Chapter Text
Midday
Rutherford Comprehensive School
Harry sat in the playground looking at the sandwiches in his lunchbox, Mr Horan had made them for him and leant him Niall's Derby lunch box with matching flask. He didn't feel hungry, he felt sick. He held the flask in his hand and remembered yesterday Niall downing his ribena from it. Now he was in hospital, crying and frightened.
Harry swiped at tears that threatened to fall down his face.
"Hey mate" his friend Louis walked up "you ok, you look like shit man"
"Rough night" Harry said.
"Oh curly, what's up?"
"You know my mate Niall?"
"Little lad, from your choir?"
"Yup, that's him. He's in hospital. Pretty sick and all"
"Oh man, sorry to hear that, what's wrong with him?"
"That's what they're trying to find out, I'm staying with them at the moment as my Nana had a fall." Harry shuddered as a sob overcame him.
"Aw Harry" Louis went to put his arm around his friend but Harry stood up and rounded on him.
"Just leave me alone!" he suddenly yelled.
"Hey curly, I'm only trying to comfort you!" Louis said "don't get all moody on me, thats my job!"
"I just want be left alone Lou!" Harry shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "I can't handle this!" he wrapped his arms protectively around himself and fell to his knees on the playground floor, harsh sobs wracking his small thirteen year old frame.
When after five minutes he hadn't calmed down, someone went to get a teacher.
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At the hospital Greg had come to see his brother. Niall had been moved to a private room on the childrens ward, they were still waiting for the results of his tests but were treating his immediate symptoms. Niall had become quite dehydrated from being sick and sweating a lot due to his high temperature. He was rather disorientated and very upset.
When Greg walked in Niall was curled up in the bed, still with his thumb in his mouth cuddled up to Henry bear.
"Oh Mam he looks about five years old" he sighed.
"I know pet, he's really quite poorly" Maura said.
"What's in that drip?"
"A few things I think, they're worried as he's dehydrated so they need to get some fluids into him. He's only just settled down pet. He keeps crying, it's exhausting if I'm honest" Maura sighed.
"What do they think it is?" Greg asked.
"They're worried about meningitis, he's got such a bad headache. But it was awful pet, they had to do a lumbar puncture and it hurt him so badly, he's been traumatised by it I think"
"Poor little lad" Greg sighed "Mam you look done in why don't you go home, I'll stop with Ni" he said quietly.
"I don't want to leave him" Maura said "he's so scared Greg"
"Yeah but Mam, if you don't rest you'll get poorly too like, then what use will you be to him?"
"Greg I can't leave him, that's the end of it pet" Maura said.
Niall suddenly stirred and his eyes opened, he groaned and cried out.
"Mam...."
"I'm here love" Maura said "and your brother is too" she reached out and stroked his head.
"Hold....me Mam" Niall murmured.
"Oh sweetheart I don't know if I can pet, you've got some medicine going into you at the moment from that drip" Maura explained.
"Oh" Niall said and wiped at his eyes "where's Harry?"
"At school love" Maura smiled at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Horrible....Mammy please......I want...I want you to hold us" he cried and pulled Henry into his arms rubbing his soft fur against his face. "Mammy..." he sobbed.
"Oh poppet..." Maura looked at him "okay, we have to be careful though baby, Greg can you give me a hand, I need to make sure he doesn't pull the drip out" she dropped the railing on the side of the bed and lifted Niall up, she sat down with him, Greg made sure the drip didn't pull.
"It's cold....." Niall murmured. "Mammy...it's cold" he shivered.
"Ok, we'll wrap you up pet" Maura put the blanket over him and Ni seemed to relax a bit. "There we are sweetheart, are you ok?" he nodded against her. "Ok, good" she kissed his head,
"Is Harry coming in after school?" Niall asked quietly once he'd calmed down a little.
"I suspect, love, that wild horses wouldn't keep him away," she smiled and kissed his head.
