Niall Horan Imagines

#33 More Than Friends

A/N: This Imagine was requested by palvinxlm

You and Niall had been best friends since childhood. Growing up in Mullingar, Ireland you spent every day together but when Niall auditioned for X-factor, things quickly became complicated. You were thrilled that he got through and occasionally met up for some of his live performances, but you missed him terribly. When One Direction won, both your worlds were flipped upside down. Before you knew it, Niall was whisked away to travel the world, create albums and sell out arenas. You kept in touch with him through it all and your friendship with him stayed as strong as ever. However, the further away you were from him, the more incomplete you felt – as if another part of you was missing. Facetimes and text messages were all just temporary bandages over the gaping hole in your heart. You began to realise how much you needed Niall and not just as a friend. You were in love with him but you couldn't complicate his life too. He was living the dream; meeting foreign girls, parting with models, and collaborating with gorgeous artists. It wouldn't be fair. You decided to suppress your feelings and move on with your life as best as you could.

You moved to L.A. in 2015 for work, the same year that the band took a break. Niall was ecstatic that you two were living in the same city. You hung out as much as you could, but it didn't feel the same as when you were younger. Not to you at least. You still had feelings for him. But you were in a committed relationship with someone else and you knew Niall would never see you as anything other than his best friend.

When his solo career took off, things fell apart completely. Your boyfriend of three years broke up with you. Niall was on tour and tried his best to be there for you through all the Facetime calls he could manage. He sent you sweet and encouraging texts every day, but they all still felt like temporary bandages. You needed him to be physically there with you for the pain to go away. After months of contemplation, you finally decided that you would tell Niall how you felt. You were both single and grown-up, you knew each other better than anyone else and you were completely and utterly in love with him. You could never feel the same way about any other guy.

Present Day

Niall had finally finished his tour and was coming home tonight. You felt excited and stressed to tell Niall your true feelings, but you knew it had to be done. Niall texted and asked if you could pick him up from the airport and drive him home. You agreed without hesitation, assuming that he was as eager to see you as you were to see him.

You arrived at the airport and waited in the waiting zone. You knew the drill. Niall would make a not very subtle exit, coming out with his team and two security guards on either side of him. So you kept your eye out for a big group. To your surprise, Niall emerged by himself. He was wearing a black pullover with grey sweats and a navy cap. He blended in with everyone else and looked like the normal guy you grew up with, not the famous 'Niall Horan.' He scanned the small crowd of people before he zoned in on you waving frantically at him.

He flashed his signature smile, showing almost the full top row of his perfect teeth.
The two of you bolted towards each other and firmly collided into a tight hug. Niall scooped you up around your waist and you latched onto him behind his neck. He effortlessly spun you in the air, the same way he has always done since you were kids.

"Light as a feather as usual," Niall said, letting you down.
You raised an eyebrow, "Maybe you got stronger with all your guitar playing."
Niall flexed his muscles, "You know I noticed they have gotten bigger," he teased.
You hit his chest playfully and laughed, "Shut up."

He grabbed both your shoulders and looked you in the eyes seriously.
"How are you holding up Y/N?"
Your smile quickly faded and you shrugged sheepishly.
Niall frowned.
"No, I won't take that for an answer. I'm your best friend remember," he said, lightly lifting your chin up towards him.
You sighed. "I'm doing alright. It's gotten easier with time, but there are days when I still think about him you know?"
Niall rolled his eyes. "He should not be taking up any space in that pretty little head of yours. Not after leaving you like that."