Summary:
There were seven years between the two, and Rufus and Tseng's relationship had started as that of protector and protected. Even though Tseng viewed the young heir as a lad, he was about to find out that the years Rufus had been away at school had matured him in ways that Tseng had not expected or anticipated. Rufus had realized his sexual preference very early on, but the short time he had spent in Tseng's presence had ruined him from any other meaningful relationship. And even though he dreamed of being with him, there was always something standing in his way. His Father! So Rufus carefully crafted a new persona for himself. One that would placate his father. And when the time was right, Rufus would strike. Toppling his father's reign and assume his rightful place with his Knight at his side.
A/N: This story's ideas blossomed out of the controversy surrounding time-lines in the Remake and my desire to explore the bond Rufus possesses with Dark Nation. For this story, I will be using FFVII OG Dark Nation as a model as I personally feel that is a more accurate depiction of a Deamon Hound. I also prefer the name Darknation vs Darkstar, so that I will use it within this story. Also, being that Dark is a Daemon hound and bonded to Rufus, it is traditionally believed that said hound will be of the opposite sex, So Dark is a she.
Warning! Although sexual content in this story will only be alluded to or discussed in the abstract. I want to clarify that this storey consists of a Yaoi pairing and contains adult themes and minor violence.
Tseng stood in the shadows surveying the crowd. The largest collection of Midgar's social elite had flocked to this event. All glittered and gowned. Men and women dressed to impress their fast wealth. It was sickening, to say the least. But no holds barred for Daddy's precious baby boy! Tseng snorts, The Brat! As he was known by in hushed voices. But it was his twenty-first birthday and the day Rufus Shinra became the age of majority. Officially inheriting the title of Vice-President. Over the course of the last five years, Rufus had only made a few brief appearances in Midgar because he had been away attending school at Ansuz. The prestigious, all-boys, private boarding school in Costa-Du-Sol. So now everyone wanted to see the young man. Tseng sighs deeply. It was going to be a very long night.
"And the Snowflake has arrived!" Reno's voice crackles through Tseng's earpiece.
Tseng rolls his eyes at Reno's sardonic quip about the Vice-President. "Reno! It's Vice-President!" Veld's voice rebukes The younger Turk.
"Ya-Ya," Reno replies.
Tseng sighs. What was it with Red Heads that they had to be either saucy or dramatic? Between Reno and Genesis, Tseng really didn't know which was worse! He lets his gaze pass over the head table where the President, Directors of each department and the three First-Class SOLDIERS were all seated. He didn't know! Affirming his new potion of Second-in-Command, Tseng puts his two cents in. "Reno, you are on the clock! Please act it!" And from his potion, Tseng watched Reno roll his eyes before turning and opening the Grand Hall doors. Allowing Rufus to make a grand entrance.
Rufus had arrived back in Midgar this afternoon and hadn't even been given a chance to unpack properly before being told there would be a Birthday Gala being held in his honour. He sighed. All he wanted to do was have a shower, a quiet meal and perhaps curl up with a good book and a glass of whiskey. But apparently, his father has other ideas. Rufus turned to face the security guard who had escorted him here from the Helo pad and glared at him, his eyes becoming frosty. "Well, then. I guess you had better see that all of my garment bags are brought here, post-haste! And see that there is a light repast brought with them" His voice held an edge of deadly calm while his face remained impassive.
"Sir, Yes, Sir!" The man saluted and turned to carry out Rufus's orders. What the guard didn't see was the hands clasped behind Rufus's back. Clenched so hard, they left indentations in his palms as he attempted to reign in his anger.
A few moments later. A team of servants invaded the apartment. Carrying with them the items Rufus had requested. And with brisk efficiency, hung up the items from the garment bags in the walk-in closet. Unpacked his suitcases and laid out his lunch.
An older woman stepped forward and introduced herself. "Good afternoon, Sir! I am Maranda and am assigned as your head servant! Is there anything else you require?"
