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[swatsflies]

@ZD
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((OOC: Zell may show messages to Jim Hawkins. If you do not want Jim to see/know, then please let me know.))

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[heroproceeding]

[ Zell, no strip searching him now. That wouldn't go over well with your boyfriendo and it'd be a little weird. Only not really, but it might scar Jim's life just a little more. Let's not do that. So, Zack'll be thankful when he doesn't try even though he's making it... pretty obvious he wants to check on things. The SOLDIER only shakes his head a bit at that.

Then a bit at that counter-argument which at least gets a sliver of an amused smile out of him. He believes you, he believes you, Zell. Has a little more faith in you than maybe you realized. And yeah, also... there's a more solid nod this time although he turns his attention away then, watching the snow fall faintly in that moment. ]

It was months ago, back when... Well. [ He narrows his brows, tone falling a bit more distant. ] Me and Lancer got hit with something pretty bad. We ended up getting into a fight thinking we were other people and knocking each other clean out. [ He gestures to his forehead in emphasis. ] If you think this was bad, you should'a seen the chocoboegg I got back then.

[ The joke admittedly falls somewhat flat, but the point still stands. He gets it. ]

[swatsflies]

[Zell's belief in himself usually covers his fighting capabilities, his knowledge of geography back home, and then being dependable.

The last belief is on shaky grounds more and more. Especially since he was stupid enough to let himself be controlled. If he didn't give Jim his knives...

The joke might fall flat, much like Zack did right before being brought here, but Zell understands the reference. Chocobo eggs are frickin' huge. He's trying to imagine an actual bump that sized on Zack's head. Squinting a moment or two before a corner of his mouth lifts up.]

Good thing your head is hard then. [With the amount of beatings it probably gets... He reaches up to touch his own. It's gone down a lot thanks to actually keeping snow on it on and off and taking care of himself.] I don't think I met Lancer. [Before he probably died.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim lets himself be dragged easily and curls comfortably on top of Zell. It's still new, doing this in front of the others so casually, but his focus is on Zell instead of worrying all that much about it. The words still feel strange too, but they come readily: ] Love you. [ Jim tucks Zell's hand into his own and keeps it close to his heart all night.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ JIm watches the emotions playing across Zell's face as best he can in careful silence. It's real - Jim encourages the thought with a nearly imperceptible smile that turns into a real one even as a blush blooms on his cheeks. ] Maybe that was my dastardly plot all along. [ It wasn't, he's not that devious, but Jim wouldn't mind being in that position again with Zell even if the thought is a little scary because Jim doesn't know where it goes after that. It was shitty, the same as it is now, but they'd got each other through it.

They'd do it again, Jim thinks as he listens to Zell talk. His hand moves again, from Zell's head to over his own heart. He can feel it beating strong and clear. ] Do you … want to talk about it? Tell me?

[swatsflies]

[That's going to earn a choking sound. He looks up at Jim as he tries to figure out how to word. He's seen a lot of guys shirtless, but idea of touching Jim is making his heart pound hard.]

Huh? [His blush mirroring Jim's as he swallows a lump forming his throat. He puts it together that Jim wasn't serious, but it still sets his thoughts skittering further in a reprehensible direction. Tracing a heart shape over Jim's chest.] You don't need any plots for that, Stars.

[Zell is more than willing to touch him and might have thought about doing more than just that since they took a bath together. Maybe even before then, too.

Grabbing Jim's hand to bring it to his mouth and press a kiss on the inside of his wrist.]

Do you want to hear about it?

[heroproceeding]

[ Even if he hadn't given Jim his knives, there's no doubt Zack would have still forgiven him. ...Granted, he would probably be in a lot more pain and that might have required some bandaging, but details. And besides, it didn't happen.

...Still doesn't make Zell any less of a shit for making that smartass remark about his head, but in the end, Zack just rolls his eyes and shakes it. His own isn't nearly as bad as it had been. Still well bruised but not swollen like it was even just a few days ago. The retort he considered ends up forgotten in the face of Zell's admittance. Didn't meet him. Likely hadn't known him either. How long had it been since...? Zack hums and crosses his arms with slightly furrowed brows. ]

We traveled together a while. He was... Well, he was definitely a good friend of mine. [ Like a brother in arms. His smile's mixed at the thought. Funny how the death of someone that matters paints a painful view of once pleasant memories, that feeling translating quickly into his expression. ] Kind of an ass, but I think you would'a liked him.

