“Oh, yeah? And what do you think it is, Liam? Enlighten me.” Louis replied sarcastically.
                          
“I think it has something to do with that boyfriend of his. You know, the one that you allowed to stay overnight here while I was away.”  Liam said through gritted teeth. That’s when Zayn finally looked up.
                          
“Travis had absolutely nothing to do with this. Keep him out of this.” Zayn nearly growled. Liam looked at Zayn angrily.
                          
“You will not talk back to me, understand.” Liam said loudly, almost yelling at the teenage boy.
                          
“I’m not going to sit here and let you assume things. You don’t know anything about me so don’t pretend that you do. I don’t know what your problem is. You’ve been rude to me ever since I’ve been here! If you didn’t want to take me in, then you shouldn’t have. I try really hard to be happy here, and I am, but only when I don’t have to deal with you.” Zayn said, finally standing up to himself.
                          
“Excuse me?!” Liam yelled.
                          
“I think I made myself pretty clear. You treat me like I’m garbage, and you treat your own fucking husband that same exact way. Do you not see how your actions affect Louis? No, because you are a selfish prick. I see him in tears almost every day because of you. So before you go and scold me for something, why don’t you look at all the things you’ve fucked up.” Zayn replied. Liam was about to say something when Louis stopped him.
                          
“Enough! Zayn please take Harry and Niall to go play downstairs.” Louis yelled. Zayn nodded and collected the boys, taking them to the basement. The basement because then they were less likely to hear the screaming match that was about to go on in the kitchen.
                          
“You’re going to let him talk to me like that? You’re going to sit here and let him disrespect me?” Liam asked in shock.
                          
“I am. I’m going to let him stand up for himself and you know why? Everything that boy just said was completely true. What is your problem, Liam? Honestly tell me, because I really want to know.” Louis said calmly.
                          
“He’s my problem. You’re also my problem. You let him do whatever the fuck he wants, bending the rules for him, letting his boyfriend stay the night here. I mean, why the actual fuck do you think that would be okay?!” Liam yelled, standing up to pace the room.
                          
“Because he is a good fucking kid and you have been an ass to him. You haven’t made one attempt to be his friend. He feels threatened by you, Liam! I will not have that boy come in our home and feel uncomfortable. The only problem around here is you.” Louis replied, his voice growing louder. Louis wasn’t too much of a yeller, but if he really had to he would.
                          
“Do you want to get a divorce then?” Liam spit at Louis, crossing his arms over his chest. That’s when Louis really lost it.
                          
“STOP FUCKING ASKING THAT! IF YOU HEAR THOSE WORDS COME OUT OF MY MOUTH THEN YES, I WANT A DIVORCE. BUT SINCE I’VE NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, THEN I WANT TO BE MARRIED TO YOU! DO YOU WANT A DIVORCE, LIAM?! BECAUSE IF YOU DO I WILL GET THE PAPERS RIGHT FUCKING NOW!” Louis screamed at his husband, making him shut up. Louis tried to calm his breathing, now aware of the tears that had fallen down his face. He wiped them away with a shaky hand and continued to stare at Liam.
                          
“I don’t want a divorce either. I just wish that you would take my side for once.” Liam mumbled, looking at the floor.
                          
“Stop being an asshole and will.” Louis replied, raising his eyebrow at Liam.
                          
“I’m not being an asshole.” Liam told Louis, who rolled his eyes.
                          
“You are. I want you to sleep on the couch again tonight, and I expect you to apologize to Zayn.” Louis said calmly.
                          
“What, he’s not going to get punished?” Liam asked, completely dumbfounded.
                          
“I will deal with Zayn later. Now, I’m going to get our children and you will bath them while I clean up. Got it?” Louis said and Liam scoffed.
                          
“Whatever, Louis.” Liam responded, walking away.
                          
~*~
                          
Louis had gotten the boys to bed, with minimal questions about what happened between Liam and Louis. Liam had retired to the living room couch like Louis had asked of him, and Louis had just gotten out of the shower. It was a nice shower, besides the fact that Louis had cried throughout the majority of it. It was around 11:30 at night and Louis found himself changing into sweats and a long sleeve shirt. He walked over to the window, about to close the curtain when he noticed something.
                          
Zayn was sitting in the garden, smoke emanating from his mouth as he exhaled. Louis watched him for a second before he decided to join him. He made his way downstairs and quietly snuck out the back door. He walked over to Zayn and plopped down on the ground next to him. Zayn gave Louis a sad smile.
                          
“Do you mind?” Louis asked, nodding to the box of cigarettes that lay next to Zayn, along with a lighter. Zayn shook his head, offering one to Louis. Louis took at and stuck it between his lips, lighting it up. He took a long drag of it, holding it in before blowing it out slowly.
                          
“Didn’t know you smoked.” Zayn commented, taking a drag of his own cigarette.
                          
“I haven’t in years, but I only did when I need to relief some stress.” Louis replied quietly. Liam wouldn’t be happy if he saw Louis smoking. But at least he wasn’t drinking.
                          
“I’m really sorry about earlier, Louis. I don’t know what came over me.” Zayn said sheepishly.
                          
“It’s okay, Zayn. But I will have to ground you for a week. You’re on house arrest.” Louis said and Zayn chuckled slightly.
                          
“Fair enough. Will I have to wear an ankle bracelet as well?” Zayn joked and Louis laughed, shaking his head.
                          
“No you won’t.” Louis said with a genuine smile. The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, continuing to smoke.
                          
“Why do you let Liam treat you like that?” Zayn asked Louis seriously. Louis gulped and looked at the ground, playing with the grass.
                          
“It’s always kind of been that way. He’s very controlling and dominant.” Louis said quietly. Zayn studied Louis for a second, taking in Louis’ face.
                          
“What are you afraid of?” Zayn wondered.
                          
“I’m scared of him cheating on me.” Louis whispered, his eyes filling with tears yet again.
                          
“Why would you be afraid of that? Liam loves you.” Zayn commented and Louis nodded.
                          
“I know he does. It’s just- it’s happened before. A long time ago.” Louis told Zayn, looking up at him. Zayn looked at Louis before sighing.
                          
“You don’t deserve that. You’re one of the greatest people I know. You don’t deserve anything bad happening to you.” Zayn said honestly. Louis let out a choked sob, hiccupping a bit.
                          
“Thanks Zayn. You didn’t deserve what happened to you either.” Louis sniffled and Zayn shook his head.
                          
“You didn’t know me before. I was a terrible person, always bullying people and getting into fights and disobeying my parents. I just knew I couldn’t fuck things up when I came here. I just – I wanted to thank you, Louis.” Zayn told Louis.
                          
“For what?” Louis wondered.
                          
“For taking me from that hellhole. You don’t know how close I was to killing myself when I lived in that house. You fucking saved me Louis, and I could never thank you enough.” Zayn said, getting emotional himself. Louis hugged Zayn tightly, the two of them shedding silent tears.
                          

                          
Little did Zayn know, he was saving Louis as well. 
                          
Nothing but drama in the Payne household! Ohmygod sorry for the lack of Harry and Niall, I will try to add them in more in the next chapter, but I wanted to focus on Liam/Louis/Zayn for this one. I hope you guys liked it! 
                          
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Love Alli ♥ xx