365 Hours with Rufus Shinra (FFVII: Rufus x OC)

ch13. the anticipated death of a f*cking asshole

THE BARKING SOUND of a dog reached her ears when they reached the Vice President's Mansion in Junon. The butlers took care of their luggage and Rufus with Hannah walked out of the car only to be greeted by the staff and a pretty dangerous-looking dog that rushed towards them. Hannah arched an eyebrow. It wasn't really a dog. A genetically engineered one sounded more like it. It was unnaturally larger than any species that she knew of and -mind you- she knew a lot of species. She too had a dog once.

It had sharp teeth and a large tail perking around as she approached Rufus. He gave her mane a soft stroke before she turned and looked over at Hannah. Dark Nation didn't bark at her, nor did she try to feast on her flesh just like she would in every other stranger that she would spot nearby him. And Hannah didn't cry out in terror, nor did she start running away. His dog was meant to look horrifying and threatening, but that didn't really seem to work for Hannah as she dropped to her knees on Dark Nation's height, and started petting her and talking to her.

"I never knew you had a dog!" Hannah squealed excitedly as her hands reached for Dark Nation's head, and beneath her mouth, and her mane. Dark Nation seemed to -more than- enjoy. "Oh my gosh, she so cute!" Hannah rubbed her belly as Dark Nation rolled on her back and looked up at her with her mouth open and her tongue hanging on the side.

Alright, that was definitely not the reaction that he expected. He knew he had more important matters at hand than just staring at how ridiculously well Hannah got along with his dog. He -honestly- thought that the sharp teeth, the red eyes, the pitch-black mane, the large tail, and body, were all anything but cute.

They should all be reasons for Hannah to scream and run away -and that was initially the reason why he had sent Dark Nation to be taken care of in the Shinra HQ for those fifteen days. That dog was specifically designed to create such an impression. Not to mention, that Dark Nation was also specifically designed to butcher whoever stranger she met.

But maybe that last part could be explained. Dark Nation's enhanced senses had probably caught his scent on Hannah, and he wouldn't be surprised. It was still good to know that he had marked her somehow.

"What a cute, beautiful little girl..." Hannah petted her and she giggled when she licked her face.

No. She's neither cute, nor beautiful. Rufus frowned. But Hannah had a look in her eyes that he hadn't seen before. It was cheerful. Was she happy? Is that actual happiness? He never knew how precious an actual, happy smile on her lips could look like. It was at this moment that he knew, he wanted to see her smile like that always. Though, he did remind himself, that this was just a ridiculous thought, and that he could never achieve that.

No. He would hurt Hannah. He didn't know how, but he knew exactly where their deal was taking them. Destruction. Getting too attached to Hannah was a mistake. Wanting to see her smile was also a mistake. Gaia, having her there -in the first place- was a mistake. A terrible mistake, because he was falling. The more she smiled petting Dark Nation, the more he fell.

"...so, what's her name?" Hannah asked as she looked up at him.

Oh. He didn't know how to say this. Maybe he should come up with some name that makes sense. He pursed his lips, wanting to scold himself for even thinking of doing that. Just say it. "Dark Nation,"

And this time, the reaction that he expected, it actually came. Hannah tried her best. She tried to choke back a laugh, but it all came out with a wheezing sound and tears in her eyes. She laughed, she couldn't help it, and she was sure that Rufus was shooting her a glare "Who names their dog 'Dark Nation'..." she wiped a tear before she resumed her laughter and continued petting the dog "...oh poor girl-"