"You know what?"

"What?"

Zayn plopped down on the couch next to Harry with a dithered look on his face. "I did some reading. And by that, I mean I finally read the whole page of colors on the website that we're going over."

"That's good... I guess."

"Yeah. It is good. Because I thought something was left out but it actually wasn't."

Harry tilted his head sideways. "I don't understand."

"Anger is a characteristic of red and I thought it was left out. But it wasn't. It lists it under dark red. And dark red is one of the colors I'm supposed to teach you today."

Harry smiled. "Ah, so it pays to read, doesn't it?"

He huffed. "Yeah, but I feel like a fool though."

"Why?"

"I should have read over the entire thing before today. But then again, I've always had a bad habit of not carefully looking into a situation before I jump into it."

Harry felt for Zayn's shoulder and pat it. "It's okay. Stop beating yourself up about it. All that matters is that you know now and we can move forward."

"I don't want to confuse you though. I want to do it right."

"You haven't confused me and you are doing it right. You're teaching me colors and helping me learn things I never knew before. That's enough for me. Now go on and continue teaching me what you came here to teach me. Dark red means anger and what else?"

He took his hand off of Zayn's shoulder and pressed his elbow into his thigh so he could lean on his hand. Zayn struggled to follow directions.

"Um... Well.... Let's see... Dark red represents anger, vigor, rage, leadership, courage, longing, malice, and wrath. If you were wondering, that would be colors like Velvet, Currant and Licorice."

"Hmm. I can't believe it. Red is such an evil color. I can't understand how people find that a turn on."

"Ironic that you say that because many religions paint the devil and other religious figures similar to the devil as red because of how evil they are. And the way those figures are described in comparison to the attributes of the color red, it suits them well. But aside from that, red is still an amazing color. You know why?"

"Why?"

"For starters, business wise, food companies love to use it to promote their companies because the color red can make people hungry and get them to buy from them."

"Really?"

"Yes. Just by looking at it, it stimulates the brain to signal to us we need food even if we don't. We also tend to associate it with heat. So we think about fire and warmth which means red can manipulate your brain into feeling warm even in the winter. Also, red protects us daily. That's why stop signs are red and why traffic lights are red. Because they give us a warning to danger. We talked about love a great deal last time and that was a good thing too. And also your favorite fruits and vegetables can be red. Like cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries and red peppers. Watermelon fits in that category too, but sometimes they can be pink on the inside."

Harry rubbed his stomach. "Mmm. Did you come here to make me hungry or teach me colors?"

Zayn laughed. "Teach you, obviously. But as intimidating as red sounds, I don't want you to be wary of it because of a few negative qualities. It's a wonderful color when used in the right way and for the right things. Plus, red roses are something to behold."

After thinking on the words that Zayn spoke, Harry sat back with a satisfying smile. "And that is exactly why I believe in you." He said.

Zayn was confused. "Because roses are something to behold?"

"No, because of everything you just said to me." He adjusted himself so he could somewhat face him. "You're not a fool, Zayn. You should never call yourself that. You're an amazing human being with so much potential. Don't sell yourself short just because you made a few mistakes. It's not fair to you or the people around you who really believe in you. Okay?"

Zayn let his shoulders fall as he watched him carefully. Every time Harry said upbuilding things to him, he was left searching for words. Harry didn't know him that well, so he wasn't aware of the things that had gone wrong with him. But somehow, no matter what they were doing, he always found the smallest thing that did go right and reminded Zayn that no matter what, whatever he had to offer always deserved greater attention than any mistake he could ever make. As cheesy as it sounded, it was the flat out truth. And hearing him say that made Zayn feel special to Harry.

"You know what? I think you should meet my family."

He lowered his voice as he said that because he thought Harry would be apprehensive about it. But actually, he was very delighted.

"You do? I would love to meet your family. Are they next door or something?"

"No. But I'm going to see them today. I cut my grass yesterday but I had to borrow my dad's lawn mower and trailer. I'm going to return it today. You could just come with me. It's not like I have to go out of my way or anything because you live next door. We'll just come home together."

