Chapter Text
A cold gust of wind ran its way through Zayn’s inky black shoulder length hair, which made him sigh in annoyance. The dark skinned lad pulled a black leather band from the pocket of his tight black jeans and gathered the long hair in his hand before pulling it into a medium ponytail, though a few strands had escaped and hung passed his ears, much to his dismay.
The ferry had once again rocked against a rather rough wave making the British native grip the safety railing with even more force that made his knuckles go white.
He looked out only to see a giant blue ocean looking back at him. He swallowed in fear and wished that his younger self had of taken those swimming lesson his Baba had wanted to sign him up for, but an eight year old Zayn had flat out refused.
He looked over at the life rafts for what seemed like the hundredth time just to make sure they were in fact still there.
While his whiskey eyes looked out at the dreaded ocean he once again questioned on whether or not this was the right idea.
Four and a half years ago Zayn had came to his family and had said he wanted to study Zoology and animal caretaking at Uni. His Mum, being a highly respected lawyer, had said straight out that he should consider a ‘Proper career’, which had made his tummy drop in disappointment. But his Baba had brought him into his warm arms and whispered in his ear ‘Do whatever makes you happy Beta.’
And he did. After countess days and stress filled nights with overdue assignments Zayn had done it. He left Uni with the qualifications that he had wanted.
Only problem was it wasn’t a walk in a park to find a job with animals.
For six months he had looked and applied for a range of jobs from vets to animal shelter helpers.
He remembers the stress he was under and the constant ‘I told you so’ looks from his Mum. He had begun to give up until last month when his Baba had texted him a job application.
It wasn’t the salary or working hours that Zayn had first took notice of, heck he didn’t even look at where the job was located. No, The first words that caught Zayn was ‘Apprentice Velociraptor trainer’
And that’s how Zayn had found himself on a huge white ferry with the words ‘Isla Nublar’ and ‘Jurassic World’ written up the side in blue.
The ferry shook and Zayn held his breath while he waited for the shaking to stop. Once it subsided he dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out his mobile and crunched packet of Marlboros.
The reception was too low to actually communicate with anyone but he found himself sending off a message to both his Baba and Ant saying that he was having an ace time even though he was seconds from a panic attack, the messages would go through once he was within reception
He put his phone away and pulled out his zippo lighter ready to light up and calm his nerves, but a stern voice stopped him.
“I’m sorry sir but it’s against the rules to smoke on the ferry. In fact you shouldn’t smoke on the island either. The animals are very sensitive to smell.”
Zayn groaned before turning around to see a lady with pale skin with her bright ginger hair up in a bun. She was wearing a grey uncomfortable but posh looking suit and ridiculous white heels.
“And who are you meant to be exactly?” He sneered, grumpy that he couldn’t have his fag.
The ladies pale green eyes glared at him “I happen to be the parks operations manager” She said with a tone laced with authority.
The only thing going through Zayn’s mind at the moment was ‘Shit she’s your boss, get on your knees and lick her stupid heels’ but before he could do anything she sighed and shook her head.
“Never mind, I’ve got a Zein Mark to find. Just make sure you don’t smoke that thing near any of the guests.”
Before the lady could walk away Zayn had shoved the fag into his pocket and said unsurely, “Do you mean Zayn Malik?”
The ginger frowned before pulling a white mobile from her suit’s pocket “Yes that’s it” Her eyes trailed down his body “Oh god please don’t tell me you’re the Zayn I’m looking for?” She asked.
Feeling offended Zayn puffed his chest out slightly “And so what if I am?”
“You’re our new apprentice Raptor trainer?” She asked in disbelief before muttering something about not doing face to face interviews.
“What do you mean by that then? What, are you sayin’ that ‘cause I’m British I can’t be a Raptor trainer or summat?” He asks her.
Her eyes widened slightly “Oh no of course not!” She rushes to say “The Velociraptors are, at the moment, our most dangerous assets and you don’t exactly look cut out for the job, but not matter. I’m sure Mr Payne will get you into shape. Anyway my name is Claire Dearing,” She said before holding out her hand.
Before he had even considered the job, Zayn had done his research on Jurassic World’s Raptors, and was relieved to find that none of the Raptors have actually caused any seriously harm to any of the employee’s.
Zayn took Claire’s hand in his and gave it a firm shake trying to prove his worth. After their hands separated a voice spoke over the ferry’s speakers.
“All guests please prepare for docking”
Zayn turned back around and now instead of seeing harsh blue he could see the island. His breathe hitched at the sight of the beautiful topical island. From here it looked like it was filled with bright greens and to Zayn it was his savior from the cold and horrid ocean.
After he and Claire had got off the ferry, she had led him up an excavator that had taken them to a monorail station. The two sat next to each other in an uncomfortable silence. Zayn distracted himself by looking at the beautiful scenery passing them. His fingers itched to draw the amazing shades of green.
He looked over to see Claire tapping on her mobile completely missing the amazing surroundings, though Zayn concludes perhaps working here makes the island loose its charm.
A shiver of excitement run down his spine when he saw the wooden gates ahead with the words ‘Jurassic World’ written above them.
