I love Reeve's characterization in this. Actually, I love EVERYONE'S characterization in this (including Dark Nation, though he doesn't really do much of anything except be cute underneath some Moogle wrapping paper). Love it.

Oh, this is too darling. I just want to squeeze your Rufus. In particular, I love the subtleties in the relationships presented here, from Rufus to Reeve, and Tseng to Rufus. Very lovely.

Oh MAN this was so good. I always trudge through , looking for the jewels that I KNOW are here, and I found one. I love love love your characterization of Rufus here-it is so balanced. He's calculating *without* being particularly cruel or motivated by greed, but at the same time, even his obvious intentions to control are controlled themselves. I've read a good number of fics about Rufus when he's younger, but this is exactly how I'd like to picture him. And of course, the device of Dark Nation's back story is an oft-used theme-this is one of the best ones I've read. Especially since you get Reeve in there (oh god Reeve, how I heart you) and describe him way before he's the character we know in the game.

And I'm always a sucker for the Tseng/Rufus dynamic, whether slashy/paternal/etc., at all different ages. Love this so much. Thank you for posting.

I'm pretty sure Dark Nation is a Guard Hound, so puppy. All the same I loved this fic. It was very well written. You captured Rufus perfectly. I loved the way Reeve acted, and the bit at the end was so so cute!

This has to be one of my favourite fic. Though short, it's very sweet: characterisation is nigh on flawless, the subtleties sublime and the key sentences are strikingly spot on.

Reeve, in all his multi-faceted complexity, is strongly represented here - from the unabashed scrutiny, attention to detail, organised chaos, plentiful degrees, quick retorts yet deliberate, resourceful and congenial manner through to the gift itself... the underlying message of which just kills me with pleasure. You've captured so much of what I love about the guy in so small an amount of words.

Rufus' reactions are just right too. The reaction to the other Executives, the way Reeve (pleasantly) surprises him, his chessmasterly assessments and the comment about the picture, through the frankly aww inducing factor of his reaction to DN at the end (and his covering for affection~)

Tseng also is surprisingly a strong presence, even though firmly in the background to these two other characters. Kinda apt, all things considered _

Great little piece you've got here! Very cute but insightful as well!

I just loved it. *_*

I... really don't know what to say xD

Thank you!

Very good depiction of teenage Rufus

Yep, Reeve's damn smart. He knows just what to get Rufus to allow him a moment to be a child and "unsophisticated." Loved the part about MULTIPLE degrees. Sounds like Reeve could rival Hojo if ShinRa just gave him a chance.

I adore this. Plain and simple adore it. A great depiction of Rufus as ready to discard childhood, but caught in that unavoidably awkward stage between childhood and adulthood. Really well written. I love his interaction with Reeve, and the ending is great. I always figured Rufus would keep a lint-roller around...

One typo I spotted:

"Of course if they'd known that Shinra Senior didn't give a rats ass about what his son thought, they might've spent THERE money elsewhere."

Story is now on my favorites list! Thanks for the fic— Rufus needs more love.

Rufus trying to grow up under the shadow of his father (and being a child)

Realizing how important Reeve could be and placing the seeds for the furture... sneaky and smart.

And Reeve bringing Dark Nation in for protection... that is a 'dwah' moment. I so love Dark Nation.