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» Log One | Zack and Cloud «

Two whole weeks.

It had been two whole, entire weeks since the miraculous discovery that his best friend was not only the most adorable thing in the whole, entire world, but that he could also bake.

Cloud could bake. And somehow, it had taken Zack this long to find out about it.

Store bought never quite tasted the same as home made, and those little, overly brown disk with slimy looking imitation chocolate chunks that ShinRa peddled in the dessert line definitely didn't compare.

Which was why he was now doing something he normally put off until the last possible moment - or worse, failed to do at all and ended up getting take out or eating in the cafeteria - grocery shopping. Specifically for ingredients to make this pie he had been promised.

It was made a bit more bearable by the fact that he was doing so with Cloud, and that all he really had to do was push along the basket and try to not toss extra, unneeded items inside - although a few definitely made their way in. It was nice, getting to spend time with Cloud doing something other than going on a mission, where both of them could relax and simply enjoy each other's company.

And the baked goods one of them was going to make. Couldn't forget about the baked goods.

"So," They had been standing in the same isle for the past ten minutes, and Zack was starting to wonder exactly how involved this whole pie making ordeal was going to be. "Just how many ingredients do you need for this thing?"

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Jerking a little in surprise, Cloud realised how long he must have been standing there, just staring, and flushed.

"Sorry. I just... got distracted," he said, glance flicking from Zack to the rows of sugar, flour, and other similar ingredients. There were just... so many. Some of it artificial sweeteners or something he had no idea how they worked and was a little afraid to find out.

"... never thought there'd be this much, you know?" If this hadn't been Zack and he hadn't known Zack came from a similarly small, isolated village like him, he wouldn't have said that at all as he frowned at the different brands of sugar.

Shaking his head, he finally just grabbed one.

"And we have most of it now, so it mostly depends on what you want for filling." And what was available and not too expensive. They'd have to check that.

Zack was relatively sure he'd never actually being down this particular isle before in his entire life. In fact, before this moment, he didn't even know there was section devoted entirely to the ingredients needed to make various types of baked goods. His mother had always gotten what she needed from the small, local grocer, and what they didn't have they'd had to find themselves.

Which was probably why, every singular time he'd stepped foot inside this place, he'd come away with far more than intended. He'd fallen into the habit of grabbing the first one he saw, not really paying much attention to the brand of price. Frozen pepperoni pizza was frozen pepperoni pizza.

"Yeah." Cloud's response caused a smile to cross his features. "It looks pretty confusing. Who needs four different types of sugar?" Sugar was something you just baked into cookies and put in coffee to make it taste less disgusting, right?

"Huh. I don't know. My mom always just used berries or pumpkin." All he'd really ever paid attention to was the fact that it was like biting into a small slice of warm, delicious, flaky heaven. Everything else was a complete mystery. "Cherry, I guess?"

"No idea," shaking his head, he frowned at the package in his hands before he dropped it into the basket and tried not to think about how utterly, weirdly normal it was to do something like this, even if the store itself was far larger than anything Cloud would've associated with buying food from.

"All we ever had was something local from around Costa del Sol, or the ShinRa stuff..." A lot of things had, as time went on, often been replaced, either periodically or permanently, with products the company had sold.

Smiling a little at the slightly confused comment, Cloud nodded.

"We usually used apples or berries," he added, though compared with the array that could be find here in Midgar, they were only very seldom the Banora White - those had to be imported, after all.

"Come on," he said quietly, jerking his head, "let's go check." Cherries was a good choice, though, so Cloud hoped they'd have some here.

Taking once last glance at the endless rows of ingredients - there were three different kinds of flour and endless different types of chocolate and candies and nuts and every other sort of thing any one could ever possibly need in which to bake and it was all terribly confusing and yet oddly fascinating. Maybe he'd have to come back one day and buy some things and put together a little care package for his mom. Surely she'd like having so many different choices.

But the thought slipped from his mind as Cloud began to move on, leading the way towards the selection of fruit. Once or twice he stopped for the briefest of moments, when something in particular caught his eye, and each time one or two seemed to find their way into the basket. Cloud wouldn't be there every night to cook and bake for him, after all, and he might as well save himself from having to make another trip.

Okay, so it was mostly gummy worms and frozen dinners and pop tarts and maybe he should have paid a little bit better attention to his mom all of those times she'd tried to teach him how to properly cook for himself.

There were an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, most of which were imported and currently in season in some small, remote part of the world thousands of miles away. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries. Why would anyone actually need so many different types of berries?

