"I'm broke, doc. Fix me."

Rufus Shinra paused working to fix a stare at the redhead now sprawling across his desk, covering the files he had been reading.

"You always say that," he replied, a slight smile softening the line of his mouth. "Now get off my desk and sit down like a normal person."

"And you always say that," Reno's mako-blue eyes danced with amusement.

For a long moment, silence reigned, as Rufus scanned the few papers not obscured by the Turk's body. Then, with a long-suffering sigh, the younger man pulled himself to a sitting position. The blond rewarded him with a look, disregarding his work.

"So, what is it?"

Reno looked at him, then looked away. His mouth opened then closed again, and he stared down at his hands.

"Reno, spit it out. I do not have all day."

"You trust me, right?"

The words came as a surprise. Firstly because he hadn't looked up as he spoke, secondly because to hear the cocky redhead expressing anything close to doubt was a miracle. After studying him for a moment, the older man gave a sigh.

"I gather that this idiocy has arisen from something one of the Remnants said?"

Unsure eyes found his, then, and the Turk nodded, insult ignored. "He said you didn't trust us."

"I see. And why would he say that?"

"Because I told him we didn't know where Jenova's head was." Reno's gaze had returned to his knuckles, so he missed the slight smile at the corner of Rufus' mouth.
The blond leaned one elbow on the table, chin in palm, exasperation written on his face. "And why did you tell him that?"

"So he wouldn't find out you had it."

"To protect me, then?" His free hand rested next to the redhead's, little finger reaching out to brush against it lightly. The younger man nodded, then moved his hand subtly. They both watched as if spellbound, as their hands moved, fingers lacing together. Reno looked up at him then, and Rufus' smile was a softness that few believed him capable of. By their joined hands, he pulled his lover close, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"I couldn't share my bed with someone I didn't trust," he murmured, lips lingering against warm skin for another moment. Then he straightened up. "Now, stop distracting me. I have work to do."

"All work and no play..." taunted the redhead in a singsong voice.

"Yes, I know. Why do you think I'm trying to finish early?"

With a laugh, Reno slipped fluidly off the desk and turned to leave. He made it almost to the door before returning to his lover's side. When Rufus looked askance at him, he dipped his head and kissed him hard on the mouth. Pulling back with a mischievous little smile, he breathed "finish faster."

With an answering grin, the older man shoved him away roughly, hand flicking out to land a stinging slap on the redhead's ass as he turned. Yelping, Reno shot a glare over his shoulder, then sauntered out of the office in an apparent huff, the door snapping shut behind him with a disgruntled click.

Rufus finished his work twice as fast that day.