Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/932733.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      One_Direction_(Band)
  Relationship:
      Zayn_Malik/Niall_Horan, Niall_Horan/Zayn_Malik
  Character:
      Niall_Horan, Zayn_Malik, Yaser_Malik, Maura_Gallagher
  Additional Tags:
      Autism, Alternate_Timelines, Setting_change, Rape, Rape_Recovery, Rape
      Aftermath, Attempted_Rape/Non-Con, Threats_of_Rape/Non-Con, Statutory
      Rape, Underage_Sex, Consensual_Underage_Sex, No_Underage_Sex, Oral_Sex,
      Sexual_Content, Anal_Sex, Unresolved_Sexual_Tension, Explicit_Sexual
      Content, Sex, Rough_Sex, Sex_Toys, Sexual_Tension, Public_Sex, Sexual
      Fantasy, Drunk_Sex, Car_Sex, Homelessness, Abuse, Child_Abuse, Alcohol
      Abuse/Alcoholism, Past_Abuse, Physical_Abuse, Sexual_Abuse, Substance
      Abuse, Verbal_Abuse, Drug_Abuse, Childhood_Sexual_Abuse, Emotional/
      Psychological_Abuse, Family_Drama, Isolation, Unrequited_Love, Love, Love
      Confessions, Falling_In_Love, True_Love, Sibling_Love, Sibling_Incest,
      Parent/Child_Incest, Half-Sibling_Incest
  Series:
      Part 3 of Louder_Than_Love_Series
  Stats:
      Published: 2013-08-19 Chapters: 12/? Words: 13790
****** Like I'm Indestructible ******
by Zialltops
Summary
     (Alternate timeline) Lets take it back in time. To a time where Zayn
     and Niall never meet the Tomlinson's. What would have happened if
     Zayn was forced to protect his baby brother, his prince charming, his
     love, until they were old enough to be on their own? Zayn is doing
     everything he can to care for Niall. He takes beatings for him. He
     takes abuse for him. He does everything in his power to keep him
     safe. But when they finally are freed form there prison they call
     home, how will the survive in the real world?
***** Chapter 1 - Love You Like I've Never Been Hurt Before *****
          Zayn quickly made up his decision, asking Niall to stay at the
hospital for only a few hours while he went and moved Niall’s room into his
own. He tore the curtains back, exposing his darkened room to the mid-morning
sun.
 
          He then retreated to taking down his paintings, laying them in a shoe
box and stuffing it under his bed, before making his way to Niall’s room where
he un-tacked the beautiful artwork carefully, bringing each and every one back
to his room. One of Cinderella and the mice, cleaning and singing there sweet
tune. The next, Snow white being kissed by the prince. And finally, Niall’s
favorite of them all, Was Aladdin and Princes Jasmine, riding on the magic
carpet, taking her to a wonderful place like Zayn wanted to do for Niall.
 
          He wanted to take him far, far away, giving him a Castle as promised;
A carefree life and a room where he could paint away all day, instead of being
bombarded with school work. Because in Zayn opinion, Niall was too smart for
all of that, and deserved to do whatever he pleased, every day, forever, and if
painting was what his little heart desired, then painting it would be.
 
          "What are you doing?" A deep voice growled. It had Zayn’s skin
crawling, shivers running up his spine. "I'm moving Niall into my room." He
shot back, starting to pin Niall’s paintings of colorful Disney scenes on his
wall, first his princesses and princes, then the others in which had no theme,
but came from Niall’s head like a picture.
 
          One of Oliver and company; a movie he enjoyed as a little boy, then
Dumbo and Mickey Mouse.
 
         "You’re not putting him in here." He father ordered, Zayn’s head
whipped around. "I'm the only one who cares for him! He’s staying in my room
whether you like it or not, and if you want him, you'll have to get through me.
Shove as many things inside of me as you want but never touch my little brother
again!" With that, he shoved the man from his view, slamming the door tight and
finishing their room.
 
         He changed the gloomy dark sheets to bright green ones, the ones with
little clovers that Niall loved. Next; he set up his and Niall’s art supplies
together, his on the right of his dresser, Niall’s on the left and their stock
paper right in the middle.
 
          He knew painting was Niall’s life, so it would be there main focus
from that point on. His love would never have to worry about their father again
because Zayn would take every beating; every rape, Zayn would take it like a
man.
   
          For Niall.
 
 
 
~*~
 
 
 
          Once finished with his-their room, He grabbed a few paints and sheets
of paper, making his way out to the car where he put the things in the back
gently, taking the trip back to the hospital.
 
          "Mr. Malik, can I have a word with you?" The morning nurse lifted her
hand up in order to get Zayn’s attention. "Yes Ma'am?"
 
          The lady led him over to the counter where a very nice seeming, and
very well dressed woman stood. "Mr. Malik, this is Ms. Edwards. She’s a Social
worker and she wants to speak with Niall. Do you think that would be okay?"
 
          Zayn shuttered at the thought. He couldn’t talk to social services,
Niall could be taken away, they could be separated and that was the last thing
he wanted. "No, I...I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Niall does
things like this out of curiosity all the time, I'm sure if you asked him he
would say the same. Now, if you would excuse me I need to get back to him."
 
          Zayn huffed once before he trotted off to Niall’s hospital room,
where he peeked his head in and caught Niall right in the middle of some early
morning cartoons. "Oh toddles!" He giggled and clapped his hands once.
 
          Zayn chuckled, startling him before the boy smiled and held out his
arms for his older brother. "Look what I got, Charming." Zayn smirked, holding
up a small box in his hand and some scratch papers. "We paint!" Niall squealed,
bouncing up and down on his bum like there was nothing wrong.
 
          Zayn grabbed Niall’s eating tray and rolled the protruding table top
over the bed were he lay out the supplies. He then scooted in beside his baby
brother and rested an arm around him. "What should we paint, babe?" Zayn
wondered, dipping on of the smaller brushes in black paint. "Simba and Nala!"
 
          Simba and Nala it was as Zayn and Niall’s hands moved as one, Zayn
keeping Niall in line, with straight edges and shading, till mid-day when they
finally finished. Due to a paint miss-half and a rather large crying fit from
Niall. But, everything was resolved and Niall finished his painting.
 
          And now, as Zayn packed everything up, Niall’s heart monitors and IV
was removed, the two boys would get to go home. Sadly, a few minutes before,
the hospital contacted Niall’s mother for her to come and pick the two boys up,
which she did. She and Zayn’s father sat outside in the lobby, grumbling about
what a waste of time this had been.
 
          Zayn dressed Niall quickly and rushed him out of the hospital,
placing him in his own car instead of his parents, seeing as he didn’t want
Niall alone in the same car of those monsters. "Why aren’t we riding with mummy
and dad?" Niall wondered curiously as he tried to put his seatbelt on, not able
to put it in the buckle. "Because I don’t want to drive home alone, bud." Zayn
lied.
 
          The ride home was rather loud, contrary to popular belief about
fanfictions. Niall giggled and laughed about all the silly nurses, and sang
along to the radio, well, tried.
 
          "Were home!" Zayn cheered, seeing as his parents car wasn’t in the
drive of their crummy home. Zayn hated it here. Nothing was in shape, there was
trash all over the yard (And house) and it could really use some fixing up. Not
that any of them had the money for that.
 
          "Home, home, home!" Niall giggled and pulled himself from the car
slowly. "Take it easy charming." Zayn warned, grabbing Niall’s things from the
back and following the young blond into the house. "Go to my room, I have a
surprise." Zayn gestured to the closed door, in which Niall opened cautiously.
"Woh," He breathed as he glanced around the usually dark room. "Zaynie what
happened?" He giggled, throwing himself onto Zayn bed.
 
          "You’re staying in my room now, charming." Zayn smiled, setting there
things down and flopping beside the blonde. "I have to protect you more," Zayn
managed a smile and pressed a small kiss to Niall’s forehead. "You’re the
best," Niall chirped, wrapping his arms tightly around Zayn’s neck, nuzzling
his face into the warm chest. "Love's you." Niall breathed, his eyes feeling
heavy and droopy.
 
          "Love you too, Charming."
***** Chapter 2 - When You Cry, I Cry With You *****
             Two A.M. rolled around and Zayn got not a wink of sleep. He only
watched his bedroom door for any hint of his father, his body perched against
the head bored with Niall in his arms, his steady breathing painting Zayn’s
chest like a storm in the Sahara.
 
             Zayn stiffened when the small blonde stirred, his baby blue eyes
cracking open and he peeked up at Zayn with pure and utter innocents. A hint of
tiredness swimming in the ocean of aqua. A small smile spread across his lips
and Zayn imagined that same smile aging through the years, waking up like that
with a calm patter of rain outside there window on a rainy morning.
 
             "Why are you up, Charming?" Zayn wondered, brushing hair out of
the blondes face. "I have to potty." Niall blushed and used Zayn to prop
himself up. "C'mon then," Zayn gestured, picking Niall up like a small child,
his head rested on Zayn’s shoulder, he legs wrapped lazily around him. Niall
was so little and frail, Zayn couldn’t get over the fact that he could break at
any moment.
 
