jikan_rpg | [open] meeting Dark Nation

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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