Zayn and Liam have never seen eye-to-eye. Constantly butting heads, their rivalry is legendary among the band. But when a wild dare forces them to pretend they're in a relationship for one week-complete with nicknames, hand-holding, kisses, and slee...
The morning was already off to a chaotic start. Zayn emerged from the bathroom looking like he'd been through hell and back, his hair sticking out in every direction. Liam sat at the small hotel table with a steaming cup of coffee, scrolling through his phone like nothing had happened.
On the couch, Niall yawned loudly, stretching as if he hadn't spent the past half hour gleefully documenting every awkward interaction between the two for his private chat with Louis and Harry.
"Morning, lovebirds," Niall said, his voice dripping with fake innocence as he reached for his own cup of coffee.
Zayn shot him a glare. "Lovebirds? Piss off, Horan."
"What? Just calling it like I see it," Niall replied with a smirk, already typing furiously on his phone.
The Group Chat Chronicles
Niall: Morning update: Zayn looks like a pissed-off cat, and Liam's pretending he's fine. Come up to the room. Louis: Are they holding hands yet? Niall: Not yet. But they are sharing the same awkward silence as a couple after their first fight. Harry: On our way. Don't let them kill each other before we get there.
Operation: Public Torture
Louis and Harry arrived ten minutes later, looking way too smug for so early in the morning.
"Ah, the happy couple!" Louis announced, throwing his arms wide as he walked in. "How's wedded bliss?"
"Fuck off, Lou," Zayn muttered, pouring himself another cup of coffee.
Liam just rolled his eyes. "Can we not start this shit first thing in the morning?"
"Start it?" Harry asked, feigning confusion. "You mean... continue it? Because today's plan is already in motion."
Liam frowned. "What plan?"
Louis grinned wickedly. "The Twitter photo, of course. Time to tell the world you two are madly in love."
The Twitter Debacle
Liam groaned, running a hand over his face. "You're joking."
"Do we look like we're joking?" Louis said, holding up his phone. "Both of you. Together. Now."
Zayn sat down, glaring at Louis. "What exactly are we supposed to post?"
"Something cute," Harry said, as if it were obvious. "Maybe you two sharing a cup of coffee or something. You know, make the fans lose their shit."
"Absolutely fucking not," Zayn snapped.
"Fine," Niall said with a shrug, already pulling out his phone. "I'll just tell the fans you two are being difficult. See how they react to that."
Liam sighed heavily. "All right, fine. But it's one photo, and it's quick."
Louis and Harry exchanged a victorious high-five as Zayn and Liam awkwardly posed on the couch, Zayn reluctantly leaning into Liam as if the proximity might kill him.
"Smile like you mean it," Louis instructed, snapping several pictures before either could protest.
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Twitter Chaos Ensues
Within minutes, the photo was live, and the comments came flooding in.
@DirectionerForever: OMFG, THEY LOOK SO CUTE TOGETHER!! @ZaynGirl123: Wait, are Zayn and Liam a thing now?! WTF?! @Larry4Life: Okay, but they're just friends, right? RIGHT?! @ZiamStan: I KNEW IT. I FUCKING KNEW IT. #ZiamForever
Liam groaned as he read the comments. "This is a nightmare."
"Oh, come on, babe," Zayn teased, the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "The fans love us."
"Call me 'babe' again, and I'll strangle you," Liam shot back, shoving his phone into his pocket.
"Play nice, you two," Harry said cheerfully. "We're not done yet."
The Studio Stunt
Later that day, the lads headed to the studio. This, of course, was all part of Louis and Harry's master plan.
"Remember," Louis whispered to Zayn and Liam as they walked in. "Hold hands. Look cozy. Act like you don't want to murder each other for five fucking minutes."
Zayn shot him a death glare. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Damn right I am," Louis replied with a grin.
Reluctantly, Zayn grabbed Liam's hand as they entered the studio.
"Stop squeezing so hard," Liam muttered.
"Stop having clammy hands," Zayn shot back.
"Babe," Liam added with a smirk, earning an eye-roll from Zayn.
The studio staff exchanged curious looks but said nothing, though Niall couldn't resist snapping a picture of the pair holding hands and sending it straight to the group chat.
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The Plan in Motion
As the lads worked through their songs, Zayn and Liam sat on the couch, bickering quietly while pretending to look like the happiest fake couple alive.
"Your breath smells like shit," Zayn whispered.
"Thanks, babe," Liam replied, not missing a beat.
Niall, sitting across from them, nearly choked on his water trying not to laugh. "Lads, this is better than telly."
"Shut up, Niall," Zayn snapped.
Louis walked by, giving them a thumbs-up. "Great job, lovebirds. Keep it up."
Zayn muttered something under his breath that Liam was sure wasn't printable. But despite their protests, the lads knew one thing for certain: this dare was just getting started, and it was going to be glorious.
