plate_builder | [Open Post]

"Now you're just buttering my Turks up, Reeve." Rufus laces his hand into one of Reeve's, while Elena just looks a bit excited at the prospect of a good meal. No offense to Vincent would ever be meant, but he didn't serve near as good of food as the meal Reeve brought sounded to be. "They already like you well enough."

"But good food helps!" Reno pokes his head in from around the kitchen door as he shouts, "The booze don't hurt, either. Also, table's set. Come eat before I take it all."

"Don't even joke about such a thing!" Elena takes off for the door as she says this, meaning business in the way only the youngest of a group could. "I haven't had anything but hotel food and what Vincent could scrounge up in far too long!"

Tseng turns to glance at Rufus and Reeve as Elena disappears, moving as soon as he's done speaking. "You should probably give it a minute before you come in."

Rufus just smirks, looking at Reeve. "Totally dysfunctional family."

"But they are yours," Reeve smiles, looking at Rufus with a soft smile. A very soft smile. He moves to put an arm around Rufus's waist. "A better one than your father. You've found good people, love. I'm happy for you."

In a way, Reeve is jealous. But he doesn't touch it at all.

Rufus chuckles softly at the remark, turning so that Reeve will have to re-adjust if he wants to wrap his arm, since the younger man will have turned to bring himself against Reeve, wrapping his arms around his neck and leaning up to kiss him quite deeply before drawing back and giving an apologetic smile.

"I am afraid that, after dinner, we will have to talk seriously about how things might change now that I'm sure people know I'm alive."

Change. A moment of fear flashes over Reeve's face. He doesn't want to lose his lover. But he doesn't know how to make this work either. Which is why he will take Rufus's suggestions very seriously. The man is more... strategic in some manners than Reeve ever was.

"You're not wrong. Just promise me that when we do, you're going to be approaching it from the assumption that we're going to try and keep this."

Rufus tilts his head, a bit of confusion written on his face. "Why would I do different? I admit I am terrible at acting romantically, even about saying things like "I love you," but I don't see why I would act like this was just a fling.

"You're interesting, keep me in some check, are quite good in bed, and I like very much feeling important to someone." He seems done, before grinning and leaning near Reeve's ear to speak quietly. "Besides, for some reason, I do love you."

Oh. Reeve smiles. This is just the best thing. His lover healed, happy with his family, and he just wants to kiss Rufus. Happiness is great.

"We should get to your family's dinner," he says, happy. "They will eat it all without us otherwise."

"Reeve will make sure they don't." Rufus assures, staying where he is for a moment, watching Reeve. "Although, if I am honest, I still don't quite understand why it is I have become infatuated with you... something we can explore tonight?"

Should they explore it? Reeve almost worries for half a second, then he dismisses it. Instead he kisses Rufus's brow and heads toward the area where food was waiting.

He needed to eat.

"Perhaps we can."

Rufus wouldn't let Reeve worry too much. He wasn't worried himself, was just merely exploring, and questioning things as he was wont to do. Usually, it was a very good side, as most people and things didn't keep that much of his attention.

Yet he knows better than to bring it up during dinner, instead choosing to enjoy the food and the company. Though at one point, Rufus does grin at Reeve and decides to screw the Turks being there to see if the older man will let himself be fed by Rufus' hand.

Rufus really does fail to understand some of what Reeve was happy to cater to Rufus's desires. He doesn't mind staying there, opening his mouth and even sucking a little on Rufus's fingers because...

Because why should he care? The Turks have heard them together, they know about how the two of them together.

Rufus chuckles softly at Reeve sucking at his fingers, ignoring the almost jealous look from Reno, and the lack of reactions from Tseng and Rude. Elena herself doesn't hide the giggle she gives off.

Aside from that, Rufus and the Turks do seem to behave themselves at dinner; even Reno.

Reeve even behaves. Mostly. Well, he didn't mind that little display. Not that he really gets Reno's jealousy, even after all of this. And when it's done he nods his appreciation to the Turks, pouring another glass of wine for them each.

