Three, actually. We're on-rota for the month after.
[But way more importantly:]
You don't need to rest? I want to see you [of course he does.] but I get it if you need downtime. You fight monsters and stuff. It's totally different than just standing around like we do.
[ Listen, this is just as important, buddy. 'cause he says so! ]
yeah I fight monsters but I'm used to it. Me and Kuns used to go out all the time after missions! besides it sounds like you could use some downtime that doesn't end up in handcuffs. what do you say Spike?
It's okay. After last night, I guess we kind of deserve it.
[Well, THEY do. But... Honestly, screw that. He's just surprised at how resilient Zack is. And cool.]
Right, it was probably a walk in the park for you. I'll be in the barracks. Don't rush your report, okay? I can wait a while.
[And, of course, when said report is done, if Zack saunters into the communal area, he should find.... as always, a lot of infantrymen! Some are eating infantry-designated raions which smell... pretty bad. Some are sleeping in whatever position they can on stiff, uncomfortable-looking benches. Some are playing cards on the floor, some are watching a newsfeed from an old, blinking and flickering TV screen. And sorry buddy, your operation you probably busted your balls over isn't on there. Instead, it's something about Sephiroth.
Away from the crowds, as is his nature, there should be a single infantryman sans uniform, idly looking at the TV from a distance. And other than looking slightly tired and sporting a bruise on his wrist, he doesn't seem to be worse for wear.]
holy overflowed inbox batman BUT ANOTHER FOR THE NIGHT
[ Cloud, do you know how he writes reports? He makes Luxiere's reports look practically like poetry. Not that that's much of an off description for how much waxing prose he must write about himself.
All in all though, he does make the attempt for it to be decent at least. Whether he succeeds or not is questionable, but he's really itching to go- more so now knowing that Cloud's actually around.
It also has him doing double time as soon as he's out of his room, opting to even take the stairs over the elevator when it feels like it'll be forever 'til it gets to his floor. He also might have hopped... down entire flights at a time.
It's not hard to find Cloud in the crowd of busy infantry at least. He stands out for more than a few reasons- and it also helps he's out of most of said crowd. At this point, there's no real head turning when Zack comes walking in, but a few of them do greet him as he passes by. If he sees what's on the television, he doesn't say anything although he might be a little salty about it. But just a little. He's more focused on clapping a hand on Cloud's shoulder with a big ol' grin on his face. ]
Hey, Spike! Long time no see! Hell, it feels like it's been ages.
[He hasn't the first idea! But the intricacies of report writing when you're worth a damn is probably going to remain a mystery forever. Or at least until he... actually gets to retry for SOLDIER. ...Probably forever. Anyway.
When that hand's clapped around his shoulder, he looks up- expression softening immediately into a smile. Unlike Zack's, it's not goofy, it's not broad. More like small. Even a little shy- but just as genuine as his.]
It has been ages. Your last op took weeks...
[His eyes change slightly then, almost as if he's imagining what exactly the mission entailed. Dragons, maybe? Or even a behemoth? He knows better than to ask. Everything's classified of course, so he's not going to. But in his mind, Zack's awesome. He's got no problem imagining all kinds of weird creatures getting wrecked.
And! He glances Zack's hand with his own, giving it a slight squeeze before turning around.]
Glad you're okay though. As if you wouldn't be.
[Basking in adoration, Zack? Good. Because... sorry buddy, but.]
Hey, did you see what Sephiroth did recently? The news is saying that he took down three seperate insurgant groups. All at the same time! He's incredible, huh.
[ He was basking in that adoration. Hell, his smile had even gotten wider- both at the comment and the little squeeze that went with it. It's a lot for a friend to offer who's not usually the touchy feely type and he'll take it.
-And then it's about Sephiroth.
Because of course, it is.
Zack's smile starts to fade out some. He's no stranger to how much adoration the general gets as it is. But Cloud going on about him? Maybe it's just the way he lights up or something but Zack can't help the fond look that he eventually arrives to. ]
Restock? Probably. But first, I got something even more important to do.
[ He says before he tries to reach out right then and put Cloud in a headlock. An attempt there to then noogiehim to hell and back. ]
HAHAHA. I... had to. zack not getting the praise he deserves is everything tbh ALSO that fanart!!
