Tseng groaned weakly as he pried his sleep-sticky eyelids apart, hoping that the pounding in his head wouldn't pop his eyes out of their sockets once the thin fleshy lids keeping them contained parted. After a few daring attempts at escape, the pounding in his head subsided slightly and his eyes were able to focus on the world surrounding him. Unfortunately, hungover Tseng did not like what he saw; he did not like what he saw one bit. His weapons were strew across the floor, creating a dangerous obstacle course his shaky legs wouldn't be able to navigate without slamming his feet into a knife blade or chair leg. Hungover Tseng didn't like what he felt either; his tongue felt like it was coated in fur; it was obvious his drunken self had skipped brushing his teeth, like normal; and he was in serious discomfort because of the angle the couch he had passed out on placed his back in. What disturbed him most, however, was the arm draped over his side.

If his reflexes weren't so dulled by the pounding sensation that was working its way through his whole body, the owner of the arm would be bleeding and out the door or window by now. As it was, all Tseng could manage to do was slap the arm until it pulled off of him. A body behind him groaned, the discomfort projected past Tseng's ear mirrored throughout his own body. Tseng weakly sat up, having difficulties due to his throbbing skull. "If you don't want to get shot give me a name and tell me what we did or did not do."

Rude laid his arm over his eyes and sighed. "It's Rude, Tseng. I don't know what we did last night. I don't even remember coming here. Last thing I remember is being denied my keys at the bar. I was freaking wasted."

Tseng blinked at Rude in confusion, wracking his stubborn brain for answers. He didn't remember much after the third glass of bourbon but considering the fact that the only soreness he felt was in his back and that he was still clothed, he didn't think he had slept with Rude. He was glad for that, waking up on his couch had meant unremembered sex in the past.

Tseng stood up slowly, "I'm going to shower. Make yourself at home and try not to trip on the obstacle course we left out last night. I'm not excusing you from work for a stupidity related injury." Tseng carefully forced himself to stop swaying, walking towards his bathroom with purpose. He stubbed his toes several times, but didn't cry out despite the pain his tender foot-digits sent to him. Now that he was relatively sober, he could only remember the pain he had been trying to drink away the night before, and waking up on his couch freshened memories he had been trying to stifle for almost a year. Tseng slammed the bathroom door shut, stripping and climbing into his shower without bothering to wince at the pain the loud noise skirted across his senses.

Rude pulled off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes, surprised that he had managed to fall asleep with them on. As he rubbed, he could feel the lines where his cutting eyewear had imprinted into his skin. He sighed and pulled the glasses back over his eyes as light stabbed at his retinas, glad that he had gotten somewhere safe the night before. He hadn't been that purposelessly drunk in a long time and he should have taken someone with him, but the only person his sober self would have trusted to watch him drink away his troubles had been occupied.

Rude stood and wandered to the kitchen, avoiding the sharp blades that were scattered across the floor. He needed coffee and he needed it badly. Luckily for him he had crashed in a home where coffee was the only thing in the cupboards, besides alcohol, something that confused and concerned him. He had considered Tseng to be someone responsible enough to know that coffee and alcohol were not adequate sources of nutrition, but apparently his boss was not what he expected.

As Rude made the delicious, hangover curing coffee, he realized that this was the first time he had ever been inside Tseng's apartment. Normally when he wanted to see Tseng, he went to Rufus' mansion or the Shinra building. Perhaps that was the reason there was no food stored in the cupboards. As Rude dusted off a set of coffee mugs and poured the thick black elixir of life into them, he heard the shower stop. He hoped that Tseng would allow him to use his shower; he reeked of alcohol and stale sweat. He didn't think the sweat came from any physical activity, but from sleeping in his stuffy suit. He sipped his coffee and looked at the clock, hoping that he would be able to make a quick visit to his apartment before work. He couldn't show up to work in day old clothes, especially when they were stained with alcohol, and he knew that if he showed up to work late Tseng would probably assign him the shit work he always gave when he was angry. Tseng usually saved such work for the Turk trainees, but every now and again he vindictively gave it to a senior member of the Turks.

Tseng toweled his hair dry and pulled on fresh clothes, inhaling the scent of coffee deeply. He brushed his hair back into a neat, meticulous ponytail and walked into the kitchen. He accepted a steaming mug of coffee from Rude and sipped at it, "You may take a shower if you wish, Rude."

Rude nodded and walked to the bathroom. "Thank you, Tseng."

