Bend The Rules• njh

28⌝ Guilt

Song of the Chapter- Guilty as Sin? by Taylor Swift

<Chapter 27 was updated a few days ago where it talks about Niall and Toni going back to his apartment after the airport. I suggest reading it for some extra content but is not necessary>

December 7, 2019 (I will only include date when important to story but this is to remind y'all of the time)

Toni Anderson

A rustling movement from next to me in bed managed to startle me out of my jet lagged state. Peering through heavy eyelids, unfamiliar shapes began to take place in my blurry vision. Not recognizing the room before me my heart rate begins to quicken. Where the hell was I? My question was soon answered and my memory came forth when an all familiar arm wrapped over my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Mornin' darling," a grumbled and sleepy voice emerged from behind my ear. A smile couldn't stop but etching it's way across my face as he squeezed me ever so slightly and nestled into the crook of my neck. Though waking up to Niall has been an unfamiliar occurrence, his presence and beautiful warmth served like a comfort I had been searching for my whole life. Well, at least for a little while now.

"Good morning you sleepy head," I spoke out to him, hushed as to not disturb the peace of this morning.

"Hm? 'M getting what now?"

It took me a second for my delayed brain to register what he said. And from his response it seemed like he had that same trouble... I would hope. "Noo," I chuckle out as I try to stretch out and push away from him but he envolpes me back against my will. "Just," a yawn interrupts me, "good morning."

I can feel his weight shift from behind me and after a pause Niall responds. "On second thought, it's a little too early for you my dear. I need to start my day but you darling," he pauses and ever so gently directs my chin with his thumb to turn towards him, "need to sleep as much as you can. Your flight took a lot out of you. More than you know right now."

Opening my eyes more, I finally get to see that face that circles my mind constantly. His blue eyes peering into mind, his head cocked to the side from his raised position and his hair tossled in a beautiful, effortlessly sleepy way. "Well," a yawn mistakenly escapes me again, "if you insist, then I will gladly head back to bed." My smile is still prominent from the second it registered who I was sleeping next to, and I can't even fathom what my life has become of right now. This jaw-droppingly handsome man, who is apparently shirtless right now, is laying next to me who is his girlfriend. Girlfriend. A small giggle slips through just at this thought and Niall's interest is piqued.

"What're you so happy about Ton," he questions out at me.

"You."

A small little chuckle leaves him. I know how cheesy it sounds but it is true. Just thinking about how my life has developed with Niall and how fortunate I am to be next to such a wonderful person like him is truly dumbfounding. I'm awestruck just by the thought of him and all that's happened in this short amount of time. It feels unreal.

"Well you don't need to think about me too much since I'm right here with ya," he takes his hand and softly adjusts the stray hairs that have cascaded over my face. "But you do need some more rest. Sleep in today because we have a busy week starting tomorrow."

He placed a kiss on my forehead, my tired eyes still managing to flutter and the butterflies manage to wake up within my stomach to take flight. His beauty in this moment is absolutely breathtaking, golden morning light filtering ever so slightly through his curtains, illuminating his features I've come to memorize. My hand reaches up to grasp the nape of his neck and I pull him into a kiss. He sinks down into it and after a second he breaks away to rest his forehead onto mine. "I know it's been a few days but oh how I've been missing your lips." He smiles against me and before I can try to get him back down, he begins to rise to exit the room. "Get some rest Toni," he softly calls out as he opens his bedroom door, gazing over at me with an expression of admiration and care. I situate myself back into my previous sleeping positing but this time taking note of the empty space next to me that is there. The empty space used to practically kill me, and now that I've gotten another taste of what having it filled felt like, I never want to go back.