Cloud Strife walks along with his sword drawn... wishing there was a little more light

Reno is attached to the wall in one of the rooms.... Metal in him... barely conscious and in great pain

Cloud Strife creeps along quietly... straining his ears for the slightest sound

Reno moans softly in the horrible pain thudding through his body

Cloud Strife hears something from a room ahead and moves towards it

Reno barely notices his blood dripping onto the floor below him. Coughs... blood filling his mouth

Reno says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "Holy shit.... What the heck is this?"

Cloud Strife walks into the room and examines Reno

Cloud Strife says, "Who the heck did this?"

Reno blinks.... Hearing a voice

Reno says, "uhhhh"

Reno finally passes out from the blood loss and pain

Cloud Strife says, "Poor guy... even though you're a Turk you don't deserve this..."

Cloud Strife works on getting Reno off the wall

Cloud Strife says, "Oh man... "

Reno sags to the ground... blood dripping down his body as the metal is taken out

Cloud Strife says, "Crap... "

Cloud Strife kneels beside Reno

Reno breathes raggedly... coughing up blood

Cloud Strife says, "I hate it when people die... who the hell did this?"

Reno is out cold from blood loss

Cloud Strife takes care of Reno's wounds as best he can

Cloud Strife says, "Look at me... helping a dirty damned Turk"

Reno twitches a little

Cloud Strife says, "You prolly got drunk off your ass.... And some freak grabbed you"

Reno opens an eye

Reno says, "uhhhh"

Cloud Strife says, "Welcome to the world of the living... well... don't know if you're gonna be staying long"

Reno says, "C-c-loud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... Cloud... Who did this?"

Reno says, "t-they...."

Cloud Strife says, "who they"

Reno grimaces in pain

Reno says, "S-seph-i-roth and... R-r-ufus"

Cloud Strife says, "Wha?"

Reno shutters as pain fills him again

Cloud Strife says, "Poor Reno... Anything I can do to comfort you? I don't think materia will work on you"

Reno reaches his hand up to him

Cloud Strife watches Reno somewhat puzzled

Reno says, "c-can I t-tou-ch you?"

Cloud Strife says, "Sure.... I guess"

Cloud Strife leans down a bit so Reno can touch him

Reno touches the side of his face

Reno says, "w-why are you h-here?"

Cloud Strife says, "Im hunting Sephiroth... why are you here?"

Reno says, "l-looking f-for you"

Cloud Strife says, "Why?"

Cloud Strife slips his hand into Reno's to try and comfort him more

Reno clutches his hand tightly, closing his eyes a second as the pain thunders through him

Reno says, "I w-wanted to t-talk to you...."

Cloud Strife says, "Are you gonna die? I would like to talk to you as well"

Reno says, "y-you w-would?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... we've been enemies... for a while... and well I don't wanna fight anymore..."

Reno says, "n-neither do I"

Cloud Strife sighs...

Cloud Strife says, "I hope we have a chance to talk... "

Reno groans, pulling him closer by instinct

Reno says, "me too"

Cloud Strife gently eases Reno into a sitting position so he can breathe better

Reno swallows down the blood in this throat

Reno says, "T-thank you"

Cloud Strife says, "will potions or anything work on you/"

Reno says, "m-maybe"

Cloud Strife takes one out of his satchel and uncorks it

Cloud Strife says, "Here... its kinda bitter... "

Reno uses another wave of pain as an excuse to press his head to Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife puts it to Reno's lips and tips it slightly

Cloud Strife says, "It will at least ease the pain.... If not heal you"

Reno chokes it down... trying not to puke it back up. Rests his head against Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife says, "Feeling any better?"

Reno says, "not yet"

Reno swallows hard, closing his eyes, then looks down at his blood on the floor

Cloud Strife gently supports Reno... holding him against his chest

Cloud Strife says, "You can cry... or do whatever you want... if it makes you feel better... I ain't gonna tell nobody"

Reno puts his arms around Cloud and squeezes him tightly

Cloud Strife says, "Whatcha wanna talk about?"

Reno says, "h-how do I l-look?"

Cloud Strife says, "Do I gotta answer that truthfully?"

Reno says, "yes"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't think you are gonna live.... Please surprise me and survive"

Reno says, "I w-want to.... W-why do you say t-that?"

Cloud Strife says, "I... well wanna have you around..."