"Good" Niall murmured and rubbed at his eyes.
"How do you feel Nialler?" Greg asked. Niall looked at his brother and pulled a face.
"Poorly sick" he said cuddling up to his teddy.
"Well, the doctors will make you better you'll be just fine little man" Greg reached out and went to stroke Niall's head, he pulled away and groaned.
"Snowflake, what's wrong?" Maura asked.
"My.....head" Niall murmured. "Mammy.... It hurts..." he buried his head in his mother and started to cry again.
"I didn't mean to hurt him" Greg said "Mam, I'm sorry"
"It's ok pet, you didn't hurt him on purpose, he's just sensitive to anything at all right now" Maura said "Nialler, shh now" she rocked him gently.
They were interrupted by Niall's father coming into the room.
"Hey Dad" Greg said "you ok? You look stressed"
"I just had a call at work from Harold's school, he's in a bit of a state"
"What?" Maura asked "what happened?"
"He got very upset apparently. I think he's exhausted and he's with the nurse at the moment, Maura could you go and get him?"
"Bobby, I can't leave Ni" Maura said. "He needs me here"
"Love I don't know how to deal with the boy, you're better at this stuff than I am pet" he said.
"Niall, sweetheart. Are you going to be ok to stay with Dad love, just for a bit?" she asked.
"No" Niall murmured and cuddled up to his Mother tighter. "Mam no" he sniffed.
"He's not well enough for me to leave him" Maura said "Bobby, pick the lad up and bring him here we can have a talk here, ok?"
"Ok" Bobby said "fair enough. How's he doing?" he looked at Niall "he's very clingy"
"Yes love, he is clingy, because he's poorly" Maura said, basically scolding him "can you get Harry please"
"Right, Greg are you coming?"
"Nah I want to stay here with Ni a bit" Greg said.
"Ok" Bobby went off to pick Harry up from his school. He went in through the gates and went to the reception area. He was shown to the medical room where Harry was sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"Hey" he smiled at him "ok kiddo?"
"Hello Mr Horan" Harry said quietly, he sniffed, his eyes still red rimmed with tears.
"How are you feeling?" Bobby sat down beside the young boy "do you erm....want to talk about what went on?"
"I just got angry and then I got upset" Harry said.
"Because of Nialler?"
"Yep" Harry sniffed and dried his eyes again. "I'm scared" he said.
"He's being well looked after" Bobby said "I mean I'm scared too, that's normal to be scared son"
"I don't understand how I'm feeling" Harry said quietly, he broke down.
"Hey mate, it's all right" Bobby put his arm around the boy and he leant in to him and started to cry harshly.
"He's me best mate" he sobbed "I love him and I don't know what I'd do without him"
"He's a good kid, easy to love" Bobby said. "He thinks a lot of you as well you know Harry, but you won't be without him, couple of months time you'll be playing football again"
"Can I see him please?" Harry asked "can we go up the hospital?"
"Course you can, come on kiddo" he got up and helped Harry down off the bed he was surprised when the young lad held onto his hand as he wandered out of the school with him and took him to the car. Harry didn't say a word, he just walked to the car holding tightly onto Mr Horan's hand.
They arrived at the hospital, where Niall's temperature had spiked again, they had put him back in his bed as they had to put a cooling blanket onto him. He was in tears when Bobby and Harry walked into the room.
"Niall" Harry walked over to the bed and reached out to his friend. He took hold of his hand and looked at Maura. "Is he getting worse Mrs H?" he asked.
"His temperature has gone up pet" Maura said "he'll be all right, they'll cool him down and he'll feel better"
"Niall" Harry said "mate". Niall opened his eyes but didn't seem to see Harry, he looked straight through him. "Ni" Ant said "Nialler talk to me man!" he suddenly shouted.
"Hey, hey" Greg put his hands on the smaller boys shoulders. "He's not quite with it mate, he's not ignoring you on purpose"
"When is he going to be ok again?" Harry looked at Greg.
