fossilised | Snowblind Body Shenanigans

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Snowblind Body Shenanigans

This is an open post for anyone set in Norfinbury. It's a random scenario where @Admin has (for mysterious meme reasons) decided to give Al his body back. This isn't game canon, obviously, I just wanted to play about with Al in his body as it will never happen in game. Action and network responses are welcome, as well as fudging the locations of characters.

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[Al has become used to his periods of unconsciousness during the night now. He still can't think of them as sleep, not without dreams or his real body to rest in, but they're at least predictable. Usually he wakes quickly and without any grogginess that would come from real sleep, but today everything has changed.

He wakes up slowly that morning.

As soon as he wakes up, he knows everything is different. He can feel the wooden flooring under his back, rough and splintered, and hear the thud of his heart beating in his ears. He lifts one stick thin arm in amazement to stare at it, almost uncomprehending as he looks at his fingers splayed out in front of his eyes. This must be a dream. It has to be a dream, his first one in years, but... God, it feels so real.

He's in a state of shock as he pulls up to unsteady feet and scoops up his tablet automatically. He can barely keep hold of it, his fingers have none of his usual dexterity and his hands are trembling violently. It's this trembling that causes his fingers to slip and activate the video feed. The camera is at a strange angle, but it shows the upper half of a teenage boy in an extreme state of emaciation. His ribs are protruding and his stomach is concave. He has long blond hair that hangs down over one eye, the other one is wide and staring in surprise.

His legs seem ready to fold almost at once, but he forces himself to walk to the door and open it. The sunlight on the snow almost blinds him, and the wind causes goosebumps to raise on his skin immediately. He sets one bare foot in the snow and gasps, a delighted and amazed sound.]

Wow, it's so cold...

[He laughs softly, unable to stop the sheer wonder bubbling out of him. Is this real? Can it truly be so?]

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Haa.

[Al isn't conscious of the audible sigh that escapes him when he's suddenly pulled into an unmistakable embrace. He hasn't really hugged anyone in what feels like forever, like a lifetime of isolation from even the simple comfort of human touch. He has held others, and rarely been embraced in return, but the cold and spiky metal body he had been encased in had not leant itself to affection.

He suddenly finds that he can't speak. His mouth moves twice, but all that comes out is a tiny choked noise. Zack is so warm. He can feel the heat literally enfolding him, the pressure of a hand on his head, and the scent of another body up close.

Tears spring to his eyes and, before he knows it, he's soaking the crook of Zack's neck with the first tears he's cried in nearly six years.]

[ He's so small. Zack can't help but notice it after one-armed hanging on a tall, cold suit of armor not long back or giving that same armor an elbow or shove here and there. He'd gotten so used to that avatar of Al that part of him's admittedly still wrapping his brain around this. But the other part of that is just... between relieved and concerned, really. Relieved because this is what Al wanted so much. But also worried because he's so, so delicate. Zack almost freezes from that sigh alone.

But nothing bad happens, so he continues to hold onto the kid. He's not surprised by Al's lack of words. It's a struggle to even find his own. The kid reminds him too much of Cloud, looking weak and helpless. But at least he doesn't look lifeless, even in his poor state. His eyes are focused and he's not constantly struggling with coherent thoughts let alone stringing them into words. That's good at least.

But he's still skin and bones and that...

That's a train of thought that stills when he feels that dampness soaking through the collar of his uniform, feels shaking that's not just from the cold. He pauses if only for a moment before he reaches up to gently ruffle Al's hair much like he used to (and, well- still does) with Spike. ] Hey...

[Chunks of his hair simply snap off under Zack's ruffling fingers, the longer bits way too brittle to stand up to much of anything. Al has no idea the multitude of issues that malnutrition can cause... and has caused. Brittle hair and paper-thin skin are just the mildest of them.

He can't seem to stop now that he's started, but they're happy tears. His chest feels like it's going to burst with how hard his heart is hammering.]

Y-You...

[His voice is thick and small through the tears and muffled in Zack's neck, so probably relatively hard to understand.]

...thank you.

[ He stops the moment he realizes what's happening- shit. He's never dealt with something this bad. Hopes Al won't hate him later for it. Not that he seems to particularly care at the moment. No, he's... Zack might not be able to make out exactly what the kid's saying, but he hears the tone and that's enough to make him smile, blinking rapidly.

