Louis smiled at Niall, looking over his outfit one last time. He was wearing a white button up shirt, paired with black dress pants, dress shoes and a suit jacket. With a smile, Louis reached over and unbuttoned the top button, leaving the shirt open to the air. Niall stared at his reflection in the mirror.
"You look good mate." Louis stated. Niall didn't say anything in return. He didn't think he looked good, he never thought he looked good. He would admit however, that he looked better than normal.
"I guess I'm ready." He said, looking himself over in the mirror as he spoke.
"One more thing actually." Louis stated. Niall turned to look at him, seeing two silver keys in his hand. His eyes widened.
"I thought Liam swallowed one of those." Niall said as Louis rolled up his sleeves and began unlocking the braces.
"He did." Louis agreed.
"How did you get it then?" He asked. Louis looked up from his task.
"You really don't want to know."
Louis undid the locks on both wrists, pulling the fabric off gently. Nialls wrists were still torn in places, scabs still clinging to his skin, but they were looking better. Louis swallowed and quickly pulled his friends sleeves down.
"Are you sure I should take them off?" He asked. He felt exposed without them.
Louis smiled slightly and nodded. "Liam wants to see you Niall, the real you. He likes you a lot."
A smile came to Nialls face. "You think so?"
Louis smiled at his friend. "I know he does. And I know you like him too."
Nialls smile didn't even falter at the fact that Louis knew his secret. He was drunk on the energy of the night and high on the anticipation. "How did you know?"
"Niall, I've known you for a very long time. I recognize the glint in your eye when I see it." Louis reminded him. Niall smiled.
"And yet you still can't see that same glint in Harry's eyes when he looks at you." He teased.
Louis shook his head. "Harry doesn't look at me like that."
Niall raised an eyebrow. "You need glasses mate. He is always looking at you like that."
As Niall finished his sentence, Harry knocked on the door. "Is Niall almost ready? Liam s all dressed up." He called through the door.
"Yeah, he'll be out in a second." Louis promised. He turned to look Niall in the eye.
"Okay Niall. Remember that tonight is about you and Liam. Don't think about anyone else. Its just You and Liam out there, okay?" He reinforced. Niall nodded and Louis smiled. "Well go on then. He's waiting."
Niall walked to the door and unlocked it, walking down the stairs slowly as not to trip. He could see Liam standing below, wearing an outfit very similar to Nialls own. There was a smile on his face, and Niall let himself forget that Liam wanted him to pretend. He let himself bask in the perfection of the moment, and he walked calmly down the stairs.
"You look handsome Niall." Liam stated when he made it to the bottom, his voice sounding sincere. The rest of the world fell away and it was just him and Liam.
"You look dashing." Niall smiled at Liam, not even making a comment against himself or disagreeing with Liam. Tonight wasn't a night to remember his problems. Tonight was a night to pretend everything was perfect.
Liam smiled and gestured to the door. "Shall we be off?"
Niall took one last look at Louis, who nodded, grinning, before nodding. "Lets go."
Liam opened the front door and led Niall out, walking around to open the door of the car as well. Nialls cheeks flushed at the action. It was so sweet and so gentlemanly, a move that personified Liam s very person.
Once Liam made it to his seat, he started the car and the first thing he did was turn on music. They were soon on the road, and Niall watched Liam as he drove, taking in all his beauty. It caught him a bit of guard when Liam glanced at him with a smile and an almost loving expression. He had to turn back to the road, but one of his hands left the wheel and grasped Nialls own. The butterflies in Nialls stomach and the rapid beat of his heart became even more noticeable as he held Liam s hand.
The ride was mostly quiet except for the background music from Liam s radio. The pre-date nerves still filled the air with excitement, and neither boy wanted to speak and break the spell. Niall was content just listening to Liam s breaths and feeling the warmth of his hand.
"We're here," Liam stated, a smile lighting up his beautifully deep brown eyes. Niall loved that he could see the sincerity behind Liam s eyes.
He smiled as Liam opened the door for him again and shuddered when the older boy took his hand. He was feeling things he had never felt before and the way Liam was treating him, it was easy to pretend that he felt the same, And that was exactly what Niall did. When Liam grabbed his hand and led him inside, He focused on the warmth and didn't even let himself think about the meaning behind the action.
"Reservation for Payne," Liam told the woman at the front, a teenager with a huge smile that only widened when she saw Nialls hand grasped in Liam's.
"Right this way," she said, leading them through the dimly lit restaurant. There were candles on the tables, their flames flickering softly and the entire atmosphere was just perfect. When they made it to their table, Liam had to drop his hand, and he instantly missed the warmth, but the second they were seated he grabbed it again. It was almost as if Liam liked it too, and Niall let himself believe it was the truth.
