ᴄᴀɪɴ. Got like. An hour of sleep. Work time. On the plus side I managed to bookmark a bunch of replies scrolling back through my notifications, it took forever but I found a lot of them lmao.

“That’s putting it mildly,” he replied, dry as sand. A pinch of finger and thumb at the bridge of his nose and he gave a short nod, and a crooked little smile. “I’ll come with you, as to if I drink anything? Well. That might be a foolish idea. Still, where to then, hmm?”

“Hmmn.” Taking a few steps back Rufus looked Tseng over slowly, contemplating. Sure, the man could simply remove his jacket and instantly look a little less conspicuous but that would mean one less place to hide a gun. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he finally replied with a shake of his head.

She does make quite a valid point. Though he doesn’t need dragged, he leaves his office. Sometimes. He’s just busy. He’d make time for her, however. Why? He’s not questioning that, it doesn’t need questioned.

She really should join him for a drink sometime, although drinking in his office from his own selection isn’t particularly thrilling and dragging someone along to taste everything somewhat spoils the mood. A pity.

Oh, he didn’t think she had it in her. …tens across the board. Flawless form.

Eyes closed and he huffed a sigh, jutting a hip and folding his arms. “Of course I can, it isn’t my first time doing something like this Tseng.” He strode over to take the man’s tie in hand, tightening it. “Besides, having you with me is going to some draw attention anyway.”

“Repeating insults I’ve thrown at you isn’t very impressive. Now. Find the nearest toilet, stick your head right on in there and flush seven times.”

Rather thinks that if Zack wants to take a swim, Aerith should let him swan dive right on in. He’ll score it.

“You should find it quite relatable, then, hmm?”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. If anyone gets that reference, amazing.

“Forty-two.”

“Options are limited, considering I’m hardly popular any more.” Rufus shrugged off his jacket and the hakama-like outer trousers, folding them and setting them aside to leave himself in naught but a vest, shirt and the regular pair of suit trousers. “Hmph. Inconspicuous enough, do you think?”

“You’re a sad, strange little man.”

“Someone sedate Zack and give him back to Hojo, the damage is clearly already done.”

“I’ll decide what I call you.” A devious little smirk and he tilts his head. Then waves a hand, not dismissively just carelessly. “That said, I was going to suggest a drink tonight. Join me.” It’s not a request, and he wouldn’t go anywhere without Tseng. It would be foolish.

“Oh please, Tseng. We’re alone, you can call me Rufus. Just for that perhaps I’ll stay awake all night.” As if he didn’t just call him Director.

“Okay, goodnight to Tseng and nobody else. Happy now, Director?”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. It’s in my pinned but man. Viva La Vida by Coldplay is SUCH a song for my Rufus. Rufus in general, tbh. But especially mine.

“I’d say goodnight, but I don’t wish any of you a good anything.”

“Yes, well. As expected of you.”

“Don’t care + didn’t ask + cry about it + get real + mald + seethe + cope + stay mad + basic + skill issue + ratio + L + cringe + touch grass + your mom.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Trying to play FFXIV around that was an experience.

“Hmm? Not now shrimp, go eat some bricks.”

“Oh honey, you couldn’t hope to reach anything above my ankles. Tseng, get the extermination team in here. We have a pest problem.”

“You want to kiss me so badly it makes you look stupid. But I can’t blame you, just know the dream will go unfulfilled. Aim for something realistic.”

“What was that? I don’t speak ‘poor’. I’d say sorry, but I’m not.”

“The very vicinity of my ass is reserved for true homosexuals, and those who aren’t broke bitches.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Breaking out crack Rufus is entertaining tbh. It’s been a while since I dragged out this version of him lmfao.

“So what you’re saying is, your wallet of homosexuality is half empty. Peasant.”

“Only half? Skill issue.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. I’m going to be digging for my serious replies forever tomorrow.

“My sexuality is hardly a factor outside of my personal relationships and the bedroom, I’d think. No? Stereotyping homosexuality, for shame. Tut tut.”

“I’m going to punt you off the top of my building and see if you bounce.”

“Yes I know. That said, don’t touch me.”

“I look away for five minutes.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. So I have this Shinra crossbody pouch I wear to carry my phone and wallet into work on my commute, it’s very subtle fandom merch and looks sleek/professional. Today marks the first day in ever an employee has come up to me and said ‘yo, you like Final Fantasy?’ I feel perceived IRL. Help.

“Morning, peasants.” He’s joking. Perhaps. Maybe a little. Surely.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. I should really probably sleep. Thankfully no day shift today but I do have my night shift. So I should really rest before then… as much as it’s tempting to stick around longer.

“What did we learn? Are you serious?” Rufus resisted the urge to struggle again knowing that it would just end up with him on the floor, but it was a difficult urge to squash. “I learned that you’ve clearly gotten far too cocky, and that every unpleasant assignment for the foreseeable +

“Tseng.” The man’s name came forth in that warning tone again as he stepped closer. Rufus’ expression of irritation wavered some. Surely his director wouldn’t be so bold as to- Arms swooped under him, and Rufus’ eyes widened almost comically. “𝙏𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙂!” Rufus barked the man’s name this

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Crying Do it Tseng. I love writing Rufus with Tseng, because as previously mentioned he acts rather different around him. Tseng might be the closest to being someone Rufus actually trusts, even a little.

“Count down to what? The moment I shove my gun down your throat and create a morbid light show?” The words seem harsh, but Rufus’ threat isn’t particularly intimidating when he’s still half lying over his desk. “Tseng.” The single word carries a tone of warning.

He’d thrown down the gauntlet, or so it felt. Sitting there waiting, watching, for any flicker of a tell slowly had Rufus reforming those walls of ice that had begun to melt over the past hour or so. He felt as if he were being analysed, in what way he didn’t know or at least didn’t fully +

“Oh it’s… you. No, I’m not remembering a name. Pity. Hmph, I’ll take handsome. Punchable is, after all, highly subjective.”

Immediately he turns his head on his arms. Not raising it, no no it remains firmly where it is. He simply wants the ability to glare up at Tseng. Eyes narrow. “You wouldn’t dare.”

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Rufus’ remake outfit man. I love it so much but like. New Rubik’s Cube replacement dropped: undress Rufus Shinra.

Eyes are fighting to close. One more signature at the bottom of the contract he’s working on and he pushes them all aside to pillow his head on his arms. He’d fold his jacket to make a pillow but no, think of the creases.

ᴄᴀɪɴ. Wait a google doc is such a good idea, do I make one. Or do I just make this nerd his own Carrd. Hmm.

If it made him feel better… What a notion. Very little made him feel better these days, which is why he lost himself in his work until he inevitably passed out. Hopes were always there for a dreamless sleep, but it wasn’t often he got his wish despite what he’d told Aerith previously. How many +