[ Zack... nods at that gratitude, still working on struggling with the tightness in his throat. Maybe it's for the best though that he's having a hard time on that front. It reminds him that they should get moving before Al freezes to death out there. He rubs the tears quickly from his eyes before humming shortly at that further comment.
Being all skin and bones as Al is, it's technically really not all that hard to lift the kid. He could already tell even just by that embrace that there's hardly anything to him, that he's super light. But Zack's also been in the habit of being extremely cautious and while no longer having SOLDIER strength, it's one that still dies hard.
He takes Al's hand which he still has in his grip and leans forward at the same time, guiding it around his neck first off. Only once the young man seems to have a decent grip on him does Zack move, all touches firm yet feather light, first with his own hand moving away, wrapping it around Al's back and under his arms. Then in the way he lifts him very gently. Just enough for his other arm to twine underneath the backs of his legs and support him there.
Zack takes another moment to adjust him in his arms one last time, noting the way Al's protruding ribs now dig into his belly slightly and rapid heartbeat then and something in him warms as much as it worries. He holds him just a little closer before pushing off the ground. And with a delayed chuckle, he teases lightly: ] What are you talking about? I've always been taller than you.
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Being all skin and bones as Al is, it's technically really not all that hard to lift the kid. He could already tell even just by that embrace that there's hardly anything to him, that he's super light. But Zack's also been in the habit of being extremely cautious and while no longer having SOLDIER strength, it's one that still dies hard.
He takes Al's hand which he still has in his grip and leans forward at the same time, guiding it around his neck first off. Only once the young man seems to have a decent grip on him does Zack move, all touches firm yet feather light, first with his own hand moving away, wrapping it around Al's back and under his arms. Then in the way he lifts him very gently. Just enough for his other arm to twine underneath the backs of his legs and support him there.
Zack takes another moment to adjust him in his arms one last time, noting the way Al's protruding ribs now dig into his belly slightly and rapid heartbeat then and something in him warms as much as it worries. He holds him just a little closer before pushing off the ground. And with a delayed chuckle, he teases lightly: ] What are you talking about? I've always been taller than you.