#zachary + nadya 001

[pyrrhvcs]

He knows he has to be careful, making sure to respect her feelings. It's not his job to judge her. "Don't let Demir's opinion determine your worth. You're so much more than his mean words," Zach tells her, speaking slowly and carefully. He feels his heart squeeze in his chest as he imagines what she's going through. As he looks at her face, he adds, "If Griffin, me, and everyone else here at Kings Haven can see how special you are, shouldn't that mean something?"

His mind swirls with the seriousness of the situation - her pain is real and he wishes he could protect her from it. It's like a heavy stone dropped into a calm pond, causing ripples inside him. He needs to help her understand that she's not alone in this.

"You’re right, Zach,” Nadya replied, sounding resigned. She let out a big sigh and felt the cool night breeze gently move her hair, which brought a comforting feeling amidst the turmoil in her heart. Her relationship with Griffin was complicated and it made her feel really heavy, especially because Griffin was very close friends with Demir.

“Demir has always hated me,” she admitted, her words hanging in the air like the heaviness of the evening. She looked into the distance, as if trying to find a safe place away from the hurtful things her brother had said. “Just a few weeks ago, he said some really mean things to me. He said I’ve been nothing but a source of sadness in his life ever since I was born.”

[pyrrhvcs]

His heart feels light, and a smile lingers on his lips, ever since Hazal became a part of his life. He knows things have changed, and he fully embraces it as he smiles back at Nadya, feeling a sudden bond between them. "Thanks, Nadya. You have no idea how much that means to me," Zach says honestly, his voice filled with sincerity. The words come naturally to him, reflecting the warmth he feels in his heart. The heat of the day still lingers on the pavement beneath him, keeping him grounded in the present moment.

He leans back and gazes up at the sky, his thoughts drifting back to their conversation. The laughter they shared, talking about Griffin and Nadya's complicated history, is still fresh in his mind. "But hey," he begins, meeting her eyes once again, his tone gentle as he carefully navigates their complicated talk, "Is it because he's your brother's best friend?" He raises an eyebrow playfully, striking a balance between their teasing and his genuine curiosity.

Nadya watched Zach’s face split into a huge smile, his words buzzing with a sincerity that was both sweet and new. The stars above seemed to twinkle in a cheeky way, casting a soft light on their chat. She felt her own grin grow, matching his. "That’s so cool, Zach. Really,” she said, a hint of true warmth in her tone. However, her mind was a tornado of thoughts. Could she ever find the same sort of love Zach had for Hazal? Her history with boyfriends was like a pile of tumbling rocks—nothing ever stayed where it should, always ending in disaster. 

Yet, the idea of Griffin—her brother’s best friend—felt like it could be different, a break from her past love woes. Could he be her light at the end of the tunnel? Doubts started to wrap around her thoughts. She let out a deep breath, her fingers combing through her hair. “I don’t know,” she confessed, sighing wistfully. “I mean, it’d be great if he was, but I’m not getting my hopes up.” A faint, sad smile appeared on her face as she looked at his inquisitive eyes, her words floating heavily between them.

[pyrrhvcs]

"Guess we are," he chortles. As the silence fills the space around them, he finally dares to meet her gaze, finding a curious blend of sincerity and kindness there. Zach’s eyebrows furrow as he considers her words. His mind echoes back the question, playing it on a loop. Images of Hazal flash in front of him, her laughter ringing clear as a bell in his ears. The warmth he feels when thinking about her solidifies something in him, leaving no room for doubt. "Yeah, I feel it. She's it," he confesses, as if admitting it aloud might shatter the reality of it.

His smile widens at Nadya's comment. It's like she's handed him an unexpected gift, this vote of confidence. "That's really nice of you to say,," he says, his voice a mix of gratitude and modesty. He rubs the back of his neck, an awkward gesture that belies the steadiness of his gaze. "I do hope she feels the same way. And you? Do you think Griffin's the one for you?"

pyrrhvcs​:

Caught in Nadya’s warm smile, Zach feels a sudden wave of embarrassment. “You got me,” he admits, blushing and feeling his face turn a soft shade of red. Thoughts of Hazal linger in his mind, like a catchy tune that he just can’t get out of his head. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about Haz,” he sheepishly confesses, unable to look Nadya in the eye. A little spark of happiness starts to flicker at the corners of his mouth as Nadya loses her fear and speaks with courage. “I’m happy for you. Griffin’s a lucky guy. I hope he doesn’t mess it up.” Nervously, he scratches the back of his neck and looks at her with a mix of worry and honesty. “I know she’s special. When you feel it, you just know,” he responds, his voice reflecting the certainty in his heart.

