SO LONG || NIALL HORAN || #Wattys2019

TEN

Songwriting had always been something Niall was passionate about.

Before he tried out for the X-Factor, he dreamed about selling out arenas and performing in front of thousands, who gathered together to hear the songs that he had written. He didn't know why he was chosen to live out his life goals, but remained incredibly grateful for the people and fans who gave him incredible overwhelming support over the years. He thanked them by pouring his heart and soul into every lyric and every music note, using his emotions as inspiration.

Writing a song wasn't always an easy task. Sometimes ideas are scrapped or tucked away for another day, and it's a long process of trial and error to see what clicked and what didn't. Sometimes you got lucky, like when he wrote Flicker. It only took him twenty minutes because he knew exactly how he felt about a situation and how the song needed to be written. That song was a rarity he treasured so much that it became the title of the album he, originally, didn't even plan on writing. Other tunes were struggles, such as Paper Houses, which took Niall a whole four weeks. That's why when the hiatus first started, he took a step back. He wanted the break to be exactly what it was...a break.

However, after a few months of traveling with Haleigh he started to miss it. He craved being on stage and hearing fans sing along with him as he played guitar. Everywhere he and Haleigh went, ideas popped in his head and he was thrilled he had actually written them down to later be turned into songs. He had never been more thankful for his journal until that moment where he decided he was going to pursue a solo career up till One Direction got back together.

The Flicker World Tour was something Niall always dreamed of doing, after all the songs were completely his and were performed by a band he himself put together- with added opinions. Unfortunately, the unforgettable experience was coming to a close very soon in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre. The musician wanted this show to be different from the rest, since it was the grand finale.

And he knew exactly what he wanted to do the minute he saw his muse.

They had woken up together, her head resting against his chest as she listened to the steady beating of his heart. Her beautiful brown eyes were still closed while her breaths came out even and relaxed, and a soft smile stretched her lips from the hums that her boyfriend was doing under his breath. Niall was gently twisting her brunette hair between his fingers, his other hand intertwined with hers. He still couldn't believe Haleigh was finally his girlfriend, after being her best friend for so long.

He was slightly worried in the beginning about their relationship, scared it might be awkward and confusing. However, it turned out to be the complete opposite. Nothing had changed between them at all; they still chattered consistently, laughed and pulled pranks. The only difference was that Niall held her a little closer at night, not afraid to press his lips against her skin as long as that's what she wanted. When they parted before the concerts to do their jobs, their stage ritual shifted from hugs into quick kisses which put both of them in brighter moods.

Everyone associated with the tour knew about the couple, seeing how much livelier their steps seemed to be. Their eyes shone brighter and their tones were more uplifted, and when either of them laughed every one nearby cracked a contagious grin. They wouldn't have been able to hide it from anyone if they tried.

Niall remembered what was going through his head the day the finally kissed; why had it taken them so long to confess their feelings? He replayed the question multiple times in his head as he laid beside her, eventually shortening it into a slight hum with a unique tune. That is when his gaze flickered over to his journal on the small table, sparking an idea that would guarantee the last show would be one he'd never forget.