A few weeks passed and Zayn was with Harry after school. It was the middle of spring and Zayn was beginning to worry.
"Relax, love, you've already done what you had to. You applied for the scholarship and submitted your work," Harry said trying to calm him down.
"I know but, how do we know how much it affects you if you've applied late? It's been almost three weeks and nothing, no news," Zayn said anguished.
"Look at me," Harry said grabbing his face. "We have each other, if you don't get it this time, you'll apply again next year. You're not giving up, do you hear me?" Harry said and Zayn nodded pecking his lips.
"How'd I do without you huh?" Zayn said sighing and relaxing his posture.
"I don't know, maybe, stress more?" Harry said smiling.
"You're right, I have to forget about it for a while and relax. What's meant to be, it's meant to be," Zayn said smiling at Harry. "Like us," he said.
"Like us," Harry repeated and kissed him. "Hey, what happened with the lawyer's letter, have you opened it yet?" Harry asked.
"Oh... the letter, erm... no, no yet. I'm... not ready. I think I'm gonna do it after I received an acceptance or rejection letter from NYU," Zayn said.
"Sounds good. I'm glad you've made up your mind, love," Harry said closing the cash register.
"What do you want to do this afternoon? It's sunny outside," Zayn said looking out the crystal door.
"What about, we close early and go for a walk in the park and read a little? We can grab some bread and cheese, and have a little picnic over there," Harry suggested.
"Sounds good, very relaxing. I need to relax," Zayn said.
***********
They arrived at the park and sat under a tree putting a blanket on the grass that was getting greener. Set the little basket on the floor and enjoyed the view.
"It's so different now, even though I like the winter and Christmas season with all my heart, spring has something charming," Harry said smiling.
"It is, the park looks more vibrant and alive," Zayn said laying on the blanket with his arms under his head.
"Remember the first time we came?" Harry asked.
"Of course, you were so into me already," Zayn said smiling at him.
"No, I wasn't. Not that much. I wanted to cheer you up," Harry said blushing.
"I know and I loved it. Y'know? You would have liked Louis, he was so outspoken and free. He was a free soul that's why he struggled that much when we were at the foster home," Zayn remembered.
"He'd be so proud of me now, having a gorgeous boyfriend, applying to college, having a home to come to every night. I'd love to share how happy I am with him, y'know?" Zayn continued.
"I know..." Harry said with a broken voice and trying not to sob.
"Hey, babe, are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" Zayn asked.
"No, of course not. It's just that I'm so proud of you too. You've gone through a lot that I'm so happy to be with you now. That's all," Harry said wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Babe," Zayn said and hugged Harry so hard that he pushed him on the blanket and he ended up all over him. Luckily the tree trunk was blocking the sight from curious people.
"Zee..." Harry said gasping his name. He was feeling his heart beating faster against his chest every time Zayn was close like this. Like the first time, he saw him in the store when he was helping Ms. Jenkins. "Such a sweet creature," he thought back then.
"I'm so proud of you too, you're running the store and still helping your mom, Cecile, me, and even Niall. I love your generous and kind soul," He said kissing him quickly.
Then Harry sat against the tree and opened the book that he just bought.
"What are you reading this time, babe?" Zayn asked.
"A novel. It was a recommendation from Suzette, the bookstore girl," Harry said.
"She has such a great crush on you babe," Zayn teased him.
"She's not," Harry said.
"She has, only you can't tell when one guy or girl is checking you out," Zayn said laying on his back and began observing the clouds moving.
"Anyways, all that I can say is that her book recommendation, was pretty good," Harry said in a serious tone.
"Okay, if you say so..." Zayn said closing his eyes.
"Do you want me to read some to you?" Harry asked.
"Alright," Zayn said.
"Miracles
Who am I? And how, I wonder, will this story end?
"The sun has come up and I am sitting by a window that is foggy with the breath of a life gone by. I'm a sight this morning: two shirts, heavy pants, a scarf wrapped twice around my neck and tucked into a thick sweater knitted by my daughter thirty birthdays ago," Harry began reading and soon he read and read page after page until it was almost dinner time and he stopped talking.
"Why did you stop?" Zayn said so into the story without realizing it was past the golden hour.
"It's late, babe. We should go home," Harry said closing the book.
"I want to know what happens next," Zayn said pouting.
"What about we continued tomorrow? I can come to your house and I can continue reading some chapters for you," Harry said.
"Promise you won't peek into it?" Zayn said.
"I see that you liked it..." Harry said smiling putting all the things on the basket and standing up.
"Ye-yes. It's a good story, indeed. Don't mock me," Zayn said.
"I won't. I know you're a sap babe," Harry said smiling at him.
"Not as much as you," Zayn said tickling him.
"Stop it! No! If you keep doing that, I won't read you anymore," Harry said laughing.
"Alright, alright. Just because I love your reading voice," Zayn said kissing his cheek.
"Come on, grab your jacket," Harry said and began walking.
"Y'know... I've been thinking. What if we look for a place for both of us? Once I finished high school," Zayn said nonchalantly.
"A- a place for the both of us?" Harry repeated.
"Yes, that's what I said. You're working at the store and I can find a job too. Like a part-time job. What do you think?" Zayn said putting his hands on his jeans and looking cautiously at Harry. He noticed the question caught him off guard.
"Tha-that sounds... go- good, yes," Harry said. He didn't know how to respond. This was the second time Zayn mention that.
