bakerstreet | ( nursed back to health shipping meme. )

[For a moment that squeeze feels like a vice and it startles him even more, the blonde attempting to move--attempting to pull away--

But his legs aren't listening to him. He can feel them, even if it's just a dull throb right now, but moving them isn't something he can do easily and that probably would have added to the fear already flooding him if it weren't for the fact that the voice he was hearing finally started to register.

Zack. That was Zack.

Hazy blue eyes turn on the other man, attempting to focus on him as he fights his way out of the fog that's filled his mind, fingers gripping weakly at the other's hand.

They were safe? Were they really?]

[ Well... Safe as they could be given the circumstances. And hoping they didn't end up sold out to the Turks. It's impossible to hide their eyes.. or the difference in how their bodies were handling those injuries by comparison of any regular guy.

But that's something for Zack to pocket and worry about, himself. For now, he can still feel that tension up until his voice had finally clicked with Cloud. But even then, his eyes aren't quite focused as they draw to him, his hand barely squeezing back. Zack squeezes his own eyes shut for a moment, collecting himself.

But then he opens them again and raises Cloud's hand, brushing his lips against the back of it. ]

We're in some small off grid town, but the doc is good here. Hell, they're all pretty good. Saved our skins. [ He takes a moment to reach up now with his free hand to cup Cloud's cheek, a small smile drifting across his face. ]

All you hafta worry about is resting up and getting better.

[The foggy state of his mind starts to clear up a bit but focusing is still difficult, the blonde staring at Zack as the other talks and moves to cup his cheek. It offers a warmth that Cloud immediately wants more of right now because his whole body just feels cold and he turns his head slightly to press more into the touch.

Small town. Off the grid. Doctors. Safe.

That was one of the better combinations of things that he'd heard in awhile. He couldn't fully remember how he had ended up like this, his memory jogged thanks to the explosion but he knew they had been trying to get something. Stop something? It was one of those. Either way, his fears are tempered a bit by his trust in Zack and a shallow breath escapes him as he manages a nod.

Rest up. Right.

Those hazy blue eyes land on Zack's face again and he can just barely make out the bandages on the side of his friend's head. Worry splashes across his face and he wants to ask what happened but words just don't want to come out right now, his throat far too sore and dry that the best he can manage is an odd sort of croak that gets him frowning faintly.

Why are you hurt?]

[ Cloud might not be able to say much of anything- but gauging by his reaction, Zack's not entirely sure he would have heard him anyway. He can see where his eyes focus on though and the fear as if it's the first time he's ever seen that wound... and that's when Zack takes on a more understanding expression. Feeling Cloud press into the hand on his cheek, Zack decidedly keeps it there, fingers stroking it gently. With his other hand though, he reaches up to tap lightly at the bandages as he turns his head to the side while his expression turns thoughtful. ]

It was from that Turk, remember? They tried to shot at me close range- kicked the gun out of their hands last minute. My ear drum's a bust right now, but it'll heal. Nothing you gotta worry about, okay?

[ Even when his own voice sounds so far away. Even when he knows what the doctor really said, but mull that over later. He breaks into another reassuring smile as he drops his hand to return to Cloud's, making passes over the back of it with his thumb now. ] Hell, you should be more worried about yourself. That was a pretty damn crazy idea, you know that?

[No, he really doesn't remember, Zack, and it shows on his face. There's the slightest frown visible as he studies the blurred sight of the other's bandaged head, trying to place the event because it just wasn't..there was something missing. A large chunk of time he'd be willing to bet.

And of course he's going to worry. He's going to worry even more once he's not stuck in this bed--

The blonde stares at Zack, eyebrow lifting the slightest. Crazy idea? Well, at least he knows now that whatever he did to get injured was apparently crazy even in Zack's book. And that's saying something.]

[ Try as he might, Zack can't hide the concern written on his face for a slight second when Cloud continues to look more and more thrown off by this information. This is stuff he really ought to know... but then again, considering how recklessly split second it was making the decisions they had, well... Maybe it's really not so odd. Gaia knows the kind of stuff he'd throw himself in full tilt before.

Zack only takes a moment- just a moment to glance back. To make sure no one's coming in to check on them. It's... a little harder to tell than usual, but he sits and he listens... Then, his eyes are back on the man before him and he leans in close, voice hushed. ] You took out that tanker full of mako, remember? Cut it right open. You were caught in the blast.

