The Internship

Chapter Five: Trade Mistakes

When Marcel finally wakes up, his first thoughts are getting something into his severely hungover body.

After looking up how to nurse a hangover (because it's not like he's had one of these in ages and he wants to make sure he does it right) he just makes himself some toast and coffee. Because nothing says put-together, like breakfast at four pm.

Marcel's not normally like this but he doesn't feel good and Niall's involved and he's not himself around Niall so obviously this happened.

Then he remembers he had to work today and he's probably lost his internship but that's okay because at least it means not having to make a fool of himself in front of Niall again and he can always find another place to intern. If that fails he can always work at Starbucks because he's gotten pretty good at making other people coffee.

Then he remembers how Niall visited him this morning and he wishes that he could come back because he needs someone to take care of him.

Marcel's never been good on his own. He needs someone to take care of him (as much as he hates to admit it). His mum would always make him soup when he was feeling poorly, or hold back his hair while he threw up.

It kind of dawns on Marcel that he is infact alone now, and he just wants Niall even more. Even if he's forced into things he doesn't wanna do, even if he constantly makes a fool of himself and can't control his actions. He just /needs/ someone.

He makes a note never to drink again because he thinks too much when he's been drinking and he over-thinks enough already. (He writes a literal note and sticks it on his fridge so he won't forget)

And then he remembers that someone left him a note on his side-table, so he shuffles back over to his bedroom with his coffee because his bed is comfier than the couch and he was probably going to fall asleep anyway.

His fingers tremble as he reaches for the note which is silly because he knows who it's from before he even reads what's inside.

The writings messy and he swears he can hear Niall's accent as he reads it.

'Marcel,

I'm sorry you feel that way.. I don't wanna make you feel uncomfortable or something. I'll, uh, I'll leave you alone from now on. Here's your money, I was paying for the drinks anyway.

-Niall'

Underneath is a number and Marcel figures it's Niall's. He doesn't know why he put it there but he's so lonely. But Niall's no good for him so he puts the note in the garbage and tries to fall asleep.

Before he can properly doze off he has to dig the note out of the trash and he mentally curses himself for being so bloody weak.

-

Marcel dreads going to work again because that means Niall's there and he isn't ready to talk about what he said and way he said it, and just /everything/.

He's also dreading what Harvey will say because he was so angry last time Marcel didn't show up for work even though he doesn't do anything but to him it's "an opportunity" and "does he realize how lucky he is?" And of course Marcel can't say anything because so he just nods and mumbles sorry before leaving.

He's afraid he's going to have an anxiety attack when he steps into the office. To make matters worse Veronica tells him he's wanted in Harvey's office right away.

Marcel knocks before entering.

"Y-you wanted to see me?"

"Marcel! I trust you're feeling better?"

"S-sorry?"

"Niall said you were feeling ill yesterday, that's why you weren't here. You're feeling better?"

"Yeah, m-much better, thanks."

As much as he doesn't want to like Niall, he's grateful that he covered for him.

"He should be with Leeroy, if you wanna find him."

Before Marcel can ask why he'd wanna find him, he standing outside the office and he swears that Harvey must have a teleport in there because /how/ can that happen?

Before he can find where Leeroy is, one of the music producers wants a coffee so he's off to the kitchen. It's probably for the best because it's not as if he wants to see Niall right now. Well he does, but he's just going to mess it up so it's a good thing he doesn't have the chance.

He just hopes Niall doesn't completely hate him after yesterday. (But he covered for him so that's a good sign)

He's almost done making the coffee when, surprise surprise, Niall walks in.

Marcel doesn't say anything, because what should he say? 'Hi I got your note and I don't want you to leave me alone but I'm too awkward to say so but I hope you'll love me anyway'

Niall opens the fridge, looking for who knows what. There's never any good food in there.

Marcel coughs. "Um. Thanks for covering for me yesterday."

Niall's head is inside the fridge, and he can hear a thump before he replies. "'s no problem. My fault you were drunk anyway, yeah?"

Neither one say anything after that, so Marcel gets up to leave. He's said thank-you and now he doesn't owe Niall anything.

"Marcel, wait."

Marcel turns around, surprised that Niall wants him to stay.

"I, erm. I wanna tell you why I left."

Niall takes a deep breath and then continues. "You remember the day we went shopping, yeah? And then I left all suddenly?"

Marcel nods but he doubts that Niall sees because he's in his own little world.

"Well I got a text from me mate Josh saying he was in town for /one night only/ and that I better come and see him because I hadn't seem him in ages. And I just couldn't leave him hangin' because he's me best mate so I left yeah? and as soon as I saw him he was all 'you've met someone haven't ya?' and he wouldn't let it go until I said that I'd met someone."

Marcel tries not to be upset because of course Niall's met someone but he still doesn't understand what that has to do with him.

"So he kept on pressing for details so I told him everything. About this guy I met at me dad's work and how he's just so adorable and innocent and not like anyone I've ever met before. So Josh was all 'why don't you ask him out ya nob?' so I told him he was straight. The guy I liked was straight. and he said that was rough but was I really sure he was straight? and I just nodded so he changed the subject. then we started talkin' bout the derby and that was the end of that. But I was still thinking about that boy. And I realized I needed to get away because crushing on a straight boy is so /hard/. It doesn't matter what you do he'll always crush on a girl and you can't change that. So I got away for a while. All because of a boy. And then I realized how /stupid/ that was so I came back to tell you but then you got mad and I realized that once again I fucked everything up."

Niall takes a breath and sighs.

"So now that's off my chest, I'll leave you alone yeah?"

"Niall, I.. I don't understand? What does this have to do with me?"

"Marcel, the boy is /you/."

Marcel's absolutely speechless because 'doesn't Niall know he's gay?' I mean, he's never actually /come out/ to anyone, but he's never had a girlfriend.

"Niall I-"

But Niall's already gone.