Stay away.
That's what Scarlet had told him.
And thanks to that photo his career now depended on it. Everything he had worked for.
Besides, Cloud was a married woman. Not to mention miles out of his league. She didn't really want him anyway he tried to reason. That kiss was just a mistake. A moment of madness brought on by a stressful situation. She probably already regretted it.
So Zack stayed away.
He did.
He kept to himself for weeks. Let Cloud have her space.
She seemed happy. Things with Sephiroth looked like they had recovered.
The scandal had died down and they were back to being the world's most perfect couple.
Zack was happy for her.
He was.
Cloud was a wonderful woman. The most wonderful person he had ever met.
She deserved to be happy.
Scarlett was right.
He should stay away. Should leave her to her happy life. Her happy marriage.
He shouldn't bother her with his ridiculous pining over a kiss that didn't even mean anything.
That's what he told himself when he went to work that morning, knowing he would see her.
That's what he told himself when Sephiroth revealed that he would have to work late that night and asked Zack to drop Cloud home for him.
That's what he told himself as he helped her out of the car.
That's what he told himself as he stepped into the house; because it would be rude to turn down an offer of a cup of coffee wouldn't it? They were still friends after all. Things were back to normal again. All was well.
Just as it had been at the start when they were just two young newcomers in the cutthroat world of politics, bonding over their mutual innocence.
The kiss was forgotten.
That's what he told himself.
Right up until his back hit the edge of the counter, a pair of soft lips pressed insistently against his, delicate hands buried in spiky back hair drawing him closer.
When finally they separated Zack's eyes were dazed and his breathing came heavy and ragged.
"What...Cloud...what are we...?"
The blonde stared up at him, her cheeks flushed pink.
"I...I don't know...Zack I..." The blonde blinked up at him, eyes wide and surprised like she was only just realising what she had done.
For a moment the two stood in silence. Blue eyes locked together. Bodies flush.
"You're married"
"I know"
"We shouldn't"
"I know"
Seconds passed without words, neither knowing what to do when suddenly their lips met again in a violent clash of tongues and teeth. There were a thousand and one reasons they shouldn't be doing this but neither one could bring themselves to stop.
Not even the threat of being caught could slow them. Things at the office were hectic that night. Genesis had been ordering dinner even as Cloud and Zack were making their way out the door and it was clear that the redhead was planning to keep Sephiroth busy for as long as she could.
It would be hours before Clouds husband returned home and both her and Zack were acutely aware of it as their lust fuelled haze led them out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Hands roamed, mouths licked, bit and explored, clothes were discarded and before long the two friends were far past the point of no return.