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Chapter Text

Liam passed away on 16th October 2024.

~

Always take the opportunity to show your loved ones how much they mean to you. You never know when it's going to be the last time.

Give grief all the time it needs, and be respectful to anyone going through grief as it's different for everyone.

Chapter Text

“Are you alright there Liam? You’re looking a bit peaky,” Louis said and they all looked at Liam.
“I’m not feeling that great Louis,” Liam replied.
“You’ve gone quite pale,” Harry said.
“When did you last have something to eat Liam?” Niall asked. He hadn’t see Liam eat anything for hours and their schedule had been pretty hectic.
“I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.”
“That was 11 hours ago,” Louis said, putting his hand onto Liam’s back.
“I’m getting dizzy boys,” Liam told them and Louis watched his eyes glaze over.
“Let's lie you onto the floor Liam and you’ll feel better,” Louis said before Liam closed his eyes and passed out. “Oh, ok,” Louis said as he caught Liam enough to ease his fall. “Yep, I knew that was going to happen,” Louis said as he lay Liam onto the floor and both Harry and Niall stood up.
“Can you give us 5 minutes?” Harry asked politely as he stood up.
“Liam? Liam, can you hear me?” Louis asked as he leant over Liam.
“Liam?” Niall asked as he knelt by Liam’s head. Harry went over to his bag and took out an energy bar before he picked up Liam’s water from the side. “Talk to us Liam,” Niall continued.
“Come on mate,” Louis said as both the interviewers’ and the camera crew gave them some room. Liam moved as Harry knelt beside Louis. “That’s it Liam, you’re ok,” Louis said as Liam began to come round.
“You just blacked out for a second there Liam,” Niall told him.
“Am I on the floor?” Liam murmured.
“You’re lying on the floor mate, yeah,” Louis replied.
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t apologise Liam. Harry’s got some food for you to get into your system,” Louis told him.
“He’s a nice lad.”
“He is,” Louis replied with a smile.
“You’re a nice lad too,” Harry said as he placed his hand onto Liam’s leg.
“Do you still feel dizzy Liam?” Niall asked.
“A little bit.”
“Do you think that you’ll be able to sit up?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on then,” Louis said and both he and Niall helped Liam to sit up.
“Eat some of this Liam,” Harry said, holding the energy bar out to him. Liam took it and ate it slowly. He also had some water and closed his eyes as he rested against the chair.
“How are you feeling?” Louis asked him after a few moments.
“Better,” Liam replied. His skin was still pale and he was clearly exhausted.
“Liam’s not going to be able to finish the interview like this. Sorry guys,” Niall told the crew.
“That’s fine. Take care of Liam and hopefully you’ll perform tonight?”
“Yeah, we will. Liam just needs a bit of rest and some food. Our life can be pretty hectic sometimes,” Louis replied. They performed that evening with Liam before they made sure that Liam went to bed early.

Chapter Text

None's POV
The boys were setting up their chairs around the firepit as they waited for Liam to return with wood so that they could build the campfire.
"Boys," Liam called out and they turned to him.
"Liam you're back!" Harry called before he turned to Liam. They boys gasped. Liam was leaning against a tree and cradling his arm. There was blood dripping from cuts on his face and neck, he was bruised all over and there was a huge gash down his leg.
"Liam."
"Oh my God."
"Liam, what happened?" The boys asked as they rushed over.
"I..." Liam stuttered as he lost his balance and Louis caught him as he began to fall.
"It's ok Liam. I've got you," Louis said as he helped to steady Liam and he leant him back against the tree.
"We've got you Liam," Harry added as he helped Louis to support Liam.
"What happened?" Zayn asked Liam as Niall looked at his leg.
"I was attacked."
"By what?"
"A bear."
"You were attacked by a bear?" Harry repeated and Liam nodded. Liam closed his eyes and he let his body relax for a moment. Louis and Harry were quick to support him.
"Wow, don't collapse on us Liam," Louis said as he held Liam's weight.
"Are you still with us Liam?" Harry asked as he looked into his face.
"Yeah. Yeah," Liam stuttered and Harry and Louis looked at each other.
"His leg's not good boys," Niall said and they looked down at him. "I think that his muscles have been torn through and he's definitely at risk of getting an infection."
"Ok. Zayn, can you get some water so we can clean it out please," Louis instructed him.
"Yeah, of course," Zayn replied before he ran to his tent.
"Liam, are you able to walk?" Louis asked and Liam faintly nodded. "Are you sure?"
"I don't think that he's awake enough to be able to walk Louis," Harry told him.
"Right, we'll carry him. Give me a hand," Louis said and Harry and Niall helped him to pick Liam up. "Thanks," Louis said before they walked back to the camp.

~

"I'll get the first aid kit," Niall said before he rushed away.
"I thought they said that there were no bears in Sweden at this time of year."
"We're going to have to check to see if the bear is still here."
"Niall and I will go," Zayn said as he joined them with his water bottle and Louis began to lie Liam down.
"Watch his head," Harry said, supporting Liam as they lay him beside the firepit. Niall joined them with a first aid kit.
"Liam, wake up mate," Louis said, gently shaking Liam awake.
"What's happening?" Liam asked.
"We're going to clean and dress your leg to stop it getting infected. It's going to be painful mate," Louis told him gently.
"Just do it," Liam said and Zayn opened the water bottle. Louis and Harry took Liam's hands as Zayn poured the water slowly over Liam's leg. Liam gripped Harry and Louis's hands in pain.
"Almost there Liam," Harry told him as Niall opened a wound dressing and put it carefully over Liam's leg.
"You're doing amazing Liam," Louis said as Niall fastened the dressing down.
"Ok, we're done," Niall announced.
"Let's sit you up Liam," Harry said before he and Louis helped Liam to sit up.
"Drink some of this," Zayn said as he came over and gave Liam some water.
"Are you ok Liam?" Louis asked.
"No."
"We can use the rest of the water to clean the scratches on your face and neck," Harry said and Liam nodded.
"Ok."
"Be gentle with him," Louis told Harry.
"I will," Harry replied as he went to get his travel towel.

~

"What happened Liam?" Niall asked as he touched Liam's leg gently.
"I was collecting firewood, and this bear cub towards me. It got too close and mama bear got angry."
"Did you play dead Liam?"
"Yeah."
"Is it going to come back, do you think?" Louis asked and all the boys went silent.
"No. It was moving off. Mama bear lost interest in me pretty quickly," Liam said as his hands began to shake.
"Ok mate, ok," Louis shushed him, putting his hands over Liam's to comfort him. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"My arm aches," Liam muttered and Niall came beside him.
"It's badly bruised. Does it feel broken?" Niall asked after inspecting Liam's blue and purple forearm.
"No. Just sore," Liam said.
"How far did you have to limp back to camp?" Zayn asked.
"Half a mile, I can't be sure."
"Half a mile, that's a long way," Niall said as Harry returned with his travel towel.
"I'm tired."
"We'll lie you back down then Liam," Louis said before he helped Liam to rest back onto the ground.
"We've got to check that the bear has really left Niall."
"Are we going out bear hunting?"
"It'd be better if you didn't hunt it Niall," Louis told him.
"We won't. I've just always wanted to say that."
"Stay safe guys."
"We will," Zayn reassured Harry before they headed out.

The Evening

"I think that the bear is gone," Zayn announced as he and Niall returned to camp. They saw Liam asleep with his head in Louis's lap while Harry was cooking dinner.
"How's Liam?" Niall asked.
"He's ok. He's just sleeping at the moment," Louis replied.
"The adrenaline has finally worn off then?"
"Yeah."
"What are you cooking Harry?" Niall asked as he came over.
"Just some beans and stuff."
"Great, I can't wait to taste it later."
"I think that we need someone on bear watch tonight," Zayn said as he sat beside Louis.
"I think that would make us all feel a lot safer."
"Can't we call Paul to pick us up?"
"All our phones have run out of charge. Paul's due to pick us up tomorrow anyway."
"Is Liam going to be ok until then?"
"He's going to have to be. I'm going to sleep in his tent with him to make sure that he's ok overnight."
"We should put all the food in our rucksacks and put them away from the camp."
"Good idea."
"Is Liam's leg still bleeding?" Niall asked, noticing at the spots of blood on the dressing.
"No, it stopped half an hour ago," Louis replied.
"He's starting to heal then."
"Yeah."
"Hey Liam, how are you feeling?" Louis asked Liam as he woke up.
"Better. How long til dinner?"
"About 5 minutes Liam."
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore. What time is it?"
"It's half past 6."
"Am I lying in your lap?" Liam asked Louis and the boys laughed.
"Yeah, you are," Louis replied.
"Ok, as long as none else hears about this," Liam threatened.
"Of course not."
"My lips are sealed."
"And dinner is served!" Harry called out.
"Ok Liam, here we go," Louis said as he helped Liam to sit up.

~

"Argh," Liam cried out and clutched his arm.
"Liam?"
"The pain's gotten worse."
"In your arm?"
"Yeah. And everywhere else."
"You've been lying down for a while Liam. Can you move your arm?" Louis asked and Liam stretched his arm out.
"Does it hurt when I touch it?" Niall asked as he ran his hands along Liam's arm.
"Yeah, a little," Liam replied as he winced at the touch.
"I don't think it's broken. Do we have a sling in the first aid box just in case it is?" Niall asked.
"I'll go and check," Zayn replied.
"Come on Liam," Louis said as he helped Liam to stand up. "Let's sit him down," Louis said and he and Niall sat Liam onto a chair.
"I felt dizzy for a second there."
"I've got the sling."
"Thanks Zayn."
"Give me your arm Liam," Niall said and he gently put Liam's arm into a sling. "How does that feel?"
"Better," Liam replied. They had bean stew for dinner and they chatted about band stuff before Liam yawned.
"Are you tired Liam?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, let's get you into bed," Louis said and he helped Liam to stand up.
"Do you need any help Louis?"
"No, I think we'll be fine. Are you boys ok to do shifts on bear watch tonight?"
"Yeah, we'll sort something out. Get some rest Liam," Niall replied.
"Yeah. Relax and heal mate."
"We love you Liam."
"Thanks guys," Liam replied before he disappeared into his tent with Louis.

The Morning

Niall unzipped the tent to find Louis snuggled up to Liam as the big spoon and they were both sleeping soundly. Niall felt bad that he had to wake Louis up.
"Louis," Niall whispered as he shook him. "Louis, wake up mate."
"Hmn?" Louis said as he came to.
"It's morning buddy."
"Is it?" Louis asked as he rubbed his eyes.
"How was Liam last night?"
"He woke up a few times and I sorted him out some paracetamol. I thought I heard Harry singing at one point."
"He was singing quietly all night. We had a little duet at around 3am. Did it wake you up?"
"No, I was already awake when I heard it. How was the bear watch?"
"Scary. Nothing happened but you were always on edge."
"I bet. Thanks for doing that."
"It's no problem. Liam went through much worse and we were doing it for him."
"Yeah," Louis said before he glanced at Liam and smiled.
"Anyway, Paul's here and Harry's been explaining what's happened to him."
"Right," Louis said as got out of his sleeping bag.

~

They got out of the tent and came over to Paul. Louis was still in his green woodland pyjamas.
"How's Liam?" Paul asked Louis. He looked stressed and worried.
"He's ok, he's asleep at the moment. He's got various cuts and bruises and we don't think that his arm is broken but we can't be sure. The cut on his leg is causing him some pain and he had 4 paracetamol in the night."
"You sound like a true nurse there Louis," Harry said and Louis smiled.
"It wasn't as soothing as your singing though mate."
"You heard that?"
"Yeah, bits and pieces."
"Is he shaken up about the attack?" Paul pressed Louis.
"He hasn't said much about it. I don't think it's fully sunk in yet."
"Ok. I'm proud of you boys for keeping him safe. You risked your lives on that night watch, you know that?"
"It was scary at times. That's why I sang," Harry said.
"We did it for Louis," Niall agreed.
"It was a scary night for all of us. When we first saw Liam standing against that tree, we were all terrified. There was so much blood, especially down his leg."
"And Zayn's asleep is he?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, he had the last night watch," Niall told Paul before he yawned.
"Ok. Let's decamp and get you boys off to bed and Liam to a hospital so that he can be checked out properly."
"Sounds good Paul," Louis agreed before they began taking the tents down and pouring water over the ash of the fire.

~

They had taken all the tents down except for Liam's and Louis went over to Paul.
"Can you give me a hand please Paul. This is the best Liam's slept all night and it'd be a shame to wake him," Louis said as they crawled into the tent and unzipped inside.
"Never wake up sleeping beauty," Paul said and he shared a smile with Louis. Paul carefully picked Liam up and carried him, in his sleeping bag, to the van. All the boys got in, with Harry and Louis sitting on either side of Liam, keeping him upright as the van drove off. Niall took a photo of Liam and Louis looked at him inquisitively.
"You want to remember this?"
"It's for Liam. When he asks how he got from being in a tent with you to a hospital room."
"Oh yeah," Louis said and the boys laughed quietly.

Hospital & Home

Paul got Liam to the hospital, and the staff stitched up his leg before they put a dressing on it. They also prescribed him some painkillers for his arm, which was badly bruised but not broken, and they had a psychiatrist come down to do an assessment of him. They booked Liam in to see a therapist, which he really didn't want to do.
"I'm fine, I don't need a therapist."
"Our senior doctor has advised..."
"I don't care what he has advised!" Liam shouted. "I don't need therapy!"
"Liam," Paul said, but Liam shrugged him off.
"Get off me. I don't need any help."
"Liam," Paul said again, and Liam had to listen. "You were attacked and injured. This is part of the treatment to help you recover. It's treatment," Paul said, and tears glistened in Liam's eyes.
"They'll think that I'm a nutcase."
"No, they won't. They will see that you have been through a bad encounter with a wild bear. None will think any less of you."
"My leg... my arm... they're physical," Liam said as he was starting to cry. "My head is... only I know how I'm feeling."
"You and a trained professional. They are trained to see and fix the problem in your head."
"Who says that I have a problem?" Liam whispered, and Paul came close to him.
"People who know what they are talking about. If you are worried about something the public can't see, let those who can see it, help to treat it," Paul said, and Liam looked at him.
"I'm so scared. She kept coming at me... hurting me... and I did nothing... I did nothing..." Liam said, and Paul hugged the young lad. Liam had been through a brutal encounter, but he was alive and there were people who would help him.
"I know. It's ok, it's ok," Paul reassured Liam, before he nodded at the hospital staff.

Liam had his first therapy appointment that afternoon with Paul present. He became comfortable with the idea of therapy, and they returned to the hotel for dinner.
"Hey Payno," Louis said as Liam came in, and he went over and hugged him. "How are you doing?"
"Ok. They told me to go to therapy."
"I'm not surprised Liam."
"Why not?" Liam asked Niall.
"You were attacked by a bear. That had to have fucked you up."
"Niall," Harry scolded him.
"Sorry."
"It did. I had a session an hour ago and..." Liam said before he looked down and fiddled with his hands.
"And?" Louis asked him.
"It was good. I'm just fucked in the head now."
"You were attacked and badly injured by a wild animal. You're lucky to have survived Liam," Harry told him.
"Anyone would need therapy after that," Louis added.
"Really?" Liam asked as tears glistened in his eyes.
"Of course."
"And if anyone says otherwise: I'll kill them myself."
"I don't think that will be necessary Niall."
"How are you physically? They've bandaged your leg up?"
"Yeah. They stitched it up, and they've given me painkillers."
"So you're not in pain right now?"
"No, no pain."
"That's great to hear Liam."
"And your arm?"
"It's bruised, not broken."
"That's a relief."
"Thank you for staying with me boys. Paul told me about your bear watch. You risked your lives for me."
"We didn't want to be eaten," Niall said before he laughed.
"Louis was the one who took care of you that night Liam," Harry said before he also hugged Liam.
"What can I do to repay you Louis?" Liam asked once Harry let him go.
"Say that dinner is on you."
"Ok."
"Shit, I didn't think that you'd say yes."
"What do you want?" Liam asked.
"Gold encrusted sushi with expensive champagne."
"Some really, really good caviar with ice from Mount Everest."
"That's going to be hard to find Louis."
"I'm joking. How does pizza sound?"
"It sounds good."
"Pizza is it!" Niall called, and they sat down on the sofa with Liam.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Harry asked Liam as they got comfortable.
"Yeah. I'm just worried about... therapy."
"What's worrying you lad?"
"That I need to go."
"You were attacked by a wild animal. It's understandable Liam."
"What if people called me weak?"
"You survived. People are cowards if they call you weak."
"Thanks boys."
"Pizza then bed lads."
"That sounds good Louis," Niall said before he ordered the pizzas.
"What do you want to do Liam? Watch a movie, chat?"
"A film would be good. But nothing with animals or... or bears."
"Sure. How about the matrix?" Harry suggested.
"Or Inglourious Basterds."
"Or Lord of the Rings?"
"I can watch Fellowship of the Ring."
"Ok, Fellowship it is," Louis said before he turned the TV on and he looked it up.
"And the pizza's are coming. One pepperoni, one margherita, two garlic bread and a bucket load of chips."
"Great," Harry said, and tears filled Liam's eyes.
"Sorry boys. I've been shaken up and..."
"Come here Liam," Louis said after he had pressed play on Fellowship of the Ring, and all the boys proceeded to hug Liam. "You're safe."
"We've got you."
"We love you Liam."
"Thanks... thanks lads."

Recovery

Liam refused to sleep alone for the next 2 months, and the boys took it in turns to sleep in the same room as him. Liam's therapy sessions were helping him to come to terms with the attack, and his physical wounds healed.

On his first night alone, Liam panicked and half their entourage came running into the room in response to his screams. Mark and Paul helped to calm him down and Louis told Liam that they would share a room until the tour was over and Liam was back at home.

@LiamPayne
For the first time since the attack, I slept through the night on my own. The bear attack haunts me to this day, but I'm doing well x

@onedirection
We love you Liam! ❤️ Keep healing xx ❤️‍🩹

Chapter Text

Niall's POV
"Louis's dead again," I said as I came into the cafeteria.
"What has he died of this time?" Harry asked me as he was eating his cereal.
"He fell off London Bridge."
"Wow."
"Fished out by two boat workers."
"People do jump, maybe someone has been found."
"Not Louis though."
"Well then, it's fake news."
"It's interesting to see what they come up with," I said as I put my phone away, knowing full well that Louis was alive.

We finished our breakfast and headed downsides to rehearsals, where the first signs that something was wrong started to appear.
"Where's Louis?' Paul asked us.
"I don't know, he wasn't at breakfast."
"He's probably still in bed," Liam said.
"I'll go and get him."
"Thanks Zayn," Paul said and I went back to practising chords on my guitar.
"I can't find him," Zayn said as he came back into the room.
"What?"
"Louis’s not in his hotel room."
"He's not out causing mischief?" I asked.
"Not that I'm aware of," Paul said, and my phone started to ring. I looked down to see that Johannah was calling me. I put my guitar down and picked it up.
"Johannah?" I asked and I felt everyone's eyes turn to me in the room.
"Hi Niall. I haven't been able to get hold of Louis and there's a news report saying that he's been found dead. I just want to make sure that he's ok."
"I'm aware of that article, but we can't find him."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. We haven't been too worried as you know what Louis's like. But now you've called me, I'm worried."
"Who is it Niall?" Paul asked me.
"Johannah," I told him.
"Is that Paul?" Johannah asked me.
"It is."
"Ok, can you hand me over to him?"
"Sure. Here he is," I said, and I handed Paul the phone.

"Why's Johannah calling you?" Liam asked as the boys crowded round me.
"She can't get hold of Louis."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she just wanted to check that he's ok…”
"But we can't find him."
"I know."
"You don't think that article's..."
"It's not true Harry."
"Louis's not dead, he's just... missing in action."
"He's probably been locked in a room by security or something."
"Let's go and talk to them."
"Ok," I said, and we went outside to interrogate our security. Louis loved getting himself into trouble, but he was big on family and if he wasn't answering calls from his mum, something was wrong.

~
Lunch

Lunchtime, and there was still no sign of Louis. Our security didn't know anything, and Liam was getting close to calling the coastguard. So far Harry and I had held him off. It was a stupid rumour, of course Louis was ok. He was, he was fine.
"Boys," Paul said as as he came over to us.
"Have you found Louis?" Harry asked him.
"Not yet."
"Shit."
"He's not dead Paul. Tell me he isn't dead."
"I'm 99.9% sure that he's not dead Niall. None saw him last night, but James recalls his bunk curtain being open."
"At what time was this?"
"During the early hours."
"Then he's trapped somewhere, or he's somewhere illegal."
"I've got people searching. He'll be alright boys."
"You have to find him Paul. He can't be dead."
"Don't worry. We'll find him."
"Is there anywhere we can look?"
"Yes. Liam, can you look where you and Louis would usually cause chaos?"
"Sure," Liam said, and Harry and I followed him as he headed off.

~
Found

“There!” Liam called out as we were walking to the stadium. Harry and I looked up and we saw Louis’s shoe sticking out at the edge of the roof.

We ran up the stairs before we reached a fire exit and Liam hastily opened it. Louis was slumped against the wall beside the fire exit, and Harry went to him.
“Louis, can you hear me?” Harry asked as he touched his cheek.
“Cold…” Louis said faintly.
“He's freezing. Has anyone got a blanket?” Harry asked, knowing full well that we didn't have one.
“Not here Harry,” I told him.
“Talk to me boys,” Paul said as he arrived.
“Louis’s cold and he's barely with it.”
“Ok. It looks like he hit his head,” Paul said as he inspected Louis. “Let's get him somewhere warm,” Paul said and he picked Louis up.

We got to the bus and Paul wrapped Louis up in a few blankets. Aiden, our medic, was on the way, and the rest of us gathered around Louis.
“He's still really cold,” Harry said as he put his hand on top of Louis's.
“He must have been out there for a while.”
“Most of the night probably.”
“Stand back for me boys,” Aiden said as he arrived. We took a step back and he checked Louis over.
“I should have gone with him. If I had, Louis wouldn't be in this state.”
“Don't blame yourself Liam,” I told him.
“He must have gone out the fire exit and wasn't able to get back in.”
“It was an accident. He's going to be ok,” Harry told Liam before Aiden finished his assessment.
“Louis's got a head injury, but it doesn't appear to be anything serious. He is close to being hypothermic however, so I need to keep a close eye on his temperature as we warm him up.”
“Is he going to be ok?”
“As long as I can get his temperature back to normal, yes he will be ok.”
“Thank goodness.”
“That is good.”

~
On The Bus

Louis POV
I woke up on the bus. It was light and my head hurt. I got up and went to the loo, before returning to my bed. Man, I was cold. Wrapping myself up and closing my eyes, I heard someone come into the bus.

My curtain was gently pulled back, before someone felt my forehead and, quite rudely, put a thermometer in my mouth.
“Very good,” They said quietly, and they raised my hair up to check the side of my head.
Why? I wondered. Had I hit my head? I did have a headache…
“Louis,” They said quietly as they shook my shoulder gently. “Louis, it's Aiden. Can you hear me?”
“Hey,” I said.
“Hi Louis. Does anything hurt?”
“Just me head.”
“How badly?”
“Throbbing.”
“Ok. Do you need anything?”
“No.”
“Can you remember what happened last night?”
“I was messing… round,” I slowly recalled, trying to remember the night that had just gone by. “And I went out… for a fag… Aiden, I'm cold,” I told him. I was shivering and all these blankets were not enough.
“I can get you another blanket Louis.”
“Yes,” I said, and after a moment Aiden laid an additional blanket over me.
“Thanks,” I said as I pulled it over me and I snuggled my body underneath it. “I couldn't get back… Back inside,” I recalled. “I think I passed out... I must have done, because I'm here."
“Can you remember hitting your head?”
“No. But I've got a headache.”
“Ok. The boys found you a few hours ago on the roof of the stadium. You had got locked outside a fire escape.”
“That rings a bell,” I told him. “Was… I remember voices.”
"You were a little conscious when they found you, but only slightly.”
“Right. What time is it?”
“5pm. You've been on the bus since 2pm. They found you just after lunch.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. You're doing well Louis. You're almost back to a normal temperature. Stay wrapped up, and let me know if you feel sick or your headache gets any worse.”
“I will. Thanks Aiden.”
“Keep resting Louis,” Aiden said, and I did so.

