Desha's Reno of the Turks Fan Fiction

Interludes – Scene 13

Author’s Note: The first time Reno ever saw the Gold Saucer was with Tseng, and he was still pretty young at the time. This takes place when he was seventeen, and still a rookie Turk.

From Chapter 25: The Games We Play:

Reno grinned and pulled her head down against his shoulder. “Yeah… I tend to overdo it a little here. I can’t actually get him to admit it, but I think Tseng has privately vowed never to come back to the Gold Saucer with me for any reason other than business.”

“You talked him into coming here for something other than business once? What’d you do? Blackmail him?” she chuckled. The Gold Saucer was definitely not somewhere she’d picture Tseng spending his free time. Not voluntarily, at any rate.

“Nah… It was a birthday present when I was seventeen. He lasted a lot longer than you did… but only ’cause he was smart enough not to join in on the junk food buffet. Still ran him pretty ragged, though…”

---

“So are ya gonna tell me where we’re goin’ or not?”

Reno’s voice had a electric, digitized quality over the headset, but the excitement was plainly audible.

“No. We’ll be landing soon enough,” Tseng replied, allowing himself a small smile, “And leave that right where it is,” he added firmly, when the teenager’s hand snuck towards the blindfold that covered his eyes. The young redhead huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, but scant seconds later a grin crept over his face.

“Can I at least have a hint?”

“No.”

“Aw, come on, Tseng… it’s my birthday. Quit torturin’ me!”

The Turks second-in-command chuckled, glancing over at his young rookie fondly. The now-seventeen-year-old had been so shocked when he’d come to collect him that morning… Tseng had the distinct impression that he’d just assumed no one even knew or cared that today was his birthday. And the fact that it hadn’t really seemed to bother him had cemented the senior Turk’s resolve to make today memorable… which was why his smile widened noticeably as a large structure came into view in the distance.

“I hardly think a blindfolded helicopter ride constitutes torture…”

“Only ’cause you’re not the one wearin’ the blindfold.”

Tseng laughed and banked to the right, circling a small landing zone. “Well, you’ll be happy know, the unspeakable torment I’ve subjected you to is nearly over.” He touched down, and Reno sat up straighter in his seat, as the whine of the engine died away.

“Now can I take I off?”

“Not quite yet.” Tseng unstrapped him, and helped him to the ground, before slipping behind him and guiding him towards the large cable car that would take them the rest of the way. They stepped aboard, and a few moments later, it began to move forward.

“Now can I take it off?” Reno asked insistently. The teenager was practically vibrating by now, desperate to know what was going on.

“In a moment.” He gently urged him into the best position, standing before the large windows at the front of the car, and waited a few more seconds until they’d nearly reached the halfway point.

“Now?!” Reno’s voice was pleading, and Tseng wasn’t certain he could have kept him from tearing it off much longer anyway. He laughed.

“Now.”

The strip of cloth surrendered to the decidedly excessive force rendered upon it, as the redhead intently ripped it away. He blinked, taking in the strange sight ahead of him. It took a moment to register, but then his eyes went wide.

“Whoa…” The next thing Tseng knew, his rookie was pressed against the glass, looking around wildly as the car made its way into the station. It settled at the end of the line with a soft thump, and the doors opened, the Gold Saucer’s familiar welcoming music greeting them. He turned back to his mentor, a look of pure joy on his face. “Really?” he asked somewhat breathlessly.

“Happy birthday, Reno,” the Wutaiian Turk chuckled. Reno all but tackled him in an enthusiastic hug, before grabbing his arm and pulling him along into the station.

“We have to do everything…” he said, almost frantically, and Tseng hurried to keep up with him. It would be a miracle if he survived this trip, he mused… but it was already worth it.

~fin~