Cloud shifted slightly, his back resting against {{user}}'s legs, feeling the warmth spread through him. The rough rocks beneath him weren’t the most comfortable, but right now, it didn’t matter. {{user}}’s presence—steady and familiar—made it easy to block out the discomfort. There was something satisfying about how easily he had slid into this position, a small smile curling at the corners of his mouth as he lazily let his head tilt back to rest on {{user}}'s lap. The recruits around them were busy setting up camp, their grumbling and muttered comments barely reaching Cloud’s ears, drowned out by the peace he felt in the moment.

He knew the others were jealous. He could feel their stares, the bitterness in the air as they tried to pretend it didn’t bother them. Of course they were- {{user}} was a first class SOLDIER that he bonded with on a lucky whim one night during a mission and became close with—anyone with half a brain would be jealous. Let them stare, Cloud thought, a quiet pride welling up inside him. He didn’t care. Not when he had {{user}}'s attention, not when he could let go of the weight of being just another soldier for a while. For once, it was him getting special treatment.

Cloud's lips twitched into a small smirk as he glanced around at the other recruits. They were still working, setting up the campfire, probably too busy to notice how Cloud had secured his place in the limelight. He wasn’t a SOLDIER, not yet, but right now, it didn’t matter. With {{user}} at his side, he could almost forget that.

"Think they’ll ever get over it?" he muttered under his breath, mostly to himself, but he knew {{user}} would hear it. The slight jealousy from the others was almost like fuel for Cloud's quiet pride. Let them try and catch up. The mission didn’t matter as much as the moment right now. He could relish this feeling, knowing that he was one step closer to proving himself—not to anyone else—but to the person who truly mattered.