plate_builder | [Open Post]

"Think I couldn't find both?" Rufus notes, before shaking his head slowly. "And it can't be the Lifestream. If it was, we would have had issues in the past, since it covers the planet, but we haven't. That makes it quite unlikely to be the Lifestream."

“Save for Cloud, Tifa, and a few first class soldiers who are thankfully dead, people never came in contact with the quanta of mako people did when the Lifestream rose up to defend us. That power was something else, Rufus. Something no living being is meant to touch.” And perhaps that was what made people sick.

"Mako poisoning is far different from Stigma." Rufus notes. "Also, Mako is used in the stimulant which assists in keeping down the pain levels. The stimulant is what we used on the SOLDIERS. All information I have handed you in the past."

“Pure Lifestream And mako are different,” Reeve countered. “Which there is a chance you don’t understand. I am the one that reworked the entire mako refinement process and I can tell you with certainty that the difference between refined mako and even what bubbles out of a mako spring that your father used to start the ‘electric’ part of the company are different beasts. And I expect the Lifestream is different still.”

"And we have made no headway with Mako nor Lifestream." Rufus moves to get his pants on, the conversation obviously going to take some time. "We have to look into alternative reasons, and this seems the most likely."

“Nothing I can say with dissuade you from this foolishness, will it?”

Damn. The older man sighed and moved to start collecting his own clothes.

“I thank you for telling me, but I still think this is a bad idea.”

Rufus sighs a little. "Reeve, tell me something. If you think logically about all the information I have provided about Stigma research, and all the research you have gathered, have you seen anything to point to the Stigma having a link to either of the things you have proposed? Or any progress on a cure?

"If I truly believed the research was going anywhere, would I agree to send my Turks somewhere so dangerous?"

No, he doesn't have anything that would point to them. He wishes he did. The best thing he's got is what he's already shared with Rufus. What little Yuffie had found out after being banned from Wutai for a while. That her own research suggested there was some mental component to who is vulnerable to catching it. To who tends to die from it

None of it was a comfort.

"Why... even tell me this? You can make your own choices."

Rufus gives Reeve a look of complete shock, as if he can't believe the man is even asking the question. He must be worried, else what Rufus is about to say would have already occurred to him.

"If I went after Jenova without telling you, you would dump my ass after telling me what a liar I was."

Really? Does Rufus believe that? Reeve finishes doing up his pants before moving to Rufus and kissing him. Hard and possessively. He couldn't be more wrong, but how was he supposed to know given Reeve kept certain things quiet? Certain words?

"I wouldn't. I'd call you out on reckless actions, I'd tell you what a bad idea I thought it was and how I would have told you that if you asked me. But I would not leave you over doing what you think is right in this case. I would if you started putting Jenova cells in bodies like your father condoned. But you're not him, Rufus. And I know well all the work you do. You think I haven't noticed the way it's quietly gotten about to former Shinra employees that there is a group working to right our wrongs? One that isn't mine? I've lost good men and women to your work, and I know it's right. You're a good man, and I don't just abandon a good man over a disagreement."

Even more of a shock comes at this response, though whether it is more what is said or that wonderful little kiss... well, does it really matter? He kind of smiles, and shakes his head gently.

"Not risking it." He leans to kiss Reeve softly before speaking again. "And if Jenova or Sephiroth has anything to do with Stigma, those cells may still end up in use. Just for drastically different reasons."

And for that Reeve has to hope. He manages to keep himself from falling into too much despair over Rufus's condition. He has too much to live for to die. Rufus is right up there, but also knew that were he to lose his lover, there may well be Stigma in his future as well.

"Thank you for considering my feelings. Next time, if you feel that strongly about something, do it first. It is easier to seek forgiveness than permission sometimes. And I know I'm stubborn."

Rufus laughs a bit, and shifts to be close to Reeve, brushing his hands over the man's neck. "Aww, would you have preferred if I had ended up having to have begged your forgiveness?"

Okay, that makes him chuckle, because he likes the image. Enough to get his fingers in the younger man's belt loops and haul him the rest of the way forward to have their bodies flush against each other's.

"As delectable to have you on your knees begging always is, I hate to think that I could prevent you from making a choice that you know is right."

"If it's the right thing, you would always agree, anyway." Running his hands down slowly, Rufus grins. "But too bad. Guess you don't get any begging from me, since I asked."

"I don't. But that's okay," Reeve assured him, releasing Rufus. This doesn't have to be flirting. He'd let Rufus determine if that was what they were going to do here.

Rufus pouts a little, staying close to Reeve. "I suppose our romp is done for the night, then?"

"Only if you want it to be," Reeve answered with a chuckle.

Problem was he had a hard time saying no to Rufus. And the man really did have a lot more appetite than many others might realize. He hadn't been joking with Reno.

"You know what happens if you give me a choice, Reeve." He just keeps grinning. "Any schedule you might have will be completely ruined."

"Well, isn't it fitting then that I cleared a day and a half for you?"

Yeah, not often he can get much time off, but he sent his secretary on ahead to the WRO facilities to check on construction. She's got orders to call him. In the morning. He doesn't have much time to stop there. He's got to head on to Mideel in a few days.

"A whole day and a half for me, hm?" Rufus turns to move towards the bed, making sure to sway his hips just enough to entice Reeve. "Well, we shouldn't waste it, then, should we?"

"You will be the death of me. But it will be a good death," Reeve grinned to himself as he followed. "Why are those pants on again? I don't like that."

"In case I needed to get some water to cool your head again?" How he can sound so innocent with that grin on his face must be a skill, just as much as the movement of slightly arching hips as he leans back onto the bed with both hands. "Or maybe I just wanted for you to have to remove them again."

Oh that again? Reeve would not be at all okay with that. He hated that water thing and he might walk out of his vacation.

"There's a reason Reno never believes me when I talk about us," Reeve smiles as he stands there to admire the look of his lover.

Rufus would have happily helped Reeve dry off if it came to that, likely saving the vacation, but it isn't an issue at this point. Instead, he is grinning even wider.

"Reno can't believe I have a sex drive, and he thinks you are far too to get it up more than once a day. If he realized those toys were actually being used, and not just us screwing with him, well..."

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