onepassingnight | 001 || dream a dream of me.

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001 || dream a dream of me.

[Some dreams have some fluidity. They remain constant, with an overlaying theme - much like a storybook of the consciousness. Others can be sporadic, having no meaning, and easily shifting from one thing to the next. They can be serious, or strange. They can be hopeful, or heartbreaking.

Or... they could be Zack's dreams.

As it is, a deep, dark violet night sky floods the area. You might see quite a bit of snow, as if walking up a steep mountain, with the ice wind blowing through your hair. And right at the cliff's edge stands a man wielding a long, sturdy sword, resting safely upon his back. The weight doesn't seem to bother him in the least - if anything, he's accustomed to it by now, both hands on his hips as glowing, bright blue eyes stare off to the distance.

What could be he thinking about?]

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[he's just making a disgruntled noise and finally trying to slip out of the shoulder hold at the hair ruffle when Zack's words catch him. It's like a steel toed boot to his gut and he goes still.

Yeah. Yeah, Zack would protect him. WILL protect him. To the death. And if he hadn't been there to protect - then Zack wouldn't have died... So his voice comes out subdued as he answers:]

Yeah. I know that, Zack.

[The movement and the subdued tone sober the SOLDIER a little, and his cheerful expression suddenly droops. He knew Cloud was a quiet person, but this sudden change in demeanor was... concerning.]

Cloud...? Hey, c'mon, I didn't mean it. If you don't like noogies anymore, just lemme know.

Zack, nobody like noogies.

[he finishes pulling away though. He doesn't deserve Zack's easy acceptance. Not if his friend knew how badly Cloud would fail him in the end when he needed him most. Straightening up, his eyes stay on the snow that's coating the toes of their boots. So much he wants to say. So much he can't. Because Zack wouldn't listen. He can't tell Zack that when the time comes, he needs to leave a comatose Cloud behind and strike out on his own. Can't tell him to make a break for it and not fight the army when it comes. Can't tell him to shirk his duty and not go when he's sent to Nibelheim. Zack wouldn't be Zack if he took that advice. All he can do is look up at his friend and say:]

Thank you. For everything. I never deserved it but you never cared. Just - thanks, Zack. For all of it.

I, ah... you're welcome? [See that? That's confusion right there.] All I did was talk to you - it's not that big a deal, right?

[But then he stops, remembering. his Cloud is from the future. Which means something should have happened in the future to make him this way. It obviously wasn't something the other was too thrilled about talking through, so he just smiles and tries to pull the other against his side again.]

No matter what happens, always got your back. Remember that, Cloud.

[he lets himself get pulled back because - well, he's missed this. And it's probably his last chance. So he'll take what he can get. Zack's words just drive the guilt deeper though. He knows it.

And he knows he wasn't worth it in the end.]

I know, Zack. That's why you're a hero.

...and talking to me - it was a big deal. To me.

Ahh, come on. I'm not a hero yet. Maybe not even in your time! But...

[He bites his lower lip, looking down at the crunching snow beneath their feet.]

Someday. Someday I'll make it. An' me an' you? We'll both be heroes. Understand?

[his breath leaves him in an exhale. 'Heroes'. It makes the edge of his lips twist upward wryly.]

Nah. That's your place, Zack. Not mine. But - you earn that hero title. Better than anyone I've ever known. Trust me.

Nope! Team effort. Both of us're gonna make it in this world, Cloud. It won't... feel right, bein' at the top without a buddy to share it with.

[he's not going to argue with his friend but - Zack's the real hero. He did things because that was just the way he was. Because he really was a hero, right to the core and that was reason enough for him to take on the world. When Cloud did something... well, he did it because he was mind-fucked... and because someone had to. He filled a spot because there was no one else to, but he didn't belong there.

Trying to explain that to Zack though would be like trying to shout down a breeze. Besides... when Zack was around he could almost actually believe.]

How about I let you be at the top and I just stay on the side and enjoy the benefits of it without having to put in the work?

Jeez, Cloud. A little lazy there, aren't you?

[He gives his friend a light shake. Good ol' awkward Cloud. Always dreaming of being a hero, and yet too awkward to go through with it. It was something he'd have to help the guy through - past, future, whatever the timeline.]

Makin' me do all the work while you get the girls. What kinda deal is this?

[Cloud snorted and took the light shake, remembering... remembering when feeling that easy affection directed at him was more common. He gave another shake of his head and elbowed his friend in warning, even if he kept the jab light.]

Girls aren't my thing either, Zack. In fact, maybe I'd better save the world and you can take on the girls.

Alright, then you can have the guys. [Griiiiinning even wider now.] I'm sure they'll be lonely when I've got all the women.

I don't want the - !

[siiigh, Zack. Just - sigh. And an elbow to the ribs that's not exactly gentle. Fine - he'll remind you why women are so much trouble.]

Think you'd better clear it with Aerith before you get all those girls.

[Zack simply throws his head back in a laugh, moving his hand up to freely ruffle his friend's hair. Ahh good ol' Cloud. So easy to make you spa--]

[Waitaminute.]

...how do you know Aerith?

[eyes narrow, he's busy trying to duck the hair ruffling so give him a minute. When he looks at his friend sideways though, there's a lot going on in that blue. Because that's a question with a seriously loaded answer. He'll stick with simple.]

She sold me flowers once.

Damn. [The word holds a lot, as much as Cloud's look might tell. He's certainly impressed by that much, if only for the fact--]

I didn't think she'd be brave enough to go to ShinRa with it.

[the rest of that sentence should have been 'she sold me flowers. I think I owe her a date.

I let her die.'

But Cloud's trying very hard not to bring all of that into his one chance to see Zack again. And feeling guilty because he really should bring it all up. He owes Zack - an apology seems pretty small and petty considering. He just owes Zack. So many mistakes, so many failures on his part all along. His friend would definitely not be so happy to see him if he knew.

Which is why he's selfish and doesn't say any of the things rolling like sickness in his chest. Instead he'll shake his head and his voice will be softer.]

She doesn't. I - leave ShinRa, Zack. I met Aerith in the slums under the Plate.

[And... there's that sudden halt in his step again. While it is all nice and dandy he was able to meet Aerith, there was another part of that sentence that caught his hearing.

So he stops.

Blinks.

Turns to Cloud with the blankest expression he can manage. Did... he just hear that right?]

...please tell me you just retired.

[Because Minerva help him if Cloud runs away to join Genesis or AVALANCHE...]

[yeah... about that... You're kind of actually looking at the leader of AVALANCHE, Zack. But Cloud's mind hasn't skipped backward far enough to register exactly where in his own very fuzzily remembered timeline Zack is. He's still too focused on - well, the sheer Zack of the moment. Zack's statement however...

Cloud ducks his head. Snow sure is fascinating.]

It was kind of a... forced retirement. We - didn't see eye to eye anymore.

[and those eyes that glow blue and green tinged come back up to find Zack's own mako enhanced ones.]

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001 || dream a dream of me.

/throws party in little home and invites all his friends!

am I invited? >:

of course! who else could we count on to bring the party hats?!

And the drinks!

that... sounds dangerous

i plead the fifth on anything that may happen.

sounds fair

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...that icon. That scene. ;_;

I know - Cloud makes such a pathetically cute 'daddy' figure - though he won't admit it

Everyone's seen ACC by now, Cloud. Ev-very-one. B]

denial! It was on blu-ray. There MUST be people without blu-ray. Or YouTube...