Aetiyu

[The Painted Lady]

Yuffie's eyes snapped to Kunsel then.
"No it's not," she snarled quietly, but viciously.
"You're here now, they're going to fix you up. And you won't ignore the signs for months next time."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Kunsel made a small noise of disagreement before he fell silent. He wasn't feel half as optimistic as Yuffie seemed to want to be. He was tired, and the pain he'd felt during those brief moments when his life had teetered on the brink was enough to make him realise that this wasn't going away. It didn't matter how much he tried to ignore its presence... his condition was very real, and getting no better.
'There WILL be a next time...' he thought bitterly, not meeting Yuffie's gaze. 'How many more 'next times' will a miracle happen?... I'm sorry Yuffie.'

The door would slide open there, to admit Zack and Aerith. Zack was wheeling his wife in a wheelchair.
"Hey man," he called gently as the two of them reached Kunsel's bedside, their friend turning his averted gaze onto them.
"Hey," he whispered in reply.

[The Painted Lady]

Yuffie fought back angry tears again, but sat up quickly when Zack and Aerith arrived. It took Yuffie a while to notice the very small bundle Aerith cradled in her lap, but when she did, she gave a small noise of surprise, cutting off Aerith's greeting to her sick friend.
"When you said the baby was okay, I didn't realise you meant he'd been born already!" the Wutai princess exclaimed to Zack.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Oh..." Zack mused with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression."

Kunsel wanted to sit up, he wanted to see the baby too, but all he could manage was a slight shift of his body... his limbs still felt so heavy.
"I'm glad you're both alright..." he said softly, looking at Aerith.

[The Painted Lady]

An arm still secure around her sleeping child, Aerith reached up to take Kunsel's hand, kissing it gently.
"I'm glad you're okay too."
She glanced up to Zack with a smile.
"Maybe it'd be easier if you introduced Eden to everyone? I don't think I can lift him for Kunsel just yet..."
She was quite aware of the damage she could do to herself. And her strength hadn't returned for her to heal herself just yet...

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack nodded and moved around to take the tiny bundle from Aerith, lifting him up so that Kunsel could get a better look.
"Kunsel, meet Eden. Eden, meet Uncle Kunsel."
Kunsel smiled softly, the gesture warming up his tired face. "Hello little fellow."
Eden shifted a little and gave a soft noise.
"and that's Aunty Yuffie," Zack said, angling the child so Yuffie could see him as well.

[The Painted Lady]

"Ooh, he's so tiny," Yuffie gushed.
"Hullo there, Eden."

Aerith gave a teasing noise of disapproval.
"Now, now, Zack. Shouldn't you introduce him by his full name?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack started slightly and gave a nervous laugh.
"Oh right, my bad," he joked, though there was a certain something that suggested he'd done it on purpose.
Kunsel now blinked curiously at the two of them from behind tired eyelids.
"Eden Kunsel Fair," he announced proudly.
Kunsel flinched slightly, his gaze drifting away as if he were ashamed to look. "W-What for?" he murmured softly.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith squeezed Kunsel's hand gently.
"Because of how important you are to us," she said softly.
She smiled to him.
"And because he can be just as strong as you."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Kunsel still didn't meet Aerith's gaze for a time, still feeling guilty for the predicament he put her in.
"Stronger... would be much better," he assured tiredly, looking at her and offering a tiny smile.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith smiled back, shaking her head.
"Perhaps a little more willing to look for help when he needs it... But I'll be proud if he's half the man you are."
She reached over to stroke his hair gently.
"You really had me worried there Kunsel."
Then, another teasing smile.
"I suppose I'll just have to get Zack to bring in that vanilla slice I promised, hm?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I'm sorry," Kunsel sighed again, but he was smiling. When she mentioned the Vanilla Slice he laughed airily.
"I look forward to that."

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith smiled, looking back up to where Yuffie fussed over Eden.
"He'll be meeting his big brother and sister soon," she told Kunsel.
"Cloud's bringing them here within the hour... They're very excited, I hear, but also very worried about their Uncle Kunsel. Do you think you'd be up to seeing them?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Kunsel watched Yuffie as she fussed over Eden, feeling his chest give a painful thump at the joy on her face. It took him a moment to realise Aerith was speaking to him.
"Oh, the twins? Of course... though I may have a bit of a nap first," he replied, chuckling softly.

[The Painted Lady]

"We'll probably be tied up with them long enough for you to rest," Aerith smiled.
"I'll get Zack to check up on you before we send in the tirade."