new banner! do y'all dig it? let me know bec i love love it oof. ive been busy w stuff but i finally managed to bring this one since wattpad decided to per usual act like a cranky bítch and displace my drafts :)

even tho we couldn't meet the target last chapter, just know i love y'all so much, we managed to hit 32k! the ones who stick by my book and the constant support y'all give, i treasure it sm. fr. yall know who you guys are :')

fINALLY, F-FINALLY IT'S HERE, THE MOMENT WEVE BEEN WAITING FOR.
y'all know! im so emo rn i cant sksk.

make sure you press the vote button rn! and don't forget to drop that amazing lovely feedback since this is THE chapter. I'd love to know what y'all feel about it. your comments make me happy and encourage me to write.

happy reading, zayn malik owns my áss ok bye.

~

when we collide
38| pink hair and breaking walls

"Weird."

"What? Being pampered?"

"Zayn, you're weird."

Zayn smiles, side glancing at Jack who sits in one of the waiting seats with a frown on. He remembers staring at the hairdresser lather tons of some purple product in Zayn's hair making him eye Zayn again.

"Who the héll gets pink hair on their wedding? I don't get it. The fact that everyone sent me with you so that you don't run on my sister again." he groans, flipping the magazine before ultimately slamming it on the table.

"I just felt like it. Hey, you got my tuxedo on you?" Zayn questions as the hairdresser starts washing away the product.

"Yeah, have it."

Ten minutes down the clock he feels Zayn ghost behind his back making him turn and gasp.

"So? What do you think?"

He stares at the dull pink tips in his hair with dark roots merging somewhere below what could've been the middle part of the strands.

"This is síck!"

Chuckling at his comment, Zayn nods toward the door finishing his payment and brushing his hand one last time through his new hair before they walk down the street to where they parked their car.

"You got any idea who went to get my boss from the airport?"

"I think Crystal's friend, mum's been really hitting on with him."

That makes him stop dead in his tracks and the smile to fall from his lips. His eyes wander on the road before they fall back on Jack.

"Your sister sent Adam to get my boss? Jack, is your family a band of morons?" he huffs, picking up his phone to dial his boss as he speed walks towards his car.

Jack races behind him, trying to keep up as he stares at Zayn's phone limply laying near his ear.

"I could take offense but then it's the tru-"

"Hello? Morning Mister Malder."

Zayn tries to fiddle with his car door trying to get it to open but it almost looks the the dàmn thing refuses to bulge making him anxious as he tries to stuff the key somehow.

But then stops.

"What? Oh- uh- okay yeah. That's great. Yeah, thank you."

"What?" Jack asks.

"I guess Adam really doesn't keep grudges." he smiles, shrugging.

"Grudges?"

"Just sit, smallie."

"I'm done with that stupid nickname."

༻❁༺

Zayn parks the car outside the hotel, staring at people pouring in the place like a wildfire took place outside and it was the only place to stay run for safety.

"Holy héll, you guys know a lot of people." Jack comments.

"No, our families do."

They exit the car, slamming the door behind them before Zayn double checks it's locked. He notices Yaser at the entrance greeting people before his eyes fall on Zayn and widen. Smiling at the last couple he makes his way towards Zayn with a stoic expression.

"Where. Have. You. Been."

His eyes fly to Zayn's hair, having a mini cardiac arrest before he manages himself.

"And what did you do to your hair? Some rockstar wannabe? With the pink hair and tattoos. Lord, help me deal with this boy-"

"Thank you for congratulating." Zayn smiles mockingly. ". . . dad."

"Uh- we went to get his tuxedo ironed, plus he said he wanted fresh hair so Trisha sent me-"

"-a teenager to keep an eye on her twenty seven year old son. What's self respect again? Never heard of it." Zayn sighs, brushing his hair back.

"I-I don't even know what to say. Go rush to your room the wedding starts in an hour and I want to take a breath of relief. God help me if someone sees you in those. . . what are those?" he comments.

". . . Not sure, Doniya's slippers I guess."

"I-"

Zayn shrugs, taking the tuxedo from Jack's grip and starts walking before he turns back.

"You seen my boss?"

"He's sitting inside. Does he not stop talking? How in heaven do you tolerate him?" Zayn chuckles a little at his father's answer.

Well, for starters you were a good experience.

"When you love something you tolerate every bad thing that comes with it." Zayn smiles, before it slowly falters.

