"You too, with Red, huh..." Cloud muses aloud, with surprise. He doesn't fully realize how Sephiroth is answering a question he did not ask aloud, not with how interested he is in the answers. Anything about his friends. About how they handled being in a situation like this one. Anything he can take to feel a little less crazy in this. Each response does seem like it tracks, though. Red went through so very much at Hojo's hand, Aerith is kind to a fault...Tifa, with her caution given the shared trauma of everything, and Barret punching him is right on point. "...Dunno. Probably would have to hit you a few times, then hear you out. Barret thinks with his heart all the damn time. You show him you got one, and it could have gone ok. Or at least been where he would leave you alone but keep an eye on you. Who knows." Cloud shrugs.
Upon hearing it said that Cloud needs people more than they need him, he bristles a bit- His shoulders tense, and his brow knits. The hen in his lap stirs with a slightly startled sound, and mako-eyes focus more sharply upon the silver-haired SOLDIER. What Sephiroth follows with makes him feel seen in a way that causes him to recoil, to want to cover himself and hide instinctively. Is Sephiroth in his head again?! That has to be it, this was all a tr-
But then comes the clarification, and Cloud realizes something incredible. The change is written on the blond's face, which shifts from stern and bristling to genuine, wide-eyed shock.
Sephiroth is trying to relate with him. To say he understands, because it is his lived experience too. It leaves Cloud speechless for a few beats. He hasn't felt this exposed or seen since being around Tifa or Aerith.
"It isn't really a good thing. Even if you didn't mean it badly. A strong person should be able to work alone." Or at least know who he is on his own, he adds silently. What is there to him when no one is around? Nothing.
You know better an unfamiliar voice retorts in Cloud's mind, before fading away. It isn't like the other two he's heard (or been actively tormented by) before: One that speaks in fiendish whispers and sounds like Sephiroth, and the other bright and comforting- familiar despite there being no recognition. No, this one is more stern.
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Upon hearing it said that Cloud needs people more than they need him, he bristles a bit- His shoulders tense, and his brow knits. The hen in his lap stirs with a slightly startled sound, and mako-eyes focus more sharply upon the silver-haired SOLDIER. What Sephiroth follows with makes him feel seen in a way that causes him to recoil, to want to cover himself and hide instinctively. Is Sephiroth in his head again?! That has to be it, this was all a tr-
But then comes the clarification, and Cloud realizes something incredible. The change is written on the blond's face, which shifts from stern and bristling to genuine, wide-eyed shock.
Sephiroth is trying to relate with him. To say he understands, because it is his lived experience too. It leaves Cloud speechless for a few beats. He hasn't felt this exposed or seen since being around Tifa or Aerith.
"It isn't really a good thing. Even if you didn't mean it badly. A strong person should be able to work alone." Or at least know who he is on his own, he adds silently. What is there to him when no one is around? Nothing.
You know better an unfamiliar voice retorts in Cloud's mind, before fading away. It isn't like the other two he's heard (or been actively tormented by) before: One that speaks in fiendish whispers and sounds like Sephiroth, and the other bright and comforting- familiar despite there being no recognition. No, this one is more stern.
Cloud merely shakes his head.