Chapter Text
The next morning you opened your eyes to the pastel glow the sun bathed your bedroom in. Yawning, you sat up and as you looked through the window you were met with the clear blue sky. Then your gaze fell upon your mobile laying on the bed table, blinking as to show your new messages.
Of course it was Zack who had sent them.
„Did you get home safely?"
„Spiky did take care of it, didn't he??"
Chuckling you rolled your eyes but instead of answering right away, you decided to wait for a bit. Not because you didn't want to text him but because you knew he was busy at the moment, with him usually being at the gym with Angeal or jogging every Sunday morning. Yeah, he actually was as hyper as that – something you couldn't quite understand being no morning person and all.
Rather happy about having some time for yourself for a change you prepared your favourite hot beverage to make yourself comfortable on the armchair with a new book you bought yesterday, afterwards.
An hour went by like this and if it were for you many could've followed after it, if it hadn't been for someone ringing the bell, which dragged you back to reality.
Sighing you glanced down at yourself. You were still wearing your pajamas consisting of baggy pants and a big shirt, and while you did freshen up you went without putting on any make up, your hair up in a messy bun.
Why should it have been different, though? It was Sunday and as everyone learned by reading or watching Harry Potter: no post on Sundays.
Without thinking too much of it you shuffled to the door. When you opened it though you wish you hadn't. There he was, being as hyper as ever, the only thing missing a dog leash between his teeth to pass for an actual puppy, you thought.
He looked down at you with a big grin on his face.
"Rise and shine, [Name]! Cute pj's by the way."
You groaned. As much as you did enjoy spending time with him (even more after the past two days) you really didn't want to be bothered right now.
"Zack, how often do I need to tell you I like to keep Sundays to myself?"
He didn't apologize, heck he didn't even wait for you to invite him in, instead the dark haired male just pushed the two of you inside your flat and shut the door.
"Oh, come on, don't be like that! I even texted you I'd come over, didn't you get it?"
You thought about your mobile phone, still laying in your bedroom and shook your head.
"...no."
Zack laughed.
"You sound just like Cloud. It really does seem like you're spending too much time together, just like when he was so... sarcastic yesterday... did I use that word correctly? What was that about anyways?"
"You're talking too much, puppy. Do you want to drink something? No caffeine though, seems like you've had enough of that already."
"You're mean!", he whined, one second later he hugged you though. "Wait, you're not mad at me, are you?"
Sighing you placed your hands on his back, feeling his muscles tense a bit and leaned your head against his chest.
The scent of his aftershave filled your lungs and you wondered if he had just put it on. Considering his duffle bag he used for the gym on your floor, it did make sense.
"Is there a reason I should be? Well aside from interrupting my precious reading time."
His laugh resonated in your flat and against your body, which filled you once again with the feeling of hundreds of butterflies in your stomach.
"You're such a nerd, [Name]. No, I meant because I just ran away yesterday after giving you a kiss on the cheek... Angeal thought it was kinda dumb... because of the others, y'know?"
"Oh", chuckling you took a little step backwards and looked up at the tall male. He eyed you carefully, his brows knitted. Only when you shook your head, Zack relaxed.
"Well, I admit it wasn't the best idea you came up with but... it's OK, I guess. I'll live."
"Whew, good! ...uhm could I have some hot chocolate now? Please? Yours is the best!"
"Ugh Zack, you're so nerve-wrecking."
"Isn't that why you like having me around so much?"
Laughing he ruffled your hair and entered your living room. Not long after that you heard him sigh in content and switch on the TV.
You shook your head and giggled. Could he become even clingier from now on? Before today, Zack never tried visiting you on a Sunday and settled for whenever the two of you found time to hang out.
Once again, you shook your head. As long as that's the only thing that's going to change between us, it's fine.
Zack's hot chocolate in your hand you returned to your living room and passed him the beverage, ruffling his hair in the process.
"Thanks!"
As soon as you walked past him and wanted to take place on your armchair again though, you heard Zack whimper behind you. Turning towards him you were greeted by his huge blue eyes, the rest of his face covered by the mug in his hands.
"What?"
The male blinked. Although you still couldn't make anything out but his eyes you knew him well enough to know that he was smiling sheepishly.
"Don't you want to sit with me? I'll be quiet, promised."
Fighting back both a groan and a smile, you grabbed your book and followed his wish. Sure, Zack was being annoying as always, but you couldn't help but find his antics adorable. Not to mention part of you (the one that didn't want to read in peace) actually wanted to be near him.
