Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Louis’ POV

Management. It’s always been the bane of our existence, dictating our every move, scripting our lives, deciding what image we were allowed to show the world. For years, they forced us into these perfectly polished versions of ourselves, pretending we were straight and available to fans, as if that would sell more records. I don’t know why they still cling to that idea. It’s mad, really. The truth? All five of us—me, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and Niall—are gay. Every single one of us.

But here we are, all scattered across the globe with our own careers and lives, barely speaking to each other anymore. Zayn and Liam... well, that ended when Zayn left the band. It hit Liam hard, harder than any of us expected. And Harry? We ended when the band went on hiatus. I still remember the sting of those words he said to me, though I try not to. “You’re holding me back.” That’s what he’d told me. Like I was some kind of anchor dragging him into the depths. I didn’t stick around to hear the rest.

The only pair that’s lasted is Niall and Shawn. I hear they’re doing great—Shawn even proposed recently. Good for them, I guess. At least someone found a way to make it work.

But me? I’ve been focused on my solo career, putting the past behind me. Or so I thought.

This morning, I woke up to my phone ringing—an unholy sound at such an ungodly hour. I squinted at the screen, groaning when I saw the name: Simon Cowell. Just the person I wanted to hear from, obviously. I almost ignored it, but something told me not to.

“Morning, Simon,” I answered flatly, already dreading whatever he was about to say.

“Louis!” His voice was chipper, fake, and far too enthusiastic for my liking. “How’ve you been?”

“Cut the small talk,” I snapped. “What do you want?”

Simon chuckled, like I was a cheeky child rather than a grown man. “Straight to business, I see. Well, I have some exciting news! We’re getting the band back together.”

I nearly dropped the phone. “What?! No. Absolutely not.”

“It’s in your contract, Louis. You’re legally obligated to do another album and world tour with One Direction. All five of you.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him to go to hell, but the sinking feeling in my stomach told me he was right. Younger me had been so naive, signing whatever was put in front of me without thinking about the long-term consequences. I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

“This is insane, Simon. None of us even talk anymore. What makes you think this’ll work?”

“That’s why I’ve arranged for a little... bonding experience,” Simon said smugly. “Remember Sweden? The camping trip during ‘This Is Us’? We’re doing that again. Afterward, you’ll all head to Fiji to work on the album.”

“Fiji?” I muttered. “Great. Let me guess, no privacy, loads of cameras, and you controlling everything?”

“Something like that,” Simon replied, far too pleased with himself. “It’ll be good for you boys.”

I hung up on him.

A week later, I found myself back in Sweden, standing in the same forest where we’d camped nearly a decade ago. It was surreal, like stepping into a time machine. The others were there too—Harry, Zayn, Liam, Niall. It was strange seeing them all together after so long. Harry avoided my gaze, which was just as well. Zayn looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Liam looked tense, his smile forced. Niall, as always, was trying to lighten the mood, but even he seemed a bit uneasy.

The first night was awkward, to say the least. None of us really knew how to talk to each other anymore.

The second night in Sweden was when everything began to unravel.

It started small, like it always does. A little dig here, a snide comment there. None of us were really in the mood to sit around a campfire and pretend to be the happy group we used to be, but Simon had insisted on it. “Bonding,” he’d called it. More like torture, if you ask me.

Harry was poking at the fire with a stick, his jaw tight. Zayn sat a little ways off, scrolling on his phone and ignoring everyone. Liam looked like he was trying to hold it together, but his eyes kept darting toward Zayn, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start. Niall was the only one trying to keep the mood light, rambling on about how much he loved hiking and how good it felt to be back in nature. No one was listening.

“I don’t get why we’re even doing this,” Zayn muttered under his breath, loud enough for all of us to hear.

Liam’s head snapped up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zayn shrugged, not even looking at him. “You know exactly what it means. This whole thing is pointless. We’re not the same people we were back then. Pretending we are isn’t going to fix anything.”

Liam’s face hardened. “At least I’m trying. You’re the one who walked away, remember? You didn’t even give us a chance to fix things.”

“Oh, here we go,” Zayn said, finally putting his phone down. “You always bring this up, like I didn’t have my reasons. Do you even know what it was like for me back then? All the pressure, the expectations—”

“We all dealt with that!” Liam interrupted, his voice rising. “You think you were the only one struggling? You didn’t even talk to us, Zayn. You just left.”

Zayn stood up, his fists clenched. “Maybe I left because I couldn’t stand being around you anymore.”

The words hung in the air like a slap. Liam’s face fell, and for a moment, I thought he might cry. Instead, he just shook his head and walked away, disappearing into the woods.

Niall tried to diffuse the tension. “Come on, lads. Let’s not do this. We’re supposed to be bonding, remember?”

But the damage was done. Zayn sat back down, glaring at the fire like it had personally offended him.

Meanwhile, Harry and I were having our own little showdown. He’d been quiet all night, barely looking at me, but I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. I didn’t even realize I was staring until he snapped.

“What?” he said, his voice sharp. “Got something to say, Louis?”

“Yeah, actually,” I shot back. “Why are you even here? You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t want anything to do with me.”

Harry scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here for the fans, not for you.”

“The fans?” I laughed bitterly. “That’s rich, coming from the guy who couldn’t wait to get out and start his solo career. Tell me, Harry, how’s that working out for you? Still making cryptic Instagram posts to keep them guessing?”

“At least I don’t spend all my time tweeting passive-aggressive nonsense,” he fired back. “Grow up, Louis.”

“Maybe I would’ve, if you hadn’t left me in the dust,” I snapped, standing up. “You act like you’re so much better than the rest of us, but you’re not. You’re just a coward.”

Harry’s eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, I thought he might hit me. Instead, he just turned and walked away, muttering something under his breath that I didn’t catch.

The night ended with everyone in separate tents, stewing in their own anger. No one spoke to each other the next morning.

What we didn’t know was that every single moment of our arguments had been filmed by some stalker hiding in the woods. By the time we found out, the footage was all over social media. Clips of Zayn and Liam’s fight, Harry and I going at it, even Niall’s awkward attempts to play peacemaker—it was all there for the world to see.

The fans went wild.

On Twitter, the hashtags were trending within hours: #OneDirectionReunion, #ZiamFight, #LarryDrama. People were dissecting every word, every facial expression, every movement.

“Zayn and Liam STILL have unresolved tension after all these years. Someone needs to lock them in a room until they sort it out. 😭 #ZiamFight”

“Louis and Harry going at it again... I thought they were supposed to be best friends? What happened to Larry? 💔 #LarryDrama”

“Niall is literally the glue holding this band together. Protect him at all costs. 🥺 #OneDirectionReunion”

There were fan theories, of course. Some thought the fights were staged to build hype for the reunion. Others speculated that our relationships were even messier than they’d imagined. And then there were the shippers, who somehow managed to turn our arguments into fuel for their fantasies.

“Did you see the way Harry looked at Louis before he stormed off? That’s not anger, that’s heartbreak. #LarryIsReal”

“Zayn and Liam are clearly still in love. I’m calling it now, Ziam endgame. 😍 #Ziam”

It was the morning after the fights, and the tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. None of us had slept much—not that it mattered. We’d been sent back to this campsite for some “bonding experience,” but all it had done so far was rip open old wounds none of us were ready to deal with. I was sitting by the fire, sipping on a lukewarm cup of coffee, when I heard Niall’s voice.

“Uh, lads?” he called out, his voice uneasy. “You might wanna come see this.”

Zayn was the first to respond, raising an eyebrow. “What now?”

“Just... come here,” Niall insisted, holding his phone in his hand. His face was pale, his usual cheer replaced with something close to dread. “It’s bad.”

One by one, we gathered around him, the air heavy with suspicion. Niall handed the phone to me, and I looked down at the screen. At first, I didn’t understand what I was seeing—a video of us from the night before. But then it hit me. This wasn’t just a video. It was everything.

Liam and Zayn’s fight, Harry and me going at it, even Niall’s desperate attempts to calm us down—it was all there, recorded in horrifying detail.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

“It’s everywhere,” Niall said, running a hand through his hair. “Twitter, TikTok, Instagram—you name it. Someone’s been filming us.”

“Filming us?” Harry repeated, his green eyes narrowing. He snatched the phone from me and played the video, his jaw clenching as our voices filled the air.

“Maybe I left because I couldn’t stand being around you anymore,” Zayn’s voice echoed.

Liam stiffened, his fists clenching at his sides. “This has to be a joke.”

“It’s not,” Niall said quietly. “The fans are going mad over it. Look at the comments.”

He pulled out another phone and opened Twitter, scrolling through the endless stream of posts. I didn’t even need to read them to know what they were saying, but Niall read some aloud anyway.

“‘Zayn and Liam clearly still have unresolved feelings,’” he read, his voice flat. “‘Ziam endgame confirmed.’”

Zayn groaned, running a hand over his face. “Unreal. Absolutely unreal.”

“Here’s another one,” Niall continued hesitantly. “‘Harry and Louis fighting like an old married couple. The tension is insane. #LarryIsReal.’”

I felt my stomach twist. “Bloody hell.”

Harry didn’t say anything. He just stared at the phone, his jaw so tight I thought he might snap his teeth.

“This isn’t just a fan filming from a distance,” Liam said suddenly, his voice calm but cold. “These angles... the audio quality... someone’s been following us. Watching us.”

The realization settled over us like a storm cloud. Whoever was doing this wasn’t just some overeager fan—they were a stalker, and they had been close enough to hear everything.

Zayn crossed his arms, his eyes darting toward the tree line as if expecting to see someone hiding in the shadows. “This is why I left,” he muttered under his breath.

“Don’t start,” Liam snapped, his patience clearly running thin.

Before Zayn could fire back, Harry spoke up. “We need to figure out how to handle this.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “If we don’t get ahead of this, it’s going to spiral out of control.”

“It already is out of control,” I said, pointing at the phone. “Look at the comments. They’re eating this up.”

“Simon’s going to have a field day with this,” Liam muttered, his tone bitter. “You know he’ll spin it to his advantage. ‘One Direction Reunion Drama,’ or some nonsense like that.”

I wanted to argue, but Liam was right. This was exactly the kind of thing Simon thrived on—controversy, drama, anything that got people talking. And the worst part? There wasn’t a damn thing we could do to stop him.

For a moment, we all just stood there, the silence heavy with unspoken tension. Finally, Niall broke it.

“Well,” he said, his voice light but forced. “On the bright side, at least the fans still care?”

No one laughed.

The fallout hit like a sledgehammer.

We all tried to act like it didn’t matter, like the videos being leaked wasn’t a big deal, but the tension between us was unbearable. Every time someone opened their mouth, it felt like a spark threatening to set the whole forest on fire. And, of course, whoever was recording us was still out there, capturing every little crack in our already fragile dynamic.

It started again that evening, when we were sitting around the campfire for another mandatory “bonding session.” Simon’s orders, of course. None of us wanted to be there, but we didn’t have a choice.

“Alright, so what’s the plan, then?” Zayn asked, breaking the silence. He was leaning back against a log, his arms crossed over his chest. “Are we just gonna sit here pretending like everything’s fine, or are we actually gonna talk about this?”

“What’s there to talk about?” Liam shot back, his tone sharp. “You’ve made it pretty clear how you feel about all of us. Why bother?”

Zayn’s jaw tightened. “You know what, Liam? I’m getting real tired of your holier-than-thou attitude. You act like you’re the only one who cares, but you’re just as much of a mess as the rest of us.”

“At least I stayed,” Liam said, his voice rising. “At least I didn’t abandon everyone when things got tough.”

“Stayed?” Zayn scoffed, sitting up straighter. “You didn’t stay for us, mate. You stayed because you’re too scared to do anything on your own.”

The words hit Liam like a slap, and for a moment, he looked like he might lose it. But instead of lashing out, he turned to Niall. “You’ve been awfully quiet, Niall. Got anything to say? Or are you just gonna keep pretending this isn’t happening?”

Niall looked up from the stick he’d been poking at the fire, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a rare flicker of frustration. “You want me to say something, Liam? Fine. You’re all acting like bloody children. This is exactly why we can’t get anything done. Every time we’re in the same room, it’s the same story—arguments, blame, and no one actually listening.”

“Oh, so now you’re the voice of reason?” Harry cut in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “That’s rich, coming from the guy who spends half his time playing Switzerland.”

“Better than stirring the pot like you do,” Niall shot back, his voice sharper than I’d ever heard it. “You’ve been walking around with that smug look on your face like you’re above all this. Newsflash, Harry—you’re not.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed, and I could see the storm brewing. “You’ve got a lot to say all of a sudden, Niall. Maybe if you’d spoken up sooner, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Oh, here we go,” I muttered, unable to hold back. “Let’s all pile on Niall now, like it’s his fault we’re all a bloody disaster.”

Harry turned on me then, his green eyes blazing. “And what about you, Louis? You’re so busy playing the victim, blaming everyone else for your problems, but maybe you should take a look in the mirror.”

“Don’t you dare,” I snapped, standing up. “You don’t get to act like you’re innocent in all this, Harry. You’re the one who walked away, remember? You’re the one who couldn’t wait to leave me behind.”

“Oh, for God’s sake!” Zayn exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “Are we really doing the whole ‘Larry drama’ thing again? Get over it, both of you.”

“Stay out of it, Zayn,” I shot back. “You’ve got enough of your own baggage to deal with.”

The argument spiraled from there, everyone talking—or rather, shouting—over each other. Old wounds were dragged into the open, new ones were made, and not a single word was productive. We were a mess, and whoever was filming us was probably having the time of their life.

By the next morning, the new footage was everywhere. The fans were in full meltdown mode, dissecting every second of the chaos. Twitter, TikTok, Instagram—it didn’t matter where you looked, it was all anyone could talk about.

“Zayn calling Liam out for being scared to go solo... I’m screaming. 😭 #ZiamFight”

“Niall finally snapping is the most shocking thing to come out of this reunion. He’s done with their nonsense. 😂 #ProtectNiall”

“Harry and Louis still fighting like an old married couple. Just admit you’re still in love already. 😩 #LarryIsReal”

“This isn’t a reunion. It’s a reality show, and I’m living for it. 👀 #OneDirectionDrama”

Fan theories started to pop up, ranging from the absurd to the oddly insightful. Some thought the fights were staged to drum up publicity for the reunion, while others believed the arguments were proof that we’d never really been as close as we claimed. And, of course, the shippers were out in full force, turning every heated exchange into “evidence” of some hidden romantic connection.

The fallout from the videos only made things worse. We were all on edge, paranoid about who might be watching, and it didn’t take long for the arguments to start up again.

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to do this,” Zayn said, pacing back and forth. “We can’t even have a private conversation without it ending up online.”

“No one wanted to do this,” Liam snapped. “But we’re stuck here, so maybe we should try to act like adults for once.”

“Oh, because you’re such a shining example of maturity,” Zayn fired back.

“Can you both just shut up for five minutes?” Harry cut in, his voice sharp. “We get it, you hate each other. Move on.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” I said, unable to help myself. “You’ve been picking fights with everyone since we got here.”

“And you’ve been sulking like a child,” Harry shot back.

“Enough!” Niall shouted, his voice loud enough to stop us all in our tracks. “You lot are unbelievable. We’re supposed to be writing an album, not rehashing every fight we’ve ever had.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then Zayn let out a bitter laugh. “This album’s gonna be a disaster.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Zayn’s bitter laugh lingered in the air after his declaration: “This album’s gonna be a disaster.”

But before anyone could respond, Niall shot up from his seat, glaring at all of us. For someone who was usually so laid-back, the fire in his blue eyes was almost enough to shut me up on the spot. Almost.

“I don’t think this is going to be a disaster,” Niall said firmly, his voice louder than I’d ever heard it. “But you four are sure as hell doing your best to make it one.”

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Niall held up a hand. “No. Not a single peep from any of you. I mean it. You stay there and shut up. I don’t want to hear a damn word.”

The rest of us just stared as he stormed off toward his tent, his steps heavy with frustration. None of us dared to say anything—not even Zayn.

A few minutes later, Niall came back, carrying a small pile of notebooks and pens. Without saying a word, he started throwing them at us, one by one.

“Oi!” I exclaimed as a notebook hit me square in the chest.

“Shut it, Louis,” Niall snapped. “You’ll thank me later.”

He tossed the last one to Zayn and stood in front of us, his arms crossed. “Here’s what we’re doing,” he said, his voice sharp but determined. “You’re all going to write. Write your feelings, your thoughts, everything you’ve been bottling up for the past decade and a half. I don’t care if it’s about the band, your exes, your careers, your bloody breakfast—whatever. Just get it all down.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “And then what?”

“And then,” Niall continued, ignoring Harry’s sarcasm, “when we get to Fiji, we’ll go through them together. We’ll figure out which ones work for the album. This isn’t just going to be another pop album about nothing. This is going to be about us. About everything we’ve been through, from the X-Factor days to now. The good, the bad, the ugly—all of it.”

Liam frowned. “You really think that’s going to work?”

“I know it will,” Niall said, his tone unwavering. “You know what makes good music? Feelings. And you lot have plenty of them. So stop wasting time arguing and start writing.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then Zayn let out a soft chuckle. “You’ve got some nerve, Niall.”

“You’re damn right I do,” Niall shot back. “Now, get to it. All of you.”

Harry was the first to open his notebook, flipping it to the first blank page. He didn’t say anything, but I could tell he was taking it seriously. Typical Harry—he’d never admit it, but he knew Niall was right.

Liam followed suit, though he looked a bit hesitant. “This is... different,” he said quietly, glancing at the blank page in front of him.

“Yeah, well, different might be what we need,” I muttered, twirling the pen in my hand.

Zayn didn’t say anything, but he opened his notebook and started scribbling something down. It was strange seeing him so quiet, but I figured he had plenty to say once he started.

As for me... well, I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of putting my feelings on paper, but I wasn’t about to let Niall’s little lecture go to waste. So, I sighed, opened the notebook, and started writing.

The fans, of course, found out about Niall’s little intervention. It didn’t take long for the story to leak—thanks to the ever-present stalker—and the reactions were... mixed.

“Niall taking charge and telling the others to shut up? King behavior. 👑 #ProtectNiall”

“So the new album’s gonna be based on their feelings? This is either going to be a masterpiece or an absolute disaster. No in-between. 😂 #OneDirectionDrama”

“Imagine the songs we’re gonna get from this. Zayn and Liam’s fight? Harry and Louis’ tension? Niall finally snapping? TAKE MY MONEY. 💸 #1DReunion”

“This reunion is turning into a reality show, and I’m so here for it. 😂 #OneDirectionBondingCamp”

Some fans were genuinely excited about the prospect of an album that was raw and personal, while others couldn’t help but treat it like entertainment, dissecting every leaked detail like it was an episode of their favorite soap opera.

The next few days were... quieter. Niall’s little outburst seemed to have done the trick, at least for the moment. We were still a mess, but at least we were channeling that mess into something productive.

Every now and then, I’d catch one of the others furrowing their brow as they scribbled furiously in their notebooks. Zayn, in particular, seemed completely absorbed in his writing, while Harry kept chewing on the end of his pen, lost in thought. Liam was surprisingly focused, and even I found myself getting into it more than I expected.

Niall, meanwhile, was keeping a close eye on all of us, like a teacher watching over a classroom full of unruly students. But every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of a smile on his face—just a small one, like he knew we were finally moving in the right direction.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like we might actually pull this off.

I was sitting by the fire when the chorus came to me:

"We were both wrong, but I still held on,
Playing the blame game, now you're long gone.
Words that cut deep, left me bleeding out,
But I’d take the fall if it meant no doubt."

The song was about Harry. It had to be. I didn’t name names, of course, but anyone who listened would know. It wasn’t just about the breakup, though. It was about the way we’d spent years avoiding the truth, blaming each other for things we couldn’t even admit to ourselves.

I didn’t know if he’d ever sing it. Hell, I didn’t even know if I wanted him to. But writing it felt... necessary.

Harry was pacing near his tent, notebook in hand, muttering lyrics under his breath. I couldn’t hear much, but one line stuck out:

"I never wanted to leave, but I couldn’t stay,
You loved me in a way that made me run away."

It hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn’t know if he meant it for me, but it sure as hell felt like it.

Later, when he played the melody on his phone, it was haunting—soft and aching, like a quiet confession.

Zayn kept to himself, as usual, but one night, I heard him strumming a guitar near the edge of the campsite. His voice was low and raw, the lyrics cutting through the stillness:

"I built these walls, thin as paper,
Thought they’d keep me safe, but they let in danger.
Now I’m trapped inside the life I made,
Trying to mend the mess I laid."

It didn’t take a genius to figure out he was talking about leaving the band. About Liam, too, probably. The regret was obvious, even if he’d never admit it outright.

Liam was surprisingly quiet as he wrote, but when he played a snippet of his song for us, it hit harder than any of us expected.

"I tried to be the anchor, but I sank instead,
Carrying the weight of all you left unsaid.
Who’s gonna hold me now?
Who’s gonna show me how?"

His voice cracked on the last line, and for a moment, none of us said anything. It was clear the song wasn’t just about Zayn—it was about all of us. About the pressure he’d felt to hold everything together when we were falling apart.

Niall’s song was different. While the rest of us seemed to be pouring our heartbreak onto the pages, his was hopeful—bittersweet, but hopeful.

"We’ve been through hell, but we’re still here,
Laughing through the pain, crying through the fear.
If this is the end, let’s make it a start,
Carry on with the love in our hearts."

It was classic Niall—always looking for the light, even in the darkest moments.

The more we wrote, the more things started to shift between us. It wasn’t perfect—not even close—but it felt like we were finally saying the things we’d been too afraid to say for years.

One night, after everyone had gone to bed, I sat by the fire with my notebook and reread what I’d written. The words weren’t perfect, but they were honest.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt like that might be enough.

Of course, bits and pieces of the songs leaked—how, we still didn’t know, but the stalker was relentless. The fans ate it up, as always.

"‘Playing the blame game, now you’re long gone’... Louis, who hurt you? 😭 #LarryFeels"
"Zayn’s ‘Paper Walls’ lyrics are breaking me. Is he okay? 🥺 #ZiamForever"
"Niall is carrying this reunion on his back with ‘Carry On.’ Actual angel. 😇 #1DReunion"

Some fans even started creating theories about how the songs would fit into the album. Others were convinced they were coded messages for each other, reigniting old ship wars.

But one thing was clear: people were paying attention.

Chapter Text

The night air was crisp, the fire flickering in front of us as we sat in a tight circle. I could feel the weight of the moment hanging in the silence—Niall wasn’t letting this go. He’d already given us the talk about being real and raw, and now, it was time to put it into action.

“Alright,” Niall said, his voice sharp and commanding. “One of you needs to play a song. Live. No prerecording. No editing. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about getting it out there. So, pick one of the songs you’ve written, and play it. We’re doing this together.”

I could feel the tension in the air, the uncertainty swirling between us. None of us were prepared for this.

Zayn shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tapping on the edge of his notebook. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No,” Niall said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re not getting out of this one, mate.”

Harry shot me a glance, his eyes narrow, but even he knew Niall wasn’t playing around.

“We’re doing this,” Niall added, “or we’re not doing anything at all.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Niall cut me off. “No complaints. Just pick one and play. All of us.”

The fire crackled as we all shuffled uncomfortably. One by one, we reached for our notebooks, the weight of the decision hanging heavily in the air. I could hear Zayn quietly strumming his guitar, almost as if trying to come to a decision in his own time.

Finally, Niall spoke up, and without hesitation, he said, “I’ll go first.”

He cleared his throat and started playing the opening chords to “Carry On.” The melody was soft, almost hopeful in its simplicity. We all fell into the rhythm, and for a moment, it felt like we were back in that old groove, like we were all in sync.

But as he sang, I could hear the rawness in his voice, the weight of everything he’d been through, and I could feel the lump rise in my throat.

"We’ve been through hell, but we’re still here,
Laughing through the pain, crying through the fear.
If this is the end, let’s make it a start,
Carry on with the love in our hearts."

Niall’s voice trembled on the final line, and I saw the flicker of emotion in his eyes. It wasn’t just about the band anymore. It was about everything—the years we’d spent apart, the mistakes, the pain.

When the last note faded, there was a heavy silence. We all sat there, not knowing what to say. I could feel my chest tight, my mind racing. There was something about hearing Niall sing that song, in that moment, that hit differently than it did on paper.

Harry was the first to break the silence, but his voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. “I didn’t expect it to hit like that.”

Zayn’s eyes were closed, his fingers still gently strumming the guitar strings, lost in the afterglow of the performance. His usual guarded expression was gone, replaced by something softer—maybe even regret.

“I didn’t either,” Liam muttered, glancing over at Niall. “That was... good.”

I had to admit, it was. I didn’t want to, but it was. Niall had done it—he’d made us all feel something, just like he’d promised.

But then, Niall turned to face us, his expression shifting. “Alright, who’s next?”

I looked at the others. Harry glanced at me, his lips pressing into a thin line, but after a long moment, he nodded and began strumming the intro to "Don’t Say Goodbye."

As he sang, there was a noticeable shift in the group. His voice was quieter than usual, and there was a raw vulnerability in the way he sang those words, the lines barely escaping past the lump in his throat.

"I never wanted to leave, but I couldn’t stay,
You loved me in a way that made me run away."

The silence after Harry’s performance was just as thick, and the tension between us seemed palpable. I felt my stomach twist. There were parts of me that had never been said, and in Harry’s voice, I heard everything I’d kept hidden.

But I wasn’t ready to unpack it yet.

Of course, none of us had any idea that the whole thing was being filmed. We were too caught up in our emotions to notice that, once again, we were being watched.

The stalker, as always, was lurking in the background, hidden behind the trees, capturing the raw, unfiltered moments. It wasn’t the whole performance. Just snippets—small fragments. But they were enough to make waves.

By the time we all finally started to get our act together and discuss the next steps, the videos were already online.

“Niall’s ‘Carry On’ hits different when you know the context. You can hear the pain in his voice. 😔 #CarryOn #NiallHoran”

“Harry’s ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ had me in tears. Was that about Louis? #LarryShippersUnite”

“Zayn’s guitar just adds another layer to the song. This is the One Direction reunion we didn’t know we needed. #Zayn #1DReunion”

“The boys are finally real, and I’m living for it. These performances weren’t just songs; they were confessions. #1DBonding #FeelingsOverEverything”

The fans were dissecting the snippets like it was a live TV show. The theories started flying—about who the songs were written for, about whether they were hinting at something more, about the personal struggles they might represent.

Some fans were emotional, claiming they could feel the rawness of the songs, while others were more cynical, wondering if the whole thing was staged for publicity. But one thing was clear: everyone was paying attention.

As the videos spread online, the air around the fire felt thicker than ever. We all knew the truth was out there now—no hiding, no pretending. The songs we’d written weren’t just for us anymore. They were for the world.

Niall glanced over at us, his face unreadable, and without a word, he walked off into the shadows of the campsite, leaving the rest of us to process.

It was quiet now, quieter than before. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. For better or worse, we were all in this together—songs, emotions, and all.

The next morning was a fog of exhaustion. None of us had slept much—too much to think about. Too much to process. Niall’s song still echoed in my head, and Harry’s words... Well, they kept haunting me, even now.

We sat in a tight circle at the campsite, the crackling fire almost too loud in the silence. No one spoke at first, each of us lost in our own thoughts. That was until Niall stood up, taking charge as he always did.

“Well, the cat’s out of the bag, huh?” Niall said, his voice a little strained but still resolute. He ran a hand through his hair, not meeting anyone’s eyes. "We knew this wasn’t gonna be easy, but now we’ve got to deal with it. You four—" he pointed at us—"are gonna need to pull your shit together. If we’re gonna finish this album, we need to keep going."

It was typical Niall, always pushing us when we were at our lowest. But right now, I didn’t have it in me to argue. We were all on edge, and we all knew what we had to face—together or not.

The fans were... overwhelming. The snippets of our performances, especially the rawness of Niall’s and Harry’s songs, were all over social media. Some fans had already started dissecting every line, pulling apart every nuance, speculating about what each lyric meant. It felt like the whole world was watching our every move, and in some ways, it was even worse than when we were in the band. Back then, we had the illusion of control. Now, it felt like we were nothing but an open book.

Zayn wasn’t one to engage with the fans too much. He’d kept his distance for a while now, ever since he left the band. I watched as he scrolled through Twitter on his phone, his eyes narrowing as he read the comments. He let out a long sigh, shaking his head.

“I knew this was coming,” Zayn muttered, almost to himself. “But seeing it... feels like I’m being suffocated.” He leaned back against a tree, staring up at the sky as if trying to block out the noise. “What if they think we’re just using them? Playing with their emotions?”

I could see the weight on his shoulders. It was like every new comment added another layer of pressure.

Liam, sitting next to him, placed a hand on Zayn’s shoulder, offering a small comfort. “They’re not stupid, mate. They know what this is. And they know we’re not perfect. We can’t control how they react, but we can control how we respond.”

Zayn nodded slowly, but his eyes never stopped flicking between the screen and the world around him. His quiet, internal battle was just as visible as mine.

Liam, on the other hand, was more vocal about it. He wasn’t hiding behind his phone. He was angry—not just at the fans, but at the situation we were all stuck in. We were trying to navigate our lives, our emotions, our careers—and now, the world was watching us do it in real-time.

“Do you see this?” Liam threw his phone on the ground, frustration spilling out of him. “They’re calling me pathetic. Weak. They’re saying I’m still hung up on Zayn. It’s like we can’t be honest without everyone jumping down our throats!”

Harry and I exchanged a look. We both knew Liam well enough to understand the deeper layers of his frustration. It wasn’t just about the comments—it was about feeling like he could never escape the past, the baggage that followed him, that followed all of us.

“I know, mate,” Harry said, trying to offer some reassurance. “But we’ve been through worse. You think the fans didn’t tear us apart when Zayn left? It’s just... part of the ride.”

But Liam wasn’t having it. “It’s not just part of the ride anymore, Haz. This is real. This is personal. And now everyone’s judging us for it. It’s like we’re no longer allowed to be just people—they want us to be the perfect version of what they want us to be.”

I felt the sting of his words. We had been more than just a band. We had been brothers, friends, lovers in some twisted, unspoken way. And now, we were nothing more than a series of songs and videos for the world to pick apart.

As for Harry, he took a different approach. He went quiet. Not just on the outside, but inside, too. He spent hours alone, brooding. And when he finally came back to the group, his expression was unreadable.

“I don’t know why I expected something different,” Harry said, his voice soft but heavy with the weight of the realization. “We’ve been out of the game for years. I should’ve known the fans would expect us to be perfect, to give them what they want.”

Harry rarely showed his vulnerability, but in that moment, it was as if he’d let go of all his walls. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t upset. He was just... tired. Tired of the expectations. Tired of pretending to be something he wasn’t.

"I thought the music would do the talking for us," he continued, voice barely a whisper. "But now it feels like nothing we do is enough. Not for them."

And then there was me. I kept my thoughts to myself, but the truth was, I was scared. Scared that the world would never let us move on, scared they’d never let us be who we really were. Every time I saw a new comment or tweet, I felt like I was losing something. Something bigger than just the band.

I pulled out my phone, avoiding the notifications, but I couldn’t help it. I started scrolling through the comments, reading them, one after another. The love. The hate. The confusion. I found myself replying to a few, defending us when no one else would. But no matter what I said, I knew it wouldn’t change anything. The fans would continue to expect more from us. And the more we gave, the more they’d take.

While we sat there, trying to make sense of the whirlwind that was unfolding, the stalker was still at work. Small snippets of our performances and even behind-the-scenes moments were being uploaded to social media. The videos were only a few seconds long—just enough to show the vulnerability, just enough to stir more questions.

“Did you hear Zayn? He looked like he was about to cry. What happened between them?? #ZiamShippers #1DReunion”
“Louis seemed so tense when Niall was singing. It’s like he was holding back. What’s going on?? #LarryShippers”

The worst part? It was working. It was tearing us apart. Each snippet just added more fuel to the fire. The speculation ran wild, and none of us could control it.

That night, after a long, emotional day, Niall stood up, his face serious. “Look, we’re all feeling it. I get it. But we’ve got a choice. We either let this consume us, or we turn it into something. Let them talk. Let them say whatever they want. But we know the truth. And that’s all that matters.”

It wasn’t a perfect speech. But somehow, it was enough. For now.

The weeks after the video snippets went viral felt like an endless blur. Every day, the pressure mounted. We were still out in the wilderness, trying to focus on the music, but the constant chatter from the fans—and the growing tension between us—made it hard to concentrate.

Niall, being Niall, tried to keep things moving forward. He pushed us relentlessly, especially when it came to the songwriting. “We can’t let them win,” he’d say, a determined fire in his eyes. “This album is about us. Our stories. We’re not going to let them tear us apart again.”

I could tell he meant it. But even Niall had his breaking points. He was just better at hiding them.

The songs we were writing didn’t feel like the usual pop hits. These weren’t the carefree anthems or radio-friendly tracks we used to write. No, these songs were raw, almost painfully so. They were the kind of songs you’d listen to when you were broken, when you felt like your whole world was falling apart, but somehow, you were still standing.

It was clear from the start that this album was going to be different. We weren’t writing for the fans anymore. We were writing for ourselves. Our frustrations, our love, our regrets—all of it was spilled onto the page.

Niall’s song, “It’s Real,” was the first to truly capture the intensity of where we were. It wasn’t just a love song. It wasn’t even just a song about our journey—it was a declaration. The chorus hit hard, with lines about fighting for what’s real, despite the chaos around us.

"You can’t tell me it’s not real,
When all we’ve built is everything we feel,
We’ve been broken, but we’re still here,
This is real, this is real.”

When Niall performed it for the first time in the studio, there was no holding back. He sang with everything he had, and for the first time in weeks, it felt like we were all on the same page. There were tears in his eyes by the end, and I could see the others—Zayn, Liam, and Harry—were all just as affected.

But what hit hardest was that it wasn’t just about Niall. It was about all of us. All the pain, all the pressure, all the lies we had to live with, just to make it through.

Harry’s contribution, “Shadows of Us,” was just as haunting. It felt like a confessional. A reflection on the years of heartbreak, the fractured relationships, and the growing distance between us. His lyrics were direct and painful, almost like he was speaking to me.

"In the shadows of us,
I tried to find my way,
But the love we had got lost,
In the words we couldn’t say."

As he sang it, I couldn’t help but think of all the things we’d left unsaid between us, all the words I should’ve spoken, the apologies I should’ve made. But it was too late now. The years of silence had created an unbridgeable gap.

Harry’s voice cracked at the bridge, and it was clear this was the hardest song he’d ever written. But there was something cathartic about it. We all needed this release.

Zayn’s “Pieces” was the most reflective of the group. His lyrics focused on the struggle of finding oneself again after everything had crumbled. The introspective tone of the song hit a chord with everyone in the group, especially me. Zayn’s pain had always been one of the most visible, but I never realized how deeply he carried it until he sang this.

"We were broken, shattered in two,
Trying to find the pieces of me and you,
But every time I looked, I couldn’t see,
That the pieces we lost, were never meant to be."

When Zayn finished, the room was so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop. His eyes were focused on the floor, but I could see the emotional weight of it in the set of his jaw. It was like he’d finally let go of something.

Liam’s song, “Never Let Go,” was the most hopeful of the bunch, but still full of sorrow. It was about the tension between holding on to something that didn’t serve you anymore, but also the deep need to keep going, to not let go, even when you knew it was the right thing to do.

"I don’t want to let go,
But I know it’s time to let you know,
I’ll keep you in my heart,
Even if we’re worlds apart."

When Liam sang it, his voice was strong, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He was trying to convince himself as much as anyone else. It was like he was coming to terms with the fact that, maybe, the only way forward was to let the past go.

As the days dragged on, the songs started coming together. The atmosphere in the studio was tense at times, as if we were all walking on eggshells, but slowly, the album began to take shape. We’d record a song, take a break, then return to rewrite parts of it, layering in the rawness we’d been bottling up for so long. There was no rush—there was no deadline except the one we set for ourselves.

But even as we worked, the fans’ reaction was never far from our minds. We saw the hashtags #1DReunion and #FeelingsOverEverything trending on Twitter, but we also saw the comments that questioned our motives, our authenticity. It didn’t help that the stalker kept uploading those small snippets. The teasing, the speculation, the constant need for answers—it was exhausting.

Eventually, we all agreed on a title for the album—The Tapestry. It represented the idea that everything, every song, every emotion, every thread of our journey, was interwoven, inseparable from the other. It wasn’t just about our history as a band. It was about the complexity of our lives, the ups and downs, the pain and the love.

The first time I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

We were in the studio, everyone focused on their tasks, trying to make sense of the madness around us. And then, my phone buzzed. A notification popped up: @TheWatcher1D had posted another video.

I clicked it out of curiosity, and what I saw made my blood run cold. It was a video from earlier that day, from the camping trip. The camera angle was shaky, clearly taken from a distance, but the image was unmistakable. It was me—pacing around, clearly agitated, talking to Niall about the pressure we were under.

In the clip, I could see the anger on my face, the frustration as I muttered something about how everything was falling apart. The caption read:

“When Louis realizes the fame, the fans, and the pressure are slowly tearing him apart… #LouisTomlinson #OneDirection #NotWhatItSeems”

I couldn’t believe it. This was our life, our private moments, turned into a spectacle for the world to see.

My chest tightened, and before I knew it, I was pacing the room. “What the hell is this?” I shouted, shoving the phone at Niall, who was sitting closest to me. “Why is this happening again? Why the hell are they filming us like this? This is supposed to be our time! Our privacy!”

The others looked up from their work, confused at first, then alarmed as I stood there, fuming, my hands shaking.

Harry’s voice cut through the room. “Louis, take a breath, mate. It’s just one clip. We can deal with this.”

But I couldn’t calm down. “No! It’s not just one clip! It’s a goddamn invasion. Every moment, every conversation—it’s like we’re not allowed to have any space to breathe. This isn’t just about the music anymore. They’re taking our lives, our personal shit, and twisting it into something for them to consume. What the hell happened to boundaries?”

I threw my phone across the room in frustration, but it didn’t help. In fact, it just made me feel more out of control. The whole situation felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.

Zayn looked uncomfortable, unsure of how to react. “Louis, I get it, okay? It’s messed up. But we’ve been through this before, haven’t we? We’ve always been under a microscope. This time is no different.”

Liam was quieter, his eyes narrowed in thought. “We’ll figure it out. The fans are going to see through the games. We just have to keep working and get this album out there.”

Niall stayed silent for a moment, but it was clear he was thinking. “I know it feels like an attack, but we can’t let them control us. I’m telling you, if we’re going to deal with this, we’ve got to flip the script. We have to control the narrative.”

But Louis wasn’t hearing any of it. His temper flared again. “Control the narrative? We’re not puppets, Niall! We don’t control how people invade our lives. We’re just… we’re just men, for god’s sake! And now our every move is being watched, recorded, twisted—it’s not normal! This shit needs to stop!”

The others tried to calm Louis down, but no one could quite reach him—not until Harry stepped forward. Harry had always had a way with words, a calmness to his presence that seemed to ground everyone.

“Louis,” Harry’s voice was firm but soft, just enough to draw Louis’s attention. “Mate, I get it. I really do. We all do. But we’ve got to stay grounded. If we lose our heads now, we’re giving them exactly what they want. Let’s just take a step back, okay?”

Louis’ anger seemed to simmer just beneath the surface, but Harry’s words were like a lifeline. Slowly, Louis exhaled, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he leaned back against the wall.

“It’s just so… overwhelming, you know?” Louis muttered. “It’s like we’re not allowed to have any part of ourselves. Everything we do is being taken apart and turned into something we didn’t sign up for.”

“I know, but we’re in this together,” Harry said, stepping closer to Louis and resting a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s deal with it the way we know how—by doing it our way. We can’t control what others do, but we can control how we respond.”

Louis nodded, taking a deep breath, but it was clear that the weight of the situation hadn’t lifted. The room was heavy with tension, but there was a shift in the air, a sense of understanding.

Within minutes, the clip had spread like wildfire on social media. Fans flooded Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram, analyzing every frame of the video. The hashtag #LouisExposed began trending, and the comments were a mix of shock, concern, and speculation.

Some fans were supportive, expressing anger at the stalker’s behavior and expressing their empathy for Louis.

“This is crossing a line. Nobody should be filming them in private moments like this. Give them their space.”

Others, however, seized on the clip’s emotional tone, fueling the fire with wild assumptions.

“Look at Louis… this is more than just pressure. Could he be really done with the band?”
“I knew it. They’re falling apart. If Louis is struggling this much, it’s over. RIP 1D.”

But it wasn’t just the fans who were reacting—there were articles popping up everywhere. Headlines like “Louis Tomlinson Breaks Down in New Clip: The Price of Fame?” began making their rounds. Journalists questioned whether the band’s reunion was doomed from the start. Some even suggested that the bandmates’ personal struggles were affecting their chemistry.

The whole thing felt like a media frenzy, and it was only getting worse.

As Louis began to calm down, Niall turned to the group, his eyes sharp with focus. “This isn’t just about the music anymore. It’s about our story. If we’re going to get through this, we need to take control of the narrative ourselves. No more waiting around for them to spin it for us.”

He paused, scanning the room as he laid out his plan. “Let’s give them the truth. Not a sanitized version. Not the perfect story they want to see. Let’s be real with them. No more hiding. If they want to see us, if they want to know what we’re feeling, let’s show them.”

The boys exchanged glances. It was a risky move, but after everything that had been thrown their way, they knew they had no choice. The fans were already making their judgments—now, it was time to take the power back.

Niall’s idea of taking control of the narrative had started to take shape, and after much discussion, the boys finally agreed to stream their album creation process live for the first time. They had always kept their music-making process private—hidden behind closed doors—but this time would be different. They were going to open it all up. No filters. No perfection. Just them, in the raw, working through their music and their emotions.

The goal was simple: to share their journey with their fans, showing the world what it really took to create the next chapter of One Direction. They weren’t going to hide behind polished, final versions of the songs. Instead, they would let fans in on the messy bits—the long hours, the disagreements, the frustration, and of course, the moments of joy.

As Niall set up the camera in the recording studio, he could feel the excitement building. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it would be real. No more pretending. No more shields.

"Alright, lads," Niall said with a grin, looking around at the group. "We’re about to make some magic happen."

Louis immediately took his place by the keyboard, tapping his fingers lightly as he hummed a tune. Zayn adjusted his guitar strap, giving Niall a nod. Liam set up behind the piano, flipping through a notebook of lyrics. Harry leaned against the wall, already scribbling ideas for the melody.

The live-stream began, and the camera panned over their faces, capturing every small moment as they began to hash out ideas. As the stream started, fans flooded the chat, eagerly awaiting the first glimpse into the creative process. The boys weren’t just a pop group anymore. They were a family—and the fans could feel it.

“I can’t believe I’m watching them create this in real-time. This is insane!” — @DirectionerInTheWild

“Niall’s always been the one to take charge, but you can tell the others are really into it.” — @Liam4Ever

“Harry, what are you scribbling over there? I’m so curious about his lyrics, it looks so deep!” — @HarrieLover

“I just want to hug them all. They’re so real right now. No pretenses, just 1D.” — @Louis’Smile

The first disagreement came early on.

“I’m telling you, this beat needs something bigger,” Louis said, fiddling with the keyboard, his eyes glued to the screen.

“It’s fine as it is,” Zayn replied, strumming a soft chord on his guitar. “I like it simple.”

“No, no, no,” Louis shot back, his hands flying to the keyboard with urgency. “It needs depth, Zayn! You’re killing me here!”

“Guys, let’s just take a step back,” Liam intervened calmly. He was always the one trying to keep things balanced. “How about we do both? Maybe we start with the simple version and build it from there?”

Niall, who had been watching the back-and-forth, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, let’s experiment with both. That’s the point of this, right? No limits, no rules. We can play around.”

Harry, who had been mostly quiet, glanced up from his notebook, looking at them with a smirk. “Are we really fighting about beats right now? I’m just here for the drama.”

The group burst out laughing, and for a moment, the tension eased. They were back to being the band that had always found humor in the chaos.

As the session continued, the disagreements didn’t stop completely, but they were balanced out by moments of laughter and joy. Harry started humming a melody, and soon the others joined in, picking up on the rhythm. The camaraderie was undeniable.

“Okay, okay,” Niall said, adjusting his guitar, “let’s try it this way—what if we add some harmonies? We’re five, lads, we can make this sound huge.”

Liam immediately began playing a chord on the piano, and Louis, ever the perfectionist, started tweaking the sound on his keyboard. The melody began to come together, and the boys were all absorbed in the music, creating something they were proud of. There were no more arguments; just five friends working toward the same goal.

Harry, who had been quiet up until now, gave a small nod. “Yeah, that’s it. We’re getting there.”

Zayn adjusted his guitar and added some softer notes, blending in with the melody. “Alright, that sounds better. Now we’re cooking.”

Niall grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “There we go, lads. This is the magic.”

The fans were eating it up in the chat, commenting in real-time as they watched the boys shape the song. It wasn’t just the music they were captivated by—it was the process, the way the boys interacted with each other, and how their bond had always been at the core of everything.

“This is like watching art being made. I can’t believe we’re seeing them work through this in real time. I love it.” — @MusicLover35

“They’ve been through so much, but you can still see how much they love doing this. I’m tearing up, honestly.” — @Louis’Loyalist

“Can’t believe we’re getting to hear a song in the making like this. This is next-level stuff.” — @NiallGirl4Life

“Look at them, they’re like brothers. You can see how much they care about each other in these little moments.” — @ZaynsVision

The first song they began to solidify had an emotional weight to it. It was about the journey they had been on together—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It was messy, imperfect, and completely vulnerable. But in the rawness of it, there was a beauty that none of them had expected.

The live-stream chat had slowed down, and now the comments reflected the deep connection fans felt to the music. The boys had pulled back the curtain, and what they saw wasn’t just a band—they saw five men who had grown together, who had been through the fires of fame and come out stronger.

“This is it. This is what I’ve been waiting for. The real 1D. No gimmicks, no perfection, just them.” — @DIRECTIONER4LIFE

“I’m crying. They’re doing it. They’re really doing it. This is going to be legendary.” — @DirectionerSinceDay1

“I love how you can feel the emotion in the song. They’ve been through so much, and it shows. It’s raw and beautiful.” — @1DSoulmate

After hours of fiddling with beats, rewriting lyrics, and experimenting with harmonies, they finally had something they were proud of. The song wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs. And that was all that mattered.

“Alright,” Niall said, sitting back in his chair and taking a breath, “we’ve got something here.”

The boys nodded in agreement. They had done it. Not as a perfect boy band, but as five friends, each with their own story, and now they were finally sharing those stories with the world.

The live-stream continued as the boys took a break, talking about their plans for the rest of the album. The fans in the chat kept their eyes glued to the screen, reading between the lines and soaking up every little moment.

The live-stream had been a huge success, and the reaction was overwhelming. Fans from around the world flooded Twitter, Instagram, and the chat with messages of support and love. They weren’t just talking about the music—they were talking about the boys’ openness, their willingness to show the world their true selves.

“Just watched the 1D live-stream. I’ve never felt more connected to them. They’re doing it right this time. No more hiding.” — @ForeverDirectioner

“This album is going to be a masterpiece. I can feel it. They’re writing their truth, and we’re all here for it.” — @1D4Ever

“I love how much they’ve grown. I’m so proud of them for sharing this with us. This is the 1D we deserve.” — @HarryLoversUnite

The journey wasn’t over, but that moment marked a pivotal step in their return. They weren’t just making music. They were sharing a part of themselves, their stories, and their struggles—and in return, their fans shared theirs. It was a two-way street, and in that connection, they found something even more powerful than fame. They found a sense of purpose.

Chapter Text

The morning light filtered through the large windows of the studio, illuminating the sleek, modern setup where the boys were about to dive back into their album. The excitement from the previous day's live-stream was still fresh in the air, but today, it was all about focusing on the music. The boys had come to terms with the fact that they had made something real together, but now it was time to record their emotions for the world to hear.

The studio was humming with activity as Niall and Louis set up their guitars, Zayn adjusted his mic, and Liam and Harry made final notes on the song’s lyrics. The live-stream chat was already active, fans eagerly awaiting the next behind-the-scenes glimpse of the boys in action. The camera rolled, capturing the casual chaos of the morning.

“Here we go again! Another day of behind-the-scenes magic with 1D! I’m so ready for this!” — @DirectionerInTheMix

“I’m obsessed with how raw and real this is. We’re watching them create history.” — @ZaynsPride

“Niall better not mess this up—he’s my fave, but his guitar solos can get wild 😂” — @Liam4Life

Niall, now standing at the mic, tuned his guitar and took a deep breath. “Alright, lads, let’s make this one count. We’re not messing around today.”

Harry, perched at the edge of the studio couch, nodded, already mentally preparing himself for his part. “Let’s make sure this one has some soul. We don’t want it to sound like the last one. We’re pushing the boundaries this time.”

Louis, ever the perfectionist, was already deep in thought as he scanned the sheet music. “Yeah, but we need to make sure we don’t lose that One Direction vibe, you know? We still need to sound like us.”

“Exactly,” Liam agreed, sitting at the piano, his fingers already lightly touching the keys. “But at the same time, I think we need to expand it. Try new things. If we want to grow, we have to take some risks.”

Zayn, standing in the corner with his guitar, smirked and played a quick riff. “I mean, I’m ready for whatever. Let’s break some boundaries.”

The first take began, and the room fell into a comfortable silence as the boys focused on their vocals. Harry’s voice soared, perfectly in tune with the melody. Louis, ever the harmonizer, added a layer of warmth to the chorus. Niall’s guitar riff wrapped around their voices like a comforting blanket, while Zayn’s soothing guitar added the subtle depth they had been searching for.

