As Louis takes a nap on Zayn's couch, Zayn stands to get a blanket for him, covering the man with it gently before walking to his room to put on some shoes.

It's raining outside, and its undeniably calming especially in the late evening hours. Louis fell asleep because of the pitter patter when they were only on their third movie. Zayn is mostly awake, head buzzing because he was thinking about Harry and how he is.

He passes Louis in the living room again, noticing he's in a very deep sleep, and Zayn realizes that whole he stayed over here the last couple of nights and days he never slept like that. He was either fighting sleep or couldn't sleep at all. He must be at peace with himself, Zayn concludes.

Exiting out into the hallway, Zayn feels a shiver run up his spine. He takes slow movements, taking his time to walk to the door next to his own, knocking swiftly.

The door opens and a short girl answers, Gemma. Zayn hasn't spoken to her much at all, just got the backlash of a skeptical sister wanting to keep her brother safe from a stranger. Which is understandable considering the family's past.

Zayn sends her his best smile. "Looking for Harry?" She questions.

"Yeah." Zayn nods.

She opens the door more, letting Zayn inside.

"He's in his room." She says.

Zayn turns to say something to her, along the lines of thanks, but she disappears out the door as quick as light . Zayn shuts his mouth before turning to Harry's room door, about to knock but the man exits just as Zayn moves forward, causing them to crash into each other, Harry dropping whatever he was holding to hold Zayn up by his forearms. Their faces are only inches apart, eyes digging into each other.

But then Harry's eyes suddenly widen and he looks down at the floor. "Oh no." He breathes, letting Zayn stand himself and he bends down to quickly collect the now cluttered paper on the laminated floor.

Zayn smiles when Harry stands back up, loving to see his bright, emerald irises. "Hey, Harry." Zayn says. His gaze flickers to the papers he holds to his chest. "What's that?" He asks.

"Um...its a surprise." Harry says. "You can't know yet." He shakes his head. Zayn furrows his brows, crossing his arms over his chest as he smirks.

"I see." He chuckles. "Can't wait to know then." He says.

"Come on." Harry says, walking over to the kitchen.

Zayn follows him, noticing Harry seems more bubbly today. He really has to let off some emotions today though. Zayn believes today is the day it should be done.

"Harry." Zayn says. He takes a seat at the dining table as Harry folds up his papers and slides them in his back pocket. The man gets two mugs and a box of tea.

"Yeah?" He responds, back turned.

"Can I tell you something?" Zayn says.

Harry glances at him. "Yeah." He says.

"I hope this doesn't scare you away, but from getting to know you...I don't think it will," Zayn says. Hopes rather.

The Muslim man bites his bottom lip, feeling the undeniable nerves. But if Louis could do it...Zayn must be able to. Louis honestly inspired him last night. And made him a bit less fearless. "I think I'm-"

A sudden yelp comes from the man as he steps away from the counter, Zayn standing up quickly with wide eyes as he walks over to Harry to see him holding his hand, shaking a bit with his skin slightly seared off half his palm.

"Shit, Harry!" Zayn exclaims. "Run it under cold water." He says, rushing over to the sink and turning it on only slightly to let Harry lay his palm underneath, a hiss escaping his lips from the pain.

After a while Harry's tense shoulders relax and Zayn can tell he feels a bit better. "Does your mom have any aloe vera? Or petroleum jelly?" Zayn asks.

"I...I think so." Harry says. "It's in the bathroom in her room."

Zayn stops, looking at Harry questioningly, wondering if he should be the one to go or Zayn. "You can go in there...I trust you." Harry shrugs.

Zayn nods, walking out of the kitchen quickly to find her room. His eyes search and figures it's in the corridor beside Harry's. The man walks towards it, opening to door to see a bed inside and other essentials of a room he hasn't seen before. When he walks in, on his right, is another door.
Zayn walks in, seeing the bathroom. It seems the bathroom joins two rooms together because there is another door most likely leading to Harry's room.

Zayn turns on the light and turns towards the counter, first checking the cupboards underneath the sinks. He finds baby lotion and coconut oil but nothing to treat a burn.

So the man stands to check the medicine cabinet, his first line of sight bunches of pill bottles, which he doesn't think much of at first but he has to do a double take...mostly because the aloe vera is beside it in a small container, seeming irrelevant next to all of the clear, orange plastic, but also because the name 'Harry Styles' is printed on all of them beside prescribed for.

Zayn frowns, not meaning to be so nosy but he notices there are several bottles for antidepressants, and that's it, thankfully. His heart pangs as the man quickly grabs the aloe vera and shuts the cabinet, turning off the light before rushing out of the bathroom to get back to the kitchen.

Harry is sitting now, burnt hand on display with the red skin contrasting harshly against the light pink. Zayn kneels down before opening the ointment, dipping his finger inside to rest on Harry's palm, making the man jolt in surprise from the pain. He bites his bottom lip, breathing heavy.

"T-Thank you, for helping." Harry says.

"What else would I do? Leave?" Zayn teases and Harry smiles sheepishly, shaking his head.

"I hope not." He says quietly.

Zayn sighs shakily, biting his bottom lip. When he's done applying the aloe vera he closes the container again, resting it on the table before reaching over and engulfing the man into a hug, nuzzling his fingers into the hair at his neck and Harry slowly reciprocates, seeming confused.

"Why are you hugging me?" Harry asks.

"Because I lo-" Zayn stops himself, realizing he hasn't exactly admitted his feelings in the proper way yet, so he doesn't really want to say anything too drastic. "Do you like it?" Zayn asks.

"Yes." Harry says.

"Then just let it happen." He shrugs.

Harry smiles. "Okay." He says.

Zayn pulls away and his first scene is the look on Harry's face, flushed cheeks and bright pink lips. Zayn flickers his gaze to the man's lips, wanting to lean in and-

"Can you kiss me?" Harry asks, making Zayn's heart jump as he looks back into Harry's eyes, cheeks heating up.

"W-what?" Zayn stammers, still startled, the question not registering properly.

"Please kiss me." Harry says quietly, leaning down slightly, making Zayn's breath hitch.

But Zayn nods with a thick swallow, resting his hands on Harry's thighs before reaching with his neck, having to tilt his chin up in order to eventually reach Harry's lips, feeling himself go weak just from the first contact of his lips against Harry's own, soft and tender feeling.

A shudder goes throughout the Muslim man's body as it continues, slightly wet, inexperienced and careful but slowly the emerald eyed man gets used to it and moves in sync with the honey eyed man.

Zayn reaches up with his hands, resting them on either side of his jaw and caressing the skin behind his ear, making Harry let out a soft, shaky breath. It's obvious he's nervous because he's hardly kissing back but if he wasn't nervous this wouldn't be real and Zayn would probably be a little skeptical.

The saltiness that suddenly hits his taste buds startles the man, making him slowly move back to see Harry with glossy eyes, two fallen tears and a pained smile. "Sorry...I've never really kissed anyone." He says.

Zayn nods his head, remembering that Harry said he did, but now isn't the right time to question it. The man notices there has been a lot of crying between the two closest people in his life and it may just be taking a toll on Zayn because the incident between Louis and Harry shook him up, not seeing Harry for a few days was drowning, last night with Louis shook him up, and now...seeing Harry is legitamately depressed and now to see he's crying after kissing Zayn.

Zayn doesn't know how much emotion he can really take...he just wants everyone to be happy and okay.

It seems Harry is attempting to read Zayn's face as the man thinks to himself, staring hard at his expression.

But then Harry reaches up with his hands himself, hooking his thumbs beneath Zayn's jaw before planting his lips softly on the Muslim man's, making the kiss a little more heated since he gets it now, pushing up into him more and Zayn reciprocates, grunting a little at the impact.

Zayn stands up slowly, Harry having to follow his actions by standing as well.

Zayn breaks the kiss, panting, and looking at the man across from him makes him a bit ecstatic.

"Can we go to your room?" Zayn asks.

Harry furrows his brows but nods his head nonetheless.

They walk aganizingly too slow for Zayn and Harry opens the door, Zayn closing it hastily before turning around to plant his lips on Harry's once again, not planning to break so soon this time.

They walk over to the bed, the back's of Harry's legs hitting the bed, causing him and Zayn to fall onto the mattress, Zayn swallowing the grunt that leaves the opposite man's mouth.

