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entrancelogs2013-06-25 04:15 pm
animusangelus) wrote in entrancelogs2013-06-25 04:15 pm
[Closed]
Who: Cloud Strife & Zack Fair
Where: The 8th floor.
When: Right after Cloud's arrival.
Rating: PG?
Summary: Two friends need to play catch-up and make sure they're on the same page.
The Story:
A bundle of nerves took hold of Cloud's insides as he climbed the steps and entered the eighth floor hallway. He had a feeling Zack would be upset with him; maybe even disappointed in him, but there were some reactions he couldn't help. Being defensive had been engrained in him for far too long where Sephiroth was concerned. To play nice and forget the past for the time being was a lot to ask of him.
Yet this was Zack. Cloud didn't want to fight with him. He didn't want to waste what little time they spent in anger or frustration. Thus, as he walked down the hallway, he scratched the back of his neck and tried to properly word an apology. The words weren't coming easily, but who said being a friend had to be easy? Zack was worth the struggle and Cloud would make it up to him somehow...
While silently watching his friend's back. One couldn't be too careful.
Where: The 8th floor.
When: Right after Cloud's arrival.
Rating: PG?
Summary: Two friends need to play catch-up and make sure they're on the same page.
The Story:
A bundle of nerves took hold of Cloud's insides as he climbed the steps and entered the eighth floor hallway. He had a feeling Zack would be upset with him; maybe even disappointed in him, but there were some reactions he couldn't help. Being defensive had been engrained in him for far too long where Sephiroth was concerned. To play nice and forget the past for the time being was a lot to ask of him.
Yet this was Zack. Cloud didn't want to fight with him. He didn't want to waste what little time they spent in anger or frustration. Thus, as he walked down the hallway, he scratched the back of his neck and tried to properly word an apology. The words weren't coming easily, but who said being a friend had to be easy? Zack was worth the struggle and Cloud would make it up to him somehow...
While silently watching his friend's back. One couldn't be too careful.
no subject
As glad as he was to see Cloud, having him and Sephiroth arrive on the exact same day was...well. Difficult. The points in time the mansion had pulled them from made things so awkward, for him especially, since both of them, as they existed here, were his friends. Wonderland had proven itself to be a (mostly) peaceful place, besides a few snags and events, and he wanted it to stay that way.
Trudging slowly up the stairs, he stopped and took a breath, composing himself. He wasn't going to think about how he was going to have to explain things sooner than he wanted, or that Cloud had effectively antagonized Sephiroth even after being asked not to. This was his friend, the one he'd named his 'living legacy', and that was the most important thing to consider right now.
Resuming his journey up the stairs (why the powers here never invested in an elevator, he does not know), he stepped out onto the 8th floor, and sure enough, his friend wasn't far away.
He smiled a bit and walked over, not a bit different from the last time Cloud saw him.
"Hey."
no subject
"...I'm sorry." he murmured, clenching his hands into fists at his sides, "I won't contact him. I just..."
Sometimes he wondered how so many emotions could remain in one person. He felt like all of the conflicting feelings were eventually reduce him to a pile of ashes. Yet here he stood, trying to make his friend - one of the first friends he had ever made - understand that it had never been his intention to complicate his life.
Grimacing, Cloud looked up, the longer blonde strands falling in front of his eyes.
"...I'll help you. In any way I can. I promise, Zack." his voice gained some strength before lapsing into silence.
no subject
"It's okay, Cloud. I'm not mad."
And truly, he wasn't. There were a lot of emotions involved in this on all sides so it would take a little time for things to cool down. He just wanted to keep the peace; that was all.
He smiled again, faintly.
"I know."
Resting a hand on Cloud's shoulder, he met the other's gaze, the warmth in those too-blue eyes as genuine as ever.
"We're friends. Remember?"
Whatever else they might face, that wasn't going to change.
no subject
"How could I forget?" he raised a hand and laid it on top of Zack's hand, squeezing gently, "It's good to see you."
For the second time, regardless of knowing differently, Cloud entertained the idea that he was in the Lifestream. Maybe it was okay for him to be here. Maybe he would...
Heal. Finally.
"I don't know what I'm doing." he swallowed, trying to make the ache in his throat dissipate, "I've been operating on the defense for too long."
It was difficult not to think about the Remnants or how they had chased him relentlessly, pursuing their disgusting "reunion". Of course that had culminated in seeing Sephiroth again...and Zack.
Zack had never misled him. He trusted him now. If standing down was the right move, he would stand down.
Cloud is forever a shorty
"It's good to see you, too."
He gave Cloud's shoulder a light squeeze before letting his hand drop to his side. Clearly, they had some catching up to do, but they had more than enough time to do it now.
A hint of wistfulness (maybe even sadness) crossed his face.
"I know." I wish I could have done more. "It'll take some time to settle."
Coming down off 'mission mode' could be difficult sometimes, and Cloud had certainly had his share of difficulties since the last time they really saw each other.
"It's quiet here, most of the time."
>8( Puberty is what?
"It's...new. To have this much time." he shook his head, knowing he might not be making sense. In the past, there had been catastrophes, losses and then the gradual build-up to more losses. To be thrusted into a peaceful environment where he didn't have to be on his guard was a shocking change.
"Until I arrived." he smirked self-deprecatingly, shifting, "So do you know about...everything?"
