The Summertime & Butterflies » Zarry ✔

☀️ 9: Third Summer : Trust Issues

Zayn had actually been quite lucky when it came to dodging Harry's parents the next morning. It turned out that they were both gone to work and only Gemma was left at home. However, she slept in late and wasn't awake yet. So Zayn was able to get dressed and slip out to his own home without anyone but Harry knowing he was still there.

However, Zayn was not as fortunate when he unlocked the door to his grandparents house and went inside. Everyone in the house was already awake and starting their day.

"You didn't tell us that you'd be staying over all night." Zayn's aunt said when he came into the living room.

"Um... I know. I'm sorry. But I didn't know I would stay either. It just happened."

She noticed him drawn to himself with his hands up to boths sides of his neck. So she stood up from the couch and came over to him. "Well, are you alright?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm fine."

"Have you eaten anything this morning?"

He shook his head. "No. But I'm just gonna... go take a bath for now. I'll eat afterwards."

He could tell she was still very curious about him but she let him go anyway. "Alright then. Let me know when you get out so I can make you something to eat. Okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

She let him go on and he continued down the hallway, never once taking his hands from his neck. His bath must've lasted two hours before he finally decided he'd better get out. When he came back into the living room this time, he had a medium size towel wrapped around his neck.

"Cold?" Nan asked when she saw him.

He stumbled over his words. "Ah uhm... a little."

Now his Aunt stood up from the couch.

"Zayn, why don't you come in the kitchen with me and tell me what you want to eat."

"Anything you make is fine, really."

"No, no. I'd like you to show me. Come on."

He could see by the way she was waving for him that this was less about what he wanted to eat and more about something else. So he was actually scared as he followed her to the kitchen.

"I- I don't know what I want to eat." He said silently.

"I know that. That's not the real reason I wanted you in here." She said with a soft smile.

Zayn raised his brow. "Okay."

"I just want to tell you that you should not be ashamed."

"Of what?"

"Of what Harry did to your neck."

Zayn's eyes grew big but he didn't say anything.

"Relax. I was also a nineteen year old once. I know what it's like to have a boyfriend and be affectionate with him. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's only natural. I just don't want you to go around hiding from us because you feel bad about it. It makes me sad."

Zayn twisted his mouth sideways. "Oh."

"I think it's beautiful that you two care about each other so much. As you well know, I never married or had any children. So I haven't got anyone or anything to live on after me. Seeing you two experiencing a young love together makes me happy."

He wore a look of confusion. "Wait. So you're not mad that I spent a night away without telling you?"

"No. I'm not. Because I know that you were safe there."