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WHO: Reeve, Poe Dameron, Rufus Shinra, Open
WHERE: Temba Restoration Coordination  (Yellow 5), The Deep End (Orange 13)
WHAT: Event Fallout for Reeve, His Boss Arriving, Hiding Out at the Bar
WHEN: June 7th to 12th
WARNINGS: CW: Implied past sexual situation in thread with Rufus; Drinking at the Deep End

1. Talking About What Happened Closed to Poe | Evening of the 7th, Reeve's Office
Reeve hadn't really been big on the idea of sticking around in the Waiting Room when they had awoken. His memories of being stuck in Calibrations were not hte greatest, and he had decided he wasn't going to risk sticking around there. He had grabbed Mini up and headed right out, not daring to question, not waning to linger. There were memories and a life to process and he didn't much like it.

It wasn't until later that night that he reached out to Poe with a message. After quite a bit of thought he had known what the truth was. They had to talk. So he'd sent a message, asking for Poe to meet him in his space. They had to figure things out. He had to figure whether Poe might forgive him for what he'd apparently said and done there.

2. Welcome To Temba, Your Timing Sucks Closed to Rufus | Morning of the 8th, Reeve's Office
The meeting hadn't been a bad one, in Reeve's estimation. Poe was a wonderful companion and he quite liked his time with his boyfriend. A nice talk, a lazy morning afterward, and Reeve had been happy to send the other man off in the morning. He had happily watched Poe slip out after morning coffee together, sitting at Reeve's work table in the front room. Reeve hadn't even bothered to put on much more than his long coat that morning, hadn't bothered to make his bed yet, hadn't even begun to work on the final stages of Mini's upgraded form. Instead he'd sat smiling at the table, his hair ruffled, sipping at the final dregs of his coffee as the door closed, not even paying attention to Mini as the doll worked on sorting through papers on the table top, making sure nothing had been lost in the change of the last month.

So Reeve, most definitely, wasn't expecting someone to show up at his door.

3. Just A Little Drink Open To All | Evenings of the 8th through 12th, The Deep End

Well, that was a thing that had most definitely happened. Reeve didn't know what to do with himself with Rufus here. With Cloud nad VIncent he had known what to do, what his place was with his companions and friends. It was enough for Reeve to just, well, fall into a habit he hadn't had in a very long time. Though he supposed it was hardly a habit if he didn't sustain it. Reeve sighed and settled himself at a chair at the bar, sitting down and looking at the counter. So what was the etiquette here, how did one even go about getting alcohol?

"Um, hello?"

Maybe he didn't want to be as alone as he thought.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I would have a good deal of the answers," Reeve countered with a shrug.

Intelligence, after all, was a needed part of the WRO. Though he got his through an unexpected source. No one would think Yuffie capable of it.

"Tseng and Elena make a full recovery from their Northern Crater experiences. All of them are doing well last I checked. Vincent, if you'd consider him such still given he was never actually removed from company payrolls, does less well, but such is life."

The emotion of relief on Rufus's face is genuine, he doesn't bother to hide it. Reeve would know the bond that he had with his Turks especially after Meteorfall. "That is good to hear. And Tseng mentioned he was on the payroll at one point but kept him on. I didn't see any reason to take him off."

He pauses as he considers his next question.

"I'm not sure if you would recognize the name but have you heard of anyone named Evan Townshend before?"

"I haven't actually had a chance to tell Vincent. He probably wouldn't appreciate it."

Evan Townshend. Reeve considered the name before finally shaking his head.

"No, it doesn't ring a bell. Which of course means that it's not someone you've told me about. Which just leaves me more intrigued."

"Ah I'm not surprised we wouldn't have told you about him. Evan isn't exactly that found of anyone from Shinra either."

He's not sure if he should tell Reeve that there is another Shrina running around but for the sake of trust between them he wouldn't at least outright lie if asked.

"He's a friend of Reno's who helped us with some things regarding the remanents before Cloud and his group dealt with them. I hope the fact that you haven't heard of him means that he hasn't gotten into further trouble."

Someone that can't stand Shinra, but is friends with Reno? Reeve gives Rufus a brief look that he knows might well be read as you're hiding something. The thing was he hadn't quite found it in himself to press on it.

"Frankly, Rufus, do you believe you'd tell me if people associated with you got into trouble? You didn't tell me of you sending the Turks north."

Rufus gives Reeve a look back that is partly amused and partly an invitation daring Reeve to ask.

