Chapter Text
Rufus lied in his bed with hands folded behind his head deep in thought about the latest conversation he had with his father.
Rufus was watching his father across the desk in his office with a slight frown on his face. His father was sitting in his leather chair one hand propped on hi chin with his index finger tapping his cheek, eyes fixed on Rufus other hand outstretched fingers drumming irritate on the table.
“I have great expectations of you Rufus. If one day you are to take over the company and if you are to become a man able to handle the company and as you may recall I said that is no guarantee either. You must prove yourself to me.” After a lingering stare he turned slightly and reached behind him to take a cigar from the cabinet he keeps behind his desk.
“I`m expecting you to take your studies and training seriously. After this weekend’s celebrations, the free and childish times your mother indulges you to spend with dear Miss Leila are going to be over.” He took a lighter from his pocket and light his cigar while looking back at Rufus.
“Do you have nothing to say boy!?” Rufus just sat there silently staring at his father with blank expression.
“I`m sorry father I was just thinking over your words.” He said with an uninterested tone. He didn`t really feel like engaging his father deeper into what he was thinking on that matter. He wanted nothing more than to have this conversation over and to retreat to his room.
“You will be taking private studies in Junon Academy. I will assign for the Turks to be there at your disposal if you will be in need of some assistance. Of course, you will join us home on all major holidays, but I WANT YOU to stay in Junon to focus and be away from all, let’s say `distractions`.” He let a puff of smoke free from his mouth as he leaned in his chair more comfortably
“These are important years for you Rufus and I want you to start proving yourself to me.” His father took a long drag from his cigar and narrowed his eyes slightly. “Am I making myself clear boy?!”
“Yes father…” was all that Rufus said looking him straight in the eyes.
“Your mother can protect you from this world only so much, but it is time for you to grow up.” His father blew the smoke out making few rings
“Now go I have some work to finish and tell your mother I’d like to see her.” His father waved his hand not looking at him anymore.
His life is going to change very soon thought Rufus bitterly. Proving himself to his father was something he was trying to do, and maybe it`s a good thing that he is going to Junon. If nothing else the time he will spend there will give him some new perspective. The need for his fathers` approval was very strong withing him and he promised himself then and there that he will gain his father’s respect and that he will best him in this game.
Rufus stood up from the bed and went to his walk-in wardrobe to pick what he was going to wear for tonight’s ball. He hated these occasions. Not that this was his last weekend that he spent with his mother but also, he didn`t have a chance to see Leila and say goodbye and tell her that he is leaving sooner than expected. Since he never had any real friend, he was quite reluctant to lose the one he accidentally acquired. He picked up a dark grey shirt and white suit, which he took for a reason to touch as little people as possible.
After he dressed himself, he went to the bathroom and styled his hair. Trying desperately to pull that strand of hair away from his eyes but it stubbornly kept falling out of place, he huffed in defeat and left it like that. Prepared to leave his room behind and go down to join the party Rufus took one last look at his room that he viewed as a silent sanctuary. With a solemn look on his face he lightly closed his eyes and left the room.
As he walked down the hallway with a bored look on his face his eyes wandered over the expensive and ostentatious décor his father loved. Huge paintings of the Shinra family, cabinets with golden vases and gifts from people who wanted to buy their way into the grace of the president were spread over the walls. He approached one painting and narrowed his eyes slightly. It was him, his mother and father. His mother was sitting on a chair with gentle smile on her face that didn`t quite reach her eyes. His father standing next to her with his hand on her shoulder. Cold expression Rufus knew only too well marred his face. And on her knees was sitting little Rufus holding a toy with a huge smile on his face. He hasn`t smiled like this in a long time and as he kept looking at the portrait on the innocent happiness on his face, he though he will never smile a genuine smile like that again but then he remembered all those times he was with Leila and he realised that she was the only person who could actually bring a genuine smile to his face. `Maybe there is still little hope for me then. ` He flipped his hair from his eyes again and made his way to the ballroom to join his parents that were eagerly waiting for him.
“Rufus sweetheart.” His mother greeted him with a kiss on his cheek.
