Café Red (Ziall)

Irresolute

Author's Note: I decided to update again since I didn't update yesterday. Enjoy :-)

                    Being as comfortable as he was, around Zayn, was a risk within itself. Niall knew that it could potentially unlock the door to vulnerability and feelings he hadn't exactly explored before. It required him to withdraw from a place of uncertainty and insecurity. Zayn was this successful, business owner; someone with a resumé and several achievements under his belt. He had a mature quality not only characteristically speaking, but physically as well. Overall, he was a well-rounded adult that knew of life's luxuries. Niall, on the other hand, was someone who had always found comfort in just getting by and, if he was going to move forward with dating Zayn, he felt as though he needed to be on the raven-haired man's level. That was where his insecurities then lied and it consumed him to the point that he started to avoid Zayn, in a sense. Sure, there was the daily run-in at the café and, sure, they still continued to engage in coversation; however that was where Niall drew the line; nothing more than small talk from his end of the counter. Niall didn't want to be too subtle about the way he was feeling, still serving Zayn his usual with the usual smile. He didn't want to drive the man away, but perhaps take a step back and view things from a bigger perspective. Zayn made it quite clear that he had feelings for Niall; straightforward and all; while Niall just kind of tipped-toe around that aspect of things. Maybe he was afraid that whatever emotions he withheld for Zayn were a lot stronger and that as well could potentially be a disaster. All in all, he felt like Zayn was too good for him.

                    "I was wondering - and I may sound absolutely crazy. I mean, I feel crazy just for thinking about it, but . . ." Niall watched from behind the register as Zayn stood before him; confused; mumbling and rambling; contemplating things to himself. Niall couldn't help but smile with adoration because it showed a sense of humbleness and Zayn was nearly on the brink of having some sort of anxiety attack. It was adorable in every sense of the word. It brought Niall back to a level-headed state because there he once was caught up in that same moment of uncertainty that Zayn was then in. Zayn stopped contemplating, finally averting his puzzled gaze back onto Niall. "Are you avoiding me?" Zayn finally asked. "I kind of feel like you are and it's bothering me because I really like you. I uh," Zayn stumbled out, running a hand through his hair; nervousness written across the odd smile on his face. "I know I probably made things awkward for you when you were at my home." This man; his level of discomfort was the very reason for the swell of Niall's heart. It was sort of alluring to see that side of him. Niall always had that repetitive image in his mind of Zayn coming into the café and ordering the same thing, sitting in the same place. For him to evoke the feelings lied within his heart and the thoughts that ran through his mind - Niall was, dare he say it, in love."I'm trying here, I am; but I'm probably smothering you." Too overwhelmed with everything, Niall leaned across the counter, reeled Zayn in by his loose tie, and then kissed him. Kissed him because it would break the barrier and the tension; kissed him because it was the only thought that screamed at him; kissed him because it was the only thing that made sense.

                    "Let me get this straight; not only did he kiss you, but he asked you out on a date?" Louis yelled from the kitchen, walking out with two beers a bowl of trail mix in hand. Zayn was still caught in a moment of awe, face rosy as he lied on the couch and stared at the ceiling. "Are you sure this guy is real? Sounds like some cliché, Disney rendition of a fairy tale movie, only for it to end in you both being murdered by a gang of thieves and all that terrible shit; but they'll hold Niall ransom until you bring them the millions they asked for and you'd be dumb enough to do because you're in love in all that shit; and then they'll shoot you both."

                    "Lou?" Said boy hummed, taking a sip of his beer. "Please shut up," Zayn informed him, sitting up fully. He grabbed the other can of beer, sat comfortably against the arm of the couch, and then fixated his eyes on the television. There was a terrible, reality show airing; however, he allowed his thoughts to fill with the scenario of Niall kissing him, and any doubt he had away. He blush hid within the room's darkness. "He likes to read, you know?" Zayn softly stated. Louis looked I'm Zayn's direction, a bored expression written across, but there was a small smirk there because he knew Zayn; and knowing Zayn meant a history of meeting his best friend's boyfriends. There was something about the way Zayn spoke about Niall that gave Louis an inkling that things could possibly work out that time around. "Probably almost as much as he loves the café," Zayn smiled to himself.

                    "Yeah. Well, I'm sure he'll love it even more when he finds out you're the owner."