Rising Up From Ruin - Ziam (AU)

Chapter 8 - No Promises

Liam’s P.O.V.

            When we returned to the orphanage later that night, there was a smile on my face and delicious food in my belly. I couldn’t have been happier. Even though school was going to start up on Monday, I didn’t care. I had Zayn here with me, and he watched over me like a hawk. I didn’t exactly like how violent he got, but I loved that fact that he stood up for me. Harry and Louis do that too, with the help of little Nialler, but Zayn is the only one who can actually  look convincingly scary.

            “Liam,” Zayn said softly, right after we finished changing into our sleeping clothes. I looked up at him, waiting for him to continue. “Do you want to try and switch mattresses again? I’ll be more careful this time,”

            I shook my head no vigorously, not wanting to get any more lashes. I could still feel the distorted flesh on my back and I shuddered.

            “I just hate that you have to sleep on that piece of shit,” He muttered, looking at my pathetic little mattress. I shrugged and lay down, making sure that I looked as comfortable as possible, so that Zayn didn’t flip out.

            “Goodnight guys,” Harry said, as the light was turned off. Everyone muttered a sleepy goodnight, and then I closed my eyes, rolling over and trying to sleep. Of course, it didn’t work. I hadn't slept well for a long time. Once again, I could feel Zayn’s eyes on my back, and I knew he wouldn’t fall sleep until I did.

            “Liam?”

            I turned over and looked at Zayn.

            “I have an idea,” He said, standing up and walking over to me. My heart started beating really fast, and I felt my body become shaky. Why did he have to have this effect on me? “Do you trust me?”

            I nodded, numbly, wondering what on earth he was doing.

            Suddenly, he scooped me up bridal style, as if I was the lightest thing in the world. He turned around and set me gently on his bed, crawling in next to me. We barely fit on the tiny bed together, but it gave me a good excuse to cling to him with all the power I had. My head fit perfectly into his neck and his arms felt so nice wrapped around my body. Oh, God, he smelled amazing. Feeling his body so close to mine was probably not a safe thing for me to be doing--I didn't trust myself to control my emotions--but I didn’t care right now. He was just so warm, and I was so comfortable.

            “How’s this?” He asked, his voice low in a hushed whisper. I just nodded, completely thrilled that this was happening. “Good,”

            Then I felt his lips press to my forehead, sending sharps flames through my body and making me shiver. I have never fallen asleep quicker.

Zayn’s P.O.V.

            I made sure that I was awake before Sister Elizabeth came to wake us up. I knew that if she saw Liam and I lying so close together, sharing the same bed, there would be problems. So, a few minutes before they were going to come turn on the lights and call us to get ready for the day, I picked Liam up and set him back on his bed, smiling when he didn’t wake up. I had slept amazingly, and I hope that he did too. Maybe we could do that every night? I grinned at the thought and lay back down on my bed, waiting for wake up call.