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I don't think you're dangerous.
[ It slips out without thinking it. After it's out, he decides to keep going on that train of thought. ]
Everyone keeps deciding what makes them feel better.
[ Which doesn't sound like a partnership and it's frustrating. Zack can probably hear the concerned trilling from Morph as he tries to figure what's up. ]
[ It slips out without thinking it. After it's out, he decides to keep going on that train of thought. ]
Everyone keeps deciding what makes them feel better.
[ Which doesn't sound like a partnership and it's frustrating. Zack can probably hear the concerned trilling from Morph as he tries to figure what's up. ]
[ He can hear it, but he's not listening. He's too busy frowning down at his tablet. ]
Zell, I'm SOLDIER. I have training a lot of people don't have around here. I get mixed in with the wrong crowd and I'll hurt people, whether I want to or not. It's not a matter of what makes me feel better. It's a matter of better safe than dead.
Zell, I'm SOLDIER. I have training a lot of people don't have around here. I get mixed in with the wrong crowd and I'll hurt people, whether I want to or not. It's not a matter of what makes me feel better. It's a matter of better safe than dead.
And I'm SeeD, Zack. Between Kunsel and I, we could have...
[ And he lets out a sigh, all fight dropping from his tone immediately. ]
It's not you. I know why you're worried. I get it. I just don't get why he couldn't have even said anything before he left. We're supposed to be partners.
[ He can hear the concern sounds from the pink blob as he moves to rub his face against Zell to cheer him. He probably doesn't understand. ]
[ And he lets out a sigh, all fight dropping from his tone immediately. ]
It's not you. I know why you're worried. I get it. I just don't get why he couldn't have even said anything before he left. We're supposed to be partners.
[ He can hear the concern sounds from the pink blob as he moves to rub his face against Zell to cheer him. He probably doesn't understand. ]
[ Now, it sticks. Now, it does and Zack's deflating with a sigh of his own. ]
And we were supposed to have a plan and stick with it. But sometimes things just don't work out the way you'd like 'em to. Jim's been dealing with his own monsters as it is. Now, just imagine him becoming the thing he's so afraid of, Zell.
[ Bad enough he was suffocated by now. But now he might do something like that to someone else? It makes sense he'd leave. For the same reason it makes sense to keep those failsafes in mind now that something's happening. ]
And we were supposed to have a plan and stick with it. But sometimes things just don't work out the way you'd like 'em to. Jim's been dealing with his own monsters as it is. Now, just imagine him becoming the thing he's so afraid of, Zell.
[ Bad enough he was suffocated by now. But now he might do something like that to someone else? It makes sense he'd leave. For the same reason it makes sense to keep those failsafes in mind now that something's happening. ]
[ They never really had the chance to sit down, all of them, and talk contingency plans together. Something that everyone would be okay with. They have been busy with exploring and living in the moment to actually pause to do that. And it's easier just enjoying the present instead of worrying about what's to come.
Shaking his head. ] Still doesn't make it right to break promises and leave like that. I get it's scary and he doesn't want to hurt me or anyone else. I know him, Zack. I know why he thinks he's right.
Shaking his head. ] Still doesn't make it right to break promises and leave like that. I get it's scary and he doesn't want to hurt me or anyone else. I know him, Zack. I know why he thinks he's right.
[ He'd spoken with everyone about one back at the maze though. Thought they'd all follow through. But in the end, a plan's just a plan. Doesn't guarantee they'd stick to it in the end. They haven't. So, now they have to work with what's on hand. He knows they can't look back. ]
Sometimes fear capsizes everything else, even promises. You'd rather lose yourself than lose anyone else, even if you're afraid. Just keep talking to him. See if you can convince him to come back.
Sometimes fear capsizes everything else, even promises. You'd rather lose yourself than lose anyone else, even if you're afraid. Just keep talking to him. See if you can convince him to come back.
Yeah. I'm going to keep going. If I'm going the right way, I'll be close enough to reach him if he does need someone.
[ If is the thing. ]
I'll keep in contact.
[ If is the thing. ]
I'll keep in contact.
Alright... Yeah, keep me and Kuns updated.
[ It's all they can do really. The best that can be done. Jim's as stubborn as the rest of them. But can he really give him shit for it given the situation? No, probably not.
Zack pauses for a long minute, almost hanging up right there and then but lingering as his mouth works to form words. ]
Zell... I'm trusting you with this.
[ It's all they can do really. The best that can be done. Jim's as stubborn as the rest of them. But can he really give him shit for it given the situation? No, probably not.
Zack pauses for a long minute, almost hanging up right there and then but lingering as his mouth works to form words. ]
Zell... I'm trusting you with this.
