Stories like this always take me by surprise and I'm never quite sure how to respond to them in a review. I have my preferences about pairings and personalities in fan fiction, but I'm willing to go almost anywhere if the writing is as good as this. When I'm in this neck of the woods, this Reno and this Cloud are very touching and I am pleased for them that they can find happiness and safety with each other. You do this so very well. Reno is so persistant. Cloud is so, I dunno, whipped. But they enliven each other...who could deny them this life giving presence? Not me. I am happy for them and thank you for holding open the curtain long enough to let me share their renewal. I think they are both learning how to live again. mc

It is very interesting how he (Cloud/you) describes sensation without feeling.

Reading this you feel hollow, Cloud feels hollow. You come up with one consistent feeling and it’s woven through everything.
I appreciate how you have Cloud use metaphors to elucidate both to himself and the audience. You also keep us carefully present, so that everything is happening now and the audience is learning just as Cloud does. It isn't a recount -even though it is muted and emotionally barren. All the events have immediacy to them. I am most impressed

You have Reno forcing Cloud into all the moments he would otherwise watch emptily. Cloud is being so passive, too passive, so Reno does things to force him into what is happening. Somehow he makes him care. He makes him participate rather than just ‘going through the motions.’ This Reno of yours is perfectly crafted for the Cloud you have here. You have done an amazing thing.

“It's all this… action. Having to care enough to do something of your own will.”

What a wonderful statement, it subtly embodies everything that has taken place in your story so far. It fits incredibly well and shouldn’t be messed with, but it also isn't needed. What you have written isn't obscure enough to need that clarifying statement. It is all laid out and delightfully easy to grasp, which is an achievement many authors consistently fail at (whether professional or lay). I am supremely impressed. (Not that you are expected care)

I actually feel sort of inadequate just leaving this review.

Bravo

The angst in this was so... palpable, and Reno and Cloud are beautifully in character. I loved this, thank you.

I've read and reread this story multiple times, and it's definitely one of the best stories I've ever read. You have such an amazing style, and I loved seeing the relationship develop between Reno and Cloud. Reno was very much in-character. He was so blunt and unapologetic. Cloud was done very well, too. It was sad and sweet to see him still clinging to Zack after all those years. Overall, absolutely amazing story!

I loved it. It was sad, sweet, funny - and you are so good in showing the stages of Cloud moving on from Zack and moving on. Man, how could I possibly leave a comment on something so perfect... man, good job!

I want to say something descriptive and profound about how this story has effected me and its beauty, but I've been rendered speechless.
Lovely.

I love this so hard. He sounds so *broken* at first. Then Reno shows up, in true Reno fashion, for no reason and just takes over and makes him start *living* again. And I can practically *hear* Reno's jealousy at a dead man. Altogether to perfect. Definitely one for the favs.

Beautifully written. I like the development of their relationship, and the whole segment about the Zack-shaped hole just broke my heart and mended it at the same time. Lovely work.

Beautiful. Completely realistic. I'm so, so impressed. 2nd person is hard as hell to do right. All the pain, the emotional suffering that we see from poor Cloud. Reno trying to help in his bigmouth a$$hole sort of way. This was, just beautiful. I love it.

This was... well, difficult to describe. Heart warming. I liked how you incorporated Zack's mom and dad. Never hear too much about them.

I've read this before... I realised it as soon as the first paragraph. I didn't close the window though, I love this story enough to not go "phpbt, been there, done that."

It's strange to read stories in second person, and you're a skilled writer to have pulled it off.

Nice story!

I don't understand why I haven't reviewed this before, because I've had it as a favorite for long enough that I couldn't remember what it was again and had to reread it. ; Anyway, I realized that I haven't told you that I love this story so very very VERY much, and that this 2POV is -awesome-, I've never seen anyone able to do that right before! It's so very very beautiful, and god I cried at the last Zack-part.. Yeah. I love it, it's a perfect length and perfect language, original and oh so very sad - without being all sugary and sweet (like about the sex parts, where most people would rather not describe it realistic like you do but all fluffy and cute, which it isn't).

Love it! : D

Wow! You have a brilliantly unique writing style and the 2nd POV was wonderful (The best I've seen). Nicely done and wonderfully written.

I think it's good in the way it conveys Cloud's emotions, albeit a bit sad because he didn't feel anything at first and it still seems questionable as to how much he feels. I like it though. =]