Limelight

Zach, Diaz and Zeke: Apology

(Zeke's redemption! I've got one more Limelight planned for Zaz, but the next couple of one-shots will probably be in Beyond The Barrier)

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He'd been calling him all night, but Diaz still wasn't picking up. Zeke wasn't surprised, though; he'd really messed up this time, and it looked like before he could even earn his friend's forgiveness, he would have to earn his trust back. Enough that he'd listen, at least. And only Z knew if he'd even accept his explanation.

Diaz had been avoiding him. He'd been walking to school with Zach instead of Zeke, Hazen and the girls. He barely even looked at him during the couple of classes they had together. He sat with BFZ at lunch. Fritz was opting to stay out of it, at least for now, and was mostly hanging out with his football friends. And then Bucky was getting on Zeke's case for not being 'cheery' enough at practice.

Alonzo had finally called him out and set him straight today, but Zeke still hadn't done anything about it. He was trying to, sure, but that was proving to be easier said than done. And he wasn't really sure what to say if Diaz did pick up. He was usually great at confronting people, but when it came to his best friends, he could break easily.

"I think you should, like, actually talk to Zach, too, though. You owe him an apology."

Zeke sighed. He knew Al was right. He knew he needed to apologise to Zach. But that was completely new to him – being the one in the wrong. Having to admit when someone didn't deserve whatever he had done to them. But Diaz wasn't going to listen to him, so maybe he would have to go to Zach first.

He sat there on the edge of his bed staring down at his Z-band in silence, his hand hovering above it. Then he shook his head and huffed.

Tomorrow. He'd do it tomorrow. In person.

– LIMELIGHT –

Zach almost jumped when he closed his front door the next morning and turned around to see Zeke Blakeley standing at the end of the drive, looking right at him. He couldn't read his expression but considering what happened the last time they saw each other, and the state of Zeke and Diaz's friendship lately, which was sort of Zach's fault, he didn't like his chances. He glanced up and down the street and took a cautious step off the porch.

"Um-"

"I'm not here to start a fight."

Zach wasn't sure how to respond at first, then he shrugged and shook his head, "I wouldn't blame you. I kinda ruined your friendship." He came a little closer.

"No, you didn't. It's my own fault Dee won't talk to me, I went too far."

"... What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'm sorry for punching you," Zeke was looking him straight in the eye, completely sincere, "You didn't deserve that."

For a moment, Zach just stared at him, "Why don't you like me dating Diaz? What did I ever do to you?"

"Nothing," he hesitated, "... I just didn't trust you. 'Cause I didn't really know how you'd act in a relationship. And I was scared you'd out him 'cause I thought you just wouldn't ever shut up about finally getting a date or you'd want to show him off or something."

Zach frowned, "You think I'd do that?"

"Not anymore. Al talked some sense into me. I know you're not really like that."

There was a pause as Zeke hung his head while Zach thought it all over.

"I get it. I mean, with my reputation, I wouldn't trust me either," he chuckled, "I wouldn't try to knock me out, but I get it."

Surprisingly, Zeke actually laughed with him.

"Seriously, though, Zach. You're a great guy. I guess you can actually be a good boyfriend."

Zach grinned, folding his arms and propping up his chin in his hand.

"Wow. You know, that's very flattering, Zeke, but I'm taken."

Zeke's smile dropped.

"Don't push it."

– LIMELIGHT –

It didn't take long for Diaz to appear. Zeke had met Hazen and Izabelle and made his way to school while he knew Zach would most likely be telling him about their conversation. So when Zeke turned away from his locker to find Diaz nervously waiting behind him, he wasn't the slightest bit surprised.

"Hey," he said plainly.

"You apologised to Zach?"

Zeke nodded, "Yeah. I figured I should take care of that first. He did get the worst of it."

"Good. So, you gonna explain to me what your whole problem with him was in the first place?"

This was it. He looked around, making sure nobody else was listening. It would be horribly ironic if he accidently outed Diaz now. He lowered his voice.

"Zach's just... totally shameless," he cringed inwardly at how that sounded, "And, like, that's great for him! He can be out and be OK with that, but you can't. And I just kept thinking, what if it got out? If he couldn't keep it secret and told anybody or if any other person saw you kissing him or something?"

"He wouldn't risk that!"

"Yeah, I get that now! Alonzo called me out on it. I don't think I've ever seen Al get mad before yesterday. He told me I didn't know what I was talking about and Zach's always been really careful with this sort of thing."

There was a pause while Diaz just looked at him as he took everything in.

"You didn't have to jump to conclusions like that."

"I know."

"And you could've told me what the problem was from the start."

"I tried to!" he couldn't help getting a little defensive, "You didn't wanna listen to me."

"Yeah, 'cause you always started with 'Zach's no good'. Can you blame me?"

"OK, I was wrong about him. I'm sorry."

Diaz said nothing. He looked away, then down to the floor, then finally back at Zeke, "... What did he say?"

"Zach?" Zeke asked and Diaz nodded, "He said he understood why I was so worried. I don't really know Zach so he wasn't surprised I got the wrong idea but..." he shrugged, "Other than that, exactly what you said. He wouldn't risk it."

"You believe him?" he sounded hopeful. Zeke wasn't going to let him down now.

"Yeah. And I think he could actually be pretty good for you."

Diaz smiled and Zeke felt a wave of relief, "Thanks," he fell into step beside Zeke as they started walking, "Just don't go punching my boyfriend again and we're cool."

"I won't. Swear on my grave," he promised. Then muttered under his breath, "Unless he actually does do something stupid."

Diaz punched his arm. But he was still smiling.