His smile faltering goes unnoticed by his father as he shakes his head and walks with Jack mingling in a small conversation.

But, Zayn doesn't.

'When you love something you tolerate every bad thing that comes with it'

Zayn swallows the lump forming in his throat before he looks up at the hotel again. Jake really had managed to mess with his brain somehow. His eyes wander around the place as he walks to the front of the hotel where the final of people had walked in.

Zayn takes a deep breath as he stares at the small decorated board screaming their name with a small weds embroidered in between. His eyes fly to the road and Jake comes to his brain again.

"Why didn't you run when you had the time to?"

He can make a runner now, no one's watching.

He'd not have to get married, not have to do that stupid dance in front of so many judgemental eyes which he's sure he's forgotten, not have to waltz through a marriage, not have to face any emotion, not have the pressure of increasing Crystal's emotions or breaking her heart unintentionally ever again.

But, a smile takes place instead.

Fúck, he wanted all that.

With her.

He walks inside the hotel, covering his face with the tuxedo as he makes a runner to pass all the attendees without being noticed, taking the stairs to reach his floor. He notices some people hurdle down boxes to the hall as they pass him.

Flowers, juices, closed off boxes that hopefully hold ropes so he can strangle himself after the first dance.

God, anything first made him nervous.

He notices Margaret exit Crystal's room with a smile before she notices Zayn.

"Zayn! Oh- oh my god, your hair. . ." she chuckles making him chuckle with her as she brushes Zayn's hair.

"It's your wedding why aren't you ready?" she fusses, now, standing right in front of him with a small smile.

"I literally just have to throw on this tuxedo and I'm done."

"Sure." she pulls Zayn with her to his room that is clustered with various boxes and stuff. Zayn almost spots Doniya's outfit of last night making him cringe harder.

Was this his room or a storage space for ladies apparel?

"Go change, I'll fetch the dryer from Crystal's room!" Margaret states, jogging to the door before Zayn interrupts her.

"She's ready?"

"Yeah, she's just getting her hair done, rest is done."

"Oh. . . well, how does she look?"

Margaret turns completely amused as she looks at Zayn from head to toe.

"Way more than you deserve if you don't change soon."

"How lovely." Zayn mocks.

Fifteen minutes down and a flabbergasted Trisha exits his room finally as she's sure Zayn's almost ready. Jake makes a small visit to his room, patting his back before all there's left is Zayn, Margaret and the sound of the hair dryer whirring as Margaret tames Zayn's hair a bit.

"Marg?"

"Yeah?"

"Uh- I wanted you to make the speech for me." he says making Margaret eye him with wide eyes.

"W-What? Me? But the best man makes it-"

"Yeah, I know. I want you to make one too, slightly short but definitely one. You see- uh- you're the only friend beside Jake that I consider close and well, you've done a lot of shít for me and kept me straight-"

Zayn's breath is knocked out of his lungs when Margaret tackles him in a hug crossing her arms around his neck from the back. He chuckles breathlessly before hugging her back, his hands softly placed around her arms.

"I'm so happy for you and like- so proud." Margaret chuckles, rubbing her eyes as they get teary eyed.

"I-I just remember the time you called me cribbing about how you're family is pressuring you into marrying a girl- your best friend sister-"

"I said not sister."

"Yeah," she chuckles.
"Well, look at you now. Asking me to write a speech. You made it."

"I did."

"Y'all!"

Margaret stops the dryer confusedly, turning when she notices Jacob enter the room.

"Babe, I've been trying to find you every- Zayn what the héck your hair!" Jacob shouts excitedly.

"It's all pink and stuff, bro. Looks dope though."

"Can you please not talk like that?"

"No cap, bruh."

"Jacob." Zayn cringes before turning.

"Margaret, shoo your boyfriend away."

"Baby, don't."

Jacob shrugs before falling on the bed as he stares at Zayn in the mirror.

"So I was going to say. . . Yeah! Please, keep her happy Zayn. You guys have been through hell and far to reach here. . . to lose it would be a shame. You-you have to be there for her, trust her, tolerate her, love her-"

"Not you too." Zayn whines.

"What?" Margaret and Jacob utter simultaneously.

"I just-"

"I can't imagine how many times he's been shoved with that speech, we get it Zayn." Jacob interrupts making Zayn groan in annoyance.

"No! I-I mean, how am I supposed to love her?"