~

Some time later, I heard the boys return to the bus.
“How's Louis?” Liam asked as I woke up.
“His temperature’s back to normal, so I've removed most of the blankets from him. He woke up 2 hours ago as well…”
“Is he ok?” Niall interrupted Aiden.
“He's got a headache, but he can remember some of what happened. He's just been sleeping for the last few hours.”
“That's really good.”
“Yeah.”
“Hi… boys,” I whispered, feeling awake enough to talk.
“Louis.”
“Hi Lou. “
“How are you feeling?” They all asked me as they came over.
“Ok. My head's hurting, but I'm warmer now,” I told them.
“That's great news Louis.”
“Can you open your eyes Louis? Or do you have a migraine?”
“I'm just not fully awake yet,” I told them.
“Ok.”
“You were close to being hypothermic when we found you Louis.”
“And you were hardly with it,” Niall added.
“I went outside for a smoke… must have hit my head and passed out. Sorry… for making you boys worry.”
“It's a good thing we did worry. You could have been dead Louis.”
“Could have been,” I said as I finally opened my eyes and I got out of my bunk.
“We've got you Louis,” Harry said as he and Niall wrapped their arms around me and they gave me a hand to walk to the sofas.
“There was an article about someone being found in the river. I was worried that it was you.”
“He almost called the coastguard,” Niall told me as I sat down and I wrapped one of the blankets around me.
“And your mum called me.”
“Did she?” I asked Niall.
“Yeah, she was worried about you. Once you were in the bus and being checked over, I called her back to let her know that we found you.”
“Thanks Niall. I should call her myself later on.”
“It's coming up 8pm Louis, you should probably call her now.”
“I need some food first.”
“Of course.”
“You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”
“Exactly,” I told Harry, and Liam left the bus.
“Where's he going?”
“To get food.”
“Ok,” I told them and I sat up in my PJs wrapped up warm under the blanket. Aiden got me some painkillers, and Paul came to see how I was doing before Liam returned with lots of pizza.

We chatted about their day and the recording session they had done without me. My headache got worse around 10pm, and after a check over by Aiden, I went for a shower before I headed to bed.

~

In my bunk, and while the other boys were getting ready for bed as well, I finally texted my mum:

Johannah: Call me when you can love xx

Louis: I’m ok mum. I got trapped on the wrong side of a fire exit and I hit my head. Liam said that I’d been close to hypothermic when they had found me. But I've on the tour bus now and our medic has been looking after me xx

Johannah: That's a relief to hear. Are you ok now?

Louis: My head hurts, but I'm not cold any more. I'm heading to bed for the night now.

Johannah: Ok sweetheart. I was worried that the news had been right about you this morning. No reply to my calls, I thought that I’d lost my baby boy x

Louis: I'm sorry mum. I would have called you if I'd been able to x

Johannah: That's what worries me. Take care sweetheart ok? I know you love to mess around, but be careful x

Louis: I'll be more careful in the future. I promise mum. I love you xx

Johannah: I love you too Louis. Sleep well xx

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
I couldn't move. My body was weak and exhausted. I had collapsed onto floor of our dressing room andI needed help. I mustered all of the energy I had to shout:
"Paul!"

"Louis, I need you to... Louis?" Paul asked, before I heard him coming over to me. "Are you alright?" He asked as he knelt beside me and put his hand onto my side.
I tired to speak, but my body refused to. I moved my head a little, but no words came out.
"Talk to me Louis. Are you in pain?" Paul asked me.
"Urh," Was all I could manage to say before I moved my head and my hand slightly.
"If this is a joke, I need you to stop it now. You're on stage in 5 minutes," Paul said, but this really wasn't a joke.
"Louis!" Niall called before he came into the room. I moved my head and swallowed, as it was all that I was able to do. "What's he doing?"
"I don't know. But he's not talking to me."
"Louis, get up," Niall said as he kicked me. "We've got a show to do."
I moved as much as I could and I tried to speak. But something was badly wrong.
"Louis?" Niall asked again.
"Mark! Can you find the medic?" Paul called before he put his fingers onto my neck.
"This is serious?" Niall asked as they started taking me seriously.
"It seems to be."
"Louis, can you hear me?" Niall asked as he took my hand. I tried to squeeze his hand, but I unable to.
"Louis, talk to us."
"Paul, how's his pulse?"
"It's a little slow. Can you find the other boys Niall, and tell Jonas to hold on starting the show."
"Ok, " Niall said, and I heard him leave.
"I'm here Paul. What's happened?" Adian, our medic, asked as he arrived.
"Louis's struggling to respond. He's hardly moving and he hasn't spoken."
"He's not unconscious?"
"He doesn't appear to be."
"Ok. Louis, can you hear me?" Adian asked as he shone a light into my eyes. "His pupil reactions are good," Adian said before I felt him put a blood pressure cut around my arm and an oxygen monitor onto my finger. The cuff tightened as more voices arrived.
"Niall told us what's going on."
"Is Louis ok?"
"We don't know boys," Paul told them.
"Is he awake?"
"He seems to be."
"We're here Louis. We're with you," Liam told me before he took my hand.
"Is Louis alright? We need to be on stage."
"The show will wait. We might need to cancel it if Louis doesn’t come round."
"Shit. Is he unconscious?" Zayn asked before a monitor beeped.
"His blood pressure is a little high, which could be a sign of infection."
"His breathing's strained," Liam said as drawing breath started to become hard for me.
"Someone call for an ambulance," Aidan said seriously.
"I'll do it," Harry said, and very quickly I found myself being soothed by Liam and Zayn, monitored by Adian, and Paul was managing the situation.
"The ambulance will be in 2 minutes."
"Guide them in Harry."
"Louis’s really struggling to breathe now," Zayn said as my body was taking strained breaths through a high-flow oxygen mask.
“Shit. Hold on Louis.”
“Stay with us mate.”
“His name’s Louis…” Harry explained as the paramedics arrived and everything went black.

~
In The Hospital

"He's doing well."
"Is the infection improving?"
"It is," A voice said, and I moved my head.
"Hey."
"Boys, he's waking up,” They said softly.
"Louis," Harry said gently, and I raised my hand.
"You're in hospital Louis. You have an infection," Zayn said as he took my hand.
"Breathe."
"Can you breathe ok?"
"Yeah."
"Are you in pain?"
"No," I said softly, and Harry moved some hair out of my face. "Infec... infection?"
"It was slowly paralysing you Louis."
“The infection affected your muscles, shutting them off one by one,” Niall explained to me.
“Be… ok?”
“Yeah. You’re on strong antibiotics, and you’re improving Louis,” Liam told me.
“Good. Con... concert?"
"It was cancelled."
“Ok,” I said and I let my head fall to the side, sleep starting to overtake me.
“Get some rest Louis. You’re going to be ok,” Harry said and he moved my head back onto the pillow. The boys were calm now and I was glad that they had all been allowed to stay with me. I had been awake during my medical emergency and I knew how scared all the boys had been. I had been unable to breathe and they’d called for an ambulance. It had been a scary time for all of us, but I was really proud of how they had reacted and how they had got me the help that I needed ❤️.
“I’ll stay with him if you all want to get some rest.”
“Are you sure Liam?”
“Yeah. He’s woken up and he can breathe, talk and respond. You guys get some sleep.”
“Look after yourself too Liam.”
“I will. Go and find Paul.”
“See you soon Louis,” Niall said, and I heard the three of them leave. Liam was holding my hand in his own and I soon fell asleep.

~

"Easy Louis. Take a step," My physiotherapist said, and I took a shaky step forward.
"That was great Louis," Niall told me and I smiled at him.
"Thanks lad. How long until I can do this on my own?"
"By tomorrow evening at the latest. Your muscles are waking up so we’re taking it slowly."
"Yeah,” I said before I took another step.
"It could be worse. You could have had your knee operated on Louis."
"Yeah," I agreed, and after 12 steps, my physio allowed me to sit back down on the bed. I rested back, my muscles exhausted from the movement.
"We're so glad that you're getting better Louis. It was really scary seeing you unable to breathe when the paramedics arrived."
“It wasn’t nice.”
“Were you awake?” Niall asked me.
“I was up until the paramedics arrived.”
“Shit. You were aware of us panicking?”
“I was. I couldn’t move, but I was awake and I could hear you.”
“Wow. Louis, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s ok Niall. I’m improving and I should be discharged in 2 days.”
“We’re looking forward to getting you back on the bus.”
“I’m looking forward to coming back. Do I mind if I put the football on Niall?"
"Only if we can watch the golf afterwards," Niall told me with a smile.
"Ok," I agreed and we put the TV on.

~

I was discharged two days later, but I still needed Harry's support to walk to our tour bus. Four nights in hospital had left me feeling exhausted, so management let me sleep for as long as I needed to the next day.

~
On The Tour Bus

That evening we were watching a movie on the bus. I still couldn't believe that I had been awake but paralysed just before a show. Niall and Paul had originally thought that I had been joking. What did that say about my character? I would never do anything to worry the boys, but if they thought...

"Louis?" Liam asked and I realised that the movie had been paused. "Are you ok?" He asked, and I looked at him with tears in my eyes.
"You stayed with me round the clock, but I..."
"Hey. Louis, it's ok," Niall reassured me. "You needed our help."
"If I didn't mess around in the first place, you wouldn't think that... I had been pretending."
"Oh Louis."
"What does it say about me if I was on the ground, and you thought it was a joke?"
"Give us some space," Niall said, and I watched the other boys leave as tears flowed down my face. "Louis. We love you, and we love to mess around. I came looking for a laugh when we had 3 minutes to get on stage and you were missing. But Paul knew that something was wrong and I knew too when you could only move your head and your hand. You didn't speak to us."
"You thought that I was pretending Niall."
"I did. But most times you are, which is nothing to be ashamed about. It's what makes us love you Louis," Niall said and a warm sensation filled my heart. "But once we knew that something was wrong, and it was serious. We helped you with no questions asked."
"And next time? If I keep crying wolf, you might not help me."
"We might not. But you draw the line in the sand very well Louis, and as long as you don't cross it: we'll know when you need help. Don't lose your spark because Paul and I hesitated. Please," Niall said and I looked at him. Tears were welling up in Niall's eyes, and my heart broke in two.
"I won't."
"I love you Louis," Niall said, and he hugged me.
"Thank you for helping me. You all stayed with me, and I wish that I had told you sooner."
"You're recovering. It's ok Louis."
"Thank you. Thank you to all of you boys."
"Boys!" Niall shouted and I laughed as they all came in.

~

"Are you ok Louis?"
"Why are you crying Niall?"
"We've had a heart to heart," Niall told them.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Niall said, and the boys sat around me.
"Are you ok Louis?"
"Yeah. I'm just really sorry that you had to find me like that. Niall and Paul..."
"It's ok. We've talked it over," Niall finished for me.
"I wanted to say thank you," I said before any of the other boys could interrupt me. "For helping me, and staying with me in the hospital. I love all of you."
"We love you too Louis."
"We're really glad that you're ok."
"We are."
"Can you finish the movie now?" Harry asked, and we all looked over at him. "I want to know how it ends."
"Louis?" Zayn asked me and I smiled.
"Sure."

Niall snuggled into my chest as we watched the end of the movie, and I fell asleep as the credits rolled. I knew that all of the boys loved and cared about me and I wouldn't let my sense of humour stop because of one infection. As long as I had a line in the sand, the boys would help me when I really needed it ❤️.
"Boys, Louis's asleep," Liam whispered loudly.
"Don't wake him Liam."
"Is Niall asleep too?"
"It looks like it."
"Nialler?"
"Stop it Liam. Zayn, get blankets. Liam, go away," Harry instructed and the boys left us. I was faintly aware of blankets being tucked around us, before Niall shifted and he rested back onto me. We were then left in peace to fall asleep together on the sofa 💤.

Chapter Text

The boys were standing doing a photo-shoot when Louis collapsed, falling between them.
“Louis?”
“Louis? What’s happened?” Niall asked as he peeked out from behind Liam.
“Louis? I think he’s passed out,” Liam said as both he and Harry knelt beside Louis.
“Louis? Can someone get the medic?” Harry asked. Louis was lying on his front with his head turned to one side.
“Can he breathe Harry?”
“I think so,” Harry said, and he leant down to listen to Louis’s breathing. “Yeah, he’s breathing.”
“Good.”
“Can we turn Louis onto his side please?” The medic asked as they arrived.
“Of course.”
“I’ve got him,” Liam said, and together they turned Louis onto his side. Niall was now kneeling beside Louis and he put his hand onto Louis’s side.

~

Louis got lots of sleep, and 21 hours, Niall woke him up.
“Louis. It’s time to get up.”
“Niall?” Louis whispered, and Niall sat on his bed.
“Yeah, it’s me. Are you feeling ok?”
“Yeah. I fainted yesterday… didn’t I?”
“You did. We’ve been worried about you.”
“Sorry lad, I just…”
“It’s ok, you don’t need to explain it.”
“What time is it?” Louis asked as he reached out his hand and Niall took it.
“It’s coming up 5pm.”
“That… that late?”
“Yeah. Paul wants us to leave for LA in an hour. Do you need me to help you pack and get ready?”
“Please Niall.”
“Ok,” Niall said and he kissed Louis’s forehead. “I’m going to start packing while you get out of bed ok?”
“Ok. Thanks,” Louis replied. He slowly got out of bed, and got his clothes on. Niall gave him a hand, before he walked with Louis to the car.

Louis slept all the way to the hotel, and Paul carried him to his bed for the night. Liam slept in the same room as Louis to make sure that he was ok, and in the morning they got a doctor to check him over. Louis was still suffering from exhaustion, so Paul ordered him on bed rest & Pjs only for 3 days. He didn’t attend any interviews, and sleepy Louis was cuddling everyone he could. Safe to say, all the other boys loved it ❤️.

Chapter Text

None's POV
Throughout the concert, Louis was getting sharp pains in his stomach.
"Are you ok Louis?" Liam asked him as they came off stage.
"I'm getting some pain and I don't know why," Louis replied. "I'm going to make an emergency appointment at the doctors tomorrow."
"Is it that bad Louis?" Harry asked as he put a hand onto his shoulder.
"Yeah," Louis replied. Harry stayed close to Louis as they went back to their hotel.
"Are you going to be ok?" Harry asked him before they went into their separate hotel rooms.
"Yeah. If I need you Harry I'll knock on your door or text you."
"Ok. Goodnight Lou," Harry said before they went into their separate rooms.

Louis went over to a wall and pressed his hands against it to counteract the pain that he was feeling. It felt like someone was driving a knife into his stomach. He called a local GP and arranged an appointment for the next day.

~

The GP diagnosed Louis with gallstones and he informed Louis that he needed surgery to remove them. They arranged for Louis to have the surgery the same day that he arrived back in the UK at the end of their tour. The doctor provided him with some painkillers before he sent him on his way.

"Hi Louis, how did the doctor's appointment go today?" Louis's mum asked him over the phone.
"I have gallstones and they need to do surgery to take them out."
"I've heard that gallstones are really painful darling."
"Yeah they are. The doctors gave me some strong painkillers."
"Have you been given a date for the surgery?"
"Yeah. We've arranged an appointment for when I get home in 4 days."
"Have you told the other boys yet?"
"No, I just got back."
"Ok. Well, I'll meet you at the airport and we'll take it from there."
"Thanks mum, you're amazing."
"I love you Louis. Now go and tell the boys. They'll help you through this."
"Ok," Louis said before hanging up.

"How did it go, Louis?" Harry asked Louis as he joined them in the empty arena for lunch.
"Good. The GP gave me some painkillers and he's arranged an appointment at home for me."
"What's wrong with you?" Liam asked and Louis was about to explain but Zayn came off the phone.
"Niall's just finished his physiotherapy and he's in a lot of pain."
"Has something happened?" Liam asked Zayn, taking the focus off Louis.
"No, it just takes a while for muscles to heal and his surgery was pretty major."
"He had it 2 and a half weeks ago so he should be recovering by now," Harry said in concern.
"His knee is still swollen and they've given him some morphine injections to ease the pain. He wasn't in a good state when he rang me."
"Oh poor Nialler."
"Can we do anything?" Louis asked.
"I told Niall that we would Skype him later. I thought that it would make him feel better."
"That's a great idea."
"Anyway, how did the doctors go? Do we need to look after you as well?" Zayn asked. Louis knew that Zayn meant well, but the tone of his tone of voice made Louis feel that, if they knew that he was having surgery, he would only be a burden to the boys. Harry and Liam's minds were focused on Niall and Louis felt pressured to say that he was ok. For Niall's sake.
"No, I'll be fine. It's nothing major. I've just got to take some medication and I'll be ok."
"That's a relief," Harry said and Louis did his best to smile. The conversation drifted between Niall and the concert for the rest of the day.

When they Skyped Niall, he looked awful. He was pale and shaking whilst being wrapped up in blankets. They chatted the best they could to distract Niall from his current condition but it was clear that the Irishman was missing his usual spark.

~

It was 1am when Louis got out of bed to throw up in the toilet. Through the tears and the pain, he managed to take some painkillers and it finally eased half an hour later. Louis rested beside the toilet as he took some deep breaths. It was only three days until his operation. He could last that long. Louis proceeded to clean up the bathroom before there was a knock on the door and he opened it. Outside was a sleepy Harry standing in the corridor.
"It's 1am Louis and thought I heard someone wrenching. Are you ok?" Harry asked in his sleepy voice.
"Yeah, I just got up to go to the toilet," Louis said. "I'm ok, go back to bed Harry."
"Alright, but if you're not ok Louis, you can tell us."
"Yeah, I know," Louis said as Harry leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"I love you Louis."
"I love you too Harry," Louis said as he watched as the sleepy Harry stumbled back to his room and closed the door behind him. Louis hated lying to the boys but in a few days he would be ok and none of this would matter.

~

Louis struggled through the next three days and the final concerts. On multiple occasions he thought that he was going to scream in pain.

The day before they flew, Louis was so exhausted that he fell asleep shortly after an interview had finished and Paul had to carry him onto the tour bus.

Louis always changed the subject when the other boys asked him how he was doing. As far as Louis could tell, none had noticed his agony.

~

"Niall!" All the boys shouted in joy and surprise as they saw Niall wrapped in a thick coat waiting for them in arrivals. He was standing with his mum and was supporting himself on crutches.
"His boys," Niall said as they came over and they each carefully hugged Niall.
"You're looking so much better," Liam told him.
"I flew over yesterday to have fluid drained from my knee. I feel a lot better now."
"That's great Niall."
"Are you ok Louis? You look tired," Niall said.
"I'm good. It's just been a long tour," Louis told him.
"Paul had to carry him out of an interview."
"Yeah I saw a photo," Niall said and they laughed.
"Hi boys," Louis's mum said as she came over.
"Are you here to escort Louis home?" Zayn asked and Louis looked at his mum. She looked back at her son and realised that he hadn't told the other boys about his gallstones.
"Yeah, something like that," She said. "How are you doing Niall?"
"Much better than a few days ago. I'm truly on the mend now."
"That's good to hear. Are you ready to go, Louis?"
"Yeah. See you later boys."
"See you soon Louis."
"I'll call you soon to make sure you get home," Harry called.
"Cool mate. Bye!" Louis called back, his mind turning to the surgery that he had today. They got into the car and Louis rested against the window and wrapped his hands around his stomach.
"Why didn't you tell the boys?"
"We needed to focus on Niall, he's had major surgery. Argh!" Louis cried out.
"And yet you're the one in agony," His mum said.
"It'll be over soon," Louis groaned. He hadn't eaten anything since lunchtime the day before on doctors orders.

They arrived at the hospital and Louis got checked in. His mum stayed with him until he was taken into the anaesthetic room at 11am.

~

Louis opened his eyes, the clock read 3:08pm. He had been on a plane this morning, hadn't he? Figures moved around him and he felt wires crossing his body. He was due to have surgery today.

Louis looked down at himself and he saw a blood pressure cuff around his arm and a cannula was in his hand.
"Surgery?" He muttered and a figure came over to him.
"Hi Louis. How are you feeling?"
"Am I in hospital?" Louis asked the nurse.
"Yes, you're in the hospital. You've just had surgery on your abdomen."
"Stones," Louis said quietly, "You took out gallstones."
"That's right," The nurse said as she adjusted the flow rate of the saline going into his body.
"What time is it?"
"It's half past three. You were under for three and a half hours."
"But I'm awake," Louis asked the nurse in confusion.
"You are now," The nurse replied with a smile. "Just relax. The anaesthetic will make you feel weird for a while."

Louis was aware of his surroundings, but apart from the odd nurse coming to check his vitals, he wasn't aware of time passing by.
"Louis. You've got a call," A nurse said as she came over to Louis and he looked up at her.
"A call?"
"Yes, it's Harry Styles.”
“Harry…”
“Would you like to talk to him?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok,” The nurse said and she answered the call before she put it against Louis’s ear.
"Hi mate," Louis said as normally as he could.
“Hi Louis. Are you home yet? You've missed all of my calls."
"Sorry Harry. I've been busy."
"You sound tired Louis, have you been sleeping?"
"No, it's the middle of the day Harry."
"It's almost 5pm. Are you sure that you're feeling alright?"
"I lost track of time with mum, that's all. Where… is mum?" Louis asked before he looked around for his mum. "Argh!" He cried out as he pulled on his stitches.
“Ok, try not to move too much Louis,” The nurse told him as she moved the phone away from his ear.
“My…”
“I know. Just relax. Your mum’s just gone to get some food.”
“She’s not… far?”
“No. She’ll be back soon.”
“Ok,” Louis said and the nurse put the phone back against his ear.
“Harry?”
“I’m here. Are you in pain?”
“I’m… sore from the flight.”
“Give him to me Harry,” Niall said in the background and Louis frowned.
“Niall? What are you… doing there?”
“I’m not flying home until tomorrow, so I’m staying with Harry tonight.”
“I see.”
“What’s wrong? Harry says that you’re tired and in pain. If something’s wrong, you can tell us.”
“I’m ok,” Louis said and the nurse put her hand onto Louis’s shoulder. He looked at her and guilt filled him. “Niall…” Louis started, he was about to tell him everything, but his mum reappeared.
“Is he awake?” Johannah asked the nurse.
“Yes, he’s just got a phone call.”
“Who is it?”
“Harry Styles.”
“Oh.”
“Is that your mum?” Niall asked Louis. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll call you later,” Louis said and the nurse hung up.
“You still haven’t told them darling?” Johannah asked as she sat beside Louis.
“I can’t… not now…”
“You have to tell them one day.”
“I don’t. Mum…” Louis said and he started to cry.
“It’s alright, focus on recovering for now. You’ve been dealing with so much pain the last few days,” Johannah said before she dried her son’s eyes.
“I don’t feel good.”
“You’re in hospital and you’re under close observation. You’re going to be alright Louis,” Johannah said before she took her son’s hand.
“Thanks… mum,” Louis said before he fell back asleep.

The following week Harry and Niall were both worried. They kept texting Louis, but he kept reassuring them that he was fine and he had just been exhausted when he got home from tour.

~

Two weeks later Louis joined the rest of One Direction for the Brit Awards.
"You're looking good Niall," Louis said as they reunited as a band.
"Yeah, so are you."
"You've been acting strange over the last fortnight," Harry told Louis.
"Yeah, you've been avoiding our questions about whether you're ok or not.”
"If you're hurt Louis, you can tell us. It won't affect the band," Liam reassured him.
"I'm fine guys. Really I am. I haven't been home for a while so I was a bit all over the place."
"Ok, shall we focus on awards boys?" Zayn asked them.
"Yeah," Niall said and they started down the red carpet.

Half an hour into the awards the boys cheered as they won the Global Success Award and they all hugged each other. Louis groaned as Harry pressed on his stitches but he tried to brush the pain aside and he put a smile on as he walked with the other boys onto the stage.

