![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Title: Paths Never Taken
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Pairing: Tifa/Rude
Author/artist:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
icedark_elf
Recipient:ponderosa121 for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
het_challenge
Rating: PG-13
Beta:forgottenlover
Wordcount: 2,900
Warnings: None
Paths Never Taken
Her father had been furious when she had suggested the idea. Blamed all the boys who had been leaving to go to Midgar. Especially that Strife boy, because Tifa wanted to go join SOLDIER. And he had made that anger abundantly clear as he had ranted about everything.
He had done his level best, and everything in his power, to dissuade her from going. Everything from telling her that SOLDIERs were more monster than human to telling her that they didn’t want girls in the military. Stressing the girl part, of course. Which just made her more stubborn. She was fourteen, after all, almost an adult. It wasn’t like he hadn’t talked about her getting married already.
It was also possible that he was right, and she knew for a fact that her teacher didn’t want her to go. But once her father proved just how much he was against it, she refused to change her mind. So, that spring, the year after Cloud had left, Tifa did as well, running away when her father proved he wasn’t going to help her in any way.
Once she reached Midgar, she was dismayed to find out that her father had been right at least in one regard. The lack of women in the military was bad, and the fact they didn’t let girls into SOLDIER at all threw all her plans right out of the window. She didn’t know what to do when she found out neither tended to let girls in.
The Turks, on the other hand....
The training was hard, and Tifa almost backed out when she realized just what it was that Turks did. Apparently that was more common than she thought, enough so that they they knew the signs of it. So when she had gone back to her rooms after a long walk to clear her head, one of the older Turks had been waiting for her.
“Oh,” she had said when she realized she wasn’t alone, startled as she looked at him. He was sitting there quietly, reading a book under the small light she had next to her chair. “Mr. Rude, I didn’t realize you were there.”
Gods, could she sound any more dumb? He was a Turk, he probably read her startlement as clear as day. The man stood, setting the book to the side and straightening his suit.
“Let’s go for a drink.”
His voice was calm, and she nodded, a bit hesitant. Well, they were going to someplace public, she hoped, so it shouldn’t be too bad, right?
The look he gave her this time was a little more searching, and she could feel herself freeze some under it. Damnit, she really wanted to learn how they could do that, it was such a cool talent.
After a moment, he shook his head and there was a small curve of his lips that might have been a smile. “Calm down, Tifa,” he said in an almost quiet voice. “Just want to talk. You will be a good Turk if you decide to stay. I’m just here to answer any questions you might have.”
The smile grew a little. “And even I enjoy getting a drink with a pretty girl over Reno, sometimes.”
///
Things were coming to a head. The world was falling apart around them, and Reno had the right idea about the fact that they were carrying out the very final orders of Rufus. And he didn’t have to say that without Shinra, there were no Turks. So after they finished this, they were at loose ends.
Elena hadn’t seemed to get that yet, dragging them to go stop the intruders with all her normal enthusiasm. Or maybe she did and just wasn’t sure how to deal with it. It was obvious Reno really didn’t care, and that they were all a little shocked by the sudden loss of contact from Rufus when the WEAPON had attacked.
The reluctance to fight only grew when they saw who it was they were supposed to take out. Cloud, Vincent, and...Tifa. Again, Elena had run ahead, and he resolved calmly to take her where they could all get drunk after this. If the world was coming to an end, then might as well go out drunk and in good company. Besides, the blonde could use the alcohol. Maybe they could go get some and sit in Tseng’s room. Not like the hospital staff would care if he got drunk now of all times.
Actually, if they were going to die, there were a few more things that Rude wanted to get done first.
He moved forward, causing all parties to pause and look at him. Silently, keeping as non-threatening as he could, he walked over to Tifa. The young woman looked at him with cautious eyes, body tense as if expecting a fight.
She obviously didn’t expect the kiss if that noise she made was any indication. The stunned look on Cloud’s face was something he would smile about later. Right now, though, his attention was on the woman in front of him.
“If we all survive this,” he said, voice a low rumble, “I would like to know if you would be interested in a date?”
She stared at him blankly for a minute, brain obviously having to work at processing that. There was no rush on his part, he was too much of a gentlemen for that. Something he did try to beat into Reno’s brain from time to time before giving it up as a lost cause. Tifa, after a moment, stuttered out her answer.
