jikan_rpg | [open] meeting Dark Nation

[ Tseng had been fast asleep when the nightmare woke Rufus, something he'd already experienced once since his arrival. He knows Rufus has these nightmares as a result of the things he experienced in their own world, things Tseng has yet to experience.

He rolls over, eyes still closed, and reaches for Rufus only to find nothing in his place. It takes him a minute to open his eyes, still not fully awake, before he's rubbing a hand over his face and pulling himself up so he's sitting in bed. ]

Just give me a minute to wake up before you're rushing out the door, Rufus.

[ But Rufus is already rummaging around for clothes to put on and Tseng knows his mind is made up and there's nothing he can say to change it. So he's rolling out of bed, grabbing something to tie his hair back, and looking for a pair of pants. ]

[It doesn't take long for Rufus to dress, something is urging him not to waste any time. But once he's finished pulling on clothes he sits on the bed to wait for Tseng.

He doesn't apologize for waking Tseng but he knows that it's not easy for Tseng to wake up in the middle of the night. But Rufus knows he would only restlessly toss and turn if he tries to go back to sleep and that would mean neither of them would get much rest.

As soon as Tseng is dressed Rufus is out the door without asking if Tseng's ready, slipping on his shoes before heading out of the door. As soon as Rufus is outside he stops to take a deep breath of chilly air, trying to calm down a bit.

He reaches a hand out for Tseng, looking back at him with a small smile.]

Walk with me a bit?

[ Rufus is already on the way down the stairs and headed toward the door before Tseng is fully ready. He sighs, grabbing his gun and pulling on his shoulder holster as he's going down the stairs to join him. He doesn't want Rufus going alone; it's habit, really, that he grabs his gun, acting every bit the bodyguard even in Nippon. Some things don't, and won't, change.

He slips his shoes on and closes the door behind them, turning to lock it before dropping the key in his pocket.

Tseng takes Rufus's hand, squeezing it as he takes his place at his side. ]

I don't know that I'll ever get used to this, being able to walk by your side, hand in mine, and at this hour.

[ He thinks about how they typically walked together in Midgar, Tseng usually several paces behind Rufus, rarely at his side, and never hand in hand... and never at this hour. ]

It's strange to have that kind of freedom, isn't it?

[He's not sure if he could get used to it either after being one of the most hated men on the entire planet. Here he was just Rufus, free of the legacy of the Shinra name.

He squeezes Tseng's hand in return as they walk, already feeling himself start to relax, the nightmare fading from his mind after a few moments. It's quiet but after Meteor he's found that he likes that. He doesn't miss the noise and smog of Midgar, how it weighed so heavily on him.

He stops as he hears something behind them, the sound of something rustlingi n the shadows down the street behind them. For a moment, Rufus imagines that he's just imagining things, especially after the nightmares he had just woken up from.

He nearly turns back to Tseng but this time he squints as the shadow approaches, letting go of Tseng's hand. If he doesn't know better he would think- ]

Dark Nation.

[His voice cracks just a bit as he falls to his knees as the shadow takes the shape of the large hound running to Rufus, her back tentacle swaying back and forth eagerly as she greets him. He hadn't seen her in years and relief floods him as he wraps his arms around Dark Nation for a bit who is just as eager for affection.]

[ As Rufus let go of Tseng's hand, he immediately went for his gun, not sure what was approaching them and if it was a threat. But, as Rufus drops to his knees and the hound comes into view under the streetlight, Tseng lets his hand fall to his side. Even without Rufus there, he'd recognize that animal, having spent quite a bit of time with her over the years.

Seeing Rufus so happy, seeing Dark Nation nearly knocking him over as she runs to him... It brings a smile to his face, something he wouldn't let anybody else see. He could probably count the number of times his Turks had seen him smile on one hand.

He doesn't want to disturb Rufus and Dark Nation, doesn't want to interrupt their reunion, so Tseng takes a step back, silent, to watch the pair until Rufus is ready to resume their walk. ]

[Rufus kisses the top of Dark Nation's head, needing a moment to get his emotions under control. He had spent so many years thinking that if he opened his eyes she would be sleeping at the end of his bed like usual but had only woken up to silence.

