Nothing without you [L.S] AU

Chapter 10: Promises

The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the school grounds as Liam and Zayn sat on a bench outside, catching a rare break from their usual routine. The conversation had drifted from mundane topics to something more intriguing.

"So, have you noticed anything weird lately?" Liam asked, casually tossing a pebble onto the grass. "Like with Louis and Harry?"

Zayn raised an eyebrow, taking a sip from his water bottle. "What do you mean?"

Liam leaned in, lowering his voice. "I've been hearing things. Harry's been acting different, and people have been talking about how Louis has been more... well, involved with him. It's kind of weird."

Zayn's interest piqued, he frowned. "Involved? Like, how?"

Liam shrugged. "People say they've seen them together more often, not just in class. And then there was that thing a few days ago where Harry looked really shaken up. I don't know. It's like something's going on between them."

Zayn's mind raced. He hadn't been oblivious to the tension between Louis and Harry, but he hadn't connected the dots until now. "You think... they're, like, actually involved? As in, a thing?"

Liam nodded, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I think so. I don't have all the details, but it's definitely something. And it's kind of messed up considering how Louis has treated Harry."

Zayn's thoughts churned as he processed this new information. He had his own feelings to contend with, and the situation with Louis and Harry was just adding to the complexity. "We need to keep this under wraps. Louis is my friend, and Harry's your friend. It could get messy if people find out."

Liam agreed, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, we should definitely be careful. But it's not just that. I've been thinking..."

Zayn looked at him, curiosity evident. "Thinking about what?"

Liam took a deep breath, glancing at Zayn. "About us. You and me."

Zayn's eyes widened slightly. "Us?"

Liam nodded, a small, hesitant smile forming on his lips. "I've been feeling like there's something between us, too. But with everything going on with Louis and Harry, I wasn't sure if it was the right time to say anything."

Zayn's heart skipped a beat. "I've been feeling the same way. I didn't know how to bring it up either, especially with everything else happening."

Liam reached out, his hand brushing against Zayn's. "So, what do we do?"

Zayn looked down at their hands, then back up at Liam. "We keep it quiet for now. It's not like there's an easy way to make this public, especially with the drama going on. But if we're careful, we can make this work."

Liam's smile grew, and he nodded. "I'm in. Let's keep it between us and see where it goes. We'll figure it out together."

Zayn smiled back, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Agreed. We'll keep it our little secret."

As they stood up, the air between them was charged with unspoken feelings. Liam and Zayn's eyes locked, the world around them fading into the background. The complexities of their hidden relationships seemed to dissolve as they faced each other.

Liam took a step closer, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm glad we're on the same page," he said softly.

Zayn's gaze was intense, his voice equally soft. "Me too."

Without another word, Liam cupped Zayn's face gently, their lips meeting in a kiss that was filled with all the longing and passion they had kept hidden. It was a kiss that spoke of their shared secret, their feelings for each other, and the intense connection they felt.

Zayn's hands slid around Liam's waist, pulling him closer as their kiss deepened. The world seemed to disappear around them, leaving just the two of them lost in the moment. The kiss was both tender and fervent, a promise of something real and intimate amidst the chaos of their lives.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

"We should head out," Zayn said softly, his voice filled with emotion.

Liam nodded, his heart still racing. "Yeah. Let's go."

They walked away from the bench, their hands entwined and their hearts lighter. The secret they shared was safe for now, but the kiss had solidified their bond, making their feelings undeniable. As they parted ways, the memory of their passionate kiss lingered, a reminder of the genuine connection they had amidst the tangled web of their lives.