Reno smiles a little

Reno says, "t-hank you"

Cloud Strife says, "You're... really a nice guy"

Reno says, "I m-meant... w-why do you say I w-will not l-live?"

Cloud Strife says, "you're bleeding all over the place... even though I've got you bandaged with almost all the clothes on my body"

Reno says, "oh... t-the p-pain is not as bad now.... "

Reno looks up at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "I hope that means the potion is working... and that you're not dying. I'd be a little upset if you died.... If that matters at all"

Reno says, "d-don't k-know..."

Reno smiles

Reno says, "y-you w-would?"

Cloud Strife says, "yeah... I would. Stick around for me... okay bud?"

Reno says, "C-cloud.... T-there is P-phoenix m-materia in one of the r-rooms...."

Cloud Strife says, "Is that gonna help?"

Reno says, "I'll try, if I c-can't h-hang on it's the o-only way b-back... it r-revives"

Cloud Strife says, "Should I go look for it then? I mean... what if you die while Im gone?"

Reno says, "d-don't l-look now.... P-please...."

Cloud Strife says, "Okay... please hang on. I have so much I want to say"

Reno says, "you too?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah.... I'll go look.... Be safe... I'll find it quick"

Reno says, "d-don't l-leave..."

Cloud Strife sighs

Reno says, "it o-only h-hurts the l-living... but it r-revives the d-dead"

Cloud Strife says, "Okay... I understand... but how long do I got before it won't work?"

Reno thinks

Reno says, "10 m-minutes I b-believe"

Cloud Strife gently takes Reno's hair out of his ponytail and strokes his fingers through it

Cloud Strife says, "Okay.... I hope I won't need it"

Reno smiles again

Cloud Strife says, "You have nice hair.... Sorta like mine when I was little"

Reno says, "you m-might. T-hank you"

Reno sighs deeply

Reno says, "C-cloud... I'm h-hanging on as m-much as I can"

Cloud Strife gently continues to stroke Reno's hair

Reno relaxes as Cloud strokes his hair

Cloud Strife says, "Mebbe if you relax enough the potion will work"

Reno says, "M-maybe"

Cloud Strife says, "Reno.... You know... I never wanted to fight you. But you just seemed so determined"

Reno says, "I d-didn't want to f-fight e-either"

Cloud Strife says, "Like when you were after Aeris"

Reno says, "I k-know"

Cloud Strife says, "I ran... cuz frankly.... You were too cute to fight"

Reno moves closer into Cloud's chest

Reno says, "s-ame w-with you"

Cloud Strife says, "You're getting cold..."

Reno says, "I k-know"

Cloud Strife says, "Is that why you only cast that pyramid spell on me? I mean... you hardly attacked physically"

Reno presses tighter to Cloud

Reno says, "yes"

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Reno

Reno smiles a little, even as he feels himself shake a little

Reno says, "at l-least you are h-here"

Cloud Strife says, "You'll be okay... even if you die I'll bring you back"

Reno says, "yes"

Cloud Strife says, "Then we can talk... about what seems to be nibbling at the both of us"

Reno nods slowly. Shaking his head to keep his eyes open

Cloud Strife says, "Sleep if you want to Reno. I'm here to hold you"

Reno says, "T-thank you.... J-just d-don't f-forget to w-wake me..."

Cloud Strife kisses Reno's forehead

Cloud Strife says, "If I can't wake you... then I'll avenge you... okay?"

Reno smiles again

Reno says, "ok"

Cloud Strife says, "I'll make em pay for hurting you.... And keeping us from a decent conversation"

Reno says, "yes"

Reno relaxes more and allows his eyes to close

Cloud Strife continues to stroke his fingers through Reno's hair

Reno breathes softly, leaning into Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife says, "So many things I want to show you and tell you... I'll find that materia"

Reno feels good even as he feels the cold sapping him

Cloud Strife says, "Then I can say what I wanna say"

Reno lets out a long sigh before going completely limp

Cloud Strife checks Reno's pulse. Gently lays out his body... placing his satchel under his head then stands

Cloud Strife says, "I'm gonna go find the materia.... Then we can talk..."

Cloud Strife leaves the room and begins an almost frantic search for the materia. Trips over something... and goes down hard... breaking his nose in the process. Rubs his nose and picks up the offending object.... Almost hurling it out the window before noticing it's the materia he's after

Cloud Strife says, "Shit... its the Phoenix materia"

Cloud Strife gets up and hurries back to Reno

Reno is still where Cloud left him

Cloud Strife uses ether... then summons the phoenix

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... you okay?"

