[Another sheepish smile. How often can they say that they've done something like this?]
Better than the thing that happened to a woman I met earlier. She started growing bread over herself like armour. A glance at the bread. Didn't bring that one back.
[ He gives a little shrug. Tifa should know that Cloud is absolutely a dork. He's definitely the type to make bad jokes and puns. It's just another sign that he's feeling better about being himself, rather than worrying about being some kind of copy.
His lips shift into a soft smile. ]
Doesn't matter if it's late or super early. You call, I'll be there.
She picks at another piece of bread, her lips pressing together like she has more to say, and she rips off another piece and nibbles on it, her floating taking her another inch higher. There's another beat of silence before she finally huffs out with a breath, her shoulders deflating as if she'd been holding this weight on her shoulders for far too long.]
[ He's reading her expression. From the thoughtful way she seems to consider to what and how to say whatever is on her mind to the way that Tifa rips off a piece of bread.
Cloud takes a bit himself. Nibbles on it. Feels himself rising a little.
"Eustace is gone" is what she says. And immediately Cloud's chin lifts. Looking from the countertop to Tifa. Now he understands what this is all about. ]
[Her hands fold together on the table, tighter than she'd like for them to.]
About a week now.
[Which would explain why she's been overworking and not sleeping as much. Why she's sought out companionship in anyone that she can find when she isn't doing either of those things. Why she just needed a friend tonight to keep her company and out of her thoughts and away from the anger that threatens to consume her some days.]
He usually doesn't leave his messages unanswered but this time, I couldn't even send them. Had I known that he'd be leaving, I would've...
[She stops, shakes her head.]
Sorry. I just... needed to get away from all that tonight.
[But she felt she needed to at least tell him what was wrong. Cloud, of all people, deserved to know that much.]
[ His hand reaches out for one of hers. Nothing special, just to squeeze and show that he's listening. They had been pretty close. Having someone you care about up and disappear... Well. Cloud's been there a few times, even if it's not quite the same. Loss is still loss, however. ]
You'll tear yourself apart thinking about "what if's." [ As he knows from experience. ] So if you don't want to think about it tonight, we won't.
[ Still, he's glad that he told her. Now he can support her. ]
[ Needed to tell someone... Because it's a lot of emotions that are probably being bottled up. A lot of people depend on Tifa, Cloud included. Sometimes to take care of them. Sometimes to hear them out. SHe's always the one that everyone looks to in order to keep themselves together.
She also needs someone, even if Cloud doesn't know if he is the right choice. ]
I get it. Even if I'm not really good at this, just tell me what you need. I'll do my best.
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no subject
Date: 2025-08-19 12:26 am (UTC)[Another sheepish smile. How often can they say that they've done something like this?]
Better than the thing that happened to a woman I met earlier. She started growing bread over herself like armour. A glance at the bread. Didn't bring that one back.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-26 12:04 am (UTC)[ Cloud no. Don't look to start making jokes. Please, really don't start making jokes. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-29 04:09 am (UTC)I didn't think the bread would also compel you to also make bad puns.
[She laughs, dipping her chin and her gaze away, and she tips over in the air a little, having to grab her chair.]
I really needed this, so thanks for coming up here. I know it's late.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-07 09:54 pm (UTC)His lips shift into a soft smile. ]
Doesn't matter if it's late or super early. You call, I'll be there.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-09 03:53 am (UTC)[She always could count on him, couldn't she?
She picks at another piece of bread, her lips pressing together like she has more to say, and she rips off another piece and nibbles on it, her floating taking her another inch higher. There's another beat of silence before she finally huffs out with a breath, her shoulders deflating as if she'd been holding this weight on her shoulders for far too long.]
... Eustace is gone.
no subject
Date: 2025-09-16 12:59 am (UTC)Cloud takes a bit himself. Nibbles on it. Feels himself rising a little.
"Eustace is gone" is what she says. And immediately Cloud's chin lifts. Looking from the countertop to Tifa. Now he understands what this is all about. ]
How long has he been gone?
[ How long has she been dealing with this? ]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-20 06:08 am (UTC)About a week now.
[Which would explain why she's been overworking and not sleeping as much. Why she's sought out companionship in anyone that she can find when she isn't doing either of those things. Why she just needed a friend tonight to keep her company and out of her thoughts and away from the anger that threatens to consume her some days.]
He usually doesn't leave his messages unanswered but this time, I couldn't even send them. Had I known that he'd be leaving, I would've...
[She stops, shakes her head.]
Sorry. I just... needed to get away from all that tonight.
[But she felt she needed to at least tell him what was wrong. Cloud, of all people, deserved to know that much.]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-23 08:01 pm (UTC)You'll tear yourself apart thinking about "what if's." [ As he knows from experience. ] So if you don't want to think about it tonight, we won't.
[ Still, he's glad that he told her. Now he can support her. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-27 02:45 am (UTC)[Her voice grows quiet, and she places a hand over Cloud's, keeping it there, the small show of comfort doing far more for her than maybe he knows.]
I needed to tell someone. It was eating away at me, and... I feel a little better now.
[Far from her best, but it's a start, right?]
no subject
Date: 2025-09-27 08:41 pm (UTC)She also needs someone, even if Cloud doesn't know if he is the right choice. ]
I get it. Even if I'm not really good at this, just tell me what you need. I'll do my best.
think we can wrap this one too! <3
Date: 2025-09-29 02:18 am (UTC)[Cloud never did give himself much credit. Even when they were kids.
Her eyes well up briefly, glistening, but she forces it back with a few hard blinks.]
This is enough. Just being here is enough.