The Count Down To New

[thechurbyboxmod]

Sometimes feelings build up. Sometimes all it takes is a resolution, some liquid courage, and the rush of celebration to break through the silence. This is what happens on those nights



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[ambitiousblond]

"That sounds lovely," he says quietly, glancing down at Reno to make sure he didn't stir as he set his glass aside and leaned forward on the couch a little, leaning a little closer towards Rude. Elena was curled up on a chair on the opposite side of the room, an empty champagne bottle in hand.

"You'll have to teach me to come sometime. At least, something simple." Some of his favorite mornings were just sitting in the kitchen in the warm sunlight watching Rude cook breakfast and make him tea. There was something comforting about it and made it more difficult to keep his own emotions in check. Sometimes he could almost imagine that it was just them on a morning normal people would have while living together.

"You know you can have any time off you want, Rude." He wanted Rude with him but he knew that was an entirely selfish desire he found it difficult to live with.

[looking_sharp]

Cooking for everyone in the morning was something that just kept happening. Elena never seemed to learn, Reno tended to burn things, and really, Tseng was better off doing dinners because his breakfasts weren't large enough for Rude's Costan tastes.

"When you're up tomorrow, you could help with crepes."

Not much. Rude has to of course manage the crepe cooking itself. It was so delicate.

Time off, though...

"Costa isn't comfortable for me. Between Shinra and my own history, it wasn't something where I was welcomed. Might change."

[ambitiousblond]

"I'm sure Reno and Elena will be sleeping in so I would be happy to." He had never caught onto the fact that Tseng always seemed to vanish from the room when it was just him and Rude. He just enjoyed each moment that they could share even if it was just a brief passing moment.

If it wasn't for Reno leaning against Rude, Rufus wouldn't have been able to resist reaching out but for the moment he tucks his legs under him as he settles next to Rude.

"If it does..." Rufus trails off. "If not Costa, is there somewhere you've always wanted to go." He had been thinking that they needed to get away from Healen but he's not sure where they could relocate. He didn't need to be in Edge to help Reeve with rebuilding but he also didn't want to hide away again.

[looking_sharp]

Yes, Tseng was quite talented at giving them space, wasn't he? Rude hadn't noticed either. He was just happy to have these quiet moments.

"I imagine Reno and Elena will sleep through quite a bit."

It's fine. Rude will just cast ice on their feet when breakfast was ready. The question, though, has him thoughtful for a moment. Where else would he like to go?

"Icicle," he admits with a shrug. Sure, he was prone to being too cold already. "Would be nice. But what about you? Your resolution?"

[ambitiousblond]

"They've earned some sleep for now." They had all been through so much during the last year they both deserved to get a few more moments of rest. He even smiles a little fondly when Reno lets a noise that's a mix between a snore and grunt in his sleep.

"I want to live life. I want to experience new things and do things I've never had the chance to do before," he remarks thoughtfully, his gaze distant for a moment. He had spent his childhood under lockdown that changed to official house arrest after his attempt on his father's life. Even as President he was confined by his duties and then later his illness.

"I may never be truly free but I want to take what I can get while I can."

[looking_sharp]

An interesting resolution. Of course, it was also one that didn't really, you know, say what the man intended to do. What it meant.

"Live life in what ways? Maybe we can help you."

Not sir. Rude doesn't say 'sir' when they're alone. He doesn't even know it. Instead he just tends to let all formality slip away.

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus usually had no issue with going after what he wanted. If anything, he had a problem with throwing caution to the wind and taking risks that the Turks would consider unnecessarily and reckless though that often didn't stop him.

But with Rude he tread carefully, trying to control his own emotions the best he was able to. He was sure Tseng suspected something, there were comments here that hinted but the Turk had never said anything directly.

"I'm not sure yet," he admits quietly before looking down at Reno for a moment. "Can you help me to bed? I think Reno will be comfortable here for the night." His room was on the second floor and though he could climb the stairs now, there was always a Turk by his side just in case he falters.

[looking_sharp]

"He'll complain in the morning," Rude notes, but he does shift his partner away from him. The movement prompted grumbling from Reno, but other than that, he definitely didn't wake up. Once that was done he rose, straightened his suit, and nodded to Rufus.

"Let's take you up then," Rude agreed, adjusting his glasses. "Come on then. I put on clean sheets this morning."

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus carefully stands, automatically reaching out to steady himself with a hand on Rude's arm. He feels as if Geostigma had aged him beyond being 28 years old by now which sometimes is overwhelmingly frustrating.

But he's feeling warm and calm due to the champagne and having Rude by his side. "You did? You always think of everything," he says gratefully as he heads towards the stairs. Each step is slow but deliberate until he gets to the top.

