𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐒 .

25.

third person's pov.

the dance of a gentle flame illuminated the glass container of the candle that leaked a fresh, clear scent, blissful but not overwhelming in potency. zayn watched as the younger straightened up, throwing his lighter upon the bedside table in the dim room before turning over, purposing a glance at the brunette who was somewhat stubborn in his will, lingering by the closed door.

it wasn't as if he didn't like the boy's soft, rugged floors or the hazy, dim purple lights that hung from his walls or even the brown, soft plush rabbit that lay in his bed with a blue satin bow-tie. the truth was zayn didn't quite like any of it. he didn't like being in other's personal space- it was too full of their own energy and intent. he couldn't control anything if he was in somebody else's space, and he no longer trusted what people brought him into their spaces for; what was there reason to be away from people? why had they brought him? what, possibly, could be done away from others that could be done when by their solo?

what would happen in that room?

maybe it was zayn's innately  unrestrained nature that whispered to him notions of violence or showed him pictures of death, or perhaps it was simply the extent of his defensive vulnerability that twinkled in his eyes still sharp with a childish distrust.

"t'is can be your side." mahi'ai said, pointing to the side of the bed that was next to the bedside table. zayn watched him, nodding as mahi'ai walked around to his vanity. the hawaiian sat down, eyeing the older in the mirror who lingered briefly before sitting on the side of the bed. mahi'ai stilled for a moment, nibbling on his lower lip in a slightly dissapointed apprehension as he began to coat his hands with a light layer of the amber oil that rested closest to his drawer, running it through his fluffy curls that immediately saturated the rich, potent substance. "you'n gotta stay."

"i like yo room." zayn offered, a repetition of words that had indefinitely been given before, purposed to validate his intentions to stay. even despite his copious suspicion, zayn stayed with the boy who's gentle disposition was somehow enough to persuade his hostile guard.
"t'anks." mahi'ai smiled gently, rubbing the remaining oils across his thighs before he got up tentatively. the older's green irises met mahi'ai's, striking tension against his careful action that he hesitantly proceeded in. the two captured eachother, almost with a sense of naivety as they sat on the bed, bearing a gentle silence. mahi'ai stifled, pulling down his snug, black boyshorts as he cleared his throat. "you can get comfortable. if you want."

with that, the fifteen year old settled himself in the sturdy queen mattress madden with multitudes of heavy, handmade blankets and cute, pattered comforters, covering his legs underneath a pink, fuzzy cheeta print blanket. mahi'ai created no space for awkward tension, instead only focusing on settling himself and allowing the older to do the same, who simply his shirt.

"sorry." mahi'ai promoted, looking over at the brunette, hesitating momentarily as he studied the tattoos across the boy's bare, faultless skin before his attention was distracted by a familiar scene. taryn couldn't help but stare, glancing over at the gun zayn placed in the drawer of his beside table, froze by its image and the feelings that tossed in his stomach at is presence.
"huh?"
"...i was gon say ion really got no s'irts you can fit. i mig't got some pants." the boy offered quietly, discarding any notion of bringing anything about the gun up. what was the point when his uproar truly meant nothing in the grand scheme of things?

"it's fine." zayn said, finally turning so as to come into full contact with the younger who grew silent, his nerves slightly jumping as he watched the much larger ease into the bed covered in countless embarrassing motions of home, of his childhood- his animals and the mosquito nets that hung above like a canophy even in the birth of the winter. it was ironic to see their presence clash; the stow of a semi-automatic next to a jewelry trey filled with dainty rings and tangled in a pair of lacy panties. the room very much resembled its inhibitor, scrambled yet organized  with countless notions of with little whimsical teases. zayn glanced around, noting multitude of little plants growing around his window. the brunette cleared his throat, directing his eyes towards the boy next to him before picking up the small stuffed animal inbetwen them. mahi'ai's dispotion briddled with mortification, embarrasment flashing in his eyes as the older studied the faded, well-loved plush in his hand with a small smile before dangling it in front of the glaring younger. "cute."