Cloud sighed in relief when the truck rumbled to a halt. He could hear the hustle and bustle of a city nearby. The air still smelled fresh and clean when compared to Midgar. The humidity of the city dried up along the route and now the air held a light hint of salt instead of the sweaty stench of a swamp.
He had been sure he was going to throw up at some point during the drive. He held it back based on pride alone. The SOLDIER, Zack, probably thought he was an asshole. He didn't need to add nauseated to his title.
Get it the fuck together Strife, he thought to himself, he was trying to be nice to you. He couldn't help it though. He really missed the workshop now.
What happened to the Cloud who wanted to be a SOLDIER huh?
"Do you need help getting down or..." Zack let the sentence trail off. Cloud shook himself.
"I could use a hand," Cloud said, "thanks."
"Mmm-hmm," Zack said. Cloud heard him clamber out of the truck. He pulled his cane out of his duffel. A hand circled around his wrist, without warning, and started pulling. Cloud jerked away on instinct, but quickly found a shoulder.
"Just a good hop," Zack said. Cloud jumped down and straightened up. He let his cane snap together as he pulled the strap of his bag over his shoulder. He felt inside the truck and found his tool kit.
"So...to the ship?" Zack asked. Cloud nodded.
"Lead the way," Cloud said. Cloud could feel Zack's hesitation. He knew what was going to happen a split second before it did. Zack took his arm and started moving. Cloud stood still and pulled his arm back. Zack stopped.
"Are you okay?" Zack asked.
"Please don't grab me," Cloud said, wincing at the tone he had used.
"Oh...sorry," Zack said. Cloud sighed. He wasn't making this situation any better.
Zack felt weird having Cloud clinging to his shirt. He knew he had fucked up in some way with Cloud, but couldn't think of what. Cloud was obviously a bit more independent than anticipated...but he couldn't see where the boat was...right?
Zack felt conscious of the body right behind him and was suddenly extremely aware of all the obstacles in their way. He tried to avoid all of them. Their path ended up being a confusing zigzag as Zack tried to avoid people, cargo, and vehicles in their way.
"Where are you going?" Cloud asked.
"To the ship?" Zack answered.
"Then why are you moving away from the water?" Cloud asked. Zack slowed as he turned to look at the blind man. Cloud was staring off to some point just beyond Zack's left shoulder.
"How did you know that?" Zack asked.
"I can hear it," Cloud said. Zack blinked, his mind finally registering the slosh of water against the dock.
"Oh...there's a huge pile of shipment containers in the way," Zack said, "The gangway is over here." Zack showed his ID before being allowed on the ship. Cloud did the same. They were as good as tickets since they were ShinRa employees on a ShinRa ship. It was going to be a four hour ride, so they weren't going to be having staterooms.
Zack wandered around until he found an empty lounging area with a nice view from the window. The kitchens weren't too far away either. He felt a rumble below him as the engines were started.
"Would you care to sit or...are you okay?" Cloud had turned pale and was swaying a bit on his feet.
"I'm fine," he said quietly. Zack almost pried a little further, but let it drop.
"Is there a restroom nearby?" Cloud asked.
"Yeah, it's over here," Zack said. He acted without thinking again. Cloud jerked his arm back the minute Zack started pulling.
"Don't grab me," he said, a little bit more harshly than before.
"...Sorry," Zack said.
"Just...tell me where it is," Cloud said.
"...Ten feet to your left," Zack said. Cloud turned and made his way towards it. Cloud felt along the men's room sign before entering. Zack plopped into a seat.
He really didn't know what to make of Cloud now. He looked like he was trying to be nice, but still ended up an asshole. Zack just sighed.
Cloud splashed water on his face. If he didn't enjoy the car ride, he hated the feel of the boat. He felt off balance.
He had shit for sea legs. That SOLDIER probably thought he was a major asshole now. He was too on edge. He knew he should explain himself, say that he was nervous and probably needed a dramamine or something. He clutched his cane and took deep even breaths.
He could do this. He had to. There wasn't anyone else.
Zack looked over as Cloud came back out, able to find his way to these exact seats and sit down without any assistance.
Zack opened his mouth a few times, trying to find something to say. Cloud almost looked like he was staring out the window.
"Not a huge fan of boats?" Zack tried lamely.
"No," Cloud said. He was quiet for a long moment. "I'd be a shit sailor." Zack made a small smile. He knew Cloud was at least trying. It had to count for something. He let the conversation drop.
Maybe he's just not a talker, Zack thought. It was a better thought than Cloud being an outright asshole on purpose. He noticed Cloud swaying a little bit more, his face growing more tight and pale.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Zack asked. Cloud swayed a moment more. Zack thought he was going to pass out or something.
"...I'm gonna throw up," Cloud said. Zack had a moment of panic. The blind guy was gonna throw up. He acted without thinking. He picked Cloud up and ran as fast as he could to the nearest deck. He set Cloud on his feet and pushed him to the railing. Cloud vomited almost on cue.
Zack stood back for a moment, not knowing really how to act. Cloud said he didn't want to be grabbed. Well...Zack had already broken that deal. He patted Cloud's back a little awkwardly.
"You okay?" Zack asked. Cloud nodded wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
"I'm sorry for...you know," Zack said.
"I think that was a smart move actually," Cloud said, "thanks."
"No problem."
Cloud took a few deep breaths. He still felt like shit, but at least his stomach was empty. He had almost screamed when the SOLDIER whisked him up, but it had been quicker than having Cloud stumble out on his own. It really had been good thinking...he just would have liked a little warning.
