A Hard Time: The Weekend

[jaded_grin]

Sorry about the wait! I've been out of sorts lately, my apologies! But, Zill and I RP when we can, and so I bring  you more of A Hard Time, this time with more porn, lol!

If you're new to the series and you want to start at the beginning, hit The Hard Time Series tag on the side column and scroll down, I've kept it all organized for a change, haha! Info for those who don't know:

Authors: Cloud is played by zilldk , Reno and Rude are played by jaded_grin 
Characters: Reno/Cloud/Rude sandwich in that order
Rating: R - you have been warned!
Warnings: Light D/s, man sex, etc. This is purely (almost) porn, people!
Summary: Cloud spends the night with the Turks and has to go back to deal with reality. Not fun, for reals.

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1                    4                    6

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5

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            It felt so good to skip down the stairs two steps at a time, chasing and laughing, more or less stumbling out the front door to the apartment complex with Reno practically draped all over him. But the laughter came to a sudden stop as they ended up faced with a baffled Tifa.
            Holy shit! Cloud felt like his heart came to a sudden stop, and the smile on his face froze.
            “Tifa?! You’re…back!” He had no idea what to do or how to explain this. The last thing he wanted in the world was to hurt her. He knew she still hoped, sometimes, that they could get together, or at least she used to. And to throw this in her face like that… Not what he had planned at all!
            Rude tensed when he heard them come bounding down the stairs like exuberant puppies, soft laughter and panting breaths, all wide eyes and beauty. When they hit the doorway, they were side by side, and for a moment he felt a pang when he saw the look on Tifa's face. He knew the exact second that it registered what she was seeing: Cloud wasn't angry or upset or even his usual solemn self – he was happy, carefree, smiling.
            It didn't take a genius to see why.
            Reno had an arm slung over Cloud's shoulders in that easy, comfortable way men have, his lean body fitted tightly to Cloud's, effortless in his movements, clearly allowed into his personal space with no trouble.
            Rude saw realization come crashing over Tifa's eyes and he felt terrible for her, but she had wasted years of knowing Cloud and never managed to help him. A failure of that magnitude only meant one thing – it was not meant to be. Cloud had needed more than a friend, more than smiles, more than meek acceptance and patience – he needed Reno, he needed Rude, he needed the solidity of what they shared to catch him when he stumbled. Love showed where it would, but it still hurt him to see her bewilderment fade to such shock.
            All of these years, all of this time, how had she never guessed that Cloud's interest lay with his own sex?
            "Cloud?" she asked, incredulous, turning her dark eyes to Reno, who smirked and winked but didn't loosen his hold on Cloud. He would keep him safe, he would never pull away as if Cloud shamed him or made him embarrassed. There was nothing he felt he needed to hide, though he didn't push the boundary by pulling a PDA on Cloud. Not only was Reno sure his new lover wouldn't appreciate it, those types of things weren't really his way.
            "Yo, Tifa! S'up, lady? Long time no see," he said, his voice neutral, coaxing, light.
            "Cloud," Tifa said again, not about to be sidetracked. "I came by to let you know that I'm back and to thank you for watching the bar...Cloud...are you leaving with them?"
            Cloud felt his stomach twist into a tight knot as he clearly saw the stunned, hurt look on Tifa’s face. He had no idea how to handle this, and for a second he only stood there and stared. He knew she had been hoping all this time, knew she still wanted them to get together, and he had no idea about how he should handle this.
            He was no good with words, and he knew he had to say something now. For a brief second his eyes darted to Rude, but Cloud knew he would have to handle this himself, and in an instant his eyes were back to meet Tifa’s.
            “Tifa… I…” He hated this, hated to feel so cruel to her. He should have told her long ago, why he couldn’t give her what she wanted from him. He had tried. He had done everything he could to try to change and love her the way she wanted, but it was no good, and every time he had tried to explain, he had fucked it up somehow.
            But standing here, with Reno’s arm around his shoulders… He couldn’t deny that it was what he wanted – what he needed.
            “I am sorry, Tifa, but… Yes, I am.” It took all his courage to say this, but he couldn’t deny it. Couldn’t stand here in the face of Reno and Rude and say he didn’t want this. He wanted this more than anything.
            “I wanted to tell you so many times why… why I couldn’t…” He stalled, and almost imperceptibly leaned into Reno’s embrace for support. It wasn’t visible to Tifa, but Reno would know. “I’m leaving with them, Tifa. It is my choice to make, and… I’m sure.”
