When It Rains
Rated: R
Warning: Contains male x male themes. Also contains, some harsh language, violence and alcohol abuse. (most apply to parts 2&3 only)
Disclaimer: I do not in any way shape or form own any of the Final Fantasy 7 characters.
Part One:
Bloody Wrists and Rainydays.
Another boring day at the dwelling of Rufus Shinra had passed by slower then it should've been aloud to. The president lounged in his chair looking considerately out the window with his head delicately placed upon his perfectly arranged hands. He had absolutely nothing to do besides sit around and think all day. One would think that Rufus Shinra of all people would at least be able to entertain himself in his own apartment. He was rather wealthy. "It's so lonely in this apartment sometimes," he mused aloud to himself, "I rarely see a face that isn't a maid. Maybe what I really need is someone to keep me company." He flicked his blonde hair backwards with a delicate hand and shifted his body in the chair. "The only thing is I don't know of anyone that could keep me company."
He vacated his chair and looked out of one of the many giant windows that filled his apartment. The slums where directly below him though it was too far to actually be able to make out any of the faces. He had never been down there. In fact the only places outside of his apartment that he could ever remember going was Costa del Sol and Shinra Inc. Any other places he had only flown over in a helicopter. "Being the president is a good job, but is it worth it to never get to experience the outside world? I fear now if I even stepped outside, I would die."
For what seemed like forever his gaze rested upon the slums of Midgar, the activity within it's limits were as those of another world. It entranced him. Rufus found it hard to tear his eyes away. It was like something was pulling him in; something that he couldn't escape. He looked about the slums for that special thing. The place is what people called the "Wall Market". There was a gym, a dress shop, an exotic inn, a dinner, a mansion, a pharmacy, and the last place, a bar. "I wonder what it would be like to be in a bar. I wonder if I would meet anyone there. I want to go to free myself, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to do it," he sunk depressingly against the cool glass of the window. The sharp cold against his cheek was strangely refreshing but didn't last for long. Rufus decided he needed something to drink.
With a feminine like grace he made his way over to the kitchen. First he grabbed a wineglass from the cupboard and quickly went over to a mini-bar. It was filled with a wide verity of wines all from different places and times, but nothing seemed to appeal to him. He rummaged clumsily through the selection of liquor, a few bottle hitting the floor and shattering instantly. After going through everything and finding nothing he pushes everything off the bar in a fit of anger. "What's wrong with you Rufus?!" he yelled at himself slamming his hands down on the wood. "You weren't always this hard to please! Anything would please you. What's so different now? Is it because you finally realized that your life isn't worth living?!"
His limbs suddenly felt heavier then they were. They were pulling him down. His legs gave out and his body toppled to the floor. Rufus ran a hand through his bright blonde hair and let his fingers wrap around the silk, golden strands and let his head fall in defeat. Rufus Shinra, the president of Shinra Inc. had lost the battle for his own sanity, and he didn't feel even a little ashamed or disappointed about it. He was lonely, and that's what drove him insane. A dim black filled his vision and a high-pitched ring filled his ears. He let his thick eyelashes fall over his vibrant blue eyes, letting go of all consciousness and welcoming oblivion.
The buzz of the busy environment of Shinra Inc. rang inside of his ears. The sound stung and made his stomach turn. Rufus felt like he was going to be sick. He had heard so many complaints already today and he had only been there an hour. There was always someone asking for some more money. There was always something he needed to fix or a paper he needed to sign. The life of a president was always so dull; so redundant. It hadn't always seemed this annoying dull before his father had died, but then it must have been different. He had a purpose to being there. He wanted to prove his father wrong, or find someway to annoy him. Now the only reason Rufus was there in that office was because his father left him the company and life would be even more flavorless without it.
Rufus laid his head in his half sweat covered palms in frustration. He knew that any minute another employee would come in asking for something else, it was more frustrating know it was going to happen and waiting, then the actual experience was. It was ironic that the thing that Rufus wanted the most was some true affection from another, or rather actually any positive human contact would do and here he sat in his expensive desk set in his large office waiting for someone to enter the room and distract him from his thoughts, and yet none of those people would take his loneliness away. That thought made him laugh and his laughter soon became uncontrollable. He threw his head back and laughed at his own cruel fate. He is Rufus Shinra, the man who has everything, yet has nothing. His head fell and met the surface of his desk. His bouts of laughter began to fade and were replaced with helpless sobs. He had nothing he really cared for, and it was more painful then anything he had ever imagined.
A loud creek from the door broke his silent sobs, Rufus' head jerking upwards to look at who entered. Before him stood a slender man with slicked back black hair that shimmed in the light, deep ebony eyes and a small dot in the middle of his forehead. The dot had always puzzled him it seemed so random. "President Shinra, Sir," the Turk began clearing his throat, "Would you like me to come back at a better time?"
"No. Now is fine Tseng," Rufus whipped away his tears and left his desk. He pulled out a chair and offered for Tseng to sit down. The Turk gave him a suspicious look at first then graciously sat in the comfy leather chair. "What is it that you need from me?" he asked calmly as he sat down atop his desk.
"Are you okay, Sir? You're not acting like yourself."
"I'm fine," the president snapped. This was business and he wanted to keep his personal issues out of it. At the same time, a part of him wanted to reach out and wrap his arms around the Turk, telling him everything that was on his mind, everything that was bothering him. He longed for the warmth of Tseng's body close to him, not for the person themselves, but so he could let go of all the tension and want for affection that lived inside of him. "Please, just tell me whatever you want so I can give it to you," his tone came out inattentively suggestive. When realizing how rude he had sounded saying those things in such a tone, Rufus froze.
Tseng, to Rufus' surprise, just smiled at him. His comment had amused him rather then insulted him. "If you need someone to keep your company, Sir, just say it," his expressionless face grew soft. He knew what it felt like to feel lonely, it wasn't always fun. The fact the Rufus was his employer and was hitting on him in a desperate attempt to find some affection didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Still, it was not his place to comply with such silly desires, at least not completely comply.
The Turk leaned foreword and raised his hand to meet the president's hair. He let his fingers dangle through the soft strands, each one flowing over his skin like water. "You have beautiful hair, sir."
"Thanks," Rufus whispered, swallowing hard. He was kind of nervous and Tseng's actions had caught him off guard, but it felt kind of nice to have the fingers run through his hair. Just the simplest sign of caring drove him mad. "But please don't call me sir." He let his eyes close and his head move into the simple touch he was being granted.
