Niall loved going to sleep with Harry. He associated the too warm body pressed against his back with home, and more importantly, with happiness. And on nights like this, when all Niall could think about was the missed shot on goal and the grim look on his coach's face, he let the tattooed arm that was wrapped around his chest hold him together.
It was incredible how many tattoos Harry had at only 17. It made Niall feel self conscious in a way, the fact that Harry could commit to indelible ink with such little thought. Niall thought long and hard about everything, whether it was a new pair of trousers or which university he would attend. Niall even planned out his meals to ensure maximum performance. Harry and Niall once had a very serious row over Niall refusing to eat a cupcake on his birthday because he had an important game the next day.
"You say every game is important." Harry tried not to pout but slowly slid the green cupcake away from him. He had made it especially for him, complete with a tiny Irish flag stuck on top.
"Harry, love, you know that-"
"I know." He sighed. "Football is your first love."
Niall winced, wishing he hadn't phrased it like that. He knew that Harry wasn't trying to throw it in his face but things were different when Niall had said that. They had been different.
"I really do love it."
Harry began to stand to clear the little table they were sitting at. He was on break while the shop was slow.
"But I love you more."
Niall smirked, knowing he had caught Harry off guard, snatching the cupcake off the plate and taking a huge bite, letting the dark green icing smear on his face.
"I love you too." Harry chuckled, looking bashful. Niall smiled wider at having made the ever bold Harry blush.
Niall pulled Harry closer and stood up on his toes to level their faces. Harry used his thumb to wipe off the icing and licked it off his finger. Now it was Niall's turn to blush.
Harry sighed in his sleep, bringing Niall back to the cool dark bedroom. He looked back down at the arm around him and echoed Harry's happy sigh.
There would be other matches and other scouts but Niall would miss a thousand shots to get this one right. So tonight, instead of counting his insecurities, Niall lightly traced each tattoo on Harry's arm and counted each one he could and couldn't see and pitied the people who had to settle for sheep.