Chapter Text
The day was winding down when Sephiroth found himself on a quiet, secluded path, heading back to base after a mission. The wind had settled into a cool breeze, rustling through the trees that lined the road, casting long shadows in the dimming light.
It had been an exhausting day, and he sought a moment of solitude, something he’d found harder to come by as his reputation grew. The silver-haired hero rarely let his thoughts wander beyond the mission—but tonight, something unusual caught his eye.
Just off the path lay a small, golden bundle of fur, half-covered in dirt, trembling as if from cold or fear.
It was a puppy. With bright yellow fur that shimmered faintly in the dying light and striking blue eyes, the little Shiba Inu looked more like a tiny flame than a dog. The pup was clearly hurt, one leg smeared with dried blood and trembling slightly as it tried to lift itself.
Sephiroth crouched, frowning slightly, reaching out a gloved hand. “Are you lost, little one?”
The puppy looked up at him, tail weakly wagging.
“Well, I suppose I can’t leave you here, can I?” He carefully scooped the puppy into his arms.
Inwardly, Cloud was screaming. Sephiroth! Oh, Gaia, it’s really him! He wanted to leap up, bark out his name, and shake him by the shoulders. But all that came out was a whimper and an awkward wag of his tail. His wounded leg prevented him from moving much, so he could only stare at his hero helplessly.
Sephiroth’s steely gaze softened slightly, almost unnoticeably. Without another word, he reached out and carefully lifted the puppy, cradling him in the crook of his arm. “Easy now,” he murmured, surprised by his own tenderness. “I’ll take you somewhere safe.”
Cloud’s heart fluttered with excitement and embarrassment, a mix of awe and shame as he was pressed against Sephiroth’s chest. I’m… I’m being held by Sephiroth!
The thought made him want to wag his tail harder, but the throbbing pain in his leg tempered his excitement. He whimpered softly, nestling against Sephiroth’s warmth.
Sephiroth carried him to his quarters and placed him on a blanket folded in the corner. Cloud looked around, his blue eyes wide with wonder. Here he was in Sephiroth’s private space, somewhere he’d never imagined he’d ever be! But the thrill was mixed with a pang of sadness; he wanted to be here as himself, not as a helpless, wounded puppy.
Sephiroth knelt beside him, eyes studying him intently. “What happened to you?” he asked softly, reaching out to scratch behind Cloud’s ears.
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, Cloud thought, wincing as Sephiroth gently examined his injured leg. He wanted to bark out It’s me! It’s Cloud! but when he tried, all that came out was a tiny whine.
“Poor thing,” Sephiroth murmured, as he reached for a first aid kit to bandage the leg. “It’ll heal soon.” He wrapped Cloud’s leg with a steady, practiced hand, and each time he spoke, his voice softened.
Once Cloud’s leg was wrapped, Sephiroth patted his head, lingering just a second too long. “You’re safe here, little one.”
In spite of his embarrassment, Cloud’s heart swelled. There was a warmth in Sephiroth’s voice he hadn’t expected. His hero, his idol, was actually caring for him, showing him kindness in a way he had never seen before. But… he was treating him like a pet, not a friend, and that bittersweet feeling kept tugging at his heart.
---
The days that followed were filled with a strange mixture of bliss and frustration for Cloud. Sephiroth kept him close, often lifting him up and carrying him around the base, and Cloud, despite his helplessness, was determined to stay by Sephiroth’s side. He’d trail after him wherever he went, trotting just behind him, even when his injured leg made it difficult.
Sephiroth, meanwhile, seemed unexpectedly at ease with his new companion. One morning, as he sat down to breakfast, Cloud limped over, placing his head on Sephiroth’s knee, looking up with wide, hopeful eyes.
“Hungry, are you?” Sephiroth chuckled, reaching down to scratch Cloud’s head. “What a loyal little friend.”
Cloud’s tail wagged, but inside he was practically melting. Sephiroth’s actually feeding me!
He barked once, trying to nod in thanks, and Sephiroth, misunderstanding the excitement, simply gave him another head pat. “Good boy,” Sephiroth murmured, setting down a bowl. “Who’s my good little boy?”
