Come On Skinny Love

3: Ho Ho Hopefully

3: Ho Ho Hopefully

The boys gathered around the Christmas tree, smiling from ear-to-ear as they exchanged gifts with one another. The scent of sugar cookies came from the kitchen, making the moment even more festive.

"Harry, I think this is the ugliest jumper I've ever seen. You beat my gift to you last year by a long shot," Louis said, holding out a knitted jumper. It had Santa Clause and a Christmas tree on the front. He chuckled and put the jumper back in the box. "Thank you, Harry," he said sincerely, pulling Harry into a hug.

Harry grinned and squeezed Louis. "You're welcome!" He chirped.

"Make sure you clean up all the wrapping paper," Liam said, collecting the ripped holiday paper from the ground and shoving it in a bag.

Zayn chuckled. "Good to have to back, Daddy Direction. I see you're feeling better."

Liam stopped and grinned at Zayn. He glanced at Niall from the corner of his eye. "Yeah, I feel much better after last night."

Harry looked over at Niall, who blushed. Niall frantically shook his head, trying to get any crazy thoughts out of Harry's head. Harry raised his eyebrows. he didn't believe his friend. He sent him a wink and Niall blushed profusely. Harry chuckled to himself as he put the garbage in the bag Liam was carrying.

Zayn smiled warmly at his friend. "It'll be okay, mate. One of these days, you'll realize that she wasn't even worth your tears."

Liam smiled weakly. "Yeah, you're right."

"You'll find somebody even better than her soon," Louis commented.

Harry chuckled. Niall stared down at the candy canes in his lap, knowing why he was laughing.

Louis looked at Harry curiously. "Why is that funny?"

Harry stopped laughing and his smile slowly faded. He looked at him and then at Liam. His eyebrows were furrowed. Harry sighed. "Wanna help me make hot chocolate, Lou?"

Louis grinned and nodded. "Anybody else want any?" He asked as stood to his feet.

"I want extra marshmallows," Zayn told him, opening his new sketch pad Liam had given him.

"What about you two?" Louis asked Niall and Liam. They simultaneously shook their heads and said no. Niall blushed and looked down.

Harry chuckled to himself and pulled Louis into the kitchen.

"Hey, Li, pass me those pencils," Zayn said.

Liam handed him the package of new pencils and then went to sit next to Niall. He smiled down at him. "Hi," he said quietly.

Niall smiled at him. "Hey."

"Are you having merry Christmas?" Liam asked with a grin.

Niall nodded. "I guess so."

He chuckled. "You guess so?"

Niall shrugged. "I don't know. Are you having a merry Christmas?"

Liam nodded. "Yeah, I am."

"Why?" Niall asked.

Liam opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off by shouting, coming from the kitchen.

"Zayn! Are these cookies supposta be smoking?" Louis shouted from the kitchen.

Zayn groaned and stood. "No, Lou!" He shouted as he made his way to the kitchen, leaving Niall and Liam alone.

Niall shifted awkwardly. He stared down at his lap again, rearranging the candy canes over again.

Liam smiled as he watched him. He knew he was the reason why Niall was so nervous. He had never seen the Irish boy so shy. "Niall, do you want me to answer the question?"

"You don't have to if you don't want to. I just asked because you know, you asked me and-"

"I'm having a merry Christmas because I'm here with you and the boys," Liam answered, cutting off Niall.

"But don't you miss your family?" Niall asked.

Liam nodded. "Of course I do, but spending time with you is the next best thing." He smiled warmly and slung his arm around the younger boy. "Niall, listen, thanks for yesterday. I know all we did was talk, but it helped a lot," he said sincerely, "I really appreciated it."

Niall smiled. "You're welcome." The pair stayed quiet for a moment, enjoying each other's company. "Hey," Niall said suddenly.

Liam looked at him. "What?"

"Are you going to eat those chocolates Louis got you?"

Liam chuckled and crawled over to his bag of gifts. He pulled something out and then sat next to Niall. "You can have them, Nialler."

Niall grinned and opened the package, shoving the chocolate in his mouth. He smiled at Liam as he chewed.

Liam laughed. "That's a good look for you, covered in chocolate."

Niall laughed and swallowed. "Thanks, Li."

Liam's heart swelled with happiness as he watched Niall with amusement. He wasn't sure of his feelings for Niall yet, or how strong they were, but he knew they were good feelings.

Liam stole a chocolate, causing Niall to yelp out. Liam chuckled and kissed Niall's forehead. "They were mine first, buddy."

Niall pouted and finished the bag as the other boys joined the pair.

"Cookies and hot chocolate for everyone!" Louis cheered as he sat in front of the television set.

"Yeah we almost lost the cookies," Harry muttered.

Zayn followed behind, eating a handful of mini marshmallows. "But I saved them," he said proudly.

Liam laughed and grabbed a handful of Christmas cookies. "We should sing songs," he suggested.

"We sing all year round," Harry whined. "Niall's the one with the guitar, he should sing."

Niall stopped mid-cookie and glared at the curly haired boy. Harry grinned at him. "Go on, Nialler, sing us something."

Niall groaned and grabbed his guitar. He took a seat next to Liam and began to strum.

His voice filled the room as he sung.

"Ho ho hopefully

This holiday will make us believe that

We're exactly where we're supposed to be

And we're ho ho hoping that we all come back

And as a matter of fact I know

I'm exactly where I need to be

With you by this Christmas tree

Together just you and me

Together by the Christmas tree."

Niall finished the song and Liam smiled at him.

"That was beautiful, Niall," Harry complimented with a grin. He knew who Niall targeted the song to. The other boys complimented him and then the room fell into a soothing silence.

The rest of the night was full of laughter and smiles, for on this Christmas, they were all exactly where they were suppose to be, together.

And as for Niall and Liam, their story didn't end on that Christmas.

------

Last part!

Please comment, vote and fan and tell we what you thought!(: xx