❝ i see, i see – it just CONCERNED me, is all.. i would rather hate to offend. ❞ link wasn’t good with his own feelings, either. usually keeping them LOCKED tight under a lock & key; yet, the other seemed to bring out the YOUTH in him the years had taken from his SOUL. he had wish he had the courage to FORGET his awkwardness, & just lounge about with the other without a care in the world. they were both like BIRDS & yet; it felt like they were worlds apart.
❝ i beg your pardon? why wouldn’t i forgive you? i wouldn’t dare. every time you came back; i was always here, was i not? though i am not an EXPERT with words; i know for a fact that i share a certain FONDNESS to you; a passion that i cannot even DEFINE into words you could understand. if only you knew my native tongue would you MAYBE understand. ❞
Those words left Cloud utterly speechless, his expression taking on a more dumbfounded look as mako infused eyes would widen. Thankfully, despite this, he didn’t let his jaw drop, otherwise the moment would have seemed more comical than anything. Now, the wolf was left with a dilemma, as it were. He was unable to think of any words that could form a reply, the very thought was stuck in his chest by a rapid heart beat. It was amazing how quickly Link could render the former SOLDIER completely helpless.
Strife just wasn’t prepared for this———-
Thus, rather leave his reply to the lump in his throat, he’d move forward, taking the knight’s hand in his own with a growing fluster. He was unbelieveably embarrassed, that much could be seen, but he hoped that his love could be translated with his own strange language, a small smile, and a look in his eyes that spoke of unwavering devotion.
❝ you just seemed a little UNCOMFORTABLE, sorry; sorry, didn’t mean to concern you. ❞ why did he feel so NERVOUS? this was only CLOUD; he shouldn’t feel like a timid school girl. in the past; link would’ve just held his face & smile like an idiot; but now; he felt himself become SHY, & rather aloof. GUILT crept into his stomach as the others words hit his ears, mentally wanting to HIT himself for being such a damn fool.
❝ … i was just afraid, cloud — but there… wasn’t a day i didn’t have you on my mind. i just — … didn’t think you’d be BACK. ❞
“I did– ?? Oh—- I wasn’t uncomfortable, I’m just still getting used to that sort of thing.”
At least that, he could say in truth. Even his own feelings could sometimes feel alien to him, he’d buried them for so long. Cloud was hoping this reunion was going to be a bit easier, alas, it seemed that he never really had luck when it came to this sort of thing.
“I hope you can forgive me for being gone so long, truth be told, I worried about the same thing a lot of the time. I couldn’t wait to see you again, but at the same time, I was scared that when I came back, you’d be gone.
❝ what’s that look for? ❞ with a pause; the knight had to reposition his footing. did he somehow UPSET the other? with a hesitant heart, he took a step forward; he wasn’t sure where their relationship STOOD now, but, he couldn’t help but LONG to touch his hand; but would that be strange? clearing his throat again, his own azure moved away from the others flustered persona.
❝ … really? that’s… that’s reassuring; i won’t lie… i thought you would FORGET about me; heh, ❞
“What look– ?? Ain’t nothin’ wrong with my face—”
Was there— ???? He’d isolated himself a lot in his life, he still had a lack in social skills and he’d never heard this be said to him before—- Yet it was all somewhat insignificant, as he’d turn his head to look at Link with countenance twisted in confusion and hurt.
“Link… How could I ever forget about you. You’re too important to me— I thought you knew that.”
❝ — HEY. ❞ it was DUMB how that was all he could manage; though he was restraining his want to just fall into his arms; though, such thoughts were dismissed by PRIDE & dignity. clearing his throat, the shorter couldn’t help but let a smile form onto his features, that FLUTTERY feeling in his stomach rising.
❝ i’ve MISSED seeing your face around. ❞
“My face– ?? “
Lips would pull into a thin line, glowing eyes averting their gaze for a moment as if to collect himself. Perhaps it would have worked, has their not been a slight flush of pink on his cheeks from that remark. The Skyloftian managed to get under his skin, past the walls he’d put up, and the mask he donned. Right down to the small, shy center.
“I— I missed your face too.. And the rest of you.”
cloud’s back – CLOUD is back? with a heart PUMPING through his chest; he couldn’t help but feel a little NERVOUS with the blonds return; azure blinking in a MOMENT of silence.
There he was, Cloud had been searching everywhere for the knight. At one point, even resorting to asking someone, something he was not like to do if he could help it. The silence left Cloud feeling a tad apprehencive, though it was matched by his want to have Link by his side.
