Combined from the prompt from the ask and a different prompt :) LONG ONE FOR THE RETURN OF THE ONESHOTS :)
Niall hesitantly left his bedroom and made his way down the stairs, still in his pajamas. He could hear his father angrily speaking to someone over the phone, pacing around the kitchen area worriedly. Just from this, Niall could tell that today would be an off-day.
Most Saturday mornings, he and his father would make pancakes and then watch cartoons till his father would eventually have to leave for work. Ever since Niall’s mother died, it had become a routine that neither participant could shake despite Niall turning 16 recently and his father being an absolute workaholic.
But, Niall could tell already that today would be one of those rare days when his father absolutely had to go into work. He could tell because he could hear his father trying to quietly tell off one of his employees and convince whoever it was that they wouldn’t need their chief of police for at least another hour.
“Fine.” He heard his father grit out. “I’ll be there in twenty.” He sighed heavily. Niall mirrored the expression, walking into the kitchen with a tight smile. When his father noticed his presence, the older man shook his head, grumbling an apology.
Liam Payne has always tried really hard to be the best he could. Usually people would refer to him as ambitious or over-zealous– but those people only knew his work life. If they thought he was a tedious police chief then they wouldn’t even want to hear about his parenting skills. Liam wanted nothing but the best for his son, like any respectable father, and ever since his wife had died, Liam knew that he would have to step it up.
Danielle had been lovely towards Niall, the two always had a connection that Liam could never forge or understand completely. Even when Danielle was around, Liam didn’t get to see her interact with Niall much. Because Liam worked from early in the morning to late at night, Liam only got to see Niall during the weekends, and usually then Danielle would leave them be, let them have their alone time. When Danielle died, the only thing Liam and Niall knew how to do was watch cartoons and have fun. Liam didn’t know how to say ‘no’, or cry in front of his child. He didn’t know how to make the right choices medically and educationally for Niall. Danielle had done so much more than Liam could’ve ever imagined, and when he was forced to deal with not only the death of his wife but also a grieving child and so, so much responsibility that he never even knew about– Liam couldn’t handle it. It took months for him to heal- months to learn how to get out of bed and make a breakfast and lunch for Niall. He had to learn how to set up a babysitter for when he couldn’t get time off of work. He learned how to comfort his son and how to interact with a side of Niall that he had never seen before.
It took time and tears but finally, the two of them learned to work together. By now, it’s been six years since the death of Niall’s mother but the two are somehow still alive and well. Except for the fact that Liam still probably works too much– but Niall never complains so, it should be fine.
Liam gives his son a guilty look. “Ni…”
Niall waits for his father to continue, but once it’s clear of what Liam wants to hear, Niall bites back a frustrated noise. “It’s alright, dad.” He says, hoping he sounds somewhat convincing.
He must, or maybe his father is really that oblivious, because Liam perks up completely. “Good, then. I still made you pancakes, they’re right over there, yeah?” Liam says, walking away from the kitchen and his son. When he doesn’t hear a response, he looks back. Heart cracking a bit as he sees the obviously unhappy look on his son’s face. He walks back dutifully and hugs Niall close, kissing his forehead and whispering another apology before walking out the door and towards his squad car.
Niall sighs, wanting to punch himself for feeling so upset about his father missing cartoon day. He’s sixteen for goodness sakes. Enthused, Niall makes his way towards his bedroom, getting dressed and then fixing up his hair in the mirror. He then makes his way to his cellphone, typing out a quick text to Harry.
hey, my dad just left 4 work, do u wanna come over?
Completely unlike Harry, he doesn’t respond. For the fifteen minutes that Niall waits, his heart aches because he has a feeling that Harry is the reason that his father is missing cartoon Saturday. With another heavy sigh, he dials up Louis instead.
Harry isn’t a very friendly person. He doesn’t kick puppies or yell at children or anything, but he definitely isn’t a nice type of person. He gets a bit too angry too quickly and gets in one too many fights during the school year, but he knows that officer Payne loves him. Even with the extra growl in his voice today, that man definitely loves him.
The gruff chief of police gives Harry another glare and okay, maybe the officer doesn’t love him as much as he thought. ‘At least your son loves me.’ is what Harry would say, if he wanted to spend a night in that jail cell over there.
“Harry, why do we always find ourselves in this position?” Officer Payne asks, his voice annoyed and low as he leans back in his chair.
Harry shrugs. “I think your officers have some vendetta against me or something.” He says, a bit of truth behind that statement. The officers are always following him around. It makes sense, sure, but it still pisses Harry off.