             "Hurry we need to get back to bed, we have school in the morning,
if you’re up for it?" Zayn wondered as he set Niall on the cold tile of there
now shared bathroom. It sent a shock up Niall’s spine and he tingled a little,
shivering as he sat down on the potty. Of course, Niall didn’t like standing
while he peed, made him feel funny. Even if Zayn had to clean off the toilet
seat when he was finished. "Don’t like school." Niall grumbled and crossed his
arms over his chest with a sigh in his voice.
 
             "I know, but you have to go, Charming." Zayn bit on his lip in
frustration. He really didn’t look forward to dragging Niall to the car in the
morning. “Maybe we can leave early and go to the park? We could go see the
ducks!” Zayn tempted the younger boy, smiling brightly at the smaller, who of
course, grinned just the same and nodded his head. “All done!” Niall finally
cheered and Zayn helped him wipe his willy (Niall insisted) And pull up his
pants. “Go lay down, yeah?” Zayn smiled and kisses the top of Niall’s head,
rushing him on his way while he cleaned up the reminisce of Niall’s mess.
 
             Meanwhile, Niall crawled into bed, situating himself in his
favorite (And only) pair of pajamas. When he finally settled, the bedroom door
creaked open and Niall’s wary eyes shot open, a tall figure staring in on him.
“Niall.” Their father said roughly. Pointing his dirty little finger at Niall.
 
             “Come. Here.” As much as Niall didn’t want to, he knew it would
come back to bite him in the long run, so, he stood on shaky legs and wobbled
to the doorway were he ‘dad’ grabbed the back of his head, smashing their lips
together. Niall didn’t like when dad kissed him, it felt icky. So, he pushed
away, making a displeased face and wiping his lips. “Get in our room.” The man
insisted.
 
             Niall didn’t want to go. He wanted to go back to be with Zayn,
wanted to cuddle into the warmth of his arms.
 
             “Don’t want to.” Niall pouted under his breath. His dad grabbed
his chin, making the small boy stare into the man’s cold, dark eyes. He pecked
the squirming boy’s lips once, or so Niall thought, but he soon found his lip
being bitten harshly on, dragged between rough teeth that he didn’t exactly
like. He tried to push him away, but the man bit harder, making the boy’s soft
pink lip bleed red. Niall screamed, rather loud but his father covered his
mouth with his left hand, smirking wickedly. Zayn was still oblivious to what
was happening in his bedroom. His dad was good at covering his tracks.
 
             With his other hand, Yaser clutched Niall’s crotch, squeezing him
and pressing the boy to the door. “Shut up ya fucking retard.” The man hissed.
Maybe it was Niall’s soft whimpers, or Zayn ability to hear that word from a
mile away, but Niall had never seen Zayn run so fast in his life.
 
             The older boy was there in a second, knocking his father to the
ground in a fit of anger. “CAN’T YOU KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HIM FOR ONE
NIGHT!” Zayn chuffed, bringing his brother into his arms, Niall whipping his
bloody chin on Zayn’s bare chest.
 
             “What the fuckers your problem,” Yaser wiped his mouth and pulled
himself from the floor, glaring at Zayn before existing the room.
 
             Zayn could feel the fear radiating off Niall like a fire. He was
shaking, rather violently but it was no seizure, and that was a good thing.
“Shh, Shh, It’s okay charming.” Zayn soothed, picking the blonde up in his arms
where he carried him back to the bed, laying him down.
 
             Niall sobbed as he stared up at Zayn, his mouth bloody and kiss
swollen. Zayn hated when his dad kissed Niall. Those were his lips, even if
only in his dreams and he didn’t like the thought of that disgusting man laying
a finger on him. Let alone his lips.
 
             “Please charming, stop crying. Everything is going to be okay, I
swear.” Zayn peppered Niall’s face in short lived kisses, causing Niall to
break out into a fit of laughter. There’s my boy, Zayn thought and he smiled
brightly at him, kissing his nose once before grabbing a dirty towel from the
floor and using it to wipe Niall’s mouth. Promenade teeth marks were left
behind, But Zayn was pretty used to covering Niall in makeup before school.
 
             But it didn’t make what Yaser did any better. It never would.
“Hurts.” Niall whimpered, eyes watery with tears. “Your lip?”
 
             Niall shook his head slowly, his cheeks flaming red. He really
didn’t want to say. Usually Zayn just…knew. Maybe it would be the same this
time? “Your bum?” There it was. Niall nodded cautiously and Zayn chuckled,
reaching into Niall’s bags on the floor where he found his cream, which was
running low Zayn noticed.
 
             Niall pulled of his pants and undies, bringing his knees up
slightly and spreading wide, just like Zayn had taught him to do. He didn’t
like the cold cream, but Zayn’s hand were warm, so it was okay. He liked the
way Zayn took care of him.
 
             “Deep breath in.” Zayn coached him and Niall giggled, taking the
biggest breath he could and waiting for Zayn’s signal to let it out again. The
darker’s cream covered fingers waited at Niall’s entrance, which clenched as a
reflex. “Now out, and close your eyes.”
 
             Niall did as he was told, he didn’t like disappointing Zayn. He
relaxed himself and let Zayn smother the tight rim of muscles with the numbing
paste.
 
             Zayn chuckled when Niall flexed around his fingers, the boy
snickering at his accomplishment. “Silly boy,” Zayn laughed, pulling his
fingers from his brother and whipping them on the same bloody towel.
 
             Niall pulled his underwear (Tighty whities) back on and crawled
under the blankets, where he waited for a drowsy Zayn, who wrapped his arms
around the boy, pulling him into his chest and plastering a soft kiss to his
forehead before Niall’s breathing steadied, small snores being pulled from his
aching lips.
***** Chapter 3 - Just a Little Bit Stronger *****
             The next morning Zayn woke up nice and early, laying out Niall's
clothes and slipping into his own after a nice shower. He didn't hear their
father yet, which was both good and bad, and he woke his charming up slowly.
 
             "Morning, charming," He smiled, kissing his forehead gently.
Niall's lip had scabbed over from the event last night he was looking better
without the tears on his face or blood on his chin. "We'll take a bath later
tonight, so why don't you just get up and get dressed okay? We'll stop and see
the ducks and be off to school just in time,"
 
             "Okay," Niall smiled, hopping up and pulling off his favorite
pajamas quickly. Zayn helped him a little as he got dressed, and then collected
their supplies for schools, slipping Niall's backpack onto his shoulders and
kissing his temple. "Food now?"
 
             "Yes, Charming, food now," Zayn smiled.
 
             They walked quietly down the steps and it was nice when they
weren't intercepted by either of their parents. Zayn grabbed a muffin and an
apple for Niall and set it in front of him with a glass of juice.
 
             "Yummy!" Niall cheered, taking a bit of his muffin.
 
             Zayn smiled and grabbed a bowl of cereal for himself. It didn't
take long for them to begin their walk towards the park, where they watched as
the ducks swim and waddled around together. Zayn brought a few pieces of bread
for Niall to throw to the ducks, and he did so with a wide smile on his face
and beautiful giggles passing his lips. Zayn didn't think he had seen anything
and beautiful and pure as Niall. The young boy was everything Zayn loved about
the world. Innocent, pure, happy, yet troubled, deep down.
 
             It hurt Zayn more than he'd ever admit; watching Niall be so
beautiful and troubled at the same time. How could someone hurt Niall? How
could anyone ever want to hurt him?
 
             "C'mon, Niall, let's go to school," Zayn said.
 
             Niall made a face, waved bye to the ducks and grabbed Zayn's hand,
turning around to watch the ducks swim as they walked away and towards school.
 
             "I come to classes with you today," Niall said, looking up at
Zayn's sharp tan face and admiring his eyelashes. Niall always loved Zayn's
eyelashes.
 
             "No, baby, you have to go to your special classes," Zayn said,
coming to a stop at the street a looking both ways before carefully escorting
Niall across.
 
             "Because I'm stupid?" Niall pouted.
 
             Zayn gave Niall a look, "No, charming, because you are special and
different,"
 
             "Different is ugly," Niall said.
 
             "Different is amazing. Different is beautiful. Different is
strong," Zayn countered with a smile, "Now c'mon, in we go,"
 
             As soon as they stepped inside the school building Niall covered
his ears. He hated how loud school was and he didn't like the words that the
kids screamed at him and Zayn. So he made all of the sound stay out and away
from his head. He closed his eyes too, and Zayn sighed and pulled Niall along
towards the special education room.
 
             "Niall," Zayn said. But his charming couldn't hear, his hands were
pressed so tightly to his ears. Zayn grabbed Niall's hands and gently pulled
them to the sides, "Here you go, I'll see you at lunch time, yeah?"
 
             Niall nodded sadly and leaned forward to kiss Zayn's cheek, "Bye
bye Zaynie-kins,"
 
             Zayn sighed and walked down the hall towards his first class.
 
             Lunch time came quickly and Niall and Zayn returned to their
little corner of the cafeteria, eating quietly while Niall ranted on about his
teacher and how much he didn't like math.
***** Chapter 4 - You've Got Me Feeling Like A Child Now *****
             Zayn really didn’t want to bring Niall back to his special
education class, the main reason being he was selfish and wanted Niall all to
himself. But on the other hand, he knew Niall hated that class, and he didn’t
want to make his baby brother do something he didn’t like.
 
             "Charming?" Zayn called from across the lunch table and Niall
scarfed down his food, looking up at Zayn with a mouth full of food. "Do you
want to skip the rest of the day? We can go to the park again?"
 
