Kay then, random multi-chapter story on our favourite VP and our not so favourite scientist! Eh…'tisn't very good but my friend liked it so I'm posting it.
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Rufus sprawled comfortably on one of the plush black sofa's that dotted the Turks lounge. Head lolling on the wide armrest he gazed distractedly out of the panoramic window at the fogged view of Midgar beyond, a slight worried frown etched onto his young face despite the comfort of his surroundings. Suddenly a deeper breath than normal from the fourteen-year-old hear to Shinra Electricity Inc. set off a violent bout of coughing. His body jerked slightly with the force of the spasms as he curled in around himself and tried to stifle the tickly irritability in his throat that was to blame for the bone-jarring coughs echoing through his small frame.
Rufus jumped in surprise when a firm hand landed gently on his shoulder and pushed a cp of water into his hands, accepting it gratefully Rufus gulped it down. As the cool liquid soothed his aching throat he glanced at the person who had handed it to him, Reno crouched by his side, one hand still on his shoulder and a broad grin on his face which to anyone who didn't know him well enough would seem cheerful, but Rufus could see the underling concern in his eyes,
"That's quite a cough ya got goin' there half-pint," Reno muttered, "maybe I aughta get Tseng to go all Wutaian Housewife at ya with some of that herbal shit he gave Rude…." The joking tone of his voice was quite ruined by the worried frown he chose to let slip through. Shaking his head Rufus replied in a voice made hoarse by coughing,
"Don't even think about it, Reno. It's just a cough, there's no need to tell Tseng. He'd just worry unnecessarily." Reno pulled a face at Rufus's stubbornness but passed no comment.
Confident that the lack of argument from the flame-haired Turk indicated his victory on that point Rufus pulled away from Reno's hand and settled back against the cushions of the couch, the contemplatively anxious look slipping back onto his face as his thoughts drifted. A light tap on his shoulder startled him into the present and only a quick gulp of water from the glass in his hands prevented another coughing fit. Glaring lightly at Reno he snapped irritably at the red-head, "What?" Reno's grin widened and he poked Rufus again, "You seem tense, yo. That's all." came the amused reply. Glare intensifying Rufus hissed back, "Well I'm not!" and shifted on the couch so that he was facing away from the Turk. Reno stared at Rufus's back, he knew the kid had a short fuse but all the same it usually took something much bigger to make him so angry.
A full fledged from wormed onto his face as he observed the stiff set of Rufus's shoulders and the way the glass shook slightly with the trembling of his hands. Sighing Reno carefully moved till he was in front of Rufus with the speed that had made him one of the best Turks and placed his hands on Rufus's knees to stop him turning away. He peered up at the bowed head of his employers son as he tried to jerk away from Reno's hold and his strawberry blond bangs fell across his eyes, 'He'll need a haircut soon' the domestic side of Reno that he'd never admit to having cut in randomly as he tried to pick his words. Finally deciding he moved closer so that he could see into Rufus's icy blue eyes and spoke softly, "Ruf'? What's up, man?" He gained a weak glare for the use of the nickname but before the stubborn child before him could open his mouth to deliver a suitably acidic retort Reno returned the glare with one of his own and continued in a slightly fiercer tone than necessary, "And don't you even think of saying 'Nothing', Rufus. 'Cause it's obviously something."
Rufus looked away uncomfortably and muttered rebelliously, "But it is nothing."
Reno sighed in annoyance and snapped back, "Bullshit Rufus. I've known you since you were three years old, I can tell when you're lying!" He sighed again as Rufus still refused to look at him and continued in a quiet tone, "you're like a brother to me Ruf'. Anything that's bothering you, no matter how silly, you can tell me." Shifting in discomfort Rufus dropped his gaze to his hands after a short pause he glanced up at Reno and replied hesitantly, "You…mean that?" the jumble of emotion in the blue eyes before him shocked Reno, there was a desperation in them he'd never seen before…Plastering a grin on his face he replied jauntily, "Sure do half-pint!" He watched as relief flooded the small, pale face of his charge and he dropped his gaze back to his lap. Feeling a prompt might be needed Reno spoke up, "So? You gonna tell me or not?" Rufus's mouth twisted in…what? Distaste? Fear? Reno couldn't tell. He replied in a small voice that for once made him sound as young as he looked, "It really is nothing….My father", that word was spat with as much loathing as the teen could muster, "Simply decided that since I've learnt petty much everything else…I aught to be taught a little bit more about…science…"
Reno frowned, not quite sure why this should have gotten Rufus so worked up, after all, he hadn't even gotten so jumpy when he found out he was going to be taught how to withstand interrogation through practical examples…Before he could interject Rufus continued, in an even quieter voice, "By Professor…Hojo…"And suddenly everything made sense, the head of Shinra's science department was one seriously creepy guy, Reno could see why the thought of having to spend god knows how long being taught by the man should upset the boy so much…
A second sudden attack of coughing from Rufus brought Reno out of his thoughts and he joked weakly in an attempt to cheer Rufus up, "Hey, it might not be as bad as you think…and if all else fails I'll help ya pull a sicky, yo." This earned him a sour glare as the coughing subsided, "Thanks a bunch Reno," Rufus said sarcastically once he had control of his larynx back, "I feel so much better knowing you'll be there to protect me."
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Er…review?