“I, um, okay?” Hesitant, she nodded at him, obviously none too sure. He simply gave her a small smile and nodded.
“Then I’m sure I’ll see you later,” he said. “Because I know you are strong enough to win.”
Leaving the confused group behind him, he walked over and rejoined Reno and Elena. “We were on our way somewhere,” he told them, leading them away from the people who were going to save the world.
Now, to find that bar. He had something to celebrate.
///
Finally, finally, finally, her teacher was coming back.
Tifa knew that he wasn’t just -her- teacher, and that he did travel on a circuit due to the fact he had several students all over the place. But, still, she was excited that he was coming back. It had been too long since he had been, and while she had already learned a lot from him, she wanted to learn more.
Waiting where she would be able to see him coming up the path, she didn’t have to wait long to see the familiar stride of Zangan. Right on time. His letter had said he would be back today, and she was always so impressed when he kept his word like that.
But he wasn’t alone.
That was something of a surprise. At fourteen, Tifa was the only student still left in Nibelheim, the others having dropped out or moved away what seemed like forever ago. So she wasn’t used to seeing her teacher with anyone else. Not like she used to, when some of the others would go to meet him outside of town while she was trapped in piano or etiquette lessons. But all those people had gone away.
Which meant...this was someone new.
Excitement starting to curl in her stomach, Tifa went to meet them. Someone new. She wondered who it was. He wasn’t really dark skin, but he didn’t have the pale skin most of the people around Nibelheim sported either. Kinda tanned. Which...looked really nice. He was older, too. Maybe five or six years her senior, she guess. And he moved like he knew how to fight.
“Zangan,” she said cheerfully, waving at him as she trotted up to meet them, curious eyes glancing at the newcomer. “Welcome back, sir,” she continued. “It’s been a while since you were last here to visit.”
He nodded at her. “Well, I will be here a while longer. Tifa, this is my student, Rude. He was recently accepted into a position at the Shinra company.” That surprised her. Tifa didn’t think her teacher was fond of Shinra. “I tell him that it is foolish, of course, but he is an adult. However, he had agreed to assist me in this, and will be joining us for a while. His style has evolved differently from what I’ve taught him, and I thought it might do you both good to have a sparring partner who had such different forms.”
Oh, that would be fun. She was tired of not having anyone to spar with. That was the hardest part about everyone leaving her behind. “Hello there,” she held her hand out to Rude. “I’m Tifa. It’s nice to meet you.”
He took it. “I’m Rude, the pleasure is mine.”
His voice was soft and deep, and Tifa smiled brighter.
Oh, her father was going to have a fit at the idea of her spending time with such a handsome newcomer. Especially one who was so close to her age.
///
After Shinra had died and Holy had stopped Meteor, the world has still collapsed in on itself. At least a good chunk of it did. Thousands were technically unemployed, though with all the rebuilding needed, and all the resettling, a lot of them were employed pretty fast, even if most of them were clueless on what they were doing and learning by trial and error.
Thankfully, Tifa did know how to run her bar. And with Cid and Cloud willing to drop things off for her, hells, she was Cloud’s first regular customer, asking him to run places and pick up the smaller packages of the good stuff while Cid brought her the large order things once a month when he did his regular supply drop for all the shops that had sprung up in the area.
With Shinra gone, there was lots of chaos. Even though a lot of people hated the company, it was also the main supporter of world economy and provider of the power of most the world. Places like Mideel and Gongaga and the like were doing a hell of a lot better than most, but most of the rest of the world just seemed in chaos.
At least things in the newly named Edge were starting to settle as most of the people got shelter, and started to slowly work their lives back into a familiar pattern. Which lead them to enjoying themselves at places like 7th Heaven and such, relaxing after a hard day of work.
And, of course, people started to fall back into bad habits.
Tifa was perfectly fine being her own bouncer but, really, how was she supposed to serve up drinks if she was kicking out drunks?
Then the perfect solution walked in, though when she first saw him, she hadn’t been sure if she should be kicking him out or not.
When Rude had showed up on her doorstep, while Cloud was out of town on a delivery and the kids were visiting Elmyra, Tifa had paused, glass still in hand from where she was cleaning it. She didn’t know what the man wanted, tensing just in case it was a fight. They hadn’t really parted on the best of terms, after all. Though it was Reno who had irked her most, with that smart mouth of his. “What can I do for you?” she asked, taking the polite route. He was dressed in casual clothing, something she hadn’t even been aware the Turk had owned, so she was taking it for a peace gesture.
