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tampered2007-06-04 07:04 pm
visageofsilence.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-06-04 07:04 pm
[ COMPLETE ] Tseng and Jr. - Deals
When; After this
Rating; G
Characters; Tseng [![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
visageofsilence] & Jr. [red_dragon_666]
Summary; Jr. has something to talk about with Tseng. Tseng wants to talk to him too. They talk. And fantasize about Elena. Or they wish.
Log;
The prospect of explaining things to anyone usually made him a bit nervous, but a close colleague of Elena's? Rubedo really wasn't sure what to make of it. He understood that he shouldn't have anything to fear. His relationship with Elena was solid, and Tseng was a reasonable, nice man.
But, fear was rarely logical, so he couldn't simply shake it with those thoughts. Instead, the best he could do was distract himself with other thoughts as he walked to their designated meeting place.
Spotting Tseng standing just outside of the cafe, Rubedo found himself grinning at how official he looked. He remembered Elena telling him that even without their homeworld, Turks were still Turks. Tseng seemed to be the epitome of that.
Resting his hand on his hip, Rubedo stepped up behind the man. "You know, you look like you're meeting me for business. You aren't hiding a file folder under that suit, are you?"
Tseng had arrived not too long after their decided time, and sure enough, he was dressed and ready, all properly attired as though he was heading a new meeting. But it wasn't anything official of that degree, not that Tseng could compare it to it, but... from what he could feel, it was probably going to be something more personal. It wasn't as though that one curse day hadn't given him enough questions to wonder about.
He was about to glance at the time, when he tensed-- he'd always been an incredibly alert person, so the approach wasn't missed. However, to know if they were enemy or foe would require the presence of another sound, a sound of weaponry being drawn or similar-- subtle things that one picked up when dealing with trained killers and the like. It never came, and Tseng remained still as he slowly turned around facing the boy eye to eye, and managed to give him a polite smile.
"Would it help go over points easier, if I did?" he smirked though, and motioned him over to a table.
That made him laugh a little, and he moved to follow after Tseng. As much as he liked the guy, Rubedo was still on edge around him. It was only natural, after all, considering how Elena...
...Well...
With a shrug of his shoulders, the boy pulled out a chair to drop into it, tucking one leg beneath him in a meager attempt to assist his height a bit. At the very least, though, he recognized the waitress today, and flagged her down as she walked by. "Miss! Chocolate shake, please, with rainbow sprinkles and pieces of Oreo mixed in!"
Seeming idiotically excited over the prospect of his drink, he looked over to Tseng, expecting him to order something as well. Even the tall, dark, and quiet types got thirsty, right?
He seated himself opposite Jr. and when the waitress approached him, he merely stated, "One coffee, with a shot of mocha and blended cream." he had to be careful not to say 'carob' nuts here, even though they were chocolatey in taste and used for many of their caffeinated beverages, he didn't think he wanted to be teased about having the same thing as chocobos.
And then, his gaze wandered to Jr. and he went quiet. For a while, there were just some things he wished he didn't have to discuss, but they were of importance to him, and he just wanted to make sure his subordinate knew what she was doing. Then, he shook his head and set his wrist on the table.
"You had something to talk about?" he asked, as he looked right at Jr. The look he had also pretty much said he was going to ask questions if he didn't start.
Coffee? Even when flavored, Rubedo couldn't stand that stuff. It always just left a bad taste in his mouth. Gaignun, on the other hand...
"Yeah, I guess." Honestly, he didn't have a clue where to start, but he wasn't going to just admit that out loud. Instead he snagged the salt shaker and pulled it over, spinning it carefully so that didn't tip over.
He wanted to ask about Tseng's history with Elena, honestly, but just blatantly poking around in their past definitely would have been rude...so he at least could try to practice some tact. And besides, he was sure he'd need to explain some things to Tseng before the man would be willing to offer any information of his own.
"So I s'pose you pretty much get that Elena and I are dating..." He glanced back up from the salt shaker. "I was staying quiet because I didn't wanna make her uncomfortable, but you know by now that I'm not actually a kid, right?"
"That's the part that's a bit unclear to me, if you will forgive my forwardness Jr." he continued, falling easily into the conversation. He never usually wasted time when he spoke, and since he meant business, it was obvious he wanted to get to the bottom of things as soon as possible.
