A/N- Lol, I am an updating maniac today! This is probably a pretty weird and inappropriate pairing, given that Tseng must be around twenty years older than Yuffie. But I had an idea for a longer story, so I thought I'd experiment by doing a one-shot. If Yuffie seems ooc, remember she's grown up a bit here. Please review! :D
Tender
He knew she was watching him: he could feel her eyes, large and dark and inquisitive, following his every move. He tried to ignore her, concentrating on his drink, and inwardly cursing himself for coming here alone. When he was with the others, it was fine. Elena's relentless cheeriness coupled with Reno's drunken friendliness ensured that. But it only worked when both groups were complete: safety in numbers if you will. Tseng always felt more comfortable when his Turks were around, no matter the situation, but he never felt more uncomfortable than when he was alone with a member of AVALANCHE. Previously, it was Tifa he had found the most intimidating, because of her incredible capacity to forgive him when he really didn't deserve it. But today... today he would have welcomed Lockheart. If only to get away from Yuffie...
He was a sip away from finishing his drink when she spoke. He was always surprised to hear her voice, as it was so like his, in accent at least. Wutai, with a heavy hint of guttural Midgar. Her voice was high and light, his deep and soft, but every tone was near identical. Is there anyone else in the world, he mused, who sounds like us? Or is that another weird tie between us?
'Do you have a scar?' she asked him. Though her question was probing, she sounded so innocent that he wasn't offended. Yuffie was upfront and inquisitive, but she had a good heart. Or, he thought she did.
Tseng knew what she meant, but he hesitated before answering. Yuffie didn't push him, just waited.
'Yes.'
She bit her lip. 'Must be a pretty big one, huh.' She was not asking a question, rather stating a fact.
He nodded. She poured him another drink, though he hadn't asked for one.
'Not many living people have them, do they... scars from Sephiroth.'
He shook his head. 'I suppose not.'
'I don't know if you remember... outside the Temple, it was me, Cloud and Aerith. We didn't stop to help you, did we?'
He looked at her in surprise. She sounded... ashamed? 'No. You didn't.'
'I mean, it's one thing to fight an enemy. There's honor in that, isn't there? But, to leave a person bleeding, suffering... A compatriot... There's no honor in that.'
Tseng shrugged. 'I guess not.' He looked at her, as she concentrated on cleaning a glass. 'I've never held it against you,' he told her.
'No?' She sighed, dropping the cloth suddenly. 'I think about it sometimes.'
'You do?'
Yuffie nodded. 'Yeah. It must have been scary.'
'I don't remember,' lied Tseng. In truth, it had been scary. Lying there, wondering if Sephiroth would reappear, wishing Aerith had spoken to him with compassion, rather than indifference, praying
Elena would turn back for some reason and find him here. All the while, blood had been seeping sluggishly from the wound, which ached and stung like he'd never imagined anything could. And he'd been frightened, because even though he risked his life every day of the week, he'd never actually imagined himself dying. And here it was, happening to him, and he was completely and utterly alone.
Yuffie blew a bubble with iridescent pink gum. It popped neatly, and she drew it back into her mouth. Tseng was struck by the unexpected realisation that she was rather pretty. Smooth, clear skin, large brown eyes, an expressive, smiling mouth... And then he pushed the thought away, because compared to him, Yuffie was a child.
'I've never hated you as much as I hate the others,' she told him, almost confidingly. Almost like it was an honor.
Tseng was amused. 'You hate Reno?' he asked. 'Rude?'
Yuffie nodded, then stopped. She bit her lip then blew a bubble, a thoughtful look on her face. 'I don't hate Rude. I don't like him particularly, but I don't hate him. Reno... now, him I'm not so fond of.'
Tseng laughed, surprising himself. Yuffie grinned, then resumed wiping the counter. Tseng finished his drink, but found he wasn't in a hurry to leave.
'Another, please.'
Yuffie tutted. 'It's only three o'clock, and that's your third...'
'I'm a grown man. I can handle my drink.'
Yuffie poured him another, then stared at him, disarmingly.
