In The Nick Of Time

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 19

Summary:

"See you sometime."

The next morning, Liam was up, not that he could sleep much the night before, and the Irish folk were bustling in the kitchen with their bag in the hall. Every item with them, and every thing that was theirs was packed away and ready to go. Dread and sorrow filled the air thickly, but every one seemed to be almost strong enough to shove the feeling off. Hoarse laughs were passed as they ate breakfast, they'd glance to each other and almost give sympathetic looks but then look down after it became too much to stare. This was the final meal they'd share as roommates, and then after - the two blonde friends would leave. It was a horrible thing to think so early in the morning, but every one seemed to think so.

When breakfast was dragged on too long, the clock struck noon and they'd cleaned up the kitchen. Zayn going out to the car, and starting it as he pulled out from the spot they'd dug and cleaned off since the mud dried. Liam stood in the hall with Niall as they waited for Lin to come back down the stairs with her books. They stood silent, fear of saying something sad. Niall spoke anyways.

"Well," he sighed, "Guess there's no point in trying to shove it aside any longer." He stated, "I'm go'na miss ya' Li." He smiled.

Liam smiled back, "I'll miss you too. It's been a pleasure being here with you." He pointed to the door, "And thanks - for finding me in the woods."

He waved his hand at him, "No problem." He laughed. "Babby's the one who saved your arse."

As if on cue, Babby came down the hall with a toy in her mouth. She took for the living room instead of beside them.

Liam exhaled, "You'll come back here?"

"Of course. Z's the reason I always come back here, me and Lin find this place our home away from home." He smiled, "Some times I do miss our actual home though." He laughed, "Got'ta head back into town sooner or later. Z too. 's got to get groceries."

Lin's heavy boots came down the stairs.

"I'll remind him when we get into the car."

Liam nodded as Lin picked up her duffel bag and suit case, both turning to Liam.

Lin smiled to him, and he smiled back. "We'll miss you."

Niall rolled his eyes, "We've already been through this already."

She glared, stomping on his toe and he yelped putting down his bag and securing his foot as she put down her own bags and opened her arms. Liam stepped in and hugged her tightly. "You've been the best thing that could've happened to us." She stated into his shoulder, "It was an accident we met, you out in the woods, but I'm glad this idiot found you out there in time and we got to meet you." She squeezed closer, "You're a good guy, Liam. And we won't forget about you. Not one bit." She stepped back, lingering her touch on his arm. "I don't want this to be goodbye." She frowned.

"Then - how about see you some time?" Liam suggested, "That's what my sister used to say, when she would take long trips and she wouldn't know when she'd be back. Or if she'd be back at all."

Lin's smile grew, "See you some time, then." She repeated and gave him another hug, calling for Babby as they followed out onto the porch.

Liam turned to Niall, and opted to give him a hug. He accepted and pulled Liam in for an even tighter hug, full of strength and force. He huffed, "You're a good man." Niall commented pulling back, "We'll keep in contact, yeah?"

"Yeah. Sure." Liam turned, and laughed. "I have my phone, but it's - long dead."

"Do you know the number?"

"Yeah. Hold on." Liam said as he fetched a piece of paper and pen, writing down his phone number but hesitated. Under it, he put his address and name. Handing it over, he smiled. "Here you are."

Niall took it, gave it a glance, and smiled up at Liam. "Like you said - see you some time. Right?"

Liam nodded, a ping of sadness tainting his heart. "See you some time." He said hoarse as Niall grabbed his bags, and opened the door.

Liam held the door open for him, and the Irish folk looked back at him in the door. "Take care of ya' self, ya' hear?" Niall smiled, "Don't wanna hear about ya' being killed on the news out in that city of yours." He joked.

He chuckled, "I'll stay out of trouble," he pointed to the paper, "Don't forget - groceries."

"Got'cha." He nodded and started for the car.

Even Babby looked back at him a while longer before heading for the car, Lin put her bags in the back along with Niall's and both wrangled into the car seats. Zayn sat in the driver's seat, glancing to the two as they settled in and then his eyes landed on Liam's. Liam turned away and to the two again, they waved to him with remorseful looks and yet he waved back trying to keep a good vibe and smile on his face. They'd grown close and it was almost infectious that they'd become so fond of each other in just a week. He watched as the car pulled out of it's spot and reversed until Zayn pulled right, and dipped to face the only road. Liam watched it bounce along the road, slowly shaking until it disappeared into green and brown shades of the woods around.

Until he was alone.

Dread soaked him entirely until he was dragging his feet across the hall way floor and into the living room, he could feel every ounce of weight on his shoulders and in his heart. He knew Zayn would take him back when he returned with an empty car. Zayn's head was filled to the brim with constrictions and allowances until he hit the road and his eyes searched for an anchor - the anchor that was back in the woods, inside his home, behind him. Both lost in their own heads, and lost physically pacing and silent until they'd shut off the world before realizing what they'd really gotten in to.

The thoughts dragged Liam's head down to the couch cushions, his eyes closing as it was the only source of freedom and Zayn turned on the radio lowly in his car as he drowned out the thoughts in his head.

The car door closed.

Zayn stepped up onto the porch with the bags of groceries as he let out an audible sigh, unlocking the door and pushing it aside as he entered the house of silence. Momentarily, he searched, listened to the silence and worried. He glanced into the empty kitchen, then paused in the living room door. Liam was asleep on the couch, his head pushed into the pillows and his legs curled up in front of him. The house was getting colder. Winter would come in four weeks. Silently and swiftly, Zayn piled firewood into the fireplace and lit a flame as it slowly began to burn. Grabbing a knitted quilt from the recliner, he unfolded it and gently draped it over Liam. Kneeling beside the couch, he watched as Liam's face fluttered but then stilled as he comforted in the warmth and sudden cover.

Zayn keened to the affection Liam gave even in his sleep.

He exhaled and watched the small shake of Liam's eyelashes over his cheeks, and his stubble along his jaw growing a bit sharper. Reaching out, but slowing as he realized his actions, his finger tips ghosted over Liam's temple and yet he let them soothe over Liam's features. He pressed his lips together, and exhaled again. His shoulder's finally falling from their sharp look, his head finally hung from holding it high so long, and his eyes finally shutting from being so tired and burning. He was exposed, and - weak.

He glided his thumb over Liam's cheek bone and Liam, even sleeping, leaned into the warm touch. Zayn exhaled again, and this time - it shook on it's way out. He bit down on his cheeks and willed himself to his strongest consent, forced himself to build a wall around himself again. To hold his head up, jut his chin out, keep his shoulders stiff - but failed. He leaned down, pressing his lips softly to Liam's temple and inhaled a jagged breath that shook his chest. His lips quivered on Liam's temple. He clenched his teeth, resting his forehead against Liam's.

"You're better off here." He mumbled lowly. "Why do I love you so much ?"

And his voice broke.

He stood up, sauntering into the living room door way and looked back at Liam as he jabbed his fingers into his eyes. Wiping at his eyes and up the hall, he didn't glance back as he rubbed at his eyes and disappeared up the stairs.

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