ATE: Good news, everyone. I've updated sooner for you readers.
Declaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII
Chapter 10
The Words You Told Me
I woke up the next morning to find myself held to a broad chest and remembered that it was Cloud. I looked down and saw the blood on his PJs and suddenly what happened last night.
"That's right." I thought sadly. "I was injured and bleeding last night."
I felt Cloud shifting and looked up to see that he was awake.
"So you're awake?" I said.
Cloud nodded, not saying a word. I suddenly felt a little sad. Why wasn't he talking?
"Why are you so quiet?" I asked.
Cloud looked down, his blue eyes seemed to show sadness…and fear…?
"Is it because you're afraid?"
Cloud looked up at me and nodded slightly.
"It's okay." I lifted my hand and placed it on his cheek. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."
His gaze fell again. This time I could see guilt. I immediately understood.
"Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault. There was no way you could have prevented what happen last night from happening." I said. "If it wasn't for you, Zack and Tifa, I wouldn't be here."
Cloud still didn't do anything.
"Cloud. Do you remember when three months ago here Sephiroth kidnapped me and you and the others came for me? Sephiroth had struck you down and you were near death. I was scared that time that you were going to die, but after I healed you, you told me something. 'But I'm here now.' That's what you told me when told that time." I smiled. "And it's my turn to say those words to you. I am here. I'm here with you alive, breathing, and talking to you. And that's what matters."
He looked back up again, his eyes showed understanding. He took my hand off his cheek and held it in his hand. I smiled at this.
"You're still not going to say anything to me?"
Cloud seemed slightly confused.
"Come on, say something."
"…something." Cloud said.
I started to giggle, not just because of what he said, but because he was talking.
"There we go. That's the Cloud I know and love." I said.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? You have nothing to apologize for."
"But…you almost died."
I sighed, shaking my head.
"But I didn't. As I told you, I'm still alive." I looked down at the blood that was on Cloud's PJs. "But I think I need to apologize this time."
"For what?" He asked.
"For your PJs. I ruined them with my blood."
Cloud looked down at the blood that was on his PJs and understood what I meant.
"It's okay. They're just PJs."
"But I liked them. They looked so cute on you with the chibi chocobos all over them."
I heard Cloud sigh and saw that he was blushing slightly.
"But I don't really like them."
"At least it's better than you having to wear a dress." I said, referring to the time he had to dress up like a girl in the game.
His blushing got worse to the point that his face was as red as a tomato.
"I don't know how you knew that, but I see where this is going." He said. "But you have a point. I'll keep them."
"Thank you."
I hugged Cloud, who did so in return.
"You realize Zack's still in here."
I looked behind me and saw Zack in his bed still snoring lightly.
"Yeah, but he's still asleep." I said.
"No I'm not…" Zack said sleepily and continued to sleep still snoring.
I didn't know Zack talked in his sleep. It was then that I got an idea.
"Zack, this is your conscious. Repeat what I say." I tried so hard not to laugh. "I am a puppy."
"I am…a puppy…" Zack said.
I held in my laughter.
"Okay, now roll over."
Zack started to roll around in bed, the covers getting tangled and wrapped around him. Suddenly he fell off the bed and to the ground.
"Ow…"
I watched as Zack started to get up from the floor, rubbing his head. The covers were still wrapped around him and he looked confused.
"Huh? How did I end up on the floor?"
"You rolled off the bed." I said.
Zack looked over to where Cloud and I were and grinned.
"I see that Cloud decided to stay. Had any fun while I was asleep?"
"Zack!" Cloud snapped.
"Whoa there, Spiky! Glad to see that you're talking again, but I was only joking!"
"It wasn't funny, Zack." I said. "He was scared."
"Oh. I guess I'll leave you lovebirds alone and get some breakfast." He started to leave the room.
"Zack!"
But he was out the door. I looked back to Cloud and met his gaze.
"That was slightly embarrassing."
"Don't worry about it. It's not like it's exactly a secret." Cloud let go of me and got out of my bed.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To get you breakfast. Anything particular you would like to drink?"
I then thought of the dream that caused me to get injured, so I knew of the perfect thing to pick.
"Coffee, please."
I saw that Cloud stared at me with a somewhat shocked look on his face.
"I thought you didn't like coffee." He said.
"But I like it now. I started drinking it when I went back home to my family." I lied.
Cloud looked at me with what seemed to be suspicion, but it seemed like he let it slide.
"How do you like your coffee?"
"Brown with sugar."
With that he left the room.
ATE: What did you all think? Zack's moment of humor (and possibly one of many to come). Please Review :)
