Dances of Subterfuge

Right, this is number two in a series, you really should read the first one to get the setting. Hit my profile and check out Tall Dark and Vampy....

Anyway, onto part two of the arc...


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Rufus was watching Tseng very carefully as he gave his report. It was unusual that Tseng made his report to him after quite so much time had passed after him being given his assignment regarding Valentine. He already knew from Reno that the two had talked the same night he had given the order. And that was only the first thing that was off about this situation. For some reason Tseng seemed… stiff, and that was in a physical sense. It was subtle, so subtle that it could barely be seen, but Rufus had been round Tseng so long he knew how to read the man. He’d had to learn otherwise he would be a closed book to him, and that he could not have.

“So why the delay in reporting your failure?” He asked coldly.

As usual he was not pleased by his subordinate’s lack of success, this was so unlike Tseng, the man had been up to any task he’d been given in the past, and his continued failure was aggravating to say the least.

“Forgive me sir, but Valentine has become… something of a challenge to me. I wanted to keep trying. And it yielded some interesting results.”

“Oh yes?”

“He decided to stalk me to make the point.”

Rufus’ eyebrows shot up, well now that was unexpected.

“And?”

“He’s good, better than me, though that may have something to do with the fact he is not entirely human anymore. Having four demons inside him has given some… interesting abilities.”

His mind was on the incident at the bar as he spoke. Sure he could break a man’s wrist, but not with the careless ease that Vincent had with one hand, or the speed with which he had disappeared in the alley.

“It’s only because I am good as I am that I knew he was doing it. He leaves no trace.”

Rufus nodded.

“Precisely why I want him on the payroll. And now?”

“He considers his point made.” Tseng replied.

Rufus snorted amused. But he decided to test the waters, see if he could find out what Tseng was keeping hidden as he was definitely holding back something.

“Am I wasting my time?” He asked bluntly, watching the reaction carefully.

Tseng looked thoughtful for a moment though Rufus could see that expression was being used to mask another one. He was one of the few people to have ever seen Tseng smile, he was usually as stoic as his prey, but right now, though to anyone else he was thinking over his response, Rufus could see he was hiding a smile. What about this situation had his Turk smiling?

“It is a challenge sir. I am sure I will find a method of persuading him, though he has resisted everything I have tried so far.”

The amusement added only the tiniest hint to his voice, but Rufus was listening hard for it and spotted it. What was he hiding? He would question him further but he knew his Turk was a smooth talker and could probably slip out of the questioning without him having learned anything.

“Very well then. I have other tasks for you for now. Valentine will have to wait.”

“Yes sir.”

Rufus watched him go, waiting a while before asking his secretary to summon another of his Turks to his side. The redhead soon appeared having sloppily tucked in his shirt just before walking through the door. Rufus snorted. He guessed he should consider himself honoured.

“Ah Reno, I am changing around some assignments. I want you to head up the surveillance of Vincent Valentine. I want you to particularly pay attention to who he sees.”

Yes he was certain something had happened between Tseng and Valentine, and he suspected that the two might meet when Tseng’s alternate assignment permitted. Reno looked at his boss questioningly, it was the look on Rufus’ face that had him wondering just what was going on here.

“Sure thing yo’.” He shrugged.

“I want you to report anything that seems like unusual behaviour for him, no matter how insignificant.”

Reno nodded. Rufus sure was in a strange mood tonight.

“Is everything alright boss?” He asked tentatively, he knew that look and knew it wouldn’t take much to anger the blond.

“Yes, yes.” Rufus snapped. “Get to it.”

Reno didn’t need to be told twice, but as his hand touched the door to leave Rufus called out to him.

“Oh and one more thing, you report directly to me for this one. No need to involve Tseng, he has other projects to see to.”

Reno frowned, now this was unusual.

“You want me to keep Tseng out of the loop?” Rufus had not made that clear and he had to know what his orders were, and just what they meant.

Rufus glared at him, but gave him a nod. “If there are no other questions.” He replied acidly.

Reno swallowed down the instinctive question that rose in his throat. Now was not the time to be asking.

“Whatever, you’re the boss yo’.” He shrugged and got out of there fast.

