bakerstreet | ( nursed back to health shipping meme. )

Sure it is.. [ It's only barely a murmur in response though and maybe just a tiny bit on the side of distracted. It may or may not be due to that timid if not still pleased look on Cloud's face. Zack's own eyes soften at that. It's again a reminder of that lacking confidence. To not even think someone would give him a time or place... It just seems ridiculous to him, really. Spike's got spunk and a good heart. A heart on his shoulder that Zack could see easily putting him out as a punching bag, but...

It's also what drew him to talk to him in the first place. They say the soft-hearted aren't meant for military, but Zack knows too well that's a load of bullshit. It's the soft-hearted that remember humility and humanity. And it's the soft-hearted that then remind you of it.

He chuckles, too, no holds barred when Cloud teases. But that just gets him to shake his own head. His hand falls away, no longer of the strength to stay. Even if he wants to. Hey, it's much better when he can actually see you, Spike. Quit hiding behind your hair!! ]

Sounds like a plan.. But I guess that means I gotta work hard on this road to recovery, huh... [ Which means he probably ought to sleep again after this patch job... though he really doesn't want to. ]

[Oh, Zack. What has he done to deserve someone like you in his life?

When the other's hand falls away Cloud's smile fades into something more thoughtful, more worried as he realizes that he paused in what he'd been doing. His hands get back to work without any further hesitation, making another pass around the other man's torso as carefully as he can manage.]

Guess you do. Will it give you motivation if I say I'll be disappointed if you don't work hard? [Yeah, okay. It's kind of borderline black mail in a way but he wants the other to get better more than anything else. Drinks and dinner aside, he wants to see Zack back on his feet and being his usual spirited self.

Because laid up in a bed bleeding from wounds all over his body is not a good state of being for the other.

Another pass is made and Cloud applies a bit of pressure to make sure the bandages stay in place.]

..That's more important to me than the drinks, by the way. You recovering.

Well, I'd- hope so... [ Despite the jab, there's a big kernel of truth to those words, solid and unyielding. Recovering's kinda important. Especially to Spike. He can't see Cloud forgiving himself if things went downhill. It's just the kind of guy he is. But... that's why he's gotta be better, right? Simple enough. Or so he likes to believe.

He sees the way he deflates so quickly though. Sees the way his smile fades and his own falls with it. His eyes narrow just a little and there's that serious SOLDIER side of him. That determined side giving his word. On his honor. ] But it sounds like I better hold to that. Wouldn't want to go- disappointing you.

[ The last bit comes out a bit choked as he tests the waters of those bandages, seeing if they'll hold. When they stay snug, he nods his approval despite the ache that came with that. ] Thanks, Spike. That should.. That should do it. [ He leans his full weight back against the headboard to rest and take another break. He'll have to move again soon.. settle himself back in... but.. ]

You won't disappoint me. You're too stubborn for that. [Zack wouldn't be Zack if he wasn't being stubborn about things. Proving anyone that said he couldn't do something wrong by doing it anyway. That's what Cloud admired about him. That sort of stubborn nature probably wasn't the best thing to want to mimic from someone but hey, it could be worse.

He could have been idolizing someone like Genesis.

Cloud nods as Zack rests back against the headboard and it takes all the self control he has not to reach out to help him get settled. The other doesn't need babying though. Help, sure. But he doesn't need a mother hen.]

...You should rest for a bit. I can finish the rest afterwards. [Okay, so maybe he was going to mother hen anyway but Zack looked like he could use the rest. Cloud couldn't help but reach out to brush some of the other's hair back, fingers skimming over then resting completely against the other man's forehead to check for a fever.] Pushing yourself too far too fast isn't going to do you any good.

[ The day Cloud idolizes Genesis and starts reciting LOVELESS is the day Zack forever regrets claiming him as his living legacy. 8|... You know, if he were breathing his last dying breaths.

As it stands, he'll snort at that first comment, but he doesn't deny. Really, he can't. He knows he's stubborn. But it's that stubbornness that's probably kept him alive for this long as it is. Not exactly a bad thing, is it?

