Light On {Niam Love Story}

Twenty-Three. [Part Two]

A/N: Sorry for not updating in a bit, but I've been dealing with some shit and it's all been such a blur. I'd like to inform you that me and my best friend, Ridley, are now "aunts". Our friend, Jenn, just had her baby girl - Lucia. I'm feeling more homesick then ever, and I miss those girls like crazy. I'm hoping writing will take that feeling away. This chapter is dedicated to 'blaaajung' because her comment made my day and we're going to have babies okay. The song is New Perspective by Panic! At The Disco. Hope you guys enjoy.c;

"Can we fast-forward 'till you go down on me?"

-Two Months Later, March 2013;;

One Direction took a break.

No, not a permanent one - they hadn't resorted to that yet. At the moment, everything was too heated, too crazy, for them to focus on their music. You had fighting one moment, intercourse the next - rehearsals, signings, and concerts were the least of their worries right now.

Fans asked why, of course they did. The boys weren't allowed to let out too much - nothing about drama, break-ups, love, or whatever. They simply told the public that between the work they had been faced with before and Zayn's injuries, they just didn't have it them at the moment. They promised that when they came back, however, they'd be better than ever.

For the most part, not much had happened in the two months that they had been on hiatus.

Niall was slowly beginning to recover. It would take time, a lot of time, and care - but he couldn't think negatively anymore. All he had to do was believe he could get better, and it was only a matter of time before he'd be healthy once more - not just physically, but mentally.

And, to be fair, Niall did break once in a while. He wouldn't hurt himself, but he'd cry. He'd cry, scream, yell. He'd feel like ripping his hair out and kicking people in the neck sometimes, but you can't expect him to be perfectly fine all the time. He still got nightmares - sometimes mild, sometimes absolutely horrifying. He had had a panic attack once or twice; only when he was out in public, surrounded by crowds and crowds of people. For the most part, though, he was calm and collected.

Liam was the opposite.

He worried, a lot. He was so protective of Niall, it was nearly suffocating. All he ever thought about was Niall, all he ever wanted to do was hold him. He was becoming quite, well, obsessed - and it certainly didn't bother him. He just wanted his boyfriend to be safe, that's all.

Over time, Niall and him hadn't had sex again. There had been times where they'd please each other without intercourse, sure, and Liam really couldn't ask for much more. He had promised Niall that they could go as slow as he needed - after all, how could he heal if he were constantly subjected to the one thing that haunted him day and night?

Free of the hospital yet not of his mind, Zayn was trying to get himself back on track.

He was failing, however. He was crumbling, and he damn well knew it. He needed a cigarette and maybe some narcotics just to get through the day - just to be okay. He didn't go back to his place - because, technically, it was Harry's. He couldn't bear to see that boy - not after all the bullshit he had put them through.

After his injuries had healed and he had left the hospital, he stayed with Josh. Josh was, he felt, the only one he could face right now. After having witnessed the scene between Niall and Liam, and hearing that they were back together, he had been questioning the stability of their relationship. He didn't know if Niall was going to break, and he didn't know if Liam was going to yell at him anymore. Harry and Louis were just plain out of the question - he hadn't spoken to them in god knows how long. He couldn't - he wouldn't.

Harry was neutral.

He thought that Zayn was over him - that's why he wouldn't show his face. He knew that Zayn was pissed at him, and he had a right to be. So, he let it be, and continued on with his relationship with Louis - basically, just sex.

Louis, well...Louis just returned the favour.

~-~-~

"Thanks for helping me, mate."

Niall shrugged his shoulders as the pair kept walking down the sidewalk. "No problem - I needed a reason to escape Liam's death grip, anyhow. Besides, I wouldn't want to face Harry by myself, either. He's kind of..."

"...A dick?" Zayn finished for him, quirking an eyebrow. Niall giggled.

"Yes," Niall snickered, but his smile faded when he saw they were getting closer. He turned to Zayn, a look of concern painted on his face. "Um, I think that Louis is here..."

Zayn twitched a little, but he put on a fake smile. "Doesn't matter. I came here to get my shit - not take shit from the two of them."

"Alright mate...You got your key?"

They made their way to the front door, and Niall noted how Zayn had to stop for a few seconds walking up the porch steps. The taller lad took in a few deep breaths, almost like he was recollecting himself, and Niall bit his tongue.

"Zayn..." he started gently, trying not to alarm him. "I can just go in and get it, if you don't want to see them. I don't mind."

Zayn just grabbed Niall's hand, intertwining their fingers, and pushed the door open.

Sure enough, Harry and Louis were on the couch, wearing only their boxers, practically eating each other's faces. Niall could feel Zayn shiver, and he wondered briefly if they should just leave - they could come back another time, when Louis wasn't here. But it was too late - the second they were inside, Harry turned and look at them.

"Oh..." he muttered, a scarlet blush shading his neck. "I didn't..."

Zayn wouldn't look him in the eye. Niall coughed, "Um, we're just here to pick some stuff up...if that's, uh, okay?"

Harry looked at their hands, still combined together. He swallowed audibly, "Yeah...yeah, uh, that's fine...take all the time you need."

Zayn pulled Niall up the steps, but paused a moment before opening the door at the end of the hallway. Niall knew that was his and Harry's room.

Zayn mumbled a couple profanities under his breath, and cracked the door open - stopping for a moment to take in what he saw. Harry had completely changed it. It wasn't their room anymore - not with the blue and whites, not with the beachy paintings on the walls. They didn't even have the same furniture anymore. Everything was now red and black. The blankets and curtains were laced with gold thread - the bed wasn't a four poster anymore.

The older boy let go of Niall's hand, and walked over to the dresser - about the only thing that was still the same. With shaky hands, he opened up the top two drawers, where his clothes were supposed to be.

All he saw now was stripes, tight jeans, and button-ups.

These were Lou's clothes.

It took Zayn about two seconds to piece it together. It would take him forever to accept it. Louis had taken his place.

Knees about to buckle, Zayn made his way over to the bed. He pressed his hands into the covers, and closes his eyes. They snap back open in half a second, and he stumbles back. This was their mattress.

Louis was sleeping in their bed.

Tears formed in Zayn's eyes. His heart seemed to drop to his stomach. He turned to face Niall, who was standing silently - watching Zayn's every move.

Anger overtook his body. Zayn grabbed Niall's hand, and practically yanked him out of the room. He dragged him down the stairs, despite all of the blonde's questions and protests - Zayn was gripping tightly, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a bit uncomfortable.

Once they were in the living room, Zayn stopped. He waited until Harry and Louis were both staring at them, with wide eyes, before grabbing Niall's face in betweeen his hands.

"I fucking love you."

He crushed his lips upon Niall's.

[what this is really short my bad next chapter soon though!]