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[It was surprising that more people in this place hadn't gone crazy from just sitting around all the time. At least, that's what it felt like he'd been doing the whole time he had been here. Cloud wasn't really use to having nothing to do. Finding the library had been something of a relief - not to say that he liked reading that much, but it gave him something to do. When a place had people from different worlds in it, the books were probably from many places and times as well, so one of them might just have a clue about curing Geostigma. At least, that was his thinking. And doing something that felt productive was better than nothing.]

[It was productive until he started to hallucinate, anyways. Cloud had gotten a few medical books and stacked them on a desk, before his arm had started to get painful and start to ooze the black, blood-like substance again. He had gotten up to take care of it, but ended up staggering around the library, not seeing things quite clearly, or knowing where he was anymore, due to the strange blue spots filling his vision. Anyone passing by the library might be able to hear some of the books he's knocking over as he staggers around clattering to the floor.]

((Mostly for

honoranddreams, but anyone is free to bug him.))

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[This isn't where Zack had expected to find himself after walking through the door that he had just opened not two seconds ago. Then again, he isn't a complete stranger to randomly finding himself in a new environment without any prior warning, either. Actually, his current surroundings do seem vaguely familiar, but it's been so long since he was last here that it might as well have been another lifetime ago.

So, he's still not home yet. But it's not Gaia that he misses, though he would be so happy to see his own world again. No, it's being apart from the people who mean everything to him ... that's the hardest thing about all of this.

The sound of heavy books falling to the ground nearby quickly shakes Zack loose of his thoughts, however; and though the commotion probably doesn't concern him, it probably wouldn't hurt to make sure that everything's all right in there all the same. But then he pushes open the door to the library, and he immediately notices those oh-so-familiar blond spikes.

But something's not right. That fact registers a split second later, and Zack is already running towards Cloud, instinctively reaching out both hands to catch him.]

Cloud!

[He doesn't really register that there's someone coming towards him for a few moments, since his vision seems to be flickering between the library, the blue spots, and random flashes of images. When he does notice Zack standing in front of him, Cloud's not really sure if he's actually there or not. Until he rams right into him, anyways.]

[Well, Zack is definitely no hallucination, that much should be certain once Cloud runs smack into him. Strong arms immediately come up to wrap around Cloud, steadying him in a protective embrace.]

I've got you, Cloud. It's going to be okay.

[That black ooze dripping down his friend's arm might as well not even be there for all the attention that Zack pays it, though he is aware of it, that and just how thin Cloud's body feels as he holds him close.]

[No, he realizes that Zack's actually there when he runs into him, and feels the arms wrapping around his frame. Hallucinations normally can't do that. The voice is familiar, so Cloud just lets himself slump against the other.]

Zack...?

Yeah, it's me, Spike. It's been a while, hasn't it?

[Gloved fingers gently begin to rub small circles against Cloud's back in a comforting gesture as Zack pulls him closer still to better support him.]

Let's get you somewhere where you can lay down, okay?

[If he were fully coherent right now, he might do something other than just nod slightly at the first question, because then he might realize that he hasn't actually met this Zack before. He's on the verge of passing out, so Zack's probably going to have to drag him.]

Yeah...

[The symptomatic dark ooze on Cloud's arm is obvious evidence of the apparent time difference between him and Zack; but, thankfully, that's not about to faze the dark-haired SOLDIER in the slightest. Of course, that doesn't make him any less concerned about the glaring fact that this Cloud is still suffering from Geostigma, though.

If the way that Cloud is still leaning heavily against him is anything to go by, Zack knows that walking is undoubtedly out of the question for the blond, so that leaves only one other option, really. Bending down, he tucks his shoulder under Cloud's stomach, easily hefting him as he stands back up, the positioning exactly the same as when he had carried Cloud before those several years ago while on the run with him.

At least now there's no need to be wary and clandestine as Zack makes his way down one of the hallways where he remembers the bedrooms to be, keeping a firm grip on Cloud the entire way. He has no idea where Cloud's room is, or if he even has one here, so the nearest empty room will have to suffice for the time being. Laying Cloud down on the bed, Zack sighs softly and sinks down beside him to sit on the edge of the mattress.]

Just hang in there. You're going to be okay.

((ooc: Thanks for posting this! It's bedtime for me now, but I'll be back tomorrow.))