No, what's a bad thing.. is probably how warm his forehead feels. It's not scorching hot, but it still feels feverish. That doesn't stop him from cracking another reassuring smile, regardless. Maybe if he smiles enough, Cloud will start believing him and stop worrying so much. ] Maybe not, but I'll be fine, Cloud.. You'll see.

[ He closes his eyes a moment, gathering himself again... and then with a grunt, he moves once more. He's careful when he does... but also going as quickly as he can. Get it over and done with. Never mind how his body quakes from the motion, how it screams its protest. Finally, he's laying back down though.. and he allows his eyes to close, taking even, steady breaths as his guard falls. He really is tired... So tired... ]

..I know, Zack. [It's said softly as he watches the other get himself settled, resisting the urge to reach out and help because he knows that if it were him in Zack's position? He would have been stubborn about it. And honestly attempting to move the other himself could potentially cause more pain if he jarred him at all.

So he just waits for the other to settle, watching him as his eyes fall shut before he finally let's himself. Cloud makes a point to pull the blankets over him then check his temperature one more time before going to clean himself up. An hour or so should be good, right? Then they could get Zack cleaned up the rest of the way and maybe Cloud would be able to convince him to eat something.

Slow road to recovery it was but it was a road to recovery so he'd take it.]

(ooc: I'm down for whatever in terms of a timeskip. \o/ Amount of time, where they are, doesn't matter in the least~ c:)

[ Slow road's really an understatement.

And an uneasy one at that. Especially when Cloud finally does find that doctor he'd been hoping for a week or so later. Maybe later. It's hard to Zack to keep track of time between wrappings and sleep. With no real schedule, he's been a bit thrown for a loop. That probably doesn't help the visit in the first place.

The other thing that doesn't help is the insistence when the doctor does come. Offering this and that. Wanting to stick him despite his unwavering objection to the idea. Deep down, he knows it would be to his benefit. He knows Cloud wouldn't have asked for their help unless he trusted them.

It didn't stop him from swinging full tilt in retaliation. It's automatic- and it gets him immediately restrained and from there? From there, in the pain and in the fear, his vision tunnels and he fights and he struggles and he likely hurts himself more. Until the doctor's had enough. Until the doctor puts two and two together that if they don't leave then, they might not leave in one piece.

But by then, he's at full tilt freak out, struggling to break the hold of whoever's got a grip on him, shouting and cursing all the way. ]

Edited (tiny edit) 2016-05-10 22:20 (UTC)

[Cloud had checked and double checked before he had actually made the arrangements with the doctor. He had to be careful. He couldn't just trust anyone but the man came highly recommended from several people that Cloud knew he could trust. So he had set up the visit and had thought he was prepared--had thought he was going to be able to handle anything that might happened.

He just hadn't expected it to go the hell so quickly.

As soon as he realized what was happening, what Zack was doing, Cloud had grabbed his arms and forced them behind his back in an attempt to hold him still. He was strong but Zack was just as strong even in the state he was in and combine that with panic? Cloud had his work cut out for him. A little too much, in fact, because in the end he has to haul Zack out of there, trying not to hurt his friend, trying not to make any of his healing wounds worse. His friend fights him the entire way, fights him even as Cloud drags him into an alley and pins him against one of the walls by his shoulders.]

Zack! Zack you need to--just breath! Please! It's okay--It's me! It's Cloud! I've got you!

[ His heart's pounding in overdrive at this point, his eyes wide as saucers with fear. The mako in them makes him appear dangerous- and he is, really. Even while recovering, his strength's terrifying. He writhes and wiggles around for a while longer until his back hits the wall and that gets a painful grunt out of him, enough to jar him.

Enough to hear that far away voice suddenly going full stereo on him halfway through. The wild look to his eyes, unfocused and panicky, vanishes to be replaced with a gaze zeroed in on the man before him, holding him back. A man he very well recognizes to be- ] Cloud..

