Up On The Roof

Rating: PG
Category: AU
Pairing(s): Cloud/Rufus.
Warnings: Points to the pairing.
Summary: Just what did happen the night Cloud had his battle with Rufus?
Notes: This is all ice_lady’s fault.

‘On the roof, that’s the only place I know.
Look at the city, baby,
Where you just have to wish to make it so.
Let’s go up on the roof.

And at night the stars they put on a show for free,
And, darling, you can share it all with me.
Thats what I said,
Keep on telling you.

That right smack dab in the middle of town,
I found a paradise that’s troubleproof.
And if this old world starts a getting you down,
There’s room enough for two,
Up on the roof...’
- ‘Up On The Roof’ - Carole King (attributed to James Taylor...)

Cloud watched Tifa, Barret, Nanaki and Aeris flee the roof-top helicopter pad where Rufus Shinra now stood, cold, proud, and armed with a shotgun. At his side stood a great black cat-like animal, easily the size of a pony, slowly swinging the long and lethal tentacle between its shoulder blades. The whirling blades of the hovering helicopter blew Cloud’s hair, and caused Rufus’ long white coat to flap. The shotgun dangled from his left arm as he artfully cradled the weapon in the manner of a marksman. Neither Rufus nor Cloud moved, not until they heard the loud ‘clank’ of the fire door that led to the office closing.

“They’re gone,” said Cloud.

“Wonderful,” said Rufus. He handed the shotgun off to Tseng, then gave the huge feline beast a ball. It skipped away with its prize, clearly delighted. Rufus narrowed his eyes as he began removing his gloves, walking towards Cloud.

“Tseng, be so good as to let our friends escape without making it look like we let them escape.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Shinra.”

Cloud watched Rufus approach, feeling his heart quicken in his chest, his stomach suddenly filled with large and spectacular butterflies. He gasped as Rufus caught him by the hair at the back of his head and bent him backwards, roughly kissing him as his free hand snaked around Cloud’s waist. The kiss was hard and passionate; a tiny smear of blood appearing at the corner of Cloud’s mouth as they broke apart, and Rufus stared down at Cloud with naked want. Cloud closed his eyes and went limp in the taller man’s arms as Rufus lowered his head to lick away the trace of blood. Then he leaned close to speak softly in Cloud’s ear.

“We really do have to stop meeting like this.”