Flawless // z.m

Eighteen.

There really is no way to describe how it feels to wake up beside someone every morning with their arms tightly around you, holding onto you like you were their lifeline. I couldn't even remember what it was like to wake up before Zayn, and now that I had this, I don't think I could ever go back.

It got a little too hot sometimes, and every once in awhile he'd press his body weight onto mine, but all of that was welcome because it was the little things during the night that made me smile every morning.

Sometimes he would wake up just before the sun comes up and pull my body flush against his. Other times he'd brush his lips across my forehead, muttering some words into my ear that I couldn't quite catch. It was all a little cliché, the way we interacted, but it was special to me and I could only hope he felt the same.

Today we'd go back to work and I was determined to get Zayn back on track at the office. I didn't want to be another Katrina and I didn't want to give Zayn any excuse to doubt me.

Turning slightly to face Zayn, I sighed when his soft snores grazed my skin. I fought the urge to run my fingers through his fluffy hair, not wanting to disturb his peaceful sleep. I pried his fingers from my hip and slowly slipped out of the bed.

Zayn shuffled around, grunting before burying his face into my pillow. I smiled at the sight then went over to his side to shut the alarm off before it began blaring.

"Where did you disappear to?" I stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around my frame to see Zayn propped up on the headboard with his arms over his head. I smiled wryly and pulled at the towel to try and make it tighter.

"I was getting dressed," I mumbled and kept my gaze locked on the floor to ensure I wouldn't trip over my feet. Zayn shuffled around in the bed and I turned my back to him to hide the flush of my cheeks while digging through my closet.

"I don't like waking up alone," A large pair of hands grabbed at my waist, tugging me into a hard chest. I stumbled slightly, startled by the sudden close proximity but Zayn's arm wrapped all the way around my hips to pull me flush against him.

My heart thudded against my chest and heat rose from my neck all the way to my cheeks. I could feel Zayn's muscles flexing around my frame as he tightened his grip around me. His lips were brushing against the back of my neck, his fingers curling around the towel.

"S-sorry," I stuttered and I could feel him smiling against my skin.

"Don't let it happen again," Zayn's fingers glided across my neck, brushing my hair to the side before he placed a kiss right below my ear. "Let's stay home today."

"Zayn," I whined. I found my self control and pushed gently against his chest so his arms released me. "We can't, we haven't been to a full week of work in ages!"

Zayn merely shrugged and crossed his arms across his broadened chest. "Who cares, I'm the boss. I can do whatever I want." I rolled my eyes and turned back to my closet, suddenly remembering that I was basically naked.

"You should get dressed," I suggested while pulling out my outfit for the day. I heard Zayn sigh behind me and a few minutes later the shower was turned on.

We went through our morning like we usually did: Zayn grumbling under his breath, me trying to convince him into wearing a tie for once, and Zayn complaining about the lack of cereal in my cabinets.

"I hate Cheerios," he grumbled, dramatically pouring milk and cereal into the bowl. He slouched onto the chair, shoveling the cereal into his pouted lips.

"I like to switch it up every once in a while," I shrugged, pouring my own bowl. I took a seat across from him and slowly ate.

"Well," he dropped his spoon into his now empty bowl and leaned back into his seat. The fabric of his dress shirt stretched, revealing skin between the buttons. "I think we should just stick to Cocoa Puffs."