"I mean... it's more than alright with me that you are. I'm happy for the both of you. However.." he motioned to Jr. "If you would explain... your current state, perhaps I might not be questioning it too much. Though I know Elena wouldn't... well." how awkward did that sound now?
Tseng's awkward attempt to not offend was duly noted, and quite hilarious from the grin Rubedo was offering him as their drinks were set down. "Wouldn't what? Rob the cradle?"
He thanked the waitress and watched her walk off before he leaned pulled his shake over to stir the straw around, seeming to sober up quite a bit at the idea of explaining himself to Tseng. He always hated to go over this, especially to those who weren't from his world. That made explaining certain things even more difficult.
"Well, I'd give you the really really short version, but...I got a feeling that's not what you wanna hear?" Rubedo took a sip of the shake, and he looked excessively pleased at the flavor, licking his lips clean before he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms up in the air before crossing them behind his head.
"I'll just start off by saying there is...or was...is...ugh, whatever." Sometimes he even confused himself. "There's this thing called U-DO in my world. It communicated via the UMN, which is like...it was sort of like how the Network is here, only more advanced. It was an entity that was believed to want to destroy the universe, and my dad supposedly wanted to combat that."
Of course, Dmitri Yuriev's true goal hadn't been anything like that, but that was a whole different story. "So he created a combat force, sort of, and called them the U-DO Retro Virus, or URTVs for short. Six hundred and sixty-nine were created and experimented on, and the last four were forced into extra mutation. Like biological weapons who have a mom and dad? Not that we ever met her. You following me so far? How's your coffee?"
He listened to Jr. talk, his eyebrow raising as he began to gather facts from what the boy was saying. As he continued on, he took a sip of his coffee, nodding at the more important parts, and then he tilted his head when he mentioned the talk about the viruses. Briefly reminded of Geostigma, he went quiet for a bit, though when Jr. asked if he was following, he blinked and nodded, staring down at his coffee cup, before slowly putting it back down on the table.
"Following. This sounds strangely similar." he told him, with a small smile.
Then he nodded to him. "Don't worry. I just wish to have an idea. If there are details you feel are unnecessary, you needn't include them." Tseng's not so indirect way of saying to get to the point, of course.
Rubedo sighed, lips curving into a bit of a smile as he winked and tipped his head. "Hold your horses, man. Believe me when I say I'm not even giving you a fraction of the full story. But it won't make sense if Ieave everything out."
Leaning back more in his chair, he pushed it until it tipped and he could prop his feet up on the table's edge, letting his head fall back so he could stare up at the ceiling.
"See, I was one of the four Variants. The leader, even, of the rest of the URTVs." Unlocking his arms, he held out his right hand to show his palm with the unit number 666 tattoo. "But my dad led us astray. We were just tools for something different. Me and my brothers, Nigredo and Albedo, were about twelve when we were sent to Miltia to do our thing. I got a vision, though. My power would have resonated with U-DO in all the wrong ways, and...the effects would have resulted in the entire planet of Miltia getting compeltely blown. So I cut the link."
It was hard to talk about, but he was good enough at sounding casual about it by now. It had been sixteen years, after all. "As a result, U-DO infected the rest of the URTVs on the spot, either killing them or driving them crazy." And of course, the Song of Nephilim hadn't made that any easier...
"My brother Nigredo and I were classified as the only URTV survivors from the Miltian Conflict, and we decided to use our dad's money and other resources on hand to start a...project of sorts, that turned into the Kukai Foundation. We took on new names, created a false history... He was Gaignun Kukai from then on, and I, well... I guess I just kinda stopped growing. I know it's linked to me not wanting to use my Red Dragon Mode, but I can't seem to consciously control it. So we just put me down as his son, Gaignun Kukai, Jr. See? Simple, right?"
That was something Tseng had not expected. Once Jr. had done speaking, his eyes widened a little and as he registered everything, giving the redhead a rather surprised look. So... this form was... well.
Briefly reminded of the creation of the SOLDIER program, of Sephiroth and the remnants, he only nodded, linking them together and figuring out what might have gone on where. "I see. So basically..." Tseng stirred the coffee a little, looking down at it, then setting the spoon to a side, lifted it again, "You're a mature mind, in an underdeveloped, or, rather, a restricted form. I believe we've had something like that in our world, with an underground group called the Deepground." That, was something he didn't ever want to go into, and he sighed, setting his cup back down.
"Well, at least I know Elena's in reasonably good hands." he smirked, but then he looked at Jr. closely again. Then, after a moment of silence, he spoke, a little more softly. "Jr. You... told me about her death, which you partly blamed yourself for. I know she wouldn't want that, yet..." he sighed, then shrugged. "Is there anything you feel you need to ask me, however?" he might as well, before he questioned anything further.
Reasonably good hands? He wanted to scoff at that, but kept his cool. They had more important things to talk about, after all. "Yeah, there is."
Pulling his boots off of the table, he let the chair drop back forward so he could prop his elbows up on the counter, giving Tseng a wary look. "I trust Elena. I always have and I always will. She means more to me than I can ever explain... We started dating back in February, but then I got pulled back to my world for two years."
Part of him was embarrassed to talk like this, especially in a public place, but at least he was smart enough to keep his voice low, but his gaze was steady and his voice stern. "In those two years, I've had more time than she has to think about her...and to think about us. I don't want anyone else, and even is she's feeling unsure about things...I need to know what your plans are. Because my plans are to return Elena's life to her and bring her back to my world."
The mention about trusting Elena made him a little uncomfortable inside. While he did harbor feelings for her, he wasn't going to demand it of her. First a foremost, he was her superior, and that role wouldn't exactly leave him. Not unless he quit as the Leader of the Turks, which he didn't plan to do.
So Jr.'s words were taken with a pinch of salt. However, the more he spoke, the more Tseng's thoughts were confirmed... he really did care for Elena, didn't he? It was almost heartwarming, and he nodded quietly once he was done, though the last part conflicted with what he had originally planned.
Setting his cup aside, he moved both hands on the table, touching his fingers together and then gave Jr. a calm look. After a soft breath, he began to speak.
"I don't think I've ever needed to say this to anyone, but.. Elena is important to me, Jr. I'm not sure how that can be compared to someone who obviously values her as well. To us, our care is greater, but I would rather not compare." he hadn't ever spoken on such a personal matter before, but... if anyone had to know, it would be Jr. After what he had learned.
He sighed. "She is as important to Rude, Reno and myself. We're a team. Without her, it's..." he shook his head. "I don't want to sound like I wish to keep her there just for that. She's her own woman, and she has every right to her life." now he looked up directly at Jr. "The point, however, is that she's dead. And our plans are only to bring her back." he leaned back. "We're ready to do this... but tell me, Jr." he focused now. "How much are you willing to give up to bring her back?"
Rubedo clenched his teeth when he heard Tseng speak of Elena's importance to him. His suspicions were correct...but what did that mean? So far...it meant nothing that was bad. Only good. Elena had a team of people who wanted her to live and to be happy, and Rubedo would do everything he could to protect people like that.
Milkshake long forgotten, Rubedo folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes. "I've had to watch Elena die twice already... She gave up her life to save mine. And then, when the City granted her life again, she and I had to take it away to save her from an even worse fate..."
Nails digging into his jacket sleeves, his deep blue gaze centered back on the table for a moment before drifting back up to the Turk. "No matter who she lives with...and no matter where she ends up, what I want above all is for her to live. I won't throw my life away, because I have important things to do, so until that's done, I gotta stay alive. And she...she'd never forgive me for dying here again. But I'd do anything else, just to give her back her heartbeat and a chance to escape here."
"No one's asking you to die. That would destroy the point of bringing her back and being happy." Tseng replied quite clearly. His voice showed no room for hesitation, and he touched his fingers to the table' surface, drumming them once, before sighing. "What I am about to say next, I would like to keep between us. Please Jr." He didn't want to have this stop beforehand, but after what he'd just heard, Jr. was the only person he believed deserved this knowledge.
"Reno has already agreed. Rude will as well. I am more than willing." he looked back at Jr. then. "We are all agreeing to take off a certain amount of years off our lives and contact the deities. It doesn't mater how long we live. As Rude would say... heh. We don't join the Turks expecting to live past thirty." he shook his head. "The point is, we're going to give her these years. Perhaps fight fate and destiny. But we're going to do this for her."
He looked at Jr. then, expression calm. "This way, she can leave and we can find a way to restore her to her rightful lifespan, as well as ours. I don't think I need to repeat the fact that she mustn't know about this." and then, Tseng smiled. He never usually smiled this way, and it was almost peaceful and sad as he touched the edge of the cup again. "She's important, to us, Jr." he repeated. "We can't do this alone. But I do not want to put this forward to those who would not value her in the same manner. That is why.. you're being told at all."
He raised his gaze. "You love her, don't you?"
The idea caught him completely off guard, and it made him drop his arms and abruptly stand up, the legs of his chair squeaking against the floor. He managed to keep from shouting in surprise, though, and instead clamped his lips together and just stared at Tseng incredulously. It was such a...simple idea...
Why the hell did I never think of that?! If this works, then it could work for Sakura! All those damn books, and the answer was so simple...
Honestly, Rubedo didn't know how many more years he would live. He knew that he walked a dangerous path back home, but so did everyone else he knew, and at the very least, age wasn't something that would kill him anytime soon.
Settling back down, but remaining standing, Rubedo nodded and held out his hand. "Damn right I do. You're on. I'll do it."
Jr.'s action took him by surprise and he stared at him, blinking in wonder, before the enthusiasm actually made him quirk an eyebrow in amusement. He hadn't quite expected to see someone as enthusiastic about giving up a part of their life, but of course, it wasn't killing anyone yet. Or entirely, rather.
Ignoring the people looking their way, he looked confusedly at the offered hand, before standing up slowly, and then extending his, unable to control a small smirk from appearing on his lips.
"This almost makes it feel as though I used your feelings as leverage for you to say yes, Jr. I assure you that isn't the case." he spoke with a hint of humor, before letting his hand go. Then, he fell serious for a bit. "We don't want to combine too few people together. And not use too many." he looked at him. "Whatever happens, Elena must not know until we've accomplished this."
Rubedo scowled a bit after shaking Tseng's hand. "I'm not stupid enough to let anyone manipulate me ever again." His father had already conned him enough. He never would have agreed so quickly to this if he thought Tseng had been manipulating him.
Stepping back, he hooked his foot around the leg of his chair to jerk it closer once more so that he could sit, picking up his milk shake to have another drink, looking for all the world like they were just talking about throwing a surprise party. "Yeah yeah, I get it. Trust me, I can keep a secret. Just so long as she finds out after...? I can't expect to trust her if she can't trust me."
This probably meant they would have to make a deal with the Deities, didn't it? He hated those bastards, too...but this was a lot better than just giving up his life. A certain amount of years...he could do that. And he'd do it for Sakura, too, if this worked.
"Of course." Tseng replied, sitting back down, and lifting his coffee cup. He sighed, then finishing it off, he set it back again. "I understand how you feel for her. And I wish you both all the best." A part of him wasn't happy with those words though. Was he really happy with that? He didn't know, but he didn't want to draw this out.
Folding his arms, he sighed, looking down thoughtfully. "It will be up to her to choose whether she will go with you, or return to us." raising his gaze, he looked at Jr. again. "But more than that, I want more than anything to be assured that if she goes with you..." his voice trailed off a little. Why was this getting so hard to say? "I want you to always keep her happy." With that, he stood up, believing the conversation to be at a proper enough point to end. "I'm sorry for the abrupt end, but... I have another problem to deal with right now concerning our President."
He was suddenly feeling very awkward, and paid for Jr. and himself, looking down at him. "Thank you. If there's anything else... I'll be around."
His appetite for the heavenly chocolate shake had seriously dwindled due to this conversation, so he pushed it aside once he was half through with it. Nodding, Rubedo stood up and pushed his hands into his jacket pockets. "...Yeah. Sure thing."
He didn't need to be told twice about making Elena happy. That was part of what was so hard about this... What if she chose go to back to her world with the Turks? She had told him before that she would only be leaving behind an empty apartment...but maybe she hadn't meant that.
I just...like you beside me, is all, he had said to her.
The feeling's quite mutual, you know, was her response.
That was good enough for him, so it was with a shaky breath and a grin that he reached up and patted Tseng on the shoulder in passing. "You're a good guy. I'll see you around."
No, I'm not really, but if wanting her happiness makes me one.. Tseng looked rather amused at being called a good guy, and moved his hands to his sides, beginning to walk ahead as well. Perhaps there were strange things that were meant to happen, and they were meant to make strange choices. But one thing that he knew would always remain the same for him that was worth more to him than any relationship between lovers was just one thing.
They were The Turks. They looked out for each other even when they could kill each other. They were family and enemies and everything all in one.
And perhaps, that thought alone, was what was making this easy to bear.
I'm getting sentimental. he thought to himself, as he walked behind Jr. and headed on. Time for a job, but for now... it was a place he believed, for her sake, he was a little happy she had been able to find.
