On one particular Friday Zayn notices how clear the sky seems. There are no signs of white clouds but just the bright sun shining, glimmering onto the lake just beside the office buidling.

Instantly, Zayn quickly takes out his phone to text Harry, wondering if he has seen it yet. His friend likes the simpilest of things, such as a cloudless sky. Zayn remembers him saying that to him in the list of things he likes.

"Guess who got laid!" a voice suddenly exclaims , Louis, who is now standing up from his seat with a large smile on his lips as he looks at Zayn. He quirks up an eyebrow.

"Uh, you?" Zayn says, snorting as Louis nods. "Who was the lucky guy or gal?" he questions.

"Guy, and it was a one night stand." Louis says, sitting back down. Zayn frowns.

"Oh...I didn't know you did that." Zayn furrows his brows.

"And I didn't know you judged."

"Lou, I've known you for a few years now, you've never done one night stands." Zayn says. "You even said you don't want to give your "sexy" body to just anyone, so what up?" Zayn questions, quirking up an eyebrow.

Louis shrugs. "I needed some action." he says.

Zayn nods his head silently, finding this behavior strange. "Well, I don't know how I feel about this wild lifestyle Louis." He jokes.

"And who the hell asked you?" Louis snaps and Zayn freezes, glancing at his friend but doesn't dwell on the words. He keeps his mouth shut, checking emails and any deadlines he may have by the end of the month.

It's only September, no holidays have come up which usually makes them busy. Zayn stands up, collecting a few files he needs to give to his boss from reviews and critics of the magazines. They usually aren't bad at all, but if they are, there's a meeting for each floor on different days to figure out ways to improve.

Honestly, Zayn hates them.

It's filled with fake people wanting to get recognized by the boss with their good ideas in order to get a raise. Sometimes people are genuine and insightful, obviously enjoyable. But Zayn is always quiet because he's either not confident about his response or simply has nothing to say at all.

Going through the corridor, Zayn turns a corner, accidentally knocking into another body, making a shriek leave the person's lips and Zayn frantically saying a "sorry". When he meets the person's eyes he meets a bright green with dirty blonde hair. He's never seen this woman around the office before so she is clearly new and very beautiful. "Hey, uh, I'm really sorry about that." He says, shaking his head as he quickly picks up the files and papers she once had in her hands.

"Oh." She chuckles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she looks down, taking the papers Zayn had collected for her. "Thank you and it's fine, really, I should've looked where I was going." She says, both of them standing at the same time. She is right under his nose, being fairly tall. She has olive colored skin, curvy and has a natural glow to her with an average sized bust. She seems to carry herself well, with confidence and class.

"You're new here?" Zayn asks curiously, taking in the aura she brings with her. She smells of cinnamon and seems cautious but friendly.

"Yeah, my first day, someone named Lara is supposed to give me my tour but I'm not sure where her office is." She sighs, taking out a torn out paper with a room number written on it.

"441. It's the other direction," Zayn points behind her. "And the last door on your left." He states.

"Thank you, what's your name?" She asks.

"Uh, Zayn, you?"

"How about you find out over dinner?" She grins, green eyes lighting up.

Zayn blinks in shock, taken aback because he's really not used to being flirted with, but he grows a small smile, chuckling lightly before biting his bottom lip. "What's your number?" He questions.

LATER

"I got a co workers number." Zayn says, feeling a bit weird about it. After later finding out her name is Shenae from another co worker, he realized he admired her confidence and natural beauty. He's not usually used to forwardness considering he isn't forward himself.

Louis and him walk along the sidewalk to get to the cafe. Louis is texting on his phone, but his head perks up in interest at the revelation. "I thought you liked Harry." He says, sticking his phone in his back pocket. Zayn shakes his head.

"Sure, he's attractive, but I know that would never get anywhere." Zayn shrugs. "He has Aspergers." He tells him and Louis' mouth falls open as he nods his head slowly.

