My Rules (Nuke)

Part 1: A memory he didn't want to forget

"I've always tried to control things, but in the end that's what controls me"~NF

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"Grayson! Your mum is here. Lucy stop picking your nose sweetie, you might poke your brain" It was the end of the day at SkyBlue Nursery, and it was as hectic as always. Kids were bouncing off every wall in the small building, while the three adults tried to get them to their parents who were waiting outside in the autumn weather. Harry was on duty outside chatting to the parents with his usual level of charm, Liam was on bag duty while Niall helped the kids with their coats. It was a system that worked very well for the boys, and the parents admired the orderly fashion of things.

"Thank you, Mr Horan see you tomorrow" Grayson, Niall's secret favourite, gave him a large hug before he let Harry walk him to his mum. Niall was Grayson's favourite as well, but for reasons unknown to everyone but the young boy. There was just a connection between the two, and Niall dreaded the day the boy would grow up and leave. It wasn't creepy, Niall just saw the intelligence in the boy. He was beyond his years. Niall and Grayson's mum were good friend's as well, but he had never met the father. He was involved but worked away a lot which Niall understood.

"And we're done" Liam flopped onto one of the many colourful beanbags, Harry joining him soon after. "If that means you're leaving me to tidy everything, you're fired." The two chuckled at their best friend and boss, knowing he wouldn't fire them. Even if they burned the place down. Harry and Liam looked up to Niall, even if he didn't know it. He was a hardworking, kind-hearted Twenty-three-year-old who already had his life in order. The only thing he was missing was love, but he wasn't looking. That was what he liked to tell himself.

They tidied the various toys that were spread across the vast amount of floor in the playroom, while Harry tidied the art room where he spent most of his time. He didn't mind that half of the clothes he owned were covered in kids paint. He thought it added 'character' which everyone disagreed with. Promptly.

Liam was often around the older kids in the reading corner. His love of literature showing through as he read with such passion. It was the kids favourite time when Liam would bring in stories he had written for them, sometimes even using their names. The look on their faces when they were made into superhero's or princesses, knights, astronauts was something Liam loved.

Niall overall just supervised the kids, but occasionally for a surprise he would bring in his acoustic guitar. Not the expensive one, he wouldn't risk it. It was an old one given to him by an old friend. "To Blue Eyes" was engraved onto the side. As much as he hated to look at it, it was a good guitar. It was also the influence for the nursery name, although Niall never told Harry or Liam that.

The kids were good singers and had learnt many nursery rhymes. Even some songs that Niall had written, but they didn't know that. Niall loved music; it was his passion. So was being around kids. It was his dream to own a nursery, ever since his little nephew Theo was born.

"Are we done? I think we're done" Harry sighed out in relief putting the last few paintbrushes and crayons away. There were splotches of red paint on his chiselled cheek, although neither of the other boys said anything just to annoy the boy. Louis would tell him later and they would get an angry text from him like they would most nights. "Done with your shit" Liam replied earning a slap from the tall, brunet haired boy. They bickered as the three walked out of the building into the outdoor playground.

"Well at least I have friends"

"You? friends? Don't flatter yourself Styles"

"I swear to god Liam- both of you are utter loners and have no friends. How about that?" Niall butted in patting them both on the back sarcastically. They shut up after that, not having a reply to the small boy's sarcastic comment. Harry and Liam loved to tease the boy about his height, while Niall hated it with a passion.

The three carpooled home in Liam's car instead of Niall's, which meant getting home took an extra ten minutes as the boy was driving. "Liam you're five miles under the speed limit, and you don't have to let everyone out. We have the right of way" Niall twined, being a backseat driver as per usual. Niall much preferred to drive. Liam was too slow, while Harry had almost killed them a few times, which is why he was never allowed to drive.

"Safety is important" Liam repeated for the tenth time during the drive as the two boys complained. "The speed limit is safe, that's why it's the limit Liam. You know what else is important Liam dear? My sanity now hurry up and get us home otherwise I'm driving" The boy in the back huffed, feeling a pending headache looming.

Liam rolled his eyes at the moody boy. He understood though. Niall worked himself to the bone to distract himself from things, things he struggles to forget. "See you tomorrow Niall, try get a good night's rest bub" Liam hugged the boy as best he could, considering they were still in the car.

When Niall left Liam and Harry gave each other a knowing look, they knew Niall was on his way to self-destruction. By self-destruction they meant a down day, but Niall's were worse than others. Shorter but worse. They knew they had to leave him alone though to get it out of his system. It didn't happen often, but when it did Niall always looked and felt physically better afterwards. That's all Harry and Liam wanted for him, Happiness.

Niall walked up to the door of his apartment, his shoulders heavy and his back sore from bending down all day. His home was simple, modern and clean. Just how he liked it. His favourite place in the house was his office, which house his favourite wall. It had a drawing from every kid he had ever taught, and he loved them all. Harry each year, asked the kids to each make Niall a drawing, and they never let him down. The other walls were covered in various photos from Niall's past and present. Each individual photo held a memory he didn't want to forget.