Say It Out Loud (5/12)
Pairing: Liam/Zayn
Word Count: this chapter, 2147
Rating: NC17 as there will be future smut
Based on this prompt
As predicted, Louis was smug. Niall did not really cry though and Harry most definitely did not write a ballad.
“I knew it. I knew Zayn would be tied down by you you big giant puppy” Louis grins, his feet resting on the coffee table in Harry’s sitting room and his arms are folded across his chest.
Liam smirks and knocks his feet off the table for the fifth time and tells him to wipe the grin off his face.
“I knew it too” Niall adds in, glaring at Louis and smiling at Liam.
Harry comes in from the kitchen balancing a tray of drinks in one hand and a bowl of popcorn in the other.
“Oh no don’t worry about me, I’ll just carry everything in” Harry shouts sarcastically. Louis rolls his eyes to heaven and mocks Harry but runs into the kitchen anyway and re-emerges with their sweets.
“Where is Zayn anyway? It can’t take that long to drive to the DVD shop and back!” Niall huffs impatiently, eying the bowl of popcorn that Liam is keeping away from him.
“He’ll be here soon stop fretting” Louis tells Niall and cheekily swipes a piece of popcorn from the bowl, chewing it obnoxiously loudly in Niall’s face.
“Leave him alone you git” Harry says from his position on the sofa beside Liam.
“If you keep shouting like that during the movie you are going to have to leave” Louis sneers at Harry. Liam always feels guilty for Harry when Louis makes jibes at him but Harry only laughs and puts it past him.
“It’s my house asshole” Harry retorts but grins happily when Louis plonks down beside him, basically sitting in Harrys lap.
Finally they hear a car pull up in the driveway and someone walking into the house. Liam looks around when the sitting room door opens and his happy smile falters slightly at Zayn’s appearance.
He looks like he has just seen a ghost, hands shaking and his hair in a tousle like he had been running his hands through it. Something he only does when he is nervous or worried.
Liam stands up and walks over to him, grabbing him by the arm. Zayn almost jumps at the touch and looks up at Liam, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
‘What is it?’
Zayn shakes his head and walks over to the sofa. Zayn sits down on the edge of it and Louis and Harry lean forward, concern evident in their expression. Niall just turns around from his position on the carpet and looks at Zayn in confusion. Liam kneels down beside Niall and places his hand gently on Zayn’s knee.
Zayn finally looks up from his hands and looks at each of them slowly. It is as if they are all holding their breath. Not a sound can be heard and they are all staring at Zayn anxiously.
‘I got a text message on the way home. That is why I took so long’
Nobody says anything.
‘It was my specialist, Dr Walken. He told me something and I-’ Zayn stops moving his hands, they are shaking too much. Louis squeezes his hand in encouragement and Zayn smiles briefly.
‘Ok, bear with me’ he looks around at them all and yet nobody makes a sound, patiently awaiting his story.
‘A few months ago Dr Walken gave me loads of the usual tests but a few new ones I’ve never had before. He recommended that I try and go for a new procedure they are tying in a hospital in London for a cochlear implant. I had no idea what it was but Dr Walken seemed positive about it so I did, I went to London and saw a few specialists there who did more tests on me. They told me it would take a while to get back to me’
There is tension in the air as they wait for him to continue and Liam does not realise how firm his grip on Zayn’s knee is until Zayn tells him with a laugh.
“Go on will ya” Niall snaps, biting his nails nervously.
‘So that was them ringing me earlier’
“And?” Louis asks, his blue eyes wide and his hand gripping Zayn’s madly.
“Well the woman told me that I was qualified. I can get it done’
Nobody says anything for a moment. They all just look at Zayn who is looking at each of them; his lips pressed together holding in a laugh.
‘I am actually doing this guys. I’m going to be able to hear’
At that, Harry lets out a loud wild cheer and throws himself on Zayn. Louis follows suit and then Niall and the three of them are jumping on top of Zayn, letting out noises like a pack of wild animals. Liam remains on the ground, his own hands starting to shake and he feels like he can’t breathe.
“Liam?”
Liam looks up and they have removed themselves from Zayn (kind of) and are looking at him. Zayn’s eyes are dancing with delight and there are tears forming in the brown pools. He beams down at Liam and Liam can hear his own heart hammering in his ribcage. He leans up on his knees and grabs Zayn’s face in his hands.
