Leon held on. The feel of Cloud dangling helplessly, clutching his waist, the feel of the rough stone under his gloved hands, he strain on his arms…
He kept holding on.
How'd we get into this mess?
He gasped slightly, starting to sweat. They had to get out of this situation. Hanging off the side of the Bailey with Cloud clinging to him had not been part of Leon's day plan, but here they were. And if they wanted to get out of this alive, they would need to cooperate. For the first time.
Cloud had kept his distance, only helping the Restoration Committee if Aerith asked him too. That was another thing he had to ask Strife about. His connection with Aerith. What was with that?
"Strife."
"What?"
"Do you want to die here?"
Do you want to die here?
To Cloud, he had wanted to die a few times in his life, but not now. Not when he suddenly had something to live for- "Keep an eye on Aerith for me, would ya? Tell her I love her"- Zack had paid a visit in a dream, charging him to watch over the woman he loved from the Lifestream- or when he had had Denzel and Marlene to watchout for, or Tifa to keep pacified when Reno visited the bar to drink.
"No."
"Climb up me. My belts make good footholds."
Previous knowledge of falling off a cliff and Zell using his belts for footholds came in handy, it appeared.
Cloud nodded slightly, shifted his weight and started climbing up the other man. He swung over the top and looked down at the other man.
Cloud would of let him hanging, knowing that the man could easily haul himself up now that he wasn't weighing him down, but the Aerith voice of reason was telling him to help the man or he'd be washing dishes for months. And… Some little part of him, quietly suggested that him and the man would understand each other if he gave it a chance. He promptly stifled that voice and reached to the brunet.
"Here."
Leon blinked, having expected him to leave. Then he grabbed the others glove and let himself be helped up.
"Thanks."
Cloud shrugged turning away.
"…Leonhart?"
"Hm?"
"Need help, tomorrow?"
*looks at chapter* Um… Heh, short? *smiles* Couldn't think. I is sick. *sneezes* Please leave a review and I won't pass it on.