"That is a good point but that was business. I have no control over Evan though and he wouldn't listen to me even if I tried to tell him what to do. If he gets in trouble, it's entirely on his own."

Or with Reno's help. Shiva help them all.

Oh, a dare is something Reeve doesn't intend to rise to the level of. Or lower himself to he supposed. And to think, he would have believed that all of this time apart would have gotten him past his impulse to posture and play politics with the other man. Damn but some habits were ingrained too deeply.

"Well, my concerns here and now are the level of trouble you will get into," Reeve answered.

Rufus can't help but feel a small sense of victory. Reeve is a friend and ally but Rufus still likes playing these small games just for fun sometimes.

He knew that he couldn't assure Reeve that he wouldn't get into trouble due to his health but they both knew that when Rufus was determined not much would stop him. "It's not my intention to get into trouble here. I have to learn to survive on my own sometime without the Turks doing everything for me."

And when that was he was not sure. He had no practical, everyday skills everyone else had but he holds a determined notion that it can't be that difficult to figure out.

Reeve didn't want to be playing these games again. He had liked life without it. And now he's got a game he's got to mess with. But learning to survive is interesting, because he doesn't know that Rufus can handle all of this.

This was when Mini returns, a communicator held against his chest. Reeve reached down without looking to scoop it, and Mini up.

"Well, perhaps we should show you some of those steps to taking care of yourself."

Dark Nation's ears are perked up as she watches Mini but she stays where she is, only looking between Reeve and Mini as if asking for an invitation to investigate.

"I would like that. I'm sure I have a lot to learn." Being without his Turks never ended well but so far this was an improvement on the last time they had been separated.

But like before he's determined to survive no matter what he has to do, no matter how unpleasant.

"No," Reeve told the dog rather firmly. Without the internal metal body right now, Reeve didn't know if Mini would survive gnawing.

"We'll start with where there is food. Mini, would you like me to get the bag?"

The doll offered a nod. And Reeve rose, going to get a satchel.

"We might need a stop by the replicator, to get your a cane."

Dark Nation looks at Rufus for confirmation when Reeve says no, settling down when Rufus shakes his head. She lays down on the floor by Rufus's chair, yawning.

"A replicator? And I don't need a cane, I got here by myself." It hadn't been easy but he had still done it. But it was a half-hearted protest, he knew that he needed some help even if he hated to admit it to himself. Reeve had been around Veld and Tseng far too much to know just how stubborn Rufus could be even in the face of overwhelming odds or at risk of harming himself.

Doesn't need a cane? Reeve looks quite incredulous at that.

"We're in a city of ruins, and you're injured. There are places with a good deal of steps, and you're injured. And all of this before the fact that we're not in a safe place, Rufus, not now, and is not likely to be for a while."

Don't be unreasonable or he might have ot find someone else to press the point, Rufus. And Reeve is too tired for that.

Rufus was starting to realize just how well Reeve had learned from Veld and Tseng. As much as he wants to protest he knows Reeve is right and it's just something he's going to have to deal with for now.

"Just nothing as ridiculous as the one I had back home, at least."

He pauses as he finishes his tea, setting the cup down. When he looks at Reeve there is nothing guarded in his expression. "I have every intention of continuing our friendship and partnership as we had back home, Reeve. I have no intention of continuing anything related to my father's legacy here."

Well, Reeve had looked up to Veld, even emulated the man. He'd worked so hard to earn the man's approval when he was young. Tseng had just been beautiful.

"I can guarantee nothing. The Agrii will do what they will do."

And he had to hope it worked for Rufus. Or that it was something at all. But he offered a frown at the reference to the Shinra legacy. Reeve squeezed Mini to him a bit more tightly.

"If you attempted, there would be many people, I expect, who would stop you. With greater ease than Cloud."

"What do you honestly expect me to do, Reeve?" He didn't blame Reeve for not trusting him even at their point in time when Rufus had left their world

"I have no doubt you'll warn others about me so I won't have the chance to do anything anyway," Rufus remarks with a light huff of faint amusement. He fells the exhaustion settle hard suddenly and not just in his body. Even in an entirely new world, he was defined by his past and his father's crimes. He had felt trapped his entire life in one way or another, there was never any escape no matter how many times he tried. Freedom was the one thing he never could afford.

The air feels thick and he knows that he's overdone it again but he just gives Reeve a wry smile, pushing the teacup away lightly.

