Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII nor its characters. Just want to write for fun! English also isn't my first language so pardon for any grammatical errors!
Chapter 1: Through Her Eyes
Tifa mindlessly scrubbed the bar counter even if it was already shiny enough, her eyes swollen and puffy from crying through yet another sleepless night.
It has been almost two weeks since Cloud left her and the kids to the dust. Again, he insisted he needed to 'find himself' – whatever that means. She did not understand why he felt the need to do so. Shin-Ra company is no more, the mako reactors long gone. Kadaj's gang and Sephiroth's revival were settled. He was even cured of geostigma. Peace was finally achieved. So why? Why did he have to leave? Is he still confused from the mako poisoning he suffered before? Or perhaps the holy rain that cured him reminded him of Aerith– whose passing he still blames himself on?
Her friends have heard about Cloud's decision and some have tried to convince him to stay. Yuffie ratted his ear off, telling him to 'be a man' for Tifa. Barret also intervened, saying that Cloud needed to be there for the kids, most especially Denzel– who looked up to him the most. Cid opened his mouth to run his colorful vocabulary to Cloud, to which Tifa had to cover Marlene's ears from. As expected however, all of the attempts were futile and fell onto deaf ears.
Seeing Tifa's apparent distress, Barret decided to take both kids out of her hands and bring them to North Corel. Tifa declined at first, saying she didn't want to burden anyone most especially since Barret was occupied with efforts in reconstructing the mining town, but the burly man insisted she needs to take time to heal and that he missed his baby girl Marlene anyways. She was always welcome to visit anytime. Tifa eventually agreed.
With the kids gone and her friends scattered across the world busy with their own personal affairs, for the first time Tifa felt truly alone.
She sighed deeply, feeling her eyes prickling but she forced back the tears. She needs to work and earn a living. Pushing herself to move, she trudged to the entrance of the bar, unlocked it and flipped the sign to 'open'.
Being a Friday night, a lot of her regular patrons sizzled in after a long day at work, declaring they needed to unwind. Tifa plastered on her friendly barmaid smile and served them their usuals. At least there was one aspect of her life that she had control of, which was her beloved bar, Seventh Heaven. With no visible threat looming in the distant future, Edge is starting to become a bustling city. As she was the only bar in town, business was pretty good.
A couple of hours pass by, the bar filling with idle chatter in the background and sounds of glass clinking. Tifa glances at the wall clock behind her and tells her that she will be closing in fifteen minutes. Customers began to thin out, making sure to tip the barmaid before they headed on their way. With the last man leaving, Tifa decided to start cleaning up, until the bell to her bar entrance jingled. A familiar redhead with a goofy grin on his face peeked in.
"Hey, Tifa! I know you're closing, but maybe we can sneak a few drinks?" Reno said, almost pleading. "Long day at work and we can really use some booze…"
Tifa greeted Reno and nodded. "Sure, go find someplace to sit down," She gestured at the empty tables. A few years back, the raven haired girl would have been wary of their presence, but ever since both Reno and Rude helped them find Marlene and Denzel, she found herself thinking maybe they weren't all that bad. In fact, she was grateful for the help. They were more of a help than Cloud was, she thought bitterly.
Reno gave her a smile and a thumbs up in response, opening the door to the bar wider and gesturing for the rest of the company to come in. She expected the usual company which consisted of Rude, Elena and occasionally Tseng so Tifa was quite surprised to see the all too familiar former Shin-Ra president walking in as well. The Turks and their boss settled on one of the larger tables, Rufus sitting down first. Reno glanced at the counter and nodded to Tifa. "The usual and…" He turned to Rufus. "What about you boss?"
"Whisky," He responded simply. Tifa nodded and began preparing everyone's drinks.
She heard from Cloud that Rufus managed to survive the attack from Diamond Weapon, but how– she's not quite sure. Cloud also mentioned that even though Shin-Ra Electrical Company has long ceased their operations, Rufus and his Turks have been actively rebuilding the planet with what's left of the once powerful company, even aiding Reeve in the World Regenesis Organization to atone for their atrocious sins. Even if they turned a new leaf, Tifa was still reluctant around Rufus, her memory of him ordering for her execution resurfacing from her mind.
Finished with her preparations, Tifa walked to the large table and served their drinks. Elena smiled and thanked her. "Why not join us, Tifa? Since you're closing anyways," She said. Tifa tried to decline but Reno chimed in.
"Yeah! Definitely, the more the merrier!" He stood up briefly and walked to the door, flipping the sign back to 'closed'.
"I really should start cleaning up but do take your time–" She was cut off by Reno who ushered her to the counter. "Oh come on, pick your drink and sit with us!" He flashed a smile. She shook her head but smiled back and relented. She grabbed her own drink and walked back to the table with Reno skipping beside her.
An hour has passed, and Tifa sipped her third glass slowly, listening to the Turks' playful banter and giggling occasionally, specifically at Reno and Elena. They both complained about each other, the latter saying that the other is always so sloppy. They seemed like a married couple to Tifa. Rude pitched in his own jokes from time to time. Tseng was quiet as usual but also chuckled at his subordinates' antics, watching the scene play with mild interest. The only one who didn't talk at all was the former blonde president. She sneaked a glance at Rufus, and found that he was looking at her as well.
"So…" He started. "How have you been Ms. Lockhart?"
Startled by his attempt at small talk, Tifa answered, albeit a little hesitant. "Okay I suppose.. business in the bar has been great to say at the least,"
Rufus nodded. "Strife then? Don't see him around. Busy with his delivery service?" At the mention of Cloud, Tifa frowned but forced herself not to look like it affected her. "He had some business to take care of someplace," She lied, sipping her drink to avoid talking about it.
Rufus, raised his eyebrow but did not question her further.
Reno however, tipsy from having a couple of shots, decided to chime in on the conversation. "Cloud huh? Weren't you two taking care of kids too? Where's he gone? Shouldn't he help you out here? Did he pussy out again like last time?" He asked question after question. Elena bonked him on the head. "Reno! Try to understand!" He rubbed his head and was about to retort back but Rufus spoke.
"I believe you already had a lot to drink Reno, perhaps you should call it a night," He nodded to Tseng. "Why don't you all go home?"
Reno was about to disagree but Rude started pulling him off the chair. Elena followed suit, along with Tseng. "How about you sir?" He inquired.
"You go on ahead, leave one of the cars. I can drive myself," Tseng hesitated, worried that their President might get kidnapped again. Shin-Ra still received an ample amount of hate despite their recent good deeds. Rufus shook his head, seeming to read his mind. "I will be fine. I am armed. Besides," His hand motioned at Tifa. "I'm with one of the planet's heroes, I should be safe," Tseng then handed him the keys, a worried expression still on his face. He then sauntered off to the rest of the Turks outside. A car engine sounded, and eventually faded off in the distance.
"Maybe you should go home too, it is getting quite late," Tifa said. "Drinks are on me," She stood up to start clearing out the glassware.
"Seems like you can use the company Ms. Lockhart," He said, gulping down the remaining contents in his glass.
Tifa frowned. Sure they weren't the bad guys anymore, but what made Rufus think she'd be buddies with him of all people? "Don't assume you know me at all. The only interaction we ever had was when you planned to execute me in Junon," She huffed.
Rufus just chuckled, not at all bothered. "At the rooftop in Shin-Ra headquarters as well," His voice became a bit higher. "He likes to make speeches like his father," He said, mimicking her. It was not out of mockery however, as he had a playful glint in his eye.
"Well it's true! Your father had this whole speech for us before he threw us with this.. mechanical scorpion thing…" She trailed off and just pouted.
Rufus again, just chuckled. "Sit down will you? Let's talk. Think of me not as your former enemy, but just your bar patron," He brought up his glass, signaling for another drink. Tifa sighed but decided to humor him. She went to the bar counter and grabbed a bottle of whisky and poured herself a glass of her own as well.
She handed Rufus his drink. Since they were hanging out anyway, she decided to ask him things she was curious about. "How did you survive the weapon attack?"
Rufus accepted the drink, sipped his whisky and started to recount to Tifa what happened for him to survive. He explained that his father had built a chute to a secret shelter from the seventieth floor all the way to the first.
As more time passed by, Tifa found herself relaxing at the blonde's company. He was quite interesting to talk to. Both of them exchanged questions about the other's experiences. He asked her why she opened a bar. She asked him if he had any hobbies outside of work. It was like a date, each party getting to know each other.
"Did you… ever love your father? You seem to be unaffected by his death," She asked, liquid courage aiding her.
Rufus raised his eyebrow and scoffed. Tifa immediately apologized. "Sorry.. maybe that was too personal–"
"No, it's alright. I did bring him up anyways," Another sip of his whisky. "To answer you frankly… no. I do not care nor have any affections for him," He frowned. "At least not until he started affairs siring who knows how many bastard children and let my mother die in grief," He spat bitterly.
