Levirate [Haniaal/Zarry]

Chapter 13

June 2023

Harry feels drained the morning after hereturned home from the Maliks. The house is so quiet with everyone gone back to their lives. The silence is too much after the hive of activity during the week after Daniaal's death and the week he spent at the Maliks. 

Gemma had gone back home to Germany and Anne was back in Chesire, both due to work commitments and Harry would not want them to be inconvenienced because of his grief so he asked them to go back home. Anne had suggested that Harry move back to Chesire but he refused stating that he could not leave the home he shared with Daniaal so soon after his passing. 

Now it is so eerily quiet like the house wants him to remember that he is alone now, it is no longer a home. "Just me and you baby" he says while stroking his bump. He gets up and freshens up then unpacks his luggage. The task takes his mind off a lot, it is the perfect menial task to keep him busy and away from the darkness that his mind tends to drift to when he is idle. His concentration is interrupted by the growling of his stomach, making him aware that he hasn't eaten yet. He makes his way downstairs for breakfast and finds Zayn sitting at the island eating cereal. Harry has not exchanged any words with him since they met and now here he is in his house. He is not sure how to approach the situation they find themselves in. What are Zayn's beliefs? Would he expect a husband out of him at this time? Is he staying? Did he agree with Yaser about all of this?

His thoughts are interrupted by Zayn clearing his throat and Harry realises that he has been standing at the bottom of the stairs like an idiot while his thoughts drifted away. "Morning" he greets as he makes his way to the coffee maker to prepare his decaf coffee. "Morning. How did you sleep?" asks Zayn with half a smile and Harry does not know if that is how he smiles or maybe he is as nervous and confused as he is. "Fine, you?"

"I slept fine as well, thank you"

He acknowledges Zayn's response with a nod and busies himself with making himself toast and chooses not to take the conversation any further. Once he is done, he grabs his plate and cup and makes his way towards the stairs that lead to his room. "Are we gonna address the elephant in the room or you are going to pretend like all is well" Zayn asks just as Harry is about to step on the first step. He turns around and finds Zayn staring at him still sitting at the island, his cereal bowl finished already and put in the sink. "I don't know what you and your father had planned but there will not be a relationship here between us. I am not really sure how long you plan to be here for but please make yourself as scarce as possible. I have a lot to deal with and I do not need you added on to that list". He does not give Zayn the opportunity to respond as he turns and walks away without glancing back. 

Other than Zayn, Fahima was the only other figure that was around the house. She has stopped sleeping over at Daniaal's home because as understanding as her husband is, she could not subject him to a cold bed any longer. Fahima is in the process wrapping up all of Daniaal's deals and closing off all open orders. She listed all the paintings that Daniaal had completed, approved by Harry of course, and brought all personal paintings back to Daniaal's home studio. The pack for the anniversary was kept at the gallery though. Her involvement in Daniaal's plans meant that she knew how the anniversary was meant to go and she could complete it for Daniaal as her last gift to him. So, she had a handle on things during the day and Zayn has to be there for the night and keep a lookout for Harry in case he needs anything.

Harry has not left his room since the run in with Zayn. The only people that get to see him are Fahima and Harley if you count her. Fahima had forgotten to close Harry's door properly one day and Harley, Zayn's dog, snuck in and has been visiting him daily since then. Harry is not a dog person and has illustrated that to Harley multiple times but Harley, like her owner, is very stubborn and has found a way for her not to be kicked out anymore like Harry did the first few times that she went into his room. He spends most of his days playing and chatting to Harley and doing the scrapbook that he started with Gemma.

***

It is Friday and Harry is mindlessly playing fetch with Harley when the phone rings. He had sent an email to Niall a few days ago to find a job for Fahima with his friends at galleries and he has called with good news. The gallery he found is still around London so Fahima will not need to move. He calls Fahima to let her know but she purposefully ignores him because Harry can hear her phone ringing clearly. He grabs a beanie and walks out to Daniaal's home studio. He has avoided coming here for so long that it feels weird walking in that direction. He is not yet ready to see Daniaal's work so instead of opening, he stands by the door and shouts to Fahima that she must not come back from Monday because she has to report for work at Barbican Art Gallery. When he hears Fahima's footsteps approaching, he quickly walks back to his room and snugs into bed with Harley. When Fahima goes home that Friday, their hug lasts far longer than normal, and she even cries a bit because she feels like she is abandoning Harry.

Fahima walks downstairs and stops in front of Zayn who is lying leisurely on the couch while watching TV. "You take care of him, you hear me? He is stubborn and he will probably drive you up the wall but he is fragile inside and very selfless. He is my baby and I will not forgive you if anything happens to him you hear?" Zayn sits up and nods his head. "Here is my number. You call me whenever; I do not care what time it is. Be there for him even when he does not want you to be. He will never tell you when he needs you, but he does so be patient with him okay?" Zayn nods again and Fahima opens her arms for a hug. Zayn stands and walks into her arms and wraps his arms around her back. They have grown a bit of a friendship since she started working there and Zayn is sad to see her leave but also very happy for her.

***

Fahima started her job 3 days ago and the only time Harry leaves his room is to collect his delivered food. The only words shared in this house are "Hi". Zayn has managed to keep his cool all along thanks to Fahima's words but it is frustrating to stay with someone who says nothing at all to you, just throws dirty looks your way. Harry wanders off downstairs, annoyed because it is raining and the diner is not able to deliver his lunch today so he has to leave his room to collect the food. He is hungry and agitated so the last thing he needs is the loud noise of video games yet that is exactly what he finds.

"Fuck Zayn. Can you just turn that shit off? Your games are noisy and annoying...I don't even know what you are still doing here. I can take care of myself"

"It is not you I am worried about" responds Zayn nonchalantly as he plugs in headsets to the console and heads back to his seat.

That statement pisses Harry off to no end. How dare Zayn comment on his capability to care for his baby. "Are you trying to say I'm a bad dad? What the actual fuck? You don't even know me you jerk"

Zayn does not even turn to look at him as he says "Harry just stop okay. You are trying to put words into my mouth. Do not project whatever insecurities you have onto me. I'm here because based on what I've seen I am needed, simple as that"

"Like hell you are. I am sick and tired of you Maliks inserting yourselves into my life. I am able to take care of myself and I will fucking prove you all wrong"

Zayn just scoffs and continues playing his video game like what Harry just said is of no significance. Harry is fuming as he leaves the living room to go to his room. He has never felt so insulted in his life and that scoff from Zayn sets him off on a tangent.

"Jeff, Harry here. Can you please forward me the work plan for Kim and Lady Gaga's garments? And also progress report on all the after party outfits? Please come drop off the vision boards and the final approved sketches here at my house"

"Are you sure you are ready to work Harry?" comes Jeff's voice from the other side filled with concern

But Harry has no time for concern "Gosh just do as I say. I am a grown man, I can make my own decisions without everybody needing to have a say!" He hangs up without waiting for a response. Harley starts scratching his door and he was not going to open the door at all because he is angry at her owner but the soft whimpers that she lets out tug at his heart and he lets her in. She slithers onto the bed and curls up to Harry. "Your owner is an asshole" Harley barks in response and to Harry it sounds like she agrees.

For the first time since Daniaal's death, Harry went to bed that night, not with despair but determination.