[The Geostigma probably has gotten worse than it would have if he'd stayed in his own universe, since he's been trapped in the DR for a few months now. Which Zack might be able to tell from the way that arm is rather profusely dripping the black liquid. The only protest he gives to being lifted is a slight groan, though it was more from being moved than pain. It's only his one arm that really hurts. By the time Zack sets him back down on the bed, he seems to have passed out, though.]

((ooc: Sure, no problem! Sleep well! o/))

[This isn't good. Not that this Cloud couldn't have some knack for falling asleep as soon as he's in a bed, but neither that nor passing out bodes particularly well under these circumstances. Maybe it's better this way, though, just until Zack can get that arm cleaned off. But just because he's already seen Cloud comatose and unresponsive more times than he can keep count of doesn't mean that Zack is at all appreciative of the familiarity of the current situation.]

Just can't seem to catch a break, can you, Spike?

[Not that Cloud can hear him now, but that's never stopped Zack from talking to him before. His fingers find their way to those golden spikes to give them a rueful tousle, and then Zack is getting to his feet to head towards the adjoining bathroom.]

Don't worry. I'm not leaving you for long. Just have to go get some stuff, okay?

[As promised, Zack doesn't take long, and he's back in record time with several wet washcloths, a couple of towels, a roll of bandages, and a bottle of something he hopes is a potion of sorts. Settling back down beside Cloud, he immediately sets to work, wiping and cleaning Cloud's arm off as gently as possible.]

[Sadly, he's not talented enough to fall asleep on command like that. He honestly doesn't mean to be out of it around Zack all the time either. Cloud just has no luck.]

[He doesn't wake at all when Zack messes up his hair, or gets up to head over to the bathroom. Zack'll have to remove the sleeve and bandages on that arm before he can get at the blackened skin to try and clean off his arm. Even if the other male is being careful about cleaning the wound, it hurts, which is enough to make him stir a little, peeling open one eye, trying to pull away from whatever is touching him, though the attempt is rather feeble.]

[More often than not, it does seem to be the norm for Cloud to be unconscious whenever Zack's around -- either that or bleeding from being run through with Masamune -- but it's not like Zack would ever blame his friend for what happens. It's not Cloud's fault for what life throws at him, and Zack is nothing but proud of him for making it though all that he has. Though it would be nice if Gaia decided to give Cloud a breather every now and then. That wouldn't be asking for too much now, would it?

Zack gives a wry snort at the thought, continuing to do what he can to remove the last bits of the dark, inky ooze from Cloud's arm, but he immediately stops as his friend begins to come to and tries to pull away.]

Hey, it's all right. It's just me, Cloud.

[Just don't tell him that he has getting skewered by that sword again to look forward to if he ever makes it back to his own world. Once was more than enough. He opens his other eye, blinking blearily at Zack for a few moments. It's kind of confusing to remember being in the library one moment, and find yourself on a bed with a Zack staring at you the next. At least he stopped trying to pull away though.]

... Zack?

[Things could turn out differently. Who knows, really? But Sephiroth is far from being an immediate concern at the moment, and Zack breathes a sigh of relief once it appears that Cloud is more coherent than he was a few minutes ago.]

You got it in one, Spike.

[He grins fondly at Cloud, but there still is definite concern visible in his eyes despite his smile.]

[He hasn't seen a single Sephiroth while here, so he hasn't been thinking much about him either. Cloud looks rather confused, attempting to sit up, and wincing. Glancing over at his one arm brings back what must have happened.]

Oh, I must have passed out...

Yeah, you were kinda out of it there. Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy there, Cloud.

[There's no dire need to sit up quite so quickly, and Zack really doesn't want his friend to black out from the effort, so he's gently but firmly coaxing him to lay back down. Better safe than sorry, right? Right.]

[Seeing as he doesn't really have the strength to actually get up at the moment, it doesn't take much effort to get him to lay back on the bed again. Though he doesn't really look thrilled about it.]

You aren't one of the Zacks I've met before, are you?

Probably not. I was just here for a short while the first time around. But you never know. Maybe we already met a long time ago.

[Zack gives a thoughtful shrug at this, his smile growing just a touch wistful at the memory of trudging through the snow side-by-side with the one trooper who could actually keep up with him. And that ... that really was a long time ago. The Cloud from his version of Gaia has since been healed of his Geostigma, but the Cloud in front of him now could very well be the exact same Cloud from the past as Zack knows it. Or not. You just never really knew in a place like this.]

I doubt we've met before, if it wasn't here.

[After all, the Zack from his time... Besides, even if the Zack he knew came back, he wouldn't really know what to do.]

Different you, different me then, huh? But since we already know each other's names, I guess that means we can skip the introductions, right?

