Archive of Our Own ^beta

Despite the overcast sky, there is not a single drop of moisture in the air except for the sweat collecting at his temple and the blood dripping down his neck. He dodges bullets as he slides across the hood of a car and crouches down by the driver’s door. Glass cracks below his kneecaps when he lands, close to cutting the seams of his jeans. The back passenger window bursts after another round of shots, shards of glass cascading around him. His arms come up to shield his face and the back of his head. 

In the instant that it takes the assailant to reload, Blake Fitzgerald peaks over the hood of the car and takes three shots, one of them successfully hitting the target in the left shoulder. Their gun clatters to the floor and Blake takes the opportunity to scramble to his feet and aim a shot below the kneecap. The man joins his own gun on the floor, eyes wide and mouth agape with a scream of pain. 

“You’re done here,” Blake says, approaching menacingly as he stands tall over the traitor who kidnapped his children. It took four days to hunt the despicable man down. Their intense eye contact lasts ten seconds, albeit it feels longer than any other moment before. 

They hold their breath.

“Cut!” The director yells, jumping down from his chair. “Oi! Oi! Great job everyone!”

And just like that, Blake Fitzgerald disappears.

People clap, including Liam Payne and his castmate, Pedro. The film crew immediately go about their business tearing down the set, sweeping the floor, and checking on the cast. Liam hands back the prop gun to the weapons master, never comfortable holding one even if it’s unloaded. He offers Pedro a hand to help him back on his feet. They clap each other’s shoulders enthusiastically. Their characters may not get along, obviously, but they definitely support each other behind the scenes. A timid PA hands them face towels and ice-cold water bottles. Liam takes a long drink while one of the producers goes over the shooting schedule for the following week. 

They’re close to the end of their sixty-day shoot and Liam couldn’t be more relieved. It’s the end of a beloved saga that has taken nearly a decade to complete. Though the storyline has evolved and some might find it melodramatic, it’s what made him rise to fame. And, most importantly, it’s a fan favorite. Liam is known for exceptional fan service and it was the reason why he signed on for a surprise cameo in the spinoff series, which will begin shooting next Spring. At least he will only be required to fulfill ten shoot days according to the contract.

Today he’s exhausted from doing over thirty takes of the same action sequence from different angles, this time without body doubles. The stunt coordinator claps Liam on the back and compliments his work. They’ve spent many days preparing for it and apparently, it has paid off. After starting his acting career over fifteen years ago, one of Liam’s goals was to eventually do his own stunts and he’s slowly getting there. Next will be Oscar-worthy dramas because he's tired.

Liam heads for his trailer for a quick rinse. He desperately needs to go home, have a nice bath, and binge watch episodes of a new show with a bowl of spaghetti.

“Payno! Are we still on for pints tomorrow? I think I owe you after today.”

Louis Tomlinson, the director new to the franchise and just a few years older than Liam, steps in his path. He’s known as a perfectionist and Liam appreciates the attention to details to produce a great picture and as it is, action films are an intense workout both physically and mentally, so damn right he’s owed a couple of drinks.

He nods at his director. They’ve bonded over the past couple of months over their newfound love for hazy IPA’s. “Of course, Tommo. Will your fiancé be joining us?”

Louis rolls his eyes and scoffs. “As if he’d skip out on an evening with his favorite action hero.”

Smirking, Liam lowers his register, “Then it’ll be a good time.” 

“Fuck off with that,” Louis says after throwing his head back to laugh. “I fuckin’ hate that line and I can say that with me chest because I wasn’t part of that film.” 

“Hey, part one is a classic. That line made me.”

Another roll of the eyes. “You’re uninvited and fired. What an accomplishment.”

“It’s too late. I already picked out my outfit.”

“You’re sounding a lot like my boy.” The edges of Louis' eyes crinkle.

Liam can’t help but tack on a smile. It feels a little forced but he’ll blame it on exhaustion. He won’t admit to anyone that watching a mate go moony-eyed over the love of his life kind of makes him envious. 

Well, kind of a lot.

He’s often wondered when it will be his time. There have been dates and casual hookups. There have also been situationships as much as relationships, all short-lived and nowhere in the realm of being serious. There are men who catch his eye, and with every day that passes, fewer women. Still, nothing serious. 

“I’d still be underdressed compared to him.”

“No offense but true.” There go the moony eyes again. “Anyway, are you bringing the Irish?”

“Of course.”

“Love that.”

They agree on the same gastropub as usual, known for its beers on tap and delicious Korean chicken wings. There’s a chance they could get spotted by paparazzi and they really don’t want to ruin the fun of going to that location. Aside from the staff who have recognized them but could care less, fans have yet to discover the location and the group would prefer to drink and eat messy wings without fanfare. He does enough of that on a typical day out. Liam is all for going incognito. 

It seems he just powered his phone back on when it starts vibrating and a contact that’s saved as the smiling purple devil emoji takes over the screen. He lets it ring just long enough to make it seem like he’s busy although all he’s doing is walking to his trailer to pack up and leave for the day. 

“Hey, boss.” Liam waits for the inevitable.

“I’m not your boss,” Zayn, the embodiment of the purple devil emoji, snaps. So predictable. “I’m calling to confirm our meeting tomorrow.”

“What time again?”

He’s pretty sure Zayn holds back a huff. “I sent you a calendar invite last week and a reminder a few days ago.”

“My schedule has been hectic—”

“Yeah, I know. I’m linked to your calendar.”

“—so if I forget a minor detail such as the time we’re meeting, it’s not to inconvenience you but it’s because I have a lot going on—”

“We all do, Payne. You’re not my only client.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And yet I feel like you don’t respect my time.”

“I’ll be on time,” Liam promises, tone on the edge of something not so polite. He always holds back.

Zayn’s tone lightens up with, “Okay, bye.”

Zayn Malik isn’t even his manager and yet he manages to drive Liam up the wall half the time. More than half. Actually, more than three-quarters. It’s… a lot of the time, and throughout most of it, Liam wonders when a bad first impression is supposed to wear off. Also, how much longer can he hold back from firing his publicist?

><

Every workday for the past couple of years has been the same. 

It starts with waking up with the sun trying to burst through his bedroom windows, the golden light serving as a reminder that there will be no escape from the hell that awaits. There are always emails — some from colleagues and some from fans or fake accounts, some from freaks and creeps that have no business bothering his clients the way they do. There are at least three scheduled meetings each week, some remote, some virtual. His business phone rings more often than his personal phone and it’s impossible to shut either of them off seeing as work-related calls get forwarded to his mobile in the off chance that it’s a call that can’t be missed or his mother trying to get a hold of him.

