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[moseyin]

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[moseyin]

Besides, maybe we just want to see you, [Cloud says, shooting for aloof. Not really making it. He'd seen how strange Aerith had behaved in the temple and this is different; there she'd been agitated, but also a little excited to learn more about herself. Right now she just sounds upset.

It feels right though, both of them going to see her. Like he and Zack are a team, which is odd to think about when it comes to dating, but it won't be the oddest thought he's ever had.]

[asphodels]

That's a nice excuse. [ She's not silly, Cloud, and she knows they're both coming to support her. She'd called Zack in her fear, after all, and now both her boys were coming to make sure she didn't break apart. She has to push herself back together now, and that's enough to make her feel as though she's unworthy.

She's snapping at the seams, haunted by her own memories. ]

You're coming too, right?

[wingenvy]

Of course he's coming. We're on our way now, sit tight.

[Just gotta get the shuttle there, which shouldn't take long. The ships usually aren't too far apart when they're docked.]

[moseyin]

[Cloud doesn't say anything, but shoots Zack a steady look across the seats, even as their takeoff jostles them a little. Their visions, Aerith hearing this planet screaming- It's not good. There's something very not good happening here.

It's not all in their heads after all.

Cloud doesn't say a word until they arrive at the docking bay, not completely waiting for the shuttle to come to a stop before he's pulling open the door to go find her.]

[asphodels]

Okay. I'm in my room.

[ She's sure they can both find their way with their combined powers, and Aerith settles down, curling up in the middle of her bed.

The screaming is still there, present in her mind, but it's getting a little quieter the more she focuses on the fact that her boys are coming. ]

[wingenvy]

[Zack's only a few steps behind Cloud, parking the shuttle in a hurry (it's messy and lopsided and who the hell cares); he jogs to catch up so they're moving side by side to her room. When they get there he doesn't even knock, just turns the knob and opens it up with a call.]

Aerith? We're here.

[It's hug time, who's ready.]

[moseyin]

[Despite his hurry, Cloud lingers in the doorway as Zack makes a beeline for Aerith's bed, hovering. The rooms are small, and he doesn't want to crowd in until he gets a good idea of how she's doing, just in case she needs water or something.]

[asphodels]

[ Aerith tilts her head up, softening when she sees Zack - and she reaches for him, leaning close as she breathes out. ]

Hi. Thank you.

[ Lifting her head, she looks over at Cloud and offers her hand. ]

[wingenvy]

[Zack plops right down on the bed beside her, taking her hand and squeezing gently, bumping his head against hers. He glances over at Cloud as well, brow quirked, gaze flitting to Aerith and then back again as if to coax him near. Come on, buddy, there's plenty of room.]

[moseyin]

[...okay so the water thing was a sad excuse.

Cloud heads over after a second of hesitation, sitting on her other side and resting a hand on her leg, rubbing her knee.] Is it loud?

[asphodels]

[ Having them close helps, and she decides that quickly enough. Leaning against Zack, feeling him bumping his head against hers, Cloud's hand on her leg... She feels as though some of the weight of the world has slipped away from her and she breathes out, relaxing just a little. The screaming is quieter when she has something better to focus on. ]

It was. I couldn't hear anything else, not even my heartbeat.

[wingenvy]

Would it help any to get off the planet? We could convince a pilot to put us in orbit for a while.

[Meaningful look at Cloud. They have one right here, conveniently...!]

[moseyin]

[Oh, right. Cloud nods quickly, ducking his head down to get a better look at Aerith's face.] We can head up, if you want. Maybe some distance would do you some good.

[asphodels]

[ Aerith pauses, letting the question wash over her. Would it work? ]

Maybe. But it might be just as bad when we had to come back. [ She closes her eyes, breathing out. ] This is helping.

[wingenvy]

[Mrrgh. Hopefully she's not just saying that to avoid inconveniencing them. They're already here, so if this is helping, he doesn't want to stop. They'll just have to trust her.]

Okay... but if it gets worse or it's not helping enough, just say so, okay? We can all hang out on the bridge while we fly if we have to.

[moseyin]

...so, I have a story to tell you guys. [Cloud pushes further back onto the bed so his shoulders are against the wall, tugging Aerith gently with him and gesturing for Zack to follow so she can lay sprawled out on their laps.] Funny story, chocobo story.

[If what she needs are distractions and attention, well, Cloud can give her both.]

[asphodels]

[ She's learned her lesson! Mostly. Sort-of. ]

I'll tell you.

[ It's easy to let herself be tugged, though, to settle down just how Cloud likes her. This is comfortable, she thinks; the three of them together, just like this. Like it was meant to be. ]

Is it about your hair?

[wingenvy]

[Zack sets free a bark of laughter at that.]

Nice!

[moseyin]

Oh she's a comedian, so funny. [Nudges her] No, smartass, it's about the time I made Cid take three airsick chocobos to Gold Saucer in his precious airship.

[asphodels]

[ Look at her smiling, though, and nudging him back! ]

Did he say yes?

[wingenvy]

Probably wouldn't be a very interesting story if it didn't involve sick squawking birds trapped in small spaces. Plus chocobos, of course.

[NUDGE NUDGE WINK WINK]

[moseyin]

I'm not gonna tell either of y'all this story if you keep this up. [you can make up your own hilarious stories about blackmail and bird puke]

[asphodels]

No, tell me! [ She grins, reaching up to touch his cheek. ] Please?

[wingenvy]

Yeah, please? [he pokes Aerith's cheek as one final contribution to the peanut gallery- mostly because poking Cloud might be too much.

also he's way over there.]

[moseyin]

[A Stern look at both of them. You two better be on your good behavior then.] ...so I had a race scheduled at the Saucer; just needed some money, had some time and got lucky with some chocobos, and Esther set up some space for us to stable some of them over at the venue so they could rest the night before.