[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

[plate_builder]

The two don’t really speak he same language, because Reeve wasn’t asking what Rufus wanted in that particular context. More a ‘what do you expect me to say’ than how it is taken. Still Reeve stays silent as Rufus clearly thinks. What about he cannot fathom. What he expects is disdainful dismissal of the way Reeve dismisses himself, pities himself. It would be suitable. Good thing he is not a mind reader.

To have his, clearly not clear to someone such as Rufus, explanation that he understood this has been only sex met with what came next, though... Reeve didn’t quite know how to process it. Rufus Shinra, leaning down to look at him like that, saying such things with those soft lips so close, inviting things he would never imagine... what a mess he has made of this whole day.

Sleep deprivation, days of hard negotiations so he am finally get the next phase of his plans really going, and a moment of weakness caused by a revelation of personal betrayal led here. And now, like it or not, he had a decision to make.

Down the rabbit hole and try to keep work and pleasure separate even as they tangled together? Remain the ‘sane’ and composed and quite possibly self-destructive man he had become to meet his ends? There is no right answer, and he knows it. Sex and pleasure and no guarentee of emotional support, and a very serious hance that he would find himself shattered by loss in the form of death by the Stigma or abandonment. Civil interactions for the purpose of the work but wondering in vain ‘what if’?

Two roads diverged in a lodge, and he...

Let no one ever say Reeve didn’t get himself in too deep. Every single time he tried something new, he got in too deep. This would be no different. Didn’t Rufus realize that Reeve didn’t do things by halves? Didn’t Reeve for that matter?

I warned myself to not get attached. I guess it was too little too late.

And it was. Reeve got too invested too fast, and once he agreed he knew he would be hurt. The question was just how far down the road it would be.

“I fear you have no idea what I seem to have gotten you into, Rufus,” Reeve sighs. “You don’t even know where the path you’re stepping on leads.”

If that isn’t answer enough, pulling Rufus the rest of the way forward into a searing kiss probably is.

[afterlaborday]

Same language, different language, was Rufus so far off the mark? Perhaps Reeve meant something else, but his words had also let off hints of the question of where they were going. After all, they hadn't truly said it was going to be a one time thing; it just had seemed that the both of them needed to say it in their own minds to allow things to happen. It was only natural then that the discussion would somehow lead here.

As to the path he was stepping on...

Rufus enjoys the kiss, returning the passion with everything he has, before slowly drawing back and smirking at Reeve.

"I know enough to realize not to suggest things lightly, because you won't take it lightly. And that it's awkward and troublesome."

Will be back later and all. Am having dinner at place with bad WiFi.

[plate_builder]

Reeve is left sitting there, lips parted just a bit, when Rufus pulls away. That was nice. He should probably show the man more types of kisses.  “Is this where I ask if you are joking about my weight?” Reeve asks, a smirk curling on his lips. “I admit I haven’t had a lover in a while. Not sure how to play this one, given our rather interesting situation. I suppose I must warn you ahead of time that with the growth of the WRO I have had people sniffing around. Please talk to me before believing tabloids?”

Have fun!

[afterlaborday]

Rufus ignores the first joke, because really there isn't an appropriate response to it, and focuses instead on the rest of what Reeve is saying, and he chuckles. "Only Elena believes tabloids, though Reno eggs her on quite often."

He leans in to give Reeve a gentle kiss, before responding more seriously. "As to how it works, I suppose that depends. I've technically never had much in the way of lovers, so I can't say what I need. So why don't you say what you need and we can figure out the way it works from there."

Re: Have fun!

[plate_builder]

“I suppose this is a different sort of dinner negotiation,” Reeve chuckles to himself. “Please sit.”

He has finally found his appetite again. And that is a relief. With his attention on his food this is easier.

“It might take me time to figure out what I would need, Rufus. This would not be a relationship such as I am used to. I can’t insist on dinners out and the like. Or to see you as often as I would normally look for. It may be that I would have to bring issues up as I come to them.”

What he does know is that business will have to be kept separate.

[afterlaborday]

"As often as you like?" That's a curious thing to say, and Rufus considers it a moment as he sits down. "Meaning you like being around your lovers as much as possible?"

