005; text

[introverting]

[ He shouldn't be sad. It's not like Zack's gone entirely. He's with her now, isn't he? The way things should be.

It was just... nice. To be with him again. Alive. Which might be why it took him a little while to believe it was true and get the courage to make a text post. ]

To those who knew him: Zack Fair's left Vatheon.

Comments

[Action]

[fightforastar]

[It is sad news. Despite how they started off, Tifa's come to think of Zack as a friend during their time in Vatheon, and now he's gone again... back to being dead.

But she knows Cloud is going to be feeling it more keenly, which is why she pushes down her own feelings and heads up to his room. She knocks softly at the door.]

Cloud?

[Action]

[introverting]

[ He'd apparently decided laying in his bed and staring at the ceiling was the healthiest way to deal with this. Mostly, he'd just gotten lost in memories and thoughts, sorting through things, wondering if he was supposed to be happy or upset. It was a weird predicament.

He side glances at the door when he hears the knock and Tifa's voice, taking a minute before he pulls himself up, going to pull the door open for her and immediately stepping out of the way without a word so she can come in if she wants to.

... Look how open he is with his feelings. Aw yiz. ]

[Action]

[fightforastar]

[She's known Cloud long enough never to expect any outpouring of words when... well, at any time. Like her, he's not one to broadcast how he's feeling or confide anything without prompting.

She doesn't say anything when he opens up, but just looks into his face for a moment and then steps closer to give him a hug.]

I'm sorry.

[Action]

[introverting]

[ He instinctively stiffens at the hug at first, but it doesn't last very long. His shoulders slump a bit and eventually he goes to wrap his arms around her, eyes closing. He's only half aware of the way his hands cling a bit to her clothes, as though trying to reaffirm that she's not going anywhere. ]

... It's probably better this way.

[Action]

[fightforastar]

[Tifa notices. She didn't mean for it to be a long hug because she knows he is awkward with them, but if he needs to hold on for a little while, she's happy to let him.

She doesn't want to bring up the reasons it isn't better. Even if Zack said the Lifestream was peaceful, even if he's there with Aeris... The two of them deserve to be alive and well. They should all be here together.]

You're allowed to miss him.