Characters: Zack, Tifa, Zell, Kunsel, and... Jim? Kind of? Location: House 43 Date: Day 72 Summary: Jim tries to take out a monster and fails miserably. Warnings: Death, violence, grief? You know, Snowhell stuff.
[She finds herself relaxing as he sits, hoping they can find some sort of comfortable middle ground again. Sometimes she feels like there's a lot of baggage between them, even though she'd only known him for such a short time before they met up again, here.
But before she can fully process that thought, he's muttering, and she finds herself tensing up again.]
Don't.
[There's no anger in her voice. Instead, it comes out pleading. She knows what Jim did was impulsive and reckless and stupid, but it's still too raw for her to talk about. She knows it wasn't Zack's intention, but it still sounds like he's insulting Jim, and she just... Can't deal with it right now. She's pressing her spine into the back of the chair unconsciously, her hands clasping in her lap again.]
...Sorry, I just- [ He stops abruptly, tight lipped with a hard grimace at the floor. He'd been coming around to make things right. He'd apologized. That had been progress. He should have left it at that or asked her how she was- although he already knew that. That would have been a stupid question. For any of them. So, what could he say right then? What did he really come into the kitchen to say other than 'Sorry'?
Maybe because a part of him... A part of him feels like he needs to explain himself. Maybe a part of him knows he has to before he blows another gasket. His mind's still whirling a million miles an hour and it shows in the bags under his eyes and the hint of stubble he's yet to attend to- and probably won't that night. No, his attention's still down on the floor as his grip on the table slowly tightens. ]
[She watches him, catching the exhaustion in his face and the way he grips the table, and she bites her lip. It seems like all of them are blaming themselves for Jim's death, and she's not sure anything she can say will convince Zack otherwise. He was the closest, and even if everything had happened too quickly for him to realistically have done anything, of course that would make it worse for him.
Tifa shifts again, leaning forward in the chair, wishing she were closer so she could touch his hand or get him to stop squeezing the wood of the table so tightly.]
I know that, but... Hell, it should'a been me, you know? Not him... Not like that...
[ He can only hope to Ifrit, Shiva, Bahamet, whoever will hear his plea... That Jim's death was truly quick. Quick... Painless... Over fast and without being engulfed in the sheer panic of fear. Because what happened shortly after... He swallows hard as he shakes his head. That guilty weight's back, resting harshly on his heart again. It seems no matter how determined he is to push forward, there are just some things...
Like the smile Jim had basked in when he'd discovered the other program and gotten the idea to try and hack into the archives. Or like the determined frown when he of all people had come to console Zack after Cloud had vanished. But especially the hurt on Jim's face that night after that meeting with Sephiroth. The last time they had ever spoken, exchanging glances since but never words.
And now those words would never be said. He swallows down another lump in his throat as he shakes his head again. ] I wanted to protect him, Tif...
[Tifa swallows, her eyes falling to the surface of the table as she struggles to gather herself. The change in Jim and Zack's relationship had been obvious after they'd met with Sephiroth. It was impossible not to notice, with all of them in such close quarters all the time. She still has no idea what happened between the two of them, but whatever it was obviously hadn't been mended.
She exhales slowly, wondering if she should get up and go... Stand next to him? Put a hand on his shoulder? Something, but she thinks it would make him feel awkward, maybe, or it would be crossing some sort of boundary. So she stays where she is, finally forcing herself to look back up at him.]
I know. I... I did, too.
[It seems like she's awful at protecting the people she cares about, though. She's always just a moment too late. But for Zack... It seems like he treats it as a responsibility, rather than just a desire to protect the people he's with. Sometimes it drives her nuts, and sometimes it feels oddly condescending, especially when he acts like she's still that fifteen year old girl who's never left Nibelheim, but... She can tell it's tearing him up. And maybe this isn't even a subject she should broach, but...]
Zack?
[It comes out a little hesitant and uncertain, but she pushes forward anyway.]
You don't have to... You shouldn't feel like you need to do this alone.
[ He doesn't say anything for a long time. Though whether it's to process her words or something else, it's hard to say. But just when the silence seems to stretch for too long... ] You know... You're right.
