plate_builder | Open Post

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.

A fixation? Oh, come on. It's not like that.

[ that sounds suspiciously like a crush, and that's... well, exactly what it was, honestly, but if reno knows that, he's not acknowledging it. reno shakes his head. hey, at least he isn't angry? ]

I just wanted to know what you were made of. It was just so... fucking weird. I thought maybe you just didn't know I wasn't some intern or something. But I followed you around for awhile and no, you just—are really like that. To everybody.

[ just... casually admitting he stalked him... but it "wasn't a fixation" whatever, okay. ]

[That... makes him uncomfortable. Like being stalked by a guard hound and not knowing it.]

So, now that you know, you finally took the time to seek me out to get the idea of me in bed out of your mind?

...No. I could've just sat on that forever.

[ reeve probably won't believe him, but he really could have. hey, if he's parked his feelings for rude in a back lot and doesn't plan to ever let them see the light of day, then reeve is easy mode. they barely even have a reason to cross paths half the time. ]

I just didn't appreciate your assessment of me. Wanted to prove you wrong.

Which part. Your assumption that I believed that you had no feelings, or my actual statement that I didn't think you could become involved in an intimate relationship that had a basis in an emotional connection?

Both? What the fuck is the difference?

[ ...dude. he really doesn't know. ]

The first is what you proved today, and what you incorrectly ascribe to me as having said. I know you have emotions, Reno. But anger is not sexy. The latter...

[How do you even explain it.]

I know I will not likely find long term love, but that doesn't mean I don't like an emotional connection to my lovers. Not anger and spite. I want mutual attraction. Tenderness. A soft sort of affection, even in bed. These are things I've never seen you display. Not toward myself at least.

That doesn't mean I can't do it.

[ not that he's done a great job of it today, but he was going to try. before his temper got the better of him and the only thing he felt like doing was asserting himself the only way he knows how to effectively do so. reno folds his arms, back against the glass, watching them drop floor after floor. ]

There's nothing I can't do.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject