Until You're Mine | Zaniam Halloween AU [COMPLETE]

TEN

It happens gradually.

Zayn fights it as long as he can. Niall gives in faster than he'd expected to -- he's so grateful to Liam for letting him see Zayn again that he somehow is willing to let go of the fact that they can't leave him. Actually, it doesn't even seem like Niall wants to.

He and Zayn are cuddling on the couch, the TV on, but neither of them watch it. Zayn is softly rubbing Niall's back under his shirt, his skin soft as satin. Niall's eyes are closed, inches from sleep on Zayn's chest.

"He isn't so bad," he says sleepily.

Zayn shifts a little so he can better see Niall's face. "Liam?"

"Mmhm."

Zayn doesn't want to agree, but he can't help but nod. "No, he isn't so bad."

"I kind of..." Niall cuts himself off and shrugs. "Like him."

Zayn's eyes widen. He's known it to be true, of course. It's impossible not to -- Niall is almost as cuddly with Liam as he is with Zayn, and he even kissed Liam goodnight once. It wasn't even awkward like he thought it was going to be -- Liam just gave him the widest smile Niall has ever seen on his face, and said goodnight.

"I know," Zayn says. It's odd that it doesn't bother him. He gently ruffles his fingers through Niall's hair. "It's okay."

Niall nuzzles closer to Zayn. "You aren't mad?"

"No, sweetheart."

Niall studies Zayn's face. He's shut his eyes, his long lashes brushing his cheeks. He looks soft and warm. Safe. Maybe even the happiest Niall has ever seen him.

"Oh," Niall says suddenly.

Zayn opens his eyes. "Huh?"

"You like him, too," Niall whispers, a tiny smile on his face. "Don't deny it, Zee. You do. I know you." He pokes his boyfriend's cheek, and Zayn catches his finger between his teeth, making Niall giggle. "Don't!"

"Is someone getting harassed in here?" Liam asks, poking his head in the room with an amused grin on his face.

"Yes!" Niall yelps

Zayn lets go of his finger, and Liam sits on the couch beside them. Niall shifts so that his legs are stretched across Liam's lap. "You okay?" Liam asks him.

Niall nods, yawning. "Just sleepy." He closes his eyes, still laying on Zayn's chest.

"You okay, Zayn?" Liam questions.

"Huh? Yeah, of course," Zayn answers. "Why?"

"You're been really quiet lately." Liam puts an arm around Zayn, his hand playing with his hair a little. Subconsciously, Zayn nestles a little closer, being the kind of person who actually quite likes having his hair played with.  "Why are you fighting it so hard?"

"Fighting what?" Zayn asks, feeling somewhat sleepy himself.

"How you feel." Liam's hand gently turns Zayn's face so he'll look at him. "I know you feel it, too."

Zayn swallows. He's still trying to fight it -- he doesn't want to feel this way about his kidnapper. This person that snatched him away from everything he knows. But at the same time -- he took him away from everything that hurt him. He's safe, and so is Niall. He doesn't have to worry about if his boyfriend is staying at Harry's or his own house, while simultaneously trying to avoid ending up in the hospital himself. The relief is so great -- he's safe, and so is the person he loves most in the world. 

"It's scary," Zayn finally whispers.

"I know," Liam nods. 

"It was scary for me, too," Niall murmurs, startling Zayn. "It felt...bad. Wrong...but you didn't stop loving me just because I like him, too."