And that's what made it worth being here at all.
Rating; G
Characters; Tseng [
visageofsilence] & Jr. [red_dragon_666]Summary; Jr. has something to talk about with Tseng. Tseng wants to talk to him too. They talk. And fantasize about Elena. Or they wish.
Log;
The prospect of explaining things to anyone usually made him a bit nervous, but a close colleague of Elena's? Rubedo really wasn't sure what to make of it. He understood that he shouldn't have anything to fear. His relationship with Elena was solid, and Tseng was a reasonable, nice man.
But, fear was rarely logical, so he couldn't simply shake it with those thoughts. Instead, the best he could do was distract himself with other thoughts as he walked to their designated meeting place.
Spotting Tseng standing just outside of the cafe, Rubedo found himself grinning at how official he looked. He remembered Elena telling him that even without their homeworld, Turks were still Turks. Tseng seemed to be the epitome of that.
Resting his hand on his hip, Rubedo stepped up behind the man. "You know, you look like you're meeting me for business. You aren't hiding a file folder under that suit, are you?"
Tseng had arrived not too long after their decided time, and sure enough, he was dressed and ready, all properly attired as though he was heading a new meeting. But it wasn't anything official of that degree, not that Tseng could compare it to it, but... from what he could feel, it was probably going to be something more personal. It wasn't as though that one curse day hadn't given him enough questions to wonder about.
He was about to glance at the time, when he tensed-- he'd always been an incredibly alert person, so the approach wasn't missed. However, to know if they were enemy or foe would require the presence of another sound, a sound of weaponry being drawn or similar-- subtle things that one picked up when dealing with trained killers and the like. It never came, and Tseng remained still as he slowly turned around facing the boy eye to eye, and managed to give him a polite smile.
"Would it help go over points easier, if I did?" he smirked though, and motioned him over to a table.
That made him laugh a little, and he moved to follow after Tseng. As much as he liked the guy, Rubedo was still on edge around him. It was only natural, after all, considering how Elena...
...Well...
With a shrug of his shoulders, the boy pulled out a chair to drop into it, tucking one leg beneath him in a meager attempt to assist his height a bit. At the very least, though, he recognized the waitress today, and flagged her down as she walked by. "Miss! Chocolate shake, please, with rainbow sprinkles and pieces of Oreo mixed in!"
Seeming idiotically excited over the prospect of his drink, he looked over to Tseng, expecting him to order something as well. Even the tall, dark, and quiet types got thirsty, right?
He seated himself opposite Jr. and when the waitress approached him, he merely stated, "One coffee, with a shot of mocha and blended cream." he had to be careful not to say 'carob' nuts here, even though they were chocolatey in taste and used for many of their caffeinated beverages, he didn't think he wanted to be teased about having the same thing as chocobos.
And then, his gaze wandered to Jr. and he went quiet. For a while, there were just some things he wished he didn't have to discuss, but they were of importance to him, and he just wanted to make sure his subordinate knew what she was doing. Then, he shook his head and set his wrist on the table.
"You had something to talk about?" he asked, as he looked right at Jr. The look he had also pretty much said he was going to ask questions if he didn't start.
Coffee? Even when flavored, Rubedo couldn't stand that stuff. It always just left a bad taste in his mouth. Gaignun, on the other hand...
"Yeah, I guess." Honestly, he didn't have a clue where to start, but he wasn't going to just admit that out loud. Instead he snagged the salt shaker and pulled it over, spinning it carefully so that didn't tip over.
He wanted to ask about Tseng's history with Elena, honestly, but just blatantly poking around in their past definitely would have been rude...so he at least could try to practice some tact. And besides, he was sure he'd need to explain some things to Tseng before the man would be willing to offer any information of his own.
"So I s'pose you pretty much get that Elena and I are dating..." He glanced back up from the salt shaker. "I was staying quiet because I didn't wanna make her uncomfortable, but you know by now that I'm not actually a kid, right?"
"That's the part that's a bit unclear to me, if you will forgive my forwardness Jr." he continued, falling easily into the conversation. He never usually wasted time when he spoke, and since he meant business, it was obvious he wanted to get to the bottom of things as soon as possible.
"I mean... it's more than alright with me that you are. I'm happy for the both of you. However.." he motioned to Jr. "If you would explain... your current state, perhaps I might not be questioning it too much. Though I know Elena wouldn't... well." how awkward did that sound now?
