The frigid air bit harshly at Niall's cheeks, only spurring his irritation as he shoveled the dusting of snow from the driveway, and, judging from the numbness now spreading along whatever flesh was left exposed to the harsh winter wind, he knew there'd be red splotches forming on his pale skin soon.
He shouldn't have been there, in cold, dreary London, where the weatherman, much to Niall's dismay, predicted that there would be another round of snow arriving later in the day.
Niall was cold and annoyed because he shouldn't be there, he should be on a private beach in the Bahamas that Louis had been boasting about two months ago.
Niall knew it's absolutely ridiculous to spend an excessive amount money to rent a private island for a weekend-possibly a week-but he couldn't help himself when he opened up the island's webpage, eyes widening at the breathtaking views the photos exhibited. And he couldn't help dialing the number located conveniently at the bottom of the page, his curiosity getting the best of him. Louis had spent his honeymoon on the exquisite island.
When he'd returned, he divulged that it was the best holiday he'd ever been on. Paradise, he called it. That's what Niall wanted: paradise.
Truth be told, he was exhausted. This time around, the tour had taken a toll on him, both mentally and physically. His bad knee had been bothering him towards the end of the American leg of the tour, and he really needed a break because he hadn't completely finished rehabilitation after surgery before he resumed his job of performing all around the world with the boys.
Except when he'd brought up the idea of holiday at a private island-because honestly, Innocence Island was the closest thing to paradise one will ever be able to experience, in Niall's humble opinion, of course-Y/N had flatly refused.
"I wanted to have a nice get together at home," she'd said, her thumbs grazing lightly along Niall's cheekbone. "With all our friends and everything, you know?"
"Baby, please?" Niall had tried everything, pouty lips, puppy eyes, the whole deal.
Except Y/N wouldn't budge.
"Sorry," she'd say instead.
"We'll plan a proper vacation after the holidays, okay? I promise." And she'd said it with such an apologetic and sincere smile that Niall had no choice but to give in.
Now, Niall was stuck shoveling about a foot of snow from his driveway, and his cheeks were numb, his teeth were chattering, and he found himself wondering when he'd come to despise the cold.
Eventually, he decided that the driveway was as clean as it was going to get what with the falling snow, and it was enough so that his car would be able to exit with ease if need be, so he simply shrugged his shoulders and returned to the warmth of his home. He placed the shovel behind the door and shrugged his coat off, instantly gravitating towards the smell of various delicacies being prepared in the kitchen.
Y/N was standing in front of the pantry, debating between two boxes of pasta. When she spotted Niall lingering by the doorway, she smiled, holding up the boxes for his opinion.
"Penne or ziti?" she asked.
Niall huffed out a laugh, moving over to wrap his arms around her to warm up in her body heat.
"Is there a difference?"
He didn't need to pull back to know she was giving him a look.
"Yes, Niall. There is a difference. Just pick."
He considered it for a moment before going with penne, and she peppered a series of kisses along his jawline before shrugging out of his hold, babbling on about what she's going to cook and what she needed Niall to do.
