Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me...however much I may like it to. I own no characters, places etc. etc. so please don't sue me! I'm a nice person :)
Author's Note: Chapter Twenty-Five...PLEASE review as I really enjoy reading your views and they inspire me to get better!!! It would make me very very happy! Anyway stop reading this and get on with reading the fic!! Hope you enjoy!! :)
Warning: Following Chapter contains Mature content.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Late Night Visitors and Hidden Scars
Her body felt warm. Comforted. It was strange. Where was this feeling coming from?
She shouldn't be feeling this way. Being so calm, when her mind had been consumed by such turmoil.
Something was different now.
She was aware she was sleeping, and yet she was also aware of the movements around her. She could feel the duvet against her skin, the air brushing lightly upon her her cheek.
She must have been slowly awaking from her slumber, and yet she was still being enthralled by something else.
It was invading her senses. A familiar smell.
Part of her wanted to nestle deeper into that warming aroma, touch it, surround herself within it.
And yet another part of her felt rather uneasy at its presence.
It wasn't meant to be there.
So why the hell was it?
Tifa moaned somewhat weakly as she forced her eyes to flicker open.
Her body stiffened as she felt an unknown hand thread through her locks and its finger tips brush lightly against her cheek.
Am I still dreaming?
The young woman drew her crimson-tinted gaze over as much of her surroundings as possible, without moving her body.
She was still in her room, still lying across her bed, and still very much in her towelled dressing gown.
A very warm, deep light was bleeding through the curtains and leaving a single trail within her sight, highlighting the small dust particles floating unfelt through the air; it must have been getting on to late evening now, as the room was darkening.
Just how long have I been a sleep?
She remembered Yuffie leaving after her shift, but that would have been in the early hours of the morning, so had she slept through the entire day?
The question died as her gaze stilled on the form she'd been searching for; seated just beside her.
Her hair had fallen across her face during the course of her slumber, and had seemingly veiled her current state of conciousness from the intruder; her small movements and stiffening also seemingly going unnoticed or at least ignored.
She could only see his lap, and his thighs from her current angle; his arm was outstretched as his hand continued to brush over her hair; it was still slightly wet, though had no doubt dried in some terrible state.
She already knew who it was; she'd recognise that scent anywhere, and there was only one person who wore suits like that.
Could he get any creepier?
If she hadn't been concerned about giving herself away she might have laughed.
It didn't take her long to work out how he'd gotten there either. He'd no doubt had keys made when he'd had her bar redone; she was understanding that side of him more and more everyday. He never did anything without knowing he'd receive something in return, if there was nothing to gain then he wouldn't bother. And he'd certainly gotten a lot out of that small gesture he'd made so many months ago.
She wondered if he'd meant for all this to happen, right from the very start.
Her fingers curled ever so slightly around the duvet's material.
If I don't move...maybe...maybe he'll just go away, maybe he'll just leave and-
"I know you're awake Tifa."
Oh crap.
She decided to remain silent; more out of a loss of what to say, much like a rabbit caught in the head lights.
"I did ring..."
Once again she decided not to respond, though as silence fell she couldn't help but feel incredibly silly at her behaviour.
"I've made sure to close up the bar."
That got her up.
His hand retreated, as her hair whipped out of his grasp.
"What? Why?"
He looked at her with an amusement that only went to annoy her further.
"Well, I didn't want you getting distracted by customers."
Her body began to tremble, and her brow furrowed as a piercing degree of uncertainty crept around her.
She didn't want to be alone with him, and Yuffie wasn't coming in to help with the late evening shift. She was stuck.
Damn.
Tifa practically threw herself from the bed and as far away from the male as possible, before jerking the bedroom door open and directing her gaze to his own at full force.
"Get out."
The young male's expression remained strangely blank, with just a hint of confusion flickering as his brow lowered.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh right, I'm sorry."
Tifa crossed her arms and displayed a purposefully fake smile.
"Get out, President Shinra."
The look on his face would have been comical if she wasn't so frustrated by it. It was as if he hadn't even heard her.
The two continued to stare at each other until his eyes eventually showed a glint of understanding; his brow still furrowed.