[A tanker full of mako? Cut it open?

Cloud's expression melts into something hard to read for a moment as he tries to bring those memories to the surface. His efforts only bring up memories of heat and the smell of burning flesh--and pain. Lots of pain.

He sucks in a quick breath and blinks a few times, looking away from Zack and down at his legs where they're hidden from view underneath the blanket. He'd been caught in a blast--an explosion. That's why everything hurt. The mako..they had been trying to stop that transport, hadn't they?

The blonde closes his eyes for a second and takes a deep breath, trying to relax but there's just too much tension in his body from the pain for him to manage it. His eyes crack open in another attempt to focus on Zack, lips parting as Cloud tries to use his voice again.]

G...ne?

[ Zack waits on baited breath as Cloud seems to process things... Sits on it, trying to remember... and Zack can't help but feel his stomach turn to water a bit as it only just then seems to register with Cloud how badly he'd been hurt as Zack follows his line of sight down to his legs. Subconsciously, he squeezes his companion's hand again, but his eyes never leave Spike.

It's probably a good thing. When the other man tries to speak, his voice comes out so quiet... Zack barely hears it never mind understands what he even said. But from the questioning look he gets, it doesn't take much to put two and two together. Zack nods faintly. ] It isn't a problem anymore. So, all you have to worry about is you right now.

[ Granted, he still needs to find a way to go retrieve their swords... and that's if someone hasn't already picked them up. But... one thing at a time. Nothing for Cloud to worry about. Not in his condition. Which might be why Zack's expression suddenly becomes more determined as he runs his hand up to brush some bangs out of Cloud's eyes. ] You leave everything to me, okay?

[His grip isn't as strong as it should be but he manages to return the squeeze, more clinging to Zack's hand than anything. It's an anchor right now, an anchor he feels he needs because he hasn't felt this helpless since...since the last time his memories had been a mess and he started to realize it.

Relief floods his expression when he gets confirmation that the mako is taken care of, the blonde sinking back against his pillows with a nod.

Good. One less thing to worry about.

His eyes slip shut when Zack's hand goes through his bangs though his expression screws up slightly when the other makes that statement. It worries him, that statement, because it means Zack is going to do something. Something that he can't help with. Blue eyes open once more, worry seeping into them as he gives what he hopes is a pleading look.

Just stay here, please?]

[ It's only when Cloud seems to finally relax that Zack finds his own tension seeping out of him. Cloud's not very verbal... but he's aware and he knows what's going on now... He's stable and he's going to be okay. That was the most important thing here, his priority... and now knowing that priority's situated, Zack can...

...Well, maybe... Zack doesn't miss that look and he sighs quietly to himself. Sure, Spike can't stop him right then. If he really wanted to go, he could go and there would be no one there to stop him... but he also knows in Cloud's condition, if Turks were to show up and if he, himself, weren't there...

Zack... scoots his chair a little closer despite the way it groans against the floor. Just enough that he can actually rest part of his upper half on the bed close to the other, back bent a little uncomfortably but manageable as he retracts his hand messing with Spike's hair to pillow his chin with it instead. His other hand stays in Cloud's. ] You good now?

[Good boy, Zack. Thank you for listening--er...falling victim to his looks--for once.

The blonde sinks against the bed as Zack moves closer, his fingers curling just a bit tighter as he waits for the other to settle in. It's very likely that Zack will still try to slip away at some point but right now? Right now he's here and that's good because Cloud really isn't sure he'd be comfortable here on his own since he doesn't really remember much of the lead up.

He nods at the question, giving the other a faint smile before the sound of someone approaching makes him look towards the door and tense all over again. One of the nurses from before comes in, pausing when she sees Cloud awake before offering a faint smile. Her gaze shifts to Zack fairly quickly though and she moves into his line of sight to offer him a piece of paper.]

Someone dropped this off for you a few minutes ago.

[ Really, the more he thinks about it, the more likely Cloud might very well freak out if he does try to slip away. Zack, himself, isn't the only one with hospital issues... and even if the people have been all but helpful, still... So, right now, they can just rest, right? They can just relax. It helps to see that nod and that smile- though it doesn't last.