Jurassic World has been rated as the top not only theme park but also animal preserve on the whole planet. Zayn remembers back to his youth as a young lad asking his parents if they could go, but at the time Waliyha had just been born therefore they didn’t have the time or money to travel around to world to see a bunch of animals.
And now even though he was twenty three and an adult, he still felt that youthful side of himself come out as they past the gates. Zayn’s eyes widened at the beautiful crystal clear lake in front of them. The monorail swerved to the right and curves its way around the lake towards a clutter of buildings. His fingers itch again to draw what it unfolding in front of hi.
When the monorail came to a stop Claire had stood and led Zayn out of the station and towards a staff only door that required not only their identification and hand print but also their staff park passes, which was sent to Zayn a week ago.
The door led them to a filled up car park. Claire walked over to a spotless and no doubt overprice white car.
Perhaps Claire and the car were siblings?
Once inside Claire pressed the start button and the car roared to life. Before taking off she turned on the air conditioning to which Zayn was glade for. He sighed in content at the feeling of cold air brushing his skin.
“That’s the first thing you’ll have to get used to, the heat I mean” Claire’s voice broke the silence that had surrounded them since the ferry “There’s really only two seasons out here. The wet season and the dry season, it’s one of the reasons why the park was created here. We’re currently coming out of the wet season, which is good for business. The wet season brings topical storms that force us to close the park for guest safety, so expect it to get hotter.”
Claire’s words did anything but soothe him. It was going to get hotter?
They were currently driving down a gravel road and Zayn was amazed that none of the dust seemed to stick to Claire’s car.
“Though we provide five star accommodation to all our staff, Mr Payne insists on staying out here for some god only knows reason. And since Mr Payne is up early in the morning to start his regular training, you will no doubt be staying out here as well. Mr Payne would be in a mood if he had to wait for you to not only get ready for the day, but then drive out here”
Zayn nodded his head in understanding and just hoped that this ‘Mr Payne’ had an all right accommodation.
“Also I know what I said on the ferry but its part of my job to assure you that asset containment is one of our main priorities. So you can rest easy knowing that no asset will escape their paddocks”
“Asset? You mean the dinosaurs right?” He asked.
A thin line formed between her perfectly sculpted brows “Yes” She said in a cold voice.
The minute they had pulled up at Mr Payne’s accommodation Zayn mouth had dropped open.
It was a dump.
Though there was a rather beautiful lake in the background, the actual quarters were some kind of cottage that had definitely seem better days.
And when Zayn’s eyes landed on Mr Payne himself, his mouth had dropped again.
But for all the right reasons.
The bloke was hunched low beside an old looking motorbike, but when Zayn and Claire approached he stood up.
The blokes grease stained white shirt was having trouble stretching around Mr Payne’s built and muscular body. His chestnut hair was damp with sweat and was buzzed on the sides while left longer on top.
His tanned cheeks were covered in light stubble and on his neck was a little brown birthmark. His lips were slightly chapped but full and lush looking. His eyes were a chocolate brown and looked like they were hiding mischief.
He was bloody fit.
Zayn was fucked.
Mr Payne grabbed a rag that was sitting on the seat of the motorbike and tried to wipe the grease from his hands. Zayn found that the little bit of grease smudged on his cheek was adorable.
“Hiya Claire” Mr Payne spoke in a fading British accent that told Zayn that he’d been on the island for a while.
Claire’s lips slightly moved as if she was fighting a smile “You know, Owen spent half his time on this island trying to get that piece of trash to work, what makes you think you can Mr Payne?” She asked in a voice that was slightly warm, it’s the first emotion Zayn’s heard from her.
Mr Payne’s lips quirked in a little smile that made Zayn’s tummy do swirling things, stupid swirling things. Who gave Mr Payne the right to look gorgeous while covered in grease and sweat?
“British touch, and I said you can call me Liam” Mr Pa-Liam replied with his stupid adorable smile.
Liam, Zayn decided, was perhaps that most adorable and fit name he’d ever heard.
Screwed.
Liam’s chocolate orbs moved to him and Zayn bit his lip when they moved down his body taking him in. Or checking him out, Zayn wasn’t sure but he was hoping for the later.
“Right” Claire said as if she’d forgotten him “This is Zayn, he’s your new apprentice. Its his first day so go easy on him, Liam, just show him the ropes and all that” Claire said.
Liam walked over close enough that Zayn could take in his scent that smelt like a mixture of musk and fresh pine, he found out right then that it was his favourite scent.
Liam’s lips formed a smirk “You want me to show you the ropes here, or in my cottage?” He asked in a husky voice.
Red scattered across Zayn’s cheeks and his heart pounded in his chest. Next to him Claire sighed.
“Sometimes I swear you’re a younger version of Owen. All he was meant to teach you was looking after the Raptors, not ridiculous pick up lines” Claire huffed.
Liam moved his eyes from Zayn and finally he felt like he could breath “How is he doing?” Liam asked in a serious voice.
Claire looked to the ground and waited a few seconds before looking back up “He’s dealing” Was her reply.
