Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

3 - A little ray of sunshine

After their fateful meeting a week ago, Harry and Niall are inseparable. Harry is visibly happier these days, his smiles and laughter come easier, especially around the blond lad. He also feels lighter, despite a few nights that he has no choice but to spend sleeping in the toolshed, hungry and aching, knowing that one person cares for him and genuinely likes him.

"I haven't even arrived and you're smiling already? I feel betrayed."

"Hey, Nialler."

Harry waves at Niall and pushes himself off of the ground. The two of them are standing infront of the diner, where Harry works at, the younger of the two having just finished his shift and Niall is here to pick him up so they can go to the studio. It is a rather gloomy Saturday and also the day their graduation pictures are scheduled to be taken.

"Any thoughts on what you'll be writing for your senior quote?" Niall asks as they walk side by side towards the place where the photoshoot is going to take place. Harry can't help but notice how content Niall looks when he's around Harry, as though as he doesn't expect anything from the younger man other than his company.

"Do I really have to have something written for the yearbook?" Harry frowns, scratching his arm.

Niall nods. "Well yeah."

"Then, I don't know." Harry shrugs. He thinks that anything he writes about himself will mean nothing to the people that'll be reading them, so why bother?

"There has to be something," Niall insists. He pauses by the pavement, staring at the side of Harry's face with serious eyes. "Personally, I'd like to use some type of deep shit quote. Like, time is gold or summat."

Harry laughs. "Just use that one. It's great."

As usual, Niall looks pleased to have made Harry laugh. "You can use beauty is in the eye of the beholder for your senior quote," he suggests with a cheeky smirk.

Harry shoves Niall lightly, still letting out a few chuckles. "That's lame."

"Keep the thought for when you're all out of ideas to put as your senior quote."

"Fine."

Companionable silence descend upon the two young lads as they complete the journey to the photography studio. Harry looks around the colorful establishments here in downtown Manchester, awed as it is his - honest to god - first time strolling here.

A few minutes later, Harry and Niall enter a spacious studio. They both register at the front desk, signing beside their names on the attendance sheet. They then sit down on the couch by the waiting area, seeing a few of their classmates awaiting their turns. Harry notices that the female students are wearing light make-up with varying hairstyles while the male students are goofing around with their freshly pressed slacks and long-sleeved polo shirts. He looks down at his thin, lilac button down and the pair of slacks that Jakob has handed down to him, wondering if it'll do.

"You look way better than all of the guys here, H. Myself included," Niall whispers with a wink. Harry wonders how Niall can read him so well despite having been his friend for only a week. "No need to worry, yeah?"

Harry nods, eventhough he has a hard time accepting Niall's words. He tries, though, because he knows Niall does not lie. Harry is reminded by it when he remembers all the times where Niall tells him that the thing he despises the most is lying and that he tries hard to stay honest all the time.

As the photoshoot is done alphabetically, Niall is called soon enough, the receptionist pronouncing his name wrong. Niall is undeterred and simply snickers. He then leaves Harry with a pat to the top of his head.

To pass the time, Harry decides to stare outside the massive glass windows. He watches as busy people hurry through the pavement, each of them looking more frantic than the other, eyebrows furrowed as their sights are glued to their mobile phones. Harry supposes they're about to be late to work and is only one more tardy away from suspension or something. Then, slowly, his green eyes move to watch the other side of the road. Upon focusing, he sees a young couple crossing the street, talking. The female is taller than the guy with long, pin-straight blonde hair and fair skin while the guy has deep black short locks and golden skin. They look good together, dressed in immaculate clothing that are no doubt expensive. As they near the photography studio, Harry sees the color of their eyes, melted gold and light blue.

Much to Harry's amusement, they both stop right in front of him, now obviously arguing. The lad looks pissed off, nostrils flared and neck veins prominent as he talks. On the other hand, the female is gesturing wildly, her purse flying with her movements. No one is paying them any mind. The argument seems to end as quickly as it has started and, of course, the bird stomps away after. The dark-haired bloke stays rooted on his spot, rubbing a hand over his face. Harry freezes when molten gold irises stares into his own green eyes.

It's like time stood still as Harry and the stranger stare at each other. There is white noise all around Harry and all he can focus on is the moment at hand, his heart pounding. He wonders for a second if the other lad feels it too, that deep connection, instant but real.

"Girls," the bloke mouths to him with a forced grin, breaking their little moment. He waves with two fingers and then he is off to, undoubtedly, calm his girlfriend down.

Once he is gone, only then is Harry able to breathe a little better. He feels warmth in his cheeks and knows he is blushing. Lucky for him, Niall decides to show up then, saving him from further reading into the moment that has passed.

"Haz, I'm telling you, we'll look sick on the yearbook because we're matching!"

He knows better than to fantasize about a good looking lad finding him attractive; It'll never happen.