Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

25 - Brotherhood

"How is Zayn doing?" are the first words that leave Liam's mouth once he catches a stone faced Harry on the entrance of the apartment building. He steers the boy towards the couch on the lobby and sits him down.

As they move, Harry looks at Liam and he sees the older lad's expression of great distress. He turns confused for a moment, until he remembers with a start that it's Liam's car which is involved in the accident and he is most probably stressed out about that.

"Oh my god, Liam. Your c-car," Harry gasps, eyes as wide as they can be. He groans out loud and buries his face in his clammy, shaking hands. How is he supposed to pay for the damage to Liam's vehicle? In light of certain events, the spending money that Harry has will be cut in half because of Zayn's absence and, of course, he also needs to save up for the new life that is growing inside of him. Paying for the repair of Liam's CR-V is totally out of the equation.

Fortunately, Liam soothes Harry's worries with a gentle hand on his shoulder and soft, reassuring words. "It's alright, H. My insurance company will take care of that for me. My car is replaceable. Zayn, however, is not. How is he?"

At the mention of Zayn, Harry visibly deflates, his shoulders slouching and his hands balling into fists. "He's alright," he murmurs, voice tight. "A bit banged up but he's fine."

Liam grows concerned for his friend. It is quite obvious that he is hurting, yet he doesn't want to share his pain so as to not burden anyone with it. "Ah, that's good to know," the older of the two responds softly, sadly. But then, at the last minute, to hopefully coax his friend to loosen up and give up a bit of those metaphorical shackles that are holding him down, he adds, "Perhaps I can accompany you to visit him tomorrow?"

Just as Liam has predicted, Harry's whole demeanor changes at his offer, worsens even. He grows taut, almost akin to a rubber band that is stretched thin, far beyond its limit, his knuckles white and jutted. His eyebrows are furrowed in the middle of his forehead and a frown is pulling his lips downwards. However, the most noticeable, and perhaps rather alarming, sign of his inner struggles is his eyes. The normally vibrant emeralds are suddenly dull, holding so much pain that Liam internally winces as if he has been struck himself.

Liam would like to believe that his younger mate is one of the strongest, bravest human beings that he has ever had the pleasure of knowing. During their first meeting, although Harry tries to hide it, Liam has seen through his war, the seemingly unstoppable fight waging inside of this frail-looking young boy with eyes still so alive, so very green. Liam admires Harry for his resilience, his soldier's soul, the one that does not quit despite the crazy things that life throws at him. However, right now, that courage seems to have taken a vacation and Liam does not understand the defeat mixed in the green of Harry's eyes. He fears that whatever is happening is wearing Harry's strength thin.

The musings that Liam is having is cut short when Harry finally responds, "I'm not visiting Z-Zayn tomorrow."

Noticing Harry's difficulty in uttering Zayn's name raises flags in Liam's head, his need to protect the boy arising, especially since he considers him as the younger brother that he has always wished for. "What?" he asks in disbelief. "Why?"

"He, uh, needs some time alone to recuperate," Harry stammers, face red. It is all very suspicious and Liam is itching to know what ails Harry. But, he is fully aware that he wouldn't be able to do so much as a peek, if Harry decides to keep the information to himself, like he always does.

"Are you sure?" Liam repeats. "If you're worried about the business, I have managers that take care of them for me and you still have unused leaves that you should take advantage of. We can try to sneak Eclair in, too."

Harry shakes his head vehemently. "No. It...it's alright, Liam. We can, erm, visit him some other time, yeah? Just...for now, it is best that we leave him alone."

Hesitantly, Liam nods. Although defeated, he is aware that if he persists some more, Harry might only get upset and totally close off from him instead of open up. "Okay, if that's what you both want."

Harry looks away, blinking rapidly and biting his trembling lower lip. "Yeah, it is." Then, he stands up and excuses himself hurriedly, scurrying to ascend the stairs up to his flat.

Bewildered, Liam merely watches his mate go. When Harry disappears from his view, he sighs and plops down tiredly on the couch, rubbing a hand across his face. "Why won't you let me help you, Haz?" he murmurs to himself.

Fifteen minutes later, Liam is conversing with the security guard on duty in his apartment building when a rather handsome young lad approaches him with a polite smile. He is quite familiar, is the thing, and Liam wonders where he has seen those bright eyes. They're a brilliant shade of blue.

"Good evening, gentlemen," the stranger greets. He does this exaggerated bow and straightens up with a cordial grin. "Are you the esteemed Liam Payne of Payne Enterprises?"

Liam nods slowly, suspicious of the man and his intentions. "I am Liam Payne. How do you know me or my business? More importantly, who are you?"

Blue eyes' grin widens, almost predatory. "You'll know me soon enough," he tells Liam with twinkling eyes, looking like an excited kid, who is sharing a great big secret. Afterwards, he looks around the building lobby, appraising it. "I have a proposition for you."

Liam grows almost defensive, his hackles rising. "What do you want?"

"I want to buy this apartment building and your beer garden."

A/N: Alright, please don't hurt me for updating so late! I've been so uninspired :c It frustrated me that I couldn't produce any chapter for all of you. Dark times, I tell you. I had like visions of the scenes but I couldn't seem to write them down.

Sigh.

Well, anyway. On a brighter note, you are all looking (reading, technically) at a newly employed Starbucks barista! Hooray! I start on Monday, so I expect my boring life to suddenly get busier. But, I swear, I shall update as often as I can. So yeah.

Anyway, I apologize for a terribly short chapter, but I wanted to give you the continuation of that fateful day in Harry's life (the prologue). Tell me what you think? xx