Mourning broke swiftly against the blacked canvas. Light spilled through the beige curtains, revealing the lust that night had brought. Birds began to sing, their voices in celebration of the dawn. The night had been vanquished, and once again the light had taken control.

Tseng awoke to the dawn, as he so always did. He grabbed his head, rubbing out the seething pain that hit him. The night had been lost to him, the memory etched into some far off dream. Yet he understood that this was a bed foreign to his own, and touching the sheets, he supposed it was Rufus lying next to him. Rubbing his eyes, he sighed a little, sitting up. Turning, he made sure to be silent so as not to disturb the young blonde beside him.

This was the way it had always been. No hints of intimacy, no disturbances. Tseng would just take to the mourn and leave Rufus to sleep for another hour or so. They would forget that the night had ever happened and continue with their lives. Their secret lust washed away by the tremors of the day.

Tseng found his clothing stewn across the floor. Massaging his temples he sighed, rising to his feet and collecting his clothes. He had clearly gotten far too drunk last night, even temptation wouldn't have stopped him from laying his clothes out properly. Dressing, he allowed a passing glance towards his "lover".

It was in that moment that almond eyes widened with suprise and disgust. In was in that moment that the wutainese man realised that this was not his Rufus. That shape brought back fleeting memories, and he felt his features cave into disgust. He didn't need to confirm it, didn't need to see or say anything, but the rising sickness spoke exactly how he felt.

He somehow found the bathroom, failing to flick on the light before collapasing to his knees. The sickness passed through him, and he lay for sometime just clinging onto the toilet seat. He promised himself never to drink to excess again, realising the horrors that the night had stricken him with. He groaned, turning his head away, just sitting on the bathroom floor.

Glancing upwards however, he realised that Palmer might awaken soon. He didn't want the awkward feeling of having to explain or apologise or whatever. He hoped that Palmer had consumed enough alcohol to forget everything that had just happened. He hoped Palmer felt nothing for him, and wouldn't try to use this against him. Tseng wasn't ready for the humilation.

He could only imagine Reno's face if he found out.

Then again, who would believe the stupid and useless executive over himself?

Pushing himself up, he waved away the feeling of violation. He couldn't remember it, that at least he could be thankful for. Juding by the fact he couldn't feel the familure dull throbbing pain in his lower body he presumed it had been himself doing the act. That could only mean it hadn't been rape. Shaking his head, he feared that he might have caught something from the other male. He doubted he had used protection.

As he left the housing complex, he looked for his car, Running his fingers through his hair, he checked the time. Sighing, he realised he didn't have enough time to go home. He looked like a mess, but it would have to do for now. He supposed he would just have to loose himself in the daily routines of life and hopefully forget everything that had happened.

---

He had been working for a few hours, hindered by this sickness that had seemingly attached itself to him. Though he hadn't been sick again, he still did not feel incredible. So when Rufus came down: appartly on a lunch break, more likely simply bored, he grew aggitated. The blonde was clearly full of desire, aching from the lack of attention. Tseng had rejected any little hint, turning his back to the blonde and starting on some paper work.

The Vice president hadn't taken it terribly well, keeping up his persuits. Finally giving in on being subtle, he walked around the desk. Leaning across it, he raised a hand to Tsengs hair, yanking it forewards and bring his own face forewards so to meet the others. Though the raven haired man would so normally accept, today he simply turned away, letting the hiss land awkwardly to the side of his chin. Removing the blondes hands and placing them forceablly on the desk, Tseng looked up to meet those blue eyes. "Please, sir. There is a time and a place."

He couldn't help but imagine he was staring back at palmer, couldn't help but imagine that those lips belonged to the fat executive. The shudder Tseng gave was visable.

Rufus pulled back, flicking his hair,

"Hmph. As always, duty before passion, always. It's irritating, Tseng."

He looked towards the turk for a moment, considering him. "It's for the best, you look like a mess today. Clean yourself up next time." Flicking his hair, he realised the black haired man wasn't listening, instead busy writing away at that damned paper. Sighing, he apparently gave in, turning away from the turk and leaving him to be.

The words had chilled Tseng though. He closed his eyes, putting his pen down. Rubbing his forehead again he resigned. His stomach ached, and he doubted it was due to disgust. He doubted it was sexually transmitted, but he still would place the blame on Palmer.

He left his office, leaving for downstairs. Finding the doctors quarters, he knocked on the door, pausing outside while waiting for a response. Almond eyes opened in suprise again as Hojo answered. He hadn't been expecting the scientist, but guessed that due to cutbacks he would have been placed to serve as a doctor here. It had obviously made sense to Shinra, the often revered as scary man would stop people from going home ill if they had to talk to him, or wasting time with check ups.

"Don't waste my time with frivoulous inconviences, Turk. What is it you want?"

"I haven't had a check up for some time, sir. I felt that for now one would be best"

The scientist eyed him, apparently considering telling him to go away. Yet something changed in his eyes, and he turned away, shuffling into the lab. Motioning towards the seat, Hojo spoke again,

"Sit. A nurse will be with you in a moment. Do not pester me, I have more important things to attend too."