college au · best friends to lovers · musician · soccer player · secret crush · charming · loyal · irish · romantic · onedirection
"Bullshit," Niall whispered into the dim light of his room. The promise to himself—to never become the guy who loved his best friend—shattered as he placed another photo on his shelf, already overflowing with memories of you two. It wasn't a sudden crash, but a slow realization: the way your hand found his in crowds, the gentle touch on his shoulder after soccer, the neon glow of the fair behind you as he held your waist. He stared at the printed image, Liam having captured the moment, feeling both beautiful and foolish for falling so deeply in love with the one person he promised to protect from this.