[ And then Zack abruptly shifts. He uses the leverage of his hands on the table to push himself back hard enough that the chair almost tips over. Not that it seems to matter to him as he drops his feet back to the floor and from there, he begins to pace, hands gesturing as he speaks. ]
I mean it's not like I've been doing a great job at it anyway. And I call myself SOLDIER. [ He cuts himself off with a huff and a click of his tongue. ] Why does it always come to this?
For a moment, Tifa's not sure how to respond to him. She can't help but think that Zack must have a pretty idealistic view of SOLDIER, even after what happened at Nibelheim. She might have had mixed feelings about Shinra when she was younger, enough to latch onto the idea of Cloud making it into SOLDIER and becoming some sort of hero who could rescue her, but whatever naive hope she had had about Shinra and SOLDIER had been destroyed five years ago. Maybe it hadn't been for Zack, although she can't imagine how he could still cling to it after everything Shinra had done to all of them.
She sighs, watching him pace for a second longer before finally standing up and stepping around the table. She has half a mind to grab his arm and stop him from pacing, but she holds back on it, crossing her arms instead.]
SOLDIER doesn't have anything to do with this.
[Well, it shouldn't. She doesn't want it to. Because, really... Cissnei is right. Kunsel and Zack are SOLDIER, and even if Tifa might be more willing to trust them because Cloud did, and because Zack had tried to help at Nibelheim, they still worked for Shinra. That should bother her more than it has been. But they've proven that they're good people, she thinks. Zack hates Sephiroth as much as she does. That's proof enough.
Still, though, if Zack is viewing this as some sort of heroic obligation to keep them all safe...]
It isn't your job to protect us. I can take care of myself, and I can help watch out for everyone else, too.
[Even if this does have the vibe of an old argument, she's not looking for a fight. It's obvious in the soft tone of her voice and the way her head is tilted slightly, watching him. She just doesn't want him to feel like it's him and Kunsel on their own, trying to protect the rest of the group.]
It's not- It does have- Damn it, that's not what I meant!
[ As soon as the words are out, he finds himself flinching back. He shouldn't be taking it out on Tifa like that. This isn't her fault. It's not her fault he didn't talk to him. It's not her fault he didn't say what he should have said back then. It's not her fault he didn't explain, didn't apologize, didn't make things right. Too many "didn't"s and "should have"s. Not enough "did"s.
He's a fucking fool and this is his price to pay.
He covers his face with a hand, taking in controlled breaths to try and calm himself down. He'd come to see how she was doing- not to cause an argument. She's not even yelling at him. What is he doing? Shaking his head once... Then again before he runs his hand down off his face and looks to her apologetically yet firmly. His own words fall much quieter than before, his eyes not entirely on hers. ]
It's my choice, Tifa. Just like you choose to watch out for everyone, that's my decision to make, too. On my honor as SOLDIER. Or at least...
[She flinches as well, though not as dramatically. She knows emotions are high, and she might have forgiven him for his outburst before, but she's not going to let him yell at her this time. Just as she's about to respond, to tell him to cut it out, he reins it in, and she lets out a frustrated sigh. Maybe this is why they can't see eye to eye. From where she's standing there's no such thing as honor in SOLDIER, and the people who manage to do good things in their ranks are just flukes.
But, obviously, that's not an argument they need to have right now.
Then he's trailing off, and when he doesn't continue, she prompts him.]
At least... [ He trails off again, grasping at words. Failing miserably again. How does he even explain? Would she even believe him? He doesn't know. ...But how's he ever going to know if she will or won't unless he tries, huh. So, he finally stops his pacing. Finally grounds himself and crosses his own arms, leaving only one hand hanging in the air to gesture loosely in emphasis. ]
Tifa, look... I get it. I get why you hate SOLDIER and I don't blame you after what happened back then. But that's not... I'm not with SOLDIER anymore. I haven't been in years. [ He shakes his head slowly as he looks away, letting his hand drop and swing to the side. ] It's not about the program...
["Not with SOLDIER anymore", right. Her arms uncross, but only to wrap around her stomach, hugging herself. She can't quite meet his eyes because, well... From what she knows about Cloud, she can kind of fill in the blanks as to what happened to both of them after Nibelheim.
This is starting to feel a bit like a dangerous topic. It could easily turn into another argument, she thinks, but there's no backing out now.]
[ He's known her long enough by now to read that as trouble. She's uncomfortable. He doesn't blame her. It's never easy to talk about Nibelheim. Not now. Probably not ever. Especially when the very man who would one day be responsible for the whole incident lives and breathes somewhere in town. But now that he's started this, there's no going back, is there.
