[Action]

[herobydefault]

[Cloud's outside, doing what he does best. Brooding.

He'll be out and around town after brooding in the hammock in front of House 50 for a while. Stop at your own risk.]

Comments

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking. [Cloud's still kind of staring though, eyes searching Zack's face as if looking for a hint or an answer.]

[wingenvy]

[Whatever question he's asking, the answer is probably yes.] I could tell. You always get this one expression on your face that tells me you're thinking.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I do?

[wingenvy]

Yep. I'd try to imitate it but I'd probably look like I'm trying to make fun of you or something.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

So it's a stupid-looking face then.

[wingenvy]

Naw, it's not stupid-looking. I just couldn't pull it off.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Hm. [Cloud falls silent again, content -at the moment- to just examine Zack's features.]

[wingenvy]

[Zack lets him, eyes wandering a bit to examine the overcast sky so Cloud doesn't get all finicky and uncomfortable about getting stared at.]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[After a minute Cloud sighs and drops his head, shaking it. He reaches up to run a hand through his hair.] Hopeless.

[wingenvy]

What's hopeless?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Me. [Cloud's head knocks back against the bark again, and he looks over at Zack.]

[wingenvy]

[You just get a smile, you silly goof.] You're not hopeless, Spike. A little confused sometimes, but not hopeless.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[The next bit comes out as a murmur.] What should I do...?

[wingenvy]

[A pause. Don't be selfish, don't be selfish...] No one can answer that but you.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Mm. [Cloud's answer is less than articulate, but his eyes only drop for a moment before lifting to look at Zack again.]

...things aren't gonna go back, are they?

[wingenvy]

[...That one's a little more difficult, unfortunately.]

I... don't think so. Not for me, at least.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Not for me either. [Cloud closes his eyes, face still turned toward Zack.]

...guess our only choice is to go forward.

[wingenvy]

[...That's different. He hadn't expected that at all. And naturally he responds by giving Cloud a rather surprised look.]

... Is that what you want to do?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I'm not gonna lose you. To the Malnosso or anything else.

[wingenvy]

... I don't think that's the right incentive for this, Spike. Is that really all?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I don't think you're quite getting what I'm saying. [Nevermind that Cloud apparently can't say anything straight forward. Since it's fucking embarrassing.]

[wingenvy]

[Mmkay, Spike, you're being silly and not straightforward, which is what Zack needs so he doesn't get bitched out for doing something stupid. So he kicks his legs over the side to hang down, watching Cloud carefully.] Then you'd better tell me.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[...d...does he have to?]

[wingenvy]

[Naw. C'mere.]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[H-hey-]

Um-...