For the first few runs, everything seemed to flow smoothly. They were all in sync, working with ease.

But then, as they stopped for a break, things took an unexpected turn.

As the boys set down their instruments, Louis wandered over to the table and grabbed a snack. A bag of chips, some crackers—typical, nothing out of the ordinary. But as he rummaged through a bowl of fruit, he pulled out something that immediately caught his eye.

An avocado.

“Ugh, I hate these,” Louis muttered, making a face. He tossed the avocado aside and grabbed a handful of chips instead.

“What? You’re seriously telling me you don’t like avocado?” Niall said, his voice incredulous. “Mate, what’s wrong with you? Avocados are like the greatest thing ever!”

Louis rolled his eyes, still looking disgusted at the sight of the green fruit. “They’re mushy. And it’s basically just tasteless. I don’t get why people obsess over them.”

“Mate, you’ve got to be joking,” Niall said, throwing his hands up in mock disbelief. “You’re missing out, seriously. Avocado toast? A bit of lime and salt? Perfect breakfast.”

Zayn, leaning back against the wall, chimed in with a teasing smirk. “I’ll take an avocado toast any day over whatever that is,” he said, referring to the chips Louis was snacking on.

“See?” Niall grinned. “Zayn gets it. What about you, Harry?”

Harry, who had been quietly watching the exchange with a smirk, shrugged. “I mean, I’m not the biggest fan, but I’d still eat it if someone made it for me. You lot are making this way more dramatic than it needs to be.”

Louis threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine, whatever. You all eat your weird mushy fruit. I’ll stick to my chips.” He shoved a handful into his mouth dramatically, looking like he was ready to drop the issue.

But Niall wasn’t done. “I swear, if we’re going to write a song about love, I’m going to write about how much I love avocado. It’s that good.”

Louis shot him a playful glare. “You write a love song about that, and I’m out.”

The whole room erupted in laughter.

The boys continued to banter and joke during the break. While the avocado disagreement had briefly flared up, it was just another moment of lightheartedness that added to the chemistry of the group. They laughed, teased, and went back to their creative process with ease.

Niall looked around at the group, watching the natural banter that flowed between them. This was what he had missed—this easy camaraderie that had always been the heart of One Direction. Despite the tough times they had been through, despite the external pressures, this was still their safe space.

“Alright, I think we’ve got something here,” Niall said after a few minutes, looking back at the rest of the boys. “I think we should go for a deeper layer this time, make it more introspective.”

Harry, now pacing around, nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, we need that vulnerability. People are going to hear us in a new way.”

Louis sat down on the couch, putting his feet up. “It needs to be raw, though. No sugar-coating it. We’ve been through a lot, and we need to let that show.”

“Exactly,” Liam agreed, tapping a beat on the edge of the piano. “This needs to be a reflection of who we are now, not who we were.”

As the conversation shifted back to the song, they all seemed more at ease. The frustration from earlier had dissipated, and the energy in the room felt renewed. There was still tension, but it was healthy—creative tension.

“The boys are so funny. I love seeing them argue and then immediately switch back to making music. This is what I missed.” — @HarrieLover4Life

“Zayn doesn’t like avocado? What is wrong with him?? I think Louis is winning this one 😂” — @DirectionerVibes

“I can’t stop laughing at the avocado debate. Only 1D could make a recording session this fun.” — @Liam’sLove

“Seeing them work through everything, even with the disagreements, it’s just real. That’s what makes them so special.” — @1Dfamily

After a quick snack break, the boys returned to the task at hand, and the creative process continued. The vocals were layered with more precision now, each one reflecting the emotions they had discussed earlier. The song began to take form, blending vulnerability with energy. It wasn’t just a song—it was a story, their story, and the fans could feel that.

The cameras caught moments of frustration, laughter, and silence. But in the midst of it all, the music was coming together. It was imperfect, messy, but beautiful.

“Can you feel the chemistry in the room? This album is going to be SO good.” — @ZaynNation

“I’m so proud of them. They’re not just making music, they’re making memories. This is going to change everything.” — @DirectionerForLife

“Seeing them work through everything, even with the disagreements, it’s just real. That’s what makes them so special.” — @1Dfamily

By the end of the session, the boys were exhausted but exhilarated. They had created something together—a product of their bond, their shared experiences, and their raw emotions. As they wrapped up, Niall turned to the camera one last time.

“Alright, we’re done for today. But we’re not done yet. There’s more to come, and we can’t wait for you to hear it.”

The fans in the chat were already clamoring for more, and the excitement in the studio was contagious. They hadn’t just recorded a song—they had shared a piece of their soul with the world.

“What a session. This album is going to be legendary. They’ve really outdone themselves this time.” — @Harry’sDream

“I love how they’re so open with us. They’ve grown so much, and we’re here for every step of it.” — @LouisGurlForever

“Best. Live-stream. Ever. I can’t wait for the album. I’m already obsessed.” — @ShannonDirection

As the camera turned off and the day came to a close, they all knew this album was going to be different. It was theirs, in every sense of the word, and the journey was only just beginning.

The day after the recording session was filled with a mix of excitement and underlying tension. The fans were eagerly waiting for another live-stream glimpse of One Direction in the studio. But this time, things were bound to get a little heated. As the boys arrived, you could sense that the energy in the room was different—there was an unspoken weight hanging in the air.

“The boys are back in the studio! Let’s see what happens today!” — @DirectionerOnFire

“I love these live-streams! It’s like being right there with them!” — @ZaynsGalaxy

“I swear, Niall better not ruin this session. He’s been a bit too much lately 😂” — @Harrie_Girl4

As the cameras rolled and the boys began settling into their positions, Niall adjusted his guitar, humming softly as he tried to find his rhythm. Louis, looking a little tired, stretched his arms and ran his fingers through his hair, clearly feeling the exhaustion from days of recording.

Harry, Liam, and Zayn were all at their stations, each mentally preparing for another long day. But there was an underlying tension simmering in the room. Maybe it was the pressure of the fans' expectations, the need to make the perfect song, or just the culmination of stress from being cooped up together for so long.

It started innocently enough. Niall played a rough draft of one of the tracks they had been working on. He strummed a few chords, nodding along to the beat, and then looked at Harry for confirmation. “I think this needs a bit more… what’s the word… a bigger hook. Don’t you think?”

Harry furrowed his brow, his fingers hovering over his mic. “Nah, I think it’s good as it is. We don’t need to overdo it.”

Louis, ever the perfectionist, chimed in with his usual bluntness. “I agree with Niall. We need something that hits harder. We’ve been playing it too safe. It needs to stand out.”

Zayn, who had been quietly tuning his guitar, rolled his eyes. “You’re both overthinking it. It’s fine the way it is. We don’t need to complicate things.”

This set Niall off. “What do you mean ‘complicate’? It’s not about complicating it; it’s about making it the best it can be. We can’t just settle for ‘fine.’” He shot Zayn a sharp look.

Zayn leaned forward, his voice rising slightly. “I’m not saying it’s bad, Niall, but sometimes less is more. We’ve been through this.”

Liam, noticing the tension, tried to interject. “Alright, alright, let’s just take a step back. We can revisit the structure, but no one’s listening to the other here. We need to calm down.”

But Louis wasn’t having it. “No, Liam, we’ve been doing this for days, and every time we try to get something solid, we hit a wall! I’m done being nice about it. We all know there’s a problem, and no one is saying anything.”

Harry, who had been staying quiet up until now, shot Louis a stern glance. “Louis, calm down. Yelling isn’t going to fix it. We need to communicate, not just fight over every little thing.”

The camera caught the raw frustration on Louis’s face. “I’m sick of being patient! We’re wasting time!” he snapped, his hands shaking slightly from the anger that had built up inside him. “We’ve been dancing around issues for weeks, and now we can’t even get the bloody melody right.”

The chat was exploding with comments, fans sensing the brewing tension.

“OH MY GOD. Are they really arguing this bad? This is intense.” — @LiamHearts

“Louis is not holding back today. The tension is so real, but this is making me nervous.” — @Directioners4Life

“I’m lowkey scared. Someone please fix this.” — @HarryGurl

“Louis is right though, we can’t keep avoiding the tough talks. They need to get it together.” — @ShannonDirection

The atmosphere in the studio had thickened, and no one seemed to know how to break the silence. Niall, his hands gripping his guitar now, spoke again, quieter this time but still frustrated. “Look, I get it. It’s not always easy, but we’ve got to trust each other. We’ve come this far for a reason. But if you don’t trust me now, we’re going nowhere.”

Zayn’s voice softened, realizing he may have pushed Niall too hard. “I do trust you, Niall. I just want to make sure we’re not losing ourselves in the process. Sometimes, less really is more.”

Harry, who had been silently observing, now stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on the group. He cleared his throat, and when he spoke, his voice was calm but firm. “We’ve all been through a lot, and we’re not getting anywhere if we keep tearing into each other like this. We need to remember what we’ve built, what we’ve been through. We don’t fight because we hate each other. We fight because we care. So, let’s just take a minute, breathe, and figure it out. Together.”

It wasn’t immediate, but after Harry spoke, the tension in the room began to dissipate. Niall, his expression still tense, nodded slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I just… I just want this to be perfect, you know?”

Louis sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I get it. I just… sometimes I feel like no one listens to me.”

Zayn walked over to Niall and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I hear you, mate. I do. Let’s just… give it another go, yeah? We’ll find that middle ground.”

Liam walked over and stood next to Harry, giving him a small smile. “It’s okay, guys. We’ll figure it out. It’s just one song. We’ve got time.”

Harry gave them all a small nod, crossing his arms. “Exactly. No need to rush it. Let’s go back to the music and see where it takes us. We’ve done it a thousand times before.”

Slowly, the group fell back into a rhythm, working through the song again. The tension wasn’t gone completely, but the music took over. They were back to what they did best—creating.

“Phew, that was intense. But I’m glad they’re back on track. It’s obvious they care so much about this.” — @ZaynNation

“Seeing them work through their issues like this? That’s what makes them so real. I’m proud of them.” — @HarryLoveForever

“So glad they’re figuring it out. They’re a team no matter what.” — @DirectionerForLife

“I was lowkey stressed watching that, but now I’m just excited to hear the final song. I know it’s going to be amazing.” — @LouisFanGirl

By the time they wrapped up the live-stream, the atmosphere in the studio had shifted back to its usual, more relaxed vibe. The argument had cleared the air, and they were now focusing on the song’s structure, perfecting every beat, every harmony, and every lyric. The fans could feel the difference in the air—things were good again.

As they wrapped up the session, Louis stood at the mic, looking at the rest of the band with a weary but contented smile. “Alright, let’s get this track right. No more drama. Just music.”

“That’s it, the boys are back in sync! Can’t wait to hear the finished product!” — @NiallGirl4Ever

“They’re so real, so raw. That argument actually made me love them more.” — @HarryFan

“They’ve grown so much. You can see it in how they’re handling things now. Proud to be a fan.” — @Directioner4Life

The camera turned off, and for a moment, the boys were just five friends in a studio, pushing through the creative process, as real and raw as they had ever been. The argument was behind them now, but the lessons they’d learned would stick with them forever.

And the song they were creating? It was just another step in the long journey they had ahead—together.

The fans were buzzing with excitement as One Direction announced their next live-stream event. But this time, it wasn’t going to be just about music. No, this time they had something different in mind—challenge exercises. It was supposed to be a fun and lighthearted way to bond and show off their silly side, but no one quite knew how the day would unfold.

“Wait, WHAT?! This is gonna be wild! 😂😂 I’m ready for this.” — @DirectionerLover93

“Can’t wait to see Louis’ reaction when they make him do something weird. He’s such a mood.” — @LarryFan

“Shawn’s here too? This is going to be epic! Shiall for the win!” — @ShawnLove

“The dynamics are everything! Ziam vs Larry is gonna be hilarious.” — @ZaynsGirl

The challenge was simple: they would split into teams of two. Each team had to complete a set of goofy, silly, and sometimes challenging exercises. The twist was, they had to film their parts individually but could only work with their partner for the tasks. The exercise was meant to test both their physical and mental teamwork.

The first team, "Shiall," was made up of Niall and Shawn. They stood side by side, both excited but a little wary of what was ahead. The challenge started off simple enough—an obstacle course where each team member had to pass an object through a series of hoops without touching it. It was meant to test coordination.

Niall, laughing, tried to roll the ball through the hoops, but it kept bouncing out of place. “Mate, I swear the ball’s got a mind of its own,” he grumbled, his Irish accent thick with frustration. Shawn chuckled from the other side of the course. “I think you’re just too competitive. Relax a bit!”

“Niall is literally the cutest when he gets frustrated 😂” — @ShawnFangirl

“I’m dead. Niall’s seriously struggling, but he’s so competitive! Shawn’s just vibing.” — @DirectionerFanatic

Shawn, always the one with a calming presence, took over for a moment, gently guiding Niall through the next obstacle. His easygoing manner helped Niall calm down, and together, they managed to finish the course.

Then came "Ziam," the fan-favorite duo made up of Zayn and Liam. They were up next for a different challenge: balancing on one leg while holding a spoon with an egg on it. The goal was to walk from one side of the room to the other without dropping the egg.

Liam started off strong, but Zayn wasn’t so lucky. "Mate, you’re gonna make me drop it!" Zayn groaned, wobbling as he tried to stay balanced. Liam shot him an encouraging look. “You’ve got this, just focus.”

The challenge became a comedic mess as both of them wobbled and tripped, the egg nearly rolling off more than once. But despite the chaos, they couldn’t stop laughing. Zayn eventually dropped the egg, but they still managed to finish the challenge with big grins on their faces.

“Zayn and Liam are absolute chaos. I love them so much 😂” — @LiamZaynFan

“Egggate 2025 was a disaster, but I’m here for it!” — @ZaynGirl25

The final team was Louis and Harry, better known as "Larry." It was clear from the start that these two were not going to take the challenges lightly. The first task for them was to build a tower using only marshmallows and spaghetti sticks. Simple enough—unless you’re Louis Tomlinson.

Harry was focused, using his steady hands to begin the structure. But Louis was already complaining, his hands shaking with barely contained frustration. “Why do we always get the dumbest challenges?” he muttered, trying to get the marshmallow onto the spaghetti stick without it collapsing.

Harry, with his usual calmness, smiled. “Because it’s fun. Don’t overthink it.”

But Louis couldn’t help himself. “I swear, these things are gonna make me lose it,” he grumbled, knocking over the structure in a huff. “This is just…ugh.”

“Louis is NOT happy today. I love him but this is hilarious.” — @LarryVibes

“I swear Louis gets mad at every little thing 😂 but I’m here for it!” — @HarryAndLouis

“The way Harry stays calm while Louis is losing it is goals.” — @Directioner4Ever

The tension finally came to a head when it was time for a more physical challenge—a three-legged race. Louis and Harry were paired together, and while Harry was ready to laugh it off, Louis was seething.

As they tried to tie their legs together, Louis shot Harry an exasperated look. “Why are we doing this? It’s a bloody joke!”

Harry, ever the optimist, laughed it off. “It’s just for fun, Lou. Calm down.”

But Louis was already losing his patience. “I’m not a bloody child, Harry! This is ridiculous!”

The fans could feel the unease through the screen. Louis, who had been dealing with so much stress lately, seemed on edge. Harry, sensing this, tried to keep it light, but Louis snapped back. “Can’t you just do something without making it look easy?! Just help me!”

Harry’s patience was beginning to wear thin. “Louis, I’m not your bloody babysitter. Just focus!”

“Oh no, Louis is losing it. This is uncomfortable.” — @HarryFan

“Louis, breathe, please. We’re all just having fun.” — @ShawnGirl

“They really do bring out each other’s worst side sometimes 😬” — @LarryForLife

The moment felt tense, but thankfully, the argument was short-lived. Harry, stepping back, gave Louis the space he needed. “Let’s just take a break, yeah? I don’t want to argue.”

Louis looked guilty, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry, mate. I’m just… I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”

Shawn, who had been observing the whole thing, approached them with a calm smile. “Hey, we’re all on the same team. Relax, alright?”

Louis nodded, still frustrated, but appreciative of the support. “Yeah, yeah. I just needed to vent, I guess.”

The rest of the race was much smoother. Louis and Harry finally worked together without any further tensions. The next tasks went by with a lot of laughs, and they seemed to get back into their groove. The camaraderie between all of them returned, and even the fans could tell that despite the bumps, the band was closer than ever.

“I’m so happy they’re back to laughing. The vibes are everything.” — @NiallFan2025

“Louis is just a big softie, he’ll always be okay. Love how they support each other.” — @ZaynLovers

“They’re like family, and it shows. I’m glad they figured it out.” — @HarryGurl

The live stream ended on a positive note with everyone laughing, joking, and high-fiving each other. It wasn’t a perfect day. There were arguments, frustrations, and moments of tension. But that’s what made it real. That’s what made them a family. The fans could see that, and they loved them for it.

It was just another step on the long road ahead—together.

The boys were ready to dive into the games, their usual banter and energy filling the room. The atmosphere was light and full of jokes as they geared up for a day of interactive fun with the fans. Shawn, once again, had joined them, and the fans were buzzing with excitement about his return. This time, though, the stakes were higher—this wasn’t just a chill hangout. They had been getting closer to each other over the past few live streams, and everyone knew this one would be the most fun.

“I’m ready for some drama. This is gonna be hilarious!” — @ShawnFan

“Don’t worry, we’ll be here for all the awkward moments 😂” — @LarryLovers

“I just want to see Niall’s laugh again. His energy is EVERYTHING.” — @DirectionerVibes

Niall, being the instigator he was, kicked things off. He picked up a stack of cards and read the first one aloud with a grin: “Never have I ever had a wardrobe malfunction on stage.”

Immediately, Zayn smirked. “What? You all know I’ve had my fair share of those.”

“Yeah, Zayn. But it was always in style, right?” Louis teased, nudging Zayn’s shoulder. The fans in the chat went crazy, typing laughing emojis.

Harry, still not fully warmed up to the game, crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "You know what, I’m just gonna pass on this one."

Louis laughed. “I can’t believe you’re passing, Styles. Everyone knows you’ve had at least one wardrobe malfunction.”

Harry blushed a little, trying to hide his face. “That’s private information, mate. And no, I’m not talking about it."

Shawn threw his hands up in defense. "I’ve definitely had one or two... but it’s all part of the show!”

Louis then raised his hand. "I've had a couple," he admitted, making the fans go wild in the chat with a flurry of messages like:

“LOUIS’ WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS—PLEASE TELL US MORE 😂” — @DirectionerFanatic

“We need a whole documentary about Louis’ stage moments. Stat!” — @HarryTruth

After a few more rounds of awkward fun, it was clear everyone was loosening up, but then it was time for Truth or Dare.

Niall, ever the instigator, couldn’t wait to get this one started. "Alright, Louis, it’s your turn. Truth or Dare?"

Louis took a dramatic sigh, clearly reluctant. "Fine, let’s get this over with. I’ll go with Truth.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. "This is gonna be good.”

Niall thought for a moment, then picked a question. “Who’s the most annoying person in the band? Don’t hold back.”

Louis immediately glanced at Niall with a look of mock horror. “You’ve really gone there, haven’t you?”

The group fell into laughter, but Niall was waiting for an answer.

Louis smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, Niall, definitely. You’re the one who starts all the trouble.”

“Oi! You can’t say that! I’m the one keeping this band together,” Niall defended, clearly amused by the idea.

“LOUIS IS NOT HOLDING BACK 😂 Niall’s in trouble.” — @NiallLovers

“Louis vs Niall energy is my favorite thing.” — @ShawnFan

The chat was lighting up, fans loving every second of the back-and-forth between the two. Shawn chimed in, “C’mon, Niall, admit it. You do start the trouble.”

Niall’s eyes widened dramatically. "I do not! Okay, maybe I do... but I do it with love!” He threw his hands up in mock surrender, and everyone burst out laughing.

The fans were loving it, with a steady stream of messages flooding in:

“You can tell Niall’s the troublemaker, but we love him for it!” — @LarryFan

“I swear these boys are my therapy. The banter is unmatched.” — @DirectionerVibes

Then it was Shawn’s turn to choose. He picked Truth, his mischievous grin making the boys suspicious.

“Alright, Shawn,” Niall said. “Truth: Who’s the biggest prankster in the group?”

Shawn leaned back, thinking. “You know, I’d say it’s Louis, but that’s too obvious. I’m gonna go with... Niall.”

The group erupted in laughter. “Me? I’m innocent!” Niall shouted.

Louis smirked. “You? Innocent? I’m going to have to disagree.”

Shawn chuckled. “Oh, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. You keep things interesting, Niall.”

“Niall is low-key the prank king. But Louis still reigns supreme 😂” — @HarryTruth

“These boys are honestly the funniest group of people alive.” — @DirectionerFan

After the games, things were still light-hearted... but it wasn’t long before some tension started brewing, this time between Louis and Harry. Harry had been quieter during most of the live stream, and when it came to discussing the upcoming tour, Louis accidentally pushed his buttons.

"I think the first few months of the tour should be really relaxed. We need to focus on the music and not just perform,” Louis said, clearly passionate.

Harry, who had been tapping his foot impatiently for a while, shot back, "That’s all well and good, but we need to keep things fresh for the fans. If we don’t bring the energy, we’ll lose them.”

Louis frowned. "You really think that’s all it takes? It’s more than just the energy, Harry. You know that.”

Harry, crossing his arms, looked at Louis. “I never said that, Lou. I just think you’re ignoring the bigger picture.”

The tension in the room was palpable, and fans in the chat noticed.

“Uh oh, things just got real. I love how they’re still so real with each other.” — @DirectionerFan

“Louis and Harry always have these moments, but they’ll figure it out.” — @ShawnFan

“This is why I love them. They don’t hide anything from us.” — @LarryLovers

The argument continued for a few more moments, but eventually, the group realized they were just spinning in circles.

“Alright, alright,” Niall said, stepping in. “Let’s just calm down. We’re all on the same team. We’ll figure it out.”

Shawn, always the peacemaker, added, “It’s all about balance. You can’t just have one thing or the other.”

The argument fizzled out, and the group returned to more lighthearted conversation. Harry and Louis exchanged a few quiet words, then laughed it off—just another bump in the road.

“These boys love each other so much. They’re like family, you can tell.” — @DirectionerVibes

“I’m honestly in love with them. They have the best energy and chemistry, even when they argue.” — @LarryLovers

With the tension gone, the boys continued with their interactive Q&A, answering fans' questions and diving deeper into the creative process. The games had given them a chance to show their playful sides, but now, as they shifted back into the creative discussions, it was clear the fans were still along for the ride—loving every minute of the chaos, and every laugh, smile, and argument in between.

The air in the room was thick with silence as the live stream finally ended. The fans were still buzzing in the chat, sending messages of support, but for Louis and Harry, the audience wasn’t what mattered now. The camera was off, the lights dimmed, and the chaotic energy of the live stream had quieted down.

Louis sat on the edge of the couch, running a hand through his hair, deep in thought. He glanced over at Harry, who was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed in a defensive yet weary posture. Both of them had been tiptoeing around this moment for a while. The unresolved tension between them had lingered like a ghost in the room, always there, always uncomfortable.

"Do you want to talk?" Louis asked, his voice quieter than usual. He wasn’t sure what Harry would say, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this conversation was long overdue. They’d danced around their past enough.

Harry let out a long breath, his gaze meeting Louis's for a moment before he shifted his eyes to the floor. "I don’t know, Lou. I’ve never been great at talking about feelings, you know that.”

Louis chuckled softly, the sound almost bitter. “You’ve never been one for confrontation either."

Harry smirked but the sadness in his eyes was undeniable. “Yeah, well, we know how well that turned out."

There was an uncomfortable pause. Both of them seemed lost in their own thoughts, the weight of everything that had happened between them—the breakups, the miscommunications, the hurt feelings—all piling up. But neither one was quite ready to retreat into anger or defensiveness. They’d been through enough.

Finally, Louis broke the silence. “I guess I’ve always wondered... Why did you say what you did when we broke up, Harry? You know, about me dragging you down?”

Harry closed his eyes, his expression softening, the regret he felt in that moment clear. “I didn’t mean it, Lou,” he said quietly, his voice shaky. "I was hurt, and... and I was scared. I didn’t know what else to say. It was just a stupid way to cover up the fact that I felt like I was losing you."

Louis felt the lump in his throat as he took in Harry’s words. The anger he’d been holding onto for years started to dissolve, replaced by something else—something like relief, but mixed with a deep sadness. "I felt like I was losing you too," he admitted, his voice cracking slightly. "But I never thought I’d hear you say something like that."

"I know," Harry whispered, stepping closer to Louis, the space between them feeling smaller, less strained than it had in a long time. "I’m sorry, Lou. I was scared of everything changing—scared of you and me being over, but I didn’t handle it well."

Louis nodded slowly, trying to keep his composure. "It wasn’t just that, though. It was all the things you didn’t say. We stopped talking. I felt like we were just... not on the same page anymore. I didn’t know how to fix it, and I didn’t know how to make you understand how much I still cared."

Harry’s eyes softened, and he stepped closer, sitting down next to Louis. There was a long moment where neither of them spoke, just feeling the weight of the years apart. Harry finally broke the silence, his voice softer than before.

“I’ve always cared, Lou. Even when I was angry, even when I said things I didn’t mean... you were always a part of me.”

The sincerity in his words made Louis’s heart ache. He had missed Harry more than he had let himself admit. "I know, Haz. I’ve always known that. But it felt like you didn’t care about me anymore. You know?”

Harry’s face tightened, as though he was struggling with the weight of that truth. He reached for Louis’s hand, holding it gently. "I was selfish. I was just trying to figure out who I was without... you. And it hurt. But I never stopped loving you."

Tears welled up in Louis’s eyes as he looked at Harry, the rawness in his chest becoming almost unbearable. “I never stopped loving you either,” he admitted in a near whisper. “But I think we both needed time. Time to figure out what we wanted.”

Harry nodded, wiping at his own eyes as he let out a shaky breath. “I think we both did.”

For a while, the two of them just sat there, holding hands, letting the silence speak for them. It was no longer a silence of distance, but one of understanding. After a while, Harry finally spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know where we go from here, Lou. But... maybe we can just take it slow, yeah? I don’t want to rush this, and I don’t want to hurt you again.”

Louis smiled softly, wiping away a stray tear. “I think that’s the right thing to do. I don’t need everything to be perfect right now. I just need... you.”

Harry’s face softened, and he gave a small, tentative smile. “I think I can manage that.”

They sat there in silence for a little while longer, neither of them rushing to speak, just enjoying the quiet moment of reconnection.

Finally, Louis broke the silence with a small, half-laughing sigh. “You know, we’re really terrible at this. I mean, we’ve been through so much, and now we’re just sitting here... talking about it.”

Harry chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Yeah, but it’s the most real conversation we’ve had in years."

Louis nodded in agreement, a weight lifting from his chest. “Yeah. It feels right.”

After a while, they decided to step outside for a bit, the cool evening air doing wonders for clearing their heads. The conversation about taking things slow was still fresh between them, but it felt like a step in the right direction. They weren’t rushing toward anything—they were just letting things be.

For the first time in a long while, Louis felt like maybe, just maybe, he and Harry had a chance at being okay. And that, more than anything, was enough for now.

Chapter Text

The evening had already been full of fun and lighthearted moments. Louis, Harry, Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Shawn were gathered in the living room, setting up a Monopoly board for their next challenge. The live stream was in full swing, with fans interacting in the chat, eagerly watching the boys banter and joke around as they settled in for a competitive game. The room was filled with the sounds of laughter and playful bickering, the energy lively as ever.

Louis made the first move, dramatically pushing his piece across the board. “Alright, Harry, you’re going down. I’ve got this in the bag.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “We’ll see about that. You’re going to regret those words, Lou.”

The fans in the chat were loving every moment.

“Monopoly is about to get messy.” — @CrazyForLarry
“Lol Louis is so competitive. I can’t even.” — @HarriesForever

The game was going well—at least until they ran out of snacks. Louis and Harry exchanged a quick glance, both of them simultaneously reaching for their phones.

“Alright, we’ll go grab some more snacks from the kitchen,” Louis announced, standing up and giving the board a dramatic glance. “But when we come back, Harry’s going to be eating dust.”

“Keep dreaming, Tomlinson,” Harry grinned, following him as they both exited the room, leaving the rest of the group behind.

For a while, everything seemed normal. The rest of the boys continued to play, the chat flooded with messages as the game proceeded. But as the minutes passed and Louis and Harry still hadn’t returned, the fans started to grow curious.

“Where did they go?” — @TeamLouis
“Uh... guys? Are Louis and Harry okay?” — @DirectionerQueen

Shawn’s POV

Shawn was sitting on the couch, his eyes flickering between the Monopoly board and the chat. It had been a while since Louis and Harry had left the room, and everyone seemed preoccupied with the game. But Shawn couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. He glanced around the room and, after a second of hesitation, decided to go check on them.

He slipped quietly into the hallway and made his way toward the kitchen, thinking he would just poke his head in, grab the snacks, and get back to the game. What he didn’t expect to find was... well, what he found.

As he turned the corner into the kitchen, he immediately stopped in his tracks, eyes wide with shock.

Louis and Harry were standing by the counter, far too close for comfort, their faces flushed. Louis was holding a large bag of chips in one hand, but his other hand was brushing Harry’s arm, their eyes locked. Harry was leaning in, talking to Louis in a tone that was far too intimate for casual conversation. And then, to Shawn’s surprise—Louis gave Harry’s ear a playful nibble, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Shawn’s brain short-circuited.

“Oh, no. No, no, no...” he muttered under his breath, stepping back in panic. He turned and hurried toward the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He had not signed up for this. Why was this happening to him?

His face was flushed red as he bolted back up the stairs, trying to get away from whatever he’d just witnessed. As he walked back into the living room, Niall immediately looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Shawn, mate, what’s wrong with you?” Niall asked, concerned. “You’re all red in the face.”

Shawn leaned toward him, barely able to whisper the words as his face burned with embarrassment. “Dude... I just saw Louis... and Harry... in the kitchen... they were—” He didn’t even finish the sentence, instead opting to shake his head, hoping that somehow, his mind could erase the image.

Niall’s eyes widened, and for a moment, he stared at Shawn, his expression unreadable. And then, to Shawn’s complete shock, Niall burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Wait—what?!” Niall gasped, clutching his stomach as he laughed even harder. “Mate, you just walked in on that?! Oh, man, this is too good.”

Shawn, still too mortified to speak, just stood there, eyes wide, as Niall continued to laugh, clearly finding the whole thing more amusing than he probably should.

“WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! WHERE DID LOUIS AND HARRY GO?” — @LarryShippersUnited
“Did anyone else notice Shawn looking super red in the face just now?? Someone needs to spill the tea.” — @HarrieLove

“Omg I can’t breathe. What is going on with them? We need an explanation.” — @LarrieFam

Louis and Harry returned to the room a few moments later, their faces almost as red as Shawn’s had been when he’d come back upstairs. They avoided eye contact with Shawn at first, clearly aware that they’d been caught in some very compromising—albeit innocent—situation.

Louis cleared his throat, trying to recover his usual confident demeanour. “Uh, sorry about that, mate. We just... got sidetracked. You know how it is.”

Harry added, “Yeah, just trying to get the snacks and... things got a little... out of hand.” He laughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.

Shawn, still red in the face, just shook his head, unable to look them in the eye. “I did not need to see that, you guys,” he muttered, half-smiling despite the mortification. “But it’s fine, I guess. Just... please, don’t ever do that again.”

The fans in the chat exploded with theories and wild comments, unable to make sense of the strange tension in the room. They couldn’t figure out exactly what had happened between Louis and Harry, but one thing was certain—their curiosity was piqued.

“Okay but I need to know what happened while they were gone. We deserve answers.” — @HarriesForever
“Shawn’s reaction was everything. What did they do, though?” — @LarryFanatic

Louis and Harry exchanged glances, both of them knowing they weren’t going to be able to fully explain themselves without making it worse. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Louis piped up, his voice light but with an underlying hint of apology.

“Well, you know, we just—uh, we’re not really doing anything crazy. Just... you know, joking around,” he said, trying to sound casual. “But, uh... I think Shawn saw something he wasn’t supposed to see. So, uh, sorry about that, mate.”

Shawn just rolled his eyes, finally letting out a sigh of relief. “Whatever, man. Just keep it in the kitchen next time, alright?”

The boys laughed it off, but the fans in the chat were left buzzing, desperate for a piece of the story that no one had fully explained. The atmosphere had shifted a bit—what started as a lighthearted game of Monopoly had turned into something much more... intriguing.

And for Shawn, it was something he wasn’t likely to forget anytime soon.

The recording studio was alive with activity. The boys had been hard at work for hours, tracking vocals and fine-tuning the music for their new album. Niall was up next, heading into the vocal booth with a focused expression on his face. The boys exchanged glances as he disappeared behind the glass, ready to lay down another track.

Shawn had been sitting quietly in the corner of the studio on the couch, observing the process. He was content to watch from a distance, his legs stretched out and his arms casually resting at his sides. But there was a quiet tension in his body, a slight restlessness in the way he kept shifting his gaze from one person to the next. He wasn't in the mood to do vocals today, so he just let the boys work while he stayed back.

Niall finished his last take, the sound of his voice fading out of the speakers as he walked out of the booth, wiping his brow. He glanced over at Shawn, who had remained mostly silent and still, his eyes distant. Shawn's body language was a little closed off, his shoulders tense as though he was carrying something inside him.

Without a second thought, Niall walked over to Shawn, his exhaustion from the session melting away as he approached his fiancé. Without realizing it, he plopped himself down on Shawn's lap, legs draping over Shawn's and his head settling into Shawn's chest. It was a natural motion for them, the familiarity and comfort of being so close to one another felt effortless. Niall instinctively reached for Shawn's hand, intertwining their fingers as they settled into a moment of quiet intimacy.

But as Niall relaxed, something felt off with Shawn. Niall could feel the subtle tension building in Shawn’s body, the way his breath seemed to quicken ever so slightly. His eyes flickered nervously, not focusing on Niall but darting around the room, and his grip on Niall’s hand tightened in a way that wasn't normal.

Niall, ever the observant one, noticed the shift before it escalated. He could feel the change in Shawn’s heartbeat, the way his fiancé's chest seemed to rise and fall a little too quickly. His fingers started to feel clammy against Niall's skin, and Niall could sense the growing unease.

"Hey," Niall whispered softly, lifting his head from Shawn’s chest to look at him. "You okay?"

Shawn opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His eyes were wide, and there was a nervous energy about him, as if he was trying to keep it together but couldn’t. Niall’s heart clenched in concern.

Before Shawn could react, Niall gently cupped his face, speaking in a calm, soothing tone. “It’s alright, I’m here. Let’s get you out of here for a minute, yeah?”

Shawn didn’t resist. He just nodded, the panic creeping into his chest. Niall helped him up from the couch, guiding him gently by the arm toward the back of the studio, away from the cameras, away from the prying eyes of the live stream.

Niall led Shawn into a quiet room off to the side. As soon as the door closed behind them, Niall turned to face him, his voice steady but filled with concern. “Shawn, it’s okay, just breathe, alright?”

Shawn nodded again, his face pale, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Niall’s presence grounded him. Niall guided him to sit down on the edge of a couch, kneeling in front of him.

“You’re safe, I’ve got you,” Niall whispered, taking Shawn’s hands into his own, rubbing circles into his palms with his thumb.

Shawn’s breathing began to slow, the panic receding, but it was clear he was still shaken. Niall didn’t speak for a moment, just held him, letting the moment of calm wash over both of them. He knew that sometimes words weren’t necessary. All Shawn needed was someone who understood, someone who wouldn’t push him to talk before he was ready.

After a few minutes, Shawn’s breathing had returned to a more normal pace, and the color slowly returned to his face. He looked up at Niall, his eyes filled with gratitude, and gave him a small, shaky smile.

“Thank you,” Shawn whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Niall squeezed his hand. “Anytime, babe. I’m always here for you.”

The moment was tender, just the two of them in the quiet room, away from the cameras and the audience. Niall stayed close, his presence steady and calm. He was exactly what Shawn needed in that moment.

Finally, Niall stood up and helped Shawn to his feet. “Come on,” Niall said gently. “Let’s get back in there.”

They returned to the main studio, and Niall pulled Shawn back to the couch, sitting down next to him. As the cameras came back into focus, Niall leaned close to each of the boys in turn—Louis, Harry, Zayn, and Liam—whispering into their ears what had happened. He kept his tone low and casual, not wanting to draw too much attention. They all nodded, understanding, and gave Shawn a quiet, supportive smile.

Niall then turned back to Shawn, handing him a bottle of water. “Here,” Niall said softly, offering it to him. “Drink some water, alright?”

Shawn took the bottle with a nod, his fingers brushing against Niall’s as he accepted it. Niall sat next to him, his arm gently resting on Shawn’s back in a comforting gesture. The quiet, intimate moment didn’t go unnoticed by the fans watching the live stream.

The chat exploded with comments, many of them catching on to the change in Shawn’s behaviour and the way Niall had handled it:

"Is Shawn, okay? Niall’s really taking care of him. I love how supportive they are of each other." — @ShawnNiallSupport
"Did anyone notice the rings on their fingers?? Are they really engaged?" — @NiallShawnFan
"Niall really knows how to look out for Shawn. That was so sweet, I can’t even—"

Shawn’s anxiety slowly dissipated as the warmth of Niall’s support settled around him. They continued the session, but there was a new understanding between them, a deeper bond that had been silently woven through the shared moment. It wasn’t about the cameras or the live stream; it was about them—about how they cared for each other when no one was watching.

And that, in itself, was more than enough.

The door to their apartment clicked shut behind them, and the usual buzz of the studio, the lights, and the cameras faded away. It was just Niall and Shawn now—no fans, no distractions. The only sound was the soft click of their shoes against the hardwood floor as they kicked them off by the door, both of them feeling the weight of the day lift slightly with the familiar comfort of home.

Niall turned to look at Shawn, who was still visibly a little shaken, though he'd recovered since the panic attack in the studio. The tension that had been there earlier in the day had mostly melted away, but Niall could see that Shawn was still holding something inside him.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Niall asked softly, his voice steady but filled with concern. He knew Shawn needed time, but Niall wasn’t going to let him shut down this time. Not when he was still carrying the heaviness of what had happened.

Shawn hesitated, looking down at his hands for a moment, as if trying to gather the right words. He let out a slow breath and sat down on the couch, running a hand through his hair. "I... I don’t know, Ni. I just—I didn’t expect to feel that way today. I thought I was fine, but then everything just... caught up with me. The stress, the cameras, everything..." His voice faltered a little, and he shook his head, a mixture of frustration and confusion flickering across his face.

Niall sat next to him, his presence easy and steady. “It’s okay to not be okay. You know that, right? You don’t have to have it all together all the time, especially with everything you’ve been dealing with.”

Shawn nodded, his eyes meeting Niall’s for a brief moment before he looked away again. "I just... I hate that it happened on camera. It’s embarrassing, you know? I don’t want people to think I can’t handle things, especially not with all the pressure we’ve been under." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And then you... you saw me, Ni. I couldn’t hide it. I felt like I let you down, like I was weak."

Niall's heart ached at Shawn’s words, but he refused to let Shawn spiral into guilt. He reached out, placing a hand on Shawn’s arm gently, squeezing it for reassurance.

“Shawn,” he said quietly, “You didn’t let me down. You didn’t let anyone down. You’re human. We all have our moments, and you were strong enough to let me in when you needed me. That’s not weakness, that’s courage. I’m proud of you, you know? You didn’t have to hide it from me or anyone, especially me.”

Shawn looked at him, his expression softening, though his eyes were still tinged with vulnerability. “I don’t want you to see me like that. I want to be strong for you, for us. But today... it was too much.”

Niall’s gaze softened, his thumb brushing over Shawn’s arm. "I get it," he murmured. "But you don’t have to carry everything alone, not with me. I’m here, always, even when things feel like they’re too much to handle. And you never need to hide from me. Not ever."

Shawn's breath hitched as he processed Niall's words. The warmth in his chest grew, filling him with a sense of peace he hadn’t realized he needed. He leaned in closer to Niall, resting his head on his shoulder. Niall, without hesitation, wrapped an arm around him, pulling him in closer as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head.

“You know, when we were in that room earlier," Shawn started, his voice muffled against Niall’s shirt, "I thought I was gonna lose it. But then you just... you calmed me down. I could feel your presence before I even realized it, and it helped me breathe again.”

Niall smiled, running a hand through Shawn's hair gently. “I’ve always got you. Even when it feels like the world’s falling apart, you’ve got me right here. We’re a team, Shawn. We always have been, and we always will be.”

Shawn looked up at him, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."

“You don’t have to,” Niall replied with a grin, "because you never will."

They sat in silence for a moment, just holding each other, allowing the quiet to wash over them. The events of the day had left their marks, but now, in this moment, everything felt easier. They didn’t need to rush, they didn’t need to say anything more. They were simply present for each other.

Finally, Shawn broke the silence again, his voice low but sincere. “I’m sorry for how I acted earlier... I didn’t mean to make things awkward with the fans.”

Niall chuckled softly. “You’re fine, babe. The fans get it. And if they don’t, well, we’re doing the best we can. That’s all that matters.”

“Yeah, I guess so," Shawn agreed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I just... sometimes, I forget that I don’t have to keep everything together all the time."

“You don’t,” Niall reassured him, his thumb stroking Shawn’s hand. “You just have to be yourself. That’s all anyone wants, especially me.”

Shawn smiled warmly, his hand squeezing Niall’s in return. “Thanks, Ni. For everything.”

Niall leaned in and kissed his forehead softly. "Always. I’m never going anywhere."

The weight of the day had shifted, and as the two of them sat there in the quiet of their home, the world outside seemed a little less overwhelming. They had each other. And in the end, that was all that really mattered.

The soft morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of their bedroom, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Niall blinked awake slowly, his senses coming to life as he registered the feeling of warmth wrapped around him. Shawn’s arm was draped across his chest, his face buried in the crook of Niall’s neck, his breathing slow and even.

Niall smiled sleepily, his fingers instinctively finding Shawn’s hand, which rested on his chest. He traced absent circles on Shawn’s skin, his heart swelling at the peaceful sight of his fiancé completely relaxed.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Niall whispered, his voice low and gentle, not wanting to startle Shawn awake.

“Mmm,” Shawn groaned in response, burrowing closer into Niall’s side. “Not yet. Too early.”

Niall chuckled softly, brushing his lips against Shawn’s messy curls. “It’s nearly nine. Can’t stay in bed all day, babe.”

“Watch me,” Shawn mumbled, his voice muffled against Niall’s shoulder.

“Tempting as that is, you promised we’d have pancakes for breakfast,” Niall teased, gently poking Shawn’s side.

That earned a groggy laugh from Shawn, who finally opened one eye and looked up at Niall with a sleepy grin. “Pancakes, huh? Is that what it takes to get you to stay in bed with me longer?”

Niall smirked, leaning down to kiss Shawn’s forehead. “You know I don’t need pancakes for that. But I am starving, and you make the best ones.”

Shawn sighed dramatically, finally sitting up and running a hand through his messy hair. “Fine, but only because you’re cute.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Niall quipped, pushing the blanket off and swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

They moved lazily through the kitchen together, their movements synchronized like a well-practiced dance. Niall sifted flour and cracked eggs into a bowl, while Shawn stood beside him, mixing the batter and sneaking in kisses whenever Niall wasn’t looking.

“Oi, keep your hands out of the bowl!” Niall laughed, catching Shawn dipping a finger into the batter for a taste.

Shawn grinned, entirely unrepentant as he licked the batter off his finger. “Just making sure it’s good enough for you.”

“You’re impossible,” Niall said, shaking his head, though his smile betrayed him.

As the pancakes sizzled on the stove, they found themselves lost in lighthearted conversation about everything and nothing. Shawn shared an embarrassing story about getting his guitar strap stuck on stage, and Niall teased him relentlessly, his laughter ringing through the kitchen.

When the pancakes were ready, they sat together at the small dining table, their legs brushing under the table as they ate. Niall drizzled extra syrup on his stack, while Shawn piled his with fruit, sneaking bites of Niall’s every now and then.

“This is the life,” Niall said contentedly, leaning back in his chair and looking at Shawn with a soft smile. “Just us, pancakes, and a lazy morning.”

Shawn reached across the table to grab Niall’s hand, his thumb brushing over the ring that now adorned his fiancé’s finger. “Yeah,” he agreed, his voice filled with warmth. “It doesn’t get better than this.”

After breakfast, they ended up on the couch, Shawn’s guitar resting on his lap as he played soft chords. Niall curled up beside him, his head resting against Shawn’s shoulder, humming along to the tune.

“Play that one song you wrote for me,” Niall murmured, his eyes half-closed.

Shawn chuckled. “Which one? I’ve written a few, you know.”

“The one you sang to me on my birthday,” Niall replied, looking up at Shawn with a small smile.

Shawn nodded, shifting his grip on the guitar as he began strumming the familiar melody. His voice filled the room, soft and tender, the lyrics carrying the weight of every emotion he felt for Niall.

By the time he finished, Niall’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. He leaned up, cupping Shawn’s face in his hands and pressing a kiss to his lips.

“I love you,” Niall whispered against Shawn’s lips.

“I love you too,” Shawn replied, his voice steady and filled with certainty.

The rest of the day passed in the same easy rhythm—quiet moments of closeness, shared laughter, and simple joys. For Niall and Shawn, it wasn’t about the big gestures or grand declarations. It was these small, intimate moments that reminded them of what truly mattered: each other.

The next morning, Niall woke up to his phone vibrating incessantly on the nightstand. Groaning, he reached for it, squinting at the brightness of the screen. As the notifications flooded in, his stomach sank.

"Niall Horan and Shawn Mendes: Secret Wedding?"
"Fans Spot Matching Rings During Live Stream!"
"Are Shiall More Than Just Boyfriends?"

The headlines were everywhere, plastered across every gossip site and social media platform imaginable. Fans on Twitter and Instagram were dissecting every moment from the live stream, sharing screenshots of their hands—rings in clear view—and speculating wildly about the status of their relationship.

He sighed, scrolling through the articles. Most of them were harmless—just fans theorizing—but a few had crossed the line, with invasive speculations and even alleged "sources" claiming insider knowledge.

“Morning,” Shawn’s groggy voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Niall glanced over to see Shawn sitting up, his hair messy from sleep.

“Morning, love,” Niall said, leaning over to kiss his fiancé’s forehead. “You seen this yet?” He handed Shawn the phone, and Shawn’s brows furrowed as he skimmed through the headlines.

Shawn groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Matching rings? That’s what set them off?”

“Well, it’s not exactly subtle,” Niall said with a small smile, wiggling his fingers to show off the silver band on his ring finger. “But I don’t think they were expecting us to drop this kind of bomb in the middle of a live stream.”

Shawn chuckled softly, leaning back against the headboard. “Should we... say something? Or just let them keep guessing?”

Niall thought for a moment, biting his lip. “I mean, it’s not like we were planning a big announcement or anything. But if they’re already talking about it, maybe it’s better to address it before it gets out of hand.”

Shawn nodded, his expression thoughtful. “We could post something simple. Just... honest.”

“Yeah,” Niall agreed. “We’ll keep it on our terms. No fancy PR statements, just us.”

Meanwhile, the online world was buzzing with speculation. Fans flooded Twitter with theories and opinions:

• @ShiallStanForever: “DID YOU SEE THOSE RINGS?!? OMG ARE THEY MARRIED?! #Shiall”
• @DirectionersUnite: “First the live stream cuddles, now the rings? I’m crying. They’re so cute. 🥺😭 #ShiallEndgame”
• @GossipHQ: “EXCLUSIVE: Insiders claim Niall Horan and Shawn Mendes tied the knot in a private ceremony last month. Thoughts? 👀”
• @LarryShiallFan: “Can we just talk about how happy they looked? I don’t even care what the rings mean. #LoveWins”

Even entertainment sites jumped on the bandwagon, publishing articles with clickbait titles:

• "Shiall: Are Wedding Bells Ringing?"
• "Niall Horan and Shawn Mendes' Romantic Reveal: What the Rings Really Mean."
• "Fans Speculate About a Secret Wedding After Intimate Live Stream Moment."

In the midst of the chaos, a particularly candid clip from the live stream went viral. It showed Niall draping himself over Shawn’s chest, their hands intertwined, as Shawn softly whispered something that made Niall laugh. The tenderness in their interaction sparked even more excitement among fans.

• @SoftShiallEdits: “This clip. This is love. #Shiall”

Later that afternoon, Niall and Shawn sat together on their couch, drafting a simple post for Instagram. After a few attempts, they settled on something they both felt was right.

Niall Horan: "We weren’t planning on saying anything just yet, but since you lot are so observant... yes, we’re engaged. And very, very happy. Thanks for all the love. ❤️"

They attached a photo of their intertwined hands, the matching rings catching the light, and posted it.

Within minutes, the post exploded with comments:

• @FanGirl101: “I KNEW IT!!! CONGRATS YOU TWO!!! 😭😭😭”
• @ShawnLover94: “I can’t even deal. This is the best news ever. ❤️”
• @DirectionersRule: “Shiall is officially canon. I’m sobbing. #ShiallForever”

As the day went on, Niall and Shawn stayed curled up on the couch, scrolling through the flood of messages. Shawn rested his head on Niall’s shoulder, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“You know,” Shawn murmured, “this isn’t how I imagined sharing the news, but I kinda love it.”

“Me too,” Niall agreed, pressing a kiss to Shawn’s temple. “It’s messy, unexpected, and completely us.”