After what seemed like forever his lips were covered by Tseng's. They were warm, and soft with a lingering taste of nutmeg as if he had just ate pumpkin pie. He let his body fall foreword and press up against the Turks, marveling at the slight orange spice scent that tickled his senses, and he felt his body go numb with delight. The Turk's hand had moved to back of Rufus' head, cupping it gently. All too soon it was over. Tseng's gentle had slipped away from the blonde hair, which fell off it like droplets of water, but the closeness stayed. His nutmeg lips where only inches away. Rufus wanted so much more then the simple kiss, he wanted to taste more of the nutmeg flavor. Most of all he wanted to be engulfed in a kiss and forget his loneliness and pathetic excuse for a life, just for a few more minutes.
And still he didn't want to break the boundaries; he hadn't set them so he was not sure how far he could let all of this go. It killed him. Rufus wrapped his arms around the Turk, clinging desperately with his limp body as he buried his face into his neck. The orange-spice took over his senses and his body began to tingle as the numb feeling faded away. He felt the silky strands of the Turk's hair brush up against the back of his neck as he moved closer and loosely wrapped his arms around the blonde.
"Will you kiss me again?" Rufus asked in wonderment, his voice filled with an extreme anxiety that was almost pathetic to hear. Tseng obeyed in spite of it. He let his fingers feel the soft fabric of Rufus' trench coat, his lips slightly parted and pressed firmly against the sweet ones of the boyish president before him. Tseng lifted him and put him up on the fancy desk, carefully brushing all of the paperwork aside. His arms were placed on both sides of Rufus so that his body towered over him. He ran his soft tongue against the smooth surface of the other's lower lips and was quickly rewarded by the parting from the upper one. He let his tongue slip in. Rufus' senses filled with a full round of the taste of nutmeg. All sense of reality slipped away from him there. His body tingled and his lips burned, but the kiss was good. It was harsh and cruel but still it was so soft. He lost himself within Tseng, and he wish he never had to find himself again.
As soon as he got comfortable the Turk pulled away, Rufus making a slight pout of protest as he did so. "Sir, I believe we should get back to business". He could tell that Rufus wanted to speak again, but just as he was about to Tseng cut him off, "I enjoy your company, however sir, if you're going to feed your loneliness with someone inside Shinra Inc., I suggest you find another person to play your games." He sighed a little and shook his head, "But if you ever need a friend, I will be here for you, because even though all I gave you just now is all I'm willing to give, I still care."
He lifted him self from the mess that was Rufus Shinra's desk and quickly straitened his hair and shirt. And as if nothing happened he sat down in the chair. "The reason I was here sir was to ask permission to go through with a new plan for the Turks to stop Cloud and his friends."
Rufus sat up wide-eyed. His head was spinning and his ears where once again ringing. What he wanted was some affection, and that's what he had gotten. He thought it would be enough just to be in someone's arms for a few minutes. For just that moment forget about Shinra Inc., his loneliness and his life. Now that he had gotten a small release, it wasn't enough. His lips burned from the harsh kiss the Turk had given him, and his eyes stung from crying before he had entered the room. If possible, he felt even worse then before. Tseng rambled on about some plan, it sounded like distant static to Rufus. He was caught up in his own thoughts and the want for an everlasting sensation that would last more then just mere seconds. "How can you do it?" he found himself asking.
"How can I do what, sir?"
He sat behind he desk, his head hung low, staring at his own feet, "How can you continue on like nothing happened?"
Tseng smiled warmly at the president, gently folding his arms over his lap, "Its simple, sir. It's my job. One does not mix business with pleasure and when the two do, whatever the circumstances, one must get themselves out as quickly get themselves out."
The blonde head sank even lower, his feet where at the end of his desk and his eyes were practically covered by the top of it. "Even so Tseng," he began unsure of what he was saying, "it doesn't seem right to have a person pressed up against the top of their desk as you kiss them one second, then talking about a plan for capturing the companies enemies then next as if they were nothing more then your boss. Am I supposed to feel good about that?"
"Look, sir," Tseng said firmly, his voice lined with annoyance so thick you could almost see it, "I obliged your silly desire and need for someone to show you affection, because your are my boss and for no other reasons. I do not have any affection for you outside of those that I am allowed. You are my boss, and I am the leader of the Turks, the group you run. Our relationship will remain strictly profession inside of the Shinra offices and on business affairs. Yet I am still willing to offer, that outside of work if you ever need a friend, a shoulder to lean on when you have no one else, I will be there. I know you are used to getting whatever you want from your father, but if you want to be with a person, it takes a lot more then a title to get their heart. I suggest that you find someone that you can actually care for and not just the next warm body to take advantage of." With that statement Tseng got up from the chair and headed for the door, "I'll talk to you about the issue with the Turks tomorrow, sir. Have a nice day."
The large door to the office slammed shut. Rufus' head pounded loudly inside his ears. He needed something to break or throw. Or maybe even a pillow that he could scream into, but as he looked around the office he found nothing. The only thing he could find was an old mug leftover from before his father died. He wrapped his boyish and fragile fingers around the cold porcelain and squeezed, letting all of his frustrations get pushed on the delicate mug. It shattered underneath the pressure. The shards implanted themselves in his hands. They where instantly covered with blood. Rufus looked at them with an expressionless gaze and calmly let the blood roll of his skin. It slid down his wrists in small trickles and stained the top of his white coat. The pattern it made entranced him, it was like some unseen pattern for his life. The shock of it frightened him, and soon his met unconsciousness as his body hit the floor.
So selfish; so spoiled. The thoughts filled his mind as a dim light from a lamp near Rufus' bed filled the room. He was in his apartment, clothed in his nightwear, and tucked neatly into to bed. It was just as he woke up every other day. It scared him to wake there, because it hadn't been where he had fallen asleep. He had fainted in his office, clothed in his regular white suit and white trench coat, now he was wearing a white silk pajama set with the shirt unbuttoned. He hadn't even turned on the lamp.
Rufus looked towards the lamp to find the red haired Turk, Reno smiling sheepishly at him. He had a half-smoked cigarette hanging off the corner of his mouth; his suit was untidy with only two buttons actually done. Yet his hair would have to be what Rufus thought was the worst part about him. Part of it was back in a ponytail hanging lazily over his shoulder, the rest was spiked and sticking out in every direction.
"There's no smoking in here Turk," Rufus snapped pulling the cigarette out of Reno's mouth. The redhead didn't seem to be phased by it. He just lazily pulled out a pack tapped it against the palm of his hand, pulled another out and lit it. Rufus repeated his actions three more times, until he decided it was best to just let him smoke. It would take a lot less effort then trying to get him to waist all of the cigarettes in the package, and he didn't know exactly how many packs he actually had. "What are you doing here anyways?"
"Tseng told me you were a mess," Reno grinned to himself, "so I decided to make sure you were alright, and take care of you if you needed some help. But when I found you, you were a lot worse then what Tseng had said. You had passed out, probably from blood loss since you had shard of porcelain jabbed into your hands and wrists, and I couldn't just leave you there. You're my boss after all, and it's my job as a Turk to carry out orders and do what's best for the company." He took a long puff of his cigarette then continued, "Letting you lie there in a puddle of your own blood doesn't exactly fall under that category."