"Where's my cane?" he asked.
"I...I left it inside," Zack said, "sorry."
"It's fine," Cloud said. He knew Zack was to his right and the railing to his left. He could sense the door not to far away, could hear is hinge grinding with every person that walked through. He held onto the rail tightly. He knew that if he started walking he wasn't going to fall. It was just the roll of the ship making him think that and it aggravated his already motion sick body.
He needed to be drugged up or distracted.
"Um...here," Zack took hold of his arm. Cloud let the faux pas go. Zack was doing his best. He saved the floor from vomit, that was for sure.
"Here's your seat," Zack said, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I am now," Cloud said.
"Seasickness or..."
"Motion sickness in general," Cloud said.
"I figured," Zack said, "You looked a little green on the truck."
"I'm usually okay if I can distract myself," Cloud said, "I've just been shit company."
"That's alright," Zack said, "you seem a little stressed out."
"I just need to get used to the idea," Cloud said, "shutting down reactors." Zack's hand patted his shoulder gently.
"It's going to be fine," Zack said, "You just worry about two things: me and that reactor. I'll take care of the rest."
"Oh really?" Cloud said, biting his tongue. Why did he have to be so sarcastic all the time?
"Absolutely, I'm SOLDIER First Class Zack Fair," Zack said. Cloud bit back a giggle. It was bad enough he was talking shit to Zack all the time, he didn't need to be laughing at him too.
"So...got any interesting stories?" Zack asked, "Or should I find someone with some medicine for you?"
"...The whole life story bit is pretty boring," Cloud said, "drugs would probably be best."
"Aww come on it can't be that bad," Zack said.
"You've probably heard the story before," Cloud said, "small town kid goes to a big city."
"I have heard it," Zack said, "It's mine too. Where are you from?"
"Nibelheim," Cloud said.
"I've at least heard of it," Zack said, "I'm from Gongaga." Cloud lost it a little bit. He let out a loud snort before clapping a hand over his mouth.
"What?" Zack asked, "You know Gongaga?"
"No," Cloud said, "It's such a backwater name...and the way you said it." Cloud stopped talking before the giggles took him over. He probably needed something to eat too.
"Ditto Nibelheim," Zack shot back, "we both know your town has a reactor in it too. You know what they say about those towns."
"Nothing else out there," Cloud finished, "That's the truth."
"Huh, you are lookin' a little better," Zack said, "See, the life's story is doin' the trick."
"It's not gonna last the boat ride and the truck ride," Cloud said, "The story is a bit too short for that."
"And we got a return trip too," Zack pointed out, "I gotcha. You're done talkin for now. I can find something for your stomach."
"Would you mind getting me a soda or something too?" Cloud asked, "I have money."
"That's fine Cloud," Zack said.
"Thank you so much," Cloud said. Zack stood up and put a gentle hand on Cloud's shoulder.
"I told you," Zack said, "This is going to be fine." Cloud had a feeling Zack wasn't just talking to him.
One soda and bottle of pills later Zack found his way back to Cloud.
"One soda, and one set of happy pills," Zack said. Cloud held his hands out and accepted them. He unscrewed the soda bottle with a small hiss and took a sip.
"Thank you," Cloud said.
"No problem," Zack said. "So...why did Cloud, Engineer Extraordinaire leave backwater Nibelhiem for the big city if you don't mind me asking?" Cloud shrugged.
"There weren't any job opportunities for a blind kid," Cloud said, "What about you?"
"Me?" Zack said, "I left to join SOLDIER. Ma still rags on me for it."
"...That's kinda what my plan was," Cloud admitted.
"Really?" Zack asked.
"Yeah," Cloud said, "It didn't work out."
"What happened?" Zack asked. Most labeled SOLDIER failures wore their breaking point on their sleeves, complained about it to the men and women who did make it into the elite core of ShinRa's finest. Cloud had kept quiet. He didn't seem...unhappy about not making it. He shrugged again.
"Said I was too dependent on my colleagues," Cloud said, "I drug them down and wouldn't make it to Second class. So I was a waste of their time."
"Sounds like the P.R. Department kicked you out," Zack noted. Cloud covered his smile again.
"Yeah, army was totally ready for me when I failed," Cloud said, "It wasn't bad, but..."
"Army is full of assholes," Zack finished for him. Cloud nodded sheepishly.
"They weren't all bad," Cloud said, "my platoon was fairly decent to me, for the most part at least."
"Every family has one asshole," Zack said, "Wait 'till I tell you about my Uncle Bentley, a.k.a. Uncle Butt Munch." Cloud snickered again. He had a nice smile. Zack was tempted to tell him to stop hiding it and go ahead and laugh at his lame jokes.
"How did you get to Engineering?" Zack asked.
"Reeve found me," Cloud said, "I used to fix up our helmets when they went haywire.. He watched me do it. Offered me a job on the spot."
"Dang, that's lucky," Zack said. Cloud just shrugged again.
"I'm...happy there," Cloud said, "I didn't think I would be. I like building stuff, at least until I got us into this mess." Zack laughed softly.
"Well, Mr. Engineer," Zack said, "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a bit peckish my now."
"Yeah," Cloud said, "I think I can hold something down." Zack hesitated again.
"I know I'm not supposed to be grabby, but how do we do this?" Zack asked. Cloud unfolded his cane.
"We have two options," Cloud said, "Either I go on my own or..." He took a hold of the inside of Zack's elbow. "I grab you." Zack nodded.
"Alright," he said, "We got this. Dining area ahoy!"
