A Match Into Water (Neeroy Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

Niall Horan gasped, grabbing his shirt. He would have yanked it on right away, but that was too slow. Instead, he just covered as much of his naked torso as possible while staring at his former best friend with an expression that was blatant he was firstly embarrassed and furious.

Leeroy's expression showed embarrassment, too, but also ashamed. Niall didn't know why he felt shamed, but he was too abashed to put too much thought into it. Leeroy wasn't looking at Liam, though. Instead he glared at the floor with soft chocolate eyes, playing with his long fingers.

Liam Payne was still frozen at the door frame, now and then glancing at either Niall or Leeroy with his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide open. He couldn't believe anything. He knew about this date, but he sort of expected Niall to find Leeroy overwhelming or stupid. That was the worst part about it. He hated seeing this and he hated knowing everything. He would rather them do it behind his back, just so he wouldn't have to sit and watch his beloved friend and his irritating brother fall for each other. It hurt way too much. Liam'd always been strong, but he didn't think he was strong enough to handle this. He knew what he was capable of.

"Say something," Niall pleaded, his angst transforming into guilt. "Please, Liam. I don't see the problem here... what's wrong?"

Liam inhaled a gust of air before exhaling, shaking his dead in disappointment. Niall really didn't understand what was wrong here. Different, sure. Even a little unexpected. But not wrong. Of course this may be a big deal to Liam, to absorb all of this new information. Of course it'd be a shock to him to experience this, since he didn't completely like his brother but saw his best friend and him making out. Maybe he needed time.

"I... How did this happen?" Liam finally mumbled after a few minutes. "Niall, you're my best friend. Leeroy is my brother. Seeing you making out and on the rink of fucking isn't really something I would see everyday. Or ever want to see again."

Leeroy snorted at his brother with wide, threatening eyes. "It isn't up to you, Liam. What did I tell you earlier? You don't own him."

Niall's eyebrows furrowed, puzzled. What was Liam and Leeroy talking about earlier? Was it about him? Whoa, he wasn't that interesting. He didn't think Liam owned him, just looking out for him. Sure, sometimes the overprotectiveness did get annoying sometimes, but Niall understood. He didn't want anything to come between Liam and Niall, but he just wished he knew what had gone off with the brothers. None of it made sense.

"You do realise this is harder for me than if Harry started dating Zayn's sister, Veronica?" Liam scowled at Leeroy, almost ignoring Niall's presence. "Or if Zayn turned gay and started dating Harry's brother, Marcel."

Niall rolled his eyes. "How is this any different?"

"Because I don't like Leeroy," Liam seethed, causing his brother to flinch in hurt and surprise. Leeroy had known Liam wasn't fond of him for some unknown reason, but he hadn't really heard Liam say it before. Leeroy had gone to bed feeling like shit all the time over this, and so many times that he had kind of gotten used to it. But hearing the words made them sound more real, and it pained him as if Liam had thrown him into a vast pool of scolding hot water or cut his heart open himself.

Niall felt heat rush to his face. "And why don't you like him, Liam? He's your fucking brother, mate! You're supposed to love him, and he's supposed to look out for you, being the eldest."

Liam bit his lip and tried to look away. It was almost impossible, as if the sea-blue orbs were melting into his skin, hypnotizing him to look at them. He managed to break the eye contact, but found himself constantly flickering towards his best friend involuntarily.