Reno blinks and opens his eyes

Reno says, "uh?"

Cloud Strife has a bloody and somewhat crooked nose

Reno says, "what happened to you?"

Cloud Strife says, "I tripped over the materia"

Reno says, "oh"

Reno sits up

Reno says, "let me look at that"

Cloud Strife sits down beside Reno

Reno takes a look at Cloud's nose

Reno says, "this will hurt... but it will help you heal... you ready?"

Cloud Strife says, "Uh... I guess"

Reno snaps Cloud's nose back into place

Reno says, "There we go"

Cloud Strife says, "Oww... Well.... What's say we get out of here... find an inn... and talk?"

Reno nods

Cloud Strife says, "I'm sorta hungry... and could go for a drink"

Reno says, "sounds good to me. I'm starved... I think I was on that wall for a while"

Reno gets to his feet

Cloud Strife stands up and looks at Reno

Cloud Strife says, "Plus we gotta clean you up"

Reno says, "yeah..."

Reno smiles

Reno says, "I knew you would not fail me"

Cloud Strife walks around behind Reno and reties his ponytail for him

Reno says, "Thank you"

Cloud Strife slips his arms around him and gently kisses his neck

Cloud Strife says, "I was worried"

Reno smiles more

Reno says, "I wasn't... I knew you'd come through for me"

Reno feels so very good in Cloud's arms

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't think I was gonna find it"

Reno says, "You didn't?"

Cloud Strife says, "No... Then I broke my nose... Gods... I have so little faith in myself"

Reno says, "You should have more faith... I had faith in you"

Cloud Strife says, "Reno.... I was kinda mean... I wanted you to die...."

Reno says, "really? What for?"

Cloud Strife says, "So you wouldn't be in pain"

Reno says, "That wasn't mean of you... I can understand... you knew I wanted to talk to you though. You didn't think you'd find the materia?"

Cloud Strife says, "I was praying I would"

Reno nods

Cloud Strife says, "C'mon... lets get outta here... this place gives me the creeps"

Reno says, "ok"

Cloud Strife picks up his satchel

Reno smiles and leads him out

Reno says, "you took the pain away when you promised to wake me... even though part of me wondered if you would be able to"

Cloud Strife says, "Im so glad I could"

Reno says, "as am I"

Cloud Strife walks along at Reno's side until they reach an inn

Reno says, "even when I thought I would not wake up, I felt some peace from the fact that you were holding me"

Cloud Strife says, "you still knew I was there?"

Reno says, "yes... but even before that. I wanted to tell you things so badly... the thought of dying without being able to tell you hurt the most"

Cloud Strife says, "Here... want to share a room?"

Reno goes into a room of the inn

Reno says, "sure"

Cloud Strife pays for the room and follows Reno

Cloud Strife says, "You need a shower... you are all bloody... myself too.... "

Reno nods. Goes over to him after shutting the door

Reno says, "when I first saw you I felt something I'd never felt for a man before"

Cloud Strife says, "Oh?"

Reno says, "yes. I couldn't stop thinking about you"

Cloud Strife says, "Wow... I didn't think you went that way"

Reno says, "oh? And what way is that?"

Cloud Strife says, "Towards the men side"

Reno says, "not before... it caught me off guard... and I couldn't stop thinking about it"

Cloud Strife strips off his bloody clothes... not seeming to mind being naked in front of Reno

Reno smiles a little

Reno says, "I felt something more then just that for you. I wanted to care about you"

Cloud Strife says, "yeah I know... but I really don't like the smell of blood...."

Cloud Strife tosses his clothes in a corner

Reno says, "you don't?"

Reno looks at himself... covered in blood

Cloud Strife says, "I hate killing things"

Reno says, "Was that my blood on you?"

Cloud Strife says, "Here... let's get you washed up"

Reno says, "you do? Ok"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... your blood"

Cloud Strife helps Reno out of his clothes

Reno smiles

Reno says, "Thank you"

Cloud Strife herds him into the bathroom

Cloud Strife says, "Now... you gonna get a shower or do I have to sponge bathe you?"

Reno walks in and looks at the shower stall

Reno says, "heh, do I have a choice?"

Reno gives him a sarcastic grin

Cloud Strife says, "Well you gotta wash your hair anyway... but I can help you get a shower if you really want...."

Cloud Strife grins

Reno says, "well, yeah"

Reno grins as well

Reno says, "unless that's asking to much"

Cloud Strife turns on the water

Cloud Strife says, "you like real hot... or warmish?"

Reno says, "I'll deal with either"

Reno gets into the shower

Cloud Strife grabs soap and a washcloth and gets in as well

Reno moves his fingers through his hair as the water hits him

Cloud Strife lathers up the washcloth and scrubs Reno's back for him... before handing it off so Reno can get the rest of himself

Reno says, "Thanks"

Reno washes the rest of himself with the washcloth. Turns the water off after he's done and turns to face Cloud

Cloud Strife smiles at Reno

Reno smiles back

Reno says, "In some ways... when I first saw you there... when you got me down... I thought I was either dead already or hallucinating"

Cloud Strife says, "You're lucky I was there... Why'd they do that to you?"

Reno says, "For fun... and cause I stumbled on them"

Reno sighs slightly as he looks at the marks on his chest

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Cloud Strife says, "Rufus should be dead...."

Reno says, "He should... but he isn't... "

Reno gets out of the shower and sits on the bed, still naked and now dripping wet

Cloud Strife grabs a towel and wraps it around Reno's shoulders

Reno says, "Thanks... any way... Rufus suffered damage from Diamond Weapon"

Cloud Strife Wraps a towel around himself and sits beside Reno

Reno says, "and, I found something out. He and Sephiroth are brothers... they were created in the Jenova project..."

Cloud Strife says, "Serious?"

Cloud Strife rubs his towel on his head... drying his hair

Reno nods

Reno says, "yeah... and when they saw me... "

Reno sighs

Cloud Strife plays with his earring

Cloud Strife says, "I'm not gonna let em lay a hand on you again"

Reno says, "They did what you saw. Thank you"

Reno moves his hand over to Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "May I lay hands on you?"

Reno says, "yes... go right ahead"

Reno places his hand on Cloud's knee

Cloud Strife puts his hand on top of Reno's

Reno smiles at his touch

Cloud Strife moves his other hand to stroke along Reno's cheek

Reno says, "I think I might be in love with you..."

Cloud Strife says, "I think the same... please lets not move too far to fast"

Reno nods

Reno says, "yes"

Cloud Strife says, "When you asked... if you could touch me... when you were bleeding"

Reno turns to him

Cloud Strife says, "I wasn't sure... if you wanted ... to touch me.... Or just feel that another human was there"

Reno says, "I wanted to touch you. I felt I was dying and I saw what I wanted most right there... I needed to reach out to you in more ways then one"

Cloud Strife says, "Its hard to believe... someone wants me that much"

Reno says, "why?"

Cloud Strife says, "Well... I have low esteem"

Cloud Strife lies back

Reno says, "you shouldn't"

Reno lies back with him

Cloud Strife says, "I know I shouldn't"

Cloud Strife props himself up on his side and smiles

Reno says, "you are far to cute and caring. Plus you can fight"

Cloud Strife says, "True... just I wouldn't be me without being depressed and mysterious"

Reno says, "but... why is depressed part of you?"

Cloud Strife says, "All that Jenova shit"

Reno says, "yes... "

Reno sighs and puts an arm over his eyes

Cloud Strife says, "What's wrong? See ... a lot of who I was... was all made up Jenova stuff... stuff I tricked myself and others into believing"

Reno says, "to see you depressed... and to think of Jenova's legacy.... Then forget all that and start over"

Cloud Strife says, "But I might not be the person you think you're in love with Reno... that's what bothers me the most"

Reno says, "I want to love you... and I want you to be you... not some falsity"

Cloud Strife says, "You... prolly fell in love with Zack.... That's who I thought I was... who I acted like..."

Reno shakes his head

Reno says, "want to know what I fell in love with?"

Cloud Strife says, "What Reno?"

Reno says, "I looked at you... and saw something behind your eyes. I'm not sure how to explain what I felt... but it's as if I knew you had something wrong with you. I felt like I wanted to fix it"

Cloud Strife says, "you fell in love with me cuz you wanted to heal me?"

Reno says, "maybe... or it's as if I wanted to find the real you buried under the falsehood"

Cloud Strife slips his hand into Reno's

Cloud Strife says, "I just... wish I knew if I am the real Cloud strife"

Reno says, "You are... at least, that does not matter to me... I see the real you"

Reno holds his hand

Cloud Strife says, "I'm so glad I walked into that creepy place to find you"

Reno says, "as am I.... I owe you my life now. Will you let me love you?"

Cloud Strife says, "I will"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "it's all I really want right now. To love some one... and maybe be loved back"

Cloud Strife says, "I'd like to learn to love"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "you'll love me back?"

Cloud Strife says, "If you help me learn how"

Reno says, "of course"

Reno brings his hand to Cloud's cheek

Cloud Strife says, "I think... I know a little... I was so ... worried about you"

Reno says, "I know.... I heard your voice... the way you spoke to me"

Cloud Strife says, "be gentle with me Reno... I've been broken a lot.... Not physically but mentally"

Reno says, "I will... and I want to heal you as well. I owe you my life... but I'd want to help you even if you had not"

Cloud Strife says, "Thank you Reno"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "you are welcome"

Reno strokes his cheek tenderly

Reno says, "can I kiss you?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... I think I'd like that"

Reno smiles and draws Cloud's face down to his. Presses his lips to his... kissing him gently

Cloud Strife raises his eyebrows... then kisses back tentatively

Reno moves his hand to the back of Cloud's head, trying to keep the kiss going

Cloud Strife finds this one of the most pleasant things he has experienced

Reno finds the same thing as he slowly licks his tongue along Cloud's lips as they kiss

Cloud Strife draws back a little... slightly surprised

Reno smiles at him

Reno says, "are you alright?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... that was just... weird. So simple a gesture.... So pleasurable"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "yes.... Best kiss I've ever had"

Cloud Strife leans towards Reno

Cloud Strife says, "Show me more?"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "I only have experience with women, but, I can think of something. What do you want me to show you?"

Cloud Strife says, "Make me feel that good again?"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "I'd love too"

Reno draws his face back down and takes back his lips... kissing him sweetly

Cloud Strife puts a hand on Reno's chest for balance

Reno nibbles softly on his lips... moving his other arm around Cloud's back to hold him

Cloud Strife shudders slightly from the intense feelings he is getting

Reno licks across his lips, playing a little with his hair as he holds the back of his head

Cloud Strife feels himself get very warm

Reno holds him closer, feeling a slight pressure of Cloud's hand pressing into his chest as he kisses him

Cloud Strife moves his hand on Reno's chest... feeling the need to caress him

Reno feels pleasure flow through his body as Cloud caresses him and as they kiss

Reno says, "I know I love you"

Cloud Strife says, "I wish... I could show you the emotions I feel... I think it is"

Reno says, "oh? You have no way to show me now?"

Cloud Strife says, "I think... this is love... A need... to be with you... not just.... Like this.... To talk to you..."

Reno says, "I think so too... yes. To hear your voice"

Reno brushes a finger over Cloud's lips

Reno says, "it's all I need"

Cloud Strife nods

Cloud Strife says, "well of course you need food and water...."

Cloud Strife smiles mischievously

Reno smiles back

Cloud Strife kisses Reno timidly

Reno pulls his arms tightly around Cloud. Closes his eyes, kissing Cloud

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Cloud Strife says, "Reno! "

Reno says, "Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "look..."

Reno blinks and opens his eyes.... And blinks again when he looks around

Cloud Strife clings to Reno

Reno says, "am I dead?"

Cloud Strife says, "No... Cuz I'd have to be dead too... right?"

Reno holds Cloud as he sees they are back in that room where he had been dying

Reno says, "I don't know... you did break your nose..."

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... is my head being funny... or are we?"

Reno says, "we are"

Reno holds him

Cloud Strife says, "I doubt that killed me Reno..."

Reno says, "am I bleeding?"

Cloud Strife checks Reno

Cloud Strife says, "Doesn't look it... "

Reno holds Cloud, wondering what the hell is going on

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... Im real scared... let's get outta here...."

Reno says, "so am I... and I agree"

Reno stands up then grunts, falling back to the ground

Reno says, "I... I can't stand... it's as if I still have metal in me..."

Cloud Strife pulls Reno into his lap

Cloud Strife says, "What is going on?"

Reno says, "I have no idea"

Reno clings to him

Reno says, "oh my... I just thought of something... how did I know there was phoenix materia down here?"

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Cloud Strife says, "But...."

Cloud Strife rubs his nose

Reno looks at him

Reno says, "but?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know... we left here... "

Reno says, "then how are we back?"

