Let's Play Pretend [Niall Horan AU]

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A

My door bell rang and Pepper was quick to sprint to the door and start barking.

"Chill girl," I said, picking her up before opening the door.

"Ah puppy!" Harry exclaimed, snatching her out of my hand.

"She's mine," I pouted, putting my hand out but he ignored me and went into my house.

"Dickhead," I muttered when I saw Louis come in as well.

"Hi there," He said, hugging me.

"Hello hello! How was Christmas? And New Years?" I asked.

"Great. Great. Family is ecstatic for us. Harry has a couple more ideas he wanted to run by you. But leave us, what the fuck happened with you and Niall? Jesus you two looked like an actual couple on yesterday's live," he said.

"Oh nothing really. We just became friends I guess. Eh no I wouldn't say that. I don't know, mate. He couldn't be a dickhead to me under my roof so he kept his mouth shut and when it's like that he's usually an okay person," I shrugged.

"But getting you a puppy? Like that's something," he said.

"It means nothing, Lou. He wanted to payback for letting him stay at my house for three weeks and for getting his Christmas gifts," I said.

"That can't be the only reason," he said.

"Yes it is. Harry give me my puppy!" I called out into the living room, shutting the door behind before walking away.

"She's the most fucking adorable puppy I've ever seen. I can't. Lou can we-," Louis cut Harry off.

"Cat or dog? Only one pet is allowed," Louis said.

"Not fair! I want both," he pouted.

"If you get a cat I'm not coming to your house with Pepper," I added.

"You guys are assholes," he mumbled, still holding Pepper.

"Okay give me my Pepper," I said, reaching out and taking my puppy back. She obviously curled into me and woofed a couple times.

"Okay before anything fucking happens, explain to me why all of the sudden you're buddy buddy with Niall?" Harry asked.

"Honestly even I don't know. Spending three weeks with someone under the same damn roof can bring two people closer. I guess we can tolerate each other now," I said with an annoyed roll of my eyes.

"Okay. Are you sure you're not like in love with him?" Harry asked and I almost dropped Pepper.

"What?! Holy fuck, no," I shook my head in disagreement.

"I don't know..." Harry trailed off.

"I would know, fool. How would I fall in love with someone I couldn't even tolerate two weeks back, you fucking idiot?" I asked.

"Love has no time limit babe," Louis said.

"Okay how about the two of you shut your mouths and tell me why you came here?" I said in frustration. Just because he was being nice doesn't mean he and I have something going on. Saying that only frustrates me.

Louis and Harry finally moved on from that cursed topic and talked about some plans they made for their wedding. I obviously listened to it all and gave my inputs wherever necessary. About three hours later the two finally decided to leave.

Once they left I noticed how restless Pepper was getting.

"You wanna go on walk, Pepper? Huh?" I asked, grabbing her collar. Niall had bought everything I'd need for a small pup like her and I can't imagine how expensive it would've been.