fairly | (no subject)

[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...?

...sort of. [Cloud slowly stops scrubbing, brows furrowed as the water pools in the pan and spills over his hands and down the drain.]

...it was almost like if you'd been taken...or Tifa, or one of the boys. That panicked feeling. But it would disappear and I'd wonder why I'd ever want to save her, and...then it'd come back again. Like I was fighting myself over it.

Weird... [Zack wishes there were more he could say or do; he doesn't have any experience with the whole voices-in-your-head thing.] Maybe you should talk to Kadaj, or even Sephiroth. They probably know more about what's going on, and you're not on such bad terms with them now, right?

Kadaj is out of the question. [Cloud wipes the pan down one last time before handing it to Zack to dry.] He's to dependent on her still. And Sephiroth...he's...

[Cloud sighs.] Different. Closer to her. I'd probably be able to reason with Angeal the best out of anyone.

...Probably. [Zack has mixed feelings about that, since he wasn't able to get through to Angeal, but...] Oh, and watch out for Genesis, just in case. For your sake, and the boys.

Yeah, he's a prick. I wasn't going to go to him with this. [Dishes done, Cloud surveys the kitchen.] ...I'm out of things to do.

No, I know. But if he gets wind of the fact that Denzel and Simon have those cells, he might come after them. [Zack wipes off the table real quick.] ...You wanna play cards or something?

Mm, yeah. I'll keep it from him. [Cloud considers his proposal.] You sure you don't want to take a rest or something?

I'm supposed to be taking care of you, remember?

I can look after myself if you want to take a nap.

I'll sleep later. I don't know how well I'd manage it with all that's going on.

Mmm...if you're sure. I'll get the cards. [Cloud goes to rummage in the hall closet.]

What should we bet?

Hours of sleep?

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