Tseng blinked, startled. 'Do I have something on my face?' he asked her, wide eyed.
She tipped her head to one side. 'Thirty six,' she decided.
Tseng smiled, wryly. 'Great. I look my age, huh.'
'I was right? Score!' Yuffie jumped on the spot, enthusiastically. 'Wow, I'm good.' She grinned at him. 'You don't look it, you know.'
Tseng arched an eyebrow. 'No? How did you know then?'
She shrugged. 'I'm good, is all. Anyway, it's just logic. I mean, you were a Turk when Aerith was a kid, it's three years since she died, so you've been one for at least...' she considered this. 'Eighteen, nineteen years. I'm assuming you started when you were nineteen or so, meaning you must be in your late thirties. I just guessed thirty six.' Noting his look, she grinned, then threw her hands up defensively. 'Not just an exquisite hat stand!' she said, indicating her head.
Tseng hid a smile. 'Well, you're exactly right. I've been a Turk for nineteen years, since I was seventeen.' He gave her an arch look. 'And I prefer to think I'm in my mid-thirties, thank you very much.'
Yuffie snorted with laughter. 'Whatever floats your boat.' Innocently, she added 'You look pretty good for it.'
Tseng wasn't sure what to say to that. Was she... flirting with him?
'Of course,' she went in. 'Our people age so much better than the Easterners. So it's not much of a surprise. Though...' She didn't complete the thought.
Tseng surreptitiously examined her, the White Rose of Wutai... She was, what, eighteen, nineteen? God, compared to him at that age, she really was pure as a rose. He envied her for that.
'So, you got plans for the day? Or you just gonna sit here and keep drinking?'
Tseng shrugged. 'Reno and Elena will be here later. They're flying back from Junon. I'll have to get a mission report from them, I suppose.'
'You better not drink too much more,' she cautioned him, but there was a twinkle in her eye. She poured him another.
'Thanks,' he said, sarcastically, but he took the glass.
Looking around, with eyes that blurred only slightly, Tseng wondered why there were so few people here. In fact, there was really only him and Yuffie, and a guy slumped over one of the tables who looked like he'd been there since the previous night. It was only mid-afternoon, he supposed. Still, it was a bit weird, being alone with Yuffie Kisaragi. Not as unpleasant as it could have been, though...
He watched as Yuffie poured herself a drink. 'Tifa's not in,' she told him. 'And Spikey's out delivering crap. I deserve this. The day shift is dull.' She swallowed a mouthful. 'Not so bad today though,' she said, coyly.
Tseng was quiet for a moment, finishing his drink. 'No?'
She shook her head, grinning dazzlingly. When she bent slightly to retrieve a coin that had fallen from the counter, he saw a glimpse of a red bra, with delicate cream lace. He was both aroused and repulsed by the sight. Yuffie was a child he told himself. A child who he had no business gazing lustfully at.
Muttering under his breath, he pulled his cell from his pocket. Thirteen missed calls... what the fuck?! As he was about to curse and scream at Yuffie for not telling him his phone had rung thirteen fucking times, he saw the little symbol in the top corner. A musical note. With a dash through it. Which meant silent.
'Fuck,' he mumbled, scrolling through the list. Reno, Rude, Reno, Rude, Elena for good measure, then Reno, Rude...
Yuffie gave him a weird look. 'Problem, Turk?'
He stood, a bit shakily, throwing some gil on the counter. It was more than he owed, but he didn't care. Yuffie arched an eyebrow.
'You okay? You're pretty drunk.' Unconsciously, she rubbed her soft, creamy neck. Tseng felt a twinge of longing, deep inside, and shook it off.
'I'll be fine,' he told her, curtly. And then he left, not looking back.
Two weeks later, he was back, this time with his Turks. He hadn't wanted to come, had tried to cry off, but Reno was having none of it. Tseng was coming with them, whether he goddamn wanted to or not.
He scanned the bar as they entered. Tifa... a flash of blonde that was probably Cloud...