“Oh yeah? It wouldn’t have anything to do with the spray paint all over Amelie’s Bakery, now would it?” The police chief muttered sarcastically.
Once again, Harry just shrugs. “It looked pretty sick though, didn’t it?” He says uninterested, referring to his drawing of a lilac flower that now scars the lovely brick wall of the small bakery in town. Does Officer Payne know that the lilac flower is his son’s favorite type?
Officer Payne isn’t impressed. He simply gets up, instructing the teenager. “You know the drill, Harry. Go get your buddies out there, clean that shit off of the wall and then pray that next time, Heather will just press charges instead of this bullshit.”
“Do you use that language around your son, Jesus.” Harry says, shaking his head, but still there’s a smile on his face which makes Harry himself a bit uncomfortable. That only happens when Niall is on his mind. “I’m only a child.”
“Wrong- my son is a child- you, on the other hand, are a vandal, a rebel, at best.” Officer Payne growls, leading Harry out.
‘doesn’t seem like a child when he’s grinding his bum against my dick…’ Harry cackles mentally.
Slowly but surely, Harry and his gang of punks get all of their possessions– mostly just colored bandanas and watches and cellphones– and are taken straight back to the bakery, where Heather is smiling widely at them. Heather is the owner of the small bakery and says that she loves most of the things they draw on her wall (Most, because sometimes Mikey gets a bit too detailed with the dick drawings). She’s out there just as always, hugs them and hands them sponges and they spend the next hour making the bricks squeaky clean.
Finally, once they’re done, the squad cars leave and heather returns to her post in the shop. Harry picks up his phone and grins widely.
hey, my dad just left 4 work, do u wanna come over?
Niall and Harry are kind of dating. It’s one of those relationships that might not even actually exist but the love between them is so real and undeniable that the word ‘boyfriend’ doesn’t even describe their feelings. It doesn’t make sense. Harry and Niall don’t make sense. The bottle blonde with a police chief for a father and the rebel punk with too many tattoos and not enough responsibilty. It doesn’t make sense but it’s been that way since ninth grade.
He flips his friends off with a glare as they make fun of the stupid smile on his face as he reads the text, and walks off towards the back of the bakery where his motorcycle still sits.
He feels the phone buzz again as he straddles the bike but ignores it, knowing that Niall’s probably just responded with an “Ok” along with three billion heart emojis and smiley faces.
When Harry arrives at Niall’s house, there’s a somewhat familiar car in the driveway that makes Harry roll his eyes. He pays it no mind as he walks into the house and starts the search for Niall. Niall, obviously hearing the slammed door, calls out, “Dad? Is that you?”
Harry rolls his eyes, following the direction of the voice up to Niall’s bedroom. Niall’s opening the door just as Harry gets there, causing the blonde to run directly into his chest and scream. “Oh my- Harry!” Niall shouts, looking angry.
“Niall!” Harry returns, trying to sound angry but probably looking like a right idiot, smiling and laughing a bit too.
“I told you not to come over- we’re busy.” Niall says, looking down at the floor and Harry knows immediately that Niall must’ve had a bad day or something. Mentally he tries to think back– it’s not his mother’s birthday and it’s a week until her death day so it can’t be that. Completely puzzled, he’s left staring into the room where Louis Tomlinson is laying in Niall’s bed.
Harry walks into the room unabashedly, shoving Louis off of Harry’s Niall’s bed. “Hey- what the fuc-”
“Harry, no, please don-” Niall begins, already walking towards.
Harry shrugs, flopping onto the bed. “I’m not doing anything. I just don’t want him laying around in my boy’s bed now do I?” He says, and he smirks as he can literally see Niall melting at his words and Louis’ glare right at the curly haired punk.
Louis and Harry didn’t get along. No one really knew why, and no one really cared either, but they just pushed each other’s buttons. Harry was a genuinely angry person to begin with, and with Louis’ help, he could turn hulk at any moment.
“God, Niall, is this really what you want to surround yourself with?” Louis grumbles, making Harry sit up.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Harry says, eyes narrowed.
Louis glares right back. “You’re a fuck-up, Harry. A punk wannabe or something. You’ve got some kind of anger issues or something and I don’t want my best friend getting hurt.”
“I would never hurt Niall,” Harry shouts the same time that Niall says, “He wouldn’t hurt me, Louis…”
Louis shakes his head, laughing a bit crazily. “Okay, fine. We’ll pretend that the guy who your father hates, the guy who vandalizes a bakery every other night, and the guy who put Justin in the hospital last month is a great, respectable guy. Niall, what would your father say if he knew about this little– affair?”
