soul_logs | EVENT LOG

He clung to the tree base as tightly as his weary arms would allow, and his head immediately jerked at the feel of something grabbing at his back. Even with the water, he sensed his partner and he was mixed with the continued panic he might just drag Sephiroth into the water and relief that the ex-General had come for him. He hadn't even spare the attention to notice.

He didn't resist as he was dragged from where he had been tangled and felt himself leave the water. He also sensed the sudden strain on his partner, and he managed to get his feet on the tree long enough to leap, to curl his arms (regardless of the spasms of pain) around the silver-haired man's waist to balance their weights. He knew Sephiroth would rather go down with him than let him go, so he held on with everything that he had to his partner's waist, coughing up more water even as he pressed his cheek against Sephiroth's chest.

Sephiroth managed to pluck Cloud from his perch before the water could take his partner again. Clutching tightly at the material, he hadn't expected for the younger male to run his way along the tree trunk before leaping up to grasp back onto him.

Arms curled around his body, and he didn't hesitate to shift his grip to return the favour. Cloud was safe with him, and not even the painful strain of his wing could detract from that thought right now. Sephiroth didn't say anything, but he didn't need to either as his relief and happiness could be felt directly through their link even as Cloud coughed the water from his lungs.

His wing wouldn't hold out for long, and with every beat, Sephiroth could feel it beginning to weaken and buckle beneath the strain. That was why he had no other choice but to land on one of the outcroppings nearby and allow for the water to pass them by. Besides, he had to make certain that Cloud was without injury.

While there were no words between them, Cloud could now easily feel the emotions and thoughts rampaging through their link and resonance. He knew that his partner was in serious trouble, that the wing couldn't support them both for any real amount of time. The best that could be hoped for was out of extreme danger, which he was all too thankful for.

Yet, he felt Sephiroth's intense relief and happiness over his safety, and he relished the emotions as his own began to settle. His panic eased away and soon exhaustion took over, which was odd since all he had really been doing was scrambling to keep his hold on a tree. Pain was also at the forefront of his mind, but he had to ignore it for clinging tightly to the silver-haired man.

His feet hit the outcropping of stone first, and he released his hold to settle in a heap on the cold stone. Now he was really hoping against snow, and he'd never live it down if he caught a cold. "You came for me," he whispered between coughs.

There was an instant relief felt throughout his wing as Cloud's weight left his hold. The removed weight caused the added strain to disappear, and he found himself almost falling down to one knee as his feet came to touch against the ground. Instead his wing slumped down pitifully against his side even as Cloud crumpled down into a heap against the cool stone.

He heard the continued coughs on Cloud's end, and without a care for anyone seeing, Sephiroth fell down to his knees and moved to instantly wrap his arms around the younger male. He moved to draw the blonde back in towards him even as his wing hung limply at his side.

"You thought that I wouldn't?" Sephiroth found himself quietly asking in return.

Cloud didn't resist the hold that slipped around him, and he shifted himself backwards into Sephiroth's hold without complaint. There was a warmth there between them that was far more than body heat shared, and he closed his eyes as he relished it. His relief was only stunted by the pain in his arm, but he was pleased to be back on solid ground with his partner.

"I knew you would try," he murmured hoarsely. "But at the time, I didn't think you'd be successful getting me out. That was... unreal," he added with a small shake of his head. "You risked a lot for that saving and you know it."

They both could have drowned. Worse, he could have dragged Sephiroth to the tree if the wing had given way. Still and pressed himself into the hold and lifted his free hand to tangle his fingers in strands of silver hair. "I'm glad you came."

Despite the worry and concern he felt for his partner, he didn't miss that sense of pain radiating through their link. His eyes narrowed at the realisation that his partner was injured, and as he kept his arms wrapped tightly around his partner, Sephiroth quietly scanned what areas he could see of Cloud to locate exactly where.

He didn't say anything about the 'try' comment. There had been no room for failure in his mind, and the only other option would have been death for them both - which was one that was entirely unacceptable.