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim might have teased him about the way his face goes hot, but then he's sobering again. It takes a moment for the words to come - for him to force them past that instinct to lock things like this away. ]

I want to hear everything about you that you'll tell me. [ He's shifting slightly now, though, piling a few pillows behind him so that he can lean back almost sitting up and rearrange Zell until he's laying on Jim's chest. Close enough for Jim to reach more of him. Easier for him to talk. ] You don't - if you don't think it'll help, you don't have to. But someone told me that sometimes talking about this stuff… it might make it easier. If it's hard.

[swatsflies]

[There will be plenty of chances to see him go red and to tease him.

Tossing a leg over Jim's leg as he gets comfortable on his chest. Moving his hand down to lightly tug up on his shirt slowly. Whether it's just keep his hand busy, or to make good on his thoughts isn't clear just yet]

I don't mind sharing. [He wasn't sure if this was going to be one of those things people weren't really interested in. Or if it would make sense. Closing his eyes as he pauses with his task to tap out the heartbeat he feels from his boyfriend.]

The beginning would have been cool, if it wasn't freaky. We fell for a long, long time into the ocean. We could see fish even, but we weren't wet. It was like we weren't really there, or what we were seeing wasn't there.

[He doesn't even know how to describe the ending of that, so he'll skip to the return trip. The part that got to him. Going back to tugging at Jim's shirt and successfully pulling it up enough just to slide his fingers under to feel the next layer he had beneath. He smiles as he touches the familiar scrubs.]

The return trip sucked big time. Everyone was there at first, but we were all moving like someone cast slow on us.

[swatsflies]

[Given that kind of an ass applies to a lot of his friends from home, then yeah he would have gotten along with Lancer well enough. He's setting aside whatever weighing on his mind and heart to move closer to Zack. Going to forget the dumb idea that something could control him any time to hurt his friends and place a hand on Zack's shoulder.

Zack has been here longer. The list of Zell's friends who were no longer here is much shorter than Zack's. He lets silence settle between them for a few moments. Zack looks a lot more tired and some how looks more pale than normal. It's not just sadness and bodies weighing heavily on his shoulders and heart, but something else. Something Zell can't really translate yet. He's still learning Zackism. Kunsel will probably get it though. They just have to be patient for him to get back to them.]

I get along with you just fine. [Attempting a cheeky smile as he gives his shoulder a squeeze. Not going to hug because he is being super mindful of the bruise Zack probably has on his stomach.] Any friends of yours, man. [Would count as a friend or an ally at least.]

[heroproceeding]

[ The fact that Zell seems to drop his guard, that he seems to approach him again without hesitance once more and touch his shoulder... That's more than enough of a relief. Perhaps more than Zack, himself, realized initially. Instinctively, he goes to reach up in turn. To lightly clap a hand over his friend's and give it a squeeze as his smile grows just a little more real.

And then realer at that comment. It's still not easy to think about it, no. But... still. To think of Lancer and Zell... what they would have been like together? He can only imagine the kind of dynamic they would have had. And it's a good thought. A good feeling even in the bittersweet moment. And even better knowing, well... He shakes his head just a little. ]

Get along just fine, huh. I guess. [ Just gonna be a bit of a butt here. Never mind it's true. ] Anyway, look, seriously. Don't worry about it. Though I gotta ask- you know what brought that on by chance?

[rattlingthestars]

[ For all that Jim was teasing Zell a second ago, he's genuinely confused about where he's going with that hand. It makes it harder to focus on what he's saying, but maybe that's the point. Zell says he doesn't mind sharing, but Jim knows it might be hard for him to have a serious conversation about himself like this.

That's why Jim doesn't reciprocate the exploration even though it's been two whole days since he saw hip tattoo, but he doesn't stop Zell either. He just wants him to do whatever makes him feel better, whatever grounds him in the present even when he's talking about the past. ]

Like a spell?

