bakerstreet | ( nursed back to health shipping meme. )

[Don't worry, Zack. They aren't keeping secrets. It's just general of talk of what they're going to do now. And some worrying on Tifa's part in regards to Cloud himself. The usual.

His hand falls away from his neck at the sound of Zack's voice and there's something akin to relief in the blonde's gaze though it's easily lost in the exhaustion that's visible there as well.]

Sorry. Had to shake some Turks. [Moving over towards the cot, Cloud takes care as he sits down on the edge of it, every muscle in his body protesting and welcoming the action all at once.] How're you feeling?

Turks, huh. [ Even when he seems to have enough room on the cot, that doesn't stop Zack from scooching over to give him just a little more. Never mind it gets him feeling sore again. He can deal and it shows in the way he tilts his head as he studies his friend. ] Probably better than you.

[ He hasn't missed how stiff you're moving, Spike. Not in the least and that's where he usually would be reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. Usually. It's hard to when he's laying down and Cloud's sitting just out of range. His nose scrunches slightly with the grimace that follows. ] You look like hell.

Yeah. Turks. A lot of them. [Which is why it had taken so long to throw them off. The Turks were good, really good, for as stupid as some of them may seem. And even with a former Turk helping him it had still been a game of cat and mouse.

He frowns a bit as the other shifts over like that but he is grateful for the extra space, if only because it allows him to recline back on one hand. The other states the obvious and Cloud almost rolls his eyes, opting to give his friend a rather dry look instead.

Dry and tired, mind you.]

Thanks. I hadn't heard that enough from Tifa already. [He doesn't mean to be grumpy, Zack. Really. He's just had a very long day and his emotions are so out of whack that they aren't helping anything. He's worried and stressed out. Irritated that they've lost their place. Sad for the same reason. It's just a jumbled mess that he doesn't know what to do with.]

I'll rest in a little while.

[ He gets it at least. He knows he sure as hell wouldn't be feeling it if he had been out there facing those Turks, himself. It doesn't stop him from wincing a bit before casting a sheepish smile his way. But in the end, even that smile fades... He's not a mind reader, no, but he can take a guess what he's so frustrated about and it's not just Tifa's lecture. Tifa lectures are expected. Losing home? Well... also known to be a possibility, but...

He knows he was certainly hoping it wouldn't happen so soon. ]

Cloud.. Hey. [ It's enough reason for him to reach out and touch that hand now within his reach. In the end, he just catches it with his fingertips, but... still something, right? ] We're both still in one piece, right?

[The touch is welcome and Cloud doesn't hesitate to scoot just a fraction of an inch along the edge of the cot so his hand can get more contact with Zack's. It's grounding for him and helps him focus on the now rather than what had happened.

Because what's done is done, right?]

Yeah. I...we are. [It almost sounds like he's relieved when he says it, the realization setting in completely because even now, in a much clearer state of mind than he had been in the past few years, things can still feel like a fever dream. Sometimes they feel like a hallucination and it terrifies him. Because what if something happens and he doesn't realize it until it's too late.

His fingers curl around Zack's hand, his body starting to betray him as his shoulders sag and his eyelids droop just the tiniest bit.] We're safe. That's what's important.

[ There's a pause when he feels Cloud reach closer- but it's brief and for a moment, he's looking down at that. But then he's got his eyes back on his friend and he's nodding. He's not going anywhere. This isn't some feverish mess where they're lost among the mako and the sedatives and everything else that had been injected unwillingly into their bodies those four long years and dreaming a false hope.

They're- Yes, they're safe, Spike. And you're not the only one that's going to try his damnest to keep it that way. Feeling those fingers curl around his hand only further holds to that reminder and he's soon lacing his own fingers with Cloud's in turn. There's a gentle squeeze before his eyes narrow a little at the sight of his friend's state starting to crumble a bit. ] That's important, yeah. So's making sure you keep it that way. [ He knows what "little while" means, man. He uses that excuse all the time. ]

[He instinctively squeezes Zack's hand after their fingers are laced together, gripping a bit tighter than is probably necessary but he just needs this right now. Needs that touch; that feel of another hand in his.]

Like I would do anything to put us in anymore danger than we're already in. [That's your job, Zack.

Okay, so, maybe he's just trying to deflect a bit. Get away from the subject because he sees the way the other's eyes have narrowed and he knows that Zack is catching on to just how exhausted he is. Just how much he's struggling to keep it together.] ...Shouldn't you be sleeping? [He's going to counter your concern with his own, Zack.]

