fairly | (no subject)

...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.]

[Easy answer.] No. You're not listening.

How stupid do you think I am? [Cloud yanks at his arm in Zack's grip.] You didn't tell me because you thought I'd be jealous? How hard is it to say "I'm gonna go look after Aerith, a friend of mine, I'll be back in a few."

You kept her a secret. You tell me why you thought I'd be jealous. [And then Cloud, in a fit of sheer fury, asked the question he hadn't wanted to.] You look me in the eyes and tell me she's just a friend.

You're not stupid. And no, she's not just a friend. [She's.... god, what the hell does he say she is.] ...She's someone from home.

She's what. [Cloud tells himself that if Zack dodges an answer one more time, he's leaving the room and not coming back. ...of course, depending on the answer he might just do that anyway.]

[Well. Let's try being honest.... a little...]

She was my girlfriend. Will you hear me out?

[Nope. He's leaving.]

[Asshole.]

...You really don't trust me. After all this, you don't...

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