Rufus managed to shutter his expression quickly, donning the mask of cold indifference. "Tseng? What a surprise!" He uttered conversely. "Mmm, yes, I suppose it was pleasant enough evening," Rufus calmly replied. Shifting his stance a little to relieve the pressure, his trousers were creating and crossing his arms, grateful the suit jacket was long enough to cover him. "And what brings you here?" He inquired mildly.
Tseng smirked as he witnessed the change in Rufus's posture and facial expression. So Rufus wanted to act aloof. Well, two could play that game. "All hands were on deck this evening, Sir!" He replied in a respectful tone.
Rufus refrained from rolling his eyes but did audibly huff. "I meant, why are you here in the hallway. Stalking the shadows?" He clarified.
Tseng couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. Five years had also matured and deepened Rufus's voice, but his clarification held the note of impatience that Rufus had been known for in his youth and lent weight to being labelled as 'The Brat.' "My apologies, Sir! I was waiting for you. My shift is complete, and I had thought to reacquaint myself."
Rufus's face remained impassive, but he did arch an eyebrow while his brain went into overdrive at the possibilities for Tseng wanting to get reacquainted. 'Careful, Rufus! He might have been sympathetic towards you in the past, but he is a Turk! And this could be just another means for his 'Ole Man' to keep tabs on you!' Rufus berated himself sternly. "Oh?" Rufus instead commented softly.
Tseng sighed as he realized Rufus had built up walls around himself, and to Tseng, it didn't feel natural. Nothing in the Turks' dossier on Rufus suggested any reasons for such a drastic change in the man's behaviour. So why was Rufus keeping everyone at arm's length? Why was Rufus keeping him at arm's length? Tseng conceded that it might take some time to regain Rufus's trust, but he had this gut feeling that it was imperative to do so. So he tried a gentler approach. "Rufus. It's been five years, but I seem to remember having a very comfortable relationship with each other. And, in all honesty, I had hoped to reestablish that friendship? Everyone needs someone they can trust explicitly!"
Slightly shocked at the older man's response. Rufus stared at him hard. He was looking for any tells! But Tseng's expression remained, not quite 'open' but honest. "Well, then, Tseng. Perhaps you would care to join me for a night-cap?" 'And perhaps we can break in that new bed of mine?' his brain interjected. Rufus turned quickly and gestured for Tseng to take the lead as he felt heat rush to his face, and not so incidentally, his groin.
Tseng's eyebrow arched at Rufus's sudden movement, but he proceeded Rufus down the hall. 'What the hell was that about?' Tseng wondered to himself.
Rufus almost groaned out loud as he followed Tseng to the elevator. Long, lean legs. Tight ass. Narrow waist. And the way he walked. Gods, what Rufus wouldn't do to see him standing before him, stripped naked. Long hair flowing down his back as Rufus took him from behind. The mental image his mind created sent waves of longing through his core. He was going to have to do something about this infatuation of his before it landed him in trouble. He had worked hard building this image of himself, and he wasn't about to let raging hormones shatter the illusion.
The ride up to the apartment was silent as both men were lost in their thoughts of the other. But when the bell chimed, Tseng gestured to Rufus. "After you, Sir!"
Rufus snorted and grimaced. "I wish you wouldn't address me like that! It puts me in mind of my father!" And as he walked out, Rufus heard Tseng chuckle. A low soft sound that sent another pain of longing through the younger man, Shiva's tits, this was maddening. It was like he was fourteen again, and his hormones were in overdrive, taking on a life of their own. Coughing slightly, trying to hide his discomfort, Rufus headed straight to his apartment's door and swiped his key card, just as Tsengs' phone chimed. Nonplussed, Tseng looked at the caller I.D. "Excuse me, Sir. I need to take this!" Stepping a couple of feet away, Tseng answered it.
Rufus became apprehensive about who the hell would be phoning Tseng at Two-Thirty in the morning. But with all of the security cameras in the building and likely in this area alone, it wouldn't surprise Rufus if the guards who monitored the system weren't given orders to report any activity he did. Waiting impatiently, Rufus heard Tseng reply. "Yes, Sir! Of course... Thank you, Sir!" Before the man closed his phone.
"A problem?" Rufus inquired mildly.
"Not at all! Veld just wanted to inform me that I have the rest of the day off." But that wasn't all Veld had divulged. And the rest intrigued Tseng.
