Here's another one. Again, thanks for reading.
Tigeriss: Took your advice. Took awhile to find it but hey, I got to explore the system a little more.
Strife hauled himself over the Highwind's railing, tore off his mask and promptly threw up. All those on deck jumped back in surprise and disgust.
"Eww, man, don't tell me ya're airsick alweady?" Strife ignored Barret as he knelt panting on the wood deck. His head was aching and he wasn't all that sure his stomach was going to stay down again. A slim hand rested on his shoulder.
"Strife?" Raising his hazy head up, Strife peered at Aeris through blurry eyes. "You're not really motion sick, are you?"
Closing his eyes he slowly shook his head. He didn't know what was going on but it sure wasn't motion sickness. Motion sickness didn't start in the middle of a duel. And it certainly didn't come with the splitting headache he had now.
"Tifa, will you help me? Strife, can you stand?" Taking a deep inhale, Strife stood, his legs still shaking. Two sets of hand held his arms and shoulders and guided him away from his little mess.
"Sorry." He mumbled. He cared little how weak being led away by the two females made him look. He just wanted to be alone and this was the fastest and least stressful way.
"Don't worry about it. I'll make Barret clean it up." Aeris said with a laugh. Tifa giggled. By the time they entered his cramped quarters, Strife was feeling more like his usual self. He settled on the pullout bed and scrubbed his face with one hand.
"Thanks."
"No problem." Aeris stated. The two women stood on either side of the door, the only standing space in the small room. The brunette cocked her head to the side in concern. "So, do you know what that was all about?"
Strife shook his head. He was glad it was only Tifa and Aeris in the room. They, plus Vincent, were the only people he could be relaxed around.
"I… I think it started during that duel."
"With Sephiroth?"
White pain flared through his mind once again. He clutched his head, fingernails digging into his scalp as he curled in on himself.
"Strife!" His name was called by both females. Again slim hands fastened onto his arms.
"Here, Tifa, help me lay him down." He felt the semi-soft mattress give under him. Strife took several deep breaths to ease away the pain. "Strife?" Aeris called softly.
"Strife, do you need anything?" Tifa asked just as gently. Strife shook his head.
"I… I just need to… to be alone."
"Are you sure?" Strife cracked his eyes to look at Tifa. He saw the anxiety clear in her wine eyes. He gave a slight nod. Tifa sighed.
"We'll let you rest, Strife." Aeris said. A hand ran through his hair and he felt some of the tension and pain bleed away.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Just rest, ok?" He heard the door open, a soft goodbye and the door slid shut again. Strife pulled the blanket around him and curled into bed, the image of the man with long silver hair haunting him into sleep.