It’s a lot of shit to handle and while Zayn is more than capable of handling high profile celebrity cases, he often feels the pressure weigh in on him. So many things could go wrong and they most absolutely do happen from time to time. He just has to take them in stride and work harder.

As soon as he can take a vacation, even if it’s a single week long, he’ll jump on it. 

Owning a PR firm is stressful enough but having to handle the bigger clients because he’s a bit of a control freak, well, is his own fault. Maybe someday he’ll trust an associate enough to step back a little and really enjoy some well earned time. But until then, he’ll stick to his routine and make the best of what he has. 

First thing’s first on the current agenda: Liam Payne. 

With that thought and a groan, Zayn slides out of bed, feeling his joints complain. It’s been a while since his last massage. He asks Alexa to remind him to schedule a session soon. There’s definitely a knot at the top of his spine and maybe his left shoulder too. He tries to practice good posture whenever he remembers but lately he’s been catching himself slouching. He’ll blame it on Liam Payne if he turns into the Hunchback of Notre Dame. 

This is one of the top ten highest profile clients Zayn has ever been entrusted to since he started working in PR a decade ago. He’s known for being one of the best in the business because he takes it as seriously as a heart attack. Well, that coupled with his quick thinking, excellent problem-solving skills, and zero bullshit tolerance. 

Liam’s management team came to him a year ago since they felt it was necessary to fire his previous PR team. In his team’s opinion, they hadn't done the best job of keeping Liam’s name clean in the press. In fact, old Tweets resurfaced that didn’t help Liam’s reputation and there was a time where he was being canceled, as the kids say it, for being ignorant about some heavy topics in the past. In the early days before his fame, the team hadn’t bothered to wipe, let alone check, his social media accounts. Years later, old posts were blown out of proportion, as tends to happen in those situations, and fans and haters alike were pulling up receipts that had no merits and old interviews taken out of context to make the matter worse. His following and support dwindled significantly and there was a concern for upcoming box office sales and future opportunities that could potentially lead him to the Oscars, every actor’s dream.

Thus, it was Zayn’s job to clean up his image and help improve his potential for future roles. 

So far it had been a nightmare that began with Liam blindsiding all parties involved by proposing a coming out. His manager, Paul Wesley, had a lot to say about it and sometimes Zayn just zoned him out in meetings. He felt bad for Liam, not that he’d ever admit it to him, but he could see how torn up Liam was about his team’s refusal to let a coming out happen. It's all about timing, unfortunately, and currently, it's not in their best financial interests to test the waters.

At the top of his inbox is an email from Paul reminding Zayn of the new strategy they would prefer for him to push. And that’s why he has to meet with Liam on a goddamn Saturday. They want Zayn to be the one to break it to the actor so that he can be the villain in this story and they can continue controlling everything like puppeteers. 

“Why did they even hire me?” he mutters to himself as he scrolls through the rest of his emails. Oh right, he’s the best at what he does and they need the best to keep Liam at the top.

Before long he’s dressed and ready for the meeting, steeling himself on his way into the office and accepting a cup of espresso from his secretary, Perrie Edwards. She mentions that Liam is on his way up so Zayn barely has time to drink a quarter of his fuel before the man himself is entering the room, letting the door shut loudly behind him and falling into the chair across from Zayn. 

“Please, come in,” Zayn says, sweeping a hand out in jest.

Liam leans back in his seat and smiles. It's infuriating how he raises his arms in a stretch and Zayn definitely does not stare at his bulging biceps barely concealed by a white, short-sleeved shirt. 

“I’m early so you shouldn’t complain.”

“It’s rude to arrive more than five minutes early to a meeting,” Zayn quips. He picks up his mug and takes a long sip, ignoring the heat of the liquid. 

“Yes, but last time when I arrived five minutes early, you acted as if I was late,” Liam throws back, looking like he’s ready to take a nap. He’s usually a lot more polite, even when they have their back-and-forth. 

“I guess we’ll start now. Thanks for meeting with me. I know you just finished a long shoot yesterday so I’m going to excuse you for being… you…” When Zayn trails off, Liam smiles and fails to hide it with a cough.. “But I want to get straight to the point. This meeting is meant to be brief. Next weekend we’ll go over the details. Sound good?”

Liam simply nods. The bags under his eyes are a little pronounced in the fluorescence of the office lighting. It makes Zayn feel for him momentarily but then he remembers what a prick he is. 

“Your team and I agreed on a new strategy like we alluded to in our last group meeting.” Zayn takes a breath. “This is meant to help raise interest in the film premiere, which is tentatively scheduled for early next year, right?”

“Right…” With that, Liam sits up, his thick brows beginning to furrow.

“It’s the end of a saga and there’s the pressure of ending the main part of the story and continuing with something completely new. The studio, as I’m sure you know, is hoping to get all of the good press and attention on these projects for the next couple of months. It took us some time to get you un-canceled and all parties involved want to run with the momentum since all eyes will be on you…” He takes a breath. “...and your girlfriend.”

It’s with a snap like Marvel’s Thanos and an infinity stone that Liam pushes up from his seat, sending the chair back with a loud scrape, and slamming his hands down on the surface of the desk between them. He leans in, getting a little too close for Zayn’s comfort.

“No!”

Zayn doesn’t flinch. He’s used to this. He’s experienced it several times and it gets to a point where it doesn’t affect him. He’s just there to do his job, feelings and emotions detached for a reason. It’s all business. Though, at this moment, he will not deny feeling the knot in his throat. He knew it the moment it was decided that this would be the route to take.

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“I mean no! I can’t!”

Somehow, he’s able to speak calmly. “Liam, you have to—”

“I don’t have to do anything!” Liam’s eyes are wide, jaw tense. He could be in the middle of one of his famous scenes and Zayn could still only focus on the shade of brown in his eyes.

He can’t stand the proximity. Shaking his head, he stands up and begins pacing. “Let’s say we don’t do it. What do you think will happen?”

“I don’t give a fuck what will happen. I’m not signing up for a beard.”

“First,” Zayn continues, completely ignoring him. “Paul will bite both of our heads off. Then, the studio could decide to pull back on your contract for the cameos or even scrap them."

“I already signed.”

“It hasn’t been fully executed on their end. Did you know that?” He stops to look at Liam full on and judging by his expression, he didn’t know that.