            "Cloud," Tifa said, softly, still so bewildered by it all. "Why?"
            "Yo, Tifa," Reno said, feeling protective of Cloud. Their new lover was at a fragile point right now and this kind of thing could set him back where he'd been – living under the yoke of guilt that didn't belong to him. "Look, I don't know how this slipped by you and I'm not tryin' to be mean, here, but this ain't a new thing for Cloud, ya know?"
            "Reno," Rude said, calling him down. The slender redhead bristled, not liking the way Tifa was taking this – she had known Cloud for years, and yet never once had she figured out what it had taken the two Turks mere moments to discover. In his opinion, being a friend with blinders on was the same as leaving someone out in the cold, and you just didn't do that to people you loved.
            Rude looked at the young woman and gently said, "Cloud made his decision, Tifa. This doesn't concern you."
            "Of course it concerns me!" she cried, flushing, her small but capable fists clenching. "I've known Cloud longer than either one of you! I'm responsible – "
            "Cloud's a grown man," Reno cut in, feeling Cloud tense again. “He don't need you to be responsible for nothing, Tifa. If he's your friend, you'd wanna see him happy, you wouldn't try to guilt him out of something that does make him happy, right?"
            Rude took a deep breath but didn't stop his lover. Reno was right, in his own blunt, forward way, and Tifa's expression showed that she got it.
            "Cloud," she gently said again, concerned. "Are you sure this is what you want? You're going to choose..."
            Bewildered, she looked from Reno's glowering face to Rude's own stoic one and finished, "Choose two Turks over your friends?"
            "This isn't about choosing anyone over anyone else, yo," Reno flared, and Rude held up a hand to hush him.
            "Tifa," Rude said, and reached out to take Cloud's bag, hefting it easily over one shoulder. "This doesn't have to be a case of one or the other. You are his friend, and his friends will always be welcome in our home."
            She flushed, clearly shocked and dismayed to hear him so easily admit that they intended to take Cloud to keep.
            "I just..." she trailed off, trying to reconcile her own dreams with the reality. She'd known for so long that Cloud was an impossibility, but she'd clung to the hope with stubborn faith that if she just waited him out, he would eventually turn to her. The signs had been there for her to see – never once had he shown an interest in her physically, and he always met her eyes directly, not even glancing at her chest. His close friendship with a man he never spoke of. The grief that had outlasted so many other things. The lack of a lover in his life. She'd known, deep down, what it had meant, she just hadn't wanted to see it – and now she had no choice. He stood before her with a stubborn and firm expression on his face with that redheaded Turk draped against his side like a slinky cat. Whatever it was that held Cloud in thrall, Tifa realized it would never have anything to do with her or any comfort she could offer. "I...I can't think right now..."
            "Tifa," Rude called, watching her confusion as she walked towards her truck. “Will you be alright to drive?"
            She nodded a little, absently, her eyes on Cloud.
            "I wish you the best, Cloud," she softly said.
            Reno hugged him tighter and gently told him, "She'll come around, yo. She's hurting right now, but she'll be okay, I can promise you that."
            Rude put the bag in the trunk and gestured that it was time to go.
           Cloud felt something inside him break into little pieces as he saw her walk off towards her car, and for a second he hated himself more than ever before. He did this to her, he hurt her all over again.
            The feel of Reno’s arms around him, his blunt, protective defense against Tifa’s accusations meant more to him than anything, and he knew he had made the right decision. But he had to try to explain, she had to hear it from his own mouth, so he gave Reno’s hand a little firm squeeze before easing out of his embrace and ran after Tifa before she got in her truck.
            He didn’t know how to handle this. He had no idea what would happen, but he had to try. He stopped her right before her truck and turned her against him with a gentle hold on her shoulders.
            “Tifa, look at me,” he said, voice low and powerless. “Please try to understand. You…have been nothing but good to me, and I love you, but…This is what I am. I can’t change into something else, and I can’t…” His voice was shaking now, and he knew he had to wrap it up before he lost it completely. “I can never be what you want me to be. Not in that way. I know you’re angry, and I understand that, but… Please don’t hate me, Tifa. I never meant to hurt you.”
            It was probably the longest speech in his life, and he knew she would still be mad, but he had to explain, he had to try.
            “I have to do this. For…for me.”
