Mask Or Menace - IC Contact

[looking_sharp]

[The sound of silence for a measure of five seconds. Then a beep.]

Comments

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus gratefully sank onto the bench, opening the bottle of water to take a drink to give himself a few moments without embarrassing himself breathing heavily.]

This is ridiculous.

[There was no amusement in his voice, his lips set into a thin line.]

[looking_sharp]

It takes a lot of work to get a body to good condition. It takes more to get it back there.

[Or so Rude was told. Once he'd gotten there he worked to keep it.]

[ambitiousblond]

I know. I've just spent too long like this.

[His breath finally evened out as he pulled himself together, looking up at Rude standing there.]

Just give me a few minutes and I'll be fine.

[looking_sharp]

[Rude reaches out and puts a hand on Rufus's shoulder, gaze weighty. For Reno it would be a reassuring gesture, an unspoken 'I'm here for you.' He had no clue if it would carry the same meaning to Rufus. After all, he doesn't know the President like the man apparently knows him.]

Small steps. Each day you get further. Go faster. Feel stronger. Some days you rest, let your muscles recover. But don't look back beyond yesterday. Yesterday is where you start from. Didn't jog at all then. Jogged some today. Tomorrow you look back at today and yesterday. See you came farther. Don't compare further back than that. Not for at least a month. Got it?

[A whole speech. A pep talk. As much as Rude ever gave.]

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus didn't flinch or pull away when Rude put a hand on his shoulder. He wasn't going to tell Rude that Rude had been one of the most patient ones when it came to helping him with the bandages on the bad days. Rude had always been quiet company when he had just needed someone in the same room as him without having to talk.

He knew that Rude wasn't just telling him this to make him feel better and he nodded, his expression serious.]

Thank you, Rude. I knew I could trust you with this.

[looking_sharp]

[Well, of course he could. Tseng was the big picture guy. Reno was the free spirit, as it were. Rude was the practical one. Earth to the water of Tseng, shaping the world around him. Stone to the electricity of Reno, dancing this way and that. Why he had fire he had no clue.

So he just nods. Good to know the words were taken seriously.]

We'll make a plan. Training schedule. Stick to it.

[ambitiousblond]

Alright. I want to do this again.

[He rolled his right foot in a circle to test if it felt sore. There was a twinge of something in his heel but it wasn't anything that hurt thankfully.]

Almost every day, if possible. Perhaps earlier in the morning before I have to start work for the day.

[looking_sharp]

I'll look for a local gym for us, in case there is heavy rain.

[Which isn't going to get Rufus out of workouts and running.]

When are you expected in to work?

[ambitiousblond]

It sounds like a plan.

[Rufus slipped his phone out of his pocket to check the time before setting it aside to take another drink of water.]

I have around an hour and a half. I usually am in the office around 10 but this morning got off to a late start.

[And it wasn't like anyone at his office was going to call him out whenever he decided to come in. He laid out his terms from the first day about what he expected.]

[looking_sharp]

[Ten? Rude has to normally be in by nine. They did promo videos in the mornings and apparently his cheeks were a perfect thing to show off for some of the products. Something about how the facial hair popped against his skin or something. He was also their only shaved headed rep, so... Fine.]

I get up at five. Can you be up and ready to run by seven?

[ambitiousblond]

That would be fine.

[He normally was up early in the morning, before Shinra fell but after his rescue from Kilmister, he had spent more time than he liked either sleeping or unable to do anything.

Now he had to get himself back on something resembling his normal schedule.]

We should start to head back. I'm fine now.

[looking_sharp]

We can do earlier if you prefer.

[Because he'll work with what the man needs. For now, though he moves back enough to allow Rufus no issues in standing.]

I'm expecting you to jog the last third back.

[ambitiousblond]

Let's do six then. It will allow me to get some work done before going to the office after our run.

[It would be nice to have a schedule that didn't involve sleeping a lot of the day away.]

I think I can jog the rest of the way back.

[That was his goal at least.]

[looking_sharp]

Need harassed if you don't?

[He definitely will go near-drill sergeant but not without permission. Not toward his boss.]

[ambitiousblond]

Yes, that would be fine.

[Rufus knew that Rude wouldn't push him to the point of injury but wouldn't go easy on him at the same time.]

[looking_sharp]

[Rude would sooner carry Rufus than push him to injury. So Rude nods, stretches briefly, and then starts jogging off, expecting Rufus to follow.]

When we get back, going to slow you cool down stretches.

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus followed Rude without hesitation, sheer determination keeping him going at this point even though his legs were shaking slightly.

He made it most of the way back before he had to slow down to an almost walk, trying to catch his breath.]

[looking_sharp]

[Rude slows down with him, narrowing his eyes.]

Thought you were jogging all the way back. Or is this the limits of Shinra's strength?

[Mocking the walking without being too sharp.]

[ambitiousblond]

Hardly.

[Rufus forced himself to take a deep breath even though it caught in his throat. He pictured himself in the wheelchair looking out the window watching the other patients at Healen while feeling like he was wasting away bit by bit.

He wouldn't ever let himself get to that point again so he forced himself to pick up the pace.]

[looking_sharp]

[Once they're moving again, he nods. And after a block Rude offers his water bottle over.]

You're doing good, sir. Really good.

[ambitiousblond]

I've barely been able to walk on my own for the last year. This is difficult but at the same time, it feels good if that makes sense.

[Rufus gratefully took the water bottle, finishing half of it before handing it back to Rude. He had to walk the last short distance to the apartment, too winded to keep going.]

[looking_sharp]

Makes a lot of sense.

[But at least it's something. At least he almost did it. Even if Rude wasn't sure how he felt about Rufus not being able to walk for a while.]

We'll get you into a far better state. I swear it, sir.

[ambitiousblond]

I know you will, Rude.

[He couldn't talk by the time they got back to the apartment, feeling hot and sweaty as he tried to catch his breath.]

[looking_sharp]

[Rude doesn't intend to make Rufus talk. Instead, once at the building, he liberates Rufus's keys from the man and coaxes him first inside, and then to the stairs.]

Come on. I promise once you're up in your apartment, showering, you're going to feel amazing. It's worth it. The relax after.

[ambitiousblond]

[It took every ounce of strength to get up the stairs. Rufus let Rude have the keys without protest. Once inside he kitchen off his shoes, tossed his phone on the counter, and fell onto the couch. He lay there on his back, looking over at Rude as he caught his breath.]

Just give me a few minutes. I know this will get easier but-

[He bit back a curse, letting out a breath.]