[ He feels that difference all too well. It's grounding just as well as a red flag for how much this is getting to him. Just how much that took out of him. Does he really think Spike would want to put them in anymore danger or intend it? No. But he knows what lack of sleep despite exhaustion does to the body.

And he's about to say as much, opening his mouth- only to pause at that question. But this time? This time, it's brief. This time, he's pushing onward. ] I'm fine. I've been laying here the past how many hours. You're the one that's been running around like a wild chocobo.

[ Nope, not dropping this subject. Not yet. ]

I'm--don't start with that. [The chocobo thing, that is. Don't you dare, Zack. He gets enough of that from other people you don't need to help.

There's a hint of a frown--no, almost a pout touching his lips but he knows the other man is right. He knows that if he pushes himself too much he's going to crash. Hard. And then what use is he going to be to anyone? If he's going to keep Zack, keep all of them safe, then he's going to need to be well rested. The internal debate wages for a few more minutes before Cloud sighs, free hand lifting to scrub at his face then slid back through his hair.]

A few hours. That's it. [There was too much to do.] Alright?

[ Okay, that? That gets a grin out of him split from ear to ear. Sure, Cloud gets it from a lot of other people. But that just makes it all the more tempting to help keep it up as a running gag. At least he behaves afterward, letting it go... for the moment.

It probably helps that his friend finally gives in. Finally, Spike. There's something of elation that fills him to hear those words and he nods in agreement. A few is better than nothing- which he knows was what Cloud had originally had been aiming for, hadn't he. ] I'm gonna hold you to that, you know.

[ Though it's not like he'll have to just go on taking his word when he'll be sleeping down there in that room anyway, huh. Already, his eyes wander, trying to find a space to nudge him to. There's... just one problem. Apparently, in all the years of disuse, the space has really started to stack up more as a storage area. He's lucky he has the room on his own cot when there's boxes everywhere.. ] ..Are there anymore cots down here?

[ his guess might be good as Spike's where another one might be located if there is one. ]

[Of course it would. He wouldn't expect anything less from Zack and it's a strange sort of comfort. The teasing, that is. The smile that accompanies it? Definitely a comfort; there's no question there at all.]

I know. [He was well aware. And deep down he knew that a 'few' hours would most likely turn into more, as much as he didn't want it to. Cloud was pretty sure he could lay down on the floor at the moment and pass out for the next twelve hours if he was given the chance to.

Which, speaking of the floor..]

There use to be. I can make do with the floor, though. [A little shrug tags along with the statement as he starts to untangle his hand from Zack's and glances around the room.] There's most likely some old blankets somewhere in this mess. [Though he'd take even resting his head on the bare floor at this point. He's not really going to be picky about this.]

Edited 2016-05-15 03:31 (UTC)

[ Sleep all you want, Cloud. Gaia knows you need it. Or so he would continue to encourage.

It's the mention of the floor that gets Zack gripping at Cloud's hand again where he was loosening his hold just seconds ago because on the floor? No way, Spike. ] You sleep like that and you're gonna feel worse instead of better, man. Believe me. I'd know.

[ Wanna know all the weird and uncomfortable places he slept while they were originally on the run? Yeeeeah. ] It's hardwood floor. Your back is gonna be sore as hell.

[Zack if you let him sleep twelve hours he might punch you.

In the shoulder. Gently. Since you're injured.]

I've slept in worse places. [But Cloud doesn't try to pull away, hesitating on the edge of the cot as Zack grips his hand.] There aren't exactly a lot of choices, Zack. I'll be fine.

[He's attempting to sound reassuring but he knows that he just sounds tired. At least he's not slurring his words or mixing words up!...yet.]

You need the cot more than I do.

So, we'll just share it. [ He says it simply. Matter of fact. Never mind how Cloud's been acting as of late ever since that last bad fight that had left him in the state he's in. Never mind how he's been acting at times either. Keep it casual. No big deal.

Hey, it's not like they haven't slept close together before. That was the standard back when they'd been outrunning the army and the Turks. Now's really no different, right?

Except, you know. Cloud's actually conscious now. And yes, he's doing a lot better than he was (it's hard not to considering his state back then), but just because he's not slurring words yet doesn't mean he's not sore and achy, regardless.