"Why?"
Her eyes widened slightly, before she exhaled deeply; annoyance flaring in her gut.
Though before she had a chance to both ignore his query and reiterate her original command, Rufus was back to questioning her; the calm, almost dreamy demeanour radiating from him just going to perplex her further.
"Are you...frightened of me?"
She only took a minute to consider him.
"No."
Her voice was steady, unfluctuating, and why wouldn't it be? She wasn't scared of him. No, that wasn't it. Though the way he was looking at her right now was making her more than a shade wasn't like him; he should have been biting some hurtful remark at her by now, putting her in her place.
What's wrong with him?
"I came here because we need to discuss the current situation that has arisen-"
Tifa grunted; her irritation breaking through her resolve to remain unswayed.
"This isn't a meeting Rufus! Stop treating me like-"
"Like what?"
He was studying her with a genuine curiosity; his head tilting to the side ever so slightly in a foreign innocence.
The young female just shook her head and leant back against the wall.
He took her silence as a means to continue and he directed his gaze to the duvet, onto which he'd laid a familiar black garment which she only now noticed.
"I thought you might want your jacket back."
"Oh...thank you."
She began to take a few steps forward in order to take it, though quickly drew back when she realised just how close she was to him.
It's not as if it's going anywhere...
Her gaze drew to a small patch of floor in the far corner of the room where she had flung the President's own jacket earlier; the item now nothing more than a crumpled heap.
His attention had followed hers, and as he came to view the object of her interest, he raised a single brow.
"That's very expensive you know."
"I'm sure you have another one."
Tifa didn't understand it, she was expecting him to be angry, but he was so still, so aloof.
She took a moment to study him. He must have returned home too, though he looked very much like he had done the last time she'd seen him. In fact he looked to be in the same clothes, apart from the missing jacket of course.
His hair wasn't as straight or as clean as it should have been, and his cheeks where noticeably more flushed than his usually pale complexion allowed. Even his eyes seemed to have changed; their sharp, icy blue shade replaced with something all the more dulled, as though he'd been prematurely awoken and part of him was still half-asleep.
Tifa lowered her position slightly so as to allowed herself a closer look at the seated male.
"What have you been doing?"
He shrugged lightly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"I'm not completely sure."
Her brow cocked as a rather stark and embarrassing realisation hit her.
"Are...are you drunk!?"
Again, he shrugged, though his self-amusement seemed to heighten.
"A little."
Well that explains a lot...
This was strange, it was weird seeing him in such a vulnerable state. And why the hell had he been drinking anyway? That wasn't exactly his style, then again she wouldn't really have pegged fucking someone on a roof as his 'style' either.
He had his head cradled in his palms; silver-blonde strands spilling over his fingers.
"Rufus...?"
He lifted his head, but didn't allow his gaze to meet with hers, instead he chose to watch her body; thinking.
She chose to take careful note of his silence. Did he even know why he had come here, really? She couldn't read him when he was like this; she was used to the other Rufus. This one was strange. Not unlikeable, or particularly unpleasant, but most definitely new.
She tugged at her cuff of her dressing gown in a mixture of nerves and frustration. She wanted to hurt him, but looking at him now, well it just seemed wrong somehow. And she wasn't like him, she could still show pity.
Tifa let out a half-defeated sigh and unlocked her arms; her fingers drumming absent-mindedly on the wall behind her.
"So, was it how you imagined it?"
His brow lowered, though his gaze remained fixed on her mid-drift; maybe not daring to stray to meet her crimson-tinted eyes in the concern of betraying something, or allowing her too much contact.
"You said you'd been waiting along time...to have me."
A rather long and uncomfortable silence passed, with Tifa coming close to giving up on receiving any kind of response, but eventually the male's voice sounded, though it was strained, and as distant as ever.
"It was fine."
Tifa didn't know whether to feel insulted or relieved.
"Fine...right."
"I didn't feel how I thought I would...afterwards."
He seemed to be talking more to himself than to her, his voice lowering and his drunken state clearly increasing his receptiveness to talk about topics that would otherwise be off-limits, so she continued to listen; this might be the only chance she had to hear what was going on in his head.
