reno of the turks (final fantasy 7) x f!reader
2.1k words
cw/tags: established relationship, secretly dating, fluff, angst but my god you have to squint and use a magnifying glass to find it, reno is a little shit as always, reader is stated to be rufus shinra's sister.
this was originally posted to my ao3 a few years back. minor changes have been made. hope you enjoy!
As soon as you open your front door, Reno immediately starts running his mouth.
“Ya know, I’m pretty sure bein’ at your beck and call at,” he pauses, glancing at his phone, “three in the morning wasn’t part of my job description when I got hired.”
With a small smile, you grab his sleeve and pull him into your apartment, shutting and locking the door behind you both. “Pretty sure kissing me wasn’t part of it, either, but you never seem to complain about that,” you say, lips meeting his for a quick kiss as soon as you turn around.
Reno clicks his tongue, shaking his head and wrapping his arms around you. “That’s just a little bonus for a job well done. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it,” he says, kissing you again. “But what’s up? Ya better not be reducing me to a booty call, Ms. Shinra.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” you tease, running your fingers through your hair. “Am I not allowed to just miss you?”
The problem with lying to someone like Reno is that he knows. Years of being a Turk have taught him a lot about how to read people, he’d once told you. Sure, there are the obvious signs, like not looking someone in the eye — which you call B.S. on because some people simply don't like eye contact — or being overly defensive; however, there are also some more subtle indicators: changes in breathing patterns, sudden self-grooming, some nervous shifting of the body. Reno is great at spotting a liar. You’d seen it firsthand numerous times.
He doesn’t answer you right away. He watches you closely, still holding you close. His eyes rake over your face, taking in every little detail. You’re certain he’s mapped out any freckles, any scars, any beauty marks. You know what he’s doing.
“Sure ya can, Sweetheart,” he says, voice low. “I miss you all the time. But somethin’ tells me this ain’t just about that.”
If Reno is good at telling when a stranger is lying, you don’t stand a chance against him. You’d first met him in your early 20s. He was young, a new recruit to the Turks who, on top of their other duties, spent a lot of time hovering around you and your older brother, Rufus. The redhead had been a little more reserved around you at first, and you can’t really blame him. Just like everyone else, he’d assumed you’d be another spoiled Shinra child. Rufus’s reputation preceded him, which was fair enough, but you were your own person. It had taken time for Reno to learn that.
But when he finally did, the two of you started toeing the line between a working relationship and a friendship. And years later, all it took was a couple of glasses of wine to turn the friendship into the relationship it currently is.
You reach up, tucking a strand of his messy hair behind his ear. “You know I love you, right?” you whisper.
His eyes go wide for a second, allowing you a rare peek at his vulnerability. “Yeah,” he says, tone matching your own. “I love you, too. What’s goin’ on?”
When you say you love Reno, you mean it. You’re not shy about letting him know, either. You say the three words to him frequently. Sometimes it’s between seemingly endless kisses to his cheeks when the two of you are curled up watching a movie, almost enough to annoy him but the cheeky grin never leaving his face. Other times, it’s whispered in his ear at Shinra events, his hand on your back as he guides you along, acting as nothing more than a bodyguard. It’s written in texts when he’s away on business, likely doing things you don’t even want to begin to think about and can only pray he returns home safely from.
But you never say the words around anyone else. Because no one else knows.
It’s not that you’re ashamed to be with him. There are just so many “what if” outcomes. How would Rufus react? You can practically hear him saying how bad it’ll look for your father’s only (known) daughter, his sister, to be dating a Turk. But, deep down, you know you might be able to handle Rufus. After all, he still sometimes falls victim to your secret weapon: the puppy dog eyes. He’d deny it, claim he grew out of it, but the soft spot he had for you when you were both children is still present. And if that didn’t work, you could always remind him just how many dating scandals he’s had.
The other “what if” comes in the form of Reno’s boss. As much as you adore Tseng - and you do, really - you dread to think about how much grief he’d give Reno over this. Tseng, the walking definition of a professional, would likely lay into his second-in-command for weeks.
Reno does a great impression of him when no one else is around and he’s a few drinks deep. “Nah, nah, because here’s exactly how he’d handle it,” he’d say, clearing his throat before continuing. “‘Reno, I’m disappointed in you. We’re consummate professionals tasked with protecting the company’s assets and its leaders, including Ms. Shinra.’ Pfft. I’m all about that asset, and I’m tryin’ to consummate more than he knows.”
He might be the worst, but you love him, really.
With a wave of his hand and a call of your name, he pulls your attention back to him. “You’re makin’ me really nervous here,” he whispers, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead. “Spit it out already, would ya?”
A short breath escapes your lips. You pull away from him and take his hand, tugging him over to your living room couch. He takes the spot next to you like he has so many times before, his eyes never leaving you until you gesture to the coffee table in front of you.
On it rests a copy of Midgar News, which Reno picks up. It’s dated for Tuesday, today, which hasn’t really even started yet.
“Third page,” you say.
Reno opens the paper, eyes scanning over the contents until he finds what he’s looking for. When he sees it, his body tenses for a few moments before relaxing again.
“You look hot,” he says, nodding. “Coulda used a better picture of me, honestly, but this is a great angle for you, Babe.”
You know he’s just trying to gauge how you’re feeling, but the response is so, well, him. Thankfully, the picture isn’t anything risque; it’s a shot of the two of you during what you thought was a private moment on a recent trip to Costa del Sol. If you could go back in time, you’d kick yourself. You got too comfortable, too certain that just one tiny moment in a public space would be easily overlooked.
As he quietly reads through the headline and accompanying article, if you can even call the trashy exposé that, you wait. It spills all the juicy details of your relationship with him. Sure, they got some of the smaller details wrong. You’d been dating for seven months, not six. He’d actually made the first move on you, not the other way around. The paper also suggested Rufus knew. And in a few hours, he will.
“How, uh - How we feelin’ about this one?” he asks, tossing the paper back onto the table before sinking into the sofa a little.
“They could’ve at least gotten the details right,” you say, scowling as you cross your arms across your chest. If they were going to expose such a major part of your life and violate your privacy, they could’ve at least done due diligence in researching the facts.
He snorts, and even you crack a smile. You know it’s the wrong thing to focus on, but you can’t help it.
“How’d you even get this? I’m guessin’ we got no recourse here?” he asks. It’s obvious from his tone that he already knows the answer.
“Friend of a friend slipped me an advance copy,” you answer. You take a peek at the clock on the opposite wall. “And it’ll be going out to everyone in about half an hour, if I had to guess. I spent hours making phone calls til right before you got here. I offered money, exclusive interviews about other things, whatever they wanted. Turns out this is the story they want. Not sure when my sex life became so interesting.”
A lazy smirk creeps onto Reno’s face. “About the time you started sleepin’ with me,” he says. When you reach out to playfully smack his chest, he catches your hand and links his fingers with yours. “How do you want to handle this?”
“Well, we have two options, I guess. We can try to deny it, but the picture definitely makes it harder. I think we could just pass it off as being extra friendly, maybe,” you say, stealing a glance at it. It was taken at Bar del Sol, the two of you sitting in the corner at the end of the bar. You had your hand resting on his thigh as he leaned in close, a grin showing on his lips. The moment is still fresh in your mind. He’d been scolding you, telling you to behave and wait until you got back to the hotel. It’d lasted just seconds, but all it took was someone lying in wait for the moment to be memorialized forever. “God, what a fun trip.”
Reno raises an eyebrow. “First of all, you better not be friendly with anyone else like this,” he says, gesturing to the paper. “It was a good time, though. Really, well, solidified that this is where I wanna be, ya know?”
“Where? Costa del Sol?” you ask, absent-mindedly.
For the second time, he clicks his tongue. “With you, ya dummy. I wanna be with you. I mean, I already knew it, but this was different,” he says. Though he pretends to be annoyed, there’s no indicator in his tone that he actually is. If anything, you can hear his own brand of affection.
You move, climbing over him so that you’re straddling his lap. His eyes widen and his hands move to rest on your hips, as if he's acting on instinct. When you don’t say anything right away, instead choosing to just look into the eyes of your lover, he pouts a little.
“Tell me what you’re thinkin’,” he whispers. “I can usually get a good read on ya, but I’d rather hear it straight right now.”
“What I’m thinking,” you repeat, taking a deep breath. “I think we should just go with the second option: Let’s just tell them. Get it out there. If you’re okay with it, I don’t care anymore. I don’t want to hide this anymore, hide you anymore. Rufus? I can probably handle him. I know Tseng will be, well, him, obviously, but -.”
Reno lazily smiles. “You might be worth gettin’ yelled at by Tseng. You gonna be my sugar momma if he fires me, though?” he asks.
“That depends,” you play along. “How good of a sugar baby are you?”
For the first time that night, he laughs. His eyes sparkle again, and it feels like all the tension that’s lingered from the moment he walked into your apartment has finally melted. “He won’t fire me,” Reno finally says, shrugging a shoulder. “Just need to prepare for the verbal beatdown of my life.”
“I can offer extra kisses as a bonus. What was it you said earlier? ‘For a job well done,’ wasn’t it?” you tease.
“Deal,” he says, winking at you. “The way I see it, we got a couple of hours until Tseng wakes up. If you start kissin’ me now, it might be enough to prepare me to face him.”
You happily lean into your boyfriend, giving him one of many affectionate gestures you plan to give him before morning comes and your phones start ringing off the hook. “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it,” you say, earning a playful pinch to your hip as you use his own words against him again.
I love your style of writing it would be like really cool if you could do a one shot of a Reno x reader, where like it's very banter focused maybe the reader like works at shinra but in a area where they end up talking to Reno quite a bit and like he does idk something stupid yk (we all have seen him in ac) and idk just banter fun sorry I'm not giving you much but I believe in you, thank you.
Reno x reader
I turned this into a few scenarios! And feel free to tell me if it isn't what you wanted! I'm always willing to give it another shot!
Warnings: swearing.
scenario 1
Reno's report slipped from his grasp, fluttering down before landing face down on the floor. He exhaled sharply through his nose, and crouched down, fingers brushing the edge of the paper.
As he lifted it back into his hands, he noticed one corner had bent slightly and smudged against something faintly sticky.
