some_hero | [Voice Mail]

Woah—! What's going on?

[But he doesn't have time to ask questions. Those can come later.]

I'm on my way! I'll help Zack, don't you worry. Just sit tight, Yuki!

I don't know what happened..he's...hurt really badly.

[Yuki's breaking down both in grief over Zack and relief that Snow got the call. Zack was one of the few friend he had here and he didn't want to see anything bad happen to him.]

Everything's going to be okay. Yuki, listen to me. We'll get him through this. He isn't going to die.

[Snow has to convince himself as much as he does Yuki. And don't worry, he's already there.]

Please..please bring him home..

[And another thought, as his hands clenched into fists as tears came down.]

But make sure you..you don't get hurt either..promise me. You don't have to do..anything else or keep any other promises... Just come back safe.

[To see such raw emotion was almost astounding but he understood this was no time to get caught up in something like that.]

I promise, Yuki. I won't get hurt. I'll come back safe and I'll bring Zack with me!

[He just nodded miserably with his head lowered]

[The road had been long and hard for him, but even with the blood on his gloves and his arms Snow had managed to help save a dear friend, for everyone and for Yuki. He was feeling heavy, and when he trudged back to the hall between their rooms he thought he heard something.]

Yuki...? It's okay. Everything's alright. We found him. Zack's going to be alright.

[His voice was a little shaken at what he'd seen, but he's dealt with the carnage of war. Still, not Zack. Why did it have to be Zack?]

[Yuki had been in his room crying, trying to watch everything but his vision had blurred several times. And when he heard Snow, he raced towards him and didn't let himself think. His amethyst eyes had noted the blood but he didn't care, throwing himself into Snow's arms where he was safe and everything was fine. The tears kept coming but Yuki didn't care and his hands clutched at Snow's coat, trying to keep it together but failing miserably.]

[He wrapped his arms around Yuki tightly, feeling terrible that Yuki had to witness something like this and he knew then how much Yuki cared. His grip was strong as he kept his embrace tight, he just peeled his gloves right off so he couldn't get any blood on him and then pet his fingers through his hair.]

It's gonna be alright...It's okay, Yuki.

He..he was my friend...years ago.

[Yuki slowly lifted a hand and lightly beat on Snow's shoulder, fighting to talk through his tears.]

I never told him..that I remember him from..years ago..

[A few more light hits and Yuki started shaking as he cried though somewhere he knew Snow had kept his word and Zack was safe, as safe as he himself was right now so there were some tears of relief in there too. The hand that had been tapping on Snow reached to clutch that blonde hair tightly, holding on for everything he was worth.]

You..you saved him..my knight saved him. Thank..thank you.

[He distantly recalled that Zack had been here before, but he'd never really thought much of it. He didn't mind Yuki hitting him out of his sheer emotion, out of letting out the pain. It was alright since he was more or less like a wall, and he wouldn't break easy.]

...It's okay. It doesn't matter, even if you didn't tell him you're still going to have that chance.

[Snow held him tight still as he kneeled, even when that hand clutched in his hair. He was just glad to see that Yuki was getting more comfortable around him and that he was relieved. Crying could be a good thing. Still, the tugs were tight and he couldn't straighten with that hand in his hair. He exhaled, just making sure he had him safe in an embrace.]

I promised...And I wasn't going to let you down.

[That knight bit though...Snow just smiled.]

Yeah. That's right. I'm your knight. Hero too. Don't forget.

Please..I don't..I don't want you to go..home and leave me here alone.

[Now he knew that was selfish but Yuki wasn't keeping the walls up now. This was him at his most vulnerable and exposed. He didn't care, his friend almost died in front of his eyes and Yuki was shaken to the core. Maybe he was supposed to be strong and silent and stoic like the warriors that they lived with, but he would never really be one of them. His whole world almost came crashing down as he watched the lifeblood pour out of his mentor and friend. And he would've totally lost it had it been Snow, the man who showed him nothing but kindness and patience.

Hearing Snow repeat the knight had him crying and trying to laugh but it was coming out more miserable than anything else. Still, Yuki appreciated it. He'd already said way more than he wanted to, so he couldn't keep talking and his eyes were shut tight against the pain and mental images of Zack lying there unable to move. Snow's embrace was safe and warm and real keeping most of the mental images at bay.]