Then he's clearing his throat suddenly. Because, right, Al's buckass naked out there and he can feel his body shivering against him... He should probably... ] Let's.. save the rest of the waterworks for when we get back inside. I'm gonna lift you up now if that's alright.

[ Is his voice still slightly hoarse? It might be. But they ought to get out of the cold. ..Zack might have just gone and picked him up already, but he's never done that with Al before and he's not sure how he'd react. The last thing he wants to do is surprise him in a way that he scrambles and ends up hurt. Never mind the nudity. Zack's not even blinking an eye at that. Working for ShinRa quickly dashed any awkwardness with that and being on the run with Cloud only further solidified it. ]

M-Mm.

[He doesn't have any compunctions about being lifted up, especially not when he can feel his legs trembling violently underneath him. It's unlikely that he'd be able to make it inside even with Zack supporting him, so it's better this way.

The tears haven't slowed when he pulls his face away from Zack's shoulder, but there's a massive smile on his face at the same time.]

I forgot what it felt like to hug someone, I haven't been small enough for that in years.

[ At that consent, Zack doesn't immediately act, giving Al a moment more to compose himself if he needs to. His mind's still racing, wondering how this even happened. Wondering if this is some kind of trick of the "admin", some kind of cruel new experiment to instill, but he's not about to put those ideas in the young man's head. Especially not when he pulls back and looks at Zack like that.

That big, full smile. It's a smile he's kinda heard in Al's voice from time to time, but between tone alone and the actual expression, itself? Well, it's no contest which is better to be in the presence of. He's just so damned happy and the reason why? Is enough to give Zack pause. To make... Shit, he's looking away as his own tears that were rimming his eyes finally overflow. Damn, this kid... He huffs to compose himself, shaking his head as he muses: ] Well, I'll give you as many reminders as you need. I'm sure the others'll feel the same way.

[ Yes, he's dead serious, even as he starts to adjust his footing so he has the leverage for what he's about to do next. ] You ready?

[His heart thuds so hard that he feels like it surely must be about to burst out of his chest, overflowing with affection and gratitude towards Zack at that moment.]

Mm, thanks.

[That's not just for being ready, though it's meant for that too, it's for everything else. He's struck once more by how lucky he is. Not just right now in his human form, but before that too... No matter how bad life has been, there have always been people surrounding and supporting both himself and his brother.

That's something he can't put a price on, and it hits home fiercely once more with how happy Zack is for him.]

I can't believe you're taller than me now, that's so strange.

[ 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.

[He feels smaller than he even is now, shocked by the surrealism of being so easily lifted by someone else. He's so used to being the tallest person around, usually by at least a good foot, that this makes him feel as though the whole world has skewed somehow.

His body easily folds into Zack's arms without protestation, and he's lost for a second in how bizarrely heavy his legs feel in comparison to the rest of him. It's like they're made of lead, prickling with pins and needles from the exertion of using them briefly.]

W--

[His head snaps up at those words, eyes growing as round as saucers. And then all of a sudden his face is crumpling into sobs, the dull racking of his chest and the tears can't hide how beyond touched and happy he is, though.]

I guess you're right, I just didn't it see it before now.

[ Shit, he's going to make the poor kid physically sore as hell from all the crying at this rate. His body's weak as it was. But all the same, he can't hide the wide, partly wobbly smile that nudges across his own face, vision blurring until all he can see is a blob of blonde and pale, sickly skin. He shakes his head, blinking his vision clear as he chokes out: ] Let's get you inside.

[ And without further ado, Zack's carrying him gently back into the house. He makes sure to kick the door closed behind him. A couple more long strides take him over to the only plush chair left in tact with that particular house and that's where the former SOLDIER gingerly helps Al down into. He'll only move back once Al gives him the a-okay and that need for a signal's only punctuated with a: ] You good?

[Al is grateful for the moment or two of silence in the brief walk inside, as it gives him a chance to wipe the dampness from his face (a little ineffectually), and calm himself down.

He sinks back into the chair without even putting up a pretence of sitting upright, letting the plush cushions cradle his body so that he could focus his attention on Zack more completely.]

Yeah-- I mean... no. I don't think good could describe what I feel right now, this is amazing.

