A/N: So basically I'm going to attempt to get back into the swing of writing things with drabbling my newest OTP. I've been in such a rut peeps- hopefully this'll shake me out. I can't promise my usual quality of writing, but this is what I got.

The supposedly simple things, were most often the truly complicated ones. Very rarely did Vincent know the joys of simplicity. Especially since the day Zack Fair somehow managed to survive his death on the cliffs and wormed his way into the place where Lucrecia used to reign in his heart.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to close the distance between them. There were so many things that Zack- for all his bliss ignorance (possibly even arrogance)- just would not understand if the gunman allowed anything more than friendship.

But Zack, the ridiculous, annoyingly persistent and sweet man that he was, refused to let go.

Specifically speaking, the younger man was refusing to let go of his claw.

"Zack-..."

"Nuh-uh! Don't start spoutin' birdshit at me Vin-"

"Vincent."

"- Just 'cause you don't mind being alone forever doesn't mean it's a good thing. You spent thirty years in a coffin and the past four you've been out you only interact with people when the world's about to go to shit. It's time to move on. And don't glare at me! You know I don't mean it like that!"

Part of Vincent wondered if Zack even knew how many words he spoke in a single breath at times. The rest of him wanted to escape those pleading violet eyes. Eyes that saw right through the darkness and made a mess of him whenever the memory crossed his mind. (Which was honestly too often to be healthy.)

Refusing to answer, Vincent turned away, not bothering to even try to wrest the claw from the other man's grip. Not only was he too strong for it to be easy, the claw could also slice through even Zack's rough enhanced skin like it was made of paper. Vincent would never forgive himself if Zack was hurt because of him...

Instead of letting go (honestly why did he think otherwise?) his other hand was taken hold of and tugged until they were face to face.

Vincent still refused to say anything or make eye contact. Even when a calloused hand pushed down the high collar of his red cloak and cupped his cheek.

"Look, I don't mean to say that what happened to you just something you can just, just move on from. When really bad shit happens to somebody, it takes forever to learn how to be okay again. If they ever do... I just don't want to see you be the one that couldn't be happy again. Or worse, literally live forever like that."

"..." Zack understood. He had always known that. Ever since they rescued him from the cryogenic pod in Deepground, Zack always appeared cheerful, but the smile didn't fool Vincent. There was a deep sorrow in him, likely that was why he had been drawn in in the first place. "I dont want you to get hurt."

"I can handle a lot Vinny-"

"Vincent."

"- Just give me, and more importantly you, a chance?"

Zack's hand was warm against his cheek. He stepped closer, invading normally unobstructed personal space until the hints of his breath caressed pale lips... Very slowly, hesitantly, Vincent nodded.

"I will... try." For you.

The smile, because Zack knew those unspoken words, was outright dazzling. (When had he met the man's strikingly violet eyes?)

For once, the former SOLDIER didn't speak, just leaned in until their lips brushed in a tantalizingly brief kiss.

"You won't regret this Vince~ You'll see~"

Vincent only sighed as he wondered how long it was going to take to break the nickname habit.