"I thought I'd feel pleased, satisfied with myself...but I don't know, I just felt uneasy."
He raked his fingers through his already dishevelled locks.
"Like I hadn't achieved anything."
Tifa rolled her eyes and let out a small, unimpressed chuckle.
"Do you even like me Rufus? Or is this just about possessing something?"
He took a moment to genuinely consider the question.
"I thought I wanted you."
His gaze narrowed as his eyes rose to finally meet with her own.
"But now, it's like I need you."
He shook his head, as his lips curled into what could only be described as a snarl.
"It disgusts me."
She rolled her eyes yet again.
"Oh thanks..."
Her decision to show mercy was ebbing away with every word uttered from his mouth.
Maybe a drunken Rufus was just as bad as a sober Rufus after all...
"I shouldn't be this weak."
The young female sighed heavily.
"What makes you think this is a weakness?"
His head cocked and his gaze softened as confusion took over.
"Having feelings doesn't make you weak Rufus. By all accounts it was ourgroupthat helped save the world a lot more than you and your company. And it wasn't because we were powerful, or because we wanted to save ourselves. It was because we actually cared. We wanted to protect this world, its people. Our friends, our loved ones. What did you have to protect really? Apart from your company?"
She emitted a unimpressed grunt at the thought.
"I wondered what you were like once."
Her eyes fell to the carpet, as her back nestled into the wall.
"But it just turns out your just another scared human being. Twisted by your own upbringing, your own past, your own failings, it's all rather pathetic when you think about it-"
A loud bang sounded as a set of hands landed either side of her head.
She used all her willpower to stop her body from stiffening under the unexpected threat. And it was a threat. She should have known that even with the application of alcohol he would still be prone to such reactions when his image was under scrutiny. So why did she keep doing it? Did she really find riling him up so damn exciting?
Her heart thudded uncomfortably against her chest, though her eyes remained focused on his.
"Remove yourself."
A somewhat lazy smirk graced his thin lips.
"And if I don't?"
She studied him intently; he wanted her to lash out, but why? Would it make him feel better? For her to punish him?
After a few moments of her silence, he backed off.
"I apologise."
Tifa was certain that if she'd been drinking anything at that moment it might just have shot out of her nose.
"Erm...excuse me?"
He didn't sit back down; instead choosing to sway somewhat uncertainly on the spot.
His expression was hard to decipher, though she could have described it was 'uncomfortable', as though part of him was still attempting to retain some sort of propriety.
"You should be trying to knock me out."
A small chuckle escaped his lips, though Tifa found it hard to pick up any amusement.
"Is that what you think you deserve?"
He shrugged, though the small movement seemed to unbalance him as he swayed a little too far.
Tifa on instinct went to steady him, though he jerked away from her touch as though it carried some sort of infectious disease; another snarl quick to follow.
"I don't need your help."
"Argh! What the hell is wrong with you? One minute you're telling me you want me, then that I should punish you, and now you're snapping at me! What the hell do you want Rufus?!"
When all she received in response was another infuriating shrug, she took a deep breath and sighed in a tired sort of defeat.
"I think you should go home and sleep it off, you're not in any state-"
"I haven't drunk that much."
She raised an eyebrow at him sceptically.
Could have fooled me...
"Why are you so insistent on finding out why I am, the way that I am?"
"Huh?"
The bewilderment etched upon her face was really quite comical, though Rufus seemed not to have noticed as his attention remained fixed on the floor; possible embarrassment at his own behaviour causing him to keep his gaze averted.
Her brow remained lowered for only a few more moments before she let out another sigh.
"Oh I don't know...you're just...I suppose you've always been there, you basically had power over my whole life...I just wanted to know what kind of person could do that...how they could do that."
"Hm."
She viewed him as he slumped back down onto the bed, allowing him head to hang in a pitiable fashion.
"I must be quite a let down."
Tifa didn't make a response. What was she suppose to say to that anyway? He was everything, and nothing she'd imagined him to be all at the same time.
"Did I...I mean, did I hurt you?"
