He wasn’t hearing this! Both Zack and the woman thought there was something wrong with him, aside from what he’d already admitted. And that grin from Zack was enough to make Cloud wish he were strong enough to leap up and slug him one. They thought they knew best! How smug they were! They didn’t begin to understand his motivations. They were passed off as simple stubbornness. Well, he shouldn’t have to prove himself to anyone.

And that nickname had resurfaced. He’d have to think of an equally embarrassing one for Zack if he decided to keep his company. At this point, Zack’s presence had become almost a nuisance. He’d come flying out to the fortress on some half-thought out rescue plan. And it had only earned him some funny tail and a lot of weakness. Keeping the Zack-Strife mercenary business intact might not be in either of their best interests.

To things at hand. The woman would not be forcing him to accept her help. There would be no need for that. He threw a dark glance at Zack before he reached for the woman’s hand. “I accept your help,” he said simply. “I hope for your sake you have a lot of patience. It will be slow going.” He would ignore the part about not admitting weakness. He already showed enough of it before regular strangers. And he had just admitted some to this woman. What more could they possibly want from him? The woman likely wasn’t a miracle healer and could not restore what he needed most.