Cloud Strife begins to cry

Reno sniffles and leans his head on Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... at least we got each other"

Reno says, "what if there was no materia? What if I had deluded myself and you or something... and you died breaking your nose... this scares me... but you are right, we have eachother"

Cloud Strife says, "Its not hell... unless we're separated... perhaps its a trial?"

Reno says, "perhaps.... Cloud, what happened when you held me?"

Cloud Strife says, "or a cruel joke... When... after you died?"

Reno says, "during. I'm trying to figure out if I deluded myself into thinking there was phoenix in this place"

Cloud Strife says, "You... died.... And I talked to you as you did.... Then I laid you out...."

Reno says, "How did I die?"

Cloud Strife says, "You bled to death... I told you to relax and rest"

Reno says, "I remember being very cold and tired... after the pain went away. How did it feel when you broke your nose?"

Cloud Strife says, "Hurt like a bitch... I fell flat on my face...."

Reno says, "what else did you feel?"

Cloud Strife says, "I... I'm not sure"

Reno says, "What did I tell you? Did I manage to convey any of what I felt to you?"

Cloud Strife says, "You.... We wanted to talk... I didn't want you to die... because I hoped what you were going to say was what I wanted to hear"

Reno says, "did I say any of it? I know I did after... but before?"

Cloud Strife says, "You didn't say anything... just that you wanted to touch me...."

Reno says, "and I pressed into your chest. I wanted you to know how I felt. Did... did I really make myself believe that there was phoenix materia so I could rest?"

Cloud Strife says, "You acted... but didn't say"

Reno says, "acted? In what way?"

Cloud Strife says, "You let me play with your hair... you pressed against me"

Reno says, "yes... you knew... and I knew you knew"

Cloud Strife says, "I didn't want you to die...."

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "I don't want to be here either... Im afraid I might lose you..."

Reno says, "I didn't feel bad about dying after being able to let you know how I felt... but I didn't want to die either.... Just knowing you knew made it easier. Why would you lose me?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know... but its what I fear most now"

Reno kisses him gently

Cloud Strife says, "I need you... to be there... to love and be loved... "

Reno says, "do you think I deluded myself to make the pain go away inside... to give hope when there was none? And, I do love you, I want to stay that way"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't know Reno..."

Cloud Strife hugs Reno tightly

Cloud Strife says, "Im just scared... and confused"

Reno says, "so am I"

Reno hugs him tightly

Reno sees some flames burring under the grating of the catwalk nearby

Reno says, "Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... where are we?"

Reno says, "I don't know... but that's not good"

Reno tries to get up but grimaces in pain again... falling back to Cloud's lap

Cloud Strife says, "Here... I'll carry you"

Reno says, "Thank you"

Reno pulls his arms around Cloud's neck

Cloud Strife stands and hoists Reno into his arms

Cloud Strife says, "So how do we get out of here?"

Reno leans his head on Cloud's shoulder... watching the flames grow brighter

Reno says, "I'm not sure... but let's try the door"

Cloud Strife isn't going to mention that he feels dizzy... since being that way a lot when he had Jenova influence made him used to functioning with it

Cloud Strife says, "Okay"

Cloud Strife carries Reno to the door and works the doorknob

Reno clings tightly too him as the blood on the ground bursts into flames as well

Cloud Strife says, "Shit... we're gonna burn up"

Cloud Strife kicks the door down... not wasting time with the doorknob any longer

Reno blinks at what's outside the door...

Cloud Strife says, "well... It's better than the fire...."

Cloud Strife walks out of the door

Reno says, "This is all so very odd..."

Cloud Strife looks around

Cloud Strife says, "Well... its all blah no matter which way we go"

Reno says, "I noticed. What are we gonna do about it?"

Cloud Strife says, "Umm... start walking I guess... Im strong... I can carry you"

Reno says, "alright then... let's go"

Cloud Strife picks a direction and starts walking

Reno clings to Cloud's neck, afraid to let go

Cloud Strife says, "Don't worry Reno"

Reno says, "if we... if we're dead... where are we?"

Cloud Strife says, "Well... this looks like hell ... but why would I be here? Why would you be here? Do you hurt Reno?"

Reno says, "no idea... but, one might wonder what Rufus and Sephiroth were doing alive or whatever... and yes, my sides hurt like a bitch"

Cloud Strife looks around at the bleak landscape

Reno says, "you are right... this looks like hell"

Cloud Strife sighs and begins to walk again....

