{ all alone, he's holding his breath half to death }

[iluphone]

Who: Kunsel Reinhardt (iluphone), Angeal Hewley (banoraboy), Zack Fair neverwinged), and open to Sion Ashe (preposterism) and Cloud Strife (still_moseying).
When: Same morning as when Zack's S.O.S. goes out.
Location: Near Sion's house, Midgar.
Rating: PG-13 for swearing, hallucinations, seizures, Zack, and other distressing things of that nature.
Summary: Sephiroth takes a little more from Kunsel

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[neverwinged]

For the most part, Zack wasn't entirely aware of what exactly was going on. It was difficult to focus on something that wasn't the unbelievably weird feeling of the pipe being removed, quickly followed by the always weird (but not on the same level, and also appreciative) warmth spreading from what must've been another Cure spell to his midsection. Unfortunately not enough warmth; everything was still far too cold for his liking, and he was probably shivering enough to get that point across.

It wasn't a feeling he had to focus on for long. Normally that would've been a good thing, but almost immediately after removal of the metal there was the sickening sensation (and the sound, Shiva, the only thing that kept Zack from getting sick was his lack of energy to do so) of the bones in his legs crushing - sorry, mending. A yelp might've tried to escape, but it came out more of a strangled whimper, surprising even him how he'd managed to keep all the cursing in his head.

Everything became rather blurry after that. He was on the ground next, wondering if he'd fallen, and also wondering just where Sion had went to. Hadn't he just been there a moment ago with the Materia? Zack hadn't even been able to thank him. Would he even remember later to do so? Everything was so blurry, so grey to him. And heavy, especially to his left.

Next sensation, not any better, as Zack then registered the feeling of being lifted off the ground. He hadn't felt dizzy while on the ground, and up off it just reminded him of being dragged to the rock- Zack had to stop thinking there in order to utter a soft, pleading whimper towards Angeal, put me down put me down put me down. Not that he'd ever believe Angeal would do the same with another pipe, but the reminder of the event itself was enough to really not want to have his feet up off the ground anytime soon.

Whether Angeal had understood him or not, Zack was down against the ground soon enough, and once the dizziness subsided a little he managed to open eyes he hadn't known he'd closed. He couldn't see where Sion was, puzzled beyond belief how the guy could appear out of nowhere one moment and disappear without a trace the next, but as he looked forward where the rock was, and all the red smeared around it . . .

Did all of that really come from him?

He didn't need to think too much on that, because now someone else had appeared out of nowhere, gloved hands against his skin, and it was a welcome distraction, though this was hardly how he wanted two of the most important people in his life to officially meet. Weary eyes peered up at worried ones; gods, this was familiar too. Cloud had worn a very similar expression five years ago.

That, that was really not something to be thinking about either. Zack knew he shouldn't be, and judging from the look in Cloud's eyes, it was exactly what the blond was thinking. They both needed the reassurance, it seemed, but Cloud more than himself. While perhaps just as frightening as facing an entire army was, this still felt different. Zack didn't feel like he could close this extra chapter to his story just yet, unlike before. It hadn't been just himself and his friend, this time around there were people to help.

His one hand that could still move without tearing his shoulder reached up, shaking slightly with the effort, and pressed against the gloved hand against the side of his face. His fingers gripped as tightly as his weakened body could manage, holding on to Cloud's hand with the rest of his waking strength as his eyes gradually drifted closed once more.

"I-I'll be alright, Spike," Zack responded in barely a whisper, surprising himself again that he had the ability to smile. He knew he couldn't manage keeping himself conscious for much longer, which was probably not going to dull Cloud's or Angeal's worry in the slightest, but this wasn't giving up. This was just being in desperate need of a good nap. Even as his voice grew quieter and his grip on consciousness eventually let go, his grip on Cloud's hand did not. "I'll be fine . . . promise."

[ooc: Ifrit, I swear I'm done rambling x__X; I had to cut out a whole paragraph. Bah. Zack out, s'just the two of you rescuers now!]