[He should've expected it. He really should've expected it. But he doesn't. It's probably the look in Zack's face that steers him into a false sense of security. It's probably that look of fondness that makes him unable to see the noogie coming until it's way too late.
He totally doesn't yelp a (loud) cry that's well and truly the complete opposite of his usually quiet, usually reserved nature. (Honestly, he didn't. If asked, he's going to deny anything like that ever came out of his mouth) He also absolutely doesn't immediately have his legs buckle, in some kind of (failed) attempt to fall to the ground, away from said noogie.
He's absolutely not dangling uselessly, legs kicking air, because Zack's unconsciously strong enough to have little issue holding up three of him, let alone one.
He's also absolutely not pleading with him, pathetically, even, to stop.
But what he does do? When the onslaught's over, he's totally trying to fix his hair. His hands glance each spike. One, two.... yeah, three. All good. And then he gives him a (more than likely, totally ineffetctual!) shove.]
Asshole!
[Said with utter love, of course. And perhaps even a little bit of affection, somewhere. Except, yeah. He then looks around, remembering where he is. ....And views a couple of turned heads.
...His face colours.]
C'mon, let's go.
I live for that tbh. It's why I play the route where he has no idea he ever had a fanclub either
[ Cloud totally did a lot of things he might possibly regret later. Totally did.
And Zack's living it. He really is from the way he flails when Zack picks him up to the way Cloud shoves him like he does as soon as he puts him down. And that's not even mentioning the name calling.
Zack's got a smile on a mile wide by the time Cloud realizes he has an audience and announces their leave. And Zack's smile fails to fade until they've about reached the elevators. Restlessly shifting his weight from one foot to the other in a rock, he has to ask: ] So, after we hit up the shop, where would you wanna go? It's way too early for any kind of night life.
[ And considering the graveyard shift, that probably wouldn't be a very smart move anyway. ]
poor baby, no respect ;; ALSO i'm switching to remake icons because I have so little CC ones, sob.
[HEY. IT'S. DISARMING WHEN LOCAL BIG FRIENDLY GIANTS COME AND PICK YOU UP OKAY.
He'd be pissed. He'd have all of the righteous furies anyone should expect from the vertically challenged at literally being uprooted (and that's not even half of what anyone else would catch for attempting to mess up his hair. ...Only that's not all that true. Honestly. If his helmet couldn't screw with it, what's there to fear from a noogie?) but... he's not all that pissed, actually. So he has to act it.
...Badly.
Honestly, a lot of why he's not mad is that smile. He's... probably doomed. Because... yeah. He can't exactly not be affected by it. It's... a BFF superpower. So all he can do is push the button for the thing, inclining his head slightly toward Zack as he teeters his weight from foot to foot.
He really has so much energy. It's actually really impressive. But. As the elevator arrives, and he steps in...]
Yeah... [And the reason he was lookout on the ill-fated Wall Market expedition is that legally, he... can't exactly drink. That's... Shinra, really. Give a 16-year old a rifle, sign them up. But.]
Hm... [That is a question.] Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. We could always get something from a street vendor, and bring it back? Or find a park, and eat there.
[Probably eating outside is better. The guys at the barracks, as Zack probably knows, are vultures. As the door opens-]
...Could always get you something from a liquor shop on the way back, if you want to drink too.
It's all good! lol Cloud's not really in a whole lotta scenes (and a zombie in half of them)
[ There's a lot to be said in the end to how much shit Cloud really puts up with when it comes to Zack. Probably a whole novel, in fact. And for that matter, it sometimes makes him wonder what rumors go around the barracks for all the friendly banter they have between each other. But only briefly. Truth is the only thing that matters to him is in all the craziness of his promotion, Cloud's not one of those people who's gone and changed their tune around him and he's more than thankful for that.
All the same, that's not the there and then. The there and then is the way Cloud casually reminds him (yet again) how alcohol is not an option and Zack's rubbing the back of his neck and chuckling a little awkwardly. ] Ah, right. Wouldn't want to have you actually tarnish your record, huh. You know what? Let's just get something to eat. I still owe you dinner anyway, don't I?