For the rest of the evening, they basked in the overwhelming love and support from fans, feeling more confident than ever in their decision to share their happiness with the world.

The boys were back in the studio, working on another track, their energy high as they live-streamed the process. Fans flooded the chat with excitement as they watched Zayn record his verses, Liam scribble down lyric changes, and Louis and Harry bicker over the timing of a harmony.

Niall sat on the couch with his guitar, casually strumming a melody as he scanned the chat. Shawn wasn’t with them today, opting to catch up on work, so Niall kept one eye on his phone in case his fiancé needed him.

The stream had been running smoothly, the boys joking and teasing each other as they worked, when Niall’s phone buzzed on the armrest beside him. He glanced at it, his face immediately lighting up at the caller ID: Shawn 💙.

“Hold on, lads,” Niall said, holding up his phone for the camera. “Shawn’s calling me. Probably wants to tell me he misses me already.” He winked at the camera, eliciting a flood of heart emojis in the chat.

As he answered, the grin on his face quickly faded.

“This is Dr. Peters from St. John’s Hospital,” came the voice on the other end. “Is this Mr. Niall Horan? We have Shawn Mendes here, and he’s asked us to contact you.”

Niall’s stomach dropped. “Hospital? What happened? Is he okay?”

“He experienced a fainting spell. He’s stable, but we’re running tests to ensure everything is fine. He’s asking for you.”

Niall’s hands trembled as he mumbled a quick thank-you before ending the call. His mind raced, panic setting in.

“Hey, Niall, you good?” Louis called from across the room, noticing the change in his friend’s demeanor.

Niall stood abruptly, grabbing his jacket. He turned to the camera and gave an apologetic smile, though his voice cracked slightly as he spoke. “Sorry, everyone, I’ve gotta step out. Something came up.”

The chat erupted with questions:

• “What’s wrong?!”
• “Is Shawn okay?”
• “Please let us know, Niall!”

Without addressing the fans further, Niall hurried out of the room.

A few minutes later, Niall re-entered the studio, his face pale and tense. The boys immediately stopped what they were doing, concern etched across their faces.

“What happened?” Liam asked.

Niall took a deep breath, steadying himself. “It’s Shawn,” he said, his voice tight. “He’s in the hospital. They said it’s nothing life-threatening, but I need to go. I’ll text you all as soon as I know more.”

Louis stood, his usual cheekiness gone. “Do you want one of us to go with you?”

Niall shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Just... keep the stream going. Don’t worry the fans. I’ll handle this.”

The boys nodded, their eyes following Niall as he grabbed his things and left.

The live stream continued, but the energy in the room had shifted. The boys tried to keep the mood light, joking and interacting with the fans, but it was clear their thoughts were with Niall and Shawn.

Meanwhile, the chat exploded with speculation:

• “Omg, is Shawn okay?”
• “What happened to Shiall?!”
• “Niall looked so worried 😢.”
• “Hope Shawn’s alright, sending love 💕.”

The fans’ concern mirrored the tension in the studio. All they could do now was wait for an update from Niall.

Chapter Text

Two days after Niall’s rushed exit from the live stream, Shawn decided it was time to address the public. While Niall had stayed by his side, offering constant comfort and support, the fans’ outpouring of concern had grown overwhelming. Social media was flooded with hashtags like #PrayForShawn and #ShiallStrong, with countless messages of love and worry.

Shawn, wrapped in a blanket on the couch with Niall beside him, opened his laptop.

“You ready, love?” Niall asked, giving him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder.

Shawn nodded, though his hands trembled slightly as he opened a live-streaming platform. “Yeah. I think it’s time.”

The stream began, and within moments, thousands of fans joined, the chat scrolling so quickly it was impossible to read everything.

Shawn took a deep breath, looking straight into the camera. “Hey, everyone,” he started, his voice soft but steady. “I wanted to come on here and talk to you all directly because I know a lot of you have been worried. First of all, I just want to say thank you for all the love and support—it means the world to me.”

He paused, glancing at Niall, who gave him a small, reassuring smile.

“A couple of days ago, I had what you’d call a wake-up call,” Shawn continued. “I’ve been overworking myself for a while now—too many meetings, projects, and commitments without taking the time to really rest and recharge. It all caught up with me, and I ended up fainting during a meeting.”

The chat exploded with messages:

• “Oh no, Shawn! Take care of yourself 😢.”
• “We love you no matter what!”
• “Thank you for sharing, we’re here for you 💕.”

“I want you all to know I’m okay,” Shawn said, his voice firm. “The doctors told me it wasn’t anything life-threatening, but it was a sign that I need to slow down and take better care of myself. So, I’ve decided to take a couple of weeks off to rest, recover, and spend time with the people I love.”

Niall reached over and gently laced his fingers with Shawn’s, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by the fans.

“Please don’t worry about me,” Shawn continued, his voice softening. “I promise I’ll be back stronger and healthier. But for now, I need to focus on myself and the people who mean the most to me.”

The chat lit up with supportive messages:

• “Proud of you for taking care of yourself!”
• “Niall is such a good fiancé 🥹.”
• “Rest, Shawn, we’ll wait for you 💖.”

As the stream wrapped up, Shawn leaned closer to the camera. “Thank you again for all the love. It’s been overwhelming, but in the best way. Take care of yourselves too, okay? Love you all.”

Niall leaned into the frame at the last moment, flashing a cheeky smile. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure he behaves.”

The fans flooded the chat with laughter and heart emojis as Shawn rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

After ending the stream, Shawn leaned back against the couch, letting out a deep breath.

“You were perfect,” Niall said, pressing a kiss to his temple.

“Thanks,” Shawn murmured, leaning into his fiancé. “It feels good to let everyone know the truth.”

“And now,” Niall said, pulling Shawn closer, “you’re going to let me take care of you. No arguments.”

Shawn chuckled softly, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. “I wouldn’t dream of arguing with you.”

Niall was reluctant to leave Shawn that morning. After the recent scare, he hated the idea of being away from his fiancé, especially when Shawn was still in recovery mode. But the studio called, needing him to finish recording a few key parts for the album.

“I don’t want to leave you alone, love,” Niall said, sitting on the edge of the couch where Shawn was curled up with a book.

Shawn reached out and took Niall’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I’ll be fine, Ni. You’ve got a job to do, and I’m just going to be here, resting. Besides, you know I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Niall frowned, still unsure, but Shawn leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Go on. I’ll be right here when you get back.”

The studio session went longer than Niall anticipated. What was supposed to be a quick couple of hours turned into an all-day ordeal as they tweaked harmonies and reworked a few lines. While he tried to stay focused, his thoughts kept drifting back to Shawn. He texted a couple of times, but Shawn’s replies were brief—probably because he was napping, Niall reasoned.

Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Niall called it a day. He hurried out of the studio, eager to get home.

When Niall opened the door to their apartment, the eerie silence immediately set him on edge.

“Shawn?” he called, his voice echoing through the space.

There was no reply. His heart started to race as he dropped his bag and walked further inside.

“Shawn, where are you?”

Rounding the corner into the living room, Niall froze. Shawn was lying on the floor, motionless.

“Shawn!” Niall shouted, rushing to his side. He dropped to his knees, gently shaking Shawn’s shoulder. “Love, wake up! Shawn, come on, open your eyes!”

His hands trembled as he checked for a pulse, relief flooding him when he felt the faint but steady rhythm beneath his fingers. But Shawn was pale, his breathing shallow, and he didn’t respond to Niall’s voice.

Niall quickly grabbed his phone, dialing emergency services with shaking hands.

At the hospital, Niall paced the waiting room, his anxiety threatening to consume him. The doctors had taken Shawn in for tests as soon as they arrived, but the lack of information was unbearable.

Finally, a doctor approached him, her expression calm but serious. “Mr. Horan?”

Niall stopped pacing and rushed over. “Is he okay? What happened?”

“He’s stable now,” the doctor reassured him. “It seems he fainted due to a combination of dehydration and low blood sugar. His body is still recovering from the overexertion, and he needs to take things very slowly. We’ve got him on fluids, and he’s awake now.”

Niall let out a shaky breath, relief washing over him like a wave. “Can I see him?”

“Of course. But try to keep him calm—he needs rest.”

Niall stepped into the hospital room, his heart aching at the sight of Shawn lying in the bed, an IV in his arm. Shawn turned his head and gave Niall a weak smile.

“Hey,” Shawn murmured, his voice hoarse.

“Hey yourself,” Niall said, quickly crossing the room to sit beside him. He took Shawn’s hand, holding it tightly. “You scared the hell out of me, you know that?”

“Sorry,” Shawn whispered, looking genuinely apologetic. “I didn’t mean to.”

Niall brushed a strand of hair off Shawn’s forehead. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. But you’ve got to start taking care of yourself, yeah? No more pushing yourself too hard.”

Shawn nodded, his eyes glistening. “I’ll do better. I promise.”

Niall leaned down and pressed a kiss to Shawn’s forehead. “Good. Because I’m not letting anything happen to you, Mendes.”

As Shawn drifted back to sleep, Niall stayed by his side, silently vowing to keep him safe no matter what.

It had been a week since Shawn’s hospital visit, and Niall had been by his side every step of the way. He had cleared his schedule, making sure Shawn had everything he needed during his recovery.

That afternoon, Shawn had insisted he was fine and encouraged Niall to take a break. “You’ve been amazing, Ni,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “You should do something for yourself.”

Niall, however, didn’t go far. He decided to set up a mini live stream in the living room, wanting to connect with fans and play a few of his solo songs.

The stream started, and fans flooded the chat with excitement.

• “Niall, we missed you!”
• “How’s Shawn doing? Is he okay?”
• “Play ‘This Town,’ please!”

“Hey, everyone,” Niall greeted, his warm smile lighting up the screen. “Thanks for tuning in. Shawn’s doing much better, by the way. He’s resting right now.”

He grabbed his guitar and started playing some of his favorite songs, including “Nice to Meet Ya” and “Put a Little Love on Me.” Between songs, he read out some fan messages and joked around with them, his usual charm keeping the energy light.

About halfway through the stream, Niall was strumming the intro to another song when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. He glanced over his shoulder to see Shawn, his head resting against Niall’s back.

“Hey, you,” Niall said with a laugh, looking briefly into the camera. “Guess who’s decided to crash the stream?”

The chat went wild:

• “Shiall is the best! 🥹”
• “Shawn, we love you!!!”
• “Hug him tighter!”

Shawn mumbled something that Niall couldn’t quite make out, and that’s when he noticed something off. Shawn’s grip was loose, and his breathing felt uneven against Niall’s back.

“Alright, love,” Niall said gently, setting his guitar aside. “Let’s get you sitting down, yeah?”

He guided Shawn over to the couch, the fans watching curiously as Niall’s demeanor shifted from playful to concerned. “One sec, folks,” he said to the camera before muting the mic and turning his attention fully to Shawn.

Shawn looked pale, his eyelids drooping. Niall grabbed the glucose tablets they kept on hand and handed one to Shawn, coaxing him to eat it. “Here, babe, this’ll help.”

Shawn obeyed, chewing slowly as Niall rubbed his back. “You’ve got to take it easy, Mendes,” Niall murmured. “You’re not fully back to 100% yet.”

Shawn nodded weakly, managing a small smile. “Sorry, Ni. I just… wanted to see you.”

“And I love that you did,” Niall said, brushing a kiss across Shawn’s forehead. “But I need you to rest, alright? You can’t scare me like this.”

Shawn leaned into him, clearly exhausted but looking more stable after a few minutes.

Niall unmuted the mic and turned back to the camera. “Sorry about that, guys. Shawn’s still recovering, so I’m going to wrap this up soon. Thanks for all the love you’ve been sending our way—it means the world to both of us.”

The chat immediately flooded with supportive messages:

• “Take care of Shawn, Niall! 🥺💖”
• “It’s okay, we understand!”
• “Health comes first. Sending love to you both!”

After a quick goodbye, Niall ended the stream and focused entirely on Shawn, making sure he was comfortable and had everything he needed.

Later that evening, as Shawn dozed off with his head in Niall’s lap, Niall couldn’t help but smile down at him. Despite the scare, he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. “You’re my priority, Mendes,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Shawn’s face. “Always.”

Shawn had finally been cleared to return to work, though under strict instructions to take it easy. He’d promised Niall he wouldn’t push himself, and while Niall worried, he trusted Shawn to keep his word. “I’ll be fine, love,” Shawn had reassured him with a soft kiss. “Go finish your album. It’s going to be amazing.”

Back at the studio, the atmosphere was light and playful. The five boys—Louis, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and Niall—were working on the final touches for the album. Most of the heavy lifting had already been done, leaving just small tweaks, ad-libs, and harmonies to record.

The live stream was running, giving fans a glimpse into the boys’ dynamic. The chat was alive with excitement:

• “This is the best era of 1D yet!”
• “They’re all smiling so much! 🥹”
• “Niall, tell us how Shawn is doing!”

Niall waved at the camera. “Shawn’s doing great, thanks for asking. He’s back to work but taking it slow.”

“Unlike us,” Louis quipped, fiddling with his headphones. “We’ve got Harry over here acting like a bloody perfectionist.”

Harry smirked. “Someone has to make sure your notes are in key, Tommo.”

“Oh, piss off,” Louis shot back with a grin, throwing a cushion in Harry’s direction.

The fans ate it up:

• “Lou and Haz are ICONIC!”
• “Stop throwing things, Louis! 😂”
• “When’s the album coming out?!”

In between takes, the boys lounged around, snacking and chatting. It was during one of these breaks that Niall noticed something. Liam and Zayn were sitting together on the couch, quietly talking and laughing about something on Zayn’s phone. It was subtle, but there was a warmth between them that hadn’t been there in years.

Niall smiled to himself. He’d always hoped they would find a way to mend their friendship after everything they’d been through. “Look at you two,” he teased, walking over to join them. “Finally acting like mates again.”

Zayn rolled his eyes but grinned. “Yeah, well, some things are worth sorting out, eh?”

Liam nodded, looking genuinely content. “We had a lot to talk about, but it feels good, y’know? Like we’re back where we’re supposed to be.”

“That’s what this whole album’s about,” Niall said, clapping a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Sorting things out and moving forward.”

The rest of the day was filled with laughter and playful banter. Louis and Harry argued over the phrasing of a lyric, only to end up in a fit of giggles when Louis deliberately sang it off-key.

“You’re impossible,” Harry said, shaking his head but smiling.

“And you love it,” Louis shot back, winking.

Niall stepped into the recording booth to lay down a final harmony, his voice blending seamlessly with the others. When he emerged, Zayn gave him a nod of approval. “Sounds good, mate.”

“Thanks,” Niall said, grabbing a bottle of water. “You’re up next, Z. Let’s hear that angelic voice of yours.”

As Zayn headed into the booth, Liam leaned over to Niall and said quietly, “Thanks for noticing earlier. About me and Zayn, I mean. It’s been a long time coming.”

Niall smiled. “I’m happy for you two. Really.”

The live stream ended with all five of them in the booth, goofing off as they recorded group vocals for one of the final tracks. They piled on top of each other, laughing and shouting as they tried to squeeze into the frame of the camera for a group photo.

The fans couldn’t get enough:

• “This is the content we needed!”
• “Their friendship is everything. 🥹”
• “WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE ALBUM!”

As they wrapped up for the day, Niall couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude. They’d come a long way, both as a band and as individuals. And now, with the album nearly complete and their bonds stronger than ever, he couldn’t wait to share this chapter of their story with the world.

The album was officially complete and set to release the following week. The boys were buzzing with excitement, eager to share their hard work with the world. To celebrate, they planned a fun live stream, inviting Shawn to join in. The idea? A series of challenges to determine who the best "ship" was: Shiall (Shawn and Niall), Larry (Louis and Harry), or Ziam (Zayn and Liam).

The stream started with all six of them crowded around the camera, grinning like kids.

“Alright, everyone,” Louis said, clapping his hands together. “Tonight, we settle the most important debate of all time: who’s the best couple?”

“Don’t forget,” Harry chimed in, flipping his curls dramatically, “we’re not just couples. We’re ships. Legendary ships.”

Shawn looked a bit confused. “I feel like I missed some crucial One Direction history here.”

“Don’t worry, mate,” Liam said with a laugh. “You’ll catch on.”

The chat exploded with excitement:

• “SHIALL IS ENDGAME!”
• “Larry supremacy!!”
• “Ziam redemption arc! 😂”

The first challenge was a trivia round where the pairs had to answer questions about each other.

“Okay, first question,” Niall read from a card. “What’s Shawn’s go-to coffee order?”

Without missing a beat, Shawn whispered, “Don’t mess this up.”

Niall rolled his eyes. “It’s a flat white with oat milk.”

“Correct!” Louis said, pretending to be a game show host.

Next up was Larry. “What’s Louis’ favorite movie?”

“Easy,” Harry said with a smirk. “Grease.”

“Wrong!” Louis exclaimed. “It’s Top Gun!”

“You said Grease last year!” Harry protested.

“That was last year!” Louis retorted, and the two dissolved into playful bickering.

Ziam nailed their question (“What’s Liam’s favorite cheat meal?”), earning a round of applause from the others.

The next challenge was a series of silly physical games, including a three-legged race and balancing spoons on their noses.

During the three-legged race, Harry and Louis tripped over each other within seconds, landing in a heap on the floor.

“Who tied this rope?!” Louis shouted, glaring at Liam.

“You did!” Liam fired back, laughing.

Meanwhile, Shawn and Niall moved in perfect sync, crossing the finish line first.

“Shiall for the win!” Niall cheered, high-fiving Shawn.

The final challenge was a karaoke round. Each pair had to perform a duet chosen by the opposing teams.

Louis and Harry sang Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder, dramatically serenading each other and cracking up halfway through.

“You two are ridiculous,” Zayn said, shaking his head with a smile.

Shawn and Niall performed Shallow from A Star is Born, their harmonies flawless and leaving the others stunned.

Finally, Zayn and Liam sang Endless Love, their chemistry palpable as they exchanged smiles throughout the performance.

After much deliberation (and some intense lobbying by Louis), Shiall was declared the winning ship.

“That’s right!” Niall said, pulling Shawn into a hug. “We’re the ultimate power couple!”

Shawn laughed but whispered, “Don’t let it go to your head.”

The chat went wild:

• “SHIALL DESERVES THIS!”
• “Larry robbed!!!”
• “Ziam’s karaoke was everything!”

As the stream wound down, the boys thanked the fans for tuning in and promised big things for the album release.

“This has been one of the best experiences of our lives,” Harry said sincerely.

“And we couldn’t have done it without each other—or you guys,” Liam added, looking at the camera.

Louis grinned. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have a certain curly-haired idiot to beat at Monopoly.”

“Good luck with that,” Harry shot back, and the stream ended with everyone laughing and joking, their bond stronger than ever.

Promotion for the new album was in full swing, and the boys were busier than ever. Interviews, photo shoots, rehearsals for their upcoming tour—it was nonstop. Meanwhile, Shawn had kicked off his own tour, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.

For the first couple of weeks, Niall and Shawn made every effort to stay connected. Late-night FaceTime calls, text messages between breaks, and occasional voice notes filled with little “I miss you” sentiments were their lifelines. But as the weeks wore on, exhaustion set in.

One night, Niall was sprawled out on the couch in his hotel room after a grueling day of interviews. His phone buzzed, and Shawn’s name lit up the screen. He immediately answered, but his voice was strained.

“Hey, love,” Niall greeted, forcing a smile even though his eyes were heavy with fatigue.

“Hey,” Shawn said, his voice equally tired. “How was your day?”

“Same old, same old,” Niall replied, rubbing his temples. “Interviews, smiling, repeating myself a hundred times. You?”

“Rehearsals, soundcheck, and then a show. Crowd was amazing, though,” Shawn said.

“Good for you,” Niall muttered, his tone sharper than he intended.

Shawn paused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Niall said quickly, but the tension was already there.

“It doesn’t sound like nothing,” Shawn replied, his voice tight. “You’re the one who told me to go on this tour.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I didn’t realize how hard it would be,” Niall shot back.

The call ended shortly after, both of them too tired and frustrated to make amends.

The next few days were filled with strained conversations, the once lighthearted banter replaced by clipped words and long silences. The distance was taking its toll, and both of them felt it.

Shawn tried to focus on his performances, but he couldn’t shake the ache in his chest. Niall threw himself into promoting the album, but his usual spark was missing.

The boys noticed.

“You alright, mate?” Louis asked one evening, catching Niall staring blankly at his phone.

Niall shrugged. “Just tired, I guess.”

“Doesn’t look like ‘just tired,’” Louis pressed. “You and Shawn okay?”

“Yeah, we’re fine,” Niall said quickly, but the hesitation in his voice told a different story.

A week later, Niall and Shawn managed to squeeze in another late-night call. This time, the conversation spiraled quickly.

“I don’t even know why we’re doing this right now,” Niall said, his voice breaking.

“Doing what?” Shawn asked, confused.

“This—trying to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not!” Niall exclaimed.

Shawn sighed. “What do you want me to do, Niall? Cancel my tour? Just drop everything?”

“No, I—” Niall started but stopped, his frustration mounting. “I don’t know what I want.”

Shawn’s silence was deafening. “Maybe we just need a little space,” he said quietly.

Niall froze. “Space? We’ve already got too much of that.”

“I mean emotional space, Niall,” Shawn clarified, though his voice wavered. “We’re both exhausted, and we’re taking it out on each other.”

“I don’t want space,” Niall whispered, tears prickling his eyes. “I just want you.”

Shawn’s voice softened. “I want you too, but we can’t keep hurting each other like this.”

The call ended, and for the first time, Niall felt truly alone.

Chapter Text

The next day, Niall arrived at the studio looking worse for wear. Harry noticed immediately.

“Alright, what’s going on?” Harry asked, pulling Niall aside.

“Nothing,” Niall mumbled.

“It’s not nothing,” Harry said firmly. “You’ve been off for weeks.”

Niall hesitated before finally breaking down. “It’s Shawn. We’re barely talking, and when we do, we’re fighting. I don’t know how to fix it.”

Harry nodded sympathetically. “You need to talk to him—not just about what’s wrong, but about how to make it work. Long-distance is hard, but it’s not impossible.”

“I don’t even know where to start,” Niall admitted.

“Start by telling him you love him,” Harry said simply.

That night, Niall took Harry’s advice and called Shawn. The conversation was tentative at first, but as they talked, the walls began to come down.

“I miss you,” Niall said, his voice cracking.

“I miss you too,” Shawn replied. “And I hate that we’re like this.”

“Me too,” Niall said. “Can we figure this out together?”

“Always,” Shawn promised.

Though their schedules were still chaotic, they both agreed to make more time for each other, even if it was just a quick text or a five-minute call. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was a start.

Meanwhile, fans noticed Niall’s change in mood during the live streams.

• “Is it just me, or does Niall seem sad?”
• “I hope Shiall is okay!”
• “They’ll get through it. They’re perfect for each other.”

Little did the fans know, Niall and Shawn were working to prove them right.

The stars aligned—or so it seemed—when Niall’s promotion tour and Shawn’s concert schedule both brought them to the same city. The boys had been counting down the days, desperate for a moment of reprieve from the distance that had strained their relationship. But the excitement of reuniting was tempered by exhaustion, frayed nerves, and the weight of their respective responsibilities.

Niall had just wrapped up an exhausting day of interviews when he made his way to the hotel. His shoulders slumped, his head pounding from answering the same questions repeatedly. Shawn was already there, sitting on the couch in their suite, scrolling through his phone.

“Hey,” Niall greeted, his voice flat.

Shawn looked up and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hey, love. Long day?”

“Brutal,” Niall admitted, kicking off his shoes and flopping onto the couch beside him.

“Same here,” Shawn said, setting his phone down.

For a moment, they just sat there in silence, the weight of their exhaustion hanging heavy in the room.

It started innocently enough—a comment about dinner plans.

“I ordered room service,” Shawn said.

“Without asking me?” Niall replied, his tone sharper than intended.

Shawn blinked, taken aback. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. You always say you’re too tired to eat after promotion days.”

“That’s not the point,” Niall snapped. “It’s about consideration.”

Shawn frowned. “Consideration? Niall, you’ve barely spoken to me since I got here. I didn’t think you’d even notice.”

The words hit a nerve, and Niall’s temper flared. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re so caught up in your own world right now that you don’t even see what’s in front of you!” Shawn shot back.

“Oh, so now this is my fault?” Niall said, standing up. “I’m the one who’s been bending over backward trying to make this work while you’re off playing the perfect pop star!”

Shawn stood too, his voice rising. “And what do you think I’ve been doing? Sitting around twiddling my thumbs? I’m trying just as hard as you are, but apparently, it’s never enough!”

The argument spiraled, each of them saying things they’d regret.

“You’re impossible to talk to when you’re like this,” Shawn said, his voice trembling with frustration.

“And you’re just so perfect, aren’t you?” Niall retorted bitterly.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have done this,” Shawn said suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Niall froze, his heart dropping. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t know,” Shawn admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I just—I can’t do this right now.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Niall grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the suite, slamming the door behind him. Shawn stood there, staring at the closed door, tears welling in his eyes.

Niall wandered the streets for hours, his mind racing with anger, guilt, and confusion. Meanwhile, Shawn sat alone in the hotel room, replaying the argument in his head and wondering how they’d gotten to this point.

The live streams and social media posts that had once been filled with smiles and love were now eerily quiet. Fans began to speculate.

• “Where’s Shiall? They haven’t posted about each other in days.”
• “I feel like something’s wrong…”
• “They’re probably just busy. Don’t overthink it!”

But the silence was deafening, and the rumors began to spread.

When Niall finally returned to the hotel, it was the early hours of the morning. Shawn was still awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with red-rimmed eyes.

They didn’t speak. Niall grabbed a pillow and blanket and set himself up on the couch. Shawn lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

The love was still there, but for the first time, it felt like it wasn’t enough.

The cracks in Niall and Shawn’s relationship, once hidden behind smiles and carefully chosen words, began to show under the glaring lights of interviews and fan scrutiny. Both men were known for their warmth, humor, and effortless charm, but now, something was missing.

Sitting across from an interviewer, Niall’s usual bright energy seemed dimmed. The interviewer, sensing this, decided to tread lightly.

“So, Niall, the new album with the boys—how does it feel to be back together after so long?”

Niall forced a smile, his hands fidgeting in his lap. “It’s been great, honestly. We’ve been having a lot of fun in the studio. The fans are going to love it.”

The interviewer leaned forward. “And how’s Shawn? The two of you seem like such a strong couple.”

Niall’s smile faltered, just for a moment, but it was enough for fans to catch. “He’s good. Busy with his own tour right now, but, uh, we’re both doing our thing, you know?”

The lack of enthusiasm in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Shawn was fielding his own questions during his concert tour promotion. Sitting in a sleek studio, he answered questions with practiced ease—until the topic shifted.

“You and Niall are one of the music industry’s favorite couples,” the host said with a grin. “How do you manage to balance such demanding schedules and still make it work?”

Shawn hesitated, glancing down at his hands. He laughed nervously. “It’s… definitely a challenge. We’re both really busy right now, but we’re figuring it out.”

The host tilted her head, her smile faltering. “You two seem so in sync. Fans adore seeing your dynamic. Have you had any time to see each other lately?”

Shawn’s answer was quick, almost too quick. “Not much, no. But that’s just how it is sometimes. We’re both focused on our work.”

The tension in his voice was impossible to miss.

Clips from both interviews began circulating online within hours. Fans were quick to notice the changes.

• “Niall looks so sad when they mention Shawn. What’s going on?”
• “Shawn didn’t even smile when he talked about Niall. That’s so unlike him.”
• “I think something’s wrong between them. They used to light up when talking about each other…”

The theories began to spiral.

• “Maybe they broke up but haven’t announced it yet?”
• “No way. They’re probably just busy. Long-distance is hard!”
• “I really hope they’re okay. They’ve been through so much together.”

Behind the scenes, the pressure was mounting.

Niall had noticed the shift in his interviews, how his forced smiles and clipped answers were starting to feel like lies. He hated the distance, hated how it was affecting not just their relationship but also how the world saw them.

Shawn, meanwhile, was drowning in his own guilt. He replayed every interaction with Niall in his mind, wondering what he could have done differently, how they’d allowed their love to become another casualty of their careers.

For the first time, the distance between them felt insurmountable.

Niall had been staring at the flight options for hours. His team had packed his schedule tight with interviews and appearances for the album, but he couldn’t shake the aching in his chest. Every interview, every mention of Shawn, felt heavier than the last.

He needed to fix this.

So, for the first time in his career, Niall decided to put his heart before his work. With a quick call to his assistant to rearrange his schedule, he booked a last-minute flight to Shawn’s next concert city.

Shawn’s tour manager was caught off guard when he saw Niall standing at the backstage entrance, holding a VIP pass.

“I need to see him,” Niall said, his voice resolute but tinged with vulnerability.

The manager hesitated but nodded, leading him to Shawn’s dressing room.

Inside, Shawn was pacing, his guitar slung over his shoulder as he prepared for soundcheck. He froze when he saw Niall standing in the doorway.

“Niall?” Shawn’s voice was filled with shock. “What are you doing here?”

Niall stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. “I couldn’t do it anymore, Shawn. I couldn’t sit in another interview, forcing a smile and pretending I’m fine without you. I need you.”

Shawn blinked, his eyes already welling up. He set his guitar down carefully, his hands shaking. “I thought you’d hate me for how I acted at the hotel. I was so scared I’d ruined everything.”

Niall shook his head, stepping closer. “You didn’t ruin anything. We’re both at fault. We let the distance get in the way instead of fighting for us. And I’m done letting that happen.”

They sat on the couch in Shawn’s dressing room, knees touching as they talked. Niall took Shawn’s hand, squeezing it gently.

“I was angry,” Niall admitted. “Not at you, but at how everything felt like it was slipping away. I didn’t know how to fix it.”

“I was scared,” Shawn confessed. “I kept thinking I wasn’t enough for you anymore. Like maybe you’d be better off without me.”

Niall’s heart broke at the words. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Shawn’s. “You’re everything to me, Shawn. I don’t want better. I want you.”

Shawn’s breath hitched as he fought back tears. “I’m so sorry, Niall. For everything. For shutting you out when I needed you most.”

“We’ve both been idiots,” Niall said with a soft laugh. “But let’s stop that, yeah? Let’s figure this out together.”

Shawn nodded, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile. “Together.”

When it was time for Shawn to perform, Niall stayed backstage, watching from the wings. Shawn’s eyes found him more than once during the set, and each time, he smiled a little brighter, sang a little stronger.

Before his final song, Shawn stepped to the mic.

“I want to dedicate this one to someone really special,” he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “They remind me every day what love is and why it’s worth fighting for.”

The crowd erupted into cheers as Shawn launched into one of his most heartfelt ballads. Backstage, Niall felt tears sting his eyes.

They’d been through so much, but in that moment, he knew they were stronger for it. Together, they could face anything.

The studio lights had dimmed as the night stretched on, leaving only a warm glow that illuminated the quiet space. Zayn and Liam lingered, the others long gone. Liam had his guitar in hand, softly strumming a tune he wasn’t fully aware of, while Zayn sat across from him, sketchpad closed for once, as though deep in thought.

Zayn fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve, stealing glances at Liam. The past weeks of rebuilding their friendship had been refreshing, healing even, but it left Zayn with a gnawing feeling he couldn’t shake. He wanted more.

“Li?” Zayn’s voice broke the silence, soft but steady.

“Hmm?” Liam glanced up from his guitar, his brows raising at Zayn’s nervous tone.

Zayn took a deep breath, standing up and pacing a little. “I’ve been thinking... a lot, actually. About us. About... everything.”

Liam set his guitar aside, giving Zayn his full attention. “Okay. What’s on your mind?”

Zayn hesitated for a moment before reaching into his bag. He pulled out a small, handmade card, decorated with intricate doodles and soft watercolor hues. In the center, he’d drawn two small figures, one with his signature quiff and the other with Liam’s unmistakable buzzcut. Below it were the words, Will you be my boyfriend (again)?

Liam blinked, his eyes flickering from the card to Zayn.

“Are you serious?” Liam asked, his voice laced with surprise and a hint of disbelief.

“Yeah,” Zayn said, his voice softer now, but his eyes steady. “I’ve been wanting to ask for weeks, but I didn’t know if you’d even want to... you know, try again. But being around you these past few months, it’s like—I’ve been reminded of all the reasons I fell for you in the first place. I miss us, Li. I miss you.”

Liam stared at the card, his lips curving into a smile that grew wider by the second. He stood up, crossing the room in a few quick strides, and pulled Zayn into a tight hug.

“Of course, I’ll be your boyfriend, Z,” Liam whispered, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.

Zayn let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his arms wrapping tightly around Liam.

“You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, right?” Zayn teased, though his voice wavered.

“Zayn Malik, do I look like the kind of guy who’d lie about this?” Liam grinned, pulling back to look him in the eyes. “I’ve missed us too. I’ve missed... this.”

They stood there for a moment, smiling at each other like lovestruck teenagers, the years of tension and heartbreak melting away.

When they left the studio that night, the smiles on their faces were brighter than they’d been in years. The livestream from earlier had already sparked speculation, but by morning, eagle-eyed fans were piecing together new clues.

@ZiamForever: “THE WAY LIAM KEPT LOOKING AT ZAYN IN THAT LIVESTREAM. DON’T TELL ME SOMETHING ISN’T HAPPENING.”

@1DUpdates: “Zayn and Liam left the studio together last night, smiling like idiots. THEY’RE BACK TOGETHER. I KNOW IT.”

@DirectionerQueen: “I swear if Ziam doesn’t confirm it soon, I’m going to explode. Look at their faces. They’re glowing.”

As the boys regrouped the next day for rehearsals, Louis and Harry immediately noticed the shift.

“Alright,” Louis said, raising a brow as Zayn and Liam walked in together, shoulders brushing. “What’s this then?”

“What’s what?” Liam asked innocently, though the slight blush on his cheeks gave him away.

“Don’t play coy,” Harry chimed in with a smirk. “You two look... disgustingly happy.”

Zayn shrugged, trying (and failing) to hide his smile. “Maybe we’ve got a reason to be.”

Louis rolled his eyes, but his grin was genuine. “About bloody time.”

The boys laughed, and for the first time in years, everything felt like it was finally falling into place.

The hotel room was quiet, the city lights casting a faint glow through the window. Liam sat on the couch, scrolling absentmindedly on his phone, while Zayn paced the room, fidgeting with the sleeves of his hoodie.

It had been a long day of promotion, interviews, and rehearsals, but Zayn’s mind wasn’t on the album or their next appearance. It was on Liam—the way his laugh had sounded during the live stream earlier, the easy banter they’d fallen back into, the glimmer of the connection they once had.

“Li?” Zayn’s voice broke the silence, soft but filled with hesitation.

Liam glanced up from his phone, his brows furrowing slightly. “What’s up?”

Zayn stopped pacing, his hands stuffed into his hoodie pocket. “Can we talk?”

Liam set his phone down, giving Zayn his full attention. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

Zayn took a deep breath, pulling something out of his pocket. It was a small, handmade card, decorated with intricate doodles and soft watercolor hues. In the center, he’d drawn two small figures, one with his signature quiff and the other with Liam’s unmistakable buzzcut. Below it were the words, Will you be my boyfriend (again)?

Liam stared at the card for a moment, his expression unreadable. “You... made this?”

Zayn nodded, his hands slightly trembling as he held it out. “I know it’s a bit much, but I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now. I just—I didn’t know if you’d even want to... you know, give us another shot.”

Liam took the card, his thumb brushing over the doodles. His lips curved into a small smile, and when he looked up at Zayn, there was warmth in his eyes. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious,” Zayn said, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest. “I miss us, Li. I miss you. I don’t want to keep pretending like I’m okay with just being your friend because I’m not. I want more.”

Liam set the card down on the table and stood up, crossing the room in a few quick strides. He wrapped his arms around Zayn, pulling him into a tight hug.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear that,” Liam whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “Of course, I’ll be your boyfriend, Z. I’d be an idiot to say no.”

Zayn let out a breath of relief, his arms tightening around Liam. For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other as the weight of the past melted away.

When they finally pulled back, Liam was grinning like an idiot. “You really made a card for this?”

Zayn rolled his eyes, though his smile betrayed his amusement. “Shut up. I was trying to be romantic.”

“It’s perfect,” Liam said sincerely, picking up the card again and admiring it. “You’re perfect.”

Zayn’s cheeks flushed, and he looked away, mumbling, “You’re so sappy.”

“You love it,” Liam teased, and Zayn couldn’t argue with that.

The next morning, during an impromptu live stream, fans were quick to pick up on the shift between Zayn and Liam.

@ZiamUpdates: “WHY IS ZAYN SITTING SO CLOSE TO LIAM? LOOK AT THE WAY HE’S SMILING. I’M SCREAMING.”

@DirectionerForever: “Did anyone else notice Zayn’s doodles on Liam’s notebook? THEY’RE BACK TOGETHER, I KNOW IT.”

@1DStanAccount: “Zayn just called Liam ‘babe’ under his breath, and I’m not okay. ZIAM IS REAL AND THRIVING.”

That evening, as they sat together on the hotel bed, Zayn rested his head on Liam’s shoulder, scrolling through fan tweets and laughing softly.

“They’re already onto us,” Zayn said, showing Liam a particularly excited tweet.

“Let them talk,” Liam said, pressing a kiss to the top of Zayn’s head. “We’ve got nothing to hide anymore.”

For the first time in years, everything felt right.

The room was dimly lit, the glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. A faint playlist hummed in the background—one of Zayn’s favorite mixes. It was a quiet evening, the kind they both cherished amidst the chaos of promotion and endless travel.

Zayn was lying on the bed, his shirt undone, while Liam leaned over him, his lips brushing softly against his jawline. The two had finally carved out some alone time, a moment to just be themselves without the world watching.

“I can’t believe we waited so long for this,” Liam murmured, his voice low and full of affection.

Zayn smirked, his hand trailing up Liam’s arm. “Good things come to those who wait, babe.”

The air between them grew heavier, their connection undeniable, as they sank deeper into the moment. They were so wrapped up in each other, so focused on the tender kisses and stolen touches, that neither noticed the faint rustling outside their window.

Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching. The same stalker who had caused chaos earlier in their journey was back, lurking just beyond the hotel window. With a camera in hand, they recorded everything—the gentle exchanges, the whispered words, the way Zayn’s fingers curled into Liam’s hair.

It wasn’t until a faint flicker of movement from the corner of his eye caught Zayn’s attention that he froze.

“Liam,” Zayn whispered, his voice tight.

Liam paused, concern flashing across his face. “What’s wrong?”

Zayn nodded toward the window. “I think... someone’s out there.”

Liam turned his head sharply, his body going rigid. Sure enough, there was the faint silhouette of a person outside, partially obscured by the curtains.

“Are you kidding me?” Liam hissed, instantly getting up and pulling the curtains shut.

Zayn sat up, his hands trembling slightly as anger began to boil beneath the surface. “This is insane. This was supposed to be our private time.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “Stay here.”

Liam stormed toward the door, yanking it open and stepping out into the hallway. By the time he reached the side of the building where the figure had been, they were gone. All that was left was a single discarded camera lens cover on the ground.

When Liam returned to the room, Zayn was pacing, running a hand through his hair.

“They’re gone,” Liam said, closing the door behind him.

“But for how long?” Zayn shot back, his voice trembling with frustration. “How much did they get this time? How much of us is out there for the world to dissect now?”

Liam crossed the room in a few strides, pulling Zayn into a tight hug. “We’ll figure this out. I won’t let them get away with this.”

Within hours, clips from the stalker’s footage began circulating online. While the footage wasn’t overly explicit, it was intimate enough to spark a frenzy among fans and tabloids.

@CelebrityGossipNow: “Zayn Malik and Liam Payne caught in an intimate moment—are they officially back together?!”

@DirectionerForever: “WHO IS LEAKING THIS? ZIAM DESERVES PRIVACY!”

@1DUpdates: “This stalker needs to be stopped. Imagine violating someone’s privacy like this.”

While some fans rallied behind Zayn and Liam, others couldn’t help but feed into the frenzy, sharing and dissecting the footage despite its invasive nature.

Back in the hotel room, Zayn and Liam sat side by side on the bed, their phones buzzing incessantly with notifications.

“This is getting out of hand,” Zayn muttered, his head in his hands.

Liam wrapped an arm around him, his expression grim. “We’ll call management. We’ll release a statement if we have to.”

Zayn glanced at him, his eyes shining with emotion. “I just wanted us to have this moment to ourselves, you know? Without the world breathing down our necks.”

Liam pressed a kiss to Zayn’s temple. “I know, love. And we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Meanwhile, fans continued to flood social media, voicing their outrage over the invasion of privacy.

@ZiamArmy4Life: “Whoever recorded this, you’re disgusting. Leave them alone. They deserve to have a private life!”

@Protect1D: “How can you claim to be a fan and then share footage like this? Zayn and Liam don’t owe us anything.”

@ZaynDailyUpdates: “Zayn and Liam are clearly happy together. Let them be. Stop violating their boundaries.”

The next day, Zayn and Liam released a joint statement addressing the situation.

“We are deeply disappointed by the recent invasion of our privacy. While we appreciate the love and support from our fans, we kindly ask for boundaries to be respected. Everyone deserves the right to moments of privacy, and we hope you’ll stand with us in protecting that.”

The message was met with overwhelming support, and the boys decided to tighten security moving forward. While the incident had left a bitter taste, it also reaffirmed the strength of their bond—and the lengths they would go to protect each other.

The day was meant to be another exciting step in promoting the album. Niall and the boys had been going through a whirlwind of interviews, and today was no different. Spirits were high as they entered the studio for a live-streamed Q&A session with an interviewer who had a reputation for being a bit... eccentric.

The five boys sat on a plush couch arranged for the camera. Niall sat at one end, looking relaxed but focused, ready to tackle another round of questions. The interviewer, a middle-aged man with a wide smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, took a seat beside him.

At first, everything seemed normal.

“So, Niall,” the interviewer said, leaning in closer than necessary, “you’re the one holding the band together these days, aren’t you?”

Niall chuckled nervously. “I wouldn’t say that. It’s a team effort, really.”

As he spoke, the interviewer placed a hand on Niall’s shoulder. Niall tensed slightly, but he kept his composure, shrugging it off as a friendly gesture.

The man continued asking questions, but his hand lingered longer than it should have. When he finally removed it, Niall shifted slightly, trying to put some distance between them.

But the interviewer wasn’t done.

“So, tell me, Niall,” he said, casually draping an arm around Niall’s shoulders, “what’s it like balancing this reunion with everything else you’ve got going on?”

Niall gave a tight smile, gently shrugging the arm off. “It’s been busy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

The man’s hand then moved to Niall’s thigh, a seemingly innocent gesture that immediately made Niall’s chest tighten. He instinctively brushed it off, but the interviewer didn’t seem to notice—or care.

The touches continued—small, invasive gestures that made Niall increasingly uncomfortable. A hand on his shoulder, a pat on his knee, a squeeze on his arm. Each time, Niall tried to subtly move away or shrug it off, but the man kept finding excuses to invade his space.

The boys started noticing the shift in Niall’s demeanor. He was usually the one who handled interviews with ease, his charm and humor shining through. But now, he was quiet, his smile forced, his responses clipped.

Louis, sitting closest to Niall, leaned forward, trying to catch his eye. “You alright, mate?” he asked, his tone casual but laced with concern.

Niall gave a small nod, but his eyes didn’t meet Louis’s.

Harry, ever observant, noticed the interviewer’s behavior and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Liam and Zayn exchanged glances, silently agreeing that something wasn’t right.

As the interviewer leaned in again, his hand brushing against Niall’s thigh once more, Niall’s breathing quickened. He felt trapped, unsure how to address the situation without causing a scene.

Louis noticed Niall’s hands clenching in his lap and decided he’d had enough.

“Oi,” Louis said sharply, his voice cutting through the room. “Maybe give Niall some space, yeah? You’re practically sitting in his lap.”

The interviewer froze, his smile faltering. “Oh, I didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable. Just trying to be friendly.”

“Friendly doesn’t mean invasive,” Harry added, his tone firm.

Niall finally found his voice, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration. “Yeah, I think we’re good here. Thanks.”

The live-stream chat exploded almost immediately.

@NiallLover123: “What the hell is that guy doing to Niall?!”
@TeamLouis: “LOUIS CALLED HIM OUT I LOVE HIM!”
@StylesUpdates: “Harry’s face when he told the guy off. Iconic.”
@1DForever: “Niall looked so uncomfortable. Protect him at all costs.”

Clips of the interaction began circulating on social media, with fans rallying behind Niall and praising the boys for stepping in.

As soon as the interview ended, Niall bolted to the green room, his chest tight and his hands shaking. The boys followed closely behind, concern etched on their faces.

“Niall, are you alright?” Liam asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Niall nodded, but his voice cracked when he spoke. “I just... I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to make a scene, but he wouldn’t stop.”

Louis crouched down in front of him, his blue eyes filled with determination. “You didn’t have to handle it alone. We’ve got your back, always.”

“Exactly,” Harry added. “Next time, we shut it down the moment it starts.”

Zayn handed Niall a bottle of water. “You good now?”

Niall took a deep breath, the support from his bandmates helping him calm down. “Yeah. Thanks, lads.”

Fans flooded social media with messages of support for Niall, calling out the interviewer’s behavior and demanding better boundaries in the industry.

@NiallUpdates: “This is why we need to talk about boundaries in interviews. Niall shouldn’t have to deal with that.”
@LouisTomlinsonLove: “Louis stepping in like the protective brother he is. We love to see it.”
@1DObsessed: “I hope Niall knows how much we all love and support him.”

Later that day, the boys released a joint statement:

“Boundaries and respect are non-negotiable. No one should ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe, whether on or off camera. We’re grateful for the love and support from our fans and are committed to standing up against behavior like this.”

The statement was met with overwhelming support, with fans and fellow artists sharing similar experiences and advocating for change in the industry.

Niall, though shaken, felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the people around him. His bandmates had his back, and his fans were as loyal as ever. With their support, he knew he could handle anything.

After the awkward and overwhelming interview where Niall had been subjected to invasive touches, the boys knew they needed a plan. They had each other’s backs, but they realized that in the chaos of live interviews and promotional appearances, subtle signals might be their best defense.

That evening, while lounging in their hotel suite, they brainstormed a way to silently communicate if one of them felt uncomfortable.

“We need something subtle,” Louis said, pacing the room. “Something that won’t give it away to the interviewer but will let the rest of us know.”

“Maybe a phrase?” Zayn suggested, leaning back on the couch. “Like if someone says, ‘I could use a tea right now,’ we know they’re not okay.”

Niall frowned. “I feel like that’s too easy to miss in the middle of a conversation.”

Harry, sitting cross-legged on the floor, tapped his chin thoughtfully. “What about a gesture? Something small, like... tugging at your earlobe or rubbing the back of your neck?”

“Neck’s too obvious,” Liam countered. “But the earlobe... that’s not bad.”

They tested it out, each tugging lightly at their earlobe. It was subtle but noticeable if you were looking for it.

“Alright,” Louis declared, clapping his hands. “If you feel uncomfortable, give a little tug. We’ll be watching.”

“Agreed,” Niall said, feeling a wave of relief. “Thanks, lads.”

The next day, the boys had another round of interviews lined up. They sat in a brightly lit studio, smiling for the cameras as the host launched into her questions.

Things started off fine—lighthearted questions about the new album, their favorite songs, and the creative process. But as the interview progressed, the tone began to shift.

“So, Harry,” the host said, leaning forward with a mischievous grin, “there’s been a lot of speculation about your love life. Care to share who’s been keeping you company these days?”

Harry smiled politely, but he reached up and lightly tugged at his earlobe.

Louis caught the gesture immediately. He leaned in, flashing a charming grin at the host. “Ah, you know Harry. Always keeping us on our toes. But let’s talk about the album, yeah? That’s the real love of our lives right now.”

The host hesitated, then redirected the conversation.

In the following days, the boys found themselves using the signal more often than they anticipated.

During one interview, a reporter directed a prying question at Zayn about his relationship status. Zayn tugged his earlobe subtly, and Liam jumped in with a joke about how Zayn’s true love was his dog.

Another time, a particularly invasive question about their earnings made Niall tug at his earlobe. Harry smoothly deflected by talking about how much of their profits were going toward charity.

The gesture became their silent lifeline, a way to protect each other without escalating uncomfortable situations.

It didn’t take long for fans to notice the boys’ new habit.

@1DFanForever: “Has anyone else noticed the ear-tugging thing they’ve been doing? They’re always looking out for each other. 🥺”

@ProtectNiall: “Every time one of them tugs their earlobe, the others step in. This is why we stan.”

@LouisTommoLover: “I feel like it’s their way of saying, ‘I’ve got your back.’ Ugh, my heart.”

Clips of the boys using the gesture began circulating online, and fans praised them for their solidarity and quick thinking.

During a quiet moment after another long day of promotion, the boys sat together in their hotel room.

“I didn’t think we’d be using it this much,” Niall admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

“It’s ridiculous,” Louis said, his tone sharp. “We’re here to talk about our music, and they’re treating us like we’re gossip fodder.”

Harry sighed. “It’s the industry. They think the personal stuff sells more.”

“Well, screw that,” Zayn muttered. “We’re sticking to the gesture. No one’s dealing with this alone.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their experiences settling over them.

Despite the challenges, the boys felt more united than ever. The gesture was a reminder of their bond, a symbol of the trust and care they shared.

And as they prepared for their next round of interviews, they knew one thing for certain: no matter what questions came their way, they had each other’s backs. Always.

