#| main.

Consideration had never entirely been his prerogative. Although he sits, back curved as elbows rest against knees, he wonders why hesitation would flow through her so readily. For all that they’ve been through-- for all that she’s done for him-- he feels she’s earned that right at the very least. 

Rather, he’s aware that he’d very likely be dead ten times over by now if not for her helping hand. A secure grasp that has kept him from falling time and time again, one that likely will never be paid back in full no matter how long or how hard he tries. There’s little else in the way of blood pact, after all. When ones life belonged to another, there’s few one can do to escape. 

But at least, in this, it is the positive sort. Still, a debt was a debt.

Thus it’s easy to shift a little closer her way; thigh still maintaining distance, but shoulder inched ever so slightly more into her radius, willing to take that weight. While Tifa slumbers, Cloud will take guard; as has been the same many times over, and will likely be exchanged in full in turn.

He’s gotten used to the perfect simplicity of it all. Nature, in all its grandeur and mercilessness, had quickly ensnared him within its grasp: a young man previously disinterested with the way of things, assured of the mindlessness of it all, aware that ones singular impact on the world would remain minimal at best: do your work, live your life, and die as all do. Become dirt, become grass, return to the grand stream. 

There was comfort in that: in the certainty of it all. Of course such things hardly remained that way, of course life would not remain as simple as he’d prefer-- the large dreams of a young boy easily squashed ‘neath cruelty. Yet here, surrounded by the trees and earth, he felt more at peace with oneself that he had done in-- 

Well. A long time. 

Thus it feels easy to eek forth the smallest curve upon lips as sweet treat is offered his way. His appreciation is less towards the food itself, but rather the earnest joy in its presentation: companion clearly proud with his work, eager to share creation with newfound friend. Link reminded Cloud of a kid in many ways: less so due to his age, nor due to his prowess - as he was certainly more than capable of holding his own - but in regards to his earnest displays of emotion. Far unlike Cloud, there appeared little filter in way of each grin, scowl and smile. For as little as the lad talked, it rarely seemed necessary. In many ways, Link had his own language, one unique only to him. There was appreciation in silence.

   ❛Thanks.❜ 

Appreciation aside-- Cloud was perfectly content with a simple bounty of rations or, if he were feeling particularly rambunctious, the unfortunately charred meat of whatever he’d hunted and attempted to cook. While perfectly skilled in the kitchen ( in regards to bare bone basics, that is ) preparing food upon nothing else but a mere campfire and pot had been another matter entirely. At least when AVALANCE had been touring across their world the issue of meals had been a problem shared among all within their party rather than the singular energies of just one. 

Still, the gift is readily accepted, and Cloud finds himself almost excited to sample something clearly made with some practice-- perhaps even finesse? 

 ❛--You break that?❜ 

There’s mild annoyance present within his voice, inquiry barely toeing the line of irritation. When one dealt with the presence of children on the daily, it was natural that ones patience was tested. The rare dropped plate, knocked over bar stool, giggles retreating away from a slammed door; a kind of mischief that came with unending energy and little bodies too small to contain it. Guilt would always follow, kids hardly the disrespectful sort-- yet Cloud has seen his fair share of tantrums and rough housing. 

This, though? A truck, in the middle of nowhere? 

Thankfully just a nasty dent, and likely an accident - had the man been the culprit at all - but a somewhat baffling one. Cloaked in all blue, grand furs about his shoulders and dark armor underneath: he hardly fit the part of a typical traveler. Especially here-- stifling heat, nothing but the deserts barren embrace spread out around them, and a small settlement piercing the otherwise unbothered horizon. An actor then, maybe. Perhaps one from Gold Saucer, without pack to store his rather impressive characters regalia.

Yet could an actor hold so much strength, lest he been similarly augmented?

He stops mid chew as though a child scolded, attention snapping away from the takeout carton clutched casually upon hand, chopsticks still held within the other. Perhaps his pilfered treasure did not belong within the relatively small quarters of their shared tent, but the surge of muted excitement he’d felt upon visiting the nearby settlement and stumbling across a food cart with somewhat familiar cuisine had been difficult to ignore. They were near the mountains here, air chilled and snow dusting the ground underfoot. Close to what remained of Nibelheim. Close to what one could call nostalgia.

  ❛It’s wolf liver.❜

Green green green-- it’s marvelous, in a way, that a colour could spread so wide, so delicately in shade and story, waves of it blanketing a landscape unbroken by industry and stain. While the world he knew certainly had its own natural vistas, it was a planet that screamed; cried its dismay as its people drained it dry, grass reducing to brittle straw, creatures withering and vicious with the uselessness of it all. 

In days long gone, Cloud had once donned the pretense of disinterest-- convinced of its stubborn decay, a land having already fallen long from reach. What was the use of fighting for something already dead?

Now, though...

  ❛Take care not to trample them.❜ 

He thinks not of if her character would allow for such a thing, rather it was a cautionary tale meant for anyone who wandered their lonesome way into the church. Call him overprotective, but the flowers - and the pool buried deep between broken floorboards around which they rested - had almost become something of a sacred icon. Plenty of visitors, but not always plenty of respect.