Angel on the Streets {shiall}

9

It wasn't merely how amazing the song was that had caused all the traction. See, after singing his heart out, Shawn ended the video with a hung head and whispered, "fuck you, Niall... Sorry."

Unfortunately for him, the Tiktok word predictor got the name exactly right and so the people started to ask themselves who this Niall was. Half of them assumed he was gay while the other half argued he was straight and there were constant fights in the comments. Then someone had started the joke saying he was probably talking about Niall Horan since he was the first face they got on the net after searching for the unique name. Now that comment and all the ones copying it mentioning Niall had blown up. The people made them a freaking ship name for goodness' sake! Shiall. It sounded kind of familiar...

Every time he saw one of those comments, he'd toss around in his bed and Camila found it funny because these people had no idea they were hitting the nail right on the head. The 'Shiall Moran' ship got so viral in the few weeks the song was up that when Shawn anxiously searched it, he saw there was already fanfics and edits of them, some joking some serious. He was beyond terrified, despite his manager reminding him that this was good for his career and just tried to hold onto hope that Niall hadn't seen a thing.

Niall had. Of course, he had. The question was, who hadn't? People started some video trends with the song and he'd ended up searching for the original, just knowing it was Shawn's voice. And he thought the song was beautiful. He was blown away by how beautiful it was. Which is why it made no sense that something so deep and moving could possibly have been addressed to him. Maybe he'd met another Niall but how common was a name like his, especially in the US. Also, how likely was it that his somewhat socially anxious Shawn had made another friend in the weeks he'd been gone?

He smiled a bit, scolding himself for thinking about him. If not for the stupid song going around everywhere, maybe it would have been easier. He preferred when he could think of Shawn as some guy who had forgotten about him. It was simple and straightforward. But this song was confusing him and Niall hated feeling that way, despite the fact that it was how he'd felt most of the time throughout his life.

Being with Shawn was pretty simple. They liked each other's company and that was that, at least that's how Niall saw it. But now that he was back home, he'd already felt that peace slip through his grasp as his friends, family and manager made life hectic all over again. He just wanted Shawn there to calm him. He didn't even want an explanation, he just wanted a fucking hug. He was pathetic. How did he manage to get so attached?

He went downstairs, only to hear muffled talking. Great. Someone was in his house. It was probably not a break-in since he'd foolishly given the people he cared about keys to let themselves in whenever they needed him. That decision had turned out to be a blessing and a curse and today, as he opened the door to find his best buds standing there, it seemed it was the latter.

"Hello there, Ni-ni!" Harry squeezed him in a hug. Niall hugged him back as hard, knowing they'd all missed his weird ass while he was away. What he didn't know was they were still missing him.

He hadn't been the same since he came back from the States. It's almost like a piece of him had been left there and after Shawn's song went viral, they all knew why with total certainty. Niall had made it clear when the song first went viral some days back that he didn't want to talk about it though, electing to stay silent while they all gossiped about it right in front of him. Their conversation went on until Shawn's name slipped in once again and Niall rolled his eyes at them all, going to the kitchen.

"Guys, we probably shouldn't bring this up anymore," Liam started. Niall nodded in agreement until he finished his sentence. "Niall must be really heartbroken right now. I know we want to push him to talk about things but this will only hurt him. He's so stubborn."