New Year’s Eve was just another ordinary day for Rufus Shinra—until you came into his life. His hand held a cup of hot tea for himself and another of cocoa with extra marshmallows for you. The penthouse was lit with warm orange Christmas lights, decorations you had painstakingly put up. Rufus could tell how much effort you’d put into it.

He set the drinks and snacks on the table near the cozy setup you had arranged for the evening. A soft blanket, a few throw pillows, and an open view of Midgar’s skyline through the large window were all in place to welcome the New Year. The fireworks would start in just a few minutes.

Rufus had never cared about holidays before, but with you, they’d become something special. Seeing you smile, your excitement over the little things, made him appreciate these moments more than he’d ever thought possible.

He sat down beside you, watching as you gently stroked Darkstar. Though he’d told you countless times that the dog wasn’t afraid of fireworks—it was a perfectly trained guard dog, after all—you insisted on putting a pair of earmuffs on it. The sight was both ridiculous and endearing. Or maybe he just loved you too much.

His arm slid around your shoulders, pulling you closer. The chill of the night air seemed to disappear with you by his side. This New Year’s Eve was like the ones before it since you’d come into his life, and Rufus realized he wanted every one of his years to be like this—with you.

He pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, his eyes relaxing as they met yours. For once, he allowed himself to leave the responsibilities of his work behind and simply enjoy a quiet night with the person he loved.

“It’s almost time to count down,”

he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. Reaching for the cocoa, he handed it to you, a subtle smile tugging at his lips. He had added extra marshmallows, just because he knew how much it would make you grin.