Liam Payne and Zayn Malik experienced a series of ups and downs over the years. Both musicians were thrust into the spotlight alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson while on The X Factor in 2010 to form One Direction. After releasing four albums as a group, Malik announced his departure from the boy band in March 2015.

Zayn Malik has spoken out for the first time after Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31. On Thursday, the singer, 31, shared a heartbreaking photo of himself and Payne appearing to cuddle while sleeping on a tour bus.