Reno just held him. ..it was all he could do without betraying vows he'd made.. .ones he took quite seriously, despite how flippant he'd been about promises in the past. "I'm sorry. ..really really sorry I let things go so far, yo. ..it was. ..just something born of being glad to have somethin' I never had. ..joy of being alive. ..these past several months ha'been pretty hellish."
An almost rueful laugh burst from Sam's mouth. "I can relate."
"I'll tell mine if you tell yours, yo. .."
"I'm a SOLDIER, Reno. Between Sephiroth, and Meteor, and the whole Geostigma thing... I was kept pretty busy," Sam mentioned.
"shit.. .I was still in midgar for Meteor. ..things got. ..really messy." And he relates to sam the argument that had occured. ..lowering his head, his voice quieting when he told of the resulting breakdown. .his dash from the apartment. "Livewire's with Ruufus in the hotel. ..didn't know how your mom would feel 'bout havin' a cuahl in her house. ..even if he does listen for the most part."
"Rudy let you have a cuahl?" Sam's eyes showed more shock than his words. "He... Rudy doesn't like cats that much..."
"Well,. he sorta..." and he blushes, he did NOT want to relate the events at Corneo's if he could help it. "Thinks I'm his mate."
"WHAT?" Jesus, Rudy HAD been in Midgar too long. Just what didn't they do out there in the big city? "Mate? How... what...?" Sam's hand shot out and went through his short hair. "Do I even want to know? Does Rudy know?"
"He was there. .." finally. .he just comes out with it. ..the years with Corneo. .his capture. ..the events that took place there."
"Jesus, Reno..." It was all Sam could say after that heartfelt admission.
"Yeah, 'swhat he said too. ..or pretty close. ..cat saved my ass during Meteor. ..let me tell ya. .never want to see your brother outta control like that again."
"Rudy always did have a temper..." Sam could remember when they were smaller, Rude was always the first one to start throwing things... like temper tantrums. Watching the transformation from out of control child to reserved adult had been, in a word, enlightening.
"Yeah. ...guess so. ..but hell, he's had m'back so many times." Then he told of their wedding. .and cracked up when he told about the events at the reception. "I thought for sure Rude's jaw was gonna break right off.
Sam laughed as well. "Wish I could've been there."
"Man, I'm still not sure how drunk the boss got that night. .." He chuckles." Man's got no tolerance anyway."
"Would've thought different of the President," Sam mentioned offhandedly. He paused for a moment, sighing. Guess we're going to have to go out there and face the music sometime, eh?"
"Yeah... though I have a feelin' he's glad we didn't. ..ya know."
Sam wasn't going to comment on that. He, just like his brother, was a master at self-deception. Where do you think Rude learned it? Besides, the less Sam thought about the... transgressions of earlier, the better he felt.
Reno opened the door. ..finding Rude outside he barely met his husband's eyes a bright flush coming to his cheeks. ..even though THIS time he'd done nothing wrong. .he headed back down the stairs to the living room, then scuttled into the kitchen to see if there was any coffee left.
Rude would go after Reno in a minute. First... He looked to Sam, who still sat on the bed as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar. When his elder brother caught his eye, Rude muttered only two words. "We cool?"
Sam nodded once, replying with, "We cool."
Reno sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in his hand. .shivering as if it was freezing, even though everyone knew Costa never got below 60, even in the dead of winter.
Rude took the steps downstairs carefully. He wasn't mad at either of them... he was just expecting things to work out a little different. Not that their understanding had been a bad thing... but Sam did have this nasty habit of not being able to keep secrets while intoxicated. And Rude was fairly certain several of the things Reno'd mentioned would be best kept out of the light of day.
Reno just looked up at him, then back into his coffee cup. . .he wasn't sure WHAT to say at this point. ..except "Couldn't go through with it yo. ..kept seein' your disappointed and hurt expression as I came up the stairs. .an' just couldn't."
Rude nodded, a grunt leaving his lips. He went about getting his own cup of coffee. He'd preferred something stronger, but he'd have to wait until Momma got back with the Costan tequila for that.
The slender redhead's body still trembled as he looked at the coffee in his cup as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. ..so many thoughts whirling through his head. ..he wasn't sure where to start to sort them all out.
Rude sat across from Reno, taking a sip of his coffee before speaking. "What are you shaking for?" It seemed the best place to start to him.
"Just. ..shit. .so much I don't understand for. ..an'. .I thought. .Hell, don't even know what I thought. .. what the HELL was I doing. .." in truth...it was simply aftermath of the entire thing. .. "I was. .just. ..hell. " for once he's at a COMPLETE loss for words. ..but his eyes would speak clearly of how afraid he'd been that the past couple of days actions were going to destroy everything he had.
Rude nodded, taking another sip of his coffee. "And?" It was best to just let Reno get it all out before he said anything substantial.
"I thought. .after the mess with Sam. .and jumping Eric. .it HURT when ya pulled him off me, ya knnow.. kid deserved to get his ass kicked. I had in my head a fight like we'd had back at the condo. ..I know. ..what another fight like that would do to. ..well, what we have."
"Eric is my brother," Rude said. Best to start with the easier one first. "Regardless of how much I don't like him most days... he is still my little brother." It was the best explaination he had for his actions.
"He's also a conceited little brat. ..ya know. ..what part of our vows mean, right. ..'Leave your family. ..cleave until the one to whom you make those vows. .' I guess. ..that's why it shocked me... funny thing is. .it wasn't the slam against us that pissed me off. .. it's what he said about Tseng an' the boss that made me mad." he chuckled. "I guess. .'scause they deserve some happiness, too. Their lives have been total suck as much as ours have been of late."
"My family is my family... and they always will be. I wish I could make you understand that." Rude took another sip of his coffee. "And as for the President and Tseng... they are both more than capable of fighting their own battles... and I'm certain my brother's words wouldn't be more than water off their backs in the grand scheme of things."
He nods. ..but he'd always had a protective streak for his ex-lover, not something unusual really, despite the nasty breakup. ..Reno was nothing if not unfailingly loyal.
"We should call them," Rude said. "Tell them our problems have been... resolved."
"Yeah. ..let's get this shit underway, yo. ..got a rehersal to get done. .tomorrow a wedding. ..let's see if we can get THIS off with no more problems, yo."
Why, oh why, was Rude not looking forward to this? Why did he have a bad feeling? Remember what happened with his last bad feeling? Yeah. With a nod, he tossed his phone to Reno.
"Boss. .problem solved. ..we're on our way . ..be there in twenty." His voice didn't betray his feelings in the least now, something for which he was glad. Control. ..well some form of it anyway. ..something else he'd learned from the man to whom he'd pledged his life.
Rude nodded, then finished his coffee. After rinsing out the mug, he walked upstairs to put on his suit. As much as he liked the ability to dress in his native attire, a meeting with the President required the respect inherent in his suit.
Reno went upstairs and did the same. .and. .shock of shocks, he'd buttoned himself all the way up. ..and was that a TIE?
Rude didn't say a word, just raised his eyebrow. Reno was not the sort to get all dolled up for... well... anything. It was an interesting change of pace, and maybe even a little disconcerting.
"Figure might as well get used ta bein' constricted. ..considerin' we'll be in TUXES tomorrow."
A small chuckle left Rude. Once he was presentable, he gestured to the door in a 'shall we?' motion.
Reno nodded, following him out, renewing their bond with a gentle arm across his back.
And that was that. Problems solved, issues became non-issues, and all was right with the world. Rude loved how things sometimes just worked out perfect without them needing to break some heads. Not that breaking heads wasn't fun, but... yeah.
Reno of course got knocked over as soon as he entered the hotel room, not just by one of the large cats, but by both of them "Well. ..looks like a couple o' you are happy ta see me anyway. .." he chuckles as he stands up, petting both of them, Livewire whimpering and winding his way around Reno's legs. "Yeah, yeah. ..I'm ok, boy. .." He looks at Rufus as if to say he knew it couldn't have been easy having the big cat there when he seemed to have an eerie ability to pick up his master's emotions even when Reno wasn't around.
Rude managed to dodge the piles of flying fur and Reno. He stepped into the room, nodding once at Tseng and the President. "Sir," he said.
"I trust everything has worked itself out, gentlemen?" Rufus asked, smiling slightly at the cuahls' antics.
"Yes sir." He finally manages to get the two cats off him so he can answer,
"Excellent," Rufus' smile grew. "The tailor will be here shortly for the measurements. If you two would be so kind as to strip."
Rude's eyes widened. What? Strip?
Reno grins. "Well, yeah..they need ta have exact measurements, ya know. " He however was nervous about stripping. ..Rufus had seen him nude. ..Tseng had not. He did however do so. .. biting his lip a bit as he uncovered himself, but he managed to keep himself from blushing at stripping in front of the one he'd once had a crush on.
Rude's gaze dropped to the floor as he slowly removed his clothing. He'd noticed how quickly Reno had removed his own clothing, and Rude made it all the way to just his socks and boxers before he heard something. A laugh. A loud laugh. His eyes shot up and locked on Rufus'.