Tifa's eyes widened. Rufus was opening up to her about quite a sensitive topic. It was probably because he was starting to get loose from the alcohol. She looked over at the bottle of whisky. It was nearly empty. How many glasses had he consumed? She has always thought of him as cold and ruthless. He never bled nor cried, as Aerith once said. Her curiosity and interest piqued more.
"He let your mother die…?" She asked carefully.
Rufus nodded, his face showing a hint of sadness. A rare emotion coming from him. The emotion was completely erased in an instant. "She was kidnapped for ransom. My father couldn't care less however. He said her job of producing an heir was over so no need to waste time and money on her,"
Tifa placed her hand on top of his, trying to comfort him. She felt Rufus flinch from the sudden touch but his stiff hand eventually relaxed. Neither moved their hand.
"My mother's captors eventually got impatient, and ended her life thinking she is of no use anymore as my father had no interest in getting her back. That was the one time I cried, but my father told me not to. He basically drilled in my head that Shin-Ra never bleed or cry,"
After a few moments of silence, the barmaid spoke."I'm sorry to hear that…" She offered. Rufus broke the contact of their hands and waved her dismissively.
"Don't be. It's all in the past," he said.
"I guess we're the same then… losing a beloved parent," She started. Rufus peeked at her from his glass.
"I lost my father to Sephiroth…" She started and opened up to him what happened at Nibelheim. She didn't know what possessed her to spill everything about her life. Is it the numerous glasses of alcohol she has consumed? Rufus opening up to her about his tearful past that made him seem human to her eyes? Her loneliness from Cloud's absence? Or a little bit of everything?
She recalled her days during her childhood, what she did at Nibelheim. Her mother passing away from an illness. How she started training under Zangan. How she was a tour guide for Shin-Ra's Nibelheim reactors. How she met Cloud. Rufus listened intently and nodded at every word.
"Cloud and I were childhood friends… and he made a promise to always be there when I'm in a pinch. But now he's not here…" Her voice quivered and she felt tears sting the corner of her eyes but pushed it back. A lone tear still escaped however.
Rufus was quiet during the whole display. He then spoke, his tone soft.
"Dry your tears Ms. Lockhart, you deserve far better," Rufus glanced at his wrist watch. It was around three o'clock in the morning. He stood up and Tifa looked at him quizzically.
"It seems it's quite late into the night. I ought to be going home. It was a pleasure to talk to you, Ms. Lockhart. Do get some rest," He pulled out a fancy leather wallet and left multiple bills of gil on the table. "Don't even refuse the payment, business is business after all," He began to leave, but Tifa pulled on the sleeve of his pristine white suit.
"Wait.. don't go…" Tifa pleaded. Rufus widened his eyes, quite bewildered at the sudden action.
"I.. please. I don't want to be alone tonight," Tifa didn't care anymore. It hurt, everything hurt when she thought of Cloud. She threw caution to the wind, her guard was completely down. She didn't care who she was with, Rufus Shin-Ra, her former enemy, whoever. She just didn't want to spend another night crying till she fell asleep alone.
Rufus stood there, his face devoid of any emotion. For a moment, Tifa thought he would mock her for being so weak and proceed to leave the bar. Instead, he shook his head, a few strands of his blonde hair falling over his eyes, which he quickly flicked away with his hand.
"As I said earlier, dry your tears. You are a capable and attractive woman, I am sure a lot will seek after you," He said. Tifa looked up at him, her eyes glassy from crying, not expecting any form of comfort.
"Really.. you think so?"
"Of course. Even Rude fancies you," He added. Tifa chuckled and proceeded to wipe her tears. "Thank you…" She said and kissed his cheek.
Rufus pulled back from the sudden feel of her lips on his cheek, surprise etched on his face. Even Tifa was shocked with what she did. A lot of surprises that night. Silence passed between them, gazing into each other's eyes. There was tension in the air, but Tifa felt a sense of longing. A sense of urgency.
Tifa placed a hand on Rufus' chest not breaking their gaze. She closed her eyes. Rufus got the hint, and pressed his lips onto hers.
They break the contact after a minute or two, neither saying anything.
This was wrong. He was a former enemy. He had attempted to take her life. She didn't know if he had really turned good. Maybe he was putting on a show and will return to the tyrant he once was when he gains everyone's trust. All the warning signs were ringing in her head, but she ignored them.
As Tifa led Rufus to her room upstairs, she thought that maybe– just maybe… she wasn't really alone.