             Niall nearly jumped out of his seat with excitement, nodding his
head and bouncing. "Park!" Niall cheered. "Yeah, park. Why don’t you finish and
we can go before class starts?" Zayn asked of the blonde as he finished his own
sandwich, taking a drink of his soda (Niall drank milk) and getting up to throw
away everything else.
 
             "Ready!" Niall cheered as he fixed his shoe, running a small,
shaky hand through his blonde locks. They stood in the middle of the cafeteria
now, not that either acknowledged it. Until of course, something moist and icky
hit Niall right in the back of the head. The blonde gasped, his lip quivering
as he brought his hand up to his head and felt whatever it was.
 
             Mack and cheese, that’s what it was...All over Niall’s hair and
school uniform.
 
             Zayn noticed the boys contorting face and wrapped an arm around
his baby brother. "No, no, it’s okay Charming, don’t cry." Zayn soothed,
ushering him out the double doors, the rest of the cafeteria laughing. Fucking
assholes.
 
             "Z-Zaynie it’s icky!" Niall screamed, his body quivering. "I know,
we’ll go get it cleaned off I promise. Please don’t cry?" Zayn pleaded of the
blonde, kissing the corner of his mouth and leading him out of the school
parking lot and down the street. They lived only a few blocks away, so the
always walked to school. It was only noon so there father was gone for work,
not that he actually did his job, but at least he wouldn’t be home.
 
             Which is where Niall and Zayn were now, Zayn leading him inside
the house by his hand, where they passed by Niall passed out mother and headed
up to the bathroom. Niall sad on the toilet seat as Zayn worked to clean off
the Mack and cheese from his brothers head, peeling off his stained clothes and
bending him over the bathtub to wash his hair out.
 
             Niall sniffled and crossed his arms as Zayn dried his hair with a
towel, all the mean while trying to keep his cool. How could some people be so
cruel? What had Niall ever done? He’s so innocent and small, how could anyone
willingly want to hurt him?
 
             "W-We still go to the park?" Niall wondered, staring up at his
brother who was at least a half a foot taller. "No, we'll go somewhere better,
how’s that sound?" Zayn said in a excited voice and Niall giggled, nodding
quickly. That did sound like fun...
 
 
 
~*~
 
 
 
             Twenty minutes later and Niall found himself in the passenger seat
of Zayn’s black 2005 Honda civic. Niall liked Zayn’s car. The windows were dark
and it always smelled nice. Zayn wasn’t in love with his car or anything, he
just liked to keep it clean.
 
             "Where are we going?" Niall wondered as he played with his buzz
light-year toy, banging it against the passenger window. "You'll have to wait
and see, but I promise you'll like it."
 
             Zayn smirked at the road as they drove. He knew just where he
wanted to take Niall. Ice cream.
 
             He had money saved for things like this? He did work here and
there, mowed a few lawns, walked a few dogs. All to help pay for Niall’s
special life, and this counted as one of those occasions?
 
             Zayn finally pulled up in front of the little ice cream show,
Niall still oblivious to it all as he played with buzz light-years arm. "Look
Ni, were here." He pointed out.
 
             Niall gasped and looked up. Everything was so colorful and pretty.
And the sign read "Ice cream and Frozen Yogurt" across the front, Niall was
mighty proud when he sounded it out to himself.
 
             "Ice cream!" He cheered and unlatched his seat belt, Waiting for
Zayn to come around and open his door, as to make sure Niall didn’t run off (It
was routine).
 
             "I want strawberry!" Niall said before they even entered the
store. Zayn grabbed onto his hand tightly. Not intertwining their fingers, but
it was still enough to make Niall blush mad and bury his face in Zayn’s
shoulder as they stood at the counter. "You wanted strawberry, bud?" Zayn
questioned as he looked at the other flavors.
 
             Niall nodded slowly against Zayn’s skin and squeezed his hand
tighter. He didn’t like people looking at him, and the girl across the room was
doing just that.
 
             "Can I get...One strawberry waffle cone and a...Mint and chip
waffle cone?" The cashier rang Zayn up and he had to let go of Niall’s hand to
reach into his pocket, but that didn’t stop Niall from clinging to his body and
hiding himself.
 
             Zayn grabbed a napkins for the two, wrapping one around Niall’s
cone and he handed it to him, taking his hand again and walking him out of the
store. Zayn left his car parked and they walked down the street, scattered with
people, but Niall held onto Zayn’s hand with a vice grip.
 
             "Where we going?" Niall whispered as they walked. "I thought we
would go for a walk?" Zayn shrugged and walked along, licking at his ice cream.
When he glanced over at Niall, the smaller had pink dripping down his chin,
Nialls’ tongue flicking out at the delicious cream. Zayn wanted to devour his
mouth then, lap up all the sweet dribble from his chin and finally, shove that
tongue deep down Niall’s throat and greedily lick up every ounce of ice cream.
 
             But of course, like the good little boy Zayn is, he merely smiled
at his brother and continued to walk.
 
             They went nowhere important, but being together was important? And
if Niall had fun, so did Zayn.
 
 
 
~*~
 
 
 
             It was mid afternoon when they finally arrived home again, After
one more trip to the park to see the ducks (Which Niall spent the whole time
naming, even if each duck got at least three names).
 
             Niall didn’t want to go home but they had to right? Even if it
meant Niall would be called horrid names and dragged into the corner to be
kissed and fondled when Zayn wasn’t looking.
 
             As much as Zayn didn’t want to be there, he knew it was the rules.
Zayn wasn’t eighteen yet and until that day, he and his precious baby had to
stay under that roof, with that disgusting excuse of a man.
***** Chapter 5 - Need You Now *****
Bath time was always Niall’s favorite. He got to sit in nice water and play
with the toys Zayn got him. The water made Niall not feel so bad after scary
night in his dad’s room or rough days at school. Zayn took him into the
bathroom and smiled lovingly at Niall, letting him undress while he ran the
water, making sure the temperature was just perfect. Then he helped his brother
into the tub, eyeing his pale almost translucent skin that was soiled with mac
and cheese a bit. Once Niall sunk into the water a smile spread onto his face
and he look up to Zayn with a giggle and a hiccup.
 
            “Come in, Zayn,” Niall smiled, trying to grab some of the water and
throw it on his counterpart. Zayn shook his head though, sitting on the toilet
seat a good distance from the tub and watching from afar.
 
            “I took a shower earlier, charming,”
 
            “But your hands got dirty like me,” Niall said, “So you need a bath
stinky boy,” He laughed gleefully and let out a shrill yelp out of pure joy,
splashing water onto Zayn again.
 
            Zayn let out a light chuckle, “Niall, not today,”
 
            Niall’s face stopped being so happy now. He didn’t like it when
Zayn said no to him. It wasn’t fair. Why wouldn’t Zayn get in the bath with
him, “But…Zayn,” Niall pouted, tears filling his eyes.
 
            Zayn’s heart broke, and he hopped forward, landing on his knees at
the side of the tub and soothing Niall, running his hands through his hair and
gently stroking his face and chest, trying to calm him down. If there was one
thing that Zayn hated in the world other than his dad, it was watching Niall
cry. Because Niall was beautiful and pure, and he should never see misery or
have a need to cry. He should always be happy and okay and looking into his
future like it’s something amazing.
 
            “Shh,” Zayn cooed, “Maybe another time,”
 
            “You always say no,” Niall pointed out.
 
            It was true. Zayn always declined Niall of bathing with him. But
what could Zayn do? He was practically in love with his brother. And really, it
shouldn’t feel this right or this okay,  but it did. And he wasn’t sure why he
sometimes dreamed of Niall’s lips against his own. In fact, he hated himself
for those dreams. Zayn hated thinking about taking Niall’s innocents, or at
least, what was left of it.
 
            “How about I give you something else instead?” Zayn said. And shit,
did he really just say that. There was a terrible idea brewing in the front of
his mind and he hated what was happening. His palms got sweaty and he leaned
closer to Niall, staring at his lips. Was he really going to do this? Was he
really going to kiss him? Niall smiled at him and leaned in too, following
Zayn’s lead. He trusted Zayn.
 
            At the last second, Zayn pulled away, a pain hitting him in the
chest.
 
            “Z-Z-Zayn!” Niall began to sob, confused. Had he done something
wrong. Zayn growled—mostly at himself—and turned around, soothing his baby
again.
 
            “How about we just finish with your bath, charming?” He suggested,
grabbing the shampoo from the corner. Niall eventually calmed as Zayn rubbed
the bubbles into his hair and made him smell like heaven, or at least, that’s
what Niall thought. He thought he smelled like a real prince. Like one of the
ones from the movies. “There, all done,” Zayn smiled, pulling Niall from the
tub and wrapping him up in a towel. “Do you feel better?”
 
            Niall nodded and then asked, “Why did they throw food at me today?
I do something wrong?”
 
            “No,” Zayn said, suddenly furious, “Charming, babe, you did
absolutely nothing wrong,”
 
            “I don’t ever want to go back to school again,” Niall decided.
 
            Zayn chuckled and decided to save the debate for later and he lead
Niall into his room and picked him out some comfortable clothes for the rest of
the day. As the blonde changed, there was a loud noise from downstairs and Zayn
panicked. Was their father home already? What time was it?
 
