fool's gold [zarry]

quatorze

"My gloominess," Niall says, wrapping his arm around Zain and hugging him for a moment. "How are you doing today?

"I don't know why you are asking," Zain says, not looking away from where he is adding stitching to the first suit of his new line.

He's too dramatic, Niall has always said, but he can't help himself. The new collection will be all black with golden highlights that he stitches himself like it will make amends. It's vaguely Greek looking, folds and flowing lines. The main piece is a dress he had not designed for a woman at all, flowing and shimmering like the sun.

He calls it Icarus Falls in the safety of his head, and trusts only Niall with it, does not think about how pretty Harry would look.

Niall has warned him and Zain had not heeded him, flown too close to the sun because he could not resist. And now he's lonelier than he's ever been, the memory of Harry lingering around his house, his work, his life.

"Hm," Niall makes, watching him for a moment, a hand on his shoulder.

"I have come to warn you that you have an event to attend tomorrow evening," Niall says after another moment. "You will have to be polite and professional, but I will be right beside you the whole time."

"Thanks, Niall," Zain says and means it, for everything.

"Oh, love," Niall sighs, wrapping both arms around him. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."

Zain hums and blinks back against the burning his chest, does not dare tell that it is Zain's own fault. He wants to bathe in that pity for a moment, wants the softness of Niall's compassion just for himself.

"So. Event?" he asks, pushing the needle back through the fabric, pulling the gold threat through.

"Hm, yes," Niall says. "Best behaviour, Zain, I warn you. This line will cost us an arm and a leg and we cannot offend any more people."

"Of course," Zain agrees and wonders if he could get away with calligraphy hidden in the embroidery.

☀️

yes come for me i deserve it Zain deserves it