Zayn pulled up outside the address Liam had given him and unbuckled his seatbelt, switching off the ignition and making his way up to the front door. He rang the doorbell and took a step back, waiting with his hands linked behind his back. After a few seconds Liam answered and flashed a smile at Zayn, which was reciprocated. He said his goodbyes to his parents before appearing once more in front of Zayn and walking down the drive with him. He was wearing a white long sleeved shirt and a grey waistcoat along with matching jeans and brown shoes. Zayn reached out and opened the door for Liam, giving a small courtesy and gaining a laugh from him.

"Why thank you kind sir," Liam laughed. Zayn walked around to the other side and jumped in the car, turning the key and placing a CD into the player. He began to pull away from the pavement when the song began to play - 'Slave 4 U'.

"Britney…" Liam smiled, looking at Zayn.

"What? She's great!" Zayn replied, dismayed that Liam didn't approve of his musical interests.

"Oh I know, but personally I prefer post-breakdown Britney."

"Oh really, then what's your favourite album?"

"Blackout, definitely her best work."

"No way! That's my favourite of hers."

The two boys bonded over their newly-discovered shared tastes, discussing favourite tracks and videos, and before they knew it they arrived at their destination. Zayn had booked a table for the evening at Bella Italia, as the two both favoured Italian food over British dishes. They walked to the entrance of the restaurant and waited to be shown to their table. They were handed menus and left to decide what they wanted. After a few minutes a familiar face came over to take their orders.

"Hey Zayn" Louis smiled. Liam looked slightly puzzled as the two made pleasantries before Louis asked to take their orders.

"I'll have a margherita," Zayn requested.

"And for your friend?" Louis asked, gaining an annoyed expression from Liam.

"Spaghetti carbonara please."

"And drinks?" he asked, scribbling down their order.

"Two cokes please," Zayn spoke for the both of them.

"Okay, that'll be with you shortly," he said smiling at Zayn, before walking off.

"Who was that?" Liam asked.

"Just an acquaintance."

"Looked like more than just an 'acquaintance' to me…" he remarked.

"He's an old friend of Harry's, I met him a few days ago-"

"Right."

Zayn noticed Liam's annoyance and shot him a questioning look. "You're not jealous are you?"

"No." Liam snapped.

"You so are!" Zayn laughed to himself, "don't worry, it's kinda cute actually."

"Whatever…"

"Seriously though Li, even if he was interested, no one can compare to you." The comment gained a shy smile from Liam, and Zayn sensed that he'd managed to convince him. He decided it would probably be best to leave out the fact that the two had been close to fucking just a few days prior. "So what did you have to tell your parents to get permission to come out tonight?"

"I told them I was going to a friends house to study."

"Oh, a friend? And would this friend happen to be incredibly good looking and charismatic?" Zayn smirked. Liam rolled his eyes and laughed at Zayn's attempt at self-flattery.

"If they knew I was here I think they'd ban me from ever leaving the house."

"Well then we'll have to make sure they don't find out" Zayn smiled cheekily. He felt reassured by how laid-back Zayn was being about the whole situation, and he began to relax a bit. Louis came back with the two drinks and shortly after both of the boys meals arrived. Zayn managed to keep the conversation to a minimum with Louis, although he clearly wanted to stay and make the evening as awkward for Liam as possible; had he not been working he would have probably pulled up a seat and joined them. When the two were left alone they began to eat, and conversation turned to the topic of past relationships.

"So you've never been with a guy before?" Zayn asked curiously.

"Nope, this is actually my first date…" Liam felt shy as a result of his inexperience. "What about you? Any past relationships I should know about?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yeah. I don't want us to keep anything from each other." Liam smiled.

Zayn hesitated. "Okay. I've never actually done this before with a guy, the whole dating thing. I've messed around with… well more than enough. But up until now I've only ever been out with girls. My last relationship didn't end too good, I suppose I can't really blame her for being pissed when she walked in on me fucking her brother."