"I would have risked more doing nothing," Sephiroth softly murmured as Cloud pressed himself more into his hold. There was a slight tugging on his long hair as those last words were spoken, and he tilted his head to rest it against Cloud's own. He didn't say anything, but just took the moment to relish the reality of their situation. Cloud was safe, even if he appeared to be injured, and that was all that mattered to the ex-General.

He didn't withdraw his wing into his body yet. Half of him had forgotten about the appendage, and the other half (at the back of his mind) didn't want to move it just yet either. Instead he closed his eyes to focus on the feel of Cloud's breathing as he quietly stated more than asked, "You're injured."

Cloud didn't even bother to push himself up regardless of how cold the stone was that he was laying on. There was warmth radiating from Sephiroth and it seemed good enough for him. Besides, the cold was so nice on his left arm which was laid across the stone away from his body. The appendage was swollen and bruised heavily around the wrist area, and he honestly wondered how he was going to get his bangle and glove off.

His eyes flicked to regard the silver-haired man, aware of Sephiroth's determination that saving him had been the only risk to take. Everything else was not worth concerning about, even if he knew that his partner had come close to having a break-down now that things had settled down.

His fingers stroked the hair through his fingers even as he noted the pain the came from the ex-General. His eyes flicked to the large black wing and knew it was the source. "So are you," he breathed before relenting to Sephiroth's need to fret at him. "My arm got smashed and pulled. I might be bruising up, but nothing I can't handle."

There was no care given to his own apparent injury. To Sephiroth it meant nothing to him, not when the one who was most important to him was in far worse condition. That was why he said nothing in regards to Cloud's returned words, and instead tried to find the exact location of his partner's injury. Their connection helped to narrow it down, and he found his gaze travelling the length of Cloud's outstretched arm even as he felt the fingers stroking up along his hair.

"Given the amount of pain you are in, it appears to be a little more than bruised," Sephiroth said matter-of-factly. If it had been a simple bruising, he wouldn't have felt this much pain. He had to force himself to pull away. It was a gesture that took more willpower than he ever thought imaginable, but when he did, he remained hovering where his partner was as he said, "Let me see your arm."

He wasn't surprised when Sephiroth refused to acknowledge his own concerns when it came to the silver-haired man's injuries. Stubborn, was the only thing that he could think as he regarded his partner and reluctantly pulled his fingers from Sephiroth's hair as the ex-General pulled back. He would have to nag at the man soon enough. "Bruised, broken... as long as it's still attached to my shoulder, I don't much care."

It was better than being dead after all. He heaved himself up a little, wincing in pain as his arm shifted slightly as he leaned against the stone wall and shivered as the water from his clothes began to cool him. He forced his concerned aside and moved to lift his arm, but as his muscles pulled, there was a moment he thought that he might black out from pain.

"It's broken," he finally said, barely getting it to his lap. "It hurts too much for something else. Do you have a Restore materia on you by chance?"

Sephiroth could feel the blinding pain that racked Cloud's body when the blonde moved. There was no doubt to what was wrong, and his suspicions had been confirmed in that moment. Cloud's confirmation only further told him the answer, and the ex-General found himself wishing that he still had full control of his abilities.

"No," he murmured apologetically in reply to Cloud's question. He was reminded of how brutal he was as a Weapon in that moment as well. While there were a number who could heal their Meister and those around them, he could do nothing but bring them pain in that regard.

"Keep it still," Sephiroth offered. There wasn't anything around that they could use as a splint, which frustrated him, and without any form of healing devices, there was little that could be done until he got Cloud to safety. Would his wing hold out though? He would make it if it meant getting his partner back to safety. "I'll get you back to Death City so you can be treated."

Cloud knew that Sephiroth had no magic at all in this state, but he was fine with that. It was pleasant enough to know that his Weapon had come for him at great risk to the ex-General's own well-being. If he was a little banged up, that was a price to pain for what had happened and had kept his life.

