Rufus, sitting in the back seat of the new Shinra armoured S.U.V., remained quiet as Tseng steered the car into the underground parking garage of the Shinra Tower. His thoughts were in a chaotic freefall as Rufus tried to process the events of the last ten minutes, even though his body still hummed from the intimate contact with Tseng. Rufus knew that the sharp-shooter they had hired had been in place to take out his father. Hence the reason for Rayden's appearance and Vivviana's confirmation of Phase One. For Avalanche to succeed and Rufus to be able to legitimately take his father's place as President of the corporation, his Old Man needed to be safely in the Lifestream! Without any apparent suspicions. But they had not discussed alieving that suspicion by having a shot fired at Rufus, which caused him concern. It was not a bad idea, but the simple fact that Rufus had not been informed made him suspicious of Elfie, who appeared on the surface to agree to Rufus's involvement in their movement. But Rufus had severe reservations about her ultimate goals, which had not been quelled with the addition of a NEW scientist- Fuhito, who had been recruited to create Avelaches's version of SOLDIER-RAVENS! It also didn't help matters that he was as horny as hell! A small sigh of frustration escaped his lips.
Tseng expertly parked the vehicle in the space reserved for Shinra execs on the left side of the secure elevator while he watched Veld do the same on the right side. Taking a slow, calming breath, he waited while the assigned Turks escorted the President and Veld into the elevator. Hearing the sigh from Rufus, Tseng quickly glanced at the rearview mirror to gauge Rufus. And was relieved to see that the Blonde haired man was sitting in quiet if slightly pensive, retrospect. His now blue eyes, the colour of ice, gazed inwardly as he appeared deep in thought. Perhaps he realized that he was no longer the pampered child and that with the responsibility of his official promotion to Vice-President, he realized the real dangers associated with his position. But the way Rufus squirmed in the back seat almost made Tseng smile. The young man seemed to suffer the effects of something more than being shot at. He was about to ask Rufus if he was okay when tapping at his window in the 'All-Clear' pattern the Turks used and notified him that it was safe, and now he and Rufus's turn to use the elevator.
Stepping out of the vehicle as Rufus was let out of the back, Tseng shadowed Rufus to the elevator and used his card to gain entrance. Still, the strained silence of both men during the short ride to the floor that housed Rufus's apartment seemed to make both of them uncomfortable. And it wasn't until they were safely inside the apartment that either spoke. Rufus headed straight for the wet bar, poured himself a generous portion of whisky, and slammed it back. "We are safely within the walls of Shinra. Care for one?" he asked Tseng in a forceable control voice. Hearing her master's voice had Dark padding softly from the bedroom into the living room. The tone in his voice had her head butting his leg gently in distraction. The soft purr resonated from deep within her chest. Rufus absently stroked her head as he stared expectantly at Tseng, waiting for his reply.
Tseng was inwardly impressed at Dark immediate action toward Rufus' moods, but It only took Tseng a moment to answer; "A drink would be appreciated but not on an almost empty stomach." So heading into the kitchenette, Tseng looked for something light to make. Seeing nothing, Tseng opened his phone and punched in a number,
"How may I be of assistance, Sir?" an elderly voice answered.
Having been present during the interview and having to vet Rufus's household staff, Tseng immediately recognized Mirandas' voice. "Please prepare a lunch tray for Rufus and me and bring it to his suite!" He calmly stated.
Miranda, taken aback from hearing the Turk's voice but already aware of the gravity of today's unveiling, only hesitated momentarily, "Of course, Sir! Anything special?"
"No, sandwiches and perhaps a salad will be fine!"
"As you wish." And Miranda hung up and headed to the private kitchens.
"Is that necessary?" Rufus drawled as he handed the glass he pored for Tseng to him and poured himself another.
Tseng took the offered glass and sipped the expensive liquor savouring the complex flavour as he rolled it across his tongue. "It is. It will do no good if your father demands a meeting, and you must show up intoxicated!" He replied softly. Rufus conceded the point with a nod of his head.
Having spent the morning confined to the apartment, Dark decided now was the time to let Rufus know she needed to go. So in a puppy-like fashion that always made her master smile and relax, she head-butted and whined—then looked between him and the door. Pitching her whine a little more and curling and uncurling her tail whip. Rufus looked down at his beloved and pet, and seeing the pathetic look in her eyes did cause him to chuckle, "Need to go pee?" he asked. His voice becomes soft and tender. Dark yipped and trotted to the door. Rufus raised an eyebrow at Tseng, "Is this allowed?" he asked, his voice becoming sarcastic.
