euphoric (n.s. AU)

s e v e n

FUCKING KMS YOU GUYS ARE SO GREAT I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I TRY TO UPDATE AS MJCJ AS POSSIBLR BUT THANK YALL SO MUCG FOR EVERTJFONGG ALMOST AT 1K READS IM SOBBIGM

*Harry's POV*

The loud music continuously graced through the room as Niall gently danced along with it while attending to his job. He usually seemed so quiet and timid other times, but the music made him happy. I take a mental note to play music more often. Once he sorts out all of the mail, he prances to my desk to announce it.

"All done! What should I do now?" He asks, a huge smile plastered across his face. I looked down and grinned to myself, subtly shaking my head.

"What classes you planning on taking in college? Maybe if I had an idea on that I could give you jobs that slightly relate to that so you can be more prepared." I explain. His face lights up at the mention of college.

"Well, I plan on majoring in computer science; as I'm sure you can already tell. But I'm not sure what classes I want to take. I've been thinking about a COMM class for sure, though." 

"A COMM class? Do you plan on having a lot of communication with people in your journey to be a software engineer?" I ask, mostly poking fun. I talk to a lot of people throughout my days of work, so it makes sense that's something he'd be interested in.

"I want to be a people person like I used to be." He whispers. I raise an eyebrow, watching his once happy demeanor change back to his usual shy one.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, before I met Sean I used to be really outgoing, but now I'm only used to being around him because that's the only person he allows me to see." He says before walking to the stereo and flickering through the channels until he selects one that's decent. My eyes trail over his now trembling frame - I can tell this conversation makes him uncomfortable. But if I plan on figuring out Niall any measure, it's important that I continue to pry him.

"Why does this "Sean" lad get to call all of the shots?" I ask. He turns to me and shrugs, looking at the floor beneath his feet.

"I have to listen or I'll get punished." He says before trembling and sitting on the top of my desk, swinging his feet gently to the music coming from the speakers.

"Sean's starting to sound more like father than a partner." I state. He looks at me, his once bright blue eyes seemingly dull now. I adjust myself in my seat, angling myself to mirror Niall's position. When I was in university, I learned that mirroring someone's actions and body language in social settings can make someone more comfortable opening up to you, and today seems like the perfect time to test that.

"Isn't that what love is supposed to be like though? I mean, that's what Sean's always told me. That I have to listen to him all of the time. Oh, like that one time I was late! I had to fight with Sean to let me come and then, oh, haha. I should probably stop rambling." He mumbles. I shake my head, leaning towards him to close the distance between us. He blinks a couple of times, saying nothing of our close proximity.

"No, please continue. I mean, if you'd like." I pry, and our eyes catch each others in an intense stare for a few moments; the florescent lighting around us acting as a spotlight right above Niall. He shifts in his position on my desk slightly, before breaking eye contact and looking out the large window behind me.

"Okay, well yeah. That's why I'm usually late. Its cause Sean really doesn't like my leaving the house, because he's convinced I'll leave him." He explains. I can only hope that that bruise on his face didn't come from Sean. I feel content with the amount of information I've gained already, deciding to turn my attention back towards the computer in front of me.

"Oh." I say, reading an email from Devon. He nods and giggles before opening his bottle of water and taking a drink. I can't help but notice the pit in the bottom of my stomach, feeling extremely guilty; I had misjudged Niall. I thought he was always late because he was an ordinary teenage delinquent, or because he wanted to seem that way, at least. He seems like a sweet kid.

"Yeah, but Sean is really sweet sometimes, like when I get home on time and when I tell him I love him. Because I do." He explains and I can't help but feel bad for him. Its obvious that he's stuck in a controlling relationship and cannot get out. Regardless, I'm still not very keen about the large mark on his face - assuming its from the wall like he told me.

"Well, at least he loves you, right?" I ask. He smiles and nods eagerly. As if on cue, his phone buzzes and he jumps, slightly startled from the sudden vibration occurring in his pocket. He laughs at himself before taking his phone out and looking at me for approval to answer. I nod my head curtly and he smiles in return and answers, his hands shaking slightly from the jump scare.

"Hello?" He says, walking to the stereo to turn it down. I can't make out what the other line is saying, but Niall looks displeased, his eyebrows furrowing in discontent. He waits patiently for the voice on the other end of the receiver to finish what they're saying before he replies.

"Oh, haha. But I'm actually pretty busy." He says into the phone, glancing at me. The voice on the other end was raised slightly, clearly not content with Niall's answer. I watch as Niall's body flinches under the harsh words; visibly shrinking. 

"Oh, um, well can't it wait?" He asks hopefully. He takes his bottom lip between his teeth, his free hand grabbing at the strings on his hoodie. His eyes suddenly become watery and he nods to the voice coming from the phone.

"Yeah, okay. That's fine." He mumbles, hanging up and shoving the phone back into his pocket. A deep breath escapes his lips before he speaks.

"Hey, uh, Mr. Styles?" He murmurs, slowly walking towards me. I look at him patiently, waiting for him to continue.

"I - I really have to go." He says barely over a whisper, his voice faltering. I nod, trying to understand; it was probably his mother. I feel slightly upset that he has to be dismissed early but I shake it away - the dull ache in my head preventing me from questioning further. However, I do enjoy his company, and his early departure has caused a strange feeling in my stomach to arise. He picks up his backpack from its position next to his chair, swinging it over his shoulder and sulking towards the door. I open my mouth to say something, but quickly decide against it. 

"Thank you, Mr. Styles. I'll see you tomorrow." He says, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. I think of how just a few moments ago, he was happily prancing around my office with a goofy grin plastered across his face. His demeanor has changed drastically since then, and I can't help but miss the foolish dancing.

"Tomorrow, Mr. Horan." I reply, smiling to myself after he shuts the door.

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love u all a lot (: