Book Three - Discovery

Chapter Twenty One

The next day they both planned to sleep in as they had no work related things to do. At some point Loki was attempting to wake up Liam but Niall woke up first. "Hey, Loki." Niall scratched the dog's ears causing a soft bark from Loki. "You gotta go out?" Niall asked the dog who jumped off the bed and raced towards the front door. Niall chuckled softly and carefully got out of bed as to not to wake up Liam. He grabbed a pair of sweats and pulled them on. He walked out to the kitchen, grabbing Loki's leash on the way from a nearby table. He slipped on his shoes and grabbed a plastic bag and his coat.

When they came back inside, Loki went and sat in front of the cupboard that had his food in it causing Niall to laugh softly and shake his head. "You don't give a person anytime, do ya?" He asked the dog who only barked and looked at the cupboard in reply. "I'll take that as no." Niall smiled. He grabbed the food and poured some into the dog's dish. He added water to the dish too since Loki was out of water. "Here you go." Niall said sitting the dish down and rubbing Loki's head quickly before grabbing his laptop and a blanket and headed over to the couch, wanting to let Liam sleep. Liam was closeby and asleep within earshot so Niall felt safe and Loki was around too which helped. Loki might've been small...but he had a big bark.

Niall had started out checking multiple social media sites and catching up on the fans but when a few tweets about different "ships" within the band caught his eye he began to wondered. The more his mind played with thought the more curious he became of things

He pulled up google and began researching gay sex and different elements of it. He was looking up how it worked and different positions. He read about gay foreplay and common hygiene procedures.

Liam woke up not long later and wandered out into the room, scratching his stomach a little and yawning. Closing the laptop never crossed Niall's mind. Liam knew he was confused on the topic and so it made sense to just keep looking and reading.

"Hey, thanks for getting up with Loki." Liam smiled walking over to Niall after grabbing bowl of cereal.

"Nah, it's nothing really. I really like him and you deserved the extra sleep." He smiled but never looked away from the screen. Liam sat next to him and pulled part of the blanket over his lap.

He looked at Niall and had the urge to kiss him but Niall seemed so enthralled with his reading that he didn't want to interrupt him. What even was he reading though? Liam wanted to know but didn't want to seem nosey.

He decided to just glance over the screen and casually asked. "What has you so captivated?" He'd clearly seen the word 'gay' on the screen.

"I'm researching gay sex stuff." He replied as though his actions were normal and it was no big deal. "I just wanted to know more. Wanted to figure it out for myself." Liam caught a half smile.

He was sure Niall couldn't see it but one thing was becoming clear. It really was no longer a question of IF Niall was into men sexually. Niall wasn't at a place where he could see that clearly. Liam knew he'd get there in his own time however so he didn't mention it. "I'm here if you have any questions."

Niall smiled and kissed Liam's cheek. "Thank you Liam, you're too sweet." Niall then turned back to his screen and kept reading, proud of himself for owning the curiosity.

They spent their day being lazy. Liam took a little time to call some family. Niall sent a few texts to friends but spent most of his time reading. When Liam fell asleep for a nap he even began reading some of the fiction fans had written. Some of it scared him, it was really creepy what people came up with. Other fictions he found to be exciting. He even found himself able to visualize what was happening a little.

When bedtime came it just seemed natural to get in bed together. Niall cuddled into Liam. It was his spot, his comfort zone. He needed that deeply still and he knew that now. Liam gave the top of his head a little kiss but Niall looked up to Liam, wanting the real thing. Liam sensing this leaned down and kissed the Irish lads lips softly. After that, they drifted to sleep.