The Windows are Slanted @theclosetoffog - Tumblr Blog

(1) New Message- The full Niam fanfiction

Chapter 1

Do you plan on coming out today? I want to go see a movie. That’d be fun, right?

im not inn the mood

You don’t even know which movie yet...

do I need to ?

You could at least come up with a better excuse. Let me tell you which movie and then say, Oh no thanks. I’m not into it.

sounds liek alot of effort

Really, it’s about as much effort as you put into spelling.

I dont want to

Fine. At least call your Mum or something, okay? Talk to somebody other than me. You need it, mate.

fine

Liam rolled over on his bed.

He had been lying on his stomach, arms under his pillow and blanket falling carelessly around him. He wore nothing but his boxers as he tried to sleep his time away. His room was hot and suffocating but he didn’t care, he had tried to just snuggle his way into a deeper blissful abyss of slumber.

Instead, he got a text from Zayn.

He ignored everyone else. There were a mass of text messages on his phone from friends and family that all went unread. There were many missed calls and he didn’t even want to bother looking at his Facebook or email to see what they were like. There wasn’t a point. He refused to answer.

But when Zayn had actually come into his room and yelled at him that if Liam didn’t at least talk to him that he would kick Liam out of their shared apartment... Well, Liam really had no choice if he wanted to stay in his dark room.

So when he rolled over his body ached and he groaned, wiping his hand across his face and through his hair to help wake him up. It didn’t do anything but make his hair even more than a mess than it already was, causing it to stick up in one direction. His body felt like it was covered in sweat and he probably smelt like he could really use a shower.

His arms hurt from staying under his pillows so long and had a soft burn that he chose to ignore. He looked around his room, his eyes trained to the darkness incredibly well. His window was blocked off by sheets he had put up when he realized his curtains didn’t create the totally dark effect he wanted in his room. The entire bedroom was clean, seeing as he only got up to use the toilet. Zayn had noticed Liam’s lack of eating and took it as his responsibility to keep Liam nourished by bringing food into his room so he would eat it.

And Liam only ate it so Zayn wouldn’t pester him.

He checked the time on the desk right next to his bed. It was nearing one in the afternoon. His body had completely lost track of time altogether due to his constant behavior of trying to sleep life away. Something he wanted to get right back to doing.

But Zayn had meant it when he said to talk to someone. Liam could tell just by reading his text. He had been friends with Zayn long enough to understand exactly when Zayn was serious in a text. So he had no choice. He needed to find someone to talk to.

Liam tossed his phone to the foot of his bed and forced himself to sit up. His back cracked and his muscles ached seeing as they were hardly ever used anymore. He ignored them in favor of leaning against his head board and grabbing the laptop on his desk. It felt heavier than it actually was, which again probably contributed to the fact that he never used his muscles anymore, but he successfully got it onto his lap and plugged in its charger so it wouldn’t die. Even though it was probably already dead.

He opened the laptop and turned it on. The bright screen came to life causing Liam to wince as his eyes burned and immediately closed them. His computer continued to turn on as he struggled with getting his eyes to open. He started by looking to a dark corner in his room so the laptop was only in the corner of his eyes, starting with his eyes squinted before allowing them to slowly open. They still burned but not nearly as bad. Soon, his eyes adjusted and slowly he started to look at the computer, taking his time so that he didn’t go blind.

When his eyes were finally able to handle looking at the screen that was all he did. He just sat and stared at the screen, unable to know what to do. Zayn had said to talk to someone, but there was nobody he wanted to talk to. He couldn’t talk to his Mum, he couldn’t talk to any of his friends, and he couldn’t really talk to Zayn and explain how he felt about everything...

He just couldn’t do it.

Procrastination always led to mediocre results. He was in University, he knew that to be a well known fact. So he decided to take the high road of procrastination and check out all of the places he knew people would try to contact him and delete all of the messages.

Facebook had a horrifying number of notifications, and instead of going through each individual message to check everything out he had simply clicked on the notification for messages and then left, so then the little red pop-up with that absurd number had disappeared, never to bother him again.

Instant Messages began popping up, reminding him that he had not marked himself as offline. People were shocked to see that Liam was actually doing something and were all trying to contact him. He felt bad, knowing that they were all just looking out for him. They wanted the best for him and to make sure that he was okay.

But as much as he knew it was mean to do, he couldn’t talk to them. So, he logged off quickly.

He started getting thirsty and the need to use the toilet was becoming a pressing matter. That was always something that made him curious. How his body would want more liquid when it knew that it was trying to get rid of liquid and drinking anymore would cause the need to get rid of his toxins to become even more urgent. Honestly, the human body made no sense, and that was why he chose to ignore his body’s urges as he opened up to his email.

He paused at the sight.

There were a ton of missed messages from Louis. He didn’t really know the bloke that well but he knew that Louis was just really nice. Louis was constantly looking after people and so it made sense for him to be messaging Liam. Especially since Louis was so involved with-

No. He refused to think about it.

As much as he was trying to block everyone out and ignore everyone he couldn’t just delete Louis’ messages. That would be cruel. Especially when Louis had bothered to send him messages at all. He could have easily just left Liam to his own devices seeing as the two only knew each other through Zayn and had only talked in person once. It wasn’t right to just delete them.

Instead, Liam decided to save the emails in a file that he named as, Read Later. It cleaned out a significant number of emails and left a few messages from his Mum and friends but mostly spam. He deleted the messages and logged out of his email. Google stared at him and he sat, staring right back.

Now what?

Talk? Talk to who? And how the hell was he supposed to talk to them? And about what? What person would be easiest to say a quick hello and then goodbye? Which person would let him off easiest? Which person would make all of this easy?

He groaned and let his hands collapse on the keyboard, smashing random buttons that meant nothing to him as his eyes closed.

What was he going to do? That was the problem. He just didn’t want to do anything anymore.

Liam opened his eyes and cracked his neck. He decided that he would use the toilet and then get a water bottle just to procrastinate even longer. And maybe if he made some food he could explain to Zayn that while he didn’t contact anybody he had been out of his room.

Then his eyes landed on the screen.

There was a blank page. The only thing on it was a small area at the bottom that was blinking and just waiting for him to start typing. It was all very simple and had no directions, leaving his curiosity piqued.

Was he supposed to just type anything? What would it do? What was going to happen? Who would the message go to?

He looked at the url and saw that it said typeyourmessagehere.com. Well, at least the name was straight forward. It didn’t need directions because of the url but it still caused so many questions.

And yet... He wanted nothing more than to type something. So he did.

Server 1: hello

—

Niall had just finished watching porn.

He was cleaning up and closing all the tabs because he had just finished wanking as well. And maybe it wasn’t healthy to be wanking as much as he was but there was the simple fact that it was what he needed. He had finally just come to terms with the fact that he preferred blokes over birds and seeing as there wasn’t really an influx of gay men wanting to have sex with him he had taken to watching porn instead.

He was opened to a whole new world.

So, he cleaned up his mess because unfortunately wanking never really was clean business. It didn’t take long but all he really wanted to do was just lay on his bed doing nothing. His pillows held his head lovely and he sighed, feeling more than relaxed with how his body felt like jello. A smile was permanently glued to his face as he pulled his laptop onto his lap.

His laptop let out a beep and it nearly scared Niall to death. He hadn’t expected any noises and so it was quite horrifying due to the fact that the beep was anything but quiet. He calmed himself down by whispering out a curse before looking at the screen.

The picture of a letter popped up onto his screen. There was a little number one that was red and surrounded by parenthesis just at the left hand corner of the letter and underneath were bold black words reading New Message.

There was just one problem...

Niall had never seen that letter before.

He had seen when his email or facebook would send him messages. They had simple little notifications. Even aol would have that obnoxious opening stating, “You’ve got mail!” Unless, of course, you didn’t have mail. Then it would just be silent while you checked and that would of course mean that you don’t really have anyone to talk to...

But that wasn’t the problem at the moment! The problem was that Niall obviously had mail from some site where he wasn’t a member and while he was sure that it was probably just a pop-up he couldn’t help but find it curious how the pop-up had failed to open up a new window. Instead it just had the letter floating in the middle of his screen looking more like a notification.

A notification that was as tempting as a big red button... Just waiting to be pressed...

Okay, Niall had no self control. Besides, if it was a pop-up and he got spammed with a virus then it wasn’t all that big of a loss. With the all the porn he was looking at he was probably going to get a virus anyways.

...

He should really find a real gay guy.

Niall shook his head to rid himself of his porn problem and decided to instead check out the message thing. It wasn’t every day that you got something to entertain you with! He put the cursor over the picture of the letter and clicked on it. A window popped up with the url saying typeyourmessagehere.com and all that was on the screen was a space for him to type and a few words already typed on the screen.

Server 1: hello

Server 1? What did that mean? Did he work for the website? Was he trying to sell Niall something? What was going on? And why didn’t he use proper grammar? Was he even a he?

Well... There was really only one real way to find out for sure.

Server 2: Hi!

Server 2? Apparently that was the title given to Niall. If that was true then maybe he wasn’t talking to someone who worked for the website. Maybe he was talking to someone who had gotten a red button like letter picture too.

Server 1: um...do you know wat this site is exacttly ?

Server 2: Nope! I just got a little letter thingy saying I had a new message.

Server 1: oh....mine just kindof appeared nd told me to type...w/o actually telling me to type

Server 2: So we’re both just really confused?

Server 1: pretty much. I mean, why wouuld a site just randomly appear onmy computer and tell me to type just tosend me to urs ?

Server 2: Are you indicating that you don’t want to talk to me or that it is strange that a website is choosing two strangers to talk to each other?

Sever 1: alittle bit of both, I guess Sever 2: Gee, thanks.

Sever 1: srry ! Im not tryingto be mean,Ive kindof been this way for a while...I dont even relly talk to my friends anymore

Server 2: Oh man, why?

Server 1: u dont really wanna know and I dont really wanna talk about it...

Sever 2: Okay... Well, whatever it is I’m sorry that you’re so upset! I’m here if you do want to talk about it though!

Sever 1: u really care about wat is bothering a stranger ?

Server 2: Nobody really deserves to be sad. It makes me upset when someone isn’t happy. Everyone should have a reason to smile.

Sever 1: I dont think u have any idea how very obnoxious that comes off to sumone in my position

Server 2: Sorry? I’m just trying to make you feel better. I mean, life is tough and all and there will always be reasons to be sad but there are even greater reasons to be happy.

Server 1: u dont even know me

Server 2: Do I have to?

Server 1: my own friends havent even been able to drag me out of my room

Server 2: Maybe you don’t need someone to drag you out of your room. Maybe you just need someone completely faceless to tell exactly how you feel. Maybe it will help to tell someone who won’t judge you.

Server 1: but I....

Sever 1: I dont want 2 remember

Server 2: That’s kind of silly, isn’t it? Considering you’re going to remember anyways. The fact that you’re so torn up is just proving the point that you remember. So why don’t you just let it out?

Liam stared at the screen. The stranger was just so straightforward. There was no calmly trying to pry information from him while making sure he didn’t break. There was no looking for ways to get him over the situation and to forget but instead... The stranger was mentioning something that actually made sense.

Server 2: Uh... Are you there?

Liam’s fingers moved before his mind was able to catch up.

Server 1: someone died

Server 2: What? Who?

Then his mind did catch up and at that point he realized it was too late. He not only opened the stranger into his problem but he reopened his mind back to the thoughts that had happen. And unfortunately there was no way to turn back.

Server 1: I had met up with this guy at aparty. he was relly cute and we were both drunk....we had sex 1st and then he started 2 talk to me nd he was so sweet. he told me everthing about him that he could with the time we had. he was the best hookup Ive ever had and we both agreed that we wanted to date afterwards

Server 2: And he died?

Server 1: yea

Server 2: How?

Server 1: we...we were running round and having a good laff...we had called a taxi so we could come back 2 his place nd we waited outside...

Server 2: Are you okay? Are you still there?

Server 1: yes...its just...it hurts 2 remember

Server 2: You don’t have to continue if it really bothers you. I mean, death isn’t something you just get over.

Server 1: the worse prt is that i couldve done something about it...I couldve stopped it and saved him

Server 2: You don’t actually know that.

Sever 1: he was right next to me...i went to tie my shoes wen I was suddenly pushed 2 the ground. there was a crash and I looked up to see a car crash rite into a tree...

Server 1: rite into him

Server 2: Oh my God... I’m so sorry. That must have been horrible to witness.

Server 1: I could have pushed himout of the way...I couldve tied my shoes earlier...thats why I blame myself

Server 2: Wait... What?

Server 1: its all my fault. he died saving me

Server 2: How do you think that’s true? It was the man who was driving that was at fault. Not you. You can’t change the fact that you were going to tie your shoes. And the fact that someone risked their life for you, that someone actually pushed you out of the way of a car...

Sever 2: Isn’t that enough reason to get out of your room and enjoy life?

Liam stared at his computer screen.

What was he supposed to say?

Server 1: I dont think Im ready to go out...

Niall’s face fell. He thought he had gotten through to the stranger. He had thought that maybe since the person was reacting so well to them they would take his small bit of advice.

Server 1: but maybe i can do other things

Niall’s face lit up.

Server 2: Yeah! What kind of things do you like to do? What are your hobbies?

Server 1: i uh...I used to work out alot before that day...and i liked to sing and watch movies and stuff like that

Server 2: What kind of movies do you like?

Server 1: toy story is always my favorite. never fails 2 make me cry

Server 2: Here’s what I suggest you do:

Sever 2: Take a shower to clear your mind and maybe even sing a little bit while your in there. See how the old wind pipes are doing, yeah? Then grab some popcorn and watch Toy Story. Maybe even invite someone to watch it with you.

Server 2: Because, you know, being alone doesn’t make you forget things.

Server 2: If you want to forget then you need distractions.

Liam paused.

Server 2: And that’s what friends are for.

Niall bit his lip.

Server 1: I dont know why but...ur so much easier to talk to than any of my friends.

Server 2: I’ve been told it’s a talent that I have! :)

Server 1: will you, uh...keep this open? i like talking to you dn want to do it again

Server 2: Even though I’m a stranger? ;)

Server 1: dont throw my words back in my face ! ur supposed to be nice !

Server 2: Doesn’t mean I can’t tease you. Especially when you type like you never even learned how to spell. :P

Server 1: ok fine,Im going to go shower nad watch toy story because ur being mean ! :(

Server 2: Have fun stranger!

Server 2: And don’t worry!

Server 2: I’ll leave this site open for whenever you feel like coming back! :)

Niall sat back with a smile. He had just effectively helped someone who he didn’t even know and it was the best feeling ever. To think that he had waisted his time wanking when there was someone right there who he could talk to and help out...

His phone rang.

He picked it up with his bright smile still attached to his face. He had feeling that he was going to be in a good mood for quite a while because of that conversation.

“Hullo?”

“What are your plans for the next month?”

Niall couldn’t help it. He slowly raised an eyebrow at the boy who couldn’t even see him.

“I don’t know. I’ll just check my calender.” Niall had to hold back his snort as he stared up at the ceiling and talked into the phone.

“Yeah, okay. Do that.”

“...”

“Niall? Did I lose you?”

“Harry, have you ever seen a calender in my room? Ever? Since when do I plan things out? Jeez!” Niall rolled his eyes.

“You could have a calender on your computer...”

“Do you have and/or use a calender that is on your computer?”

“That’s besides the point.” Harry answered stiffly, and Niall could tell that he had caught his friend and that he was probably blushing.

“Is there something specific on your calender that you want me to join you with?” Niall asked, teasing tone coming out far too easily.

“Yes. There is going to be this huge party thing and it’d be great if you could come.” Harry sighed into the phone, used to Niall’s teasing remarks.

“A party? Tell me, Haz, do I ever say no to a party?”

“No...”

“Then why even bother asking?” There was a pause.

“Okay, fine. Look, Louis wants me to meet his friend Zayn or whatever and I figured why not bring you-“

“You want me to distract Zayn so you can make your move on Louis, don’t you?” It was hard not to be smug when you knew just about everything about your best friend. It was really hard, and that was why Niall had failed to suppress his smug voice while he spoke, knowing that if Harry wasn’t blushing before, well... He was definitely blushing then.

“Pretty please..?” Harry begged and Niall laughed.

“Yeah, yeah. Alright. You really didn’t have to ask, Haz. I would’ve helped you out either way.” Niall sat up as he spoke into the phone. “When is this party anyways?”

“In a month.”

“A month?”

“One month exactly from today.”

“...”

“... Niall..?”

“You must be really excited, Haz. To tell me so early about a party. What, did you just get a phone call from Louis asking you to the party?” Niall asked.

“No...”

Niall’s eyes widened and he laughed.

“Oh my God! You totally did!” Niall laughed even harder into the phone. “Oh man, Haz, that is really adorable!”

“Just come to the party.” Harry ordered, obviously overcome with embarrassment and trying to hide it behind a mask of anger. Niall knew him so well.

“I don’t know. I could come up with a cold in a month.”

“Fuck you, Horan.”

And with that, Harry hung up while Niall continued to laugh hysterically.

Something in Niall’s stomach told him that something good was going to happen.

Chapter 2

Zayn stared.

He was in shock and could barely move. He had walked through the door of his the apartment he shared with his best friend, Liam, and froze. Liam had been hiding in his room for a month, refusing to go out with friends or even go to work. The bloke was lucky, seeing as there weren’t classes at the moment and the people at his job loved him so much they gave him as much time off as he needed to get over things. It was a really kind gesture but Liam was starting to take advantage of it.

That was why he was so shocked to come home and see Liam on the couch, body completely wrapped in a blanket so that just his head was poking out, as he cried.

For a moment Zayn was really worried. All he could think was that maybe Liam had finally snapped and couldn’t stand to be in his room anymore while his entire world fell apart. He was ready to jump to his friend’s side and try to console him if he would let him when he realized the television was on.

And the movie in it was Toy Story Three.

Zayn was torn. He didn’t know what he should do. He could either go up to Liam and reprimand him for watching Toy Story when he knew what it did to him, always making him cry, or he could just grin about it because Liam was actually doing something with his life that didn’t include sleeping in his bed.

“Zayn?” Liam’s voice shocked him too. He hardly got Liam to ever respond to him, much less actually speak to him first. He looked to see Liam in his cuddled up mess of blanket and looking at him with big, watery brown eyes. Liam was using the kicked puppy face. Zayn couldn’t resist the kicked puppy face, damn it. “Can... Can I have a cuddle?”

Zayn sighed as he took off his sunglasses.

“You should really shower, Liam. You’ve been in that bed for days.” Zayn decided that he could at least put up a fight before going over there and cuddling Liam. He couldn’t let him know just how well that stupid kicked puppy face worked.

“I already did... I learned that I need a haircut.” Liam answered. He pulled down the blanket from his neck to show how his hair was longer than he usually kept it. Liam was also usually one for straightening his hair so it was a bit odd to see him with his curls bouncing around his head.

Zayn was just happy to know he showered.

“Do you want me to make dinner?” Zayn asked as he walked over to the couch. He sat right next to Liam and held his arms out. Liam took the invitation and snuggled into Zayn’s arms and rested his head against Zayn’s shoulder.

“Can it wait a few hours? I just had some cookies.” Liam sighed as he relaxed into the embrace. His tears stopped running and he was feeling better.

Zayn was confused.

“Cookies?”

“Well, yeah. We didn’t have any popcorn.”

Zayn blinked. That was not why he was confused and Liam should have known that. His confusion was brought on by the fact that Liam was actually eating without Zayn threatening him to do it.

What happened between the time of him texting Liam to now. “Li?” Zayn asked softly.

“Yeah?”

“Did you talk to anyone today?”

And just like that Liam sat up, shooting out of Zayn’s hands with an actual smile on his face.

“Yeah, I did. Wanna see?” Liam asked.

“See? You can’t just tell me who it was?” Zayn asked back.

“Well...” Liam trailed off, looking at the ground sheepishly. “It’s kind of someone you don’t even know.”

Liam was being a little off-putting and it was making Zayn suspicious.

“So... Like, a friend back home or something?” Zayn guessed, trying to find where exactly Liam was going with this.

“More like... Someone I don’t know either...” Liam admitted. Zayn stared.

“I’m sorry, I don’t get it. What?” Zayn gave up and Liam bit his lip.

“I talked to a stranger.”

That definitely was not what Zayn was expecting to hear. He knew that Liam was seen on Facebook. People kept texting Zayn and saying they saw him and asking if he was going to talk to anybody. Zayn gave up hope of Liam trying to communicate with anyone right there, thinking that his quick appearance and disappearance was what that meant.

But a stranger?

That was new.

“So, what? You were on Omegle?” Zayn asked.

“Well... No. This website sort of just popped up on my computer out of nowhere and told to me to type. I got sent to this other guy- girl, whatever- and they got a message saying that they had mail and we got linked together. Just the two of us on a site called typeyourmessagehere.com.” Liam explained.

Zayn stared.

“You don’t have to lie to me, Liam. I was okay with you not talking to anyone. The fact that you ventured on to Facebook at all was good enough for me.” Zayn got up from the couch and started towards the kitchen.

“I’m not lying!” Liam stumbled over his feet and tripped as he tried to stand, sprawling onto the floor. He decided that there was no use for the blanket anymore and kicked the damned thing off before jumping back to his feet. “I have it saved! I can show you! Hold on.”

Zayn rolled his eyes and sat at the table while Liam ran to his room. He forgot to turn the lights on his room and ended up hitting his foot against the chair he did not remember leaving over there. He didn’t waste time though and grabbed his laptop from off of his bed and hurried back out of the room.

Zayn was eating an apple. He chewed it slowly as he watch Liam move like the most clumsy person in the world. It made him have to hold back a laugh as Liam sat down next to him and placed the laptop in front of him.

There really was a website called typeyourmessagehere.com. And there were two people talking and it seemed like Liam was Server 1 because that was the one who actually talked about the accident...

His head snapped to look at Liam who was looking for confirmation that the site did exist and he wasn’t crazy. Zayn only grinned and put an arm around him.

“Thank you for talking to somebody.”

“Thank you for telling me to. It really helped.” Liam smiled back. Zayn pushed the laptop back to him and stood.

“I’m ordering in pizza. You better be ready to eat later.” He warned jokingly as he headed towards the bathroom. Liam merely smiled even bigger as he went and nodded.

“Yeah, okay!”

But not before he got into contact with his stranger again.

Server 1: are you still there ?

—

Was Niall a loser?

He was seriously concerned. Besides for parties he didn’t really ever have anything to do. He knew that by choosing to study abroad for university was a risk and he was worried that he would be isolated in London with no friends but he had made friends quite easily. Harry had warmed up to him on his first day and it made Niall’s life extremely easy to have someone as flirtatious and popular as Harry being one of his mates.

But then break had rolled around and Niall couldn’t go home. Ireland kept having really bad weather reports and made flight for any convenient time for him near impossible. His family decided that to make it easier on him they would just have him stay at university over the break and Niall felt bad but decided that it was probably a wise choice.

And so he sat, doing nothing for one whole day.

Did that make him a loser?

He planned to hangout with Harry and Louis tomorrow, so he knew he had friends who wanted to hang out with him, and he knew that he was always invited to parties, but the fact that he didn’t have plans and spent his days watching porn worried him. He got one phone call from Harry and other than that he had only spent the rest of his day trying to convince a stranger to get out and have fun.

Not that Niall felt bad about that. He wouldn’t take back anything he said to that stranger for anything. He had actually helped someone. It was the fact that he could convince someone else to go and do something while he was stuck in his bed doing nothing but watching random tidbits of different shows as he channel surfed through his television that upset him.

Just then his computer had that familiar beep pop up and once again scare the shit out of him. He looked at the screen to see that even though he didn’t close the site where he talked to his stranger the little red button letter picture still popped up with the red number one in parenthesis and those words saying that he had a new message.

A smile spread across his face as he pulled himself up in his bed so he sat up with his back against the wall. He put the laptop on his crossed legs and clicked on the screen so the red button picture would go away and let him see what the stranger wrote.

The screen was different. In the top was a little bar that said that there was one saved conversation. He never even saved the conversation. There wasn’t a button for saving a conversation anywhere on the screen. Honestly, it didn’t bother him as much as it probably should have. The fact that his stranger was talking to him excited him and he ignored everything to see what it said.

...

He really was a loser... Wasn’t he?

Server 1: are you still there ?

Niall grinned and brushed off the feeling of being a loser to type.

Server 2: Hey! Back so soon?

Server 1: I was away for hours ! I watched all of the toystory movies in a row

Server 2: Oh wow. I guess time flew by for me.

That was lie. Niall just didn’t want to seem eager to be talking to a stranger like they were the only friend he had to talk to.

Server 2: So, you actually did what I suggested?

Server 1: I showered. I couldn’t get myself to sing... I don’t know why but I just couldn’t.

Server 2: That’s okay. You’ll be able to some time. :)

Server 1: yeah :)

Server 1: but I shouldn’t be giving you my smiley faces. You made me cry ):

Server 2: What’d I do?!

Server 1: you told me to watch toy story and I watched all of them and I cried and my roommate had to give me a cuddle to make me feel better !

Server 2: Ok! Ok! I’m sorry even though I didn’t do anything! XD

Server 1: good :)

Server 2: So is that the only reason you came back to talk to me? To yell at me for somehow making you cry?

Server 1: lol no. I actually just wanted to talk to you. learn more about you and all that. I mean, you helped me out alot and I don’t even know you. you could be some troll from an alien planet who likes to eat red chalk

Server 2: ...

Server 2: I’m sorry. A troll eating chalk?

Server 2: Haha, no mate. I enjoy real food far too much to ever turn to chalk.

Server 1: Then what food is it that’s your favorite? At the moment mine is chocolate chip cookies.

Server 2: No...

Server 2: NOOOOOOOOO.

Server 2: OH GOD, NO. YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME. DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE JUST ONE FOOD. THEY’RE ALL SO GOOD. THEY’RE ALL SO GREAT. HOW COULD YOU EVER CHOOSE JUST ONE?

Server 1: lol

Server 2: I DON’T FIND THIS TO BE A VERY FUNNY SITUATION!

Server 1: OK OK

Server 1: I just never saw anybody get as worked up over food as you. it’s funny. :P

Server 1: do you at least have a favorite place you like to eat ?

Server 2: Nandos. Hands down, best place to eat ever.

Server 2: Wait... You probably don’t even live where I do so you probably don’t know what Nandos is...

Server 1: are you kidding me? I love nandos!

Server 2: You have just won my heart, stranger. You have just won my heart.

Server 1: lol :D

Server 2: Sorry, I come on a little strong. Hope I’m not freaking you out or anything...

Server 1: please ! this is the best conversation I’ve had with anyone ! I love it !

Server 2: ...

Server 1: what..?

Server 2: I just realized how much your grammar has improved since the last time we talked! :D

Server 1: oh ! yeah... I remember how you joked about my writing and I noticed that yours is like near perfect so I decided to try to type at least a little bit better.

Server 1: I’m doing good then ?

Server 2: It is SO much better. It makes reading so much easier when I don’t have to fight through the typos!

Server 1: lol sorry

Server 2: Haha, don’t worry about it! You didn’t have to change the way you type but thanks! :P

Server 1: I didn’t want to make it harder for you

Server 1: anyways... am I going to ever find out anything about you ?

Server 2: I can safely tell you that I am not a troll from an alien planet that likes to eat chalk.

Server 2: Where you even came up with that still amazes me... XD

Server 1: lol well, anything else ? like a name or something ?

Server 2: I don’t really think I should be telling a stranger all this information...

Server 2: I mean, I can tell you that I’m a guy and I’m old enough that I’m in University, but I’m not really sure I want to get any more personal than that...

Server 1: no that’s fine. you don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.

Server 1: I’m just tired of calling you stranger :/

Server 2: Well, why don’t we use code names?

Server 1: code names?

Server 2: Yeah! Like, I could call you TS for Toy Story and you can call me N for Nandos!

Server 2: Or I could call you Woody and I could be Buzz! XD

Server 2: Unless you want to be Buzz...

Server 2: That is, if your even a guy...

Server 2: But then, a girl could wanna be Buzz too...

Server 1: omg lol

Server 1: I think I rather call you N if that’s okay ? and you can call me TS ?

Server 1: and just so you know I’m a guy in uni who would love to be Woody anyday

Server 2: Cool!

Server 2: Hey, did you notice the save conversation thing up at the top of the window of this site? Like, did you ever press a button that says to save a conversation?

Server 1: uhh no. I don’t have a button that says that but yeah I did notice the saved conversation...

Server 2: I guess the site just does it by itself.

Server 1: weird site huh ?

Server 2: Yeah. Weird.

Server 1: hey uh... just a question...

Server 2: Yeah?

Server 1: well... you know I’m a guy now and when I told you about the person who... died... well, you know he was a guy and I had sex with him...

Server 1: that doesn’t creep you out ?

Server 2: Well, that’d be kind of weird for me to be creeped out over considering the moment you messaged me I had just finished wanking to gay porn.

Server 2: OH GOD, SORRY.

Server 2: That was too much information, wasn’t it?

Server 2: Oh God, I’m so sorry!

Server 1: OMG LOL

Server 1: no no no ! it’s totally fine !

Server 1: the fact that you told me something so honest just makes you feel more real and it makes the conversation so easy to have because I know you won’t judge me :)

Server 2: Oh thank God... I really should learn to filter myself though. Not everyone is as accepting as you. :D

Server 1: I guess you just lucked out

Niall couldn’t help but smile at the screen.

How in the world was this the same person he had been talking to earlier? This person was so much fun. This person was funny and real. That other person... He was so sad... There was no way they could be the same people.

Server 1: shoot

Server 2: What happened?

Server 1: roomie’s out of the shower and wants pizza so he orders I get off the computer :(

Server 1: and he says hi

Actually, Zayn had said, “Tell him that he is the most wonderful person in the world for taking care of you and that I will gladly accept him into our home.”

But there was no way Liam was going to say that

Server 2: Okay, well, tell him I say hi and go eat some pizza!

Server 1: You’ll still be here later?

Server 2: You don’t even know, TS. I might even message you first next time. ;)

Server 1: :D Bye!

Server 2: Bye!

Chapter 3

Footsteps fell.

Music blasted.

Laughter filled the air.

Kisses were exchanged.

Why was everything so weird?

Oh yeah. He was drunk. It was his first time ever being drunk too. Everything was a giant haze, like he was looking through a camera lens that someone had touched. Only certain images registered in his mind. The party they were at was one of them. Then there was a road that they were standing by, a giant tree hanging over them, and...

Liam remembered this.

And there, in front of him was the most beautiful boy his eyes had ever landed on. His mind was filled with the boy’s laughter. It rang through his head as such a joyful sound.

But Liam knew it wasn’t at the moment. He knew what was happening.

His head looked around and he took a step forward only to trip and stumble onto the road. His hands stung a little bit but the alcohol and the hazy way the world had become kept him from feeling any real pain. The other boy laughed good heartedly at him and held out a hand to help him up.

Liam wanted to take it. He was screaming and begging to take that hand. To do anything other than what he knew he was going to do. Anything at all.

He looked to see what he tripped on only to find it was his own shoe lace. He waved the boy’s arm away and indicated towards the shoe only to make them laugh again. He shifted onto one knee so he could start tying the shoe, but it was so hard. His hands felt numb and he was too drunk to remember if it was bunny ears or cat ears or... Whatever. The world soon quieted around his body and all he could see were his shoe laces while the only thing he could hear was that perfect voice.

“Liam...”

And Liam wanted to look up. He wanted to look up so bad.

He kept concentrating on his shoe lace. It seemed no matter how much he moved his hands the laces would keep coming untied. His body wasn’t frustrated though. It thought he had all the time in the world.

Liam knew that was wrong. “Liam.”

He laughed at his clumsy hands. He didn’t hear that laughter that he loved join in with him. In fact, he didn’t even hear his own laughter. Everything was painfully quiet.

And Liam knew why. “Liam!”

His body was pushed back onto the grass, and while the air should have been knocked out of him from the push it simply wasn’t. Suddenly sound crashed around him with that one yell of his name and he could hear everything. He could hear the music playing, the people talking, and people laughing.

And he could hear wheels screeching, the hard sound of a giant object colliding with something else, and a crunch that was sickening enough to make him look up.

His eyes were still hazy as he saw a car mere inches in front of him. It’s front was smashed into the tree he was just by with some weird thing sticking between the tree and the car. It hung over the hood of the car with red all around it and that was when all time stopped.

There was the beautiful boy. His head was against the hood, looking at the house with open eyes that had an emptiness behind them he never thought possible for that boy. One arm was next to his head while the other one was laying straight at his side. The entire top of his body was bent over the hood while the bottom half was nowhere to be seen. All there was was car and tree. And red liquid gushing around.

So much red.

And that was when Liam woke up.

His body jumped a bit as his eyes opened to the dark room. His heart was racing and he was covered in sweat. His stomach was having a fit and there was this feeling eating at him that just kept saying that he was afraid and that nothing would ever be okay again.

He was breathing heavily. It felt like he had run for miles. He didn’t want to get out of bed but he most certainly did not want to go back to sleep. All he wanted to do was just lay there.

Then there was a loud beep that made him jump. Apparently he had left his laptop open on his desk last night in hopes that his stranger would have something to say to him. He looked at his computer as another beep sounded out but was not nearly as scary considering it did not have the element of surprise that the last beep did.

On the screen was the picture of envelope. It said New Message at the bottom in black letters while in the left hand corner there were red parenthesis with numbers that kept growing as more beeps sounded out.

Liam clicked on it.

Server 2: Morning TS!

Server 2: Hello?

Server 2: Are you awake?

Server 2: TTTTTSSSSSSS?

Server 2: Woody!

Server 2: Woooooddddddyyyyyyy?

Server 2: Oh God...

Server 2: I just realized that Woody reminds me of morning wood.

Server 2: And I can’t call you that anymore or else I’ll have the picture of a giant penis typing to me.

Server 2: But how would a penis even type?

Server 2: Oh look. There I go again being a little too blunt. Now, you’ll wake up just to see how weird I am.

Liam couldn’t help it.

He laughed.

He laughed so hysterically. He laughed holding his stomach because he felt like he wasn’t able to breath anymore. He laughed because whether his stranger knew it or not he needed a good laugh to help him get over the nightmare that had just taken place in his dreams and it felt so good to laugh.

Server 1: omg

Server 1: OMG

Server 1: LOL

Server 1: I’m lol’ing so bad rite now i mihgt even start crying !!!!

Server 1: LOL

Server 2: Haha, sorry! I really shouldn’t be allowed to talk as much as I do.

Server 1: omg don’t worry about it ! to be honest I thought exactly the same thing while reading it

Server 2: Haha, okay good. Just know that anytime I start getting a little too straight forward you can just tell me to shut up. Okay?

Server 1: I don’t think that will ever happen but okay :)

Server 1: you’re up early

Server 2: Yeah, well my friends have something planned today.

Server 1: this early ?

Server 2: Well, one of them is completely crazy and told me to be up early for this escapade.

Server 2: And the other is in love with the crazy one. So, I’m double teamed.

Server 2: And I wanted to talk to you before I left because I don’t know when I will come back.

Server 2: So, what are you up to? Did the annoying beeping wake you up?

Server 1: no. I had a nightmare

Server 2: :( I’m sorry. What happened?

Server 1: it was the accident all over again

Server 2: Are you okay?

Server 1: yeah. lucky for me you were awake. my roomie will be sleeping until late and he sleeps like a rock

Server 2: Ugh. I know how you feel. One of my best friends can just sleep the entire day away if we let him.

Server 1: and do you let him ?

Server 2: Of course not.

Server 1: lol didn’t think so

Server 1: so what about you then ? are you a deep sleeper ?

Server 2: I’m pretty sure I sleep like a normal person. I don’t snore like one of my friends, the bastard.

Server 1: lol yeah I don’t snore either. though I usually always wake up early

Server 2: ... How early are we talking here?

Server 1: only 8 or so in the morning. sometimes later

Server 2: And you’re my age?

Server 2: Sleep in, dammit! You deserve it!

Server 1: lately sleeping in has been easy. but it was hard to before because I liked to get up and make some eggs

Server 2: Oh no, don’t mention food. I’m going to get hungry and my friends said I’m not allowed to eat yet cause we’re eating out and...

Server 1: I’m honestly amazed by how much you like food

Server 2: I can’t help it. Food is the most amazing thing in the world.

Server 1: would it be weird if I said that I found your obsession with food to be adorable ?

Server 2: I mentioned wanking to gay porn and a penis that can type on the computer...

Server 2: If anyone is saying the weird things, it’s definitely me.

Server 2: Though I fail to see what part of stuffing my face with food is adorable. You must think I’m some really fat bloke!

Server 1: no ! not at all ! and besides personality is more important than looks

Server 2: Well, aren’t you a charming lad? Trying to win me over, are you? ;)

Server 1: oh no ! you figured out my whole plot ! what ever shall I do now ? XD

Server 2: It’s okay, TS. You don’t need to use secretive motives. We’ve basically become some weird duo already. We’ll probably end up getting married with 2.5 children and having mediocre jobs.

Server 1: will I still be calling you nandos when we’re married ?

Server 1: “oh yes, I’d like you to meet my husband, nandos”

Server 1: “nandos, pick up your socks, would you darling ? “

Server 1: “nandos I JUST went grocery shopping ! what do you mean there’s no food ? “

Server 2: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Server 2: You basically just hit my spot on! Honestly, I’m not kidding. That’s like all I ever do! Hahaha.

Server 1: honestly ? I find it hard to believe that’s all...

Server 2: Well, I play football a little and play the guitar so you’d have to put up with hearing that a lot, but yeah. That’s it. I’m boring.

