Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Reeve didn't remember very much when he returned to his house that night. There was something about unlocking the door, Yuffie collapsing on the couch - no, he collapsed on the couch and Yuffie collapsed on him. Yes, that's right. He took the couch with the intentions of being a gentleman and letting Yuffie sleep in his bed, but she mumbled something about "snuggle time" and then he remembered his promise to cuddle. One of them found a blanket; possibly him, though again, his memory was foggy due to fatigue, and all he knew now was that it was early morning and there was a cat rubbing against his leg.
"Mew," was all it said when he lifted his head to stare at it.
Why was there a cat ...? Oh, that's right. Cait Sith went to get her. This must be Yuffie's cat then. It was a gray-striped tabby with a noticeable 'M' mark on it's forehead and bright green collar that oddly resembled the old tank top Yuffie herself used to wear. "Mew," it said again.
He leaned his head back again and subconsiously ran his fingers through the dark hair that rested against his chest. This wasn't the first time he had woken up with a woman nestled in his arms, though it was the first time in ages that he awoke next to a female whom he didn't have some fun with the night before. Sure, today he would walk around with the scent of her shampoo and perfume on his clothes, but at least he didn't have to worry about taking a major exam in a few hours. The vague definition of 'fun' left much to be desired as a small smile tugged at his lips. He did remember 'fun'. Yes, he did.
In just three, very long months, more fun can commence.
Yuffie groaned and shifted on his chest; her fingers clutching at his shirt (somehow it became halfway undone) and her legs tangled around his. The blanket hung around her shoulders and Reeve couldn't prevent a chuckle when a yawn escaped her. She looked innocent when she slept and absolutely nothing like the rambunctious little spy that harbored an unhealthy obsession with materia. Frankly, she looked a little too innocent for his liking; the naiive child-bride coerced into marrying some rich, old geezer. The guilt pangs began again and Reeve was forced to close his eyes so they would hopefully ease and fade away.
He had barely taken a sip of his morning coffee when his cell phone buzzed to life in his pocket. Figuring it might be Yuffie, Reeve smiled and answered his phone. "This is Reeve Tuesti."
Instead of the usual, "hiya best boss in the world who totally lets me go home without finishing my paperwork," the response on the other line was a calm, male voice with a distinct Wutaiin accent. "Commissioner."
Reeve furled his eyebrows and set his coffee down. "Staniv," he answered with concern. "It's been awhile since our last meeting."
"It has, but surely you agree that our previous diplomacy meeting was a complete success."
There was a knot forming in his throat and Reeve thought it best to lock his office door and sit down. "Very much so."
"I'm calling about the Lady Kisaragi, our lovely White Rose."
Reeve sat up straight. "Is she alright?"
"She's perfectly fine. Our emperor, her father, feels it is now the right time for marry and settle down."
The commissioner didn't just feel his heart drop to the ground, he nearly saw it splash out of his stomach and die at the hands of ancient, Wutaiin warriors. "... what? Staniv, she's only --"
"You understand, Mr. Tuesti, that the Lady Yuffie is close to her twentieth birthday. Most women in our country are already married and with children by that age."
"Yes, I understand, but --"
"The emperor feels it is best if she marries a man who is well-known and well-liked among the citizens; not only of Wutai, but also of Gaia."
His throat tensed up at the sudden thought of Godo manipulating Yuffie through marriage and pawning her off to some unknown lord or retired soldier. Not his top spy, not his friend, not his Yuffie. "I see," was all he could think to say.
"We all hope that you would agree to be her husband, and eventually take the throne."
Reeve blinked as the sentence registered in his downward crumbling mind. "Can you repeat that, Staniv?"
"Would you take Lady Yuffie Kisaragi to be your bride?"
He sighed in relief as his heart clamored back in his chest, very much alive and rejuvenated. "Yes," he answered. "I would be honoured to have her as my wife."
Maybe his own reasons were rather selfish like Yuffie's. There was just something very wrong at the thought of her with someone else; it ached and pounded away at his soul worse than the few hangovers he achieved in college. He meant what he said to her earlier; that no man could ever care for her or love her like he already did. Any other man would be crazy to think he could even try. Reeve had the upperhand in both leadership and money. Back in the old AVALANCHE terrorist days when he stayed anonymous via Cait Sith, it was Yuffie who talked to him the most. No one else could put up with her pranks and shenanigans like he could, so the tolerance was clearly there.
Well, Vincent had the tolerance for her, but he didn't count because all the gunman felt for her was friendship. Which was a good thing because Reeve did control his paycheck and overall job.