'Hey, Tseng! Quit daydreaming!' Reno smirked at him. The others were already sitting down. Tseng nodded, and moved towards them, then he saw her.
Fuck. She was here.
She smiled at him, and came to their table. 'Hey, Turks.'
Elena smiled at her. 'Hello, Yuffie. How are you?'
'I'm wonderful. You guys want your usual?'
Reno nodded. 'Yup. Make Elena's a double, okay?'
Elena rolled her eyes, grinning. 'However drunk I get, I'm not sleeping with you, Reno.'
He shrugged. 'Okay, a triple then.'
Yuffie looked at Tseng. 'I can't carry four glasses. Help me?'
Tseng was a gentleman, so he agreed. He could feel the inquisitive gaze of his Turks on his back, and he did his best to keep away from Yuffie.
'You haven't been in for a while,' she remarked as she fixed their drinks.
'No.'
'Jeez, you're monosyllabic tonight. Lighten up, Tseng.' She looked closely at him. 'Why are you so freakin' awkward around me?'
He shrugged. 'I don't know what you mean.'
She smiled suddenly, and laughed quite loudly. 'Oh, I get it.' She leaned in close to him. 'You have a crush on me.'
Glaring at her, Tseng snatched up the drinks, all four of them. 'I have no idea what you mean.'
When he was a few feet away, she called out to him. 'That's a shame?'
He turned round, eyes still narrowed. 'Why?'
She smiled. 'We could have a lot of fun, Tsengy boy.'
He rolled his eyes and went to the table, slamming the drinks down.
'Little brat annoying you?' asked Reno.
'More than usual,' snapped Tseng, downing half of his drink in one go.
Reno nodded approvingly. 'That's the spirit, boss.'
Three hours later, it was just Tseng and Rude left. Elena had gotten horrifically sick, due to consuming five triple vodkas, and Reno had taken her home, feeling guilty that he'd forced her. Tseng and Rude had remained, and they had drunk a lot, if the volume of glasses on the table was anything to go by. Seventh Heaven was nearly empty, save for Tifa and Yuffie behind the bar, who were watching the Turks get hammered and laughing. Rude drank another shot, then rose to his feet. He nodded at Tseng, then headed out the door.
Tseng blinked after him. 'Rude?'
A laughing voice rang out beside him. 'I don't think he could keep up with you.'
He looked at Yuffie, who was sitting in the seat Reno had vacated some hours ago. She was grinning at him, apparently amused by his state.
'Where's... Tifa?' he managed.
'Gone to bed. I told her I'd get rid of you and close up.'
'Oh.'
They sat in silence. Yuffie suddenly jumped up, then executed a perfect cartwheel across the empty bar. Then she cartwheeled back to her seat, taking the one directly next to Tseng this time.
He arched an eyebrow, blurrily. 'Why'd you do that?'
She shrugged. 'Because I wanted to.' She leaned over and kissed him. He pulled back. She stared at him. 'Why'd you do that?'
'You're eighteen.'
'Nineteen,' she corrected him. She stretched, lazily. 'What does it matter?'
He shook his head, then waited for the room to steady itself. 'I'm thirty six.'
'Yeah. We established that, the other day,' she said, teasingly. 'So? What's your big freakin' deal?'
Tseng was trying to formulate a response when she kissed him again. He didn't stop her, telling himself it was because he was drunk, his reactions were slow. Lies, lies, lies.
Her hand was on his neck, keeping him close to her. When she broke away, he pulled back. Yuffie grinned.
'Come on. I'll drive you home.'
As she was unlocking the car door, Tseng eyed her, a bit suspiciously. 'Should I really trust you behind the wheel of a car?'
She shrugged. 'Probably not, no.' She slapped the roof, the noise scraping against Tseng's ears, making him wince. 'Get in, get in.'
He obeyed, folding himself onto the low seat. He let his head fall back against the chair. Yuffie chuckled.
'Sleepy, Turk man?'
He opened one eye. 'Do you have no respect for me, as an elder?'