Server 1: I don’t think you’re boring. I’m more boring

Server 2: Doubt it. Haha

Server 1: all I do is study my homework, train to be a firefighter, and sing

Server 1: so no, I really am that boring

Server 2: You’re training to be a firefighter? Mate, that is so cool!

Server 1: really ? you think so ?

Server 2: Yeah! My husband, TS, the great firefighter! Our kids will be so proud of you!

Server 1: lol well they’ll get their great looks from you I’m sure

Server 2: And you don’t even know what I look like yet. ;)

Server 2: Oh, looks like it’s time for me to go! There’s pounding on my door and shouting.

Server 1: have fun doing whatever it is you’ll be doing ! I think I’ll go make some eggs

Server 2: Ugggghhh... Food..

Server 2: Bye TS.

Server 1: Bye N!

Liam minimized the window on his computer with a smile on his face. Eggs actually sounded really good. And bacon... With toast and orange juice...

And that was why, an hour later, Zayn walked out of his room to use the toilet only to find Liam in the kitchen. The smell of food wafted to his nose and made his stomach growl hungrily but he stayed where he stood, completely in shock.

The way Liam was cooking... The fact that smile was plastered to his face as he whistled a small tune...

It made Zayn really happy for his friend.

—

“Niall! If you’re not awake yet you can bet that I will break into your room and eat your horde of crisps! I know where you hide them all!”

Niall swung open the door to his small apartment to glare at none other than Louis Tomlinson. The boy grinned at him once the door was open, obviously happy to see that Niall was very awake and dressed so that they could get moving faster. Harry stood next to him looking dead on his feet as he gave Niall a sympathetic look.

“You go anywhere near my crisps and you die, Tomlinson.” Niall warned.

“What were you doing in there that was taking so long, Nialler? Eh?” Louis wagged his eyebrows suggestively at the blonde who rolled his eyes in response.

“I was actually talking to someone, thank you very much.” Niall answered as Harry swayed, ready to fall over and just go back to sleep.

Louis paused.

“But if I’m here... And Harry’s here... And we were together... And neither of us were talking to you... Who could you have possibly been talking to?” Louis asked and Niall had to try really hard to resist the urge to roll his eyes again.

“You two are not my only friends.” Niall stated plainly.

“We’re the only two currently awake.” Louis argued, and that was one point that was very true. Niall opened his mouth to argue but he didn’t have anything to say in retaliation. It was true. His entire family back home was probably still asleep and nobody he knew there was awake except for Louis and Harry.

“Uh...” Niall trailed off, not sure what to say.

“Someone’s nervous.” Louis’ eyes narrowed on the blond and Niall couldn’t really respond. He let his tongue trace over his teeth as he tried to think about how to explain just who he was talking to without giving Louis the chance to take the mickey out of him.

“What’s up, Niall?” Harry yawned, wondering why Niall was acting so weird. He wasn’t usually one for hiding things. In fact, he loved to come straight out to them and tell them everything about himself, which was why Harry had gone to him about his situation with Louis.

Because he needed someone to talk to that wasn’t Louis.

“Um... I’ve been sort of talking to someone... Who’s, uh... Sort of like a stranger..?” It wasn’t meant to be a question but he couldn’t help how his voice came out. It was all against his will and he just hoped that Louis would have mercy on him.

“Omegle stranger or Tumblr stranger?” Louis asked straight away. “Because there is a big difference and the Tumblr ones are always safer, Niall.”

Niall couldn’t help but smile at Louis.

“Neither, Lou.”

“OH GOD. A STRANGER ON FACEBOOK? NIALL, NO. TELL ME YOU DIDN’T!” Louis reached forward and grabbed Niall by his shoulders, looking genuinely concerned for him. Niall laughed as he watched Louis go crazy about the stranger he was talking to.

“No, Lou. It’s a completely new site, I guess? It’s just me and this other guy who I’ve nicknamed TS and he’s really cool.” Niall explained, attempting to put Louis at ease.

“He doesn’t know where you live or anything... Right?” Harry asked.

“No, Haz. He asked me for my name and I wouldn’t even tell him that so we have code names. I’m Nandos and he’s Toy Story.” Niall answered, amused at how his friends were so worried over TS of all people. Even though Niall didn’t actually know who he was he just knew that the guy couldn’t hurt him if he tried.

The guy was in tears over Toy Story for Christ’s sake!

“I demand to meet him.” Louis ordered, crossing his arms over his chest and giving Niall a determined look.

“Right now?” Niall asked, looking back in his room where the laptop lay on a random table.

“No! Not right now. Right now I need you to grab Betsy because I promised the hospital that we would sing to the sick kids! But later yes!” Louis explained, causing a smile to burst out across Niall’s face. He loved singing with Harry and Louis to the sick kids in the hospital and had Louis told him sooner that was the reason he was waking up so early then he wouldn’t have been anywhere near as annoyed as he was for having to get up.

“Her name isn’t Betsy.” Niall stated, wondering where he had left his guitar that Louis had named Betsy against his will.

“Yeah yeah. Get Betsy and then get in the car so we can talk more about this Toy Story fellow!” Louis ordered as he walked off to go to his car. Harry wordlessly followed, not really awake anymore.

Niall sighed.

That was sure to be an interesting conversation.

Chapter 4

Someone’s obsessed.

Liam looked up from the text on his phone that he had received from Zayn. Who was sitting on the other side of the their main room. Zayn was watching football on the television with a barely concealed smirk that let Liam know that Zayn found his texting stunt to be amusing even though he could obviously just open his mouth and speak.

He didn’t really even have to wonder what Zayn was talking about. It was obvious due to the fact that Liam was staring at his open laptop. He had been talking to Nandos for a week and a half nonstop. He managed to get himself back to the fire station to continue working there but whenever he came home he would go straight to the computer and talk to Nandos about everything.

I’m not obsessed.

Liam sat and waited for Zayn to notice his phone vibrate. He looked to see who sent the text only to grin and start responding without so much as glancing at Liam.

I’ve seen girls obsessed with boy bands who are less obsessed than you are over Nandos.

Hey, Nandos just so happens to have really great food! There is a reason why people love to eat there!

Oh, you arse. You know I’m talking about the stranger who you’re impatiently waiting to talk to you right now.

Am not.

He’s even made your grammar better! Man, I would love to meet this guy in real life and thank him for teaching you the English language.

I dont kno wat ur talking about

You suck.

ur dilusional

Fine. I’ll stop bugging you if you close your laptop.

Liam looked up and met Zayn’s gaze. Zayn’s eyes had an amused glint as they challenged him and Liam stared back at him, hoping none of his emotions were being shown in his own eyes.

All he wanted to do was talk to Nandos, but maybe Zayn was right. Maybe he was obsessed and maybe even Nandos thought the same thing. The two had talked every single day for as long as they possibly could before one of them fell asleep at the computer. They had shared everything about themselves to each other and bonded over many things but what if Zayn was right? What if Nandos just thought Liam was desperate and he was just too nice to say so or ignore Liam?

He glanced down at the laptop and sighed.

“Fine.” He didn’t feel like texting anymore and instead decided to just say what he wanted as he closed the laptop and put it under the couch for good measure.

“Whoa, mate! You know you don’t actually have to do that. I know you’re just dying to talk to Nandos-“

“We made a deal, Zayn. I stop ‘obsessing’ and you stop teasing. I did my part.” Liam answered sharply. He was really only upset because he really did want to talk to Nandos. What if Nandos went to talk to him and when Liam didn’t reply he felt like Liam didn’t want to talk to him anymore? What if Nandos never forgave him for that and didn’t ever come back? What if-

...

Okay, Liam was a little desperate.

But he just couldn’t help himself. His stranger was so much fun! He was funny and just always looking for a good laugh. He picked Liam off his feet no matter the kind of day Liam was having and he was just so carefree that he made Liam feel the same way too.

He helped Liam so much that Liam had decided that the guy was totally worth using full and proper grammar for.

“Are you going to watch the game? It’s much more fun than glaring at the floor.” Zayn smirked as Liam’s head snapped up from where it was glaring at the floor. He hadn’t even noticed that he was doing it, too preoccupied in his thoughts.

“Yeah. Do we have any snacks?” Liam asked, turning to the television.

“I’m going to see if we’ve got any crisps laying around in the kitchen.” Zayn stood and walked over to the kitchen as Liam watched the game. He had to keep his mind off Nandos and try to relax.

His phone vibrated.

“Zayn, stop texting me, you twat. I’m right here.” Liam looked at Zayn in the kitchen who held up his hands in surrender.

“Wasn’t me this time, mate.”

Liam turned back to the phone and felt his blood go cold.

On the screen was an application that had never been there before. It was in the shape of an envelope with little words underneath it saying New Message while in the left hand corner were red parenthesis with a little number one sitting snugly in between them.

He didn’t download that app. How could there even be an app for a website that only himself and a stranger seem to know about? And what was it doing on his phone?

He opened the app.

A blank screen popped up. At the bottom there was a place to type his message while below that was where the app apparently stored the old conversations. The site had started storing them by week and titled them as such, “Week One”.

And there were words on the screen that scared him.

Server 2: I’ve come to a conclusion.

—

“You’ve got a crush on a random stranger.” Louis teased as he filled his mouth with popcorn. Harry laughed from where the two were snuggling on a couch in Harry’s house as all three were watching the football game.

Well, Niall was glancing at it whenever he wasn’t waiting for TS to talk to him.

“I do not.” Niall answered, staring at the blank page and urging for TS to talk to him. Before, they had agreed on who would be talking first almost every day but today was a day where they hadn’t chosen someone to talk first and so Niall wasn’t sure if he should or if that just seemed obsessive.

“You so do.” Louis smiled at the blonde while Harry grinned.

“You really kind of do, Nialler.” Harry agreed. “All you ever do is run to your computer so you can talk to him. Mate, you always used to watch football with us and now that the game is on you’re more focused on if TS will talk to you or if you should but you really can’t because maybe it’s weird how much you’re talking to him.”

Niall glared at Harry.

“Hey, Styles? Fuck off.” Niall ordered, tapping his fingers impatiently against the computer. Louis and Harry giggled childishly at their friend as they snuggled even closer.

“Just admit you have a bit of a crush on a guy who’s name you don’t even know.” Louis ordered.

“He wouldn’t mind telling me his name.”

“Oh yeah?” Louis raised an eyebrow in a challenge. A challenge Niall knew that he no longer wanted to go through with but he really didn’t have a choice. It was either go through with it or get ridiculed by Louis. “Then ask him.”

Niall glared at the two boys snuggling on his couch. They were best friends and in love with each other but too afraid to admit it to each other. Of course, they found it easy for them both to go up to Niall and tell him, but they couldn’t just turn to each other and explain that they wanted to ride the gay roller coaster of rainbows together.

And they both still teased him mercilessly. They were so going to pay for that one day.

Niall turned to his laptop and convinced himself to type to TS. Hopefully the guy wouldn’t find him weird for wanting to talk so badly and then wanting to know his name. Maybe if he started off with telling his name first TS would find it okay to tell Niall his name.

He typed.

Server 2: I’ve come to a conclusion.

He thankfully didn’t need to wait that long. Apparently, the stranger was on his side and answered within the minute.

Server 1: ...

Well... That wasn’t exactly what Niall had been expecting.

Server 2: ..............?

Server 1: What the hell?!

Server 2: Well, hello to you too!

Server 2: My day is going great!

Server 2: How’s your day going?

Server 1: N... The site...

Server 2: Yes..?

Server 1: It popped up on my phone!

Server 2: It... What?

Server 1: I AM TALKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW ON MY PHONE.

Server 2: What? How?

Server 1: I. DON’T. KNOW.

Server 2: Okay, that is weird...

Server 2: Um... Did you put your number on the site or something or even look it up on your phone?

Niall sat contemplating what TS was telling him. He didn’t exactly know if the guy was telling the truth because he didn’t know who the guy was but he did feel more inclined to believe him considering the fact that the website kept doing strange things. It popped up out of nowhere to two strangers and asked them to talk, and then it saved all of their conversations.

Popping up on a phone was a bit of a stretch but Niall wasn’t going to count it out. “Guys? Can you do me a favor?” Niall asked aloud, gaining Harry and Louis’ attention. “What?”

“Can you look up typeyourmessagehere.com and see if it connects you with a stranger?” Niall asked. Louis’ face lit up like a child on christmas day and Harry grinned at his best friend.

“I’ll go get your computer, Haz!”

Server 1: No! I was just on my computer and I closed it because my roomie is a prick and then you messaged me but it popped up as an app on my phone!

Server 1: ON MY PHONE NANDOS.

Server 1: MY. PHONE.

Server 2: Ok, yes! Your phone! I believe you!

Server 2: Um... I don’t really know what to do here...

Server 2: Want me to close my computer and see if the same thing happens with me?

Server 1: Please? I’m kind of having a panic attack here...

Server 2: Okay. Message me in two minutes.

Niall closed his computer as Louis came back into the room with Harry’s laptop. He sat himself back down so he was once again snuggling with his best friend as he got to work at typing in the website.

The blond simply took out his phone and stared at it, wondering if anything would actually happen.

And then the phone vibrated.

Niall blinked dumbly as he looked at his phone and saw something he never would have expected. He saw the red button letter picture pop up as an application right in the front of his phone. Underneath it read the words New Message while in the top left hand corner there was a group of red parenthesis that held the number one in between them.

He couldn’t believe it. It was impossible. For the website to find his and the strangers information... How could it have possibly done that?

He opened the app to see what looked like an exact replica of the website only that the saved conversations were at the bottom and that their conversation that they were just having was on the screen, as if the site knew that they weren’t finished talking and didn’t save the conversation before they could finish.

Which was just creepy to think about.

“Niall?” Louis’ voice took Niall’s attention away from his phone so that he looked at the two boys who were very confused. He had never seen perplexed faces on both of his friends at the same time when they weren’t trying to do homework and it made him feel uneasy.

“Yeah?” Niall asked, not sure if he could take another surprise that was capable of making his friends that confused.

Louis turned Harry’s laptop around so that it was facing Niall and the blonde leaned in to look at the screen. It showed the Optimum online network and it said very clearly, “There are no results found for typeyourmessagehere.com” and below it had a bunch of recommendations for alterations to the name.

Niall’s hand clutched at his phone as his eyes slowly raised to look at Harry and Louis.

“But it’s real... You’ve seen me talking to TS yourself.” Niall stated, just needing to know that he wasn’t crazy or something and he didn’t make all of it up.

“We know, Niall. That’s why it’s so weird.”

His phone vibrated again and he glanced at it, noticing that TS wrote to him finally. Harry and Louis glanced at his phone.

“Who is it?” Harry asked.

“TS. The... The site became an app...” Niall explained slowly. Harry and Louis’ eyes widened before they shot up out of their seats to get on either side of Niall as the blond decided to get back to his conversation with Toy Story.

Server 1: So... Am I insane or..?

Liam was breathing irregularly and tapping his foot at a speed that he never tapped his foot at before. His hands were clutching the phone painfully hard as he waited to see if he was just going insane and his stranger didn’t have the same problem as him.

Zayn sat down next to him, eating a bag of crisps.

“What’s wrong with you?” Zayn asked, looking at his roommate who looked absolutely scared shitless.

“Oh, nothing.” Liam managed, voice a little higher than usual. “Just the fact that the weird website thing became an application on my phone all by itself and I’m talking to Nandos through it.”

Zayn’s eyebrows rose.

“You can get that as an app? Cool.”

“You’re not very helpful.”

“I never claimed to be.”

Server 2: Holy shit.

Server 1: Are you on your phone?!

Server 2: HOLY SHIT.

Server 1: Your on your phone. Okay. I’m not insane.

Server 2: How did it do that?

Server 2: What the hell?

Server 1: I don’t know!

Server 2: This... Is actually really creepy.

Server 1: Do you think it’s possible that the site hacked our computers and found all our information and that’s how they’re doing this?

Server 2: I don’t know... I mean, it’s possible.

Server 2: Even though I’m pretty sure my number isn’t on my computer...

Server 2: But I’m not exactly a computer whiz so I’m not really going to count everything out...

“Ed’s a computer freak, though. You could totally have him check it out.” Zayn added from over Liam’s shoulder, scaring the boy.

“Why are you reading my conversation?” Liam asked offendedly, pulling his phone away from Zayn a little.

“Well, the website doesn’t pop up on my computer and you’re kind of freaking out so why can’t I get informed?” Zayn asked back as he stuffed a handful of chips into his mouth.

“You suck.” Liam stated, only earning a wink from his friend.

Server 1: This is so weird...

Server 2: Yeah, but uh... Does this mean we can text now?

Server 1: Well, it’s not really texting since it’s an app but I guess so. Yeah.

“Ask for his number.” Louis ordered, causing Niall’s head to snap at the older boy.

“What?”

“Ask for his number! You’ve got the hots for him so just ask for his number!” Louis ordered again, leaning over Niall’s shoulder so much that the older boy was practically on top of him just so he could see what TS was writing.

“I do not have the hots for a stranger!” Niall blushed. He turned to flick Louis on the head but before he could Louis grabbed his phone and started typing.

Niall jumped at the older boy who managed to keep the phone out of his reach while using his feet to push Niall back. Niall fought all he could and Harry just watched the scene, too used to that sort of thing happening quite a lot. Niall reached out and finally grabbed the phone only to realize that Louis had already sent the message.

Server 2: So why don’t we just exchange numbers?

“Li! A guy’s number! Go for it, mate! Go for it!” Zayn yelled in joy, hitting Liam’s shoulder to urge him along.

“Don’t you have a football game to be watching?”

“There’s always the highlight reel.”

Server 1: Well okay. Seeing as we’re already using our phones I don’t really see why not...

“You owe me.” Louis stated and only got a hand upside his head in response.

Server 2: Okay. :)

Server 1: REQUEST UNAVAILABLE

Server 2: Or... Not..?

Server 1: What the hell? I can’t even put in my number?

Server 2: Maybe we just can’t put in any random numbers that could effectively be a phone number. Like...

Server 2: 555-444-3333

Server 2: Wait...

Server 2: 794-830-3434

Server 2: 327-439-2058

Server 2: REQUEST UNAVAILABLE

Server 2: WHAT THE HELL?

Server 1: I’m guessing the last one was your number?

Server 2: What do we do?

Server 1: I have a friend who’s really good with this kind of stuff. I think I’ll get him to take a look at it.

Server 2: Sounds good to me.

Server 2: But wait... Have you tried to have people go to the site on other computers?

Server 1: Yeah, it doesn’t work.

Server 1: And at first I thought I was crazy but then I remembered that Zayn could see our conversation on my computer.

Server 1: Uh... Zayn’s my friend’s name, by the way.

Server 2: Okay, good. Because I was afraid that I was going crazy too.

Server 2: But, just so I know... When are you taking this to your friend?

Server 1: I’ll go right now if you want me to.

Server 1: Anything for you.

“That is adorable. Liam... Mate... You’re great. I think you just won the guy’s heart.” Zayn teased, wiping away invisible tears.

“Why am I even friends with you?”