[ That his boyfriend comes from somewhere with magic spells is still difficult to believe. Almost as difficult as believing he has a boyfriend. ]

Evening/Night 100

[rattlingthestars]

[ When Jim wakes from the weird sleep, he's groggy and thirsty. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, exactly, but apparently he'd managed to sleep through whatever it was the admin was doing without too much trouble. He blinks blearily around the room, squints to make sure it's the same place he went to sleep, before blinking again and doing a second pass.

Cloud and Zack are huddled together in one corner and it looks like Zell is by himself in another corner and something seems... wrong. Zell shouldn't be by himself that way if something's going on.

That's why when Jim gets up, he's walking over to Zell and kneeling in front of him without even bothering to put on his boots first. ]

-Sunshine?

[swatsflies]

[The incident occurred in the afternoon and it's already evening now. Zell was leaning against a wall and pretty sure Cloud wasn't going to like him as much anymore. His tablet was just out of reach, but the screen was flipped up to add to the light of the room, which was becoming more of a habit now than a conscious effort.

When he spots those feet that aren't quite SOLIDER large, he looks up at Jim. At first, he's clearly happy because Jim is awake, but soon his face falls. He tries to scoot away from the other, but he's in a corner. He clearly didn't think this spot through.]

Hey...[His tone is low.] You should keep out of arms reach from me. I might hurt you.

[swatsflies]

[If he was going to intentionally distract Jim, it would be with something more than just fiddling with clothes. Sorry, Jim. Zell doesn't realize this could be having any kind of effect on his boyfriend. Probably doesn't help he's lightly tracing along the waist of Jim's pants over to his hip.]

Yeah, like a spell. I can show you when we get out of here or if we find a way to turn off whatever is putting a stop to magic here.

[He does have slow stocked up. And a number of other spells Jim might find entertaining like float or fire.]

It's like moving through something thick like molasses. You can feel everything slowing down and you're aware of everything around you being faster.

[Ceasing his exploring to reach behind him to find one of Jim's hands. It's a little awkward with his position, but he manages to curl a finger around one of his boyfriend's.]

At first everything is white and I can still hear everyone. Still see them. They vanish one by one and everything gets dark. We needed to concentrate on each other and to concentrate on where we were supposed to meet, but it doesn't make it easy. It messes with your head a bit. Shows you things over and over to make you doubt everything. [There's a pause here.] Shows you the worst that could have happened. Garden being destroyed. Balamb being burnt down to the ground. Losing someone you care about because of messing up or taking too long to save them.

[He can see Rinoa falling and missing the ledge instead. It didn't happen like that. He knows it, but the image is there still. Shaking his head slowly before scooting up further to nuzzle against Jim's neck and not think about it. Concentrate on now. What's happened has happened. It's all done with and over.]

I wasn't even hit with the worst of it. We all made it back, but it took some of us a lot longer.

[swatsflies]

[Zack being up set trumps any hesitations on touching or bridging the space. He might be wary or putting a distance between them next time Winter chats though.

Concentrating on the inquiry because it's pretty important.] A light. She showed me the room she was in and there was a light flashing on and off. It kept turning on and off until I felt like I was there. I don't know if I was seeing something related to her or if was just this place messing around, you know?

[heroproceeding]

It's hard to say... [ And honestly makes him feel something between curious and just plain uneasy. She showed him something... but then she had been acting strange. So strange that day. He didn't have to talk with her personally to get that impression. The conversations he had read, well. They had told him enough.

He peels his hand away, but it's only so he can cross his arms in thought as he looks out to the distance. ] I'd just be more careful next time. When things go haywire like that, you never know what's gonna happen.

[ Like with the tablets that one time... ]

[swatsflies]

Next time, I'll get off as soon as something seems off. Especially if weird shit is already happening.

[Sadly, as much as he means it now, he probably won't follow through with this. Whoops.]

I'll be more careful.

[heroproceeding]

You better be. I mean I can handle a hit like that. But you end up catching the wrong guy off guard like that... It won't be pretty, you know?

[ As much as he doesn't intend to scare Zell, well. They gotta be realistic, too. And the fact of the matter is if it'd been Jim... Well.

It's a good thing it wasn't. It makes his eyes flicker for a moment in a passing thought but- no. Not the time. Not in such a small house. Which might be why instead he starts back into the house... if not reaching out to pat his shoulder in the midst of his stride. ] Take care of him.