"Hey, if we can't find cherries, at least we know they have plenty of berries in stock."

It was impossible to notice the amount of extra that was finding its way into the basket, but Cloud figured it wasn't his business. In fact, he was a little jealous - there was no way to keep any food, non-perishable or not, in the barracks, nor any way to easily prepare even something as simple that would simply need to be heated up.

Sometimes there were attempts, he knew, to smuggle in electric kettles or even microwaves, but that sort of thing usually got found out and nipped in the bud right quick.

So sure, what Zack was tossing into the basket wasn't particularly healthy (sometimes Cloud wondered about the cafeteria food, however), but it was at least some sort of freedom to choose.

"Yeah," he agreed, shaking his head as he looked around the produce section. It was almost too much, again. So many options. "Just... no more than two different ones, in that case. I don't really know what goes well together."

And if he was doing this, he wanted to do it right - both because it was for Zack and because he'd basically be showcasing what his mom had taught him, and he didn't want to fail her.

Even if she wasn't anywhere near here.

You know Cloud, if you really want to cook that much, all you'd have to do is ask. And probably bring your own pans. He owns one. Two, if you count the circular one specially for pizza.

How healthy things were really wasn't something that crossed his mind when picking out food. How good it taste and how easy it was to make were basically his only qualifications. If you could microwave it, eat it cold or toss it in the oven and set a timer then it was pretty much for him.

Besides, it wasn't like he wouldn't burn off all of those extra calories during training. Or missions. or doing endless squats.

"Okay, so berries are out then." Because honestly, he had even less of an idea than Cloud what sorts would go well together. Raspberries and blackberries may look alike, but would they actually taste good baked into a pie?

Thankfully, tucked in between the strawberries and the... were those grapes? They looked liked grapes, anyway. For all he knew they could be some sort of new frankenberry. But tucked gloriously in between the two, was a slender row of bright red beautiful cherries.

"Ah ha! Found you." How many were they even going to need? Better grab two or three, just to be sure. If nothing else at least he'd have something healthy in the house for a few days. "That everything?"

Sorry Zack, he doesn't actually want to cook much at all, though he could probably do it at least once considering how long it's been since he had something properly cooked from scratch. Maybe.

Cloud was squinting dubiously at the maybe-grapes himself, wondering what they were - he hadn't actually had grapes at all until he'd come to Midgar, and then it was the touch-and-go quality of the daily fruit choice in the cafeteria. Luckily, at least that daily fruit choice was usually good to really good, even if everything else was more questionable.

"... is that grape or what?" he finally asked, then looked up at Zack's cry and smiled a little, silently counting out in his head what they'd need and how much Zack had put in the basket.

"Yeah, I think so. Unless you wanted something more for that bottomless hole you call a stomach," he said, a little teasingly, relaxed and secure enough now to do things like that. And well, he wasn't wrong. He'd seen enough of Zack to know he pretty much was a bottomless hole, and while the SOLDIER usually insisted it was because of the enhancements, Cloud had... doubts.

Must you crush all of his like that? Here he thought he was getting this adorable little blond who could cook and save him from hia life of frozen food and crappy take out and as it turns it out, you don't even like to cook. He's crushed. Abaolutely crushed.

He'd made the mistake of picking up a bag filled with the fruit, only to immediately regret it. Either ShinRa really needed to stop experimenting with the mako, or they were some sort of delicacy from some far off place hed never heard of. "Man, I hope not."

Replacing the bag in its rightful spot, he followed after Cloud, intent on paying for their haul and getting this show on the road. At least until a certain chocobo head decided to make a comment about his stomach and how bottomless it was.

"It takes a lot of energy to look this good, Spike."

He is not a housewife, Zack Fair. Even less your housewife! But you might yet coax a meal or two out of him...

Zack picking the bag up had stirred the berries enough a scent - and some juice - leaked out and all Cloud could think of was that one, they must be really fragile and two; sweet, powerful Odin what was that?!

Who would dare to eat them? Shuddering slightly and turning away from it before he lost his appetite for days forward. The ShinRa cafeteria did that on its own, sometimes.

Zack's comment thankfully pulled him away from thoughts of questionable fruit, but Cloud wasn't especially thankful even so - he snorted, then sort of choked of a laugh, flustered and amused both.

"Does---" he could feel himself blushing, cheeks hot, and he looked away to the rows of bananas from Gongaga, refusing to look at Zack, "does that include keeping your hair up?"

