Cloud never made a huge fuss about Elidibus- but the man did confuse the hell out of the merc. Kindness on first sight is quite a thing. Awkward as he is, the blond is not well-equipped to respond to it. Or to a ball of energy. So he just did whatever came to mind. Awkwardly.
Not after long, the pair found themselves falling into a routine. Cloud would keep his eyes on the floor, or a counter, or anywhere but his coworker's own, giving a small wave back to the enthusiastic greetings. Sometimes, if he were feeling particularly adventurous, he would even mumble a quiet 'hey' back. He'd listen rather dutifully as the white-haired man spoke on and on with an enthusiasm that rang familiar enough to stir a strange pang in his chest. That excitement, and bubbliness reminds him of someone back home. Elidibus' willingness to teach him baking techniques for their shared job, or explain things about his home world...It felt nice. It made work, and life less lonely than the last few grueling months had been to Cloud. Even if Cloud's responses were brusque or short, he never cut the other man off.
As for the gifts Elidibus clearly left around... Cloud kept every single one. A loved food here, a trinket there, more than once he was left staring at the object with his jaw slightly slack. How did he know Cloud enjoyed these things? Or better yet, with some, how did Elidibus know it would be something he would like if given the chance to try? Cloud didn't talk anywhere near as much as the chatty fellow did. Was Angeal in on this, maybe?!
He'd finally worked up the nerve and confidence to put up a good front and thank Elidibus for the most recent gift. The script and everything rollins through his head on repeat as he walkes up to the bakery, only to find it stiflingly quiet. Elidibus wasn't there, their schedule interrupted, and Cloud Strife, worried. Even if he would never admit it. The first feeling of consistent normalcy, routine, and companionship in this world, gone in a flash. Just like his friends back home, he only realized he missed them when he was left alone once more.
The next day, it is with a surprising flicker of relief that he sees that now-familiar face come through the door. Yet something is distinctly off. He's quiet, blank-faced, flat.
After a few minutes of quietly kneading dough alongside the distant-seeming Elidibus, Cloud speaks up.
no subject
Not after long, the pair found themselves falling into a routine. Cloud would keep his eyes on the floor, or a counter, or anywhere but his coworker's own, giving a small wave back to the enthusiastic greetings. Sometimes, if he were feeling particularly adventurous, he would even mumble a quiet 'hey' back. He'd listen rather dutifully as the white-haired man spoke on and on with an enthusiasm that rang familiar enough to stir a strange pang in his chest. That excitement, and bubbliness reminds him of someone back home. Elidibus' willingness to teach him baking techniques for their shared job, or explain things about his home world...It felt nice. It made work, and life less lonely than the last few grueling months had been to Cloud. Even if Cloud's responses were brusque or short, he never cut the other man off.
As for the gifts Elidibus clearly left around... Cloud kept every single one. A loved food here, a trinket there, more than once he was left staring at the object with his jaw slightly slack. How did he know Cloud enjoyed these things? Or better yet, with some, how did Elidibus know it would be something he would like if given the chance to try? Cloud didn't talk anywhere near as much as the chatty fellow did. Was Angeal in on this, maybe?!
He'd finally worked up the nerve and confidence to put up a good front and thank Elidibus for the most recent gift. The script and everything rollins through his head on repeat as he walkes up to the bakery, only to find it stiflingly quiet. Elidibus wasn't there, their schedule interrupted, and Cloud Strife, worried. Even if he would never admit it. The first feeling of consistent normalcy, routine, and companionship in this world, gone in a flash. Just like his friends back home, he only realized he missed them when he was left alone once more.
The next day, it is with a surprising flicker of relief that he sees that now-familiar face come through the door. Yet something is distinctly off. He's quiet, blank-faced, flat.
After a few minutes of quietly kneading dough alongside the distant-seeming Elidibus, Cloud speaks up.
"...Weren't here yesterday."