fairly | (no subject)

Why? [Cloud goes from angry to hurt in the blink of an eye.] Did I do something wrong?

[jhgsajf shit, shit, that's not what he wanted at all.] No, Cloud- it's not your fault. I just need some time on my own, okay? I'll be back. I promise, I'll come back. I just... [Need to take care of Aerith, too.] ...I have to do this.

Didn't you tell me I shouldn't run? That I should stay and let everyone -let you- take care of me? [Cloud drops the journal, uncaring of where it lands.] Does that not apply to you or something?

...Who said I was running away? I never told you why I was leaving.

Then why, if it's not my fault? Why're you going?

Because it's something I have to do. I can't really explain it.

[He can't exp-]

Well you better try.

...There's someone I have to look after.

You can bring them here. [The offer comes out very rushed, and Cloud winces inwardly. He sounds pathetically desperate.]

[...Oh, Cloud. You're so sad and clueless - you can't even remember she's already here.] No, I can't. If I could, I'd do it, but...

[...God, this is hard.]

Will you trust me, Cloud?

I-I'll go with you. I'll ask Tifa to look after the boys, she wouldn't mind.

Cloud. [He knows it's hard, but come on.]

...why can't you tell me? [That's what's making him nervous. If Zack would just tell him honestly exactly what was going on, he'd be fine. But with him being so vague...]

Because it'll upset you more than you need right now. I'll explain it when I come back if I have to, but until then, I can't. I'm sorry.

This is upsetting me.

[This might upset you more, Cloud: Aerith knocks lightly on Zack's door and lets herself in.]

Ready, Za--? oh.

...Hi, Cloud.

[.....Shit.]

A...Aerith. Hey. Not quite ready yet.

[...oh.

Oh. So this was it. A girl. She didn't look particularly troubled, either. In fact, she'd sounded downright chipper. She even knew his name. Zack must've told her all about him.

...God. He can't even...he has no idea what to even say.]

[Well, she's looking quite a bit more troubled now that she's seeing Cloud's reaction to her being here. She's not even sure if she should say anything; she's a stranger to him after all. And...in how he's probably interpreting the situation...not just a stranger, but an intruder.]

So, should I...

[Never quite finishes that question.]

...No. It's okay. You're just stopping by to walk with me, right? [Zack steps past Cloud, patting Aerith's shoulder.] This is Aerith, the one I'm going to look after. Nothing serious, right?

[He'd picked her.

Walked right past Cloud. To her. Touched her shoulder, told her it was all right. Comforted her. Had the gall to look at Cloud and lie through his teeth. "Nothing serious," bullshit. Zack was a flirt. Zack was a ladies' man. And apparently...Zack had decided to move on. He was done with Cloud.

Cloud had experienced heartbreak...but never like this. Looks like he didn't want you after all.

Cloud's hands were shaking -everything was shaking- and he turns jerkily, forcing out a quick, choked phrase-] Forget it. [-before making straight for the door.]

[The funny thing is, he probably will. He's probably going to forget all about this in ten minutes because it involves her and any memories of her are just like so many dandelion seeds, whisked away by the wind.

But if he does remember any of this--]

I asked him to be my bodyguard. It's only until I get settled in.

[She hopes he'll remember that Zack isn't leaving, that this is just temporary.]

[Sigh. He knew that was coming, so before Cloud can brush past him and escape, Zack grabs ahold of Cloud's arm, pulling him back and tugging him close. Not too close, not yet - Cloud's all too often inclined to yank and fight, and Zack wants a solid grip to keep him from running off.]

I didn't tell you because I knew you'd get jealous for no reason.

[Take that, you paranoid bastard.]

Let me go.

[Aerith doesn't say anything, holding her breath for a few seconds.]

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