"I..." Rufus couldn't stop laughing. "I didn't quite mean that much, gentlemen. I meant just the jackets, ties and shirts."
Reno this time does blush, redonning the required items, still biting his lip. ..
Rude can't help the words that fall from his lips as he pulled his pants back on. "You. Are. Evil."
Rufus continued chuckling. "Yes, yes I am."
Reno's skin is still bright red everywhere that isn't covered.
Rufus' eyebrow raised. Reno was still blushing? The most flamboyant, most comfotable with his body Turk was blushing over something as trivial as nudity? "Reno?" he asked, "Is there a problem?"
"Yeah.. I'd. . ." and he whispered "Never been. ..that undressed in fronta Tseng before." And there it was. ..the boyhood crush he'd had was suddenly there, out in the light for all to see.
Tseng chuckled lightly, turning to look out the window. He'd heard Reno's words, but, in a gesture of good will, he'd chosen not to acknowledge them. Besides, it was always nice to hear that you were still turning heads at his age.
Rude, for all of his hangups about being underdressed in front of the President, was taking his current state of shirtlessness rather well... other than the whole thing about the room being rather too chilly for his liking. He could've cut glass standing there.
Michael TW Kelley: Finally the tomato red died back to a slight pink and he rdaped an arm over Rude's shirtless shoulder, inhaling his scent. .finally Livewire seemed to calm, padding over into a corner to sit next to Dark Nation, the two nudging noses, as if they were conspiring about something.
midnight12181: A knock at the door made Rude jump slightly. Ah, the tailor.
"Enter," Rufus said, moving himself to sit on the foot of the bed.
Michael TW Kelley: Reno stands, fnally relaxing his arms as the tailor begins to cluck over him...at least a few days at Gladys' had STARTED to put him back at normal fighting weight.
Michael TW Kelley: poke
midnight12181: Rude took note of every rib that stuck out, knowing that after a few more weeks of his Momma's cooking, Reno might actually get a little bit of the love handles going on.
Michael TW Kelley: Ah yes. .part of his self-consciousness there. ..he HATED being so blastedly skinny because he had the metabolism of a hampster which meant the tiniest disruption in his eating patterns sent his weight plummeting. too much fighting in too short a time. ..most definately had done it. ..as the tailor finally has all the measurements he shrugs his shirt back on.
midnight12181: Rude stood, patiently waiting while his measurements were taken, lifting his arms when asked. He noted, absently, that the tailor's fingers were like ice.
Michael TW Kelley: "So.. I take it rule one applies as it does for any mission. ..no getting wasted prior to the ceremony and preferably not at the reception either?" He chuckles...the last time one of them had been drunk at a wedding reception had turned out messy.
midnight12181: "No drinking at the ceremony," Tseng stated, certain that Rufus would agree with him. "However, at the reception..." His face pinked just a tinge as he remembered how smashed he and the President were at their Turks' nuptuals.
Rude smiled. Yes, the last wedding reception they attended for one of the officers in the accounting department HAD turned out... interesting. At least they didn't have to shell out for additional entertainment, what with the drunken, stripping Reno on the dancefloor.
Michael TW Kelley: RENO suddenly pinked remembering that. . .one of the secretaries had grabed his package and things had gone decidedly downhill from there as he'd half-run, half-stumbled off the floor and out of the building completely nude. .. he hadn't been anymore comfortable with being groped by total strangers then any more than he was now.
midnight12181: The tailor stood from where he knelt on the floor, ignored by the other men in the room. He cleared his throat, announcing, "I will have these completed by morning." before taking his leave.
Michael TW Kelley: "Thank you , sir." Reno gulped as he buried that memory DEEP. ..where he felt it belonged. He'd never been so embarrassed in his life.
mi
Rufus glanced over at Tseng for a moment, then walked over to his soon to be husband. He took the older man's hand in his own, then turned to Reno and Rude. "Do you two have plans for dinner?"
"Not as yet sir. Got too busy sorting everything else out. .. hadn't even thought about it."
"My mother was expecting us," Rude pointed out, tone almost as if he were afraid he was going to get into trouble for mentioning that they had other plans.
"That's right," Rufus said with a smile. "Your family has been putting you two up, haven't they?"
"Yes sir, his mother's a good woman." He left it at that, though the suddenly softened expression told of how grateful he was for Rude's family not only ACCEPTING him, but for his mother defending him against her own son.
Rufus smiled again. "Do you think she would have room at her table for two more, just tonight?"
Rude's jaw hit the floor.
"Have to ask her, but I'm sure she would." he mentally added 'Especially since Mr Bitch is no longer in the house.'
"Rude, if you would be so kind," Rufus prompted.
