the boy next door « z.m.

six · /sɪks/

The evening couldn't have possibly been any better. That may or may not have something to do with the end of the night if you ask the two yourself. Thick snowflakes start falling around midnight, Zayn is standing at Liam's window facade. The past events replay in his mind, it seems like with each snowflake that he focuses on another image flashes before his eyes. Tender touches and smiles have already been exchanged by now and there is a lot more yet to come. He is incredibly focused on following the little snowflakes dance to the ground, which results in him not even noticing that Liam has entered the room again. Liam himself stops in the door frame and examines his own object of interest: the now not-so-foreign-anymore man in front of his window facade. His face is tenderly touched by the warm light coming from his Christmas tree and he looks incredibly beautiful, Liam thinks. He can't believe how fond he has grown of his neighbor, but now he doesn't want to imagine his life without him. While the snowflakes fall evenly from the sky, Liam, careful not to make a sound, stalks towards Zayn. He looks so soft that by now Liam can't stop the urge of sliding one arm around Zayn's waist. And maybe, just maybe, he doesn't even want to stop or resist the urge. With one last thought dedicated to how tender and delicate Zayn looks, Liam slips one arm around his waist. He can feel Zayn jumping slightly. But instead of pulling away, he holds onto him a little tighter. And Zayn does what Liam wouldn't have dared to wish for in his dreams: he scoots closer. His head tilts slightly and rests on his left shoulder, Liam's heart picks up its pace after shortly stopping. And that's how they want to stay for the rest of the night. Both of them wordlessly agree to the unspoken question of staying like this forever. That's how they stay for a while until Zayn starts to shiver. He's been trying to hide the fact that he's feeling cold for a long time now, but finally, he gives in to the urge to slightly tremble. In hopes of covering up, he desperately tries to hide his shoulders from shaking, but it's too late. Liam has already picked up on Zayn feeling cold. But if Liam is honest, he doesn't know what to do. Is he supposed to pull Zayn in? However Zayn doesn't have the body warmth left to wait for Liam to pull him in, so he shows him what he's in desperate need for. Normally he isn't someone to make the first step, especially not when love is involved. But there must be something about the snowflakes slowly making their way to the ground or maybe it is just Liam. So Zayn simply shows him what he needs Liam to do. He slips his hands around Liam's waist, careful not to hurt him or anything, and rests his head on his chest. It's funny how he once perceived his chest as hard, as he bumped into Liam in the lobby. Now his chest feels warm and comfy. Their stomachs touch, a tingling sensation rushes through both their bodies. At first, it's only Zayn's arms wrapped around Liam's waist and his head on Liam's chest. If Liam is being honest right now, he doesn't know what to do and there are almost as many thoughts rushing through his head as snowflakes in New York City right now. His heart rate increases rapidly with Zayn's ear right above the spot closest to his heart. Wrap your arms around him, his inner self was screaming at him. And so, he does as told. It feels kind of scary, kind of new at the start, but the atmosphere soon changes to pure bliss and comfort. The feeling of dizziness holds a firm grip on Liam's body, he doesn't know how to calm his nerves. And as he is still thinking, he doesn't even notice his hands gently stroking and scratching across Zayn's back. Liam can't quite believe it works, but his muscles slowly relax and he devotes himself fully to this moment. A relaxed and satisfied sigh escapes Zayn's lips and breaks the comfortable silence, this moment is perfect for both of them. Had someone described this moment to them mere weeks ago, they would've thought they were wind up. Wintertime truly is a magical time, isn't it? As time passed, Liam slowly but surely grows to be bolder and lets his hands wander to Zayn's head to continue his scratching. Another five minutes pass, the urge to feel the counterpart's lips on his own rises in both of them. Kiss him, his inner voice urges Liam once more. There is no time to further think. This moment has the sore purpose of being guided by what you feel. And Liam realizes exactly that, so he cups Zayn's face and gently lifts his head off his chest. His and the smaller one's eyes meet, both feel tired yet wide awake. Liam can feel the warmth radiating off of the raven-haired man's face underneath his palm and he tenderly caresses his face. A small smile is set on Zayn's lips in excitement at what follows. With one last reassuring look at his counterpart's face, the taller one slowly leans in and meets Zayn's lips in the middle. The feeling of tingling around his stomach makes Zayn feel fuzzy and warm on the inside as their lips touch. Even if one of them had tried to imagine this moment, it wouldn't have nearly been comparable to what it actually feels like. Both hearts skip a beat, both hearts beat in the same rhythm. This moment is for them, only them, and time is frozen. And none of them would have it any differently.
Zayn reaches up into Liam's hair to softly tug at it making Liam breathe heavily into the kiss. It is Liam's first kiss with a man, but he now can't imagine kissing anyone else but Zayn ever again. His lips are just perfect to Liam, additionally to everything about Zayn himself. Their lips part again leaving both gasping for air: »Wow-«, leaves Liam's lips in a stunned manner.
»Wow.«, Zayn agrees. But there isn't much time to talk due to the urge to kiss their counterpart once more growing almost impossible to bear with seconds passing. And with only the snowflakes watching, they reunite their lips again, which isn't the last time this evening, they will do so.
They have come a long way to end up right here, right where they belong. And it is sure to tell, that this may be their first Christmas together, but surely not their last.