Though one thing was bothering him. Rufus suspected Tseng of something, there was no other reason for him to be kept out of the loop. The order was not so unusual in itself, in the case of junior members of the organisation, but he had never been told to exclude his boss. So what the fuck was going on? And what the hell did it have to do with Valentine? He wondered if he would ever find out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Three weeks later and Rufus was feeling just as frustrated as ever. Reno had been coming to him with daily reports. Tseng had not been seen round Valentine at all, and nothing out of the ordinary had been noted. Damn it! He knew something was up though, Tseng had been in an unusually good mood for over a week, Reno had quite happily shared that with him, mostly because he was as shocked by the fact as anyone. That first day he had not been pulled up on anything. Normally he could expect to be hauled into Tseng’s office at least three times in a day, for missing paperwork, the awful state of his uniform, some theft he was suspected of, unpaid bar bills or a complaint filed against him, all were normal fodder, but nothing that day. It was enough for him to share Rufus’ conviction that something was going on, he was just clueless as to what. He finally plucked up the courage to ask.

“Boss, what’s going on?”

Rufus chuckled darkly at the question.

“I wish I knew Reno.”

Rufus actually laughed. “Between you and me I think there is something going on between Tseng and Valentine.”

“You think Tseng is selling us out? No way, not him!” Reno protested.

“Pipe down.” Rufus sighed. “No, He wouldn’t, he is too loyal to the company.” To me. “But something is going on. It may be innocent but I want to know what it is.”

Reno relaxed a little, so this wasn’t about the company, just… well he didn’t know what, but it wasn’t as bad as he thought so that was alright.

“So what are we gonna do?”

Rufus eyed him imperiously. When had this gotten to we? Not that he minded, he had found working with Reno to be… diverting. He was coming to appreciate his slovenly state of dress as he got glimpses of milky skin, and he just new those green eyes could get prettier, and there were better uses for that mouth than Reno usually had. But that was for a more appropriate juncture.

“I’m going to send him to try and recruit Valentine, and you are going to watch them. You will have to find a method of long range surveillance or they will notice.”

Reno nodded seriously, he knew just how good his boss was, and Valentine was rumoured to be better still.

“Think you can manage it?” Rufus asked.

“You know me yo’ I’ll find a way.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Vincent was making his way through the streets of Edge. He’d not long come from a meeting with Reeve at the WRO Headquarters and was heading for home. That was until a familiar figure in a dark suit made its presence known at the end of the street and he couldn’t help the slight smirk that crossed his features which broadened as he saw the light in Tseng’s eyes. But he was schooling it from his face as he advanced towards the waiting Turk.

“Is it that time again Tseng?”

Both men could feel the adrenaline within them, rushing through them in anticipation. They knew what this was going to lead to, it was just a matter of time.

“Should I even bother going through his terms?” Tseng asked with amusement.

“Oh come now Tseng we have to talk about something at least, make this look good.”

Tseng snorted but schooled his face into a more serious expression.

“Ah yes, the surveillance team, you’ve always been aware of them haven’t you?”

Vincent nodded. “Though they have improved of late. Change of leadership?”

Tseng raised an eyebrow in mild concern. If they had improved it suggested that it was now in Turk hands, but the reports were not crossing his desk. That was something worth looking into, though that could wait. If his desk was being deliberately passed over he would have to go careful when investigating.

“Perhaps.” He replied. “It is not something that comes across my desk normally. I trust you can lose them.” It was a statement not a question; he knew how good the man before him was.

Vincent nodded, it didn’t really need to be said, but any conversation was good for their observers. From a distance Reno was cursing the fact that he couldn’t lip-read as he observed them through field glasses. The technology had definitely improved, even in twilight he could see Tseng clearly, though from his position he couldn’t see Vincent’s face. Okay, so if he could lip read he would only get one half of the conversation, and if he did, he wouldn’t have seen anything to really worry him… yet. But his instincts were flaring, and as a Turk he had long ago learned to trust his instincts, they had saved his skin more times than he could count. He just knew that this meeting was a cover, something for the surveillance team’s benefit. But he had to work out what was going on, and not just for Rufus. This situation had gotten under his skin, and trailing his boss was giving him the greatest thrill his job had for a long time.

But Vincent was now watching Tseng with interest, seeing an odd look in his eye, trying to decipher the message within.

“So what now?” He asked, well aware of what they both wanted to happen.

“You walk away.” Tseng said with surprising force. Though as he did he dropped one hand to his side in a move Vincent knew was deliberate, and also caught the eye of the red-head viewing from a distance.

Vincent didn’t nod, the acknowledgement was in his eyes. And so he marched over to where Tseng was, deliberately bumping into his shoulder, hands meeting blocked by the move, the note passed between them and hidden as the two looked at each other intensely as they passed. The moment of contact was electric, their eyes burning into one another, showing the desire, the anticipation. But then Vincent was gone, Tseng waiting a moment before calmly walking away. From his vantage point Reno swore.

“You are one sneaky bastard Tseng.” He muttered with a grin.

He thought he had been imagining it, that there was no way a note had been passed between the two, but there was no mistaking the look that passed between them, he’d had the magnification of the field glasses up high. They hadn’t been near each other in weeks, but he knew that look. The two had been fucking. But his word would not be enough for Rufus, he needed evidence. Well there was only one thing for it. Stake out Tseng’s place and hope he got lucky.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tseng waited in his apartment for the appointed hour. He could not help the smirk that decorated his normally stoic expression. He had planned for tonight and awaited the events eagerly. The anticipation was delicious, but even with his preparations things might not go to plan. He was dealing with a rather unpredictable lover, one who was more highly skilled than himself. He would have to see how things went, though the evening promised to be interesting. As the clock chimed the hour he poured himself a drink with a smile on his face. He walked into his living room to be greeted by a pair of red eyes watching him.

“You really are good.”

“Giving me the key-card does take the challenge out of it.”

Tseng smiled as he drank in the sight before him. Vincent was without his trademark mantle, though the rest of the his usual attire was there, minus the boots which would no doubt be by the door, the gold gauntlet resting on the table beside him as was Cerberus. Having already taken the gun off was a statement of intent, though he noticed it was still close to hand. No matter what you say Valentine, once a Turk, always a Turk.

“Still I didn’t hear a sound. The only way I knew you were here, was the time.”

He took a deep swallow of the clear liquor he was holding as he watched Vincent remove his remaining glove. Vincent was watching him with hungry eyes, drinking in his appearance as much as he was drinking in Vincent’s. He had done little when returning from the office, other than to lose the jacket and tie, unfastening collar and cuffs, though he had deliberately loosened his hair and made sure the collar of his shirt was nice and open, exposing his neck, remembering the effect it had on his lover the last time they had done this. As Vincent’s eyes lingered on the bared flesh there he knew he had made the right decision. It was these subtle details that was going to get him what he wanted tonight, as long as he did not get cocky. Well, till the right moment at least.

“Drink?” He asked carelessly before taking another deep swallow, his chin tilted upward deliberately inviting his lover to watch his throat as he did.

Vincent chuckled softly, Tseng was being intentionally provocative, but then again, there was little point in pretending why they were here. He just wondered if Rufus and the Turks knew how deliberately seductive their head Turk could be. But he was getting to his feet, walking smoothly to where Tseng was stood a few steps from him.

“No. But I wouldn’t mind a taste.”

That said, he took Tseng by the back of the head and pulled him in for a deep kiss. As Tseng willingly allowed him in, tongues sliding together so Vincent could truly get that taste he had asked for, Vincent took full advantage of the welcome. The liquor turned out to be a delicately flavoured schnapps, expensive because it was obviously imported, probably Wutaian in origin from its aromatic flavour, which mixed perfectly with the taste that was undeniably his lover. Somewhere in the kiss Tseng had smoothly put the glass down and had a fistful of Vincent’s wild and sable hair, three weeks of anticipation being poured into the kiss that was mimicking the physical merging their bodies would be doing soon enough. As Tseng’s other hand grabbed at his ass he grinned into the kiss at the implied dominance of the action. So Tseng was not going to simply let him have his own way… good.

