drag me down.

Liam felt the impact of nerves hit him as they started to board the jet. Zayn had decided to leave them, and now they were expected to go after him for reasons Simon never completely expressed. The reasoning was vague and hardly something he wanted to hear from their apparent leader. Sitting in the pilot's seat, he waited until everyone was on board before he started the jet's ascent into the sky. The stress and idea that Zayn had always been hiding just under their nose in Peru made the furrow in his eyebrows remain. While there was always the option of autopilot in the jet, it helped him focus less on the trouble ahead. He spared a glance at the rest of his three members - the team he had gotten use to having since Zayn left three months prior. Louis seemed to be having fun sulking in his own corner, no doubt frustrated by the news of having to bring back someone who broke his trust. His eyes managed to catch Niall's and his expression softened slightly as he gave the blonde a smile. He didn't know how he ever got someone as lovely and special as Niall, but he knew that it was his job to never let him go. There was always a fear that maybe the blonde was going to join Zayn and leave without a trace like the hacker did for so long. He was important to making the team feel more natural - like Niall made the team feel more like family - but he had decided to make himself disappear without even a sign of a paper trail. He knew out of them all, though, that Harry had without a doubt taken it the hardest. It was hard coming to a new planet, especially since he had to learn all the customs thanks to the help of Zayn. Liam frowned as he focused again on the jet's travel, knowing he couldn't think about how much one man could set them all off kilter.

---

Zayn groaned as he tried hard to get through the firewall that Simon no doubt put up once he found Zayn's ever changing IP address gaining access into the sensitive information. He didn't know how the man could possibly find a way to keep even Zayn out, but thought maybe it meant that he didn't need him to be able to gain access. They could have easily found another hacker who could do anything that he could do. It still kept him on edge, though, as he took a drink of the coffee that was in the mug next to him. He leaned back in his office chair, allowing himself to be spun around a few times in it as he closed his eyes. He couldn't have thought that he could continuously check in on his team and the entire organisation that Simon built. This was his opportunity to become his own person again, start a new life and perhaps actually sight see around Peru like he thought about doing so often. It seemed like an enjoyable way to spend his time that didn't revolve around moving money into his bank account ever so slyly from unsuspecting people. He was only human and had to survive somehow, not like he could exactly live a completely mundane life after all he had managed to go through and see. Part of him was going to miss his old team more than anything, especially Harry's smile. He frowned slightly as he went to stand up, looking around his small hut he managed to acquire for relatively cheap. Going to get some day old food he managed to get from one of the local restaurants, he went to sit on the couch. Maybe he could get a new hobby, perhaps reading books. Or just sleeping. Sleeping seemed like the most realistic hobby he could get. He had just purchased a hammock that he had recently hung up on his front porch, he could start his hobby there for a few hours.

Niall felt a little sick to his stomach, having just been told where they were going and what they were going to do. It's been three months three complete months, that was eighty nine days without the others squinty eyes smile. Twelve weeks and five days, two thousand one hundred and thirty six hours, a hundred and twenty eight thousand and one hundred and sixty minutes to the dot since Zayn left. If Niall wanted to be even ore upset that was twenty four point thirty eight percent of this year that he hasn't been able to see Zayn. He hadn't been very mad when Zayn left, it had been more of a empty, sad feeling in his gut, knowing that the other wasn't happy enough here and that he just needed to leave, not even speak to anyone about it, not a warning nor a note. He never thought Zayn would have done it, there hadn't been any clues or subtle hints, that day they went in search of the other and found him gone was a complete and utter shock to Niall. It felt a little weird being in the back, Louis was having one of his sad sulks and Niall knew he couldn't comfort him and he wasn't going to risk trying to comfort Harry, everyone knew he took it the absolute worst, he wasn't sure if Harry was going to have another fit when he finally gets to see Zayn again. Catching Liam's gaze Niall allowed himself to smile back, finding it hard to be moody when Liam was smiling. Getting up from his seat in the back Niall walked to the front of the plane and took a seat beside of Liam where a co-pilot would be though Niall didn't know much about planes and wouldn't dare drive one. "Hey" He says, pulling the sleeves of his blue top past his hands to keep them warm.