Harry wraps both of his arms around Zayn's torso, holding him strong against his body, their legs dangling off the edge.

Zayn feels the bulge growing in his pants in this position due to both of their torsos being aligned, both of their pelvises brushing against each other.

The feeling hurts in his pants, causing him to pull back, breathing heavy. "We should stop." Zayn breathes, standing up as Harry sits up.

Harry purses his lips, nodding. "O-Okay...did I do something?" Harry questions.

"Not at all." Zayn shakes his head. He walks to sit beside Harry, noticing a buldge in his pants as well, making him smirk to himself before looking up at the man. "We just...should take it slow." He says.

"Yeah." Harry nods. "I agree." He says.

"Can I ask you a question?" Zayn asks.

Harry nods silently.

"Who did you kiss? Before me?" Zayn asks.

Harry shakes his head. "It wasn't special...some guy taking advantage." He says. "I didn't want it to happen." He states.

That seems like most of his life.

"But I really wanted to kiss you." Harry says. Zayn feels his heart beat harder.

Zayn leans over, pecking the man's lips.

"You're really strong, you know that?" Zayn says.

Harry frowns, furrowing his brows. "How?" He asks.

"You've done a lot that I know was scary for you in the past few weeks." Zayn says. "And you continue to persist." He says.

Harry smiles. "Well so are you." He says.

"How?" Zayn asks.

"You've dealt with me." Harry says and Zayn laughs, Harry smiling brightly.

"That was the easy part." He teases.

"I'm sure it wasn't." Harry says.

Zayn shrugs silently. He loves him anyway. But he can't exactly say that out loud.

"Would you want to hang out with Louis and I tonight?" He asks.

Harry's brows raise. "Louis?" He questions. "Is that...is that a good idea?" He asks.

"Yes." Zayn nods.

Harry frowns. "Okay. Sure." He nods.

Zayn's phone begins to ring in the silence, and he takes it out quickly to see it is Doniya. The man licks his lips, answering and swiftly putting the reciever to his ear. "Hey, Don." He says.

"Zayn? I um...I need your help." She says, sounding shaken up. Zayn furrows his eyebrows.

"Okay, what happened?"

"David and I...we broke up...and I need a place to crash with someone I can actually tolerate." She snorts, but sounds sad nonetheless.

"Yeah, of course, where are you?" Zayn asks, curiosity eating at him, as always.

"You know that cafe you always used to go to? There." She says.

"Yeah," Zayn says, glancing at Harry who is already looking back at Zayn, looking away bashfully when they make eye contact. "Mind if I bring a friend?" He asks.

"Um...I don't know if that's the best idea." She says.

Zayn frowns.

"Well, okay. I'll be right there." He says before they hang up. He looks at Harry, putting a hand on his knee.

"See you tonight alright? I've got to help my sister." He says.

Harry nods. "I'll be ready." He says.

"Louis' next door if you want to visit. I want you guys to be close so don't be shy, okay?" Zayn smiles and Harry nods.

"I'll try. For you." Harry says, sighing heavily. Zayn chuckles.

"Thank you, babe."

LATER

"Are you kidding me?" Zayn snaps, standing up from the table, making a few people look back at him in curiosity.

Doniya's eyes widen and she shushes Zayn, not used to seeing her brother making such an outburst. "Sit down." She snaps, grabbing his wrist to attempt pulling him back down.

Zayn simply sits, anger boiling throughout his every core. He stares back at his sister, glaring at the angry bruise surrounding her eye.

Zayn just arrived and by only seeing her face he guessed what happened and he's outraged. "Doniya, you cannot go back to him." Zayn snaps.

"I know Zayn, you don't think I know that?" She snaps.

Zayn sighs shakily, running his hands down his face, taking in a deep breath in then letting it out again. He knows how he gets when he gets angry...and he can't let that happen right now especially with the position Doniya is in right now. "I-I'm sorry. But...he doesn't deserve you if this is what he does." He states.

Doniya nods, smiling softly as she understands the mind state of her brother. She reaches out, resting a reassuring hand on top of his. "I'm going to make sure he's out of my life for good." She says. "Don't dwell on it."

