Turning Page (Zarry AU)

Chapter 6 - Answers

They go on dates, text back and forth, and Zayn honestly feels like he’s living someone else’s life. He can’t remember the last time he was just so utterly consumed by someone, because that’s what it feels like. He thinks of Harry at random and when he does Louis always scoffs and-  

‘’Shut up,’’ Louis says and kicks Zayn’s leg. They’re both spread out on their couch, watching a movie neither of them are really interested in.

‘’Wha? I didn’t say anything.’’ Zayn frowns and tucks up his legs against his chest, out of Louis’ reach.

‘’You were thinking stuff. You had the face again,’’ Louis argues and tosses the remote at him. Zayn shrugs and starts changing the channel but stops when he feels a buzzing in his pocket. It’s a message from Harry and he doesn’t even notice Louis snatching the remote back again as he’s reading it.

Soo, you up for a party? It’s tonight and I’d really like to see you again… xo

Zayn can’t say no but he also can’t go alone, not to a party. He needs someone to fall back to, so he turns to Louis and smiles big, clutching his phone to his chest.

‘’Bloody hell, what now Zayn?’’ Louis groans, dropping the remote on the couch and rubbing his eyes tiredly.

‘’Haz says there’s a party,’’ Zayn starts off, waiting for a reaction only to be disappointed when all Louis does is raise his eyebrows. So he pouts, because he knows Louis can’t resist that.

‘’I’m not going to babysit you, man. And I can’t believe you’ve already got disgustingly cute nicknames for each other. Does he call you Zayniebear?’’ Louis jokes, pushing at Zayn’s foot when he tries to kick him.

‘’Nuh-uh! He calls me Zee. Why won’t you come?’’ Zayn whines and he knows he’s acting like a kid, but sometimes Louis brings out the worst in him.

‘’Because I’m knackered and not in the mood to watch you make out with Harry all evening,’’ Louis sighs, momentarily letting his attention drift to the screaming woman on the telly. ‘’You’ll be fine, Zee.’’

Looks like Zayn’s going to a party. Alone.

***

At first he’s afraid he’s not going to find the address, but he figures the booming music is obvious enough. Zayn shivers, pulls his coat tighter around him and walks up the first few steps, hesitantly pulling at the string that’s dangling out of the letterbox. Harry told him he was supposed to let himself in, so that’s what he does. There’s a click and when the door opens he’s met with people standing in the hallway, leaning into each other and talking while the smell of sweat and alcohol intensifies, along with the music pounding against his ears. He quickly takes off his coat so he’s left in his red Henley and carefully tucks it in the corner behind the umbrella holder. He doesn’t want it to get lost in the sea of coats.

It’s quite dark, the dim lights just enough to avoid him bumping into any objects. Now that he’s here, he’s happy to discover it’s not as busy as he thought it would be, his eyes easily finding Niall’s mop of blond hair. Zayn knows that means Harry’s not far off-

‘’Hey, you!’’ There’s a hand on his shoulder and even though he recognises the voice he’s still startled, turning around quickly and ending up stepping on Harry’s foot. He hisses but doesn’t take his hand off Zayn’s shoulder.

‘’Careful… Let’s get you a drink, yea?’’ Zayn nods and lets Harry grab his hand and drag him further into the house, which he was told is owned by three students. They occasionally throw a party, just because they can. Zayn watches Harry as he bends down to grab a can of beer from the fridge – he’s wearing tight dark blue jeans and a sheer black top. He suddenly has the urge to reach out and feel him, so he’s glad when Harry hands him the can, effectively stopping his hands from wandering. 

It’s only just past midnight but some people are already looking on the brink of things, stumbling against walls and whatnot. Zayn’s glad Harry seems somewhat normal – he wouldn’t know how to deal with a drunk Harry. At least not sober. The atmosphere changes when a different song comes on and people start dancing, some silly and others grinding. Suddenly Zayn’s very nervous, so he takes a large gulp of his drink and eyes Harry, who’s looking longingly at the dancing bodies. Their eyes meet and Zayn is tempted to look away but can’t, the can pausing halfway to his mouth while his breath hitches and Harry looks like he’s about to –

‘’Wanna dance?’’ Harry bites down on his bottom lip and Zayn’s forced to say yes, because he is completely mesmerised. So he downs the contents of his can and follows Harry to a slightly darker corner, where they wouldn’t have people constantly bumping into them, closer to the speakers. There’s a moment in which he’s unsure what’s expected of him, his hands dangling awkwardly by his side, but Harry – bless him – seems unfazed and takes said hands, placing them on his hips.

Zayn takes a step closer, feels more natural with less space between them and then joins Harry in moving, at first a bit stiff, but eventually more freely. He can feel himself slowly forgetting about his nerves and reminds himself that this is Harry, he can be himself and knows it will be appreciated. Zayn isn’t sure if it’s this revelation or the alcohol, but he actually has the courage to draw Harry closer to him, their noses nearly touching.

‘’Zayn,’’ Harry breathes against his mouth, hands clutching Zayn’s arms and suddenly he doesn’t want to dance anymore, wants to feel Harry’s mouth and soft skin, wants to revel in his warmth and drown himself in his lovely smell. And maybe Harry’s having the same thoughts, because the next moment all Zayn’s questions are answered: how his lips feel, how it would feel to have his body pressed against his and what sound Harry would make when he presses him against the wall – it’s a soft huff of breath, edging on a moan. Zayn forgets to listen to whatever song is on, because they’re making music themselves, kissing wetly and drawing harsh breaths in between.

Zayn knows the moment has been coming for a while and now that it’s finally here he feels so alive, revels in the feel of Harry’s skin under his hand. Feels his jaw go slack under his hand and the deep rumble in his chest when their tongues meet, the taste of beer and gum and something that must be Harry. He suddenly has the urge to cry, because this is all he really wants to do – wants to kiss Harry, hold his hand, feel his muscles tense when he touches him. He pulls away to breathe deeply, nosing along Harry’s neck and keeping his hand at the small of his back.

He finally looks up to see Harry giving him the same desperate look, eyes dark and wide and completely stuck on Zayn. One of his fears is to take things too fast, but this feels right. This feels like them claiming what’s theirs and has been for so long, only out of reach. And it’s not like they’re drunk - far from, actually. So when Harry finally asks the question he’s been waiting for, he doesn’t even hesitate.

‘’Wanna go to my place?’’

Woop woop ;). Only one chapter left guys! Hope you like it so far... Thanks for reading and voting! Last chapter on Sunday.

Laters xxx <3