Cloud Strife says, "This is what the inside of my head felt like at times... "

Reno says, "I can understand if I got sent to hell... but why would you be there?"

Cloud Strife says, "To keep you company? "

Reno says, "how would that have happened?"

Cloud Strife says, "I don't care... if I have to stay in hell to be with you.... I will"

Reno smiles

Reno says, "I never thought I would ever hear anyone say that. It makes me happy to hear"

Cloud Strife smiles

Cloud Strife says, "Reno... you offered to help me... you offered me love and... Friendship... something no one else... has done..."

Reno feels the ground begin to tremble

Cloud Strife says, "What's going on?"

Reno says, "I felt I wanted to help you... and I have no idea what is going on"

Cloud Strife spreads his feet into a wide stance to keep his balance

Reno says, "seems to be a quake"

Cloud Strife says, "Yah... Mebbe I got sent here by mistake...."

Cloud Strife shakes his head

Cloud Strife says, "But I'm not leaving"

Reno clutches him tighter

Reno says, "I never really gave the idea of life after death much thought"

Cloud Strife settles down on the ground with Reno in his lap

Reno feels everything shaking and buries his head in Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife says, "I'm afraid the shaking might make me drop you. So we're gonna sit here and wait till it ends. If it does"

Reno says, "Cloud... if I really did trick myself into thinking there was phoenix materia... then I would have caused your death by accident... assuming we are dead and that I'm not just completely out of it... or something"

Cloud Strife says, "It don't matter Reno..."

Reno says, "why not?"

Reno watches the sky turn colors and send bolts of lightning down. Curls up in Cloud's lap. Starts to sniffle

Reno says, "Cloud..."

Cloud Strife says, "Shh... I'm here... as long as we're together... there's nothing bad gonna happen"

Reno sniffles again

Reno says, "I know..."

Cloud Strife takes Reno's hair out of its ponytail and strokes his fingers through it... trying to calm him

Reno looks into Cloud's eyes

Reno says, "if this is hell... and we are dead... you'd really stay if it was a mix up?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... Reno... I do love you.... I'm sure of it"

Reno sniffles

Reno says, "and I love you"

Reno holds him tightly and closes his eyes

Cloud Strife says, "I'd suffer so I could be with you... cuz being without you would be worse than any pain...."

Reno says, "hearing that makes me more happy then I can fully express"

Reno lies in his arms

Cloud Strife smiles

Cloud Strife says, "Its not gonna be that bad... at least I got you to talk to"

Reno says, "yes"

Cloud Strife says, "And we know"

Reno says, "yes... we know"

Cloud Strife shakes his head in disbelief

Cloud Strife says, "Reno...."

Reno leans into his chest... feeling overcome with drowsiness

Reno says, "C-cloud"

Cloud Strife says, "Why... why this again? Haven't you suffered enough?"

Cloud Strife cradles Reno against his chest

Reno says, "I d-don't k-know... but I'm so t-tired..."

Reno keeps himself close to Cloud's warmth

Cloud Strife says, "sleep my love... If you're tired... rest... I'm here for you"

Reno says, "see you a-again?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... you will... I hope"

Cloud Strife feels tears begin to trickle down his cheeks

Reno says, "I n-need to..."

Cloud Strife says, "Shh... Rest"

Reno presses himself tightly to Cloud's chest... the drowsiness overcoming him

Cloud Strife says, "We know how we feel... and this wont change a thing..."

Cloud Strife closes his eyes

Reno sinks into Cloud's arms

Cloud Strife feels for Reno's pulse and sighs

Cloud Strife says, "They make you suffer so much..."

Cloud Strife fishes in his pocket for Reno's hair tie... and pulls out a phoenix down instead. Looks at the down... then holds it above Reno... letting it lazily float down and land on his forehead

Cloud Strife checks Reno's pulse hoping it worked. Smiles

Reno is merely fast asleep now rather then dead

Cloud Strife gently lifts Reno and goes to the door... trying not to wake his new love

Cloud Strife says, "Whatever's on the other side of this door Reno.... Its you and me all the way"

Reno does not wake... but does cuddle into Cloud's warm chest

Cloud Strife walks down the corridor and heads for the way out of this place. Opens the door to leave and finds the way out leads to the normal world

Cloud Strife says, "Hopefully Reno.... We're getting a second chance.... No matter what though... we are one"