[ Zack at least seems to get the gist that he's comfortable, so at that, he leans away. The first thing he goes for now that Al's seated is the pack on his back. He takes it off, even as he speaks with excited warmth. ] Yeah, I'd say so! Sheesh, who'd'a thought, you know?

[ It sounds like the others are still preoccupied in the other room. Sleeping? Or maybe wrapped up in their own thing, catching up with other friends on their own tablets. He'd understand that. Always good to keep tabs on people around these parts.

But Al's got his full attention for now as he unzips his backpack and peels out an ugly looking bathrobe, yellow with purple glitter polka dots and obviously dirtied from laying around in a house. But in Norfinbury, you don't complain when you even find clothing of a sort, rare as it may be. ] You're in luck! I found this on my trip out this morning. Hold out your left arm.

[ Yep, he's gonna help dress him, too. Just like Cloud. ]

[Al reaches out and fingers the material of the dressing gown, chuckling softly at its ragged and less-than-fashionable appearance.]

Wow, I wonder who this used to belong to.

[Not that he's stopping Zack from helping to dress him. If he were Ed then this might have wounded his pride, but he knows when to accept help and he's just grateful to have someone who cares enough to want to help.]

Are you sure you don't want to keep it?

[ The first comment makes Zack pause. Because thinking of the lost townspeople never brings any good feelings out of him. But then Al goes on and there's a swift shake of his head as Zack chuckles. ] Nah, I'm good! [ There's a toothy smile there. Part a tease- like hell I'd be caught dead in that -but the true reality's pretty straightforward. With Al in the kind of state he's in, he's gonna need as much clothing to keep him warm as possible.

So, he's not worrying about Al's precious MANLY DIGNITY at the moment. Screw that. Zack's SOLDIER where you learn to take care of your own and minimize the bitching about having others care for you, even if you do find it embarrassing.

He's patient enough to allow Al to feel the gown with his fingers before he takes it by the one sleeve and starts gently tugging it up his arm. He keeps the movements careful and easy on his skin. After seeing what happened to Al's hair, he doesn't want to make anything worse. But once he's got the one arm through, he's back to curling an arm around his back. But this time, it's to pull the robe over. Easy... easy. He smile, having been lost for a bit as he's concentrated on the task, returns faintly. ] Gonna get your other arm and and then I'm gonna lift you, so we can tuck it under, alright?

[It's not the physical help that's starting to embarrass Al, but the way he's talking, almost as if Al's mind is as gone as his body. He knows Zack means well, but he can't help himself from reaching out and stilling his hand momentarily.]

Hey, I'm okay. You know that, right?

[His words are just as gentle and full of warmth. He knows this must come from taking care of that friend, the one who had been comatose and terrified, so he only wants to reassure Zack that this isn't the same.]

I just need a meal or two and I'll be back on my feet in no time.

[ Zack... pauses first at the hand on his, eyes automatically darting to Al's to make sure he's okay and he didn't hurt him or something. But no, he seems fine and-...

...There's something sheepish in his downward gaze. He really had been... ] ...heh. Sorry. Just didn't even realize... [ Even in Norfinbury, that habit's not escaped him, has it. Cloud... Taking care of Cloud had been hard. Talking to him like this... That's what had kept him sane and let him know that...

But Al's alright. Al's alert and with him. Al's... totally made of bullshit with that last comment. Enough to make Zack snicker as he looks back up at him. ] Only a meal or two? Make that at least a million. Jeez, kid... [ If Al will allow, he's gonna finish dressing him in that robe now. ]

[Thin fingers release their pathetic grip on Zack's arm. It's not like he could have stopped Zack continuing to dress him, it would have been like a kitten fighting a mastiff, but he doesn't even try to resist. He wants to be dressed and feel the warmth of this fluffy dressing gown.]

I'm not sure I could eat a million meals all at once, but...

[Red stains his cheeks a little.]

...I have got a list of all the things I wanted to eat when I got my body back. I bet there's at least a couple of hundred things on there by now, maybe I could start with those?

[Except... he knows as well as Zack that there's not a lot of food here at all, let alone variety. So he shrugs and smiles before continuing.]

I guess it's lucky that my number one food item was a can of processed vegetables, huh?

[ Exaggerations are fun like that though, Al! It also seems to shake out the awkward moment between them which Zack's more than thankful for. It gives him the chance to finish dressing him in that gown-- although he might have purposefully wrapped it over his face for a second. Totally subtly helping him rid of those tears in a kinda jackass way. At least he won't embarrass Al even more.

