Don't Let It Break Your Heart - A Larry/1D story

Ziam epilogue

Okay wow. This one was painful. I hope you enjoy!

Rip Liam, you will be greatly missed 🕊️❤️🙏

I've also decided to give them titles!

Ziam Epilogue: Love Always

Zayn's POV

I can't take my eyes off Liam, and I don't think I've been able to all night. We're seated across from each other in a cozy, dimly lit restaurant, one we saved for special occasions. Tonight, though, I can barely focus on the food in front of me, despite how incredible it is. It's Liam. Everything about him tonight is magnetic—his easy smile, the warmth in his eyes, the way he looks up at me between bites with this light in his gaze that I swear could hold back the darkest night.

And it's in this moment that I know—really know—that I want this forever. Every smile, every look, every quiet dinner where it feels like the world is just us.

"So," Liam says, grinning over the rim of his wine glass, "what's the special occasion? You've been acting mysterious all day."

I chuckle, playing it cool as best I can, but my heart's pounding hard enough that I'm sure he can hear it from across the table. "Can't a man take his boyfriend out for a fancy dinner?"

"Of course, but this isn't just 'fancy' dinner," he says, leaning in. "It's the dinner. And you've got that look."

I try to laugh it off, but he's right. I've been holding this moment close all day, knowing that tonight's going to change everything for us. And he deserves everything, every piece of the future I can promise.

"Well, you've figured me out," I admit, reaching into my pocket. His brow furrows as I pull out a small, dark box. I take a deep breath, and my hand finds his across the table, steadying me in ways I never thought possible.

"Liam," I begin, watching the surprise unfold across his face, his eyes growing wide as he realizes what's happening. "You're... you're everything I never knew I needed. You've shown me what it is to love and be loved, and every day with you is better than the last. I don't want another day without knowing you'll always be mine. Will you marry me?"

His mouth opens slightly, and then he covers it with his hand, eyes glistening. For a heartbeat, he doesn't say anything, but I can see the answer in his expression, in the way he looks at me like I've just handed him the world. When he finally nods, a smile breaking out on his face, it's everything I ever wanted.

"Yes," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. Then louder, a little shaky, but sure: "Yes, Zayn. I'll marry you."

I barely have time to slip the ring onto his finger before he's out of his seat, pulling me into his arms. I hear the soft clapping of a few nearby tables, but it's distant, like background music, as he leans in and presses his forehead to mine, his hands cupping my face.

"You make me so happy," he murmurs, a laugh breaking through his words. "I didn't think it was possible, but here we are."

I just smile, unable to do anything but look at him, hoping he can see how much he means to me.

We take our time with the rest of dinner, sharing stories and glances that are sweeter than any dessert. Liam's hand finds mine often, his thumb tracing over the ring on his finger as if he's trying to remind himself that this is real. It's perfect. It's everything.

When we finally make it back home, the evening has settled into one of those beautiful, rare nights where the city sounds are muted and the air feels warm and easy. I unlock the door, and we step into the familiar comfort of our apartment, a place that's been filled with our memories, laughter, and everything in between.

"You know," Liam says, toeing off his shoes, "as incredible as tonight was, I kind of love this even more." He looks around at our space, then at me, his eyes bright with affection. "Just you, me, and home."

I nod, feeling the same way. "I couldn't agree more."

He's already in the kitchen, pulling down a couple of mugs and putting on the kettle. Tea has always been our thing, our way of winding down and soaking up the moments that matter. I watch him from the doorway, the way he moves, comfortable and so deeply familiar, and my heart swells at the sight. There's something about seeing him here, at ease and glowing, that makes me fall in love all over again.

When he hands me a mug, his fingers linger on mine. "Can you believe it?" he asks softly. "We're actually going to be married."

"It feels like a dream," I say, "but the kind I get to wake up to every day." I lift my mug in a small toast, and he clinks his against mine, a grin on his face that's so bright it's almost blinding.

We settle onto the couch, and he's curled up beside me, his head on my shoulder, our hands entwined. We don't need to say much. The weight of the night, the excitement of what's to come—it all sits between us like a warm blanket, wrapping us up in each other.

"You know," Liam murmurs, tracing patterns on my hand, "I used to wonder what it would be like to find this. To have someone who just... feels like home." He looks up at me, and his gaze is so tender it steals my breath away. "And here you are."

I lean down and kiss him, slow and sweet, a promise in the quiet. When we pull back, I brush a strand of hair from his forehead, just looking at him, soaking in every detail of this moment. "You're my home too, Liam. You always will be."

We fall into a comfortable silence, sipping our tea and stealing soft glances, both of us savoring the simple pleasure of being here, together, with nothing else in the world to worry about. Eventually, Liam lets out a contented sigh and sets his mug on the table, shifting to snuggle even closer.

"You're not getting tired on me now, are you?" I tease, grinning down at him.

"Hey, I'm allowed to get tired after a night like that," he counters, a playful spark in his eyes. "Besides, it's not my fault someone wore me out with all that excitement."

I laugh, wrapping my arms around him, feeling the warmth of his laughter against my chest. "Guess we'll just have to take it easy, then," I say softly. "Save some of that energy for the rest of our lives."

His hand tightens on mine, and he looks up, his eyes shimmering with emotion. "Sounds like the best plan I've ever heard."

We sit like that for a while, the quiet sounds of the city lulling us into a peaceful contentment. At some point, he reaches for the remote and flips on a movie, something light and silly that we both love. He leans into me, his head on my shoulder, and I pull him close, breathing in the scent of him, the feel of his hand in mine.

It's perfect, this night—our quiet, intimate celebration of everything we've been through and everything that's yet to come. And as we sit there, wrapped up in each other, I know, without a doubt, that this is just the beginning of the life we've always dreamed of.

I glance down at him, my heart swelling with a love so deep, so certain, that it almost feels too big to contain. "Goodnight, my fiancé," I whisper, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Goodnight, Z," he murmurs, his voice soft and warm. He closes his eyes, a peaceful smile on his lips, and as he drifts off to sleep beside me, I know I've found my forever.

All the love Xx - Lex 💋