Z.A.Y.N.

TRACK 13

Liam's got himself into a bad, very dangerous habit, of putting himself in place of whoever, or whatever, Zain's songs are actually about.

It started as soon as he got into his truck the morning before. He'd just left Zain in the hotel lobby with flushed cheeks after their ride down the lift consisted of a quick snog session - instigated by Liam after the writer noted how the sight of lift doors closing always inflicted a sense of evaporated hope towards a could've been love in him. Somehow, they made it all the way to the ground floor without any interruptions.

Being in such a good mood, it was easy for Liam to start his truck and begin his pattern of self-insertion with a techno track.

I'm going down in flames and you're feeding the fire

Each word you breathe

Call me insane, I'm in love with your games

Oh, I hear your name in the song of the fire

Where else would I be?I'm letting it burn, burn, burn

For the next twenty four hours, Liam continued with this default mindset any time he put on a song written by his new acquaintance; in the shower, at the gym, picking up around the house, and especially on the drive to pick up Zain at work the next night.

Spending two nights back to back together warranted a small break, but with his meeting with the label being Thursday afternoon, Liam wanted to take advantage of any waking moment Zain would give him; just maybe they'd be able to come up within another song in the next four days. If they don't, well, then, Liam's not going to feel rueful for at least using the time to admire Zain's high cheekbones and soliloquy notations.

Sitting in his Aston Martin, another high tempo song blasting, the singer hits send on his text.

I'm here outside when you're ready

The sports car's facing the pedestrian walkway that Chinese restaurants line the sides of, prepared this time around to be able to see when Zain leaves his particular storefront so Liam can know when to unlock the doors. Secretly, he hopes it won't be long; his windows are tinted, and not many are out at 11:30PM on a Sunday, but having a car worth over £160,000 is bound to turn a few heads. At least he stuck with the matte black finish and not the yellow Louis had suggested, then he might have a problem.

✔️Seen

Shaking his head, Liam puts the phone down on the middle leather seat divider, and stares at the front window of the nearest shop - specifically the ornate gold cat whose right arm is rocking back and forth.

I think about you every day

Every day, every day

When I'm without you every day

Every day, every day

Mumbling along to the electronic anthem while continuing to stare at the waving cat, Liam allows himself to play pretend and envision that he's lovely enough to get stuck in Zain's head as often as every day.

On cue, the man shows himself, slinging his backpack over his black t-shirt clad shoulder after checking to make sure that the restaurant's front door is locked.

The sleek sound of the door's being unlocked gets lost in the warped synth that leads the next queued up song.

It never fades away, it's staying

Your kiss like broken glass on my skin

And all the greatest loves end in violence