boys //ziam

chapter ten

...

zayn

zayn lights up as soon as he sees his older brother coming down from the runway at the airport. he doesn't realize when he's doing it but he runs like a little kid to welcome his brother.

his brother laughs, easily picking him up. other people might think they're lovers reuniting, but they're just two brothers that haven't seen each other for very long.

"meri jaan," zayaad says, putting his much brother down and cupping his cheek gently. "you didn't age one bit."

"so did you," zayn chuckles. "i can't believe i survived six years without seeing you."

"it's been a long time," zayaad agrees. "i miss my nephews, they must be so big now."

"yeah they are, you need to see them," zayn says. "i'll help you with your luggage."

"i've got it babe," zayaad says. "where's your car?"

zayn leads them both to their car where he helps his older brother place his items at the boot. then he gets in the drivers seat with his brother sitting next to him.

"so how have you been zayaad, please tell me you're seeing someone now," zayn says. his brother has always been a bit of a player, never settling with anyone for longer than a month. it used to be cute at first but now zayaad is thirty-seven, zayn always insists that it's time for him to settle down.

"i have too much love to give just for one person," zayaad says.

zayn rolls his eyes. "you always say that."

"because it's true," he responds. "plus i've got you babe."

zayn gives him a smile at that. when they arrive home, the house is so quiet.

"where's everyone? i was expecting a warm welcome," zayaad complains. "you let them forget about their cool uncle huh."

"jordan and lucas went to some festival with their dad," zayn explains. "oliver is at school practicing for a play and noah is studying in his room."

"well get noah to come see his uncle then," zayaad says.

"he doesn't come out of his room till he's done," zayn says. "you'll see them later, i'll show you to your room."

zayn leads him to the visitors bedroom, the last one he stayed six years ago when he came over. it's still homey and has some of his things since no one has stayed in that room since he left.

when they're done unpacking, zayaad falls on the bed and zayn lay next to him. his head is on his brothers chest while zayaad idly plays with his hair.

"tell me what's going on with jordan," zayaad says.

"he hates me," zayn says.

"he doesn't hate you," zayaad responds.

"he does, and it's my fault," zayn complains bitterly. "i should have told him the truth but i wanted to protect him."

"he's sixteen, he's old enough to handle the truth," zayaad says. "you have to tell him before he does."

zayn whimpers, "i'm worried they might have started talking."

"why?"

"he blurted something out during our fight. he said he was right about you, but that doesn't make sense. he doesn't know about jordan, unless jordan contacted him first, but how," zayn rambles.

"zayn, you're overthinking this," zayaad says. "you just need to talk to him, that's all. tell him about his father and let him figure it out on his own."