Never Enough // NH au

1.6 in which Niall teases and Julianna sees god

warnings: NSFW please no readers under 18!!

Julianna was never one to play fair. It wasn't in her blood. Maybe it was her competitive side or maybe the more controlling side to have people at her mercy. Or maybe that was just the kind of lover she was.

It was the kind of lover Niall needed. He needed one to open him up, make him laugh, make him have fun even if it went against his very existence.

Julianna was just that. She was the free spirited, dance on the table with a glass of wine in her hand kind of lover. She was the, make Niall laugh until his lungs ached kind of lover. She was exactly the kind of lover he needed.

Niall wasn't sure if it was true, if he should trust himself. But Julianna put on the temptations, turning her record player up loud. The beginning notes of My Girl rang out making Niall laugh.

She pulled him off the sofa, setting her glass of wine down. Niall wrapped his arms around her, dancing around the tiny living room. Julianna was laughing as their feet stumbled and that's when Niall felt it. He wasn't sure of it, but then again there's not much he's ever been sure about. Niall could've sworn that he loved her.

All Niall could think about was how he never wanted this to end. He never wanted to say goodbye to Julianna despite how numbered their days were.

In just two weeks she'd be gone. Back to Dublin. Or Ireland. Or maybe Santa Monica. She didn't know yet. Wherever Margaret allowed her to go.

Niall knew he couldn't follow her. He couldn't hold her back or even attempt to tame her. Whatever Julianna felt about the impending situation, she'd never say, silencing Niall with a kiss if he'd brought it up.

It was a Tuesday when Niall was taken by surprise, rolling over in bed, hearing the chatter of voices in the living room. Julianna got him wine drunk again and took him to bed. She did in fact rough him up and he did enjoy it. Niall sat up, tugging his sweatshirt over his head. He found his pants on the floor, pulling them on.

It was nearly noon and he was disoriented and a bit thrown off to hear a voice that wasn't Julianna's. He walked into the kitchen, eyebrows furrowed.

Julianna was sitting at the table with a blonde woman who looked a bit older than her. They had coffee in their hands. Julianna was freshly showered in a pair of jeans and a sweater that he realized was his.

"Good morning," Julianna laughed. "I was beginning to think you'd never wake. This is Margaret, my publisher slash therapist slash agent."

"Hi," Niall chuckled, rubbing his head. "Sorry. Julianna kicked my ass last night."

"I'd expect nothing less," Margaret chuckled, looking over at Julianna who was more pleased with herself than she should have been.

"Some people can't handle their wine," Julianna shrugged, meeting Niall's eyes. She had a glint in her eyes that made Niall smile like there was an unspoken joke between them.

Niall walked around them, pulling a cup out of the cupboard. He filled his cup with coffee, tossing a little sugar in.

"Julianna and I were just discussing her deadline. It's coming up soon," Margaret told him.

"Hm yeah," Niall nodded, leaning against the counter. He took a sip of his coffee. He didn't allow Margaret's hard eyes to scare him. Julianna might have nice things to say but he knew, to her, Niall was the worst thing to happen.

"What did you say?" Margaret asked, looking over at Julianna. "Santa Monica?"

"I mentioned it," Julianna nodded. "I just need to go somewhere warm."