[ There's a weight in those words like there's something more. But he's already ducking back inside to join the others. ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's expression rises and falls, a mirror of Zell's. Rather than upset just yet, though, he's just looking puzzled at Zell. He casts a glance over his shoulder at what Zack and Cloud are doing over there, and then, ignoring Zell's words entirely, he drops onto the floor beside him and throws an arm loosely over Zell's shoulders. If he really wants to get away, it should be easy, but that's not the point. ]

I don't think you could.

[ Honest, almost casual, completely true. Jim looks sideways at Zell after he's said it, though and then down at his knees. ] Something happened when I was knocked out.

[swatsflies]

[Zell tenses for a moment when Jim puts his arm on him. He reaches over his shoulder to brush Jim's hand with his finger tips. He'll slowly relax again as he decides the floor is very interesting.]

I punched Zack. [Swallowing hard as he waves with his free hand towards the pair of Soldiers. Zack being silent and going down as easy as he did is still striking him as wrong, but he's not going to share that with Jim yet. Normally Zack did his best to show how strong he was for the others.]

Things moved in slow motion while you were out. [Which was also freaky. He knows Zack was stuck on slow motion squats, while Zell couldn't help but to stare at people. He needed to keep looking in case they vanished.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim wants to see Zell's magic in action because he can scarcely believe it's real. For all he was willing to chase a storybook on the word of a dying old man, Jim likes the world around him to be solid and make sense. Magic... doesn't really fit into that. Then again, if anyone were magic, it would have to be Zell.

Zell, who... Jim listens in quiet, mounting worry as the story gets worse. ]

-Sounds like you got hit pretty bad, anyway. [ He's glad it wasn't the worst, if it was that bad. ] Sounds a lot like what happened the other night.

[rattlingthestars]

You - [ Jim jerks back, not away but far enough to hold Zell's shoulders and look at him. Zack is being taken care of, as much as Jim wants to check on both of them at once. Zell... isn't. Hasn't let himself, Jim's guessing.

He's just about to demand more of the story before Zell's words bring him up short. ] - Felt like somebody cast slow, [ He says, voice low and scratchy. An echo of their conversation nearly a week ago. ]

[swatsflies]

[He's going to flinch at that one word and the jerking back action. It takes him a moment to realize Jim isn't trying to pull away completely. Jim isn't distancing himself. And then Jim starts repeating what he said before about time compression. Zell lift his gaze from the floor to Jim before nodding his head slowly.]

You were sleeping. I didn't know if you were just sleeping or...

[Or if he was dead. His shoulder slump a bit as he shakes his head. Don't think about it.]

I was talking to Winter, but it might not have been here. She was glitching up or someone else was responding for her. She showed me a room with a flickering light. Then it felt like I was actually there in that room and I wasn't alone. There was a shadow and it was going to hurt you. It was going to hurt everyone if I didn't do something about it. [He's going to look guilty.][He's going to stare are his hand now.] I was back in the room and Zack was doubling over. I could have stabbed him. I could have hurt you. I could still hurt you. [He's swallowing down a wave of emotions that were threatening to spill out.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim meets his gaze, blue eyes wide and serious. He hurts for Zell and he's worried about Zack and kicking himself for falling asleep during... whatever this was. If he had been, maybe he would've been able to catch Zell before this happened.

He captures Zell's hand, unwilling to give him any space to retreat into his fear, and shakes his head. ] You wouldn't hurt me. You - [ Okay, what he'd done to Zack hadn't been good, but: ] You weren't in control. But it's over now.

[swatsflies]

[Watching Jim's hand closing over his own. Looking over at Jim again as he leans against the wall away from his boyfriend. He's not sure if he wants to grab him and hold on tight, or withdraw from him. A look over to Cloud and Zack to see that Zack was getting fed cookies and whatever else the blond brought back with him. Probably screwed that friendship up with Cloud by punching his friend.

Swallowing again as he levels his gaze at Jim. Tugging on the captured hand and hooking an arm around behind his boyfriend to pull him closer. Going to bury his face into his neck.]

If it can take me over once... Jim, when things get weird like that, I want you to stay away from me. [Even if it means reliving another slow motion spell alone, it's better than the possibility of hurting Jim.]