Tseng's awkward attempt to not offend was duly noted, and quite hilarious from the grin Rubedo was offering him as their drinks were set down. "Wouldn't what? Rob the cradle?"
He thanked the waitress and watched her walk off before he leaned pulled his shake over to stir the straw around, seeming to sober up quite a bit at the idea of explaining himself to Tseng. He always hated to go over this, especially to those who weren't from his world. That made explaining certain things even more difficult.
"Well, I'd give you the really really short version, but...I got a feeling that's not what you wanna hear?" Rubedo took a sip of the shake, and he looked excessively pleased at the flavor, licking his lips clean before he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms up in the air before crossing them behind his head.
"I'll just start off by saying there is...or was...is...ugh, whatever." Sometimes he even confused himself. "There's this thing called U-DO in my world. It communicated via the UMN, which is like...it was sort of like how the Network is here, only more advanced. It was an entity that was believed to want to destroy the universe, and my dad supposedly wanted to combat that."
Of course, Dmitri Yuriev's true goal hadn't been anything like that, but that was a whole different story. "So he created a combat force, sort of, and called them the U-DO Retro Virus, or URTVs for short. Six hundred and sixty-nine were created and experimented on, and the last four were forced into extra mutation. Like biological weapons who have a mom and dad? Not that we ever met her. You following me so far? How's your coffee?"
He listened to Jr. talk, his eyebrow raising as he began to gather facts from what the boy was saying. As he continued on, he took a sip of his coffee, nodding at the more important parts, and then he tilted his head when he mentioned the talk about the viruses. Briefly reminded of Geostigma, he went quiet for a bit, though when Jr. asked if he was following, he blinked and nodded, staring down at his coffee cup, before slowly putting it back down on the table.
"Following. This sounds strangely similar." he told him, with a small smile.
Then he nodded to him. "Don't worry. I just wish to have an idea. If there are details you feel are unnecessary, you needn't include them." Tseng's not so indirect way of saying to get to the point, of course.
Rubedo sighed, lips curving into a bit of a smile as he winked and tipped his head. "Hold your horses, man. Believe me when I say I'm not even giving you a fraction of the full story. But it won't make sense if Ieave everything out."
Leaning back more in his chair, he pushed it until it tipped and he could prop his feet up on the table's edge, letting his head fall back so he could stare up at the ceiling.
"See, I was one of the four Variants. The leader, even, of the rest of the URTVs." Unlocking his arms, he held out his right hand to show his palm with the unit number 666 tattoo. "But my dad led us astray. We were just tools for something different. Me and my brothers, Nigredo and Albedo, were about twelve when we were sent to Miltia to do our thing. I got a vision, though. My power would have resonated with U-DO in all the wrong ways, and...the effects would have resulted in the entire planet of Miltia getting compeltely blown. So I cut the link."
It was hard to talk about, but he was good enough at sounding casual about it by now. It had been sixteen years, after all. "As a result, U-DO infected the rest of the URTVs on the spot, either killing them or driving them crazy." And of course, the Song of Nephilim hadn't made that any easier...
"My brother Nigredo and I were classified as the only URTV survivors from the Miltian Conflict, and we decided to use our dad's money and other resources on hand to start a...project of sorts, that turned into the Kukai Foundation. We took on new names, created a false history... He was Gaignun Kukai from then on, and I, well... I guess I just kinda stopped growing. I know it's linked to me not wanting to use my Red Dragon Mode, but I can't seem to consciously control it. So we just put me down as his son, Gaignun Kukai, Jr. See? Simple, right?"
That was something Tseng had not expected. Once Jr. had done speaking, his eyes widened a little and as he registered everything, giving the redhead a rather surprised look. So... this form was... well.
Briefly reminded of the creation of the SOLDIER program, of Sephiroth and the remnants, he only nodded, linking them together and figuring out what might have gone on where. "I see. So basically..." Tseng stirred the coffee a little, looking down at it, then setting the spoon to a side, lifted it again, "You're a mature mind, in an underdeveloped, or, rather, a restricted form. I believe we've had something like that in our world, with an underground group called the Deepground." That, was something he didn't ever want to go into, and he sighed, setting his cup back down.
