[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

[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-...

[wingenvy]

[Either shut up or say it. But you're gonna c'mere. Yes, right here. Up close.]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[...this hammock will not hold the both of them. Cloud kind of just...sits in it. Like a big stupid doll.]

[wingenvy]

[It'll totally hold them both. You siddown and shut up and be comfy.

Alternatively, feel free to say whatever you like. Someone just wants to be close.

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[...Cloud would be much comfier if like...they were inside.]

[wingenvy]

[Then say so. Zack's not moving. :|]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[How about this instead?] ...I'm gonna go on a date with Tifa tomorrow night.

[wingenvy]

[Oh that's nWHAT WHAT WHAT.]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

She asked me to.

...I told her I loved somebody else, and she...did the same thing she always does. [Cloud hangs his head.]


...I wish she'd at least get angry. Something. I can't stand hurting her when she keeps insisting on putting me first.

[wingenvy]

[This is really, really awkward but Zack's going to run with it, because hell if he's not going to keep on being the best friend.]

I don't know her as well as you do, but... she probably doesn't want to hurt you, either.