Author's Note: This time, Rufus' point of view! This only be a two-shot story. Thank you if you ever read this!
Chapter 2: Through His Eyes
"Rufus! Get out of here–" A woman's voice, followed by a loud gunshot. Blood splattered on his bright white suit, staining it dark red. He looked at his hands. Blood.. blood was everywhere. He desperately closed his eyes shut, willing the images to go away.
He felt himself getting plunged into water. He opened his eyes reluctantly. Searching around for the woman before, she was nowhere to be seen. The body of water seemed to stretch for miles, never ending. In the distance, a cloud of black substance seemed to inch nearer to where he was. He tried to move away, but his body refused to listen to him. The black substance started to get nearer. It completely enclosed him, darkness filling his vision. He felt like he was going to drown. He felt his breath waste away. He tried to reach his arms above, but to no avail.
Blue eyes shot open abruptly. Rufus breathed in deeply, draping his arm across his sweaty face. Another nightmare. When will this ever end? Perhaps never. It was to atone for his crimes and sins committed on the planet. He was being punished, he was sure.
He glanced at the clock beside him. It read five o'clock in the morning. He sighed. Knowing he won't be able to sleep anymore, he sat up to get his day started.
After a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes, he exited his bedroom and went to the office adjacent to it. What greeted him was a pile of unfinished paperwork, Tseng most likely leaving them for him to finish. He walked over to his chair, and started sifting through the papers, reading each carefully.
This was a regular day in Rufus Shin-Ra's new life. Ever since he nearly died from Diamond Weapon's attack, his outlook on how he ran his company and life changed drastically. Suddenly, guilt gnawed at him for everything his company has done. Granted, it was his father who established everything, but he felt that since he also carried the Shin-Ra name, he also shared the blame. Later on, the guilt was then replaced with an overwhelming sense of responsibility– to atone for his sins. This was Gaia's eternal punishment for him.
Piece by piece, he tried to rebuild what the planet had lost. Remaining anonymous with Reeve and his Turks' help, he was able to build a new city called Edge using what's left of his company's resources and riches. Reno suggested they build a new Shin-Ra and to rebrand it to be for the people, restoring it to its former glory. Rufus shot down this idea, Shin-Ra has done enough. He did not want to be in the spotlight, and chose to work under Reeve's shadow with the World Regenesis Organization.
He looked around his office. It was small, barely a quarter of his original office in Midgar. His old office oozed richness, decorated with lavish furniture you cannot find anywhere else on the planet, while the one he was in now was bare. It consisted only of the essentials– a large table and a chair, a phone, his personal computer and a plain wall clock. Elena insisted on sprucing up the space but he declined. He thought he did not deserve anything more than this.
Rufus continued on reading more paperwork, occasionally typing things on his personal computer, with only the sound of his wall clock ticking and the rustling of paper to accompany him.
A knock sounded on his door. "Come in," He said without looking up from the papers he was reading through.
"Sir," It was Elena who entered. "Ah, you're all back from Tuesti's place," He gestured for her to come closer. She fully entered the office and closed the door behind her, carrying a stack of new documents. "Reeve handed this to us before we left. He said for you to take a look at it," Elena placed the papers on an empty space on his desk.
"I trust that your mission is a success?" Elena saluted at him and nodded. "Yes, Tseng will write a report about it and submit it to you by tomorrow,"
"Alright, you are dismissed," Rufus nodded, fixing his gaze back on his work. When he didn't hear Elena move from her spot, he looked up again and raised a thin eyebrow, waiting for her to say whatever it is she had to say.
"Sir, we think you've been holed up in your office again. It's a Friday night.. Everyone is off work, why don't you come join us for a round of drinks?" Elena offered.
Rufus shook his head. "I have a lot of matters to attend to Elena. You and the rest go ahead–" He heard loud scuffling behind his closed office door. Elena mentally face-palmed.
"Reno! Let Elena take care of it!"
"No! At this rate the boss wouldn't agree! Elena can be such a pushover!"
At the mention of her name, Elena felt a nerve pop on her temple. The door then bursts open, revealing Rude trying to restrain Reno who was fumbling at the door knob. Tseng was standing on the side, eyes closing as he sighed.
At the sight of their boss, both the red-headed and bald Turk straightened themselves up.
"Boss!" Reno called out. "Come join us please?" He pleaded, pouting a little. "It's Friday night! Come take a chill pill will ya? You've been working overtime for like nearly everyday now, you can use a break!"
Elena bit her lip. Reno can be so callous. She has always wondered why their boss has not reprimanded him for his lack of manners.
Rude agreed however and also threw in his own sentiments. "We are worried about you boss, too much work can't be any good," He adjusted his sunglasses.
To Rufus' surprise, Tseng also pitched in his own thoughts. "I agree with them, Sir. Your physical and mental health is also important,"
Rufus looked at all his Turks, who were looking at him expectantly. Despite the guilt and overwhelming sense of responsibility he felt for his company's actions, the nightmares that plagued him every night, he never once showed he was struggling. He always had that air of confidence and arrogance displayed for all to see. Even when he was in terrible pain from the symptoms of geostigma, even when he nearly broke all his bones from the weapon attack that he had to be stuck on a wheelchair, even when Kadaj nearly killed him, he never showed any sign of weakness. This was deeply ingrained to him by his father. 'Shin-Ra never bleeds nor cries,' his father once said.
But somehow, the four people standing in front of him knew what he felt without him voicing it out. He would never say it out loud because of his pride, but he was thankful of the Turks' unwavering loyalty to him.
He looked at Reno.
"Tseng, Reno, Rude and Elena. What do you all plan to do from here?"
Reno grinned at his boss. "I don't remember being fired!"
He smirked, remembering the memory. He stood up from his chair, neatly piling up the documents he was holding on his desk. "So where to?"
Rufus finds himself nearby the entrance of Seventh Heaven. He recalled that this bar was owned by that one ex-AVALANCHE member, Tifa Lockhart. Tseng parked the car right in front of it and turned off the engine. He got off and opened the door for his boss. The other three Turks emerged out of another vehicle beside them.
"Reno.. maybe we can try some other bar? Looks like it's almost closed," Elena fidgeted her hands and gave Reno a look hoping he would understand. The red-headed Turk glanced at his wrist watch. "We still have fifteen minutes! I'm sure Tifa won't mind, we're practically regulars here! Besides, this is the only bar in town nearest to our lodge," Elena gave him a look of exasperation. She sneaked a look at their boss, who caught it.
"Worried that Ms. Lockhart won't be too kind to me?" Rufus raised his eyebrow. "Please, I could care less," He said. "I will be a paying customer, I see no problem to it,"
Reno's eyes widened, suddenly realizing his mistake. Although Tifa had been kind to them, he was unsure of her opinion on their president. She might not be too accommodating to Rufus considering he attempted to have her executed before and practically tried to make their lives miserable. He looked between Rude and Tseng for help. Before any of them could respond, Rufus walked to the entrance.
"W–wait boss! Allow me to go in instead," Rufus stopped in his tracks. Reno hurried to the steps, opening the door to the bar, the bell jingling above his head. He peeked inside, half of his body still outside.
"Hey, Tifa! I know you're closing, but maybe we can sneak a few drinks? Long day at work and we can really use some booze…" He heard a muffled reply from the other side. Reno turned his head to them, and gestured for them to come in. Rufus took that as a signal for him to enter. He walked in, briefly glancing at the barmaid stationed at the counter. She gave him a look of surprise, clearly not expecting him to visit her bar of all places. He ignored it and proceeded to a large table, claiming one of the seats on the far end. His Turks followed behind him. Reno ordered for them. "What about you boss?" He asks him.
"Whisky," He said.
