Thanks for the memories

“Thanks for the Memories”
A Reno fanfiction
Chapter 4: “Learning the ropes”
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*Disclaimer: The world that this story is set in and all characters therein belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can’t get enough of this world and the characters.*
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What do you say to a guy that offers you a whole new life, yo? I sat there in that questioning room with my wrists and ankles cuffed, expecting to be put away for life. Instead my stunt impressed one of the most important men on Gaia so much, he wanted me to join his Turks and become his personal pilot.

“Think about it, Reno. You’ll get to see the world. You’ll have the money and influence to relocate your mother to a good home and see that she never goes hungry or ill again. You’ll have the power and resources to do things most people can only dream about and you’ll have a new family to call your own.”

Wow. I still get chills just thinking about that speech of his, man. Rufus has a way of saying things that just makes you listen, yo. I’d never set foot out of Midgar before and my Ma was about the most important thing to me in the world…plus I loved the experience of flying a real chopper. He was offering me everything I’d ever wanted, but there was a catch. If I became a Turk, I’d have to give up my last name. Once you’re a member of the Turks, that’s your identity, man. You’d think I’d be all too happy to toss my childhood away and put on a new skin, but Ma was part of who I was. If I joined, I could never tell her anything about my work and I wouldn’t be able to spend much time with her anymore. That was the only thing that made me hesitate after Rufus explained the rules to me, yo.

“Your mother will always be your mother,” he said, “and you would never be expected to sever your ties with her, after all. She simply can’t be privy to information concerning your work—both for her own safety and for the protection of this organization. The Turks don’t require members to abandon their other family, Reno.”

That was all the reassurance I really needed, yo. I told him I was in and he had me released. I went home that night and told Ma I’d spent the whole day testing for a job opportunity—which was true in a funny way—and I said I was sorry for not calling her and making her worry about me. I told her I got hired and things were going to change for the better. I don’t think she believed me at first but Ma was just too sweet to say so.

The next day, I drew up some paperwork to transfer ownership of my shop to my pal, Lee. Then I put on a Turk suit for the first time.

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“It looks good on you,” Tseng complimented as he eyed the redhead thoughtfully.

Reno stepped the rest of the way out of the dressing room and pulled uncomfortably on his collar. He looked at his reflection in the floor-length mirror and he had to admit Tseng was right—he looked good in the business suit. The only problem was he felt like he was choking. He tugged on the collar again and Tseng smiled softly.

“You’ll grow used to it, in time,” the black-haired Turk assured him. Coming up behind him to place his hands over his shoulders. He looked Reno in the eye through the reflection and brought his lips close to his ear. “Rufus will be pleased.”

A little shiver passed through Reno’s body, invoked not only by the promise that Rufus would like the way he looked in the suit, but by Tseng’s touch and his low, purring voice. He looked at the bindi mark on the Wutaian’s head, knowing enough about the culture to understand it was meant to symbolize the Third Eye. Tseng certainly seemed to be possessed of precognitive foresight and knowledge. The mark gave Reno an idea.

“Hey Tseng, is there a good tattoo parlor anywhere up here?” He hadn’t had the chance to look around the upper city yet.

“There’s only one in the city that I would recommend, in Sector nine,” the black-haired man said with an intrigued look. “What did you have in mind, Reno? I’m rather adept at body art if I do say so. I could save you the trouble and discomfort of going to a public tattoo parlor.”

Reno thought about it, looking at his reflection and studying his high cheekbones. Rufus called him “Fox” all the time. It was a gambit, but he thought the boss might appreciate some small, appropriate markings to brand Reno as his. His loyalty and appreciation to the VP was so strong, he felt a need to have it permanently symbolized.

“I was thinking about a claw mark here,” he traced his left cheekbone, “and here,” he traced his right. “Nothing fancy or too conspicuous, but red. Maybe the same color as my hair, yo. What do you think?”

Tseng studied him for a moment, visualizing the redhead with the markings. He nodded and met Reno’s eyes in the reflection again. “I think that sounds quite fetching. Why don’t you come to my place tonight and I can do that for you?”

“Cool,” Reno grinned.

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“He cleans up rather well, don’t you think?” Tseng commented as he led Reno into the boss’ office and presented the redhead for Rufus’ inspection. Reno stood behind and to the right of the Wutaian, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at the VP’s face and tried to read his expression.

