fairly | (no subject)

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?

You won't sleep when I tell you to anyhow. [Cloud has a seat at the table, shuffling the cards.]

Probably not. I don't have much to bet here.

Then we'll bet favors. Not like a "watch my kids" or "go get me something" favor, but something big. That neither of us wants to do. Or we could bet dares.

Truth or Dare and Spin the Bottle?

Gold Poker, Fair, now pick your bet.

You have to clean out Tammy's pen twice a week for a month if I win.

Ugh. She might be your princess, Zack, but she sure doesn't shit rainbows and mythril.

Why do you think I'm passing the cleanup job to you.

Fine. If I win...I don't know yet. You have to do whatever I say.

That's vague and boring, but fine. You're on.

I'll come up with something. [Cloud deals before taking up his hand, tweaking the order of his cards a bit.]

...this is the first time we've played cards, isn't it?

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