Rude nodded a little, relaxing some, she could see it in his shoulders. “I know we did not have the best of...interactions,” he said, obviously picking his words carefully. “But I heard rumors that you were looking for assistance.”
She had let it be known that she was looking for someone to play bouncer. And she had gotten a few people trying for it. None nearly as qualified as Rude, but.... “You’re a Turk.”
“Was a Turk. With the President’s death and Shinra being no more, the Turks no longer exist. And, former Shinra or not, I do still need to eat.” He tilted his head slightly. “Cloud is also former Shinra.”
And he caught enough hassle for it at times, by people who just saw his eyes and didn’t know anything else about him. “That causes enough fights, I know.” Sometimes she wondered if that was why he didn’t come home so often. “What do you think will happen if I hire an ex-Turk, hmm?” Setting the glass down, she set about wiping off the bar. “Plus I get the feeling dealing with you means dealing with that partner of yours.”
“He’ll show up sooner or later. He liked you guys, and you have the best selection of alcohol.”
“I knew that would come to haunt me.”
“As much as Reno will once he discovers what all those packages you send Cloud for are full of.”
Oh, he had snark after all. Tifa didn’t hide her smile. Instead, she grinned, then snagged the glass and pitched it right at his face as fast as she could. He caught it inches from his eyes, and set it down on the table next to him.
Nicely done. “You didn’t break the glass. You’re hired. Make it worth the fights I know are going to break out, all right?”
His slow smile was a nice thing to see.
///
The fight was hard and fast. Punches, kicks, tosses, and blocks. All blurred and flowed as they circled one another, not really pulling their blows as they struck. This was the best type of fighting. A skill opponent who was enjoying it just as much.
Finally, though, Tifa got the blow in against his knee that took his leg out from under him, and Rude fell with a grunt, head bouncing off the padding on the floor.
The kids applauded, eyes sparkling as they watched their teachers pant and work on catching their breath from the spar.
It was hard be believe it had been almost a year since he had found out Tifa giving self-defense lessons to the younger kids in Edge. She had looked so pretty doing that, slowly moving through the different forms and stances, helping the kids learn how to keep themselves safe in a world that seemed even more dangerous now than before. He couldn’t help but watch as often as he could, ignoring Reno’s teasing and Rufus’s good natured smirk when he had let him have the time off.
Didn’t take long for Tifa to put him on the spot, either.
He had forgotten just how good she really was. Hadn’t been for nothing she had helped save the world, and he had only been watching a few weeks before she had dragged him in. Loudly. By saying that it would be lovely if “Mr. Rude” would come down and help her demonstrate a move.
That had ended up with him getting many bruises, given she was showing off a toss move. Afterwards, she had dragged him to the bar for a Cure and a drink, demanding to know what he was doing there. When he had explained he was curious what she was doing, she told him. And then she had stared at him blankly as he had offered to help. Not that she said no after she got over her shock.
So he had settled into helping, dealing with the youngest ones with an amazingly delicate touch. Then he found out Tifa’s weekly ritual, which the kids seemed to think was the best thing ever. She ran through her katas at full speed, showing them what could be done.
And when he joined, she suddenly had a sparring partner to play with. A sparring partner who could handle himself pretty damn good.
So things had fallen into a pattern. Once a week they’d spar, her usually handing him his ass, then back to the bar for a fix and a few drinks. Rude like to think of them as dates, but he doubted that’s what they were. Still, they were nice, and he couldn’t help but look forward to them.
So they sparred, and eventually got the kids off to their respective homes, heading back to the bar. She tossed him the Restore she kept under the counter, and pulled up his favorite beer. He took both, ready to enjoy his beer after he stopped hurting. She could really pack a punch.
“So why do you do it?” she asked suddenly, looking at him with amused eyes. “I know you aren’t throwing the fights, so why do you let yourself get banged up like that, then crawled upon by children?”
He opened his mouth, and found himself unable to say anything. How was he supposed to tell her that he used to like her, and that had never gone away, especially once he had gotten to know her?
Didn’t stop a few almost stuttering attempts from escaping, then she rested her fingers again his lips.
“Rude,” she said calmly. “Shut up and kiss me.”
