It was one of the hottest days of the summer and Zayn had finally decided that he would try his best to make his way to the lake next to his parents' house without help from anyone.
He walked down the familiar steps, counting each one his foot stepped down to make sure that he wouldn't take an extra step and hurt himself. Once he was down the steps, he walked through the backyard that was large and full of bright green grass that had a concrete path leading down to the lake.
Zayn walked slowly, his hands held out as he felt around for anything that he might possibly walk into, he thought it was better than using his white cane. To feel his surroundings was much better.
He listened to the change in sound as his feet collided with the dirt and pebbles rather than concrete, he knew he was close. He reached out further, a smile growing across his face as he heard the soft brush of the water against the small rocks. He was so excited, he was finally able to do this on his own without anyone or anything to help him.
It wasn't until he reached out a little too far and he came into contact with something warm, he ran his fingers across the surface that felt slightly squishy. He bit down on his bottom lip as he gently felt hands take his hands off the object, he knew he had touched the man again like he had the day before when he tried to go down to the lake on his own. "You know you shouldn't be out here," the man whispered softly, rubbing circles into the back of Zayn's small hands. The man's voice was so soothing to Zayn's nerves, he wished he could see him just this once.
"I-I just want the w-water." Zayn was so hot and so sweaty, the lack of air conditioning in his house wasn't helping him so he knew the next best thing was to go down to the lake while his parents were at the grocery store.
There was a gentle chuckle and he could feel warm breath against his forehead, the warmth that radiated from this man was so overwhelming. There was a soft squeeze to his hands as the man dropped one of his hand that he used to grip tightly onto the back of the man's shirt. He was lead to the lake slowly, the man being careful that the boy wouldn't trip over his own feet. "Lift your arms." Zayn did as the man let go of his hand. He felt his shirt being lifted and knuckles brushing against his skin, he couldn't contain the excitement that he had.
The shirt was pulled over his head and folded on the wet pebbles, the man did the same thing and lead Zayn out into the water after stepping out of their shoes. The water was so much cooler than Zayn's house, it felt like steam was coming off of him as he cooled down.
The man gently held on to his hips as they moved further into the water, their feet scraping against the small rocks and pushing against the squishy soil. A big smile was on Zayn's face, showing his blue braces as he swung his arms, hands brushing against the surface of the water. He giggled as he pushed the water towards him, it creating tiny waves that splashed against his chest - it felt so good to finally be in the lake.
"Nice, huh?" the man whispered in Zayn's ear, causing the boy to nod wildly as he giggled again. This was the most fun he had in a while, this was way better than staying inside as he listened to music and talked to himself.
After ten whole minutes, the man lead Zayn back to land slowly and carefully, making sure Zayn didn't step on rocks that were too big. "Thank you!" Zayn chirped as he felt the man's hands leave his waist and his shirt being handed to him. He was so happy, he was sure he had never felt this happy since before the big accident.
His parents were always too scared to let him go into the lake, he used to be just as scared too, but with the help of the man and his yearn for something cooling, he managed to go in without a single bit of fear in his body.
The man hummed in response as he picked up his own folded shirt, seeing this kid smile so big with his faded brown eyes staring at nothing in particular was so cute. Zayn scrunched his nose and furrowed his eyebrows, he was trying to remember something that he knew was important. His face lit up as he remembered. "You're Louis! Our neighbor! I remember you from the first time I tried to go to the lake. T-That was.." Zayn was thinking again, his eyebrows knitted together as he squeezed his eyes shut with hopes of making the answer come to him quicker, but Louis beat him to it.
"Almost two years ago now, at least I think. I was here yesterday too." Louis surprised himself, he didn't think he would've remembered that day but he did. The kid's parents thanked him over and over again after he pulled the kid from the shore then back to the house just like yesterday.
"Thank you, Louis. I.. I really like the lake," Zayn said softly, it was his favorite thing besides the smell of his father's cooking. The water was gentle and cool, when his fingertips ran across the surface the water almost felt soft.
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Touch | zouis
Fanfic"I give anything to hear you say it one more time, that the universe was made just to be seen by my eyes."
