Something I Need (One Direction FanFic)

Missing Days

Nat's POV

I wake to the softness of blankets and plush pillows. My eyes flutter open adjusting the sunshine. I hear a faint beating but it is soon consumed by the sound of birds chirping. Not exactly remembering how I got here I sit up and find myself wearing only a baggy t-shirt. 

I swing my legs over the beds edge and bring the shirt to my nose inhaling it's scent. It smells musky and smoky, and I remember the only lad that smells like this. I slowly inch my way across the bed to see a sleeping Zayn. Pure perfection and angelic in his state of unconsciousness. I lightly stroke his cheek not really believing his presence. I feel his light stubble while caressing his cheek. How did this happen? 

His hand wraps around my wrist and he pulls me into his body, a smile lazily splayed on his lips, but his eyes remain closed. He draws circles with his thumb on my wrist and in a morning voice he says "What are you doing babe?" 

I gasp, and I watch his eyelids open revealing his rich brown eyes. My face must reveal my confusion and shock because he asks, "What's wrong?"

He holds my face in his hands concerned. "I... I don't know, I feel like there is something...wrong."

He kisses my forehead and wraps his arms around me bringing me closer. "There is nothing wrong. Everything is just fantastic."

I just nod and cuddle into his embrace burying my head into his chest. Though I feel safe and warm in his arms, I can't shake the feeling of immense dread.

I end up falling asleep again and wake up to Zayn playing with my hair. "What?" I ask yawning.

"Nothing, just enjoying the view." He smiles down at me. 

I blush and my lips press into a line. He kisses the top of my head and lightly brushes his fingers along my arm giving me goose bumps. I bite my lip and look up into his eyes, he leans in, our lips almost touching when my stomach growls. I flinch, my face turning into a dark crimson. 
He laughs and rubs my arm. "I guess someone's hungry." He smiles down at me but I can't meet his gaze.

Embarrassed, I give him and awkward smile and laugh along. "I guess I am." We get out of bed and walk down the stairs now staring at a familiar set up. We are in Zayn's flat, now realizing it, never have been in Zayn's bedroom before, yet feeling its familiarity.

We walk to the kitchen and I hop up onto his counter as he digs through his cabinets. "Looks like we only have cereal, is that good?" He asks shaking a box in front of me.

"Sounds delicious." I say sitting cross legged. My hair falls into my face and I brush it out with my fingers putting my hair up into a bun.

"Nice hair." He says smirking at me handing me a bowl. 

"Yours isn't too shabby yourself." I say messing up his hair even more. I bring the spoon to my lips about to chew when I start to choke on the cereal tasting overwhelmingly like salt. I cough covering my mouth and I set the bowl down jumping off the counter spitting the cereal out into his sink.

 Zayn comes up behind me rubbing my back as I try washing the salt taste out of my mouth with water but it does not help. "Are you alright babe?" 

I clear my throat anyway and say, "Yeah... I am fine. Did the cereal taste a bit off to you?" I ask wiping my mouth. 

He gives me a perturbed look and goes over to the cereal and smells it then tasting it. "Taste fine to me... Wait a minute, there is cinnamon in this." He says swallowing. 

I give him a weak smile and nod. "Yeah it must be that. I'm not a particularly a fan of it." I say reassuring him even though I know for sure I tasted salt.