“At last you made it Rufus, I`m pleased.” His father responded to Rufus` approach.
“I apologize father, mother.” Rufus said curtly not wanting to prompt any anger from his father.
“I have a little surprise for you Rufus…” his mother whispered in his ear so that it won`t spark his fathers` attention. “look over there dear.” She motioned with her hand to where the table with punch bowls and all the pastry you can imagine was.
Rufus turned his eyes in that direction and his eyes widened. There in a long light-yellow dress was Leila helping herself to a glass of punch smiling from ear to ear visibly enjoying herself. His heart literally skipped a beat upon seeing her and a certain calmness washed over him `Maybe tonight won`t be as boring as I thought`.
He excused himself from his parents and made his way to her. He though about scaring her again because clearly, she hasn`t noticed him approaching but then he thought she would never forgive him if she spilled some of that punch on her dress, so Rufus decided to behave tonight and cleared his throat on his approach to her.
“Hm-Ehm... Having good time Leila? I see you are already raiding our pastry table.” Rufus remarked with a smirk.
************
Leila watched with wide eyes as they approached the Shinra mansion. She has never been there or at least if she was, she didn`t remember it. It certainly was magnificent, huge gate opened for their car to go through. They drove through the long driveway, on each side there were lamps lighting their way to the front entrance. Their car made a turn around a roundabout where in the middle was a big gold fountain with the presidents` statue in the middle. When they stopped a servant opened the door for them, and her father stepped out and offered his hand to her mother and then to her as well. Her mother hooked her hand around her husbands’ elbow, and he led her up the huge red carpet. He motioned for Leila to follow them on his other side, so she elegantly ran up to his side and walked slowly to the big entrance to the manor. There were flashes from each side as the paparazzi and news people were taking picture of everyone and all their little movements. It wasn’t her first time at a ball or a gala before but never she attended one as grand as this one. When they approached the door, her father handed an invitation to a man checking for the people arriving so that no uninvited guests can make it through. Security was tight her apparently.
“Ah Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Shinra is expecting you, please these gentlemen will take your coats.” Said the man and motioned for them to move inside for the other men to take their coats. Her father helped her and Tamara out of their coats and handed them to the coat check men. Her mother Tamara had a beautiful red sleeveless ball gown that had an open cut down her back and an A-line skirt with a medium train adorned with a golden sash on around her waist. Her father wore a maroon suit to match his wife and Leila had a light-yellow gown with see-through sleeves. The dress hugging her figure with a small train around her waist she had orange bow with 2 ribbons trailing down from waist to the hem of her skirt.
“Wow! This is so beautiful.” Leila looked around the magnificent foyer with open mouth and couldn`t believe her eyes. She always thought that their house was amazing and big, but this was something else. Two chandeliers hung from the ceiling with crystals hanging from them, the red carpet with golden rim continued along the whole room where it connected to the staircase that in a slight curve led on the next floor on each side of the house and between them was the entrance to the ballroom. As she was trailing behind her parents, she was looking at the huge bouquets of flowers standing alongside the carpet with tiny lights in them.
`Hmm the president really likes ostentatious decor doesn’t he` thought Leila upon reaching the entrance to the ballroom.
“Leila close your mouth dear. It`s not like you’re not used to life in luxury.” Her mother scolded her with a slight smile on her face as she turned around to look at Leila.
“Well I know, but mom this is something else…” Leila remarked looking around with wide eyes trying to suck up every little detail as they walked to the ballroom.
“Leila this is very important event so please behave yourself, and if you meet Rufus here, I don`t want to see the two of you misbehave like you do in our house.” Her father looked at her with a serious expression. “Now close your mouth straighten up were going to meet Mr and Mrs Shinra.”
They entered the ballroom and headed straight for the couple standing by the door greeting their guests.
“Philip, my dear friend you made it.” President Shinra greeted her father with a sweet and friendly voice as he extended his hand to shake it with her father.
“Ah and if this isn`t your charming wife? I haven`t had the pleasure of seeing you for quite some time” the president added with a wide smile.
“Ah, you are too sweet Mr. president.” Tamara said with a sweet smile on her face and gave a slight courtesy. “And here is Leila, she grew up a bit since you last saw her.” Her mother pointed at her and Leila put a sile to her face and introduced herself again.
