[Open Post]

[plate_builder]

Does it need to be said? You can find this poor civil engineer in any sort of situation you want. Put up a starter and let it run free. No Scarlets welcome, though. He can't stand them.

Comments

After they took pictures of their sleeping boss? lol

[afterlaborday]

Rufus has taken those few hours to make himself comfortable, settled on the couch under a small throw blanket that is so colorful and full of flowers that Elena probably bought it. Beside him, he has his usual bottle of water, and in his hand is the book he snagged from the room earlier, quite a bit more read than before.

Which would make one think he might be surprised by Reeve coming out, fully enthralled in his book, but the small chuckle shows different. "You knew I wouldn't."

Reno and Elena would. Rude and ardent wouldn’t.

[plate_builder]

“I am beginning to realize one thing about you, Rufus,” Reeve says as he takes in the look of Rufus with the blanket. Is that perhaps a touch of something along the lines of fondness in his eyes? Perhaps. “And that is that I can trust you tomake sure I take care of myself. Perhaps you’re more wifely than you give yourself credit for.”

Give him a moment to appreciate this sight before he moves to join Rufus. There is so much to do. So much to learn from the man. Not just today. So much to learn before there is no chance. You can never be sure when the Stigma will take someone.

The darkness of that thought catches Reeve off guard. Along with the fact that he realizes now that he would miss the man.

[afterlaborday]

"I'm not wearing a dress." The comment is laid back. almost joking in its tone as it brings back their last meeting, even as he finds his bookmark. "And if there's one thing I've learned the hard way from the Turks, no one takes care of themselves sometimes and others have to take over."

He moves the bottle as he sets the book onto the table, making sure that it doesn't tip as Reeve sits, before catching something; perhaps a flash in Reeve's eyes. "Is something the matter?"

[plate_builder]

Reeve doesn’t even crack a smile at the dress comment. His mind is on something else.

“You’re dying,” Reeve observes, his voice soft. “You could die during this meeting. Or tomorrow. Or next week.”

And he doesn’t know at this point how he would go on without Rufus’s support. Like it or not he really has come to rely on ge money. No, more than that. The... companionship?

Perhaps that is more accurate.

I'm breaking some Otwts canon, since the timeline doesn't add up, so yeah

[afterlaborday]

Any trace of smile he had fades away, replaced with an almost startled look. Half his mind is saying 'you just noticed?', while the other half wonders why it matters enough suddenly for that strange drop in tone.

"I am." Rufus speaks slowly, leaning back into the couch. "We all are, of course, but the Stigma increases the likelihood it will be early. Still, I was told by someone that the more darkness you allow in, the more thoughts that there's nothing ahead for you, the faster the disease will take you."

He lifts his Stigma-stained hand, giving Reeve a small smirk, a self-deprecating one, but also knows what he says is the truth. "I'm not dying anytime soon, though, Reeve. I have very much left to do, and this won't kill me.:

[plate_builder]

The look Reeve wears is still a sad one. Because no matter what Rufus says, he is not sure he believes it. He has heard nothing along these lines. But if that gives the man comfort he will not argue. Instead he reaches to collect the file again.

“It’s just... perhaps I no longer feel that is a fitting end to you, Rufus. You are staring to make me believe that second chances are wortb pursuing.”

[afterlaborday]

He hadn't heard it because Rufus hadn't released that particular bit of information. Not only was in unconfirmed, but it was also dangerous in a way. People wanted hope, but to be told what he knew - that letting themselves remain positive, despite the fact there was no cure - would not create ease for others.

And there were always those who would take advantage of the information. Promise a god, while taking what little the stricken had. Promise the Land of the Ancients, making sure all worldly possessions went to 'relief efforts' when they passed. Perhaps even convince the Stigma-riddled that the cure was faith, belief and taking the life or property from those who the planet had not attacked.

No, he knew better than to reveal some of the things he'd learned.

What he didn't know, was a very good response, so even has he rests his hand on the blanket covering his lap, he's thinking. Finally responding in a dull tone, as if he's thought about this before.

"I figure if I'm supposed to have that second chance, things will work out so that this will not be the cause of my death."

[plate_builder]

Well now Reeve smiles softly at Rufus. “Perhaps you can serve as an inspiration to future generations.”

More than that, he finds himself hoping Rufus really can manage it. A free hand comes out to pay Rufus’s leg lightly.

“And while you’re working to redeem yourself, Rufus, make sure you are honest with yourself. Live making sure you don’t regret how far you’ve come. Or the steps you’ve taken. Or the things you haven’t done.”

Live a life where you feel like you did the right thing at the end.

[afterlaborday]

"You don't want me as an inspiration, but don't worry." He tries to smirk, even if it's uneven and not really true, poking the hand on his leg with finger his childishly. "I don't intend to spend the rest of my life what my father expected me to be. That is the only thing I would ever regret at this point in time."

Just leaving this opening here for future exploitation

[plate_builder]

“Well, if you ever have something you need help with that any moral man can agree to, I will do my best to help with it. Consider it... positive reinforcement.”

His attention returns to the file, his hand grabbing the pen again. Time to work he thinks.

Pffft - and I'll leave it open if Rufus falls asleep on Reeve xD

[afterlaborday]

For whatever reason, Rufus finds that funny and begins to laugh a little bit. He's not sure if he's now a cat or a child in Reeve's eyes, given that comment, but he won't say a word on it right now.

Instead, he shifts so that he can see where Reeve is in case the man has any questions. Although, if he doesn't, Rufus himself may slip off into a light sleep, quite warm and comfortable in his blanket on the couch.

Poor Reeve is a good enough guy to let Rufus do that.