---

Harry took a seat on the couch in the back of the jet, his bright golden boots tapping the ground as he sat impatiently, angry even, furiously least to say in his honesty. He couldn't wrap his mind around this mission, having to go and pick up Zayn from Peru and bring him back to their headquarters to go on admission that apparently need the other. He doesn't care, he just doesn't, not since Zayn left. If he was back home Zayn would have been exiled for leaving in the first place like that, no one would bat a lash at his disappearance and would have left it at that but not this weak world, he's been told there were seven billion humans here, give or take some mutations, but apparently they couldn't replace Zayn so easily. He thought this was foolish, why look for someone who didn't want to be found? It was just asking for trouble and everyone in this plane wasn't on very good terms with Zayn after he just left them all three months ago. Harry wouldn't like to admit it but he knew he took it the hardest, having thrown a full blown fit after a week of hoping and wishing Zayn would come back, not being able to believe that the other would have just left this team like that. Sometimes he would go into Zayn's old home and just at the table, pretend Zayn was on the other seat in front of him telling him how if you are angry your first response is never to go into battle with whoever you were upset it. Harry had thought it was so ridiculous at first, but Zayn had spend days and weeks with him, patiently teaching him the culture of London and Earth. "How much time Liam?" Harry suddenly asked, pressing his cheek into his palm and watching the Liam and Niall.

@ zayn.

Liam was slightly glad with Niall being next to him in the cockpit, switching on autopilot so that he could spin his chair to face the blonde better. He went to take the other's hand as he shot him a small smile once more. "Hey, you holding up okay?" He asked, sparing a look behind him to the other two who were doing their own form of sulking. "I truly hope I don't look like him," he said, pointing to Harry with a sad grin on his lips, "he looks about ready to kill." He didn't want to think about how Simon had said bring Zayn back by any means necessary because he knew that Harry could potentially injure him. He sighed as he let go of Niall's hand, leaning back into the seat as he closed his eyes. "I think it would be best if you went in to talk to him, see if you can convince him to come back," he said, opening his eyes to see the most beautiful boy he had ever seen. Niall always had a way of smiling and making everything feel better, which only made it easier to want to kiss him. It was mostly silent for the next while after he told Niall what he believed would be the best idea for them. Harry's question rang when they were about fifteen minutes away. "Soon," he said to Harry as he went to the descent of the plane onto the platform that was reserved for them. He stood up and looked between the three of them, his arms crossing as if that made him more authoritative. "Now, the plan is this," he said, "we will send Niall in to retrieve him peacefully. If he still refuses to come, we won't hesitate to use force. This isn't our friend anymore, he's a mission and we will treat him that way." He didn't mean for it to sound as harsh as it did, but he didn't have much regret over it as he opened the jet and exited it, ready to get the man they were looking for. They found the shack moderately easy, looking at it and nodding for Niall to go in there.

---

Zayn felt an itch under his skin after a few hours of relaxing on his hammock, trying to read the novel he had gotten the day prior. He taught himself how to read the tongue it was in, Quechua, but that only wasted a few hours of his life. The novel was nice, but it was the entire idea of why he couldn't get through that firewall. He always had to complete everything he started, even if that meant hacking into the database just one more time to just be able to say that he could do it. He went back to his computer, eager to just do it once more, as he cracked his knuckles. This was the last ambitious thing he'd do before he would go back to sleeping and reading his life away. After continuously trying to break the firewall, it suddenly destroyed itself and he was allowed in. He felt cocky as if he had just beat Simon at his own game, but his face paled as he searched about his old team. They were going to Peru to retrieve him, the words were splayed on the screen right in front of him. A part of him wanted to find the time stamp, but he knew that if they were on their way, it was far too late to even bother with that. He had to make himself scarce and fast. Zayn tried not to panic as he frantically went about his shack and packed anything and everything that he could. He could cut his hair, dye it, dress like a hippie and disappear for the rest of his life. He knew that wasn't an attainable thing, Simon would never stop looking for him due to his apparent importance to something that he didn't want to look up right at that moment. He cursed himself when he heard noises outside of his door, knowing he had to abandon his belongings and escape or fight.

