I sat there in my office chair, sulking at the light above me. I wanted to punch it so bad, but then Tseng would give me such a pain in my ass over it. It's a fucking light bulb, let it go already. I would love to punch him straight in the face. Maybe he'd shoot me; I'd love that right now. Everything's been a total shit storm lately, I'm pretty sure none of it will get better anytime soon.

"Reno?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Rude. "What?"

Rude pushed up his sunglasses. "You were spacing out again."

"Yea, and?"

Rude twirled his pen. "This is the tenth time you've done this."

I started to grow annoyed. "What, you keepin' track now for Tseng?"

Rude sighed. "No, I'm worried about you."

"Quit yer worrying, I'm fine."

Rude sighed again and went back to his work. I turned away and back to my laptop, a pained expression on my face. I didn't want anyone knowing what was going on; not even Rude. I leaned back in my chair and sighed passively; this was gonna be horrible. But i had to at least try to make it through my day. But then I heard those heel clicking on the floor; Elena's here, and she's actually on time today; good for her.

"Reno!"

I groaned in depression and annoyance. "What Elena?"

Elena looked like she had cringed a bit. "I just need to know where Tseng is, I need to deliver this to him."

"Upstairs in his office." i ignored her and turned back to my work.

Elena sighed and walked away. I caught sight of Rude looking at me. I dropped my head and got up from my desk, walking over to the breakroom. I had to tell somebody; this was gonna kill me if I kept it up that I was fine. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat there, sighing in defeat. I heard a chair push out and I saw Rude sit next to me; but I didn't bother noticing, just sat there with my coffee.

"Reno?"

I turned to look at him with a slight tear in my eye. "What?"

Rude took a sip of his coffee. "What's wrong?"

I sighed and looked away. "I'm fine."

"Reno that is the most bullshit I've heard out of your mouth since you tried to convince Tseng you could fly."

I chuckled a little bit. "That was fun."

Rude put his hand on my shoulder. "Reno, something's wrong, it's written all over your face."

I sighed once more. "I can't talk about it here. Come by my place afta work, a'ight?"

Rude nodded patiently. "Sure."

I smiled a bit when Rude left, collapsing into my chair. How the fuck was I supposed to tell Rude that I liked him? The more I thought about it, the more I wanted ta throw up. But if I didn't tell him, I'd never know if he feels the same way. I shook my head; there's no better way to tell him, than to just tell him.

I kept staring at Rude and then staring at the clock, hoping that the last five minutes of my day would go by a little faster than this. I almost sigh a little too loudly in relief as Tseng walks in and says the day's over. Rude glances at me, but i ignore it and walk straight out, almost running into Elena, but i didn't really care too much. I ran to my apartment, all of a sudden very thankful that I didn't live too far away. I slumped into my couch as i thought of all the things i could possibly say to rude explaining that i liked him. I sighed as each and every one of them sounded like crap.

"Reno?"

I looked over to the other side of the door; Rude already had it open. "Yea Rude?"

Rude hung his jacket on one of my dining room chairs. "You had said earlier today you had something you wanted to talk about with me?"

I sighed; this was not going to go over well. "I like you."

I couldn't see Rude's face, but I imagined it looked confused. "You like me?"

I nodded wearily, pouring some scotch. "I've been trying to tell ya all day, but it kept sounding awkward in my head, so i kept putting it off until it started eating at me."

Rude glanced the bit of exposed wrist. "I see it was more than figurative."

I sighed and pulled my sleeves down.

Rude took off his shades and placed them on the coffee table. "This didn't have to be so awkward for you. I feel the same way."

I stared at him for a moment.

Rude chuckled (rare.) "You don't have to look so shocked."

I shook my head. "You don't really say too much, im suhprised when anythin comes outta yer mouth."

I leaned in and laid my head on Rude's chest, flicking to a channel we could both tolerate for the time being. Every now and again our gaze would meet and Rude would peck my nose. I fell asleep right there in his arms, remote on the floor and not drowning in alcohol.