Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Love Makes a Difference	By : Nakkinomiko Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male > Cloud/Sephiroth Views: 2328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all its characters are owned by SquareEnix. They aren't mine, and I make no money from this fic.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer: I don’t own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters. SquareEnix does. I make no money from this…I just like to play with them.
A/N: There’s some OOC going on in this chapter. Sephiroth gets emotional when he’s been poisoned…I mean, when he’s not feeling well…and the same goes for Rufus when he’s stressed.
Thanks to Muci, Vero, and Marikalay for your reviews! I appreciate the suggestion to post on fanfiction.net, but I don’t think I could keep their rules. Most of my stories venture into graphic and mature territories (there’s a lemon coming up in Chapter 4), so I don’t want to ruffle any feathers!
On with the story!

******
Chapter 3
Cloud found himself alone with Sephiroth for the third time in less than twenty-four hours. It was funny, really. If anyone had told him, twenty four hours ago, that he’d be seeing so much of the Shinra General he would have called them crazy. If anyone had told him that he’d be acting the nursemaid, he would have called them totally delusional. And yet, here he was. Zack had helped him settle the General onto the couch before leaving, and Cloud was left to care for Sephiroth on his own.
“I’m sorry, Cloud.” Sephiroth gave him a self-depreciating smile from where he lay on the couch. “This evening is definitely not going as I planned.”
Cloud offered him a crooked smile and shook his head. “It’s okay, really. Are you hungry? I can make you something.”
Sephiroth made a face and shook his head slightly. “I’m afraid food would probably make me ill right now.”
“Understandable . . . ah, do you mind if I find something for myself?” Cloud asked. He was beyond hungry, and wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
“Of course not,” Sephiroth said with a slight smile. “Help yourself to whatever you can find.”
Cloud nodded and moved into the kitchen. It didn’t take him long to find fixings for a ham and cheese sandwich, and he found a bag of opened chips in the cupboard. He put the sandwich on a plate with some of the chips and pulled himself a glass of water. He carried the plate and glass back into the living room and sat down on the carpet so that he could use the coffee table as a dining surface.
Sephiroth smiled wryly. “A far cry from the steak and baked potatoes I had planned.”
“It’s okay, really,” Cloud said earnestly. He took a bite of the sandwich and smiled. “This is pretty good. . .did you make the bread?” Cloud had found a partially used home-made loaf in the bread box and had used two thick slices of it for the sandwich.
“Yes,” Sephiroth said. “It tastes better than the store-bought stuff.”
Cloud grinned. “Sure does!”
“I’m glad you like it.” Sephiroth’s lips twitched in a soft, quick smile.
“I do.” Cloud took a few more bites before Sephiroth spoke again.
“I think I’ve finally figured out what it is about you I like.”
Cloud nearly choked on the food he was chewing on. He hastily swallowed and washed it down with a sip of water before looking up at Sephiroth. “Sir?”
“Because you are different from anyone else Zack has ever thrown at me,” Sephiroth continued softly. His green eyes were contemplative as he gazed at Cloud. “You’re the first that has refused to sleep with me from the start, even though it’s fairly obvious you wouldn’t mind it.”
Cloud was very glad he hadn’t taken another bite of food, because he probably would have actually choked on it that time. Sephiroth continued speaking.
“You admire me, yes, but you admire me, not the legend,” Sephiroth said. “It may seem as if there is no difference, but there is. You see beyond the office and all the public press. You see me as a person, Cloud, and that . . .” Sephiroth paused and swallowed hard before he continued. “That means the world to me.”
Cloud’s surprised expression dissolved into a small smile. He had always admired Sephiroth, and had always been fairly certain he would like the man if he ever really got the chance to talk to him. And Cloud did like him, but as he got to know the General, the like was quickly evolving into something much stronger and deeper. Cloud knew that it would only be a matter of time before he was completely in love with the man lying on the couch.
“I’m sure there are others that see you as a person,” Cloud said.
“Perhaps,” Sephiroth murmured. “But you are different from the others, Cloud. This isn’t the first time this has happened, you know. Hojo has done this to me before, and the others stopped seeing me after they saw what the Mako did to me.” Sephiroth sounded bitter now, and Cloud could hardly blame him.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Cloud said. He gave Sephiroth another smile, this one a little shy, before he continued. “I’ve waited my whole career to get this close to you. It would be kind of silly for me to run how, wouldn’t it?”