[ Look, for how crazy things have been, he hasn't forgotten that. ]
( ooc:Just a heads up that my long tags have been a little slower but I'm still here, promise!! )
[His record... After last night, that's ...kind of a joke. Even then, it's not exactly the first time there's been a blip. But.]
I don't mind. If you want to drink, I don't mind if you do. [Small pause.] Besides, you've been on mission for a while. You should get to do what you want now, right? Before you're called away again.
[They're through the main doors now, and a hop, skip, and a barriered entrance later, and! They're out. This area's pretty quiet, to be frank. Most areas around military barracks are. But just down the road is a district with enough.]
Eating something sounds good though. What do you want?
What do I want? [ It's all a part of that "Gets to do what he wants" mantra, huh. Leave it to Cloud to worry more about that than what he'd want. Zack takes a moment to rub at the back of his neck as he squints maybe way too hard at the sky. Then snaps his fingers a bit too suddenly, pointing at Cloud with certainty. ]
Something hot and spicy enough to burn your tongue off!
[ He grins wide and wild and there might be a dare in those words for all of two seconds before he snorts. ] I want you to pick something. I said I'd take you out, after all.
[ He gives him a little nudge for good measure at that. Maybe he'll rethink the alcohol later, but for now? This is more than enough as he glances through the different places they pass. There's plenty of Wutain, of course. Some basic fried chocobo everything pubs. A dash of Gongagan cuisine and another more seafood palette of the likes of Junon. It's Midgar, after all. It's hopping and hopping with everything under the plate and then some. ]
[WHAT FRESH HELL ARE YOU PLANNING ON BRINGING ONTO HIM--oh. Good. That was a joke. The very faint look of horror that's inching its way over his face despite his very best efforts not to show any form of discomfort abruptly leaves it, and for his efforts, Zack gets a very light bump of Cloud's shoulder ... probably against his bicep. Because what can be said? The guy's a giant. And for perfectly regular-sized people, shoulder to shoulder's a little hard.
But still.]
There's a barbeque joint somewhere around here. The food's okay. It's not fancy or anything, so it's not amazing or anything, but they do hot things too. Then that way, you can burn your tongue off, and I can get something else.
[And it's not fancy. Midgar's... pretty amazing and all, but he can't exactly shake the bumpkin from him. Most places, to him, are as fancy as hell and honestly? he doesn't know what to do.]
And it's take-out. That way, we can go somewhere and talk and eat, without a bunch of people being around.
[Ever the introvert. ...And if he's being honest with himself, it stops him from feeling like a spare part and maybe a little jealous whenever someone takes an interest in Zack.]
[ The joke had been worth it in the end at least. Especially for the kind of initial eyeballing he'd gotten out of Cloud. Enough to get obnoxious laughter out of he, himself.
He doesn't quite expect to eat that laughter though until he hears him spelling out part of why he even suggests the joint he suggests. There's a certain pause filled with a certain fondness to his expression.
Suuuure doesn't stop him from catching that last implication and he chuckles as he tries to ruffle his hair. He's not the only one who notices the eyes on him at times. Might even harmlessly indulge sometimes, but it's also attention he understands isn't everyone's cup of tea. Maybe that's why he speaks up next. ]
You know? If you don't want to be around people, all of you have to is ask, Spike. It's no big deal to me. But barbeque, it is!
[ And he's turning and heading that way just to further seal that plan. It's not far at least. Just a couple blocks and they're there. The line's started to get kind of long, but Zack has no problem taking a spot anyway. Ignores the way his PHS buzzes. Then buzzes again just a few more times, choosing instead to stretch on his tiptoes with a groan. ]
How's your wrists, by the way? You gonna be good carrying stuff?
[Getting up to the correct floor was kind of a pain in the ass. It wasn't like he had any physical problems with doing it. Of course not- his uniform could've belonged to anyone pulling security detail that day, and really- clearance wasn't an issue.
Zack's keycard got him everywhere he needed to go. As for being found out, that... wasn't so much of a concern either. The office workers barely seemed to notice him, as busy with their own tasks as they were. It was more that he felt his heart about to burst out of his chest at any moment. Getting caught up here by who was on security detail wouldn't be good. But. He just had to be careful.
As he gets to Zack's living quarters, he closes the door, quickly, behind him. Then he removes his helmet.