Niall is silent at this question, his eyebrows furrowed and Harry’s anger only rises. “Louis, if you don’t want to be the second person I’ve put in the hospital this year, then you’re going to want to get out.” Harry growls, standing from the bed.
Louis scoffs, looking to Niall, his eyes saying , ‘really?!’ Niall doesn’t look up from his shoes.
“Niall-” Louis tries, making Harry rush forward and push Louis back towards the door.
“I’m not kidding, Tomlinson.”
Louis opens his month to say something- probably idiotic as always- but Niall cuts him off. “It’s alright, Lou, I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” He says softly, still not looking at either of us in the face.
Louis closes his mouth and nods, seeing that Niall was obviously upset and not wanting to hurt the blonde anymore, he leaves.
“Are you the reason that my dad had to leave this morning?” Niall asks slowly.
Harry’s eyebrows furrow. “Um, I’m not sure, he was there when I got there.”
“For vandalism?” Niall asks, sighing and sitting on his bed.
“Niall-” Harry begins sitting next to his boyfriend and clutching his hand tightly. “I’m not really sure what you’re saying right now-”
Niall cuts him off as well. “I think you should go.” He says gently and Harry stops dead in his tracks.
“Wha- Niall, I don’t want to..” Harry says just as softly, trying to meet Niall’s eyes but the blonde won’t allow it.
“No- I mean, I think that we should- take a break or, or something like that.” Niall says, and Harry’s heart stops.
Harry’s hand releases Niall’s instantly and the taller boy can hear Niall’s whimper as he does so. “Wh-what?” Harry asks, begging the boy to pop up with a smile and say ‘PUNK’D YA!’ or something stupid that Niall would do but he can’t even get the blonde to meet his eyes.
“Louis is right– my dad would never allow us to be together… he wouldn’t.” Niall says and Harry wishes that he had put Louis in the hospital- “Don’t blame Louis, Harry, please, I know what’s going on in your head but it’s not Louis’ fault that we are way too different.” Niall says and Harry doesn’t think he’ll ever be ready to let this go.
“No, Niall, we- you just said it, you know me too well, I know you too well we can-” Harry tries for the last time but Niall isn’t having it.
“You know my father would never let me date someone like you.” He says, the most blunt and emotionless that Harry has ever heard from Niall.
Harry laughs, also void of emotion as he nods. “Someone like me, right.”
Niall shakes his head, “You know what I mean Harry.”
And yeah, Harry does know what Niall means and he understands it all but he never actually expected to care this much- he knew this moment would happen but he thought he would only be missing a fuck buddy or a distant friend. But no. He’s losing the love of his life right now.
“Fine.” He says, getting up before Niall can see his tears.
“I love you, Harry.” Niall says and Harry’s heart felt like it was getting torn apart because why the hell didn’t they ever say it before. Whether it was his stupid ego trying to regain his pride or his asshole persona that had previously left Niall out of the whole “I hate everyone” look on life realized that he suddenly had to hate Niall now- he didn’t say that he loved Niall back.
When Liam gets home that night, the house is silent save for loud cries coming from Niall’s bedroom. After bursting in all police man style and seeing that nobody was physically hurting his child, Liam rushes over to Niall just to make sure that he doesn’t need to take him to the hospital.
Niall doesn’t respond much, just hugs his father tight and rambles on about Louis and boys and Liam thinks this might be Niall’s way of coming out? Even though they had gone over long ago that Liam didn’t care and wouldn’t mind- Liam can’t understand any other reason that his son may be crying.
He had asked Niall, of course, when he was holding his son as the blonde sobbed into his chest, but all he had gotten from Niall was a small, breathy, “it’s complicated”. So, going against every fiber of his being telling him to be nosy, he stayed out of it.
Seven days later, they see each other at a party. Niall’s only allowed to go because Louis swore to Liam that there was no alcohol or drugs and that Niall would be home by 11pm. All of those were lies, obviously, but Liam had a date that night anyway and if Niall wasn’t already crushed, that fact alone made him want to curl up into a ball and cry.
Liam had been seeing someone for a few months now and Niall had yet to meet the person. That might be because that “someone” is a guy, and Liam is kind of freaked out to tell Niall that his new parental figure might turn out to be another officer named Zayn.
