Angel on the Streets {shiall}

10

"Ah... I dunno. Umm... I mean, I could but I've said something about it already, haven't I?"

"Well yes, Shawn, of course but come on, we need more! There's been so many people saying it's deeply relatable when it comes to a lovers' heartbreak, they really do think that this was written for someone who was more than just a friend. I mean, you've probably seen some of the fanmade stuff with Niall here playing the part of yours."

"No, no, it's not anything like that. I didn't have feelings for Niall... He definitely didn't have any for me?" He laughed a bit but anyone could tell it wasn't cheerful. Shawn scratched the back of his neck and smiled when Niall gave his knee a small pat, then shook his head to get right back in the game. They were both on TV and had to pretend. He was sure that once they were out of there, he'd be faced with Niall's true feelings about all this. And he deserved it. "Yes. Well, I believe people should assume as they like. I won't stop them."

"Really? Even the Shiall Moran shippers? Some people say they must make you two uncomfortable."

"What? Come on, of course not! People have my full permission to write fanfics and draw fanart. It makes them happy and that's all I've ever really wanted to do with my music. Make people feel something, feel seen and comforted. So go right ahead. How about you, Niall? What do you think?"

Shawn was looking at him with those puppy dog eyes he could never quite resist, not that he ever planned on complaining in the first place. "Umm... Yeah, of course. I think it's kinda funny how much this blew up but Shawn's right. As long as it makes people happy... Though I suggest you stay careful mate, people can get really, really... descriptive."

Mate. The word still bothered him till now. He blinked a moment, replaying Niall's words in his head then frowned. "Oh? So?" Niall arched a brow until Shawn went slightly pink at the realisation. "Ohhhh."

"You're cute," he mumbled, ruffling his hair. "This Niall fellow... He really shouldn't have let you go like that."

"He didn't have a choice. And neither did I. You know how it is when you want someone to forget you and also want to forget them but also never, ever want that to happen? Like your brain is just..."

"Yeah. I know. I've had my own share of heartbreak... Platonic and romantic. So I get it. Honestly, I relate to that song a lot."

"Oh. Really?"

"Really. At my age, you'll understand your own lyrics even more than you already do now."

"I doubt that but thanks for basically calling me a baby in front of millions of people."

"Oh, you aren't a baby? Really? First I'm hearing of this." Shawn rolled his eyes but he was a leaning a little close, the excitement in his eyes from their banter making them shiny and round. It had been too long. Niall wanted to reach out and do something, anything to be closer but thankfully, James distracted them before he let himself and got Shawn dragged into more speculation.

"Ladies, gents, Shawn's given us his performance of his amazing single but what do you say we hear it from the man that got roped into all of this?"

"Wait, what? Really?" Shawn turned to Niall who shrugged. "You have an amazing voice. I mean, I can just feel it. Just really surprised you'd do this."

"Like I said before. I relate to the song, too. Don't be surprised if I upstage you."

"...I won't be." They locked eyes, then Niall got up, clearing his throat. Being near this man was too fucking hard. He took his position at the mark on stage and nodded to the band to signal he was ready, waving with a swift heartthrob wink to the camera that made Shawn clumsily avert his gaze.