Well, despite the fact I'm a bit wary of songfics and they're actually against the TOS, I'm a fan of both the pairing and Utada Hikaru, so I decided to give this one a try. I'm glad I did.

First off, hurray for RenoxRude sap! If there was anyone either of them would ever dare to show any vulnerability to, I'm sure it'd be his partner.

I love your writing style. As with everyone, there are bits and pieces where the prose could be sharpened, but at the best of times it had an almost lyrical edge to it. Most songfics I've read are the song lyrics with a couple of sentences of prose, but I think you managed to balance out the lyrics and the story out quite nicely, so points for that.

I also like the way you just hinted at the trauma and its effects on Reno, letting the hints you give speak for themselves and not ruining the atmosphere of the fic with gory descriptions of Reno-torture. And also the hints you left that he feels still feels sullied and haunted by the incident, despite Rude being there for him. Very good.

Just one question: did you mean Ingrid Bergman or Ingmar Bergman? My head's not working properly today so I'm trying to remember which one was which. Despite my confuzzledness, I think the quote fitted in nicely, particularly when it came to Rude, as he's not one for superfluous words.

Oh yeah, and one last thing. There's a line in Sanctuary/Passion which has been recorded backwards, and I read somewhere that it's "I need more affection than you know." I think it sums up the angsty!Reno in your fic very nicely.

I'm sure you want me to shut up now, so I'll just say lovely work!

AW! *listened to Utada Hikaru's song while reading* Omg! Omg! Omg! KAWAII! Write more please! Watashi-wa aishiteru!

~

Psst, wrong section. This is FFXII, not FFVII.