"We don't know that yet mate" Greg said. "But what you've got to do is stay positive for him right? Don't let him see you all upset because it won't help"
"I don't feel very positive...I want to see me Mam" Harry said
"Come here pet" Maura held her hand out and Harry walked over to her, tears spilling from his large soulful eyes. Maura had never see Harry like this, out of the two boys he was certainly the less emotional of the pair. Niall cried frequently, he was uptight and prone to panic, Harry was steady, kept Niall in check, kept him safe.
Right now however, the little lad standing in front of her looked lost and frightened. She wasn't sure how to play this, if it were Niall she'd pull him onto her lap and snuggle him close to her. Harry wasn't her son, and was of such a different character to her boy. "Harry poppet, do you need a cuddle?" she decided asking him was the best idea. Harry looked at her with a slightly confused expression. "It's ok if you do" Maura said with a smile "its nothing to be ashamed of poppet" Harry nodded, he walked over and Maura pulled him into her arms. The little boy started to shiver and shake as the tears took over him. "Ok sweetheart" Maura rubbed his back. "This is tough on you too isn't it eh?" she kissed his head and let him cry it out.
Bobby stood by the bed and stroked his son's head; he also had tears in his eyes looking at the child in the bed.
"You're gonna be okay snowflake" he whispered "Your Dad's not gonna let anything happen to his little man okay?" he leant in and kissed Niall on the head. Niall reached up and grabbed his Father's hand, watery eyes bright with fever gazed back at him.
"Daddy......I feel sick" he murmured "Daddy...it hurts" he closed his eyes as the tears started to fall.
The hospital room remained silent, Bobby sat down on the bed and pulled his son into his arms. Both the Horan's held onto the quietly weeping children and sent up a silent prayer, that things would get better.
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Two days passed by and Niall's test results were in, the family were hugely relieved to hear that the lumbar puncture had come back clear and that there were no signs of swelling on Niall's brain.
"So what is it then?" Harry asked "poor baby has been vomiting and he's burning hot" she said.
"It looks like a very very harsh case of gastric flu, he's very poorly, but he's not in any danger at all. In fact I'm happy for him to go home" the doctor smiled.
"Oh Niall, did you hear that poppet, you can go home" Maura smiled at him. Niall looked at her with sleepy half closed eyes.
"Wha...t....was that?" he murmured.
"We can take you home Niall" Maura smiled "that'll be nice eh? Home to your own bedroom" Ni didn't really respond. He felt awful still, his head hurt, his tummy hurt and the thought of eating anything made him feel even more sick. He rolled over and buried his face in Henry and curled up into a ball. "Well that's not the reaction I expected" Maura looked at the Doctor.
"He's just feeling sick Mrs Horan, he'll be all right. How about letting him sleep a few more hours and then take him back home"
"Sounds great" Maura smiled.
Back at the house, Harry was sitting in the front room watching cartoons on the television. His Mother had called to say she was going to be another few days staying with her Mother. She was apologetic on hearing everything that the Horan's had been going through. Bobby hadn't worried her about Harry's behaviour, content with the fact that it was just linked to worry over his best mate.
"Good news sunshine" Bobby sat down next to Harry.
"Huh?" Harry turned to look at him "sorry Mr H was just watching telly" he said quietly.
"It's ok, now Maura just called, Niall's being brought home today" he said "good news eh?"
"Is he ok to come home?" Harry asked "he seems to be so ill still"
"Well, he's still a poorly little chap but it's not meningitis, it's nothing dangerous, just a bad tummy flu, he's going to be fine" Bobby smiled.
"He is?" Harry smiled "really?"
"Really" Niall's Father smiled as he saw the relief wash over the young lad sat down next to him. "Now he's still going to be quite groggy when he gets home, and he might not be up for playing or all that, but just give him a few days and he'll be back to his old self I'm sure" Bobby smiled. "are you ok?" he asked. Harry nodded. "Sure?" he shook his head. "Want to tell me?" Bobby asked.