Rufus huffed and proceeded to enter the apartment. "Is it unusual for Veld to give Turks a day off?" He asked as he turned on the lights. Only to dim them as their blinding white light reflected dazzlingly of the suite's mirrors and stainless steel decor.
"On rare occasions. But even having the day off does not mean I won't be called upon if something dire comes up! It only means I won't have to be in the office for the rest of the day." Tseng replied absently as he subtly scanned Rufus' new home. It was known in advance of Rufus's homecoming that the President was moving Rufus into the tower. All under the guise of 'Now that the boy is an adult!' and 'Every young man needs his space!' and the piece du resentence. 'The lad will be on hand to deal with any executive problems that may arise!' But everyone knew the truth. That Reginald Shinra had taken a new lover/mistress and moved her into the mansion. And he didn't want his son meddling in his not-so-private life. And that the President wanted his son to be where he could be watched at all times.
Tseng sighed to himself at the amount of luxury in this suite. It lent weight to the whole Rufus the spoiled heir and Royal Brat, and after the brief conversation, he had just had with Veld. He was positive that this wouldn't help Rufus gain any respect in most quarters. And would validate the feelings of the rest. It looked like it would be an uphill battle to get the world to accept that Rufus was competent and capable of governing the people. And not some airhead socialite who couldn't live without his fathers' money. Even though his school reports all showed high academic achievements. But if Veld was right. That was exactly what the President was trying to do! Make the people believe that Rufus was incompetent. But as to why Tseng had no idea but knew it was his task to find out!
"Take a seat and make yourself comfortable!" Rufus indicated to the white sectional as he stripped off his suit jacket and tie, dropping them over a lounge. He then went to the minibar and poured them drinks.
Tseng sat carefully on the smaller part of the sectional that faced the floor-to-ceiling windows. Even thirty stories up from the plate, the night glowed an eerily green hue from the lights that reflected through ever-present smog generating by the Reactors and hung perpetually over the city. He tried to relax, but it wasn't easy knowing the white leather upholstery he sat on cost a fortune.
Rufus, side glanced at Tseng as he poured them both a double width of Scotch. The man was sitting ramrod straight and was as ridged as a bored. Surprisingly, Rufus felt sorry for him. He probably wasn't used to such luxurious settings. Whereas Rufus never gave it a second thought. "Relax, Tseng! I am sure the furniture can withstand a person sitting on it!"
Tseng twitched. He might not feel comfortable in this kind of setting. But to have Rufus witness his unease was more than a little unsettling. He took a deep breath, loosened his tie and sat back on the couch. Rufus chuckled and handed Tseng his drink. Even relaxed, Tseng was still all prime and proper. And Rufus had to smirk at his next thought. 'What if I straddled his lap and started to kiss him? But let's get serious, Rufus! You don't even know if he is attracted to men! Or more to the point, would he even be attracted to you?' Rufus sighed gustily and went to his stereo system and selected a playlist. Going over to the sectional and sitting down in the centre. Positioning himself so that he could face Tseng While they conversed. But far enough that Tseng wouldn't feel as if his personal space had been invaded. Closing his eyes, he sips his drink and lets the soothing music wash over him.
Tseng was so shocked by the tranquil melody that filled the space; his eyebrows shot straight up into his hairline. It was an instrumental piece from Wutai. "Are you trying to court me?" Came Tseng's of the hip comment as he recognized the song.
Rufus open his eyes wide in shock and then stared at him in confusion. "No!" He exploded. "It is just very relaxing. My first roommate, who was from Wutai, played a lot of music like this, and I found it to be very calming." He continued more sedately.
Tseng started laughing.
Rufus glared at Tseng in irritation. "You mind telling me why you find this so funny?" He gripped.
Tears formed in the corner of Tseng's eyes as he desperately tried to control his mirth. "Oh Rufus, I am sorry, but this song IS a courting song. And if the young man in question was playing this in your presence, he was, in all likelihood, trying to send you a message!"
Rufus's jaw dropped, and then he too started laughing. "That little minx! Well, I guess I did get the message, but it wasn't the music that clued me in." He replied.
Tseng's interest was now piqued both for professional and personal reasons. But he chose to tread softly. "Oh, So you are inclined to men? And you have a secret lover?" Tseng asked casually. A little too casually for Rufus's peace of mind.