Great.
Just what this deadline chased afternoon needed, a wrinkled report.
(Y/n) stood in the doorway, watching Reno pick up the report with a bemused expression on her face. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she observed Reno's slightly annoyed expression. She couldn't help but find his frustration amusing.
"Rough day?" she remarked, leaning against the doorway.
Reno shot her a sideways glance, a hint of irritation still etched on his face. "No, sunshine, just another perfect day at the office," he replied sarcastically as he examined the crinkled corner of the report. "Everything is just peachy here."
"Oh wow, peachy," (Y/n) echoed flatly, stepping fully into the room. "That explains why you're radiating 'I hate everyone' energy." She walked over and plucked the report right out of his hands before he could protest. Holding it up at eye level, she squinted at the smudged corner. "Mmm… sticky residue? Tseng won't be happy."
"Hey!" Reno snapped, immediately missing the report in his hands. He shot up from his seat like a spring-loaded trap.
He didn't lunge for it though, that would be too obvious, too desperate. Instead he crossed his arms and scowled at her with mock offense. "That's classified material, you know."
His eyes flicked to the smudge again and he winced internally, yeah Tseng was definitely gonna notice that stain...
(Y/n) held the report just out of his reach, tilting her head with exaggerated innocence. "Ooooh, classified," she mocked in a singsong voice. "I'll only take a tiny peak then." She turned it slightly and tapped the smudge with one finger. "Though you're going to have to replace this one."
Reno's scowl deepened, his eyes narrowing as he watched her nonchalantly tap the smudge again. He could practically hear Tseng's irritated voice already, the disapproving lecture playing on repeat in his mind.
"Oh, really? You're going to help yourself to a little sneak peek, huh?" He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and swiped at the report half-heartedly.
"And who's gonna make me replace it, sweetheart? You?"
(Y/n) held the report high above her head, arms stretched as she grinned at Reno. "Yeah! Me!" she declared proudly.
She wasn't even tall, but right now with his papers in hand and a cheeky glint in her eye? She looked smugger than any Turk had a right to be.
"Oh, you little brat," Reno muttered through a smirk that was fighting its way onto his face despite himself.
He reached out to grab it, but she just pushed against his chest, holding the paper out of his reach (she was shorter, but she played dirty). His left arm stretched awkwardly over her shoulder as he tried to snatch the report from her hands.
"You think this is funny? Holding my work hostage?"
(Y/n) giggled as Reno struggled, her small frame surprisingly strong from months of Turk training. "Super funny," she said between laughs.
She twisted sideways, using his momentum against him as she spun and shoved the report behind her back with one hand while keeping the other pressed flat on his chest to push him away.
Reno let out an exasperated groan, but there was no real anger in it. Just that familiar mix of irritation and amusement he always felt around (Y/n).
"You're insufferable," he said, taking another step forward to corner her against the desk. His turquoise eyes glinted with playful challenge as they locked onto hers.
He made a sudden lunge, not for the report this time.
(Y/n) yelped as Reno suddenly grabbed both her wrists, twisting slightly in surprise. "Hey! No fair!" she protested. The report slipped from her grip and fluttered back down to the floor.. again.
She barely noticed, she was too busy being trapped between Reno's arms and the desk behind her, their faces suddenly way closer than they'd been a second ago.
Reno froze.
His hands were still wrapped around her wrists, but the fight had drained out of him in an instant. All he could see was (Y/n)'s wide (e/c) eyes staring up at him, her nose inches from his own. Her breath ghosted over his lips.
For once, Reno Sinclair didn't have a single sarcastic remark ready.
"Get a room." The sudden voice broke the silence. Rude entered the office space, arms crossed and an unused look on his face.
"Or you know, just kiss already," he added bluntly.
Reno jerked back from (Y/n) like he'd been burned, dropping her wrists and taking a full step away. His heart hammered against his ribs.
"It's not like that!" He snapped, his face instantly burning.
(Y/n)'s face turned as red as Reno's hair. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"Uh-huh," Rude said, unimpressed. "You two have been doing that weird flirty-but-not-flirting thing for months."
He walked past them toward his desk and dropped a stack of files down with a thud.
Reno's mouth opened, then closed. Then opened again.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he finally said, voice higher than usual. He cleared his throat and crossed his arms defensively over his chest. "This is a professional environment."
(Y/n) blinked rapidly, still flustered. "Yup," she agreed weakly. "Super professional."
She bent down to pick up the report off the floor again, needing something to do with her hands.
Rude sat at his desk and started flipping through paperwork without another word, but he kept glancing over every few seconds like a silent judge of their awkwardness.
Reno cleared his throat awkwardly and busied himself with straightening the papers on his desk. He avoided looking at (Y/n), avoiding looking at Rude, honestly just avoiding eye contact altogether.
He flipped open a random folder, pretending to read something very important that definitely wasn't about their mission report from two weeks ago.
Rude continued working as well, the only sound in the room for the next few hours was the rustle of paper and the distant hum of the air conditioning.
.....
Scenario 2
(Y/n) slumped in her chair, fingers tapping an rhythm on the desk. The latest report glared back at her, but her focus kept slipping.
Across the office floor, Elena was quietly laughing at something on her phone while Rude had one foot up on a drawer and was reading a magazine (having finished his paper work for the day). Even Tseng looked half-asleep behind his computer screen.
The quiet hum of productivity around Reno only made him feel restless. He sighed quietly and rubbed his temples, paperwork wasn't hard… but it was boring as hell.
Reno groaned and leaned back in his chair, tossing his pen onto his desk. His eyes roamed the room, taking note of the others' lack of productivity. Elena's constant giggling and Rude's nonchalant attitude only heightened his annoyance. Reno's gaze lingered on Tseng for a moment, who seemed to be doing his work quietly. He grumbled to himself, rolling his eyes.
This is unbearably dull.
Reno turned his head slightly, noticing (Y/n)'s distant expression. She wasn't writing anything down, just tapping her fingers like she was somewhere else entirely.
Reno leaned forward and called out to her in a low voice. "Hey, what's got you so focused, hmm?"
(Y/n) snapped her attention to Reno, her fingers halting their idle drumming on the desk.
"Huh? Oh, not much." she replied nonchalantly, trying to seem unfazed. She leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other. "Just thinking."
"Just thinking?" Reno repeated, raising an eyebrow skeptically. He rested his chin on his hand, studying her face.
"You look like you're a million miles away," he added with a slight smirk. "What's so interesting in your head that it beats paperwork?"
His tone was teasing but curious, frankly... He was bored.
(Y/n) chuckled lightly, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. She knew Reno would try to tease her for his own entertainment. He always did.
"Oh, well, you know me," she replied, feigning nonchalance. "My thoughts are just as chaotic as I am."
Elena shot a curious look in their direction, raising an eyebrow, but continued scrolling through her phone. Rude, however, had his gaze fixed on their conversation, listening with interest.
Reno smirked wider at her vague answer, leaning his elbows on the desk. "Chaotic thoughts? That's not an answer," he shot back playfully.
He tilted his head slightly, turquoise eyes glinting with mischief. "Come onnnn," Reno dragged out the word in that whiny tone he used when trying to coax info out of (Y/n).
Rude snorted quietly from across the room but kept pretending to read, though everyone knew better than to think Rude wasn't fully invested now.
"Ugh, Reno," (Y/n) groaned dramatically, spinning her pen between her fingers. "It's stupid."
She hesitated for a second before finally sighing and blurting it out: "I was thinking about... weddings."
The moment the word left her mouth, she immediately regretted saying anything. Her face flushed pink as she stared at his desk instead of looking at him.
Reno's playful smirk faltered slightly into surprise at the unexpected answer. He'd expected anything but that.
That was... that was serious adult stuff. The kind of thing people who had their lives together thought about.
And here (Y/n) was, his usually flippant, sarcastic coworker who mocked everything including him daily, casually dropping the wedding bomb while turning pink.
Reno's eyes widened for a moment before a sly grin crept back onto his face.
"Weddings, huh?" he repeated, the hint of a laugh in his tone. "And why exactly are you thinking about that?"
(Y/n) felt her face flush a deeper shade of pink. She shrugged, trying to play off her embarrassment.
"It was just a random thought," she muttered, still avoiding his gaze.
She fidgeted with the pen in her fingers, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Reno would never let her live this down if he knew the details of what she was actually thinking.
"It's stupid, forget I said anything," she added hastily.
Reno knew he had struck gold.
He chuckled softly at her flustered reaction and leaned forward even more, a sparkle in his bright eyes. "No, no. You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget." The grin on his face widened. He was having way too much fun with this.
"Come on. Cough it up. What exactly were you thinking about weddings for?"
"Oh gosh, Reno," (Y/n) groaned, dragging a hand down her face. She hated how easily he could make her squirm like this.
"It's not that deep," she huffed defensively. "Just... y'know... imagining what kind of wedding I'd have if I ever got married." She picked at the edge of her paperwork now instead of looking at him, anywhere but his stupid, smug face right now.
It was almost too easy to rile her up. "Imagining a wedding?" he echoed. "That's awfully serious, (Y/n)." His eyes studied her every move, her fiddling with the paperwork, the flush on her cheeks. Reno decided to go in for the kill. "Who's the lucky guy?" he teased. "Any special someone you're envisioning walking down the aisle?"
(Y/n) felt her cheeks burning hotter. Why was she so affected by Reno's teasing? She was usually good at bantering back with him.
She scoffed at his question, acting annoyed instead of flustered.
"As if I'd ever tell you," she said haughtily.
But the image of (Y/n) in a wedding dress popped unexpectedly into Reno's head making his breath hitched.
(Y/n) in white, walking toward him at the altar. The thought made his stomach do something weird. Something he didn't want to examine too closely.
He blinked rapidly and forced himself back into teasing mode before those unfamiliar feelings could settle in properly. "Oh come on," Reno said with an exaggerated eye roll, masking whatever just happened internally. "There's got to be someone you're picturing right now." His tone was light but there was an odd tension underneath it now, like this question mattered more than he'd admit aloud.
(Y/n) shifted uncomfortably in her seat, suddenly feeling exposed. She wasn't used to Reno digging this deep into personal stuff, usually they just bantered about missions or dumb office gossip.
"I mean..." she started hesitantly, "I don't know? Maybe someone nice."
Reno raised an eyebrow, "you're aiming real high." He snickered softly, leaning a bit closer.
Her awkward hesitation only made him push a bit more. "Come on. Give me more than that. What else? Tall, dark, handsome? Strong? Funny? Rich?" Reno's tone was still light but he seemed a little too interested now.
(Y/n)'s cheeks burned even brighter as Reno continued to press her for details.
She fidgeted, her leg bouncing under the desk like she was nervous.
"I mean... all of those things?"
Reno's expression darkened a tiny fraction at her answer. His heart did that weird fluttery thing again. He tried to ignore the disappointment.
He covered up his reaction with the usual smug smirk, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair. "All of those things, huh? That's quite the dream guy," Reno teased, trying not to sound bitter.
"You know what they say, high standards, high chances of loneliness," he added, a touch of dryness in his voice.
(Y/n) blinked at Reno's sudden shift in tone. That dry comment stung more than it should have.
"Reno, what?" she asked bluntly, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Are you making fun of me or something?"
She sat up straighter now, the teasing had crossed into territory that made her defensive.
Reno met (Y/n)'s narrowed gaze with his usual smirk, but there was an edge to it now. "Oh I'm not making fun of you," he said breezily, waving a hand dismissively. "Just stating facts."
He leaned back further in his chair, crossing one ankle over the other casually.
"If you're looking for some perfect prince charming who's tall and rich and whatever else... good luck finding that guy." His tone dripped sarcasm, classic Reno deflection when something actually bothered him.
(Y/n)'s expression hardened. She didn't appreciate Reno talking down to her like that.
"First of all," she snapped, "who said I was looking for some perfect guy? Second, why are you even caring so much?"
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, clearly annoyed now.
Reno scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Oh please," he said with exaggerated disbelief. "Who'd even want to marry someone like you anyway?" The words came out harsher than intended, but Reno doubled down, sarcasm was his armor when emotions got messy.
"You're annoying and bossy and always arguing with me over dumb stuff."
Each insult dripped sarcasm rather than real malice, classic Reno being a jerk because feelings confused him.
The comment stung more than (Y/n) was expecting. She and Reno bickered like an old married couple sometimes, sure. But hearing him say that no one would want to marry her... that hit close to home.
(Y/n) bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling as tears pricked her eyes. She hated how his words had made her emotional.
She stood up abruptly from her desk so fast that the chair screeched against the floor.
Reno watched (Y/n) storm out of the office, her chair still wobbling from how fast she'd stood up. The door slammed behind her with a loud bang.
For a moment, there was silence in the Turk office.
Elena slowly lowered her phone, blinking at Reno. Rude had stopped pretending to read his magazine entirely now, giving his partner a glare.
Reno froze.
The slam of the door had echoed through the entire office, but the silence that followed was deafening.
Elena and Rude exchanged glances, both shocked at (Y/n)'s sudden exit, and even more shocked by Reno's stupid comment.
Rude slowly closed his magazine before turning fully to face Reno. His expression was unreadable behind his sunglasses, but everyone knew it meant trouble for Reno.
"Go apologize. Now."
Rude's voice was low and deadly serious, the kind of tone that made even Reno straighten up.
The entire office had gone tense, Elena stopped scrolling entirely, Tseng finally lifted his head from his computer screen to watch the scene unfold.
Reno opened his mouth to say something sarcastic in response but... nothing came out. He just stared at the closed door where (Y/n) had stormed out moments ago.
Rude didn't move or speak again, just kept that intense stare locked on Reno.
Reno swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like an idiot. The weight of his own dumb words crashed down on him all at once. He hadn't meant it like that. It was just sarcasm! Their usual banter!
But now (Y/n) was gone... and she looked devastated when she left...
Reno didn't need anymore convincing.
He shot out of his chair like a rocket, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to catch up to (Y/n). He was moving fast through the office and down the hall, his long stride quickly eating up the distance.
Reno was on a mission now, find (Y/n) and apologize before she really did hate him.
Reno practically sprinted down the hall, his heart pounding in his chest.
He'd screwed up big time. He'd known exactly which buttons to push to get (Y/n) upset, but he hadn't meant to push them that hard.
"Damnit," he muttered to himself as he turned a corner, eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of (Y/n).
Where was she? Where would she have run off to? The training room? The break room? Her apartment?
—
(Y/n) had found herself a small, hidden spot in the back of the training room. She was currently sitting with her back leaned up against a pile of exercise mats, arms wrapped tightly around her legs. She felt so stupid. Why had she let Reno get under her skin like that? It was embarrassing. She buried her face deeper into her arms.
Reno burst into the training room, out of breath and still scanning the area. When he spotted the pile of exercise mats, his heart leaped.
There she was. He could see a flash of her familiar hair from behind the mats.
He carefully approached the spot, feeling guilt weigh heavily on his shoulders. He took a few cautious steps closer, stopping when he was directly behind her. Reno cleared his throat softly.
"Hey."
(Y/n) tensed up at the familiar voice. She didn't turn around or look up, but her shoulders stiffened.
"What do you want?"Her voice was quiet and thick with unshed tears.
Reno felt like his chest had been punched when he heard her shaky voice. He crouched down slowly.
"I... I messed up," Reno admitted quietly. His usual sarcastic tone was completely gone, replaced by genuine remorse.
"That thing I said... it was stupid." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, unsure how to fix this but knowing he had to try.
(Y/n) sniffled, still refusing to meet his eyes. "You think?" she said bitterly, voice cracking.
She wiped at her face angrily with the back of her hand. "Why did you even say that stuff? You know me better than that."
Her lower lip trembled slightly despite how hard she was trying not to cry in front of him.
Reno felt like the biggest jerk in the world. (Because he is)
He reached out slowly, hesitating before gently placing a hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder. "I didn't mean it," he said firmly, his voice softer than usual. "I was just being an idiot because... I don't know why I said that." He swallowed hard.
"It wasn't true at all."
(Y/n) finally looked at him, eyes red and puffy. There was a mix of anger and hurt written clearly across her face. "If you didn't mean it, then why did you say it?" she demanded, voice still thick with unshed tears. "Reno, I can handle your teasing fine. But that hurt."
"I know," Reno said immediately, his voice quiet and sincere. "And I'm so sorry."
He shifted closer without thinking, wanting to do something, anything, to comfort her.
"It was a stupid thing to say," he continued. "I was just being a jerk because... because talking about weddings made me feel weird." His cheeks tinted pink as he admitted that last part.
(Y/n) raised an eyebrow at the blush that dusted across his cheeks. The sight of him looking vulnerable was a rare one.
"Weird how?" she asked softly, her voice gentler now.
Reno's cheeks flushed a bit more as he met her gaze. "It just felt... wrong to picture you with some perfect guy," he admitted slowly. "It just bothered me for some reason."
He shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck again. He was trying to play it off as no big deal, but his heart was pounding in his chest.
(Y/n) felt a pang in her chest at his words. The idea of Reno feeling bothered by the thought of her with someone else was odd. She tilted her head slightly, studying his face. "Why does it bother you so much who I end up with?"
Reno hesitated, his mouth opening and closing a few times like he was trying to find the right words. "I dunno," he finally said, shrugging half heartedly. "Just... doesn't sit right with me." He exhaled sharply through his nose before continuing: "you deserve the best... because you're pretty damn amazing." His voice got quieter at that last part.
"Reno," (Y/n) said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
She reached out slowly, hesitantly placing her hand on his cheek. The warmth of his skin under her palm made her heart race.
Without thinking, without overanalyzing it, she leaned in and pressed their lips together.
Reno's breath hitched as her hand touched his cheek, and his mind went blank for a beat when her lips pressed against his. Was this really happening?
As soon as he recovered, though, he leaned into the kiss. His hand found her shoulders and pulled her closer, his heart threatening to beat right out of his chest. He deepened the kiss, savoring the feeling of her lips against his. It was like fireworks going off inside his head, his world narrowed to just him and her. And damn, it felt right.
Reno pulled back just enough to catch his breath, but kept their foreheads pressed together. His eyes were wide, cheeks flushed pink with exhilaration.
(Y/n)'s lips were slightly parted as she stared at him in awe this wasn't some dream or daydream anymore. This was real.
Neither of them spoke, they didn't need words right now. The kiss had said everything that needed saying.
End.
....
Bonus
(Y/n) walks into the break room, her eyes fixed on the shiny red vending machine. She fumbles through her pockets in search of coins and finally finds a few. With a sigh she drops them into the slot, pressing the button for her favorite bag of chips.
The vending machine whirred obnoxiously, the bag of chips moving from the dispenser slot... only to get stuck between it and the glass.
"Ugh, come on!" (Y/n) huffed, pressing her palm against the glass like it would magically dislodge the chips.
She leaned in closer, squishing her nose flat against the cold surface. "You greedy little machine! That's my snack!"
Kicking lightly at the base of the vending machine with her foot didn't help either. The bag just dangled there, tauntingly close yet impossibly out of reach.
When that didn't work, she started rattling it by grabbing both sides and shaking violently like a rabid animal.
"Oh for the love of —!" (Y/n) growled, slamming both fists against the machine. She dropped to her knees dramatically, pressing both hands and her forehead right up against where the bag was wedged. "Pleaaaase? I'll be your best friend! I'll bring you gifts every day! Just give me my stupid chips!" Her voice turned into an exaggerated whine.
Reno leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching (Y/n)'s one-woman war with the vending machine like it was prime-time entertainment. A slow smirk crept across his face as she screamed at the thing like it had personally insulted her bloodline.
The vending machine stayed stubbornly silent.
(Y/n) pounded on it again, now fully committed to her battle with the snack dispenser. "Listen here you stupid piece of junk! I gave you money like a good customer and this is how you repay me? With betrayal?!"
Her face turned red from both anger and exertion as she continued shaking the machine violently enough to make coins inside rattle.
Reno pushed off and strolled over casually, shoes quiet on tile until he stood right behind her.
"Wow," he drawled in that lazy tone of his, turquoise eyes glinting with amusement. "Never seen someone get this personal over a damn bag of chips."
