Break
By S.J. Kohl
Characters: Zack, Cloud
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Zack carries Cloud toward Nibelheim.
Disclaimer: Zack and Cloud belong to Enix.
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"But if you use it, won't it break?"
It had been a long time since he'd said those words, but they were as true now as they had been then. And as damning.
If you use it…Zack sighed and shifted the weight on his shoulder. Cloud's weight. Those pale arms hung down his back, white and lifeless as always, the fingers occasionally brushing against the backs of Zack's thighs. Almost like a caress. Almost.
Like Angeal, almost a hero.
And Zack had left him there, lying—dying—on the ground beside Genesis. Soldiers. Mentors. Friends. And he'd left them there, left Angeal to fade away into the Lifestream.
Angeal had left him.
If you use it…
The sword was his now, as easy to carry as Cloud himself. They were both his. His friends, his responsibilities, his burdens. His dreams. His pride. Cloud was his dream these days. He didn't have anyone else.
Cloud was more important than the sword. Like him. Like Angeal had said. Cloud was his dream now. It didn't matter than he'd been left alone, that Angeal had abandoned him for death, that Angeal hadn't taken Zack with him…
It didn't matter, but...
Cloud groaned and Zack slid his hand up the man's leg in a comforting caress. "It's okay, Cloudy," he whispered. "I'm here. I'm not gonna leave you alone."
Won't it break?
Soldiers…swords…Cloud…
Maybe it was Zack who was breaking. Angeal was gone. Angeal was gone and Zack was alone. Angeal had left him here to fight by himself. Cold inside. Cold and numb. Shivering, alone. Dead inside. Tired of running. Tired of fighting. Dead inside…
If you use it…
Fingers against the back of his thigh, whispering, whispering. "Za…za…"
Zack smiled. No. Not dead. Not yet. And not alone. Cloud was his dream now. Just Cloud. Pulling Cloud down off his shoulder, he cradled the boy against his chest and pressed a kiss against the sweat-slick forehead.
Won't it break?
Maybe so. Maybe they would both break.
But it didn't matter.
Zack brushed wet strands of blond hair back from fluttering eyelids and held Cloud closer. "I'm here, Cloud. I'm here."
He kept walking.