"Of course, that's if you want it. I mean..." Zayn said. He was a little nervous about Harry's attitude, but he was quiet and he changed his behavior after he asked him.
Zayn was excited about the future, his school, and being an adult. He had plans with Louis at some point, and one of the things that he was most excited about is to have a place he could call home. Right now, he was with Cecile and it's home, but not completely his. He didn't have a say in his room's furniture or the color walls. Of course, he knows that if he asks Cecile to change them she will say yes, but that's not the point.
They arrived at Harry's apartment and Zayn decided to clear the air with him.
"Why are you so quiet?" Zayn asked.
"Just thinking," Harry said quietly.
"Is it because of what I said?" Zayn asked looking down.
"Ye-yes. Erm, I've been thinking about it too, and y'know what? We should do it," Harry said seriously.
"You do?!" Zayn said surprised and grinning, throwing himself at him.
"Whoa! Yes, love. I mean..." Harry was saying but was interrupted by a kiss from Zayn.
"God! I thought for a moment that you were thinking this was too fast," Zayn said relieved.
"It is, but I think we can handle it," Harry said winking at him.
"I do too! We have to have a plan, timeframes, budget, moving, etc." Zayn said excitedly.
"Of course, baby. We have to plan everything out," Harry said smiling at him and watching him in awe. He loves how Zayn could change from being dominant in bed and being like a kid when he's doing or talking about things that he loves.
They decide to make some dinner and watch a movie for that night.
"I'm gonna call Cecile, pretty quick," Zayn said taking the kitchen phone.
"Alright, is frozen lasagna okay for you?" Harry said and Zayn nodded.
"Hello, Cecile? I'm at Harry's. I have?! Okay, be right there," Zayn said hanging up.
"Harry! I've received the mail. Can... can we...?" Zayn asked excitedly.
"Ye- yes, baby, let's go!" Harry said dropping the frozen box on the kitchen sink and they headed to Cecile's.
"Cecile! I'm home," Zayn said.
"Dear, here's your mail," Cecile said handing him an NYU envelope.
"Okay... this is big," Zayn said nervously grabbing it. He opened it and start to read out loud.
"Mr. Zayn Malik, On behave of the admissions committee it is my honor and privilege... whoa! I've been accepted! They gave me the scholarship!" Zayn screamed.
"What?! That's great dear!" Cecile said and hugged him.
"Zee! That's awesome! I knew you'd do it!" Harry said joining the hug.
"Oh my God! I can't believe it! I've been accepted into the College of Arts and Science. Wow," Zayn said sitting down.
"How about if we go out to dinner and celebrate?" Cecile asked.
"That sounds perfect, would you like that Zee?" Harry said.
"Erm... I'd prefer to stay here with you. Is that alright?" Zayn said looking down.
"Sure, dear. I'm gonna make something special for dinner then," Cecile said smiling at him. She and Harry know that Zayn's still an introvert and sometimes he doesn't like being surrounded by a lot of people.
"I'm so proud of you, love. You made it," Harry said grabbing his hand.
"I did. After all, I did it, babe," Zayn said sobbing and wiping his eyes.
"Come here, love," Harry said hugging him and Zayn keep sobbing. He was so emotional over this.
"I-I know my father would be proud too, right? And mom," Zayn said lowly.
"They would, love. Yes," Harry said looking at the wounded and abandoned kid that Zayn was when his parents died. He's eighteen now but he is, in a way, still that kid inside.
"Okay... I'm being so emotional about this, I should stop," Zayn said a little embarrassed.
"No, you don't have to be ashamed of showing your feelings, that'd make you a stronger man. Y'know?" Harry said smiling.
"Erm... that's what my father used to say to me. Kind of... but something around those lines. Thank you, Harry," Zayn said.
They ate and talked about their plans. Laughing and making jokes.
"Well kids, this was a wonderful dinner. I'm going to bed. Zaynie, congrats, I'm so proud of you," Cecile said kissing his forehead.
"Okay, we clean up," Harry said.
"Thank you, darling," she said smiling and leaving them alone.
"What a day," Zayn said sighing.
"Yes, indeed it was," Harry said.
"Wanna come to my room?" Zayn whispered into Harry's ear and kissed it.
"Love..." Harry said giggling.
"I want to... be with you..." Zayn whispered.
"Me too," Harry said.
"Come on..." Zayn said grabbing his hand and heading to his bedroom. The minute they were inside he kissed Harry.
"Baby..." Harry said and let Zayn's tongue inside his mouth.
"I love you, Harry, so much," Zayn whispered against his lips.
"Me, me too," Harry said.
Zayn kissed him slowly making him hard. He could feel his growing cock against his pants.
"Baby... You're so hard for me," Zayn said.
"Always when you touch me... I can't help it," Harry whispered.
"Like this?" Zayn said grabbing him through his jeans.
"More... I want more of your touch, and more of you Zee," Harry said.
"More..." Zayn said licking Harry's bottom lip and sucking on it.
"Yes...," Harry said.
"I want... I want more... I wanna be yours completely," Zayn said nudging his face and neck.
"All mine, all yours," Harry said and Zayn kissed him hard.
"All yours, babe, I want to be only yours... I- I want you inside of me," Zayn said grabbing Harry's hard cock and looking into his green beautiful eyes. Harry nodded surprised and his heart started to pound faster in his chest.