Type: Fanfiction
Genre: Romance/General
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Pairings: Tifa / Rude
Rating: T
Author's Notes:

This isn't normally the pairing I write about (or particularly like) but when the muse speaks, I can do nothing but write. This was also inspired by the movie "At First Sight" of Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue. Hence the name sake.

Fair warning. This will probably be the only 'fluffy' oneshot I'll write in a while. We'll see where the muse takes me.

At First Sight

Every night a mysterious man comes to Seventh Heaven sometime before midnight. It started about a month ago after a freak snowstorm blew throughout the Edge and disappeared just as suddenly in the morning. He came into the bar, helping an old man who was unfortunate enough to be outside with him that night. I closed early when I first heard of the incoming bad weather, but it wouldn't be right to turn them away so I offered them temporary shelter.

The old man was very talkative and within an hour, plus some liquor to ward off the cold, I already knew a lot about his family and his life. On the other hand, my mysterious stranger never said a word. He was polite and stumbled about when he first came in, disoriented from the weather outside. For the rest of the night he kept to himself and never took off his dark glasses.

I was… curious about him. Something about his general air, an absence very much like a hollow beckoning to the naturally curious. But I was never one to dare pry into the privacy of others. He was allowed his silence, and it was what drew me to him.

After they've finally tucked in the makeshift cots we've made, the mysterious man turned to me and, in a very deep, gentle voice, thanked me for letting them stay. I nodded and turned away, feeling the blush that crept along my cheeks. He had a remarkable voice; it reminded me somehow of the wind that swept through the walls of deep caves near the place I grew up in. It was solemn and… enchanting. I secretly hoped that the storm outside would last forever.

I don't even know his name. But from then on, every night, he would come at the designated time. He would walk, slowly, to the seat on the corner near the wall. Apart from giving his order and the occasional small talk, my feeble attempts at unraveling the mystery of the man was always unsuccessful. We never really talked much. He tried every available drink we had to offer before he settled on ordering the Wutainese rice wine exclusively.

I asked him if he had finally found the drink he wanted one night when I was feeling particularly brave. A small smile appeared on his lips, then he simply said, "It changes flavor everytime…"

Maybe it was because I was lonely, but I felt myself thinking about him more and more. There seemed to be so much more under the calm surface that he projected and the too few words he shared. But I was not brave enough (never really was) so I kept my distance. I went about my business, trying not to regard him for more than just another regular who came and found solace in my bar.

I started swilling the drink he liked too much in private, when I found some time on my hands. I'd like to think it was my own way to get close to him somehow.

And he was right. On some nights it tastes bitter, and some nights the alcohol burns down my throat and I'm worried that I will never be able to taste anything ever again. Sometimes, it even tastes sweet. Those were the nights when I would sit and drink beside him, drowning the worries of the day. He would be there, nursing his drink, keeping me company with his presence, not his words, until I close.

Maybe… maybe we never spoke because we never needed to.

Every night a mysterious man comes to my bar. And every night I wish he would talk to me. He never does, and I can never speak out of line, so we remain strangers. I still don't even know his name.

That changed. One night a young man with flaming red hair came into the bar and, spotting my mystery man, gave out a huge sigh of relief. "So this is where you've been sneaking off to!" he announced as he made his way to him. "I've been worried, brother." He turned just as the young man's hand clapped him on his back.

I made my way to them, drawn by my curiosity. Maybe I'll finally learn more about my mysterious stranger. The younger man called him brother but I see no resemblance between them. Perhaps it was because of the hair?

"Hello, welcome to Seventh Heaven. What would you like to drink?" I kept my voice neutral, smiling at the flame-haired young man, resisting the urge to stare at his silent sibling.

He turned, noticing me for the first time. He looked at me up and down, and said "Whoa! Hello!" he flashed me a bright smile. "So this is why you've been coming here? She's beautiful, brother!" he said as he leaned his arm casually against the older man's back.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, not quite sure how to take the compliment. I couldn't help but feel the bright blush that spread across my cheek. Did I hear that right? He had been coming here for me?

"The name's Reno. What about you, babe?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but halted when Reno was nudged out of the way by the other man standing up in his seat. "Her name is Tifa. Let's go."

My eyes widened. I don't recall saying my name to him, ever. The old man that he brought that night was so talkative, he didn't even bother to introduce himself. And I never felt the need to either. For the longest time, he was just a stranger I admired from afar. I've never had the courage to wonder if he was drawn to me as well.

"Wait!" I said as he passed by me, catching him by his arm. I blushed for a moment, unused to such close proximity with him. He towered over me but not in a way that crowded. My courage fizzled out fast. "I don't… even know your name." I finished lamely, looking away.

He was silent for a while. "Its Rude…"

I let go of him immediately, stung by his words. "I-I'm sorry… It was rude of me…"

"You mean you've never even introduced yourself, yo?" the younger man said, linking up his other arm with him. "His name is Rude. And we'll be seeing ya, Tifa." He gave a lazy wave and tugged forward, leaving me alone with confused thoughts.

I finally knew his name. The wine tasted sweet that night.

Every night a mysterious man comes to my bar, but from that night on, he came with his brother. They arrived at the same hour and stayed until I closed. Reno did most of the talking and soon I came to slowly know Rude through him. It was the little things about him, really, that I hoarded in my mind. The fact that he never really spoke unless spoken to, even as a child. The fact that he liked animals, had even kept a dog before the freak snowstorm happened and he got lost trying to look for the mutt. He'd traveled far, going where the winds take him and his brother. Now they have come to the city looking for work, doing odds and ends for other people.

