Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Liam loved men.

Not that he thought about men all that much, of course. He had responsibilities. Like studying, and footie, and the gym. He was going to get his degree, and get a good job as an environmental lawyer or something, and then he could focus on things like finding a husband and having a nice life with friends and dinner parties and holidays.

There definitely weren't times when he was lifting weights, running laps, or simply gazing out the window during lectures that he thought about how nice it could be to hold hands with someone, maybe even kiss them. Have them under him while he holds both their wrists in a tight grip above their head.

To be fair that last thought was usually reserved for when he was tucked up in bed, but it couldn’t be helped if sometimes someone particularly attractive walked by and it popped up. And boy, had someone particularly attractive just walked by.

The man he was standing next to was utterly breathtaking. He was all angles and sharp lines, looking like his t-shirt was tailored and each strand of facial hair was meticulously measured and placed. Liam knew this wasn’t realistic, of course, given they were both standing in a uni library so it was unlikely this guy took t-shirts to a tailor and he was pretty sure you couldn’t measure facial hair like that, but still.

He was immaculate. He looked like art.

Liam sent up a silent little thank you to any deity that happened to be listening for placing him in the same time, space, and universe as this man before coming to the realisation that he’d been staring at him for far too long, slack jawed and probably looking like a complete idiot. He shut his mouth and looked back at the bookcase in front of them, shifting his weight as if he was all cool and casual.

Liam knew what book he was here for, of course, he knew all the books in this section and where they were filed so he supposed it was in his best interests to stop acting like a fool and just grab it. He hooked his finger into the spine and pulled it out, only to hear a slightly despondent sigh next to him in response.

Before he knew it, the most beautiful man he’d ever seen was turning away from him and walking down the library aisle, out of the area and possibly out of Liam’s life forever. This was the first time he’d ever seen him in his three years at Manchester Uni and maybe he’d caught him at a weak moment, but Liam couldn’t help but act. What if he never saw him again?

“Wait! Were you after this book?” he called out, quiet enough for the library, but loud enough that this guy would hear him. Liam took a half jog as he watched him turn around. He tried not to visibly swallow when this sculpted masterpiece looked into his eyes with wide, deep brown ones framed by more diligently placed lashes.

“Yeah, it’s okay though,” he said in his accent Liam could identify as much more northern than his own. Maybe even more north than Manchester, which was already pretty northern to Liam.

“No, no. I uh - I’ve already read it. So you can have it,” Liam managed to get out, holding the book towards him with a straightened arm.

A few long moments passed, the longest Liam had ever felt, before he watched a smile take over this guy's face. If he was all sculpted and marble and angles before, this was almost the opposite. He looked soft and warm and approachable, his tongue pressed behind his teeth in the grin that made it far more believable he was made of flesh and bone and not some sort of marble.

“You’re checking out a book on the environment for a second time?” he asked Liam.

Liam furrowed his brow before smiling wearily, unsure if he was being made fun of or not, but feeling too entranced by the grin still playing on the man's face to take it too much to heart - yet.

“I like to study?” Liam tried.

There was a beat before the gorgeous head in front of him tilted to the side, questioning. Teasing? Smug?

“You’re asking me if you like to study?”

Liam realised he was still holding the book outstretched, so in lieu of finding a good answer to his question he held it out again a bit more emphatically, and this time successfully handed it over.

“I don’t know,” Liam shrugged, hoping his cheeks weren’t turning pink about how awkward he was being. He needed to throw in a distraction, quick. “Do you do environmental studies? I don’t think I’ve seen you in lectures before,”

“Fuck no,” the other man answered with apparent ease, shaking his head as he looked over the book as if to double check it. “It’s for my mate. He’s sick, but he’s heard rumours that apparently there’s a surprise quiz next week, so he wants to get on top of it,”

“Oh,” Liam said, unable to help but furrow his brow. “I mean, there’s a quiz next week, but it’s in the syllabus, so it’s not a surprise,” Liam explained.

“You read the syllabus?” he was asked next, adding to his confusion. Duh?

“Of course. Then I know when to study for what,” Liam replied easily, wondering if the reason this man was so beautiful is because he was an alien and that’s why he asked such a silly question. Everyone read the syllabus. Maybe Liam went a little overboard by putting all the important dates up on his year planner on the wall of his room but that was just for his own reference and no one had to know.

He realised a little too late that the man hadn’t replied, but he was desperate to keep talking to him so scrambled for something to say.

“Who’s your mate? In enviro?”

“Harry. Tall, curly. Talks mind numbingly slow,” he explained, but as soon as he said the name Liam positively lit up.

“I know Harry! We sit next to each other sometimes. He’s forever dropping his pencil and the lecturer hates when it clatters on the floor so she’s constantly telling him off,” Liam exclaimed like it was the most interesting anecdote in the world.

“That sounds like Haz,”

Liam watched as his smile didn’t fade completely. He chalked it up as a small win.

“Well, thank you for the book. I’ll let him know that you were so kind,” he spoke up, turning to retreat again. This was it. Bye-bye to the prettiest man in the world and Liam couldn’t even bring himself to ask for his number or his Facebook or literally anything.

It was probably for the best. Liam had to study, and go to the gym, and play footie. He didn’t have time to spend staring at Michelangelo creations. Or was it Da Vinci? Liam wasn’t really an art guy but this person made him want to at least do a cursory google.

“No worries,” Liam smiled kindly. He blinked his eyes as if to try and capture him in his memory before turning to walk away himself, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.

Time to have a little sulk in the modern religion section of the library.

°｡⋆𓋼𓍊☆𓍊𓋼⋆｡°

One of Liam’s greatest achievements in life was becoming the co-captain of his university football team. He really loves it. He’s always thrived in leadership roles, enjoys getting into the strategy, encouraging his team mates, all of the things that come along with the job. It was really fun, a great break from his meticulous study schedule but still with a purpose and a drive to keep him motivated. It was all perfect.

Except for his co-captain.

Louis Tomlinson was the bane of his existence, in more ways than one.

He never took anything seriously. He was always goofing around, taking the piss. Liam was also pretty sure he smoked and maybe even drank alcohol during the footie season. Liam was all for having a beer or two in general, sure, but their coach had specifically implemented a nutrition regimen to keep them in tip top shape for performance that included a sober policy, so Liam was happy to wait until the end of the season before he indulged in that.

It also didn’t help that he was infuriatingly attractive.

Liam didn’t even understand why he was attracted to him. Well, that was a lie, he definitely understood why he was physically attracted to him. Louis was shorter than him, quite lithe but with a huge arse. He had strong thighs and pretty nimble legs which meant he was amazing on the field despite his apparent disregard for their allocated diet.

He also had these light blue eyes that were always twinkling and slightly tanned skin even in the winter, and it really didn’t help at all that Liam had seen him naked more times than he could count in the showers. Thankfully only on one of those occasions did he get an awkward boner from the sight but managed to discreetly bundle his towel and clothes in front of it and shuffle into a stall to get changed.

But he really was a terror, which was the main reason Liam should have been able to disregard his physical attractiveness.

The amount of times he’d had his nipple tweaked, a wet finger stuck in his ear or been whipped by a damp towel from him over the season they’d been playing together was almost insurmountable. Whenever Liam suggested they talk strategy Louis would blow him off and suggest they go for a drink instead. If Liam wanted to address something in a certain player's performance Louis would go behind his back and address it in a completely different way.

Louis was almost always nice to him, Liam was pretty sure he was meaning to be nice at least, but it was bloody hard feeling like he had to reign in his co-captain more often than his teammates.

Speaking of which, Louis was off to the side of the pitch speaking with Niall, instead of doing their warm up laps like their coach had instructed. Niall was a good lad, really, and he shouldn’t be letting Louis drag him into bad habits. That was what Liam told him quite often at home when they were watching the premier league games. Niall always just laughed him off, but Liam at least knew for sure that Niall’s laughs were good natured.

“Come on, lads, we need to warm up,” Liam said as he jogged by, trying to sound chipper and not bossy.

He was immediately met with a glare from icy blue eyes, which then turned to roll as the owner of them pulled up two fingers in a backwards v, which - well that was unnecessary!

“Tommo, come on,” Liam tried again, slowing a little as he hovered near them now, still jogging in place because he was going to do as he was told. “What’s the problem?”

“No problem, Payno,” Louis bit back near instantly, Liam watching as his eyes scanned over his jogging-on-the-spot form. Maybe he was admiring his dedication to their coaches warm up.

“Yeah, no problem Li,” Niall chipped in with a grin, sharing a little look with Louis before clapping Liam on the back and jogging to catch up with the rest of the pack.

Which left him with Louis.

“I don’t need a minder, you know. There’s a reason I didn’t go to uni closer to home, since me Mum’s always trying to mind me too,” Louis informed him, clearly taking his time by stretching his quads for a few long seconds before starting off on his jog, not waiting for Liam.

Liam took a moment before he pushed to catch up with him.

“I’m not minding you. We had just started the warm up already,” Liam explained, making it clear for Louis.

Liam was pretty sure the silence was bristly for a few moments.

“Not everything is rules and regulations, Payno. Sometimes you have to bend things to like, actually live your life instead of just existing?” Louis told him as he jogged along beside him, the pair of them now at the back of the pack of their team. This was good for Liam, actually, because he could see the whole lot and scan for anything that needed improvement.

“I do live my life. By the rules. That are there for a reason,” Liam answered easily, checking his watch to ensure that everyone would complete the lap within the allocated time frame.

“I’m sure you do,” Louis answered, and Liam was certain it was sarcastic but he chose to ignore it, like a lot of the times Louis tried to bait him into something. Usually just because he wasn’t sure what reaction he was trying to get from him but given Louis’ pranking streak he couldn’t imagine it was a good thing.

Liam watched as Louis jogged to catch up with some of their team, sighing because Louis really should have used the opportunity to analyse their teams form from the back instead of just chatting to them and socialising.

He could only help him so much.

By the time they’d had their hour and a half practice Liam was tired out, but it was in that good way where his muscles ached from exertion which meant he’d pushed himself just the right amount. He was just getting out of the communal showers when he spotted Louis’ naked backside, again, because this guy truly didn’t know how to get his clothes on modestly after a game.

Liam couldn’t be too mad about it though, because more often than not it had become something he had thought about when it was late and he needed a little fantasy. He usually tried to consider Louis’ arse as something separate to his personality, but he wasn’t willing to admit just yet that keeping the two concepts tied together made him just that little bit harder.

“Payno,” Louis half shouted, gesturing him over as if that wasn’t where Liam was heading anyway. He’d picked the locker next to Louis’ at the start of the season, since it made sense to him to have the co-captains have their lockers next to one another.

“What is it?” Liam asked, averting his eyes since now instead of his arse it was his dick that was on full display, but thankfully he had his underwear in hand so Liam wouldn’t be subjected to the sight for too much longer. It wasn’t even hard, it shouldn’t be a turn on.

“Nialler and I here were just talking about summat,” Louis began, stepping into his underwear and pulling them up as Liam reached for his locker to start changing his own clothes.

“Well that’s nice,” Liam muttered, only to gasp loudly and drop half of his things when Louis pulled on his towel he had latched around his hips and made it drop to the floor, exposing him. Louis always did this. Liam really needed to remember to keep one hand on his towel at all times when he was around.

He scooped down and picked it up quickly, covering as much as he could while he re-wrapped, giving Louis a presumably scathing and intimidating look as he and Niall laughed themselves silly. It wasn’t that he was embarrassed by his body, he worked hard on it, it’s just that there was a time and a place to be naked and it was very rarely that time or place.

“It is nice Liam. Just like your washboard abs,” Louis informed him and Liam felt his cheeks flush up pink at Louis’ teasing. God he was weird. Louis would always act like he was so attracted to Liam but he knew he was just doing it to bother him.

When he didn’t grace Louis with a response to that, the boy carried on as if no interlude had occurred.

“Anyway, we were talking, and I’m gonna host an end of season party at my house. And you’re going to come. And there’s no talking your way out of it, alright? Because it's the end of the season, so you can drink, and you’re the co-captain, so it’s bad form if you don’t come. And worst comes to worst, I’ll give Niall a tenner to strong arm you out of your flat and away from your precious books,” Louis announced, punctuating his tirade with a pinch to Liam’s nipple.

“I don’t know, Louis. I have a lot of exams coming up the week after season ends,” Liam began to explain, trying to mentally visualise his year planner, and the subsequent month planner that lay underneath it. He could remember a lot of yellow tabs, which meant exams.

“Well lucky for you, I do know. And you’re coming,” Louis insisted, weaselling his way in between Liam and his locker even though he was trying to get his clean clothes out.

Liam felt he was entirely too close. Like, a big deep breath would touch their chests together close. And Liam was in a towel, just a towel, and Louis was in only his underwear. It was a bit dizzying.

“Please? Come on Payno. The lads will love it if you come to a party. Good for ehm, team morale… and what else do you like? Oh! It’s a rule. The captain has to come to the end of season party, I read it in the rule book,” Louis insisted, looking up at him and starting to pinch at his nipples.

That was only making the proximity more excruciatingly charged for Liam, so he grabbed Louis’ wrists to hold them away from his body and stop his pinching. If he didn’t know any better he could have sworn he saw Louis’ expression change a little, but he didn’t know into what.

“You’ve never read the rule book,” Liam answered, because there was no way Louis had ever laid his eyes on it if he acted the way he did.

“You’re right. Didn’t know we had one,” Louis chirped back.

He was so close Liam could kiss him. Not that he would, of course, and not that Louis would want him to. He was just bantering in that same way he could banter with anyone and everyone. Louis was a really likeable guy, and it was unfortunately one of the things Liam really admired about him because it just seemed really effortless.

“I’ll think about it,” Liam conceded, because he didn’t really see a way he’d be able to get out of it, especially if Niall was in on the plan. “Even though the team won’t need morale because the seasons over, so your logic is flawed,” he added, unable to help himself.

He still had Louis’ wrists in his grip and Louis hadn’t made a move to wriggle them out.

“Oh, I’m Liam, and I love logic,” Louis mocked, putting on a brummie accent which - Liam wasn’t even from Birmingham. He pouted at Louis, hoping to convey his displeasure at being lumped in.

“You’re coming, Payno. Suck it up. You’re gonna drink with me. Maybe I’ll even show you what a cigarette is, if you’re lucky,”

“I know what a cigarette is Louis,” Liam chided, letting go of his wrists as soon as Louis started to worm his way out from between them.

“Mm. But have you ever put one between your lips and inhaled Payno? That’s the real question,” Louis insisted to him.

Liam decided his best course of action was to try and get dressed as quickly as he could, partially to hopefully contain the vague semi he felt was possibly stirring in his cock, and also to get away from this conversation where Louis was most likely making fun of him again for not being cool or something.

“It’s bad for you,” Liam replied instead of answering, getting his underwear on underneath his towel before removing it so he could get his jeans on next.

“Life’s bad for you! You can never smoke a ciggie and still get lung cancer. So you may as well have a little puff,” Louis reasoned, thankfully also starting to put more clothes on as Niall caught his remark and gave him a chorus of laughs, like he usually did whenever Louis opened his mouth. Liam would like to put it down to Niall being able to laugh at almost anything but he was pretty sure it was a Louis exclusive to laugh at everything.

“Right you are Tommo,” Niall commended, slapping Louis’ arse as he moved around the bench so he could sit down and tie his shoes. Louis didn’t even seem to react to it, which was… interesting.

“You don’t smoke Niall,” Liam insisted. He lived with him. He’d notice if Niall was popping out to the balcony to smoke cigarettes. Surely he’d smell like it too?

“You don’t know what I get up to at parties, Leemo, because you never come to them,” Niall insisted with a waggle of his eyebrows. “You deserve to have fun, mate. Let loose a little. I’ll protect you from big bad Louis and his big bad smokes,”

Liam sighed, slipping into his t-shirt.

“I’ll put it on my calendar and see if I can make it, if you text me the details,” Liam decided, trying not to sound too forlorn. He very rarely went to parties, and it was even more rare that he went to parties and had fun, but if Niall was going to be there it would surely be okay. He could show face for a few hours, have a beer to appease Louis, and then be on his way, he supposed.

“Atta boy Lima Bean. I’ll see you there. I’ll get enough vodka for two,” Louis smiled sweetly, somehow completely dressed with his bag over his shoulder. Liam hadn’t noticed him going from his underwear to that at all.

“I don’t dri-” Liam began, but Louis was cutting him off.

“I’ll text you darling! We’ll have such fun,” he shouted as he pulled Liam’s face in close and smacked a wet kiss on his cheek, almost skipping out of the changing room and leaving Liam standing there, very red in the cheeks. It wasn’t like it was the first time Louis had pecked him like that but every single time when he felt a little scratch from his light dusting of facial hair it did something deep in his groin.

Niall wasn’t much help either, just laughing at him and squeezing his shoulder as he walked by.

One glass of vodka, then. Hopefully with a mixer. Then he’d be on his way.

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A week or so later, Liam was in his environmental studies lecture and Harry turned up a few minutes late. Liam would never do that, he knew the lecturer really didn’t like tardiness. Plus Liam liked to be early for lectures, that way he could make sure his laptop was plugged in and ready to go, and that he had the right pens, pencils, and his notepad laid out the way he wanted.

Harry didn’t seem to care though, waving and flashing a smile at the lecturer that seemed to earn him the right to saunter in without a telling off at all, which Liam had never seen with any other student. Harry was kind of like Louis in that way, his natural charisma evident in ways that Liam felt he could never achieve.

“Hey,” Harry greeted as he crashed down next to Liam, limbs seeming to extend beyond the limits of the chair, almost in a way that even if Harry tried to reign them all in he still wouldn’t fit comfortably in the parameters.

“Hi,” Liam replied in a whisper, not wanting to get in trouble.

He heard Harry laugh next to him, cough just a little into his fist, then get his laptop out.

They sat in companionable silence for the rest of the lecture, Liam diligently taking notes and scribbles down depending on what it called for, paying no mind to Harry until the lecture was over and he was starting to pack up his things.

“So, Z told me you met him in the library, when he was picking up my book?” Harry said to Liam, doing the most insane movement of opening his backpack and then swiping his arm along the desk in front of him where he had pens and notebooks and even his laptop littered across the table so everything would tumble off the edge. Some of it landed inside the backpack, including his laptop thankfully, but a few pens went astray.

“Z?” Liam asked, confused and disturbed by Harry’s actions before he blanched when he realised who Harry was talking about.

“Yeah, Zayn. My mate,” Harry answered, busy picking up his pens.

“Oh, yeah. I remember. I had already read it, was just trying to revise, so figured I should share,” Liam answered, carefully sliding his laptop into the allocated part of his backpack that was insulated so it didn’t get bumped.

“Yeah, he mentioned,” Harry smiled, zipping his bag up and shaking it around a little so it would close. “Did you think he was fit?”

“What?” Liam asked, unsure if he heard him correctly.

“Zayn. Did you think he was fit? Like - I know he’s objectively fit, he’s gorgeous. But like, did you think he was fit?” Harry asked as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Liam couldn’t even remember telling Harry that he liked boys. He was pretty sure he hadn’t, given most of their conversations had been about the curriculum and every so often some sort of commentary on their weekends.

“Oh, well I - he was -” Liam stammered, unable to work out quite how to answer the question, standing up a little bit too quickly and hitting his knee on the table in front of him that once held his things and sharply inhaling when it hit right on the bone.

Harry just giggled at him and stood up much more leisurely.

“Well, if you did think he was fit, here’s his number. He thought you were fit, if that means anything to you. I know he seems a bit standoffish but he’s really a softie under all that beautiful exterior. Huge fucking nerd too, so. Could work out for you two,” Harry teased, handing over a scrap of paper from his notebook with a string of numbers. Zayn’s number. Zayn, who was the most gorgeous guy Liam had ever seen in the flesh.

“Oh, that’s uh - well that’s really -” Liam stammered some more, looking over the scrap and then up to Harry who was just grinning ear to ear, like he’d seen him do a few times.

“Text him, mate. Promise he’s cool,” Harry advised before stepping away from them, waggling his fingers in a little wave and managing to trip over his own feet before he made it to the door.

Liam was stuck in place. He had Zayn’s number, but he couldn’t text him. He didn’t have time for boys, or boys who thought he was fit, or boys who were definitely insane for thinking he was fit when the boy in question was the fittest person alive. He wasn’t going to text him.

°｡⋆𓋼𓍊☆𓍊𓋼⋆｡°

So maybe he texted him.

And maybe the conversation went really well. And maybe Zayn liked comic books, and in turn liked marvel movies, which Liam liked to play in the background when he was studying. Perhaps he also learned Zayn was doing an art history major because he hoped it would help him a little bit when he pursued being an artist for real. But he was also maybe going to fall into doing tattoos, because it seemed like a better way to earn money.

Maybe he set up a date with him, even if he didn’t have time. Perhaps the date went well and Liam was really interested in Zayn, so much so that he walked him home. He even dawdled just long enough outside the door to his apartment that Zayn kissed him before he went inside and Liam couldn’t wipe the stupid, dopey smile off of his face the whole way home.

Liam loved men. Or at least, he had a big fat crush on two of them. And maybe it was a threat to his studies, but… maybe he could revise his schedule to allow a little more time for men. Perhaps one evening a fortnight. Surely he could make that work.

°｡⋆𓋼𓍊☆𓍊𓋼⋆｡°

Chapter Text

Zayn loved men.

Zayn loved men in a way that he loved women, or anyone else. Zayn was happy to love people and take them as they were, no holds barred. He loved the intricacies of how different people could be, the ways they could be the same, and how that could translate to art.

Zayn felt that the way he loved was so interlaced with the way he created that both faucets just poured out of him.

He could paint a thousand pictures to try and get his love across to someone, but it would never properly compare to the way it felt inside. Though that was a lot easier than talking about it, words failed him a lot more often than his paintbrush or pen did.

As Zayn walked through his front door and into his lounge he caught sight of at least two of the people he loved, both in different ways, and even though he could just tell from the look on Louis’ face that he was going to be a brat it didn’t make him love him any less. He loved Louis for what he was - annoying, loud, dramatic. But he also loved him for being loyal, brave, and kind.

He dropped his bag behind the couch and swung around to sit at the opposite end from Louis, not bothering to greet him or Harry because he knew he’d get interrupted the second he opened his mouth. As if on cue, Louis piped up.

“Harry, my darling, my love, can you believe that Zayn had the audacity to go out on a date last night - without me?” Louis asked Harry incredulously as if Zayn were sick in the head.

Zayn rolled his eyes. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard this. Or the second, or the third. And he very much doubted it would be the last. Louis could hold a grudge when he wanted to. Like a dog with a bone, he found a lot of things hard to let go of.

Especially Zayn’s apparent betrayal.

As if he hadn’t heard about it via text all through his date with Liam, now it had been at least 24 hours of the same complaints. He was glad Harry had come over to share in his misery because sometimes he had some sort of magical Louis calming powers Zayn could only assume he’d acquired over the years of knowing him.

“I can’t believe he’d do that,” Harry replied loyally, wiggling his fingers at him to try and hold his hand for comfort.

Zayn giggled a little at the sight - a common one for his and Louis’ flat - of Harry just in his boxer briefs, zonked out on the armchair with a joint in the hand that wasn’t currently wiggling at Louis. He’d met Harry through Louis but he’d fast become their third musketeer once he’d come to uni the year after himself and Louis had.

Louis already knew him from when they were still teens and playing in bands, having had what Zayn could only decipher was a messy little romance that didn’t quite last. What did last was a weird, shining twins telepathy crossed with an old married couple. Zayn mostly found it endearing and only slightly creepy.

“Exactly. See, even Harry thinks it’s cruel. And I think you said unusual, didn’t you, darling?” Louis encouraged, offering his fingers to Harry daintily as if he were the queen, letting Harry squeeze and hold them for a second as he nodded enthusiastically.

“Think I did say that, yeah,” Harry placated, finally looking at Zayn and smirking just a little bit as he took another puff. “Anyway, how was L-” Harry began, but Zayn cut him off sharply.

“Ah! No names. Since Louis thinks he’s entitled to interrupt my date I’ve withheld his identity, lest he goes knocking round his flat or summat,” Zayn interrupted, watching as Louis snatched his fingers away from Harry’s grip as if he’d been scorned.

“How do you know who it is!” Louis accused wildly in Harry’s direction, pushing himself up on the couch so he could lean over Harry and pluck away the joint from him as punishment. “You’re all conspiring against me to take away my lovely Zaynie from me,” Louis pouted, crossing his arms and having a puff.

Zayn giggled some more as he slunk a little closer to Louis’ end of the couch, testing the waters as he watched a bug eyed Harry try to come up with something that wouldn’t hurt Louis’ feelings. Zayn just sat next to him and held his fingers out to indicate he wanted the joint next, not wanting to push Louis just yet. It was an art and a science, dealing with his best friend.

“We need a codename before I talk. I’m gonna accidentally say his name, Z, I can feel it. It’s on the tip of my tongue,” Harry whined, sitting himself up just a little and rubbing over his face as if he was genuinely worried he’d get in trouble.

“Hm. Call him… Batman,” Zayn smirked, feeling a little proud of himself for the nickname even if he was met with two judgemental stares. Further evidence of their creepy telepathy.

“What, does that make you Robin?” Louis teased, handing the joint over to him which Zayn counted as a small win.

“That’s my stepdad's name,” Harry claimed proudly, sprawling himself at a different angle across his armchair so he could rest his head in his hand, seemingly having forgotten about the conversation at hand. He was higher than Zayn had thought, but then again, H and Louis hadn’t had an afternoon lecture so he could only assume this is what they’d gotten up to while he was out.

“We know that, honey, very good. Anyway, Tell me everything you know, since Z is being a prude. Including his name, birthday… address, all of that,” Louis encouraged, reaching across again to tap his nose, being sweet on him as he always was when he wanted something.

“Noo, I can’t say his name. Z will tell me off,” Harry giggled, clearly all happy to be getting his attention and Zayn rolled his eyes at how easily pleased he was. He leaned a little closer to Louis, just so their shoulders brushed. He didn’t move away. Progress.

“Batman… is in my environmental lectures. And Z met him in the library, when he was getting me my books because he’s a darling,” Harry drawled, slow as anything but blowing Zayn a kiss in the middle of his sentence which Zayn pretended to catch and put in his pocket. “Which was so nice and lovely, because we actually had the test the other day, Zaynie, and I did so well, I think, so it was so nice… but anyway, Z thought he was hot, which he is, if you like that sort of thing, so I made up this big grand plan to give him Z’s number, as a thank you for picking up my books for me when I was ill,” Harry finally finished, looking all entranced and dreamy about it as if it was a meet-cute in a romcom.

Zayn watched as Louis blanched at that information, his jaw dropping.

“Harold! Are you telling me you’re the one who’s betrayed me and led my Z astray? I can’t believe this! Me own best mate. We go too far back for this, Harry. You’ve seen me in suspenders. I took your virginity! And you stab me in the back!” Louis cried out, all faux dramatics so Zayn put the joint between his lips to try and plug him for a moment. It worked.

“Noo,” Harry whined a little at being told off regardless of his attempts, but he didn’t seem too worried about it as he let his head fall off of his hand and loll to the side. “You guys aren’t even together, Z is allowed to go on dates with fit blokes,” Harry insisted to Louis, then looked between them to make sure that hadn’t changed.

“That’s exactly what I said,” Zayn piped up, but he was still trying to get on Louis’ sweet side so he didn’t say it with all that much gusto. It was working out well to let Harry take the fall for him, since Louis had shifted a little and slung his arm around Zayn’s shoulders. Zayn cuddled in.

There was just something about his and Louis’ relationship that Zayn could never quite put his finger on.

They’d met in their first year, kind of by chance because Zayn was such a self admitted recluse and barely went out, nor had any friends at Uni. That was fine by him, though, he liked to spend a lot of his time drawing or painting on his own, so it was easier to do that if he had no-one demanding his time.

Since he lived in the halls he usually painted in a studio in the arts block, having sweet talked one of the administrators into giving him a key so he could come and go as he pleased. One evening he’d been just heading in to get started, having his preparatory smoke around the side of the building when this bundle of energy had turned the corner.

The Louis of two years ago was just a touch more preppy in his dress sense, his hair shorter and his ankles prominently out. Zayn was quite taken with how he filled the area despite his short stature, his golden aura sort of leaking off of him as if he was a second, smaller sun.

It also didn’t hurt that he had these clear blue eyes that made Zayn’s fingers itch to try and paint them.

“You got a light bro? Mine just ran out,” Louis had asked him, stepping closer in short footsteps before stopping directly in front of Zayn, legs spread to make an unnecessarily wide triangle with the ground. “Fuck you’re fit,” he’d added, almost like he hadn’t expected to say it but he didn’t look all that embarrassed once it was out there.

Zayn had dug around in his pocket for his lighter, handed it over, then met Louis’ eyes.

