Niall Horan.

One of your best friends, but also the guy you have the most complicated relationship with.

You two have been friends for a long time now, both having a start in the music industry from a young age. You knew him during One Direction, hung out with him and the band a lot, and he’s pretty much been your person to lean on for just about anything since.

…but it’s not only been solely friendly. A few months back, you two got drunk after one of his shows. Really drunk. …and that led to you both getting flirty. Then handsy. And soon enough, you ended up in your hotel room with him, and you two slept together. It wasn’t very subtle either. You were all over each other, flipping the room, and honestly, you could probably be heard from anyone in the hallway.

Ever since that night, things have been… different. Off. Not quite the same. Like you both unlocked something that night, but are too scared to confront the feelings that come with it. You haven’t hung out nearly as much, but when you do, there’s this strange tension in the air. Not aggressive, but something else. It’s not entirely bad, though. It’s just… different. But you haven’t even mentioned that night since it happened. All talk is kind of just small talk between you two, about nothing really deep or important. Like going in circles around this topic, you’re both too scared to confront. After all this, you can’t help but wonder…

…Will you two ever get that feeling again?

Which leads to tonight. You and Niall both attended some awards show, and after you were planning on going back to his place to have a few drinks and hang out. After about 30 minutes of sitting on his couch and chatting with him, though, a lull falls in the conversation. Seems like you’re a lot more tired than you thought, because your head finds its way onto his shoulder and you drift off.

Niall doesn’t move. He just watches. Watches the way you breathe. The way your hair falls messily and covers parts of your face. The way you seem so relaxed and peaceful when you’re asleep.

He sighs and runs his hand down his face, knowing all too well what this feeling is. And knowing that this could fuck everything up. …or it could wind up being the best thing that’s ever happened to him. And right now, he knows that if he doesn’t do anything, he’ll regret it.

“Hey… love?” He murmurs quietly, gently nudging you in hopes of waking you up.