hey smexy. wat time u gettin outta that office?
Reno leaned back to balance his chair on its rear two legs, hitting the send button on his personal cell phone and watching the little flash illustration as it sent successfully. Sighing, he let his hand fall back into his lap and tipped his head back, staring up at a mako-clouded sky. It was the billionth time in as many nights he'd wondered what stars really looked like, as once again he was doing night patrol duty. Someday, he wouldn't be in purgatory anymore, and he'd get an actual EMR instead of a nightstick, and be able to do stuff that actually mattered. Until then, he'd have to settle for being prodded by a guy barely a year older than him, and ignoring him outright.
"Hey, Short-stuff, hurry up with that cig. Break's over." Reno closed his eyes, relishing sucking down the last of the cancer stick before flicking it away, held his breath for way too long, and showed off by breathing out for at least 60 seconds. The guard stealing the chair from him dealt him a hard blow to the back of the head just as he was finishing, making the chair clatter back onto all four feet and Reno erupt in a coughing fit. All he was offered in response was a short tch and a shove away from the chair, toward the circuit. Still coughing, Reno flipped his companion off, scampering away from the next shot directed toward him with a wide grin. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket as his stood back upright, and he twirled the nightstick, hefting it as he disappeared around the bend. Personal cell phones were way beyond banned while on duty, but Reno was pretty good at getting away with shit. It helped when your dad was shagging the head of intelligence. Even if the very idea of that made Reno wish he could exchange the knowledge of this information for parapalegia. Whistling boredly, Reno flipped open his previously palmed phone, the screen lighting up his face in the dark.
Around 1. Fathers being an extraordinary ass today. Something about some terrorist group
Reno bit his lip, trying not to smile at his own internal jest, because it was mean, and this time it was just plain wrong. Stopping briefly, he typed a reply faster than a couple of blinks, and closing the phone back into his pocket continued on his way, never missing a beat in his whistling. He was good, too, considering he had to be. He was up against Zheng after all. He had a set of records to beat.
dude really?! man needs to learn to lick his own balls for once (.) ooh terrorists! dont tell me, they wanna kill u rite
It was only a moment before the next text, and Reno stopped once more, deftly reading and answering.
Father, actually. And dont forget he has lazard
Reno grinned and typed back, shaking his head. They were so mean, but at least they were mean together. Ever since they were kids. He only wished he could be as cool and collected as his 16-year-old counterpart. Lucky bastard was cultivated. Whatever that meant, in context.
oh that was harsh. i like lazard he has great hair. think hed bang me?
This one was replied to even faster, and Reno had to stop on his circuit before he'd barely begun again.
Prolly. I did. :)
He couldn't help the smile that blossomed across his face at that one, and had to really put an effort forward not to interrupt his whistling with laughter. As he typed, he walked a few more paces, and stopped at the exact opposite side of the circular wall from tonight's partner, leaning against it to continue the conversation. If the two other guards perched above them noticed the bluish light of the phone - which they could never have missed, really - they had no objections to it. They all knew Reno by now, since he was starting to get a rep. It's not like they could stop him if they wanted to.
dont get snippy hot stuff u kno i luv ya
The next text took quite a bit longer, and Reno moved onto another song, to which one of the men above him hummed along. As Reno broke for his phone, the other continued the melody for him.
Yeah, I know. What are you doing tonight?
outer night shift, he responded with a frown, knowing Rufus would understand that. He wasn't stupid, after all. He wasn't going to give away his exact location or currect activities. ...Well, except that he was obviously the guy with the glowy blue phone held to his nose. then gotta read sum stuff 4 hist refresher...oyah and mebbe u later ;3
Not likely, came the reply a moment later, not giving Reno time to catch up to the song. The guard fell silent, if not for the occasional shifting of uncomfortable limbs. Can't be falling asleep on the job, even a part of you. Suffering dinner with the politicians
break sumthin for me, Reno replied, because if he wouldn't get to see him the man could at least channel him. an admit it, u wanna fuck me. even lookin around at those nasty politicians and their fakeness, ur still thinkin abt fucking me
A long silence ensued, which was perfectly understandable if Rufus was busy at a dinner table. He would only be able to respond when he was allowed to leave, most likely for a restroom break/excuse to leave and bitch about the company. In all truth, Reno was expecting him to bypass his last comment, and do just that. Imagine his surprise.
-sigh- am i terrible for wanting you both?
Reno frowned outright. Way to ruin his night. Damnit, he was always encroaching on his fucking territory, wasn't he? First coming in and taking over his rightful place as the best Turk since his dad. Then becoming the hottest, most in-demand piece of meat in Shinra, including Sephiroth, Evander, and Rufus himself. Reno hadn't even made it on the radar thanks to that punk crowding up every inch of his space, not once since he'd been old enough to have his first few assignments. He could bet that even in four years, when he got his official induction over and done with, people still wouldn't even know his name. How lame was that for the son of The Legend. Shit, he couldn't even get Cissnei to look at him, when Zheng was in the room. How could he expect Rufus Shinra to? Reno sighed, glaring at the phone for a long moment before laboriously typing back.
i dunno. wats he say these days
Might as well know what he was up against. Always good to know your enemy. He'd learned that from Mr. Jiao-Long Zheng himself. The return text was more than satisfactory, however, and Reno couldn't help the smug grin that overtook him.
not much... the dejected voice of Rufus seemed to sigh through the phone. and he hasnt been paying attention to me at all.