[plate_builder]

Reeve is quite happily caught up in his reading, and with him more awake his mind is more than sharp enough to process the profiles and notes in full. Rufus will definitely have time to doze. Chances are Reeve would feel no need to speak again until he got to the notes section.

[afterlaborday]

He'll wake whenever Reeve says or does something to indicate Rufus has fallen asleep, sitting up a little bit slowly with an apology as he does. "You've read it all?"

[plate_builder]

“A good part. I believe I understand your analysis. Thank you. This will all be valuable. I will review it further later,” Reeve answers, and it looks like he is making ready to go. Not that he has anywhere he needs to be, but he does need fed and wishes not to impose on anyone.

He does smile a little at Rufus though. He had noticed the other man sleeping and had found himself a touch amused. He looked... so young. Reeve may have spent a few minutes just looking at him. He is a touch ashamed of such silly behavior now.

[afterlaborday]

"You're welcome to ask questions at any time." Rufus brushes a hand through his hair, straightening it even if he can't see it. "Are you heading back? You're still welcome to stay if it is easier on you to do so."

[plate_builder]

Gods help him, Rufus has been cute when his hair was mussed.

Something today, Reeve decides as he stands, is getting to him. Feeling fondly of Rufus Shinra? Watching him sleep a bit? Feeling bad that he is dying? He starts to pace. Except he won’t agree that he is pacing. Just stretching his legs.

“You seem tired. And I need to eat, so really, going may be best.”

He was going to offer a crash course in speaking through Cait but he can’t deny how he is a bit flustered.

[afterlaborday]

Rufus may still be half asleep, but he's also still a very good read of character, and the 'not pacing' catches his attention a little bit. As well as something in Reeve's posture. Yet he can't place exactly what he's reading, and so just ends up watching for a while, silent.

Finally, he asks. "Did I do something? You seem off all of a sudden."

[plate_builder]

Did he do something? No. Not at all. Reeve is the one being an idiot here. He doesn’t even know why. Perhaps because he is just lonely. That’s all. Just lonely. And Rufus has jokingly flirted before. So there you go.

And now he pauses for half a second because his traitor mind just goes back to one of those instances. Rufus talking about Reeve waiting for someone to come home to peel him out of a dress and ravish him. Why the hell is he imagining Rufus there? Nope.

“I’m fine,” Reeve lies. He is terrible at lying. “And you did nothing.”

[afterlaborday]

Lying Rufus can read, and is very good at reading. Which means he may believe he hasn't done anything, at least a little, but he knows better on the 'I'm fine.'

Leaning his head onto his hand, using his legs to prop himself, Rufus half-smirks at Reeve. "You're not. You don't have to say what's wrong, but remember, I'm a much better poker player than you are."

Even if they hadn't played, Reeve would know that Rufus meant this in the sense that the blond was more than capable of finding tells and more than capable of hiding his own emotions; Reeve was not.

[plate_builder]

Reeve turns his head back to look at Rufus and regrets it. He looks like a cat watching some small prey. Probably not his intention but it’s what Reeve sees. This is just... stupid.

“I am realizing how life at this moment might be easier for me had you inherited more of your father’s looks.”

[afterlaborday]

Interesting look. Even more interesting words. They manage to rob Rufus of his for a time, at least, as he just stares at Reeve as if someone told him Santa Claus was real and the lie was saying he wasn't.

So unused to not having a rebuttal, he even parts his lips as if to speak, before stopping. Hadn't Reeve basically dismissed Rufus' remarks as the pestering and ribbing of a young man who always had to have a thrill, and who was badly deprived of them here in his little shelter? Told him, effectively, not to bring things up again?

Yet the look and the words together...

He really shouldn't do it, he knows it, but Rufus is dipping his head down and laughing softly into his hand. Trying so hard not to devolve into full-blown laughter like before.

"Reeve... I would watch what you say." Amusement, a tinge of warning, coat his words. "Or I might begin to think you really want to use my bed for more inappropriate matters."

[plate_builder]

Stupid subconscious. Rufus is not his usual type. He’s arrogant and self-important and annoying and that laughter alone should anger him, not make him sigh and shake his head.

“That isn’t what I’m saying,” Reeve huffs. The question is who he is lying to: himself or Rufus. Perhaps both. “I stand by my earlier observations and add another two. Relations such as that would complicate our working relationship if they happened, though I do not stipulate that they would. And even if they would not your behavior, right down to your laughter there, more than indicates that a momentary lapse in judgement would still only result in a one-sided desire.”

Maybe if he throws a wall of words at it he can ignore this is happening. How his traitor brain is reacting.

“Seeing you as a friend, being fond of you and not eager to lose your company, even finding you attractive does not equate to a sexual attraction.”

That one is a blatant lie and he knows it.

Oh, did you expect him to help? Sorry about that

[afterlaborday]

"Your mouth is moving, but I don't think your mind agrees with the words coming from it." He looks up from his laughter, mischief written in his blue eyes. "Desire takes many forms, Reeve. You should know this.

"You can desire contact without desiring a relationship. Giving in to that desire is not always a bad thing, if it can clear things up."

No, Rufus, you aren't helping.

[plate_builder]

The man looks almost annoyed at Rufus having a good point.

"And what, exactly, is supposed to be cleared up like that?" he counters, tone perhaps a bit sharp.

[afterlaborday]

"What sort of interest you have in me. The cleaning of a few pipes, as Reno might say." His grin widens, too amused at this situation.

And even know he knows it's cruel, Rufus doesn't seem to be content to stop, standing slowly from the couch and shifting to set the blanket down on it.

"There's also the fact we've been having this dance for a while, Reeve, and it's very obvious that there's some form of attraction here. Whether it's simply because it's fun, or something else, I don't know. But I don't see a reason to pretend it isn't there."