So this is a continuation (but really more of a prequel) of this drabble I did. I decided to kind of turn it into a series of sorts. Most, if not all, of the little parts are gonna take place around Christmas. So enjoy this little piece
part 1 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5
He’s thirteen, small, and full of rage (as most thirteen year old boys are) when his dad moves them to the small town of Holmes Chapel. Moving to a new country and a new school is cause enough for anxiety but moving half way through the school year feels like a disaster waiting to happen. And why Bobby couldn’t wait until after Christmas is totally beyond Niall but here they are, they being Bobby, Greg, and himself, alone three days before Christmas because all of their family is in Mullingar where they’re supposed to be. So Niall’s just kind of been sitting around the house stewing because he knows he’s missing out on all their normal traditions and then Bobby’s making him go outside because “the fresh air will do you some good”. He ends up going outside and just sitting on the ground staring at the sky, Greg opens the door just enough to tell him he’s being dramatic and then goes back inside, he’s bundled up but the cold from the snow below him is seeping through the layers. He may have to forgo the dramatics soon and take a walk.
He hears footsteps crunching through the snow and resigns himself to the fact that it’s probably Greg come to bother him.
“What’re you doing?” A voice he doesn’t recognize has him scrambling up from the ground. Standing to his right is a boy about his age with bright green eyes and brown curls that are peaking out from under his hat.
“I- I was just uh, thinking.” He really was just pouting but you can’t admit that to someone you just met.
“You looked sad, that’s why I came over,” He blushes a little as he says it but maybe it’s just the cold, “what’s you’re name?”
“Niall.” And he sounds like an idiot giving a one word answer and not even asking the boys name in return, not that that stops him from telling Niall.
“I’m Harry.” And when he smiles his whole face lights up with it making Niall smile and he’s decided they have to be friends.
“You’re not from here.” It’s not a question and really it’s not hard to figure out anyway. The thick Irish accent is kind of a dead giveaway.
“No just moved here last week. It fucking sucks.”
“It might be a little better if you have a friend.” Harry shrugs
“You’re probably right.” Niall laughs a little until he sees Harry bend down to scoop up a handful of snow just to throw it directly at Niall. Their snowball fight doesn’t last long seeing as Harry has terrible aim and they both collapse into a fit of giggles in Niall’s front yard. They sit and tell jokes and stories and talk about they’re favorite music until their clothes are soaked through and a girl is on the front porch of the house next door yelling at Harry to come home.
They help each other up from the ground and Harry pulls Niall in for an unexpected hug before running off towards the house yelling a goodbye over his shoulder at Niall. And Niall may not have known it yet but he was fucked.
Here’s the 5th and final part of this fic. I’ve now realized that technically parts 2-4 weren’t necessary but oh well. This ended up being 2k so it’s the longest part of the fic, and I think it’s the best part (writing wise anyway). So enjoy.
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4
Niall has to chuckle at how easy it is to spot Harry in the little cafe, with his massive green parka and beanie that doesn’t hide all of his hair. He’s sitting at a table by the window reading and he hasn’t seen Niall walk in so Niall takes the opportunity to stall and order at the counter. Of course, the barista doesn’t care that he’s stalling and he gets his latte faster than ever before. The thing is he wants to go to Harry, he always does, but he doesn’t think he’s ready to let Harry have control again because it won’t take much for him to bend to Harry.
He’s lost in thought and takes too long to move earning a glare from the person behind him. Harry finally looks up from his book and beams when he spots Niall, and Niall is struck by the familiarity of it, it’s the same smile Harry’s always given him and it makes his entire body warm despite the freezing weather. He couldn’t leave now even if he wanted to, the magnetic pull he feels in his stomach is too strong.
Harry stands as he approaches and leans forward as if he’s going to hug Niall but aborts in favor of a horribly awkward handshake. They sit and Niall realizes that neither of them has said anything.
“So, how is everyone? Haven’t seen Bobby or Maura in a while.”
“They’re good. Bobby’s the same as always, best man I’ve ever met but stubborn as a mule.”
“Sounds about right.” Harry’s smile is fond, he did always have a soft spot for Bobby.
“Greg’s got a son now.” It’s weird that this might be new information to someone who used to know Niall inside and out.
“Anne told me, it’s still crazy to think of Greg as a dad.” He shakes his head in disbelief.