They accepted the award and they began to thank people. Louis focused on smiling but the pain in his stomach was growing. His surgery had only been 2 weeks ago and Harry had pressed on his stitches.
"Louis?" Liam said and Louis looked at him, Liam was holding the microphone out towards him.
"Yes," Louis replied, taking the microphone. "We want to thank all of our fantastic fans. They've been amazing. So thank you."
"Congratulations boys," James Corden said and they all nodded at the audience before they started walking off stage.

As Louis walked down the stairs, the sounds around him became muffled and his vision became blurred. He watched Niall and Liam walk in-front of him and Harry was walking beside him. Black dots danced in-front of his vision and Louis’s smile faded as the pain became too much. Niall stopped in-front of him and he turned to Harry.
"I'm going to black out," Louis told Harry.
"You're going to pass out?" Harry asked, making sure that he had heard Louis correctly.
"Yeah," Louis whispered, and he collapsed forwards. Harry failed to catch him and his shoulder caught Niall's crutches as he collapsed onto the stage.
"Woah, Louis," Harry said as he fell onto his knees beside Louis, having failed to catch him. Zayn looked round and he saw Louis lying unconscious on his side.
"Louis?" Zayn asked as he knelt beside Harry.
"Louis, it's Harry, can you hear me?"
"Is he sick?"
"I don't know. He just blacked out," Harry told Zayn and they both looked at Louis.

Niall meanwhile stumbled and Liam caught him. Paul stood up from the table and he supported Niall.
"Are you ok Niall?" Paul asked.
"Yeah," Niall replied as he grimaced. "Why did it do that?" Niall asked as he got a better hold of the crutch that had gone beneath him.
"Louis knocked it," Paul told him.
"Why?" Niall asked before he turned round to see Harry and Zayn kneeling beside Louis. "Oh my God," Niall said, and Paul knelt beside Louis.
"What's happened?" Liam asked.

"Louis? Talk to me Louis," Paul said as he shook Louis. James was coming towards the boys to find out what had happened while the audience members were quiet with worry and some were standing up. Louis groaned softly and turned onto his back.
"Louis?" Harry asked him.
"Hurts," Louis whispered as he rested his hand on his abdomen, where his stitches were.
"Your stomach hurts?" Paul asked as he undid Louis's jacket. Louis breathed out as he fell unconscious.
"Stay with us Louis."
"Louis?"
"What's going on guys?" James asked as he came beside them.
"Louis's passed out," Harry said, and Paul lifted up Louis's t-shirt. The boys gasped as Paul exposed Louis's abdomen.
"Are those stitches?" Niall asked in shock.
"They are," Paul said before he inspected the stitches across Louis's abdomen. "Were you boys aware of any surgery that Louis had recently?"
"No."
"No."
"He hasn't said anything."
"If it was something serious we would have noticed."
"It could be related to the problem that he had on tour,” Zayn suggested.
"Is Louis ok? Do you want us to call for an ambulance?" James asked Paul.
"No, we'll take him backstage and sort him from there. Keep going with the awards," Paul said before he picked Louis up.

James and the audience watched as Paul carried Louis away, and the rest of One Direction followed him. Harry was close to Louis, and he was watching his face carefully.

~

Louis moved as Paul gently rubbed water against his neck.
"Louis? Are you back with us?" Paul asked him.
"You're safe Louis. We’re with you," Harry said as Louis became aware that he was lying down on a sofa.
"What's going on?" Louis asked them.
"You fainted," Paul replied.
"Where's Harry?"
"I'm right here Louis," Harry said, and Louis felt Harry's hand rest gently against his leg.
"When did you have surgery, Louis?" Paul asked him in a gentle parenting voice. Louis had known that the boys would have found out sooner or later but he would have liked to be strong enough to get through it without them.
"It's ok Louis, you can tell us."
"We're not mad Louis, we're just really worried about you."
"It was 2 weeks ago. The day we landed back in the UK after finishing the tour," Louis confessed as he opened his eyes.
"I knew that you weren't very well," Niall said.
"That's why you were in pain when I called you,” Harry added.
"Yeah."
"What surgery was it Louis?"
"Gallstones."
"They're really painful."
"You're telling me."
"Was that the diagnosis the GP gave you?"
"Yeah, and he arranged the surgery."
"Why didn't you tell us Louis?" Harry asked him.
"We were all focused on Niall's recovery. It felt wrong to shift the focus onto me."
"You were sick Louis. You needed help as much as I did," Niall said. "You should have told us."
"I'm sorry.”
“It’s ok,” Harry reassured him.
"Did you pass out from the pain?" Paul asked.
"Yeah. Harry put pressure on my stitches."
"If I had known Louis, I would have been more careful. I’m really sorry."
"I know, it’s ok."
"If you're ever sick or injured, you can come to me boys," Paul told them. "Your health always comes first."
"Yes dad," Niall said and all the boys smiled.
"And as a dad, I'm going to take you to the hospital Louis to make sure that you're healing and to get you more painkillers if you need them," Paul told him.
"What about the awards?" Louis asked.
"Don't worry about the awards, we've already won them," Liam told him.
"Yeah," Louis agreed and he smiled.
"Can I come to the hospital with you Louis?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah. I'd like that,”
"Ok. Niall, Liam and Zayn, you get back and enjoy the rest of the evening, we'll keep you posted on Louis's condition. Let's stand you up Louis," Paul said and both he and Harry helped Louis to his feet.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah.”
"We'll see you soon Louis."
"Get better, yeah?"
"See you soon mate.”

~

“Everything looks good, you're healing well," The doctor told Louis as he put the ultrasound away. Harry was sitting beside Louis and Paul was standing at the foot of the bed. "I'll write a report for your surgeon and you won't need to attend your check-up appointment. I'm also going to prescribe you some painkillers and I advise that you avoid putting any significant pressure on the area for at least another fortnight."
"Thank you," Louis said as he left.
"At least your mum knew," Harry said.
"Yeah. I had to tell someone," Louis said.
"Had you been throwing up when I came to check on you at 1am?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah," Louis confessed.
"Oh Louis," Harry said. "I can't believe it was that bad and you didn't tell us."
"I wasn't thinking straight," Louis said he sat up and Harry helped him up.
"I hope that you've learnt your lesson and don't scare us like that again Louis."
"No. Sorry dad."
"Good lad," Paul said as the doctor returned. Louis signed the discharge papers and Paul drove them back to the Brit Awards.

~

"Hold on guys, we've got some of One Direction back," James announced as Niall, Liam and Zayn sat back down at their table and James came over. "How's Louis, is he ok?" James asked.
"He's awake and talking. It turns out that he had surgery and Harry pressed on his stitches."
"Wait, when did he have surgery?"
"About two weeks ago."
"And you have only just found out?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to have to have words with him."
"Paul's beaten you to it," Liam joked and they all laughed.
"So where is he now?"
"Paul and Harry have taken him to the hospital to make sure that everything is healing ok."
"What surgery was it?"
"He had some gallstones removed."
"Oh wow. I've had to have gallstones removed and the pain was so bad that I swear I was giving birth. "
"I don't know how we didn't notice," Zayn said. "He did seem off in the last few shows of the tour."
"Wait, he was in pain on the tour?! We are getting so distracted by the way, but oh my gosh. Why didn't he tell you?!"
"He didn't want to shift the focus away from my recovery," Niall said. "I mean, I was pretty sick 2 weeks ago."
"I don't want to be mean to Niall, but how could you!" James said, dramatically going over the top. "Louis was in agony and you had to have the attention all to yourself didn't you?! You horrible, selfish, little Irishman," James continued and Niall, Liam and Zayn began laughing.

"You know what, he's not coming back to the band. I'll be looking after him from now on," James said as he went back onto the stage and Niall began to cry because he was laughing so much.
"There we are, One Direction everyone. Louis, you're coming with me on tour next time. I mean, just look at what you've done to your band-mates,” James said and the camera panned back to the table where the boys were trying to calm Niall down. The camera went back to James and he giggled.
"Ok, maybe telling them would have been a bad idea. Right," James said before he carried on with the awards.

~

Louis walked back into the Brit Awards with Harry by his side.
"Louis, how did it go?" Niall asked Louis.
"Good. I'm healing well," Louis told them.
"Come here Louis," Liam said as he hugged him carefully.
"How long were you in pain for?" Zayn asked.
"5 days."
"Aw mate," Liam said as Zayn hugged Louis. "You should have told us."
"I thought you would be angry at me."
"We would never be angry at you Louis," Harry told him.
"If you're sick Louis, you're sick. There's nothing you can do about it," Niall told him.
"Thanks Niall," Louis said.
"Louis, you're alive!" James called and the boys turned to him as he came running over. "It's ok, I'm here now. You don't have to worry any-more. I'm going to look after you," James said and Louis and Harry looked at Niall in confusion.
"You missed James blaming me for your pain Louis and I think he's planning to adopt you," Niall told him.
"Oh right," Louis replied.
"We were joking around," James explained. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm good now, thanks James."
"He's had some high dosage paracetamol," Harry whispered to James.
"Ok. I'm glad that you're feeling better Louis," James said before he kissed Louis on the cheek, which left Louis bewildered. "You've got some interviews about the awards guys and I'll see you later."
"See you later James," They said as they waved goodbye.
"What a strange man," Zayn said.
"Come on Louis, let's celebrate."
"Yeah.”
"And we're not letting you out of our sight," Niall said and Louis smiled as he put a hand onto his shoulder.

Chapter Text

As soon as Niall woke up, he knew that something was off. His head was pounding and he was feeling dizzy before he even got out of his bunk. He managed to get dressed and join the boys for their first event of the day, which was a photo shoot.

As they began posing, a wave of dizziness fell on Niall and he grabbed onto Liam in order to support himself.
"Are you ok Niall? You're gripping onto me for dear life," Liam told Niall half way through the photo shoot.
"Sorry Liam, I'm just a bit dizzy. I'll stop holding onto you," Niall apologised as he took his hand off Liam.
"No it's ok mate. Do you feel sick or anything?" Liam asked him.
"No. I just got dizzy."
"Did you eat breakfast this morning?" Harry asked Niall.
"Yeah."
"You had two eggs and three pieces of toast Niall so your appetite's fine," Louis chipped in.
"I'm sure it's nothing. It's probably just some vertigo or something."
"Are you still feeling dizzy now?"
"No. It's gone."
"Alright Niall," Liam said before they carried on with the photo shoot.

Once the photo shoot was over, they were loaded into a car and driven to James Corden's studio to record his Late Late Show, which would be aired that evening. Niall was feeling ok before they got into the car but he quickly felt dizzy. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the window in an effort to make it stop. The next thing he knew, Louis was shaking him awake.
"Niall, wake up mate we're here," Louis told him gently and Niall blinked as he came to.
"What? We just set off Lou," Niall murmured.
"You've been asleep for 20 minutes Niall," Louis told him. Niall frowned, he can't usually sleep during the day. "It's unlike you to have a nap, are you sure that you're ok?"
"I don't feel ill. Let's just go and do the show."
"Ok, come on then Niall," Louis said as he helped Niall to get out of the car and they made their way through the studio.

~
James Corden's Studio

As they walked through the building, Niall was overcome by dizziness once more, so he grabbed a nearby railing and closed his eyes. He didn't feel ill but something was definitely up with him.
"Niall, are you ok?" Harry asked Niall as he put his hand onto Niall's shoulder.
"I got really dizzy again," Niall said as he held onto Harry.
"You had a 20 minute nap in the car but we'll be sitting down in a minute."
"I know. I just keep feeling dizzy Harold."
"Do you need to lie down for a bit Niall?"
"I don't think that would help."
"We could get someone to come and have a look at you."
"It's not serious Harry. I just want to get through today."
"Alright Niall. If you get dizzy again just let us know."
"I will," Niall told Harry before they carried on and went on stage.

~

The first part of the show went well and the audience were providing them with a good atmosphere.
"Come on boys, stand up I've got a game we can do. It's called..." James said and the boys stood up. Niall's vision went dark as his head swam for a second. He reached out a hand and held onto Louis beside him. "...get you boys to stand over there and," James continued but Niall turned to Louis. He was beginning to feel sick.
"I'm going to pass out," He told Louis.
"What? You're going to pass out?" Louis asked Niall as he wrapped his arm around him, making sure that he had heard Niall correctly. Louis sounded worried and Niall was feeling more sick by the second.
"It's going to pass out Lou. I'm going to..."

"Woah," Louis said as Niall passed out in his arms.
"And then we... Louis, what's going on?" James asked as he came over and saw Niall unconscious in his grip. Niall's head had fallen back, and Louis was desperately holding onto the Irishman. "Shit. Is he ok?" James asked as he began panicking.
"He's passed out James, we need to lie him down," Louis said as Harry came over and helped Louis to support Niall.
"Let's lie him onto the sofa," Liam said and Louis managed to pick Niall up with Harry's help.
"That's it. Thanks Harry," Louis said before he brought Niall over and lay him onto the sofa.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"Niall told me that he was going to pass out and then he went unconscious."
"He's been feeling dizzy all morning," Harry said as he knelt down and put his hand onto Niall's forehead.
"Is he sick? Can we stop filming guys?" James asked.
"Can you hear us Niall?" Liam asked.
"Come on Nialler."
"Can we get a medic? What's wrong with him?"
"We don't know. He keeps getting dizzy but it comes and goes," Liam tells James.
"He hasn't got a fever and his breathing is normal," Harry added.
"He hasn't been himself. He had a nap in the car but that's very unlike him."
"He got dizzy coming into the studio so it might be happening when he's standing up," Harry suggested as Niall moved.

"Niall? Are you back with us?" Liam asked.
"You're ok Niall, you just passed out," Louis told Niall as he gently stroked his arm.
"Hmn. Did you catch me Lou?" Niall muttered.
"I did mate, yeah. Does anything hurt?"
"No."
"That's a relief."
"Are you feeling dizzy Niall?" Liam asked him as he ran his fingers through Niall's hair.
"A bit, yeah."
"Do you have a headache or anything Niall?" Harry asked him.
"No, I'm just dizzy. And my ears are ringing a bit."
"Your ears?"
"Yeah."
"Ok great," James said as he finished talking to a member of management. "Niall," He said gently as he came over and Niall's eyes fluttered open.
"James?" Niall asked as he saw James smile beside him.
"Yeah, it's me. We're going to break for lunch now so you can get some food in your system and see if that helps ok."
"Yeah."
"Thanks James."
"Fantastic. We're going to take an hour guys ok. For everyone in the audience, feel free to come and help yourselves to food in the canteen, it's just through the doors and through to the left."
"I'll get you some food Niall, you just stay here ok," Louis said as he and Liam stood up.
"Yeah, sounds good."
"I'll stay with Niall."
"Thanks Harry," Louis said before he went off and found some food.

The boys sat with Niall on the sofa as they ate lunch. They were insistent about Niall not standing up in case he passed out again. The medic at the studio had a look at Niall and concluded that the dizziness may have been caused by exhaustion and dehydration, and that Niall just needed some rest.

Once lunch was over, the boys agreed to stay and finish their section for the show, which was James just asking them some questions. Once it was over, they left the studio and headed straight back to the hotel. It was only 4pm but the boys insisted that Niall took a nap before dinner.

~
GP Appointment

It was nearly 6pm when Harry knocked on Niall's hotel room door. They were performing a set as part of a tribute concert at 9pm and, with Niall's current state, they weren't sure if they would be performing as a three or a four.
"Niall? Is it ok if I come in?" Harry asked before he came into the room. "Niall?" Harry asked as he looked around the room. The lights were on but Niall was nowhere to be seen. "Niall?" Harry asked before he went into the bathroom. Niall was standing by the mirror with his hand held up to his head. Blood was dripping through his fingers, and he was holding onto the sink in order to help himself upright. "What happened Niall?" Harry asked as he quickly came over him.
"I got dizzy Harry, and I hit my head on the cabinet. I think it's bleeding."
"Yes, it’s bleeding Niall. Come on, sit down before you pass out," Harry said and he helped Niall to sit on the edge of the bath. "Let me see," Harry said, and Niall took his hand away. Harry inspected Niall's head as Niall closed his eyes. "When did you hit your head?"
"A few minutes ago. Just before you came in I think."
"Are you dizzy now?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. We need to tell Paul and get a doctor to look at you."
"Ok," Niall agreed. He was tired of being dizzy and the cut on his head was beginning to sting.
"Niall, hey. Stay with me," Harry said and Niall blinked, not realising that he had started to drift.
"I'm here. I want to feel better Harry."
"You will Niall. I promise," Harry told him before he kissed him on the forehead. "Come on, let's find Paul," Harry said and Niall nodded.

Harry helped Niall up, and they walked through the hotel. They found Paul and Harry explained the situation to him. Paul got one of their cars ready as Liam and Louis appeared.
"Niall, you're bleeding," Liam said as he came over.
"What's happened? Are you ok Niall?" Louis asked.
"Niall got dizzy and he hit his head on the metal cabinet in the hotel bathroom,” Harry told them.
"Does it hurt?" Louis asked.
"Yeah, it’s getting worse too."
"Did you manage to get some sleep Niall?" Liam asked.
"Yeah. I slept for about an hour before I hit my head."
"The car's here," Paul told them.
"Are you taking Niall to the doctors Harry?"
"I am."
"It’s a good idea."
"Let go Niall," Paul told him gently.
"We'll see you soon."
"Take care Niall," Liam and Louis said.
"Thanks guys," Niall said before he went with Harry and Paul to the car.

The GP saw them quickly and after determining that the cut on Niall's head was only minor, he put a dressing on it. He then checked Niall's balance as Harry supported him, just in case he passed out. After checking Niall's ears, the doctor concluded that Niall had an ear infection so he gave Niall some ear drops and informed him that the infection would clear up over the next few days.

~
Concert

That evening, Niall joined the boys for the concert and they were waiting backstage. Paul had administered Niall's ear drops half an hour ago and they were huddled together, chatting before they went on stage.

Niall closed his eyes and swayed slightly, causing Harry, Liam and Louis to quickly put their hands on Niall, ready to catch him when he passed out.
"We've got you Niall, we've got you," Louis said as he prepared to take Niall's weight.
"Take some deep breaths Niall," Harry told him.
"Do you feel like you're going to pass out?" Liam asked, and Niall nodded.
"I'm..." Niall whispered.
"Just focus on breathing Niall. Harry, can you ask them to give us a few minutes?" Louis asked as he increased his grip on Niall.
"Yeah, I'm on it," Harry said.
"I'm joking," Niall told the boys quickly as he felt Harry's hands leave his shoulders. The boys paused, and then they laughed slightly.
"You had us going there Niall," Liam said.
"So you're not going to pass out Niall?" Harry checked.
"No. The ear drops are working," Niall told them.
"Good. They should be. Now don't scare us like that again, we're on stage in two minutes," Louis scolded him.
"I know. Let's go boys!" Niall called out as he picked up the guitar and walked towards the stage. Harry, Liam and Louis smiled, happy that Niall was back to his loud and cheerful self.

Chapter Text

Niall's POV
I was beyond excited for today. We were performing at the O2 arena for the third time, and it was going to be a huge show, because it was my birthday!

So, when I woke up on the ground, feeling awful, I was determined that not even a seizure would stop me.
"Arh..." I said as my body jerked, post seizure tremors having an effect on me. I was alone in my dressing room, but I was ok. I wasn't hurt.

Once the shaking stopped, I swallowed and took a few moments to come round.
"Argh," I said as I sat up from lying on my side, and there was a knock on the door.
"Lunch NIALL!" Louis called.
"I'm coming," I said and I heard him run off. I sat up fully and closed my eyes. My head was spinning, and aching. I must have hit it on the ground when I fell... "Argh," I said, but I forced myself to stand up.

If I was gone too long, the boys would know that something was up and I didn't want to be moddy-coddled, not today.
"You've got this Niall," I told myself as I was standing up, but I was having to hold onto the desk to steady myself. "Argh..." I said before I squeezed my eyes closed and put my hand up to them.
"Niall, it's lunch," Harry said as he opened the door and I looked up at him. "Are you ok?" He asked in concern as he came towards me.
"I'm good. Just got a bit dizzy."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, and I walked to the door as normally as I could.
"Yeah."
"Ok. Let's get some food," Harry said as he put his arm around me.
"Let's do it," I replied.

~

Lunch was as chaotic than ever, but I was feeling ok. We laughed, then we had an outside photo-shoot after lunch. As the day went on and the start of our concert neared, just 4 hours away, I was starting to feel dizzy and light headed.
"Who wants fish and chips after this boys?"
"I would kill for chips right now."
"It's done Zayn," Louis said with a laugh, and I leant on one of the nearby props.
"This way boys!"
"Harry, move a little to your left..."
"Niall...!" Someone called and they said something, but I didn't move. I was feeling worse and I was supporting myself using two hands now.
"Niall, are you ok?" Liam asked as I felt him rest his hand on my back.
"I..."
"What's wrong?"
“What’s the matter Niall?”
"I should have told you..." I said before I sank down to my knees.
"Told us what?" Zayn asked me, and I soon noticed that all the boys were beside me, at my level.
"I had a... seizure, in my... my dressing room," I said as I noticed that my hands were shaking, and a tear fell down my face.
"Shit Niall, was anyone with you?"
"No... I thought I could... I thought I could do this," I said before more tears fell from my eyes.
"How long ago did you have it?" Zayn asked me gently.
"Before lunch."
"That was over four hours ago."
"I know..."
"Why didn't you tell anyone Niall?" Louis asked as he came round so that he was in-front of me.
"I didn't want... to ruin today. The O2..." I said before I looked down and Louis took my hand.
"You're in no state to perform like this Niall," Zayn said and I looked at him.
"But I can..."
"We will help you get ready for later Niall, if that's want you want. But you should have told us. Your epilepsy is serious," Louis said as he squeezed my hand and I turned back to him.
"I know. I'm really sorry."
"Don't apologise. Are you alright?" Liam asked me as he put his arm around my back.
"No," I said as the tears kept falling down my face.
"Did you get hurt during the seizure?" Harry asked me gently.
"No... I just... my head's killing me."
"You probably hit it when you fell Niall."
"We should get you to the medic."
"No medics. I'm sick of them and..." I told Harry and Louis before I broke down in tears. "I just want to perform."
"Niall, we need to get you seen to. Then we will help you through tonight. You need some help," Zayn told me sternly and I looked up. Tears had stained my face and with all the boys around me looking worried, I accepted my reality.
"I just wanted to get through today... With no interruptions."
"We know. The sooner we get you checked out, the better ok?" Louis told me and I nodded.
"Good lad," Zayn said, and I stood up before the boys came with me to see the medic.

~

The medic cleared me, thankfully, and all the boys gave me group hug.
"I'm so glad that you're alright Niall."
"You could have been badly hurt."
"I know."
"Next time, get some help Niall."
"I will," I said before I closed my eyes and my knees buckled.
"Shit!"
"Niall!" Louis and Zayn called as the boys caught me.
"Maybe you're not alright," Liam said as they stood me back up.
"I just need a nap. I'm really tired."
"That we can do."
"Come on Niall," Liam said before he picked me up.
"Woah, have you got him?"
"I'm made of muscles me."
"I can walk on my own Liam," I told him as he started to walk with me in his arms.
"No, it's alright Niall."
"Ok," I said, not feeling up to arguing with Liam.

We performed for the O2 a few hours later, and I was feeling a lot better after getting some sleep. The boys had my back, and when I flagged during the concert: they brought the energy back up and made sure that I was ok.

~

"Fish and chips Louis. It was good call."
"I know it was."
"Shhhhh. Niall's asleep," I heard Harry say. I was lying in my bunk on my side away from them, as I had gone to bed as soon as I had got back to the bus.
"Shit. Sorry," Louis said before he whispered: "Let's eat outside Zayn."
"Yeah, let's go," Zayn said, and I heard them leave.

"...ut up!" Zayn said in a heavy whisper as he woke me up.
"Oh Niall. Fucking hell."
"Seriously Louis. He seized with none around, the least we can do is let him sleep."
"I know Zayn. Calm down," Louis said before they made their way through the bus.
"I hope you haven't woken him up."
"I'll check," Louis said, and I heard him pull my curtain back before light hit me. "Niall?" He whispered, and I rolled my eyes before I turned to him. "Oh bloody hell. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You're very loud. Both of you," I told them sleepily.
"When did we wake you?" Zayn asked me as he came over.
"When you came into the bus. Both times," I said before I rubbed my eyes.
"Oh Niall, I'm really sorry."
"It's ok," I said before I looked back at them. "Thank you for looking after me today."
"You needed us."
"But you should have told us sooner."
"Ok, we can stop telling him off now Louis," Zayn told Louis.
"Sorry."
"Is everyone else asleep?" I asked as I looked across at Harry, who was fast asleep and Louis followed my gaze.
"I think they are."
"Then we should stop talking."
"Ok," Louis said, and he mimed before he smiled.
"And happy birthday," Zayn whispered.
"Thanks," I said before I looked at Louis. He'd clearly had a few beers, but he was being super cute and caring about me. "Can you sleep with me tonight Louis?"
"I'm not gay Niall."
"No. I just want someone to cuddle."
"It is his birthday," Zayn said as he gave Louis a small bump.
"Ok. As you're being so nice about it."

Louis climbed into my bunk about 10 minutes later, and he cuddled me like a koala bear. I accept him with a giggle and we fell asleep together a few moments later.

Chapter Text

“I think it goes,” The boys sang before Niall played his guitar solo. A bottle of water came flying onto the stage and its contents sprayed everywhere. The water hit the cables for Niall’s guitar, causing electricity to surge through the cables and into Niall’s body.
“Said her name was Georgia Rose,” Harry sang as Niall lost consciousness and collapsed onto the stage.
“Ah,” Dan gasped as a spark of electricity shot from his guitar strings to his fingers. He shook his hand and carried on playing.
“And we danced all night to the best song ever!” Harry, Liam and Louis carried on, unaware that Niall was fighting for his life. Paul scanned the boys and he became worried about Niall’s lack of presence. This was the last song in the set before the encore and all the boys were meant to be present on stage. As the song finished, Harry addressed the crowd.
“Manchester!” Harry called out and the fans cheered. “You have all been absolutely amazing tonight.”
“They have, except for the group of fans who sprayed me with silly string. I had to change my top because of that,” Louis joked.
“You’re so vain Louis.”
“Says you Liam.”
“Has everyone had a good time?” Harry asked and the fans screamed. “Great.”
“Hold on a minute boys, we’ve lost Niall.”
“What do you mean we’ve lost Niall?”
“He’s not here.”
“He was playing guitar wasn’t he?”
“Niall?” Harry called out towards the music group. “Niall, we’re waiting for ya.”
“Any idea where Niall is lads?” Louis says as Liam takes his earpieces out. “Is that static?” Louis asks as both he and Harry fiddled with their own earpieces.
“I don’t know.”
“What have you done to the sound system guys?” Harry asked.
“I think it’s all Niall’s fault.” Liam called out to everyone.
“He’s probably gone for a pee or something. What is that noise?” Louis asked as he began making his way towards the band.
“Whilst we try to figure out what’s going on and we wait for Niall, shall we read some more signs Harry?”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Harry replied and he and Liam began reading signs as Louis reached the band.
“There’s a crackling sound in our ears, do you know what that is?” Louis asked them.
“No. We heard it as well so we’ve been turning off the electrics,” Jon replied.
“It’s very strange. Have you seen Niall?”
“He was playing guitar the last I saw of him,” Sandy told Louis.
“Same,” Dan replied.
“He hasn’t gone backstage?”
“No, he hasn’t walked past me,” Josh added.
“Ok,” Louis said before he made his way to where Niall usually plays guitar. “Niall?” Louis asked before he saw Niall lying where he had fallen, his eyes were closed and he wasn’t moving. “Shit. Niall?” Louis asked urgently as he knelt down beside Niall and took his earpieces out. “Can you hear me Niall?” Louis asked as he leaned over Niall. He noticed that Niall was gasping and he lowered his head to Niall’s mouth. Niall’s breathing was irregular and raspy, and Louis became seriously worried as the band came over.
“Oh my God.”
“Niall?”
“Niall? What happened?” Josh asked as he knelt down on Niall’s other side.
“I don’t know but it sounds like he can’t breathe,” Louis said as he saw sparks in the corner of his eye and he turned to see Dan disconnecting Niall’s guitar from the power cable.
“Ah!” Dan cried out.
“Dan, are you ok?” Sandy asked as he came over.
“Yeah,” Dan replied as he was shaking his hand. “I got a shock from my guitar strings during the song and I’ve got it from this as well. I think Niall’s been electrocuted,” Dan said and all their hearts skipped a beat. This was serious.
“Can I touch him?” Louis asked.
“Yeah, I’ve disconnected it,” Dan replied and Louis immediately put his fingers to Niall’s neck to feel for his pulse. Josh undid Niall’s guitar strap and took the guitar off his body.
“Harry, stop. We need an ambulance urgently. Niall’s been electrocuted,” Jon said into his microphone. Harry stopped moving on stage as the news came through his ears and Paul could been seen talking on his radio. Louis shook his head.
“Niall’s got a pulse but it’s not regular.”
“What can we do?” Dan asked as he knelt by Niall’s head.
“I don’t know,” Jon replied.
“It’s ok Niall, you’re going to be ok,” Louis reassured Niall, unsure if Niall could hear him.
“An ambulance is on the way. Is Niall breathing?” Paul asked through their earpieces as Harry and Liam came running up the stage.
“Yeah, he’s got a pulse and he’s breathing but it’s irregular,” Jon replied.
“Ok, sit tight,” Paul said.
“Niall,” Liam gasped as both he and Harry reached them. Liam stood in shock as Harry knelt down.
“We should put him into the recovery position.”
“Yeah,” Louis agreed with Harry and they turned Niall onto his side.
“Is he still breathing Louis?” Liam asked nervously.
“Yeah. Just.”
“Fuck,” Liam said. Everyone was quiet as the fans were slowly moved out of the arena and Louis monitored Niall’s pulse. Harry and Josh had their hands on Niall’s leg and shoulder while Liam watched on nervously. The paramedics arrived and took Niall to hospital with blue flashing lights.

~

Liam, Louis and Harry were sat waiting in a cubicle of A&E with Paul for news on Niall. They had been placed there to be away from any fans. Jon, Josh, Dan and Sandy were back at the arena helping to clear up after the show. Harry picked up his phone and opened up twitter.

Deepest apologies to everyone who came to the show. Niall’s been seriously injured and we’re still waiting on news. H.

Fifteen minutes later a doctor came into the cubicle.
“How’s Niall?” Harry asked.
“Niall’s doing well and he was coming round when I left him,” The doctor said and the boys sighed in relief. “The electricity caused Niall’s heart to go into an abnormal rhythm so we had to shock it to get it back to normal. He’s got a minor burn on his left hand where the electricity entered his body but otherwise he’s ok.”
“Will he have to stay overnight?” Paul asked.
“No. As I said before, he was coming to when I left him and provided that his vitals remain stable, his reflexes are good and he’s not in any pain, we should be able to send him home.”
“Can we see him?” Harry asked.
“Yes, but I’d like just one of you to see him at the moment because he’s a bit confused.”
“Can I see him?” Louis asked. “I can still hear his ragged breathing in my head.”
“Of course you can.”
“Fantastic. What’s your name?”
“Louis,” Louis told the doctor as they left the cubicle and walked into resus. “Hospital?” Louis heard Niall ask.
“Yeah, you’re in hospital and we’re taking care of you alright,” A nurse told Niall as Louis walked round the curtain to see Niall sat up on a bed with wires attached to his chest.
“Hi Niall,” Louis said softly and Niall looked across at him. He still looked slightly out of it.
“Louis?”
“Yeah, hi mate,” Louis said as he came over and took Niall’s hand.
“What happened?”
“You were electrocuted,” Louis told him. “There was an electrical surge through your guitar and you collapsed on stage. You scared us half to death.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Someone threw a water bottle onto the stage and it short circuited the whole system. After I found you Dan pulled the plug out before I was electrocuted as well.”
“That wouldn’t have been good.”
“No. You were hardly breathing Ni,” Louis said as he brushed his hand through Niall’s hair.
“I remember playing the guitar, then nothing.”
“We stopped the concert as soon as we figured out what had happened, Niall.”
“Where are the others?”
“Harry, Liam and Paul are in A&E.”
“What? Why are they in A&E?”
“They’re not hurt or anything. They’re just waiting for you in a cubicle to avoid the fans.”
“Oh.”
“You’re the only one who got hurt.”
“That’s good,” Niall said before a tear rolled down his face.
“Are you ok Niall?”
“No. I’m in hospital Louis,” Niall replied as the shock finally got to him and Louis wiped his tears away.
“It’s ok Nialler. We’re like family to each other and we love you. We’re all going to help you get better ok.” Louis told Niall gently and he nodded.

~

Louis stayed with Niall as the doctor came over and began testing Niall’s reflexes. Louis took a video of Niall and sent it to Harry, Liam and Paul as well as their band back at the arena. He added the line:

Niall’s ok. Just checking his reflexes for any serious damage. He’s not in any pain and his breathing and heart rate are good. He’s just sore and tired.

Half an hour later, Niall walked with crutches to the cubical where Harry, Liam and Paul were waiting for him.
“How are you doing Niall?” Paul asked Niall as they stood up to greet him and Louis.
“Good,” Niall replied as Louis placed a hand on his back to support him. “My muscles are sore and I’m really tired but there’s no serious damage.”
“That’s fantastic Niall,” Harry said.
“Are you being discharged then?” Liam asked.
“Yeah,” Niall replied.
“Discharged,” Louis muttered with a smile.
“Sorry, bad wording.”
“Yeah, I have been discharged and I’ve just got some cream to put on my hand.”
“Where’s the cream?” Paul asked.
“I’ve got it,” Louis replied as he tapped his pocket.
“Great.”
“Is there a car waiting for us Paul?” Louis asked as Harry and Liam came over to Niall.
“Yeah. There are some fans outside but hospital security will help us out with them,” Paul replied as Liam placed his hand onto Niall’s arm and Harry kissed him on the forehead.
“We’re so glad that you’re ok,” Harry told Niall and he smiled.
“Thanks Harry,”
“We’re here for you and we’re going to look after you ok?”
“Yeah, thanks Liam.”
“Shall we go Niall?”
“Could we take a quick photo for the fans? I’m going to fall asleep as soon as we get into the car and they probably all think that I’m dead.”
“Sure,” Paul said and the boys huddled together with Niall in the middle. After Paul had taken a photo they made their way outside and into the car.

Niall was asleep within 3 minutes and Paul carried him up to the room in the hotel. The boys insisted on sleeping in the same room as Niall to make sure that he was ok. Harry went onto twitter and scrolled through some of the thousands of messages that the fans had sent. People were crying and indeed, worrying that Niall had died. Harry posted the photo of the four of them onto his twitter feed with the caption:

Niall’s doing ok. We’re back at the hotel and he’s resting. There’s no serious damage done. Thank you for all your support and we look forward to performing tomorrow night. H.

~

“Thank you. You’re all amazing. We also want to tell you that Niall is recovering well,” Harry said in the concert and the fans cheered. “What?” Harry said as a group of fans near the front shouted a question out to him. “What happened to Niall? You don’t know?”
“No!” The crowd called out.
“Can I tell them?” Harry whispered to Louis and Liam and they nodded. “Ok. Niall was electrocuted,” Harry said and gasps of shock rippled through the crowd. “He’s ok. It was very scary for everyone involved but Niall’s safe and he’s recovering.”
“He wanted to apologise for not being able to come to the show tonight,” Louis added.
“He’s a strong lad and he’ll be ok,” Liam added.
“This next song is for Niall. It’s Little Things,” Harry called out and the crowd cheered. Dan began playing the melody and Liam sang first.
“Your hand fits in mine, like it’s made just for me.” As the song went on the boys started to get emotional. It came to Harry’s verse and as he sang he let a tear fall down his face. His voice broke on the last word as he thought about Niall. The next verse was the one that Niall was meant to sing and the boys just let Dan play it out. The song ended and a moment of quiet fell on the arena.
“I’ve just let these little things slip out of my mouth,” The crowd began to sing and Liam, Louis and Harry huddled together. “Because it’s you, oh it’s you, it’s you they add up to, and I’m in love with you. And all these little things,” The fans sang softly before the boys joined in and they sang the final chorus once more.

Chapter Text

Zayn's POV
Niall collapsed mid-photoshoot, and I was the first one to kneel beside him.
"Niall? Are you ok?" I asked, but he was clearly unconscious. His eyes were closed, his body was limp, and there was no spark to him.
"Has he passed out?" Harry asked as he knelt beside me.
"He has. Niall?" I asked as I put my hand against his face. "Can you hear me?"
"Bloody hell, Niall never passes out," Louis commented
"Can we get the medic?"
"Is he sick?" Liam asked, and all the boys crowded around us. I wanted nothing else but to push them back and give Niall space. He was unconscious, not a freak show.
"Give him some air guys."
"We are Zayn. Calm down."
"Niall's unconscious."
"He'll be ok," Harry told me.
"We don't know that..." I said, before I calmed myself down. "Ok. He will be ok."
"What has he had to drink and to eat today?" The medic asked as he arrived.
"Um..." I said as I tried to think, but nothing came to mind. Niall tended to skip breakfast, but then I never really saw him eat...

I looked at the others boys, and we were all thinking the same thing.
"We don't know," Louis said.
"Ok," The medic said, and he took Niall's pulse. "His pulse and breathing are good. Does Niall have any medical problems?"
"Not that we're aware of."
"No," I said, but the fear was growing in my mind. "I've never seen Niall eat."
"What?" Liam asked, and I could feel that all the boys were looking at me. I had to hold my ground, for Niall's sake.
"I haven't seen Niall eat. Not for days," I said, thinking to 3 days ago when I watched Niall eat a banana.
"Are you suggesting that Niall is starving himself?" Louis asked me aggressively.
"I'm not saying that. But we should be honest in order to help him."
"You should always be honest with medical professionals. Thank you Zayn," The medic told me.

~

"Zayn, can we have a word?" Louis said, and I soon found myself with the other boys in a different room, away from Niall. "What the fuck Zayn?"
"Niall's not starving himself."
"You shouldn't say things like that unless you're sure," They all told me, but anger was growing within me. If Niall needed help, we should help him.
"I haven't seen him eat for days, and neither have you. Niall could be dying, and you would rather deny the reality than help him?" I told them angrily. "Niall's undernourished. That's why he's fainted."
"Whatever Zayn."
"Niall's not hurting himself."
"Get these things out of your head ok," Liam said as he put his hand of my shoulder, but I pushed him away. I was very worried about Niall, even if the others boy's weren't.

~

Niall
I went back into the main room and Niall was awake. He was sitting up and the medic was trying to get him to eat an energy bar.
"I can't... I'm sorry James," Niall said as he put it down, and the medic took it.
"Ok. That's alright Niall. Do you usually have an issue with food?" James asked as I got closer to Niall. I was out of Niall's sight and I quickly realised that he didn't know I was there.
"Yeah," Niall said, and I heard him as he started to cry.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," James said as he was quick to reassure him. "I can get you some help, and as a medic I recommend that you get some."
"I..." Niall said, and I knelt beside him.
"Niall," I said, and Niall flinched as I put my hand on his shoulder. Niall went quiet, and James looked at me.
"Niall? Can I get you some help?" James asked, but Niall became defensive.
"No. It's ok James. I just fainted. I'm ok," Niall said before he started to stand up, and James looked at me.
"I know that you haven't been eating Niall," I said as I supported Niall, and he stopped as he stood up. Then he looked at me.
"What?" Niall asked me as tears filled in his eyes.
"You can't think that none of us have noticed. You need help," I said, and a tear fell down Niall's face. "Let me help. I don't want to see you like this."
"I'll be... fat."
"Being fat is better than being dead."
"You need nutrients Niall," James told him, and our happy- go lucky - Irishman broke down in-front of me.
"Help me. I'm always tired. I'm in pain, and it hurts. It hurts so much," Niall said as tears rolled down his face and I embraced him.

"Niall, what's wrong?" Louis asked as he came over, and I was holding Niall against me as he was crying.
"Get him somewhere quiet," I told James, and he took Niall from me. My broken boyfriend was led away and I turned to the hoard of Louis, Liam and Harry.
"What did you say to him Zayn?"
"You aren't going near Niall," I told them, and they stopped in their tracks.
"You fucking what mate?" Louis said as he squared up to me.
"You. Are not. Going. Near him," I told Louis clearly, and he punched me hard in the face.
"Louis stop," Liam said as he went to calm Louis's fist and I looked back up at them.
"No. He thinks that Niall is starving himself, and he fucking deserves this!"
"He...!" I cried out, before I stopped. I saw Harry's expression become worried, but I needed to protect Niall now, more than ever.
"He doesn't need you."
"Why you fucking...!"
"Louis!" Liam shouted, but this time Harry stopped Louis's fist.
"Is Niall ok?" Harry asked me.
"He's really not," I said, before I walked away from them.

~

Day 14 since Niall's collapse
"One last forkful Niall," I told him during our lunch. He had eaten both his breakfast and lunch today, but he was struggling to finish his chicken salad.
"I..."
"No. One last forkful," I insisted, and Niall obeyed me. "I love you," I said, before I went round to him and gave him a big hug.
"You're looking a lot healthier Niall," Louis said, and we both looked at him. Since our altercation, all the boys had come to accept Niall's condition, and we wanted only to make sure that he was healthy.
"Do you mean that?" Niall asked Louis.
"I do. A little weight is no bad thing. Being healthy is the most important thing you can be."
"See? Sometimes weight gain is necessary Niall."
"I don't want anymore."
"That's ok," I said before I kissed him. "I'm really proud of you."
"You mean that?"
"Breakfast and lunch? We should have a feast to celebrate," I said, and all of us laughed. "Are you ok?" I asked Niall as I kissed him.
"It's hard. But I trust you, and if you think I'm getting better... then I am."
"That's my boy," I said, before I left Niall to it.

The day passed, and I noticed that during our show Niall was pale. I took my earpiece out and I went over to him.
Are you ok? I asked Niall, then I put my ear beside his mouth to hear the reply.
"I skipped dinner."
Ok, I said before I looked at him. Backstage, I said over the noise, and I led Niall backstage.
"I need some food, now," I told a crew member, and they rushed off.
"Are you angry at me?"
"No," I told Niall as I turned to him, and I saw that he had tears in his eyes. "You're recovering. It takes time Niall."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," I said before the crew member returned and I kissed Niall.
"Takeaway wings from my midnight snack box, and some juice."
"Thank you. Order something for yourself, it's on me," I told him, seeing as he had given up food from his own supply. "Eat these Niall. All of them," I told him, unwilling to compromise. I was not going to let Niall faint on stage in-front of 20,000 people.
"Zayn..."
"Keep eating," I told Niall, and he ate. I then forced Niall to drink the juice, and he started to fall. "Niall. Are you ok?" I asked as I caught him.
"I'm going to pass out."
"Ok. Can someone look after him please?" I asked as I helped Niall to lie on the ground. The crew and boys were in my ear pieces telling me to get back on stage. "Thank you," I said as I ay Niall down. "Get some rest, I'm proud of you," I said before I kissed him. "But I have a job to do."
"Zayn..."
"I know," I said before I kissed Niall again. "I'll be back very soon. Let our crew look after you ok?"
"K..." Niall said, and he fell unconscious.
"If he's out for more than a minute, get the medic," I said, and our crew members nodded. I left Niall to go back on stage and finish today's work schedule.

~

Niall was doing very well. He was eating every meal and he was so much healthier now ❤️.

I gave him all the love that I had in my heart, and was loving me back. We were so proud of Niall, and even Louis apologised for hitting me. As, if I hadn't voiced and stood by my concerns, Niall might have ended up needing hospital treatment for anorexia.

Chapter Text

Louis’s POV
“Written on these walls are the stories that I can’t explain,” Harry sang as I turned to Niall. I watched as Niall hunched over and looked at his knee. I focused on Niall as he looked like he was in pain. “Leave my heart open but it stays right here, empty for days,” Harry continued and Niall stood up, turning back to the fans. I turned my attention back to the crowd as well, but I kept a watchful eye on Niall.

I noticed that Niall shook his head before he hunched over again and re-inspected his knee. Something was definitely wrong. I glanced at the crowd before I moved carefully towards Niall. I mimed to the sound guys to let them know that something was wrong but to carry on. I frowned as I came close to Niall, and I noticed exactly how much pain he was in.

Niall looked up at me with a pained expression. I mimed to him to ask if he wanted us to carry on and he nodded and mimed back. I did the mime twice more before I rested my hand onto his shoulder. When he sang his parts in the rest of the song, his notes sounded flat and he was definitely in pain.

~

The lift moved and I turned to see Harry, Liam and Niall taking their earpieces out. Zayn and I sank to our knees to drop our heads below the stage. The lift stopped and we stepped out of it. I saw the pain on Niall’s face as he stepped off the platform and I wrapped my arm around him.
“You can stop now Niall. You can sit down,” I told him but he shook his head.
“I’ve got to get to the bus,” Niall told me as he began to limp on his bad knee.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Zayn said as he put his arm around Niall to support him and I followed behind them.
“What happened Niall, did you twist it?” Liam asked him.
“No,” Niall replied before he groaned.
“Did you fall on it?” Zayn asked and Niall shook his head.
“Did an object hit it?” Harry asked and Niall nodded.
“I saw an Iphone on the floor close to you, was it that?” I asked Niall and he nodded.
“Aw mate,” Liam said as we stepped out of the arena and Niall groaned as his knee impacted onto the hard concrete.
“I’ll get Paul.”
“Good idea,” I replied as Harry left us to find Paul.
“Almost there Niall,” Zayn reassured Niall as we got to the bus and I opened the doors. Zayn and Liam helped Niall inside the bus as I heard people taking photos behind us. It must be nice for people to have privacy, I thought as I climbed onto the bus and saw Louis and Zayn helping Niall to sit down onto the sofa.

~

Niall lowered his head and wrapped his hands around his knees.
“Where are his high dosage pain killers?” I asked.
“In the bag at the end of his bed,” Zayn replied as Niall began to cry. “Hey. It’s ok Niall, we’ve got you,” Zayn reassured Niall as he sat beside him.
“I’ve got them Louis,” Liam called out to me as I searched Niall’s bag and I looked up to see Liam holding Niall’s painkillers. “They were under his pillow.”
“He must have been in pain before the show,” I said as Liam and I walked back over to Niall. I grabbed my water bottle out of my bag as Liam took two tablets out of the packet and I sat beside Niall.
“We’ve got you some painkillers Nialler,” Liam said gently and Niall raised his head and stretched out his hand. Liam placed the tablets into Niall’s hand as he knelt in-front of him. After Niall swallowed the tablets, I handed him the water. Niall took a swig and I took the water back quickly as I noticed that Niall was shaking badly.
“Deep breaths Niall,” Zayn told him as he gently rubbed his hand in circles around his back. Paul came into the bus and we turned to him as he came straight to Niall. Liam stood up to let Paul kneel in-front of Niall.
“How are you feeling Niall?” Paul asked simply and Niall shook his head.
“Hurts,” Niall groaned.
“I know. I know,” Paul said, rubbing Niall’s good knee with his hand. “Has he had any painkillers?” Paul asked us.
“Yeah, he’s just had two high dosage ones,” I told Paul and he nodded.
“Good.”
“I’m scared,” Niall choked out and we all looked at him.
“What about?” I asked him gently.
“Surgery,” Niall struggled to say and I felt the atmosphere shift. We all loved Niall and we knew how scared he had been before the surgery and how resilient he had been after it. It was now that his resilience was breaking down. “I can’t…” Niall gasped before he shook his head and closed his eyes.
“Ok Niall. Ok,” Paul reassured him as he placed his hand onto Niall’s shoulder.
“What can we do?” Harry asked.
“Not much I’m afraid,” Paul replied. “We’ll let the painkillers take effect, then we’ll get a medic to have a look at your knee Niall and see if any-thing’s been damaged ok?” Paul told Niall gently and he nodded. “Good lad,” Paul said before he left.
“I don’t know how you kept going,” Zayn told Niall softly.
“I didn’t even realise that something was wrong,” Liam confessed and Niall began to cry.
“Hey, it’s ok Niall,” Zayn told him. “You’re ok and we’re with you alright.”
“Ni,” Harry said as he came over and knelt in-front of him.
“Make them stop,” Niall begged us and we frowned before we heard the fans screaming outside.
“We can’t stop them mate, you know that,” I told Niall.
“Whoever threw the object Niall, they didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I know,” Niall gasped between tears. “I don’t want… I don’t want to think about fans right now.”
“Then we won’t,” Zayn told him. “We won’t.”

