Tseng was in the midst of a deep slumber when his comm device buzzed.
He jerked awake, the fabric of a fantastical dream involving Rufus and a locked office unraveling with the crude noise.
Tseng grumbled as he blearily eyed the glowing red display of the digital clock resting on the nightstand. Only one occasion would warrant the disruption of Tseng's beauty sleep. Well, technically two, but the latter was merely a fantasy.
If this is the result of another one of Reno's drinking binges, I swear I'll send him on a one-way trip to the Corell mountains with nothing but a pack chocobo and an irritable Rude for company. "Training" indeed. Tseng mused angrily as he fumbled for his comm.
"Hello?" Tseng said gruffly, sparing no energy for pleasantry. If this was Reno, he deserved to bear the full brunt of his annoyance.
"Good evening, Tseng. Have I caught you at a bad time?" A cool voice greeted pleasantly.
Tseng's eyes widened from their sleepy squint in shock. He straightened and swung his legs to the edge of the bed, turning on the bedside lamp. "Good evening, Mr. Shinra. Are you alright?"
So, it had been the second possibility. Tseng would be irked, but knowing the Vice President's workaholic tendencies (tendencies Tseng himself had tried-and failed-many times to disrupt), he wasn't surprised Rufus was up at six o' clock in the morning. And, knowing him, he'd probably pulled an all-nighter.
"Tseng," Rufus sighed, tone akin to a schoolteacher scolding a child, "how many times do I have to tell you to call me Rufus?"
"Is this what this is about? You disrupted my slumber to gage our relationship status?" Tseng replied cooly.
Tseng rolled his eyes at the long sigh that issued out of the receiver.
"Ha, ha. No, that's not why." Rufus responded dryly at first, then with more authority "You have enough handsomeness to spare to miss a few minutes of rest."
Tseng felt his heartbeat quicken; exhaustion forgotten in a rush of endorphins.
"Everything is fine," Rufus continued, "I just need you to check on the General tomorrow. My father wants a report, but the other soldiers and personnel are apparently 'too scared' to talk to Sephiroth. I figured, given your amicable relationship, you would provide the best results to father's request.
Tseng raised an eyebrow, despite the conversation being exclusively audio. "Amicable? You do recall that that relationship is four years dead and buried under many regrets?"
Another sigh.
"I meant comrades. Believe me, I am well aware of your current relationship status."
Tseng blinked. What did that mean?
"Is it that difficult to merely check in on your ex? Or am I ill-informed on the amicable terms you ended the relationship on?" Rufus continued; cool voice edged with a challenge.
"N-not at all sir. I will report back soon." Tseng responded quickly, standing, and unbuttoning his nightshirt with one hand.
"I knew I could count on you, Tseng." Rufus responded smugly. "After that, please report to Midgar as soon as possible."
Tseng stopped mid button, slow smirk spreading across his face. "And why would that be? Don't tell me—you got suckered in to one of Reno's drinking binges?" He replied sweetly.
Another long sigh. Checkmate.
"I foolishly sent Rude away to a mission to Fort Condor. And happened to run into Reno who, for the record, acts like a chicken with his head cut off without Rude to calm him down."
Tseng snickered. "I suppose it's a tad too late to warn you that any meeting with Reno outside of work results in lowered inhibitions."
"Yes, unfortunately, I was having a problematic day and took him up on the offer. Let's just say I parted with more gil and secrets than I wanted to." Rufus confessed tiredly.
"I see." Tseng responded, false sympathy dripping from his tone.
"Oh, shut up." Rufus grumbled. "Are you planning to follow my orders or not?"
Tseng chuckled. "Yes, I'll have a report compiled by the end of the day tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do for you while I'm away at the training facility?"
"I know- how about you find a better liquor than the cheap stuff I had with Reno?"
"So you didn't learn your lesson?"
Tseng could practically hear the eyeroll from the speaker. "I learned not to get involved with the Turks after hours, but by no means am I swearing off alcohol. If I'm going to drink, it's going to be with quality wine and enjoyable company. I…." he trailed off, then more quietly, "Do enjoy the company of one Turk after-hours."
