Once in a lifetime

Chapter 12 Date

"It's very clear, Tommo. Our boy here is finally dating." Ni said, still laughing.

"I know, and another guy, nothing less. How did you get this poor fella to agree to this, Barry?"

"Shuddup, Lou. I told you already, not repeating myself."

"I'm messing with you, just messing with you, lad. Oi, that's great, Harry. Are you planning on introducing us or are you keeping us as your dirty little secret?"

"He has a show coming up and he told me to invite you too. It starts this Tuesday so if you want you can come with me. His gallery is showing a new artist he found one of the days we spoke, so you need to behave, y'know? It's gonna be a family show, you have to be good."

"When don't we behave? I'm in, Barry. I really want to meet the lad, sounds proper cool, don't he, Nialler?"

"I'm in too. I am very happy for you, H. I haven't seen you this excited in forever."

"Thank you, bois. M' scared and happy about this. I dunno how it all started, it was too fast, y'know?"

"We can tell, Harry. Take it slow but enjoy the ride, okay? Don't overthink, mate. We will always be right there if you need us, you know that." Ni said and Lou nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Barry. You know we will always have your back."

They talked a lot more, Lou about Ele and how they are having fun while still trying to get pregnant, Niall and Shawn living happily inside their music bubble and Harry was beyond delighted he was able to bring some of his own romance to the conversation. After they finished lunch and they went their separate ways, he called Anne and told her everything about Zayn. She told him how happy she was for them and that she couldn't wait to meet him. He wondered how Ms. Malik took the news, if Zayn had brought any guys home before. They talked about a lot of things, but how they came out was never amongst them.

When he was back at his office, Sarah, his assistant, told him there was something for him at this desk. When he saw the sunflowers bouquet, he knew who had sent them. His heart leapt in his chest and a dimply smile covered his face. Zayn was a very romantic man, for the looks of it. He approached to grab the note that came with it, unable to stop smiling in the process.

"When you read this, you had probably told your friends and mom about us. Whatever happened, just know I'm fucking thankful for having you and for being yours. If you need me, babe, you know right where I am. You are the best, Harry. Date tonight, my place? Yours, Z"

Yours, Z. Harry had never had anyone before, he hadn't wanted it. Clearly, he understood that Zayn was Zayn's and he was his, but the notion of belonging, knowing that you willingly give yourself to someone and that person gives himself back to you and together you decide that you want to belong to each other was all he cared about. They belonged, and for Harry, that was enough.

He kissed the card and safely stored it inside his wallet. He picked his phone up and called his boyfriend, hoping he wouldn't barge in, but Zayn picked up right away.

"Hi babe. How did it all go? You okay?" Was how Zayn greeted him.

"Hi honey. M'good, yeah. It all was very smooth, they all knew already m' into guys too so that wasn't a shocker, they were more surprised I got into a serious relationship than the fact it's with a man."

"Honey, huh?" he asked with a soft giggle, "Well, I'm pleased to hear, Haz."

"Honey, yes. You like it? So, like, you'd be the spoon too, I'll dip you in honey so I can be sticking to you. I love the sunflowers babe, so thanks a lot. So nice of you, I see you did your homework. And m' up for a date."