Looking at Rufus, Tseng sighed inwardly. Apparently, Rufus wasn't taking this situation seriously, but this section of the Complex was more than secure, so Tseng just nodded. And he refrained from chuckling at the hound's antics.
Rufus let Dark out and followed her to the elevator. Using his watch, he scanned the locking panel and then both stepped inside as they headed down to the Garden. And while Dark took care of her business, Rufus sent a few quick coded messages to Viviana and Elfe. He politely asked the first if they were all okay and a 'what the hell just happened' to the latter. Having completed this and Dark now ready to return, Rufus headed back, trying desperately to keep thoughts of Tseng out of his head.
Tseng took this time to send messages to the department inquiring about further orders. The reply was to stay put for the time being, so Tseng requested an operative bring his laptop and mobile kit to the suite. The reply to this request made Tseng smirk, stating that his request had been anticipated and was already en route. A moment later, a firm knock sounded on the door in Rude's pattern. So Tseng answered, taking his equipment from his coworking with a nod of thanks, only to hear a chime from both elevators as Rufus, with Dark at his side, stepped off one. And Miranda stepped off the other. Surprisingly, the gentleman, Rude, took the loaded tray from the housekeeper and entered the apartment, setting it on the Island. Miranda followed with the cooler of ice and fruit drinks. Turning, she bowed to Rufus and Tseng, murmured a quiet thank you to Rude, and then returned to the elevator. Before leaving, Rude relayed Veld's orders and took the public elevator bank back to the Turk floor and his duties. Tseng stepped aside and let Rufus and Dark enter.
And without another word, both entered the apartment, and Tseng code locked the door. And with no further instructions, he got plates and glasses out, setting them on the Island. At the same time, Rufus prepared an in-house meal for Dark, a combination of high-energy dog food mixed with gravy which Dark practically pounced on, causing Rufus to laugh spontaneously as he set her bowl on the floor and filled her water dish. Hearing Rufus's unexpected unrestrained laughter caused a shaft of longing to shoot through Tseng and settle uncomfortably in his groin. To distract himself, "Roast or ham?" He inquired.
Rufus hearing the odd inflection in Tseng's voice turned from scratching Dark's head to look at him and noticed the slightly flushed colour. Intrigued but not knowing what caused this, he let it pass, "Roast, please." Standing, Rufus went to wash his hands and then helped to dish out the salad and pour some juice for them; the whisky could wait. The meal was now correctly set out; both men took stools facing each other and ate. A comfortable domestic air settled over the pair. And both began to relax.
The food was surprisingly good. Fresh, sweetened bread cut thick with lean and thinly cut beef topped with good strong cheese from Kalm. Mixed-tossed garden salad and freshly made cran-strawberry juice- not tart or sweet. Exactly how Rufus liked it; he was pleasantly pleased that this housekeeper had taken her job so seriously and learned his likes and dislikes. He would have to add a stipend to the women's monthly salary. Whether or not she was working for his father or others or both, it never hurt to keep exceptional staff happy and often put them in a debt of gratitude that paid off in Rufus's favour.
As they ate their meal in comfortable silence, Rufus noticed Tseng was wearing a thin gold ring on the middle finger of his right hand, "A new fashion statement for Turks?" he inquired politely. Indicating to Tseng's hand.
Startled out of his thoughts, it took a moment for Tseng to realize what Rufus was referring to. Shaking his head with a rueful chuckle, "No, it is a new accessory for Materia." He held his hand out to show Rufus the material embedded into the ring. "Once Scarlett realized that Materia orbs can expand or shrink. She has had her department running all sorts of tests, and this is one of them. Much less burdensome than, say, a bracer and easier to hide."
Holding Tseng's hand and inspecting the ring closely. Rufus was fascinated, "This is intriguing!" The amber colour of the stone gave no clue as to the magic held inside, "How is this accomplished?"
Tseng inhaled quickly the moment Rufus's hand grabbed his. The warm and soft skin against his felt strange. So used to the feel of cold hard metal, Tseng had forgotten what it felt like to be casually touched like this. Swallowing with difficulty and through sheer force of will, he replied, "We are not sure, and Scarlett only found out by happenstance, but it has opened up several options for Materia's use."
Rufus nodded, so engrossed in his perusal that he didn't notice the effect he was having on Tseng. "What Materia is this? I don't ever recall any that are this colour!"