Cloud’s tail thumped against the floor.
I am! I am your good boy! he thought, embarrassed by how much he enjoyed the praise.
But every time he saw Sephiroth’s small smiles or felt his gentle touch, it reminded him of all the times he’d watched Sephiroth from afar, wishing to be closer. And now he was close—in a way—but unable to truly show Sephiroth who he was.
Even with that longing, he made the best of his situation, doing all he could to “earn” Sephiroth’s affection. He’d bring small items to Sephiroth—a glove, a stray pen, even an envelope he found on the floor, just to be helpful. Each time, Sephiroth would raise an eyebrow, accepting it with a bemused, “Thank you… Shiro.”
When he heard Sephiroth call him Shiro, a name he’d been given in this form, Cloud’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected Sephiroth to give him a name. It was silly, really—he wasn’t even supposed to be a dog, but hearing that word made him feel like he belonged here, like he really was Sephiroth’s companion.
---
Sephiroth grew increasingly fond of the little Shiba. He tried not to let it show, but there was a softness in his gaze whenever he spoke to the pup, a warmth he rarely showed to anyone. The dog was beginning to worm its way into his life in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
“You don’t look like much,” Sephiroth would mutter to Shiro, scratching behind the pup’s ears, only for Cloud to lean into his hand instinctively. It was an embarrassing comfort, but it was Sephiroth—the Sephiroth—so how could he resist?
“Why do you follow me everywhere?” Sephiroth asked, looking down at Shiro with a hint of a smile. “You’re surprisingly loyal. Are you trying to tell me something?”
Cloud barked, hoping to convey his message, Yes, I’m Cloud, the one who looks up to you!
Sephiroth chuckled lightly. “Hungry already? Very well, then.” And he pulled out a snack for the dog, much to Cloud’s chagrin.
---
One afternoon, Angeal and Genesis stopped by Sephiroth’s quarters, curious about rumors that he’d taken in a dog. As Sephiroth opened the door, Cloud darted up to greet them, tail wagging. Genesis blinked, surprised, while Angeal raised an amused brow.
“Sephiroth,” Genesis drawled with a smirk, “since when do you have a pet?”
Sephiroth crossed his arms, trying to hide his own fondness for the pup. “He’s… temporary,” he replied, glancing down at Cloud, who looked back up with wide, expectant eyes. “I found him injured. He seems to… enjoy my company.”
Cloud’s tail thumped eagerly against Sephiroth’s boot as if to confirm it, but inside he was thinking, Of course, I enjoy your company! It’s all I’ve ever wanted!
Angeal crouched down, scratching behind Cloud’s ears. “Well, aren’t you a loyal little guy?”
Cloud barked in response, glancing up at Sephiroth as if seeking his approval. Sephiroth tried to maintain his usual stoic expression, but he let out a small sigh. “Who’s a good boy?” he said, reaching down to pat Cloud’s head. “Are you a good boy, Shiro?”
Cloud barked in excitement, wiggling with pride, though part of him felt the bittersweet sting again. He wanted to be acknowledged by Sephiroth, but as himself. Yet… he was undeniably enjoying this too much.
“You’re really attached, aren’t you?” Genesis teased, nudging Sephiroth. “Maybe Shiro here has a special place in your cold heart.”
Sephiroth shot Genesis a warning glare, but he couldn’t quite hide the warmth in his eyes as he looked down at Cloud. “He’s… quiet and loyal,” he replied in a low voice, as though explaining it to himself. “It’s a welcome change.”
---
Days turned into weeks, and soon Sephiroth found himself talking to Shiro more than he’d ever spoken to another person.
One evening, while they were alone, Sephiroth scratched under Cloud’s chin, and Cloud leaned into it, closing his eyes with a soft whine of satisfaction.
“You enjoy that, don’t you?” Sephiroth asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I didn’t think I’d find a companion who enjoys my company so much.”
Cloud’s ears perked up, and he barked in response, trying to communicate, Of course, I enjoy being by your side! But to Sephiroth, it was just an excited bark, and he responded with a chuckle, murmuring, “Good boy, Shiro. You’re my good little boy.”
