His Protectors[Ziam Oneshot]

II.

Liam doesn’t turn around. He doesn’t want to see him. He vowed to dislodge himself from all the boys after he left the group four years ago, after he found out that his boyfriend had had a one night stand with a fan and got the girl pregnant. Liam took a step away, the hand on his shoulder never leaving. 

“Li,” he said again, this time traces of sorrow etched his voice. 

“Dady, meet my new fwen!” And then Haroona grabbed Liam’s hand and turned him around, facing her father dressed in black jeans, a white undershirt and his signature leather jacket. They look completely identical and Liam wondered why he didn’t make the distinction earlier. Haroona looked like the girl version of Zayn and even matched his choice of style. Liam doesn’t look up. 

On the other hand, his eyes never leave Haroona as she smiled that warm smile and nudged her head towards her father. This was the girl who he loathed. The girl who he never wanted to see or have anything to do with. But as Liam looked at her, he can’t help but give her a similar smile. Liam can’t be mad at her. It wasn’t her fault. It was the stupid excuse of a father that had made the mistake four years ago. But Haroona, even for a short while since he’d known her, Liam thought wasn’t a mistake. She was precious and very friendly. 

Liam hadn’t realized that Haroona was also holding Zayn’s hand and she brought them together, for them to shake. At the touch of Zayn’s hand, Liam felt a sudden energy rise through his body that had been dormant for quite some time. 

“Sake hans sake hans!” she giggled, jumping up and down. Zayn held his hand open, but Liam hesitates. He’s built up so much anger for him that a simple handshake would mean forgiving him. In no way was Liam ready to forgive Zayn for what he did. 

Zayn eventually takes hold of Liam’s fist and holds it longer than a normal handshake. No matter what, Liam doesn’t look up. He doesn’t want to see Zayn’s hazel eyes or see how much he had grown and if fatherhood suited him well. 

“I better go,” Liam said softly, pulling his hand from Zayn’s grasp. With his head still lowered, Liam turned around and walked away. As soon as he got a good yard away, he sobbed into his hand, fighting back the tears that unwillingly fell off his cheeks. 

“LIAM, WAIT!” But he doesn’t turn around. He walked out of the landing, back into the wooded area and onto the stretch of walkway leading back to the main street. “LIAM!” 

And Liam’s heart dropped. As it did four years ago when Zayn screamed his name the exact same way, the day he left the band behind. 

The hand is back on his shoulder but Liam shoves it away, quickly turning his walk into a full blown sprint. But before he’s off, Zayn has him in his arms, holding him in a tight embrace. Liam felt the tears soaking in the back of his shirt and Zayn’s hands moving---sinking downwards until they’ve fallen off his side. Until Zayn is kneeling at Liam’s feet. 

Liam takes it as his only chance to make a run for it. 

And he does, leaving both Haroona and Zayn behind him.