Bend The Rules• njh

27⌝ Comfortable (Updated in 2024)

Song of the Chapter- To Begin Again by Ingrid Michaelson & ZAYN (probably will change)

<Previous life update from 2021 is still there. 2024 update blurb is at the bottom. I thought I had added the additional part years ago but I guess I never did>

Toni Anderson
"You what" Niall says as he comforts me, kissing the top of my head.

"I love it."

"You do." Niall can't seem to grasp onto the concept of my words, searching me for reassurance as if my tears were a cover up.

"Yes. You turned something so dark and ugly and made it beautiful," I couldn't help but to etch a smile across my face, the song still fresh and new to me, new to life's special moments. But this moment of celebration was cut short by my overthinking mind, reality trying to set in, "Well, maybe."

"Whatta you mean Ton?"

I stutter off, realizing I should've just shoved down my emotions for one goddamn time, "I mean, I shouldn't have said anything." Wiping my eyes as I distance myself a bit from Niall, I desperately play it off, "Why am I even emotional it's not for me, or even about me."

"What makes you think that," he questions at me, lifting my chin up from my stare at the ground. Man, his eyes sure can sway me.

"I, just that, I don't deserve that," sighing out trying to move my gaze from him but his thumb takes my chin once more. " You wouldn't do something like that for me. Not in a bad way, I just don't deserve a song like that, something as beautiful as that." Tears swell even more in my eyes, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's because I haven't had this many feelings alive for someone in a while? Maybe it's the fact someone cares about me?

Niall grabs my face in his hands and looks down at me, his blue eyes glistening at mine, "Toni. Don't ever say that. You deserve every beautiful thing ever. You deserve more than the world. Every single star in the universe, it has your name on it. Every eclipse shines just for you. Every planet is useless without you on it, giving it life. You deserve it all. And I hope that my measly song could help show you that. Because I feel like I can never, ever explain to you how truly amazing you are for everything."

"You mean it."

"Every word. You're a beautiful flower, too good for this world, and one that's been through too much." Niall envelops me into a hug, his arms digging to me, and I feel comfort, comfort that I've felt the night of the anniversary.

I chuckle out into his shoulder, realizing how crazy I must seem, "You're gonna make me cry even more."

"Well it's the truth darling." He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear and kisses my head. "Now c'mon, we gotta make sure no one made off with your luggage."

He wraps his arm around my shoulder and I reach my hand up to his and intertwine our fingers. Every time we're apart, even for the shortest time, I grow more attached to him and long for his company. It's nice to feel that feeling again. Hopefully this time, it won't end. I smile at the thoughts, to which Niall speaks up, as he grins down, "What're you smiling about?"

I shake my head and see my suitcases ahead and grab them, breaking mine and Niall's contact, "Just thinking."

"About what," he looks down at me, a prominent grin laid across his face.

I pop up the handles on my suitcases and pull them with me, "You."

A huge grin crosses his sleepy face, "You're too sweet, lets get you back to the flat, I can tell you're tired." His hand reaches out for mine and we hold hands again, them fitting perfectly together.