"I'm in love with / the idea of being in love / I want to grasp it, seize it. / The concept itself is beautiful. / How two minds can become infixed, / with raw love / and tender affection. / Love is magical, / and many people have / fallen in love with the / pure idea of being / in love."
J.M.
The train ride is long, and both Harry and Niall are tired. After staring out the window for what seemed like miles and miles of green things, Harry finds himself nodding off. By this time Niall is fast asleep, snoring like a puppy dog. Harry thinks it's cute.
They have the benches to themselves, and about fifteen minutes into the trip, Niall left Harry's to lay down on his own. Harry has tried to not watch him, because Niall has a strange knack for knowing what he's doing even if his eyes are closed. Instead, Harry tries to focus on what the train is passing.
It's beautiful, but boring at this point, and Harry misses Boston. The thought of his city is a double edged sword. He misses his family and his friends, but he doesn't want to leave Niall or the adventure behind. If there was ever a way to have both, Harry would.
The sudden realization that he's completely forgotten about his schedule hits him like a gust of wind. Scrambling for his planner, Harry finds it and opens it up to his checklist for Ireland. He's reminded of the entire plan. If the airports hadn't shut down, Harry would be in Dublin already engaged and sleeping in a hotel room with Louis. If the airports hadn't shut down, Harry wouldn't have met Niall. Double edged sword, Harry thinks.
"What'rya doing?" Niall's voice sounds, and Harry looks up from his planner to see Niall sitting up and yawning.
"Looking at what could have been."
"What?"
Harry smiles lightly and holds up the planner page. "My Ireland checklist."
"You made an actual list for this?" Niall sounds unimpressed, and Harry nods.
"Yeah, I did. I was supposed to already be engaged by now."
"Maybe it's a sign from God. Maybe he's whispering, "Don't get married, Harry. Don't do it."" Niall teases, tired. He scoots over the the side and leans against the wall, placing his feel up on the bench.
"Shut up." Harry rolls his eyes. "Now I only have a few hours to plan everything."
"It's just a proposal. It's not like it's the actual wedding."
"It's just as important."
Niall gives him a judgmental look. "You're very high maintenance, you know that right?"
"I'm not. You're just entirely too low maintenance."
"Nothing wrong with that. I'm not the one acting like asking a question requires the entire Royal Navy to be present."
"Yeah, but dinner reservations need to be made. I have to-"
"You need reservations?"
"Yes."
"Do you know where you want to go?" Niall asks, and Harry gives him a confused look.
"I know nothing about Dublin, Niall."
"Oh, right." He nods. "Well, when we get there, I'll help you out. I know some stuff that could help you."
"Thank you." Harry smiles widely. "Truly. Thank you."
"No problem."
"You know..." Harry starts, thinking about something Louis said on the phone about paying Niall. "Louis said that I shouldn't pay you."
"Don't worry about it."
"I want to pay you."
"Don't worry. I'm fine without money." Niall says, closing his eyes again.
"I'm going to pay you, you know. I just wanted you to know that I'm doing so in spite of Louis."
"Why would you want me to know that?" He asks.
"Well," Harry starts. "I'm not sure, really." He says, even though he does know. He wants Niall to know that he's chosen him where he can. He can't chose Niall over Louis, but he can do this.
happy birthday to me *blows a kazoo*