            “Niall, go into the bathroom and lock the door,” Zayn said.
 
            Niall looked up through his blonde hair that was falling over his
face a little and tilted his head, “Why, Zaynie?”
 
            “Niall, do what I say,”
 
            Niall pouted, but stormed into the bathroom anyway, shutting the
door. Zayn only slightly relaxed when he heard the small click of the handle.
Then he took a deep breath and climbed under his bed, hoping to hide from his
father until he left again.
 
            But suddenly there was a loud noise from the bathroom, and Zayn
panicked because his dad probably heard that and now what? Was Niall in there
hurt? Or did he just knock something down?
 
            “What the hell?” Zayn heard their dad scream as he busted into the
bedroom, “Zayn, aren’t you supposed to be at school?”

            And then he was pulled out from under the bed harshly and slammed
against the wall, “I’m sorry,” Was all Zayn managed to say.
 
            His father hit him hard, and then dropped him, walking towards the
bathroom and hitting on the door hard.
 
            “Niall, open up for daddy,”
 
            “Don’t do it!” Zayn screamed. He received another harsh kick to the
gut.
 
            “Open the door, Niall,” Their dad said, “Or else I’m going to hurt
Zayn,”
 
            And wow, that was an all time low for their father. He had never
threatened Niall with that before. Immediately the door opened and Niall rushed
out, dropping to the floor beside Zayn.
 
            “Zaynie!” He cried.
 
            Their father grabbed the small boy and pulled him over his
shoulder, smacking his bum hard. Zayn tried to get up, he tried to fight, but
everything hurt.
 
            “Oh, Niall, what am I going to do with you tonight,” Their dad said
sickly.
 
            And thank God there was a knock on the door, forcing their dad to
stop and drop Niall, yelling as he told them to stay put. He ran to answer the
door, slamming the bedroom closed behind him.
 
            “Zayn?” Niall cried, “Are you okay?”
 
            “Fine,” Zayn spat, “C’mon, we have to go, now,”
 
            “Where?”

            “Out the window,”
***** Chapter 6 - I'll Listen To You Til' Your Tears Give Out *****
             Niall’s breath hitched and he crawled over to the window, where he
sat down with a whimper while Zayn collected himself. Even though there home
was shirt, it was still on the second story. Which meant they had to climb
down, thankfully there was a rather large three, with a few sturdy branches.
 
             Zayn was out the window first, grabbing Niall’s hand once he stood
on one branch. "Its okay, babe. Trust me." And of course Niall trusted him, he
trusted the older lad with everything he had. He trusted Zayn like a child
trusts there father to do no harm. Oh, the irony.
 
             "Z-Zaynie what if he catches us?" Niall whispered as he stepped
lightly on the branch in front of Zayn, holding himself up with the long branch
above them. "He won’t, but we need to hurry." Zayn instructed as Niall reached
the trunk of the tree, stepping onto the branch below him. "Careful charming."
Zayn whispered as the blonde climbed down, his toes finally meeting the hard
ground.
 
             They both climbed down safely, but with Niall’s whimpering, Zayn
was frightened they might get caught. Which wouldn’t turn out good for either
of them. "Shh, charming you need to be quiet. Please. I don’t want to get
caught." Zayn pleaded but Niall let out a shaky sob. Zayn had to think of
something, anything.
 
             "Hey, if you’re quiet, I'll get you a surprise?" Zayn offered,
rubbing Niall’s arm soothingly. "Anything you want, charming." He added, trying
to calm his brother.
 
             Niall shook his head, biting down on his quivering and chapped
lips. "C'mon, Ni, there has to be something?" Zayn said in a hush hush voice,
licking at his own lips. "W-Want what you were going to give me in the bath?"
Niall wondered.
 
             As much as Zayn didn’t want to, it was the only way, and if he
promised it now, he couldn’t go back on that. "O-Okay, but not here. We have to
go somewhere safe first, okay?"
 
             Niall’s face turned pink and he nodded quickly, letting Zayn take
his hand and take him into the back ally, where they made their way down to the
end of the street. They kept walking in different direction and Niall wasn’t
sure he liked this. He was only in his pajamas and some slippers, Zayn in his
sweats, matching slippers and a tank top. He had a jumper on as well, but it
wasn’t very warm. The both of them shivered and shook and it wasn’t even five
pm yet.
 
             How where they supposed to make it through the night?
 
             Finally, around dinner time, they reached a long stretch of tall
buildings, where Zayn searched aimlessly. "Where are we going?" Niall wondered
as a crack of thunder sounded through the sky and he squealed rather loudly.
"Somewhere safe, baby brother." Zayn ensured as he held onto Niall tighter,
turning the corner of a old ally way behind some Italian restaurant where the
only thing in sight was a dumpster and a dark phone booth.
 
             "C'mon," Zayn tugged on Niall’s arm as a few drops of rain hit
their heads. It wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t very warm and it wasn’t a spacious as
Zayn hoped, but he crammed Niall and him both inside the phone booth, Niall
between his legs with his arms wrapped tightly around the younger boy.
 
             "Don’t like it." Niall complained as the rain picked up, pounding
against the top of the booth. "S'cold." Niall whimpered again and turned to
snuggle into Zayn’s chest, collecting his warmth and sense of safety. "I know,
I'm sorry." Zayn sighed. Maybe they should have stayed home, maybe Zayn could
have said school got out early, or Niall got sick. He could have took Niall’s
punishment, could have let his dad rape him but he was a coward, and he made
his little brother run.
 
             And now...now they were held up in some cramped, mildew smelling
phone booth with no sense of warmth and empty bellies. That was another thing.
He dragged Niall away with nothing for dinner and oh, how silly of him. Zayn
forgot to bring money.
 
             "I'm so sorry." Zayn cooed, kissing the nape of Niall’s neck. "I
messed up so bad, I'm sorry." He almost sobbed into Niall’s neck, hiding his
face there.
 
             Niall didn’t say a word, merely sat there in silence, his body
quivering and his lungs drawing sharp breaths. Zayn wondered if they might get
out of this. Maybe this was a dream and he would wake up? Maybe he would be at
home, lying in bed with his baby brother wrapped tightly in his arms, a big
cozy quilt wrapped around them. But, of course, this was Zayn’s life and it was
selfish to think it was so horrible.
 
             He wasn’t Niall.
 
             He wasn’t the little boy whose real father was murdered, his
throat slashed from ear to ear when he didn’t give someone his wallet, he
wasn’t the little boy who watched his mommy drink herself into a coma and he
defiantly wasn’t the little boy who watched that same mommy wake up and not
care about him. Watched her re-marry the man who touched him every night and
most of all...He wasn’t the little boy who held his head to high, faced every
day with a smile, and worked past each and every challenge.
 
             No...He was a coward. A fool and he was worthless.
 
             Zayn’s thoughts where interrupted when Niall sucked in a long
breath and his body quaked. "S'cold, Zaynie." Niall whimpered, moving his face
to Zayn’s neck and pushing it into the warm skin. "I know...I'm sorry." Zayn
said again. he sounded like a record on repeat and he wished he could say
something else to ease Niall’s pain.
 
             He wrapped his arms tighter around Niall and hummed a quiet tune.
“You sing?” Niall wondered, pestering Zayn to do just the thing he loved. Loved
the sound of Zayn’s voice, soothing him. Zayn nodded and with a shaky voice,
begun to sing.
 
“I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will.”
 
             Niall smiled up at Zayn. He recognized the song…just didn’t know
from where.
 
“It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will”
 
             Zayn traced soft, paint covered hands up Niall’s bare arm,
nuzzling his face against the smaller’s temple, kissing his cheek. Niall
shivered again, but giggled at the sensation of Zayn’s kisses. He loved each
and every one of them. Wither it was a soft, short kiss or a long, lingering
one, that Zayn praised him with late at Night when he thought the younger was
asleep. When he acted out on some part of his fantasies with the younger,
leaving gentle…yet spine tingling kisses on every piece of exposed skin.
 
“I go to the movie and I go downtown somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will”
 
             This time, Niall kissed Zayn, just under his chin and the boy
blushed, his blue eyes sparkling from the dim light of the restaurant’s back
door. It kind of reminded Zayn of lady and the tramp, as tragic as it sounded.
 
“Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees
 
Ohhhhhhhhh.....”
 
             Zayn wished he could hear accordion, playing soft, slow Italian
music in the back ground. Wished they were warmer…safer. But that wasn’t going
to happen. Wasn’t going to happen because he was a stupid, stupid man.
 
“There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will”
 
             Zayn finished his song, repositioning Niall in his arms and
sighing against the youngers shoulder, closing his eyes there.
 
             "C...Can I have my surprise now?" And Zayn’s closing eyes flew
open because did Niall really just ask that?
***** Chapter 7 - Sometimes It Seems You Gain Less Than You Lose *****
             “Please?” Niall said, looking up into Zayn’s eyes. Zayn nodded and
drew in a shaky breath. Was this really what Niall wanted?
 
            “Are you sure?” Zayn asked, breathing out with an exasperated gasp.
 
