i see you off in the distance -- a Ziall oneshot

i see you off in the distance

There are many different ways Louis has woken Zayn up, all of which Zayn has hated, but this just might be the absolute worst. Not only is there Christmas music blaring—which he absolutely hates—but Louis also decided it would be a good idea to jump on his bed and sing along to the horrid music at the top of his lungs. Zayn resists from kicking out and knocking Louis off the bed, only because of the fact that if he injures Louis he'll have to help Harry open the bakery. And that's entirely too much work for four in the morning.

"Fuck off," he moans, rolling over to shield himself with his blanket from the maniac. Sometimes Zayn wishes he would've taken that apartment closer to the campus, those four years ago when they were in their last year, rather than deciding to live next to Louis and Harry. Yes, it was more practical since they both have their own cars that they let Zayn borrow whenever, and it was somehow cheaper and nicer, and it's closer to the bakery.

But, mornings like this, Zayn regrets giving Louis a key to his flat.

"Zaynie!" Louis crows, jumping hard. He's mindful enough to keep away from Zayn, thankfully—Zayn doesn't fancy a broken hand or ankle. "Wake up, dickhead! Harry's making fresh muffins when we get to the shop and you aren't going to be slow this morning!"

Groaning, Zayn throws his arm over his face and mumbles curses, low enough that Louis won't hear. It's too early for anything at the moment, besides maybe fresh muffins, so Zayn ultimately decides to get up. In five minutes.

"No! Not five minutes. Now!" Louis nudges Zayn's arse with his cold foot—he's never been one for socks—and keeps nudging until Harry walks in.

"Lou, quit terrorizing the man. You'll get your muffins eventually," Harry says in his sweet morning voice, always one to make sure the closest to him are happy. Zayn is very grateful for him.

"Damn right I will," Louis quips, smile smug.

Zayn peeks out from under his covers to see Harry's cheeks pink, and he hides his smile under the covers as Harry forces Louis out of the room. The Christmas music leaves, too.

"Come on," Harry says, softer, shaking Zayn's shoulder. "Get up in a few, yeah?"

"Do I have to?" Already knowing the answer, Zayn sits up anyway, rubbing his eyes and wincing at the cold air that hits his bare chest. He should start remembering to bring the space heater in here every night. "Do I at least have time to shower?"

Harry chuckles, squeezing Zayn's shoulder again before walking back to the door. "Woke you up earlier so you would. Niall's coming in today and we can't have you smelling like rubbish, can we?"

Zayn only manages a small glare in his direction before Harry is chuckling and walking out. The sound of his flat door clicking shut has Zayn sighing into the still air of his flat. He could really use some fresh air right now, but it's too cold to open the window.

Also, the faster Zayn gets ready, the faster they can leave. He's really looking forward to seeing Niall today.

-

See, the thing is, Zayn might have a little bit of a creepy obsession with the brunet uni kid that comes in. For a few months straight now, the kid has been showing up primarily on Tuesdays and Fridays, sometimes random visits in between, and orders the same thing—a cup of hot chocolate and a cranberry scone. He sits at the same table every time, picking away at his scone as he flips through textbook after textbook.

He always looks so focused on what he's reading or doing, which Zayn admires a lot. And he's also got this adorable frowny face that reminds Zayn of himself when he was in his first year of uni. He's got the brightest eyes (of which Harry has argued about, but Zayn isn't madly in love with Louis so he obviously doesn't agree) and this crooked smile whenever Harry or Louis hands over the steaming hot chocolate.