Zayn was to distracted to even ask about what they were talking about, because Liam was still so close and he smelt so good and Zayn really doesn’t even stand a chance to not look at him. Which isn’t good considering he just literally met Liam.
Liam, his trainer.
Yes, definitely screwed.
Liam sighed slightly before rubbing at the back of his neck, Zayn’s eyes latched onto his bicep bulging.
Worse then screwed.
“Haven’t spoken to him for a few weeks and even then he was completely pissed off his head ranting on about your sister and how she’s a quote ‘up herself bitch with a nose the size of a Pteranodon’s beak’ unquote” Liam said with slight amusement towards the end.
Claire huffed out a breath “Yes well maybe next time he will think twice before engaging in sexual activities with a minor.”
Liam smirked “If it all happened back at home he wouldn’t have been a minor.”
“Yes well welcome to America” Claire said in a final tone “Now if we’re done with this idol chit chat I do have a park to run” She sent Zayn a quick glance “Maybe just for today you can show Zayn around the rest of the park and leave the Raptors for tomorrow”
Liam’s eyes quickly glanced to him as well before focusing back on Claire “Sure, why not. So does he get paid for this little excursion?” Liam asked to Claire’s retreating figure.
A few seconds later Claire’s car roared up and she drove away in a cloud of dust without a reply.
Suddenly Zayn realised that it was just he and Liam standing alone, in the middle of practically nowhere. He quickly looked up and cursed that Liam had more than a few centimetres of height over him.
“So then, what would you like to see first?” Liam asked and spread his thick arms wide gesturing to the land around him.
Zayn ignored his stupid arms and looked at the run down cottage “I suppose we should – fuck!” He exclaimed at the end and brought his palm up to cover his forehead.
“Well I know we’ve just met but I’m definitely up for a shag” Zayn didn’t even need to look up to see the smirk that was no doubt on Liam’s lips.
“No my luggage and belongings are still on the bloody ferry!” Zayn said in annoyance and looked up to see Liam’s smirk had disappeared.
“Well fuck,” He said before turning around and walking towards the cottage. Zayn hurried along to follow him.
Zayn followed Liam up the stairs to the small balcony that surrounded the front of the cottage. Liam pushed the glass sliding door aside and both lads went inside.
Zayn let out a sigh as cold air hit his skin making him feel much cooler, he looked towards the wall to see a white air conditioner, at least he wouldn’t be getting heat stroke while staying here.
Following the front door was a small and quite frankly messy living room that contained a worn brown leather couch, a small telly resting on a dark wooden cabinet and a bookshelf that was over flowing with books. The walls were a varnished wood that brought a pine scent to the room.
All in all, it felt comfortable.
Liam had disappeared into the joining kitchen in search for something and instead of finding out what Zayn walked over to the bookshelf and scanned over the different titles.
Pack animal instincts.
Alpha, beta and omega traits in packs.
Bonds between humans and animals.
The list went on and on about different behavioural patterns between humans and animals. But Zayn also saw the title ‘Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone’ which made him smile and bring forward a memory of himself reading the same book to Safaa when she was younger before her bedtime.
“Yeah that’s fine Claire, just let us know when it comes back alright? Cheers” Liam walks back into the living room with a hand held phone in his grip.
Zayn can see a careful expression on his face “So in the rush of things, Claire seems to of left your trunk on the ferry”
Zayn’s fists ball tightly and he narrows his eyes at Liam “Pardon?” He asks in a neutral tone.
Liam places the phone on the kitchen counter before raises his hands so his palms are facing Zayn “Easy there” He says in a calming voice “The ferry has gone back to the mainland but it’ll be back tomorrow.”
“What!” Zayn shouts, “All my clothes are bloody gone! And what do you suppose I wear tomorrow then huh?” He asks in rage.
“Hey! Easy does it, just calm down” Liam continues to say and takes a few cautious steps towards the fuming lad “That’s it, easy. Just calm down and relax, everything is fine.”
Zayn wants to roll his eyes but instead he takes in a few breathes “That’s it, good lad” Liam continues before deeming it safe enough to put his hands down “You can just wear some of my clothes”
Zayn huffs before finally rolling his eyes “I’ll drown in them.”
“Could just go without a kit on, I’d appreciate it” Liam replies.
Again Zayn rolls his eyes “Working with you is going to be ace, isn’t it?” He asks sarcastically.
“Like a walk in a park.”
It had just past one and Zayn’s tummy had rumbled for food, Liam had chuckled at this and suggested that they go to Main Street and grab a bite, Zayn had agreed.
But when he seen the four wheeler, he had second thoughts.
The motor bike itself looked a few years old. Its thick black slightly worn tires were caked with mud. The main colour was a faded blue with the seat being black leather. Zayn ran his hand down the seat feeling the sun heated leather before giving Liam an unimpressed look.
“Surely with your salary you could afford a better bike?” He asked.
Liam’s lips quirked a bit “I’ve always had the motto ‘if its not broken don’t fix it’” Was the Raptor trainers reply.
