Chapter Text
Zayn was still trying to remember ALL that happened last night. It was new to him since it was his first time to get really drunk at a party; most of the time he was just tipsy and flirting with anyone he bumps into. But last night was way different from the other nights of dancing and drinking. He wasn't dancing that much, no more coquetries and he almost drank every single bottle of liquor dry. It was like his last day to taste alcohol before going to rehab.
Scenes from last night were flashing into his mind randomly which gives him a terrible headache even after he sipped hot chocolate from his mug. The girl who wants to take his phone number; the guy who offered brownies that smelled so good and inviting, but never got the chance to hand those to him; and the lips of a Liam touching his.
"What is that?" he whispered to himself as he snapped out of the trance he was in. "Impossible." He exclaimed to his self. He almost dropped the mug he was holding if not for the hot beverage that splattered in his hand. “Ouch.” He placed the mug on his table and reached for the paper towels. He wiped his hand cussing over his clumsiness.
He was shaking off that memory that just showed itself. But just as Zayn was about stand up and take a shower to clear his mind, his front door flung open and showed that Liam was right there. It was a bad timing and yet it was no surprise Liam was there since he was his best mate. That’s why he has a key to his flat. He walked in with a bottle of orange juice in his hands and threw it at him.
"Here, catch."
"What's this for? Isn't it too early for you to be here?" It made Zayn talk a bit awkward towards Liam after what he just saw. It gave him goose bumps, right at the bottom of his spine.
"They say that's good for hangovers. You were pretty wild last night and I bet only a mix of everything would do that to you." Liam sounded dry, like he was forced to visit and check on Zayn.
"Was I uncontrollable last night?" He said with an unsure voice.
"Hmm, yeah, you could say that. Do you... ugh- remember anything... you did?" Liam suddenly felt blood pulsating behind his ears. It bothers him, giving him light heart attacks.
"Ugh, I get random pieces popping out. It's nothing, really." Zayn was restraining himself from asking about that one thing he remembered; that thing with their lips, his and Liam's.
Liam nodded, "Well, that's good." A hard smile followed and he let out a short, deep sigh. Zayn may not really remember anything and he said it was nothing, so it’s all good for him. He thought.
"Good? How did that become good?" He was confused by Liam’s reaction.
"I mean, it's a good thing you remember things. Yes, that's it." he sounds rattled. He’s really careful not to give hints to what Zayn doesn’t notice.
"Okay. I have to take my shower now. Just lock the door when you leave."
Zayn is still thinking about that scene he saw. Even at the shower, he still doesn’t seem to imbibe it. And these thoughts are causing him things, itches, he described; like allergic reactions. He considers it is because of the hangover. Alcohol can have drastic effects on people and this is one of them. “Oh, fuck, I’m not drinking again.” He was whispering to convince his self. He believes it, partially. He is agitated and can’t focus on his shower. His fingers are already wrinkled and soaked and worse he is perplexed.
---
"Have you told him already?"
"He doesn't remember it. So, I just gave him the juice."
"You chickened out? Liam Payne chickened out? Since when did you become a bird?"
"You know what, just stop it, okay? Let's just leave it that way."
"No, we are not giving up that fast." Louis is always pushy when it comes to feelings. He believes that you'll regret it when you weren't able to say what's inside you. That it'll bug you until you go crazy. “Come on, you like him. He kissed you. You kissed him back. It’s all there! What are you waiting for?”
“He was drunk.”
“People’s true colors show up when they’re drunk.” Louis said it like it wouldn’t make Liam feel any more troubled. “Take me as an example.”
“You and Harry are a different case.”
“Well, not that different. Just try to listen to me.”
"And what should we do now?" Liam was getting hopeless on this thing. He has no better plan so he let Louis do it for him.
"We'll make him remember."
"Wow?" He was definitely sarcastic and praying to end this already.
"Trust me. I got this."
---
"What now?" Liam's eyes were so wide his eye balls might fall out. He is nervous that Zayn is only a door away. Louis invited him over for a movie marathon. And Louis still has no dvd's at hand to pull it off. "You prepared everything but the dvd's? That's really smart Louis, really smart."
"Just leave it to me. Now go inside, before he remembers everything on his own."
Liam entered the room fidgeting. He can't think of an excuse why there are no movies to watch or where Louis had gone. And he was sure Zayn would leave now.
"Um, would you like anything?" Liam asked hesistantly.
"How about a few shots of vodka before we start?" Zayn answered.
"But isn't it just last night that you drank?"
"Come on, it's only a few shots. And you're drinking with me. Now go get it." He asked Liam like he's playing fetch with an obedient canine.
Liam searched Louis' cupboards for any alcohol. He's frustrating he cannot find even a single bottle. He continued until finally he found a bottle of Chase. Together with two glasses, he hurried to Zayn who might be already bored counting falling leaves from a tree outside the flat.
"Here."
"Okay. Let's do this." Zayn poured equal amounts of vodka in each glass. It's almost half and Liam's already queasy just by looking at it. "The mechanics, you drink then you ask me a question after. Questions would be answered truthfully."
"What?" Zayn talked too fast that Liam wasn’t able to digest what he just said.
"You heard me. I'll just start. Zayn drank the vodka fast. He wiped some at the corner of his lips where Liam had been focusing before he even took the shot. “What did you two invite me here for?"
"To watch movies?" Liam tried to sound sarcastic, but he sounded like a chicken being strangled. And yet, he still hopes Zayn buys it.
"Lie." Zayn was looking intently at Liam, waiting for a reply.
"Okay, you caught me. Liam is serious now. Although his heart is pounding inside his chest, nothing Zayn can see would tell that he's already panicking. "I asked you to come over because.."
Just as Liam was about to tell the truth, Zayn butted in."That was quick. You’re too easy. Save it. Let’s get this thing go on first. Now, drink." Zayn is turning more aggressive towards Liam. And Liam isn't sure if he's going to be annoyed or amused by it.
"Do you really can't remember what happened last night?"
"I answered that already."
"And I'm asking you again."
"Just parts of it. Everything else was blurry. Nothing unusual."
"Lie. You know exactly what I'm saying." Liam was firm when he said it. He knows Zayn knows it.
"Maybe not. Enlighten me." Zayn's words sounded like invitation to Liam's ears. There was a tingling feeling he got from those words. Liam held the Chase bottle and drank directly from it, bottom up. Some alcohol spilled through his mouth, trickled to his cheeks, down to his collar bone which slightly wet his purple toy story shirt. He would have finished the whole bottle if not for his shortage of air.
"Okay, I will." Liam grabbed Zayn by the back of his head and pulled him closer to him until their lips meet. His lips started to move on Zayn's lips that tasted sweet with vodka and faint smoke.
Liam pulled away quickly just before Zayn could respond to the kiss. Just enough before Zayn could completely remember what happened between them last night.
"It is true then." It was all Zayn could utter.
"Yes." Liam whispered looking down. Suddenly, the carpet seems interesting to him.
"I want to remember every single detail." Zayn leaned towards Liam and kissed him, but nothing happened. There were no scenes appearing in his head, so he stopped and pulled away. Liam was left with lips parted.
"Whoa. That is really unnecessary." He was panting. Then he drank again from the bottle that is still in his hand.
"You started it. Besides, you're not the one who got drunk then suddenly forgot to distinguish fantasy from reality." Zayn replied.
"So, you fantasize about me?" Liam was sounding playful this time, very different from the way he felt a while ago. He was feeling lighter now and his ears getting warmer.
Zayn’s eyes widen; he was completely caught off guard. Finally, he managed to compose himself. "Whatever. So you kissed me last night." It should make Zayn feel uncomfortable, but he just felt loose. He can’t feel awkwardness there, just contentment that he was able to prove that everything he saw was in fact, true.
"No. You kissed me." Liam pointed out. His vision was swirling and he feels heavy on his shoulders, like he was carrying a backpack for camping. He tried to focus on Zayn and what he was saying.
“But you just did now.”
“Only because you’re too retarded to remember.”
Zayn just accepted it. "Okay, anything happened after that? 'Cause I really can't remember anything aside from the you-know-what-I-mean."
"Nothing. You were so wasted that you just went unconscious after it. I even have to drag you to the couch."
"Whew. Good."
"Oh, but you did utter something to me last night and it's the most interesting part." Liam sounded weird when he said it. He was jolly and teasing at the same time.
"What?" Zayn's eyes were suspicious, but he judged that Liam wasn't making things up. Liam's a bad liar. He'll know if he's lying. Besides, Liam looked flushed. There’s no way he could still lie with that face.
"Why would I tell you? You even told me not to tell a soul." He poured some vodka to his glass and drank it straight up. He coughed a bit and blinked twice before looking at Zayn.
"That doesn't include me. I told you it. Tell me, now." Zayn is getting bossy, ordering Liam in a stern voice.
"I can't. I promised." Liam chuckled then closed his eyes before falling on his back. The vodka kicked in. He blacked out and was snoring after a few minutes.
Zayn doesn't know if he's going to be angry at Liam for sleeping in on him. He knew Liam wanted him to remember something, that's why he was invited over. It wasn't just the kiss. It was something else. And maybe it was what he said to Liam last night.
"I guess I'll just choke the truth out of him tomorrow."