Tears filled Sephiroth’s eyes. “Thank you.”
Cloud didn’t think, he just reacted. He abandoned his dinner on the coffee table and stood so that he could walk around the table and kneel next to the couch. He reached out to catch Sephiroth’s tears with a gentle touch. “I’ll never leave you, Sephiroth,” he said, and he meant it. “Even if we’re never anything more than friends, I’ll always be here for you.”
“Cloud. . .” Sephiroth closed his eyes and leaned into Cloud’s touch. The General’s skin was still hot to the touch.
“Do you want to go to bed now?” Cloud asked. “You’re still running a fever. You might be more comfortable in bed.”
“Will you be joining me?” Sephiroth whispered. He was gazing somberly at Cloud, his cheeks still damp with tears. “Another friend is all well and good, but I was hoping for something more with you.”
Cloud went very still and gazed into Sephiroth’s eyes for several moments before he decided that the General was actually serious and not delirious from the fever.
“Are . . .are we taking things too quickly?” Cloud asked, not because he wanted to deter what was developing between the two of them, but because things were suddenly moving so very quickly and Cloud wanted Sephiroth to be sure of what he wanted before they both did something they would later regret.
“Do you think so?” Sephiroth whispered. “Isn’t it what you want, to be with me?”
“Yes,” Cloud admitted, “but I told you last night, not if it doesn’t mean something. I’m not the type of person that can do casual relationships, Sephiroth.”
Sephiroth gave him a weak smile. “Oh, it would mean something. You care, Cloud. You care about me, and I already told you that it means the world to me. Please, stay.”
“Okay, but for tonight, only to sleep,” Cloud murmured. Sephiroth reached up and tangled the fingers of his right hand in Cloud’s hair, and the blonde allowed the General to tug him downwards. Cloud’s eyes slid shut as their lips brushed in a slow kiss, and he sighed in contentment as the nervousness he’d felt in his stomach all evening suddenly fled.
“To bed, then,” Sephiroth murmured.   His fingers slid from Cloud’s hair and his hand fell to rest on his chest. “I’m so tired.”
Cloud helped Sephiroth off the couch and into the bedroom. Sephiroth gave a contented sigh as his fatigued form relaxed into the mattress, and his green eyes almost instantly closed. Cloud sat on the edge of the bed and removed his boots and socks before pulling his shirt over his head. Sephiroth’s eyes opened momentarily before he lifted a pale hand and pointed at a chair in the corner of the room. Cloud looked, and found that the pair of pajama bottoms Sephiroth had let him borrow the previous evening were draped across the back of the chair.
“I’ll be right back,” Cloud promised. He took the pajama bottoms and went to the bathroom to change before returning to the bedroom. He frowned the moment he stepped into the room. Sephiroth’s teeth were chattering. Cloud crossed the room and sat on the bed before placing the back of his hand on Sephiroth’s forehead. “Your fever is getting high again.”
“It’ll be fine,” Sephiroth whispered. “It always is. It just takes my metabolism about 12 hours to right itself.”   The General’s frame was wracked with a shiver.
Cloud sighed and slid beneath the covers. “I don’t like your father much.”
“No one does,” Sephiroth returned quietly. “May I move closer? You’re warm . . .”
Cloud extended his arm without a second thought, and a moment later he had a very warm Sephiroth snuggled against his side.
“You’re sure the fever will go down?” Cloud asked. Sephiroth’s skin felt like a furnace against his own, and it made Cloud more than a little nervous.
“Yes,” Sephiroth murmured. His silver head was resting against Cloud’s shoulder, and his breathing was already starting to even out. “Tired.”
Cloud smiled a little and dared to turn his head and press a kiss to Sephiroth’s fevered forehead. “Sleep, then.”
“So warm,” Sephiroth murmured against his chest, and then he was sleeping.
*****
Zack hadn’t been exactly truthful when he’d told Cloud and Sephiroth that he had a date. Oh, he’d had someplace to go, but out with a girl wasn’t it. He glanced nervously at the two Turks flanking him. Reno and Rude didn’t look particularly intimidating, but Zack didn’t let appearances fool him. If they were Turks, they were tough, and they could probably hand him his ass on a platter without even breaking a sweat.
