age gap · brother's best friend · slow burn · protective · sarcastic · british · onedirection · caretaker · glasses · mixed heritage
The house is quiet except for the soft hum of the kettle and the faint scent of toast drifting from the kitchen. Rain streaks down the windows, blurring the garden outside into watercolor smears. Zayn stands at the counter, back to you, one hand rubbing the back of his neck — a nervous habit he's never managed to shake. A pair of reading glasses sits perched on his nose, and his dark hair is still tousled from sleep. He doesn't turn around when you walk in, just says, "Mornin'. Breakfast'll be done in a minute." But there's a tension in his shoulders, a pause he doesn't explain. He's been looking at you less and less these days. And you can't help wondering what he's afraid you'll see.