The rest of the night went by in a blur. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact she's moving on to the Semi Finals. She was bursting with excitement, the reality of her accomplishment slowly sinking in. Kinsley replayed the judges' comments in her mind, their praise for her performance echoing like a sweet melody. Now, it was later that night, and she was trying to get the courage to go to Niall's place like they planned. Well, she was there. She just hadn't knocked yet. Yeah, she was lingering in the hall like a creeper, pacing back and forth as if the movement would somehow settle the nerves bubbling in her chest. Kinsley sighed, staring at the door in front of her.

"Get a grip, Kinsley," She mumbles under her breath. "It's just Niall. Your best friend. No big deal." Except it was a big deal. Kinsley took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, clutching her hands into fists to keep them from shaking. The faint glow of the hallway light above her felt like a spotlight, amplifying her anxiety. She had no idea why this felt so monumental. Niall had been her rock through everything. If anyone understood what tonight meant to her, it was him.

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and stared at the door again, willing herself to just knock. It's not so hard...But what if he's not alone? What if he's busy? If he was or had someone over, why would he have told her to come by his place later? Just to rub it in her face? He wasn't that kind of person. Niall had always been thoughtful and considerate, never one to play mind games or make her feel unwanted. She knew this in her heart, but her overthinking brain was doing its best to sabotage her courage.

Finally, with a deep breath, she raised her fist to knock. Just as her knuckles grazed the door, it swung open, and she somewhat stumbled forward. Strong, firm but gentle hands caught her waist and steadied her, and her heart nearly stopped when she looked up and found Niall's face only inches away. She could smell the faint scent of his cologne, the warmth of his breath, and for a moment, all she could do was stare.

"Woah, careful, love." He murmurs, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "Sorry, did I scare you? I thought I heard something out here and wanted to check."

Kinsley hopes he can't see the blush creeping up her cheeks, but the amused smirk tugging at his lips tells her otherwise. She quickly straightened herself, stepping back to put a little distance between them. "N-No, you didn't scare me." She stammered, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I was just about to knock."

Niall crosses his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Well, I'm glad I opened it first. Otherwise, you might've been standing out here all night." His teasing tone made her smile despite her flustered state.

"Very funny." She muttered, rolling her eyes but unable to keep the grin off her face.

He steps aside and gestures for her to come in. "Come on, then. I've got snacks, and we need to talk about how you absolutely killed it tonight." The mention of her performance brought a fresh wave of excitement and nerves. As Kinsley stepped inside, she tried to shake the lingering tension from their close encounter at the door.

The apartment was warm and inviting, just as she remembered, but tonight it felt different. Maybe it was the way Niall looked at her when he closed the door behind them, his eyes holding a softness that made her stomach flutter. Or maybe it was the way her heart seemed to beat a little faster whenever he was near. As he led her to the couch, she realized that tonight wasn't just about celebrating her success. It was about something deeper, something she wasn't quite ready to name—but she knew she wasn't the only one feeling it.

It was in the way his fingers brushed against hers when he handed her a glass, the way his gaze lingered a moment too long when he looked at her. It was in the way her skin tingled when he touched her, the way her breath caught in her throat when he leaned a little closer, his knee brushing against hers as they sat on the couch. Kinsley could feel her heartbeat echoing in her ears, every little movement between them amplified in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she wondered if he felt the same way. Could he hear the way her breath hitched, the way her pulse quickened beneath his fingertips? Could he feel the electricity crackling between them, the weight of the unsaid words hanging in the air?

Kinsley was tempted to ask, to break the silence and finally address what had been brewing between them. But something stopped her—something holding her back, keeping her from crossing that line. She was terrified of ruining what they had, afraid that if she spoke the truth, everything would change. Because the truth was, she didn't want things to change. She loved the way they were, the ease and comfort between them. And if there was even a chance that this could be something more, something special, then she wasn't willing to risk it.

So instead, she swallowed the words down, tucking them away in her heart. Tonight, she would celebrate her victory, and whatever was brewing between them could wait until tomorrow. She ignored the disappointment she felt in herself for chickening out yet again and tried to enjoy hanging out with her best friend. 

****

It was later that night when they realized it was nearly midnight. Neither of them had realized the time and both of them had gotten carried away talking. Kinsley probably needed to go home to give Aurora a break from taking care of her pets. But she didn't want to leave. Not yet.

"I should probably get going." She muttered as she stood up, her gaze fixed on her feet. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered anxiously, and she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. She felt a familiar ache in her chest, a longing that only seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment.

"Yeah, probably." His voice was soft, and she could hear the unspoken words hanging in the air. Stay. Don't go. I don't want you to leave.

They both stood there for a moment, neither one moving. The air between them was thick with tension, the weight of their unspoken feelings pressing down on them like a heavy blanket. Kinsley was tempted to reach out, to cross that line and finally say what she'd been wanting to say for so long. But something held her back—something deeper than her own fears. Because in that moment, she saw it. A glimmer of hesitation, a flicker of doubt, in his eyes. And just like that, her resolve crumbled. Because she knew, in her heart, that if he didn't feel the same way, she couldn't bear to lose him. As much as she wanted him, as much as she yearned for him, she couldn't bear the thought of losing their friendship. The bond they shared was too precious, too fragile, to risk. And so, despite the ache in her chest, the longing that burned like a flame in her soul, she let her hand drop to her side.

She forces a smile and a laugh, pushing down the pain that threatened to overwhelm her. "I had a lot of fun tonight," She said, her voice steady despite the turmoil churning within her. "Thanks for inviting me over. I'll see you later." She took a deep breath and opened the door, hoping maybe he would call out to her and confess what she's she's wanting to hear. But his silence spoke volumes.

Kinsley stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind her with a heavy sigh. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes, and she bit her lip, holding back the sob that threatened to escape. Why was she crying? It's not like anything happened. So why did it hurt so much? She mentally scolded herself as she made her way to the elevator. Meanwhile inside his apartment, he laid his head on the door, cursing himself for being so scared. He didn't know what to say, how to tell her he felt the same. He could've said something, anything, but he was paralyzed by his own fear. And now, he had let her walk away, without even knowing how he truly felt.

He just wanted to tell her what he's been wanting to say for years. That he loves her and wants to be with her. He wants to hold her and kiss her, and never let her go. He doesn't want to ruin their friendship or make things awkward, but the thought of her walking away and not knowing how he truly feels kills him inside. He wants her to know she is loved, cherished, and desired. That she is worth the risk, worth taking a chance on. Maybe he could still catch her. The sudden thought spurred him into action, he didn't even realize he was running out of the door, and down the hall. His heart raced as he rounded the corner, hoping that she hadn't gotten far. He saw her getting into the elevator and his heart pounded. It was going to close soon. But he thought he could make it.

He shouts her name, his voice echoing down the hall. "Kinsley! Wait!"

Her head snapped up, her hand hovering over the elevator button. Her heart leaped at the sound of his voice, but she tried to tamp down the hope surging in her chest. Maybe he was just going to say goodbye properly, nothing more. The elevator doors began to slide shut, but Niall lunged forward, his hand darting out to catch them. The doors jolted open again, and he stood there, slightly out of breath, his expression a mix of determination and desperation. Kinsley couldn't help but smile a little at the sight.

"Did you forget something?" She teased, trying to hide the tremble in her voice.

He takes a step toward her, his eyes locked on hers. "Not something. Someone important."

The tension between them crackled in the air as Niall stepped into the elevator, closing the distance between them. For a long moment, neither of them said anything, the weight of their feelings hanging between them like a delicate thread, ready to snap. Kinsley's heart raced, and she couldn't help but notice how close he was, how much she wanted him to close that final gap.

"Niall, what—" Her voice faltered, barely above a whisper.

He didn't let her finish. In one fluid motion, he reached up, gently cupping her face in his hands, He pulled her in for a kiss, soft and tender at first, as if he were giving her the space to pull back if she wanted to, but she didn't. Instead, reaching over to grab the collar of his shirt, pulling him in even closer, as if she couldn't bear the space between them for even a second longer. The urgency of her touch matched the intensity of her feelings, as if every moment of hesitation, every unspoken word, had finally been swept away by the need to be with him, truly and fully.