He'll be nice enough to pop it out from over his face shortly thereafter and make sure it's snug around him before stepping back with a big ol' smile. ] Well, at least Kunsel's got you covered on that.

[ And he does, too, technically. But after Kunsel's little tutorial, at least anyone who was paying attention would be able to open up those cans without a can opener now. Zack pauses thoughtfully before he starts to peel off his coat. There's a flannel shirt underneath it- and then his beaten uniform underneath that. Plus he's got meat on him. He can deal.

Which is why that's going on Al next. ] Anything else you wanna eat that'd be around here?

[Al is actually a little sad that his first genuine taste of food will be some sludge from a can, but it will probably taste like a gourmet meal to him all the same by the simple virtue of it having a taste.

He starts to chuckle, but it's cut off pretty quickly when Zack starts peeling off his own coat. Al holds up a hand to forestall him, though it's swamped for a moment in the sleeve of this bathrobe.]

Hey, what are you doing?

[His body might be fragile now, but there's definite fire in his eyes that says his spirit is as strong as ever.]

That's your coat, you better not be thinking of giving it to me.

[ For real- yeah, it wouldn't be his first choice either. Like having a ration bar. Hell, those tasted like sawdust. But they can't really complain too much about the food they can get a hold of there, can there? And better that Al can eat something and taste it, period, again than not at all.

But... welp. There's the protest he was expecting. He can respect and highly appreciate the look in Al's eyes. He'd rather see that kind of spirit in them. But.

He shrugs, voice frank. ] They always said I never think first, so no. I'm not thinking of it, technically. Now, doing, on the other hand... [ He just hella grins. Al, you refuse him and he's just going to drape it over you anyway for the record. ]

[Al crosses his arms in front of his chest, a gesture that might look a lot stronger and more intimidating if the fashion impaired bathrobe didn't swamp him so completely.]

I mean it, Zack! Don't put that on me, I won't take your coat away from you.

[Don't make him do something drastic, Fair. Like SCOWL.]

[ PLEASE. Your scowling could use some work, kid. He used to be stared down by Sephiroth. This is child's play.

Which is why he just rolls his eyes at Al although the smile starts to fall. ] Whatcha gonna do if I do? Frown me to death? [ Okay, that was kinda mean and he doesn't want the kid to feel anymore useless than he already must feel... but... yeah. ]

Edited 2015-09-01 23:24 (UTC)

[He knows Zack is only trying to help, which is why he keeps his voice gentle, but that frown only deepens a little bit.]

I'm not totally helpless, and I won't be responsible for you travelling without a proper coat. If something happened to you because of the cold it would be my fault.

Naaah. If something happened to me, it would be because I did something stupid.

[ Seriously, this is his choice, Al. His. Which mean it will still be his fault. Not yours. That is Zack logic anyway.

So, he's going to... ignore any other protests at this point. Yep. Instead, he's going to go into his bag again and this time, he's going to rummage more through his back. Admittedly, his might have been eyeing his gloves as well, but with those long nails of Al's, until he finds a way to clip them, that's not gonna fly. That and he thinks he's pressed enough of his luck for the day.

At least in that sense. Now, in another sense... ] Ah-hah! [ Yank. Out comes his searching hand and with it, some... small package in foil wrapping. The grin he gives Al is almost shit-eating as he waggles it in front of the kid. ] Have something like this on your list? [ ...Yeah, he might have avoided any kind of teasing about that list (because he gets it, really. A good way to be hopeful!!) But! It doesn't mean he wasn't thinking about it more.

GUESS WHAT IT IS, AL. GUESS. ]

[He sighs as he feels the coat draped around his shoulders, but Zack is a fool if he thinks that Al will be that easily diverted. He may not say anything right now, but he will wait and sneak it back over his friend when night falls.

For now he allows his attention to be taken by the foil-wrapped food.

Food.

He is suddenly acutely aware of the hollowness beneath his ribs, and the way that his stomach is literally concave. He knows that logically he probably shouldn't eat anything, his system won't be able to cope with solids right away, but there's a longing in his eyes that's so strong as to be painful.]

What is it?

Edited 2015-09-01 23:49 (UTC)

Snowblind Body Shenanigans

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