A moment of silence occurs as Zayn's eyes fly between Margaret and Jacob in the mirror with a questioning look.
Margaret shuts the dryer putting it in front.

"Margo, throw the whole friend away baby." Jacob says.

Zayn stands up from the chair turning as Margaret eyes him with a confused look and a concealer in her hand.

"What is that supposed to mean? How do you love a person?"

"I mean how do you realise you're in love?"

"Zayn, man you're acting like you've never been in love."

"Jacob, mate this is different. This-this is Crystal my best friend, a person I've spent majority of my childhood with and now I'm about to spend my future with and-"

"Hear me." Margaret interrupts.

"What if you already love her?"

Zayn eyes her before his eyes fly to Jacob who lays on his bed with his arms crossed behind his arms.

"I'm scared to ask this but have you guys ever kissed?"

"What does that mean?!" Zayn yells defensively. "Of-of course we have."

"Oh." Jacob says in boredom.
"How many times did you initiate it?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Tell me."

"Uh. . . twice?"

"How many times has she made a move? Not necessarily kissing just-"

"Who are you? A relationship therapist?! I-I should be practising my vows-"

"Answer it."

"Uh. . . a lot of times."

Jacob stares at him in boredom before he starts moving his shoe covered feet in a rhythm.

"Seems like we know who's in love and who's-"

"Are you trying to say I don't love her?!"

"Do you?"

"I-" Zayn stops, looking at Margaret angrily to take a step against her baiting boyfriend but she's busy trying to find something.

"How'd you know if you don't even try?"

Zayn turns to look at Jacob again who's standing, eating something god knows where he got it from.

"Why don't you look beyond this wall of friendship you've created. Unless you break the wall or change your path to move pass it nothing will change, Zayn. The wall won't move away, you'll have to."

"But-but is it love love or best friend-"

"If you didn't love her or wanted to then this question would never bother you." Margaret says, opening the concealer and drawing a small triangle under Zayn's eyes.

"BUT-But-"

"Zayn." Margaret interrupts him, tapping the beauty blender under his eye with a smile.

"I don't know how you feel and I don't want to force you to feel a certain way or unintentionally say something that will make you over think per usual and ruin your day. I'd rather pray for something."

"What the héck, keep that frozen foundation stick away from me."

"It's concealer."

"Whatever."

"Listen to me."

She smiles throwing the blender on the vanity and smiling at Zayn who looks glorious all ready.

"My greatest wish for you guys will be that hopefully one day you fall in love in a way that you won't question anything. A day when you break through all these filters that make you stop what your heart wants to feel. A day when you look back at this day, your wedding and remember it as a day you loved her the least."

༻❁༺

"Ready, sweetheart?" Sebastian whisper-asks as he stares down at his daughter. Her hand holds his arm tightly as she stares at door standing adjacent to it.

Her wedding day.
Holy shít, her wedding day.

She hears the wedding march music play in background as Claire walks in with Jake. A very unlikely pair but The Best Man and the Maid of Honour always walked in together and well, Claire had been her sweet confidant in London.

Who could she put there instead of her?

She realised the bridesmaids and groomsmen were about to walk in, the whole blister and all voices almost turn to background music when the gears in her brain churn recklessly.

It's a matter of fact she's standing behind the corner, with every eye waiting for her. She had to be nervous. Crystal recalls waiting for this day whole of her life but God give her hell if she ever thought she'll marry her best friend.

Zayn.

Zayn Malik. Who she had sleepovers with, who she used to play football with, who she sat with at Tony's and ranted about her then boyfriend, who she spanked on the àss all the time, who she saw leave, who she saw comeback like a version unfamiliar 2.0.

Now, she had baked with him, kissed him, sat on a rooftop with him, trespassed some siblings' property with him, been robbed and almost killed with him, thrashed a party with him, danced in a kitchen and watched stupid documentaries with him.

Hell, cried with him, laughed with him, been excited, nervous, jittery, chaotic, ecstatic, troubled, confused, broken and almost all emotions listed in the dictionary and Zayn and Crystal had gone through them together.

And now? Well, she's in love.
In love with the same Zayn Malik she'd thought about for so long that it was almost time to turn and face him.

They'd been through so much to have her standing behind the aisle ready to turn and meet him at the altar.

She was sweating profusely.

Malik. No more a Hogward.
Malik.