[plate_builder]

“I like to have dinner with them at least once a week. I am an affectionate man who likes to be close to the people I care for,” Reeve explains. “That isn’t exactly easy to manage, especially as I work trying to spread the WRO.”

More than that, Reeve shakes his head. “Most couples see themselves more than that. I became used to less when I worked with Shinra, given how many hours I put in to work.”

[afterlaborday]

Rufus eats a little of what's been brought, and nice a little. Shinra could be a very time-consuming thing, even before Meteor and the scramble to do something about it. Except with his father, there had been so much more focus on optics and expansion, which made it impossible for much in the way of time off for those with any position of power.

Then again, under Rufus it probably wasn't much better, but he'd really not had a great deal of time to do anything with everything going on. He may or may not have been better. Not that it matters a great deal in this situation. Shinra doesn't exist, and the only drain of time was on Reeve's part. Sad. But workable. If you used Reno logic.

"We'll just have to work with what time you have. And if we can't see each other once a week, it isn't as if we can't communicate by phone. Not as much fun, but," Rufus smirks softly at Reeve. "I've had phone sex before if you need a little help..."

[plate_builder]

Reeve had been in the process of eating some of his stir-fried rice when Rufus spoke. Which of course meant he was coughing as he swallowed wrong. Once he has finished and caught his breath he looks at Rufus in askance.

“What did you say?”

Phone what?

[afterlaborday]

Nice response. Please ignore Rufus as he watches with equal amounts amusement and concern. It wouldn't be any good if he accidentally killed Reeve. Especially with that comment being the impetus and what Reno would say.

When it's obvious Reeve is fine though, Rufus grins. "Phone sex, Reeve. I said phone sex."

[plate_builder]

“I... suppose I can extrapolate what that would entail from the name,” Reeve admits. And he’s realizing Rufus has access to and growing skill with a mobile camera in his apartment. “But clearly I have little experience there.”

[afterlaborday]

"It's alright. I probably shouldn't." Perhaps he really should tell Reeve nevermind on this. The man might not survive him. "Although seriously, there's phones we can use to speak with one another if we need them.

"Although I don't know how much either of us needs that? We are both fairly self-sufficient, right? Then again... i admit I have no idea how a relationship is suppossd to work aside from Elena's romance novels..."

Yeah, maybe he has a bit more to learn.

[plate_builder]

“It matters,” Reeve counters as he finally returns to his food. “Being able to see someone you care about, to touch, to kiss...”

It matters so much. And it seems to him that he has more to teach Rufus. Quite a bit more. He considers what he would have to teach. If he could. There was, after all, a bit of a difference between being lovers and dating. Well he’ll have to think on it.

“You’ll clearly be the one taking the lead in phone sex. And I suppose you have the advantage, being able to watch as well as hear.”

[afterlaborday]

"Considering what my life has been, I'll have to believe you." He smiles a bit, but he obviously knows that Reeve is likely right. He's just not used to a great deal of physical affection for the sake of comfort. Even the Turks were more or less hands off when it came to their boss.

As to the Cait unit, Rufus shakes his head. "That wouldn't be any fun, and I would also think it would be highly against what you designed the unit for. I'm horrible, but I won't disrespect you in such a way."

[plate_builder]

“Thank you for that,” Reeve says in relief. He really didn’t like the idea of being watched. If that would amuse Rufus he would have allowed it. But frankly not his cup of coffee. More than that, though he could point out that Rufus had already forced him to use Cait for spying. This would be a different form.

Still he is not against this whole idea. The more he talks the more Reeve feels comfortable with all of this. Almost... hopeful.

“Just, this is going to sound like I am backtracking again. That is not it. I just need to be reassured here. We’re doing this?”

[afterlaborday]

Rufus knows that there are things one just does not do in certain situations. Where before it was necessary for Cait Sith to act as a spy, something even Reeve had to know whether he liked it or not, there was no need now. Rufus had an easy line on Cloud and his people, could reach them if it was needed, he had no desire to spy anymore, no reason to. Not even on Reeve.

