[ Cloud's initial question seems baffling at first, until Zack realizes why he's asking. For some misled attempt at revenge? It's all over and done now, there doesn't seem to be much point to it. Especially when they're both here, far away from the legions of soldiers that had gunned Zack down.
Thankfully, Cloud doesn't dwell on that for too long. Memory problems? It makes sense, given how severe his case of mako poisoning had been. Zack holds back a sigh, wishing that Cloud would have been willing to share this with him before. It would have elucidated at least a couple of things that had been bothering him up until now. ]
You're not dragging me down. And you never have.
[ Zack is clear on that point. Is it possible that if he hadn't had Cloud with him, that he might have survived? There's no point in asking a question like that. He never would have left Cloud behind.
Glancing down at Cloud's slim fingers as they clench onto the fabric of his shirt, Zack considers how to answer his question. How does he know? Well, the world clearly kept turning without him. Time has passed since he breathed those last breaths; Cloud and Aerith have confirmed that already. More than that, he remembers the sensation of his consciousness slipping away before he woke up here in Aefenglom. He remembers the cold finality of it. Not that it's something he can so easily explain to someone who's never felt it themselves.
Cloud's face settles in against his neck, and Zack doesn't hesitate to place his hand on his back, rubbing slowly across his shoulder blades. ]
I guess I don't know for sure. Just not sure how what's already done could be undone. But, hey, I guess there's only one way to find out, right?
[ In truth, Zack doubts it will turn out the way that Cloud is hoping, and he's not sure if it's cruel to let him believe there's an outcome that doesn't involve Zack being dead and gone. He doesn't have it in him to argue the point, though. ]
In the meantime, though... [ He pulls back enough that he can look Cloud in the face, and let him get a little more used to his changed eyes. ] This place isn't all bad. Try to focus on the good stuff!
no subject
Thankfully, Cloud doesn't dwell on that for too long. Memory problems? It makes sense, given how severe his case of mako poisoning had been. Zack holds back a sigh, wishing that Cloud would have been willing to share this with him before. It would have elucidated at least a couple of things that had been bothering him up until now. ]
You're not dragging me down. And you never have.
[ Zack is clear on that point. Is it possible that if he hadn't had Cloud with him, that he might have survived? There's no point in asking a question like that. He never would have left Cloud behind.
Glancing down at Cloud's slim fingers as they clench onto the fabric of his shirt, Zack considers how to answer his question. How does he know? Well, the world clearly kept turning without him. Time has passed since he breathed those last breaths; Cloud and Aerith have confirmed that already. More than that, he remembers the sensation of his consciousness slipping away before he woke up here in Aefenglom. He remembers the cold finality of it. Not that it's something he can so easily explain to someone who's never felt it themselves.
Cloud's face settles in against his neck, and Zack doesn't hesitate to place his hand on his back, rubbing slowly across his shoulder blades. ]
I guess I don't know for sure. Just not sure how what's already done could be undone. But, hey, I guess there's only one way to find out, right?
[ In truth, Zack doubts it will turn out the way that Cloud is hoping, and he's not sure if it's cruel to let him believe there's an outcome that doesn't involve Zack being dead and gone. He doesn't have it in him to argue the point, though. ]
In the meantime, though... [ He pulls back enough that he can look Cloud in the face, and let him get a little more used to his changed eyes. ] This place isn't all bad. Try to focus on the good stuff!