Without hesitance or shame he kisses Zayn like it is their last and he can sometimes feel Zayn smiling against his lips. They finally break apart when Liam starts to become a bit put off because Niall is making gagging noises beside them.
“I am so happy” Liam manages to squeak and Louis claps him on the shoulder, his own face giving his happiness away.
‘So am I’ Zayn signs and Liam startles. When did Zayn start to lip read him?
Zayn waggles his eyebrows at Liam.
‘A few weeks ago, and yes I do know you called me a prick a few days ago before you try and deny it’
Liam bursts out laughing and Harry lets out an indignant “Liam Payne what terrible language” but Liam doesn’t care.
Zayn’s life is about to change and Liam is going to be there for it.
~~
After the movie Zayn tells them that there is a downside. The operation will not be until next year.
“Even if it was in five years we would be delighted for you Zayn” Niall tells him, looking at his friend fondly and Liam hides his affectionate smile.
‘It is so weird; I am actually going to know what you guys sound like’ Zayn grins and proceeds to guess that Louis has a deep voice which the guys crack up laughing at.
Liam is thinking a million different things in his head but he keeps coming back to Sam. What if she could get something like that done? Not only would Zayn’s life change for the better but so would hers. He is dying to ring his mum to tell her the story but remembers with a sinking stomach that he has not even told her that Zayn is his boyfriend yet.
‘What are you thinking about?’ Zayn nudges Liam’s knee with his own when Niall, Harry and Louis are in the middle of a heated argument about which wrestler from WWE is the best.
‘Too many things’ Liam admits with a stressed laugh.
‘You always worry too much’ Zayn smiles at him and steals a peck on the lips.
‘Do you want to come with me to my parents’ house on Sunday?’ Liam asks, suddenly a ball of nerves.
‘As in… to meet them meet them?’ Zayn asks with a knowing look in his eye and Liam nods.
‘Bring it on’ Zayn smirks and their conversation is interrupted when Niall ends up grabbing Louis in a headlock shouting “The Undertaker is the best” over and over until Liam ends up having to pull them apart and put on a Disney movie to calm them down.
~~
On Sunday Liam is facing his wardrobe again with anxiety. He pulls out about ten different shirts and holds them against himself in the mirror. He settles on a bright blue plaid shirt and dark jeans. He almost shrieks when he hears a knock at the door. Zayn looks almost as nervous as Liam feels. He is wearing a black shirt and dark chinos and looks and smells so good that Liam wants to forget about visiting his parents.
‘Do I look ok?’ Zayn asks, looking Liam over.
Liam blushes at the thoughts he was just having and nods his head reassuringly.
It’s not like this is Zayn’s first time meeting his family. He has met them on numerous occasions but always as Liam’s friend. Never his boyfriend.
There was one time when Zayn was lying naked asleep in his bed and Liam was standing near the bedroom door nervously for a whole hour as his mother talked to him about their neighbour Aggy who had just left her eighty year old husband for a younger man in Las Vegas.
Apart from that, they had no idea what was going on between them. Liam was sure they would welcome Zayn as his boyfriend warmly but he could not help the nerves that ate at him.
‘Let’s go’ he says and kisses Zayn softly before grabbing his hand and leaving the apartment.
Zayn tries to release Liam’s hand as they make their way up the path to Liam’s front door but Liam grips it firmly, nodding at Zayn when he turns to Liam with wide eyes.
When his mother answers the door they all glance at each other awkwardly until she breaks into a wide grin.
“I knew it” she breathes out and grabs out for the two of them and drags them into a bone-crushing hug.
“OK Mum, let go now please” Liam’s voice is muffled in her shoulder and she lets go of them, tears in her eyes.
“Wait until Sam finds out. And your father” she presses her hand against her lips and looks at them adoringly.
“Mum it is about to rain, let us in” Liam looks embarrassed but Zayn’s wide grin eases it off.
Sam bounds down the stairs and jumps into Liam’s arms when he finally has his coat off.
‘I missed you’ she tells him when Liam puts her back down and she offers Zayn a big hug too.
