Redemption | Niam

Twelve: Always exceptions

Helping Niall into his flat, Liam struggled to find the light switch, stumbling as Niall managed to remove his shoes, Liam shaking his head before he took Niall's hand, leading him into the kitchen and sitting him down at a table, searching through Niall's cupboards until he found a glass, struggling with the tap for a minute before he sat a glass of water in front of Niall.

Giving Liam a smile, Niall shakily lifted the glass and took a sip of water, Liam taking the opportunity to look around Niall's kitchen once more, smiling softly as he saw the latest addition to Niall's fridge, the newest photo one that someone must have taken not long ago, Niall's arm around Liam, the two of them apparently oblivious to the camera.

Niall took another sip of water before he stood up, running over to the sink and puking, Liam stepping backwards slightly before reaching out and rubbing Niall's back. Coughing, Niall leant back, using Liam for support, not protesting as Liam lead him through to his room, Niall struggling with his tie until Liam stepped in, helping him with his tie and then again with his duvet before turning around, about to leave as Niall reached out, grabbing his hand.

Looking up from beneath his duvet, Niall frowned slightly, his blue eyes meeting Liam's as he held onto him, his look of sincerity making Liam momentarily forget that he was no longer in control of what he said and what he didn't meant to say as he mumbled "Don't. Don't go. Not yet. I don't like to be on my own, not really. Stay. Please..."

Prising his hand free, Liam stared at Niall, waiting a moment for him to continue before he heard his breathing even out, moving over and adjusting his duvet before he left.

**********

Pushing his sunglasses further up his head, Niall winced as he entered his studio, turning the lights of before dropping into the closest seat, wincing again and holding his head as the door banged open.

"Any reason why the lights are off?" Leaning against the doorway, Liam was once again missing his usual tray of coffee as he looked in, raising his eyebrow as Niall glared at him.

Still glaring, Niall was contemplating standing up and actually searching for some aspirin, trying to muster the energy to get up as he asked "How are you not hungover? You drank more than I did."

"Beats me." Shrugging, Liam ignored the real reason as he took in the sight before him, sitting in the chair next to Niall's before pulling a packet of aspiring out of his pocket and handing it to Niall. Catching the packet as it was thrown back to him, Liam hesitated before swallowing one himself, Niall's yawn breaking the silence that had fallen between them before Liam opened his mouth to say something, Niall beginning to speak at the same time.

"Are we going to talk-"

"How did I get-"

Raising an eyebrow and hiding his smile, Liam gestured for Niall to speak first.

Running his tongue over his teeth in an attempt to get rid of the chalky feel left behind by the aspirin, Niall couldn't meet Liam's gaze, a feeling of what could only be described as dread running through him as he asked "How- how did I get home last night?"

"I took you home. You could't quite remember your address when my driver asked so I stepped in... How much do- do you remember?" Focusing his gaze on the far wall, Liam tried to keep his voice even as he spoke, his smile fading slightly as he waited for Niall to speak.

Nodding, Niall coughed awkwardly, copying Liam and keeping his gaze on the various album covers, looking away for a moment and taking the opportunity to study Liam's face. "I remember everything up until- Until we went to leave for someones party... I remember kissing you... If that's what you mean, Liam."

Nodding, Liam frowned slightly, running a hand through his hair, wondering what, if anything, he should tell Niall, before he began to ask "And... since you remember, are we-"

"Can we not talk about last night? Not right now?" Cutting Liam off, Niall found himself praying that Liam would take the hint drop the conversation, a hope that died the second he looked Liam in the eye.

"So.. you want to pretend it never happened?" Unable to keep the hurt out of his tone, Liam looked away from Niall, choosing to focus his gaze on the song they were currently working on, yet another version of the song they were writing for the scene he was yet to shoot, trying to focus on the lyrics but looking away when he heard Niall sigh.

Finally beginning to feel his headache lessen, Niall took his sunglasses off, playing with them as he tried to figure out how to say what needed to be said. "I'm not saying that... Can we- just act as though it doesn't need to be talked about? For now?"

Nodding, Liam didn't answer him, flicking back through the pages of lyrics, looking up again as Niall said "I was thinking of starting over. With the song we're still working on."

"What were you thinking of? We've covered pretty much every topic." Handing Niall the sheet, Liam leant back in his chair, thinking back to one of their earliest conversations as Niall strummed a couple of chords on his guitar.

"Betrayal. Love." Not looking up from his guitar, Niall built on the riff he'd been playing, adding a tinkling melody over the top before grabbing a pen.

"But you don't believe in love. Or forgiveness. Or redemption." The words leaving his mouth before he could think, Liam looked up at Niall in time to see him wince, leaning over to look at the newest sheet of lyrics. "As a rule, you don't believe."

"I still don't." Biting his lip, Niall looked away from his guitar, handing Liam the sheet and watching as he read through the lyrics before he said "But there are always exceptions to rules..."

__________________________________

I think this chapter is my least favourite one so far.

Just because this was my fourth draft.

A complete bitch to write.

But I think it's kind of interesting. Niall and Liam are not, as some of you suggested, dating again, but they aren't back at square one, either.

And as for Infinity.... There are not enough words to express how much I like that song...

Thoughts on the chapter?