The waitress smiled at them, handing them the menus. "I'm Shaila, and I'll be your waitress tonight. Jist let me know when you''re ready to order." She looked about to walk away when she hesitated. She nit her lip, before finally adding. "You two make a cute couple."
Nialls heart filled with warmth at the simple thought of being a couple with Liam, and when Liam smiled, He allowed himself to believers that he felt the same.
Shaila left, and Liam began to pursue the menu, taking his hand away Nialls to scan the options. But even as he read about each dish, his eyes kept flitting up to meet Nialls and a small smile would play at the corner of his lips. Each time his deep brown eyes would meet Nialls soft blue ones, Niall would look away, blushing, a deep warmth filling his stomach.
"What do you want to eat Niall?" Liam asked, dropping the menu and taking Nialls hand once more. The blonde boy smiled at the singles he felt at Liam s touch.
"I don't care," He breathed out finally, realizing that he had been too busy looking at Liam to glance at the menu. Liam smiled at him, and he couldn't help but smile in return even though his cheeks were filling with color.
"I'll order for you then," Liam breathed out, his soft voice barely carrying across the table to Niall. He desperately hoped Liam couldn't see the color of his cheeks in the dim lighting. Yet he knew in that moment that even if Liam did see, he wouldn't judge, because Liam understood him, and Maybe it was just a bit too perfect to be true, but Niall didn't even let that thought cross his mind.
Shaila returned, smiling slightly as she took their orders. True to his word, Liam ordered for Niall, getting him an 8 oz. Steak and a salad, The same meal he got. Once Shaila jotted down their orders, she turned to look between them.
"And could I get the two of you anything to drink?" She asked. Niall opened his mouth to order a coke, but Liam squeezed his hand and cut him off.
"We'll take a bottle of your house wine." He smiled at Shaila, a pleading look in his eyes, and Niall could tell he was silently begging her not to ID him. She looked torn for an instant before nodding.
"It''ll be right out." She promised, scurrying away before anyone could witness anything. Liam turned to face Niall again, his eyes staring deep into Nialls, and he began to rub circles on the younger boys hand.
"You look beautiful Niall," He said, his voice cracking slightly. Niall allowed himself to think that he meant it as more than a friend. "Don't ever forget that."
The words were so simple, so platonic that they could be said on any first date, but Niall could see in Liam s eyes how sincerely he meant them, and he could almost feel the depth and meaning behind the words.
He couldn't think of anything to say in return, and so he didn't, instead staring seep into the depths of Liam s eyes. It could have been seconds, it could have been minutes, but it felt like an eternity before the waitress came back with a bottle of wine. She looked almost apologetic, and Nialls cheeks flushed with color for having been caught in such a romantic moment, and even Liam looked a little sheepish as he took the bottle from the girl. It was a sweet moment, one characteristic of a romantic date, and Niall couldn't help but smile at how cliche everything was. Because if it was with Liam, he would gladly accept cliche. In fact, he would embrace it.
Once Shaila left, Liam carefully uncorked the bottle, a bit clumsy with it, and Niall smiled at how adorable the action was. Once he managed to get it open, he carefully poured the drink into their cups, perhaps adding a bit much to each cup, but Niall found it adorable how hard he was trying. It was endearing and he loved that he was getting to see this side of Liam, the gentlemanly, sweet, loving side of him.
Liam had let go of his hand to pour the wine and he now reached his hand out to hand Niall a glass of the wine. Niall took it, looking at it hesitantly.
He knew he was underage, He had never so much as touched alcohol. But it was so romantic and cliche, something every date had. He couldn't deny that he wanted to try it, and when Liam toasted to A perfect night, Niall took a large sip of the wine. It tasted bitter, and it took him some effort to swallow, and from the look on Liam s face, He didn't like it much either. When Liam saw him looking, he smiled.
"Maybe wine wasn't the best option," he admitted, setting his glass back from his plate. Trying to prove him wrong, Niall took another long sip, but he soon gave up, disliking the bitterness.
"I would have been fine with a coke," he assured Liam, who blushed.
"I just wanted to make tonight perfect for you."
Nialls heart filled with warmth at the words. Tonight had been perfect so far, and the amount of effort Liam had put into making this date special for him made Niall feel incredible. In that moment he could forget about the bullies, forget about his cuts, forget that tomorrow he would be returning to normal. It was just him and Liam and their perfect date.
"It is perfect," Niall whispered And Liam must have heard him, because he smiled even wider.
"So are you," He countered.
It was so cliche, and Niall wouldn't have traded it for anything.
Shaila returned with the salads, and they lapsed into a silence as they began to eat. There was the gentle drone of other conversations in the background, but Niall blocked it all out, focusing instead on Liam s endless beauty.