He did as he was instructed, resting his arm across his thighs as he leaned more heavily against the stone wall. Even trying to twitch his fingers created a sort of odd agony. He hadn't had anything broken for long enough to really be that concerned about it. Materia was generally always on hand to make it right so he could keep fighting. "Yeah, you don't have to tell me twice, though... I guess this means that any snow angel I make won't have one arm."

He shifted his head so that he could lean it against Sephiroth's chest, nodding his head at the words. "Not with that wing, you won't. You might be able to ignore the pain, but I can feel it in our link," he murmured, peering up at the silver-haired man. "I'm more likely to die of exposure right now than a broken bone. Stay with me and let's keep as warm as possible."

His expression softened when Cloud brought up the snow angels. He hadn't been sure whether or not the blonde had meant it when he'd first said it, or even now, but some part of him wished that they could still do it for Cloud's sake. It was an odd concept to consider, but one that made him want to do it especially as Cloud's head came to lean against his chest.

"It is fine if it is for you," Sephiroth softly said in return. He meant his words, and he would push himself to his very limits if it meant saving Cloud's life. Dying from exposure was not something he had ever had to worry about, and it was easy to forget that not everyone was built as hardily as he was.

Shifting his body, he reached around to pull his sprained wing so that it curled around them both. The pain was easy to ignore, especially when considering his actions would keep his partner warm, and he held it bound around their bodies in an effort to keep the heat within the area. "I won't ever let that happen," Sephiroth quietly murmured as he leant down and buried his nose within the wet blonde spikes.

He was pleased to see a little of the worry ease from his partner's face at the mention of snow angels, and that was good enough for him. He accepted that it wouldn't happen, especially now that there was no snow to actually speak of here. He would just make Sephiroth do it another time, that's all.

"I won't have you pushing yourself when we can settle here and wait for rescue." He was probably not the first one to be swept away by the water, so he suspected that Shibusen would be moving to rescue those in need of it. For now, it was much safer to wait. "You need to rest as much as I do, so let's do that."

He growled softly at the gesture that the silver-haired man made with the wing, but that was all he could do. He wasn't going to stop Sephiroth and shifted over to cuddle in closer, feeling himself cooling less. It was only because he was wet that it was a problem. "No, you're too busy fretting about me," he teased softly.

Sephiroth was always about pushing himself when it came to anything remotely mission related, and getting Cloud back to safety was definitely high up on his list. Yet there was an annoying sense within him telling him that Cloud was right, and that despite his will, it would be foolish of him to push himself in such a way.

That was why he grunted in reply to Cloud's sensible comment, and attempted to regain his male pride by turning his face away dismissively - even if the gesture was half-hearted at best.

The growl didn't stop him from doing what needed to be done. His wing would heal in time despite what he put it through now, but Cloud's health would be greatly affected by what he did or didn't do right now. The sound, however, did draw his attention back as he wrapped them both up as snugly as possible within the feathery embrace. "I see nothing wrong with such an outlook," he murmured back just as lightly.

He waited, aware that Sephiroth was going to do whatever it took to get them warm and as comfortable as one could be on a stone outcropping. It was just better to give in and allow his partner to do that, and he could simply concentrate on curbing whatever impulses the ex-General had for flying them back to the mirror.

He settled, feeling the cold wind stop with the wing covering him as well as he appreciated the warmth of Sephiroth's body against his own. "You're worse than a mothering chocobo," he continued to tease even if he appreciated the need for fretting. "Did you... make it to safety before haphazardly flying after me?"

He lightly scoffed at Cloud's teasing comment. Sephiroth knew that he was hardly like that at all. He simply took care of what belonged to him, and Cloud simply did. So he would do whatever he could in order to protect what was his. It was as simple as that within his mind.

"Mm?" Sephiroth sounded curiously as he glanced over at the injured blonde. Moving to slip an arm around Cloud's waist, he held the younger male close to his side. "I was never in danger because of your actions."