As if his own hair wasn't just as ridiculous, if not more so, but that wasn't the point. Better that than the quiet little voice that commented that Zack really didn't need to expend much energy to look good - he always did anyway.

You could be if you played your cards right, Cloud. Four about a day. Because that's how long it would take for you to give up and tell him to rake care of himself.

Bananas. Sweet, glorious, perfectly yellow bananas. They may very well have been the only healthy thing he actually placed in the cart, grabbing two huge bunches and placing them carefully next to the cherries. They didn't have then all year round like they had in Gongaga, and so they were always like some sort of treat, a small taste of home that made him both yearn for a place he hadn't seen in years and ease a bit of the ache home sickness left behind.

"You're one to talk." Cloud's hair was, if it was even humanly possible, even more intensely spiked than his own. Those feather like wisp around his face and circling back along the crown of his head. Those ambushed together spikes that formed an entirely different shape in the back. If anyone had him beat in the strange hair department, it was definitely, without a doubt, Cloud.

Finding a register without a huge line was a challenge, and finally he fell in behind a little old lady. Who was taking her sweet time placing everything onto the belt. At the rate this was going, they were going to be having pie at midnight .

"How much work does it take to look that cute anyway?"

Wait.

Wait.

Did he just say that out loud?

And in public?

Well, there was definitely no taking it back now. If only he had his camera so he could capture whatever new shade of red Cloud was going to end up turning.

Very, very possible. Besides he doesn't want to be your housewife anyway, he wants to fight right beside you...

Cloud hid a smile behind a hand as Zack went like a shot towards the bananas and picked up not just one bunch, but two. There was a comment about jungle boys and betraying your heritage on the tip of his tongue while Cloud stoutly ignored the implied comment about his hair.

Zack was right after all. He really couldn't talk. His mother's hair didn't look like this, so it came from his father. But that wasn't important. What was important was the teasing comment Cloud was about to make as they stepped into line behind an old lady and Cloud absently readied himself to be patient and wait while he opened his mouth---

Zack got there before him.

Cloud stared without quite seeing the wall on the other side of the registers as the words filtered through his brain. Stared, blinked, and then squeaked, skin flushing bright red as much for the words as the realisation that they were in public.

Gaze darting around, he swore a man in the queue next over grinned, and he was pretty sure the old lady in front of them had frozen to muffle giggles and the cashier---

"Zack/i>! I---" he managed a huff, then broke off, glowering at the SOLDIER from under his bangs, still awfully red in the face. Give him a few more moments and he might come up with a comback.

In time, young chocobo. With enough hard work and persistence (and Zack putting in good words for you), you'll make SOLDIER in no time! And then you'll be right out there with him. Fighting Gensis clones and taking names.

He'll have you know that he is exceptionally proud of being a jungle boy. He can climb a tree in twenty two seconds flat, thank you very much.

That was definitely an interesting shade of red that Cloud was currently turning, the color beginning within his cheeks and seeping out into every portion of his face. Despite that look that promises he was most definitely in for it once Cloud's embarrassment ceased, Zack didn't regret his little comment for a single instant. Cloud was pretty cute, after all. In truth, he'd thought that from the very moment they'd met and that helmet had come off in some strange imitation of a dramatic reveal in a romantic comedy. While he'd never been the type to believe in love at first sight, there had definitely been a spark of something there. Something deep and real and tangible, and he'd had to remind himself that Cloud was technically his subordinate and he was practically a commanding officer and flirting would likely be extremely frowned upon.

Even if all he could truly see Tseng doing is groaning and telling him to save it for when they didn't have an objective to get to.

Still, despite the lack of regret, he couldn't quite believe he'd actually said the words out loud. And in front of strangers.

Once Cloud broke away, scurrying off to where ever he intended on going to attempt to get that level of flushing under control, Zack glanced around, attempting to appear like he hadn't just given his best friend a complement and embarrassed him in front of an entire store front. The man in the queue next to him just continued to grin, and Zack could have swore he winked at him before he was moving forward to place his items upon the belt. The elder lady and the cashier were both giggling, and talking about how they wished such a handsome young man would talk to them like that.

And there was Zack, idly placing pound after pound of cherries and assorted baking items to be scanned through, looking for all the world like nothing at all had actually happened.