(Y/n) whipped her head around so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash, wide (e/c) eyes locking onto Reno's smug face. "Oh SHUT UP!" She immediately snapped, cheeks burning with embarrassment at being caught in such a ridiculous situation. She turned back to the vending machine aggressively and started kicking it again, harder this time, like that would somehow fix everything. "This stupid thing stole my money! It owes me chips!"
Reno watched (Y/n)'s little tantrum with growing amusement, his smirk widening into a full-blown grin.
"Damn," he said after a beat, voice laced with sarcasm. "You're really gonna kick it to death? That thing's probably seen more action than some Shinra recruits."
"Hey!" (Y/n) whirled around again, pointing an accusing finger at Reno. She puffed her cheeks out in frustration. "I'm allowed to be mad! That machine is EVIL! It took my money and now it's HOLDING MY SNACKS HOSTAGE!"
Her voice cracked slightly on the last word from sheer outrage over this grave injustice committed by the vending machine.
Reno's shoulders shook gently with suppressed laughter as (Y/n) puffed out her cheeks, making her look like a frustrated child. He raised an eyebrow, feigning a look of concern.
"You know you're a grown woman, right? Throwing a fit over a bag of chips?" He drawled in that infuriatingly cool manner of his. He leaned against the side of the vending machine, a sly smirk on his face.
(Y/n)'s eye twitched violently at Reno's mocking tone. "First of all," she said, jabbing a finger in his direction, "it's not just any chips! It's my favorite flavor!" She crossed her arms with an indignant huff. "And second, you're the worst! Standing there laughing while I suffer this betrayal!"
Reno grinned wider, enjoying (Y/n)'s frustration. He lifted his hands in mock surrender.
"Oh, forgive me, O Great Chip Defender. I had no idea I was in the presence of a snack connoisseur," he teased, sarcasm dripping from his words. He pushed off the machine and stepped closer to her.
"And suffering? You make it sound like you're in a war, not a battle with a vending machine."
(Y/n) scowled up at him, her irritation flaring hotter by the second. It didn't help that he was looking down at her with that infuriating smirk. She jabbed a finger against his chest, eyes narrowing to slits. "Oh, shut up! It might not be a war to you, but my chip-less state is a crisis!"
Her bottom lip curled out more, almost protruding in full-on pouting mode.
"And stop looking so damn amused at my plight, you jerk."
Reno didn't flinch as (Y/n) poked his chest. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it more than anything else she'd done all day.
"Plight?" he repeated, voice thick with amusement. "Doll, you're dramatic."
(Y/n)'s eyes lit up at the new idea. She quickly crouched down, her hand disappearing into the wide slot where the chips were supposed to come out. "Ha! I've got you now..." Her confident words quickly turned into a panicked gasp as she realized she couldn't pull her hand free. "Uhh, Reno..." she said, her voice slightly strained. "There's a minor complication"
The sudden change in tone had Reno's smirk transforming into a puzzled frown.
"What do you mean?" He asked, eyebrow raised, peering over (Y/n)'s shoulder. His confusion deepened as he saw her arm stuck in the machine. A moment of silence and then a snicker escaped from between his lips.
"You've gotta be shitting me," he said, a hand coming up to cover his mouth.
(Y/n) squirmed helplessly, her face turning red from both embarrassment and the awkward position. "Reno I swear if you laugh right now-" She tried yanking her arm back but it only hurt her.
"Ow! Okay! This is bad! Help me!" Her voice pitched higher in panic as she tugged again uselessly. The vending machine had officially won this battle.
"Oh my gosh," Reno said, his voice cracking slightly as laughter finally burst out of him. He doubled over for a second, clutching his stomach before straightening up again. Tears were forming in the corners of his turquoise eyes from how hard he was laughing.
"You're stuck," he wheezed between chuckles. "You actually got your arm stuck in a vending machine."
(Y/n)'s cheeks were practically on fire now. She was torn between wanting to smack the smirk off Reno's face and wanting to hide her own face from humiliation. "Yes I am!" She snapped, trying for an enraged tone but not quite getting there with her arm stuck like that. "Stop laughing and help me, jerk!" She tugged again. It didn't budge.
"And it's NOT FUNNY!" She added, her voice rising an octave.
Reno wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling as he finally managed to compose himself.
"Okay, okay," he said through a fading grin. "Don't have a meltdown."
He stepped closer and crouched down beside her, examining the situation.
"You're wedged in pretty tight there."
(Y/n) clenched her teeth as Reno examined her predicament. "No kidding, genius," she muttered sarcastically through gritted teeth.
She tried wiggling again but the vending machine had absolutely no intention of releasing its hostage. "Just... pull me out already! This is mortifying!" Her face burned hotter with every passing second that Reno took to just stand there staring at it like some fascinating science experiment.
For some strange reason, Reno found her reddening face... cute. Like, genuinely cute.
He chuckled, unable to help himself. "You're cute when you're angry, you know that?" he quipped, grabbing her arm. He gave a gentle tug, testing the machine's hold on her arm, but it didn't budge. "Damn, it's got you good. Might have to call someone."
(Y/n) sputtered indignantly. "Don't you dare call someone!" She protested, panic edging into her voice again.
The thought of some stranger coming over and seeing her trapped in a vending machine like this was more than (Y/n) could handle.
Reno studied the vending machine for a second, then glanced at (Y/n)'s panicked face.
Without warning, he reached down and shoved his hand under the flap of the vending machine dispenser. With a firm push upward, he lifted it.
(Y/n) yanked her arm back dramatically, rubbing her wrist like she'd been through some great ordeal.
"Few, I'm free," she huffed, still pouting. Then without missing a beat, now that the crisis was over, she turned and immediately grabbed Reno by his shirt collar. And kissed him square on the lips. Just a peck.
Reno froze.
Completely.
Utterly.
His eyes went wide, his breath stopped.
The kiss lasted less than a second but it might as well have been an eternity because it short circuited every single thought in his brain.
(Y/n) pulled back just as quickly as she'd pounced.
"Thank you-"
But her words were cut off as her eyes were drawn downward by a familiar crumpling sound.
Her mouth formed a perfect circle as the bag of her favorite chips tumbled through the bottom slot, finally free.
"My chips!"
She dove forward and grabbed the bag, cradling it.
Reno could only stare at her, mouth hanging open and expression completely dumbfounded. In the span of only a few minutes, he'd gone from laughing at her predicament to... to getting kissed. Not just a peck on the cheek either, a full-on, lip-to-lip kiss.
He was still reeling from that kiss when (Y/n) turned and let out an excited cry over her bag of chips, completely unbothered by what she'd just done. "You're insane," Reno managed to say, voice hoarse.
(Y/n) ripped the bag open, immediately shoving a handful of chips into her mouth. Crumbs tumbled down her shirt as she chewed happily.
"Mmm! Best chips ever!" she declared through a full mouth, completely ignoring Reno's shell-shocked state.
She leaned against the vending machine now like nothing earth-shattering had just happened, munching away contentedly while he stood there looking like he'd been hit by a truck.
Okay so what about a tseng fic where like your line his assistant yk and like Hella scared of him cause like you've heard that he's like Hella strict scary so like just frightened of him, but tseng has a soft spot for you and doesn't like that your frightened so he's trying to like to stop you from Been frightened yk, pretty please.
I didn't know where I was going with this 🤣. I just started writing and let it lead me. I can totally try again at this if it isn't to your liking. Just let me know!
Tseng x reader
Tseng sat at his desk, papers were neatly stacked, reports on the most recent mission, a meeting request from Shinra HQ, but his focus wasn't on work.
It hadn't been for days.
Every time (Y/n) walked past his office door, quiet steps, that soft (h/c) hair swaying slightly with each step, his breath would catch just a fraction. He'd glance up… only to look away quickly when she noticed him watching.
She had no idea how long he'd stared before forcing himself back to work.
(Y/n) hesitated outside Tseng’s office, her fingers tightening around the folder of reports she'd been holding for him. The door was slightly ajar, and through the crack, she could see him seated at his desk, dark eyes scanning documents with quiet intensity.
She took a small breath in through her nose. This was it.
With a soft knock, she pushed the door open and slipped inside. Her heels made soft clicks against the floor as she approached his desk with careful steps.
The moment the door clicked open, Tseng's shoulders tensed, almost imperceptibly. He didn't look up right away. Instead, he finished reading the line in front of him with deliberate calm, giving himself a second to compose his expression.
Only when her footsteps reached his desk did he finally lift those dark brown eyes.
And there she was, (Y/n).
Pretty as always. Perfect as can be.
For a heartbeat too long, he just looked at her, and then cleared his throat softly and straightened in his seat.
"You can put them down on my desk," he said quietly, with that measured tone everyone associated with him, professional.
She stepped forward and gently placed the stack of reports on the corner of his desk where she knew he preferred them, organized by priority, color-coded subtly so they were easy to distinguish at a glance.
"Here's everything," she said softly, keeping her voice low and steady. "The mission debrief is highlighted in yellow... and there's also that meeting request from headquarters."
Her hands smoothed down the front of her skirt once more out of nervous habit before she folded them together behind her back.
"Thank you." Tseng reached out and picked up the top file, flipping it open with practiced ease. His eyes skimmed the first page of the debrief quickly.
She always did more than required. And yet she never said anything about it. Just quietly took care of everything like this was routine for her.
A faint warmth flickered in his chest again, that familiar feeling he'd been fighting since she started working here months ago.
(Y/n) stood quietly in front of his desk, watching as Tseng absorbed the details of the report.
There was a long silence while Tseng read. (Y/n) didn't mind waiting, it gave her time to steady her breathing and calm her nerves slightly.
But standing there under his quiet scrutiny still made warmth creep up the back of her neck despite herself.
After a moment, Tseng closed the file and set it back down, his eyes flicking up to hers. He leaned back in his chair, arms folding over his chest. For a moment, he simply studied her. Her quietness was almost irritating. She never spoke unless spoken to, never seemed even vaguely comfortable. It was impossible to read her, he didn't know what she thought of him..
"Sit," he finally said, gesturing to the only other chair in the room, across from his desk.
(Y/n) felt a small flutter in her stomach when he looked up at her, eyes penetrating and almost unreadable. Her heart rate spiked slightly, she didn't know what to expect from him.