He's not sure how it is that she's here now but he's not going to question it.]

My sweet girl.

[He finally gets up, ignoring the dirt on his pants. It doesn't matter, he has Dark Nation by his side once more.

Once she determines that Rufus is safe she approaches Tseng, reaching up a paw as if to get his attention so that he would pet her as well as Rufus watches with a fond expression.]

[ He'd been wary at first, happy to take a step back and let Rufus have his time with his beloved hound, not knowing if she would recognize him. Tseng can't hide the slight bit of wariness on his face as she approaches him, but it all melts away when she reaches up to paw at his arm.

He unclasps his hands from behind his back and kneels down, small smile on his face. It had been quite a while since he last saw her face to face as he had been out working and Rufus had been doing things against Tseng's advice, taking her to fight Cloud at Shinra Tower. He runs a hand over her head, scratching behind her ears as he talks to her softly.

A minute or two passes before Tseng is standing up, brushing his knee off, and looking up at Rufus. ]

I was worried she wouldn't recognize me.

[Watching Tseng kneel down to speak with Dark Nation, the way he scratches behind her ears in just the way she loves, and the soft words make him unable to hide the fondness in his expression.

When Tseng stands once more Rufus gives him a smile, reaching out to affectionately tucking a strand of black hair from Tseng's face, a gesture he never would have dared to do so openly before.]

Who could forget you?

[Rufus grins as he takes Dark Nation's lead in hand, reaching out his hand for Tseng to take so they could continue on their walk. He's not ready to go back just yet and he knows Dark Nation will need a walk before she's ready to settle down.]

[ Tseng closes his eyes as Rufus tucks the strand of hair behind his ear, still not used such a tender gesture done so openly.

Taking Rufus's hand, he begins walking with him, Dark Nation at their side. It's so unreal to him that they're able to do this, that they're just the average couple out walking their hound and nobody would think anything of it. ]

I'm sure plenty could forget me. Or, at the very least, want to.

Well, I have no intention of forgetting you.

[Rufus memorized the way tired smile Tseng gave him almost every morning when he was still half asleep but he still knew Rufus was there, even the crease Tseng gets between his eyes when he's angry or annoyed, and even the feel of their hands when they laced their fingers together.

When he was feverish and barely conscious he knew Tseng by touch alone, when Tseng would take his hand and their fingers would fit together so perfectly. It was something that he had held onto during those days. He squeezes Tseng's hand, looking at him.]

And I'm pretty sure I won't forget this night.

[It's the first time they could walk down the street hand in hand like any other couple, as if they were just two average people.]

I'm hardly the one worth remembering tonight, Dark Nation has certainly stolen the show.

[ Tseng looks down at Dark Nation, small smile on his face. She looks delighted to be walking at Rufus's side, something even she wasn't able to do back home. Rufus was hardly allowed out of the house as a child, had even less freedom once he became an adult. What little freedom he did have was stripped from him when he was placed under house arrest and, as a result, Dark Nation wasn't able to enjoy the things she should have been able to... Like taking walks with her owner.

It occurs to Tseng that, while the house they share with Reno and Rude is big, it may not be what they need going forward, especially with Dark Nation now part of household. They'll need to get a bed for her, see if they can find the same things she enjoyed back in their own world like toys and treats... ]

We should consider moving to our own house now that we have her.

[ He had never been an animal person before meeting Rufus, never wanting to be around them and finding them as a liability in most cases. However, Tseng quickly grew to enjoy her presence the more time he spent with Rufus. One might even argue that he looked forward to her greeting him at the door when he would arrive at Rufus's penthouse in Junon. ]

You are cute but I have to say Dark Nation is a little cuter.

[Rufus can't help but playfully tease as he gives Tseng a momentary kiss before looking down at Dark Nation who happily peers between them, her back tentacle waving back and forth.]

I agree. There are other houses in the compound but it will allow us to have more privacy as well.

