Howling and Hollow (Cloud Catch-All)

[relativefugue]

WHO: Cloud Strife and YOU
WHAT: What does your heart desire? (A place for planned threads outside prompts!) Cloud is settling in.
WHERE: Around Town and the outskirts, depending!
WHEN: A week or more after arrival, ongoing.
WARNINGS: Probable mentions of mental health struggles and trauma.

SUMMARY: A catch-all for Mister Final Fantasy! Here he is, trying to...Leave. Inevitably, he will be settling in, whether he likes it or not. What are those weird bumps hidden in that chocobo fluff hair? He fell and hit his head, probably.

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[relativefugue]

Cloud swears that had to be a genuine, lighthearted tease, which may be the most shocking thing of all over this entire fucking rollercoaster of a conversation. Perhaps it is just the contrast with every other time he's ever been taunted by the man- or, rather Jenova. "Yeah, well better watch it. I can take it back as fast as you get it. Make sure to get the throat."

That, from Cloud, is absolutely his own awkward tease back, even if the veiled threat isn't fully out of the realm of possibility just yet. The slight upward quirk of his lips and slouched pose give it away.

The blond is absolutely exhausted, and it truly sets in when thankfully, Sephiroth offers they part. Some quiet with the birds sounds much needed right now, and he can only imagine -

...He can imagine that Sephiroth is just as tired from speaking of these things. What kind of weird timeline is Cloud in now, where he offers enough grace to Sephiroth to think he's capable of being emotionally drained?

Whatever!

"...I think that's good. I still got work to do here for that meddling asshole anyway. You're distracting." Though his tone is brusque, Cloud's features remain softer. The tiny smile remains for a few seconds more, then fades. The overall whisper of softness doesn't go away until Sephiroth's form inevitably recedes from the chicken pen.

A single word leaves Cloud's lips, quietly, when the silver is far enough away that he figures he won't hear it. One that surprises him.

"Thanks."