#and that...

[asreoninfusion]

Sugar Rush [2/??]

Part 1

Aerith’s OP bullshit comes to a head.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Cloud gets a date.

Maybe it was rude to stare so much, but Cloud couldn’t help it. He was still in a state of shock, like he couldn’t quite believe his eyes as he watched the very pretty, pink-clad young woman fussing around in his barracks dorm.

She’d just walked straight in there. No one had even noticed. Aerith had walked beside Cloud the entire journey through the ShinRa building, and nobody had even cast a second glance their way. Their eyes had just slid over Aerith as though she were a piece of furniture – or another member of the infantry, which in ShinRa terms was essentially the same thing.

“How did you do that?” Cloud finally blurted.

Aerith glanced up from rearranging the flowers in her basket. “Hmm? Do what?”

“Walk around with everyone looking straight through you. That’s… really not normal.”

“Oh!” Aerith smiled secretively. “It’s just materia. Sort of.”

“I’ve never heard of any materia that can do that.”

“It’s a combination. Barrier with a little bit of Confuse. ”

Every time Aerith answered a question, Cloud only ended up with a hundred more. He frowned. “You can’t combine the effects of materia, though.”

“You can’t. I can.”

“How come?”

“Cloud,” Aerith tsked. “You’re getting sidetracked. All that matters is that I’m here, and I’m gonna help you get lucky with your boytoys. So, get out of that uniform and find some cute date clothes already.”

“But Genesis said—he’s talked about materia quite a bit, and I know you can’t do that with materia.”

Aerith rapped her knuckles against Cloud’s forehead. “You can if you’re a Cetra. Now come on!”

Cloud let Aerith pull him to his feet. He blinked, watching as she rummaged through his locker and picked out an outfit for him, since Cloud clearly wasn’t going to get around to it any time soon.

“Firstly, do we have to do this now? It’s kind of late, I’ve had a long day, I really just wanted to get back and sleep. Secondly, the Cetra are just a fairytale.”

“Nope! At least, not quite. There’s not many of us left now… I might be the last. But I’m definitely a Cetra.” She grinned and thrust a pile of clothes at Cloud. “Get changed.”

“Aerith…”

“It’s a Friday; you don’t have any kind of curfew tonight, right? All the other guys in your dorm have clearly already gone out for the evening. You’ve got time for a date.”

Cloud hesitated a moment longer, then his shoulders slumped. “...I should shower first.”

“That’s the spirit.”

He took the clothes and started to head towards the washroom. Aerith picked up her flower basket and followed.

“Um. You don’t need to come with me.”

“We’ll go straight out to find someone for you once you’re done, no point coming back here. Who do you want to start with? Zack?”

“I guess. I don’t know if he’d want to go out tonight, but I owe him an apology, at least.”

The showers were thankfully empty. Cloud got as far as taking his shirt off, then stopped with it in his hands. “Are you going to watch? ‘Cause I’m really going to have to draw a line somewhere.”

Aerith laughed. “Spoilsport.”

She did give him a little bit of privacy after that, at least. Cloud stripped down and showered off with military efficiency. He would have preferred to take his time and relax a bit, see if he could melt away some of the day’s stress – with no one else around, he might even have been able to get a decent amount of hot water. But Aerith was waiting.

He was pretty sure he caught Aerith checking him out as he towelled off and got changed into the clothes she’d picked out for him.

Dressed in tight jeans, a dark T-shirt that clung to him, and his military boots, Cloud would admit he did look reasonably datable. He shoved his uniform into one of the small washroom lockers for the time being.

“Okay. Do you even know if Zack’s around? He’s probably already gone out for the evening.”

“Hmm.” Aerith didn’t answer the question, her eyes raking over Cloud. Apparently deciding his outfit wasn’t quite complete, she tucked one of her flowers behind Cloud’s ear while Cloud looked on in bemusement. “Better.”

Cloud wasn’t sure the flower went with the rest of the outfit, but it was cute.

“So, Zack…?”

“Check your phone,” Aerith suggested.

