Looking Glass » ziam au // ON HOLD

vii

Chapter 7.

The beginning of the meal was silent, nothing but the sounds of silverware against their dishes echoed through the large room. The boy's plate was filled high with all sorts of food, and he had a feeling he wouldn't be able to finish it all.

Midway into the dinner, the Cheshire Cat started to speak to Zayn, and an uneasy feeling washed over him as the man set his utensils down, wiping at his mouth before talking. Zayn carefully watched his every move, his grip tightening on the knife as he was flashed a wide grin.

"So, Zayn, how're you enjoying your stay?" Cheshire asked, an amused glint in his eyes as he observed the smaller boy's behavior. Zayn pulled on a smile, as he set his silverware down.

"It's alright, the rooms are fit for a King, but..." He trailed off, picking at a loose strand of the table cloth. The Cheshire Cat immediately became interested, as he sat up straighter in his seat, raising an eyebrow, a curious look on his face.

"But...?" He questioned, before receiving a wider smile from Zayn.

"But, I don't want to be here. I don't want to be stuck here, fighting some brute all day and training for something I don't want to do. You're all psychotic, absolutely insane," he said, glaring at the man as he sat straighter before smirking. "And, your rooms reek of roses. It's killing me, along with your horrible sense of design."

The Cheshire Cat looked at him in shock before letting out a loud laugh that shook Zayn down to his core. His sudden confidence seemed to disappear the second that cold laugh left the other's mouth.

"He's a funny one, Liam. He'd make a fine King indeed, don't you agree?" He asked, making Liam look up from his plate that he had barely touched. The man simply shrugged slightly as he turned his attention back to the food in front of him.

"I guess he would, purple suits him." He said, causing Cheshire to grin widely.

"You hear that? You'd make a fine King, but, you have training to go through. We can't have you distracted from it by things like a crown. Now, you're dismissed." Cheshire said with a wave of his hand as Zayn stood, shaking his head before storming out of the room. He felt trapped.

After wandering around for a solid fifteen minutes, trying to find his room, the boy removed the expensive clothes, crawling under the sheets in just his boxers.

The silence of the room nearly drove him crazy, he found himself looking out of the window behind his bed, watching the stars overhead. A small smile creeped onto his face as he looked at the stars, remembering stories his mother would tell him when he was young. The memories brought a smile to his face, a tears to his eyes.

Eventually, he found himself asleep, mind filled with dreams of twinkling stars, and soft lullabies that he, oddly enough, remembered the words to.

————

Early the next morning, there was a knock on the heavy wooden door that woke Zayn from his peaceful slumber. He let out a groan, dragging himself out of bed, as he wrapped the robe he had left lying on a chair yesterday, around his body.

He pulled the door open, a tired look on his face as he was met face to face with Liam. The male was completely dressed and ready and looked down at Zayn.

"Look, buddy, it's way too freaking early for that hand to hand combat crap. My body is aching is places I didn't even know could ache right now. Come back later on, maybe around noon, one-ish?" He said, closing the door before it was stopped by a boot.

"Today isn't hand to hand, now get up you lazy ass. It's nearly eight fifteen, I don't have all day to wait for you. I want you to meet me in the dining area in ten minutes, and then we can start the day." Liam said before turning, and walking away from the door.

Zayn closed it tightly, groaning as he rubbed his hands across his face before readying himself for the day. Ten minutes later, he was dressed and ready, his hair pulled back tightly once again as he stood in the dining area, watching Liam move around the kitchen while making something.

The smell of whatever was sizzling in the pan nearly brought drool to the other's mouth, and soon he was sat across from Liam, scarfing down whatever was placed in front of him.

After finishing his meal, he leaned back in his chair, watching Liam curiously as he wiped at his mouth.

"What're we doing today?" Zayn asked curiously, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.

Liam glared at him, causing the boy to lift his elbows off the table before he spoke.

"Today, we're doing a different kind of training, which is the reason why I needed you to be up early. This could take a long time, and we don't have much time in all honesty. Now, follow me and get ready to work your ass off."