Was she in trouble?
When he gestured to the chair, she didn't hesitate. She took the few steps around the desk and sank down into the seat, her hands clasped so tightly together in her lap, knuckles turning white.
Tseng watched her move, noting the way her hands clutched tightly together in her lap. He couldn't help but notice that every time he spoke to her directly like this, she seemed to get... anxious.
He wasn't sure if it was because she was intimidated or because she hated him. He hoped for the former, but he had a feeling it was the latter.
Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on the desk and rested his chin on his intertwined fingers, not taking his eyes off her.
"You've been here for a few months now," he said quietly.
(Y/n)'s stomach clenched, she had a feeling this could be bad. She'd been careful to stay out of his way as much as possible during her time here. She'd thought she was being professional, doing her job and nothing more.
But sitting there under the weight of his gaze, her shoulders felt like iron, muscles tense with barely suppressed nerves.
"That's correct, yes," she replied, she forced herself to relax, to keep her voice even.
Tseng exhaled slowly, his breath barely audible. He didn't want her to feel uneasy around him.
It made him feel... guilty.
"You're doing well," he said simply. The words felt stiff coming out of his mouth, praise wasn't something he gave often.
(Y/n)'s breath caught in her throat. Her wide blue eyes snapped up to his face, searching for any sign that she'd misheard. But no, those dark brown eyes were still fixed on hers, and he wasn't taking it back.
"Th-thank you." She stammered.
Tseng nearly smiled at the look on her pretty face, but he kept his expression neutral. He was silently pleased with himself for getting that reaction out of her.
"It's the truth," he said simply. He shifted in his seat, tilting his head slightly to the side. He was studying her again, as he often caught himself doing lately. Her eyes, her delicate frame, she was the picture of beauty.
(Y/n) couldn't help but feel a bit flustered. She'd expected criticism, or at best indifference. But she'd never anticipated a compliment coming from Tseng. It felt like a crack in his usually stoic veneer.
"I... I try my best," she said quietly, her fingers still fidgeting together in her lap.
Tseng watched her fidgeting fingers, and something like fondness flickered in his eyes. He didn't know what to say to that.
Suddenly, he felt an intense urge to reach out and touch her hands, to still her nervous movements. But he reined in the impulse by gripping the edge of his desk instead.
"(Y/n)," Tseng began, voice softer now. He hesitated for just a fraction of a second, something uncharacteristic for him.
"Do you... like working here?" The question was simple, but it carried weight. He wasn't asking about her job performance this time. He was hinting at if she liked being around him.
(Y/n) blinked, surprised by the personal nature of his question. She took a second to think before answering honestly. "I... I like the work," she started carefully. "And everyone treats me professionally. Especially you."
"Professionally," he repeated quietly. There was something in his tone... disappointment? Resignation?
He didn't blame her. He'd made sure to treat everyone with strict professionalism. Maybe too strictly. A silence stretched between them, heavy and awkward.
(Y/n) shifted in her seat, the awkward silence weighing on her like a physical force. She wracked her brain for something to say, before finally settled on.
"... You don't like me very much, do you?"
Tseng's eyes widened slightly, before he cooled his expression.
"(Y/n)." He leaned forward suddenly, his voice losing its usual measured tone. There was something urgent in it now.
"No. That's not true at all." He looked her directly in the eyes, dark brown meeting soft (e/c). "I like you very much."
The sudden intensity in Tseng's voice caught (Y/n) off guard. She'd never heard him sound so... Well, emotional, for lack of a better word.
Her heart thumped hard against her ribs, her hands gripping each other tightly as she tried to process his words.
"Y-You... you do?" she whispered, half afraid she'd imagined it.
Tseng couldn't help but stare, she was so damn beautiful. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, pull her into his arms. "Yes," he said quietly. His voice held a raw sincerity that surprised even him. "I do."
(Y/n)'s lips parted slightly, her face turning pink. She had no idea how to respond to this.
Tseng... liked her? He'd been so distant since she started working here.
"Oh," she said dumbly.
Tseng's eyes darkened as he watched her reaction. She was flustered, blushing, speechless.
It was... adorable.
He tried to remind himself that he was her superior, that he needed to maintain boundaries. But every time she fidgeted in her seat or bit her lower lip like that... he felt his self-control starting to slip.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain composure. "(Y/n)," he said quietly. "Come here." His voice held a subtle command that he rarely used, but this time, he wanted.. No, needed her closer.
(Y/n) hesitated only for a moment before obeying. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest as she got up from her chair and walked around the desk towards him.
Her feet felt almost too loud on the hard floor, but she forced her steps to stay steady and even as she came to stand directly in front of him
The moment she was within reach, he couldn't wait. Tseng reached out, grasped her by the hips, and lifted her easily into his lap, settling her down to straddle his thighs. He wrapped his arms around her loosely, holding her in place.
"I've been thinking about this for weeks," he admitted, his voice low and steady.
(Y/n) gasped softly as Tseng pulled her onto his lap, the sudden movement making her grip his shoulders for balance.
She was completely frozen now, this close to him, she could see every detail of his face.
"S-sir..?"
Tseng gazed into (Y/n)'s wide (e/c) eyes, his dark brown ones filled with quiet longing. "Can I kiss you?" he asked softly, voice barely above a whisper. He would wait patiently, giving her every chance to say no.
(Y/n)'s breath hitched, her lips parting slightly. She hadn't expected him to ask. She thought he might just... take it. She nodded quickly before hesitating and whispering.
"Yes."
Tseng cupped (Y/n)'s face gently with one hand, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheekbone.
Then, he what he'd been itching to do all damn month. He moved his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her head down, capturing her lips in a kiss.
(Y/n) melted into the kiss. Her first thought was how warm his lips were, softer than she'd imagined. Her hands instinctively rose to rest against his chest as she kissed him back, hesitantly at first.
Tseng's arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. One hand slid into her hair while the other pressed firmly against the small of (Y/n)'s back. He kissed with surprising tenderness for someone who seemed so stern. It was like he was trying to convey every ounce of suppressed feelings through it.
"I can't live with the thought of you being scared of me," Tseng murmured when they finally parted for air. He didn't go far, just looked into her beautiful (e/c) eyes, breathing unevenly. His fingers were still tangled in the soft strands of her (h/c) hair.
"I wasn't scared of you," (Y/n) admitted quietly, her breath still uneven from the kiss.
"Just... nervous. You're so intimidating." Her fingers gently curled into his shirt as she spoke, not pulling away yet.
"And I heard rumors..."
"I see," Tseng said quietly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Rumors about me being cold? Strict? Unapproachable?" His voice held a touch of bitterness now, he knew exactly what kind of reputation he had.
"Yes... all of those." (Y/n) nodded slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.
Tseng brushed his thumb along her jawline. "I didn't mean to make you nervous."
She lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug, though the gesture was hardly casual considering her position in his lap.
"You're not exactly... friendly," she said carefully, not wanting to offend him even though it was the truth. "And I'm frankly quite surprised you like me in this way..."
Tseng chuckled softly, a wry sound. "Friendly is not a word I'd use to describe myself," he admitted. He was quiet for a moment, his thumb tracing a slow circle against her back, before he continued. "But there's something about you," he said softly. "You're irresistible to me..."
"Really?" (Y/n) asked, her voice small but laced with disbelief. Her cheeks warmed further as she studied his face, the usually unreadable Tseng was actually looking at her like this...
"Really," Tseng confirmed, his voice low and steady. "You're beautiful," he said simply. No hesitation, no awkwardness, just stating a fact.
"And kind." His hand slid up to gently tuck a strand of her (h/c) hair behind her ear. "And smart."
He was listing all the things he admired about (Y/n) now that she was finally in his arms where she belonged.
(Y/n)'s face was completely flushed now, her heart skipping a beat at each of his words.
"Shut up," she protested weakly, averting her eyes. She wasn't used to such praise, especially not from someone like Tseng. "You don't have to flatter me," she muttered, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
Tseng smirked slightly at her reaction. "I'm not flattering you," he said honestly, his dark eyes holding hers again. "I mean every word." He leaned in slowly, he kissing (Y/n) again, softer than before, slower and sweeter like an apology for making her nervous all these weeks without meaning to.
(Y/n) melted into the second kiss, her earlier fluster giving way to quiet contentment. She kissed him back with more confidence as she got used to the feeling. Her hands slid up from his shoulders to rest lightly against his jawline, her fingers brushing along his clean-shaven skin.
Tseng sighed softly into the kiss, savoring the way her hands touched his face. When they finally broke apart for air after a long moment, Tseng rested his forehead against hers and exhaled quietly, happy just holding her like this.
"Be mine?"
Wow..
Be his...? For a moment she didn't respond, her mind racing with implications, dating him meant seeing him outside work hours, kissing more often... being his.
A part of her, the part that had been wanting to be with him, even when she tried to suppress the feelings, was screaming yes immediately.
But she took a slow breath, considering her answer before nodding. "Yes," she said softly, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw.
"On one condition."
Tseng's eyebrows lifted slightly at her condition, but his expression remained patient. "Anything," he said calmly, giving (Y/n) his full attention.
"No teasing me at work," (Y/n) said seriously, looking him straight in the eyes, "Or in front of others. I..." she took a breath to calm her racing heart.
"We need to keep it professional in the workplace," she stated quietly.
"Understood," Tseng replied immediately, his tone serious and respectful. "I'll be completely professional at work," he promised without hesitation. His expression was sincere. he genuinely meant to honor her request.
"..but after today..."
Then he kissed her again.
(Y/n) kissed him back eagerly this time, her lips moving against his with more confidence now that she knew he wanted her.
She could get used to this, Tseng's kisses were warm and steady, making her feel safe despite how overwhelming it all was. When they parted again for air, she found herself smiling.
"Stubborn man."
Tseng grinned faintly at the label, a rare smile from him. He leaned in to kiss her nose lightly, still holding her firmly in his lap.
(Y/n) paced back and forth in the small apartment, her shoes clicking softly against the wooden floor. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shorts as she tried to focus on planning their date.
"I could take him somewhere elegant... like a fancy restaurant," she murmured to herself, biting her lip. "But what if it's too stiff? Zack doesn't really do formal..."
