Perfect to Me (Niam Horayne)

Liam was everything to me. He was as valuable as the air I breathe and my ability to be sane. I love him, but it took me too long to admit it.

It all started last Halloween. It should’ve been simple; sitting and watching horror films with my best friend. This was nothing out of the ordinary, and I didn’t know why I felt so fidgety as we settled in, our legs overlapping and a bowl of crisps beside each of us. As everyone knows, I don’t share my food.

By the end of the second film, I could tell I was more on edge than I normally would have been. My feet were trembling slightly and my focus was more on what the reaction of the boy beside me would be when he noticed than the actual film. I couldn’t have been scared. I’d never been scared of these films before, so there was no explanation for my sudden nerves.

As expected, a few minutes after the trembling began, Liam looked up at me. His eyebrows furrowed as he examined my face and body language. “What’s wrong, Nialler?” he murmured.

The knowledge that he cared enough to be concerned about me struck a bit of warmth into my heart. “I’ve got no clue. At least, no more than you do,” I replied with a frown.

“Are these too scary for you? I knew I shouldn’t have picked them. I was just thinking since it’s Halloween and all we should watch something spooky, but I forgot how sensitive you are, and-“

I had to cut off his rambling. “It’s fine, Li. It’s just a film; I can handle it.” His eyebrow arched up, as if daring me to take my statement back. “Okay, fine, maybe I am a bit scared. I don’t know of what,” I conceded.

Liam grinned at his success. “I knew it! Are you sure you don’t want to turn it off?”

“Yeah,” I sighed, not wanting to seem weak. I was an eighteen-year-old boy and I of course had my pride. “Let’s keep watching.”

However, a few minutes later my body betrayed me. Before I knew what I was doing I had wrapped my arms around Liam’s waist, huddling close to his side. I cringed back as I realized what I had done, but Liam just shook his head and smirked, pulling me closer until my body was halfway resting on his.

“My little baby Nialler,” he cooed teasingly as I batted at his hands, struggling to free myself from his hold.

I groaned before finally breaking away, falling back onto the opposite side of the couch. “I’m hungry,” I whined.

“And I knew that was coming at some point,” Liam chuckled. “It’s Halloween; why don’t you grab some candy?”

“That’s for trick-or-treaters, Li. I can’t just take their goods,” I argued.

“When has that ever stopped you in the past?”

His words triggered a faint blush in my pale cheeks. “I’m just trying to be more considerate is all. I’m not allowed to be a nice person?”

Liam smirked. “Face it, you’ve never been nice when it comes to food. It’s like there’s a hungry little monster in that stomach of yours,” he joked.

“Want this?” I asked, holding up my half-empty bowl of crisps.

Liam’s eyes went wide. “Are you serious? That’s some free crisps, Niall! I gave them to you!” I shrugged, hiding a pleased smile when he took the bowl and snagged a bite.

I didn’t know exactly what came over me, but in that moment I felt as if my universe depended on whether or not Liam believed I could be nice about sharing and receiving sweets. I suddenly had a brilliant idea, tugging his shoulder until he stood beside me.