Tseng shook his head then. watching as they took the body out. .he regretted, more than anything,not telling Shion he loved him at the moment of his death.
"We'll be in touch," the officer said, moving around the room to help out the other officers that had shown up.
Tseng leaned into Rufus now, watching the sun come up. ..wow. ..had this business actually taken the entire night?
Rufus sighed, his skin paler than usual and his eyes a little dim. "I'm sorry," he mumbled quietly, again.
"It is not your fault, it is the fault of the old ways. things must change"
Rufus still felt terrible, even though he nodded in agreement with Tseng's words. How could the man forgive him that easily for taking the life of his only child? Mind you, Rufus was used to taking lives, but never that of a child, and certainly not that of his lover's child.
"I do not hold any blame toward you, Dear Heart. ..he would have killed us both with no hesitation, then have gone after Reno and Rude and Rennan afterward." Tseng kissed the top of his head.
Rufus sighed, silently holding blame towards himself, regardless of whether Tseng did or not.
"Blaming yourself will do no good, either. You did what you had to do in order to save us all."
"That does not make it right," Rufus replied.
"It does however make it true"
Rufus just sighed. He couldn't win, nor could he explain exactly why he felt so terrible about the circumstances.
"We should try to get a few hours of sleep. ..things may not exactly look BETTER after, but we at least be able to think more clearly."
With another sigh, Rufus nodded, moving slowly towards the bed.
Tseng curled him up in his arms, holding him close as he dropped off.
Rufus just laid there, and whether his eyes were open or closed, his mind just kept replaying the moments surrounding Shion's death.
Tseng held him closer, kissing the back of his neck. "You must let it go, you must, or you will drive yourself as insane as your father was."
"He was a boy, Tseng. Just a boy..." Rufus' voice was soft and sounding far younger than his years.
"He was a boy, but he was also a ninja who had passed the trials. ..he knew either he was going to die or we were tonight. .and oddliy enough.. I think this is what he wanted."
"Had I been the son my father wanted..." Rufus started, leaving off what bothered him the most -- the fact that, to an extent, that could have been Rufus.
"Then we would not be having this conversation."
Rufus sighed. "I suppose not."
"Now sleep or must I drug your water?" Yes, Tseng had done that once when Rufus was a child still because he could not sleep.
"I am not a child," Rufus replied, sounding very much like one.
"You are a man who is tired, and thereby acting like a child, now relax." He began massaging Rufus' back gently, working the tight knots out of his muscles, aiming to relax him.
Rufus huffed, but that was quickly followed by a sigh as those skilled fingers worked at his tensest points. "I don't deserve this, Tseng."
"You do in my eyes. ..I love you."
Rufus closed his eyes and leaned back into Tseng's touch.
Tseng kept up the massage until he heard soft, even breathing before laying down himself.
Rude was awake early, making breakfast for the three of them, knowing the smallest of their clan had school in... an hour. He knew that shortly after that, they were probably going to be called by either Tseng or Rufus to finish dealing with the Shion problem.
Reno was getting Rennan dressed for school, making sure his bookbag had everything in it.
Rude set the table, putting an omlette on each plate before going back to get the orange juice from the fridge.
Reno came in with Rennan close behind, sitting down. "Mornin' yo"
"Morning," Rude replied, pouring himself and Reno a cup of coffee before sitting down himself. "Tseng or the President are supposed to call."
"Sounds important. ..somethin' happen last night?"
Rude glanced at Rennan, his eyes telling Reno he'd mention it after the boy went to school. "Just work," he replied.
Reno nodded, as soon as they 'd finished breakfast he strode out the door, saying "Hey, Rennan. ..how'd ya like to ride the motorcycle this morning to school?"
Rude frowned. Wasn't the boy a bit young for that? But he kept his opinion to himself.
The boy nodded excitedly, getting his bookbag, and the little helmet from the closet. Rude busied himself with cleaning up the breakfast dishes.
Reno came back in the house after dropping Rennan off. "The kids now think he is the epitome of cool. ..not only is his Daddy a Turk, but he has a what they called 'Bitchin' bike.'"
Rude raised an eyebrow, the gesture clearly meaning 'kids these days...'
"Anyway. ..what did happen last night? I could tell by your expression it musta been pretty serious"
"Shion's dead," Rude said plainly.
