Chained for Christmas

Chapter 11: A Rude Awakening

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Liam groaned as his eyes fluttered open, taking a moment to register the situation. His wrist was still firmly attached to Niall's, who was snoring loudly, sprawled across the bed like he owned it.

Liam sighed, giving the cuffs a slight tug. "Oi, Niall," he muttered groggily.

No response.

He tugged harder. "Niall, wake the fuck up."

Still nothing.

Rolling his eyes, Liam resorted to the last trick in his playbook. With his free hand, he grabbed the edge of the blanket and yanked it off Niall.

"Bloody hell!" Niall grumbled, curling up like a prawn. "What the fuck is your problem, Payne?"

"You, obviously," Liam snapped. "It's morning. I need to pee. Let's go."

"You're a grown man. Hold it," Niall muttered, pulling the pillow over his head.

Liam smirked and tugged the cuffs again, nearly yanking Niall off the bed. "Unless you want me pissing right here, I suggest you get your arse up."

Niall groaned loudly, dragging himself upright. His hair was sticking out in every direction, and his eyes were still half-closed. "You're a menace."

"And you're an anchor," Liam shot back, dragging him toward the bathroom.

The bathroom ordeal was nothing short of chaos. Liam, trying to handle his business while dragging Niall behind him, was grumbling the whole time.

"Could you not watch?" Liam barked.

"I'm literally staring at the wall!" Niall snapped. "Hurry the fuck up, will you?"

"Touchy this morning, are we?" Liam teased as he zipped up. "Wonder why that could be. Didn't sleep well, did you?" His grin was sly.

"Shut it, Payne," Niall said through gritted teeth.

Liam leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Next time, maybe try being quieter. You're not exactly subtle, mate."

Niall's face turned crimson. "I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"Sure you don't," Liam replied with a wink.

Niall shoved past him, muttering curses under his breath. "You're such a prick."

"And yet you're stuck with me," Liam quipped as they shuffled back to the bedroom.

Back in the room, the boys struggled into the ridiculous conjoined shirts Louis had given them.

"Why the fuck did he even buy these?" Niall muttered, fumbling with the buttons on his side.

"Because Louis is an agent of chaos," Liam replied. "And apparently, so are we."

"Speak for yourself," Niall snapped.

As they pulled on sweatpants, Liam caught Niall glancing at him. "Like what you see?" he asked smugly.

Niall immediately turned away, his face burning. "Don't flatter yourself, Payne."

"You're right," Liam said, smirking. "Flattery's your job."

Before Niall could respond, the sound of their mums calling from downstairs interrupted them.

"Breakfast is ready!"

Downstairs, the smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee filled the air. The boys stumbled into the kitchen, still bickering under their breath.

"Morning, lads," Liam's mum greeted with a smile. "How are we holding up?"

"Barely," Niall replied, grabbing a cup of coffee. "Your son's insufferable."

"And your son's a saint?" Liam shot back, reaching for the bacon.

Their mums exchanged knowing looks, clearly amused by the boys' antics.

As they ate breakfast, the snow outside started falling steadily. Niall, ever the excitable one, jumped up from his seat  and looked out the window.

"It's snowing Still! he exclaimed.

"We can see that," Liam said, rolling his eyes.

But Niall wasn't having it. He grabbed Liam's wrist and yanked him toward the door. "Come on!"

"Mate, we're not even dressed!" Liam protested as Niall dragged him outside in just their socks and sweatpants.

The cold hit them immediately, but Niall didn't care. He ran out into the snow, dragging Liam along with him.

"You're an idiot," Liam grumbled, shivering.

"You're no fun," Niall shot back, laughing as he threw a handful of snow at Liam.

After a few minutes, the cold finally got to them, and they stumbled back inside, their feet soaked and their noses red.

"You two are like children," Niall's mum said, handing them towels.

"More like idiots," Liam's mum added with a laugh.

"Thanks, Mum," Liam said sarcastically, rubbing his feet.

"Anytime, love," she replied with a grin.

The rest of the day was spent with family, decorating the tree and wrapping gifts. Niall's siblings poked fun at him for being handcuffed to Liam, while Liam's sisters took every opportunity to tease him.

"Maybe this is fate," one of Liam's sisters said with a smirk.

"Piss off," Liam replied, chucking a pillow at her.

As night fell, the boys found themselves back in Liam's room, trying to get comfortable for another night of forced proximity.

"You're lucky I don't strangle you in your sleep," Niall muttered as he climbed into bed.

"And you're lucky I haven't filed for a restraining order," Liam shot back.

Despite their bickering, there was an odd sense of ease between them as they settled in for the night.

"Goodnight, Niall," Liam said quietly.

"Goodnight, Liam," Niall replied.

And for the first time, the silence that followed wasn't so bad.