wingenvy | [Ahaha belated post is belated.]

Current Mood: chipper

[Ahaha belated post is belated.]

Nice to see the sun again. Man, I thought I missed the mako before, but not being able to see a thing in the dark sucked. Good thing Seph could see or we'd have bumped into each other all week.

Hey Spike, how're you and the kids holding up? Do they miss me yet? ^_~ If you need me over there as a buffer or just some company, let me know. I'll probably come around to visit soon anyway. It's cool to hang out with Seph and all but he's not exactly good for conversation.

[Private to Cloud - unhackable]

How's the Geostigma? Were you able to find some help for it?

[/Private]

So from what I've heard, people are branching out a bit and planning some fun events. I think that's awesome! May as well kick back and tell the Malnosso to stuff it now and then. Anything less would be like cooperating, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Whoa, you're taking Simon with you? He's not from our world. You think you can manage that?

[Cloud shrugs, although it's a little stiff.]

They brought us all here, didn't they? I'll figure something out. I can't send him back to that place, Zack.

[Right, right. It hadn't sounded very pleasant from the way Simon had described it, and the way he'd marveled at every little part of the surface had been too cute to want to send him back underground.]

I'm sure he'd be way happier with you. What about that friend of his, though?

Apparently he wanted to stay on the surface, too. I haven't had a chance to ask, but...well, if he's willing to come with us, I'd be willing to take him along. Simon's attached to him, after all.

I think it'd be worth it. The kid deserves more than a life underground. He's got a lot of potential - maybe if he grows up in a better place, he'll learn to control those abilities of his. And he'd get more confident, too.

Yeah. He's a good kid...a really good kid.

[And Cloud smiles that quiet little smile that dads do when they're talking about their children. He also folds his hands over his stomach, random FYI.]

[Zack smiles faintly, watching him. He loves those little moments, when Cloud smiles like that - because above all else, his family is his life. And it's adorable.]

They both are. And they're really happy you're their dad, y'know.

[Cloud flushes and reaches up to scratch his nose in embarrassment.]

Yeah well...kids never really occurred to me. It just...happened, I guess. I attract weird situations.

Weird or normal, it doesn't matter, does it? Sounds like you were just what those kids needed in their lives. And I think you needed them, too.

[Cloud can't deny it; he'd probably have fallen apart a while ago if it weren't for those two. Speaking of, though...

Cloud glances over at Zack, serious again.]

...You'll watch them for me, right? Make sure they don't do anything stupid?

[Zack snorts faintly, gesturing vaguely.]

You don't even have to ask, Spike. Of course I will. I'm sure they'll need the support, anyway.

[Cloud's still staring at Zack.]

...and you're gonna be okay, right? You know I'll be back.

[Zack winces, the act barely noticeable.]

I'll manage, Spike. As long as you come back, I'll be fine. Don't go thinking about me - worry about the kids. They might not understand.

[Cloud's silent for a bit -as usual- before nudging Zack with his elbow.]

It'll be all right. I have a feeling it'll be okay.

[Which was strange, considering what a worrier and easily discouraged person Cloud tended to be.]

[...Wow. That was different. Zack lifts his head, surprised for a moment, then smiles, reaching out to ruffle Cloud's hair somewhat nostalgically.]

You've changed, Spike. It's pretty cool.

Well, just give me an hour and I'll probably be back to brooding.

[Cloud laughs as he swats Zack hand away from his hair.]

What, you think I'll let you brood while I'm around? No way!

[Without warning Zack tackled Cloud, attempting to pin him in a playful headlock.]

[...right. Well, he could humor Zack at least, and does just that, reaching up to grip Zack's wrist and scoff.]

Fair, you are going to regret this.

[Zack gave Cloud a mock-serious look, tone taking a similar mood.]

Strife, I regret nothing.

[That's Cloud's cue to grab Zack's arm and flip him over his shoulder, wrenching his head free and smirking triumphantly at him, upside-down.]

What about now?

[Hey, that was just unfair. Zack blinks, suddenly on his back, Cloud hovering above him and smirking away like he'd just won a war singlehandedly. How the hell had he done that?]

...You cheated. And I'm still not sorry.

[Cloud raised a brow, sitting back on his heels.]

How exactly was that-

[Suddenly Cloud gives a little lurch, clutching at his left arm with a sharp hiss.]

[Shit. Zack hurriedly sits up, moving closer so he could do the hovering instead, worried for his friend, but not touching him to avoid causing him more pain.]

Spike, you okay?!

[Cloud couldn't answer for a bit; that high-pitched shriek was echoing in his ears and through his head, dredging up memories (some he recalled and some he didn't) to flash before his eyes before a dark haze took over his vision and he lashed out to catch himself before his face met the carpet.

There was a brief moment where he wasn't aware of anything before he managed to gasp out a response.]

-alright- ...I-I'm alright-

[Geez. That geostigma was really messing him up. Zack takes a chance and gently grasps Cloud around the shoulders, helping him up and tugging him to the couch to sit him down before he falls over. He plops down beside his friend once more, still supporting him.]

Don't lie to me, man. Does it still hurt?

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