Code Black (N.S)

25.

Niall's POV

I kind of hated being alone with my mother, particularly once she had discovered that mine and Harry's friendship was growing. She continuously acted as if I had just told her that I was dating him, even though that couldn't be further from the truth. 

Perhaps she was just tired of seeing me on my own. Maybe she was excited that I was finally putting myself out there. I know that she wasn't the only person that wished I had a love life but it was getting ridiculous. 

I continued to deny it, hoping that she would leave me alone about it but I had never been the greatest liar so she could basically tell that I was lying before I had even said anything.

After awkwardly telling her that Harry wasn't interested in me because he liked girls, I excused myself and headed into my room to do my homework. 

~

I was in the midst of doing my homework when I heard my door open. Before I had the chance to look up and see who it was, I felt a pair of arms around my waist. I would have been scared, if it weren't for the familiar scent that I knew belonged to Harry.

"Hey, angel," Harry whispered in my ear.

I looked up to see his face and I gasped when I took in his appearance, seeing the left side of his face was bruised particularly badly. Although it looked particularly painful, he didn't seem to notice it. 

"What h-happened to you?" I asked, my eyes not leaving his face.

"Not you too. I already had to deal with your mum's questions," he groaned.

"Well, you've been hit in the fucking face, I-I'd be concerned if no one said anything," I replied, still staring at him with shock.

"It was nothing, just a small disagreement. I'm fine, I've been in worse than this," he said dismissively, as if that made it okay.

"Harry, s-seriously. What happened?" I asked him sternly, though truthfully, I didn't really want to hear his answer.

"I got into a small fight with Tyler. It wasn't anything serious," he assured me calmly, seeming undisturbed by the marks on his face.

I sighed and shook my head. Tyler was an arse but that didn't mean I was going to congratulate Harry for doing what he did.

"Why did you do that?" I asked. 

He looked away from me for a second, as though he was ashamed on how I would react. 

"He was just being a dick," he breathed out, not sounding too sure of his excuse.

I didn't exactly believe him. He seemed to be refraining himself from telling me something but I wasn't going to pry when he made it clear he didn't want me to know, so I let it go.

He smiled and hugged me again, his face was buried in my neck.

"You're really a-affectionate today," I commented.

I wasn't going to complain.

He shrugged silently but didn't reply. I could faintly feel his grip tighten slightly around my waist.

I turned my body slightly to face him, raising my hand and gently stroked my thumb across the bruise on his jaw. He flinched a little bit as I came into contact with the sensitive skin but smiled softly at me.

"If you think I look bad, you should see what I did to Tyler," he chuckled, seeming rather proud of whatever he had done.

I moved my hand away and rolled my eyes, rather amazed at just how cheerful he was acting right after getting into a fight.