No shit, thought Reno as he texted back, taking advantage of the moment. Every single one of the Turks knew Zheng's track record, and it was anything but homosexual. Rufus just had to come to terms with that. After a four year on-again off-again relationship with him, though, that was harder than Reno wanted to believe. Only Kunsel, head of intelligence himself, knew what really went on between the two of them, and no one else really wanted to. Especially Reno. Most days.
why do you still try with him? you know hes not gay
Reno didn't bother to tuck the phone away anymore, simply waiting, and actually looking out over the vast expanse of plate before him. Might as well do his job, since there was nothing else to do as he waited between replies. It was taking him longer, since he was busy. The phone buzzed again, and Reno turned his attention to it.
i thought he liked me enough to care...i dont know anymore. would you help me get out to hit the honeybee?
Since precious Jiao-Long wouldn't break the rules enough to do it for him... Reno wanted to snigger, but refrained. Once again, that would just have been mean.
why not hit me instead
Gaia, this kid was thick some days. Then again, Reno tended to always come on strong, even when he was playing. Which was a lot. He guessed he could understand. Sighing, he glanced up at the men above him and winked, smiling. It was a thanks, and he was offered an acknowledment in the form of a little tap on the building's structure as the men shifted again. What fun the small gestures between them were. The phone buzzed, and Reno turned to gaze back down at it.
thats what i mean. if we get caught here...
i wont get caught. Reno pressed a quick reply, smirking at the thought of the men above him. i never do, u know me. i got another hour think u can keep it in ur pants that long? Oh, how fun it was to tease him. The next text was a quick one, and Reno was glad. It gave him less time to get flustered thinking about it. If the "vp2b" was nothing else, he was damned good in the sack.
-rolls eyes- yes, reno, i think i can be patient. where do you want to meet?
As Reno typed back, he had to backtrack. Company confidentiality bullshit again. But this time it actually was important; it was a member of the Shinra family's whereabouts. He chose to speak in code Rufus would understand once more, even more vague than before.
had to ask. u at the usual or upstairs?
Vague enough, he supposed. At least he was surrounded by guards, in any case. The response was quick and short.
Upstairs
in that case ill see u in 30. Reno hesitated, letting the butterflies settle as he risked adding the word he was always afraid to utter in Rufus' presence. At least he wouldn't be able to see the look on his face if he texted it... do you luv me?
A longer hesitation this time, and Reno began to feel sick. He knew he shouldn't have mentioned it. Just ignore it. It's nothing. It's just him being stupid. He'll notice sooner or later. You're better than him. You've always been better than that strict and stuck-up bastard. He knows it, deep inside, and he'll realise it for sure someday. He started as the phone buzzed once more in his palm, and turned down to look at it, realising he was sweating. Damn if Rufus didn't have him in the palm of his hand.
You know i do. see you there
"Reno." Reno couldn't help it; the stress had built up, and before the adrenaline even had time to reach his brain he had screamed and jumped at least a foot off the ground, nearly dropping his phone. He stumbled as he caught himself, and stared wide-eyed into the calm, dark gaze of his superior. Suddenly realising the situation he was in, he turned to glare with total earnest hatred upward.
"Which one o' you fucks told!"
"Phone." The same tone spat out that word, said with the quiet, still tone he heard in his nightmares, that was worse than being barked orders at. Reno couldn't help but be drawn to that voice, turn all his attention to it, and blink awkwardly at the outstretched hand. One finger slid across the keypad to hit the erase button, but Zheng snatched the device from him before he could make a move, turning it to gaze at it contents. Reno practically groaned, as he lifted an eyebrow. Not even turning to look back at him, Zheng turned on his heel with a short, "Follow me," knowing the other would comply. Sighing, and flipping off the two other guards for good measure, Reno stumbled after the man who just couldn't stop ruining his life.
---------------
Rufus... Zheng shook his head. He should have known. If anyone was Renaud's little partner in crime, he would be the one. They'd been making his life - and those of his coworkers - hell since they were old enough to walk. Reno made a little noise behind him as they walked, and Zheng sighed a little.
As Rufus' bodyguard, he'd been standing in the far corner the entire night, waiting out the boring meal with everyone else. But halfway through the dinner, he'd noticed a little too keenly what he knew every other person in the room had; Rufus was taking a few too many breaks from it all. It was obvious he didn't prefer the company he was in, and could even have been taken so far as to seem that he was ill, but really it had become ridiculous. As Rufus returned once more to the table, apologising all over for his absence, Zheng shot the man across the room a look. Evander nodded discreetly, and as Zheng moved away to the door to relieve him, he stepped right over to his own place and stood in silence.
