ohmyarceus | May - June Test Drive Meme

Everything happened in a blur and Zack couldn't do anything but watch. He didn't like the helpless feeling he had as Cloud pulled away from him to battle the danger orb. Helpless. The last time he was helpless wasn't that long ago. It caused his body to freeze up. Brodoof quickly ran to it's owner and tugged on his gloves, trying to get his attention but Zack stayed where he was. It wasn't until the voltorb was caught that he finally came to his senses and stood up, hoping Cloud didn't see him freeze up in the commotion.

Was this ptsd? Probably but he couldn't think of that now, Cloud's pokemon was injured and they needed to heal it before they could do anything else. "Y-yeah let's go take care of it. I'm glad you have a strong pokemon with you Cloud." He smiled and picked up brodoof so they could travel faster than the short legs would ever be able to.

He walked over to Cloud and did a double check on him, wiping some soot off his cheek and ruffling his hair a little, worry in his blue eyes. "You okay? Do you need anything yourself before we go?"

Cloud didn’t see him freeze up, but he sure is seeing this behavior now, and he frowns in equal parts concern, confusion, and annoyance. “Zack, I’m fine. What’s gotten into you? Tell me what’s going on, you’re not usually this jumpy.”

Or this handsy, either, but Cloud’s not complaining about that one.

"I..." He frowned, adjusting his hold on Brodoof and looking away. "You haven't noticed it yet...have you?" With a sigh, Zack leaned in until his nose was almost pressed against Cloud's.

"My eyes....they don't glow here. I have no materia, no super strength or anything special about me." He pulled back, trying to hide how helpless he felt. "I can't do anything if you get hurt Cloud. I can't protect you here and it's a lot to take in. "

For half a second, Cloud thinks Zack is about to do something else, but even just this much is enough to color his cheeks a little pink. Still, this close there’s no missing it; by the time Zack explains himself, Cloud’s noticed himself, too. Zack’s eyes are always so bright, like he has a miniature sun shining inside him. It’s a bit strange to see them this way and it does raise some serious questions about why this has happened, but what really catches Cloud’s attention is what Zack says.

“So…you’re worried because you’re normal.” Yeah, it’s sarcasm, but wry. He smirks slightly. “I get it, but the rest of us get along just fine without enhancements, y’know. And I’m not fragile. I may not be SOLDIER, but I am combat trained, and so are you. It’s not like we’re helpless, here.”

CJ gives a little coo and nibbles on Cloud’s hair. “Right - plus, we’ve got these guys to fight with us.”

Zack picks up on the sarcasm in Cloud's words but it doesn't make him feel any better. There was the unspoken fear here that Zack can't accomplish his dream here. Sure he maybe almost died a hero in their world, though maybe a martyr was the better word. Here he was nothing and Zack Fair didn't know how to handle being nothing.

"I guess you're right. It's just so weird to feel helpless. You got electrocuted Cloud. If it had been worse I don't have any phoenix downs or curaga to help you. I...don't know what I could do to help you." He paused, moving away from his blonde companion. "I know basic medical training, we both due but..."

He looked towards Cj and how injured the pokemon is. He doesn't want his own pokemon to get hurt protecting him either. "Let's go help Cj. We can come back to this discussion later. He needs our help."

"Yeah, well, welcome to my world," Cloud grumbles. In his opinion, he himself has been nothing all his life. "I got zapped a little, it barely hurt. At least this way, maybe I can protect you for a change."

Maybe this way, he won't be nothing but a liability to Zack anymore.

He sighs. "Yeah, okay - wait a second. Uh--I mean, we can keep walking, but..." He squints at Zack's face as he starts heading for the Pokecenter again. "You're not just acting different. You look different, too. You look..." Like someone switched off that light you shine into the darkness for everyone. "Older."

The thought of Cloud protecting him was cute. He had once seen what Cloud could do and it was impressive given he didn't have any enhancements at the time. Maybe in this world he was actually at an advantage since his body didn't feel weaker or heavier like Zack's own did. "Well if you want you can protect me but I still got your back."

He smiled a little as they started to walk but paused when Cloud starting looking at him closer.

Fuck.

What could he possibly say for looking older without having to explain what happened to him, to both of them. He wished he was as quick to think on his feet like some of the Turks he once called his friends.

Trying to think of what to say he shrugged, as if oblivious to it. Hoping his acting was good enough. "Maybe it's this world? I don't have my enhancements so maybe it affected how I look more than I thought. Do I really look old to you?" He pouted, rubbing at his cheek. "I hope I don't look too old for you."

Cloud smiles back. "Deal."

This isn't the first time Cloud's asked Zack a question and gotten vague dissembling in response. Sometimes he gets the feeling that it's just because Zack's thoughts aren't organized enough for him to actually formulate coherent sentences, but sometimes...

Cloud rolls his eyes a little. "Didn't say you look old, just older. Or...I dunno. Sadder?" His brow furrows. "Doesn't seem like it's just losing your SOLDIER stuff. You okay?"

He hates that he is the cause for that look on Cloud's face. Had it been 'his' Cloud he would have simply kissed those furrowed brows and then maybe kissed Cloud himself. This wasn't his Cloud though, he was different and they didn't have that relationship yet even if he firmly believed that it could happen again. If Cloud loved him once he would love him again and Zack would wait for him, always.