Tseng paused, but only momentarily. He could feel his cheeks warm, but quickly tried to maintain his air of professionalism.
"I'll see to it that that time comes sooner than you anticipate, sir. And please at least try to get some sleep."
"No promises," Rufus responded (semi) jokingly, then in a softer tone, "Good night, Tseng."
The comm clicked off.
Tseng covered his grin with his hands, covering his flushed cheeks. Gods, how could only one man turn a hardened Turk into a lovesick fool?
Perhaps…my feelings aren't in vain. Perhaps Fair has a point in pursuing what feels like a fantasy. Tseng mused, feeling hope bloom for the first time in his chest. Perhaps my dream earlier might yet become reality.
But there was still work to be done in order to allow that dream to come into being. Tseng opened his wardrobe with a flourish, fingering the fine suits that took up residence in its oaken depths.
The meeting with Sephiroth should prove interesting, Tseng mused as he exchanged his silken pajama shirt for a crisp white button up.
And where there's a Sephiroth, there is a young Strife. Yes, this assignment should prove quite interesting, in seeing the growth of both the General and the Cadet. Tseng hummed.
This night has proved interesting, indeed.
Sephiroth awoke to the sound of a polite knock. He propped himself on his elbows and squinted at the digital clock resting on his nightstand.
It's 0700. Doesn't Fair remember how exhausted I get after these tedious missions? Sephiroth groused, tiredly rubbing his face in a vain attempt to massage away any exhaustion.
Another knock, more insistent this time.
Sephiroth squeezed his eyes shut. One last moment of rest. Then he forced himself out of bed.
I suppose I need a wake-up anyway. I'll just let him in, then get dressed. It's not like he hasn't seen me unkempt, considering all the missions we've went on together. Sephiroth mused as he prepared for the visitor.
He lazily combed his fingers through his slivery hair, then pulled it messily into a high ponytail. Turning to the nearby wardrobe, he opened a drawer and fingered through the neatly folded clothes. His search stopped at a folded workout combo of a black v-neck and sporty workout shorts.
Fitting enough to be semi-professional, but comfortable and low-effort enough to show Fair I'm not making any extra efforts for him if he disturbs my sleep. Sephiroth reasoned smugly, throwing the ensemble on and pulling his ponytail out from underneath the shirt.
Another knock.
"Coming, coming!" Sephiroth grumbled, wincing at the stench of his morning breath. Okay, Zack deserved to feel his frustration at being woken up early. But no one deserved to be exposed to General Sephiroth's morning breath. Especially since he was an avid coffee drinker.
He slayed the monstrous haliotosis by popping a mint fluoride chew into his mouth. He chewed, swallowed, then opened the door, grimacing against the bright hall lights. Zack was sure going to get an earful for waking him.
"Good morning, General. Sorry to interrupt your slumber, I just had a few quick questions." Tseng greeted pleasantly, briefcase in hand.
Sephiroth blinked.
What does sensei- no, Tseng, want with me at this hour?
Suppressed emotions bubbled to the surface, harshly reawakening a slew of memories twisted around their complicated relationship.
Crap, not just sensei.
"If a caught you at a bad time, I don't mind waiting. I can see you're still, ah, in the process of waking up." Tseng supplied, eyes darting up and down Sephiroth's slouched (in exhaustion) figure.
Sephiroth blushed, heart fluttering treacherously at the appraising gaze of his ex. He tried to cover it up.
"Well, not all of us wake up in a freshly pressed suit, or with an energy level best suited for someone who has slept enough. Not like I would know anything about that." Sephiroth mused grumpily, squinting at Tseng. Damn, not a hair out of place. It's 7 in the morning and he still looks amazing.
Tseng bit back a smirk. "I'm terribly sorry, General."
"You're not."
"You caught me." Tseng held up his hands, smiling genially. "I'd rather satisfy the President's demands than lose my job, though. I hope you can find it in your heart to understand."
Sephiroth allowed himself an eyeroll. "You jest. Why would the President, who is more concerned about his stocks or the prospective brides of his son," Tseng winced "want with me at 700?"