"Fine."
In an instant, a big grin sprawled across his face, only fading a bit when you kept some distance between the two of you while sitting down. However, Zack of course didn't want any of that, thus scooting right beside you. Moreover, he pulled the most cliché move on you by yawning and reaching his arm around your shoulder but you just laughed a bit.
It was rather nice actually, you thought to yourself. The feeling of his thumb drawing small circles on your arm and the scent of his aftershave... you could become accustomed to reading like that.
"So..."
If Zack's memory hadn't been as bad as that of a real puppy, that is. Not even bothering to look at him, you shut your book with a loud noise.
"Huh? Did I do something wrong?"
The fact, that he didn't even register his mistake, raised you a smile. Why did he have to be so dumb and yet so cute?
"O-oh, right... do you want me to shut up?"
"Nah, it's OK. What did you want to say?"
Suddenly he didn't seem like himself anymore. Although he still had his arm around you and drew patterns on your skin, he was tensed almost as if he was... nervous. His next words added to your suspicions.
"Doesn't matter... I'll be quiet from now on so you can read, OK?"
You still weren't satisfied but since you didn't want to pressure him any further you thanked him with a hum and applied yourself back to your book. Relaxing in his touch, you leaned your head against his shoulder and it wasn't long until the circles of his thumb ceased. It wasn't until his head slumped on top of yours, though that you noticed Zack fell asleep.
Chuckling softly you puffed a stray of his hair out of your face.
"Just what am I going to do with you, huh puppy?"
Another hour passed, Zack's head now placed in your lap. You didn't know when but eventually you started caressing his hair, only stopping whenever you had to turn the page. You didn't know why exactly but the feeling of his soft hair between your fingers calmed you.
As you were just about to turn another page, there was a slight whimper all of a sudden.
"Hey, please don't stop!"
Freezing, you just glanced down at Zack in embarrassment, only to see his striking blue eyes focused on you.
"Y-you're awake?"
A smile played about his lips, "yup! Did I ever tell you that you're pretty damn comfortable?"
"No", you laughed, laying your book aside. Seeing that he didn't attempt to sit up, you smiled down at Zack and resumed stroking his hair just like he asked you to.
"That's a kinda creepy thing to say though, don't you think?", you joke.
"You're creepy..."
"Yeah, sure. Are you going to tell me now why you came over? Like I said you know I like being alone on Sundays."
The male crossed his arms and pretended to pout but you still noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"I know, I know, you need time for yourself after being around people every other day of the week, blah blah... but I guess I just wanted to see you, you know? And it's not that bad, is it?"
"You just slept almost two hours."
"See? I didn't disturb you then."
"That's not what I meant."
He stuck out his tongue but sighed right after and sat back up. Just like on your date, his cheeks were tinted red and you still were new to the sight of it.
"I know, I'm sorry... hey [Name]?"
"Yeah Zack?"
He averted his eyes, refusing to look at you.
"The way you act... I take that as a hint that you don't want to go on another date with me? It's OK, really, I just ...want to make sure that my stupid little crush won't get in between us, you know? I mean, it wouldn't be the first time for me to be turned down, far from it, actually", albeit what he said, Zack laughed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "But I never fell for my best friend before, so I was kinda scared to lose you..."
So that's what all of this is about, you thought and couldn't hold back a smile about his 'stupid little crush'.
"Zack..."
"Maybe it was a stupid idea to ask you out, after all..."
You shook your head, placing a hand on his cheek to make him look at you. Smiling you leaned forward and kissed his other cheek, resting your forehead against his temple afterwards.
"You do know that you did just confess to me, do you?"
Zack chuckled.
"Well, it's not like I tried to keep it a secret the last few days now, is it? So... you want to go on a second date with me?"
"And a third, and a forth, until you're fed up with me", you whispered. "As long as we can still joke around like before, I don't mind."
It was silly but after hearing all those words from him, you knew you really did like him in that way. Sure, he was extremely hyper and clingy but at the same time he was everything you ever asked for. Zack was your best friend – you trusted him. Nothing more important for a relationship than that, is there?
"That can be arranged. I'm warning you, though", saying that he leaned back a bit, a playful grin on his face.
Just as you wanted to ask, what he wants you to warn about he leaned back in and closed the gap between your lips, capturing them in a surprisingly gentle kiss that only lasted for a few seconds and still made you go all lightheaded and a blushing mess.
As you broke the kiss, he was still grinning and his eyes glistening.
"I don't think I'll be fed up with you anytime soon."