Rufus let his eyes caress the newly recruited Turk, admiring the way the suit fit his slim frame. He could see that Reno was uncomfortable but it wasn’t until the young redhead impulsively reached up and tugged on his collar that he understood why. Rufus smiled. “I think he looks fantastic, but I don’t believe our fox likes to be collared.”

Tseng frowned a little at Reno. He’d warned him not to fidget in front of the VP but the redhead had some disciplinary flaws to smooth out. He was a patient man though. He understood that Reno was unaccustomed to the feel of a suit and a buttoned-up collar and tie. “In good time,” he assured Rufus. “I’ve assigned a cell phone to him and sent you the number. Next, I intend to take him to the weapons development center and after that I’ll introduce him to his new partner.”

Rufus nodded, imagining how enthusiastic Reno was going to be when he saw all of the weapons he could choose from. He wished that he could go with just to watch the energetic redhead’s reactions, but he had too many other things to take care of first before he could relax. “That sounds perfect, Tseng. I would like for Reno to come to my office when you’re finished with him.” His eyes caressed the redhead shamelessly, leaving little doubt that he had intentions that had little to nothing to do with business.

Reno swallowed, imagining what it would be like to finally act on the attraction he shared with the VP. He hadn’t fooled around with anyone willingly for a while, so these days all it took was a stiff breeze to give him a happy.

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Reno was like a playful kit when Tseng took him to the weapons department and told him to choose a gun and a secondary weapon of his choice. The Wutaian watched with a subtle smile as the redhead fooled with various items, from swords to brass knuckles to knives. Finally the young recruit caught sight of a fighting rod and he picked it up and studied it.

“Yo, what’s this switch do?” Without waiting for an answer, Reno pushed the switch at the bottom of the rod. Blue sparks of electricity danced along the metal length of the weapon and his ponytail fluffed up like a fox’s tail. “Whoa…I’ll take it!”

Tseng covered his mouth to hold back a laugh. “Be careful with that, Reno. Perhaps you should practice with it for a while and get more attuned to it, before using it in a real fight. I don’t care for the thought of you accidentally stunning yourself.”

Reno shrugged and fastened the leather bracelet that connected to the strap attachment at the bottom of the weapon around his wrist. He tested it, letting it dangle and flicking his wrist to catch it in his hand. Tseng watched him spin the rod and practice for a few moments, amused with his enthusiasm as well as impressed with his dexterity.

“I think I can get a handle on it, yo,” Reno commented after a while, “It’s a lot like the baton I was using before.”

“Very good,” Tseng nodded. “I’ll just sign for it and we can move on to the sparring room. Your new partner is waiting to meet you there.”

“What if I don’t like him?” Reno asked bluntly, “Or maybe he won’t like me.”

“It will be a trial partnership in the beginning,” Tseng assured him, “we prefer to make good matches, so whether the two of you become permanent partners will depend on how well you cooperate with each other, both socially and in combat.”

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Reno’s partner was a big, tall guy with light brown skin and handsome, masculine features. His head was bald and his upper lip and chin was accented with carefully groomed mustache and beard stubble. Dark, designer shades concealed his eyes and he had several piercings in his left ear and two hoops in his right lobe.

~Sharp,~ Reno thought as he and Tseng stopped before the tall man. ~Not to mention sexy. I’m not usually into big guys but he’s got magnetism, yo.~

“Reno, meet your new partner Rude,” Tseng introduced, “The two of you will be doing a bit of sparring today, testing your ability to work together against opponents. Rude, please make our newest member feel welcome.”

The bald man nodded and held out a big hand for Reno to shake. The redhead took it, expecting it to squeeze his smaller hand painfully. Instead, Rude’s grip was firm and warm and not at all painful. “Pleasure,” the big man said softly. Reno liked his voice.

~Cripes, I haven’t met an ugly Turk yet. Is it just coincidence or do they deliberately go for looks as much as skills when they recruit?~

“Rude, eh?” Reno tasted the name. “Is that short for Rudy or something?”

Rude shook his head. “Just Rude.”

“Not as in ‘bad manners’,” Tseng explained with a little smile before Reno could make a cocky remark.

“I figured as much,” Reno answered dryly. “Well, I’m good to go, big guy. Where do we start, yo?”

“Right through here in the sparring room,” Tseng answered, gesturing to them as he pushed through a set of steel double-doors.

They walked through into a large gym, where several people were already sparring or using punching bags. The floors were completely padded and so were the walls. Reno leaned closer to Rude and muttered; “looks kind of like an asylum room or something, yo.”