"Hmmph! I spent five years in an all boy's private school! Boundaries tended to thin in that kind of environment. And I was only a passing fancy. But that has little to no impact on my inclinations." Rufus replied smoothly. There was no way in hell he was going to let this man know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that beyond friendship or business associates. Rufus had little to no interest in the 'fairer sex. The instant his father got wind that Rufus was gay. Reginald Shinra would have his son incapacitated and sent to Hojo's labs, where it is rumoured that the scientist had methods that could change a person's sexual orientation if his father didn't kill him outright. And two situations Rufus didn't want to test at least until he was in a more secure potion to overthrow his father.
But damn, Rufus wanted to trust Tseng, and yet he didn't dare. So he changed the subject to a safer topic. "So you are now Veld's Second-in-Command? That is quite an accomplishment!"
Tseng sipped his drink. He wanted to satisfy his curiosity about Rufus, but his intuition warned him not to press too heavily. He knew Rufus was hiding something, but Tseng was positive that the harder he pushed him, Rufus would likely clam up. So he let Rufus change the conversation's direction as he could then redirect it back on Rufus innocently. "I am not sure of Veld's reasons, but yes, I am. But that is nothing to becoming the Vice-President?"
Rufus glared at the older man. "That yet remains to be seen! By right I birth, I already had the title, but I have yet to earn it in my father's eyes and seeing as I have only just returned, I still have to prove I am worthy of the title! But that is how my father's mind works. So I will have an uphill road to walk." He commented bitterly. But he was quickly distracted by the way Tseng's lips pressed against his glass as he took another sip of his drink. Tseng's raptor-like gaze softened by the dimmed lighting as he gazed intently at Rufus, making Rufus want to shed his clothing and curl up in Tseng's lap. Rufus sighed and shifted, then slammed back the rest of his drink. Getting up to pour himself another. "Would you care for a fresh drink?" Rufus inquired.
Tseng watched Rufus as he stood up, a slight smirk on his face as he watched the younger man unconsciously adjust his pants. There was the last piece to the puzzle of Rufus's odd behaviour this evening. 'So the lad seems to have an infatuation with me? This could prove useful!' And Tseng finally sat back into the cushion of the couch and relaxed. A soft smile played briefly at the corner of his lips. For whatever reason or reasons. Rufus was obviously uncomfortable enough that he no longer felt secure in confiding in Tseng. Perhaps it was because he was a Turk and now Second-in-Command. Therefore Tseng's loyalties would ultimately lie with Rufus's father. Or perhaps it was because they had no further contact with each other once Rufus had left for school. And no longer knew each other.
And being that Tseng was beyond discreet in his sexual exploits, Rufus likely had no idea of Tseng's preferences. And being honest with himself, Tseng had always thought Rufus was pretty in a boyish cute kind of way. Now that they were meeting again as adults, Tseng conceded that Rufus was more than handsome. But to come right out and confront Rufus would likely have the opposite effect from the one Tseng was now beginning to consider. But he was a Turk, and patience was a skill that he had hard-won.
After Rufus retook his seat, Tseng began to carefully engage him in topics that appeared harmless enough but provided Tseng with a more solid background about the man Rufus had become. His goal and aspirations, dreams and desires. All the while letting certain facts about himself being dropped inconspicuously throughout their conversation. And Tseng had to give Rufus credit. Rufus was almost as adept at phrasing his answers as Tseng was. Giving just enough information without giving away too much. It was rather thrilling, this verbal dance that ensued. But after a couple of hours, Tseng's trained eye recognized that Rufus was indeed spent. But Rufus stubbornly refused to end the verbal banter. So Tseng purposefully flipped open his phone to look at the time.
Standing and adopting a more formal tone. Tseng half bows and addressed Rufus. "Well, Sir, this has been pleasant! But I am afraid I am not used to staying up all night. So if you will excuse me? I will bid you goodnight!" He waited for Rufus's reply or acknowledgment.
Rufus blinks a couple of times. He was tired, and the last few drinks he had, had begun to warm and relax him to the point of falling asleep. So he gratefully accepted Tseng's offer with a nod of his head. and stands slowly. "Yes, it has been pleasant, but you are right; it is getting late, and I can only hope that father will concede to letting me off this day. But we will see."
Walking Tseng to the front door, he watches him enter the elevator, but before the doors closed, Rufus shuts the door to his apartment as a strange feeling of anxiety passed through him. He then went into his kitchenette and drank a large glass of water, and made his way slowly to his room and into his bed. Not because he was staggeringly drunk, but he was pleasantly numb. Within moments he was sound asleep and snoring softly.