Towling off his hair, Niall regarded his reflection in the mirror with a sad, distant expression. Last night's beating had been a bad one. Angry cuts and bruises littered every inch of his pale, malnourished body, all in varying stages of healing. As he stared at himself, he felt ashamed and angry, not only with the man who claimed to love him, the man who did this to him, but also with himself, for letting it get this far, yet again. Niall ached. His body was sore, and, because he hasn't been able eat anything in the last few days...another one of Harry's cruel punishments, this time because he'd forgotten to do some laundry, he was feeling nauseated and incredibly weak.
I can't do this anymore.. The blonde thought to himself brokenly as he made his way out of the bathroom at last, unable to look at his own battered body for any longer. Slowly and painfully, Niall pulled on a pair of oversized grey sweat pants and an old Eagles jumper he'd owned for years. A yawn escaped his chapped lips, and without much thought, Niall threw himself onto the king sized bed located in the center of the bedroom. He breathed in the scent that lingered within the blankets, the scent of mint, laundry soap, and the same expensive cologne Harry had worn for years. The smell used to bring Niall comfort, but now it filled him woth nothing but longing and fear. Dread. Niall closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
Things weren't always the way they are now.
Harry hadn't always been a drunk, hadn't always been abusive towards Niall, in fact, when he'd first met Harry, he was quite the opposite of the man he had become.
As Niall lay alone on the bed, feeling beyond hurt, beyond broken, he tried with everything in him to return to that warm, happy time in his life.
~( three years before)~
"Are you sure this outfit is ok? Not too over the top? Or under?" Niall asked, turning away from his bathroom mirror to face his roommate with an unsure expression on his face.
Louis stood and took in his best friends appearance. The flushed blonde was teeming with nervous excitement, his crystal blue eyes alight and his normally calm and collected demeanor gone.
"I think your over thinking it." Louis responded, his tone one of amusement.
Niall scowled. "It's a first date Louis, it determines, like, everything. I am so not over thinking this."
"Ok, ok fine." Louis laughed, putting his hands up in defense. "Your not over thinking it. But honestly, you look great , and I am sure Harry will think the same ."
Niall nodded, and smiled gratefully. He was feeling slightly reassured knowing that his outfit og choice- a simple black pair of skinny jeans and a light blue plaid button down to match- was a good one for the occasion.
Just then, the door bell rang from downstairs, and Niall out of the room to go and answer it.
"Hey", the blonde breathed, heart hammering wildly within his chest, for Harry Styles was looking positively breathtaking standing outside his door, dressed in tight black skinny jeans and those golden boots he loved oh so much.
"Hey", the brunette replied, his voice low and just a little hoarse, as it always was. "You look lovely Ni, really you do. Absolutely beautiful "
Niall blushed deeply at that...he couldn't help it, Harry just had a way of making him feel good..like he was in high school all over again, dealing with his first crush. "You..you do too." Niall stuttered in reply, and Harry just smiled, taking his hand within his own larger one and pulling him out into the night air. "Come on love, I've got an unforgettable night planned for us."
~( Present Day)~
Niall gave a small smile remembering that night. Harry had been the perfect date, in every aspect. He hadn't yelled, hadn't hit him. Instead, Harry had kissed him gently on the beach, held him in a warm embrace, spoken in a low, sexy tone about foriegn beaches and cherry wine.
