HEARING
"Commissioner! Mr. Valentine!"
"VINCENT! REEVE! I KNOW YOU'RE NOT DEAD, DAMMIT!!"
Reeve listened to the shouts and calls, knowing that he should answer before he'd lose consciousness. His body was numb, save for the stinging pain on his right thigh. He was sprawled half on top of Vincent, with Vincent's arm around him, in a subconscious attempt to shield him. His head was murky and heavy, and every time he tried opening his eyes, the light pierced his head like a hot blade. The only thing working properly was his hearing, which wasn't much use at the moment.
I'll answer them. In a second, he told himself, before he was occupied with listening again.
Along with the yells, he could hear different things. The sound of footsteps against the rubble, the whistle of wind as it hummed among the wreckage, the creaking of rusted metal as it bended with it's own weight.
But most importantly, he could hear Vincent. He could hear the strong, steady heartbeat just beside his ear and the heavy breath that ruffled his brown hair with every exhale. He clung onto these two undeniable signs of life, clung onto the knowledge that Vincent was there: in the end, it was all he wanted, all he needed to be content.
"REEVE! YOU CAN'T BE DEAD, YOU STILL OWE ME!!"
Reeve smiled at the sound of Yuffie's loud yelling, but even it seemed quieter by the minute; everything dissolved into indifference, and the last thing Reeve heard was Vincent's heartbeat before he slipped into unconsciousness.