#pyrofic

It’s the official release of his new comic Helios and if you asked if Zayn was nervous that would be an understatement. He could hear a group of kids laughing loudly, the louder the chattering noise grew the more nervous he got. Zayn wasn’t very good at public speaking. He’s someone who loves to spend time alone in his studio drawing and painting until his fingers were numb and his skin completely covered with paint. Caroline burst through the door of the employee staff room with two steaming cups of coffee. “You should see the lineup, it’s out the freakin door!” she squeals handing Zayn his cup.

Zayn graciously takes it blowing on it a bit, taking a hasty sip he scalds the roof of his mouth. “That’s good to know but I don’t want to know.” Caroline waves her hand at him dismissively shaking her head. “Oh you’ll be fine you always are, you’ll say something touching and inspiring like you always do leaving the kids in awe then autographs then we’re out of here same old same old.” Caroline has been Zayn’s agent for the past three years since Zayn was a senior in art school. He had been working on the finishing touches of his art project on the floor hallway right before class when Caroline had walked by (probably on her phone) and had slipped on one of Zayn’s tubes of paint and fell. Face bright crimson he apologized profusely saying how much of a wanker he was. Caroline didn’t hear a word because she was too mesmorized by the painting before her.  

“You did this?” she interrupts.

“I’m so sorry I- what? Yea.” Said Zayn nervously rubbing the back of his neck. Big hazel eyes behind thick rimmed glasses gleaming in the light. Caroline shoved her business card in his face. “I can make you the next Picasso.” But before Zayn could respond she took off down the hall heels click clacking.

Now after signing a contract with Marvel and two big box-office selling movies later Zayn is now one of the highest paid comic book artist in the industry. Forbes once calling him the Jay-Z of Marvel comic universe. Which in Zayn’s opinion is a bit much. He went from poor art Uni student to buying his parents a new home and his sisters whatever they wanted for Christmas.

“We’re ready for you Mr. Malik.” A blonde girl with pink highlights and startling blue eyes and an innocent face looks at him expectantly. Zayn checks her name tag. “Thanks Perrie.” He winks at her giving her a sly grin. Caroline swats him on the shoulder. “Stop flirting and get out there.”

For once in her life Caroline wasn’t over exaggerating. The line seriously was all the way out the door. Kids from ages five to twenty five. Some dressed in Helios costumes. The entire event is whirr of crying, I love you’s and you inspire me’s. Zayn has signed so many books and taken so many pictures his cheeks hurt and his hand is sore from writing one too many autographs. The event doesn’t end until well into the evening and just as he takes a group picture with the book store staff and is shaking their hands in thanks.

 He hears a breathless “Excuse me?” It’s a young guy in ripped black skinny jeans black shirt with holes in it with tattered sneakers. His greasy curly hair tucked under beanie. “Um I’m here for the book signing?” 

“You’re too late sweetheart.”  Caroline replied in annoyance. “The event is over. Should’ve been here earlier.”  Zayn is too awkward to say anything, instead he just shrugs his leather coat on and trails behind Caroline. He’s feels a tug on his jacket. “Please I’ve come a long way, I got here as fast I could.” He looks at Zayn with big green eyes a bottom lip tucked between his teeth. He’s cute. Ridiculously cute. He’s tall with a slender build and a defined jawline and long lashes.

Caroline swats the guy’s hand off Zayn, through gritted teeth she says, “I said you’re too late now bugger off!”

The boy winces snatching his hand back. He face drops dejected. Zayn sighs he can’t help at how adorable he’s being. He notices an anchor tattoo on his right arm. Raising a hand to stop Caroline from saying anything more because he’s knows that she’s exhausted and is going through caffeine withdrawals, so it’s not entirely the guy’s fault.

“I got this Caroline.” He says forcefully glaring at her.

Caroline huffs rolling her eyes, she shakes her head. “I’ll be in the café next door.”  She trudges through the door. Zayn bites back the exhaustion and frustration and forces a smile. “What’s your name?”

The boy blushes eyes downcast. “Um Harry.”

“What can I do for you?”

Harry reaches into his satchel pulling out an old tattered copy of Helios vol 1. “You think you can sign this for me?”

