This - despite himself - actually gives Zack the warm fuzzies. If Alec cares that much... well nobody ever has, since Zack became what he is, and it's really nice.

Zack glances over at the child and feels a stab of... something. Something wistful and somehow cheated at the same time.

Yeah, he may be crushing on Alec some. Not in a romantic way, but it's been a bit like having a really nice brother. Zack doesn't like to admit this to himself and he wouldn't want to embarrass his friend with it.

"Didn't realise that. Thought he just saw me as a mate." Zack sits back a bit in his seat, still gripping his drink for some feeling of security. "How well d'you know him?"