When Destiny Hesitates [ZARRY]

Chapter 26

Harry's POV

Curled together on the blanket beneath twinkling stars after Zayn's romantic picnic dinner ends, warmth seeps bone deep feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek. Zayn's palm smooths unconsciously up and down my spine lulling my crashed defences into surrendering reciprocally to tender devotion holding me afloat.

Something clicks irrevocably into place seeing an entire meticulously planned date crafted making my heart the sole focal point. Zayn has dealt with emotional walls blocking access for months without losing stamina knocking patiently against bricks in blind faith of who waits guarded on the other side. Perhaps his perseverant willingness even when I withdraw timidly like a threatened turtle deserves the reward of all barriers collapsing at last...

Tilting up to memorize each long dark eyelash fanned across sharp cheekbones in repose, Zayn's eyes blink open as if sensing my intuitive shift. His lips part softly but I cover them gently with one finger before doubts creep back in, stealing fragile resolve off my tongue in a hushed rush-

"Make love to me tonight?"

All air vanishes sharply from my lungs the instant vulnerable truth escapes into sacred space stretched taut between us. Zayn's shocked inhale mirrors my own before his expression shifts slowly awestruck. One reverent palm lifts to cradle my jaw as if cupping something infinitely precious not daring to shatter gossamer anticipation crystallizing this profound moment.

"Baby, are you...I mean, we don't have to if..." Zayn's awed whisper breaks off helplessly as my teeth catch his thumb brushing tenderly across bitten lips in silent permission.

Slowly I guide up onto my elbow, heart thundering at courage to gift ultimate physical trust after guarding emotional connection so fiercely first. "I want this. I'm ready for you to be my first...if you'll have me fully now," I affirm softly but unwavering stare brokers no doubts. Because fate interwove our souls too beautifully under these eternal stars tonight not to surrender my entirety at last into hands promising to never stop guiding us home...

Zayn makes a low thick sound I swallow eagerly before our mouths slant urgently conveying wordless understanding. Tonight no lingering shadows stand hope of diminishing the intimate promise written in each tender motion as wandering clothes disappear unrushed, innocence melts willingly apart, and I learn finally what making love truly means - offering your naked heart sheltered safely within the vault of another built just for you all along...

Zayn's POV

Harry nuzzles closer instinctively in his sleep, bare skin pressed to mine still buzzing electrically everywhere we joined so intimately hours ago. My heart clenches watching early dawn slowly brighten his relaxed profile after we stayed up late worshipping attentively in the backseat.

Last night holds monumental meaning finally crossing that ultimate threshold of vulnerability. My coveted boy who resisted revealing beautiful hidden depths for so long chose ME as the one person ultimately worthy of his precious innocence and trust.

I ghost gentle fingertips over the sharp cut of Harry's jaw where it rests heavily against my chest, unable to resist affectionately memorizing each darling feature lax in sated slumber. His plush lips part on tiny puffs of air tickling my skin with peacefulness I'll never take for granted again after working so hard to peel back self-protective layers.

My own exhausted eyes drift shut remembering the way Harry gasped and sighed so urgently once coaxed from his shell at last by patient hands and fervent lips. The gift of his willing surrender as our bodies joined cautiously at first then increasingly fevered still simmers euphorically in my veins.