[The SOLDIER tries to be lighthearted about it all, but just because this might not be 'his' Cloud, it doesn't mean that's he's going to be any less concerned about him and the state he's currently in. At least this Cloud seems to be more or less accepting of Zack being physically here, though, and he isn't immediately jumping to the conclusion that the other is either a hallucination or a ghost. A logical conclusion, yes, but not entirely accurate.]

[He nods, carefully using his good arm to push himself up to a sitting position. Even if moving hurts a bit, he doesn't like laying down much.]

Yeah, I guess we can skip them.

[He's run into two other Zacks before, so he's more willing to accept that Zack's there than he would have been upon first ending up in the Dressing Room. And he knows a hallucination can't drag someone from the library to a bedroom, so he's just guessing this Zack is from before he died, or something.]

[This time, Zack doesn't push Cloud back down but quickly moves to support him since it seems as though the blond is going to be stubborn about wanting to sit up sooner rather than later. Not that this comes as any big surprise to Zack. In fact, he actually gives a chuckle as he reaches for the nearby pillow to stuff it between Cloud's back and the headboard to make things a little more comfortable for him.

Once Cloud is settled in an upright position, Zack holds the bottle from the bathroom out to him.]

I think this is a potion ... but I'm not sure that it will help much.

[He apologetically shakes his head as he speaks, wondering if it might be better to find the center of the Dressing Room and just start hollering for an Aerith.]

[He appreciates that, because he's too stubborn to just lay there, even if he knows he should. At least not while in front of someone. Cloud glances over at the potion Zack holds out, frowning a bit.]

Thanks Zack, but it won't do anything. It's...

[Cloud just trails off, reaching over to cover the wound with his hand, which has finally just about stopped oozing the black liquid.]

[Zack nods soberly, his gaze following Cloud's hand as he covers his arm with it.]

I know. Geostigma's about as serious as it gets.

[If only the disease could be cured as easily as with a potion; but, if nothing else, maybe the healing liquid would help a little with the pain. Grabbing a clean washcloth, Zack dumps half the bottle on it and holds it out towards Cloud.]

Here. I know that it hurts, but at least let me finish, and then we can get you bandaged back up.

[That makes him blink, because he was not expecting for Zack to know about the Geostigma. Events in his world must have played out differently than in Cloud's - though that's kind of a comforting thought.]

How do you know about that...?

[He glances down at the washcloth when Zack puts the potion on it, before looking back at the ebony haired male and nodding. The hand that had been covering the wound drops away, that way Zack can finish cleaning it.]

What, you didn't think I'd keep an eye out for you while I was floating around in the Lifestream?

[Zack's tone is gently teasing as he begins to dab the potion on Cloud's arm, carefully wiping the entire affected area down before emptying the rest of the potion on the washcloth and repeating the process. The dark mottling is still plainly evident against Cloud's skin despite it all, but the ooze itself is gone for now.

Bandages come next, and Zack starts to wind the soft, absorbent material around his friend's arm, watching closely to make sure that it's not too snug of a fit or so loose that it would fall off once Cloud moves.]

Tell me if it's too tight, all right?

... I guess I just didn't think about it.

[So much for the idea that things happened differently in one world. That brings up a whole new set of questions, such has how is Zack actually here if he died? Not that he was really in the mood to get into messy questions like that at the moment. Zack cleaning his arm with the potion makes him wince a little, but it's no worse than having to do it himself. Actually, the bandages being applied probably hurts less than it could, since Zack has both hands to do it with. Cloud nods.]

It's fine.

Hey, don't sweat it.

[Zack pauses to brush some of Cloud's hair back from his face, smiling reassuringly at him before busying himself once again with the bandages he's holding. For a moment, it looks like he is seriously considering tying the ends off in an actual bow -- he even has the two loops in hand -- but then he winks at the blond and finishes off the wrapping with a securely doubled-over knot instead.]

So, how long have you been here, anyways?

[He was about to say something about how he should have guessed, since he was pretty sure Aerith could, but Zack brushing the bangs out of his face makes him blink. Sure, he'd talked to some of the other Zacks briefly, but having Zack mess with his hair like he use to is kind of weird. The threat of having the bandage tied in a bow makes him roll his eyes a little. Zack, you haven't changed at all.]

A few months. I think it's been six or seven.

[Zack has always been a touchy-feely sort of guy to begin with, and, well, you just get familiar with reaching out for someone when you've been on the run with them for the better part of a year. Of course, Cloud is far from being comatose now, and perhaps it's a little strange to find out just how much Zack is used to getting away with when it comes to taking liberties with Cloud and his hair.