For some odd reason, Harry felt hot in the face. He'd only met the parents of a few people in his lifetime. Mindy, Liam and then Mitchell, his ex boyfriend. Meeting parents was a big deal in this day and age. Although he figured that for he and Zayn, it wasn't​ quite the same as it was with he and Mitchell.

"Okay. Yes. Let's do it."

"After we discuss the color pink, though."

"Pink? Didn't we already talk about that in the home decor store?"

"Yeah. But there's more to it than that."

Harry stood up and reached down and felt around for Zayn's hand. Zayn was surprised when he helped him up as if he was the one with a disability. "So let's do that in the car then. Come on. You have to lead me."

He giggled adorably and that made Zayn return that giggle. "You're going to walk outside in no shoes?"

"No, I'll get them. Or...." He said. "You could go get them while I text Mindy and tell her not to come today. That would make this all so much quicker cause you know I'm a slow texter."

Zayn let go of Harry's hand. "Fine. I'll go get them."

"Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah."

* * *

Zayn had put the lawn mower on the trailer before he went to see Harry so really, all he had to do was lead Harry out of his house, up his driveway and into his car. And Zayn was happy about that because that meant he didn't have to pause for too long in the middle of their conversation.

"I took a look at pink before I put my phone away and it said that pink is love, romance and friendship. It also said something about feminine qualities as well."

"Like princesses and baby girls?"

Zayn smiled, knowing he had previously described the color pink in that way. "Pretty much that."

"You know... I got to hold a baby girl once. She squirmed a lot though. I was afraid I might drop her so I gave her back."

"Oh. Yeah that would've been terrible."

"What about you. Have you held a baby girl before?"

"My mother told me I held my sister a couple times. But obviously I was three then so... I don't remember."

"Oh. Well, that's okay. How do you feel about babies?"

Zayn nervously tapped the steering wheel. "Um... They're​ cool."

Harry chuckled. "They're cool? Oh come on, that's it? Listening to them babble is adorable. And don't you like putting your finger in their tiny hand? It's​ so cute when they automatically know to grab it."

"Sure, it's cute at first. Until those little suckers suddenly become the Hulk and don't know when to let go."

Harry gasped but laughed. "Suckers? Babies are not suckers. They're precious little soft squishy packages of love and innocence."

Zayn scoffed. "No doubt they are. But still."

"What do you have against babies?"

"Nothing. I love babies. I want to pinch their juicy little jaws sometimes. But talking about them just... It makes me uncomfortable. I'm sorry."

Harry had to pause for a moment. Wait. What? How was it that little tiny helpless humans made him uncomfortable? He tried to understand how someone who was once a baby could be bothered by a conversation about babies. It just didn't make any sense. But he wasn't going to push the issue. He respected Zayn's feelings enough to drop the subject. "No don't apologize. We'll just not talk about it anymore."

"Thank you."

Zayn expected him to tell him he was welcome or something, but looking over and seeing Harry lean against the door told him that maybe he wasn't welcome. He felt bad. He thought he might have ruined Harry's mood. So he stayed quiet.

But he was wrong because despite the silence all the way to his parents house, Harry was so excited to walk up to the front door with him.

After ringing the doorbell, Zayn turned to Harry. "Now, quick overview of my family. My mother is the sweetest woman you'll ever meet outside of Mindy. She may even top her. Either way, im sure you'll love her. My sister Safaa is twenty one years old. She's in college right now so when she's not part time working at the corner store, she's studying. I swear she spends more hours studying in the day than I do sleeping at night. And my dad. Watch out for him. He can be standoffish, not just to guests. He has expectations but he never reveals them to the person he puts them on. He just quietly observes in a way that lets you know he's quietly observing you. Sometimes it makes me uncomfortable but I've gotten used to it and I just try to make myself not care anymore."

"Oh."