There was a standard greeting, followed by pleasant chit chat, each bag being loaded back into the basket carefully, the total being announced and paid for. It was only once he'd been handed his receipt and was about to walk away that he was stopped by the elder woman, who leaned in close to whisper words of encouragement. 'Don't worry about him. He'll come around. After all, with a charming young man like you interested in him, how could he not?'

It was official. Neither he nor Cloud could ever come back.

Cloud had, briefly, resolved that he wouldn't leave. He could handle this, he was an adult and---

The air outside the store wasn't cool - it was smoggy and kind of muggy with pre-summer spring heat, a fine haze turning the sky a little murky, the horizon fuzzy with a faint green tinge, gathered around the distant mako reactors.

But it was at least air and no one was staring, or laughing. Eyes closed, Cloud breathed, swaying a little on his feet until he settled into a relaxed parade rest, trying to reason that comment away.

It probably didn't mean anything much (though he wanted it to), but with it out there it was impossible to ignore the memory of Zack helping him through the trip back to Midgar, two weeks ago. Of having his face practically smooshed into Zack's shoulder, his arm around him.

This wasn't going as planned.

Cloud looked up and scowled - ignoring the fresh, if thankfully brief, flush across his face - when Zack came out, carrying the bags.

"Jerk," he muttered without any real heat and gently (which probably meant Zack didn't feel much of it) punched the nearest arm. He still didn't know what to do about that comment, but maybe it'd become clear later.

"Did you want anything else while we're out?" Cloud asked he fell in beside Zack, feeling awkward asking such a question even if there was no reason not to ask it, since he was spending the day with Zack.

... something which hadn't sounded any more meaningful than it usually did until minutes ago, but now did.

Sure, there may not have been much heat behind that singular muttered word, and there may not have been much force behind that punch, but the combination came away the true intent behind them. That and the way Cloud's face flushed the moment he laid eyes on him, despite the worst of the embarrassment seeming to have long since faded.

Zack had spent a long while wondering if Cloud felt the same things he did. If he felt that little spark that seemed to ignite between them each time they saw each other. Did he feel that same pulling current of electricity each time they touched? Did he know how much Zack hated walking away from him, how much he wished those missions and afternoons spent together could last a life time?

Did he realize how many times Zack had requested Cloud to go along with him? How many times he'd had Kunsel rearrange their schedules so they'd have the same day off?

There were times when he thought Cloud did, when it seemed like many the younger man felt the same. But there had never been anything concrete, never anything much to go on.

Until that day on the helicopter two weeks ago and Cloud's reaction just now. If those weren't big enough hints that it was time to actually make a move and stop wondering, nothing ever would be.

Starting off in the direction of his apartment - a thankfully short walk, considering just how many bags he was currently toting. Not that they were particularly heavy, at least not for someone with all of his enhancements, but carting around groceries didn't sound like his idea of a good time.

"Nah, I think we got everything." More than intended, honestly. You'd think he'd have learned by now not to go shopping on an empty stomach.

Still, there current wasn't anyone around, at least not within hearing distance. Even if his next words were likely to get him hit again. "Besides, the sooner we get back, the sooner I get to have you to myself."

Cloud knew nothing, of course (though he'd stare, aghast, if Zack ever mentioned having Kunsel rearrange his or Zack's schedules). Knew nothing except that he never really wanted the afternoons or missions he had together with Zack to end, that his stomach sort of twisted at the way Zack smiled, the way the light lit up his eyes even aside from the glow...

He knew exactly what he felt, but Cloud Strife was awkward and shy and would never, ever say anything. There were so many reasons not to, especially when it came to Zack Fair, even if he was sure Zack would let him down gently and would be his friend afterwards too.

That wasn't really the issue.

But yes, Cloud hadn't ever entertained the idea to say anything, no matter what he felt about Zack.

"Okay," he said quietly, nodding distractedly and both envious and impressed how easily Zack made it look, carrying all those bags---

Slowly, as the words registered, Cloud was left blushing again. He couldn't figure out what way Zack meant that, and groaned, hiding his face into his hands.

"... for the pie, you mean," he said, voice muffled, as he spoke into his hands, trying to ignore his thundering heart and the whispers in his mind that insisted that no, that was not what they wanted it to be for.

"Right?" He dropped his hands and looked up at Zack, gaze darting around, but the street they were on was pretty empty.

It wasn't until those muffled, barely intelligible words came that Zack glanced over, at first in confusion, wondering why Cloud's voice suddenly sounded so far away. And then in amusement as he saw those hands covering his face and the hints of red that were peaking out around his jaw line and each place they didn't quite cover.

