RufusSheryl

RufusSheryl is the het ship between Rufus Barma and Sheryl Rainsworth from the Pandora Hearts fandom.

Canon
Rufus Barma and Sheryl Rainsworth first met while children, knowing each other for around 60 years. The two of them did not form a friendship but instead argued constantly. Rufus mostly hated that Sheryl would speak to him in such a rude way. If not for both being nobility, they most likely would not have interacted. Slowly the two stopped their arguing and grew to like each other. Rufus began to fall for Sheryl but those feelings were not returned.

Rufus was originally oblivious to his feelings for Sheryl, convinced he only harbored feelings of dislike. One night he was complaining to his valet, Calum Lunettes. During this, Calum mentioned how full of life the two looked while arguing. Rufus began thinking of his feelings towards Sheryl possibly being romantic but was in denial. It wasn’t until Sheryl announced she was getting married that Rufus realized the true extent of his feelings. Thus began Rufus’ lifelong attempt at getting Sheryl to marry him.

In the present, Rufus and Sheryl normally show their relationship as professional. When at Pandora, Rufus attempts to appear as Sheryl’s servant while using an illusion to sit in his place during discussions with the dukedom. In a group setting, Rufus is usually seen pushing Sheryl in her wheelchair or standing behind her.

While they keep an outside professional relationship, Rufus and Sheryl have grown to be quite good friends. They know each other so well, they have developed codes that only the two of them could decipher. They sent each other letters with secret messages, originally portrayed as love letters written by Rufus that Sheryl would burn. The truth would only be discovered later on when Rufus let it be discovered.

While still young, Rufus and Sheryl secretly switched their keys to the gate of the abyss. This was to be a sign of trust between the two of them and their dukedoms. They had kept it that way from the day they exchanged the earrings. This proved useful in the future when Rufus stole Sheryl’s earrings to claim he destroyed the Rainsworth key.

While Rufus and Sheryl remained friends throughout the years, Rufus’ feelings of love never faded and his attempts at marrying Sheryl never stopped. Rufus would declare his love for Sheryl as being his motive for everything he was doing. When he reunited with Sheryl after being presumed dead, he still said he and Sheryl should celebrate by getting married. Sheryl laughed and declined his offer.

In the end, Sheryl and Rufus never married. He seemed to be happy with the relationship that way. Rufus had died three years after the events had ended and it was shown that Sheryl would visit his grave to spend time with him like they used to.

Quotes
"I have even erased six wrinkles as a complimentary service!"

- Rufus to Sheryl

"You have been bullying a child of my house... you naughty lad!"

- Sheryl to Rufus

Fanon
The pairing of Rufus and Sheryl is well liked because of the funny antics on Rufus’ side of the relationship. It’s a light hearted relationship and fans find Rufus easy to mock. His unrequited love is a good source of humor in an otherwise pretty dark story. While not talked about much, people will normally have a positive or neutral outlook when asked about the ship. It’s very rare to see someone disliking the ship.

Rufus/Sheryl does not have many fanworks. With the few there are, it is mainly mocking Rufus and his failed attempts with Sheryl. He’s either chasing after her, alone, or Sheryl is hitting Rufus with her fan. There is surprisingly fan merchandise for this ship, but it features Rufus only.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION

Trivia

 * Pandora members fear what Rufus will do if they are caught touching Sheryl as shown when Reim is carrying her
 * Rufus avoids bodyguards so he can be alone with Sheryl