"-really think Matt has a crush on Noelle so I'm planning on maybe teaming them up for my next assignment. Plus Matt is really good at history and Noelle might fail if she doesn't pick up her grades soon so it'll be like killing two birds with a single stone."
Harry was ranting about his students as the four men ate dessert. Louis was resting his cheek on his palm as he watched his husband attentively. Harry kept forgetting to eat from time to time as he spoke, and Louis either kept reminding him or fed him a few bites.
Zayn and Liam were more amused as they, too, listened to the excited new teacher. Liam couldn't help but focus on how Louis was giving Harry his undivided attention, like he always did no matter what the other man was talking about.
It had been a while since Liam saw his friends, so he planned to have dinner with them over at his penthouse. He figured it would also be a good time to officially introduce Zayn to them as his boyfriend. The man tried to cook on his own first,
feeling weirdly motivated to have a homemade meal. But well... that was a disaster that thankfully did not result in him burning down his building.
He gave up and was going to order in, but
Louis offered to come early and help with food.
Obviously, Liam wasn't going to say no to that.
Dinner went well, and now they were all eating the apple pie that Harry had made.
Once they were done, Louis and Harry stayed for some more time as all four of them sat in the living room and drank while talking. It was a nice, relaxed night, and Liam was glad to have the three people that meant the most to him under the same roof. He was also happy that they all got along well together.
Louis and Harry left around midnight, and Zayn stayed behind. Both of them were cleaning up in silence, and Liam licked his lower lip nervously as he realized how domestic their actions were.
"I really like your friends," Zayn said as Liam packed all the leftovers in Tupperware.
"Good. They like you too," Liam replied. He paused, before continuing, his voice hesitant.
"What do you think of Louis and Harry?"
"l just said-"
"No, like, them together. What do you think of them as a couple?" Liam asked.
"They look great together," Zayn answered. "Really in love. Why do you ask?"
"I... I never admitted it but what they have is something I've always wanted too," Liam said softly. "I've seen them together for years and I… I always craved wanting someone to call my own even if I never said it out loud or pretended that I'm better off alone.!"
"You were just protecting yourself" Zayn said as he walked towards Liam, keeping a hand on his lower back. "And now you've finally let your guard down. You have no idea how proud I am of you for that."
"I'm really sorry, Zee. I never apologized properly for lying to you and for potentially risking everything you've spent your life building. I could've ruined your life and I... I never would've forgiven myself had that happened."
Liam sat down on one of the dining table chairs. Zayn sighed, getting on his knees in front of Liam, holding his hand and keeping the other one on Liam's cheek, lightly grazing his skin as he looked at him with soft eyes.
"It wasn't your fault at all, Liam. I know I blamed you when I was angry, but I was wrong. I got involved with you fully knowing it could harm my career. It was on me, not you," Zayn paused.
"As for the lying part.. I get why you did it. The first thing I said after you told me was judge you and your abilities. So, I understand why you wanted to keep it quiet. I'm really sorry for the way I acted. I
I could take it all back, I would in an instant. And I swear to never do it again."