Nadya peered at Zach as he spilled his guts, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Well, well, look at us, two sentimental fools,” she chuckled, trying to ease the awkwardness. The way he avoided eye contact while talking about Hazal mirrored the jumble of emotions she felt for Griffin. She truly appreciated this raw honesty—it made her feel grounded and more human, somehow. His words made the corners of her mouth quirk up, and her eyes softened with gratitude. 

“Thanks, Zach. You’re not too shabby yourself.” Then, the question of Hazal’s significance hung in the air, almost like a whisper carried by the wind. She met his gaze and replied sincerely, “You’re right, when it hits you, you just know.” A moment of silence passed, their shared understanding sinking in. “Although I do feel Hazal is the one for you. She would be crazy not to be nuts about you.”

[pyrrhvcs]

Caught in Nadya's warm smile, Zach feels a sudden wave of embarrassment. "You got me," he admits, blushing and feeling his face turn a soft shade of red. Thoughts of Hazal linger in his mind, like a catchy tune that he just can't get out of his head. "Yeah, I've been thinking about Haz," he sheepishly confesses, unable to look Nadya in the eye. A little spark of happiness starts to flicker at the corners of his mouth as Nadya loses her fear and speaks with courage. “I’m happy for you. Griffin’s a lucky guy. I hope he doesn’t mess it up.” Nervously, he scratches the back of his neck and looks at her with a mix of worry and honesty. "I know she's special. When you feel it, you just know," he responds, his voice reflecting the certainty in his heart.

Nadya stared at Zach, her playful grin turning into a kind and understanding smile. "I totally called it. You’ve got that silly lovesick expression on your face.” Her words had a teasing edge, cutting through the comfortable quietness. She found herself contemplating her situation with Griffin, wondering if they could have a future together and the unanswered questions that lingered in her mind. “You know what? I think I should give Griffin a chance,” she finally confessed, her words carrying a newfound determination. She paused, looking back at Zach with a curious gaze. “And what about Hazal? Do you really think she’s the one?”

[pyrrhvcs]

Zach looks at Nadya with understanding in his eyes as she pours out her feelings. He reassures her, speaking gently amidst the noisy café. The smell of Hazal's perfume wafts by, reminding him of their special times together. A smile forms on his lips as he imagines her laughter, clever comments, and the way her eyes sparkle when she talks about something she cares about. He wonders if Nadya feels the same way about Griffin as he does about Hazal.

But then, he remembers Nadya's situation and comes back to reality. He ponders aloud, "Sometimes, it's difficult to know what people really mean, especially when friendship and love get mixed up." He can sense her unease and her desire for answers that he isn't sure he can provide. "However," he goes on, locking eyes with her, "if Griffin is truly your brother's friend, he shouldn't play with your emotions. There are limits to pranks, you know?" He chortles, hoping his words will comfort her in this confusing situation.

“It is.” She agreed before her eyes widening at Zach’s question. Her fingers instinctively played with a stray strand of her hair, a nervous habit she couldn’t shake. “Me? Nah, not at all,” she muttered under her breath, her soft voice barely audible amidst the lively banter and the hiss of the espresso machine. But despite her feeble denial, her cheeks betrayed her with a telltale blush that even she couldn’t ignore.

A sigh escaped her lips before she could quell it. “Okay, maybe there’s someone,” she confessed, her heart pounding defiantly against her chest. “He’s my brother’s best friend.” She let out a nervous laugh, her fingers intertwining anxiously. “I know it sounds ridiculous. My brother and I have always clashed. I can’t figure out if Griffin really has feelings for me, or he’s just doing this because of my brother. He could just be pranking me.”

[pyrrhvcs]

"Isn't it crazy how everything's interconnected?" he considers, his eyes glittering with amusement. Her words are like a balm to his soul, making him feel lighter and more at ease. It's reassuring to know that Hazal has spoken highly of him to her friend. The hopeful glint in his eyes intensifies as he levers forward slightly.

This moment with Nadya feels like a turning point, a chance for him to open up to someone about his love troubles and start a new friendship. "I know you mentioned feeling like a trainwreck when it comes to relationships," he says, his voice gentle. "Is there someone you're crazy about but haven't had the courage to pursue?"

She was all ears, her curiosity piqued. The love in his eyes as he recounted meeting Hazal in the Big Apple, their tight friendship, and how he fell for her—was enough to make her heart flutter. “I think I know who you’re referring to. Our families are connected. Kings Haven isn’t exactly a big city.” People here were practically in each other’s business all the time. 

“Congrats, Zach. I’m genuinely happy for you. I’m a trainwreck when it comes to relationships, but I hope you can tell her how you feel before too long. You’re a stand-up guy, I’m positive she sees that too.” The guy was seriously easy on the eyes and had a heart of gold. What more could Hazal want? Hell, if it wasn’t for that damn aggravating Brit, even she would have a thing for Zach.

[pyrrhvcs]

He gives the woman a kind smile, his eyes fill with empathy; wanting to reassure her that everything is alright. "Don't worry about it," he says in a gentle tone, trying to make her feel at ease. "We all have something we treasure, something that reminds us of the people we care about. For me, it's not a material possession, but rather the emotions I have for someone who's incredibly important to me." He introduces himself to her, hoping to brighten her day a bit more. "I'm Zach, and I'm happy I can assist you today," he adds with a friendly grin.

Nadya’s heart swelled with gratitude as she clutched the precious coin, her gaze locked with the stranger’s. She took note of his genuine concern, and the empathy in his eyes. “This coin was given to me by my late grandmother. She meant the world to me, and this is all I have of her,” she explained, sniffling a little and making a point to keep the part about her brother stealing her inheritance that was left for her. 

While her voice trembled, she smiled warmly. “She always said it was my lucky charm and I truly believed it.” Heat crept up her cheeks for crying in front of the man. To hide her embarrassment, she chuckled sheepishly, wiping her tears. “ I’m sorry for acting like a baby,” she apologized, attempting to lighten the mood. “I’m Nadya, by the way.”

[pyrrhvcs]

His eyes lock with the woman and he takes a moment to truly absorb her appearance. He notices the deep furrows on her forehead and the sadness in her eyes. It's as if the weight of the world is resting on her shoulders. But what catches his attention the most is the way she clings onto the coin as if her life depends on it.

A wave of empathy washes over Zach as he realizes the woman's attachment to the coin. He knows what it's like to hold onto something so tightly that it becomes a part of you. His heart goes out to her and he wants to ease her pain in any way he can. "You must really cherish this coin," he says softly, his voice full of understanding. "I can see how much it means to you."

Nadya’s heart pounded in her chest as she continued to search frantically for the coin that symbolized her grandmother’s love. She felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward the stranger who had stopped to help her. Her anxiety grew with each ticking second, and she was on the verge of giving up when the man’s voice cut through her thoughts. As he handed her the small, round object, tears she’d been holding back spilled over, streaming down her cheeks. The familiar weight and markings confirmed that it was indeed her lucky coin. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” she said through her tears—the only way she could express the depth of her gratitude.

[pyrrhvcs]

He offers a reassuring smile, immersing himself in her perspective to better understand her distress. "Don't worry, we'll find it," he says with a gentle, yet determined tone. Together, they sift through the chaos of the busy street, Zach's mind racing to envision where the coin might have rolled off.

As they search, he catches a glimmer out of the corner of his eye. A small, round object, reflecting the sunlight, lies nestled between the cobblestones. He reaches down to retrieve it, examining its unique markings. "Is this the coin you're looking for?" he asks, the hope in his voice unmistakable.

Her lucky coin had accompanied her everywhere—acting like a comforting reminder of her grandmother’s love. The mere thought of it being gone forever made her queasy with anxiety. With a trembling voice, she spoke up to the passerby who had just returned her wallet. “Thank you so much.” Nadya managed to utter, her eyes darting around in search of any sign of the missing coin. “It fell from my purse. I heard it clink to the ground.” She gestured to the bustling street around them, feeling invisible among the throngs of rushing pedestrians who were oblivious to her turmoil.