[That was definitely hard on him, Yuki, and his heart was getting heavier but he held it together with a smile and gently petted through his silver hair. In a lot of ways, he really did remind him of Hope and maybe Serah too, somehow. A mixture of the light and the dark, just needing someone to protect them.]

Hey. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, okay?

[He whispered, softly letting his hand mold to stroke that hair more. He didn't think he could leave, not when he realized there wasn't any way those letters could be real. Even if it sounded like it, and Serah's letter had been full of encouragement he couldn't let himself believe it could be true or else he could be setting himself up for heartbreak.

He thumbed away those tears gently from the corner of Yuki's eyes and felt some of his own start to come to the surface though he managed to hold them back for his sake, just wanting to be his pillar and his strength and the one who to protect him if he could. He didn't mind being Yuki's knight. Not when the other had been so kind and gentle, and sweet.]

Everything's okay...Just relax.

[He nodded, knowing that at least for right now things were okay. Zack was home and was being taken care of he was sure. He just..well now he wasn't sure how he'd face Snow knowing he'd let everything out in case there wasn't a next time.much like there might not've been with Zack. And he knew Snow couldn't keep this promise about staying here but he also couldn't ask Snow not to talk about wanting to go home either. His own voice matched Snow's as he spoke too.]

Okay..

[Yuki opened his eyes and pushed his head a little against Snow's needing to feel the contact there. He pulled back, letting the blonde locks go and looked at Snow knowing he must look like hell and was embarrassed for it, but he'd been crying an there was no help for that now. So he tried to put on a brave face and saw that Snow looked ready to cry. This half surprised him and didn't, because Zack was Snow's friend too. So he slightly lowered his head in a silent sort of apology for being a cry baby.]

Thank you..for accepting my weakness.

[From the gentleness he was still treating Yuki with, it was clear that there was no judgment in those vibrant ocean-blue eyes. All he wanted was to make sure Yuki was safe, and that he felt that Snow could protect him. Even though Zack's near-death experience had affected him deeply too, he had to stay strong. He clutched Yuki close still on his knees, his boots and metal clinking as he shifted to look into that face.]

You don't need to hide..It's okay to be scared. Or to grieve when you think someone important is going to be taken away from you. I was scared too.

[His fingers played lightly with the feathery fringe of Yuki's bangs, his smile sorrowful but still there at least. Evidently he didn't fault Yuki for being upset.]

[He shook his head and looked at the other man. ]

I'm grateful for that. You are..very kind Snow.

[Yuki took a deep breath, trying to get his breathing under control. And Snow's gentle touch was appreciated as was the man's vast kindness. And he didn't have the heart to stop the other's silly hair playing thing because it was cute.]

You ..I'm sure Zack didn't look good..I'm glad you were there. I don't think I'll sleep much tonight, but do you think that we could see him tomorrow? "

[He had to be the one to step up to fill some pretty high orders when it came to being a hero. No doubt many had tried just as hard before him, so maybe Snow didn't see it as just a kindness.]

I'm glad to. But you're more than welcome. It's what a hero should do. Me, though. I don't mind if you need me to shoulder some of the burden, okay. Let me handle it.

[His expression was uncustomarily soft, those crystalline eyes almost appearing to glow with how bright they were. The confidence shone in his face, and it was without a doubt that Snow truly believed what he was saying. It just showed how he could talk big, but unlike some people who just said those things to posture, Snow actually followed through.

Slowly, he settled his bare hand on Yuki's shoulder and gave it a squeeze of encouragement.]

I think he might be feeling a little better. So sure. We'll go see Zack tomorrow. Terra was pretty handy with his cure spells, and I had a potion on hand. Then we managed to get him into the hands of a healer. So we were lucky. I think he'll be right as rain, soon.

[Yuki shook his head and looked at Snow and didn't move at the hand on his shoulder.]

You have more than enough of a burden on your shoulders. You went to go get Zack and had to face danger at being hurt to go get him. I can't ask any more of you.

[But at the talk of Zack feeling better, he nodded. He really hoped he would get to tell Zack what little he remembered. Idly Yuki wondered if it even mattered but he'd been desperately trying to get Zack to stay with him, saying anything that came to mind at the time, even if it sounded stupid now.

Taking a deep breath Yuki nodded. And he wondered why Snow hadn't said anything to rebuke him about wanting him to stay. But if Snow wasn't addressing, there was no way that Yuki was. Maybe he should apologize, but he felt wiped out tonight.]

I should..get to my room. Thank you.. again.

You're...

[Snow makes a soft noise of protest as he massaged at the tender muscles of that shoulder, his blonde hair hanging lank in his face before he looks up again.]

Yuki, you're not a burden. I don't mind if you ask anything of me. We're friends, right? I would've saved Zack anyway no matter what, and I'm glad you told me because I wasn't going to let anything happen to him.

[For once he had a pensive look on his face. He had his moments where he was reckless or spontaneous, but this wasn't one of them. Perhaps it was helping being around Yuki but he was starting to reflect more.]

You can sleep in my room if you want. I don't mind. You're pretty shaken up. Don't think you should be alone...

Almost against his will, Yuki started relaxing underneath that massage. And he was momentarily shocked when Snow's offer was on the table. And before he opened his mouth, he realized that his protest was already addressed. Snow must be a fast learner because that was his only angle, that he didn't want to be a burden.

He didn't want to be alone either, he was so tired of that. And yet Snow continually figuratively held his hand out for Yuki to take, time and again. "If..as long as you don't mind the company." Half of him wanted to run but he promised, no matter how hard that promise was to keep.

Snow was far more adaptable than most gave him credit for, and his intellect higher than what his casual appearance and speech suggested. These were among the reasons he never tried to judge so harshly or to criticize unjustly when he hadn't even gotten to the heart of Yuki's behavior yet. He was learning however, and Yuki would come to see the more he learned, the better he knew how to put those fears at ease.

"I don't mind." The blonde reassured him with his bright smile, glad to see Yuki was going to take him up on his offer this time. It just went to show that persistence and patience went a long way. "Just make yourself comfortable. Or, if you want...We don't even have to sleep. You could bring your books in here. Or we could watch the stars. You ever star gaze?"

He felt flustered at the offer, Snow's kindness always undid him even in the smallest ways. "I would like that." he said, going to go get a few of his books. Bringing a few back into Snow's room with him, he couldn't help hesitate at the door frame, but Snow had insisted.

Setting the books down gave him something to do so that he didn't have to look at Snow as he replied. "I haven't looked at the stars in a long time. Do you want to go outside and look at them?" Yuki didn't know what that could mean, but either way, he wanted to spend time with the blonde, trying to ease into a friendship with him. He wasn't quite sure where or how to step yet, but he would learn. And fortunately Snow was as kind and patient as he was rambunctious.

"Sure. I mean. It's safe. We'll be fine. Don't worry." Going outside might seem like a bad idea with what happened, but Snow was going to protect Yuki just like he managed to do Zack. What was more, he didn't want to think on what had happened too much. So long as Zack was okay, that's all that mattered.

His gaze was soft as he looked at the spot Yuki had settled at, deciding on a mental note that he had to get more furniture in his room. He had a few chairs at least, but a sofa would be better. That way he could move it in front of the window...

In any case he glanced out to the skies, noticing it was just their luck that it was clear. "I think it'll be a great night to take a look, actually. Say, you have a coat?"

He startled at the mention of the coat, but then he nodded and stood up. "I'll go get it and meet you outside." And Yuki turned away before he could take another look at Snow's coat.

Once outside he waited for Snow though he 'explained' where he was going even if it was unnecessary. All he got was a knowing smile and a nod. Red faced, he hurried out the door and as the cold air hit his face, it lessened considerably.

Going on Yuki pulled a pair of gloves on that had been given to him as he waited for Snow. His body was cold already but he was looking forward to being able to see the stars tonight. It had been so very long since he'd done something like this.

Snow was taking good measure to make sure Yuki didn't get a cold, as he was aware there were a number of people who were getting sick lately. "Alright! I'm up for anything." Snow said with a grin, glad he could get to the action right away.

He was outside before long, smiling at Yuki with a spark in his eyes. His enthusiasm evidently was very much present. He was glad to see Yuki was bundled up, though he felt like for someone so small that almost wasn't enough layers.

"Can't say I'm really familiar with the constellations here, but I can give it a whirl. Let's see...From Cocoon you can see all sorts of stars. Here though. It's really beautiful." Snow said softly as he led Yuki out along the garden path, smiling over at him every so often.

[Action]

areasontohope - 2014-02-17 09:47 (UTC) - Expand

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some_hero - 2014-02-17 11:19 (UTC) - Expand

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