Well she hadn't expected that.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Erm, no, not really."
She rubbed self-consciously at her the sore patch of skin on her neck; the movement not going unnoticed Rufus.
For a man in his state, he still had remarkable control of his body when he chose to, an although some of his actions were awkward, he managed, with very little trouble, to reach out and pull her to him; her body collapsing onto his lap side on, whilst he still remained perched on the bed.
"What are you-"
Her voice halted itself as she felt a finger stroke across the red line upon his skin, as though inspecting it.
"I got carried away. I'm sorry."
All this apologising was really starting to freak her out. He gently brushed away the hair shielding her neck, before placing a somewhat feather-light kiss upon he bite mark and she suddenly became very aware she was wearing nothing but a dressing gown. She didn't like this feeling of vulnerability, and soon she found herself shivering.
What the hell are you doing? Get a damn grip on yourself Tifa...
She pulled back from him slightly; a look of suspicion glinting in her crimson-tinted eyes.
"Why are you being nice?"
He shrugged; she was really getting tired of that.
"I made you feel you had to...on the roof...I pressured you-"
"Excuse me?"
"I scared you-"
"What makes you think I was scared?"
"Because...of what you thought I might have done to you if you had refused."
Tifa was in a state of disbelief that this point. Was he really showing remorse? Of course he hadn't forced her into it, but then maybe he'd grown so used to people doing exactly what he told them that he could no longer tell apart willingness, from obedience.
"Rufus, you didn't-"
"I've never known anything real. I've only ever taken what I wanted."
He chuckled to himself.
"I never even asked if you actually liked me..."
His hand trailed up to her cheek and tried to pull her gaze to meet his own, but she resisted.
"Tifa-"
"You don't deserve to be forgiven...you say all these things...but that's not enough...actions speak louder than words Rufus...and you've done a lot to be hated for. Not just by me..."
She hadn't noticed, but her voice was strained; she was upset. Hot tears prickled down her skin with a tortuous ease. She was battling with herself; she didn't want to be taken in so easily, who knew what game he might be playing now, but then the idea of being able to give in and just be held by someone was all too tempting.
The young female took in a shaky breath.
"I want you to treat me like a human being, but I don't think you know how."
She cried openly now; not just because of him, or what had happened. In fact she wasn't completely sure why she was crying, all she knew was that she wanted to.
Rufus didn't say anything, but his grip tightened around her. There she was, crying her eyes out, buthe wasn't teasing her or belittling her. It was nice, even if it might only last until he was sober. She allowed the warmth, and sincerity in his embrace to pull her in; the comfort being offered to her becoming overwhelming.
They remained there for a while, her sobs slowly ceasing, and becoming replaced by sniffles.
She could feel the young male begin to fall asleep around her, though his grip remained absolute, making her take great careful to release herself, before allowing him to fall backwards onto the bed with a soft thump; her body leaning over his with a restrained silence.
As she made to move away she heard him hum lightly in his sleep, and although the words were muffled, she couldn't help but stiffen as she heard them.
"I don't like it...when you cry."
A few hours had passed since she had watched the young male pass out on her bed and Tifa had made sure to leave him in as much silence as possible; maybe some sleep would do him good.
She just didn't know what to do about him. He had actually apologised, and not just the once. Though she couldn't be certain on how much of it had been influenced by the alcohol in his system, which caused the situation to become ever so much more confusing.
She'd spent a good two hours just sat upon the sofa, completely consumed in her own thoughts on the matter, though she had only managed to come to one conclusion.
I swear that man just gets more and more infuriating every time I see him...
The urge to throw him out was still quite strong, but the thought of leaving him lying on the pavement outside, although tempting, just seemed too unpleasant.
The young woman had eventually gotten up when a shiver made to run a path across her legs and the fact she was still in a rather undressed state came reeling back.
She hadn't especially wanted to go back into her bedroom to find something to wear, so she had decided upon taking something straight from the dryer, and although the choice wasn't exactly varied, it would do.
