acting. Rude had to take some of the responsibility, considering the fact that he’d give up his life without a thought if it meant keeping Reno out of harm’s way. Or the fact that he was hopelessly enamored of the man. Reno knew exactly how to keep Rude wrapped around his little finger and, frankly, Rude didn’t really mind all that much.
He’d never slept with another man before Reno. Never thought he’d be interested until, two years ago, a somewhat drunk Reno whispered in his ear and asked him if he wanted to go somewhere and fuck. Sure he’d known that Reno went both ways. Everyone knew that Reno went any which way as long as it meant having a good time. Only Rude hadn’t known Reno thought of him in that way.
Although he’d also been more than a little buzzed that night, he did remembered two particular things about Reno’s offer: that it completely shocked him and that it made him immediately hard, which shocked him even more. Until that very moment, Rude hadn’t realized that he found Reno sexually attractive. But Reno, having much more experience than Rude, must have known Rude was subconsciously attracted to him and wouldn’t turn him down. Either that or Reno was a lot drunker at the time than Rude originally thought.
Rude doubted he’d be interested in sleeping with any other man and, since he and Reno started fucking each other on a regular basis, he also stopped being interested in women. He wasn’t much of a ladies man anyway, if he was honest with himself. Just the occasional date or visit to one of the pleasure houses now and again whenever the urge was particularly strong. Of course, since he and Reno’d begun… whatever it was they had going on… he was getting laid just about every day and night. There wasn’t much that deterred Reno’s libido.
Tonight had certainly been no different. Reno was his usual eager self when they’d finally returned to their apartment after spending the day getting the shit kicked out of them and then purposefully detonating not one, but two bombs within close proximity in hopes of thwarting the bad guys. Amazing what a little elixir could do, Rude mused.
He rolled over onto his side to face Reno, letting his fingers drift over the long strands of impossibly red hair that fanned out over his lover’s back. Reno was sprawled on his stomach, one leg kicked free from the blankets, lips slightly parted as he snored softly, a hint of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth. Illumined as he was by the soft light of the bedside lamp, Rude thought him beautiful. Not that he’d ever admit that to Reno directly; Rude didn’t think his partner’s ego needed anymore boosting.
But beautiful he was, nonetheless. Rude wrapped Reno’s hair around his fingers and marveled at how silky it felt. Before they were lovers, Rude would’ve sworn that Reno’s hair color could only be found in a bottle. Once he’d gotten over the initial surprise of having frantically screwed his partner in the bathroom of Tseng’s apartment during a party, he’d been further surprised to discover that Reno was a natural redhead.
Sometimes Rude couldn’t believe two years had already passed since he and Reno had gotten together. At times it seemed like only yesterday, especially when he still had to contend with the knowing or questioning looks people gave him and the occasional comments. It didn’t help that Reno was prone to gossip. How often did he find Reno and a coworker, usually one of the women, with their heads together chatting and laughing away? Far too often, in his opinion. He’d pick up bits and pieces of the conversation that included phrases like: “Rude always tops…” or “He really is good…” or “You should see the size of his...”
Reno’s indiscretion angered Rude but, no matter how many times he tried to explain it to him, Reno didn’t understand why it was such an issue. After all, Reno pointed out, he wasn’t giving them too many details and he wasn’t offering them video highlights. Reno told him there were few a women and even a couple of men who were jealous of the fact that he was with Rude, so why shouldn’t he enjoy tantalizing them with several teasing tidbits?
He wasn’t entirely convinced anyone envied Reno because he was with Rude. He suspected Reno was just trying to stroke his ego because he knew that Rude was really the jealous one. They never talked about it directly, but Rude wasn’t very good at hiding his reactions whenever Reno’s former conquests wanted to compare notes with him. He was embarrassed by the jealousy he now felt, considering how he and Reno used to talk openly about their romantic escapades. Back then it hadn’t bothered him to hear about Reno’s latest lover, but in the last two years things had definitely changed.
Rude shifted closer to the slumbering Reno and lifted the hair he’d been playing with to his face, rubbing his cheek against its softness and inhaling its spicy fragrance. He cherished these moments of quiet; he didn’t get many of them with Reno. Once again, Rude was reminded exactly how different he and Reno were. He was content to spend a peaceful evening at home while Reno preferred to visit some noisy and crowded bar or club. Rude wanted to take his time and consider a situation while Reno believed in going with the moment. Rude was serious and solemn while Reno told bawdy jokes and prided himself on always being late to work. Rude suddenly found himself wondering why Reno liked spending so much time with him.