Zayn fought the smile trying to spread on his lips, he was failing “Sounds like something a hipster would say, don tell me you’ve got a Nokia in those ridiculous shorts”
Liam looks down at his light brown cargo shorts with a little line between his bushy but adorable brows “What’s wrong with me shorts? Its hot” He states.
“You look” hot, gorgeous, fit, sexy, fetching “Like a dork, now just start this thing and lets go”
Liam had sat on the bike and had given Zayn I quick nod to call him over. Zayn bit his lip and tried to steady his heart before swinging his leg over the bike to struggle the seat and completely ignored the fact that his crotch was pushing up against Liam’s firm arse.
“You’re going to have to hold on, bambi.”
Instead of scolding Liam for his choice of words, Zayn silently wrapped hesitant arms around Liam’s waist and prayed to Allah that he wouldn’t get hard.
“Unless you actually fancy falling off you’d better hold tighter than that.”
Before Zayn could do anything, Liam kicked the bike out of neutral and took off. Zayn’s arms squeezed on for dear life as Liam recklessly drove down the path Claire had taken to the lake.
“You’re mad!” Zayn shouted over the revving sound of the bike.
His tummy twirled at Liam’s chesty laugh “Just a little.”
Liam Payne was a flirt.
The thought had crossed Zayn’s mind a few times today but now he knew it was true. The way Liam had spoken to Claire should have clued him in, not to mention the not so subtle pick up lines he’d been tossing Zayn’s way.
But right now, in the middle of a restaurant, he could confirm it.
Its not like he had been thinking that maybe the reason was flirting with him was because Liam had taken an interest in him, which would be mental, and completely unprofessional. But he couldn’t help the little, dumb, feeling in his stomach at the sight of Liam winking and complimenting their waiter.
After the wild ride on Liam’s savage bike, Zayn had begged him to take him to a place that cooked fish and chips, he was having cravings for greasy fish. Liam, of course, had ignored him and taken him to a burger shop. Stating that the burgers were to die for.
Well apparently the staff was half the reason.
Their waiter, a somewhat young lad with light brown almost dark blonde hair, blue eyes and full lips, was currently resting his hand on Liam’s shoulder and was sending the trainer a seductive smile, Zayn thinks he looks constipated if anything.
“Oh I can tell you must work out a lot, you could probably even lift me” The unprofessional waiter let out an annoying giggle, a giggle, before turning to Zayn with a shocked look, as if he wasn’t even aware he had been there the entire time.
“Oh I’m sorry, what is it you would like to order?” He said in some annoying American accent.
Typical.
The lad removed his hand from Liam’s shoulder and picked his tablet back off the table and clicked it on.
“Could I get the chicken burger without the bacon on it, cheers” Zayn said rudely before looking outside the window their table was up against.
Instead of listening to the waiter confirming his order, Zayn looked out to the street that the burger shop was on. The street was flooded with all kinds of different tourists. He smiled when he saw a family of two fathers and an excited looking little lad.
A light knock against his leg made him look up at Liam “What?” He asked.
Liam smiled “I asked what did your family think about you coming over here and working with Velociraptors?”
Zayn looked down at the wooden table for a few seconds “Well me Mum wasn’t really supportive at all. She wants me to get a real job, but that’s easy for her to say innit? She’s a lawyer” He shook his head as if to erase his Mum from his thoughts “But Baba was really happy, he’s actually the one who sent me to application” Zayn smiled at the thought of his Baba’s smile when he told him that he’d gotten the job.
“Your Baba?” Liam asked with a confused frown.
“Me father, I’m half Pakistani” Zayn explained.
It used to be a sore subject when he was in school. He had been bullied for being the ‘different kid’ the kid whose skin was darker than everyone else, the kid who had weird food for lunch and called his family different names to them.
But Liam, he just smiled in a comforting way that made Zayn exhale a breath he didn’t realise he was holding.
“That’s cool yeah, no wonder you’ve got amazing skin. I just thought you were wearing fake tan or something” Liam said.
Zayn gave out a surprised laugh before blushing slightly “What about your parents? How do they feel about their Beta hanging around with a bunch of dangerous prehistoric predators?”
Liam’s smile fell and his warm brown eyes seemed to close over. Zayn stomach dropped at the sight and before he could begin to apologise Liam mumbled.
“Don’t want to talk about it.”
He immediately felt bad for obviously bringing up a bad subject so he only hesitated slightly before placing his hand over Liam’s that was resting on their table. The contrast between their skin colours made Zayn want to smile, but now wasn’t the time.
“M’sorry” he said quietly.
Liam shook his head a little, like a puppy, before smiling again “S’ok, maybe I’ll tell you one day. Just not now.”
Zayn nodded his head and moved his hand when the waiter from before brought over their burgers.
“Enjoy” The waiter said before walking away, exaggeratingly shaking his hips.
Zayn shook his head at the waiter before looking down at his burger. His eyes narrowed when he saw that it had a piece of bacon sitting on top of the chicken breast.
“What a fucking git!” Zayn hissed in anger at the sight of the bacon.
“Who? What is it?” He heard Liam ask, but Zayn was to busy looking around the restaurant until his eyes landed on the smirking waiter.
“Stupid American twat, I’ll fuckin’ show you” Zayn made a move to get up but a stern voice made him stop.
“Hey, eyes one me.”
The voice sounded so dominate, so commanding that Zayn couldn’t help but to look over at Liam who was giving him a fierce gaze. Zayn felt an odd sensation in his tummy at the look. He swallowed lightly and for some reason lowered his head.
“That’s it” Liam now said gently “Now tell me what the problem is.”
Zayn slowly lifted his head and made eye contact “S’just, me burger had bacon in it. It’s against my religion to eat any kind of pig and I did tell that waiter that I didn’t want bacon on it,” He explained.
Liam nodded “Well here” He reached over and switched their plates so now Zayn had Liam’s beef burger “That one doesn’t have bacon on it”
“I-“ He looked down and tried to hide his smile “Thank you, Leeyum” he liked the sound of his name rolling off his tongue.
Liam chuckled “Don’t mention it, just eat your burger. We’ve still got a long day ahead of us.”
Harry Styles was the most endearing thing Zayn had ever laid eyes on.
After they had finished their burgers, Liam had led Zayn out of the shop and walked them to a section of the park that had a sign that read ‘Gentle giants petting zoo.’
“One of my best friends works here” Liam explained when they walked into the section.
Zayn’s eyes had widened and he felt a little light when he saw little kids patting all different kinds of baby dinosaurs. His mouth fell open and his eyes began to get a little wet just from the sight of a baby Triceratops licking the fingers of a little girl.
“Oh, Allah” He said in complete awe before smiling so big that his eyes nearly closed.
Without seeing if Liam was following, Zayn walked over to the little fence that was caging in all the tiny adorable dinosaurs. He crouched down and smiled at the baby Brachiosaurus that took interest in him and walks over on its four legs.
With one hand covering his mouth, Zayn reached through the fence and gave the tiny dinosaur a pat on its back. The Brachiosaurus made a content sound and its small eyes closed with what seemed like a grin on its mouth.
Zayn could no longer hold in his tears as they fell down his face. He sobbed a few times before wiping his face and standing back up to see a tall bloke with long curly hair, plump pink lips and giant doe forest green eyes giving him a fond smile.
“You can give her a hug if you want?” He asked in a slow drawl that felt like honey dripping.
Zayn nodded his head quickly before the curly haired bloke opened the small gate and ushered Zayn inside.
Once in the fence, the Brachiosaurus moved quickly over to him and Zayn dropped down to wrap his arms around the beautiful dinosaur. He felt its long neck wrap around his own neck in what seemed like a hug.
Zayn was five seconds from crying again.
“Her name is Dusty” Zayn looked up with watery eyes to the bloke that had let him in.
“Dusty?” Zayn asked.
“Yup, named her myself. I’m Harry by the way, I’m the caretaker here at gentle giants petting zoo” Harry said and held out his hand.
Zayn stood up, much to Dusty’s disappointment, and shook Harry’s hand “I’m Zayn, the new apprentice Raptor trainer”
Harry’s smile was sort of like a beam of sunlight “Is Dusty the first Dino you’ve seen?”
“Yeah, I was pretty much forced straight to the Raptor trainers cottage by Claire without actually seeing the park, how could you tell?”
Harry’s smile only grew if at all possible “I’ve work here for a few years now so I can recognise when someone see’s one of these lovely creatures for the first time.”
Zayn grinned before wiping his face again to clear all his tears “Yeah sorry about that, their just so small and adorable” Zayn said before looking over to where Liam was.
Liam’s eyes seemed to be a bright brown at that moment and the skin around them was a little wrinkled for the force of his smile. He looked so happy and so fond that Zayn almost felt his knee’s buckle.
Harry looked over and smiled at Liam “Li!” He exclaimed in excitement before leaving the waist high fence and wrapping his arms around Liam’s neck in a greeting.
Liam shook his head over Harry’s shoulder but the smile never left his lips “Hiya Haz, how are the little ones doing today?” He asked.
Harry pulled back “Absolutely brilliant. Patty is finally big enough for the kids to start riding her, and she seems to love the attention” Harry said before pointing at one of the Triceratops.
Zayn saw that ‘Patty’ had a saddle strapped to her back and a little boy with bright blonde curls was giggling and having the time of his life riding the baby Dinosaur around the small paddock.
“I was thinking that you and Louis should come over tonight after work for a barbeque. We could have a proper welcoming for my new apprentice” Liam said to Harry.
“Yeah that would be brilliant” Harry replied again with a smile.
“Who’s Louis?” Zayn asked the two trainers.
Harry proudly raised his left hand that had a very posh looking silver engagement ring wrapped around his finger “He’s me fiancé, and he’s also Rexy’s trainer. You lads should go there now actually and ask him, pretty sure the show starts in about fifteen minutes anyway, might give Zayn the chills” Harry said.
“And who’s Rexy?” He then asked.
There was a glint in Liam’s eyes “The Tyrannosaurus Rex.”
Brilliant.
Going from seeing the cute little Dinosaurs at the gentle giants petting zoo to seeing Rexy was like a sea change.