Of course it didn't mean he hadn't walked Cait in on a few things accidentally, and he had spied enough to figure out what sort of coffee Reeve liked and how he liked it, but there was a difference between accidents, finding out what people liked and using the machine as a sex toy.

The question earns some consideration, and a return question. "I'm sure I want to do this, although I suppose we need to define what "this" is so that there are no more misunderstandings."

[plate_builder]

“I suppose we do. I think I would be better placed to consider that in your arms rather than while we’re trying to eat,” Reeve muses.

Those sort of things were always easier for him when he had someone in his arms. Warmth and welcome and all of that was so much simpler. Would be easier to know when he isn’t starving too. How long since he last ate? Maybe twelve hours?

“Gods the elders of Kalm really left me ill treated,” Reeve sighs. “I should arrange things better next time. Insist on meal breaks. And sleep.”

[afterlaborday]

Rufus chuckles softly at the remark. Reeve was truly the touchy-feely sort. Though it seemed Rufus didn't mind it all so much, if the fact he was snuggling Reeve so much earlier was any indication.

"You really should. Food is important." He gently nods at what Reeve has in front of him, before picking some of his own food up. "We'll talk after."

[plate_builder]

“I suppose I thought the consideration would come from the other side,” Reeve admits and, with the prompting, turns his attention toward his own meal. He manages to pack away two full plates in no time at all.

Once he’s done he gives a truly contented sigh. Food, sex, affection? He can do this.

[afterlaborday]

"Old men don't eat as much as young ones." Rufus remarks before setting about eating himself, content in the silence between them, even if he doesn't eat quite as much as the other man does.

"Tseng ordered well."

[plate_builder]

Perhaps Reeve can prove how young he is with what he eats. At least there is that. Once he is done he sits back and smiles. Finally. Now he could use rest.


“He did. Speaking of... are your Turks going to have my head if this doesn’t work out?”

[afterlaborday]

"No." Rufus looks quizzically at Reeve. "This is a decision that only we can make and they have no say, regardless of if it goes sideways or not. It would be different if we were discussing something else, of course, but..."

Well, unless one of the Turks decided that they really had feelings for their boss, romance, sex, things like that weren't for them to interfere with unless it was a direct danger, and Reeve wasn't a danger.

"The only worry you should have is commentary, but I know how to handle Reno."

[plate_builder]

“I would welcome his commentary,” Reeve shrugs off. He could likely handle it. Or so he believed. So he hoped. “I believe it goes without saying that AVALANCHE cannot know. More for your safety than any judgement from them. My personal life is hardly their concern after all.”

The bigger issue is public reaction if it got out. All the ‘he wants to rebuild Shinra’ will be seen as absolute truth if his relationship became public knowledge. There might even be some among Avalanche who would fear the same thing.

“I’ve finished, I don’t suppose you would mind moving somewhere more comfortable.”

[afterlaborday]

"I've no intention to reveal I'm even alive for a long time. Would be too dangerous at this time to begin with, on top of the fact that I would have to solve what my purpose would be if I was known to be alive. Could you imagine the reaction if Shinra rebuilt."

Not that he hadn't had thoughts about it, had even told the Turks he would rebuild, but truth be told he wasn't so sure anymore. He had never lied, he didn't want to be like his father, and right now that would be the only thing anyone saw - himself included - if the corporation rose again.

No, better to stay out of sight and figure it all out before he moved. Maybe run it by Reeve sometime, in a different situation and once the man understood him far better.

Not that he won't move for the sake of the conversation they were about to have, standing and indicating the living room. "The couch should be fine. There's a blanket near it to wrap in if we want."

[plate_builder]

“I could use a blanket,” Reeve admits as he moves to the couch and settles down. Leaves plenty of space for Rufus to join him. Once Rufus is settled he relaxes a little.

How do they approach whatever this is? What even is this? That is something he has to figure out, at least a for himself. He watches Rufus as he thinks, because he finds himself caught in the beauty of the man again. What would he do to touch the man again? Put him down on this couch and make love to him. Granted he probably hasn’t gotten there yet.

“I suppose I should tell you that I am an affectionate partner. I care about the men in my life. I have been known to dote but I can hold back on that.”