pomegranate

7

They showered then Liam insisted on helping with dinner

Zayn nearly cut his finger off because he kept on wanting to look at Liam who was in his clothes

You gave them to him!! Why are you acting like this?!

Zayn just shook his head and turned back to the the chopping board, he finished something then turned back to Liam

He then hissed and glared at the knife, Liam laughed though

They managed to finish dinner, Zayn still having all of his fingers, they served it and the others quickly ate

Liam made sure Cerberus was eating before he started, and Zayn only started once Liam did

"So, Liam" Liam nodded at Hermes "What did you do to make my brother so obsessed with you?"

Liam choked and Hermes' eyes widened when Zayn glared at him

He managed to catch his breathing then looked at Hermes "Sorry, the question caught me off guard"

"It's ok"

Liam cleared his throat "And about your brother... I don't really know" he said then smiled "He's been trying since Demeter introduced me to him"

"Trying? So... he's failing"

Liam's smile fell "Not really..." he absentmindedly patted Zayn's shoulder "Like I told this one, marriage is something to me... so I might give Apollo a chance"

The other 3 looked at Zayn who was looking at Liam who was silently looking at his plate without blinking

He then quickly looked up and smiled "But who knows, right?"

"Right..." Hermes said and Hestia nodded while Dionysus pursed his lips

~~~~~

"He's 25" Hestia said and Zayn froze

"What?"

"If you're nervous about doing anything with him because you don't know his age... he's 25"

Zayn slowly nodded "Ok." He cleared his throat "I need to go find Liam"

She chuckled "I need to go anyways, Hermes will drop me off."

Zayn nodded and watched them leave before he walked towards the living room, Liam was laying on the couch with his hand scratching Cerberus' head

Zayn looked at him "Tired"

Liam yawned but nodded "A little bit..."

Zayn shook his head, then took a few steps to pick Liam up

He buried his face into Zayn's shoulder with an exhausted laugh

"For someone who doesn't like to touch people, you've been holding me a lot"

Zayn shrugged and walked up the stairs "I can put you down if you'd like"

Liam shook his head "Only if it's on a bed"

Zayn nodded then continued to walk until he reached the bedroom, he opened the door with his foot then walked towards his bed, carefully laying Liam on it

He instantly rolled and buried his face into the pillow on the other side

Zayn smiled and sat beside Liam, he used a finger to brush Liam's hair away from his face, but Liam didn't even stir

Zayn then shook his head and stood up, he pulled back the blanket and covered Liam up. He flicked the lights closed and quietly walked out

~~~~~

Liam woke up and stretched before he opened his eyes. He sat up and rubbed his eyes

The unfamiliar room made him feel a bit bleary, he rubbed his eyes and contemplated going back to bed for about 10 minutes before he decided to just go and get ready for the day

In the bathroom, he found an extra toothbrush

After brushing his teeth, he walked out and walked towards the bookshelf in the room.

Books covered it, not a single space was empty. Liam pulled out the most worn out book and smiled.

His finger brushed over the title before something peaked out from the bottom of the book

He furrowed his brows before he opened the book and pulled it out, he smiled seeing it's a picture of Louis, Niall and Zayn

All young, all holding one another and all smiling eager toothy smiles

The door opened and Liam turned towards it wide eyed, Zayn looked at him and raised both eyebrows

"Now that's just rude"

Liam smiled "It was calling my name..."

Zayn hummed and Liam showed him the picture "How old were you?"

Zayn looked at the photo "6... I was 6, Louis was 7, Niall was 5"

Liam smiled "You all look adorable..."

Zayn shrugged "Should've thrown it away"

Liam frowned at him "Are you insane? Why?"

Zayn looked at the photo "It's a reminder of what can never be forgotten"

Liam shook his head and put the picture inside the book before he closed it and put it back into place

He was about to say something when his phone rang, he turned to Zayn then to his phone again and jogged towards it

"Ed?" Liam said then sighed and nodded "I'll be right there"

He then took a deep breath and put the phone down "I have to go" he mumbled

Zayn slowly nodded "Are my clothes-"

"No, but you can keep on wearing what you already are"

Liam smiled "Won't you miss them?"

Zayn shook his head, keeping his eyes on Liam. "No, no I won't"

Keep them, keep them and wear them home