The blonde let his head fall, "So you did it because I pay you to protect me?"
Reno blinked for a second then smiled again, "That and, what kind of person would that make me if I left you there to die?"
Rufus felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. Reno wasn't exactly the best with words, but he seemed to say things from the heart. It was nice to hear someone actually was decent enough to help him instead of just tricking him as Tseng did. "So you did it because it's your job and you're human? There are no personal reasons?" he requested with a little tint of want to hear that there was more to it then he wanted to show.
"I don't know you well enough to have any," the redhead replied, finishing his cigarette then casually flicking the butt to the other side of the room.
Silence filled the room. Rufus pondered what to say next as Reno carelessly lit another cigarette. He seemed to be completely oblivious to anything that went on around him. He just kept to himself and only spoke when he felt the need to, which he could already tell was quite often. He didn't worry about anything or think about how lonely he was, if he is indeed lonely. He was just content with his cigarette, and very likely, his life. Reno was a very simple man.
Finally Rufus spoke, "Why don't you stay here for a while?" He was only half sure of what he was asking, but he could already tell that he was going to like Reno and he almost did even now. A small spark had flickered deep down inside of him.
Dumbstruck Reno blinked, his hand scratching the back of his head in a clueless fashion and the cigarette barely sticking to the tip of his mouth. "Stay here, with you?" He asked even though it was a rather obvious answer. "I don't know, I'm not exactly the best person to keep you company." He rubbed the back of his head again, trying to find the words, "I'm lazy, and a slob, not to mention a drunk and rude. It's been hard enough to keep up this nice guy act for the short time you've been awake. I just don't think you'd enjoy me being around all the time."
It wasn't very long before Rufus found himself laughing; it felt good to laugh. For once he was doing it out of sheer amusement instead of laughing at the cruel life fate had handed him. "I believe I like you already, Reno."
After a few more moments of laughter, Rufus finally calmed down. His cheeks where a slight pink and his face ached, it really had been too long since he was able to laugh like so haphazardly. With any luck having Reno around would prove to be most interesting, and hopefully filled with laughter.
"Hey Reno?" Rufus asked, finally shocked at the casual tone he had been using this whole time.
"Yeah?"
"Take me somewhere outside of Midgar," he stated dully. He hadn't expected himself to say that. Never once had he though of leaving Midgar for anyplace but Costa del Sol. Leaving his apartment and the high-class life, maybe, but never actually leaving Midgar. The idea had always seemed so far fetched; he didn't even consider it before.
"Where would you like to go?" Reno asked giving him a warm smile.
"Anywhere so out of reach, that Midgar is unheard of."
The redhead Turk blinked for a second, "I don't believe I've ever heard of a place like that before, Rufie. I'm sorry."
Rufus smiled at the name. "Rufie," the name gave him the urge to laugh. It made him feel almost as a kid. All everyone ever called him was "Mr. President", "President Shinra" or his favorite, just plain "Sir". Everyone around him always treated him like a title, nothing more. The feeling that someone actually cared enough to make a nickname for him was comforting. "Then make one," he finally said.
"Just give me some time," Reno smirked, "I'll see what I can do."
Again there was silence. Rufus fell once again deep into his own head. His thoughts always seemed to get the better of him; which was understandable, seeing how he spent most of his time alone. Sometimes he even felt that his thoughts were not even thoughts at all, but voices in which he had created in the actuality of him being unaccompanied through his days. Several times he had begun to speak again then he would look at the Turk and be back at a loss of words. There was something about him that puzzled him. How could someone be so simple, yet so complicated at the same time? It gave him a rather charming appeal. At least, it did for Rufus.
"Are you hungry?" Reno asked, which Rufus was very thankful for. Another second of silence and it would've driven him insane; more so then already, that is.
The blonde gave a quick nod, "A little. Will you be making it?"
"I could try."
"Can it be trusted?"
The Turk laughed and shook his head, "Probably not." He gave Rufus a quick wink, "I burn toast, but if you get dressed I'll take you out."
Rufus got out of bed and headed over to his closet. "Are you going to leave or are you going to stand there and watch?" he asked the Turk teasingly.
"I prefer to watch," Reno snickered slightly. The blonde shot him a quick glare that made his skin crawl, "Okay, okay, I'll leave. Just don't wear anything white or bright colored, it'll make you stand out too much."
"But dark colors make me look small and girly."
"You look that like that anyways," Again Reno snickered to himself and was cut off but a harsh glare from Rufus.
Reno waited outside the bedroom door for what seemed like forever. He had already gone through his pack of cigarettes and was now pacing back and forth impatiently. His eyes kept wandering over to the clock and back to the door in some unplanned patterned. "How long does it take that guy to get ready?" he asked himself with a slight huff of annoyance. The marks from his shoes had implanted a thick line wherever they stepped. He hadn't heard any water running, glass breaking or even the thump of a body hitting the floor, unless it had happened while he was contently smoking a whole pack of cigarettes. It was a big apartment, and his room was almost the same size of the living room, so the sounds could probably go unnoticed. So Reno decided to check to make sure that nothing had gone wrong.
Very carefully he opened the door but only enough to be able to peak in and look about. He pressed his face against the side of the door and peaked inside the room. There was no sign of anything broken, nor was there of Rufus passing out again. The blonde didn't even appear to be in the room at all, but there was a black trench coat, black pants and a white t-shirt folded neatly upon the bed. He sighed heavily and let his back rest upon the doorframe. It was quite uncomfortable for the corners of it where jammed into his back as he let his body sink to the floor. His legs where spread out in front of him and his arms were hanging lazily at his side. The Turk let his head hang back and rest painfully upon the wood, listening carefully for some sound of activity.
Silence. That was all he heard for a few more minutes then there was what sounded like a door opening. Reno pushed the door open a little more to be able to look inside the room without having to move. Rufus had just come out of the bathroom. A thin white bathrobe hung off of his slender body. Reno's eyes followed his feet as they made their way over to the pile of clothing on the bed. The blonde turned around slightly and dropped the robe.
Teal-blue eyes fell over the figure. It was very girly. He had a long waist and medium length legs and arms; his body was strait for the most part but curved at the hips and had slender shoulders. The soft white skin had an almost luminous glow that gave Reno the urge to reach out and touch it. His mind wandered and he began to wonder what the flesh would feel like underneath his fingers. He closed his eyes and let images of him touching the soft skin flood his vision. The warmth beneath his fingertips felt almost real. The sensation was so close to reality but it still felt like a dream.