"The tea was delicious but I should let you get back to work now. And I promise I'll try to get some rest." Which wouldn't be difficult, every part of his body feels like it's weighed down but he tries not to let it show.

All he can do is sigh as he rises. Rufus doesn't even get it.

"I have lived the majority of my life afraid of the name Shinra, Rufus. Add in the fact that you know more of my secrets than just about any man alive, and my nerves get worked up more. I'm happy here, I've made things for myself here. And unfortunately, your family's name has been bandied about here, with discussions of what the Shinra Company, including myself did to our world. So you'll forgive me if I'm tense over your presence. I'm afraid for you. I'm also a touch afraid of you as I have ever been."

Fear. Was it right to fear Rufus? Oh, Reeve thought so. But that was a matter of worlds.

"I know you aren't your father, I know there isn't even a Hojo for you to give me over to for the magic I carry in me, but fear is easier to work through back home where I know I have people like Cloud and Tifa and Vincent to back me up."

Rufus is taken aback for a moment, expressing his surprise by raising his eyebrows. Certainly, as the most powerful man on the planet, he had wrecked a great deal of damage and put Reeve through a lot, his father had done worse before. And Rufus knew it was his responsibility to deal with those consequences

He also catches when Reeve mentions the magic in him. He knew that if Reeve had said those words in front of the former President he would be paying Hojo a one-way visit. But that's something that's filed away for the moment.

He's not sure what to say for once, an apology wouldn't be even close to sufficient to try to make amends for the past. Apologizing was easy and mere words, he had to prove he wanted to continue to make amends. "So what do we do here then? I know the trust was never absolute back home, you were always guarded even when we were working in the middle of the night just the two of us alone."

He doesn't take his eyes off of Reeve's. "I don't begrudge you what you have here, out of everyone you're probably the only one from Shinra who deserves the chance to make your own life somewhere new."

"Here?" Reeve asked, tilting his head. "Here I live up to the promises I gave to Tseng and Veld, to give you a chance. To help you. And to make sure you stay safe so if one of your Turks shows up, they don't feel the need to kick my ass when I don't have sufficient materia to defend myself."

HE only has the two. And he might give one to Rufus for his own sake. But that's for later. But when Rufus suggests that Reeve deserved to make his life new somewhere else, he has to laugh, sharp and bitter.

"I let your father kill the world with my stupid research and designs. I don't deserve a life somewhere new. I have too many sins to account for."

"Don't we all? Some more than others."

Rufus stifles a laugh at the mention of Veld and Tseng. He's sure that Veld would be more than happy to let Rufus fend for himself for the most part to just see what he does and teach him a lesson about survival. Veld had tossed him into the deep end to figure things out for himself more than once when he was younger, sometimes literally. Tseng is at least fond of Reeve so he had that going for him.

"I'll make sure to tell them that any trouble I get into is entirely my fault. I know Tseng would understand and won't blame you." Because trouble would inevidentaly follow Rufus, whether by his own doing or not.

Tseng. Reeve can't help the briefly wistful look on his face. Yes, he missed the man, quite a bit. But didn't think he much cared to stay something about it.

"Well, it is what it is I suppose," Reeve said, rising to his feet and heading for the door. "Alright then. Come along, we're going to start with food. You deserve to know where it's easiest to eat."

Rufus carefully stands, steadying himself on the table for just a moment before following Reeve. Dark Nation runs ahead, pushing past Reeve a little to head out of the door first.

"That would be nice, I'm starving." He's going to miss Rude's cooking or the greasy take-out dinners Reno snuck in under Tseng's nose that were from some shady place but were always delicious. On the bright side, it probably won't be as bad as the 'healthy' diet Tseng had him on to improve his health.

Dark Nation stays just ahead of them, alert as watches where Reeve goes.

Oh there was no chance it would be as healthy as Tseng would micromanage it to be. But he offered his arm to Rufus, for a moment. He didn't know if the man would accept it or not.

"I know it might be a blow to your pride, but I hope you will let me help you."

Rufus looks at the arm Reeve offers for a moment, hesitating. He hates leaning on others, especially literally but after a moment he accepts the help and takes Reeve's arm.

"Only because it's you, Reeve." It wasn't easy to allow someone to see him this vulnerable but he decides that he can trust Reeve not to use it as a weapon against him.

"I'm well aware," Reeve answered, starting forward. "And I know that you wouldn't think to use this against me."

A double statement after all. Use it against me and I'll use what I know against you. Their friendship, in some ways, was based in what they knew of each other, and how they could work together to achieve things.

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