Talk To Me - Ziam

Chapter 8

Zayn stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at his reflection. His hands were on the edge of the sink, and he was trying to calm the steady drum of his heartbeat. Dating Liam was becoming real—really real. No more sneaking around, no more hiding. Just the two of them, standing proudly in the light for everyone to see.

But the truth was, the light was still blinding. Zayn had spent so long being the aloof guy, the one who didn't care what anyone thought. Now, here he was, opening up, being vulnerable. And he couldn't help but wonder if that would make him look weak, or worse—if people would pity him.

He shook his head, taking a deep breath. He was overthinking this. It was supposed to be a celebration, a new chapter. And Liam had made it clear that this was worth celebrating, that they were worth celebrating.

The door opened behind him, and Zayn turned to see Liam standing in the doorway, watching him with a soft smile. He was leaning casually against the frame, hands in his pockets, his presence a quiet anchor for Zayn's racing thoughts.

"You alright?" Liam asked, voice low and comforting.

Zayn offered a half-smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, just... thinking."

Liam walked over, closing the distance between them, his hand brushing against Zayn's as he stood next to him. "Don't overthink it," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "We're just us. No big deal."

Zayn met his gaze in the mirror, the weight of his words settling in. "It's easier said than done."

Liam gave him a sideways glance, a small, teasing smile tugging at his lips. "I know. But we've got each other, right? So what's the worst that can happen?"

Zayn rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. "You're too optimistic for your own good."

Liam chuckled and wrapped his arm around Zayn's shoulders, pulling him in for a brief hug. Zayn leaned into the warmth, feeling the tension in his body ease just a little. "I'll take that as a compliment."

As they walked out of the bathroom and back into their shared space, Zayn caught sight of Louis and Harry lounging on the couch, casually scrolling through their phones. Harry's gaze lifted first, a knowing look in his eyes, and Louis followed suit, his usual mischievous grin plastered across his face.

"Well, well, look who's coming out of the closet," Louis said, his voice a bit too loud. "Finally decided to make it official?"

Zayn rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Shut up," he muttered, still feeling a bit self-conscious under their watchful eyes.

"Hey, it's great!" Harry chimed in, his voice warm. "We're happy for you both."

Liam smiled, his eyes lighting up as he leaned against Zayn's side. "Thanks, Harry."

"Yeah," Louis added with a grin, "I mean, it's about time you two stopped sneaking around."

Zayn felt the heat rise in his face, but he pushed it aside. He wasn't going to let it get to him—not when Liam was right there, his presence a quiet reassurance that everything was going to be okay.

Later that evening, Louis and Harry invited Zayn and Liam out for a casual double date at a cozy little café, a spot they all liked for its laid-back atmosphere. Zayn wasn't sure what to expect, but as soon as they walked in, the warmth of the room and the comfort of being with friends settled over him.

They found a booth by the window, and Zayn couldn't help but notice how natural it felt. It was just dinner—just a couple of friends getting together to eat and hang out. But Zayn felt the weight of it, the shift in the air that came with being out in the open.

Liam nudged him playfully, making Zayn turn to meet his eyes. He was smiling, his gaze steady and full of that unshakable trust that had drawn Zayn in from the start. The nerves that had gripped him earlier began to dissipate, replaced by something a little more comfortable, a little more settled.

They talked, laughed, and joked—Zayn finding himself caught up in the easy rhythm of the conversation. Harry and Louis were as loud and animated as usual, but there was an undeniable warmth between the four of them. No pretenses. No hiding. Just people, living and loving in the moment.

At one point, Zayn found himself leaning in close to Liam, their knees brushing under the table, and the small, intimate gesture felt so right. He didn't need to hide anymore. He could hold his boyfriend's hand, share a quiet smile, and not care who was watching.

As the night wore on, Zayn realized that being with Liam wasn't just about physical attraction anymore. It was about feeling safe, about trust and comfort, about learning how to let go of the walls that had always kept him safe and yet so distant. He had never allowed himself to be vulnerable with anyone, but with Liam, it felt like he didn't have to try so hard. Liam made it easy to be himself, to just exist in the space between them without fear.

By the time they left the café, Zayn felt lighter, more grounded in a way he hadn't anticipated. The world outside was still chaotic, still full of uncertainty, but for the first time, he felt like he had a place to stand.

Later, as they walked back to their apartment, hand in hand, Zayn's thoughts drifted to the future. There were still things to figure out, still hurdles to cross, but for the first time, he wasn't afraid. He was ready to face whatever came next—with Liam by his side.

"You okay?" Liam's voice cut through his thoughts, warm and soothing.

Zayn glanced up at him, the moonlight catching in his eyes. He smiled softly. "Yeah. I'm good."

Liam squeezed his hand, his expression full of that quiet confidence Zayn had come to admire. "Good. Me too."

And as they continued their walk, the night felt full of possibility—of new beginnings, of growth, and of a love that had only just begun to blossom.