[ A sense of relief washes over the older blond when he feels Yosuke clutch at his arm. He's not completely lost...which is a relief to say the least. He's never been crystallized before (he's come close, but never began to turn), but even Cloud knew that if he didn't get him out of here now... ]
I've got you.
[ There's still some distance to the edge of the spring. But at least they're treading the surface now. However, Cloud was beginning to feel the strain and mild sluggishness that followed with being in here for too long. This was fine, he surmises. As long as they don't look back and— ]
[ "... Cloud?" ]
[ The voice rings so crystal clear in his ears, it almost sounds like they're right here. His mako-infused gaze snaps wide, his hold on Yosuke tightening as he supports the young man. But that still doesn't stop him from spinning slowly in the water, breath hitched at what he's seeing just beneath the water's surface. She looks up at the two of them, smiling the same way she did that fateful day.
She's reaching up to him, as if to beckon him to pull her out. Set her free. Join her. ]
... .... .....
[ He doesn't dip his hand back into the water for her, the weight of something more important at his side. Someone who was here. He instead watches her beneath the surface, waiting for him.
He's already made his choice. Pushing forward, Cloud swims back as fast as he possibly can, powering through the exhaustion of deprived Chroma. Don't look back. Don't ever look back. Not ever again. Look forward. Hold onto what's actually here, Cloud.
What you still have left.
Making it to the edge of the spring, the blond wastes very little time in getting up and hauling Yosuke out of the water with him. When they're a good few feet away, the blond is careful in setting himself down with the man at his side. He removes his gloves immediately, peeling them off with a little effort and a grunt as he wastes no time in holding their hands, giving an affirming squeeze to both. ]
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I've got you.
[ There's still some distance to the edge of the spring. But at least they're treading the surface now. However, Cloud was beginning to feel the strain and mild sluggishness that followed with being in here for too long. This was fine, he surmises. As long as they don't look back and— ]
[ "... Cloud?" ]
[ The voice rings so crystal clear in his ears, it almost sounds like they're right here. His mako-infused gaze snaps wide, his hold on Yosuke tightening as he supports the young man. But that still doesn't stop him from spinning slowly in the water, breath hitched at what he's seeing just beneath the water's surface. She looks up at the two of them, smiling the same way she did that fateful day.
She's reaching up to him, as if to beckon him to pull her out. Set her free.
Join her.]... .... .....
[ He doesn't dip his hand back into the water for her, the weight of something more important at his side. Someone who was here. He instead watches her beneath the surface, waiting for him.
He's already made his choice. Pushing forward, Cloud swims back as fast as he possibly can, powering through the exhaustion of deprived Chroma. Don't look back. Don't ever look back. Not ever again. Look forward. Hold onto what's actually here, Cloud.
What you still have left.Making it to the edge of the spring, the blond wastes very little time in getting up and hauling Yosuke out of the water with him. When they're a good few feet away, the blond is careful in setting himself down with the man at his side. He removes his gloves immediately, peeling them off with a little effort and a grunt as he wastes no time in holding their hands, giving an affirming squeeze to both. ]
You still with me?