“Zayn is Liam’s boyfriend” their mother blurts out, obviously unable to keep it in for a moment longer.
Sam looks between the two, eyes wide but smile even wider.
‘I knew it’ she looks just as smug as Louis did and Liam realises with a groan that they would in fact be very good friends.
“Geoff, guess what love” his mother shouts into the kitchen and runs in, the sound of her and his father’s voices carrying out into the hallway.
Liam smothers his face in his hands but Zayn nudges him gently with his shoulder and Liam looks up into his grinning face.
During dinner Liam’s mother won’t stop staring at them with glistening eyes and his father keeps asking Zayn questions about his family and school. Sam watches them carefully but smiles warmly whenever Liam catches her eye.
Liam finally gets around to Zayn’s recent good news and his parents sit up in interest, a flicker of hope lighting their faces as they glance at Sam. She remains stoic, letting her parents be excited on her behalf. Liam knows her, knows that she is refusing to get her hopes up and feels such a strong surge of love for his little sister in that moment.
‘That’s great isn’t it Sam?’ their mother gushes after hugging Zayn tightly over the table, Zayn’s hoodie strings nearly falling into the casserole dish.
‘Yeah it is, I’m really happy for you Zayn’ Sam smiles at Zayn and her mother frowns slightly but leaves it at that.
“Now you make sure you come for dinner more often” Liam’s father scorns when Liam is on his way out the door with Zayn in tow.
“Sure will, just don’t scare him off” Liam mutters, scowling at his jacket sleeve with is refusing to go on his arm. Zayn reaches over and helps his arm into the sleeve before he is crushed in a massive hug from Liam’s mum. Again.
“Right mum leave him alone for God’s sake” Liam sighs and grabs Zayn’s hand, eager to drag him out the door.
‘See you soon’ Zayn tries to gesture, laughing as Liam pulls him down the path.
‘That was fun’ Zayn grins at Liam when they get to Liam’s apartment. Liam pouts but feels the warmth spreading around his insides, delighted at how the dinner went and how Zayn is reacting.
‘I know what can be more fun’ Liam closes his bedroom door after them and pushes a blushing Zayn down on his bed.
//
l part six l
Word Count: this chapter, 2147
Rating: NC17 as there will be future smut
Based on this prompt
As predicted, Louis was smug. Niall did not really cry though and Harry most definitely did not write a ballad.
“I knew it. I knew Zayn would be tied down by you you big giant puppy” Louis grins, his feet resting on the coffee table in Harry’s sitting room and his arms are folded across his chest.
Liam smirks and knocks his feet off the table for the fifth time and tells him to wipe the grin off his face.
“I knew it too” Niall adds in, glaring at Louis and smiling at Liam.
Harry comes in from the kitchen balancing a tray of drinks in one hand and a bowl of popcorn in the other.
“Oh no don’t worry about me, I’ll just carry everything in” Harry shouts sarcastically. Louis rolls his eyes to heaven and mocks Harry but runs into the kitchen anyway and re-emerges with their sweets.
“Where is Zayn anyway? It can’t take that long to drive to the DVD shop and back!” Niall huffs impatiently, eying the bowl of popcorn that Liam is keeping away from him.
“He’ll be here soon stop fretting” Louis tells Niall and cheekily swipes a piece of popcorn from the bowl, chewing it obnoxiously loudly in Niall’s face.
“Leave him alone you git” Harry says from his position on the sofa beside Liam.
“If you keep shouting like that during the movie you are going to have to leave” Louis sneers at Harry. Liam always feels guilty for Harry when Louis makes jibes at him but Harry only laughs and puts it past him.
“It’s my house asshole” Harry retorts but grins happily when Louis plonks down beside him, basically sitting in Harrys lap.
Finally they hear a car pull up in the driveway and someone walking into the house. Liam looks around when the sitting room door opens and his happy smile falters slightly at Zayn’s appearance.
He looks like he has just seen a ghost, hands shaking and his hair in a tousle like he had been running his hands through it. Something he only does when he is nervous or worried.
Liam stands up and walks over to him, grabbing him by the arm. Zayn almost jumps at the touch and looks up at Liam, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
‘What is it?’
