Chapter Text
AN: References to The Most Adorable Couple when the interview with Niall is mentioned. I have a few ideas for future chapters but would welcome prompts if interested.
Liam notices things. It’s his thing. He’s observant and although he prides himself on pretending that he’s oblivious, he has a wealth of knowledge that, put into the wrong hands, could be devastating for many people. Luckily for them, it’s knowledge privy only to Liam and he’s a good guy, so they need not worry.
Since the interview a few weeks back, the one where Niall had told the world that the first thing he would do if he woke up in Louis’ body would be to snog Zayn, Liam has noticed Zouis. Not that that he hadn’t noticed Zouis before but now he’s noticed. And maybe now that he is paying attention, he has to wonder how on earth he had missed it before.
They’re waiting to board the tour bus. Their luggage is being stowed away somewhere, Paul is walking around intimidatingly, warning them to behave this time around (even though he knows very well he’s wasting his breath) and Zayn is late as usual. Louis is shifting in his chair. He sighs heavily. He was second to arrive after Liam. Harry and Niall have shuffled in a few moments ago and are digging into the tray of BLT wraps on the table.
“Zayn’s late,” Louis announces to no one in particular.
Liam looks around the room and no one has paid him any mind. Zayn being late has become so common that it’s really just expected now so Louis’ comment is redundant.
“Zayn’s always late,” Liam says just to make conversation.
“Do you think he overslept? I knew I should have gone to pick him up.”
“He’ll be here,” Liam reassures him. “He’ll be here in a few.”
Louis sighs as if Liam has told him to wait for hours rather than minutes.
“You know,” Liam continues, “by the end of this tour you’ll be so sick of all of us that you won’t be able to wait for time away from us.”
“But I haven’t seen Zayn in weeks!”
“Louis you saw him last week.”
“I did not! YOU saw him last week.”
“Oh, that’s right you were nursing a hangover. Well, that was your fault then, because you could have seen him last week but you chose not to.”
“You’re terribly cruel to me. If Zayn were here, he would defend me.”
“Would he? After you blew him off last week?”
“Louis blew Zayn last week?” Harry asks, popping into the conversation.
“Such selective hearing, Haz,” Louis says, eyes narrowing.
“No, Louis blew Zayn off last week.”
“I’m not hearing a difference.”
“I didn’t give him a blowjob, I just didn’t go over to his place last week when he made curry.”
“Oh that’s right.”
“That was fantastic curry,” Niall pops in as well. “You really missed out, Louis. I think it was the best batch he’s ever made.” He licks his lips in reverent memory.
“It was quite good,” Harry says. “I’m surprised you missed it, Lou.”
“It couldn’t be helped. My brain was imploding. Where was this conversation going, other than to rub it in that I didn’t get to see Zayn last week and I missed an amazing home cooked meal?”
“Well the point was that you could have seen him last week if you hadn’t have gotten drunk off your arse the night before, and now you wouldn’t be suffering from such Zayn-y withdrawal.”
“Mornin’ boys,” a sleepy voice drawls from behind them.
Zayn barely has time to put his suitcase down before he finds himself with his arms full of Louis Tomlinson. Liam wonders briefly about how quickly Louis can move when he’s properly motivated.
“Zayn!”
Zayn’s face splits into a slow genuine smile. The type of smile when he’s truly happy and Liam can’t help but notice its the same smile that seems to linger when Louis is around.
“Morning Lou,” Zayn says as he wraps his arms around Louis’ waist.
“The boys are being horrible to me,” Louis pouts.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” Liam deadpans. “Louis was beside himself.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s been moping all morning,” Niall informs him. “And poor Liam had to sit through it all because he’s too polite to ignore him like the rest of us.”
Harry snickers and Liam shrugs sheepishly.
“You make me sound like such a tool,” Liam gripes. “I’ll have you know that I did consider stuffing my beanie into his mouth so I wouldn’t have to hear him sigh.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t,” Zayn says with a quirked brow. His arms wrap more protectively around Louis’ middle as he gives Liam a disapproving look thats mostly mock but still partially serious. He then turns back to look at Louis in his arms and says in a much softer voice, “Did you miss me, Loubear?”
“Lots and lots.”
“Yeah? Missed you too, babes. Kiss,” Zayn says puckering his lips and pulling Louis flush against him.
Louis giggles and just barely pecks his lips against Zayns. It’s must be too early in the morning because Harry and Niall don’t bat an eyelash at the kiss. Maybe they just expect these random displays of affection but at one point in time, Liam is certain they would have wolf whistled or mockingly thrown themselves at one another making over exaggeratedly lewd noises as they pretended to snog.
“You owe me curry,” Louis says.
Zayn scoffs. “You’re the one who bailed on me. You should be the one cooking for me.”
“I could... but we all know how that will turn out.”
Zayn nods solemnly, “You’re right. I’ll make you curry next time I have access to a kitchen.”
“You’re so good to me. Much nicer than Liam.” Louis glares at the taller boy.
Liam simply rolls his eyes and goes back to flipping through his phone. He isn’t really doing anything on his phone but he can be much more subtle in his observations if he looks otherwise occupied.
“I haven’t seen you in weeks, have I?” Zayn says thoughtfully.
“Weeks and weeks! I was missing you fiercely and Liam was bragging about seeing you last week and eating your stellar curry.”
“That’s very insensitive of him. Bad form, Liam.”
Liam huffs.
“You know I live about 5 minutes away from you,” Zayn continues in his soft sleepy voice. “You could have just come over when you were missing me.”
“You were in Bradford.”
“That was 2 weeks ago. I’ve been home plenty since then.”
“You didn’t come see me either.”
“You’re very particular about your privacy lately, I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Not from you. From paps and crazed fangirls. You’re always welcome.”
“You too, love,” Zayn smiles nuzzling into the side of Louis’ neck and yawns almost immediately after he stops speaking.
“Are you still tired? Even though you were the last to get here?”
“Its 7 am, Lou. Of course I’m tired.”
“I suppose you could nap on the bus.”
“I think I will.”
Louis goes to pull away but Zayn doesn’t let go. “Come with,” he says. “We’ll have a cuddle and catch up?”
Louis nods just as Paul bellows out that its time to board the bus. Liam feels a little creepy because he’s actually thought about pretending to nap as well so he can continue with his Zouis observations. He opts instead to sit with Niall and Harry who are sprawled in the lounge discussing footy.