Zayn whistles “Oh man volume one with the original cover art, haven’t seen this in a while.” He chuckles. Harry beams the green on his eyes light up “It’s my favourite, I think it’s one of your best works, it’s inspired me to start drawing again.”  He’s grinning from ear to ear, suddenly he looks so much younger. Zayn notices the dimple in his left cheek, a wistful look in his eyes.   

“Well, I’m flattered, thanks.” Zayn blushes.

He signs the book handing it back to Harry. Then he plucks his latest comic off the shelf signs that too and hands it to Harry.

“Are-are you sure?” said Harry. He looks around the shop and behind Zayn to see if any of the employees is watching. Zayn waves his hand dismissively “Don’t worry about it. You came all this way right?” Harry nods giving Zayn a look of uncertainty but takes the book anyway. His fingers gently brushing Zayn’s. Suddenly he feels a surge of electricity run through his body. For a moment Zayn and Harry stand there just staring at each other the book still in Zayn’s hand and Harry’s grasping it. Just then Harry grins, giving Zayn a wink and, he instantly snaps out of it.

“Sorry”

Zayn let’s go and coughs into his hand from embarrassment. He can bet all his money that his face is the colour of a tomato. Harry giggles, like an actual proper giggle and it makes Zayn heart flutter. “I-I have to go but thank you so much, this really means a lot.” 

“Yeah me to.” Zayn’s eyes go wide. “I-I mean your welcome don’t mention it.” He face palms shaking his head. Zayn you idiot. Harry giggles and sticks his hand out “It was an honor to meet you.” 

They shake hands for far too long and, with a nod Harry is out the door.