Server 2: :)

“Whoa! Wait! A smiley face?” Louis looked incredulously at the blond who looked back at him, not completely sure what he did wrong.

“What? It made me smile...” Niall answered.

“The guy just said the sweetest thing to you and all you do is give him a smiley face? That’s harsh, Niall.” Harry explained.

“Well, what am I supposed to do?” Niall asked, tone loud and frustrated. This time it was Harry who took the phone from his hands and started typing and when the blond went to take his phone back Louis grabbed him and kept his hands out of reach.

When Harry was finished he gave the phone back to Niall who was released from Louis’ grasp. The blond read the message and gaped at Harry.

He thought they were friends!

Server 2: If you weren’t a total stranger I would date you.

Server 1: The feeling is mutual. ;)

Server 2: Bye TS.

Server 1: Bye N.

Niall shut the application and looked at his two friends who surrounded him with knowing smirks. He could do nothing but blush and stand up.

“I still hate both of you!”

Chapter 5

Niall grinned.

He was with Louis in the park, kicking a football around. Neither of them actually played the sport but they found it a fun way to pass time. Both of them were able to pull random moves out of nowhere that were pretty impressive but then Louis would trip over nothing and fall to the ground or Niall would end up kicking the ball in the complete opposite direction he was aiming for and come close to hurting a poor innocent civilian and they would remember why they never played in school.

They had left Harry’s house because he had a doctor’s appointment that his Mum wouldn’t let him miss, even for the great cause of finding out what TS had to say about the website later.

So the two boys were attempting to make time go by faster by goofing around. It wasn’t working very well. Even though they were having fun and laughing at each other’s expense when one of them would do something stupid they both remembered that there was something they were waiting to figure out and so time still ticked by painfully slow.

Louis had taken to bouncing the football on his knee while Niall sat on a bench and checked his phone. There weren’t any notifications of any kind and he couldn’t keep himself from sighing.

“Zayn...” Louis trailed off, voice quiet as he spoke to himself, eyes watching the football as he continued to bounce it on his knee.

“What?” Niall asked, turning to his friend.

“I’m just remembering, but... Did Toy Story say that his roommate was named Zayn?” Louis asked, catching the ball and turning to Niall. He had a deep concentrated look on his face, as if he was trying to recall something.

“Yeah. That was definitely the name he used.” Niall nodded.

Louis looked away for a second, thinking really hard. It wasn’t every day Niall got to see Louis looking so concentrated. Usually the older boy was always just trying to have a laugh and do something mischievous. He was only ever serious when the situation at hand really called for it.

The older boy sat down on the bench next to Niall without ever letting his eyes lift from the ground. The blue orbs were focused while he held the football loosely in his lap.

“That’s not a very popular name... Is it?” Louis asked.

“No. About as popular as the name Niall is.” Niall joked, wondering what it was that had Louis so serious when all he kept mentioning was Toy Story’s roommate. Honestly, out of all the things for Louis to focus on in the conversation that had took place no more than an hour ago he would only care about the roommate’s name.

“Exactly. So it wouldn’t be a coincidence if I just happened to have had a guy named Zayn in one of my classes now would it?” Louis asked.

That got Niall’s attention. His head whipped to look at Louis as Louis slowly looked back at him. His eyes were wide with shock while Louis just looked curious.

Louis had a classmate who was named Zayn. TS had a roommate who was named Zayn. TS said that he liked Nandos which meant he had to be close to where Niall was. He also mentioned times that were almost exactly like his so the biggest time difference there could be between them was only two hours or so.

It all couldn’t be a coincidence... Could it?

“Do you think that later today you could try contacting him?” Niall asked, never so eager for Louis to do his infamous Facebook stalking.

Whenever they needed to find someone Louis always knew how to get to their Facebook page and then looked through all of their pictures to see if they were okay or not. It was a little unnerving but now that Niall actually felt the need to get more information he had never been more happy for one of Louis’ many quirks before in his life.

“It would be my pleasure.” Louis smirked and did that sassy little head turn that he never even knew he did. It was definitely one of the things that made Niall want to slap Harry for not noticing just how completely homosexual Louis was for doing it and even tried to telepathically speak to the curly haired boy whenever Louis would do it, thinking the entire time, “Gay gay gay gay gay gay gay.”

Unfortunately, he was not a telepath.

“Are you going to date Harry or not?” Niall asked, deciding that being blunt was really the only sure fire way to get Louis to answer him.

The older boy looked like a deer caught in headlights. He fidgeted nervously as a blush crept across his cheeks. His eyes looked down towards his Toms and he pretended to not hear a word that Niall had said, which was something he did often when he didn’t like a conversation and had no way of coming out of it as the victor.

Niall was about to repeat his question when he felt his phone vibrate.

Louis’ head lifted at hearing the phone vibrate and he looked at the mobile device that lay in Niall’s hands. Niall turned on the screen and unlocked it to show that the mysterious application that had downloaded itself onto his phone had a new notification.

“Is that TS?” Louis asked. Niall nodded dumbly. “Yeah.”

Suddenly he felt nervous and even a little afraid. What if TS had learned all about what was happening with the site and it turned out that it was something Niall would have preferred not knowing at all? There was no way to go back and stop himself from seeing. There was no way to make this situation go in his favor.

And then there was also the fact that TS also thought Niall was flirting with him.

Not that Niall didn’t want to flirt with TS, because the guy seemed nice enough. Hell, he seemed exactly Niall’s type! It was the fact that the guy was a stranger. Someone so completely random and unknowing. He could have been anyone and Niall couldn’t just trust that no matter how much he liked the guy.

His thumb shook before it finally opened the app.

Server 1: Things have gotten even weirder.

—

“What the hell am I looking at?”

“Well, Ed. I know this is all knew to you but that just so happens to be a computer. It’s this brand new invention created by the monkeys for world domination.”

Ed spun in his chair to send a playful glare at Zayn.

The two of them and Liam were all in Ed’s room. Liam leaned against the wall, studying Ed nervously as he bit his nails so much that it started to become painful. He honestly didn’t care. He was too nervous to care about any pain at that moment.

Ed sat in his favorite spinning chair at his desk where he had moved his own laptop from so that he could hook Liam’s up to some of the devices that never seemed to leave Ed’s laptop whenever they hung out with him. Zayn made a sarcastic comment on how big of a nerd Ed was before crashing down on the red head’s bed.

When Ed had hooked up all the wires he opened the window to the website where the same old screen Liam was far too used to at that point was sitting there. Ed looked at the screen and pressed around before a window opened and Liam and Zayn knew that he was doing some smart techy thing that only ever made sense in movies when everything went by really fast and you didn’t actually have to pay attention.

They were like that for at least a good half hour. Zayn had taken to falling asleep on the bed and Liam never let his eyes move from the computer. Just because he didn’t know what was going on didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to pay attention. Whatever it was that Ed was doing was important because the answer affected not only Liam but also his stranger.

And that was when Ed groaned angrily and slammed his head down onto the little bit of desk that was cleared before asking his question that only got a smart ass remark from Zayn.

“Thank you for the history lesson, Zayn.” Ed replied with a roll of his eyes.

“What’s wrong? Why are you so upset?” Liam asked nervously, moving off of the wall only to realize that his foot had fallen asleep and winced as too much pressure was put on it.

“This website shouldn’t exist.” Ed stated simply, trying to tell two completely uneducated people what was wrong and why he was so frustrated.

“Wanna elaborate on that?” Zayn yawned.

“Well, first of all I can’t hack into the site. There’s usually all these sort of walls for a website that you can access with the right codes. Then, there are firewalls up to keep the hackers away or at least to slow them down.” Ed started to explain, trying really hard to use terminology he knew they would be able to understand. “This site doesn’t have a single wall. And when you get inside there’s no information. There’s just the conversations that you’ve been having. I can’t even track the other person in the conversation because, here’s the fun part..!

“There is no IP address which is impossible. There’s always a Static address for websites. Even if there’s not then there’s at least the change of a Dynamic one that’s usually in the same area and there isn’t one at all. Not Dynamic nor Static.

“It doesn’t have any archives which also makes no sense. Every website has archives so that it can store information. The conversations shouldn’t be able to be stored when there’s no archives. All the information should be lost and yet here it all is just floating around cyberspace like a ghost. Liam, can I kill this website? It’s pissing me off.”

Liam had started to breath heavy as Ed’s words sunk in. How was any of this happening? How was any of that even possible? He had never thought he would be thrown into a situation where he had to worry about websites that weren’t real popping up everywhere he went but apparently he did and it was freaking him out.

Zayn sat up when he noticed how distraught Liam was. He was scared that Liam might actually pass out or scream or do something equally as worrisome. It was scary and so he decided to speak out and maybe, just hopefully, keep Liam from doing anything horrifying.

“Li? Are you okay?”

Liam’s eyes snapped to Zayn and he took a deep breath. “I need to tell N.”

Zayn only nodded as Liam took out his phone and opened the app to type. Ed was confused and was about to speak out when Zayn put a hand on his shoulder to keep him quiet.

Server 1: Things have gotten even weirder.

Server 2: Is that really possible?

Server 1: It doesn’t exist.

Server 2: What?

Server 1: The site, N. It doesn’t exist.

Server 1: People can see it on our computers but our computers and apparently our phones are the only ones.

Server 1: Even so, the site is still untraceable and doesn’t have a source or any codes or anything.

Server 1: The website does not exist.

Server 2: Except it does.

Server 2: At least, for us it does.

Server 1: Exactly. So why?

Server 2: I have no idea...

Server 1: Are you from another universe?

Server 2: ...

Server 2: Really, TS?

Server 2: Really?!

Server 1: Please?

Server 1: Just humour me?

Server 2: You’re lucky I like you. ;)

Server 2: I live in London England of Earth.

Server 2: 16/6/2012

Server 1: I live in London too!

Server 1: Wait...

Server 1: Don’t you mean 16/8/2012*?

Server 2: No...

Server 2: I’m pretty sure I know the date.

Server 1: Are you drunk?

Server 2: No...

Server 1: Mate... It’s definitely August.

Server 2: Do you need a calender or something man? Because seriously, this is kind of stupid and annoying...

Server 1: IT. IS. AUGUST.

Server 1: IT IS NOT JUNE, N.

Server 1: AAAUUUUUUUGGGUUUUUSSSSSTTTTTTT.

Louis could see Niall fuming. It wasn’t often that his Irish anger poked it’s head out but it was definitely appearing then as he kept talking to his stranger. It was a little bit shocking, seeing as all Niall ever had to say about his stranger were good things. The older boy wondered what the two could have possibly been talking about to have made the blonde that angry.

Niall had enough. He was going to get answers and then he was going to put TS in his place for being so obnoxious.

Server 2: Ok, what’s your name?

Server 1: Um... I’m Liam Payne.

Server 2: Ok, Liam Payne, you listen to me.

Server 2: My name is Niall Horan and I am not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs.

Server 2: From the way you’re talking I’m pretty sure you are but I’m not going to automatically assume that and I don’t want to just assume that you’re being a prick either just for fun.

Server 2: I thought we were at least friends so will you just stop being so obnoxious?

Server 2: It is June. End of story.

Liam stared down at his phone.

Server 2: Liam?

His hands were shaking and he wasn’t breathing.

Server 2: Liam?

Zayn was legitimately worried about his friend’s health and his mind but then he saw Liam’s fingers slowly type out the next message and decided to give his friend some time before going to help him.

Server 1: This is a whole new level of fucked up.

Server 2: Wait...

Server 2: What?

Server 2: Liam! What did I do?

Server 2: .... Liam....?

But Liam didn’t answer because as soon as he had finished typing his answer he shoved his phone into his trouser pocket before running out of the room.

He could hear Zayn yelling after him and trying to catch up to him but Liam ran as fast as he could out of the house and down the streets, just letting his feet take him wherever the hell they felt like taking him. He didn’t care. He needed to get out and as far away from everything as possible.

He felt so trapped. It was like these invisible walls were crashing in around him and squeezing him out of all that he had. His lungs refused to work properly and tears stung at his eyes, causing him to have to close them repeatedly when they started to burn painfully no matter how much he wiped his eyes.

Because every bad feeling came crashing back when he realized that he didn’t really have a friend and someone just felt like being a dick.

Because Niall Horan was the guy who he hooked up with and watched get hit by a car before dying right before his very eyes just over a month ago.

Chapter 6

He didn’t know how long he had been there for.

It could have been hours and it could have been just minutes. He honestly didn’t know. What he did know was that nothing seemed right anymore. Was anything real? Could he ever trust anyone ever again?

It was a cool day. The sun was up with a few clouds even though it was slowly retreating.There was a light breeze that made the leaves flutter ever so lightly. And then there was the sound of every day life going on around him as if nobody even understood that there was something wrong and Liam needed help.

He stared down at the tombstone. It still looked so shiny and new. It was as if no time had passed at all and it was only yesterday that Liam had gotten completely and utterly drunk.

It was only yesterday that he had narrowly escaped from the sexual tension that was Louis and Harry when he had only just met them. It was only yesterday when Niall had sauntered right up to him and started chatting him up with ease. It was only yesterday when they slept together and had the most amazing sex that Liam could ever remember having.

And it was only yesterday that Niall died.

Liam was crouched down in front of Niall’s tombstone, staring at the name of someone he wished he had gotten to know better- of someone who he wished he had more time with.

His eyes were completely dry. He had been crying so much that he just couldn’t cry anymore. He had broken into sobs, sitting there without any tears and just sobbing, until he finally calmed down into a mood he didn’t understand. He felt empty and hurt and all he could do was constantly clutch at his arms that were wrapped around his legs as hard as he could, not even noticing the pain from his nails digging into his skin.

Why was this happening?

“I’m sorry.” Liam whispered, his voice sounding hoarse from the long amount of sobbing he had just done. He sounded like a stranger to his own ears but he couldn’t stop himself from talking. “I didn’t even know you and I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I caused your death. I’m sorry that we couldn’t get back to your place and you couldn’t play your guitar for me. I’m sorry that we never got to go on that date. I’m just so... So sorry.”

Liam curled in on himself even more, wondering if he became a small enough ball if he could just disappear and never come back.

“I’m sorry for a lot of things... Aren’t I?” He drew in a long breath, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’m sure you wouldn’t like that. I’m sure you would tell me to stop apologizing so much but... But I... I’m sorry because... I’m sorry because I can’t get over you... I can’t stop my heart from breaking every time I think about you...

“And I thought I was getting better, Niall. I really did. I thought that maybe I could learn to keep going about life like a normal person and I would still be able to keep you in my heart. Because you’ve been with me this entire time, deep down inside me...

“I was happy for a while. Everything seemed like it was all better... And then... That arsehole pretended to be you and... And now I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

Liam put his chin onto his arms. Just when he thought he’d never be able to cry again from all the crying he had done more tears started to slide down his face. He didn’t bother wiping them away. He didn’t bother moving an inch except to keep grasping tightly onto himself to keep him grounded.

“I wish it really was you... I wish that was you I was taking to...” He muttered, his throat aching and begging him to stop using it so much. “Because if it was you then I would tell you to never go to that party. I would tell you to run as far away as possible and hide somewhere safe. I would... I... Well, it doesn’t matter... Does it? Because it wasn’t you. It can’t be you. If it were you then you would have known me before the party. You would have said that you knew me and not have introduced yourself.”

There was a particularly rough gust of wind that blew. It ruffled his hair and made him shiver.

“Why is this happening?”

There was the sound of footsteps behind him that he planned on ignoring. He kept staring at the tombstone as the sound crept closer and closer until it was right next to him. He finally decided to turn his head and see what it was only to find Louis standing there.

Louis was looking at him. His blue eyes were full of empathy and he offered Liam a small smile. He waved Louis down, deciding that he really wanted the Doncaster lad’s company at the moment.

So Louis slowly sat down with his legs crossed and he leaned back against his arms. “Zayn said you ran.”

His voice was smooth and calming. There wasn’t any pain even though he had known Niall for so much longer. Liam was really envious of him while also being extremely grateful.

“And so you decided to check here?” Liam asked.

“Wasn’t that hard to guess, Li. I’ve been waiting for you to come here ever since that night.” Louis answered.

“So you can tell me to get over him?” Liam asked with a bit of a bite, burying his head down into his arms.

“No, Li. So I can help you start to get over him.” Louis reached out and put a hand on Liam’s shoulder. Liam slowly pulled his head up from his arms to look at the older boy.

There was nothing but pure understanding in Louis’ eyes. He had been there the whole time just waiting for Liam, reaching out to try and be the friend who could understand and help him the most, and it was only just then that Liam had realized it. It was only just then he realized how much he needed that friend.

So he practically jumped onto Louis and hugged him around the neck with his face buried into the older boy’s neck as more tears and sobs escaped him. His body shook violently with his tears and Louis comfortingly hugged him back and drew random circles on his back with his fingers.

He let Liam cry like that for a while, just letting him get it all out. Then Liam started to calm down and he ran a hand through the younger boy’s almost-curls.

“What happened, Liam? Zayn was so happy because you seemed to be your old self again.” Louis whispered, his voice soothing. Liam picked his head out of Louis’ neck and cringed at the mess he had made on the other boy’s neck.

“I guess it all just hit me... That he’s never coming back and I won’t ever get to really meet him.” Liam answered softly. “I won’t get to know what his favorite colour was or what he was afraid of. I won’t get to know what his favorite food was or what he liked to do on the weekends. I won’t get to know about his family and why he was over here. I won’t get to know any of these things because while I can ask them... He can’t answer me.”

Louis nodded his head as he thread his fingers into Liam’s hair and pushed his head back onto his shoulder. Liam relaxed into the embrace and looked back at the tombstone.

“I’m sorry, Liam. I’ll answer any questions about him that I can if you want...” Louis supplied, hoping that he could help in any way.

Liam stared at nothing for a moment. His eyes were distant and he thought maybe... No, he couldn’t ask that. That would just be weird because it never even happened. It was all just a joke! Just one great messed up joke..!

He couldn’t ask Louis that question...

...

Could he?

“Lou?” Liam asked, shocked by how strong his voice sounded. “Yeah?” Louis asked back, looking down at the top of Liam’s head.

“Did Niall ever mention talking to a stranger?”

There was silence for a moment and Liam knew he shouldn’t have asked. Louis probably thought he was crazy now, because honestly, who besides himself would actually give a stranger the time of day? Now that he realized it was all just a joke he felt so completely and utterly pathetic that he had to squeeze his eyes shut to try and block all of those old conversations out.

Suddenly, he started to shake.

But it wasn’t his body that was shaking. It was Louis’. He looked up to see a smile spread over the older boy’s face as he fought to hold back chuckles. It was quite concerning and Liam was almost sure that Louis had finally lost it when he spoke.

“That’s all Niall ever mentioned. I’m guessing he told you too?” Louis asked as his blue eyes fell onto Liam’s shocked brown ones. There was no way that Louis had just said... “He talked to this one stranger all the time on this really weird website. Everyday Harry and I would try to hang out with him and every day he would be on his laptop, staring at it in the hopes that the stranger would talk to him. They even gave each other weird code names...”