The Turks then proceeded to chatter about the most mundane things, to which Rufus didn't really pay attention to. His focus was on the dark haired barmaid. Tifa was preparing their drinks swiftly and gracefully, clearly experienced with this kind of work. Didn't she own the same bar in Sector Seven before the plate fell? He grimaced at the thought. His father was not a wise man for ordering such a thing to happen. He hated the fact that he was confined in Junon like a child on time out while all of these happened.
After a couple of minutes, she walked over to their table and served all of their drinks. He took his glass quietly, starting to sip the liquor. Elena then invited Tifa to drink with them, to which Reno backed up. She eventually agreed because Reno practically dragged her to join them.
Tifa sat across Rufus and sipped her own drink quietly. As she watched the Turks' playful banter with each other– mostly Reno and Elena– Rufus was watching her. She giggled softly at his employees' antics.
She was beautiful. Long, dark luscious hair. Soft pink lips. A charming face and crimson eyes that burned with passion. Not to mention her figure– practicing Martial Arts blessed her with such. Rufus admitted to himself. He thought of the same things the first time he saw the former AVALANCHE member on the rooftop of Shin-Ra's headquarters. He pretended to walk close to each member of their little rag tag group while giving his inauguration speech just so he could get a closer look at her. He definitely found her attractive. That is.. until she opened her mouth. 'He likes to make speeches, just like his father,' she sneered. Whatever attraction he felt for her then immediately vanished. Past him would not take too kindly to insults like that. He hated being compared to his old man. Now however, with his changed attitude, he found himself quite attracted to Tifa again. He squashed those thoughts quickly and shook his head mentally. He reminded himself that he didn't deserve to do anything else but work his entire life to atone for his sins. She caught Tifa sneaking a glance at him. But he was also caught looking at her, so he played it off by trying to converse with her.
"So…" He started. "How have you been Ms. Lockhart?"
Tifa looked startled. He smirked. Guess he still had that effect on people. While fear was no longer his go to option to have his way, people's reactions to him were still quite amusing.
"Okay I suppose.. business in the bar has been great to say at the least," She hesitantly answered him.
"Strife then? Don't see him around. Busy with his delivery service?"
Tifa stumbled over her words. A look of pain glazing over her face. She tried to immediately hide it, however Rufus, previously being a master manipulator himself, noticed this. "He had some business to take care of someplace," The barmaid hurriedly sipped her drink, not wanting to talk about the topic of the ex-SOLDIER further. He raised his eyebrow, deciding to let it go. Strife's personal affairs were not any of his business.
Reno, being the gossip and chatterbox he is, started barraging Tifa with a series of questions about Cloud which made her extremely uncomfortable. Elena berated him. He glanced at the table, noting Reno has consumed quite a lot of liquor the past few hours. He decided it was time to cut him off the intoxicating liquid.
"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 tried to retaliate but was too drunk to do so. Rude started pulling him off of the chair and dragged him outside the bar, nodding to Tifa. Elena thanked Tifa silently, and bid her goodbye.
Tseng turned to his boss. "How about you sir?" He inquired.
Rufus could have just gone home with them, but seeing Tifa's distress at the mention of Strife compelled him to stay for some reason. He convinced himself it was just because Tifa was kind to his Turks despite their history and he ought to help her. He told Tseng to not worry about him and drive the others home. He is capable of getting home by himself. The dark long haired Turk eventually agreed and left the premises along with the others.
Tifa insisted he went home as well and to not worry about the bill, to which he refused to do. "Seems like you can use the company Ms. Lockhart," he said. Tifa gave him a frown, her fiery red eyes hinting slight anger. "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 reminded her of their very first encounter on top of Shin-Ra's headquarters, even mimicking what she said to him with a high pitched voice, albeit playfully. Tifa tried to defend herself, but ended up pouting instead. Rufus chuckled.
"Sit down will you? Let's talk. Think of me not as your former enemy, but just your bar patron," He held up his glass, asking for another glass of whisky. Tifa obliged, and brought a bottle from the counter and poured one for him and herself.