After some silence, gentle small talk and singing to make Niall feel better, the medic arrived.
“Hi guys,” He greeted us.
“Hi,” I replied.
“How are you feeling Niall?” The medic asked him as he knelt down.
“Not good,” Niall replied.
“How does your knee feel? Does anything feel out of place?”
“No, it’s just painful.”
“Ok, lets roll your trouser leg up,” The medics said and he did so with Niall’s help. The medic then inspected Niall’s knee and Niall closed his eyes. “Everything seems ok Niall. I think it’s just soft tissue bruising that might have been made worse because your body is still recovering from the surgery.”
“Everything is still in place though?”
“It is as far as I can tell. If you're still in pain tomorrow or your knee began to swell up we’ll get an x-ray done ok?”
“Ok,” Niall agreed. “I want to lie down.”
“Lets lie you in my bed Niall as it’s on the bottom,” I told him and he nodded in agreement. Harry and I helped Niall to get into my bed. Within 10 minutes, the bus began to move off and we heard Niall’s breathing change as he fell asleep. We all sighed in relief. “He was in so much pain at the end of the show,” I told the boys.
“He didn’t sing his parts properly either towards the end,” Zayn added.
“I can’t believe that I didn’t notice.”
“Me neither. I saw him playing the guitar and I wondered why he wasn’t on the catwalk with us.”
“He shouldn’t have carried on in the amount of pain that he was in.”
“We can’t force him off the stage.”
“No, but he should realise that his health is more important than all the shows that we do.”
“I think he realises that. He just doesn’t want to let the fans down.”
“No, I know. We’ve got to look out for him, it’s been only 5 months since his operation.”
“Yeah,” Harry said and we all looked towards Niall.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Niall's POV
"I'm not getting in that box," I told James as I stared at the small box that was on the stage. I wasn't a contortionist, and my claustrophobia only got worse when I knew there were people watching me. At the BRIT awards, the lift had got stuck and I had seen someone secretly filming me. Thankfully, I'd kept my anxiety under control, but I'd had to have a cold shower to get rid of the adrenaline when I got back to my hotel room.
"Get in the box Niall. You have to beat your claustrophobia," James told me.
"I'm not getting in that box, no way," I told him sternly and he pulled out a taser. "James..." I said and he buzzed it. "Fuck. James," I said before he began walking towards me with it and I backed away.
"Get in the box Niall."
"No," I repeated and he buzzed it again. It was a real taser and although I was confident that he wasn't going to taser me live on television, it was live electricity and after being electrocuted on stage, I didn't fancy a trip to the hospital by accident.
"Get in the box Niall."
"No. James seriously, get that thing away from me."
"It's the box or the taser Niall. Come on," James said and I looked at the audience.
"Help," I pleaded with them.
"Box!"
"Box!"
"Taser!"
"Box!" They shouted.
"Niall," James said behind me and I turned to see his hand with the taser coming over my shoulder.
"Woah, no," I said as I moved away from him. "I'll take the box James, the box."
"The box. Are you sure?" James said as he buzzed the taser and it made me flinch.
"No, but it's better than that."
"Agreed," James said and he went to put it away but he accidently caught his finger with it. "Argh! Argh! Fuck!"
"James, are you ok?" I asked as I went over to him.
"Yeah, that thing fucking hurts."
"I know it does," I said as I looked at James's fingers and it was fine. I kissed it for good measure and the audience aww'd as James looked up at me.
"When were you tasered Niall?"
"I wasn't, but I was electrocuted. That was a few years ago now."
"Ok, I forgot about that. I'm sorry Niall."
"It's ok," I said as I stared at James's adorable puppy dog eyes. "It's ok, I'll do the box thing."
"Great. Do you want a safe word?"
"A safe word?" I asked in shock. Were we both getting the box or what was going on?
"To get out of the box."
"Oh that kind of safe word. I thought you meant something else," I said and the audience laughed. James then looked at me and he put a finger up in-front of the audience.
"I'll have none of that, this is a family show. Shhh. Shhh. Shush," James said and everyone quietened down.
"Bananas."
"Bananas?"
"Yeah, the safe word. Bananas."
"Ok, bananas it is. Que the lights," James said and the lights turned red.
"Oh, you're not doing this to me James."
"I am. Get in the box."
"Ok, ok," I said before he could bring out the taser again and I began squeezing into the box. "Fucking hell James, how small do you think I am?"
"Small enough," James replied and I finished fitting myself in. I wasn't quite in a ball, but I was close enough. "Right, you're staying in there for ten minutes."
"Ten minutes?!" I asked in shock, and I was just about to jump out when James shut the lid and closed the latch. "James! James. I can't last for ten minutes in here."
"Sure you can. Right, on with the show," James said as he began walking away.
"No. James! James!" I called but he just carried onto the next bit of the show. I moved to get a little more comfortable, but I was already starting to get cramp in my legs. It was really pitch black in here and I couldn't decide if that made it better or worse. I couldn't see how close the sides were but if I blinked my eyelashes moved against them. "James," I called again before I closed my eyes and tried to breathe.

Breathing was harder than I thought as there was no fooling my lungs that I was in a tight space. Very soon, my breathing became strained and I could feel the anxiety raising within my chest. I was in a tight, enclosed space and I couldn't move. Then suddenly, James knocked on the box and I hit my head on the top as he startled me.
"Argh!"
"Niall, are you ok in there?"
"No, I hit my head. You scared me."
"Are you starting to dose off? Do you want longer than ten minutes?"
"No. It's more that I'm losing consciousness before I have a heart attack."
"You're not going to have a heart attack Niall, just focus on breathing."
"I'm trying to but I think I'm running out of air in here."
"There's a hole in the top for you to get air from," James said as I moved my head to see a hole. I put my eye across it and locked gazes with James.
"Get me out of here James, it must have been nearly ten minutes."
"It's been three minutes and 45 seconds."
"What?!" I exclaimed and James laughed.
"You're doing great Niall, just face your fear."
"I'll get you to face your fear after this."
"Ah, my fear's falling off a cliff so I think it would be too dangerous for me to face that."
"No it wouldn't, I'll throw you off while attached to a bungee cord."
"Na, I'm over the weight limit for that mate, nice try."
"Of course you are, can I get out now?"
"No. You're still at three minutes and 45 seconds."
"What?! But we've been talking."
"This doesn't count."
"James, seriously," I said as my anxiety grew and I could feel a panic attack coming on. "James, I can't breathe."
"You can breathe, you're doing it right now."
"Get me out of this box James."
"No. Next sketch," James said before he began walking away.
"No! James! Bananas! Fucking bananas!" I shouted and he came back over.
"You can't use the safe word until 5 minutes are up," James told me.
"What?! We never agreed that. James! James!" I shouted as he left again. I moved my position and I heard something fall out of my pocket. I moved my hand and picked it up. Using the hole, I looked at what the package said: sleeping pills. Perfect. I got two out of the packet and swallowed them.

If shouting wasn't going to help me get out then maybe silence would. Finding me unconscious would certainly teach James never to shove me in a small box again and ignore my pleas to get me out. I didn't fancy having a panic attack on live television and there was no way that I was going to stay in this box for ten minutes without having one. I tried to relax as the sleeping pills began to work and soon I was unconscious.

James's POV
"Great," I said as I finished the sketch and I laughed. I then looked at my watch and realised that the sketch had last for 8 minutes. It was time to get Niall out of the box. "Right then Niall, how are you in there? Have you survived?" I asked as I went over to the box. To my surprise, there was no reply. "Niall?" I asked as I looked into the hole and all I could see was Niall's hair. "Niall?" I asked again, my voice becoming more serious. I was getting worried that Niall wasn't talking or moving so I undid the latch and opened the top. "Niall, you can get out now," I said but he remained in a slumped position in the box. "Niall, look at me," I said as I shook his knee. "Could someone get the medic, I think he's passed out," I told my band and one of them rushed off. "Reggie, help me get him out," I said and Reggie came over. Now I was just filled with guilt. I should have listened to Niall when he begged me to get him out. I knew how bad his claustrophobia was, but I didn't think that he'd pass out because of it.
"Ok, I've got him," Reggie said as he took hold of Niall's legs.
"On 3. 1, 2, 3," I said and together we hauled Niall out. "Careful Reggie, careful," I said as we laid Niall onto the stage and I knelt beside his head. "Niall? Niall, can you hear me?" I asked but he didn't move.
"What happened James?" Matt, our medic, asked as he came over.
"I don't know. He was in the box talking and moving and then he just was unconscious."
"Ok," Matt said as he took Niall's pulse. "His pulse is a little slow, but he's breathing alright."
"Why's his pulse slow? What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know," Matt said before someone brought over a chair and raised Niall's legs onto it. "Thank you," Matt said before he shone a light into Niall's eyes. "His pupil reactions are also a bit sluggish. I'll give him a few minutes to come round and if he doesn't, I'm going to have to call for an ambulance."
"An ambulance? It's not that serious surely," I exclaimed. Niall had just passed out right?

After five minutes, Matt was starting to look really worried and after ten, he called for an ambulance. I drove to the hospital behind the ambulance and I got to the hospital just as Niall was being transferred onto a ward for observation. They'd done some tests on him and the doctor's were trying to find out what was causing his persistent low heart rate and sluggish pupil response. I sat beside Niall and took his hand. He was on lots of monitoring, but he didn't look pale or anything like that, he just looked like he was asleep.

Niall's phone rang after a few minutes and I picked it up.
"Hello, James Corden speaking."
"James, it's Greg Horan. Are you with Niall at the moment?"
"I am yeah."
"Is he ok? I've been texting him but he hasn't replied," Greg said and I looked at Niall's phone screen. He had 10 unread texts from Greg, Liam and his dad.
"Shit," I said under my breath. "No, he's erm. He's not ok."
"Where are you? Is he at a hospital?"
"Yes, he is, they've got him under observation. How did you know that he's at the hospital?" I asked as fear shot through me, had they not stopped the camera's on the show?
"Because this has happened before."
"What? When?"
"When he was 12."

Greg's POV, His memory
"Yes!" I cheered in my room. I'd just been accepted into the Dublin under 21's football team, which was a big thing to be in when you were 17 years old and in Ireland in 2005. "Dad! Dad! I'm in, I got in!" I shouted as I ran downstairs.
"That's great Greg," Dad said as he was mending the kitchen table. "Really amazing, well done."
"Where's Niall?"
"He was going for a shower the last I saw of him," Dad told me and I went upstairs before I knocked on the bathroom door.
"Niall. Niall," I called. I couldn't hear any running water so he must be getting into his pyjama's. "I got into the Dublin under 21's football team," I said but still no sound came from inside the bathroom. "Niall?" I asked before I tried the handle. The door was open so I went in and turned the light on. "Oh," I said as I looked into the empty bathroom.

Then, I walked into Niall's bedroom and all the lights were off. I turned them on, expecting to see Niall asleep in his bed, but he wasn't there either.
"Niall?" I asked as I went back out into the hallway. "Niall?" I called before I opened the airing cupboard, not expecting to see anything other than the boiler and a few socks drying on the shelf above it.

Instead, Niall fell out of the cupboard and I caught him as I fell to my knees with him in my arms.
"Fuck. Niall? Niall?" I asked as I looked down at him and shook him. His eyes were closed, his body was limp and he was pale. He was wearing his sky blue pyjama's and his hair was messy and half dry. "Dad! Dad! Niall, can you hear me?"
"Greg? What's wrong..." Dad trailed off as he ran up the stairs and knelt beside Niall and myself. "What's happened?"
"I don't know. I went to tell Niall my news and I couldn't find him. I then opened the airing cupboard and he just fell out."
"Niall son?" Dad asked as he tried to shake Niall awake.
"He's really pale dad and he's warm."
"That'll be because he was next to the boiler."
"Could he have gotten heat stroke?" I asked as dad felt his forehead.
"He's not hot enough for that. He probably stumbled into the cupboard after his shower and got trapped."
"Do you think that he's had a panic attack?"
"Yes," Dad said before he put his fingers on Niall's neck and felt for his pulse.
"That wouldn't do this to him would it?"
"Severe panic attacks can send someone into a cardiac arrest."
"Can they?" I asked in shock as I gripped Niall tighter, scared at how my usually loud and cheerful brother could be dead in my arms.
"Yeah. It's ok though, he's got a pulse."
"Why isn't he waking up?"
"I don't know, but his pulse is weak and he's very pale."
"What can we do?"
"I'm going to call for an ambulance."
"An ambulance?"
"Yeah. Try not to panic Greg, he's going to be ok."
"Ok, ok," I said as I pulled Niall in tighter. "Please be ok Niall, please," I begged him.

About ten minutes later, the ambulance crew arrived and dad took me into his arms as I lay Niall onto the floor and the paramedics assessed him. Niall was only 12 years old and he looked really small between the two paramedics. I watched them as they worked, got Niall onto a stretcher and loaded him into their ambulance.
"Come with me Greg, they're going to go ahead and we're going to follow on behind ok," Dad said and I nodded. "Good lad," He said as I watched the ambulance doors close on my little brother. We got into the car and drove to the hospital, both dad and I said nothing on the way.

"Bobby Horan here for Niall Horan. I'm his father and this is his brother, Greg," Dad told the receptionist when we arrived.
"He's currently being seen in triage, if you would like to take a seat. I'll get a doctor to come out and talk to you when they're finished."
"Thank you," Dad said and we went and sat down. I was still holding the football acceptance letter in my hand as we waited and I put my head into my hands. "How are you doing Greg?" Dad asked me gently as he put his hand onto my back.
"How are you so calm about all of this?"
"Because I know that there's nothing we can do and Niall's in safe hands."
"Niall hates tight spaces."
"I know," Dad said and I looked down at my letter. I crushed it into a ball and threw it across the waiting room.
"It's not good news anymore," I said before I put my head back into my hands and tried not to panic about what would happen if Niall died. Something brushed against my arm and I looked up to see dad holding the letter.
"Fold it properly and put it into your pocket, I'm sure that Niall will want to know when he's better," Dad said and I felt a tear fall from my face. I took it from him, folded it and put it into my pocket. I didn't want to think about it right now, but dad was right.
"Bobby Horan," Someone called and both dad and I stood up.
"Yes."
"If you would like to come with me," The doctor said and we followed him to a cubicle.

Niall was still unconscious and he was lying in a bed with his pyjama's on. They had connected him up to a whole bunch of monitoring but that was it.
"Niall has a condition called sleeping beauty syndrome," The doctor began to explain. "His body is working at a slower rate than normal with both his heart rate and pupil response being markedly slower than yours or mine. His breathing is only slightly affected and this syndrome is usually caused by a sensory overload, meaning that the body partly shuts itself down in order to control the reaction."
"So Niall's in a coma?" Dad asked.
"Yes. Of a kind."
"What can you do to help him?"
"Not much I'm afraid. It's a matter of keeping him under observation and waiting for him to wake up. His body has to decide that whatever set the reaction off is gone and then a set of chemical reactions will begin to reverse the process."
"Niall," I said as I walked over to Niall and took his hand. "Can he hear me?"
"I don't think so. Previous patient's who've had the condition don't remember anything between passing out and waking up."
"How long do you think it will be until he wakes up?" Dad asked as I brushed my hand through Niall's hair.
"It can be anything from a few days to a few weeks."
"Can you give him anything to start these chemical reactions?"
"We can, but we usually only start giving people medication for it after a week, because some patients can have a severe reaction and then they need more intensive care. We're going to transfer him onto a ward, so we're just waiting for the porters to come down at the moment."
"Ok. Thank you," Dad said before he came over to join me. "We'll get through this Greg."
"Why did he go into the airing cupboard in the first place?" I asked as tears came to my eyes.
"He was probably just tired and he went in there instead of his room, he'll be ok," Dad said and I began to cry. Niall was my little brother and I hated seeing him like this.

Mum, dad and I were worried sick and one of us was always with Niall in case he woke up. I didn't like the sound of Niall being given medication and possibly having a severe reaction to it. The fact he had asthma was bad enough and I'd had a bad allergic reaction when I was ten so I knew how serious and scary it was.

Niall just needed to wake up and by day three, I had already tried everything that I could think of: pictures, video's, music and even the golf championship, which was the dullest three hours of my life, and it still hadn't worked.

One the morning of day four, I woke up beside Niall on the uncomfortable hospital chair and saw that he looked less pale.
"Niall?" I asked as I took his hand. "Niall, it's Greg. Can you hear me?" I asked again and a nurse came over.
"Is he waking up?"
"Not yet, but he's less pale than before," I said and, at that moment, Niall's heartbeat changed. "What's happening? Is he ok?"
"His heart rate's getting faster."
"Is that good?" I asked before I turned back to Niall and rubbed his hand. "Niall. Niall, wake up it's Greg, you're ok," I said and Niall's heartbeat was increasing in speed. Soon, his eyes began moving under his eyelids and I couldn't stop myself from smiling. "Come on Niall, please open your eyes. Please," I begged him as the doctor arrived.
"Ok, heart rate up to 120. Greg, I would like you stand back," The doctor said as he gently took my arm.
"What? No, no," I protested as Niall's heart rate increased more and his breathing became faster.
"We need some beta blockers. Greg, I really need you to stand back while we treat Niall."
"Treat him for what, he's waking up!" I protested as the doctor tried to pull me away.
"Greg, we need to give the doctor some room," A nurse said before he took hold of me and made me step away from Niall's face. I still had hold of his hand so I squeezed it.
"I'm right here Niall, I've got you."
"Beta blockers," The nurse said as she gave the doctor a syringe and he injected it into Niall. His breathing quickly became easier and his heat rate slowed back down to a normal level. "You're ok Niall, you're ok," I said and the doctor let me near to Niall again.
"Greg?" Niall whispered.
"Yeah. Yeah, it's me. It's Greg."
"What... happened?"
"You passed out in the airing cupboard."
"What?"
"You've been out for days."
"Where...? Am I?"
"You're in hospital."
"Hos...? Why?"
"Niall. I'm doctor Opar. Your body had a little reaction to something, but you're doing alright. Do you mind if I check you over?"
"No..." Niall replied in slight confusion and I sat beside him as the doctor checked him over.
"Ok, I'm happy. Niall, I'm going to leave you with your brother for a bit but do you have any questions for me at all?"
"Don't... think so."
"Ok. He's all yours Greg," Doctor Opar said before he left and Niall turned to me.
"How many... days?" He asked and I sat onto his bed.
"Four."
"Four? The golf..."
"We can watch it later," I said before I kissed his forehead. My strange 12 year old brother who loved golf.
"Greg, I've got some coffee... Niall?" Mum asked as she joined us.
"He woke up a few minutes ago," I told her with a beaming smile and she stared at us before he put the two coffee's down on a bin lid before she dropped them.
"Niall. Darling," She said and she ran over and hugged him.
"Hi. Mum."
"Oh my baby. Are you ok?"
"Ihm tired," Niall said as she let him go.
"You've been unconscious for four days. We've all been worried sick."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Me, dad, mum, granny, grandpa. Uncle Patrick," I told Niall and he looked up at me with big puppy dog eyes.
"Sorry..." He said after a moment and mum took him into another hug.

"Don't squeeze him too hard," Dad said as he came over to join us and Niall looked at him as mum let him go.
"Dad..."
"Hi son," Dad said as he came over and Niall tried to get out of the bed.
"Niall, no," I said as I held him back.
"I'll come to you," Dad said before he hugged Niall.
"I love you dad."
"I love you too Niall."
"What reaction did I have?"
"It was a reaction against tight spaces."
"What?"
"You passed out in the airing cupboard and ended up in a coma. You frightened the life out of Greg when he found you."
"You found me?"
"I sure did. Oh hey," I said as I remembered the letter and I pulled it out of my pocket. "Look what I got into," I said as I gave it to Niall and a beaming smile crossed his face after he'd read it.
"Greg, that's amazing."
"Thanks. I wanted to tell you about before, but you were kind of unconscious."
"Sorry. I thought it was my room, but now I'm here."
"Are you hungry Niall? Do you need any food or water or anything?" Mum asked Niall and he smiled at her.
"No, I'm good mum."
"Good," Mum replied and dad ruffled Niall's hair.
"Can I come home now? I want to see the golf."
"No yet, I think that the nurses want to keep you in for a bit longer, just to make sure that you're alright," Dad told him.
"Oh, ok."
"We can watch the golf on my phone. Don't worry about it Niall."
"Do you know what they called it?"
"Called what?"
"Your mini coma."
"No?"
"Sleeping beauty syndrome," Dad said and Niall blushed. "Not that you're our sleeping beauty, but one day you'll be someone else's," He continued and Niall smiled as he blushed more.

Later that evening, Niall was discharged and the doctor gave us some beta blockers in case Niall's heart rate started to get very high again.

James's POV
"Shit. I had no idea. The doctors have said that Niall's got a slow heart rate and pupil response."
"Ok, I need to come over. If it's like last time, he could be out for days or even weeks James."
"Oh Greg, I feel really bad and I am so, so sorry. If I had known what had happened before, I never would have made Niall get into that box. I'll pay for your flight over and for your accommodation."
"Thank you, and it's ok. What's done is done, I'll book a flight from Dublin to LA now."
"Ok."
"I'll also call our dad and let him know what's going on."
"Ok, I'll talk to you soon."
"Talk soon. Bye," Greg said before I hung up. Shit. Niall could be in a coma and it was all my fault. I took his hand again and wiped some tears away before I rang Liam.
"Niall, are you ok?"
"No, he's not ok Liam," I said as more tears fell down my face.
"What have you done to him James. Has he not woken up yet?"
"No, and he's in hospital. His brother said that this has happened before when he was 12."
"Shit, is this like the airing cupboard incident then?" Liam asked and I was surprised that he knew.
"Yeah. How do you know that?"
"Niall told me about it a little while ago. It was sleeping beauty syndrome wasn't it?"
"It was."
"So has it happened again?"
"I don't know, it might have done. The doctor has done some tests and they're trying to find out what's going on with him."
"Do I need to come over? You could have put him into a coma James."
"I know, I know. Could everyone stop reminding me about that!" I said a little too loudly over the phone before I calmed myself down. "Sorry Liam, I'm just as worry as you are and I feel awful about what's happened."
"I hope you do."
"Greg is already on his way over and if Niall's going to be out for a few days, there's no rush Liam."
"I want to be with him either way James."
"What's going on?" I heard Cheryl ask over the phone.
"Niall's unconscious and we think that it might be sleeping beauty syndrome again."
"Oh no. I can look after Bear if you want to be with him Liam."
"I think I'm going to have to, and I've got that press coming up in America to do as well. Are you going to be ok with Bear on your own?"
"I can ask my mum to help look after Bear for a bit. Niall needs you."
"Thanks love," Liam said and I held the phone away from my ear as they kissed. "Ok, James," Liam then called over the phone.
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to book the first flight over and I'll be there in a few hours."
"Ok."
"Look after Niall for me."
"I will," I said before I hung up. Great. Niall was unconscious in hospital and both his brother and Liam were on their way over all because of my stupid idea. Then, right on cue, the doctor came in. "Well? What did the tests say?" I asked him.
"They're inconclusive."
"What about sleepy beauty syndrome? He's had it before and it was because of a similar situation."
"Yes, I've looked at that. His heart rate and pupil responses are slow, but he's not pale and the rest of his brain activity is normal, and he's not having any breathing issues."
"So it's not the syndrome?"
"I don't know. I'm going to run a blood test to see if there's any drugs in his system that might be having this effect on him."
"How long is that going to take?"
"A few hours."
"Hours? But it's just blood right?"
"It is, but it is going to take some time to test for all the chemicals and toxins that might be having this effect on his body."
"Ok, I see."
"What is it?" The doctor asked as he noticed the tone of disappointment in my voice.
"Niall's brother and friend are on their way over. I was just thinking that if it wasn't serious, I could save them the hassle."
"I can rule out anything serious, like sleeping beauty syndrome, until the blood test comes back. I'll get a nurse to come and take his blood now."
"Thank you," I said before the doctor left.