"Don't be intimidated though. I'm not saying any of this to intimidate you. I just wanted you to have a heads up so you know what kind of house you were walking into. But something tells me they're going to like you a lot. So just keep being yourself."

"Gotcha."

The door finally opened and Zayn was so thankful his mother was the one behind the door. At least it could start the visit off on the right foot. "Hi, sweetie. Welcome home. Who is this you have with you?"

"This is Harry Styles."

"Oh. Oh my goodness! This is the friend you told us about?"

Zayn was confused when she started to fix herself up because Harry couldn't even see her. But his mind was redirected from her to Harry when he felt his shirt being tugged. "You told your mother about me?"

"Yes. You told your friend about me."

"That's not the same."

"What's different?"

"She's your mother. Mothers always have to approve of your friends so most people only tell about their friends to their mothers when they think they're good."

"You are good."

He smiled. "Thank you." He said quietly.

"You're welcome."

Patricia chuckled. "Come on in, Harry. Meet the rest of the family. I'm Patricia by the way."

Zayn went in first and he guided Harry in along with him. Harry sniffed the air and smiled. "Your home has a lovely fragrance, Mrs. Patricia."

"Thank you. That's Jasmine. There's a little freshener plugged into a socket in the hallway. I always forget visitor's can still smell it because I'm so used to it, I can't smell it anymore unless I leave for a long time and come back."

"Where do you buy it from?"

"Walmart."

"Oh. Nice."

"So this is the living room. You two wait here on the couch while I bring everybody down stairs. Then we can all have a nice chat."

"Sounds good to me. And tell Dad I've got the trailer and lawn mower outside."

"Sure dear. Why don't you get Harry something to drink or eat, if he wants it. I'll be back."

As she darted out of the room, Zayn helped Harry sit down on the couch.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"No. Don't go through the trouble. I'll just get something when I get back home this evening."

"You're sure?"

"Yep."

Zayn looked apprehensively at him. "If you're doing that to be nice, you don't have to. She offered it."

Harry reached out a bit and pat his leg to assure him he was fine. "It's okay."

Zayn looked down at his hand. Zayn wasn't the touchy person when it came to friendly relationships. But contact like that somehow always made the message Harry was trying to convey to him much clearer. So he didn't ask him again.

They sat there quietly for a moment until Harry sliced the silence. "So is this the house you lived in growing up?"

"Yes. This is where I lived before I went to college and this is where I was staying for about a month before I moved next door to you."

"Nice. But don't you miss the company now that you're living on your own?"

He shook his head. "No. I like my alone time. Not having your parents over your shoulder every moment of the day is a good feeling."

He smiled. "I wouldn't even know what it's like. Grandma died when I was nineteen. But I bet she would have been just like that as long as I was with Mitchell. With him being ten years older than me and everything."

"Age is just a number." Zayn said.

"That's how I see it too. As long as you're both of legal age, of course."

Zayn laughed. "That's right."

"Harry, darling."

Zayn faced his mother and then saw his sister and father there next to her.

"We're all here in the living room. There's three of us, including me. This is my husband, Yaser."

"Hello, Harry."

"And our daughter, Safaa. She's twenty one."

"Hello, Harry."

"Nice to meet you both. I was telling Mrs. Patricia earlier that you have a lovely smelling home. I smelled it as soon as I walked in the door."

"Yeah. That's the Jasmine." Yaser commented.

"And Jasmine is a refreshing scent."

Yaser walked over to Harry. "You know what? Let me shake your hand. I don't feel like I've properly met you until then."

Harry held his hand out, but Yaser had to go to it to shake it.

"There we go. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Now let's all have a seat and chat up a bit." Patricia said. "I've heard many things about you, Harry."

"Many?"

"Yes. Zayn talks about you occasionally when he comes over. Don't worry. It's all been good."

Zayn's mouth parted. Admitting he told her who Harry was, was alright. But he would rather they not give Harry the impression that he always went telling them about their time together. He was still trying not to be the weird neighbor.

"Always talks about seeing you." She went on. "And if he likes you, we like you too."