Backstage at one of their final promotional interviews, the boys sat in a circle, soaking in the gravity of the moment.

“I can’t believe tickets are already live,” Niall said, scrolling through Twitter. “The fans are losing it.”

“They always do,” Louis replied with a grin. “It’s like a ritual at this point.”

Harry looked thoughtful. “It’s crazy, though. A world tour. After everything we’ve been through…”

“Yeah,” Zayn said, his voice quieter than usual. “It feels… surreal.”

Liam nodded. “But it’s what we’ve always done, isn’t it? It’s like coming home.”

They all exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of how far they’d come and how much they’d overcome to get to this point.

The final week of promotion was packed with activities.

• Radio Interviews: The boys took turns sharing funny anecdotes from their early days and teasing songs from the new album.
• Fan Livestreams: They went live on Instagram, answering fan questions and expressing their excitement for the tour.
• Surprise Appearances: They popped into local record stores to sign albums, delighting fans who had been camping out for hours.

In every interaction, their bond shone through. Whether it was Louis teasing Harry about his hair, Zayn cracking a rare joke, or Niall breaking into an impromptu song, the fans could feel the camaraderie.

By Thursday, the boys were also deep into rehearsals for the tour. The setlist was finalized, the stage design was coming together, and they were working on choreography and transitions between songs.

“This is going to be massive,” Liam said as they practiced their harmonies. “Bigger than anything we’ve ever done.”

“And louder,” Louis added. “I want to hear those screams from the stage.”

“You’ll get your wish,” Harry said with a laugh.

On Friday, they wrapped up their last promotional interview with a surprise for the fans.

“We’ve got one more thing to share,” Niall said, leaning toward the camera with a mischievous grin.

Harry took over, holding up a small card. “We’ll be performing a secret show in one of the cities on the tour. The location is a surprise, and the only way to find out is to follow us closely.”

The fans went berserk.

@HarrysHugs: “A SECRET SHOW? Are they trying to kill us with suspense?!”

@NiallsDimples: “Where do I even begin to stalk them to figure this out?!”

As the week drew to a close, the boys gathered one last time in their hotel suite. The mood was celebratory but also reflective.

“This is it,” Zayn said, holding up a glass of water as they all sat around a table.

“The end of promotion,” Liam added.

“And the start of something huge,” Louis said.

“To the fans,” Harry toasted, raising his glass.

“To us,” Niall added, smiling.

As they clinked glasses, there was a sense of anticipation in the air. The album was ready. The tour was imminent. And together, they were unstoppable.

Over the weekend, fans continued to buzz about the album, the tour, and the secret show. The hashtag #DecadeAndBeyondTour trended worldwide, and tickets for most venues sold out within minutes.

The boys had done it—they had reignited the magic of One Direction and were ready to take the world by storm once again.

The day of the secret show was finally here. The boys had been buzzing with excitement since the moment they’d planned it. The venue was small and intimate, unlike the massive arenas they were used to, and they knew this performance would be something the fans would talk about for years to come.

The boys arrived early at the venue, which was tucked away in a hidden part of the city. Fans had been trying to figure out the location for days, but only a lucky few who had won tickets through a scavenger hunt on their social media channels were given the address.

The space was a cozy theater with a vintage charm—plush red seats, dim lighting, and a small stage that felt like a throwback to their earliest performances.

“I love this place,” Harry said, running his fingers along the edge of the stage. “It feels… nostalgic.”

“Yeah,” Niall agreed, smiling as he looked out at the empty seats. “Reminds me of the X Factor days.”

Louis grinned. “Except now, we don’t have to worry about Simon’s comments.”

The boys spent the afternoon rehearsing. The setlist was a mix of songs from their new album and a few classics they couldn’t leave out.

They worked on transitions, harmonies, and making the most of the small stage.

“Let’s do ‘Little Things’ acoustically,” Liam suggested. “It’ll hit differently in a space like this.”

Zayn nodded. “Good call. Stripped down, raw.”

As they ran through the song, the intimacy of the venue amplified their harmonies. It gave them chills, and they knew the fans would feel it too.

Backstage, the boys’ nerves began to creep in, though they masked them with jokes and laughter.

Louis was sitting cross-legged on the couch, tossing peanuts into Harry’s mouth. “Think anyone’s figured out we’re here yet?”

Harry chewed thoughtfully, then grinned. “If they have, they’re probably camped outside by now.”

Meanwhile, Niall was tuning his guitar, humming softly, while Liam paced the room, reciting lyrics under his breath. Zayn sat quietly in a corner, sketching something on a notepad.

As showtime approached, the fans who had won tickets began filing in. The energy in the room was electric, and the excitement was contagious.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” one fan whispered, clutching her friend’s arm.

Another pointed at the stage. “We’re going to be so close to them. Like, right there.”

When the lights dimmed, the screams erupted, and the boys took the stage to deafening applause.

“Good evening, everyone,” Niall said into the mic, his accent thick and charming. “Thanks for finding us.”

Louis chimed in, grinning. “And congrats on cracking our little puzzle. You’re the lucky ones tonight.”

The set opened with a high-energy track from the new album, and the room felt like it might explode from the enthusiasm of the fans.

Midway through the set, the boys slowed things down.

“This next song is special to us,” Liam said, his voice soft but steady. “It’s about everything we’ve been through together, and what it means to still be here, with all of you.”

They performed an acoustic version of a ballad from the new album. The harmonies were perfect, and the emotion in their voices was palpable. Harry’s voice cracked slightly during his solo, and the crowd responded with a collective “aww.”

As the show neared its end, Niall stepped forward with a mischievous smile.

“We’ve got one more surprise for you,” he teased.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Shawn Mendes walked out onto the stage, guitar in hand.

“Thought I’d crash the party,” Shawn joked, waving at the fans.

Together, they performed a duet that blended one of Shawn’s hits with one of One Direction’s classics. The fans were losing their minds.

The show closed with their anthem, “What Makes You Beautiful.” The crowd sang every word, their voices almost drowning out the boys. As the final notes rang out, confetti rained down, and the boys stood arm-in-arm, soaking in the moment.

“This was special,” Zayn said softly, his voice barely audible over the cheers. “Thank you for being part of it.”

@1DUpdates: “THE SECRET SHOW WAS EVERYTHING. I’M CRYING, SCREAMING, THROWING UP. THEY WERE SO CLOSE. SO RAW. THIS IS WHY WE LOVE THEM. 😭😭😭”

@ShawnNiallLove: “SHAWN SHOWED UP?! AND THAT DUET?! ICONIC. #SecretShow”

@DirectionerForever: “When they sang ‘Little Things’ acoustically… I’m not okay. Someone check on me.”

The night was unforgettable for everyone involved, and it cemented the boys’ place not just as performers, but as legends.

Chapter Text

The buzz surrounding One Direction’s secret show was just beginning to settle when another massive piece of news hit the fandom: Shawn Mendes, fresh off his mini-tour in America, had been announced as the opening act for One Direction’s highly anticipated world tour.

The announcement was made through a sleek promo video posted across One Direction's social media platforms.

The video opened with dramatic footage of the boys rehearsing and laughing in the studio, interspersed with clips of Shawn performing on stage during his mini-tour. The music swelled as the words appeared on the screen:

"One Direction: The World Tour. Featuring special guest… Shawn Mendes."

The video ended with Niall and Shawn side-by-side, grinning at the camera.

“We’re bringing the fun,” Niall said with a wink.

“And the music,” Shawn added, flashing his signature smile.

The announcement sent fans into a frenzy:

@1DUpdates: “SHAWN MENDES IS OPENING FOR 1D?! IS THIS EVEN REAL LIFE?!”

@ShawnNiallLove: “Shiall stans are winning right now. OUR BOYS TOGETHER ON TOUR. 😭😭😭”

@DirectionerForever: “This tour just went from ‘can’t miss’ to ‘I’d sell my soul to go.’”

The announcement came during one of their rare days off, and the boys gathered in Liam’s hotel suite to watch the fan reactions pour in.

“Have you seen the hashtags?” Louis asked, scrolling through Twitter. “‘ShiallWorldTour’ is trending worldwide.”

Harry smirked. “It’s like they’ve forgotten we’re the main act.”

“Let them have their fun,” Zayn said, lounging on the couch. “It’s good PR.”

Niall, however, was beaming. “I’m just glad Shawn’s coming with us. It’ll make everything feel a bit more like home.”

Meanwhile, Shawn was preparing for the tour in his own way. He posted a heartfelt message to his fans:

"I can’t even describe how excited I am to join the One Direction world tour. These guys are like family to me, and this is going to be an unforgettable experience. Thank you for all the love and support—I can’t wait to see you out there!"

The accompanying photo showed Shawn in a rehearsal room, guitar slung over his shoulder, looking every bit the rockstar.

As the boys prepped for the tour, the dynamic between Shawn and Niall became a source of lighthearted amusement.

One afternoon during rehearsals, Louis couldn’t resist teasing. “Shawn, are you sure you’re not just here to keep an eye on Niall?”

Shawn laughed, throwing a pillow at Louis. “You caught me.”

“Hey, leave him alone,” Niall said, pulling Shawn close. “He’s the only reason I’m putting up with all of you.”

The room erupted in laughter, the camaraderie palpable.

With the tour just weeks away, anticipation reached a fever pitch. The boys were hyped, the fans were ecstatic, and Shawn was ready to step into the spotlight alongside them.

It wasn’t just a tour—it was shaping up to be the event of a lifetime.

The energy in the air was electric. The stage was set, the arena packed with thousands of screaming fans, and backstage, the boys of One Direction, along with Shawn Mendes, were buzzing with nervous excitement.

This wasn’t just any concert; it was the opening night of their world tour—a celebration of their reunion, their new album, and the music that had brought them back together.

“Alright, lads,” Louis said, pacing back and forth, his trademark smirk firmly in place. “First show. No pressure or anything.”

“None at all,” Zayn deadpanned, adjusting his in-ear monitors.

Harry was fiddling with his microphone, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a slight bounce in his step. “I missed this. The rush, the crowd, all of it.”

Niall was leaning against the wall, his guitar in hand. He strummed idly, stealing glances at Shawn, who was pacing nervously nearby.

“You’re gonna kill it,” Niall said, his voice steady and reassuring. “Just have fun out there.”

Shawn looked up, his nerves evident. “It’s not every day you open for the biggest band in the world.”

“Technically, you’re opening for your fiancé,” Louis chimed in, earning a laugh from everyone.

“True,” Shawn admitted, a small smile breaking through his anxiety.

As the lights dimmed in the arena, the roar of the crowd grew deafening. Backstage, the group huddled together in a circle.

“Alright,” Liam said, his voice calm and steady. “First show back. Let’s make it one to remember.”

They all placed their hands in the middle, a tradition they’d kept since their earliest days.

“One Direction on three,” Louis said. “One, two—”

“Three!” they all shouted in unison, breaking apart with wide grins.

Shawn took the stage first, the spotlight illuminating him as he strummed his guitar. The crowd erupted into cheers, and though his nerves lingered, they melted away with the first chord.

He played a mix of his biggest hits and a few acoustic renditions of songs from his latest album. The audience sang along, their voices blending with his, and by the time he finished his set, the energy was through the roof.

Backstage, Niall watched with pride, clapping and cheering louder than anyone.

When the boys finally stepped onto the stage, the noise was almost overwhelming. The opening chords of their first song—one of the hits from their new album—boomed through the arena, and the fans lost it.

They performed with the kind of energy that only comes from years of experience and deep passion. Each member shone in their own way:

• Louis hyped up the crowd with his playful banter and cheeky smirks.
• Zayn delivered powerful, soulful vocals that sent chills through the arena.
• Harry worked the stage like a seasoned showman, his charisma lighting up every corner of the venue.
• Liam brought precision and warmth, his harmonies tying everything together.
• Niall added his signature charm, his guitar adding a personal touch to the music.

When the opening chords of “Little Things” began, the arena erupted into cheers. Harry stepped forward, his voice soft and soulful as he sang the first verse, his tone laced with nostalgia.

“This one’s for all of you,” Harry said before the second verse. “Turn on your phone lights and shine with us.”

As the crowd complied, the entire arena transformed into a galaxy of twinkling lights. Louis walked over to the edge of the stage, looking out at the scene, his usual cheeky grin replaced by a look of genuine awe.

“This is incredible,” he said into his mic, his voice almost breaking.

Niall and Liam shared a quiet smile as they harmonized, their voices blending perfectly. Zayn closed his eyes during his solo, letting the emotion pour through. The boys gathered together for the final chorus, standing shoulder to shoulder, and the moment was so raw and beautiful that even the toughest fans in the crowd couldn’t hold back tears.
@StarryNights1D: “The LIGHTS during ‘Little Things.’ I’m SOBBING. This is magic.”
@LouisIsMyKing: “Louis looked so moved during that song. I love seeing this softer side of him.”

After a high-energy set, Niall grabbed his acoustic guitar and stepped to the center of the stage, a spotlight illuminating him.

“This next one’s special,” he said, adjusting the mic. “It’s for someone who’s always been in my corner, someone I couldn’t have done this without. You know who you are.”

The crowd erupted into screams as everyone realized he was talking about Shawn. Backstage, Shawn covered his face with his hands, blushing furiously.

Niall began to play “This Town,” his voice full of emotion as he sang. Every lyric seemed to take on new meaning, and the camera operator backstage zoomed in on Shawn, who was smiling through misty eyes.

When the song ended, Niall looked offstage and smiled. “Thanks for being here, mate.”

@ShiallForever: “Niall literally sang a love song to Shawn IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. I’M DONE.”
@MendesArmy1D: “Shawn’s face during ‘This Town.’ I ship them so much.”

During the performance of their hit song “What Makes You Beautiful,” Louis and Harry naturally gravitated toward each other, sharing a microphone for the iconic second verse.

“Come here, Haz,” Louis said with a cheeky grin as he pulled Harry closer.

The crowd went wild as the two sang into the same mic, their voices blending seamlessly. Harry couldn’t help but laugh as Louis purposely leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart.

“Stop flirting!” Liam joked from the other side of the stage, earning a round of laughter from both the boys and the audience.

The “Larry” chants grew deafening, and Louis, ever the showman, blew a kiss toward the crowd.

Fan Reactions:
@LarryHearts: “They shared a mic. THEY SHARED A MIC. I CAN’T HANDLE THIS.”
@1DForeverLove: “Louis blowing that kiss? Harry laughing? They’re playing with our emotions!”

When it came time for their emotional ballad “Moments,” the arena quieted to a respectful hush. Zayn took the lead on the first verse, his voice rich and haunting.

Liam joined in for the chorus, and their harmonies were so tight and heartfelt that it felt like they were singing directly to each other. Fans noticed how they kept glancing at one another, their connection palpable.

During the bridge, Liam walked over to Zayn and placed a hand on his shoulder as they sang. The gesture was subtle but deeply meaningful, especially to fans who had followed their journey closely.

By the end of the song, the crowd was on their feet, clapping and cheering louder than ever.

Fan Reactions:
@ZiamForever: “Liam and Zayn during ‘Moments.’ The way they LOOKED at each other. I’m a puddle.”
@EmotionalDirectioner: “They just proved why their harmonies are unmatched. Ziam is alive and thriving!”

Throughout the night, the boys’ chemistry was on full display.

• During a break between songs, Louis and Liam started a playful argument over whose turn it was to introduce the next song. Louis won, of course, by pointing at Liam and saying, “Rock, paper, scissors settles everything, mate.”
• Harry, ever the entertainer, kept spinning his mic stand like a baton and pretending to trip over the stage, much to the amusement of the crowd.
• Niall couldn’t help but laugh when Zayn accidentally sang the wrong lyrics during one song. “That’s not how it goes, mate!” Niall teased, earning a sheepish grin from Zayn.
• Shawn even made a surprise appearance during the encore, running onstage with an inflatable guitar and joining in for a chaotic but hilarious rendition of “Best Song Ever.”

Fan Reactions:
@Directioner4Life: “They’re still the same chaotic boys we fell in love with. I love them so much!”
@MendesArmyDirectioner: “Shawn crashing the encore?? Iconic behavior.”

The group stumbled backstage after their encore, sweaty and exhilarated.

“That,” Harry said, collapsing onto a couch, “was insane.”

“Best crowd we’ve ever had,” Zayn added, grabbing a water bottle.

Niall turned to Shawn, who was beaming. “What’d you think?”

“Unbelievable,” Shawn said, pulling Niall into a hug. “You guys are unstoppable.”

“You weren’t too bad yourself,” Louis teased, clapping Shawn on the back.

As clips from the concert flooded social media, the fans couldn’t contain their excitement:

@1D4Life: “THIS IS THE BEST TOUR EVER. I CAN’T BREATHE.”

@ShiallForever: “Niall dedicating a song to Shawn?? I’M NOT OKAY.”

@ZiamDreams: “Did you see the way Zayn and Liam looked at each other during ‘Moments’?! My heart!!”

As the night came to an end, the boys and Shawn knew they’d set the tone for what was going to be an unforgettable tour. The fans were ecstatic, the music was stronger than ever, and the bond between them all had only deepened.

This was more than a concert—it was a celebration of everything they’d been through and everything still to come.

The excitement in the arena was palpable as the lights dimmed, signaling the start of the opening act. Fans were eagerly awaiting Shawn's performance, but little did they know, something special was about to happen.

As the first notes of Shawn’s song filled the air, the stage lights illuminated him, and the crowd roared in anticipation. He started singing one of his hit songs, his voice echoing through the venue, but halfway through, a familiar figure appeared beside him—Niall.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Niall walked onto the stage, guitar in hand. He winked at Shawn, and without missing a beat, they launched into a duet. The song was a blend of their voices, harmonizing effortlessly. The fans couldn’t believe their eyes as Niall and Shawn stood together, singing with such a deep connection that it was impossible to ignore. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable.

The song was "Falling Slowly," a ballad that had brought them together before. They sang the words with such sincerity that it felt like the whole world around them faded away. There was no one else in the arena except for the two of them, sharing this beautiful moment. Niall’s hand rested on Shawn’s shoulder as they sang, and Shawn leaned in, his voice blending perfectly with Niall’s as they both crooned the final chorus.

As the song ended, the crowd went absolutely wild, cheering and clapping, but Niall and Shawn didn’t pay attention to the commotion. They were locked in a quiet moment between them, eyes full of emotion. Without a word, they hugged each other tightly, a long embrace that said more than any words could express.

And then, just as the crowd was screaming, Shawn placed a soft kiss on Niall's cheek. Niall grinned widely and kissed Shawn’s forehead in return. The fans went wild, the sound deafening as the two shared that public display of affection that, in that moment, seemed so right.

The kiss wasn’t just for the fans—it was for themselves too. It was a reassurance that, despite the chaos of touring, of schedules, and everything that comes with being in the spotlight, they still had each other. They were still strong, and they weren’t afraid to show it.

@ShiallDreamer: “Niall and Shawn JUST KISSED on stage and I’m literally shaking. This is everything.”
@DirectionerShawn: “The duet, the hug, THE KISS?! I can’t breathe right now. This is everything we’ve been waiting for!”
@MendesArmy1D: “Okay, but the way Shawn and Niall look at each other—like they are each other’s entire world. I’m not okay.”

After the performance, both Niall and Shawn walked offstage, hand in hand, smiling as they exchanged a few quiet words. The energy from the crowd still rang in their ears, but the warmth of the moment was all that mattered. It was a symbol, not just of their love for each other, but of the connection they had with their fans, and the joy of sharing this part of their journey together.

Backstage, the rest of the boys from One Direction were waiting for them with wide smiles and playful teasing, but they all understood. They had seen firsthand the bond between Niall and Shawn, and tonight, they had shared it with the world.

As they all stood there, the camaraderie was palpable. The group, now reunited in the spotlight, was stronger than ever. The performance was far from over, but it was already clear that this night, this tour, was going to be something unforgettable.

The lights had just dimmed on another successful concert. The crowd was still buzzing, lingering in their excitement, as the backstage area slowly emptied. The atmosphere was typically filled with energy, but tonight, something felt different.

Niall sat at the side of the stage, pulling off his sweaty shirt, his eyes on the floor. He hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was off. The high of the concert, the joy of performing, all felt distant now. His heart was heavy, weighed down by a quiet storm inside him.

Shawn had been distant for the past couple of days. It wasn’t the usual distance that came with the hectic pace of their tour—this felt different. There had been moments when Niall tried to reach out, tried to break through the wall Shawn had built up, but each time, Shawn had withdrawn further.

Niall rubbed his hand through his hair, frustration building in his chest. What’s going on with him?

The boys were gathered in the green room, sitting on couches, chatting lightly about the performance. But Niall couldn’t concentrate. His eyes kept flicking over to Shawn, who was sitting on the other side of the room, eyes glued to his phone. He barely acknowledged the boys when they spoke to him, and his responses were short—cold, even.

Niall’s heart tightened. He needed to talk to him. He couldn’t just let it slide any longer.

“Shawn,” Niall said quietly, trying to keep his voice steady.

Shawn didn’t look up, his fingers still tapping away at his phone screen. “Yeah?”

Niall took a deep breath, walking over to where Shawn was sitting. “Hey, what’s going on with you lately? You’ve been… distant.”

Shawn’s eyes flicked up, but there was no warmth in them—only a flicker of something darker. “I’m fine, Niall. Just tired. Long day.”

Niall didn’t buy it. He could see the tension in Shawn’s jaw, the way his shoulders were pulled tight. “No, you’re not fine. This isn’t just about being tired. You’ve been pulling away for days, and I don’t know what to do.”

The room fell silent. The other boys looked between Niall and Shawn, unsure whether to intervene or not.

Shawn sighed heavily, standing up from the couch. “I just need some space, okay? I can’t keep up with all of this right now. The tour, the album, the constant pressure—everyone wanting something from me. I’m just… exhausted. And maybe I’m not handling it well, but I can’t keep pretending everything’s okay.”

Niall’s stomach dropped at the words. Exhausted. It was always the same excuse. But it wasn’t just that. He knew it wasn’t.

“You’re pushing me away, Shawn,” Niall’s voice cracked. “You’re pushing us away. Do you even care about what we have left?”

The words hit harder than Niall had intended, but they were out there now.

Shawn’s face froze, and he looked like he wanted to say something—anything—but instead, he closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled.

“I do care, Niall. But I’m breaking. I’m not the person you need me to be right now. And I can’t keep pretending that I’m okay when I’m not.”

The air between them felt suffocating. Niall’s chest tightened, the realization sinking in slowly, painfully. Maybe it wasn’t just the tour. Maybe it wasn’t just exhaustion. Maybe it was something deeper.

Shawn turned away, pacing for a moment. “I need time. To think. To breathe. I can’t do this right now.” His voice cracked at the last part, betraying the fragile veneer of calm he was trying to keep up.

Niall’s throat went dry. “So, what? You’re just going to shut me out completely? Is that how you want this to end? With me standing here, trying to hold us together, and you walking away?”

Shawn spun around, anger flashing in his eyes. “I’m not walking away, Niall. I’m trying to figure myself out. I don’t have the energy to do this and be the partner you want me to be right now. I can’t.”

Niall felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. His vision blurred for a second, but he quickly blinked away the tears. “You don’t even have to be perfect. You don’t have to be everything, Shawn. I just need you here. With me.”

Shawn’s expression softened for a moment, but it was fleeting. “I’m sorry, Niall. I just need to go. I can’t do this anymore.”

The words hit Niall like a slap. “You’re done with us?” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “After everything we’ve been through, you’re just going to walk away like this?”

Shawn didn’t respond immediately. He stared at Niall, a mix of guilt and frustration in his eyes. Then, with a final shake of his head, he turned toward the door.

“I need space. I’ll talk to you later.”

Niall stood there, frozen, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts, but the only thing that remained was the emptiness growing in his chest. He wanted to chase after Shawn, wanted to beg him to stay, but he knew deep down that he couldn’t force someone to stay if they didn’t want to.

Later that night, as Niall lay in his hotel bed, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Shawn.

“I’m sorry for what I said. I need time. I’ll reach out when I’m ready. Please don’t hate me.”

Niall stared at the message for a long time, the words burning in his chest. Please don’t hate me.

He wished he could just erase everything and start over. But that wasn’t how things worked. He had tried to reach Shawn. He had tried to fight for them. But now, Shawn was shutting him out, and Niall didn’t know if there was anything left to save.

The ache in his chest grew stronger. He wanted to believe it would all work out in the end, but with every passing moment, the uncertainty only deepened.

And for the first time in a long time, Niall didn’t know what would happen next.

The silence in the dressing room was deafening. The boys had just finished rehearsing for their next concert, but the usual energy wasn’t there. There were no laughs, no jokes exchanged. Instead, they all sat scattered around, eyes glazed over, some looking at their phones, others lost in thought.

Niall sat with his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Shawn hadn’t been heard from in days. He’d disappeared after their argument, and no one knew where he had gone. No one had received any texts, no calls, nothing.

The concert was only two days away, and without Shawn as their opening act, there was a huge void. They couldn’t just cancel, not after everything they’d worked for, but it was clear that Shawn was missing from the equation, and nothing felt right without him.

Liam was the first to speak, his voice tight with frustration. “We need to figure this out. The show must go on, but how the hell are we supposed to go on without an opening act?” His gaze shifted to Niall, eyes filled with concern. “Have you heard from him?”

Niall shook his head, his heart sinking further. “No. I’ve tried calling, texting... but nothing. He’s gone, Liam.”

Zayn stood up, his hands shoved in his pockets, but his body language was tense, and his jaw clenched. “What the hell are we supposed to do? This whole tour was supposed to be about everyone—about us, and Shawn was supposed to be a part of this.”

Liam gave Zayn a sharp look, but there was no anger behind it—just a shared sense of helplessness. “We need to focus. We have a show in two days. We can’t just sit here and wait for him to come back.”

Harry, who had been unusually quiet, stood up suddenly. “He’s probably not just... gone. Something’s wrong, right? He wouldn’t just leave without saying anything.” He rubbed his neck, clearly worried. “Something happened, and we have to find out what.”

Niall felt his chest tighten at Harry’s words. He wanted to believe Shawn would come back, that this was just a temporary break, but a deep pit of doubt gnawed at him. He had never seen Shawn like this before. Cold. Distant. Detached.

“I’m not sure what’s happening,” Niall muttered. “But it’s killing me not knowing. I feel like I’ve lost him. And I don’t know if I can fix it.”

Liam walked over to Niall, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, we’re in this together. You’re not alone in this. But we’ve got to put on the show. We can’t let everything fall apart. You’re strong, Niall. We all are.”

Niall took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. He appreciated Liam’s words, but they didn’t ease the ache inside. It didn’t change the fact that Shawn was missing, and Niall wasn’t sure how to pick up the pieces without him.

The following day was a blur. The boys were all over the place, trying to get things ready for the concert. Rehearsals, interviews, and last-minute adjustments filled the hours. Niall tried to stay busy, but his mind always wandered back to Shawn. Where was he? What had happened to him?

As the day stretched on, the weight of the situation began to sink in even more. The concert was tomorrow, and there was no opening act. The fans were expecting Shawn. They had built up so much hype around his appearance, and now there was an enormous void.

Niall sat in the corner of their dressing room, staring at his phone screen, hoping for any kind of message from Shawn. Nothing. His thumb hovered over the contact number, but he didn’t know if he should call again. What if he just needed space? What if Niall was the problem?

He didn’t want to lose Shawn, but he was starting to fear that he already had.

The backstage area was chaotic as usual before a big show, but the air felt heavier today. The boys had finished sound checks and were preparing for the stage. The crew was hustling, trying to make sure everything was in place.

But Niall couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

The crowd was starting to file in, the excitement palpable. They were all cheering, buzzing with anticipation. But Niall couldn’t feel the excitement. All he could feel was this void where Shawn should have been.

Suddenly, their manager walked in, her face a bit more tense than usual. “Alright, boys,” she said, looking at each of them. “We’ve got a big problem.”

The boys all stopped in their tracks. Niall’s heart sank. “What’s wrong?”

“We don’t have an opening act,” she said flatly, glancing at the floor. “Shawn’s still missing, and without him, we’re going to have to change the entire setlist. It’s too late to bring anyone else in.”

Niall’s stomach twisted into a knot. He had known this moment was coming, but hearing it out loud was still a punch to the gut.

“What are we going to do?” Zayn asked, his voice thick with frustration. “We can’t just go on stage without someone to open.”

Liam stepped forward, putting on his usual calm demeanor. “We’ll figure it out. We’ve been through worse. We’re a band. We can make it work.”

But Niall could see the uncertainty in his eyes. They all knew this wasn’t just any other concert. This was supposed to be their moment—their tour, and now it was tainted with doubt.

Niall glanced at Harry and Zayn. They were all trying to hold it together, but deep down, they knew that something bigger was happening, and none of them could make it better—not without Shawn.

The concert was about to begin. The lights went down, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The music started, and the boys were standing on the stage. But there was an undeniable heaviness to the performance. They gave it their all, but their minds were elsewhere.

Niall’s heart wasn’t in the music tonight. He could see the empty space beside him where Shawn should have been—on the edge of the stage, ready to jump into the performance. It was the first time he’d ever felt this empty during a show.

And as the night went on, Niall realized the truth:

This tour was nothing without Shawn.

The concert had ended, but the energy from the crowd had dissipated. The adrenaline rush that usually followed such a show was absent, leaving the boys with a hollow feeling. They walked off the stage, barely exchanging words. The applause was still echoing in their ears, but it felt distant, as if they were no longer part of it.

Niall sat down in the dressing room, his eyes fixated on the floor. The others were scattered around, doing their usual post-show routines, but no one seemed fully present.

Liam was talking to the tour manager, discussing logistics for the next show, but his voice seemed muffled to Niall. Zayn was checking his phone, scrolling through messages with a frown. Harry was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes glazed as he stared into space.

And then there was Niall.

Niall had always been the one to crack jokes, to lighten the mood, but today, the weight of everything—the tour, the missing Shawn, the gaping hole in his heart—had completely drained him. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep going like this.

He felt like an imposter on stage. Every time he sang, he wanted to look out into the crowd and see Shawn’s familiar face in the front row. Instead, all he saw was the absence.

He didn’t even notice Harry sitting next to him until the older man spoke, his voice low and careful.

“Niall… are you okay?”

Niall looked at Harry, his gaze empty. “I don’t know. I don’t feel right. Something’s missing. I just keep thinking about Shawn. He’s… not here. And I don’t know why. I don’t know if I did something wrong.” He paused, swallowing hard. “I keep thinking I’ve ruined everything.”

Harry didn’t respond right away. He just put a hand on Niall’s back, offering him some comfort, but even that felt like a distant gesture.

“I don’t think you did anything wrong,” Harry said quietly. “But you can’t keep carrying this alone, Niall. We all miss him. But you need to talk to him. You can’t let this silence go on.”

“I’ve tried,” Niall said, his voice breaking. “But it’s like he’s just… disappeared. I don’t know what happened, Harry. What if he doesn’t want to come back? What if this is it?”

Harry squeezed his shoulder tightly. “I think you need to give him time. If he’s not ready, you have to respect that. But you can’t blame yourself.”

The weight of the words hit Niall harder than he expected. He nodded slowly, wiping his eyes, but there was still a storm inside him, something he couldn’t shake off.

The next night, during rehearsals, the atmosphere was heavy. It felt like they were walking on eggshells. The boys exchanged glances, trying to go through the motions of preparing for the next concert, but the air was thick with the unsaid.

And then there was a moment. A moment where everything shifted.

Liam was talking with their manager when Niall noticed something strange—something off. Liam looked tense, his hands shaking as he flipped through a setlist. Zayn stood beside him, silently watching. Harry was adjusting his guitar, his eyes downcast.

Suddenly, Liam snapped, his voice rising as frustration got the best of him. “What are we supposed to do, huh? We’ve been putting on this act for days, but Shawn’s still not here. We’re falling apart, and no one seems to care. I’m so sick of pretending everything’s fine!”

Zayn opened his mouth to respond, but Liam wasn’t finished. “We can’t keep pretending like this is normal. We need him here, or I’m going to lose my mind.”

Niall felt his heart drop, his chest tightening. Liam’s outburst was a reflection of everything he had been feeling. They were all hanging by a thread, but it was clear that none of them knew how to fix it.

The silence in the room was deafening. No one knew what to say.

Niall slowly stood up, the weight of the words lingering in the air. “I’m going to go… I need some air.”

Before anyone could stop him, Niall left the room, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. He found a quiet corner, trying to breathe through the lump in his throat.

But his thoughts were spinning.

Chapter Text

Later that night, after the tension between the boys had died down, Niall was alone in his hotel room. He stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Shawn’s contact. He had called him countless times already, but each time, he got nothing. No response.

He felt sick, his heart heavy. Why couldn’t Shawn just answer? Why couldn’t he just tell him what was going on?

And then, just as Niall was about to give up, his phone vibrated.

Incoming call from Shawn.

His heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, he answered.

“Shawn?” Niall’s voice was shaky, unsure.

“Niall,” Shawn’s voice cracked through the phone. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disappear like this.”

Niall felt his breath catch. “Where are you? What happened?”

Shawn took a deep breath. “I needed space. I... I’ve been trying to work through some stuff, and I didn’t know how to explain it. I didn’t want to drag you into it, but I shouldn’t have disappeared like I did.”

Niall’s hands clenched into fists, fighting the wave of emotions crashing over him. “Shawn, you can’t just leave without telling me. I’ve been losing my mind, thinking I did something wrong. You didn’t answer any of my calls or texts.”

“I’m sorry,” Shawn whispered, his voice almost breaking. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ve just been overwhelmed, and I didn’t know how to fix it. I needed to get away from everything, Niall. From the tour, from the press, from the constant noise. But it’s not your fault.”

Niall felt his body go numb, relief flooding him. “So you’re coming back? You’re coming back to us?”

Shawn paused before answering, the silence stretching between them like a thread. “I’m coming back. But I need some time. I need to figure out where I fit in all of this.”

The words cut deep, but Niall couldn’t stop the flood of emotions he felt. “I don’t care about anything else, Shawn. Just… please come back. I need you.”

“I know,” Shawn’s voice was gentle now. “I’m sorry, Niall. I promise I’ll make it right.”

As Niall hung up the phone, a quiet wave of relief washed over him. Shawn was coming back. It wasn’t fixed yet, but they were one step closer.

But as he looked out the window at the city below, the truth lingered in his chest—there was still a long road ahead. And the weight of everything still felt so heavy.

The boys gathered in the hotel lobby before the next show, but Niall could sense that the darkness still loomed over them. Even though he had spoken to Shawn, it wasn’t the same. They had a long way to go before things would return to normal.

As Niall looked around at the group, he realized something. No matter how many concerts they performed, how many songs they sang, they couldn’t outrun the hole that Shawn’s absence had left in their lives.

And for the first time, Niall wasn’t sure if they could ever be the same again.

Niall took a deep breath as the roar of the crowd filled his ears. The energy of the fans was electric, but his body felt the complete opposite. His head throbbed, his chest was tight, and his legs felt like jelly beneath him.

“You good?” Louis asked, giving him a nudge as they lined up to walk out.

“Yeah,” Niall lied, forcing a smile. His voice didn’t sound convincing, even to himself.

The music started, and they all stepped onto the stage. The lights were blinding as usual, but tonight, they seemed harsher, like they were boring into his skull. He squinted, trying to adjust as the opening chords of the first song played.

Niall started singing his part, but his voice wavered slightly. He stumbled on a few notes, almost missing his cue entirely. He forced himself to focus, gripping his guitar tighter, but the dizziness hit him like a wave.

“Come on, mate,” he muttered under his breath, trying to shake it off.

But it didn’t go away.

Halfway through the third song, Niall zoned out completely, his fingers moving on autopilot while his mind felt like it was somewhere far away. The next thing he knew, he missed his step and almost collided with Liam. He caught himself at the last second, but the crowd had definitely noticed.

“Niall,” Zayn whispered, shooting him a concerned glance between lines.

“I’m fine,” he mumbled, though his head felt like it was spinning faster by the second.

By the fifth song, everything became a blur. The lights, the noise, the heat—it was too much. Niall’s vision tunneled, and his legs gave out beneath him. He didn’t even feel the impact as he hit the stage floor.

Louis had been keeping an eye on Niall all night. From the moment they walked onto the stage, something had felt off. Niall’s usual energy was gone, replaced by this sluggish, almost disoriented demeanor.

At first, Louis thought it was just nerves or maybe exhaustion from their hectic schedule. But as the show went on, his concern grew.

Niall kept stumbling, his timing was off, and he missed several cues. It wasn’t like him at all. Louis watched him out of the corner of his eye, ready to step in if needed, but Niall just kept pushing through.

By the fourth song, Louis couldn’t ignore it anymore. Niall looked pale, his movements slow and unsteady.

“You alright?” Louis whispered when they crossed paths during the performance.

Niall didn’t answer, just gave a weak nod before returning to his spot. Louis wasn’t convinced.

And then it happened.

During the fifth song, Louis saw Niall sway on his feet. His guitar hung limply at his side as his head tilted slightly.

“Niall?” Louis called out, his voice barely audible over the music.

Before anyone could react, Niall crumpled to the ground.

The crowd let out a collective gasp, and the music stopped abruptly. Louis’ heart dropped as he sprinted toward him, dropping to his knees beside Niall’s lifeless form.

“Niall!” Louis shouted, his voice cracking with panic. He grabbed Niall’s shoulder and shook him gently, trying to get a response.

Liam and Zayn were right behind him, both of them pale with fear.

“Call for help!” Liam yelled to the crew.

Louis pressed his fingers to Niall’s wrist, checking for a pulse. It was there—weak but steady. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived.

“He’s breathing, but we need a medic now,” Louis said, his voice shaking. He looked up at the others, his eyes wide with fear.

The paramedics rushed onto the stage, and Louis reluctantly stepped back to let them work. His hands were trembling, his chest tight with anxiety as he watched them lift Niall onto a stretcher.

The crowd was eerily silent, the weight of the moment sinking in for everyone. Louis followed the paramedics off the stage, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

When Niall opened his eyes, the world was blurry and bright, and his head felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. The sterile hospital smell hit him first, then the cold prickle of an IV in his arm. His body ached, heavy and slow like he’d been run over by a truck.

He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. That’s when he spotted Louis sitting in a chair next to the bed, his foot tapping anxiously against the floor. His head was bowed, his hands tangled in his hair, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Lou?” Niall croaked, his throat dry and raspy.

Louis’ head shot up, his eyes wide with relief. “Niall!” he said, jumping to his feet. “Thank God, mate. You’re awake!”

Niall tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness and nausea knocked him back down.

“Don’t,” Louis said firmly, his hands gently pressing Niall’s shoulders to keep him in place. “Just lie there. You scared the absolute hell out of us.”

“What... what happened?” Niall mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You passed out on stage,” Louis said, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke. “You weren’t feeling right all day, and then in the middle of the set, you just... collapsed. They said it was dehydration and exhaustion.”

Niall frowned, guilt settling like a heavy weight in his chest. He thought about how he’d ignored the signs all day—the dizziness, the headaches, the exhaustion he’d brushed off as part of the job.

“Damn,” he muttered, his throat thick. “I’m sorry.”

Louis gave him a pointed look. “Don’t you dare apologize. What you need to do is take care of yourself, alright? We’ve been telling you to slow down for weeks. You’ve got to listen.”

Niall nodded weakly, the gravity of Louis’ words sinking in. But as the memory of the last few days began to resurface, a different, heavier worry clawed its way to the forefront of his mind.

“Where’s Shawn?” Niall asked, his voice cracking as his eyes darted around the room.

Louis hesitated, his expression softening with something that looked an awful lot like pity. “He’s... not here,” he said slowly.

Niall’s stomach dropped. “Not here?” he repeated, panic rising in his chest.

Louis sighed, pulling his chair closer to the bed. “You two haven’t been in the best place lately,” he said carefully. “And after the fight, he needed space. He left the house, didn’t say where he was going. I think he needed to clear his head.”

Niall felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He closed his eyes, guilt and regret swirling inside him. He and Shawn had been at odds for weeks, their schedules keeping them apart, their tempers flaring every time they tried to reconnect. The fight they’d had before this—the things they’d said—suddenly felt so much heavier now.

Louis reached out, giving Niall’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’ve been trying to reach him,” he said. “He’ll come around, Niall. He loves you. He’s probably just... processing.”

“I shouldn’t have let it get this bad,” Niall murmured, his voice barely audible.

“Hey,” Louis said firmly, leaning closer. “Don’t spiral. You’ve been through enough. Focus on getting better, alright? Shawn’s going to realize how much he needs you, and when he does, you’ll talk it out.”

Niall nodded weakly, though his chest still ached. He hoped Louis was right, but the uncertainty gnawed at him. He closed his eyes again, wishing he could turn back the clock, wishing Shawn could hear him now and understand just how much he regretted every harsh word.

For now, though, all Niall could do was rest. And wait.

As the news of Niall’s collapse and hospitalization spread, the internet erupted. Clips from the concert, showing Niall stumbling and eventually passing out on stage, circulated across social media. Fans were frantic, expressing both worry and outrage at how overworked he seemed.

Twitter Reactions

• “I can’t believe this is happening again. Niall has been giving his all, and this is how he ends up? Someone needs to protect him. 😭”
• “The management team better address this. Niall’s health should come first, not the promo schedule!”
• “We saw him struggling all night. Why didn’t anyone step in sooner? My heart is breaking for him.”
• “Also... where’s Shawn? They’ve been distant lately, and I just hope Niall isn’t going through this alone.”

Instagram Comments on Niall’s Last Post:

• “You’ve been working so hard, and it shows. Please take care of yourself. We love you 💕.”
• “Does anyone else think something’s going on with him and Shawn? They’ve both seemed so off lately.”
• “This isn’t the Niall we’re used to seeing. He’s always been full of energy, but the exhaustion is written all over his face.”

On platforms like Reddit, fans began dissecting every detail, from Niall’s demeanor during interviews to his lack of interaction with Shawn.

• “I think the stress of the tour and promo got to him. And with Shawn not around, he doesn’t have the emotional support he needs right now.”
• “Remember that awkward interview last week where Niall seemed distracted the entire time? Something’s been off for a while.”

“Niall Horan’s Collapse Raises Concerns: What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?”

Excerpt:
Niall Horan, one-fifth of the globally adored band One Direction, sent shockwaves through the fandom when he fainted mid-performance during the band’s latest tour stop. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the grueling demands placed on the boys as they promote their highly anticipated reunion album while simultaneously preparing for a world tour.

Analysis of His Health:
“Sources close to the band have hinted at the toll this schedule has taken on the members, particularly Niall, who has been juggling not only his commitments to the band but also a reportedly rocky personal relationship with fiancé Shawn Mendes. Fans have noted the absence of Shawn from recent events, fueling speculation about tension between the two.”

Relationship Speculation:
“Over the past few weeks, both Shawn and Niall have avoided addressing each other in interviews, leading fans to question whether the couple—long celebrated as a beacon of love and stability—might be struggling behind the scenes. Mendes, who recently concluded his own mini-tour, has been notably silent on social media regarding Horan’s health scare.”

Fan Response:
“This isn’t just about the physical toll,” says longtime fan Emily S., 23. “We’ve noticed the emotional strain too. Niall’s smile hasn’t reached his eyes lately, and Shawn’s absence feels significant.”

Conclusion:
“While Niall’s team has assured fans that he is recovering well, the bigger question looms: How much longer can these stars push themselves before the cracks start to show? And will Niall and Shawn’s relationship withstand the pressure of fame?”

Fans were quick to dissect the article, with reactions ranging from agreement to outright outrage.

Tweets:

• “That article is disgusting. How dare they speculate about his relationship when he’s in the hospital?”
• “They’re not wrong, though. Shawn’s been MIA, and Niall looks miserable. Something’s definitely up.”
• “Can the media stop capitalizing on people’s pain for clicks? Let Niall recover in peace.”

Meanwhile, hashtags like #GetWellNiall, #WeLoveYouNiall, and #WhereIsShawn trended worldwide.

The pressure from fans and the media was mounting. Niall and Shawn’s absence from each other’s lives wasn’t just being noticed—it was becoming the center of attention. Both of them would soon have to address the rumors, whether they were ready or not.

Niall sat on the edge of the hospital bed, staring out the window at the city skyline. The room was cold, sterile, and far too quiet. He hated being alone, but the boys had to go to rehearsals, leaving him behind to rest. The distant hum of the heart monitor was the only sound, a constant reminder of why he was here in the first place.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, wincing at the dull ache in his head. His phone sat on the bedside table, buzzing occasionally with texts from the boys checking in. He appreciated it, but it wasn’t the same as having someone there.

A soft knock broke the silence. He frowned, not expecting anyone. "Come in," he called, his voice quieter than he intended.

The door creaked open, and there he was—Shawn.

Niall’s heart skipped a beat as he saw him standing there, looking hesitant and exhausted. His hair was slightly messy, and he had dark circles under his eyes. But despite everything, he still looked like home.

“What are you doing here?” Niall asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shawn stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “I heard what happened. I couldn’t stay away.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension in the room was almost suffocating.

“Shawn, I—”

“Let me talk first,” Shawn interrupted, his voice shaky but determined. He took a few cautious steps closer. “I messed up, Niall. I let everything get to me—the stress, the pressure, the distance—and I shut you out when you needed me most. That’s on me.”

Niall swallowed hard, his chest tightening.

“I should’ve been here for you,” Shawn continued, his voice breaking. “Not just now, but before. I was so caught up in my own head that I didn’t see how much you were struggling too. And then I ran... I left when I should’ve stayed.”

Niall looked down at his hands, his throat burning with unshed tears. “It wasn’t just you, Shawn. I wasn’t honest with you either. I kept pretending I was fine when I wasn’t. I thought I could handle everything, but I couldn’t. And I took it out on you.”

Shawn finally closed the distance between them, sitting on the edge of the bed. “You don’t have to handle everything, Niall. That’s what I’m here for. Or at least... that’s what I’m supposed to be here for.”

They both fell silent, the weight of their unspoken feelings settling between them.

“Do you still want this?” Niall asked, his voice barely audible.

Shawn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Of course I do. You’re it for me, Niall. I don’t care how hard it gets—I want us. I just... I need to be better for you.”

Niall finally looked up, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “We both need to be better. But I want us too. I’ve always wanted us.”

Shawn reached out, gently cupping Niall’s face. “Then let’s figure it out together. No more running, no more shutting each other out. We can do this, Niall. I know we can.”

Niall leaned into Shawn’s touch, a tear slipping down his cheek. “Okay,” he whispered. “Together.”

Shawn smiled softly, his own eyes wet. “Together.”

He pulled Niall into a gentle hug, careful not to hurt him. Niall let himself melt into Shawn’s arms, feeling a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in weeks.

For the first time in what felt like forever, things didn’t feel so impossible. They weren’t perfect, but they were trying. And that was enough.

The hospital room was still cold and quiet, but it didn’t feel so lonely anymore.

Niall sat in the chair across from the interviewer, the lights of the studio warm but a bit too bright for his liking. His palms were sweaty, but he kept a steady grip on the bottle of water in his hand. The boys sat nearby, giving him reassuring smiles, but this was something he needed to do on his own.

The interviewer, a kind-looking woman in her mid-40s, leaned forward slightly, her notebook resting on her lap. "Niall, first of all, I want to thank you for being here and being so open. I know it's been a difficult few weeks."

Niall gave a small smile, his heart pounding in his chest. “Thanks for having me. Yeah, it’s... it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.”

She nodded, her tone gentle. “If you’re comfortable, could you share a little bit about what happened on stage that night? Fans have been worried.”

He took a deep breath, his fingers fidgeting with the label on his water bottle. "Yeah, um... that night was... it was a lot. I hadn’t been feeling great for a while, but I thought I could just push through, you know? It’s what we’ve always done—keep going for the fans, for the show. But... I guess my body had other plans."

He chuckled nervously, and the interviewer gave him an understanding smile. "I was dehydrated, overworked, and just not taking care of myself the way I should’ve been. And it all kind of caught up with me at the worst possible moment."

She tilted her head, her expression soft. “That must’ve been terrifying for you.”

“It was,” Niall admitted, his voice quieter. “I hate letting people down, and in that moment, I felt like I was letting everyone down—the fans, the boys, myself. But I’ve realized that... sometimes you have to step back and take care of yourself first. It doesn’t mean you’re weak. It just means you’re human.”

The interviewer smiled warmly. “That’s such an important message, Niall. Thank you for sharing that.”

Niall nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. But he knew there was more to say—something he’d been debating for days. He glanced at the boys, who gave him encouraging nods, and then he looked directly at the camera.

“There’s something else I want to talk about,” he said, his voice steady but laced with nerves. “It’s... it’s about Shawn.”

The interviewer raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but respectful. “Go ahead, Niall.”

Niall exhaled deeply, his heart pounding. “Shawn and I... we’ve been together for a while now. And I know there’s been a lot of speculation, especially after everything recently. I just... I wanted to clear the air. He’s my person. He’s been my rock through all of this, even when we hit rough patches. And I’m so grateful for him.”

The room was silent for a moment before the interviewer spoke, her voice kind. “That’s a beautiful thing, Niall. Thank you for being so honest. I’m sure your fans will appreciate hearing that from you.”

Niall gave a small smile, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability. “Thanks. I just... I want people to know that it’s okay to lean on the people you love, to admit when you’re not okay. And I want to thank the fans for their support—they mean the world to me.”

The interviewer smiled warmly. “I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re rooting for you, Niall.”

Niall felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he could breathe again. He wasn’t hiding anymore. He wasn’t running. He was just... himself.

Niall was still recovering from his onstage collapse, but he was stubborn as ever. Despite the lingering fatigue and the boys’ concerns, he was adamant about getting back on stage.