"I..." Harry swiped at his eyes with the back of his sleeve, he shuddered trying to stop the tears.
"Hey, whatever it is Harry, it's all right" Bobby said kindly. "Too much hanging around with Niall, eh? Starting to wear your heart on your sleeve like he does" he smiled.
"I'm just happy he's gonna be ok" Harry sniffed. "I got frightened that he wasn't going to get better, and with me Mam not being around and me Nana being sick and ...." Harry's hands were shaking "I....I don't know what's wrong with me"
"Hey, you've been through a lot you know Harold" Bobby said "there's nothing wrong with having a bit of a cry mate"
"But..." Harry looked up "I'm the man of me house aren't I eh?"
"Oh I see" Bobby said. "Well, that maybe, but you know what kiddo, you're still only a little lad, you're just a kid still. People need to remember that, and I know you do a lot for your Mam when she's at work and you put tea on for your sister and that, but you're just a lad at the end of the day" he smiled. "This has been tough for you, and listen. Even when you're not staying here you know you can always talk to us don't you?"
"Thank you" Harry dried his eyes "so um...when's Nialler coming home?"
"Later this afternoon, I'm going to pick him up at about two, did you want to come as well?"
"I might stay here you know and tidy up his room for him, make it nice"
"You're not your average thirteen year old kid I tell you that much" Bobby smiled. "He's lucky to have a mate like you. Make sure you boys always stay mates right, through anything. If you have each others backs, you'll be fine" he smiled.
2:30pm
Harry sat expectantly in the front room looking out of the window. "You ok curly?" Greg asked him.
"Just excited that he's coming home like" he smiled. "Oh look they're here" he said as the car pulled up. They got out and Bobby lifted Niall from the back seat, he was still dressed in his pyjamas and dressing gown, he had slippers on his feet and rested his head on his Father's shoulder, with Henry held in one hand. "He still looks awful" Harry said.
"Well curly he's still not very well, he doesn't need to be in hospital but he's not going to be too chatty" Greg said.
"I just thought...." Harry frowned. They came through the front door and Harry ran into the hallway. "Ni!" he beamed. Niall lifted his head from his Father's shoulder a little and squinted at Harry. "Hey mate I got your room all nice for you" he smiled at him.
"Mmmm...'k" Niall murmured, he put his head back on his Father's shoulder and started to cough a little.
"Ok mate, lets get you into bed" Bobby rubbed his back
"Daddy......I feel sick" Niall murmured. Harry bit his lip, Niall seemed no better at all from when he was at the hospital.
"Come with me love" Maura put her hands on Harry's shoulders "you can pop up and see Niall when he's all settled" she steered him into the kitchen and poured him a glass of coke. "sit down sweetheart" Harry did as he was told and sipped his drink.
"Am I in trouble?" he asked.
"Goodness me, pet no, why would you be, I just wanted to have a little chat" Maura sat down "how are you doing love?"
"Ok" Harry replied.
"Well listen poppet, I called your Mam and, well things aren't too good with your Nana"
"Oh?" Harry stared "is...is she ok?"
"She's poorly pet, now Mam's asked if I can keep you here a bit longer, are you all right with that? I know that with Nialler being so poorly it's not been the best time for you"
"No it...it's fine Anyway, Mr H said Niall would be up and about playing football soon anyway" he grinned.
"Oh well, that may take a while love. Nialler's still very sick love" Maura reached out and took Harry's hand "but you've been amazing, and did I hear you say you tidied his room up for him? You're a sweet lad"
"I wanted it nice for him to come home to" Harry said "but I don't know if he'll notice, he never really noticed me when he came in"
"He's very tired pet" Maura said "and he feels terrible, once he starts to feel better you'll see a difference in him poppet"
"Yep" Harry nodded.