A few hours later, a doctor showed Greg into Niall's hospital room.
"Greg," I said as I stood up.
"How is he James?" Greg asked as he went to Niall's head and felt his forehead.
"There hasn't been any change."
"He's not pale like last time but he is warm," Greg said before he took a blanket off Niall that was covering him. "Have they confirmed it to be sleep beauty syndrome yet?"
"Not yet. All the symptom's don't quite match up so the doctor's done a blood test to look for any chemicals or toxins that might be causing his symptoms."
"Ok," Greg said before he took Niall's pulse.
"You really care about him don't you?"
"He's my little brother, I need to protect him," Greg said before he took Niall's hand and kissed it. "Hopefully he'll wake up soon and it's not sleep beauty syndrome."
"I hope so."
"I see that you beat me here Greg," Liam said as he also came into the room.
"Yeah. Hi Liam," Greg said before he hugged him.
"It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too," Greg said before they released the hug.
"Has there been any change James?"
"No. No change," I told him.
"Is it sleeping beauty syndrome?"
"I don't know. The doctor's doing some blood tests first."
"For what?"
"Chemicals or toxins that might be causing his symptoms."
"Ok. Does anyone want any tea or coffee, or a book from the hospital café?"
"I'll have a coffee, thanks Liam."
"Yeah, I'll have a tea."
"Ok, I'll be back soon," Liam said before he left. Now we were just waiting for the doctor to let us know what the blood test results were.

Niall's POV
When I woke up, there was a beeping sound by my head and I was lying down on a bed. Thankfully, I wasn't in that awful box anymore so my plan had worked. I yawned and stretched out my arms, that long sleep had done me a world of good and I figured that I would take sleeping pills more often.

Just as I neared the end of my stretch, I quickly realised that the beeping sound by my head could be a heart rate monitor and that I could be in hospital. I thought that James would have just taken me backstage or something, not to a hospital.

For someone who had passed out, yawning and stretching was not the normal way that they came to. I just had to hope that there was none around me at the moment to see it. I opened one eye before I closed it again.
"Shit," I said before a packet of pills hit me in the face.
"I flew from London to be here Niall," Liam told me.
"And I came from home in Dublin," Greg added.
"And I came... down the road a little way," James added and I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.
"Does sorry cut it?"
"£1,259 Niall, and I left Bear at a moment's notice," Liam said and I turned my head to look at him.
"You've got all the money in the world Liam."
"But I've only got one son."
"I'm sorry."
"I thought you had sleeping beauty syndrome again and that you'd gone into another coma," Greg said and I stared back at the ceiling. Having Greg being mad at me was worse than Liam being mad at me. After the airing cupboard incident when I was 12, he must have been really scared by what'd happened.
"I'm sorry Greg. I'm not a sleeping beauty now am I?"
"You most certainly are not."
"I'm not mad at you Niall," James added and I looked at him. "It's my fault for not letting you out of the box when you wanted to. I caused this whole mess, not you."
"No, you're alright James," Liam interrupted him. "I'm enjoying being mad at Niall for making me and Greg fly halfway round the world just because he took some sleeping pills."
"I'm sorry Liam, I didn't think that it would go this far. I just needed to get out of that box."
"What did you think would happen?" Greg asked me.
"I thought that James would freak out and take me backstage or something, not to a hospital," I said before I yawned.
"Your heart rate dropped Niall, just like it did before, so James naturally called for an ambulance."
"I am really sorry for making you all worry, I just needed to get out of that box. You know how claustrophobic I am and I was going to have a panic attack."
"I'm going to call dad and tell him that you just took some sleeping pills," Greg said before he left.
"And I'll call Jimmy Fallon and see if I can come on his show earlier than we had planned, seeing that I'm now in the USA anyway," Liam said with a huff.
"I'm really sorry Liam, I didn't want you to leave Bear like this for me."
"I left Bear because I was worried about you. I won't be doing that again," Liam told me sourly.
"Liam," I said but he was already calling Jimmy. "James?" I asked and he looked at me sympathetically.
Sorry, He mouthed.
"It's engaged. I'll try again in a minute," Liam said as he put the phone down and looked at James. "Can I move the date that I'm on your show James?"
"Yeah, of course you can. Oh, Kanye West cancelled this morning so you can be my guest on the show on Saturday."
"That would be great, thanks James."
"No worries, how old's Bear now?" James asked as he put his arm around Liam and they both ignored me.
"He turned 6 months old a week ago."
"He's that old already?"
"Yeah, it's scary," James said and both he and Liam left. I felt silly lying in a hospital bed, so I pulled the covers off me and stood up.
"Oh," I said as I realised that I was in a hospital gown. I pulled the curtain round and got myself changed into my normal clothes before I signed the discharge paperwork that was on the side. Clearly the doctor wasn't very happy with me either.

I handed it in as I got to the nurses station and the nurse barely looked at me before the cleaners went into the room that I had just left. Great. Liam, James and Greg were all mad at me and I was about to start my press tour for my debut album Flicker.

Chapter Text

Louis’s POV
“More shots Lewis!” Niall shouted.
“Let’s get them!”
“One shot of water, thanks,” I said to the barman and he nodded. It was a house party after our 1D reunion show and Niall was already very far gone. Lewis and Liam were also pissed, but I was proudly onto being sober. After everything I had been through, giving up alcohol had been life-changing for me. I was a lot happier and healthier than I had when I had been drinking.
“To us boys!”
“One Direction!”
“The good DAYS!!” Niall screamed and we all drank our shots.

The party continued, but I read the clock and it was half-past one. Harry had disappeared 30 minutes ago so I went to find him. He was very drunk and he’d been heading with a group to do some drugs.
“Harry? You’re missing out on the party. Have you seen Harry?”
“They were heading upstairs.”
“Thanks love,” I said and I went upstairs before I kept searching. “Harry? Harry, are you still up here?” I asked as I passed through lots of people. I opened the door to the bathroom and my heart fell. Harry was lying in the bath and he had his eyes closed. I just knew that something was really wrong but I stayed calm and knelt beside him. “Harry? Harry mate, can you hear me? Harry? Darling,” I said as a girl passed the door. “Can you get Liam for me?”
“Liam? He’s down…” The girl said before she tripped and she laughed.
“Liam darling. He’s downstairs.”
“Downstairs. I love you!” She shouted before she stumbled down the stairs.
“Love you too,” I said before I turned back to Harry. “Harry, it’s Louis. Talk to me,” I said and I pressed my fingers into his neck, and I started taking his pulse.
“Louis. You called for me,” Liam said as he appeared at the door.
“How drunk are you?”
“Not that much, I’ve been sobering… is that Harry?”
“I need you to help me get him out of the bath.”
“Is he alright?”
“Just help me.”
“Ok.”
“Take his legs,” I said and Liam went to the other end of the bath.
“On 3. 1, 2, 3,” I said and we lifted Harry out of the bath.
“How much has he had to drink?” Liam asked as we lay him onto the ground.
“A lot, but he went with a group to do some drugs as well.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Harry? Can you hear us?” Liam asked as I went beside Harry and I put my hands together, preparing to do CPR. “What are you doing Louis?”
“Stay calm and call for an ambulance. He hasn’t got a pulse,” I told Liam as I started doing CPR on Harry.
“What?!”
“Call them, right now.”
“Ok… ok.”
“Come on Harry,” I said and Liam called 999 as Niall appeared at the door.
“There you are. What’s going on?”
“Not now Niall. Go downstairs and drink some water.”
“Ambulance please,” Liam said behind me. “My friend, he’s not… he’s not got a pulse. He’s been drinking and we think that he’s taken some drugs.”
“Is that Harry?”
“It is. I need you to sober up Niall. Come on Harry,” I said and I locked my lips around his. What the hell had he taken? He could be a party animal, but not like this.
“Doing CPR. He’s not breathing or anything. 15 Crescent Way…”

Everything blurred and minutes passed like seconds. Liam and I took turns giving Harry CPR until the paramedics arrived and they took over. I called for an uber and I managed to get a still-sobering-up Niall into it, along with Liam. The ambulance was blue-lightning to the hospital, and Harry had still been without a pulse when the ambulance had left. I called Anne.
“Hello?” She asked, half-asleep.
“Anne, it’s Louis. Harry’s collapsed and he’s on the way to hospital.”
“What’s happened?”
“We’re not sure, but he hasn’t got a pulse.”
“What?!”
“The paramedic’s are taking him to Kingston hospital, Liam and I did CPR on him for 15 minutes until the paramedics arrived. You need to get down there.”
“I’m on my way. Thank you for letting me know.”
“We’ll see you soon,” I said before I hung up.
“How was she?”
“Scared shitless. Harry’s medically dead Liam.”
“What the hell did he take?”
“I don’t know,” I said and we sat in the car terrified, apart from Niall who was drinking a 1.5 litre bottle of water.

~

We were sitting in the hospital waiting room. I watched the clock and I watched as the second hand moved over to 3:30am. Then, Anne came out of the doors and she was crying.
“Anne?” I asked gently. I knew that look, I knew that look far too well.
“He’s…” Anne said and I took her into my arms. “They tried but…”
“Tell me he’s not Anne…” Liam said and Anne nodded. “NO!” Liam screamed and I felt Niall put his hand onto my back.
“We both got really drunk at the party. I don’t know what to say…” Niall said and I turned round.
“Liam. Can you take Niall outside?” I asked and Liam came over to us.
“Harry’s dead. He’s fucking…”
“I know. I know Liam,” I told him calmly as I kept Anne in my grip. “Niall is still drunk, take him outside.”
“Ok…” Liam said, and he nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Come on Niall.”
“This is a bad fucking time to be drunk.”
“You have no idea what’s going on do you?”
“I do. It just hasn’t sunk in,” Niall said as they left.

“Anne,” I said as I turned back to her. “Anne, look at me,” I said firmly and she did so. “Everything’s going to be alright.”
“My son…”
“Have you called Gemma?”
“The doctor said he… he would.”
“Ok, that’s good. And his dad?”
“The hospital… Louis…”
“I know Anne. I’ve those closest to me.”
“Take me… I need…”
“I know what you need love, it’s ok. I’m going to book us into a hotel and you’re going to get some sleep.”
“Gemma?”
“I will call her. I’m with you darling. I’m with you.”

I got Anne to a hotel and she managed to fall asleep. When Gemma called I told her where we were and that Anne was safe and being looked after. Gemma was going to stay at home with her husband and I said that I would bring Anne over to her when she was ready to travel.

Harry was gone, dead. And from what? An overdose at a party. Something had to have gone wrong, we all liked to have good times, but Harry would never have taken so much to kill himself, drunk or otherwise.

~

Niall’s POV
I sobered up and my brain was able to process what had happened. Harry was gone. I had been drunk with Lewis, so Louis had been left to handle everything. He was dead, from an overdose. I couldn’t believe it, I refused to. My only thought was to hope to whatever God was up there, that Harry hadn’t done it on purpose. Now he was gone…

None’s POV
Harry Styles, beloved brother and son, passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning. His family are requesting privacy to process and grieve his loss.

“I’m Lucy from WhatCulture and the latest news, Harry Styles has passed away. The world is in shock, but no details have been given about his death. Rumours have already started appearing speculating that he isn’t dead, he is just in hiding. He was last seen at a party after the One Direction reunion show and one person, claiming that they were at the party, said that an ambulance arrived just before 2am. They were not able to confirm who was taken into the ambulance, but neither Harry or any of the One Direction boys were seen after that time. Whatever happened, Harry’s publicist posted the news this morning and we’ll keep you updated with more news when it comes in. Goodbye for now.”

~

Louis’s POV
I called everyone to my house who had been at the party and I stood up in front of them all.
“Right, everyone has heard the news,” I said as I looked around. People were crying, a lot of them still in shock (like I was), but a few girls at the front were more upset than everyone else. “I found Harry upstairs at the party unconscious in the bath. Despite Liam and I giving him CPR, and the doctor’s attempts at the hospital, he was declared dead at 3am. I knew Harry for a very long time and he would not have taken an overdose, he was always very careful with drugs.”
“We didn't mean for this to happen,” One of the girls at the front said.
“Shut up!” Her friend told her quickly.
“Girls, Harry’s dead. You need to tell me what happened before I call the police,” I told them. I wasn’t here to play games.
“We gave him a triple dose. We thought that it would be funny.”
“We didn’t know that it would kill him.”
“We thought it would make him, you know…”
“Black out drunk, fun, crazy, make the party better. We had no idea that it would stop his heart.”
“So you left him in the bathtub without a pulse?” I asked them. Anger was rising inside of me, but I had to stay calm.
“We didn’t check him.”
“We thought that he’d fallen asleep. So we… we went back to the party.”
“We thought that he was ok.”
“Ok,” I said as my heart was racing. “Ok girls, you’ve told the truth,” I said as I stood up and I turned to my friend. “Lock all the doors and call the police.”
“What are you telling him?”
“Nothing. Harry’s dead. He’s dead!” I shouted and tears filled my eyes as James left. Suddenly I felt everything: anger, denial, sadness, pain. “He was having a good time and you FUCKING KILLED HIM!” I screamed at them. “He’s dead… he’s dead,” I said and people came over to comfort me. I needed James to lock all of the doors, then the police would arrive and deal with the girls. Being intoxicated was not an excuse in law and Harry was dead because of them.

~

Liam’s POV
“Thank you for talking to us Liam.”
“It’s no problem.”
“How are you coping?”
“I presume you’re talking about Harry?”
“I am.”
“I’m still grieving. I knew Harry for a very long time and it’s really hard to accept that he’s actually gone and that he’s not here anymore. Anne and Gemma are still struggling too, as well as the other One Direction boys. It was the night of our reunion as well.”
“Of course, I can’t imagine. But fans online have been pouring out their hearts for Harry, has that helped at all?”
“It has. It still hurts, but… sorry, I’m starting to cry already.”
“That’s ok.”
“Thank you,” I said as someone brought a box of tissues over to me. “It was so sudden and Louis and I were doing CPR on Harry before the paramedics arrived. Wow,” I said as the tears really started to fall down my face. “It’s the first time I’ve probably talked about any of this.”
“We can take a break if you need to.”
“No. We just tried, and I know the hospital did too. We tried so hard to keep him alive. I take solace in that.”
“The girls, who’ve been convicted of manslaughter. What are your thoughts about them?”
“That’s a tough one. They gave Harry a triple dose which, even if you’re drunk or high, you know that it’s a bad idea. Harry didn’t know about the higher dose and he was already very drunk. I don’t know what the girls thought they were doing, but it was incredibly dangerous. Then they just… they left him after he passed out. I don’t know how long Harry was unconscious in that bath for before Louis found him. I don’t want to know…”
“Ok. Take a minute Liam. Thank you for being so honest.”
“Harry would have wanted me to be. I miss him a lot,” I said before I went quiet and used tissues to dry my eyes.

I took a moment, then the interviewer kindly kept to my music and my career. The whole world was reeling about Harry, and I had lost an amazing friend.

Chapter Text

Harry's POV
I was getting my in-ears set. I was sitting with my mouth fixed open and the moulds in my ears: when breathing was becoming hard, so I closed my eyes.

A few moments passed before I collapsed onto the floor. One of the in-ears was loosened so I could hear what was going on around me.
"…Harry?"
"Harry?" Sandra asked before I was rolled onto my side. She then took one of my in-ears out.
"Is he ok?"
"He's struggling to breathe. Can we get the oxygen?" Sandra asked before she removed the white block from my mouth. An oxygen mask was placed over my face, and I felt Liam's hand on my side.
"Why's he struggling to breathe?"
"I don’t know. Harry? Harry, love, can you hear me?"
"Harry?"
"Do I need to call for an ambulance?" Zayn asked.
"Not yet. He has asthma doesn't he?"
"He does."
"Ok, can someone find his inhaler?"
"I will," Louis said before he left.
"Come on Harry."
"Here you go."
"Thank you," Sandra said, and I felt her pull the oxygen mask down my face. She put the inhaler in my mouth and she waited for me to breathe in before she used it.

It caused me to cough violently, but thankfully my breathing settled down.
"That's better. Harry, are you with me? It’s Sarah."
"Ye.. yeah," I said before I swallowed.
"You scared us Harry."
“So… sorry Li,” I said before I coughed again and Liam took my hand.
"That's alright. Are you ok?"
"Hmn getting there."
"Good."
“Just relax Harry,” Sarah said before she put a monitoring device onto my finger.
“Can you breathe Harry?” Liam asked me and I nodded.
“Are you ok?” Zayn asked me and I nodded again. Then I coughed.
“You don’t sound like you are,” Louis added gently and I felt the oxygen mask being put back over my face.
“Your oxygen levels are at 95% Harry. Keep the oxygen mask on,” Sarah said and I nodded. I closed my eyes and everything went quiet for bit.

~

“Harry? Are you still with us?” Liam asked as he shook me a little.
“Harry?”
“H?” Zayn and Louis asked and I felt Sarah taking my pulse.
“His oxygen sats are up to 98%, and he’s breathing well. It looks like he needs rest. I’ll get the rest of your in ears done while I keep an eye on Harry.”
“Ok.”
“Alright,” They agreed, and I was left to dose lying on the ground. Time passed, I didn’t know how long before the oxygen mask was taken off my face.
“There we go. Harry, sweetheart, can you wake up for me?” Sarah asked and I forced myself to wake up.
“Come on Harry.”
“That’s it,” Zayn said as I opened my eyes. All the boys were beside me and they looked relieved.
“It’s good to see you awake.”
“What happened?” I asked as I sat up.
“You had a bit of trouble breathing. You’re ok now.”
“Thanks Sarah.”
“It’s my pleasure. How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I said before I coughed again. My throat tickled and my voice was still a little raw.
“You collapsed, then your breathing got bad. It scared us Harry.”
“Thank you for helping me Liam.”
“I think we all helped actually Harry,” Louis said.
“Yes. Thank you,” I said and they smiled.
“Good.”
“Are you ok?”
“I’m good Zayn,” I reassured him.
“Thanks.”
“Hi everyone. What’s going on?” Niall called as he came into the room.
“Harry almost died.”
“What? Are you ok Harry?”
“I had some asthma. Sarah had to use my inhaler.”
“She had to? Why didn’t you?”
“He was unconscious.”
“Shit. Are you ok now?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Slowly,” Sarah said as she gave me a hand to stand up.
“Arh.”
“I’ve got you,” Niall said as he came over and gave me a hand. I laughed.
“I’m good Niall, but thank you.”
“Ok,” Niall said as he let go of me. We continued with our day and thankfully I had no further issues with my asthma ❤️.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Louis's POV
"Isn't that your phone?" Simon asked as it rang between acts on the x-factor.
"I think it is," I replied before I looked at who was calling.
"Who is it?"
"It's Harry," I said before I answered it. "Hey H, what's going on?"
"Who is this?" Came a stranger's voice.
"Who's this? You're not Harry."
"No. Something's happened and you're down as his emergency contact," As soon as they said this, my blood ran cold.
"What's happened? Is he ok?"
"He's having a seizure and we don't know what to do."
"Are you at the photoshoot?" I asked as I stood up. I knew that Harry was in Manchester for his latest Gucci photoshoot and I was only 4 blocks away from the studio where he was.
"Yeah. Do we need to call for an ambulance, or can you come over? He has epilepsy right?"
"He does, but it should be under control. Get him into the recovery position and start timing the seizure if you haven't done so already," I said as stood up and walked briskly out of the theatre before I hailed a taxi. I had also noted the other judges looks of worry and concern as I'd left. "He shouldn't need an ambulance, I'll be there in two minutes."
"Ok," They said before they hung up.
"Shit," I said as I threw the phone down onto the seat in the taxi. "54 Westfield Road," I told the driver after I realised I hadn't given him a destination.

Why was Harry seizing? Why had the person on the phone sounded so panicked? Why had they called for me and not an ambulance?

I had a bad feeling about this, which is why I had left the judging panel.
"Thank you," I said as we stopped and I gave the driver £20 before I jumped out. I ran up the stairs to the studio and found the receptionist. "Harry's having a seizure and you called me."
"Yes, right this way," She said and I followed her through the hallways.

My heart almost stopped when I saw Harry. He was on his back, right in the middle of grand-mal seizure and he was choking on his own saliva while people were just standing around watching.
"I told you to get him into the fucking recovery position!" I shouted as I knelt beside Harry and quickly turned him onto his size. He chocked and spluttered, but luckily all of the saliva came out of his mouth. "He could have choked!" I screamed at them as Harry jerked beneath me. "Get out. Everyone get the fuck out of here!" I screamed and they all left. "Harry baby. It's ok, I'm here. You're ok, you're doing great love. You're doing amazing," I told him calmly.
"Urgh, urgh," Harry groaned as the seizure continued.
"Alright love. You're ok, you're ok," I soothed him.
"Can I do anything to help?" Someone asked who hadn't left the room.
"Yeah, can you tell me how long he's been seizing for?"
"About 8 minutes."
"Shit."
"What's wrong?"
"He's never had a seizure that's lasted this long before."
"Should I call for an ambulance?"
"No, just give him a minute or two, something must have caused this," I said, and as if it was a cue, Harry stopped seizing. "Harry? Harry love, you're alright. I'm here. Can you get me something soft, like a pillow or a big jumper?" I asked the woman and she nodded.
"Yeah," She said before she rushed off.
"You did great baby. I know that thay was scary. Just come round for me when you can ok?" I soothed Harry. He was still shaking a little but I didn't worry too much as he'd just had a really bad seizure.
"Here," The woman said as she came back into the room and she handed me a blanket.
"That's amazing, thank you," I said as I took the blanket and put it underneath of Harry's head. "There we go, just relax honey."
"I was the one who called you," The woman continued.
"Oh, thank you. Why didn't you put him in the recovery position?"
"Everyone was scared and when he began choking his saliva up, we didn't know what to do," She said and I calmed myself so that I didn't hit her.
"That's ok. I know how scary it is," I replied to her gently. "I didn't mean to shout earlier."
"No. You were right, he could have choked," She said and Harry coughed, bringing my attention straight back to him.
"Harry? Harry love, I'm right here. It's Louis," I said as I took his hand.
"L... lll," Harry struggled to say.
"Shh, don't try to talk. You've just had a bad seizure ok, just relax. Can you get me some water?"
"Of course."
"I came straight from work baby. I left the theatre to be here beside you alright. It's ok, you're going to be ok," I told Harry as I ran my hand through his hair. The woman came back in with some water and I put it down beside me. "Did he fall or injure himself before he starting seizing?"
"No. He was fine and then he was on the floor."
"Ok. Harry, does anything hurt?"
"No," Harry whispered after a moment.
"That's good. Was was given anything? Any medication that could have messed with his normal dosage?"
"Not that I know of. Our trainer has him on a special diet, but that's just food."
"Ok."
"Lou," Harry whispered and he squeezed my hand.
"I'm right here love."
"Sore."
"I know baby, I know," I said before I kissed him. "Just relax. Could you call everyone else back in here please, I need to find out what caused his seizure." For the next few minutes, I stroked my hand through Harry's hair as she gathered everyone together.