Zayn shakes his head and walks over to the sofa. Zayn sits down on the edge of it and Louis and Harry lean forward, concern evident in their expression. Niall just turns around from his position on the carpet and looks at Zayn in confusion. Liam kneels down beside Niall and places his hand gently on Zayn’s knee.
Zayn finally looks up from his hands and looks at each of them slowly. It is as if they are all holding their breath. Not a sound can be heard and they are all staring at Zayn anxiously.
‘I got a text message on the way home. That is why I took so long’
Nobody says anything.
‘It was my specialist, Dr Walken. He told me something and I-’ Zayn stops moving his hands, they are shaking too much. Louis squeezes his hand in encouragement and Zayn smiles briefly.
‘Ok, bear with me’ he looks around at them all and yet nobody makes a sound, patiently awaiting his story.
‘A few months ago Dr Walken gave me loads of the usual tests but a few new ones I’ve never had before. He recommended that I try and go for a new procedure they are tying in a hospital in London for a cochlear implant. I had no idea what it was but Dr Walken seemed positive about it so I did, I went to London and saw a few specialists there who did more tests on me. They told me it would take a while to get back to me’
There is tension in the air as they wait for him to continue and Liam does not realise how firm his grip on Zayn’s knee is until Zayn tells him with a laugh.
“Go on will ya” Niall snaps, biting his nails nervously.
‘So that was them ringing me earlier’
“And?” Louis asks, his blue eyes wide and his hand gripping Zayn’s madly.
“Well the woman told me that I was qualified. I can get it done’
Nobody says anything for a moment. They all just look at Zayn who is looking at each of them; his lips pressed together holding in a laugh.
‘I am actually doing this guys. I’m going to be able to hear’
At that, Harry lets out a loud wild cheer and throws himself on Zayn. Louis follows suit and then Niall and the three of them are jumping on top of Zayn, letting out noises like a pack of wild animals. Liam remains on the ground, his own hands starting to shake and he feels like he can’t breathe.
“Liam?”
Liam looks up and they have removed themselves from Zayn (kind of) and are looking at him. Zayn’s eyes are dancing with delight and there are tears forming in the brown pools. He beams down at Liam and Liam can hear his own heart hammering in his ribcage. He leans up on his knees and grabs Zayn’s face in his hands.
Without hesitance or shame he kisses Zayn like it is their last and he can sometimes feel Zayn smiling against his lips. They finally break apart when Liam starts to become a bit put off because Niall is making gagging noises beside them.
“I am so happy” Liam manages to squeak and Louis claps him on the shoulder, his own face giving his happiness away.
‘So am I’ Zayn signs and Liam startles. When did Zayn start to lip read him?
Zayn waggles his eyebrows at Liam.
‘A few weeks ago, and yes I do know you called me a prick a few days ago before you try and deny it’
Liam bursts out laughing and Harry lets out an indignant “Liam Payne what terrible language” but Liam doesn’t care.
Zayn’s life is about to change and Liam is going to be there for it.
~~
After the movie Zayn tells them that there is a downside. The operation will not be until next year.
“Even if it was in five years we would be delighted for you Zayn” Niall tells him, looking at his friend fondly and Liam hides his affectionate smile.
‘It is so weird; I am actually going to know what you guys sound like’ Zayn grins and proceeds to guess that Louis has a deep voice which the guys crack up laughing at.
Liam is thinking a million different things in his head but he keeps coming back to Sam. What if she could get something like that done? Not only would Zayn’s life change for the better but so would hers. He is dying to ring his mum to tell her the story but remembers with a sinking stomach that he has not even told her that Zayn is his boyfriend yet.
‘What are you thinking about?’ Zayn nudges Liam’s knee with his own when Niall, Harry and Louis are in the middle of a heated argument about which wrestler from WWE is the best.
‘Too many things’ Liam admits with a stressed laugh.
‘You always worry too much’ Zayn smiles at him and steals a peck on the lips.
‘Do you want to come with me to my parents’ house on Sunday?’ Liam asks, suddenly a ball of nerves.
‘As in… to meet them meet them?’ Zayn asks with a knowing look in his eye and Liam nods.
‘Bring it on’ Zayn smirks and their conversation is interrupted when Niall ends up grabbing Louis in a headlock shouting “The Undertaker is the best” over and over until Liam ends up having to pull them apart and put on a Disney movie to calm them down.
