Directioners, please breathe. One Direction is grateful for everything you do. In a “too much for the heart to handle” turn of events, One Direction shared a surprise message with fans during the commercial break for Sunday night’s episode of The X Factor. Because apparently that’s a thing now.
The message aired following the band’s performance of their latest single, “Perfect,” on The X Factor (which, incidentally, was perfect).
The video clip shows a shredded letter being slowly dropped to the ground, set to “History,” a song from the band’s new fifth album.
Thank you message on The X Factor. #MTVStars One Direction pic.twitter.com/iGDys1spHk
— One Direction (@The1D_Helpers) November 15, 2015
Welp.
In the context of the video, the handwritten note, which uses lyrics from the chorus of the track, addresses the “history” that 1D has with its fans. If that doesn’t give you a lump in your throat, do you even have a heart?
But it does not stop there. Oh no. As the band’s thank you message aired on TV, this tweet was shared from its official account:
Thank you. Love Louis, Liam, Niall & Harry x
— One Direction (@onedirection) November 15, 2015
The spot has led to some incredibly justified suspicion from fans about where it came from.
@harrysreader @1D_Updates_WW @drunkwithniall @ouchmyhes @afisweaters @harrysxrunaway @h0ransqueeen yall i sometimes feel like its the end
— Happy Melon :~) (@GypsyyLou) November 16, 2015
@nakedmagic @onedirection ME TOO I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING BAD IS GONNA HAPPEN WTF
— kiera in the a.m (@sparklerlwt) November 15, 2015
Of course, it could be that 1D just wanted to thank us all. Maybe.
THE BOYS THANK YOU MESSAGE FOR US FANS AT THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE HAS MADE ME EMOTIONAL #MTVStars One Direction pic.twitter.com/nNSLZXIZQt
— THANK YOU LUKE (@zjmskaterkid) November 15, 2015
THE BOYS PAID FOR AN AD TO THANK US WITH OUR SONG “HISTORY”. IM SO PROUD. #MTVStars One Direction pic.twitter.com/X3KNX3464C
— ℓ. ℘ ➸ #ProjectLiam (@liamthejesuss) November 15, 2015
The boys paid to have an ad made for thanking us fans. Using History.. They are angels
#MTVStars One Direction -A pic.twitter.com/IFOkv1rxqS
— 1D Updates (@iWant1D_Updates) November 15, 2015
Earlier this month, Liam told Entertainment Weekly that “more than anything, [“History”] is about the way the fans and everyone have created this massive thing — One Direction — over the past five years.” So it seems likely that Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis are just looking to throw some thanks to those who helped them reach where they are today.
N.B. Someone intent on causing emotional trauma for teens worldwide created this Toy Story x One Direction “History” mash-up. Watch at your onw risk.
History as the Toy Story theme song
#MTVStars One Direction pic.twitter.com/nHMkXpfzF1
— Jess/Purpose/MITAM (@jayy_babyxo97) November 16, 2015
You’re welcome.