Rude shrugged. “It’s better than cracking your skull open on a hard floor.”

Reno winced. “Good point, man.”

Tseng instructed them to move to one of the white-marked sections of the mat, presumably reserved for heavy sparring activity. He then moved around the room and selected half a dozen of the resident occupants to join them in the squared-off area, ordering them to position themselves in a circle around Rude and the newest Turk.

“Somehow I get the idea this isn’t supposed to be a fair fight,” Reno muttered as he put his back against Rude’s and fell into a fighting stance. He felt the big man tense behind him and his solid presence was reassuring.

“Begin,” Tseng commanded.

Everyone exploded into motion. Rude caught his first attacker’s fists in his big hands and headbutted him, while Reno swept one guy’s feet out from under him and ducked the attack of another one. Feeling like his tie and collar were restricting his breathing too much, the young redhead unzipped his jacked, yanked his collar off and flicked the top three buttons of his shirt open as soon as he had a few precious seconds to do so.

“Comin’ underneath,” Warned Rude as he ducked and rolled backwards. Reno caught on easily and rolled over the top of his back, kicking out as he landed on the other side and knocking an attacking female right off her feet. Rude picked a guy up bodily and threw him into his charging comrades. It gave Reno an idea and as three of their opponents regrouped and prepared to advance again, he turned his head to address his partner.

“Throw me at ‘em, man.”

Rude’s eyebrows shot up for a second and he shrugged. “Okay.”

Tseng frowned in confusion as he watched the bald man unceremoniously pick up the smaller redhead and hurl him directly into the oncoming group of opponents. Reno twirled nimbly in the air and kicked out with both legs, hitting them like a little red tornado. The three men ended up spread out on the mat, groaning as Reno shot a cheeky grin over his shoulder at Rude and gave him the thumbs-up sign. Tseng’s eyebrows went up. He’d sensed that these two would compliment one another but he hadn’t expected them to fall so quickly and naturally into synchronization.

It went on for another twenty minutes, with Rude and Reno experimenting with different tactics ranging from brilliant to reckless. At one point the redhead tried to clamor over Rude’s back and the big man shouted a complaint when the hard heels of his shoes dug into his spine. Reno muttered an apology and while he was distracted, one of the opponents caught him from behind in a sleeper hold. Tseng hadn’t chosen weak opponents so the redhead couldn’t easily break free of the restraint. Rude tried to intervene but two of the other opponents closed in on him and he was forced to fight them off.

Satisfied with the way the two of them had worked together and fought off uneven odds for so long, Tseng decided to put an end to it. “Enough.”

They stopped what they were doing, breathing heavily and sweating with exertion. “Yo, wouldn’t it have made more sense for us to change into something more…fighty?” Reno commented breathlessly.

“You represent this organization now,” Tseng replied, “When you’re on the job, this is what you’ll be wearing and more often than not, what you’ll be fighting in. I suggest you get used to it. Excellent work, everyone. I’m pleased. Reno, you and Rude may freshen up and change into fresh uniforms. Get something to eat after you’ve showered and then Reno is to report to the Vice President’s office, please.”

Reno nodded, wondering how the Wutaian managed to go from friendly and gentle to strict and businesslike. It was no wonder the man was up for a promotion. Reno didn’t think he could ever separate business from pleasure as professionally as Tseng did. The black-haired Turk left and the sparring opponents shook hands with Reno and Rude.

“You two are tight,” one of them said with a grin. “Those were some mad moves you did. Where’d you learn them?”

Reno exchanged a look with Rude and they both shrugged. “Made it up as we went along, man,” Reno said with a cocky little half-grin. He slapped hands with the bigger man, noticing a subtle grin on Rude’s face. Their opponents bore expressions of doubt and envy.

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“You don’t talk much, yo.” Reno sipped his cocktail and studied the man sitting beside him at the refreshment bar.

Rude glanced at him sidelong. “You make up for it,” he returned.

Miffed, Reno gave him a sour look. “Well excuuuse me.”

“Didn’t say I minded it,” Rude shot back.

“Oh,” Reno said, smiling a little. He liked the big guy already. Rude was like the yin to his yang—very different in personality and fighting style but easy to talk to and fight with. Reno finished his drink and checked his watch. “Yo, I’d better get upstairs to see the boss. I don’t wanna keep him waiting too long.”

Rude nodded. “You might want to straighten up your suit first.”

