I was thinking about this post about the good girl/bad boy trope, and the type of dudes I prefer to bad boys:
Big dude who looks like he could fold you like a pretzel, who people avoid because…well, pretzels, but is actually a gentle giant
Big, gruff, taciturn dude who doesn’t want to let people in (but can’t seem to help collecting strays and friends anyway)
Reformed Bad boy who has already grown up and out of his ~bad boy phase, but has to deal with constant suspicion and distrust due to his reputation
Dudes who have done morally questionable shit to protect or help people and are okay with being alone as long as the people he loves are happy
Dudes who have somehow acquired a bad boy rep and don’t understand how, but okay, he’s finally stopped fighting it
Dudes who aren’t entirely sure how to express their emotions and who show their affection in potentially weird and untraditional ways, but they’re learning, okay?
Cloud did not like that crackling noise. He didn’t like that at all. He wasn’t a building engineer by any means…but he was sure they weren’t supposed to crackle.
“I’m coming,” Zack said, “Stay absolutely still until I take your hand okay?” The building had been cleared by normal troopers after the bombing. Limited casualties and they insisted SOLDIER wasn’t needed. Cloud could hear the cries for help from outside and he and Zack went in.
10 people later…and only one kid was left…curled up precariously on a jutting platform hanging over a pit of fire and rebar. Good luck made sure she lived that far…bad luck just put her there.
Zack crawled on his stomach, slowly inching forward, trying not to make the unsupported floor buckle any further. Cloud didn’t like that last noise.
“Zack!” he said stepping forward.
“Stay there Cloud,” Zack said. He looked back to the girl.
“You’re gonna be okay,” he told her, “Now listen…I want you to…very slowly lean forward…and grab my hand. If you grab my hand…I promise…I won’t let you fall.”
She hesitated for a moment, then she unfurled, stretching one hand towards Zack. Cloud exhaled when they clasped. He felt his body moving when he heard the floor give. The girl screamed as she started to fall. Zack gripped the outcrop that still held, trying hard to pull back.
Cloud had a hold the back of Zack’s turtleneck. He took a breath as he realized he was literally holding Zack and the girl over a pit of death. He let that breath out in a mighty grunt. With strength he wasn’t sure he really had…Cloud tossed Zack and the girl back on more firm ground.
She clung to Zack with all she had. Zack looked at Cloud with a stare that terrified him.
“Toldja i wouldn’t let you fall,” Zack said, but that look told Cloud what would have happened if Cloud wasn’t there.
Cloud took Zack’s free hand and gave it a squeeze. Then helped him stand up.
saratogaroad 