"Hey" Greg came wandering in "Harry, do you fancy going to the cinema pal? I'll take you"
"What about Niall?" Harry asked.
"Well Niall, isn't well enough no, but come on. Things have been a bit tough on you, a little treat won't hurt you will it eh?"
"But I should be here for Niall" Harry said "I promised him, best mates promise and that"
"Sweetheart" Maura said "I've been given some medicine for Ni to help him sleep, he's going to have that in about half an hour and he'll be fast asleep, you should have fun. Go on pet you've been such a good lad" she smiled "have fun, it's important"
"Maybe, can I just see Nialler first?"
"Course you can, go on up" Maura smiled. Harry grinned and ran out of the kitchen. "I've never seen anything like those two" she said "so close"
"It's nice, Niall's got a protector outside of all us lot" Greg smiled "that's nice to see"
Harry went to Niall's bedroom where his Father was tucking him into the bed, Niall looked up at Harry and gave a weak watery smile.
"Hey" Harry grinned back at him.
"I'm....sorry" Niall said he reached up with his hand and Harry grabbed it.
"Why are you sorry?" Harry asked.
"I'll leave you boys to it" Bobby smiled and shut the door. Harry sat down on the side of the bed.
"You don't have anything to say sorry for" Harry said.
"I.....I'm not very....well Harry" Niall murmured. "I've been......crappy....friend"
"Hey, don't even say that" Harry said "none of this is your fault Nialler" Harry said "I want you to get better, your Mam and Dad have been amazing like, really looked after us"
"Yeah? Good" Niall started to cough "sorry....I'm so rough Harry....I can't...." He trailed off.
"Well your brother has offered to take me to the pictures. Are you ok if I go?"
"Course..." Niall said, he looked up as Maura came in. "Mam..." he said.
"Ok poppet, lets have you sitting up a minute" she helped him sit and Niall all but fell against her coughing again. "Oh dear" Maura patted his back.
"Are you sure he's okay to be at home?" Harry frowned.
"Don't say....that...not going back to hos....hospital" Niall spluttered.
"No baby it's ok, you don't have to" Maura whispered, she laid him back against his pillows and poured the red liquid onto a spoon. Niall turned his nose up.
"Whats that?" he asked.
"Help you sleep pet, it'll stop you coughing so much too" Maura said "come on sweetheart" she put it to his mouth and he took it.
"Urgh!" Niall stuck his tongue out and gagged. "Mam....urgh!"
"I know, but it'll help" Maura smiled at him "I'm glad you're moaning and pulling faces at me baby" Maura laughed "more like my boy" she reached out and stroked his head gently "are you feeling any better pet?"
"Maybe....a bit" Niall smiled "hey" he gently kicked Harry with his foot "you ok?"
"Yeah, well your brother's waiting so if you're sure you're okay with this I'll go to the pictures"
"Yeah I'm fine with it" Niall nodded. "have a good time"
"Yeah, see ya Nialler" Harry reached out and squeezed Niall's shoulder and left.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Niall looked at his Mother seriously.
"Nothing baby boy, why?" Maura frowned.
"Because something is wrong" Niall said flatly "is his....his Nana...ok?" he suddenly felt himself feel a bit dizzy.
"She's not too well no love, and he's going to have to stay a few days longer"
"That....that's...good though....yeah?" Niall yawned, he leant forward and hugged his mother, putting his head on her shoulder and yawning. "Mam.....I'm sleepy" he murmured.
"I know darling, that medicine makes you tired" Maura whispered. "Try and sleep pet, it's the best thing for you. Don't worry about Harry either right? He'll be fine, we're all looking after him."
"Good...I....love Harry" Niall said quietly.
"What did you say?" Maura asked, but all she got in return was a snore. She kissed her son's head and held him there for a while. Niall had just said he loved Harry, but then he'd had some sedative and was feeling poorly and the kid was emotional at the best of times. Besides he was only thirteen, just a kid right?
