Work Text:
It’s true. Harry doesn’t follow his own mother on Instagram. It isn’t because he harbors any bad feelings for her, quite the contrary. They’re super close. Always have been. Harry is just weird about who he follows.
And this is why Niall felt compelled to send the screenshot. The smile that breaks across his face didn’t stand a chance against his attempt to resist it. The soft click of his phone locking barely reverberates against the walls. Now, he waits.
*****
Niall’s walking by the credenza in the living room, when his phone buzzes where he last left it. He picks it up and his eyes skim across the text that flashes on his screen. He bites his lip and feels the slow build of a chuckle beginning at the base of his throat.
Curly: What’s the meaning of this?
Niall: I thought it was obvious?
Curly: If it was, I wouldn’t be asking you, would I?
Niall snorts and shakes his head. Harry.
Niall: Okay, I’ll appease you.
Niall sets his phone down and walks away. His shoulders shake as he finally lets the chuckle escape his mouth.
An hour passes, maybe two. He honestly forgot where he left his phone but didn’t go out of his way to look for it; he knew it’d pop up somewhere.
When he finally does find it though, it’s because he was looking for his reading glasses resting on top of the credenza. He goes to pocket it and feels the vibrations travel down the tips of his fingers.
He angles it up so the screen lights up. Over ten texts await his arrival.
Curly: Niallllllllll.
Curly: NIALL
Curly: What did you mean?
Curly: C’mon
Curly: I’m dying to know.
The next five texts continue in a similar manner ending in a series of sad face emojis.
A sly smile settles on his face. He took the bait.
Niall: I’m her favorite.
Curly: How do you suppose that is?
Curly: You’re lying.
Curly: Whatever she told you isn’t true.
He can mentally see the pout resting on Harry’s face as he types out his responses.
Niall: She didn’t have to say anything, I just know.
Curly: How?
Niall: Because I follow her and you don’t.
Curly: That doesn’t have anything to do with it.
Niall: I’m sure it does.
Curly: ☹
Niall: She posted me on her story. She didn’t have to.
Niall: She could’ve texted or called me privately to let me know she saw the sketch.
Niall: But she didn’t, she posted it online, for everyone to see.
Niall: You know what that means?
Curly: Don’t say it!
Curly: Don’t you dare.
And as Harry continues typing out his response, Niall’s fingers tap across the keyboard at lightning speed so his text comes through first.
Niall: I’M HER FAVORITE!
Niall: HAHAHAHA AND WE BOTH KNOW IT!
Curly: YOU’RE LYING!
Curly: SHE’S JUST BEING NICE!
Niall: You know I’m her favorite son 😊
The three bubbles indicating Harry is typing disappear.
The minutes stretch: one, two, three, four… five. Then they reappear.
Curly: I’ve just asked her.
Niall continues staring down at the screen and blinks. When another text doesn’t follow Niall knows this is all the answer he’s going to get. He wins this round.
Niall: If it makes you feel any better, Bobby loves you more than me.
He knows he’s hit home when Harry starts typing.
Curly: That’s true.
The smirk he knows is stretching across Harry’s face right now haunts his mind.
Niall: But
Curly: But what?
Niall: There’s still Maura.
Niall’s rendered Harry silent and stumped. He knows it. Maura is the one entity in their competition that teeters the odds between them making it nearly impossible for one boy to be the clear winner.
This ridiculous rivalry that both boys staked a claim in, years before they ever started dating. Back at the start of the band when they’d first met each other’s parents, saying that one’s parent loved them more than their own son. And since then they’d actively sought out opportunities to trip each other up.
It’s true; Niall had been Anne’s clear favorite out of all the boys. Harry’s whole family took a shine to Niall when they first met him and it’s been this way for over a decade. His mother called Niall her son plenty of times, even before they crossed the line between friendship and more.
Bobby had been this person for Harry. Calling him Niall’s ‘special friend’. He had that secret knowledge that they’d bud into something more one day, having it tucked in his pocket until it was ready to come out, bursting at the seams. And when they told him they were dating, he relished in this. He’s called Harry his son every time they’ve spoken since they met.
Curly: Touché.
Curly: I guess you’ve won this round.
Curly: But don’t think this is the end of it.
Curly: I’m still keeping score.
Niall: I wouldn’t dream of it.
Niall: It’s never going to be over.
Niall: And I’m going to win anyways. 😊
And yeah, they’re both a bit insane, which is why they’re perfect for each other.