And really, a part of him's realizing... this needs to be addressed anyway. Even if it's not easy. So, he finds her eyes, his own seeming to glow more intense than usual. ]
It's about what it means to me. [ He gives her a moment to let those words sink in. And then afterwards, he... goes back to crossing his arms as he takes a step away from her. Then another. Just a very slow paced walk. It would almost look casual if not for all the tension in the house. ]
It's about helping people, no matter what. And not leaving... [ His brows knit. ] anyone behind. About protecting them, even if it means from themselves.
[ He spins around to face her fully again and... rocks his feet back. And forth. And back again before pausing unfolding his arms, looking down at his hands. ] And sometimes when it comes down to it... [ He looks up almost cautiously, even as he shakes his curled hands in emphasis. ] Sometimes it's about being willing to give your own life if it means sparing the life of the ones who matter to you.
[She forces herself to hold his gaze, even if it's uncomfortable, because it feels important somehow. She wants him to know that she's listening, even if she doesn't agree. Those are good sentiments, although she can't connect them to SOLDIER herself. Part of her wants to tell him that she's certain Jim wouldn't have been very happy about it if Zack had died for him, and neither would Cloud. But that would be hypocritical, wouldn't it? She would have jumped in front of that monster in a second if it meant saving Jim, and if she had just been quicker with Aerith...
Tifa exhales, still meeting his eyes when he looks up again.]
But, Zack... You saved Zell today.
[She hesitates, finally looking away.]
And at Nibelheim, you...
[He'd tried to help. It's more than she can say for the rest of Shinra.]
Cloud did... Cloud stopped him. Not me. [ It hurts to mention him here. He knows it'll probably hurt her, too. But it's still the truth. He had... And even then... It hadn't changed things. Nibelheim had burned. All those people had perished. And apparently, things hadn't ended there from what she had told them. About Sephiroth. About meteor... Granted, there's still a lot of confusing things he's trying to work out with her story there. But he at least gets that he came back. And they had been trying to stop him again.
So much for helping.
But that... Zack rubs the side of his neck before his hand travels to the groove of his stubble. He looks down, shakes his head, and sighs. ] And I know I stopped Zell. I just...
[ He closes his eyes. 'I wish I could have saved Jim, too' feels like they're just going back around in circles. Thinking it alone gets that constricted feeling going in his chest. He finds himself slumping a bit, regardless. ] I wish I could'a done more.
[Talking about Cloud does hurt, and she takes in a shaky breath, trying to push those feelings away. That's not a road she can let her thoughts go down right now, because she thinks she might start crying and she's not sure if she'll be able to stop, with that on top of everything else.
She sighs, leaning against the table, staring down at her feet. She feels like this is something she needs to push, even if it's uncomfortable for the both of them.]
I know, but...
[She trails off, scuffing the toe of her boot against the floor.]
But you tried. You tried to help me in the reactor, too.
[And she'd reacted less than positively to it. She'd just been angry, and scared, and in horrible pain, but... Still. Maybe that's one of the things that she feels has been hanging between them.]
I'm... I'm sorry. About what I said.
[She hopes he gets it, and that she doesn't have to elaborate. She's not sure if she can make herself do it.]
[ It's been years since that day, certainly. But it's hard to forget something like that. Especially hard considering that was the last time he and Tifa had ever seen each other. It's enough to jar him out of those other less than pleasant thoughts for a moment. If only to fall into other less than pleasant thoughts as he blinks at her in surprise.
Surprise that turns into something more somber. Somber and understanding. Almost cautiously, he breaks the distance to her side. And after a hesitating moment, he touches a hand to her shoulder. ] It's alright. I mean Tifa, after all that happened... [ He shakes his head once more, but his eyes stay on her. ] I don't blame you. Never did.
[ Losing her family, her friends, her home. Almost her life. Who would? ]
[She doesn't pull away from his touch. In fact, she seems to relax, reaching up to cover his hand with hers. It's a start, right? And it gives her the courage to push forward.]
I've never blamed you, either.
[Well, maybe she did at first, a little. But realistically... What could he have done? She still doesn't understand how Cloud managed to stop Sephiroth, and it isn't as though Zack had anything to do with the experiments. Shinra and Sephiroth are to blame, not him.]