-Since when did that nurse get there? Zack mentally kicks himself for being that unfocused as he gives Spike a reassuring squeeze before his attention rests fully on the nurse from before. The smile he gives her is genuine if not brief as she hands him the paper. He's careful to unfold it outside of Cloud's line of sight, frowning thoughtfully as he reads it. ]

[The nurse hands the letter over before she moves over to check Cloud's IV and vitals, talking softly and reassuringly to him as she goes. He's only half paying attention to her, though, far too concerned and interested in that letter Zack has--

And of course he'd keep it out of his line of sight. Cloud frowns and settles back to wait, allowing the nurse to work.

The letter is short and simple:

You forgot something.

K]

[ Warmth bubbles inside him at the sight of the familiar, messy scrawl itself far before he finishes reading the words, themselves. Only then does he hold the note up for Cloud to see, flashing a grin much realer than any of the ones he had given previously. Cheeky and wide as he jokes: ]

Seems I have a secret admirer. [ He ends it with a wink as he pockets the note first. Then, he's pointedly taking Cloud's hand and starting to kiss each of his fingertips in contrast. Never mind he's doing it right in front of the nurse. ]

[Cloud's expression melts into some purely curious now as he reads the note over, eyebrow going up. And then of course Zack's making a typical Zack comment and it's good to hear even if he's still confused, a little miffed about all of this--

A state of mind that's quickly forgotten as Zack takes his hand and starts to kiss each of his fingertips. The blonde makes a soft sound, glancing at the nurse then back to Zack because what are you doing???

The nurse hides a smile and clears her throat.]

I'll let the doctor know you're doing well, sir. Just continue to rest.

[And then she's gone, leaving the pair alone once more as Cloud slumps where he is, fingers twitching a bit.

Zaccckk.]

[ Well, that sure did get him to stop worrying so much, didn't it? At least about serious business things. Can't say the same as far as pointedly expressing their relationship, but... well.

He puts Cloud's hand back down on the bed at least though he doesn't necessarily let go of it. No, he's thumbing it again with care. His smile has fallen to something more concerned though. ] Too much?

[He's still just getting use to this and right now he's in a weird state of mind with the missing bits of time and the injuries. So the look Zack get's is just a mildly irritated one that's quick to melt into exasperation as his fingers curl to squeeze the other's hand slightly.

His gaze shifts to the door and lingers there a moment before he's tilting his head and glancing at the note Zack had, eyebrow going up again.

Don't think he's forgotten.]

[ That look still makes its point and Zack sighs with a soft 'Alright, alright...' No more PDA in front of the nurses. Got it. Apparently, Cloud's not too mad at him if he's reciprocating that hand holding with a squeeze at least.

..But then he sees Cloud eyeballing his pocket shortly after the nurse leaves and... Well, it was worth a shot at any rate to make him not worry so much. Zack's expression turns sheepish as he lets himself lean forward with arm on chin again. ] So... I might'a left everything behind back there. Looks like Kuns got us covered though.

[ Good old Kuns... Always having his back, even now. ...Kinda is telling of the state Cloud was in prior to getting to the hospital though. Whoops. ]

[PDA's all well and good when he can participate properly, Zack. Right now he feels like a lump and that's just not cool.

....Okay honestly it's Cloud so PDA is something he'd be flustered about all the time anyway but still.

The admission from his companion has Cloud frowning thoughtfully. Just how bad had it been? He was hurt, sure, but had it really been that bad? Explosions were nothing new--but it had been an entire tanker.

Kuns--Kunsel.

Surprise flickers across his face and he relaxes some. Well, at least they had someone watching out for them.]

H..re?

[ Fortunately for you, Cloud, Zack still adores you, even when you're a lump. ...It might even be why he has to fight all the more than usual against his urge to be as handsy as he usually tends to be. About the only thing stopping him at the moment is their newest revelation, one that has him nodding certainly to himself now at least. He can't really understand what Spike means, but he can pitch a guess. ]

Pretty sure he brought our things here somehow. [ And judging by the way no one's been asking him to foot the bill yet... he has to wonder if his friend covered that, too. If not, well... he can always offer to do some work around there in the meantime to cover some of the expenses. Not that he's about to tell Cloud that. ]

Seems like we can rest easy for a while. [ Which... judging by the way Zack's eyeballing him, he means you, Spike. Zack doesn't invade again for as much as he'd like to. He'll keep his lips to himself. But he does tilt his head so he's resting his left cheek against his arm, watching him with a soft expression in contrast to his bright eyes. It probably gives Cloud a better look at the bandaged mess of his right ear, but well... It is what it is at this point. ]

[Yeah, you've got yourself a guardian angel looking out for you, Zack. There may even be a means of transportation that presents itself eventually--once certain connections are tapped.