Well, that was an order he could follow willing enough, and did.
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Pairing: Tifa/Rude
Author/artist:
icedark_elfRecipient:
ponderosa121 for het_challengeRating: PG-13
Beta:
forgottenloverWordcount: 2,900
Warnings: None
Paths Never Taken
Her father had been furious when she had suggested the idea. Blamed all the boys who had been leaving to go to Midgar. Especially that Strife boy, because Tifa wanted to go join SOLDIER. And he had made that anger abundantly clear as he had ranted about everything.
He had done his level best, and everything in his power, to dissuade her from going. Everything from telling her that SOLDIERs were more monster than human to telling her that they didn’t want girls in the military. Stressing the girl part, of course. Which just made her more stubborn. She was fourteen, after all, almost an adult. It wasn’t like he hadn’t talked about her getting married already.
It was also possible that he was right, and she knew for a fact that her teacher didn’t want her to go. But once her father proved just how much he was against it, she refused to change her mind. So, that spring, the year after Cloud had left, Tifa did as well, running away when her father proved he wasn’t going to help her in any way.
Once she reached Midgar, she was dismayed to find out that her father had been right at least in one regard. The lack of women in the military was bad, and the fact they didn’t let girls into SOLDIER at all threw all her plans right out of the window. She didn’t know what to do when she found out neither tended to let girls in.
The Turks, on the other hand....
The training was hard, and Tifa almost backed out when she realized just what it was that Turks did. Apparently that was more common than she thought, enough so that they they knew the signs of it. So when she had gone back to her rooms after a long walk to clear her head, one of the older Turks had been waiting for her.
“Oh,” she had said when she realized she wasn’t alone, startled as she looked at him. He was sitting there quietly, reading a book under the small light she had next to her chair. “Mr. Rude, I didn’t realize you were there.”
Gods, could she sound any more dumb? He was a Turk, he probably read her startlement as clear as day. The man stood, setting the book to the side and straightening his suit.
“Let’s go for a drink.”
His voice was calm, and she nodded, a bit hesitant. Well, they were going to someplace public, she hoped, so it shouldn’t be too bad, right?
The look he gave her this time was a little more searching, and she could feel herself freeze some under it. Damnit, she really wanted to learn how they could do that, it was such a cool talent.
After a moment, he shook his head and there was a small curve of his lips that might have been a smile. “Calm down, Tifa,” he said in an almost quiet voice. “Just want to talk. You will be a good Turk if you decide to stay. I’m just here to answer any questions you might have.”
The smile grew a little. “And even I enjoy getting a drink with a pretty girl over Reno, sometimes.”
Things were coming to a head. The world was falling apart around them, and Reno had the right idea about the fact that they were carrying out the very final orders of Rufus. And he didn’t have to say that without Shinra, there were no Turks. So after they finished this, they were at loose ends.
Elena hadn’t seemed to get that yet, dragging them to go stop the intruders with all her normal enthusiasm. Or maybe she did and just wasn’t sure how to deal with it. It was obvious Reno really didn’t care, and that they were all a little shocked by the sudden loss of contact from Rufus when the WEAPON had attacked.
The reluctance to fight only grew when they saw who it was they were supposed to take out. Cloud, Vincent, and...Tifa. Again, Elena had run ahead, and he resolved calmly to take her where they could all get drunk after this. If the world was coming to an end, then might as well go out drunk and in good company. Besides, the blonde could use the alcohol. Maybe they could go get some and sit in Tseng’s room. Not like the hospital staff would care if he got drunk now of all times.
Actually, if they were going to die, there were a few more things that Rude wanted to get done first.
He moved forward, causing all parties to pause and look at him. Silently, keeping as non-threatening as he could, he walked over to Tifa. The young woman looked at him with cautious eyes, body tense as if expecting a fight.
She obviously didn’t expect the kiss if that noise she made was any indication. The stunned look on Cloud’s face was something he would smile about later. Right now, though, his attention was on the woman in front of him.
“If we all survive this,” he said, voice a low rumble, “I would like to know if you would be interested in a date?”
She stared at him blankly for a minute, brain obviously having to work at processing that. There was no rush on his part, he was too much of a gentlemen for that. Something he did try to beat into Reno’s brain from time to time before giving it up as a lost cause. Tifa, after a moment, stuttered out her answer.
