Tseng's obsidian eyes darted up to the window, looking out on the grimy urban sprawl of Midgar. The rain sleeted up against the glass, obscuring the sight of the city, something for which the Turk was not entirely ungrateful. He paused, then impulsively got up and opened the window. He loved the smell of rain, it smelled clean, not unlike Wutai had, and it was such a rare occurence he could never pass up the chance at that one happy hint of memory, the sharp freshness overpowering the chemical stench of the greasy city air.
Even that trained Turk jumped when the thunder crashed in the sky. His head jerked up and he saw the flash split the sky. His lips curved up in a brief smile, then he tensed, immediately springing into action with deadly grace, He ran to the lift and rushed as fast as he could to the Vice-President's rooms, already knowing what he would find.
Rufus was curled under his desk, hyperventilating. Tseng fell to his knees and reached in, stroking the other's side. The other's head jerked up and Tseng could see the terror in those shining sapphires, though the fear receded aa Rufus' fists bunched desperately into the fabric of his impeccable suit.
The bodyguard gently eased the boy out from under the desk, holding him close, cradling him against his chest. Rufus nuzzled into his neck, inhaling that comforting scent, his grip relaxing. Tseng cuddled him close.
Rufus looked up into his eyes, there was still a hint of the fear there "I thought you weren't coming..." he whispered, and Tseng smiled gently, stroking his fingers through the blonde's hair.
"I'll always come for you..." he whispered "I promised..."
The thunder rolled again and Rufus once more buried his head against Tseng's chest with a whimper. "How can you like this weather?!" he asked, incredulous, confused. It seemed so illogical!
Tseng's lips curled up in that rare show of reserved happiness, and he tangled his fingers amongst those strands of gold once more as he explained.
"I like the rain... it reminds me of home..." Rufus was the only person who knew how much he missed his homeland, the only one who knew of his guilt. The boy had given him guaranteed privacy for an altar in an attempt to help. Although he had originally determined never to use it, Tseng had changed his mind a few months later, and now they both worshipped there, yet another of their secrets from the President.
"I listen to the rain and I hear freedom..."
Rufus blinked, but Tseng only brushed his lips over the other's forehead and smiled.
"You should listen to the rain too Rufus-san, you never know what it will tell you..."