Sugar ♡ Niam AU [COMPLETE]

NINE

Niall didn't leave his room for five days. 

It was probably stupid how affected by this whole Liam thing, but it was the first time anyone had shown remote interest in him, and it had been incredible. The fact that it had all been a lie totally flattened Niall out.

By the second day of Niall calling Zayn and asking him to take his kids to school for him, Zayn knew something was up, and temporarily moved into Niall's house. He made sure Niall was fed and spent time with his kids, knowing that for them, seeing Niall so lifeless was frightening.

"Niall, babe," Zayn said the morning of the fifth day. He rubbed Niall's back gently. "It's time to get out of bed."

"Can't," Niall whined. His voice was muffled by his pillow. His hair was greasy and he knew he smelled, but he didn't care. He didn't want to move. His bed was safe, and warm, and there were no stupid men who were using him for his business.

"Yes, you can. You reek," Zayn urged. "Come on." Niall didn't move. "Niall, I will undress you and put you in the shower myself."

Niall let out a heavy, soul-wrenching sigh, and pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Do I have to?"

Zayn didn't even respond, just pointed to the bathroom. Niall let out another sigh, but went into the bathroom. Once Zayn heard the shower running, he stripped the sheets off the bed and threw them into the washer.

"Daddy up?" Isaac asked through a mouthful of banana. Sena squealed and kicked her legs when she saw Zayn. He scooped her up and kissed her chubby little cheek.

"Yep! He's taking a shower," Zayn grinned, kissing the top of Isaac's head.

"Yay!" Zoey cheered as she took a seat at the table to eat her cereal. Soon after, Niall walked in, hair damp from the shower.

"DADDY!" Isaac and Zoey shrieked, engulfing him in a huge hug. Even Sena cheered, "Dada!"

Niall actually started to cry when his kids hugged him like that. He realized that one lost person hadn't excused the way he'd neglected his kids, even if he hadn't meant to.

"Thank you," he said to Zayn, starting to cry again at the love his best friend had shown him. "Zayn, I love you. I love you so much."

"Shh, I know," Zayn laughed, pulling Niall into a hug. He leaned his cheek against Niall's wet hair, smiling a little. He'd been really worried about Niall, but he knew he was going to be okay.

~ ~ ~

His kids refused to go to school that day, not wanting to be separated from their dad after not really having spent time with him for so long. Niall okayed it, having missed them, too. He actually found it super cute, how Zoey clung to his side, and Isaac held his thumb, and Sena wouldn't let him put her down. 

When he got to the bakery, though, his heart sunk to his stomach. Liam was standing outside the door, and he looked really concerned. He turned with a sigh, and when he saw Zayn, Niall, and the kids standing there, he actually let out a shaky breath. 

"Niall," he gasped, and Niall flinched back when he reached for him. "Are you okay? The shop's been closed for almost a week."

"Why do you care?" Niall spat, brushing past him to unlock the door. Zoey stuck her tongue out as she walked by, and Isaac actually stomped on his foot. Liam laughed at that.

"Your kids are your bodyguards?"

"At least I know they're not using me."

Liam winced. "Okay, I deserved that."

"Thank God you realize that!"

"I like this sassy side of you," Liam grinned. Niall just rolled his eyes and went back into the kitchen. "Niall," Liam called.

"Look, I'm just getting over this whole thing," Niall said, coming back out front to rearrange the glass cases in the display case. "So if you could stop all the flirting and realize that I'm not giving you my business, wouldn't have if you'd actually liked me, that'd be great." He shut the glass door. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

"No, I actually was looking for some desserts for a party I'm throwing," Liam admitted. "And I, uh...I don't exactly know any other bakeries in the area." He gave Niall an apologetic smile. Niall hated himself for finding it cute. He deserved better.

That surprised Niall. "What kind of desserts?"

"A cake, some donuts, a scone or two." Niall narrowed his eyes. "Look, I'd go somewhere else if I knew their desserts were as good as yours. Please?"

Niall sighed. "Okay, fill this form out." He handed Liam the form and a pen. He filled it out quickly, thanking Niall as he left. Niall reviewed it after he left.

In the special requests section all it said was: Niall Horan has to personally deliver the desserts or I won't pay. :)

Niall hated that that made him blush.