“Relax, kid,” Reno said. The Turk smiled as he lifted his hand to brush fire red hair from his eyes. “We don’t bite . . .hard. . .”
Rude rolled his eyes as the elevator they rode came to a stop. “Reno, you’re such an ass. Leave the kid alone.” He motioned for Zack to exit the elevator.
Zack had been here before, but it always amazed him how understated the penthouse was. The first time he’d visited this place, he’d been completely surprised at the lack of extravagance. He would have expected President Shinra’s only child to be a spoiled brat, but Zack had quickly discovered that just wasn’t the case. The furniture in the apartment was much nicer than the stuff in his apartment, but Zack knew it wasn’t top of the line, either. The entertainment system in the living room wasn’t extraordinarily expensive, either, and the television set was smaller than the one Zack had in his own apartment.
Reno flopped down on one of the couches and motioned towards the hallway. “He’s in his office, last door on the right down there--he’s expecting you.”
Zack nodded. His boots made no sound on the deep pile carpet, none the less, he heard Rufus’ quiet voice before he could lift his hand and knock on the door.
“Please, come in.”
Zack opened the door and stepped in. Rufus was sitting at his desk, his chair turned to the side. His gaze was fixed on the plate glass window that took up the entire back wall of his office, and his expression was thoughtful.
“Good evening, sir.” Zack said quietly.
Rufus turned his head and looked at Zack. His lips twitched in a slight smile. “I’ve told you not to call me that. I have a name, Zack.”
“Sorry, Rufus,” Zack gave him a wry grin. “Habit and all.”
Rufus smiled again and turned his chair to face Zack. He motioned at the empty chair in front of his desk. “You sounded upset when you called.”
“I was,” Zack said. He sat in the chair. “I still am. Hojo came to Sephiroth’s apartment tonight.”
Rufus’ ice blue eyes narrowed considerably. “What happened?”
“He injected Sephiroth with an experimental mako isotope, and it took him down for the count,” Zack said. He felt anger rising in his gut again. He hated Hojo, and he often daydreamed about killing the man for all the things he’d ever done to his son. Sephiroth was Zack’s best friend, and it pissed him off to no end that Hojo hurt his friend over and over again, and there was nothing he could really do to stop it.
Rufus made a displeased sound and leaned back in his chair. “Do you have any idea how the mako differs from the stuff given to you?”
“No,” Zack said. He smiled a little as he shifted and dug into his pocket to withdraw a syringe. “But I found this near the entrance to the apartment building. I think Hojo dropped it on his way out.”
Rufus held out his hand, and Zack leaned forward and handed it to him. Rufus scrutinized it. His smile became predatory. “How nice. There’s more than enough here for my people to analyze.”
“I thought so,” Zack said with a nod.
“Thank you, Zack. This will help my cause immensely,” Rufus said. “I will call you when I have the results.” He put the syringe on the desk and then his expression became concerned. “Is Sephiroth going to be alright?”
And that was what Zack liked about Rufus Shinra. He was a human beneath that smooth, political façade. He actually cared about people and gave a damn about what happened to them.
“Yeah, I think so. But this is the worst I’ve ever seen him. His fever was through the ceiling and he couldn’t walk on his own.”
Rufus sighed. “I’m trying, Zack,” he said quietly. “I’m trying to get the evidence I need to take both Hojo and my father down, but they are well versed in the art of deception, and I don’t need to tell you how very bad it would be if my actions were discovered. Not only would they kill me, they’d kill everyone involved. That’s a lot of lives, Zack, and while my father may be okay with sacrificing lives to get what he wants, I am not.”
Zack nodded. “I know. And I’ll help any way I can, Rufus. You know that, right?”
“Yes, but I’m more concerned about Sephiroth.” His gaze dropped to the syringe on his desk. “How much more can his body take?”
“I don’t know,” Zack said. “If it had been anyone else, they would have died a long time ago.”
“Yes.” Rufus frowned. “And that bothers me. Something . . . something’s not right there. I can’t help but think that Sephiroth is the key to bringing down Hojo and my father. I just have to figure out how he fits into the overall puzzle.”