Yeah. [ He breathes out a sigh and pushes himself to get moving again. Giving Morph a gentle pet to reassure him. He has to be strong for the critters at least. ]
Yeah, I will. Thanks Zack. I'll see you as soon as I can.
Yeah, I will. Thanks Zack. I'll see you as soon as I can.
I don't.
Zell, if I hurt you. Really hurt you.
[ Not like the bruises Zell had given him. ]
I'd lose it.
Zell, if I hurt you. Really hurt you.
[ Not like the bruises Zell had given him. ]
I'd lose it.
Remember back when we shared dreams? Right after he died.
[ That night when they'd believed they were alone, that Kunsel and Zack were gone forever. ]
The dream we shared... I don't know if I ever told you about it. I guess most of it isn't mine to tell.
[ That night when they'd believed they were alone, that Kunsel and Zack were gone forever. ]
The dream we shared... I don't know if I ever told you about it. I guess most of it isn't mine to tell.
You would've hated it.
[ Jim sounds pretty amused about that, actually. He relaxes into Zell, enjoying being guided more than he will the actual punching. ]
Mess everywhere.
[ Jim sounds pretty amused about that, actually. He relaxes into Zell, enjoying being guided more than he will the actual punching. ]
Mess everywhere.
[ Giving his hips a squeeze. ]
Not at first. I didn't hate your bag.
[ Bumping his forehead against Jim's shoulder. ]
Were there tools and solar surfers parts every where?
Not at first. I didn't hate your bag.
[ Bumping his forehead against Jim's shoulder. ]
Were there tools and solar surfers parts every where?
[ Back during the dream event. Making a face at that as he's not really sure how to feel about the news. Everyone keeps hiding things. ]
It was a bad time.
[ With the gas masks and everything else taking priority. ]
What happened in it?
It was a bad time.
[ With the gas masks and everything else taking priority. ]
What happened in it?
You wouldn't.
I
I'll keep going.
That way maybe I can get there if you need me.
I
I'll keep going.
That way maybe I can get there if you need me.
In the end, we were on a cliff side in the rain.
[ It's not really the most important detail, but it's one that stuck with Jim anyway. It'd been so long since he felt rain. ]</small Soldiers caught up to us. Dozens of 'em. They just opened fire.
[ It's not really the most important detail, but it's one that stuck with Jim anyway. It'd been so long since he felt rain. ]</small Soldiers caught up to us. Dozens of 'em. They just opened fire.
You didn't hate my bag because you fixed my bag.
[ Yep, he's definitely amused now. He gives the punching bag another half-hearted jab. ]
Not sure I'd let you touch my tools and crap. How would I know where anything was?
[ Yep, he's definitely amused now. He gives the punching bag another half-hearted jab. ]
Not sure I'd let you touch my tools and crap. How would I know where anything was?
I'll do my best.
Love you, Stars. I'll keep in contact.
Love you, Stars. I'll keep in contact.
I would show you where everything is.
[ He tries to whine, but really can't. He's feeling elated with Jim standing in his room. ]
Or we could organize it together. You know, when we rebuild it all.
[ He tries to whine, but really can't. He's feeling elated with Jim standing in his room. ]
Or we could organize it together. You know, when we rebuild it all.
[ What Jim is saying does click something else in place. Reaching up to run his fingers through his hair as his tone grows softer. ]
In the past, he said something about protecting Cloud. It was around the time we... you know kissed for the first time. [ And actually hooked up all in one go. ]
In the past, he said something about protecting Cloud. It was around the time we... you know kissed for the first time. [ And actually hooked up all in one go. ]
Yeah... See you soon.
[ Saying that doesn't stop the way he lingers with the call. Doesn't stop him from trying to think of something- anything else to say. But there's nothing more he can do to help. He just has to actually follow through with those words and part of trusting is hanging up.
So, he ends the call. ]
[ Saying that doesn't stop the way he lingers with the call. Doesn't stop him from trying to think of something- anything else to say. But there's nothing more he can do to help. He just has to actually follow through with those words and part of trusting is hanging up.
So, he ends the call. ]
[ Jim's head jerks up in surprise. ]
-That was a long time ago. You've been carrying this around all by yourself since then?
-That was a long time ago. You've been carrying this around all by yourself since then?
That was the second time we talked about it. [ Looking away for a moment. ] The first time was back at the hospital. When you couldn't see and we were doing laundry. I walked in to see if he needed paper clips to hold up his sheet.
[AND SAW SO MUCH MORE THAN HE EVER WANTED Wincing a little as he does figure out how long it's been. ]
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