The Love You Gave • 13rw

3 AM| Z. Dempsey

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Prompt: Just some Zach fluff.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

"Hey," you said into the speaker of your phone as you leaned back in your seat, propping your left leg up on the side, "what are you doing?"

Your eyes glanced to the house in front of you, lingering towards the window on the left. The light near the shades turned on and you smiled as you made out his small shadow behind the curtains.

"It's three A.M what do you think I'm doing?" Zach teased, his voice raspy. You shrugged and toyed with a strand of your hair, running it in between your fingers. "Sleeping I would assume but it's the weekend."

He chuckled against the receiver, making the phone vibrate with static from his breath fanning against the phone. "Leave it to you to be out during this hour," he said.

You smiled at his statement and sat up straighter, "I can't help that I was craving donuts."

"And you didn't invite me?" he said, his tone of voice faking his slight hurt. You rolled your eyes and smiled, "why do you think I'm calling?"

Zach was silent for a moment then gasped, "to tell me they were all out of strawberry donuts."

"Noooo," you cooed, "to tell you to put on some pants and come outside."

The blinds to Zach's room swished and soon enough you saw two brown eyes peering out into a night. Zach bit his lip as a sly smile began to rise upon his face when he saw you in your car parked in front of his house.

"Pants are already on," he smirked, letting his finger fall from the blind to shut it. With a flick to his light and shoving his feet into his shoes, Zach grabbed his house keys out of his backpack before heading out his backdoor and side gate.

You watched with a grin as he jogged from the side of his house to your car, plopping himself in the front seat.

"You know," he said, sliding the seatbelt across his chest and latching it in its lock, "this is a change."

Your perfectly arched brows furrowed together in confusion as you turned on the car and put it in drive. "What's a change?" You glanced over at Zach then looked to the stop sign and turned left in the direction of the Donut Hole.

"You driving," he said nonchalantly. Rolling down the window, Zach placed his right arm on the edge, cooling his hand with the night air breezing by as you drove.

You opened your mouth then closed it. This was a change. Usually when you and Zach hung out, he would either be the one to drive you or it would be one of the girls or guys.

You shrugged and rolled your window down as well, mimicking Zach's actions by letting your left arm out of the air while you steered with your right hand. "This too is also a change," you added and glanced over at him.

"What is?" he chimed, licking his lips. "Us hanging out at three am."

Justin glanced at the clock then out the window, "it's a nice change to have it be you rather than Justin."

Your lips pressed into a thin flat line and you rubbed them together. You understood what Zach meant. It seemed as if everyone in your circle of friends who truly knew what went on in Justin's household would be waken up during late hours by his calls. You rarely ever had to pick up one of Justin's rings since he only called you when no one else was available. Guilt had consumed you into picking up his call and allowing him to crash on your bedroom floor for the night.

You didn't know how Zach or Bryce did it.

Sure, you didn't mind letting him have a place to stay but Justin wasn't in the best mindset when he was intoxicated, and the one night you let him come over, you played mom. You couldn't imagine doing that every other weekend so you didn't blame Zach for his lack of answering the phone.

"You're a good friend, Zach."

His brown eyes met yours for a split second before he glanced back out the window, a small smile flattering upon his face.

Pulling up to the curbside of the Donut Hole, you turned off the car and let your silence feel the air. Zach's eyes never left the window and all you did was watch his gaze linger. His breathing was soft and soothing, comfort radiating from his frame.

"Do you want to wait here or?" you clear your throat. His mind was wandering and by his blank gaze you could tell he was lost in thought. You didn't mind getting the donuts and bringing them back, not wanting to tear him from whatever was spinning in his head.

Zach shakes his head and shoots you a sly smile, "let's get em."