            Niall giggled and nodded, “Yes, please, Zaynie,”
 
            Zayn nodded, knowing that he couldn’t deny his baby of anything.
His hand shakily to the side of Niall’s face and moved them closer together.
You could see their breath in the air, warm and puffy in the cold crisp
atmosphere. Niall looked at Zayn like he was from the heavens, and really, Zayn
hated it. He wasn’t amazing. In fact, he was selfish and terrible, really
wrong. He shouldn’t be holding his brother so close like this. And he
definitely, definitely shouldn’t be trying to kiss him. Yeah, that wasn’t
something he would be doing if he was a gift from the heavens.
 
            “C’mon Zaynie!” Niall insisted with a smile.
 
            “Yeah, okay,” Zayn breathed, leaning in yet closer and rubbing his
thumb along Niall’s soft cheek bones. His hand is shaky and leans in and yes,
he is definitely going to hell. Their lips lock and Niall has no idea what to
do, so he mimics Zayn’s movement. Niall’s lips are soft and beautiful and it’s
so nice, and Zayn can’t help but to lick across his bottom lip. It’s short, but
it’s enough, and Zayn forces himself to stop.
 
            “I liked that,” Niall smiles happily.
 
            Zayn just breaths out and lets himself sit there and hate himself a
little longer. But then Niall’s stomach growls, and Zayn knows that he has
really fucked up. Like, a lot.
 
            “Again,” Niall insists.
 
            Zayn shakes his head and knows that he cannot stay in this
telephone booth forever, and he wants to sit down and cry, but he knows that
this will only make Niall cry too, so he pushes aside the pain and stands up.
 
            “Where are you going?” Niall asked.
 
            “Maybe to find some food,” Zayn said.
 
            “Food?”
 
            “Yes, bread or….” Zayn’s not even sure what he is thinking or
planning in his head but he hates every outlook of the future. He pushes the
door of the phone booth open, peaking his head out, into the cold, wet rain.
The only source of light, bring the old restaurant, in which Zayn could still
see a woman working, cleaning up after a long day’s work. He thought of maybe
asking her, maybe offering to help her if she would only feed his little
brother.
 
            He settled on just that and told Niall to stay where he was, which
the blonde obeyed as Zayn raced towards the building, trying to keep out of the
cold, stinging water. He knocked once, his body shaking from the cold nipping
at his cold arms, having given Niall’s his jacket.
 
            The young girl opened the back door and peeked out, rubbing her
hands together after a fresh wash. "Can I help you?" she asked, worry in her
voice. Why was this guy standing out in the rain? She looked to be a few years
older than Zayn, but a very responsible person. "I-I was just...You see, me and
my brother we kind of...Ran away from a bad situation and well, he’s really
hungry. I-I was hoping maybe, you might have something for him to eat? I
could...help you or something, I just...I don’t want my brother to go hungry."
Zayn shivered and shook as the water ran down his tan skin, his hair sticking
to his forehead.
 
            "O-Of course, come on in. Where’s your brother?" She peaked her
head out and looked around. "H-He’s in the phone booth, I'll be right back?"
Zayn pointed as he ran off to Niall who climbed into his arms shakily, resting
his head on Zayn’s shoulder like he had lost him for a long time. "C'mon, Ni
this nice lady is gonna give you something to eat?"
 
            Niall smiled as Zayn ran across the ally again and helped Niall
inside, setting him down on the tile ground, his body quivering. The woman
stared at Niall for a moment, loving the way his big blue eyes stared with
innocents. "What’s your name?" She knelt down to his sight, seeing as she was
taller than Zayn. "N-Niall." The blonde offered his hand, cold and wet, but the
girl shook it. "Hi there, Niall. I'm Georgia." She smiled kindly.
 
            Niall giggled and glanced around the room, inhaling deeply. "Smells
good in here." He blushed.
 
            The girl, Georgia, looked up at Zayn who mouthed a few words. "He’s
autistic." But, said it a few decimals to loud and Niall stared back at him.
"Yep! Zaynie says I'm special." The blonde stuck his finger in some flower,
swiping it across the counter. "Powder." He examined.
 
            "That’s called flour." She pointed out, putting a dab on the
blondes nose while she reached for a towel, handing it to Zayn who thanked her,
but instead using it for himself, dried off his brothers skin, pressing a kiss
to his hand and leaning against his shoulder. "Thank you." He whispered to
Georgia who patted his back. "Say Niall, would you like to learn how to make a
pizza?"
 
            Niall give her a curious look. "Never had pizza?" She concluded and
the blonde shook his head. Who on earth has never had pizza? "Well, I'll show
you! C'mon." She smiled kindly and extended her hand, which Niall gladly took.
 
            Zayn pulled up a seat as he watched the two. Georgia let Niall make
the crust, helped him toss it up in the air. Niall was good at this whole,
cooking thing. His mind didn’t get distracted once. It was like painting,
creating a masterpiece.
 
            "Now we put it in the oven, Okay?" She placed the round pizza on
what Niall thought looked like a spatula. He remembered Zayn using one when he
got to make Niall breakfast in the morning, which wasn’t very offend.
 
            "How long will take?" Niall wondered, his face pouty and sad. What
if they brunt his pizza! "Only a few minutes. Then you can eat it!" She
exclaimed, holding onto Niall’s hands. Zayn wasn’t sure if he liked that, but
she seemed harmless. Completely and utterly composed purely by Niall’s
innocents, instead of feeling attraction to him.
 
            "Yummy!" He cheered and raced back to Zayn, jumping onto his lap.
"Hey there, charming." Zayn smiled, kissing his nose. He almost forgot about
Georgia.
 
            "You know, uhm...There’s a room in the back, you guys can stay
there for the night? I don’t know what you’re running from but...You can hide
out there. This is my father’s restaurant, so he won’t mind." She offered. Zayn
shook his head eagerly, smiling gently. "T-That would be wonderful, thank you."
 
            They talked for some time, Zayn told her about his dad, well...A
few things about him. She didn’t push the subject. They talked about Niall and
how they meet. She seemed rather relieved to learn they weren’t actually
brothers. When the pizza was done, Niall giggled and jumped up, watching the
woman push the spatula under it and pull it from the oven, setting it one large
dish, where she told Niall to let it 'cool' which meant he had to wait even
longer.
 
            After it cooled, Niall got to take his first bite of pizza and boy
if it wasn’t the yummiest thing he'd ever had. His eyes widened and he watched
at the cheese stretched with his bite. "So yummy!" He pointed out, smiling at
Zayn who ate a piece himself. Georgia told him she didn’t need him to help,
that she would help them in any ways possible. Which was something Zayn really
appreciated.
 
            After eating, Georgia started to pack up, smiling at Zayn and Niall
who cuddled together under a blanket she gave them as they slept on the couch,
confined in the office room. "I'll be back in the morning and I'll help you
figure out what to do?"
 
            Zayn smiled and nodded his head. "Bye Georgia," He waved. "See you
in the morning, Zayn." She flicked off the light and like that, she was gone
and Zayn was fast asleep, cradling the blonde close to his body.
***** Chapter 8 - I Will Love You, Like I've Never Been Hurt *****
             Four fourth five in the morning rolled around, as did Zayn. How
could he sleep anyways? He didn’t even want to think about how horrible his
life would end up after yesterday. he was so stupid, so foolish. He thought
momentarily about just getting up and leaving. Leaving Niall there because he
knew the blonde would be in good hands with Georgia, but could he really put
that on her?
 
             And how could he leave Niall? He would never trust a single human
being gain. He couldn’t do that to his baby brother. The little boy he watched
over sense he was twelve years old, Niall the eleven year old brat he was
expecting, but turns out, he was the furthest thing from it.
 
             Zayn stared at the ceiling and let his mind wonder back to the day
he meet the small boy. He didn’t talk, from what his dad told him. That was
back when he still had a strong bond with the now hated man.
 
~Flashback~
 
             Twelve year old Zayn was a stubborn kid. He was rowdy and loud and
he had a large number of friends. He was a trouble maker and frankly, he was a
bully.
 
             And he made up his mind he was going to be just that to his new
brother. His stupid brother he had to share a room with till they moved to the
new house. Maura seemed kind, she was fairly reserved, but she was...nice. As
for her son, Zayn hadn’t heard anything about.
 
             He figured he would be what you'd expect from any eleven year old.
Probably obnoxious and way to annoying. Not that Zayn was any different?
 
             They stood at the doorstep of Maura's Ireland home, where she had
laid her resent husband to rest on a few years before. The woman couldn’t live
in the house any longer.
 
             Zayn was reluctant to go inside. He didn’t want to bother, didn’t
want to deal with the kid tugging at him and asking him stupid questions. So he
crossed arms and let out a loud, spoiled brat like huff.
 
             "Yaser!" Maura cheered, hugging her Fiancé and welcoming the two
into her home. Zayn didn’t like it one bit. To drab, to dreary. There was
nothing fun for him to do and he could see that from here. "Where is it." His
dad said in a hushed tone, glancing down at his son. "In his room, as always."
The woman groaned and Zayn wondered who they were speaking of. "Lovely." His
dad mocked.
 
             "Son, why don’t you go upstairs and meet your new brother? Bet
you'll find he’s a really joy." The man laughed in a sarcastic way and Zayn
suddenly didn’t like the way his father was speaking. Scared him.
 
             Who cocked an eyebrow and headed for the stairs where he climbed
up them, making his way down the hallway till he was met with a door, a
squiggly, messy drawing that looked like it was done by a five year old. The
name "Niall' readable if you squinted.
 
