Yazoo opened his eyes, blinking them shut again a moment later. He'd fallen asleep with the light on, and it was very disorienting. What time was it? He turned his head, but upon doing so, he realized where he'd been laying. A chest. A warm chest. Time forgotten, he turned to regard the face of the owner of this chest.

Reno...

His lower back twitched, which caused him to remember vividly the night before. His breath caught in his throat as his backside throbbed a bit in protest.

Oh yeah, that would hurt for a bit.

He looked over Reno (still sleeping, hand curled around his shoulders) to see his alarm clock. Seven-thirty in the morning. It was still much earlier than Reno would ever get up, especially on a Sunday. Yazoo lowered himself back down to Reno's chest, felt the redhead shift ever so slightly underneath him as his arm pulled around him tighter-only to relax again when Yazoo settled.

For someone so used to one night stands, it seemed Reno was quite good at cuddling too.

Yazoo's fingers twisted absentmindedly around Reno's elbow, drawing small circles as he woke up.

What happened now?

Yazoo hadn't really planned this far. Never expected Reno to reciprocate any feelings as far as this. How on earth was he supposed to act now? He knew Reno didn't do "girlfriends", but did that mean that he was just like all those other girls too? But he LIVED with him. It would have to be different...and he really, really did want to sleep with him again. The sex had been amazing, and it wasn't just because it had been so long since Yazoo had had sex...

In fact, it had been before he had left for school that he and his last boyfriend had broken up. Vincent had moved to England for school on a scholarship, and they'd both agreed that the long distance wouldn't be for either of them. Yazoo shifted again, trying to will the slight burn away. That had been almost three and a half years ago...Geez, he really had needed to get laid...

Yazoo managed to slide out from underneath Reno's arm, slipping off the edge of the bed before carefully folding the blankets back up over Reno, watching him for a moment as his roommate snuggled into his bed with a soft sigh. He really was so very crush-worthy.

He had to stop himself from skipping to the kitchen-it had been a long time since he'd woken up feeling so satisfied, and though he'd love to prolong the snuggle session in bed with Reno, the morning would probably progress smoother with breakfast made.

Reno was always in a better mood when he'd been fed, and really, it was in Yazoo's best interest for this particular morning to go well.

He opened the fridge, a strange sense of inspiration washing over him as he perused the contents of the shelves. He pulled down the oats and brown sugar, his gaze passing over the apples on the kitchen table. He glanced back at the door to his room, wondering how long Reno would sleep this morning, but decided to chance it anyway.

Reno always was a deep sleeper after all.

Yazoo hummed quietly to himself as he chopped up the apples, and couldn't help but think over the night before again. He gave himself goosebumps as he thought about Reno's hands, about his lips caressing his skin, about how incredible it felt when he fit inside him. His knees felt weak and he leaned up against the counter. This was bad, he was in quite deep. He didn't even know how Reno felt-he shouldn't be allowing himself to feel so woozy and gushy after one (very incredible and phenomenal) night!

He refused to think about it and slid the pie tin into the oven and went to feed his fish as he waited for breakfast to bake.

Chicken swam in tight circles at his arrival, seeming happier than usual as he leapt about an inch above the surface of the bowl with a soft 'plop'. Yazoo smiled and poked his finger in the water, brushing up against Chicken's long tailfin.

"You really are a smart fish...it's like you're happiest when I'm happiest. Strange. You wouldn't think a goldfish of all animals would pick up on anything like that..." He cooed softly at the fishbowl and couldn't help but feel grateful for the kiss on the other side of the glass. He straightened again and headed back to the kitchen to put on some coffee.

Chicken was starting to think that his owner was trying to communicate with him. He wished so much that she could speak his language of bubbles and flicks, and was desperately trying to tell her how proud he was of her and the red male. Maybe it meant that the other, louder males would stop frequenting the habitat, or if the appearance of the strange sickly females would drop off also.

Chicken was ecstatic that he'd managed to communicate his joy for her through the leap and the tailspins, even putting off his food until he heard the soft cooing of her voice.

As he watched her head back to the food preparation center, he caught a drifting flake in his mouth to bring it back to his castle. He wondered when the red male would emerge, and if anything different would be apparent.

Would they nest? Would they parent together? Or was this another complicated ritual before the actual act of mating-having selected their potential mate.

Judging by the soft humming, the utensil spinning and the number of times the female stopped to stare at the large pane of light on the wall, Chicken was sure that things would go well eventually anyway.

