Series: Final Fantasy VII
Category: Romance
Rating: PG
Pairing: Tseng/Rufus
Warning: Shounen ai
Author's Note: Tseng/Rufus used to be one of the few Turks-yaoipairings I used to tolerate (due to Turks-yaoi overdose), which eventually led to the birth of my most liked fic. Which surprises me since I don't like it myself. Hmm.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII belongs to Squaresoft. If it didn't, it would have had much sappier ending.
Archive: Abstract Reasoning, Fanfiction.net, The Floating City, Night Angel, Obsession, The Rufus Comprendium.
Summary: Tseng watches over his sleeping angel.

To The Cold-Hearted Angel

He looks like a little angel when asleep, with that strawberry blonde hair and smooth, creamy skin, coldness of his features shattered, revealing something more beautiful than life itself. That's him, sweet protégé of mine. That's Rufus.

His hands are pressed against my chest, fingers clutched on my shirt. He's always doing this if we're sleeping together,  as if he's seeking protection that he never received from his father. From the very beginning, he was left in the hard grasp of loneliness, which quickly managed to create the aura of ice around him, block all the emotion from him. Fate can be so cruel at times, and he's one of it's unfortunate children.

Justice. Hah. Who was the fool who made up that concept, one of the biggest lies in the universe?

As the dark thoughts invade my mind, I pull him carefully closer, pressing my face against his hair, inhaling his soft scent. How I wish that I would have been there when he truly needed me. Before it was too late to make him something other than the one with monstrous heart.

Oh, I would really want to change that thing..

Silvery rays of the moon wrap us in their light, making him shine with pure innocence, something that blesses him only in his most serene state, in the anti-disturbance of dreams. In the sharp contrast, I'm hidden in the shadows, my raven black hair or dark chocolate eyes not helping my out-stepping into light. But I don't mind it at all.. after all, it is my task. To stay in the shadows. To be HIS shadow.

That's some of the rare things I do with delight.

I allow my gaze to touch every inch of his now angelic form, fascinated with his cool beauty. I dare to reach out with my fingers and tip his chin up, to see his face better. He has noble features, with high forehead and cheekbones, narrow, straight nose, rosy lips that demand to be kissed with extreme passion.. with bruising force, some might think. I've seen the way Reno has been eyeing him, hunger of a demon shining in those electric blue eyes, even Rude has thrown him few admiring glances if I haven't misunderstood. I can't blame them, though. All youths with exceptional beauty are noticed, in positive of negative way.. some cursed with looks that are literally begging to be ravished, shattered with pain and suffering.. How glad I am for Sephiroth not being around. Not that it would change a thing.

Because I'll always be here. Behind him, by his side, ever around. Whenever he needs me.. or when he doesn't, too. That is my destiny. Destiny that no one else volunteered to choose.

His lips part slightly as he mumbles something in his sleep, snuggling closer to my warmth. He is so adorable that I can't help but smile at him. Unable to resist the sudden urge, I lean closer to that pretty face and place my mouth over his, kissing as gently as I am. It's extremely hard to me to hold back my passion, but I do it, unwilling to break this rare moment of peace. He made some odd sound deep in his throat, something that sounds like purring, as I feel corners of his lips quirk quickly upwards. I pull away, to see somewhat blissful look on his face, not disappearing even when falls forward against me, pressing his face against my shoulder.

I continue smiling, as long as it won't turn into an expressionless sneer, as I hold him as close as possible, running my hands along his narrow back, wishing to dare to touch him some more.. only to know it to be impossible, yet again. I can't betray his trust. Through all these years, I'm the only thing he's ever been able to rely on. Why to change it now only for my own selfish needs?

Brightly shining moonlight that embraces us is suddenly hidden behind the clouds, leaving us alone in the darkness. I don't release my protective hold on him, I never will. I won't break the promise I did a life-time ago.. on the moment like this, under the stars, to the cold-hearted angel.

With that decision, I join my protégé in the sleep.

16. February 2001