Zayn was just getting back with a date from Perrie when another huge discussion happened. His plan had been to come home, check up briefly on Harry and Louis (for the most lart just make sure they were safely asleep and not off crying somewhere), and then head to bed himself. His plans were derailed when he found Niall sitting on the couch waiting for him, much as Zayn had sat and waited for Louis to het back from his date the day before. The only difference was that the Irish boy looked like he had been crying.
Zayn took a seat next to Niall, holding the blonde boys head close to his chest. Sobs were wracking Nialls body, but Zayn didn't press him to tell why. Niall was one of the most fragile members of the group, and be wrong word could breaj him into pieces. Zayn patiently waited for him to calm down, and even then, he didn't ask questions. He let the boy tell him in his own.
"I'm so scared Zayn." Niall finally whispered, his voice hoarse from crying. "I didn't know who else I could talk to."
Zayn nodded and pulled Niall a little closer, letting him continue crying. It seemed he wasn't quite calm yet. If anything, Zayn knew how to deal with crying people. He had been doing quite a bit of it the last couple if days.
Once Niall had cried himself out, He pulled away from Zayn, rubbing at his eyes. "I'm just so confused." He finally said.
"About what?" Zayn kept his voice soft and gentle, gently pushing Niall towards telling.
"Its...well, I...Promise not to judge me?" Zayn looked at Niall, taking in his haggard appearance. The bags under his eyes, The red puffy skin around his face. Nialls secret would break him. He needed to know what was upsetting the poor boy so much. He would never judge him, but he needed to know. It hurt seeing one of his best mates in so much pain.
"I'm not going to judge you Niall." He promised. Niall took a deep, shuddering breath, gaining his composure.
"I think I like Liam more than I should." He said the words calmly, with a straight face. Zayn was impressed by how composed he seemed after having cried so much earlier.
Of course, the news didn't surprise Zayn. He had seen the way Niall looked at Liam. It wasn't in love, it was more...contemplative. as though he was still trying to figure Liam out.
"Its okay Niall. There isn't anything wrong with that." Zayn patted him on the back. Niall took another deep breath.
"I'm just so confused Zayn." Niall admitted. "I've never felt this way before, ever. I don't know what To do."
Zayn sighed and hugged Niall. "I don't know either." Because Niall's situation was different from Louis and Harry. Harry and Louis, They were so in love no one could deny it. Liam...Zayn would have pit money on the fact that he liked Niall, but no more than 5 dollars. It was really a toss up.
"Thank you for listening Zayn." Niall gave him a small smile, standing up. "I think I'll head to bed."
Zayn nodded, and stayed in his place, watching Niall walk up the stairs. Once the blonde boy was out of sight, he stared off into space. But it wasn't five minutes later that Liam walked down the stairs, looking for Zayn.
"Zayn?" Liam asked. Zayn Sat up straight. He was tired, but if he got another love confession, he wouldn't care. Because in his efforts to calm himself, Niall hadn't made Zayn promise not to tell. So if Liam admitted to having feelings for Niall, He could tell Liam that Niall returned the feelings and everybody wluld be happy, healthy and wise.
"I just wanted to see if you were okay. You just seem a little quiet lately." Liam took a seat next to Zayn, who spent the time reflecting on his many conversations he had been having from this particular spot. It seemed to be the place to be when it came to emotional talks. Perhpas he should set up a booth at this prime location.
"I'm fine. I've just got a lot to think about." Zayn leaned back into the couch. It didn't seem like Liam was about to admit his unconditional love for Niall, and Zayn really was tired.
"You can talk to me You know. Even a confident needs someone to confide in." Liam reminded Zayn, who shrugged. His normal respinse was "not my secret to tell", but this time he came up with a different answer.
"Its just that ever since I got engaged all the boys have been coming to me fir romantic advice. It gets a little tiring." Liam nodded sympathetically, and Zayn found himself drifting off to sleep right where he was. And while Zayn wasn't awake at the time and couldn't see it, someone else was. Someone else had been standing in the corner, and he had heard both conversations. What was more, he saw the adoring look in Liam s eyes when he looked at Zayn. So while Zayn was the one who got told every thing, for once someone else saw it. So while Zayn dealt with Harry and Louis, Harry found it his obligation to sort out the odd situation The rest of his mates were in, all because he had gotten up to vet a glass of water at the wrong time.