“Because you’re so cool,” a sleep-slurred voice answered.
Rude didn’t realize he’d spoken out loud. With a sigh, he released Reno’s hair and pushed himself up into a sitting position. “Sorry to wake you. I was just thinking.”
“Yeah, I heard you,” Reno answered, lips curling into a slight smile. His eyes finally fluttered open. “C’mon Rude, you gotta relax.”
“I am relaxed, Reno,” he replied and heard his partner snort in return.
“Sure you are. You’re so damn relaxed that your forehead is all wrinkly. Not really the best look for a bald guy, you know?” With a groan, Reno sat up, rubbed his eyes and yawned. Grimacing, he reached behind him to collect his hair and pull it over one shoulder. “It’s getting too long,” he complained. “I keep sitting on it and it hurts like a bitch. Maybe I should cut it.”
“No!” Rude said quickly. Too quickly.
Reno started to laugh. “Okay, so I won’t cut it. Wouldn’t want to displease my partner.”
Rude cleared his throat and feigned interested in his hands. “You shouldn’t cut it. I like your hair the way it is.”
Reno continued to laugh. “Okay, I won’t. But Rude…”
Rude looked up, his gaze meeting Reno’s. “What?” he asked.
“This,” Reno answered as he leaned in close and kissed him.
No one could kiss like Reno kissed. So soft and warm and wet and deep that Rude always felt like he was drowning in pleasure. There was something incredibly special about the way Reno kissed him. It went beyond words and made him forget all the times he wondered who he’d pissed off, just like he’d being doing a moment ago. Rude lost track of everything the moment Reno’s lips touched his. He was sure he could come from Reno’s kisses alone.
As Reno continued to kiss him senseless, Rude felt a hand slide beneath the sheet and wrap around his cock. He moaned into Reno’s mouth as his lover’s expert touch quickly brought him to full hardness. Reno continued to pump him slowly until precome dampened the sheet, then suddenly released Rude’s cock and broke the kiss. Rude opened his eyes to the sight of Reno reaching for the tube of lubricant sitting on the nightstand.
Reno smirked at him. “You didn’t think I was done for the night, did you?”
“I’d be a fool to think that,” Rude replied.
“And we both know you’re not a fool.”
Reno pulled away the sheet, exposing Rude’s impressive erection. Rude watched him unconsciously licks his lips before he squeezed lube into his palm and began coating Rude’s cock with it. He hissed at the feeling of cool gel against his heated flesh, earning a soft chuckle from the other man. Expecting Reno to use some of the lube on himself, Rude was surprised when his lover straddled him, one hand holding Rude’s cock steady as he began to impale himself upon it. Rude stopped him.
“Let me stretch you, Reno. I don’t want to hurt you,” Rude said, his voice filled with concern.
Reno smiled and shook his head. “Don’t need it; I still have some of your come inside me. Besides, this is the good kind of pain.”
Before Rude could reply, Reno distracted him with another kiss as he slowly lowered himself down on Rude’s cock. The tightness was unbelievable and all Rude could do was groan as his entire length disappeared into Reno’s willing body. No matter how many times they fucked, being inside Reno was still the most intense sexual pleasure Rude had ever experienced. He couldn’t get enough of the man.
Reno settled his hands on Rude’s shoulders and gave a toss of his head, sending his hair cascading down his back. The sensation of it brushing over the tops of Rude’s thighs was one of the most erotic things he’d ever felt. If he had his way, Reno would never again cut his hair.
“So good,” Reno panted as he gave himself time to adjust.
Rude groaned in agreement, wanting desperately to start thrusting but knowing that Reno had chosen this position because he intended to control the pace. He reached down to take hold of his lover’s cock with a strong, sure hand, enjoying the way Reno moaned and surged into his grip. Finally, Reno began to move, rocking back and forth in Rude’s lap, keeping Rude’s cock deep inside him.
Matching Reno’s slow, steady rhythm with the motion of his hand, Rude leaned forward and licked a path from Reno’s collarbone to his neck, savoring the salty tang of his skin. He nipped at the sensitive skin, leaving behind a burgeoning bruise and, for once, didn’t care that anyone else would see it. At the moment, all Rude cared about was the way Reno’s breath hitched and the sound of the low moans that escaped his throat.