Reno looked down at his open-collared shirt and unzipped blazer. Grumbling softly, did up the top buttons, zipped his jacket and took the balled-up tie out of his pocket. Rude watched him sidelong as he struggled to get the tie secured right. He took a drink of his beer to hide the smile trying to surface as the cute redhead muttered curses. He personally thought the open-collar look suited Reno’s looks and personality better but Tseng was strict on the dress code.

“Here,” Rude offered after a few moments, reaching out to help. Reno settled down and huffed a sigh as the bald man worked the tie with practiced hands and soon had it secured and smoothed out. Rude studied him mutely when the job was finished and Reno felt the urge to fidget.

“What?” asked the redhead.

“Just looks wrong for you,” Rude shrugged. “I like it better your way.”

Reno grinned at him. “Thanks, yo.”

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“Come in, Reno,” Rufus put his paperwork away and looked up at the redhead, who had just knocked and poked his head around the door.

Reno entered the office and shut the door behind him. Rufus pushed a button on his desk and there was a click as the door locked. The redhead looked at the door, then at Rufus. “Should I be worried, boss?” he said, only half-teasing.

Rufus smiled crookedly. “Only if you’re claustrophobic. I simply don’t want anyone walking in to interrupt us. Why don’t you come here, Reno?”

Reno complied, strolling across the room with casual ease despite his earlier hint of nervousness. Rufus motioned for him to come around behind the desk and the redhead obeyed, looking at him curiously.

Rufus swiveled in his designer, wooden office chair and studied the redhead. “The stiff dress code of the Turks doesn’t quite suit you, Fox. It looks great but you seem uncomfortable.”

Reno looked down at himself and smirked. “Must be pretty obvious to everyone. Rude said the same thing and to tell you honestly Sir, I feel kind of choked, yo.”

Rufus nodded. “You need room to breathe. I understand that. Tseng has informed me that you and Rude made quite an impression in your sparring match this afternoon. Did you enjoy it?”

The redhead nodded enthusiastically. “We had a great time, yo. He was real easy to work with.”

“So you feel it’s a good match?” Rufus inquired.

Reno shrugged. “I’m not jumping to any conclusions just yet, but if today was any clue then yeah, I think I’m going to like being teamed up with him.”

“Good,” Rufus purred. “You compliment one another. Come, have a seat.” He rolled the chair back a bit and patted his lap, looking up at the redhead expectantly.

Reno shifted uncomfortably as his crotch pulled taut. “You sure I’m not going to be too heavy, Sir?”

“Nonsense,” Rufus smiled, reaching up to slide his fingers under the redhead’s tie. He tugged on it, making Reno stagger for balance. “I’ve been a gentleman where you’re concerned for long enough, Reno. I assure you, my lap won’t break.” He steadily drew the Turk down until Reno complied and eased into his lap, straddling him. “There now,” Rufus murmured in satisfaction as he loosened the tie and pulled it over Reno’s head. “Let’s make you more comfortable, hmm?”

Reno threaded his fingers into Rufus’ ash blonde hair and didn’t object as the VP tugged the zipper of his blazer down and worked at the buttons of his shirt. He breathed easier when the restricting collar was opened, smiling at his boss with mischievous curiosity. “You gonna sexually harass me now, Sir?”

Rufus stopped, his groin throbbing in response to the hot, bold question. “Would it be harassment, I wonder?”

“Okay, you got me,” Reno smirked. “Can’t harass the willing, yo.”

Rufus continued unbuttoning the Turk’s shirt, parting the material as he went to expose more of his smooth, pale chest. It was very difficult to imagine that Reno was a virgin, as shamelessly flirtatious as he was. Still, there was something beneath the surface—a hint of nervous fear that Rufus believed wasn’t just attributed to the fact that was the first opportunity they’d had to do more than kiss lightly.

~Better to find out for sure now, before this goes any further.~

As badly as he wanted to take Reno right then and there, he wanted him absolutely ready and positively begging for it when the time came. There were certain…training measures…he intended to take in the first place, but the methods needed to be adjusted accordingly if Reno had never experienced anal penetration before. There was that, and there were the rules. Rufus didn’t expect his lovers to keep only to him when he didn’t do the same for them, but he had certain expectations of Reno that needed to be addressed.

“Reno,” Rufus murmured as he slipped a hand into his open shirt and kissed his throat, “there are some things I’d like to discuss with you.” He nearly groaned as he explored his subordinate’s chest with his hand. The skin was so soft and the muscles so sleek beneath the surface. He’d been waiting for this opportunity for so long.

