Turning Page (Zarry AU)

Chapter 5 - A Perfect Match

Harry doesn’t live far away from Zayn at all. It’s really a miracle they never met before, since they both like to go to the same places and generally are into the same things. It’s weird, Zayn thinks, but as he’s following Harry up to his flat it feels like they can finally start to catch up on all the lost time. The first thing he notices when they enter is the sweet smell wafting through the flat, something along the lines of cookies. Not that that’s a bad thing, but this smells like the artificial kind and Zayn’s suspicions are answered when he sees a bunch of candles gathered on a little stand.

‘’Those yours?’’ he asks, nodding towards the candles while he carefully takes off his scarf and coat. He tries to think back to the diary and for the life of him he can’t remember if Harry ever actually mentioned a roommate.

‘’Wha- oh. Yea, but I can’t really smell them anymore,’’ he sighs while he hangs Zayn’s coat on the small rack, allowing Zayn to step further into the flat to investigate. Or, investigate isn’t really the right word. There isn’t much to see – it’s all very minimalistic, with soft tones and generally very light colours. It’s a soothing blend and Zayn finds himself liking it, more than the harsh blacks in his and Louis’ place.

‘’Well, make yourself at home. Want anything to drink?’’ Harry asks and Zayn turns around, catches him fiddling with his hands and biting down nervously on his bottom lip. It’s all a bit distracting so it takes him a bit longer to respond.

‘’Nah, ‘m alright.’’ Harry only nods before retreating to what is presumably the kitchen while Zayn lets himself fall down on the white sofa, feeling the cushions dent under his weight. He squirms a bit because he’s used to the hard surface of his couch at home and when Harry enters the living room with a glass of water he feels like he’s going to be swallowed whole. There’s a very short and quite uncomfortable silence in which Zayn watches Harry sit down next to him, suddenly very aware of his own breathing.

‘’You have a- uh, nice place,’’ he almost mumbles and feels his ears heat up because he’s not sure if Harry understood him and he honestly doesn’t want to repeat himself.

‘’Thanks! Although Niall keeps complaining about the smell,’’ Harry jokes, nudging Zayn with his elbow who only laughs nervously and suddenly feels very unsure about everything. He’s here at Harry’s place but what does it mean? What is he supposed to do and say? He’s cursing himself for not going out more, because it’s like he completely forgot how to interact with humans. Not that he ever really knew.

‘’Speaking of Niall, he should be here soon,’’ Harry remarks and reaches for his glass to take a sip. Zayn gets a bit carried away watching him, eyes drawn to the glistening of Harry’s bottom lip and it suddenly feels like someone’s kicked him in the back because he has this incredible urge to surge forward. He can see brief flashes in his mind of him and Harry kissing but when he blinks there’s just Harry watching him curiously. Zayn really is making a fool of himself.

‘’Right, Niall. Does he live here, too?’’ he asks, looking down at his hands and idly brushing his thumb over the swallow tattoo.

‘’Nah, ‘s just me. You got a roommate, then?’’ Harry sags back into the couch, legs spread and hands folded on his stomach. He looks very relaxed, something Zayn is absolutely not.

‘’My best mate Louis. He can be a right pain in the ass,’’ he chuckles, angles his body towards Harry so he doesn’t have to crane his neck so much.