fairly | (no subject)

That doesn't mean you should be getting up.

Don't be such a worrier. [The door clicks shut; Cloud's on his way to check on the little ones before heading to the kitchen.]

[Fine, be that way 8| Zack's already cooking some eggs and bacon for him. Who cares what time it is.]

[Little ones present and accounted for, and asleep. Very good. And the kitchen smells wonderful so he will be stumbling in and peering over Zack's shoulder before getting a couple plates for them.]

[Zack glances back at him, smiling idly.] Sit down already, you look like you're half asleep still.

I always look like this. [Setting the table, breakfast-dinner for two.]

I've noticed. It's because you work too hard. [Flip flip, almost done.]

Better than not working hard enough. Orange juice, coffee or what?

Everything in moderation, Spike. And I think I could use some coffee. You get none, though, so don't even try it.

Edited 2009-04-12 04:02 (UTC)

[Scowling, but he does as he's told and gives himself some milk before putting some coffee on for Zack and making sure not to brew it strong, as he usually does.]

Same goes for you, y'know.

What do you mean? All I've done is housework, in case you hadn't noticed. And with Aerith here now, it's half the work it used to be.

I meant up here. [Cloud hops up to sit on the counter, stifling a yawn and scratching his shoulder while poking Zack on the forehead.]

[Zack blinks, then smiles and lifts a brow.] You can't really expect me not to worry with all that's happened lately.

I know. M'sorry. [Cloud's expression softens, though not into one of guilt.]

Just...let me help when I can.

It's okay. [Zack tosses off an oven mitt and ruffles Cloud's hair before he moves to dish out the food.] You can help me when you've helped yourself.

[Cloud doesn't move from the counter, but tilts his head a bit.]

...helping you is helping myself.

[Oh Spike, you're adorable. Zack just grins over his shoulder, stepping back to the counter to dump the frying pan in the sink and drag Cloud back to the table.]

Dork. C'mere and eat your dinner.

[Cloud does so, and gratefully. He was seriously hungry, yo. Not much talk flies over the table as they eat, since "mmph grrmph mrgm" isn't good conversation, but as Cloud finishes, he takes his dishes over to the sink and starts washing them, not wanting to leave them for Zack or Aerith and not really wanting to do them later.]

I think I'll stay up for a while.

[Zack debates arguing, but Cloud's an adult, and when he starts wobbling again he'll get a lecture, but not until then. Instead he gets up to dry the dishes.]

If that's what you want.

Mmm. [Cloud nods a bit, handing Zack a plate to dry.]

...I'm all right now, y'know. I promise.

[Drying, drying, blah blah blah.]

You wanna talk about it?

Only if you think you want to hear about it. I'm fine either way.

I'm okay to listen. I don't want her to be the one scaring me off.

I didn't want to come home because...I wasn't sure what I'd do. [Cloud scrubs a little harder than necessary at the pan.] It was hard to tell the difference between my anger and hers. And she was scared, and nervous, and honestly...for a second there, I actually wanted to save her.

...What? Because she was convincing you to...?

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