Would he ever get tired of seeing that? Of knowing he was the sole reason for that reaction?

Probably not, honestly.

There were two very distinct ways he could handle that particular question. He could lie, could tell a little half truth and have everything go right back to the way it was. Could do back to staring at Cloud each time he entered a room and hoping no one noticed. Could go back to being happy with the little moments they were able to steal together, and could go back to longing for the next one.

But would there always be a next one? Anything could happen at any time. He could be sent on some mission tomorrow and be away for months on end. Everything could end in a single instant. Did he really want to end up with regrets? Especially ones that could be so easily rectified?

Or he could tell the truth, could be honest, could say what he really wanted and what he really felt. What was the worst that could possibly happen? Cloud could deny him, could say he didn't feel the same. Could let him down easy and they could go back to being friends. And he could live with the knowledge that he had tried, wouldn't have what might have been, what could have been, weighing on his shoulders.

"For you." It was simple, just two words, spoken softly, barely loud enough for the two of them to hear. But it was everything, an entire confession, a years worth of wanting and waiting.

He was sure he'd heard wrong, at first. He must have, right? Even with what Zack had been saying just now and earlier, in the store.

He just didn't get what he wanted, never did (SOLDIER was a case in point, never having had Tifa notice him another), so why would this be different?

Cloud wasn't blushing now, just staring, walking by rote and much parade ground practice to keep himself moving with the body next to his.

"... really?" a stunned little whisper, and Cloud winced. Wished to sort of dart away and hide, because saying that out loud made it sound silly.

His ears turned red, but no. He knew he hadn't heard wrong. Hesitantly, Cloud slipped up closer next to Zack, close enough their hands brushed at every step.

There's an old saying about how good things come to those who wait. Now, this entire situation is very much dependent upon perspective, but it could definitely be argued that Zack was a very good thing and that Cloud had waited a very long time for something of that nature to come his way.

On the flip side, Zack was the person who always got exactly what he wanted, who had never really failed at anything. He'd set out to join SOLDIER and had done so, far more quickly and easily than even he had expected. He'd wanted to be a first, and through hard work and determination - and Angeal, he couldn't possibly have done it without Angeal's guidance, without his knowledge, without him never giving up on Zack, despite how easy it may have been - he'd accomplished that goal by the time he was sixteen. Sure, there were still certain goals that remained unfulfilled - his dream of becoming a hero, for instance - but for the most part, Zack had never really tasted defeat.

Still, there had been a sort of nervous energy that had been bubbling up in his stomach as Cloud reacted, wondering if he'd made a mistake, if he had chosen the wrong time to come clean. But then those fingers were brushing against his, the touch soft and feather light and somehow still enough to make his heart stop. Enough to make it jump start and pound wildly within is his chest. Enough to make those fingers twitch, to make them each out in one smooth, quick moment, fingers finding Cloud's own and intertwining, slipping between each digit and squeezing softly.

Cloud had been determinedly staring straight ahead after slipping close and letting his hand brush with Zack's, repressing his urge to curl up and hide, even with knowing that Zack reciprocated---

The large hand curling with his, twining around his fingers and anchoring him right where he was, made Cloud reflexively tighten the grip he suddenly found himself caught him, and the blush spread from his ears across his face.

It was a good thing Zack was carrying the groceries in his other hand.

"... good thing you were using only one hand for the bags," Cloud said after a moment, a hesitant little smile, a bit flustered and amused, playing on his lips, voicing his thought.

Everything had happened so fast. One moment has seemingly bled into the next until all those previous became nothing more than a blur, leaving only words and actions that had contributed to the outcome clearly behind. Perhaps it was true, that one's whole, entire world could change in an instant, in the span of one single heartbeat.

Belatedly, he wished he'd removed his gloves before their journey had begun so that he could feel the warmth of Cloud's hand within his own. But the leather was keeping heavy plastic from digging too sharply into his free hand, and so comfort came before desire.

"Maybe I was hoping you'd let me do this." Another small confession, his fingers tightening slightly as he lifted their joint hands, a clear indication of exactly what he was referring to. There was much more he was hoping Cloud would allow him to do, but there would be more than enough time for that later, once they were safely behind closed doors.

They were nearly half way to his apartment, and while the next few minutes maybe seem unbearable, may cause his impatience to spike to entirely knew levels, he knew this conversation deserved privacy. There were so many things he wanted to say, things he'd been biting back, and Cloud was going to hear each and every one.