Cloud did so, though not without first levelling Aerith with a very suspicious look. Maybe that was unfair. It could have just had a message arrive while he was in the shower – the name would have popped up on the screen. The phone was locked, Aerith couldn’t have gone rummaging through it.

No message.

“It might not have worked,” she said apologetically. “It was my first time trying to do anything so complicated with technology. It should work in theory, but… just select Zack’s number. You do have it, right? And then go to whatever map or GPS apps you have.”

Cloud went through the motions, not even sure what he was supposed to be achieving. He stopped and stared at the screen. Then he looked up and stared at Aerith.

“Why,” Cloud asked, his voice coming out oddly rough, “is my phone now capable of tracking people?”

“Oh! It worked?”

Cloud let out a heavy breath. “Look. I’ll buy the Cetra thing. In all the myths, the Cetra were supposed to be all in touch with the Planet and great with magic and stuff, so I’ll even accept your weird materia use. But how the hell could you possibly do something like that to my phone?”

“Do you really want to know?”

Everything about Aerith’s tone suggested the explanation was probably going to be excessively complicated, or hurt Cloud’s brain to think about, or quite possibly both. He glanced down at the phone in his hand.

“Try me,” Cloud said.

Aerith laughed. “It’s quite simple if you understand the functionality of the Lifestream.”

Cloud’s blank look said that he really did not.

“Think of the Planet as a biological organism. Like your own body. There’s hundreds of electrical and hormonal and chemical signals running through you, right? That’s information. Just not in a form you can understand.”

“I guess so?”

“So, the Lifestream is information too. You can’t understand it, but the Cetra can. Could.”

Cloud nodded, even though his brow was still furrowed in confusion. He hadn’t quite managed to connect the dots and figure out how any of this had to do with his phone’s new capabilities.

“Now, what’s powering that phone of yours?”

“Um. A battery?”

“What kind of battery?”

“One of the standard ShinRa ones. A mako battery.”

“Bingo! And that mako still holds a tiny pocket of information and a connection back to the Lifestream. It’s not easy – believe me, it is not easy, you’re kind of lucky your phone didn’t melt. Actually, you might want to put it down pretty quick if it starts feeling warm. But. Because of that mako, it is possible to integrate the two forms of information. The digital information on your phone, and… well, anything on the planet, really. Such as the location of a specific person’s life energy signature.”

Aerith beamed, clearly pleased with herself.

“I don’t… that’s not…” Cloud shook his head. He was dreaming, right? He had to be dreaming. “You are something else.”

“Any more questions?”

“No.” That was not entirely true – he had plenty more questions, but he was still trying to process everything Aerith had told him thus far.

“Good. Then let’s go already.”

This, at least, was something that made sense to Cloud. Heading up to the training rooms to hang with Zack.  Normally they would have arranged it beforehand, and normally he’d be in gear more appropriate for sparring in, but the route was as familiar as the back of his hand.

He walked the route confidently, only faltering as he reached the final corridor.

There were voices coming from the training room – Zack wasn’t alone. He felt kind of bad eavesdropping, but the door was open and he could hear them clearly whether he wanted to or not.

“Angeeeeal,” Zack complained. “Stop joking around.”

“I would never joke about such a matter,” Angeal replied. He was using the ‘serious’ tone that was a parody of his own usual serious tone; Cloud didn’t have to be able to see him to picture the small, wry smile that would accompany the words.

“Shut up. And stop giving me ideas. Don’t you have Genesis to go blow?”

“Zack,” Angeal chided.

“Alright, alright,” Zack laughed. “It’s fine, though. Thanks for coming and hanging out with me, but I don’t wanna steal your entire evening. I know you had plans.”

Cloud peeked around the door just in time to see Zack sprawled on the floor. He rolled up onto his back and then jumped straight to his feet. “Seriously, Ang. I’m gonna head off too. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”

“If you say so, puppy.”

There was a brief moment where the two men engaged in something that was a combination of a scuffle and a one-armed hug, and then Angeal said his farewells. Cloud and Aerith flattened themselves back against the wall as Angeal left – thankfully – in the other direction down the corridor.