Rude managed to pick his jaw up off the floor. Of all the things... this was NOT a good idea, even with Eric supposedly gone. He nodded mechanically, then left the room, dialing his mother's number on his phone.
Gladys picked up "Hello, Rudy, did you get the suits fitted?" She smiled softly over the phone, though he couldn't see it, she did not question however if he ahd worked things out. .since he was not calling from the house that was obvious.
"Would it be all right if a couple more guests came by for dinner tonight, Momma?" Rude asked. He felt like he was 12 again, asking if he could stay the night at a friend's house.
"Of course, dear, there's always enough in the oven for a few more. .oh, and we're having paeilla and tortillas tonight, along with the shredded seasoned chicken you love." she chuckled "As well as the chocolate silk pie EVERYONE seems to love.
Rude had to stop himself from drooling over the phone. His mother did know how to cook. "Thanks, Momma," Rude said. "When's dinner?"
"In 90 minutes. .Sam seems less upset, he's having a shot of the tequila now."
Good. There was at least that. "Okay, we'll be there in an hour." Rude hung his phone up, then walked back into the room. "Dinner's in an hour and a half. We need to be there in an hour."
Reno nods. .something hitching at the back of hisbrain about maybe something going wrong too. . .he's just not sure WHAT.
Rufus smiled. "Excellent. Now," he paused. "Is there anything we need to know about meeting your family, Rude? Any strange customs, habits?"
Rude tried to think. "Nothing... out of the ordinary." He wasn't sure he was the right one to ask. He did grow up with those customs and habits, after all.
"Only if you count bratty brothers, but he's not there."
Rude kept his mouth shut about the possibility that Eric could still show up that evening and cause trouble. Best not to get the redhead riled up if it wasn't necessary.
Tseng wrapped an arm over Rufus' shoulder, suddenly for some reason warming up more in front of his men than he normally would. . ."Let's go, then. .." he spoke opnly those three words as he straightened his jacket and made sure his tie was one straight, as well as making sure the tie that held back his long ebon hair from face was firmly in place.
Rude redressed himself, making sure he was at his most presentable in front of his employer. It was going to be an interesting night, to say the least.
Reno tipped his emr onto his shoulder, one he'd FINALLY gotten back from Rude's mother, and that normal tic he had of the weapon tapping against the shoulder bone began. .perhaps a bit faster than normal, showing his agitation.
"How far of a walk is it?" Rufus asked, buttoning up his white jacket and gesturing towards the door.
"Not far," Rude replied, noting silently that none of them really needed to be wearing that much clothing in the Costan sun.
"Then we shall walk," Rufus replied, offering his arm to Tseng so they could walk together.
Tseng nodded, taking his arm with a slight smile, since all of the madness that had happened, the two had loosened up signigantly, something almost dying was likely responsible for.
Reno walked next to Rude, his emr still tapping against his shoulder. ..he didn't know why he was so nervous, just that he was.
"Stop that," Rude admonished gently. He did not need Reno's agitation adding to his own.
Reno stopped the tapping, but there were still other subtle signs that he KNEW the other shoe just HAD to drop.
When they reached the cul de sac, Rude nodded towards his family's house. He supposed it was his house, too, but he still considered it his family's. "My mother can be a little... overbearning," he warned as they walked up the porch steps.
Tseng simply shook his head, his own mother had been the same during his youth.
Gladys opened the door and immediatly. "Oh Lord...is it really! Mr Shinra, I am HONORED to have you as a guest in my home. ..my oh, my aren't you just so HANDSOME. ..and is THIS the lucky one who managed to snare you? My, he is a handsome one, too. ..Wutain? and of royal blood at that." she stepped back to let the two by her with a big smile.
Reno suddenly thought about it a minute, how a normal citizen would react to having one of the most powerful men in the world as a guest. ..for him. .well, Rufus despite being his boss was just Rufus to him.
Rude could feel a headache starting.
Rufus smiled charmingly. Leave it to him to turn the charm on Rude's mother. "Thank you, ma'am," he said, turning to take her hand and place a tiny kiss on the back of her hand. "You seem to already know my name, and this," he gestured. "is Tseng, my Captain of the Turks"
Michael TW Kelley: Tseng nodded. Noting that the woman had noticed the bindi marking him as being a distaff member of the royal family, he lofted a brow. This woman was quite observant, probably where her son had picked it up.
"Well, coome in, have some coffee, or tequila if you prefer." Gladys blushed a bit at the hand kiss. "No need to be so formal here, we're just country folk for the most part, friendly."
Reno watched the door, as if he expected the brat to come through it at any moment.
