in a world of boys, he’s a gentleman˗ˏˋ★ˎˊ˗
pairing: pre-fame!liam x reader
summary: reader and liam go on their first date after this.
wc: ~3.2k
cw: fluff, cops, yearningggg, smooch, desire
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you wake with butterflies. followed quickly by a wave of genuine nausea as you realize how happy you’d be for liam to follow through on his word today and how devastated you’d be if he doesn’t.
his hand in yours, the taste of his lips, the sound of his laugh.
butterflies again. this time, you’re interrupted by your mam calling you downstairs for breakfast.
to your surprise, you see your brother already at the table. you open your mouth to question him, only to be discarded by a quick shake of his head as he nods to your mam, who’s placing down a stack of pancakes on the table.
you suppress a smirk, knowing your mam would be pissed if she found her golden boy of a son abandoned her at a party when the cops came.
“well how was it then?” she asks, oblivious. “didn’t hear youse two come in last night; must’ve been very quiet,” she comments.
you raise your brows at your brother.
“s’fine. pretty casual,” he shoves half a pancake down his throat. you narrow your eyes at him, kicking his shin. he swears, choking over an egregiously large bite of food.
“and you? ‘casual’ for you as well, i gather?” your mam teases as she turns to you, knowing your brother is lying.
he answers before you can.
“she had a nice time with liam gallagher,” he said in a mocking sing-song voice.
“shut up,” you mutter, face flaming. “hardly figured you’d notice after you had your tongue down what’s-her-name’s throat,” you shoot back.
“oi!” your brother says, lobbing a crumpled-up napkin at you.
you stick your tongue out at him, dodging his assault as your mom snickers behind her cup of tea. then her eyes widen as she hastily swallows her mouthful.
“liam gallagher?” your mom squeals in delight. “s’that peggy’s youngest?” her face is beaming. you think she may be more excited than you.
you nod demurely, hoping to move on swiftly to the next topic. your mam seems to notice your hesitation, nudging your knee reassuringly. her eyes are soft and maybe even proud.
“they’re a good sort,” your mam adds. “boys are a little wild, but aren’t they all?” your mam casts a sidelong glance at your brother. “now who’s this girl you suffocated last night?”
your brother groans, dropping his head in his hands. you can’t help but laugh as your mom continues her grilling of him. when the phone rings, you stand up to answer, snickering as they continue their bickering. as you pick up, you have the delirious thought that it may be liam. your stomach flips as you answer.
“hello?”
“hiya,” the voice on the other end sends a warm thrill up your spine. you double-check your mam and brother aren’t listening as a blush creeps up to your ears.
“liam! hi,” you breathe, a little giddy. you clear your throat, “what’s up?” you try to school your voice into a neutral tone, cringing at yourself immediately.
he chuckles on the line as if he knows your game exactly. “how’d ya sleep?”
“fine, yeah.” your pulse is roaring in your ears. you’re sure he must hear it on the other end. “you?” liam hums on the line. you can picture his smirk, his lazy grin, his hair still mussed from sleep. just the thought is enough to put butterflies in your stomach.
“yeah i had good dreams,” he answers carefully.
“oh?”
“seem to remember kissing a pretty bird,” he wonders aloud. “may have been some coppers involved. hard to recall exactly,” he muses, the smile evident in his voice.
you laugh as your stomach flips delightedly, looking over your shoulder again to make sure you’re not being listened to.
liam speaks again, “just had to call and make sure it was real,”
you think you just may fall over, your legs turning to jelly. “s’real,” you answer breathlessly, dizzy from the rush of serotonin in your veins.
liam hums again, a warm laugh over the line.
“can i come ‘round? take you out somewhere?”
“yeah, think that’ll be okay,” you answer, dazed and euphoric.
“great,” he answers. you think you hear relief in his voice. “good, yeah. i’ll be there later this afternoon. let’s say six?”
you nod before realizing he can’t see you. “i’ll see you then,”
you say your goodbyes before hanging up, holding yourself up against the wall as you process what’s just happened. you’re so happy you think you may faint. gathering your wits about you, you return to the breakfast table where your mam and brother are still chatting about the girl from last night.
something must be written all over your face because you’ve barely taken your seat when your brother asks why you look like that.
“look like what?” you ask defensively, avoiding eye contact for too long.
your brother’s eyes narrow. “who was that on the phone?”
your hands shake as you bring a bite to your mouth. with as much nonchalance as you can manage, you take a sip of juice before answering.
“it was just liam,”
“liam?” your mam and brother both cried.
your face is on fire. your mam looks like the cat who got the canary, whilst your brother looks mortified.
you nod, ignoring them as best you can.
“for what?!” they both cry, for different reasons.
“we’re …” you trail off, choosing your words carefully, “gonna hang out later,”
“oh my god!” your mam squeals, bringing her hands together like you’ve just been proposed to.
“oh my god,” your brother says, disgusted.
“it’s just casual!” you insist. “who knows? he probably won’t even show,” you mutter insecurely.
“oh yes he will,” your mam declares. “peggy’s raised her boys well. hurry up and eat so we can get you ready,”
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three hours later you’re lying face down in bed, moaning and groaning as your mam fans through your closet, picking out the ugliest items of clothing you’d forgotten you ever owned.
having already tried on a dozen different outfits, you were exhausted and stressed.
“your first date! i can remember what i wore —“
“we’re only hanging out mum,”
“pish pash. i know what that’s code for,” she says pointedly.
at that, you sit up — alarmed.
“i don’t even know what it’s code for,” you say.
“well i hardly doubt it’s holding hands at the theatre now,”
“christ mum,” you swear, unable to hide a snicker.
your brother is at your door then, a scowl on his face. he’s made his disapproval clear all day long.
“why’re you encouraging this mam?! liam’s my friend. he’s not exactly the oxford scholar you’d dreamed of for your only girl,” he spits, mocking.
his words are cruel but true. you and liam were completely different. but before you could let his words creep in with doubt, your mam piped up.
“heaven forbid a girl have options! you’ve gotta kiss some toads before you find the prince,”
you let your head fall in your hands.
“i think i should just get ready alone,” you mutter. “stressing me out,”
your brother leaves, not without some more grumbling while your mam smooths the sweaty strands of hair out of your face. “okay, pet. i’ll make you a cuppa then,”
as she leaves, you lie back in bed, eyes trained on the ceiling as you remember last night. liam and his piercing eyes— full of light and mischief. his palm, warm and steady around yours as he pulled you through the woods. his mouth, soft and languid and smiling into yours.
the next hours are blurry and stress filled. you shower and shave every single acre of skin on your legs. exfoliate and then exfoliate again. scrub between each toe for the first time in your life. at some point when the hot water has run out, you’re dizzy and half-delirious, laughing as you imagine liam’s version of “getting ready”.
out of the shower isn’t any easier. for the first time since you’ve started wearing makeup, it seems like everything you do is wrong. each swipe of mascara clumps, your eyebrows resembling distant cousins, your foundation about thirteen shades too light. you have half a mind to climb under your covers and go straight to bed, but before you know it, the clock strikes six.
you only just finished getting ready, hair still damp from the shower as you had to forego doing it to address the various makeup crises. sat in your room, you feel the as if the entire house is holding in a breath. your brother’s no longer blaring his records, your mam has stopped tidying the house. you’re sat on the edge of your bed, picking at your nails, avoiding the mirror.
it’s 6:03 now. a heavy weight presses down on your shoulders, prickling behind your eyes.
at 6:05, you’ve almost worked yourself into tears when you hear your doorbell ring and shoot out of bed.
over the rush of blood in your ears, you hear your mam get up and open the door, her voice warm as she greets whoever it is. and then, you hear liam. unable to wait any longer, you rush out your bedroom and nearly fly down the stairs. the house seems to breathe with you, settling under your feet as you round the corner and see liam standing in your doorway, a small bouquet of flowers in his hands.
your cheeks flush as you see him holding them awkwardly, shifting beneath his feet. with a jolt you realize he’s nervous too.
“hiya,” you breathe, coming before him.
“hi,” liam’s voice is breathless and relieved. his eyes flicker to your lips briefly. the flowers hang limply before him as he continues his appraisal of you.
nervously, you laugh, gesturing to the flowers.
“are they–”
“right. yeah,” he stumbles, “for you. my mam helped me pick ‘em”
the moment is as awkward as it is tender.
your mom’s as smug as can be as she shoots you an “i told you so” look, ushering you two out the door, promising to put the flowers in a vase.
and then you’re alone with liam. the air between you two is buzzing as you head down the street, only soft smiles and nervous laughter between you two.
finally, you can’t take the silence.
“you’re being weird,” you say.
“am i fuck! just…”
you wait. he trails off, blushing.
“you look nice,” he finishes.
now it’s your turn to blush.
“feel a bit silly,” you admit, mumbling.
“why?” liam’s voice is sharp and curious. you can’t help but smile at his sincerity.
“never been out with a boy before,” you say, half in jest, ignoring liam’s knowing grin. “didn’t think you’d actually show…”
his head whips to you, blue eyes piercing and a little sad. “y’didnt?”
you shrug, shaking your head. “my brother–”
“is a prat,” liam interrupts.
you laugh, “just thought maybe you were playing a joke,” you trail off, feeling stupid.
liam takes a breath, his hand brushing yours as you continue to walk.
“s’that what you thought last night?” liam’s voice is genuine, no hint of mocking.
you blush as you remember his hands around your waist as you jumped the fence. his mouth on yours. the taste of smoke and mint.
you shake your head.
liam smiles, pleased. “should be me asking you that,” he states then.
“oh yeah?”
liam nods, grinning down at you. “what would a a girl as pretty and smart as you be doin’ with me?”
“well it’s obviously for your fleeing and evading skills,” you joke, matching his gaze.
liam throws his head back, laughing. his adam’s apple hangs prominently against the smooth, pale skin of his neck. his canines are sharp and wolfish, his lips pink and plump.
“y’lookin’ to get in more trouble then?” he teases.
“seems like it’s looking for you”
“ah,” liam pauses, cocking his head as he grins down at you, his tongue running across his bottom lip. “and you? what’re you lookin’ for?”
his gaze is so intense, his smile so striking, you think your knees wobble. his eyes flicker down to your mouth again, pulling up when he notices your breath catch. you’re sure you’re both remembering last night. the kiss.
you turn forward, resuming your walk.
“where are we going?”
liam huffs a laugh, choosing to let your avoidance pass this one time.
“you play pool?”
your brows furrow as you bite your lip. “horribly,”
liam laughs, slinging a heavy arm around your shoulder. “you’re in good hands. ‘m a great teacher,”
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twenty minutes later, you held a cue stick lamely, trying your hardest to focus on liam’s words and not just his lips. the pub was relatively quiet– mostly older locals, some other kids from your class who shot you and liam some surprised looks. liam bought you a drink and some chips to share as he explained the game of pool to you.
“got it?” he smirks.
“mmhmm,” you hum unconvincingly, eyes flickering down to liam’s mouth.
he chuckles, raising a brow. “yeah?”
you nod, biting back a smile.
he mimics your nod slowly. “what do you do with the 8-ball?”
“nothing ‘til the end,”
he smirks, his eyes never leaving yours as he steps back. “alright. go on then,” he gestures to the table.
it’s safe to say you don’t have a future career in billiards. with a hammering heart, liam’s watchful gaze, and the guinness warm in your belly, you may as well be playing for his solids as you’ve hit more of those than your stripes in any case. you lose easily, demanding a rematch instantly.
you’re not used to being so bad at something. liam finds your frustration both endearing and an opportunity to wrap his arms around you, angling your cue stick just so. you don’t seem to mind, letting his warm chest press against your back, his hands brushing yours.
when you shudder, he calls you out, his breath tickling your ear as he whispers. “careful. think you may be losing on purpose,”
your breath catches, which you disguise with a scoff. “don’t flatter yourself,”
“no?” the smile evident in his voice, his arms tightening around you.
“think you like this just as much as me,”
“so you do like it,” he says smugly, ignoring your other point.
you laugh despite yourself, your head falling to your chest.
