AN: Ah, I got behind on the fics again! But this got a wonderful piece of artwork by spopococ, it can be found at spopococ dot deviant art dot com /art/quot-Aftermath-quot-157647749. I'd recommend taking a look.
Warnings: Bad language.
It was darker now than before, but the flames hadn't reached them. They were dying down now, turning into embers, and the hospital still stood. Reno wandered alone through the dimly lit corridors, staring in at row after row of empty beds. It was creepy, and he didn't like being here. But it would be worth it if it meant that he could get Cloud better again. He had to help the other. He'd promised himself he'd save him.
He wasn't entirely sure what he was looking for, he doubted that there would be some magic powder that would return Cloud to his normal strong state, but he had to look. Pushing open the door to another deserted office, he noticed a box of potions on the desk. He ran over, filling his pockets with them, hoping that they would help. They might fix the physical wounds, but it was Cloud's mind that concerned him most. He returned to Cloud.
"Here, ya should drink this…" He held Cloud's chin, tilting his head so that he could pour the potions down his throat. Cloud looked blank still, but drank thirstily. Once three bottles had been drunk, Reno let him go. "Tha's gonna make yer better Clou, I swear i'." He put the rest of the bottles on a shelf, saving them for later, and then pushed the table in front of the quarantine cell as a final barrier, a final line of defense if it was needed. Blocked in, he returned to sitting by Cloud.
"Are ya feelin' a bit better now huh Cloudy?" Cloud nodded, looking down before glancing back up at him. He held out his arms, shaking slightly, and when he spoke his voice was trembling, but it was coherent, and he'd managed to make a noise.
"Would you hold me?"
Reno leant in closer, scarce able to believe that was actually what had been said, initially tempted to assume he had imagined it. Yet Cloud was still gazing at him with those bright, puppy like eyes, arms held up.
"Course I will." Reno muttered, pulling Cloud into his lap and rocking him gently. "I got ya Clou. I got ya."
"I didn't think anyone was coming." Cloud murmured, voice trembling.
"Well we were, an i' weren' easy neither, 'ad to look fer ya for ages, 's why I took so long, bu' I didn' never give up on ya. Ain' givin up on ya now either." Cloud nodded, leaning against Reno, and Reno stroked his hair gently.
"I's okay now Cloudy. Yer can relax. We're safe. No more Seph, no more hurt. I got ya…"
Cloud nodded in gratitude, eyes closing. Reno smiled at him, kissing his forehead and closing his eyes. He'd wake up if they were disturbed. He promised himself that. He settled into a deeper sleep.
Cloud's eyes flickered open, waiting to see Sephiroth looming over him, demanding, taking. He felt sick, body trembling again, but the potions from the night before had done their job and his fever had broken. He noticed something red against his arm and traced it back, staring at Reno. He smiled weakly, gazing at the sleeping face of his savior. Reno was here, they would be alright. He looked around and saw no windows. He wanted to be able to see outside, but he knew that it was beneficial – if they couldn't see out, then no one else could see in, and they'd be safe. His gaze returned to Reno, to the slow, steady breaths he took, to the way his arms were around Cloud to hold him and keep him safe. He did feel safe like this, though a few days prior, he would have doubted that he would ever feel safe again. Reno was his safety. He cuddled up closer, eyes fixed on Reno's peaceful face. The rain had stopped.
Reno woke a little later, finding Cloud still nestled against him asleep. His arm had gone numb from the weight, and his back hurt, but it was a small price to pay in return for making Cloud sleep peacefully. He gazed at the door. It wouldn't be safe to go outside. Now that the barrier of flames had died down, Reno wasn't even certain that the rest of the hospital was secure. But this room was. They would be able to stay here until the patients returned. He glanced over at the food supplies, ensuring they had enough before gently shaking Cloud's shoulders, smiling as his eyes flickered open.
"Come on chocobo, ya gotta eat something."
Cloud nodded, a smile on his lips as he stretched and moved off of Reno's lap.