[Rufus appreciated all that Reno and Rude have done for him but with Tseng here he wants a bit more privacy so that he and Tseng can make the most of their new lives here.

And Dark Nation will need room. Living in Midgar and then Junon meant she didn't often have the chance to run around and really stretch her legs and do the things that dogs liked to do like being able to run around to play. She may have been created to protect him but that didn't mean Rufus didn't want to make her happy.]

She's going to need food, treats, and we're going to need a bigger bed.

[Dark Nation had been sleeping on his bed at night since he was a child and with Tseng it got crowded at times. But Rufus wouldn't have it any other way since there was nothing more than he loved more than Tseng and his puppy.]

Other houses in the compound?

[ Tseng remembers Rufus talking about their compound, what he referred to as Neo-Midgar. He knows he mentioned empty houses, but Tseng hadn't realized that they actually owned those properties. Slowing his pace, he looks over at Rufus, the slight confusion visible on his face. There's still a lot he doesn't know about their new home, only having been in Nippon a little over a month. ]

Are you telling me that you own those empty houses, too?

[ The more he thinks about it, the more Tseng likes the idea of having a home of his own that he can share with Rufus and, now, Dark Nation. It's something they were never able to do in their own world, their relationship limited to what little privacy they could find in Junon and Midgar. ]

If this is a step we're going to take, we're going to have to purchase more than just things for Dark Nation and a bigger bed for us. I can't imagine those houses are furnished.

We do. And you would be right, we would have to furnish the house.

[A bigger bed that would accommodate the two of them and Dark Nation who liked to sprawl across the end of Rufus's bed ever since she was a small puppy.

The thought of living with just Tseng was something that he never though he would have a chance to do. Healen Lodge was not ideal in terms of having any kind of privacy but now they had a chance to have a life here, just the two of them.

Three of them, as he looks down at Dark Nation who is eagerly looking between them as they walk, her back tentacle hitting them both in the legs without her realizing it.]

[ Tseng's attention is drawn away from Rufus when he feels Dark Nation against his leg, and he can't help but smile down at her as she looks up at first him and then Rufus. He remembers all of the times he walked into the apartment in Junon, greeted at the door by Dark Nation, and he thinks the same would be nice in Nippon. ]

Rufus, with what money are we going to furnish an entire home?

[ Because, as far as Tseng can tell... Reno is the only member of the Turks who actually has a job in Nippon. The other three, himself included, aren't really doing anything to earn a living. ]

Neither you nor I have a job. We certainly can't afford to furnish a home and provide for Dark Nation.

We'll figure something out.

[Rufus says with absolute conviction because that's always how things have worked out even against all odds.

Something always happens. Even when he was dying, things worked out. After surviving Geostigma and Diamond Weapon Rufus had confidence that no matter how impossible something seemed it would end up working out anyway.]

This is a new world- we can do pretty much whatever we want to do.

[Which was a bit overwhelming. Rufus grew up never doubting the path his life would take, everything had been decided for him. But here that was all up to him and Tseng.]

How will we figure something out? [ He sighs, turning his head slightly to look over at Rufus as they continue to walk ] I have no marketable skills for a place like Nippon.

[ All Tseng has ever known is being a Turk... and Nippon has no need for Turks that he can see. He's thankful that the violence that plagued Midgar didn't follow them to Nippon, however he's found himself wishing he could have some aspects of his old life here with him as well. He enjoyed his line of work, as horrible as it was. He was good at what he did and he didn't have to answer to anybody but himself and Rufus, especially now that Rufus had become President.

But none of that matters in Nippon. There's no need for interrogations, no need for the level of violence he saw on a daily basis from himself and his Turks. There's no need for espionage, for all of the dirty work he did for Shinra.

Here, he's Tseng, and he doesn't really know what that looks like yet. ]

My line of work doesn't really translate well to this lifestyle, you know this as well as I do.

Tseng.

[Rufus stops, leaning over to kiss Tseng gently to get his attention back in the present. Those were things that they could discuss tomorrow when they were well-rested.

But tonight they were all together as it should be, Dark Nation looking up between them, leaning her head against Tseng's leg affectionately.]

