Universe: FFVII
Timeline: Advent Children

"Cloud?" Tidus warily called out, entering the ruined church that he'd seen only a few times before. Its walls looked more decrepit than ever. The hole in the roof was bigger than Tidus remembered. His footsteps echoed loudly as he walked over the creaking floorboards.

"Cloud?" he asked again. This time, he heard a grunt in response, and he charged forward as he caught sight of Cloud, collapsed against the end of one of the pews.

"Hey," Tidus said, gently, kneeling at Cloud's side.

Cloud was pale, and though he lifted his head to look at Tidus, it quickly fell limply back against the wood. Tidus glanced at Cloud's arm. It was blacker than the last time he'd seen it. He'd suspected something like this might happen.

"How'd you know?" Cloud asked, his voice hoarse. His eyes were fixed on his companion, who was rooting through his pockets for supplies.

"I started to worry when you didn't come home. I thought you might be here," Tidus said.

He found his healing materia and pressed it to Cloud's arm. They waited in silence for several long minutes— Cloud didn't want to interrupt when Tidus was concentrating on his healing—but even after the materia was removed, the skin remained as damaged as before.

"Forget it, Tidus," Cloud sighed. "It won't work. You know that." Tidus looked up at his partner with gentle eyes.

"It was worth a try," he said, forcing a small smile.

Tidus rose to his feet, and glanced around. He remembered seeing Cloud's motorcycle outside the church, but he wasn't confident that he could drive it himself. Maybe with Cloud's guidance, but he wasn't sure Cloud would stay conscious for long once they got on the road. When Cloud's Geostigma attacked him like this, it usually hit hard.

"We needa get you home," Tidus said, gently and affectionately. He knelt at Cloud's side again, and brushed a hand through Cloud's messy hair. Cloud kissed Tidus' palm when his hand travelled down his cheek.

"You don't have to," Cloud whispered.

"Wha—?" Tidus asked, with a frown.

"There's no cure, Tidus. We can't fight this."

"Don't you say another word," Tidus warned, his voice stern. Cloud's eyes were locked with Tidus', even with his head leaned back against the side of the pew. "You are not going to die here, Cloud Strife."

Cloud closed his eyes as he felt Tidus' arms lace around his neck, and he fought tears as Tidus' head rested on his shoulder, and as soft kisses were pressed to his ear.

"I'm not gonna let you," Tidus whispered. Cloud summoned the strength to raise his good arm, and he rested it on Tidus' back, fingers rubbing gently.

"Yeah, let's go home," Cloud whispered back.