"Okay, that's why he's a bit strange."

"Socially awkward."

"I mean not all socially awkward people have aspergers."

Zayn hisses his teeth, sighing. "I know Louis, I'm just saying he is socially awkward."

"Oh, well, yeah, you're right, he is." Louis snorts.

"But he's so sweet and adorable." Zayn mumbles, smiling to himself, looking down at the ground.

"Z, can you stop walking for a second?" Louis says, putting a hand against his chest. Zayn furrows his brows, watching Louis walk in front of him before he reaches into Zayn's pocket, not finding anything, then reaching in the other pocket to find the scrap of paper with the woman's number.

"Louis!" Zayn says, eyes widening as he watches him rip it up before letting it go to flutter in the wind. Zayn doesn't know if he's more bothered Louis littered or lost the number of the woman he could have a potential date with. "I was actually interested!" Zayn exclaims.

"You don't like her like you like Harry."

"I mean I could," Zayn rolls his eyes. "You don't know." He crosses his arms over his chest, glaring at his friend. "Now I've got to ask her-"

"You're not asking her shit, and I'm making sure of that Zayn." Louis snaps, pointing a finger in his face. Zayn furrows his brows before shaking his head as he drops his arms to his sides again.

"Louis, why are you doing this?" He sighs.

"Because I care about you." Louis frowns, Zayn blinking obliviously. "A lot Zayn , okay? I want you to be happy."

"I could be happy with her. Plus, Harry seems to have a lot of unaddressed problems I don't think-"

"Doesn't everyone Zayn!" Louis exclaims, throwing his arms in the air. "You do, I do, Li does. Don't let his disability scare you away." Louis shakes his head. Zayn shuts his mouth, the thought not even coming to mind until Louis just addressed it. "Now go in there, stop trying to be straight and talk to the guy." Louis snaps, grabbing Zayn's wrist to walk towards the little cafè together. Zayn chuckles, making Louis glance back at him."What?" He questions.

"I didn't even notice my sexuality until he spoke to me."

"Oh my god, you're disgusting." Louis teases as they stop in front of the door, making Zayn laugh when Louis pokes at his chest. "Now I'm going to Burger King across the street because I want some fast food and not boujee, expensive shit and when lunch is over, I want to hear some saucy details."

"No promises." Zayn shakes his head and Louis turns, waving him off as he walks across the street.

Zayn sighs and turns towards the cafe doors to walk inside. Turning to the counter, he knew he wouldn't see Harry. Harry doesn't like being at the counter. Harry doesn't like people and Harry doesn't trust Zayn. That doesn't deter Zayn from being completely and utterly fascinated and infatuated by him, just a bit frusterated.

He honestly doesn't care about his mental disability or the fact he has some struggles he's going through, mostly because that's all apart of the relationship that will make it flourish.

Zayn orders the same food: decaf coffee and a blueberry muffin. Satisfactory and delicious for four bucks.

However, Zayn also simply doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

NIGHT TIME

Zayn gets out of the car, eyebrows raising in shock at the lit up building before him. The letters across the hanging canopy reads "grand opening".

"An art gallery. Why did you take me to an art gallery?" Zayn furrows his brows , looking his sister as she pops her head out of the car, hoisting her bag up on her shoulder.

Another man comes out of the driver's seat in the front, dirty blond with bright blue eyes, a pretty face and a charming smile. Zayn still doesn't trust him as he lifts his arm to go around his sister's shoulders,pulling her close to his body.

Doniya knew bringing Zayn to a place he somewhat enjoys would lessen the blow of meeting her damn boyfriend. That she in fact just sprung on Zayn unexpectedly. And of course, Zayn was shocked because what the hell is this man doing kissing her when Zayn opens his front door?

His name is David and appareantly he's an architect. He just graduated and got his master's now beginning to make up his own independent firm.

That's okay , Zayn guesses.

Not great.

