Nothing is For Sure

Chapter 14- Feelings

Monday night comes and Liam is waiting for Zayn to get to their house. When someone knocks on the door, Liam jumps up. It's Zayn. He hugs him.

"Hey babe," Zayn says into Liam's hair. Liam takes his hand and goes into the house. Harry runs up and latches onto Zayn's legs. "Haz!" He leans down and tickles him. Liam goes to get his keys while Harry is distracted. He learned the hard way that it's difficult to leave unless Harry doesn't see him go out.

"I'm leaving. Call me if you need anything." Liam walks out and Zayn looks around.

"Harry, where's Niall?"

"In room. Tired fwom school." Zayn decides to put in a film for Harry before going up to check on Niall. He goes into Niall's room, where the boy is lying on his back staring at the ceiling with his shirt off. The bruises have gotten better since Saturday, but they are still there. Zayn figures that he must not wear a beanie at home, as he's not wearing one now.

"Hey Ni," Zayn says, sitting on the edge of the bed. Niall smiles weakly. "Do you feel alright?" He shakes his head sadly. "Chemo?" Niall nods. He's trying not to be sick. "Feel like you're gonna throw up?" Zayn questions. Niall shrugs, getting up. Zayn follows him to the hall bathroom.

Niall squats in front of the toilet and breathes heavily. Zayn gets behind him and rubs his back. Niall gags and heaves, trying to relieve the feeling in his stomach. Zayn lightly thumps him on his back as he read that it can help someone throw up. Finally, after a couple minutes of trying to get sick, his stomach seizes and he throws up. Niall groans in between rounds of being sick.

"Done?" he asks when Niall sits back in his arms. He nods, his cheeks are flushed and his eyes don't look good; they are glassy. Zayn flushes the toilet and stands up. He bends down, picks Niall up, and carries him to his room.

"Thanks Z," Niall says. He doesn't look well at all. Zayn sits next to him and helps him get comfortable.

"Don't worry about it. Need anything?"

"I want Liam," Niall whispers. Zayn frowns and reaches over to pull Niall into his lap.

"We can't get him right now. I'm sorry. What if we go downstairs and watch the film with Harry? Feel up to that? Maybe we can call him after the game." Niall wraps his arms around Zayn's neck and nods. They go downstairs and Harry smiles when he sees them joining him.

Niall stays with Zayn, not really watching the film and just lying in his arms half asleep, while Harry snuggles up to Zayn's other side. Zayn takes a selfie to show to Liam. He loves this family already and he never wants to leave.

"Oh Harry baby, let's not do that," Zayn says as he sees Harry sucking his thumb. He pulls it out and Harry sticks it back in. "Harry," he warns. He pulls it out and Harry stares at him before sticking it back in. "Harry Edward, you are eight years old. Stop acting like you're three. I know Liam and Louis treat you younger, but I will not. Do you follow me?"

"Yes," Harry says. He likes how Zayn says things. Zayn doesn't baby him like Liam.

"Ok so you are going to take your thumb out of your mouth and we are going to stop wearing nappies during the day." Harry grins.

"I want no nappy but Li say no." Zayn thinks.

"Why does he say no baby?"

"He say I not ready."

"Well I will teach you and help you. Ok? Let me know when you have to go potty." Zayn's not about to fix Harry's speech because that's part of his autism. Harry shrugs and goes back to the film. Liam texts Zayn that he's at the match and he wonders how they're doing at home.