One Rainy Day.. {ziam}

Tempest

a violent windy storm.

Zayn doesn't reach out to Liam for the next ten days after their little painting session. Liam is completely confused and in a bit of panic. He ends up bringing it up to all his friends which prompts Harry's comforting, Louis promising to beat the fucker up for messing with him and Niall admonishing that there has to be some sort of reason because they are soooo cute together. Liam doesn't see his point. Zayn technically ghosted him after he'd gotten so used to speaking to the lad every day and he was facing unexpected withdrawal that had him fucking up focus at work and spacing out, much like Zayn always did during conversation.

And the funny thing is, he isn't mad at Zayn for any of it. Rather, he's concerned. His mind loves to jump to the worst case scenarios possible and honestly, if Zayn finally texts him just to tell him he's been ignoring him because he found him annoying and too much last time they met, Liam would probably spend the first few moments being glad he's alive at all before the words finally hit. He knows Zayn, though. Maybe he doesn't know every single favourite or pet peeve he has but he knows Zayn to be too good a guy to say any of that to him, even if his insecurities make him feel like that's what he thinks. He also knows Zayn to be a person with some darker issues behind his honey-glazed eyes which explains his anxiety.

He finds it hard to sleep sometimes, anxiously debating whether he should send another message or give Zayn the space he clearly wants. Louis thinks he's crazy and a little infatuated. He's right. The shortstack's husband thinks it's cute and reminds him of those times he and Louis would dance around their feelings like silly idiots. Liam would rather not comment on the comparison between his confusing relationship with Zayn and the couple he knows without a single doubt would grow old together and be laid to rest side by side.

Zayn has to take a moment when Liam opens the door, gripping the frame a bit tightly. His chocolate locks are dishelleved, eye bags more pronounced than usual and his shirt has more stains on it than the one he uses to paint. He looks beautiful, anyway, he always does. Zayn has to resist the urge to wipe away the drool at the corner of his mouth like they're in some cringey romance where boy likes boy and neither are aware just yet, satisfying himself instead with shoving his hands in his pockets and forcing a smile.

Liam literally staggers back when his eyes adjust to fucking Zayn Malik casually leaning on the doorframe. The façade quickly falls away, giving room for his anxiety to shine through as he awkwardly tugs his hand free from his joggers and gives a small wave. Liam fights back a smile until he can't contain it, crushing him in a hug so unexpected giving the circumstances that Zayn let's out a yip.

"Hi."

"...hi."

"I missed you," he whispers gently. Zayn ignores the way his heart stutters to a stop for a moment too long.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Honestly, it's fine! I mean... You're here now and that's what matters. This is only happening because of you. You... Came back."

"No, no, I have to apologise. Okay? I... Messed it up. I'm sorry. It was just my mind and like... Yeah." Liam deeply appreciates that Zayn always tells the truth about things, even when he's vague. He wants more explanation than just that but for now, he has his own apology to make, too.

"I should've come by myself to clear the air, I just-"

"For God's sakes, shut up." Liam laughs and Zayn's eyes widen a fraction, then he facepalms a bit too hard, not seeing Liam's soft frown. "And by that, I meant sorry. Sorry, not shut up. Sorry for everything, I jus-"

"Hey. Hey. It's fine. We're fine."

"It's not. I drank in front of you. That was so majorly fucked up of me."