(Untitled)

[notariverstone]

It was not so unusual for Vincent to be comforting someone who'd been through a trauma. He'd taken care of Tseng and Elena after what the Remnants did to them, he'd helped a few people after the Battle Royale incident, he'd spoken with Reeve after Deep Ground had attacked, and helped to nurse Anael back to health somewhat, before... well. That

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[atinyremnant]

He makes the sound again, even more frightened, almost struggling to breathe now as the pain subsides enough for that crushing panic to get its claws into him again; he manages to force out something that sounds like it could be a word, a name, but it's horribly unclear and asking him to repeat it wouldn't get any answer.

[mommaslilangeal]

Miserable and worried and unsure, Cloud manages a quiet "'m 'ere."

Angeal stays where he is, humming a quiet lullaby, while Vincent joins Cloud in feeling awkward.

[atinyremnant]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cloud's response seems to help. Seph lets out a weak moan and reaches blindly out, as if expecting a hand to be there, reaching for his.

[mommaslilangeal]

Cloud glances away, glances back. Then looks around the room. Both of the other adults were staring at him expectantly. He looks down, then back at Seph. Inwardly sighing, he sat on the bed beside him and held his hand.

[atinyremnant]

He calms surprisingly fast when he feels the hold on his hand, subsiding into silent tears and shallow, pained breaths, trying to grip weakly back though he just doesn't have the strength at the moment. At least he's not panicking any more, though.

[mommaslilangeal]

"My poor little angel," Angeal murmurs.

Cloud looks at him like the other man might have gone insane. Right. Sephiroth. An angel. Ooookaaaaaaay.

Vince leans against the wall, with one foot braced on the wall behind him, his knee bent outwards, making a sort of 4 shape.

[atinyremnant]

A few moments more, and Seph's lashes flutter, his eyes glazed and alarmingly disoriented when they open enough to see; he at least seems aware, again trying to grasp Cloud's hand tighter and trying to say something, but he only manages a hoarse sound and his grip is pitiful at best.

[mommaslilangeal]

Miserable and awkward, Cloud doesn't feel like talking; he just squeezes Sephiroth's hand back.

Angeal looks very worried.

[atinyremnant]

He makes the sound again, more insistent this time, trying so hard to speak - the breath put into the effort seems to rasp in his throat, but he's only vaguely aware he's wincing from trying to get words out through his horribly dry throat and mouth.

[mommaslilangeal]

Angeal goes to get him a cool glass of water, bringing it back to offer to him, trying to lean Seph up so that he'd be able to drink from it.

[atinyremnant]

He almost flinches, only the fact that he can barely move stopping him from doing so, but when the glass touches his lips he lets his eyes close again and drinks so greedily he nearly chokes himself, gasping slightly by the time he finally stops for air.

[mommaslilangeal]

"Shhhhhhhhhh," he soothes, "Don't choke yourself. There's no need to rush."

Vincent is starting to feel seriously unneeded, by this point, and might be letting himself out, soon.

[atinyremnant]

Seph tries to pull a face, finds it too much effort and just sighs, opening his eyes again. He seems much calmer (probably mostly due to Cloud holding his hand), and might not protest talking now if asked the right questions.

[mommaslilangeal]

"Better?" Angeal gives him a slightly relieved look, but it's obvious he's wearing himself out. His eyes are hooded and he's slightly paler than normal, though still doing his best to be there for Seph.

Cloud gives him an unsure little smile and looks away.

[atinyremnant]

"...Hn." He'd be concerned if he wasn't still trying to pull figuratively away from Angeal, hurt and afraid thanks to vague memories of their prior conversation; as it is, his expression becomes very withdrawn, and he quickly turns away to find something else to look at. That something else ends up being Vincent, who becomes the recipient of a strange look - wary, yet crying out not to be rejected, not to be turned away.

[mommaslilangeal]

Angeal closes his eyes and sighs. They'd have to speak later. He hadn't meant his lecture to cause Sephiroth to become so distant.

Evidently, that was the last straw because now he needed to rest. He was no use to anyone like this. He set the glass on the table so the others could help Seph drink from it, standing to walk away, not able to hide the guilt, weariness, worry and hurt.

The look Sephiroth receives in return might be a little hard to read; Vincent was never one for displaying his emotions openly-- call it Hojo's fault. But there is acceptance in his eyes, a trace of gentleness, guilt, and tentative love, if one knew where to look.