It was Reeve that could take of her better than anyone else. It was Reeve that could provide maturity and stability. It was Reeve --
He sighed again and let his hands slide down to rest on her waist. He was being selfishselfishselfish because no matter how strong the urge was to grab Yuffie and hold her so close she'd never get away, another vivid memory surfaced and reminded him of what he was getting into. It was of his mother; hunched over on the bed she used to share with his father, sobbing loudly into her hands. The death of her beloved husband hit her hard and eleven-year old Reeve remembered all too well the sight and sounds of her heartbroken cries.
Yuffie would suffer the same widowed fate as Ruvie, and Reeve did not want to be the cause of that at all. It was too cruel, too unfair -- but then, if he hadn't said 'yes' to the Wutai Contract, he'd never be able to see her smile strictly for him, or be able to give her an embrace just because he could. He wouldn't be able to kiss her, or make love to her, or give her the children he knew she would spoil and teach the ninja ways to.
That's why he felt so selfish and cruel, but at the same damn time, so happy that they were officially together with no chance of separation. Yuffie was all his and no one but Death would be able to take it away. Even then, Reeve would fight Death tooth and nail before he'd let Yuffie be the woman crying into her hands. It simply wasn't an acceptable image.
A small hand cupped his cheek and jolted him out of this thoughts. "You know," Yuffie said, her eyes soft and glistening, "you're really cute when you're thinking."
He let his mouth drift to the side to kiss her palm. "I think you're cuter."
"You're a really comfortable pillow." She lay her head back down on his chest and yawned. "I think I'll stay here a little while longer."
"Mew."
"Wasabi?" Yuffie leaned up and saw a pair of bright eyes staring up at her from the floor. "WASABI!" She tumbled to the ground and scooped the kitty into a hug. "Oh, I've missed you, my precious baby! Yesh, I did!"
Reeve sat up and brushed away the hair from his eyes. So much for being a comfortable pillow. "You named your cat after that hot green paste?"
She nodded quickly from her place on the floor. "Yeah!"
"Your mind amazes me, Yuffie."
"My mind?" she asked, completely shocked. "You control a talking cat with an exotic accent. I'd suggest a scientific study of your brain, but I'm pretty sure you'd cause them to quit after one examination."
"Because I'm that smart?" he winked.
"No, because you're that deranged."
Yuffie can give the compliments and Yuffie can take them away.
"Come on, Wasabi, let's go get you some yum-yums."
He followed her as she walked into the kitchen, watching with a soft gaze while she poured the dry food into a small bowl. "Did you want to get some of your things today?" he asked.
The bowl clinked as she placed it on the tiled floor. "I dunno," she shrugged. "We can, but ... "
"But what?"
"Couldn't we just hang out today?" Her voice was hesitant and she was digging her barefeet into the floor. Anymore digging and she could create a hole leading back to Wutai. "I mean, it's been kinda weird lately and it's not like I have a lot of stuff anyway; just clothes, materia, and weapons."
"What about your furniture?" Reeve was leaning against the wall now; his arms crossed and fighting the urge to pull Yuffie against his chest again. Selfish or not, he was starting to enjoy the feeling of her body next to his. "And your dishes, pots and pans, cat toys, and let's not forget all the things you've stolen from me."
She pouted. "We have three months."
"So, you admit that you've stolen from me."
"The only think I ever stole from you is your heart." Yuffie flashed a cheeky grin and just for good measure, she sauntered over and ran her fingers up along his arm. "And you're not getting it back either."
She shrieked as she found herself being lifted up in the air. Reeve had her in his arms again, bridal style, and this time he was spinning her around. "My heart you can have, oh fair princess, but I expect you to take good care of it."
"Call me a fair princess again," she giggled. "That's kinda hot."
"How about my fair princess?"
"And you're my nerd."
"When exactly did I start becoming yours?" He stopped spinning, but still kept her in his arms.
"What do you mean?"
"Last night when you said I was your Reeve."
She rested her head up against his shoulder. "I dunno," she said with a shrug. "You've always been my friend and I've always had a little crush on you. If I had to spend my life with someone, I'm kinda glad that my old man chose you."
"What would you have done if he did choose someone else?" There was hesitation in his voice, as if he wasn't so sure that he wanted to hear the answer.
Yuffie jumped down, but purposefully kept his arms around her. "I'd run over here and demand that you hide me." At his disapproving glance, she tossed her head back and laughed. "You know you would, Reeve. Don't even try to deny it."
Of course he would have. Then, when he was questioned by the deadly Wutaiin warriors of her whereabouts, he'd have Cait pummel through them while riding atop Mog. There had to be a plausible reason why that big lug was still in his closet collecting dust. Or, at the very least, giving the pieces of dust a palm reading. Soon, dust, soon; you shall be vacuumed up into a whirlwind tornado and tossed into the garbage.
He laughed silently at the thought and leaned down to give his bride a kiss. Maybe she was on to something with the whole 'deranged in the head' idea.
Mystic: Stay tuned for some fun filler chapters! Yaaaaaay!