“I’m fine, really,” he insisted, brushing off their worried glances. “The fans have been waiting long enough, and I’m not going to let them down again.”

Louis crossed his arms, a frown etched on his face. “Mate, you barely made it through rehearsals yesterday. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Even Shawn, who had been trying his best to support Niall’s decisions, chimed in. “You’re still recovering, love. One more day of rest wouldn’t hurt.”

But Niall wouldn’t budge. “I’ll be fine. I just need to get out there, feel the energy, and everything will fall into place.”

Reluctantly, everyone agreed, though the tension in the air was palpable. Shawn couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in his chest as they prepared for the show.

The arena was packed, the crowd deafening as the lights dimmed and the intro music played. Niall walked out with the boys, his smile bright but his movements slightly sluggish. At first, everything seemed fine. He sang his heart out, interacted with fans, and kept up with the high-energy choreography.

But Shawn, watching from the side stage, noticed the little signs—Niall stumbling slightly during transitions, the sheen of sweat on his face that wasn’t from exertion, and the way he gripped his mic stand tighter than usual.

By the time they were halfway through the set, Niall’s voice started to waver, and he seemed to be zoning out. Shawn’s stomach twisted in worry.

During a quick break, Shawn pulled Louis aside. “He’s not okay,” Shawn said firmly. “We need to stop this before it gets worse.”

Louis glanced at Niall, who was leaning heavily against a speaker, trying to catch his breath. “I know, but you know him. He won’t stop unless someone makes him.”

Shawn didn’t hesitate. He walked out on stage, ignoring the confused looks from the boys and the fans. He gently placed a hand on Niall’s shoulder, leaning in to speak quietly but firmly.

“Niall, you’ve done enough. Let me take it from here,” he said, his voice steady but filled with concern.

Niall blinked at him, clearly disoriented. “But the fans—”

“They’ll understand,” Shawn interrupted. “They care about you, not just the show. Please, let’s go.”

After a tense moment, Niall nodded, his exhaustion finally winning out. Shawn wrapped an arm around him, guiding him off stage as the boys quickly took over to address the crowd.

The moment Shawn helped Niall off stage was caught on camera by countless fans and quickly spread across social media. Clips of Shawn gently talking to Niall and leading him away flooded Twitter and Instagram, accompanied by hashtags like #ShiallForever and #ProtectNiallHoran.

Fans praised Shawn’s actions, admiring how attentive and protective he was. Comments poured in:

• “Shawn taking care of Niall is everything I needed today.”
• “You can see how much he loves him just by the way he looks at him. This is real love.”
• “I hope Niall is okay, but I’m so glad Shawn was there for him.”

Articles followed shortly after, with headlines like:
“Shawn Mendes Steps In to Protect Niall Horan Mid-Concert: A Heartwarming Moment of Love and Care”
“Shiall Fans Rejoice as the Couple Shares a Tender Moment Onstage”

Backstage, Shawn helped Niall onto a couch, handing him a water bottle and a damp towel. Niall leaned back, closing his eyes as he tried to steady his breathing.

“I’m sorry,” Niall said quietly, his voice hoarse.

Shawn knelt beside him, taking his hand. “You don’t have to apologize. I just want you to be okay. That’s all that matters.”

Niall opened his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. “You always know how to keep me in check, huh?”

“That’s my job,” Shawn replied, brushing a strand of hair from Niall’s forehead. “Now, rest. No more pushing yourself.”

As the boys joined them backstage, each of them checked in on Niall, their concern evident. The show had to end early, but no one cared—they were just relieved that Niall was okay.

The next morning, #Shiall was trending worldwide. Fans posted messages of support, wishing Niall a speedy recovery and praising Shawn for stepping in. The overwhelming positivity brought a smile to Niall’s face as he scrolled through the comments.

“They really do love us, don’t they?” Niall said, glancing at Shawn.

“Of course they do,” Shawn replied, wrapping an arm around him. “But no one loves you more than I do.”

Niall leaned into him, feeling a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in weeks. For the first time in a while, everything felt like it was going to be okay.

Niall sat on the edge of the stage during soundcheck, bouncing his knee nervously. He’d gotten the all-clear from the doctors earlier that morning, but their words still echoed in his mind:

“You’re good to go, but you must listen to your body. If you feel dizzy or overwhelmed, sit down and drink water immediately. And if you feel like you’re about to pass out, signal someone so they can help you.”

Shawn crouched in front of him, gently placing a hand on Niall’s knee to stop the bouncing. “Hey, you’re going to be great. Just remember what the doctor said, yeah?”

Niall looked up at him, his blue eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “I know, but what if I mess up? What if I push too hard again?”

“You’re not doing this alone,” Shawn said, his voice steady and reassuring. “I’ll be watching from the side, and if you even hint that you’re feeling off, I’m coming out with water faster than you can say ‘tour bus.’”

Niall chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Thanks, love. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Luckily, you don’t have to find out,” Shawn teased, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Niall’s forehead.

The rest of the boys joined them on stage, radiating supportive energy. “Alright, let’s go through this one more time,” Louis said, clapping his hands together. “And remember, if you need to take a break, you take a break. We’ve got you.”

Niall nodded, grateful for the support from both his fiancé and his bandmates.

As the lights dimmed and the first notes of the intro played, the crowd erupted into cheers. Niall took a deep breath, steadying himself as the boys gave him encouraging pats on the back.

“You’ve got this,” Harry whispered.

The first half of the show went smoothly. Niall kept to the front of the stage, focusing on his vocals and keeping his movements light. The fans were thrilled to see him back, their cheers growing louder whenever he sang his solo parts.

Shawn watched closely from the wings, holding a bottle of water in one hand and keeping his eyes glued to Niall. Every time Niall glanced his way, Shawn gave him a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up.

About three-quarters into the set, during an upbeat number, Niall started to feel the familiar signs of fatigue. His head felt heavy, and a cold sweat formed on the back of his neck. He instinctively slowed down, gripping the mic stand for support.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Shawn tense up. Niall discreetly placed two fingers to his temple—the signal they had agreed on.

Within seconds, Shawn was on stage, a bottle of water in hand. The fans cheered as he approached Niall, but Shawn kept his focus on him.

“Take a sip,” Shawn said quietly, handing Niall the water. “Sit down for a minute.”

Niall obeyed, lowering himself onto the edge of the stage. The boys continued the song seamlessly, Harry stepping forward to cover Niall’s lines.

Shawn knelt beside Niall, speaking softly so only he could hear. “How are you feeling? Do you need to stop?”

Niall took a deep breath, letting the cool water soothe him. “I think I just need a minute. I’ll be okay.”

“Promise me you won’t push it,” Shawn said, his eyes filled with concern.

“I promise,” Niall replied, managing a small smile.

After a few minutes, Niall stood up, giving Shawn a quick hug before rejoining the boys. The crowd erupted into applause, their support palpable.

The rest of the show went off without a hitch, and by the time they reached the encore, Niall felt like himself again. As they took their final bow, he glanced over at Shawn, who was beaming with pride.

Backstage, Niall sank into a couch, feeling the satisfying ache of a performance well done. Shawn handed him another bottle of water, sitting down beside him.

“You did amazing,” Shawn said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

“Only because you were there to catch me if I fell,” Niall replied, leaning into him.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Shawn said with a grin. “You, me, and the boys—we’re a team. And the fans? They adore you, no matter what.”

Niall smiled, the weight of the night lifting. He realized he didn’t have to do it all on his own. With Shawn, the boys, and the fans by his side, he could handle anything.

The stadium lights dimmed, signaling the end of the show. The boys had just taken their final bow, and the crowd was still buzzing with energy. Niall waved to the fans, his exhaustion masked by a grateful smile. The moment the boys disappeared backstage, the fans’ energy carried over to social media.

On Twitter:
@1DForeverLove: “Did you guys see how Shawn rushed to Niall on stage? The way he handed him water and made him sit down 🥹 We don’t deserve Shiall. Protect Niall at all costs!!! 💙💚 #Shiall #GetWellNiall”

@Directioner_98: “Niall was so brave going back on stage after everything he’s been through. And Shawn watching him like a hawk? True love right there. My heart is full. 💕”

@LouIsTheKing: “The fact that the boys seamlessly picked up Niall’s part when he needed a break just proves how much they’ve got each other’s backs. This is why we love them. 💖”

On Instagram:
A fan page posted a video of Shawn rushing to Niall with a water bottle and kneeling beside him. The caption read:

“Shawn helping Niall during tonight’s concert was the most heartwarming thing we’ve seen all year. 💕 Niall, take your time to recover—we’ll always be here for you. 💪 #GetWellNiall #ShiallSupport”

Comments flooded in:

• “This made me tear up. The way Shawn looked at him, so worried but calm.”
• “Niall is such a trooper, but we want him healthy! Please rest, king!”
• “Directioners and Shiall stans, let’s trend #GetWellNiall until he sees our love!”

On TikTok:
Clips of the moment Shawn rushed on stage and Niall’s brief pause spread like wildfire. One video showed Shawn kneeling beside Niall, and the caption read: “True love is looking out for your person even in the middle of a show 🥹💙💚.”

Fans left emotional comments:

• “Niall and Shawn are what real love looks like. I hope Niall feels better soon!”
• “The boys and Shawn supporting Niall tonight… ugh, my heart can’t take it 😭.”
• “Directioners, we need to stream all their songs and send love to Niall right now!”

The hashtag #GetWellNiall began trending worldwide within hours. Fans shared messages of encouragement, photos from the concert, and heartfelt videos.

One fan even started a donation campaign for a mental health charity in Niall’s name, captioning it: “We know Niall would want to help others even while he’s recovering. Let’s show him how much we care. 💙”

The next morning, Niall posted on Instagram, sharing a photo of him on the couch with a blanket draped over his shoulders. Shawn was in the background, holding up two mugs of tea.

Caption:
"Last night reminded me of just how incredible all of you are. Thank you for your endless support and love. I’m feeling much better today, but I promise I’m taking it slow. Can’t wait to see you all again soon. 💙 Also, shoutout to Shawn for always looking out for me. Couldn’t ask for a better partner.

#Shiall #GetWellNiall”

The post garnered millions of likes and thousands of comments within hours.

“Take your time, Niall! We love you!!! 💙 ”

“Shawn is the MVP, but Niall is the king. Rest up and come back when you’re ready!”

“This fandom is so proud of you. Thank you for being you, Niall.”

It was a rare moment of peace between two legs of the tour. After a long few months on the road, the boys and Shawn had decided to take advantage of the break and do something fun for the fans—a mini live stream. The plan was simple: hang out, play board games, answer some fan questions, and relax.

The live stream kicked off with the camera zooming in on the group, all gathered in a cozy living room of the house they rented for the break. The setting was laid-back, with comfy cushions, snacks on the table, and a few board games scattered around.

Niall: “Alright, everyone! We’re gonna play some board games, have a laugh, and of course, answer a bunch of your questions. Let’s get this started.”

The camera panned across the group: Niall, Shawn, Liam, Zayn, Louis, and Harry were all lounging in front of the camera, clearly relaxed and happy. They were wearing casual clothes—hoodies, t-shirts, and sweatpants—and the air was light with a sense of ease that the boys had been craving for weeks.

Shawn: “Just so you know, Niall is way too competitive when it comes to Monopoly, so… this is going to be interesting.”

Niall: “Hey! I don’t cheat. I just play smart.” He grinned, leaning into the camera. “Alright, let’s set up. We’re going with Monopoly first.”

Monopoly, of course, was chaos. It started off fun and lighthearted, with everyone making jokes and teasing each other. Niall and Louis immediately started bickering about who owned which properties, while Harry kept insisting that he was “not good at money” and kept making risky trades.

Louis: “I swear, if you put one more hotel on my property, Niall, I’m leaving the game.”

Niall: “Oh come on, I’m just trying to win! Don’t take it personally.”

Shawn: “Yeah, Louis, stop being so dramatic. It’s just a game!”

But things quickly took a competitive turn. Louis and Niall’s banter got louder, and even Zayn started getting in on the fun, egging them on. Harry, on the other hand, seemed more interested in making up hilarious backstories for the Monopoly pieces.

Harry: “This little top hat represents the ‘rich businessman who’s about to lose all his money because of Niall’s dirty tactics.’”

The boys laughed, but as the game went on, the tension between Niall and Louis started building. It wasn’t serious, but it was definitely a playful rivalry that got more intense as the game progressed.

After a while, the boys decided to take a break from Monopoly and move on to a Q&A session, where they answered questions from the fans.

Fan Question: “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on stage?”

Niall: “Oh, easy. I tripped over a microphone cord during a performance once and fell flat on my face. That was fun.”

Shawn: “One time, I forgot the lyrics to my own song. It was mortifying.”

Louis: “Oh, and I almost knocked the entire drum kit over while running across the stage. That was not my finest moment.”

Liam: “I got my jacket caught on a speaker once… never living that one down.”

Zayn: “I’ve tripped over my own feet a few times... that’s always a good laugh.”

Everyone laughed as they shared their embarrassing stories, feeling like they could relax in front of their fans without any pressure.

The fans were loving the stream, with the chat moving fast and filled with comments.

@1DForeverFan: “Niall being competitive in Monopoly is my spirit animal 😂”

@ShawnFan_91: “Shawn’s little giggle when Niall was winning is so cute!! 🥺”

@Liam_Love13: “You all are hilarious. Can we get more streams like this, please?”

@Directioner98: “I just love how relaxed you all are. You deserve this break. 💙”

As the night went on, the atmosphere continued to be lighthearted. The boys played another round of games, answered more questions, and enjoyed each other’s company.

As the live stream neared its end, the boys decided to wrap up with a final, more heartfelt moment. They all gathered around the camera, looking directly into the lens with big smiles.

Zayn: “Hey, guys. Thank you so much for all the love and support. We wouldn’t be here without you. Seriously. It means the world to us.”

Liam: “Yeah, we know we’ve been all over the place lately, but this time off has been really important for us.”

Louis: “And we’re just glad we get to share these little moments with you. You’ve stuck with us through thick and thin.”

Niall: “Couldn’t have said it better. You all mean so much to us. We’ll be back soon, better than ever. And as always, thank you for your support. We love you.”

Shawn: “And to my boys… you know I’ve got your backs, always. No matter what.”

They all waved at the camera, with Niall blowing a kiss to the fans. As the live stream ended, they all felt a sense of calm and connection. It was a reminder of why they loved doing this—to ect with their fans and to keep pushing forward together.

The mini live stream wasn’t just a fun distraction; it was a moment of peace in the middle of their hectic lives. The fans, seeing them in their element, couldn’t have been more grateful. For Niall and the others, it was a reminder of how important it was to take breaks, enjoy life, and cherish the bond they had with each other and with their fans.

It was the day after the mini live stream, and the boys were feeling pretty good after their much-needed break. They decided to do something a little different for fun—a cooking challenge. The idea came from Niall, who had been watching cooking shows during their time off, and wanted to test the boys’ skills in the kitchen.

The teams were set up:

• Team Shiall (Niall and Shawn)
• Team Larry (Louis and Harry)
• Team Ziam (Zayn and Liam)

The judges for this chaotic cooking competition would be their hairdresser, Lou Teasdale; Harry’s older sister, Gemma Styles; and Paul, their ever-reliable security guard. The setup was simple: each team had to cook a three-course meal, and the judges would decide who made the best dishes.

As the challenge began, the boys dove straight into it—some more eagerly than others. Niall and Shawn instantly went into a heated discussion about what to make, with Niall insisting on making a traditional Irish dish, while Shawn was leaning towards something Italian. Their bickering was playful, but they quickly got to work, each of them setting up ingredients and trying to figure out what would impress the judges.

Shawn: “I’m telling you, we need to go with something fancy! Pasta, maybe?”

Niall: “Fancy? Mate, we need comfort food. I’m going Irish with the stew. Trust me.”

On the other side of the kitchen, Louis and Harry were already having their own mishap. Louis was trying to focus on making a perfect risotto, but Harry—who insisted on being in charge of the dessert—kept “helping” by adding random ingredients to the mix.

Louis: “Harry, stop! That’s not how you make risotto! You can’t just throw anything in there!”

Harry: “I know what I’m doing, Lou. Just wait until you taste my amazing chocolate mousse!”

Meanwhile, Liam and Zayn, who had been left to decide on their dish, were trying to decide between something classic like roast chicken or going a little wild with a vegetarian option. Zayn was leaning towards something simple but elegant, while Liam kept throwing in random spices to give it a “kick.”

Zayn: “Liam, I swear to God, you put chili powder in everything.”

Liam: “You just wait, mate. This is going to be legendary!”

As the time ticked down, it quickly became apparent that no team was actually succeeding in making a gourmet meal. Niall and Shawn’s Irish stew was more like a soup, with ingredients that hadn’t quite blended together. Louis and Harry’s risotto? A bit too soggy, with a peculiar texture. And Liam and Zayn’s roast chicken looked like something you’d find in a poorly-cooked school cafeteria.

When the time was up, all three teams presented their dishes, trying their best to mask their panic with smiles.

Niall (to the camera): “We totally nailed this, right? Just look at this masterpiece...” His voice trailed off as he looked at their bowl of soupy stew.

Louis: “I think it’s edible… right? The risotto might be a bit... mushy, but it’ll taste good.”

Zayn (nervously): “You know, it’s got flavor, it’s just… well, a little overcooked.”

Lou Teasdale, Gemma Styles, and Paul took their places at the judging table, ready to evaluate the dishes. The boys nervously watched as they began tasting the food.

Lou: “Alright, let’s try the stew first…” She scooped a bit of the soup into her mouth and paused for a long moment. “Hmm... it’s a bit thin, but the flavor is decent. Not bad, boys.”

Gemma (trying not to laugh): “It’s definitely... something.”

Paul (with a serious face): “I’m not even sure what this is... but it’s not stew, is it?”

After some more awkward silences, they moved onto the risotto from Team Larry.

Lou (grimacing slightly): “This... might be a bit too soggy. But I like the effort, guys.”

Gemma: “It’s like risotto soup. Which is an interesting twist, I suppose?”

Paul (holding back laughter): “At least it’s not burnt. That’s something.”

Then it was time for Zayn and Liam’s roast chicken.

Lou (chewing and looking down at her plate): “Well, it’s definitely not dry, but… the spices are a bit much.”

Gemma (trying to keep it together): “It tastes... like a very spicy experiment.”

Paul (nodding slowly): “You’ve... managed to make chicken taste... complicated.”

The boys anxiously waited for the judges’ final decision, knowing they had definitely not made anything close to gourmet. After much deliberation, the judges came to a conclusion.

Lou: “Alright, let’s cut to the chase—this is tough, but the winner of the cooking challenge is... Team Shiall.”

Shawn (genuinely surprised): “Wait, what? We won? Seriously?”

Niall (shocked): “What? Are you sure? Our stew was awful!”

Gemma (laughing): “It wasn’t the best, but the effort and creativity counted. Plus, we all agreed the Irish stew had a certain charm to it.”

Paul (smiling): “I think it’s just because you didn’t try to kill us with too much spice. So, well done.”

While Team Shiall celebrated their victory, Team Larry and Team Ziam couldn't help but laugh at how terribly their dishes had turned out. But in the end, everyone had a great time and it wasn’t about who won or lost—it was just another chance to bond.

Niall: “Alright, I’m not making stew again. Maybe next time we’ll do something safer... like toast.”

Shawn (laughing): “I think we should leave the cooking to the pros.”

Louis: “Agreed! But hey, at least we can say we tried.”

Liam: “Next time, we’re doing something simple. Like pizza.”

The boys finished off their evening, laughing about the absurdity of the challenge. They had all lost in their own way, but in the end, it didn’t matter—they were having fun together, and that was all that really counted.

Fans watching the live stream were flooded with comments, their love and support shining through:

@DirectionerForLife: “This is honestly the best content ever. You guys are hilarious!”

@ShawnFan123: “Shawn and Niall winning the cooking challenge?! I’m dead 😂😂”

@LiamIsMySunshine: “Please do this again! I need more content like this in my life!”

For the boys, the day was a perfect reminder of the joy that came with being together, having fun, and embracing the chaos—whether it was in the kitchen or on stage.

Chapter Text

For the last few days, the studio had been a sanctuary—a rare moment of stillness amidst the chaos of their lives. The boys spent their time lounging, playing music, and joking around like they used to before everything became so overwhelming. Shawn and Niall were practically inseparable, taking comfort in each other’s presence after everything they had been through. For once, things felt normal.

But normal never lasted long for them.

It started as an uneasy feeling in Niall’s chest—something he couldn’t quite place. He brushed it off, thinking maybe it was just exhaustion catching up to him. That was, until Louis spoke up.

“Hey, do you guys see that?” Louis’ voice was low and tense as he stared out the large studio window.

Harry, sitting next to him, followed his gaze. “It looks like... someone’s there.”

Niall’s stomach twisted. Slowly, he turned toward the window, and there, standing just beyond the fence line, was a dark figure. They weren’t moving, just watching. His breath hitched. It couldn’t be—no, not again.

Shawn noticed Niall stiffen beside him. “Ni?” he whispered, but Niall didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His pulse was hammering in his ears.

The figure suddenly disappeared from view. The sound of the studio door creaking open sent a jolt of fear through the room.

The boys shot to their feet, their relaxed evening shattered in an instant. Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Paul, their security guard, rushed toward the noise, but the intruder was already gone.

A suffocating silence followed.

Niall could feel his whole body trembling, his hands clenched into fists. His breathing was shallow and uneven, his chest tightening like it was caving in. The room felt smaller, too loud, too bright, too much. He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe—

“Niall?” Shawn’s voice cut through the panic, but Niall barely registered it. His vision blurred, hands shaking violently as a choked sob escaped his throat.

“Oh, shit,” Louis muttered, stepping forward, but Shawn was already there.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Shawn murmured, wrapping his arms around Niall and pulling him close. “I’ve got you, love. Just breathe with me, okay?”

Niall clung to him, gasping as the panic crashed over him in waves. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to focus on Shawn’s steady heartbeat against his ear. His hands fisted Shawn’s hoodie like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Shawn guided him down onto the couch, still holding him close, rubbing soothing circles on his back. “You’re safe, I promise. No one’s gonna hurt you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to Niall’s temple.

Niall buried his face in Shawn’s chest, his sobs muffled against the fabric. He felt so helpless, so exposed, and he hated it.

The other boys stayed close but gave them space, their faces filled with concern.

After a few minutes, Niall’s breathing finally started to slow. His grip on Shawn loosened slightly, though his hands still trembled. Shawn cupped his face gently, their foreheads resting together.

“You okay?” Shawn asked softly.

Niall let out a shaky breath. “No,” he admitted, voice hoarse. “But I will be.”

Shawn kissed his forehead, holding him just a little tighter. “I’m not going anywhere, Ni. We’ll get through this together.”

And for the first time since the nightmare had begun, Niall believed him.

The studio was quiet, the air thick with tension after what had just happened. Niall was still curled up next to Shawn on the couch, his breathing steadier but his grip on Shawn’s hoodie still tight. The other boys sat around, concern evident in their eyes as they tried to process everything.

Paul stood in front of them, his arms crossed, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with something much more serious. He had seen a lot in his years of protecting them, but this situation was escalating fast, and none of them could afford to take it lightly.

“Alright,” Paul finally said, breaking the silence. “We need to have a serious talk about what’s gonna happen from now on.”

Niall flinched slightly at the authoritative tone, but Shawn rubbed slow circles on his back, grounding him.

Paul took a deep breath before continuing. “First thing—we’re increasing security. Effective immediately, no one goes anywhere alone. That means hotel rooms, studios, venues, restaurants—if you leave the bus, the hotel, or wherever we’re staying, you take security with you. No exceptions.”

Liam nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s fair.”

“Second,” Paul continued, “we’re doubling up on private entrances and exits. No more wandering off or sneaking away, even for quick errands. The second you step out without protection, you’re a target.”

Louis leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “So, basically, we’re on lockdown?”

Paul gave him a sharp look. “No, you’re just not being reckless anymore.”

Louis huffed but didn’t argue.

Paul turned to Niall specifically now, his voice softer but firm. “Niall, I know this has been a lot, and I know it’s terrifying. But we need to make sure you’re safe. If at any point you feel uneasy or notice anything off, you tell one of us. You don’t brush it off, got it?”

Niall swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah… okay.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

Paul’s expression softened. “We’ll also be doing background checks on every staff member in every venue. No one gets close unless we know exactly who they are.”

Zayn frowned. “What about hotels? We can’t control who stays in the same place as us.”

“Already handled,” Paul said. “From now on, we’ll be staying in floors that are completely booked out for just us and security.”

Harry sighed, running a hand through his curls. “This is insane. We shouldn’t have to live like this.”

Paul’s jaw clenched. “No, you shouldn’t. But until this person is caught, we have to be careful.”

There was a heavy silence.

Shawn finally spoke up. “Is there a plan to actually catch them? ‘Cause this isn’t just some overzealous fan anymore—this is stalking, breaking and entering, and who knows what else.”

Paul nodded. “We’ve got a private security team working with law enforcement. Cameras, tracking, everything. We’re gonna find them.”

Niall shuddered at the thought. He wanted them caught, but the idea of someone watching his every move made his skin crawl.

Paul looked at each of them. “I know this sucks. But I’d rather have you all annoyed at me for being overprotective than have something worse happen.”

No one argued with that.

After a long pause, Louis broke the tension with a sigh. “Well, guess we better get used to having bodyguards breathing down our necks twenty-four-seven.”

“Better than having a stalker breathing down your neck,” Zayn muttered.

Paul nodded. “Exactly. Now, go get some rest. You’re safe here, I promise.”

But even as they all tried to relax, Niall couldn’t help but wonder… for how long?

After the heavy conversation with Paul, the boys left the studio, still shaken but doing their best to act normal. Security flanked them on both sides as they climbed into the black SUVs waiting outside. Niall curled up next to Shawn in the back seat, exhaustion creeping in, but his mind refused to quiet.

The drive was quiet, the low hum of the engine and the occasional street noise filling the silence. Niall’s fingers were laced with Shawn’s, the warmth grounding him, but there was an unease in his chest that wouldn’t settle.

Then, as they turned down a dimly lit street near their hotel, something caught Louis’ attention.

"Uh, not to alarm anyone, but that same black car has been behind us since we left the studio," he muttered, peering through the tinted window.

Liam tensed. "You sure?"

Louis nodded. "Positive. I saw it parked across the street when we got in the car. Thought maybe it was just a coincidence, but it hasn’t turned away once."

A chill ran down Niall’s spine. He slowly sat up straighter, his grip on Shawn tightening. "Tell me you’re joking."

"I don’t joke about this stuff, mate," Louis said, voice tense.

Paul, seated in the front, immediately took out his phone and dialed someone. "We might have a tail," he muttered into the receiver, eyes flicking up to the rearview mirror. "Switching routes now."

The SUV took an unexpected left turn down a smaller street, then another. Niall’s heart pounded as he watched through the back window. The black car followed.

"They’re still there," Zayn said, voice clipped.

"Alright," Paul said, his tone calm but firm. "We’re going straight to the underground garage at the hotel. Security will be waiting. No one gets out until I say so."

The atmosphere in the car shifted. What had started as a normal drive back to their hotel was quickly turning into something much more sinister.

Shawn moved his arm around Niall’s shoulders, pulling him closer. "It’s gonna be okay," he whispered, but Niall wasn’t sure he believed him.

They sped through a few more side streets before finally pulling into the underground parking lot beneath their hotel. Security guards were already standing by, their eyes scanning the area. As soon as their SUV stopped, Paul turned around to face them.

"Everyone, stay in the car. We need to confirm if they followed us in."

Silence. Then—

"Paul," Liam said in a low voice, staring out the window. "They’re here."

The black car had pulled into the garage, stopping a few spaces away. The windows were dark, no way to see who was inside.

A pit formed in Niall’s stomach.

"Security, move in," Paul ordered through his radio. Immediately, three guards approached the mystery vehicle, hands resting near their weapons. One of them knocked on the driver’s window.

No response.

Another knock.

Still nothing.

Then—without warning—the car suddenly reversed, tires screeching against the concrete as it sped backward before peeling out of the garage, disappearing into the night.

The boys sat frozen, watching everything unfold.

Paul exhaled sharply before turning back to them. "That’s it. No more freedom without a full escort. This isn’t just a fan. This is someone watching you."

Niall swallowed hard, his hands trembling. Shawn noticed immediately and pulled him into his chest.

"We’re okay," Shawn whispered, his lips against Niall’s temple. "They can’t get to us."

But even as he said it, Niall wasn’t sure how true that was. Because whoever was following them… they weren’t giving up.

The boys were sprawled across the couches in their hotel room, exhaustion from the day weighing on them. The tension from recent events still lingered, the idea of being watched—hunted—making it impossible to fully relax.

“We should do a live,” Niall suggested, trying to break the heavy atmosphere. “Give the fans something fun. Maybe it'll help us get our minds off things.”

The others agreed, setting up a quick livestream, the familiar wave of excited comments flooding in as soon as they went live.

"LARRY SUPREMACY!!"
"OMG SHIALL IS SITTING TOGETHER AGAIN."
"ZAYN AND LIAM LOOK SO TIRED, YOU GUYS OKAY?"
"DID YOU GUYS HEAR ABOUT THE STALKER AGAIN??"

They laughed, ignoring the more intense comments and focusing on the fun. They answered questions, made jokes, and even debated about what movie to watch later. It was finally feeling normal—until it wasn’t.

A loud knock at the door made them all freeze.

Paul's voice came through, firm and urgent. "Open up, now!"

Liam was the first to react, rushing to unlock the door. Paul stormed in, followed by two more security guards. His face was set in a serious, no-nonsense expression.

"You need to leave. Now."

“What?” Niall asked, brows furrowing.

“He got in.”

The room went dead silent.

“He what?” Louis’ voice was sharp, his entire body tensing.

“He’s inside the hotel,” Paul confirmed, already moving to grab their jackets and bags. “We’re not taking any risks. Move, now.”

Everything was chaotic after that. The boys scrambled to their feet, heart rates spiking. Niall felt his stomach drop, his breath coming out short and quick. Shawn immediately noticed and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly.

Harry was already throwing on his hoodie, grabbing Louis' arm to get him moving. Liam and Zayn were muttering quick curses under their breath as they gathered their things.

Paul was speaking into his radio. "We need the cars out front, now. Keep the exits secure."

It was only as they rushed toward the door that Niall’s phone buzzed aggressively in his pocket. He pulled it out, eyes widening in horror.

The live stream was still on.

And the fans had heard everything.

The comments were in a full-blown meltdown:

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE GOT IN?"
"PAUL SOUNDS MAD THIS IS BAD."
"SOMEONE PROTECT THEM."
"TURN OFF THE LIVE!!"
"WHAT IS HAPPENING???"

"Shit," Niall breathed, fumbling with his phone as he quickly ended the stream. But the damage was already done.

The entire fandom now knew.

The hotel lobby was chaos. Security guards were shouting instructions into radios, trying to create a safe path for the boys to escape. Fans and paparazzi had somehow caught wind of the situation, crowding outside the entrance, their camera flashes like lightning through the glass doors.

Paul was leading the way, his back rigid with tension as he signaled for them to move. “Stay close! We don’t stop for anything!”

Niall clutched Shawn’s hand tightly, the panic in his chest making it hard to breathe. He just needed to get to the car—get out of here, and then they could figure out what the hell to do next.

But then, someone shoved past them.

A body collided into Niall, the force knocking him back. He barely had time to register the loss of Shawn’s grip before more people surged between them.

“Niall!” Shawn shouted, but the crowd was too thick.

Niall spun, trying to push his way back to them, but people were everywhere—security, fans, hotel guests—everyone moving at once. A firm hand gripped his wrist, yanking him sharply to the left.

He gasped, stumbling forward.

“This way.”

The voice was eerily calm, too calm for the situation.

Something was wrong.

Niall tried to pull back, but the grip tightened like iron, fingers digging painfully into his wrist. His heart started racing.

“Wait—”

But before he could finish, another hand clamped over his mouth.

And then everything went dark.

Niall woke up disoriented, his head throbbing. The air around him was damp, the scent of old wood and something metallic filling his nostrils. He blinked, his vision adjusting to the dim lighting.

He was in a room.

No—not a room. A basement.

The walls were bare concrete, the only light coming from a single flickering bulb above him. His arms were bound behind his back, his ankles tied to the legs of the chair he was sitting in.

Panic slammed into him like a freight train.

No. No. No.

His breath quickened, chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. His mind screamed at him to move, to fight—but the ropes wouldn’t budge.

A creak echoed from the shadows.

And then—he stepped forward.

The stalker.

The man who had been watching them. The one who had broken into their hotel.

He tilted his head, a small, satisfied smile creeping onto his face.

“Finally,” he murmured, his eyes gleaming with something sinister. “We can talk.”

The dim light flickered overhead, casting long, eerie shadows in the cold basement. Niall sat on a worn-out chair, hands tied to the back. His legs felt like jelly, the stress of the entire situation weighing on him, but he refused to show fear. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed across the concrete floor. The door creaked open, and the stalker stepped inside, carrying a strange sense of calm with him, almost as if he were in control of everything. His face was still masked, but his posture, the way he moved, screamed confidence. Niall’s heart raced.

“What do you want from me?” Niall’s voice was shaky, but he was trying to regain some sense of control, the panic gnawing at him from the inside. “Why the hell are you doing this? Why me?”

The stalker didn’t respond right away, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. His voice, when it came, was almost too calm, too measured.

“You’re the key,” the stalker said, his eyes glinting behind the mask. “You’re the one who can save all of them.”

Niall blinked, confused. "Save them? What are you talking about?"

The stalker chuckled, almost mockingly, as he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “It’s not about you. Not really. It’s about them. You see, I’ve been watching you. Watching all of you for years. I’ve seen the way they look at you. The way you look at them.” He paused, eyes narrowing. “It’s more than just love, Niall. It’s more than friendship. You and Shawn, Harry, Liam, Zayn… you’re all pieces in something bigger than you can imagine.”

Niall’s heart skipped. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t know what you think you know, but you’re wrong. This… whatever you’re doing, it’s not gonna work. This isn't real.”

“Oh, it’s real,” the stalker whispered, leaning in closer, his voice taking on a chilling tone. “You’re the bond, Niall. You and Shawn. You two are the reason they’re all still together. They won’t admit it, but I know. I’ve watched you all through the years. You don’t see it, but you’re the center. The glue holding the pieces together.”

Niall recoiled. “That’s insane. We’re just a band. We’re friends. You’re talking about some conspiracy—”

“No,” the stalker interrupted, his voice soft but intense. “It’s not a conspiracy. You’re connected. Not just through music, but something deeper. And if I can control you—if I can make you understand the truth, maybe I can fix it all. The chaos, the cracks, the lies. I’m doing this for them.”

Niall shook his head in disbelief. “You’re out of your mind. This isn’t how any of us feel. You’ve twisted everything.”

A cold smile tugged at the stalker's lips. “Have I? Have I really twisted it? Or have I just revealed the truth? You see, every relationship—every one of you—has been shaped by this bond. Your feelings for Shawn, for Harry, for the others… it’s all connected, Niall. And that connection is the key to the world seeing the truth. But you’re fighting it.”

Niall clenched his fists, struggling against the ropes that bound him. “I don’t know what you’re on about, but you’re wrong. I’m not some puppet for you to control. None of us are.”

The stalker let out a long, slow breath. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted is for you to see. To understand what you are, what you mean. For all of them. You might think this is about me, or that this is about you, but it’s bigger than that. It’s about the world seeing you all for what you are. The truth has to come out, and you're the key.”

Niall’s mind was spinning, trying to make sense of what the stalker was saying. "And you think kidnapping me is going to get you that? You think this is gonna fix anything?"

The stalker stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "I didn’t want to do this, but you left me no choice. All I’ve ever wanted was to expose the truth. To make sure the world knows what you and Shawn really are. And what you all really are."

Niall swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. “You’re obsessed,” Niall muttered, almost to himself.

The stalker paused, his expression unreadable. Then, in a calm but resolute voice, he answered, “No. I’m not obsessed. I’m just doing what I have to. To set things right.”

Niall was silent for a moment, the shock of the situation sinking in. He tried to think of an escape, a way out. But nothing made sense anymore. He was caught, trapped by someone who seemed to know too much—someone who thought they were doing the right thing, but was so far gone they couldn’t see how wrong they were.

This wasn’t just about Niall. It was about something deeper. Something twisted, something dangerous. But Niall couldn’t let this person control him—or anyone else.

The stalker turned to leave, but as he did, he paused one final time. “I’ll give you some time to think about it. Think about what I’ve said. You’ll come to understand. You all will.”

Niall just stared at him, trying to stay calm, trying to block out the fear. "I'm not scared of you."

The stalker just smiled again, disappearing into the shadows, leaving Niall to wonder just how deep the insanity ran.

And what it meant for all of them.

Shawn could feel his heart race as the group hustled out of the hotel. They’d been separated in the chaos, trying to stay ahead of the stalker’s movements, but something felt wrong. The air was thick with tension, and Shawn couldn’t shake the nagging sense of dread creeping over him. Niall had been right there with them just moments ago, but now... now he was missing.

The others were already starting to panic.

“Niall’s not here,” Liam said, his voice laced with concern as he looked around. His face was pale, and Shawn could see the fear in his eyes.

“Where did he go?” Harry asked, voice shaky. He turned his head back to look at the entrance, like Niall might appear any second.

Shawn stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what was happening. “He was right behind me,” Shawn murmured, his voice cracking slightly. "I... I didn’t see him leave."

They had been rushing through the hotel lobby, trying to make it to the cars, when everything had fallen apart. The security guards were too busy trying to manage the chaos with the stalker that no one had thought to double-check if Niall was still with them.

“Shawn…” Zayn’s voice broke through his panic, and he grabbed his arm, his grip firm but shaky. “We need to go back. He’s missing.”

But Shawn didn’t move. He couldn’t move. His heart felt like it had just dropped into his stomach. "We can't just leave him."

"Paul's already on it," Liam said, his voice tight with worry. "He's organizing a search."

“Yeah, we’ll get him back, don’t worry,” Harry added, though his voice held more uncertainty than reassurance.

The tension in the air was palpable as they moved to the cars, the thought of Niall alone out there, possibly scared or worse, gnawing at Shawn's insides. His mind was racing. What if Niall had run off? What if he’d been taken again? He couldn’t think straight, his thoughts spiraling. All he could focus on was Niall.

Hours passed.

They’d been on edge the entire time, calling and texting, but there was no word from Niall. No sign of him. The security teams were working tirelessly, checking every possible location around the hotel, but it was like he had vanished.

Shawn couldn’t help but feel responsible. Had I missed something? Had I not paid attention enough?

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. There was no time for guilt right now. He had to focus. They all had to focus.

But still, there was no sign of Niall.

Later that night, they gathered in the hotel lobby of their new location, feeling the crushing weight of the situation. Shawn’s hands were trembling as he checked his phone, hoping for some message, any kind of update. He couldn’t believe they were in this position again, couldn’t believe that Niall was missing.

Paul, the head of security, walked into the lobby. His face was hard to read, but there was a definite sense of urgency in his expression.

The boys stood up immediately, all eyes on him.

“We’ve searched everywhere,” Paul said, his voice low, the weight of his words hitting like a ton of bricks. "The hotel’s surveillance footage has been checked, and there’s no sign of him leaving with anyone or anything suspicious. But we’ve checked the areas we could, and—"

He paused, clearly trying to find the right words.

“We don’t know where he is.”

Shawn felt his heart sink. He glanced at the others, each of them looking just as lost as he felt.

“What do you mean, you don’t know where he is?” Zayn’s voice cracked. He was trying to stay strong, but Shawn could see it in his eyes. He was just as worried as the rest of them.

Paul exhaled, shaking his head slowly. “We have no leads. We’ve called all the places we could think of, and no one’s seen him. We’re... we’re still looking, but the longer it takes, the harder it’s going to be to find him.”

Shawn’s world felt like it was collapsing. “No, we can’t... we can’t just wait around for nothing to happen,” he said, pacing the floor in frustration. "We have to find him!"

“I know, Shawn,” Paul said. “We’re doing everything we can. But at this point, we need to be smart about it. We can’t go rushing in blindly, not with someone like him out there. He’s already shown how dangerous he can be.”

Shawn’s throat felt tight. Where was Niall?

As the night dragged on, the hours seemed endless. They sat, waiting, hoping for some news, but nothing came. The empty, gnawing feeling in Shawn’s chest didn’t ease. How could Niall be gone, just like that? He had to be out there somewhere. He couldn’t just vanish.

But the silence grew deafening, and the worry didn’t lessen.

Niall was still missing, and no one knew where to look next.

Niall sat in the cold, dimly lit basement, his mind racing. He hadn’t moved much since he’d been dragged into the room, unsure of what was happening or what was going to happen next. The only sounds were the occasional creak of the old wooden beams above and the steady hum of the fluorescent lights flickering overhead. His hands were trembling, his head still pounding from the rush of everything that had happened earlier.

He had been separated from the boys, then dragged into this cold, unfamiliar space, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get worse.

The door to the basement creaked open, and Niall looked up, startled. The stalker stood there, holding a tray of food in his hands, his face as expressionless as before. The man stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him before walking over to Niall and setting the tray down on the floor in front of him.

“I figured you might be hungry,” the stalker said quietly, his voice low and almost calm. He didn’t sound like the manic person Niall had first encountered, but that didn’t make him feel any safer.

Niall eyed the food warily but didn’t reach for it. His throat felt tight as he stared at the man. “What do you want from me?” he asked, his voice trembling. "Why are you doing this?"

The stalker sat down across from him, folding his legs as if they were just two people having a normal conversation. He didn’t seem phased by Niall’s questions, like he had been expecting them. “You still don’t understand, do you?” he said, his voice almost soft, like he was speaking to a child. “I’m not doing this to hurt you. I’m doing this because… because I’m protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” Niall scoffed, his pulse quickening. “By locking me in a basement and scaring the hell out of me? That’s not protection. That’s kidnapping.”

The stalker didn’t flinch at the accusation. Instead, he just tilted his head slightly, like he was observing Niall more carefully now. “I’m protecting you from what they’ve done to you,” he said softly. “From the people who’ve been using you for their own gain. You’re just a tool to them. A means to an end. They don’t care about you. Not like I do.”

Niall froze at the words. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, all he could do was stare at the man. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice shaky. “The guys… they care about me. I—”

“Do they?” The stalker cut him off, his eyes darkening. “Do they care about you the way I do? They take and take from you, but when was the last time any of them really listened to you? When did they actually ask you what you needed? What you wanted?”

Niall’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t help but think about the times when he had been pushed aside, ignored, or even taken for granted. But was that really the reason this man was doing this? Because of some warped idea of “protecting” him?

“I don’t want to be a pawn in anyone’s game,” the stalker continued, his voice growing more intense. “You deserve more than that. You deserve to be free from their control. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to take care of you, Niall. To give you the life they’ve taken from you.”

Niall shook his head, trying to clear the fog in his mind. This man wasn’t making sense. “This isn’t love,” Niall whispered, more to himself than to the stalker. “This is… it’s twisted.”

The stalker’s eyes softened, and for the first time, Niall saw a flicker of something like vulnerability in them. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it’s the only way. You can’t see it yet, but I’m doing this for you. I’m giving you a chance to be truly free.”

Niall swallowed hard, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions he couldn’t quite sort out. Was the stalker right about the boys? Had they been using him? He didn’t think so, but then again, the last few months had been so overwhelming. Maybe, just maybe, the idea of someone truly caring for him in this way, even if it was wrong, felt… familiar.

“No,” Niall finally said, shaking his head again. “I don’t want this. I want to go home. I want to be with my friends. I want to get back to my life.”

The stalker looked at him, his expression unreadable. “You’ll see. You’ll understand eventually.”

Niall’s stomach twisted at the words. He wasn’t sure if the man meant them as a threat or an empty promise. All he knew was that he couldn’t stay here much longer. His mind was filled with fear, but there was also a small spark of hope deep down—hope that he could escape, that he could get back to the people who loved him, and that things could return to normal.

The stalker didn’t say anything else, simply standing and walking to the door. “Eat,” he said, his voice softer now. “You’ll need your strength. You’ll need to be prepared for what’s coming.”

As the door clicked shut behind him, Niall was left alone with his thoughts, the weight of the situation crashing over him. But one thing was clear: he wasn’t going to let this be the end of his story. Not like this.

He had to find a way out.

Chapter Text

Niall sat on the cold, hard floor of the basement, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. The longer he was kept there, the more the stalker came in to talk to him, and the more his words began to seep into Niall's thoughts. Every time he was brought food or water, the man would sit with him, his voice soft and almost comforting. They’d talk for hours—about the past, about Niall’s life, about the band, about his “friends.”

The man seemed to know so much about him, things he hadn't even realized were important. He knew about his insecurities, his fears, the times he had felt overshadowed or ignored. And every time, the stalker would reassure him, telling him it wasn’t his fault, that he deserved better, that they had taken too much from him.

"You know, they always look at you like you're just part of the group, don’t they?" The stalker’s voice would be soft, gentle, as if trying to coax Niall into agreeing. "Like you’re a background character in their lives, but not the star of your own story."

Niall hated it. The words felt wrong, but there was a small part of him that couldn’t deny the truth in them. He had been pushed aside sometimes. He had always been the jokester, the one who would lighten the mood, but how often did the others really check in on him? How many times had he just gone along with things because it felt easier than fighting for what he really wanted?

But no. He couldn’t let himself fall into this trap. He knew deep down that the stalker was wrong, that he was lying to him. He had to be.

Still, it was hard to ignore the doubts creeping into his mind.

One day, the stalker came in with a laptop, his eyes glinting with a mixture of triumph and something darker. He sat down across from Niall and opened it up, pulling up a few clips. "I thought you might like to see something," he said, clicking a few buttons and turning the screen toward Niall.

Niall’s heart dropped into his stomach when he saw the first video play. It was from one of the band’s many rehearsals, where they were all huddled around, laughing and talking. But there was something different in the way the boys looked at him. The way Harry’s hand rested on Louis’ shoulder as they whispered to each other, or the way Liam and Zayn seemed to ignore him entirely while talking about the setlist.

The stalker leaned closer, pointing at the screen. “See how they all act like you don’t even matter in this moment? You’re barely in the conversation.”

Niall felt his chest tighten as he stared at the screen. He could see it now—could see how distant he had felt at times. How many times had he been the last to know something, or the last one they checked on? The times when they all seemed to forget he was there, caught up in their own world.

“You deserve to be seen. To be heard," the stalker continued, his voice almost soothing now. "Not to be the afterthought, the one who’s always the last to know or the one left behind.”

Niall swallowed hard, fighting against the wave of emotions threatening to crash over him. But the video continued, showing snippets of moments where the boys seemed to be talking about him behind his back, not realizing that the camera was on.

“There’s another clip,” the stalker said, his voice dropping lower as he navigated the laptop. He pulled up another video, this one from a fan meet-and-greet, where Niall had been left to entertain a group of fans alone while the others were off to the side, chatting amongst themselves. The video wasn’t anything drastic, but the way it depicted the boys casually ignoring Niall in favor of each other stung more than he wanted to admit.

"This is what I mean,” the stalker whispered. “They’ve used you, Niall. They’ve taken everything from you, and you’ve just let them. You deserve better than this."

Niall’s heart ached. He hated the way the words made him feel. Hated that there was some truth in them, even though he knew the man was wrong. He didn’t want to believe any of it. He didn’t want to fall into the trap the stalker was setting for him, but it was becoming harder and harder to shut out the voice in his head.

"You're better than being their background character," the stalker continued, a softness in his voice. "You don't deserve to be treated like you're less than."

Niall felt his throat tighten, his hands trembling slightly in his lap. He was scared, terrified even, but something in him—some small, broken part of him—wanted to believe what the man was saying. It was so hard not to.

“I don’t know,” Niall said, his voice a whisper, barely audible. “I don’t know if I believe you… but sometimes it’s like—sometimes I feel invisible. Like they don’t notice me. And that hurts.”

The stalker nodded, as if he had been expecting this. “You’re not invisible. You’re just not in the right place, Niall. They’ve never really seen you for who you are. But I will. I will always see you."

Niall’s heart raced, but he didn’t pull away. He couldn’t stop himself from listening, even if every ounce of him screamed to escape this madness. He wasn’t sure if the man was right, but something in his voice was so convincing, so sure of himself. Niall felt a dangerous comfort in it.

But just as the stalker seemed about to speak again, Niall pulled himself back, shaking his head. "No," he whispered firmly, his voice suddenly stronger. "I can't do this. I can't let you do this to me. This isn’t right."

The stalker looked at him, his eyes cold but understanding. "You’ll come around, Niall. You will. I’m just trying to help you see the truth."

As the man left the room, Niall was left in the silence once more, his thoughts a chaotic mess. He couldn’t fully trust the stalker, but the seeds of doubt had been planted. And that scared him more than anything else.

The days dragged on in the basement, and Niall felt the weight of the silence pressing in around him. The more time he spent there, the more the stalker’s words began to echo in his mind. His every movement felt heavy, as though he were being slowly suffocated by his own thoughts. The food and water that came to him were always accompanied by more videos, more clips, and more conversations that chipped away at the walls he had so carefully built around his emotions.

It was on the fourth day that the stalker brought in another video. This time, it was an interview—an old one. Niall wasn’t sure exactly when it had been filmed, but he could hear his voice. He could see himself answering questions, talking about the new album, talking about his time in the band.