Awkward at first, Tifa asked him how he survived the attack from Diamond Weapon. He explained how his father created this secret passage. As time passed and liquor made them both relax, they started asking each other questions about the other party. He asked her why she opened up her bar. She asked him if he had any hobbies besides working. They fell into a comfortable conversation pool, as if they were friends who have not seen each other for quite awhile and are catching up.
She suddenly asked him if he loved his father. He raised his eyebrow, and scoffed at her loudly, disgusted by the thought. Tifa apologized, thinking she crossed a line but he dismissed it and said they were on the topic anyways. Rufus then mentioned his father having sexual affairs with other women getting them pregnant with his illegitimate children and letting his mother die at the hands of her captors. He remembered how his mother died vividly. How could he not? It happened in front of him. It was the subject of his nightmares every time sleep claimed him.
He then realized he spilled his most guarded feelings to Tifa of all people. He never thought of her as anything else other than a violent terrorist and an eye candy before. Why is he suddenly comfortable with the idea of talking to her about his troubles? He shifted his eyes at his empty glass, and the nearly empty bottle of whisky on the table. Must be the alcohol getting into his system.
He knew however, that it wasn't because of that. Tifa was rather easy to get along with, and her presence and genuineness was.. quite refreshing. It slowly melted the thick ice he built around himself, making him feel looser. He felt her place her hand on top of his. He stiffened at the contact, unsure of what to do.
"I'm sorry to hear that…" Was she trying to comfort him? How funny the situation is. The once almighty Rufus Shin-Ra who ruled the whole world with fear and intimidation is reduced to being comforted and coddled by his former enemy for his silly little feelings. He did not mind, however, which surprised him. He reassured her that he was alright.
Tifa then started opening up about her time in Nibelheim. Sharing the same sentiments as him, losing a beloved parent cruelly. She mentioned a promise with Strife. But the aforementioned man was nowhere to be found nowadays.
He was suddenly faced with tears. He was quiet while she sobbed for the other blonde haired man. Frankly, he has never dealt with a crying woman before. It wasn't that he wasn't with any other women in his life– in fact he was quite experienced– his father introducing him to all kinds of beautiful high profile women in Midgar. Most only ended up as one night stands, him not showing any further interest other than to perform bedroom activities.
Tifa continued crying and he let her as he was unsure what to do. Her sobs eventually toned down. He chose this time to speak to her.
"Dry your tears Ms. Lockhart, you deserve far better," He said softly. The raven haired beauty looked at him, her tears subsiding.
He glanced at his wrist watch, noting the time. "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 fumbled in his pockets for his wallet, placing a couple of paper bills on the table. "Don't even refuse the payment, business is business after all," He stood up but was immediately halted by Tifa tugging on his suit's white sleeve.
She pleaded for him not to go. Not to leave her alone. Her glassy eyes glistened with tears looking up at him.
Damn it. Damn it all. He stood there for a moment, contemplating his choices. Tifa looked like she was going to cry more, probably thinking he'd just leave her there. He shook his head, telling her once more to dry her tears, reassuring her that she was a capable and attractive woman. He even mentioned that Rude had a crush on her. She laughed at that. Good. Her smile framed her face better. Then she hastily planted a kiss on Rufus' cheek.
He leaned back bewildered from the sudden contact. What? Did she just give him a kiss?
Both of them just stared at each other's eyes. Blue on crimson. Rufus sensed Tifa's longing and urgency for he started to feel it too.
No. He cannot allow himself to do this. He promised himself he'll devote his time only for the betterment of the planet, to atone for his sins. To take on the world's punishment on him. Nothing else.
Tifa then placed her hand on his chest and looked at him once more with those mesmerizing eyes. He lost all his resolve when her eyes fluttered shut, an invitation. He leaned in and kissed her firmly.
They break the kiss after a minute or two, both refusing to say anything and just relishing the moment.
As Tifa led Rufus to her room upstairs, he thought that maybe– just maybe… even someone like him deserves second chances.
