016.

Zayn doesn't talk to Liam on the way home. He was so unfocused, that he thought that they'd crash into a pole or something of the sort. 

He's angry, but over all, he's relieved. All he wanted was his Liam back, and now that he's got him, everything seems so much easier and at ease. Though his only problem now, is Niall. Niall and Harry. It's not that Liam isn't enough to satisfy his needs, he's more than enough. But Zayn could do with a friend. 

He notices that he actually misses his best friend. He was like a brother to him. He understood him, and he kept secrets. Harry was someone he could go to when he was feeling down, addled, or even if he only needed a person to talk to. He misses that.

With Niall though, he feels he will need a little time. He can tell he's going to forgive him. After all, nIall is one of a kind, he'd hate to lose a friend like that.

Maybe Liam would like him more if he became a forgiving person, one who doesn't hold grudges against anyone. Maybe the step for Liam to love him is for him to start fixing himself. Changing for the good, so that he'd be a better person. He's sure Liam would love that.

The car stills when they've reached their destination. Shutting the car ignition off, Zayn sits there, head hung low and his hands resting at his sides limp. 

He doesn't know what to do now. He hopes he didn't make Liam sad or anything, just snatching him away from his friend like that. He didn't even allow him to say good-bye. He didn't allow him to say anything, to see what his say in all of this was.  He just man-handled him all the way to the car.

And he felt like such a monster for it. He just cuts Liam off from the outer-world. Keeping him locked up in a room for hours at end, never actually letting him go anywhere. He can't even step foot out side of the door before he gets punished for it.

Isn't that what captors are supposed to do with their prisoners? What kind of captor would you be if you treated him like a regular human being with regular human rights?

Zayn cringes. Not once has he ever thought like that. Today has been a very stressful day so far, it's being to do things with his brain, he needs to clear his head. But then again, he doesn't ever want to step foot away from Liam now that he's gotten him back.

He wants him to be in his sight at all times. And if Zayn ever has to leave, or do something, he won't dare to leave him for long periods of time. He wants Liam to stay with him. To stay as long as Zayn can have him. He doesn't want any more mistakes like this happening ever again. He won't be fooled, not again. This time, he'll be more cautious. He won't be so easily trusting of whatever is thrown at him. This time, he'll think before any actions.

Things need to start changing his thinks, but not for the worse. He'll only keep a good eye on Liam. To keep him safe. That way, no harm is done to either of them. Zayn only wants what's best for Liam, and he's willing to do anything in order to keep Liam safe and happy. 

But keeping a human being happy at times can be hard. Not always will you satisfy their needs. And Zayn doesn't think he's been satisfying any of Liam's needs since the first time he got him. Obviously, Liam doesn't want to be with him. 

And maybe it's fate that Liam truly doesn't belong with him. Maybe he belongs with Niall. Or some other guy. Maybe those times that he has escaped from Zayn's grips are signs that Zayn should seriously pay attention too.

Zayn doesn't want to think like that. He wants Liam. Needs Liam even. To let him go would mean for Zayn to let a part of himself go as well. And that may very well be cheesy, but Zayn can't help it, he loves Liam. All he wants in life is for Liam to love him back.

Zayn suddenly unbuckles his seat belt as quickly as he possibly can, and moves across the space in between him and Liam, and hugs him. Just hugs him. No words, just Zayn's arms wrapped protectively around Liam's figure.

And Liam would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy this. He can feel those feelings for Zayn rushing towards him, crashing into him like a wave of ocean water hitting the shore of a beach.

He's not sure if he can welcome them just yet, but he thinks he can let just a bit go past his barrier.

Liam decides to use his arms, and wraps them around Zayn's as well. The hugs becomes mutual and warm.

-

Zayn is getting Liam ready for bed. It has been a long day. With all these unraveled feelings and such, both Liam and Zayn are tired and ready to sleep the night away.

They've been quiet for the most part, not much words passing between them. And it's not like it's awkward or anything. Neither of them just feel like not much has to be said.  They both need to figure things out, and they could do with the calm silence.

Zayn needs to figure out exoneration. Needs to understand how to forgive others. He wants so badly to forgive Harry, he needs him back, not as much as he needed Liam back, but close. He needs a friend, someone to talk to. And he can't have that, not if he doesn't forgive Harry for what he did.

He needs to figure out Liam also. He needs to understand how Liam works. To find out ways to make him happy and such. To learn about Liam in person, to hear Liam express himself through words rather than Zayn find out himself by being the stalker he once was, and probably still is.

Liam needs to determine his feelings for Zayn. He knows their there, but he doesn't know how to use them, how to act. This is all new to him, and he's only just beginning to let all of this sink in. He needs time, and he also thinks he needs Zayn. But can never be sure, all of this is as confusing as it is to Zayn.

Zayn cuddles up to Liam once in bed. He holds him tight for reassurances of his own. It makes him happy knowing Liam is safe and out of harms way in his arms.

And they're almost falling asleep so fast due to how tired they are. Liam though, decides to whisper something he's been thinking about. Something he has felt since he had ran away from Zayn's grasp.

"I've missed you", He whispers.