[...cloud can only offer a shrug, sitting back on the couch and stretching his legs in front of him. it's easy to feel like he's over his head. with midgar, with getting to have a chance to jump into a relationship with sephiroth at one point, to now being together with likely the most powerful man in all of gaia. he never wanted any of these overly-complicated things.]

[besides, politics is not his forte. it's never been.]

I don't know. I guess I never thought... [he let's his words linger. it's terrifying, really. when sephiroth left abruptly, cloud felt like he didn't know him anymore. to think that he doesn't really know rufus much anymore, it says volumes about him, doesn't it? he curls hands into a fist on his lap, keeps his eyes level.] I didn't expect to hold on to these feelings after so long, still.

[what is he talking about?]

[his lips thin into a line, and he turns his face away.]

I don't think I can like what he's become.