“Hopefully before they kill him,” Zack spat.
“That was my goal, yes,” Rufus said with a wry smile.
“I’m sorry,” Zack said. “I . . .I just get really ticked off with the way they treat him. He’s a person, for Planet’s sake! And they treat him like a tool, or an animal to experiment on, and I hate that!”
“An understandable sentiment, since he is your best friend,” Rufus said. “There’s no need to apologize for your anger--the Ancients know I certainly harbor enough of my own on the matter. As much as I hate to say it, we must be patient. I must have concrete evidence before I expose my father and his cronies, and that is going to take some time.”
A knock on the door interrupted them, and Reno poked his head into the room. “Sir, the food’s here.”
“Thank you, Reno.” Rufus smiled slightly. “Have you had dinner, Zack?”
“No,” Zack said. “Kind of slipped my mind earlier.”
Rufus stood from his chair and motioned for Zack to follow him. “Then join us, please. I ordered enough for an army. There’s more than enough for you, too.”   He reached out and snagged a cell phone off of his desk as he walked around it. “Here.”
“Rufus?” Zack took the cell phone and looked up at him with confusion.
“My number is programmed into it. Keep this on you, and if you ever find yourself in a tight spot, use it,” Rufus commanded. “I’ve put you in danger, involving you in this. I want to protect you and Sephiroth, if I can.”
Zack pocketed the phone.
*****
Later, after Zack had eaten dinner and left, Rufus found his way back to the window in his office. The city outside had been reduced to a myriad of glittering lights in the darkness. It was very late, and he had the fleeting thought that he should go to bed, but Rufus knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep yet. His mind was too busy turning over the mystery that was Sephiroth. The General was the key to it all--Rufus could feel it in his bones.
If only I could figure it out! Rufus sighed and turned away from the window. Remember what you told Zack--patience is the key. Making a move too quickly would be disastrous, and far too many lives would be lost.
Rufus made a frustrated sound and sat at his desk. He couldn’t say for sure just exactly when it was that he’d figured out that his father was a terrible man, but he’d been fairly young. His father had always had a short temper, and Rufus could remember numerous occasions in which he’d unleashed that temper on his mother, and sometimes even on himself. Rufus still had a small, round, scar just below his left shoulder blade, where the President had extinguished a cigarette on his skin. He’d broken Rufus’s arm once, too, in a fit of anger.
But Rufus’s mother had paid the ultimate price. Rufus was certain his father had killed her during a drunken rage. Of course, he had no concrete proof, and the rest of the world thought she’d accidentally fallen down a flight of stairs and broken her neck, but Rufus had been in the house that night. He’d heard his father screaming, the sickening sound of flesh hitting flesh, and his mother’s voice begging him to calm down and to stop. He’d heard the horrible sound of her body tumbling down the stairs, and he’d trembled fiercely in his bed, his eyes wide in the darkness. It had been so quiet afterwards, and Rufus had finally slept, thinking that the worst was over.
He couldn’t have been more wrong. He woke the next morning to find that his mother was dead, and that he somehow had to learn to cope with the horrible fact that it was his father that had killed her, and that there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. Even at ten years of age he’d already developed strong survival instincts, and those instincts told him it would be near suicidal to ever tell what he’d heard that night. He had stayed silent, but at the same time, swore he would one day expose his father for the monster he really was and set things to right within Shinra Corp.
Mother, I am so close, he thought. Soon that man will get what he deserves.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts, and Rufus sighed. “Come.”
“Good evening, Rufus.”
“Tseng!” Rufus frowned as the dark haired man crossed the room and sat across from him. It was dangerous for the head Turk to be there, because as far as the world knew, Tseng was loyal to the President. If Tseng were seen entering or exiting the apartment it would raise a lot of unwanted questions. This meant that Tseng had something extremely important to share.
“I know, I shouldn’t have come,” Tseng said with a slight smirk.
Rufus snapped his mouth shut and just stared at the man for a moment. He was handsome in his Turk suit. And far too old for you, Rufus chided himself. Tseng had to be at least ten years his senior, if not more--not that Rufus’ hormones cared about the age difference. He could remember the first time he’d met Tseng--Rufus had been all of fourteen at the time. Tseng had made an immediate and lasting impression upon Rufus. First of all, he was just drop dead gorgeous. Secondly, where most of his father’s cronies had treated Rufus like a nuisance, Tseng had treated him with utmost respect and always had a kind word for him, even after it became obvious to the whole world that Rufus had a crush on him.