Cloud’s heart ached and soared in equal measure.
How long had he dreamed of Sephiroth’s admiration, his kindness? Yet here he was, receiving it as a mere pet. He whined softly, pressing his head against Sephiroth’s hand, hoping it conveyed even a fraction of what he truly felt.
---
Sephiroth, for his part, found himself unwinding more than he had in years. Shiro’s constant presence was a comfort, and he was surprised by how easy it was to open up to the little creature. One evening, as he fed Shiro, he found himself musing out loud.
“Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to have a real companion,” he murmured, scratching Shiro’s ears. “Someone who could understand me.”
Cloud listened, his small heart thumping. I do understand you, he thought. More than you know.
As if sensing something, Sephiroth looked down at Shiro with an intense, thoughtful gaze. “You’re a mystery, aren’t you? You seem to understand more than I’d expect from any animal.”
Cloud barked, trying his best to nod his head, hoping Sephiroth would understand. But Sephiroth only smiled and shook his head. “You’re a strange one, Shiro.” He rubbed the puppy’s ears again. “But… you’re a good boy. My good little boy.”
The words sent a warmth through Cloud, and he let out a small, contented whine. Even if Sephiroth didn’t know his real identity, it felt good to be acknowledged, to be Sephiroth’s “good boy.”
---
One day, Angeal and Genesis found Sephiroth in the training room with Shiro by his side, watching attentively as Sephiroth practiced with his sword. When Sephiroth took a break, Shiro trotted over and nudged his hand, offering a soft bark, as if saying, You did well.
Sephiroth laughed softly, patting Shiro’s head. “See that? Even Shiro thinks I did well.”
Genesis raised a brow. “I’ve never seen you this attached to anything, Sephiroth. Are you actually… fond of this dog?”
Sephiroth crossed his arms, trying to look unaffected. “He’s… loyal,” he replied, as if that was all the explanation needed. “Besides, it’s only temporary.”
Genesis and Angeal exchanged knowing glances, their expressions saying, Sure, if that’s what you need to tell yourself.
Angeal smirked. “Temporary or not, he seems to have made quite an impression on you.”
Sephiroth looked down at Shiro, who gazed back at him with wide, unblinking eyes. “Perhaps,” he admitted softly, before reaching down to scratch behind Shiro’s ears. “But who can resist a good, loyal friend?”
---
As the weeks passed, Sephiroth began to open up to Shiro in a more unexpected way. On long nights when he thought no one else was around, he would speak to the pup, sharing thoughts he would never share with others. He’d scratch Cloud behind the ears as he mused aloud about his dreams, his questions about his own purpose, and the weight he carried as a SOLDIER.
“You’re… easy to talk to,” Sephiroth admitted one evening, as he absentmindedly petted Shiro, his voice softer than usual. “Sometimes I wonder if all of this—being a hero—is worth the burden.” He paused, looking thoughtfully into the distance. “I’m supposed to be invincible. But there are days when I feel… isolated.”
Cloud’s heart ached. He’d always seen Sephiroth as the unbreakable hero, the one with no doubts or fears. Hearing this side of him felt so personal, so raw. He wanted nothing more than to comfort him, to tell him he wasn’t alone. Instead, he nuzzled Sephiroth’s hand gently, trying to offer silent support.
“Thank you,” Sephiroth murmured, almost as if he understood. “You’re a good companion, Shiro. Perhaps even a friend.”
Cloud listened, his heart aching and swelling with each word. There was so much more to Sephiroth than he’d ever imagined—a gentleness and vulnerability he kept hidden from the world. As a dog, Cloud could only offer his quiet companionship, pressing his head against Sephiroth’s knee in silent support.
On these nights, when Sephiroth murmured, “You’re my good boy, Shiro,” Cloud would close his eyes, content to stay by Sephiroth’s side, knowing that he was bringing even a small amount of comfort to his hero.
In his heart, he vowed that one day, when he was himself again, he would be someone worthy of standing by Sephiroth’s side—not as a pet, but as a true friend and equal.
