A/N: Yeah, so this is the end I guess. I want to continue writing this pairing though, so keep an eyes out for more stuff. It comes off as kinda weird, but this is how I think someone would sound if they were dying. Especially with all the blood loss.

Warnings: Violence?

He didn't know what happened. One minute everything was fine. Quiet. Wonderful and the next, he was standing in front of what felt like the whole of ShinRa's army. Everything got blurry from there. Thinking back, all he could really recall was red and loud and wet.

Looking up at the blackened sky, he felt light. It didn't hurt, nothing did. Not anymore. He knew that was bad. It meant something. Something horrible but he couldn't grasp the thought long enough to find out what it was.

Memories flash across his mind and he vaguely remembers someone telling him once that when you died, your life flashed before your eyes. Did that mean he was dying?

Oh. Guess it did. Huh, this was a lot better then he thought it would be and he always wanted to die in a blaze of glory right? Except he was forgetting something. Something important.

"Z-Zack?"

Cloud? Oh Gaia, Cloud. Nonono this wasn't supposed to be like this, he had to get up because Cloud needed him. Not just Cloud but Aerith and everything and Cloud.

"Zack?" He could see him now, those eyes still unfocused, but more there then he'd seen in years. He was dying. He was dying and leaving Cloud all alone in a world that wanted him dead. He couldn't leave it this way, he wouldn't but his mind was still skipping over memories and he was so tired. He needed to do something, say something. What would Angeal do? What did he do? He needed something-

"On my behalf-" The words were thick in his mouth, like molasses or peanut butter and Cloud was giving him the most adorable confused look.

"Your behalf?"

"That's right. You will-" What was he saying again? Blue eyes unfocused. Gaia Cloud, don't go away but that small mouth was opening and the unsteady voice poured out. "You will."

Swallowing thickly, he knew what he needed to say. "Continue living. You are proof that I existed. My dreams and pride, I give it all to you."

"I am proof that you existed." Cloud nodded, almost like confirming something to himself and Zack knew he couldn't leave yet. The blond was so broken, but his eyes didn't want to stay open anymore. Reaching out, he pulled Cloud to him.

"Love you." It was what he'd wanted to tell Cloud for so long, never getting a chance and now it was too late. But he heard him, somewhere in that shattered mind, he knew Cloud heard him. Knew because he swore he heard Cloud whisper it back as he let him up.

He hefts the too heavy sword up and his arm almost gives out before those slender hands grab hold of it. He thinks he hears something but it's muffled against the roaring in his ears. He lets himself drift off for the moment. Just for a little. He needs just a little rest and then they can get back on track.

Everything will be better in the morning.