Liam wasn’t breathing.

How was it possible? That sounded exactly like him and his stranger. It couldn’t be that Niall was actually the person he was talking to. Niall had died over a month ago! There was no way that they could have been the two strangers communicating to each other.

“Wait, what were they..?” Louis thought to himself before snapping his fingers with a grin as he remembered.

“Niall’s code name was Nandos and his stranger was called Toy Story.”

And when those words fell out of Louis’ mouth Liam couldn’t have been more shocked. It was Niall who he was talking to.

The website... The stranger...

They really were Niall Horan.

He was alive and he was real.

“It’s real...” Liam muttered aloud in his shocked state. Louis had to hold back his laughter to give his friend a curious look.

“What?”

Liam jumped out of Louis’ arms and to his feet, grinning like an idiot. Louis looked at the younger boy, very concerned about his mental health. What about the code names made Liam that happy?

“It’s real! It’s real, Lou! It’s real!” Liam shouted in joy, smile never leaving his face.

“What’s real?” Louis asked, never having been so confused in his entire life.

But Liam didn’t have any time to explain. His phone was dead and he needed to talk to Niall. His Niall.

So he ran home.

“Wait! Liam!”

But Louis’ calls were futile because Liam was on a mission.

—

His hands shook.

Do it.

His palms were sweating.

Just do it.

He bit his lip nervously.

You know you want to do it so just do it!

But it wasn’t that simple.

It wasn’t that simple because now everything was changed. He wasn’t talking to his friend Nandos anymore, he was talking to Niall. Niall who was supposed to be dead. Niall who all he wanted to do was talk to him but it was so hard because at the same time it was so scary.

How could he even start off the conversation?

He sat at his desk and urged himself with all the willpower he could muster to just open the laptop. Nothing could hurt in opening the laptop. It wasn’t like Niall could see him opening it and then start messaging him.

He opened it and waited for the beep to sound. It never did. He took a deep breath and internally thanked Zayn for bringing his laptop back home for him before he left to go out again. He really was a good friend.

But then Liam had the problem of the website.

It was opened in its own window, minimized at the bottom of the screen. It was calling out for him to click on it and he knew that there really shouldn’t have been any problem in doing that either considering that Niall wouldn’t realize he was on the site either. The only way Niall would know if he was around was if Liam actually messaged him.

Do it!

Liam took a breath and opened the window. Only to have the biggest heart attack of his life.

Instead of the usual page that would always pop up when he went onto the site he was met with a face. A face with bright blue eyes and blonde hair pushed up. A face with perfect skin and beautiful lips...

A face he knew to be Niall Horan.

And he was moving around through a live-video chat.

Niall looked just as shocked as he did as he leaned closely to the computer to inspect it. Then Liam heard his voice travel though the speakers of his computer.

“Um... Hi?” He asked timidly. “This was rather unexpected...”

And just like that, Liam couldn’t help himself.

He cried.

Chapter 7

He didn’t know why Liam had thought it was August when it was so very clearly June. Honestly, how does someone actually skip two months? He could understand if it was maybe two days- ten days at the most- but two whole months... A person would have to be in a coma for that to happen!

While the argument had annoyed Niall and even made him angry he wasn’t so angry that he was going to just stop talking to Liam. Not when he just learned his stranger’s name and after they had gotten to know each other so well. So what could have possibly have made Liam snap at him like that and then not answer a single one of his messages for the rest of the day?

It was needless to say that Niall was upset.

After Liam stopped answering him Niall had gotten moody. Louis tried to cheer him up but he could obviously see that it was of no use. Niall was going to stay in a bad mood for a while and so he told the blonde to call him if he wanted to talk and that he was going back to Harry’s house to wait until Harry had come home.

Niall walked back to his apartment with his hands shoved down his trouser pockets and glaring at the ground in the hopes to light it on fire. He had screwed everything up with Liam right when he learned Liam’s name. How pathetic was that?

And why was it eating at him so much?

Niall didn’t know what had happened.

Liam was just a stranger. He didn’t have a face and they had only had so many conversations. They had always only talked about silly things that were random and made each other laugh. They had bonded over some things and agreed to disagree on others...

They didn’t really know each other, so why did Niall feel like he had just lost a best friend?

He went to opened the door to his apartment and stepped inside.

But were they just strangers? How do you define a relationship with someone you never met? How could you possibly explain what the person that makes you smile every day just by sending a message to you was to you without making it sound pathetic and petty?

And the pure fact of everything was that Niall really liked his stranger- his Liam. Well... Just Liam. Yeah. He missed just Liam. More than he realized he possibly could. The fact that someone he only knew through conversations online for a little less than two weeks had him that moody from being ignored actually really worried him.

He wanted nothing more than to talk to Liam.

He walked to his bed and opened his laptop just to stare at the screen of the mysterious website that he had grown to love even though it was really creepy. The screen stared back at him, taunting him with no messages. It sat completely blank.

It might as well as just said in big bold letters “LIAM DOESN’T WANT TO TALK TO YOU.”

Even though he didn’t know why.

He was about to minimize the website when a box suddenly appeared. In that box was an incredibly attractive bloke. He was a little pale but had wonderful hair that just almost curled off of his head that jut poked out from under the hood of his dark jumper. His eyes were a deep brown and they looked so sad and shocked that Niall wanted nothing more than to take his computer and give it a hug for the guy.

Of course, that would be too weird even on his standards.

“Um... Hi?” Niall asked. He wasn’t so sure about what was going on. Since when did random live chat pop up and was it... Was that guy... Was he... Liam? “This was rather unexpected.”

And then, out of nowhere, he watched the boy break down into tears.

“Oh God. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Niall apologized, even though he didn’t know what he was sorry for. He just couldn’t stand to see who he hoped to be Liam crying. “Liam? Is... Is that you, Liam?”

Brown eyes stared back at him. They were overwhelming. They were shouting out all these feelings and emotions but Niall couldn’t quite understand what it was exactly they were saying. There was a strong feeling completely overpowering everything else in those eyes and Niall didn’t know what it was.

Slowly, and with his body shaking violently, the boy nodded his head.

“Yeah...” His voice croaked, sounding incredibly pained even though he had only started crying. “Yeah... It’s me... Liam.”

Niall gave a soft smile. He may not have known how the site automatically started a video chat but he wasn’t going to complain. Liam wanted to talk to him and this time Niall could actually see Liam. Even if he was crying.

“Are you crying because of me? Or because of something totally different..?” Niall asked slowly and softly. He was so happy to have Liam back that he didn’t want to chase him off by saying the wrong thing. He wanted to sit there and stare at the incredibly attractive boy whom he had grown fond of much too easily and who he wanted to help him more than anything.

Liam let out a broken laugh. It got caught up in his throat as more tears slid down his cheeks.

“I... I can’t even begin to try to explain why I am this way.” Liam bit his lip as another broken laugh tried to escape his lips. “I don’t even know what I feel right now because this is all so unreal... I’m hurting but I’m so happy... My body is malfunctioning on me.”

A smile spread across Liam’s lips. It was a huge real smile. It was shining and practically beamed rays of happiness off of him and Niall couldn’t help but notice just how beautiful Liam looked. Even with tears still slowly falling down his cheeks his smile was just so perfect and he had such an air happiness that it was impossible to ignore.

Not that Niall wanted to ignore it.

Or wait. Did he? Considering he didn’t even know Liam in real life? And did he actually call Liam beautiful?

Oh God, he was thinking weirdly about Liam while the guy was having an emotional break down and needed his help. He was a horrible friend... Stranger... Acquaintance..?

Okay, the dictionary needs to create a word for this situation.

“Can you explain what happened?” Niall asked, trying to help Liam and get him to relax. Liam shook his head.

“You wouldn’t believe a single thing if I told you.” Liam kept staring at the screen as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and maybe that was the proper reaction to having a video chat pop up so randomly on your computer and Niall really should have started acting like a normal person. “You don’t even know me and you still wouldn’t be able to believe me.”

“How do you know?” Niall asked. “I may be more understanding than you think.”

“I know because it’s not something simple. It’s not just going up to your friend and saying, ‘I didn’t steal your car, it was definitely someone else even though I was the only one around to steal it’. It is much more complicated.” Liam explained.

“... Trying to explain to your friend that you didn’t steal their car even though all evidence points to you isn’t complicated?” Niall asked with a smirk, causing Liam to laugh.

Niall decided that it was a great sound and he wanted to keep making Liam laugh. His eyes scrunched up adorably and- whoa. Again with these weird trains of thoughts. No, Niall. Just no. Stop it.

Liam wiped the tears off his eyes as he was no longer crying.

“That would honestly be ten thousand times easier to defend my case for than this.” Liam stated. “I’m really trying to think...”

“Well, why don’t you just start off blunt and then if it’s too insane then you can try to explain yourself?” Niall asked, curiousity getting the better of him. He really wanted to know what had happened that was just too hard for Liam to explain.

“You’ll hate me...”

“Will not.” Niall replied quickly and realized how childish he sounded before amending his words. “I mean, I won’t. I promise to give you a really fair chance in all of this before making a drastic decision like that.”

Liam smiled at him.

“You’ll log off. You’ll close the conversation and then the website and you’ll never come back...”

“I won’t leave until I’ve heard every last detail. And if I did... I would definitely come back.”

But Niall couldn’t really say that it was because he had grown so fond of the boy on the other side of the screen. He couldn’t say that it was because he had started to fancy him and desperately just wanted to meet him in person. He couldn’t do that while Liam was being so serious with him.

Liam drew in a deep breath.

“You’re... Dead. Or you will die. I don’t know how this works but here, where I am, you’re dead.” Liam rushed through his words, trying to get them all out so he didn’t say the wrong thing.

Niall just stared.

“I’m dead where you are?” Niall asked skeptically. How was he supposed to believe that?

Liam lived in London, the same exact place Niall was at. For him to be dead where Liam was, was completely impossible. Niall would have already been dead and since he could feel himself breathing and other humans could interact with him with actual words and none of that fake stuff from the movie The Sixth Sense he was pretty sure that he was very alive.

But he couldn’t just say everything like that because of the look in Liam’s eyes.

Liam looked as though he honestly believed what he was saying. He believed that Niall was dead and that was when Niall realized why Liam was staring at the screen like he was shocked. He wasn’t shocked because of the random video chat.

He was shocked because he believed Niall to be dead and yet Niall was alive.

“Where I am, yes. Where you are... You’re alive.” Liam nodded his head.

“Right...” Niall trailed off, desperately holding his tongue so he wouldn’t make a sarcastic comment. He didn’t want to hurt Liam even more than he already was.

“You keep saying that like we live at different places. We’re in the exact same area. Just different houses.”

“That’s not the only thing that’s different. Trust me.” Liam started. He looked as if he didn’t know what to say, and Niall really couldn’t blame him. It was all so absurd that even as a joke it would be hard to explain.

Then Liam’s eyes widened with realization.

“Can you call Harry?” Liam asked, causing Niall’s eyebrows to shoot.

“How do you know who-“

“Niall, not right now. Can you please call Harry?” Liam asked again.

“Well, yeah sure...”

“Good. And I’ll call him too.”

“But... Neither of us will connect.” Niall answered. He was never so confused in his life. How did Liam know who Harry was? How did he know his number? And how did he expect Harry to answer them both at the same time?

“Trust me. He will.”

Liam took out his phone and started dialing so Niall really didn’t have a choice. He took out his own phone and hit the speed dial. He put the phone up to his ear when it started to ring and he could hear Liam’s phone ringing on speaker phone.

“Do you want me on speaker phone too?” Niall asked.

“No, that would complicate things even more.” Liam answered. “Just... When he gets on the phone tell him to hold on and not to hang up or anything. Okay?”

Niall was starting to get a headache.

“Yeah... Okay.”

Then his phone stopped ringing.

“What’s up, Niall? Louis said you weren’t so happy.” Harry’s voice greeted him over his phone.

“Can you do me a real quick favor, Haz? Just stay on the line for a while? Please?” Niall asked.

“Is something wrong?” Harry’s voice automatically went to worry-mode and Niall smiled at his friend.

“No. Just... Stay on and don’t speak.”

“O... Kay..?”

Then Liam’s phone stopped ringing and Niall was fully prepared to hear Harry’s voicemail when he heard quite the opposite.

“You okay, Liam? Louis’ a little confused about how you’re feeling.”

That was Harry’s voice. That was his friend’s voice. That was Harry Styles whom Liam was on the phone with even though he hadn’t hung up or switched calls because Niall cold still hear Harry breathing.

“Yeah, I’m... Well, I don’t know what I am. Confused, I guess. Just tell Louis that I didn’t mean to leave him at Niall’s grave? Please?”

“It’s fine, mate. Louis likes spending time down there. Sometimes he’ll even kick a football around like he and Niall used to.”

Niall’s hand was clutching his phone tightly. His hands were shaking as he stared at the screen in complete shock. Liam glanced at him through the camera before going back to looking at his phone.

“He’s definitely taking it better than me.” Liam sighed.

“Really, Liam... Are you okay?” Niall could hear how genuine Harry’s voice was and how he felt so compassionate for Liam. There was no way that it could be a joke. There was no way that Liam could have been lying. There was no way that Harry would joke around like that.

Liam was telling the truth. Niall was...

“I’m just really confused right now... I’m not really sure what to do. But I promise I’m okay. I think... I think I have to look after a friend right now.”

Liam stared right at Niall who felt like he wasn’t breathing anymore. “Do what you have to do. Just know we’re here for you.”

“Bye Harry.”

Liam hung up the phone and turned to Niall. Niall felt like his claustrophobia was kicking in even though he was in an open room. He could feel the air getting heavier around himself and his body yelling at him to get out and leave.

But he couldn’t.

“Niall? Are you okay? You’re seriously getting me wor-“ Niall hung up the phone.

The two stared at each other through the screen for a long time. They just stared at each other waiting for the right time to speak.

But Niall couldn’t say anything. How was he supposed to even find the right words? He was going to... He was... He...

He couldn’t even think about the word.

“You were right.” Liam broke the silence. His voice was soft probably to help soothe Niall. “It’s June. Where you are. But here, where I am... It’s August.”

Niall closed his eyes. His breathing was slow and he swallowed painfully around a lump in his throat. He brought a hand up to his hair and ran it through his blonde strands as he bit his lip lightly before going to speak.

“I’m the guy... Aren’t I?” His voice was shaking and he could hardly get the words out. “The one you hooked up with at the party... He’s me... You watched me... Die.”

Liam nodded his head and whispered. “Yes.”

Chapter 8

“Wait wait wait.” Niall put up a hand just for the extra affect so Liam would know not to talk. Instead, he waited as the blonde looked down with a look that seemed like he was thinking really hard about something. When he looked back up he still had that same look on his face. “Are Harry and Louis dating yet?”

Liam stared.

He had just told the blonde everything. He had told him that the website was some kind of weird time traveling connector thing like something that would come out of Doctor Who and that Niall dies in his future and had already died in Liam’s past and the first question that Niall asked was if Harry and Louis were dating?

And Liam couldn’t even be angry. It was Niall Horan he was talking to. It was impossible for him to be angry at the blonde.

“Really?” Liam asked. “Out of all the things you could question... You ask that?”

“Hey, I had to watch them chase after each other for a year. You don’t even know how frustrating that was on me. And Harry said that he’s going to tell Louis about how he feels at the party at the end of this month which is... Probably the party where...” Niall trailed off. His voice went from a joking excitement to a sad quiet. “We meet.”

Liam licked his lips.

“You’re not still going to go, are you?”

His question hung in the air.

Niall looked away.

He started to fiddle with the bottom of his jumper as Liam stared at him. Even through the computer Niall could feel the brown eyes boring into his skull as he stayed quiet.

“Niall..?” Liam asked, voice shaking just a bit with fear. Niall had to look back and saw Liam’s eyes filled with worry over him. “Niall... You’re not still going... Are you?”

The look on Liam’s face pained him and it brought other thoughts to his mind. Thoughts like when they had first met and Liam has said that he blamed himself for what happened to Niall and had become a recluse in his house. He hadn’t talked to anyone and wouldn’t even sing because of Niall. He took away Liam’s happiness and now that he knew that it was himself who did it he felt so very guilty.

But he decided to make a choice.

His mind was completely made up. He knew what he had to do. And he wouldn’t let anyone sway or stop him from doing what he chose.

“Niall!” Liam insisted, staring at the screen in total fear.

“What happens if I don’t go, Liam?” Niall asked suddenly, staring at the boy he would be having sex with at the end of the month.

...

He was a very lucky lad.

“You live. You stay alive and nothing happens to you! You live another day to smile and laugh and play your guitar and do all the things you love to do!” Liam all but cried as he spoke to the blonde. “Niall, you get to be alive!”

The hope both in Liam’s face and his voice made Niall want to break. It was so pure and strong that all Niall wanted to do was hold Liam and tell him that everything was alright and will always be alright.

But he couldn’t.

“And if I go...”

“You could always just not go out to the street! You could stay inside! Heck, lock yourself in the bathroom until after the accident! Anything! Just stay away from the road at least!” Liam had started yelling then. His voice was so desperate and he couldn’t help it...

He had to save Niall. That was why the website was there, right? To save Niall and make sure he lives! ... Lived!

“Liam... If I do that... If I stay away... What about the other people outside? The people I know that were loitering because not everyone can stay inside a house for a party?” Niall explained. “What if one of them gets killed instead?”

Liam was silent. He didn’t know what to say to that.

Is that how it worked? If Niall was saved then someone else would take his place? Would someone else actually die?

“... Can’t we chance that?” Liam really didn’t want the words to slip out of his mouth but he knew from the look Niall was giving him that he had to say something. “Can’t we chance the possibility of somebody else dying?”

“How could we do that?” Niall’s eyebrows furrowed together. “How could we let that be okay? In your world I’m already dead. Harry and Louis are even moving on just fine! How could we change all of that and put someone else through the same pain?”

Liam flinched at the word “dead” before going to reply.

“Because it’s not fair! Why would any of this be happening, Niall? Why would we be getting this website popping up everywhere? It was so random! The chats, the phone conversations, and now the video? It has a reason for all of this!” Liam explained, trying to get Niall on his side.

“And what’s the reason, Liam?” Niall asked, absolutely hating how he was the one to make Liam so upset.

“A second chance! It was all set up so we could learn about each other! To trust each other! So when we realized what was happening we wouldn’t just stop talking to each other! It was all planned perfectly and now is the time where we make the difference! Now we can change everything!”

Niall smiled at the screen.

“You care about me...” He whispered just loud enough to actually be heard. Liam smiled back, hoping that Niall finally understood

“Niall, I...” Whoa. What was Liam just about to say? Love you? Wasn’t it a little too soon to be saying that? Or... Too late to be saying that as well? He was only just learning about Niall, he still had so many things to find out. He couldn’t just go around saying things like that! “Yes... I do. A lot.”

Niall nodded his head.

