[ 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.
[ 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. ]
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. ]
-Huh. Guess that's why he's so uptight about changing clothes.
[ It's a small mystery solved, but it's better than focusing on the big questions without any real answers. It's also better than thinking about how long Jim's been oblivious to all of this. ]
[ For a moment, he wants to start trying to map out the scars on Jim, but thinks better of it. ]
They were all scars when I saw them.
[ Nuzzling him. ]
It's. [ Feeling guilt weighing heavily. ] When I saw them, I knew he couldn't have made it out. Then when we were talking about medical records, I realized that bring brought here is what probably saved him.
[ Shifting their fingers to weave them together and give them a squeeze. ]
His scars or... [ The dying part. Zell nods his head. ] Yeah, I do. They said they successfully resuscitated him in the medical records. I think he's alive again and can go back to his world or any world without any fear. I don't think he buys it though.
But that's the thing, he's not going right back to that moment. If this place can bring people here, choose a destination, then it can work in reverse. We'll figure it all out and go some where we all can be.
[ Pausing to calm down again and nuzzle against Jim's face. Brushing his hair lightly in a soothing way as he nods. ]
And you know we'll help rebuild it. [ He's pretty sure Kunsel and Zack wouldn't let them have all the fun building. Zell is going to miss the opportunity to make a joke about winding up with a baby carriage shaped Inn if Zack helps. His tone is taking on a positive note. ]
Whatever happens, we'll find a way to fix it. [ Pressing a kiss against his forehead. ]
[ The fact that Zell's starting to sound better is easing the knot in Jim's chest, too. He takes a deep breath and when Zell asks a question, effectively changing the subject, he's willing to jump on it.
Even if it does mean groaning quietly. ]
Like I want to crawl in a hole for admitting all that crap.
[ Spilling his guts seems to have calm the compulsion to voice everything he's thinking. So he manages not to just dive into questions or talk about how he's not even sure what to make of it.
Jim sits firmly in the can probably get away with almost anything box with Zell. House was prodding into things he knew would hurt Jim, and Jim dished his medicine back at him. House actually retreated which hits on just how much it hit him.
He feels pretty...mixed if he's honest. ]
Yeah, I saw.
[ Sliding his fingers through Jim's hair. ]
What do you feel about it? You okay with how you took care of it?
[ That's not actually an answer; it's barely even a challenge. Jim huffs and is grateful that whatever the magic of the night was, it seems to be wearing off. ]
He hit me where it hurt for no reason. We were doing okay before that.
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[ 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.
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It was a bad time.
[ With the gas masks and everything else taking priority. ]
What happened in it?
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[ 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.
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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. ]
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-That was a long time ago. You've been carrying this around all by yourself since then?
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AND SAW SO MUCH MORE THAN HE EVER WANTEDWincing a little as he does figure out how long it's been. ]no subject
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what are their names
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[ It's a small mystery solved, but it's better than focusing on the big questions without any real answers. It's also better than thinking about how long Jim's been oblivious to all of this. ]
How bad is it?
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They were all scars when I saw them.
[ Nuzzling him. ]
It's. [ Feeling guilt weighing heavily. ] When I saw them, I knew he couldn't have made it out. Then when we were talking about medical records, I realized that bring brought here is what probably saved him.
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He shakes off the thought. It was months ago, now, and Jim can only take care of what's in front of him. Who's in front of him.
He takes Zell's hand and squeezes it tight. ]
DO you think it's... permanent?
thats why they are called scars, Jim
His scars or... [ The dying part. Zell nods his head. ] Yeah, I do. They said they successfully resuscitated him in the medical records. I think he's alive again and can go back to his world or any world without any fear. I don't think he buys it though.
[ which is where the frustration comes in from. ]
hush
[ Jim huffs, shaking his head. ]
Especially since I think if he goes right back to that moment, he'll just have to die all over again.
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[ Zell sounds confident in it. ]
We'll figure it out.
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[ Jim swallows hard. He wants to believe that. It's something they've all talked about before. ]
There's room for all of us back home. Or there will be, once we rebuild it.
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And you know we'll help rebuild it. [ He's pretty sure Kunsel and Zack wouldn't let them have all the fun building. Zell is going to miss the opportunity to make a joke about winding up with a baby carriage shaped Inn if Zack helps. His tone is taking on a positive note. ]
Whatever happens, we'll find a way to fix it. [ Pressing a kiss against his forehead. ]
How are you feeling about everything else?
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Even if it does mean groaning quietly. ]
Like I want to crawl in a hole for admitting all that crap.
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It sounded like some serious stuff. Do I need to go teach anyone some manners?
[ You know, like House? Even if Jim did manage to turn things around on the grouch, him slinging it at Jim like that in the first place... ]
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No. I think I took care of it.
[ He does look up, to see what Zell thinks of how he took care of it. Jim's aware it really wasn't the greatest way to handle the situation. ]
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Jim sits firmly in the can probably get away with almost anything box with Zell. House was prodding into things he knew would hurt Jim, and Jim dished his medicine back at him. House actually retreated which hits on just how much it hit him.
He feels pretty...mixed if he's honest. ]
Yeah, I saw.
[ Sliding his fingers through Jim's hair. ]
What do you feel about it? You okay with how you took care of it?
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[ That's not actually an answer; it's barely even a challenge. Jim huffs and is grateful that whatever the magic of the night was, it seems to be wearing off. ]
He hit me where it hurt for no reason. We were doing okay before that.
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[ Tipping Jim's head up to meet his eyes as he brushes his thumb against his cheekbone. ]
I don't give a shit if his feelings are hurt.
[ Bumping his forehead against Jim's. ]
What I care about is how you feel, Stars. If you're good with how it went, then I'll have your back.
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[ Maybe he's not a great person, but if Zell doesn't care, isn't disappointed in him? Screw 'em. ]
Don't think he's going to bring it up again.
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Hopefully he knows better.
[ Cause he might have to give him a lesson anyways. Huffing out for a moment and then nuzzling against Jim's neck. ]
Everything else went okay? Did you share anything else?
[ He's trying to figure out if Jim is okay. If there were any conversations that could have been upsetting. ]
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cheese
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