Disclaimer: Anything that is not mine, is not mine. The games, the characters, they are not mine. The concept of the story is mine, but the elements added that were not originally mine, are definitely not mine. I hope that's enough disclaimer!

Author's Note: You can go back to the previous chapter to learn that Naya made me chop it in half and effectively extending the story by adding up more of the "missed opportunities" into the plot. And man, am I grateful I listened to her genius! It was because of her suggestions that this chapter turned out better than I had planned! Y'all can thank her for that!

As fast as this chapter came (faster than usual), the next one might take a little longer. Work has just started (again!) so busy days are abound! The chapter has been plotted out so it's only a matter of writing it. Wish me luck!

derekctomlinson, thank you for reading and for the review! Guest, I don't know who you are, but thank you also for reading and reviewing!

Rufus had a good reason why he wanted the Tiny Bronco so badly.

There was a misinformation with the intel regarding the location of the Temple of the Ancients— the real location of the Temple of the Ancients. Whoever allegedly "pinned" the location was clearly looking at the map upside down because they ended up in Rocket Town. And as it turned out, they would have to cross over miles of the ocean to reach their destination.

But he was a Shinra, and painless accessibility around Gaia had been his birthright. It was just too bad his predecessor hired another incompetent man as Head of the company's Space Program who managed to burned it to the ground so easily. Rufus had someone better in mind and he was planning on replacing Palmer with him instead if things would turn in his favor. Perhaps it was sheer coincidence or that lady luck was smiling upon him when he found out that he was also residing in Rocket Town.

If only he had agreed to hand over the Tiny Bronco.

Rufus, Tseng, and one of Heidegger's footmen walked to his house which stood by tall, rusty, frankly outdated rockets that were covered in green moss and had "SHINRA" printed on it. The cloddish old man with blond hair was already there, standing outside the fence with Strife behind, glaring at him. Ah, he thought. Cloud had beaten him to it and quickly made the man's acquaintance. So that must mean Tifa was around too, probably drinking her goddamn tea. He instinctively looked around for any potential hiding spots, in case another suspicious character was stalking around.

"Are you Cid Highwind?" he asked the man. Cid looked elated, despite his cantankerous disposition he seemed to be wearing all the time.

"Yeah," Cid replied hoarsely. Rufus could tell he was a habitual smoker. "And you're the new President, Rufus Shinra. Pleased to finally meet you!"

Well that was unusual, Rufus thought. People were not usually this friendly unless they wanted something from him. He lifted his chin up when he came to understand Cid's welcome.

"I wish to borrow the Tiny Bronco," Rufus said plainly

Cid's face fell in an instant. "Th-the Tiny—"

"Yes, I wish to borrow it," Rufus snapped.

Cid seemed to still be having some difficulty understanding his simple request. "You mean, you're not here to restart the Space Program?"

"As nice as that would be, it is not among the company's priorities right now."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because I have more pressing matters to attend to." Rufus was growing impatient. Beating around the bush like this was an inordinately waste of his precious time, and he needed to move quickly. "We are going after Sephiroth, and it seems like we've been going in the wrong direction. But now that we have found our way, we realized that we need to cross the ocean. That's why we need your plane."

"The hell with you," Cid spat. "How much more are you gonna take from me? You already took the airship, the rocket, and now my plane!"

Rufus sneered. "My, my. Have you already forgotten? You wouldn't be able to build or fly that thing if it wasn't for Shinra. Which means you owe us everything."

Cid widened his eyes at his loutish remark. "WHAT?!"

He did not like how the conversation was getting personal and it would seem like Cloud also felt the awkward air that he turned around and entered the house the moment a woman showed up and opened the door for him.

Rufus drew a breath and glanced at the ground. He did not want to pull the "favors" card, but he could not deny that it had saved him from unnecessary encounters than he could count. He knew both of them had created something hostile between them, and he would rather not fight a lance-bearing Highwind when the man had already made clear what he desired in the first place. Besides, it would only be a matter of time before Cloud and his party take the Tiny Bronco and…

Fly away.

The buzzing sound of the propeller so close to the ground almost had Rufus duck down. It was easy to spot Tifa with the whole party hanging tightly by the wings as the craft flew unmanned.

Then shots were fired.

Rufus swiftly turned to the footman just as Tseng yelled an order to cease fire repeatedly before he heard it. But it did nothing to save the tail and the plane quickly fell onto the water leaving only a trail of smoke. And it floated just as he had anticipated, by the wings and the fuselage which served as its hull making it a boat alternative.

