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The city lights twinkled outside Zayn's apartment window as the car pulled up beside the curb. After dropping Rhys off, the silence in the car between Zayn and Elior felt strangely heavy not uncomfortable, but different. Like something unsaid sat quietly between them.

“I can drop you off, if you want,” Elior said, eyes forward on the wheel, his voice low.

Zayn turned his head, his brows furrowing. He studied Elior’s face for a beat longer than necessary.

“…Yeah, fine.”

And with that, they drove.

Minutes later, Zayn unlocked the door to his high-rise apartment, the soft chime of the security system ringing in the silence. He pushed the door open, turned on the dim lights, and looked over his shoulder.

“You coming in, or you just going to admire me from the doorway?” he said with his usual smirk.

Elior followed.

The door clicked shut behind them.

Inside, the apartment was tastefully minimal cool greys, deep blues, and large windows with a view of the city skyline. Zayn threw his keys on the console table and shrugged off his jacket before sinking onto the couch.

Elior sat beside him, not too close, not too far. Just enough space to keep Zayn curious.

Zayn leaned back, stretching a little, then slowly tugged his shirt off in one motion, tossing it casually across the back of the sofa. He turned to Elior with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, his eyes lidded with a familiar fire.

“You sure you’re not here for this?” Zayn said, leaning closer, his hand trailing lightly up Elior’s chest as he tried to kiss him.

But Elior gently caught Zayn’s wrist, stopping him just before their lips touched.

“Wait, Zayn,” Elior said quietly.

Zayn blinked, surprised.

His fingers stilled against Elior’s shirt.

“What?” he asked, confused. “You’re not into this? Isn’t that why you came?”

Elior gave him a small, soft smile. “I didn’t come here to sleep with you tonight. I just wanted to spend some time with you.”

Zayn’s body went rigid.

He blinked again, slowly, as if trying to process the words. “You… what?”

“I wanted to talk. That’s all,” Elior said, voice calm, without a trace of judgement.

Zayn pulled back slightly, his expression flickering between shock and disbelief. No one had ever said that to him. No one had ever stopped him.

He’d spent years convincing the world and himself that his worth only lasted for one night. And now someone was saying... they didn’t want that?

Without a word, he leaned away and grabbed his discarded shirt, pulling it back on with quick, jerky movements. He cleared his throat and dropped onto the opposite side of the couch.

“Okay then,” Zayn said after a pause, avoiding Elior’s eyes. “So… what now?”

“Now,” Elior said, shifting to face him with a playful glint in his eyes, “we play a game.”

Zayn gave him a suspicious look. “What kind of game?”

“A quick question game. I ask, you answer. Then we switch.”

Zayn raised a brow. “You know, this sounds like a setup to get me to confess something embarrassing.”

Elior grinned. “Probably. But come on, Alaric. Live a little.”

Zayn rolled his eyes. “Fine. But don’t get too dramatic with your questions.”

“Noted,” Elior said, settling more comfortably into the couch. “First question full name?”

Zayn blinked. “Seriously?”

“Yep.”

He scoffed but played along. “Zayn Alaric.”

Elior smiled. “Nice. I’m Elior Blackwood.”

Zayn paused. “Damn. Your name sounds like it belongs in a gothic fantasy novel.”

“Right?” Elior laughed. “Blackwood. Very dramatic.

“Blackwood of the Iron Mountains,” Zayn said with mock grandeur, waving his hand like a knight. “Sworn to protect the fragile kingdom of.”

Elior threw a pillow at him. “Shut up.”

They both laughed. The kind of laugh that made the tension ease.

Zayn leaned his head back against the couch, a faint smile still playing on his lips.

“Next question,” Elior said. “Favourite place?”

Zayn hummed. “Hm… I think… honestly? Just somewhere quiet. Like here. My apartment.”

Elior looked around. “It is nice. Cold, but… nice.”

“And yours?”

Elior didn’t hesitate. “Anywhere you are.”

Zayn’s head turned sharply, eyebrows raising in surprise. “Are you… trying to flirt with me?”

Elior gave a lazy grin. “Maybe. Is it working?”

Zayn chuckled. “Maybe. You’ll find out… someday.”

Zayn glanced over and asked, “Okay next question how many people have you slept with?”

Elior raised an eyebrow. “Oh, we’re doing those kinds of questions now?”

Zayn smirked. “Answer or forfeit.”

“There’s no forfeit rule.”

“There is now.”

Elior chuckled, thinking for a moment. “Alright. Including you? Two.”

Zayn blinked. “Wait, wait. Two? Only two?”

Elior nodded casually.

Zayn frowned in disbelief. “Are you lying? You don’t seem like a saint.”

“I didn’t say I was a saint,” Elior grinned, “I just said I don’t make it a habit.”

Zayn scoffed. “Wow. So innocent. You must really like emotional damage.”

Elior looked at him. “Do you?”

Zayn rolled his eyes. “Don't twist it. It’s not my fault alphas find me irresistible.”

Elior raised his hands dramatically. “Oh, of course, Zayn Alaric, The walking sin.”

Zayn winked. “Glad you know.”

Elior leaned forward, tilting his head. “Your turn. How many?”

Zayn stretched his arms above his head, completely unbothered. “Hmm… actually, I don’t remember the exact number.”

Elior stared.

“But I think… more than thirty?”

Elior blinked. “More than thirty?”

Zayn laughed. “What? You’re judging me now?”

“No,” Elior shook his head, then grinned. “I just don’t know if I should be impressed or concerned.”

“Definitely impressed,” Zayn smirked, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.

“Alright, next question,” Elior said, still chuckling. “How many members in your family?”

Zayn’s face dimmed slightly, but he answered, “Four..... Mom, dad, brother and me.”

Elior tilted his head. “Brother, huh? What’s his name?”

Zayn smiles faintly. “Adric.”

Elior repeated it. “Adric… Sounds like a prince from a fantasy novel.”

Zayn laughed. “Says the guy named Elior blackwood.”

Elior rolled his eyes, trying not to smile.

“So, where is he now?” Elior asked curiously.

“Currently doing his master's degree in Abroad. He’s the golden child,” zayn said with a touch of amusement. “Straight-A student, perfect son, parents’ favorite. You know, the usual pressure.”

Elior leaned back, studying him. “Sounds like someone you admire.”

“I fucking hate him ,” Zayn said."sometimes I just want to erase his  existence without thinking a second.”

Zayn was quiet for a second, understanding that more than he expected. Then he looked at Elior and asked, “What kind of partner do you want?”

Elior looked at him, this time with a thoughtful expression.

“I want someone who doesn’t lie,” he said slowly. “Someone who tells me the truth even when it’s hard. No hiding things.”

Zayn blinked.

Elior continued, “Someone who isn’t afraid to take a stand for themselves, for what they feel. Who’s strong, but not afraid to show they’re human too.”

Zayn's lips parted slightly as he processed Elior’s words. Something in them... hit a nerve.

And then, Zayn smirked, breaking the tension. “Are you talking about me?”

Elior chuckled, not denying it. “Maybe.”

Zayn dramatically put a hand on Elior’s forehead and gently pushed him back. “Idiot.”

Elior laughed, letting himself fall back onto the carpet.

Zayn turned his head, watching him.

No one had ever wanted to know him.

Everyone else had wanted pieces of him his body, his name, his reputation. But never his truth.

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