Tseng squared his shoulders and maintained direct eye contact. "To ensure that you are fully committed to your purpose without any…distractions."
Sephiroth froze.
"And if I completed this task early in the morning, it might prove advantageous to a certain General due to the current cadet training that takes a certain person of interest away from compromising locations during this briefing."
Sephiroth relaxed, sighing.
Tseng regarded him a moment.
"What?" Sephiroth said defensively, feeling another blush warm his face.
Tseng smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. You're adorable."
"Pardon?"
"You have a terrible poker face."
"Which is why I'm not a Turk."
"Good thing too. You wouldn't pass the dress code."
Sephiroth protectively covered his torso with his arms, as though caught indecent.
"Can I have a moment?" He asked, glaring. His squeaky voice betrayed his insecurity.
Tseng smirked, but nodded. "Just let me know when you're ready. Just don't take too long—my appearance outside your door may garner unwanted rumors."
Sephiroth nodded and quickly closed the door.
Once safely inside, he clawed his fingers into his bangs. Damn that Tseng. He was enjoying watching me sweat. If it were any other Turk, I wouldn't have minded. Sephiroth thought, embarrassment and anger replacing defensive sarcasm.
But did it have to be my…first love?
He rushed to his wardrobe to find something more presentable.
20 minutes later, he opened the door to find Tseng casually resting against the wall, madly typing out a memo on his comm.
"It's alright to come in now. Thank you for your patience." Sephiroth announced, plastering on a smile. With the assistance of instant coffee, it was a little easier to force on an amicable persona. Hopefully the formal navy button-up shirt tucked stylishly into snug dress pants was "presentable" enough for the likes of a 7 day a week/365 days a year suit donning head Turk. He silently thanked Zack as Tseng came in. If it weren't for Zack's dogged determination to have him out and mingling with SOLDIERs at clubs like "a normal person", Sephiroth wouldn't have owned such a fine and casual outfit (anther thanks to Zack's taste in gifts). Though they had little power in forcing Sephiroth to mingle at clubs during Zack's "nights on the town" (as it was generally common sense that Introverts never "mingled" in a room of 20+ people and vulgar music), it definitely worked for this more intimate meeting. Sephiroth noticed a slight, subconscious nod of approval as Tseng eyed the outfit.
"Not a problem." Tseng quickly tucked his comm away and followed Sephiroth into the apartment.
"Feel free to sit wherever you'd like. Would you like anything to eat or drink?" Sephiroth prompted, gesturing about his (now clean) apartment.
"I appreciate the offer but, no. Fair already treated me to breakfast." Tseng responded, taking a seat at the couch. He set his briefcase on the nearby coffee table and made to open it.
"Wait, you encountered Fair? Actually, I shouldn't be surprised he's up so early. How early did you wake up? If I remember correctly, the commute from your quarters to higher-class apartments is quite lengthy." Sephiroth inquired, leaning against the adjacent wall and crossing his arms.
Tseng looked up without moving his head, raising his eyebrows. "Does it really matter?"
Sephiroth smirked. "Adorable."
Tseng fully raised his head. "Really? Re-using my line?"
Sephiroth rolled his eyes. "You barge in on my apartment after a late-night mission. I'm allowed to do as I please. And just know I'm rooting for you."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't just hear that last part." Tseng murmured, going back to the contents of his briefcase. Spying what he needed, he withdrew a laptop and some papers and shut it with a click.
"Okay, I need you to answer a few questions, then I'll be out of your hair." Tseng prompted authoritatively, snapping open the laptop and quickly pulling up a document to type on. He looked to Sephiroth, fingers resting at the ready on the middle of the keyboard.
"Fire away." Sephiroth nodded.
"Okay. First, how are missions going? Any tough opponents? Foes you couldn't handle?"
"Do you underestimate my abilities? I did end the war in Wutai, after all."
Tseng flinched at Wutai but shook his head. "Merely protocol. This can take as long as you make it."
Sephiroth sighed. "Fine. No difficulties. It's a tad disappointing at times. Not failures either."
Tseng tapped at his keyboard. "That's better."
…
(This chapter will be extended soon)