Challenge [237]: Hope(less)
Title: Hope(less)
Challenge: [237] Carpe Diem
Word Count: 286
Spoilers: Potentially BBS.
Summary: Cloud has a talk with an old friend.
“It’s only hopeless if you let it be, you know.”
Despite himself- despite the sight of his home world not so much lying in ruins in front of him as not there at all- Cloud smiles slightly. “You would say that.”
“Well, someone has to,” Zack replies, and Cloud can almost hear him grinning. “So what if everything’s been swallowed by darkness? You’ll get it back. Cid said it was receding, right? And people are flocking back every day wanting to get a move on with rebuilding.” Boots sound on the tower’s cracked flagstones as Zack straightens up from where he’s leaning against the wall and heads closer to where Cloud stands at the window. “And on top of all that, you’re back. You’re home with everyone. That’s something to be happy about, right?”
The mention of his friends brings a spark of warmth to his heart even as he looks down on the emptiness below. After years and across worlds, against all odds- here they are again. Back at the beginning. Together. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” Cloud’s smile widens, safe in the knowledge that Zack can’t see it as long as he has his back turned. “I guess even youhave to be right now and then.” As always, Zack’s laughter triggers his own and he continues, “I guess I-”
“Who are you talking to?”
Cloud’s eyes widen at the sound of Aerith’s voice and he whips around to see her standing in the doorway of the abandoned tower room, head cocked, face a mixture of curiosity and worry.
They’re completely alone.
Of course. He’d forgotten.
Unable to meet her gaze, he turns sharply back to the window, concentrating on the devastation once more.
“No one.”
Challenge: [237] Carpe Diem
Word Count: 286
Spoilers: Potentially BBS.
Summary: Cloud has a talk with an old friend.
“It’s only hopeless if you let it be, you know.”
Despite himself- despite the sight of his home world not so much lying in ruins in front of him as not there at all- Cloud smiles slightly. “You would say that.”
“Well, someone has to,” Zack replies, and Cloud can almost hear him grinning. “So what if everything’s been swallowed by darkness? You’ll get it back. Cid said it was receding, right? And people are flocking back every day wanting to get a move on with rebuilding.” Boots sound on the tower’s cracked flagstones as Zack straightens up from where he’s leaning against the wall and heads closer to where Cloud stands at the window. “And on top of all that, you’re back. You’re home with everyone. That’s something to be happy about, right?”
The mention of his friends brings a spark of warmth to his heart even as he looks down on the emptiness below. After years and across worlds, against all odds- here they are again. Back at the beginning. Together. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” Cloud’s smile widens, safe in the knowledge that Zack can’t see it as long as he has his back turned. “I guess even youhave to be right now and then.” As always, Zack’s laughter triggers his own and he continues, “I guess I-”
“Who are you talking to?”
Cloud’s eyes widen at the sound of Aerith’s voice and he whips around to see her standing in the doorway of the abandoned tower room, head cocked, face a mixture of curiosity and worry.
They’re completely alone.
Of course. He’d forgotten.
Unable to meet her gaze, he turns sharply back to the window, concentrating on the devastation once more.
“No one.”