Niall responded immediately, his hands finding her waist, pulling her toward him with equal force. Their lips collided once more, this time with a sense of desperation, of longing that had been building for too long. The kiss was no longer tentative or unsure—it was raw, all-consuming, a perfect blend of everything they had been too afraid to express until now. Kinsley's heart raced as she felt the warmth of his body pressed against hers, every inch of her skin burning with the realization that this was it. This was what she had wanted all along. The feeling of him, of them, together in a way that was more than just friendship. 

The world around them seemed to fade away, and all Kinsley could focus on was the feeling of his lips against hers, the taste of his mouth, the way his arms wrapped around her and held her close. The kiss was like a tidal wave, washing away the doubts and fears and leaving behind a surge of pure emotion. She felt his love, his desire, his passion, all pouring into her like a flood. And just when she thought the kiss couldn't get any more intense, he lifted her off the ground and pressed her against the wall of the elevator, his lips never leaving hers. 

 Her head fell back against the wall as his lips trailed down her neck, and her hands tangled in his hair. She couldn't believe this was happening. She'd dreamed about this moment, but she never thought it would actually happen. He kissed his way back up her neck, his mouth hot and demanding against her skin. She tugged his head back up, wanting, needing to taste his lips again. She had forgotten they were still in the elevator. She didn't care. All she cared about was him. His touch, his kiss, his scent, his voice. He was all she could think about. He was everything. When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathless, their chests heaving. His forehead pressed against hers, and he stared into her eyes, his gaze filled with longing and love.

"Come back to my place," He murmurs, his voice low and husky. "Stay with me tonight." There was no hesitation, no second guessing. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, her answer clear and unspoken. The kiss was slow and tender, but filled with a burning passion. When she pulled back, he was smiling, his eyes shining with adoration.

"I love you." He breathed out, the words coming easily, effortlessly. It was the first time either of them had said it, but it felt like they had been saying it forever. It felt right, like two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together.

She beams at him, her heart bursting with happiness. "I love you, too." 

He grins at her, leaning in to kiss her again, but the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. They both froze, their cheeks flushed. They both chuckle softly, the moment momentarily interrupted by the sudden return to reality. The elevator doors creaked open, and the two of them stood there, grinning like fools, still wrapped up in the intensity of their shared words. 

He grabs her hand and gently tugs her toward the hall. "Come on," He murmurs, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection. "Let's get you back to my place. We've got some catching up to do."

Kinsley giggles and interlaces their fingers, her heart full and her smile wide. "Okay, but no promises we'll be getting any sleep."

Niall chuckles, squeezing her hand as they walked down the hall. "Trust me, love. Sleep is the last thing on my mind." Kinsley blushed, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close while they made their way back to his apartment. And that's when she knew. No matter what the future held, she would be okay. Because she had him, and that was all she needed.

They spent the night together, and neither of them got any sleep. But they didn't have sex either. They both weren't ready for it, it was too early. All they did was cuddle, share many kisses and talk the whole night. It was perfect. The night passed in a blissful haze of laughter, tender kisses, and whispered words. They shared their hopes, their fears, their dreams, and their secrets, letting the walls between them crumble in the quiet intimacy of the moment. 

The connection they had always shared had evolved into something deeper, richer, and undeniably beautiful. Kinsley couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this at peace—this understood. Every time she looked into Niall's eyes, she saw not only the love he had for her but the same deep, undeniable bond they'd always shared. Kinsley and Niall lay in silence, their fingers still intertwined, hearts content. There was no need for words anymore; the quiet shared between them spoke volumes. 

In that peaceful stillness, Kinsley realized that everything had shifted—not just between them, but within her. She had found something rare and beautiful, a love that didn't rush, didn't force anything, but simply was. And as she drifted off to sleep in his arms, she knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, side by side, ready for whatever came next.

A/N got a lil spicy lol but yay they finally got together !!