Rufus looked at the elderly lady. Sweet-natured, passive, Grandmotherly type. The type of person meant to lull you into believing that you can trust her. But Rufus knew better. Under his father's or one of the Director's employe, she would be reporting everything she heard and saw right back to him or them or both. Rufus sighed internally. So the game has begun. "Just when and where does my father request me to be?" He inquired, his voice neutral.
"Seven p.m. in the banquet hall!" Her voice was a little too friendly.
Rufus nodded. "That will be all then!" He started briskly as he sat down and begun to eat. Effectively dismissing the woman.
Maranda was a little startled by the abruptness of this young man, but, "are you sure? I can help you settle...?"
Rufus turned to face the women. His eyes becoming even more glacial. His voice frigid, "I am sure!"
She gulped and nodded, then bowed. "As you wish, Sir!" Turning to leave, "If there is anything?"
Rufus sighed impatiently and through gritted teeth. "I wish to be left alone to eat in peace!"
The older woman quickly exited the apartment. Thinking to herself that her employer's perception was way off base. Rufus wasn't moody or brooding. He was downright terrifying. Cold and indifferent. Obviously, The Brat no longer existed and in its place was a shell of a man cold and hardened. She quickly went to report her initial assessment of the child.
Rufus went back to his meal, grateful for the solitude. He was more than sure that there were video and voice recorders throughout this new abode, but he would deal with them later. He was hungry and tired and planned to take care of both before attending his birthday party. Once he finished eating. He took his dishes into the kitchen and put them into the dishwasher. The leftover food into the fridge. He wasn't going to give the cleaning staff any reason to be in here more than necessary.
He let his eyes wander over his new apartment in the Shinra Tower. It was of moderate size and open concept. The short hallway opened up into the dining area adjacent to the kitchen and separated by a floating bar. Three steps down and to the right led a hallway; he assumed led to his bedroom and bathroom. In front of him was a large living room. The decor was white and black marble mixed with stainless steel and mirrors. He had to chuckle; his father must still be under the impression that Rufus was still a vain peacock. Not that he didn't pride himself by presented himself in the best way, but it was done now for show and nothing more. His looks were a weapon and a defence. Used to get what he wanted and a mask to shield the true person he had become. But in reality, this was another slap in the face by his father. Apparently, the Old Man seemed to think that it would show Rufus as an adult if he lived independently and not in the mansion he had grown up in.
Feeling drained, he turned to see what his bedroom was like. On the way, he passed a closet with mirrored doors on his left. A bathroom on his right and then his bedroom at the end of the hall. This, too, was decorated in black and white, but fortunately, the room was carpeted. A queen-size bed graced the center of the room and had nightstands of mahogany on either side of it. The walk-in closet was left open where his clothes had been taken out and hung. He checked the dresser to see that his other clothes had been put away. Seeing another door left ajar, he peeks in and sees an ensuite of all white marble and glass. He sighed. Obviously, no expense had been spared. Yep, this would ensure the title of 'Spoiled Brat' would stick on just a little bit longer.
Rufus turned and sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to take it all in. This amount of luxury after five years of living in the dormitory at the boarding school felt excessive. Even though he had a private suite, it would have fit into this bedroom with room to spare. But he was the Prince of Shinra Inc. and heir to the throne, and his father would not let him or anyone else forget it. At least the decor was calm and soothing.
It was three p.m. now. He would be able to nap for a couple of hours and still have enough time to get ready for the affair. Setting the alarm and not caring who might be watching his stripped down to his skivvies and crawled under the sheets and within moments was fast asleep.
The doors fully opened, allowing Rufus to step into the hall. But he knew the song and dance as he stood waiting for his father to introduce him. A subtle humiliation as the President finished his conversation with Heidegger before standing up and announcing him. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Please join me in welcoming my son and now Vice-President home as we celebrate his twenty-first birthday." His voice rang out clearly in the now quiet room as everyone stood and turned to witness Rufus's entrance.