Liam had led him through a gate that looked similar to the ones he had passed through in the monorail, same wooden doors and same flame torches on each side but this time the writing at the top said ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex Kingdom’
Zayn had read the little plaque that said Rexy had a feeding show every two hours from 10 a.m. to six p.m. and that it might be too intense for small children.
Zayn himself was twenty three and was shaking.
Liam chuckled obviously noticing his shaking limbs and wide brown eyes. Zayn would deny it later, but he jumps when Liam lays a hand on his shoulder.
“Relax Bambi. Rexy has been here for almost twenty years and so far she hasn’t actually eaten anyone. Besides, Lou knows what he’s doing, most of the time” He shrugs at the end of his sentence.
He squeezes his shoulder lightly before moving his hand and Zayn misses the contact instantly. Which is dumb because Liam is just his trainer and nothing more.
He just wishes he could believe that.
Instead of focusing too much on the contact, Zayn lets out a breath of air and calms himself down while they continue their walk down the enclosed hallway.
Liam had explained to him that the viewing platform is actually made out to be a giant fallen over tree so that Rexy doesn’t get confused as to why there’s a bunch of humans in her territory. This gives guests a sense of safety.
There was a medium sized crowed by the viewing window and Zayn had to sigh in relief that he wouldn’t have to get to close to the dangerous carnivore. But Liam, being a complete prat, had forced the two of them closer to the viewing window because he didn’t want Zayn to miss out.
So far all Zayn could see was forest until a concealed entrance on the ground opened and a goat was placed on the platform.
“Are they seriously going to make us watch that poor little goat get slaughtered?” Zayn asked in fear and disgust.
Liam just gazed at him for a few seconds “Maybe you shouldn’t watch, Lou’s about to toss the flare”
Zayn turned around and in that moment, he let out the loudest scream ever.
Staring right at him was a twelve and a half metre long monster.
He was to stunned by fear to even move. His chest hurt from his heart beating so fast and his breath kept on hitching. Hands instantly gripped his waist and he felt himself being turned around and brought into the comforting scent and warmth of another body.
“S’ok Bambi, just breath for me ok” Liam’s voice said to him gently.
He shook his head before hiding it even more in the crook of Liam’s neck. He brought in a steady breath of air before exhaling. He dared not turn around and see if the monster that was Rexy was still there looking at him.
Wanting to eat him.
“G-get me outta here,” He mumbled into Liam’s neck.
He felt Liam nod before whispering, “Close your eyes, yeah?”
Zayn obeyed and tightly shut his eyes and began to move where Liam was guiding him.
After a few steps Zayn could see sunlight from behind his eyelids so he opened them to see they were back in front of the gates leading into the Tyrannosaurus Rex Kingdom. He breathed in the fresh air before what had just happened hit him.
He screamed like a girl.
And then hid away in Liam’s arms.
A light red dusts over his cheek bones before he turns around to see Liam giving him a calculating look, seeing if he’s ok or not. In all honesty, Zayn’s just embarrassed.
Zayn opens his mouth to say something, anything, but Liam sits down on a wooden bench and pats the space next to him. Zayn sits down close to his trainer’s body before looking over at the bloke.
“First time I came here and saw Rexy was when I first started working here at eighteen. My trainer Owen thought’d be a good idea to show me around, much like what I’m doing with you.”
Liam rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture, seeming unsure if he should continue with his story. Zayn scooted a little closed and nudged his shoulder against Liam’s broader one.
Liam smiled slightly “So when we came to see Rexy I was completely chuffed. I mean like wow, I get to see one of the most dangerous predators of the Cretaceous period you know? But when I saw Rexy I not only screamed but also began to cry, like proper breakdown. So don’t be embarrassed that Rexy scared you ok?”
After Liam’s story Zayn began to feel much better and less like a teenage girl “Thank you for sharing” He said with a wide smile, his tongue pushed against the back of his teeth.
There was a cough that made both he and Liam break out of their little gazing contest. Zayn looked over to see a lad with beautifully tanned skin, tousled auburn brown hair, a face with high cheek bones and light stubble matched with cheeky blue eyes and smirking lips.
“Well Payno, where did you find this pretty one?” That lad asked in a slightly high South Yorkshire accent, it brought a familiarity of home to Zayn’s chest.
“This is Zayn” Liam said while rolling his eyes “His my new apprentice” Liam turned to him “And Zayn, this is Harry’s fiancé and Rexy’s caretaker Louis”
Zayn stared at the small lad “You look after that beast?” He asked in astonishment “Your like 5’9”
Louis mouth opened before he quickly shut it and placed his hands on his slightly flared hips “I’ll have you know that I’m 5’11 and Rexy isn’t a beast, she’s completely misunderstood. She’s a lovely girl.”
A smile made its way onto Zayn’s lips “I can see why you and Harry are together”
This made Louis grin back at him “First his sassy and now he compliments my relationship. I like this one Leemo, he’s going to be your new apprentice?”
Liam and Zayn both nodded their heads “Brilliant, I look forward to getting to you know Mr Britain’s next top model” Louis said with now a smirk that shows his sharp little canines.
