euphoric (n.s. AU)

t h i r t e e n

so lots have been going on I'm sorry y'all but thanks for being patient aw and I'M ALMOST AT 3K WT F IBDOXJOSK THAMKSFBSO

*Harry's POV*

After I rid myself from my perverted thoughts, I take some time to help Niall collect himself. Gradually, he's calmed his erratic breathing.

"Are you good?" I ask him, patting his back. His face is hidden in his palms as a small hiccup slips past his lips every few seconds or so.

"Mhm." He mumbles, wiping his glossy eyes aggressively and looks up to catch my gaze. His cheeks are stained from his tears and his eyes are puffy and red.

"I'm sorry about Sean, Niall. I wish there was something I could do." I say, rubbing small circles into his back. He hums in agreement, stepping closer to me. I happily accept our new proximity, allowing him to stand so close that he could hear my pounding heart if he listened close enough. The overwhelming urge to hug him tight begins to cloud my thoughts, and I shake it away, breaking contact with him and finding my seat on the bed once again. He quickly follows suit, sitting right next to me - our thighs pressed together. My chest feels tight and my palms clammy, desperate to place them anywhere on Niall.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." He says, sniffling and letting out a sad laugh. I sigh and look down at him, while he looks up at me, our mutual gaze prompting me to get butterflies; a feeling I almost forgot was possible until I met him. I smile at him before giving him a few more reassuring pats on his back, removing my hand and placing it on his knee.

"Aw, that's alright. We'll find some way to get rid of him." I promise and he nods. My eyes flicker to the lip that is harshly pressed between his teeth, and I gulp. Images of my lips pressed to his make my heart flutter and an eruption of butterflies to occur in my stomach. He wasn't a bad looking kid, honestly. But I wouldn't date him. Not because I find him unattractive or I dislike him, but because I am simply not gay. His eyes meet mine again and he blushes under my gaze.

"What?" He asks, and I smile fondly at him, my eyes traveling all over the younger boy. He puts him hands over his face and giggles, making my cheeks redden. I guess I hadn't realized I was staring. My eyes flicker to his lips once more before shaking my head and clearing my throat.

"So, when do you think you'll try to break up with him?" I ask, looking him straight in the eye. His eyebrows furrow and he looks at me as if it were obvious.

"Well, not soon." He explains, shaking his head. His body visibly trembles at the mere thought of it. I raise an eyebrow.

"Well, when? We can't have you showing up late for much longer. I don't know how long I can put up with that." I tell him and his eyes widen. Of course, I can't use the excuse of him being late for much longer. In all honesty, the reason I get irritated at Niall's tardiness does not come from a professional standpoint; it comes from the fact that when he's late, we lose even more of our very limited time together. But Niall doesn't need to know that, and he never will.

"I-I don't know. I said I was scar-"

"So you're letting your childish fears get in the way of your future?" I ask, resting my chin on my hand. He looks flustered and I mentally coo. Taunting Niall has become one of my favorite pastimes; watching his fake become pink  with frustration is something that will be engraved in my brain for God knows how long.

"Well I mean, you don't know Sean, I can't really just-"

"Well, why not? It's not that hard, Niall. All you have to say is, "Sean, I don't think this is working out." Or something along the lines of that, and you're home free." I suggest and he rapidly shakes his head, looking at me like I'm stupid. I choose not to chuckle during this seemingly important moment; but it was hilarious.

"Are you crazy? I can't talk to him like that!" He scolds, shaking his small finger at me. I roll my eyes, grabbing his finger from my face and placing his hand back in his lap.

"He doesn't fucking own you Niall, how hard can it possibly be?" I say, annoyed. He shakes his head once again, letting out a deep sigh.

"You don't get it." He whispers, tears slowly forming in his eyes once again. I groan, hoping that we were past this. I don't like seeing this side of Niall, I like his silly carefree side much more.

"Not again," I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. A loud noise startles Niall and I and we both flinch away from it, his small frame shrinking in closer to mine.

"Hey love! I'm home." I hear someone say. Niall visibly tenses and lets out a shaky breath, standing up from his spot on the bed abruptly, and I catch myself missing the warmth he was providing.

"He's back." He whispers, barely audible.

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aw u guys make me so heart eyes I love all of u