Earned It [zarry]

Chapter 18

Zayn barges through the front door of the business. Erika looks at him for a few seconds before shrugging and looking back down. "Try not to ruin his ego too much Zayn. He still needs to have a tiny bit for a meeting today." She says smirking. And Zayn likes her. He really really does. Nodding to her in thanks, Zayn marches to the elevator and presses the button furiously and waited for the ride.

"Hey, asshole!" he shouts when he gets to the door. He slams it behind him and crosses his arms over his chest.

Harry is in the desk, writing something down, and he could hear Zayn coming from way down the hallways, the frantic rhythm of his foot steps as he approached.

He looks up slowly, watching Zayn pace. Harry has to steel himself from moving or touching or getting up and taking the last few steps to Zayn. Being this close to Zayn, after so many weeks is-hard. Harder than he thought it would be. It feels like only a day has passed since they were last together. Even now, Even though Zayn's fuming and saying obscene swear words at the curly haired lad.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

Zayn jumps a bit, scowling as he turns around to face Harry. "Do you get off on being a jerk, or is that just an incidental part of your personality?" he demands.

Harry doesn't answer, just takes the opportunity to look at Zayn. It's been a while. He looks so much better than the last time Harry really saw him, after the and trip back: the bags under his eyes are gone, he's put on a new hairstyle, and he's actually got the beginning of a stronger tan. Distance has been somewhat good for him. Even Harry can admit that.

"Stop staring at me," Zayn snaps. "What's your problem?"

"What's yours?" Harry asks, fighting to keep his voice even, not to give into the familiar urge to give into Zayn, to ignore confrontation which ends with a breathless make out sessions or sex that starts off furious and ends tender, loving. Harry quashes that thought before it gets any further.

"Okay, you don't get to- we broke up a month ago, stop thinking you are still a part of my life and that I would come back to you Harry. You're so damn high on your horse, and I honestly hope someone will push you down a notch or two. Stop being an assholes cause it isn't funny anymore. Tell the damn truth at least once Harold!"

Harry opens his mouth ready to apologise. He never intended to make Zayn upset. Then he remembers why Zayn was here most likely. For Theo's benefit. So he frowns and glares a bit. "Like I care what you think." Harry's voice is low and harsh and it hits Zayn like a ton of bricks. "Why would I care about what you think? You're just some stupid kid playing pretend, pretending like you're someone special when you're not. Stay in your own damn business Zayn."

Zayn thinks his heart stops before restarting and beating out an SOS painfully against his ribs.

'Well, I did ask for the truth' he thinks and the thought bounces around in his head: A malicious echo that mixes with Harry's words until it becomes white noise blocking out the blood rushing through his ears.

Zayn nods and realizes his hand is slowly reaching towards Harry. He drops it as if it burned, and turns on his heels and storms out the door with tears streaming down his face. And as he's heading to the elevator he wipes his face furiously and stands in the elevator with his eyes trained on Harry's office door. He sighs and sniffs in realisation that he didn't have his Harry anymore. That Harry isn't his Harry and that his stupid fantasies of getting back together we're nothing more than mere fantasies. The doors close, and Zayn drops his head to look at his feet. And he comes to another realisation.

This is the second time Harry didn't come after him like he wanted him to.

-

Harry sits in his office with his hands presses to his face, as he groans and complained about all his decisions and actions.

"I'm so so so stupid. Why did I even- fuck, it doesn't even...I'm stupid," he grumbles repeatedly. He keeps his eyes closed and he groans again before he's calling Erika and telling her to delete all of his meetings for today.

"Sure sir, but if you're leaving. I'll warn you that there are reporters out front. I'm guessing they saw Mr. Malik run out of your business crying."

Harry groans and hit his head as isn't the desk a few times, before pulling himself together and standing up. He puts his coat on and then puts his things in his pocket as he heads out. The the workers that are brave enough to say goodbye to him, he says goodbye back and smiles politely at them. He gets to the front doors, and like Erika said, there was a swarm of cameras and reporters screaming his name. Harry ducks his head, and walks through all the mess so he could get to his car. He could hear questions about Zayn and why he was crying. Questions on their past relationship. Even questions as blunt as 'how did you mess this one up Styles'. When he gets in the car again, Harry sighs and collects his thoughts before driving off.

A/N: he's a heartbroken asshole...you all know who I'm talking about 💔