“And I care about you a lot too. I know that you don’t want me to die, Liam, and I definitely don’t want you to have to grieve over me, much less actually see what happens.” Niall explained. “But I’m not willing to let somebody else die in my place. I’m not willing to hurt somebody else and all of their family. I couldn’t do that when I’ve seen that this future, where you and all my mates can be happy if you at least try, is working out just fine without me.”

Liam wanted to scream.

Niall couldn’t be doing this. He couldn’t be choosing to die over living. Liam needed him to live and Niall should have wanted it. He should have wanted to be able to live until he grew old. He should have wanted to be a little selfish and think about himself because Liam definitely was.

And honestly, Liam didn’t care how selfish it sounded. He didn’t care if someone would die in Niall’s place. He would give himself up so Niall wouldn’t die. He would do anything for Niall even if that meant being a little selfish because if someone took the time to actually meet Niall Horan then they would have felt exactly the same way.

“It’s not working fine, Niall! You promised me! You promised me we would go out on a date together! You promised me you would take me back to your flat! You promised me that you would play your guitar for me and sing for me and you can’t just break your promise, Niall! You can’t!”

Liam was screaming at the top of his lungs. He didn’t know how his throat was holding out after all the crying he had done and then that round of screaming and he honestly didn’t care.

He was clenching his hair in his hands as he looked at Niall. Gorgeous, difficult, wonderful, stupid Niall! Niall who made him want to rip out his hair right then because he wanted to die. He wanted to let fate take its course and die.

He wanted to give up.

“But I can, Liam.” Niall smiled. “Maybe that’s why the site is here. So I can live out my promises to you. Well... The guitar one at least.”

Liam wondered if he were to cry again if he had any tears left to actually shed. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He didn’t want to believe what he was hearing.

“You can’t, Niall...” Liam looked at him with watery eyes. “You can’t just give up like this...”

Niall shook his head.

“It’s not giving up, Li. It’s making sure nobody else gets hurt.”

There was a pause.

Liam placed his hands over his face and Niall waited patiently.

He wasn’t going to back down. He wasn’t going to change what happened. He wasn’t going to go and make a butterfly affect like what happens in films. Instead, he was just going to let it all happen. He was going to live his last few days enjoying his time they way he wanted to and then he would go to the party where he would meet the most amazing person he’s ever known for the second first time and then he would...

Die.

He would die and he would be okay with it.

But Liam was the exact opposite. He was having a mental breakdown. He couldn’t take any more. There was having to actually deal with Niall’s death, then recovering from it only to think that someone was pretending to be Niall and it was all a huge messed up joke, then to find that he could talk to Niall only to have the blonde actually tell him that he still planned on dying.

It was all too much.

And his hands were shaking as he looked up from behind them and right at the camera.

“You knew all along...” He whispered, making Niall have to focus in order to hear him. “When we met at the party... You knew all along that you were going to die...”

“I guess that’s how these loop things work, yeah.” Niall answered.

“You fucking knew, Niall! YOU KNEW. AND YOU STILL WENT AND MADE ME GET A HUGE FUCKING CRUSH ON YOU. YOU MADE ME FANCY YOU MORE THAN I’VE EVER FANCIED A BLOKE BEFORE. YOU MADE ME LO-“

Liam stopped mid word and snapped his mouth shut. His face was red from exertion and he looked so betrayed.

Niall eyes were wide. What was Liam just about to say? “What were you just about to say?”

“How could you do that? How could you just do that when you knew you were going to die?” Liam asked, his voice sounding broken.

It hurt Niall so much to see that. To see Liam falling apart because of him. He wanted so badly to just agree with Liam and live so they could go on that date and have a fun time but he knew he couldn’t just risk someone else dying.

“Liam... This is my choice. My final choice.” Niall started off, trying to hold back his tears and keep his voice steady. “I never wanted to hurt you. All I want is to see you happy. But I have to die. I have to. And if you don’t agree with it... Then... You need to stop talking to me.”

It was deadly silent.

It was so silent that if one of them were to drop a pin the other would be able to hear it even through the space-time website converter that connected their lives together so complicatedly.

Liam gave Niall a shocked look.

Niall licked his lips nervously but kept his determination very visible.

Liam knew his limits. He knew there was only so much he could handle. He knew he couldn’t have anymore emotional roller coaster rides and he knew that even regular roller coaster rides had to end eventually. There was always an end, even if it was the best roller coaster ever.

It was Liam’s turn to step off the ride.

“Goodbye, Niall.” Liam whispered.

Niall’s chest hurt. With those two words he could feels his chest burning in extreme pain that he never felt before. A tear escaped from his eye and he couldn’t help his voice from breaking.

“See you at the end of the month, Liam.”

Then Liam shook his head, snapped the computer shut, and threw it on his bed in frustration.

Leaving Niall staring at a blank screen.

Chapter 9

You’re brooding again. Why?

leave me alone

Oh no. Is it Nandos problems? Is that what’s going on here?

leave me alone

Liam... What’s wrong? Seeing as you refuse to actually speak to me I’d like some kind of communication with you.

Everything sucks.

Want to elaborate so I can give you my amazing advice?

I’m not talking to Nandos anymore.

Did you guys have an actual argument?

He’s so thick Zayn! He thinks he knows what to do and what’s best but he doesn’t! He just doesn’t! And he said I have to stop talking to him if I don’t agree with his choice!

... Is he doing something illegal?

What? No. Of course not.

Is he hurting anybody?

Yes.

Who?

Me. If he goes through with it it will hurt me.

Okay, but is there any physical damage going onto anyone?

None that wouldn’t already happen........ No...

Then why are you acting like you have any say in the matter?

Because I should! We’re... We’re really close, Zayn! I should have a say.

But you don’t. It’s his life, Liam. Not yours. He can do with it whatever he chooses. He’s not someone you can control.

But that’s not fair.

Since when has the world been fair? Since when has anyone actually lived happily ever after?

Liam, you have someone who you really really really really like and you’re choosing to lose them because you can’t let them make their own choices.

It’s not the right choice.

It’s not your place to say that.

... It will hurt me Zayn... It will hurt me and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get over it...

When will you get it through your thick skull that there are people around who want to help you? Harry wants to help. Louis wants to help. And I want to help Liam. We care about you and we’ll always be here for you mate.

... I know Zayn... It’s just hard.

It will always be hard. But the amazing thing about life is we choose our battles. If it’s hard well... If you want to be happy then you’ll fight through. You’ll go through the pain just so you can have those happy moments.

I need to apologize to him... Don’t I?

I think you need to do a little more than that but yeah. Good start.

Thank you Zayn.

Um... Since I gave you advice... Does this mean I can bring my date back to the flat tonight? We promise to be quiet.

You’re an absolute wanker.

Well, I hope some kind of wanking will be happening. ;)

Liam threw his phone on his pillow.

He never knew how Zayn could do that. How he could be so emotional and help Liam feel better and then suddenly transform back into his annoying roommate who was always taking the mickey of him.

It was quite frustrating.

But he couldn’t help but smile because Zayn was just so right.

Liam needed to talk to Niall. He needed to apologize. He needed to do better than apologize because he couldn’t waste this. If he was getting a chance to talk to Niall and learn all about him before losing him for the second time... Well, he needed to take it. He need to suck it up and accept it just as it was.

He reached over and grabbed his phone. He pressed on the application that sat on his main screen before typing out a message.

Server 1: I’m sorry.

—

Niall was laying in his bed, completely worn out.

He had managed to find a good flight over to Ireland and his family was ecstatic to see him. They all embraced him in tight hugs and he couldn’t help but smile wide. He almost even cried because he knew that he would be leaving. He knew that he would die and his family would never hug him again.

And he had to push those thoughts out of his head so he could spend the rest of the day enjoying his time with them and not on the verge of tears.

They stayed home and watched television before having a home cooked meal that Niall had missed so very much while he was away. His mother was a fantastic cook and was probably the main reason for his slight obsession with food.

Afterwards, jetlag had started to creep up on him so he called it an early night and went to his bedroom that he sorely missed. It was his real home and he was happy to be able to come back to it and sleep in his own bed once again, even if for a short while.

So, he had changed into pajama bottoms and a baggy shirt before laying on his bed when suddenly he felt his phone vibrate.

He took his phone out of his pajama bottoms pockets and noticed the familiar picture of the red button letter picture thing on his screen with that red number one up in the left hand corner.

A smile burst across his face and he opened the app to find a message written.

Server 1: I’m sorry.

Was Liam really apologizing? Was he deciding to let Niall do what he wanted? Was he going to talk to Niall again? Was Liam willing to keep talking to him?

Because Niall missed Liam more than he missed home cooked meals and his bedroom.

Server 2: You’re sorry?

Server 1: I can’t ignore you just because you’re choosing do something I don’t like. So yes... I’m sorry.

Server 1: And I have something for you.

Server 2: How exactly do you expect me to receive anything?

Server 1: Can you video chat?

Niall looked over at his bag that had his laptop in it which still should have had a decent charge left in the battery.

Server 2: Yeah. Just give me a second.

Niall raced over and grabbed his bag. He tossed it on his bed and watched it bounce once before reaching inside and pulling out his black, sleek laptop. He couldn’t suppress the ever growing smile on his face if he wanted to as he scrambled onto his bed and opened the laptop.

Liam wanted to talk to him and he had something for him!

He opened the window for the website to see Liam wearing a plain black shirt. He was sitting cross legged on his bed with his phone opened and in his hand.

“Guys?” Liam asked into the phone.

“Yeah?” Two voices asked back. Two voices Niall knew to be Harry and Louis.

“I have just one question that has to deal with Niall...” Liam trailed off, looking directly at the screen and it made Niall feel like Liam was actually looking him right in the eye.

“We’ll answer it.” Harry replied. Liam gave Niall a small smile.

“What would you say to him right now if you could? If he could hear you and this is the last time you could ever say something to him... What would you say?” Liam asked.

Niall’s breath caught in his throat as the silence stretched on. That was Liam’s gift? Letting him hear what his friends had to say to him after he had already died? He wasn’t sure if he could appreciate it the way Liam probably thought he would.

“I guess I would start out with screaming his name and giving him a hug.” Louis started, not at all sounding sad. Niall could never be more grateful to the older boy than he was right then.

“And I’d have to pull Louis off so I could have a turn hugging him. It would be a huge hug fest.”

“And then we’d tell Niall everything.” There was an excitement in Louis’ voice that made Niall smile. How those two could make the best of a bad situation was beyond him but he was so happy they could. “Like the fact that Harry and I are still happily together.”

“So happily together we might even just run off and get married tomorrow because we’re so in love.”

Niall had to hold back a laugh.

“I will not be marrying you with the way you snore any time soon.”

Niall covered his mouth with his hands.

“Alright, so we’ve got a few kinks to work out. The fact is that you don’t have to worry anymore, Niall. Not about us. We’re really happy.”

“Well... We get sad a lot because you’re not here with us to be happy too. You didn’t get to have a real relationship with Liam...”

“But we know you wouldn’t want us to stay sad. You like smiles and that’s enough to keep us wanting to smile and be happy every day.”

When had they started actually talking to Niall instead of Liam? When had they both gained that equally sad but happy tones in their voices? When had their words started to make Niall’s stomach squirm and eyes burn even though a smile was plastered on his face?

He wanted nothing more than to speak out to them and say something to soothe them, but the fact was that Harry and Louis really didn’t need the soothing. They were fine the way they were and Niall couldn’t very well let them know about him on the site and then leave them as well. He was already leaving Liam and that was more than enough pain.

“We miss you, Nialler. We hope you’re resting in peace...” His voice was soft and shaky, finding it hard to speak.

“And you don’t have to worry about us anymore. Really...” Harry took deep shaky breath. “We love you.”

Niall couldn’t help himself. Tears were escaping him quickly and he screwed his eyes shut. He felt like sobbing but he knew that would probably be the most unattractive thing to let Liam see. Besides, the noise would have been too loud and Harry and Louis would have heard so he took to grasping his laptop tightly and biting his lip.

Liam watched him.

“Thanks guys. I’ll talk to you later.”

There were dual sniffles that sounded like some kind of parting words but were indistinguishable and Liam hung up the phone.

Niall let out a sob.

He covered his face as his shoulders shook and tears never stopped falling down his cheeks. He brought his hands up to his face to both cover it and wipe away the tears at the same time.

“Thank you, Liam... Thank you so much.” Niall managed to speak between his sobs. He forced himself to calm down a bit so he wasn’t sobbing or shaking anymore. “I... I’m glad to know that they’re both happy...”

Liam smiled.

“Then you should know that I will be too.” Liam stated. “Maybe not now but I promise that I will be okay. If this is the choice you want to make then I will be sure to respect that and live.”

Niall stared at Liam. Everything seemed so unreal. Was it all just a dream? Was it all fake? Would he wake up only to go back to the beginning of the month and find out that he would never get a message on a strange website?

He didn’t know what he preferred.

All he knew was that he had Liam to talk to. He had Liam to spend his time with and learn all about him. He had LIam and Liam had him even if only for a short amount of time that he was determined to make the best of.

“And besides. Niall Horan saved my life. I can’t just take advantage of that. I’ve got to live now.” Liam teased, getting a good laugh out from Niall. It was the same laughter that he could remember from the party. The beautiful booming laughter...

“Hold on, Liam. I have a present for you too.” Niall sniffled and wiped his eyes of the last few tears before getting off the bed. He went to where his suitcase was and grabbed his guitar from the top of it. Then he sauntered back over and sat down. “Betsy and I would like to play you a song.”

And so they spent the rest of the night with Niall playing songs on his guitar and Liam listening and watching.

Chapter 10

The next few weeks all followed the same. Niall would go places with his family and hang out in different places while sending Liam messages all day long and then he would go home and video chat together until one of them fell asleep. The other would follow suit not much later and they both would wake up embarrassed about how they looked seeing as the camera would always still be on.

When Niall had a week left until the party he decided to go back to London. He had packed all of his things and called Harry and Louis to pick him up. Liam kept asking why he came home so soon and Niall was tight-lipped as ever to give a response.

Because Niall had things he wanted to do. He wanted to spend time with Harry and Louis and then he wanted to do some things for himself as well.

Harry and Louis were all too ecstatic to see him and went on and on about everything they could talk about. Niall couldn’t forget the conversation he heard them having in the future with Liam and his dead self and he never truly realized how much he loved his friends until then.

They had their fun and then the next day Niall went and got his hair redone so that it would look good by the time the party came around and Liam would see him at his best for the first time... And the last time. Of course, he refused to actually tell Liam what he was doing and just insisted that he was out with Harry and Louis eating for the day.

Finally, though, with just five days left... That was when Niall didn’t talk to Liam all morning because he had a plan. He wanted to do something special for Liam and he was at the hospital again with Louis and Harry, playing his guitar while they sang to the sick children.

He smiled at Daisy and Phoebe. They were Louis’ youngest sisters and they had been in the hospital for a while with a severe cause of pneumonia. They were finally getting better and were being released from the hospital that day so the three boys who usually sang whatever song the children wanted to hear decided to throw a little celebration for the two girls who would finally be going home.

When they finished singing they ran to their brother and hugged him around the waist. Louis and Harry bent down to talk to them while Niall sat in his chair.

He noticed a little boy all by himself in the corner. He hadn’t even looked up when the music started and was just colouring on his paper instead. He was surrounded by crayons and white sheets of paper that were tossed around unceremoniously.

Niall couldn’t help but be dragged in by the boy and walked over to him.

“Can I join you?” Niall asked. The little boy didn’t even look up. He just shrugged and so Niall took that as a yes and fit himself in the tiny chair. “Do you not like music?”

“Everybody likes music.” The boy replied, voice sounding dull and bored.

“I guess ours was just bad then, huh?” Niall smiled.

“No. Yours was just fine. It was the reason why you were singing that I didn’t like.” The boy explained as he coloured a sun in over some grass.

“Louis’ sisters?” Niall asked, confused. “Do you not like them?”

The boy shrugged.

“They’re fine. They’re going to live, aren’t they?” The boy asked sharply.

Niall stared at the little boy who seemed very annoyed with the idea of people celebrating for other people who were healing and wondered if the boy was like him.

“Are you dying?”

The boy stopped in the middle of drawing and stared down at his paper. Slowly, his eyes crept up to look at the blonde and he nodded his head.

“Yes.”

Niall had to swallow hard. The world was cruel to everyone. No matter who it was someone would die and people would be missing out on so much. He at least got to be a teenager though! That boy... He was so young...

“Me too.”

The little boy’s eyes lit up and Niall smiled at him.

“I have cancer. Doctors say it’s getting serious and I might not be able to leave the bed anymore.” The boy explained, waiting to hear why Niall was dying.

“My death is... An accident. I’m going to die in five days.” Niall answered, trying not to creep the kid out.

“Accident?”

“Yeah, but a good accident.” The kid snorted.

“That’s rubbish.”

Niall looked down at the boy who was drawing stick figures everywhere on the grass. The boy looked like he didn’t care about Niall at all anymore and Niall couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the kid’s problem was with him.

“Excuse me?” Niall asked.

“No accident is good. Nobody is ever happy because of an accident that kills you.” The boy explained. “You see people who know you’re dying and they try to smile and be happy but you just know they’re dying as much as you are but it’s on the inside. And they keep saying that it will be okay and they try to make everything seem good but it’s just... It’s not...”

Niall watched as the boy put down the crayon after he drew what looked like a corpse into the ground of his picture. He kept his head down but his voice was weak.

“Everyone dies but dealing with the death is what hurts. And if I had the chance I would fight it. I would fight it so my Mummy won’t cry anymore and my Dad won’t get angry but I just can’t... My body is too small and young...” The boy looked up at him. “Why don’t you fight your accident? You’re big and strong and older. Why don’t you fight?”

Niall didn’t let himself breathe. If he did his throat would have seized up and he would have started crying for that boy who needed a miracle.

That little boy who deserved something magical.

Why was Niall getting something magical instead?

And how was Niall supposed to explain that he didn’t want to fight it and risk everything? How was he supposed to tell that boy that and yet still hope that he kept fighting for his own life? And how was he supposed to say anything when all the boy did was make him realize that he did want to fight and he wanted to be with Liam for the rest of his life.

He wanted to get old with Liam doing nothing but having conversations about stupid things. He wanted to see Liam become the best fireman in the town where they would live. He wanted to see if Liam was any good at football and listen to him sing and laugh as he straightened his hair and eat his eggs and...

And he loved him.

He loved Liam so much.

“Can I borrow a paper and a crayon?” Niall asked. The boy shrugged, realizing he wasn’t going to get an answer to his question and went to draw on a new piece of paper. “And can you do me a favor?”

“Depends on what it is.”

Niall smiled.

“Can you give someone something for me?”

—

Server 2: I have a present for you, waiting to be given on this very day to you, at the hospital.

Server 2: So you should go.

Server 2: Right now.

Server 2: Don’t respond. Just go.

Server 2: And I hope you like it. :)

Server 2: Children’s section, by the way.

—

Liam checked his phone for the third time as he walked around the children’s ward of the hospital. He had no idea what he was looking for. Would his name be written somewhere in giant letters or would there at least be a sign? He needed something to tell him where to go to find the thing that Niall had apparently gotten him.