“I, um, okay?” Hesitant, she nodded at him, obviously none too sure. He simply gave her a small smile and nodded.
“Then I’m sure I’ll see you later,” he said. “Because I know you are strong enough to win.”
Leaving the confused group behind him, he walked over and rejoined Reno and Elena. “We were on our way somewhere,” he told them, leading them away from the people who were going to save the world.
Now, to find that bar. He had something to celebrate.
Finally, finally, finally, her teacher was coming back.
Tifa knew that he wasn’t just -her- teacher, and that he did travel on a circuit due to the fact he had several students all over the place. But, still, she was excited that he was coming back. It had been too long since he had been, and while she had already learned a lot from him, she wanted to learn more.
Waiting where she would be able to see him coming up the path, she didn’t have to wait long to see the familiar stride of Zangan. Right on time. His letter had said he would be back today, and she was always so impressed when he kept his word like that.
But he wasn’t alone.
That was something of a surprise. At fourteen, Tifa was the only student still left in Nibelheim, the others having dropped out or moved away what seemed like forever ago. So she wasn’t used to seeing her teacher with anyone else. Not like she used to, when some of the others would go to meet him outside of town while she was trapped in piano or etiquette lessons. But all those people had gone away.
Which meant...this was someone new.
Excitement starting to curl in her stomach, Tifa went to meet them. Someone new. She wondered who it was. He wasn’t really dark skin, but he didn’t have the pale skin most of the people around Nibelheim sported either. Kinda tanned. Which...looked really nice. He was older, too. Maybe five or six years her senior, she guess. And he moved like he knew how to fight.
“Zangan,” she said cheerfully, waving at him as she trotted up to meet them, curious eyes glancing at the newcomer. “Welcome back, sir,” she continued. “It’s been a while since you were last here to visit.”
He nodded at her. “Well, I will be here a while longer. Tifa, this is my student, Rude. He was recently accepted into a position at the Shinra company.” That surprised her. Tifa didn’t think her teacher was fond of Shinra. “I tell him that it is foolish, of course, but he is an adult. However, he had agreed to assist me in this, and will be joining us for a while. His style has evolved differently from what I’ve taught him, and I thought it might do you both good to have a sparring partner who had such different forms.”
Oh, that would be fun. She was tired of not having anyone to spar with. That was the hardest part about everyone leaving her behind. “Hello there,” she held her hand out to Rude. “I’m Tifa. It’s nice to meet you.”
He took it. “I’m Rude, the pleasure is mine.”
His voice was soft and deep, and Tifa smiled brighter.
Oh, her father was going to have a fit at the idea of her spending time with such a handsome newcomer. Especially one who was so close to her age.
After Shinra had died and Holy had stopped Meteor, the world has still collapsed in on itself. At least a good chunk of it did. Thousands were technically unemployed, though with all the rebuilding needed, and all the resettling, a lot of them were employed pretty fast, even if most of them were clueless on what they were doing and learning by trial and error.
Thankfully, Tifa did know how to run her bar. And with Cid and Cloud willing to drop things off for her, hells, she was Cloud’s first regular customer, asking him to run places and pick up the smaller packages of the good stuff while Cid brought her the large order things once a month when he did his regular supply drop for all the shops that had sprung up in the area.
With Shinra gone, there was lots of chaos. Even though a lot of people hated the company, it was also the main supporter of world economy and provider of the power of most the world. Places like Mideel and Gongaga and the like were doing a hell of a lot better than most, but most of the rest of the world just seemed in chaos.
At least things in the newly named Edge were starting to settle as most of the people got shelter, and started to slowly work their lives back into a familiar pattern. Which lead them to enjoying themselves at places like 7th Heaven and such, relaxing after a hard day of work.
And, of course, people started to fall back into bad habits.
Tifa was perfectly fine being her own bouncer but, really, how was she supposed to serve up drinks if she was kicking out drunks?
Then the perfect solution walked in, though when she first saw him, she hadn’t been sure if she should be kicking him out or not.
When Rude had showed up on her doorstep, while Cloud was out of town on a delivery and the kids were visiting Elmyra, Tifa had paused, glass still in hand from where she was cleaning it. She didn’t know what the man wanted, tensing just in case it was a fight. They hadn’t really parted on the best of terms, after all. Though it was Reno who had irked her most, with that smart mouth of his. “What can I do for you?” she asked, taking the polite route. He was dressed in casual clothing, something she hadn’t even been aware the Turk had owned, so she was taking it for a peace gesture.