And that was exactly why he wanted the Tiny Bronco.

But he lost another thing that day, when Tifa, barely finding her balance as she sat by the cockpit, looked over her shoulder back to the land they just flew from. She may not see it through the smoke, but Rufus was running towards the shore, as far as he could reach before Tseng called after him. And then he was reminded what he was and was not supposed to do, not in front of the footman, Heidegger, or even Palmer, injured he may be from the spontaneous truck accident.

"Not here, Sir," Tseng murmured.

Rufus looked over and could see just enough of Tifa's pained eyes. Betrayed again, it read, and he was the traitor for the second time. He could always account for their unpleasant chat in Costa Del Sol when he more or less made it clear that they would remain standing firmly on their respective places even if it meant they would have to fight each other along the way. But never, by his own life, would he even think of risking hers.

But he could not tell her even that.

He clenched his fists and turned around then marched towards the footman, now standing beside Heidegger who had the woman from before by her arm and struggling in his grasp.

"Let her go," Rufus ordered dismissively then towered over the footman. He did not know who he was or what he looked like under his helmet, but he already hated him.

"You shot the Tiny Bronco," he abhorred. "The very thing we came here for."

The guy shifted uneasily on his feet. "S-sir! The enemies were escaping with it, Sir! S-sorry, Sir!"

Rufus scanned him with contempt and grimaced. "You're dismissed."

"Sir!"

"Indefinitely."

.

.

.

Rufus had dozed off on the chair beside Tifa's bed, his hand holding hers.

Cloud had already told him to take a break and leave Tifa to him when he saw how exhausted he was getting, but Rufus refused to listen. He insisted on staying because he wanted to be there when Tifa wakes up.

The door to the room opened gently and Aerith peeked in. She whispered "may I come in?"

Cloud gestured her in and stood from the couch. She slid her eyes from Tifa to Cloud as she walked to his side. "How is she?"

"Not sure. She hasn't woken up yet."

Aerith nodded slowly and turned back to Tifa. "The doctor outside told me Tifa would need Cure spells that would penetrate through her liver. I know I can help with that."

Cloud nodded. "That'll be great."

"So…" She nodded at where Rufus and Tifa were joined in plain view. "Do you know anything about that?"

Cloud took a deep breath. "They're married."

Aerith swooped her head back at him with wide eyes. "Married?" she whispered in a loud hiss.

Cloud frowned and lifted his index finger to his lips.

Aerith shook her head. "Why? How? Where?"

"Long story short, I was too dense to get a grip of what was going on, so Rufus caught her instead."

Aerith clicked her tongue and shook her head. "That's what happens when you leave a coffee for too long."

"Huh?"

"You really are dense," Aerith chided. "Things like this, things like love, is like a cup of fresh coffee. If you leave it for far too long, it'll turn cold."

Cloud's lips turned into a frown.

"Well, still surprised that she, of all people, would agree to marry him."

"Imagine that," Cloud sighed scornly. "I think it started when I forgot our meeting at Costa Del Sol," he mulled over. "That day when we were supposed to meet at the beach. Of all the times I overslept, it had to be that day. When I got there, she was already gone. Stupid of me to think she went back to the inn and didn't even look for her."

"Until Yuffie did, who then gave you a good nagging about it."

Cloud grimaced at the memory of Yuffie shouting and making a scandal in front of the inn as Tifa tried to calm her down. Cloud remembered feeling sorry and loathing himself for not showing up. Tifa insisted it was an honest mistake, though that did nothing but make him feel worse about himself.

"But I think the real tipping point was our stay at Gold Saucer," he added.

Aerith tilted her head to a side and raised her eyebrows. "Huh?"

Cloud grinned. "That day when I took you out on a date. I think that was what did it for Tifa. It was my fault, I just didn't realize it then. Until Rufus shed some light about it."

"Oh…" Aerith trailed. "But you only asked me because of what happened in Costa Del Sol, right? 'Too awkward' you said. "

"But she didn't know that," Cloud rebutted.

"And I did clue you in, so don't even think I took part in this. My conscience is clear."

"You did." Cloud shook his head at himself. "Don't get me wrong Aerith, I enjoyed our time there. Especially after we… you know, almost lost you."

Aerith smiled gently when Cloud cut his words. She held his arm and squeezed it. "So did I."

Cloud smiled back. "But Tifa was expecting something else."