Her fingers were still fumbling with the buttons on one of Reno's old shirts that he'd left behind when a creak sounded from the floor boards behind her, but before she even had a chance to swing round to confront the source, she felt another, familiar, body restrain her; her back colliding with his front, as his grip tightened against her, only to relax as he gently wrapped his arms together around her torso.
After a few awkward though not completely uncomfortable moments, she managed to speak.
"Erm, what are you doing?"
"Holding you."
"But...you don't do that sort of thing."
"And why not?"
"Because...you're Rufus...and you're a jackass?"
It was almost as if she was asking him, though what she received in response was not what she'd expected; he laughed. Yes, it was soft, and almost inaudible, but he actually laughed.
His arms relaxed, allowing her to twist around to face him; her eyes narrowing as she viewed him with a mixture of concern and wonder.
"Are you still drunk?"
"No...I'm feeling much better, but I would like some water."
She cocked an eyebrow.
What? No 'please'?
"Fine."
Tifa made her way out of his embrace and made to collect a glass, with him watching behind her.
As she swung back around with the glass of tap-water, his face contorted slightly, and she sensed his hesitation to drink it, no doubt because she didn't get it out of a mountain spring, but with her staring daggers at him, he really didn't have a choice in the matter.
He took it from her, taking special care to add a grateful smile, even if it seemed most definitely forced.
"Thank you."
She had to withhold her eyebrows from raising.
Well at least he seems to be making an effort with his manners...
A small silence passed between them as he took a few sips of water, though when he lowered the glass, she found his attention quickly focused on something else.
With the scuffle whilst she was changing, Tifa had left a few of the top buttons on her shirt undone, and he was now staring at her chest.
She, immediately, took offence, and glared at him intently.
"What are you looking at?"
Without a word, the young male moved forward slowly, making sure to put the glass down on the way.
Tifa backed up as he continued to approach, though she soon found herself rather abruptly stopped when her back came up against the counter top behind her.
Before she could really think about another escape route, Rufus was standing before her, eyes focused intimately, as his hand lingered just above her cleavage line, and that's when she realised; he must have been too busy to notice the last time he'd been given the opportunity to, but the top of her scar was showing quite easily now.
His finger drew down the white, lightly-raised skin, until the buttons eventually blocked him, and he looked at her, questioningly.
"Do you mind if I...?"
What was she suppose to say? She wasn't sure what he was really planning on doing, and she was both held by curiosity, and shock.
She silently shook her head, and watched as he carefully undid the rest of the shirt buttons, opening up the garment.
Tifa didn't particularly mind, as she had chosen to wear a black camisole underneath, though she couldn't help but flinch when she felt his fingers grasp around her hips before teasingly drawing the thin material upwards, though he stopped himself pulling it up any further when he reached her empire line.
He stared at her skin for a few moments, tracing a line over the scar with narrowed eyes, as though studying it.
This open scrutiny soon made Tifa grow nervous, and she began to fidget.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
His gaze rose to meet hers, and on noticing her uncomfortable state, he smiled almost childishly.
"Are you blushing?"
She shrugged evasively.
"I don't know."
A short, deep chuckle sounded from his throat.
"You're adorable."
He smiled, and it seemed almost instinctively, pushed himself forward, placing his lips, softly over her own.
She felt like she should be fending him off, but she wasn't sure what to make of him now, he was acting so strangely, like something had happened to him, or he had figured something out which he was yet to share with her. The kiss was just as curious; it was warm, and almost delicate, as if it actually held some genuine affection.
No, that can't be right...
As he pulled away, the young male took note of her startled state.
"Sorry, you just looked very beautiful."
Her eyes narrowed as her disbelief heightened.
"Eh?"
"I've always thought you were a rather interesting specimen, for a commoner."
She cocked an eyebrow.
"Gee thanks..."
It appeared as though he ignored her comment, as he began to back away in silence, though when he started to undo the buttons on his own shirt Tifa couldn't help but let out a confused splutter.
"What, what are you doin-"
As the garment fell to the floor his icy gaze met with her own.
"I thought it was only fair, you showed me yours..."
Her eyes narrowed once again, though as they dropped to his chest they became wide and unblinking.