"Reno!" Rufus' voice called to him, causing him to jump upwards. His teal eyes gazed up at the blonde's face that was tinted a deep red. He could almost swear that he was going to say, "You watched me…" but he didn't saying another thing.
"I'm sorry," the Turk whispered pulling himself up from the floor. His eyes fixed on his own feet. He felt like such an ass.
The blonde shook his head and muttered quietly, "Don't be. I'm flattered." He paused for a second, letting the blush fade from his cheeks, "Are you ready to go?" He gave the Turk a warm smile. Reno just simply nodded, still feeling a bit ashamed of his actions.
They decided it wouldn't be a good idea to take one of Rufus' cars into the Slums; it would like asking for someone to mug them. Instead they walked. It was an awkward walk for Rufus, far too peaceful for his taste. He was, so far, enjoying the redhead's company too much to walk in silence, but for now he thought best that he didn't try to pry words out of him. So he kept silent the whole time.
When they came to an old run down dinner, though it looked in better shape then most places in the slums, both sat down calmly and awaited the waiter. Each quickly ordered their plate and didn't speak another word. The whole thing was beginning to pry at Rufus' patience. He had managed to keep himself together tonight, for the most part, and has yet to have another one of his recent freak-outs. Silently he prayed for something to happen; something that would get Reno out of his own head.
Rufus felt out of place at the small dinner; it seemed more like a bar then a dinner but that's what they called in anyways. He would've felt more comfortable of it the redhead Turk hadn't spent the whole time silently picking at his food with a fork. At most he had only seen him take a few bites of it. Every time he went to say something to get Reno to speak, he'd notice the vacant expression and all words would fail him. He knew exactly why he was acting so silent, but he didn't really understand why it was bothering him so much. Rufus didn't mind being watched a bit. In fact, he enjoyed it.
"Maybe going out was a bad idea," the blonde suggested dropping his silver wear one the almost empty plate with a loud clash. "You're obviously not in the mood to be out, so why don't we get something to put this in and eat it back at my apartment?"
No response came from the Turk; he just gave Rufus a silent glance that clearly told the blonde to do whatever he felt like then looked back at his food. "You're not going to act like this all night, are you?" Rufus asked feeling the bitter taste of defeat even though the Turk hadn't said anything yet. All of his efforts so far had failed to cheer the man up, so he believed that nothing would. He began to lose hope of even getting an answer from that after a few more moments of silence. In a last attempt to get the Turk to say something, Rufus reached outward with his hand and rested it gently enough atop of the other's just so their skin was barely touching. With his thumb he began to slowly rub the rough flesh on the back of Reno's hand, his sapphire eyes begging him to speak.
Reno looked of at the blonde, his expression still some-what vacant and forced a smile, "I guess staying silent all night wouldn't exactly be the best idea, would it?" His smile became softer as he received a silent 'thank you' from sapphire eyes. "Shall we be going then?"
"What about the food?" the blonde asked looking at the barely touched plate before Reno.
"Don't worry about it, I'm not really hungry anyways," His words were still a bit reluctant. He wrapped his fingers around the slender hand that still rested atop of his own and gave it a light squeeze.
They had paid and left in a hurry, which made Rufus very glad, that place made his skin crawl. It was raining lightly outside now. So lightly, that you could barely see the droplets fall from the sky. They walked slowly through the slums this time, most of which was Reno's fault. He constantly found himself staring at the blonde; the drops of rain had given his golden hair more of a luminous glow then normal. It practically sparkled. Words were still unheard, but this time the hush that fell over them was more comforting then torturous.
"How long was I asleep?" the blonde requested the knowledge, wanting to start up a conversation but letting his curiosity get the better of him.
"Three days, four hours and twelve minutes," the Turk calming stated, "I counted from when I found you, so it was probably a lot longer."
"You counted?" Rufus' sapphire eyes blinked closed several times, "So you where by my side the whole time?"
The Turk nodded quickly sticking his hand in his pocket to see if he had an extra pack of cigarettes. The nicotine fits where finally starting to get to him. "I stayed as much as I could, and regretted it when I had to leave. Even if only to use the bathroom." He smiled brightly as he came across a pack of cigarettes, in which is pulled out of his pocket. "One left," he said to himself pulling the lone cigarette out of the pack and getting ready to light it.
After being lit, it was quickly snatched from his lips. "Thank you," the blonde said smiling modestly and taking a small puff from the cigarette. He never really liked to smoke, but rather this time he did it for the indirect kiss.
Rufus handed the cigarette back to the Turk was face was distorted with confusion. "I didn't know you liked to smoke," Reno stated coyly.
"I don't."
The statement puzzled Reno. He wasn't sure what he meant. The tone he had used was rather blank and emotionless. He didn't know if he was joking or suggesting something more. After a while he just sighed to himself and decided not to speak the rest of the way to the apartment.
The blonde opened the door to his apartment, feeling very glad to be home. He entered the room and sat down on the couch with his legs curled under and his arms neatly rested at his sides. Reno followed behind him, but didn't sit down. "I think I'm going to hit the sack if you don't mind that is," he stated quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You can sleep in my bed if you like," Rufus stated motioning his hand over to his luxurious bedroom.
"I'd rather not," Reno, replied calmly, "It would feel odd to sleep in the big bed while you slept on the couch. I prefer it anyways."
"Whoever said I would be sleeping on the couch?" Rufus asked in a rather suggestive manner. He smiled to himself when he saw the Turk's cheeks turn the same color as his vibrant red hair. "Just kidding," he added quickly in an attempt not to laugh. "I just hope you don't mind if I stay up and read a bit."
"Of course not."
Rufus absent-mindedly read his book; his sapphire eyes where continuously scanning over the small black print, but his mind wouldn't make out the words. All of them seemed to blur together and somehow form a picture of Reno. He smiled and ran his thumb over the fake image of the Turk then glanced over at his sleeping form. It had been a few hours since he stopped moving around to find a comfortable position, surely by now he would be in a deep sleep.
The blonde set his book down on the side of the couch and tiptoed over to the redheaded sleeping form as carefully as possible. There he knelt down before him, staring contently at the man's angelic face. "So sweet…" he mused aloud softly to himself, "so unlike what everyone has said about you. Reno, they all say you're the toughest and rudest of the Turks. They're all wrong; it's all just an act and that is why I like you best."
Without thinking he leaned in and pressed his lips against the Turk's tenderly. They were nothing like Tseng's. They where chapped and rough and you could taste the cigarettes on them and even a little bit of alcohol. He pulled away and touched his own lips lightly. They didn't hurt, but they had a small sting of electricity running through them, a kind of tingling sensation. Rufus smiled quietly to himself, "So much better then nutmeg." With that, he left for bed.
Ending notes: That's the end of Part One. The title of the fic will make a lot more sense later. Please tell me what you think so far.