.

.

.

It was their second visit at the Gold Saucer. And somehow, she had a feeling it might also be their last.

The lights from its facade, booths, towering rides, and landscape illuminated more brightly than she had ever seen anywhere else, swelling into the playful and romantic flavors of the place. Its guests enjoyed the amenities too much; they were losing themselves in a dreamy ignorance of the looming danger of Sephiroth. Sadly, or fortunately, Tifa found herself somehow lucky that she would get to spend their time together in one of the happiest places in Gaia.

They decided to settle in the park's inn, as usual. It cost outrageously more than the other inns they had been, but Cid said it was to be expected.

As they stood by the reception desk and reviewed the inn's rates on their booklet, Cloud turned to her. "What do you think?"

Tifa knotted her eyebrows at the prices, discerning that they needed two rooms to separate the boys from the girls, which meant it would cost them more than getting a suite large enough for all of them. Although she personally found the segregation unnecessary, she knew it was a must if they were planning on sleeping soundly, which they would very much want right now.

Cloud peeked at the booklet over her shoulder, probably because she was taking too long. "We have enough for whatever you want."

Tifa nodded seriously. "I know. But I don't want to spend too much on this. Our fund's not bottomless."

"Just take what you think is best. We'll manage."

Tifa eyed him suspiciously. "Are you sure?"

Cloud waved a dismissive hand. "Just do what you have to do."

"Okay." She smiled at the receptionist. "I'll take the two rooms."

"I'm gonna look around, see if I can find something."

"Here? At the Gold Saucer?" Yuffie pried.

"Gotta try everything we could."

"I would suggest that we stay together if we are going to wander around," Vincent remarked.

"You gotta bring someone with you, then," Barret encouraged.

"So, like a date!" Aerith exclaimed.

Tifa's eyes gleamed at the sound of a "date." Whereas Costa Del Sol was made for married couples, Gold Saucer was meant for people sharing a blossoming romance. It would be a brazen assumption to hold that Cloud harbored any of that type of feelings for her, especially when his affections for Aerith seemed to hold more promises, but a girl like her can hope.

"I wouldn't call it that," Cloud replied uneasily.

"Don't be awkward. It's the perfect time and perfect place for it. You've been on a date before, haven't you?"

Blush crept up Cloud's cheeks. "What do you take me for?"

"Just answer the question, Cloud," Yuffie replied crossly.

Tifa gazed at him expectantly. "Let's just enjoy what we have right now while we still could. There's no harm in that."

Cloud gave her a sideway glance and rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess so."

Aerith shifted her eyes between the two. "Well? Who are you gonna bring with?"

Tifa held still in expectation as Cloud glanced around everybody. She could already read his mind— she knew he did not want this to appear as a date because it was not a date to him. He would roam around on his own if he had the choice, but anything can happen as Vincent had already said. It could be Sephiroth's surprise attack, or the Turks' though highly unlikely it might be. No matter what would happen, what fate had in store for them, Tifa would be more than happy to deal with it as long as she would be rewarded a time with Cloud.

Cloud looked at Aerith. "Do you wanna come with me?"

Tifa bit her lip while Aerith's smile somewhat fell but somehow managed to plaster it back.

"Me? You sure?" she nodded as if to encourage whatever second thoughts he was having. "You don't wanna bring anyone else."

"No," Cloud replied, averting his eyes from Tifa. "Let's go."

When Cloud started to walk towards the exit, Aerith paid Tifa a regretful glance. Tifa's chest was hitching up and down, up and down, and her lips were trembling. But she managed a fleeting smile for Aerith which did nothing else for her but pinch out tears from her eyes.

Aerith smiled back and nodded back at her, the best she could give as an assurance to her heart before following Cloud outside.

She hated the sorry looks she gained from everyone following that so she excused herself and walked hurriedly to her room. She leaned against the door as soon as she shut it behind her and let out sobs she had been holding in. Never had she felt so little, so unimportant despite the care, thoughts, and efforts she had poured so much that she had dried out and left nothing else but tears and pain. Loyalty took a lot from her, but never gave something back. Not from Cloud. Not even from Rufus.

Rufus' memory at Costa Del Sol and his attempt on their lives in Rocket Town pinched away whatever strength had kept her up and she sunk to the floor, burying her hand between her arms against her propped knees. She could not stop shaking because her tears could not mend the hurt and the truth— that she was never enough for anything.