             He sighed and grabbed the door knob, twisting it slowly as he
pushed the door open. The room was dark, the windows probably covered when he
stepped inside. A small light aluminate the wall and he noticed quiet sounds of
a cartoon and bits of laughter. It was a small, scared voice. Like he was
trying not to giggle loud.
 
             "H-Hello?" Zayn let his voice travel through the small room as he
peaked around the TV at the small boy, his blonde hair sticking straight up and
too-big of blue eyes starred back at him.
 
             The boy gasped and pushed himself under the bed next to him, which
had but a blanket on it. no sheets, not pillow. just a blanket.
 
             "H-Hey, it’s okay?" Zayn peaked under the bed, the TV light making
two eyes glisten back at him. "I won’t hurt you." Zayn put his hand out,
shaking and trembling like he was holding his hand out to a rabid dog.
 
             He left it there and waited a moment, before a small, skinny hand
reached out for it, placing it in Zayn’s wearily. His hand was cold and
lifeless as Zayn helped him from under the bed. "Shh, it’s okay. Zayn soothed,
brushing some of his too-long hair from his face. "I'm Zayn...I'm Yaser’s son,
your new brother?" Zayn offered but the boy didn’t respond.
 
             "A-Are you okay?" Zayn tilted his head to one side, examining the
boy’s features. "Y-Yes." The boy nodded. His voice was tiny and had a innocent
ring to it.
 
             Zayn didn’t ask because he didn’t need to. He could tell by just
looking at the blonde that he was special. He watched him race to the door and
close it tight before climbing back on the bed, staring at Zayn with curious
eyes.
 
             And Zayn stared back...until they started to leak, tears running
down Niall’s red cheeks and Zayn held Niall for the first time that night,
found himself cuddled into the bed, pressed to the wall while the little
autistic boy curled into a tight ball, protecting the soft parts of his body as
he allowed Zayn to wrap a wary arm around his mid-section.
 
             Zayn liked holding Niall. No...Zayn loved it.
 
~End Flashback~
 
             Zayn blinked his eyes again with a groan. How could he even think
of leaving his beautiful little boy?
 
             He turned over to face the blonde, who no longer slept like he was
in danger, but sprawled out next to his brothers protective stature.
 
             Zayn smiled when the boys warm breath painted his face and he ran
his hands through Niall’s soft hair, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He could
do that now, he could kiss those soft, plump lips. Zayn grinned at that and
kissed again, and again and the more Zayn thought about it...He kissed Niall so
many times, his lips hurt. They burned to have Niall kiss back. He needed Niall
to kiss back.
 
             He licked his lips when he let his eyes follow the entirety of
Niall bare back, the small blanket they were given hanging over him, exposing
soft, white flesh and Zayn pressed his lips to it, leaving lingering kisses.
 
             The body below him let out a rumble and Niall shifted his weight.
"Charming, love wake up. I need to kiss that pretty mouth." Zayn teased,
burying his face in Niall’s hair, taking him in.
 
             "Tired." Niall groaned as he turned over, his hooded eyes showing
sign of life and a smile played on Niall’s lips.
 
             Zayn needed to kiss them. He needed to press his own lips to them,
god he needed that reassurance.
 
             So he did, he kissed them softly and Niall kissed back sloppily.
Niall wasn’t a very good kisser, Zayn knew that much but it was the
thought...He was kissing those lips, those lips he always dreamed about. "Love
you, Zaynie." Niall giggled and wrapped his arms around the taller.
 
             "Love you too charming." Zayn sighed, fucking sighed, and Niall
didn’t like that. "What wrong?" Niall’s face contorted, his eyes sad.
 
             "We need to go, charming...I'm sorry." Zayn sighed, sitting up,
grabbing his shirt and pulling it over his head. "But Georgia say-" "I know
what Georgia said, but we just...cant. You wouldn’t understand." Zayn sighed
again and shit he didn’t mean to say that because now Niall looked away from
him.
 
             "No—Charming, I didn’t mean it like that...Your—God, I'm sorry."
Zayn bit his lip and gave the boy his shirt. "We can’t pin this on Georgia,
Okay? She’s a busy person and she doesn’t need to put up with our drama, okay?"
Niall nodded in understanding, but really, Zayn knew he didn’t get a word of
that.
 
             "I'm sorry I said that baby," Zayn sighed, gripping Niall’s chin
and kissing him again, letting his lips linger, let them stick together as he
pulled away from Niall, blinking his eyes open and gazing up at the lad. He
could feel the heat radiating off Niall, see the arousal in his eyes and Zayn
felt it too, but he brushed it off, knowing Niall would do the same.
 
             "Where we gonna go?" Niall wondered as he watched Zayn write
Georgia a long note, thanking her for letting them stay and explaining why they
had to leave. "We need to get my car, okay? We have to go back home, but I
promise we won’t be there long, and you won’t see dad."
 
             Niall gulped but nodded.
 
             He just hoped Zayn was right.
***** Chapter 9 - All That's Dead And Gone And Past Tonight *****
            The two of them snuck back into the house, the house that had
started to feel like such a cage, a fucking cage. It was late and kind of dark,
and Zayn was shaking with nerves. He knew that this had to be quiet and quick.
So he did as he needed to, gathering the things he needed quickly and making
sure that Niall stayed quiet.
 
            “Zayn?”
 
            “Shh,” Zayn hushed his little brother, walking towards his side
table and grabbing the small box that contained his money. He put the money
into the small bag he grabbed, and then headed to grab a few sets of clothes
from the dresser.
 
            Suddenly there was a loud noise from somewhere in the house, and
Niall let out a whimper, his eyes closing as he clenched his fists. He didn’t
want his dad to come back. He didn’t want to see him ever again. What he did
hurt, it hurt so bad, so bad. Niall didn’t know  what it meant, or why it hurt
like it did, but he hated. He never wanted it again. Zayn ran to his side and
held Niall tight, slipping a hand over his mouth and moving them to the corner
of the room. Once there was a hole minute without another noise, Zayn released
Niall and continued packing. When he was finished, he grabbed his keys.
 
            “Ready, charming?” Zayn asked. He was ready to leave this place. He
was ready to never come back here again.
 
            “No!” Niall protested, “Our paintings,”
 
            Zayn stopped, and looked up to the walls. They were covered with
the paintings still, and Zayn hadn’t even though about it. What about all the
memories they had made in this place? The paintings? What about all the first
times they had here?
 
*Flashback*
 
            “NO!” Zayn screamed. Niall sobbed in the corner, and Zayn jumped in
front of him. Instead of pushing Zayn aside, like normal and going for the poor
blonde, their father held Zayn close and breathed on him, his breath smelling
so much of alcohol that he wanted to pass out. His father was angry, so angry
looking, and Zayn didn’t even feel like he recognized this man at all.
Suddenly, his father was tearing off his clothes and pinning him to the floor.
Up until this point, their father hadn’t touched Zayn in that way, but now, his
plans were obvious. Niall screamed, because he could tell that Zayn was scared
and that he didn’t want it.
 
            “Don’t hurt him!” Niall screamed.
 
            “It’s okay,” Zayn tried to comfort him. But then their father
thrust into him and Zayn screamed out, pain overtaking him and making his head
slam against the floor.
 
            “Zayn!”
 
            “Shut up, retard,” Their father spat.
           
*End flashback*
 
            It was the worst night of Zayn’s life. Or, one of them at least.
After their father had left, Zayn had tried to make sure Niall thought he was
alright, even though he wasn’t. That night they painted for ten hours straight,
and Niall giggled the whole time, even though Zayn was on the verge of crying
the whole time. Finally they got to bed though, and Zayn knew that he had to
stay strong.
 
            But now, it seemed like leaving those paintings behind would make
things worse. Zayn, in all honesty, wanted to remember. He wanted to remember
what he and Niall had overcome. So, he hopped onto his bed and began pulling
the paintings down and putting them in the bag one at a time, smiling upon each
of them with another memory.
 
            “Is this better?” Zayn asked.
 
            Niall nodded and walked over to his brother, “Can you put your lips
on mine again?” He asked out of the blue. Zayn froze and shook his head.
 
            “Not now,”
 
            “But…but Zaynie…”
 
            “Niall,” Zayn scolded in a quiet whisper. Niall’s face contorted
and tears welled in his eyes. It was obvious that he was about to cry and Zayn
couldn’t take that right now. They couldn’t make any noise. None. “Be quiet,”
 
            Niall whimpered again and then burst into tears. Shit. Zayn grabbed
the bag and his keys, sprinting out of the room and down the steps, out the
door. He could hear someone following them, but he couldn’t look back. He
didn’t want to see his dad’s eyes. They made it to the car, and as soon as
Niall and Zayn were in, he locked the doors and pulled out of the driveway
before anything else could happen. Niall was still crying but Zayn had to
ignore it for now. Ignore it until they got far enough away. Far enough away so
their father couldn’t find them.
 
            Ever again.
***** Chapter 10 - Put Your Lips Close To Mine *****
             Zayn huffed as they drove down the same empty rode for the third
time that morning. Niall still sniffled in the seat next to him. Zayn was so
frustrated, so confused and fighting himself in his head. They were two
teenagers on the run because yeah, that’s not a problem.
 
