BEHIND HIS SMILE MY NAME

Chapter 16 – “I Think I’m Falling”

Zayn had kissed people before. Too many times, if he was being honest—with lips he didn’t care for and hands that never reached his heart.

But this… this was different.

Teo’s fingers traced the inside of his wrist like he was reading a story written beneath his skin. Zayn laid on Teo’s bed, the soft hum of music in the background, dim light casting long shadows across their faces.

“Are you okay?” Teo asked gently, brushing a stray curl from Zayn’s forehead.

Zayn nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous and this calm at the same time.”

Teo smiled and leaned closer, lips grazing the side of Zayn’s neck. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“I know,” Zayn whispered. “But I want this. I want you.”

Those words made Teo freeze for just a second—his eyes searching, soft and wide. Zayn pulled him down slowly, their lips meeting again, no longer hesitant.

This kiss was deeper.

Their hands explored—over clothes, over skin—memorizing every line, every reaction. Zayn’s hoodie was tugged gently over his head, exposing his chest, and Teo’s shirt followed next, tossed somewhere into the quiet corner of the room.

Zayn ran his hand along Teo’s bare waist, breath catching. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.

Teo chuckled shyly. “So are you. But don’t look at me like that or I might fall harder.”

Zayn smiled against his collarbone. “Then fall. I’ll be here.”

They moved slowly, their bodies discovering the rhythm between trust and desire. Teo kissed down Zayn’s stomach with reverence, his fingers tightening around Zayn’s hand. There was no rush. Just honesty. Just heat and longing that had been buried too long.

Zayn gasped softly as their hips met, warmth and friction blooming between them. Teo looked into his eyes, checking again.

“I’m with you,” Zayn whispered.

And they continued.

Clothes disappeared, skin met skin, and in the middle of all the heat and breath and tension, Zayn didn’t feel like he was being ruined anymore.

He felt like he was being rebuilt.

Later, they laid tangled under the covers, Zayn’s head on Teo’s chest, listening to his heartbeat like it was a song written just for him.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” Zayn said so quietly it could’ve been mistaken for a dream.

Teo didn’t reply right away. He kissed the top of Zayn’s head and whispered, “Then fall. I’ll catch you.”

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