Dream 003
Warnings: TL;DR. Spoilers for Crisis Core and Zack and Cloud's history, but an instance of headcanon.
Effects: (optional) Feelings of worry and as if your sanity is beginning to slip away...
[The dream begins with the sight of Zack half dragging, half supporting a familiar blond in a matching uniform as they come out of the darkness outside into the inn. He deposits the other man down on a big, comfy couch in the lobby, turning away just as the man keels over onto his side. Hearing the quiet noise, Zack turns around and pushes him up again.
“Hey Cloud, can’t go doin’ that. People will think you’re drunk.” He smiles, though it doesn’t reach his bright eyes, and pats Cloud on the cheek.
He doesn’t respond. Cloud just sits there, his head lolling forward on his chest.
Zack’s smile falters. “Just hang tight, kid. I’ll get you a nice soft bed. Promise.” Letting go, he makes sure Cloud can stay upright without his help and quickly walks to the front desk. The lady working the desk, of course, looks suitably worried. Is it the huge sword on Zack’s back or just the fact that Cloud looks like death? Maybe both. But Zack ignores that look and offers her a charming smile. “Got a room for two tired souls?”
The woman is looking at Cloud, really worried now. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just been a rough night.” He chuckles, hoping to keep her attention focused on him. “How much do I owe ya?” Zack’s hand reaches into his pocket, digging around for his last few gil, hoping it’ll be enough.
“He looks really sick. And kind of…green.” Zack closes his eyes, knowing he won’t be able to just distract her. “I’ve heard about mako poisoning…”
Shaking his head, Zack pulls out his gil and sets it on the counter. “Please, ma’am, this is all I have. We just need a place to rest up. One night, that’s it.” Silence. He reaches up to an ear and takes out his earring, setting it down next to the money. “Y’want collateral? Take that, too. Please.”
She stares at Zack, finally, worry still etched on her face. And then she collects the payment on the counter with shaking hands. “I shouldn’t do this…but I can get you one bed…”
“We’ll take it,” Zack answers quickly, laughing quietly in relief. “Thank you so much. So, so much.” And taking the offered key, he nearly skips back to Cloud and scoops him up, a limp arm thrown over his broad shoulder. And soon enough they’re in the small room, Cloud laid out on the bed while Zack lays down on the floor next to the bed, staring up at the ceiling, arms crossed behind his head.
It’s too quiet.
“I told you I’d take care of you, didn’t I, kid?” The slight sound of Cloud’s breathing is the only response. As usual. “You comfortable up there?” Still nothing. “Good. Glad to hear it.” Zack chuckles at himself, trying desperately to stay sane. Gods, Cloud, just one word. One word and he’ll be able to smile again.
“…Goodnight, Cloud. Sleep well.”
Wake up soon.]
[Zack's eyes pop open and fear is evident on his face for a second, but then he sits up as if suddenly remembering something and looks over to the man next to him in bed, those blond spikes giving his identity away. Zack doesn't move, except to hover slightly over Cloud, listening for the man's breathing. Finally, he brushes some of Cloud's bangs from his face, though they don't stay, and he sighs, relieved.
Then the Dreamberry shuts off.]
Effects: (optional) Feelings of worry and as if your sanity is beginning to slip away...
[The dream begins with the sight of Zack half dragging, half supporting a familiar blond in a matching uniform as they come out of the darkness outside into the inn. He deposits the other man down on a big, comfy couch in the lobby, turning away just as the man keels over onto his side. Hearing the quiet noise, Zack turns around and pushes him up again.
“Hey Cloud, can’t go doin’ that. People will think you’re drunk.” He smiles, though it doesn’t reach his bright eyes, and pats Cloud on the cheek.
He doesn’t respond. Cloud just sits there, his head lolling forward on his chest.
Zack’s smile falters. “Just hang tight, kid. I’ll get you a nice soft bed. Promise.” Letting go, he makes sure Cloud can stay upright without his help and quickly walks to the front desk. The lady working the desk, of course, looks suitably worried. Is it the huge sword on Zack’s back or just the fact that Cloud looks like death? Maybe both. But Zack ignores that look and offers her a charming smile. “Got a room for two tired souls?”
The woman is looking at Cloud, really worried now. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just been a rough night.” He chuckles, hoping to keep her attention focused on him. “How much do I owe ya?” Zack’s hand reaches into his pocket, digging around for his last few gil, hoping it’ll be enough.
“He looks really sick. And kind of…green.” Zack closes his eyes, knowing he won’t be able to just distract her. “I’ve heard about mako poisoning…”
Shaking his head, Zack pulls out his gil and sets it on the counter. “Please, ma’am, this is all I have. We just need a place to rest up. One night, that’s it.” Silence. He reaches up to an ear and takes out his earring, setting it down next to the money. “Y’want collateral? Take that, too. Please.”
She stares at Zack, finally, worry still etched on her face. And then she collects the payment on the counter with shaking hands. “I shouldn’t do this…but I can get you one bed…”
“We’ll take it,” Zack answers quickly, laughing quietly in relief. “Thank you so much. So, so much.” And taking the offered key, he nearly skips back to Cloud and scoops him up, a limp arm thrown over his broad shoulder. And soon enough they’re in the small room, Cloud laid out on the bed while Zack lays down on the floor next to the bed, staring up at the ceiling, arms crossed behind his head.
It’s too quiet.
“I told you I’d take care of you, didn’t I, kid?” The slight sound of Cloud’s breathing is the only response. As usual. “You comfortable up there?” Still nothing. “Good. Glad to hear it.” Zack chuckles at himself, trying desperately to stay sane. Gods, Cloud, just one word. One word and he’ll be able to smile again.
“…Goodnight, Cloud. Sleep well.”
Wake up soon.]
[Zack's eyes pop open and fear is evident on his face for a second, but then he sits up as if suddenly remembering something and looks over to the man next to him in bed, those blond spikes giving his identity away. Zack doesn't move, except to hover slightly over Cloud, listening for the man's breathing. Finally, he brushes some of Cloud's bangs from his face, though they don't stay, and he sighs, relieved.
Then the Dreamberry shuts off.]