Maybe it was small talk but it was enough to break the ice and before Niall knew it he and Harry had been sitting at their table chatting for well over an hour, only stopping when Harry’s phone rings,
“Sorry I’ve got to take this.” And he’s off with an apologetic look to Niall. He can’t help but watch Harry as he talks to whoever is on the other end of the line, watches as he frowns slightly and is struck by the urge to run a hand over his forehead and smooth the lines forming. He takes in all the ways Harry has changed, sure he’s seen pictures from Anne and social media but it’s different in person. The last time he had seen Harry in person they had been 20, a couple years after they had broken up and Harry had managed to come back from America during his summer break, he’d been tanner then and not as broad, and he’d started getting tattoos at that point much to his mother’s dismay. Now though, he’d gained muscle that Niall was, embarrassingly, jealous of, never quite able to get rid of his own belly despite his best efforts, and his confidence was almost tangible. He watches as Harry hangs up the phone but looks away quickly not wanting to be caught staring.
“I’m gonna have to run, but it was great to see you.” And he sounds so earnest Niall can’t help but believe him.
“You too. You coming to the big Horan Christmas party?” He tries to tell himself that he hopes Harry doesn’t but he also knows that’s not true.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” And when Harry does hug him this time and Niall has to fight the urge to bury his face into Harry’s neck as he returns the hug. And then Harry’s out the door and Niall’s head is spinning.
———————
He’s so busy helping Bobby get everything together for the party that he doesn’t have time to think about the fact that he’s about to see Harry for the third time in the past three days. More than he’s seen Harry in the past 5 years. He doesn’t think about it, that is until he’s getting dressed and he starts alternating between overthinking his outfit and feeling like an idiot for caring what Harry thinks. For fucks sake they’ve been broken up for nearly 8 years, he should not be this much of a mess. He listens from the kitchen as guests start arriving, he’s been left in charge of the mulled wine plus it gives him an excuse to avoid the small talk that comes with these parties, at least for another 20 minutes.
He’s startled out of his thoughts when someone comes into the kitchen.
“Well, would you look at that. Perfect little housewife you are bent over the stove like that.” Funnily enough, his heartbeat doesn’t slow at the sound of Harry’s teasing.
“Well someone’s gotta get the wine in order.” He’s making an attempt to fight off his blush but he knows it’s futile, can’t help but curse his pale Irish skin.
He can feel Harry’s presence beside him but can’t bring himself to look just yet. Harry’s having none of it, always needed the attention, and leans into Niall until they're nearly cheek to cheek looking down at the wine simmering away on the stove.
“Niall, I don’t think it’s gonna run away if you stop glaring at it for a couple seconds.”
“You never know,” But he looks up anyway finally seeing Harry in his cozy jumper and a Santa hat Bobby probably forced onto his head when he walked in the door, and that warm feeling is back in the pit of his stomach, “shouldn’t you be out there socializing? Everyone’s missed you.”
“I don’t want to socialize with everyone though do I.” He bumps his hip into Niall’s and smiles shyly. They’re getting into dangerous territory and there are too many things left unresolved between them.
“Harry...” He doesn’t know what to say so as to not ruin a good evening with a difficult conversation. Harry gets it though, he always seems to and takes a step back sighing lightly.
“You’re probably right, someone has to keep our mums from conspiring against us anyway.” And with that, he’s gone and Niall wishes that made him feel better.
When Niall finally makes his way out to the party himself Harry is surrounded by several old ladies as he tells a story that has them enthralled. Harry catches him staring and sends a wink in his direction, Niall looks away quickly. He spots Tom, a friend from work who moved to town a couple years after Harry left, and walks over to say hello. They chat idly and Tom flirts, Niall knows that Tom is interested in him but he just can’t quite get there.
“Thanks again for inviting me.” To be fair Niall did invite most of his coworkers.
“Of course, glad to have you here.” And Tom places a hand on Niall’s arm and launches into some story but Niall doesn’t hear, he’s too focused on the way Harry is making his way over a less than pleased look on his face.
“Hi, I’m Harry.” He interrupts Tom and sticks his hand out for him to shake.
“Tom.”
“So how do you know Niall?” Harry’s inched closer to Niall so that their arms are just barely touching.
“We uh, we work together,” Tom looks to Niall for an explanation of why Harry’s being so hostile. This jealous and borderline possessive side of Harry is one Niall’s never seen before even back when they were dating and he doesn’t quite know what to do, “and how do you know Niall?” It seems as though he was hesitant to ask, afraid of the answer.
“Depends on what you mean by know.” Harry’s smirking and it takes Niall too long to figure out what he means.
“We dated for a couple years in school.” He blurts quickly hoping Tom won’t catch on to Harry’s innuendo.
“Ah,” he’s shifting uncomfortably and Niall knows for sure that he’s caught on, “well I’m gonna go, I’ll see you at work Niall.” and then he all but runs away. Niall smacks Harry on the shoulder causing him to yelp.