"Sweetheart I know more than you, that you and him thought that this was the stupidest idea ever but remember, one day you'll admit and say 'Dad, this was the stupidest idea yet it was the best you ever took for me' believe me on that-"

"Dad?"

"Uh- Yes?"

"This was the stupidest idea yet the best you ever took for me." she confesses noticing her father's eyes tear a little before he smiles.

"Let's go." He whispers.

Crystal takes a deep breath noticing the clicks and flashing of cameras as the music comes to the part where they were supposed to turn.

So, they turn the corner.

She feels eyes on her, cameras flashing, people breathing out and staring at her, she hears the low rhythm of the music, a child crying somewhere, clanking of glass, someone whispering something, the slow sound of the wind, the clicking of cameras, slowly making her grip her father's arm tighter.

She admits that everything looked beautiful. White chandeliers are at every interval of some metres. The white carpet is clear and flattened to perfection. She notices that some people were emotional.

The small pause gives her the time to locate her mother, a chaotic yet beautiful mess of tears.

They start taking timid steps towards the altar and she notices Jake standing near a man she tries to keep her eyes off, almost sure it's Zayn. She notices Claire a little far, standing with a sombre smile.

She looks down at the carpet, feeling her hair being pulled at by the weight of the veil before she takes a deep breath.

Finally, she looks at him.

Just beside Jake stands Zayn, staring directly in her eyes. She tries clearing her blurry vision to focus on his hair. Pink hair making her heart almost stop and memories flow in her brain.

"You're a strong girl, you're confident and you're not a girl who loses faith in herself, even if you do it's not for long."

"And I, for that matter, will not let you be that girl. You will not lose faith or confidence in yourself."

"What about you changing your hair colour? What do you think about a little blonde there?"

"Sure." she had chuckled sadly in response, too busy trying to remove the batter and flour off of her.

"Why not? I think it'll be a good change-"

"I'll get it if you get your hair coloured pink." Zayn had followed up by staring at her dumbfounded, trying to reason with her unreasonable deal.

Maybe, he thought she wouldn't do it.
But, she'd do so much for him. He just didn't know her well enough to realise.

"Oh. My. God." Zayn's first reaction.

"Yeah, I got them bleached." she had giggled at his astonished face. "They look kinda nice to be honest, your advice was nice. I do feel like a new me."

"This colour looks so good on you!"

"Remember the deal? You're getting your hair done pink." she had reminded him of her unreasonable deal again.

She didn't know he'd actually do it for her. Maybe she failed to know him too.

Yet, almost magically, she feels a lot of weight on her shoulders fly away.
She looks at Zayn, his smile, his hair, his tuxedo, the look in his eyes that it manages to terrify Crystal, almost making her take a breathe of fear realising what all she'd do for him.

Zayn was a love that came without warning and dámn, he had her heart before she could whisper a hesitant no.

Standing near the altar Zayn passes Sebastian a smile before walking a few steps and laying his hand out for her. She eyes the hand starting to tear up from God knows what making her look in her father's teary eyes.

"Dad." She whispers, wiping a tear that manages to fall.

"Sorry-sorry," he chuckles softly.
"Just a bit over dramatic." he takes her hand, and places it in the one Zayn is holding out.

"Zayn, she's really special, you know right? She's gone through so much. I'm trusting you. Take care of her." he whispers.

"I promise on my life." he whispers back slowly.

"Love you so much sweetheart."

Sebastian smiles as Crystal stands right beside Zayn. She turns to look back and notice her father walk to the left side of the seats giving her a thumbs up.

She notices the notary walk slowly not missing Zayn's gaze in the peripheral.

"What?" she whispers.

"You look decent." she smiles as warmth creeps on her cheeks.

"Dearly beloved." the notary starts.

"We all gathered here to join this man and woman on holy matrimony. . ."
Zayn feels his brain cut off his senses from everything the notary says as he eyes Crystal.

The rosy tint on her cheeks and the light creamish shadow ghosting on her lids.

And Zayn realises, he may possibly never find the proper words to say and describe the intensity of how beautiful she looked to him but at least now he knew he could search for them till the end of forever.

"Crystal?" he whispers very softly.

"Yes?" she whispers back, nervously eyeing the notary.

"You're not gonna kiss me, are you?"

Zayn feels his heart leap and drop to his stomach when he sees the slight shift of her mouth as her lips move from a thin line to a soft curve almost in slow motion.