If Reno's jaw could have dropped any further it would have taken out the kitchen tile. "Holy Shit. .."
"The President shot him."
OK, so maybe it COULD drop further. "Fuck. .."
"Exactly."
"I don't even wanna think what Tseng's goin' through right now. .shit. ."
"Or the President." Rude knew Rufus ShinRa would be taking his course of action hard.
"I hope this doesn't create a rift between them. ..'s'the last thing they need."
Rude's face clearly indicated that it was the last thing any of the Turks needed.
"I mean, I know Tseng wouldn't blame the boss, he knew what was gonna happen. .but the boss..he'd blame himself."
Rude sighed, reaching for his pack of cigarettes with a nod.
Reno tracked down the half-crushed pack of newports in his coat pocket and headed out onto the porch, Livewire would need walking soon.
Rude's phone rang in his pocket, the tone the one he used for reminders. He opened the phone, reading the little note, then closed it with a sigh. "Hate to rain on the parade," he said, "But I need to be at the courthouse to sign the papers for Josh's institutionalization."
Reno sighed too. .he didn't want to be reminded of Josh.
"You don't have to come," Rude offered.
"Of course I want to...just. ..shit. ."he gestured to get what he wanted to get across. "Your needs are more important than my stupid grudge. ..and whether you say it or not. ..you need me as much as I do you."
"I think this could be good for all of us," he replied carefully.
"Stand as a united front. ..so he knows?"
Rude shook his head. "I said all of us. That includes Josh."
"Maybe. ."
"Let go of whatever bug has crawled up your ass. It's over between me and him, has been for a long time. But that doesn't mean I don't care, doesn't mean I don't want what's best for him."
"I think. ..part of it's we look so damn much alike. ..and for a while I wondered, ya know. ..part of it may also hafta do with the fact that he tried ta KILL me."
"He's a part of my life, Reno. You have to accept that." Rude had a feeling that if Reno couldn't deal with it, he'd have to leave the redhead behind every time he went to see Josh.
He just shook his head, his eyes shadowed. "I wish he weren't. ..I wish. ..you could just leave him behind. ..but I know how hard that is."
"I can't leave him behind just as much as you can't leave Rennan behind." It wasn't fair. It wasn't. Rude was expected to, and had, accepted Rennan as a part of Reno's life that he would have to deal with. Why couldn't Reno do the same?
Most of it was of course because Josh was his ex, not his son. ..and an ex who if he could kill Reno to take Rude back would do so in an instant,., but he wouldn't tell him that. He just nodded, sighing.. ..and said "Let's go" in a soft, slightly defeated tone. He knew Rude was right, but it didn't mean he had to like it.
Rude sighed, his victory feeling less like a victory than a defeat. He grabbed his keys, intending to take the car there.
Reno wasn't sulking, not a bit. .more. .he was worried, he sat in the passenger seat, quietly looking out. . .He wondered if this would ever be truly over.
Rude parked the car, his look to Reno offering the redhead one last chance to turn back. Rude knew he didn't want to face Josh, and truthfully, Rude wasn't sure he wanted Reno to.
Reno however knew he HAD to eventually. .he got out, striding up next to Rude.
Rude strode right up to Josh and his lawyer, pulling out the power of attorney paperwork from inside his jacket pocket. "I'm here. What do I need to sign?"
Reno's eyes when they met Josh's showed no signs of any emotion whatsoever. He had learned control.
Josh's eyes seemed to not even see Reno, his face turning towards Rude's like flowers turn towards the sun. "Rudy," he said, his voice softer than normal.
Rude had been speaking to the lawyer, signing and initialling papers. He turned to Josh, his eyes occassionally darting towards Reno. "We're sending you to a nice place, Joshy. They're going to take care of you there, get you some help."
Reno's form was stiff, but he still refused to let much of anything show on his face.
"Will you come see me?" Josh asked, tilting his head to the side as if he were listening to words that only he could hear.
Rude paused, getting a good look at Josh's face. His pupils were dialated, a clear indicator that he'd already been sedated. "Every month," Rude replied with a tiny smile.
It was then that Reno realized he was no more threat. .. even if it still hurt that Rude had to let that insane bastard be part of his. ..no THEIR lives...he was no longer a threat.