“Wouldn’t want Harry to hear you say that” Liam mumbled before saying louder “We’re actually having a barbeque tonight to celebrate Zayn surviving his first day on the island. Harry said he’d be keen if you were.”
Louis nodded his head “Seems fitting, I get off after Rexy’s last feeding so we could drive out to the cottage around half six sevenish. Is Niall going to be there? Git will drink all the good beer before I get there if he is.”
“We haven’t been to the lagoon just yet so I guess that’ll be out next destination” Liam said with a nod of his head.
“Good lad, also see if Sophia wants to come as well,” Louis added.
Liam sighed “Alright, so first the lagoon and then the aviary”
Louis nodded his head and started to walk away. After a few steps he shouted over his shoulder “Oh and tell that Irish twat there had better be some Corona’s left when Hazza and I get there.”
Liam laughed lightly before shaking his head “He’s a bit mental, but he grows on you after a bit” Liam looked down at his stainless steel watch “Pretty sure Niall has a show soon so we can watch that at the lagoon and then get to the aviary. Then hopefully we can get back home so I can have a beer”
They both stood up “What’s at the lagoon?” Zayn asked hesitantly.
Liam grinned “A Mosasaurus”
Brilliant.
After his melt down in the Tyrannosaurus Rex Kingdom, Zayn was feeling a little hesitant to actually go through the doors to the lagoon.
After Liam had told him about the Mosasaurus, he had retrieved his mobile from his dark jeans and googled images of said Dinosaur, and it wasn’t pretty. Though the Mosasaurus was in a giant tank and couldn’t actually go on land and eat him, he still felt his fingers shake.
He was beginning to doubt himself and again questioned whether of not this job would be right for him. How was he going to spend the next five years working with Velociraptors when he couldn’t even look at Rexy without almost fainting? He contemplated on just saying screw it and having a fag regardless to what Claire had said.
But then the face of his Mum’s ‘I told you so’ face popped into his head, and he found himself balling his hands into fists and felt a determination to prove to her that even though he didn’t have a plaque on a posh desk, he was going to succeed.
He had bit his lip when Liam had started to flirt with the lady at the guest entrance of the lagoon. The girl with dark red hair had flipped said hair and even winked at him. In Zayn’s opinion she was doing every cliché move, but in the end Liam left with a number and the words ‘Call me, Katie xx’ on a piece of paper.
Whatever.
He sat down on his chair that was in the far back row of the theater like seating and crossed his arms and determined to not look over at Liam, who was probably grinning because he had gotten the birds number.
Hope she has crabs.
“What?” He was startled by Liam’s voice, and he realised he’d said that out loud.
“Nothing” He mumbled back.
His eyes were squinted from the glare of the sun reflecting off the crystal blue water of the lagoon. Even though he had a zero tolerance for water on a grand scale, this lagoon looked inviting on the hot day.
Though beneath the surface, dwelled a monster.
“That’s Niall there” Liam muttered before pointing at a lad with pale skin and a shock of blonde hair.
The lad, Niall, was standing on a podium in front of the three seating grand stands with a hand’s free microphone wrapped around his head. He was wearing the same Jurassic World uniform as Harry and Louis; only difference was that his button up shirt was a light blue instead of light brown.
“Ladies and gentlemen, t’ank you for visiting Jurassic World’s lagoon. Now before we begin the show I’d just like to share a few facts about our Mosasaur. Firstly, this marine creature was thought to inhabit the seas of Europe and North America. Its name means ‘Meuse River Lizard and her estimated weight his five t’ousand kilo.”
“She lived through the late Cretaceous period in which she ruled the ocean. Though she lived during the Mesozoic era she isn’t actually classified as a Dinosaur, instead she was an aquatic lizard, and her closest relative today is the Komodo dragon.”
Niall pulled out a remote control from his pocket and clink a button “Ok now lets see if she wants anot’er feedin’ after t’is mornings.”
Attached to a wire railing, a great white shark was pulled out. The dead shark was hanging from its tail on the railing and was being held high in the air “Now she’s a little shy so we’ll see if she wants to come and say hello.”
Right after Niall’s Irish accented voice stopped, a giant long snouted creature flew up from the water with a massive roar. Zayn jumped at the unexpected appearance of the Dinosaur, but there was a smile on his face.
The Mosasaurus latched its jaw closed on the shark and ripped it from the railing. She fell back into the water causing a mighty splash that sent water over almost everyone. Zayn was laughing and grinning with water drenching his clothes, feeling the happiest he’d been all day.
“That was brilliant!” He beamed over at Liam who was completely wet and grinning as well.
Before Zayn could comprehend that Liam’s white shirt was sticking to his skin and was slightly see through, the grand stand was moving and he gripped the side’s of his seat.
“Now everyone hold on while we give you a better look at out Mosasaur” Niall voice said over the speakers.
The seats went down until Zayn could see a giant glass wall that was facing all three grand stands. They had stopped moving and Zayn looked in awe at the giant prehistoric marine predator eating happily on the shark.
“Is she better than Rexy?” Liam asked.
Zayn nodded “Much better.
The heat from the sun had soon dried Zayn’s clothes by the time Niall had come over and joined him and Liam.