[ His voice comes out somewhat raspy from all the prior shouting, but the realization can be heard all the same as the whirlwind of emotion hitting him is suddenly swept away, a new sense of a horrific idea taking over. Enough that he lowers his gaze in shame as he continues to take sharp, quick breaths.

He trusted him. He'd told him as such.

But here he is in the midst of a breakdown.

He could have hurt... ]

[Relief floods him as that wild look in Zack's eyes melts away and recognition replaces it, his grip on the other man's shoulders relaxing just a bit.]

Yeah, it's me. It's just me.

[No doctor, no onlookers. It was just them and while this probably wasn't the best place for them to be at the moment, it was still safer than some.

One of his hands moves and lifts up to catch the side of the other man's head, stroking some of his hair back as he tries to get a good look at his face. He notes the quick breaths then and he feels his stomach twist with guilt at having been the one to put Zack in this position. Sure they had discussed it and Zack had given him the okay but he'd been the one pushing for a doctor's aid and look where it had gotten them.]

Easy...take a deep breath and let it out slowly. [Cloud keeps his voice soft as he speaks, not making any other movements now as he watches the jerky rise and fall of his friend's chest.] Nice and slow, alright?

[ He feels that hold on him loosen, but he doesn't move. Doesn't try to regain his own ground, his own personal space He lets Cloud hold onto him. Lets that ground them both. It's funny how hands he once fought against are now what's currently anchoring him.

But it shouldn't have been that way. He knows Cloud never would sell him out. Yet, here he is acting this way... And still, he feels that gentleness even now, pushing his hair out of his face. Watching over him with more than evident concern. Reassuring him that it's him, it's Cloud, and he's still there. He's there and it's safe and he- just needs to breathe.

He needs to work on remembering that. His breathing's out of control at the moment, but he's steadily trying to make it better. In the midst of it, one of his hands do finally come up if only to find shaky purchase on the hand still remaining on his shoulder. ]

You.. You good? -I... [ He trails off, his mind flickering through everything he wants to say in a blur. But one thing he knows for sure. Shit, that could have been bad. He shuts his eyes tight a moment at that thought alone. ]

I'm fine. So is the doctor. [Okay well, the doctor was fine. Cloud himself had taken a bit more of a beating just in terms of trying to keep the other from lashing out too much but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He could walk and that was the most important thing. There would be bruises but he's had worse. Way worse.

He cards his fingers through Zack's hair again now that he seems to be slowly bringing himself down, a soothing gesture if nothing else.]

I didn't mean for that to go so badly. I'm sorry. [It had been too soon. Or maybe it was just that going to the doctor instead of having the doctor come to them had been a bad call. Either way, he was going to have to be a lot more careful next time.

Cloud sighs softly, hand resting against the back of Zack's neck now as his only is turned so he can give the other's hand a weak squeeze.] Are you in any pain?

Nothing that isn't deserving.. [ He's not one to be a masochist or self-deprecating. But the fact of the matter is he freaked. He lost his cool entirely and he knows Cloud suffered for it. Suffered in a while he shouldn't have. He can walk, yes, but Zack knows his own strength too well. Knows the other man's definitely going to be suffering from some black and blues without asking. He hit hard and relentless, even in his weakened state.

Part of him had had a bad feeling about going to that office. About being in any kind of place like that, no matter how sterile and pristine it was in contrast. No matter how bright. If anything, the bright lights had reminded him of the lamplight in his eyes strapped down to a table or gurney. But would a house call have been any wiser? Rumor can tell the world he'd been there. It can't tell them where he currently is holed up in though. That's definitely something he doesn't want anyone backtracking on, especially in his condition.

Still had come at a cost in the end. Even as his body betrays him, relaxing at the gentle touch of fingers combing his hair, at the light squeeze that subconsciously gets his own hand to tangle his fingers with the other's. Slowly, his eyes open although they're looking at the ground now, the rise and fall of his chest gradually calming. ] You were just.. doing what you thought would help. You've been worried. [ Point blank. He's seen it. ]

Edited (DUMB TYPOS) 2016-05-11 02:13 (UTC)

[The blonde's eyes narrow just a bit and he looks ready to argue the point before he catches himself and just lets out a breath instead. It wasn't worth the argument because Zack was in one of those moods. And Cloud couldn't really blame him. Had their positions been switched he knew he would have been acting in much the same manner.

Still.]

You don't deserve it. [It's said softly, his only form of protest on the matter. What had been done to Zack, what had been done to both of them, had changed them for better and for worse. There were things that would always trigger them in some way, things that wouldn't sit right with them and there was nothing they could do about it. What mattered in the end was what they did from that point forward.

As Zack's breathing starts to calm Cloud leans in to bump their foreheads together in a gentle gesture.] Of course I'm worried. I want you to get better and maybe I've been pushing too much. [Too far, too fast. Isn't that what he'd been worried about originally? And now he was responsible for the rush.] I want to make things better, not make them worse. So we just need to figure out a new game plan is all.

[ He's definitely in a MOOD. Thankfully, those moods don't last long- mainly because he knows how much more worried it makes the other. Especially when Cloud talks like that despite his anger towards himself. It disarms him, gets him to deflate... because he hears that understanding.

And of course, Cloud would understand. He hadn't exactly been alone in that hell hole... for better or worse. There's plenty of days he wishes Cloud hadn't been there with him. ...But then there's also a part of him that was grateful for that- for the company. Because how the hell else he would have made it through all that as in tact as he had considering? He... He really doesn't know.

But what he does know is-

that's. Definitely Cloud's forehead against his. Not the first time but never-the-less a surprising comfort all the same. Something that's become habit more and more lately. And something that gets him tilting his forehead right on back, letting himself lean the weight of his head against Cloud's now comfortably. He listens intently a moment... Blows out a breath the next. Maybe too much.. Maybe a new plan... ]

Well.. The first thing on that game plan when we get back's that you ice that.. [ He tilts his chin in the direction of Cloud's side. Most of it might be a blur to him, but he can at least remember where he knows he nailed him hard there when the opening had been presented. Never mind how beat he feels. It's life at this point.

...Yeah, okay. ] ..Okay, maybe a redressing, too.. [ He could actually go for a long bath at this point after all that. ]

[It's taken him a long time to really get a grasp on his emotions, and he has a lot of people to thank for helping him. Now that he has that grasp, though, he's going to use it as best he can to help the people he cares about.

And right now that's you, Zack. So expect plenty of the physical comfort right along with the verbal.

Like the forehead thing. It was a comfort for Cloud as well, a way for him to be close to the other without having to fear hurting him--putting pressure on his wounds or anything like that. It was his own little way of reassuring himself that Zack was still there and not just some dream he'd made up as well.]

It's fine. [No, actually, it hurt like a bitch but blocking out pain was something Cloud had gotten good at. Once he got Zack home, cleaned up and in bed, he'd worry about checking his side over. Until then, it was low on the priority totem pole.

Mention of a re-dressing has him frowning softly, eyes narrowing as he pulls back just enough to study Zack's face.]

How bad? [Don't make him check you over right here and now, Zack.]

[ Physical comfort is good. It's more than good, really. It grounds him, too. All the little touches remind him that he's not facing everything alone. He doesn't have to.. even if he habitually tends to still face things that way. Just part of being a former SOLDIER. Doesn't mean he hasn't learned to cooperate and read people though.

Though some people are like open books like Cloud anyway, easy to read. At least to him. He's such a liar... and it shows with the way Zack just raises a brow knowingly.

But that arch doesn't last when Cloud's backing off and shooting that attention back at him. Considering he's the more injured of the two- the whole reason why they're in the spot they're in though, well. He... reaches up steadily enough now to rub at the back of his own head. ] Not too bad.. Just the one, I think.. Heh... Never a dull moment, huh.. [ Usually, there would be sheepishness to his expression. But right then, he looks more apologetic than anything.

Sorry he freaked. Sorry he made things even worse and now Cloud's got even more work cut out for him. ]

Edited 2016-05-11 03:41 (UTC)

[You aren't allowed to call him out on his lies, Zack. Because if you start doing that to him he'll do it to you and your plastered on smiles will get shattered so quickly so help him.

The blonde's mouth becomes a thin line as he stares at his companion, not buying it for a second. Only one? Considering all that flailing and fighting from before? Nice try, Zack.]

I'd be worried if things were dull. [That apologetic look has Cloud's exasperation melting away with a soft shy, the blonde shaking his head as he finally breaks contact with the injured man--

Only to re-initiate it by sliding his arm around Zack's waist.]

Let's get you home. [He pauses, worrying starting to rear it's head again.] Will you be alright to walk? [Because he could always carry Zack if he had to.]

[ But you know he's gonna do it anyway. Well- here and there. Not necessarily all the time though. He's not gonna ask for it that much. But.. he is going to take a hint from that first look alone that yep, Cloud doesn't believe him for a solid second. Well, he tried.

At least he follows through with a tease back before- letting go? Cloud, where are you-

Oh.

Right.

Of course. Not that he was about to ask, but.. support might be necessary, especially when most of his adrenaline's worn off, wounds flaring something fierce now. It's not as bad as before.. but it is bad enough for Zack to knowingly slide an arm around Cloud's shoulders. For that comforting closeness just as well as support. ] I can walk, Spike.. It's not that far.

[ It'll probably feel like twice as long of a walk now, but they'll get there. He takes just a brief moment, standing tall, to use his height to his advantage to rest his cheek against Cloud's head. A small smile finally finds him again as he murmurs softly: ] Thank you.

[Honestly? He wouldn't expect anything less from you, Zack. If you didn't act like that, he'd worry that something was very wrong.

He's relieved when Zack's arm settles around his shoulders because that's one less thing he's got to fight the other on--since he knows that any other time his friend might have argued the assistance. There's a slight sag to his shoulders as he takes on the other's weight, nudging right up against him. As close as he dares without causing any further discomfort, that is.]

Short distances seem a lot longer when you're injured. [He knows this from experience, Zack.

Cloud's about to get them moving when he feels the other's cheek against his head and it has him pausing. That murmured bit of thanks has his eyes softening as he stares down at the ground, his lips curving after a moment, pulling into a smile of his own.]

Anytime. I mean it.

[Enough of that though. Even if the closeness is nice and he really does enjoy touching Zack, having physical contact with him even if it's something as simple as a cheek against his hair. They needed to get home though. Cloud gently bumps the other so he and straightened up some, keeping as much of Zack's weight as he can as he starts to guide his friend out of the alley.]

[ He doesn't blame him when he pushes to move forward. They need to. And so he toddles along with him. But that doesn't stop him from smiling a bit at that admission. Nor does it stop him from giving that little squeeze. But then he's off and serious again because he knows he has to be. Because they have a three legged race that requires a lot more concentration for him than he might necessarily reveal.

But it probably shows anyway in the way he watches his feet and the way he strains here and there. His pace isn't slow, but it's definitely more of a plod than what he would regularly walk. But it's for good reason. A reason that presents itself when he thinks he hears something- pauses. Then, he's starting again even as he's ducking his head, watching the side out of the corner of his eye. Then he sees it.] Cloud... That doc might have been with us... but are you sure they were all friendlies?

[ Because he can see someone in the broken glass right there and then on their six o'clock. And calm as he continues to appear, the whisper of his voice tells as much. 'We gotta get outta here.' ]

[Cloud is doing his best to keep an eye on Zack and their surroundings, more concerned with his friend than is probably safe but he can't help it. Each strain has him slowly his pace, making sure the other is okay before they keep moving and it's not until Zack mentions it that Cloud realizes he's been an idiot.

Tension runs through him as his grip on the arm his friend has over his shoulder tightens a fraction, his eyes narrowing as he glances around trying to catch glimpses of what Zack has already seen.]

