FFVII - Pets Pt. II

Pets Pt. II.

Author: The Magic Rat
Rating: PG
Pairings: Reno/Veld
Warnings: More misconceptions.
Word Count: 1447
Website – Ex Libris:  www.winter-wood.net/ex-libris/…
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Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy Seven characters, places and situations are the property of Square Soft/Square Enix and are used without permission and without intent of plagiarism or profit. Copyright for all stories and original characters such as Badger the Roadie is with the author, and may not be published, copied, distributed or archived without the author's prior written consent.

Summary: Reno brings home some friends.

Author's notes: A thank-you ficlet for everyone who sent me the Rufus and Dark pics.



"Pets!" said Reno as he undressed. "Pets! We bust our humps for the brat and we're pets, yo! And I'm pregnant with puppies?"

"Reno," said Veld, slipping beneath the covers of his large bed. "He's five. And a rather sheltered five at that. Didn't you think ridiculous stuff as a child?"

"I once kept a rock warm for eight weeks because my neighbour told me it was a prehistoric chocobo egg."

"I'm sure he was just playing with you."

"The fucking thing hatched a basilisk."

Veld raised an eyebrow. "Well did he know it was a basilisk?"

"Probably. I was a pretty rotten kid."

Reno dropped into bed, Veld catching him and pulling him close. "And still rotten, but so very lovely. What do you suppose the puppies will look like?"

Reno grinned, then kissed him, sinking further into the bed, allowing Veld to have his way. "Let's see… tall… leggy… handsome…"

"Red," said Veld.

"Very red. Crafty…"

"Sexy…"

"The kid's five, yo, he's not gonna care if it's sexy."

"I wasn't talking about the kid."

"Is there a snake in this bed or are you just happy to see me?"

"Both."

"Hilarious."

***---***

Sex with Veld was immensely satisfying and wonderful, but while Veld was free to fall asleep afterwards, Reno was not. He'd requested extra hours in order to pay for a new car, his previous one now a home for fish at the bottom of the Midgar River. So he was prowling the house, ensuring all was well. Not for the sake of his boss, but for the little five-year-old red-headed boy who had won the heart of every Turk, and would one day return that love a thousand fold. But Reno knew nothing about that – those days were far in the future. Right now all Reno wanted to do was make sure all was safe so he could go raid the President's fridge.

Many employees stole. But Reno had elevated theft to an art form. He had no love or respect for the President, but he did love and respect Veld, Tseng, and a number of other co-workers. He stayed for them, although some days this job turned his stomach. So he voiced his displeasure in ways that would not affect them. Stealing food was one way, and it was the way he was best at.

Reno crept into the kitchen, prowling over to the fridge, and opened it. Goldmine! Hot spiced fish chowder, crumbly bread, iced tea, and date squares. He opened an insulated bag and drew out thermoses and plastic bags, filling them with food and then closing the fridge door. He left the kitchen and crept into the part of the building where the offices were kept, skulking into Palmer's office and locating his spare suit jacket. Reno then smeared the sleeves with a bit of chowder and put crumbs from the date squares on the lapel before leaving a half-eaten date square under the desk. He then crept back to the employee's lounge to share his stolen goods with the other Turks. He was greeted by Marty, one of the few female Turks on staff.

"What is Palmer gonna get busted for today?" she asked.

Reno laid out the feast, grinning. "You heat up the soup and I'll toast the bread."

"I just thought of something. What are we gonna do if the Old Man fires Palmer?"

"Hope he hires another fat slob. Hey, Marty, your backpack is wiggling."

She sighed heavily. "I know. Look what I found on the side of the road."

She picked up her backpack and set it on the table, opened it, and began removing small animals. They looked much like Rufus' guard hound, but were leaner and clearly of a less domestic strain. They were also an amazing shade of scarlet. Reno picked up one of the little beasts, which hissed, trying to clumsily swat him with baby-claws.

"Where did they come from?"

"Their mother was lying on the side of the road. Red hounds don't normally come this close to humans but she was clearly starving. She was hit by a car and so was one of the puppies. So we now have three red hounds and nowhere to take them because they're so damned common the wildlife rescue places have no room for them."

"Can't you keep them?"

"Yeah my two pet mini-goats would just love me bringing home their natural predator."

Reno looked at the tiny squeaking red orphan. "I'll take them. I live alone. I have time for them."

"Are you sure? They're gonna be a handful. And then they're gonna get big."

"Yeah I'm sure. I live in the Turk barracks, so even if I can't be there, someone will always be there for them, and hey, three red hounds will make pretty badass security for the place, yo."

"Well, in that case, you are now the proud owner of three red hounds. And because I am now so glad I don't have to bring these home to my poor goats, I'll handle your shift for you so you can take the puppies home and get them settled."

"Thanks Marty." He began putting puppies into his pockets, then gave her a quick kiss. "Later. If Veld asks where I am, tell him I'm at my barracks apartment."

"Will do. Later."

***---***

Getting the puppies settled was easier said than done. Tiny though they may be, there were still wild animals and predators on top of it. The first stop was at a pet store for beds and training pads and food and toys and other things baby animals needed. Then Reno took the little things home and let them out of the bag, sitting on the floor with them as they explored. The little boy puppy hid under a chair and growled, but the two little girls were happy to play and explore. Their little brother was unconvinced this human had their best interests at heart, but very soon one of the little females was actively seeking Reno's attention. Her example soon had the other little female cautiously approaching as well, but the little boy continued to hide and growl. Reno hoped this was just a phase and he would get over it soon.

By the time morning came and Reno was pulling out his sofa-bed, he knew he at least had the affection of the two females, and the only reason the male was speaking to him was because he didn't want to be separated from his sisters. Reno set the trio of little red puppies on the bed, then lay down on it himself, exhausted. He smiled as he felt one of the small animals curl up against him.

"So do I make a good adopted mommy?" he asked the little beast.

The red hound puppy made no sound other than a quiet sigh, happy to be safe with her remaining family. Reno closed his eyes and fell into an exhausted sleep, forgetting that in less than an hour Rufus would be looking for his favourite Turk to take him to school.

***---***

Rufus stood on his toes to open the door to Reno's room, turning the knob and pushing the door open. He walked into the room, which was more like a small bachelor apartment, and crept over to the sofa-bed where Reno was lying on his side. Reno was clearly deeply asleep, exhausted, and Rufus clambered onto the bed, then drew a loud gasp of utter delight. Curled up beside Reno on the bed were three little red forms with little wigglie tentacles like his own kitty, but RED, with bright green eyes. Rufus reached the logical conclusion instantly. Hopping off the bed, he ran out of the small apartment and into the hallway. Drawing a huge breath of air, the then bellowed to the rest of the barracks; "MY TURK HAD PUPPIES!"

Reno was awakened by the noise, raising his head and scowling.

"Man, pity whoever has to teach that kid sex-ed, yo," he mumbled.