Answering Machine (AU)
It's strange, to hear someone's voice on an answering machine. Words spoken to someone who might not be there, like a prayer to a false god. He's reminded, painfully, of a sweet, dead girl who sent him letters in his sleep, letters that he never got to read.
"Zack. I'd really like it if you'd cheer Cloud up tonight. He's brooding, and I don't know why."
He chuckles inaudibly. If it could be heard, it'd sound cheerful. Like the rain sounds wet. Sounds can be deceptive.
He laughs because he knows exactly why Cloud's brooding. It's because he, Zack, gets on so well with Tifa. It's because of all these fluttering answerphone messages she leaves that he feels compelled to respond to. It's jealousy.
Of what, though? He stands, and he wonders, because the lights are off and the only sounds in his flat are the soulless hum of the fridge, and the imaginary melody of Cloud and his banter with his group of friends who saved the world. The loneliness is almost palpable, and he plays Tifa's message again, listening to her voice break the crushing silence.
But, he thinks as the message ends for the fifth time, easy come, easy go. He pulls on some clean pants and a shirt that isn't covered in coffee stains, and prepares to cheer Cloud up, SOLDIER style- with a stiff drink.