✯ Zianourry ⏯ OneShots ✯

Not just snacks, is it? ⏯ N.H.

Niall Horan sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the clock. It was exactly 7:15 AM, and he needed to get up. But he couldn't. Not until he counted his breaths. Inhale, exhale, one. Inhale, exhale, two. This continued until he reached the count of twenty-five. Only then did he feel comfortable enough to move.

He stood up and walked to the bathroom, careful to step on every second tile. The first tile was forbidden; stepping on it brought about a wave of irrational anxiety. As he brushed his teeth, he counted the strokes, ensuring it was an even number each time.

Downstairs, the boys were already in the kitchen, their voices echoing through the halls of their shared mansion. Louis was flipping pancakes, Liam was setting the table, Harry was sipping coffee, and Zayn was scrolling through his phone.

"Niall, you're late again!" Louis called out as Niall entered the kitchen.

"Sorry, mate," Niall mumbled, trying to mask the unease that threatened to engulf him. He took a seat at the table, making sure to arrange the utensils in a symmetrical pattern before he could eat.

The others exchanged exasperated glances but said nothing. They were used to Niall's quirks, though they often found them puzzling.

As the day progressed, Niall's compulsions became more apparent. From organizing his wardrobe by colour to rearranging the cushions on the couch until they were perfectly aligned, everything had to be just right. But the boys, unaware of the torment that drove these behaviours, grew increasingly frustrated with what they perceived as Niall's idiosyncrasies.

One evening, after a particularly exhausting day of rehearsals, tensions reached a boiling point.

"Niall, can you please stop rearranging the snacks in the pantry?" Liam snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Niall froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't help it; the snacks had to be arranged in alphabetical order. It was the only way he could make sense of the chaos inside his head.

"I'm sorry, I just... I need it this way," Niall stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, it's bloody annoying!" Louis interjected, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Niall felt a surge of panic rising within him. He knew his behaviour was irrational, but he couldn't stop himself. He had tried to explain his struggles to the boys before, but they had dismissed it as him being overly particular.

"It's not just snacks, is it?" Harry asked, his tone softer now, his eyes filled with concern.

Niall hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He had kept his diagnosis hidden for so long, fearing the stigma and judgment that often accompanied mental illness.

"It's... it's everything," he finally admitted, his voice barely audible.

The room fell silent as the weight of Niall's confession hung in the air. The boys exchanged bewildered glances, realising for the first time the depth of Niall's suffering.

In the days that followed, the boys rallied around Niall, offering him their unwavering support and understanding. They researched OCD together, eager to learn more about Niall's condition and how they could help him cope.

They accompanied him to therapy sessions, holding his hand as he confronted his fears and learned to challenge his compulsions. And slowly, ever so slowly, Niall began to heal.

With the love and acceptance of his friends, Niall found the strength to face his demons head-on. He still struggled at times, but knowing that he wasn't alone made all the difference.

And as they stood on stage, bathed in the glow of the spotlight, Niall couldn't help but feel grateful for the five boys who had become his family. Together, they had weathered the storm, emerging stronger and more united than ever before.

For Niall Horan, the shadows of obsession no longer held sway over his life. And as he sang his heart out to thousands of adoring fans, he knew that he was finally free. Free to be himself, quirks and all.

And in that moment, surrounded by the people he loved most in the world, Niall Horan felt truly, undeniably, alive.