Niall's entire face cheered up the second Liam took his hand, as much as it could light up with the situation they were in that is. "Yeah, I'm doing okay, Harry though" Niall says as he trails off, glancing to the back where Harry was sitting, clearly annoyed and upset by the way he's sitting straight instead of bent forward and the tapping of his shoe. It all feels like crap, it feels unrealistic that they're actually doing this. Niall thought that once Zayn left that was that, Zayn's just brilliant, far more than he's credited for and Niall knew that unless Simon was really pulling out the big guns on finding him then Zayn was practically gone forever. Smiling ruefully Niall nodded, knowing that it was best if he went in and tried to talk Zayn into coming back. Louis would probably be too angry and get nowhere and Harry, yeah, Harry was a complete other story and complications. It wasn't long before they found the shack and smiled frowned at the tip of a shape it was in, he knew Zayn would be okay in it, Zayn's minimalist all he probably needed was a place to sleep and then a place to do his art. Walking up to the door Niall decided to not knock, instead he waved for Harry to come over. The other was swift and ripped the doorknob and lock right out, angrily going back to be beside of Liam. Walking inside Niall was quick to find Zayn inside of the small place, quickly he attached himself to Zayn midway the other was packing items, knowing that the other could jet out the window and that would only lead to a chase where Harry would find him first and then tackle him harder than necessary. "Zee, jesus christ mate, I've missed you" He stumbles over his words, too shocked to see the other to say anything else, too in awe.

---

Harry stood back beside of Liam and crossed his arms, glancing from the shack door to the crap windows and then the trees that surrounded the place. It's well secluded with birds chirping and he could see from the corner of his gaze a small furry creature running up a tree, an animal he couldn't remember the name of. It's almost fucking funny, to find Zayn hiding out in Peru, with the hot weather and vast fields of green, two things he knew attracted Zayn. He remembered how one of the hottest days in England Zayn was having a good time, saying that the hot sun was a correlations to how he was feeling and Harry had thought it to be so funny how ninety percent of England was hating it but Zayn was having a good time. "Giving it five minutes before I go in there" Harry tells the two, not trusting that Zayn would stay for very long. As much as it would sound nice to have Niall walk out with Zayn willingly Harry was all for Liam's plan of taking the other by force. It left a bitter taste on his tongue knowing that Zayn's just behind that door somewhere inside of that shitty home and Harry's just outside, his feelings warped from being left like that. He used to look up to Zayn, used to be like a puppy trailing after him, always eager to speak with him and just spend time in Zayn's presence. "Four minutes" he grumbles.

@ zayn.

Liam was nervous and anxious as he realised that he sent Niall in with someone who could very well be armed. Zayn would never hurt them, he didn't doubt that, but it was still nerve wrecking to be on the sidelines. When Harry spoke, he laughed softly. "Yeah, five minutes," he said in agreement, watching the door for any signs of movement. He could have easily transformed into Niall, made sure that the real Niall was no where near the threat of danger. He thought about sending Harry in right then, just to make sure that everything was safer for the younger blonde. He knew that Niall could protect himself, but he wanted to make sure that nothing ever happened to the younger man. Liam ran a hand through his hair, mind racing a thousand miles an hour. When five minutes was undoubtedly up - Harry enjoyed alerting Louis and him of every new minute that passed - he looked over at the other, nodding his head sadly. He knew how angry Harry had to be, which was exactly why he knew that this was such a shitty situation for them to be put into. He just really hoped that none of them had to use their powers on Zayn. He was overall pretty normal, just intelligent and great with computers, which meant absolutely nothing when they had someone who could control minds and an actual alien.