Rated: R
Warning: Contains male x male themes. Also contains, some harsh language, violence and alcohol abuse. (most apply to parts 2&3 only)
Disclaimer: I do not in any way shape or form own any of the Final Fantasy 7 characters.
Part One:
Bloody Wrists and Rainydays.
Another boring day at the dwelling of Rufus Shinra had passed by slower then it should've been aloud to. The president lounged in his chair looking considerately out the window with his head delicately placed upon his perfectly arranged hands. He had absolutely nothing to do besides sit around and think all day. One would think that Rufus Shinra of all people would at least be able to entertain himself in his own apartment. He was rather wealthy. "It's so lonely in this apartment sometimes," he mused aloud to himself, "I rarely see a face that isn't a maid. Maybe what I really need is someone to keep me company." He flicked his blonde hair backwards with a delicate hand and shifted his body in the chair. "The only thing is I don't know of anyone that could keep me company."
He vacated his chair and looked out of one of the many giant windows that filled his apartment. The slums where directly below him though it was too far to actually be able to make out any of the faces. He had never been down there. In fact the only places outside of his apartment that he could ever remember going was Costa del Sol and Shinra Inc. Any other places he had only flown over in a helicopter. "Being the president is a good job, but is it worth it to never get to experience the outside world? I fear now if I even stepped outside, I would die."
For what seemed like forever his gaze rested upon the slums of Midgar, the activity within it's limits were as those of another world. It entranced him. Rufus found it hard to tear his eyes away. It was like something was pulling him in; something that he couldn't escape. He looked about the slums for that special thing. The place is what people called the "Wall Market". There was a gym, a dress shop, an exotic inn, a dinner, a mansion, a pharmacy, and the last place, a bar. "I wonder what it would be like to be in a bar. I wonder if I would meet anyone there. I want to go to free myself, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to do it," he sunk depressingly against the cool glass of the window. The sharp cold against his cheek was strangely refreshing but didn't last for long. Rufus decided he needed something to drink.
With a feminine like grace he made his way over to the kitchen. First he grabbed a wineglass from the cupboard and quickly went over to a mini-bar. It was filled with a wide verity of wines all from different places and times, but nothing seemed to appeal to him. He rummaged clumsily through the selection of liquor, a few bottle hitting the floor and shattering instantly. After going through everything and finding nothing he pushes everything off the bar in a fit of anger. "What's wrong with you Rufus?!" he yelled at himself slamming his hands down on the wood. "You weren't always this hard to please! Anything would please you. What's so different now? Is it because you finally realized that your life isn't worth living?!"
His limbs suddenly felt heavier then they were. They were pulling him down. His legs gave out and his body toppled to the floor. Rufus ran a hand through his bright blonde hair and let his fingers wrap around the silk, golden strands and let his head fall in defeat. Rufus Shinra, the president of Shinra Inc. had lost the battle for his own sanity, and he didn't feel even a little ashamed or disappointed about it. He was lonely, and that's what drove him insane. A dim black filled his vision and a high-pitched ring filled his ears. He let his thick eyelashes fall over his vibrant blue eyes, letting go of all consciousness and welcoming oblivion.
The buzz of the busy environment of Shinra Inc. rang inside of his ears. The sound stung and made his stomach turn. Rufus felt like he was going to be sick. He had heard so many complaints already today and he had only been there an hour. There was always someone asking for some more money. There was always something he needed to fix or a paper he needed to sign. The life of a president was always so dull; so redundant. It hadn't always seemed this annoying dull before his father had died, but then it must have been different. He had a purpose to being there. He wanted to prove his father wrong, or find someway to annoy him. Now the only reason Rufus was there in that office was because his father left him the company and life would be even more flavorless without it.
Rufus laid his head in his half sweat covered palms in frustration. He knew that any minute another employee would come in asking for something else, it was more frustrating know it was going to happen and waiting, then the actual experience was. It was ironic that the thing that Rufus wanted the most was some true affection from another, or rather actually any positive human contact would do and here he sat in his expensive desk set in his large office waiting for someone to enter the room and distract him from his thoughts, and yet none of those people would take his loneliness away. That thought made him laugh and his laughter soon became uncontrollable. He threw his head back and laughed at his own cruel fate. He is Rufus Shinra, the man who has everything, yet has nothing. His head fell and met the surface of his desk. His bouts of laughter began to fade and were replaced with helpless sobs. He had nothing he really cared for, and it was more painful then anything he had ever imagined.
A loud creek from the door broke his silent sobs, Rufus' head jerking upwards to look at who entered. Before him stood a slender man with slicked back black hair that shimmed in the light, deep ebony eyes and a small dot in the middle of his forehead. The dot had always puzzled him it seemed so random. "President Shinra, Sir," the Turk began clearing his throat, "Would you like me to come back at a better time?"
"No. Now is fine Tseng," Rufus whipped away his tears and left his desk. He pulled out a chair and offered for Tseng to sit down. The Turk gave him a suspicious look at first then graciously sat in the comfy leather chair. "What is it that you need from me?" he asked calmly as he sat down atop his desk.
"Are you okay, Sir? You're not acting like yourself."
"I'm fine," the president snapped. This was business and he wanted to keep his personal issues out of it. At the same time, a part of him wanted to reach out and wrap his arms around the Turk, telling him everything that was on his mind, everything that was bothering him. He longed for the warmth of Tseng's body close to him, not for the person themselves, but so he could let go of all the tension and want for affection that lived inside of him. "Please, just tell me whatever you want so I can give it to you," his tone came out inattentively suggestive. When realizing how rude he had sounded saying those things in such a tone, Rufus froze.
Tseng, to Rufus' surprise, just smiled at him. His comment had amused him rather then insulted him. "If you need someone to keep your company, Sir, just say it," his expressionless face grew soft. He knew what it felt like to feel lonely, it wasn't always fun. The fact the Rufus was his employer and was hitting on him in a desperate attempt to find some affection didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Still, it was not his place to comply with such silly desires, at least not completely comply.
The Turk leaned foreword and raised his hand to meet the president's hair. He let his fingers dangle through the soft strands, each one flowing over his skin like water. "You have beautiful hair, sir."
"Thanks," Rufus whispered, swallowing hard. He was kind of nervous and Tseng's actions had caught him off guard, but it felt kind of nice to have the fingers run through his hair. Just the simplest sign of caring drove him mad. "But please don't call me sir." He let his eyes close and his head move into the simple touch he was being granted.
