Plot : female!reader and Cloud have to share a room for the night, so she decide to finally discover why he’s colder lately.
A/N: Ahhh first post, hope you guys like it x. Daily reminder = English isn’t my first language.
The dimly lit hotel room is a cramped, utilitarian space, offering little in the way of comfort or privacy.
Yet, for the weary members of Avalanche, it is a rare respite from the relentless struggle against the oppressive forces of Midgar.
As the group gathers, settling into their makeshift sleeping arrangements, a tangible unease hangs in the air. Cloud, ever the brooding loner, stands apart from the others, his striking features cast in shadow, his icy blue eyes betraying a lifetime of pain and regret.
And there, in the corner of the room, you sits- a resilient and compassionate soul who has recently joined their cause.
Your gaze keeps drifting towards Cloud, drawn to the enigmatic aura that surrounds him, your heart fluttering with a mix of trepidation and undeniable intrigue.
The others, sensing the palpable tension between the two of you, exchange furtive glances, the weight of the unspoken words heavy in the stagnant air.
An awkward silence descends, before the group start to divide itself for making groups of two, for sharing the rooms.
In the simple room where Cloud and you are alone, the silence is only broken by the muffled sounds of the city beyond the thin walls.
As the night wears on, the close quarters become increasingly stifling. Cloud, unable to find rest, rises from his bed, his movements fluid and graceful despite the exhaustion etched into his features.
And there, in the dim light, you catches his eye, your breath catching in your throat at the intensity of his gaze.
For a moment, the world seems to slow, the cacophony of the room fading into the background as you lock eyes, the air thick with unspoken emotions.
Cloud, ever the master of his own emotions, quickly averts his gaze, turning towards the window, his broad shoulders rigid with tension.
But you, emboldened by the fleeting connection, rises from your own bed who’s next to his and separate by a small bedside table, your heart pounding in your chest as you approaches him.
“Cloud” you murmurs, your voice barely above a whisper.
The air in the cramped hotel room grows thick with tension as you continue to approach Cloud, your heart pounding in your chest.
Despite the fatigue etching his features, his posture remains rigid, his expression unreadable as he gazes out the window, purposefully avoiding your gaze.
"Cloud," you whispers again, your voice laced with a hint of trepidation.
For a moment, he is silent, the muscles in his jaw visibly clenching. Then, with a barely perceptible sigh, he turns to face you, his icy blue eyes betraying a flicker of emotion before shuttering once more.
"I’m fine," he murmurs, the words clipped and devoid of warmth. "You should get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
The dismissal in his tone is palpable, a clear attempt to erect an impenetrable barrier between the two of you.
But you, undeterred by his cold demeanor, takes another step forward, your brow furrowing with concern.
"I know you prefer to keep to yourself," you says gently,
“But I can’t help but worry. You’ve been acting strange lately, it’s clear something is troubling you. You don’t have to wear the weight of the word on your shoulders, you know?”
Cloud's jaw tightens, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "It's not your concern," he says, his voice low and gruff. "I can handle myself."
You feels a flicker of frustration, your own resolve hardening. "Maybe," you concedes, "but that doesn't mean you have to shoulder everything alone. We're a team, Cloud, and we're in this together."
For a heartbeat, something akin to vulnerability flashes across his features, a crack in the carefully constructed facade. But just as quickly, it's gone, replaced by a stoic mask of indifference.
"I work better alone," he mutters, turning away from you once more. "Get some rest. We'll need you at your best tomorrow."
The dismissal is clear, a silent command for you to leave him be. You let out a soft sigh, reaching out, your fingers gently brushing against his arm.
"Cloud," you whispers, your voice tinged with a hint of pleading. "Please, let me in. I want to help you, but I can't if you won't let me."
For a moment, Cloud goes perfectly still, his entire body tensing at your touch. And in that fleeting instant, the walls he’s so carefully constructed threaten to crumble, the vulnerability he so desperately tries hide bubbling to the surface.
But then, just as quickly, he pulls away, his expression hardening once more.
“It’s better if you don’t,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible. “Trust me, it’s safer that way.”
With that, he turns and strides back to his bed, leaving you standing alone, your heart heavy with a mix of concern and frustration.
The air in the room seems to grow colder, the distance between you two palpable as Cloud settles onto his mattress, his back to you.
After Cloud's brusque dismissal, you stands there for a moment, frustrated . With another soft, exasperated sigh, you turns away, muttering a quiet curse under your breath as you makes your way back to your own bed.
Settling onto the mattress, you purposefully avoids looking in Cloud's direction, your jaw set with a mixture of determination and hurt.
The tension in the room is palpable, a tangible weight that seems to press down upon the two of you.
For a long moment, Cloud remains still, his back to her, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. But then, just as the silence becomes almost unbearable, he shift, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I..." He pauses, the words catching in his throat. "I'm not good at this. Relying on others, letting them in."
You stills, your breath catching in your throat as you listens intently, scarcely daring to hope that he might finally open up.
"It's..." Cloud's brow furrows, his fingers clenching into the thin bedsheet.
“It’s easier to keep everyone at a distance. To not get close” He shakes his head, a hint of self-deprecation and guilt in his tone.
Slowly, you turns, your gaze fixed on the rigid line of his shoulders. "Safer for whom?" You murmurs, the voice tinged with a mixture of empathy and quiet reproach.
Cloud is silent for a long moment, his shoulders rising and falling with a deep, weary sigh.
"For everyone," he says finally, the words laced with a profound sorrow.
The air in the room grows heavy with the weight of his confession, the unspoken pain and regret palpable.
You aches to reach out, to offer some measure of comfort, but you knows better than to push him further.
Instead, you simply nods, even though you knows he cannot see the gesture.
"I understand," you whispers, your voice soft and sincere.
Another beat of silence passes, the tension slowly dissipating, replaced by a fragile sense of understanding. Then, with a quiet clearing of his throat, Cloud speaks once more.
He murmurs, his tone still guarded, but not quite as harsh as before.
"It might be one of those rare night where we can sleep peacefully."
Nodding and closing your eyes, you replies in a whisper, a satisfied smile on your lips.
And it might have been your imagination, but you swear hearing him muttering a “good night, y/n” before you fall into slumber.