---

Zayn tensed when he heard his door being forcefully opened, knowing that it was done more in anger than necessity. He suddenly felt trapped in his small shack, the heat insufferable when it use to be relaxing for him to be stuck in the heat of Peru. He gasped when he felt something wrapping around his middle, sending him against the wall. "Ni," he whispered, almost amazed that he was there in the flesh. With his back pressed against the wall, he stared at the blonde that was just how he left him. He ran a hand through the other's hair and laughed softly. "You need a hair cut," he said, picking up the strands that seemed far too long than how he usually had it styled. He couldn't admit that he missed the others because as soon as he admitted it, it would seem more real. He ran away from them for three months, he didn't deserve to be missed or be allowed to miss them. "I have to go now," he said, throat feeling tight and constricted as he tried to get out of the boy's grip. It was imperative that he got out, away from Niall and the other three that were no doubt outside the shack. "Let me leave, yeah? I can find someone who's way better and whatever you need," he said, trying to bargain with the other as he found a way out of the other's embrace - which was by ducking down and sliding away. He thought that his belongings didn't matter, as long as he got away without his family around him.

Harry normally wasn't very selfish, back at home the world didn't revolve on one person and everyone knew that. Everyone did selfless things for one another and if a life was lost for two others then so be it. Although they held grudges those grudges were usually against those who have done people wrong. Harry wants to be selfish right now, he wants to do this his way and he wants to grab Zayn and make him hurt like Harry has, like the entire group has over the past few months. None of this was fucking fair. Harry ticked down the seconds in his head before he voiced himself,"Three" he murmured, his tone warning and and as calm and slow as it usually was. He was on his edge, ready to bolt inside and tackle Zayn to the ground, make sure it hurts but a smaller part of him, a tiny, meaningless part of him wants to see Zayn and just take him in. Desperately wants to know why he left like that, why he couldn't even talk to the whole group and Simon, Harry fucking knows Zayn, he knows the other is rarely selfish and he loves the boys just as much as anyone else so it was so out of character for the other to ditch and dive.

---

It felt so fucking amazing to be hugging Zayn, a familiar body and scent that Niall could never get out of his system. Zayn was family after all, even when he left Niall secretly still considered him family and if Zayn ever needed him he would be there in a heart beat. "Kinda like it a bit long" he murmurs. Opening his eyes Niall quickly shook his head,"No, you can't, you have to come with us Zayn, there's no other options" Niall tells the other, quickly following after him and hugging him again, this time much tighter, trying to hold him to keep him from ditching out the window or however Zayn thought he could leave. "You really have no choice. If you don't come out with me willingly the guys are gonna take you by force and Zayn" Niall stops, biting his lip and wondering if he should say it or not, warn the other a bit about it. He decides to do it, hoping it would help Zayn side with Niall,"Harry took it the worst when you left, he thought you'd come back Zee, he waiting at your door everyday for a week. He missed you, now he's mad, just the sound of your name makes him angry, he knew a tantrum like a full blown fit, please Zayn, if you try and leave I'm sure Harry's gonna be the one to stop you, and you know he's never gentle when he's on a mission, and you're our mission" he babbled to the other, his accent going sloppy. and his emotions shaking in a blur. Of the group he's the weakest with his emotions, a blubbery mess sometimes.

---

"One" he says, skipping a minute purposely.

@ zayn.

Liam felt anticipation as he stared at the shack that they were in front of. He knew that six minutes had passed, which was probably why he was surprised that Harry wasn't going to automatically attack. He nodded at Louis to slowly advance, trying to hope that Niall hadn't given them all away. He suddenly saw Zayn's figure retreating into the forest, making him curse as he ran into the house without another thought. He saw Niall standing there, looking close to tears, making him swear to end Zayn's life himself if it turned out the blonde was hurt at all. "What happened?" He demanded, his hands automatically cupping the other's face as he stared at the boy's blue eyes. "He didn't hurt you, right? Come on, talk," he said, his eyes flicking over to Louis. He realised Harry wasn't in sight that made him curse. "Go after the two of them, we need Zayn alive," he hissed at Louis, who nodded as he bolted through the door. He didn't like the broken and hurt look in the boy's eyes, which made him wrap his arms around the boy tightly. He knew that the man wouldn't live if Harry was the one who was left alone with him. There was no way that Louis would be there in time if the alien was the first one to find him.