The push and pull of Reno’s hips increased and Rude was unable to keep from thrusting into the tight heat encasing him. His free hand clutched at the curve of Reno’s hip while the other continued to rapidly stroke the length of his cock.
“Yes… like that…” Reno encouraged him as he started to buck wildly in Rude’s lap. Despite the leisurely pace set in the beginning, the two of them were already on the brink. Obviously their stamina had taken as much of a beating today as their bodies.
Rude came first, shouting out Reno’s name as his cock throbbed and pulsed, spurting deep inside his lover. A moment later, Reno cried out loudly as his cock spilled its seed over Rude’s hand and stomach. He slumped against Rude as his climax subsided.
“Love getting fucked by you,” Reno said breathlessly, tucking his head into the crook of Rude’s neck. He felt Reno’s lips ghosting across his skin and shivered in pleasure, breathing out a contented sigh.
“I love you,” Reno whispered.
The words shocked Rude into silent stillness. In the two years they’d been together, neither of them had openly discussed their feelings. Rude figured it was best not to think too much about his growing attachment to Reno. He would’ve never guessed that Reno’d be the one to say those three words first.
“Rude? Now would be a good time say something,” Reno said as he drew back to meet Rude’s gaze directly. “A real good time, ‘cause I know you heard what I said.”
“I heard you,” Rude quietly answered. Lifting the hand covered in Reno’s come to his mouth, he lapped at the cooling seed with his tongue, keenly aware of the way Reno watched him. After the last traces were licked away, he skimmed the tips of his fingers over Reno’s cheek, tracing one of the tattoos. Thoughts whirled chaotically around his mind as he tried to sort through them all. Reno deserved an answer. Rude knew he had one, but it was the expression of it that was giving him the most trouble.
When he stayed silent, Reno sighed and eased himself off Rude and then the bed, disappearing into the small adjoining bathroom. The sound of running water reached Rude’s ears and he assumed Reno was cleaning up. For a man that in all other aspects of his life seemed less than tidy, Reno’s post-coital routine was usually fastidious.
Rude was reminded of the drying spots of come on his cock – his own – and across his stomach – Reno’s – both of which were getting flaky and itchy. Swinging his legs to the floor, he was just about to stand up when he heard Reno tell him, “Catch.” Rude’s hand came up automatically, snatching the damp washcloth out of the air.
“Thanks,” he said and used the cloth to clean himself up.
Reno grunted in response as he walked over to the nightstand, picked up a cigarette and lit it. He stood there smoking, looking lost in thought and pointedly avoiding Rude’s gaze. With a sigh, Rude tossed the washcloth to the floor and climbed to his feet.
“Reno, look at me.”
Reno turned around to look at Rude, his expression guarded. He pulled the cigarette from his mouth and asked, “What?”
For a brief moment, Rude was amused at the reversal of their earlier positions. He quickly quashed the feeling before it showed on his face and plucked the cigarette from Reno’s fingers. He brought it to his lips, inhaled long and deep, and then let the smoke slowly drift from his lips before he reached past Reno to grind it out in the ashtray.
“This,” Rude calmly answered as he grabbed Reno by the arms and hauled him into his embrace, kissing him with a bruising force. Satisfied he’d stolen Reno’s breath completely, he broke the kiss and once again caressed his lover’s face.
“I love you, too. I’ve loved you for awhile now,” Rude confessed.
Reno stared at him, chest rising and falling rapidly, breathing shallow and quick. “You should have said that earlier, you know,” he eventually said, sounding both angry and hurt. “Any particular reason why you didn’t feel like sharing that info until now?”
“You’re right, I should have,” Rude agreed. He sat down on the edge of the bed and tugged the still standing Reno between his legs. “But I didn’t because I was surprised by what you’d said, not because I didn’t return your feelings.”
“You couldn’t tell me that, why?” Reno asked, frowning down at Rude. “And why were you surprised? We’ve been living together for nearly two years. Explain it to me, Rude, or I’m going to get pissed. Wait, make that more pissed.”
Rude gazed up at the other man. He knew Reno was serious about being pissed; Rude was quite familiar with the expression on his partner’s face.
“Explain it or I’m getting dressed and walking out.”
“Reno… I don’t want you to leave, but you could try to be a little more patient. Yes, I should have said something earlier, but I’m trying to say something now. “
“Go on then.”
