Zayn was never a fan of teas. The warm and sumptuous with delectable undertones of warm earthy flavour never satiated him with contentment nor quenched his thirst. He was more of an exceptional roasted coffee loving person as the black beverage for him was like the sun melting a long winter's snow. It warms the heart. The taste of his French roast delight was so intense that it almost demanded a personal relationship with him.
But then again he thought he was beginning to blather senseless notions inside his head. He was just trying to prove a point, he needn’t to evaluate each of the beverages’ prominence.
“This is all Harry’s fault.” He spoke lowly, rather huskily as he laughed at the remembrance of his boyfriend throwing a small fit about how much better a tea would do to start their morning wholesome and fresh. Zayn shook his head, somehow entertained as he kept the painful grin etched on his face.
He resumed blending his black coffee in hopes of achieving the bitter and rich taste he was craving for this evening. Him and Harry were planning on staying wide-eyed for the whole night as they chat through their phones, the younger boy instigated the idea saying he was to confess something crucial. And that he couldn't wait to tell him, they just had to talk now.
"Zayn? Oh my god, love, are you there? Zayn come here!" Just then, the sound of his mother's worry-filled and groggy voice beckoned him to turn up to their living room where she most likely sat, bewildered by the news she just picked up.
"What is it mum?" Zayn popped his head from the kitchen, brows furrowed to imply how much he didn't want to get bothered whilst he was in the middle of perfecting his cup. "That better not be a rant about keeping up with the Kardashi―
"Niall's missing―oh dear God, Zayn! Maura's on the line, she's calling to ask if you know where Niall is." It was quite hard to fathom Tricia's words as a consequence of her sore throat but at the mention of Niall's name, Zayn just had to rush towards his mother, cup at hand long forgotten, as he seized the phone off his mother's hold.
"Hello? Holy shi―Hello? Mrs. Gallagher?" Zayn rushed the words out, he was entirely in frenzy because Jesus Christ it's 20 minutes before midnight, where the fucking fuck is that Irish idiot? He muttered through his head since he couldn't really ramble on the phone especially when Maura herself wasn't the least bit calm.
"Christ Zayn! Were you with Niall this afternoon? My son hasn't come home yet and we're really, really worried as to where on earth that boy is! He wouldn't answer any of our calls! I couldn't even contact the Payne's right now so I thought of dialing your residence instead. Oh God―Zayn dear, do you happen to know where Niall stayed? I wanted to confirm things first before we announce a search party for my son." Maura's voice had a hint of hoarseness, she must've cried her eyes out before calling them.
"I-I'm so sorry Mrs. Gallagher b-but... I haven't been with Niall since lunch break. I went home as soon as we got dismissed to tend to my mother's medical needs. Oh my God, I didn't know―I have no idea where he could possibly go―fuck! Shit, I'm sorry... shit! Maybe Liam knows, or hopefully he's with the lad! I'll try to contact him through his phone. I'll call you back, please calm down Maura." Zayn rest assured everything, telling the sobbing lady on the other line that Niall was probably just undergoing his rebel years. They ought to serve him more ketchup if they didn't want this occurrence to happen ever again.
As soon as he ended the call, Zayn speed dialled Liam's number and within a short while of tapping his foot on the marbled floor with Tricia looking at him anxiously, the lad had already answered, apparently waking up from his sleep.
"Look if it's about accepting your whore of a boyfriend―
"Where's Niall?!" He didn't want to get started with the annoying prick, he called to ensure Niall's safety. "Fuck Liam! Fucking answer me godfuckingdammit!"
"Bloody hell Zayn?! I don't know! Why are you asking me his whereabouts? Fucking ask his mother or call his damn house not mine―
"SHIT! Fucking hell! Where the fuck is that fucker?!" Zayn couldn't contain the apprehension in his guts. His last howls were more of directed to himself and Liam for sure did hear the angst in his tone. He suddenly felt cold, Liam's heart began pounding hard against his chest. His blood pumping rapidly through his veins as he recalled him and Niall's last interaction.