Rufus blushed at the memory, and was glad that the only light in the office came from the small lamp on the edge of his desk. He hoped to the gods that it was dim enough to hide the heat in his cheeks. Things had slowly changed between them over the past few years.   There was a new tension between them now, for Rufus’ feelings had moved beyond a mere crush, and he was sure that Tseng knew it. Even though, the Turk still treated Rufus the same. It made Rufus wonder if he might not have a chance with the older man, if he ever found the courage to act upon his feelings.
“Did you have something for me?” Rufus finally asked.
Tseng nodded and tossed a file folder on Rufus’ desk. “The results for the tests on the mako are in there.”
Rufus reached out and picked up the folder. He opened it and skimmed the information, not at all surprised that none of it made sense to him. He was a politician and an executive, not a scientist. “And?”
Tseng’s expression sobered abruptly. “The stuff was toxic. According to my source, the isotopes contained in that mako would kill anything it was injected into, human or animal.”
Rufus felt cold suddenly. “But Sephiroth is still alive,” he said flatly.
“Against all odds, yes,” Tseng said. “He shouldn’t be, Rufus. He should have died almost instantly--any other SOLDIER would have.”
“Sephiroth is the key,” Rufus murmured. “Hojo did something to him, Tseng, and whatever it was, I’m sure it was illegal and most likely funded by my father. If we could just discover what “it” is, I’m sure we’d have all the evidence we’d need to bring them both to their knees!”
“Most likely, yes,” Tseng agreed quietly. He motioned towards the file folder that Rufus held. “There’s another piece of info in there, under the report. My source found a stray file on the server dedicated to the bio division. It’s a memo from Hojo to your father, and it references a JENOVA project. I’ve never heard of it before, and my source hasn’t either, which is pretty amazing considering he’s got a fairly high security clearance. The memo is nearly twenty-two years old.”
“Right around the time Sephiroth would have been born,” Rufus mused out loud. He lifted the printout and read the memo.
TO: President Shinra
FROM: Hojo
Have moved operations for JENOVA to new location in Nibelheim. Respectfully request additional funds to continue research.
Rufus looked up at Tseng. “Do you think it’s worth researching?”
“I think so, yes. As I said, none of my contacts within the company have ever heard of it, which means it was highly classified, whatever it was. Even if it has nothing to do with Sephiroth, it was most likely dubious in nature. It might give you some well-needed ammo, Rufus. It would be easy enough to send someone out to the mansion to poke around. It’s a favorite vacation spot, and the Shinra mansion is always open for employee use. I’m betting that whatever we’re looking for is in the mansion itself, or at the reactor in the mountains.”
“The question then becomes, who do we send? If I go there or send any of the Turks it will attract attention that we don’t need or want.”
“There is that,” Tseng conceded. “It’s not like you have to decide tonight, or even tomorrow.”
Rufus shook his head. “No, the sooner the better, Tseng.”
Tseng gave a wry smile. “I knew you were going to say that, so I did some research. That new kid, Zack’s friend?”
Rufus frowned slightly. “Cloud Strife, right?”
“Yeah, that’s who I’m talking about,” Tseng said. “Word has it he lasted nearly ten minutes in a sparring match against the General this evening, and then went to his apartment for dinner.”
Rufus arched a brow. “And?”
“Cloud was just promoted, sir, which means he’s been working very, very hard and could probably use a break from the rigors of studies. He’s already started the next round of classes and training, but there’s a scheduled break coming up in the next week, and I’m betting he’ll want to go home to see his mother.”
Rufus’ brow climbed higher. “I trust this is going somewhere?”
Tseng laughed. “Cloud is from Nibelheim, Rufus, and if my sources are correct, he and the General seem to be getting very close. If you put a bug in Zack’s ear, I’m betting he can convince the kid to invite himself and the General to his hometown for a week. It would be totally normal for three SOLDIERS to stop by the mansion during a holiday, and if they took a hike in the mountains . . .” Tseng shrugged. “No one would wonder.”