Reno stirred when the weight settled back down on the bed, along with the delightful smell of coffee and something appley, cinnamony and warm. It was the right combination to stir his senses and bring his eyes open. It was a little disorienting at first. The light was different-the window was on the wrong side of the room. And the colour was different, and the dresser, and clothes and...oh.

He looked over with one eye open to confirm the weight on the bed.

"Morning Zoo..." He mumbled.

"Morning. Coffee and breakfast?"

"Mmpfh." Reno grunted, but pulled himself up to sitting, his hair tousled and his eyes sticky. "Breakfast in bed is a bit unusual, isn't it?"

Yazoo paused for a moment, he didn't want the morning to be awkward. Reno hadn't been drunk the night before, and everything had been completely consensual for both of them. So why was he so nervous bringing up the fact that they'd slept together? It was pretty obvious. They were in fact in Yazoo's room, on Yazoo's bed, and Reno was naked and sticky. Not that hard to piece together.

"You've never woken up in my bed before...so I thought I would treat you." Yazoo said quietly, gaging Reno's reaction.

"I suppose I haven't." Reno admitted, pulling the blankets up a little on his torso to allow the tray to settle on his lap. "What's this? Apple crisp?" He sounded very pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, well, I was inspired this morning."

Reno looked up from the breakfast tray, their eyes meeting.

"Hey Zoo?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For this...for last night...I mean, I never. I never thought...until..." He paused. "I may be bad at saying stuff like this..."

"Like what?" Yazoo tried not to be worried. Reno's tone wasn't the same panicked tone he'd get with girls in the morning. He just hoped he wasn't going to be getting any version of 'the talk'.

"That it was hot. Really hot."

"...There's not a 'but' coming up, is there?"

Reno paused, looking surprised.

"No. I mean, we're still living together right? You're not going to kick me out cause I had mind blowing sex with you last night...right?" Now it was Reno's turn to look worried until Yazoo smacked his shoulder.

"Right, like that would happen."

"Well, I guess I didn't think about it much last night...I mean, who could when you were dressed like that and had that fine ass waggling around the bedroom, but like, I like living with you...still. And..."

"I see what you mean Reno, you are bad at saying stuff like this." Yazoo laughed, putting Reno at ease. "Don't say anything else. Because you're going to get way too deep way too fast, for both of us. Eat your breakfast, and how about we see what kinds of things change now that you know I can dress like that and that my ass is that fine, okay?"

"Yeah." Reno sighed, looking relieved. He paused, his first forkful of breakfast halfway up to his mouth. "So...does last night make me gay?"

Yazoo looked at him for a moment, noted the genuine concern, and burst of laughing.

"It might. But that's only if you take into consideration the stuff you were saying-" Reno turned bright red, so Yazoo placated him. "You can't deny the fact that you did...you know...sleep with another guy, but labels like 'gay' and 'heterosexual' are way too black and white for anyone. It's not a question I'm going to pretend I can answer for you, nor does it necessarily need an answer Reno..."

Reno nodded, smiling a little.

"So...maybe things around here can stay the same-ish? I mean, mostly?"

"I think we have had a pretty decent relationship prior to sleeping together to base a relatively healthy and normal co-habitation on, yes." Yazoo agreed, teasing only a little.

"I mean, but maybe you can wear those shoes around a little more often...?"

Yazoo considered the request, but couldn't help his smile from widening.

"Only when we don't have guests over Reno."

The day went relatively well, and it wasn't until evening, when they were getting ready for bed did any sort of difficulty arise. Yazoo was in his room, changing. He had an early morning class the next morning, and needed to be in bed by a certain time. But he was definitely on his way to being distracted from his schedule by the lingering redheaded shadow outside his door. He had tried not to address the issue, he wasn't sure if it was wise to at the moment, but the butterflies that erupted in his stomach each time he thought about maybe asking Reno in to sleep together again would have made it impossible to fall asleep anyway.

"Reno...?" His voice was smaller than he wanted it to be.

"Yeah?" The response was faster than he thought it'd be too. Reno had been lingering around his door for the last half hour. Pacing between the bookshelves and the livingroom; finding things to pretend to do. Yazoo steeled himself.

"Somewhat odd question. But...where are you sleeping tonight?"

Pause.

"Um...not odd at all, really. I was wondering..."

"I have to get up pretty early tomorrow."

"I don't wake up too easily. But I mean, if you're worried about anything, I can just..."

"Did you want to sleep in here with me?" Yazoo managed, just coming out with it.

Another pause.

"Do YOU want me to?"