Zayn purses his lips silently, not saying anything anymore. "Are you going to tell mum?"

"She already knows." Doniya says. His brows raise.

"And?"

"I had to lie."

He furrows his brows, resting his elbows on the table. "Then why'd you tell her in the first place?"

Doniya leans in, looking around, before looking back at her brother. "Because she's here." She says. And Zayn furrows his brows, gaze flickering up to the restroom door opening as if on cue, his mum and two little sisters walking out. But before they walk over to the table, they go to order something at the counter, not noticing Zayn is present.

"Shit." Zayn mumbles. He looks back to Doniya. "What did you tell her?" He asks.

"We were playing a game and I accidentally hit myself in the eye." She shrugs, agitating Zayn a bit more. But he sighs shakily, nodding his head, figuring lying would be for the best right now.

"You think she's going to question what's been going on with you?" She asks suddenly, making Zayn hsat up internally.

"Well, nothing has...so there isn't much to tell." He shrugs. Zayn doesn't think he'd ever tell his mum about Harry, which is the biggest thing that has happened to him this year, maybe Doniya...but definitely not his mum because that would travel to his father who would resent Zayn for his choices not only for being gay...but all other things in his past.

Doniya snorts, smirking. "Sure." She says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"How would you know?" Zayn questions, crossing his arms over his chest as well.

"Because you have this panicked look in your eyes, like you don't want someone to know something." She says. And Zayn could simply deny what she's saying and keep his cool...but his sister is so right and has always been very good at reading him which is pretty irritating sometimes but other times it's a blessing.

"I'm in love with a guy." He says and Doniya blinks, slightly surprised, opening her mouth to say something.

"Zayn!" voices exclaim, cutting his older sister off, his two younger sisters running up to him excitedly. "We missed you." Walyhia says, squishing her cheek against his as she embraces him in a tight side hug, Safaa on the opposite side doing the same.

"Hey, you two." He says, putting his arm around their torsos, pulling them closer. "How have you been treating mum?" He questions them teasingly.

"I've been an angel. Waliyha has a boy-"

"Shut up, Safaa." The teenager snaps, letting go of her brother.

"A boyfriend?" Zayn mocks fake shock. "No, absolutely not, you're breaking up with him." He says as he shakes his head, Safaa giggling.

"Yeah right." Waliyha crosses her arms over her chest.

"I've already told her this. She refuses. So rebellious." Doniya joins in, scoffing.

"Mum, make them stop." Waliyha huffs as she takes a seat beside Zayn. Safaa runs over to Doniya, sitting on top of the woman's lap. And mum only laughs as she pulls a seat up to the table.

"They're teasing you, Wali. Unless they're not, I completely agree." She says, shrugging jokingly, and Walihya scoffs, rolling her eyes.

"So um, why did you guys decide to come down?" Zayn asks, looking between his mum and Doniya who instantly looks uncomfortable when Zayn asks the question. Is there something she didn't tell him?

"I'm glad you asked." His mum, Trisha, smiles. "Walihya is celebrating an amazing accomplishment here." She says.

Zayn smiles unconsciously, looking at his little sister who shrugs. "Well, what's going on?" He questions.

"I got into Colombia. Here in New York." She says.

"Tell him what you're studying." Trisha states and Zayn frowns at the pushiness, not looking at his mum but keeping his eyes on his sister, seeing the same discomfort he felt about college or the push to continue school when their unconcios mindset said they didn't want to continue.

"I want to study entrepreneurship." She says.

"You do?" Zayn questions. She nods, smiling slightly at him. "Congrats, Wali. My little sister is growing up." Zayn fakes his dramatic crying, but he really is proud of her pursuing something in general...its hard to see a child's pursuit. Walihya rolls her eyes as Safaa laughs and points at Zayn.

They talk more about school for Walihya, Safaa and Doniya and how they are liking it, Zayn looking on in boredom, knowing the only reason his mum is doing this so persistently in front of him is because she really likes to hold grudges, especially against Zayn for not going to Oxford most likely to become a doctor or lawyer.

Then the conversation turns on Zayn and this is the part when he has to say that he needs to leave. "How have you been, Zay?" Trisha questions, tight smile on her lips.