Zayn regrets not asking him for his number.

 ~~~

The art festival is one of Zayn’s favourite things to attend too. The city is lit up with faire lights all along the street lamps. The streets are packed with overly excited drunk people, Zayn is completely buzzing from the tips of his toes to his fingers. He loves the energy and vibe and being around people who are more like him. Caroline who is shovelling a hot dog down her throat says to Zayn with her mouth full. “Have you found an artist to premier at the Illuminatie Awards?”

Zayn rolls his eyes in annoyance. It’s the last thing he wants to think about at the moment. He knows he should be spending this time right now looking for new talent but for once he doesn’t want to think about work. He just wants to immerse himself in tonight’s events get drunk, smoke a little weed and possibly get laid.

“Can we talk about something else besides work?” said Zayn. He grabs Caroline’s hot dog and takes a bite.

Caroline shakes her head and tuts. “You haven’t even started looking have you?” Zayn doesn’t respond instead he rolls his eyes takes another bite of her hot dog and hands it back to her. When he still doesn’t respond Caroline shoves him.

“Zayn this is important, the Illuminatie Awards is less than a week away.”  Said Caroline.

 “I’ll find someone!” said Zayn agitated.

“Well it’s a good thing we’re here, because we are not leaving this place until you have at least talked to someone.”

Zayn shakes his head at her, grinning he grabs her hand. “Well, what are we waiting for?”

The night is a night to remember with Zayn having one to many vodka tonics. He ends up making out with a guy by the name of Liam. He doesn’t really remember much about him except that he has the kindest brown eyes and the cutest smile and he couldn’t stop kissing him. He ends up leaving Caroline at the bar and wandering off down the street in a drunken haze, the cool fall air feels good against his hot skin as he makes his way down admiring all the art work. Beautiful graffiti splayed against the walls of the old buildings. Until he stops at one in particular art work that seems to take his breath away.

It’s graffiti art like he’s never seen before. It’s the goddess Athena perched on a golden throne. Her skin a pale white almost porcelain, with her head held high her hand wrapped around a golden javelin with a matching shield, draped in an all-white toga with gold trimming. Her lips in a hard line, her face stern as if she’s gearing up for battle. It’s so beautiful, so real it almost looks like she’s going to jump right out of the wall. Zayn reaches up gently pressing his hand on it. From the way the colours blend together so perfectly to the detailing of her eyes, nose, lips. He’s never seen anything like this.

“Do you like it?”

Zayn jumps out of his reverie spinning around so fast that he almost loses his balance. When he realizes who it is he nearly falls over. It’s the guy from the book signing.

Harry.

Wearing a white t shirt and black jeans all covered in spray paint his hair tied in a high bun. His bottom lip tucked between his teeth in apprehension. He nervously fiddles with the ring on his finger. “I mean it’s not my best work, her face looks a little wonky, and the colour of her hair is a little off, it looks a bit cartoonish I know it’s definitely not how I picture her to look…”

“It’s beautiful.” Zayn interrupts.

“What? oh..Thanks.” Harry accepted with his face beet red.

Then it clicks.

“How would you like to be featured as an up and coming artists at the Illuminatie Awards?” said Zayn.

Harry starts coughing profusely he face turns to a tinge of pink as he hunches over with his hands on his knees. Worried Zayn goes over and pats his back gently. “You alright mate?” Harry continues coughing but nods his head. When he finally regains his composure grasping onto his chest he pulls out an inhaler and takes a few inhales. Zayn watches him wotj worry etched on his face.

Then when Harry looks at him as he smiles. That adorable smile, that same boyish smile that makes his dimples show and his eyes crinkle. He waves the inhaler at Zayn. “I’m fine.”

Zayn releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “You scared me!”

“Sorry.”  Harry said sheepishly.

Zayn can’t help but smile at how cute he’s being. “So how about it?”

Harry looks up at his art then looks at Zayn. “I don’t know, I mean do you think I’m good enough?”

Zayn scoffs eyes wide. “Good enough? You’re fucking brilliant, I haven’t seen talent like this in a long time.” Harry tugs on a loose strand of hair. Zayn can tell by the look on his face that he’s apprehensive.

“Look why don’t I buy you drink, yeah? You look like you could use a drink.” Zayn has never been good with stuff like this scouting artists, this is more Caroline’s thing. But there was no way in hell he was going to let a talent like this go unnoticed.

“If you decide that this isn’t for you to which I don’t understand why you would say no, then we go our separate ways, but if you do want to do this then I’ll give you my number, and we can go from there.”

Zayn hopes to whichever God that he’ll say yes because not only will Caroline kill him for not finding someone but also he really wants to spend more time with Harry. He’s never been this interested in someone before ever since he met Harry that day at the book shop he can’t seem to get his mind off him. From the beautiful green of his eyes that he wants to paint so bad to the beauty mark on the right side of his jaw. He’s affected him in more ways than one and this time he had no intention of letting him go.

Harry quirks an eyebrow grinning from ear to ear. “Alright then, one drink.”

One Year Later

Graffiti artist Harry Styles opens his latest exhibit at MoMA. Known as one the most anticipated art works the event’s attendees include Marina Abramovic, Jenny Saville, and even Andreas Gursky are one of the many A listers that came to see Mr. Styles in all his glory. Including his beau artist mastermind Zayn Malik himself.  “It’s his best work yet.” Says an insider.  “He really went above and beyond, this time around.” Well it seems Harry has not disappointed in the slightest. Is it me or am I the only one counting down the days when he’ll put a piece up for auction? Who are we kidding we can’t afford it.

                                                                                        -Tracy Lindsay New York Times

This is the happiest Zayn has been in a long time.

Snuggled up on the couch the view of the lake is absolutely breath taking this time of year. Harry’s in the kitchen making breakfast, Muffy sits attentively near Harry’s feet waiting for him to drop a piece of bacon on the floor. He reads over the reviews on Harry’s new exhibit. Grinning from ear to ear his heart swells at the good reviews. “Babe look at this.” He quickly walks over to Harry shoving the newspaper in his face. Harry swats him away. “I don’t want to see it!” Harry exclaims.

Zayn laughs wrapping an arm around Harry’s waist he nuzzles his face in the crook of his neck. “They love you.” He says his voice muffled. Harry sets the breakfast on the table when Zayn starts reading aloud he clasps his hands over his ear. “I don’t want to know!”

Zayn chuckles and playfully swats Harry on the bum with the newspaper before sitting down at the table. “Don’t be so dramatic that’s my shtick besides you should be proud. Your exhibit is doing great just like I said it would.” Zayn tucks a hair behind Harry’s ear. “See I told you things would work out.”

 Harry has a look on his face as if he’s remembering something. He looks at Zayn with a devilish grin on his face. Giving him a quick kiss,