[ The hug is brief, but it kicks up the same memories in Zack. The last time they'd been chest-to-chest like this, it was because Cloud had fallen out of the mako pod and into his arms. After that, he'd mainly had him lean against his shoulder and dragged him along with him, or just straight-up carried him if that turned out to be more convenient.
That whole time, he hadn't really known if Cloud would ever be okay again. There'd been a very real chance that he'd remain catatonic for the rest of his life, though Zack had never let himself entertain that possibility for too long. He'd had to believe that he would recover. It's what had driven every step he took toward Midgar, and Aerith. So having the proof that he'd been right, and that Cloud had been able to come back to himself? It makes it feel like everything was worth it.
He'd at least been able to save someone.
Cloud's weak joke only makes Zack's smile grow. When he realizes Cloud's wiping away tears, though, the smile falters. It's fair that he's emotional, just as Aerith had been, though Zack still doesn't quite know what to do with the outburst of emotion. Even if it's entirely justified. And even if it's not really an outburst, in Cloud's case. ]
Yeah, just about.
[ Zack crosses his arms over his chest and shifts his weight. Much like with Aerith, he can't really stop himself from staring. ]
Aerith found me first, actually. She caught me up on a lot. [ With a twitch of a new smile, he reaches out to cuff Cloud's shoulder. ] Mentioned you were around, too. It's... really good to see you.
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That whole time, he hadn't really known if Cloud would ever be okay again. There'd been a very real chance that he'd remain catatonic for the rest of his life, though Zack had never let himself entertain that possibility for too long. He'd had to believe that he would recover. It's what had driven every step he took toward Midgar, and Aerith. So having the proof that he'd been right, and that Cloud had been able to come back to himself? It makes it feel like everything was worth it.
He'd at least been able to save someone.
Cloud's weak joke only makes Zack's smile grow. When he realizes Cloud's wiping away tears, though, the smile falters. It's fair that he's emotional, just as Aerith had been, though Zack still doesn't quite know what to do with the outburst of emotion. Even if it's entirely justified. And even if it's not really an outburst, in Cloud's case. ]
Yeah, just about.
[ Zack crosses his arms over his chest and shifts his weight. Much like with Aerith, he can't really stop himself from staring. ]
Aerith found me first, actually. She caught me up on a lot. [ With a twitch of a new smile, he reaches out to cuff Cloud's shoulder. ] Mentioned you were around, too. It's... really good to see you.