             Niall hiccupped loudly, and Zayn cracked internally. "Would you
stop crying, god damnit Niall!" He shouted, leaning his head against the
stearin wheel as they sat at the red light. He felt bad right after, Niall’s
whimpers becoming louder and he sunk in his seat.
 
             "Charming..." Zayn sighed, grabbing the blondes hand and tangling
their fingers together. "I'm sorry, baby boy..." He kissed the hand and pulled
away from the red light. "Where we go?" Niall rubbed his eyes with the free
hand he still had, curling into the blanket he had wrapped around him. "I don’t
know..." Zayn sighed. He didn’t know whatto do...Didn’t know where he and Niall
would go.
 
             "M'Hungry again." Niall whispered, playing with the string hanging
off his blanket. "I have money now, we could get something?" Zayn offers. He
has around two thousand Pounds saved, which, while it seems like a lot, Isn’t
very much. Zayn knows that, but it will be enough until he can find a way to
earn money. After all, he is a teenager who hasn’t even finished school.
 
              No one’s going to hire him, so how is he going to pay for Niall’s
expenses? How is he going to take care of his baby brother?
 
             "We go see Georgia?" Niall wondered, tugging on Zayn’s arm. Zayn
sighed. "I don’t know, babe...I don’t know if shell want us back there." Zayn
bit down on his swollen lip, sighing. He didn’t want to bother the poor woman.
 
             "Georgia not...want us?" Niall pouted at Zayn. It was silent in
the car for a moment as Zayn pulled into the parking Lott of a grocery store,
parking the car as rain poured down on them. "How come no one want us?" Niall
wondered, staring emotionlessly at Zayn. The elder didn’t know how to answer.
He didn’t know how to tell his little brother no one wanted them around. "We
just have to find the right people." Zayn concluded.
 
             Niall didn’t like the sound of that. What if they never found the
right one's?
 
             Zayn looked down at Niall who seemed so sad--was so sad. And he
wanted to wash all his worries away, wanted to make everything better. He
lifted his chin, smiling softly at the blonde. "Don’t worry bud...Someone will
want us. I promise." Zayn reassured, leaning in hesitantly, searching for any
sign Niall didn’t want it. But he closed his eyes, pressing his lips into a
kissy face and letting Zayn press their mouths together.
 
             Niall sighed softly through his nose and wrapped an arm around
Zayn’s neck, pulling the lad closer, who pressed Niall against the car door,
swiping his tongue against Niall’s lower lip. He was so caught up in the
moment, so lost in the passion and lust radiating off their two bodies.
 
             Niall wasn’t sure what to do, didn’t know where to go from there.
"Open your mouth." Zayn insisted against his lips and Niall did...Opened his
mouth wide and let Zayn turn his head, pushing his tongue inside and swapping
their saliva, Niall’s hands reaching up to clutch Zayn’s messy hair, pulling
him in quicker, rougher. Smashing their mouths together with such force, Zayn
was sure it would leave them swollen and puffy for days, but right now...he
could care less.
 
             This was steam he needed to let off. He needed to feel the full
force of Niall’s mouth against his; the blondes spit dripping from the corners
of his mouth. It was so messy, yet so delightful and it left Zayn speechless
and huffing against his seat. Niall wiped his lips, swallowing the contents of
his mouth and watching Zayn lick at his lips. He wasn’t going to let a drop of
Niall escape him. Not now, not ever.
 
             He wanted all of him, all the time, every day and in every way.
And when he thought about it...He wanted him in many different positions as
well. But that was for later--way later. For now, he had to get his prince some
breakfast, and the grocery store would be the fastest place. "C'mon, Charming."
Zayn stammered, pulling Niall across the center conceal and out of the car,
grabbing onto his hand and holding him tightly as they walked into the store.
 
             He stole a glance of the blonde and yeah—his lips where red, puffy
and swollen like he was hit. Zayn did that...Zayn left him flustered and
panting and Zayn suddenly felt a rush of confidents as they walked down the
breakfast isle. "C'mere, you." He groaned out and latched an arm around his
brother waist, pushing him against the boxes of cereal and pining him there
with his lips, claiming Niall’s in front of everyone, who, didn’t exactly
divert their eyes.
 
             Zayn lapped at the inside of Niall’s mouth and pressed himself
firmly against the boy, who grabbed onto one of the shelves for leverage as he
let out a surprised squeak. Zayn had never been so bold—so reckless and
forceful and it made Niall’s belly turn, his body shudder and his legs give way
because god, Zayn was good at this, and Niall loved the way it made him feel--
So rushed and hurried--so hot and his body light as a feather.
 
             When Zayn retreated, they managed to knock down several boxes of
cereal and scare off at least six patron’s. And fuck, Zayn was damn proud of
himself.
 
             "Zaynie you crazy." Niall giggled. Zayn was crazy—crazy in love.
 
             "How about that breakfast, Yeah?" Zayn’s face flushed red for a
brief moment and he dragged his younger brother down the aisle. "Pop tarts?" He
pointed and Niall nearly jumped for joy. When he was younger, and Zayn still
had his mean streak, he once saw his older sibling eating a pop tart, and he
wondered how it tasted. If it was as yummy as it looked.
 
             ~Flashback~
 
             "Can I have some?" Niall wondered as he let his tiny feet carry
him down the steps. It was the week that Zayn had meat Niall and even thought
he was already feeling protective towards the younger, that didn’t mean he had
to share with him.
 
             "My dad said not to feed you." Zayn shrugged. "He said you have to
eat what’s left over in your room because you make too much of a mess." And
Zayn’s father smirked at the small blonde who stared back with large, dazzling
blue eyes and maybe that was when their father snapped, gazing into the orbs
until he grabbed the little boys arm and totted him up the flight of stairs.
 
             Zayn of course, rushed after them. He still to this day felt it
was his fault. His fault his brother was hurt so badly.
 
             "Dad! Stop it!" Zayn screamed as the door shut, flat in his face.
His step mum was at work, which left him and the little blonde home alone with
their father.
 
             Zayn banged on the door, fearing what was to come to his younger
brother, someone he came to know as his friend. "Stop it! Please!" Zayn
screamed.
 
             He pressed his face to the brown, dreary door and screamed at his
father. On the other side, screaks of pain filled the room, smacking of skin
and loud grunts. And yeah, on the other side of that door, Niall wondered why
his dad was doing this? Wasn’t he supposed to love Niall?
 
             But no...Now, he had the little boy, no larger than a six year
old, bent over the end of his bed, hands behind his back and clamped together
in the man’s large fists as he took Niall dry, blood leaking out around him
until Niall couldn’t take it any longer, closing his little eyes as the body
behind him went slack and he felt more than blood trickling down his skinny
legs.
 
             It was no sooner he opened his eyes again to have his brother
hovering over him, eyes leaking tears and sobbing like Niall did when mommy
told him his daddy wasn’t coming home.
 
             "I-I don’t know what to do..." Zayn cried. He sat between Niall’s
spread legs, which bleed all over Zayn’s sheets. Niall was scratched and bitten
all over, but the worst of the pain came from his bum.
 
             And Zayn vowed that he wouldalwaystake care of Niall, mainly
because no one else knew how. Because Zayn was his guardian.
 
             ~End Flashback~
 
             Charming...you okay?" Zayn nudged his brother who stared blankly
at their intertwined hands. Niall giggled a little and grabbed the box,
complexly forgetting about the memory as he dragged Zayn down the aisle.
***** Chapter 11 - And I Never Tell Him No *****
The car quickly froze. Zayn had parked them in the side of a wide open field.
The two of them were out there for everyone to see. Niall and Zayn had crawled
into the backseat and were trying to get some sort of sleep—after all, since
when has sleeping in a car comfortable. As the night wore on, things got cold,
and they only had a few blankets to keep them warm. Zayn was still angry. Angry
with himself, angry with Niall’s questions. He was being selfish.
 
            “I’m cold Zaynie,” Niall whimpered, sticking out his bottom lip in
an adorable pout. Zayn sighs and runs his hands through Niall’s blonde ruffled
hair, “Turn on the heat!” Niall exclaimed. Zayn couldn’t help but smile at
Niall’s enthusiasm
 
            “Cant,” Zayn mumbled, “We can’t waste the gas just to run the
heat,”
 
            “But it’s cold,” Niall repeated.
 
            Zayn sighed and grabbed Niall’s smaller body, pulling them together
and making Niall’s head fall right into his neck, “Better?”
 
            Niall giggled and nodded, and pulled the few blankets further over
their bodies.
 
            Unfortunately as the night continued on, it only got colder and
colder, and Niall began to cry because his fingers and toes felt like ice
cubes. He was sobbing angrily, pushing himself further and further into Zayn’s
body.
 
            “Please…” Niall sobbed, “Heat,”
 
            “No,” Zayn’s voice cracked. He couldn’t stand seeing his baby cry.
“Charming, I can’t. We can’t waste the gas,”
 
            “Please!” Niall yelled, “So cold!”
 
            Zayn began crying too, and that’s how Niall fell asleep, holding
onto his brother and sobbing until there was no more will in his body to fight
this.
 
            Zayn didn’t get any sleep. He stayed up all night hating himself
for being so dense. He leaned forward, kissing Niall’s pouty lips while he
slept and then took a deep breath. He had to get himself under control. He had
to do something.
 