"That's good. You always were so good to me, Rudy," Josh mumbled, his lawyer indicating that he should go with the nice men in white coats that had arrived to take him to his new -- hopefully temporary -- home.
"I'll see you soon, Joshy," Rude said softly, waving as the man was lead out of the room.
Reno finally just leaned into Rude. . .he'd faced down the demon..and in his opnion he'd won.
Rude took a deep, shuddering breath. His throat felt tight. It had been hard basically committing Josh, but... it was what was best for his former lover.
Reno looked up at him, putting aside any anger he might have had and setting a hand on Rude's cheek. ..softly whispering he'd done the right thing.
Rude shook his head and turned to walk out the door.
A slightly hurt expression crossed Reno's face as he followed him out. his emotions were still fairly raw between his mother and the news about Shion and worrying about his boss and their supervisor. ..he hadn't been ready for Rude to turn his honest attempt at comfort away.
"He deserves better," Rude said once they got back in the car.
Reno had no answer to that. "how much of it is. ." He just trailed off, not sure how to phrase the question in a way that wouldn't piss Rude off. He wanted to know how much of the reluctance to let go was him blaming himself. .and how much of it was true lingering feelings
"I care about him, Reno. I care, but I'm with you." He hoped his words were enough... mostly because he wasn't sure how much of it was anything himself.
Reno nodded. "'sjust. ..ya gotta realize. ..and I think parta what really has m'britches in a knot is it's not just part of YOUR life anymore. ..your life is intertwined with mine. .and now with Rennan's. .and I was not really consulted before all of this shit with Josh started. Yeah..I hid somea my past too. ..but I'm not bringing the boss in to be parta our lives in the same way. " he sighed. .it was hard to explain.
"I'm responsible for the state he's in, not you."
"But what effects you. ..effects us." THERE. ..that was what he'd been trying to say.
"I'm not having this arguement." Rude's tone was clear. "I have to do this, whether you like it or not. I give in on a lot of shit, Reno, but I can't give in on this. THIS is important to me, and I'm not giving in on it"
He simply turns to the window, every line of his body showing just sheer hurt, a muttered "fine" under his breath.
"It will be," Rude said softly, pulling up to the condo. "You'll see."
Reno got out of the car, not another word spoken, it wasn't so much that he was angry, as much as it was hurt. ..Hell, if Rufus had been trying to kill Rude, he'd have kicked him to the curb the second it happened whether it had been his fault he'd gone nuts or not.
Rude was comfortable with silence; it was his nature, anyway. And regardless of how uncomfortable Reno tried to the make the silence, Rude just endured it. Reno would see, eventually, that Rude was right.
He didn't even say anything when he went to pick up Rennan from school, he was Hell. ..beyond hurt that he had been asked to accept this new wrinkle without even a by your leave...without Rude even acknowledging that he had a right to feel as he did on the matter at all.
Rude waited for the pair to return, morning's newspaper in hand as he sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee.
Reno returned with Rennan in hand, it was obvious he was trying to hide the release in tears he'd found on the way in. ..he wanted Rude to acknowledge that he had a right to not like the idea. ..then he'd rest a bit easier in the fact that it was what HAD to be.
Rude didn't know what Reno's problem was. He did what had to be done, and Reno was acting like Rude decided to go back to sleeping with Josh... which wasn't it at all. With a sigh, he figured it would all end up working itself out. Reno would get over the fact that Rude had responsibilities, and things would get back to normal.
"You wanna know what it is? You just look at it as your responsibility. .without even acknowledging 'You know what, maybe my husband does have a right not to like this continued involvement with my ex.' Just a little acknowledgement of the fact that I DO have a right to feel that way might be nice, ya know."
"Whether you like it or not doesn't matter. It's the way it has to be." Rude spoke evenly, folding his paper carefully and setting it on the table.
"It DOES matter, I know it's the way it has ta be, but when you just brush off how I feel like it doesn't count. ..it fucking hurts."
"I'm not brushing you off," Rude protested.
"Feels like it." He slumped into the chair. "I haven't once heard from you 'You have the right to be upset. .. you have the right to not want him here.' I know he has to be part of our lives. . .I know that. .."
"I knew you were going to be mad, but I figured it was understood that it was all right to be upset," Rude replied.
"You see. . .that was all I wanted ta hear.. I need to hear it sometimes ya know. ." He looked up. ..some of the feelings of hurt beginning to fade.
Rude shrugged. "I thought it was understood."
"Just because I understood.. .doesn't mean I don't like to have it verbally acknowledged sometimes. " And with that he smiled a little, walking over to him and leaning on him.
Rude visably relaxed, tension from dealing with a pissy Reno leaving his limbs.
Yes, it's true that sometimes Rude did forget that Reno was more verbally oriented than he was, And that an occasional verbal acknowledgement was just the thing to diffuse misunderstandings of this sort,
"So... is it over? Are things going to go back to normal?" Rude asked, his tone clearly indicating that he was speaking of the hellaciousness of their past trials and tribulations.
"I sure as FUCK hope so. I don't think I could handle another year like this."
Rude sighed. "Good."
"We got Shion's funeral ta deal with. .but other than that. ..I think we're good."
Another, more contented sigh from Rude. "Good," he repeated, then paused. "You think Tseng's going to take him back to Wutai?"
"I'm pretty sure if he can get permission from Godo that he will."
"And that's unlikely. You know they hate each other."
"He'll use Yuffie as a go between, I'd think. Yuffie does like him, and she can pretty much convince Godo of anything."
Rude just chuckled, knowing how true that statement was.
Yuffie was at that very moment calling the Shinra home with good news.
Rufus was in the shower, hoping to wake up since he'd slept very little the night before.
"Hello?" Tseng's tired voice sounded over the line.
"Good news. . Dad is going to let you bring your son home and bury him on the island next to his mother."
"Thank you, YUffie."
Rufus came out of the bathroom wearing one fluffy white towel and using another to dry his hair. He looked at Tseng questioningly.
"Good news.. .of a sort. We can bury nmy son next to his mother within the temple grounds."
"That's good," Rufus said carefully. He still wasn't fully comfortable talking about what had happened.
"Whenever you are ready to go, we will do so. You may have the others accompany us, or not, it is your choice."
Rufus took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. "I do believe they are due for a little vacation time, real vacation time, don't you, Tseng?"
"I am in definate agreement. .and Wutai is nice this time of year, though of course it is up to them as well."
"I was thinking time off with their son, without either of us around to annoy them," Rufus said softly.
Tseng nodded slowly now, "And I could use some with you."
Rufus took another deep breath. "I want you to know, Tseng, that I am sorry for what happened. I know I've apologized more than you think is enough, but it isn't enough for me."
"I know, Dear heart. ..I have forgiven you. ..so as Reno is so fond of saying it is time to forgive yourself."
"That will... take some time, I believe."
"For now. ..accept that I love you and hold you completely blameless."
Rufus sighed, then nodded. He couldn't really say anything more.
"Now. ..when do we wish to do this?"
"As soon as you would like," Rufus replied. He would indulge Tseng as much as he needed to.
"Traditionally, the body is to be cremated by the sun's fall on the second day on holy ground, and the urn interred on the spot of the cremation. .so we must leave very soon."
Rufus nodded. "Then make the nessissary arrangements, Tseng. I'll pack our things."
Tseng called in one of Reeve's pilots to fly them so that Reno could be home with his family. ..he truly deserved it and needed it. Very shortly there was a chopper waiting at the airstrip in midtown and a car out front.
Rufus packed their good suits, also packing Tseng's traditional outfit and some casual clothing. He pulled the suitcase out to the car, then sat in the back, waiting for the driver to put the suitcase in the trunk.
As the suitcases plopped into the back and the driver climbed into the car, Tseng began to feel the weight of his sorrow. He watched out the window as the nicer sector of Edge fell into the distance, then as they reached the chopper, watched the driver load their bags once more, he offered Rufus his hand after he had climbed in.
Rufus took the offered hand, nodding to the pilot once before they took off.
Tseng watched the Eastern Continant drop away underneath them, his thoughts deep. ..he was going home. ..back to a home he thought he would never see again.
Rufus squeezed Tseng's hand, offering him a tiny smile when the elder man looked his way.
"I never imagined.. .when I returned into the capital city it would be under such circumstances. My mother's tiny mountain village is one thing. ..but the capital city. .I am not sure how things will go."
Rufus straightened his jacket. "Things will be fine."
"I am glad of your faith. ..it means much."
