What if Cloud, who’s so socially awkward and can’t offer more than a grimace when faced with strangers suddenly talking to him, wasn’t like that at all behind closed doors?
Zack had always thought that if he ever managed to gather enough courage to finally ask the blond out he’d have to take things slow. Be mindful of his boundaries and not just barrel head first into anything like he usually did.
He was prepared to do it obviously. Was so ready to do whatever the hell it took to make Cloud comfortable and happy. Even if it required him to slow down and think things through a bit. He would have done it.
But Cloud being Cloud, always blowing Zack’s expectations and thoughts out of the water, had thrown Zack for a complete loop once they had started dating.
He was still shy about the pda and pet names out in public. Blushed like crazy and hid his face when Zack got too teasing with it. But when they were in one of their apartments it’s like he became someone wholly different.
Yeah he still blushed but he was all too ready to return the pet names and flirting tenfold, shooting Zack a coy smile he’d never seen before and calling him love like it was completely natural.
Zack is not ashamed to admit he’d never been more embarrassed before, had blushed up to his ears and stuttered so hard he’d been the one hiding away from the other. Cloud had laughed, all soft and filled with affection and Zack had died just a little on the inside.
The blond even went the extra mile, prying Zack’s hands from his face and smiling down at him with so much love it was near blinding.
The whispered ‘hello starlight’ had been the end of him, face feeling like it was melting and chest so ready to burst he had to tackle the other into a hug and use him as a shield.
Cloud merely laughed all the while, the sound of it so happy and carefree Zack wished to stay in that moment forever. Even if he had to feel the heat in his face and the pain of his heart beating so fast for the rest of time, it was worth it in Zack’s book.
