To Love A Fighter |||| l.p.

Morning

Stella's POV

I squint as I feel the sun shine in my bedroom and frown as a headache pierces through my temple. I groan a little and jump when I feel someone else's arms wrapped around me. Who is this....wait. Foggy memories from the night before start to trickle in. I lift my covers to check myself, fully clothed, good. I look over and see Liam, sleeping soundly, his bare upper body blanketed by the white sheets. The memories of how he got there seep in and my face suddenly gets extremely hot. Oh my GOD! What did I do?? I can't believe I behaved like that!

Looking at him sleeping soundly,  there's a part of me that's really happy he stayed. As embarrassed as I am at how the events from last night transpired, waking up next to him is one of the best feelings I've had in a long time.

I lie back down and face him and trace my hand along the features of his face. They're so strong, and his lips, they're so soft, and plump, I lean in and kiss him gently. To which he smiles still keeping his eyes closed. "Well that's a great way to say good morning" he says in his low, hoarse morning voice. I giggle, pleased that he's awake and kiss him again. He puts his arms around me and hugs me tightly.

"Good morning love, how are you feeling?" Liam whispers. I scrunch my eyes again when my headache throbs in response. "Hungover," I answer, "I'm so sorry for you having to meet drunk Stella last night." He laughs, "I actually liked drunk Stella, she has a lot more to say than sober Stella!" I groan in embarrassment and hide myself under the covers. This only makes him laugh more as he tries to dig me out, "Stella! Come out here, I'll make you the best hangover breakfast in the world." I sigh, "fine, I guess I can come out for breakfast." "No breakfast without a kiss first!" He playfully demands. I smile and give him a quick peck and we go into the kitchen together.

I sit on the counter as he cooks as we recount last night's events and how much fun we had. He looks like he has something on his mind. Concerned I ask him,  "what's wrong Liam?" He looks a little lost in thought and asks me, "How much do you remember from last night?" I frown and think, my headed pounds as I try to recollect my thoughts. "I remember some things, but not everything. My headache is pretty rough."

He nods and smiles, not his usual warm smile. More like a smile thats hiding something, similar to when we first met. I grow concerned, I would think we were past this, but I might have been wrong. I stay quiet, "Hey, don't worry yourself love," he tells me warmly, "I have nothing but good thoughts about you." He steps in between my legs and kisses my lips and goes back to cooking.

We hear a knock on the door as he's cooking and I walk over to see who it is. Zayn and Perrie greet us at the door and come in bearing gifts of Starbucks. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I got you a white chocolate mocha, since its a popular drink," Perrie tells me. I squeal since its my favorite drink. "I guess I got it right!" She laughs as I do a happy dance.

"Hey Stella, Zayn and I are gonna go talk on the balcony for a minute ok?" Liam tells me as he pecks my cheek. He goes to the balcony and closes the door behind him.

Liam's POV

"What's on your mind mate?" Zayn asks me curiously. "I like her mate, I really really do," I tell him earnestly. "No shit, I think we could all see that," he laughs. I sigh, "Well its not just that, I want to ask her to be my girlfriend, but she's not like other girls. She's strong and determined, she's really committed to being a fighter, and, I don't know if I can be good for her. I don't know if she'll accept me. You know the life we live mate, I don't know if she wants that. She doesn't take distractions well to her training. She's really focused," I confess to him spilling my true thoughts. Zayn stays quiet as he looks out to the ocean leaning on the railing. "Do you think you might fall in love with her Liam?" He asks after a while. I step back a little, surprised at his bluntness. I think about what he said. I've dated dancers, models, and other beautiful beautiful women. But they all come with the same problems, games, drama, clingy, Stella really got to know me, talked to me about everything. She cared about Liam the person, not Liam 1/5 of One Direction. She fights for my happiness, regardless of what it may be. No one has ever taken that on so seriously. I've always taken care of everyone else, she wants to take care of me too.

"Zayn, I could see myself spending a long long time with this girl," I admit to him and myself. He smiles, "then go for it! You don't want to miss out on someone like that!" I bring him in for a brief bro hug, "Thanks man, you're pretty wise for a pretty boy!" I make fun of him.  He laughs, "and you're pretty dull for being Daddy Direction!" We laugh as we head back to the girls. As we head back I start thinking up how to ask Stella Novarez to be mine.