International Love. ✈ z.h.

twenty-one ~ ❝bad news❞ ✈

Niall's Pov

Since the past few days had been nothing but hectic for all of us, we decided to pay a visit to an amusement park to get our minds off of everything and just try to have fun. Liam and Zayn had set aside some money to rent out half of the park, Louis immediately sprinting off with Liam in tow while I was getting ready to do the same until I heard Zayn give off a shaky sigh.

"You okay babe?" Before he opened his mouth to speak I followed the weary gaze of his eyes and saw that he was staring at one of the tallest, largest rides in the park, sweat starting to bead at his forehead as he swallowed.

"I just, I get nervous when it comes to rides. I don't like them very much." He gave off a nervous laugh but it wasn't enough to mask his serious fear that he had, Niall reading him easily as he gave a soft smile while running his hand up and down Zayn's back.

"Then we won't go on any rides. I'll be perfectly content with just playing some games and stuffing the hell out of my face with some unhealthy, borderline gross amusement park food." Zayn grinned as he lifted Niall and spun him around, making the blond giggle as a kiss was pressed to his forehead.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?"

+

"I literally, hate you." He belched while I lie across the back of the car with my hands gripping my stomach. Louis and Liam were so busy riding the rides and we were busy stuffing our faces with food; the end result being that Zayn and I could barely move or even breathe because of how much we ate. I was in too much pain to drive so he took over, gripping his own stomach with one hand while I groaned and rolled my eyes.

"Oh, shut up. I didn't force you to eat any of that food."

"I was trying to keep up! I've never seen somebody eat that fast!"

"Listen buddy—" I burped. "I consider that to be a very lovely talent of mine, so you either take it or leave it."

"I'll take any part of you." He smiled at me through the rearview mirror, making my heart flutter as I leaned back into the seat again and sighed. Before I knew it we were back in front of my apartment, Zayn and I both slowly making our way to the elevator and resting against the wall in each other's arms.

"I'm never eating again." I muttered, feeling my stomach bubble and then twist as I covered my mouth and pushed past Zayn as the elevator doors opened. I unlocked the door as quickly as I could and made a beeline for the restroom, throwing up every single thing that I'd eaten.

I didn't even know Zayn was right behind me until I felt his hand rubbing my back, squatting down next to me while I spit the remainder of what was in my mouth into the toilet and weakly reached up to flush.

"Don't look at me," I sighed, leaning against the tub while he only scoffed and moved my hair away from my forehead. "I'm gross."

"Throwing up is like, a bodily function babe. It is what it is. You're not gross." I smiled to myself as I leaned against his shoulder, his hand resting across my shoulders while I sighed.

"Hey, Zayn? Can I ask you something?" He only nodded, his eyes closed as he leaned his head against the edge of the tub.

"Why me? How come you fell in love with me and not somebody else?" He stilled for a moment, probably collecting his thoughts while I patiently waited. I don't know why I suddenly wanted to ask the question but I did, and I was glad that I had because the warm smile that spread across his face was enough to make my heart skip a beat and my stomach flutter in a good way.

"Maybe it was because when I met you in person, you treated me like a normal guy. Sure you were shy and nervous, but you also weren't screaming my name or trying to touch all over me like some of my fans do. You still remembered that I'm a normal human being that just wants to be treated normally." He pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, leaving me satisfied until he cleared his throat again.

"That and you're undeniably cute." That last comment made me blush, then squeal as he suddenly stood and picked me up to carry me back to the bedroom. Despite the fact that I'd thrown up mere seconds ago he'd placed a chaste kiss to my lips, gently placing me on the bed and lying down beside me with a loud grunt.

"I had a great time today, Niall. Thank you for not forcing me onto any rides."

"Of course, Zee." I smiled, soon feeling myself drift off to sleep while staying cuddled in Zayn's arms. No matter what happens, I knew Zayn would always be here to protect me.

+

Zayn's Pov

It was still early in the morning, the sky going from a deep blue to an ashy gray from the fog as I looked from the window to Niall who was still asleep. His blond hair was shoved in my face once again, making me smile as it tickled my chin. Staring at him in this moment made my heart swell; it really felt like I had found the one for me.

It was completely by chance that we'd met, but the longer we spent the time together and the more I got to know him, the more I was starting to believe that it wasn't just luck or chance; it might as well had been fate in itself. He was everything I could ever hope to have in a person, and it was like he confirmed that thought as he let out a content sigh and squeezed my arm in his sleep.

Wanting to admire him more and snap a picture, I picked up my phone only to see that I had a missed call from my publicist and management team. I rolled my eyes and carefully unrolled myself from Niall, grabbing my jacket and shoes as well as my pack of cigs on my way out the door. I know he didn't like when I smoked but talking to my team was always a stressful moment, and the only way I could get rid of that nervous tic was to smoke just one.

Within no time I was out in the misty air, calling back my team and holding the phone between my shoulder and ear as I placed a cigarette in my mouth and lit the end. Finally, after what seemed like forever they picked up the phone, making sigh as I leaned against the wall of the building.

"Sorry, I was asleep. What's up?" The words that came through the phone was enough to make me drop my cigarette in disbelief, not even bothering to grab another one as I gripped my chest to stop my heart from breaking.

"B-But you can't do that—no! I don't want to! I refuse! How dare you threaten my career like that; I'm not doing that to him!" Before I could get another word in I was cut off, the line going dead as I sank to my knees.

I couldn't believe the nerve of the management that I've trusted for years; all because I was with somebody that happened to be a guy instead of a girl. If I'd known they were so against relationships like mine, I would've never signed the stupid contract.

Break it off with Niall; were they joking? He's the love of my life, I could never do that to him. But...to stop doing what I love the most, especially with it being my income as of right now, it was an insanely difficult choice to make. If I left the company they'd make sure I'd never sign with anybody else again; I'm stuck.

I don't want to do it, but if it came down to it—

"Zayn? What are you doing out here in the cold? Come inside, baby."

I froze at his voice, keeping my head down as I refused to look at him. I was afraid that if I did, all resolve that I had built up would come crumbling down and I wouldn't be able to control the emotions that threatened to spill. I was hurt, angry, disgusted. Not with Niall, but with myself for what I was about to do.

I kept my brows furrowed, hiding all adoration that I had for him in the deepest part of my heart and locking it away as I turned towards him and crossed my arms.

"Zee?"

"It's over, Niall. We're through."

a.n.

my punishment for writing this at almost 1 am is me struggling to get up for work tomorrow smh. 

m xx