Series: Final Fantasy VII
Category: Romance
Rating: PG
Pairing: Tseng/Rufus
Warning: Shounen ai, angst
Author's Note: This was originally supposed to be a companion-piece to To The Cold-Hearted Angel, but it stands on it's own, as well. Decide yourself if it fits into your mind.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII belongs to Squaresoft. If it didn't, it would have had much sappier ending.
Archive: Abstract Reasoning.
Summary: Tseng promised that they would never be apart.. so where was he now?

Promises Made

He told me we'd always be together.

He swore me.

He promised me.

But here I am, standing before the ruins of a collapsed temple that is his grave. My white coat flaps as the wind blows gently into it's heavy folds, making it flow around me like a pair of angels wings. How ironic. He is the dead one here and it's me who's looking angelic.

He used to call me an angel. Every night as I was cradled in his arms, lost in the warmth of his powerful body, he whispered the word to be as if it was a prayer, always before sealing my good night's sleep with a tender kiss. Thinking that I was beyond hearing. I never was.

How could I ever fall asleep without him blessing my dreams with his love? How could I..?

He told me we'd always be together. He said I would never have to see nightmares again, never with him around. He swore he would be there for me, he swore me that he wouldn't leave!

Hmph. I always told him that promises are just mere sappy phrases, words left hanging in the air. He should have listened better.

He once promised that he would help me get everything I deserve to have. Just look where that promise got him into.

Beneath a cracked remnant of ancient times.

Beneath ashes and dust.

Dead.

With his murderers running out there, free. Alive.

But not for long, if it's up to me.

You see, Tseng, I never made promises. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't do things for you.

I sent Elena after them, after those dogs who took your life. While her power isn't as destructive as Rude's or her mind as sharp as Reno's, her heart burns more with hatred for Strife and his followers than of her comrades put together. She desires to see them bleed and tatter just as much as I do. If not for your loyalty to me, you could probably have become a happy man with her.

I guess we'll never find that out, will we?

It doesn't matter anymore, not to me nor to her. You are the only one who's worth of anything.

So we will avenge you, my love. Make sure that you aren't dead for nothing.

And trust me: I've always been the man of my word.

21. July 2002