Niall is barely holding it together at this party. It’s almost like nobody knows. His own father went on a fucking date.. today. Today of all days everyone is pretending like they don’t know. Louis drags him to a party, Liam is off on some date trying to replace everything they used to have and Harry isn’t even a part of his life anymore. Louis is about 3 shots in, but Niall doesn’t think he wants his first drink to be out of spite of his mothers death and a break up. It’s been seven years exactly today. Seven years and suddenly nobody is talking about it.
Soon enough the atmosphere becomes way too much and usually when Louis drags Niall to parties, he can rely on Harry to either come pick him up and take him to that one place near the park that they love, or at least take him up into an empty bedroom and cuddle until they had to leave. But now he has no way of transportation until Louis is sober enough to leave. Calling his father to come pick him up would be the equivalent of calling the cops, and Niall won’t be known as that kid. Niall figures that he has two options. 1) Wait for Louis- a.k.a don’t go home tonight because Louis is absolutely nowhere to be found or 2) walk. Niall doesn’t see anything wrong with walking the 5 miles it takes to get home. In fact, five miles to burn off all of the pain he’s feeling right now seems like a good plan.
Niall sighs, taps Louis on the shoulder and then heads out, walking through the door and out the gates.
Of course, nothing is every easy, so the moment that Niall passes the gate, he recognizes the figure smoking a fag against the iron bars.
Harry looks up and rolls his eyes in acknowledgment. Niall hunches his shoulders and begins to walk past the boy he loves, only to be stopped by a hand against his arm. Niall stops, breathing heavily, praying that Harry will remember and just hug him or something cliche like that- but of douse he doesn’t.
“You know, you were the only person I’ve ever loved like that.” Harry slurs and Niall backs away, because he doesn’t know harry anymore. The old drunk Harry was violent and cruel- unless it was around Niall. Then drunk Harry was cuddly and tired– he really liked to braid hair too. But this isn’t that Harry.
“I know.” Niall mumbles because he does know that. Harry never specifically said it, but his actions were always his number one advocates.
The hand holding, the sweet nothings, the grinding- Niall shakes his head, trying to rid the memories that had been plaguing his thoughts all week.
“You- you didn’t deserve it.” Harry says, and Niall knows he doesn’t mean it, he knows he doesn’t because of how many times that Harry had reassured him. The only reason it hurts as much as it does is because of how much Niall had told him of his fears– the number one being undeserving of love. Harry knew that and was trying to hurt him that bad. It sent shivers down Niall’s spine.
“I know.” Niall lies, only wanting Harry to let go so Niall can mourn his mother and his relationship in peace.
“You ruin everything that you are a part of- look at that- relationships, friendships- famil-” Harry begins but Niall can’t do this, he shoves Harry pack against the fence, freeing his arm.
“I know, alright!” Niall shouts, and he also knows that there are tears suddenly streaming down his face. “Look-” He says, voice considerably softer now that there’s that confused and injured puppy look on Harry’s face, “Any other day but today we can do this but right now I just want to go home.” Niall says softly, and Harry’s eyes begin to widen in realization. “You can talk to me next week or something but right no-”
“Niall, wait, I’m s-so sorry I completely forgot.” Harry mutters, looking downright pissed off at himself.
“I know.” Niall tries to sound humorous but he ends up sounds bitter an hurt and he hates the pity he sees in Harry’s eyes. “I have to go now. Bye, Harry.” he says, holding back tears and everything hurts so bad because since when did he start hiding his emotions from Harry.
Harry had been safe and real for so long and now there’s nothing between them but hurtful words and sadness. Niall spends so much time walking that he doesn’t realize he’s crying. He doesn’t even realize that he had completely missed his house and had been subconsciously walking to the one place that he always felt safe. Only this time, he would be alone and that was absolutely terrifying to even think about.
Liam and Zayn are having a bit too much fun on the couch when Liam’s eyes meet the clock and he involuntarily shoves the darker skinned officer off of him.
“Li, what the fuck!?”Zayn shouts before seeing the look in Liam’s eyes. “What is it?”
Liam chokes on a breath as he says, “Niall was supposed to be home at 11.”
Zayn laughs loudly for a second before seeing the horrified look on Liam’s face. “Li, oh my god, babe. It’s 11:30. He’s 16, not 12. Let the boy live.”
Liam is already shaking his head in protest. “No, Zayn you don’t know my boy like I do. He would never miss curfew- shit.” Liam says, picking up his phone. When he calls Niall, the phone goes immediately to voicemail, meaning his phone was probably dead. Next, Liam calls Louis, who picks up after 2 rings. “Mr. Payne?” Louis says, and Liam can hear heavy music playing in the background.