"Liam." He managed to utter in his small voice. He sounded so broken but he carried on with his plea and even stooped so low as eating his own pride. "Don't leave me."
A single tear fell.
Followed by another.
And soon enough, fat tears cascaded down his flushed and bruised cheeks.
Liam didn't want to leave. He remained unmoving on his feet but the continuous thought of squatting to reach and softly caress Niall's bruised face with his calloused fingers was getting the better of him.
"Liam. Lets go."
But hearing Louis' smooth and tender voice calling for him weighted more in his heart. His brain soon retracted from the absurdity he was about to do, turning once and for all to leave.
The way Liam turned his back on Niall only proved several things. I'm just someone who used to be his friend. Please be strong. Don't cry.
The two boys had no idea they spoke the exact same words in their head. Niall willing himself not to cry, Liam mentally pleading him not to cry. But in the end, Liam knew he chose the right decision with the right person. By the time they got into Louis' flat, which Liam noted was a bloody mansion, he had gotten himself laid.
Louis was a good shag, nice and tight. He was Liam's first, and hopefully would turn out his last as well. The boy tend to have a sense of loyalty, which Louis was somehow unaware of but Liam wasn't really keen on telling him soon.
Which brings him back to Zayn.
"Come on Zayn? This some kind of a prank you're pulling on me? Well news flash mate, m'not falling for it." He laughs offhandedly, enough to trigger Zayn's anger.
"Fuck you! You think it's fun making a joke out of Niall missing?! Screw you Liam!"
The guilt circulating throughout Liam's whole system was becoming too much. Zayn's rage and fear sounded too genuine and maybe Liam really was a dick the entire time.
"Oh God, Zayn calm down! I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry for being a complete twat, I didn't know―I just, oh hell... shit, sorry." Liam held back the tears, he wasn't about to cry, was he? But the thought of Niall missing in this ungodly hour was very appalling.
"I'm fucking gonna forget you being an asshole just now and focus on these important things instead. Meet me at Tesco's now and we'll look for him. I'll ring Ed and Josh first to see if Niall's with either one of them, I'll text you whenever we're ready to go. We both know Niall's usual bedtime is right after dinner which was bloody four hours ago, so please Liam..." Zayn's voice had softened at the end of his claim, he knew only Liam could help him find their missing Irish ball of sunshine.
"Yeah... I-I uhm―You better hang up Zee. I'll wait for your message then I'm off." Liam couldn't find the right words to say how much he knew when Niall's bedtime was. 7:45pm, to be exact and specific. Always the exact time they both hit the end call button so Niall could finally hit the hay.
The glorious and fun days he once shared with his first love. Which would probably never happen again... because he now had Louis. Well screw the loyalty award bestowed on him because if he as much as left Niall, his first love, alone and crying, and chose to be with Louis, the second person who brought him happiness then where's the faithfulness in that?
"You are so screwed." For once, Liam thought he deserved all the hurtful slurs spatted at him, especially when Zayn called him an asshole. Liam would just have thank Zayn later for the unwanted friendly reminder. He couldn't stay faithful after all, he fell out of love and was stupid enough to fall for another person as soon as he got over Niall.
"So screwed..." He mutters quietly before slipping into his grey sweats and black KORN shirt he arbored from the missing boy, his eyes turning glossy as he tried to ease the heavy feeling in his chest.
x
"I've talk to the lads, neither of them saw Niall after school, last time they've been with him was during lunch break, and I was there!" Zayn had the urge to knock the tall Cadbury stand next to him, they bloody had no clue as to where Niall was. His family couldn't even provide him something useful, Maura would just respond with her deafening wailing's and so Tricia just had to jump in to appease Niall's mother.
"Shit. Where the hell is he? Try ringing his phone again." Liam paced around that somehow piqued the older employees, having the younger ones wonder what the two good looking lads were up to.
"Believe me, I've tried calling him every five minute intervals. But my last call just basically told me his phone died."