---

Zayn swallowed the lump in his throat as he nodded numbly. This was news to him, he didn't know exactly how much Harry would miss him. He was always closest with Harry, helping him learn how to be a real human instead of using his own customs on other's. "I am sorry, Niall. I love you all, but I just can't," he said frantically as he touched the other's cheek and pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. He ran into his bedroom, grabbing the gun from in between his mattresses as he hurriedly opened the window to hop out. He felt like he knew the terrain around him, but refused to get overly cocky about it. He ran into the forest, trying to get a hold of his emotions as he put the gun off from safety. He just hoped that he wouldn't have to use it against any of them. He knew that this was now him against Harry, that it was now time for him to face the music. He cocked his gun, prepared to fire when he needed to. He licked his lips as he continued to accelerate, though his athletic skills were lacking completely. He hid behind a tree, trying to train his breathing as he closed his eyes and focused on the noises around him. He just wished that they never found him, since it would have been so much easier to do that. He bit his lip, trying not to allow his emotions and thoughts to get the better of him. He was the mission, not their friend, he could put on the mask that they needed for him. He could play this game with them.

---

Harry's patience was wearing thin as the seconds ticked by and so the second he saw the back of Zayn's head disappear into the forest he was quick on his feet, running right into the trees after the other. He wasn't going to be nice about this, Liam said it, if Zayn didn't come by choice they would have to use force and Harry isn't going to control himself and hold back just because this was Zayn. Harry paid attention to the sounds in front of him, ignoring the things like the birds chirping so he could focus on Zayn's footsteps, breaking twigs on the ground and leaves crunching beneath his feet. Narrowing his eyes Harry stopped when he caught sight of Zayn ditch behind a tree, he quickly did the same, ducking down to grab a thick branch Harry then advanced forward, throwing the large piece of wood against a tree with birds and disturbing them, the birds chirping loud and frantically and he took advantage to quietly and stealthily come around Zayn's side before he grabbed the front of Zayn's top and practically flung him to the ground with ease, his eyes blazing as he glared down at Zayn. He wasted no time with getting on top of the other, digging his knee into the softness of Zayn's thigh as he hit the other in the face. It wasn't as satisfying as he thought it would be, to trap Zayn in like this against the ground and his sturdy body, to hit him with his closed fist.

@ zayn.

Liam held tighter to the boy who seemed so fragile and close to breaking. "I am sure he is needed for something important. Simon wouldn't take him back unless he was needed," he said as he ran a hand through the other's blonde hair. It hurt him to know that Niall was so hurt by this, but it wasn't his decision on who they got or even fought at this point. "If things were different, he'd want to come back, Niall. The line of work we do probably got to him, it's okay. You'll be able to see him again soon," he said, hoping that this was the proper way to comfort someone. He was still a little unsure on if talking even helped the other feel better or just made him feel worse. He heard Louis through his ear piece, telling them to come immediately, which just made his heart pick up. Liam grabbed Niall's hand and ran to where Louis had told him they all were. He was surprised to see Zayn on the floor, unconscious, with Harry looming over him. The swell of a bruise already forming across his face. "You got him good, huh?" He asked, approaching the other three carefully as he kept Niall close to him.

---

Zayn should have known when the footsteps stopped that Harry was trying his hardest to locate him. He wished he got his gun ready to fire as he heard something loud and heavy hit a nearby tree. It scared him to know that the other was so close to him, fear and anxiety bubbling over him as he shakily grabbed for his gun. The seconds it took him to even get his gun prepared to fire were seconds wasted as he felt himself being flung to the ground. There was no air in his lungs for a few moments as suddenly Harry's knees dug into his thighs. The pain brought his lungs back to use as he inhaled sharply, his eyes squeezing shut for a second before a fist hit his cheek. He knew that Harry was strong, it wasn't unknown to anyone, but he never thought he'd be on the receiving end. When he opened his eyes again, everything was spinning as nausea set in. He was just glad that Harry didn't seem to be punching him anymore as well as the fact that there was no blood that he could feel in his mouth. It seemed almost like too much effort to keep his eyes opened, he decided, feeling lightheaded and like he could vomit, so he just relaxed his body into the uncomfortable forest grounds as his eyes slid shut. Maybe he'd wake up in his hammock again.

