The Air Between Us • NH

f o r t y t h r e e

Song: The Civil Wars - Sacred Heart

I remember promises in the name of love.

        "Say something," Liam spoke up, intrigued by her new revelation of being Italian. "What do you want me to say?" "Anything," he added quickly. He had been persistent towards her all night. Questioning and responding to her. He was trying to find something... figure something out about her.

        "Perché chiedi tante domande?" A smile spread across Zayn's face, he loved that she noticed Liam's persistence. He enjoyed a girl who actually observed. Flicking his cigarette, the ashes falling onto the wooden deck of Niall's patio. Jumping in to respond before Liam could even ask what she said. "Lo fa con ogni ragazza." She nodded, "Sente la necessità di proteggere?" A small smile to Zayn's lips appeared as he spoke to Grier. "In un certo senso, sì." She smiled back. "Mhm."

A puff of smoke floating into the air as Zayn finished off his cigarette. He watched the young girl with his best friend, a cute couple he thought. They complemented each other quite well. He hadn't seen his best friend so happy in a long time. "Hey." Smiling as Niall stood next to him, his hands folded against his chest and staring out into the night as did Zayn. "So, what do you think?" "The food was okay." Niall shoved his friend a bit, they laughed at his rude yet joking comment. "Well fxck, sorry your majesty." His smile bright, Zayn took notice and remembered to bring his feelings for this young girl up later. "Naw, you asshxles still know how to cook up a good meal." "Yeah, you fxckin' better appreciate."

...

Moving slowly inside, the dishes in the sink and the boys in the living room, having a drink or two, probably more as they had a right laugh at high school memories. Grier fit in, her giggles filling the space as Niall kept her close to his side. She went back and forth with Harry on future places to visit. Niall took the time to finish the dishes, knowing his "friend" was well taken care of. Zayn joined him a little later, staring at him, observing him. "Without sounding all girly, I sure did miss you mate." "Missed you too, Niall." Looking back into the living room, the lot of them laughing, enjoying themselves, he felt great. "I needed this," "needed to come home."

The biggest smile on Niall's face, "Good, c'mon, the night's just begun."