"Um..." Cloud had no idea what to say to that, but there was a shy little smile on his face and he squeezed their joined hands a little more firmly.

It was almost hard to think about the fact that this had been for a reason (well, not the confession), and that there was still a pie to make.

Something which Cloud certainly wasn't going back on, so when they were finally back and had put all the non-necessary items away, he went through Zack's little kitchen to hopefully find what needed to use.

... almost, anyway.

"You don't do much in here, do you?" he asked, amused even as he knew that; he'd been over before, of course.

But it was a little different when he needed to use the kitchen. Luckily nothing important was missing.

Silently, Zack wondered exactly what all of this meant. Why hadn't he wanted to let go of Cloud's hand, even when the inevitable happened and they finally reached their goal? Even when he had to reach into the back pocket of his standard issue pants and retrieve his key card and allow them inside, he would have been more then content to simply stand in the hallway all day, so long as he didn't have to let go of Cloud.

But he had. He had and now, seemingly, everything had reverted back to normal, to way they had been every day leading up to this one.

It had been easy to almost forget what the intent behind this entire ordeal had been. To get ingredients for a pie that Cloud had promised to make him. That day seemed so far away now, like it had happened to someone else in another life time entirely. He wasn't rightly sure it wouldn't be better just to go on and pretend as if those previous moments had never happened. As if their hands had never intertwined and he had never said those words.

He didn't want to pretend.

Cloud's voice brought him out of his thoughts, bright eyes darting upwards, taking in the sight of the blond currently occupying his kitchen. It was strange how the addition of Cloud could make his apartment seem so much warmer, so bright and inviting. How could one person change the entire atmosphere of a place simply by existing within it?

"It that obvious?" There was one rather small pot that he used in his attempts to make macaroni and cheese, and another round pan which was used specifically for baking frozen pizza's. Beyond the addition of four plates, large and small, bowls, mugs, glasses and cutlery, there was nothing of note in his kitchen. Nothing useful for actual cooking at all.

"You know," Maybe he should lay off of the flirting, maybe he should allow things to take their natural course and go where they will. But that wasn't Zack's style, wasn't how he did things. If they were going to head down this path, he was going to take them barreling full speed ahead. And he wouldn't bear a single regret. "You look pretty good in my apartment. Like you were meant to be here."

Honestly, it probably was a cop-out, acting like nothing had happened, but Cloud was, currently, uncertain what else to do, or how to approach it.

Because it wasn't as if walking down the streets back to Zack's apartment holding hands hadn't sent tingles up his arm, leather between them or not. Wasn't like having Zack saying something like that hadn't been a not-so-little desire.

But having gotten there, gotten that... what now?

"Huh?" Looking up from rearranging stuff and silently glowering at his bare tools to work with, Cloud turned around to face Zack.

And then froze, surprise quickly replaced by a blush and he was distantly relieved he hadn't been holding anything.

Another little voice was embarrassingly pleased at having Zack saying something so stupidly corny. To him.

"... Zack," Cloud groaned, trying to hide his exasperated smile behind a hand and knowing he wasn't able to, "that... was so bad."

Then he flushed again, feeling awkward and hoping he hadn't sounded like he didn't approve, because that wasn't it.

Despite however corny the words may have been, they'd accomplished their intended goal. To make it known, without a singular doubt, that Zack didn't want to simply allow things to go back to how they always had been. That he wanted to move forward, to build upon that one small touch, that one small confession, that one small moment.

"Yeah, I guess it kind of was." Leaning against the back of the sofa, his previously crossed arms fell, one rising to bury it's self into thick black strands, pushing them back and away from his face. "But it got you to smile, right?"

It didn't matter which sort of smile he got from Cloud, so long as he knew he was the reason for it being there.

Smiling? Oh, he had been, but that comment teased a laugh out of Cloud, shaking his head before he ducked down a little, peering at Zack, smile still in place.

"I guess so," he said, and didn't say that it wasn't as if Zack wasn't good at that in general, anyway.

That seemed way too corny as well, and even trying to formulate the words made them dry up.

He wanted to... he wasn't sure what he wanted, shifting on his feet on the other side of the room, the kitchen on an open plan for the main room more than it's own room aside from it.

"You..." Then he shook his head, swallowing the rest of the words in a breathless flush and turned back to the counter, measuring out the dry ingredients as quickly as he dared.

All too aware of where Zack was in the room, his presence a lambent beacon, as if Cloud actually had SOLDIER enhancements as well.

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