herobydefault | (no subject)

You saved me. [Cloud folds his arms, assuming his matter-of-fact stance.] And I helped save the world. I'd say you saved everyone.

If kinda indirectly? [Zack smiles again, shaking his head.] That was your victory, Spike. You did all of that, not me. But it's okay - saving just you is enough to make me happy.

[Cloud looks at him before plopping on the log beside him with an exasperated sigh, scratching his hair.] You really don't have a clue, do you?

Idiot.

You could help me out, you know. I wasn't there, after all. [Have a shoulder-nudge, you punk.]

Don't you understand? People -special people, extraordinary people- are drawn to you. And the ones that don't go to you, you find, and you make them into something great just by being around them. Even if I have something great inside me -if- it's because of you that I could accomplish anything. You can say what you want, but I know that if I hadn't known you, I'd have been dead long before that time in the lab.

You've got a gift, Zack. I don't know what it is...but it's something good. So don't sell yourself short.

..... [A-aww, Cloud. That's just... so nice to hear. Zack trembles a little, briefly, and can't really say anything to that. But it's pretty obvious that he's grateful to have heard that.]

[Cloud glances at Zack before looking away, rubbing his nose as his cheeks heated. Now he's a little embarrassed, since he's realized how heavy those words he just said are.]

Edited 2009-04-05 11:09 (UTC)

[After a moment or so, Zack grins and winds an arm around Cloud's shoulders, giving him a familial shake.] Thanks, man. You can be pretty good at this stuff too, you know?

It's the truth. [Cloud rubs his nose again, still a little pink.]

...besides...I don't like seeing you depressed. I figure this cheering up thing should go both ways, at least sometimes.

I know. It helped, it really did. [This would be where he'd normally ruffle Cloud's hair, but it seems weird to do it now, since Cloud had done it to him.] You're not bad at this, y'know.

I guess I can have my moments. [Cloud finally relaxes, muscles in his shoulders and back slackening beneath Zack's arm.]

[Oh Cloud, you're always so tense. :< Zack's not letting you go anytime soon.]

You have plenty of 'em.

Eh. [Cloud shrugs awkwardly, but doesn't debate it.]

[Yeah, you better not debate it. Punk.]

[Cloud sits there for a while, just looking around at the surrounding trees, village, etc. and enjoying the company before slipping out from beneath Zack's arm and standing.] Zack...I know you hate it when I hover. And I'm gonna try my best not to...but in return, you gotta promise me something.

[Zack blinks, lifting his head in surprise to watch Cloud.] What is it?

Take care of yourself. [Cloud holds up a hand and shakes his head.] Or rather...don't give me anything to worry about. I know you, I know you like to take risks and do things the Zack Fair way...but just...take me into account when you do.

I've really gotten used to having you around. I don't think I can go back to what I was before and be okay.

[That... makes sense. And Zack can understand where he's coming from there.] I can't promise I'll be able to stay out of trouble completely, Spike. You know me. But I will promise you one thing - if I get any bright ideas about saving the world, I'll tell you before I do anything. Is that enough for you right now?

That's the best I can hope for, I think. [Cloud nods a bit, hands on his hips as he looks down and scuffs the toe of his boot against the ground in nervous habit.]

That'll be enough. Yeah.

[And that makes Zack smile again; it always helps when Cloud understands.] You gotta promise me the same thing, though. No more running off.

...I promise not to run off before finding a reliable babysitter. That isn't you.

Or at least talk to me, man. I don't mind watching the kids but I like going with you, you know?

...you know, the entire time I've been here...I mean, unless I'm forgetting something...

...I don't think we've had any outings together besides that...thing in the tunnels. Which shouldn't count, since we both hated it.

Which is why I'm telling you that I wanna go. It's no fun sitting at home waiting for you to get back.

...but you're the only one I trust them with. You or Tifa.

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