Until then. Relax and take care of your chocobo.

Cloud can't help but smile faintly, a relieved look because it's nice to know there are still some people out there that are still looking out for them. God only knows that they need it considering all the trouble they constantly seem to get themselves into.

The expression melts away at the scrutiny he's getting from the other, the blonde frowning slightly. He knows what you mean by that, Zack, and you need to rest just as much as he does. His gaze shifts to the bandaged ear then back again, frown becoming a bit more severe as he gives him a pointed--and tired--look.

He'll rest if you rest.]

[ He's not lost to that look. And really- he can't fault Cloud for it either. He taps the bandage faintly and just shrugs in the end. But... he can take a hint just as well as he can give one. And his hint right then? Well... is in the way he's closing his eyes. Yep, he's gonna stick right there for now, okay?

Everything else, well... Everything else he can worry about again when he wakes up from some rest. Just when it seems like he's falling asleep though, he finds himself murmuring: ] Wake me up.. if you need...

[ The 'me' is lost in a soft snort... accompanied by another one moments later. Yep, he just... completely... passed out on you. ]

[It would take a solid two days before Cloud was able to get up for bed but not for lack of trying. He'd attempted it several times and failed quite miserably, his legs just not wanting to hold his weight at all. Getting him to stay in bed had been a bit of a challenge but Zack managed it--with some help from the nurses who could be pretty scary when they wanted to be. Staying in bed did nothing to help the unease Cloud felt from being there, though, and it was an unease that got worse as another day passed.

Every noise, every new face had him feeling more and more panicky about being there and more than once he had attempted to get out of bed so they could get moving. Each time had failed and ultimately it did nothing to help Cloud feel better about the situation--even with the reassuring words from the doctor that he'd be fine and his legs would heal in time. (Even if they would be painful for awhile because of the healing burns.)

Cloud did his best to try and deal with the situation but by the afternoon of the second day he couldn't do it anymore. He felt disgusting, he couldn't sleep anymore, and he just wanted to go. Needed to go. Even with Zack a constant presence at his side, Cloud just couldn't take it anymore. This place was suffocating and it was no one's fault. It just brought back a lot of feelings that Cloud wasn't fond of.

Which is why he was in the process of removing his IV as slyly as possible, a soft frown on his face as he did it before attempting to turn himself on the bed so he could sit on the edge. From there he just had to get on his feet and...okay one part at a time. First sitting up. Then standing. Then cleaning up.]

[ Leave it to Cloud to keep things interesting. Not that Zack really blamed him. Not with the way circumstances were. They were pretty much put in the open and while he knew they weren't entirely alone in this, it sure as hell felt that way sometimes. But still, he behaves as best as he can those next couple of days. And does his best to try and make his companion behave, too.

But it's not easy. Not in the least. And it's even worse when he's caught off guard. Especially on that particular afternoon. He had just taken a moment. Just a little bit to rest his tired eyes after all the heart pounding escapades of before. And that inevitably turned into a light nap in a chair not far from.

But the rustling of the sheets and the creak of the old bed get his eyes opening a crack. And then suddenly the rest of the way as he realizes: ] Cloud!

[ Already, he's fumbling out of the chair and rushing to his side to try and catch his wrists, firm but not harmful. Not intentionally. ] Cloud, stop!

[The exclamation and Zack's sudden presence right there prompts the blonde to tense up, blue eyes wide and momentarily fearful as his wrists are caught and held. It takes a split second for him to realize that it's just Zack, that it's someone he knows and--

Paranoia had been nipping at his brain far worse than he realized.

A quick breath escapes Cloud as he reminds himself to breathe, a trickle of blood seeping down his arm from where he removed the iv as he stares at the man before him.]

Zack--

[His fingers twitch then curl as he shakes his head.]

I can't--we need to go.

[Please.]

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