[Only by the grace of their long friendship is Sephiroth willing to humor this nonsense. If it were anyone else, he would have stopped bothering a long time ago. Even Genesis manages not to be this reckless. Tseng's looks of disapproval aren't the only thing Rufus is going to have to weather when his condition is improved; he'll be getting a hefty lecture from Sephiroth that would make even Angeal proud.
Sephiroth takes a moment to compose himself with a deep steady breath - in... then out... - before he tucks his phone away and... speeds up the building exactly like he said he wasn't going to.
But he makes it to Rufus's office in record time to find him... uselessly sprawled out on the floor. He has to wonder if he tried to sit in his chair and simply gave up. Withholding one of many sighs, Sephiroth announces his presence in case Rufus is lucid enough to be alarmed before crouching down to gingerly scoop him up.]
I would prefer to take you to a medic, but I assume you'll say that's out of the question.
[He already knows the answer-- it's more of a gauge for Rufus's coherency. If he doesn't say anything at all, it's straight to a medic. Otherwise, Sephiroth thinks he can probably make due with a few well-placed Curagas.]
[He really should have known better when Reno uttered those famous last words I dare you. It never turned out well but at least this time nothing was on fire and there was no blood. No evidence except for a headache that made the room swim and his stomach ache with nausea.
He lifts a hand to try to wave when Sephiroth enters, almost laughing at his words. He knows Sephiroth can already predict what he'll say but it's endearing anyway. He doesn't resist being picked up, leaning against Sephiroth's chest as he carefully wraps an arm around the other man's shoulders, fingers lacing long pale hair.]
No medic- I just need to rest somewhere dark.
[Eventually he'll get a lecture but for now, he knows he's safe where he is. It was rare that he had absolute trust in someone to be willing to let them see him so vulnerable but there is no pretense of pretending that he's alright.]
[Rufus cozies himself into Sephiroth's arms without hesitation, looping an arm around his neck and combing his fingers through his hair. It's loud even in his own ears, the way Sephiroth's heart suddenly clamors against his chest. He finds a poignant spark of frustration in it-- both because he's still incredibly upset with Rufus's recklessness, and because the man is unattainable. Even were this not the vice-president of the company itself, Sephiroth has always been under the impression that he was already spoken for.
He knows his place. (Or so he says.)
Instead of vocalizing any of this, of course, or asking Rufus not to be quite so snug, Sephiroth merely looses a judgmental sigh.]
As you wish. I can take you back to my place for the time being.
[I knew you would find me before Tseng did, Rufus says, and Sephiroth chuckles faintly in spite of himself. Was it really even a competition? Tseng is an incredibly competent Turk, but Sephiroth quite literally jumped up the building to get here. He has an unfair advantage, he'd say. Speaking of which--]
He'll be coming up the elevator, so if you intend to avoid him... our only option is leaving the way I came. [Which-- yes, means, jumping out the window and thus, begs the question:] Do you trust me?
[It never occurred to Rufus before that Sephiroth had a place of his own, he always seemed to be at the company all the time when he wasn't out on a mission.]
Yes.
[There is no hesitation in his answer. It's not just because he's the Vice President and he knows Sephiroth was there to protect him but he trusts Sephiroth in a way he can't quite put into words. All he knows is that those feelings cross every professional boundary that he's sure the other man wouldn't.
But right now he doesn't want to be the Vice President, hiding away at Sephiroth's mysterious place sounds like exactly what he needs. He hears the elevator outside the door ding, knowing Tseng is close.]
[Sephiroth would rather not live and breathe paperwork, yes, but his superiors do so love to torment him with mundane tasks. Being a high-ranking officer seems more trouble than it's worth most days.
Rufus gives his answer readily, and Sephiroth can't help but smile. It's such a small thing-- that even inebriated and likely concussed, Rufus trusts him deeply enough to not even consider it. However, Sephiroth isn't allowed much time to appreciate the gesture. As soon as the elevator dings and Rufus gives the go ahead, Sephiroth is whisking him through the window and out into the open air. He practically glides the whole way down, finding footholds here and there to break up the distance. He'll make sure he texts Tseng when they're safely home; he's already going to hear an earful about this and he's not keen on making it worse.
Oh, the things he does for this man...
Deftly, he makes his way through Sector 0 until he reaches his apartment complex. It's in a private area of the sector reserved mostly for higher-ups at Shinra. It's blessedly shielded from the general populace-- a boon for both Sephiroth's privacy overall and for stowing away with the vice-president without being seen tonight. Before long, they're inside and Sephiroth is delicately depositing Rufus on his couch.]
Stay put, [he'll say-- and already, he is busying himself with gathering a pillow, a blanket, and some medicine.]
[As much as he wants to keep his eyes open Rufus has to close them on the way down. But there is no fear, he knows Sephiroth wouldn't drop him.
It does surprise him how they are able to get through Sector 0 without being spotted but fate was in their favor. He doesn't even hear the sound of anyone else but then again, he doubted that anyone would dare to stop Sephiroth.
He opens his eyes as soon as they are in the apartment and Sephiroth is laying him on the couch. He looks around as Sephiroth is moving around, taking in what he can see. Everything is so clean, so neat. He wonders how often Sephiroth even stays here though.
But the couch is unexpectedly comfortable and soft, he doesn't want to move even if he could without the world spinning around.]
I'm not going anywhere, don't worry. Your couch is very nice. Very comfortable. I see why you have it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( @ambitiousblond )
[Only by the grace of their long friendship is Sephiroth willing to humor this nonsense. If it were anyone else, he would have stopped bothering a long time ago. Even Genesis manages not to be this reckless. Tseng's looks of disapproval aren't the only thing Rufus is going to have to weather when his condition is improved; he'll be getting a hefty lecture from Sephiroth that would make even Angeal proud.
Sephiroth takes a moment to compose himself with a deep steady breath - in... then out... - before he tucks his phone away and... speeds up the building exactly like he said he wasn't going to.
But he makes it to Rufus's office in record time to find him... uselessly sprawled out on the floor. He has to wonder if he tried to sit in his chair and simply gave up. Withholding one of many sighs, Sephiroth announces his presence in case Rufus is lucid enough to be alarmed before crouching down to gingerly scoop him up.]
I would prefer to take you to a medic, but I assume you'll say that's out of the question.
[He already knows the answer-- it's more of a gauge for Rufus's coherency. If he doesn't say anything at all, it's straight to a medic. Otherwise, Sephiroth thinks he can probably make due with a few well-placed Curagas.]
<3
He lifts a hand to try to wave when Sephiroth enters, almost laughing at his words. He knows Sephiroth can already predict what he'll say but it's endearing anyway. He doesn't resist being picked up, leaning against Sephiroth's chest as he carefully wraps an arm around the other man's shoulders, fingers lacing long pale hair.]
No medic- I just need to rest somewhere dark.
[Eventually he'll get a lecture but for now, he knows he's safe where he is. It was rare that he had absolute trust in someone to be willing to let them see him so vulnerable but there is no pretense of pretending that he's alright.]
I knew you would find me before Tseng did.
(spongebob meme voice) three... years... later
He knows his place. (Or so he says.)
Instead of vocalizing any of this, of course, or asking Rufus not to be quite so snug, Sephiroth merely looses a judgmental sigh.]
As you wish. I can take you back to my place for the time being.
[I knew you would find me before Tseng did, Rufus says, and Sephiroth chuckles faintly in spite of himself. Was it really even a competition? Tseng is an incredibly competent Turk, but Sephiroth quite literally jumped up the building to get here. He has an unfair advantage, he'd say. Speaking of which--]
He'll be coming up the elevator, so if you intend to avoid him... our only option is leaving the way I came. [Which-- yes, means, jumping out the window and thus, begs the question:] Do you trust me?
<3
Yes.
[There is no hesitation in his answer. It's not just because he's the Vice President and he knows Sephiroth was there to protect him but he trusts Sephiroth in a way he can't quite put into words. All he knows is that those feelings cross every professional boundary that he's sure the other man wouldn't.
But right now he doesn't want to be the Vice President, hiding away at Sephiroth's mysterious place sounds like exactly what he needs. He hears the elevator outside the door ding, knowing Tseng is close.]
We should go.
no subject
Rufus gives his answer readily, and Sephiroth can't help but smile. It's such a small thing-- that even inebriated and likely concussed, Rufus trusts him deeply enough to not even consider it. However, Sephiroth isn't allowed much time to appreciate the gesture. As soon as the elevator dings and Rufus gives the go ahead, Sephiroth is whisking him through the window and out into the open air. He practically glides the whole way down, finding footholds here and there to break up the distance. He'll make sure he texts Tseng when they're safely home; he's already going to hear an earful about this and he's not keen on making it worse.
Oh, the things he does for this man...
Deftly, he makes his way through Sector 0 until he reaches his apartment complex. It's in a private area of the sector reserved mostly for higher-ups at Shinra. It's blessedly shielded from the general populace-- a boon for both Sephiroth's privacy overall and for stowing away with the vice-president without being seen tonight. Before long, they're inside and Sephiroth is delicately depositing Rufus on his couch.]
Stay put, [he'll say-- and already, he is busying himself with gathering a pillow, a blanket, and some medicine.]
no subject
It does surprise him how they are able to get through Sector 0 without being spotted but fate was in their favor. He doesn't even hear the sound of anyone else but then again, he doubted that anyone would dare to stop Sephiroth.
He opens his eyes as soon as they are in the apartment and Sephiroth is laying him on the couch. He looks around as Sephiroth is moving around, taking in what he can see. Everything is so clean, so neat. He wonders how often Sephiroth even stays here though.
But the couch is unexpectedly comfortable and soft, he doesn't want to move even if he could without the world spinning around.]
I'm not going anywhere, don't worry. Your couch is very nice. Very comfortable. I see why you have it.