This scene happens a good deal later, or at least later enough for Reeve to have cleared all his experiments out of the guest room. Tseng hasn't gotten new clothes yet tho, so it can't have been that long.

Innocence

(after Reeve and Tseng have a conversation on what clothes to buy for him, mostly Reeve asking specifics, and Tseng protesting the need for so many)

Tseng was startled to find Rufus asleep on his bed when he returned. The blond was in his pajamas, sprawled out on his bed surrounded by his long term homework. Reeve chuckled softly from behind him, and brushed gently into the room. The older man gathered up Rufus's textbooks and loose papers quietly, and laid them on the desk before returning and covering his son gently with the blanket rolled up at the bottom of the bed.

Tseng watched from the doorway, unsure of what he was supposed to do, and if he was intruding. Reeve smiled at him as he straightened and turned to leave, gesturing for Tseng to proceed him back to the livingroom.

He followed silently as Reeve continued into the kitchen and sat quietly at the island while Reeve poured a cup of tea. Tseng blinked, but thanked him and accepted the tea when it was place in front of him. Reeve nodded and poured himself a cup. They both sipped in silence for a while.

Then Reeve sighed, breaking the silence. "He still looks like a child when he sleeps."

Tseng glanced at him, curious.

Reeve shook his head, still looking towards the door, "But, when he's awake, he's not a child anymore. He shouldn't be that mature yet." He turned to look at Tseng, "Like you. He's world weary already. Neither of you should have to face the world like that, at such a young age." Reeve nodded slowly and looked back into empty space, "If the world were perfect, you would both be young and careless right now."

Tseng nodded his head slowly, he'd never really thought of what he would be doing right now if life had been kinder.

"But," Reeve said, smiling softly, "Somehow, it was meant to be like this."

Tseng blinked and looked at him in question.

"Life is never perfect," Reeve said calmly, turning to look at him, "And though we wish the best for those we care about, in all honesty, we'd be bored if it was. And, you and Rufus would never have met if you both didn't draw short straws." He smiled at Tseng, "And you're supposed to be together, somehow. It's… hard to explain. But, you're together now because… somehow, you've already met."

Tseng stared at him, remembering the strange feeling of déjà vu that Rufus had given him, the one that had convinced his inebriated self to trust the stranger holding out a hand to him. "That's why I'm here," he agreed, quietly, looking into his tea, "I followed him because, I knew him."

Reeve nodded his understanding, and Tseng wondered that such a crazy idea could be spoken so reasonably in the kitchen with this man. He finished his tea as Reeve emptied and washed out his own cup. Then the younger man stood, still cradling his cup in his hands.

"Sir," he began quietly, and Reeve turned to him. Tseng met his gaze nervously, "Neither Rufus nor myself drew a short straw to get here, sir. You're the one that taught him how to care, in spite of everything, and the one who told me to stay." He was sure he was blushing, since he'd never been good at saying what he thought, but he continued, "We are both really lucky to have found you, sir, I know Rufus feels the same way."

Reeve smiled and turned to him completely.

Tseng saw him nod, and suddenly knew he had done the right thing by speaking.

"You should turn in," Reeve told him quietly, "I'll finish up here."

Tseng bowed his thanks before leaving, somehow lighter for the talk.

Reeve picked up the other's cup and cleaned it, then the tea kettle, before gently turning off the water and retiring to his own bed. On the way, he stopped to check on the teens. Rufus was sleeping much the way he'd left him, and Reeve smiled as he gently closed the door. In his new room, Tseng had crawled into his borrowed pajamas and all but fallen into bed. Reeve shook his head and carefully covered the young man with the blanket before slipping back out into the hallway.

He looks so young when he's asleep.