[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]

"You look a little like a tomato." The blond laughs softly, but the tone of his voice shows he means the remark affectionately, even as he begins to wash Reeve down slowly.

If the man doesn't say much to the remark, he may even hear Rufus start idly humming as he works.

[plate_builder]

The humming is strangely soothing. To the point where the color soon fades and Reeve just smiles softly.

"You know, if I told anyone just how tender you are as a person, I'd be laughed out of most rooms."

Will respond as Vin later

[afterlaborday]

"Hm?" Rufus sets the soap down, reaching to cup the water and begin to rinse Reeve off. "That would be what I intended. It would never have done for people to think the heir to Shinra wasn't as cold and ruthless as his father. Or more so."

[plate_builder]

"More flies with honey than vinegar," Reeve counters.

Though he knows that isn't true. Vinegar gets far.

[afterlaborday]

"Not in my world. Now hand me the shampoo." At the least, Rufus doesn't seem upset. More, he is stating a fact they both know too well, and one that has more than once bitten the blond in the ass.

[plate_builder]

"It's not your world anymore, love," Reeve counters as he takes the bottle and passes it back. "Perhaps a small change is needed."

[afterlaborday]

"Still enough people who need to believe it, for now." Rufus begins to wash Reeve's hair, quite thorough in his work; something he seems to do no matter what he is doing.

[plate_builder]

Oh come now, don't be so silly. But he relaxes over the hands in his hair.

"Well, for now I'm happy to be pampered."

[afterlaborday]

"Good," Rufus chuckles. "I don't often get to pamper people. Admittedly, I don't often wish to, however."

[plate_builder]

To be special enough to Rufus that the man would want to pamper him warms Reeve's heart. Perhaps too much.

"You make me feels special in ways I had long forgotten. And for that I'm grateful."

[afterlaborday]

"You're welcome. Now, close your eyes so I can rinse your hair."

[plate_builder]

Well of course he closes his eyes, smiling to himself.

“You serve me so well.”

[afterlaborday]

Rufus begins the process of rinsing the soap from Reeve's hair, chuckling at the remark but not responding to it for now; though it could easily come up at a later time when he feels more mischievous.

Once he finishes with the process, he reaches over to grab a washcloth, handing it to Reeve so he can wipe any water that got into his eyes away, even as Rufus himself slides into the bath with a contented sigh.

[plate_builder]

Reeve is pleased with the company, but focuses on the washcloth and cleaning his face up some. Then he moves to turn to Rufus.

"Shall I clean you my love?"

[afterlaborday]

"Sure." He smiles at Reeve, shifting forward to kiss Reeve softly. "Then how about footsie in the bath?"

[plate_builder]

"I mean, if you feel like you have the energy for it, then I shall most definitely allow it," Reeve smiles. He gives Rufus another kiss and gestures for the man to wet his hair.

[afterlaborday]

"I still have a lot of energy, now that the Stigma is gone." He grins, before allowing Reeve to return the pampering he was just given, seeming quite content to allow it.

[plate_builder]

A lot of energy. Wow, Reeve... has to consider that. He's never known Rufus in the flush of health. Not in this phase of their relationship.

"And suddenly I'm the one holding us back, aren't I?"

[afterlaborday]

"Not really." He chuckles. "Just give me lots of kisses and I'll be content... for a while."

[plate_builder]

“Like a cat and food. I’m sure lots of kisses will last you, what, three or four hours?”

Teasing, teasing. He leans back in the water and closes his eyes, looking to relax in the water. He WAS a bit sore from everything.

[afterlaborday]

"If they're good kisses, maybe longer." He settles as well, letting Reeve enjoy the warmth of the bath and the lavender he added before. "I have to admit it feels good to have energy again. I got so used to being tired, you know?"

[plate_builder]

Lavender, such a lovely scent. Clean and soothing and enough to wash the stress from his body.

"I cannot fathom it. Granted I exist in a perpetual state of fatigue just because of my life choices. Being forced into such a state is unimaginable. And to think Cloud kept going with everything he did in spite of it..."

Then again, it was easier to believe when Reeve got to watch that from Rufus.

[afterlaborday]

Rufus chuckles a little at Reeve mentioning Cloud, shrugging whether it can be seen fully or not. "Cloud is stubborn, but I'm sure even he had his bad days. There's no real way to skirt around them with Stigma. They just come."

By the fact he switches tenses, it's obvious there's still a little bit of work to do before he fully accepts that the illness eating away at him is indeed gone, but even Reeve would probably understand that.

"As for you, I think you work on 'I'm so tired, I'm awake' more often than you should."

[plate_builder]

"They won't come anymore," Reeve counters for Rufus. He'll start correcting if no one else will.

But he closes his eyes and lets his foot slip forward to nudge Rufus's leg.

"I have too much to do."

[afterlaborday]

"Mm... I suppose it will take time for me adjust." He laughs, and then smirks at that foot, reaching down to use a hand and stroke Reeve's leg, almost purring as he does. "I'll accept that answer, but only if I'm on the To Do list."