Rufus knew he was lying through his teeth. Though it had been some time since the war with Wutai, anti-ShinRa sentiment still ran free. Add to that the discovery that the last remaining ShinRa was not likely to produce a natural heir willingly... He was far more anxious than he let on.
Tseng had chosen to have the helicopter land outside the small village of da chao, named for the mountain on which it resided. He would pay a visiit to his own parents first, his father's new wife was one of those who adhered to Yuffie's beliefs with great enthusiasm, and he knew they would likely be treated well.
Rufus stepped onto Wutan soil with a slight bit of trepidition. He was unsure how far his name would go here, if it didn't instead get him lynched.
Tseng's father exited their small house with his new wife that he had taken after Tseng's mother had died during the Geostigma epidemic. the woman looked to be about half the elderly Wutain man's age.
Rufus had never met Tseng's parents, so he offered his hand to the elderly man.
"Is this the one Yuffie was so excited about. .a Shinra, son. ..I am. .somewhat surprised, but I cannot say I am that disappointed. .maybe this will light a fire underneath those Elders that should have been many years ago."
Tseng bowed respectfully to his father.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Rufus said, his body bowing slightly as he shook the man's hand.
Tseng's eyes did widen just a bit in shock at his father's words. "Father I'd not known. .."
The older man smiled slightly. "That I did not hold with all of the traditions? I do not. Meylin here was not of the council's choosing."
Rufus raised an eyebrow, glancing between Tseng and his father.
"Welcome to my home, come in, come in. .it is not very big, but it is comfortable"
"Thank you, sir," Rufus said with a tiny smile and a nod. He could see much of Tseng in his father.
"I taught my son to stand up for his own beliefs, I may not afgree with every decision he has made, but even so. ..they are his to make."
"You are very wise," Rufus said with a smile. "A trait you seem to have passed on to your son."
The tiny butterfly-like woman in the traditional kimono and obi bowed to them, then went to start supper.
"She's very quiet," Rufus noted, nodding at the woman. "Not at all like Yuffie."
"Meylin is a bit shy, but she holds to the belief that love is where one finds it. Now, Yuffie told me what has brought you here. .. I am so very sorry that circumstances brought things to this. It is, by the way NOT true that he was cast out. He CHOSE not to stay with us, instead going to Midgar."
Rufus frowned. "Why would he do such a thing?"
"He refused to stay with the parents of 'the one who soiled the family's honor.'"
"Who... who raised the boy?" Rufus asked, trying to get to the bottom of things.
"One of his mother's cousins. .a bitter, traditional old man. I believe one of your Turks knows him quite well, Chan Ma Gi."
Rufus frowned. He knew that name from a certain redhead's file. "I see," he said carefully. "Did he spend no time in his mother's care?"
"He was 3 when my son left Wutai. .his mother commited the traditional method of suicide when he left."
"If you do not mind me asking, sir... why?" Rufus inquired. While he was raised by his father alone, and what a mess THAT had been, he couldn't quite see how Shion had turned out so differently.
"His mother was weak of will, raised in the traditional wutain fashion. ..women are little more than childbearing vessels and property according to the feudal law."
Rufus sat back, his expression darkening. His father had said the same of his mother when he younger: that she was weak of will. So it was true; he really could have become Shion had he not had the guiding hand of the Turks in his youth.
Tseng draped his arms over Rufus' shoulder, his father would be able to see the gleam of the cord-carved band on his left ring finger.
"I was proud of my son for bucking the tradition and being true to himself, but I was not free to say so publicly."
"Your son is a very strong man, I can assure you, sir," Rufus said, his expression still holding that thoughtfulness.
"Which is why the two of you are so well-matched." Shion-wi turned then. "I have been impolite, I apologize. My name is Shion-wi Xiang."
Tseng would see the fractional wideninng around the ice-ble eyes and nod. "Yes. .I named him for my father."
"Rufus ShinRa," he replied with a nod. Then Rufus frowned. "I see," was all he could say to Tseng's words.
"Your name is well known here, as was your father's. . .yours much more favorably, I assure you."
"That is good to know," he replied.
Meylin came in to inform them dinner was prepared, and to remove their shoes and come eat.
Rufus nodded and smiled at the girl, doing as she asked before following her to the dining area.
The spread was wondrous, Drunken Noodles, Moo Goo Gai pan, Lo Mein, Rice, Honey Chicken, all prepared and served in the traditional manner, on a low table and mats.
Rufus sat on his feet at his place at the table. It had been a long, long time since he had dined in the traditional manner of his lover. "This looks lovely, Meylin," Rufus told the woman with a charming smile.
Meylin merely smiled shyly and bowed.
Rufus smiled back, his hand unconsciously reaching towards Tseng's under the table.
Tseng took it, but he did not hide the affectionate gesture. He was in some ways as in your face as Reno, only more quietly so.
As Rufus began eating, his mood seemed to get better. "Wow," he said after swallowing a particularly large bite of noodles. "This is incredible..."
Meylin actually blushed and whispered "Thank you, Shinra-san."
"Please, call me Rufus," he said with that every so charming smile.
"The service is to begin at sunrise, so my suggestion to you both would be to try to get some rest as soon as you have eaten and cleansed yourselves of the travel dirt."
"You are too kind, sir," Rufus said, bowing his head respectfully.
Shion-wi bows as well in the traditional manner and excuses himself from the table as Meylin begins clearing away the dishes and putting the rest of the food away.
Rufus stood, waiting for Tseng to lead them to where they would be sleeping.
Tseng strode into his old bedroom, which had been left just as it had been when he'd left home to court and marry Ming Lei at the age of 20, with the futon-style full size bed and bamboo furniture.
Rufus let out a low whistle of appreciation. "This was your room?" he inquired.
He nodded, "Father made all of this furniture with his own hands."
Rufus nodded, gently touching some of the more intricate pieces around the room, as if he couldn't believe they were real. He had always grown up in a modern setting, with sharp edges and corners, stark colours and blacks and white with no greys.
Tseng had already removed the black suit and donned the traditional dressing gown that still rested within one of the dressers.
Rufus slowly undressed, keeping his eyes on Tseng as he got a tiny, seductive smile on his lips.
Tseng then let down the topknot in which that dark, silken hair was normally kept, when he did, it flowed down to just past his shoulders in an ebon river. The dark eyes danced, just a bit "You know. ..I have never made love in my family's homme."
"Not even to your wife?" Rufus asked, sliding out of his shirt but leaving his pants on.
"She refused to come here. So no. ..this will be a first for me."
"And just how thin are these walls?" he inquired, toying with the fastener of his pants.
"Thick enough."
"Good." Rufus' smile was rather sexy as he let his pants fall to the floor, clearly showing that he was sans underwear. "Then I believe we have a bed to christen."
"I believe you're right." and Tseng literally picked him up and carried him into the bed, laying him down before dropping a blistering, toe-curling kiss on the blond.
Rufus made a pleased sound against Tseng's lips, his hands sliding over the man's skin in arousing patterns.
Tseng then began dropping those same steamy kisses down his neck, the lips tracing random patterns along his chest and belly as well, then down thighs, skirting his cock altogether while moving down those slender yet well-formed calves, before kissing up the other. ..finally, simply nosing at the erect flesh that awaited him.
"Don't tease me tonight, Tseng," Rufus mumbled, squirming slightly as if trying to get the elder man to DO something.
Tseng finally engulfed that flesh in that warm mouth. .WHILE he prepared himself, a feat only his extraordinary flexibility would allow. . .He would allow Rufus to seek that pleasure tonihgt, and willingly so. As he lifted, that incredibly slender, yet well-muscled and tanned form sitting above Rufus for a moment, before he slid him home with only a soft moan.
Words left Rufus' mind, but only sounds left his mouth. "It has been..." he gasped. "... too long... since you've... let me take you..."
"This is. ..a symbol of what I feel for you, love." and his own speech fleeing as the nerves inside are brushed and set aflame. ..his muscles tensing at the sudden pleasure that shot through his nerves.
"You..." Rufus started, his words cut off with a gasp as his fingers tried frantically to reach for Tseng. "You spoil me..."
Tseng as his mouth worked soundlessly had forgotten how intense this could be. ..a single touch to himself, that silken river flowing down his back, dark eyes closing, breath coming in gasps, body stiffening, ancd with a hitching gasp he releases between them. .. holding onto Rufus and kissing him to swallow his cry.
Rufus' fingers clench on Tseng's thighs, holding the man there as he spilled himself within him.
And with that Tseng collapsed. . .holding Rufus close as he drfifted off. ..tomorrow would be busy.