Cloud looks up, no trace of humor to be found, and shakes his head. "Nothing changed. I just...mm." He sighs. "Didn't know what to say then. You put me on the spot! And...I didn't know how you felt about it."

Thinking and speaking were still kind of difficult at the time, too, but he doesn't feel the need to remind Zack just how weak he was for so long.

"But I guess...now I do." He gives Zack a small smile.