Chapter Text
"Are you still talking to that online person?” 18 year old Harry Higgins groaned as he peaked inside into his little brother’s room. 15 year old Niall Higgins just flipped him off, not even taking his eyes away from the screen.
ThatDoncaster_Lad: You are so sweet :) I’ve never known anyone as nice as you <3
MullingarIrishGuy: Awww! Same to you! You’re so amazing <33
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Aw, jeez, Nialler, you’re making me blush :P
MullingarIrishGuy: Haha, I have that effect on people ;)
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Silly boy!!! :D
"Niall!" Paul Higgins, their father, yelled up the stairs. "What?!" Niall replied, just as loudly. He didn’t hear anything for a few seconds until a sigh came from his doorway and his father’s voice followed. "Nialler, you need to get your ass off that seat and come spend some time with the family. We haven’t seen you in days. What’s so important that you have to push away your own family?" Paul ranted on and on, edging closer to his son.
"A boy?!" Paul roared as he saw the screen. Messages that go from weeks back. "Niall James! You know not to talk to strangers on the internet!" He barked, grabbing his son’s arm and pulling him up. "Dad!" Niall cried, yanking at his arm. Paul let go and quickly grabbed Niall’s laptop, closing it and storming out the room. "DAD!" Niall yelled, furious, chasing after him. Paul stomped down the stairs and into the lounge, startling the rest of the family, who were enjoying some TV.
"You are grounded, Niall! No laptop, no friends, no music and no phone. You will stay up in that room of yours, which won’t be too hard since you’ve been there for days now!" Paul finished, putting the laptop away in the ‘groundment cupboard’ which has a padlock on it. Paul locks it up and puts the key back in his pocket. "That’s not fair!" Niall retorted, glaring. Paul glared back and pointed towards the stairs. "To your room." He dead panned. Niall huffed but apliged and sulked up to his room.
Paul sighed and slumped into the empty seat next to his husband, Preston. “He’ll come around.” Preston chimed in, wrapping an arm around Paul’s shoulders. Harry sighed and shrunk down in his seat. His and Niall’s 12 year old sister, Eleanor, just rolled her eyes and stared at the stairs. “What’s up with him?” She asked, looking towards her fathers. “Just some teenager thing, El.” Harry replied, shrugging his shoulders. “You’ll get that soon.” Preston chuckled as he walked by, pressing a kiss to Eleanor’s head, who pouted and folded her arms over her chest.
/
Two weeks later, Paul lifted the groundment from Niall and gave him his stuff back. As soon as the 15 year old got his laptop back, he logged onto the chat room and nearly squeaked in happiness that Louis was online. There were hundreds of messages from him.
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Niall? Where did you go? xx
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Did I do something?
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Niall!
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Fine. Whatever. Bye, I guess…
Niall felt tears well up in his eyes as he typed back.
MullingarIrishGuy: Louis! I swear I wasn’t ignoring you! My pa came in and grounded me and took away my stuff. I’m so, so sorry! Please, please, please forgive me! I’m so sorry!! <33
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Thank God!!! I thought you were ignoring me! I forgive you, babe! <33
MullingarIrishGuy: No! I would never ignore you! My dumbass father is annoying -_- I’m here now, Lou!
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Haha, good ;) um…I was thinking about, maybe, we, um…
MullingarIrishGuy: Spit it out, Boo bear! :P
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Well, I’m coming to Ireland to visit my cousin, so…
MullingarIrishGuy: YES! OH MY GOD YES! :D :D
ThatDoncaster_Lad: Haha, awesome! Well, I’ll text you the details on Saturday :) <3
Saturday came quickly and before Niall knew it, he was waiting at the airport. Harry stood next to him, staring at his watch every few seconds. “You agreed to come.” Niall laughed, watching his older brother huff. Harry just shoved him lightly, a scowl on his face. “Shut up and wait for your boyfriend.” Harry grumbled, sitting down on a near by chair. Niall stood on his tippy toes, trying to get a better look over the hundreds of people. Suddenly, a distant voice called out.
"Niall?! Niall James?!" Niall grinned as he heard the Doncaster accent. "LOUIS!" He screamed, finally seeing the brunette boy he had seen many pictures of. They caught each other’s eyes and they both yelped in excitement. They both sprinted to each other and then, Niall found himself in the warm arms of the boy he’s fallen in love with. "Nialler." Louis breathed out, grinning from ear to ear as he pressed kisses to Niall’s hair. "Boo bear." Niall whispered happily, tucking his face in the crook of Louis’ neck. The two stood like that for a few minutes, tears running down their cheeks before somebody cleared their throat.
"Um, Niall?" The blonde lad pulled away, looking sheepishly at his brother, who stared right back. "Uh, right, right. Okay, well, Louis, this is my older brother, Harry. Harry, this is Louis." Harry stepped forwards with his hand held in front of him. Louis smiled and shook the outstretched hand before pulling away and wrapping the arm around Niall’s waist. "Shall we get going?" Niall asked, grinning up at Louis, who smiled back and kissed his forehead. "Yes. Let’s."
/
Harry groaned and punched his wall as thoughts popped into his head. He couldn’t get Louis out of his damn mind! He was Niall’s, for God’s sake! He couldn’t steal his little brother’s love…could he? No! Of course he couldn’t. Niall would be devastated, but…Harry can’t get the thoughts to stop! Ah, what the hell, eh? Niall will find someone else.
/
"Hey, Louis." Harry smiled, walking into the lounge, where Louis was alone. Niall was picking up the take away from the local pizza place and Harry found this the perfect chance. Louis glanced up and smiled, waving. "Hey, Harry. How are you?" Louis had been here for two days now and Harry was madly in love with him. "I’m good. Um, can I tell you something?" Louis smiled and nodded. "Of course, Harry. What’s up?"
"I’m in love with you." He blurted out, watching carefully for Louis’ reaction. The lad seemed to be having a small war with himself before he smiled and leaned forwards. "I love you too." He whispered, crashing his lips against Harry’s. Harry smiled and cupped his cheeks, deepening the kiss. Things began getting heated and soon, they were in the nude. What they didn’t know was Niall was stood in the doorway. Pizza box in hands and tears streaming down his cheeks. How could Harry do this to him?
/
"Louis and I are dating!" Harry announced, earning grins and congratulations from his fathers and sister. Niall looked near to a break down as he stared at his brother in shock. Paul nudged him and gave him a pointed glare. Niall sighed and looked towards the two and smiled sarcastically. "Yeah, congrats, big brother. Enjoy him." With that, he stormed up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door in rage. Throwing everything he could find at his walls, Niall let his anger out. The crashes and shattering of glass and plastic were nowhere near as broken as Niall’s heart. His heart was all shriveled up, ripped out, teared apart and stepped on by a heard of elephants. His stomach felt so empty. His eyes were dark and dull. His head was screwed up. Until one thought stood out from the rest…he wasn’t good enough.