THE WATERS :: ZAYN

hands

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"What are you doing?"

"Let me try," Solána whined, pushing him away from the stove and grabbing a glass, "I have to remember what I used to do in the kitchen."

"It smells good," Zayn smiled as she cut out the dough of bread for biscuits, "your mom taught you?"

"Mhm," she smiled at him and picked out the circular biscuits, putting them on a pan and rolling the dough once again, "all the stuff, you know? The master and his family would go out for a while and she'd teach us a few things in the kitchen before they came back. It was so scary sometimes. Who knew how long they'd be gone? So it was simple stuff, but I know how to do a lot of things now."

"What else did you learn?"

"It...it sounds kinda like weird but...I learned how to respect people. Not in that way because of the beatings but I didn't take things for granted, and I still don't. Someone could leave the plantation in the blink of an eye right before. I saw a childhood friend die, he was looking at me the whole time. After that," she shook her head and put the last of the dough in a pan and set it in the oven, "I started treating everyday as my last."

"Which is why you wanted to do something today," he pointed out while she just nodded.

"Yeah, so," she sat beside him and sighed, "it's just...I appreciate everything all the time. There's not a day that goes by without me thinking what I could possibly do to make this all up to you. Even if you say what I know you're gonna say."

"Whatever," Zayn rolled his eyes and she giggled, poking his nose and getting flour on it, "get it off, Solána."

"It's cute, though."

"Babe, come on--"

Solána laughed again and wiped his face, only getting more on his nose. "I'm sorry!""

"Ugh," he huffed and she just grabbed a damp cloth to wipe his face off, "Zaynie."

"Yes?"

"Nothing," she leaned on him and he kissed her cheek, "what else do you want?"

"Nothing. I'm good," he stroked her face and hummed, loving how smooth it was, "not really that hungry so I'm glad everything will be done some time from now."

"Right," she got up and stood in front of him, "what else are we doing today?"

"Sorry, man, but I don't live my days like you do. I just get really lazy with it."

"I know, so. What movie will we watch or what game will I watch you play?"

"I don't know," he squinted his eyes and wrapped his arms around her waist, "you pick."

"I pick..." She put a finger to her lip and Zayn seriously...oh my God, she just had no idea, "the one with the guy, oh my goodness, I forgot. But he like...there were aliens and this guy in one of those wheelchair things. Or were they cats? I'm so confused."

"I know the movie," he laughed, "called Avatar, Solána."

"Good. The cover looked interesting."

"It's actually pretty boring."

"What? Aw shoot," she pouted.

"We can still watch it--"

"I don't wanna bore you."

"You won't, because you'll be right beside me, yeah? I'll go to sleep on you."

"Dang," she giggled when he tickled her sides, falling into his embrace and laughing in his neck, "stop!"

"I can't hear you," he cackled when she tried to move and ended up whining when she couldn't.

"Stop, my goodness," she finally pulled away but the frowned, "I am so human I didn't even use that super strength you keep referring to."

"Or, I just got a lot stronger," he replied with raised brows.

"Okay," she rolled her eyes and went to the sink, "yay, the chicken is thawing."

"Thank goodness." Zayn leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. His eyes were closed but he felt her looking at him. "What?"

"You're cute," he felt her warm hands on his face, "are you sure you're not a merman? Because you've got the face."

"I'm pretty sure," he chuckled deeply and opened his eyes, "what does that mean?"

"It means you're flawless and very very handsome."

"Are you flirting with me, Solána?"

"Thought it was clear." she shrugged but it was honestly so fucking adorable.

"I knew you liked me."

"Shut up."

Zayn sat up again and let her sit on his lap, "whatever you say, but I know."

"Even if I did like you, what would you do about it?"

"You don't even wanna know," he admitted sheepishly, his hands still on her waist.

"Tell me. Please?" she pouted again and Zayn refrained from rolling his eyes, "sir."

"What? I'm hungry."

"Stop--"

"You stop."

"Shush," she put her hand over his mouth and giggled, "I think -- oh my goodness, I'm stupid."

"What happened?"

"I could have just warmed it enough myself, ugh," she slapped her forehead and he just laughed, watching her drain the juice from the chicken and dipping it in the flour, "gosh."

"Solána you're hilarious," he walked up behind her and kissed her neck. She just hummed.

"I know, right?" she scooted away from him but he pulled her back, turning her body to his and grinning. "What, Zayn?"

"I wanna kiss you."

She blinked. "Huh?"

Zayn tried to stop blushing but he couldn't, realizing he voiced his thoughts out loud and now that it was out there, he couldn't take it back.

"Zayn--"

"I'm so sorry, Sol--"

The mermaid grabbed his face and pulled their lips closer, hers instantly on his.

He almost died.

Zayn held Solána's waist and she hummed again, kissing him deeper and smiling into it. Her hands clasped behind his neck and she was on her tippy toes trying to fully embrace him.

He pulled away to take a breath, his lips still grazing hers and a few kisses being stolen here and there. Solána bit her lip and he grinned.

"Was that you trying to shut me up?" he asked, looking at her knowingly.

She giggled softly, pulling away. Zayn watched her walk to the oven and look at whatever was in there. "Shut up."

"I'm so serious."

"Zayn," she turned around and held her face cheeks because they were too warm for her liking. "Shush."

He just shrugged, letting her in his embrace again and kissing her chin. "You know how many times I've wanted to kiss you before this point?"

"I don't even want to know," she shook her head, "probably not more than me."

"Really?"

"Seriously."

"Well--"

"Just kiss me again, you jerk," she hummed yet again and hooked her arms around his neck, "I'm gonna need this more often so watch out. Very random kisses coming your way."

"I'm ready," he murmured softly before their lips made contact again.

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LMFAOOOOOOOOOO

this book is actually predictable so if you figure out what's gonna happen in the end you're not smart you just pay  attention lololol🤓