The two shivered at how wrong Zayn's words sounded. Liam soon cleared his throat to kill the resounding silence that they both found annoying. They shouldn't be this quiet, hell they ought to be helping each other out in figuring Niall's location and assure his safety.
"I think this is all my fault." Liam placed both of his balled first on either of his sides. His head drooping, eyes shut tight as he waited for the forthcoming question.
"Your fault? Why the hell's this your fault Liam?" Zayn rasped and soon jumped off his seat to stand in front of the self proclaimed perpetrator. His eyes were a bit wary as he bore his gaze on Liam's dark brown pools. The lad refusing to meet his stare as he couldn't bear any more guilt.
"Things didn't go well earlier when we parted. I―oh God, Zayn I'm sorry I-" There was brisk pregnant pause before Liam finally blurted out the things he regretted doing earlier that day. "I punched him. I bruised his cheeks―I made him cry Zayn, I'm so sorry I―
"Why?" Zayn cuts the boy who subconsciously rambled his apologies. Though it was quite a surprise for Liam because as much as he hated to admit it, he was expecting a hard punch from Zayn for hitting his favorite leprechaun. But no, he was hearing a calm question from the boy which was quite astonishing. But Liam found himself speechless, he couldn't possibly tell Zayn he did it for Louis. No, he didn't want another person to abhor his boyfriend. "Liam. WHY?" Zayn questioned him again, his tone now dripping with venom.
"I wasn't able to―I couldn't―he's just, oh God, Zayn it's really hard to explain but I didn't mean to do it, I swear I never wanted to hit him. I love Niall, I just―
"Save it. What a total douche you've become Liam. You think I didn't notice how you changed the way you treat Niall?" Zayn dug his phone out his pocket as it began jolting in the middle of Liam's pointless elucidation. He scanned on the screen to see who the caller was, hoping it was Maura to give them any sort of good news.
But seeing Harry's name on the screen was a little worthwhile. He needed his boyfriend to calm down, to loosen up his stressed muscles and relieve the headache Liam was giving him.
"Babe―
"Did you find him? Is Niall safe now? Is he home already? Oh my God, Oh God Zee! Please tell me you already found him?" Came Harry's panicky voice. Zayn couldn't help but smile at his boy's concern, but his smile was soon wept off when he was about to tell him their current situation.
"I'm so sorry love but we're still hopeless." Zayn heaves a prolonged heavy sigh before continuing, "We haven't got any clue, Niall's phone is dead so there's no chance of contacting him. I'm so sorry."
Harry's gasp was loud enough for the two boys to hear. "No, no. This can't be happening, I knew I should've walked him home, then he should've been safe by now."
"Harry no, I can't have you both missing. Please calm down love, it's not your fault okay? I've had enough of people taking all the blame." He eyes at Liam accusingly. "Liam and I have been searching everywhere and were back at Tesco's for a short break and in a few we're gonna go look back at Belle Vue. And no you still can't come and help, stay where you are."
"But it'll be easier for you if I go along and help, please!"
"Harry, please." Zayn pinches the bridge of his nose, his thumb and forefinger slowly shifting upwards then parting at the mid section of his eyebrows to massage his temples. "I wouldn't know what to do if something bad happens to you while we're searching. Everyone, every bloody person seems to want you, and it's fucking annoying. So no Harry, I want you safe. Just stay at your Uncle's flat and leave it to me and Liam and Niall's family, okay babe?"
He hears Harry huffing, the little whines he was perceiving from the other line caused him quite the motivation, sure it was weird, the kind of encouragement he was gaining himself was the sound of Harry's cute little whimpers. Clearly his foolish incentive. "Sleep Harry, I'll call you as soon as we find Niall. I love you, good night baby." And before the younger boy could huff out another whine, Zayn was fast to end the call.
"Wipe that fucking grin off your face lover boy, we still haven't found Niall just so you know. Your angel of a boyfriend sure knows how to distract you." Liam spats resentfully, remorse already washed out as soon as Harry called.
