The silence seemed oppressive to him because he knew that Sephiroth's answer lay within that telling silence. He could agree with the bitterness from the ex-General, but he couldn't bring himself to dislike Gast. The man had been good for Sephiroth, and the man had been Aerith's father, which went a long way for him.

Sephiroth couldn't hide from him, not with their link so strong, and his blue eyes rose to stare at the silver-haired man's inhuman gaze. His own followed the pull to reflect Sephiroth's, and he forced himself to move regardless of the pain in his arm as he straddled Sephiroth's lap. "Our past makes us, even if it is full of anger and bitterness. Never forget what made us who we are, and never forget that I won't leave you behind ever again."