euphoric (n.s. AU)

t w e l v e

I've been a sad nut sac recently sigh but I am happy now so hello

*Harry's POV*

For the rest of the day, I was contemplating if it would be a good idea to text Niall. I only wanted to text him if something work related came up, so it didn't seem like I actually wanted to talk to him. I sighed, and pulled up his number and proposed a message.

me // Hello Niall, we'll have to discuss your reasoning for continuously being late.

me // In person.

I sighed and awaited his reply. I see him everyday, there is no reason for my sudden nervousness about talking to Niall. My phone vibrates, and I bite my lip. He replied fairly quickly, he must not do much.

niall // okay sure but when

That actually never crossed my mind. When?

me // Whenever you are available. xx

niall // i am now if you are

me // Okay, do you want me to come to you or?

niall // come to me if that's okay haha I kinda can't leave

Afterwards, we discussed his address and I was on my way. I was grateful that he didn't live too far. I was honestly nervous and I didn't understand why, he is just an intern. A coworker. Nothing more, nothing less. I rolled my eyes at my over thinking and turned up the radio in attempt to rid my thoughts. The song that Niall had listened to the other day was playing, and I was going to change it before I remembered how happy Niall looked while dancing along to it. I smiled to myself imagining the small boy dancing around my office.

Once I pulled up to Niall's home, I parked the car and took a deep breath before stepping out and locking my door. He lived in an apartment complex, they weren't too bad. But they definitely weren't great either. I checked my phone and looked for the message where he had given me his apartment number, and I sigh before making my way to number 322.

Once I reach the door, I take another deep breath and slowly let it out before straightening my attire and knocking. A few minutes pass by before Niall opens the door, wearing black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. My heart slightly fluttered when he sent me a welcoming smile.

"Hi." He blushed before stepping out of the way to let me in. I smiled back at him before walking in and looking around. It was nice and homely, it wasn't too big or too small. He closes the door and sits on the couch and gestures to the other couch and I not before sitting across from him. A few minutes pass with me staring at him and him fiddling with his fingers. I clear my throat.

"Okay well, Niall, I assume that you're aware of my displeasure towards your tardiness?" I start, and he looks down again and sighs.

"Yeah, I know." He whispers.

"Would you care to explain why you're late most of the time?" I ask again, softening my voice, attempting to make him feel comfortable. His eyes widen slightly before letting out a shaky breath.

"Well, that's kinda part of the reason why I want to break up with Zayn." He mumbles. I furrow my eyebrows and nod, signalling him to continue.

"Haha, funny story. So, Zayn gets upset when I have to leave, like, anywhere. Like to school, or the store, or like work, or whatever. He feels like I'll leave him? Haha. I don't know. And when I leave without telling him or stay out longer than he says I can, then, haha." He says, and I can't help but feel sympathetic.

"So, "Zayn" or whatever, is the reason you're late?" I ask, and he nods, pressing his lips in a thin line. I purse my lips sigh through my nose.

"So why don't you break up with him?"

"Scared." He answers simply.

"Why are you scared?" I ask, trying to confirm my suspicions. He bites his lip.

"Well, you are my friend, right?" He asks and I give him a look before nodding.

"He'll punish me, I told you." He whispers. I close my eyes and sigh. He shakes his head and gets up from the couch and walks into a room, and I wait a minute before following. He is sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. I sit next to him and gently pat his back. I eye my surroundings before my eyes land on the bed. Images of what actions could have taken place on this bed flood my mind and I shut my eyes and sigh.

"What if he hurts me?" He asks, his voice shaking. My heart breaking a little.

"Niall, he wont-"

"What makes you think he won't? He's done it before, he'll do it again! Jesus Christ, what was I thinking? I can't leave him. He'll kill me!" Niall rambles, standing up and pacing.

"Niall calm down, nothing of the sort-"

"No, you don't understand. It will fucking happen and oh my god-" I cut him off by grabbing his arms and using them to pull him closer to me.

"Niall! Listen to me. That won't happen, I promise you." I say and he lets out a choked sob.

"You're hurting me." He says, barely over a whisper. I glance down at my hands tightly wrapped around his pale wrists and apologize before letting go. He looks at his wrists and gasps. I look over to see what he's in awe over, and it seems that I have left dark red finger prints on his skin.

"Niall, I am so-"

"Do that again." He whispers, holding his wrists out to me. I furrow my eyebrows and shake my head.

"What? Why?" I ask, but he rolls his eyes and puts his wrists closer to me.

"Just do it." He says before rolling his eyes.

"Okay." I answer and take his wrists in my hands and gently squeeze, and he urges me to squeeze harder. I do and he whimpers, causing me to let go.

"It looks cool." He says, examining his red tinted skin. I nod slightly, looking at the marks I had left on him, wishing that I could had marked him in a different way.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

sorry for the long wait ily