“So are you,” he’d answered coolly, because objectively, it was true.

“Cheers,” Louis answered, nonplussed, lighting his smoke and taking a puff. “Do you smoke weed?”

“Yup,” Zayn responded.

“Excellent. You’re my new best friend,” Louis had announced, and the rest, as they say, was history.

Turns out what Louis had meant by my new best friend was he was going to be his allocated extrovert and actually get him to participate a little more in the world of the living. Zayn hadn’t really realised what he was missing, and though he wasn’t into some of the things that Louis had dragged him along to, it was clear his life was a lot more enriched with Louis in it.

The first time they’d kissed they’d been higher than Zayn could ever remember being from weed alone. Louis had found a new friend, as he was always finding those, who promised he had some - Zayn remembers the direct quote was - ‘chronic shit’. He was pretty sure it was a little laced, with what he didn’t know, but for some reason it ended up in him and Louis exchanging handjobs.

The next day Louis had shaken him awake, far too early even if it was mid afternoon.

“Z, wake up, you arsehole,” Louis had hissed to him, laying next to him on his bed but thankfully fully clothed.

“Wha’sit?” Zayn had responded, grumbling into his pillow.

“Do you want to be my boyfriend or not?” Louis had asked, very tactfully. So tactful in fact that it had woken Zayn right up, enough for him to lift his head and stare at his face that was giving nothing away.

“Or not?” Zayn had answered carefully, which had seemed to be the right one since Louis held out his fist for a bump.

“Ace. Do you wanna hook up sometimes though? As mates?” Louis had offered as Zayn bumped his fist before slumping back down into his pillow.

“Sure, was cool,” Zayn had agreed, which was apparently the right answer again because he received a smack on his arse for his troubles and Louis jumping over him and off the bed.

“Lovely. I’ll see you later, nice doing business with you,” Louis had noted breezily, then wandered out of his room off on to whatever his next mission was. Sometimes Louis was like a tornado, coming in and filling the space with his whirls before he left and you were stuck in the remaining silence.

Ever since then it had just been like that. Mates, no romance, sometimes a little fucking. Zayn felt like he was maybe a little codependent, in the way that Louis made all his friends for him and sort of kept his life in check, but he’d also considered almost everyone else that knew Louis was a little codependent on him. Harry certainly was.

Zayn thought maybe it was just a tough life when you joined the Louis Tomlinson fanclub.

The only real thing he longed for was a bit of actual romance and stuff you’d do with a real boyfriend. He and Louis had such a great relationship, and he didn’t want it to involve that stuff because - well, gross. But that was the main reason he’d wanted to pursue Liam a bit. To see how different it could be. He just hadn’t quite worded that to Louis, still working out how to - even if he knew Louis wouldn’t be offended by it aside from him having to share Zayn’s attention.

“Z is allowed to go and date fit blokes, of course he is, but it’s the secrecy that’s the problem here Hazza,” Louis explained, bringing Zayn back to the present and away from his ruminating.

“You have a secret,” Harry announced conspiratorially, which piqued Zayn’s interests.

“Do you now?” Zayn hummed, plucking the joint from him and having the last puff before leaning forward to ash it in the tray.

“Harry,” Louis tutted, but his cheeks were pink which was something that Zayn saw very very rarely. Intriguing.

“What’s his secret babes?” Zayn asked Harry instantly, because he knew Louis would be too stubborn to tell him and it was so easy to butter Harry up by being sweet on him and pet naming him.

“Lou has a crush on someone at footie,” Harry easily handed over, looking all pleased between the pair of them purely because they were being so sweet to him to get at one another.

“I’m not bloody ten years old. A crush,” Louis scoffed, but didn’t deny it which pushed Zayn further.

“Who!?” Zayn half asked, half demanded as he looked to Louis who had apparently found something very interesting to stare at and rub with his finger on the armrest. Zayn knew the names of a few of the people at footie, but not what many of them looked like aside from Niall. He supposed he’d find out when they all came over to their house tomorrow for Louis’ footie party. Which Zayn was definitely not dreading.

“The unnamed co-captain,” Harry said after watching Louis for half a second to see if he was allowed to share it or not.

“The unnamed co-captain!” Zayn repeated with a shock laced tone, because he never would have suspected that at all. When Louis had been made co-captain instead of sole captain of the football team he’d come home and instantly announced a ban on speaking his counterpart's name. Zayn didn’t remember what it was now.

“Lou! You hate him,” Zayn added, watching his friends demeanour curiously because it was so rare to see Louis all squirmy like this about anything.

“Nah,” Louis answered, then clearly considered it. “Well, yeah, a little. But he’s fucking fit. Good looking lad. And I think he doesn’t mean to be an arsehole. I think he’s like - what did ya call it Hazza? Oppressed? Suppressed?”

“Repressed,” Harry answered with an easy smile, rubbing his tummy as he watched the conversation unfold.

“Repressed, yeah, that’s the ticket. Think he’s just stuck up because he’s never had fun before. I’m gonna break him, at the party. Got Niall in on getting him here and all. Gonna gently-gently him with some drinks until he like, lets loose a little. He needs it. Then maybe he’ll want to give me a snog, since he wants me so badly,” Louis decided with certainty, speaking as though it were fact.

“Do you even know if he’s queer?” Zayn asked curiously.

Zayn watched Louis shrug, looking back down at his armrest. “I dunno. He’s always looking at me arse when we hop out the showers,”

“That’s hardly a tell,” Harry mused, getting out his phone and gasping excitedly, then infuriatingly choosing not to share what it was about as he started typing.

“I think I gave him a boner the other day but I couldn’t properly see,” Louis added, looking to Zayn for a reaction who gave him an affirming nod before looking at Harry, clearly miffed he wasn’t responding to his remark. “Then he fucked me in front of the whole team,” he added, waiting all of half a second for Harry to respond before it was clear he wasn’t, so he threw the nearest object he could grab in his direction. Luckily for Harry it was a cushion.

“Harry. I invite you around to my house, give you my weed, and you ignore me?” Louis accused as Harry pouted, putting his phone down and being sad for all of a few seconds before grinning again as he picked the cushion up and hugged it.

“Nick’s coming to pick me up and get me ice cream for dessert,” Harry announced cheerfully, looking positively lit up about his boyfriend coming to get him. Zayn liked the guy well enough but he did wonder where Harry had found him given he was a bit older than they were, already in his late 20s.

“Well you best get your kit on then darling, hadn’t you? You and your dad are coming tomorrow to me party?” Louis asked Harry innocently, referring to Nick in a way that made Harry pause halfway into pushing himself up off of the chair.

“Louu,” Harry whined once he clicked, going to find his jeans. “He’s not even that old. Stop it,” Harry added, starting to slide them on and stumbling around quite chaotically, to the point where Louis twitched once or twice against his side with the urge to get up and save him from crashing into something before he finally got them secured around his hips.

“I’m kidding, darling. Come here and give us a cuddle before you go, there’s a lad,” Louis coaxed, gesturing him over before Zayn found himself and Louis both with a lap full of Harry, as his large wingspan encapsulated both of them.

“Yes, Nick and I are coming tomorrow. Can’t wait to ogle the talent with him. You footie boys are so fit,” Harry gushed, then gasped excitedly. “Z! Invite… Batman. Then you and Louis can both have your crushes here and I can decide who’s hotter,” Harry insisted.

Zayn rolled his eyes, considering if he actually wanted Liam to meet the chaos that was Louis and his mates. On their date it was pretty apparent that Liam was a quiet guy, the loudest he got was when he was enthusing about the first comic book his Dad had got him, and even then it wasn’t like he was loud. He seemed… sheltered, for lack of a better word, to Zayn. He didn’t know if it would be the best idea to bring him into this particular fold that quickly.

“Maybe,” Zayn answered mildly, not even shocked by it anymore when he received a wet kiss on the lips from Harry and heard another smacking noise as Louis got the same treatment.

“Cool. Love you guys, see you soon,” Harry grinned, scrambling off of their laps and heading for the door.

“Your t-shirt, darling, and your bag,” Louis reminded Harry, calling out to him but his eyes were settled on Zayn.

“Course,” Harry giggled, skipping back and putting his t-shirt on before ruffling Louis’ hair. “Bye-bye, kissies!” Harry cooed, seeing himself out.

Zayn heard the door latch, but Louis’ eyes were still on him, not reacting to the sound. He looked as if he was trying to find the solution to something.

“Did you like him?” Louis finally asked.

“Yeah,” Zayn responded after a few moments. They’d never had a relationship where they bullshitted one another, and really never one had Zayn wanted to beat around the bush with him either.

“Was it a nice date?” Louis asked after he’d nodded in response to Zayn.

“Yeah. He was a proper gentleman. Was even nervous, I think. Gave me butterflies. Didn’t even - just kissed me like, softly, after he walked me home,” Zayn explained quietly, not backing down from Louis’ eye contact even though it was challenging.

“Good,” Louis said, a little quieter before he was cupping Zayn’s cheeks as if to assess him.

“Am I still allowed to kiss you?” Louis asked, his voice a little softer.

It was Zayn’s turn to nod this time, fluttering his gaze down to Louis’ lips for a second before meeting his eyes again.

“And you’ll tell him I’m your best mate? And I come first even if we have to stop snogging and that if he’s precious about it?” Louis asked, causing Zayn to giggle.

“I’ll tell him you’re my best mate and you come first,” Zayn muttered obligingly, sliding his hand onto Louis’ hip, trying to tug him a little bit closer.

“Bros before hoes,” Louis insisted solemnly as though it were ancient scripture, leaning in a little bit to Zayn’s tugging before nudging Zayn to lay back on the couch and crawl on top of him.

That was another plus side to his relationship with Louis. He could have - almost - no strings attached sex, basically on tap, from the freedom of his own home. It was nothing if not convenient. And the sex was kind of great.

“He’s not a hoe, Lou,” Zayn chided, but leaned down easily and got his hands around to Louis’ arse, where they liked to rest given the opportunity. He just had such a good one, amazing handfuls of it. “Kind of the opposite. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was a virgin,” Zayn added in amusement.

“A virgin! Christ,” Louis muttered, looking over his face before finally, finally Zayn got a kiss. He kissed back slowly, lazy from the weed and thankfully Louis was too otherwise he could be a little impatient and nippy. “You gonna take his virginity like you took mine?” Louis teased against Zayn’s lips.

“I didn’t take your virginity, fuckin’ liar,” Zayn muttered, knowing full well Louis had had sex before he met him. Fuck, he even knew he’d had sex with Harry before he met him, let alone whoever else.

“My university virginity, Z, it’s different,” Louis insisted, leaning in with a snog that shut Zayn up from his retort, which was probably his plan with it all.

“Is he fit?” Louis eventually asked, pulling back to sit up square on Zayn’s waist and leaning over to the coffee table, collecting up his paraphernalia and dumping it on Zayn’s chest.

“Yeah. Well fit. He’s like - proper built. Muscly,” Zayn advised, watching Louis roll them another joint with nimble fingers.

“Your type, then,” Louis advised him, pausing his work to flex his biceps as Zayn snorted.

“Yeah, exactly,” Zayn appeased, rolling his eyes a little bit. He moved his hands up and down Louis’ thighs slowly as he watched him work, feeling the firm muscle and thinking that even if Louis wasn’t exactly a muscle man on his upper body he was still pretty muscly on the lower half.

“What about your man? He fit?” Zayn asked eventually, looking over Louis’ body atop his own and noticing he was just a little tented in his shorts. He hummed with intrigue, running his hand up the inside of Louis’ thigh and brushing his fingers over the bulge before tamping down his smile when he heard Louis’ sharp inhale.

“Massive cock. Gorgeous all round, sure, but that thing is a weapon. And I’ve only seen it soft so god knows what it’s like hard. If he’s a grower I feel sorry for anyone he’s been with,” Louis giggled softly, rolling his hips into Zayn’s hand.

Zayn took the initiative to provide a little resistance, palming Louis through his layers of clothing and feeling out the shape of him as he grew fatter under his hand.

“Didn’t know you were a size queen,” Zayn mused, smiling a little when Louis placed the finished joint between his lips and gripping it so it didn’t slide out of his mouth since his hands were a little busy feeling Louis up.

“M’not. Obviously,” Louis responded, looking pointedly at Zayn’s crotch. Zayn gasped, offended, using the hand that had worked its way around to Louis’ arse to give it a sharp slap as Louis giggled gleefully, barely reacting.

“You’re such a bitch. I don’t know why I bother with you,” Zayn insisted, holding the joint still as Louis brought the lighter to the tip and got it going for him.

“Because you love me. And I give great head,” Louis mused. Zayn felt his hips roll again so started up his hand once more, his fingers tracing the length of Louis now that he seemed almost full hard. He pressed his fingers against Louis’ tip a bit more firmly, watching as Louis arched his back in response.

He really was gorgeous, was the thing for Zayn. All soft in the right places, firm in others. He could fill a room with his large personality and often acted like he was nothing more than his jokes and sass but Zayn loved this side of him. A more genuine, connected side. The side Zayn could make fall apart if he wanted to.

“Remind me?” Zayn requested, speaking out of the corner of his mouth until Louis plucked the joint from his lips to have a puff of his own.

“You’re lucky you’re pretty, Malik. Wouldn’t be taking demands like that from anyone else,” Louis muttered, but Zayn watched as he took a last puff and offered it back out to him.

Zayn plucked the joint from Louis’ fingers, eyes glued to him as Louis slunk down his body and got between his legs, his dainty hands tucking into the waistband of Zayn’s shorts and boxers. He tugged them down just enough so that Zayn’s cock was exposed, half-hard from Louis basically sitting and grinding on it but he wasn’t too worried. He knew Louis liked to feel it grow in his mouth.

“I think you might take demands like that from a handful of people,” Zayn mused, going to take a puff before stuttering in his actions when he felt Louis lick across the length of his cock.

He looked down to find Louis’ eyes narrowed at his own, but there was a glimmer there, a sparkle of amusement.

“Why don’t you shut up and have a puff and leave me to my business, hm?” Louis insisted to him.

Zayn shrugged. It wasn’t a bad idea, especially when Louis’ business was taking the head of his cock into his mouth and sucking on it in that wet way of his. Louis had the most amazing mouth, really talented at giving head, like he had claimed earlier, not that Zayn would tell him that unless he was close to coming.

He had another puff and relaxed into it, feeling his cock fatten up in Louis’ mouth and fill the space, letting out a moan or two once Louis really got going, only squirming slightly when Louis’ tongue ran along the sensitive underside of his tip. Of course, Louis knew he’d get that reaction, because Zayn was pretty sure they’d learned one another's bodies to the point where there were very few surprises.

When Louis pulled off for a breath Zayn took one of his own, shuddering a little as the cool air hit his wet cock after it had been so lovely and warm inside of Louis’ mouth. He was swimming now, having taken more than his fair share of the joint Louis had rolled but he didn’t think he’d mind too much. They could always roll another.

“Come here, babes,” Zayn instructed softly, reaching out for Louis. The blowjob was nice, amazing even, but he was feeling too far gone to be of any use to Louis after he came but he didn’t want him to go without, so quickly devised a plan.

Louis crawled up his body without question, letting himself be tugged into a snog. Zayn could taste his own cock on Louis’ tongue, not caring all that much because it just tasted like man and sex and desire. He licked along his mouth as Louis met him with a bit more intensity, clearly worked up just from giving head.

Zayn kind of loved that about him. He remembered one of the first times Louis had come just from sucking him off and palming himself over his pants. It was one of the sexiest things he’d seen.

“Get these off,” Zayn muttered into his mouth, using the hand that wasn’t holding the joint to tug on the waistband of Louis’ shorts.

“Bossy,” Louis muttered, but still did as he was told, ridding himself of the fabric - at least down to his knees. Zayn grabbed his hip and pulled him down between his legs again, lining them up so their cocks would brush against one another and making a noise in the back of his throat at the contact.

“You want to rub off on one another like we’re teenagers, babes?” Louis asked with an amused little giggle.

Zayn shrugged, smiling as he slid two of his own fingers between Louis’ lips to get them wet. Louis pretty pliantly took them and sucked messily, running his tongue over them as if he knew Zayn’s intentions - though Zayn supposed they weren’t too hard to guess.

“Feels good, doesn’t it? Roll your hips proper, see-” Zayn instructed, moving his hips up in time and feeling his breath catch in his throat at the rough glide of Louis’ dick against his own.

“Suppose it does,” Louis muttered, dribbling just a little down his chin since Zayn had taken to moving his fingers in and out of his mouth. He tidied him up as best as he could with his slightly less wet fingers and then brought the remainder of the joint to Louis’ lips, watching him have a puff.

Zayn waited until he was exhaling before pressing his two fingertips between Louis’ cheeks and straight against his hole, rubbing slow circles on it to get him wet with his own spit and grinning in delight when Louis’ hips stuttered against him. He recovered, though, getting back to his slow rolls to drag their cocks against one another but Zayn was pretty sure he was pressing back against his fingers as much as he was pressing forwards against his cock.

“See? Feels good,” Zayn murmured as if it wasn’t just him being lazy. He encouraged Louis to have another hit on the joint, wanting to make sure it wasn’t just himself who was all relaxed and sloppy.

“Yeah, yeah. Does,” Louis breathed quietly, hips rutting some more.

The drag was almost on the edge of painful, just rough enough in that way Zayn liked. He felt inspired so slid one of his fingers inside of Louis’ hole up to the second knuckle, feeling him clench around him.

“So tight, Lou. You’re always so tight,” Zayn murmured to him softly, moaning when Louis started to move more enthusiastically and kissing him rougher when their lips met once more. For all Louis’ grandeur in his day to day life, Zayn had found when he was intimate he was really just eager to please and responded so well to the slightest bit of dominance from his partner.

“Why don’t you get your hand on our cocks, yeah? Would love it if you did,” Zayn instructed.

He watched as Louis licked his palm and fingers a few times, his hand disappearing between their bodies, then soon enough he felt Louis’ fingers wrap around his base and stroke upwards, only one of his fingers separating them.

“That’s it. Good lad,” Zayn encouraged, rolling his hips up and tilting his head back. He felt Louis attach his lips to his neck so he rewarded him by thrusting his finger a bit faster, hardly giving him any length but the lack of it seemed to be driving him a little wilder.

“Gonna come Z,” Louis muttered not too long after his own hand was added to the mix.

“Yeah?” Zayn asked, breath laboured now he was getting close himself. He tilted his head down, nudging Louis’ up so their lips could meet and kissed him roughly. He bit his bottom lip, tugging it out with his teeth and watching it pop back into place when he let it go. “Show me, then,” Zayn encouraged, kissing him again before resting his forehead on Louis’ so he could look down between their bodies.

He heard Louis moan, his hand moving faster on the pair of them, getting slicker from their shared precome and Zayn just managed to pull his own t-shirt out of the way in enough time before Louis was coming all over his stomach. He felt him shudder around the finger he had kept tucked inside of him, smiling a little to himself as he felt his breath catch in his throat.

“Keep going,” Zayn encouraged, feeling Louis drop his own cock in favour of wrapping his hand around Zayn’s more completely, smearing his own come over Zayn’s length and easing the slide of it as he jerked him towards his orgasm.

Zayn already felt like he was about to tip over the edge and then Louis bit his collarbone, shocking the orgasm out of him as he started to shoot ropes across his own stomach this time. He groaned in the back of his throat as Louis licked over the bite mark he’d made, taking a deep breath through his nose once his head cleared and tipping his head down to look at him.

“Better not have made a mark,” Zayn warned, but there was no real bite behind it, just a bit of breathlessness.

“You hit my fucking chin with your come, so you deserve it,” Louis insisted, clearly back to his usual self and out of his pliancy.

“‘Cause I know you’re so sad about not getting it in your mouth, babes,” Zayn teased back, using his free hand to tilt Louis’ head up so he could see the damage and swiped it away with his finger before trying to feed it into Louis’ mouth.

Louis yelped, leaning back from him and swatting his hand away. “Get your finger out me fuckin’ arse, Malik, and stop trying to feed me your come. You know you have to eat so much more fruit for me to do that. Not my fault I’ve been spoiled,” Louis insisted haughtily which only made Zayn laugh more.

He did as he was told though, lowering his hands and trying to look a little pitiful as he looked at his own very messy stomach and his now two messy hands.

“Fine. Get me a rag as a consolation?” Zayn asked Louis, trying to make his eyes bigger and watching Louis roll his own blue ones.

“So bloody demanding,” Louis muttered under his breath, but Zayn knew he meant it lovingly. Especially when he saw him push himself to his feet and even got a little smooch on his way out of the room.

Zayn loved men, and other people, but one of the ones he loved the most was Louis Tomlinson.

Chapter Text

Louis loved men.

Sometimes he felt he loved them too much, or not enough. Or maybe just in the wrong way. He’d always had this thing in his brain where even if he found the lad fit and wanted to fuck them, he’d never want to… buy them flowers, or get engaged, or kiss in the rain. The struggle for him had always been differentiating what different types of relationships were, because they all came quite fluidly to him.

He didn’t see why you couldn’t have a friend that you kissed, or a partner who also had another partner. Everyone was just another human, and if you were honest and open and communicative, what was the issue?

The first time he realised that may not be standard was when he met Harry.

Louis loved Harry. He still loves Harry, of course, and when they’d started dating it had been great - from Louis’ perspective. They’d met at a Battle of the Bands competition in Manchester, became fast friends, and one night at a house party Harry had leaned in and kissed him square on the lips when he was making him a drink in the kitchen.

From there it was easy. They dated, became boyfriends, hooked up, all of that stuff. It was a typical relationship, or so Louis thought, until one day Harry was positively mooning around, looking like he was desperate for Louis to ask him what was wrong. Louis did, of course, maybe fifty times or so, before Harry finally opened up.

“Why don’t you want to take me on dates Lou?” Harry had asked him once Louis had poked and prodded him for what felt like hours to share what was on his mind. They were laying on Louis’ childhood bed, afternoon sun filtering in through his blinds. Harry’s head was on his chest, curls tickling his bare skin.

“What do you mean? We go on dates,” Louis responded, carding his fingers through his hair.

“We do, yeah, but I don’t - you don’t want to, I always suggest them. And they’re not - we don’t, like,” Harry stammered, picking his head up to look between Louis’ eyes. Louis felt he was being inspected.

“You don’t want to… ehm. Like, pick me up, and buy me flowers, and- and take me to, uh, my favourite restaurant,” Harry tried to explain.

“You don’t have a favourite restaurant. Do you?” Louis asked, thinking he maybe missed something.

“No, I don’t, I suppose. But it’s like… the sentiment. Like, think about like, the Notebook,” Harry began, moving his hands as if to display the title of the movie in front of Louis’ nose.

“You know, he wrote to Allie for a year. A whole year! They died in each other's arms, it’s - he won her back, he came back for her. You know?”

“Yeah but,” Louis began, his brow furrowed as he tried to work out what Harry was getting at. “That’s a movie, Haz. Do you - I mean, I’m not going to go off to war or anything. I just got accepted to University,”

Harry gave him that little froggy faced look and then kissed his nose.

“That’s not what I meant either, Lou,” Harry replied softly.

“Do you want me to take you on more dates? Or… I mean, I’m drawing the line at dying in your arms right now, babe, but I could write you letters, if you wanted. I’m sorry. Do you feel like - am I not being a good boyfriend to you?” Louis asked, feeling concerned.

He’d just had no idea that Harry felt this way, and couldn’t properly identify what it was that was missing. But he was nothing if not open to constructive criticism, especially since Harry was so special to him.

“No, you’re - you’re a great boyfriend,” Harry had answered, which set Louis’ heart a little bit at ease. “I suppose it’s just - I want you to want that. I want you to think of - I want you to just… feel so in love with me that you want to write me letters for a whole year,”

Louis nibbled on the inside of his lip for a second, trying to solve the equation for them when he didn’t really have all the numbers. He was never any good at algebra.

“But I love you like… I love you in the way where I want to, ehm. I want you to feel safe, and special, and lovely. And I want to spend my time with you like, playing FIFA, or going to the chippy, or - watching our movies. Is that not loving you enough?” Louis asked.

Harry watched him like he was something curious, then shifted up his chest to kiss him on his lips, just softly.

“I’m not sure,” Harry answered. Louis nodded. He wouldn’t begrudge Harry his feelings, even if he couldn’t quite work out what the difference was.

They talked about it a few more times. Louis learned the expression ‘differing expectations’.

They decided maybe it wasn’t meant to be, or at least, it wasn’t meant to be right now. They broke up, Harry pulled away from him for about a month before he was back like an elastic band, and it was kind of the same as before except they had sex a lot less.

Louis couldn’t tell the difference but it seemed Harry could, and he stopped doing those forlorn little baby deer glances at him and it all seemed back to normal. Louis still loved Harry, and Harry still loved Louis.

Harry sent him an article or two on aromanticism, but Louis was never much for labels. He liked people, and he was a person, he loved the way he loved and if Harry wanted a knight in shining armour to save him or someone to proclaim ‘Thus with a kiss I die’ after swigging some poison, then Louis couldn’t be that. He loved Harry too much to feel bitter about him wanting his fairytale.

So maybe Louis loved Harry in the wrong way. But that was okay, because as Harry walked into his party before anyone else had arrived with his hand enveloped in Nick’s, Louis couldn’t feel anything other than happy for him. Maybe Nick loved him in the right way.

“Hello my darling. Looking particularly slutty tonight,” Louis complimented as he wandered over to the door to pull him in, kissing him on either cheek and cupping his waist over the sheer lace shirt he had barely covering his torso.

He considered placing a bet with Zayn on how soon the few buttons that remained attached would come undone. His money was on in under half an hour.

“Thank you,” Harry cheesed sweetly, waiting until he got his cheek kisses to press one directly on Louis’ lips. Louis had to give it to Nick, for all of his faults, he never so much as blinked at the fact they were exes and Harry was still possibly far too affectionate with him.

“Not to worry Tommo, it’s far more slutty under those jeans,” Nick announced as he nudged Harry through the door, pulling Louis into a hug which he begrudgingly fell into even though he liked to put up the farce of hating him.

“And hello to you, my favourite little ex-boyfriend of my current boyfriend. So lovely of you to extend the invitation to your humble celebrations,” he added, his hands sliding over Louis’ body and taking liberties under the guise of a greeting hug.

Louis’ last straw was when he cupped the back of his neck to try and cradle him closer so he swatted at his chest and squirmed away. Freak. Harry’s boyfriend was a real weirdo sometimes but Louis was much more used to it than he was at the start of their relationship. They’d done some… team bonding exercises to really speed that along.

“I’m his only ex, so it’s hardly a compliment,” Louis insisted with a warning glare, guiding Harry through to his kitchen because he knew Nick would follow, attached at the hand. “And no, H, the lad you snogged on holiday when you were thirteen doesn’t count,” Louis added before Harry could start.

He got two wine glasses out for the pair of them since he’d spied the four bottles of red Nick seemed to be carrying by their necks in his massive free hand, setting them on the counter only to be met squarely with Harry’s pout. A sight he was almost immune to. Almost.

“You’d still be my favourite even if we were counting… Mauricio. Javier. Alejandro?” Nick insisted, looking to Harry for guidance which got him to crack a grin. It was nice to share the responsibility of wiping away his pouts, at least.

“I don’t remember. It was a summer romance. He’d just call me hermoso so maybe he didn’t know my name either,” Harry replied dreamily, automatically taking three of the four bottles and putting them up in one of the cabinets Louis didn’t use because it was too high up. It was a great hiding spot though, away from prying eyes of drunkards who had run out of their own BYO.

Nick rolled his eyes and started to pour them a glass each, overpouring Harry’s a little comically. Louis didn’t give him a laugh because he knew Harry would give him more giggles than he deserved.

“Regardless, you’re my favourite ex. One, because you’ve such a lovely arse to look at,” Nick listed, Louis giving him another unimpressed look as he sipped his beer. “And two, because you’ve invited me to a little party where I can perv on fit footie boys and rile up my boyfriend,” Nick insisted, adding the remainder from their bottle to the stash and then getting an arm around Harry’s waist. Harry snuggled into him. Louis sipped his beer again.

“You sure your heart won’t give out Grandad?” Louis teased, nodding towards the balcony to get them moving along so they could have a j before everyone else arrived.

“I’ll be okay. H knows mouth to mouth resuscitation,” Nick quipped back, tutting at Harry’s giggles and steering him outside. “He also tells me your crush is coming?”

Louis shot Harry a dark look, leaning against the rail as he dug around in his pocket for his tin. Never say he wasn’t well prepared. There was nothing worse than trying to roll when you were crossed, so Louis took the liberty of spending a few minutes prior to any event meticulously preparing some joints that he’d inevitably have to share.

“Harry likes to run his mouth,” Louis mused, sparking up as he eyed his best friend.

“Harry likes to see you when you’ve got a crush because you get this sweet little blush. Harry is also very interested to meet him because you’ve got excellent taste. I mean, look at me and Z,” Harry mused in the third person, pushing Nick into one of the seats and sitting directly on his lap, fingers wiggling for the joint.

Louis definitely didn’t blush at the mention of his blush. Harry could fuck off for all he cared, actually. He wasn’t sure why he invited him over in the first place.

It wasn’t like his crush on Liam was an actual crush. He didn’t know if he got those properly, given it was tied in with all that relationship shite he didn’t quite get either, but it was more… a passing interest.

He wanted to get under Liam’s skin. He wanted to break him, a little. Crack his facade. He wanted to have him in a biblical way, but he also thought that after some chiselling and sculpting, he might actually like having Liam around.

Louis had little fantasies that when Liam wasn’t being a bossy freak he would actually be a good mate. He’d seen glimpses, small glances before he’d almost physically see Liam’s face change as he remembered he was meant to be behaving and following whatever random rules he’d set up for himself.

Louis was pretty sure he could work his way inside and get Liam to relax a little. He told himself he was doing a service, he needed it. Maybe if he gave Louis a good seeing to he wouldn’t be so obsessed with law and order.

“He might not even come,” Louis mumbled, scuffing his feet a little as he passed the joint to Harry. Nick took it from him, pressing it to Harry’s lips to hold it for him instead.

“You’re so cute. He’ll come,” Harry praised after he took a hit, blowing it skyward. “He’d be an idiot not to,” Harry added, only glancing away from Louis when Zayn stepped out to join them.

When Louis turned his head to join Harry in a glimpse at Zayn, he felt a grin light up across his features. He wondered to himself if just the same as how he’d loved Harry the wrong way, maybe he loved Zayn the right way.

They communicated a lot more clearly, for one. Louis had discovered the term friends-with-benefits which seemed to align expectations a bit more. They hung out, fucked, even lived together. Zayn never asked for the things Harry had wanted, and didn’t seem to want or need them. It was perfect.

Plus, Zayn was the most beautiful idiot he’d come across. He supposed it was kind of his type, all things considering. Zayn was maybe slightly less of an idiot and certainly extreme on the beautiful end of the scale, what with his long, spindly fingers and his perfect pouty lips. Louis felt he was all sharp to his own soft, and when he first laid eyes on him down that alleyway he just knew he had to strike up at least a friendship.

Other people told him Zayn felt like barbed wire until you got to know him. Maybe Louis was also a (surely beautiful) idiot, but he didn’t really feel that way. Sure, he was quiet, but Louis liked that. When he did talk it was insightful and thorough, not just the word vomit Louis felt came from his own mouth.

They had loads in common, and soon enough Zayn became one of his boys, just like Harry, that he felt he couldn’t live without.

Louis wondered if he was destined to just collect boys he loved in different ways. He didn’t think life would be so bad if that was his fate.

Louis lifted his arm and Zayn immediately tucked underneath it, pressing a kiss to the side of his head and smiling sweetly.

“You look fit, babe,” Louis complimented, bumping their hips together. He was just in a band t-shirt and his black jeans, but the point still stood. Zayn always looked fit, even if he was in his joggers that had holes and paint all over them and hungover as fuck. Louis was pretty sure it was impossible for him not to look fit.

“So do you,” Zayn grinned, Louis feeling Zayn’s hand fit around his waist as he reached out to Nick so he could have a puff as well.

“Zayn’s little boyfriend is also coming Grim, Gonna be so fun. I know him from enviro,” Harry announced to Nick, looking positively gleeful about the developments as Zayn scowled at him.

“I thought Louis was Zayn’s little boyfriend? Does he have a big boyfriend as well?” Nick responded, knowing he was stirring judging by the grin on his face.

“He’s not my boyfriend, Haz, we’ve been on one date,” Zayn insisted.

Harry cocked his head to the side, seeming to consider this.

“I would say that he’s bigger than Louis,” Harry shrugged as if that were the argument they were presenting to him. Zayn pulled the fingers at him and Nick covered Harry’s eyes to protect him from it.

“Regardless. He said he’d try and pop by, apparently he had another commitment. So. You might be out of luck,” Zayn shrugged, leaning in to steal a sip of Louis beer. Louis let him, of course. He’d share anything with Zayn.

“I hope you’ve invited some birds for all your straight teammates, sounding like a proper cock fest” Nick insisted.

“Don’t you fuckin’ worry about how I plan me parties, Grimshaw,” Louis insisted, pointing the joint he’d repossessed off of Zayn at him before taking a puff. “And as if that’s not a fantasy of yours, so pack it in,” Louis advised.

“Mm. Right you are. Don’t know how I’ll control meself, if I’m honest. Have to take it out on you,” Nick teased Harry, starting to tickle him and kiss at his neck with loud wet noises.

Louis rolled his eyes, meeting Zayn’s eyes to find him painted with the same expression. Mild disgust, a tiny bit fond, overall exasperated. See? He loved him right.

°｡⋆𓋼𓍊☆𓍊𓋼⋆｡°

A bit of time and a lot of vodka redbulls later, the party was in full swing. Liam hadn’t arrived yet, which meant Niall hadn’t either, but almost everyone else was present and if Louis had to say so himself the party was going swimmingly. There were different groups of people spilling throughout the lounge, dining, kitchen, and balcony, either drinking, dancing, chatting, or taking drugs. There’d been no fights, and from what Louis could tell, minimal spills, so he counted it as a win.

Another big win was he’d got Zayn crossed enough to join him on the makeshift dance floor. He’d always act like he hated it but he could actually move pretty well, especially when said moves were just Louis grinding his arse against Zayn’s crotch and letting him feel him up. It wasn’t like he was going to dance to Rihanna any other way, was he?

It was at that moment the door opened, and just like almost every time it had, Louis glanced over curiously. Zayn hadn’t noticed, because his mouth was on Louis’ neck on the opposite side to the entrance, but Louis tapped him excitedly and spun around in his grip.

“He’s here,” Louis announced, whispering in his ear and nodding over towards the door where Niall was pushing Liam towards the kitchen. Liam’s eyes were locked on him already, which made preen. Maybe this would be easier than he thought.

“Ehm. With Niall?” Zayn asked him, sounding hesitant.

Louis wondered what his problem was. Liam looked well fit tonight, even if he was a little overdressed in a button up. At least he just had jeans on instead of slacks or something. Probably Niall’s input.

“Yeah, with Niall. Why?” Louis asked him back.

“That’s - ehm. Who I went on a date with. Liam,” Zayn explained quietly.

Louis was gobsmacked for a few long seconds, trying to put that together in his brain.

“Liam’s my co-captain,” Louis eventually responded, sharing a look with Zayn before they both turned to Liam who was all but running into the kitchen now, head down.

Louis looked back to Zayn before he burst into giggles, starting to move his body again to the music and diving in to kiss on his neck. He figured Liam might need a minute since he’d obviously just realised him and Zayn know one another quite well.

“Seems we’ve got a little conundrum on our hands,” Louis murmured into Zayn’s ear, feeling his hands settle back on his waist and pressing a little closer.

“Mm. Seems we do,” Zayn responded, and Louis liked to think his voice was at least a bit intrigued.

Louis’ mind was whirring. He’d wanted to try and get with Liam tonight, but now a new, better idea was forming. Getting Liam with Zayn, if possible, would be something of a dream come true. It would maybe blow Liam’s tiny brain, but sometimes you had to make sacrifices for good things to happen.

“Do you wanna try pull him together?” Louis asked Zayn curiously, grinning against his skin when he felt his hands grip tighter.

“You think he’ll go for it?” Zayn countered.

Louis paused, carding the back of Zayn’s hair as he considered his question.

“Honestly? Not sure. If he lets himself, maybe. Worth a shot?” Louis proposed, looking over Zayn’s face as he considered what he had said about their date. He wondered about the fact that Liam was maybe slightly more important to Zayn than just a one night stand, so reconsidered.

“We don’t have to. If you like him in a - you know, that kind of way, I can bow out. Leave you to it?” Louis added a bit softer, feeling his shoulders relax when Zayn shook his head quickly.

“Nah, nah. Let's try. Will be amazing if he agrees. I think he’s a secret freak, you know. It’s always the quiet ones,” Zayn noted which caused Louis to laugh.

“Yeah. Like you,” he agreed, biting his neck before pressing a kiss on his lips.

Louis watched Zayn roll his eyes when he pulled back, but he was grinning, so Louis counted it as a win.

“Shall we go save him? I saw Harry wander in there and you know how over-friendly he gets when he’s drunk,” Louis suggested, folding his hand into Zayn’s.

“Oh god, yeah. Quick,” Zayn muttered, pushing Louis towards the kitchen.

As the pair of them wandered in, Louis caught the tail end of Harry blabbering on to Liam, having boxed him into a corner against the kitchen counters.

“...and so how do you know Nialler?” Harry was asking, causing Louis to snort as he headed straight for the fridge. He felt Liam might be more responsive to his offer of alcohol given the situation he’d found himself in so started to gather ingredients.

“Ehm, from footie,” Liam stammered. Louis chanced a look over at him, seeing his face was beet red and his fingers had a vice grip on the edge of the counter. He almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

“He’s my co-captain, Hazza,” Louis informed him as he grabbed two cans of red bull and some red cups.

“He’s your - oh - oh!” Harry responded, half turning towards Louis and comically looking between him and Liam before looking at Zayn and bursting into laughter. “Oh dear,”

Liam looked even more confused, but Louis just offered him the cup that he’d poured a heavy splash of vodka into and topped up with the red bull. He was surprised at how quickly Liam grabbed it, taking the opportunity to slip out from where Harry had pinned him to cower closer to Niall.

“Nice to see you could make it, Leemo. Fashionably late I note,” Louis mused, smiling over his cup and glancing over to see Zayn giving him an amused smirk as well.

“You’re lucky he’s even here, mate, he wanted to ditch to go to some party this ‘really fit’ bloke invited him to. Went on a date with him and all,” Niall informed Louis, cracking into a beer of his own that he’d brought. Liam was particularly interested in his shoes, apparently, so much so that he wouldn’t make eye contact with Louis anymore.

“Oh yeah? Well well well, our little Liam on a date. I thought you didn’t have time for anything aside from study and footie?” Louis mused, egged on by Harry positively doubling over in a fit of giggles. “You know, Zayn here went on a date recently too. Unsure if the bloke was fit though,” Louis shrugged, sipping away.

“He was,” Zayn piped up.

“Why do I feel like everyone is in on something that I’m not?” Niall asked, but still had a bit of a laugh in his tone and a grin on his face like he was just happy everyone else was amused.

“Zayn and Liam went on a date. Together,” Louis told him, giggling a little more at Harry and giving him a pat on the head to try and calm him as he slid to sit on the counter and kick his feet a little. He didn’t give Niall the full context that Harry and Zayn knew Louis liked Liam as well, but figured that was enough to get him settled.

Niall broke into a loud laugh, almost as bad as Harry before slapping Liam on the back encouragingly. “Sick, mate. Zayn’s well hot, you weren’t lying. I half didn’t believe him, you know? Never seen him go on a date the whole time we’ve known one another,” Niall explained, reaching for a fist bump from Zayn and getting a gentle one back.

“Must take a special man to pull Liam ‘Payno’ Payne then,” Louis mused, winking at Liam once he finally caught his eye and giggling when he looked away again. “Lucky Z is the most special man of them all,” Louis cooed, gesturing him closer.

He knew he had to move carefully with this, and maybe he was a little too inebriated to properly think about a game plan, but with the way Liam tracked Zayn’s movement across the kitchen to him and how he watched when Louis guided him to lean between his legs made Louis think maybe it wouldn’t be all that hard.

Liam opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but shut it, doing this a few times before taking another drink and luckily for him Harry took pity on him by giggling again.

“Oh this is just great,” Harry mused, looking at Zayn and Louis and clearly catching on to their intentions and clapping delightedly before stepping closer to Liam and cupping his cheeks which clearly startled the man.

“I think, Liam, you should adopt an attitude tonight of saying yes. Being a yes man. Seizing the day, yeah? It might work out well for you. Trust me, been in your shoes before,” Harry told him knowingly, waggling his eyebrows and pressing a drunken kiss on his forehead before corralling Niall and getting him tucked under his arm.

“Come with me, you’ve just gotta meet my boyfriend Nick, you’ll love him,” Harry insisted, Louis watching as Niall gave Liam a glance for all of a second before nodding.

“Yeah, fuck. If only just to get away from these freaks. You’re all fuckin’ weirdos together, seems like. What’ve ya been smoking? Because I want some,” Niall muttered with a laugh, but it was good natured as he gave everyone fist bumps as he was led out of the room.

Louis looked back to Liam with a smirk, resting his chin on top of Zayn’s head and looking him over.

“You tried weed before Leemo?” Louis asked him curiously in the newfound silence.

Liam stared at him for a few silent seconds before he shook his head, playing with his bottom lip between his thumb and forefinger. Louis wanted to give it a little nibble.

“You wanna try it?” Louis offered, a bit more gently because he could see Liam was kind of overwhelmed.

He watched Liam’s eyes flick down, just below him so he knew he was checking with Zayn. He felt Zayn give him a slight encouraging nod, watching him slip from between his own legs to drift closer to Liam and gently take his hand.

“Don’t worry, we’ll look after ya. Won’t let anything scary happen, promise,” Zayn muttered like he was calming a spooked horse.

“I’ll be on me best behaviour Li. Can even make some rules up for you, if you want,” Louis offered with a grin.

Louis could see the hesitation clear in Liam’s face, but under that, he was pretty sure he could see some kind of want. His eyes had a little glint, a small quirk of his lips that kind of gave him away and Louis wasn’t sure exactly what it was that was tempting him but he knew even if it was just the weed that he wouldn’t be disappointed.

“Okay. Alright. Just - not too much,” Liam finally answered. Louis jumped down from the counter with a little flourish, wandering closer to the pair of them and taking Liam’s other hand.

“We’ll do you the perfect amount, Leemo. Not to worry,” Louis grinned, linking their fingers and starting to guide him out to the balcony. He caught Zayn’s eye and winked, smiling to himself as he strode ahead of the pair of them. Everything was going to his unmade plan.

°｡⋆𓋼𓍊☆𓍊𓋼⋆｡°

Louis wouldn’t like to call the next hour or so something so calculated as lulling Liam into a false sense of security, but as they drunk and smoked together, Liam seemed to start unwinding some of those tightly knotted ropes that seemed to restrict him from fun and enjoyment. He was almost being… fun. Cracking some jokes, still overtly dorky in his banter but it was far more enjoyable than when he was trying to be bossy on the field.

