The watery daylight pushed back at the darkened edges of dawn, reclaiming the colours of day that had been washed into grey by the moonlit night. The world came back like a freshly developed photograph, every colour bright and new. It all contrasted against the gloomy atmosphere of everyone at the funeral though. In everyone there, it was a sad day. A day to mourn, comfort, and dwell in one's sadness. Maura and Bobby Horan both did this freely, as they had no shame crying over the death of their son.
It was a beautiful funeral really. Well to the sense where the flowers were picked perfectly, and the slick elegant casket was propped on its stand carefully with a football rested on top of it. Louis and Liam, were both in the front row with Harry and Zayn on their other side. Liam, Harry, and Louis all let tears fall, together. They comforted one another, and Harry hated that he'd have to get up in a few minutes looking like a mess. Zayn was calmed, and the only time his facade wavered, was when Harry would let out a whimper or sniffled.
The minister had called Harry up after a few more minutes of Niall's family and many friends crying together.
Zayn gave his hand a little squeeze, before he let harry go up in front of everyone. Digging in his tux pocket, Harry pulled the paper out and unfolded it slowly, trying to create some time to compose himself. Clearing his throat, Harry looked to everyone and then back to his eulogy.
"We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this we imagine that hour as placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive this same afternoon, this afternoon which is so certain and which has every hour filled in advance.
Niall, we used to call him "Brother". He was a brother, friend, best friend and a warrior in and out. We are all even gathered around outside in the freezing snow with frozen tears on our faces for him..."
The sadness flowed through his veins and deadened his mind. It was a poison to Harry's spirit, dulling him killing off his other emotions until it was the only one that remained.
"I am confident that Niall is smiling down at us from somewhere way beyond our imaginations. He's probably even managed to get himself a buffet, and a big white fluffy dog with him as well."
He puts on a fake smile to hide his pain from his friends. The reasons he does this is so he doesn't worry them, however the pains becoming to unbearable. It hurts now to even fake a smile. The crowd laughs at his last comment, and it kid of made his feel better. The faces were still sad though, and it wasn't like he was expecting anything different. Taking a deep breath, Harry used the back of his hand to remove the tears from his blurred vision.
"H-he will be in our hearts forever. I thank you Niall Horan, that I became part of your life's journey. We will always be proud of you."
After Niall's brother Greg spoke, the service ended with a prayer. Harry wanted to stay for when they finally put Niall in the ground . His head rested in Zayn's shoulder, as he boyfriend rubbed soothing small circles on the small of his back. The clouds were turning grey and heavy, and Harry's pretty sure that it was about to snow again. Ignoring it though, he watched as the men strapped the casket up, and lifted it in the air. They moved it only by the slightest so that they could slowly put Niall in his final resting place.
"The doctors told me...they told me what his last words were the night they told his he had died.." Harry said softly as he watched as another group of guys started to dump the soil over the casket. "They told me he said...that he said that it was 'alright'...and that he did the 'right thing' and that was all that mattered." Harry said as he let a tear fall.
"The short time that I had to have with him in that hospital room...he...he told me that I was smart to pick you. That...maybe he misjudged you Ze." Harry said lifting his head and turning to face Zayn. Their eyes made contact, and like always the kiss just came out of nowhere. The expected fireworks, tingles and desire burst though their bodies almost instantly. It was a short kiss, but it still had enough passion and warmth in it to calm Harry's tears a bit. Once they pulled apart, Zayn rubbed his thumb over Harry's cheek softly.
"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