            Rude paused and leaned against the trunk, arms crossed over his wide chest. Reno slid up next to him, silent and tense, the sleeve of his jacket just barely brushing Rude's own, both of them watching Cloud speak so lowly and so earnestly to Tifa.
            Tifa gazed at Cloud and her gaze softened, gentled, her sad eyes changing just a bit.
            "You've always been so selfless," she said, and touched his cheek, a sad smile gracing her features. "I've always wanted you to be happy, Cloud, I just wanted that happiness to be...to be me."
            She dropped her hand and smiled a little at the two Turks.
            "I never dreamed in a thousand years that they would be what you wanted," she sighed, and looked at Cloud again, struggling to keep the tears out of her eyes. "But, Cloud, your face as you came down those stairs..."
            She trailed off, struggling to find the words.
            "You looked happy," she said, sounding both sad and relieved. "You looked happy for the first time in all of the years I've known you. I can't hate you for that, Cloud. Whatever dreams I've been sheltering, I'll just have to wake up. Everyone else does, don't they?"
            She touched him again, stroking his cheek, her dark eyes on his own blue ones as she whispered, "We can't all have the perfect man."
            She took a deep breath and unsteadily said, "This is very hard for me, Cloud. Please understand. I don't hate you, I can't hate you, but I just need some time to make sense of it. You're my best friend, Cloud, why didn't you...why didn't you tell me? Did you think I wouldn't understand?"
            "Cloud," Rude called, not wanting it to degenerate into accusations and anger once more.
            Tifa glanced at the Turks again and back at Cloud before she gave him a brief, stiff, and impersonal hug.
            "I'll be in touch, Cloud," she sadly said. "Please don't be a stranger, okay? Just give me some time to get my head around it."
            She got back into her truck and pulled away, leaving Cloud standing at the side of the road.
            "Cloud," Rude said again, gently. The blond turned to look back at him and he returned the gaze, steady and firm, unshakable.
            "Let's go, yo, you look like you could use a drink," Reno said, his grin gently teasing, understanding. "Mind if I ride bitch on Fenrir? That bike's a dream."
            Cloud couldn’t shake the guilty feeling completely away. He should have told Tifa, but every time he had tried, he just… couldn’t. He didn’t want to hurt her, but now he could see that not telling her probably hurt her more than the truth ever would have.
            Seeing her truck pull away ripped at his heart, but he hoped that eventually this would turn out for the best, and before he could think any more about it, Rude called for him.
            It was such a relief to meet that steady gaze. It calmed him and made him able to fight the sadness back, made him remember what he had chosen. Tifa would understand. At least he hoped she would, but no matter what, he knew he had made the right choice. For the first time in his life he had chosen something for himself and the sight of the calm, unshakable Rude and the beautiful, sly redhead at his side made Cloud’s heart flutter and beat harder in his chest. He knew he loved them both.
            He walked back to them and as Reno asked if he could ride bitch, he couldn’t help but smile. Trust Reno to disarm a situation when it threatened to blow!
            He fished out the keys from his pocket and held them in front of Reno.
            “You can ride him, if you want,” he smiled, grin widening. “If you promise me you can handle him! He’s a powerful beast between your legs you know…” It felt so good to tease and let the speculations go for now. “I’ll be the bitch then.”
            Rude grinned to see Cloud's troubled expression even out a little. With a sigh, he shoved away from the car and said, "Straight home."
            "Of course!" Reno crowed, snatching the keys to the motorcycle with a wolfish grin.
            Rude gave him a stern look and Reno blinked with guileless innocence. He turned to Cloud and moved to gently brush his blond bangs back from his head before asking, "Good?"
            "Let's go!" Reno complained, eager to be on the bike.
            Rude smiled again and shook his head, getting into the car wordlessly and starting the engine.
            "Thanks, Cloud!" Reno said, excitement making his eyes sparkle. He paused and threw his arm over Cloud's shoulders again, giving him a shake and asking, "You gonna make it, pal? Don't be sad, Cloud, you'll break Papa's heart – Rude hates it when someone is hurting!"
            He trailed off and eyed Cloud from beneath his lashes, a coy and enticing look full of play and love.
            "Of course, I hate it when you're hurting, too," he murmured, and then broke his sudden seriousness with another lopsided grin, dragging Cloud with him to the bike and slipping on it. He looked back at Cloud and said, "Let's get going, baby! I wanna get you back where you belong!"
            Cloud looked at Reno sitting on Fenrir, and a shiver ran through him. Reno looked good on the huge bike, all devious smiles and flirting eyes and Cloud felt a deep ache in his groin. He loved his bike, it was all metal and steel, efficient and fast, streamlined and masculine.
