4 - Distraction

Cerulean eyes gazed to the ceiling above with careful scrutinizing of the blemishes it bore, absentmindedly finding patterns and images in the cracks. Restless fingers found amusement in the rhythmic stretching of a rubber band, and as an uncanny portrait of a Chocobo appeared in the ceiling's fissures, the band snapped maliciously.

"Damn," a voice spat quietly as the remains of the rubber band were inspected with disappointed eyes. As the man reached into the drawer of his desk for another elastic item to ease his boredom, a stoically firm voice spoke behind him.

"Reno." The name was uttered with a bit of a sigh, and the acknowledged man turned to face his visitor with a toothy smile of false innocence.

"Hey, Rude," Reno replied with his usual suaveness as he removed his feet from the top of his desk, "I was just workin' on, uh, hey, what was it I was supposed to be doing?" Reno's grin widened slyly as he looked to his partner for guidance.

"Funding for photovoltaic cell advancement," Rude answered calmly, the response sliding from his mouth as if he had been expecting the redhead's question.

"Oh. Right." Reno mussed his fiery locks with an expression of disdain. "And uh, can I ask you another question?" Reno bit his lower lip as he gave a faint tilt of his head, yet his eyes glittered with cunning confidence as he concocted a scheme to have Rude take care of his work.

"They're solar cells, Reno," Rude sighed patiently as the redhead shrugged in response. "President Rufus is hoping to compensate for Shinra's previous usage of Mako, and his plan is to begin recognizing and funding new forms of energy. Currently, it is the Turks' duty to investigate different sources of energy, and to establish funding for those that are efficient, as well as safe for the Planet." Rude's words were articulated as if he previously understood that Reno would need a briefing on their duties, despite his presence during each of Rufus' lengthy speeches of expiation.

"I see," Reno drawled lazily as his fingers fiddled with a new rubber band he managed to procure from his desk during Rude's informative monologue. "So, I'm in charge of these solar cells, yo?" The red-haired Turk averted his attention from the band to a scuffed piece of paper on his desk, and he quickly skimmed its text before rolling his eyes scornfully. "Sounds boring."

Dark shades met mischievous blue eyes, and Rude flatly replied, "Yes, well, it's your assignment."

"But you'll help me, right, partner?" Reno's question was answered by stiff silence. "Aw, c'mon, Rude. You know me, I'm top-notch when it comes to blowin' people's brains out, but office work just ain't my thing." With his partner's continued unresponsiveness, the redhead pursed his lips and muttered, "You just need some motivation is all."

With the stealth that had gained him notoriety as a skilled Turk, Reno rose from his chair and wrapped his thin arms around the frame of his partner. An arrogant chuckle emerged from the redhead's throat as his tongue slid a heated trail from Rude's temple to the curve of his chin, and the taller Turk's stoic demeanor faltered slightly.

Reno smirked playfully as he tantalizingly brushed his lips against Rude's, and the two Turks' mouths remained touching as delicately as butterfly wings against petals. The redhead's hopes were fulfilled as the bald Turk's barriers collapsed when he ignited an ardent kiss.

Reno moaned lasciviously into the kiss as he savored his partner's familiar flavor, and he allowed his slender fingers to roam Rude's figure with their unrelenting restlessness. As the red-haired man persisted with his indulgence in the embrace, Rude's lips suddenly parted from his, eliciting an expression of disgruntlement from Reno.

"I should be attending my own assignments," Rude offered as a reply to Reno's pouting as he meticulously straightened his tie. "You've been quite a distraction." The latter statement was laced with subtle affection, and Reno recognized it with a wide smile.

"But hey, partner," Reno spoke urgently with a tug on his partner's sleeve. "Will you help me with this solar cell crap?"

Rude paused hesitantly while looking to the slighter Turk, and in his characteristic monotone, he answered, "I'll see what I can do." As soon as the statement fell from his lips, Rude turned and left the redhead with steady echoes of his polished shoes.

Reno proudly laughed to himself after Rude's departure, and he happily resumed his tasks of staring at the ceiling and stretching rubber bands.