Once in a lifetime

Chapter 8 Connection

They met at the corner of the block. When Zayn texted Harry to let him know he was on the way, turned out Harry was too. They greeted each other and made it to the restaurant. They were taken to their table, a nice private space not too close from the other ones. They were given with the menu and since both were hungry, they decided to order instantly.

"You know" Zayn begun, "You look really good tonight, Harry."

"Thank you, Zayn. You look good too. I really like the tee. Where did you get it?"

"This, um, is my own actually. I just had the idea one day to make something for fun and this came out. I have few other designs too, but this one stood up."

"That is seriously cool. You are putting out merch already?"

"Not at all, this is one of a kind. There is no other like it, yeah? I designed it and had it printed, that's all."

"Too bad, I'd like to get one if you decide to put them for sale, y'know?"

"I'll keep it mind" Zayn chuckled; secretly happy Harry liked his shirt.

"So, tell me all about the show and how did it all go with the paintings."

"Well, after I left that day, I followed your advice and went to Central Park with Li. We found this amazing girl, her work was just incredible, man, I felt it right away, the connection I was looking for."

"Connection." Harry wanted to scowl. Connection with a girl?

"It was awesome, Harry." Zayn continued, ignorant of the fact he was making Harry jealous with his words, too caught up thinking about Taryn's work to pay attention to Harry's expressions.

"Was it? That's great. Are you seeing her again?"

"Seeing her? I hope so! I asked her to be the main feature on the show. I fucking finally got the thing, that feeling with someone else's job, I wasn't about to let her go, yeah? Show starts this Tuesday."

"Oh, you mean you had a connection with her work?"

"I sure did. Remember I told you I wasn't feeling the other guy's work? I felt it with hers. I felt what she was trying to communicate, to let the world know. She is a cheeky girl, too. She will bring her girlfriend and all to the show. S' the first time it will be displayed like that, yeah? She's very excited."

"Nice, Zayn. Nice job then. M' glad you could get it sort out and seems that more than ok." Harry was able to breath properly again and the necessity to scowl was gone. This Taryn had a girlfriend. That had to mean she wasn't a competition, right?

"It was mainly because of you, yeah? Even Li was on my ass asking me who made me reconsider going out there to search for something new. So, I want to invite you to opening night, as my...um...my special guest, I guess? If you can't go is fine I just would love for you to see what I mean, yeah?"

"Well, I feel honoured, y'know? And as special guest, how about that? I'll be there for sure."

"Thank you, Harry. For everything, yeah?" Zayn stared right into his soul, or so Harry felt. Every single time Zayn would glue his eyes onto his like that, he felt very nervous. Like Zayn could see all of him.

"M' just glad I was of some use, Zayn." He managed to whisper, gazing rapidly to Zayn's lips and revisiting what he had done few times at home, jerking off, that is. He had to keep it cool otherwise it would be very uncomfortable in seconds.

Zayn, however, was having a tough time trying to avoid leaning forward to kiss Harry. Those lips, goddamn it, so pink, why were they so pink? He just wanted a taste. When he saw Harry looking at his lips, he felt his dick tremble. That was not the place nor the moment to get a hard on, for fucks sake. To distract himself, he cleared his dry throat and said, "You certainly did more than that, Harry."

They stayed silent for few minutes, a comfortable silence.

"Is there dress code?" Harry asked all the sudden.

"Umm, dress code? At the show you mean?" Zayn, caught off guard, took a second to process the question.

"Yeah, at opening night?"

"No, no. Is rather informal, yeah? Just having a good time around some wicked art. Very chill"

"Just thinking ahead, y'know. I want to look good if I'm a special guest."

Zayn couldn't help but to let out a soft giggle. Harry, dressing to impress.

"Whatever you put on I'm sure you will look great, yeah? I have seen you both formal and informal and rock both styles, no pun intended."

"You' re just being nice right now, Zayn." Harry blushed, hating doing it.

"I promise I'm not. Those curls and those dimples close the deal, yeah?" Zayn delivered as nonchalantly as he possibly could, sipping from his drink.

Harry blushed, again, and this time also let a weird squealy kind of noise.

"Please stop." He said with a panicky laugh.

"I'll stop" Zayn laughed, "I'll stop, but just be sure I meant it."

Harry couldn't help the light showing on his eyes after listening to Zayn's words. That was flirting, wasn't it? Harry decided it was only fair that he threw few compliments back to Zayn, he damned deserved them.

"You look very well yourself, anyway. I dig the pink hair a lot, y'know? I wish I would look that good if I ever did something so bold on mine, but some things are just not for everyone."

To that, Zayn half smirked and looked right at Harry's eyes, as it was common for him to do now.

"Thank you, Harry. I appreciate that."