Poised and expressionless, Rufus walked the hall's length to stand in front of the head table. He gave a half bow and then replied, "Thank you, Father!" The president nodded, a false smile upon his face as he indicated to the empty chair on his left. Another subtle jab at his son that he was seated on his father's left side while Heidegger was seated on his right. But Rufus had learned the hard way the folly of showing any emotion. So he nodded politely and joined the table. As he sat, the crowd now had unspoken permission to clap and welcome him home. It was all pomp and circumstance. The masses preening. It took all of Rufus's willpower not to roll his eyes at the fakeness.
Once everyone was seated, servers began to bring out the first course of the evening's meal. And as the meal progressed, Rufus made small talk and politely answered questions from those seated at the table. But he was careful about how much he ate per course and how much he drank. He would be damned to give his father a reason to humiliate him further.
"Watch the target!" Veld whispered as he casually walked past Tseng.
Tseng nodded but was startled by the command. Why would the Director want him to watch Rufus? Never the less he did as he was instructed. And as Rufus stepped into the room. Tseng first noticed that Rufus had matured physically and had lost the look of youthful innocence and boyish charm that he still had passed at sixteen years of age. Rufus was now taller by a foot and had developed quite a bit of muscle mass if his memory correctly served Tseng. The second was. He was dressed to kill. His suit was a pearl white colour with fine strands of silver shot through it: a black dress shirt and white tie. Silver and diamond cuff links and tie pins sparkled in the light coming from the chandeliers. Black Dress shoes shone to a mirror finish. The effect was eye-catching. The blazer chinch to accent his broad shoulders and slim waist and his pants were straight cut and almost too tight across his rear end. The boy's hair combed and styled in a way that flattered his face and accented an air of mystery to him. Tseng was shocked by Rufus's appearance.
But what disturbed Tseng the most was seeing the expression on Rufus's face as he purposefully walked to the head table. His eyes, a light blue in colour, no longer held the glint of mischievousness and warmth that Rufus had been known for. The small smile that would lift the corner of the youth's mouth gone in favour of an impassive straight line. "Determined and serious, A veil masking the inner self!" Tseng thought to himself. Rufus had obviously done a great deal of change in the last few years, as Tseng assumed would happen, but it felt wrong for some reason, and Tseng couldn't put a finger on what exactly it was. So he discreetly moved closer to the head table and observed the young heir.
Rufus sighed inwardly at the inane questions being asked of him. "So, how many achievements were you awarded in school?" "Met any interesting Ladies?" "Now that you're home. What type of social activities do you intend to pursue?" Stupid questions from insipid Directors that only required one-worded responses on his part. Like they thought, his only concern was improving his social status. And not any that may have to do with one day running the company and them! But it made him wonder what his father had been saying of him to give these people these impressions. It probably didn't matter one way or another. They had formed their opinions of him. And right now was not the time to convince them otherwise.
Dessert was finally set before them. It was almost over. Once this course was concluded, the staff would clear the tables and remove those in the centre, creating space for people to dance. And even though Rufus dearly wanted to, he would not yet be able to retire. But he could at least get up and move around. He would also be required to dance with the brightly plumaged Ladies who had flocked here tonight in hopes of catching the eye of the most prestigious bachelor in Midgar. This did make Rufus chuckle, but he smothered it with a fork full of chocolate cake.
As he ate his dessert, he let his eyes wander over the crowd of people. He was looking for one person whom he hadn't seen yet tonight. And as his eyes travelled to the far corner on his right. He saw him. Tseng! The one person who had shown him any compassion when he was younger and the one person who haunted his dreams this past few years. Rufus's features softened as he covertly watched the older man. He hadn't changed much. Oh, the were a few care lines creasing his eyes, and his hair was longer, but he still looked breathtakingly handsome to Rufus. Even though he was a Turk and employed by his father. Rufus desperately wanted to talk with him. To hear the deep gentle tone that sent shivers up his spine.