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A week passed by and Niall was still not better by any means, he barely ate and was still in bed permanently. His temperature was high and they had the doctor out to him on four occasions. Each time though they were told not to worry as he would get better it would just take some time. Harry's Mother was still with his Nana and he had got used to being part of the Horan's daily routine, although he was back at school now.
Harry came in from school and wandered upstairs, he saw Niall wasn't in his bed and frowned.
"Ni" he called.
"In here...." Niall called back and coughed and spluttered. Harry went into the bathroom to see Niall in the bath covered in bubbles.
"Hey" Harry smiled.
"Hello" Niall looked at him through half closed eyes "I had to have a bath...I was all yucky" he smiled.
"Fair enough" Harry came and sat down on the side of the bath "how you feeling?" he asked.
"Rotten" Niall sniffed "how was school?" he rubbed a flannel across his face.
"Ah you know, same as ever" Harry said "when are you going back to school?"
"When I can get out of bed, Mam had to carry us into here, embarrassing" Niall flushed.
"Right sweetheart" Maura came in "oh Harold, hello pet" she said "Do you want to wait outside a second, I need to get him out of the bath"
"He can stay" Niall said calmly.
"No sweetheart, Harry can wait outside" Maura frowned. She reached and lifted Niall up from under his arms and pulled him up sitting him on the back of the bath, Niall's legs couldn't take him at that point. Maura wrapped the towel around him and dried him off getting him back into his pyjamas.
"Why can't Harry stay in the room?" Niall asked as his Mother buttoned his pyjama top.
"Because Niall, it's not right" Maura said and gently towel dried his hair. "Do you think you can try and eat something today?" Maura asked him, she looked concerned at her son, his previously slightly chubby cheeks had disappeared and he looked pale and gaunt. "Can you at least try sweetheart?"
"I don't feel hungry Mam" Niall said "I feel sick" he sighed.
"Ok, but I will make you some soup and we're going to try that right?" Maura lifted him up and carried him back to his room, Niall lay down as she put him back in his bed, he propped himself up on his elbow a little and looked over at Harry who was sat on the other bed quietly looking at his homework.
"You not gonna sit with us?" Niall asked.
"He's fine there love, he's doing homework" Maura said, she was starting to get concerns about the boys and how close they were being. "Now, I'm going to make that soup love, and I want you to at least give it a shot" she kissed him and went out of the room. Niall frowned.
"Haaarrrryyyy" he whined.
"Yup?" Harry looked up.
"C'mere a minute" he patted the bed. Harry got up and sat down on the bed.
"What's up?"
"I don't feel very well"
"Well Niall, you've not felt very well for over two weeks now" Harry snapped.
"Well cheer us up, tell us some...well I dunno, some gossip from choir, I'm missing out on all that." Niall rubbed his stomach.
"You still feeling sick?" Harry asked "I should get your Mam" Harry went to get up but Niall grabbed his arm. "Nialler, hey" Harry said.
"What's wrong Harry, why are you being funny with us?" Niall asked "you was fine earlier man"
"I just....nothing it's nothing" Harry scowled "just let us alone a bit man" Harry pulled his arm away and walked out of the room leaving Niall feeling rather confused. He couldn't get out of bed to go after Harry and his Mother was downstairs cooking. Ni rolled over in bed pulled his covers over his head and sulked.
Maura came upstairs with a tray with soup on it, Niall peered at her from under his covers like a cat hiding under a duvet.
"What's up with you Mr. Grumpy?" Maura sat down on the bed "come on baby, sit up we need to at least try and get something into you, you're wasting away"
"Where's Harry?" Niall asked flatly.
"Watching telly downstairs poppet" Maura said, "now here, eat up" she handed him the spoon and Niall looked at it like he didn't know what it was for. "Niall" Maura warned.