As they entered the kitchen, Rude noted that Sam was leaning against the counter and looking worlds better. He nodded to his brother, fairly certain that his mother would take care of the introductions. She was proper like that, most times.
Rufus laughed, the sound like honey on silk. Oh yes, he was all charm that evening. "Save the tequila for later. However, coffee would be lovely."
The house phone then rang. Sam, being the closest to it, picked it up. After a moment, he looked over to his mother. "It's Dad, Momma."
Reno suddenly had the feeling of his heart dropping into his belly. . .the other shoe. ..he was sure it had just dropped...damn his foolish decisions, damn Eric and his constant it seemed need to stir unwanted trouble. Somehow he knew. ..Eric had told his father.
Gladys took the phone from Sam, she knew somehow what was coming, and she was prepared.
"Gladys!" Bernard's voice could be heard throughout the entire room over the phone. The man didn't seem to know that you didn't need to yell to be heard on a cell phone. "Send Rudolph's..." one could almost hear the man fighting to find the right word. "Send the redhead out here. I need a hand with Cecille."
Rude breathed a sigh of relief, both for his father's request and for his not being the poor sucker that had to go out there and help him.
"Cecille?" Rufus questioned. He wasn't aware that Rude had a sister...
"His car." Reno did his damndest to hide the shudder. ..he KNEW what was coming, and he wasn't sure he was preapred for it. ..oh. ..he hoped to GOD it was just the car and not one of those "father-son" chats. ..those never tended to end too well for him. "I'm comin' hold your pants on."
"Son," Bernard said as Reno entered the garage. "Getting ready to put these new brake lines on, and I need your help bleeding the old ones." Without waiting for Reno to comply, the older man was already climbing under the front of the elevated classic car.
Reno nodded, helping to bleed the lines. ..cursing as one busts in his hand, soaking him in brake fluid.. ."Dammit, dammit. ..shit's hot. .." he wiped the fluid off his hand and began succking the burnt fingers. Was Reno nervous? No. ...
"Get yourself sick before dinner an' Gladys'll have your hide," Bernard said offhandedly. He tossed a few rags over to Reno, not speaking for a few minutes before. "Wife tells me Eric's left again. You know anything about it?"
Reno blanched. .."Yes, sir. ." those eyes somehow would not allow him to lie.. .but how in the world to tell him? This man's acceptance meant so much to him.
Bernard grunted a little, wrenching free a particularly stuck bolt. "She tells me you and Eric were feudin'." He paused again, chewing on the screwdriver he held in his mouth almost absently in thought. "Now, I know my youngest isn't the most friendly... but remember, he's my youngest boy. And if you're going to be part of this family, son, you're going to have to learn to get along."
"Yes sir. .it's just. ..he said something particularly offensive about the boss, sir. .and I'm pretty protective of Mr. Shinra for reasons aside from him being my employer that I am noyt at liberty to divulge."
The screwdriver clanked as it his the floor. Bernard's head popped out from under the car to look at Reno. "I don't care WHY you two are feudin'. I just want you both to knock it off before I have to make Gladys turn you over her knee again." With that, his head went back under the car and he went back to working on it.
"Yes sir." and now. ..he is doubly glad. .it seemed Bernard hadnt't seen any of the photos. ..
"Done." Bernard pulled himself out from under the car. "Now, go get yourself cleaned up. Gladys'll have my hide if you show up to dinner looking like a grease monkey." Bernard gave Reno one of his rare smiles, an honest, appreciative one.
Reno nods, seeming to BASK in it. ..then headed in, getting into the shower, really fast, more washing himself up and getting rid of the grease than anything else..again thanking all the Gods that those photos were gone.
To say Rude wasn't curious would be a lie. However, since Reno came back into the house in a seemingly better mood than he'd left, he figured Dad probably just wanted to 'bond' some more.
"Mr. Urar, I presume?" Rufus said as Bernard walked in. At the first part, Rude stiffened slightly before remembering that yes, his father was called that as well.
"Bernard," the older man corrected as he went over towards the sink to wash up. "And you are...?"
"Rufus ShinRa," the blonde replied with a smile. "And this is Tseng." He gestured to his lover.
Michael TW Kelley: Tseng nodded, bowing in the respectful way he had as Reno came downstairs, clean. ..his hair retied, the ends still the tiniest bit damp.
He whispers to Rude"He smiled at me, yo. .it's. ..wow." his voice sounded the tiniest tinge awed.
midnight12181: Rude had to hold back a chuckle. Instead, he just put his arm around Reno's waist and waited for them to be shooed off to the dinner table.
