A race to your heart (Zarry AU)

4.- Abu Dhabi 🏁

Zayn's POV

As the confetti settled and the champagne spray stopped, we shared a quiet glance after our tight hug, our eyes speaking a language of their own.  As we used to.

A year ago we were so close that there was a point that we didn't even have to talk to understand what we were thinking. In interviews, for instance, we were unconsciously mirroring each other actions or antics. Sometimes we find ourselves dressing with the same style as the other. It was like we were two halves of a whole. I shook my head to stop myself from getting emotional at the images in my head.

After the celebration ended in the paddock an after-party unfolded, filled with laughter and music. Surrounded by the delighted atmosphere of a successful season, we found ourselves drawn into each other, looking to rekindle a connection that was evident for the two of us. I couldn't deny that anymore or maybe I was too tired to do so.

In a quieter corner of the revelry, away from the beat of the music, we found a moment to catch our breath. My gaze softened as I looked at him, and with a sincerity that a couple id champagne glasses gave me, I spoke.

"It's been a wild ride, innit?" I said as I was standing right next to Harry, looking fondly at him. "I mean not just on the circuit but in...our lives. We drifted apart, found our paths, but tonight... it feels like we've circled back to something... else," I said sincerely.

Definitely, I was under the influence of the adrenaline and pride of being with him on the day of this victory and the fifth glass of champagne in my system.

I saw that his green eyes reflected a mix of nostalgia and vulnerability and he nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. Life took us in different directions, but I've always kept the good memories of our times together. It's been a journey, but being here with you now, it feels like... coming home. Y'know?" Harry said giving a sip of his champagne, he was nervous. I could tell.

The conversation after that moment flowed effortlessly, the year of separation melting away with each exchanged word between us.

I missed him so much.

We spoke of our struggles, victories, and the relationships that had shaped us the last months away from each other. Amidst the honesty, a realization unfolded – the connection we shared ran deeper than anything.

As the night wilted and the after-party continued, we found ourselves dancing to the rhythm of the music.

"Tell me sumthin'" I said as I flopped down on a couch next to Harry the party was unfolding in front of us and we were taking a break.

"What?" Harry shouted approaching me, trying to understand what I said. He was so close that I could smell his favorite drink, Patron, mixed with his cologne.

"Come, we can barely talk here," I shouted back, motioning to step out of the saloon where the celebration was held.

When we were in an interior garden or something like that, I approached Harry and looked him in the eyes. I could feel my anxiety melt away as I recognized myself getting lost in them.

"Haz... What is it like to grow up that beautiful, huh?" I asked smirking.

"What?" Harry scoffed and chuckled. He seemed so confused by my random question.

"Yeah. Y'know? With that hair falling into place... like dominoes," I said to him grabbing a strand of his hair and putting it behind his ear.

"You're drunk, Zayn," Harry said to me, visibly blushed by my spontaneous use of words. However, I continued my rambling.

"This sexy long hair, I must say, suits you. You look... so gorgeous," I whispered approaching him and looking at his beautiful ruby lips that were less than an inch from mine.

The warmth of the Abu Dhabi night wrapped around us, igniting a flame that had flickered but never truly extinguished.

Harry's POV

From the moment he hugged me while celebrating my victory as a world champion, I felt that something changed between us. His touch, his glances, were different, softer.

We attended this lavish party practically in my honor, I was the center of attention and he knew I was enjoying this moment so much. And like he used to say "I loved being the life of the party." This victory was my most important milestone in my life, my wildest dream come true. So far.

Our dream.

I saw him arrive with his team and he smiled and waved to the people around. He whispered something to one of his closest friends, Paul. He was also part of the team crew. He was donning perfect beige linen trousers with a white button-down shirt. His hair was so perfect, dyed in a pastel pink color that suited him so fine. Only he can pull out that look.

I was talking with James but I stopped listening to him as soon as I saw Zayn entered the room.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.

He was scanning the room looking so happy and relaxed, all the tension that the season held, gone. Then, he spotted me, both were holding gazes for more time than we should in a public place. He smiled at me.

"Harold, I am talking to you. Are you listening, mate?" James said taking me out of my cloud.

"Of course," I lied. I had no idea what he was saying after I saw Zayn.

Unconsciously, we were getting closer during the party. Talking with different people, but gravitating near to each other. I was always so drawn to his strong energy.

He found ourselves in a quieter corner before the peak of the celebration started. We had a brief conversation that felt more like a confession. At least from my end.

"It's been a journey, but being here with you now, it feels like... coming home. Y'know?" I said. It was now or never, I needed to get it off my chest.

We continued talking about our lives like we hadn't been strangers for the past months. Then we dance to the rhythm of the music like we used to.

I sat down on a couch contemplating the party evolved in front of me. I was drinking my favorite poison when I saw him walking towards me. I felt my skin going hotter by the second and, when he sat next to me I swear I was going to melt.

"Tell me sumthin'" he said.

"What?!" I shouted at him, getting close to him. Maybe too close.

"Come, we can barely talk here," he shouted back. He stood up from the couch and motioned me to follow him. I was a little tipsy and as an old habit, I grabbed the tail of his shirt letting him lead the way.

When we were alone and in a quieter place he moved closer and stared at me.

"Haz... What is it like to grow up that beautiful, huh?" he asked, smirking in the way he always did when he was flirting. His honey eyes look into mine.

He was... flirting with me? I must be dreaming.

"What?" I scoffed and chuckled. Feeling my cheeks hot.

"Yeah. Y'know? With that hair falling into place... erm like dominoes," he said as he grabbed a strand of my hair and put it behind my ear.

I shivered at his touch.

"You're drunk, Zayn," I said as I felt my face turned red.

"This sexy long hair, I must say, suits you. You look... so gorgeous," he whispered moving towards me and glancing at my mouth.

God, I'm fucked.