Tseng waited for Rude to close the bathroom door before spitting out the mouthful of coffee he had been swishing about. Rude made strong coffee and Tseng, surprisingly, couldn't take the flavor without sweetener. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and grabbed coffee creamer from his refrigerator, sniffing it before tossing it in the trash. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to inspect his creamer situation and as he caught a wiff of the sour, lumpy substance he made a mental note to either buy more, or stop buying it altogether. He was home so rarely that he never got to use it. Coffee and alcohol were better when they were older, but dairy products didn't seem to age quite so gracefully.

When Rude finished his shower and pulled on his day old clothes, Tseng was waiting by the door. The weapons had been removed form the floor, their dishes cleaned, and there was no evidence that they had slept on the couch the night before. Tseng cleared his throat and opened the door, "I shall see you at work. Don't be late, but don't show up in those clothes. They're rather disgusting. Did you get in a fight last night?"

Rude shrugged and pulled on his sunglasses. "I don't remember, but it's possible. Why?"

Tseng chuckled and lead him out of the apartment. "There's blood on your sleeves. I feel sorry for the person who got in your way."

Rude followed Tseng out and walked towards his apartment, "Whoever it was he probably deserved it. I don't punch people for no reason." He frowned as he searched his pockets, looking at Tseng curiously. "Did I have my keys last night?"

Tseng shook his head. "You did not. You wouldn't have been in my apartment if you had been able to get into yours."

Rude nodded and forced his door open, turning the doorknob until the lock cracked open from the pressure he exerted. "True. I was pretty wasted last night so the bartender probably didn't give me my keys back." He blinked and looked at Tseng in confusion. "Thinking of that, why were you drinking last night?"

Tseng frowned and locked his apartment door before walking away. "It is none of your business what I do in my free time or why I do it."

Rude shrugged and went into his apartment, tossing his stained and filthy clothes in the laundry. Tseng was right; it wasn't any of his business what Tseng did or why. So long as Tseng was fit to work, Rude wasn't supposed to be concerned. The problem was, he thought as he pulled on fresh clothes, he was concerned. He had never felt the need to worry about Tseng before, but he had never seen the side of Tseng that he had just been exposed to before. The side he had just seen was juxtaposition to everything he associated with the dark Wutain man.

Tseng got some milder coffee once he got to the Shinra building; Rufus made sure he bought powdered creamer in bulk. No one in the building seemed able to function once the coffee and creamer ran out. It had happened before and by Gaia Tseng had sworn that it would never happen again. Tseng sipped on his coffee as he carried a folder full of files to Rufus' office, feeling more like himself than he had when waking up that morning. He was covered in weapons and protective gear, all of it neatly layered beneath his suit and invisible to the eye. His vulnerability was gone, as was the worst of his hangover. He was alert, strong, and ready to kill anyone who stood in his way.

If that was true, then why did he drop his coffee and files to the floor and simply gape when he entered Rufus' office to find him bent over the desk with Reno beneath him? They were both clothed, which was a relief to his astounded and hurt eyes, but the fact that Rufus' lips were munching away at Reno's mouth like he couldn't get enough was explicit enough to make him highly uncomfortable. Reno seemed just as surprised as Tseng was; he was laying there, spine locked and lips only barely moving in response to the attention they received. As coffee soaked into the files Tseng had so studiously prepared that morning, Rufus looked up from his prey, a glint of anger in his eyes as he tried to convince Reno's lips to move against his. Tseng glared at Rufus evenly, determined to keep the pain that had washed over him out of his features as he took stock of the situation. Reno still hadn't noticed his presence and Rufus was obviously determined to keep Reno's mind and body occupied, so Tseng was left with limited options of action. He could interrupt, but that would only give Rufus the reaction he undoubtedly wanted from him. Tseng decided to do what he did best when he was uncomfortable; he shut the door on Rufus and walked away like nothing had happened at all.

Reno gasped heavily as Rufus' lips finally tore away from his; the assault had him so confused and shaken that his mind had gone blank. Rufus stared at the door, face stony and cruel, and Reno wondered just who had seen. He tilted his head towards the door and shook softly, hoping that it hadn't been Rude. The coffee mug and soggy files soaking into the carpet could have belonged to anyone, but Rufus wouldn't have reacted the way he was if just anyone had come through the door. Rufus looked down at him and rearranged his facial features as he nipped his neck gently, "It was no one important."

Reno shivered and squirmed, struggling to make his mouth work again; he was sure Rufus had popped his jaw out of place with the rough kisses he had forced on him. "L-let me up, Ruf. Gotta clean up all the stuff on the floor."

Rufus rolled his eyes and bit his neck hard, grinning around the flesh in his teeth as Reno cried out and arched. He licked the reddening bite mark gently; trying to push away the anger Tseng's abrupt departure had left him with. He had wanted a reaction. He had wanted Tseng to show some sign that he was not only shocked, but angry as well. He had wanted Tseng to storm in, drag him away from Reno's only barely willing mouth, and give him a lecture on the proper activities to participate in with employees. He had wanted Tseng to de-assign Reno from him on the spot and reinstate himself as his main protector so that he could put other plans into action; his plans with Reno had started losing their luster once Reno had made it obvious that he wasn't interested. Reno had made sure to outline that point during their ride to work.