Instead of staying at the door, however, he informed the ladies outside that he was planning to step outside for a moment. Being trusted, this was nothing. He needed some fresh air. Between flirting with the girls, he was sure Evander had been doing the same. But Zheng had a hunch. One that was confirmed as he passed around the building's circuit and spied the familiar blue glow casting sharp, fake shadows over Renaud's adolescent face. He should have known.
"This is the third time this week, Reno," Zheng informed him as they walked into his cubicle, as if he didn't know. The young man plopped into his regular seat at the desk across from Zheng, who had moved to the far wall to type out his own text.
"It's illegal to use others' PHS's without askin', yaknow," he mocked, and Zheng ignored him.
Mr. Shinra I thought you would know better than to text my Turks while they are on duty. On private phone no less.
He remained silent, listening to Renaud swing his leather chair back and forth and mess with his papers, as he waited for a reply. After a short time, he was rewarded by the buzzing of the device against his palm, and the dancing envelope on Renaud's screen.
Jiao-long?
Yes, sir. He typed back, paying special attention to the sound and feel of what Renaud was doing behind him. He was making origami with his sticky notes. If he was using the pink ones again, Zheng hoped he knew he was just adding insult to injury. I am asking you once more to refrain from jeapordising company information, or I wil have to restrict privileges for Reno.
Not that he could, really, but he could rat him out. He'd been doing the same thing everyone else had; letting him get away with it, considering it harmless child's play. But it had gone on long enough. A tiny paper airplane sailed over and landed neatly on top of his head, and he pulled it down and crumpled it in his free hand, noting the glance of neon pink as he did so.
"Ya make a great landing strip, yo," Renaud quipped behind him. Zheng gave him the benefit of the doubt, and turned on him, stepping over to his desk and noting the various crude shapes littering its once-pristine surface. He'd even messed up his papers. How considerate.
"I am suspending your use of this phone until the proper diagnostics have been run." Renaud groaned.
"Come on, man, that's my fucken PHS! You can't do that!" Zheng shot him a look, ignoring for now the return text that vibrated in his grasp. Renaud frowned, glaring a bit back in indignation.
"Fine. Whatever Mr. High-and-mighty. I'll let Kunsel know you wanna check it." Without asking permission, Reno rose from the chair and strode out, to check out of his shift and go spirit away Rufus, as he'd promised. At least he kept true to the things he said to the man, unlike some Turks...
"Reno!" Zheng shot back, attempting to keep him, but the command fell on deaf ears. Hefting a sigh once he kne he was alone, Zheng rolled his eyes and turned back to the phone. The message waiting for him was anything but a relief from tonight's stress.
YOU COLOSSAL ASS. IF YOU SO MUCH AS GLARE AT RENO I AM NEVER SPEAKING TO YOU AGAIN
Zheng sighed once more, pressing the reply button. "I am surrounded by immature fools..." he whispered to himself as he typed, refraining from hurling the thing against a hard surface as he hit the send button. It wouldn't help a thing.
That is very unlikely, sir, but noted. If you wish, we can continue this conversation after you shift. I am turning off the phone.
In the time it took him to hit send, locate the power button, and press it, one last message popped up on the screen; a record in typing speed, for the usually OCD man, who took forever to put his ideas down perfectly, even in a text. Blinking, Zheng practically shrugged to himself as he decided he might as well check it.
I hate you.
Something deep in Zheng's torso twinged, and screamed. Angry himself now, he deleted the message and turned off the phone, slamming it between his palm and the top of his desk as the screen went dead. Jaw clenched, he took a few deep breaths, fighting back the familiar onslaught of emotions. Four years ago, he'd told himself it was the fear of pedophilia. Two years ago, he'd convinced himself it was the fear of losing his job. And between the months and nights, these days, he knew it for what it was, and told himself that it was absolutely forbidden. Not because it was taboo, or because of the danger about it, but because he was him, and it wasn't. Not the President's son, not the kid he'd been dying for every day since he got here. Not now, not then, not ever.
It was the taste of his own blood that brought him back this time, as he realised his teeth were digging into his lower lip. He started a bit, and blinked himself back into consciousness. All it took was a moment, and standing he fixed his suit, back to the collected demeanour he wore, that coveted mask that made him everything he was to everyone he knew. With a deft gesture, he slipped the cell phone into his pocket, flicking his tongue out against the punctures in his lip to stem the bleeding. It was nothing, and would be seen as such, he thought, as he stepped back down the hallway and upstairs, to the meeting room where the politicians were just finishing with their dessert. They would talk for half an hour, maybe more, and then they would be gone. Rufus would be free. Free to do more than just glare at the shock of black that appeared once more at the doorway, nodding to Evander that things were alright. Oh, Tseng couldn't wait...