"Well, at least I know Elena's in reasonably good hands." he smirked, but then he looked at Jr. closely again. Then, after a moment of silence, he spoke, a little more softly. "Jr. You... told me about her death, which you partly blamed yourself for. I know she wouldn't want that, yet..." he sighed, then shrugged. "Is there anything you feel you need to ask me, however?" he might as well, before he questioned anything further.
Reasonably good hands? He wanted to scoff at that, but kept his cool. They had more important things to talk about, after all. "Yeah, there is."
Pulling his boots off of the table, he let the chair drop back forward so he could prop his elbows up on the counter, giving Tseng a wary look. "I trust Elena. I always have and I always will. She means more to me than I can ever explain... We started dating back in February, but then I got pulled back to my world for two years."
Part of him was embarrassed to talk like this, especially in a public place, but at least he was smart enough to keep his voice low, but his gaze was steady and his voice stern. "In those two years, I've had more time than she has to think about her...and to think about us. I don't want anyone else, and even is she's feeling unsure about things...I need to know what your plans are. Because my plans are to return Elena's life to her and bring her back to my world."
The mention about trusting Elena made him a little uncomfortable inside. While he did harbor feelings for her, he wasn't going to demand it of her. First a foremost, he was her superior, and that role wouldn't exactly leave him. Not unless he quit as the Leader of the Turks, which he didn't plan to do.
So Jr.'s words were taken with a pinch of salt. However, the more he spoke, the more Tseng's thoughts were confirmed... he really did care for Elena, didn't he? It was almost heartwarming, and he nodded quietly once he was done, though the last part conflicted with what he had originally planned.
Setting his cup aside, he moved both hands on the table, touching his fingers together and then gave Jr. a calm look. After a soft breath, he began to speak.
"I don't think I've ever needed to say this to anyone, but.. Elena is important to me, Jr. I'm not sure how that can be compared to someone who obviously values her as well. To us, our care is greater, but I would rather not compare." he hadn't ever spoken on such a personal matter before, but... if anyone had to know, it would be Jr. After what he had learned.
He sighed. "She is as important to Rude, Reno and myself. We're a team. Without her, it's..." he shook his head. "I don't want to sound like I wish to keep her there just for that. She's her own woman, and she has every right to her life." now he looked up directly at Jr. "The point, however, is that she's dead. And our plans are only to bring her back." he leaned back. "We're ready to do this... but tell me, Jr." he focused now. "How much are you willing to give up to bring her back?"
Rubedo clenched his teeth when he heard Tseng speak of Elena's importance to him. His suspicions were correct...but what did that mean? So far...it meant nothing that was bad. Only good. Elena had a team of people who wanted her to live and to be happy, and Rubedo would do everything he could to protect people like that.
Milkshake long forgotten, Rubedo folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes. "I've had to watch Elena die twice already... She gave up her life to save mine. And then, when the City granted her life again, she and I had to take it away to save her from an even worse fate..."
Nails digging into his jacket sleeves, his deep blue gaze centered back on the table for a moment before drifting back up to the Turk. "No matter who she lives with...and no matter where she ends up, what I want above all is for her to live. I won't throw my life away, because I have important things to do, so until that's done, I gotta stay alive. And she...she'd never forgive me for dying here again. But I'd do anything else, just to give her back her heartbeat and a chance to escape here."
"No one's asking you to die. That would destroy the point of bringing her back and being happy." Tseng replied quite clearly. His voice showed no room for hesitation, and he touched his fingers to the table' surface, drumming them once, before sighing. "What I am about to say next, I would like to keep between us. Please Jr." He didn't want to have this stop beforehand, but after what he'd just heard, Jr. was the only person he believed deserved this knowledge.
"Reno has already agreed. Rude will as well. I am more than willing." he looked back at Jr. then. "We are all agreeing to take off a certain amount of years off our lives and contact the deities. It doesn't mater how long we live. As Rude would say... heh. We don't join the Turks expecting to live past thirty." he shook his head. "The point is, we're going to give her these years. Perhaps fight fate and destiny. But we're going to do this for her."
He looked at Jr. then, expression calm. "This way, she can leave and we can find a way to restore her to her rightful lifespan, as well as ours. I don't think I need to repeat the fact that she mustn't know about this." and then, Tseng smiled. He never usually smiled this way, and it was almost peaceful and sad as he touched the edge of the cup again. "She's important, to us, Jr." he repeated. "We can't do this alone. But I do not want to put this forward to those who would not value her in the same manner. That is why.. you're being told at all."
He raised his gaze. "You love her, don't you?"
