The hands snapping up and closing around his shoulders startles a noise out of him, and the conflicting instincts of duck away and stay still clash before he stops himself from moving. Not like it matters because trying to squirm out of the grip - on this side of painful before Zack gasps out his name and it lightens a little - would be plain impossible.

Relief makes him slump a little and he nods.

"Yeah. I thought..." shaking his head, Cloud pulls himself together. Saying I thought I was alone here wouldn't change anything, and while maybe it'd be better if Zack wasn't here, Cloud... can't help being relieved, still. Hesitating for a brief moment, he reaches out to brush covered fingers over Zack's elbow. "... you okay?"

As soon as the question is out of him, Cloud grimaces. Of course Zack's not okay. Why would he be? Just waking up was unpleasant enough...