Don't Play with Fire (Turks FF7)

9) Fear

"Kat." I groan as Rude knocks in my door again before giving up and just opening it. "You're going to be late."

"I don' care," I slur into my pillow, too tired to give a rip. "Tell Tseng to @-$+ off." Moments later, my blankets are gone and laying in the floor across the room, my bald friend leaving the room. I huff and stomp out into the kitchen, grabbing my suit out of the small laundry closet, and walking to their bathroom. I pull the stupid thing on before going to the entryway and shoving my feet into my shoes. So flippin' sleepy. Rude tosses my usual banana to me. I just barely manage to catch it.
"Rufus..." He trails off before starting up again with a slight shake of his head. "Why does he call you to his office so often?" I shrug.

"I dunno. He's always buggin' me though. Like last night, he pestered me about Tseng forever. I mean, people act like it's the end of the world when they see him being lenient."

"It's refreshing to see him care about someone as much as he cares about you." I scoff.

"He doesn't care about me, Rude. He's just doing her a favor."

"Who?"

"Mom."

"..."

Sighing, I peel my breakfast and eat it quickly, just in time to slip out the door behind Rude.

"Hey, I didn't hear your stupid dog this morning."

"I locked him in my room."

"Aw. You're not very nice to your little devil."

"I'm plenty nice to you."

"Hey!" I shove his shoulder playfully, only letting that teeny smile at the side of his mouth grow a millimeter or two. Reeve steps into the elevator at its next stop up, offering us both a friendly but professional looking smile. I give him a small (but fake) smile back, nodding as a form of hello.

"Let me guess," I say once I've made my uninvited way into Tseng's office. "Stuck with Rufus?"

"Yes," he gives me an amused look. "Though Rude, Elena, and I will be heading out to the Mythril Mines."

"Is Avalanche there already?"

"Yes, rather, they stayed in the stables last night and most likely plan on crossing the marsh today." I scoff.

"Yeah, if they survive the Golem."

"You underestimate them."

"I'm being realistic."

"Well then you would know that an ex-SOLDIER and a band of strong fighters protecting Aerith will be perfectly fine."

"Whatever," I sigh, leaning back in my seat. "When do I gotta go up?"

"You're late."

"Joy."

I take the stairs instead of the lift this time, pushing into Rufus's office. The blonde is scribbling away at a piece of paper, probably signing a document for some issue in the city. Already working hard to be a better president than his father. I wait against the wall during the awkward silence. Or at least I find it awkward. He seems perfectly comfortable. Finally, he sets the pen down, looking over at me cooly.

"You'd have thought Tseng taught you to at least knock on a door."

"He didn't raise me," I frown.