Zach Herron
➵
idea credited to @paolalouisec
By the end of the two-month Why Don't We Tour, both Zach and (y/n) were about to go insane from missing each other so much.
On the morning of the day Zach and his band mates left, he and (y/n) woke up early just so that they could spend the mere hours that they had left together.
That morning contained desperate cuddles, lengthy hugs, and a few teary-eyed moments. But, no matter how much neither of them wanted to let each other go, the time came.
(y/n) kissed her boyfriend in the airport right before he and the boys boarded the plane. He pulled away with a look in his eyes that conveyed that the last thing he wanted to do was leave her behind.
The next two months were pure torture. Both have always been very physically attached to each other - at home they're constantly hugging and holding hands - so being apart was defiantly a huge test for their relationship.
Of course, they knew they would make it through, but that didn't mean it wasn't difficult.
(y/n) wanted nothing more than to go to one of the shows to see Zach and the boys during the tour, but lack of money and school got in the way and thwarted every plan she attempted to make.
The days passed slowly, each wanting nothing more than to be with one another in person.
***
(y/n) stands in the backyard of her house with her arms crossed over her chest. She's content with the chilly air and sunset view and doesn't allow her head to drift to the topic that occupies her thoughts most of the time anyway... Zach.
His tour ends in four days, and she can't wait to see him. She's full of anxiousness for his arrival, but knows that dwelling on it isn't going to make him come home sooner.
You've come this far, she thinks to herself. Just a little longer.
She takes a deep breath and forces her already-spinning mind to chill out.
Minutes later, she's still standing, eyes locked on the sky and mind locked in silent peace.
That's when a pair of arms wrap around her waist from behind.
With a gasp, she whirls around to find her beautiful boyfriend beaming down at her.
Both of their hearts feel as if they're going to beat right out of their chests.
"Zach," she whispers.
And then, he can't wait any longer.
He takes her up in his arms, pulling her off the ground as she mutters incoherent things into his shoulder. Her arms pull at the hood of his sweatshirt, desperate to hold onto whatever she can.
"You're here," she says through a fit of unbelieving laughter. "You're here."
"Yes," he says, barely able to get it out because of the smile stretched so tightly across his face. "I'm here, baby. I'm here."
He sets her down just to stare at her, taking in her features. She's still how she was; she's still the girl he fell in love with.
"What are you doing here?!" she asks, obviously still in shock.
"Unfortunately, the last show was canceled. The venue's finances fell through and there was nowhere else nearby large enough to host it so we have to wait a couple weeks to perform that one, but... I decided to come home right away to surprise you."
(y/n), not being able to hold back, wraps her arms around his waist once again.
The night goes on as the two lovers hold one another, as if trying to make up for all the time they lost.
***
Playing on (y/n)'s younger brother's gaming system was a normal activity for the couple before Zach had gone on tour, so they couldn't help but return to their old habits.
They sit hilariously close to each other on the couch - legs pressed tightly together and elbows constantly in the way - but want to be as close as they can at every given moment.
"Dang," (y/n) sighs as she sets her controller down on the coffee table in front of her, "I thought I was going to win."
"Aww, poor baby," Zach says with fake sorrow.
(y/n) makes a face that causes him to chuckle. He then proceeds to kiss her cheek over and over and doesn't stop until he's forced to because she's doubled over with laughter.
When she calms down, she's finds herself wrapped up in Zach's arms. They just sit there in silence holding each other, and for them, that's enough.
After a long silence, (y/n) speaks up.
"I was scared while you gone," she says quietly.
"About what?" Zach asks, concern evident in his gentle tone.
"That... that we wouldn't be the same when you got back."
The question hits Zach hard. He pulls his girlfriend closer to himself.
"Baby," he starts, "no matter the distance, no matter the time, no matter the business, no matter the trips, no matter the money, or the tours, or the fans, I love you."
(y/n) closes her eyes when he finishes, a small smile resting on her face. She knows she doesn't need to say it, but she does anyway.
"Still?" she asks.
He doesn't hesitate to answer.
"Still."