Up close, Zayn was a bit blinded by the lad’s giant smile of white straight teeth and bright blue eyes. Niall had bounded over to them and punch Liam in the arm before waving excitedly at Zayn even though he had no idea who he was.
“Payne train!” He’d said in that loud accented voice.
“Nialler” Liam said with his own slightly tamer smile “Good show today, I can’t wait until I get to put on a show with the girls.”
Niall nodded his head “Yeah mate, it’d be grand. Just gotta train them up a bit more I reckon. Who’s this t’en?” He asked.
“M’Zayn” He’d said and held out his hand “I’m Leeyum’s new apprentice.”
Niall grabbed his hand and gave it a few strong shakes, good lad “And here I t’ought you were some Guess model getting shown around with Li” Niall replied.
Zayn barked out a laugh before shaking his head and looking at Liam’s amused smile “Why is it that all your friends seem to flirt with me? Makes me think you’re all a bunch of randy teenagers.”
Liam and Niall both laughed at this “Cant help meself when a see someone as fit as you” Niall had said.
“Down boy” Liam laughed “Anyway me and the lads are having a few drinks and a barbeque tonight at the cottage if you’re in.”
“Yeah sounds grand mate, I might even bring Arianna with me, gotta step up me game if Zayn’s gonna be working here, he’ll have all the birds and lads after him” Niall gave out a thunderous belly laugh after he’d finished speaking.
Zayn couldn’t help but to laugh along with him “Hopefully just the lads” He’d said back “Not into birds at all, give me a nice cock over a set of tits any day.”
This had set Niall into another round of laughter “Oh he’s brilliant, we’re gonna get along just fine, I can tell.”
Zayn smiled knowing exactly how Niall felt, he seemed like such an open lad that anyone could get along with.
“Well come over around six then. We’ve gotta go to the aviary then get back home ourselves” Liam said.
Niall smirked “Oh I see, so is Sophia invited to the shenanigans?” He asked while wiggling his dark eyebrows.
Liam rolled his eyes “Its all water under the bridge Niall, and yes she is, I can be friends with my ex you know. Besides, I’ve got that bird with the red hair’s number.”
“Oh Katie, yeah she’s friendly and well fit too. Have fun with her” Niall winked “Well I best be off back to work, I’ll see you lads later on” With a wave Niall turned and walked off.
Zayn couldn’t help but to sigh in contentment when he’d finally sat down in front of the warm burning fire drum. The whole day had been filled with walking around almost the entire park. He’s honestly never done so much exercise in his life, and now, sitting down with a cold beer in his hand, he was finally content.
The Aviary had been closed due to the cage being cleaned out and the local Dimorphodons and Pteranodons were sedated and being held in holding cages underneath the Aviary. Zayn felt a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to see the Pterosaurs but he had reminded himself that he’d be on Isla Nublar for the next fives years.
He still had so much to discover on the island. Sometime during the week Liam had promised him that they would go and see the Triceratops, watch the Gallimimus at the Gallimimus valley, and view the Pachycephalosaurus head butt each other at the Pachy arena.
He felt a bubble of excitement when he thinks about what it would be like, him and Liam, going on the cretaceous cruise and how romantic it would be to take a walk through the bamboo forest or even going on the Gyrospheres through the valley.
But right now with his beer and the sound of chatter around him, he was ace.
He looked around and smiled at all the new people he had met. Niall was giving out a loud laugh to something that Louis had just said. A girl who Niall introduced as Arianna was hiding her laugh behind a dainty hand. She had tanned skin with flowing light brown hair and was the same height as Niall.
Harry was holding a wine glass filled with red wine, his plump lips were slightly stained from the red and they formed a smile when Louis wrapped an arm around his waist.
Liam’s ex girlfriend Sophia was also a lovely bird. She and Liam were standing by the barbeque both with glass beer bottles in their hands while they laughed and smiled. All doubt about working in Jurassic World had left his mind, replace by a pleasant buzz from his beer.
He stood up and made his way over to the delicious smell coming from the burning barbecue. Liam was teasing a red cheeked Sophia and when he saw Zayn approaching the brown in his puppy dog eyes seemed to almost sparkle.
Maybe he’s had more beer then he realises.
“Bambi! The man of the hour” Liam says with a smile “Everyone! I have an announcement to make!” He then shouted.
The chatter stopped and everyone looked over at him and Liam, the attention brings a blush to his cheeks.
“I just wanted to make a toast to Zayn surviving his first day here on Isla Nublar. Though it was a bit touch and go there with Rexy, he’s made it through at least half of the attractions” He held up his bottle of beer “To Zayn, may he enjoy not only working with amazing creatures, but surviving this lot of drunkards!”
There was a round of laughter, Niall’s being the loudest, before everyone echoed cheers and took a drink. These people, Zayn swears, are probably the nicest bunch of people he’s ever actually met, his Baba and sisters not included of course.
“Thanks so much for today, Leeyum. It was ace,” He says to the Raptor trainer.
Liam just smiled with crinkly eyes before holding out a burger on his spatula “Tomato or brown sauce?”