Chapter Text
As the last band leaves NJH studios for the day, Niall sighs and looks at the clock, it’s 15 minutes until he is due to meet Liam on the other side of town. He is going to be late (again) but he knows Liam will just sigh and smile at Niall the way he has done almost every week for the last few years.
Liam is the only member of One Direction Niall has kept in contact with since the less than harmonious way he left the band 5 years ago. Niall has changed a great deal in the intervening years but deep down he is still the same carefree person he has always been, but now with the added responsibility of running his own recording studio and production company.
When Niall left One Direction, they carried on as a four piece for a couple of years before “taking a break” which has now lasted 3 years. It is not that Niall goes out of his way to avoid mentions of the other 3 but he doesn’t attempt to keep up to date on their activities either. He threw himself into his work setting up his own studio so much that mentions of his former bandmates/best friends (because despite all that happened Niall likes to think they were in the beginning at least) started to hurt less and turned to almost indifference.
Harry is still tabloid fodder but more like small mentions in the “showbiz” sections than front page grabbing headlines. His boyish charms have waned somewhat and there are always new up and coming people for tabloids to report on. He knows he and Louis are still close friends, now that their remaining fans are older, the pair are quite happy to be photographed together without worrying how the “Larry Stylinson” shippers will react and dissect their every move. The attacks on Eleanor have reduced somewhat over the years, with even the die-hards admitting that after over 7 years together, her and Louis might not just be a “management” cover up.
Whilst Harry flits from girl to girl, never really settling down, Louis and Eleanor are happily living together (although they have never actually got married yet), Louis has had a few solo projects over the years, mainly presenting rather than singing, but it seems to keep him occupied. Harry fronts an indie band that never seems to actually release anything or play any scheduled gigs but can be seen the odd time around swankier parts of London doing an impromptu set.
Zayn is well… Niall doesn’t dwell on thoughts of Zayn, he doesn’t ever think that will not be too painful for him.
As he pulls up to the restaurant he just thinks of Liam, Niall’s friendship with Liam has endured everything. Liam married Danielle just before the band went on their extended break and is happy playing house husband to Danielle, who after two gorgeous kids started her own dance studio.
Liam and Niall try to get together every week for dinner, Niall always looks forward to it no matter how tiring his week has been, as it combines two of his favourite things – Food and Liam. Niall rushes into the restaurant and heads straight for their usual table, seated away from prying eyes (not that they get much attention anymore but it’s nice to have a secluded booth where they can relax and talk).
“Sorry Li, the last band just wouldn’t shift” Niall says apologetically as he pulls Liam into a crushing hug.
Liam attempts to look annoyed but it comes across more as fond like always, “I thought you had stood me up Nialler” Liam smiles.
“Never” Niall replies, “Not when you are looking so hot tonight”
The blush of Liam’s cheeks comes quickly as expected, “that Danielle’s is a lucky women I can tell you. Running after those sprogs of yours all day seems to be working out for you” Niall adds and Liam just swats his head playfully.
As much as he likes to make Liam blush, Niall has always had a brotherly relationship with Liam. Objectively Niall can say, much to Liam’s embarrassment, that Liam is “Hot”, the years have been kind to Liam, filling out his already fairly impressive physique, but Niall has never felt attracted to Liam, “he’s Liam you know?” when asked by one of his friends if he ever tried to “hit that”
Liam and Niall quickly fall into conversation, Niall asking after the family with Liam proudly telling Niall how well the oldest is doing in nursery and how Danielle’s studio is really starting to take off. Liam asks about the studio and Niall replies as usual it is doing OK, which Liam knows is a huge understatement but lets it slide.
In his rush to hear all the latest gossip from Liam’s life, Niall failed to notice a third setting at the table, Liam had popped to the toilets when Niall noticed. Niall hoped Danielle was joining them as Niall had pestered Liam for ages to get a babysitter one week so he could catch up with Liam’s “better half” as Niall likes to call her, Niall loves his dinners with Liam but when Niall and Danielle get together to share stories of Liam it always turns into a fantastic night for Niall and Danielle but an embarrassing one for Liam.
As Liam returns from the toilet Niall nods at the third place and says excitingly “managed to drag Danni out finally eh!” but Liam all of a sudden looks worried.
Liam gives Niall his best pleading look, mixed with nervousness and replies “Don’t get mad Ni” and Niall instantly thinks the worst. Liam knows Niall better than anyone else these days and knows he can pretty much get on with anyone. If Liam is nervous it must be Louis, Harry or, god forbid, Zayn. Niall recalls seeing a recent picture of Harry and Louis on Holiday so is pretty sure his worst fear is about to be realised.
“Liam, who have you invited tonight?, telling me not to get mad means it is one of 3 other people and I am sure I saw some pap picture of ‘those two’ (its childish but he still quite bear to say Louis and Harry) in the Caribbean, and I know as my best friend there is no way in hell you will have invited him”
Liam avoids looking at Niall and sheepishly says “come on Ni, it has been 5 years and you know he is still one of my closest friends. When you left you promised me that I would never have to choose between you”
So, Zayn it is. Niall counts to 10 in his head so he doesn't say something he regrets to his best friend, but it doesn't really help.
“and you never do have to choose Liam, (although Niall is fairly certain if it came down to it Liam would choose him – but he knows how much it would hurt Liam so would never ask) but there are plenty of other fucking hours in the week to meet him, our get-togethers are about me and you, not any of those other tossers I happened to be in a band alongside, Fucking Hell Liam!”
Liam looks stricken, as much as Niall liberally swears like a true Irishman, he never actually swears at Liam. Liam covers Niall's hand on the table with his own to try and calm him down and continues:
“Ni, please try and just have civil conversation, for me”, Liam squeezes Niall's hand for extra emphasis and gives Niall his best puppy dog eyes and earnest expression. It is not fair. Liam knows Niall will do literally anything for him, even this.
“Fine, but if the Twat so much as…” and Niall never gets to finish that tirade as the man in question approaches the table, looking quite frankly terrified and there is no doubt he just heard Niall calling him a twat with venom Niall usually reserves only for vegetarians.
“erm, sorry I am late Li” he says in a quiet voice, “Niall” and nods at the Irishman. “I can just go if..”
“No Zayn” Liam says forcibly, “you know Niall, all bark and no bite. We can have a nice civil meal with 3 old friends, can’t we Niall”
It was not a question, it was an order and Niall just shrugged his shoulders. Niall desperately wanted to shout that Zayn doesn’t know him at all, how could he? Not a single word in 5 years, no attempt at contact, but he doesn’t. This is for Liam he reminds himself. Liam has been there for Niall through everything and never asks for anything in return. Niall looks at Liam, silently trying to say 'This is for you' with his eyes and decides he will make nice.
“Yes of course, Zayn, nice to see you, has been a while. I’ll get us some drinks yeah?”
Zayn seemed to let out the breath he had been holding since he approached the table and answered simply “Thanks, Ni”
Niall bristled at the use of his nickname, only his close friends call him that. 'It is Niall to you' was on the tip of his tongue but even in his quiet rage he knew that seemed rather childish so he let it go.
This was going to be one awkward evening.