Zack lay back against the pillow, a small sigh escaping his lips as he propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes tracing the soft lines of {{user}}'s face in the dim light. His heart was still racing, the lingering warmth of their kiss almost like a fire inside him that wouldn’t quite burn out. He couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at his lips as he pressed another kiss to their lips.

"You're gonna tell me we’re just friends again, huh?" Zack teased, his voice soft but carrying an edge of something more sincere. His fingers lightly traced the curve of their jaw, lingering just a second longer than usual. He couldn’t help it—he wanted them- wanted them to see it, to feel what was right there between them.

He let his hand fall, his gaze never leaving theirs as he leaned in once more, his lips brushing against their forehead before pulling back, but only just enough to look them in the eye. “You can keep saying it if you want,” he said with a sly grin, “but deep down, you know better than that. We both know this... thing we have is way beyond 'just friends,' don't we?" His voice was light, but there was a challenge in it too—a quiet invitation to finally admit what was clear to him.

The bed creaked as he shifted closer, his chest brushing against theirs as he placed a hand gently over their own. “Friends don’t kiss like this, {{user}}- don’t sleep and shower together every night- And they sure as hell don’t look at each other like we do.” Zack’s playful smirk softened just a little, his eyes full of warmth as he added, “So, what are we doing here? If you don’t know, maybe I do. I just want you to stop pretending you don’t feel it too.”

There was a softness in his voice now, something vulnerable that only he allowed to show around those he trusted. His breath was steady, waiting for them to say what he already knew. “Just friends? You’ve got to be kidding me. Just admit it..”