#| remake.

Cloud blinks, startled, brilliance of his eyes darting towards that which pierced its way through relative silence. Head always too loud, too much, too little, not enough-- aching with the noise of it, scrabbling for his attention like an animal chained to leash. It leaves him blank faced and empty, hesitant to settle in place lest he glance upon one thing for too long and find himself lost within it. He’d always been a bit of a daydreamer, always scolded for it as a child, always uncaring of reprimand; eager instead to dart outside once lessons ended and scuffle about wild grass and winter worn trees. It’s to be expected that such things would follow him into adulthood, yet their prior harmlessness had failed to remain so. They snared him within their grasp, like a bear trap ‘pon his ankle, leaving him shaken and wobbling from the intensity of it-- and embarrassed as well, to be caught with such weakness.

The hell is wrong with you? ( The list of “ things that were right “ would be shorter. )

  ❛Sorry.❜

He’s a little sheepish, unsure of her reaction, hoping that perhaps she hadn’t seen. Midgar lays behind them, its open maw uncaring of their newfound freedom, a blot of dark stain against the horizon. Away from that steel sky and towards the great unknown. 

Well-- unknown for some, at least. 

They were due for Kalm in the morning, a few hours out yet, mud having been tracked within their makeshift shelter and Barret’s great snoring warding away what critters might venture forth as they slept. Yet Cloud had been the first volunteer to guard them through the night anyway, allowing the others rest while he sat watch outside, aware he’d likely be unable to catch what shut-eye they’d likely need. He’d managed on worse, and adrenaline still shook about his palms, irritating and difficult to shed away. ( Hard to, after all that. )

You’re supposed to be guarding them. Yet here you are, staring at the soil.

He frowns, blinks at her once more, soft inquiry easy on his lips. She should be sleeping, too.