Never Tear Us Apart: Part II
by tir-synni
A/N: The chapters
will probably be more grim than not.
Watch out for that. The
interludes should be a bit fluffier, and Seph and
Prologue
A warm, noxious breeze swept over the lush, emerald grass. The vibrant green field flourished with life before slowly descending into death. With the increasing strength of the heated breeze, as the tentative grasses crept towards its source, the emerald field began to die. The wild grass crumbled and faded into a dead, brown desert. With the hot breath, the grass faltered and keeled over. It was more than a symbol of death, it was death, but for one man, it stood for life.
For Zachary Stoker, former SOLDIER 1st Class, it stood for hope.
Supporting his weakened lover with his weary arms, Zack helped the youth beside him limp to Midgar. Cloud Strife leaned heavily against him. His lithe legs, struggling to obey commands from a confused mind, stumbled often. Whenever Cloud fell, Zack caught him, but neither noticed the pain or weakness. They were too caught up in the realization that Cloud could speak.
For five years, they had been used as experiments for the coldly ambitious scientist, Dr. Simon Hojo. The harsh experiments had taken Cloud's speech, though not his voice, and the return of Cloud's words marked the freedom from Hojo more than anything else could.
"...Midgar's so close..." Cloud murmured softly, still stumbling over his words like his legs tripped over the ground. "...we'll be safe...there, right Zack...?”
Zack paused long enough to kiss Cloud's will blonde spike before continuing on. "Of course we will, baby," he whispered back. "We'll be safe now."
Cloud stumbled hard, and Zack steadied him. As he pulled his young lover back against him, he caught a glimpse of Cloud's glowing blue eyes. A thrill raced up Zack's spine, a feeling he knew would never grow old, as he once again saw the returned coherence in Cloud's lovely eyes. His Cloud had returned to him!
Cloud swallowed hard. Zack had the ex-SOLDIER pressed so closely to him that he could feel the motion. "...what will happen to us...?" Cloud questioned hoarsely. "...mercenaries, but...rest...?"
Zack spared a hand to pet Cloud's wild spikes, his glittering silver eyes wavering between his lover and the tall, black city before him. "Mercenaries, right," he reassured Cloud. "I know where we can stay until you recover. It's a beautiful place; you'll love it. It's much prettier than the rest of Midgar. Besides, there's someone I want you to meet."
Wavering weakly in Zack's arms, Cloud leaned against his lover. While stronger and more alert than before, Cloud still remained dangerously frail. Hundreds of miles they both had traveled, and they were using their remaining strength for the last leg of the trip. "...someone...?" he murmured uncertainly. "...Zack, I...we...together, right...?"
Zack closed his eyes against the sudden wave of emotion. His movements automatic, forcing heavy limb to move against their will, Zack pulled Cloud even closer. "Together forever, Cloud. We'll always be together, you'll see. My friend will be able to help you, and I'll stay with you while you're healing. I'll always stay with you, and you'll always stay with me. Good deal, ne?"
The vivid blue of Cloud's eyes lit up warmly, lending Zack's tired limbs strength. "...always..." he whispered.
Zack couldn't help a tender smile. "Rest," he said softly. "We're almost there."
Cloud quieted,
and Zack helped Cloud stumble over loose dirt and blackened rock as they made
their way to Midgar.