“Louis, what the hell happened to 11pm, huh?” Liam growls through the phone and he hears Louis’ nervous voice respond.
“I know, sir, it’s just, the problem is– I can’t find Niall anywhere.”
People are deserting the party when Liam’s squad car pulls up. Liam doesn’t register much except for the fact that Louis is sitting on the curb, tugging at his hair in frustration.
“Louis!” Liam calls frantically, rushing over to the teen, Zayn hot on his heels.
Louis is practically shaking when Liam makes his way to the boy, “I’m so so sorry officer Payne- I went to the bathroom for a second and then he was gone-”
Louis’ story is cut off by someone Liam really didn’t have time for.
“What’s happening, why are you crying, Louis?” Harry Styles, resident vandalist asks, looking as if he actually cares. Liam growls, barely restraining himself from shoving the boy back.
“Not now, Harry.” Liam grits out.
Harry pays the father no mind, meeting eyes only with Louis. The blue eyed boy’s eyes don’t leave Harry’s, and Liam is severely confused as Harry asks, “Is it Niall?”
Liam watches on, astonished, as Louis nods, tears streaming down his face now. “He’s run off, Harry, we don-”
“Why the hell was he alone on his mother’s death day anyway, Jesus!” Harry shouts angrily, eyes suddenly trained on Liam. “You know how important these days are to him, what the fuck?”
Liam is stunned into silence as the rebel who is constantly in the police station suddenly begins to give him parenting advice. He had completely forgotten. “How the hell do you know about that?” Liam says lowly, ignoring the uncomfortable look Zayn has on his face.
Harry doesn’t respond, loosing his temper as he walks away from them, absently kicking a trashcan over as he yells out in frustration.
“Harry!” Liam shouts, demanding the boy to return, but the boy ignores him, moving on and out of their vantage point. “What the hell was that about?” He asks Louis, who is wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
“They– I dunno…” He cuts himself off. After one of Liam’s glares the blue eyed boy immediately changes his wording. “I mean- they used to like, date- i guess. They’re like- proper in love or summat.” He stutters.
“What?!” Liam roars, making Louis step back several steps.
The conversation is completely cut off as a loud engine begins. Each of their heads turn in absolute shock as Liam’s patrol car speeds away.
“Fucking Styles.” Liam growls, sitting down on the pavement and praying that that rebellious idiot knows his son better than the chief himself.
Harry finds Niall exactly where he knew the blonde would go. He’s sitting on the swings near the playground, slowly rocking back and forth, and Harry is having Deja Vu from the first time they met.
Harry doesn’t say anything as he walks towards the boy, and Niall doesn’t either. He sits in the swing next to the blonde, and doesn’t say anything anymore. It feels unreal as Niall looks to him, tears in his eyes.
“Nobody even remembered.” He says breathlessly.
And that’s it, right there Niall is in Harry’s arms and they’re breathing in each other’s air and Harry’s anger is finally off of his chest and it’s all good and bright again and Niall is still crying a little bit but at least- “I’m so glad I have you.” Niall whimpered into Harry’s neck, “I still have you, right? I have you?” Niall basically strangles the taller boy as he asks so and Harry nearly gets whiplash from how hard he nods.
“You have me, you have me, always. I’m so sorry that I-” He begins, but Niall cuts him off by kissing him, hard. It’s weird and uncomfortable because they’re still sat in a swing and Niall tastes like tears and it really doesn’t make sense that it feels so right but it does. They sit there for a few minutes doing nothing but breathing heavily in between sloppy, teenage kisses before Harry puts a stop to it, opting to hug Niall even closer.
“I’m sorry, Harry, I don’t know what came over me when I- I just-” Niall begins to apologize but Harry shushes him, pressing his face more into the comforting scent of his boyfriend.
“I understand.” He says simply, and then ending off in a chuckle. After Niall makes a confused noise, Harry laughs. “It’s just– you don’t have to worry about hiding this from your dad anymore.”
Niall gasps, and Harry reluctantly allows Niall to pull away. The blonde’ eyes are wide and confused. “You didn’t.” He says in a low voice that is surprisingly light and giggly.
Harry shrugs, grinning back at his simpering boyfriend. “He might kill me when I take you and the squad car home.”
Niall hums happily, cuddling back into Harry’s hold before jerking back once more, “Wait, did you just say the squad car?!”
Forgive me if it was bad i’m just getting back into the swing of things :p
Too much character development lol my bad x.x
Prompts are OPEN!! I do any Niall centered relationship or fic including OT3 OT4 and OT5. You can see my previous writings here and my master post here.