T W E N T Y T W O

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"I need you to do your part," Niall scolds, he narrows his icy eyes to his husband who had refused to move from the bed since he'd been put there after his attack from the night before.

He sits with his knees tucked to his chest, cheeks slick with the never-ending tears that dripped from his chin onto his shirt. The blankets he'd thrashed off sit pooled at his thighs, Niall unable to make the bed, he urges the man off once more, "Liam," 

The younger one glances at him wordlessly, "I-I," Niall shakes his head cutting Liam off, "Harry is coming today, please, not today."

The stream of tears increases in speed, his silent sniffles turn to sobs as he buries his head in his arms, Niall sighing as he rounds the bed sitting next to him placing a hand supportively on his husband's arm, "What's happened? W-will you tell me?"

It was the same beg Niall's said time and time before, since the family had been back from their impromptu vacation, Liam's been noticeably on edge - his temper flaring out occasionally, but mostly his depression had returned in full force.

 "I can't," Liam whispers softly, unable to form the words he knew his husband wanted to hear. Liam draws further into himself, his chocolate eyes meeting Niall's again, "H-how are they?"

"Anna's worried about you, Tommy is fine," Niall admits, removing his hand from Liam standing from the bed, "I'm worried about you," he pauses checking his watch frowning at the dwindling hour he had before his world would be interrupted by the Harry Malik, "Lee," he groans once more, "Harry will be here within the hour-"

Liam unfolds from himself hearing the desperation from Niall's tone, he places his limbs on the floor with a huff, "I want to leave,"

"Please don't say that in front of them," Niall begs softly, he gestures toward the bathroom, "Go shower, breakfast will be ready when you're done," 


Thomas sits in his highchair like every morning, he smiles toward his Papa who enters with an ecstatic "Good Morning my sweet boy," Raising his hand to him with a giggle, the baby hums seeing Anna trailing the papa, "Hi Tommy," she greets standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek. 

She'd grown accustomed to seeing her brother this way, at first it terrified her, but honestly, Thomas acted this way with her way later than he should've. She hated having to be the one to force him to grow up earlier than she wanted because Dylan left and she couldn't do it alone.

"Is-is Li-"

"Daddy," Niall corrects hardening his glare toward her, he thought their talk this morning would've convinced her to act accordingly, "Is daddy joining us?" she asks tucking hair behind her ear. 

Annika had gorgeous forest eyes, and Niall couldn't help but smile staring into them, without the constant makeup and other things she had suffered previously, Annika looked years younger, and her eyes shined brighter. He didn't feel the need to pressure her to fall into a headspace, the girl had formed a bond with him without needing to. They would talk every night while he brushed and braided her hair, she had painted his nails a time or two, she had even opened up and told Niall about a boy named Ragen she had a crush on. 

It broke Niall's heart knowing she likely wouldn't see him again. Sometimes Niall felt like Zayn or Harry, while he loved Annika and Thomas more than anything, and didn't feel he was as cruel and abusive as the grandparents, he still kidnapped them.

Still forced them to play family with him and Liam.

Niall felt the all too familiar prick of tears stinging his eyes, he knew he was different from Zayn and Harry, he knew that - but it haunted him. Sometimes he felt the need to remind Annika that escaping was a dream he had, and it was crushed multiple times, in fact, he still wasn't free. Niall feared he'd never be free from the forced family.

"Dada!" Thomas squeals seeing Liam stroll into the room, his eyes gave away how lost he was, yet he plastered a smile toward the younger one kissing his forehead, "Hi baby boy," winking toward Annika, "Good morning Princess," 

"G-good morning Daddy," she returns extending a hand toward him in a silent truce, she didn't trust him, but, after her talk with Niall, she knew she had to play her part if there would ever be a chance of them escaping.


Though she trusted her Papa, and adored her quickly formed bond with him, Annika was already planning another trip to her Daddy's office today when everyone would be distracted by Louis and Thomas.

She desperately wanted to get her hands on those books, Annika wanted to read them front to back, thinking that just maybe something in them could give her a hint as to how these men broke. What could make them snap? What could make them bend to her will? What could make them let her go?


Drizzling syrup on his pancakes, Liam chuckles guiding the spoon to Thomas' mouth, his storm cloud eyes brightening at the bite of something so sweet, he hums in reply clapping his hands, "Is it good?"

Niall smiles sipping his coffee, he has his arm wrapped around the back of Annika's chair listening to her talk about her dream trip to Space, "You know your daddy wanted to be an astronaut," Liam confesses, Niall raising an eyebrow, "You did?" Annika leaned closer pushing the hair from her shoulders not wanting the ends of them to dip into the syrup, "You wanted to go into space?"

Liam nods cutting another piece for Thomas, "God more than anything," he admits chewing his bottom lip as he closes his eyes remembering back, "My-my brother Louis, y-your uncle, he'd take me outside at night on-on hard days when everyone was sleeping and tell me to count the stars. He-he knew I'd get tired before I could ever finish or give up and we'd fall asleep on the out quilt out back," recounting the memory Liam's mood dampened knowing the fond moment hid something much darker, Louis was always good at ensuring Liam ended the day on a peaceful note. 

"Lee?" Niall calls seeing his husband become lost once more, Thomas whining in his seat for another bite, Liam jolting at the noise sending an apologetic glance to the table, "S-sorry," he mutters, Annika smiles placing her hand on Liam's across the table, "U-uncle Louis sounds fun," 

"H-he was," Liam croaks, "Is-is, h-he is," he manages clearing his throat flinching again when the front door is pushed open, "Guess who?!"


>Hii :) Two updates in one month? Who am I?

That's right, Emma :) 

All the love in the world :)

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