Benefits (Narry)

Chapter Fifteen: Break Up in a Small Town

 Liam storms out of Harry and Niall's flat. He stomps his way down the stairs and he's trying to hold in all of his feelings until he gets into his car at least.

 After locking himself in his car, Liam lets out a yell of frustration. Tears prick his eyes but he stops them because he really doesn't have any right to be mad at Harry. He can't help it though, just seeing Niall and Harry doing what he wants to do with Harry makes him want to throw up. Liam swallows hard before starting up his car with a determined face. He knows what his decision is.

***

 Harry presses on Liam's contact in his phone once again and paces the room as the shrill ring blasts in his ear.

 "Hi, you've reached Liam. I can't get to the phone right now but if you leave me a message I'll get back to you as soon as possible," the recorded voice of Liam says.

 Harry runs a hand through his hair, stressed out to the max, "Hey Liam, it's Harry. You probably already knew that. That thing with Niall, that never- I mean me and him aren't- fuck, just call me back when you get this. Please," Harry pleads into the phone.

 Harry collapses on the couch and rubs his temples.

***

    Liam enters his flat, his confidence draining each step he takes into the home. He knows that he has to do this though. He finds his boyfriend sitting on the sofa with a friend, watching a footie game on the TV.

    Both boys turn to see who's entered the flat.

    "Hey babe, what's up?" Liam's boyfriend asks him, perking up at the sight of his boyfriend.

    "Louis, I need to talk to Zayn privately. It's important," Liam cuts straight to the chase, looking at the black haired boy.

    "Um...yeah, sure mate. Z, I'll talk to you tomorrow, yeah?" Louis asks as he begins to gather his wallet, keys, and shoes.

    "'Course," Zayn replies, not taking his eyes off of his boyfriend. He has a bad feeling in his stomach.

    Louis leaves the flat quietly and Liam twiddles his fingers, suddenly nervous.

    "What did you want to talk about Li?" Zayn asks his boyfriend nonchalantly.

    Liam decides that it's better if he were sitting for this talk. He perches as far away as possible from Zayn on the couch.

    "I um..." Liam starts, trailing off. He doesn't want to hurt Zayn's feelings, he's done that enough already.

    "You've cheated on me again, haven't you?" Zayn replies calmly, taking a stab in the dark.

    Zayn has known that Liam has been cheating on him with this mysterious fellow. He assumes that it's his new friend Harry. Well, he knows it's him because Liam has told him that they've kissed once when he was drunk. He also knows because Liam has been acting very different around him lately, so it's been Zayn's mission to make Liam feel guilty about cheating on him, because it's what he deserves.

    At first, Zayn was mad, but after some real thought, he realized himself that him and his boyfriend were drifting apart. Being cheated on didn't hurt any less though.

    "What? No-I mean no," Liam stutters.

    "Don't lie Liam," Zayn rolls his eyes, "That's almost as bad as you cheating on me. Almost."

    "I know Z. Look," Liam sighs before looking Zayn directly in the eyes. He owes him this, "I have cheated on you. And I regret it. I regret it so so much. But there's just no spark between us anymore," Liam explains in a rush.

    "I agree," is all that Zayn says. He knows that he and Liam have a semi-toxic relationship. They've both cheated on each other in the past, but Zayn's never gone as far as Liam.

    Liam is dumbfounded, "That's it? You're not even going to try and fight for us?"

    "There's nothing to fight for since clearly you already have someone better lined up. So that's it. We're over. Now get out," Zayn tells him.

    "What?" Liam asks dumbly.

    "Get out. Do you need me to spell it out for you? Get your stuff and don't come back."

    "How am I supposed to find a place to stay within hours?" Liam asks, still confused about Zayn's reaction to the news.

    "That sounds like a you problem. Why don't you go stay with your other boyfriend?" Zayn suggests, slipping his trainers on. He turns to Liam before leaving, "All I know is that you better be out of here by the time I come back."

    Liam flinches at the sound of the door slamming shut.

***

    Harry is startled by a knock at the door. He gets up from his spot on the couch and makes his way to the door. After pulling the door open he is met with Liam who's looking at his feet. There's a bag slung over his shoulder and another on the floor next to him.

    "Harry, I don't have anywhere to go and Zayn kicked me out," Liam sniffles.

    "Say no more," Harry replies. He takes Liam's bags and takes them into his room with Liam trailing slowly behind him.

    Liam sits on the edge of Harry's bed while Harry lays down on it.

    "Why did Zayn kick you out?" Harry asks him.

    Liam looks at him with red rimmed eyes, "Because I chose you."

    Harry's eyes open in shock and he stares at Liam, "Really?"

    Liam nods and laughs, falling into Harry's arms.

***

    Niall didn't think that Liam would be back so soon. He knows that Harry's mad at him, but he just wanted to give him a taste of what he is feeling. He heard Harry and Liam's whole conversation. They're not officially together yet, but Niall knows that they will be, and soon.

    He decides that it's best for him to pack up and leave. He can't stand being around Liam. He can't even stand being around his former best friend anymore, and if he has to leave his own flat to get away from them, then he will do so.

    He hurriedly packs a few things into an overnight bag, which may or may not turn into more than one night away from here. He exits his room and heads straight for the front door, ignoring Harry and Liam in the kitchen.

    "Niall where are you going?" Harry asks. Even though he is still mad at Niall, he wants to know where he's going with his bag all packed up.

    "Anywhere but here," Niall replies, slipping into his Vans.

    "Why?"

    Niall turns to him, "Because if he's going to be here I'd prefer to not hear you fucking in the next room."

    Niall slams the door shut behind him.