"Pleasure," Bernard said, and without thinking, he pulled his still half-dirty hand from under the faucet and offered it to the President.
Not one to be rude, and enjoying the 'down home' feeling of the area, Rufus shook the older man's hand, getting a few spots of grease on the edge of his white jacket. He wasn't concerned, though. He had nothing but respect for those men who could work well with their hands.
Michael TW Kelley: Reno scuttled into the dining room, seeing the look Gladys was giving them.
midnight12181: Rude gestured towards the dining room. "Sir," he said.
Rufus nodded to Rude, then walked into the dining room. He took the seat to the right of Reno.
Tseng took the seat on the other side. .reaching over and taking Rufus' hand under the table.
Reno simply sat down, trying to stay up straight. ..not wanting to feel like sinking into his chair, he didn't feel awkward around the ones here anymore, but if Eric showed up it was going to be difficult.
Rude watched as Sam sat down on the free side of Tseng. He'd always wondered why his mother insisted on round tables instead of square, but now he could sort of see why. He watched as Bernard took his spot, leaving only the single chair left for his mother. There was no room for Eric, even if he did show up.
Gladys came out with the last two bowls, sitting at her place and motioning Bernard to remove the towel from the tortillas, she had of course covered them to keep them hot. ..she'd also made a ham because there were "city folk who may find Costan food a bit spicy for their taste" coming, she motioned Bernard to carve that, too, smiling as she got up to go into the kitchen one more time, bringing out a huge pitcher of ice tea and one of fresh lemonade.
"Is dinner always such a delightful feast?" Rufus asked Rude. And here he thought Costan cooking was just what he'd had when he was travelling in the area: spicy yet rather bland.
Rude just smiled. He remembered why he sometimes missed the Momma cooked meals when he lived in Midgar.
Gladys smiled "Of course. . .it's not often my son brings the object of his affections home anymore." She didn't add it was for good reason. ..her younger son tended to try to steal anyone Rude brought home. ..which was why he and Reno didn't get along. .wrong Gender, but still Rude's. .therefore the conflicting emotions in the kid that came out as irritation with Reno.
"You most certainly didn't have to put all this together for us," Rufus said, that damn charming smile still on his face. "However, we are very appreciative that you did."
Sam chirped up as Gladys went back into the kitchen for something. "Can you grab my hot sauce please, Momma?" He grew his own hot peppers in his mother's small garden at the back of the property, and with them, he made his own hot sauce. Rude wouldn't touch the stuff, claiming you needed an iron stomach to just smell it.
Reno however did take two drops of it on his chicken... and instantly regretted it. ..his throat siezing up from the heat of it, and he LOVED spicy food. .. he was gasping just trying to get in a full breath for several long moments.
Sam and Bernard laughed heartily, the sound indicating that they were, indeed, father and son.
Rude, on the other hand, just smiled, patting Reno lightly on the back and offering his glass of lemonade as a suppliment to Reno's drink
Reno downed it, his throat finally reopening. ..he shot glares at father and son while trying to maintain his dignity.. .he swore he even heard his boss and Tseng laughing quietly.
Rude stood, refilling his and everyone else who needed its glass. Ah yes, leave it to Sam to try and kill Reno with food.
"A bit too hot for you, son?" Bernard asked between hearty laughs.
"Just a bit" he gasped out. "Didn't know it was THAT hot. ..'slike someone bottled a fire spell."
"There's a reason they're called Costan sunflare peppers. And if you can taste it, there's a hint of the Wutan red dragons in there, too," Sam explained.
"I might be able to taste once my mouth stops burning. .."
"Do you mind if I try some?" Rufus asked with a smile.
"Sir... I mean no disrespect, but are you insane?" Rude asked, eyes wide. "There's a reason Sammy calls it his 'Insanity Sauce'."
Reno gives a "be my guest, if you want to look undignified." gesture
Rufus took a small droplet from the bottle onto his finger. He smelled it, his eyes already starting to water.
"Are you sure you want to do that, sir?" Rude asked.
"Yes, yes," Rufus said, finally sucking it up and placing the drop on his tongue. He sat there for a moment, waiting.
Michael TW Kelley: Reno waits for the expression of "Oh my GOD it's hot" that is sure to come any moment.
"Slow burn?" Rufus asked, but he didn't have to wait for the answer. Slowly, as if rolling over him like an ocean wave, the heat rose. He could feel himself getting warmer. He gestured delicately towards the tortilla shells.
Reno handed him one, doing his damndest not to bust out laughing. ...Rufus' face was getting redder by the second.
