Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Equal Love Between Us
~Evric’s POV~
When we reached the bedroom, Zayn closed the door softly behind us, his hand still locked with mine. His eyes never left me dark, vulnerable, and filled with something he couldn’t quite say. There wasn’t raw need in them, but rather a quiet stubbornness. He wanted to show me he was strong, that he wasn’t weak, and to reassure himself that my love for him hadn’t changed.
"Babe..." I whispered, searching his face. "Are you sure about this?"
He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he stepped closer and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was slow at first, then deepened, pulling me under. His hands slipped beneath my shirt, trembling slightly as they traced my skin.
"Zayn..." I breathed against his mouth.
"Stop asking questions and just do it," he whispered, his voice breaking.
I broke the kiss gently, cupping his cheeks between my hands. "You don’t have to prove anything to me, Zayn. You’re not sick. You’re not weak."
"I’m not proving anything," he said, his eyes wet but steady. "I just... I need to feel you. Right now. I need to know you still want me the same way."
My resolve shattered. "God, I do. I always will."
He kissed me again, more desperate this time, and pushed me toward the bed before climbing on top of me. But his body was shaking too much. I held him against me, easing him down gently.
"Babe," I whispered, kissing him softly again before pulling back. I cupped his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. "Listen to me. No matter what happens, I can’t stop loving you. Nothing can change how I feel about you. Every time I say I love you, I mean it. Always. You’re not weak, you’re the strongest person I know. And you’re mine."
I paused and looked at him, serious. "Can your body take what you’re asking for now?" I asked, because I needed you to be honest with me.
Zayn’s lips trembled. "I can’t... I can’t right now, Evric. My body..." He swallowed hard. "But I’m not weak."
"I know," I said firmly. "But don’t push yourself. Don’t get me out of control, because if I lose it, I might hurt you and that’s the last thing I want."
His eyes softened. "Okay, baby. Then... I just want to rest on your chest. I want to feel you close. Don’t make me sleep alone."
I kissed his forehead and whispered, "I’m sorry for leaving you earlier. I didn’t want to disturb you. But I’ll stay right here."
"Don’t stay far," he murmured, his hand clutching my shirt. "I want you closer to me."
"Okay, love," I said softly. I helped him settle into bed, arranging the pillows so he could lie comfortably against me. He curled into my chest, clinging tightly, until his breathing slowed and sleep finally took him.
I looked down at him, my chest aching with a bittersweet warmth. I’m happy to know you love me just as much as I love you, I thought. I might show my emotions loudly, make it obvious to the world, but this... this quiet, hidden part of you, you only show to me. Your fear of losing me, your need for me... that’s mine alone.
I leaned close, whispering into his ear, "I love you so much, Zayn."
Carefully, I turned him so he lay with his back against my chest. Pulling the duvet over us, I wrapped an arm around his waist, my hand resting over his wrist, and held him close. With him warm in my arms, I finally let sleep take me too.
The next morning, it was Zayn’s phone that woke me. He was still fast asleep, his breath soft and steady against my chest. Carefully, I stirred and reached for the phone on the nightstand, blinking at the bright screen. The name flashing across it was Evans.
I hesitated for a moment, my first instinct to wake Zayn so he could answer. But seeing how peacefully he slept, I couldn’t bring myself to disturb him. With a sigh, I set the phone back down and switched it to vibration.
But Evans kept calling. The phone buzzed again...and again. My patience snapped.
I grabbed the phone, pressed accept, and spoke before the caller could say a word.
"Hello. This is Evric... Zayn’s boyfriend speaking. Zayn is sleeping. He’ll call you back when he’s awake."
And without waiting for a response, I hung up immediately.
I turned to Zayn and pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder. He shifted lazily, turning toward me though his eyes stayed closed. My chest warmed as I looked at him, every part of him, so peaceful in sleep. Smiling, I leaned down and kissed his lips, whispering, "Good morning, baby..."
He only murmured like a child, half-asleep. That made me chuckle. I began to trace his face with my fingertips, gently brushing over his jaw, his nose, then lingering on his lips, playing with them as I grinned to myself.
That was when his phone buzzed with a message.
At first, I only reached for it to see if it was something important. But when I glanced at the screen, my heart pulled taut... Evans.
I hesitated, not wanting to intrude. Still, curiosity gnawed at me. Zayn’s phone had no password. My hand froze, then slowly, I unlocked the screen and opened the message.
What I read made my blood run hot:
Zayn, tell your boyfriend he’s too young and rude to speak to me like that. And tell him not to hang up on me next time.
I stared at the words, my jaw tightening. "What...?" I muttered under my breath, gripping the phone tighter.
I wanted to fire back a reply to Evans right away, but before I could, Zayn stirred beside me. Startled, I quickly dropped his phone back onto the nightstand.
He shifted closer, his voice still husky with sleep. "Good morning, baby... and thank you for taking care of me."
I softened immediately. "You’re welcome, baby."
He sat up slowly, saying he wanted to use the bathroom, but before getting up, his eyes caught mine. He paused, frowning slightly. "What’s wrong? Something happened?"
I sighed, deciding not to hide it. "Evans called earlier, and then he sent a message. He said I was too young and rude to talk to him like that."
Zayn just smiled. "Evans is actually a good person. He probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "So, are you saying he’s right to call me young?"
Zayn moved closer, cupping my cheek with his warm hand. "Baby, why should that bother you? Young or old, you’re the one I chose. You’re my boyfriend... and soon, you’ll be my husband. That’s all that matters."
I looked away stubbornly. "But I am bothered."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Alright then... what do you want me to do?"
I didn’t hesitate. "Reply to him. Tell him my boyfriend might be young, but he’s the sweetest, most handsome, loving, caring, honest, loyal, and intentional man ever and that you love me so much."
Zayn raised a brow, clearly amused. "All this... just to prove a point?"
I shot him a look, sharp enough to silence his teasing.
Zayn laughed under his breath and gave in. "Fine, fine. Then you should write it, reply to him yourself."
I blinked at him. "Me?"
"Yes, you." He pushed the phone gently into my hand, smiling. "If it matters that much to you, then let Evans hear it straight from you. Don’t hide behind me."
I stared at the phone for a moment, then back at him. He wasn’t teasing anymore his eyes were steady, serious, but full of love.
"Go on," he whispered. "Show him who you are. I’ll be right here."
But I crossed my arms. "No. You write it yourself. I want your words, not mine."
With a smile tugging at his lips, Zayn took his phone and typed the exact words before sending the message to Evans. Then, leaning in, I captured his lips in a kiss.
He kissed me back, chuckling softly against my mouth. Shaking his head, he whispered, "I love you anyway... and that’s what matters."
We were still laughing, Zayn’s smile lighting up the room, when a knock sounded at the door.
"Sir, good morning," one of the maids called politely from outside.
"Good morning," I answered, straightening a little. "What happened?"
"Your father is downstairs waiting for you, sir."