driftfleet | Yaugur System Mingle

Yeah maybe. [Climbs back over with like, three times the greens as before, a whole armful that attracts some of the more skittish chocobos until he and Zack are completely surrounded.] When we were looking for a bunch of 'em to breed we'd always run across these really rowdy ones, the ones who didn't like listening to you unless you were real good.

[Holds out a fistful for a couple chocobos to peck at, trying to sneak blades of greens from between his fingers.] They're kinda noble like that, y'know? I know lots of people just think they're goofy big birds, but chocobos are a lot smarter'n than most people give 'em credit for.

[Zack shifts to stand shoulder to shoulder with Cloud, so the chocobos can press in close without separating them (or him from the green supply). He glances sidelong, noting the expression he finds there; he really is passionate about this, huh? He'd known Cloud liked chocobos, and there'd been talk of breeding from both him and Aerith, but to see it in person is quite a bit different. It's pretty sweet, actually.]

That so... did you have a favourite?

Oh, yeah. Black chocobo actually, even after we'd bred a gold. [Cloud makes a tsst sound at one of them when it pecks his fingers a little too hard, flicking its beak before opening his fist a little more so it can try again.] Named him- [Pauses before going a little red and shooting Zack a fake warning glare,] don't laugh at me, but ended up naming him Storm. Y'know, so when we raced it was Storm, Cloud. Shut up.

[Sorry not sorry- he's laughing. It's not even that funny, it's just- that's so cute. It's so cute.]

That's- that's the greatest name. I'm proud of you, buddy...!

You- [GRABS U IN A HEADLOCK] You don't sound proud, dickhead, you sound like you're laughin'!

[Okay, now he's laughing (breathlessly) because Cloud's taking it so personally. He taps at Cloud's arm.]

Stop, stop! You're scaring them away-!

[Cloud lets him go easily enough, because a) they are scaring the chocobos, who are now squawking in mild alarm and annoyance as they try to get at the greens they've dropped and b)he's not really mad. Not really.] Look me in the eyes and tell me you wouldn't do the same thing.

[The laughter fades into a softer chuckle as Cloud backs off, and he leans in to close the distance again, looking very seriously into Cloud's eyes as instructed. It's not like it's a tall task. As Aerith said all those years ago-- pretty.]

I wouldn't. I'd name him Weather.

[/POKER FACE]

That's because you're a dumbass. The listing goes 'Bird' then 'Jockey' so you'd be 'Weather Fair.'

[SHIT he thought that was a lot smoother than it was.]

Well--!! It sounds like a forecast, then!

[HONESTLY that put out little sulk is way better than the smooth Zack. Not that Cloud didn't enjoy that too, or...something.

Either way it's funny, so Cloud snickers and leans over to jostle Zack with his shoulder.] I like it. Suits you.

[Zack huffs, but it's quiet and without venom, so he settles back into his place as the chocobos tentatively wander back to close in around them. He lifts his hands to try and coax them closer.]

So why'd you like Storm so much? I thought gold was like the top-tier of chocobos. Wasn't just the name, was it?

[It's not like it really matters, he just wants to hear that passion in Cloud's voice again.]

Yeah. [Feeds a chocobo a few green seeds before hooking a finger in its beak and leading it over to Zack's hands, depositing some food there. A couple more wander back over, curious.] He was a runt. Billy said he wouldn't even make it to first molt, let alone be big enough for racing, but then he just kinda...shot up. Defiantly, almost.

Hah, speaking of stubborn. Sounds just like you.

[His eyes widen again as more birds creep in close, this time with more quiet delight than surprise. He might just be a little bit in love with everything that's happening here.]

I'm glad you didn't give up on him. I always liked rooting for the underdog.

You make it sound so noble, but mostly I just wanted to rub it in Cid's face when he told me it was too runty. [Tosses what's left of his own greens so the chocobos wark and start scratching at the dirt for shreds of food.]

Why can't it be both? There's something epicly altruistic about proving someone wrong.

[Maybe. Probably. Anyway.]

So, I love this. Did I mention that I love this? Am I giving off that vibe? Because I do. Love this.

I am getting that vibe, actually. Pretty cute of you. [Resigns himself to being the feed fetcher and heads over to steal more handfuls of greens.] Maybe we can steal one of these guys. Think it'd be cruel to keep one on the ship? Nami already has Biri, I don't see why not.

[Zack's smile shifts at that, oddly shy. Cloud's words and the offer struck a chord, but even so, he shakes his head.]

Nah, no way. Biri's fine because he got stuck like we did. These guys? They ought to stay right here where they can stretch their wings.

[He lifts a now empty hand, and one of the chocobos boops his beak against his palm, nosing around for stray threads of hay.]

I'm okay with just visiting.

[Whhhaaaat is that look? Cloud's never seen that on Zack's face before. He needs to see it more closely and roughly 2098342 more times.] I'm sure they'd be okay. I used to take the birds up on the Highwind all the time. You just gotta stable them properly.

Cloud, my man, you know I love and support you, and if you wanna steal a chocobo I am down to help you out in heist attempt #2. Just don't do it for me.

[If you can fly, you ought to fly free. That's just how he feels now, that's all.]

[Leans back against the fence, gripping the plank behind the small of his back with both hands.] What if I want to do something for you? What should I do then?

[Zack pauses at that, a momentarily conflicted look on his face- there's an answer on the tip of his tongue, a joke too real for him to say. He doesn't trust his own sincerity in this moment. Instead he shifts closer, leaning in curiously.]

You know you don't have to do anything, right? Why so serious all of a sudden?

[Like he didn't kind of start it.]

Serious isn't always bad. [Mimics Zack's posture, leaning a little closer. Too close for friends? Yeah probably, but Cloud doesn't care.] You're always telling me I don't have to do something...Zack, I already know.

[Closer still- too close, now, enough that Zack can catch a whiff of him even amidst the farm scent of the chocobos, rough and distinct. He should move back, get some distance between them, retreat before he does something he might regret later.

He doesn't move. Licks his lips, tries to drop his gaze, but it's more of a struggle than he'd have thought. Is it weird to stare? It's totally weird to stare. Shit.]

Mr. Smartass. I'm not gonna give you a shopping list- what do you think I want?

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