“I didn’t…”

“What do you think they’re waiting for?”

“Fuck them! I swear if I’m forced to do this—”

“Liam, no one is trying to force you. This is ultimately a voluntary act but think of the consequences. You know how it goes in this industry. I don’t think I need to lay it out for you.”

“No, instead you’ll play their stupid little games,” Liam fires back.

“You know what? If you’re going to be rude and childish, this meeting can end here.”

It takes a moment of silence, Liam’s chest falling and rising quickly and Zayn’s eyes unblinking, for Liam to grunt on his way to sit back down. His hands come up to cover his face. 

“This is bullshit. Is this why we had to meet alone?”

Zayn rounds his desk and takes a seat on the edge. 

“You should be glad it’s just me.” Zayn taps his shoe against Liam’s. It gets him to look up and meet his eyes. “Listen, I know what you really want. Trust that if it were up to me, we’d go that route… We’d start planting by the seeds until it feels right to go full on. I have helped some of your peers and I’m proud of it. Unfortunately, that’s not your reality right at this moment. It can be one day, I believe that and want it for you, but that’s not right now.”

The tension between them dissipates. Liam’s eyes are red with unshed tears but he hasn’t looked away and Zayn will take that as a win. 

“Can you think about it before we meet with your team next week? Don’t just say no. Think about it and then hear me out. I’ve done this many times. I’m here to help.”

He doesn’t know if he’s ever spoken this way with the actor: serious and with compassion. It’s a sensitive topic, one he’s very passionate about. As it is, they have hardly ever exchanged pleasantries. It’s always been tense stare downs and arguments, Zayn being terse and Liam being a brat. At this moment, however, it doesn’t feel like they’re fighting opposing battles. There’s even an instant where Zayn feels Liam tap his shoe back against his. It’s the most touching they’ve ever engaged in.

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I’m asking.”

><

The gastropub is loud as usual. The music carries past the back entrance and it seems they arrive just in time to watch an elderly group of bikers argue over a game on one of the screens above the bar. It’s quite funny and Liam finds himself snickering with his best mate as they overhear the conversation and semi agree with some of it. 

While they wait to order their first round, Niall Horan nudges him in the side. He knows Liam hates when he does that. When he wants attention, he knows that's how he'll get it. 

“Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m not,” Liam can hear his voice rising.

“Right and you usually have that look on your face when you know you’re about to have a good time.”

“You need to stop categorizing my facial expressions.”

“You’re a shitty actor so I can’t help it.” 

Liam smacks him in the arm and Niall pretends to feel hurt by it. 

“Fine, keep it to yourself.” Niall fakes a sniffle and wipes a nonexistent tear from his face. “I’ll just wait for your call when it’s too late and you’ve already made things worse by holding it in. I’ll be ready with the spaghetti and wine, which honestly makes you sound like a housewife, not that I’m judging.”

“Fine!” Liam practically yells. He looks around to see if anyone heard but only the person ordering ahead of them seems to react. The lady looks away quickly. “I hate when you do this.”

Niall puts his arm around his shoulders. “I do it because I care. Also, I’m the best fucking mate you’ll ever have.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Nope!”

It’s their turn to order so Liam doesn’t have a chance to talk until they sit at their usual booth in the back corner that’s not very well lit. Louis is running late so at least they have some time to chat.

After a long pull of his IPA, Liam recounts his meeting with his publicist who’s starting to feel more like a fixer. He omits the part where he couldn’t stop staring at his long eyelashes. He hadn’t noticed them before. In fact, he can’t remember a time where he got close enough to be mesmerized by them. He quickly snaps himself out of it. 

“Fuck,” is Niall’s initial reaction to the story.

“That’s right,” Liam says sadly. He takes another drink. “It’s bullshit considering the bloody director is out.”

“You’re a hot action hero, you have to be straight,” Niall says forlornly. They’ve had the same conversation for years. It’s part of the reason why Liam is looking forward to getting away from being typecast into the same roles, hoping he can finally work in other genres to prove he’s versatile. “I’m assuming you’ll go along with it.”

“Do you think I have a choice?” While it’s meant to be a rhetorical question, Liam hopes that Niall senses what he’s trying to do.

“No, mate. Malik is right.”

“I’d love to fire him,” he says with a longing sigh.

“You shouldn’t. He’s good.”

That’s probably all he needed to hear. It comes at a good time too because Louis chooses that moment to appear with beers and his fiancé. 

“I see you lads got started. Sorry for the wait. This one wasn’t ready yet.”

“I was shopping with my mum and we lost track of time.” Harry Styles explains with an apologetic pout as he slides into the booth to sit across from Niall. It’s a wonder why he isn’t a model. He has the looks, the appearance, and the good eye for fashion. Instead, he manages talent.

Louis slides in after him and kisses his cheek. “Do you really need more clothes?”

Squawking like a bird, Harry pulls his face away. “Those are fighting words.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Louis says with a chuckle. His face is lit up, fondness seeping through every pore. Even Harry gives up his antics and smiles back, flashing his perfect teeth. 

Thankfully, Niall interrupts their eye fucking session. “You two make me sick. When’s the wedding so I can make sure to be out of town that day?”

“Bold of you to assume you’re invited, Horan,” Louis says.

“Liam sure as hell isn’t taking a plus one other than me.”

Ouch.

“I thought you just said you’ll be out of town,” Harry quips. He looks to Louis for approval and receives a fist bump.

Liam rolls his eyes. “He’s already writing a speech at this point.”

“I’ll sing a Horan original, thank you very much.”

Niall’s been singing since he was a kid. He doesn’t make a living off of it despite having a great voice and writing skills. He does the occasional gig in pubs and sometimes jokingly busks in busy areas to collect tips. Liam wishes he’d pursue a music career and has attempted setting him up with producers over the years. Although he appreciates it, Niall never uses their friendship for personal gain. The furthest he’ll go is befriending the soon-to-be Tomlinson's. 

“I’m sure it will be beautiful,” Harry says. Louis leaves the table to order appetizers. “So, Liam, are you excited to wrap soon?”

“Sometimes when I’m really tired, I get a little more excited at the prospect of getting a break soon. Other times it hits me that it’s almost over. I’ve worked with a lot of the cast and crew for years. It will be quite an adjustment.”

“I can imagine! It’s a little different for Lou since he’s new to the franchise. He’s formed a bond with you, so he’s expecting a different experience with the spin-off and he hasn’t said it yet but I know he’s bummed your part is brief.”

