In The Nick Of Time

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

The next morning Zayn had made it clear he didn't want any one else in the house to know of Liam's whereabouts, and kicked him from the bed before even Niall could wake up. It wasn't a rude thing, not an actual kick to the rear - just a subtle, "get out of bed" and a nudged awake. Liam took it easy and slipped from the comfort of being curled against Zayn's back that night and stumbled on to the couch where he fell back to sleep and minutes later Niall waking up and moving about.

When Liam woke up again there was heavy boot scuffing along the hall way, and he squinted to the light coming in from the windows Niall pulled open and pushed aside the curtains. He could hear Zayn mumbling and a metal clink as he set some thing down in the hall way, Niall's Irish voice peeking through and in no means of being quiet. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he sat up and tipped into the door way to see Zayn in a light sweater and jeans, still scoring the black rain boots, and a metal gas canteen next to his foot. His dark eyes met Liam first, and then Niall turned with a smile as bright as the light from outside.

"Ah! Good morning, Li." He beamed, patting Liam's arm. "Hope I didn't wake ya'." He smiled.

Liam shook his head, "You didn't." He rasped, shoving his hands in his pockets - shirt still gone, long forgotten in Zayn's room but no one questioned it.

Returning his eyes to Zayn, Zayn stared over Niall's shoulder as he turned. A silent, but speaking voice between them and Liam couldn't help but glance down to Zayn's slow, parted lips as he took gentle breaths.

The night before wasn't to be spoken of.

"I don't know Z," Niall said scratching the back of his head, "You sure you'll be okay on the way there?"

Liam furrowed his brow and crossed his arms over his chest, "What's going on?" He asked, curious as to why Zayn looked like he was about to take a hike but also go grocery shopping.

"Z's heading to the petro station down the road, says the car needs a bit of gas and oil before it goes out."

Liam froze. "We're leaving today?"

Zayn stared, Liam's frozen stare never leaving his.

"After Zayn's done with the car, yeah." Niall glanced back at Liam, "I'm gonna miss this place, we had a 'ol lot of fun." He smiled, nudging Liam's frozen state.

"Oh, shut your trap Niall." Lin called from the hall behind Liam, to the bathroom.

He pointed his finger at her, "You shut it." He growled.

"Guess this is the last hour?" He stated, his heart racing to all the things that could happen so soon.

"Well, I wouldn't mind spending another night. Like a going away dinner." Niall smiled, "You'd have to pick up some more things though." He noted to Zayn, "One more night, eh, Z?" Niall joked, patting Zayn's shoulder and started for the kitchen. "Li, mind helping me with lunch? I don't know what to make."

Liam nodded, "Yeah." He mumbled, but turned back to Zayn.

Zayn picked up the canteen, and the keys by the side of the door on the small key rack. "I'll be back in the hour." He mumbled lowly, opening the front door and screen door.

Liam held open the screen door, and stared at Zayn. He gulped at the dryness in his throat, "Be careful out there." Liam said, voice shaking. "Watch the-," he cleared his throat, "cars, and all." He smiled weakly, and nodded to Zayn.

He stared. Glancing over Liam's shoulder to the empty hall, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Liam's lips. It was too quick for Liam to savor, too small for him to catch, but it was enough to calm his hammering heart. Turning for the woods, Liam watched as Zayn walked down the road with a glance behind him he rose his hand in a sort of wave but kept on not to see if Liam waved back or not. Walking into the kitchen, he cleared his throat to Niall who was nose deep in a cook book that had never made an appearance before in his life. He leaned on the island top, and had to take a seat before his feet would give out on him.