ZIAM ONE-SHOTS (BOTTOM LIAM)

Tragedy: You'll Remember Me When I'm Gone 5

Chapter 5: Feel the Same

"It can wait," Liam says. He holds his hands tightly to his sides. There's a storm brewing in his stomach. He's still wearing his work shirt and Zayn is standing there looking like he just walked out of a photo shoot with his ridiculous sunglasses and slightly offensive perfect face. Liam looks like someone threw their lunch on him (it was actually a breakfast sandwich, but same effect).

Zayn looks light and flippant; his smile is wide and his teeth gleam in the dull glow of the coffee shop lights. "No, it can't – you don't get it, I'm leaving, Liam-"

And Liam, he just stops. He turns. He stares.

"Leaving? Where?"

"I'm going to America," Zayn says, says it like he's leaving tomorrow. Liam throws down the dishrag he's holding; he storms out from behind the counter, until they're nose to nose.

"I'm going with you."

"No you're not," Zayn snaps, and Liam, he lunges, reaching forward –

And Zayn, he sidesteps Liam easily. "Why won't you let me come?" Liam asks, and it's almost a whimper. He feels like a dog, leashed to this beast he can't shake. Liam's hands are trembling.

"I need to do this alone," Zayn says, and the words cut through the bustle of coffee shop life like a snow plow driving through the front window.

"Oh," Liam says.

Zayn shakes his head, like he wants to say "Not here, not now." Instead, he says, "I'll see you at home."

(He doesn't, Liam sleeps on a friend's couch that night, and when he gets back to the flat in the morning, everything's quiet. The phoenix is gone.)