Rufus found himself grinning at the older man. “You’re brilliant, Tseng. You know that, right?”
Tseng shook his head. “If you say so.”
“You are, Tseng, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to repay you for all your help . . . I know it’s dangerous for you,” Rufus said.
Tseng smiled a little. Something in Tseng’s expression had Rufus’ cheeks heating again. “I’ll think of something.”   The Turk stood from his chair and gave Rufus a slight bow. “Unless you need anything else, I‘ll be going.”
“Thank you,” Rufus murmured. He watched Tseng cross the room. The Turk paused at the door and looked over his shoulder.
“You‘re going to bed after I leave, right?” Tseng asked quietly.
Rufus shrugged.
“You’re no good to anyone if you end up sick with exhaustion. Promise me you‘ll go to bed.” Tseng’s voice was soft with concern.
“I can’t promise,” Rufus said with a wry smile.
Tseng turned away from the door. His expression was troubled as he met Rufus’ gaze across the room. “Insomnia again?”
Rufus shrugged. “Of course. It will be fine, Tseng. It always passes.”
Tseng frowned slightly. “But never very quickly. How long has it been since you’ve had a good night’s sleep?”
Rufus shook his head. “I honestly can’t remember,” he said. It was true. Lately he’d had a hard time slowing down his thoughts enough to really sleep. His mind was too busy chewing on the information he’d gathered in his quest to expose Hojo and his father for the monsters they really were. He was obsessed--he’d be the first to admit it--and it was taking its toll. Rufus really didn’t care, though. He wanted to stop them before they hurt anyone else.
Tseng sighed and leaned against the door. “ You have to get some sleep, Rufus.”
Rufus smiled wryly. “Yes, it would be nice. Really, Tseng, I’ll be fine. I’m not a little boy anymore, that you need to worry so.”
“No, you’re definitely not a boy anymore,” Tseng said slowly.
Something in the Turk’s tone gave Rufus pause and made his heart trip in his chest. There was a pregnant pause before Rufus replied. “So you’ve noticed that?”
Tseng emitted a low chuckle that was like liquid sin. “Oh, I’ve noticed.”
Rufus felt lost under Tseng’s suddenly intense gaze, for the simple fact that he’d never, ever thought the man would look at him like that. He hadn’t hoped for it, not even in his wildest dreams, because it had seemed so unlikely. As it was, Rufus had doubts as to whether or not he was reading the man right.
I’m tired, Rufus thought. That’s what it is.
“Rufus, you used to have a crush on me,” Tseng said slowly. “Do you still?”
Then again, maybe not. Rufus shook his head slowly. “Crushes are for boys.”
Tseng’s dark brows arched upwards slightly, and a smile curled his mouth. He moved away from the door and stalked towards the desk. “If not a crush, then what?”
Rufus’ mouth was suddenly dry, and he was afraid to answer, because he hadn’t even really admitted the depths of his feelings to himself. He swallowed audibly when Tseng skirted around the desk and stood close to him.
“Rufus, talk to me,” Tseng said gently, his expression suddenly concerned again.
“I . . .I don’t know if I can,” Rufus whispered. He wanted to tell Tseng the truth. He wanted to tell Tseng that what had started as a boy’s crush had turned into something much deeper and significant, but he was afraid to do so.
“You can tell me anything,” Tseng murmured. He was so close that Rufus could feel his heat through the linen suit he wore.
“I know.”
Tseng stepped closer, and before Rufus could protest, the Turk had him wrapped in a hug. Rufus melted into the taller man’s embrace and rested his cheek against Tseng’s shoulder.
“Rufus?”
“Tseng. . .” Rufus stopped and blinked against the sudden sting of tears in his eyes.
He felt Tseng’s embrace tighten slightly. “Tell me,” Tseng whispered.
Rufus spoke in a shaky, barely audible whisper. “I love you.” His stomach twisted sharply with sudden anxiety. Gods, had he really just said that out loud?
“I know,” came the calm reply. “Rufus, look at me.”
Rufus took a deep breath and lifted his head from Tseng’s shoulder. The Turk was smiling softly, and his gaze was warm and affectionate as he looked down at him.
“You’re. . .you’re not angry, or disgusted with me?” Rufus asked.