[ Heat of the moment, sure, he knows she did. But... That had been how long ago now. Enough time, well. At least for her to consider things. To turn them over in her head. Perhaps not to entirely get over things and... well, really, he can't blame her there either. But...
But that still doesn't stop the way he freezes a second at that feeling of her hand on his, at those words. But then there's also the feeling of a small weight being lifted from his shoulders. It's not enough to pull a smile from him. Things still are far from okay. But it is enough for him to give her a squeeze on the shoulder as he lowers his eyes. ]
[For a split second, she's not sure if he's talking about Jim or Sephiroth, and she finds herself swallowing against the sudden ache in her throat. They've all been through so many horrible things in the last few weeks, and Tifa can't even begin to imagine what Zack had experienced before that, but... This is a positive step, isn't it? Already, she's feeling more comfortable with him, even if the thought of Jim is still enough to make her vision blur. She wipes her eyes hastily with her free hand. She has no idea what to say in response. Neither of those things were his fault, not really, but he already knows what she thinks about that, and she doesn't think repeating it will do either of them any good. So, for a moment, she pauses, then leans forward to hug him a bit hesitantly.]
[ Repeating things over and over... In reality, it changes nothing.
Apologizing now changes nothing, too. She's not the one he should be apologizing to. Not about him.
He should be apologizing to him. But he...
It takes him a moment to register her arms coming around him. It takes him a moment more to even react. But when he does, it's almost too fast in comparison. He hugs her tightly, head over shoulder and eyes blurring even as he blinks constantly. ]
Damn it, we've gotta find a way outta this place... [ Before anyone else... ]
[Every time she thinks she's cried herself out, it seems like she starts all over again. She feels so helpless, with so little information and no way to fight back. It's easy for her to promise herself she'll be strong for the others, and so much more difficult to actually manage it.
When he hugs her back, she takes that as permission to tighten her grip, taking in a shaky, strained breath. Crying won't change anything. It won't bring Jim or Cloud or Hiro back. It won't even make her feel better. But she's so tired of losing people. She's not sure how much longer she can keep this up.]
What should we do?
[She knows immediately that that was the wrong thing to ask. Zack doesn't know any more than she does, certainly, and she's only putting more pressure on him, so she lets out a quiet, frustrated noise.]
[ He hears that shaky breath and it just adds to that sick feeling in his gut. But breaking down isn't going to do her any favors. It's not going to do any of them favors, really. All it'll do is just add to that ever encroaching guilt. Guilt that's only further fed by that question. He takes controlled breaths at first, just trying to keep himself reined in.
Only once he feels like he's going to keep it together long enough without his voice breaking or going hoarse... That's when he finally speaks. ]
Not your fault- we... Bomb. We should make another one of those. After we check... [ He trails off. Bringing up the hospital right then... His throat constricts at the very consideration. ]
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But before she can fully process that thought, he's muttering, and she finds herself tensing up again.]
Don't.
[There's no anger in her voice. Instead, it comes out pleading. She knows what Jim did was impulsive and reckless and stupid, but it's still too raw for her to talk about. She knows it wasn't Zack's intention, but it still sounds like he's insulting Jim, and she just... Can't deal with it right now. She's pressing her spine into the back of the chair unconsciously, her hands clasping in her lap again.]
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Maybe because a part of him... A part of him feels like he needs to explain himself. Maybe a part of him knows he has to before he blows another gasket. His mind's still whirling a million miles an hour and it shows in the bags under his eyes and the hint of stubble he's yet to attend to- and probably won't that night. No, his attention's still down on the floor as his grip on the table slowly tightens. ]
...He was right there. I almost...
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Tifa shifts again, leaning forward in the chair, wishing she were closer so she could touch his hand or get him to stop squeezing the wood of the table so tightly.]
It isn't your fault, Zack. It happened too fast.
[He knows that, right? He has to know that.]
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[ He can only hope to Ifrit, Shiva, Bahamet, whoever will hear his plea... That Jim's death was truly quick. Quick... Painless... Over fast and without being engulfed in the sheer panic of fear. Because what happened shortly after... He swallows hard as he shakes his head. That guilty weight's back, resting harshly on his heart again. It seems no matter how determined he is to push forward, there are just some things...
Like the smile Jim had basked in when he'd discovered the other program and gotten the idea to try and hack into the archives. Or like the determined frown when he of all people had come to console Zack after Cloud had vanished. But especially the hurt on Jim's face that night after that meeting with Sephiroth. The last time they had ever spoken, exchanging glances since but never words.
And now those words would never be said. He swallows down another lump in his throat as he shakes his head again. ] I wanted to protect him, Tif...
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She exhales slowly, wondering if she should get up and go... Stand next to him? Put a hand on his shoulder? Something, but she thinks it would make him feel awkward, maybe, or it would be crossing some sort of boundary. So she stays where she is, finally forcing herself to look back up at him.]
I know. I... I did, too.
[It seems like she's awful at protecting the people she cares about, though. She's always just a moment too late. But for Zack... It seems like he treats it as a responsibility, rather than just a desire to protect the people he's with. Sometimes it drives her nuts, and sometimes it feels oddly condescending, especially when he acts like she's still that fifteen year old girl who's never left Nibelheim, but... She can tell it's tearing him up. And maybe this isn't even a subject she should broach, but...]
Zack?
[It comes out a little hesitant and uncertain, but she pushes forward anyway.]
You don't have to... You shouldn't feel like you need to do this alone.
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[ And then Zack abruptly shifts. He uses the leverage of his hands on the table to push himself back hard enough that the chair almost tips over. Not that it seems to matter to him as he drops his feet back to the floor and from there, he begins to pace, hands gesturing as he speaks. ]
I mean it's not like I've been doing a great job at it anyway. And I call myself SOLDIER. [ He cuts himself off with a huff and a click of his tongue. ] Why does it always come to this?
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For a moment, Tifa's not sure how to respond to him. She can't help but think that Zack must have a pretty idealistic view of SOLDIER, even after what happened at Nibelheim. She might have had mixed feelings about Shinra when she was younger, enough to latch onto the idea of Cloud making it into SOLDIER and becoming some sort of hero who could rescue her, but whatever naive hope she had had about Shinra and SOLDIER had been destroyed five years ago. Maybe it hadn't been for Zack, although she can't imagine how he could still cling to it after everything Shinra had done to all of them.
She sighs, watching him pace for a second longer before finally standing up and stepping around the table. She has half a mind to grab his arm and stop him from pacing, but she holds back on it, crossing her arms instead.]
SOLDIER doesn't have anything to do with this.
[Well, it shouldn't. She doesn't want it to. Because, really... Cissnei is right. Kunsel and Zack are SOLDIER, and even if Tifa might be more willing to trust them because Cloud did, and because Zack had tried to help at Nibelheim, they still worked for Shinra. That should bother her more than it has been. But they've proven that they're good people, she thinks. Zack hates Sephiroth as much as she does. That's proof enough.
Still, though, if Zack is viewing this as some sort of heroic obligation to keep them all safe...]
It isn't your job to protect us. I can take care of myself, and I can help watch out for everyone else, too.
[Even if this does have the vibe of an old argument, she's not looking for a fight. It's obvious in the soft tone of her voice and the way her head is tilted slightly, watching him. She just doesn't want him to feel like it's him and Kunsel on their own, trying to protect the rest of the group.]
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[ As soon as the words are out, he finds himself flinching back. He shouldn't be taking it out on Tifa like that. This isn't her fault. It's not her fault he didn't talk to him. It's not her fault he didn't say what he should have said back then. It's not her fault he didn't explain, didn't apologize, didn't make things right. Too many "didn't"s and "should have"s. Not enough "did"s.
He's a fucking fool and this is his price to pay.
He covers his face with a hand, taking in controlled breaths to try and calm himself down. He'd come to see how she was doing- not to cause an argument. She's not even yelling at him. What is he doing? Shaking his head once... Then again before he runs his hand down off his face and looks to her apologetically yet firmly. His own words fall much quieter than before, his eyes not entirely on hers. ]
It's my choice, Tifa. Just like you choose to watch out for everyone, that's my decision to make, too. On my honor as SOLDIER. Or at least...
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But, obviously, that's not an argument they need to have right now.
Then he's trailing off, and when he doesn't continue, she prompts him.]
At least what?
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Tifa, look... I get it. I get why you hate SOLDIER and I don't blame you after what happened back then. But that's not... I'm not with SOLDIER anymore. I haven't been in years. [ He shakes his head slowly as he looks away, letting his hand drop and swing to the side. ] It's not about the program...
