PERFECTLY FLAWED PART 2.
When Tseng finally stirred, he had forgotten where he was, he was warm, and comfortable, and without giving it any thought, he snuggled up to the warmth next to him, yawning, half awake. It was not until his subconscious told him that something was off, he opened his eyes, only to look straight into a mess of black hair and a pair of amused blue eyes.
”Gaia!” Tseng sucked in his breath, ”I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...”
Zack smiled with an annoying understanding, ”I don't mind.” He whispered, as not to embarrass Tseng more than he already had done himself, ”I just never took you for a snuggler, that's all.”
”I'm not!” Tseng argued hushed, but soon realised that it was futile to object, 'cause he had snuggled up against Zack, hadn't he? When Zack's smile just widened, Tseng squinted his eyes, his lips became a fine line, ”I trust you slept well, because we have a long day ahead of us.” Tseng stood up with as much dignity as he could muster. ”Rally your crew, Mr. Fair, and lets go,” he spat. Not really sure why he suddenly fumed with penned up anger, maybe it was that obnoxious smile of Zack's? Like he knew better, except he didn't!
Tseng walked outside the cave and waited with the same stoic calm he always portrayed.
-*-
Once in the first village they could find, Tseng had the pilot radio for evacuation, and then there was only the waiting left. Evac would be there sometime tonight, and until then, they were all stuck in this dump of a small farmers village at the foot of the mountains in Wutai.
The villagers were happy to have guests though, and they soon found themselves seated and being fed. Tseng was so hungry he didn't even notice that it was Zack who sat down next to him. ”Was it something I said?” Zack asked innocently, poking at his food on his plate aimlessly.
Tseng stopped chewing and just swallowed his food to answer the other. ”No,” he stated.
Zack took a deep breath, ”Forgive me, I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of the men, I just didn't realise you would react that... uhm... way.”
Tseng turned his head and looked at Zack, who in turn looked transfixed down unto the plate of food in front of him. ”I already told you, it was not something you said, or did. Now can you just let the matter rest?” he said, friendlier than he had intended.
”We're good then?” Zack asked, looking up at Tseng carefully.
”Yes. Now would you be silent and eat the food offered to you? Anything else would offend our hosts,” Tseng said with a snort before returning to his food. Why did this man, Zack Fair, rattle him so? He didn't quite understand it himself. Maybe it was because he found himself scanning the crowd to see where he was? Wishing he had a reason to say something to him that was not work related.
No, it was not like that, not at all!
Tseng finished his food in silence, wishing that this day would just end.
-*-
Weeks later, things seemed to have settled down into their normal routine again. And once more Tseng found himself falling asleep over his paperwork, only this time his dreams revolved around blue eyes and a cocky smile.
”Sir?”
”Tseng, Sir?”
Tseng opened his eyes, staring into a different pair of blue eyes, these were greener and more almond shaped. ”Reno.” Tseng groaned as he sat up straight in his chair and looked at the redhead. ”What do you need?”
”Now you mention it...” Reno said with a grin.
”Get to the point, Reno,” Tseng growled, annoyed that he had been awoken by the motor mouth himself.
Reno smiled and jumped up on the only free corner of Tseng's desk. Crossing his legs demurely. ”I wanted to ask if I could make a change in the shift schedule, sir.”
Tseng rose a brow, but otherwise he was completely calm.
”See, my weekend off duty is not due for three weeks, but Cissnei's is up tomorrow, and well... ” Reno said with a happy self satisfied smile, ”It so happens that she lost her weekend to me in a bet.”
”I know Reno, I was there,” Tseng said drily.
”Oh yeah, I remember now.” Reno giggled and shrugged, ”I won.”
”Good for you,” Tseng said, pulling the Turks schedule from his drawer. With a little inward sigh he noted that he had not had a weekend off in about a year, while the rest had had a weekend off each monthly rotation, give or take. Not that anyone seemed to be bothered by that, guess he just belonged in this office for everyone's sake. Tseng grabbed a pen and looked up at Reno. ”This weekend, you say?”
”Yes,” Reno said, watching as Tseng struck out Cissnei's name and wrote Reno under it. ”Uhm, Sir?” Reno asked uncharacteristic genuine gentle.
Tseng looked up at Reno with a fatherly smile, ”Yes, Reno?”
”You went on that mission with them... eh... I was wondering, do you think that Zack and Cloud might be... you know... an item?” Reno asked, biting a nail nervously, waiting for an answer.
Tseng had to keep himself from replying with something snarky. Instead he just placed the pen behind his ear, and opened the drawer to toss the schedule back. ”Can't say I noticed.”
”Didn't you... ” Reno started, but Tseng cut him off. ”I don't know Reno, I don't make it my business to know who is dating who.” He slammed the drawer shut with a loud angry slam. ”Besides, is that kid, Cloud, even legal?”
”Of course he is, sir.” Reno said meekly sliding off the desk.
Tseng looked at the young fire red haired man's back as he left. And as the door closed a smile spread on Tseng's lips. Seemed like everyone else had a life outside this building, except him. ”Good for you kiddo.” He mumbled to himself as he once more returned to his paperwork.
-*-
It was late in the evening, and the sun had set hours ago, Tseng leaned back in his chair, tossing the pen on the table. He looked at his clock, 22:45. His stomach answered with a loud growl. He needed food, for a moment he wondered if he should call for some, but then decided that the canteen would pretty much be empty by now, and he needed to get out of this office, just for a little while.
The halls were empty and his steps echoed on the walls as he made his way down to the ground level. To his surprise there was lively chatter and loads of people in the canteen as he opened the door. He almost turned around, when Cissnei saw him, ”Sir!” she yelled. Tseng straightened his jacket and walked straight over to the food line to get something to eat. Coming back with his tray of food, he sat down at the table with Rude and Cissnei, starting on his food in silence.
Rude popped the lit off his coffee, clearing his throat loudly to catch Cissnei's attention. Cissnei looked at Rude who nodded to his right. Both Tseng and Cissnei looked in the direction, seeing Zack sitting with some others, eating. Someone apparently alerted Zack that a table full of Turks was staring at him, and he suddenly looked up directly at them. Tseng quickly looked away, and concentrated on his food again, and Cissnei giggled, a sound that Tseng couldn't remember he had ever heard. ”He's coming over!” she whispered desperately to Rude, who just smiled.
Tseng didn't look up as he could see Zack out of the corner of his eye. Zack placed his empty tray on their table. ”Is everything alright?” he asked.
”Yes,” Cissnei said sweetly, and Tseng had to control himself from not kicking her under the table. ”Say Zack, now that you are here,” she said and then blushed demurely.
Rude stirred his coffee and with his deep voice he finished her sentence, ”She wants to know if you are free to join her for a drink later.”
Zack stuck his hand in his pockets and smiled at Cissnei, ”I'm sorry,” he said, ”But I already have a date tonight.”
Cissnei nodded slowly, ”Oh.”
”See you at midnight, Tseng,” Zack said merrily, picking up his tray again, and walked away from the table.
Tseng almost choked on his food. ”Wait what?” He looked at Cissnei and Rude who both just sat and stared at him with their mouths open. ”It's not like that... He just...” he mumbled, hearing himself ramble, knowing that no matter what he said they'd never believe him.
”You and Zack?” Rude whispered, shaking his head in disbelief.
”It's just a drink,” he heard himself say.
”Really?” Cissnei asked, leaning in over the table, resting her her head in her hands, staring intensely at Tseng. Gone was the humiliation of Zack's rejection, exchanged with curiosity.
Even Rude had taken off his sunglasses, staring at Tseng. ”I never picked you for a... ” he whispered.
Tseng stared at Rude with murder in his eyes. ”I'm not. It's just a drink.” Tseng stood up from his seat, leaving his tray on the table. He looked out over the people left in the canteen, and saw Zack standing at the far exit, talking to someone, he looked up at waved at Tseng.
Tseng could feel his cheeks burn as a small goofy smile spread on his face, but he refused to raise his hand and wave back. How he hated that he couldn't stay cool right now, and why had he even bought into Zack's lie? It was probably just something he had said to get rid of Cissnei. He grabbed his styrofoam cup of coffee with an annoyed expression, before he almost fled the canteen.
-*-
Tseng went back to his office and sat down with his coffee. He didn't want to, but he looked at the clock nonetheless. 23:20. He hated himself for even looking, it was not like Zack had meant what he had said, why would he? Then why was he sulking? He didn't know what was worse, to admit to himself that he secretly wished that Zack liked him a little, and had meant it, or, that Zack has used him as a lame excuse, humiliating him in front of the other Turks. Maybe he had just done that for a laugh? Yeah, that had to be it! Zack had noticed, and saw his moment to ridicule him. Noticed what exactly? Tseng thought to himself, it was not like he had acted the part of a blushing maiden. Or maybe he had? ”Dammit!” Tseng growled to himself, determined to push it out of his mind, he turned his chair and looked at all the papers on his desk. He still had the report of the helicopter crash to write up for Heidegger, maybe he should do that.
At precisely ten minutes past midnight he heard a knock on the door. ”Enter,” Tseng sighed tiredly.
”Tseng, sir?” Zack said softly stepping inside Tseng's office.
”Oh its you.” Tseng said with a controlled tone.
”Eh, were you expecting someone else here at midnight?” Zack asked, closing the door after him.
”No.” Tseng answered honestly, ”But I wasn't expecting you either.”
”But I said... ” Zack started.
”You can drop the act now, Mr. Fair.” Tseng said coldly. ”It served its purpose, and for what its worth, I'm glad you let Cissnei down gently, but if you please, I have some work I need to finish up before I can call it a night.” Tseng dismissed Zack with a wave of his hand towards the door.
Zack didn't leave, on the contrary, he walked over to the large window behind Tseng. ”Beautiful view,” he mumbled, and then his voice suddenly turned serious. ”I wasn't trying to let Cissnei down gently, I was trying to get you, alone.”
Tseng turned in his chair and looked at Zack who stood and watched the night sky. But he didn't say anything, he didn't know what to say.
”I brought this,” Zack said holding out a bottle of champaign towards Tseng, without taking his eyes off the city.
Tseng knew he should ask Zack to leave, but instead he leaned forward and took the bottle he was holding out, and placed it at his feet. Resolute, he poured his cold coffee out in the trash, and searched his desk for another old styrofoam cup he knew hid itself there. Armed with two old coffee cups from the canteen, he finally took the bottle again, and placed it between his knees, popping the cork with a loud pop. Tseng filled both cups and held one out to Zack. ”Here,” he said softly, smiling as Zack turned and took the cup, seating himself on the floor.
”What should we toast to?” Zack asked.
Tseng shrugged. ”Your upcoming promotion?”
Zack shook his head, ”Not now,” his smile grew secretive, ”Oh, I know. To courage.”
”Sure,” Tseng said, toasting with Zack. ”To courage.”
”It's funny really,” Zack said drumming his fingers nervously on his cup. ”I always thought you were some uptight suit with a gun and level A clearance.”
Tseng laughed softly, ”What makes you think I'm not?”
Zack looked directly at Tseng, ”That night in the cave in the Wutai mountains... You are human after all.”
”Last time I checked, yes,” Tseng said, his cheeks reddened again, how he hated that Zack made him blush this easily. He who was a part of Shinra's spine, brought to one syllable words and blushing by a over eager soldier.
”You gave Reno the night off, even if it meant more paperwork for you.” Zack said softly.
”He won the bet, the weekend was rightfully his.” Tseng said unphased. Seeing Zack's expression he took a gulp of his cup, ”Cissnei and Reno bet her off duty weekend that Cloud would decline Reno's invitation. She lost,” he stated.
”Are you kidding me?” Zack laughed merrily, ”Cloud has been rambling on about Reno for almost as long as I have known him.”
”Seems like it worked out for everyone then,” Tseng said, holding out his cup as Zack filled them again.
”Except you.”
Tseng frowned ”What do you want, Zack?” He placed the cup on the desk before crossing his arms over his chest. ”You are buttering up the wrong man, I am not in charge of your promotion to first class, you would have to take your bottle of champagne to Lazard.”
Zack's smile faltered, ”Do you really think that is why I am here?”
Tseng rose a perfect brow looking down at Zack. ”Everyone wants something. And I frankly find it very hard to believe that you came all the way up here to my office with a bottle of bubbly, just for my pleasant company.”
”I'm sorry then,” Zack sighed, with a slight pout. ”I guess I'll leave then.”
”Al right,” Tseng said strained. ”If you want to, I can assign you to General Sepiroth's next mission.”
”No thank you,” Zack mumbled, getting to his feet. Placing his cup on the corner of the desk.
”But I thought you wanted your promotion to first class,” Tseng said confused. ”And there is no better way than to have a first class recommend you to Lazard.”
”You are missing the point, Tseng.” Zack said, stopping at the door to the hall. Looking over his shoulder, ”I want a promotion that's true, but I came here because I wanted to have a drink with you. Not to sleep my way to a mission or two with some first class.”
”Wait!” Tseng yelled, slamming a hand down into his desk, the styrofoam cups jumped. ”Rewind please.”
Zack let go of the door handle and turned towards Tseng. ”I did my homework,” he said, ”I know you had a fling with Genesis.”
”You!... You!” Tseng fumed, ”Who the hell told you that?”
”Genesis.”
”Wh... wh...” Tseng couldn't form a word, he trembled with anger, fisting his hands.
”Relax, I asked him.” Zack said with a little vague smile, ”Cause I wanted to know if I was right.” Tseng relaxed a little but still just stood and stared at Zack. ”I wanted to know if you by any chance had felt it too, and it would be pretty stupid trying to seduce a straight man, wouldn't it?” Zack admitted, raking a nervous hand through his hair. ”Man, this is not how I had expected this to go at all.”