            And the redhead was just the perfect addition to the whole, making things stir in Cloud that had been so long forgotten. He lusted for Reno in this moment, and it chased his worries away for the moment, turned Tifa into a distant hum in the back of his head.
            It had felt so good to hear both Reno and Rude stand up for him, defending his choice and not trying to hide the fact that they wanted him there with them. They weren’t ashamed of him or trying to back away. They really wanted the world to know that he, Cloud Strife, belonged with them, and it filled him with a pride and joy so intense he wanted to shout it out loud.
            His face lit up in a warm smile, assuring Reno that he would be okay, and that Tifa hadn’t ruined the day. He truly hoped Tifa would accept this, and it would kill something inside him if she chose to turn her back on him, but he couldn’t turn back. He would not.
            “You look good Reno” he hummed, letting his smile turn devious. “You suit each other!”
            He walked over to the bike and swung his leg over, settling close behind Reno in the ‘bitch’ seat, smiling at the thought of that and what it made him into. As he sat down he leaned in and kissed Reno on the nape, savoring Reno’s scent and whispering in his ear, “You look fucking sexy, Reno.”
            As he settled behind him, he let his hands slide around Reno’s slim waist down to his inner thighs and gave him a firm squeeze before he settled close to Reno’s back with both arms tight around him, molded perfectly against Reno’s sexy body.
            “Take me home, Reno…"
            "I always look fucking sexy, yo," Reno said, his smirk cocky, but a second later his breathless laughter made a lie of his conceit. He smiled to feel Cloud snuggled against his back – it was just too amazing to know that he was coming home with them! "Now, how does this bitch work?"
            He fiddled with the key, got the engine purring like a kitten and shoved his ass back into Cloud's groin as he leaned forward over the bike with a cunning grin. He glanced back at Cloud, who was firmly pressed to his back, and his easy grin softened. Giving him a long, weighty look, he said, "Damned straight, I'm taking you home, baby. Back where you belong, right there between me and Papa Bear."
            True to form, he let the bike lunge forward and tore off with a loud whoop, the air blowing his hair back, Cloud's excited, breathless laughter puffing against his ear. He heard the roar of the car's engine behind them and knew that Rude was keeping up. His grin widened, and he called back, "Let's play hide-and-seek!"
            Cloud's eyes were wide and delighted, and Reno let loose another loud war cry, turning the bike down a side street without warning. He heard the brakes squeal on the car and grinned when he saw Rude still on their trail, his eyes hidden behind his glasses.
            But Reno didn't need to see his eyes to know what was going on in his head. He curled out his tongue, gunned the Fenrir, and shot off for home already knowing that Rude was busy hiding his amusement.
            The only predictable thing about Reno was that he was always unpredictable.
            And Rude loved that about him, he always had, even before they'd been a couple.
            Laughing with sheer glee and high spirits, Reno reached back, pulled Cloud a little closer to him, and did his best to give Rude the chase of his life.
            Cloud loved the chase, and soon he was spurring Reno on with loud shouts and helpful short instructions of how to fully take advantage of Fenrir’s maneuverability. Cloud was proud of his bike, and Reno seemed a natural at handling it, so Cloud got completely pulled into the game of cat and mouse, urging Reno on when Rude got too close, and howling along with Reno in loud war cries every time they succeeded in making a turn that had Rude’s car skidding to the side with screaming brakes.
            It was all boys with toys, and the excitement had their blood rushing as they thundered through the streets, playing their game of hide-and-seek, enjoying the rush of adrenaline and the thrill of the roaring engines.
            Cloud had to hand it to him – Rude was an awesome driver, and no matter what hazardous maneuvers they managed, he stayed at their tail all the way home.
            When they finally pulled up in front of the building the adrenaline from the chase was rushing through Cloud’s body, and he was panting heavily. Tifa was long but forgotten in the moment, and he was feeling all the excitement settle in his groin. He was horny as hell, and to sit here so close to Reno’s body was almost torture, but the sweetest one at that too…
            His hands slid down Reno’s front now that the bike was parked, and Cloud’s warm breath tickled Reno’s nape as he leaned in and kissed him there, hands going further down to his groin with no discretion whatsoever. It was far too late for that!
            “Fuck, Reno,” he whispered and nibbled at his earlobe, licking a wet trail down his throat. “You ride like a pro, baby.” His laugh was heartfelt and free, without any shyness or fear constricting him, and it was an amazing feeling. What happened with Tifa wasn’t solved, but at least the truth was out, and it was a tremendous relief for Cloud to let that burden go.
            He heard the door to Rude’s car slam shut, and he had to make an effort to control his own urges in order not to shock the poor neighbors right here on the parking lot. But he wanted to scream it to the whole world.
            He was home!
            Rude struggled not to smile as he got out of the car and carefully locked it. He knew Reno would be itching to see his reaction, would be grinning that sharp, smug grin of his and just daring Rude to do something about it.
            He pocketed his keys calmly and stalked over to where Cloud and Reno were still atop the bike. One look at Cloud's flushed cheeks and those strong hands working Reno's groin and Rude suddenly wanted very badly to be naked in the privacy of their home with both of them on their knees at his feet. It was such a strong visual that he paused for a second and covered his sudden lust by adjusting his glasses.
            Reno panted, his mouth open and smiling. His big blue eyes slit closed with pleasure when Cloud nibbled on his earlobe and licked his throat. But what was really getting him were those perfect, calloused hands cupping his cock through his pants right there on the street.
            "You're amazing," he purred, rocking against Cloud's hand, his head turning so that he could gaze at Cloud's face with hazy, sultry eyes. His smirk was lazy and inviting, pleased, and he dropped one hand down to cover one of Cloud's, squeezing it around his hardening cock even more tightly before he slipped the Fenrir's keys into his hand.    "Thanks for letting me ride him, yo, he's an amazing machine. Rider's only as good as the bike he's on, right?"
            His head whipped around when Rude snapped his fingers loudly, getting his attention. He looked at his large, dark-skinned lover and felt another pulse go through his groin, his grin widening again and his eyes dancing with mischief.
            "Done?" Rude mildly inquired, but his bland disinterest was all part of the game, as was the anger he would claim later on. Reno knew he could no more piss Rude off than he could resurrect the dead – the man was an endless sea of patience! But for both of their sakes, he played along with Reno's antics and neither one of them regretted it. The big man looked at Cloud, whose own grin was every bit as ornery and playful as Reno's. With a sigh, he rolled his eyes heavenwards and asked, "You, too, Cloud?"
            Reno sniggered and pushed back against Cloud, feeling the light vibration of laughter through him. He leaned his head against Cloud's and they both just looked at Rude, all big blue eyes and sly smiles.
            "Papaaaaaa," Reno said, coaxingly, even though here on the outside it wasn't like that. Outside of the house, they were just two Turks, neither over the other at all. But sometimes they let it spill over, and Reno liked to use it to his advantage. "Papa Beaaaaaaar..."
            Rude suppressed a smile at Reno's sing-song voice but gave up any attempts at seeming angry or upset. The chase had been thrilling, and as much as he still worried for the safety of his two boys riding helmetless at ridiculous speeds, he'd long ago learned to trust Reno's reflexes and skills.
            "Big trouble," he lowly said, and went to go grab Cloud's bag from the trunk.
            Reno wriggled closer to Cloud and breathed, "There ain't nothing quite like getting Rude, is there?"
            He laughed and slid off of the bike, unmindful of his cock pushing insistently against the front of his pants. He kissed Cloud right there on the street and laughed with abandon when Rude passed them, snagging Reno by the arm and dragging him along.
            The slender redhead snatched Cloud's hand and the two of them were hauled up the stairs by their smiling Papa Bear.
            Cloud couldn’t stifle the big smile that was plastered all over his face as he was more or less dragged up the stairs, and he could feel his blood boil from excitement and the thrill of the chase. The look on Reno’s face as he had turned to look at him while they were still on the bike lingered in Cloud’s mind, those sultry lips pursed in the most devious smile and his eyes half lidded with pleasure of the things Cloud did to him.
            It made Cloud’s own erection throb in his pants, and made the trip up the stairs even more urgent. He needed to get naked, and he couldn’t help but feel sweet shivers run down his spine at the thought of Rude’s stern expression.
            Oh, they were in for it now, disobeying a direct order. He wondered what Rude might have in store for them, and in fact he couldn’t wait to find out!
            Finally they were inside the apartment, and Cloud wouldn’t have to worry about scaring the neighbors when he pulled Reno tight and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. He knew he was in trouble already, having Papa Bear watch them impatiently and probably not intending them to mess around now, but he just had to, had to taste those delicious lips, had to touch and feel. He would be sorry afterwards.
            He was ready for his punishment.