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This is starting to feel a bit like a dangerous topic. It could easily turn into another argument, she thinks, but there's no backing out now.]
What is it about?
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And really, a part of him's realizing... this needs to be addressed anyway. Even if it's not easy. So, he finds her eyes, his own seeming to glow more intense than usual. ]
It's about what it means to me. [ He gives her a moment to let those words sink in. And then afterwards, he... goes back to crossing his arms as he takes a step away from her. Then another. Just a very slow paced walk. It would almost look casual if not for all the tension in the house. ]
It's about helping people, no matter what. And not leaving... [ His brows knit. ] anyone behind. About protecting them, even if it means from themselves.
[ He spins around to face her fully again and... rocks his feet back. And forth. And back again before pausing unfolding his arms, looking down at his hands. ] And sometimes when it comes down to it... [ He looks up almost cautiously, even as he shakes his curled hands in emphasis. ] Sometimes it's about being willing to give your own life if it means sparing the life of the ones who matter to you.
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Tifa exhales, still meeting his eyes when he looks up again.]
But, Zack... You saved Zell today.
[She hesitates, finally looking away.]
And at Nibelheim, you...
[He'd tried to help. It's more than she can say for the rest of Shinra.]
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So much for helping.
But that... Zack rubs the side of his neck before his hand travels to the groove of his stubble. He looks down, shakes his head, and sighs. ] And I know I stopped Zell. I just...
[ He closes his eyes. 'I wish I could have saved Jim, too' feels like they're just going back around in circles. Thinking it alone gets that constricted feeling going in his chest. He finds himself slumping a bit, regardless. ] I wish I could'a done more.
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She sighs, leaning against the table, staring down at her feet. She feels like this is something she needs to push, even if it's uncomfortable for the both of them.]
I know, but...
[She trails off, scuffing the toe of her boot against the floor.]
But you tried. You tried to help me in the reactor, too.
[And she'd reacted less than positively to it. She'd just been angry, and scared, and in horrible pain, but... Still. Maybe that's one of the things that she feels has been hanging between them.]
I'm... I'm sorry. About what I said.
[She hopes he gets it, and that she doesn't have to elaborate. She's not sure if she can make herself do it.]
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Surprise that turns into something more somber. Somber and understanding. Almost cautiously, he breaks the distance to her side. And after a hesitating moment, he touches a hand to her shoulder. ] It's alright. I mean Tifa, after all that happened... [ He shakes his head once more, but his eyes stay on her. ] I don't blame you. Never did.
[ Losing her family, her friends, her home. Almost her life. Who would? ]
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I've never blamed you, either.
[Well, maybe she did at first, a little. But realistically... What could he have done? She still doesn't understand how Cloud managed to stop Sephiroth, and it isn't as though Zack had anything to do with the experiments. Shinra and Sephiroth are to blame, not him.]
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But that still doesn't stop the way he freezes a second at that feeling of her hand on his, at those words. But then there's also the feeling of a small weight being lifted from his shoulders. It's not enough to pull a smile from him. Things still are far from okay. But it is enough for him to give her a squeeze on the shoulder as he lowers his eyes. ]
I'm sorry I didn't stop him sooner.
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Apologizing now changes nothing, too. She's not the one he should be apologizing to. Not about him.
He should be apologizing to him. But he...
It takes him a moment to register her arms coming around him. It takes him a moment more to even react. But when he does, it's almost too fast in comparison. He hugs her tightly, head over shoulder and eyes blurring even as he blinks constantly. ]
Damn it, we've gotta find a way outta this place... [ Before anyone else... ]
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When he hugs her back, she takes that as permission to tighten her grip, taking in a shaky, strained breath. Crying won't change anything. It won't bring Jim or Cloud or Hiro back. It won't even make her feel better. But she's so tired of losing people. She's not sure how much longer she can keep this up.]
What should we do?
[She knows immediately that that was the wrong thing to ask. Zack doesn't know any more than she does, certainly, and she's only putting more pressure on him, so she lets out a quiet, frustrated noise.]
Sorry, I... [Ugh.] I'm so sick of this.
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Only once he feels like he's going to keep it together long enough without his voice breaking or going hoarse... That's when he finally speaks. ]
Not your fault- we... Bomb. We should make another one of those. After we check... [ He trails off. Bringing up the hospital right then... His throat constricts at the very consideration. ]
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