"See something that catches your eye?" His father's voice intruded onto his wayward thoughts.
Fortunately, Rufus wasn't so lost in thought that he couldn't properly reply to his father's query. "Perhaps! There are quite a few charming young women present. A couple, I believe I recognize. I believe I'll go and reacquaint myself with them! If you'll excuse me?" Rufus stood and bowed and waited for his father's reply.
"Of course, my lad. It is your birthday, after all!" he exclaimed boisterously.
At that, Rufus turned and went to mingle with the masses. His father's fake enthusiasm left a bad taste in Rufus's mouth that he tries to rid of with a good shot of something stronger than the different wines served during the meal.
The night passes far too slowly as Rufus reacquaints himself with some of the people he had gone to school with. Dancing with a few select ladies. And converses with some of Midgar's minor powers. And as much as he wanted to, he refrains from searching Tseng out among the crowd. But at long last, the hour strikes two OClock, and even the most die-hard party-goers are ready to call it a night. Rufus heads once again to the head table and bids his father goodnight. And then turns to beat a hasty retreat.
Once outside the ballroom, he lets out a sigh of relief and lets the facade drop, only to hear a familiar voice. "Good evening, Mr. Vice-President! I trust you had an enjoyable evening?"
Rufus gulped and turned. It was Tseng! Standing in the shadow of the corridor, a slight smirk on his face. Rufus, at a loss for words, blinked in stupid surprise. Stunned at how quickly his body reacted to being this close to the person of his desires.
Tseng had watched Rufus the entire evening. Carefully patrolling the room to make it less conspicuous that his attention was focused on the younger man. On the surface, Rufus appeared to be a polished, well-mannered young man. He conversed intelligently with his quests. Subtly smiling or laughing with them at the appropriate moments. Alternating dances with a few select ladies. And ensuring that he remained visible to those at the high table.
But what amused Tseng was that there were six glasses of wine poured over the course of the meal, yet Rufus only took a few sips from each and as the meal progressed. The first drink Rufus had after leaving the table, he drank in full. But after that, even though he always had a full drink in his hand, Rufus would only sporadically place the glass to his lips, letting the liquid touch them. And when he started a conversation with a new set of people or went dancing, he set the glass down. Only to retrieve a new one from the servers. In essence, he looked to be drinking quite a bit, but in reality, he wasn't, and Tseng wondered why. The reports he had received about him all said that he was quite the party goer and had to be helped back to his dorm on more than one occasion.
So even though it looked like is was enjoying himself. Tseng saw it for what it was a charade. Rufus was playing the part his father expected of him. The dutiful son! But why? It was no secret among those who work within the corporation's inner circles that Rufus detested his father and would pull whatever theatrics he thought best to annoy the Old Man. Hence the nickname The Brat! But tonight impressed that, while away, Rufus had toed the line to his father's will. And that, in of itself, sent warning bells screaming in Tseng's mind.
He had been Rufus's bodyguard for the two years before him leaving for school. Being appointed to him right after the mysterious death of his mother. And during that brief time, he had gotten to know him fairly well, even though Tseng maintained the boundaries of employer and employee. And now Tseng, with Veld's order of 'Watch the target,' felt it was his duty to examine these changes in Rufus's personality. So once the party was coming to a close. Tseng sought out Vled and informed him of his speculations and his desire to follow up on them. Veld eyed Tseng for a minute before nodding his consent. And with that, Tseng exited the banquet hall using the servent entrance and waited, in the shadows of the hallway, for Rufus to retire for the night.
He didn't have to wait long before Rufus exited the banquet hall. And as he watched him, he saw the visible relaxation in his posture as he exhaled a sigh of relief. And the mask drop from his face. "Good evening Mr. Vice-President! Trust you had an enjoyable evening?" He intoned quietly.