Always Come First

Chapter Three - Part One

Liam and Niall had a great time at the mall. Liam found the new Jordan Airs that he wanted, in just his right size. And Niall had found a set of beautiful colouring crayons. They spent the whole afternoon out, and then went to Nandos for dinner. Niall could spend forever at Nandos, but Liam managed to get the small Irish lad back home before dark.  They trekked up their apartment building stairs, lugging their load of merchandise along with them. Liam opened the door, and drags a sleepy Niall behind him. He leads Niall upstairs, helping him untie his sneakers and slip off his coat.

Niall stumbles to his bed, and pulls Liam down beside him.

"Ahha, Nialler dude, you are exhausted."

"Doesn't mean I don't want you to lie here with me."  Niall mumbles softly.

Liam gives up, and lies beside Niall, figuring that he would fall asleep shortly, then Liam can crawl out and over to his bed. But Niall swings his arm across Liam's larger body, and pulls him close.

"Niall, dude, I need to get to my room, mate. I would love to spoon with you, but you've got class in the morning, and I've got to go to work."

"Kay Leeeeeyum. See ya tomorrow then."

But Liam had already slipped out. He went down the hall, to the living room, and pulled out his mobile. He hesitated, and dialed Danielle.

"Can I help you Mr. Payne?"  her harsh tone burning a hole in Liam's ear.

"Danielle, please don't be so angry with me"

"Oh, why shouldn't I be? You keep ditching me for him! Is he more important to you? Do you love him more?"

"Uhm, excuse me? I am all he has. After his entire family died, he closed himself off. And I'm not about to leave him here all alone. I don't love either of you more than the other."

"You are basically taking care of him."

"He needs someone to take care of him."

Liam momentarily thinks of what happened a couple minutes ago.

"He needs someone to love him."

"Fine, go love him then. Because I'm through with loving you."

Liam places the phone down carefully, and lets the cold truth sink in deep. Danielle hates him because he loves Niall. How is that fair? Niall needs him. Lately though, Niall has been acting strange. Did Danielle imply that Niall and Liam were  ... together? Like... a thing? No, Niall is straight. He broke up with Abbie because it wasn't working out. That's all. And no one knew that Liam was a little bi curious. He hadn't told anyone, and he wasn't about to.

Liam rolls onto his back on the couch, too exhausted to go up to his proper bed. He grabs the nearest pillow, and presses it to his face. He screams and screams. He cries, and he sobs. He cries for the breakup. He cries for Niall. He cries for himself. He cries because he doesn't know what the hell he wants in life. He cries until he falls asleep. And in his less peaceful slumber, he cries.

~~~

"Let's see the fashion diva!" yells Harry to his lovely boyfriend.

"One sec babe, getting 'em on." yells back Louis.

Louis whips back the curtain, and walks out in a pair of bright orange underpants.

"Ouuuh la la mon chérie. You look darling!" squeals Harry.

"I think I would look a lot better with you next to me..."

Harry basically throws himself off his chair, and wraps Louis up in a tight hug.

"You are so sexy."

"Not as sexy as you."

Louis presses his face close to Harry, teasing him. He leans in close, then pulls away, leaving Harry wanting more and more.

"Just kiss me already!"

In response, Louis leans in for the last time, and locks lips with Harry. Each kiss they share is magical, and this one lives up to expectation. Harry runs his hands up and down Louis soft, muscular back, grazing his nails across his shoulder blades. Louis' hands rest on Harry's hips, holding him close. He grabs Harry, swings around, and pins him to the wall. He presses himself close, still in an embrace. Harry snaps the waist band on Louis' underpants, making him groan quietly. Louis grabs the front of Harry's shirt, and tears it off his body separating their lips for only a second.

"Your trousers are in the way Hazza." Louis mumbles under Harry's soft lips.

Harry quickly solves that problem, unbuttoning them and throwing them off to the side.

Louis grabs Harry's hand, and lays him down on their bed. He hops on top of Harry, straddling him. He leans down to Harry's lips, and pulls away just like he did before.

"You really are an ass."

"I'm aware." Louis chuckles to himself, as he lowers himself to Harry's lips at last.