But all there was were children and doctors all over the place. He didn’t know where to look and he was honestly very uncomfortable. Some of the kids there looked very sick and it was making him uneasy. He was starting to feel as though he was trespassing somewhere he didn’t belong and in a way it was true.

He typed back.

Server 1: What am I looking for? I seem like a creep just spinning around in circles and staring at the sick kids.

It wasn’t long until he got a reply, which he was thankful to Niall for, but not too thankful considering he was the one who had him lost in the first place.

Server 2: Room 202

Well... Niall was certainly being very vague. Liam guessed it must have been a very important present for the blonde to have put him on this big escapade.

He looked at the wall that told him where the room numbers increased and decreased. He was standing by room 245 and so he followed the corridor that led him to the smaller numbered rooms.

Suddenly he felt nervous. Really, what was Niall planning if it was so important he had to hide it in the sick children’s part of the hospital? And how had nobody else see whatever it was before him? And did it have something to do with the children? And what-

...

Okay, deep breaths, Liam. No reason to freak out until you at least see whatever it is first.

He stood outside of room 202 and stuck his head inside seeing as the door was wide open. On the bed was a small boy hooked up to machines as he played his Nintendo DS. He looked to be very concentrated on the game and even had his tongue sticking out a bit as he played but otherwise had a bored expression on his face.

Liam stepped inside. “Hi?” Liam asked.

“Liam Payne?” The boy asked back, never lifting his head up from the game he was apparently very determined to win.

“Um... Yeah.” Liam licked his lips nervously. He wasn’t exactly sure how but somehow that kid had created a higher power over him so he felt like he was the child.

“Niall Horan said you’d pick this up today.”

His voice even sounded bored as he allowed one hand to go to small little roll around table at his side and pick up a rolled up paper before putting it back down so he could use both hands for his apparently very important game.

“Er... Thanks.” Liam offered a smile that went unseen. He shuffled around the hospital bed and got to the table so he could reach out and grab the rolled up paper that was only held together by a small rubber band. He picked it up gently and turned to walk away when he heard the boy pause his game.

“He didn’t live... Did he?” The boy asked. Liam turned around to see his young curious eyes looking up at him. “He just gave up?”

Liam shook his head. “It’s not that simple.”

The boy shrugged and went back to his game, the sounds of some weird game flowing through the air once more.

“If that’s what you think.”

Liam turned back around and left the room in a hurry, a little freaked out by the boy who seemed to hold no emotion. He all but ran into the elevator and relaxed against the wall as he pressed the lobby button.

The he unrolled the rubber band off of the paper and opened it up to see crayon everywhere. He had to hold back a laugh at the pathetic but nonetheless adorable stick figure of what Liam was pretty sure was supposed to be Niall with his guitar.

It was a hand written letter.

Dear Liam,

Maybe this is weird. I mean, I could have just told you this to your face or I could have just written it in a message but I don’t really know.

I guess I just wanted you to be able to keep something really important to remember me by.

I wanted to tell you something. Something that’s been driving me crazy. I’m not kidding. Ask Lou and Harry sometime, they’ll tell you that I’ve been all weird and bursting with excitement and happiness.

And it’s simply because I love you.

I love you, Liam Payne. No matter what happens.

Love,

Niall Horan.

Liam wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. He was torn between wanting to cry and scream and dance around. His emotions were on overdrive because Niall Horan loved him. He loved him so much he left physical evidence for Liam to have long after his death.

Niall loved him!

And the main reason he was so elated was because he loved Niall too.

Liam loved Niall.

He took out his phone as he walked, typing excitedly and making errors all the while but not caring.

Server 1: i love u 2

Server 1: i lvoe u so mcuh I’ll nvr stop saying it whaen i get home

Server 1: i locve u

Chapter 11

“Liam? Liam, won’t you smile for me?”

“...”

“Come on. Isn’t Zayn doing something annoying? I know he is. You said he brought someone home last night.”

“...”

“They weren’t so loud that you didn’t get any sleep, right? You at least got some sleep?”

“...”

“Please, Liam. Please talk to me.”

Liam had his knees pulled to his chest with his back against the wall and his computer in front of him on his bed. His arms were wrapped around his legs as he stared down at the screen. His eyes were void of any emotion and it was really upsetting Niall.

Niall sat with his legs crossed in front of his laptop with his arms leaning on his legs. He was looking at Liam with the hopes to coax something out of him. Anything. But he knew it was useless because it was finally the day that Niall went to the party.

It was finally the day that Niall died.

While Liam knew that he wasn’t going to be happy, he definitely knew he could be better than how he was acting. He just felt as though he couldn’t help it, and maybe he was entitled a bit to act like a child. Maybe he had every right to want to pout and sulk and do nothing more than just sit there staring at Niall.

But he knew he couldn’t.

“Today is the day.” Liam said so quietly that Niall nearly missed it. He nodded slowly in response.

“Today is the day.”

Liam ran a hand through his hair, glad he finally got it to calm down back to it’s shorter, straighter state. Not that any of that really mattered because Niall was going to die anyways and the only reason he bothered with his hair was because of Niall.

He sighed and let go of his legs to let them fall down so he could really look at Niall and Niall could really look at him.

“Do you really have to do this?”

Niall licked his lips.

Did he really have to die?

He thought back to that boy he met in the hospital and wondered if he should listen to him and keep fighting for his life. He wondered if risking to be alive was actually worth it in the end. Maybe just to see Liam everyday and know he is his and get to love him until they both got really old...

Stop it, Niall.

It hurt to much for him to think like that. A pain would always spread across his chest and his hand would sneak up without him even realizing it and grasp at his chest.

But Liam noticed.

“Yes, Liam. I do.”

Liam bit his lip.

“So this will be our last conversation together? Ever?”

“Yes.”

“Then please just know that I’m sorry and I love you and...”

“Liam, you don’t-“

“Yes I do.” Liam looked at Niall with a determination he had never seen before and would probably never see again. “I want to say goodbye.”

“Liam...” Niall didn’t want to hear goodbye. He didn’t want to know it was all ending. He just wanted to go through the day like a normal person and go through the motions like he would have without his prior knowledge but of course Liam made everything more difficult. “Don’t...”

“I need to, Niall.” Liam gave Niall those eyes that Niall couldn’t resist. The eyes that begged and pleaded while showing just how desperate Liam was and how much he truly wanted something.

“If you say goodbye now then for the rest of the day you need to act like nothing is wrong. You need to act like we’ll see each other tomorrow just like we have been for the last few weeks.” Niall explained with a shaky voice and the threat of tears about to start streaming down his face.

Liam only nodded.

“Okay... Goodbye, Niall. I will always love you.”

“Goodbye, Liam. I’ll love you in this life and the next.”

—

Niall sat in the back of Louis’ car as they drove.

It was already dark outside and Louis had some song playing that caused him and Harry to jump around in the front seats in an attempt to dance to the music while in a car. Usually Niall would join, but he just couldn’t. He couldn’t find it in him to dance when he knew that his entire life would be ending tonight.

Louis and Harry noticed his odd behavior.

“What’s the matter, Niall? We’re on our way to an awesome party!” Louis shouted, drumming his hands against the steering wheel in the hopes to brighten Niall’s mood.

“An awesome party?” Harry raised an eyebrow. “You realize Ed Sheeran is throwing the party right?”

“Why do you say that as though he can’t throw a good party?” Louis asked.

“Isn’t he kind of nerdy?”

“He’s friends with Zayn Malik who forced him to throw the party. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be good.”

Niall’s head snapped up at the mention of Zayn’s name while Harry only grinned in response. Already father time was catching up with him and already he was meeting the two people he was told he would be meeting.

“By the way, Niall, this is the Zayn I was talking about. I couldn’t find him on Facebook but I hope this is fine.” Louis looked at Niall through the rear view mirror and smiled. “I mean, if he has a roommate then he’ll probably bring him.”

Niall nodded his head and looked out the window. “Okay.”

Louis and Harry shared concerned looks before Harry turned around.

“Are you okay, Niall? Are you not feeling good?”

Niall wasn’t okay and he knew he wasn’t okay. He could feel his claustrophobia kicking in for no apparent reason other than his nerves. The air was constricting around him and suddenly he felt like he was completely surrounded and he seriously needed to get out of the car and get some air.

It was all because he was nervous. Because he didn’t want to think about what would happen tonight. How everything would play out. But he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about it and the more he did the more he realized how much he loved Liam and the more he just wanted to ignore what should happen to him and make his own future.

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t do that. He knew he couldn’t and he needed someone to tell him he couldn’t because it was all too much.

The thought of death... Of dying so soon... It was terrifying.

He needed to talk to Liam.

They finally pulled up to a house where there already seemed to be a full out party going on. People were loitering everywhere even though it was kind of chilly outside. Louis and Harry were slowly making their way out of the car when Niall jumped.

“I’ll meet you inside in a second!” Niall called before running out of the car and down the street a bit. Harry and Louis watched him run before deciding that the blonde would tell them in his own time what was going on and turned to enter the party.

Niall took out his phone with hands that didn’t want to stop shaking. He quickly opened the application of the weird website and was about to start typing when he saw a button pop up that had never been there before. It was small and square and said, “Call” on it.

And Niall honestly didn’t care how weird it was for that to pop up. All he knew was that he needed to hear Liam’s voice.

He pressed the button.

It rang a few times, making Niall anxious and nervous. What if Liam didn’t pick up? Then he would be all alone. Then he would have to do everything all by himself and he wasn’t sure if he could do that.

“Niall?”

Niall sighed in relief at the sound of Liam’s confused voice over his phone.

“I need you to tell me that it’s all worth it.” Niall’s words rushed out of his mouth. He didn’t even realize how much he was actually freaking out until he heard his own panicked voice. “I need you to tell me that my death is worth it and that I need to march into that party right now. I need you to tell me that it’s the right thing to do and I need you to mean it, Liam. I need you to believe yourself too.”

There was a short silence on the phone and all Niall could hear was his own breathing.

“Niall, I-“

“Please, Liam!” Niall shouted into the phone with his eyes screwed shut. “Please give me this! I need it! I... I need it because... I’m scared.”

Who wouldn’t be afraid to die so young? Who would be able to just happily say goodbye to everything they love? Who would be able to just leave behind everyone they ever held dear and who in the world would be okay with leaving Liam Payne behind?

Yes, he was scared.

He was scared and he wanted nothing more than to fight for his life. Just like the little boy said. He wanted to fight for his chance to live and to keep living. He wanted to fight and to keep fighting every single day.

But he knew he couldn’t.

“Please, Liam...” His voice came out as a broken whisper. He stared at the ground. “Please...”

Liam took a deep breath.

“What are you talking about, Niall? Of course it’s the right thing. Of course everything will turn out fine. There is a party waiting for you to conquer it and you better get your pretty little arse inside there.”

Niall managed a shaky laugh and felt himself calming down. It wasn’t the best pep talk but it was definitely enough.

“Are you still just standing around? Mr. Horan, I will have you know that the longer you stand around waiting the longer you keep me waiting on you. That’s all very rude.”

Niall made his way back to the party as he listened to Liam but managed to keep himself silent.

“Did you hear me? Go on! Get inside. I’m waiting for you.”

And Niall could have kept listening to Liam talk all day, but he knew it was time to stop as he stood outside the front door of the house. He knew it was finally time to put everything into motion.

So he took a step forward.

And hung up the phone.

Chapter 12

It tasted foul.

Liam winced as the strong taste hit his tongue and burned his throat. He immediately wanted to throw up but held his breath to keep from letting anything up. The feeling slowly ceased and he breathed out only to keep smelling the strong aroma of what seemed like nail polish remover but was actually vodka.

Zayn looked at him and grinned.

They were standing in a crowded hallway that had teenagers back to back. Each and everyone of them had some kind of alcoholic beverage in their hands as they talked and laughed with their friends. Music blasted throughout the house, coming from the living room and reaching every other room available.

It wasn’t a place Liam would normally be. Normally he’d prefer to stay at home and play FIFA or watch Toy Story but Zayn had convinced him to live a little and have a drink. He had never drank alcohol before but Zayn had convinced him that a little alcohol wouldn’t hurt.

“You can’t hold your alcohol, mate.” Zayn pat him on the back and Liam made a face at him.

“And you’re a horrible friend.” Liam shook his head and hoped to rid of the taste but it was useless.

“Oh, live a little, Liam! The alcohol is not going to kill you if you don’t drink too much!” Zayn pushed Liam’s shoulder, sending Liam stumbling back a little. Stumbling in a party full of drunk teenagers wasn’t exactly the best thing to do and he ended up crashing right into someone, causing them both to fall over onto the floor.

People laughed at the fall. Including Zayn and the person he had crashed into. Liam gave a small smile before Zayn helped pull him up. When he was on his feet again he turned to see a boy with feathered hair being pulled up by another boy with curly hair.

“Sorry.” Liam offered, only earning a waved hand in response.

“Louis?” Zayn asked, eyebrows knit together. The boy Liam had knocked into’s face had lit up while his friend gave a small curious look at Zayn and Liam. The boy, Louis, hopped over to Zayn and put an arm around him.

“Zayn! I was actually going to come looking for you!” Louis grinned happily. Zayn looked quite shocked seeing as he and Louis weren’t exactly close. The two of them only had one class together and they didn’t even talk to each other in it other than one time when the teacher had made a mistake and Louis had snorted and mumbled about how her outfit was an even bigger mistake and he didn’t see her fixing that.

Zayn wasn’t all too sure whether he wanted to hug the boy or be wary of his sassy ways.

“You were?” Zayn asked, clearly confused.

“Yeah! Um, this is Harry by the way.” Louis pointed to the curly haired lad who offered up a small wave. The older boy caught sight of the bottle of vodka on a small table in the hallway and snatched it quickly before taking a big swig of it straight from the bottle. Liam’s eyes widened as he watched Louis drink like he was drinking water.

The bastard.

“Uh... What’s up?” Zayn asked.

“Oh! Right!” Louis pulled the bottle away and handed it to Harry who offered an apologetic shrug to the two confused boys before taking a swig just as big as Louis’ and making Liam wonder how much someone would have to drink to be able to do that with such ease. “Who’s this you’ve got with you?”

Liam looked at the two boys and wondered just who the hell they were.

“Um... My roommate, Liam. Liam, this is Louis and... Harry I guess. Good to meet you?” Zayn wasn’t entirely sure what was going on. Harry just gave him a cheeky smile before handing back the vodka.

“Forgive Lou, he’s a bit mental.”

Louis had been staring at Liam like he was some amazing God or something. Slowly he was leaning over Zayn, who he still had his arm around, and let his face inch closer and closer to Liam as a slow but nonetheless frightening looking grin spread across his face.

“Lou? Lou? Boo Bear? Jesus, Lou, back away from him!” Harry grabbed the shorter boy and pulled him to his chest. Louis couldn’t keep his grin off of his face but he forced his eyes to look away as he held onto one of Harry’s arms.

“Sorry. I, uh... I had some to drink before I came here.” Louis lied and thankfully Harry didn’t call him on it because Liam and Zayn were staring at him like he was completely insane.

“Well... What’s going on?” Zayn asked, trying to be polite, but his eyes wandered to where Harry’s arm lay protectively around Louis’ arms and where Louis’ fingers drummed gently across his skin.

“Oh! Just waiting for our friend! You’d probably really like him.” But when Louis said those words he said them more to Liam even though it was Zayn who had asked the question.

Liam decided that Louis was strange. And creepy. And if Harry looked anymore annoyed with him then he would probably have frown lines for the rest of his life.

“Yeah...” Zayn trailed off, feeling just as awkward as Liam was feeling.

Harry couldn’t help but laugh at how awkward the two looked. It took a lot to get used to Louis and it definitely didn’t happen within in just a few minutes. He figured he might as well come to the rescue and make Louis calm down so he put his head into Louis’ neck.

Louis smiled and put his free hand onto Harry’s cheek, sliding it up the curly haired boy’s head and into his curls.

Liam and Zayn kept staring. “Guys.”

The four boys looked to see who was speaking to them, raising their voice so they could be heard over the music. Louis and Harry practically beamed while Zayn just looked even more confused than before.

Liam’s mind was fuzzy.

Maybe it was the one shot of vodka he had but his stomach started growing warm as he looked at the newest boy to join them. He had blonde hair pushed up and gorgeous blue eyes that Liam could have just keep staring at and never want to look away.

He had never seen someone so... Handsome, cute, gorgeous, and beautiful all in one. The boy looked beautiful while looking like sex on legs. It was like a complete contradiction and yet he did it so perfectly.

And then the guy smiled.

He fucking smiled right at Liam.

That wasn’t fair. That wasn’t fair! How could he just smile and make everything seem so right? His eyes crinkled and his nose scrunched and dear lord, how was it possible to be so adorable while being so attractive at the same time? Was that even allowed?

“Are you scarring strangers?” The guy asked.

Liam licked his lips and looked away but he could feel the guy staring right at him. The bright blue eyes were following his every movement even though he wasn’t moving. He couldn’t. Not when he was being watched so intently.

“Niall, this is Zayn from my class!” Louis waved to Zayn before indicating to Liam with a wide grin. “And his roommate, Liam.”

Liam let his eyes flick up to see Niall still giving him that smile. “Good to meet you.”

Zayn shook his head and put the vodka bottle down on the small table to turn towards the living room. He nodded his head to where people were dancing and looked back at the other four boys but Liam specifically.

“I’m going to go find some bird to dance with. Anyone else wanna go?” He asked.

Louis and Harry were too caught up with each other. Somehow Louis had turned so he and Harry were face to face and they were whispering words and giggling to each other like school girls with their first crush so they couldn’t answer Zayn. Niall shook his head but never kept his eyes off of Liam.

Okay, all three of those guys were really freaking weird!

But then Liam was looking at Niall the same way Niall was looking at him except there was a slight difference in their eyes... Something so small it was almost insignificant and flew right over Zayn’s head.

... Almost.

“Have fun, Zayn. I’ll try my hand at this drinking business again.” Liam smiled and managed to pull his eyes away from Niall to shake the vodka bottle at Zayn.

Zayn gave him a look that said, “Why in the world do you want to hang out with these weird as fuck guys?” but he didn’t comment before he gave a small shrug and turned to go to the living room.

Liam leaned against the wall and started to open the vodka bottle only to notice Louis and Harry suddenly in the middle of a snog that looked dangerously pornographic. There were definitely tongues being stuck down each other’s throats and there were hands grabbing at places that really should only happen in the privacy of a bedroom... Or a bathroom... Or really anywhere there wasn’t people.

“I’m sorry about them.” Niall leaned on the small table with his arms crossed over on the table. His face was near Liam’s shoulder, closer than any stranger ever should have been near his shoulder. Niall was smiling as he looked over at Harry and Louis. “To be perfectly honest I don’t know how that in particular just happened but I’m glad it did because they’ve been wanting to get it on for a painful amount of months.”