"Well, I just thought that you should apply for your art to be put up. Even make a little party out of it, invite your co workers, friends, the family." Don smiles as she crosses her arms over her chest.

Zayn grimaces and Don rolls her eyes before reaching out to grab Zayn's hand. "You're considering this, I'm making sure of it." Don commands.

"Blah, blah, blah." Zayn mocks, snickering as Don turns to glare at him. "Don, you know I'm not." he sighs, taking his hand back. He turns to see David following behind them.

"I for one think it would be a great idea." David adds. 

Zayn smiles slightly, attempting to be polite. "Just not me. I don't like showing off." he shrugs. "But I'll quietly enjoy the art."

"Z, I know you're not the type to be competitive, but sometimes that's what you've got to do to be happy. You've got to try stuff and compete to feel something."

Zayn furrows his brows, crossing his arms over his chest. "I am happy, haven't I told you that?"

"Of the same old thing?"

"I'm happy of keeping to myself. I don't like the spotlight, I just want to show my personality and that will be all people see until I actually trust them." Zayn says. His eyes glance to David who is looking between the two of them silently. "Let's go in there and talk about the art, yeah?" Zayn suggests, smiling hopefully. Doniya smiles, nodding her head.

"Okay, Z." she sighs. "You're lucky you're my sweet little brother." she teases, reaching out to pinch his cheek but Zayn chuckles, slapping her hand away.

"When can I see your art Zayn?" David questions and Zayn purses his lips, looking him over.

"When you show me your blueprints." Zayn says.

"Deal." David smirks, sticking out his hand for him to shake. Zayn hesitantly takes it, agreeing with the deal.

*

Later that night Zayn gets home around eleven, having the urge to get a cigarette. Usually once he's alone after being out for so long he likes to wind down with a smoke outside in the night as the wind picks up speed, cooling his skin, and the moon lights up his being in such an imminently dark atmosphere, calming him.

Now knowing he can't have one all he feels are these ever so subtle but annoying tingles in his digits and a throb in his head, making him grimace as he grabs onto his door knob, shutting his eyes and leaning his forehead against the cool wood as he lets out a soft sigh.

He looked up how long withdrawl usually lasts and depending on how long a person had smoked it can take several months, but how he feels is terrible. It seems his senses heighten whenever he thinks about smoking when he can't and everything just upsets him.

He takes a deep breath in before slowly breathing out, concentrating on the way his lungs contract.

A sudden buzzing sound distracts him from his exercises, making him look up to see the light flickering above him. He purses his lips, wondering how long that would take to get fixed, hopefully just as long as this withdrawl will last in order to have something close to relate to.

"Hey Zayn." a voice says, making him turn his head to see Harry softly closing his front door behind him. Zayn is shocked to see him, but it's definitely a pleasant surprise.

"Harry, hey, what are you doing up?" Zayn says, turning to him.

"Bad dream." he mumbles, flickering his gaze down for a few seconds before looking back up again. "Why are you up?" he asks.

"I just got home." Zayn shrugs. He walks over to the man, taking in his tousled hair and his yellow and white striped pajamas with lounge slippers on his feet.

Harry smiles as he locks his hands behind his back before beginning to rock back and forth on his feet. "What do you usually do after a bad dream?" Zayn asks.

"Take a walk."

"In your pajamas?" Zayn questions.

Harry nods, shrugging.

"Well, what if they get dirty?" Zayn asks.

"I'll change."

Zayn purses his lips, nodding. "It's not safe you know...to walk at night."

Harry looks down. "I like walking." he mumbles. "I don't want to be restricted." he shakes his head. Harry steps closer, leaning down to get closer to Zayn's face. "Mum doesn't know I leave." he whispers.

Zayn smiles slightly before tsking with a shake of his head. "What a rebel." he teases, making Harry smile slightly. "Why don't you come inside for tea?" Zayn asks, nodding towards his front door. Harry frowns at the idea, eyeing the door skeptically before looking back at Zayn again with uncertainty in his eyes. "I'm still a stranger, huh?" Zayn says with dissapointment in his tone.