“Should I be?”
“I’m your boss’ kid, and I’m ten years younger than you,” Rufus said. “And I’m a man.”
“Yes, yes, and yes,” Tseng said with a puff of laughter. “First of all, I like you far more than your father, and even though you are only twenty years old, you are far more of a man than he can ever hope to be, and I don’t believe you’ve even reached half of your potential yet.”
Rufus felt his cheeks heating in a blush under Tseng’s praise.
“And yes, you are a man . . .finally,” Tseng said. He tightened his embrace again and lifted a hand to tangle fingers in Rufus’ ash blonde hair. “So I can finally do this.”
Rufus closed his eyes as Tseng covered his lips in a slow burn of a kiss. He gasped softly as the simple motion warmed him considerably, and his parted lips proved to be too great a temptation for Tseng. Rufus moaned softly as Tseng’s tongue slid against his own. It was a fine kiss, and far more wonderful than anything Rufus had ever dreamed of.
Rufus opened his eyes slowly when Tseng finally broke the kiss. “Tseng, what . . .”
“I love you, too,” Tseng whispered. He leaned in and brushed another kiss across Rufus’ lips. “Why else would I be risking everything to help you? I love you, and I want you to be happy, and the gods help me, I’d do just about anything to make it happen.”
“I had no idea,” Rufus whispered. He rested his head against Tseng’s shoulder again. “Thank you.”
“You are always welcome,” Tseng whispered against his ear.   “Now, will you go to bed?”
Rufus found himself laughing. “If I can stop thinking about that kiss long enough, maybe I’ll sleep.”
“If I come to bed with you, and hold you, will you sleep?” Tseng murmured into his ear.
Rufus sighed and melted into Tseng’s embrace. “Are you sure you want to do that?” As much as he wanted it, Tseng would be in more trouble than Rufus could dig him out of if he were seen with him outside the Shinra building.
“Yes,” Tseng replied simply.
“Tseng, it’s dangerous,” Rufus replied.
“Yes, I know,” Tseng said with a chuckle. Rufus felt a kiss pressed against his hair. “We’ll have to be careful while your father is still in power.”
Rufus gave voice to his greatest fear. “What if I fail?”
Tseng’s embrace tightened. “You’re not going to fail, Rufus. You don’t have enough faith in yourself and your abilities. That’s okay, though. I have enough faith for the both of us. You are going to be the greatest President this world has ever seen, and I will be proud to serve you.”
“No,” Rufus whispered. “I want you by my side, Tseng. I want the world to know that you are the most important person in my life.”
“I’ll never leave your side,” Tseng promised with a puff of laughter. “I don’t think I’ll be able to trust anyone else with your safety, once you are President.”
“I love you,” Rufus said, because he didn’t know what else to say about Tseng’s admission. He’d always known that Tseng was fond of him--when he’d been younger Tseng would sometimes take him out on his off days, just because he knew Rufus didn’t really have any real friends, and his father would never give him the time of day outside the office. Tseng had taken Rufus to several movies, the zoo, and even to an amusement park once or twice. The knowledge that Tseng felt more than fondness for him now was overwhelming.
“Come on,” Tseng said. He pulled away from Rufus and took the younger man’s hand into his own and tugged him away from his desk. “Let’s put you to bed. If I remember correctly, you’ve no less than three board meetings tomorrow, and one of those is with your father. You need to be rested.”
Rufus allowed the Turk to lead him from his office and down the hall to his room. Tseng unceremoniously helped him strip down to his boxers and then pointed towards the bed in an obvious command. Rufus complied wordlessly and lay in bed and watched as Tseng shed his shoes, socks, suit and dress shirt. He draped all carefully across the back of a chair, and when he slid into bed next to Rufus he wore only boxers and a T-shirt. Had Rufus been less tired, the situation might have aroused him.
“Sleep,” Tseng commanded softly. He moved closer to Rufus and pulled the younger man into his embrace and settled them comfortably beneath the covers.
Rufus closed his eyes and allowed the tension to seep out of his muscles. It was warm in Tseng’s embrace, and he found that he was very tired indeed. Tseng’s heartbeat beneath his ear lulled him, and very soon he was asleep.
*****
TBC
- 2
- 3
- 4
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Love Makes a Difference