After what seemed like forever his lips were covered by Tseng's. They were warm, and soft with a lingering taste of nutmeg as if he had just ate pumpkin pie. He let his body fall foreword and press up against the Turks, marveling at the slight orange spice scent that tickled his senses, and he felt his body go numb with delight. The Turk's hand had moved to back of Rufus' head, cupping it gently. All too soon it was over. Tseng's gentle had slipped away from the blonde hair, which fell off it like droplets of water, but the closeness stayed. His nutmeg lips where only inches away. Rufus wanted so much more then the simple kiss, he wanted to taste more of the nutmeg flavor. Most of all he wanted to be engulfed in a kiss and forget his loneliness and pathetic excuse for a life, just for a few more minutes.
And still he didn't want to break the boundaries; he hadn't set them so he was not sure how far he could let all of this go. It killed him. Rufus wrapped his arms around the Turk, clinging desperately with his limp body as he buried his face into his neck. The orange-spice took over his senses and his body began to tingle as the numb feeling faded away. He felt the silky strands of the Turk's hair brush up against the back of his neck as he moved closer and loosely wrapped his arms around the blonde.
"Will you kiss me again?" Rufus asked in wonderment, his voice filled with an extreme anxiety that was almost pathetic to hear. Tseng obeyed in spite of it. He let his fingers feel the soft fabric of Rufus' trench coat, his lips slightly parted and pressed firmly against the sweet ones of the boyish president before him. Tseng lifted him and put him up on the fancy desk, carefully brushing all of the paperwork aside. His arms were placed on both sides of Rufus so that his body towered over him. He ran his soft tongue against the smooth surface of the other's lower lips and was quickly rewarded by the parting from the upper one. He let his tongue slip in. Rufus' senses filled with a full round of the taste of nutmeg. All sense of reality slipped away from him there. His body tingled and his lips burned, but the kiss was good. It was harsh and cruel but still it was so soft. He lost himself within Tseng, and he wish he never had to find himself again.
As soon as he got comfortable the Turk pulled away, Rufus making a slight pout of protest as he did so. "Sir, I believe we should get back to business". He could tell that Rufus wanted to speak again, but just as he was about to Tseng cut him off, "I enjoy your company, however sir, if you're going to feed your loneliness with someone inside Shinra Inc., I suggest you find another person to play your games." He sighed a little and shook his head, "But if you ever need a friend, I will be here for you, because even though all I gave you just now is all I'm willing to give, I still care."
He lifted him self from the mess that was Rufus Shinra's desk and quickly straitened his hair and shirt. And as if nothing happened he sat down in the chair. "The reason I was here sir was to ask permission to go through with a new plan for the Turks to stop Cloud and his friends."
Rufus sat up wide-eyed. His head was spinning and his ears where once again ringing. What he wanted was some affection, and that's what he had gotten. He thought it would be enough just to be in someone's arms for a few minutes. For just that moment forget about Shinra Inc., his loneliness and his life. Now that he had gotten a small release, it wasn't enough. His lips burned from the harsh kiss the Turk had given him, and his eyes stung from crying before he had entered the room. If possible, he felt even worse then before. Tseng rambled on about some plan, it sounded like distant static to Rufus. He was caught up in his own thoughts and the want for an everlasting sensation that would last more then just mere seconds. "How can you do it?" he found himself asking.
"How can I do what, sir?"
He sat behind he desk, his head hung low, staring at his own feet, "How can you continue on like nothing happened?"
Tseng smiled warmly at the president, gently folding his arms over his lap, "Its simple, sir. It's my job. One does not mix business with pleasure and when the two do, whatever the circumstances, one must get themselves out as quickly get themselves out."
The blonde head sank even lower, his feet where at the end of his desk and his eyes were practically covered by the top of it. "Even so Tseng," he began unsure of what he was saying, "it doesn't seem right to have a person pressed up against the top of their desk as you kiss them one second, then talking about a plan for capturing the companies enemies then next as if they were nothing more then your boss. Am I supposed to feel good about that?"
"Look, sir," Tseng said firmly, his voice lined with annoyance so thick you could almost see it, "I obliged your silly desire and need for someone to show you affection, because your are my boss and for no other reasons. I do not have any affection for you outside of those that I am allowed. You are my boss, and I am the leader of the Turks, the group you run. Our relationship will remain strictly profession inside of the Shinra offices and on business affairs. Yet I am still willing to offer, that outside of work if you ever need a friend, a shoulder to lean on when you have no one else, I will be there. I know you are used to getting whatever you want from your father, but if you want to be with a person, it takes a lot more then a title to get their heart. I suggest that you find someone that you can actually care for and not just the next warm body to take advantage of." With that statement Tseng got up from the chair and headed for the door, "I'll talk to you about the issue with the Turks tomorrow, sir. Have a nice day."
The large door to the office slammed shut. Rufus' head pounded loudly inside his ears. He needed something to break or throw. Or maybe even a pillow that he could scream into, but as he looked around the office he found nothing. The only thing he could find was an old mug leftover from before his father died. He wrapped his boyish and fragile fingers around the cold porcelain and squeezed, letting all of his frustrations get pushed on the delicate mug. It shattered underneath the pressure. The shards implanted themselves in his hands. They where instantly covered with blood. Rufus looked at them with an expressionless gaze and calmly let the blood roll of his skin. It slid down his wrists in small trickles and stained the top of his white coat. The pattern it made entranced him, it was like some unseen pattern for his life. The shock of it frightened him, and soon his met unconsciousness as his body hit the floor.
So selfish; so spoiled. The thoughts filled his mind as a dim light from a lamp near Rufus' bed filled the room. He was in his apartment, clothed in his nightwear, and tucked neatly into to bed. It was just as he woke up every other day. It scared him to wake there, because it hadn't been where he had fallen asleep. He had fainted in his office, clothed in his regular white suit and white trench coat, now he was wearing a white silk pajama set with the shirt unbuttoned. He hadn't even turned on the lamp.
Rufus looked towards the lamp to find the red haired Turk, Reno smiling sheepishly at him. He had a half-smoked cigarette hanging off the corner of his mouth; his suit was untidy with only two buttons actually done. Yet his hair would have to be what Rufus thought was the worst part about him. Part of it was back in a ponytail hanging lazily over his shoulder, the rest was spiked and sticking out in every direction.
"There's no smoking in here Turk," Rufus snapped pulling the cigarette out of Reno's mouth. The redhead didn't seem to be phased by it. He just lazily pulled out a pack tapped it against the palm of his hand, pulled another out and lit it. Rufus repeated his actions three more times, until he decided it was best to just let him smoke. It would take a lot less effort then trying to get him to waist all of the cigarettes in the package, and he didn't know exactly how many packs he actually had. "What are you doing here anyways?"
"Tseng told me you were a mess," Reno grinned to himself, "so I decided to make sure you were alright, and take care of you if you needed some help. But when I found you, you were a lot worse then what Tseng had said. You had passed out, probably from blood loss since you had shard of porcelain jabbed into your hands and wrists, and I couldn't just leave you there. You're my boss after all, and it's my job as a Turk to carry out orders and do what's best for the company." He took a long puff of his cigarette then continued, "Letting you lie there in a puddle of your own blood doesn't exactly fall under that category."