~~
On Sunday Liam is facing his wardrobe again with anxiety. He pulls out about ten different shirts and holds them against himself in the mirror. He settles on a bright blue plaid shirt and dark jeans. He almost shrieks when he hears a knock at the door. Zayn looks almost as nervous as Liam feels. He is wearing a black shirt and dark chinos and looks and smells so good that Liam wants to forget about visiting his parents.
‘Do I look ok?’ Zayn asks, looking Liam over.
Liam blushes at the thoughts he was just having and nods his head reassuringly.
It’s not like this is Zayn’s first time meeting his family. He has met them on numerous occasions but always as Liam’s friend. Never his boyfriend.
There was one time when Zayn was lying naked asleep in his bed and Liam was standing near the bedroom door nervously for a whole hour as his mother talked to him about their neighbour Aggy who had just left her eighty year old husband for a younger man in Las Vegas.
Apart from that, they had no idea what was going on between them. Liam was sure they would welcome Zayn as his boyfriend warmly but he could not help the nerves that ate at him.
‘Let’s go’ he says and kisses Zayn softly before grabbing his hand and leaving the apartment.
Zayn tries to release Liam’s hand as they make their way up the path to Liam’s front door but Liam grips it firmly, nodding at Zayn when he turns to Liam with wide eyes.
When his mother answers the door they all glance at each other awkwardly until she breaks into a wide grin.
“I knew it” she breathes out and grabs out for the two of them and drags them into a bone-crushing hug.
“OK Mum, let go now please” Liam’s voice is muffled in her shoulder and she lets go of them, tears in her eyes.
“Wait until Sam finds out. And your father” she presses her hand against her lips and looks at them adoringly.
“Mum it is about to rain, let us in” Liam looks embarrassed but Zayn’s wide grin eases it off.
Sam bounds down the stairs and jumps into Liam’s arms when he finally has his coat off.
‘I missed you’ she tells him when Liam puts her back down and she offers Zayn a big hug too.
“Zayn is Liam’s boyfriend” their mother blurts out, obviously unable to keep it in for a moment longer.
Sam looks between the two, eyes wide but smile even wider.
‘I knew it’ she looks just as smug as Louis did and Liam realises with a groan that they would in fact be very good friends.
“Geoff, guess what love” his mother shouts into the kitchen and runs in, the sound of her and his father’s voices carrying out into the hallway.
Liam smothers his face in his hands but Zayn nudges him gently with his shoulder and Liam looks up into his grinning face.
During dinner Liam’s mother won’t stop staring at them with glistening eyes and his father keeps asking Zayn questions about his family and school. Sam watches them carefully but smiles warmly whenever Liam catches her eye.
Liam finally gets around to Zayn’s recent good news and his parents sit up in interest, a flicker of hope lighting their faces as they glance at Sam. She remains stoic, letting her parents be excited on her behalf. Liam knows her, knows that she is refusing to get her hopes up and feels such a strong surge of love for his little sister in that moment.
‘That’s great isn’t it Sam?’ their mother gushes after hugging Zayn tightly over the table, Zayn’s hoodie strings nearly falling into the casserole dish.
‘Yeah it is, I’m really happy for you Zayn’ Sam smiles at Zayn and her mother frowns slightly but leaves it at that.
“Now you make sure you come for dinner more often” Liam’s father scorns when Liam is on his way out the door with Zayn in tow.
“Sure will, just don’t scare him off” Liam mutters, scowling at his jacket sleeve with is refusing to go on his arm. Zayn reaches over and helps his arm into the sleeve before he is crushed in a massive hug from Liam’s mum. Again.
“Right mum leave him alone for God’s sake” Liam sighs and grabs Zayn’s hand, eager to drag him out the door.
‘See you soon’ Zayn tries to gesture, laughing as Liam pulls him down the path.
‘That was fun’ Zayn grins at Liam when they get to Liam’s apartment. Liam pouts but feels the warmth spreading around his insides, delighted at how the dinner went and how Zayn is reacting.
‘I know what can be more fun’ Liam closes his bedroom door after them and pushes a blushing Zayn down on his bed.
//
l part six l