Liam nearly choked on his food upon hearing this. "What!" he exclaimed. He'd heard what Zayn had said perfectly well but he couldn't believe how casual he was being about it. He felt a huge drop in his stomach and he began to seriously consider walking out right then. Zayn noticed Liam's expression and his eyes widened in realisation.

"Oh, no, Li, this was so long ago, I was at a really difficult point in my life, my parents were always fighting and I was really struggling to come to terms with being gay. I just needed someone to listen and he was there for me. I didn't mean to hurt her."

Liam began to calm down slightly but he was still shocked by what he had heard.

"After that I just began sleeping with any guy that wanted it. I had standards, of course, but I became so reliant on being with another guy. I just wanted to feel needed by someone, but I couldn't deal with being in a relationship with a guy, part of me was still in denial. That's how I lived for about a year; going home with random guys then leaving before they woke up." Zayn could tell Liam was becoming uncomfortable hearing this. "But I've changed, honestly. It's been six months since I last slept with anyone, and I've just been spending time alone and with friends, discovering who I am. Meeting you really helped me come to terms with being gay. I mean, before you came along I couldn't even imagine dating another guy. Now that's all I want."

Silence. That was the reply from Liam. Silence, for what felt like an eternity.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have opened my mouth." Zayn apologised.

"No, Zayn, I'm glad you told me, its just…"

"Just what?"

Anger began to build inside him; he knew what was coming.

"It's going to take me a while to come to terms with this… you're gonna have to give me some time…"

"It's fine. You don't want to date a whore. I understand."

"Zayn, wait…"

Zayn pulled a £20 note out of his wallet and placed it on the table before standing up and, after taking one last look at Liam, left the restaurant, ignoring Louis' goodbye on the way out. He walked out onto the now darkened street, ignoring the rain pouring around him, and came to a halt a few restaurants down, leaning against the wall and placing his head in his hands. He began to cry. He tried his hardest to resist the sudden surge of tears but he just couldn't stop. They blended with the rain drenching his face as his hair fell from it's usual styled position to stick to his forehead. The emotionless shell created from self-hatred and denial was beginning to crack. All because of one boy. The lights around him became blurry as his eyes were swamped with tears. He wiped his eyes on his shirt sleeve and began to walk, with no particular destination. He just wanted to get away.

"Zayn!" A voice called out. It was Liam. Zayn stopped for a moment and turned to see Liam slowly running towards him. "Zayn, wait…"

"Just go away, Liam." he called, his voice beginning to crack. He turned and began walking once again, increasing in speed. He managed a few metres before a pair of arms enveloped him from behind, pulling him in tight. He didn't even have the energy to resist.

"I love you, Zayn."

He felt his body go weak upon hearing the words. There was not one trace of doubt in his voice. They remained like this as the world passed by them, at this moment nothing else mattered but each other. Zayn turned around in Liam's arms and the two looked deep into each others eyes.

"I love you too Liam."

Liam brushed Zayn's wet hair aside from his face, and raised a hand to his cheek, feeling how cold it was. He placed a tender kiss on his lips, just one, to show his complete devotion to him. The two basked in the moment before Zayn started to laugh.

"What?" Liam questioned, smiling at him.

"Kissing in the rain, anyone would think you planned this," Zayn grinned. The two boys laughed at the cheesiness of the situation, before Liam took hold of Zayn's hand.

"We should get going."

"Okay."

The two boys walked hand in hand through the rain, with no idea where they were going or where they would end up. All they knew is that whatever they did, it would be together.

It took me quite a while to write this one, so I hope you liked it! I know all my chapters seem to be depressing haha so I apologise. But I thought it was necessary to explain Zayn's background a bit more. I've been losing motivation for this story lately so I might not write another chapter for a while. I do want to continue it though. In the meantime, if you guys want me to write a 1D one shot, suggestions for storylines/pairings are welcome! ^^ please review too~ xx