His Protectors[Ziam Oneshot]

V.

The pizza had come right on time before Liam could tell Zayn to get the hell out of his house. Zayn opened the door and before Liam handed him the money, Zayn pulled out his wallet and paid for it. He walked passed Liam, standing in front of the archway to the next room. No matter what, Liam would never say that Zayn fit perfectly into his world. 

“You coming grandpa?” he asked, holding the pizza like a tray in one hand. Liam could hear Haroona squealing with delight. 

Liam rolled his eyes, hiding his minuscule grin. 

When Liam walked into the doorway, Haroona held the teddy bear in her arms like a lifeline, jumping up and down when her dad handed her a slice. Liam walked to the kitchen to grab some napkins and drinks. He pulled out orange juice for Haroona and two cans of soda for him and Zayn. When he turned around, Zayn was right in back of him. 

Too close. Really really close. 

“Ever heard of personal space,” Liam scoffed, walking around him. 

Zayn let him and followed him back into the living room. Haroona thanked Liam for the drink and he handed one to Zayn. As Zayn grabbed the can, he held onto Liam’s hand. Liam shot a death stare at him, but Zayn’s eyes were almost endearing, warm. “Can we talk?” he asked. “In private.”

“Can we talk? We’re talking,” Liam said sarcastically, pulling his hand away from Zayn. “May we talk? N. O. You had your chance to talk a long time ago, and guess what?” Liam scoffed. “You didn’t take it.”

“You were the one who ran away Liam,” Zayn said as softly as he could through gritted teeth. “I called you every day until you changed phone numbers, and no one would give me your new one.” Zayn stared back at Liam with the same intense stare. “I made the effort to hash things out with you but you wouldn’t hear it. I wanted to apologize.”

“And now you have,” Liam rolled his eyes, sitting down next to Haroona who was too wrapped up with the cartoons playing on screen. Zayn rolled a growl through his teeth, grabbed a slice of pizza from the box and fell on the cushion next to Liam. 

Liam immediately tensed. He could hear Zayn’s chuckle and he really wanted to punch him in his too perfect face. They sat like this for hours, watching cartoons, eating pizza, Haroona making herself comfortable on Liam’s side. It reminded Liam of the old days. Well, apart from the new cute addition who was falling asleep with pizza sauce all over her face. Liam ran his hand through her long, black hair. He got lost in the moment and didn’t realize that a few tears were dropping from his eyes. 

“What’s the matter Li?” Zayn asked, sitting up. 

Liam shook his head, standing up and heading back to the kitchen, making sure not to wake precious Haroona from her sleep. In the kitchen, Liam grabbed his all too familiar bourbon from the top cabinet and poured himself a glass. Wiping away the tears, he downed the first shot and poured him another one. 

Zayn’s hand stopped him from raising the second one to his lips. He took the shot glass away from Liam and downed it himself, smacking his lips when the burning liquid seared down his throat. “Haven’t had a drink in ages,” he said, handing Liam back the glass. 

Slowly Liam poured another one, stashing the bottle back in the cabinet. He took a quick sip before speaking again. “Why are you doing this Zayn? What do you want?” Liam hopped onto the counter, his head down, swishing the light brown liquid around in the glass. 

Zayn sighed, scratching his head. “If we’re cutting down to the chase, then, I want you Liam. I want you back.”