But there was something different in the way the video unfolded. In the video, Niall watched as he spoke, his words falling into an empty void. The other boys were there, sure, but they weren’t paying attention. Harry was laughing at something on his phone, Louis was distracted by his own thoughts, and Liam and Zayn were deep in conversation with each other, not even looking in Niall’s direction. The interviewer was asking questions, but they didn’t even acknowledge Niall’s responses. His words floated in the air, unheard.

Niall watched himself on the screen, his heart tightening. He could remember the moment so vividly now—how he had felt invisible, how his voice had gone unnoticed, how the others hadn’t even realized that he was speaking. His stomach churned with the familiar feeling of rejection, but this time, it was amplified. The stalker’s voice was there, quiet but persistent in his mind.

“You see? No one listens to you. You speak, and they’re lost in their own world. You’re just a background character, Niall. Nothing more.”

The words felt like knives in his chest, each one hitting a little harder than the last. But as painful as it was, a part of Niall couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in it. How many times had he tried to share something, only to be met with disinterest or dismissal? How many times had he quietly sat on the sidelines, pretending it didn’t hurt, pretending he was okay?

He couldn’t deny it anymore. There had been so many moments like this, moments when he had felt utterly alone in the midst of the group. When he’d been there, but no one had really seen him. When he had tried to open up, but the door had been shut before he even stepped through.

The stalker must have noticed the shift in Niall, because he slowly approached and placed the laptop on the floor beside him, watching him with a mixture of patience and satisfaction.

“You see now, don’t you? It’s not just in your head. They’ve been using you all this time, making you feel like you’re part of the team, but they’ve never treated you like you’re equal. You’re just there to fill a role, Niall. Nothing more.”

The words stung, but they weren’t unfamiliar. The more Niall thought about it, the more he realized how often he had felt like that. He had always been the one to make the jokes, the one to keep things light, but how many times had he felt like an afterthought? How many times had he tried to fit in, to force himself into moments that didn’t include him?

Niall’s heart raced, the realization settling heavily in his chest. It felt wrong to even think about it, but the pieces were falling into place. Maybe the stalker was right. Maybe he had been nothing more than a prop in the band’s larger picture, a background figure in a story that wasn’t truly his own.

"You don’t deserve to be treated like this," the stalker continued, his voice soft yet insistent. "You deserve to be seen. To be heard. They don’t understand you, Niall, but I do. I’m the only one who truly sees you."

For the first time in days, Niall allowed himself to believe the words. The loneliness, the doubts—everything he had been feeling came rushing to the surface. There was a part of him that had always wanted to be seen, truly seen, and the stalker was giving him that. The more they talked, the more Niall felt like he was finally being acknowledged, even if it was by someone who had caused him so much pain.

But still, there was a part of him that resisted. Deep down, Niall knew that trusting the stalker fully was dangerous. He had to keep his guard up. But the words, the videos—they were all starting to make sense in a way that he hated to admit.

“Why are you doing this?” Niall finally asked, his voice trembling slightly. “Why are you showing me this?”

The stalker smiled, his eyes almost sad as he answered, “Because you deserve to know the truth. You deserve to know what they’ve been doing to you all this time. And I’m going to make sure you understand that, Niall. You’re not alone in this.”

The words, while comforting, made Niall feel uneasy. He knew he couldn’t trust the stalker completely, but the more he saw, the more he questioned his own reality. Maybe he had been used. Maybe it wasn’t just in his head.

And yet, even with all of that, there was still a nagging feeling in his gut. He wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.

The stalker's behavior shifted over the days, gradually becoming more and more focused on Niall's emotional needs. He began bringing Niall little things, gestures that could be seen as kind, like soft blankets, hot drinks, and books to keep him occupied. Niall, still on edge and unsure of the whole situation, couldn't help but feel confused by the stalker's attention. It was all too much, but also, in a strange way, exactly what he had wanted for so long.

The stalker’s voice was gentle, almost soothing, as he continued to engage Niall in conversations. Every word seemed carefully chosen, every gesture tender, as though trying to comfort him. He would sit beside Niall, occasionally placing a hand on his shoulder, offering words of encouragement when Niall seemed troubled. There was something about the way the stalker spoke to him, something that made Niall feel seen in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“You deserve to be loved, Niall,” the stalker said softly one evening, his voice laced with sincerity. “You deserve to feel important, to feel like you matter.”

Niall glanced up, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He wanted to believe those words so badly—he wanted to believe that someone, anyone, could finally see him as more than just the funny, easygoing one in the background. But this felt wrong. The situation felt wrong, and yet, at the same time, the attention was intoxicating. For the first time in what felt like forever, someone was truly listening to him, truly noticing him.

The stalker continued, “You’ve always been the one who cares for everyone else, haven’t you? Always the one to keep things together, to hold everyone up. But who holds you, Niall? Who takes care of you?”

Niall couldn’t help but think about it. He thought about the long hours of rehearsals, the concerts, the interviews. He thought about how, despite everything, he often felt like he was the last person anyone thought of. How many times had he offered a smile, a joke, to keep the mood light when he was struggling himself? How many times had he felt invisible, just a face in the crowd, just another part of the group that no one really paid attention to?

The stalker leaned in closer, his voice almost a whisper. “You don’t have to pretend anymore, Niall. I see you. I hear you. I know what you need.”

Niall’s pulse quickened, and he found himself momentarily caught in the gaze of the stalker. He wanted to push back, to tell him to stop, to remind himself that this wasn’t right. But there was something in the way the stalker’s eyes held his that made it hard to move, hard to think clearly. It was as if all the hurt and loneliness that Niall had been carrying inside him was suddenly being acknowledged, and it made his chest tighten with an uncomfortable mix of relief and fear.

The stalker continued, “You deserve someone who will give you the attention and affection you crave, Niall. I can give that to you. I can show you what it means to be wanted.”

Niall swallowed hard, his throat tight. The words felt suffocating, but they also resonated with something deep inside him. He had always craved attention, real attention—someone to see him for who he truly was, someone who would listen and care without the distractions of the world around him. But the realization hit him like a punch to the gut. He couldn’t let himself fall into this, not with the stalker. No matter how comforting these words felt, they didn’t come from a place of genuine love. They came from a place of control.

But the longer the stalker spoke, the more difficult it became to push those thoughts away. There was a part of Niall that wanted to believe in the attention, in the affection, even if he knew it wasn’t coming from a healthy place.

“You’ve been alone for too long,” the stalker murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from Niall’s forehead in an oddly tender motion. “You’ve always given so much to others, but no one has ever given you what you need. Not really.”

Niall felt the weight of those words, and as much as he wanted to fight it, a part of him couldn’t help but sink into the moment. The warmth in the stalker’s touch, the words of care and validation—it felt like something Niall had been missing for so long. He wanted to believe it, to let himself fall into the illusion that this was what he had been longing for.

But deep down, a quiet voice in his mind kept reminding him that this was all wrong. This wasn’t love, not in any real sense of the word. He was being manipulated, played on his vulnerabilities, and yet, despite knowing this, part of him still wanted the affection. The loneliness was a hard thing to shake.

The stalker, sensing Niall’s hesitation, smiled softly. “I know you’re scared, Niall. But it’s okay. I’m here for you. I’ll take care of you.”

The words hung in the air, and Niall couldn’t help but feel the weight of them. He felt torn between wanting to believe in the comfort the stalker offered and the harsh reality of what was happening.

Niall closed his eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath. He couldn’t let himself fall for this. He couldn’t let himself believe that this was the kind of love he deserved. He had to fight this, even if it meant enduring the loneliness for a little longer.

“I’m not yours,” Niall whispered to himself, trying to remind himself of the truth. But even as the words left his lips, they felt hollow, swallowed by the overwhelming pull of the situation.

The days blurred together as Niall sat alone in the dim basement. It was cold, and the air felt thick with silence. His mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on him. He’d told himself he could handle being alone, that he could fight the growing loneliness that threatened to swallow him whole. But with each passing day, the ache in his chest grew, and he couldn’t shake the sense of longing that clung to him.

Niall found himself replaying the stalker’s words in his head, over and over again. You deserve to be loved. You’ve always been the one to take care of everyone, but who takes care of you? He tried to push those thoughts away, knowing they weren’t real, knowing that he couldn’t trust someone who had hurt him. But the emotional void inside him, the feeling of being invisible for so long, made it hard to fight the temptation.

By the time the stalker returned, Niall was on edge. He felt a strange mix of relief and discomfort at the sight of him. It had been days since they last spoke, and Niall had no idea where the stalker had been or what he had been doing, but the absence had made the moments they shared feel all the more significant.

The basement door creaked open, and the stalker walked in with a tray of food, his presence filling the room in a way that Niall couldn’t ignore. The air between them felt heavier this time, the unspoken tension crackling like static. The stalker placed the food in front of Niall, his eyes lingering for a moment before he started to turn away.

But Niall couldn’t let him go. His heart raced in his chest as he reached out, his voice trembling with a mix of hesitation and desire. “Wait.”

The stalker froze, his body stiffening at the sudden change in Niall’s tone. Niall’s pulse quickened as he searched for the right words, unsure of what he was doing, but driven by something deep inside him.

“I… I need you,” Niall whispered, his voice barely audible. His words felt foreign, vulnerable, but there was an undeniable truth in them. The isolation, the emptiness of the last few days, had left him craving something he wasn’t sure how to name. He longed for the comfort, the connection, that the stalker had offered before.

The room felt thick with tension as the stalker turned back to face him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, there was silence—only the soft sound of Niall’s breathing as he sat there, heart pounding in his chest. The vulnerability in his words hung between them like a fragile thread, and Niall felt exposed, unsure of what to do next.

The stalker stepped closer, his eyes softening as he kneeled down in front of Niall. “You don’t have to be alone, Niall,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of something almost tender. “I’ve told you before, I’m here for you.”

Niall’s chest tightened, the longing inside him growing even stronger as the stalker’s words echoed in his mind. For all the fear he had, for all the warnings he’d tried to hold onto, a part of him wanted to believe that this was real, that this was what he needed.

“I’m sorry,” Niall muttered, not sure if he was apologizing to himself or to the stalker. “I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

The stalker reached out, his hand brushing gently against Niall’s cheek, and for a brief moment, Niall closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the touch seep into his skin. It wasn’t love—he knew that—but it was something, something that filled the emptiness that had been gnawing at him for so long.

“You won’t be alone,” the stalker whispered, his voice low and steady. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Niall nodded, his throat tight as he tried to process the jumble of emotions swirling inside him. He didn’t want to admit how much he craved this connection, how much he longed for someone to care for him in the way the stalker was offering. He didn’t want to trust this, but the need for affection, for someone to see him, was so overwhelming that it clouded his judgment.

“Stay,” Niall whispered, almost too softly for the stalker to hear. He wasn’t sure if he was asking for more of the same, or if he was asking for something different—something real.

The stalker’s eyes softened, and without a word, he sat down beside Niall, the two of them in the quiet of the basement. There was no rush, no sense of urgency, just the feeling of someone being there for him, even if it wasn’t the kind of love he truly needed.

In that moment, Niall let himself believe that maybe—just maybe—this was enough.

Shawn sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared down at his hands. His mind felt like it was in a constant state of chaos—spinning, replaying every moment, every word, every choice that had led to this point. A week had passed since Niall had vanished without a trace, and every single day without him had been agony.

The hotel, once a place of comfort, now felt suffocating. The laughter, the chatter, the hustle of their busy lives—it all felt so far away, like it had been stolen from him. Even the boys, his closest friends, felt distant. They were all lost in their own grief, their own search for answers, but Shawn couldn’t shake the feeling that something deeper had been taken from him. He wasn’t just losing Niall. He was losing a piece of himself, too.

The authorities had been working tirelessly, chasing down every lead, every possibility of where Niall could be. But it was all dead ends. No one had seen him, no one had heard from him. And the stalker? Gone. Not a single trace of him either. It was as if they had both disappeared into thin air. And with every passing day, the hope they clung to began to slip further away.

Shawn had tried to stay strong for everyone else. He had to. The boys needed him. But when he was alone, in the quiet moments, it felt like the world was collapsing around him. He had to be the one to keep everything together, but it was so damn hard. He was exhausted. Mentally, emotionally, physically drained. The weight of not knowing where Niall was, of not being able to protect him when it mattered, was crushing.

He had spent the last few days combing through everything he could find—texts, social media, any clues that could give him even the slightest hint of where Niall could be. But everything came up empty. Every time the phone rang, every time someone knocked on the door, he hoped it was news, any news, even if it was bad. But each time, it was just another dead end.

Sitting there, in the silence of the hotel room, Shawn felt like he was suffocating. The only thing that kept him going was the hope—no, the belief—that somehow, they would find Niall. They had to. But with each day that passed, that hope felt more fragile, more distant.

He let out a shaky breath, rubbing a hand over his face, trying to push back the tears that threatened to fall. He couldn't afford to cry, not yet. Not when there was still a chance—no matter how small—that Niall was out there, somewhere. The boys were counting on him, the fans were counting on them to find Niall and bring him home.

Shawn’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was Paul, his face serious, his eyes filled with worry. Shawn stood up, his heart racing, hoping that this time, there would be some good news. But when Paul spoke, his words crushed whatever sliver of hope Shawn had been holding onto.

"They’ve checked everything. We’re still no closer, Shawn. No one’s seen him. No one knows where he is. And the stalker… gone, just like Niall."

Shawn’s stomach dropped. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Shawn felt like he was drowning in it.

Paul placed a hand on his shoulder, offering what little comfort he could. "We’re doing everything we can. But we need to prepare ourselves. We might have to face the reality that… we may never know what happened to him."

Shawn nodded stiffly, his throat tight. He knew what Paul was saying. But he couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t. Not yet. Not when there was still a chance. He had to believe that Niall was out there, that he was still alive, that somehow, he could come back to them.

The moment felt surreal. He wanted to scream, to punch something, to make all of this stop. But instead, he just stood there, his body shaking with the weight of everything he couldn’t control. The hopelessness crept in like a dark cloud, and for the first time, Shawn wondered if they would ever see Niall again.

All he could do was wait. And hope.

As the days passed without any word from Niall, fans began to notice his absence more and more. It started with comments and tweets asking where he was, followed by concern as the boys continued with their tour and promotion without mentioning him.

It wasn’t long before social media exploded with questions. “Where’s Niall? Is he okay?” “Has anyone seen Niall? Why hasn’t he been in any of the recent streams?” The hashtags started trending, and the fans, growing increasingly anxious, started sharing posts and pictures of Niall, hoping someone might have some answers.

The boys were doing their best to stay strong, but it was clear that the situation was starting to take its toll. They had kept quiet, not wanting to worry the fans or make a bigger deal of it than it already was, but the longer Niall stayed missing, the harder it was to hide the truth.

Finally, after days of unanswered questions and mounting pressure, the boys decided to address it head-on.

During a press conference, Louis stood up, his voice thick with emotion. "We know everyone’s been asking about Niall, and we’ve been avoiding answering because we didn't want to worry anyone, but we can't keep this from you any longer." He paused, taking a shaky breath, his eyes scanning the room before meeting the cameras. "Niall is missing. We’ve been trying to find him, we’ve contacted the authorities, and we’ve done everything we can, but right now, there’s no sign of him. We don’t know where he is or what happened… but we won’t stop looking. We’ll keep doing everything in our power to bring him back."

The room fell silent. There was no applause, no sound other than the quiet rustling of journalists as the gravity of the situation sank in.

Zayn was next to speak, his voice unsteady as he fought to hold back tears. "We can’t even begin to explain how painful this is for us. We’re not giving up, but we need your help, your support. Keep sharing his pictures, keep sending your love and positive thoughts. We know Niall can feel it, and it’s helping us stay strong too."

Harry wiped his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. "We appreciate everything you’ve all done so far, and we know you’re all worried too. We’re doing everything we can, and we won’t stop until we find him. Please don’t give up hope."

Liam, fighting his own tears, stood beside them, his voice calm but heavy with emotion. "We’ve got a team working around the clock, but it’s hard. It’s hard to even believe this is real. We’re just hoping for anything—anything that can lead us to Niall."

Louis turned back to the camera, his eyes filled with pain. "We just want him back. Please, help us bring him home."

The fans' reaction was overwhelming. Social media was flooded with messages of support, fans posting pictures of Niall, sharing stories, and rallying together in a collective hope that he would be found. The hashtag #FindNiall began trending worldwide, with thousands of people offering their help, sharing leads, and spreading the word.

Despite all the support, the boys could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Every day without Niall felt like an eternity. They knew they had to stay strong for him, but it was harder than they’d ever imagined.

Chapter Text

The basement was a study in contrasts. It was cold and damp in the early hours of the morning, with the chill seeping into the thin mattress where Niall lay, but it was the only home he had now. During the day it was stuffy with the small window at the top only providing a small bit of sunlight. It was a prison, but also a strange kind of sanctuary. Here, the world outside felt muffled, its harsh edges softened. Here, he didn't have to pretend, didn’t have to smile for the cameras, didn’t have to feel the crushing weight of expectation. He just had to exist.

And he existed here with him.

The stalker wasn't like the imaginary monsters that used to lurk under Niall's childhood bed, wasn't the shadowy, lurking figure he might have expected after those initial terrifying moments of being taken. He was…present. Almost always there. In the morning he brought coffee and rolls, and kept Niall company as he drank them. At night, he'd settle onto the edge of the mattress, his presence a solid, comforting weight. During the day he did what he had to do, always reassuring Niall he would be back soon. He was always close, always attentive. It was, in its own warped way, nurturing.

Today, the sunlight felt particularly harsh, and the room pressed in even more than usual. Niall was restless, his fingers tracing patterns on the rough blanket. The stalker had left to pick up supplies, an errand that had stretched longer than usual. Niall found himself fidgeting, a knot tightening in his stomach. An unsettling thought kept scratching at the edges of his mind, a thought he didn’t want to acknowledge. He missed him.

He missed the quiet hum of the stalker’s presence, the way he made him feel safe, protected. It was a bizarre sensation, this yearning for the man who held him captive. He had never felt this way before, not with his bandmates, not with Shawn. He had only ever felt truly loved by his fans and now he felt truly loved by this man, even though he knew this love twisted.

When the door at the top of the steps creaked open, Niall's head snapped up, a flush rising in his cheeks. The stalker descended, carrying a small bag in one hand, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"There you are," Niall breathed, relief washing over him so strongly that it was almost nauseating.

The stalker’s smile widened slightly. He always seemed attuned to Niall's moods now, able to discern subtle shifts in his demeanour. He sat beside Niall on the mattress, setting the bag aside. "Did you miss me?" he asked, his voice low and warm.

Niall hesitated, his gaze falling to the rough material of the blanket. But the admission felt like a truth he could no longer deny. He nodded, a small barely audible reply.

The stalker reached out, cupping Niall’s cheek in his hand. His touch was gentle, his thumb feathering across Niall's skin. "I missed you too, little one," he murmured, leaning in. His breath brushed against Niall's ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

The warmth of his touch, the soft murmur of his words, it all dissolved Niall’s last reservations. He leaned into the touch, unconsciously seeking more. He nestled into his side, wrapping his arms around his torso. The stalker pulled him closer, and Niall let him, burying his face in his chest. Niall felt strangely at peace.

"You're safe here, you know that, right?" the stalker whispered into his hair.

Niall nodded, clutching the fabric of his shirt tighter. The stalker’s voice was a soothing balm, smoothing out the ragged edges of his anxiety. Safe. The word resonated within him, a dangerous echo in the stark reality of his situation. He wanted to never leave this feeling, this safety, this….love?

He found himself lifting his head, his gaze meeting the stalker’s. There was an intensity in those eyes that he hadn’t noticed before, a possessive gleam that somehow didn’t scare him. Instead, it drew him in, pulling him closer like a moth to a flame.

And then, he kissed him.

It was a tentative press at first, a flutter of lashes against skin. But the stalker responded instantly, his hands tightening on Niall's back, pulling him impossibly closer. The kiss deepened, becoming a desperate exploration, a melding of mouths. Niall felt a heat bloom in his chest, a thrilling sense of abandon that made his head spin. His fingers tangled in the stalker’s hair, and he felt this man was all that mattered in the world.

They were lost in the kiss, time and space dissolving around them. When they finally broke apart, both of their chests were heaving, and their eyes were glazed with a feverish longing. Niall's hand reached up to brush a stray hair from the stalker’s forehead, his touch lingering.

"You're beautiful, Niall," the stalker murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "So beautiful."

Niall’s heart ached. He couldn't believe he was feeling this way about this man, his captor, his stalker, but he couldn't help the feelings washing over him. He whispered, "I think... I think I might love you."

The stalker’s eyes widened before they softened, an adoring smile spreading across his face. "Love me? You really love me?"

Niall nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from his captor.

"I love you too, Niall," he breathed, his hand rising to cup Niall's cheek again. "More than you could ever know."

The next hour found them tangled together, the culmination of every touch, every look, every shared moment leading them to this. The stalker moved over Niall, not with force but with a tenderness that melted the last of his resistance. He whispered words of love, of devotion, while bodies came together in soft moans and cries. There were no more walls between them, only a desperate need for each other. Niall clung to him, his heart aching with a confusing mix of fear and desire.

By the time they finally drifted into a fitful sleep, Niall’s mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, of longing and anxiety, of a terrifying love and a desperate need. He was trapped, that much was clear. But within that trap, he had found a twisted kind of home, a dangerous sanctuary in the arms of his captor. A place where, for the first time in a long time, he felt seen and wanted. And that, he suspected, was the most terrifying thing of all.

The harsh, unfiltered light of a single bulb slammed into Niall's eyes, dragging him from a restless sleep. He blinked, his mouth dry, and a dull ache pulsed behind his temples. The rough fabric of the makeshift mattress scratched against his skin. For a moment, he was suspended in that disorienting space between dreaming and reality. Then, it hit him.

The weight of a body next to his, the faint smell of sweat and something sharp, metallic, filled his awareness. He turned his head slowly, his heart beginning to pound like a trapped bird. There, close enough to touch, was the man who called himself his protector. His stalker.

He had fallen asleep next to him.

Last night rushed back, a chaotic torrent of fragmented images and sensory overload. The way the man’s hands had traced his skin, not with violence, but with a disturbing, almost tender obsession. The words whispered in his ear, assurances of care, twisted truths that painted a bleak picture of his life before. And then…the warmth, the unexpected, almost forbidden pleasure that had bloomed within him despite himself.

A blush crept up Niall's neck, hot and uncomfortable. He remembered the kiss, desperate and consuming. He remembered his body responding, a betrayal of everything he thought he knew. The memory burned with a mix of shame and a terrifying flicker of something else – a sensation that felt intensely, horribly good.

He had sought comfort, he reasoned, tried to justify the inexplicable. He had simply craved validation and perhaps, in the throes of his captivity, this was the only place he’d found it. The man had touched him with such care. He’d only wanted to feel something other than the gnawing fear.

Now, as he looked at the man’s sleeping face, a strange calm settled around him. A sense of twisted belonging. This person knew him, saw him, or so he had been manipulated to believe. He wasn’t the forgotten, insignificant piece of the puzzle he had been made to feel. Not here. Not with this man. The world beyond the basement, the world of screaming fans and blinding lights, of constant pressure and impossible expectations, faded into a distant, irrelevant hum.

His fingers twitched, wanting to reach out, to trace the line of his jaw, the curve of his lip. The affection, he recognized it with a jolt of shock, was blooming inside him like a strange, dangerous flower. He wanted this connection. He wanted the words that made him feel like he was everything.

He had forgotten Shawn’s face. It was a jumbled mess of fleeting moments, smiles and soft touches that now seemed like distant echoes, nothing more than what could come in a dream. The love that had anchored him was buried beneath a weight of carefully constructed lies and manipulations. Shawn, his fiancé, was now a stranger.

He didn’t even register worry or concern for the others, his bandmates. Harry, Liam Zayn and Louis all faded in importance. Their faces seemed far away and almost insignificant compared to the person lying next to him. The band was just a cage, had always been. It wasn’t love they had, it was forced partnership. He had been blind not to see it. They never cared about him, not like this man did. Not like he did. He cared for Niall's soul, unlike the boys who only wanted his talent.

A wave of possessiveness washed over him. He needed this man beside him. He needed his touch, his voice, the hollow promises that were becoming more real with each passing moment. His life before, the life of One Direction, was a distant, blurry memory. This dark, confined space, this man by his side—this was his reality now. And a terrifying, exhilarating part of him was accepting it. Almost welcoming it.

He shifted slightly, drawing closer, the edge of his shoulder brushing against the fabric of the man's shirt. The smell of him, that strange mixture of sweat and steel, filled his nostrils. Niall closed his eyes, a shiver running through him, not of fear, but of a dangerous, intoxicating longing. He wanted this. He wanted all of it.

The man stirred, a soft groan escaping his lips. Niall opened his eyes, his breath catching in his throat. He was now trapped in a web of his own making, a prisoner not just of his captor, but of his own twisted desires. He was falling, headfirst and with a strange sense of peace, into the abyss. He was falling in love.

The authorities finally track down Niall’s location after weeks of searching. A raid is conducted on the hidden place where he’s being kept, and when they find him, he’s surprisingly calm—almost as if he doesn’t realize he was kidnapped.

When the officers mention his bandmates and the fact that he’s been missing, Niall just stares at them, confused. He doesn’t react the way they expect. There’s no relief, no desperate plea for help. Instead, he looks at them like they’re the ones making a mistake. He doesn’t understand why they’re calling it a "kidnapping"—to him, this is just where he belongs now.

The officers are careful with him, treating him gently as they lead him out, but Niall doesn’t try to run. He’s eerily compliant. And when they mention Shawn—his fiancé—his brow furrows like it’s a name he barely recognizes.

By the time he’s taken back to safety, the news has reached the boys. They rush to the hospital where Niall is being evaluated. But when they walk into his room, his blank stare shatters their hearts.

He doesn’t run into their arms. He doesn’t cry in relief. He just looks at them like strangers.

And when Shawn finally steps forward, desperate to reach out, Niall tilts his head, his voice soft and confused as he asks:

"Who are you?"

The authorities had been following every possible lead, tracking down any whisper of movement, hacking into security systems, and cross-referencing every reported sighting. Weeks had gone by with nothing—until now.

An anonymous tip had led them to a secluded house on the outskirts of a small town, far away from where Niall had last been seen. The house was ordinary, the kind of place that wouldn’t raise suspicion. The kind of place people passed by without a second glance. But inside, hidden beneath a trapdoor in the floor, was a basement.

The officers moved quickly, bursting through the house in a well-planned raid, clearing every room before making their way down the stairs. The air was damp, heavy with the smell of stale air and something faintly sweet—like the remnants of a candle that had long since burned out.

And there he was.

Niall sat on a small mattress against the wall, his blonde hair slightly longer than before, his frame thinner, but his expression… calm. Unbothered. Like he had been expecting them. He blinked up at the officers, his head tilting slightly, confusion flickering across his face when they rushed toward him.

“Niall Horan?” one of them asked, kneeling in front of him. “You’re safe now. We’re here to take you home.”

Niall frowned. “Home?” His voice was soft, hesitant.

The officer nodded. “Yes, we’ve been looking for you. Your bandmates, your fiancé—they’ve all been waiting for you.”

Something flickered in Niall’s blue eyes, something unreadable, before he let out a quiet laugh. “That’s not true.”

The officers exchanged glances. “Niall, you were taken. Do you remember that?”

Niall blinked. He remembered everything. The way he had been taken. The way he had fought, screamed for help. But that had been so long ago. So much had changed. His kidnapper—the person the authorities were calling a stalker—had taken care of him. Had loved him. Had shown him things he had never noticed before.

“They don’t love me,” Niall said simply, shrugging. “They never did.”

The officers hesitated, trying to process his reaction. This wasn’t how victims usually behaved. There was no relief, no panic, no desperation to be taken away. Instead, he sat there, his hands resting neatly in his lap, his eyes filled with something disturbingly close to certainty.

“Niall, your bandmates have been looking for you every single day,” one officer said gently. “They never stopped. Shawn—he’s been—”

“Don’t,” Niall interrupted, his voice suddenly sharper. “Don’t say his name.”

That was the first real emotion they had seen from him—bitterness, something dark hiding beneath his otherwise placid expression.

The officers knew then: this was going to be harder than they thought.

The boys had been called the moment Niall was found. They had all been in the middle of separate things—Liam and Zayn at rehearsals, Louis at a meeting, Harry doing an interview—but the second they got the call, they dropped everything.

When they arrived at the hospital, they were led through a series of hallways before stopping outside of a door.

“He’s stable,” a nurse informed them, “but… he’s not reacting the way we expected. Just—be patient with him, okay?”

None of them knew what that meant, but it didn’t matter. They just needed to see him.

Shawn was the first to step inside. His heart pounded as he saw Niall sitting upright in the hospital bed, wearing a standard gown, an IV hooked to his arm. His face was blank, his expression unreadable.

“Niall?” Shawn’s voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

Niall turned his head slightly, his blue eyes locking onto Shawn’s. But there was no warmth. No recognition. No relief.

Louis, Harry, Liam, and Zayn followed closely behind, each one holding their breath, waiting for Niall to react. To cry. To yell. To say something—anything.

But all he did was stare.

And then, finally, he spoke.

"Who are you?"

The room went silent. Shawn felt the world tilt, his breath catching in his throat.

Louis shook his head, stepping closer. “Niall, mate, it’s us.”

Niall blinked. “I know who you are.”

Shawn’s stomach twisted painfully. “Then why—”

“Why are you here?” Niall cut him off, his voice eerily calm. “I thought you were done with me.”

Shawn looked like he had been slapped. “What? Niall, that’s—that’s not true. We never stopped looking for you—”

“But you never really wanted me, did you?” Niall’s voice was distant, detached. His hands clenched slightly on the blanket. “That’s what I was shown. I saw it all. You only kept me around because it was convenient. Because I was useful.”

Liam exhaled sharply. “Niall, that’s not—”

“Don’t lie,” Niall interrupted. His eyes darkened, a flicker of something broken surfacing. “I know the truth now.”

Shawn felt his heart shatter. Whatever had been done to Niall—it had changed him. Warped the way he saw the world.

And the worst part?

Niall truly believed it.

The days passed, but Niall remained distant. Every time one of the boys entered his hospital room, his expression hardened, his posture stiffening as though their presence physically repulsed him.

"Hey, mate," Louis said softly as he stepped inside, trying to act normal. He carried a small bag—Niall’s favorite snacks, some clothes, little things to remind him of home. "Brought you some stuff. Thought you might want—"

"Leave."

Louis froze. "What?"

"I said, leave." Niall’s voice was cold, emotionless. His blue eyes, once filled with warmth and laughter, were empty.

Louis swallowed hard. "Niall, come on, don’t be like this. We’ve been worried sick. You were missing for weeks. We thought—"

"You thought what?" Niall cut him off, tilting his head slightly. "That I needed saving? That I was waiting for you to come find me?"

Louis frowned. "Of course you needed saving. You were kidnapped, Niall. That—that guy took you away, manipulated you—"

Niall let out a quiet, almost amused laugh. "Manipulated me?" He shook his head. "No. He showed me the truth."

Louis felt his stomach twist. "What truth?"

"That you never really loved me," Niall murmured, looking straight into Louis’s eyes. "That none of you did."

Louis took a step forward, desperation creeping into his voice. "That’s not true—"

"Get out."

Louis hesitated. His hands clenched at his sides, his heart hammering in his chest. This wasn’t Niall. It couldn’t be. But the cold, detached stare he was receiving told him otherwise.

With a shaky breath, Louis turned and left.

The second the door shut, Niall exhaled slowly, staring blankly at the wall. His chest felt tight, but he ignored it. He had to ignore it.

It was the same every time.

Harry tried next. Walked in with a nervous but hopeful smile, sitting in the chair beside Niall’s bed.

"Niall, we just want to help," he said gently. "Whatever that guy told you—it’s not true."

Silence.

Harry swallowed, shifting in his seat. "You know us. You know how much we care about you—"

"You never listened to me."

Harry stopped. "What?"

"In interviews," Niall continued, his voice disturbingly calm. "In meetings. In the studio. None of you ever listened. None of you cared what I had to say."

"That’s not fair, Niall," Harry said, his throat tightening. "We love you. You’re our brother."

Niall turned his head to look at him, his gaze sharp. "Then why do I only feel loved now?"

Harry flinched. He didn’t know what to say.

"Get out."

Harry stared at him for a moment longer before nodding shakily, standing up and walking toward the door. Just as he reached for the handle, his voice cracked as he whispered, "I love you, Niall."

But Niall didn’t respond.

Shawn was the only one who didn’t try to sugarcoat it.

"Whatever he did to you," Shawn said firmly, standing beside the hospital bed, arms crossed, "it wasn’t love, Niall."

Niall let out a slow breath. "You wouldn’t understand."

"Try me."

"He showed me how alone I was."

Shawn clenched his jaw. "You were never alone, Niall. We were there. We are here. And you’re pushing us away because of him?"

Niall’s hands curled into fists. "You used me."

Shawn’s eyes widened slightly. "What?"

"You never needed me. I was just… there," Niall said, his voice quieter now, almost vulnerable. "I was easy to have around, right? Convenient. But I was never your first choice."

Shawn stared at him, his chest tightening. "That’s not true."

"You don’t love me," Niall murmured.

Shawn inhaled sharply. "I do love you, Niall. And that’s why I’m not going to let you keep believing these lies."

Niall didn’t say anything. He just turned away, staring at the wall.

Shawn exhaled slowly. "I’m not giving up on you."

But Niall didn’t answer.

The small, dimly lit interrogation room smelled of stale coffee and sweat. The stalker sat on the metal chair, his hands cuffed to the table. He had an eerie calmness to him, his eyes steady, his lips twitching up in amusement as the detective paced in front of him.

"Do you understand the charges against you?" the officer asked.

The stalker tilted his head slightly. "You make it sound like I did something wrong."

The officer slammed his hands on the table. "You kidnapped him."

The stalker smiled. "Did I? Or did I just… show him the truth?"

The officer narrowed his eyes. "You brainwashed him."

The stalker leaned forward, the cuffs clanking against the metal. "Or maybe I just listened to him. Maybe I gave him what none of you ever did."

The officer clenched his jaw. "You manipulated him into thinking we didn’t love him."

"He wasn’t loved," the stalker said sharply, his eyes flashing. "I showed him the proof. I showed him every time they ignored him. Every time they made him feel small. And you know what?" He smirked. "He agreed."

The officer exhaled through his nose. "You took him from his family."

The stalker’s smirk faded. "I gave him a family."

Silence filled the room.

After a long pause, the officer sighed and leaned against the table. "He’s going to see the truth eventually. He’s going to realize what you did to him."

The stalker’s lips twitched into a knowing smile. "Are you sure about that?"

Days passed, but nothing changed.

Niall barely spoke to the boys. When he did, it was cold, distant, filled with doubt and accusations. He refused to leave his hospital room. He refused to believe they cared.

Each time they visited, they left with heavier hearts.

Louis sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands, frustrated tears in his eyes. "He’s not the same. He’s—he’s gone."

Harry exhaled shakily. "We can’t lose him."

Liam clenched his fists. "We won’t."

But Shawn sat in silence, his jaw tight, his heart breaking more and more each day.

Because as much as he wanted to believe Liam’s words…

Niall was slipping away from them.

And they had no idea how to bring him back.

Chapter Text

The days passed, but Niall still felt like he was trapped. The sterile white walls of the hospital room felt no different from the basement he had spent weeks in. The difference was that here, there were more voices—voices that he didn’t want to hear. Voices that made his skin crawl with discomfort.

Every day, one of them would come in. Sometimes all of them. They would sit beside his bed, talk to him, plead with him, try to remind him of the life he used to have.

But Niall didn’t care.

He didn’t care about the fake concern in their voices, the pity in their eyes. He had seen the truth. He had watched every moment where they had ignored him, overlooked him, taken advantage of him. He had been nothing more than the quiet, easygoing bandmate—the one they didn’t mind forgetting about.

So he ignored them.

When Louis sat at the edge of his bed and tried to joke with him, Niall stared out the window.

When Harry asked if he wanted them to bring anything from his apartment, Niall didn’t answer.

When Liam reassured him that they were going to get through this together, Niall scoffed under his breath.

And when Zayn, his oldest friend, asked if he even remembered how much they loved him, Niall finally spoke.

"You don’t love me."

Silence.

Zayn’s face crumpled, his throat bobbing as he struggled for words. “Niall—”

“Don’t,” Niall muttered, his fingers gripping the blanket tightly. “Don’t lie to me.”

It was the same every time. No matter how hard they tried, no matter what words they used, Niall shut them out.

Eventually, they started leaving faster.

At first, they tried to fight it, to insist on staying, but he made it clear—he didn’t want them around. The moment they entered his room, he turned his head away. The moment they spoke, he told them to leave.

The only time he showed any reaction was when Shawn walked in.

Shawn always looked wrecked—like he hadn’t slept, like he blamed himself for everything.

Maybe he should.

“You’re not even trying to let us in,” Shawn whispered one night, sitting beside Niall’s bed.

Niall stared at the ceiling, his voice dull. “What’s the point?”

Shawn ran a hand through his messy curls, his lips parting like he wanted to argue—but he didn’t. Maybe because he knew it was useless.

So, eventually, even Shawn stopped coming as much.

And Niall was fine with that.

The interrogation room was dimly lit, a single overhead bulb casting a stark glow over the table. The man sat in the chair, hands cuffed in front of him, expression eerily calm. He wasn’t fidgeting, wasn’t panicking. If anything, he looked… pleased.

The lead detective, a stern-looking woman with tired eyes, sat across from him, placing a folder on the table. “You’ve been quiet since we brought you in.”

The man smirked. “Not much to say.”

She leaned forward. “You kidnapped Niall Horan. You held him hostage for weeks. You manipulated him into believing lies about his friends, his partner, his entire life.”

The smirk widened. “I didn’t manipulate him.”

The detective’s jaw tensed. “Then what would you call it?”

The man shrugged. “I just showed him the truth.”

She flipped open the folder, revealing photographs—images of Niall in the basement, the security footage of the night he was taken, screenshots of the livestream when the fans overheard everything. “You isolated him, forced him to rely on you, filled his head with ideas that made him turn against the people who love him.”

The man chuckled. “Love?” He leaned forward slightly. “If they loved him so much, why was it so easy to make him believe otherwise?”

The detective inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. “What exactly did you want from him?”

The man tilted his head. “I wanted him to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That I was the only one who ever truly cared.”

She gritted her teeth. “He’s free now. Do you realize that? He’s going to realize what you did to him.”

The man leaned back in his chair, a slow, lazy smile stretching across his face. “Maybe,” he mused. “Or maybe… he’ll miss me.”

The detective’s stomach turned.

Because deep down, she was afraid he might be right.

Days passed. The doctors kept talking about progress, about trauma, about healing. Niall didn’t listen.

The boys still tried, but less often.

Shawn stopped coming altogether.

And the worst part?

Niall didn’t feel abandoned.

He felt relieved.

Because, for the first time in his life… he finally understood where he stood.

The hospital discharged him earlier than expected. They said he was healing well, physically at least. Mentally, emotionally… that was a different story.

But Niall didn’t care. He just wanted out.

The fresh air should’ve been refreshing, but instead, it felt overwhelming. He stood outside the hospital, his bag slung over his shoulder, staring at the busy street ahead of him.

Where the hell was he supposed to go?

He didn’t want to go to any of the boys' places. He didn’t want to face their pity, their concern, the suffocating weight of their guilt.

He didn’t even want to go back to his own house.

Except… there was nowhere else.

So, despite everything, his feet carried him toward the one place he swore he wasn’t ready to be—his and Shawn’s house.

When he stepped inside, it was eerily quiet. He exhaled in relief. Maybe Shawn was still out.

He moved toward the stairs, wanting nothing more than to lock himself in the guest room and sleep for a week. But before he could even take another step—

“Niall?”

His whole body stiffened.

Shawn was standing in the living room, looking at him like he had just seen a ghost. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair a mess, his face exhausted.

Niall clenched his jaw. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

Shawn took a shaky step forward. “Where else would I be?”

Niall didn’t answer. He looked away, gripping the strap of his bag. “I just need a place to stay.”

“This is your home,” Shawn said instantly.

But Niall didn’t respond. Because did it really feel like home anymore?

Shawn hesitated before quietly asking, “Are you… are you okay?”

Something inside Niall snapped. He scoffed, shaking his head. “What kind of question is that?”

“I just—”

“You already know the answer,” Niall cut him off, his voice sharp.

Shawn’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

Then, his voice broke as he whispered, “Why did you say I don’t love you?”

Niall stilled.

Shawn took another step forward, his eyes desperate, pleading. “Back at the hospital, you said I didn’t love you.” His voice cracked as he repeated it. “How—how could you think that?”

Niall felt something cold crawl up his spine. “Because it’s true.”

Shawn let out a sound that was somewhere between a gasp and a sob. “No, it’s not.”

Niall scoffed. “I’ve seen it, Shawn. The way you put your career first. The way you—”

“Stop,” Shawn choked out, shaking his head violently.

Niall ignored him. “—The way you let them push me aside like I didn’t matter—”

“Stop!”

Shawn’s voice cracked as the tears finally spilled down his cheeks. He gripped his own shirt like he was trying to hold himself together, his entire body trembling.

“You don’t get to say that,” Shawn sobbed. “You don’t get to tell me I don’t love you when I—” He took a shaky breath, his voice breaking completely. “When I’ve spent every second of my life loving you.”

Niall’s breath caught in his throat.

Shawn let out a broken laugh, wiping furiously at his tears. “You think I don’t care? You think I haven’t been dying every single day since you were taken? I—I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I was terrified I’d never see you again.” He sniffled, his shoulders shaking. “I thought I lost you, Niall.”

Niall felt something in his chest crack.

“I love you,” Shawn whispered, his voice raw. “I love you so much that it hurts. And I don’t know what that—that bastard told you, but whatever it was, it’s not true. Because I never stopped loving you. Not for a single second.”

Niall didn’t realize he was crying until he felt the wetness on his cheeks.

Shawn took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he wiped at his face. He looked exhausted, vulnerable, completely broken.

And for the first time in weeks… Niall felt something shift inside him.

It wasn’t a full realization. It wasn’t a sudden fix.

But it was something.

Because Shawn wouldn’t be standing there, tears streaming down his face, breaking apart in front of him—if he didn’t love him.

Would he?

Niall swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. “I… I don’t know how to believe that.”

Shawn gave a watery smile, nodding slowly. “Then let me show you.”

And for the first time since he was found, Niall didn’t push him away.

The days passed slowly.

At first, he kept his distance. Not because he didn’t want to be near Shawn, but because something inside him still resisted. A lingering whisper of doubt, an echo of manipulation that he couldn’t quite shake.

But Shawn never pushed.

Instead, he just showed him.

In the way he made Niall tea every morning, even when Niall refused to drink it.
In the way he played Niall’s favorite songs on his guitar, softly humming the melody even when he thought Niall wasn’t listening.
In the way he looked at him—not with pity, but with so much love it made Niall’s chest ache.

And little by little… Niall started to believe it.

He started to believe Shawn.

Because love wasn’t just a word—it was actions. And Shawn had never once stopped showing it.

That night, Niall lay in the guest bedroom, staring up at the ceiling.

Sleep wouldn’t come.

His mind raced, thoughts swirling like a storm he couldn’t escape. The past few weeks had been hell—he had been taken, manipulated, made to doubt everything and everyone he ever loved.

But now… he saw the truth.

Shawn had always loved him. Always.

Even when Niall had doubted him. Even when Niall had pushed him away.

A lump formed in his throat as the realization hit him all at once—how could he have ever believed otherwise?

His heart clenched. His chest felt tight.

And suddenly, he couldn’t stand being alone in this room anymore.

Before he could second-guess himself, Niall slipped out of bed.

His feet carried him down the hall, stopping in front of their bedroom door.

For a brief moment, he hesitated.

Then, taking a deep breath, he quietly pushed it open.

The room was dark, the only light coming from the dim glow of the moon through the curtains. Shawn was curled up under the covers, his back to the door, his breathing slow and steady.

Niall swallowed thickly. God, I’ve missed this.

Without another thought, he climbed into bed, carefully slipping under the blankets.

His heart pounded as he hesitated for a second—then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around Shawn from behind, pulling him close.

Shawn stirred slightly at the movement, a small hum escaping his lips as he instinctively leaned into the warmth.

Niall held his breath.

Then, after a moment, Shawn shifted, turning so he was facing Niall. His sleepy eyes blinked up at him, confusion flickering across his features—until he saw the look on Niall’s face.

And just like that, all Shawn did was smile softly, lifting a hand to gently brush his fingers over Niall’s cheek.

Then, without a word, he pressed a tender kiss to Niall’s forehead.

Niall exhaled shakily, his arms tightening around Shawn as if he was afraid to let go.

Shawn buried his face in Niall’s chest, his voice a soft murmur against his skin.

"I love you."

Niall felt his throat tighten. His eyes stung with unshed tears.

And for the first time in weeks… he didn’t question it.

Instead, he whispered back, “I love you too.”

And this time, he meant it.

Niall woke up to the feeling of warmth—Shawn’s arms wrapped around him, their legs tangled together beneath the sheets. For the first time in a long time, he felt… safe.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of Shawn’s cologne. This is home.

Shawn stirred slightly, his grip tightening as if he was afraid Niall would slip away. When he finally opened his eyes, they were filled with a softness that made Niall’s heart ache.

“Morning,” Shawn whispered, voice hoarse from sleep.

Niall swallowed, looking down at where his hand rested on Shawn’s chest. “Morning.”

For a moment, there was silence. Not uncomfortable—just full. Full of unspoken words, emotions too big to contain.

Then Shawn sighed, shifting so he was looking at Niall properly. “I need to say something.”

Niall nodded, giving him the space to talk.

Shawn’s voice was gentle but firm. “I know you’ve been through hell. And I know you’re still trying to make sense of it all. But no matter what they told you—no matter what they made you believe—you are loved, Niall.”

Niall’s throat tightened. He looked away, his fingers gripping the sheets. “I know.”

Shawn cupped his cheek, guiding him back so their eyes met. “Do you? Because I need you to understand—I would burn the whole world down if it meant keeping you safe. The boys would too. We love you, Niall. You were never a burden, never unwanted. And I—” His voice cracked. “I can’t lose you again.”

Niall felt the weight of Shawn’s words settle deep in his chest. He exhaled shakily. “I know,” he whispered. “I just… I needed time. And I think—I think it’s time I talk to the boys too.”

Shawn’s lips curved into the softest smile. “Yeah?”

Niall nodded. “Yeah.”

A few hours later, Niall stood outside the hotel suite where the band was staying. His heart pounded in his chest, nerves creeping in.

Shawn gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “They’re your brothers, Niall. They’ve been waiting for this.”

Taking a deep breath, Niall knocked.

The second the door opened, he barely had time to react before he was pulled into a crushing hug.

“Niall!” Louis’ voice cracked with emotion. “Jesus Christ, mate, do you have any idea how worried we were?”

Liam was next, gripping his shoulder tightly. “It’s good to see you, man.”

Zayn, usually the most reserved, just pulled him into a silent embrace, clapping his back as if to say I’m glad you’re here.

And Harry—Harry didn’t even try to hide his tears. “Don’t ever scare us like that again, yeah?”

Niall swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I won’t.”

They sat down, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they talked. About what happened. About the lies, the manipulation, the fear.

And the boys listened.

No interruptions, no dismissing his feelings—just listening.

By the time Niall finished, there were tears in more than one pair of eyes.

“You do know we love you, right?” Louis said, voice unusually soft.

Niall let out a shaky breath. “Yeah. I know that now.”

The moment Niall was spotted with the boys again, social media exploded.

#WelcomeBackNiall immediately began trending worldwide.

• “I’m actually crying. He’s home 🥺💙”
• “Look at how happy he looks with the boys again 😭 we missed you, Niall!!!”
• “Shiall back together, the band back together—this is the best day ever.”
• “I don’t even care if we never get details, I just want Niall to be safe and happy.”

Leaked Article: “The Chilling Truth Behind Niall Horan’s Disappearance”

By: Emma Clarke, The Sun

In a shocking turn of events, new details have emerged about Niall Horan’s harrowing kidnapping and the psychological torment he endured at the hands of his captor.

According to leaked sources from the ongoing police investigation, Horan was subjected to intense manipulation during his time in captivity—brainwashed into believing that those closest to him never truly cared. The stalker, whose identity is yet to be officially released, used isolation and selective information to twist Horan’s perception of reality.

“They don’t love you, Niall. You were always just an extra to them. The forgotten one.”

The stalker allegedly played videos and interviews, carefully edited and taken out of context, to reinforce the idea that Horan was left out, ignored, or underappreciated by his bandmates and partner, Shawn Mendes.

“They only needed you when it benefited them. But I see you, Niall. I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

Over time, sources claim that the psychological strain wore Horan down, leading him to seek comfort in the very person who had taken him.

Inside the Interrogation Room: The Stalker’s Chilling Words

While details of the police interrogation remain classified, portions of the questioning have been leaked to the press, revealing disturbing insights into the stalker’s mindset.

When asked why they targeted Horan, the stalker reportedly said:

"I didn’t ‘kidnap’ him. I saved him. He was lost, and I showed him the truth. They never appreciated him. They never loved him the way I do."

The stalker showed no remorse for their actions, reportedly smirking when discussing the emotional hold they had on Horan.

"He didn’t want to leave. He needed me. And part of him still does.”

Law enforcement officials have not confirmed how long Horan was under psychological distress before being rescued, but specialists in trauma recovery emphasize that the effects of such manipulation can be long-lasting.

Following the leak, fans have taken to social media, expressing heartbreak, anger, and unwavering support for Horan.