Liam was about to try to drink the vodka again but ended up snorting at Niall’s comment. He turned to the blonde with a grin.

“Trying to make me choke on my drink?” Liam asked with a teasing hint in his voice.

“It sounds like you choke on your drink all by yourself.” Niall teased right back, causing Liam to blush lightly and look away for a second before looking back up into those beautiful blue eyes.

“First time drinking. Vodka is certainly killing me already.” Liam held the vodka up to Niall. “Want some?”

Niall smirked and took the bottle. He tilted his head back and took a swig that beat both Louis and Harry. When he brought the bottle back down he gave himself no more than three seconds before going in for yet another giant swig. Then he took the cap from Liam and put it on the table.

“Thanks.”

Was Liam really the only person in the world that couldn’t swallow vodka like it was his job?

“I’m sorry, did I miss the class where we learn how to drink vodka like it’s water?” Liam asked, causing Niall to laugh. It was loud and sort of booming but also warm. It made him giddy just knowing that he was the one to get Niall to laugh like that.

“It’s your first time. Let’s get you something easier to drink.”

Niall pushed off the table with the vodka bottle in one hand while he reached out with his other and grabbed Liam’s hand with his own. Liam was surprised but it wasn’t because of the fact that Niall had reached out and held his hand even though they were complete strangers. No. It was because right where Niall was holding his hand his skin was burning with electricity that he had never felt before. It tingled his skin and instead of wanting to pull away all he wanted was to get closer.

They made their way through giggling and drunk teenagers who were running around and making a mess. Liam knew Ed would yell at him and Zayn for the total mess but he couldn’t find it in himself to care as Niall practically made himself at home in the kitchen and moved around the people to gather different liquids and then a bunch of shot glasses.

Niall had to let go in order to start mixing first the vodka into the shot and then two other types of liquids that sat right on top of each other. Liam watched with intense interest, finding Niall’s hands working with the drinks to be the most fascinating thing his eyes have ever watched. And he didn’t really know why.

Then Niall handed him one of the shots while holding up his own and Liam took it dumbly. Hell, Niall probably could have handed him poison and Liam would have taken it.

“To an awesome party.” Niall grinned.

Liam grinned back and lightly tapped his shot glass against Niall’s. “To the best party ever.”

They started to drink.

The shots were sweeter and easier to get down. So easy in fact that they didn’t stop. Niall kept making shots and they both kept downing them. They would look at each other and giggle as they drank and Liam noticed out of nowhere that things were starting to get hazy. It sort of felt like everything was moving slower and getting in his way.

He let out a drunk giggle when Niall accidentally spilt some liquid on the table.

“Shit.” Niall mumbled and looked around for something to clean it up. Liam giggled even more and grabbed Niall by both hands.

Niall froze in place and Liam didn’t even care. That same feeling was exploding in his skin right were their hands met and it made him happy. It made his stomach grow warm and he could feel heat creeping around his neck. Niall’s eyes were so big as they looked up at him and he had to wonder if he got close enough if he would drown in them.

“Liam..?” Niall whispered, voice sounding a bit more odd than Liam expected. But Liam gave him a grin and pulled him even closer.

“Want to dance?”

Liam didn’t know where the courage was coming from. In fact, it was entirely out of character for him and was probably the alcohol speaking but that didn’t stop the fact that it was exactly what Liam wanted. That Liam wanted nothing but to get close to the blonde and feel that same electric warmth all over as much as he could.

Niall grinned. “I’d love to.”

And Liam was sure that was the happiest moment in his life. Well, it seemed that way while he was drunk. So he turned to lead Niall into the living room to dance.

And Niall followed behind with a soft smile that spoke more than anything he could have ever said.

—

Their dancing had gone on for a long time.

They both were lost in the music and the feel of the other touching their bodies. Niall thought he was in heaven. He finally had Liam in real life and the brunette didn’t want to keep his hands off of him. In fact, every chance Liam got he put his hands on any visible skin available, causing tingles to spread throughout him and making him shiver.

His polo fell to the ground at some point but he really didn’t care. What would be the point in caring anyways? He had Liam looking ready to devour him and he could honestly say that he wanted the same thing.

He wanted to taste Liam. To touch him and feel him all over. To know his every outer plane the way he knew his ever inner plane. He wanted to be intimate with the boy he had fallen in love with... Even if Liam didn’t know that it had happened yet.

The best part of everything was that Niall had thought he would have to take the initiative. He thought he would have to ease Liam into doing anything at all with him seeing as how in the very beginning he looked like the epitome of awkward.

But it was Liam who pulled him onto the “dancefloor” and started dancing intimately with him. It was Liam who had started to touch him before he touched Liam. It was Liam who knocked his polo off so there was more skin on skin contact and it was Liam who had grabbed Niall by the loops on his trousers to pull them chest to chest in their first ever kiss.

Niall closed his eyes immediately and never had kissing somebody ever felt so right. Never in his life had the simple touch of lips on lips ever seemed so comforting and so completely at home.

He ached for more. More kisses. More intensity. More Liam. All Liam.

His hands sneaked up into Liam’s hair and grasped the strands of hair there. Liam let out a low growl before suddenly Niall felt like his mouth was under attack and it was so rough and yet so perfect that Niall couldn’t help but react and kiss him back, tilting his head for a more comfortable angle as their lips moved and tongues fought against each other.

Liam nipped at his lips just rough enough to cause a pain that was completely over ridden by the absolute pleasure that Niall was feeling.

And suddenly everything was in a haze of just pleasure.

He didn’t remember them walking, only them snogging each other senseless in suddenly different rooms of the house. He didn’t remember entering a bedroom, only locking the door. He didn’t remember taking off all of their clothes, only landing on the bed completely naked with an equally as naked Liam hovering over him and just staring down at him for a moment.

The kisses turned gentler. They became slow and needy. Lips moving against lips and tongues playing with each other as a sort of game. Hands trailed lightly over chest and back, lowering slowly and slowly.

Until Niall took Liam’s tongue and sucked it into his mouth softly, causing a deep moan to sound in the brunette’s throat.

Liam pulled away and nipped at Niall’s neck with that same close-to-pain-but-so-good bites that only Liam seemed to be able to pull off. He stopped down at the blonde’s collarbone to suck and bite and Niall held Liam close as he let out a quiet moan.

Then Niall moved his hips up to Liam’s and their skin touched in a way that was too much and not enough. They moaned together in what seemed like the chorus to a beautiful song and it was then that everything became desperate.

Liam kissed down his chest all the way to his stomach and down even lower. Niall shivered as he felt Liam’s tongue tracing along his hip bone. That dangerous tongue followed the planes of his skin all the way down until it touched his member right at the base before sliding all the way up to the tip and- God, did that feel good!

Niall’s eyes screwed shut when he felt that tongue sliding around his tip painfully slow. He couldn’t keep quiet if he wanted to, especially not when Liam sunk down and took him entirely into the warmth cavern of his mouth. He had honestly felt as though he had died and he reached down to Liam’s hair and grasped it tightly.

His stomach was burning. His skin felt on fire. It was all too much and yet he needed more.

More. More. More.

“Liam...” His voice was somewhere between a whisper and a moan, with just the slightest shake hidden beneath. “Please... Can we...?”

“I’ve... I’ve never...” Liam started to stutter, moving up Niall’s body to be face to face with the blonde.

“Neither have I. At least... Not with another bloke.” Niall answered.

Liam reached over to a drawer that he apparently knew to have something useful for what they were about to do. Niall watched him come back up with a bottle of lube and a condom. He watched as Liam opened the lube and smoothed it out over his fingers.

“You’ll tell me to stop if you want me to... Right?” Liam asked, looking down at Niall with worried eyes that just made Niall’s heart want to jump in joy. He just loved Liam so much and to have him looking down at him like that... Showing how much he cared when they were about to have sex even before Liam really got to know him...

It was a bittersweet feeling. Knowing that Liam was his and knowing what was about to come when he knew it would all end soon...

He nodded his head. “Yes.”

Liam smiled and planted a soft kiss on the corner of his lips and then Niall felt that weird feeling. That feeling off being penetrated that was so strange and yet oddly good.

Niall’s eyes closed as he was stretched by a second finger and there was a burning of slight pain coursing through him but it wasn’t entirely bad. His head fell back as Liam moved his fingers inside him with what seemed much too skillful for a virgin and he kept his lips attached to Niall’s neck as much as he could.

Then there was more stretching as another finger entered and it was just reaching that level of pain where Niall was going to tell Liam to stop when Liam’s fingers brushed against him and it seemed like his entire world exploded. It had felt so good and it was perfect because Liam was the one doing it that it completely rid of the pain.

“Liam...” Niall whispered.

The fingers left. Niall opened his eyes at the sound of a wrapper being opened and he watched as Liam carefully rolled the condom onto his member. Then he got the lube and made sure to coat himself well before looking at Niall.

“You know we don’t have to...” Liam whispered back. “We don’t need to do this if you don’t want to...”

“I want this more than you know.”

Niall leaned up on one elbow while using his free arm to grab Liam around the neck and pull him down for a deep kiss. There were no tongues, only lips, and they moved slowly.

Then Niall felt himself being stretched.

And yes, oh God yes it hurt. It hurt but it also felt so good and so full that he automatically told Liam to start moving. So when Liam pulled his hips back and snapped forward, hitting right into Niall’s prostate, well... Neither of them could stop their loud moans.

Their hips moved together, slowly moving faster as the heat and the need and the desperation increased to an indescribable height. Niall’s hands scratched at Liam’s back and Liam couldn’t keep his teeth off of Niall’s neck.

And then there was that moment. Where everything was right. They reached their peak with a call of the other’s name and it felt like everything was released at that moment. Like everything was right.

Coming back down was slow just like everything else they did. The clean up and then automatically moved to snuggle. Niall found that Liam was big on snuggling which was good because quite honestly Niall didn’t mind. He curled right into Liam’s chest while Liam had an arm around his shoulders.

Their words were even slow. Their words as they complimented each other and talked. Their words as Niall told Liam as much about him as he could and Liam would either tease him or chuckle and hold him that much closer.

“I play the guitar.” Niall grinned, having already lost track of how long they had been talking.

“No way. I can sing! Maybe we can do a duet sometime?” Liam asked, tracing circles on Niall’s skin.

“Sing me something now?” Niall asked back, looking up at the same time as Liam looked down.

“What do you want to hear?”

“Anything.”

Liam smiled at him and looked at the ceiling for a moment before opening his mouth.

“My heart beats like a drum. A guitar string to the strum. A beautiful song to be sung. She’s got blue eyes deep like the sea. That roll back when she’s laughing at me. She rises up like the tide. The moment her lips meet mine.”

Liam’s voice was wonderful. It was beautiful and deep and could have lolled Niall right to sleep if he wasn’t so focused on the lyrics and how if it was Liam from two months in the future then... Those lyrics could have actually been about him.

They could have actually been about Niall.

And it hurt him how much he wanted that. How much he truly just wanted that.

And the feeling didn’t go away.

“We may only have tonight. But till the morning sun, you’re mine. All mine. Play the music low. And sway to the rhythm of love.”

Liam finished and Niall fought to keep his face straight instead of crying like how he wanted to. He could feel something in him change right then and there.

He wanted Liam.

He wanted Liam so badly.

“Be careful there, Li. In love with me so fast?” Niall teased. “Maybe after our first date.” Liam winked.

“Okay. Then I promise for a first date and I promise to play my guitar for you.” Niall smiled, nudging Liam playfully.

Liam abruptly sat up.

“Hey... Do you want to get out of here?” Liam asked with a sly grin. Niall felt his stomach drop at his words and he tried not to actually frown. “You want to bring me back to your place and play your guitar for me?”

No.

He didn’t want to bring Liam back to his place. He didn’t want to leave the house and he didn’t want to die just when he had everything he could have ever wanted.

No, he didn’t want to.

“Yeah.” He nodded with a forced smile.

They got out of the bed and started to get dressed extremely slow. Niall had to fight not to just break down and cry or run away. He had to fight to keep himself still as he pulled up his pants and trousers and then started to pull over his shirt when he felt arms wrap around his stomach.

He turned his head to see Liam who kissed him quickly on the lips, already dressed completely. The brunette grinned wide and took Niall’s hand to lead him out of the house and all Niall could do was look down at Liam’s trainers.

The shoelaces were untied.

“I bet you can play the guitar really well...” Liam laughed, finding something funny in his drunken stupor.

But Niall didn’t pay attention to what Liam was saying because all Niall cared about was keeping Liam. He wanted to hold onto Liam every night and snuggle everyday. He wanted to do stupid things together and have fun doing nothing.

And then Liam tripped. “Liam...”

His voice was weak because he saw a car down the street, driving straight down the street. His eyes couldn’t leave the headlights of the car as he watched it drive and his heart rate started to increase rapidly. His palms were sweating and his entire body was shaking.

It was time. “Liam.”

But Liam was too drunk and was giggling to himself as he tied his shoes. He watched as Liam talked aloud and then noticed as the car swerved violently and his heart was practically jumping out of his chest.

He didn’t want to die.

He wanted to choose. He wanted a choice. He wanted to fight.

He wanted to live.

He wanted to live!

He wanted to fight!

But then the car was coming straight at them faster than he could ever see any car going and Niall made his final decision.

He would live.

And so he jumped to move towards Liam as the car neared closer and closer.

“Liam!”

Epilogue

He was in the hospital.

He was looking down at the body that lay on the hospital bed. It was asleep and unmoving and the last time he had seen that body it was in a lot of pain. That was the first time he had learned...

Liam only had one kidney.

So Niall looked down at Liam as he lay asleep from having to get his stomach pumped last night after the car accident. Niall had jumped and tackled Liam to the ground so both of their bodies were out of the way from the car when Liam had started to feel a lot of pain.

It was then that he decided to tell everyone that he had kidney problems and he really wasn’t supposed to overly drink. By the time the ambulance got to Ed’s house the drunk driver of the car was dead and Liam had passed out because of the pain.

Niall couldn’t help but think about how if things had gone through the way they were supposed to that Liam not only would have seen him die but then would have had to go to the hospital afterwards. It was a a horrible thought and it made Niall’s stomach turn just thinking about it.

He waited in the waiting room of the hospital all night with Zayn, Louis, and Harry. Louis and Harry were actually really helpful for comforting Zayn who had learned that the three were all considerably less creepy than he had thought. In fact, Zayn had even taken to holding Louis’ hand at point where he got particularly scared.

Niall tried to lighten the mood, seeing as how he knew that Liam lived. He tried to joke around with Harry and Louis about TS but neither of them knew what he was talking about. Niall kept trying to remind them that TS was the person who he was talking to online and neither of them knew a single reference he mentioned that he had told them a bunch of times. They were so confused that they were pretty sure that Niall was just making it up because he was worried about Liam.

He took out his phone and tried to find the application with that familiar red button letter picture and it wasn’t there. Everything was gone.

It was like the website never existed.

And maybe that was just how the website worked. Maybe because Niall changed the future the website had to disappear because the Liam that had seen Niall die had ceased to exist.

Maybe it was all supposed to happen exactly like this.

But Niall wasn’t finished yet. There was one last thing he had to do before he could go back to a normal life that wasn’t judged by future events. There was one more thing he had to change.

So he slowly and quietly lifted himself out of his chair so he wouldn’t wake up Zayn who had fallen asleep on the other side of Liam with his legs pulled up to his chest and his head lolling to the side. Louis and Harry were bundled together in a mess of limbs in the corner on the floor and Harry was of course snoring loud like always.

He tip toed out of the room before walking down the hall like a normal person so he wouldn’t attract attention to himself. He got into the lift and went down two floors. Nobody else was in the elevator or even really in the hallways seeing as it was still quite early in the morning.

He got off the lift and looked around, finding the room number 202 and quietly walking in.

There was that little boy. He sat on his bed reading a book with the ever same bored expression on his face.

“Hey.”

The boy’s head snapped to the door way and his eyes widened comically. Niall had to bite back his laughter so that the kid wouldn’t take the laughter the wrong way and then be rude to him. That was the last thing he needed.

“I don’t need your help anymore. I think I’ve got this.” Niall grinned.

The boy understood what Niall was trying to say and so, without ever taking his shocked eyes off of Niall, he reached to his roll around table and pulled out a paper that was rolled up with a rubber band around it. His hand shook slightly as he slowly held the paper out to Niall.

Niall slowly stepped closer until he was right next to the boy before reaching out and gently taking the note. He smiled at the boy who chose that moment to speak up.

“I may not know much math but I’m pretty sure that it’s been over five days since I last talked to you.”

Niall couldn’t help himself.

The shock of Liam needing to go to the hospital had scared him so he couldn’t react. He couldn’t feel how his body wanted to feel but as soon as that boy said that one sentence it was like he broke down the dam to Niall’s emotions and the blonde could feel everything gushing out.

He was giddy and shocked and happy and excited and-

He was alive.

He was alive and he had Liam up two flights above them.

A grin spread across his cheeks so wide that it was probably scary but Niall honestly didn’t care. He was so happy. He wanted to jump around and scream and sing.

He had won.

“I decided that I wanted to fight.” Niall answered before going over to the trash bin and ripping the paper up and throwing it in. He didn’t need it anymore and he didn’t need anyone else finding it. He would never be able to explain why he had written the letter and it would just cause more trouble than he needed.

And besides. He had a lifetime to tell Liam he loved him over and over again. Just... Maybe after they’ve dated for a while.

Niall practically skipped out of the room when the boy spoke again and made him stop right before he got to the door.

“What made you change your mind?”

There was a feeling spreading all throughout his skin. It filled him with so much energy that he felt like he just couldn’t contain all of it. He turned to look at the boy and gave him a little wink as he all but bounced.

“I found something worth fighting for.”

And then Niall was running, completely ignoring the nurses who told him to slow down because it was dangerous because honestly he just couldn’t bring himself to care. He got into the lift and pressed the button with the number four on it over what he was sure was a thousand times before the lift had started to go up and he paced in the huge space.

It got to the fourth floor and the doors opened to a running Niall. Again he heard people shouting at him to be careful and again he didn’t care because all he wanted to do was look at Liam’s face and realize that they had time together because Niall was actually alive.

He skid to a stop at Liam’s room and entered to find Liam’s eyes opened.

Liam looked shocked and confused, like he wasn’t all that sure of why he was even in the hospital. Then he winced a bit and Niall guessed that even with the painkillers he was still able to feel the pain and realize what had happened.

But their eyes locked and Niall was overjoyed. It was all really happening.

They were all okay.

“This doesn’t count as a first date... Does it?” Liam asked over one of Harry’s particularly loud snores.

Niall choked slightly.

Because Liam was perfect and he was all Niall’s for a long time and nobody would be taking that away from him ever again. His emotional dam was soaking everything up and he had choked because he wanted to laugh at the same time he wanted to cry.

A tear actually slid down his face.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you on a proper second date. Maybe just a little hang out in the house. Order take in. Watch a film. What do you say about watching Toy Story?”

And when Liam’s eyes lit up, Niall knew.

Nothing would ever be able to take that away from him again.

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