pomegranate

15

It took Liam nearly a week to settle, but he did. He slowly got used to Zayn's overprotective nature

Someway somehow, he learned to enjoy it. Zayn cooked all his meals to his liking, they went on walks nearly ever morning and Zayn never said no to anything Liam asked for

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies? He'll get them
No fruits in the fridge at 2am? It's fine he'll go buy a few
He wanted steak? Zayn will make it for him

Liam seemed to enjoy the feel of it as well, he seemed to spend more time with Zayn, hearing him talk, or Liam would talk and Zayn would listen

When Hermes, Dionysus and Hestia would come, Liam would sit closer to Zayn than a chair on his own

He'd never notice the smile on Zayn's face while he laughed, or when their hands would accidentally brush against each other

The others would see though, they'd smile and keep quiet because they wouldn't want to ruin the moment

~~~~~

Zayn ran up the stairs and opened the door and looked at Liam "Are you ok? What happened?"

Liam shook his head and took a deep breath "Nothing, I'm fine, it's normal"

Zayn stepped closer "It's not normal, you don't like to make a scene and you just ran up here like your life depended on it."

Liam looked at him and smiled "Zayn-"

Zayn ran his fingers through his hair "I'm going to call the doctor, you may need a checkup and it has already been a week"

"Zayn-"

"Maybe it's the stress of having the 2 idiots and Hestia here, I can ask them to leave"

"No, Zayn-"

"That has to be it, you're probably-"

But Zayn stopped speaking when Liam took his hand and placed it on his stomach, Zayn's eyes were wide open

"I got sick because of the baby, Zee... it's normal" Zayn slowly nodded "I enjoy having them here, I want your friends around... and checkups usually happen once a month, not every week."

Zayn once again just slowly nodded, he stepped closer and put his other hand on Liam's stomach and whispered a quiet 'Wow...'

Liam laughed and dropped his hand from Zayn's, but his own eyes widened when Zayn dropped down to his knees and rested his head on Liam's stomach

He smiled weakly "Are you ok?" Liam whispered

Zayn nodded "I've... I've been to worried to open the folder and to see the scans, I've been worried that I'm dreaming and in reality you're gone"

"But this is real... and y-you're here"

Liam nodded, running his fingers through Zayn's hair "Yeah, love... It's real"

~~~~~

Liam was now seated, and his shirt was raised up, but Zayn was still kneeling in front of him, rubbing his stomach

"When did you find out?"

Liam shrugged "About... 20 seconds before you asked me if Demeter is really my mother"

Zayn cringed and Liam shook his head "Don't even think about it"

Zayn sighed "I really am sorry"

Liam rubbed Zayn's cheek "It's fine, love... Just love this kid; that's all I ask"

Zayn smiled "I already do" he whispered, then he pulled Liam's shirt down and stood up to sit beside him

He pulled Liam's legs on his lap and massaged Liam's ankle, Liam sighed and dropped his head back

"What things make you sick?"

"Cherries, I can't stand the taste or smell of them?"

"What things make you feel good-happy?"

"Citrus smells, eating toast, oranges, anything sour"

Zayn nodded "I'll keep those in mind, how was your last appointment?"

Liam smiled "Good" his smile fell "Terrifying"

Zayn looked at him "Why terrifying?"

"It was my first one, and the doctor was angry because who goes to their first appointment that late; The doctor also said the baby will most likely be a big one... for my size and all, and I need to mostly take things easy and carefully"

Zayn muttered a quiet 'I knew it' but nodded and looked at Liam "The good?"

Liam smiled "I heard the heartbeat"

Zayn smiled "Yeah?"

Liam nodded and slowly turned to look at Zayn "I'd like it if... you're there for my next one, if you'd-"

"Yes!!"

Liam looked at Zayn with wide eyes, Zayn blinked then cleared his throat "Please?"

Liam smiled "Ok..."

~~~~~

Zayn sat on the couch, looked around before he pulled out the folder from under a pillow

He opened it, and pulled out a few scans and smiled, he patted beside him and Cerberus sat down

"Look" he whispered "That's going to be someone else I care about that you have to protect" he said then rubbed Cerberus' heads

"I can't believe I'm saying this... but that's going to be your little sibling" he said and Cerberus looked up at him

"They may be even smaller than you when I first got you" Zayn looked at Cerberus "But protest them, ok?" And Cerberus growled in response

"Good job, already doing great"

Liam watched from the door and smiled before he walked away

~~~~~

"He... what?"

Hermes took a deep breath "Liam, is having, Zayn's baby... that's why he's there now"

Demeter blinked "He asked us to inform you that he's well, and plans on completing his time there" Dionysus said after a while

Demeter blinked "He's happy" Hestia said "Zayn is treating him well"

Demeter stood up and dusted herself off "I want to call him, I want to hear all those things from him; so I'll know that you all aren't lying"

~~~~~

"What did Apollo say to you, that day during the wedding?"

Liam looked at him then took a deep breath "He said... that I don't have to do this alone, and he's willing to help me, take us both in and treat the baby like they're his"

Zayn blinked, and stayed quiet. Liam nibbled on his bottom lip, when he was quietly looking ahead for too long, Liam got on his knees and cupped Zayn's cheeks and forced Zayn to face him

"Say something!!"

Zayn looked at Liam, smiled and kissed Liam's hand "You're mine, I'll take care of you"