It was really hard seeing the man you loved suffer. Yes, many people said he deserved it because of what he and his father had done to the Planet, but unlike them, you knew Rufus, personally. He wasn't the bad guy the public was making him out to be. Sure, he did have a dark side, but so did everyone else.
As of right now, he was in a wheelchair, many of his bones were broken in the explosion, leaving him dependent on other people, such as yourself. You were one of the few people who stayed by Rufus's side after Shinra collapsed, the others being Tseng, Elena, Reno, and Rude, the main Turks. Before, you were Rufus's personal assistant. And wouldn't you know, you just had to fall in love with your own boss. It was unintentional, of course, but over time, you couldn't help but be drawn be his calm, manipulative persona and his handsome face. However, it was clear he didn't notice your affections and didn't return them either.
"How are you feeling today, Sir?" you asked as you entered the room Rufus was currently in.
"Fine, thank you," he replied calmly, looking out of a large window that displayed a cloud-filled sky and forestry on the other side.
"Would you like me to fetch you something to eat?" you asked.
"No, I'm not hungry right now," he replied
"But... Sir... You've barely eaten anything in two days..." He shortly paused before letting out something between a scoff and a chuckle.
"You're always so observant," Rufus spoke, turning his chair around to face you. He had recently started to conceal his identity by draping a cloth over his hair and eyes. It didn't bother you or anything, but it certainly disappointed you that you weren't able to feast your eyes on his lovely visage as often as you wanted to. "I thank you for concern, (y/n), but you don't have to overwork yourself for my sake."
"But, it's my job to attend to you, Sir," you explained.
"Last time I checked, your job was over when the company fell." You cursed in your mind. He did have a good point. You really didn't have to keep tabs on his every want and need.
"True. But, I can't just leave you in this state."
"Why not? You know I have other people who are willing to tend to me."
Damn... Why does he always have to be so clever?
"It's none of your concern, Sir," you stated, finding no other solution to say to get you out of the dead-end situation. Suddenly, Rufus's head angled upward towards you.
"Not my concern?" he questioned in a deep, quiet, and strict tone. You flinched the tiniest bit and gulped apprehensively. There was no doubt that you had landed yourself in trouble. Big trouble.
"I-I suppose I should take my leave now, Sir," you explained in a slightly shaken voice. However, before you could take a step..
"Come here." Rufus gestured you to him, his demand merely a whisper. With no choice, you complied to his words and stepped towards him, stopping mere inches away from the man. "Let me see your face." Knowing that he had a sore neck, it meant you would have to crouch down in order to obey his wish. Your heartbeat raised a few times faster as you declined onto one knee, reaching Rufus's level and getting the faintest glimpse of an ocean blue eye. "Tell me, (y/n). Why are you so interested in my well-being?"
You knew if he was to think about it, he would definitely be able to figure out the question he just asked.
Wait.
Could he have already figured it out? That you have feelings for him? Everyone else knew about it. They all said it was obvious. They said they knew the way you looked at him, smiled at him, talked to him... Could Rufus actually know and was trying to get you to confirm his suspicions? Unlikely but possible.
Back to the matter at hand.
You were completely speechless. You had no idea what to say without saying the words that were the answer to his question.
"Because... I've served you for so long that it feels natural to me to... help you," you said in a hushed voice, your face burning like fire and avoiding all eye-contact with the man in front of you.
"Hmph," Rufus hummed in a doubting tone. "That excuse doesn't sound very convincing."
The only thing you hated about Rufus Shinra was his cleverness. He could always trap people with words. And that's exactly what he's done to you right now. You hesitantly looked in the blonde's direction and found his eye staring intently at you, as if he was peering right into your soul. Now, your heart was pumping so fast, the feeling of fainting came washing over you. Defeated, you let out a sigh and closed your eyes.
"Because I genuinely care about you, Sir." Your face was now the temperature of the sun, cursing yourself for indirectly confessing to him.
"Is that so?" Rufus asked. His voice was so low and husky that it made butterflies erupt in your stomach. Your (e/c) eyes remained closed for the fear of what his own orbs now showed.
Suddenly, you felt cool, lightly ruff fingers snake their way under your chin and elevating it upwards. You couldn't help but finally open your eyes. His eye was now covered by the white blanket, but he had what seemed to be the tiniest shadow of a smile.
"I'm glad to have such a determined and beautiful woman by my side," he stated. Your eyes widened yet again.
Did he just call me... beautiful?
END