DIAMOND WEAPON had certainly left its mark.
She'd seen plenty of scars with the company she kept, though she'd never seen one like his before. It wasn't like one left by a sword, or bullet. No, this was something completely different. Some might have described it as ugly, or repulsive but she couldn't help but admire it, and it's owner.
Her gaze drew back up to his own, only to find him staring at the counter top beside her, his ice-blue eyes glazed as though he hadn't focused them on anything.
"Rufus?"
The male appeared to snap out of his dream-like state, as he flicked away a few of his silver-blonde strands.
"I'm not saying that I'm going to change."
He sighed and bent to pick up his shirt.
"I'm not even sure I can do what you're asking of me."
As he rose, and made to slip the garment back on, Rufus began to laugh with a self-inflicted disdain.
"I'm selfish, and I'm unkind. I don't deserve to feel such genuine affection from you, or anyone for that-"
Tifa emitted an unimpressed grunt and cocked her head.
"What are you going on about?"
She exhaled and allowed her gaze to drift around the room as she spoke; leaving the male standing half-dressed and more than a little befuddled by her behaviour.
"Maybe if you weren't so scared of losing control of yourself, you'd realise I don't really care about that. I'm selfish too sometimes, and I know a can be a right bitch when I want to be. But at least I'm honest with myself. I'm not asking you to be fake, or put on unnecessary emotion..."
"But-"
Words seemed to fail him, as she drew up to him, and poked him softly in the forehead.
"Just stop thinking so much."
She sighed and looked up at him as if he were nothing but a boy.
"Stop being President Shinra, just for a moment."
He was looking at her through widened eyes, as if she'd just told him that he should start wearing pink, frilly dresses and give 'commoners' free access to his home.
"If you try to control too much, you lose all the fun, all the love, all the joy, all the pain, everything. You lose what makes you human."
Her left hand enclosed around his own, as she pulled him in just that little bit closer.
"I don't expect you to be something you're not, but don't try to tell me you don't feel, because I know you do."
A small silence passed between them, before the young male huffed in an amazed disbelief.
"How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
He shook his head lightly, as his free hand rose and cupped her chin; his thumb tracing a line over her bottom lip.
"It doesn't matter..."
She opened her mouth to inquire again, but was instead met with his own lips.
His mouth was strangely warm, leaving tingling traces of heat on her skin as his lips moved against hers.
She could feel his teeth tug lightly upon her bottom lip, as his tongue tapped against it inquisitively; her own mouth more than happy to allow him entrance at this point and soon she was matching his intimacy stroke for stroke.
Tifa could only hum her approval, as his hand slipped up into her hair and her belly gave a thrilling flutter.
A kiss shouldn't feel this good right?
He was barely touching her, and yet she was feeling more excitement now then she had done up on the roof.
Rufus released her lips, and began attacking her throat with a series of fiery, open-mouthed kisses; this motion and his body backing her up against the counter.
Her head leant back to allow him better access, and her eyes fluttered shut, so as to enjoy every moment of this new pleasure he was giving her; soon finding herself fighting back a moan when his tongue slid over her pulse.
As the heat flooded through her whole body, she found her breaths coming in short gasps.
"I thought...you said...I was nothing...but a cheap distraction."
She could feel him smirk against her skin.
"I think you'll find you've been very expensive."
With one hand holding her back, and the other hooking underneath her camisole to draw circles against her ribs, he turned his attention to her breasts, choosing an erect nipple and accepting it into his mouth through the material.
Tifa's breath hitched in her throat as her back arched in pleasure; her belly clenching tightly at the surge of pure, unadulterated excitation.
Every stroke of his tongue was causing heat to sear through her, causing her to shift restlessly underneath his touch. She bit her lip to keep from giving sound to any of the intensely consuming feelings rushing through her veins.
Unable to take it any more, she parted from his touch and hoisted herself up upon the counter so as to wrap her legs around his middle; the slight halt in their ministrations allowing a moment for a smirk to grace her lips.
Rufus looked at her questioningly.
"What is it?"
A soft blush graced her cheeks as she made to speak; her voice airing as nothing more than a whisper.