The night got later and the music got louder, so Louis corralled them all onto the outdoor couch so he could indulge in a cigarette. He sat down on Zayn’s lap but put his legs in Liam’s, leaning against the arm of the chair but very much taking up as much space as possible on the worn loveseat.

“So you both live here?” Liam asked them curiously, Louis’ eyes flicking up to him as he spoke instead of focusing on the flame of his lighter. Liam looked a lot more dishevelled than he’d ever seen him, he thought to himself. He had a slight blush high on his cheeks - probably from the alcohol - and his short hair was a little askew and folding out of its style and onto his forehead. Moreover, he had a genuine, warm smile on his face. It was strikingly different to the kind of fake, tight lipped one he usually wore during footie.

Louis thought he’d maybe seen this genuine smile on one other occasion - when they’d win a game. Then Liam smiled like this, all pleased with himself. Louis thought it was pretty cute, all things considered.

“That is what flatmates tend to do, Liam, yes. We both live here,” Louis confirmed as he took a puff, holding the smoke in a practised way between his forefinger and thumb.

“So you’re flatmates?” Liam asked, looking between them. Louis smiled, sharing an amused look with Zayn before holding the smoke at his lips so he could have a puff himself.

“Among other things, I suppose,” Louis allowed, adding a dismissive shrug.

“What other things?” Liam tried once more.

Louis let his eyes flicker from Liam to Zayn’s profile, tracing down the line of his jaw. He took in the way his cheek hollowed as he took a puff, the way his deep brown eyes were trained on Liam, knowing he was studying him to try and gauge how he’d react to whatever Louis was going to say. He darted them back to Liam, seeing his brows just a little furrowed like he was trying to work them out, like they were a problem to solve.

He liked the power he felt he had over the situation.

“Friends?” Liam offered when Louis didn’t rush to answer, getting a giggle out of the pair of them.

“Best friends,” Louis clarified, taking his smoke back for his own puff. He tipped his head back, looking at the sky for a second when he blew the cloud out.

“Gonna tell Haz you said that,” Zayn murmured to Louis, letting one of his hands come to rest on Louis’ hip. He could feel - now that Zayn’s hand was there - that his t-shirt had ridden up a sliver, and Zayn’s finger was tracing the inch of skin available.

“Go ahead. He’s my best friend too,” Louis shrugged, seeing Zayn’s eyes were back on Liam. He looked, curious to see that Liam gaze was glued on Zayn’s hand and its delicate movements.

Louis bit his bottom lip to stop from saying something else, not wanting to break Liam’s spell. Though it didn’t seem like much would penetrate, he seemed pretty locked in.

Louis observed Liam carefully as he felt Zayn push his t-shirt up just a smidge, exposing more of where his stomach met his hip. His fingers stroked slowly back and forth, almost making Louis shiver. He was used to fond touches like this, knowing Zayn almost did them subconsciously sometimes, a subtle form of affection.

This one was absolutely on purpose though, because after only a few more moments Zayn pushed his t-shirt just that bit higher, enough for his four fingers to all hit skin as he stroked the soft area. He dragged his fingertips closer towards Louis’ bellybutton, just above his crotch, before sliding them back and curving them around his hip.

Louis sucked on his cigarette again, raising his hips just a little when Zayn’s fingers came back closer to his crotch in its repeated motion. He saw Liam’s jaw drop minutely before his head visibly shook, his brown eyes flicking up to meet Louis’ before widening when he realised he was being watched.

“Um, what did you say? Sorry. Zoned out,” Liam said, his cheeks a lot redder than they were before. “Must be the weed. You said it could do that,” Liam preemptively defended himself, looking at Zayn who nodded encouragingly.

“Mmm. Can do. Just relax into it, Li. It’s okay to zone out a bit,” Zayn allowed, much softer than he ever spoke with Louis. As he did he slid his hand up Louis’ shirt, under the fabric and Louis felt his fingers start to splay across his upper stomach and along his chest.

“Are you jealous, Li?” Louis interrupted, having none of Zayn trying to pacify him. Now that he was being touched he wanted to know if Liam was up for it, and he knew if he put a little bit of pressure on he’d at least get an answer.

“Of what?” Liam managed to choke out, his expression still deer in the headlights as he flicked his gaze between Louis, Zayn, and then lingering the longest on Zayn’s hand that was steadily tracking in the direction of Louis’ nipple.

“Z touching me,” Louis clarified, parting his lips just a little bit when Zayn’s thumb ran across the sensitive skin. It wasn’t hard or anything, not yet, it was more just the suggestive sweep of it all that had Louis taking in some extra air.

“Ehm,” Liam stammered, and Louis almost felt a bit sorry for him but the feeling was mostly overridden by how turned on he was starting to get about the situation. He had little doubt now that Liam was at least interested in one of them. Any normal person who wasn’t intrigued would have gotten up and walked away, or at least given them a weird judgmental look.

He watched Liam look to Zayn, almost seeking permission as Zayn nodded minutely and slid his hand down Louis’ ribs and to his waist, just continuing his slow and appreciative touches.

“Yeah- yes,” Liam whispered once he’d managed to find his voice after Zayn’s allowance of it.

“Mm. Interesting,” Louis mused, startling as Zayn’s hand slipped out from under his clothes and reached for the forgotten cigarette that was balancing between his fingers. He tapped the ash off before he let Zayn take it, amused at how Liam’s eyes were trained on Zayn’s every move.

“And who are you jealous of?” Louis ventured, a simper growing on his lips as Zayn guided the cigarette to Liam’s mouth. He waited for him to grip it before he stroked his fingers along Liam’s jaw, and Louis absently wondered what his stubble felt like. It looked less prickly than Zayn’s, a softer, tawnier colour to it.

Liam made an inward noise in his throat, clearly not daring to part his lips nor take a puff of the cigarette. Zayn’s delicate fingers traced closer to Liam’s ear, then along his cheekbone and back down his mouth to pluck the cigarette back.

“Not like that, Li. Gotta do it like this,” Zayn chastised but it was kind in tone. He took his hand away from Liam completely, placing the cigarette between Louis’ lips instead.

Louis maintained eye contact with Liam as he sucked, a little more dramatic than necessary but he wanted Liam to see the hollow of his cheeks. He knew what Zayn was playing at, so didn’t want to disappoint and not give a good show.

“You should answer Lou too, you know. Rude to keep him waiting,” Zayn added, Louis feeling him trace along the dent of his cheeks before he took the cigarette away and replaced it with his thumb.

Louis blew the cigarette smoke out around the digit before resting his lips against it, allowing Zayn to push it between them minutely but keeping his eyes locked on a squirmier and squirmier Liam the entire time.

“B-both,” Liam stuttered. “Both of you. I’m jealous of both of you,” Liam added, speaking quickly as if it would get the embarrassment over with sooner.

Louis couldn’t help the wolf-like grin that spread over his face, because that was exactly the answer he was looking for. Both. That meant he wanted the pair of them, at least for tonight.

“Glad to hear it Leemo,” Louis nodded, feigning nonchalance as he crossed his legs that were still resting across Liam’s lap. The move was partially to remind him of that fact, but also to try and resist the urge to touch where his cock was getting half hard in the front of his jeans.

“Don’t need to be jealous, though,” Zayn added, Louis parting his lips as Zayn kept his thumb near them. He flicked his tongue out to wet his fingertip as he kept his eyes locked on Liam, letting his bottom lip go lax so Zayn could swipe across it.

“Yeah, Li. Can touch too, if you want,” Louis egged him on, nodding pointedly down at his crotch almost as if it was a dare.

Louis watched Liam’s eyebrows raise in shock, almost any higher and they’d end up in his hairline. He stifled his laugh at the reaction, but froze when Liam raised his hand. He didn’t think he’d actually touch him that intimately out in the public air of their balcony, so was relieved to find out he’d just been aiming for his thigh, giving it a squeeze under his big hand.

Zayn clearly chose that moment to slide his thumb properly into Louis’ mouth, effectively shutting him up from quipping at Liam as if he could sense it building.

“He does have nice thighs, doesn’t he Liam?” Zayn smiled sweetly, giving Louis a look as if to tell him to shut up and taking a last puff on his cigarette and putting it out. Clearly Zayn thought they needed to go softly-softly with him.

“Yeah. He does,” Liam agreed quietly, almost hesitant as if he didn’t know if he was allowed to say it or not.

“Do you want to see them without his jeans on?” Zayn offered in a kind tone, like he would ask if he wanted another serving at dinner.

“I’ve already-” “He’s already got-” Louis began, trying to speak around Zayn’s thumb at the same time as Liam, so he smirked and grabbed Zayn’s wrist to pull his little gag out.

“He’s already seen all of me, Z. Perved on me in the locker-room. It’s alright though, because I was perving on him too,” Louis teased, giggling in delight when Liam turned a shade of pink before turning to Zayn.

“You’re the real prize here, darling. This is still all a lovely little secret to him. Unless your date went further than you told me?” Louis asked curiously, stroking his hand down Zayn’s chest in gesture to what Liam was still yet to uncover.

“No! No. We just kissed,” Liam defended like Zayn’s honour was coming into question.

“So, you’ve seen me naked, but you’ve kissed Zayn? Seems unfair. Unbalanced,” Louis mused, lips pursed as if he was considering how they could fix it. “Here’s the other thing. I’ve both kissed Zayn and seen him naked. So I think you’ve got some catching up to do, Li,” Louis decided, crossing his arms over and giggling as he saw Zayn roll his eyes.

“Are you interested in catching up, Li? It’s okay if you’re not,” Zayn offered, and Louis thought to himself how interesting it was that Zayn had this strange soft spot for Liam and it was so blindingly obvious. He’d never seen him like that with someone - though he was always kind, he was never quite so gentle. It was like he was interacting with a puppy or something.

“Oh, um. Are you asking if I want to do a threesome?” Liam asked innocently after looking between them for a few moments.

Louis gasped loudly, sitting up in shock. He knew his theatre major wasn’t a waste of time.

“Liam! What kinda girl do you think I am?” Louis asked, his tone aghast as he jumped to his feet. He revelled in the stunned look on Liam’s face for all of a few moments before holding his hand out to Liam with a cheeky grin to help him up.

“Yes, Li. You’re being offered a very exclusive Louis and Zayn threesome invite. You have to redeem it right now though because Zayn’s made me horny and I wanna see what that thing can do,” Louis insisted, looking pointedly at Liam’s crotch which didn’t seem all that soft anymore.

“Oh! Well,” Liam began awkwardly, looking again to Zayn as if to double check it was real before nodding tentatively. “Okay. Yeah. Sounds cool. Good. Uh, exciting, really,” Liam insisted, taking Louis’ hand so he pulled him up and patted him on the arm.

“That’s the attitude. Coming, darling?” Louis asked Zayn, holding his hand out for him too and giving him a flirty wink as he got to his feet. “Be a dear and let us use your room, hm? Mines a state,”

“Fine,” Zayn appeased, trying to look put off about it but Louis knew he was trying to hide his excitement. He let Zayn lead the way, sandwiching Liam between them and trying to get through the crowd in the house, mostly going unnoticed.

As they walked by the bathroom Harry was just exiting, his face red and lips slick as Nick was hot on his heels. Louis watched as Harry observed and digested the scene in front of him - that being Zayn and Louis hustling Liam towards Zayn’s bedroom - giggling in amusement when Harry registered and reached out his hand for a fist bump.

“Get in,” Harry encouraged, so Louis bumped his fist back and laughed even louder when his arse got a firm slap of approval as they squeezed past him.

When they reached Zayn’s room he headed straight for his sound system, so Louis took the initiative to push Liam towards the bed after making sure the door was locked, already anticipating Liam would be awkward about it so wanted to steamroll that before it could really begin.

“Just to be clear, you want to engage, right? Not just watch?” Louis asked Liam, keeping up his nudges to get Liam to the bed and making him knock the back of his knees and sit on the edge of it.

“No shoes on the bed,” Zayn insisted without turning around, making Louis huff as he stepped out of his own and kicked them aside messily. He wasn’t a heathen, no need to treat him as such.

“Oh, um. Yeah. Want to participate. Unless you just want me to watch,” Liam answered, unlacing his shoes far too slowly for Louis’ liking.

“There’s an idea,” Louis grinned, hearing some sort of weird Zayn sex music come to life and fill the room. It wasn’t something Louis would pick but it would have to do. He had bigger things on his mind. Bigger meaning Liam’s dick.

“We’re not just gonna have him watch, Lou, come on,” Zayn muttered to him, trying to tidy Louis’ shoes to the side before Louis wandered over to catch him around the waist and pull him closer. There was far too much focus on shoes and not enough focus on sex or sex related things for his liking.

“Liam. Stop playing with your shoes. We’re kissing,” Louis called to him in a sing-song voice, giggling against Zayn’s lips as he held him close and tried to corral him closer to the bed too as he pecked messily at his lips.

“But Zayn said-” Liam began, but Louis heard him stop talking. He assumed that was because Zayn had finally started kissing him back properly but it was pretty short lived.

“Such a fuckin’ brat, Tommo. Let a man get his shoes off,” Zayn muttered, swatting at Louis’ arse and then turning him forcefully by his hips. “Get up there, get the lamp. Make yourself useful,” Zayn insisted.

Louis debated continuing to be a ‘brat’ but decided against it as he went to turn Zayn’s lamp on, the big light going off and leaving them in much less harsh lighting. Dare he say moody.

“He’s really pulling out all the stops for ya, Leemo. I don’t get all this treatment,” Louis giggled, making himself comfy up nearer the pillows. He watched curiously as Zayn wandered closer to Liam, resting his hands on the others shoulders and lowering his head so they were level.

“You tell me if you want him to shut up, okay? Can make it happen,” Zayn insisted softly. Louis scoffed - loudly - throwing himself across the pillows in a dramatic manner as if Zayn had severely wounded him.

“You can do that?” Liam asked, his voice almost full of wonder as Louis rolled his eyes.

“Just you wait,” Zayn told him, winking before looking up at Louis and locking their eyes together. “There’s one really easy way, I’m sure you can work it out,” Zayn encouraged, patting Liam’s thigh to gesture him up the bed.

Louis watched as Liam scooted his way up towards the pillows, and as soon as he was within reach Louis tugged on his arm and manhandled him a little until Liam was sitting up against the headboard and Louis swung a leg over to straddle his lap.

