Cloud isn't sure when they started.
Zack's touches.
The slight finger grazing while they're handing stuff to one another. The occasional light shoulder massages during break times at the gym. The arm around the shoulders or hip while they're walking down the streets. The knee-to-knee touches when they're sitting too close to one another. The silly excuses to touch random parts of his – like the tips of his spiky hair, his nails, his knuckles and his earlobes.
And he knows Zack's watching him sometimes when he's not looking, and when the other man thinks that he's not aware.
He can also tell that all these actions aren't done out of just friendly interest, whether Zack realizes it or not.
He has received the same kind of interest from other men who tried hitting on him, and he even dated one.
Vincent Valentine. His first and only ex-boyfriend. A 30-something year old architect who designs sport stadiums, art galleries, hotels, skyscrapers and yada yada.
He met Vincent at one of those few fancy college networking parties he went to and the older man was instantly smitten with him.
The decision to date Vincent came easily because he thought his chances with Tifa were zilch, as she and Rude – her then boyfriend – seemed like they were going to last longer than her previous relationships.
It helped a lot too that Vincent has red eyes and dark black hair. Can't have Tifa? That's fine. At least he could imagine that he's fucking her whenever he's fucking Vincent.
So really, Zack's (supposed) interest in him isn't strange and something he hasn't dealt with before.
In fact, he thinks he would welcome it if the other man admits to it.
Why shouldn't he?
Yeah, he has a girlfriend but Zack's good-looking. Too good-looking to ignore.
The scar on his jaw is as eye-catching as the rest of the features on his face. Women flock to him like pigeons do when you toss crumbs of bread. Men are attracted to him too, though they can only make it obvious through little flirty glances and banters.
How can you not want someone that physically gorgeous to have the hots for you? Surely, Tifa would understand.
But most importantly, Cloud admires him.
Cloud looks up to him as someone he wants to be someday. The pictures he captured through his lenses have a vision that no one else has. He exudes the kind of confidence, openness and good humour that Cloud thinks he'll never be able to have.
But it's the same confidence, openness and good humour that make Zack such a good friend and companion. With Tifa, it feels like there's always this need to watch out for his words and actions, lest they hurt her without him meaning to.
With Zack? Everything comes natural. He doesn't need to try so hard because Zack does most of the lifting and seems more than happy to do so.
Of course, there's another side of him that… let's say, would shock anyone who doesn't know him enough.
Specifically, the aggression and gutter mouth when he doesn't get his way.
But it doesn't really matter to Cloud. He can handle it. He has shut Zack down several times already whenever the other man overstepped in his anger.
Someone used to tell him, "You got huge balls standing up against the psycho when he's out here screaming about killing everyone."
Maybe he's reading into it too much but Zack reacts to him differently than he does with others. When facing him, Zack seems more willing to stop putting up a fight and he never figured out why.
Cloud's eyeing Zack now as the other man's busy photographing a lingerie-clad client. His ears are all open for any instruction about angling the reflector he's holding.
One last flash dazzles the whole shooting area and Zack quickly checks the taken image.
"Alright. That's it for today. Good work everyone."
Cloud hands the reflector to someone nearby, then makes his way to Zack.
"Is there anything else that you need help with?" he asks.
A typical question that he has to ask before the workday ends because at times, last minute small errands like emailing a client, rescheduling a shoot, or reaching out to an event organizer needs to be done.
"Are you free now?"
"I… guess I am. Why?"
"Want to process some photos?"
Zack's looking at him with a smile that makes his eyes glow softer than usual.
He does this a lot lately and it makes Cloud stupidly nervous.
"Okay…"
They haven't even look away from each other when a woman who doesn't work at the studio but still comes around uninvited almost every day anyway, barges in and starts hollering at Zack.
"Babe! I've been trying to reach you. You didn't answer any of my calls!"
Zack rolls his eyes.
"Oh, hi Cloud!" greets the woman who's in a pink turtleneck sweater and jeans. She's draping her arms around one of Zack's.
"I was fucking busy. I have no time to answer calls when I'm in a photoshoot, Aerith. You know that."
Aerith Gainsborough. Zack's long-time girlfriend. A pretty woman with long wavy brown hair and a rare pair of green eyes. Whenever she stands next to Zack, it's like staring at two otherworldly humans from the other side of the universe. They're beautiful and fit each other like a glove.
It almost pisses Cloud off sometimes.
Aerith wistfully taps a finger onto Zack's nose. "Don't get mad. I want to go out for dinner with you tonight."
"But I have something to do with Cloud to-"
"It's alright, Zack," Cloud rushes to interrupt. "We can do it tomorrow."
Zack presses his lips together like he's holding back from protesting.
He gives up eventually. "Fine. Whatever you say."
"See you around, Cloud!" Aerith says as the pair spin around to start making their way out of the studio.
Cloud can still hear her fading voice as they walk further away.
"There's this new place I want to try… it's called Avalanche in Sector 7, I think-"
Zack makes some returning remarks.
Then the other man turns his head slightly backwards, as if trying to catch a glimpse of him.
They're looking at each other again.
If only he played along.
Zack would have stayed.