Disclaimer: Don't own nuthin.
A/N. Hey guys. Due to the lack of Rude/Tifa fics, I decided to make one! Yay!
Italics Tifa's thoughts.
Bold Poem
Okay, everybody all set? Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gentleman, the ride is about to start…
Open.
It was a peaceful day, Tifa decided.
Marlene and Denzel sat at the bar, drawing with crayons, Marlene glancing up every now and then to compare the two, Denzel occasionally snickering at Marlene's attempts to draw the ragtag group that made Tifa and Cloud's friends.
Tifa stood in the kitchen, making lunch for the kids. She hummed a tuneless tune, feeling calm and at peace with the world. The feeling wasn't a common occurrence for Tifa Lockhart. Setting the plates in front of the kids, she began to clean away the mess of crayons and paper from the counter, smiling as she listened to the two chatter away as they munched on their grilled cheese sandwiches.
Her head perked up at the sound of knocking at the door.
"I'll get it!" cried Marlene as she hopped down from her stool and ran to the door.
"Marlene, wait a second, sweetheart." said Tifa, setting down the papers and wiping her hands on her skirt.
Hmm, I know it's not Cloud…
Her gaze turned stormy at that thought.
And I know it's not Yuffie…She would've just barged right in…
Cid would've started cussing…
Barret would've started yelling by now…and we would've heard him from a mile away.
Vincent…is Vincent.
She snickered to herself.
Stopping at the door, she quickly patted down her hair. She took a breath and pulled open the door.
"Rude?" she questioned, shocked out of her mind. "Is everything okay?" she questioned nervously.
Usually THEY only show up to drink or to bring more bad news…
He only nodded, looking just a bit embarrassed.
Still in shock, Tifa mutely stepped to the side to let the tall, bald man inside.
"Please, umm, come in.", she managed, snapping into hostess mode.
He, as expected, said nothing, only shook his head no.
Marlene and Denzel, impatient, bounded forwards.
"Hi, Mr. Rude!" said Marlene cheerfully. Denzel tried his hardest not to appear as if he was hiding behind the smaller girl.
Rude smiled at Marlene, which cued the girl to run in for a hug, which Rude stiffly returned. He nodded at Denzel and reached out a cautious hand to ruffle the boy's hair gently.
Tifa observed the scene carefully, a gentle smile on her pretty face.
:: Mr. Silent Man, tell me your secrets. ::
I never thought he was all that good with children.
"So, Rude…can I get you a drink or something?"
Or something? she mentally chastised herself.
Still refusing to allow Tifa the privilege of hearing his voice, the Turk only shook his head no.
:: What do you hide, deep inside::
"Denzel, Marlene, why don't you guys go upstairs while I talk to Rude, okay?"
Seeing the children's saddened faces, she was quick to add.
"Maybe when we're done I'll take you for ice cream…" she trailed off.
"OKAY!" was the sound she was answered with along with a stomping of feet along the stairs.
"Wow, the kids really like you…Marlene's pretty friendly to everyone but Denzel, err not so much…"
Well, he's been better since he figured out that Cloud wasn't coming back.
Rude only gave a small, slightly sheepish grin.
"I like kids."
:: I wanna know, I wanna see. ::
Tifa had to grip onto the counter with both hands to keep from falling.
He answered!
…and he has a REALLY nice voice…Stop it Tifa!
She looked back up at Rude and flushed a bit to see him watching her, a concerned look (or at least what she assumed was a concerned look – damn glasses) on his face.
"Sorry 'bout that...", she mumbled.
"Umm, so, it's kind of strange to see you anywhere without your partner in crime." she said dryly.
Please tell me…I'm dying to know why you're here…and I'm just a little sure I sound like an idiot to you…
"Do you mind if I go with you to take the kids for ice cream. I'll pay." he said softly in that deep, rumbling baritone Tifa found herself going crazy for already.
Now, if I could only get him to talk more often…
Wait…what?
"You w-w-want to go? Umm, sure. W-well you don't have to pay, it's fine. I-I got it—"
"I insist."
Short and to the point, his voice left no room for argument, yet still managed to sound almost gentle.
:: Could you be just what I need::
"Well, okay then."
Tifa was absolutely positively sure her face resembled a tomato as she called for the kids.
Why in the world does he make me so nervous?
Grabbing a light sweater and her purse, she straightened Marlene's dress and patted down Denzel's hair before turning back to Rude.
"Where are we going and how are we getting there?" she asked curiously.
"There's an ice cream parlor a few minutes from here with a park nearby." he answered in that same calm quiet voice.
Wait, is that a blush on his face…grr, I really hate those glasses.
:: Mr. Silent Man, please, tell me your secrets. ::
"Will my car do?" he asked, breaking Tifa's study of his face and insane wishing for x-ray vision.
Tifa laughed nervously, nodded and led the way outside, turning back to lock the door.
"Wow! I love your car Mr. Rude…it's even better than my daddy's!" cried Marlene.
Denzel smiled and added, "Yeah!"
Tifa too was awfully impressed. It was one of the new top of the line sports cars in all black with black leather interior.
Wow, he's willing to drive KIDS around in this car?
:: Could you be just what I need::
"I've never seen you drive this before." she said as they all settled in.
"We take Reno's. I don't trust a drunk Reno in my car."
Tifa laughed as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.
"And for that, I don't blame you."
The rest of the ride was spent in silence save for Marlene's constant questioning and Denzel's patient (but not always right) answering.
A/N: Okay, that's the end of Chapter One! Please review and let me know what you things. Thoughts and ideas will be greatly appreciated. Oh, and also, Rude's sudden appearance in Tifa's bar will be explained later on.
- prieta.linda