“Katie you need to get back to the dorms and sleep.” I hadn’t left Niall’s bedside all night, and I sure as hell wasn’t leaving it now, I didn’t care how many times Autumn said to. I shook my head and kissed the back of Niall’s hand.

“I’m not leaving.” I sniffed. “This is my fault.”

“No it’s not—“

“Yes it is!” I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “If I hadn’t slept with Joseph that night…”

“Don’t you dare put this on yourself.”

“I’m staying, Autumn. Thanks for coming by again.” I said and pulled a chair up to the hospital bed and rested my head next to Niall’s leg.

“Alright… I’ll tell Doctor Carter you’re in the hospital.” I looked up at her completely shocked. “It’s not technically a lie!” I smiled a little as my best friend left the room. “I’ll be back tomorrow to bring you breakfast or something, yeah?” I nodded and laid my head back down, grabbing Niall’s hand and not letting go for anyone. While I was here, I might as well get a good night’s sleep.

Niall’s POV

God, my head was killing me… what was that annoying beeping sound? What had a grab on my hand? I opened my eyes to a dark room filled with machines that were hooked up to me. I was in a hospital. I saw a familiar head of wavy brown hair and smiled, squeezing her hand. She instantly woke up and rubbed her eyes. “Oh my God,” She stood up and hugged me the best she could. “I thought you were going to die.” I felt something wet hit my neck… she was crying. For me?

“Nah… you should see the other guy.” I chuckled and hugged her back the best I could, hooked up to all the machines. She stood back and sat back in the chair after she pulled it closer to me.

“I saw the other guy, Niall… you didn’t leave a scratch.” Katie half smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Why would you do that?” I shrugged. “Don’t lie to me.” She begged.

“I was jealous…” I sighed and took her hand in mine. “I thought he was the reason you didn’t love me.” Katie smiled gently and kissed the back of my hand.

“You’re an idiot.” Katie giggled and shook her head.

“I know,” I smiled and moved over, motioning her to join me on the bed. “Come on… there’s room for two.” I pulled the blankets back and she climbed in next to me, curling up to my chest. “You know, I remember a few things before blacking out.” She looked up at me as I pulled the blanket over her. “I remember hearing your voice and Joseph being pulled off of me… I saw your face,” I gently brushed a finger down her cheek. “And I heard you cursing at me.” She chuckled and nuzzled her face into my chest. “But most important… I heard you say ‘I love you’.” She took a deep breath and went to explain. “No, no. Don’t. I know they weren’t said like that… but they were said. To me that’s all that matters.”

“You scared the shit out of me, Horan.” She said and yawned. “Don’t you dare ever do that to me again.” Katie’s breathing became heavy, letting me know she was passed out. I kissed the top of her head and buried my nose into the familiar scent.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Katie’s POV

“Hey! They’re awake!” I looked up and saw Harry and Autumn bringing in bags of breakfast for us. “We brought McDonald’s!” Autumn piped up and handed us each a bag. Autumn looked at me curiously when she noticed that Niall and I were still on the bed together, curled up. I shook my head. I hadn’t even told Niall yet, why would I tell someone else?

We chatted as we all ate breakfast before the nurse came in and kicked Harry and Autumn out. “How come she gets to stay?” Harry asked, clearly offended.

“She’s the closest thing he’s got to immediate family.” The nurse shrugged.

“They’re friends…”

“Yes, but would you like to be alone in a hospital room?” Harry shook his head and took Autumn’s hand before leaving the room. “Is there anything I can get for you two?” I politely declined, but Niall asked for some more food. “Of course.” She laughed and left the room.

“This is going to be your third breakfast, you cow.” I joked and poked his side.

“Hey, I’m a growing boy, give me a break!” He laughed as the nurse brought his food in. “Thank you.” He smiled as she left. I watched Niall eat his breakfast as I sat next to him on the bed… the second time we’ve shared a bed without any intimate relations. “Here!” He said and smeared some jam on my nose.

“Oh… now you’re gonna get it.” I laughed and grabbed a spoon with eggs on it.

“No! No, Katie… I’m the patient. Those could hurt me.” I pouted at him and put the spoon down.

“Big baby.” I laughed and reached for a napkin.

“I got it,” He chuckled and licked it off my nose.

“Your breath stinks.” I joked as he kissed my nose softly.

“So does yours.” He joked back and wrapped his arms around me. I nuzzled in closer to him and looked into his beautiful blue eyes.

“Niall?”

“Yeah, princess?” I smiled and rested my hand on his chest lightly.

“I love you, too.” I whispered. Niall’s face broke into a smile. “I know I’m a few weeks late, but…” Niall put his finger to my lips.

“Shh.” He said and cupped my face in his hands before he brought his lips down to mine, kissing me softly. My heart fluttered at the new sensation. Every other kiss was heated and led to one thing… this was soft, loving, and had no other intentions other than to say ‘I love you’.

“Oh, no!” We parted and looked at the nurse as she entered the room. “None of that, now. This is a hospital… not a place to do your business.” I turned a deep shade of red and buried my face into Niall’s chest as he chuckled and thanked the nurse for taking his tray.

“You’re not just saying that because of this right?” Niall asked and pointed to his bruised eye, busted lip and cheek (that needed seven stitches), and sprained wrist (and that’s not even half of it).

“Without this, I wouldn’t have realized I needed you.” I said. “When I saw you on the floor nearly beaten to death… I lost it. I didn’t know what I would have done without you, Niall. I need you in my life, and I need to love you.” I didn’t think Niall could smile and wider than he was, but somehow he managed it.

“I love you, too.” He bent back down and kissed me again.

~*~

The next day, Niall was released out of the hospital and was told he needed to be under constant care. “Oh… I’ve got someone to take care of me.” Niall smirked as his hand rested on my lower back. The nurse raised an eyebrow, gave him his pain medication, and sent us on our way.

When I finally got Niall into his room, he laid back on the bed and sighed. “C’mere.” He said and opened his arms wide. I shook my head. “Why not?” He pouted.

“You’re supposed to be sleeping.” I crossed the room and grabbed his pain medication.

“Well… it is technically known as sleeping together…”

“No, Niall.” I giggled and tossed him the pill bottle. “Take one and get some rest.” Niall threw the pill bottle back across the room.

“No.” He protested and pouted like a five-year-old.

“I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise.” I smiled, but Niall just shook his head. “I won’t even leave the room.” Niall shrugged, and I knew I was getting closer. “I’ll… stay in the bed with you while you sleep.” Niall nodded and reached his hand out for the pills.

“Deal.” I rolled my eyes and picked up his medicine before tossing him a pill and a water bottle before crawling under the covers with him.

~*~

A week later, Niall was back in top shape and found every excuse to show it off. “Look, Katie! I can run to class!” “Look Katie! I can move my face normally!” “Look, Katie! I can do this! I can do that!” It was like taking care of a four year old, I swear. “Hey, Katie?” I was prepared to see another silly thing he could do on his own, but I was surprised to see him lying on his bed when I looked over.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to go on a date?”

“A date.”

“Yeah. Like go see a movie and go to dinner or something. That’s what people usually do on dates, right?”

“Niall Horan go on a date?” I asked and walked over to the bed, lying down next to him. “Isn’t that just… unspeakable?” I asked with false shock in my voice.

“Oh, ha, ha.” He chuckled and propped himself on his elbow. “No, but seriously… you and me on a date. How does that sound?”

“Perfect.” I smiled and kissed him gently.