Harry didn't hit Zayn after the first one, couldn't bring himself to do it when Zayn's laying flat on the ground and drifting off. He thought when he would see Zayn all of the pent up angry and disappointment would come out, as if his feelings would be released through his fist but Harry doesn't think he could lay another hit on Zayn even if the other was awake and struggling or fighting him right back. moving his knee from the others thigh he looked at Zayn's high cheek bones, his tan skin tinted with what he knew was going to be a bruise. Zayn was still gorgeous, didn't fucking matter if he hurt everyone's feelings, he's gorgeous and his hairs been growing and Harry wants to press his hand against the other cheek and gently caress the skin, make it feel better and say he's sorry because even though he's been running on anger for three months or all just masked his sadness. "Yeah, I did" Harry says, getting up and running a hand through his messy loose curls. He never thought he would have hit Zayn, Harry the most gentle giant with his mates, but then again Zayn really isn't his mate anymore. Getting down onto one knee he grabbed the gun and it the safety on before he tossed it at Louis. Harry then proceeded to pick Zayn up and oddly enough gently tug him over hi shoulder, rising back up to both his feet. "Let's go" he tells the others, one hand on the small of Zayn's back and the other against the back of one of his thighs.
-
Niall smiled at Liam though he still wasn't very convinced, he knew it had to be the line of work they were in because Zayn loved them right? He wouldn't leave over something as petty as a fight over what to eat for dinner or who did what during game nights. Keeping close to Liam Niall kept his hands to himself although he wanted to curl his fingers into Liam's shirt and press himself against the others body, have a little cry. Niall was least to say shocked that Harry wasn't beating down on Zayn repeatedly like punching bag. For some reason he had expected this entire confrontation to be a whole lot bloodier and maybe with tears-not just Niall's. "You did good Harry" Niall tells the other watching him pick up Zayn and place him over his shoulder, carrying the lads like he weighted nothing, to Harry he probably did. Glancing back where Hey came from Niall nodded, they had Zayn, they ought to head back and deal with Simon, see what the other had been planning and maybe, with the glimmer of hope Niall had Zayn would want to stay if he just spends some more time with the group, see how much e misses it and them.
@ zayn.

Liam was glad to have Niall pressed against him, wanting to protect the younger one with all he had. He nodded as the blonde complimented Harry, sparing him a small smile. "You can take the gun with us, Louis, just try not to fool around with it too much," he said offhandedly as he saw the meek smile that came across the other's face. He lead the rest of them out of the forest, an arm slung around Niall's shoulder as he spared at glance at Harry. He wondered if he was going to be this well behaved even when Zayn woke up, or if he was going to attack him once more just so that he didn't have to hear any bullshit excuses. "You sure you are best suited to watch him, Haz?" He asked, making his way toward the car they arrived to the shack in. He had to be aware of what Harry was doing to Zayn at all times he felt, not knowing what the other would be feeling at any given point. He was always bad at processing negative emotions, which he doubted this situation was any different. When they arrived to the car, Louis opened the door and Liam helped Harry get the unconscious body into the backseat before going to the driver's side. He started the ignition as he waited for the rest of them to pile in. "We need to get Simon on the phone, see what exactly he needs from us now."