“Alright!” Aerith whispered. “Now’s your chance.” She hastily pulled a few flowers from her basket and clasped Cloud’s hand around them. “Go say whatever you need to, give these to Zack, and then for the love of Gaia just ask him out!”

Cloud hesitated. Aerith made it sound so easy, but Cloud’s months of insecurities immediately burst back into existence like an entire tornado of butterflies in his gut. “What if he’s not into me?”

“Your ass is fantastic and everyone wants to tap that. Go!” She gave Cloud a firm shove into the training room.

Cloud muttered a curse under his breath, but it was too late. His ungainly stumble of an entrance had caught Zack’s attention.

Zack tilted his head. “Cloud?”

Shit. Cloud could feel his face heating up already. It was always like this now, for the last couple of weeks. Maybe months, even. He couldn’t even just chill out and enjoy spending time with Zack, because the weight of his crush was a constant burden. It left him flustered and tongue-tied every time Zack gave him that handsome, winning smile.

“I, uh—” Gods, get it together, Strife. “I’m glad you’re here, I was hoping to find you.” Remembering he had props this time, Cloud held out the flowers to Zack like a peace offering. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I was having a rough day and got frustrated, but I shouldn’t have snapped at you just ‘cause of that.”

Zack blinked, then grinned. “Aww! So you bought me flowers? That’s adorable. Where did you even get these?”

“I met a girl selling them while I was on patrol.” Cloud looked down at the floor and awkwardly scuffed the tip of his shoe. He could practically feel Aerith facepalming behind the door.

Zack took the flowers, his fingers lingering over Cloud’s.

That gave Cloud confidence. It felt… a little bit romantic, almost. Zack wouldn’t be brushing his fingers against Cloud’s like that, so purposefully and slowly, unless he had more than just a platonic interest in Cloud. Right?

“I, uh,” Cloud took a deep breath. “I also sort of wanted to ask you on a date,” he said rapidly.

A slow smile spread across Zack’s face. “What,” he teased, “even though I’m already part of some big First Class orgy?”

Cloud flushed. “I didn’t mean that.”

“I know you didn’t. Thanks for the mental images though. I mean, damn.” Zack gave a low whistle. “I’ll definitely have to keep that in mind for future late night spank bank sessions.”

“Zack,” Cloud said, starting to laugh. Although his face was still a little warm with thoughts of Zack jerking off now.

Zack’s eyes were bright with humour. “So, tell me about this date offer of yours.”

Cloud had… not thought that far ahead. His mind raced through all the things he knew Zack liked doing – things they’d done together, just hanging out and having a good time as friends. A lot of it was simple things; staying in round at Zack’s place and playing games or watching movies, tossing popcorn at each other and laughing until their sides hurt. But they’d been out a few times too, to pubs or arcades, just shooting the shit.

Then again, that was what they had always done as friends. If Cloud wanted them to be more than friends, maybe he should be doing something more too?

Damn. What would Aerith want him to do?

Aerith…

“Wall Market,” Cloud said confidently. Zack raised his eyebrows sky high and Cloud sputtered. “I mean, to go get food! There’s that restaurant that does a killer BBQ plate. And they’ve got the arcade, and the street stalls and carnival games. It could be fun, right?”

Zack stuck his tongue out. “For a moment, I thought you were gonna invite me to some sleazy love hotel.”

“Zack!” Cloud protested, halfway between blushing and laughing. “What kind of skeevy-ass date do you think I am?”

“I dunno,” Zack said, eyeing Cloud critically up and down. “Take me to one of the nicer love hotels and you might have yourself a deal.”

Cloud’s heart did a strange little flip in his chest, struck speechless for a long moment. Zack winked at him.

“When did you wanna go? I don’t have any plans for tonight, and it’s not too late yet.”

“Um.” Cloud swallowed, trying to remember how to speak. He was still a little stuck on the implication that Zack was down for going to a love hotel with him. “Yeah. Tonight is good.”

“Alright. Gimme fifteen minutes to get changed. I’ll meet you at the building entrance?”

Cloud nodded.