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Previous Stories In The Hard Time Series

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Comments

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

WOOT, thank you so much!

Yeah, we feel for Tifa, it has to be tough to realize that things aren't going to happen the way she dreamed they would.

*hands over tissues for the nosebleeding*

Boys will be boys, and the possibility to mess around with Fenrir was just too good to pass up for them! ;)

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Hehe! Yeah, Tifa got a little tossed out of the scene by the chase bit, but Cloud needed the happy, so WOOT! Sorry about the nosebleed, but happy to have caused it all the same ;) And thank you so much! We think you're rather awesome, too :D

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

We're working on it ;)

[white-jenna.livejournal.com]

Oooh, first?
*points at icon* That's all I got, the rest of my brain's leaked out all over the place. ;D

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

*brings out the mop to clean up the mess*

Thank you so much, Leaking brain mass is an amazing compliment! I hope you will have regenerated before the next chapter is up... XD

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

I love that icon, it is so perfect, lol! *helps Zill clean up the leakage* Sorry about that! But I'm super stoked you liked it! :D

[subcon-ruler.livejournal.com]

(Sorry, logged into RL journal. subcon_ruler = whiskeynshinra = same person XD)

I need to say that I really, really appreciate how you portrayed Tifa. I have seen fandom turn her into a shrew and I hate it. You made her very mature and accepting, even while she's hurting. Thank you for being good to the ladies :D

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Tifa deserves to be treated well. She's an awesome, strong character, and she isn't a bitch. She's just got a lot of realization to do, and that's gonna be a bit rough.

Jaded_grin writes her amazingly. :D

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Ha! I love you in all your different incarnations *noms you*!

And thank you so much for that about Tifa - she's been a close friend to Cloud forever, so to be on the outside of such a huge part of him was really shocking for her. I like Tifa, I'll try to treat her right ;)

[ladynero.livejournal.com]

*PURRS* oh yes....

Noce to see that Tifa can be an adult about things and realize, partially, that she hadn't been looking at everything because she didn't want to.

*smirks* and the Chase is just beautiful.....

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, glad you liked it!

Yeah, Tifa has some thinking to do, but really, it's not all her own fault. Cloud could have told her long ago after all, but I guess they both had a hard time (no pun intended!) facing the facts and setting things straig...err... oh well...

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Aw :D Yeah, Tifa isn't trying to be mean, she's just confused and a little lost, plus unhappy. But she does realize her own culpability in it.