• “This is beyond horrifying. Niall was made to believe he wasn’t loved. Imagine how damaging that is.”
• “That sicko doesn’t even feel sorry?! My heart breaks for Niall.”
• “I just want Niall to heal. He is loved, and we’ll remind him every single day.”
• “Shawn, the boys, and us fans will always be here for you, Niall.”

As the investigation continues, one thing is clear—Niall Horan’s journey to healing has only just begun, but he is not alone.

It had been a few weeks since Niall had been found, and though things were slowly getting better, the weight of everything that had happened still clung to him like a shadow. The boys and Shawn had been with him every step of the way, supporting him, reminding him that he was loved. But there was something he hadn't told them—something that had been eating him alive.

He needed to tell them the truth about what had happened with the stalker. The part that made his stomach twist in guilt and shame.

Sitting in the living room of his and Shawn’s house, Niall swallowed hard. His hands trembled as he fidgeted with the sleeve of his hoodie. Shawn sat beside him, his hand resting gently on Niall’s knee, while the rest of the boys sat across from him, their faces filled with concern.

“I need to tell ye something,” Niall said, his voice barely above a whisper. His throat felt tight, his heart hammering against his ribs. “Something I haven’t said yet. And I… I don’t know if ye will look at me the same after this.”

“Niall,” Louis said softly, leaning forward. “Whatever it is, we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Niall took a deep, shaky breath before forcing the words out. “While I was with him… we—we kissed. And we—” His voice broke, his entire body tensing as he struggled to get it out. “We had sex.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Niall couldn’t look at them. He couldn’t bear to see their reactions. His chest ached as shame clawed at him, burning his skin like fire. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he let out a broken sob.

Shawn was the first to speak. “Niall…” His voice was careful, gentle, as if he were afraid to push too hard. Then, with the softest voice, he asked, “Did you… did you want that?”

Niall gasped, and it was as if something inside him shattered. His whole body trembled as he covered his face with his hands, tears slipping between his fingers. His sobs came in waves, raw and painful, filling the silence of the room.

Shawn’s question hung in the air, suffocating him. He wanted to deny it. He wanted to say it had been forced, that it wasn’t his fault. But deep down, he knew the answer.

And that made it worse.

His voice was barely audible when he whispered, “I nodded… I didn’t stop him.”

Shawn exhaled sharply, his hand tightening around Niall’s knee, but he didn’t pull away. No one did.

Louis, Zayn, Liam, and Harry all sat there, their faces a mixture of sadness and understanding. No judgment. No disgust.

“Niall,” Liam spoke this time, his voice gentle but firm. “That doesn’t mean it wasn’t manipulation. He made you believe you needed him. He made you think you wanted that.”

“But I did,” Niall cried, shaking his head. “I wanted the affection. I wanted—” His breath hitched. “I wanted to feel like someone cared.”

Shawn’s face crumbled, and in an instant, he pulled Niall into his arms, holding him tightly. “You were manipulated, baby,” he whispered into Niall’s hair. “He made you think you had no one else. That wasn’t real love. He took advantage of you.”

Niall clung to Shawn, sobbing into his shoulder, his entire body shaking. He wanted to believe them. He wanted to erase the guilt that weighed him down. But how could he, when he had let it happen?

“I’m so sorry,” he choked out. “I—I feel disgusting.”

Louis moved closer, placing a hand on Niall’s back. “Don’t be sorry, mate. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You survived,” Zayn added softly. “That’s all that matters.”

They all sat with him, letting him cry, letting him release everything he had been holding inside. They didn’t push him. They didn’t judge him. They just stayed.

And for the first time since everything had happened, Niall felt like maybe—just maybe—he wasn’t completely broken.

Niall had been dreading this moment. He knew it was bound to happen at some point, but he wasn’t ready. No amount of preparation could make him feel okay about facing the world again.

Yet, here he was—sitting in a chair with the boys beside him, bright lights shining down as cameras rolled. This was his first official interview since everything happened. His first time back at work. And he hated it.

They had agreed beforehand that the interview would focus on the band's upcoming music, their return to touring, and how it felt to be back together. No personal questions. No digging into what happened.

But, of course, that didn’t stop them.

The interviewer, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a smug smile, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he turned his attention to Niall.

"So, Niall," he began, a fake look of concern on his face. "First off, we’re all so glad you’re safe. But the world has a lot of questions. Can you tell us a bit about your time in captivity? How did it feel knowing your bandmates had no idea where you were?"

The room went still.

Niall’s jaw clenched so tightly his teeth hurt. His entire body stiffened, his hands curling into fists in his lap.

Was this guy serious?

He could feel Louis shifting beside him, tensing up. Liam shot the interviewer a sharp look, and Harry instantly placed a hand on Niall’s knee, squeezing gently in warning. But it wasn’t enough to stop the anger boiling in his chest.

"Excuse me?" Niall's voice was low, dangerous.

The interviewer tilted his head, as if he hadn’t just crossed a major line. "Well, it must have been awful, right? Being taken like that. Feeling abandoned."

A red-hot rage shot through Niall’s veins. His breathing picked up, his vision tunneling in on the man across from him. He could hear Louis muttering something beside him, Liam reaching out to touch his shoulder, but it was like static in his ears.

"You think you can sit here and ask me about that like it’s some kind of TV drama?" Niall snapped, his voice sharp and biting. "Like it was entertainment?"

"Niall, mate—" Louis whispered, trying to calm him.

But Niall wasn’t having it.

"You have no idea what it was like," he continued, his voice rising. "No fucking clue what I went through. And you want me to just sit here and give you a damn story? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Liam placed a firm hand on his arm. "Niall, just breathe—"

Harry gave the interviewer a glare so cold it could’ve frozen over hell itself. "Move on to the next question," he warned.

But Niall was already too far gone. His chest was heaving, his fingers digging into his jeans. He felt trapped, suffocated, the walls closing in around him—

Then, suddenly, Zayn was gone.

No one else seemed to notice, too focused on stopping Niall from blowing up completely. But Zayn had slipped out of his seat and was already halfway down the hall.

Because he knew exactly who Niall needed.

Shawn’s POV

Shawn sat alone in a quiet room down the hall, scribbling lyrics into his notebook.

He had decided to work from here today, knowing Niall had his first big interview. He wanted to give Niall space, but he also wanted to be close enough in case something went wrong.

And judging by the way Zayn practically kicked the door open, something had gone very wrong.

"You need to come now," Zayn said quickly.

Shawn didn’t hesitate. He was out of his chair and rushing down the hallway before Zayn could even explain what happened.

The moment Shawn stepped into the interview room, he saw Niall—red-faced, fists clenched, breathing erratic. The rest of the boys were around him, trying to calm him down, but it wasn’t working.

Shawn didn’t waste a second.

He crossed the room in three long strides and dropped to his knees in front of Niall, his hands immediately finding Niall’s trembling ones.

"Hey, hey, baby," Shawn murmured, voice soft and steady. "Breathe for me."

Niall’s head snapped up, his wild blue eyes locking onto Shawn’s. His chest was still heaving, his hands shaking, but the second Shawn touched him, something in him shifted.

Shawn moved closer, resting a hand against Niall’s cheek. "It’s okay," he whispered. "I’m right here. Just breathe."

Slowly, Niall’s breathing started to even out. His fists loosened. His shoulders dropped. His entire body melted into Shawn’s touch like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

Shawn pressed their foreheads together. "Ignore him," he whispered. "He’s not worth it."

Niall closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath. "I hate this," he whispered back.

"I know, love," Shawn murmured. "I know."

The interviewer, looking pale and nervous, cleared his throat. "Uh, maybe we should—"

"Yeah, maybe you should shut the fuck up," Louis snapped, standing up.

The interview was officially over.

Chapter Text

Despite everything, the interview still got released.

Clips of Niall’s breakdown flooded the internet, spreading like wildfire. Fans were outraged, disgusted that the interviewer had the audacity to push Niall like that.

Twitter Trends:

• #RespectNiall
• #WeLoveYouNiall
• #ShawnToTheRescue
• #ProtectNiall

Fan Comments:

• "That interviewer had NO right to ask Niall that. He was clearly uncomfortable. How disgusting."
• "The way Shawn IMMEDIATELY calmed him down... my heart. #ShiallForever"
• "Niall deserves peace. Stop treating his trauma like it’s entertainment."
• "The fact that the boys AND Shawn were all there for him makes me so emotional. They’re his family."

Leaked Article – “Inside Niall Horan’s Emotional Interview Breakdown”

"Niall Horan’s first public interview since his traumatic abduction took a shocking turn when an insensitive question about his experience led to a heated moment on set. Sources say that Horan, visibly distressed, lashed out at the interviewer before his bandmates and boyfriend, Shawn Mendes, stepped in to calm him down.

The tension escalated as fellow band member Louis Tomlinson was heard cursing at the interviewer, while Zayn Malik reportedly left mid-interview to retrieve Mendes, who ultimately brought Horan back from his breaking point.

A close source revealed: ‘Niall’s healing, but it’s not easy. People need to respect that he’s still recovering.’

Fans across social media have rallied behind Horan, condemning the interviewer’s approach and demanding better treatment for trauma survivors."

The lights were warm, the audience was buzzing with excitement, and for the first time in a while, Niall felt… okay.

James welcomed him with open arms, cracking a joke right off the bat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to have the one and only, the Irish heartthrob, the golf king, the man with the best laugh in the business—Niall Horan!”

The crowd erupted into cheers as Niall grinned, walking onto the set and pulling James into a hug before settling into his seat.

Right away, James set the tone—easygoing, lighthearted, and safe.

“So, Niall,” James said, leaning back. “First of all, how are you, mate? How’s life treating you?”

Niall smiled, nodding. “Doin’ good, yeah. Feels nice to be back to work, back on stage.”

“Ahh, good to hear! And the lads? They still as annoying as ever?”

“Oh, worse,” Niall teased, making the audience laugh. “Harry’s still a drama queen, Louis is still a pain in my ass, Liam’s still the dad, and Zayn—well, Zayn’s actually gotten softer. It’s weird.”

James gasped, acting scandalized. “Zayn? Soft? I don’t believe it.”

“I’m tellin’ ya, mate,” Niall chuckled. “He texted me the other day just to check in. I almost had a heart attack.”

James wiggled his eyebrows. “Speaking of checking in… Shawn?”

At the mention of Shawn, Niall’s ears turned pink.

“Ah, here we go,” he muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.

The audience ooh’d, and James grinned mischievously. “I have to ask! How is the lovely Shawn Mendes?”

“He’s good,” Niall admitted, a soft look crossing his face. “He’s been great, actually. Always lookin’ after me.”

James pouted dramatically. “I love him.”

“Yeah, me too,” Niall murmured, almost absentmindedly. Then he realized what he said and cleared his throat with a smirk. “I mean, obviously—he’s my—” He stopped, hesitating for a second before shaking his head with a smirk. “Well, not my boyfriend anymore.”

James blinked, his mouth dropping open. “Wait. WAIT. What do you mean—Niall Horan, what do you mean he’s not your boyfriend anymore?”

Niall bit his lip, trying to hold back a grin as he lifted his left hand and wiggled his fingers. A silver band gleamed under the stage lights.

The audience went feral. Screaming, cheering, clapping—the whole studio erupted.

James shot out of his seat in dramatic shock. “SHUT UP. NO. I REFUSE.” He turned to the crowd. “DID YOU KNOW THIS?! DID ANYONE KNOW THIS?!”

Niall laughed, nodding. “Yeah, yeah, we actually got engaged before the hiatus. We just never announced it.”

James dramatically collapsed into his chair, clutching his chest. “Oh my God, my heart.”

The cheers didn’t die down for a full minute, and Niall couldn’t stop smiling. It felt good to share something happy. Something real.

James wiped a fake tear from his eye. “Niall Horan… officially off the market.” He sniffled. “And there goes my last shred of hope.”

Niall rolled his eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

James laughed before leaning in. “Wait, wait, wait. You’re telling me you two have been engaged this whole time, and you just casually drop this bomb on my show?”

Niall shrugged. “Felt like the right time.”

James scoffed. “The right time—get out.”

Niall just laughed.

And then—

The audience screamed again as Shawn walked onto the stage, grinning as he headed straight for Niall.

“Oh, COME ON,” James whined, throwing his hands in the air. “Are you TRYING to kill me?!”

Niall stood up, and without hesitation, Shawn wrapped his arms around him, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head.

“Figured I should come out and make it official,” Shawn joked, his voice warm.

The crowd lost it.

James shook his head, utterly defeated. “This is too much. I’m suing for emotional damage.”

Shawn just laughed, keeping an arm around Niall as they both sat down.

James looked between them with a fond expression. “Okay, okay. I have to know—who proposed?”

Shawn smirked. “Me first.”

James gasped. “First?! So you both proposed?!”

Niall grinned. “Yeah. Shawn did it first, but then I was like, ‘Nah, I wanna do it too.’ So I got him a ring and proposed back.”

James clutched his chest. “That is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“He cried,” Niall added with a smirk.

James gasped again. “SHAWN CRIED?!”

Shawn groaned, covering his face. “Oh my God.”

Niall laughed. “Like a baby. Had to wipe his tears on my shirt and everything.”

The audience erupted once more.

James wiped another fake tear from his eye. “You two are disgustingly cute.”

Niall shrugged. “I try.”

The interview aired later that night, and within minutes, Twitter exploded with love and support.

Trending Topics:

• #NiallAndShawnAreEngaged
• #JamesCordenProtectNiallAtAllCosts
• #ShiallForever
• #NiallIsBack

Fan Comments:

• “THEY’VE BEEN ENGAGED SINCE BEFORE THE HIATUS??? WTF???”
• “SHAWN JUST WALKED ON STAGE LIKE IT WAS CASUAL OMG”
• “HE SAID SHAWN CRIED IM SCREAMING.”
• “James being so dramatic about it made the whole thing even funnier.”
• “Niall looked so happy and comfortable. This is how interviews should be.”
• “SHAWN ISN’T HIS BOYFRIEND ANYMORE??? BECAUSE THEY’RE ENGAGED???”
• “Niall laughing and smiling again is all I needed in life. 🥹”

As Niall sat on the couch later that night, scrolling through all the positive comments, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Hope.

Maybe—just maybe—things were starting to look up.

It had been a couple of weeks since Niall’s first interview with James Corden, and the boys were finally ready for their next big appearance—this time, together. The excitement was palpable as they arrived at the studio, ready to share updates on the upcoming album and the return of the tour after the unexpected hiatus.

As the boys walked onto the set, the audience erupted into applause. Niall, Louis, Harry, Liam, Zayn, and Shawn all exchanged quick smiles before taking their seats. James stood by, welcoming them warmly.

"Welcome back, guys!" James said, arms spread wide. "It’s so good to see you all together again!"

"Feels like we’ve been apart for ages," Liam said, settling into his chair. "But, uh, we’re finally back at it."

Louis added, “It’s like we never left, huh?”

James grinned. "You know, I have to admit, I’ve missed you all. Last time, it was just Niall here, and—well, let’s just say it was a wild ride. But tonight, I’ve got the whole gang! And before we get started, Niall, let’s just say—I think everyone’s waiting to hear a little more about your upcoming wedding."

The audience let out an excited cheer, and Niall turned a little pink.

"Alright, alright," Niall laughed, waving his hand. "We’re just getting started, James. Let’s not rush things."

James grinned. "Fair enough. We’ll get back to that later!"

James shifted gears, bringing up the new album. "So, guys, I hear you’ve got something special coming up, huh?"

Harry leaned forward, eager to speak. "Yeah, we’ve been working on it for a while now. It’s been a crazy journey, but it’s one of our best projects yet. You’ll definitely hear a more mature sound. We’ve all put so much of ourselves into it, and I think fans are gonna really love it."

Zayn nodded. "The vibe of this album is just different. It feels like we’ve finally found that perfect balance between who we were and who we’re becoming. We’re all really proud of it."

Louis chimed in, "And there’s a couple of tracks that, you know, we didn’t expect would happen. Some surprise collabs, a few unexpected twists, but that’s all I’ll say for now!"

Shawn leaned back, grinning at Niall. "I’ve heard some of it. I’m not saying anything, but you guys are going to love it."

James smiled, clearly impressed. "I can’t wait! It’s always fun when a band evolves and changes, and it sounds like this one will be a treat."

"Now, onto the big news," James continued, looking at the group seriously. "The tour is coming back soon, but we know a lot of fans are wondering what happens with their tickets, especially after the unexpected break."

Liam nodded. "Yeah, we’ve got you covered. We’re working with all the venues to make sure anyone who had tickets to the shows that were postponed will either get a full refund or—"

Harry jumped in, "Or a chance to get new tickets for another show date. We’ve been trying to make it as easy as possible for everyone to still join us on the road. And for those who didn’t get a ticket? There’s still a chance for you to see us live!"

Niall smiled, feeling the excitement in the room. "We’ve got so many fans who’ve been waiting to see us, and we want to make sure everyone gets a fair shot. So, yeah, if you didn’t get tickets before, you might just have a second chance."

Zayn grinned. "It’s going to be a blast, and we’re ready to hit the stage again."

Louis raised his hand, playfully adding, “And I promise I won’t lose my voice this time. Or at least, I’ll try not to.”

The audience laughed, and James leaned in. "Well, considering everything you’ve been through, I think it’s safe to say fans are going to be extra excited for this return!"

Niall smiled, nodding. "It’s been a tough time, but we’ve all been getting stronger. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come, and I can’t wait to see everyone out there again."

The interview was a hit. Fans flooded social media with excitement about the album and tour updates. The mention of ticket refunds and the opportunity for more fans to get tickets had everyone buzzing.

Trending Topics:

• #OneDirectionTour2025
• #NiallAndShawnForever
• #2ndChanceTickets
• #ShiallAndTheBoys

Fan Comments:

• "I’m so ready for this album, guys! I know it’s going to be amazing!"
• "Niall looks so happy and healthy. So proud of how far he’s come!"
• "NEW TICKET DATES?? I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYS LIVE AGAIN!!"
• "I missed this so much. The chemistry between you all is unreal."
• "The new album better be a masterpiece or else..."

As the interview came to a close, James wrapped it up, giving them all a final moment to say goodbye.

"You’ve made me emotional, guys. And I’m not even a Directioner!" James grinned. "Seriously, thanks for coming on tonight. It’s been an absolute pleasure to have you all back."

The boys smiled, but there was an awkward pause. The words had barely left James's mouth when Louis, with a wry smile, glanced at his bandmates. "Alright, well, that’s it then," he said, half-jokingly.

The boys chuckled as Harry teased, "You heard it here, James. You’re never getting us back on this show."

Zayn grinned. "Yeah, we know what you're really after now. All that sweet, sweet clout."

Niall added with a grin, "Oh, so that’s what this is all about? Using us for views, huh?"

James laughed, shaking his head. "You guys know I love you. I was just kidding!"

Louis grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, sure. You can’t fool us, mate."

The playful banter continued, and James, clearly enjoying himself, added, "Alright, alright. I promise, no more clout chasing. Just good vibes and good music."

The boys laughed, clearly knowing James was joking. They all stood up, shaking his hand, before heading offstage.

The clip from the interview, especially the lighthearted teasing, quickly made its way online, sparking laughter and more support from fans.

Fan Comments:

• "I love how the boys just tease James about using them for clout 😂"
• "The chemistry between these guys is unreal. I’m SO ready for this tour!"
• "James is always a good sport with the boys. So much fun!"
• "This interview was hilarious! The teasing was everything!"
• "James really just walked right into that clout joke, huh?"

It was clear that, despite the playful teasing, the bond between the boys and James was stronger than ever, and fans loved seeing them all together again.

It was a busy afternoon at the studio. The boys were preparing for their next big concert, and Shawn was sitting at a desk, his laptop open in front of him. His phone was pressed to his ear, a pen held between his teeth as he jotted down notes, occasionally nodding at whatever the person on the other end of the line was saying.

Niall, meanwhile, was sitting on the couch across from him, staring out the window. He had a distant look in his eyes, his leg bouncing restlessly. He wasn’t really paying attention to the conversation going on, but it was clear something was off. Shawn noticed, but he didn’t say anything yet.

Shawn's gaze flickered from his phone to Niall. He knew that look. The way Niall sometimes seemed to disappear into his own head, as if there was something weighing him down that he didn’t want to talk about. It wasn’t like Niall to withdraw this much, even if things had been hectic lately.

Shawn shifted in his seat, trying to focus on the call again, but his eyes kept drifting back to Niall. The silence in the room felt heavy.

"Hey, I’ve got to go," Shawn said suddenly, cutting the call short without any hesitation. He stood up, his phone slipping into his pocket. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

Niall didn’t answer right away, still staring out the window, but after a beat, he finally looked at Shawn. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just… tired, you know?"

Shawn didn’t buy it, but he didn’t press him either. Instead, he moved closer, sitting down next to Niall on the couch, his hand gently resting on Niall’s shoulder. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I’m here."

Niall nodded, but his lips didn’t curl into a smile like usual. He was quiet for a moment, as if considering what to say. But when he didn’t, Shawn didn’t push further. He simply stayed there, offering the silent comfort that Niall needed.

A few months had passed since Niall’s return, and life was still not quite back to normal. Shawn was sitting at his usual desk in their shared hotel room, headphones in, listening to some rough drafts for their new album. His laptop was open, and he was scrolling through emails while his phone buzzed with calls from their team.

Niall, who had been mostly quiet all morning, was sitting by the window, staring blankly outside. His posture was slumped, and even though he was physically there, Shawn could tell his mind was elsewhere.

Shawn had learned to read Niall like a book over the years, so when he noticed Niall’s faraway expression, his attention immediately shifted. He closed his laptop with a soft click and pulled the headphones from his ears.

For a moment, he simply watched Niall, wondering if he should let Niall come to him or if he should push for a conversation. But before Shawn could make up his mind, he saw the way Niall’s eyes seemed to cloud over, like he was lost in his thoughts once again.

Shawn sighed, his hands resting on his lap as he looked at his phone one last time. "I need to go. I’ll be right back," he said, mostly to himself, before quickly ending the call.

He stood and walked over to Niall, sitting beside him on the window seat. "Niall," Shawn said gently, his voice soft but firm, "I can’t keep pretending I don’t see that something’s wrong."

Niall didn't immediately look at him, and for a moment, it seemed like he might pull away. But when he finally met Shawn's gaze, there was something in his eyes—something deeper than exhaustion.

"Shawn, I..." Niall trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. He wanted to say something, but the words got caught in his throat. He looked away, feeling vulnerable.

Shawn reached out, cupping Niall's face gently, guiding him to look back at him. "You don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready, but just know I’m not going anywhere."

Niall's lips parted as though he wanted to protest, but Shawn didn’t let him. He just held his gaze, a quiet reassurance in his eyes. And slowly, Niall seemed to relax, leaning his head against Shawn’s shoulder as they sat together in the silence, both knowing that the unspoken words were enough for the moment.

The boys had just finished a show, and the adrenaline was still high. Back in their hotel room, Niall was seated on the couch, his eyes tired but his mind restless. Shawn was at his side, as always, tapping away on his phone, handling a few work-related messages.

But Shawn could tell that Niall wasn’t quite with him tonight. His head was slightly lowered, his fingers absently fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

"Hey," Shawn said, voice soft but knowing. He slid his phone into his pocket and placed his hand on Niall's knee. "Talk to me, yeah?"

Niall gave him a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I’m fine, really. Just... thinking."

Shawn’s hand slid from his knee to his back, gently rubbing up and down in slow circles. "You don’t have to hide it, Niall. You know I’m here for you. Whatever you need."

Niall hesitated, then finally leaned back into Shawn’s touch. "I don’t know... I guess it’s just been a lot, you know? Everything feels different now."

"I get that," Shawn murmured, pulling Niall closer into his side. "But you don’t have to carry it alone. We’ll get through it, together."

For the first time in a while, Niall allowed himself to relax into Shawn's arms, his breathing evening out. It wasn’t a solution, but it was a start. And sometimes, that’s all he needed.

On social media, fans were constantly commenting about the unwavering support that Shawn showed Niall, both before and after the kidnapping. They began piecing together the moments where Shawn would quietly intervene whenever Niall was struggling, whether it was in interviews or during downtime.

“Shawn’s always been Niall’s rock. I swear, whenever Niall looks like he’s struggling, Shawn is there without hesitation. They’ve been through so much together. ❤️ #ShiallStrong”

“I noticed Shawn’s always in the background, just keeping an eye on Niall. No wonder they’re engaged! They have such a deep connection. #ShiallForever”

“Can we just take a second to appreciate how Shawn drops everything whenever Niall needs him? I love seeing this side of them! 😭💖 #ShawnIsNiallsSafeSpace”

The energy in the arena was electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement as the boys prepared for their next song. Shawn sat backstage, leaning against the wall, quietly observing. He had been watching Niall all night—something felt off, and Shawn could tell. The way Niall kept looking out at the crowd, his body stiff when he wasn’t performing, and the way his eyes seemed distant—it wasn’t the usual Niall energy.

Shawn didn’t say anything right away. He knew that Niall had been through a lot, and sometimes, Niall just needed space to breathe. He didn’t want to smother him, but the tension in the air was palpable. Shawn’s heart clenched as he watched Niall move across the stage, his smile forced and his movements slightly mechanical, like he was just going through the motions.

The song came to an end, and the crowd roared with applause. Shawn could see Niall trying to catch his breath, the smile on his face not quite reaching his eyes. And that was when it happened.

In the middle of their next song, as the crowd sang along, Niall’s face suddenly turned pale. His hand gripped the mic tightly, his body swaying a bit as if he were losing his balance. For a split second, Shawn thought Niall might just be fatigued or struggling with the lights and the noise, but then Niall’s body went stiff, his breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps.

Shawn’s heart skipped a beat as he saw Niall’s eyes flutter. He knew. He knew what was happening.

Niall was having a panic attack.

On stage, Niall did his best to hold it together. He gripped the mic tighter, pushing through the moment. But Shawn could see the strain in his eyes, the way his hands shook. He knew Niall would try to cover it up for as long as possible. But Shawn also knew that he couldn’t let Niall go through this alone.

He didn’t waste another second.

Shawn immediately turned to one of the crew members, his voice low but urgent. "Is it okay if I go on stage? Niall needs me."

The crew member looked startled but nodded, quickly assessing the situation. "Go, go," they said, a mix of concern and understanding in their voice.

Without waiting for another second, Shawn hurried out from backstage, his steps quick and determined. His eyes scanned the stage until they landed on Niall, who was still trying to push through the performance, but it was clear he wasn’t okay. Shawn's stomach dropped as he saw Niall’s body swaying again.

Shawn made his way to the edge of the stage, his heart racing. He knew exactly what he had to do.

Just as Niall’s knees buckled beneath him, Shawn leapt forward, his arms reaching out to catch him.

"Niall!" he shouted, his voice strained with worry.

Niall’s body went limp in his arms, and for a split second, Shawn was frozen. The crowd’s cheers turned into murmurs, but all Shawn could focus on was Niall. He could feel the heat radiating off Niall’s body, his breath coming in shallow, rapid bursts.

Shawn didn’t hesitate. He scooped Niall up in his arms, cradling him close as he walked offstage with him. The music continued in the background, but everything else seemed to fade away. The only thing that mattered was Niall.

Shawn quickly made his way backstage, not caring that he was still holding Niall, even as the backstage crew scrambled to help. He settled Niall onto a chair, gently brushing the hair away from Niall’s forehead. "It’s okay, Niall," he whispered, his voice soft but full of urgency. "I’ve got you. You’re okay."

But Niall didn’t respond right away. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling erratically. The panic attack had clearly drained him. Shawn knelt down in front of him, taking Niall’s hand in his.

"Just breathe with me, okay?" Shawn murmured. He placed his hand on Niall’s chest, trying to steady his breathing. "You’re not alone in this. Breathe with me."

It took a few minutes, but slowly, Niall’s breathing began to slow. His fingers twitched in Shawn’s hand, and then, finally, Niall’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Shawn’s.

"Shawn..." Niall’s voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. His lips trembled as he tried to sit up, but Shawn was quick to steady him, his hand on Niall’s back.

"Shh, don’t try to get up just yet," Shawn said softly, his voice thick with concern. "You just had a panic attack, Niall. You need to rest."

Niall nodded slightly, his eyes still glazed, but he didn’t fight Shawn’s hold. Shawn could feel the tension slowly ebbing away as Niall leaned back against him, taking comfort in his presence.

"I’m sorry," Niall muttered after a long pause. "I didn’t mean to mess up the show."

"Hey," Shawn said, brushing a stray lock of hair from Niall’s face. "You didn’t mess anything up. You’re allowed to have moments. You’re allowed to feel what you feel."

"But—" Niall started, but Shawn cut him off.

"No buts, okay?" Shawn smiled softly. "We’re a team. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m always going to be here for you."

Niall swallowed hard, his emotions clearly getting the better of him. He couldn’t help the tears that welled up in his eyes, and Shawn immediately pulled him into a tight hug. "I’m here, Niall. I’m not going anywhere."

The next day, the boys sat in a bright, cozy interview room, the usual excitement of the fans buzzing outside the studio. Niall was trying his best to stay calm after what had happened on stage the previous night. He could still feel the aftereffects of the panic attack lingering, but he was doing his best to push through for the sake of the band and the fans.

The interviewer, a young woman with an eager smile, leaned forward, her microphone directed at Niall.

"So, Niall," she began, her voice soft but inquisitive, "last night, you seemed to have a bit of a tough moment on stage. Everyone was really worried when you, um, fainted there. Do you mind telling us what happened? Was everything alright? Was it just the pressure?"

Niall's eyes immediately flickered with a slight panic, but he tried to keep his composure. Before he could respond, Shawn, who had been standing off to the side, caught Niall’s glance. He could see the subtle shift in Niall’s posture, the way he was tensing up just from the mention of it. Without missing a beat, Shawn walked over to Niall’s side and gently placed his arm around his shoulders.

"Hey," Shawn murmured quietly in Niall’s ear, his voice barely audible to anyone but Niall. "Are you comfortable sharing about it? If you don’t want to, I’ve got your back."

Niall shook his head slightly, his lips pressing together in a thin line. He wasn’t ready to talk about it. The thought of explaining what happened—the suffocating fear, the tightness in his chest, the vulnerability in front of thousands—was too much.

"Not really," Niall whispered back, his gaze drifting downward. "I don't think I’m ready to explain."

Shawn’s expression softened, and he leaned in just a little closer. "It’s none of their business anyway," he whispered with a quiet smirk, offering Niall the comfort of knowing he didn’t have to explain himself.

As the moment passed, Louis, who was sitting nearby, noticed the subtle exchange. He leaned over to Niall and Shawn, concern etched on his face but a gentle warmth in his eyes. "Hey, Niall," Louis began, his tone low and understanding, "Are you still okay to do this interview? I know you’ve been through a lot. If you need to step out, it’s totally fine."

Niall looked at Louis, his eyes betraying the fatigue he felt from everything that had happened. He gave a small nod, trying to muster the energy to continue, but his gaze briefly flicked to Shawn, seeking reassurance.

"Yeah, I’m okay," Niall said, taking a deep breath. "As long as there aren’t any more questions about last night." He looked directly at the interviewer, giving her a subtle but firm look. "I just need a break from talking about it for now."

The interviewer nodded quickly, catching the vibe that Niall wasn’t quite ready to discuss it. "Of course, Niall. We won’t press you on that," she assured him, her voice calming as she adjusted the next question. "Let’s move on to something else, then. How are you feeling about the upcoming album? Any surprises in store for your fans?"

Niall let out a quiet sigh of relief. His shoulders relaxed, and he managed a small smile, now that the pressure of having to explain himself was off. "Yeah, the album is something we’re really proud of," he began, his voice steadier now. "We’ve been working really hard on it, and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people in a good way. It’s definitely been a healing process for all of us."

Shawn, sensing Niall was more comfortable now that the topic had shifted, squeezed his shoulder reassuringly before taking a step back. He glanced at Louis, who gave him a subtle nod in agreement. They were all on the same page—Niall didn’t need to be forced into opening up about what happened, and they would always have his back.

The rest of the interview went smoothly, the band chatting about the album, the upcoming tour dates, and their fans. Laughter filled the room as the boys joked around with each other, the lighthearted atmosphere slowly erasing the tension from the earlier moments.

"I love how Shawn just instantly knew Niall needed him by his side. They’re literally the best duo. 💕 #Shiall"

"Niall is so strong, but I totally understand why he didn’t want to talk about last night. He’s been through so much. Glad the interview moved on. #SupportNiall"

"Louis checking in on Niall? A true friend right there. Everyone should have a Louis in their life. 💖 #Family"

"Niall, you don’t need to explain everything to us. We love you no matter what! 💙 #NiallIsLoved"

It was a quiet evening, the kind Niall cherished, where the world slowed down just enough for him to gather his thoughts. He sat across from Shawn, who was reading over some new lyrics he had been working on. The evening light streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. Niall shifted on the couch, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup, a serious thought running through his mind.

"Shawn," Niall began, his voice tentative but full of purpose, "I’ve been thinking about something. Something important."

Shawn glanced up, sensing the tone in Niall's voice, and placed his notebook down. "What’s on your mind?" he asked, his voice steady and supportive.

Niall paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I want to start a charity. I feel like I need to do something more, to help people who’ve gone through things like I have—people who’ve been through mental health struggles or been manipulated or kidnapped. I want to raise awareness and help them get the support they need. I don’t want anyone to feel alone in that fight."

Shawn’s expression softened immediately. He stood up, crossing the room to sit next to Niall. "Niall," he said softly, taking his hand in his, "That’s an amazing idea. You’ve been through so much, and the way you want to use your experience to help others, that’s incredible. I think it’s exactly what people need to hear."

Niall felt a weight lift from his chest as he looked at Shawn, who was always there to reassure him. "I’m scared though," Niall admitted, his eyes clouded with doubt. "What if people don’t take it seriously? What if it’s just... too big of a thing for me to handle?"

Shawn shook his head, his voice firm but kind. "You’re not alone in this, Niall. We’ll figure it out together. And I know the guys will support you too. They’ve got your back."

Niall smiled faintly, feeling more confident just by having Shawn by his side. "Yeah... you’re right. I’ve got a lot of people who care about me."

Chapter Text

Chapter fourteen

The next day, Niall gathered the bandmates in a small meeting room, the atmosphere calm and encouraging. They’d been through so much together, and now Niall felt ready to share his idea with them.

"Hey, guys," Niall began, standing at the head of the table, a bit of nervousness creeping into his voice. "I’ve been thinking about something. I want to start a charity—a foundation to raise awareness for mental health and for people who’ve been kidnapped or manipulated, just... to help them get the support they need. You know, like how I’ve been through all this stuff, but I want to make sure other people don’t feel alone. I want to give back."

There was a beat of silence before Liam spoke up, his voice filled with understanding. "Niall, that’s incredible. You’ve been through so much, and for you to want to help others like that, it’s really inspiring. I think we can make this happen."

Zayn nodded in agreement, his arms crossed but his face sincere. "Yeah, we’re with you, Niall. Whatever you need, we’ll help you get it done."

Louis smiled warmly, giving Niall a supportive look. "You know we’re all here for you, right? We’ll back you up 100%. This is something that’s close to your heart, and that’s what matters. You’re doing the right thing."

Niall felt his chest tighten with gratitude as he looked around at his bandmates, who had always been there for him through thick and thin. "Thanks, guys," he said quietly. "I don’t think I could do this without all of you."

Harry, who had been quietly listening, added his voice with a gentle but firm tone. "We’re family, Niall. We’ve been through so much together. If you’re doing this, we’re right here beside you."

Niall felt a rush of emotion at the support he was receiving from everyone in the room. "I want to make sure this is something that really helps people. It’s going to take a lot of planning, but I’m ready."

Later that day, Niall met with his management team to discuss the details. They were in the midst of finalizing the band's next album and tour, but Niall’s idea was something they could all get behind.

"I think this is an important cause," Niall said to his manager, Sarah, her eyes lighting up as she listened. "But I want it to be done right. I don’t want it to be something that’s just... for show. It has to be real. I want to help people who have been through what I’ve gone through and make sure they know they’re not alone."

Sarah, always one for practicality, nodded. "We’ll need a team to handle the logistics, Niall. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but if you’re serious about it, we’ll make it happen. We can start by connecting with some mental health organizations and victims’ advocacy groups. We’ve got the connections, and we’ve got the right people who can help you make this vision a reality."

Niall smiled, feeling the weight of the decision settle into his bones. "Thanks, Sarah. I really appreciate it. I know it’s a lot, but I’m ready to put in the work."

Over the following weeks, the group began putting the plans into motion. Niall, with the unwavering support of his bandmates, Shawn, and his management team, started meeting with experts in mental health and advocacy. They brainstormed ways to raise awareness, fund the charity, and connect with people who needed support.

The band also decided to host benefit concerts, where a portion of the ticket sales would go directly to the charity. The idea was to combine their music with something bigger than just the stage—a way to give back to the fans and to those who had supported them through the years.

As Niall watched it all come together, he felt a sense of purpose like he never had before. This was more than just an idea—it was a movement. And with the people he trusted by his side, he knew they could make a difference in the world.

"Niall’s charity idea is exactly what the world needs right now. I’m so proud of him for using his experience to help others. #NiallStrong #MentalHealthAwareness"

"I can’t wait to see what Niall’s charity will do. He deserves all the support, and so do the people he’s trying to help. #WeLoveYouNiall"

"This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a fan of One Direction. Niall’s heart is as big as his talent. 💙 #NiallDeservesTheWorld"

"Shawn has always been there for Niall, and now they’re doing something even bigger. Together they’re unstoppable. #ShawnAndNiall #LoveWins"

The fans were ecstatic, knowing that Niall’s heart had always been in the right place. Now, he was turning his pain into something positive, and they were right there beside him, cheering him on every step of the way.

The screen fades in from black, soft piano music playing in the background. Niall’s voiceover starts.

Niall’s Voiceover:
“I never thought I’d be here. After everything... I thought I was done. But here I am, telling my story, sharing what I went through, hoping it can help someone else.”

The camera cuts to Niall sitting on a couch with Shawn next to him. They’re in a quiet, comfortable room. Niall smiles faintly, looking at Shawn with warmth. Shawn reaches over and gently squeezes Niall’s hand.

Niall (speaking directly to the camera):
“Before all of this... before everything happened, I was just... living my life. Music, family, friends. I didn’t realize how much I took for granted, you know? It wasn’t until I went through hell that I understood the value of love, of real support.”

Cut to a clip of Niall backstage at a concert, laughing with the band, joking with Louis, and sharing lighthearted moments. Niall talks about his friends and how they made him feel part of something bigger than himself.

Niall (voiceover):
“Having the guys around, especially Shawn... They helped me realize that I wasn’t alone. I thought I was broken, that no one could love me. But they loved me, and Shawn, well... he was there through it all.”

The camera cuts back to Niall and Shawn sitting side by side.

Niall (smiling at Shawn):
“I remember when I first started writing again after everything... Shawn would sit next to me, just being there, helping me through it. I wasn’t sure I could do it... but he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

The screen fades to black before a new, more somber tone takes over. Niall looks down, his face more serious now. The music shifts to something more reflective.

Niall (voiceover):
“There were days I didn’t want to get out of bed. Days I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I felt so lost. It was like... nothing mattered anymore.”

The camera shows footage of Niall sitting in a dark room, alone, with a distant look in his eyes. Flashbacks of the moments of his kidnapping and manipulation flicker on the screen in black and white, brief flashes of his pain and confusion.

Niall (voiceover, voice trembling slightly):
“I remember feeling so trapped. Like... like I was never going to get out. I didn’t know who to trust anymore. And I hated myself for not being strong enough to fight back. I... I couldn’t see the way out.”

Cut to an interview clip where Niall is wiping away a tear. He’s speaking softly, his eyes red.

Niall (speaking, looking down):
“Everything was so overwhelming... when I was taken, I couldn’t understand what was happening. I thought I could just forget it, push through. But... you can’t push through that kind of pain.”

Shawn, seated next to Niall, reaches over and gently rubs his back in silent support. Niall looks over at him, grateful, as if his presence is the anchor keeping him grounded.

The camera fades into a new scene. Niall and Shawn are sitting in a quiet room again, a more intimate setting. Niall is sitting in a chair, Shawn in front of him, holding a set of notes.

Niall (voiceover):
“Talking about it... it’s hard. But Shawn, he’s the one I trust the most. So, we decided that he would ask me the questions for the documentary. It just felt right, you know?”

Shawn looks at Niall, his face filled with concern. He starts asking questions, his tone gentle, as if trying to make sure Niall feels safe.

Shawn:
“How did it feel, Niall? When you first realized you were in danger, that you couldn’t escape?”

Niall looks down, swallowing hard. He takes a deep breath before answering.

Niall:
“It felt like everything was just... gone. Like nothing was real anymore. I didn’t know who I could trust. The people I thought would always be there were... distant, and I felt like I had to protect myself.”

Niall’s hands tremble slightly, but he doesn’t pull away. Shawn reaches over, placing his hand on Niall’s knee, offering silent comfort.

Shawn (softly):
“You don’t have to answer anything you’re not ready to, Niall. Just say the word.”

Niall looks at him, and despite the tears gathering in his eyes, he nods. “No, I... I’m okay. I want to talk about it. I need to.”

Shawn nods in return, his eyes soft with understanding.

The camera then switches to a lighter moment—Niall and Shawn sitting outside, laughing. Niall has his arm around Shawn’s shoulders, and they’re both smiling.

Niall (laughing):
“Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without him. I mean, he’s been through all the tough stuff with me. He knows when I need space, but he also knows when I need him to just... be there. And I don’t think I could ever thank him enough for that.”

Niall (looking at Shawn with affection):
“He’s... he’s not just my fiancé. He’s my rock. My best friend. There’s nobody else I’d want by my side.”

Shawn smiles at Niall, squeezing his shoulder, clearly moved by the words.

The scene opens in a quiet room where Niall is sitting in front of a simple wooden desk. The camera zooms in slowly as he begins to speak, his expression serious but filled with determination. Soft instrumental music plays in the background as Niall reflects.

Niall (directly to the camera):
“The idea for the charity... it wasn’t something that came to me overnight. After everything that happened, I felt this deep need to give back. To help people who were going through the same things I was, or worse... people who felt trapped or like they had no way out. I didn’t want anyone to feel the way I felt... I don’t want anyone to ever feel like they’re alone.”

The camera cuts to a flashback of Niall sitting in a meeting room with his team, papers scattered across the table, his phone beside him. He’s on a call with someone. We hear his voice on the phone, but the conversation is blurred out, as if it’s not quite clear who’s on the other end.

Niall (voiceover):
“I knew I had to do something, but where do you even start with something like this? I called a few people, people I trusted. Some in the mental health space, some who’ve worked with victims of kidnapping or trafficking. I spent days on the phone... sometimes it felt like I was talking in circles.”

Cut to a shot of Niall pacing around his living room, holding his phone to his ear, as he listens intently to someone on the other line. He occasionally jots down notes on a piece of paper.

Niall (voiceover):
“I made a lot of calls. Talked to a lot of people. I wanted to make sure this was real, that it was going to make a difference. And I knew that I couldn’t do it alone. I needed support, a team that would help me reach people who needed to hear this message, who needed a lifeline.”

Flash to a meeting with Niall and his management. He’s discussing the specifics of the charity: how to raise awareness, how to structure the organization, and how to help those in need. He looks determined but also nervous, as if this project is the most important thing he’s ever worked on.

Niall (speaking to his team):
“This isn’t about me. It’s not about any fame or recognition. It’s about making sure that the people who feel lost—who don’t know where to turn—can have a place to go. It’s about creating something lasting.”

The camera lingers on Niall’s face as he talks, showing his passion and vulnerability. He exhales slowly, gathering his thoughts.

Niall (speaking to the camera):
“Every time I spoke to someone, whether it was about the mental health aspect or the people who’ve been kidnapped, I realized something. They don’t need sympathy. They need help. They need resources. They need to know that it’s okay to ask for help, that there’s no shame in it. And that’s why I knew this charity had to happen. I want people to know that they’re not broken. They’re not alone.”

The camera shifts to a series of clips showing Niall working tirelessly on the planning process. We see him talking to experts, attending charity planning meetings, and speaking with other people in the industry who have experience with non-profits. It’s clear that he’s deeply involved in every aspect, from the logo design to the legalities behind setting up the charity.

Niall (voiceover):
“It wasn’t just about raising awareness, though. It was about raising funds. We needed the money to make the right resources available. I had meetings with all kinds of people—management, potential sponsors, charity organizers... it was non-stop for weeks. It was exhausting, but it felt necessary.”

The camera zooms in on Niall sitting in front of his laptop late at night, working on emails and documents. Shawn comes into the room, quietly sitting down next to him. He’s clearly concerned, watching Niall as he types away. Niall pauses, looking up at Shawn with a tired smile.

Niall (speaking softly):
“It’s just... a lot, you know? It’s like every decision matters so much, and sometimes, I feel like I’m failing. I just want it to be perfect.”

Shawn places a hand on his back, rubbing gently.

Shawn (softly):
“You’re not failing. You’re doing great, Niall. I’m so proud of you.”

Niall smiles at him, grateful for the support, but it’s clear that the weight of everything is taking a toll.

Niall (voiceover):
“I’m not sure I’d have the strength to keep going without Shawn. He’s always there, whether it’s just sitting with me when I’m working late or reminding me to take a break when I’m pushing myself too hard. He’s my biggest supporter in all of this.”

The camera cuts to the day of the big announcement. Niall is standing on a stage with Shawn by his side, his bandmates in the crowd behind him. He takes a deep breath before speaking into the microphone.

Niall (speaking to the audience):
“This charity... it’s not just for me. It’s for all of us. All of us who’ve struggled, who’ve felt lost, who’ve felt like we’re not enough. This is for the people who need help, who need to know that there’s someone out there who cares. I’m doing this for you.”

As Niall speaks, the camera cuts to Shawn standing nearby, a proud smile on his face. He’s holding Niall’s hand, squeezing it softly for support. The bandmates, in the background, nod in agreement, showing their full support for Niall’s mission.

The camera cuts backstage just before a One Direction concert. The bustling crew is making last-minute preparations, but the focus is on Niall. He’s sitting in a chair, his face etched with stress, his hand rubbing his temples as he tries to calm himself down. The noise of the crew fades slightly, but Niall’s breath is uneven, his body tense. His eyes flicker around the room, unable to settle on anything.

Niall (quietly to himself):
“Just breathe, just breathe...”

He looks down at his hands, his fingers tapping nervously on his knee, as if trying to calm himself. A crew member enters the room, spotting Niall’s visible distress. They glance around quickly, as if searching for someone, and then pull out their phone, dialing.

Crew Member (on phone, worried):
“Shawn? Hey, Shawn, we can’t find you anywhere... Niall’s really stressed out, and we need you here, like, now. Can you—?”

The call is met with voicemail, and the crew member hangs up, eyes scanning the room in panic. They look back at Niall, clearly unsure of what to do next.

Niall (mumbling, not looking up):
“I just... I don’t know if I can do this tonight...”

The camera lingers on Niall’s face, his eyes slightly glassy, clearly overwhelmed by the pressure. He rubs his hands together, his anxiety building. The crew member turns toward the door, about to leave, but suddenly the door slams open.

Shawn (breathing heavily, looking around):
“Where is he? Where’s Niall?”

The crew member points at Niall, and Shawn rushes over to him, kneeling down in front of him, gently placing his hands on Niall’s knees to get his attention. Niall’s head snaps up, but his eyes are unfocused. Shawn looks at him with concern.

Shawn (softly, but firm):
“Niall, hey, look at me. You’re okay. You’ve got this.”

Niall’s breathing is shallow as he tries to focus, but his chest rises and falls rapidly. Shawn stays close, not pushing him but offering a calm presence. He doesn’t say anything more for a few moments, just staying there, rubbing his hands up and down Niall’s legs.

Shawn (gently):
“Can you take a deep breath for me? In... and out.”

Niall tries, but his breath comes out in short, rapid bursts. Shawn’s tone remains soothing, even though the stress is evident in his eyes.

Shawn (calmly):
“Come on, Niall, you’ve been through worse, yeah? You’re here, you’re safe, and you’re going to be just fine. I’m right here.”

The crew member watches, seeing the tension in Niall’s face start to soften as he starts to follow Shawn’s guidance. It’s a delicate moment, the calm before the storm. After a few more breaths, Niall looks at Shawn, his eyes still wide but with a hint of recognition.

Niall (voice trembling):
“I don’t know if I can go out there...”

Shawn smiles softly, giving him a gentle squeeze on the knee.

Shawn (smiling softly):
“Hey, you don’t have to do this alone. You’ve got me. You’ve always got me. And we’ll take it one step at a time. Just one song, yeah?”

Niall nods slowly, tears welling up but not falling. Shawn leans forward, resting his forehead against Niall’s for a brief moment, grounding him. The sound of people calling for Niall to get ready for the show echoes faintly in the background.

Shawn (whispering):
“You’re strong, Niall. You’re stronger than you think.”

Just as Niall’s breathing starts to normalize, the door to the dressing room opens again. One of the stage assistants pokes her head in, looking uncertain but seeing Shawn by Niall’s side.

Stage Assistant (hesitantly):
“Niall, we need to get you on stage in five... everything okay?”

Niall doesn’t answer immediately, but the calm that has settled in from Shawn’s presence is noticeable. Shawn stands up, offering his hand to Niall, who hesitates for a moment but then takes it, standing with his support.

Niall (nodding):
“Yeah, I think... I think I can do it. Thanks, Shawn.”

The stage assistant gives them a nod and walks away, and Shawn turns back to Niall, his hand still on Niall’s back as they head toward the stage entrance.

