Save My Love

"Can you get me a spatula? Dinner's almost ready," I called. Things took a turn for the better ever since Niall and I talked, and I decided that next time Zayn had his friends over, I would invite mine too.

"Here you go," Niall smiled, handing me the utensil. I grinned back at him as I accepted it, still in wonder of how someone so sweet could be so great.

"How many you want? I'll get them ready if you wanna wait upstairs."

"Hmm, three sounds good."

"Alright, be right up!"

We decided pancakes were the right kind of meal, even if they were considered breakfast food. I flipped them onto our plates and stacked on some butter and syrup before hurrying up the stairs. When I opened the door, Niall was plugging his iPod in my dock, scrolling through some songs to listen to.

"I hope you like the Script," he smirked, gladly taking his plate from my grasp. We both sat down across from each other on the bed, beginning to talk senselessly about wherever we had left off. I had missed this. I had missed him.

I was just in the middle of holding in a laugh while Niall stuffed his mouth with pancakes, almost unable to shut it again. Probably one of the stupidest things to have me entertained. I wasn't phased as I got up to answer my door, giggling the whole way there?

"Hello?" I asked before swinging the door open. My smile suddenly faded, pulling the door back to cover my room.

"What smells so good?" the keeper of the dark eyes asked, leaning himself against the doorframe.

"It, was uh, pancakes."

"Did you save any for me?"

"No, sorry."

"Can I come in?"

"No!" I answered just a second too quickly.

"Come on, it's just me," Harry replied, crossing his arms.

"I have a guest, sorry," I tried to explain. Suddenly, the music behind me disappeared and a voice called out.

"Who ya talkin' to?"

"Who was that?" Harry looked me dead in the eye before I could answer.

"Uh, Niall," I whispered. The slightest hint of anger filled his eyes before they washed over with hurt.

"Pip, who's there?" Niall called again, closer this time. I couldn't think of any words when I felt someone push the door open wider.

"What are you doing here?" Niall spat accusingly. I wasn't even looking at him, and I could feel the glare he was giving.

"I usually come over to give Pippa some company. Every since you left, she's needed someone to talk to."

"Yeah, well we worked it out. You can leave."

"You know, I would, except this really isn't your place to speak."

"Get out of here before I make you," Niall gritted through his teeth, stepping out from behind me.

"Pip, you mind if I stay?" he asked coolly, as if Niall wasn't about to punch him in the jaw.

"Uh, well..."

"Pippa, what did I tell you about this guy?" Niall turned, looking at me with eyes so serious I thought they might be able to read my mind.

"Can you hang out with Louis and Zayn tonight?" I asked, looking down. I feared looking to either of them.

"Oh... okay."

Niall wrapped a firm arm around my waist, fingers digging into my hip, almost to the point where I yelped for him to quit.

"Beat it, kid," he muttered, slamming the door the second the words left his mouth. His grip was tightening even more as pain shot through my back.

"Niall, stop."

"You can't let this guy keep coming over, Pippa."

"Please, just-"

"He's going to hurt you if you keep giving in!"

"You're hurting me!" I cried, wriggling out of his arm. I sighed in relief as all contact was lost, but cringed in pain when I gently touched the spot, I lifted the edge of my shirt, revealing just a spot what I imagined was a large purple mark.

"Did I... do that to you?" Niall gasped quietly. I just looked up at him, smoothing my shirt back down. His face had disbelief written all over it, and I thought he might just cry. He walked over to me, lifting up my shirt again, except more this time (without permission, I might add). His eyes were wide at the sight of it, although I refused to look. I jumped when I felt his fingers graze over top of it, tracing all the sensitive parts.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, unable to look me in the eye.

"It's okay, really. It will heal soon, I'm sure."

"I can't believe they would send someone like me to protect others."

It was the first time he had mentioned the whole superhero thing since that one blessed day on his couch. I thought he had dropped the act and decided to ignore it.

"I can't stay any longer. I'm sorry."

I wanted to stop him, but I knew better after seeing the disappointment and confusion in his eyes. My efforts would only be worthless. I watched him grab his iPod and hurry out, head down and hands in his pockets.

Sighing, I began to clean up the slight mess we'd made from syrup. I was stacking the plates on my dresser when a voice chilled my very last bone:

"I don't think I'm the threat, here."

"

Notes