But it was Tseng that broke the kiss in the end, not saying a word, just simply turning away to walk into the bedroom. Vincent paused a moment, knowing full well the Turk was up to something, he just wondered what. His gaze flitted to Cerberus as it rested on the side table, momentarily wondering about bringing the weapon, he had no idea what Tseng had planned, but was surprised to find that he actually trusted Tseng enough to leave it where it lay. Tseng only knew of the hesitation by the delay in Vincent following him, as the other moved soundlessly. It was one hell of a talent Tseng mused, one that had obviously made Vincent an excellent assassin. Though as they walked into the bedroom a certain redhead grinned in triumph, not having seen Vincent enter the apartment block, damn he was good.

“All business tonight?” Vincent’s deep voice came from behind Tseng.

There was an amused look in his eye as he crossed to Vincent.

“And what about this…” He unfastened Vincent’s belt and pulled it off. “… is business?”

Vincent’s hands were quickly working to remove Tseng’s belt as equally quick fingers started to work on the many buckles of his clothing, something that would otherwise slow them down.

“I wouldn’t put it past you to be using this as a way to tempt me into taking Rufus’ offer.”

Tseng laughed. “If I am, I will never tell.”

No, he was a Turk, and even when he and Elena had been so badly tortured he had never talked, nor had he blamed Elena for what little she gave them at the end. It bought them their lives and didn’t tell Kadaj and his brothers anything they didn’t already know, merely confirmed it. It had been a tactical move that had allowed them to be rescued and thus continue ShinRa’s work. Vincent merely chuckled, enjoying the feel of Tseng’s hands as he worked to get him out of his clothes, he likewise beginning to help Tseng out of his. Tseng’s dark eyes darkened further as at the first flesh showed as he unbuttoned Vincent’s shirt.

“Oh I’ve been craving you.” He murmured, a low purr full of want as his lips hovered near Vincent’s. “You’re all I’ve been able to think about. Every stiff step I took after you fucked me, every time I had to adjust my collar to stop it rubbing at the marks you gave me… all I could think of was this.” And it was the truth, it had been the very reason that he’d been in such a good mood in the office these past three weeks. Rufus had just been too slow in sending him out again.

Vincent groaned, grabbing hold of Tseng by the back of the neck as soon as his arms were free of the garment and it fell to the floor, unheeded and unimportant. Tseng’s confession only fed his growing arousal, fed him with images that excited him. It was probably a deliberate distraction but he just didn’t care. The resultant meeting of mouths couldn’t really be called a kiss, it was like he was trying to devour Tseng, swallow him whole, but that was fine with the Turk and he returned it with as much fervour. Tseng’s shirt was the next to go as hands roamed, reacquainting themselves with the dips and hollows of the other, scars and irregularities as breathing became ragged, breaths snatched amidst the warring of teeth and tongues. Vincent hissed as Tseng broke away to graze his teeth against his neck, the sensation made him shiver. Being with Lucrecia had never been like this. That had been soft, gentle, this was wild and rough and hungry and he loved every minute of it.

Remaining clothing gone, both now hot and hard they fell to the bed, too busy grinding against each other to care about finesse, not much more than a tangle of limbs moving as one, both desperate to merge. Though while Vincent was giving himself to this with abandon, Tseng was fighting to keep focused, remembering to keep the plan in mind. That was pretty damned difficult when Vincent had him pinned on his back, biting, licking and sucking a path down his body. Oh he had to get control of this situation before he got much further or he would end up forgetting everything. Being forceful he grabbed a fistful of the wild sable mane, red bandana still entwined in it and yanked hard. Vincent growled, gold beginning to bleed into crimson as he glared at his lover. Dragging him by the hair Tseng pulled him up for a kiss, shifting his body subtly so he could put his plan into action.

Vincent groaned at the dominance Tseng displayed, this like their first encounter being a battle for control. It was intoxicating, fighting for it, Tseng was not the kind of lover who would just lie back and spread his legs, and he thanked all the Gods for that. As such he was unsurprised as Tseng flipped them over, pinning him with his weight, mouth hungry on his. The feeling of Tseng’s hard length rubbing against his sent sparks of electricity jolting up his spine and distracted him as Tseng stretched out his arm towards the headboard. He froze as he heard the click and the feeling of metal round his wrist. As he looked up at his lover he didn’t need to see the triumphant look in inky eyes to know he’d been played. His initial concern was that this wasn’t about them, this was about ShinRa, but Tseng was waiting, watching to see if he would accept this. They both knew he could rip the other handcuff clean out of the headboard without breaking a sweat if he wanted to. No, this was part of the game, last time he had forced Tseng into submission, and Tseng had decided it was Vincent’s turn. As Vincent relaxed under him Tseng smirked.

