You Are My Other Half

Part 5

Zayn had sat and listened to Harry's story in a constant state of horror. He had kept one hand in Harry's curls and the other on his cheek, listening intently as he recounted the gory details. Zayn felt so bad that Harry had a such a rough time, and on their anniversary no-less. He also couldn't believe that someone would actually start a fire in a classroom...

"Hazza, m'sorry those little pricks gave you such a hard time," Zayn said bending down to kiss Harry's forehead.

"I love you Zee," Harry said smiling at the simple gesture.

"Tell you what, the rest of the night is all about you. We can do whatever you want, babe." Zayn smiled down at his other half, completely abandoning his plans for the evening. He figured that they could save the grand gestures for another night; right now, Harry's feelings were more important than his romantic fantasies.

Harry started to consider his options, but then he remembered Zayn's clothes.

"Wait, so why are you all dressed up? Did you plan something for our anniversary?" He asked, sitting up and looking at Zayn quizzically.

"Don't worry about it Haz. It's totally not important. We can do whatever you want tonight. How about we stay in, order take away, and watch some cheesy rom-coms?" Zayn teased, finger-walking his hand up Harry's thigh.

Harry chuckled at Zayn's not-so-subtle advance and smacked his hand away. He nodded in agreement to Zayn's modified plans and cuddled into his side. Zayn wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder, then crinkled his nose at the whiff of something that smelled vaguely like dog food.

"How about you change out of those clothes, and I'll grab some snacks and get the movie set up?"

Harry sat back suddenly, gaping at Zayn.

"Are you trying to say I smell bad?" Harry asked, faking offense and smacking Zayn in the chest.

Zayn laughed, one where his eyes crinkled and his tongue did that thing where it poked between his teeth a little. "Yeah, kind of babe."

Harry bounced up off the couch and stomped towards their bedroom. Zayn continued to chuckle, until he remembered the explosion of candles and petals Harry was sure to notice. He shot up and sprinted after Harry, but it was too late.

Harry was standing in the doorway of their room with a hand over his mouth, stunned by the amazingly sweet gesture of his boyfriend.

"...Zayn...this is...so, so incredible."

Harry was truly at a loss for words. Then, he realized this seemed a little overboard, even for Zayn. Don't get him wrong, Zayn was an amazing boyfriend, and Harry's best friend as well. They fit perfectly together. And, Zayn did sweet little things for Harry all the time. But this was on a whole new level.

"Zee...I..."

"Shh," Zayn said, gently putting a finger on Harry's lips. Zayn laced his free hand between Harry's fingers and guided him further into the room.

"Harry, I love you."

"I love you too, Zee, but," Harry started to say before Zayn cut him off.

"Harry, I really wanted today to be special. I've kinda been working on this for a while...Hazza, I was going to make tonight the most amazing and special night we've ever had. Dinner at Gino's, then a walk along the banks, and..."

"Zayn...were you gunna do, what I think you were gunna do?" Harry mumbled, his emerald eyes already starting to get glassy.

Still holding Harry's right hand, Zayn slid down on one knee. He reached into the pocket of his skinny jeans and pulled out a simple white-gold band.

"Harry Styles...I want the world to know that you are mine, forever. You are my other half...and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Harry, couldn't even speak. His heart was simply overflowing with happiness, and his brain could no longer form words. But the ear-to-ear smile, and the tears streaming down his face were good enough for Zayn. He slid the ring on Harry's finger and got up to hug Harry.

Finally, Harry figured out how to work his mouth again. "Yes! Oh my God, yes!" Harry squealed as he embraced Zayn.

Zayn chuckled into Harry's ear, as Harry continued to squeeze him in a bone-crushing hug. "Ya know, you still kinda smell like mystery meat, Haz."

"Shut up, you arse," Harry laughed, pulling backand smacking Zayn in the chest again. Then, he leaned forward and finally gotthat kiss he'd been waiting for all day.��P���