[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]

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?"

[plate_builder]

"I wasn't an heir. I was just me," Reeve points out. But yes, if they're going to dance...

"By all means, lead on."

[afterlaborday]

"True." Rufus shifts to place his hands where he needs to in order to lead, smirking at Reeve. "At least I won't step on your feet?"

[plate_builder]

"So you say," Reeve laughs, ready to follow happily.

[afterlaborday]

"I'm not that bad of a dancer." Rufus sticks his tongue out at Reeve, though he's obviously not all that upset, beginning to dance to whatever beat he's feeling right now. "The last time I stepped on feet, they deserved it."