Zack tugs at him. Just a little. Just a hint. Come 'ere. ]

[Wait. Hold on. What had he just said?

Cloud's expression melts into a thoughtful frown as his brain attempts to process what was just said. And once it does? There may just be the slightest hint of a blush staining his cheeks. A flustered look that he can't catch in time before he's glancing off to the side attempting to find a reason to not follow that tug.

Because it..they...hm.

It was just sleep. They both needed it and Zack did have a point about the floor. And sharing a cot wasn't going to be the most comfortable thing in the world but it would at least give them both a somewhat comfortable night. Yeah. That's..Yeah.

The blonde gives in to the tugging and shifts on the edge of the bed after he manages to get his hand back from Zack, pausing only to remove the harness that is always present on his back. It gets dropped to the floor without the care that it would usually get before Cloud is..yeah he's hesitating again. Hesitating because should he just...lay down? Should he let Zack get situated first?]

[ It's awkward. So awkward is what it is when Cloud looks away like that. He put him too much on the spot, didn't he?

His train of thought swirls, thinking 'He's not gonna go for it. He's not gonna go for it at all. Stubborn choco-'

But that thought falls flat when he sees him take his hand back if only to peel off his pauldron. And when his harness lands on the floor, that's all the more telling on what he's decided. Relief bubbles in him that Cloud's actually listening to him instead of being stubborn. But that doesn't last either when his friend's pausing like that. Perhaps he's having second thoughts. Perhaps he's not okay with this at all. Perhaps-

...he. Just needs more space, doesn't he. It's a belated realization but one that makes him feel like a heel all the same. Carefully, he scoots over until he's up against the wall as much as possible without being crushed against it. The shit he would get if he didn't give himself some space.. not that that's much space between two full grown men on a cot anyway, especially when he's a 6'3" giant. He might have to roll onto his side.. but he none the less pats the open space beside him. ] Here. You're good.

[Hey, it's a former military thing. Stubborn until the day you die. You're no better most of the time, Zack.

The other man is shifting towards the wall to give him some room and Cloud finally makes the move to lay down. He opts for his side, facing towards Zack because that's just the way he ended up and it would be far less awkward than having his back towards the other. Just...yeah. Laying like this is fine.

Plus, it gives Zack the majority of the room which is something that Cloud will be stubborn about. Which is why he's already got a ghost of a frown on his face as he tucks an arm underneath his head.]

I don't need that much space. You're the injured one. [Aka he knows what was most likely going through your head, Zack, and he's not having any of it. If the other ended up on his side it would aggravate his wounds and that's not something Cloud wants to put him through. So he'll take laying on the very edge of the cot if it means Zack can actually rest comfortably.]

[ No matter doesn't mean he doesn't recognize it and fold when he has to. He wouldn't have agreed to being dragged around town just that afternoon otherwise.

But Cloud's laying down and that... well, that's more than he could ask for. It's enough that despite that grumpy frown- or perhaps because of it -Zack's smile just grows. Now with his friend in range, he has no shame in reaching out with a hand to ruffle his hair despite what protest he might get. ] And you're the one that just got Turks off our tail. I know that wasn't easy.

[ His hand lifts soon after, so he can try and slip it under the space between that arm he's got his head rested on and his chest. Just enough to try and fish him closer. ] You're gonna roll off the bed if you sleep like that.

[A soft noise of protest escapes him when his hair is ruffled, his free hand coming up to try and get Zack's away.]

It's a lot easier than some of the things we've done. [It comes out in a bit of a grumble but he really doesn't get a chance to elaborate on it or protest anymore because Zack seems to have a goal in mind. And that goal is to try and get him to move closer by moving around more than he should goddammit Zack!

Cloud's head lifts to allow the other's arm passage, more because he doesn't feel like fighting it than anything else. He knows that Zack won't take no for an answer at this point and he's already gotten him to lie down. May as well humor him some more, right?] No, I'm not. [So yes, he's shifting just the slightest bit closer. Happy?

And let's be honest, he's really just too sore right now to want to risk the chance of falling off the cot. And it..might be a bit warmer if he's closer to Zack.]

...You're impossible.

[ A lot easier's an understatement for all the bullshit they went through.

But that doesn't mean it wasn't without its own struggle. Quit writing things off as nothing, Spike. That's his job.

...They're both idiots, aren't they.