Yazoo caught himself blushing, and it was that moment that just made everything so very apparent that their mentalities had regressed back to highschool.

"You know the only thing missing from this conversation? A friend who passes a note with that question and a 'check this box if yes, and this box if no' choice." Yazoo laughed. "We're adults...or we're supposed to be, right?"

"Well yeah, but I mean, I've never been in this situation before..."

"You think I have?" Yazoo rebutted, "I mean, I usually date gay guys. And they are even few and far between."

Reno nodded, admitting that point.

"I would like you to sleep in here with me tonight, yes. There I said it. I also have to be up early for class, and if you think it's going to be a problem allowing me to get enough sleep tonight so that I don't fall asleep during my lecture, I'd love for you to feel comfortable doing that. I mean...is that okay?" Yazoo pulled an old t-shirt over his head and pulled his hair back into a quick ponytail before turning back to Reno.

Reno was leaning on his doorframe, just watching him.

"How is it that you can do that?" He asked.

"Do what?

"Just be able to come out and say it, make everything so damn logical and simple..."

"I'm studying to be a neurosurgeon. Compared to that, everything should be simple." Yazoo joked.

Reno pushed himself off the doorframe and sauntered inside Yazoo's room, looking only a little more comfortable doing so.

"You have another point." He smiled, sitting down on the corner of Yazoo's bed. "I suppose I can say that I also would like to be able to sleep in here with you tonight too then. I mean...I don't do this kind of stuff often..."

"And by kind of stuff you mean?"

"Mushy stuff. Cuddling. 'Sleeping'. ...Whatever this is."

So Reno was feeling something too. Yazoo's stomach jittered again, but he was determined not to ruin anything by saying something too soon.

"You sleep all the time though Reno..." He evaded, turning again to his nightstand, away from the redhead so he couldn't see the deep blush.

"Yeah. I guess..."

Yazoo heard Reno unbuckling his belt, and there was another pause. It almost seemed like it was too familiar, too routine-so he kept turned until he heard Reno slip under the covers, and it took a lot to calm his nerves before he turned around again.

He climbed in beside Reno, a silence between them that seemed to say much more than either one of them was able to at the moment. There were so many things Yazoo wanted to say, to ask, to have confirmed. But he couldn't... not yet. Not if there was even the slightest chance that Reno would say the wrong thing.

"...Well..." Yazoo started, but didn't finish. That silence was still overpowering whatever words he wanted to say.

"You...wanna turn out the light?" Reno suggested.

"Um, yeah. Sorry." Yazoo leaned over and flicked the light off. It seemed like he was lying there forever, the butterflies having amassed into a frustrated swarm in his stomach. He didn't know how long it had been before he asked, his voice very small.

"...So what exactly does this mean...?"

He looked over, eyes having adjusted to the dark. He didn't get an answer from the sleeping Reno. Damn.

Reno wasn't awakened by Yazoo's morning routine the next day, despite Yazoo closing the dresser drawers maybe a little bit harder than he usually did, or opening and closing the door a few more times than was necessary. Yazoo really did want to ask Reno where he stood. But really didn't want to seem like he was getting too hung up on one night of sex and one night of...well, just sleeping together. What had last night meant? The night before had been obvious, sex, and enough of it to knock them both out nearly comatose with sensation. But just sleeping together meant something else entirely...sort of.

Yazoo was frustrated, and was almost late for class that morning.

Going back to school meant that he also had to realize the events of Saturday night with his professor again. Professor Hojo was conspicuously absent, and Yazoo noticed there were a few more stares in his direction than normal. News travelled fast.

He felt uncomfortable going through the halls to his lecture, seeing the crowd of students outside of the labs Hojo usually held his classes in, hearing the suppositions in the conversations they were having over the cancelled schedule.

He rushed to his lecture hall, and was determined not to let it get to him.

The day, however, destined not to let him do that though.

Halfway through the lecture, he had nearly forgotten about the students outside the lab, and the events of Saturday night by the comforting topic of precision surgeries, when to his horror, he was called out of the classroom by the dean of the university.

"Yazoo Delta?" The prof by the whiteboards had said when the dean had entered and not-so-discreetly pulled the teacher aside. "You can catch up on the rest of the notes later. Dean Shinra needs to speak with you. Yazoo had sunk in his seat a little, and he heard from the row behind him a girl whisper to her desk partner "do you think it's about Hojo?" before stuffing his laptop back in his case and leaving as quickly as possible with Rufus Shinra.

