[Voice Post]

[digger]

Denzel helped me find a drill! Now I can dig properly. My hands were getting a little sore... I learned how to move my wings today, too! They feel funny. I didn't get far off the ground, but it was a lot different than jumping. It was kind of fun...

I think I like it here. It was scary at first, but there's a lot of nice people so I feel safe now! The surface is a really neat place to live. It's much better than underground. I still want to dig tunnels, though. Just in case...

I wish Kamina had come with me... he really wanted to see the surface again.

Comments

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

...Simon.

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

.... Wh-what...?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

...don't say things like that.

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

But... it's the truth... people die all the time... e-even when you don't want them to...

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I know.

But...I don't want to think about it happening to you, and you shouldn't have to think about it.

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

I guess not, but... I can't help it. It's not something you can forget, is it?

A-and... just because it's sad... does that mean you should give up...?

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

...no. You're...right about that.


Simon...I know it's none of my business, but what exactly happened to your parents? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

...... i-it's okay.

We... we were digging in the tunnels, to expand the village... but an earthquake made the tunnels collapse...

I tried to reach them, but I wasn't big enough... I couldn't dig them out...

They died there...

[Private]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

...

Simon, I would feel how you did if that happened to you. I don't mind if you dig...but please be careful, and keep an ear out for me.

[Private]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

.....

I-I'm sorry, Cloud... I'm s-sorry...

I'll be careful...

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Didn't take long for Cloud to get up and go to Simon's room, pushing the door open but knocking on the doorjamb.]

Simon?

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon hastily rubbed at his eyes at the noise, wiping away the tears and shoving his jounal off the bed, the pages damp.]

Y... yeah...?

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Ouch; right to the heart. Cloud fidgets at the doorway before sitting on the bed beside Simon, awkwardly, and places a hand on his back.]

...I'm sorry I upset you.

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

... I... it's okay...

[Simon lifted his head, smiling tremulously for a moment. Cloud had meant well after all, and only wanted to protect him. Still, to think of his parents' deaths... to be reminded of the pain he'd felt, watching them disappear beneath the rocks...

... thinking he'd cause Cloud to feel that same pain...

It was horrifying, and without another word his smile dissolved into more tears, and he leaned in to bury his face against Cloud's chest.]

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud was a little startled, but thankfully he'd had a couple weeks to get used to this, so he was much better than the first time Simon had clung to him. Setting one hand on the boy's head to stroke his hair and the other on his back, Cloud resting his chin atop his head.]

It's all right, Simon...

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon quivered against Cloud, clinging desperately to his clothes and sobbing quietly with his head bowed. He didn't want to look weak or a crybaby, but Denzel was right, wasn't he? It was okay to cry sometimes...]

I-I'm sorry... for scaring you... I didn't know the tunnels were that scary for you...!

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud gave Simon a little squeeze when he spoke, as if to reassure him physically as well as verbally.]

It's not the tunnels, Simon; I know you're good at digging, but I can't shake the worry of one of them caving in and trapping you. It's...the possibility that's scary.

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon wiped his eyes again, nuzzling sadly against the man's chest. It felt good to be hugged again, by someone big and strong who cared about him, and he couldn't bring himself to move just yet.]

I don't know what to do, though... d-do I have to stop digging...?

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud dragged a hand through Simon's hair, ruffling it before smoothing it back down.]


No, you don't. Just don't stay down there for hours and hours at a time; at least poke your head up and reassure me that you're still breathing, okay?

[Cloud offers a hesitant smile, still not used to this 'comfort' thing.]

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon felt soothed by the hand in his hair, closing his eyes briefly and leaning into the touch. It felt like his father's gentle ruffle, and he could almost hear the man's rumbling approval and quiet pride.]

Maybe... I could bring my journal down with me, and tell you where I am once in a while? Would that be okay?

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

I think that'll be fine.


[Cloud didn't want to deny Simon one of the few great pleasures he had, but he couldn't help but worry.]

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

Yay! Okay, I'll do that!

[Simon finally lifted himself up, eyes damp but no longer crying, his smile bright and hopeful. He could still dig! And he was going to make important tunnels all over the village, just to show how useful it was.]

Thank you, Cloud!

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

[Cloud nodded and stood, patting Simon's back.]

Thanks, Simon. You'll have to show me all the work you've done when you're finished, okay?

[Action]

[dawndigger.livejournal.com]

[Simon beamed and blushed. Cloud wanted to see his work! It was so exciting. He made a mental note to make sure the tunnels were big enough for adults.]

I'll show you, sure! I hope you like them! Even if they are just tunnels...

[Action]

[herobydefault.livejournal.com]

Well, it's got to be something to see. You've been working hard on it for a while.