"Ok" Niall picked up the spoon and stuck it into the soup "what soup is it Mam?" he asked.
"Vegetable"
"Oh" Niall wrinkled his nose up "looks a bit like my sick" he said flippantly.
"Niall, of the love of..." Anne bit her lip, Niall knew that when Maura bit her lip she was angry at him. "I just spend forty minutes making you that, and it's got everything you like in it"
"Sorry Mam" Niall said "I'm just.....Harry's being funny with us"
"Nialler, sweetheart I need to talk to you about Harry"
"What about him?" Niall picked up the spoon and deliberately slurped the soup of it and grinned cheekily at his Mother.
"Baby, eat it properly" Maura couldn't help but smile a little, she reached out and stroked his head "please poppet, you need to eat to get better. I hate seeing my boy so poorly"
"Yeah..it's nice Mam thank you" he took another mouthful. "So what about him Mam?"
"Oh love maybe we should wait till you feel a bit better pet"
"No, what is it?" Niall frowned. "Mammy..." he started to get irate, his fever was still spiking and he had literally no tolerance.
"Ok all right pet. Now listen you're not going to like what I have to say"
"Why?" Niall glared at his Mother "what's wrong?"
"Love, you and Harry. I know how close you are and it's sweet pet. He takes care of you so well and ....well that's the whole thing. Harry shouldn't be taking care of you pet. That's mine and your Dad's job. We're your parents. Harry should be playing football with you..."
"I can't play football....right now" Niall coughed "Mam I'm sick"
"Yes love, I didn't mean he should be doing that right now I just mean...sweetheart, you're a thirteen year old kid. I don't want you having a friendship that is more like....well more like a relationship, do you understand?" Niall squinted at Maura and rubbed at his streaming eyes. Maura was regretting this conversation now. He was full of this flu and trying to explain to him how she felt was not working.
"A relationship? Mam I don't ......I don't know what you're talking about" Niall said, he suddenly gagged.
"Sweetheart..." Maura was there within seconds with the washing up bowl "ok, maybe that soup wasn't a good idea" she said "too rich maybe" she took the tray away and Niall lay down pulling himself into a ball under the covers and hugging his tummy protectively. "Ok love, get some rest"
"No..." Ni looked at her "explain what you mean"
"Nialler.." Maura hadn't expected this from him.
"No Mam....I don't understand....he's my friend...what's wrong with that?"
Maura didn't know where to take this conversation. Niall was feeling unwell, and not open to any suggestions.
"Sweetheart, this isn't the right time for this ok" Maura stroked his head but Niall pulled away from her.
"Did you say something to him too?" Niall asked "to Harry, is that why he's being funny?"
"Love I've not said anything" Maura said "only that I didn't want him in the bathroom with you, which I think pet is fair enough!" she exclaimed "Niall, I'm the parent here, so what I say goes, don't even question it please" she roughly tucked the covers around him. "Get some sleep now" she tucked Henry in next to him and kissed his head "I love you so much" and with that she walked out, angry at herself for not helping the situation at all.
Three days later
Harry came in from school and dropped his bag in the hallway; he had had the worst day he'd had in ages. He had got a D in his Maths homework, he just didn't understand algebra and his teacher had been less than understanding. Then during games he had jumped for the ball in goal and hit his arm on the goal post. He was bruised and miserable.
He walked into the front room and was surprised to see Niall on the sofa.
"Hey" he sat down next to him.
"Hey" Niall looked at him uneasily "you look upset"
"Had a bad day" Harry said quietly. "Got a D." Harry was usually a staight A or B student so that surprised Niall.
"What in?" Niall asked, he sat up a bit and cuddled up to Henry bear.
"Maths" Harry said "algebra, I don't understand it man, I mean what is it even? Who cares if A=B and X = Y and all that, I don't!" he exclaimed "and I....I got really told off about it"
"Aww Harry" Niall reached out and put his hand on Harry's shoulder and rubbed it but Harry winced. "What?" Niall asked.
