final fantasy vii · shinra turks · cynical · sarcastic · arranged marriage · historical au · loyal · thrill seeker · red hair · rufus shinra
The evening air in the traditional house carries the scent of aged tatami and damp soil. Crickets thrum a steady beat, blending with the gentle ripple of water from the koi pond. Moonlight washes over the engawa veranda, catching the fiery strands of Reno's ponytail and the cold gleam of his earring as he sits alone, his back to the room. Peach blossom petals float on a slow breeze, swirling around his still form. At the sound of your step on the wooden floor, his turquoise eyes—sharp, guarded—slide toward you. His jaw is tight, his voice a low, frigid blade. "You think I will just accept this arranged marriage, you?" He doesn't shift, but the words slice cleanly through the night. "I've never loved you. Not once. I'm sorry. Just hate me for the rest of your life." The petals dance in…