Reno gasped a little as his boss’ fingertips rubbed his left nipple in a gentle circle, making it tingle and harden. “You wanna talk? Now?” he said incredulously. “Uh…Sir,” he added in hindsight.

Rufus chuckled against his throat, licking the silken skin briefly. How was it that Reno managed to carry a faint scent and flavor of cinnamon all the time? “It’s rather important to our relationship,” he explained. “I promise you, we can move on to more…pleasant…endeavors once we’ve agreed on my terms.”

Reno couldn’t contain a sigh as he looked down at Rufus with annoyed, blue-green eyes. “Okay, fire away, yo.”

Rufus suddenly swatted Reno’s right ass cheek firmly with his free hand, making the redhead jump and stare at him with surprise and curiosity. “First rule,” the VP said as he rubbed the stinging cheek soothingly, “You will keep a respectful tone with me and I give the orders, not you. Under certain circumstances a bit of straying can be forgiven—even encouraged—but when we’re having a discussion, I demand respect. Is that clear?”

“Crystal,” Reno answered breathlessly. He surprised Rufus by lowering his mouth to his and kissing him, his pink tongue flicking out teasingly over the VP’s lips.

Rufus squeezed the butt cheek he was rubbing and lost his train of thought for a moment. The tantalizing, dainty way Reno’s tongue traced his lips was enthralling and entirely unique. Reluctantly, he dragged the hand that was fondling the redhead’s nipple up to cup Reno’s jaw and force him to be still.

“Don’t change the subject,” Rufus rasped.

Reno smiled craftily at him. “Yes, Sir.”

Rufus closed his eyes and took a steadying breath, amazed at how that one, baiting little kiss had scattered his thoughts so easily. “Secondly,” he continued huskily as he looked into the redhead’s eyes again, “I need to know if you’ve got a virginal ass.”

Reno frowned. “What difference does that make, Sir?”

“It makes a difference in what methods I intend to use when I take you,” Rufus said bluntly, figuring that honesty was best when it came to this subject. “I would prefer to break you in first, but if you’d rather your first time be awkward and painful you could choose to tell me you aren’t virginal even if you are. It’s your choice, Reno.”

Reno flushed and he wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment or arousal. He squirmed in the blonde’s lap, his erection becoming painful. “Got it,” he said softly, lowering his eyes. “All right, so I’m a virgin.” He raised his eyes again and looked at Rufus through his lashes, smirking suggestively. “I ain’t inexperienced though, Sir.”

Rufus was again breathless.

~Shiva’s breath, prostitutes could take seduction lessons from him!~

The young Vice-President found it difficult to speak past the burn of lust in his throat. “With your mannerisms and kissing skills, I don’t doubt it.” He cleared his throat to keep his voice from breaking. “Now, on the matter of intimacy, I have certain rules.”

“Is there gonna be a pop-quiz on this?” Reno murmured with a grin, “’Cause if there is I’m gonna need the book to take home and study, yo.”

Rufus smacked his bottom again and the Turk gave a little yelp and kissed him again, more aggressively this time. Reno was whimpering softly against his lips in a decidedly needy, uke-ish way.

“Oh, god,” Rufus gasped before he could help himself. He thrust his tongue past Reno’s parted lips and explored his mouth hungrily for a moment squeezing the redhead’s tight little ass firmly in his excitement. He very nearly decided to hang the rest of the conversation and satisfy his urges, but somehow he regained control of himself and broke the kiss, reaching up to grab the base of Reno’s ponytail and hold his head still.

“Now listen to me,” Rufus insisted roughly when the Turk hissed a little and let up. “You belong to me now—“

“I ain’t arguing that,” Reno interrupted breathlessly.

Rufus tugged the ponytail firmly, making the extroverted redhead go silent again. “—And I will be your first, understood?”

“Yes Sir,” Reno breathed, rubbing the bulge in his crotch against Rufus’ enticingly.

“Stop that,” the VP gasped roughly, avoiding giving Reno another swat on the ass now that he knew it only turned him on more. He was beginning to consider that breaking Reno in would involve taming a bit of that impulsiveness of his…at least enough to keep him from driving Rufus out of control with every encounter. When the redhead reluctantly obeyed, Rufus shook his head in amazement. “Now, as I was saying; I keep open relationships with my lovers—meaning they are free to have relations outside of ours and vice-versa. You’re special, however.”