"At least he's genuinely concerned about Niall you prick."
"What? You think I don't give a shit about Niall?"
"Why don't you ask yourself? I'm not the one who fucking punched him and couldn't give a logical reason why I did it? Too cool to explain Li? Well, FUCK YOU!" Zayn bellows before punching Liam square in the jaw that sent the taller boy flying back, collapsing on the rows of canned sodas.
He runs for it, leaving Liam behind. He couldn't stand being with the person who knew nothing but defamate his boyfriend and inanely hurt his best friend, they just had to do the search separately to avoid more of their dispute.
x
Harry rolls over his bed to reach the other side where the mattress felt cold. He sighs heavily before rolling back on his usual spot. He has been doing this for the past thirty minutes as he waited for Zayn's call. Harry was desperate to know how Niall was doing because he had this horrible inkling that it had something to do about him.
Louis.
Was his step brother using his poor friend to get back at his obstinacy? So it was Harry's fault after all? But he wasn't exactly sure yet, though the curly boy still highly believed this whole upheaval involved Louis. His guts were never wrong, he had already predicted a lot. He was proud to say he knew Obama would win, his favorite athlete Tom Daley being gay, he had known it beforehand, Beyonce surprising the music industry by releasing an album without any sort of promotion, heck those were just the simply things Harry envisioned.
"Fuck, what the hell am I thinking. Please be safe, Nialler... that's all what I'm asking for."
And as if on cue his phone rings, once. Just a message, but worth the shot to read and see if it's good news.
'Hazzy, u frm Belle Vue ryt?'
Harry re-reads the message, slightly weirded out because why was he texting him right now? It was all too bizarre and unexpected at the same time for the boy.
'Yupp, y? Gosh ive got better things to do so make it quick!' but nonetheless found himself replying to the odd message.
No more than a minute he received a reply, Harry was glad he was getting his implication. He needed to stay unoccupied in case Zayn calls him.
'Gud! found a lad wearing ur uniform near d intersection of Airdale & Abb Scott lane by d abandoned eerie building. Jezuz man u gotta see dis'
Harry bolts up quickly, ignoring the message and opting to call Max instead. After several rings Harry could already hear his friend's rattling.
"MAX?! SHIT! Y-You found a school mate of mine? Shit! Shit what does he looked like?"
"Hey hey calm down Harry! He's uhm―bloody as hell."
"MAX COLLINS!"
"Okay! I don't know, there's blood everywhere in his face! But he's still breathing and I'm five steps away from taking him to the hospital because shit Harry, he looks pretty bad. Clothes are torn and oh shit―oh shit his pulse's weakening!"
"What?! Fuck! Take him to the hospital! Please! Oh my God is there some sort of way you could somehow describe how he looks like?! Please my friend's also missing and I'm pissing my self here because there's a great chance that it's Niall that you've found."
"God Harry. I'll take him to the hospital now. The only details I could provide you is he's pale as Snow fucking White and―blonde! Oh hell how could I miss that! Bleached, bleached blonde. Jesus Christ this boy badly needs to be taken care of. I'm on my car, if it's your friend meet me at BRI."
The phone call ends pronto, leaving Harry stunned and breathless.
The two features he gathered from Max was enough to tell him that yes, it was Niall.
Yes, he was certain that was his friend covered in blood.
And yes, he would meet Max at the hospital as soon as he rings Zayn.
Notifying him that yes, Niall has been found.
-
Took me forever, I'm so sorry. Wanted to update before 2014! So yeah, hope it's long enough to make up for the long break a had on this story. So what do you think about Liam and Zayn's bickering, worry-wart Harry, poor littler Nialler, and poop Louis? Feel free to rant on it, I don't mind. You already loving Max? Mind you, Ezra Miller's playing his character hehe.
70 votes for the next chapter (because I know it'll take a while before I reach that number of vote, s'why I'm asking for it hehe, more time for me to slack lol) I love you all and advance Happy New Year! Cheers. x