Or maybe not, if that hint of an eyeroll is anything to go by. Zack doesn't comment on it, however, though he does give a low whistle of sympathy at Cloud's reply to his question.]

You've been gone for a while then. Have you been doing okay here?

[Geostigma aside and all that.]

[He doesn't mind it that much. Well, at all really. It's just a little strange to have someone so openly affectionate with him, when he doesn't exactly have many close friends in the Dressing Room. A good kind of strange though.]

I've been alright, most days. The worst part is not having anything to do around here.

Maybe that's not so bad, though. Gives you some time to relax and rest, you know. You kind of ran yourself ragged there for a while, Spike.

[And it's not over yet, though Zack's not about to broach that particular topic right this instant. In fact, he looks like he's taking his own suggestion to 'relax and rest' rather literally himself as he shamelessly flops over on his back and stretches out next to Cloud.]

And even heroes need their downtime.

I know I did, but... I'm not use to just relaxing.

[Saving the world involved a lot of running around. And then trying to fix the damage from Meteor... It didn't leave much time for resting, and it didn't give him much time to brood. He scoots over a bit when Zack flops next to him, so he has more room.]

Heroes, huh?

Yup. [Mako-tinted blue eyes peer upwards, and Zack smiles fondly at Cloud, so unmistakably proud of his friend.] Unless they're calling people who save the world something else these days.

[Shakes his head.] I wasn't trying to save the world. I just had to fix the mess I made.

Even if saving the Planet wasn't what you originally set out to do, that is what you ultimately wound up doing, Cloud. And you are a hero, Spike.

[Zack props himself up on his elbows, the smile on his face suddenly replaced by a much more serious look. Careful not to bump Cloud's bandaged arm in the process, he sits back up the rest of the way and turns to face him, one blue-eyed gaze locking with the other.]

And that mess? It wasn't your fault for getting yanked into the whole thing to begin with.

[Zack's fingers muss through Cloud's hair again, though the gesture this time is apologetically gentle.]

I just wish I could have been there for you then. I'm sorry that I left it all up to you to deal with.

[It's really strange to hear someone say that. Even if did end up saving the planet, he didn't think about it like that. Not when he'd been the one that handed over the materia to summon Meteor to Sephiroth in the first place. His gaze met Zack's for a few moments, before dropping away to the bed.]

Even if it wasn't my fault to start, I made a lot of mistakes I had to fix along the way.

[Cloud's eyes go back to the other when he feels the fingers brushing through his hair.]

It wasn't your fault.

[Zack just shakes his head at the last part of what Cloud says, and his hand lingers in the other's blond spikes for just a moment longer before dropping back down by his side.]

You carried on when I couldn't. What I had to ask you to do, what I needed you to be ... I know it was so much to put on you. Too much, even. I'm sorry for leaving you like I did, but I'm so proud that you kept on going, Cloud, mistakes and all. You're not just a dead guy's legacy anymore. Now you have a legacy all your own.

[Gloved fingers lightly squeeze Cloud's hand, and the dark-haired SOLDIER offers his friend a reassuring smile.]

And I know it doesn't look this way now, but it'll be okay one of these days. Just keep hanging in there, Spike, and things will get better, I promise.

[He doesn't really know what to say to that, Zack. It's not like he blames the other for what happened at all. No, everything had been caused by Shinra, but still... He really wished things could have turned out differently. Cloud glanced over at Zack when he squeezed his hand, smiling weakly back at him. It didn't last too long though.]

I hope you're right. I don't know what I would do if things kept getting worse.

[Sometimes, things have a tendency to get worse before they finally start getting better ... but Zack keeps his thoughts to himself about all of this for the time being. It makes his heart ache to see that fragile smile disappear from Cloud's face so quickly; and if it appears that he's in no hurry to let go of his friend's hand, well, yeah, that's not at all accidental.]

Trust me, Aerith won't let you go down go like this. You won't ever be completely alone if the two of us have anything to say about it.

[Well, as long as things get better sooner or later, he'll be alright. Besides, just be glad you got him to smile at all Zack. That in itself is an accomplishment. He doesn't really mind that Zack's still holding onto his hand.He doesn't feel much like moving anyways.]

Thanks Zack. I'll remember that.

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Sorry for the wait!

It's alright!

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My apologies again ... classes and work have been crazy. -_-;;

That's okay, my finals are coming up, so I will be slow to reply too.