Then, it seems, he can breathe. He leans against the door as he does so, bringing his hands to his face and exhaling. A few moments later...
Yeah, he's good. So.]
I'm back. Sorry I was so long. Today's shift was...
[So long. Guard duty tended to drag anyway, and Zack's recent condition, the worry of leaving him by himself, made his shift feel even longer. Not like he could get out of it, though.]
...Never mind.
[He walks to the other's bedroom. There's... no point knocking. He's probably exactly where he left him.]
Hey, so some new place opened up in town. It's supposed to be authentic Gongagan. Thought it might cheer you up.
[...Might even make him speak again, if only to complain about it being nothing like the 'real thing.' Despite the places around Midgar from... everywhere, city people tended to have different tastes, so 'authentic' wasn't. exactly. done.
Still. He shifts onto the bed, then starts to fiddle with the bags.]
...Sorry about leaving you alone. Must've been boring for you.
[ he'd always been rife with energy; it came in waves, rolling over him like a stream. it's still there, as it always would be — but the mako uppage's tainted that, leaving him sluggish and slow, rendering his surroundings as not much more beyond a haze. there's the twitch of his thumbs and his shoulders, and when he tries to croak out a syllable it mostly ends in...well, nothing. the thought is gone as quickly as it came, and his teeth gnash instinctively, like a part of him is desperately rebelling against his physical form but can't.
so he's seated in bed, eyes glazing over as his fingers curl into the sheets. fidgeting, of course. this was how it always went — and it isn't quite as bad as the initial process, which had made him feel like he was on the verge of hacking his organs up.
but then there's a familiar figure — and his face breaks out into a ghost of a lopsided, strained smile. ]
...?
[ a quirk of the brow, as if to inquire about his day. and then through the fog, there's a shake of the head, alongside a poor excuse for a thumbs up. ]
...Gongaga!? [ the word escapes him a little unexpectedly, but he's already leaning forward, even if the increase in his heart rate hits him much harder than it usually would. ]
[Part of him wondered if keeping him here was... a good idea. He needed to eat. And drink too, and ...other stuff. guard shifts weren't exactly only a couple of hours, so he'd been unsure about leaving Zack alone to his own devices for so long. But. It wasn't like he had any other option. He couldn't not go on shift. If his CO even knew he was connected to a SOLDIER, let alone a First, he'd... well. Otherwise, it's not even like he can take him to the laboratory. They'd been the ones to have done this to him, after all, so to say his confidence wasn't exactly there would be an understatement.
Kunsel had said that he'd come in when he could too, make sure Zack wasn't climbing up the walls or anything... and this... well, he seemed to be fiddling with the same pile of bedsheets he'd been fiddling with when he'd left him.
Worrying. Really worrying. But better than him sticking his fingers into electrical sockets or something.
But then he speaks. He can't help but smile- his arm moving to lightly squeeze his shoulder. But. He has to shoo him (carefully!) back for a moment, just so he can get on the bed and start to unpack the bags.]
Mhm. It was all the way in Sector 5... That's why I'm late.
[Rustling. Lots of it.]
I thought the smell might... uh, help. Get you back. Thought it was worth a shot.
[And! A container's taken out, and carefully placed on Zack's lap. He then puts cutlery in his hand, and takes the lid off. Said smell is... pretty overpowering.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zack;
Three, actually. We're on-rota for the month after.
[But way more importantly:]
You don't need to rest? I want to see you [of course he does.] but I get it if you need downtime. You fight monsters and stuff. It's totally different than just standing around like we do.
bless! we got this! o9!
[ Listen, this is just as important, buddy. 'cause he says so! ]
yeah I fight monsters but I'm used to it. Me and Kuns used to go out all the time after missions! besides it sounds like you could use some downtime that doesn't end up in handcuffs. what do you say Spike?
\o/
[Well, THEY do. But...
Honestly, screw that. He's just surprised at how resilient Zack is. And cool.]
Right, it was probably a walk in the park for you. I'll be in the barracks. Don't rush your report, okay? I can wait a while.