She sat like that and leaned her head back to the door, gasping for air. She wiped her eyes with her palms then shut her eyes and took a deep breath. She would have to stand and walk. One step at a time. One small step to get there.

The minutes she spent to wash her face and groom herself to remove traces of her agonizing bout brisked by as if they never happened. She left the inn and looked around, wondering how the people could be so lively while she was dragging around an invisible anchor chained around her legs. If Cloud didn't want to bring her to a date, then so be it— she would take herself on a date, solo style.

The walk around worked well on her nerves, the cool air warmed by the abundance of lights which seemed to follow her with every step. Each guest seemed to have someone with them— a partner, a friend, a family… And she was more than happy to disappear in their midst as they brushed past her.

She first encountered the long line of giddy couples leading to the gondola ride, and she knew it had to be the park's popular attraction, if not the only attraction. And it was there to insult her, cajoling at her failure to score a date because she was not cut out for it. She turned on her heels and headed to another direction, anywhere that was less suffocating. And she was glad she did.

She found herself along a street where a fanciful cafe stood— it stood with wooden frames for windows and an open porch with glass doors. She stepped inside and the smell of coffee, though barely comforting her, lured her further in. No one else was inside aside from the staff. Perfect.

"We're closed, Ma'am," a server told her apologetically.

"Oh, uhm—" she slid her eyes around the place. Was she going to be rejected here, too? "—I just want to buy a cup of coffee."

The server looked over his shoulder to the barista, who glanced over the wall clock before nodding at him.

"All right, Ma'am," the server consented and gave her a wide (but nervous) smile. "But we can only serve it for to-go."

Tifa nodded, though reluctantly. "Okay."

She walked over the counter and narrowed her eyes at the menu board plastered behind the attending barista. "Cafe latte," she finally said, then turned her attention back to the barista. His eyes widened at something behind her.

She turned around just as Rufus, in his white pants and black shirt which was unbuttoned halfway to his chest and sleeves rolled up heedlessly to his elbows, was walking in. Immediately, he caught her eyes in his startled gaze under his unusually loose hair, her presence suddenly interrupting his entrance. The server bowed to him repeatedly and she heard him apologize profusely for accepting another customer, which she assumed was her. Rufus held up a hand and wordlessly dismissed the server who backed away while still bowing.

Whether or not he had reserved the place for himself, Tifa decided to leave— she had to leave and spend not a minute more at the place with Rufus in it. She drilled quickly for the door but was halted by Rufus' arm as he slammed his hand to the doorframe in front of her. He peered at her with frigid but determined eyes which she answered with a glare of her own.

"Let. Me. Out," she snarled.

"No," he growled back. "Not looking like that."

She began to breathe heavily, catching a whiff of gin and whiskey from him. His cheeks were mantled with drunkenness, too.

"You've been drinking," she said.

"And you've been crying," he returned.

Tifa deepened her frown and pushed his arm away. He quickly responded by blocking her way with himself.

"Not now, Shinra," she tried to warn, but her voice was betraying her— it was beginning to break.

"I won't allow it," he shot back.

Tifa could feel her lips quiver. This night, a night she had intended to enjoy for herself, with her friends, or with Cloud, had never waved back to her favor. She avoided his eyes and her knees were beginning to weaken. She let out a sob.

"Sit with me, Tifa."

She remained still.

"Please."

She looked back at him in his plea, her vision of him now blurry from the tears that welled thicker in her eyes. Somehow, all of her strength to resist had left her, and it did not help when Reno, who was standing guard by the door outside, shot her a sympathetic look over his shoulder.

Rufus gently took her by her wrist and carefully guided her to a booth. More tears dropped the moment she sat and realized that the comfort of the cushioned seat was what she needed at that moment.

Neither said anything, even as they waited for their coffee to arrive— her cup of cafe latte and his brewed coffee in a steaming moka pot brought over with an empty cup and a small pitcher of steamed milk.

She lifted her eyes at Rufus who was peering back at her, intently surveying her present state.

She sniffled. "I didn't expect to see you here, in Gold Saucer of all places," she said meekly.

"We're following the same trail," he said. "Our paths are bound to meet sooner or later."

"I know. But I never imagined it to be here."

Another silence fell upon them as they took sips from their own cups. Her drink was a little too milky, but comforting in itself to lull her silent weeping.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Rufus began once he placed his cup down.

Tifa gulped. She did. She rubbed the sides of her cup in between her hands.