When everyone was in the room, Harry was a little more with it, but not much. He was still shaking a little and I was starting to get worried about it. "Ok, I'll get right to the point. Has anyone messed with his medication?" I asked as I addressed the room.
"No," People said.
"Has anyone given him anything extra? Any new medications?"
"No," People murmured one after another.
"Yes," Someone put in and everyone turned to them. I became angry.
"What did you give him?"
"Something to help him get fitter. I didn't mean it to cause this."
"Are you the company trainer?"
"Yes."
"When did you give it to him?"
"I've given him a dose every day since he started with us."
"What?!"
"Harry didn't know. I didn't think it would have this effect on him."
"But you knew that he had epilepsy."
"Yes, but..."
"Either, you have nothing more to do with Harry or I'm forcing Harry to quit this gig, sound good?"
"No problem. I won't work with Harry anymore."
"Good. Now, Harry's coming home with me."
"Home?" Harry asked.
"Yes baby, my home," I said before my phone rang. It was Simon so I picked it up. "Hi Simon."
"Hi Louis. Is everything ok?"
"Yeah. Harry's just had a seizure and I'm with him now."
"Is he ok?"
"Yeah. He's doing alright, but it was quite a bad one. I won't be coming back in today I'm afraid."
"That's fine. As long as you're both ok, give Harry my best."
"I will. Bye."
"Home," Harry whispered again as he kept shaking.
"Yes baby, home," I said before I kissed him. "Are you doing ok? Can you stop shaking?"
"I can't..." Harry replied as he closed his eyes.
"Ok. We might have go past A&E on the way back then, just to check that you're ok."
"I've called for a taxi," A woman said.
"Great. Thank you."

"How are you doing love?" I asked Harry after a few minutes, and once I knew the taxi was outside.
"Sleepy," Harry replied. He was still shaking, and he didn't seem any more awake than before.
"Can you sit up? I want to give you some water," I said to persuade him and Harry started to move. "Ok, I've got you baby," I said before I wrapped my arms around him and sat him up.

When I let go, and despite his shaking, he managed to stay upright.
"That's amazing Harry, just take some small sips alright," I said as I raised the water to his mouth and he began drinking. "Enough?" I asked once he stopped and he nodded. "Ok. The taxi's here love so we're going to get in it ok? Nice and slow H," I told Harry before I gave him a hand to stand up and we walked slowly outside. "We're getting into the taxi and then you can sleep ok," I reassured Harry and moments after hs got in, he rested his head back and began to fall asleep once more. "I'm so proud of you baby," I said before I kissed him. "A&E please," I told the driver and he pulled away.

Harry's POV
I felt weird. Like, worse than a normal seizure kind of weird. I was still shaking in the hospital bed and Louis was holding my hand.
"Hmn," I whimpered and Louis kissed me.
"You're doing amazing Harry. Just relax babe."
"Why am I... shaking so much?"
"You've had a reaction to the chemicals in your blood stream. The doctor said that it should wear off, but we just have to wait."
"Ok..." I said as I tried to control the shaking. It wasn't of any use and I was exhausted. I rested back and Louis played with my hair.
"Are you doing ok otherwise?" Louis asked and I nodded. "Good."
"How's... How's little Freddie?"
"Oh, he's amazing, you're going to love him. He called me dad the other day and it was just the cutest thing."
"Awww."
"I love being a dad H. I'm going to get back with Eleanor too, give it another shot."
"But... what about me?" I asked as tears formed in my eyes. I'd just got back with Louis and now he wanted to be with Eleanor.
"What about you?" Louis asked before he kissed me.
"Don't you... love me?" I asked and he smiled a little before he squeezed my hand.
"I love you more than anything in the world Harry. But I also love Freddie and Eleanor. I want you to be with me, always. And I can't wait for you to meet Freddie."
"When do I get to meet him?"
"That's a surprise," Louis said before he kissed me. "I love you H."
"I love you too," I said before he hugged me.
"You're my rock Harold. If a little shaky," Louis said and I laughed. "You're always there when I need you. Especially over the last two years, and I will never, ever, forget it."
"I'm here to save you from all of the sharks."
"Yeah," Louis said and we just waited together until my shaking died down enough for me to be discharged.

We went back to Louis's house and watched Pirates of the Caribbean together. This was it. Louis was my happiness.

Chapter Text

Hii, most fanfics are weird by their nature but would it be espically weird if you were one of the boys and you faked a whole bunch of injuries and sickness to get their attention and love?

I hope it's that not too weird as that's what I'm going to write because with fanfics anything goes 😊.

No smut as usual, that is going too far, but cuteness and all the 1D boys as per usual.

I'll write what I enjoy and whenever I can be bothered, so I hope you have a good time reading!

Chapter Text

It was coming up late July, and I decided that I needed to get to the bottom of what was happening between me and Liam. As he wouldn't talk to me, I hatched a plan. I had some words with Lou and she agreed, if she was a bit hesitant, but I assured her that I would be ok. So, that evening we were getting ready for the show.

We had still two hours to go, and Lou was finishing up all of our hair in our group dressing room, and all of the boys were there. I had her use her hairdryer so that it reflected in the mirror, creating a strobe lighting effect when she did my hair. None thought anything of it, so I focused on a spot in the mirror and began grunting quietly. Still none noticed so Lou, with her amazing acting skills, stopped doing my hair and frowned.
"Niall? Niall honey, what's wrong?" She asked as she looked into my face. In the mirror, I saw the boys turn round to face me. I had caught them off guard, and they looked scared.
"Lou, what's going on?" Louis asked as he came over. I began grunting more, and opening and closing my fists.
"I don't know, it looks like he's going into a seizure."
"He can't be," Harry said calmly as he and Louis knelt in-front of me. That was a funny thing, Harry had always been calm when I had a seizure, and yet he was terrified whenever he went into one.
"Niall, can you hear us mate?" Louis asked as I felt him rest his hand against my neck, and I saw Liam just on the edge of my peripheral vision turn to Zayn.
"Get Paul," Liam said urgently and I felt a tear roll down my face as I realised that he still cared about me.
"Hey Niall, it's ok. You're going to be alright," Harry told me as Liam came round and Louis glanced up at him.
"Let me," He told Louis gently.
"Yeah of course," Louis said as he stood up and Liam took his place. I began trying to blink rapidly, but I quickly realised my mistake as consciously trying to blink very fast is harder than you might imagine.
"He's getting worse Liam," Harry said.
"I know, I know," Liam replied as he put his hand against my neck. "Niall, can you hear me bud?" Liam asked and I felt my knee seize up. I must have been tensing it and not realising. I froze in pain and I saw panic flicker in Harry and Liam's eyes. "Get him onto the floor," Liam said.

All the boys and Lou, helped to get me onto the ground as, for a few seconds, I really did need their help and support. My bloody knee was hurting like a bitch. Then I heard Paul's heavy footsteps coming over to me. I surreptitiously bent my knee to stop the pain as he knelt by my head, and I closed my eyes.
"What happened Liam?" Paul asked.
"I don't know. Lou was doing his hair, then she asked him what was wrong, and Niall began clenching his fists. Now he's not responding to us."
"Alright, has he started actually seizing at any point?"
"No, he's just been having a few spasms."
"Ok," Paul said as I felt Louis lift my head up and place a jumper underneath it. They certainly knew what to do in this situation after all my real seizures. As much as I knew that I had to stop before they called for an ambulance, I needed Liam to say that he loved me. I tensed my muscles as much as I could and I whimpered.
"Hey Niall, it's ok. You're going to be fine," Liam told me. "Just let it happen love. You're going to be alright. You're going to be alright darling," Liam said and I felt a tear rolled down my cheek. He really did love me. Now I just had to get out of this situation, so I gasped for air. "What's happening?" Liam asked in worry.
"He's struggling to breathe. Zayn, get an ambulance," Paul said before I felt him turn me onto my side. That had not been my intention, I had just needed to get out of faking a grand mal seizure.
"Breathe for me Niall, just breathe," Liam said and I felt Paul bend my head back to help me breathe better.
"Stop," I whispered so as not to freak them out.
"Niall?" Liam asked in confusion.
"Niall, are you with us?" Paul asked and I nodded.
"It was all fake. I'm ok."
"Really?" Paul checked and I opened my eyes to look at him.
"Yeah."
"Ok. Zayn, hang up."
"Niall, you really freaked us out. Why would you do that?" Liam asked me.
"To see if you still love me," I said before I looked at him.
"I do love you Niall. So much," He said before he kissed me. "I thought that you couldn't breathe."
"I know. I'm sorry babe."
"Do you need some time alone with Liam?" Paul asked me and I nodded. "Ok boys, let's give them some space," Paul said and they all slowly left.

Chapter Text

Niall’s POV
The Brit awards were done and I was happy, but my knee was killing me and we were about to go on a 16 hour overnight flight to Singapore. I needed to rest. I needed sleep.

Back at the hotel, the boys were relaxing and our bags were being ferried to the airport. We had 40 minutes before our cars arrived, but I couldn’t…

In the corridor, as I made my way to Liam's room, I couldn't take it anymore. I let my crutches fall out of my grip before I collapsed as safely as I could onto the ground.
“What was that?”
“Are those Niall's crutches?” The boys said as I heard their footsteps come out of the room.
“Niall!”
“Are you ok?” Harry and Louis asked as they crouched beside me and I felt Harry’s hand on my back.
“Get the medic,” I told them quietly.
“I'm on it.”
“Is it your knee?” Louis asked me.
“Yeah.”
“Did you hurt it when you fell?”
“Didn't fall… I can't go, on a flight like this,” I told Louis and Liam honestly.
“Is it that bad?” Liam asked as Louis took my outstretched hand.
“I need to rest. Help me,” I whispered to them.
“Niall, I have some sleeping pills,” Louis suggested.
“Yes. Anything Louie…”
“Ok, hold on.”
“Are you sure Niall?” Liam asked me as I heard Louis leave.
“I need them Liam. I can't…”
“You're still recovering from surgery. We'll make sure that we don't fly tonight.”
“I need… need rest,” I said as I was becoming more exhausted, and I felt Louis's hand touch my shoulder.
“Take these Niall. We’ll tell the medic that you've passed out.”
“Thanks…”
“Small sip, tiny Niall. Good,” Louis said as I swallowed the pills. I lay my head back on the floor and I heard people coming back as I started to pass out.
“Is he injured?” Paul asked in a serious tone.
“We're not sure. He fell and we found him on the ground in the corridor.”
“He was awake, but I think he's passed out.”
“Niall? Niall, can you hear me?” The medic asked as they knelt beside me, but I fell unconscious out of exhaustion before the sleeping pills could take effect.

~

When I woke up, I hobbled slowly to the bathroom. As I finished having a pee, there was a knock on the bathroom door.
“Niall, it's Paul. Are you alright in there?”
“Yeah,” I called back. I winced after I'd washed my hands and I opened the door.
“You collapsed and passed out last night Niall.”
“I know. The boys… helped me, argh,” I said as I winced and Paul helped me to sit down.
“Where's the pain? Do I need to get you to a hospital?”
“No,” I said as I shook my head. I had to confess my trickery to Paul. “I pretended, Louis got me… sleeping pills.”
“You're still in discomfort,” Paul said, he was not getting mad at me.
“It was a long day,” I said and I felt tears glistening in my eyes. “I couldn't go on a long haul flight. I needed sleep. I'm sorry,” I said as I started to cry and Paul just hugged me.
“Talk to me next time Niall. You're still recovering from major surgery. If it's too much too soon, I need to know.”
“Ok.”
“Do you think you can manage the flight tonight, or is it going to be tomorrow?”
“I can fly overnight tonight. As long as I can take half a sleeping pill now. I still need 8 more hours of sleep.”
“I'll book the flight for 11pm, and if you're still asleep I'll carry you aboard myself. Do we have a deal?”
“Deal,” I said before I shook Paul's hand.
“I'll get you a sleeping pill.”
“Thanks Paul.”

~

“He's waking up,” Louis said as I started to come to.
“Hi Niall,” Liam said as he put his hand on my leg.
“Iam?”
“The sleeping pill's still having an effect.”
“How are you feeling?” Louis asked as he came closer to me.
“Lot better. Where are we?”
“On the way to Singapore. Paul made sure that both you and your bag were on board before we took off.”
“Thanks.”
“You've been asleep for 10 hours Niall.”
“I wasn't lying, when I said that I needed to rest.”
“We know.”
“Are you feeling awake now?”
“Not really. But thanks for helping me boys.”
“Of course.”
“Are you sure you didn't hurt your knee when you fell?”
“He didn't fall Liam.”
“I did, a little. I had to let my crutches go.”
“Do you need any painkillers?”
“No, I'm alright,” I said before I opened my eyes and sat up. “How long is there to go?”
“11 and a half hours. Do you want to watch a movie?”
“Yeah, a movie sounds good.”
"Let's have a look," Louis said and the boys sat beside me as Louis flicked through the options. Harry made sure that my knee was comfortable and they all fell asleep on me before the film finished. I put the open golf on and I ate all the snacks as they slept. My boys ❤️.

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
I have epilepsy and I've had many seizures around the boys.

This evening though was starting to get annoying. Harry was being moody, Niall was being hyperactive, Liam was trying to make them both do things and I was getting sick of all the arguing and shouting that was going on. I didn't want to go on James’s show at 11pm as I know that it would involve more silliness, and therefore more arguing. So I hatched a plan.
"Right I'm off boys," I told them as I stood up from the table in the canteen.
"Where are you going?" Niall asked.
"To the ice rink. I want to practise my figure skating," I told them sarcastically.
"Now? We have to be in James’s studio in an hour to get our hair and clothes redone."
"Loads of time!" I called as I walked off.

Soon, I got to the ice rink and found the ice machine. I managed to start it up and began driving it round. Liam and I would usually do things like this at 2am, but this was only a way to waste time, and have some fun while I did it.

45 minutes later, I started to work on my plan. I got some soapy water and put it into a bottle before splashing some normal water over my trousers. Yeah, seizures weren't pretty or dignified at the best of times.

Then, I went over to the ice and poured the soapy water over it so that it made a small puddle. I then took a swig and held some soapy water in my mouth before I disposed of the bottle and I heard voices.

~

Quickly, I ran back over to the ice and lay down onto it. I closed my eyes and lay on my side before I started shaking slightly, but only as much as I did for post-seizures tremors. I also began making small grunting noises as the water left my mouth.
"Louis, we have to leave now mate," Liam called as I heard the door open and I heard Niall laughing. "Lou..." Liam trailed off as their footsteps stopped.
"Louis!" Niall shouted before I heard them running towards me.
"Louis," Liam called and a moment later, I felt their hands on my body before they quickly took them away. "Are these pre-seizure tremors or post-seizure?"
"Post. Look at his trousers Liam," Niall said gently.
"Shit. Ok, ok," Liam said and I stopped shaking.
"He's stopped shaking. Call Paul and tell him to get here now."
"Ok," Liam said before I heard him getting his phone out of his trousers.
"Alright Louis, you're ok. You're doing great, you hear me," Niall said as he moved me so that I was fully on my side and he titled my head up so that I could breathe.
"It's Louis, he's had a seizure and he's in a bad way. Niall and I are with him at the ice rink and he's still unconscious. Ok bye."
"Is he on his way?" Niall asked Liam.
"Yeah he is. Is Louis breathing alright?"
"Yeah, he seems to be. I don't like how much saliva is on the ice though."
"How long was his seizure?"
"I've got no idea."
"Oh shit, he could have had cluster seizures."
"Liam. He'll be ok."
"Yeah, of course he will. Louis," Liam said and they both went quiet for a bit.

"Can we do anything about his trouser... situation?" Liam asked.
"Not right now, we'll wait for Paul," Niall said and just then, the door opened and heavy footsteps came over to me.
"Talk to me boys, how long was his seizure?" Paul asked.
"We don't know, Louis was having post-seizures tremors when we got here."
"Ok," Paul said before I felt his fingers press down on my neck.
"He's freezing," Came Harry's voice as I relaxed. It was nice to experience what the boys were like with me directly after I'd had a seizure as usually I was still unconscious for this bit.
"Yeah, we don't know how long he's been on the ice for," Liam replied.
Not that long, I thought.
"Louis, can you hear me?" Paul asked before he listened to my breathing.
"Louis?"
"Lou?" Liam and Niall asked as they gently shook me.
"Can you boys find me a towel or something to clear his saliva up with?"
"Yeah," Niall and Harry both said before they left me.
"I can't believe he had a seizure alone," Liam told Paul.
"I know, but there was nothing that you boys could have done."
"I could have come with him. Louis and I always do things like this together."
"I know."
"Do you think that he hurt himself on the ice?"
"I don't know. I'll have to assess that when he wakes up."
"You're ok Louis, we're here," Liam told me.

~

A few minutes later, Niall and Harry returned and Paul wiped the ice and my mouth clean of my "saliva".
"Has he not woken up yet?"
"No. I'm starting to get worried," Paul said.
"Paul, I found this coat. I think it belongs to the janitor, but we should really get him off the ice."
"Good plan Niall," Paul said and there was movement around me. "Ok, Liam and Harry, on three I want you to roll Louis towards you. Niall and I will put the coat under him then we can roll him back ok," Paul said and I felt Harry and Liam put their hands onto me.
"Ok. Ready."
"Yeah, me too."
"1, 2, 3," Paul said, and soon I was lying on the janitor's coat rather than on the ice.

Now, I felt like I had been milking the unconscious stage of my plan a bit too much, but I couldn't help it. None of the boys were arguing and they were being so sweet and careful with me.
"Why don't we just move him off the ice?" Harry asked.
"I don't want to move him until I know that he's ok," Paul replied and my hand twitched.
"Louis?" Niall asked and I guess that this was my que to do more acting. I twitched my hand again, but this time it was on purpose.
"Louis, it's Paul, can you hear me?"
"Urgh," I moaned, trying to act out how I usually was after a seizure.
"You've had a seizure, but you're safe and I've got the boys here ok," Paul told me.
"Bois?" I asked after a moment.
"Yeah, the boys are here."
"Hey Louis."
"Hi Louis,"
"You're doing great Lou," They all told me, so I opened my eyes.
"Louis, hey," Niall said with a small smile.
"Do you know where you are, Louis?" Paul asked me and I frowned.
"Con...cert?"
"Almost mate," Harry said and I closed my eyes once more.
"Are you in any pain Louis? Any more than usual?" Paul asked and I shook my head a little before I let a tear run down my face.
"What's wrong Louis?" Harry asked and I moved my legs uncomfortably.
"Oh. We'll sort you out mate, don't worry," Liam reassured me.
"Yeah, it's not your fault," Niall added.
"Ti...tired," I whispered and Paul ran his hand through my hair.
"I know you are."
"Can we get him back to the hotel, Paul?"
"Yeah, I'm happy. I've got you Louis," Paul said before he lifted me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled into his chest before we left the ice rink.
"No," I whispered as we went through the door and I tensed up.
"What is it Louis?" Liam asked me.
"Here," Niall said before he put his top over my trousers and I opened my eyes to see that he was topless. I smiled and Niall ran his hand through my hair. "Is that better?" He asked and I nodded.

~

Soon, we got back to the hotel and Paul sat me onto the bed. I opened my eyes to see that all the boys were with me.
"How awake are you Louis?" Paul asked as he supported me.
"Why u asking?"
"Because I need you to have a shower then I'm going to get you checked over by a doctor. I just need to know if one of the boys needs to help you shower," Paul said and I looked round the room at Liam closing the curtains, Harry getting the bathroom ready and Niall turning on the lights and fluffing up the pillows on the bed.
"Liam."
"Ok," Paul said and Liam came over to me.
"Harry's got it ready for you," He said before he gave me a hand up.
"Have you got him Liam?"
"Yeah," Liam said and he helped me to the bathroom. I didn't actually need his help, but I was this far in so I couldn't stop now. Besides, all the boys were quiet and they were still not fighting with each other. Just before we got into the bathroom, I stopped.
"Louis? You ok?" Liam asked.
"James?"
"No, I'm Liam," Liam said as he became worried and a small part of me smiled inside.
"Yeah, Liam. James’s um. James’s show?"
"We've cancelled it Louis," Harry told me. "You're more important."
"Thanks H," I said and Liam squeezed me a little.
"Let's get you clean ok?"
"Ok."

Once Liam and I were in the shower, I let him soap me up as much as he was happy with, before I took over.
"What can you remember Louis?" He asked as he held me up.
"I was playing on... on the ice machine. Then I felt weird... so I got off. Then Paul was there. And Niall. And you."
"Ok. Can you remember what the time was before you had the seizure?"
"No."
"Alright mate," Liam said before he turned the water off.

~

After Liam had got me into my pyjamas, I went back into the room to see that Harry and Niall had ordered pizza. There was also a doctor there with Paul who was just going to double check that I was ok.

After concluding that I was medically fine, the doctor and Paul left.
"Come here Louis," Harry said as he tapped the bed and I crawled up to it in order to sit between the boys. They offered me pizza and I had a slice as they turned the tv on.
"Welcome back everyone!" James Corden announced on his show. "Now, I was expecting for One Direction to be here tonight," He said and the audience screamed. Once our fans had calmed down, he continued. "But they're not unfortunately and Niall sent me a video, so I'll let him explain what's happened," James said and up came a video of Niall and Harry outside of my hotel room. Presumably they'd filmed it while I had been in the shower.

"Hi everyone, it's Niall and Harry here. We're really sorry that we can't be on the show tonight, but we hope that we can make it on soon."
"Our gig was amazing today and we want to thank all of our incredible fans who came along," Harry continued. "Unfortunately, Louis had a seizure after the gig and he's still recovering from it, so we need to put his health first and make sure that he's ok. We love you all and we'll see you soon."
"Bye guys," Niall said and the video stopped.
"Everyone here is sending you lots of love Louis and hopefully you'll feel better soon," James said and all the boys cuddled me. "But for right now, guess who I managed to get to come down at the last minute! It's Nick Jonas!" James called and we all settled down as we watched James’s show.

Chapter Text

Louis POV
The next morning, the boys kicked me out of bed. Somehow they had found out that I had faked my seizure and they were very angry with me.
"Get dressed Louis," Liam told me sternly before Paul had opened the door.
"Interview is in 90 minutes boys, I need you to be downstairs for breakfast."
"We're coming."

All the boys got ready before me and, dying of embarrassment, I went into the bathroom once they had left.

~

I woke up sore and lying on the ground. My mind was fuzzy. Had I actually had... had a...
"For fuck sake Louis," Liam said as I heard the door open. "Get down for breakfast, we're sick of your games."

I came to again and my body was hurting more. I gasped and opened my eyes to find that I was still on the floor of the bathroom. My hands were bruised and tears were forming in my eyes. I’d had two real seizures, but I knew that the boys wouldn't believe me.
"Get up Louis," I told myself and I struggled to stand. Looking into the mirror, I was pale and I looked sick.

Waking up again, there was toothpaste on my hands.
"Come down for breakfast. You're making this worse for yourself," Harry told me. I wanted to call out, tell him that I wasn't joking this time. I was having cluster seizures. 3. I'd had 3. 3...

I faded in and out after I'd had 2 more seizures, but soon I was finally able to sit up. I finished doing my teeth and limped back into the hotel room. I found a pen and wrote, 5, on my hand. I had gone through 5 seizures.
"Woah!" I said before I caught myself. I sat down and waited for the dizziness to pass. My hands were shaking and they were red. I must have hit them on the floor.

~

"What the hell was that upstairs Louis?" Niall asked as I joined them.
"I'm sorry," I said as I sat down, I knew they would not believe me if I told them what had happened.
"Get some food in you Louis," Paul told me and I did so. Liam didn't say a word to me before the interview, neither did Zayn. Harry was the only one who was even a little bit concerned.
"You're looking pale Louis."
"I know."
"Are you feeling ok?"
"No. Let's get this interview done."
"Harry!" Niall called and he left me. Truth was, I was feeling terrible and I getting worse with every minute that passed. I was already post-seizure and I still wasn't fully with it.

~

The interview started and I was managing to hold it together. I answered a few questions but soon my vision became blurred. As Niall answered a question, my body gave in and I collapsed.
"Bloody hell Louis," Liam said in annoyance, but my body started to seize.
“Ah… ah…” I gasped.
“Louis?”
“I don’t think he’s joking,” Zayn said after a moment.
"Louis," Harry said and I felt their hands gently touch my side. I remained semi-conscious as my seizure got worse and they were trying to steady me.
"Urgh. Urh… urh..." I gasped.
"It's ok Louis, we're with you."
"We've got you Louis."
"Should I get the medic?"
"Give him a few minutes," Paul said before I heard his knees thud beside me. "Keep him on his side," Paul said as he put me into the recovery position as I felt my body jerking and shaking.
"Arh... ah..."
"This is a bad one.”
“Hopefully it will last for very long,” Liam said in a concerned voice. Despite their anger, they were still worried and caring to me.

