Pushing himself up in bed, Niall grunts rubbing his eyes with a soft groan, he hadn't awoken this early in a while. He yawns collapsing back onto his pillow huffing, his body craving more sleep. The sun had just barely begun its rise, he knew Harry always woke up with the sun and often went outside to watch it.
Niall knew this because he would sneak into his master's room and cuddle with Zayn during the hours Harry would step away.
Today however he feels the need to snuggle back into his own blankets feening for the sense of security he once felt in the house.
Glancing to his right he sees Liam's figure still sleeping, his face toward him, Niall gasping as he sees the scratches that line Liam's cheek, the new slit in his eyebrow.
Moving from his bed he leaps to the other side of the room pulling Liam's covers back seeing his arms littered with scratches that looked freshly tended.
"Lee what did you do," he whispers taking the submissive's hand in his own, he traces the few light cuts he knew would leave scars on his pale arms, sitting on the bed still holding his arm he feels tears well in his eyes.
Without knowing, Niall knew Harry was the blame for this. He teased the boy about it but it was no secret he worshipped at Harry's feet and the man never returned the love. Niall used to feel jealous that Liam could bounce back like an abused puppy - he'd take a beating and beg for another if it meant Harry would hug him.
Niall however felt he couldn't handle one wrong look from Zayn without crumpling. He envied the submissive's strength.
The skip also tormented the submissive, he fell victim to Zayn's loathing of the submissive when in reality Liam had done nothing to him but protect the sanctity of his master's heart - his job.
"I-I'm sorry," Niall mutters brushing hair from Liam's face, rising from the bed he leaving the boy to continue resting as he exits the room heading downstairs, if Harry of all people could find solace in watching the sunrise, perhaps he could too.
"I think you're starting to like this," Harry coos swaying with the skip in his arms, Louis rolls his eyes tucking closer to the man with a sigh, "Y-you're warm," he excuses shifting his head to watch the sun beginning to rise above the trees.
Harry was right, in the week and four days Louis had been there he was beginning to like this life. He could do without the pacifier, or being fed, and most definitely would forgo the baby talk - but he would admit to liking the cuddles. Harry always seemed to be up for those and gave the best ones.
The pair this morning are in the backyard watching the sunrise outside this time wrapped in a blanket. They're lost in the silence of the moment when the back door opening draws both their attention, Louis perks up hoping to see Liam scoffing when his eyes glaze Niall.
"What?" he gripes, Harry smacks his backside, "Don't be rude," he scolds, "We say good morning to our big brother," he insists, "Good Morning Nathan," Louis retorts, Harry bites his bottom lip suppressing a laugh as he again spanks Louis, "Niall, his name is Niall,"
The skip rolls his eyes, "Morning Lucifer," Harry snaps his look toward him, "Watch it," Niall lifts his hands in surrender, "I-I just wanted to see the sunrise," he mumbles taking a seat on a chair on the deck.
Harry bounces Louis attempting to redirect his boy back to their original plan, the skip not budging from his anger at the older skip he couldn't explain his immense disdain for. For the sake of his master, and favorite snuggler, Louis turns his head back to the sky with another sigh.
Letting his eyes flutter open, Liam stares at the ceiling wishing it would fall on him. He counts the seconds that he waits until he realizes that it isn't, and he has to move.
Hissing when his arms come in contact with the sheets, Liam draws them to his chest as tears prick his eyes. Glancing out the window he watches wordlessly as the sun peaks over the trees, it feels inviting, and welcoming.
It's building on the walls of his bedroom, his eyes flickering to the bed on the other side seeing the unmade bed that meant Niall was home and slept there last night. Strangely, Liam missed seeing it.
He nods to himself returning to the window, stepping closer to it he holds his arms out seeing his arms littered with cuts, the bruise forming on his wrist. Catching his reflection in the window he winces seeing the fresh buzz cut he'd given himself, chewing his bottom lip Liam runs a hand over it smiling at the short length. It felt freeing that he had given it to himself.
Treading to his bathroom Liam stares at himself in the mirror lifting his lips in a mimic of a smile, giggling when he sees that it reached his eyes. He hadn't seen that in a while.
Seeing his new eyebrow slit from what he assumed was glass, another laugh emits from him, he shakes his head with an amused smirk posing in the mirror pretending to be tough with his new buzz cut.
It made him look younger, his eyes flickering to his chin seeing a bit of stubble beginning to grow, he gasps feeling it with a grin spreading on his features. Moving his hands to his forehead he feels where the stitches were next to his hairline, he must've knicked himself with the razor and not felt it. Peering at his arms he counts the cuts before losing count with another laugh.
Exiting the ensuite, Liam opens the bedroom door stepping into the hall he'd walked countless times before smiling at the emptiness.
He'd never felt so safe.
Tucking into the security of being alone, he hurries downstairs grinning as he hears a ruckus in the kitchen. Pattering through the dining room toward it Liam waves in greeting to Jack, the man's look dropping from glee to concern as he looks at the boy's wounds, Liam paying him no mind.
The submissive's attention is drawn to the glass door leading to the back patio., Niall stepping in first, Harry trailing, the man gasping when he sees his submissive.
Setting Louis down Harry rushes to him pulling him close with kisses to his hair, Liam resisting the urge to fall into subspace at the touch of his master alone, he places his own hands on top of Harry's as he holds the younger ones face peering into his chocolate orbs with tears welling in his own, "You scared me," he warns laughing through his tears.
Pulling him close once more, Harry keeps him in his hold swearing he was okay, he glances up seeing Niall watching him wearily, their eyes meet as if in understanding that maybe they were on the same team this time.
"B-breakfast," Harry mumbles, "Let's have some breakfast," he encourages taking Louis in his arms with a kiss, taking Liam's hand, and a silent nod with a smile toward Niall to follow him.
Zayn sits in his chair glaring at his husband and the three behind him, his look softens seeing Niall. Clearing his throat he gestures to the table, "Glad you could join me," he growls, Harry placing Louis in his high chair wordlessly as he directs Liam to his chair, Niall circling the table until he's at his chair taking a seat with a gulp at the abrupt and sudden shift in the mood.
Letting his ocean eyes scan the table Niall feels his blood freeze seeing Liam's placemat, near the glass of water are two little white pills, he felt his mouth go dry as his body screamed in protest as he realized where he'd seen them before.
Liam too stares shakily at the pills knowing this was the best he felt in a while, having not taken the pills for the past 48 hours. He swallows meeting Zayn's expectant stare, "Take your vitamins."
Glancing at Harry, his owner, his master, the one that signed him, the one he loved so desperately, for help, "Here, take them with orange juice, I know it's your favorite," setting the glass of juice down in front of Liam, Harry picks the pills up dropping them in Liam's hand bringing them to his lips, he runs a hand over Liam's hair with a coo, "My Good Boy," Placing the pills in his mouth, Liam brings the glass to his lips closing his eyes, swallowing the pills. He wanted to be a good boy.
Niall felt tears well in his eyes as it became apparent he and Harry were not on the same team.
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