"Great." He shrugs. "Better than you left me last time actually." He smiles.

"And why is that?" She asks, leaning forward a bit to rest her elbows on the table, eyes interested.

"Life is just...good." he says.

"Zayn probably has a girlfriend." Walihya smirks.

"Oh, is she pretty?" Safaa bounces in Doniya's lap excited all of a sudden, hazel eyes widening.

Zayn sighs. "I don't have a girlfriend guys." He says, chuckling lightly, turning to Walihya teasingly. "Don't try to deflect your bad choices-"

"I'm a teenage girl!" Wali exclaims.

"I'm just messing with you, babe." He says, reaching over and ruffling her hair, making the girl roll her eyes and back away.

"Well are you planning on ever getting married?" Trisha asks suddenly. Zayn looks at his mother, pursing his lips.

"I'm a bit young...depends where my head is at in the future I suppose." He shrugs.

"What about kids?" She asks. "Doniya and you are not giving me any grandchildren. Although, Doniya is in school, you're not so you must have the time, no?" She furrows her brows in a questioning manner.

Zayn chuckles. "Mum, what's with the third degree?" He questions, in an almost snappish tone but keeps it under control. A hushed silence encircles the roundish table.

"I just want to know what my son is up to since he never comes home." Trisha shrugs.

Zayn nods before standing up, running his fingers through his hair as he escapes the tight circle of his family. "I'll be going now, I've got a few errands to run." Zayn says. He bends down to hug his two little sisters, giving them each a kiss and telling them that he will see them soon again before giving Doniya a squeeze on the shoulder. He's not sure what his mother would accept so he bends down and hugs her anyway, but very quick and not tender feeling too tense and awkward.

After walking out, Zayn still feels the slight boiling in his chest from anger or guilt...he's not sure. Anger from his mother's humiliating questioning and guilt for being so distant, especially from his sisters.

The man makes sure to send Doniya a text to come to his place later with her stuff before getting into his car.

When the man gets back to the apartment complex, walking inside the lobby, his phone vibrates quietly in the silence of the hallways. He takes it out, noticing that it is Louis calling. He answers it.

"Hey, Louis, what's up?" He says, pressing the button on the elevator to go up.

"Well you got what you wanted." He states, frequent chatter going on around him in the background of the reciever.

"What are you talking about?" Zayn asks, furrowing his brows.

"Harry and I are hanging out." He sighs.

"That's great!" Zayn exclaims, smiling to himself.

"Not really. Not for me anyway. He doesn't like crowds so he keeps wandering off and leaving me."

Zayn chuckles. "Yeah, he doesn't, where is he now?"

"Sitting on a bench near the subway. I thought Manhatten would be perfect but turns out it's the exact opposite."

"Well, you guys are good, right? No fighting?"

"No, Zayn, we're fine but it would be ten times less awkward if you were here." Louis says.

"Why? He's not hard to talk with once you make him comfortable which I know you're not doing." He says.

"I don't know how to do that."

"You do if you try, which you're not. I mean come back if you want and try another day but I really do want a relationship." Zayn states firmly, walking down the hall to his door.

"You're lucky you're you, Zayn." Louis snaps before hanging up the phone.

*

Zayn opens the front door after hearing a strong knock, frowning when he sees an annoyed looking Louis and an upset Harry when he opens it. "Hey guys, how was it?" Zayn asks.

Louis purses his lips, shrugging and walking past him to get into the apartment. "You didn't come?" Harry says in a questioning tone rather than a factual statement.

"It couldn't have been that bad, babe." Zayn says, smiling as he shakes his head. He grabs Harry's hand, but rather than pulling him inside he steps out and closes the door behind him, Harry's back hitting the door lightly to let Zayn lean on him.

He definitely did not forget about the kiss earlier, and he honestly wants to do it again. Especially like this with Harry against the door and Zayn in charge by leaning all of his weight on him. "Veux-tu embrasser à nouveau?" (Do you want to kiss again?) Harry questions, light blush on his cheeks. Zayn shakes his head.

