Photogenic | n.h.

eleven

The minute I walked through the front door, the first thing I saw was her sitting up straight, fully alert as she looked at the time.

"You've been gone all day! Where have you been?"

I kicked the door shut with my foot, "My studio."

"For 5 hours?" She crossed her arms.

"I ran a few errands first," I told her and pressed a kiss to her lips, "I missed you."

"Missed you too. You would've known if you answered my calls."

"I'm sorry, it was out of reach."

"What's in the bag?"

I looked down, "Why don't you look for yourself?"

She leaned over the bag, glancing curiously before digging her hand in. She pulled it out, her body tensed, she dropped it back in, and then I watched as she shut down, "No."

"For me?"

"No!"

I pulled out the lingerie.

"I was out and I realized, as long as we've been together, I've never seen you in a piece of lingerie. Just try it on."

"No, Niall." Her eyes began tearing up.

"Why not? What's wro- sweetie," I slowly put the clothing back in the bag and set it down, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and looked down at her feet, letting out a short humorless laugh, "Nothing. I'm.. I'm sorry I'm just being stupid again."

Her cheeks flamed in embarrassment as she wiped at her face.

I lightly lifted her chin until she looked at me, "You're never stupid. Just tell me what's wrong."

"I.. can't," she whispers, looking away from me again.

"You can. Just-"

"No. I mean I can't.. wear.. that," she whispers. As much as it pains her, I make her hold my gaze.

"Why not?"

"You know why."

"No, you tell me why."

"Because it's not for me, okay?" Then to make her point clear, she sent a kick to the bag that sent it into a wall, scowling.

"It's your size."

"So"

"So, I don't have any other beautiful girlfriends hidden away. It's for you."

I grabbed her face, "Look at me, listen to me. Your legs are amazing. Your thighs are perfect. Your stomach is beautiful. Your bum is great, look at this-" I pulled her closer by her behind and squeezed it, "That's pure perfection there."

She rolled her eyes but smiled slightly, "You're stupid."

I kissed the tip of her nose, "So?"

She still hesitated, resting her forehead on my chest.

"And my stretch marks?" Her voice inaudibly whispered shyly into my torso.

I pulled her away by the shoulders to look her in the eyes.

"You mean zebra stripes?"

"I told you to stop calling.."

"They're zebra stripes. You're my zebra. My beautiful zebra who's earned your stripes. My strong, amazing zebra."

"Can't I at least be a tiger?" She was smiling now.

"No, Zebra." I smiled. "I like it better. It's different, just like you."

"Niall-"

"You're mine. I only want to see what's mine, looking even more breathless," I combed my fingers through her hair and she put her hands on my chest.

She carefully took the piece from my hand and I smiled. "Only if you give me some motivation," her fingers fumbled with the hem of my shirt suggestively.

"Rawr."

She began giggling uncontrollably, "Oh I love you so much Ni," she lifted onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my mouth.