[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

[afterlaborday]

"The company name would be just as important." He looks Reeve in the eye, and the man may realize there is a small speech coming; an explanation of his thought patterns. "If I were to ever set up a company and use any name aside from Shinra, the first thoughts would be about shell companies and what I was hiding. Even if it was well-known I ran it, those thoughts would remain the same.

"So it leaves an issue of trust. Given time, I could build it up with many people, as they would have time to see what I do without the old Shinra and without my father. Many would never trust me, though. Which would be fine except the one issue that keeps coming to mind for me. Safety.

"I was under threat when my father was in charge, after he died, when only a few knew I was alive after WEAPON and now that it is known by more that I live. For these, I had either an army of SOLDIER mixed with Turks, or four Turks who could handle the small groups who came."

He pauses to take a drink of water, before speaking again.

"Without getting even more long winded, the issue that would come with starting a company again is four Turks can't handle everything, and if I recruit more Turks, or hire mercenaries or anyone else... well, people will be even more sure I'm up to something."

[plate_builder]

"People will be certain you are up to something no matter what it is you set out to achieve," Reeve counters. There was a damn good chance that the others of his own group would be asked to keep an eye on Rufus. And, of course, upon Reve.

[afterlaborday]

"That would be expected." He shrugs, standing to go let in the maid as there is a knock on the door, sitting near Reeve when he returns. "For now, I just intend to keep an eye on the situation and go from there."

[plate_builder]

Well, now Reeve is very glad he had put on pants.

"You often have your eyes on the situation. But assure me you shall not attempt to recruit Cloud once more. He will not take it well, especially after all of this."

[afterlaborday]

Rufus would never have opened the door if Reeve had not been decent. He isn't the sort of person to embarrass his lover in such a way, not without agreement from them and the person who had to walk in on it.

He does laugh a bit, though.

"I wouldn't have had to call him this time, except those three were more than I could handle."

[plate_builder]

Well, he'd be open to being embarrassed, but yes, situations would be very conditional. ANd this was not it.

"Those there were nearly more than he could handle," Reeve agrees, sounding concerned.

[afterlaborday]

"I didn't have much other choice." Rufus sighs a little. "I was down two Turks, infected by Stigma, and no other cards to play aside from having hid Jenova. But even that... if I had kept going, Kadaj would have killed me, Reno and Rude, or worse.

At least Cloud had a chance and allies who could help."

[plate_builder]

Allies who could help. Yes, Reeve just wished he'd been able to send Cait with Mog, but the larger doll was long since gone now. And Cait Sith himself was too small for the necessary engines to cast magic from materia. So all Reeve could do was watch and deploy the WRO to try and secure people's safety.

"The distraction was likely valuable."

[afterlaborday]

"It really only bought time." He shrugs. Obviously he isn't sure that he did anything aside from keeping the triplets from causing mass panic and destruction. He had barely even been able to gather information. "I'm still not sure if I shouldn't have warned everyone sooner."

[plate_builder]

And yet very second of time had been so very, very precious. Surely Rufus understood that.

"An earlier warning would have been helpful."

[afterlaborday]

"Hard to get hold of Cloud." It's a bit of a joke, even as Rufus gets up to get a large tip for the cleaning person.

[plate_builder]

"You're not wrong," Reeve says with a sigh. "But... But what about me."

[afterlaborday]

There's no immediate answer, the blond seemingly more concerned with handling the business side of things; tips and orders to the staff, showing them out and shutting the door tightly behind them.

He doesn't even respond as he turns, moving over to where Reeve is still sitting and looking down at him to try and catch his eyes, his own reflecting back both the look of a Shinra whose only concern is with his next step, and a deeper emotion only Reeve has probably ever seen.

"I would not risk contacting you and giving those brats someone else I cared for to go after."

[plate_builder]

His heart aches, at both sides of the statement. Aches because he was kept from his lover at such an important time. At the same time, he ached for the idea of being used against the other man.

"You're a good man. But I hate that I wasn't here for you."

[afterlaborday]

"There are more important things than the 'now' with these situations, even if people always say it the best policy to live in the now." Slowly, he shakes his head at Reeve. "I didn't want to risk a 'what if...' that was possible for a moment that could go horribly wrong."

[plate_builder]

"It's often worthless to live in the now. You need to plan for the future," Reeve counters thoughtfully.

I'll post as Vin whenever he comes back to my head lol

[afterlaborday]

"Exactly." Rufus leans over Reeve, smiling. "Protecting you was protecting the future."

[plate_builder]

Was it? Reeve looks flustered to hear that from Rufus. How could he say that with a metaphorically straight face?

"You really see me as that?"

[afterlaborday]

Rufus has to hold back a laugh at Reeve's face, wondering which one is truly younger in this relationship again, though he knows that it's less youth vs age and more that Reeve has an easier time being honest about certain things.

Maybe Rufus' lack of showing the same honesty as often and as well is even part of the reason for the look?

"In a few ways, you are, yes."

[plate_builder]

Honesty was a policy that Reeve tended to prefer. And finding a way to finally put his desire to do good into play was worth it.

"Thank you, Rufus," Reeve smiles, his voice soft and fond. He moves to Rufus, pulling the man into his arms.

[afterlaborday]

Rufus smiles, wrapping his arms around Reeve's neck, joking. "Are we dancing now?"

[plate_builder]

"Do you want to? I've been known to shuffle around a bit."

[afterlaborday]

"Just shuffle? Never learned slow dancing?" Rufus seems honestly curious, smiling at Reeve.

[plate_builder]

"Oh, I did," Reeve said. Everyone on their level had. But... "I never had much cause for using it."

[afterlaborday]

"Lucky you." He laughs a little, since he himself had occasionally had to play nice and dance with some of the ladies at the various Shinra events; mostly when he couldn't find a way out of them. "So I lead, then?"