Niall Imagines

Requested by Noora

Cool air, brilliant stars, and Niall were just what you needed at the moment. Being by his side, calmly ambling through the local park was like a mental stress-reliever for you. It had been so long since you had asked, but Niall was finally going to meet your parents.

You could see in his face that he was just as anxious as you, but every time you would ask about his nerves, he would look at you and say, “What nerves?” You knew that it was simply his best attempt to keep you calm about it, but you were still very antsy about the situation.

Your relationship with Niall was still fairly new, so you weren’t expecting any harsh questions from your parents. But that last pinch of doubt- that little piece of conscience that told you your parents were going to hate Niall was still rambling boldly in your mind.

Apparently, you had subconsciously gripped Niall’s hand tighter, causing him to let go, stop walking, and look at you. Immediately realizing it, you smiled sheepishly. “Sorry,” you breathed. “I’m just really nervous.”

Niall smiled and flicked his head towards the park bench. “C’mon, let’s go.” He grabbed your hand again and the two of you walked over to the lonely furniture, sitting on its brisk surface and enjoying the serene rustling that the overhead tree provided. “Why are you so nervous, Noora?”

"I don’t know…" you answered truthfully. "It’s just natural, isn’t it?"

"I guess, but, I also think we should be extremely happy right now- bouncing off the walls."

You couldn’t help but to smile at his optimistic enthusiasm. But at the same time, you cocked your head questioningly and awaited his explanation.

"You should be proud, Noora…"

"I am!" you said quickly. "I really am, Niall. I just… What if they don’t like you. I can’t-"

"Hush, hush, hush. Don’t think like that, princess." Your boyfriend looped an arm around your shoulders and pulled you closer into his side. Automatically, you placed your head over his shoulder. "I don’t know why they wouldn’t like me. From what you told me, they seem like great people. We should be fine."

"I’m glad I have you, Ni." You were really grateful. He was so sweet, gentle, caring, and he truly did care about you. It seemed like you were his world. With such mellow thoughts floating in your head, you did feel as though you should be proud.

"I’m glad I have you," he said with a gentle smile. It was touching, though you sensed that something was off when he said it. His blue eyes weren’t sparkling as they normally did. In fact, he sounded merely monotoned when he said it.

"Niall, is there something wrong."

He averted his eyes quickly. “It’s nothing.”

"Niall…" you implored as you picked your head off his shoulder. He was avoiding your gaze again, shifting on the bench and turning away. It was frustrating because you knew that he knew that you sensed there was something wrong. He was blushing wildly. “Please tell me…”

"I’m afraid to. What if you don’t like me after this?"

A smile graced your lips prior to you placing a hand on his cheek and forcing his eyes to connect with yours. “Hush. Don’t think like that, babe.” Your words caused him to turn an even brighter color and a smile to dominate his face as well. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

"Noora… I want you to be proud of us. Because I’m proud of us. And if I wasn’t so shy, it would probably be easier for me to tell you- and the world- that… I love you."

As if from the effect of shock, your mouth went agape and your hand dropped lifelessly from his face.

It was the first time that you heard those three words come from someone you loved so strongly. Someone you loved. He knew that didn’t he? That you loved him, and that the three words he was so afraid to say to you wouldn’t do anything but make you love him more.