Ever since they had developed more than a skin-deep partnership, Cloud knew that Sephiroth had turned into a mother-hen. It was also extremely entertaining to tease the ex-General about it, since he knew that Sephiroth's behaviour was generally reserved only for him even if the silver-haired man would probably claim otherwise.

There was relief that he had managed to throw Sephiroth far enough to prevent any danger to his partner. That alone satisfied him, and he relaxed more against the silver-haired man, allowing the hold without complaint. "I'm glad. All I could think when I lost my balance and went into the current was getting you out."

The body next to him relaxed, and he was pleased to feel that. Cloud would be in constant pain, but if he could get his partner to relax otherwise, that would be more than enough for now. With some luck, those of Shibusen would locate them sooner rather than later. Time would tell though.

"You should have been more concerned over your own safety," Sephiroth softly murmured as he leant down to partially hide his face within his damp hair. "Being so self-sacrificial will only end poorly for you."

He wasn't able to move his left arm at all, and it was a painful process to even shift his legs because of where his broken arm was settled. It preferred it there though, protected by their bodies and cradled close to his body. Now all they had to hope for was rescue sooner rather than later.

"I was concerned about it, but I was more concerned over yours," he replied steadily as he dipped his head to slip his face up against the warmth of Sephiroth's neck. "I have you to pull me out of tight spots, so I'm not worried."

Sephiroth said nothing for a long while as Cloud spoke those words. No one had ever been concerned over his safety, and especially not when it was in regards to himself as a person. It had only ever truly been because of their precious experiment, or their stepping stone to greatness.

That was why he couldn't bring himself to say anything in return. Instead he tightened his grip as he muttered, "I will always be there to do that."

The words that he had spoken seemed to have generated a response in the ex-General, but his partner wasn't willing to openly comment on it. It was moments like these that reminded him how truly neglected Sephiroth had been for so long, and it caused him to shift over more despite the pain that it caused his wrist. Silent support was all that he could offer in return.

"That's because you have nothing better to do but follow at my heels," he teased, leaning up to press his lips to the underside of Sephiroth's jaw. "I think you like saving people. It's what you do very well."

There was an amused puff of air in reply to Cloud's teasing words. There was some truth in it, but it wasn't telling the whole story either. Sephiroth would never deny his fondness of keeping the blonde close, but he wondered if anyone would truly understand the depths of his motivation. He doubted it, and the ex-General found comfort in that thought.

"I've no idea of what you're talking about," Sephiroth muttered as he felt lips against the warmth of his skin. That was a blatant attempt of misdirection, but he wasn't willing to admit to such things either - not even to himself.

The light shivering of his muscles now had nothing to do with cold and everything to do with pain in his wrist. He found that easy to ignore though because he was so safe and getting warmer surrounded by the thick black plumage of feathers. There was a considerable safety being here even if the circumstances weren't the most ideal.

"Oh clearly," he replied even with his face still tucked into Sephiroth's neck. He knew better than to push that subject though, aware that it was sensitive and full of land-mines. So he changed gears. "How long do you think it will take someone to find us?"

Sephiroth said nothing further on the topic at all. That was, perhaps, the closest they would ever get to such topics, and he was pleased to leave them be to keep the peace. While Cloud rarely showed it, the ex-General knew that there was still much anger locked away within his partner, but he did what he could to ignore that fact as he focused on the press of Cloud's face against his neck.

"Who knows," he murmured softly before his attention shifted over to regard the long stretches of water beyond their perch. "If many got swept up in that current, then it could take them some time."

Nodding his head, he understood that eventually they would have to delve into topics entirely uncomfortable for them. Eventually, they would have to face everything in their past and fight it out to a solution or acceptance. He just wasn't about to do that on a stone outcropping where he had broken bones and Sephiroth a strained wing.

He had no interest in looking at the fast flowing destructive waters. He could hear it plainly, and that was good enough for him. "I guess it depends how far inland this wave goes. I never realized something like that was so dangerous."

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