Hehe! Glad you liked the chase :D Reno just couldn't resist!

[lilymoon1.livejournal.com]

Yay! for Cloud asking Reno to take him home! Oh, but such a cruel, teasing place to stop. I can't wait to see what Papa Bear has in store for his naughty boys.

Excellent handling of the scene with Tifa. It was well written without trying to make Tifa out to be some megabitch has other writers often do. As this series goes on the writing just keeps getting better and better. The descriptions and scenes are so well written that I'm able to see it all in my head as I'm reading so that it's like watching a movie. That's my personal indicator of a good fic. If I can easily picture it, if the writer can make me lose myself in the scene, then it's good fic I'll enjoy and read over and over. You two have done that. I hope you have lots more for us to enjoy!

Now, until you post again, I'll be imagining what Rude is going to do and how the boys will respond. Especially Cloud, since he's feeling happier and more confident.

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, this has got to be one of the most amazing comments I have ever gotten! Thank you so so much for making me sit here with the biggest smile on my face and a sense of accomplishment that’s really indescribable.

To get a compliment like that from an author as awesome as you… *faints* Thank you thank you thank you!!! I think you just made my da… no my whole friggin week with this!

I'm really glad that the scene with Tifa worked so well. She's definitely not a bitch, and realizing that all her hopes and dreams is being flushed down the toilet is bound to take some time to process, so they'll have a rough patch to cross before things falls into place.

And the punishment... hehe yeah, no spoilers from here. I just know that I enjoyed wtriting it immensely, so I hope you will love to read it as well. ;D

Thank you again for the awesome comment! I'm gleaming with pride!!!

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Cloud is finally making firm decisions about what he wants, and that's been a long time coming, so WOOT! Hehe, Papa Bear has some interesting fun planned, never doubt it ;)

Thank you so much about Tifa, it was a fine edge to walk, but I wanted her to be human and still strong but not a bitch. I'm so flattered that you like this series, and thanks again for the wonderful compliment! Zill and I have so much fun writing this, so it's fantastic to know that others enjoy it, too! And there is lots, lots more to come *snuggles you*

[dragons-f-wolf.livejournal.com]

I love this, and thanks so much for not turning Tifa into a hateful bitch. :)

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

You're so very welcome, Jaded_grin writes her awesomely, doesn't she?

Tifa is no bitch, she's just really hurt and lost right now. She needs some time to think this through, and they will need to get through some rough terrain before it gets better.

She just lost the man of her dreams, or at least lost him the way she wanted him, and that's gotta hurt like a bitch!

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Aw, I wouldn't do that! I like Tifa :D And I'm glad you love the series! *noms you*

[elflover59.livejournal.com]

It is so nice to see Cloud happy and i am pretty sure Tifa will come around. Update soon i want to read about the punishment.

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the punishment... *evil snigger* No spoilers from me! :D

Cloud is slowly starting to find his way to happiness, but it will be a long and sometimes bumpy ride.

I think Tifa will come around eventually - she just needs a little bit of time to think things through.

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Tifa will come around eventually! She's a good woman at heart :D And Cloud deserves to be happy, so my Turks are going to see to it that he gets there...via punishment, of course! Thank you so much, kiddo, and I will update as soon as I can!

[madisuzy.livejournal.com]

Cloud is finally home! *flails*

Loved the way you guys manage to make Tifa...well...likable and human. Very kind of you.

Also loved Reno and Cloud racing around and playing together. So heart warming to see Cloud letting go and enjoying having fun. Him and Reno being so cheeky to Rude was great too. Can't wait to read about the punishment!

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Cloud is definitely where he belongs, although there's still a long way to go, but Reno and Rude are definitely what he needs to find his way.

Tifa is an awesome woman, and she deserves to be treated decently. She is Cloud's best and oldest friend after all, and having her heart broken is painful. She will need some time.

