[ The small smirk, the light taunt—the room tilts 45° into more playful tension. Short of Rufus drowning him in the bathtub, Tseng would not even have tried breaking from that grip. But just like Rufus can’t pinpoint the moment, he doesn’t know when he became more drawn to rather than simply enduring this. Penance for the years spent as his jailor? No, Tseng doesn’t operate under such beliefs, and if he did he’d need to start elsewhere.
With Dark Nation nudging between them, Tseng steps back, giving the space before he moves into place. His hand brushes over the door panel, turning out the lights and pausing for a moment, allowing the darkness to settle, locking the room before following. Tseng puts his hand on the elevator door just under Rufus’, so close and unnecessarily so when it’s already held open, as he steps into the cabin, that it might as well be teasing on his part.
The doors close with a soft, metallic hum, and as they get on the ascent, Tseng brings his hands together behind his back. Rufus’s fair features and the dark smears of blood catch in the harsh overhead lights. Beneath it Tseng can see another unmistakable detail of satisfaction on the other man’s face. He answers bluntly. ]
You know it’s never been an issue.
[ And if Rufus didn’t know what to look for, Tseng’s expression would still remain unchanged at that, tone just as even. But his gaze softens, his eyes dark with a mix of curiosity and challenge, for Rufus to see. ]
no subject
With Dark Nation nudging between them, Tseng steps back, giving the space before he moves into place. His hand brushes over the door panel, turning out the lights and pausing for a moment, allowing the darkness to settle, locking the room before following. Tseng puts his hand on the elevator door just under Rufus’, so close and unnecessarily so when it’s already held open, as he steps into the cabin, that it might as well be teasing on his part.
The doors close with a soft, metallic hum, and as they get on the ascent, Tseng brings his hands together behind his back. Rufus’s fair features and the dark smears of blood catch in the harsh overhead lights. Beneath it Tseng can see another unmistakable detail of satisfaction on the other man’s face. He answers bluntly. ]
You know it’s never been an issue.
[ And if Rufus didn’t know what to look for, Tseng’s expression would still remain unchanged at that, tone just as even. But his gaze softens, his eyes dark with a mix of curiosity and challenge, for Rufus to see. ]
...Unless you’re hoping to wear me out.