At least this one lets Zack pull him closer as intended if not without further protest, weak as it is- actually, he moves without further prompting! Even better! His smile grows at the sight because of course, he's happy. Mission accomplished!

It's the tease that ultimately dooms him though. Because that tease gets Zack curling his arm the rest of the way around him, attempting to pull him into a one-armed hug. ] Impossibly making a good point.

[ This a little warmer for you, Spike? ]

[Yes, yes they are.

Wait, what--Oh okay. Okay so now this is a hug rather than just a lure to get him closer. Alright. That's fine. This is fine.

Cloud may or may not have tensed initially, unable to help himself because he wasn't expecting that. He wasn't expecting to be pressed just a bit closer to his friend, to have the space between them become so small. Sure, they were sharing a cot. Cots weren't that big so it was bound to happen. But he hadn't really expected Zack to just..to do that.

But it's hard to complain when it is a lot warmer like this and his body is already starting to sag. Any tension just seeps away and it's suddenly that much harder to keep his eyes open.

Damn you, Zack.]

You never have good points... [Okay maybe you do but your ego doesn't need any help, Zack.]

[ Realistically, the cot's tiny between the two of them. Plus what is affection without getting handsy. This is Zack he's laying there with. Personal space invasion was bound to happen, especially when he's concerned for you, Cloud. He knows how you worry and what that does to you.

That doesn't mean he's just going to lay down and take that your rude comments. He snorts indignantly before he's giving his friend a poke in the side in retaliation. ] That mail said otherwise. [ He's not sure if Cloud will remember what he's talking about. It's been years now. But all the same, he drops the subject shortly after. ]

It's not that weird anyway... We used to sleep like this all the time. You just don't remember. [ Sometimes he thinks it's for the best that he didn't. Most of the time, he wishes it hadn't been a thing in the first place, that day after day of wondering if he would ever wake up again... Yeah, that was rough. ]

[That's...it's a minor detail. The size of the cot. Closeness was bound to happen but Zack is just making sure it happens right then and there. Jerk.

The poke to his side gets a muffled bit of laughter out of Cloud, the blonde torn between looking offended and smiling.]

I have no idea what you're talking about. [He'll deny it forever, Zack, especially when you use it against him. A hand comes up to tug at some of the other man's hair, Cloud mock glaring at him.] I think your brain was knocked around too much.

[He's one to talk about addled brains though, isn't he? Which is brought up with the sleep comment. His hand slowly drops back down between them and there's a distance look on his face for a moment. How..much had he missed during that time? How many memories was he doomed to never get back? He could only imagine how much of a hassle dragging him around had been for Zack and he can't even remember any of it to properly thank him.]

...If I can't remember it, it doesn't count. [A playful attempt at keeping things light.]

-Hey! [ He doesn't appreciate his hair getting tugged, Spike. Nor does he appreciate the comment about his brain. Jeez, man! Harsh! ...Sure, he's been knocked around a lot, but he's pretty sure he's got enough sense to him yet! Rude.

Rude enough that he's smiling right back. At least until Cloud's own smile fades and maybe, Zack thinks... Maybe he went to far or said too much. It's not exactly a light subject that. It's not really something they talk about often these days. At least he doesn't usually bring it up, leaving that to Cloud when he wants to. But...

But, of course, Cloud would say that. Zack huffs in turn, but if anything, it just garners him to give his friend a squeeze. ] It does for me.

[ There might be too much honesty in those words. That time mattered to him. Even being unconscious as he was... it was better than being alone. Sometimes he wonders if he would have pushed as hard as he had otherwise. ]

[That's really debatable.

The squeeze he gets because of his comment is a welcomed comfort. It draws him back from the darker thoughts that had been invading his head and allows him to focus on reality. To focus on the fact that Zack was here with him. That they had both made it this far and that was what mattered most. Everything that had happened to them had sucked and there had been plenty of times where Cloud had been sure everything was going to fall out from underneath them. But it hadn't. And here they were. Sure they were on the run from ShinRa still but they had friends and each other. That was more than Cloud thought he was ever going to be able to have, honestly.

There's a moment of hesitation on Cloud's part before he reaches up again but this time his hand curls around the back of Zack's neck. Words are stuck in his throat again but his emotions betray him through his eyes as he studies the other for a second before glancing away.

Yeah. Awkward as always.]

You..will you tell me about it all sometime?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

aw yeah phone tag ffff

xD

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject