in which...

...y/n is deadly afraid of fireworks and harry knows just how to calm her down

In which Y/N is deadly afraid of fireworks and Harry knows just how to calm her down (New Years special)

Y/N has never really been one to resist under peer pressure.

It's something people usually notice about her fairly quick. She could never say no to someone, always trying to make people happy, even if that means putting herself in uncomfortable situations. Her heart is too big and she wants to just give, give, and give. And sometimes people can take advantage of that. Especially the ones closest to her.

That's why she could never deny Niall Horan, especially when he kept on nagging her for a long time. As Christmas had passed and New Year's Eve was right around the corner, she hoped to spend it at home, watching the countdown on the telly with her pupper Granger. But Niall had completely different plans for the two of them.

She loved him to death, really did, they'd been best friends ever since middle school, but sometimes he would coax her into doing things she really didn't wish to do and she hated that about him. Like that one time when they went on a late night stroll, stopping at the grocery store and he somehow made her go and flirt with the boy that was working that night at the check-out while he slipped a pack of Maltesers into his pocket, because, to quote, he was "broke and hungry as shit". He made sure to grab her one of those strawberry lollies she really loves as well, but that didn't help at all, only made her feel even guiltier.

Besides that, he would get her to join him at random house parties all the time. She really had no desire to go, but he always said he couldn't go without her, it wouldn't be the same not having her there; which would roughly translate to "I'm going to get absolutely pissed and I need someone to take me home and tuck me in." But she didn't really mind that part, that's what friends are for after all.

So when he came over on Christmas Eve to help her get everything ready for the small dinner party she was hosting the next day, she was not at all surprised when he asked about her New Years plans.

"Most likely just gonna sit on the couch and cuddle Granger in our matching Christmas sweaters." She shrugs, slumping on the kitchen counter while he's washing the dishes beside her.

"Can't believe you spent that much money to match a sweater with your dog." He shakes his head, going to grab for the dish soap. "Fucking nuts."

"Worth it." She nudges his shoulder with hers. "Why'd you ask?"

"Well, just wondering if you'd wanna maybe, by any chance, tag along to a party with me?" As soon as he saw her getting ready to roll her eyes, he spoke again. "Nothing too big! Just a couple o'friends, drinking some beers and having a good time. Why don't ya think about it?"

"Who's hosting?" She sighs, leaning her head against the cupboard and crossing her arms.

"Harry."

"Oh," her body seems to relax a bit at the familiar name, "don't know, we'll see."

"C'mon!" He whines, dropping the cutlery he had in his hands back in the sink, making Y/N hiss at him. "Y'know Harry, he's a good sport."

"Never said he wasn't," she shakes her head, grabbing the kitchen towel from the side and wiping the water Niall had splashed onto the counter, "just... y'know I'm not good in those types of situations." She shakes her head with a shrug. "Need my peace and quiet from time to time."

"Tell you what," he flicks his hand and splashes her right in the face, "you just think about it and if you do decide to tag along, I'll make sure to pay you back in some way."

"Does your way of paying me back perhaps consist of free Pizza Express for two months?" She wipes her forehead and chucks the towel in his face.

"One month." He puts a hand on his hip, making himself look even more like a housewife.