“I just want you to know Zayn is full of lies and I never shut up,” Louis insisted to Liam, taking his hands to guide them onto his hips because he was hovering them awkwardly near them but not making contact.

“That makes more sense to me,” Liam responded, even giggling a little as Louis grinned in amusement.

“You gonna snog me or keep up with the small talk?” Louis prodded, gasping just slightly when one of Liam’s hands flew from his hip to the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He melted almost instantly, mouth going pliant as he made a little noise of shock in the back of his throat.

He hadn’t expected Liam to be that forward at all, but that wasn’t to say it wasn’t fucking hot that he was. Louis moaned quietly when he felt Liam’s tongue slide into his mouth, meeting it with his own and scrambling his hands onto his chest for something to hold onto because he felt like the situation had gone from one to one hundred very quickly.

The bed dipped and Louis felt Zayn’s presence behind him, humming a little more into Liam’s mouth as Zayn edged his hands underneath his t-shirt and started to feel over his waist and ribs. His fingers were a little cooler than Louis’ own skin but he didn’t mind so much, it just made him shiver as Zayn worked his t-shirt up and pulled it over his head, breaking his kiss with Liam.

Louis barely looked for Liam’s reaction before he was turning his head to try and coax Zayn into a snog this time, moaning into his mouth as more hands joined Zayn on his torso. Liam’s hands were a bit more tentative, exploratory versus Zayn’s sure hands, knowing exactly where to touch Louis to work him up.

Louis decided to make himself useful and got his hands on the bottom of Liam’s shirt, tugging at it insistently and trying to get it up and over his head. He eventually broke his kiss with Zayn, panting just a little and feeling far too hot already for how little they’d done.

“You two now,” Louis insisted, leaning out of the way just a bit so Zayn could reach around him and meet Liam’s lips. When neither of them moved Louis turned to Zayn to see what the problem was, then giggled when he saw his eyes locked on Liam’s now exposed upper half.

“Look what happens when you follow the team diet,” Louis teased, brushing his hand over Liam’s pecs and onto his abs, just trailing his fingers over them like he’d always wanted to and appreciating the fact they were still pretty visible even though Liam was sitting down. He had to be tensing them though, now that they were talking about it.

“Lou, shut up,” Liam whined, but he had a little smug look on his face. It was quickly wiped off when Zayn surged over Louis’ shoulder and met him in a snog, and Louis was blessed with an up close and personal view of the affair.

He watched, interested, for a few long moments before deciding to be a bit of a nuisance and start playing with Liam’s nipples. He pinched them lightly and started to twist them and before he knew it his wrists were captured in Liam’s grip, just like he usually did whenever Louis decided on that particular way of bothering him.

This felt different, though. Liam squeezed his wrists and didn’t let them go, and when Louis tried to tug them out of the grip he didn’t move an inch, still kissing Zayn over his shoulder.

Louis liked this development.

He felt a little spark of arousal shoot low in his tummy as he tugged again, feeling Liam shift to hold both of his wrists together in one hand. Louis felt that if he really wanted to break out of this new grip he probably could, but he only gave a medium strength tug instead and let Liam keep him pinned.

Before he had the chance to whine about it the other two broke their kiss, Louis’ eyes drifting to Liam’s slightly poutier bottom lip that was slick from Zayn’s spit. He leant in before he could help himself and sucked it into his own mouth, sliding his tongue over it to get a taste and making a noise in the back of his throat when he felt Zayn start to kiss on his neck.

Zayn’s hands reached around his body and deftly unbuttoned the front of his jeans, and Louis felt his hand dip under the layers of fabric and seek out his already embarrassingly hard cock. Kissing really got him going, okay? Plus ever since they realised their respective crushes were the same person, Louis’ dick had been at least a little interested in the developments.

He moaned louder into Liam’s mouth as Zayn started to stroke him inside of his underwear, rolling his hips down into Zayn’s firm grip and tugging at Liam’s constraint again, shuddering when Zayn’s thumb swiped over his tip and smeared his precome around to make it messier.

“Wanna show Li how good you are at sucking cock, babes?” Zayn asked him, voice a little rougher than it normally was as he spoke almost directly into his ear. Louis heard the wet smack as Liam pulled back from the snog they were sharing, licking his lips on instinct and letting out a breathy moan when Zayn sucked on the lobe of his ear.

“Yeah, please,” Louis breathed out, his bite gone now that he was worked up enough and he bucked his hips into Zayn’s hand again as he leaned back against his body and closed his eyes to try and gather himself.

“Wow,” he heard Liam say, so blinked his eyes open to see what was so ‘wow’, but apparently it was the sight of him and Zayn together because Liam’s eyes blown pupils were darting between the pair of them at a rapid pace.

“Told ya he quiets down. He’s a good boy really,” Zayn told Liam knowingly, and if Louis had a bit more wherewithal about him he’d reject the statement but honestly, he liked being a ‘good boy’. It felt nice, sometimes even felt a little floaty.

“Is he? Why do you think I’ve got his hands like this?” Liam asked Zayn curiously which made Louis whine a little.

“I’m right here,” Louis insisted as they discussed him, but Zayn twisted his wrist just right and punched a moan out of Louis’ throat. He tipped his head back against Zayn’s shoulder, feeling Zayn take the opportunity to suck a little love bite lower down his neck.

“Gonna be good for Liam if he lets go of your hands?” Zayn asked him, the hand that wasn’t currently jerking Louis off moving to push the fabric of his jeans and underwear down so he had a bit more room to work with.

Louis felt his breath catch in his throat when his cock was properly exposed to the slightly cooler air of Zayn’s room, but his quick movements up and down him soothed the temperature change and when he rocked his hips again he could feel where Liam’s hard cock was straining up against his arse.

“Mm. Maybe,” Louis finally answered, grinding down with a bit more purpose now he realised he could give Liam a bit more friction. Plus he had the added bonus of rolling up into Zayn’s hand.

“Such a brat,” Zayn muttered against his neck. “Give his hands here,” Zayn instructed Liam, taking his hands off of Louis’ cock to grab his wrists as Liam passed them around behind his back, like he was being handcuffed.

“Be a darling and get your cock out for us, Li. Lou wants to suck it,” Zayn asked Liam, shuffling backwards a little and dragging Louis along so that Liam would be able to access his dick for them.

“Okay, sure,” Liam answered, quite agreeable to it apparently as he worked on his buttons and dove his hand inside.

Louis had to cut off his temptation to gasp when Liam pulled his cock out properly and gave it an absent few strokes, knowing his jaw had dropped but… it was a jaw dropping experience. Liam was positively massive.

“Holy shit,” Zayn said earnestly from behind him, Louis nodding in agreement.

“Told ya,” Louis noted smugly, yelping just a little when Zayn quickly pushed his head down towards Liam’s dick but kept a hold of his hands so he had no way to balance himself. He tipped his shoulder into Liam’s thigh, attempting for some stability as he got a pretty good close up of what he was working with.

“What do you mean ‘told ya’?” Liam asked, and when Louis flicked his eyes up he could see that he was pouting. He snickered to himself and wriggled a little, brushing his cheek against Liam’s length and trying to pull his arms free.

“Please, Z. Need me hands to do me best work, come on now,” Louis whined, instantly changing his tune when he was allowed access again. He shook his hands out dramatically and slapped Liam’s hand away from his cock, taking a hold of the base as he assessed his options.

“Lou was telling me about how big your cock was. Half didn’t believe him,” Zayn explained, and Louis could feel his hands tracking over his hips, pulling them up a little so he was face down and arse up. He knew it would be a good view for the pair of them so arched his back, pressing back just a little against Zayn’s crotch now he was up on his knees.

“Why were you- oh!” Liam began, but Louis decided to cut him off by licking flat across the tip of his cock. He smirked at the reaction, attaching his lips to the side and spreading some sloppy kisses over it. He was going to need to get this thing wet if he was going to try to get his lips around it.

“Why were you talking about my dick?” Liam managed to get out after clearing his throat, his hand coming to cup the back of Louis’ head. It didn’t guide him any, and it felt like he just wanted to have that touch in some way. Louis paid it no mind as he went about his work.

“He was talking about how he wanted to hook up with you,” Zayn advised, his hands working to tug Louis’ jeans over his hips and arse.

“You were?” Liam asked, looking down now as Louis looked up at him. He decided this was the perfect opportunity to open his mouth wide and sink it down around his dick, blinking with faux innocence as he watched Liam’s lips part in pleasure.

“He was,” Zayn confirmed, giving the top of Louis’ now partially exposed arse a few friendly smacks as he hopped off of the bed. Louis stayed locked in on sucking Liam off, knowing just with a glance what Zayn was getting from his bedside drawer. He got used to the girth of Liam’s dick and started to properly suck on him, bobbing his head and starting shallow to build himself up.

“Oh fuck,” Liam moaned when Louis properly concentrated, Louis able to hear his head thunk against the headboard. That spurred him along to try for deeper, one hand stroking the part of Liam’s dick he couldn’t reach with his mouth yet and the other pressing against his hip to try to mitigate any movement upwards from Liam.

“You wanted to hook up with him too,” Louis pulled off to announce, quickly getting back to it and letting Liam bump against the back of his throat now he was getting more confident he could take him deeper.

Louis heard the drawer shut and the faint thump of some objects hitting the bed, hoping that he was correct in that they were lube and condoms. He was definitely open to being fucked, by either of them at this point. Maybe both if he was really lucky.

“You did?” he heard Liam ask, his tone softer. They were so weird and gentle with one another, Louis thought to himself, so he pushed his mouth down deeper to get Liam to breach the ring of his throat. He earned himself a startled moan from Liam and sucked him harder in response, feeling the hand on the back of his head tighten a little. He would have smirked if his mouth wasn’t otherwise engaged.

“Yeah,” Zayn answered in his usually nonchalant manner, then Louis heard some wet noises that could only be more snogging. He glanced up to confirm and saw Liam had his hand firmly around Zayn’s upper arm, having pulled him in close from the side of the bed to meet in their kiss.

Louis had to admit they were pretty hot together, but craning his neck like that meant he couldn’t suck Liam off properly, so he tipped his head back down and got back to work.

The bed shifted as Zayn clearly hopped back on, and Louis moved with him so that Zayn could properly remove his jeans and underwear, leaving him naked with the other two still partially clothed. He shivered at the dynamic, feeling himself slip a little bit further into that light and airy space he sometimes did when he was really getting into certain aspects of a hookup.

“We didn’t know we were both talking about you, though,” Zayn explained to Liam, his hands smoothing over the curve of Louis’ arse and along his back. He felt Zayn’s hand come up over his head and before he knew it his head was pushed down on Liam’s cock a bit further, making him gag instantly.

Liam let out a yelp of a moan as it happened, Louis pulling off to clear his throat for a brief second before getting back into it. He wouldn’t admit it out loud right now but he did love to gag on it, and he knew Zayn knew this which would be why he did it.

“We were just talking without names. Lucky us that you turned out to be the same guy, huh?” Zayn kept musing, still touching over Louis’ body before his hands went away. Louis kept sucking diligently and wiggled just a little in anticipation when he heard the snick of the lube bottle opening.

“Really lucky,” Liam agreed, his voice more hoarse than it was earlier. Louis chanced a peek up at him and his eyes were locked somewhere above Louis, presumably where Zayn was hopefully slicking up his fingers to get them inside of Louis. He rocked his hips in anticipation, sucking harder which spurred Liam to look down at his face.

Louis wanted the attention so hammed it up a little, making some desperate little moans and whines in the back of his throat and trying to take him deeper again. Liam’s hand came up to his face and stroked along his cheekbone, then pressed in the hollow of his cheek. Louis tilted his head just a little so Liam would feel his cock sliding back and forth through the skin, making sure to let his head catch across the velvet of his inner cheek before hitting the back of his throat repetitively.

“Fucking hell, Louis, you’re gonna kill me,” Liam moaned, his hand moving to cup Louis’ now pretty wet chin. He knew he was drooling and making a mess but it was hard work sucking such a big cock, okay? Sue him.

It took Louis by surprise when Zayn squirted some lube directly between his cheeks, the cold liquid making him jerk his hips away in shock as Zayn’s fingers came afterwards to smear it around his hole, making a bit of a mess.

“You wanna fuck him tonight, Li?” Zayn asked curiously, Louis whining a little from being talked about like that, as if Zayn got to make the decision. It was hotter than it deserved to be and he felt his cock throb against nothing, heavy between his legs.

“He’s so good, takes it so well. Loves being filled up,” Zayn added, sliding his first finger inside of Louis as if to show an example. Louis moaned and breathed sharply through his nose, rocking his hips again to try and coax him deeper.

“Oh fuck,” Liam responded, his fingers finally carding in Louis’ hair and pulling a little. It seemed more like he was gripping for stability, so Louis tried to regain his composure and keep sucking the life out of Liam via his cock.

“Is that a yes? Gonna need to use your words, darling,” Zayn taunted, his finger deftly thrusting inside of Louis as he teased a second one. Louis moaned at how unaffected Zayn was, loving when he got this way where he was all authoritative and direct during sex.

“Yes- fuck yes, wanna fuck him,” Liam choked out, and Louis felt like he’d never heard him swear so much in his life.

“Don’t come from his mouth, then. Lou, pull off, there’s a lad,” Zayn coaxed. Louis didn’t want to, though, he was quite enjoying the heavy weight of Liam on his tongue so he kept sucking desperately on him.

His lips made an obscene wet noise as Liam’s grip tightened in his hair and pulled him off his cock and straight up. It hurt, but it was that good kind of hurt that went straight down his body and to his dick.

“You want me to fuck you?” Liam asked him clearly. Louis felt like he was higher than when he smoked his joint earlier, so nodded as much as he could with his hair still in Liam’s fist.

“Please,” he mumbled, his voice coming out scratchy and used from how Liam’s cock had been hitting against the back of his throat. He cleared his throat and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth before moaning and closing his eyes when Zayn unexpectedly pushed his second finger inside of him.

“He’s such a mess already,” Liam commented to Zayn, Louis whining at the continued talk about him because it made him feel like he was there just for their enjoyment. He didn’t hate the feeling, in fact he found he quite liked it so when Liam’s hand moved from his hair to his throat and he got tugged into another kiss with him he followed along effortlessly.

“He just loves it. It’s sweet,” Zayn mused as they snogged, but Louis was too focussed now on how Liam’s tongue was exploring his mouth. He licked against it, making small noises in the back of his throat as Zayn’s fingers moved faster and he felt him edge a third in alongside. He pulled back from Liam’s lips when that happened, taking a small gasp and rolling his eyes back when Liam tightened his hand on his throat.