She snorted. 'Nope.' She turned the key in the ignition, moving from her parking place with surprising ease. Then she opened all the windows, incredibly wide.
Tseng stared at her. 'What the fuck? It's freezing out.'
'Car sickness,' she told him, cheerfully.
Groaning, he closed his eyes again. When he reopened them, they were outside his building. He regarded her, warily. 'How do you know where I live?'
She shrugged. 'I dunno. I just do.'
That would have to be good enough for now. 'Thank you for the ri-' He blinked. 'Why are you getting out of the car?'
'I wanna cup of coffee,' she told him, looking unconcerned by how weird and inappropriate this all was.
Tseng closed his eyes briefly. 'One cup of coffee.'
She nodded, happily. 'That's all I want.'
He sighed. 'Fine.'
The doormen winked at him as they entered the vestibule. 'Nice,' one of them mouthed, gesturing to the ninja's breasts. Tseng made a mental note to have the jackass fired.
'Gawd.' Yuffie stared at his apartment in horror. 'You are so obviously single and not gay.'
'What are you talking about?' he asked her tiredly, flopping onto his couch. He was sobering up a bit, and his head hurt, and he wanted sleep. But Yuffie was standing there, shaking her head.
'Your place is bare,' she informed him. 'You have a couch and a bookshelf. There are no... plants, or pictures, or swords hanging off the walls.'
Tseng shrugged. 'So?'
She tutted. 'Weird...' She sat beside him, facing him. 'You're incredibly good looking,' she remarked, suddenly.
'And incredibly old. Look, do you want a cup of coffee or-'
'No,' she said bluntly. 'I don't.' And she was kissing him again, and her lips were soft but firm, and they felt so, so supple and young. Her hands were winding through his hair, keeping him in place. She bit his lower lip, gently, then moaned into his mouth when he slid his hands over her stomach, up to her breasts.
'Tseng...'
He pulled back, remembering himself. She groaned, forehead knocking his shoulder.
'I'm sorry,' he said quietly, shaking his head.
'You don't find me attractive?' she asked, biting her lip.
He laughed, without humor. 'It's not that. Believe me.'
'The what? The age thing?' She wrinkled her nose, letting him know what she thought of that.
'Yes, of course. Yuffie. I'm nearly forty. You're not even twenty.'
'I don't care! Jeez, you take everything so seriously! You'd think nearly dying woulda made you-'
'Would have made me what, Yuffie?' he demanded, angrily. 'Incredibly aware of the fact that in forty years of life I've done virtually nothing good? Incredibly aware that my only legacy is one of causing misery and pain? Incredibly aware that, in the grand scheme of things, my life is essentially useless?'
Yuffie was watching him, a frightened look on her face. Tseng looked away, ashamed. He was surprised, a second later, to feel her fingertips touch his wrist, very gently.
'Oh,' she said, quietly.
'Oh indeed.'
Moments passed. Tseng looked at Yuffie, wondering what she was thinking. She just stared right back at him, didn't say a word. Her hand was still pressed to his. He swallowed hard at the absolute faith in her eyes- faith that things would be okay. He had to look away: he was so much less of a human than her.
When she spoke, her voice was soft, softer than he could ever have imagined from the brash, spirited young woman. 'You're not a bad person, Tseng.'
He snorted. 'Right. I'm as good as they come, right?'
'I wouldn't say that.' She shrugged, then stood, surprising him. 'I should head back. Tifa will worry.'
He nodded. 'Yes, that's probably wise.'
She didn't move for a moment, just watching him. Then she spoke. 'You might think I'm just a kid, just the princess brat of Wutai. But I'm not, you know. I'll take as long as you need me to, to prove it's not true.'
Tseng looked up at her, meeting her eyes. They stared at each other. He realised this was the longest he'd ever seen her stay still.
He let himself smile at her, just slightly, feeling his stomach twist as she smiled back. She bent down and kissed his cheek, her lips warm and soft. Close to his ear, she murmured 'Goodnight, Tseng.' Yuffie shivered slightly, as he tenderly caressed her wrist.