[And, of course, when said report is done, if Zack saunters into the communal area, he should find.... as always, a lot of infantrymen! Some are eating infantry-designated raions which smell... pretty bad. Some are sleeping in whatever position they can on stiff, uncomfortable-looking benches. Some are playing cards on the floor, some are watching a newsfeed from an old, blinking and flickering TV screen. And sorry buddy, your operation you probably busted your balls over isn't on there. Instead, it's something about Sephiroth.
Away from the crowds, as is his nature, there should be a single infantryman sans uniform, idly looking at the TV from a distance. And other than looking slightly tired and sporting a bruise on his wrist, he doesn't seem to be worse for wear.]
holy overflowed inbox batman BUT ANOTHER FOR THE NIGHT
[ Cloud, do you know how he writes reports? He makes Luxiere's reports look practically like poetry.
Not that that's much of an off description for how much waxing prose he must write about himself.All in all though, he does make the attempt for it to be decent at least. Whether he succeeds or not is questionable, but he's really itching to go- more so now knowing that Cloud's actually around.
It also has him doing double time as soon as he's out of his room, opting to even take the stairs over the elevator when it feels like it'll be forever 'til it gets to his floor. He also might have hopped... down entire flights at a time.
It's not hard to find Cloud in the crowd of busy infantry at least. He stands out for more than a few reasons- and it also helps he's out of most of said crowd. At this point, there's no real head turning when Zack comes walking in, but a few of them do greet him as he passes by. If he sees what's on the television, he doesn't say anything
although he might be a little salty about it. But just a little.He's more focused on clapping a hand on Cloud's shoulder with a big ol' grin on his face. ]Hey, Spike! Long time no see! Hell, it feels like it's been ages.
tyt, it's all good!
Or at least until he... actually gets to retry for SOLDIER....Probably forever.Anyway.
When that hand's clapped around his shoulder, he looks up- expression softening immediately into a smile. Unlike Zack's, it's not goofy, it's not broad. More like small. Even a little shy- but just as genuine as his.]
It has been ages. Your last op took weeks...
[His eyes change slightly then, almost as if he's imagining what exactly the mission entailed. Dragons, maybe? Or even a behemoth? He knows better than to ask. Everything's classified of course, so he's not going to. But in his mind, Zack's awesome. He's got no problem imagining all kinds of weird creatures getting wrecked.
And! He glances Zack's hand with his own, giving it a slight squeeze before turning around.]
Glad you're okay though. As if you wouldn't be.
[Basking in adoration, Zack? Good. Because... sorry buddy, but.]
Hey, did you see what Sephiroth did recently? The news is saying that he took down three seperate insurgant groups. All at the same time! He's incredible, huh.
[Sorry, buddy. Your bestie's a fanboy. But!]
So what do you want to do? We could go out for a while, if you're up to it. Do you need to restock?
LMAOSDF I could not concentrate on my tag for a while because every time I come back to this I laugh
-And then it's about Sephiroth.
Because of course, it is.
Zack's smile starts to fade out some. He's no stranger to how much adoration the general gets as it is. But Cloud going on about him? Maybe it's just the way he lights up or something but Zack can't help the fond look that he eventually arrives to. ]
Restock? Probably. But first, I got something even more important to do.
[ He says before he tries to reach out right then and put Cloud in a headlock. An attempt there to then noogie him to hell and back. ]
HAHAHA. I... had to. zack not getting the praise he deserves is everything tbh ALSO that fanart!!
He totally doesn't yelp a (loud) cry that's well and truly the complete opposite of his usually quiet, usually reserved nature. (Honestly, he didn't. If asked, he's going to deny anything like that ever came out of his mouth) He also absolutely doesn't immediately have his legs buckle, in some kind of (failed) attempt to fall to the ground, away from said noogie.
He's absolutely not dangling uselessly, legs kicking air, because Zack's unconsciously strong enough to have little issue holding up three of him, let alone one.
He's also absolutely not pleading with him, pathetically, even, to stop.
But what he does do? When the onslaught's over, he's totally trying to fix his hair. His hands glance each spike. One, two.... yeah, three. All good. And then he gives him a (more than likely, totally ineffetctual!) shove.]
Asshole!
[Said with utter love, of course. And perhaps even a little bit of affection, somewhere. Except, yeah. He then looks around, remembering where he is. ....And views a couple of turned heads.
...His face colours.]
C'mon, let's go.
I live for that tbh. It's why I play the route where he has no idea he ever had a fanclub either
And Zack's living it. He really is from the way he flails when Zack picks him up to the way Cloud shoves him like he does as soon as he puts him down. And that's not even mentioning the name calling.
Zack's got a smile on a mile wide by the time Cloud realizes he has an audience and announces their leave. And Zack's smile fails to fade until they've about reached the elevators. Restlessly shifting his weight from one foot to the other in a rock, he has to ask: ] So, after we hit up the shop, where would you wanna go? It's way too early for any kind of night life.
[ And considering the graveyard shift, that probably wouldn't be a very smart move anyway. ]
poor baby, no respect ;; ALSO i'm switching to remake icons because I have so little CC ones, sob.
He'd be pissed. He'd have all of the righteous furies anyone should expect from the vertically challenged at literally being uprooted (and that's not even half of what anyone else would catch for attempting to mess up his hair. ...Only that's not all that true. Honestly. If his helmet couldn't screw with it, what's there to fear from a noogie?) but... he's not all that pissed, actually. So he has to act it.
...Badly.
Honestly, a lot of why he's not mad is that smile. He's... probably doomed. Because... yeah. He can't exactly not be affected by it. It's... a BFF superpower. So all he can do is push the button for the thing, inclining his head slightly toward Zack as he teeters his weight from foot to foot.
He really has so much energy. It's actually really impressive. But. As the elevator arrives, and he steps in...]
Yeah... [And the reason he was lookout on the ill-fated Wall Market expedition is that legally, he... can't exactly drink. That's... Shinra, really. Give a 16-year old a rifle, sign them up. But.]
Hm... [That is a question.] Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. We could always get something from a street vendor, and bring it back? Or find a park, and eat there.
[Probably eating outside is better. The guys at the barracks, as Zack probably knows, are vultures. As the door opens-]
...Could always get you something from a liquor shop on the way back, if you want to drink too.
It's all good! lol Cloud's not really in a whole lotta scenes (and a zombie in half of them)
All the same, that's not the there and then. The there and then is the way Cloud casually reminds him (yet again) how alcohol is not an option and Zack's rubbing the back of his neck and chuckling a little awkwardly. ] Ah, right. Wouldn't want to have you actually tarnish your record, huh. You know what? Let's just get something to eat. I still owe you dinner anyway, don't I?
[ Look, for how crazy things have been, he hasn't forgotten that. ]
( ooc:Just a heads up that my long tags have been a little slower but I'm still here, promise!! )
no subject
Hm...
[His record... After last night, that's ...kind of a joke. Even then, it's not exactly the first time there's been a blip. But.]
I don't mind. If you want to drink, I don't mind if you do. [Small pause.] Besides, you've been on mission for a while. You should get to do what you want now, right? Before you're called away again.
[They're through the main doors now, and a hop, skip, and a barriered entrance later, and! They're out. This area's pretty quiet, to be frank. Most areas around military barracks are. But just down the road is a district with enough.]
Eating something sounds good though. What do you want?
no subject
Something hot and spicy enough to burn your tongue off!
[ He grins wide and wild and there might be a dare in those words for all of two seconds before he snorts. ] I want you to pick something. I said I'd take you out, after all.
[ He gives him a little nudge for good measure at that. Maybe he'll rethink the alcohol later, but for now? This is more than enough as he glances through the different places they pass. There's plenty of Wutain, of course. Some basic fried chocobo everything pubs. A dash of Gongagan cuisine and another more seafood palette of the likes of Junon. It's Midgar, after all. It's hopping and hopping with everything under the plate and then some. ]
no subject
[WHAT FRESH HELL ARE YOU PLANNING ON BRINGING ONTO HIM--oh. Good. That was a joke. The very faint look of horror that's inching its way over his face despite his very best efforts not to show any form of discomfort abruptly leaves it, and for his efforts, Zack gets a very light bump of Cloud's shoulder ... probably against his bicep. Because what can be said? The guy's a giant. And for perfectly regular-sized people, shoulder to shoulder's a little hard.
But still.]