We'll figure it out. Tomorrow.

[Tonight he just wants to hold Tseng's hand and enjoy the quiet. He knows Tseng can't always put things aside so easily, he's so used to having to plan things and always be prepared but for now, Rufus wants him to be in the moment, with him.]

[ Tseng squeezes Rufus's hand as they start walking again, still uneasy but he realizes he doesn't have a choice in the matter. Rufus intends to discuss this tomorrow and that's all there is to it, there's no further discussion as they continue their walk home with Dark Nation. ]

You know this is difficult for me, Rufus.

[ It goes without saying that this is difficult for Tseng because he doesn't figure things out tomorrow, he deals with things as they come, planning ahead, rarely going into a situation fully blind as he's doing now. He doesn't know how to adjust to life as Rufus and Tseng, having spent the better part of four years as Vice President (now, President) and Head Turk. ]

I know. It's strange to not have a plan for tomorrow but I'm trying to learn to take things as they come sometimes.

[Rufus squeezes Tseng's hand in return to reassure him. No matter what happens Rufus knows that Tseng will be by his side as they figure things out.

He lets silence fall between them, enjoying the quiet street as they walk, heading back to Neo-Midgar but Rufus was in no rush since he loves being able to do a late night walk with Tseng.]

[ Tseng sighs, walking along with Rufus in silence for at least a block before he speaks again. ]

It appears as if the additional years you've experienced have prepared you for this lifestyle far more than me. You need this rest much more than I do.

[ Despite the horrors Rufus told him about, Tseng does wish he has the same memories as Rufus, had experienced the same things. It's difficult not being on exactly the same page as both Rufus and his Turks, all three having experienced at least two years that he has not. He's thankful, though, that nothing has really changed between them despite having vastly different life experiences.

He's happy here even though he feels out of place and doesn't quite know what to do with himself yet. ]

I do.

[Rufus's voice is quiet but he can't lie. He feels exhausted in more than just in body, the last two years had taken a mental and emotional toll on him as well.

He wishes he could be as strong as Tseng remembers him last, he hates the toll the disease and Meteorfall had taken on him. He's sure it's a stark contrast for Tseng.

But he does need rest as much as he hates to admit it. He, Reno, and Rude, had been through so much they all needed some peace.]

I know rest doesn't come easy for you but I can also see how you're trying to adjust.

I don't know the last time I've been able to truly rest. I'm not used to down time like this... I need to have something to occupy my time.

[ He stops short of saying he needs to have a purpose, but he's sure Rufus knows where his thoughts were headed.

Since becoming a Turk, Shinra has been Tseng's purpose and his entire life. Everything he has done since he was a teen has been for Shinra and because of Shinra. While his allegiance has always been to the Turks, at the end of the day, everything he had been asked to do as a Turk was for was Shinra... And that purpose shifted from President Shinra and the Shinra Electric Power Company to Rufus Shinra during the last four years. ]

This is more of an adjustment than I initially thought it would be.

We'll find something. I know Reno and Rude feel similar even though I can tell they are glad for the respite.

[Rufus stops, turning to face Tseng as he tucks a stray strand of hair behind one ear affectionately. He doesn't care that they're out so openly on the street- it's the middle of the night and even if it wasn't, they were just two faces in the crowd now in this world.

He leans in to press a kiss against the corner of Tseng's lips, lingering just for a moment before letting Dark Nation pull him along a little.]

I'll always have a purpose by your side no matter where we are. We'll build a new life here, together.

I suppose the same can be said of me as long as you're here. You'll always have me, not only as your partner, but as your bodyguard, just as I've been for years.

[ It will take some time for Tseng to get used to such public displays of affection, even if they are the only two on the street at this hour. But he doesn't pull away, lets Rufus tuck the hair behind his ear and press a soft kiss to the corner of his lips.

However, Dark Nation quickly makes it known that she's not finished with her walk, and they're pulled along once again. ]

We should probably go back to the house soon. Dark Nation will need some time to settle in before we're able to get back to sleep.

[open] meeting Dark Nation

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