The blonde let his head fall, "So you did it because I pay you to protect me?"
Reno blinked for a second then smiled again, "That and, what kind of person would that make me if I left you there to die?"
Rufus felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. Reno wasn't exactly the best with words, but he seemed to say things from the heart. It was nice to hear someone actually was decent enough to help him instead of just tricking him as Tseng did. "So you did it because it's your job and you're human? There are no personal reasons?" he requested with a little tint of want to hear that there was more to it then he wanted to show.
"I don't know you well enough to have any," the redhead replied, finishing his cigarette then casually flicking the butt to the other side of the room.
Silence filled the room. Rufus pondered what to say next as Reno carelessly lit another cigarette. He seemed to be completely oblivious to anything that went on around him. He just kept to himself and only spoke when he felt the need to, which he could already tell was quite often. He didn't worry about anything or think about how lonely he was, if he is indeed lonely. He was just content with his cigarette, and very likely, his life. Reno was a very simple man.
Finally Rufus spoke, "Why don't you stay here for a while?" He was only half sure of what he was asking, but he could already tell that he was going to like Reno and he almost did even now. A small spark had flickered deep down inside of him.
Dumbstruck Reno blinked, his hand scratching the back of his head in a clueless fashion and the cigarette barely sticking to the tip of his mouth. "Stay here, with you?" He asked even though it was a rather obvious answer. "I don't know, I'm not exactly the best person to keep you company." He rubbed the back of his head again, trying to find the words, "I'm lazy, and a slob, not to mention a drunk and rude. It's been hard enough to keep up this nice guy act for the short time you've been awake. I just don't think you'd enjoy me being around all the time."
It wasn't very long before Rufus found himself laughing; it felt good to laugh. For once he was doing it out of sheer amusement instead of laughing at the cruel life fate had handed him. "I believe I like you already, Reno."
After a few more moments of laughter, Rufus finally calmed down. His cheeks where a slight pink and his face ached, it really had been too long since he was able to laugh like so haphazardly. With any luck having Reno around would prove to be most interesting, and hopefully filled with laughter.
"Hey Reno?" Rufus asked, finally shocked at the casual tone he had been using this whole time.
"Yeah?"
"Take me somewhere outside of Midgar," he stated dully. He hadn't expected himself to say that. Never once had he though of leaving Midgar for anyplace but Costa del Sol. Leaving his apartment and the high-class life, maybe, but never actually leaving Midgar. The idea had always seemed so far fetched; he didn't even consider it before.
"Where would you like to go?" Reno asked giving him a warm smile.
"Anywhere so out of reach, that Midgar is unheard of."
The redhead Turk blinked for a second, "I don't believe I've ever heard of a place like that before, Rufie. I'm sorry."
Rufus smiled at the name. "Rufie," the name gave him the urge to laugh. It made him feel almost as a kid. All everyone ever called him was "Mr. President", "President Shinra" or his favorite, just plain "Sir". Everyone around him always treated him like a title, nothing more. The feeling that someone actually cared enough to make a nickname for him was comforting. "Then make one," he finally said.
"Just give me some time," Reno smirked, "I'll see what I can do."
Again there was silence. Rufus fell once again deep into his own head. His thoughts always seemed to get the better of him; which was understandable, seeing how he spent most of his time alone. Sometimes he even felt that his thoughts were not even thoughts at all, but voices in which he had created in the actuality of him being unaccompanied through his days. Several times he had begun to speak again then he would look at the Turk and be back at a loss of words. There was something about him that puzzled him. How could someone be so simple, yet so complicated at the same time? It gave him a rather charming appeal. At least, it did for Rufus.
"Are you hungry?" Reno asked, which Rufus was very thankful for. Another second of silence and it would've driven him insane; more so then already, that is.
The blonde gave a quick nod, "A little. Will you be making it?"
"I could try."
"Can it be trusted?"
The Turk laughed and shook his head, "Probably not." He gave Rufus a quick wink, "I burn toast, but if you get dressed I'll take you out."
Rufus got out of bed and headed over to his closet. "Are you going to leave or are you going to stand there and watch?" he asked the Turk teasingly.
"I prefer to watch," Reno snickered slightly. The blonde shot him a quick glare that made his skin crawl, "Okay, okay, I'll leave. Just don't wear anything white or bright colored, it'll make you stand out too much."
"But dark colors make me look small and girly."
"You look that like that anyways," Again Reno snickered to himself and was cut off but a harsh glare from Rufus.
Reno waited outside the bedroom door for what seemed like forever. He had already gone through his pack of cigarettes and was now pacing back and forth impatiently. His eyes kept wandering over to the clock and back to the door in some unplanned patterned. "How long does it take that guy to get ready?" he asked himself with a slight huff of annoyance. The marks from his shoes had implanted a thick line wherever they stepped. He hadn't heard any water running, glass breaking or even the thump of a body hitting the floor, unless it had happened while he was contently smoking a whole pack of cigarettes. It was a big apartment, and his room was almost the same size of the living room, so the sounds could probably go unnoticed. So Reno decided to check to make sure that nothing had gone wrong.
Very carefully he opened the door but only enough to be able to peak in and look about. He pressed his face against the side of the door and peaked inside the room. There was no sign of anything broken, nor was there of Rufus passing out again. The blonde didn't even appear to be in the room at all, but there was a black trench coat, black pants and a white t-shirt folded neatly upon the bed. He sighed heavily and let his back rest upon the doorframe. It was quite uncomfortable for the corners of it where jammed into his back as he let his body sink to the floor. His legs where spread out in front of him and his arms were hanging lazily at his side. The Turk let his head hang back and rest painfully upon the wood, listening carefully for some sound of activity.
Silence. That was all he heard for a few more minutes then there was what sounded like a door opening. Reno pushed the door open a little more to be able to look inside the room without having to move. Rufus had just come out of the bathroom. A thin white bathrobe hung off of his slender body. Reno's eyes followed his feet as they made their way over to the pile of clothing on the bed. The blonde turned around slightly and dropped the robe.
Teal-blue eyes fell over the figure. It was very girly. He had a long waist and medium length legs and arms; his body was strait for the most part but curved at the hips and had slender shoulders. The soft white skin had an almost luminous glow that gave Reno the urge to reach out and touch it. His mind wandered and he began to wonder what the flesh would feel like underneath his fingers. He closed his eyes and let images of him touching the soft skin flood his vision. The warmth beneath his fingertips felt almost real. The sensation was so close to reality but it still felt like a dream.