“What the hell was that Harry.”
“Was trying to get him to stop flirting with you.” Niall splutters not expecting Harry to be quite that honest.
“Well it’s not really any of your business who’s flirting with me,” He can’t help but be a little smug that Harry was jealous though, “and it hasn’t been your business for a while. Which was your choice by the way.” And maybe bringing up their breakup at the Christmas party wasn’t the best idea but it’s too late and the box has been opened. Harry at least has the decency not to have this conversation out in the open and drags Niall back into the empty kitchen.
“Niall, we wouldn’t have lasted if we’d stayed together. Not with me across the world.”
“But that’s the thing Harry, you didn’t give us a chance! You made the decision for both of us!” He’s not really mad anymore but he needs Harry to know how it felt from his side, “You just gave up on us, on me, and decided it wasn’t even worth trying. You know I would’ve followed you to California if you’d asked, but you didn’t.”
“But what if we had fallen apart out there or you just didn’t like it, then it would be my fault and you would’ve hated me and I couldn’t have you hating me.”
“I was angry anyway, but I couldn’t have hated you.” He hopes his face shows how much he means that because it’s true he could never hate Harry, in fact, he’s pretty sure a large part of him still loves Harry. How he’s managed that 8 years later he doesn’t know.
“I’m sorry.”
Niall feels like he’s waited so long to hear Harry say those words and it doesn’t change much but it’s enough for him to pull Harry into a tight hug, Harry turning his face to breathe against Niall’s neck. They stand there for a while and Niall swears he can hear Harry’s heart beating in the silence of the room. Niall reluctantly lets go first, taking a small step back but Harry keeps his hands on Niall’s hips. Still, neither of them says anything and Niall feels like his skin is on fire where Harry starts rubbing his thumbs back and forth.
“We should probably head back out there.”
“I’d rather stay in here with you.”
“Harry,” he trails off not really wanting to protest but knowing he should, “C’mon.” He grabs Harry by the elbow pulling him towards the doorway but Harry stops before they can actually leave.
“Wait, I just,” and then he’s pulling Niall towards him again and placing a hand on the side of his face, “Can I, please?”
Niall stands stock still for a moment and when he finally manages to nod Harry’s on him in an instant. It’s gentle at first just Harry’s mouth pressing softly against his but once Niall kisses back it becomes more heated. His back hits a wall and he’s realizing that anyone could walk in on them but it’s hard to care when Harry starts biting at his bottom lip.
“Harry you in he- oh,” they break apart at the sound of Gemma’s voice, “found him, mum. He’s just catching up with Niall.” The teasing tone is impossible to miss, “feel free to rejoin the party at any time.” And she’s back out into the party before either of them can respond.
“So...that happened.” It’s enough to get them both laughing and diffuse some of the awkward tension in the room.
“I’m glad it did though,” Harry is so sincere when he says it and Niall can’t lie,
“I am too.” And maybe they still have some stuff to figure out but right now, standing beside Harry, hands brushing as the talk to family and old friends, he can’t find it in himself to be worried.
Here’s another piece of what I’ve decided to refer to as “ex-mas” even tho it’s incredibly corny
part 1 | part 2 | part 4 | part 5
It’s not until the Christmas after he turns 16 that his dad finally convinces Maura and Niall’s grandparents to spend Christmas in Holmes Chapel instead of Ireland. This’ll be the first time Harry has met any of his family outside of Bobby and Greg. And maybe Niall’s more excited about it than is strictly normal but more than anything he just wants Maura to like Harry. His thoughts often drift to Harry, the way he’s been able to just slot himself into Niall’s life and take hold of Niall’s heart in a way that no one else ever could. And with Christmas approaching quickly and the anniversary of the day they met it’s becoming harder and harder for Niall to keep his feelings in check.
He watches Harry walk through the door of the little cafe, the one that’s got the muffins Harry likes and is kind of becoming their spot, and tries to ignore the way his heart flutters as Harry flashes a bright, dimpled smile his way. He never gets tired of it.
“You know this is the first Christmas you’ve spent here since that first year.” Harry says later when Niall’s finishes his hot chocolate.
“Hadn’t thought about it,” a complete lie he’s thought plenty about how he’s getting to spend Christmas with Harry, “but I suppose you’re right.”
“We gotta make sure Bobby throws a great Christmas party.”
“Well as long as you tell him to he’ll do it, swear he loves you more than me.” He’s just being dramatic but his dad does have almost as much of a soft spot for Harry as Niall does.
“Well he has good taste.”
