𝓒𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, ᶻᵃʸⁿ ᵐᵃˡⁱᵏ

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

it was 1 a.m. when i heard the familiar, slightly unsteady knock at my door. my heart skipped a beat as i made my way over, half-expecting to find someone from the group chat or a late-night delivery.

instead, when i opened the door, there stood zayn, swaying slightly on his feet with a goofy grin plastered across his face.

"hey there," he slurred, his eyes sparkling. before i could even process what was happening, he swept me up into his arms like i weighed nothing. "you're pretty," he murmured, and i felt a rush of warmth flood through me at his words.

"zayn!" i exclaimed, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as he carried me down the hall. "put me down!"

he just chuckled, tightening his grip as he walked. "i like you so much," he said, his breath warm against my ear. "and you smell so good. did you just shower or something?"

"uh, yeah, a while ago," i replied, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress the smile creeping onto my face. "you're drunk, zayn."

"so what?" he replied, a playful pout forming on his lips. "i know you like it when i'm mean to everyone else but you. you love it, don't you?"

i couldn't help but laugh again, my heart racing at the way he looked at me. "you're ridiculous."

he set me down, but only long enough for me to regain my balance before he leaned in, planting sloppy kisses all over my face. "i also like you so much. more than anyone," he said, his voice earnest but still slightly muffled by the haze of alcohol. "i like aaaand love you."

"you love me?" i echoed, my voice teasing as i tried to keep it light. my cheeks flushed, warmth spreading through me. "are you sure you're not just saying that because you've had a few drinks?"

"i'm dead serious," he replied, a serious expression crossing his features for a moment. but then it melted back into that charming smile that always made my heart flutter. "i really do, baby."

i took a step back, pretending to ponder his words while my heart raced. "okay, okay, let's get you some water before you start confessing your undying love to the entire neighborhood."

"water? but i want more kisses," he said, making a mock pout, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"as much as i'm tempted to keep kissing you," i said, feigning reluctance, "you need to hydrate first. trust me."

he grinned, clearly delighted by my banter as he followed me into the kitchen. i filled a glass with water and handed it to him. he took a sip, then immediately leaned in, pecking my cheek before taking another long drink.

"you're so cute when you're all concerned about me," he said, his voice slightly muffled by the glass. "but you know i'd be fine. i mean, look at me! i'm a poopstar

"a poopstar...?  you're a popstar who can't even handle his liquor," i teased, and he laughed, nearly spilling water everywhere.

"hey, don't hate the player," he shot back, trying to look serious but failing miserably. "it's not my fault my friends wanted to take shots. i just wanted a drink and then go home to my girls, but somehow ended up with a whole bottle."

"you're lucky you're cute," i said, leaning against the counter as i watched him. there was something undeniably charming about his drunken confidence, and despite my earlier annoyance, i couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

"i'm serious though," he said, finally setting the glass down. "i like you, belle. more than anyone else. i know it's a mess with everything going on, but i really care about you."

the sincerity in his tone struck a chord deep within me, and for a moment, the playful teasing faded into something more profound. "i care about you too, zayn," i admitted softly, feeling my cheeks flush. "but this is all so new. we're still figuring things out."

"yeah, but it feels right, doesn't it?" he asked, his voice earnest. "like no matter how complicated everything gets, when we're together, it just works."

i nodded slowly, the weight of his words settling over me like a warm blanket. "it does feel right."

"good," he said, taking a step closer, his gaze locked onto mine. "i'm glad we're on the same page."

as i stood there, our faces inches apart, i felt the electric charge in the air between us. zayn reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

"you should probably get some sleep, though," i said, trying to keep the moment light. "but let's see if you can still stand after that water."

"i can stand," he insisted, puffing out his chest like a proud peacock. "and besides, i have a beautiful girl right in front of me. how could i possibly sleep?"

"you're hopeless," i laughed, unable to resist the infectious joy radiating from him.

"but you love it," he said, his signature smirk returning.

"only on days that end in 'y,'" i shot back, quoting something he had once said, and we both dissolved into laughter, the tension of the moment replaced with light-hearted teasing once more.

"well, good thing today is a 'y,'" he said, his eyes sparkling. "because i really really really really like you. just wanted you to know that."

"and i really like you, too," i said softly, my heart swelling with warmth.

with the night still young, i knew it would be one to remember, drunk confessions and all.