If he couldn't get what he wanted most, he'd settle for getting what he wanted second most, and as his erection was reminding him, screwing Reno into the desk was definitely what he wanted second most at the moment. Reno was squirming, his face flushed and crossed by conflicting emotions of want and confusion. It was obvious that Reno didn't want to be under him, he wanted to be under someone else, but Rufus didn't give a damn. Reno would only get him off once he forced him off or let him finish what he started.

Reno panted softly as Rufus sucked on the mark he had left, eyes wide with confusion. He knew that by being under Rufus right now, he was giving up his right to be under Rude on the next night, but he couldn't see where it was such a horrible thing. True, it hurt like hell to think of giving Rude up for someone who wasn't nearly as in synch with him, but Reno couldn't bite back the husky gasp that brushed past his lips as Rufus bit his collarbone. Reno felt he had finally found his way out of the rut. If he could unaddict himself from Rude long enough to see things clearly, then maybe he could sort out his feelings. It was obvious that Rufus didn't want a committed relationship from him and Reno didn't want a committed relationship from Rufus either, but Rufus was offering sex and sex was all he needed. He could use Rufus as long as it took to get his head back on straight and then he could figure out where to go with his relationship with Rude. The only problem with using Rufus for sex was that he didn't know how he was supposed to react with Rufus. With Rude everything was an unrehearsed but perfectly synchronized choreography of touches and moans, but with Rufus everything seemed off. Reno felt that this was a test he hadn't studied for as Rufus' grasping teeth tore into his shoulder with renewed vigor. Reno yelped and forced Rufus off him as Rufus' jaw clenched around an old, but still painful, scar. He sat up and clenched his shoulder, eyes shut tight as he tried to will away the arm numbing pain throbbing from his skins remembrance of a bullet's kiss. "Sh-shit, Rufus! Watch where ya bite that hurt!"

Rufus kissed the bite gently and rolled his eyes, not truly caring that he had hurt Reno. He had left his marks and that was what mattered. Everyone would see them and everyone would get the idea that Reno was his, at least for the time being. "Sorry, Reno." He took a glance at his watch and hummed softly. "Let's skip the rest of the day and go home, hmm? I'm sick of interruptions."

Reno nodded and sat up, straightening his hair. "Sure thing, I'll clock us out and we can go screw around somewhere else."

Rufus nodded and straightened his clothes. He could tell that Reno wasn't actually interested in him, only the sex, but it was enough of an interest for him to feel placated. Reno clocked them out and they went down to his limousine, ignoring the odd look the chauffeur gave them as they clambered into the backseat. Rufus gave the chauffeur the order to go home and then closed the privacy panel, intent on keeping Reno interested during their ride home.

Reno slipped onto Rufus' lap as soon as the privacy panel was in place, locking lips with Rufus before he could lose his nerve in the pool of guilt he was drowning in. He had caught sight of Rude's office as they left, and that had nearly undone his resolve. He and Rufus kissed methodically, there was no passion to get in the way of their goal, and Reno tugged open Rufus' shirt quickly. "You wear too many clothes, boss."

Rufus chuckled and let Reno tug his many layers apart without interference. "I apologize. Next time I'll just come to you naked; how does that sound?"

Reno pulled open the last layer of suit and growled at the Kevlar vest beneath. "Dammit, why the hell wear one of these things when you've got fifty layers between you and the bullet already?"

Rufus blinked at the Kevlar that Tseng had been making him wear since they had met. He didn't understand Reno's frustration, but he knew that he wanted the thing off and he wanted it off instantly. He didn't want to be wearing a reminder of Tseng while he did things to Reno. It just didn't seem right. He undid the fastenings and let it slip off into Reno's hands. "Because Tseng is paranoid."

Reno hummed and latched his lips onto Rufus' chest; eyes open so he wouldn't forget who he was molesting. He didn't need to say the wrong name tonight, even if he didn't want an actual relationship with Rufus, he couldn't burn bridges between them like that. He could feel Rufus' heartbeat under his lips as he kissed his breastbone, eyes trained on Rufus' face so he wouldn't lose focus.