Tseng blinked rapidly, trying to take in the information.
”I'm sorry.” Zack sighed, pushing the door handle down, to open the door.
”Stop!” Tseng suddenly burst out, he slowly walked around his desk towards Zack, and stopped in front of the slightly taller man. ”You actually came here to seduce me?” he asked with an tiny voice, very un-Tseng like.
”Guess I did.” Zack said calmly, ”I thought the champagne was a dead give away though.”
Tseng knitted his eyebrows looking directly at Zack. ”And once you had me where you wanted me, then what?”
”Ehm, I have to admit I didn't think about that too much,” Zack said and for once it was his turn to blush like a girl.
In a split second Tseng decided to throw all cation to the wind, and placed a hand on each side of Zack's face, and for a moment stared at the other man, before he closed his eyes and placed a soft kiss on Zack's lips. When he let go of Zack, he noticed with a smile that the younger man just stood there baffled. ”We still have a bottle of champagne to kill,” Tseng said with a smirk.
”Screw that,” Zack said, reaching up to undo Tseng's tie.
-*-
For a second Tseng wondered how the hell he had gotten out of his clothes, and just how he had crossed the distance from the door to the giant panorama window. But nonetheless, he could feel the cool surface of the glass against his back as Zack pressed him against it with his own body weight. He silently thanked himself for choosing an office on 15'th floor. They had only made it to kissing and groping, but already Tseng's loose hair was sticking to his sweaty face, and when Zack lifted him up, it was not a second too late, Tseng wrapped his legs around Zack's waist, trusting the window would hold in its frame, and not give in, letting them hurl to their death far under them on the ground. Zack bent his knees to gain better access, using his hands to spread Tseng's buttocks. Tseng could do nothing but hold on to the other man, gasping with sweet abandon as he felt Zack slide in, inch by inch. A gentle slow move that had them both shaking with penned up frantic need.
On the ground under them stood Reno and Cloud, just back from their date. ”Look,” Reno said, pointing up towards the only window that had a light, ”Tseng's working late.” He turned to Cloud ”He better not catch me getting in this late either, or he will fucking sign me up for potato peeler duty or something.”
Cloud narrowed his eyes, tilting his head. ”Somehow I don't think you have to worry about him catching you.”
”What? Why?” Reno asked, beginning to walk towards the main entrance again.
”I don't think he's alone,” Cloud said, pointing up at the window. ”Seriously.”
Reno turned around and came back to Cloud and looked again, ”That's Tseng alright. I recognize the tattoo on his back, a black tiger. But... but...” Reno covered his mouth to smother his laughter. ”Oh... naughty, naughty.”
Cloud smiled to himself, pushing Reno playfully towards the main entrance, ”It's not polite to stare,” he grinned, ushering the redhead towards the doors.
-*-
Tseng and Zack were oblivious to the bystanders, lost in their own little world, Zack kissed Tseng's neck passionately, ”I can't... any more...” he panted. Wrapping his arms around Tseng and twirled them around, using one arm to clear the desk, sending heaps of papers, pencils, and the phone to the floor with a mechanical clang, the receiver beeping with a angry buzzy tone. He gently placed Tseng on the desk, staring down at the man as he lay there on his back, his eyes half closed in bliss, his chest rising and falling quickly. ”You are...” Zack whispered, as he leaned his upper body in over Tseng, pushing inside again, this time rougher and harder, causing Tseng to arch his back and moan out loudly. ”Divine,” Zack finished, before he bent down to kiss Tseng's collarbone.
Tseng wanted to touch Zack, but he had to hold on to the edge of the desk to keep him from being pushed over the side, from Zack's thrusts. Tseng had never thought himself a vocal lover, but as his orgasm hit, he could hear his own voice, out loud. And for a short moment he was afraid he would die if this white heat wouldn't stop burning him, but eventually it faded, and all he heard was his and Zack's panting. Zack leaned his forehead against Tseng's shoulder, resting his entire bodyweight on his chest. ”Oh shit,” Zack chuckled, ”Please tell me we can do that again sometime.”
”Any time,” Tseng panted with a stupid grin. ”Gaia! Any time...”
”Sorry 'bout your desk.” Zack mumbled.
”Sorry I was being a jerk.” Tseng whispered, ”I felt it too you know, in the cave.”
”I knew it!” Zack spurted out enthusiastically. He kissed his way to Tseng's lips lazily. ”So... can I by any chance buy you a drink again tomorrow?”
”Oh yes.”