“if i say ‘yes’ will you let me win?”
“definitely,” he answers quickly.
“then, yes.”
you feel liam’s smile against your ear. he angles your stick just so before stepping back and letting you make your shot. it goes in easily. you turn, delighted, flinging your arms around liam’s neck as you laugh and cheer for your first good shot all night.
his hands are warm and steady against your lower back. the moment is so charged, you pull away with a gasp, smoothing back some rogue hairs as you scan the pub for anyone staring at you two.
“s’alright. we’re not the first couple in here y’know?” liam laughs, noticing your sheepish expression.
it’s wiped away and replaced with a smile at his words. liam fights back internal panic, realising what he’s said.
“oh?” you tease, noting the flush of his cheeks. “couple? don’t think i remember –”
“yeah, yeah,” liam interrupts, unable to conceal his blush or his smile. he comes before you, setting aside his and your cue sticks. “if that’s alright with you, that is?”
you hum, rocking back on your heels as you pretend to think. “yeah,” you say finally, “i’m okay with that.”
liam’s smile is one of relief and bliss. before he can kiss you, though, there’s a loud jeering in the pub, breaking you two apart. you turn to see some off-duty cops heading through the door, taking a seat at the bar.
you’re ready to laugh it off until one of them looks up, locking eyes with you and liam. the same cop from last night.
“oh christ. is that–”
“yup,” liam answers, grabbing your hand casually. no hint of concern in his voice.
the cop seems to recognize the same thing as his brows furrow. then he stands up, opening his mouth when liam bolts, dragging you out with him, wild laughter in your wake.
when you’re down the block, breathless from laughter and the chase, you turn to see the cop shaking his hand at you both, giving up.
liam pulls you into a park, collapsing on a bench in a fit of unadorned mirth as you catch your breath, your hand still in his.
“that’s twice in twenty-four hours i’ve run from the cops with you!” you say between laughter.
“one hundred percent success rate at least,” liam answers, still catching his breath.
you kick his foot with yours, laying your head against his chest as your breathing settles.
liam’s chest is warm and steady beneath your cheek. you hear the riotous beat of his heart and wonder if its from you or the cop. before you can ask, he laughs above you. you turn your chin up, finding his eyes on you, a smile pulling at his mouth.
“now what?” you groan jokingly.
liam shakes his head, his gaze on you fond and unabashed. “you look very pretty tonight by the way,”
you blush furiously, turning your head back down. “shut up,” you grumble.
liam shifts beneath you, forcing you to sit up and turn to him.
“mean it. you’re very attractive when you’ve run from the law,”
you laugh this time, head thrown back, missing the way liam’s eyes track the freckles on your pale neck.
“you’re very handsome for being a bad influence,” you return, eyes falling to his pink mouth.
liam’s laugh is warm like the rest of him. then his mouth is on yours, slow and warm. you hum into his mouth, feeling one hand cup your jaw, the other at the base of your neck, grounding. when he pulls away, you whimper, desperate for more, tangling your hands in his hair at the nape of his neck.
liam laughs, letting you pull him back in for another languid kiss. you feel his hand at your neck tighten, just enough to make you gasp, so liam can slip his tongue inside your mouth.
when you’ve broken apart, however many minutes later, both your lips are swollen and pink, your chests heaving. liam seems speechless for the first time since he picked you up.
“d’ya wanna get an ice cream?” you ask innocently, breaking the silence.
liam can’t help but laugh, nodding a bit breathlessly.
you stand up, turning to him when he stays seated.
“i erm–” he laughs awkwardly, dipping his chin down at his crotch. “gonna need a minute,”
your blood runs hot in your veins as you blush, laughing to hide the thrill that creeps up your spine.
“better make it quick,” you say, grabbing his wrist to check the time on his watch. “have about ten minutes, perv” you tease, swaying your hips as you walk away, tossing a glance behind you.
liam’s sat still, shaking his head as he laughs before getting up, running to catch up with you.
the sun’s just beginning to set, painting you orange as you turn to liam, lip between your teeth as you smile shyly at him.
liam can’t help but return it, thinking you may be more trouble than him.