"I'm fine. It's just a lot ya know? I don't even have Angeal's sword here. " He frowned at that knowing this place wasn't the reason for the loss of the Buster sword. "But seeing you is cheering me up." He dropped the frown and grabbed Cloud's hand, leading him to the pokecenter again.

Ah. Cloud can understand that, at least. He knows how important Angeal and that sword were to Zack, and what they represented. Still doesn't explain why he looks kinda ragged, but Cloud can tell he's hit that wall where Zack's not going to explain anything and he just wants to Go Do Something instead of talking about it anymore.

Besides, what Zack says next distracts him neatly from that whole thing. His eyes light up a little. "It is?" He accepts that hand gladly and picks up the pace, wanting to hurry up and get this finished so they can go have their date - and maybe that will cheer Zack up even more. Zack without a smile on his face looks wrong, somehow. "Well...I'm glad."

It doesn't take much longer to reach the Pokecenter, and the nurse takes care of CJ quickly, too. ...wait, is that the same nurse who was working in the last town? Nah, that would be too weird. Must just look like her.

CJ settles back into Cloud's hair, chirpier in more ways than one, and he sighs and allows it. For now. "So...where to?"

Yes, being with Cloud is cheering him up. That isn't a lie, how could he not be happy with such a friend at his side. He shifts their hands so their fingers are entwined as they head over to the poke center. His smile is returning just a bit slower than usual. He's still worried that Cloud got electrocuted right in front of him and might feel weird from him. When he gets the chance he wants to really make sure he's fine all over.

The pokecenter trip was quicker then he thought it would be. Just cause they are there he gets a checkup on Brodoof and Grim and once the two are returned to him he looks around, still unfamiliar with everything himself. He does have some gil, or whatever currency they use here on him so they can totally grab some food. "I guess we follow our stomachs and our noses for someplace tasty to eat?"

Cloud can't help ducking his head a bit in self-consciousness as they walk along, despite the pleased little smile on his face that he tries to hide in his scarf. He's never done anything like this before - all this hand-holding and open affection. He likes it, but it's new, and he's gonna have to adjust.

"Sounds good to me. I think I saw a seafood place on the way here, we could check that out if you want."

"Oh you like seafood? We can do that. I wonder what they actually serve though. If pokemon are kinda like pets and friends...do you eat fish still?" It was a question that Zack was going to wonder all the way to the seafood place.

Walking around hand in hand with Cloud was like a dream come true. He really should have explored a relationship with him maybe before everything went down. Maybe things could have been different, maybe Cloud wouldn't be entangled in his mess. He gave Cloud's hand a squeeze and tugged him in a little closer so he could walk with an arm around Cloud's waist instead. "Hey Cloud, if we are here long....would you like to stick together? I mean like, ya know. Stay together as partners. Maybe find a place togther..."

"Uh...good question. Maybe there's fish that aren't Pokemon?" They sure haven't seen any animals that didn't seem just as intelligent and fantastical as their own companions, but...there must be some. Right?

A flush rises to his cheeks when Zack pulls him close. This...this is nice. Makes him feel like he's wanted, like he belongs here at Zack's side. It's a little embarrassing, too, but that's a small price to pay.

He blinks up at Zack at the question. "Huh? O-of course!" Okay, calm down, Strife, that's a bit much. "I mean, um...sure. That...that sounds great."

His scarf is probably doing a piss-poor job of hiding the way his smile widens, at this point.

"I hope so. I'm gonna end up starving if all I can eat here is vegetables and no meat. I mean....not that I want to eat a pokemon though." He really hoped he wasn't going to have to eat a pokemon.

Cloud agreeing to stay with him was great and perfect, only problem was he didn't have a place to stay...yet. That was okay he could figure it out later. For now he was just happy he could have Cloud besides him and they could live out their dream of running away together and having a peaceful life. Pokemon were just an added bonus to that.

"I'm glad. I don't have a place yet but we can find one together, after a meal!" They finally reached the delicious smell and went inside to grab a table. They were able to get one outside. It was cute and even had a little candle on the table for ambience and Zack pulled the seat out for Cloud too, wanting this to be a perfect date. A first date. "Man it smells good here!"

"Uh, hate to tell you but...there's a bunch of vegetable Pokemon, too." Cloud doesn't particularly want to eat a Pokemon either, but they've gotta eat something. The people native to this world have to have some kind of alternative, right? ...right?

We can find one together. Cloud would never admit it out loud, but he's dreamed about this, sometimes. Being together with Zack, staying by his side, being a true partner to him. "Sure," he says, eyes sparkling with a bit of wonder at the literal dream come true this all is.

Cloud watches Zack pull out his chair, a bit baffled. "Uh...I could've done that myself." Sorry, Zack, it's gonna become obvious quickly that Cloud doesn't have much of a romantic streak.

But he sits down anyway and takes in the aroma of fresh fish and seafood with a slow inhale. "Really good," he agrees, grabbing a menu and peering at it. "What d'you think you'll order?"

May - June Test Drive Meme

No worries I'm delayed too! Also I upgraded so expect some lovely clack icons <3

yessss

Re: I've been craving some zakkura so I'm happy for this <3

:3

<3 <3

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Oh boy time for pain

😭

Re: 😭

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