Things felt jarred and disjointed, like they had skipped several vital steps in the game they played, but neither of them cared as they began devouring each other, first in the limousine and then in Rufus' bedroom. Rufus carried Reno up the stairs, all thoughts focused on where he wanted his cock to be once they got to his bedroom. Despite the lack of sparks flying through the air as they explored each other, it was exploration nonetheless and they both gained pleasure from it. Reno was stripped bare by the time he was throw unceremoniously onto Rufus' bed, and the remainders of Rufus' clothes weren't long on following. Reno pressed into the touches and let Rufus inside without hesitation, comparing him to Rude the whole time while trying to keep the sounds pouring out of his mouth under control.

Rufus didn't pay attention to what Reno mewled as he pounded into him; he was too focused on getting what he wanted out of the activity. His body was throbbing with a need to tear the red-head asunder with pleasure. He was determined to wear them both out, he didn't want to deal with the awkward conversation that would undoubtedly follow the sex and if they could both fall asleep soon after he would be a happier man. He gripped Reno's hips tightly and bit him roughly, breaking the skin in a few places as he pried noises from Reno's throat. It was good that Reno liked it rough; Rufus was sure that anyone else would have thrown him off for such abusive treatment after the first drop of blood flowed through parted skin.

Reno learned quickly that with Rufus, noise was everything. Rufus would bite through his skin until he made a sound as he bit through his lip in an effort to keep the noises back. He was littered with large swelling bites and bruises by the time they were halfway through and he had stopped trying to hold back. If Rufus wanted noises, he would get noises; no matter what wanted out of his throat he let it pour out. Rufus didn't seem to mind that half of the time Reno screamed for Rude.

Rufus threw his head back as he finally released, groaning loud enough to wake Dark Nation. Reno matched his volume as he released, splattering them both with his cum. Rufus didn't mind, he didn't care what was on him so long as he was sated. Rufus pulled out once Reno's body relaxed enough for him to remove himself and he rolled to his side, humming in contentment. He could hear Reno panting softly and he lazily wrapped an arm around shaking shoulders, pulling the red-head closer. "Night, Reno."

Reno blinked as he was practically forced to drape himself over Rufus' chest. He hadn't figured Rufus would be a post-sex cuddler; he had assumed Rufus would shove him from the bed the way he always shoved himself from the bed. He listened as Rufus' breathing slowed and deepened, his chest soon rattling with snores under his ear. Once he was sure Rufus was asleep he pried himself out of his arms shakily, dragging himself to the bathroom with difficulty; Rufus has pounded his legs to jelly. He sat on the tiled floor as he waited for the water to warm up, wincing as post-sex soreness washed over him; he didn't have any pleasures to recover from since he had already felt them and let the fall away. He definitely enjoyed sex with Rude more, but he felt much saner after sex with Rufus. He wasn't conflicted, he wasn't hurt by his own indecision, he didn't have anything to think about except the fact that he wanted to vomit. He felt sickened by what he had just done; he felt like he had cheated, but he didn't have a relationship to cheat in. All he had had to do was wait one night and then he would be back in Rude's bed again, he could have bargained with Elena or Tseng until one of them agreed to watch the man while he went out with Rude. Instead he had skipped into Rufus' bed and let himself be used. It was so obvious that neither of them gave a damn about each other in the romantic sense, Reno must have screamed Rude's named fifteen times and he could've sworn that he heard Rufus moan for Tseng, but he had allowed the sex to continue anyways.

Reno let the scalding water wash away his sins and once the heat faded he let the cool water soothe his burns. He turned the water off once he spotted sunlight streaming through the bathroom window and he dried off in a melancholy mood. He found his clothes and pulled them on, ignoring Dark Nation's sleepy grumbles as he ripped one of his socks from her jaws. He looked at himself in the mirror and sighed, fingering the slightly scabbed bruises that roamed down his neck and into his shirt. He sighed as he spotted Rufus in the mirror behind him. "You broke the skin. Not cool."

Rufus sighed and hugged Reno from behind, nuzzling the purpled spots on his neck. "I apologize. I thought you liked it rough."

Reno nodded and let Rufus' hands trail over his waistband. "I do, but blood isn't a kink for me; especially when it's my blood. Just don't bite so hard next time." Reno felt himself tense as the words left his mouth, but he couldn't take them back. He had just promised Rufus a second night, and he would most likely give him a third and fourth night and many nights after that. He had to remind himself that it was for the best, that he was obviously unable to do anything but hurt Rude, but it still hurt when Rufus' lips trailed down his neck. He took a deep breath and braced himself for a day of stress and upset as he let Rufus capture his lips.

Author's Note: This chapter has been getting on my nerves for a week because I didn't want it to end this way but Reno wouldn't do anything that made sense and Rufus was just being a depressive horn-dog and Rude and Tseng didn't care enough to play nicely and….yeah. Sorry for the evilness and the way huge gap between updates, but I'm trying my best and hope you all understand.