"Sorry to pull you out of class Mr. Delta." Shinra apologized, leading the way away from the lecture hall. The corridors were almost empty, save for a few stray students, so that, at least, was a small comfort. "I'm sure you know what this is about..."

"I have a suspicion Sir, yes."

"I would have waited to speak with you more privately, were it not for the fact that the Police have contacted me. You did file charges against Professor Hojo, is that correct?"

"I did Sir," Yazoo affirmed, wishing that Dean Shinra would get them to his office more quickly. He really didn't want to be talking about this here... "Saturday night. They have a full account of what happened..."

"Yes, as they have informed me. I know I don't have to tell you that the University supports you in your stand, and has no tolerance for any behaviour like that that was displayed by Professor Hojo."

"Of course Sir." Yazoo frowned, this wasn't news, and definitely not worth pulling him out of class.

"And I'm sure you've noticed that Professor Hojo has been suspended, at least officially."

"Officially? What does that mean, exactly?"

"Well, he's disappeared. Didn't show up to summons, nor was he found by police. There has been an official report filed since it is over twenty four hours that he has been missing, and there is a warrant out for his arrest. We've not been able to reach him by phone nor email since the incident."

Yazoo felt a bit of cold apprehension trickle down his spine.

"So...?" He felt he could also guess why he'd been pulled from class now.

"Well Yazoo, we want to ensure your safety as well, especially if Hojo is at large because of this, and we have reasons to believe that he may come back looking to contact you."

Yazoo stiffened, but Rufus Shinra continued.

"Police went to his home, after the charges were filed. When he didn't answer, they returned with a warrant to search his home." Shinra looked uncomfortable. "It seems that Hojo may have developed an unhealthy obsession with you. They found...pictures..."

Yazoo really didn't want to hear this, and it felt like the pit of his stomach had dropped out from underneath him during the explanation. He held up a hand, not knowing if he could handle the details.

"I think I get the gist."

"I would like to assure you Mr. Delta that the University will go to any means necessary to help you in your situation."

Yazoo realized that the Dean was probably worried about the negative impact of having employed a professor that would go to sexually assault a student. He nodded.

"Thank you Dean Shinra." He felt like he was shaking a little at the news. "And I don't hold the University at fault in any way."

It looked like Rufus Shinra relaxed a little at that, and he looked grateful.

"We would be willing to suspend your studies if you need some time Yazoo." his tone had softened, "Or you may choose to finish your courses this term by correspondence. If you choose to do so."

"Let me think about it Sir. Thank you."

"I will send a transcription of your lecture today, so you don't miss anything, but it may be best to return to my office with me now. There's an officer who will explain what means you may want to start employing for your safety."

Yazoo nodded, feeling a bit numb as he followed the Dean down the corridor of the school.

Yazoo arrived home later that evening, still feeling a bit shaken. He'd been given precautions and procedures to follow to keep the Police in contact with him, as well as the assurance that he would be kept informed on their search for Professor Hojo.

Reno was out, and he was almost thankful for that. He needed some time to let everything from today sink in a bit. The last few days had been a little crazy. From the most frightening experience of his life to a giddy, deliriously happy state to this mess of confusion and nerves. It was almost too much to take. Seriously, nothing else should be able to happen, right?

He would have the next few days to decide what he wanted to do with school. The Dean had excused him from classes, and he would be able to keep up with his reading and lectures from the transcripts sent to him, but the Dean really seemed to be trying to alleviate his pressure from exams and papers. Even though Yazoo had told him he wanted to come back to classes, Shinra had insisted he at least take a few days to decide.

Yazoo didn't know if he wanted to just stay here though, like he was locked up and scared. He figured that would be worse than going to classes.

He watched Chicken for a few minutes, the bright orange fish swishing around the bowl in an incomprehensible pattern. Maybe he should get a bigger tank for him...

He was brought out of his thoughts from a knock on the door. He stiffened, feeling vulnerable on his own. He contemplated pretending he wasn't there. But then he'd just end up feeling more like he was locked in. He sighed and pushed himself up, peering through the fish-eye hole in the door. His jaw dropped, and the deadbolt was thrown back.

He opened the door, unable to contain his surprise.

"...Vincent?"

A/N So, there's been a rather large delay in this story, and I do sincerely apologize to all of those who have read, reviewed and inspired me to keep going. Since my last update, I've gotten engaged, gone back to school, and have found very little time for my passion to write. As things balance out (as they always tend to) I will update when I can, and am so happy to be able to bring back Yazoo, Reno and Chicken. I haven't forgotten them, I promise!

Thanks for the continued support everyone! xoxo

~Kikislasha