“Not sure if sweet is the word I’d use. Can I, Lou?” Liam mused and asked, squeezing his neck again in reference to what he was seeking permission on. Louis nodded minutely, locking eyes for a moment to see Liam with a furrowed brow.

“Z likes words, Lou. Remember? Can I choke you or no?” Liam tried again. Louis whined, and nodded, his hands coming up to grip Liam’s forearm just for something to hang on to.

“Yes, yes. Please choke me,” Louis rasped, his eyes rolling back once more as he tightened his grip not half a second after he confirmed what he wanted. He cut off his breathing almost entirely, pushing him to sit upright so he sunk down more on Zayn’s fingers. Louis allowed him to choke him until his vision started to get fuzzy around the edges and he tapped his arm, gasping in a deep breath when Liam released him but kept his hand in place.

Louis let out a surprised moan when he felt Zayn slide his pinky in alongside the three of his fingers that were still working inside of him, though he supposed the excess stretch was probably necessary given what he was about to take.

“So fucking pretty. His cock’s so hard, Zayn. Looks like he’s about to come any second,” Liam complimented, running the back of his fingers on his free hand along the underside of his dick. Louis tried to tip his head down to see but was too restricted by Liam’s hand on his neck, but shivered nonetheless at the light touch.

Zayn shifted from behind him, hooking his chin over Louis’ shoulder to take a peek as he kept working his hand relentlessly in his hole.

“All that for Liam, baby? Got so worked up sucking on his cock and now he’s gonna fuck you? Gorgeous,” Zayn murmured by his ear, kissing his cheek a few times and tipping his head around further so he could kiss Louis’ lips.

Louis met him eagerly, feeling like he’d not seen much of Zayn throughout all of this and wanted that to change. He moaned into his mouth, gasping and flickering his eyes open when Zayn unceremoniously removed all of his fingers, leaving him empty.

He pulled back from his lips, about to complain when Liam’s hands came away from his body as well which was even worse.

“Please,” Louis whined, not caring particularly about who would take him up on his beg as long as someone did. Zayn tutted at him gently, coaxing him to de-straddle Liam’s lap and manhandling him so he was on his knees facing Zayn instead. He discovered that at some point Zayn had removed his shirt, but frustratingly still had his cock hidden away.

“Li, get your kit off and get that condom on, yeah? Louis’ gonna show you how he rides it,” Zayn told him, smiling at Louis and cupping his chin fondly as Liam sprung into action on his little jobs.

“Doing okay, babes?” Zayn asked Louis, a bit softer than he normally would as Louis felt him thumb over his bottom lip. He pouted it out a little against his affection, absently wrapping his hand around his own aching cock to try and get some relief.

“Yeah,” Louis nodded, feeling the bed dip as Liam moved with some haste. He was doing okay though, better than okay really, but he didn’t quite have the words for that right now.

“Good boy,” Zayn praised, gently coaxing Louis’ hand away from his cock and leaning in to give him a snog. He kept a hold of his chin and Louis relaxed into it, forgetting about his want to get off and instead focusing on the calm way Zayn kissed him. It was soothing, even though he felt all fiery hot inside and wound up tight.

When Zayn pulled away from him it was to help him move again, this time straddling Liam’s lap but facing away from him, so his arse was on full display for his admiration.

“Oh my god,” Liam mumbled, and suddenly Louis felt him grabbing two fistfuls of his arse cheeks and spreading him wide. He tried to lower down into his lap more but Zayn kept a firm hold of him, keeping him hovering up with an arm around his waist in a half hug, half supporting his weight move.

“Not yet, Lou. Gotta let Li enjoy it,” Zayn insisted close to Louis’ ear. Louis wrapped his arms around Zayn’s shoulders in response, deciding if he wanted him to hover up he would make it his problem and he could harbour some of his weight.

“Fucking amazing,” Liam complimented, the telltale snick of the lube coming again as this time Louis assumed Liam was getting some for his cock. He could tell Zayn was watching Liam over his own shoulder, since Zayn was facing him in their pseudo hug, so when Zayn’s free hand snuck down his body and between his cheeks again he possibly shouldn’t have been so surprised when he spread him open and he felt two of Liam’s fingers sink inside him.

Louis shuddered and moaned, falling into Zayn’s body more as the man dutifully held him up while Liam groped and fingered him almost possessively.

“He’s so tight,” Liam insisted, his voice rough as he scissored his fingers. Zayn’s fingers that were either side of his hole to keep him spread for Liam ran up and down before groping his cheek again and giving it a light smack, making Louis clench around Liam’s fingers.

“He always is,” Zayn mused, burying his nose in Louis' neck for a few moments and giving him some sweet kisses. Louis rolled his hips desperately, searching for friction and finding it when he rubbed his cock against Zayn’s belly. It caught a little on his jeans and the rough fabric rubbed, but it was better than nothing.

“Please fuck me,” Louis whined when he couldn’t take the teasing anymore, trying to sit down and hoping he’d magically find Liam’s cock with his hole if he just tried.

“Aw darling,” Zayn said with a little laugh in his voice, his head moving over his shoulder and finally - finally - Liam’s fingers were sliding out of him and he was being manhandled to line up a bit better.

Louis felt the blunt press of Liam’s tip against his hole, the width of it already alarming but Louis was nothing if not determined to take him. He used his leverage on Zayn’s shoulders to try to lower himself just a little, feeling both Zayn and Liam’s on his hips and waist as if they were trying to help him as well.

“Oh fuck,” Louis whined when he felt the first inch or so of him slide in, the burn sharp despite his earlier stretching and almost borderline painful. He felt Zayn pull back from his body just enough so he could see his face, searching it for any real pain as Louis shook his head minutely to let him know it was okay, just a lot.

Louis bit his bottom lip and kept going, moaning when he finally bottomed out and trying to settle himself. He didn’t think he’d been with anyone this size, at least it had never felt quite like he could feel someone in his stomach so he took a deep breath before looking behind himself to check in on Liam.

Liam’s eyes were blown, his pupils almost taking up the whole iris and his eyes were glued on where he sat snugly inside of Louis. He was already pressing little fingertip bruises into Louis' hips, but Louis didn’t mind that so much, so he experimentally rolled his hips in a figure-8.

The slight movement made Liam’s face positively crumple in pleasure, and Louis was encouraged to try and get that again. He lifted up an inch or so and came down again, his arse hitting Liam’s skin at the same time Liam let out a moan, looking like he was unable to control it.

“Stop teasing him, Tommo. Little brat,” Zayn muttered, so Louis turned to him with a grin and started to grind his hips in earnest. He decided now was as good of a time as any to build up a rhythm, so he started to lift up and come down on Liam’s cock, working himself up.

This particular position was one of the main reasons he never complained about the squats he had to do for football, or any quad exercises for that manner, because he knew he could go for a while like this before he got tired.

Once he’d settled himself into a rhythm that was getting little grunts out of Liam almost every time he turned his attention to Zayn properly, tucking his fingers into his jeans and making quick work of the button. He pulled the zipper down and tucked one hand inside, moving the other to Liam’s thigh so he could keep his balance.

Louis grabbed his cock and tried to stroke it in time, wanting Zayn to feel good but at the same time feeling like he’d almost got too much on his plate. He tried his best though, until Zayn was gently taking his wrist and pulling it away.

“So good for us, Lou,” Zayn praised, kissing his hand and guiding it to rest on Liam’s other thigh so he could really get some good height as he bounced on Liam’s cock.

“Wanna - wanna get you off too,” Louis half asked, half told him but he did as he was instructed and used his grip on Liam’s thighs to keep riding his cock. Liam’s hands were circling between his hips and his arse, gripping firmly wherever they landed and every so often he felt his fingers drift to where he was sliding in and out of his hole, which made Louis’ toes curl.

“But you look so good for Li right now. He’s losing it. Loves your hole,” Zayn told Louis, cupping his chin to steal a snog.

“Love his arse,” Liam piped up, his voice wobbly from pleasure.

“But Z,” Louis whined softly into his mouth, his breath catching as Liam thrusted up into him on one particular bounce. The angle just happened to hit his prostate, almost making him come on the spot and stilted his movements.

“Liam, do that again,” Louis demanded, all but yelping when he did as he was told and he saw stars behind his eyes. “Fuck yeah,” Louis praised, his moans higher and breathier as Liam did it a few more times.

“Wanna get on your hands and knees, babes? Can suck me while Liam fucks you proper?” Zayn offered and despite the fact that Louis did like to ride, he liked the idea of being filled at both ends even more.

“Yeah, yeah, please,” Louis breathed, scrambling in his efforts to get up until Zayn took over for him.

Zayn helped him as Liam slipped out from inside him and then from underneath them, making sure they had enough room on the bed as Louis got on his hands and knees. He felt just a little ridiculous presenting for them like that, but when he was met with Zayn’s cock pretty close to his face he forgot all about it and eagerly mouthed at the tip.

It was a lot easier to suck than Liam’s, so despite the pain in his jaw from earlier he still eagerly wrapped his lips around him and started to take him deeper near instantly, having already warmed up. He sucked diligently and let out a loud moan when he felt Liam pressing at his hole again.

Liam slid in a lot easier this time, filling him up and making Louis groan gutturally and curl his toes when he was filled up to the hilt. He wasn’t given much warning as Liam started fucking into him, thankfully slower at first and pretty shallow. He felt his eyes widen on a particular sharp thrust that sent him deeper on Zayn’s cock, his tip slipping past the tight ring where his throat began.

“Fucking hell,” Zayn cursed from somewhere above Louis. “Do that again,” Zayn instructed. Liam fucked him the same way, sending them both deeper and Louis felt like he could come untouched just from being used like that.

Louis felt himself start to drift into that floaty space as Zayn and Liam took him from either end, putting all his focus on breathing through his nose as the other two built up a rhythm. He let himself sway with it, sucking and clenching when he could remember to and letting the noises of the pair lull him into that peaceful place.

He was brought back down just a little when he felt Zayn pull out after some indeterminate amount of time, so he took in a gasp of breath he didn’t know he needed. Zayn’s hand was tight in his hair and when Louis looked up and blinked he realised he had a few rogue tears slipping out the corners of his own eyes, making his cheeks wet.

“Can I come on your face Lou?” Zayn asked frantically, and when Louis looked ahead once more he could see Zayn’s hand flying over his cock at rapid pace.

“Yeah,” Louis croaked, and looked up at Zayn as he stuck his tongue out with an open mouth. He was being bumped rhythmically by Liam’s cock sliding in and out of him, but he’d seemed to regulate himself so Louis could concentrate on Zayn’s release.

It was no more than a few seconds before Zayn was coming, and Louis could feel the hot warmth of his come splattering across his face. Some dribbled into his open mouth, which he would usually whine about, but tonight he felt like taking it so just licked his lips as Zayn slumped onto his arse in front of him once he was done.

“So gorgeous,” Zayn praised softly, taking advantage of Louis’ good mood as he swiped a little come into his mouth before leaning in to kiss him and share the taste. Louis decided that if he was willing to taste his own come then he really didn’t have a leg to stand on complaining about it tonight..

He had almost forgotten Liam was inside of him before he felt his hand press between his shoulder blades, forcing his head down and his cheek to land in Zayn’s lap. Louis gasped as he felt Liam lift his hips up a little to adjust the angle, basically ragdolling him into position before he instantly started up a punishing pace almost out of nowhere.

Louis opened his mouth to say something along the lines of ‘oh god’ but nothing came out, because the angle was just right once more to hit directly on his prostate. He made a strangled noise, trying to get some breath in as his whole body seized up.

It only took a handful of thrusts like that before Louis was coming untouched, making a proper mess of Zayn’s bed but he couldn’t care less in the moment because Liam’s thrusts didn’t stutter once throughout it. It was almost as if his thrusts were forcing the come out of Louis, each one sending a new rope along until he felt like he had none left.

“Holy shit,” Louis heard Zayn mutter from above, his gentle fingers carding through his hair as Louis had the best orgasm of possibly his whole life. He felt like he could only see stars as Liam kept using his hole, almost paralysed in pleasure until he felt Liam’s hips stutter and his hands grip to pull him back to try and get deeper inside of Louis.

Liam’s groan when he came made Louis melt, feeling boneless about it all as he felt Liam filling the condom up inside of him. He whined quietly when Liam rolled his hips once or twice more, but it was pretty weak and clear he was just working himself through his orgasm before he pulled out.

Louis didn’t know how long it was until Liam actually pulled out of him, thankfully keeping a hold of his hips and lowering him slowly to the bed because he knew he wouldn’t have the strength himself to do it with any grace. He heard Zayn and Liam tittering to one another but paid no mind, just trying to catch his breath and come back down to the planet.

He found himself being scooped up and pulled closer to the pillows, and he blinked his eyes open to find it was Liam doing so which made sense because he didn’t think Zayn could move him so easily.

“You alright?” Liam asked him softly, his big brown eyes so full of concern. Louis nodded, trying to wave his hand to dismiss his concerns but it just fell limply at his side.

“Course,” Louis muttered, but it came out as a whisper as if he’d lost his voice entirely. He closed his eyes again as he felt Liam nuzzle his nose against his cheek, smiling despite himself at the sweetness of the gesture.

“That was the most mind blowing sex I’ve ever had,” Liam whispered to him which made Louis preen.

“You’re welcome,” Louis whispered back teasingly, as if he didn’t feel the same. He startled when he heard the door but was relieved to find it was just Zayn. He didn’t even know that he’d left the room. The music from the party carried through until the door shut, so Louis was relieved to consider the fact they may not have been heard.

Zayn came bearing snacks and a damp flannel, so Louis decided he would allow them to baby him and clean him up. He had Liam trying to feed him some bottled water as Zayn ran a rag over him, and he decided he could probably get used to this treatment.

“Feel better babes?” Zayn asked when he’d joined them on the bed, on Louis’ other side so he was trapped in between them. Zayn knew that post sex cuddles were a must, and Louis figured Liam must just be a softie because he was doing the exact same.

“Yeah, loads,” Louis agreed, voice still a whisper as he yawned quietly. “Let's do this again sometime, shall we?” Louis asked, aiming for nonchalance and giggling again when Zayn swatted at his thigh.

“Next time you need to come somewhere other than directly on my duvet,” Zayn insisted to him, but he was stroking his thigh affectionately now so Louis was sure he didn’t mean it.

“Blame Liam. Nowt to do with me,” Louis insisted, getting comfier between the pair and snuggling down, feeling proper cared for.

Louis figured if this was one of the ways he loved men, he was probably doing pretty alright for himself.