Cloud wanted to explain that it wasn't all Zack's fault, that he was upset for a number of things. That it was just accumulated stress, that he wasn't scared, that he was fine and Zack was fine and everything was fine and okay.

He opened his mouth to speak and ended up stammering on his breath, the sound too much like one of those pre-sob inhales for his comfort. So instead he clamped his mouth shut and clutched a little bit harder, and promised his body that if it would stop trembling he'd take better care of it.