You & I

Chapter Three

They hold each other for what seems like an eternity. Just listening to the calming beat of their hearts and the sound of their own deep breaths. Niall couldn't believe that someone could be as happy as him at the moment. He had found someone who loved him for what he was, who wasn't ashamed of him, and accepted his deepest secret.

He had found his papa.

Zayn was thinking along the lines of the same thing. He was feeling ecstatic, finally being able to hold the boy in his arms. He had found someone to protect, to love, to just be his.

He had found his baby.

But something still lingered in Zayn's mind.

"Baby? Can you look at Papa please?" Zayn tentatively asked, anxious to see how this conversation was going to go. Niall raised his head, confused as why his papa would sound like that. Zayn took a deep breath, caressing the side of Niall's face, grinning slightly when Niall leaned into the touch.

"What happened last night baby?" Zayn gently asked, mentally flinching when he watched all traces of happiness go out of Niall's eyes and become guarded. Niall looked down, but Zayn places a firm-but gentle- hand under his chin, tilting his face up so he couldn't hide.

They stayed like this for several minutes, solemnly staring at each other, until finally Niall gave a defeated sigh and avoided his gaze. "Nothing happened Zayn, it was just a stupid argument" Niall lied, hating how his eyes pricked with tears at the memory.

Zayn tutted, once again placing a hand under Niall's chin, forcing him to look at Zayn. "Baby, the only way this is going to work out between us is if you are completely honest with me. Now, tell Papa, what happened?" Zayn softly demanded, brushing away a stray tear that rolled down Niall's cheek.

Niall took a deep breath and nodded at Zayn, working up enough mental courage to go on with this. His Papa wanted him to do this, and he didn't want to disappoint him. " I-umm-" Niall stuttered nervously at first, but slowly calmed down when Zayn waited patiently.

"My patents came into my room unexpectedly last night, when I had thought they had all gone to bed. Normally, I need a dummy to fall asleep, so I grab it out of my bedside drawer when I'm sure no ones gonna come." Niall swallows thickly and wipes away fresh tears.

"Well, when they came in, I was fully into my headspace. They found me with a d-dummy and t-they said some horrible things-" Niall's voice broke and finally he began sobbing. Zayn immediately embraces his baby in a tight hug, feeling new waves of protectiveness wash over him.

Along with anger.

How could they do this to his baby boy? Their own son for Christ's Sake?! How could they not accept this beautiful, innocent boy?

"Sh sh sh, it's alright baby. Papa's got you now. No one is ever, ever going to hurt you ever again." Zayn says with determination clear in his voice.

Niall sniffled and nodded his head against Zayn's shoulder, still upset but calming down some. Zayn rocked him back in forth, much like he would have done to a baby, until he completely calmed down.

"How about some food love?" Zayn asks, grinning when Niall instantly perks up, laughing when Niall launches himself off of his lap and practically runs into the kitchen.

Yes, things were definitely going to be okay.

Zayn places Niall on the countertop in the kitchen and begins to cook a simple meal, spaghetti. Every so often, Zayn would go over and tickle Niall's belly, just to hear the beautiful Irish boy laugh.

During the whole dinner, Zayn insisted on feeding Niall, saying he was going to have to get used to it. Although Niall felt horribly embarrassed by the whole thing, a part of him enjoyed being taken care of and being able to relax.

Later that night, they dozed off to the sounds of Finding Nemo in the background.

Yes, everything was most definitely perfect.