"Reno!" Rufus' voice called to him, causing him to jump upwards. His teal eyes gazed up at the blonde's face that was tinted a deep red. He could almost swear that he was going to say, "You watched me…" but he didn't saying another thing.
"I'm sorry," the Turk whispered pulling himself up from the floor. His eyes fixed on his own feet. He felt like such an ass.
The blonde shook his head and muttered quietly, "Don't be. I'm flattered." He paused for a second, letting the blush fade from his cheeks, "Are you ready to go?" He gave the Turk a warm smile. Reno just simply nodded, still feeling a bit ashamed of his actions.
They decided it wouldn't be a good idea to take one of Rufus' cars into the Slums; it would like asking for someone to mug them. Instead they walked. It was an awkward walk for Rufus, far too peaceful for his taste. He was, so far, enjoying the redhead's company too much to walk in silence, but for now he thought best that he didn't try to pry words out of him. So he kept silent the whole time.
When they came to an old run down dinner, though it looked in better shape then most places in the slums, both sat down calmly and awaited the waiter. Each quickly ordered their plate and didn't speak another word. The whole thing was beginning to pry at Rufus' patience. He had managed to keep himself together tonight, for the most part, and has yet to have another one of his recent freak-outs. Silently he prayed for something to happen; something that would get Reno out of his own head.
Rufus felt out of place at the small dinner; it seemed more like a bar then a dinner but that's what they called in anyways. He would've felt more comfortable of it the redhead Turk hadn't spent the whole time silently picking at his food with a fork. At most he had only seen him take a few bites of it. Every time he went to say something to get Reno to speak, he'd notice the vacant expression and all words would fail him. He knew exactly why he was acting so silent, but he didn't really understand why it was bothering him so much. Rufus didn't mind being watched a bit. In fact, he enjoyed it.
"Maybe going out was a bad idea," the blonde suggested dropping his silver wear one the almost empty plate with a loud clash. "You're obviously not in the mood to be out, so why don't we get something to put this in and eat it back at my apartment?"
No response came from the Turk; he just gave Rufus a silent glance that clearly told the blonde to do whatever he felt like then looked back at his food. "You're not going to act like this all night, are you?" Rufus asked feeling the bitter taste of defeat even though the Turk hadn't said anything yet. All of his efforts so far had failed to cheer the man up, so he believed that nothing would. He began to lose hope of even getting an answer from that after a few more moments of silence. In a last attempt to get the Turk to say something, Rufus reached outward with his hand and rested it gently enough atop of the other's just so their skin was barely touching. With his thumb he began to slowly rub the rough flesh on the back of Reno's hand, his sapphire eyes begging him to speak.
Reno looked of at the blonde, his expression still some-what vacant and forced a smile, "I guess staying silent all night wouldn't exactly be the best idea, would it?" His smile became softer as he received a silent 'thank you' from sapphire eyes. "Shall we be going then?"
"What about the food?" the blonde asked looking at the barely touched plate before Reno.
"Don't worry about it, I'm not really hungry anyways," His words were still a bit reluctant. He wrapped his fingers around the slender hand that still rested atop of his own and gave it a light squeeze.
They had paid and left in a hurry, which made Rufus very glad, that place made his skin crawl. It was raining lightly outside now. So lightly, that you could barely see the droplets fall from the sky. They walked slowly through the slums this time, most of which was Reno's fault. He constantly found himself staring at the blonde; the drops of rain had given his golden hair more of a luminous glow then normal. It practically sparkled. Words were still unheard, but this time the hush that fell over them was more comforting then torturous.
"How long was I asleep?" the blonde requested the knowledge, wanting to start up a conversation but letting his curiosity get the better of him.
"Three days, four hours and twelve minutes," the Turk calming stated, "I counted from when I found you, so it was probably a lot longer."
"You counted?" Rufus' sapphire eyes blinked closed several times, "So you where by my side the whole time?"
The Turk nodded quickly sticking his hand in his pocket to see if he had an extra pack of cigarettes. The nicotine fits where finally starting to get to him. "I stayed as much as I could, and regretted it when I had to leave. Even if only to use the bathroom." He smiled brightly as he came across a pack of cigarettes, in which is pulled out of his pocket. "One left," he said to himself pulling the lone cigarette out of the pack and getting ready to light it.
After being lit, it was quickly snatched from his lips. "Thank you," the blonde said smiling modestly and taking a small puff from the cigarette. He never really liked to smoke, but rather this time he did it for the indirect kiss.
Rufus handed the cigarette back to the Turk was face was distorted with confusion. "I didn't know you liked to smoke," Reno stated coyly.
"I don't."
The statement puzzled Reno. He wasn't sure what he meant. The tone he had used was rather blank and emotionless. He didn't know if he was joking or suggesting something more. After a while he just sighed to himself and decided not to speak the rest of the way to the apartment.
The blonde opened the door to his apartment, feeling very glad to be home. He entered the room and sat down on the couch with his legs curled under and his arms neatly rested at his sides. Reno followed behind him, but didn't sit down. "I think I'm going to hit the sack if you don't mind that is," he stated quietly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You can sleep in my bed if you like," Rufus stated motioning his hand over to his luxurious bedroom.
"I'd rather not," Reno, replied calmly, "It would feel odd to sleep in the big bed while you slept on the couch. I prefer it anyways."
"Whoever said I would be sleeping on the couch?" Rufus asked in a rather suggestive manner. He smiled to himself when he saw the Turk's cheeks turn the same color as his vibrant red hair. "Just kidding," he added quickly in an attempt not to laugh. "I just hope you don't mind if I stay up and read a bit."
"Of course not."
Rufus absent-mindedly read his book; his sapphire eyes where continuously scanning over the small black print, but his mind wouldn't make out the words. All of them seemed to blur together and somehow form a picture of Reno. He smiled and ran his thumb over the fake image of the Turk then glanced over at his sleeping form. It had been a few hours since he stopped moving around to find a comfortable position, surely by now he would be in a deep sleep.
The blonde set his book down on the side of the couch and tiptoed over to the redheaded sleeping form as carefully as possible. There he knelt down before him, staring contently at the man's angelic face. "So sweet…" he mused aloud softly to himself, "so unlike what everyone has said about you. Reno, they all say you're the toughest and rudest of the Turks. They're all wrong; it's all just an act and that is why I like you best."
Without thinking he leaned in and pressed his lips against the Turk's tenderly. They were nothing like Tseng's. They where chapped and rough and you could taste the cigarettes on them and even a little bit of alcohol. He pulled away and touched his own lips lightly. They didn't hurt, but they had a small sting of electricity running through them, a kind of tingling sensation. Rufus smiled quietly to himself, "So much better then nutmeg." With that, he left for bed.
Ending notes: That's the end of Part One. The title of the fic will make a lot more sense later. Please tell me what you think so far.