Breathe Me // n.horan au *Completed*

[11]

[11]

14th of November, 2014

Just as Aisling was told by the woman she calls mum, she threw a party for the people she knew to celebrate the engagement. I had helped her organize everything. From the snacks to the booze, I was by her side for the whole thing because I didn't need her to feel alone.

I stayed up until 4AM, hastily escorting the drunk group of girls to a cab that waited outside the door. We didn't stay up to clean up the mess because we were all very tired.

I woke up at 8:30AM, though, because I still had duties to fulfill as a worker here. I brushed my teeth and made my way downstairs. I went into the kitchen and found a garbage bag before I began to pick up the red plastic cups and empty bottles.

As I worked though the living room, Zayn walked in with sleep filled eyes.

"Hey, mate. Why are you up so early?" I asked, quietly.

"I knew you'd be up early and I couldn't let you clean up this mess yourself. So, here I am."

"You really didn't have to," I yawned, "but I'm glad you're here to give me some company." Zayn smiled and began to stack cups. I looked over at him and sighed. "So, are you excited about Yaser and Carol getting engaged?"

He shrugged, "Sure, of course I am. I just sort of wished he had discussed it with me. I mean, I did have a feeling but still."

"Totally understandable."

We continued to clean in silence but I heard him clear his throat. "Ni?" He whispered. I turned around at the sound of his small voice and saw tears forming in his eyes. "Ais doesn't want this wedding to happen, does she? Aisling doesn't want to start a new family because her dad was her family."

I felt my heart break as I stepped forward to give him a hug, "It's not that she doesn't want it to happen, Zayn. Her father died only nine months ago and she's just upset that Carol has found happiness so quickly after that. She's not ready to start fresh with a new family." I heard him let out a shaky breath and pull back. "But listen to me, Malik. Aisling loves you just as much as she would love her own brother. She will give you this perfect family that you've dreamt about because she cares about your feelings more than her own."

"She's too nice to me," he whispered, "just because I was bullied and a loser and have no friends."

"That isn't true, mate. She's nice to everyone. She can't see other people sad," I shrugged, "like myself, for example. I was a jock, sure, but girls didn't like me because I was ugly and would cry that they hooked up with me when they were drunk. Aisling looks passed your insecurities and does things for others for nothing in return." I patted his shoulder. "Even if she doesn't want this wedding to happen, she's going to let it because you, her brother, will be happy."

Zayn nodded and smiled at me, "Thanks, Niall. I really needed to hear that today."

"No worries, mate. I'm always here for you if you need to talk." I said, picking up the last few cups. "I'm going to practice my guitar until everyone else wakes up. You should probably go back to sleep."

"I will." He smiled.

I made my way up the stairs but collided with Aisling midway. She looked sad and tired but I didn't mention it. "Hey. Good morning. Why are you awake?"

She shrugged, "I had a weird feeling." Aisling and I walked up to the top of the steps and stood quietly. It would be a complete lie if I didn't say there wasn't any sexual tension between us. "Thank you for that, by the way."