"Stay with me for a bit?" It's not an order, Rufus looks almost vulnerable when he asks but it's a rare quiet night for a new year, he wants to enjoy it with Rude.

[looking_sharp]

"Tseng things of everything," Rude corrects. He only thinks of Rufus's comfort and safety. This was something he could do for the younger man. "Madre always said 'clean sheets for a new year'. Starting fresh to bring change."

He follows Rufus up the stairs quietly, not bothering to speak. He doesn't want the man to feel uncomfortable, or incapable. At the top he peels off immediately to go open the door for Rufus. And is left standing there, behind his shield of common silence.

It wasn't that Rude wasn't talkative. Truth was, when he got started on something that interested him, he could go for long periods of conversation. But that was dependent upon it being a topic he was comfortable with. All of his discomfort when he'd first learned the tongue of Midgar had made him so self-conscious.

Except, because there was always an exception, with Rufus. Already he was trying to come up with a list of things to talk about until Rufus had fallen asleep.

"Of course. I could tell you about traditional Costan New Years meals."

[ambitiousblond]

"I like that. New sheets will bring new things next year." Rufus loves hearing the bits about Rude's family that the other man lets slip sometimes. He barely knew his mother, his father had been neglectful at best so he had no happy memories of his own, no family traditions aside from lies and plotting.

He doesn't hesitate to start undressing once the door is shut to change into his sleep clothes. The Turks had all seen him practically naked at this point while caring for him so he doesn't think anything of it as he pulls on white pajama pants after he discards his clothes over the back of a chair. "That would be nice. I love hearing about Costa culture, from what it's really like than just a Shinra vacation spot."

[looking_sharp]

Rufus may not think of it, but Rude, once the door is closed and he realizes what is happening, feels uncomfortable. It was wrong to impinge upon the other's privacy, so Rude turns his back to Rufus to the man could have a moment to change.

"You could visit some time. Maybe Strife would let you use the Villa."

Seeing as it had belonged to the Shinra family originally. Or most recently.

"We're a laid back people. But tradition matters. More important since tourists started being a thing."

Once he was certain Rufus was done changing, Rude turned around and crossed to the bed to start turning the sheets down. Better to provide more comfort sooner.

"The normal foods are either pork, or fish. Families might go out all week before the New Year, trying to pull in a large fish for the dinner. Either way the meat is dressed with sweet fruits. The meat is for the luck, showing the abundance to come in the New Year. The sweet glaze or marinade or relish is to try and lure sweetness into the coming year. Like to like. Dinner is kept light before midnight, because there are games on the beach to pass the time. Volleyball, tag, jousting in the water. The point is that everyone is together and having fun as the year changes."

Again, the like to like. Luck. Sweetness. Joy and fun. They were things Costans held dearly.

"It's said whatever one is feeling when the New Year comes will shape their year. Thus the meal that fills us but doesn't stuff us. Thus the fun. And for some people, well, they seek other ways to bring in the first minutes of a new year."

[ambitiousblond]

"No, I don't want to go back there. Let it be used by those without past memories there." Rufus climbs gratefully into the bed, appreciating the small gestures that Rude always did for him.

He settles into bed, resting on his side as he watches Rude, fascinated. "Jousting in the water? I would like to try that sometime." He was already entranced by Rude's description, letting out a breath as he tries to imagine everything. Perhaps some day he would be able to visit without it being an issue.

"It's the first minutes of the new year now. We should bring it in properly then."

[looking_sharp]

Well yes, they could do that. Rufus could sleep and bring in a restful year he supposed. But something told Rude that wasn't what he meant.

"And what are you hoping to draw to you in the new year, Rufus."

Rufus, not Sir or Mister President or anything else. Just... familiar.

[ambitiousblond]

He doesn't respond at first as he takes in the fact that Rude didn't use any formal address. He loves each time Rude speaks his name, each time sent warmth through his body.

There is no hesitation now as he sits up in bed, wrapping an arm around Rude's shoulders to bring him down for a kiss, firm but soft, without demands. He could feel himself slowly melting, all his fantasies did not compare to this. But eventually he does pull away slightly to let Rude recover for a moment, watching his reaction intently.

[looking_sharp]

Rufus might not hesitate, but Rude doesn't know what to say about what happens next. He's hopeful, very hopeful, and then there are the lips. They're warm, perhaps a hint chapped, and the man almost tastes like the champagne they had enjoyed. Which he hadn't enjoyed nearly as much as he was enjoying Rufus's kiss. Or at least he enjoyed it until the other man pulled back and looked at him.

