Equilibrium (Vexxieverse Series - Part 5)

Daddies Take Care of Business (Z)

Notes:

TW: Graphic descriptions of violence and injury. Mention of knives, guns. Non-con r
restraints. Blackmail.

Zayn

February

Harry was pissed again, but not at Zayn this time. "I just don't understand why he didn't tell us he had errands to run so early. It's Valentine's Day! I know we didn't have real plans, but I wanted to cook everyone breakfast, at least." Harry failed to violently stabbed a disobedient cherry tomato in his salad. "You'd think he'd at least come have lunch with us."

Louis slayed the tomato for him on the first try and fed it to Harry from his fork. "Harry, have you considered he is planning a romantic surprise for everyone?" He kissed Harry's cheek and pulled a smile from him.

"Yeah? I have shit luck on Valentine's Day. That'd be nice. What's he up to? Give me a tiny hint. Please?!"

"Oh um. I don't actually know if that's what he's doing, but probably. Anyway, we only have like five minutes left of break." Louis took everyone's trash from their table in the break area outside. The studio had catering for lots of sets, so there was a food truck park with a manicured lawn full of picnic tables. It was pretty at night too, with the bistro lights hung over the table. They never had to eat the same thing twice. It was quite convenient. Sometimes they had all three meals a day there, depending on the complexity of the episode.

"Has he answered anyone else's texts yet?" Zayn asked. Usually Liam checked in by text with Zayn by lunch, whether or not they were both at the studio. Though most of them tried to not disturb each other during work hours since distractions just caused filming to take longer.

"Na, must be good, whatever he's doing. Did you know he takes himself to the movies in the middle of the day sometimes? I mean, I did that when I was a film student, but we have a theater in our house!" Niall laughed.

"Yeah, but we haven't perfected movie theater popcorn yet," Louis said, checking his phone too. His eyebrows pinched together. "Kinda weird he didn't at least check in with you Z."

"We'll call him at the next break," Zayn said. It was probably nothing. Shit unless..

"Hey Lou, hang back for a second. We'll catch up, guys."

Niall and Harry shrugged and went to set while Louis gave Zayn a look of concern. He didn't ask questions, just waited for Zayn to speak.

"Lou, you don't think he's upset about Harry subbing for me, right? He subs for Niall, so I thought that was how this whole thing with us all worked. But now I think I fucked up." Zayn rubbed a palm over his arm like he was cold, but he wasn't. Just needed protection from the consequences of his mistake.

"Love, you know him better than anyone. Maybe you should have talked to him about it first? But he seemed a little surprised, not so much mad." Louis dusted the crumbs from his shirt.

"I would have asked Liam first, but it just kind of happened and I thought it was OK. Fuck Lou, I screwed up, didn't I? Will you text him? Maybe he's ignoring me."

"Yeah mate, of course. I'll text him now while we walk back. I'm sure it's nothing. Probably buying Harry a hot pink ball gag or some shit," he laughed. "Or maybe a big diamond necklace that says DADDY in all caps for Niall."

Zayn smirked. "He would do that, you know."

*******

"Ughhhh. Where the fuck is Liam?!" Niall called from the set. Everyone was in place and waiting. "Someone go get him from hair and makeup."