“Is this gonna turn into one of those ‘sacred virginity’ talks, Sir?”

Rufus sighed and took his left hand off the redhead’s ass to pull open a drawer. Reno’s eyes widened when he pulled out a ball gag. “Open your mouth,” the VP ordered. He expected a protest but Reno shrugged and obeyed. Rufus fit the ball between the redhead’s teeth and secured the strap around the back of his head. He liked the way Reno’s shapely lips fit around the spongy ball and his cock twitched in his pants.

“Now, perhaps I can finish what I was saying without interruption,” Rufus declared.

“Mmph?” Reno mumbled, his sea-green eyes twinkling mischievously.

Rufus pinched his lips to keep from chuckling and cleared his throat. “As I was saying,” he continued once again, “You’re free to explore your sexuality within our little ‘family’, but outsiders are forbidden fruit unless approved by me and nobody gets in here—” he pressed his fingers lightly between the Turk’s butt cheeks, “—before me. I want the privilege of being your first. Can you agree to those terms, Fox?”

Reno thought he was going to disgrace himself and come in his pants right there. He made a show of thinking about it and then shrugged and nodded, tracing Rufus’ throat and collar with his fingertips. The VP relaxed beneath him, seeming to be satisfied with his agreement of the terms.

~Maybe I should be offended that he’s trying to rule my personal sex life like this but there’s something insanely hot about it. God I’m horny…is he gonna pop my cherry tonight or what?~

Rufus stroked Reno’s bared stomach with the palm of one hand, making him squirm in his lap. “I’m quite pleased,” he said as he kissed the redhead’s throat again. Reno moaned behind the ball gag and Rufus practically shuddered with excitement at the sound. He’d never heard anyone moan quite like that. The sound was pure sex to his ears and he was barely able to resist unzipping Reno’s pants and satisfying his desire to see and touch the redhead’s swollen groin. Instead, he reached up and pulled the gag off.

“Thank you, Sir,” Reno said breathlessly, trying to lean in for another kiss.

Rufus shook his head and gave him a firm look. Reno paused and cocked his head with curious confusion and Rufus set the ball gag on his desk and buttoned up the Turk’s shirt. Realizing what was happening, the redhead protested.

“That’s it??”

Rufus contained a smile and finished doing up all but the top three buttons. He patted the Turk’s firm bottom and scooted back again, easing the resisting young man off of his lap. The look on Reno’s fair face was so utterly bewildered that Rufus almost lost his resolve.

“That’s it for tonight, Reno,” the young VP said in a firm tone, “consider it your first lesson. When I think you’re truly ready, I’ll give you more.”

~In other words, when you’re a little red whirlwind of lust and need…not that I think it will take long to bring you to that point, the way you’ve reacted to my advances tonight.~

Reno’s mouth worked as he stammered protests and tried to think of something to say to convince his boss to change his mind. Rufus just stared up at him expectantly. Finally, with a little pout he didn’t even realize he was making, the new Turk nodded. “Whatever you say, Sir.”

“You’re free to go,” Rufus said softly, smiling a little. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Fox.”

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

Man, I STILL look back on that night and call him a bastard in my head. I almost changed my mind about marking myself for him, I was so pissed off and disappointed. For the first time in my life, I was ready, willing and able for it and the guy snubbed me after getting me so hot I could have creamed myself on command. I get what he was doing now, but back then it was almost unbearable and I didn’t understand it for shit.

I took a cab to Tseng’s apartment anyway, figuring even if I chickened out of getting the tattoos I could have someone to hang with for a while, yo. When he’s not being a nag about the dress code and public behavior, Tseng is real easy to hang out with. He’s always calm and polite and…I dunno…soothing, I guess.

He welcomed me with that gentle smile of his and poured me some Wutaian rice wine—which I thought tasted sort of like tea but it gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling after only two glasses. After a while I felt relaxed enough to forgive Rufus for being such a dickhead and I asked Tseng to go ahead and do the tattoos we’d talked about earlier that day. I knew they were supposed to hurt but Tseng rubbed some sort of mint-smelling oil on my skin where it was going to get done and it numbed it so that it only stung a little bit when he got started on the tattoos.

Like I said before, it was a gamble and I couldn’t be sure Rufus would even like it. I knew I’d be fucked if he didn’t, because tats aren’t something you can easily get rid of once you’ve got ‘em, yo.

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-To be continued