You're The Shining Distraction That Makes Me Fly

Chapter 7

By the time December rolled around, they had all fallen into a simple routine. Every other night, Liam would sleep over at Zayn's flat, bringing Mezi to school in the morning so Zayn could have more time to study. Liam would also drive Mezi to the comic book store after school, bringing Zayn supper during his break so he and his son could have some time together.

After that Liam would drive Mezi home, make sure his bath was taken by the time Zayn came home so they could then spend some time all together. And Zayn never really questioned how natural it felt to come home to Liam in his flat, the smell of Bolognese cooking and Mezi squealing in the bathtub.

By the time Mezi was sleeping, all three of them cuddled in the single bed reading a story, the night had fallen, covering the snowy streets in darkness.

On the days there as too much snow, or it was too cold to go out, Zayn would prevent Liam from leaving, claiming he needed his boyfriend's strong arms to lull him to sleep. Liam usually accepted without a fight, as they both knew he had no desire to go home. In fact, Liam's apartment had become all but barren, the man only returning there to sleep once in a while, or receiving his sister on quick visits as she brought her daughter for Liam to babysit.

Zayn hadn't met Nicola yet, or Ruth but it was mainly his own fault. Every time the opportunity presented itself, Zayn argued that it was too soon, that Liam should enjoy the time with his family. Yet the minute Liam left, Zayn found himself clutching Mezi in his arms, wishing Liam was still there with them.

Some nights however, Liam would wait for Zayn's shift to be over, bringing him and Mezi home at the same time.  On those nights, they all went about their lives as an ensemble, moving around one another as if they had done so for years, brushing their teeth as Liam tapped Mezi's nose because the little boy sent peppermint splatters all over the place.

Tonight was no different than any other night. Zayn walked into the warm flat, a fire crackling in the living room as he made his way to the kitchen where soft music played. Liam was behind the stove, stirring something that smelled delicious as Mezi sat quietly at the counter, homework spread out over the marble surface.

"Hey Beta," smiled Zayn as he leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of Mezi's head. "How was school today?"

Raising both his arms in front of him, Mezi signed the single word great, head falling against Zayn's stomach as the boy's hand tightened in Zayn's shirt.

"You tired babe?" Zayn asked, working his fingers gently through Mezi's soft hair, looking up to see Liam smiling at him.

Wording a silent hello to Liam, Zayn glanced back down at Mezi, seeing the boy nod slightly.

"How about we brush our teeth and head to bed then?" Zayn questioned, picking the boy up who nodded again, hiding his face in the crook of Zayn's neck.

Zayn settled with the boy's weight on his hip, swaying from side to side as he kissed Liam's lips quickly. "Did you have a nice day?"

Liam hummed out a happy yes, pressing his mouth to the side of Zayn's neck that was free. "Wanted to ask you something over dinner, got us some wine for when the little solider is asleep."

"Should I be worried?" Zayn wondered, stepping even closer until Liam's hand slid down his back, comforting and anchoring.

"Never," breathed Liam, kissing him again. "How about you put Mezi to bed and I'll just finish up here."

Nodding, Zayn let go of Mezi who reached out for Liam, demanding goodnight kisses before the little boy was back on his feet, hurrying towards the bathroom. Zayn watched the boy go as his own lips still tingled from the touch of Liam's mouth against his.