Out in the Cold (Zianourry) ON HOLD

Three

Stop crying, idiot. Harry thinks to himself, furiously rubbing his eyes. You're so fucking weak. Suddenly a hand grips his arm, his body automatically tensing. He jerks around, expecting to see Zayn. But it isn't. 

"What do you want, Brad?" Harry hisses, his eyes narrowing into slits. 

Brad smirks in answer. "The same thing I've been wanting. Just give in, babe. They all do." 

"I don't know who they are, but go back to them. I'm never sleeping with you, just get that through your thick skull already." Harry bites back, yanking his arm from Brad's grasp. Brad's smirk widens as he steps forward, which causes Harry to step back. Brad takes another step, Harry doing the same, but then he feels the brick wall against his back. Crap, I'm trapped, Harry realizes. Brad does too, as he takes the last step forward, his body pressing against Harry's, and he puts his arms on either side of Harry's head, successfully caging him in. 

"Maybe you won't willingly, but I'm fine with just taking what I want." Brad tells him, his eyes darkening, his breath fanning across Harry's face from the close proximity. Harry gulps as Brad reaches his hand down, his fingers brushing against the zipper on Harry's torn up, dirt covered, jeans. 

"Don't touch him." 

Harry's head jerks around, only to see Zayn standing less than a foot away, his fists clenched into balls, his eyes narrowed at Brad. He looks absolutely murderous. 

Apparently Brad doesn't think so. He scoffs, rolling his eyes towards Zayn. "Yeah, whatever. Look, mate, I saw him first. Leave us alone, I'm sure you can have a go at him later." 

Zayn steps forward, closing the short distance between them, and punches Brad right in the nose, a cracking sound following. Brad gets knocked back from the force, groaning and covering his nose. Zayn grabs Harry's arm while Brad is distracted and gently, but firmly pulls him behind him. Instead of tensing up or yelling like Harry normally would do when someone touches him, he goes willingly. 

"What the hell was that for?" Brad yells, frantically trying to stop the blood flowing from his nose. 

"For being absolutely disgusting. Now get the hell out of my sight before I decide to do a lot worse than break your nose." Zayn growls out, voice cold. Brad leaves, but not before sending a glare Harry's way. 

Zayn quickly turns around to face Harry, eyes desperately searching all of his exposed skin for bruises or scratches. "Are you alright, love? Did he hurt you?" 

Harry shakes his head. "Thank you," He stutters out, his eyes flickering to the ground. And okay, what the hell is wrong with him? He never stutters. Or gets nervous. Why is he nervous? 

Zayn breathes out a sigh of relief, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist and pulling him into a hug, squeezing gently. He pulls back moments later, just enough to stare Harry in the eyes. "I'm so sorry." 

Harry tilts his head, momentarily confused. But then he remembers what happened about 10 minutes prior, his body tensing up, pulling away from Zayn, embarrassment and shame filling him. Zayn stops him, tightening the grip on his waist. "I really am sorry, love. I went about that the completely wrong way. I shouldn't have asked that question, especially not in a public place like that. It was rude and insensitive and I'm so sorry." 

Harry sighs, stopping his feeble attempts of getting free, letting his head fall forward, just so happening to land on Zayn's shoulder. "It's alright. I'm not really mad, just embarrassed." He admits quietly, so low Zayn barely hears it. 

"No need to be embarrassed, darling. None of us are going to judge you. We just want to help you." Zayn soothes, rubbing his hand in circles on Harry's back.