“Never let your guard down Valentine.”

“Don’t get cocky.” He growled.

Tseng just chuckled, taking a firm grip on Vincent’s arousal, making him groan and sending all other thoughts out of his head. With his free hand Vincent grabbed Tseng’s shoulder and shoved him downwards, making his desires clearly known. Just because Tseng had him where he wanted him didn’t mean he was just going to just lie here.

“Demanding aren’t we?” Tseng teased, but before Vincent could growl and answer he was swirling his tongue around the head of his erection making his eyes fall closed as his head fell to the bed, his back arched in pleasure.

Tseng loved seeing that hard body coming undone like this, drank in the sight as he worked, savouring every sound made by that guttural voice, Vincent trying to hold them back, not wanting to give Tseng the satisfaction of knowing that he was finding being pinned like this incredibly erotic, something he would never admit to after all the experiments at Hojo’s hands. That had been another reason for Tseng’s pause for his reaction, aware that such a move might have been too much. It was why he still had one hand free… for now. Vincent let out a moan as the mouth that had been driving him mad left him, opening his eyes to see Tseng working his way back up his body.

“Do you trust me?” He asked seriously.

Vincent didn’t know what he had in mind, but he was close to insanity with need, desperate for conclusion to this. The very fact that Tseng was asking permission gave him ease, and by all the Gods Tseng could do what he wanted with him as long as he finished this.

“Yes.”

“Then I might be just a little rough with you then.”

Vincent sighed at the soft murmur, so full of promise. Whatever Tseng had in mind he knew the Turk was going to make it worth his while, so he went with it as Tseng rolled him over, got him to lie on his front. With a rock hard erection it was not the most comfy of positions in the world, but Tseng was quickly unwinding the bandana from his hair, roughly grabbing his free wrist and securing it to the headboard with the red cloth. Vincent smiled. It looked like he was about to get fucked, and hard if that little promise was anything to go by. He hissed as a lubricated finger circled and teased at his entrance, the sensation one that had been long forgotten, but was suddenly very welcome. He bit his lip as he was breeched for the first time in countless years, to avoid making any sound of discomfort. Yes it was there, but only for a moment until the intrusion began to move.

Tseng was gentle and considerate at this point, taking it slow, giving him time to adjust before one finger became two, stretching and preparing him. Soon he was pushing against the inward thrust of those fingers, the need for more building with each passing moment. Tseng was drawing this out, teasing him, but that was hardly surprising given how he had been with the Turk at his mercy. So he bore the teasing, not willing to give in first, playing the game for all it was worth, though it was agonising and he barely recognised the voice making wanton sounds as his own. Finally Tseng could not resist.

“Want more?” He purred.

He was harder than he could ever remember being right now and it was taking a lot of self control to hold back. Seeing Vincent writhe as he worked him had him aching to plunge into the heat surrounding his fingers, and he really couldn’t hold on much longer.

“Of course I do.” Vincent growled, willing to give that concession. “And if you don’t hurry it up you are about to end up with one ruined bed and your ass nailed to the floor.”

Tseng chuckled, but knew the other was more than capable of it. Vincent groaned as all at once the teasing fingers left him, but it was only a moment until Tseng was climbing over him and spreading his legs. He couldn’t help the cry of pained pleasure that left his throat as he was suddenly filled, the sensation overwhelming. He gasped for breath as Tseng laid gently against his back, hand stroking at his hip soothingly as he gave him time to adjust. By all the Gods it had been too long since he had done this, but sweet Gaea it felt so good, even if it was submission. As the discomfort eased he used what little leverage he had to grind back against the man buried inside of him, loving the gasp it forced from him. Tseng had needed the time to adjust just as much as Vincent had, to get a hold of himself or go mad with lust at the feeling of being buried to the hilt inside Vincent. It was a power rush and it was going to his head, fucking possibly the most dangerous man on the planet, bound beneath him.