"You'd be an idiot if you don't want me to." He smiles.

"Zayn Malik?"

This is it. Holy crap.

"Do you take this woman to be your wife in holy matrimony? To love her, to honour her, to comfort her, to take her in sickness and in health forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live."

He takes a deep breath in feeling her eyes on his face.

"I do."

"Crystal Hogward?"

Shít.

"Do you take this man to be your husband in holy matrimony? To love him, to honour him, to comfort him, to take him in sickness and in health forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live." The notary repeats.

Crystal smiles replying in a heartbeat.

"I do."

"If you may have any vows, this is the time to say them."

They stare at each other with timid smiles and Crystal passes Zayn a look asking him to go first. So taking a deep breath he starts.

"Uhm. . . When I was in highschool I believed that love isn't anything complicated. It's repeating 'I love you' to this certain person who you go to expensive dinners with, who you give flowers before you pick them up for ill-timed dates, who you walk around with holding hands but," he smiles.

"Truth is, I was so far from the definition. Love is. . . doing something that causes you inconvenience but you do it anyway for their happiness. Love is listening to her rant about some dumb mythological story at four in the morning and control the urge to shove her down the bed because all you want to do is sleep." he chuckles.

"It's revisiting memories, embarrassing each other, being embarrassed for each other, it's fighting on dumb topics and waiting to see who's the first to give up and apologise because apparently a fight on whether pandas fall in love before they die or not isn't worth ignoring each other for hours. I've concluded that love isn't pretty and easy and amazing. It's stumbling through life with your best friend forever, I promise to do all that with you and," he eyes Crystal who stares at him with moist eyes.

"I'm glad it's you, Crys. Glad because you're my best friend and you told me in year 3 that best friends are forever and well. . ." He sighs with a smile.

"Forever is never ending."

His smile accentuates when Crystal passes him a smile that makes him question if she'll break her jaw reckon if that smile spreads further. His eyes fall in hers noticing they're slightly moist, tears collected in the corners of her eyes.

Dàmn, he's happy forever is never ending and best friends are forever.

"Uh-" Crystal smiles awkwardly trying to recite over her vows. God, she'd bong her head with a hammer if she misplaced the words or tripped over them.

"When I used to look at you, I used to see my best friend, I saw the guy who continued to love me when I couldn't love myself. I saw the reason for my all my smiles. I saw the most caring, loving, kind hearted, selfless funny, talented, smart, wonderful, protective," she chuckles a little when she realises she's rambling.

Her eyes catch Zayn's who passes her an amused smile.

"In conclusion, the most incredible guy I knew. I saw my support system. I saw the one who is always here for me when nobody else is. I saw the guy who makes me smile when all I want to do is cry." she passes a sad smile.

"The way you light up when you talk about painters or how charcoal is different than sketching Crystal." Zayn chuckles lightly making her glance up with a smile before continuing.

"I saw the way you made me part of your family and the way you will kill to protect them and. . . me. I saw the way you would do anything to make someone happy and it breaks you when people close to you are hurt. I saw the way you were gentle and caring with some and with other people you try to hide actually how gentle you are with this sarcastic witty attitude but it's okay, your secret is safe with me." she smiles taking a deep breath.

"Well, when I look at you right now, it's still the same. You're the same amazing Zayn you were and while then calling you my best friend, my. . . something made me warm calling you mine makes my heart flutter and I'm glad that all this while we both changed massively, the things between us never changed and I promise it'll stay the same forever."

"Since. . . forever is never ending."

Zayn passes her a smile blinking his eyes once in reassurance when her eyes tear a little and his mind feels clouded with her words.

Crystal had never. . . appreciated him so much. It was weird thinking they were standing here when they'd stood at places and situations they shouldn't have all because of him. . . most of the times.

The claps and cheer almost turn into background music when his eyes busy themselves in noticing every detail on her face.

"May the Ring Bearer come here?"
Jack slowly comes forth, giving out the rings with a smile.

"Now, place the ring on her finger." he speaks.

Crystal holds out her left hand slowly placing it in Zayn's as he places the ring in her ring finger.

"Repeat after me." the notary speaks. "I give you this token as a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love."

Love.

Yes, he's scared of that word but to think of something close to it with Crystal. Maybe in parallel universe Crystal continued to be his best friend. Maybe they never got married. Never lived together.

Would he like that?

No.

Who'd brush his hair at night or do that weird petting of his bicep? Who'd make him pancakes in morning and drown in wine and doritos at night?

Héll, who'd he feel shy kissing?

He never felt shy kissing someone before. He never second-guessed circumstances with anyone.

But. . . her?

Would he like that parallel universe?

"I give you this token as a pledge of our constant faith and abiding l-love." Zayn repeats.

The notary continues, facing Crystal and asking her place the ring, After taking a deep breath, and watching her life change completely because of a ring, she places it holding his hand gently.

"I give you this token as a pledge of our constant faith and abiding love." she repeats slowly.

"Kindly join your hands."

Zayn holds out his hands and after a bit of thought she places them in his, feeling his wrap around hers as his thumb slowly starts making patterns on the back of her hand.

"By the virtue of authority vested in me." the notary almost gives a dramatic pause, making Zayn smile in amusement before he continues boldly.

"I, now declare you husband and wife." Zayn's eyes move from the notary to Crystal's who bites her lip to stop the smile on her face.

"You may kiss the bride."

Zayn eyes her for a second, everything almost feeling unreal for a second before he hesitantly leans in and presses his lips softly on hers. Crystal instantly kisses back, feeling her stomach flipping with tsunamis.

The crowd erupts in cheers, Crystal almost sure she hears couple whistles too, making her smile as Zayn distances.

Zayn still feels the tingle on his lips as his grip tightens on her hands when he feels Crystal give him a look he'd never seen in her eyes.

Maybe he knew why the idea of a parallel universe didn't suit him. Her eyes touched him more than anyone's hands ever could.

༻❁༺

"Aunt Helen was crying like a whale. I mean it." Doniya confesses, immediately receiving a small head smack laced with disappointment by Yaser as they sit one table away from Crystal and Zayn.

They had remained silent after the notary finished, still comprehending the reality in their minds silently. Crystal had passed timid glances towards Zayn who was busy chewing his lower lip in anxiousness as she looked back at the plate of chilli-con-carne and rice in front of them.

God, she feels hungry but couldn't bring herself to eat.

Why is he silent?!

"Hey, Crys?"

"Yeah?" she replies surprised.

"Can we go to Tony's and have ice cream after this?"

She smiles, turning to glance at him.

"If I have any ounce of energy left. Why?"

"Why the héll not?"

"Sure."

"Hey, Zayn?"

"Yeah?"

"You. . . good?"

Zayn turns to pass her a small smile.
"Never been better. Just scared what my friends will say."

They stare at the small stage with a mic stand standing idle in the middle until Margaret rushes in and taps on the mic with a huge smile catching everyone's attention.

Zayn knew he wasn't ready for the embarrassment but god, was Margaret right. This day was the best of his life.

༻❁༺

"Holy shít, the little flowers. This is art on top tier." Zayn whisper yells, eyeing Crystals nails with adoration.

He holds her fingers in his hand softly, tilting them a little to get a view from all sides. Upon receiving no reply he tilts his head in confusion to look at Crystal slowly snoring, her veil covering her eyes as she snuggles more into his shoulder.

Zayn rolls his eyes with a smile before his eyes fall back on her fingers. He brushes his fingers around her fingers before he finally holds her hand firmly, his thumb dancing across her ring with a mind of their own.

He stares at the candle beside the bed awkwardly, blowing at it afterwards. If the pair wasn't already tired with the day, witnessing old people dance and eat like a pack of carnivores, then be hustled to dance and manage to squirm through the embarrassing speeches everyone made, being forced into a hotel room with rose petals and weirdly scented candles had turned them into a mush and pack of disgusted homosapiens.

Zayn recalls the fifteen minute stare down they did with each other before throwing the petals down on the floor, blowing on the candles. Took them half an hour if he doesn't include the mini breakdown Crystal had in her dress before she tied the end of her dress in a knot and jumped on the bed.

God, he didn't even want to begin with the cheesy and absurd smiles their families passed them. Ironic enough how they mocked him for the same thing he did before and now they were a pile of smiles almost. . . encouraging.

God, that almost made him puke.

Zayn had pulled at her heels before he yanked off his jacket and waist coat, threw his shoes in two alternate directions, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and after making sure there were no more rose petals saying 'newly weds' he fell beside Crystal.

As if he wasn't confused enough already. Not like he didn't know what happens at a first night but. . . What if?