“I already thought about that and I think the solution is to visit the set whenever I get a chance. He won’t even get to miss me.”

Harry grins. “Lou will love that.”

“Talking about me?” Louis questions as he sets down four glasses. He’s an expert at holding beer in both hands without completely sloshing it about. 

“Only good things, oh sweet one,” Niall says. Harry balls up a napkin to throw it at him and they all launch into laughter and start another conversation. 

When the night begins to wind down and Liam’s beginning to really miss his bed, they close out their tabs and get ready to head home. 

“Sorry for everything I put you through this week. At least it’s going to look sick,” Louis says into a hug. 

Liam waves him off. “You know I don’t mind. At least the last scenes we're shooting will be effortless.”

“No more stunts!”

“No more stunts,” Liam echoes with less eagerness. He catches Niall’s eye over Louis’ shoulder.

><

Zayn would be lying if he said the one-on-one meeting with Liam didn’t leave him rattled. 

The conversation had to be had. The intention was for Zayn to deliver the blow, give him time to simmer down over the week, and then present a fool-proof plan. Liam hardly has to do anything except play along, pretending to be into his faux girlfriend, and follow the perfectly planned schedule. It’s easy. 

He’s also up late that night thinking about the way he suspects he stopped Liam from experiencing a breakdown or worse — a panic attack. He wouldn’t have known what to do besides call Perrie for help. Or simply hold him. That used to help his younger sisters when they would end up in his room at night because they had a nightmare or were bullied in school by the more affluent students. It didn’t matter to him if he was bullied. Knowing it happened to his sisters often led him to picking fights and ending up with a bloody nose. It was well worth it to see his siblings know that they were under his protection.

He doesn’t know why he’s having those thoughts at two in the morning instead of sleeping off the exhaustion from a high-strung day. Or more so, a year.

><

The following days go by fairly slowly since they’re no longer shooting complicated, action-filled scenes. There’s mostly dialogue and simple stage directions, Liam focused on getting his lines right to minimize the amount of takes they have to do. It works out well. He’s perfected his craft and it pays off. 

Most days he’s fantasizing about his dinner and then he’s getting home after twelve-hour shoots and instead of filling his tummy, he’s being bogged down by thoughts of the upcoming stunt. 

No more stunts. 

What would his younger self think if he knew that at the ripe age of thirty, he still isn’t free to be himself? He pictured it happening sooner. He thought he’d fall in love young and figured the world would evolve faster so that he could openly be however and with whoever he wants to be. He was naïve to ever think the process would be easier.

The week ends on a high with the studio executives visiting the set to talk about the ever-looming last day of shooting and the wrap party scheduled a month out. The execs are nice and they pay Liam the most attention during their visit. He can’t help but think that it’s their way of reminding him of what he’s about to agree to. 

The next day, walking into Zayn’s office is less abrupt than the previous week. He's a lot earlier this time. It’s intentional. His team should be arriving soon but not before he gets a chance to make a request.

Zayn looks up from his computer when he hears the door click open. He removes the pair of glasses on his face and sets them down. Never having seen him in glasses, Liam is too distracted to speak first. He slowly walks towards the same chair as before. 

“The meeting starts in twenty and it will actually be in the conference room,” Zayn says matter of factly. Sometimes Liam wants to grab him and shake him out of it. He proceeds to sit.

Trying to concentrate on not thinking of Zayn as a sexy librarian, Liam gathers his wits to reply before it gets weird. “Perrie said I could come in.”

Zayn narrows his eyes in disbelief. “Did she? I’ll have to talk to her about that.”

“Don’t. She makes great espressos.”

At that, Zayn smiles, though subtle, it warms Liam. 

“I just got tired of waiting and was hoping to talk to you before the chaos begins.”

The smile dissipates. “Of course.”

Scratching the back of his head, Liam is unsure as to where to begin. The other watches him, strangely more patient than expected. Eventually, he lets out a deep breath. “I will only do this if you support me.”

“That’s my job.”

“That’s not what I mean... I can’t do this if you’re not with me along the way.”

Nodding slowly, Zayn goes to open his mouth before stopping himself with a look from Liam.

“This is the last time I’ll ever do it,” he says firmly. “I did it once before and it was a nightmare. The girl was not very nice and they made us do some weird stuff like releasing doves in my hometown and going to the zoo in the middle of winter to watch seals play. It was weird and uncomfortable and it felt like a spectacle. The photos still circulate and they’ve become memes! I want this time around to feel natural. I need you to do better than my last publicist.”

He doesn’t realize he’s been fidgeting with the hem of his shirt until he follows Zayn’s line of sight to his exposed skin. He tugs his shirt back down and sighs. 

“That’s all. Thanks for listening.” 

Zayn’s eyes are kind when he nods. “You have my word.”

For some reason, though it’s a few words, they’re enough. They may not hold up in court but they sure as hell make Liam feel a little better.

“Thank you,” he says, a little choked up.

><

Later that night, settling in with a charcuterie board and streaming his favorite film, Zayn can’t help but replay his pre-meeting with Liam in his head. The vulnerability in his voice really got to him. It was all he could think about in the conference room while a dozen people stared at him as he clicked through a PowerPoint. He knows he nailed his presentation, that’s never been a problem. It’s Liam Payne and his big brown eyes that are becoming a problem, eyes that never left him like he had all the answers in the world. And maybe he does. 

He shoves a handful of dark chocolate-covered almonds into his mouth and tries not to think about the photos from Liam’s past stunt, the second-hand embarrassment unbearable, even for Zayn who had no part in that. His intention was always to lift up Liam, not make him a spectacle. He bit down his insulted comeback and chose to listen. He was glad to have done it with the way Liam’s confidence shined later during the group meeting. 

Everything will be fine. If he has to spend some extra time with his client, so be it. Zayn can be hands-on while still blending into the background.

He shamelessly falls asleep watching Liam on the screen.

><

“Oi! Oi! That’s a wrap!” Louis’ powerful voice carries across the room. 

The sounds of joyous clapping fill the sound stage. They all jump around hugging each other and chatting up a storm. They can’t believe it’s the final day. Someone on the sound team blasts The Final Countdown, which causes some laughter and turns into requests for songs representing an end. Liam asks for End of the Road, of course, and chooses that moment to head to his trailer after two hours of receiving tight hugs and posing for countless photos.

