the fact that the first time ruben and niall talk since prison is when ruben boots butch from the wedding table and then the first time they hug is in front of the entire wedding reception three minutes later, in front of niall's new husband and all of his in-laws and all of his exes and all of his friends and his own mother and niall is so aware of every pair of eyes on him that he's glancing everywhere and he can hardly hug ruben back, just pats at him, performing, he's always performing, while ruben goes all in. doesn't give a shit. he never gave a shit. he touches and gazes and smiles and hugs and nuzzles niall in front of everyone and god.