Rufus had the presence of mind to fold the shell in half, then in half again, then again, until it was small enough to fit the entire thing into his mouth. Once he reached that point, the fire was evident from the sweat coming from his brow. He shoved the tortilla into his mouth, chewing as dignified as he could.
Tseng was not so lucky. .he let out a surprisingly hearty chortle. ..passing him a glass of lemonade to wash it down with.
"You," Rufus coughed. "You should try it, Tseng." There was a gleam in the President's eye. "I think you'll find it rather," another cough, "enlightening."
Tseng not only tried it. ..he kept a straight face the entire time. ..the only sign of how hot it was a slight flush. ..he was the kid who used to eat dragon peppers on a dare.
"Tseng," Rufus said, finally catching his breath. "You are not human."
"I am perfectly human sir, I am simply used to eating raw Wutain Red Dragons." He smirked.
"Nobody asked you to be smart, Tseng," Rufus pouted.
Rude, Bernard and Sam were all too busy laughing to comment.
Reno finally could hold back the laughter no longer. ."If. ." he spoke between gales of laughter. "You could only see your face sir."
"Nobody asked you either, Reno," Rufus continued to pout.
Reno finally calmed down. ..and the rest of dinner seemed to go on without incident. ..he was waiting. ..wondering when the shoe was going to drop.
Once dinner was completed, Rude stood to help his mother clean off the table.
"Dinner was lovely, ma'am," Rufus said, that charming smile returning. "Far better than the usual fare when we travel."
Gladys bows "You are quite welcome Mr. Shinra. This is actually fairly normal for when my Rudy is home."
He held back. Really he did. There was a 'Mo-om...' on the tip of his tongue, but he managed to hold it back... unless you looked at his face.
Reno chuckled. .he knew that look, it had been directed at him more than once when he said something dumb.
"You boys stayin' here tonight?" Bernard asked. He stood, walking over towards the china cabinet in the corner. He opened it, pulling out a small wooden humidor. He carried it over to the table, offering a cigar to all the men.
Tseng looked at Rufus "I'm not sure if that would be wise, sir. ..Reno and Rufus both have pet cuahls back at the hotel that tend to get into trouble if left unspervised too long."
"Yes, they do," Rufus said, taking the offered cigar with a grace born from his position. He pulled out a cigar cutter, clipping the end of the fine smelling tobacco. "We do not need another shredding incident with Dark Nation."
Reno sniggered "Or a pregnant Darkie. .." remembers the incident where Rufus had chased him with his shotgun.
Bernard raised an eyebrow as he struck a match to light his cigar. "Rudolph lets you have a cat?" he asked Reno.
"It was an accidental acquisition, . .Livewire don't give him much of a choice" He left it at that.
Bernard took a thoughtful puff from his cigar... and left it at that also. He was not a prying man, nor was he a gossip, like his wife.
Reno also sat back, letting the nicotine calm him. ..wondering when things were going to go wrong, he shot Rude a glance that said as much.
Rude prepared and lit his own cigar, shrugging back at Reno.
"What type of vehicle are you helping Bernard restore out there, Reno?" Rufus asked, steering the silence into conversation like he was so good at doing.
"Shinra motorworks Silver Ghost. ..it's BEAUTIFUL, yo..." He was as enthusiastic about the car as Bernard. Who knew the kid was a car nut?
Rufus raised an eyebrow. Certainly he was unaware of such a trait in the redhead. "Silver Ghost...? I am unfamiliar with that make..." Rufus, while not a car nut, was rather familiar with, at least, what his father's company manufactured.
"From before you were born. ..why don't you come out and take a look, yo?"
Bernard laughed, reaching into his pocket. "Let him listen to her, too, son," he said, tossing the keys to the car to Reno.
Rufus kept his look of surprise to himself. He knew that Reno had this uncanny ability to get in good with just about anyone, but from what he could tell Bernard didn't let people in on a whim... especially with his -- what was her name? -- Cecille.
Reno caught the keys. ..leading him out into the garage. ..the car sat, freshly washed and gleaming. .the pearlescent silver paint shiny. "This. ..is Cecille. ..beautiful ain't she?"
Rufus nodded, holding his hand about an inch away from the actual car, but letting it glide over the curves. It was a beautiful piece of machinery. After a moment, he paused. "You seem to have found yourself a family, Reno," he said, tone indicating that he was truly sincere, not mocking in the least. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks yo. .I feel. ..really accepted here. I just hope Eric doesn't come back with any more of those damn photos. ..I really don't want to lose all this."
"Eric?" Rufus asked. He'd been spared the gore details before. "Photos?"
Reno suddenly flushed. "Eric. ..took photos of us on the beach, sir."