She ran a hand through her hair, exhaling a frustrated sigh. "Or maybe somewhere quiet, like a museum... no, that's too boring. I want this date to be special."
"Oh! Maybe we could go to the beach!" (Y/n) blurted out suddenly, then immediately clapped a hand over her mouth. Oops.. Too loud.
The idea popped into her head, Zack always looked so peaceful by the water. He'd kick off his shoes and walk barefoot along the shore, grinning when waves crashed against the sand.
It was perfect.
With newfound determination, (Y/n) sat down at her desk and pulled out a notepad and pen. She started jotting down ideas for their beach date, sketching out what they could do.
This would be the perfect date.
.....
"Zack this way!" (Y/n) called softly as she walked along the path to the beach, clutching a small picnic basket in one hand and a folded blanket tucked under her arm.
She'd dressed carefully for today, wearing a flowy white sundress instead of her usual clothes, her hair down in soft waves. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from both nerves and the warm summer air.
"Coming!" Zack replied, jogging after her. He'd dressed simply as well, a loose t-shirt and swim trunks, and he felt his heart skip a beat as he caught sight of her.
He caught up to her in a few strides. "Hey, you look beautiful," he said, an easy smile spreading across his face. He took the basket from her hand.
(Y/n) felt her face warm even more at the compliment, and tried to duck her head to hide her shy smile. "Thanks," she murmured, unable to meet his gaze.
They continued on to the beach, where white sand met the glittering blue of the ocean. There weren't many people around, leaving plenty of privacy for their date. (Y/n) spread the blanket out on the sand, sitting down and smoothing out the wrinkles. "Perfect."
Zack chuckled at her reaction, enjoying the way her cheeks turned rosy. He set the basket down and collapsed down next to her, stretching his legs out. The beach was quiet, the only sound the soft lapping of the waves on the shore. Zack closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath of salty sea air. "You sure know how to pick a spot," he said, reaching out to brush a loose strand of hair back from her face.
(Y/n) blushed again, her heart fluttering at the soft gesture. She leaned into the touch, her gaze shifting out towards the sea. The water looked so inviting, and she found herself longing for an escape from her own thoughts.
(Y/n) turned to Zack, biting her lip. "Zack I just wanted—"
Smack! a rogue ball flies through the air and hits (Y/n) square in the face.
"Ow!" (Y/n) cried out, instinctively bringing her hands up to her face where the ball had struck. Her eyes watered from the sudden impact, as she had to catch herself from falling over.
Nearby kids started laughing, some bratty teenagers who'd clearly been playing beach volleyball without thinking about others enjoying their day.
"Hey!" Zack's voice shot up like a whip, sharp and furious. He was on his feet in an instant, sand flying behind him as he stormed toward the group of teenagers. His mako eyes blazed with anger, not just at them for hitting (Y/n), but for laughing about it too.
The teenagers looked up as Zack approached, their smirks fading into nervous smiles when they realized how pissed he was.
One of them spoke up, a boy with a sharp smile. "It was an accident, buddy. Calm down."
"Accident? You hit her square in the face with a volleyball and then laughed?" Zack snarled, stepping right into the guy's space.
He loomed over him, taller, broader, eyes flashing like stormlight.
"I'm gonna tell you one time," Zack said lowly. "Apologize to my girlfriend."
The teenager's face paled. "S-sorry!" he blurted out, taking an instinctive step back.
His friends stayed silent now, the laughter completely gone from their expressions. One of them even lowered his head in shame.
Zack looked them over, still upset that they'd thought his girlfriend's pain was funny. But seeing the genuine remorse on their faces made him soften.
He crossed his arms, taking a breath to calm himself. "Look," he said gruffly, "You could've really hurt my girlfriend." His eyes flicked over to (Y/n), checking that she was alright.
Seeing that she was shaken but mostly okay helped him calm down even more. Looking back at the kids, he sighed. "Just be more careful, alright? Watch where you're hitting that ball."
The teenagers nodded, mumbling more apologies as they backed away. They were clearly relieved that Zack hadn't gone full SOLDIER on them, realizing in hindsight how stupid they'd been.
(Y/n) still looked shaken, but she tried to muster a smile when Zack glanced her way. She was touched by his protectiveness, but the hit had caught her off guard more than anything else.
Zack immediately rushed back to (Y/n), his anger melting into concern. He dropped to his knees beside her and gently cupped her face.
"Hey… hey," he murmured, brushing a thumb over the spot where the ball had hit. "Does it hurt bad?"
His voice was soft now, all that SOLDIER intensity replaced with tender worry. His blue eyes searched hers for any sign of real pain or tears coming up again.
(Y/n) sniffled quietly, shaking her head. "It's just a little sore... I'll be okay." She reached up to cover Zack's hand with hers, squeezing it gently. The anger he'd shown for her sake made something warm bloom in her chest despite the sting on her face.
"I'm really sorry that happened," she added softly, feeling bad about how their date had started off so poorly.
"Don't apologize," Zack said, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss right where the ball had struck her face. "Not your fault."
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his expression full of warmth now.
"You planned this whole thing for us… packed the basket, picked this perfect spot…" He smiled faintly. "This was just a small bump in our plans, no biggy."
(Y/n) melted under his gaze, all of her guilt lifting. She'd been so worried that the whole date would fall apart… but Zack just shrugged it off like it was nothing.
It was just the way he was, he rolled with the punches, making the best of even the most inconvenient of circumstances. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a tight hug, hiding her face in the crook of his shoulder.
Zack wrapped his arms around her tightly, squeezing gently as he rested his cheek against the top of her head. The scent of her shampoo mixed with ocean salt filled him.
"I love you," he said simply, voice low and sincere.
"I love you too." (Y/n) sat up and reached for the picnic basket, carefully pulling out containers of food she'd prepared. There were sandwiches cut into triangles, fruit skewers with strawberries and grapes, little cheese cubes, all arranged neatly.
"I made us lunch," she said softly as she set everything out on the blanket between them. She'd even packed two cold drinks.
Zack's eyes widened as he watched her unpack the various food items from the basket. His stomach grumbled, he'd been up early for his morning training so he hadn't had time to eat breakfast.
He picked up one of the triangular sandwiches, biting in with a satisfied hum.
"Damn, that's good..." he mumbled through a mouthful of ham and cheese. He washed it down with a sip of his lemonade. "You're amazing."
"Thank you," (Y/n) said, with a happy smile as she watched Zack enjoy the food.
She picked up one of the fruit skewers and nibbled on it, pleased that he liked what she'd made. "I wasn't sure if I should go fancy or simple… but sandwiches are easy to eat by the beach."
The ocean breeze played with strands of her hair while they ate together.
...
Zack finished his last sandwich and wiped his hands on a napkin before standing up.
"Come on," he said, holding out a hand to (Y/n). "Let's walk along the water."
He didn't wait for her answer, just pulled her gently to her feet when she took his hand. The sun was high in the sky now, casting golden light across the waves as they started down the shoreline together.
The sand was warm beneath their bare feet.
(Y/n)'s fingers laced naturally through Zack's as they walked along the water's edge. The waves gently lapped at their feet, leaving damp footprints in the sand that quickly filled with seawater before disappearing.
"Look," (Y/n) said softly, pointing ahead where a few seagulls were pecking at something washed up on shore.
The ocean was so alive today, full of movement and sound. It made her heart feel lighter after how their date had started off rocky earlier.
Zack followed her gaze, spotting the little birds pecking curiously at something in the sand. He chuckled, gently pulling (Y/n) closer to him as they walked.
"Probably some kind of trash they wanna make nesting material or something," he said, watching the gulls curiously. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to walk pressed close against his side, his thumb rubbing soft circles into her hip.
(Y/n) leaned into his side, enjoying the easy familiarity between them… when suddenly a gull took flight just then, spooked by their movement.
In its haste to escape, the bird left behind its calling card... white bird poop splattering across Zack's shoulder.
Zack froze.
He looked down at his shoulder. Then up at the sky where the gull had vanished.
Then back down at his shoulder again.
"...Oh, COME ON," he groaned, voice rising in disbelief. "Really? Right now?"
His nose wrinkled slightly as he inspected the mess, fresh and definitely not something you want ruining your shirt while walking with your girlfriend on a romantic beach date.
(Y/n) bit her lip, trying to suppress an amused snicker as Zack stared down at his stained shirt.
It was such a random, unfortunate misfortune, like something out of a comedy show.
She couldn't help it. A tiny giggle escaped her anyway, her hand coming up to cover her mouth in a failed attempt to hide it.
Zack shot (Y/n) an exaggerated scowl as he heard her start giggling. "Yeah, yeah, keep laughing," he grumbled, clearly trying to suppress a smile of his own.
He reached down and lifted the edges of his shirt, pulling it over his head in one swift motion to prevent the bird droppings from getting anywhere else. That left him in just his swim shorts, bare upper body on display.
"Real funny, huh?" he asked, raising a brow at (Y/n) still snorting with giggles.
(Y/n) could barely contain her laughter now.
"I'm... I'm sorry," she managed to gasp out through her laughter, trying to look innocent. "It's just-"
Zack crossed his arms over his chest, still shirtless and now trying to look annoyed despite the twitching corner of his mouth. "Just what? Just what, (Y/n)?" he asked, voice rising in playful accusation as she kept laughing at him.
He took a step toward her, then another, until suddenly he lunged forward with both hands aiming to grab her.
"Wait no—" (Y/n) squeaked, immediately turning to run along the shoreline when Zack lunged at her.
He was fast, SOLDIER trained legs carrying him swiftly through the soft sand. Within seconds he closed the gap between them.
With a grin spreading across his face, he reached out and tackled (Y/n) gently into a hug from behind.
(Y/n) shrieked as Zack wrapped his arms around her, the impact sending them both tumbling into the warm sand.
They landed in a tangle of limbs, Zack's grip tight as he managed to keep (Y/n) from slamming into the sand too hard.
He was grinning from ear to ear now, the previous irritation from the bird poop quickly forgotten.
"Gotcha," he said victoriously, rolling over onto his back and hauling (Y/n) on top of him.
(Y/n) found herself straddling Zack's waist, her hands braced against his chest. His bare skin was warm from the sun. She was still breathless from laughing and running, now staring down at him as he grinned up at her like the lovestruck idiot she adored.