Zack smiled and reached up, gently pushing Cloud’s bangs back where he still had Aerith’s flower in his hair. “Cute flower, by the way. You should keep it.”

“Thanks. Do you mind if I…?” Cloud took one of the flowers from the bunch Zack held, gently pulling it free from the rest of the bouquet. He tucked it behind Zack’s ear with a shy smile. “Now we match.”

Zack was beaming. “You’re adorable.”

Cloud ducked his head, hiding his embarrassment as Zack slung and arm over Cloud’s shoulders and gave him a squeeze.

“Fifteen minutes,” Zack promised. He gave Cloud a grin and a cheery wave as he dashed off to his apartment, clearly with every intention of sticking to his deadline.

Cloud sighed and slumped once Zack was out of sight. He’d got what he wanted, but he probably could’ve gone about that a lot more smoothly.

“Aww, don’t be embarrassed! That didn’t go too bad.”

“Shit, Aerith!” Cloud said, startled. He hadn’t even noticed her come in. “Well, I guess I got the date, at least. He seemed really up for it, I didn’t think he’d accept so easily…”

“Pssh. Of course he accepted. How long have you two idiots been dancing around each other? The second you got in the room together the tension was just palpable.”

“…you think so?”

Aerith placed both of hands on Cloud shoulders and looked at him seriously. “Remember what I said about the Lifestream being information? People have the energy of the Lifestream running through them, and I can read that energy. It’s not so complex as mind reading or anything, but I can pick up emotions and intentions. And yes, Zack wants in your pants.”

“Oh.”

“’Oh,’ indeed.” Aerith let go of Cloud, putting her hands on her hips instead. “Now, listen up. I don’t normally go spilling information about other people, but I can see the situation here is pretty dire. Zack is into you, but he’s hesitating to make a move ‘cause he still sees you as too sweet and innocent.”

“I’m twenty,” Cloud grumbled under his breath.

“Right. And how old were you when you guys met?”

“Sixteen, nearly seventeen. Why?”

“’Cause Zack’s got this block in his head, I can sense it. He’s convinced himself you’re off limits. Probably because you were when you guys first met. Get it?”

“…I suppose that makes sense.”

“So,” Aerith’s smile widened, “what you need to do on this date is remind him you are very much an adult now, and very much interested in him. You’re gonna have be confident and take the lead here. Be aggressive! Put some moves on him!”

Cloud hesitated. He liked the idea. He liked it a lot. The thought of pushing Zack up against a wall and kissing him stupid, until he finally admitted what they both wanted… He would have done something like that a long time ago, if it wasn’t for the one thing holding him back.

“You’re sure he’s not going to reject me? This won’t wreck our friendship?” Cloud questioned.

“He wants you bad,” Aerith reassured him. “He had some lovely images in his head…”

Cloud felt his face heating up, but he was intrigued at the same time. “I thought you couldn’t read specific thoughts.”

“He was broadcasting it pretty loud. You are okay with doggy style, right?”

“Aerith!”

She only laughed, delighted by the very interesting shade of red Cloud’s face had turned. “Seriously, though. Hurry up and get downstairs, he’s gonna be waiting for you.”

“What, you’re not going to stalk me on the date too?”

“Nope! You’re on your own for that one. But I want to hear all about it when you’re done.”

“Fantastic,” Cloud muttered.

Aerith leaned in and gave Cloud a quick kiss on the cheek, and Cloud stared at her in shock. “For luck,” Aerith said, starting to push Cloud out of the training room. Cloud got the hint and started heading for the elevator under his own power – Aerith followed him as far as that, but didn’t join him for the downward journey.

She waved at him as the elevator doors slid shut between them.

“Wait!” Cloud started. “You can’t just stay in the ShinRa building—”

Too late. Cloud leaned back against the elevator wall and ran a hand through his hair. He’d just have to trust that Aerith could take care of herself. Right now, he had a date to worry about.

[purrpickle]

So my job interview went very, very well, I think. It was the second day of three days of interviews, and since only I and another woman (who I think actually realized the hours of the job wouldn't work for her) actually showed up, I just have another day to wait through.

Crossing my fingers!!!

[syiqah97]

Currently watching To The Boy’s I’ve Loved Before and.... There’s this quote she says and... 

“because the more people you let into your life, the more they can just walk right out”

[teacupdarkling]

I feel like Captain Hook doesn't understand the meaning of personal space. I feel like I wouldn't mind if he was in my personal space.

[strwberieswsugar]

so my pc is having a stroke and i can’t post the “””””drunk””””” andré silva video but if u want to see it here’s the link

[xx-hail2theking-xx]

...I must also admit, if you will permit me-

There is a certain satisfaction to be had from bringing about the impossible. Even indirectly.

You could say the feeling compares to killing the unkillable.

-Duke Valefar.

[friendly-merchant]

Did seeing Arceus answer that question of yours?

It did.

And it has answered it with, perhaps, the worst possible answer.

[masala-and-thunderstorms]

I’ve been panicking since I posted the thing about the ex-friend, because what if she interpreted it as an attack and what if she told everyone I had attacked her and what if I was in fact just being terrible and manipulative without realizing it.

But in rereading old emails to see if I was just erasing the ways I’d been abusive the way abusive people often do, what I found was several different instances of her frantically apologizing and calling herself a piece of shit and begging me not to stop confiding in her, and me reassuring her? Which is... genuinely startling, because her main claim to abuse was that I hurled vicious insults at her every time she made a mistake / accidentally hurt me and therefore created an atmosphere of terror.

And like... I kept claiming I wasn’t angry and I understood why she’d done whatever had upset me, and I assume that I was lying since I did in fact blow up eventually. It’s really shitty and disorienting when someone is mad at you and tells you they aren’t mad. It does in fact sound like an atmosphere of terror. Especially when my eventual anger was about something I’d already repeatedly reassured her I wasn’t angry about.

Also, the thing where my reaction when people feel bad about hurting me is to fall over myself reassuring them that I’m not mad and they’re still wonderful and they still love them, is... a problem, both because it encourages people to hurt me in the same way again and again, and because telling myself I’m not angry doesn’t actually make the anger go away; it just makes it that much more surprising and hurtful when it comes up. (The part of me that isn’t constantly looking to make things my fault says that I did ask her every time to please stop doing whatever thing I was reassuring her didn’t make her a shitty person, and says that someone willing to repeatedly hurt you no matter how many times you ask them to stop as long as you forgive them is someone who is comfortable hurting you and just uncomfortable with consequences. But that’s just one more reason I should be clearer when something isn’t okay, because it weeds out people like that.)

Which... is weird because I always thought the takeaway from this relationship was that I was too easily hurt / angered and should be more forgiving, and turns out the takeaway was always “be honest with people the first time you’re mad at them instead of the twenty-first.”

[chappocalypse]

So, apparently I'm a goth now...

I was washing my hair and 2 spiders fell out...

Metalllllllll

[curseofpinkamina]

so i tried to zap that stupid clock away with ublock origin right. adblocker of choice, big fave. and guess what’s still there. The Clock

[forbearden]

cum. inside. me.

guuuuuuuurl

[one-toomany]

Is it me or is he waaaaaaay hotter than in  Shameless?

[pcyspocketputhy]

Y’all I got an older sister that I grew up with (we are only 2 years apart) aint nobody but her know what type of shit I went through during my childhood that’s so fucking crazy having siblings are like having trauma buddies especially if y’all grew up right on top of each other like WAIT

[evilpenguinrika]

I am 1000% scaring myself with my eye problem now

sometimes I hate the internet

[fallenangelluvowar]

Pick-up lines?

Guy: walks up to woman with suit cases.

Woman: "Yes? "

Guy: "Excuse me but do you need to get to customs?"

Woman: "No, but—"

Guy: "'Cause yo booty is currency."

Woman: "What would I even trade it for!?"

Guy: "Dez nuts! "

Guy on the other side of area: "Have got 'em!"

[gatitoseyram]

So, do you, uh, want to do the "TMI Tuesday" with me...?