'' You'll come home, won't you? " [ HIATUS ]

Prompto was really ANXIOUS. He refused to let a child being injured because of him, so he knew he had to be really careful. With his free hand, he summoned his gun and quickly shot the beast behind them as they kept running.

“Don’t be sorry. But we’ll have to run and quickly, you can do that ?” He asked, doing his best to look calm and in control of the situation. He didn’t want to scare the little boy more than he should. 

 For a short while, the child watched Prompto targeting their enemy. The sound of the bullets reached his ears again and again. Even though the noise was far from pleasant, his friend’s aiming distracted him.

That’s so cool. Wish I could do that...

“ Y-Yes! I can! “ Denzel finally woke up from his reverie and his legs increased its speed.

No meaning without smiles? Whenever he wasn’t in his Master’s presence, he had no reason to smile. His life thus far had been nothing short of torture and now he was being told it had no meaning because he didn’t smile?

What a laugh.

“You wouldn’t understand. I’m cursed.”

Blinking, he lowered his head and his shoulders drooped.

A curse? Like the stigma?

“ Are you ill as well? “ His heart sank in his chest at the mere thought that he might be left alone again. 

Is he going to die soon?

He closed his eyes, his ears still paying attention to the story.

" So that's how it went. " A curious blue gaze studied her features and his heart sank.

" That's a sad story. "

Why are they so unfair to him? I don’t get it...

Denzel nodded, keeping silent while he glanced at the clean, light yellow sky.

“ I like your eyes. “ Perhaps if he spoke out his mind, his friend would calm down? “ If people can’t understand and accept you... I don’t think it’s your fault. “

A little smile as he straightened his back, and traversed to the other side of the road.

At those words, he couldn’t help himself but smile widely. Did that mean he was getting better at aiding and supporting the grown-ups? 

Denzel pouted, turning his face away from his appointed caretaker. Has anyone even ask his opinion? Why did they believe that he should be looked after by him?

“ I don’t like being told what to do! Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you know better! “ The child folded his arms, still avoiding any visual contact with the adult.

“Hmm…”

Rubbing the underside of her chin in thought, Tifa turned and looking at Denzel. “What do you think we should try? What’s your tummy in the mood for?” She tried to make sure she would make meals that the kids would at least want to eat, after all. This could be a fun experience, along with an educational one!

“ Could we do Cloud’s favourite meal? I wanna try it! “ His blue eyes lighted up at the mention of his hero’s name.

Perhaps in the future, I’ll prepare it in Tifa’s stead!

   He could easily make the false claim that the young boy’s outburst catches him off guard, but it doesn’t. He knows all too well how it feels to be in the shoes Denzel is in right now. It’s like he’s looking into a mirror almost, though the reflection of his young self isn’t exact the outline of him is still there and he can feel it reflect into the deep blue oceans of his eyes. Even if he makes a halfhearted attempt to not see it he’s still there. Denzel’s agitation has been within eyesight even before he opened his mouth to say anything. “Marlene,” Cloud hopes to catch the attention of the other child who’s in their company, “mind goin’ ahead?” Perhaps there’s no need for him to add further context, she’s pretty observant and can catch signals far better than he can. Her agreeing to his request only proves him right, but doesn’t go forth until offering some parting words; she tells Denzel it’ll be okay and makes Cloud swear to not be too hard on him, but she probably already knows that he isn’t going to be. “I’m a phone call away.” Cloud reminds her while she splits from the unlikely duo. “I know!” Comes her reassurance. 

   The boy’s heart is an anxious one so he rests his hand on top of his head in hopes to ease some of that unnecessary turbulence before he stands upright, hand still resting on top of Denzel’s head. “I’m not upset, Denzel.” Maybe getting that out of the way will help a little, at least it’s what he always wanted to hear his mom tell him back in the day, but more often than not worry and concern for his well-being overcame her senses instead—understandingly so. “You’re not in trouble either.” At least not to the full extent of what being in trouble stands for. His hand retreats, releases its gentle hold on messy yet soft hair. Cloud still isn’t entirely too sure how to go about this, but he’s not about to leave Denzel to feel in this way nor does he want to fancy the thought of him entering another conflict to become a casual occurrence. “Walk with me.” He motions the boy to follow with his head and only starts to go his way when he’s sure Denzel will follow close by his side. “Let them talk.” Though flattered that Denzel wouldn’t hesitate to stand up for him, proud that the young boy will also stand up for himself, now with age and experience there’s wisdom he can grant. “It doesn’t matter what they say, no matter how dumb it might sound it isn’t good to go at it with fists first.” He speaks in the spectrum of this situation for even Cloud has in the past fallen victim to impulse, most of those cases often followed with regret. 

   He continues to pace on, face forward and only looking towards Denzel when he directs the word. Ignorance a choice of the will when more than none recognize who he is and whisper of his tale, savior of the land, hero of Gaia, that means nothing to him. He’s none of that. He’s just a boy. “When I was your age I also got in a lot of fights. I worried my ma’ sick. I..” He stalls, uncertain if what he speaks will help or even if he wants to say much about back then at all. “..I was angry and upset about..a lot.” He’s vague. “Just like you were with that kid in the moment,” he connects the past dots to some of the present, “but I don’t want you to get hurt, Denzel.” He now ponders if his words will convey the concern he feels.

Somehow, the fact that Marlene returns home is a relief for him. He doesn’t wish her to watch this scene anymore.

Silence takes hold of him when Cloud’s hand reaches for his head. A loving gesture, a familiar one follows. The child’s chest grows heavy, his heart feels like lead. He bits his lower lip while restraining some tears and shifts his focus to the ground again.

Cloud’s going too easy on me...

“...’kay. “ Denzel steps slowly at the beginning, unsure of what their current conversation will be about. While he walks alongside his hero, listening carefully to his words, acknowledging their truth, he is conflicted. The way he had treated the situation wasn’t what an adult should have done. How would he become someone grown-ups could rely on if he acted so unreasonably at the moment? How would he be able to protect anyone?

Cloud’s next lines lift his head and make him stare. So his hero got into fights as well? In the end, was it a normal thing to do? Denzel shakes his head.

“... sorry. It won’t happen again. “

I must have worried him.

The boy recalled Cloud’s visage at the moment he had heard about the incident and another pang of guilt hit his chest. Then was the memory of the victim whose cheek reddened because of him. 

Denzel tilted his head to the side, his blue eyes staring at the man with a bright smile. 

“ Uh... thank you? “ 

Who is he and why is he praising me? Is he one of Cloud’s friends?

With his head still down, the child nodded. 

He’s not upset? 

Blinking several times, he lifted his face, slightly leaning in the pat.

I was trying to send you an ask but it wouldn’t let me awraxa.

@ndeavor