Chapter Eighteen, Nightmares. Enjoy

After soaking Cloud's bloodied clothes in the tub, he'd hung them over the rail to dry, bandaging his now clean shoulder and slipping under his covers, taking a glance at Cloud before he

slipped into a comforting sleep.

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"Sorry Buddy, all the movement must've torn open your wounds"

Cloud could hear the boy's voice again, familiarity biting at his consciousness. I know who that is. His thoughts whispered into the darkness. He felt himself being submerged in warmth,

soothing the dull ache that encompassed his limbs. Ahh. That feels good. Once again, he could see the blurry form of a raven-haired boy from between his eyelashes. I know him don't I. He

thought, more as a statement than a question. Yes. He's my friend. His name- Cloud thought for a minute, his thoughts beginning to drift, merging with a memory.

"At least someone's keeping up." The raven-haired man said to him as they trudged up the snow-covered hill. "Well, I'm a country boy too." The man gave a slight smile, turning and stopping in

front of him. "From where?" he asked. "Nibelheim." The blonde answered.

The man let out a laugh, "How 'bout you?" he asked, not seeing what was so funny.

"Me? Gongaga." He said, facing the blonde who gave a small chuckle that he tried to pass as a cough.

"Hey. What's so funny about that? You know Gongaga?"

"No, but it's such a backwater name."

The older man turned with a mischievous smile, beginning to walk again. "Ditto Nibelheim."

"Like you've been there." The blonde replied.

The man turned again, "I haven't, but there's a reactor there right? A mako reactor outside Midgar usually means-"

"Nothing else out there." They said in unison. They stared at each other blankly for a moment, and laughed.

"Good news Tseng!" he said, raising an arm towards the dark-haired man that was climbing behind them. "Me and..." he turned towards the boy with a searching look.

The boy removed his helmet, revealing a head of blonde spikes. "Cloud."

"Me and Cloud are both Backwater experts."

Cloud. Cloud thought,coming out of the memory. That's my name isn't it. He paused, thinking of the Raven-haired man. And his name- is Zack. Tseng- is the leader of the Turks. Reno. Rude.

Elena. Cissnei. I was in SOLDIER. Sephiroth. I used to want to be like him. Until I met Zack. But why am I here? A flash of memory erupted before his eyes. There- was an ambush. I was shot.

Thomas Hojo. Experiments. Blood. Darkness. Mako. Cloud shuttered, the memories washing over him in waves, until he felt as if he'd drown in them. Zack! He thought, trying to form the

thoughts into audible words. He could see the boy standing over him now, ruffling his hair. "Night Cloud." He said, beginning to walk away. Cloud could feel the material of Zack's shirt

against his fingers. He wanted Zack to know he remembered. To know he was alive inside his body's shell that looked as if it could be empty, even if he was still wrapped in a muddled

world of twisted nightmares and memories. He wrapped his fingers around Zack's shirt in a sudden burst of desperate energy, and Zack looked down, kneeling beside his bed. C'mon. He

told himself, trying to form the word. "Z-Z-Z-a-Z-a-c-k." He managed, and Zack smiled, "Yeah Cloud, that's me." He said softly, gently easing his fingers away from his shirt. Cloud couldn't

tell for sure, but he thought he saw a hint of silver on the man's cheek when he turned away. Cloud tried to speak again, but his hand dropped, and he knew his mind was getting tired

from all the activity. Cloud tried to stay awake, but gave his mind was fuzzy, and the images became less clear, muddled into twisted shapes and colour, all tinged with green. He clung on

to the memory, not wanting to lose it amongst the many others that swirled around his head, confusing him and muddling the line between reality and dreams. Giving in, he let the

darkness steal him, and let himself drift into uneasy sleep, still holding the memory with ceaseless determination.

I will never forget.

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Zack woke to a small cry. He opened his eyes. He sat up, seeing the dark shape of Flint snoring away on his bed. It looked to be around midnight, as they'd gone to bed mid afternoon.

Cloud was lying on his bed, his mouth curved into a frown. He was mumbling rapidly, his eyes flitting under their lids as he dreamt. Zack got out of bed, feeling Cloud's forehead. His skin

was icy, and he was covered in cold sweat, his fists were clenched and his hands were twitching. "Cloud." He whispered gently. "Cloud." Zack knew there was a difference between Cloud

when he was conscious, and when he was not. He was genuinely calmer when he was conscious, Zack guessed because he knew more of what was going on. At times when he was

asleep however, he would run cold fevers and mumble incomprehensible words, trapped in a world of darkness and nightmares. He brushed a spike away from his eyes, and found it wet.

Tears were streaking his face, and his whimpering had subsided. "You were only dreaming Cloud. It was only a dream." He said, running a hand through his hair. He pulled Cloud up into a

sitting position and wrapped his arms around him, his chin resting on Cloud's head. "How 'bout a story Spike?" he smiled when Cloud quieted, his breathing becoming less rapid. "Once

upon a time, there was a boy from Nibelheim..." he began, rubbing soothing circles on Cloud's back like he would a child.

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The nightmare had passed now, and Cloud felt safer. He felt strong arms wrapped around him, and could hear a gentle heartbeat, and could feel the soft rumble of Zack's voice against

his cheek. He felt like a child. Incapable. Weak. Helpless.- and somewhat embarrassed. But for once, he didn't mind. For once, he felt safe, happy and comforted, wrapped in the arms of

his best friend. Even if he would never tell anyone else in the world about this moment, it was one of the best in his life.

Zack. Thanks.

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Once he was sure Cloud was asleep, Zack gently laid him back, pulling up the comforter and returning to his own bed, the covers still warm. His friend's face now bore a peaceful

expression, a smile at the corner of his mouth, his breathing soft and regular. Before he closed his eyes, Zack peered at Cloud one more time.

"I'll never let the nightmares get you Cloud. Never"

So, that was Chapter eighteen, Nightmares, I hope you enjoyed. I'm almost finished with the next chapter, and should have it up soon :) Thanks to all reviewers, and anyone who has added my story to favorite stories! Much appreciated!

Okay, just to clear things up, Zack and Cloud are not in a romantic relationship, and I hope my chapters aren't making it look like that, as they are quite... 'fluffy'

I tried to make it easier to read by separating the dialogue (Thankyou to chibipinkbunny for the suggestion) and also by putting lines when switching views.

I know the story isn't progressing much, but It will be picking up soon, I promise. Traveling can sometimes result in filler, so I apologize. Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read Endless :)

Lucifer