Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

8 - Crossing paths once again

It has been a year since Harry has lived in a flat of his own, earning money for himself and no one else's. He's got some good things going on with his life now and he couldn't be any prouder of himself.

First, he's been promoted as one of the head bakers at the bakery. With the position, he's only required to come in the mornings, bake breads and pastries and clock out around 11 am. Sometimes, he gets out earlier than 11 and that is when business is slow. His job at Liam's beer garden is going great as well. Liam has opened a new branch somewhere in the city and has transferred half of the senior employees there. With the flood of new employees to the branch that Harry is working in, Liam has entrusted the young lad with training them, which in turn allowed for a hefty raise of Harry's salary.

Harry's afternoons are usually empty and boring because Niall, his best friend, has moved permanently back to Ireland to take over their family's small business and Liam is always away for meetings because of his own businesses. So, the curly-haired lad decides to use his time for something more useful and finds an animal shelter to volunteer in. This particular animal shelter is more keen on taking in stray dogs, but still a few kittens and the occasional birds are accepted as well. If Harry is pressed to admit, he'll say that being a volunteer for this shelter is his favorite job and, despite not receiving any pay, Harry is still happy for he gets to cuddle pups and old dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Today, Harry clocks out of his baking duties earlier than usual. He eats his packed lunch - a tuna sandwich - on the way to Sweaterpaws, the animal shelter that he volunteers in. Upon entering the premises, he smiles widely at the excited yips and barks of the dogs.

"Early today, H," Ashley, one of his fellow volunteers, greets him with a smile. In her arms is a tiny orange kitten sucking milk from a small bottle.

Harry approaches her and proceeds to scratch behind the kitten's ears. "I got out of the bakery early. The owners are having a family outing this afternoon and closed early."

"Wicked," Ashley responds. She puts the kitten down the soft cat bed and the tiny thing instantly rolls across the cushion to join her fellow kittens. "Harry, I'm glad you got here early. I've got a huge favor to ask of you."

Harry pauses on his current task of opening the huge bag of dog food and encourages Ashley to continue with a nod of his head.

"Well, uh, I've got a lunch date with this guy and he's picking me up by 11:30."

"And?" The corner of Harry's lips automatically curl up in a smile. He's happy for her and he feels a little less guilty for having turned her down a month ago.

Ashley blushes. "I was about to turn him down because I know you usually go in around 1. I didn't want to leave the dogs for an hour and a half without anyone around. But, since you're here now, I reckon I should accept his invitation, what do you think?"

"Go for it," Harry encourages her with a smile. "I don't mind starting my shift earlier."

"Oh god," Ashley squeals loudly. The dogs at the back bark in response and Harry imagines their tails wagging in excitement. "You're a lifesaver, Harry. Thanks!"

"Go and get ready, Ash."

Harry goes back to filling the food bowls for the furry residents of the shelter, making sure to measure the food accurately so as to not waste any. He hears Ashley humming to herself in the employee lounge and chuckles, genuinely pleased to know that she has moved on from her infatuation with Harry.

At around 11:30 in the morning, a dark-skinned bloke with long black hair enters the shelter, his strides a bit hesitant. Not wanting to intervene, Harry watches as Ashley greets the guest with red cheeks and a beaming grin, which the lad returns. Harry is then introduced to Jordan very quickly before the two leave for their lunch date. Harry knows that Ashley will not be back afterwards because her shift is already finished by the time their little date is over, so he busies himself with feeding the lively pups of the shelter. When they are done eating and drinking, Harry lets them out of their cages to play around, laughing rather loudly at their playful antics.

Engrossed in his current task of separating a kitten and a husky pup from their fight, Harry does not notice that 2 in the afternoon has rolled by and a very familiar bloke is now standing behind him. He only hears the familiar voice and, like what happened a year ago, Harry's world slows to a stop.

"Excuse me?"

Harry spins around, almost falling flat on his face. "Z-Zayn?"

"How did you...Harry?"

There, standing in all his glory is Zayn Malik. He is clad in a business suit, his dark hair combed back and away from his face, emphasizing his sharp features. He looks breathtaking as per usual and Harry starts to get lost in his golden eyes when a pitiful whine commands his attention away. Harry's green eyes catch sight of a small, chocolate and cream-colored dachshund in Zayn's arms.

"Hello," Harry forces himself to say, smiling slightly. He walks to the counter and asks, "How may I help you today?"

Zayn doesn't seem to register his question because he, too, is staring at Harry with something like awe in his eyes. He looks relieved, as well, like he has been hopelessly looking for Harry for a long time and when he saw him now, he couldn't be happier. Harry shares the same feelings.

"Uh, Zayn?"

"What?"

Harry chuckles and gestures to the fidgeting pup. "I asked you how I could help?"

"Right," Zayn says with an embarrassed laugh, cheeks pink. "I found him trying to get in my car and decided to bring him here."

"Alright," Harry replies with a nod. He opens his arms wide for the frightened puppy. "We'll find him a loving family."

Zayn hands the dog over to Harry and watches with fond eyes as the pup's tiny body practically vibrated in excitement once he is secure in Harry's arms. "He likes you."

"It would seem so."

"Well, uh, I'm off." Zayn scratches his chin, awkward as he hangs by the counter. Harry doesn't notice because he's to busy playing with the new addition to the shelter.

Finally, after a few seconds, Harry lifts his gaze away from the dachshund and holds Zayn's stare. "Drive safely, yeah?"

Zayn deflates, his shoulders hunching. Harry berates himself mentally but doesn't really know why his response merited such a reaction. With a slight feeling of guilt, Harry's forest green eyes follow Zayn's movements as he exits the shelter. However, the dark-haired bloke stops right by the door and turns back around.

"Go on a date with me, Harry."

Wait.

What?