——————
A few days later on Christmas Eve Bobby’s Christmas party is going great and even Maura is having a great time. Niall and Harry have been periodically sneaking some of the spiked eggnog and Gemma talked them in to doing a karaoke performance, they choose last christmas which turns out to be a terrible duet choice. Neither of them are really even buzzed but if anyone were to ask why they were hanging all over each other they’d both blame the alcohol. It becomes too much for Niall, having Harry draped over him and knowing that it doesn’t make Harry’s heart stutter like it does his, and he tries to get some space by going to the kitchen for some water but Harry is hot on his trail. Then someone, maybe one of his cousins, is yelling about mistletoe and sure enough when Niall looks up the leafy thing is hanging above he and Harry’s heads. It’s almost as if the decoration is taunting him because there’s no way Harry’s going to kiss him, especially not in front of all these people.
But tonight is full of surprises it would seem, when he looks at Harry he can see the question in his eyes as he leans closer reaching a hand out towards Niall’s cheek. Niall manages a weak nod before Harry gives him a soft kiss. It’s short and chaste but it’s enough that Niall kind of wants to cry. Then he remembers that it’s just because Harry wanted to honor some stupid superstition and he definitely wants to cry. So can anyone really blame him for the way he bolts outside. He quickly climbs the ladder to the roof and sits there numb, surprisingly unable to cry. He begins to regret not just hiding in his room when it starts snowing again but he doesn’t move until Maura is yelling at him from the yard down below. He climbs down and is both disappointed and relieved to see that Harry left, apparently shortly after Niall bolted. Maura just hugs him tightly because she just knows.
And here we go for “ex-mas” part 4. No happy endings yet.
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 5
It took them until two days after Harry’s 16th birthday, which they spent in Niall’s basement sneaking beers that Bobby definitely knew they were taking, for them to finally get it together and admit their feelings. They go out for a date that’s slightly less awkward than expected and ends with a kiss that’s interrupted when Anne opens the front door. There aren’t any big changes except that now they’re much more open with their affection and there’s a definite increase in the amount of kissing. And now Niall’s 18 and it’s their second Christmas as a couple and Niall can’t wait for winter break, he didn’t realize that his final year before university was going to be so stressful. He can’t wait to do all the cheesy Christmassy things with Harry but it doesn’t take him long to figure out that Harry’s avoiding him. He’s turned down Niall’s multiple invitations to go ice skating and he’s not returning any of his calls. And not even Anne or Gemma will tell him what’s going on, insisting that it’s not their place to tell him. He tries for a couple of days to do the same and just avoid Harry too but he misses him and it’s driving him crazy. He doesn’t manage to corner Harry for an entire week and when he does Harry has this guilty look on his face the makes Niall’s stomach twist.
“So you know how we had talked about both of us going to uni in London?” Niall nods and tries his absolute hardest to try and predict where this is going but he can’t.
“Well I had applied at a couple American universities just for the hell of it you know just to see if I could get in,” he’s been keeping his hands firmly in his pockets and he won’t meet Niall’s eyes and Niall’s starting to get it, “well I got in at a University in San Diego and I think I’m gonna go.”
It does really feel like the rug has been yanked from beneath his feet and he’s just sitting on his ass.
“San Diego?” He sounds out of breath and now that he thinks about it he may have stopped breathing for a second. He’s just beyond caught off guard, why hadn’t Harry mentioned San Diego or whatever other schools he applied to. He’s hurt. But he’s determined to be supportive because that’s what a good boyfriend does right? Shoves his pain down and is supportive no matter what....totally healthy.
“Harry that’s amazing,” he forces himself to sound sincere, “really it’s great.”
“You think so?” No
“Yes, of course.”
He wants to know what this means for them and why Harry didn’t want him to come because if Harry had asked Niall would’ve said yes, but he didn’t ask. Instead he suggests they go help Anne bake the Christmas cookies she always gives out and shoves all negative feelings down to be dealt with at a later date.
As a sucker for all things road trip and Christmas, Ex-mas by Kate Brian is like heaven for me. I loved the idea of a little boy going to the North Pole to save Santa from global warming and how cheesy the book really is. I only had one problem with this book (the main character’s snobbiness), but still enjoyed the book.
As a sucker for all things road trip and Christmas, Ex-mas by Kate Brian is like heaven for me. I loved the idea of a little boy going to the North Pole to save Santa from global warming and how cheesy the book really is. I only had one problem with this book (the main character’s snobbiness), but still enjoyed the book.
When seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith’s little brother Cooper ruins her big chance to throw an epic party while her parents are out of town, she only wants to get back at him. Leaving out an article claiming that global warming is melting the North Pole seems to be the perfect way to make him pay, but she never would have guessed that he’d take off with…