His assistant already packed up his belongings and now he just has to give the small space a final sweep. He’s expecting to see boxes when he enters his trailer so he’s shocked to find Zayn, clad in the most casual outfit Liam’s ever seen him in.

“What are you doing here?” he blurts out. The disbelief in his tone must be obvious.

“Hello, Liam. Nice to see you too.”

“You never come to set. You usually send your associates if you need photos or something.”

Zayn clears his throat. “I just thought I should make an appearance on the big day. I also brought you this.” He holds his hand out, presenting a gift bag he was hiding behind his back.

Liam takes it slowly, touched by the gesture. “Is it a prank?”

“I would’ve sent it anonymously.”

They give each other the same annoyed look. Liam breaks eye contact first, glancing down at the bag. He almost doesn’t know what to do with himself.

“Open it.”

The zest in Zayn’s voice convinces him to remove the tissue paper and reveal a red Hydro Flask coffee mug engraved with his character’s name. He runs his finger along the Blake Fitzgerald embossed lettering before looking back at Zayn.

“This is really nice.”

“I ordered the same espresso machine we have at the office with a few month’s supply of the roast Perrie buys. It should arrive at your place sometime tomorrow.”

Liam’s chest feels tight. He bounds forward, quickly closing the space between them. At first, he’s the only one doing the hugging until Zayn eventually hugs back, a little unsure at first and then just as tightly.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

“You’re welcome.”

><

He doesn’t know what overtook him. He’d been scrolling mindlessly through his phone one minute, and the next he was ordering wrap gifts for Liam. It felt right at the time, not as much when he watched Liam react to the gift until he was being engulfed in a hug attack, but it felt like a safe decision. And that’s what he’s been calling it: a hug attack. 

A hug attack that felt nice. 

Sometimes he lets himself dwell on it, semi daydreaming that it went further. Other times he snaps out of it only to be met by more thoughts of Liam and what he represents. Someone unattainable. It would be unethical. Zayn has always instituted a rule on himself to never let anything happen with a client no matter how rich or successful or good looking they are. No matter how nice and charming they are. No matter how sweet…

There’s nothing worse than questioning your own sanity and that’s exactly what Zayn’s doing while the kink in his neck is being massaged. It’s his second visit since about a month ago and not for the first time, he’s thinking of making it more of a habit.

Especially while he’s dealing with a diva.

When the masseuse is done, he gets off of the bed and makes his way to the sauna. It’s his second favorite part about visiting the high-end spa. He steps into the steamy room, hoping to find it empty but quickly finding out there’s one other occupant. He sighs, hoping the other person won’t try to engage him in conversation (because this is me time), when they decide to do exactly that. 

“Zayn,” a familiar voice says. 

He thinks there’s no fucking way they frequent the same spa. There’s no way Zayn’s me time is about to go to shit. He was feeling nice and loose a second ago, already feeling his nerves coiling back up, his heart rate climbing. He grips onto the small towel sitting on his waist.

“Not you.”

“Yes, me.”

He’s afraid to look at him directly, knowing that Liam could possibly be sweaty and pink-cheeked in a small, white towel, or worse case scenario: buck naked. Some men choose to go all willy-nilly with their bodies at spas. Zayn can’t hold it against them, except, if he’s about to see Liam’s manhood, he wants a warning.

“You better be decent.”

“If you’re asking if I’m naked, the answer is yes…”

Zayn feels his cheeks heat up and not from the steam. 

“...beneath my towel.”

Groaning, Zayn wishes he had something to throw at him. He finds a spot to sit and refuses to look his way. To begin with, he wouldn’t know where to look. 

“I usually come here to relax,” Zayn says. “Pretend you don’t know me.”

“That’s kind of hard to do.” After a moment, he adds, “I come here to relax as well. Never seen you here before.”

“Yeah, well, sometimes I forget to make time for it.”

“You should…”

He doesn’t finish that thought, which irks Zayn.

“I should what?”

“Um, make time for yourself. Pamper yourself? You work hard, I’m sure you deserve it.”

“Of course I deserve it, especially when you’re already being a diva and we haven’t even officially launched the first phase.”

“Is that why you’re mad?”

Zayn chooses not to answer.

Liam falls silent and it takes about ten minutes of Zayn simply knowing he’s there to take away his enjoyment of the sauna. He rushes out of there and to the showers to rinse off. Afterwards, Liam appears at his side at the lockers, still wrapped in the little towel. Zayn grabs his things and makes a run for it. He unfortunately got an eyeful of a six pack before leaving. Maybe even a smirk.

><

It’s the first day of phase one. 

Liam’s expected to go to a popular cafe, make sure to be seen and even approached by a few fans hopefully, then carry on with his day. One trusted paparazzo will be stationed half a block down to make it less obvious. If all he gets is a grainy photo of Liam and Sophia, then the plan is working.

Zayn sits inside the cafe, pretending to be reading a book and not what he’s actually there for, to keep an eye on things. 

Things being Liam because Sophia Smith is a pro. 

She’s a gorgeous social media influencer with a clean background (no oversharing, no scandals, no cancelations, etc.). They could have met at an event. They could have hit it off and made an instant connection over their mutual love for coffee and dogs. Sophia owns a Siberian Husky. Liam has been wanting one. They could be a perfect match. During his presentation to the team, Zayn mentioned he specifically selected her for the job because she seemed like a good fit for Liam. Whatever that meant. 

They met at Zayn’s office just a few days before the Sexy Spa Day, as Niall decided to coin it, and instantly got along. There was zero awkwardness and immediate comfortability. It was the ideal situation barring the instant Zayn mentioned PDA. 

Liam argued that there was no need for PDA. 

Zayn insisted that a kiss here or there would suffice, it wasn’t like he was suggesting a sex tape.

Liam stood his ground and said he would not be kissing her in front of fans during the Times Square Ball Drop.

Zayn pointed out how stupid that sounded given it was still hot out and that of course wasn't part of his plan.

Liam left the meeting early.

And then, Sexy Spa Day happened. 

That leads them to phase one: the casual coffee date.

They order their drinks and sit outside by the sidewalk. They talk and giggle. Once, after asking if it’s okay, Sophia squeezes his hand across the table and Liam plays along. He likes her. She’s a sweet girl. It’s not weird like last time. They've spoken on the phone a few times to get to know each other. He thinks maybe he can do this. Then he glances to the left, spotting Zayn sitting just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows and his brain temporarily short circuits. Seeing Zayn wearing glasses reminds him of the sauna as he feels his heart beat jump. He inconveniently pictures Zayn’s slick olive skin and wiry muscles, missing whatever joke Sophia just made.

><

Phase two involves a candlelit dinner in a quaint Italian restaurant often visited by stars. They are photographed holding hands when they exit, escorted out by the head chef himself, brilliant smiles on both of their faces.

One of Zayn’s associates checks the stats and reports that Liam’s engagement numbers have gone up and the buzz is going around that Liam Payne has his first public girlfriend in years. Some fans are whining about it while others are happy for him. No one really suspects it’s a sham. The ones that are particularly excited about it are already creating fan art of the two of them together and Zayn wouldn't be surprised if there are Wattpad stories circling that part of the fandom. He will resolutely consider any engagement as good engagement at this stage.

As long as people are talking, the plan is working.

Zayn waits for them in their departure SUV, hidden by the darkened windows and the low street lighting. Liam lets go of Sophia’s hand as soon as they slip in. She jokes about it being too soon. When she makes eye contact with Zayn who isn’t laughing, she quickly looks away. 

They take her home first and not before ensuring they weren't followed by paparazzi that aren't on their payroll. She bids them goodnight, hugging Liam and sending Zayn a shy smile. Zayn suspects she’s either intimidated by him or wondering if his presence is necessary.

"I guess I'm next on the route," Liam states aimlessly. 

If he's trying to fill the silence, it isn't enough of an attempt. So business it is.

"Your numbers are looking good."

Liam perks up at that. "Can I see sometime?"

"Um, yeah. I can include you in the next email. I didn't know you'd be interested."

"I'm curious to see what you've done for us, that's all."

"Stop, I might assume you're complimenting me." Zayn bats his eyelashes at him and catches the other staring.

Liam blinks and turns to look out the window. "Nothing wrong with it if I am."

 ><

Phase three requires attending the wrap party together. 

Liam is excited to see his co-stars, crew, and production team that make everything happen. He shows up in a tailored, navy blue suit with a black bowtie. On his arm is Sophia in a slender, long-sleeve black dress and navy blue heels. They make quite the pair. Dozens of photos of them end up online the moment they step outside, as expected, making them the talk of the night. 

Normally, Louis and Harry catch the internet’s attention when they’re coupled up publicly. However, they’re not currently the main trending hashtag for once.

Zayn attends, blaming Liam for how bored he feels. He doesn’t really know anyone so he sticks to himself. He wore a suit for the occasion and it’s probably not the most comfortable one. He adjusts his collar for the hundredth time, gripping his second glass of scotch as he watches Liam and Sophia on the dance floor. They’re doing great, swimmingly even, so why is he still being dragged around to supervise? They clearly know what they're doing. It even appears like they genuinely like each other.

“Can I get you another?” Liam’s manager asks when he approaches a second later. Paul points at the glass in his hand. It’s nearly empty.

“I guess I could use another,” Zayn says, distracted by Liam twirling Sophia around. They look stunning together.

Paul orders two drinks, handing one to Zayn, and joining him where he’s leaning his back against the bar. 

“It’s working.”

Distracted by the commotion on the dance floor because Pedro Pascal just started dance battling Liam, Zayn mostly misses his comment. 

“What is?”

“Sophiam.”

“Ugh, I hate celebrity couple names. Sophiam sounds like it belongs on the periodic table.”

Paul laughs. “Seriously though, your formula works. You chose the perfect girl for the job.”

“I’m a professional,” Zayn says, winking at him, ignoring what feels like a dig. He catches himself a second later, wondering if he just inadvertently flirted with Liam’s manager who's essentially his boss. Paul is young and fit, Zayn won’t deny that, his personality, however, is not of his liking. 

“You know it’s okay to loosen up a little, right?”

Zayn raises an eyebrow at him. “What makes you say that?” 

“You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“I’m working.”

Paul chuckles. “Exactly my point. Fancy a dance?”

“Mr. Wesley, are you hitting on me?”

Paul’s lips end up close to Zayn’s ear as he leans in. “It’s time for a break.”

Zayn smirks, preparing a sassy response that he doesn’t get to say because Liam appears in the space in front of him like Harry Potter apparating in thin air. His cheeks are pink and his bow is a little askew, tempting Zayn to reach out and adjust it. He doesn’t. 

“I need your help,” Liam directs at Zayn. 

“With?”

“The plan.”

“Looks like you’re doing a great job, dude,” Paul says in his very American accent. 

Liam ignores him. “I need you,” he incompletely repeats. 

It seems urgent. Maybe something happened while Zayn was chatting with Paul. It’s his job to keep an eye on things. It’s the only reason he’s even there. How has he already failed? 

He sets his drink down and gestures for Liam to lead the way, not giving his previous company as much as a glance. He’d suggest a secluded area but he hasn’t exactly toured the venue, which is a ballroom in a museum currently closed to the public. They walk down a hallway lined with eccentric paintings. As they get away from the music and other guests, their footsteps echo louder and louder.

They stop after turning a corner. Zayn turns to question where they’re headed just as he’s cut off by Liam colliding into his space, He’s stunned by the impact, confused as to whether Liam tripped and how their bodies are suddenly aligned perfectly. Maybe that’s a comment he’ll keep to himself.

“What the fuck, Li—”

He’s cut off once again, this time by the softest lips he’s ever felt against his own. They’re plush and unforgiving, taking and taking. Zayn squirms, wondering if he drank too much or if he’s hallucinating. Or has he been roofied?! 

Liam stops the assault on his lips. Pulling back but still close enough to lean his forehead against Zayn’s. “Please, Z.” He dives in for another kiss, effectively scrambling all the thoughts in Zayn’s head. 

Holy shit.

They kiss until Liam keens after a particular hip squeeze by Zayn’s wandering hand. That’s when he freezes, stopping the motions and realizing they’re snogging where anybody could see them or obtain security footage.

He shoves at Liam’s chest to dislodge him and it sends him stumbling backwards. “What the hell is going on with you?!”

“I’m sorry! I saw Paul coming onto you and I panicked!” Liam looks as if he’s close to yanking his own hair out. 

“He wasn’t coming onto me!” Zayn yells back. “Well, kind of, but he wasn’t!”

“I know what I saw!”

“That doesn’t matter because I wouldn’t do anything with him. Do you think I could even concentrate on him while I’m on the job? And may I remind you that you guys are my fucking clients?!” 

“I’m sorry,” Liam says again. He’s looking at Zayn with his big puppy dog eyes. His pouty, kissable lips…

Zayn can’t stand him. “This could’ve fucked everything up, Liam! The whole plan! Someone could've seen us.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. Say you’re drunk and I’m drunk and this never happened. You go back to the party, say you got lost on the way to the loo. You’ll flirt with Sophia and act in love or whatever and leave with her hand-in-hand.”

Liam stares at the ground, voice low. “W-what about you?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Z—”

“Liam, please.”

Not letting another second go by, Zayn shoulders past him and plans an escape route.

><

“I fucked up,” Liam blurts out the moment Niall opens his front door.

He evaluates the state of Liam’s rumpled suit and messy hair. “Yeah, you didn’t invite me to your wrap party, jerk.”

“It was more work than party.”

“Not sure I believe that. You look well and truly fucked.” Niall ushers him inside and they end up on his couch. He continues staring at his best friend. “Oh fuck! Did you sleep with her?!”

“Sophia?! Of course not!”

“Oh, thank geebus! I know the next outing is supposed to include me to show I’m buddy-buddy with her. That would’ve been awkward if you two would’ve… you know…”

“Yes, I know.” He buries his face in his hands, feeling like he's drowning.

“What happened, Payno? You’re scaring me…”

“I snogged Zayn.”

“Oh.”

That’s all he hears so he resurfaces. There’s initial shock on Niall’s face, which quickly turns into understanding.

“So you’re just now realizing it, huh?” 

“What do you mean?”

“C’mon, Liam. I’ve never seen you more passionate about hate-loving someone.”

“I don’t… I don’t love him.”

Niall gives him a very condescending look. That just makes Liam spiral.

><

Zayn practically burns a hole into the carpet of his office. Pacing is how he does his best thinking. When there’s a problem, he paces, contemplates it, and then fixes it. There’s a formula in his head that usually makes sense of it. It works.

Crisis management is what they call it in his field. There are five stages of it: 

One. Recognizing the crisis. That one’s easy: they kissed. That’s the crisis. 

Two. Initial response. Admittedly, Zayn did not respond well to the situation. He put the blame on Liam when it wasn’t just on him. It’s not like Zayn hadn’t been harboring feelings from the beginning.

Three. Managing the situation. That’s current. He has removed himself from the situation and gone into planning mode. He’s not answering Liam’s calls and he’s adjusting the rest of the stunt plan to continue business as usual.

Four. Creating flexibility in pre-recovery. Everything could go wrong. He won’t have expectations. You can’t be disappointed if you’re not expecting certain outcomes. 

Five. Time to recover. Space. That’s what they need. He’ll have his best associate take over the case. No big deal. Zayn can ease up on the control side of things and refocus his energy on other clients.

Everything will be fine. 

There’s a knock at the door. He jumps. Perrie peaks her head inside. 

“Will you be taking his calls anytime soon?”

“Absolutely not.”

She looks unimpressed. “He asked me to deliver a message.”

“Not now.”

“Fine. It’s on this sticky note.” She slaps it on the inside of the door and leaves. 

Zayn squints at the neon piece of paper as he keeps his distance. He can’t read it and he won’t.

><

This is the longest he’s gone without hearing from Zayn. Since he was hired by Liam’s team, he’s been a constant presence and thorn in his side. At the beginning, it was reminiscent of The Office’s Michael Scott and his hatred for Toby Flenderson in HR. Toby and Zayn are not meant to be the fun ones, they’re put in place to essentially keep you in line. 

It’s just that at some point, Liam realized Zayn is nothing like Toby. He’s beautiful and intelligent, classy and hardworking. He puts Liam in his place and he has every right to do so. Like now, the way he’s ignoring him.

They start phase four, an outing with Niall, without Zayn’s direct involvement. Instead, he sends one of his associates to handle it. Can he really erase Liam from his peripheral like that? Is that all he sees him as? A client?

And may I remind you that you guys are my fucking clients?

Liam recognizes that he risked exposure not only for the stunt but also for Zayn's reputation.

Regardless of the ache in his chest, he’s not willing to give up. 

><

I’m sorry. Please talk to me.

Zayn stares at the sticky note now attached to his computer monitor. Perrie must have slipped inside while he was in the lunchroom earlier. He seriously needs to talk to her about boundaries. It’s out of line just like the two sets of bouquets sitting on his desk. 

When they got delivered, he assumed they were both from a desperate Liam. He even ignored the little cards they came with until Perrie pointed out that one is actually from the other source of his crisis. When did Paul even become interested? What made him think Zayn would give him the time of day? He wasn’t what Zayn wanted in a man. He wasn’t kind and bustling with energy, ready for a challenge. He wasn’t willing to open himself up to people and show his vulnerability.

No, there was only one man who proved to be that way. 

It gets late. Perrie stays as long as she can until Zayn sends her home. He rather be alone and avoid seeing her looks of concern. He’s fine, he says when she hesitates to go. If anything, alone time and silence will help him think better.

He hears the distant sound of the lift. Perrie must have forgotten something or decided to ignore her boss, as usual. He gets ready to scold her as footsteps approach his office. The opaque glass door tells him it isn't Perrie.

There’s a knock.

“Come in,” he calls out, staying rooted to his seat. It’s Liam as he realized a second ago and he looks ready to fight. “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever knocked here.”

“It’s late and I didn’t want to startle you,” Liam says, glancing at the flowers on his desk.

“How considerate.”

“Z, please let me explain what happened that night.”

“What do you want to explain?”

“Why I blindsided you, which I know is like a PR nightmare in that brain of yours.”

“The worst kind,” Zayn adds. He doesn’t know why he’s entertaining this conversation. He’s tired and should have gone home hours ago.

“You’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met.”

Okay. That wasn’t what he expected to hear. He stays mute, seeing as Liam doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to be interrupted. 

“You’re also the most gorgeous and wonderful person I’ve ever gotten to know.”

That stuns Zayn even more.

“Remember the first day we met, when you accused me of queer-baiting because of my ignorant comments in the past and I was a complete tool right back to you? I thought my team had surely lost it when they decided to hire you. I thought they were punishing me and that I had no say in the matter, which I really didn’t.” Liam stops, taking a deep breath and stepping closer to the desk. “I’m glad it turned out to be that way. You’re incredible at what you do… at what you did to make me feel better about the stunt and I just… I want you to know that I’ve fallen for who you are. I’m sorry I kissed you. I kind of lost it when I saw Paul lean in… I should have talked to you first.”

It seems his speech has reached an end. His eyes are sad and hopeful. Hands shaking. 

“Liam, I fell for you the moment I saw you in my favorite film.”

“What?”

Zayn chuckles. He knew that would require more context. He pulls open a bottom drawer and takes out a DVD case. Liam stares at the cover in disbelief. 

“I was always a fan of your work. You're beautiful in that way. I’ve been following your career since you started, as creepy as that might sound, but I always had a good feeling about who you were as an actor. You proved to be even better as a person over this past year. I tried to keep it strictly business because it's in my nature. I’m an over-thinker. You challenge me and you drive me up the wall sometimes, but you also make me better. You made mistakes in the past and you made one the other night but I don’t hold that against you anymore.”

“You don’t?”

“Of course not.” Zayn stands to lean across his desk the same way Liam did when they first talked about the stunt. 

Liam copies the stance, his eyes dipping down to stare at Zayn’s lips. There’s not much space between their faces. “Then will you stop shutting me out?” 

Zayn inches impossibly closer. “I’m sorry I’m wired this way. I don’t partake in scandals, I avoid or fix them… I was really out of my element with this.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

Cupping his face, Zayn presses a kiss to his cheek. “Shut up.”

“You’ll have to shut me up,” Liam challenges.

They kiss passionately, grappling for each other and cursing the desk obstructing them. Liam goes around to his side and sits on Zayn’s chair, settling him onto his lap and peppering kisses along his neck and jaw. 

“Who else sent you flowers?” Liam mumbles against the ticklish part of his neck.

Snickering, Zayn decides that teasing will be more fun than arguing. “You don’t want to know.”

“That son of a—”

Zayn pulls away. “Hey, Li?”

“Yeah?” Liam smiles at him dreamily. 

“I’ve had to watch you pretend to be happy with someone else. Even if it was my doing, it was still hard to watch.”

“Yet you were there because I asked you to be,” Liam concludes.

“I’ll always be there if you want me to be.”

Liam kisses him slowly. It makes goosebumps break out along Zayn’s arms. 

“I want you to be. I love you.”

Zayn's heart could burst with happiness. He tightens his arms around Liam's shoulders and kisses him deeply. They can talk later.

><

Predictably, Louis and Harry have a grandiose wedding. It’s a beautiful affair with an elegant theme, a magnificent tiered cake, and two stunning grooms in white. 

Liam wipes at his tears when Niall sings his newest song, Must Be Love, at the end of the ceremony as the newlyweds make their way down the aisle together. Beside him, he notices Zayn trying to wipe at his tears more discreetly. Giving his hand a comforting squeeze, Liam leads them behind the happy couple. He wonders if they’ll make it to that stage at some point. He’s confident the answer is yes.

The reception is just as charming and loads of fun. Liam gets a little handsy on the dance floor and Zayn punishes him by simply looking the way he does in his Versace suit. 

They make it to their hotel room miraculously, having to stop for a snog every so often. He gets to peel off Zayn’s expensive clothes first and sucks his cock leisurely, the way his boyfriend likes it until he can’t handle it and begs for release. 

Liam fondles his balls. “Want to fuck you.”

“Then it’ll be a good time,” Zayn says, giggling at his ability to quote Liam's infamous lines at the most inopportune times. 

“I should fire you."

"I'd like for you to try."

He struggles to take off his clothes, having lost his patience the moment he got Zayn naked. He’s watching Liam get undressed and touching himself. He doesn’t care if Liam tuts at him for touching, he’ll do it anyway.

Yeah, Liam won’t last long at this point. He lubes up and fingers him open. He’s usually more gentle during the process but Zayn is demanding for more and screeching to be fucked at this point. Who’s Liam to deny his boyfriend special treatment?

He rolls on a condom and slicks up thoroughly, sensitive to his own touch and moaning. Zayn impatiently reaches for him.

“Stop stalling.”

“Jesus, okay.” Liam acts annoyed but he actually loves when Zayn gets needy. It’s the greatest thing he’s ever witnessed in and outside of bedroom activities. He was never the type to be vulnerable, always putting on a tough front, but he’s admitted that Liam makes it easier for him to be that way and it’s really only with him. That’s a privilege Liam will never undervalue.

Upon the first breach, Zayn’s grappling for purchase yet still asking for more. Liam takes his time slipping in at first until he can’t stand the tightness and starts pounding into him at an unforgiving pace. He feels incredible.

“Close, so close,” Zayn utters, hands gripping onto Liam’s shoulders, some of his nails clawing at the skin. It’s the good kind of burn. 

Liam finishes first but continues to pound into him until Zayn joins him in the blissful aftermath. 

"It's not even our honeymoon," Zayn comments while Liam cleans them up. "I feel over the moon with you."

They wrap their arms around each other as they do every night, holding on tight and speaking nonsense into the late of the night. 

"Me too."

“I love you,” Zayn whispers against his lips. 

Liam kisses back, mouthing the same words because he gets as moony-eyed over the love of his life as he always wanted. 

><

Perrie revealed to Zayn she knew Liam was on his way to the office the night they talked things out. She was only stalling her departure so he’d stay longer.

The team agreed to end the stunt with Sophia shortly after they got together, finding that Liam’s reputation had already improved significantly and there was a lot of support for his involvement in the films, with or without a stunt. Miraculously, the studio eventually came around.

Soon after, Paul resigned as Liam’s manager citing irreconcilable differences. Liam was recommended a strong replacement: Harry.

The last film of the saga had one of the biggest red carpet rollouts. Liam took Zayn as his date to each major city that hosted a premiere. There was no doubt who they were to each other.

Much to Liam's surprise, the film was later nominated for Best Picture. Louis’ acceptance speech was centered over the inclusion of more LGBTQIA+ people in the industry. He received a standing ovation.

Niall was offered a record deal but declined yet again. It probably wouldn’t be the last time.

And Zayn, he continued to provide PR services to numerous stars but he no longer stretched himself thin like he used to, allowing Liam to take him to their favorite spa and other romantic getaways once in a while. His contact was still saved as the purple devil emoji in Liam's phone because he's a devil in the sheets and somehow, that makes Liam a psychic.

It was bittersweet to say goodbye to Blake Fitzgerald. The saga changed his life. He doesn't let that deter him from booking roles in other genres and expanding his horizons.

He’s begun the next era of his life, which he knows will be even better than the last because this time, Zayn is with him every step of the way.

End scene.