"It is a support material created in the labs. Simily called Assess. When cast, it gives the bearer tactical information about their enemy-most of the time." Tseng chuckled uncomfortably and gently removed his hand from Rufus's. "But it is new, Materia and unreliable for field assignments. So The Turks were tasked to experiment with its use. That is how both Veld and I knew trouble was brewing right before it happened. We had it cast, and it alerted me, at least, that an enemy was armed. But that was all."
Rufus had been staring raptly at Tseng during his narrative as he was enthralled with anything that dealt with Materia, The Ancients and the Lifestream. But to witness Tseng in such an unguarded moment was setting fire to his blood and rushed straight to his groin with an immediate reaction. "Well, it seems to have proved useful." He replied a little lamely.
Both men, now at a loss for words as heat raged through their bodies, sat looking at each other- "Rufus, I."
"Tseng, I."
Da da an na da da daaaaa
Tseng's ringtone was so unexpected that both men jumped, and Tseng fumbled in his blazer pocket to fish out his phone. "Yes, Sir? Right! Yes, I understand! I'll send the report to you as soon as I have it finished."
The previous moment now shattered to Hel, "Well?" Rufus inquired sharply. A little too sharp, perhaps, but his emotions were in a chaotic free fall of wanting to strip both of them and rail Tseng against the windows of his living room while he watched the play of muscle ripple from exertion as he brought this man to the pinnacle of bliss. But the fates seemed to conspire against him and deny him this opportunity at every turn. And that made him cranky!
With a moment of reprieve, Tseng slipped the mask of calm professionalism back into place, cleared the remnants of their meal away, and loaded the dishwasher. "As it stands, the culprits haven't been found. So You and I will remain here, and your father and Veld will remain in his private office until a complete sweep of the Tower and square has been completed."
Rufus growled as he had been looking forward to spending the evening with Xavier and Viviana. And now he was to be confined to the Tower. "And let me guess, no one will be allowed in?" he bit off.
Tseng looked towards the blond in sympathy. Rufus was young and had quite a bit of freedom while at school, and the pressure these constraints were now putting on him was telling. "Why don't you take Dark to the garden and go for a run?" He mildly suggested.
"And will you be by my side?"
Hearing the challenge in Rufus's voice and seeing how light blue his eyes had become, Tseng knew his presence wasn't wanted or needed and might even harm their relationship more. "No, I'll stay here and start on my report. If it is alright with you, I will take my stuff into the spare room?"
Not trusting himself to speak further, Rufus nodded, whistled for Dark, and headed to the Garden. So caught in the maelstrom of emotions, Rufus hadn't even changed. So he once again stripped to his boxers, initiated the Costa Du Sol program, and began to jog, letting all of his anger, frustration and fear-free in a wash of quilty tears.
Dark sensing Rufus's volatile state showed her support by staying by his side and jogging beside him.
As the apartment door closed. Tseng released a breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding. Thankful they weren't at the Manor right now as the doors there could be slammed shut and something Rufus had done as a child when his father had upset him. And even though Tseng was not entirely sure what Rufus was upset about. There was a pressing need in Tseng's trousers that needed to be taken care of before he could focus enough on the work he had yet to do. But first, he sent a message for an overnight bag of clean clothes. Then he locked himself in the quest bathroom, quickly shedding his clothes and turned on the shower, stepping in, he let his mind fantasize all of the things he wished he could do with Rufus as he quickly found release with his hand- a poor substitute for what he wanted.
Miranda was no fool; she had been employed for Shinra long enough to know that everyone and no one would be keeping tabs on her, and after an exhausting day of catering and supervising the in-house staff on top of the turmoil of a shooting, no one would blame her slipping off for a couple of hours. She also knew Evelynn would be going out of her mind with worry. But to head down to the slums and her sister's house would raise suspicion. To go to the mansion when she hadn't been in residence there for months would also raise suspicion, but a nice quiet supper with a male friend, well, even though not typical, was something that wouldn't raise suspicion. So Miranda sent a text, even though she hated modern tech., requesting Evan's presence at the Yellow Lilly Cafe in Sector One. And was unsurprised to get an immediate response of yes. Chuckling to herself, Miranda headed out of the Tower and to the cafe where Evan was already waiting for her.
Two hours later, Evan, now eased at knowing Rufus was safe, headed to the train station and back to the slums. And Miranda headed back to the tower and her employee suite to enjoy a hot bath and a good night's sleep—a shadow split from the alleyway where they had been standing guard.