“Okay, I get the point. You’re not going to make this easy.” Rude frowned up at Reno. “Like you said, we’ve been living together for nearly two years and I figured once that happened it also meant we were exclusive. Not that I’d been seeing anyone else, but…”
“You thought maybe I was? Shit, Rude, you could have asked.” Reno pushed away from him and grabbed another cigarette, pacing the room once it was lit. “I realize I’m known as a slut, but I stopped screwing around after you and I…”
“Had some random fuck in Tseng’s bathroom?” Rude supplied.
Reno stopped suddenly. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t as random as you think.”
“It wasn’t?” Rude asked. “I think it’s time you did some explaining.”
“What’s to explain? I wanted you that night. Hell, I’d wanted you before that night, but figured my chances were slim to none. I guess I got tired of wondering and decided to try my luck.”
“But you must have thought there was some chance I would agree, right? At the time, I didn’t even know I was attracted to you, so how did you figure it out?”
“You sure know how to make a fella feel wanted, Rude. Thanks,” Reno muttered.
Rude sighed in frustration. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m just trying to understand, Reno.”
“Alright, no need to get so pissy. Look, I hoped you were some closet bisexual. Seemed a shame to make a man like you only hetero. Anyway, I finally took a chance and it paid off. I was right and you really were bi. End of story; happy ending ensues.” Reno smiled back at Rude.
“I’m not bisexual, Reno.” Rude replied.
Reno gestured to his groin. “In case you’ve missed it over the last two years, I’m a guy, Rude. So are you. We have sex together. A lot. Before we had sex together, you liked to have sex with women. You kinda fit the definition.”
“No, I like having sex with you, not other men. I’m not interested in any other men. Never have been, Reno.”
Reno laughed. “So what, you’re Reno-sexual then?”
“Something like that I guess.” Rude shrugged his shoulders. “I know it sounds like I’m just denying the obvious, but I’m telling you the truth. I’m not confused about my sexuality. I know what I like.”
“You like me,” Reno stated.
“I also love you.”
“Good.”
“Are you still pissed at me?” Rude wondered.
“No, I’m not pissed anymore. I can never stay mad at you anyway,” Reno answered. He put out his cigarette and sat down beside Rude. “So… the only man you’re attracted to is me?”
Rude sighed. “Your ego is enjoying this too much, isn’t it? The answer is yes, you’re the only man I have or ever have had an interest in being with sexually and romantically. Satisfied?”
“Oh, you know me, Rude, I’m never satisfied,” Reno said with a leer. “So… not even Tseng’s caught your eye? He’s pretty good-looking, you know.”
“Reno…” Rude rolled his eyes at his lover. “No, Tseng does nothing for me. Ask Elena, she’ll give you another answer. C’mon, I want to go to bed.” When Reno raised both his eyebrows, Rude added, “To sleep. It’s been a long day and it’s late.”
“Party pooper,” Reno pouted. “As for Tseng, I’d have a better chance asking Rufus, not Elena. Elena only wishes. Rufus would have all the details.”
Rude watched Reno crawl over to his side of the bed and slide under the sheet. Reno’s little tidbit of information had surprised him. “Rufus? You’re not kidding me, are you?”
“Nope. They’ve been doing it for years now. I don’t think they were exclusive before, at least I know Rufus wasn’t, but I think things are different now. Why do you think Tseng does so much overtime? C’mon Rude, even you can’t be that clueless.”
Obviously he was. “I didn’t know. I always thought he and Elena were a couple, and that they were discreet about their relationship. Unlike someone I know,” Rude replied, looking pointedly at Reno.
“Oh, I bet if Elena were more open-minded, Rufus and Tseng might ask her to join in. Anyway, discretion is overrated and boring. I thought you said you wanted to go to sleep?” Reno rolled over to face Rude, running tickling fingers along his back until Rude squirmed.
“Reno,” Rude grumbled as he covered himself with the sheet then tugged the blankets over both of them. “Behave. And don’t think about interfering with Elena, Tseng and Rufus.” He reached over and clicked off the light, plunging the room into full darkness.
“See? Even you think there’s a possibility of a threesome. Don’t deny it.”
“Reno!”
“Why, whenever you say my name like that, does it sound like you’re telling me to shut up instead?”
“Because I am. Go to sleep.”
Rude rolled onto to his side and slid a hand beneath his pillow, getting comfortable. A moment later, he felt Reno curl up against him and he smiled.
“Night, Rude. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Reno.”