"Well, I just realised that I've never actually seen you naked..."
His brow cocked in amusement.
"I haven't seen you either though."
"True..."
He proceeded looked at her with such, absolute seriousness that Tifa's eyes widened in concern. Though she needn't have worried, as the words that followed from his lips were laced with the kind of intention that caused her skin to shiver delightfully and her breath to escape her completely.
"I think we should solve this predicament as soon as possible."
His fingertips trailed up and down her bare arm, causing the fine hairs to prickle at the tender sensation.
Tifa could feel his body heat radiate from his chest as he sat behind her, leaning against the headboard of her bed.
They had managed to make their way to the bedroom eventually, and now just lay in a comfortable silence; both lost in their own thoughts, and yet completely content to stay entwined together.
Eventually the young woman let out a distant sigh.
"You know this is complete insanity right?"
"Hm."
She smiled; his small response causing his skin to hum against her own.
"I might go and see Reno tomorrow..."
Tifa heard a huff of annoyance behind her, but he seemed to restrain him, even if when his voice aired it sounded rather awkward.
"I see..."
A moment passed before he made an addition.
"I'll come with you."
"You sure?"
He huffed once again, though this one seemed even more resolute in its irritation; that added with the slight tightening of his arms around her reminding Tifa of a jealous child.
"Absolutely."
A/N=
Argh! Sorry for how long this took to get out. I had a day all set aside to do it in and then I just woke up and felt like crap! I hate it when it happens, but it does...so I had to push back my work on this chapter to rest up XD But it's a nice lengthy chapter so I think I should be forgiven.
Anyway onto the chapter...
Well I was always gunna have trouble writing this one, mostly because I had to deal with bringing up some issues with Rufus...and let me tell you, it was a complete and utter NIGHTMARE! I was terrified throughout that I was somehow changing him into someone completely different...*sob* Hopefully it's ok...I literally spent an age deciding how to write this chapter...
I tried to convey him fighting with his feelings over her, and still not wanting to accept them as truly being 'real'
I know he may have appeared a little 'soft' in this chapter, but I did try very hard to keep him IC as much as possible whilst bringing out a more vulnerable/human side...hopefully it worked. I mean there is NO way him and Tifa were ever going to get anywhere with him acting the way he was. Though that doesn't mean he's suddenly going to become soft, but we shall be seeing him erm...'trying' to take things into consideration more... I'm gunna have even more fun writing him now XD Plus I do imagine that he had a good long think about what had taken place between them, and his misgivings in his drunkenness, plus there will be more information about his thought-process in later chapters X)
Oh and I couldn't help but have him do something creepy at the start XD sneaking into her house and just watching her sleep just seemed so 'Rufus' to me haha he just doesn't get other peoples boundaries...
I made a few call backs to earlier chapters if you hadn't noticed with "I thought you said I was nothing but a cheap distraction" which Rufus accused her of being to the builders when he first told her he was doing up her bar in chapter seven and "I don't like it when you cry" was meant to refer to his previous request for her not to cry during a confrontation in chapter twelve when he asked her to stop crying ^_^
If any of you were wondering about her scar, it's the one I imagine she received when Sephiroth sliced through her in the Mako Reactor, during the Nibelheim incident.
OH and don't worry, if you were erm..disappointed that you didn't see what happened between them between the last two sections, because it will come back later in flashback ^_^ well at least that's the intention, though I can't promise this because chapters might yet change a little, but I'm 99% sure- I was gunna put it in this one, but I really wanted to take my time with it, and I didn't want to delay this chapter any longer!
The next chapter is going to be VERY different from the ones I've been putting out of late...for one it's going to be in Reno's pov! Haha, and don't worry there is a good reason for this...in fact there are many good reasons for it, as the plot is about to get a little more 'action' orientated. I did say this fic was going to be thirty chapters long so I had to have a little climatic drama before the end right? Plus there are a lot of unresolved issues atm, a lot including Reno, so who better than to tell it!
Oh, and as most people who review know I always reply to the reviews, but I just wanted to thank all the anonymous reviewers XD So cheers for your support!