nobody knows the way it's gonna be

Why does so much fanart have Noel scowling and pulling away from Liam who's grinning and grabbing at him?

Look at this! Big grins.

In candid interactions, especially with Liam, Noel smiles a LOT. And it's typically a big smile too. Liam's not usually as expressive in his face (in his body when he talks, he's very expressive, but that's a different subject).

But look at all this reciprocal affection! Even when Liam's being rough Noel wants to play.

And when Noel does reject Liam physically, Liam backs off, almost always.

Backing off after a clear rejection even though he's not happy about it:

Not backing off after Noel involuntarily flinches (at the infamous Wembley 2 gig, but notice how Noel's reaction is cautious and uncomfortable, not angry):

These interactions are more the exception than the rule. If he's really drunk or in an aggressive mood, it might take a minute, and he might go back later and try again, but Liam generally respects Noel's consent in the moment (yes I'll take my time, 'cause I don't want what is not mine- Invisible Sun), and this remains true to this day, likely in a healthier way than it was before.

Liam grabs him roughy, Noel communicates "too much," Liam backs off, nobody is upset:

I think this is important to their dynamic and depictions of them where Noel doesn't want affection and Liam gleefully overrides his consent give a false impression of their relationship.

Obviously, things are very complex between them, but the breakup wouldn't have hurt them so much and they wouldn't have worked so hard to get back together if the love and affection wasn't real (and very much wanted) on both sides.

People think their relationship is like this:

When more often it's like this: