AN: Well, day 2, and I'm on the second chapter. So far so good. Not quite so much happening in this chapter, but it's necessary for the plot, and to set up the scene for the future chapters.
Pairing: Rufus/Vincent
Warnings (for the whole fic): Male relationships, violence, bad language, Reno

Vincent looked through the contract on the desk. Ten years, in exchange for an eternity. He read through the relevant portions again, ensuring that he had everything fixed in his mind. He would be Rufus's bodyguard, and in return, Rufus would remove the demons that were inside him, and give him a chance at having a normal life. He picked up the platinum-plated pen in his human hand and signed his name, writing swirling on the page. He stood up.
"It is getting late, I should be getting home."

Rufus raised one elegant eyebrow, smirking slightly.

"Yes." He stood, walking from the room. Once in the hallway he stopped and turned around, staring back at the bewildered man in the room. "You are to accompany me home." He turned away as he saw the other man's emotions change from curiosity to fear. "I have many spare rooms. You will take one near mine to ensure no attempts are made on my life." Vincent nodded, sighing slightly and standing to follow him.

When he arrived back at Rufus's house he was shocked by just how extravagant it was. The houses of all of AVALANCHE could have fitted into it twice, and there still would have been room to spare. Rufus guided him around, pointing out the kitchens, the servant's quarters, swimming pool and rifle range. Vincent was shown his room, a few doors away from Rufus's own. Though it was barely half the size of the young president's, it still had an en-suite bathroom, a walk in closet and a king sized bed. The bookcase was full of the classics. Rufus paused and handed Vincent a card.
"This is your security pass. It will enable you to gain access to any room in the house whenever you want." Vincent took it, looking at the other man in curiosity. He was surprised Rufus was going to trust him with access to the rifle range. "I am relying on you Vincent. You gave me your word. I am the only one with the power to restore your humanity, so you should think twice before betraying me."

Vincent nodded, and Rufus left the room. A little while later, having called Tifa and explained the situation, much to her intense disgust, he was ready to fall asleep. He had checked over the house twice, and found the original security provisions more than sufficient. It raised questions in his sleep-addled mind about why he had been employed. He locked the door and lay down in the bed, eyes closing shortly after.

Rufus calmly opened the door, holding his own security pass to deactivate the lock. He walked over to Vincent, watching the gradual rise and fall of his chest in sleep. Growing bold, he reached out and brushed his hair from his eyes, smiling at the silken feeling of the ebony tresses. He stroked his fingers through Vincent's hair again, and then, reassured that Vincent wouldn't waken, leant down and softly pressed his lips to the other mans. The gunman let out a slight noise in his sleep, and Rufus crept from the room.

The next morning, Vincent awoke unaware of what had happened the night before. He ate breakfast alongside Rufus, and made sure to thank the kitchen staff for such a wonderful meal, secretly surprised when Rufus did the same. He had never imagined the manipulative man thanking anyone.

They drove to the building, and Rufus gave him another tour, making sure to stress any weak spots in the security. The ventilation was particularly vulnerable, as Reno had made a habit of using it to move from one part of the building from another, and this could be copied by an intruder. Rufus led Vincent from the building, from the top floor down, explaining anything that could be of use. When it got to the science labs and the basement, Rufus merely stated what the levels were before moving on. He paused when the tour was over, back up at the ground floor.
"You will have no need to go into the laboratories aside from when we remove the demons." In that way, he had shown he understood that Vincent didn't want to go back there, and shown sympathy without making Vincent seem weak.

Vincent nodded gratefully, walking with Rufus to his meeting and standing by the door, listening without real concern to the meeting. He grew more interested however when he realized what the meeting was about. Rufus was looking at ways of improving the slums, and was trying to find a solution which would really help those in need. More than that though, Rufus was neither bribing or blackmailing the owners of the companies he needed to assist him, but instead was offering a well paid contract for whoever achieved a suitable plan. What surprised him even more was Rufus's insistence that the new houses needed to be "suitable for human habitation, sanitary and heated in the winter." It was impossible to imagine the late president showing any concern for people in the slums. Vincent began to believe that Rufus's claims of trying to rebuild the city were true, and that maybe life could change for the better under him.

Finally the meeting was over, and Rufus retired to instruct the Turks. Vincent found himself relaxing in the calm atmosphere. Though Rufus was clearly in charge, giving clear orders, he was joking with the Turks, even allowing Reno to make the occasional snide comment. Vincent felt himself beginning to fit in with these people, to see them as his equals. It was just like his past, and he could tolerate it. He could possibly even fit in. He was stuck here for the next ten years, in return for his humanity, and he was determined to make the best of it.

"Now, tomorrow we are going on a mission to check on the ruins of Neibelhiem and ensure the mako reactor is properly closed off. Vincent, Reno and Rude you shall be accompanying me."

Reno shivered slightly, turning his attention to Vincent.
"You better not try and bite me vampire." Emboldened by the atmosphere, he bared his teeth, smirking. Reno yelped slightly, before laughing with the others.