Stay With Me

Chapter 20

"I'll be over there...I think they wanna talk." Zayn said nodding over to Harry's friends who were heading over. Harry turned to look at them, and then back to Zayn sighing.

"You'll have to try to talk to them eventually," the curly lad said softly as he looked at Zayn with that same amount of love in his eyes. 

"I'll work on it."

Harry watched as Zayn walked off in the direction of the car. Letting out a content sigh, he then turned just as Louis and Liam reached him. They talked and even more tears fell as they started to remember times with their now gone fourth best friend. The conversation then switched to how Harry was doing. The lad didn't really have anything to say. He wasn't feeling that grateful, and he wasn't feeling like crying anymore either. "I'm fine...I'm just a bit worried about what's going to happen next."

"It's going to work out Harry." Liam said lightly patting Harry's shoulder.

Harry shrugged but smiled kindly at his friend. He didn't want to make everything awkward, by stating his concerns and why he felt that way. If he did that. then it probably would just make everything worse actually. So instead of dismissing Liam's comment, Harry thanked him.

“You know why it’s going to work out?” Louis says, and doesn’t wait for an answer. “Because you are probably one of the strongest people I know. You've even withstand my cooking." Lou said bringing some light to the occasion. It got serious again a few seconds later though. "...Because you’re Zayn's someone better, and you’re his someone best.” 

Harry's lips twitched at the corners at that comment, and nodded in thanks again. The three hugged, and Harry waved his farewell as he headed to the car where his boyfriend was waiting. Getting in the passenger seat, Harry buckled up then stole a quick kiss from Zayn. "Take me to my flat please." Harry said as he leaned his head against the window. It's dark now and the snow is still falling, clumps of wet flakes drifting windlessly down, the air moist, the sidewalk mushy underfoot. 

They get to Harry's place a bit later than normal due to the traffic. Once they got inside, Zayn helped Harry out of his jacket. They make their way into Harry's room which was really their room now. They get out of their tuxes and the follow each other into the bathroom to take a bath. Once the water was warm enough, Zayn gets in first then Harry gets in, in front of him. His long legs stretched out and bending slightly bu unseen cause of the bubbles. His head leaned back against Zayn's shoulder and his lips slightly brushing against Zayn's jawline. They sit in their beautiful silence for who knows how long. This time gave Harry some time to think. To think about thoughts that he should have thought about a while ago actually. 

"Ze...your tattoos....what do they mean?" Harry asked softly as he nudged his nose against Zayn's jaw. "I..I've always noticed them obviously, but what do they mean?" 

Zayn shifted a bit, and held his arm out, immediately knowing which tattoos Harry was talking about. Resting his arm on the edge of the tub, Zayn used his other hand to point them out.

"أميرالشياطين....This means Prince of the Demons...ملاكالظلام that means The King of the darkness,"  Zayn said pointing to the two writings that were right next to each other, and only slightly separated. "Valac gave them to me.."

"So they aren't actual tattoos that you wanted then?" 

Zayn shook his head and they sat in silence again. Harry's fingers brushed against the writing, curious of how Valac put them on Zayn. Shaking his head at the idea of Valac branding them on Zayn, Harry shivered and cleared his throat. Time had dissolved into itself as they sat contently together in the water. Then another thought accord.

"You were so guarded at first..what made you open up?"

"I felt a connection with you. You were on my mind all the times. I was worried if you fell asleep peacefully at night. I was concerned if you woke up in time for classes. I knew that I had to have you near, to have you stay with me." Zayn said wrapping his arms around Harry's waist again. "So instead of torturing myself with trying to stay away from you. I caved to yours and my wants. So I told you the truth first, so if you decided you didn't want to anymore, we would know so neither me or you would break."

"You wanted me to stay?"

"I always want you to stay with me."  

Happiness flowed through Harry, warming his skin like the rays of an early summer sun. They leaned into each other and kissed each other until they both felt drunk off of each other's scent. Their lips both stained red, and heart beats set as one. And yeah, staying with Zayn doesn't sound like a bad thing at all. 

End

A/N: Epilogue will come soon x