They aren't exactly widely accepted back home, either. In Wutai such a thing would be forbidden - I'd rather not think what my father would have done if he had found out about about me when I was younger, but suffice to say it would have been worse than merely being disowned. In the city, such things were more accepted, but Turks were expected to retain a certain degree of emotional distance from others, and if Midgar hadn't fallen, Rufus would have been expected to marry and raise the next generation of Shinra.

I would have preferred to tell you myself, but Rufus has always been a man of action, particularly when he thinks things need to be done. And gods, please don't call him Mr. Shinra where he can hear you, he hates it - it reminds him too much of his father.

Heh. I think it's unlikely such relationships don't exist, but they probably are well-hidden. Most people in our world are indifferent to such things, but some view it as unnatural. I'm glad you don't mind, though.

Well, he asked you to call him Rufus, so...stick with that, I think.

Not everyone is as understanding as you. Particularly in societies like Wutai, where family lineage is important - we are unable to have children. Not that I'd want to, but it would have been expected of me if I had stayed.

Shachou? 'President', more or less. It's his title, still, though he's not president of much any more.

It wouldn't be of my blood, though. Not that it matters so much - my parents have my older brother to carry on the family name. We would make terrible fathers, anyway.

I think he'd consider 'Rufie' a shooting offense, so I think you're safe on that front.

A bit - not the first time I've woken up hungover, and it probably won't be the last, but...one more thing I'd rather not have to deal with this week.

Ah, no - we still still haven't finished the cake. I'll put it on one of our plates and bring yours back later today.