Harry blushed strawberry red. "That's sweet."

"So... yes. This is my family. Always friendly." Zayn said, loudly and quickly changing the subject in hopes Harry would forget what she said.

"Mr. Yaser, I've been told you have your own mechanic shop."

He smiled proudly. "I do. I'm trying my best to urge Zayn to take over when I can't do it anymore. But he doesn't want to. So I may have to shut it down."

"Because working on cars is not my thing." Zayn said in his defense. "To be honest, I don't really have a thing but I know that's not it."

Safaa laughed. "Mine either. I'm going to college and getting my Associate Degree right now."

"So I've heard. That's awesome, Safaa. What's your career path?"

"Likely a health profession."

"Awesome. You know, I wanted to go college a few years back."

"Why didn't you? You know it's still possible for you to get a degree."

"Oh, I know. But it's just different living with your elderly grandmother. She couldn't drive anymore so we called taxis everywhere we went. The school for the blind was so far away and just not feasible. But I don't feel like I missed out on anything. Grandma left me money and I still receive money because of my disability. I do believe going to school would probably be a hassle for me now anyway."

"Oh. At least you don't regret it though."

"True, but that doesn't mean I'm not still learning either." He reached out to pat Zayn's chest and ended up patting his stomach instead. "Zayn has been teaching me the meaning of colors."

"What?" All three of them asked at the same time.

"He didn't tell us that." Patricia added.

"Well, he has. He's great at it too."

"I'm not." Zayn said. "I keep telling him I'm not but he just insists. So I figured I could give it a try. That's all." Zayn specifically looked for his father's expression and though not too expressive, something about it made it easy to tell that he was proud of him.

"I think that's very generous of you to do that, Zayn. I'm proud of you."

"Sure is, Z."

At least he knew his mother and sister would express it.

"Thanks." He sat back on the couch and slowly exhaled so no one would mistaken it for sighing. It was a spur of the moment thing but that didn't mean it wasn't a good idea. Everything was working out just fine and Harry was already loving his family just as much as he did. If willingly befriending Harry and volunteering to teach him something in the coolest way possible was what made his father proud, then with all the energy and power he could muster up in himself, he was going to do his utmost to do it to the best of his ability.

* * *

They stood outside of Harry's home just after he unlocked the front door. "I didn't know I'd end up staying till late but once again, your mother's cooking was delicious. Thank you for letting me stay and have dinner with your family. It was fun."

"You're welcome. I had fun too. And my family likes you a lot. We can visit again if you want." Zayn offered.

"Yes. I would love that some time. Being there to see you with your family sheds new light on you as a person. Now I understand why you're the way you are."

Zayn shoved the tips of his fingers in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. "What do you mean?"

"Just... The way that you are. I can tell. Just like how the person I was raised around molded who I am. It's difficult to explain, which is why we need to learn more about each other so we both can understand why and how we do what we do."

"Yes definitely." He said. "Like the way that you used your knife to help you scoop up your food at dinner. That was pretty fucking amazing."

"Thank you. Grandma taught me that. Someday I could teach it to you."

Zayn wasn't sure why that excited him. "Really?"

"Yes. But you'll need a blindfold so you can't cheat."

"Hey, I'm not a cheater."

"Blindfold."

He smiled. "Fine. I'll get one."

"Thank you." Harry opened his door and stepped in but then turned around a bit. "Oh and don't think I've forgotten but I want to talk about romance. And this time you better think about it because you're not getting out of it like last time."

Zayn was staggered. "What?"

"The color pink. We didn't ask any questions about each other like we did last time. Certainly if you didn't want to talk about love, you didn't think you'd also get out of discussing romance, did you?"

He panicked. "What? Why romance though? Why can't we talk about other things? Didn't we learn about anger and malice too? Let's talk revenge. Cause I have fantasized about getting plenty of that."

"No. We're not talking about fantasies. We're talking about real life. I want to learn more about who you are. Not who you could be."

Zayn laughed. "And you really think I'm romantic?"