He had hoped he'd cross the wall of what ifs but seems like he was far from it and being kneed on the first night, worse punched, wasn't what he was aiming for.

God, he was a mess and she was sleeping soundly beside him.

He could deal with best friend Crystal to some extent, he got used to fiancé Crystal too but. . . wife? What was he supposed to do?

Search Google for 'how to not be awkward with your best friend turned wife'?

She barely managed to last a small ten minute conversation anyway. Zayn ponders silently if the only hearing ear to his last ten minute rant about social media and rosemary flowers were the walls?

The drool on her mouth confirmed he was talking to the walls.

Zayn groans a bit in pain before he pulls his arm a little.

"Crystal?" Zayn names softly but when she shows no movement he rolls his eyes before jerking his arm a little earning a groan from her.

"Crys, dumb head wake up. My arm is falling asleep!"

"What?" she groans, pushing her up on her elbow and staring at Zayn with slit-eyes. "You're appearing translucent."

"Remove the veil, bimbo."

Elbowing Zayn, she pulls the veil behind her hair as her eyes finally open a bit more.

"Dare you call me a bimbo again, Zayn!" she shrieks before falling down on the bed.

"You know, you kneed my crotch thrice?"

"Don't tempt me to do it again."

"How lovely, spending my first night with you. Romantic and epic."

Crystal giggles a little, tilting her face to look up at Zayn staring down at her with smile as his head stays propped on his elbow. Crystal grasps a fist full of rose petals from the floor before she falls down on the bed, beside him again.

With a cheesy smile she throws the petals on his face catching him off guard. Chuckles escape her mouth as Zayn pulls the petals out of his shirt in disgust.

"Romantic enough, Mister Malik?"

"Nope, not really." he replies, with a cheeky smile catching Crystal off guard for the first time.

"Oh. Can I be of any help?"

"Mhm, maybe." Zayn says, leaning a bit but stops when he notices her eyes barely open.

"Dámn, you look like you've done a day worth labour work."

"Getting married is equivalent to that honestly. By the way, I know you're a head áss but can you brush my hair till I fall asleep?"

"No."

"What-"

"Don't sleep." he whines, shaking her body ridiculously fast making her sit up in annoyance.

"Zayn."

"Please. You're. . . you're being yourself again, I like it."

Crystal eyes him a little before she smiles a bit at his embarrassed tone.

"Yeah, I suppose pushing you away isn't going solve my problem."

"Which was?"

"Exactly. Which was. Right now this is." she smiles cupping his cheek with her hand slowly to move her thumb across his stubble covered cheek.

"So. . . no petals or chloroform scented candles?"

Crystal giggles in response as Zayn pulls her into his chest again.

"We really shouldn't have jumped on this bed. I think that tired me more."

"It wasn't me who made a bet on who can touch the ceiling by jumping highest, was it?"

"Touché."

Zayn tangles his finger in her hair, combing the knotted hair slowly.

"They're pins in here, Crystal."

"Crys. It's Crys."

"No."

"You know what? Okay. I like Crystal more anyway." she says, making him gasp.

"That's so mean, that was my nickname for you, Hogward."

"We're on last name basis now?"

"That'd be confusing now won't it?" Zayn replies feeling Crystal shuffle a bit in his grasp. It almost left him shocked as to how the smallest of things made her shy.

"Do you want it?"

"What?"

"My last name."

Crystal snuggles off his grip to glance at him. "I didn't know there's a choice."

"There's always a choice, Crys. It's your name. If you want to keep it as it is I don't mind it."

"I. . . want it."

"Yeah?" he replies, a hint of smile in his voice.

"Maybe make my maiden name my middle name."

"Sounds great. You should take my middle name too. It'll sound like a group of four Pakistani-British friends." he chuckles.

Crystal repeats the full name in her brain, a giggle escaping her mouth too. "God no. It's awful!" she laughs, but her laughter slowly drops down in an abyss of silence when she stares at Zayn.

"Zayn, I don't think I'm rea-"

"I know, don't worry."

He readjusts his head in his arm to get more comfortable as he stares at her with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Lie down." she says slowly and Zayn automatically complies.

She slowly brushes the fringe of pink hair off his cheek and tucks it between her fingers, rubbing it as if it'll transfer the colour to her fingertips.

"It. . . suits you." she whispers with a smile. Her eyes fly towards his resulting in her smile slowly dropping when she notices Zayn's wide eyes staring at her and well she couldn't be sure because of the dark but she could fairly make out in the moonlight that his cheeks were emitting warmth.

