Pull Yourself Together

Gabreilla Moushigo

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"Nero, what are you doing in there?"

Nero was completely aggravated. He had been so caught up in his thoughts that he managed to over cook or burn all the food.

Weiss was sitting in a chair adjoining the kitchen. He was used to black smoke trailing around his brother but this was something completely different.

Nero cursed, the meat was seared and inedible and what was left was dried to the pan. His vegetables weren't looking so good either… and he thinks he might have turned the stove up a little too high for the rice as well. It was crunchy to the taste.

Weiss of course, opened his mouth to criticize him and Nero flinched. What on earth had happened? Weiss was being so mean to him recently, and he couldn't understand why. Nero poked at the crusty rice before putting that pan in the sink as well. If he had thought that waiting for Weiss to wake up was hell, he was sadly mistaken. His brother was being an absolute bastard. He picked on him relentlessly and was starting petty fights. If he had taken a moment, he might have realized Weiss' behavior stemmed from exhaustion rather than just plain cruelty.

Their elder brother had taken the liberty of saving them the other day. He could only remember seeing G through Weiss' eyes before he drew Nero out of Weiss' sickly body. It had been painful to say the least, both mentally and physically. He thought that maybe they could stay like that for all time, but G had other plans. Nero had been placed back into his physical body to his horror. There was still a gaping hole in the circuitry that made up most of his chest… however… his artificial heart had been replaced.

"Pull yourself together." G had said, wasting no time with comfort. "And heal our brother. You're of no use to me dead." He shoved a round glowing rock between Nero's hands. Nero had absolutely no idea what to do with this, he had been sheltered from such things being in Deepground. "You'll figure it out." He pulled out a slip of paper. "Go to this address. It is where you will stay until I can find some use for you." Nero believed that G meant only him. He seemed to be holding Weiss in a different esteem.

Nero's mind sprang back to the present and realized that he even burned the pudding. Upon tasting it – it wasn't so bad if he just ate what was in the middle instead of what was caked onto the sides.

Weiss had finally gotten up to inspect what his brother had done, looking quite doubtful. A pan that contained what he thought to be gravy seemed fine enough. Maybe he could mash up some potatoes… he decided to try it. His mouth scrunched up distastefully and asked Nero in his sharpest tone possible if he had seasoned it with dish soap. "No wonder I've been sick for so long, you've probably been feeding me this… whatever this is."

Nero shrunk at his own inadequacy. He actually had been feeding him, but his food had never been this bad before. He was just distracted. Weiss had been acting peculiar lately; no one would have noticed it but him really. He remembered him acting like this before, while at the time he thought nothing of it… slowly that Hojo had been taking over his mind. It stung him to think that Weiss might revert back into that bastard again.

Nero was only upset for selfish reasons. He just didn't want to see Weiss looking at him that way again, with uncaring eyes. Nero had gone to him that time in Deepground, seeking comfort and safety, only to be run through and called worthless. He understood it was Hojo's doing, but it still upset him greatly. In response to his brother's insults, Nero decided to just grab all of the cooking utensils and pans and threw them all at once into the sink.

"What are you getting angry for?" Weiss asked. "You're the one who tried to poison me with your soap flavored gravy!"

"It's not gravy." Nero said pointedly, feeling a healthy surge of anger shoot through him. "It was supposed to be flan."

"That makes it even worse!" Weiss shouted. "Did you even use sugar?"

"I would have if you weren't being such…" Nero turned away sharply, not quite believing he was about to call his brother an unbearable ass.

Weiss took this opportunity to perform a cruel joke on Nero. "What?" He said simply, that was all he needed to do - Nero realized that he had messed up. Nero glanced beyond his shoulders a few times, seeing which way he might make his exit. Weiss only smiled and turned his body to face his brother.

Nero flinched, realizing his only way to salvation had been blocked the moment his brother moved. The kitchen wasn't particularly large, only one person at a time could enter, two if they walked sideways. Weiss, being twice the size of normal people, didn't make this easy. Then he remembered, of course! He had been so worried he had completely forgotten. His form took on a dark hazy quality that Weiss recognized right away.

"I wouldn't do that," Weiss warned, meaning it. "It'll only make me angrier."

True. Nero decided to abandon this line of thought. If Weiss was angry with him, he would take whatever he was dealt. Nero felt Weiss' hand touch him, and while usually it would bring on a surge of excitement, he could only feel nervous. His hand touched just over his chest, were he had punched through him. He closed his eyes and trembled, wondering if he had made a mistake.

"You have never doubted me before, Nero." Weiss voice softened. "Do not start now."

At his gentling tone Nero opened his eyes. "Y-yes." He looked away, ashamed.

"But Nero," Weiss voice held a warning in it now. "Don't ever talk back to me again…"

"Yes." Nero nodded.