Harry scoffed as he held onto Zayn, digging his fingers into the others thigh perhaps a little tighter than he ought to. He was just a little put off, he hadn't thought he would ever see Zayn again after the second month, her had given up by then, a lot of the things Zayn have taught him slowly slipped from Harry's grasp and he got back into his own old habits.He wasn't too difficult with the boys but he denied each time one of the guys tried to teach him what normal humans would do because it reminded him too much of Zayn, Zayn laughing with crinkles at Harry as he tried to teach him. It hurt too much. "I'll make sure he doesn't leave, I won't kill him Liam" Harry tells the other, fixing Zayn's limbs in the backseat before sliding in, sliding his hand down Zayn's arm before buckling him in securely. Niall got into the front seat since Louis was practically banned from sitting there after two bad incidents. Pulling the seatbelt across his torso Niall took out his phone so he could call Simon, putting it on speaker as well. He brought his nails up to his lips and started to nervously chew, a horrible habit he did often. The phone rang just twice before Simon picked up, his voice ringing through the car, "Yes boys? " he asks, his voice strict and a little annoyed as if he had been interrupted. Louis was the one to first speak, "We got Zayn!"

@ zayn.

Liam couldn't help the smile of adoration that passed when he heard Louis' almost excitable outburst. When the man saw the blonde boy biting at his lip, he nudged him softly as he offered him a smile. He was still slightly worried about Harry being in care of Zayn, but knew that it wasn't his problem as long as Zayn remained alive. "That's very good, boys. I need you all to come back to London and await further instruction. I have to go attend other business, I will contact you when I need you," he said, short and clipped, before he hung up. Liam shook his head as he simply continued to drive. "Well, that went splendidly," he said as he looked at the rear view mirror as if he couldn't believe Zayn was back with them. He cringed inwardly once he noticed that Zayn's face wasn't looking the best. "We should pick up some paracetamol before we board the jet again, just in case he wakes up during the flight," he said. He looked back over at Niall, smiling softly as he made their way back into town. "May also wanna double check and make sure that nothing is broken, Louis," he said, looking at the other with a grin. Louis nodded, poking and prodding slightly to make sure that nothing was broken. "He's good, boss," he said. "Who needs a healer when we have Nurse Louis," Liam replied, laughing softly.

Niall brought his fingers down from his mouth when Liam nudged him, using the conversation as a distraction. Instead he tucked both of his hands between his skinny jean thighs and looked at the side mirror so he could watch the three in the back. His eyes mostly on Zayn, their Zayn who looked good as always even when he's knocked unconscious with a bruise flourishing on his high cheek bone. He glanced at Harry, who was intently not staring at anything but his own thighs, head bent down with his curls falling over his shoulders. "Haz, we can also get those bottled smoothies" Niall tells the other, knowing how practically addicted Harry is to smoothies and other natural things. Harry smiled as he looked up, nodding his head. He felt weird about this, Zayn was sitting between him and Louis, head tilted to the side and out cold for the moment. "Nurse Louis causes more wounds than heals them" Harry quips, noticibly trying to get into the conversation and out of his little head. He doesn't want to be stuck on this, stuck on Zayn like he used to be. Harry isn't going to try to reconcile crap with him, he fucking left and then he ran, he clearly doesn't want to be with any of them so Harry's gonna make sure it stays like that he doesn't want any of the guys to fall over Zayn again, this wasn't their friend anymore and they've been doing good without him anyways.

@ zayn.

Liam nodded as he saw Niall finally take his fingers out of his mouth. He knew that everyone was slightly silent due to the fifth member in the car, since it was awkward and uncomfortable since this was the man who made them remember the bittersweet moments before he left. "Yeah, you guys should actually give Lou and me some this time," he said as he playfully shot Niall a grin. When the playful banter continued, he knew that they were going to be okay even if Zayn was going to be staying with them for a while. Louis suddenly went on an entire rant about how rude everyone in the car was for laughing along at Harry's joke. It made things easier to know that this didn't hurt them as much as it could have hurt them. It didn't take long until they were outside a small convenience store near to where their jet was awaiting them already. "Who wants to stay in here and watch him?" He asked, looking between them all. Louis already seemed to decide he wasn't going to stay behind, stretching his legs as he started walking toward the shop. He looked between the other two in the car, not necessarily feeling comfortable with Harry being left alone with Zayn since the wound of seeing him again was still fresh to all of them.