Harry parts his lips. He shakes his head. "Not at all." he says softly. "I just don't like going in other people's homes."

"Is it because you don't trust me?"

Harry nods. "There's that." he responds. Zayn's frown deepens.

"Well, I'll follow you on that walk,how about that?" Zayn questions and Harry smiles brightly, nodding his head in excitement.

THE NEXT DAY

Zayn walks with Harry to the bus stop in order to ride the bus together, even if it would be more convenient to take his car. But Zayn just wants to respect Harry's wants because it's not that Harry is being rude...It's just this need to distance himself away from people as much as possible no matter how...emotionally close they get to a certain extent.

Does that make sense?

Zayn shakes his thoughts away, not liking them all jumbled when usually he has a pretty orderly mind, knowing what he wants when he wants it and understands his emotions. Having a crush is never simple or understandable.

Zayn doesn't know how Harry is comfortable riding the bus everyday. He knows it may be a sense of independence. He's an adult after all, still living with his mum and following her rules...at some point he will want to do his own things and have his own thoughts. But why trust a bus driver when Zayn is standing right beside him?

They board the bus and Harry is stealing glances at Zayn every so often, looking timid and sheepish. They walk to the back center and Zayn looks back at him, quirking up a curious eyebrow. "What's wrong, Harry?" Zayn questions, making Harry turn back with a confused expression. He shakes his head slowly.

"Nothing...nothing is wrong" he lies.

"I thought you said it was wrong to lie." Zayn frowns.

Harry nods, cheeks flushing pink as he flickers his gaze to the floor. "I said it was wrong...but I never said I don't do it."

"Well, you're terrible at it so might as well tell the truth." Zayn shrugs, chuckling jokingly but Harry doesn't find it funny as he looks down at his lap in embarrassment. Zayn frowns. "Hey, I'm only kidding babe, what's wrong?" Zayn says.

"Sometimes..." the man trails off, biting his bottom lip nervously and struggling to come out with something. Harry closes his eyes, his fingers fiddling relentlessly.

"You don't have to be nervous to speak to me." Zayn says lowly. Harry opens his eyes again, glancing at Zayn and he grows a small smile.

"I've just never said this out loud." Harry says softly, shaking his head. Zayn nods.

"Take your time." he responds.

Harry swallows thickly, shoulders hunched and body inward because of the insecurity he feels. "Sometimes I feel like an alien." he says and Zayn blinks, confused by his words. The man bites his bottom lip, thinking about it and not wanting to say the wrong thing. Zayn isn't too educated in emotions, he's really only good with books and paper and pencil. What could Harry mean by that? He's not sure. It could be exactly what he said, or more.

"What do you mean?" Zayn asks carefully, not wanting him to cower away from the question.

"Because I'm different." he says. "I don't want you to think I'm...not normal."

"You're the most genuine person I've ever met and that's all I could ask for in a friend, Harry." Zayn responds, making Harry shut his mouth as he looks back at him.

"But I'm still strange...and that's okay, I know. But you don't make me feel bad about it...thats the best part about who you are." Harry smiles.

Zayn bites his lip to hide his smile. "Okay, let's stop all the sentimental talk."

"But it's nice." Harry protests.

"I know, but sometimes it's too much for me, you know?" Zayn says.

Harry parts his lips, thinking about it before nodding his head. "Yes."

And Zayn smiles. "Good." he chuckles. "But one more thing..." Zayn trails off.

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to tell you, you look really nice today." He tells him , taking in his white, button up shirt with short sleeves and black jeans with  black converse on his feet. He looks cute and he finds it nice that Harry picks his clothes, letting Zayn see his sense of style. Just a little more of Harry he's slowly getting to know.

"You always look nice." Harry responds, looking down at his lap. Zayn frowns when noticing he didn't take the compliment but doesn't say anything, not knowing what to say.

Once they get to the carnival Zayn notices the bright smile on Harry's lips, making an involuntary smile grow on his own as well. "Excited?" Zayn asks as they stand to walk out. Harry nods quickly, physically grabbing Zayn's hand, making the man's breath hitch in shock.

Harry looks back at him, emerald eyes wide. "S-sorry." Harry stammers, retracting his hand back to fold them behind his back.

"No, Harry, no I-I want you to do that." Zayn interjects, reaching out carefully, not knowing if he should take back his hand or not.

"You do?" he says softly.

When they step off the bus drives away, leaving them standing on the curb facing each other with timid postures.

"Can we hold hands?" Zayn asks. "Only if you want to." he smiles slightly.

"Yeah...I...I do." Harry says softly. Harry reaches down and grabs Zayn's hand gently, tugging him in the direction of the entrance to the carnival.

Zayn smiles as they walk hand in hand toward the grassy area, screaming children filling the air and the smell of grease wafting in their nostrils. The bright sun beats down, but the cool air eases the heat, making this the perfect day to be out and about and have fun.

Louis, Liam and AJ already stand in front of the entrance. As they approach, each of them take notice, Louis being first. The blue eyed man's gaze instantly flickers  down to their interlocked hands, brows furrowed with a frown at first before he looks up at Zayn who smiles and Louis smiles back. He has to tell him a grateful thanks for pushing him to not go on that date and just spend time with Harry.

"Hey, Zayn, whose this?" AJ chirps as Liam smirks with his arms crossed over his chest.

Zayn bites his bottom lip nervously...because they're not exactly in a relationship...at all.

"My uh, friend, Harry." He says, smiling sheepishly again.

"Friend?" Liam pokes his chest, making Zayn reach up and rub the spot, not sure how to react. He lets go of Harry's hand, not sure how he feels about the loss of contact, and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Yeah." he nods. He glances at Harry who looks lost, not sure what to say. "So, are we going in or not?" Zayn puts on another hopeful smile.

"Come on slowpokes, especially you pregnant lady, you're taking forever." Louis groans jokingly as he turns to walk to the ticket both. Thankfully, he breaks the tension that most likely only Zayn feels.

"Did I do okay?" Harry leans down to whisper to Zayn. Zayn looks up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"First impression." he shrugs.

Zayn smiles fondly. "Yes babe, but don't be afraid to speak." he says.

Harry frowns, nodding in thought before looking in front of him again. Zayn hopes Harry's own mind won't deter him from speaking to his friends.

Zayn reaches over and grabs Harry's hand again, noticing Harry tighten his grip around his own and slightly pull him closer in order for their arms to brush against one another. Zayn smiles involuntarily.

"I love these!" Zayn exclaims, walking over to spray machine. They have to use water guns and spray enough water through the clowns mouth until the balloon that rises above it pops. It's the game that requires the most strategy and concentration, who wouldn't like it?

"Prepare to be dominated, Harry." Zayn teases, departing from him to walk up to one of the mounted water guns. Harry walks next to him, grabbing it slowly in confusion.

"What do I do?"

Suddenly the water shoots out, making Harry jump and Zayn simply chuckles as he lifts it and begins to squirt it in the clowns mouth, making the first balloon pop before moving to the next one.

Harry lifts his own gun but it goes all over the place and Zayn simply laughs, letting go of his own.

"Like this," Zayn says queitly, he leans slightly against his back, gliding his own hands across Harry's forearms, making the pale man still, until Zayn reaches his hands, hooking his own around them to help him guide the stream of water to one of the cardboard clown's mouth until it fills up the balloon and it pops.

"I did it!" he exclaims excitedly and Zayn chuckles.

"You did, babe." he says, letting go. He walks back over to his water gun, cheeks slightly burning because of what he just did, but it felt nice, being close to him.