Rufus's eyebrows met at her silence. "Fine. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But you must understand, should I find myself guessing what is upsetting you so."

Tifa shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

"It does if it's costing you your tears."

Tifa sighed exasperatingly, eyes tightly closed. "If I start, I'll cry again. I'd rather not do that in front of you."

"Then who will console you? Strife?"

Tifa pursed her lips and looked out the window. Reno and Rude were still standing by the cafe's doors, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Rufus understood. "Ah."

"I'd really rather not talk about it."

"As you wish." He poured more coffee from the moka pot into his cup and mixed it with the milk.

"Why didn't he want me?"

Rufus paused at Tifa's whisper which was drowned by the splashing sound of his pouring coffee. "What was that?"

Tifa sighed and returned to her own cup. "Why didn't he want me?"

Rufus slowly placed his moka pot back down. "What made you say that?"

"He, uhm—" she sniffled some more,"—he decided to walk around here, look for something that might be helpful for our mission. He took Aerith, instead."

Tifa didn't know why she said that. She did not owe him any explanation, it would not bear him anything other than, maybe, the rewarding knowledge of her pain and misfortune. But his offer for his own listening ear was too inviting, and she needed it.

Rufus blinked a few times, not expecting her to actually tell him anything. He certainly hated seeing her like that, and it already sufficed to know that this was all Strife's doing to despise him more than he already had. He scoffed.

"Had I known what he's going to do to you, I shouldn't have brought him to Sector Seven."

Tifa's head flipped up. "No, don't say that. I'm still happy that you did."

"I'm not."

"You can't use that to hate him just because he didn't do what you expect him to do."

"Oh, I don't need that reason to hate him. I simply just already do."

Tifa shook her head and looked away.

Rufus took a sip of his coffee and exhaled through his teeth. "I understand the dilemma."

Tifa scoffed and turned back to him. "Really? Do you?"

"Yes. This is not the first time anyone in history had a case of unrequited love."

"Have you ever been in love?"

Rufus grinned and looked down on his coffee he had lifted to his lips for another sip. "Why not?"

"But you can't possibly understand what it's like."

"What is?"

"To be rejected." Tifa said so quietly, he barely heard it. "I'm sure gorgeous, high-profile women are throwing themselves at you from everywhere. All you really have to do is pick one. What are the chances that none of them is the one you'll fall for?"

The corner of Rufus' lips slightly curved up as he gazed at her. "A great many chances."

Tifa narrowed her eyes just as she drank from her cup. "I don't believe you."

Rufus sneered and leaned back on his chair. "Your current situation is not different from mine. You see, she is in love with someone else."

Tifa paused midway, her lips barely touching the rim of her cup. "I'm sorry," she uttered.

"I, too, felt sorry for myself at one point," he said. "When I decide on one thing, I stick to it. I make sure to make it happen whatever the cost, and it usually doesn't cost much. But there is always a chance that it won't happen, nothing but a fact of life. No amount of force or willpower can give me what I want. In which case, a relationship with her had ceased to be an option because she is clearly devoted to someone else. And the only course of action is to let her go. Don't you agree?"

Her chest caved in. "Wow." She rested her elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her palm. "I agree, but I never took you for someone who can be selfless."

Rufus sneered. "I'll pretend I'm not offended by that. But yes, I can be quite selfless if I want to." If it mattered to him.

Tifa took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes. They were strained from crying and closing them seemed to be the only choice to allay the heaviness. She quite liked it, how this exact second felt. Brief as it was, a respite from the pain her heart had to endure earlier. It helped that someone sympathized with her, though ironically he also happened to heap on her pain, for brushing off her assumptions that he had cared for her, too.

But then… and then…

"You shot our plane," she breathed and squeezed her eyes at the pain and fear instilled by the memory. "I know we might still be enemies, you made it clear. But I thought we could still be friends outside our missions. But, you shot our plane. Did you really have to kill us? And I don't even know why…"

The pinch returned and she flinched when tears and sobs suddenly escaped from her again at the vivid memory of her hanging for dear life as Cid's Tiny Bronco was shot under Rufus' command. No aid, no trace of remorse, nothing to show that Rufus had second thoughts about it. Not even she was worth a small amount of his tendency to be selfless.

She stiffened when he stretched out his hand and reached for her cheek from across the table. With the light touch of his thumb, he wiped away a stray tear.

"Dry your tears, Tifa," he uttered softly. "Neither I nor Strife is worth it."

