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[Or it might mean there were repercussions Reeve was not aware of. But he nods as he moves away from Reno, heading out of his office and waiting to lock the door behind him. Only then does he head to the elevator bank.]

[ (un)fortunately, there'll be no such violence against him right this second. maybe later. reno follows, silent, going for less menacing and more detached as they wait for the ride up. he doesn't need to be big and scary-looking like rude to be intimidating, but right now he doesn't even care about that. he just goes along with it, scowling. only when they're in the elevator does he finally say something. he just really can't be quiet that long. he's not capable of it. ]

You don't want me in your house.

[ it's... kind of? a question, actually? more why would you then telling him he doesn't, but it comes out sounding more like the latter. ]

[No. He wants Reno in his car so he can get them into a hotel where they can legitimately talk and do whatever Reno desires without ruining Reeve's house. Good thing he got that cat fountain and automated feeder. But the excuse of the house was enough for Shinra's ears.]

Would I extend the invitation if I did not desire you there?

You would to spare your office anymore mess. Don't worry about it. I'm done screwing up your perfect work space.

[ sullenly, accusatively. just staring out the glass panel, down at the empty lobby. just got coffee right over there this morning. kind of wishes he could go back to that moment and rethink his choices today, a little bit. but that's the price of impulsivity. ]

[Don't regret. Just feel. Reeve reaches out with his free hand, grabbing Reno's wrist and pulling him close. Close enough to pull him into a kiss. Slow and sweet and with a little bit warm.]

[ the evident outward response reno has is, of course, anger. he pulls his wrist in reeve's grip, leans away, pushes at his chest, teeth bared when he pulls back. ]

Don't! Asshole, what the fuck gives you the right—

[ yeah, so much for that outburst. he presses right back in, growling frustratedly, and presses their mouths together again. in spite of the aggravated noise, though, he doesn't really go for it aggressively. it's firm, but it's hesitant, too. and there's no biting or scratching this time. ]

[Much better. And far more pleasant. He moves to press himself against the Turk, not believing for an instant that he could drag the man where he did not desire. Not again. Better to meet him in the kiss, offering something firmer and slowly offering greater depth until he pulls away to breathe.]

Don't chide me when you clearly want this.

I don't know what I want.

[ it's kind of honest, kind of not. no, let's put it this way: it's as honest as reno knows how to be considering the circumstances. whatever's going on in his head (or elsewhere), he doesn't have the communication skills to express it. he takes a half-step back, defiantly meeting reeve's eye even though he'd rather not right this second. ]

[Strange. Here he had thought Reno always knew what he wanted. So he just offers another kiss, softer still. And finishes it just in time for the elevator to announce their arrival.]

You'll have plenty of time to talk to me when you figure it out.

Why's it gotta be talking? Just do something about it, get it out of your system.

[ out of his own system, he means, he guesses. dunno. if it were that simple, wouldn't he have done it "years" ago? he tries not to overthink, and he'll be the first one to bitch at reeve for the suggestion, but the fact is, he was way, way, way past the point of overthinking before he even came into the office this morning and did all those stupid things he semi-regrets now. ever since that conversation where reeve said he's not capable of emotion. just following him out of the elevator. ]

It seems I'm not out of yours. My system is fine.

[He steps out and heads for the proper drop box and once there he feeds the reports through. He's professional once again. Reeve knew how to present the look without even trying.]

Yeah, well...

[ and that's all he says once they're out of the elevator. look, there's nowhere in the building that's truly safe for anything, an office or an elevator or what. but he's not about to go saying certain things right out in the middle of the hall. these aren't even the mutinous things they were alluding to back in reeve's office, either, just— stuff he doesn't want to make a big scene out of.

it isn't until they're back in the elevator that he finishes the thought. ]

Bet you never had your boss say you're not allowed to fuck somebody specifically.

Does it could if it is Veld forbidding me from flirting with Tseng?

[Though he wouldn’t have been surprised if Veld has specifically forbidden Reno from him the man was protective. And Reeve was, looking back, quite thankful for that.]

Well, was disobeying him worth it?

That was probably more for Tseng's benefit than yours.

[ unnecessary quip, but he's still feeling moody. he doesn't like being told no or put in his place, which honestly sort of really outlines a quality in him that few often overlook for what it is: reno grew up here. in this building, raised by the people in it. he's as much a shinra brat as most of the actual shinra brats, children of the top brass and that sort of thing. he's really embraced being spoiled by this life, but if you knew where he came from, could you blame him? he's sure reeve would get it. not that he's about to go telling him that, don't be stupid. he just shakes his head and leans against the glass. ]

I'm not a kid anymore; I can do what I want.

[ not technically an answer. ]

[What a silly idea. Like Tseng had ever needed protected from him. Still, Reeve shrugs and makes sure the final reports feed in and takes his document receipt before moving back toward the elevators.]

I doubt you ever got to be a kid.

[ ... hm. does he dare? only after those elevator doors are closed, maybe. ]

What makes you say that?

[Reeve considers it carefully. It's hard to really explain a lot of how he feels about the way Reno acts. How the man doesn't deal well with disappointment. How when he finds something he wants, he doesn't share well. How he hasn't learned to deal with his emotions either.]

It's just an impression I get from you.

Well, yeah, but...

[ hmph. he almost, almost smirks. ]

You worried you'll say something that'll get me all upset again?

Yes.

[It's a simple answer, and he knows it's the best choice to be had. Lying would earn a lot worse.]

I can take it. C'mon, I won't get mad.

[ how much worse can it get? ]

[Reeve waits until they are in the elevator to answer.]

You handle emotions and affection poorly.

[ well. yeah. ]

What's that got to do with not bein' a kid?

Those are things most children learn as they grow up, interact with people their own age and adults around them, and grow and learn. I suspect you lacked that.

[ ah. well... yeah, what would he know about that, really? adults, never had any of those. not until he got here, and those were all, y'know, shinra adults. they didn't exactly go easy on him, either. Reno's head tilts, then he shrugs, a little uncomfortably, but otherwise in acquiescence of the point. and without getting mad, like he said! ]

I did.

[Which, Reeve supposes, is what led to this fixation on him.]

I was kind to you, and did not have to be. It wasn't because of corporate structure or because I wanted something from you or wanted you to do something. Early on in your time here, I was kind to you because that is who I am. And that, combined with being warned to stay away from me, led to a fixation.

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