He was pretty sure Zack had been watching from the Lifestream, but it didn't hurt to be careful.
The mako stunted his growth, woops.
Now? Now, the time he had was his, and he could spend it however he wanted. That in itself, despite the weirdness of this mansion, was a gift he didn't take lightly.
"...Not really?" He made a little awkward shrug. "Events can get...pretty interesting sometimes."
Like that time he got exposed to a hallucinogen and mistook Chaos/Vincent for Jenova. That was fun.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Up until the purging of Geostigma, yeah." Another bright smile. "You did good, man."
I'm proud of you.
8<
"It wasn't all me. Everyone pitched in." but he was probably the most injured - aside from Sephiroth and the Remnants themselves, "I didn't get to thank you. For the pep talk."
Yes, he remembered every word Zack had ever said to him. Even in his comatose state, he heard him.
"I...didn't even get to thank you for saving me...before." although he had a feeling Zack already knew he was grateful, this was a rare opportunity and he wasn't going to let it pass by, "I wouldn't have minded dying with you."
But, later, after his own memories were restored, he was glad he had lived.
/ruffles hair
He almost asked, but then there was Cloud being silly and awkward. At this rate, the other man was going to make him blush.
He nudged Cloud gently on the shoulder, still smiling. "I couldn't really let you fall down on the job, could I?"
Some mentor he'd be, then, right?
As for the dying together thing...Zack shook his head.
"It wasn't your time." And it would have defeated the purpose of his sacrifice, besides. "Don't worry about it."
/Cloud flail
The nudge caused him to blink and look up at Zack. He grinned, suddenly looking much younger.
"You're a diligent leader. Who knew so much talent could come from Gongaga?" he chuckled before closing his eyes, "No, it wasn't. I didn't know that right away, but now I do."
Of course there was that whole awkward "I am Zack" period, but that was just embarrassing to talk about.
no subject
Zack grinned a bit and folded his arms over his chest -- a picture of not-very-real indignation.
"Hey, now. I'll have you know we're very innovative in Gongaga."
They had to be really, since nothing else was out there. But those were memories he didn't particularly want to explore at the moment. It was too long ago, and there was too much he could be sad about.
"Good!" A satisfied answer. "You've been having Tifa working overtime, I'm sure."
Worrying and fussing over him, more than likely.
no subject
"...yeah. She has a big job." his eyes became unfocused, "I don't know why she waits around for me."
It wasn't like he was the best at talking. Or returning calls. She routinely filled up his voicemail.
no subject
He wasn't really sure how things were there, now. His stay there had been brief, and he really hadn't had the chance to investigate the damage there.
He thought he knew why, but...well. Dwelling on it wasn't exactly productive.
Zack shrugged, a faint smile turning the corner of his mouth.
"I dunno, man. Must be something special there."
Nudge-nudge, wink-wink?
no subject
"...Zack..." he tried to find some way to distract the man, eyes darting around the hallway, "Yeah, there was."
You. You were the special part of Gongaga.
He didn't dare say that out-loud. Zack would think him overly-sentimental...or corny. Cloud didn't think he could handle that assessment.
But then he realized that his friend was talking about Tifa. Suddenly he wished a hole would open up and swallow him.
"I...we..." he turned away, obviously flustered, "She deserves someone better. Not that she'll look for them. So I guess until they fall into her lap, I'll have to look out for her."
What a drag. Not.
no subject
Zack grinned at the flustered look on his friend's face.
"Just look out for her, huh." He knew something special when he saw it. Cloud couldn't fool him. "And how do you expect any other dashing rogues to sweep her off her feet when she's chasing after you?"
/late
That had gone well. It was really a wonder why he hadn't revealed his feelings to her yet.
"I'd have to make sure they're worthy of her." even if the very idea of someone else pursuing Tifa hurts, "...do you think...?"
Would she wait for him?
<3
"You really think she'll find someone better?"
A compliment. Zack knew the struggles his friend had gone through -- even though he couldn't be there and encourage him the way he might have wanted, Zack had still watched.
There wasn't much of a point in living if you didn't make the best of what you had -- or at least, he always thought so.
<333
"If she met you, I might worry." he smirked, opening his eyes and lightly punching Zack in the arm, "Promise me you won't be too charming if she shows up here?"
<33333
"Hey, now! There isn't much I can do about the face."
He was a good-looking guy, after all! (You know it's true, Cloud.)
Zack grinned.
"If all else fails, I'll just have to teach you, won't I?"
<3x a billion
Because he thought he was Zack and -
Hello, awkward.
<3x a trillion!
He raised a fist in turn, eyes alight with laughter.
"I'd like to see you try, shorty."
The teasing -- it was all in good fun, of course.
"I don't see Tifa pushing around flower carts, do you?"
Brushing by that awkward, yep.
:D Does bazillion exist?
"It might be good practice." he smirked, knowing deep down that he could never hit Zack. That would be like hitting a puppy. What kind of person are you?!
"..." his smile faded a bit, "I did think I was you if that makes it better."
....Infinity!!!!
"Yeah? I can take you, anytime, anywhere!"
He could too, in all seriousness. A SOLDIER First Class was nothing to sneeze at.
Zack just shook his head a little and smiled. "You're you now." The past was the past -- he knew about it, but he wasn't going to dwell on it. "Girls will still be girls."