"What a show off, I honestly don't have a clue of what your saying." He states, chuckling lightly. Harry clears his throat and leans down slightly, his lips hover over Zayn's and he jumps slightly, but barely noticeable before leaning forward quickly and letting his own lips capture Harry's, making his heart pump quickly.

Harry's hands rest themselves on Zayn's shoulders, but Zayn decides to grab his hands without breaking the kiss and rests them on his hips. By doing that Zayn can wrap his arms behind the back of the white man's neck and deepen the tender, hot but slow and careful kiss.

He can't even express how much he loves the feel of this man's lips against his own, but it feels good as fuck.

"Zayn, being gay isnt wrong, right?" Harry breathes against his lips, making Zayn freeze rigid. He stops kissing, flickering his gaze up into Harry's.

"Of course not, baby. Why would you think that?" He questions, furrowing his brows.

"My dad, he always-"

"Your dad was a dick...he was just trying to bring you down in an attempt to bring you up, but he did the opposite. He's wrong in so many ways." Zayn says, shaking his head.

"Its just that... I r-really like you." He says. "And I'm scared..." he trails off.

Zayn reaches up and grabs the man's forearm gently, squeezing it. "What are you afraid of? You can tell me." He states.

Harry shakes his head. "I can't." He says quietly. "Maybe later." He shrugs.

Tilting his head up again, Zayn plants his lips on the man's gently, eyes fluttering closed. Every time it feels as if the breath was knocked out of his lungs.

Harry rests his hands on Zayn's hips again, deepening the kiss.

"Wow um, excuse me, lovebirds." Louis suddenly says, scaring the both of them as Harry and Zayn pull away. Harry turning around with tense shoulders.

Louis smirks, leaning against the frame of the door with his arms crossed. "Doniya and I are hungry. What are we eating Zayn?" He questions.

"There are leftovers in the fridge." Zayn shrugs his shoulders.

"We want something fresh." Louis says as if that's obvious. Zayn sighs, shaking his head, about to open his mouth and saying something but Harry beats him to it.

"I can cook." He states. The man walks into the apartment and Zayn is slightly disappointed they couldn't continue their make out session, but now...he gets to hang out with his bestfriend, potential lover and his older sister with some good food because Harry definitely knows how to cook

After coming out of his thought Zayn notices Louis still staring at him with a smirk.

Zayn rolls his eyes. "Shut up." He mumbles before walking past the man, hearing Louis begin to make exaggerated kissing and moaning noises in the background.

"Louis!" Zayn exclaims in embarrassment.

"Gross." Doniya says from her spot on the couch with a look of slight disgust.

And Harry stands in the kitchen with his back turned, ears a hot red.

*

When Louis leaves at around ten and Harry leaves shortly after with a peck goodbye from Zayn, the man heads to his room, noticing Doniya had disappeared inside for about two hours to be alone. He frowns when seeing her sitting on the edge of the bed with her phone in her hands that visibly shake. "Don?" He says quietly, making her jump as she locks her phone quickly, throwing it behind her. Zayn walks over to her, sitting beside her on the bed. "Talking to him?" He asks, not giving a reaction but simply wondering.

"He said he wants to get back together." She states.

Zayn shakes his head. "Don, no-"

"I know, Zayn." She sighs harshly. "But I still love him, feelings like that just don't go away." She says quietly.

Zayn nods. "I understand." He nods. "But can you just stay here for the night, please?" He asks. "And we can keep talking whenever you want. Don't be afraid." Zayn says, making his older sister smile before hugging him tightly.

"You're a good brother, Z. You know that? Whoever the guy you're in love with is he's lucky for such a great person to be entering his life." She says, bumping her shoulder playfully against his, making Zayn smile sheepishly at the floor. "When am I going to meet him?" She asks.

"Um, you already did."

She blinks. "I wondered why you kept looking at him like that." She smirks.

Zayn furrows his brows. "What? How?"

"That Harry guy, you just looked so fond and interested everytime attention turned to him or he spoke and it was weird to see you like that." She teases. "My baby brother has fallen." She sighs dreamily, putting her hands over her heart and falling backwards onto the mattress.

Zayn rolls his eyes, standing up. "Oh whatever." He waves her off, although his heart is racing because she's right. He has fallen, but the delayed pain is creeping up on him.