A.M. ↠ zarry AU

yonder

yon·der

/ˈyändər/

adverb

at some distance in the direction indicated; over there.

×××

Goodbyes are never easy, especially when it's to something or someone you hold dearly in your heart because it feels like you're leaving behind a piece of yourself with them - and you are, but that's beautiful because you were so selfless in giving that part of yourself to them to keep forever.

"Oh, my baby! I'm so proud of you!" Anne squealed and grabbed Harry's face, giving him multiple congratulatory kisses on his cheek.

"Mum," he whined, laughing at the affection and, having his dimples pop into full view.

"I'm just so proud of you, love, you've done so well." Anne said, her voice wavering as her emotions started getting the better of her.

"Mum, please don't," Harry begged his mum not to cry as soon as he started seeing her eyes get glossy.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." She waved a hand and turned around to dab at her tears with a tissue.

Gemma then pulled him into a big hug, almost knocking off his graduation cap. "I'm so proud of you, baby brother." She said, squeezing his tall frame and, making him beam.

"Thank you, and thanks for being a great role model for me, Gem." He said with sincerity and pulled away to look at his older sister.

Finally, a nineteen year old Dan who stood next to his mum, gave a twenty - seven year old Harry a crooked smile before hugging him as well, giving him a few pats on the back until he just stayed in place with his arms around Harry's broad shoulders. When he pulled away he held his hand on his chest and left the other on Harry's shoulder, "I'm so proud of you, Harry." He said with his face lighting up. Dan had softer, more gentle features than Harry, but was nonetheless just as handsome as him. He had soft, lighter green - almost lime coloured eyes, a rounded button nose, full pink lips and a strong - yet not as sharp - jaw. His hair was a darker shade of brown - almost black and more wavy than curly.

"Thank you, Dan." Harry said hugging him once more. Dan's nervous tics had almost completely diminished, he was no longer mute and conquered his stutter with the help of ongoing therapy. Right now Harry was the proud one to see how far Dan had come and how brave and strong he was to persevere and push through.

"Best brother." Dan mumbled into Harry's neck.

"You're the best brother." Harry said pulling back and raising his hand so that Dan could high - five him.

It was five years later and Harry had finally graduated from university with his final degree in journalism. He had worked part time and studied, remaining independent, yet still being there for his family whenever he needed them.

***

The following year he finally landed a job working as a photojournalist and travel reporter for the local magazine. He loved nothing more than to meet new people who were on their way to changing the world, visiting new places and learning about new culture - Harry just loved learning and speaking about what impact it had on him and hoped that it had some impact I'm his readers too.

He had even persuaded the editor in chief to let him publish an article that he had written about himself - or rather, 'a friend' that he had made, and how 'that friend' had found love in an unlikely place, "almost like a Pretty Woman-esque experience. Down on her luck street walker meets rich, fancy businessman." He remembers describing the moment.

He missed Zayn a lot when he first got back home. He wass all that Harry could think about for a while. The time they spent together, the late night conversations they would have. It hurt so much that as soon as Gemma picked up Harry from the airport he spent some time with her, curled up on the couch with his head in her lap telling her all about the love him and Zayn shared, before he could go see his mum and Dan.

"I know it hurts, Harry.. but things get better in time. I know it feels like you'll never find a love like him again but you simply can't think that way because there's many people in this world that are just as amazing of a person as Zayn is, you just have to look for them or let them find you. I promise you'll find love in your life again, Harry, maybe even more than a good few times."

Harry sniffed and sighed, "Just don't tell mum about this. She'll have a damn heart attack if she knew what I did in America."

"I nearly had a heart attack when you told me. But don't worry, your dirty little secret is safe with me." Gemma said and pretend to zip her lips making a small smile appear on Harry's face.

And then, with time, Harry stopped feeling sad when he realised that Zayn came into his life for more reasons than just to be a comfort for him and he was grateful for that.

Now Harry sat at his desk, his golden boots bouncing on the floor, as he was putting together some pictures on his latest article about his trip to Africa that he had just returned from. After done with that he was free for the day and headed home.

"Haz, you should take over the fashion section from me." A co-worker joked as she walked past him and took in his attire, that everyone in the office had all gotten used to.

"His name is obviously 'Styles' for a reason, Jules." Another woman, opposite Harry, said, making him smile to himself.

"You know, I wouldn't mind. It would be a nice change - something different." He said.

"And different is good, right?" Jules smiled at him, repeating the phrase he always used around them.

"Right." He nodded and winked before saying his goodbyes for the weekend.

As soon as he went home he made himself a cup of tea and while at the sink, saw an orange and white kitten slip through the open window. "Hello," Harry greeted and went back to finish making his cup of tea.

The kitten, who was slightly wet from the London rain, shook itself and stretched before tentatively crawling over the counter and then jumping up on the table where Harry was. He eyed the kitten and, before putting the milk back in the fridge, got out a small bowl for the little friend, who was anxiously watching him.

He sipped on his tea, watching the kitten lap up the milk when his phone rang. "Hey, Gem."

"Hazza! Hey, how are you?"

"Good and you?" He asked, trying to reach out to touch the kitten but have it flinch away.

"Good, listen, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"No, why?"

"Do you wanna come on a double date with me?"

"Uh, I donno Gem - wait, you're going on a date? With who? What's his name?" Harry asked, going into overprotective mode.

"His name is Brendon, he's really nice Haz. We've been talking for a while now and he's got a really nice friend named Ashley." He could practically hear sister smirking over the phone. Gemma had actually been talking to Brendon for a really long time now but wanted to wait until things were serious between them before she mentioned him to Harry because she knew how he would get. "We can go catch a movie and some pizza or something. It'll be casual, what do you say?"

"Mmm," Harry hummed, unimpressed by this Brendon person. Harry had dated people since Zayn, but it was never anything really serious - still, he always gave people a chance to see where things would go. "Okay, what time?" He asked and gently and slowly stuck out his hand to let the kitten sniff it and see that he was no threat before petting it lovingly.