[ic] DEHIATUS

[herofirstclass]

[it's the middle of the night, when everything should be quiet, but suddenly the doors to the chocobo stables are being pushed open, and stumbling feet can be heard making their way inside]

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[secondhandsky]

[wakes up easy, PING]

Who is it?

[gets the fuck out of bed]

[herofirstclass]

[the sound stops just below the loft]

-Cloud . . . ?

[secondhandsky]

--Zack!

[YEAH JUMPING DOWN]

[herofirstclass]

[leaaaans against the ladder; his hair's dripping wet, but his clothes are dry. gives Cloud a weak, but bright smile]

Hey . . .

[secondhandsky]

[RUSHING TO to help hold him -- he tenses up at the familiar smell... of science]

What happened to you? I couldn't find you anywhere!

[herofirstclass]

[feels him tense and gets an arm around his shoulders, both to hug him tightly and to lean against him]

Were you worried?

[secondhandsky]

How could I not be?

[herofirstclass]

[shakes his head a little, and just. leans on him a bit more]

Sorry . . . I couldn't get to my phone to call you or I would've.

[secondhandsky]

[aaah HOLDING TIGHT what is this why ;; ]

What happened?

[herofirstclass]

[pauses a moment before answering, laughing a little weakly]

Overdue counseling session.

[secondhandsky]

[SSSOO TTTENNSSEE]

You smell like a lab.

[herofirstclass]

[makes a face, and stands up under his own power, slowly]

I do? Maybe I should go shower . . .

[secondhandsky]

Zack, what happened?

[herofirstclass]

[. . . leans against the ladder instead, crossing his arms]

Nii.

[secondhandsky]

. . . That bastard.

[herofirstclass]

[shrugs, tryyying not to seem too affected]

He was interested in my materia - and me, I guess. I don't really remember how I got down there, but I got out as soon as I saw my chance.