“Mr. Shinra hello. It`s very nice to meet you sir.” Leila said with confidence.
“She is quite charming Philip, you`re raising her well. “the president looked at Leila and gave a nod. “Now go and enjoy yourselves and Philip I will find you later.”
“It`s so very nice to see you again sweet Leila. Rufus will be here shortly so you and get yourself some punch and pastry over at the table” Mrs. Shinra gave Leila a smile and turned her attention to Tamara
“Your dress is simply marvellous Tamara dear. Are you using the same designer or are you trying someone new?
“Oh no it is the same designer. He has become a dear friend of the family over the years, I don`t think I will be using anyone else on these kinds of special occasions…”
As Leila was listening to the adult conversation, she started to look around hoping she will spot Rufus so that she can escape. Instead she spotted the table Mrs. Shinra pointed out, so she excused herself and headed straight there. Her parents payed her no attention as they were deep in a conversation. As she walked around, she was observing the décor of the ballroom and all the beautiful dresses of other ladies.
`I cannot wait to get older. ` Leila thought as there was a group of young ladies drinking champagne and flirting with some young gentlemen. Not that she really understood flirting, but she liked the idea of the freedom she thought adulthood brought. Little did she know how mistaken she was at that time.
When she reached the table, she stared at all the pastry imaginable and tried to decide which one she will eat first. `This is hopeless. There are so many to decide from` with a slight frown she than made her way to the punch bowl where she asked the server for one glass, when suddenly a voice from behind her startled her.
“Hm-Ehm... Having good time Leila? I see you are already raiding our pastry table.” Came Rufus` voice and she turned around.
“Oh my, you almost scared me again.” She smiled at him “Wanna get some punch with me?” Leila offered him a glass.
Rufus looked at her with a raised eyebrow but reach out and took the glass anyway. He brought it close to his nose to smell it, then he looked at the contents and decided to taste it.
“Ugh, not sure I like this one. The one we had last time was better.” Rufus said with a grimace and put the glass down on the table.
“So, what do you want to do now?” he asked her with a bored expression.
“I don’t know. We can stuff our faces with all these pies, or you can show me your house. I haven`t been here yet.” Leila looked up at Rufus with a suggestive expression.
“If you want… take the pies that you like and let’s go” Rufus waved his hand towards the table.
“You don`t want any?”
“No… I don`t like these.”
“But you ate pastry in my house. I thought you like sweets….”
“I never said I don`t like sweet pastry. I just don`t like the ones we have here.” Rufus scoffed. “Common Leila! Take what you want and let`s go. I don`t really want to be here much longer.”
“Stop being so bossy Rufus! I want to have fun.” Leila said without looking at him as she was busy picking up pastries.
Rufus just stood there looking and then he felt the slightest twitch as the corner of his mouth raised just a tiny bit in a miniscule half smile. He really did like to spend time with her. She made him feel a bit more like a 13-year-old every time she was with him. As he was looking at her excited face when she was trying to pick up what she likes the most he studied her delicate features. She really was pretty. Her face started to become less childish as her nose got a bit more sharper, her cheekbones a bit more pronounced, and as his eyes travelled down he noticed the starting shapes on her chest. His face heat up with a slight blush and that was the moment he felt the slight tingle in his stomach. Rufus immediately averted his eyes away and looked around.
“…K I`m ready.” he heard Leila’s voice from behind him.
“Rufus? Are you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!? Don`t tell me there are ghosts here? Please tell me there are no ghosts here…” Leila looked at him with wide eyes.
Rufus stared at her unblinking while trying to understand what she was talking about. Then he realized what she was saying, and he grinned.
“Don`t tell me you are afraid of ghosts?” Rufus asked with raised eyebrow.
“So? You have a problem with that?” she raised her chin at him and started walking to the door.
“You know they don`t exist do you.” He said following her out the ballroom.
“Just because you haven`t seen one doesn`t mean they don`t exist. Just like you, many people haven`t seen you but the believe you exist” she turned to him with a huge teasing smile on her face. “So where shall we go? Will you show me your room?”
“Humph… Yeah ok. Follow me.” Rufus turned and started up the massive staircase.
“You know, your house is huge. Don`t you ever get lost in here?” Leila asked with a full mouth not bothering to swallow before speaking.
“No. Your house is big too do you ever get lost in your house? And ladies shouldn`t speak with their mouths full.” Rufus replied dryly.
“But your house is twice as big as mine and hey no one is looking.”
“I am looking…”
“But you don`t count you`re my friend. Friends are allowed to act like this in each other’s company.”
“If you say so” was all that he said as he rounded a corner for the huge hallway leading to his bedroom.
“Wow so many painting and expensive decorations” Leila eyed the hallway.
“It`s surprising that you are so amazed by stuff like this, when your family is like the second richest around here.” Rufus turned on her with questioning stare “Especially when it comes to housing balls and expensive décor.
“I`m not amazed by these things because I never saw them. It`s just different stuff to the ones we have. You have stuff that even we do not have even though we are rich.” Leila replied with serious expression.
“But you know it`s never about the expensive stuff.” Leila continued “It`s the times I get to spend with my mum and dad on vacations and going around to eat places, discovering new places and cultures. You don`t do stuff like this with your parents?” she asked him innocently not knowing that in the deepest part of Rufus` heart it was hurting him that he didn`t have a father that would spent time with him other than scolding him for not being good enough. He would never admit it openly though, so he continued to keep up the pretence that it was not bothering him at all.
“This is my room here” Rufus announced in front of a huge double door on the end of the hallway. He turned to look at Leila who was finishing one of the pastries she took and licked her fingers. Rufus couldn`t believe how carefree she has been all the time. Usually kids around him didn`t matter what age they were tried very hard to either impress him with something or they tried to be his friend no matter what. But her, she didn`t care about any of that she wasn`t pretending to have stuff or to be someone she was not. She enjoyed her time as a child and being a girl who could play with her toys and friends. He envied her a bit the childhood she had the privilege to have.
Rufus on the other hand never had the luxury to be an ordinary child or have careless fun anytime he wanted. His father wouldn`t have it if he wanted to run around the house with friends and laugh aloud. He had few toys but since he turned ten, he was assigned personal trainers to teach him to use martial arts and use all the various types of weapons that his fathers company were making because according to his father it was important that he be proficient in more than one style.
Rufus sighed and opened the door for Leila to step into his room.
“Oh, wow Rufus your room is so…. Grown up…” Leila looked around the huge room. It looked very different to her room that was still filled with lot of games and plush toys.
“Don`t you have any games? What do you do when you`re not with the tutors?” she walked over to his bookcase with titles she haven`t even heard of. “You read all these?” she pointed to the professional books about economics, martial arts and politics.
“Yes, I have read them. And mostly I either read or train, sometimes I accompany mother to her tea times.” Rufus announced with bored tone. “I have few games, but I put them in a closet as I don`t have much time or a company to play them.”
“Oh, well than let’s take them out! I will play with you.” She smiled at him excited. “You really only study and train? Isn`t that a bit boring?”
“Sometimes it is, but I have to study now if I want to inherit the company one day.” Rufus said while walking into the closet rummaging around the back. When he returned he had two boxes in his hands.
“Well I got this Monopoly game and chess.” He showed her both games and Leila raised an eyebrow.
“Let`s play Monopoly then. You can practice your economy lessons and I can learn some then and I will teach you how to have some fun while doing it. Since you don`t have any while being here.” Leila took the game from Rufus and headed for the centre of his room.
“Do you have some blankets?”
“Ugh... maybe. Why?” he raised an eyebrow.
“So that we can spread them here and sit on them. You know like when you have a picnic.” Leila said like it was the most obvious thing.
“I`ll go look”
As Rufus disappeared into the closet Leila took her time to look around his room. It was huge. He had a fourposter bed on the far end of the room where near there were the doors to his walk-in closet. There was another door which Leila assumed led to his private bathroom. The decorations were very minimalistic, and everything was very clean and white. `This is so different from what I`m used to` Leila compared in her head her room to Rufus`. She had so many posters of famous artists that she admired on her wall, with all her other decorations. Her bedroom seemed too full compared to these clean walls. He had many books though but none that she would pick up to read. She cannot imagine trying to read a book on economics or politics at this age. `This probably comes as a payment being the president’s son. Too many high expectations. ` she started to feel a little sorry for Rufus as she began to understand a little what it meant being in his place. He didn`t have the freedom like she had. And that`s when she realised, she is probably his only friend that he can do any of this stuff with as most of his free time he does is train and since he has private tutors he doesn`t even have any classmates. She sighed and decided that because of this she will not give up on her friendship with Rufus no matter what. `I already gave him a friendship bracelet, now I will show him how to properly enjoy ones time` Leila smiled to herself when Rufus walked back into the room.
“I found one” Rufus announced proudly with his achievement.
“Ok, lets spread this here and we can put the game here in the middle. I grab some tissues from the bathroom so we can put the pastry down here as well.” She dashed to the door she assumed was the bathroom.
“You know its like having a picnic.” Leila returned with few tissues in her hands and put the rest of the pastry in them.
“Never really had picnic” Rufus said dryly
“Well than we will have one now while playing Monopoly.” She smiled at him
Rufus looked at Leila and studied her smiling face for a while. He liked spending time with her like this. She always showed him things that he never had the chance to do but always wanted to. It was very easy to forget that he was the heir to the empire when he had a chance to have some childlike fun with her. He toughed the bracelet she has given him the other day and as he looked at it, Rufus decided that he will never give her up as a friend because according to him she was the only genuine thing he had. Except from his mothers love of course.
They took down their shoes and settled down on the blanket. They could vaguely hear the music and chatter coming from the ballroom, but they didn`t care since all that you could hear from Rufus` room was laughter of two children enjoying the game who completely forgot about their parents and the ball.
“Are you cheating? How is it you have so much money and properties all I do is pay.” Leila said with her furrowed eyebrows as Rufus laughed at her frustrations.
“This is where my economy studies come into play. You have to know how to manage your finances and when is the right time to buy and especially which ones are worth it.” Rufus said when his laughter calmed down.
“You know, you would be good at this when you grow up.” She looked at him seriously. “I hope we can do this more often at least I can learn somethings from you.”
At her words Rufus` head fell down a little and his expression became sad. Remembering his conversation with his father from earlier he didn`t have as much time as he wanted with her. And his fear that the distance will result in him losing her gripped him at his heart. He looked back at her.
“My father is sending me to Junon for studies, so that I can be away from distractions.” He said boring his eyes into Leila.
“What kind of distractions could you have here? All you do is study and train.” Leila exclaimed heatedly.
Rufus just kept looking at her without saying anything. After a while his eyes fallen a bit and his lips turned up into a sad smile.
“I don`t want to lose you as a friend, but I don`t know when I will be able to see you again.”
Leila’s` eyes fell a bit but then she reached over and touched his hand and looked him in the eyes.
“You will not lose me as a friend. We will see each other, and we have phones we can call each other or write. It`s up to us how we keep the friendship alive. “she smiled encouragingly.
“That is true” he put his hand on top of hers “And I still have your bracelet.”
“Rufus I will always be your friend.”
Rufus and Leila were sitting in silence looking at each other and then she leaned in and gave Rufus a gentle kiss on the cheek. His eyes widened and cheeks turned red. No one except his mother has done that before. He looked at Leila with wide eyes and he felt his stomach flip.
“I promise Rufus” Leila drew back, her cheeks flushed a bit as she kept her gentle smile on. She also haven`t kissed anyone who wasn`t her brother or father. She felt his hand squeeze hers a little as she became a bit nervous when she saw his expression. Feeling a little embarrassed and thinking that she made a mistake she wanted to take her hand back, but Rufus wouldn`t budge. Then she saw him leaning forward and she felt the gentlest brush on her lisps as Rufus lips touched hers in and innocent first kiss. After a while he leaned back and looked at Leila seriously.
“I promise too. I will never forget you” especially now since he had something of hers that no one else would be able to claim.
Her first kiss.