"That's the other part of me day" Harry rolled up his sleeve and showed Niall his bruised shoulder and arm.
"Who did that to you?" Niall asked "Harry man!"
"Nobody, well a goal post did, happened in games." Harry said "ran straight into it"
"Oh, crap day eh?" Niall leant forward and hugged Harry. Harry gently wrapped his arms around his friend pulling him close to him. It was a nice hug, but Niall felt unnaturally warm.
"You're still burning up" Harry said as he rubbed Niall's back. "How do you feel?"
"Better now" Niall said quietly "you give a good cuddle" he smiled against him.
"Yeah..." Harry suddenly pulled away "Nialler..."
"Yeah?" Niall looked at his friend and smiled.
"Your Mam....she gave us a few funny looks and that...in the bathroom and the other day she told us to stay on the bed and not sit by you like, does she not like me?"
"Oh...no it's not that." Niall said "she spoke to us and....she said something a bit weird about...we should play football, not be in...what was it" Niall tried to think but his brain was foggy with flu. "in a relationship" he said "I didn't understand what she meant" Niall said, "do you?" he cuddled his bear.
"Your Mam thinks we're in a relationship?" Harry asked. "Ni really?"
"Dunno" Niall yawned. He was still not quite with it, and thinking straight wasn't too easy for him. "I didn't get what she was saying we aren't a....well we're not in a relationship" he said quietly.
"No" Harry said "no we're not I....I don't even know how to have one " Harry looked at his lap. "We're best mates"
"Yea, I love you and that" Niall said.
"Yeah, I love you too" Harry smiled and the boys hugged again.
At this point Maura walked into the room and sighed as she saw the boys in a cuddle.
"Boys" she said.
"Mam we're friends" Niall pulled away "I don't think there's anything wrong with having a cuddle with my friend do you?" he looked at her with tired eyes "he makes me feel better, he makes me feel nice and warm and safe. He swaps sandwiches with me at lunch time, sometimes crisps but not if they're prawn cocktail because I don't like them" Niall said "he sat with us at the hospital and he read comics to us when me head hurt so badly I couldn't see. He's my friend Mam" Niall looked seriously at his Mother. "He's my friend" he said again.
"Ok sweetheart" Maura said with tears in her eyes, she pulled him into her arms and kissed his head "ok poppet, it's fine" she said and rubbed his back. "I'm sorry baby boy okay."
"Ok" Niall nodded against his Mother. "But when I'm better....me and him will play football like you said too" he smiled and fell asleep against his Mother.
Twenty Years later
"Do you remember..." Harry smiled at Niall and stroked his hand down his cheek "your Mam could see that you and me were more...remember when you were poorly"
"Oh yeah, God I was sick" Niall frowned "hospital and everything" he grimaced.
"The days I became less of a chubby chops" Niall laughed.
"Aw, you were a cute chubby chops" Harry smiled and leant down and kissed him. "Nah, I just remember you kept saying that I was your friend"
"You were.....you are" Niall sat up "Harry, are you ok?" he pulled his legs up to sit cross legged.
"I'm fine" he smiled "just thinking, about how we feel and how long I've..." Harry stopped "I've had too much wine Nialler" he smiled.
"But you're all right?" Niall asked. "Because you're scaring me a little bit"
"Oh I don't mean to" Harry smiled at him. "I just think sweetheart, that we're perfect" he grinned at him goofily "I don't tell you enough, and when I was......when I was that awkward thirteen year old kid, I found....an equally awkward thirteen year old kid.."
"Hey!" Niall hit him lightly. "Awkward man!"
"Oh baby we were, thirteen year old boys are awkward" he smiled "but that time I met you, and you called us your friend....changed me life man" he said quietly "I love you Niall" he leant in and kissed him gently. "From just two little boys...." He said "to two happy men" he pulled him into his arms.
END