"To you all. For all the effort you went to in the means of protecting this city. You've saved a lot of lives. There are weights we cannot ever be free of, crimes that cannot be wiped clean. But we try. With every day we try. And you have done a lot."

It probably seems that the Turks are vaguely confused by the speech, all except Tseng, though Rufus chuckles gently and accepts the toast for what it is; he can explain it to them later.

The toast finished, and dinner effectively done, Rufus asks the question which is probably on everyone's mind. "How long will it take to rebuild this time, Reeve?"

That question earns a tired noise from Reeve.

"We're still doing calculations. Luckily the majority of the damage was to in construction areas, the town square, ore restricted areas like the roads into Midgar. It's this last set that will take the most work to repair, but is the least pressing. The construction sites are rather bad, that needs new materials more than anything. Much of the metal work isn't reusable. We'll try and rework it into fresh girders. It's going to take time, but not too bad."

The thing is, he is smiling before the end. Rufus asking means a lot. Yes, they've worked together since Meteorfall, he gets that Rufus cares. But mostly, it's a change from the plate, and that matters.

Reeve already knew Rufus' take on the plate, both when he was still chasing the Ancients, and now; and considering the fact he had disliked that stunt and its loss of life, it would make sense that he had some concern here. Vast damage meant a great loss of life long term, and they didn't need more people dying after the whole Stigma mess.

So he nods at what Reeve says, glancing at Tseng and Elena, before speaking. "Once everyone here is a little better, I'll see if we can scrounge up a bit more reliable help, at least in the short term."

"We'll manage," Reeve promises with a soft smile. "We've done this before. We'll manage now. I know we can. But thank you, Rufus. It will be appreciated."

Most likely he'll pull more people off the WRO works.

Rufus just nods a little, before smiling at Reeve. "Extra hands don't always hurt."

Reeve ignores the little snicker that Reno gives at that comment, not quite certain how Reno finds it funny. Instead he nods his agreement and lets the amusement slide.

"Indeed. Now, speaking of hands," Reeve says, and he turns his attention to Rufus. "I believe I was promised a chance to make sure that you truly are free of the Stigma, and I could stop worrying about having you ripped from my grasp far too soon."

Rufus raises a brow at the remark, also ignoring Reno for the moment, especially since the snicker becomes a full-blown whistle instead. "Very forward today."

It's almost a purr, even as Tseng clears his throat, standing and speaking in a tone that will make sure Reno won't try to question his words. "Then we will take our leave, and come to clean up in the morning. Thank you for the meal, and the champagne."

"Sometimes a man just wants a piece of his lover," Reeve shrugs off the amusement the others have. This is his man, he loves the man, and he's not giving up on him.

"Yeahhhh..." Reno smirks as he stands up, grinning at Reeve, and ignoring the elbow jab Rude gives him. "Just remember we are in a hotel, huh?"

"In a very private room, on a floor with only two rooms." Tseng responds, not letting Reno start anything, before tilting his head slightly to indicate the red-head start moving, and glancing at Reeve. "We are next door, call if you should need anything."

He then turns and starts out of the room, Elena standing to follow and waving at Reeve with a 'thanks for dinner.'

Once they go and the door closes behind them, Reeve pulls Rufus into his arms, just to hold him. He doesn't care to kiss him, doesn't care to make love right now. Instead he just focuses on holding his lover. Please. Let him be here, right here and right now.

"I've been so scared. So scared."

Rufus doesn't seem to mind in the least, reaching up to hug Reeve around the neck, and chuckles softly, tilting his head and looking Reeve in the eye. "I told you I would be fine, Reeve. You should never doubt my stubborness."

"I've lost everyone that meant the world to me before, Rufus. With how I've come to feel about you, it was a fair concern."

Perhaps it was only his own stubbornness that kept him from falling into the grief of the Stigma. Or perhaps the joy Rufus brought him

Rufus shakes his head a little, chuckling at the man. It really was very easy to want to revert to the personality Reeve had known him by all those years ago, condescending and arrogant, but the most he could manage when speaking to him was a mild ribbing.

Which means even though his words are serious, they are also tinged with amusement. "Really, Reeve! You make it impossible for me to have a chance to worry."

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