Infectious (Ziall)

Steady.

Dear Life,

You came to me with open arms and threw me out there, into a world where nothing's promised; where nothing's certain; where things are frightening. Too young to stand on my own, two feet, and too blind to see only what's in front of me. I question everything, things that I don't understand, wondering if I should; and obstacles are thrown in my way just to find an answer. I question why I was born into a happy family only for it to be torn apart. I question why I was born into a home that was built with straws merely disguised as brick. I question why love is only entitled love when it comes with a smile, while pain and tears result in a frown. Then, I look at my dad and realize he's constantly standing there, still waiting on aching soles for my father; and I think about how he's afraid to admit that maybe he had forgiven Zayn so long ago and fears that there will be repercussions for doing so. It's the only reason Niall continued to push him away for so long. For the first time, it made me question if there would ever come a time when Niall would push me away as well, because I trail behind the footprints of the man that caused him heartache. I lit a cigarette because . . . well, I needed something to inhale, until you threw another obstacle my way.

Sincerely,

Chad Malik.

Malik Household.

[Where even the silent screams can be heard].

Niall had always envisioned what the moment would be like when he saw Zayn again; how time would freeze for a mere second and thoughts would get lost on their way to the forefront of his mind. He thought he would be angry, thought he would grab the nearest, household item, and then toss it at that good-for-nothing, dishonest man's head; but, in that moment, every feeling, but anger, rushed through his mind. In that moment, that sense of bitterness was behind him. There Zayn stood, awkward and short in pride. Vulnerable and fragile. Beautiful as the day Niall had seen him for the first time and longed to know his name; and never had Niall thought that they would be sharing a name all those years later; and never had he thought someone would creep under his skin and float through his veins. Chad watched the way his blond-headed father approached the other, gradually, but determined all in the same. The floor beneath them creaked, the sound of impatience, but Niall needed to be sure that his husband wouldn't suddenly vanish and leave behind shattered remains - that it all wasn't just a figment of his imagination. With a trembling hand, Niall allowed his finger tips to gently caress Zayn's bony cheeks. The warmth he evoked caused shaky breath to arise from Zayn's chapped lips, as the raven-haired man allowed himself to relish in the moment, closing his eyes. He could feel Niall standing closely, their chest touching with each exhale. Without hesitation, Niall threw his arms around Zayn's neck, pulling the taller man as closely as possible.

To see Zayn cry and grasp onto Niall for a sense of life, in that moment, Chad knew his father wasn't the unfaithful man he painted himself to be.

In the night, Chad lied awake. Their home was quiet, kind of like the calm after a stormed had finally passed; that moment when "what's next?" comes to mind. It was just another question he had no answer to. His father was raped. He had finally confessed. Chad knew that, that was only the first step to a long recover, but the support would be endless. Maybe that straw house needed to be knocked down, in place of a solid foundation.

"Goodnight, Chad." A small smile, hidden in the dark, appeared on Chad's face - the sound of Zayn's gentle voice, as the man stood by the bedroom door.

"Goodnight, dad."

_

Author's Note: So, this is the last chapter. There will be an epilogue, so don't fret! I enjoyed writing this story, but I'm also more than ready to move on to the next one. I hope you all enjoyed.

Dedication: inkedmalik.