Not to mention that if he cried here, Zack was liable to tease him. For a little while at least. Right now, though, he wouldn't say anything. Wouldn't it just be like Cloud to duck his head, to avoid looking at someone in the eyes? Zack allowed it, if only because there was something close to a laugh.

"I don't think anyone knew yet," he replied, apologetic. "So I wouldn't hold it against them, all right?"

He didn't fight the embrace either. It was much better than being pushed away or hit. Or anything, really. Zack's response was to hug the other in return, though reaching a hand into those blonde spikes to ruffle them a little bit. Cloud Strife... So emotional.

"What about you, though? Holding up okay?"