Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

16 - No turning back

With a bit of persuasion and pleading green eyes, Harry is able to convince Zayn to pursue his dreams of being in the music industry as a singer or a songwriter. Zayn is skeptic, of course, unsure if he's talented enough to make it in. Harry, though, is anything but persistent, especially in his tireless pursuit of making Zayn happy, to see him smile genuinely again.

"You'll do great, Zayn," Harry says as he rubs a towel through the older lad's dark hair, which is still wet from his shower. Zayn has protested earlier, says he can do the task of drying his own hair just fine but Harry insisted because he likes doing things for his boyfriend, no matter how small they may seem. "You've got a nice voice and you're gorgeous! They are absolutely bonkers if they turn you down."

Zayn cracks a small smile, not quite reaching his eyes. Ever since his family has disowned him, Zayn's smiles are hard to come by and his laughter even harder. The transition from having only the best of everything to nothing at all has been hard for him and Harry feels guilty for it because he knows it is his fault that the Maliks are now one family member short. No matter how much Harry tries hard not to think about it, he knows it is true; Zayn is now without a family and it is all because of him and his perpetual bad luck.

"You think I'm gorgeous, Haz?" Zayn teases with a chuckle, snapping Harry out of his depressing thoughts. He tilts his head up to look at Harry with his lovely golden eyes. There is a tiny smirk playing on his lips and helpless Harry wants to lean down and kiss him senseless. "I'm flattered, really."

The curly brunette rolls his eyes playfully and kisses the tip of his boyfriend's nose, muttering, "Cheeky."

Harry then drops the towel onto the bed and wraps his arms around Zayn from behind, squeezing him gently. "You're easily the most beautiful human being that I've ever laid eyes upon, Zayn. You're not just gorgeous, but breathtaking. I am very lucky to have you and call you as mine," he confesses quietly, trembling when he feels Zayn's warm hands on top of his.

"Yours, Haz," Zayn whispers softly, voice thick with affection and it is all for Harry. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Harry responds just as quietly. "Always."

"Alright. I'll go to the studio and turn a few of my written pieces in. Crossing my fingers that they'll like me."

Harry huffs and nuzzles his face on Zayn's wild hair. "Like you? They'll worship you, babe."

Zayn laughs genuinely this time and turns in Harry's arms. He leans up and kisses Harry sweetly.

The next day, Harry waits for Zayn's arrival with bated breath, fidgeting on the couch, still smelling like beer and clad with his uniform for his job at Liam's beer garden. He is anxious to hear Zayn's news, his fingers crossed that his boyfriend comes home with something positive.

After a few seconds, the front door creaks open and then closed, the lock sliding in place afterwards. Eclair barks loudly from his place beside Harry, scurrying to the door in a matter of seconds. Harry waits for a few moments then stands up to greet Zayn, frowning deeply when he sees the dullness of the older man's eyes even as he has Eclair cuddled close to him.

"Hey, love," Harry says with open arms. "How was the visit at the studio?"

Releasing their pup to the floor, Zayn then willingly pushes himself into Harry's arms, dropping most of his weight onto the younger man. He sighs heavily. "It was alright," he answers. "They think I have the talent but, apparently, it's not enough to make the cut."

The taller of the two maneuvers both of their bodies so they can comfortably sit on the couch. He cups Zayn's face in between his palms and looks deeply into his eyes. "What do you mean? You're talented but?"

"There's loads more others that are much better choices for them than me."

"Well, that's not very nice of them," Harry huffs, clearly angry that Zayn's dream is being trampled on by others. "It's their loss. Anyway, try to go to other recording studios."

Imagine Harry's surprise when Zayn shakes his head and scoots away from him. The older lad stretches out, laying his head on the back of the couch and staring up at the ceiling. "I don't think it's practical for me to spend money and effort on something that won't be happening anytime soon, Haz. I have to be practical because the money that I have in my wallet isn't unlimited."

Once again, Harry feels that painful twinge in his chest, the guilt and sadness gripping him when he is reminded that Zayn has nothing now. The days following his decision to be with Harry, Zayn has tried to access his bank account and use his credit cards to get them into a larger flat and buy some necessities, but he is met with the devastating news that his credit cards and bank account are closed. Zayn, shocked and overwhelmed, has locked himself inside Harry's bedroom for hours. It took alot of whining on Eclair's part and pleading from Harry's to coax him out and when he finally did, his eyes were swollen and tear tracks were dried on both of his cheeks. Harry swears that he hates that look on Zayn's face and will do everything in his power to never see it again.

Oblivious to Harry's inner turmoil, Zayn says, "I need a job."

"I'm sorry, Zayn. This is all my fault." Harry hangs his head, eyes closed.

"What?" Zayn says, confused. He looks at Harry's hunched form with a worried frown.

Harry cannot possibly stop now, so he rambles on. "It's because of me that you're having a hard time now. I shouldn't have involved myself with you, Zayn. We aren't meant to be. I'm...I...bring bad luck, you know? I carry it around and the people that associate themselves with me only end up as unlucky as I am. I'm sorry...You deserve someone else. A person that your family likes and will not be the reason that you are disowned."

"Don't you ever say that again, Harry Styles," Zayn cries passionately, tugging Harry into his arms and wrapping him in a solid hug. "You're not the one at fault for any of this! I'm not blaming you, so please don't blame yourself."

Harry sighs, ashamed of himself.

"I love you, Harry. I chose you because I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without seeing your smiles and having your kisses and hugs. I deserve you, I know and believe that to be true."

Zayn places his index finger underneath Harry's chin to tilt his head up. Zayn smiles at Harry and presses kisses all over his face. "I don't mind if my dream to be a singer or songwriter will be put on hold first as we slowly build our life together. It's alright as long as I have you beside me, holding your hand as we go along this crazy journey."

"Oh, Zayn," Harry cries, tucking his face on the crook between Zayn's neck and shoulder. "I hope you're ready because I'm going to hold on so tight. Don't want to let you go."

Zayn laughs, eyes shining. He pats his boyfriend's back and squeezes him a little tighter. "Wouldn't want it any other way, my love."