He shouldn't. Rude knew he shouldn't do anything, say anything, let himself feel anything. Instead he moves forward, capturing Rufus's lips in a new kiss, leaning over the man more as if to push him down into the bed, where Rude could just press the man down into the mattress under them. So long restrained, and he doesn't know how far he can go.

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus knows that no one will come into his room without invitation unless there was a pressing need so he's not worried that they'll be interrupted as he wraps his arms around Rude's shoulders to pull him down on the bed with him.

He had spent so long keeping his emotions due to his position and then circumstances. He intended to live his life now that he has a future ahead of him and this was the way he wanted to start a new year. He slowly deepens the kiss as he encourages Rude closer, not intending to stop just yet. His mind was swimming and he was already addicted.

[looking_sharp]

Good thing Rude had closed the door. And that Reno and Elena were asleep. And that Tseng knew better. Which meant Rude didn't have any problem with being pulled down over Rufus. He shifted, moving so he could straddle Rufus. It was better for finding the position to kiss the other man.

There was absolutely a bit of moment where Rude had to fumble with his glasses to set the shades aside. It was better this way, as he leaned in to enjoy this moment.

"Rufus," he whispers when the next kiss breaks, fingers coming up to brush through the other man's hair before kissing him again.

Too long. He had held back for so long and it felt so hard to stop now.

[ambitiousblond]

"Rude." Rufus shifts so he could slip Rude's tie loose, sliding it free and tossing it aside to make his intentions and desires clear. Now that he has Rude settled on him Rufus craves more and decides not to deny himself since it seems Rude wanted this just as badly as he did.

There was no need to rush, they had the night to themselves but he still felt impatience tug at him, his hands trailing down Rude's sides to the waistband of his pants.

[looking_sharp]

Nothing signaled intentions so clearly as missing Rude’s even now impeccable suit. Nor, he supposed, could he signal louder than by letting it happen. Except maybe...

“Rodolfo,” he corrects. No, not corrects he realizes. Rufus wasn’t the sort to care much about the pasta of his Turks if it wasn’t given to him freely. The man might not even know his proper given name. Well, at least that was set right, and truly he wanted to hear it from those lips.”

The impatience earned a more careful, slow, deliberate set of hands lifting from Rufus so Rude could pull his gloves off and set them aside. Definitely off duty now.

“The ‘r’ should roll, just a little. Each ‘o’ should be the same roundness. You Midgarans don’t treat vowels well.”

[ambitiousblond]

"Rudolfo." Rufus pronounces it slowly, trying his best to copy Rude. It was something special that he knew was being entrusted to him. He respected his Turks enough to let them have their secrets, especially about their past so each bit was savored and appreciated.

Especially when Rude looks at him like that once he takes his glasses off. "It suits you. I'll learn how to roll my rs properly," he promises as one of his hands tug the shirt free from the waistband of Rude's pants. He doesn't care if anyone hears them, he's sure Tseng already knows what they're doing and will make sure no one checks in on them.

[looking_sharp]

Rude doesn't bother correcting, but only because he's too caught up in other things to try and stress proper pronunciation right now. Really, he'd much rather focus on his hands moving quickly over Rufus's shirt. Those buttons really didn't need to be keeping the shirt closed, and he has to be careful to undo them rather than ripping the shirt open.

"You'll work on it."

[ambitiousblond]

"I'll get it perfect." Rufus tries to take the same care with the buttons of Rude's shirt but his normally steady fingers fumbled a few times with impatience. Perhaps one or two buttons popped up but Rufus didn't stop as he pulls the shirt down Rude's shoulders along with his coat.

"No stopping tonight," he says quietly, tracing his fingers up Rude's chest as he meets his gaze. They had denied themselves for far too long.

[looking_sharp]

No stopping tonight? Was he implying...?

"Eres un poco loco, mi corazon," Rude chuckles under his breath as he shifts his shoulders to help shed the coat. And, sure enough, Rude's body was the muscular mass that a fighter of his caliber was meant to be.

"No stopping," he agrees, before moving back down to press their lips together as he worked Rufus's shirt open and started to fumble at his pants instead.

[ambitiousblond]

Rufus laughs softly though he has little idea what Rude was saying since he has a feeling he's being teased. He'll ask for a translation later when Rude's lips aren't on his and his hands tugging at his pajama bottoms.

His hands trail down Rude's chest and quickly works off his belt, tossing it aside with the rest of Rude's clothes without further thought. The sooner they were rid of clothes the better. He's not vain but he still knows that he has scars from the blast from Diamond Weapon, the faint marks from where the Geostigma sores had healed over. But he makes no attempt to hide any of it as pulls his shirt off, also tossing it over the bed.