Next To My Heart (Zarry AU)

Part 22

Harry wakes up early the next day, despite getting home late last night. His evening with Niall turned into more of a group meeting with Zayn and Liam joining them. The only thing that kept the night from being perfect was Louis not being there with them, although he did send some photos of the performance that night. Apparently both parties were missing out on something.

Surprisingly, it doesn't take Harry long to wake up and get going. He expected to be sluggish and tired, unwilling to get out of bed because his room feels somewhat chilly and the temperature under his sheets is perfectly warm, but he's struck with a sudden burst of energy. How long it will last remains to be seen.

Since it's Sunday, and he isn't planning on going anywhere, he dresses for comfort after his shower, pulling out his favourite pair of sweatpants and a plain T-shirt. Breakfast is eaten while he walks through his apartment and tidies as much as possible without it requiring too much effort. It's Sunday, after all. Today is for resting and wasting time doing nothing important. He's just thinking about what to do when he hears knocking. Honestly, it could only be one person.

''Hey,'' Harry greets Zayn, not even waiting before turning around and walking into his kitchen to grab something to drink. He hears his front door shut, asks Zayn if he wants anything while he's got his head inside a cabinet. There are barely any glasses left; he really needs to do his dishes.

''Just some water.''

''Coming right up! Go take a seat,'' he tells Zayn, grabbing two mismatched glasses and filling them with water. Harry takes a look at the clock in his kitchen, humming in surprise when he sees it's only ten in the morning. ''Here,'' Harry hands Zayn his glass and sits next to him on the couch, ''how did you know I was awake?''

''Your shower.''

''What?'' Harry isn't sure he heard that right. He places his glass on the table, foregoing a coaster because his coffee table can't be saved anymore, anyway. There are chips in the wood and the paint is slowly fading away in places. Not that he feels the need to buy a new one; it totally fits in with his style.

''Well, not your actual shower. Just the plumbing. I can hear it whenever you turn on your shower.'' Something about Zayn makes him seem nervous. His leg is jiggling and his fingers are tapping a rhythm on his glass. Harry feels relieved when Zayn places it on the table.

Harry almost places a hand on Zayn's knee to stop the jiggling, but rests his hands in his lap instead. ''You okay? You seem... nervous.''

''I need to talk to you about something.'' Harry has a feeling it can't be something good, because Zayn seems to have trouble looking him in the eye, his eyes focusing on different things throughout the room.

''Is it my shower? Does it wake you up?''

''What?'' Zayn looks at him then, brows furrowed. ''No, that's not it.''

Harry shrugs. ''Then what is it?'' Honestly, he's starting to feel agitated himself. Zayn always comes across as cool and collected, so whatever's got him in this state must be bad.

''I need to tell you something, and I need you to not interrupt me, because I'm not sure if I could continue if you did. I'm- it's not easy.''

''Hey.'' Harry does place a hand on his knee this time, using the gesture as a way to comfort Zayn and stop his leg from bouncing at the same time. ''I'm listening and won't say anything unless you give me the sign, okay?''

Zayn nods, his eyes glued to Harry's hand. ''Yeah. Okay.''

While he waits for Zayn to start talking, Harry thinks about how Zayn came to him of all people. It's obviously a big deal, whatever he is going to say, and he is adamant on proving to Zayn that he made the right decision, that he can be a great support. And Harry knows he's good at it, had plenty of practice with the children at the daycare, knows how to be gentle and caring without it being overbearing. It's one of the things he loves about his job, the feeling of people trusting you and coming to you for comfort, even if they're just children.