A request for @OlineTrash , hope you enjoy, love!

Niall sighs, as a bell announces a break. Most of his classmates excitedly rush out of the classroom, spilling into the hallways accompanied by loud chatter. Fear lies heavily in the pit of his stomach, fear that takes the shape of a human being - Harry.

    They used to be friends. Back in kindergarten, they'd play together, making up dreams of the future that would include the both of them forever unseparated, tied by that strong bond of childhood affection. However, Harry moved to another part of town, and they'd lost sight of one another. Only now, they're together again but changed.

    Niall's turned to study as his remedy. His parents always tell him that his future lays in his hands and that he must work hard for it. Good grades translate into a good job. Albeit Harry doesn't seem to share that opinion, or he's simply ignorant in his juvenile bravery. Maybe the future isn't on his mind while he pulls numerous all-nighters partying, doing drugs and intoxicating himself with alcohol. He's fallen into bad company. They've deluded Harry, stolen him from Niall. Without them in the way, they'd still be together. Maybe the love would be mutual then. Maybe, oh maybe. How many of those irresistible thoughts flutter around Niall's mind? They excitedly make themselves at home in the boy's mind while Maths becomes too difficult and unbearable. They carry a flicker of hope. And that's the last thing Niall resorts to, otherwise, he probably wouldn't be able to take it.

    "There you are," Harry approaches Niall with a devilish smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Have you got what I asked for?"

    Panic dawns on Niall. How could he forget! Of all things, why this? And why today?

    "Harry," he whispers, his eyes shyly avoiding those hateful green irises that are glossed over with hatred. "I-I forgot," he stutters.

    "Fucking hell," Harry exclaims, punching Niall. "I'll fucking murder you, don't lie to me, I know you have the money!"

    Harry roughly leads Niall to the restrooms. Once the door slams shut behind them, he throws the boy at the wall.

    "Open your backpack," orders Harry.

    Niall hesitates, his perception still distorted from the violent push he's received.

    "Hurry up!" Harry shoves him, taking the backpack and scattering its contents on the floor. Niall hardly protests as his textbooks and notebooks fall to the ground, he's taught himself to receive those beatings with patience and indifference as though he was a mere observer.

    "Where do you have the money?" Harry asks, grabbing Niall by the collar of his shirt and pressing him to the wall.

    "I told you I forgot," as soon as Niall speaks those words, a cold hand makes contact with his cheek, making his head twist to the side from the force.

    "You worthless piece of shit!" Harry spits, delivering another smack to Niall's body. "How could you forget, it was important to me!"

    Niall doesn't bother to point out that the break's ended. It'll be of no use, he can't beg Harry for mercy, he has to patiently wait for that nightmare to end.

    After a few more hits to the body, Harry lets Niall slide down to the floor. The boy is breathing heavily, trying to recover from those painful blows. Meanwhile, Harry checks the contents of Niall's backpack again. He's opening a pocket where Niall keeps his wallet and Niall's heart sinks. His card is there.

    Harry grins in satisfaction, taking out the card and throwing Niall's wallet to the side. "Now Niall, this will be much easier for both of us if you tell me the PIN right away."   

    Niall shakes his head, closing his eyes, shutting out the ugliness of this scene. "No, Harry, I can't," he pleads.

    "Oh you know I'll find out sooner or later," Harry says, taking a step closer to the boy lying on the floor, "You don't want me to test your limits, do you?"

    Alarm. It sounds three times, and Niall's almost sure he's just been sent over to the other side by Harry. He opens his eyes, expecting to find out he's died, yet he's still there on that dirty floor and Harry's standing above him.

    "What's that?" asks Harry.

    "I-I think that's evacuation alarm," Niall says after he realises he's still pretty much alive.

    Harry just laughs. "That's probably just an exercise," he shrugs it off.

    "Harry!" Niall protests, trying to get up, but he's prevented by Harry's leg that pushes him back against the wall. "We need to get out, it might be dangerous to stay here!"

    "Oh shut up! Are you scared now, huh?"

    "No," Niall says, though his heartbeat has considerably picked up its pace over the last minute in fear. "But we shouldn't ignore it."

    "Well, we wouldn't be here if you just told me the PIN," insists Harry, smacking Niall's leg while the boy tries to get up again.

    "Harry, it's not the right ti-" but he's silenced by another punch to his stomach.

    "We're not getting out until you tell me."

    Niall bites his swollen lip, tasting the blood that pours into his mouth. Maybe he should tell Harry instead of risking his life now? But this alarm is probably fake, just a mistake or an exercise. They can't be in real danger. And he can't give Harry his card. It's too valuable, and he won't be able to explain this to his parents.

    Gunfire.

    Is there a fucking shooting in the school?

    Niall's head snaps up as Harry's wide eyes lock with the blue irises of his victim. Fear dawns on the boys, clinging to every part of their beings.

    "I told you," Niall cries, but his voice is quiet, as tears well up in his eyes. "We're going to die now because of you."

    "Shut up," Harry snaps, pulling Niall's hand to get him up. He leads them into the stall and locks the door. Niall gasps as he almost falls over the toilet, but the sound gets lost in the air that's full of cries and gunshots.

    It's tight, little space in there is not enough for two. But it doesn't seem to matter as they both cling onto each other, Niall's head pressing to Harry's strong chest while Harry's fingers tightly clutch Niall's arms. They're shaking together, frightened limbs and uneven breaths merge into one.

    "I don't want to die," Niall whispers into Harry's shirt.

    It's silent. For a moment all falls still. But soon the calmness is interrupted by another shot that's followed by a series of loud cries.

    "Niall," Harry's trembling voice says softly, "I'm sorry," he takes in a sharp breath. "I'm so sorry, I just- I have no idea why I did this, and I-I understand if you hate me, but," and Harry's voice breaks.

    "I don't hate you," Niall reassures him, looking up to meet Harry's tearful gaze.

    "But-" and Harry shakes his head, "I didn't plan on telling you this, certainly not in that way, but I love you..."

    Niall gasps softly, his lips split open to meet in an agreement with Harry's, to connect them both and reassure, but he's hushed to silence.

    "Let me finish," Harry begs and his voice is desperate, so Niall lets him. "I've loved you always since we were kids, and I've never stopped. And now, I don't know, Niall, I hate myself every day, I really do..."

    "I love you too," Niall dares to interrupt.

    Harry's eyes grow wide, "You do?"

    A gunshot fires. It rips through the air and seems to almost fly through their hearts. The terrorists must be close. They are. For the door to the restrooms slam open, startling both boys.

    And Harry just leans down to meet Niall's lips in a kiss. Whatever happens in the future, doesn't matter, as that's for the present. In that kiss, the past is erased as they both interlock themselves at that moment. That kiss is their shelter, that kiss introduces their little separate world.

So that's it. I'm really not in the right state of mind to write, but oh well, pulled that one out in between my countless essays anyway.

Love,

Jade