He would ask about me and my life and I was only too happy to share. During nights when the bar was slow, I would sit with them and Reno would tell me stories about the places they've been to.

Their life was hard, especially with the death of their parents at a young age, but filled with so many poignant memories. I wondered how Rude could keep his silence, when he had so many stories to offer the world? He kept so much inside of himself and his steady presence had come to mean so much to his brother. And I have to confess, to me as well.

One night, Reno slipped me a piece of paper with a wink and a finger to his lips. With the same lazy wave that he used every time, he tugged his older brother out of the bar.

Tifa,

My brother likes you, and I think you know that he can't express himself very well. He worries about being distant and believe me, he has a good reason to be. He can never bring himself to do anything about it so… I'm doing it for him. I know you're shy, and I also know that you like him too. I've seen the way you look at him and the way you smile whenever you hear his voice.

But there's something you need to know. Tomorrow, come to the address on the back of this paper at 10 AM. Rude will be there. This is an opportunity to be close to him. Take the risk, Tifa. I think you'll be good for each other.

Of course if you really prefer me, I'm available anytime.

The cutest guy you'll ever know,

Reno

I closed the note with a smile. Tomorrow could not come soon enough.

Every night a mysterious man comes to my bar. Its been a year already and its still the same. I know his name now, I know his family and where he lived. I also know his secret. The address pointed to a hospital where Reno waited outside. He led me across whitewashed hallways and mirrored windows. It felt so unreal, like a dream that I watched from afar.

His words were not however.

"He's been blind since birth but he has an exceptional sense of hearing. That's why he's able to navigate easily around a room, and even across streets. He's taking an experimental surgery that will hopefully allow him to see."

I saw Rude as he lay prostrate on a table, surrounded by surgeons and their instruments. I watched his chest and his steady breathing, the only part of his body that I could see under the blinding white light.

I turned away and cried while Reno took me in his arms. I don't know how else to react. All this time, he could not see me, never said anything to make me hope, and now I finally know why.

"He'll be fine, Tifa. He knew the risks but he's always postponed this because he used to say he was content with the life that he's had. But now… but now there was something he thought would be worth seeing. He wants to see you, Tifa…"

Perhaps because he was as tired of the silences as I am.

"He didn't have to do this." I said as I wiped my tears away. But I knew that my wishes did not count in this matter. He wanted to see… I'm sure it wasn't just me, but the world of colors, lights and shapes that has been denied him ever since.

I cried because of the injustice of it all. And I worried that I had so little to offer him in return. I can never guarantee that the risk he's taking would be worth it. There was always a chance that something could go very wrong, and then what? What could I possibly do for him?

I cried until my own eyes gave up on me. I can only wait and pray that he comes through. I can do without the mystery that has surrounded him for so long… but I don't think I can do without the man.

Every night a mysterious man comes to my bar… or at least used to. There was no one now but myself.

Tears welled up in my eyes as he finally came one snowy night. It had been months and about two years since I've known the man and I was close to giving up hope. Reno never came by anymore either.

"Hello Rude, it's been a while." I said as I made my way behind to bar to bring out a glass and a bottle. I was proud of the way my voice did not shake. I could not look at his face, because I knew why he had taken that long. And I had a sinking feeling that I knew that it wouldn't even matter.

He shook his head, a telltale frown was on his features, visible above his dark glasses. "Yes... indeed it has." He made his way toward his favorite stool. "It seems quiet tonight."

My eyes glanced toward the door, where the "OPEN" sign greeted my eyes but proclaimed the opposite message to the rest outside. "It's been a slow night." I lied as I sat down beside him.

I poured him a drink on his glass, which he gratefully took. I set down a napkin I took from my apron beside him and watched as he placed his glass upon it after he drank. I promised myself that if he ever came again, I will give him the napkin that held the words I've always wanted to say. I watched as the liquid on the bottom of the glass blot out the words on the thin film, scattering black ink on once white surface.

I looked at him and reached out my hand in front of his face, waving it in front of him slowly. My breath was caught in my throat and I turned away from him.

"Tifa?" he called as he turned to me. "What's wrong?"

I steeled myself and looked at the napkin in front of him, the words barely visible now. "Nothing…"

(Rude, I think I've fallen in love with you.)

He will never be able to read those words.

"You seem upset..." His voice, ever gentle, was laced with concern now.

And finally I can't take it, I wrap my hands around him and bury my head in his chest. His arms were strong and warm, holding me gently as I let out the tears I held back.

"I've… I've been meaning to ask…" I said when I finally trusted my voice to speak again, "How can you fall in love with someone you've never seen?"

"How can you fall for someone who barely speaks?" he replied in turn.

I laughed but my laughter soon turned to sobs. He gently disentangled me from his arms and held me at arm's length. Then, very carefully, he removed his glasses and I saw his eyes for the first time.

Stormy gray. There were dark clouds that told of the burden he's carried all these years and lightning lines of hope and joy that streaked across his irises. I watched in fascination as the world enclosed by his pupils turned to my own eyes and focused. There I was; my face, amidst the stormy sky, looking at him earnestly as if I was waiting for rain.

When I finally pulled my eyes away, I noticed that he was smiling.

"I don't need my eyes to know the qualities of a person. But Reno was right."

I frowned, not understanding his words.

"You are beautiful. I've always wanted to see that on my own."

His hands touched my cheek, and I finally allowed myself to drown in the depths of his eyes, closing mine at the last possible moment before our lips met.

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