"Is there any one day you would want to relive if you had the chance?" Liam asked suddenly. Niall smiled at the thoughtfulness of the question. It was just like Liam to ask him beautifully deep questions, questions that focused on the positivity of life.
Niall thought about it for several moments. "Do I get to change things?"
Liam thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "No, you would just get to experience it over again."
Niall thought for several moments before responding. "I would go back to the day of my first grade talent show. I was so nervous, but it was like the feeling filled my body and I lobed it. I did really well and got ice cream afterwards. I was so happy, and it was just perfect."
Liam smiled, seeing the light in Nialls eyes as he talked about that moment so long ago. He seemed o genuinely happy, and Liam wanted him to be like that all the time.
"And here I thought you were going to say the day you met Louis." He teased.
Niall rolled his eyes. "No, but I'm definitely looking forward to the day he gets together with Styles and you all drop this rumor of us being together."
Liam laughed, and it was like music to Nialls ears. He wanted to hear that sound for the rest of his life.
They ate some more of their salads before Niall spoke again.
"What about you? What day would you relive?" Niall asked.
"The day we melted your razors." Liam answered without hesitation. "I was so proud of you."
Niall smiled slightly, and they both glanced down at his wrist. He hadn't thought about it all night, almost as if leaving the scars open to the air had made it bearable, as if letting Liam see was healing them. He didn't want to think about the scars now either, but he was glad Liam acknowledged them. It proved how well he really knew Niall, even in such a short time. He lived that someone knew his secrets and was still willing to do so much for him.
Liam's voice was soft as he continued. "And the day I most look forward to is the day you stop for good."
Niall's stomach was full of warmth and he didn't know if it was from Liam s words or from the wine He had drank, but he cherished the feeling.
Before he could say anything in return, Shaila returned, this time with their steaks. Niall looked down at the meat, the butter melted on it and realized how hungry he was. He began to eat slowly, falling into a comfortable silence with Liam.
"What do you think Louis and Harry are doing?" Liam asked, more to make conversation than anything else.
Niall smiled, wiping his mouth and taking another sip of the wine, his nose wrinkling at the bitterness. " I doubt you really want to know."
Liam laughed deeply again, and this time Niall laughed along with him, a genuine laugh. And just as Niall thought Liam s laugh was beautiful, Liam thought Nialls laugh was perfect. The way his eyes crinkled in the corners, how they seemed to glimmer in the candlelight, it was more alive than he had ever seen Niall, and he would do anything to keep that gorgeous smile on the boys face.
"In all seriousness, I doubt they're doing anything naughty," Niall admitted. "They've been pining after each other for long enough that they're going to cherish every second of their romance."
"It would also require them admitting their feelings, and I don't know about Louis, but I doubt Harry is going to do that willingly" Liam pointed out.
Niall laughed again, and Liam's smile grew. He could get used to that sound.
They ate for a while longer, each sneaking glances at each other and staring down at their plate with a blush every time they got caught by the other. It was beautifully, sickeningly romantic, and neither boy would have it any other way.
Niall watched as Liam swallowed the last bite of his steak and when he looked up again and saw Niall staring, that time, he didn't break his gaze. They were staring deep into each other's eyes and they knew each other so well, on such a deep level that it was almost as if they could see each other's souls. And while they had only know each other for a couple days, they had shared so many secrets that they would forever be bound together and when their eyes met that connection seemed more like a blessing than a curse. It induced a state of bliss that only a deep affection could, and both boys basked in it until Shaila returned.
"Here's your bill. Pay whenever you're ready," spoke quickly, sorry for ruining their moment.
Liam smiled and took the bill from her, pulling a wad of cash from his pocket and counting the bills. Niall smiled at how concentrated he was, it made him all the more adorable as he worked the math out in his head.
"I can pay for mine," he offered, pulling a wallet from his pocket. Liam looked up from his task and frowned, shaking his head.
"This night was for you Niall. I'm paying." Liam insisted. Niall smiled slightly and put his wallet away. He loves how perfectly Liam was treating him, and he wasn't the kind of person to argue when someone offered a meal.
Once Liam paid, counting out the exact change from his pile of crumpled bills, they decided it nest to leave. Liam offered a movie marathon and cuddling on the couch, something Niall was quick to agree to. He was tired, and he wanted the perfect day to end in a perfect way, not staring uncomfortably across a table surrounded by strangers.
So the par headed home, and while they didn't hold hands during the car ride, they did intertwine their fingers as they watched movies back a t the beach house. Liam would hum along to each song, and Niall lay his head against his chest, feeling the tiny vibrations. It was a melodic, comforting sound, and before long, it had lulled Niall into a deep sleep, still leaning against Liam.
That night, everything was perfect.