married at first sight :: [malik]

ten. problems&selfless

"Before we leave, we're going skinny dipping."

Zayn looks up from the sand at once, his eyes wide with shock. "What?"

"You. Me. Hawaii," Stevie nods, as the tide rolls up to her bare feet. "Skinny dipping."

He smirks. "You're hilarious."

"No, I'm telling the truth, Zayn. It's happening."

"For you, maybe," Zayn replies, although the thought of her running naked alongside the beach has him feeling uncomfortably tight in his pants. "I'm keeping my clothes on, thanks."

"You are literally such a boring old man."

"Of course you would say that."

She scoffs, large eyes widening. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"'Cause I'm the boring old man to you being a mother."

"What!?"

"Yep," he grins, "There you go, being Stevie," he chuckles, "You're a mom, dude. Someone's caretaker. That's just your thing," he leans towards her, "It's what you do."

"Shut up," she replies, shoving him lightly. "I'm just...just, loving, thank you very much."

He hums. "S'why you take care of everyone else but yourself," he states, and those words come out a bit harsher than intended. "I mean," he shakes his head, "Stevie--"

"I guess I can't argue with you there," she replies, although that reply is soft and her gaze is pointed straight ahead. "You're right."

Zayn closes his gaping mouth. He hadn't meant for those words to come out like that, but he can't take the statement back now.

To his surprise, it's her to fill the silence.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

He clears his throat, attempting to bring the playful vibe back to the atmosphere surrounding them, "Nope."

"Anyway," she continues as he chuckles softly. "This is me asking anyway."

"Alright, Stevie. Shoot."

She stares out towards the ocean. "Why...this?"

He frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Like, this," she meets his gaze. "Why this experiment? Why now? Why..." She laughs, searching for the right words, "...a wife?

"Oh," he nods, understanding at once. And he sighs, "I guess, long story short, I was just really tired of being lonely."

And to his surprise, Stevie is nodding. "I feel you on that."

"Really?"

She offers a small smile. "Really."

He eyes her curiously. "How?"

"I mean," she throws up her hands, "for the reason you said, I guess. I'm...I just want to be the one taken care of for once."

"Well," He rubs the back of his neck. "You always did bring out the adventurous side of me."

"Because I am an amazing young woman."