Harry didn't want to leave the car, or more so didn't want to leave Zayn just in case he woke up. He knee Niall would be iffy about containing Zayn and if the boy woke up Harry would just make him unconscious again till they were on the plane. "I'm staying" he tells the two solidly, there was no budging him when he puts his mind to something and if he wants to stay then he's going to stay. Niall nods, "I know the smoothie you like so I'll go inside and get you a snack too" he tells him, taking the seatbelt off and opening the car door. He rather trusted Harry enough to not kill Zayn, Niall always thinks of the good and people and if he knows Harry as well as he thinks then he knows the other isn't going to do anything regretful or jeopardizing. "You gonna come Li?" Niall asks as he steps out of the car, ducking his head back in to glance between Harry and Liam. Harry's jaw juts out a bit as he clenches his teeth, raising a brow at the one in question, Harry knows he has a small anger issue since Zayn was most of his control but he feels he can stay here alone with the other-it would be good too have someone in here just in case.

Liam was apprehensive to allow Harry alone in the same space with Zayn, but he nodded his head at Niall's question. "Five minutes," he said, looking between the curly haired man and the body that laid unconscious. He got out of the car and onto the slightly busy street, meeting up with Niall as his hand automatically went to press against his lower back. "You sure you're okay?" He asked, still worried for the blonde as they walked toward the store. He opened the door for him, already seeing Louis staring at the selection of sodas that were laid in front of them. Shaking his head with a small smile of adoration, he continued to walk near to where the bottled smoothies were. He hardly had any idea which ones to even get, the array of colours and flavours overwhelming him as he stared blankly. "Kale smoothie? What even is kale?" He asked, his nose scrunching up as he saw the green coloured bottle.

Niall flashed Harry a smile before he began walking towards the small store, continuously smiling because he could put help but think positively, it was in his blood to be happy even in shit situations. "I'm okay" Niall tells the other, not wanting to speak about it his feelings because he knows he'll start to cry. Looking at the selection of smoothies Niall laughed, bright and loud as he grabbed a kale and berry smoothie that he knew Harry loved to death, "It's a vegetable with lots of vitamin A and C, its really good Li " Tucking the bottle under his arm he then grabbed a carrot smoothie for himself and without helping it he grabbed a purple smoothie he's seen Zayn drink a couple of times long ago. "Feels weird doesn't it, to have Zayn right here with us, surreal" Niall sighs, grabbing a bag of kettle cooked chips for Harry and then a big chocolate bar. Niall was a bit anxious as to when Zayn would wake up and what he would do. "Harry doesn't seem too happy" he adds, his smile weltering a bit. It was just a bit tough is all. He wishes none of this would hurt so much for all of them. It was obvious to nearly everyone before that Harry was insanely fond of Zayn, having taken a liking to him instantaneously.

@ zayn.

Liam still scrunched up his nose as he stared between the bottle and Niall. He put it back slowly, as if he was still unsure about the true contents that were inside. "Yeah, I bet it is," he muttered in disgust at the repulsive liquid before him. He couldn't help but take the bottles away from Niall, going to hold them so that the younger had an easier time walking around the store in his hunt for whatever else he wanted. Liam didn't get anything for himself, knowing that he was good until they made it back to London when he was sure he'd calm down a little. He was stressed with the fact that Harry was left with Zayn, that Zayn was with them, that there was no real knowing what would happen when Zayn got back to London. It was all unsure and it only drove him further into insanity. "I just hope that this isn't a mistake in getting him, we don't know what Simon wants and that scares me," he said as he went back to the drinks, deciding that a bottle of water wasn't going to hurt if he got it. He frowned even further at the rest of Niall's words, making a noise of agreement. "We are all scared of the unknown, Niall, I guess even if we aren't human," he said, shining him a comforting smile as they made their way to the cashier. They were joined shortly after by Louis who plopped down far too many sweets by the look of it, but Liam wasn't going to judge as he took out his credit card, smiling at the lady who lazily scanned the items.