"What?"

"Uh- n-nothing."

"Zayn. What is it?"

"I don't know I just felt weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah. . . my stomach tumbled. I think I ate too much I- yeah probably."

Crystal feels her cheek warming.
"Yeah. . . probably."

Crystal bites her lower lip shyly, her hands still tugging at the few hair strands between her fingers.

"I-"

Her eyes widen when Zayn pecks her lips, almost instantly backing after he does so. His lips barely touching hers before they distance the slightest. She feels her cheek warming making her cringe.

What in the world is wrong? He's not some highschool crush. What the héll is going on?

She tries catching his gaze but all she sees is his flock of pink hair as he looks down refusing to make eye contact but before she could say anything he closes the distance again. He leans in carefully, Breathing and not breathing like an oxymoron, before instead of his face he slowly moves his body closer.

Slowly, hesitantly.

He sets his hand on her waist and on god, he almost feels his cheeks burning to ash. God, he'd made the first move twice but- but this was way too confident.

He'd never try-

God, what was that Jacob said? Breaking a wall or something around it but-but god, what the héll is that even supposed to mean?! Why was Jacob's stupid love theory equivalent to a builder making a building map. That made no sense. It-It didn't.

Did it? He really needed to get his shít together and stop being a coward.

It was too late to back off.

Crystal stares at Zayn awkwardly, not sure what he was trying to do with his eyes shut closed tightly and his brows furrowed. She feels his hand lying on her waist limply, almost feeling the internal battle going in his brain.

Should she? No. No she shouldn't. Maybe she should just lean in a little? No. She takes in a deep breath before she hesitantly puts her hand on his cheek and just like that she doesn't feel her fingers anymore, her leg slowly tangles with his.

She couldn't feel anything, the cold, the soft breeze hitting her back as it pushed pass the curtain to softly hit her back to remind her of reality.

All she felt was him.

"You're amazing." he whispers slowly, bringing his hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb running along the curve of her cheekbone. Crystal nestles into his hand, feeling his warmth seep into hers as he kisses her. Her eyes automatically close when Zayn tightens his grip on her waist pulling her closer. His lips feel soft against her making her heart beat recklessly fast.

God, was it the softness of his lips or the beating of her heart that made her warm. . . or was it simply how it feels to kiss a man you love? If it is, it's amazing. Sweet, effortlessly sweet.

Or maybe, it's just because it's Zay-

"I'm sorry are you sure-"

Crystal presses her lips against his slowly, silencing him. Zayn feels his stomach tumble again when she makes no move to move her lips. They just stay there locked in between his like a jigsaw completing.

The fúck is his heart beating so fast for? And his stomach. . . no, this can't be the sushi he had, he only had one serving.

"Zayn, you idiot." she mumbles against his mouth with a smile.

She slowly nuzzles her face closer to his, knocking her nose against his with a smile. Silence engulfs them with no conversation for minutes that Zayn finally feels his eyes drooping in the comfort of her embrace when Crystal breaks the silence.

As usual.

"Zayn?"

"Mhm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"You would anyway." he mumbles, his lips slowly brushing hers as he does so. God, just lying next to someone in their embrace and feeling every part of them against yours. Zayn feels at ease for the first time.

"What does jaan mean?"

Zayn's eyes open slowly, a chuckle bursts out of him as he stares at her amused. God he could see every detail on her face this close.

"You don't know what it means?"

Crystal shakes her head shyly before her gaze falls down.

"Why were you so affected then? You like when I call you that."

"Because. . . because you just use it for me. No one else. It's. . . difficult to explain."

Zayn slowly blows on her eyelids making her look up and meet his eyes with her widened ones.

"It means you're equivalent to my life for me."

Crystal passes a shy smile before she holds his face in her hands and pecks his lips slowly and softly.

"Oh." she whispers.

"Yeah."

"So you'd die for me?" she asks slowly. Her brows furrow in confusion when Zayn passes her a small smile.

"Don't I die a little every time I look at you, jaan?"

_______

pls i love them sm.

thoughts?

what do u think will happen next?

what emojis would u use to describe your emotions this chapter? Mine- 😭🤧😳👉🏻👈🏻

ily guys sm, next couple chapters focus on the development of their relationship before

... before all hell breaks loose.

until next time xoxo