There's a barbeque joint somewhere around here. The food's okay. It's not fancy or anything, so it's not amazing or anything, but they do hot things too. Then that way, you can burn your tongue off, and I can get something else.
[And it's not fancy. Midgar's... pretty amazing and all, but he can't exactly shake the bumpkin from him. Most places, to him, are as fancy as hell and honestly? he doesn't know what to do.]
And it's take-out. That way, we can go somewhere and talk and eat, without a bunch of people being around.
[Ever the introvert.
...And if he's being honest with himself, it stops him from feeling like a spare part
and maybe a little jealouswhenever someone takes an interest in Zack.]no subject
He doesn't quite expect to eat that laughter though until he hears him spelling out part of why he even suggests the joint he suggests. There's a certain pause filled with a certain fondness to his expression.
Suuuure doesn't stop him from catching that last implication and he chuckles as he tries to ruffle his hair. He's not the only one who notices the eyes on him at times. Might even harmlessly indulge sometimes, but it's also attention he understands isn't everyone's cup of tea. Maybe that's why he speaks up next. ]
You know? If you don't want to be around people, all of you have to is ask, Spike. It's no big deal to me. But barbeque, it is!
[ And he's turning and heading that way just to further seal that plan. It's not far at least. Just a couple blocks and they're there. The line's started to get kind of long, but Zack has no problem taking a spot anyway. Ignores the way his PHS buzzes. Then buzzes again just a few more times, choosing instead to stretch on his tiptoes with a groan. ]
How's your wrists, by the way? You gonna be good carrying stuff?
zack;
Zack's keycard got him everywhere he needed to go. As for being found out, that... wasn't so much of a concern either. The office workers barely seemed to notice him, as busy with their own tasks as they were. It was more that he felt his heart about to burst out of his chest at any moment. Getting caught up here by who was on security detail wouldn't be good. But. He just had to be careful.
As he gets to Zack's living quarters, he closes the door, quickly, behind him. Then he removes his helmet.
Then, it seems, he can breathe. He leans against the door as he does so, bringing his hands to his face and exhaling. A few moments later...
Yeah, he's good. So.]
I'm back. Sorry I was so long. Today's shift was...
[So long. Guard duty tended to drag anyway, and Zack's recent condition, the worry of leaving him by himself, made his shift feel even longer. Not like he could get out of it, though.]
...Never mind.
[He walks to the other's bedroom. There's... no point knocking. He's probably exactly where he left him.]
Hey, so some new place opened up in town. It's supposed to be authentic Gongagan. Thought it might cheer you up.
[...Might even make him speak again, if only to complain about it being nothing like the 'real thing.' Despite the places around Midgar from... everywhere, city people tended to have different tastes, so 'authentic' wasn't. exactly. done.
Still. He shifts onto the bed, then starts to fiddle with the bags.]
...Sorry about leaving you alone. Must've been boring for you.
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so he's seated in bed, eyes glazing over as his fingers curl into the sheets. fidgeting, of course. this was how it always went — and it isn't quite as bad as the initial process, which had made him feel like he was on the verge of hacking his organs up.
but then there's a familiar figure — and his face breaks out into a ghost of a lopsided, strained smile. ]
...?
[ a quirk of the brow, as if to inquire about his day. and then through the fog, there's a shake of the head, alongside a poor excuse for a thumbs up. ]
...Gongaga!? [ the word escapes him a little unexpectedly, but he's already leaning forward, even if the increase in his heart rate hits him much harder than it usually would. ]
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Kunsel had said that he'd come in when he could too, make sure Zack wasn't climbing up the walls or anything... and this... well, he seemed to be fiddling with the same pile of bedsheets he'd been fiddling with when he'd left him.
Worrying. Really worrying. But better than him sticking his fingers into electrical sockets or something.
But then he speaks. He can't help but smile- his arm moving to lightly squeeze his shoulder. But. He has to shoo him (carefully!) back for a moment, just so he can get on the bed and start to unpack the bags.]
Mhm. It was all the way in Sector 5... That's why I'm late.
[Rustling. Lots of it.]
I thought the smell might... uh, help. Get you back. Thought it was worth a shot.
[And! A container's taken out, and carefully placed on Zack's lap. He then puts cutlery in his hand, and takes the lid off. Said smell is... pretty overpowering.]