Zack looked up at (Y/n), his sky-blue (mako still present) eyes bright with affection and amusement. He reached up slowly, one hand coming to gently cup her cheek.
"You're so pretty," he murmured without thinking, it just slipped out because it was true.
Then he leaned in the rest of the way and kissed her softly on the lips.
(Y/n)'s cheeks flushed at the unexpected compliment, but any attempt to respond was silenced by the press of Zack's lips against hers. Her thoughts scattered, replaced by the sudden rush of emotions his tender touch stirred up. Her fingers curled against his chest, her pulse quickening beneath her skin. She leaned into the kiss.
The ocean hummed around them, waves lapping against the shore.
When they finally parted for air, Zack didn't go far, just rested his forehead against hers and smiled.
"I love kissing you," he admitted quietly. Then immediately followed it with another soft peck on her lips.
(Y/n) exhaled a soft sigh, her breath mingling with Zack's as their foreheads remained pressed together. "I love you," she whispered back before catching his lips again in another sweet kiss.
"I love you so much," Zack said between kisses, voice warm and tender.
He traced the curve of her jaw with his fingertips before pulling her down again for another slow, lingering kiss.
(Y/n)'s heart felt like it might burst. She couldn't believe she got to have this, that someone as wonderful as him loved her so completely.
Zack's head snapped up at the sudden rumble of thunder. "Whoa! That came outta nowhere!" he said, blinking as fat raindrops began splattering onto their faces and the sand around them.
The sky had darkened in a matter of seconds storm clouds rolling in fast over the ocean. Rain poured down heavily now, soaking them instantly.
(Y/n) gasped as the rain soaked through her sundress instantly. "Zack!" she exclaimed, looking up at the suddenly stormy sky in disbelief.
The once-perfect beach date had taken a dramatic turn, now they were getting drenched without any shelter nearby.
"We gotta find cover!" Zack shouted over the sound of the pounding rain. He took (Y/n)'s hand, squeezing it tight as he looked around frantically for any kind of shelter.
The beach was deserted except for them, and they weren't exactly equipped for a sudden downpour. The picnic blanket was completely soaked by now.
"There!" (Y/n) pointed suddenly to a gazebo a little further up the beach. It looked like it would provide at least a bit of protection from the unexpected rain.
She tugged on Zack's hand, urgently pulling him towards it. "Come on!"
"Right behind you!" Zack shouted, sprinting through the pouring rain with (Y/n).
His bare chest was already drenched, hair plastered to his forehead as he ran. He didn't care about getting wet, he just wanted her out of the storm.
They reached the gazebo and practically dove inside together.
(Y/n) shook her head like a wet dog, sending droplets flying everywhere. "I just wanted this day to be perfect," she said with an exasperated sigh.
She hugged herself, turning herself away from him, trying to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
Zack's heart ached at seeing (Y/n) upset. He stepped forward quickly, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace.
"Hey... hey," he murmured, resting his chin on top of her head. "It is perfect." He pulled back just enough to cup her face gently with both hands.
"You planned this whole day for us, the food, the beach... you look gorgeous." His thumbs wiped away any stray tears that had fallen.
"Zack..." (Y/n) sniffled, leaning into his touch. She felt so silly for getting emotional over a stupid rainstorm ruining their plans. But it was the principle of it, she'd worked hard to make this special.
Her lip quivered slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Zack said softly. "You have nothing to apologize for." He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"This day is perfect because I'm with you," he continued, his voice steady and sincere. The rain drummed against the gazebo roof around them as Zack held (Y/n) close, trying his best to comfort her through words alone.
(Y/n) took a deep, shuddering breath, letting Zack's words sink in. She smiled weakly through the lingering sadness and leaned her forehead against his chest.
"You always know what to say," she murmured. The storm outside raged on, but here under this gazebo with him? It didn't feel so bad anymore.
"Because it's true," Zack replied softly, his hands gently rubbing up and down her back. He tilted her chin up with one finger so he could look into her eyes.
"Do you know how happy I am right now??" A small smile played on his lips.
"I'm really glad," (Y/n) admitted, her voice small but sincere. She reached up and brushed a wet strand of hair from Zack's face. Her fingers traced along his jawline gently.
Zack closed his eyes at the touch, leaning into her hand ever so slightly. It always made his heart skip at least three beats. He opened his eyes again, taking a moment to just take in the sight of her, cheeks flushed, eyelashes spiked with water droplets. She was beautiful.
"I love how you look at me," (Y/n) whispered, her (e/c) eyes locked onto Zack's. She could feel the warmth radiating from him despite being soaked.
Slowly, hesitantly, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
"I love you," Zack breathed before capturing her lips in a deep kiss.
His hands slid into her wet hair as he poured all his emotions into it, how stupidly in love with (Y/n) (L/n) he was.
The rain outside could've turned into a hurricane and it wouldn't have mattered.
tags: polyamorous relationship, wholesome fluff, last human!reader, protective boyfriends
those two men are PROTECTIVE! after all, you're the last humans alive and they can't risk losing you too. you are all they have left now…
honestly, caius is so protective of you that he'd even get himself killed, just to keep you safe! he wants to spend the rest of his life with you, but if said life gets cut short so that yours can be longer, than that's a sacrifice he's willing to make
caius isn't good at showing his feelings, not through words nor through affection. but he hopes that this is a way to show how much you mean to him
all the affectionate stuff is more up noel's alley! he's better with words than caius, as compliments just flood out of him whenever he looks at you. and he can't keep himself away from you for too long either–
besides, noel doesn't want you to feel lonely. maybe that's why he's more than willing to share you with caius. he knows that you three only have each other, so if dating both of them helps you feel less lonely, he's happy to do that for you!
characters: Ignis Scientia FF15. Reno and Rude FF7.
Ignis cradled the tiny bundle in his arms, his breath shallow with wonder. "You're so... small," he whispered, voice trembling from emotion. "I can't believe you're actually here, my little Leilia."
His thumb gently brushed her soft cheek, and when she made the tiniest sighing sound as she slept, his heart cracked open completely.
Ignis sat perfectly still, afraid that any movement might disturb her. His green eyes, softened into something tender, almost reverent. He leaned down slowly and pressed the lightest kiss to her forehead.
"You're perfect," he breathed against her skin. "Absolutely perfect." A single tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it, but for once, Ignis didn't care about composure. Not right now.
(Y/n) sat silently in the hospital bed, her eyes watching Ignis cradle their daughter with a tender awe. A small smile graced her lips, seeing how gentle Ignis was with their child. "Fatherhood looks good on you," (Y/n) whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of joy and amusement.
Ignis looked up at the sound of (Y/n)'s voice, his expression shifting instantly, love flooding his features like sunlight breaking through clouds.
He didn't say anything at first. Just gazed at her, eyes glistening with emotion. Then slowly, carefully, he got up and walked toward her.
Without a word, he sat down, and pulled (Y/n) close and kissed her softly on the lips, a quiet, deep kiss full of gratitude and overwhelming happiness.
When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers for a second before whispering back.
"Motherhood looks even more beautiful on you."
"Smooth talker," (Y/n) teased, her voice light with fond amusement.
Ignis smiled at (Y/n)'s teasing. She always had this effect on him, melting his usual reserve into something warm and openly affectionate.
"I still can't believe she's here... Our little girl," (Y/n) murmured as she gazed down at Leilia again, marveling at every tiny feature, from her button nose to the faint tufts of blonde hair on her head.
Ignis gently shifted Leilia in his arms so (Y/n) could see her better, adjusting the blanket with careful precision.
"She has your nose," he said softly, studying their daughter's face. "And your eyes."
A quiet chuckle escaped him. "Noctis is going to lose it when he sees her."
(Y/n) chuckled at the thought, imagining her brother's reaction. "He might try to steal her and keep her all for himself," she said, gently stroking her daughter's soft cheek.
(Y/n)'s heart swelled with love and protectiveness as she watched Leilia sleep, completely oblivious to the world around her. "She's perfect."
Ignis hummed in agreement, his thumb tracing the curve of Leilia's tiny ear, so delicate, so new.
"She'll have half the kingdom doting on her by tomorrow," he said dryly. "Noctis will probably show up with a stuffed animal before breakfast."
He glanced at (Y/n) again, that softness never leaving his eyes. The woman who had just given birth to their child, his wife, looked exhausted yet radiant.
Without thinking, Ignis leaned over and kissed her temple tenderly. "You did beautifully."
(Y/n)'s expression softened even further at Ignis' words, and she leaned into his touch, her weary head resting against his shoulder.
"And you were great support," she murmured, a hint of teasing still in her voice. "Though I still feel bad for having crushed your hand in the process." She reached up with her own hand and squeezed Ignis' lightly, the gesture both an apology and thank you.
Ignis flexed his hand slightly, still a little stiff from (Y/n)'s death grip during labor, but he didn't care. Not one bit.
He turned his head and pressed a kiss to the top of her hair, inhaling her scent, familiar, safe, home.
"Worth it," he said simply. "I'd let you crush every bone in my body if it meant keeping you and Leilia okay."
"The pain was temporary. The joy is eternal." He whispered, before kissing her cheek. "My hand will recover."
"Your hand might recover," (Y/n) said with a small laugh, "but I'm afraid my body won't be forgiving me anytime soon." She shifted slightly where she sat, testing the soreness in her body. The exhaustion was creeping up on her now that the adrenaline had faded.
Ignis noticed the subtle wince in (Y/n)'s face, the slight tension in her posture, and his protective instincts surged.
Without a word, he carefully shifted Leilia into one arm and reached out with his free hand to gently guide (Y/n) back onto the pillows.
"Lie down," he murmured, voice low and soothing. "You need rest. Real rest." He adjusted their daughter against his chest, and pulled an extra blanket over (Y/n)'s once she was settled.
"Thank you," (Y/n) murmured, sinking gratefully into the softness of the pillows. The warmth of the blanket was comforting.
(Y/n)'s eyelids grew heavy as she listened to their daughter's quiet breathing, slow and steady in sleep.
Ignis stayed perfectly still, watching (Y/n)'s eyes grow heavier with each breath. Her chest rose and fell in rhythm, exhausted but peaceful, and he knew she was moments from sleep.
He smiled faintly, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders with quiet care. Leilia slept soundly against his chest, a tiny warmth nestled in the curve of his arm.
The room was silent except for their soft breathing, the two most important people in Ignis' world resting safely before him.
And for once… everything in the world felt right.
Reno held his newborn daughter in his arms, gently and lovingly cradling the tiny bundle of joy in his embrace. The soft breathing of his sleeping wife, (Y/n), filled the room, the only sounds in the otherwise quiet night. As he looked down at his daughter's peaceful face, he was still in disbelief. How'd a guy like him get lucky enough to have a wife and child.
"Do I even deserve you guys," he whispered, his voice overflowing with emotion.
"I used to think being a Turk was all I needed," he murmured, thumb brushing over her tiny cheek. "All that mattered was missions, and the pay wasn't bad either."
A quiet laugh escaped him, uncharacteristically soft for someone usually so sarcastic.
"And now here I am... scared stiff just holding my own kid. What a mess I am."
The baby's fingers twitched slightly in his hold. Reno instinctively lifted her tiny hand, letting it grasp his finger. The strength with which she held on was staggering given her size.
The baby stirred, her little face scrunching up as she began to wake. A soft whimper escaped her lips, followed by a series of small grunts and squeaks. She blinked slowly with those big turquoise eyes, so much like Reno's, before letting out a small yawn.
Reno's heart melted, his expression softening even more than he thought possible. He gently traced a finger along her tiny, perfect features, his touch unbelievably gentle.
"You've got my eyes, don't you, princess?" he mumbled, the term of endearment slipping out before he could stop himself.
The baby's face lit up with the most innocent, gummy smile, her first one. It was wobbly and lopsided, but absolutely radiant.
Reno felt his breath catch in his throat at that first smile, it hit him like a bullet to the chest.
"Holy shit," he whispered, voice cracking slightly. "You're smiling at me? Seriously?"
His usual cool demeanor was completely shattered as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. This tiny human had him utterly wrecked with just one expression.
"Mmm..."
A groggy sound came from beneath the mound of covers where (Y/n) had been sleeping. With a little more stirring, her messy (h/c) hair appeared as she slowly propped herself up on her elbows. Her eyes were bleary with sleep, but the corners of her mouth tugged up into a knowing smile. She stifled a yawn as she looked over at Reno, taking in the sight of him cradling their baby.
Reno glanced up at (Y/n), he couldn't help but smile back at her, soft and unguarded in a way few ever saw.
"Look," he said softly, voice tender as he turned slightly toward (Y/n). "She smiled."
There was a rare vulnerability in his turquoise eyes, the cocky Turk completely undone by fatherhood.
(Y/n)'s smile deepened, warmth filling her chest. She pushed back the covers and slowly sat up in bed. Her gaze softened as she looked at their baby girl and Reno.
"Did she?" she asked softly, voice hoarse from sleep.
(Y/n) scooted herself closer to where Reno was sitting, leaning her head against his shoulder gently. Her eyes traced their daughter's features, so similar to her husband's, and her heart swelled with affection.
Reno shifted carefully so (Y/n) could get a better look at their daughter. "Yeah," he murmured, as he leaned into (Y/n)'s touch.
"Tiny little thing finally figured out how to smile," he murmured, not taking his eyes off their baby. "She looked right at me and just... smiled. Like she's happy to see me or something."
There was a hint of awe in his voice, as if he still couldn't believe the reality of it all.
(Y/n)'s free hand reached out to gently caress their baby's delicate cheek, her fingers moving in feather-light strokes.
"Of course she's happy to see you," she said softly, her tone was filled with affection, as she pressed a tender kiss to Reno's shoulder. "You're her daddy."
Reno felt a lump in his throat at (Y/n)'s words, his heart melting further. He'd been through the worst the world had to offer, death, violence, loss. But holding his daughter in his arms, hearing his wife's soft words... damn if it didn't feel like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
"Think I'm deserving of that title?" he asked, he looked up at (Y/n), his gaze filled with uncertainty.
(Y/n) immediately cupped Reno's face in both hands, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks with overwhelming tenderness. Her (e/c) eyes locked onto his turquoise ones, serious and unwavering.
"Are you kidding me?" she said, voice thick with emotion. "You're the best damn father anyone could ask for."
She leaned forward suddenly and kissed him, a long, slow kiss full of all the love she felt for this man before her.
Reno melted into the kiss, careful not to jostle their sleeping baby between them. When (Y/n) finally pulled back, he chased her lips for just a second before remembering they had an audience, their tiny daughter who was now blinking up at them with wide turquoise eyes.
"Damn," Reno whispered against (Y/n)'s mouth. "You always know how to knock me sideways."
He was completely smitten, by his wife and this perfect little family they'd made together.
(Y/n) couldn't help but laugh softly at the sight of their baby girl blinking up at them before the little girl let out a small cry, that soon turned into fussing.
"Looks like someone's awake and wanting attention," she teased gently, giving Reno one final lingering kiss before reaching over and carefully transferring the fusdy baby to her arms.
Naru immediately squirmed in (Y/n)'s arms, little hands flailing in the air, as she cried.
"Someone's hungry," (Y/n) said with a grin, before glancing over at the clock on the bedside table. "At 4 am. Of course."
Reno exhaled a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Classic newborn timing," he muttered.
He watched as (Y/n) adjusted their daughter in her arms, preparing to feed her. The sight was so domestic, so normal for other people but still surreal for him.
"Need anything?" Reno asked softly, already shifting like he might get up to grab something if needed.
"Just stay here with us," (Y/n) said warmly, patting the spot next to her on the bed.
Reno leaned his head against hers, watching the tender moment between his wife and child. This peaceful domesticity was foreign to him, something he'd never dared to dream he might have.
"It's kinda perfect," he mumbled after a moment, voice uncharacteristically soft.
"You, me, and our baby."
Rude stood frozen in the hospital room, his large frame casting a shadow over the tiny bassinet. The baby girl stirred slightly, her tiny fingers curling as she slept peacefully.
He swallowed hard, staring down at her like she was some fragile thing he wasn't sure how to touch. His hands hovered awkwardly near the blanket but didn't reach out.
(Y/n) sat in her hospital bed, worn out from labor, watching Rude with a mixture of concern and amusement. She knew he had no idea how to handle a newborn, and his awkwardness was quite endearing.
"You can touch her, you know," she said gently. "She won't break."
Rude finally glanced at (Y/n), his hazel eyes wide behind those ever-present sunglasses. He hesitated a second longer before slowly removing them and placing them on the side table.
"Right.."
He leaned down carefully. One hand reached out with surprising gentleness, fingers barely brushing against the baby's delicate cheek.
Then, almost instinctively… he smiled. A real one. Rare as hell to see from him outside of home.
(Y/n)'s heart melted at the sight of Rude smiling down at their daughter. It was a rare expression on his usually stoic face, one reserved only for her and now their daughter.
The baby let out a tiny sigh in her sleep, completely unafraid of the intimidating man looming over her crib.
"See? She likes you," (Y/n) whispered, watching the exchange.
Rude's voice, usually deep and gruff, came out softer than (Y/n) had ever heard it. "She's… so small," he murmured, more to himself than to her. His thumb gently traced the curve of the baby's ear before pausing near a wisp of (h/c) hair that looked exactly like (Y/n)'s.
Then he carefully scooped the tiny bundle into his arms, supporting her head like he’d seen the nurses do. The baby girl shifted slightly but stayed asleep, completely trusting the strong embrace of the man who was her father.
(Y/n)'s heart swelled as she watched Rude gently scoop up their daughter. She had seen him in action, fighting with brutal efficiency, but now he was cradling their precious child with the delicate touch of a father.
"You look like a natural," she teased, a smirk playing at her lips.
Rude kept his eyes locked on the baby's sleeping face, but he still acknowledged (Y/n)'s words. "I've.. never held a baby before," he admitted quietly. His arms adjusted slightly, rocking her almost unconsciously in that small way fathers seem to do without thinking.
"She has your face."
"Oh, does she?" (Y/n) asked, smiling. "I think she looks more like you."
Rude finally lifted his gaze to (Y/n)'s, studying her face like he was memorizing it. "It's definitely your features," he repeated, his voice firm, but not unkind. "Maybe my eyes."
A moment of silence passed before the baby made the tiniest squeak in her sleep. Rude immediately tensed again, glancing down at her with mild panic in his expression.
(Y/n) couldn't help the quiet laugh that escaped her lips at his reaction. "She's just adjusting," she reassured him gently.
"Oh," Rude said, exhaling slowly. He relaxed his shoulders again and continued cradling his daughter with careful focus. After another quiet moment, he glanced toward the window where sunlight was streaming in. "…We should name her."
(Y/n) shifted against her pillows, still weary from giving birth but determined to make this decision together. "You're right. We've been calling her 'sweetheart' and 'baby' for long enough," she replied. "Do you have any ideas, my love?"
Rude glanced back at their daughter, his eyes running over her tiny form. Something softened in his expression that was hard to pin down. It might have been pride, or even protectiveness. "She looks strong. And stubborn. Like a fighter." He paused, one hand gently tracing her cheek again as if he couldn't help himself.
"How about Meara?" he finally said quietly.
"Meara?" (Y/n) tested the name on her tongue, rolling it gently. It suited their daughter perfectly, strong yet delicate, just like Rude had described. "I love that," she said sincerely.
Rude nodded, his gaze still fixed on Meara. She stirred slightly in his arms, her tiny fists flexing. He shifted her, rocking her a bit more as she made another sleepy noise. It was strange… he didn't even question the natural rhythm of it, even though he'd literally never held a baby before.
"She's gonna be trouble," he murmured, half to himself and half to (Y/n).
(Y/n) chuckled. "With Reno as her uncle? She's absolutely going to be trouble."
Reno would spoil Meara rotten, teach her all the wrong things first, how to pick locks, show her how to throw a punch before she could walk properly, probably even teach her a few cuss words.
Rude exhaled sharply through his nose, already picturing Reno holding Meara upside down like a sack of potatoes.
"Gonna have to put my foot down," he grumbled. "Or we're screwed.."