He thrust experimentally a couple of times, as much testing out Vincent’s reactions as his own, but it was enough for Vincent to lose patience.

“Damn it Tseng I won’t break.” He snarled.

Well if Valentine wanted it that way. Vincent growled as Tseng grabbed a handful of hair and yanked his head back hard. It made him arch his back to go with the movement Tseng drinking in the sight of hard muscle moving beneath scarred skin. Vincent had never looked so enticing, and while a strain on the body beneath him, it also opened up that sweet spot. Vincent got exactly what he wanted as Tseng wasted no more time and began to use him mercilessly, never letting Vincent relax from his arced position. It was rough, it was hard, and it was bliss for them both. Vincent knew Tseng was getting off on dominating him like this, but the pleasure of their rough coupling rising quickly in his gut meant that he didn’t give a damn. All that mattered was release, his body wound up as tight as it could go, the physical strain adding that slight pain to the mix, pleasured cries being torn from his throat. The sweat ran down both their backs as they rutted, their moans and cries of pleasure rising and uniting as they moved as one. But there was no way Vincent’s body could withstand the rough stimulation of his prostate for long, and with a roar he lost it, catapulted into orgasm, his already straining body going rigid. The sudden tightening around him was enough to drag Tseng with him having already been close.

Tseng finally let him go, Vincent collapsing gratefully back to the bed as Tseng struggled to hold himself up in the wake of his shattering orgasm. With a shaking hand he reached up to the handcuffs and released Vincent’s wrist, pressing a soft and grateful kiss to his lover’s trembling shoulder. Vincent smiled at the soft affection, and at the way Tseng collapsed in a grateful heap next to him as soon as he had climbed off him. It was the work of a moment to release his other wrist, rolling so that he was laying on his back, side by side with his lover.

“You win this round.” He chuckled tiredly.

“Do you want to hear Rufus’ offer yet?” Tseng asked with a smile.

Vincent grinned uncharacteristically, but that was why they were here after all. “Might as well, it could be good for a laugh.”

“Well let’s see, there is the usual, autonomy, only answer to Rufus… oh and this time he is offering you my job in essence, seniority over the rest of us at any rate, says the job was meant to be yours anyway.”

Vincent laughed, it really was amusing.

“And what did you say to that?”

“Didn’t flinch, I knew you wouldn’t take it.”

Vincent smiled wryly, that much was true.

“And you will never have to have a medical of any kind, and he’s throwing in the originals of Hojo’s research notes he has on you.”

Vincent snorted derisively.

“And I am supposed to believe he hasn’t got copies somewhere by now, has all the information he wants on me at his fingertips?”

It was Tseng’s turn to laugh.

“You really are still a Turk, Vincent.”

Vincent didn’t respond to that, though at the soft hand being laid gently on his stomach he turned to his lover.

“I am beginning to wonder what it would take to get you back.”

“You don’t want me back, I’m pretty sure the rule about screwing co-workers still stands.”

Tseng chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry about that.”

He knew the way that Rufus was looking at Reno these days. It was a minor miracle that the blond hadn’t made his move yet, but that was only a matter of time. But then there was the implication in Vincent’s words, that if he did come back, he didn’t want what had started between them to end. To be honest, neither did he.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sat in his vantage point Reno was glad he wasn’t wearing a tie, not that he ever did. He shifted uncomfortably as sweat ran down his neck and his pants became uncomfortable as Tseng displayed textbook restraint technique, though bandanas were not the object of choice at the academy, but Turk’s had to make do. He had been lucky, Tseng hadn’t bothered to close the drapes, probably had a thing for fucking by moonlight or some such shit. He had taken a couple of pictures, enough to satisfy Rufus in the way of proof and was seriously considering getting out of there. He wasn’t sure he wanted to watch this play out. But he had one hell of an erection and even walking would be difficult. He could deal with that little problem, but the idea of getting off watching his boss fuck someone else was seriously screwed up. Swearing loudly he got up and headed for the bathroom this tiny apartment had, and promptly took care of things, though as he did it was with visions of a certain blond he had to make his report to running across his mind.