[pyrrhvcs]

Zach strolls along the sidewalk towards his go-to café when a voice pierces through the air. A quick turn of his head reveals a distressed woman in the midst of a frantic search. His heartstrings tug at the sound of her desperation, and he immediately strides towards her. "Where did you leave it last? I’ll help you look." he asks, scanning the area for any clues to her lost item. He understands the significance of sentimental objects and the pain that comes with losing them. He feels an overwhelming desire to assist her in any way possible, determined to help her retrieve what she has lost.

open to all

Nadya’s heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach, a sickening sensation washing over her as she frantically scoured her surroundings for her prized lucky coin. It was one of those days, where everything that could go wrong, did. And now, to top it all off, she was facing the loss of something that held sentimental value to her.  "Excuse me, have you seen a coin?” she implored of the stranger passing by, her voice wrought with desperation. “It’s a small silver coin with a four-leaf clover etched into it. I know it sounds silly, but it’s really important to me. My late grandmother gave it to me.“

[pyrrhvcs]

"Maybe you're right," he responds, his voice warm and steady, reflecting the calmness in his eyes. He watches as Nadya absentmindedly traces patterns on her knee, lost in thought, before turning his attention back to her. He can't help but think about Hazal and the opportunities he missed. His heart stirs, but he manages to stay composed. "Yeah, I was thinking about Hazal," he confesses, letting out a chortle. “She’s always in my mind. But that’s what happens when you fall in love, you know?” They share a comfortable silence for a while then he speaks again. “My point is, don't let fear hold you back. It's not worth missing out on a potential great love."

She looked at him with a mischievous smile, and they both understood each other deeply. “What a smart guy…” she teased with a playful smile. Doubts still lingered in her mind, but she ignored them and focused on teasing Zach. That was better than worrying about what was going on with her and Griffin. “You’re thinking about Hazal, aren’t you?” Her words hung in the air as she absentmindedly traced patterns on her knee, her gaze drifting away from him. “And you’re right… It takes courage.” She admitted, her voice soft. Looking back into his eyes, she continued, “Maybe it’s time for me to take a chance and give Griffin a chance too." 

[pyrrhvcs]

"Look, Nadya," Zach begins, a comforting warmth in his tone. His eyes meet hers, providing a steadfast anchor. "It takes courage to lay your feelings bare, and if Griffin did that...he must mean it. Manipulation doesn't typically involve sincerity." He chortles lightly, a soft counterpoint to the tension.

His thoughts drift momentarily to Hazal, their missed opportunities punctuating his advice. "I can't help but think, if I'd confessed sooner to Hazal...we might already be walking down the aisle." He shakes his head, a gentle smile playing at his lips. Understanding her fear, he adds, "All this questioning and doubting... it's natural. But sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith." Zach places a reassuring hand over hers, the warmth grounding her. "Give Griffin a chance. You may just find that he's worth it."

Nadya chewed on her lip, looking deeply into Zach’s eyes. He understood her so well, and his empathetic expression made her feel comforted. But despite that, she had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She started doubting whether Griffin was manipulating her for his own entertainment. It wasn’t impossible, considering he was not only her brother’s closest friend but also had a strong dislike for her. Looking away, she focused on her trembling hands as her fingers nervously intertwined.

“You’re completely right,” she whispered. Her lips trembled, unsure whether to frown or smile, despite appreciating her new friend’s kind words. “Yeah, you make a good point. It’s just… I really want to believe that Griffin is sincere, but I can’t be too sure, you know?” She let out a deep sigh, feeling tired after opening up and sharing her feelings with someone who might understand what she was going through.

[pyrrhvcs]

"It's really nice to meet you too, Nadya," he says, sincerely. Zach considers her question for a moment, his eyes briefly distant as he thinks of Hazal. "Her name is Hazal," he starts, his eyes softening with the memories. "We meet in New York City years ago and become great friends. I can't help but fall for her, but the timing is off. I have to move to LA, and we lose touch." He chuckles, a thoughtful smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But as fate would have it, we reconnect after I return to Kings Haven. She's in my life again, and I couldn't be happier." He looks back at Nadya, his gaze filled with warmth. "I'm absolutely smitten with her, but I don't want to scare her away. So I'm taking things slowly, cherishing every moment we spend together."

Nadya found solace in the kindness reflected in Zach’s eyes, feeling comforted by his presence. She hung on to his every word, the gentle timbre of his voice helping to calm her frayed nerves. “It’s really great to meet you, Zach,” she said warmly. Her cheeks burned with a crimson hue as she thanked him, “Thank you for being so kind and understanding.” Wanting to steer the conversation away from her emotional breakdown earlier, she cleared her throat and asked, “Is this person still in your life?” God, she hoped so. He was such a kind soul, and she truly believed he deserved all the good things that life had to offer.