For Lovers Only - [A Zarry Stylik]©️

XXXIII- THE HEARING vol. IV

NOW

The car came to a halt in front of their house. It all seemed so foreign and so distant looking at it now. Zayn stepped out of the car, looked at the place he once called home and felt a disconnect from it.

A distance he couldn't quite avoid. It was like knowing the steps to a magic trick - it had lost all things magical about it and it was nothing but that: A trick. It was once a place of companionship. Now it was a testament to all they had shared once and now was gone.

He remembered the day they moved in, and how excited they were about getting a place of their own. For a moment, while living in that fantasy, Zayn thought he could be happy with Liam. Truly happy.

Watching Liam walk around the house telling him all the plans for design and furniture, looking so alive and happy, made his heart grow warm. Liam was happy. Liam was smiling, planning for their future together and living his best moment.

That was the goal: for him to be happy and not so broken. He loved the smiling Liam who told jokes, who was comfortable and calm without Zayn around. The strong Liam. He hated the dependant Liam, the one who was mean, evil, manipulative and the one who seemed to be in control for the most part.

They were a part of the same person. You couldn't have one without the other.

It had been a nice home.

A place where they built their lives together. Where they welcomed Jaimie and created a space for him.

Now it was an empty carcass. A mirage. A false narrative standing right in front of Zayn. A disconnection from where he was now.

"Hey," Harry asked, placing one hand on his. "Are you okay?"

"Haven't been here in a while. My stuff is still in there."

"We'll get them, baby." Another strong nod from Zayn who kept looking at the large windows. Meanwhile, Harry looked around. "I don't see Liam's car."

Zayn mimicked him searching the street.

"Yeah, I don't see him either."

"Maybe he stopped somewhere?"

"Yeah, maybe." Zayn's eyes lingered back on the house. "I went about this all wrong, you know?"

"It's lovely to hear you saying you regret choosing me, baby."

"No, no, that's not-"

"I know," Harry responded with a soft smile. "I know. This is way too complicated."

"I should've done it the right way. Ended things with Liam. Fixing myself for you. Then working on us. But, I was impatient. I was selfish. Now, here I am."

"You did what needed to be done," Harry added. "I honestly believe there wasn't any other way. You wouldn't have left."

Zayn gathered his eyebrows, finding Harry's green eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Not by your desire, at least." Harry continued. "You needed me to pull you along. To incentivise you to find me and to love me."

"I have always loved you."

"I know, but you needed courage. Imagine I had stood my ground and ignored you. Would you have left him or would we still be platonically in love?"

Zayn squeezed Harry's hand, looking into his eyes.

"You're the best thing that has ever happened to me,"

Harry pulled him closer, landing a small kiss on his forehead.

"I still have the tickets bookmarked," Harry whispered. "All I need is a date."