"Cheers," Rufus said smiling as he and the Turks clinked champagne flutes. "I feel better, that fat excuse for a pig is finally gone," Rufus smirked.
"And not a moment too soon," Reno said as he downed his glass. "And AVALANCHE has taken a hit this evening."
"You didn't do anything," Elena laughed.
"I piloted the helicopter," Reno said affronted.
Antics like these continued on for the next hour, until Elena, Rude, and Reno left the room, leaving Tseng and Rufus alone in Rufus' sitting room. Tseng broke the silence, "How do you really feel about your father death?"
Rufus swung his head around to face Tseng and looked at him mock-confused. "When did you die? That thing only sired me, you know you're my father."
Tseng sighed as he steepled his fingers, so that his nose rested on them. "Well, if I am your father, then you should tell me how your taking this…loss," Tseng said softly.
"Fine, why should I feel bad about the death of the man who kicked my mom out on the streets with no money, causing her to stay at a poorly insulated hotel, which consequently caused her death by some god-forsaken illness," Rufus' voice was thick as he talked about the death of his mom. "And I was twelve, I couldn't to anything."
"It's not your fault. I'll see you in the morning, we have to move you into your new office," Tseng stated as he stood up from the couch. As he walked out the door he turned to look back at Rufus, who was looking out into space. He was upset, Tseng knew this, and that would eventually catch up with the young blonde president.
The next morning Rufus and Tseng walked into the presidential office of Shinra Inc. He gazed over the desk, which now belonged to him. In plain sight, there was a picture. A picture of Rufus when he was six, sitting upon his father's shoulders.
Rufus started at the picture in barely concealed shock, as his hands balled into fists. He took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself down, but it wasn't working. He didn't even glance at Tseng who stood silently in a corner, waiting until he was needed. Rufus took the picture at threw it at the wall screaming, "Son of a bitch."
A few tears leaked out from under his eyelids and made their trek down his face. The young blonde slid down the side of the desk and drew his knees up to his chest. "That fuck," he yelled as he pounded a fist on the ground before he used his arms to hide his face in his arms. When sobs started shaking his shoulders Tseng made his way over to Rufus, and sat next to him.
Tseng put his arms around Rufus' shoulders and drew him to his chest. A few moments later Rufus whispered through the tears, "I tried, I tried really hard, and all he did was ignore and insult me. He hated me." Rufus paused for a while. "I tried, I tried so damn hard to hate him, but I couldn't, no matter what he did or said, no matter what I told myself, I still tried to gain his approval. And I never got it."
When the sobs calmed down again, Rufus simply asked why. "Because he's your father," was the response. And then the sobs started up again.
AN: I know this may seem out of character, but I don't think Rufus hated his father, no matter what he said, and that was the point. This wasn't edited. I will not tolerate flames from those with no life…they will be used to light your funeral pyre.