The idea caught him completely off guard, and it made him drop his arms and abruptly stand up, the legs of his chair squeaking against the floor. He managed to keep from shouting in surprise, though, and instead clamped his lips together and just stared at Tseng incredulously. It was such a...simple idea...
Why the hell did I never think of that?! If this works, then it could work for Sakura! All those damn books, and the answer was so simple...
Honestly, Rubedo didn't know how many more years he would live. He knew that he walked a dangerous path back home, but so did everyone else he knew, and at the very least, age wasn't something that would kill him anytime soon.
Settling back down, but remaining standing, Rubedo nodded and held out his hand. "Damn right I do. You're on. I'll do it."
Jr.'s action took him by surprise and he stared at him, blinking in wonder, before the enthusiasm actually made him quirk an eyebrow in amusement. He hadn't quite expected to see someone as enthusiastic about giving up a part of their life, but of course, it wasn't killing anyone yet. Or entirely, rather.
Ignoring the people looking their way, he looked confusedly at the offered hand, before standing up slowly, and then extending his, unable to control a small smirk from appearing on his lips.
"This almost makes it feel as though I used your feelings as leverage for you to say yes, Jr. I assure you that isn't the case." he spoke with a hint of humor, before letting his hand go. Then, he fell serious for a bit. "We don't want to combine too few people together. And not use too many." he looked at him. "Whatever happens, Elena must not know until we've accomplished this."
Rubedo scowled a bit after shaking Tseng's hand. "I'm not stupid enough to let anyone manipulate me ever again." His father had already conned him enough. He never would have agreed so quickly to this if he thought Tseng had been manipulating him.
Stepping back, he hooked his foot around the leg of his chair to jerk it closer once more so that he could sit, picking up his milk shake to have another drink, looking for all the world like they were just talking about throwing a surprise party. "Yeah yeah, I get it. Trust me, I can keep a secret. Just so long as she finds out after...? I can't expect to trust her if she can't trust me."
This probably meant they would have to make a deal with the Deities, didn't it? He hated those bastards, too...but this was a lot better than just giving up his life. A certain amount of years...he could do that. And he'd do it for Sakura, too, if this worked.
"Of course." Tseng replied, sitting back down, and lifting his coffee cup. He sighed, then finishing it off, he set it back again. "I understand how you feel for her. And I wish you both all the best." A part of him wasn't happy with those words though. Was he really happy with that? He didn't know, but he didn't want to draw this out.
Folding his arms, he sighed, looking down thoughtfully. "It will be up to her to choose whether she will go with you, or return to us." raising his gaze, he looked at Jr. again. "But more than that, I want more than anything to be assured that if she goes with you..." his voice trailed off a little. Why was this getting so hard to say? "I want you to always keep her happy." With that, he stood up, believing the conversation to be at a proper enough point to end. "I'm sorry for the abrupt end, but... I have another problem to deal with right now concerning our President."
He was suddenly feeling very awkward, and paid for Jr. and himself, looking down at him. "Thank you. If there's anything else... I'll be around."
His appetite for the heavenly chocolate shake had seriously dwindled due to this conversation, so he pushed it aside once he was half through with it. Nodding, Rubedo stood up and pushed his hands into his jacket pockets. "...Yeah. Sure thing."
He didn't need to be told twice about making Elena happy. That was part of what was so hard about this... What if she chose go to back to her world with the Turks? She had told him before that she would only be leaving behind an empty apartment...but maybe she hadn't meant that.
I just...like you beside me, is all, he had said to her.
The feeling's quite mutual, you know, was her response.
That was good enough for him, so it was with a shaky breath and a grin that he reached up and patted Tseng on the shoulder in passing. "You're a good guy. I'll see you around."
No, I'm not really, but if wanting her happiness makes me one.. Tseng looked rather amused at being called a good guy, and moved his hands to his sides, beginning to walk ahead as well. Perhaps there were strange things that were meant to happen, and they were meant to make strange choices. But one thing that he knew would always remain the same for him that was worth more to him than any relationship between lovers was just one thing.
They were The Turks. They looked out for each other even when they could kill each other. They were family and enemies and everything all in one.
And perhaps, that thought alone, was what was making this easy to bear.
I'm getting sentimental. he thought to himself, as he walked behind Jr. and headed on. Time for a job, but for now... it was a place he believed, for her sake, he was a little happy she had been able to find.
And that's what made it worth being here at all.