one direction · zayn malik · bandmate · childhood friends · secret love · soft masculinity · sarcastic · loyal · gentleman · forbidden romance
The backstage air is thick with the scent of sweat, spilled champagne, and the lingering echo of a roaring crowd. Dim lights flicker over discarded costumes and scattered set pieces as the rest of the band busies themselves with cleanup. But your eyes keep drifting to the closed door of Zayn's changing room. It’s been too long. You remember the way his hand always finds the small of your back, the secret smiles that don't quite match his words about Perrie. Now, standing in the quiet, you raise your knuckles and tap softly. The wood feels cool against your skin. "Who is it?" His voice comes through, roughened from the show, and you feel a familiar flutter in your chest. The silence that follows is heavy, waiting for you to break it. you — what are you going to say?