           But Zayn literally felt terrible. Absolutely terrible.
 
            For the first time in a long time, Zayn was utterly lost. And his
new found self hate wasn’t helping him at all.
 
            The next morning when Niall woke up and the tears have dried on his
cheek. He looked up to his Zayn, his protector, the only one who has ever cared
for him, and put his lips close to Zayn’s.
 
            “Kiss me,” Niall smiled, “Please?”
 
            Zayn’s eyes flickered to the sun rising outside, and he took a deep
breath. The sun would bring heat, and the heat would bring better feelings.
Zayn knew that things would feel better soon. At least, he hoped.
 
            So Zayn kissed Niall on the lips, letting his little brother know
how much he loved him. When Zayn leaned back, his eyes fluttering open, Niall’s
stared back, gnawing on his bottom lip softly. "Kisses make it warm." He
whispered, cheeks flushing red. He didn’t know why Zayn made him feel
so...tingly...but he liked it. He liked it a lot.
 
            "More?" He wondered in a soft voice, his breath steaming in Zayn’s
face.
 
            How could he say no, when he got that reaction out of the little
lad? So he kissed him again...And Again. He kissed Niall so hard he thought he
might crumble into pieces and melt of happiness. Kissing Niall was like
Christmas. He knew what the presents looked like on the outside, but everyone
was a little different. Like Niall’s kisses.
 
            Somewhere soft and lingering, others rough and demanding and it
always changed.
 
            Right now he was kissing needy, hungrily. He nipped and bit and
Zayn determined he liked Niall biting him. He panted and whimpered against
Niall’s dominating lips but he knew the position wouldn’t last, Niall pressing
him to the window, straddling his lap. Any moment he would find himself
hovering over the blonde, kissing his way down that slender neck, sucking at
every other mole or freckle.
 
            Niall managed to grab hold of Zayn’s hair when he did that, leaving
a red bruise on the smaller’s protruding collar bone. That felt good to Niall.
He liked the way Zayn moved his body against him, how something needy poked his
thigh with every grind down and the Pakistani boy what losing control, losing
sight and morals and he was shredding the lad of his
clothes...piece...by...piece.
***** Chaper 12 - Stay With Me Forever *****
             With Niall’s pants came panic. The smaller understood what
happened when his daddy took his pants off...but Zayn? Was Zaynie going to do
that to him too? Niall didn’t want Zayn to hurt him, he loved Zayn.
 
             "N-No, Zaynie please M'Sorry! I be good?" He whimpered, a tear
dribbling down his pale cheeks. Zayn froze in his spot, where he hovered over
Niall’s lower half, his lips rested at his hip bone. "N-No, Niall I'm-I mean, I
won’t do that..." Zayn sighed, crawling back up to the boy’s face, kissing his
lips tenderly. "I'll make it feel good. Its different now Ni, we can make each
other feels so good. What dad did want good, he hurt you...I will never do
that." Zayn buried his face in the boy’s neck, breathing him in sharply,
thickly.
 
             Niall smelt like strawberries and sweat. A small twinge of musk
and it might have stunk to anyone else but it smelled like Niall and Zayn loved
that part of him. When he wasn’t at his best, when he woke up in the mornings
with messy hair and a sleepy smile. Moments like this was when he loved Niall
most.
 
             "Promise it feels good?" Niall questioned, body still stiff with
shock. Zayn stroked his bare sides, moving his head to the Youngers chest and
kissing him once there. "Promise. If I do anything wrong will you tell Zaynie?
I promise I'll make it better. You need to trust me, bud."
 
             Niall nodded closing his eyes while his brother trailed down his
body, leaving open mouthed kisses and wet touches with the tongue. Niall whined
lowly when Zayn tugged his pajama pants he slept in down, kissing the cluster
of hairs above his boy bits. Niall wanted Zayn to touch him there--It hurt,
made him feel uncomfortable and something inside him said Zayn could make that
go away. He didn’t know how, only knew Zayn could help.
 
             When Niall looked down, he and Zayn booth stared at the bulge in
his boxers. Niall wanted to scream because was that really in his boxers? What
was wrong with his peepee? Would Zayn get mad at him?
 
             Zayn cracked a smile and chuckled at the smaller who sill stared
with bulging eyes. "It’s okay, its supposed to be like that." Zayn smirked,
latching his fingers in the waistband of his boxers and pulling them down,
latching Niall’s dick before letting it spring free, laying against Niall’s
stomach with a slight curve to the left. Zayn had seen Niall nude almost every
night, but not like this. Not so...close. Never so intimate and so needy.
 
             His cock head was angry read and leaking and when Zayn’s cool
breath struck it, he watched Niall twitch with a whimper.
 
             He looked so delectable, so eatable. Zayn wanted to devour him,
take him in hold and choke on him, Zayn wanted tolose himself around that
length. "Stay still," He warned, drawing in a deep breath and positioning
himself in the small backseat. He leant down, giving the head of Niall’s cock a
timid kitten lick, testing it and when Niall’s hips bucked up, he couldn’t help
but take him in. Wrap his lips around all of him and moan against the warmth
that filled his wet mouth.
 
             Niall liked the sensation, but he was scared Zayn would bite him
and he didn’t want that. Even though he was in fear, he let his hips buck up,
fucking into Zayn’s mouth with a whine and a whimper. Niall's toes curled and
he held Zayn’s hair tightly in his small hands. He liked the way Zayn was
touching him, the elders hands on his balls while Zayn swirled his tongue
around Niall’s tip, lapping up all the bitters wetness.
 
             Niall shook and quaked, his legs wrapping tightly around Zayn’s
neck, biting harshly on is lip and his whole body tensed. He felt so confused,
yet so pleased. Zayn felt so...good. And Niall loved that, loved the way Zayn
looked up at him, his eyes large and black while he let the younger fuck him--
fuck his face so hard he thought he might break his jaw. Niall already hit the
back of Zayn’s throat but the blonde couldn’t hold himself and moved his hips.
 
             With Zayn’s hands massaging his balls, Niall didn’t know what was
going to happen. He felt like he was on a cliff, at the edge and about to fall
and the way Zayn played with him, sucked and bobbed his head, saliva dripping
down his chin.
 
             Niall fell off that cliff then, he came with an ear piercing
scream and the car shook as he held Zayn there, buried to the hilt and cuming
down his throat. Zayn gagged and choked but Niall didn’t stop—couldn’t stop.
 
             "Zaynie!" He squealed, squinting as hard as he could, his jaw
dropped and a silent scream leaving him again.
 
             When he settled, and Zayn had swallowed, he looked down at his
older brother who grinned, nipping at the inside of Niall’s thigh. Zayn then
crawled back up the smaller, paler body and returned to kissing his swollen,
puffy lips.
 
             Zayn loved kissing Niall, loved touching him and having him in his
mouth, but right now he wanted to go a little further. Not all the way, no that
could wait. Forever if Zayn had his way. But right now, his dick spoke for him
and he turned Niall on his back. "I won’t hurt you; I'm not putting my peepee
in." Zayn instructed when he directed Niall’s hips up.
 
             Zayn sat on his knees in nothing but his boxers, hands running up
and down Niall’s bare body, pressing a kiss to the middle of his back, right on
his spine. "Move with me," Zayn spoke, grinding his hips against Niall’s bum,
grasping his thin and tender hips so hard it would bruise.
 
             Niall looked back at him, watching the way Zayn moved his hips
against him. He thinks he likes it, but then again...he’s not sure.
 
             Niall does move though, he presses back over and over and sooner
rather than later, Zayn his slumping his dick against Niall’s ass, grinding
against him and rubbing himself off. Zayn was humming Niall with not a bit of
shame.
 
             When Niall moaned quietly, almost in a pained way (although he was
certainly enjoying himself) Zayn lost it and groaned loud, leaning down to bite
into Niall’s shoulder to keep from spewing profanities.
 
             He bit hard, making Niall gasp and whine, reaching over his
shoulder to hold Zayn’s hair.
 
             Zayn rutted against him in that position for some time, sweaty and
rushed but he moved faster, finally leaning away from the autistic boys
shoulder and throwing his head back.
 
             Niall was a mess below him and it drove Zayn wild and those words
he tried to hide.
 
             "Yeah, fuck, yeah!" Zayn bolted out, rubbing his clothed dick
along the cresses of Niall’s ass. "Like me humpin' you don’t you?" Came again
and Niall couldn’t suppress the whimper that left him, his cock straining with
erection once again. "So good, Ni, fuck." He finished, moving his hips
franticly, until he was spewing in spurts of white in his boxers, nails digging
into Niall’s white flesh as the younger shook with orgasm as well, seconds away
from collapsing against the seat.
 
             Zayn’s eyes rolled back and he shivers, crumbling into a ball
beside Niall and pulling him into his grasp, not bothering to clean himself
off. "Felt good." Niall whispered, playing with his older brothers fingers.
"You liked it? I didn’t hurt you, did I?" Zayn worried, kissing the back of
Niall’s neck, wrapping the blanket around them. "No, not like dad. Felt good
with you Zaynie. I like when you...H-Hump me." He giggled.
 
             Zayn chuckled softly against his skin, rubbing hands down Niall’s
chest and whispering sweet nothings into his ear while he let the youngers hot
skin cool, before they had to head off again, into the morning in search for
hope.
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