Keeping up with ZIAM (The Contract Sequel)

First week

"It's okay. You're more than welcome to look. Do you think you kinda look like that?"

"Sort of kind of... So you and um- Liam grew up together?" He wanted to say "my dad" but chose not to.

"Yes we did." Zayn said smiling at the pictures.

"Oh so you've always liked each other then." Ezra said looking back to the pictures with a smile as well. Zayns face dropped and he didn't know if he should laugh, or be shocked.

"Uh... no. Not really." Zayn chuckled. "It's a bit of a story." He said looking to the picture of him and Liam at their wedding exchanging their vows. "We grew up together yes but he's four years older so the age gap had a huge fact in the matter. There was tension for some years then one day things changed. We uh- gave each other another chance and yeah. We got married." Zayn said hoping the boy bought it.

"Oh. That's nice." He said with a smile again as he mentally wiped at his brow. That would be an interesting conversation. Zayn thought.

"Yeah... So you we're looking for me right?" Zayn said remembering what the boy said.

"Oh yes! I was going to ask if I could go outside and kick the ball around. I just wasn't sure if I could be seen or not." He said shyly.

"Of course! The backyard is private so you're fine. I'm sorry it has to be like that..." he said with a frown. Also let me guess... Loki was pawing at the glass door and he was pouting?" He crossed his arms expectantly as Ezra giggled.

"It's okay. I understand and yes. He's probably sitting there still."

"Of course. Now that he has someone to play with he's taking it to his best advantage." He shook his head at the puppy. Ezra excitedly walked downstairs where in fact, Loki was still waiting at the sliding glass door. He opened it and the dog zoomed out running around frantically. Ezra laughed again as he started his drills.

Later on Zayn had been packing up some personal things from Liam's office since he had been in there earlier with Ezra. He was waiting for Liam to go through it all with him, but he knew the man would forget then last minute probably be frustrated.

As he properly stashed the files in protective containers he came across the copy of The Contract that started this all. Zayn was taken back because he hadn't seen it in a while. He never forgot about it no, but it was an inside joke amongst them. The fact that he had a conversation with Ezra earlier partially regarding how he and Liam came to be it was like fate. He flipped through it seeing his and Liam's signatures next to one another. He smiled softly to himself and tucked it away in the bin and continued on.

Soon Liam got home and traded places with Zayn. Ezra waved to him and Liam pecked his cheek. With that Zayn was off. He needed to stop at the college first and go by the professors room he was a TA for, talk to his counselor about his transfer, take a few garments to a photoshoot in town, then back home.

While he started his errands, Liam changed from his suit, to gym clothes because Ezra asked if he could play footie with him. Of course he was happy to and it also felt good to spend time with him. He knew so far Zayn had spent a lot of time with him and this was his chance.

They kicked around the ball back and forth to each other, then set up a make shift goal with some patio chairs. The way Ezra easily weaved around Liam was like that of a pro. Liam let out an exhausted breath because the boy sure was making him work to defend that goal.

After they switched off and Liam attempted to kick the ball in this time, Ezra was quick to block the kick. A few more attempts later and Liam still hadn't made one. Ezra was so agile and quick at knowing where the ball was coming from and how to save it. He was a real prodigy.