"This time," Weiss grinned. "I'll only give you a light punishment… next time…" He pressed him into the back of the kitchen, where there was a door. He knew the laundry room to be hidden behind it. This would be fun.

"But aren't you hungry?" Nero felt like he was grasping at straws. "Shouldn't we get something to eat?"

"Oh, I'll eat something." And then Nero realized his intentions.

"Oh…" Oh was right.

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An hour later, Nero had to get some clothing on. Weiss had taken the liberty of not only removing them but destroying them as well. He really liked that shirt too! He pulled on a pair of black pants and a sweater. He flinched at the pain for a moment, his brother was always rough… and wasn't too keen on foreplay. He probably wasn't going to be able to sit normal for a week… again!

Weiss listened to Nero huff and grumble about how unromantic he was with a grin on his face. "Stop you're whining and get over here."

"But I'm hungry." Nero complained.

His voice was so whiny that Weiss remembered a time when Nero was younger. He did the same things then as he did now. He spoiled him too much apparently. "Get over here." Nero trudged up to him. "You think I'm unromantic?"

Nero realized for the second time that day he had been thinking out loud.

He knew what would make him happy. "My sweet black bird…" And Nero's face melted into happiness. How easy it was to please him.

"No." Nero shook his head; even his harsh eyes looked soft.

It was always difficult to comprehend how Nero could love him so much, but it was also very wonderful as well. Weiss went to him instead and pulled him into an embrace. He lifted his chin and dipped his head to kiss him. Nero offered no complaints or struggle, just enjoyed himself. "I love you my Nero." At that Nero shivered and blushed. How he had the ability to do that still was beyond him. But, it was beautiful. "Come with me to bed… I'll take you out for breakfast tomorrow."

"Ok."

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Weiss woke up to the distinct sound of welding taking place. He jolted out of bed to find Nero not beside him. In the living area he saw Nero, quite casually using a torch to melt a peculiar design on one of his hand guns. As he got closer he realized what he was doing. "Ah, Nero!" He clapped him on the back, startling him. "You're a genius…"

Nero looked at his handiwork. "Naturally." He smiled up at Weiss. It was so strange to see so much of his face at once, he had a disarming smile. "I'm hungry still."

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Author's Notes:

After it was brought to my attention, I realized I hadn't actually written this out yet. I thought Nero would be able to separate himself from Weiss whenever he wished, but I didn't think about him being able to manifest himself physically without a body. So… G just picked it up too I guess.

Spoiler Warning:

If you are wondering who the crap G is – he is apparently Weiss and Nero's brother that they talk about meeting after they 'meld'? If you haven't seen the G ending… you're not missing much. Solider G is underneath the Shinra building and Deepground. Weiss' body is lying on the ground and Solider G goes to him and picks him up. He tells him that it's not time to sleep yet or whatever… then flies away with a black wing carrying them. It's basically just room for a sequel.

End Spoiler Warning!

The welding in the apartment came from Art History class… I can't remember but I believe an artist named David Smith would weld his art works together in his apartment (because he couldn't afford a studio). Apparently he set fire to one of his walls while doing it one day.

Anyway – this was a goofy chapter to write – but it was fun. I liked the thought of someone named Nero burning dinner. Hehe.

As far as reviews go – I'm probably going to start waiting for more people to review between chapters. Several of my regulars will review for each chapter – but some don't (I don't mind though if someone talks about several chaps in one post).

I think I'd like to get more feedback on each individual chapter. I'm not going to set a limit – because I don't like doing that. I'm not one of those "You better give me 20 reviews a chapter or I'm not posting" kinds of authors. I know from experience that if you set those kinds of limits or whatever that you end up getting silly reviews (or really aggravated people). So I won't be holding them hostage per se – I just want to hear from you.

That's not the only reason though – I am starting to run out of chapters and if I keep slapping them up I'm going to run out pretty fast. I've got (I believe) 5 chapters ready to be looked over and then submitted. I'm going to try to get more buffer chapters written so you guys won't have to wait a week or two before a new chapter is up.

In other words – I'm steadying myself a bit. I'd much rather get the reviews I've been receiving rather than "I hope you update soons" because I fried myself writing so much that I take a vacation.

On to the Review:

Vinny The Vampire: I loved that fight as well – she was all over the place. Didn't she get hit with a pew too? She is incredibly strong and I love how she fought with Loz. The only time I see Tifa at a disadvantage would be in DG – where almost everyone has a gun – she is more a close range kinda gal.

I think you'll like what I'm going to do with Nero and Weiss. They're too much fun to write about. Their paths aren't completely set yet in the story line… but they'll be making some interesting things happen – rest assured.

I loved the original VII as well. I'm not very good at the shooting games and I miss the battle system that they had. I hear they are thinking of remaking FF VII because of all the hype Dirge is making. I hope they do it.