Rufus poked his head under the hood, looking at the intricate engine. "I don't see how photos could present a problem, Reno."
"If his dad saw, sir. ..he'd. ..flip." And that was his fear. . .Bernard's reaction to the content of those photos. ..not just the threesome in and of itself, but the kiss. . .finally, he breaks down...and tels him about that bit.. "That's why he'd flip sir. .it would destroy not only my relationship with Rude's old man, but do a fair amount of damage to his."
"I see," Rufus said, still looking over the vehicle as if it were the most interesting thing in the garage. "And what caused this incestous incident to occur? Especially since something like it had never, to my knowledge, occured before with either him or his SOLDIER brother?"
"Heat of the moment, I'm guessing. .." It was all he could imagine bringing it about.
"There was no instigation by another party to bring this about?" Rufus was really pushing it there. But, he needed to know, just in case he was the poor unfortunate soul who had to play damage control.
Reno gulped...and then admitted. "I. .sorta did, sir. ..not intentionally mind you. ..but you know me. ..when I get in that state.. I'm damn near impossible to control." Rufus had first hand knowledge of the fact.
Yes, Rufus did. Finally, he looked at Reno. "I will have Tseng contact one of our operatives here in Costa for some... damage control." He paused. "However, if I do this very personal favour for you, you must do two things for me."
"Yes sir.'
"First, Rude must never find out. And I mean never, Reno," Rufus said. "Were he to find out we sent a little muscle after his brother behind his back..." He left it at that.
"He'd be fairly pissed. ..understood sir."
"Good," Rufus said, pausing in his speech to admire the work Reno and Bernard had just completed earlier.
"And what else, sir?" The onyl times Rufus name had ever left his lips, well. ..they were long ago.
"That one I will hold on to until a future date." It was delightfully ambigious, and basically meant that the next time the President asked him for a favour, Reno would be obliged to do it.
"Yes sir. ." He sighs, looking out now. ..he hated how his own actions when he was THAT aroused usually came back to bite him in the ass.
"Consider your problems..." Rufus paused, taking a last look at the vehicle before walking towards the garage door. "... solved."
He nodded. then went into the car and cranked the engine. ..it purred.
Rufus tilted his head back, just listening to the sound of a perfectly running ShinRa engine. Beautiful.
"Ya wanna ride, if he says it's ok? I'd hafta ask.. but I'm sure he'd be ok with it. .." Yes, reno definately had a way of getting on the good side of MOST people. .an almost indefinable charm.
A slow smile crossed Rufus' lips. "That would be... lovely."
Reno dials his cell to the house line, asking for Bernard. "Hey, ya mind if I take the boss for a quick spin around the block?"
Bernard paused for a moment, then his voice boomed over the phone. "Just be easy on her."
"Will do sir." He climbed into the car after opening door for Rufus. .that engine still purred like a kitten as he pulled her out of the garage. it felt like heaven under his hands and feet. "Shi-at. .this is one sweet piece of metal."
Rufus just leaned back in the seat, feeling the warm hum of the machine underneath them.
They rode around the block, and got back unmolested, except some old lady who flipped them off because Reno laid on the horn after she cut him off. He was on his best behavior.
"Beautiful," Rufus said appreciatively. "Now... I do believe we should rescue Tseng and Rude from the clutches of Rude's delightful family."
"Yes sir. ..and rescue Dark Nation before Livewire gets an untoward ideas." He chuckled again. "I'd hate you ta actually HAVE ta shoot him, sir."
Rufus chuckled as well. "Dark Nation does not need to be a mother any time soon."
He parks, and back into the house they go. .he finds Rude and sets his head on his chest, looking much more peaceful
Rude frowned for a moment, then sighed at Reno's touch. Whatever it was that was bothering his redhead, the President seemed to have given him calm.
"My dearest Gladys," Rufus said, taking the woman's hand into his own and kissing it again. "I'm afraid we must take our leave. Dinner was divine, and the next time you're in Midgar, please don't hesitate to call so we may return the favour."
Tseng boowed, bidding his adieu.
"Bernard," Rufus said, taking the man's hand and shaking it. "You have raised fine sons, sir. These two have served me well in my brief time as President, and I am certain I will be able to count on them for many years to come."
"Are you and Reno staying here or going with them?" Sam asked. Rude just looked at Reno, leaving the decision up to him.
"We'll stay if ya want to Rude.. like ya said, I know your momma would appreciate it. .and "He gives a hushed "I like it here."
Rude nodded. "We're staying, I guess."
Rufus nodded as well. "I see. Then I will have Tseng call you when the suits arrive in the morning. Please make sure nothing will keep you two from attending tomorrow."