Voices Carry

by Diane Kelley

Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 or the characters within, nor do I own the song "Voices Carry" Arista Records owns the song, and Squeanix owns the game.

Author's Note: You should listen to the entire album, it really fits the relationship beginning to end. The first of likely a SERIES of Refis songfics. (For those not familiar with the FF7 yaoi lingo that is a Reno/Rufus pairing.)

In the dark

I'd like to read his mind

But I'm frightened of the things I might find

The redhead sat watching his boss. Rufus showed so few emotions, his face always glacially blank, as cold as those icey blue eyes. Reno knew though, he knew that much ran below the surface. It was a knowledge gleaned from experience. Below that icy exterior ran the rage of many years.

Oh there must be something he's thinking of

To tear him away

When I tell him that I'm falling in love

Why does he say?

His own mint-colored orbs turned to peer into Rufus' and he held that gaze as long as he could. "I love you" is all he said, to be met by the iciest glare yet from the blond

Hush hush

keep it down now

Voices carry

Hush hush

keep it down now

Voices carry

Uh-huh

"How many times have I told you never to say that word? There is no such thing as love, Mr. Tarshil. ..only the emotions which you use to manipulate others into doing as you wish."

I try so hard not to get upset

'Cause I know all the trouble I'll get

Reno drew back in startlement, clutching his cheek after the swift backhand. He knew to expect it by now, but still it surprised him anew every time Rufus hit him.

Oh he tells me tears are something to hide

And something to fear

And I try so hard to keep it inside

so no one can hear.

"You know, my loyal lapdog, tears only show your weakness. So stop that sniveling and come to bed. . we have much to discuss you and I." Rufus hung his immaculate white suit insde the garment bag in his wide closet, then turned back toward the bed wearing only his black silk boxers.

Hush hush

keep it down now

Voices carry

Hush hush

keep it down now

Voices carry

Reno hung his head a moment, his only indicator of how much he hated the way he his lover treated him, and strode over to the bed, his lips melding with the blond's as Rufus bent over to kiss him. Being with Rufus made him feel like a whore sometimes, taking him back to those years working for Corneo where he'd always felt so horribly dirty.

He wants me

But only part of the time

He wants me

If he can keep me in line

Then he pulled away, shaking his head. "No, I'm not doin' this anymore. ..I am NOT a whore, Shachou, and I will not be made to feel like one for your satisfaction. hit me, beat me, do whatever the fuck you want to me, I don't care anymore. .but I'm not your fuckin' rent boy."

Rufus' face turned a brilliant shade of red for a moment, but was its normal color by the time Reno was bent double by the balled fist with the ring that held the Shinra logo encrusted with diamonds burying itself deep into his gut.

Hush hush

keep it down now

Voices carry

"Keep your mouth shut. All of you Turks are nothing more than playthings to me. I suggest you remember your place before I simply replace you as any broken toy would be."

Hush hush darling

They might overhear

As Rude and Tseng strode into the room with their reports to drop off, Rufus shot them both nasty glares. "Well, drop them off and go, there is nothing of interest to you here."

He said shut up

He said shut up

Oh Gods can't you

Keep it down

Voices carry

I wish he'd let me talk

The door slammed hard as Reno followed the others out, keeping the bruises on his cheeks hidden beneath his hair as well as possible. .but his last glare in Rufus' direction said "No more. ..when you call me to your chamber tomorrow I will be busy elsewhere."

Rufus smirked "Oh we shall see, my boy. ..we shall see."