Heh, my little implied crack pairing. My apologies if either of them come off really ooc. I think I've got them fairly close but I don't write them much at all.


Irvine tipped his hat toward Tseng and Aerith before shuffling off. He had been heading back to Squall's house after meeting up with Cid to make sure the repairs to the main power transformer had held during the storm last night when he crossed paths with the pair. They talked for a few minutes and now they were going to Aerith's for lunch.

Though they had invited him to come with, he declined. Everyone knew that something was building between Aerith and Tseng and he was not about to interfere in any event that might bring them closer. Besides, after hearing something Tseng had said, he had a new destination.

Instead of going toward the residential area, he turned toward the city complex and simply texted Squall a message stating everything was okay. Last night, the cowboy had agreed to run the errand for Squall so that he could have the morning free with Zack. At times it still amazed him that not only was Squall with another man, he was so obviously and completely in love with him.

Shaking his head in bemusement, Irvine approached the city center. The walk to the door had been cleared early in the morning but the wind had blown a fair amount across it again. He was able to barely track a single set of boot-prints in the fine dusting of white leading up to the door.

He followed them up and entered his security code to gain entrance into the building. A blast of warm air greeted him as he crossed the threshold into the main lobby. He stomped his feet once on the large mat to take off any accumulated moisture from his boots before proceeding forward and down the main hall.

The building was on minimal lighting since it was closed for the holiday so it was easy to see the office light on even before Irvine entered the hallway. His boots echoed softly on the floor as he casually strode toward that office and upon reaching it, rounded the frame and leaned against it.

Rufus Shinra barely looked up. Blue eyes set on Irvine for a mere moment before returning to the notepad the man was writing on. "Where you sent here or did you come of your own accord?"

"Both I think." The sharp-shooter folded his arms and crossed one foot before the other. "Tseng let it slip you were here and I know enough about the Turks to know they never let things just slip, especially when it comes to you."

The blond man barely smiled. "He must have been distracted."

"Well he was pushing a flower cart."

Rufus snorted. "That woman does not waste time."

"You know what they say about people who hesitate."

"It was among my father's personal favorites," the former world leader murmured in a dark tone and he continued writing. "Unfortunately, the meaning he took from it was not what the expression meant."

Irvine had only heard the bare minimum about the man's father but it was more than enough for him to know he did not want to hear any more. Deciding this conversation definitely needed a change of direction, he walked over to one of the chairs before Rufus' desk and dropped down into it. He draped both arms over the sides and slouched, long legs straight out in front of him.

He twisted his neck, long hair catching a bit on his shoulder. "So, can I ask why you're holed up in here on the most wonderful day of the year?"

"Since everyone else is enjoying the holiday, I have the rare opportunity to work without interruption." Rufus paused and looked up. "Though I should have known that I wouldn't be left alone for long."

Irvine smiled flirtatiously. "Did you seriously think I'd leave the object of my attention all alone for a full day?"

Rufus set his pen down and gave the honey-colored haired man an appraising look. Irvine had been pursuing him almost from the day Rufus had arrived on Radiant Garden. While the attention was not something that Rufus wasn't familiar with, there had been a slew of admirers over the years for both his looks and power, something about how the former SeeD went about it was oddly refreshing.

He also had the feeling that the man's affections did not go beyond the flirting. "Tell me, Irvine, just what is it you hope to accomplish with this unusual courtship you have with me?"

Shrugging, Irvine raised a hand and shifted his hat back. "Honestly? I don't really know. You're a good lookin' guy but that's not what really caught my eye."

Rufus lifted an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

The tall male pursed his lips a moment. Rufus merely waited as he gathered his thoughts. This was going to be interesting.

"Well, obviously the first thing I noticed about you was that you were a young, handsome man and judging by how you carried yourself, a likely very rich one; not at all a bad combo," smirked Irvine with a wink. He settled down again quickly. "But then I noticed there was an aloofness to you. I saw how everyone but your Turks kept their distance from you and you were isolated from the others. Even though I know a little about your history, I don't think that was fair."

Rufus had to take a minute to process all of that. What it seemed to boil down to was that Irvine did not want him to feel alone and separated here. He could not recall a time where any one had ever paid him attention simply because they felt he needed a friend. It was very... heartwarming.

"So," the blond leaned back casually in his seat. "Do you flirt with all of your friends?"

"I flirt with just about anybody," Irvine grinned. "But I only date women."

"That's what Leonhart told me after the first time we met." Rufus smiled lightly. "Which is a good thing because I would hate to have to let you down."

"Darn." The cowboy snapped his fingers. "And here I was all ready to give you a shot. I mean, going gay seems to have worked damn well for Squall."

"He and Zack do make for an interesting couple."

"Yep, but they're happy and that's all that matters."

Rufus nodded his agreement. They fell quiet and Rufus thought about returning to his work. For the first time in a long time, he found he really did not want to. He was rather content simply sitting here, talking to a friend.

A few minutes passed before Irvine slapped his leg and straightened up. "Well, I'm fixin' to head home and get my stuff together for the dinner thing. You going?"

The former president frowned slightly. "I declined the invitation. Cloud still seems to be uncomfortable with my presence."

"Too damn bad for him," Irvine stood and stretched. "You're going now."

Rufus lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Come on," Irvine ordered as he took the paperwork on the desk and shoved it back into a folder. "You're coming with me to my place."

"Am I?"

"Yeah," the ex-SeeD confirmed easily. "And then you're coming with me to Cloud and Riku's for dinner."

Not entirely sure why, Rufus got out of his chair. He truly had no intention of attending the group's holiday gathering but it was never because he did not want to. He honestly felt it was better if he remained a bit distant if he made them more comfortable. However, now that he thought about it from a different perspective, he realized the folly in his reasoning.

If he wanted full acceptance on this world, he needed to be part of it. There was no reason for him to be so removed. He was here by their invitation and that obviously meant that despite the lingering unease, they trusted him to do what was best for the world.

Plus, if they could accept and integrate Sephiroth completely, there was absolutely no reason they could not do the same for Rufus.

Walking around the desk, Rufus straightened the black vest of his otherwise white suit and glanced at Irvine. "I suppose if I accompanied you, he would have to simply deal with it."

"Damn right," Irvine grinned. He threw an arm around Rufus' shoulders and steered him out of the office, shutting off the lights. "We'll just tell him you're my date for the evening."

They walked down the hall in the dim glow of the emergency lights. "I'm sure they'll completely believe that."

"They will if I kiss you under the mistletoe."

Rufus gave a mild chuckle as they crossed the lobby. Tonight would be interesting. He was rather looking forward to it.