herobydefault | [Voice]

[Zack turns around to lean against the back of the counter, head tilting back. The whole place smells like the kitchen did when Tifa cooked. Or maybe it was just her smell in general. It's weird- like the only thing she left behind. Wonder how long it'll last?]

Times like this, I really wish we could just get plastered.

I dunno. [Cloud double-checks the recipe list before pouring Zack the contents of the shaker and handing it to him.] I figure we're miserable enough without adding hangovers and puking to the list.

I guess. [Zack takes a swig, but doesn't drain it yet; he'd come with Cloud for the company more than for the alcohol for once.] I just think it's fun to let loose and stop being so... [A helpless shrug.] So controlled all the time, y'know?

[Cloud cracks a half-smile, even as he starts to mix something new for himself.] "Controlled" is not the word I'd use for you, Zack.

[ARM-PUNCH. But Zack can't resist smirking back.] Naw, I'm just crazy.

[Cloud just shakes his head and tops off his own drink with some sort of syrup before testing it with a grimace. Forgot something. He dumps it and checks the list.] ...I wonder if she'll show up again. Like I did.

[Zack shrugs slightly, draining his glass.] If anybody can get back here, it's Tifa. She's one stubborn girl.

[Cloud pauses. The bottle and tumbler in his hand lower to rest atop the counter with a thunk.] ...you think she'd want to?

[And that makes Zack hesitate as well.] ...I don't know. [His lips quirk a bit once more.] Depends on how long it takes you to get your ass back there again, right? She's not the type to wait around forever.

[Cloud lowers his head.]

[....Oh geez.] Spike, you know what I meant by that.

I know. [Cloud tips the bottle, pours some vodka into the tumbler and just takes a shot of that really quick.]

It's not that. Not you, I mean. What you said.

So what is it? [Zack takes the vodka from him, pouring himself another glass. Need something to do with his hands.]

[Cloud turns the glass as it sits on the counter. It makes a little damp ring of condensation on the wood.] ...I'm not sure she should wait around for me.

[Zack purses his lips, leaning an elbow on the counter and glancing sidelong at him.] Why not? You're friends, right? She doesn't have to wait for you the same way a girlfriend might. [Tricky business, that.] And it's not like she can't do anything else while she waits. But I don't think she'd be satisfied with being completely separated from you for long.

All I do is hurt her. [Cloud is sliding the glass back and forth now, making a path instead of a ring.] Over and over. It doesn't matter how much she loves me or how much I love her if I can't even have the decency to stick around for longer than a few weeks before getting cabin fever and leaving.

But you come back, don't you? And you were honest about your relationship not going any further with her. Didn't she still want to be your friend after all that?

I didn't remember Luceti when I was back home, Zack. And neither did she. [Slide. Slide. Slide.]

Then we'll figure out a way to keep our memories of this place when we go back. Just one more thing we'll have to do before we leave. There has to be some way to bring the memories back.

["We could all go take a dip in the Lifestream." Cloud snags the bottle and starts up a new mix. Mostly to avoid looking at him.] If you were in my position, who would you chose?

That's not a fair question. [Zack shakes his head, propping his chin up with his hand.] I never had any childhood crushes, no friends I grew up with and cared about the way you and Tifa did. She stuck with you the way I did after Nibelheim, so I can sort of understand her side of it, but... everybody's different. And I'd be biased, anyway. [He lifts a brow, shooting Cloud a quizzical look.] What would my answer do for you, Spike?

It'd make me feel better. [Vodka, juice, syrup. Shake.]

You already know my answer, then. I told you before.

Pretend I forgot.

[Oh, Cloud.] You can't fake it- it's not fair to either of you if you try. You should be with whoever you love.

[He pauses, not really wanting to say it, but... it's the truth, so.] And if you don't know for sure what you want, or who you love, then you shouldn't be with anyone until you know.

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