Shawn (smiling):
“You’ve got this. I’m with you every step of the way. Just focus on the music, focus on us, yeah?”

Niall (taking a deep breath, a hint of a smile forming):
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”

Cut to backstage before another show. Shawn is seated at a desk, his laptop open in front of him as he types. He’s scribbling down some notes for new music, but his brow furrows in concentration. The camera zooms in on his face, showing a side of Shawn that’s rarely seen: stressed, overwhelmed, and worried.

Shawn leans back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment, massaging his temples. The camera captures him in a rare moment of vulnerability, exhausted from the pressures of managing his own career while constantly being there for Niall.

He quickly checks his phone, seeing a missed call from his manager. He sighs heavily, muttering under his breath.

Shawn (to himself):
“I can’t do this... I can’t do it all today.”

Shawn stands up, pacing for a few seconds, clearly trying to clear his mind. He turns toward the backstage door and spots Niall approaching, his posture hunched and clearly feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Shawn steps forward instinctively, his concern for Niall outweighing his own stress. Without hesitation, he walks over to him.

Shawn (with a soft smile, but his tone filled with worry):
“Hey... you okay?”

Niall looks at him, and for a second, Shawn can see the familiar signs of distress. But instead of pushing Niall to talk, he gently places his hand on his shoulder, rubbing it softly.

Niall (voice shaking):
“I’m just... I’m not okay, Shawn.”

Shawn nods, his smile faltering as he feels Niall’s stress. The roles reverse—now it’s Niall helping to ground Shawn, the same way Shawn did for him before the show. Shawn takes a deep breath and leans on Niall for support, showing just how much they rely on each other.

Shawn (quietly):
“Hey, it’s okay... we’ll get through it together. I’ve got you. You’ve got me.”

The camera captures Shawn backstage, sitting in a small, cluttered office. His laptop is open in front of him, but instead of writing lyrics or working on music, he’s staring blankly at the screen. His hand rubs his face in exhaustion, and there’s a noticeable weight in his shoulders.

Shawn (muttering to himself):
“Too much... can’t keep up with everything...”

He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. He looks at his phone—numerous missed calls, messages piling up. His manager, his publicist, the boys—everyone trying to get a hold of him. The weight of it all seems to press down on him.

Shawn (softly, to himself):
“I can’t be everywhere at once... I just... need a break...”

His fingers hover over his phone screen, considering whether he should call anyone back. He lets out another frustrated breath, clicking away from the messages. His head drops into his hands.

The camera focuses on Shawn’s face, showing the rare vulnerability of someone who’s always been the strong support for others. His shoulders slump further. He’s trying to juggle his responsibilities for the band, his own projects, and his relationship with Niall—but the constant pressure is getting to him.

Then, the door creaks open, and Niall enters the room quietly. At first, he doesn’t say anything. He just watches Shawn for a moment, sensing something’s off. The vulnerability in Shawn's posture isn’t something Niall has seen much before, and it immediately makes him pause.

Niall (softly):
“Shawn...?”

Shawn doesn’t answer right away. He takes a deep breath, trying to shake off his frustration, but the stress is evident in his eyes. Niall steps closer, now standing by his side.

Niall (gently, with concern):
“Hey, what’s going on?”

Shawn glances up at Niall, trying to force a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He rubs his face again, exhaling deeply.

Shawn (quietly):
“Just... everything. It’s all piling up at once, and I feel like I’m drowning, Niall. I don’t even know where to start anymore. I’m supposed to be here for you, and I can’t even keep up with my own life right now.”

Niall can see it—Shawn, the strong and steady rock, is breaking down, and it hits him hard. Without saying another word, Niall sits down next to Shawn, placing a hand on his shoulder. Shawn tenses for a moment but then relaxes, leaning into Niall’s presence.

Niall (softly, reassuringly):
“You don’t have to do it all alone, you know that, right?”

Shawn doesn’t respond at first, just letting the words hang in the air. He closes his eyes for a moment, and when he speaks again, his voice is a little hoarse.

Shawn (quietly):
“I don’t know how to stop, Niall. I feel like I’m letting everyone down, like I’m failing you.”

Niall turns to face him, his hand squeezing Shawn’s shoulder.

Niall (firmly, with warmth):
“You’re not failing anyone. You’re not letting me down. I’m right here with you, okay? I’ve always been. You don’t need to be perfect—just be you.”

Shawn’s eyes soften as he looks at Niall. For a moment, everything else seems to fade, and all that matters is the comfort of Niall’s words.

Niall (with a small smile):
“Let’s take it one thing at a time. We’ve got this together. We’re a team.”

Shawn exhales deeply, his shoulders visibly relaxing. He leans back in his chair, the tension easing just a little bit.

Shawn (softly):
“Yeah, we are. Thanks, Niall.”

Niall stays by his side, not needing to say anything more. It’s in the quiet moments like this that their bond is unspoken but deeply felt.

Niall (teasing slightly, trying to lighten the mood):
“Just... maybe don’t try to do everything at once, okay? Even I can’t handle that.”

Shawn chuckles weakly, shaking his head at the gentle teasing.

Shawn (smiling slightly):
“You’re right. I guess I needed a reminder.”

Niall stands up and extends a hand to him.

Niall (grinning):
“C’mon. Let’s take a breather before you go back to saving the world. I’m sure I could use a break from worrying about you too.”

Shawn takes Niall’s hand, standing up. The two of them walk out of the room together, side by side, ready to face the rest of the day—not alone, but together

The camera picks up the tension in the room. Niall is pacing back and forth, his hands running through his hair in frustration. Shawn is sitting on the couch, his face tense as he watches Niall. The air is thick with the unspoken emotions, and the calm silence that once defined their relationship is now gone.

Niall (angrily, voice shaking):
“You don’t get it, do you? I’ve been trying to deal with everything that happened... and all you do is tell me to ‘move on’ like it’s that easy!”

Shawn looks at him, a bit taken aback by the intensity in Niall’s voice. His own frustration starts to build, and he stands up to face Niall, trying to explain himself.

Shawn (trying to stay calm):
“Niall, I’m not telling you to just forget about everything. I’m trying to help you! But you keep pushing me away. You keep shutting me out, and I’m supposed to just stand here and watch you spiral?”

Niall (louder now, hurt and angry):
“I’m not shutting you out! I just don’t need you hovering over me all the time. I don’t need you to act like everything’s fine when it’s not, Shawn!”

Shawn’s jaw tightens as he steps toward Niall, frustration evident in his posture. His voice grows quieter, but it’s just as intense.

Shawn (softly but firmly):
“That’s not what I’m doing, Niall. I’m trying to be there for you in a way that works, but you keep pushing me away. Every time I try to help, you pull back. I can’t keep doing this if you won’t let me in.”

Niall’s face contorts with a mix of anger and sadness. His words come out more bitter than he means them to be.

Niall (sarcastically):
“Maybe I don’t want you to be in! Maybe I just want to be left alone for once. I’m tired, Shawn. I’m exhausted from all of this, and I can’t keep pretending to be okay just for you.”

Shawn’s eyes widen, hurt flashing through them. He wasn’t expecting this. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out at first. The silence is deafening, and it’s clear that the distance between them has never felt so vast.

Shawn (quietly, barely above a whisper):
“I’m not trying to make you pretend. I just want to be there for you, Niall. You’re not alone in this.”

Niall looks away, his breath hitching. The anger in his chest is slowly turning into something deeper, more painful.

Niall (with a shaky voice):
“I don’t know how to let you in anymore. I don’t know how to let anyone in anymore. I don’t know how to trust people.”

Shawn takes a step closer, his eyes softening as he realizes how much Niall is struggling with this. He reaches out, gently placing his hand on Niall’s arm.

Shawn (softly):
“You don’t have to let everyone in all at once, Niall. Just... let me in. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Niall’s eyes well up with tears, but he quickly blinks them away, frustrated by his own vulnerability.

Niall (snapping, voice breaking):
“Why can’t you just understand? I’m so tired, Shawn! Tired of everyone trying to fix me, tired of pretending like I’m fine. I can’t keep doing this, okay?”

Shawn’s face softens with understanding, his hand still on Niall’s arm.

Shawn (gently, with sincerity):
“You don’t have to be fine, Niall. I know you’re not okay, and that’s okay. But pushing me away won’t help you feel better. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Niall’s anger fades, but the pain is still there. He stares at the floor for a moment, processing Shawn’s words. Slowly, the tension begins to dissipate as he lets out a long, shaky breath.

Niall (quietly, almost ashamed):
“I’m sorry, Shawn. I didn’t mean to push you away. I just... I don’t know how to deal with all of this.”

Shawn nods, his voice still soft as he reaches up to cup Niall’s face.

Shawn (loving, but firm):
“You don’t have to know how to deal with it all. Just take it one step at a time. And I’ll be right here, okay? Always.”

Niall nods, swallowing hard as he lets out a deep breath. For the first time in a long time, he feels a little lighter. He takes a step toward Shawn and hugs him tightly, burying his face in Shawn’s neck.

Niall (quietly, with emotion):
“Thank you. For not giving up on me.”

Shawn holds him close, whispering into his ear.

Shawn (softly):
“I’ll never give up on you, Niall.”

The camera pulls away, capturing the tender moment as they stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms. The fight is over, but the understanding that follows leaves them both feeling a little more whole.

The scene transitions to Niall sitting in a chair, the lights dimmed. It’s just him and the camera now, his voice steady but filled with emotion as he speaks. The documentary crew zooms in, capturing the rawness of the moment. His eyes are focused on the floor as he recalls the most painful parts of his journey.

Niall (softly, voice cracking):
“Being kidnapped… it messes with your mind in ways I never thought possible. At first, all I could think about was escape. But then, over time, I... I started to lean on him. I started to believe the lies he told me. He told me that the boys didn’t care about me, that Shawn didn’t love me, that I was worthless. And for a long time, I believed him. I thought maybe… maybe they were right. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I thought I didn’t deserve anyone’s love.”

Niall pauses, his throat tight with emotion. He blinks away the tears threatening to spill.

Niall (voice softening):
“It took me so long to realize that Shawn did love me. That my friends… they loved me. They never gave up on me, even when I was pushing them away. Shawn especially. He was always there, no matter how badly I pulled away. And slowly... I started to trust again.”

He shifts slightly, his expression becoming more thoughtful as he recounts a turning point in his journey.

Niall (reflective, voice quieter):
“I remember the night I went into his room… Shawn’s room. I was feeling... I don’t know. Lost, confused. But I needed him. I couldn’t keep doing it by myself. So, I went in, and I just… lay behind him. I wrapped my arms around him like he was the only thing I had left. And when he stirred, he didn’t pull away. He just turned, looked up at me, and kissed my forehead.”

The camera zooms in on Niall’s face, his eyes growing misty.

Niall (smiling faintly):
“He snuggled into my chest after that, and I realized… I was finally where I belonged. He wasn’t going anywhere. And neither was I.”

As Niall’s voice fades out, the camera transitions to a more lighthearted moment. The scene shifts to a video of Niall and Shawn, standing together in front of everyone during a casual gathering. They look at each other with affectionate smiles, before leaning in to kiss each other on the lips. The room erupts with laughter and teasing, but it’s clear that there’s nothing but love between them.

The boys tease them playfully:

Louis (mocking, with a grin):
“Ew, get a room, you two!”

Liam (laughing):
“Someone’s getting too comfortable, huh?”

Zayn (laughing as well):
“Couldn’t even keep it PG for one night?”

Niall and Shawn just laugh, rolling their eyes as they break the kiss and exchange a sweet, quiet moment between them. The group continues to tease, but Niall and Shawn share a soft smile, clearly in their own world.

The camera pulls away, fading into a shot of Niall, who’s now speaking directly to the camera again. His voice is stronger now, the vulnerability of his earlier words replaced by a calm sense of peace.

Niall (with a gentle smile):
“I’ve learned so much about myself, about trust, about love. I’m not perfect, but I’m working on it every day. And I know now… that I am loved. That I’ve always been loved.”

The documentary cuts to the final credits, the soft sound of Shawn’s voice calling Niall’s name in the background as the screen fades to black.

The documentary premiered last night, and the internet exploded with emotion. Fans and celebrities alike shared their heartfelt reactions, flooding social media with messages of support and admiration for Niall's honesty and strength.

On Twitter, the hashtag #NiallStrong quickly began trending. Tweets and comments poured in:

“I just watched Niall’s documentary and I’m in tears. His story is so raw and real—thank you for showing us that it’s okay to struggle. #NiallStrong”

“Niall’s journey through pain to healing is everything. Seeing him share his story has given me hope. We’re all with you, Niall! #MentalHealthMatters”

On Instagram, fans posted video clips and screenshots of the most emotional moments. One fan shared a clip of Niall talking about feeling invisible, captioning it:

“I can finally see that I’m not alone. Thank you, Niall, for your bravery. #ShiallForever”

Facebook groups dedicated to One Direction buzzed with discussion about how much the documentary had touched hearts and started important conversations about mental health and abuse.

Several well-known figures in the entertainment world also chimed in. A popular singer tweeted:

“Niall’s documentary is a must-watch. His strength and vulnerability inspire me to be more honest with myself and others. #NiallStrong”

An acclaimed actor posted on Instagram Stories:

“I’ve seen a lot, but Niall’s story is one of the most powerful. Thank you for sharing your truth and helping others find hope.”

A renowned mental health advocate praised the project on Twitter:

“This documentary is groundbreaking. It sheds light on the invisible struggles many face and shows the importance of support and compassion. Bravo, Niall. #MentalHealthAwareness”

The next day, Niall appeared at a press conference to discuss the documentary and the charity he founded. Despite the lingering memories of his painful past, there was a calm determination in his eyes. Surrounded by his bandmates and Shawn, Niall stepped up to the microphone with a quiet strength.

"Thank you all for being here," Niall began, his voice steady. "Last night, our documentary premiered, and I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. More than anything, it’s meant to remind all of us that we’re not alone in our struggles."

He paused as reporters scribbled notes. Then Niall continued, "In just one day since the premiere, we’ve raised over $500,000 for our charity. This money will go directly to providing mental health support and resources for those who have been through traumatic experiences, including kidnapping and manipulation. I can’t express how grateful I am to everyone who donated and shared our story."

The room filled with murmurs of approval and applause. A reporter asked, "Niall, what does this milestone mean to you personally?"

Niall took a deep breath before replying, "It means everything. For the first time in a long while, I feel like my pain can be turned into something positive. I want to help others who feel as alone as I once did. And seeing that so many of you care—both fans and fellow artists—it gives me hope for the future."

Shawn stood by his side, squeezing Niall’s hand in silent solidarity, while the other bandmates nodded supportively. The atmosphere was one of genuine gratitude and hope.

As the press conference wrapped up, the buzz online continued to grow. Fans, celebrities, and advocates celebrated not only Niall’s resilience but also the tangible impact of his work. The documentary, a raw and honest portrayal of his journey, had sparked a movement that reached far beyond music—it was about healing, community, and the belief that every story matters.

In that moment, Niall knew that he was not just a survivor of his past, but a beacon of hope for others. And with the unwavering support of Shawn, his bandmates, and fans around the world, he was ready to keep moving forward, one day at a time.

Chapter Text

It was the morning after the press conference, and Niall sat curled up on the couch, his laptop balanced on his knees, his phone in one hand. He told himself he was just checking in on how the charity was doing, seeing the impact it was making. But somehow, he had ended up in the comment sections.

At first, there were kind words, fans expressing how much they admired him, how his story had helped them, how proud they were of him. But then, as always, the hate found its way in.

“Niall is just doing this for attention.”

“He acts like he’s the only person who’s ever been through something bad.”

“His voice is so annoying, why is he still making music?”

“This charity is pointless, no one is going to care in a month.”

“He’s only relevant because of One Direction.”

And on and on it went. His grip on his phone tightened as he scrolled, unable to look away, unable to stop himself from reading more. The words felt heavier and heavier, each one pressing down on his chest, making it harder to breathe. His fingers hovered over the screen, almost shaking.

Had he really thought he was doing something good?  he really thought people cared?

Had he really believed he deserved to be here, to be happy?

Niall felt himself spiralling, but he didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Didn’t even breathe properly. It was like he was stuck in a trance, unable to escape the weight of the words on his screen.

Shawn walked into the house, his shoulders sore from the long day. He had been in back-to-back meetings, but all day, he had been looking forward to coming home and just being with Niall.

But the second he stepped inside, something felt… off. The house was quiet—too quiet. He glanced towards the living room and saw Niall curled up on the couch, his body tense, eyes glued to his phone. He wasn’t moving.

Shawn frowned, setting his bag down before making his way over. "Hey, baby," he greeted softly, expecting Niall to look up, maybe even give him a small smile. But he didn’t.

His stomach twisted.

Shawn sat down next to him, his eyes flickering to the screen of Niall’s phone. He caught a glimpse of the comments before Niall quickly tilted the screen away. But Shawn had already seen enough.

Hate. So much hate.

"Niall," Shawn murmured, reaching out to gently take the phone from his hands. Niall didn’t resist, but he also didn’t meet his eyes. He just stared at his lap, his fingers digging into the fabric of his sweatpants.

Shawn sighed and locked the phone, placing it on the table. Then, he turned back to Niall, his heart aching at how small he looked."Talk to me, love," Shawn urged, shifting closer. "What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

Niall shook his head. "Nothing."

Shawn wasn’t buying it. He could see the redness in Niall’s eyes, the way his jaw clenched, the way his breathing was uneven.

"You’ve been reading comments again, haven’t you?" Shawn whispered.

Niall swallowed hard, his gaze dropping lower. He didn’t have to answer. The silence was enough.

Shawn exhaled through his nose, trying to keep himself calm. He hated this. Hated that no matter how much good Niall did, there would always be people trying to tear him down. Hated that Niall let himself believe their words.

Shawn reached out, tucking a strand of Niall’s hair behind his ear before cupping his face. "Baby, listen to me."

Niall still wouldn’t look at him.

"Hey," Shawn said, softer this time. "Please look at me."

Slowly, hesitantly, Niall lifted his gaze. His blue eyes were filled with unshed tears, and it shattered Shawn completely.

"None of that shit matters," Shawn told him firmly. "You hear me? None of it. Those people—they don’t know you. They don’t know your heart. They don’t know the kind, loving, beautiful person that you are."

Niall blinked quickly, trying to stop a tear from slipping out. "But—"

"No buts," Shawn interrupted gently. "You’ve done something amazing, Niall. You’re helping people. And for every one asshole saying something bad, there are thousands of people who love you and are proud of you. You can’t let the negativity drown that out."

Niall’s breath hitched, his lip trembling.

Shawn didn’t hesitate. He pulled Niall into his arms, wrapping him up tightly. "I love you," he whispered into his hair. "And I am so, so proud of you."

Niall let out a shaky breath, his arms slowly wrapping around Shawn’s waist. He buried his face into Shawn’s chest, and finally, he let the tears fall.

Shawn kissed the top of his head, rubbing his back soothingly. "You’re not alone in this, okay? You have me. You have the boys. You have the fans who love you. You don’t have to carry this weight by yourself."

For a long moment, they just stayed there, wrapped up in each other, the only sound being Niall’s quiet sniffles.

Finally, after a while, Shawn pulled back slightly, cupping Niall’s face again. "Now," he said with a small, teasing smile, "what do you say we do something fun? Movie night? Ice cream? Both?"

Niall sniffled, rubbing at his eyes. "Both sounds good," he mumbled.

Shawn grinned, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Niall’s lips. "That’s my boy."

And just like that, the darkness in Niall’s mind wasn’t as overwhelming. Because as long as he had Shawn, he knew he would be okay.

The bright lights of the studio felt overwhelming, but Niall took a deep breath, straightened his back, and forced himself to focus. This interview wasn’t about him—it was about the charity, about the people who needed help, about making sure no one ever felt as lost and alone as he once did.

The interviewer smiled warmly at him, sensing the weight of the conversation ahead. "Niall, thank you for being here today. Your charity has already made a huge impact, raising awareness for both mental health and victims of kidnapping and manipulation. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to create it?"

Niall nodded, fingers playing with the ring on his hand—a habit he’d picked up whenever he was nervous. "Yeah, uh… this is something really personal to me. After everything that happened with my own experience—being kidnapped, manipulated—I realized how little support there is for people who go through things like that. I know firsthand how hard it is to get help, to even admit you need help."

The interviewer nodded, allowing Niall to continue at his own pace.

"For a long time, I thought I was fine," Niall admitted, his voice quieter. "I told myself I had survived it, that I was strong enough to move on. But the truth is, trauma doesn’t just go away. I struggled. A lot. Even after I got back home, I kept hearing his voice in my head. I kept doubting myself, thinking maybe I had deserved it, maybe the boys and Shawn didn’t actually love me like he told me. It messed me up in ways I didn’t even realize until much later."

There was a slight pause. Niall took a deep breath before continuing.

"And I know I’m not the only one who’s ever felt like that. There are so many people who’ve gone through things like this—maybe not exactly the same, but similar. And most of them don’t have the support system I had. That’s why I wanted to start this charity. To create a space where people can get help, where they can feel seen, heard, and understood."

The interviewer’s expression softened. "That’s incredibly brave of you, Niall. And I think what you’re doing is going to help so many people."

Niall gave a small, appreciative smile. "I hope so."

The interviewer hesitated before speaking again, clearly aware that the next question was delicate. "I know this is a difficult topic, and please only share what you’re comfortable with, but can you tell us more about your experience? About what it was like while you were kidnapped?"

Niall’s throat tightened, and for a moment, he considered giving the signal to move on. But then he thought about the people who might be watching—the ones who needed to hear this.

He exhaled slowly. "It was… confusing. I think that’s the best way to describe it. At first, I was terrified, obviously. But the thing about manipulation is that it doesn’t happen all at once. It’s slow. He made me feel safe. Like he was the only one who truly cared about me. He told me that the boys weren’t looking for me, that Shawn had moved on, that I was forgotten."

He swallowed hard, gripping the arm of his chair. "And after a while, I believed him. I stopped fighting. I convinced myself he was right—that maybe I didn’t deserve to be found. And that’s the scariest part of it all. The way he got inside my head."

The interviewer’s expression was one of pure empathy. "That must have been incredibly difficult to come back from."

Niall nodded. "It was. Even after I was rescued, I struggled to shake that feeling. I pushed people away. I told Shawn I didn’t love him, even though I did, because I thought he deserved better. I isolated myself. It took a long time for me to accept that I was worth saving."

His voice wavered slightly, but he kept going. "And that’s why this charity is so important to me. Because there are people out there who feel like I did—who think they’re not worth saving. And I want them to know that they are."

The interviewer gave him a moment, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, she smiled softly. "Niall, I don’t think you realize just how many lives you’re touching by sharing your story. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable."

Niall let out a shaky breath but managed a small smile. "Thank you for letting me share it."

After the interview ended, Niall walked off set, his body tense. He knew he had said a lot—more than he planned to. His hands were still slightly shaky as he rubbed them together, trying to ground himself.

But the second he saw Shawn waiting for him backstage, all of the tension melted away.

Shawn didn’t say anything at first. He just pulled Niall into his arms, holding him close, his lips pressing against Niall’s temple. "You did so good, love," he murmured. "I’m so proud of you."

Niall let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "I just hope it helps someone."

Shawn pulled back, cupping Niall’s face in his hands. "It already has."

And in that moment, Niall believed him.

The screen went from black to slightly shaky as the camera adjusted, revealing the five familiar faces of One Direction. They were crammed onto a couch, some sitting normally, some lounging like they owned the place. Liam, as always, was the responsible one setting up the live stream, making sure everything was working before finally glancing at the screen. 

“Alright, we’re live!” he announced. 

Instantly, the chat exploded with messages. 

“OH MY GOD THEY’RE BACK??”

“THE CHAOS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.”

 “1D LIVESTREAMS ARE MY ROMAN EMPIRE.”

"Hello, everyone!" Niall greeted, grinning widely. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" 

Louis nodded, pretending to be deep in thought. "Yeah... what’s it been? A few months? A few years? A century?" 

"Probably a century," Zayn deadpanned. 

Harry, who was lazily draped over Louis, lifted his head slightly. "We do tend to disappear, don’t we?" 

Liam rolled his eyes. "Well, not tonight! We’re here, and we’re doing a live stream just like the good old days." 

"Which means absolute nonsense," Louis added. 

"And slight professionalism," Liam corrected. 

"Very slight," Harry mumbled, making Niall chuckle. 

Zayn smirked at the camera. "But mostly nonsense." 

Liam clapped his hands together. "So, for those of you just tuning in, tonight we’ll be doing a bit of everything. A little Q&A, some games—" 

"And a lot of roasting each other," Louis interjected. 

"Naturally," Niall agreed. 

"We might even expose some secrets," Zayn teased, raising an eyebrow at the camera. 

Harry gasped dramatically. "Secrets?!" 

Zayn smirked. "You never know, mate." 

Liam tried to regain control. "ANYWAY, it’s gonna be a fun night, so grab some snacks, sit back, and enjoy the chaos!" 

"Or prepare for secondhand embarrassment," Louis added. 

"And if at any point we suddenly disappear, assume Louis broke something," Niall quipped. 

Louis placed a hand on his chest, looking offended. "How dare you?" 

The chat was already going wild, fans flooding the screen with excitement and laughing emojis. 

"Alright, let’s get started!" Liam said, officially kicking off the night of absolute mayhem.

The screen was filled with thousands of comments, emojis flying across the chat as fans flooded the stream with questions. The boys all leaned forward, pretending to take it seriously—well, at least some of them were.

"Alright, first question," Liam said, scrolling through the comments. "'What's something about each other that the fans don’t know?'"

"Ooooh, secrets," Louis smirked. "Who wants to start?"

Zayn leaned back, crossing his arms. "I feel like we should expose Niall first."

"Why me?!" Niall yelped.

"Because you’re always the one escaping the chaos," Harry pointed out, nudging him.

Louis grinned mischievously. "Alright, fine. I’ll expose him. Did you guys know that Niall sleepwalks?"

Niall groaned, covering his face. "Oh no, not this story—"

Louis ignored him and continued. "One time, in a hotel, Niall sleepwalked into my room at like 3 AM. He just stood there, staring at me. I thought I was being haunted."

Harry gasped dramatically. "Paranormal Niall?"

"It gets worse," Louis added, cackling. "I asked him what he was doing, and he just mumbled, 'Where’s my sandwich?' and then LEFT."

The chat erupted:
“NAH NOT NIALL LOOKING FOR A SANDWICH IN HIS SLEEP”
“HAUNTED BY A HUNGRY IRISHMAN”
“I’M CRYING”

Niall was shaking his head, laughing despite himself. "I don’t even remember this!"

"That’s because you were ASLEEP, mate," Zayn said, chuckling.

"Alright, who’s next?" Liam asked, scrolling for another question. "'Have you ever lied to the fans about something?'"

The boys all exchanged looks.

"Well…" Harry started.

Louis immediately turned to him. "Harry, what have you lied about?"

Harry smirked. "I may have once said I wasn’t scared of roller coasters…"

"But you are," Zayn finished for him, grinning.

"I AM," Harry admitted, throwing his hands up. "They are terrifying, and I will not be convinced otherwise."

“HARRY STYLES FEARS ROLLER COASTERS, CONFIRMED”
“IT’S OK HARRY, I’M SCARED TOO”
“SO THAT VIDEO OF HIM ON A COASTER WAS A LIE???”

Liam chuckled and picked another question. "'What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened on tour?'"

Louis immediately pointed at Niall. "Tell them about the time you ripped your pants."

"NO," Niall groaned.

"YES," Harry said, laughing. "We were in the middle of a song, and Niall did this big jump, and we all just heard a loud riiiiip."

The chat was losing it.

“NOT THE PANTS STORY LMAOOO”
“POOR NIALL”
“DID HE KEEP PERFORMING?”

"He did!" Liam confirmed, grinning. "Trooper."

"I had to," Niall sighed. "I just strategically held my guitar in front of me the whole time."

Louis wiped a fake tear. "Brave soldier."

Zayn smirked. "Alright, let’s hit them with one more." He scrolled, then suddenly snorted. "Oh, this is a good one. 'Who takes the longest to get ready?'"

All five of them pointed at Harry without hesitation.

Harry gasped, offended. "HOW DARE YOU?"

"You know it’s true," Louis teased.

"It’s not!" Harry protested. "I just take my time."

"Mate, you once took forty-five minutes to pick a hat," Niall deadpanned.

The chat exploded again:
“HAT-GATE CONFIRMED”
“FORTY-FIVE MINUTES, HARRY???”
“THIS IS WHY THEY’RE ALWAYS LATE”

Harry rolled his eyes dramatically. "You all just don’t appreciate the art of a good outfit."

Louis patted his shoulder. "We appreciate it, mate. We just don’t have three hours to wait for it."

Liam laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, I think that’s enough chaos for now. We’ll answer more later!"

"That was fun," Zayn admitted.

Louis grinned at the camera. "Alright, next up—games. Prepare for absolute mayhem."

The chat blew up in excitement as the chaos of One Direction’s live stream continued.

Liam cracked his knuckles, grinning at the camera. "Alright, lads, now we’re really getting into it. Truth or Drink. You either answer the question honestly, or you take a shot."

The chat exploded instantly:
“OH THIS IS ABOUT TO BE A MESS”
“PLEASE SPILL ALL THE TEA”
“I LOVE THIS GAME ALREADY”

On the table sat an array of drinks—some normal, some horrifying. Pickle juice, hot sauce, blended sardines, milk mixed with orange juice—pure chaos.

Louis smirked. "First question. We’re starting with relationships." He picked up a card and read aloud, "'What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told a partner?'"

Everyone immediately turned to Niall.

"Oh, piss off!" Niall groaned, already laughing. "Why me first?"

"Because you look guilty," Zayn teased.

Niall huffed, thinking. "Alright, fine… When Shawn and I first started dating, he made me this absolutely horrible dinner. Like, burnt to a crisp, inedible, should-have-been-a-crime type of dinner."

Shawn's voice came from off-camera. "HEY!"

The boys howled with laughter.

"And I told him it was good," Niall admitted, shaking his head. "I literally forced myself to eat the whole thing just so he wouldn’t feel bad."

The chat went wild:
“OMG HE LIED TO SHAWN”
“THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE”
“SHAWN I NEED YOU TO RECREATE THIS MEAL”

Shawn walked into the frame, crossing his arms. "You lied to me?"

Niall grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, babe. But, like, with love."

Shawn rolled his eyes, kissed Niall’s forehead, and walked back out, making the fans swoon.

Louis wiped a tear of laughter away. "Alright, next question—'Who is your celebrity hall pass?'"

Harry immediately sat up. "Oh, easy. Stevie Nicks."

Liam nodded. "Respect."

Louis smirked. "Margot Robbie. No hesitation."

Zayn looked at Liam with a smirk. "Mine’s Idris Elba. What about you, babe?"

Liam flushed slightly. "Uh… Ryan Reynolds."

Zayn grinned. "Noted."

The chat:
“LIAM HAS A TYPE AND IT’S HOT MEN”
“ZAYN TAKING NOTES I SEE YOU”
“HARRY AND STEVIE NICKS OBSESSED”

"Alright, next," Niall said, still giggling. "'What’s the most awkward thing that’s happened on a date?'"

Louis groaned. "Harry and I had this one date where he literally choked on his drink, and I panicked so hard I stood up and yelled for help—"

"It was water," Harry mumbled.

"It was terrifying!" Louis defended. "I thought he was gonna die in the middle of a romantic candlelit dinner."

Liam laughed. "That reminds me—remember when I tried to impress Zayn by cooking, but I literally set the kitchen on fire?"

Zayn nodded. "Yeah. And I still said yes to dating him after that."

The chat was in chaos:
“THESE BOYS ARE DISASTERS”
“ZAYN WHY WOULD YOU STILL DATE HIM AFTER THAT”
“HARRY CHOKING ON WATER AND LOUIS YELLING FOR HELP I CAN’T”

Harry grinned, grabbing the next card. "Alright, next one—'What’s your biggest turn-on in a partner?'"

Zayn smirked. "Liam’s arms."

Liam flexed dramatically, making everyone groan. "I mean, fair enough."

Louis tilted his head. "Harry’s voice. It’s hot."

Harry flushed slightly but smirked. "Louis’ confidence."

Niall turned to the camera. "Shawn’s hands. That man has magic fingers."

From off-camera, Shawn choked on his drink.

The chat was LOSING IT:
“NIALL OMG CALM DOWN”
“SHAWN JUST CHOKED IM CRYING”
“THE WAY THEY’RE ALL SO WHIPPED”

"Alright, alright," Liam said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "Next section—personal experiences. 'What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done in public?'"

Harry groaned. "I once waved back at a fan, but they weren’t waving at me. They were waving at their friend behind me."

Louis cackled. "Oh my god, I remember that!"

Niall shook his head. "I called someone 'mum' by accident once. It was my teacher."

The chat:
“HARRY THAT’S SO EMBARRASSING”
“NIALL CALLED HIS TEACHER MUM I CAN’T”
“LOUIS FINDING JOY IN THEIR PAIN”

Louis grabbed another card. "'What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done while drunk?'"

Zayn smirked. "I once ordered an entire pizza for my neighbor because I thought they looked sad."

Liam chuckled. "I fell asleep standing up once."

Harry grinned. "Louis and I once decided we could sing a whole concert to our Uber driver. He did not enjoy it."

Louis burst out laughing. "We got a one-star rating."

The chat:
“HARRY AND LOUIS DOING A FULL CONCERT FOR THEIR UBER DRIVER”
“ZAYN YOU’RE TOO WHOLESOME”
“LIAM LITERALLY RECHARGING WHILE STANDING”

"Alright, getting a little more intense now," Zayn smirked, picking up a card. "'Where’s the craziest place you’ve ever had sex?'"

The boys all groaned.

Niall blushed. "I’ll take a shot."

Louis raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that means it’s REALLY bad."

Harry shrugged. "Backstage at a concert."

Liam choked. "EXCUSE ME???"

Louis grinned. "What, you thought we just held hands?"

Zayn smirked. "Hotel balcony."

Liam turned to him, shocked. "WHEN?"

Zayn just winked.

Niall nearly slid under the table. "Can we move on, please?"

The chat:
“DID HARRY AND LOUIS JUST CASUALLY CONFESS TO THAT???”
“ZAYN AND LIAM I NEED MORE INFORMATION”
“NIALL LOOKS LIKE HE WANTS TO DIE”

Louis grabbed the last card. "'What’s your most awkward sexual experience?'"

Harry coughed. "Once, I accidentally called Louis 'mate' in the middle of it."

Louis turned to stare at him. "I’M SORRY, YOU WHAT???"

Liam, Niall, and Zayn were wheezing with laughter.

"I panicked!" Harry defended.

Niall wiped away tears. "I walked in on Shawn getting undressed once and screamed so loud the hotel thought there was an emergency."

Shawn’s voice from off-camera: "YOU TRAUMATIZED ME."

Zayn was just shaking his head. "Alright, I think that’s enough for tonight before we all ruin our reputations."

The chat was INSANE:
“HARRY CALLED LOUIS MATE DURING IT I CAN’T”
“SHAWN AND NIALL HAVING TRAUMA TOGETHER”
“THE WAY THEY HAVE NO FILTER I LOVE IT”

Liam shook his head, laughing. "That was the worst idea we’ve ever had, but also the best."

Louis smirked. "Same time next year?"

The chat erupted again as the boys moved on, still laughing at the absolute chaos they had just caused.

Liam leaned forward, smirking at the camera. “Alright, now that we’ve just completely ruined our reputations with Truth or Drink, we’re moving on to Never Have I Ever.”

Niall groaned. “Why do we do this to ourselves?”

Louis grinned. “Because the fans love chaos.”

The chat was already blowing up:
“OH THIS IS ABOUT TO BE A MESS”
“LET’S GO MORE TEA”
“THESE BOYS HAVE NO SHAME”

Each of them had a drink in front of them—water, beer, and for the truly brave, a shot of tequila.

Harry cleared his throat dramatically. “Alright, first question. Never have I ever… forgotten someone’s name.”

Louis immediately took a sip. So did Niall and Liam.

Zayn raised an eyebrow at Louis. “Who did you forget?”

Louis groaned. “I forgot my own cousin’s name once. I panicked and just called her ‘love’ the whole night.”

The chat was losing it:
“LOUIS YOU FORGOT YOUR OWN COUSIN?!”
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN NIALL AND LIAM ALSO TOOK A SIP”
“HARRY’S THE ONLY ONE WITH A FUNCTIONING MEMORY”

Liam shook his head. “I forgot the name of someone I went on a date with. It was so bad. I tried to avoid saying their name the entire night.”

Niall laughed. “I did that with a radio host once. Called him ‘mate’ the whole time.”

The chat:
“THE WAY THEY ALL PANIC NAME PEOPLE LOVE AND MATE”
“NIALL YOU FORGOT A RADIO HOST??”
“THIS IS A DISASTER”

Harry picked up the next question. “Never have I ever… smashed a phone by accident.”

Everyone except Zayn took a sip.

Zayn smirked. “You lot are reckless.”

Louis scoffed. “Excuse me, Mr. ‘Throws His Phone When He’s Annoyed’?”

Zayn shrugged. “Yeah, but never by accident.”

Liam shook his head. “I dropped my phone in the toilet once.”

Niall gasped. “Same! But it was in a pint of Guinness.”

Harry winced. “I stepped on mine during a show and it shattered.”

The chat was CRYING:
“LIAM DROPPING HIS PHONE IN A TOILET I CAN’T”
“NIALL WHY WAS YOUR PHONE IN A PINT OF GUINNESS”
“ZAYN JUST PURPOSELY DESTROYS HIS PHONES”

Louis wiped away tears of laughter. “Alright, next one. Never have I ever… been walked in on while having sex.”

Immediately, Harry, Louis, and Niall took a sip.

The chat went INSANE:
“WAIT WAIT WAIT”
“WHO WALKED IN ON WHO”
“I NEED THE STORIES”

Liam pointed at Harry and Louis. “I KNEW you two were gonna drink. What happened?”

Harry groaned. “Well, we were… you know… and then Niall just walked in like it was nothing.”

Niall held up his hands defensively. “In my defense, I thought you were watching a movie!”

Louis grinned. “Yeah, the R-rated kind.”

The chat:
“NIALL ACCIDENTALLY SCARRED HIMSELF”
“LOUIS I SWEAR TO GOD”
“NIALL WHY DIDN’T YOU KNOCK”

Niall took another sip. “I walked in on Shawn getting undressed once, does that count?”

Shawn’s voice from off-camera: “WHY DO YOU KEEP BRINGING THAT UP?!”

The boys were in tears laughing.

Liam cleared his throat. “Never have I ever… faked an orgasm.”

There was a pause before Zayn and Louis took a sip.

Liam’s jaw dropped. “LOUIS???”

Louis shrugged. “Listen, sometimes you just wanna go to sleep.”

The chat:
“LOUIS WHAT THE HELL”
“ZAYN I HAVE QUESTIONS”
“THIS GAME IS WILD”

Zayn smirked. “I plead the fifth.”

Harry just shook his head. “I have so many follow-up questions, but I’m also scared.”

Louis grinned. “Next question, then! Never have I ever… had a friend with benefits.”

A tense silence filled the air before both Harry and Louis took a sip.

Liam’s eyes widened. “OH.”

The chat went into meltdown:
“WAIT WHAT”
“HARRY AND LOUIS WHAT DOES THIS MEAN”
“WAS THIS BEFORE OR AFTER YOU STARTED DATING”

Louis smirked. “We had a complicated history.”

Harry snickered. “Let’s just say… we took a while to figure things out.”

Liam and Zayn exchanged glances. “That explains so much,” Zayn muttered.

The chat was going crazy:
“SO LARRY WAS A FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS THING BEFORE??”
“I KNEW IT”
“HARRY AND LOUIS REALLY JUST CASUALLY DROPPED THAT”

Liam sighed. “I think we should stop before more secrets come out that we can’t take back.”

Louis grinned. “Too late.”

The chat was a disaster, but the boys were all cracking up, knowing they had just set the internet on fire once again.

One Direction’s Live Stream – Would You Rather

Liam stretched his arms and smirked at the camera. “Alright, we’ve humiliated ourselves with Truth or Drink, nearly ended our careers with Never Have I Ever, so naturally, it’s time for Would You Rather.”

Louis grinned. “And of course, the questions start off simple… but you lot know us. It’s about to get questionable real quick.”

The chat was already hyped:
“OH BOY HERE WE GO”
“LAST ROUND WAS CHAOS, THIS WILL BE WORSE”
“THESE BOYS HAVE NO FILTER”

Harry read the first question off his phone. “Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses?”

Niall burst out laughing. “Oh, give me the tiny horses! Imagine them running around, little mini hooves.”

Liam shook his head. “Nah, I’d rather fight the big duck. Just take it out in one go.”

Louis snickered. “I dunno, a massive duck seems terrifying. But imagine a hundred little horses just surrounding you.”

Zayn smirked. “Sounds like a nightmare.”

The chat:
“WHY ARE THEY TAKING THIS SO SERIOUSLY”
“NIALL WANTS A PETTING ZOO”
“LIAM THINKS HE CAN ONE-PUNCH A DUCK”

Liam read the next one. “Would you rather accidentally send a nude to your parents or your entire management team?”

The boys all groaned.

Harry shook his head violently. “Management. No hesitation.”

Louis made a face. “I feel like we’ve traumatized our management enough as it is.”

Niall cringed. “I’d rather quit life.”

Zayn muttered, “At least management can’t disown me.”

The chat was in shambles:
“WHY IS THIS A QUESTION”
“HARRY SAID MANAGEMENT TOO FAST”
“POOR SIMON”

Niall smirked, reading the next question. “Would you rather walk in on your parents doing the deed or have them walk in on you?”

Liam covered his face. “OH MY GOD.”

Louis choked on his drink. “I refuse to answer.”

Harry groaned. “I hate both options.”

Zayn sighed. “I’d rather just leave the planet.”

The chat:
“THE WAY THEY ALL HATE THIS”
“LOUIS ACTUALLY TRAUMATIZED”
“ZAYN SAID ‘I’M OUT’”

Shawn, who was watching from the side, handed Louis a card with a smirk. “Oh, you’re gonna love this one.”

Louis grinned. “Would you rather never be able to kiss your partner again or never be able to cuddle them again?”

Niall and Liam groaned.

Niall pouted. “I can’t pick between kissing Shawn and cuddling him, are you mad?”

Shawn smirked. “Pick wisely.”

Harry whined. “Cuddling is the best, but… never kissing Louis again? I can’t do it.”

Louis laughed. “You’re so dramatic, love.”

Zayn nodded. “I think I’d keep cuddling. You can show love in other ways.”

Liam sighed. “Yeah, I’d keep cuddling. Feels like a safe option.”

The chat:
“HARRY IS STRUGGLING”
“SHAWN REALLY SET NIALL UP”
“LOUIS IS LOVING THIS”

Harry picked the last card. “Alright, last one, and it’s BAD.”

The boys braced themselves.

Harry smirked. “Would you rather wear wet socks for a year… or always feel like you have to sneeze but never can?”

Niall immediately gagged. “Wet socks are the worst thing in the world.”

Louis shook his head. “I’d rather suffer than have wet socks for a whole year.”

Zayn muttered. “That constant sneeze feeling sounds like hell.”

Liam frowned. “I feel like I’d get used to wet socks?”

The chat:
“LIAM NO”
“THEY ARE REALLY STRUGGLING”
“HARRY LOVES CHAOS”

Louis leaned back and stretched. “Well, that was horrifying.”

Harry laughed. “I think we’re all regretting this.”

Niall sighed. “I’m traumatized. Thanks for that, lads.”

Zayn smirked. “You love it.”

The chat was blowing up:
“THIS WAS A ROLLERCOASTER”
“NIALL REALLY WENT THROUGH IT”
“THEY ARE NEVER PLAYING THIS AGAIN”

Louis grinned. “Alright, what’s next? Or should we just log off before we say something worse?”

Harry smirked at the camera. “Too late for that.”

Louis clapped his hands together, leaning toward the camera with a mischievous grin. “Alright, lads, last game of the night. We’re playing Two Truths and a Lie.”

Harry wiggled his eyebrows. “For those of you who somehow don’t know how this works, each of us will say three statements—two of them are true, and one is a lie. The others have to guess which one is fake.”

Liam smirked. “It sounds easy, but knowing us, it’s about to get ridiculous.”

The chat was already hyped:
“THIS WILL BE A DISASTER”
“HARRY ABOUT TO LIE THROUGH HIS TEETH”
“LOUIS LOOKS TOO EXCITED HELP”

Niall:

1. I once accidentally dyed my hair green.
2. I have fallen asleep while performing on stage.
3. I broke my first guitar by throwing it at a wall.

Liam furrowed his brows. “I know you’ve dyed your hair by accident, but was it green?”

Louis snorted. “I believe the falling asleep part. We’ve all seen him zoned out mid-performance.”

Zayn smirked. “But throwing a guitar? That’s a little dramatic, even for you.”

Niall laughed. “You underestimate my rage.”

Harry gasped. “Wait, it’s the guitar, isn’t it?”

Niall grinned. “Yeah. I would NEVER hurt my guitar like that.”

The chat:
“NIALL HAS PRIORITIES”
“FALLING ASLEEP MID-CONCERT? ICONIC”
“NOT THE GREEN HAIR”

Liam:

1. I was once chased by a squirrel in a park.
2. I almost got arrested in Spain.
3. I can do a backflip.

Harry squinted. “I know for a fact you can’t do a backflip.”

Louis grinned. “Hold on. Spain? Arrested? What did you do?”

Liam shrugged. “I’ll never tell.”

Niall shook his head. “No, no, I think he actually did get chased by a squirrel. He gives off ‘terrified of tiny animals’ energy.”

Zayn raised an eyebrow. “So the lie is the backflip?”

Liam sighed. “Yeah. I wish I could, but no.”

The chat:
“LIAM A CRIMINAL???”
“WHY WAS HE ALMOST ARRESTED”
“NOT THE SQUIRREL”

Zayn:

1. I once left a restaurant through the bathroom window to avoid paparazzi.
2. I have a tattoo that I regret.
3. I’ve kissed Liam before.

The room went silent.

Liam turned to Zayn, eyes wide. “Excuse me???”

Louis burst out laughing. “No, no, I’m ignoring the kiss—YOU CLIMBED OUT OF A WINDOW?”

Niall was cackling. “You’ve definitely run from the paps before, but that’s dramatic even for you.”

Harry smirked. “I don’t think you regret any of your tattoos.”

Zayn just sipped his drink. “Guess you’ll never know.”

Liam shook his head. “I NEED ANSWERS.”

Zayn shrugged. “The lie is the tattoo.”

The chat:
“LIAM NEEDS A MOMENT”
“ZAYN YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT”
“WAIT HE REALLY JUMPED OUT A WINDOW”

Harry:

1. I once stole a dog.
2. I have a secret tattoo that no one knows about.
3. I have been banned from a theme park.

Louis nearly choked. “WHAT.”

Niall stared at Harry in horror. “YOU STOLE A DOG???”

Zayn ignored the dog part. “You 100% have a secret tattoo. You’re covered in ink.”

Liam shook his head. “But banned from a theme park? What did you DO?”

Harry just smiled.

Louis squinted. “No. NO. I remember now. The dog thing was a misunderstanding. You ‘rescued’ it because you thought it was lost.”

Harry nodded. “Correct! The lie is the theme park ban.”

Liam sighed in relief. “Thank god. Imagine Harry getting banned from Disneyland.”

The chat:
“HARRY. YOU CANNOT JUST STEAL DOGS”
“SECRET TATTOO REVEAL WHEN???”
“DISNEYLAND WOULD NEVER”

Louis:

1. I have been thrown out of a club for fighting.
2. I once sent a drunk text to Simon Cowell.
3. I’ve gone skinny dipping with one of you.

The boys all groaned.

Harry buried his face in his hands. “Louis, please.”

Niall whined. “I hate this game.”

Zayn was already shaking his head. “No. No, I refuse to acknowledge this.”

Liam sighed. “You absolutely have been kicked out of a club.”

Harry mumbled. “And I have a bad feeling about the last one.”

Louis grinned. “You’d be correct.”

Niall gasped. “YOU DRUNK TEXTED SIMON???”

Louis smirked. “Oh, I did. And I regret nothing.”

The chat:
“SOMEONE CHECK ON HARRY”
“SIMON DESERVES PEACE”
“WHO DID HE GO SKINNY DIPPING WITH”

Liam sighed dramatically. “Well, that was horrifying.”

Harry laughed. “I think we should never play this again.”

Louis smirked. “Oh, we are absolutely doing this again.”

Niall shook his head. “We’ve exposed too much.”

Zayn leaned back, smirking. “The fans are gonna analyze this for weeks.”

The chat was going wild:
“THIS WAS A CHAOTIC MASTERPIECE”
“WE NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE SIMON TEXT”
“NEVER LET THEM DO THIS AGAIN”

Louis grinned at the camera. “Alright, before we go, what should we do next time?”

Harry laughed. “Therapy.”

Chapter Text

I hate to break it you yall but i am going to be discontinuing this piece. I have no direction to where this is going and i have so much going on i have work soccer and school i dont have a alot of time to be writing such big chapters that are like 5000 words long. So i think this is going to be the end their might be a chapter here and their but other than that dont expect any more updated. Im very sorry if you liked this book but this was just not for me. I had i great time writing a book. To start of the book it was going to be complete larry with a side of shiall and ziam but it ended up being shiall with a side of larry and ziam. I hope you guys enjoyed the book while it lasted because if im being honest with you i dont even remember half of it.