A/N: Last chapter of the story. Hoope you all enjoyed it despite the harsh topic.

Chapter Seven:
Acceptance

-Years Later: After the Events of Advent Children

Reno put down his rum and coke, staring down Cloud to make sure the young man didn't crack under the pressure. He told him a mouthful…basically told him once again, his life was nothing but a lie, and that his greatest nightmare stole more than the people he cherished. Cloud tried to keep his tough composure, and took a seat at the bar, between Reno and Rufus.

"Everything went down hill after that," Reno continued, "Yours and Zack's memories were wiped- since they very well couldn't have Sephiroth's new best friends hating his guts-"

"Sephiroth on the other hand," Rufus interrupted, "He was infused with more jenova cells to repair his body."

"I joined with Rufus and the rest of the Turks. The rest is history."

Their eyes focused on Cloud once again, who had retreated to holding his head in his worn out hands. His mind was racing with a million scattered thoughts that cut him like scissors against paper. His mentor, his enemy, stole his innocence, stole his friends, and stole his identity. Should he have been so surprised though? Deep down he knew there was something more to Sephiroth plan. Sephiroth choose him to torture, him out of the world, and for what…because Cloud at one brief point tried to stop him from destroying the world. No. There was always that sinister glint in Sephiroth's tortured yellow eyes that screamed something more than just mommy issues. That glint…was made for Cloud.

The two young men waited for Cloud to say something- anything to prove he mind was still on Earth, and hadn't gone on a one way trip to LaLa Land.

"I guess I asked for it," he mumbled, "I told you I wanted to know everything despite how horrible it is."

Reno cautiously placed his hand on the blonde's now trembling shoulder, "You'll learn to deal with the nightmares, the memories, and that dirty feeling."

"You are one on of the strong ones," Rufus sighed, bringing his gaze from Cloud, to the mulititude of alcoholic beverages that were calling his name, "We all know what happened to Zack- and he was lucky, he died not nothing- but the rest, the four boys…they weren't so lucky. Rhett and Tomo put a bullet through their hands to stop the memories. The other two died in war. Which just leaves the three of us."

"We come here once a month to drown our sorrows in drinking. Sometimes we talk about what happen, sometimes we just sit in silence. It's the only thing that has kept us sane all these years."

Cloud lifted his head from his hands, and stared at his once best friend in disbelief. "So you just get stupid drunk to run away from the truth."

"No," Reno shook his head, "We swallow the truth- alcohol just proves to be a good chaser."

"You are welcomed to join us," Rufus said, "It's better than sitting at home with all those pretty sharp things."

Cloud juggled the thought in his head. Spend time with the two people you had thought you hated, to deal with the truth of the person you've always hated. Cloud could hear Tifa's bellowing voice scold him for drinking with Shinra- hell he could hear the onslaught of harsh words from Cid and Barret. But did they even understand? Could they ever understand him, the way the red headed Turk and the arrogant president can.

Cloud's blue eyes focused on the barkeep, who annoyingly waited for his order, "…Beer."

"Welcome to the club Chocobo boy," Reno smiled.

"Yes," Rufus laughed drunkenly, "I expect club dues by tomorrow. I take cash or cookies, whatever's clever."

Cloud allowed a shy smile grace his face, despite the horror of what happened becoming real. They were right, he needed this time with them- a time to mourn, and rebuild the dignity that was destroyed. Even if their methods weren't exactly conventional…but this was a different world they lived in. Psychologist and psychiatrist wouldn't exactly know how to treat an aggressive Turk, a brooding hero, and most of all the President of Shinra CORP. They had to rely on each other, and their fragile sanities.

Cloud took a sip of his beer, and threw Reno a shy glance, "Reno…"

"Yeah man."

"What about us?"

Reno's bloodshot green eyes danced to Cloud, "That entirely depends."

Cloud raised a single blonde eyebrow, "On what?"

"On how much you actually want to remember."

"Oh Reno," Rufus laughed suddenly, "such the fucking romantic."

The blonde ex-SOLIDER and the red head exchanged an ancient glance- the kind they used to throw each other while in class or during the real training. It was the kind of glance that spoke volumes as much as it only uttered a single word silently. It was the glance that started it all…

And hopefully would be the true end of their horrible nightmare…

Of what really happened during training.

The End.