But I agree with you, she turned out great in this, and that's because Jaded_grin is just amazing like that! XD

I can't tell anything about the punishment, (hehe, no spoilers!) but I can guarantee you that the boys will like it! ;D

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I wanted her to be just lost and confused, like anyone would be in that situation. I like Tifa, actually, so I hope to make her a regular in the series :D

Ha! Yes, boys and their toys, lol! Reno is the kind of free spirit that Cloud needs right now, just as much as he needs the solid dependability of Rude.

And the punishment, hehehehehe! You'll just have to wait and see!

[belatrix-labe.livejournal.com]

Oh my God...Every time i wish more and more to live there with these boys...Poor Tifa...she's cursed to live alone at the FFVII legend.
Guys you two are amazing and I can't wait for Cloud's punishment...oh god...
Hugs and love
Bela

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Aww Bela, thank you for your always amazing comments! We're so glad you like this so much!

Tifa's having a rough time, but once she's had time to think this thoroughly through and hopefully accept it, maybe she will be able to look for the love she deserves elsewhere.

Mmmmmm, the punishment... Hehe, no spoilers from me!

*huge hugs and snuggles*

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Aw, Bela! You're the best! Your comments always make my day! Thank you so much, sweetie! And the punishment for Cloud and Reno is coming right up, lol!

[candy-akanbo98.livejournal.com]

First, I must say that I have been a lurker of your posts for a couple of months now. Initially reading posts on your fanfiction.net page. And I must say, I'm in love with all your writings, especially your Cloud and Sephiroth paired fics. *.*''

This chapter of this series made me come out of hiding to comment and spread the love of your work :D

It has so much suspense besides, I believe the second chapter when Cloud is just expressing his feelings with 'Papa Bear' as they hug *'aw' moment* :3

You and Zill should write together more often! Zill executes Cloud in a way I thought I'd never like him to be portrayed, but now I'm fascinated with him. Not as much as Rude, though. I think I've harvested a new found love for Rude, he's just......*fans self* XD;

Keep up the great work you guys!
:D

P.S. Would you mind if I friend you? Both of ya!?
:]

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

Aw, yay! I'm glad you decided to break your silence! And thank you so much for that fantastic comment! *snuggles you*

Zill and I write together constantly, lol! We have a few other stories going that we haven't gotten to the publishing stage yet, but we're getting there ;) I'm glad you like her Cloud so much, I adore him and couldn't ask for better, and thank you so much for that about Rude! I feel like he gets too little love and attention, so this is my way of evening it out :D

Thank you again, honey, for you compliments, I'm blushing! *snuggles you to bits* And by all means, friend away!

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, what an amazing comment!! Thank you so much for stepping out of the shadows to tell us how you feel!

I can't tell you how happy I am to know that you like my Cloud so much! he's very dear to me, so I'm really glad that he comes out in a way people seem to like. Thank you so much for that!

And Rude... *purrs* Isn't he just fantastic?? I have to admit that I didn't feel a thing for Rude before I read Jaded_grin's "Curiosity", but then she had me hooked, and I moved on from there. Suddenly I started to notice him, and yeah, he's very hard to resist now. Papa Bear is just amazing!

Like Jaded_grin wrote, she and I write together all the time, so we have plenty of stuff going, in all kinds of set-ups. We have so much fun writing together that I don't think we could stop even if we tried. ;)

I would be honored if you friended me, and I will of course friend you right back! :D

Once again, thank you so much for coming out of hiding and for your amazing, wonderful comment! Don't be a stranger! :D *snuggles*

[ldyavalon.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the late answer... No computer at home so I've been reading this in bits and pieces in my scant breaks at work...

LOVED ITTTTTTTTTT. I WANNA RIDE ON FENRIR TOOOOOOO!!!! xD

[zilldk.livejournal.com]

Don't be sorry! We're just so happy you like it enough to come back despite computer troubles!

Hehe, Fenrir... yeah, who wouldn't like a ride on that beast with the boys? *purr*

Glad you liked it! XD

No computer at home? *pets you* I think I would die if it happened to me! Slowly and miserably. I'm addicted! :D

[jaded-grin.livejournal.com]

*snuggles* It's ok, boo boo! We loves you!

Hehe! Glad we could give you a desire for high speed chases and groping, lol! I gotta think about what to send you in your care package! *snuggles some more*