Universe: Dissidia
Timeline: Dissidia
Status: Pre-relationship/friendship
Cloud awoke to the sound of light shuffling beside him. Apparently, Tidus was still tossing and turning. He'd been doing that a lot lately, which, Cloud knew, was out of the ordinary for him. Usually, it took a bucket of cold water just to get him up in the morning, but lately, it didn't seem like he'd been sleeping much at all. With a sigh, Cloud propped himself up on his elbow to get a look at his companion. Tidus was lying with his back to him, his legs curled up almost to his chest.
"You okay, Tidus?" Cloud asked, softly, as not to startle him. Tidus looked back at him, and he let out a sigh as he rolled onto his back.
"Yeah. Sorry if I woke you."
"That's alright," Cloud replied. He waited, hoping Tidus might speak again. When he didn't, Cloud forced himself to inquire further. He didn't like being the one to initiate conversation, but it had been several nights in a row now that Tidus had missed sleep, and Cloud didn't like thinking that something might be upsetting him.
"You been sleeping okay?" Cloud asked, eyes on his tired companion. The dark circles under his eyes made it easy to see that Tidus was exhausted.
"Not really," Tidus admitted. He took in a deep breath, and let it out, then turned his head toward Cloud, their gazes meeting.
"Cloud, when people die, what do you think happens to 'em?" he asked. Cloud's stomach did an uncomfortable flip, but he cleared his throat and somehow managed to answer the question.
"I don't know. I think maybe they watch over us. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I'm just a little scared, I guess. For our friends. Back in Spira, when someone died, they were usually sent to the Farplane where they could rest in peace. But here... I don't really know what happens if someone dies," Tidus explained.
"You're afraid... people might not be in peace if they die here?" Cloud asked, making sure he'd understood.
"Yeah. Something like that," Tidus nodded. He turned his gaze toward the ceiling of the tent and let out another long sigh. "I just don't want their spirits to get lost."
Cloud gazed at Tidus for a moment. The boy looked so deep in thought, so serious. Cloud wasn't used to seeing him like that, but he could certainly relate.
"Well, Cosmos takes care of things here, right?" Cloud spoke up.
"Yeah?"
"If, by some tragedy, something does happen to one of us, I'm sure Cosmos will send our spirits somewhere peaceful. Somewhere happy," Cloud said.
"You think so?" Tidus asked. Cloud raised a hand, earning a curious look from the boy as he bravely ruffled his soft, sun-streaked hair.
"I know so." Tidus seemed content with that answer, and he soon fell asleep at Cloud's side, a small smile slipping onto his tired face.
