A/N from A.C.: I'm finally updating! It's a miracle! I hope this chap is as good as I thought it was... XD It's like the only one I like in the story.
After two weeks of living with Rufus, the Turk Director hit an all time low. He was hunching his back and could barely focus on his work. Dark bags had appeared under his eyes and his usually neat ponytail was fairly messy, stray hair framing his face. He was miserable; completely miserable. The hard wooden floor in Dark Nation's room at Rufus' manor was hurting his back and he was barely getting any sleep.
The sleepy Wutaiian tossed assignments on desks as he passed them, not caring where they landed or even if they made it onto the desk itself. He opened the door to his office and sighed, slamming the door shut behind him as he entered.
"Can't take this..." He murmured, taking the elastic out of his hair. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed once more when he discovered a mass of knots.
He used to be proud of his hair. It was so beautiful, a nice silky black.
"Boss!" Three knocks on the door.
A tired smile curved Tseng's lips, "Come in, Reno."
The redhead cracked the door open and stepped inside, holding a folder in his hands, "Yo, Boss. Rufus wan'ed me ta give this ta you. Ain't got a clue why. Said I'd get fired if I looked." He walked up to the large oak desk and placed the folder down.
"And that actually stopped you?" He chuckled softly, opening the manilla folder.
"Well since I don' got you ta go 'ome with no more, th'job's all that keeps me sane, yo."
"You're sweet, Reno." Tseng chuckled softly, reading over the papers that were in the folder. Feeling the redhead's eyes on him, the Wutaiian looked up at him, meeting his eyes and keeping silent for a long moment. Conflicting emotions weaved through the mirrors of the redhead's eyes: fear, worry, concen, love.
"Damn, babe," Reno finally spoke up, "You look like shit."
Bringing two fingers to the side of his head, the Wutaiian massaged his temple and sighed, "Thanks, Reno." He looked back down at the papers. "Don't you have a mission or something?"
"Done wit' me already?" Reno grumbled, standing straight, shoving his hands in his pockets.
The Director held his head in his hands and closed his eyes. "Reno, I can't deal with you being like this right now. I'm so tired... I'm in so much pain. I haven't the patience."
"Coulda jes' told me ta fuck off, yo." The redhead turned around and waved a dismissive hand, "See ya la'er, I guess."
Tseng lifted his head from his hands to watch the younger man walk toward the door. He bit his bottom lip and blinked back tears.
Reno opened the door to the office, looked back at Tseng for just a split second and left.
The elder Turk took in a deep breath, leaning back in his office chair. He couldn't focus on his work, he really couldn't. It has become impossible. His mind was completely focused on Rufus and Reno. He laced his fingers together and rested his hands on his flat stomach, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
The creak from the opening door caught the Wutaiian's attention and he opened his eyes, sitting up straight. He wanted to ask if it was Reno coming back, but fear caught the redhead's name in his throat. What if it was-
"Sir." Tseng greeted when the blond stepped into his office.
The young president crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the Turk with narrowed eyes, "So this is how it is?"
The elder man sat up, presenting himself as if he were doing work a moment ago. He removed the elastic from his wrist and began to tie up his hair neatly. His tired chocolate eyes were drawn to those electric blues and he sighed softly, "I don't understand, Sir."
"You're not doing any work, Turk."
"But, Sir, I was..." Tseng spoke softly, reminding himself of his rank compared to the man that stood before him.
"It didn't look that way as I entered the room, pet. Tell me the truth."
"I was... I was reading the files that you sent me."
The blond smirked, "And what did you think of them?"
Fuck, I didn't get past the first paper!
"I think they are interesting, Sir."
"Do you agree to the terms, Turk?"
"I..." Tseng thought it over for a moment before taking a deep breath, "Yes, Sir."
"Is that so? How wonderful." Rufus crooned, a smirk curving his lips.
"Sir?" Tseng asked quietly, "I don't... I don't understand, Sir..."
The blond president chuckled low, "As expected," He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, "You didn't read what was in the folder did you?"
"I... I didn't read it all, Sir."
The younger man walked over to the large oak desk and put his hands down on the top. He leaned forward and narrowed those sharp blue eyes, "Well hop to it, Turk. You accepted the terms. I'm going to keep you to that." He stood straight and gave a sly smile, hands clasping behind his back, "I'll see you at quitting time. I expect you to know each item on the list I gave you."
"Sir, I don't-"
Rufus rudely interrupted, "I don't care." He looked over his shoulder, a cruel spark in his icy eyes, "I demand you do as I ordered on those papers."
The Wutaiian sighed and gave a small nod, "Yes, Sir..."
"Very good." Rufus chuckled and turned back to look at the door, opening it and losing it behind him.