She froze at his touch and gaped at him as he was still stroking his thumb along her cheek. He froze just as his eyes fixed on hers and suddenly, they both knew something that wasn't supposed to be there was tugging them closer to an agonizingly coveted reverie of what could be happening after. And they would have if it were not for the chains that bound them where they were supposed to be.

"I—" she gasped, "—I should head back."

Rufus quickly pulled his hand back and stood just when she did. "Let me walk you there."

Tifa paused, eyes suddenly awakened by his bid. "Huh?"

He held out a hand for her. "I'll walk you to wherever you're staying."

She flinched and took a step back as she looked at his hand with great prudence. Rufus' chest hitched once he had grasped her fear of getting hurt again if she took it. So he withdrew.

"I wish I can apologize for the incident in Rocket Town," he said solemnly. "I did not intend to crash your plane down, never had it crossed my mind. But believe me when I say that we are better off as we are now. I'm living a dangerous life, and you have a better advantage as my enemy."

Tifa's brows quickly met and narrowed her eyes.

"But we are free tonight, in this brief respite," Rufus continued. "So let us be."

"If it's up to me, then let me walk to the inn alone," Tifa replied, trying to sound derisive. But Rufus knew she was too gentle for that, so he persisted.

"Let me walk you. And then you will not see me again."

"I doubt that."

"I know. But not tonight, anyway. I promise you."

Tifa gazed at Rufus. And as usual, his eyes remained unreadable. She shook her head. "No. No need for that. The others are staying there, too."

Rufus smirked. "Are you worried that they might attack me?"

"Or start unnecessary fights." She sighed. "I've had enough for tonight."

"I'll call for a truce. For your sake."

For my sake, Tifa repeated in her mind. It had been a while since she heard something like that for her, a gentle nudge that maybe, just maybe, she mattered too.

"Thank you," she said. It truly made her happy.

Rufus smiled at her, glad that she had finally found her spirit for that evening. But most of all, relieved that she had regained her footing under his watch. Their moment of affinity was suddenly interrupted by a loud bang outside. Tifa turned around and lifted her eyes to the window where flares of fireworks burst in the black night sky.

"Oh, wow…" she marvelled.

"Ah, it has started."

But Tifa stood still as she watched the blazing fireworks with awe and gleam in her eyes. Rufus drew a long breath.

"They're a little hyped up, if you ask me," Rufus said.

"Can't blame me, Mr. Shinra," Tifa said as she was still watching the sky. "I don't always get to watch fireworks like this."

"Then I'll show you something I think is more worthy of your attention."

Tifa looked over to him. "What?"

Rufus smirked. "Come with me."

She had not seen this part of Gold Saucer yet, nor did she ever hear about it. It took them a few hidden turns inside the Gold Saucer to find it as if it was an area exclusive only for those who knew about it. It was a wide outdoor area where seven soaring tree-like structures cluttered evenly around with colorful lights as their "leaves." They were as beautiful as they already were, until music began playing. Tifa didn't realize there were people around until they let out their "aaahs" and "awws," and she joined in by bringing a hand over her mouth when the lights danced in harmony with the music. It started slow and the lights glimmered in a beautiful blend of rose, teal, white, green, and champagne colors. They burst like fireworks when the bass joined into the melody she had never heard before but she would always remember as one that sent shivers through her arms.

She almost reached for Rufus' arm when the illumination in all seven trees bursted beautifully at the same time just as the music reached its peak. She compellingly looked at her hand then up at Rufus to see if he had caught that.

Rufus was gazing back at her with earnest eyes that locked her to him. She held her breath as the blue and the rose waltzed along his sharp countenance. Something emerged inside of her, something that broke free before she realized she had been trapping it. The music, the lights, and everything else that lived around them relieved her to make sense of everything and nothing at the same time.

"You're right," she said. "It's more beautiful."

He gazed at her for another moment before he spoke again. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Tifa."

Beautiful, as he always had been. But now, so much more beautiful that it ached.

Suddenly, even for him, he smiled softly. He did not know where the melancholy of the moment was coming from— was it from the glint in her eyes that he could only catch a glimpse of in stolen moments? Or the pain of not understanding how she could still smile at him like that despite all the manners of battles she fought up to this point? He had not realized it yet, but he had been trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart so he could make her whole again. But with each piece he touched, he was losing parts of himself.

"Will you remember this night?" she asked.

"To the end," he replied.