Rude nodded a little, relaxing some, she could see it in his shoulders. “I know we did not have the best of...interactions,” he said, obviously picking his words carefully. “But I heard rumors that you were looking for assistance.”
She had let it be known that she was looking for someone to play bouncer. And she had gotten a few people trying for it. None nearly as qualified as Rude, but.... “You’re a Turk.”
“Was a Turk. With the President’s death and Shinra being no more, the Turks no longer exist. And, former Shinra or not, I do still need to eat.” He tilted his head slightly. “Cloud is also former Shinra.”
And he caught enough hassle for it at times, by people who just saw his eyes and didn’t know anything else about him. “That causes enough fights, I know.” Sometimes she wondered if that was why he didn’t come home so often. “What do you think will happen if I hire an ex-Turk, hmm?” Setting the glass down, she set about wiping off the bar. “Plus I get the feeling dealing with you means dealing with that partner of yours.”
“He’ll show up sooner or later. He liked you guys, and you have the best selection of alcohol.”
“I knew that would come to haunt me.”
“As much as Reno will once he discovers what all those packages you send Cloud for are full of.”
Oh, he had snark after all. Tifa didn’t hide her smile. Instead, she grinned, then snagged the glass and pitched it right at his face as fast as she could. He caught it inches from his eyes, and set it down on the table next to him.
Nicely done. “You didn’t break the glass. You’re hired. Make it worth the fights I know are going to break out, all right?”
His slow smile was a nice thing to see.
The fight was hard and fast. Punches, kicks, tosses, and blocks. All blurred and flowed as they circled one another, not really pulling their blows as they struck. This was the best type of fighting. A skill opponent who was enjoying it just as much.
Finally, though, Tifa got the blow in against his knee that took his leg out from under him, and Rude fell with a grunt, head bouncing off the padding on the floor.
The kids applauded, eyes sparkling as they watched their teachers pant and work on catching their breath from the spar.
It was hard be believe it had been almost a year since he had found out Tifa giving self-defense lessons to the younger kids in Edge. She had looked so pretty doing that, slowly moving through the different forms and stances, helping the kids learn how to keep themselves safe in a world that seemed even more dangerous now than before. He couldn’t help but watch as often as he could, ignoring Reno’s teasing and Rufus’s good natured smirk when he had let him have the time off.
Didn’t take long for Tifa to put him on the spot, either.
He had forgotten just how good she really was. Hadn’t been for nothing she had helped save the world, and he had only been watching a few weeks before she had dragged him in. Loudly. By saying that it would be lovely if “Mr. Rude” would come down and help her demonstrate a move.
That had ended up with him getting many bruises, given she was showing off a toss move. Afterwards, she had dragged him to the bar for a Cure and a drink, demanding to know what he was doing there. When he had explained he was curious what she was doing, she told him. And then she had stared at him blankly as he had offered to help. Not that she said no after she got over her shock.
So he had settled into helping, dealing with the youngest ones with an amazingly delicate touch. Then he found out Tifa’s weekly ritual, which the kids seemed to think was the best thing ever. She ran through her katas at full speed, showing them what could be done.
And when he joined, she suddenly had a sparring partner to play with. A sparring partner who could handle himself pretty damn good.
So things had fallen into a pattern. Once a week they’d spar, her usually handing him his ass, then back to the bar for a fix and a few drinks. Rude like to think of them as dates, but he doubted that’s what they were. Still, they were nice, and he couldn’t help but look forward to them.
So they sparred, and eventually got the kids off to their respective homes, heading back to the bar. She tossed him the Restore she kept under the counter, and pulled up his favorite beer. He took both, ready to enjoy his beer after he stopped hurting. She could really pack a punch.
“So why do you do it?” she asked suddenly, looking at him with amused eyes. “I know you aren’t throwing the fights, so why do you let yourself get banged up like that, then crawled upon by children?”
He opened his mouth, and found himself unable to say anything. How was he supposed to tell her that he used to like her, and that had never gone away, especially once he had gotten to know her?
Didn’t stop a few almost stuttering attempts from escaping, then she rested her fingers again his lips.
“Rude,” she said calmly. “Shut up and kiss me.”
Well, that was an order he could follow willing enough, and did.