Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A prelude of sorts to a bigger story, and to help the cause. The Zack/Reno shipping cause. XD

"Reno?"

A soft groan escaped the Turk's lips as he opened his eyes. He was laying on something hard, but he had no idea what it was. Blackness was everywhere, endless. Reno closed his eyes again, slipping back into unconsciousness.

A familiar chuckle filled the air. "C'mon, Red; let me see those pretty eyes of yours."

Wait- that voice! It couldn't be, could it?! Opening his eyes again, he saw a man sitting beside him. A man with spiky black hair, a cross-shaped scar, and oh so violet eyes.

"Zack?!" the redhead choked out. No, this couldn't be real! Zack was gone, he was- he was-

Right there. The ex-Soldier cupped one-side of Reno's face and caressed his cheek with his thumb. Reno let out a gasp, and tears filled his eyes. "You're…You're here," he managed to say, voice hardly above a whisper.

Zack grinned that damned grin of his, and Reno suddenly latched on to the larger man, burying his face in his lover's shoulder, holding him as tightly as he could. Zack wrapped his arms around the Turk's slender frame, using one hand to rub circles on his back.

Zack's smile waned after a few moments. "Reno, I have to tell you something before I go."

Reno stiffened and pulled back a bit, still keeping a grip on the dark-haired man. "What do you mean 'before you go'?! Don't tell me- Don't tell me that-" He broke off with a choked sob, tears falling from his pretty turquoise eyes.

Zack swallowed the lump in his throat. He hadn't known that his death had affected his lover so much. He never knew that beautiful and full of life Reno could break and fall apart like this. Oh, how he wished he could tell him the whole truth…

Reno's shoulders shook as small sobs tore from his lips. "Don't leave me! Please, please Zack, don't leave me again! I can't keep doing this- I can't keep pretending I'm fine when I need you here with me!"

Zack felt his own eyes prick as Reno's words threatened to rip his heart to shreds. He'd fix this… No matter what, he'd fix this.

Pulling the redhead close, Zack murmured, "Remember Red, I'm closer than you think. Things are never as they seem…" He brushed his lips against the Turk's forehead, tears slipping from his own eyes. "I love you." He placed his lips upon Reno's, tasting sorrow, tears, and love.

Reno awoke in his bed, tears still slipping down his face and soaking his pillow. Why? Why did he have to go through all this pain? Why couldn't he just die, too?

Then he remembered Zack's words. Just what had his lover meant? He was closer than he thought? Things are never as they seem? Why hadn't he explained?

Sitting up and swinging his feet over to touch the floor, Reno pulled open the first drawer of his night stand and took out a small bottle. Taking off the cap, he put the bottle to his lips and took a long swallow. Setting it down, Reno looked out the window at the blue sky. Did it really matter?

Reno would soon enough find out what Zack meant…