All my sources checked out. [At least, he'd though they had. He hears that urging in the other's tone and gives the slightest nod of acknowledgement, steering Zack towards a busier street.

It figures this would happen when he didn't have his sword. How could he be so stupid?]

They say to always check twice. [ It's more of a tease than anything though. He knows Cloud would have been diligent about it. But sometimes their luck just really is that bad. Maybe it always will be. Doesn't mean he won't stop stubbornly fighting against it though. He's keeping pace as best as he can, following Cloud's direction. Sneaking glances here and there while otherwise trying to play up obliviousness.

He can see them getting closer and his hair's standing up on the back of his neck from that knowledge already. Fighting's not unheard of around here, but fighting's not what this city needs. Not after all that it's been through. It needs to heal. It needs to rebuild. If they can get out of that alley and get swept away in the crowd, maybe they can just lose them and call it a day.

That's his hope anyway as that street draws closer. ] Gonna have to lose 'em before we get back. [ Otherwise, they're in for an eviction. Who knows where they'll go from there? But it won't be easy with Zack as he is and he knows it. ]

[But was he diligent enough? Zack's right. Double check everything. Then triple check. Cloud can't help but worry that his lapse in judgment may have just gotten them into a lot of trouble and given Zack's current state? That's not something they need.

The first thought to cross his mind is to split up but that's not going to work. Not with Zack injured the way he is. He'd be the obvious target and that's the absolute last thing Cloud wants right now. His mind is racing a mile a minute as he nudges himself up under his friend's arm a bit more, bracing him as best he can to aid him in keeping pace.]

If we can get into the crowd, we may be able to disappear. Maybe double back then use some of the alleyways. [He keeps his voice low and his gaze on the path ahead. They're so close.] ...We may have to make a break for it if that doesn't work. [The unspoken question now is, can you run if need be, Zack?]

[ At this point, lapse of judgement doesn't matter. What if's don't matter. They gotta focus on the present.

Like how he can hear footfalls starting to draw closer. Whoever is behind them still keeps their pace slow for now, but SOLDIER hearing picks them off anyway. And SOLDIER hearing also tells him when they quicken their pace shortly after Cloud's last comment reaches his ears.

All he can murmur in the end is a: ] We'll do what we have to do- but for now, we gotta move it.

[ If that's not enough of an answer, the fact that he's taking more of his own weight on and pushing forward suddenly might be. Now, the footsteps behind them are starting to crack and echo- they're further away than he thought, and they're realizing that. They're realizing they're about to lose their target and trying to make up for that stretch between them. He's so keen on listening that he doesn't keep a measure on his feet until he's suddenly staggering over some overflow from a dumpster, catching himself but not without a wince and a hard grip on Spike, losing some of the progress they gained. ]

GET OUT.

NEVAH

8|....

:3c

I didn't know if you wanted to timeskip or what. =v Let me know what you're interested in doing.

I'm down for a timeskip if you are! BD

ALRIGHT LET'S DO THIS.

\o/ YEAAAHHHH ADVENTURE TIME...sort of oh god zack bb

HE'S SORRY. NOT MUCH OF A GOOD ADVENTURE TO BE HAD HERE.

CLOUD WON'T HOLD IT AGAINST YOU

ARE YOU SO SURE ABOUT THAT?

YES...MOSTLY.

SO IT'S MOSTLY NOW, IS IT?

HUSH UP, PUPPY DOG

THAT'S PORCUPINE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SURE YOU AREN'T A HEDGEHOG

POSITIVE. DON'T YOU START THOSE SONIC JOKES.

BUT SONIC

DON'T GIVE HIM THAT UNLESS YOU WANNA BE CALLED TAILS.

...IT WOULD BE KIND OF FITTING IN A WAY

NOPE NOPE NOPEING OUT. Though at least there's no Shadow parallel. ffff

Shadow is Genesis the end

...oh my god, it's true.

You're welcome.

No why...... GOD WHY... I CAN'T UNSEE