My seizure went on for what felt like an hour, but my body eventually calmed down and I was left lying exhausted on the ground.
"How's he doing Paul?" Zayn asked, and I felt Paul taking my pulse.
"His pulse is quite fast and his breathing is ragged."
"Louis? Can you hear us?"
“Louis?” Liam asked and a moment passed before I tried to form a word.
"I..."
"Louis.”
“We’re with you Louis,” Liam said as he took my hand.
"Not... not... fake," I managed to say with a lot of effort.
"We know Louis."
“Take it easy. Just keep coming round for us,” Niall told me gently.
"What's this number on his hand?" Zayn asked as he moved my other hand.
"What number is it?"
"5."
"Clu... cluster..." I told them.
"You've had cluster seizures Louis?" Paul asked me.
"Yeah... yeah..."
"When?"
"This morning," Harry answered for me.
"Shit. We thought that he was pretending," Liam added.
"Oh Louis."
"That makes 6 seizures Paul, shall I call for an ambulance?"
"Yes, call..." Paul started, and I threw up.
"Woah, Louis."
"We've got you," Paul said, and my body immediately went into another seizure. "Call them now Zayn," Paul said in his serious voice and I felt his firm hands supporting me.
"Ah, ah… hel… arh, ah… ph..." I managed to say as my body jerked.
"We're helping you Louis."
"We’ve got you, you're going to be ok."
"Ambulance please."
"Hel... pme... urgh, urgh, argh!"
"We've got you Louis," Paul repeated and I felt Harry gently support one of my shaking hands.

Once my 7th seizure stopped, I was in and out of tremors until the paramedics arrived. All the boys stayed with me and Paul was serious.
"That's the diazepam in, it should stop Louis having any more seizures."
"He's been conscious throughout, can you give him something so he can relax?" Harry asked them.
"We can give him a sedative. Louis, would you like me to give you a sedative?" The paramedic asked as she shook me. Everyone went quiet as they waited for me to reply.
"...'Es," I managed to say.
"Alright," The paramedic said and I felt a sharp prick in my arm. "It should start to work shortly Louis," The paramedic told me gently and I felt Harry take my hand.
"Get some rest Louis," Harry said, and everything went black.

~

I woke up in hospital, and I saw Liam was half-asleep on the chair beside me.
"Liam," I said, and he woke up.
"Hey," He replied in a raspy voice. "You're awake."
"Yeah. Good sleep?"
"Not really. How are you feeling?"
"Better. What time is it?"
"6am," Liam said as he looked at his watch, then he yawned. "I am not awake. How are you feeling Louis?" Liam asked me again as he rested his hand onto mine.
"A lot better. I'm really sorry about crying wolf, and faking a seizure."
"Why did you fake it?" Liam asked me gently.
"I needed to stop you fighting. Everyone was being chaotic and crazy. Then, when you found me and you were being really gentle and caring with me, I couldn't stop pretending."
"You have a serious condition Louis. And treating it that lightly meant that Harry and I didn't help you yesterday when you needed us."
"I know. I'm really sorry Liam."
"It's ok. We're all really sorry that we didn't help you yesterday. Even if you were faking again, we should have treated it like it was real."
"Thanks Liam. I am really sorry."
"Come here," He said and I happily accepted his hug. "We're all just really happy that you're ok. The nurses have had you under close observation all night."
"It was bad yesterday."
"7 seizures, we were so worried. Please don't fake a seizure again."
"I won't, I promise."
"Thank you. And you don't need to have a seizure for us to be gentle and caring with you. If you need us to be, all you have to do is ask."
"Thanks. That means a lot," I said and I felt tears forming in my eyes. Liam smiled and he wiped them away.
"Paul and the others are going to visit around 10am, so why don't you get some more sleep? Your body needs it."
"Ok. Get some breakfast Liam."
"I will. I'll go to the cafe once you're asleep."
"Thanks lad," I said and I took his hand. Liam held it as I drifted back to sleep.

~

That evening, I was discharged and I returned to the tour bus. I explained to the boys why I had faked a seizure and they all understood. They were just as caring and compassionate as Liam had been with me, so naturally, we had a game of football at 11pm to cheer us all up.

I had the boys back on my side and anytime I needed them, they would be there for me.

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
We were in the recording studio, but I wasn't feeling all that great. We finished a song and all the boys disappeared behind the screen to listen to what we'd just recorded.

As they played it, I started to feel dizzy. I closed my eyes and crouched down.
Don't seize. Don't seize, I told myself. My hands were shaking a little and I tried to take some deep breaths. No, please no, I begged.

~

Moments later, the door opened and I felt two different hands rest on my back.
“Louis? What’s wrong?” Harry asked softly. I wanted to cry at this point, but I had to stop a seizure first.
"We're here Louis," Niall reassured me and I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.
"You are going to seize?" Harry asked me and I didn’t know how to respond, so I remained still.
"Louis?"
"Lou? Talk to us," Harry said and tears flowed down my face. I was exhausted. I needed this from the boys, no matter how stupid it was. I let my eyes glaze over, and I watched Niall become serious.
"He's having an absent seizure, Harry."
"Ok. I'll grab some cushions."
"Breathe Louis. I'm here," Niall said as he held my hands.
"Ok. Lie him down," Harry said as he returned and together, they gently lay me down. I let my body relax, and they turned me onto my side.
"Shit. Has he seized?" Liam asked as he came into the room.
"It's an absent seizure. He's alright."
"Ok," Liam said before I felt him kneel beside me. "We're here Louis. Just breathe," Liam said, and I let more tears fall from my eyes.
"How long's it been Harry?"
"1 minute and 23 seconds."
"Ok. So not long?"
"No," Harry replied and everything went quiet.

After another minute or two with the boys around me, I started feeling better. I let myself exhale, close my eyes and relax.
"Louis? It's Niall. We're here mate. We're with you," Niall said as rubbed his hand gently over my shoulder.
"Can you hear us?" Liam asked, but I stayed quiet. I just needed rest.
"Where's Paul?"
"Asleep probably."
"We should get Louis back to the bus. He's in no fit state to record anything."
"Agreed."
"I can take him," Harry said, and I felt him wrapping his arms under my back and under my legs. "Ok Lou," Harry said, and he lifted me up.
"Have you got him?"
"Yeah."
"I'll get the doors."
"Thanks Liam," Harry said, and he carried me outside and to the bus.

~

"How is he?" Niall whispered as the boys returned to the bus. I hadn't been able to drift off to sleep since they had tucked me into bed, so I had been lying awake in darkness and silence instead. Harry's hand touched my chest, then he listened to my breathing.
"He seems ok."
"H," I whispered.
"Louis? Did we wake you?"
"No."
"Are you alright?" Niall asked as he put his hand onto my leg.
"Yeah… I can’t. Sleep."
"I could cuddle up to you. See if that helps?" Liam suggested, and I nodded. "Ok," He said, and he climbed in beside me. Wrapping his arm under my neck, we got comfortable beside each other and he lay his other arm over my waist.
"Sleep well Louis. Just call us if you need anything."
"Thanks," I said and Niall squeezed my hand.
"Night Louis."
"Night," I said before I snuggled into Liam. I fell asleep within moments.

Chapter Text

None’s POV
“Harry, are you ok?” Niall asked him between interviews.
“I’m tired. I just need time to rest.”
“I know. We all feel like that Harry.”
“But I really need to rest Niall. I’ve been sick and getting the shakes.”
“Can you fake something?”
“Like an illness?”
“It needs to be more dramatic. You know that the managers are pushing us hard, even when we’re sick.”
“I know. What are you thinking?”
“You need to collapse. Just pass out, hit the ground. Out cold.”
“For out long?”
“As long as you can, but before they take you to hospital. You’ll be given bed rest and some time alone.”
“Alright.”
“We’ve got our next show in two days. Can you manage until then?”
“I think so. I’ll collapse backstage after the show. I don’t want to let the fans down.”
“That’s a good plan. I won’t tell Liam or Louis until you’re on bed rest.”
“Ok.”
“Hi boys!” The next interviewer called as she came in and Niall and Harry turned to her.
“Hello!”
“Hi,” The boys said with a smile.

~

The show ended and Niall was sorting out his sound equipment backstage. There was a lot of commotion and people running around, so once he was done he went to find out what was going on.
“What’s happening Liam?” Niall asked as he found him.
“Harry’s collapsed.”
“What? Is he ok?” Niall asked, knowing that Harry was actually fine.
“We don’t know, he just passed out and he’s not responding.”
“When did this happen?”
“About 5 minutes ago. They’re talking about getting an ambulance.”
“Is there anything that I can do to help?”
“I don’t think so. People are getting water, but Harry’s not awake so we can’t do much.”
“Is the medic with him?”
“Yeah, the medic’s with him.”
“Did he hurt himself on the stage? Could he have hit his head?”
“I don’t know. I need to find Martin, everyone’s in the main corridor backstage.”
“Thanks Liam,” Niall said and he went off to find Harry.

Surrounded by people, Harry was keeping himself calm as he tried to stay unconscious for as long as he could.
“What’s going on?” Niall asked as he arrived.
“Harry’s collapsed. He’s doing alright.”
“Liam said he’s been out for about 5 minutes.”
“He has.”
“Has he hit his head? Did he hurt himself on stage?”
“I haven’t seen any obvious signs of injury. Did you notice something tonight Niall?”
“No, but I’m wondering why he’s collapsed.”
“We’ve got an ambulance on the way and they will be able to assess Harry properly at the hospital.”
“Ok,” Niall said, and he knelt beside his bandmate. “Harry talk to us.”
“Blood pressure is 60 over 120.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s normal.”
“Good,” Niall said and he took Harry’s hand. Harry moved his hand slightly and Niall felt it. “I’m right here Harry, it’s alright,” Niall said and the paramedics came in.

~

In the ambulance with Niall, Harry stopped pretending. He sat up and he apologised to the paramedics.
“I just need time to rest. I’m really sorry that you got called out.”
“He has been feeling sick and getting the shakes.”
“It might be exhaustion. Have you had any other problems over the past few weeks?” The paramedic asked Harry.
“I’ve had a number of headaches, and there was a day that I was feeling really dizzy.”
“You’ve slept through a number of your alarms as well Harry.”
“I have. It’s been increasingly noticeable over the last week.”
“He’s got in trouble for it a few times by our management.”
“It sounds like you are close to collapsing out of exhaustion Harry. We’ll get a doctor to assess you at the hospital, but 3 to 4 days of complete rest should sort out most of your symptoms. You need to talk to your management about lifestyle changes. This pace is clearly having a very bad impact on you Harry.”
“We’re going on a break soon, so we’ll all be able to get some rest.”
“Are the rest of your band doing alright?”
“We’re ok. Liam’s tired, but not to the same extent as Harry. We can hold on until our break starts.”
“Don’t be worried about going to the doctor about exhaustion, it impacts all parts of your life.”
“We won’t. And thank you for not being angry that Harry faked it.”
“It was your idea Niall.”
“It was.”
“Harry needs to be seen to, but don’t do it again boys. Your first stop should be your GP Harry.”
“I know,” Harry said and they arrived at the hospital.

~

“How are you doing Harry?” Louis asked as they came into the bus. Harry was still in bed at 2pm the day after he'd been taken to hospital.
“I’m feeling better. I’ve been asleep for over 12 hours.”
“14 and a half hours to be precise Harry.”
“I can’t believe that you faked fainting and being unconscious, and you didn’t tell us.”
“The less people who knew, the better.”
“The only person who knew was Niall.”
“Exactly,” Niall said before he laughed.
“I’m glad that you’re feeling better Harry.”
“No headaches? Shakes or anything like that?”
“I have got a headache, but the doctor said that I need a few days of complete rest before I’m back to my normal self.”
“Of course.”
“And management can never know.”
“They won’t hear it from me.”
“Or me.”
“Thanks boys.”
“The doctor said that he was close to collapsing for real.”
“Another day or two and I would have collapsed on stage.”
“We wouldn’t want that.”
“As you’re awake, but resting. Shall we watch a movie?”
“Yeah, and I’m hungry.”
“I’ll order a takeaway. Chinese?”
“Chinese sounds good Niall.”
“Great, I’ll order it now.”
“Time to get up Harry.”
“I’m on it,” Harry said, and he got out of bed. Cuddled up together, the boys watched a movie with their Chinese food. Harry had a shower and a workout before he went back to bed. Niall, Liam and Louis had a meeting with management during the evening so that they wouldn’t disturb Harry. A couple of weeks and they would be free of their One Direction contracts.

Chapter Text

Liam and Louis have a little 6 year old boy called Niall. He gets cancer. Harry Styles is his doctor and Ashton Irwin is a medical student on placement with Harry.

Unfortunately it is unfinished 😔

Bed Time
"Ok Niall, bed time," Liam told his 6 year old son as he tucked him into bed.
"Story... daddy I'm scared."
"What are you scared of, baby?"
"I... it..." Niall said as tears appeared in his eyes.
"You just want another bedtime story, I know," Liam said before he kissed Niall. "Goodnight darling. Go to sleep."
"No. Daddy!" Niall called in fear as Liam turned off the light and closed the door.

"How's our little boy doing?" Louis asked as Liam came back into their bedroom.
"He's fine. He just wanted another story before bed."
"Oh that boy, come here love," Louis said as he patted the bed with his hand. Liam climbed in beside his husband and snuggled up to him.
"I hate leaving him Lou, but he needs to learn to sleep on his own."
"Yeah, he needs to learn, and you're doing the right thing," Louis said before he kissed Liam on the cheek. "I give him half an hour before he knocks on our door."
"Twenty minutes," Liam betted in return.
"Raspberries in the muesli?"
"Agreed," Liam said and they waited for Niall to knock on the door.

Forty minutes passed and there had been nothing. No knock, no movement across the landing, no little Niall crying outside.
"Liam love. I think that we should check on him," Louis said, but when Liam didn't reply he looked down at him. Liam was fast asleep. "Oh babe," Louis said before he kissed Liam. "Stay here," He whispered before he lowered Liam onto the bed and he climbed out of it himself.

Slowly he opened their bedroom door and walked across the corridor. He opened Niall's door and turned the dim light on. He went over to Niall and looked at his little boy as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked fast asleep, so Louis gently kissed him on the cheek, turned off the light and left.

Niall however, was awake and terrified. He'd just had a seizure, not that he knew what it was. He lay silent in the dark, petrified and not moving.

~

When morning came, Niall woke up on the ground. His shoulder hurt and he cried. Neither of his dad's came to help, so he went and knocked on their door.
"Dada?" He asked between sobs. "Daddy? dada..."
"Morning Niall, sorry love," Louis said as he opened the door while rubbing his eyes. "It's 6am so it's breakfast time."
"My arm..."
"I know, Arman cereal, come on littlen," Louis said, being half asleep, and he led Niall downstairs. Niall didn't know enough words to tell his dad that he had a dislocated shoulder, so he just cried instead. "Niall honey, is this about last night?" Louis asked as he knelt down and brushed his son's tears away.
"Yeah..." Niall said as he nodded.
"Is this about daddy Liam not reading you a story?"
"No..." Niall began but Louis interrupted.
"No, I know. Just one story per night babe," Louis said before he kissed Niall. "Eat your breakfast honey, by the time we get you dressed, it'll be time for school."
"But dada..."
"Ah, no dada-ing me. I won't fall for it babe," Louis said and Niall took instead to eating his breakfast. He was still crying and Louis watched him as he ate his food.

"Come on baby, let's get your top on," Liam said as he tried to dress Niall.
"No... Hurts..." Niall tried to persuade his dad.
"It's just a uniform baby, it has to go on."
"No. Dada... argh!" Niall screamed as Liam forced the school top on, somehow he had not noticed that Niall's shoulder was sitting out of its socket. "Dadda... owww..." Niall complained, but Liam ignored him.
"Ok Ni, jumper on now," Liam said and he put the jumper onto his son. Niall went quiet, and Louis got the car ready. "Right, all good," Liam said as he finished smartening Niall up for school.
"Ok Liam, I'm ready when our little drama queen is."
"We're just coming now," Liam said as he turned Niall's collar down and Niall collapsed into his arms. "Niall?! Niall?" Liam asked before he shook his little boy. Then a smile broke across Liam's face. "It's not going to work Niall, you're going to school," Liam said before he picked Niall up and went downstairs.
"Niall?! Liam, what happened?" Louis asked in shock as they appeared.
"Niall's pretending to be sick, let's get him to school."
"Ok," Louis said before he rolled his eyes. "Let's get into the car. He had an attitude over breakfast about last night's story."
"Did he?"
"He did. And faking sick isn't going to help," Louis told Niall as Liam got him strapped into the car. To them, he was only pretending to be unconscious.

When Niall woke up, they were at school. He looked around before felt the sharp pain in his shoulder.
"Ow!" Niall cried out before he raised his hand to his shoulder and he cried more.
"Oh darling, I appreciate the acting but you've got school to go to," Louis told him as he stopped the car and both Liam and him got out.
"But dada... it hurts..." Niall complained as Louis opened the door.
"Of course it does love, come on," Louis said as he got Niall out of the car and Liam put his school bag onto his shoulders. Niall was in too much pain to cry out, so he just began walking to the school gate. Louis ruffled Niall's hair before he stepped out of his reach.
"Have a good day Niall!"
"We love you!" Liam and Louis called as Niall went through the school gates.

~

"Hello, Brooker's Accountants," Liam said as he picked up the phone that was on his desk.
"Am I speaking to Liam Tomlinson?" A woman asked.
"Yes, that's me."
"My name's Jane, I'm calling from St John's Primary School about your son, Niall Tomlinson."
"Oh, is everything ok? He's not in any trouble is he?"
"No. Your son collapsed about half an hour ago and we called for an ambulance," The woman said and Liam's blood ran cold. Niall hadn't been joking earlier that morning. "The paramedics found that he's got a dislocated shoulder and bruising to his chest. We've informed the police as these injuries require us to start our domestic abuse procedures. I'm sorry about this Mr Tomlinson, but they'll need to question both you and your husband about Niall's injuries."
"No, erm... yeah, of course...." Liam said as he was in a state of shock. "I'll call Louis now and we'll get down to the school as soon as we can."
"We'll need you both to go to the hospital rather than the school."
"Yeah... ok..." Liam continued as he tried to stay calm. "The hospital, fine. Thank you," He said before he hung up. "Fuck!" He shouted before he hit his desk. How had he not noticed a dislocated shoulder?! Niall had been screaming in pain and neither he or Louis had believed him. Had he actually passed out on the way to school then?

"Liam, what's wrong?" Louis asked as he picked up the phone. He had told Liam to only call him at work if it was an emergency.
"Niall collapsed at school."
"What?! Is he ok?"
"He's got a dislocated shoulder Lou and we need to erm... we need to talk to the police."
"Oh shit," Louis said, knowing that neither he or Liam knew why Niall had a dislocated shoulder and so the police suspected them even more because of it. "Where's Niall now? Is our baby ok?"
"He's gone to hospital, I'll meet you there Lou ok."
"I'll be there in ten minutes," Liam said before he hung up.

"I'm sure that your dad's will be along soon," A policeman reassured Niall as he sat crying on the hospital bed. His arm was in a sling and his shoulder had been relocated by a locum doctor. No he just wanted his dad's.
"Niall! Niall, honey," Louis called as he rushed forwards and took Niall into his arms.
"Be careful with his arm Mr Tomlinson."
"I am being careful. I love you baby, oh we're so sorry," Louis said as he kissed Niall and Niall snuggled deeply into his dad.
"I'm Liam, Niall's other dad," Liam said as he extended his hand and the policeman shook it.
"Officer Hopkins. I'm glad that you both came so swiftly."
"Dada," Niall said as he saw Liam.
"Hi baby," Liam said before he sat on Niall's bed and kissed his son gently. "Daddy's here and we're really, really sorry love."
"Does it hurt anymore?" Louis asked his son as they were huddled together as a family.
"No," Niall said as he shook his head.
"Niall's had a few painkillers," Officer Hopkins told them.
"Ok love," Louis said before he kissed Niall again.
"Oi Lou! Let me love him!" Liam interrupted and Niall giggled as both of his dad's showered him with kisses.
"Alright, I hate to break this up but I need to have a chat with both of you," Officer Hopkins said and both Liam and Louis paid more attention to him.
"Of course officer."
"Niall and I had a chat before you arrived and he said that he woke up feeling funny and that his arm hurt."
"Yeah," Niall said as he blushed and Liam pulled him close.
"He also said that you ignored his pleas for help, although you didn't hurt him."
"We'd never, ever hurt Niall," Louis defended and Niall sniffled.
"Niall?" The officer asked as he came forward.
"Honey?" Liam asked as both he and Louis looked at their son.
"Did they hurt you?" The officer asked and Niall nodded.
"Ni..."
"Shush," The officer told Liam as he knelt down to Niall's height. "You're safe Niall. How did they hurt you?" Officer Hopkins asked and Louis's blood went cold. Liam. It was Liam getting him dressed and then with the school bag that had hurt him. Oh Liam, Niall didn't understand what this meant, but they did.
"Top... dada put my top... on and. And I screamed..."
"You screamed?"
"Yeah. Then... then the world went funny, and I... was at school. Dada put the bag on me and I can't... I don't..." Niall said as he began crying once more.
"Ok honey, ok," Officer Hopkins said and Louis was disgusted that he was calling their son honey. "Excuse me!" He called and a member of staff came over. "Can you look after this little one? I have to talk to his fathers."
"I'm not really supposed to mind children during a shift..."
"This is Niall Tomlinson, state purple," The officer said and the staff member's face became serious.
"Of course. Why don't we get you a lollipop or something buddy alright?"
"Yeah..." Niall said between his tears.
"Yeah. Come on, do you want a strawberry one or a lemon one?" The staff member asked as he took Niall's hand and began walking with him away from Louis and Liam.
"Is he going to be ok?" Liam asked.
"He'll be fine. Now, you are both under suspicion of physically abusing your son and given Niall's evidence, I have raised this to a heightened level of suspension."
"What does that mean?" Liam asked as he gripped Louis's hand and they both tried to stay calm.
"It means that, for the moment, we are going to have to keep Niall separate from you both and you will not be able to take him home."
"What?!" Louis cried out in horror.
"Louis, calm down," Liam said and Officer Hopkins wrote something down on his pad of paper.
"Ok. Liam, we'll start with your statement of the events between 7pm yesterday and now."

"Then, we dropped him off at school and he seemed fine," Louis finished before Liam looked to his side.
"Niall!" He screamed as he saw his son seizing on the ground with red liquid around his head. Beside him was a staff member and a locum doctor. He stood up and ran over to him before Officer Hopkins stood him and stopped him, moments before he could touch Niall. "What are you doing?! That's my son!" Liam screamed.
"Heart rate at 200. We need to get him to resus," The locum doctor said before a trolley arrived and both he and the other staff member lifted Niall onto the trolley.
"Niall? Baby!" Louis shouted before Niall disappeared.

"Ok. I need full bloods, a bed on the children's ward and a CT scan asap," Dr Styles said before he kept assessing Niall. He'd stopped seizing, but he still had Niall on his side and with an oxygen mask over his face. He was specialised in paediatric care, but seeing a 6 year old seizing in the middle of A&E had given his heart a shock. "Ashton, how's his heart rate doing?" Dr Styles asked Ashton, his medical student, and Ashton nodded.
"It's back in the normal range. He's involved in a suspected abuse case."
"Oh, I see. Were those his dad's outside?"
"I believe so, yeah."
"Ok," Harry said before Niall began seizing violently. "Ok, fuck. 30 mg of diazepam, and a breathing tube," Harry said before he began working on Niall.

~

"How are you doing now little man?" Ashton asked as he sat holding Niall's hand. Only he and the doctor were allowed in with Niall at the moment, and given that his potentially abusive fathers were waiting outside, Ashton figured that everyone needed reassurance. He was holding Niall's hand and stroking his hand through his hair gently. He'd just got Niall a strawberry lollipop when he'd collapsed and started seizing. Dr Styles had been worried that the liquid had been blood rather than frozen, flavoured water.
"Arh! Acho!" Niall sneezed and Ashton held his hand more. He was still unconscious, as far as he could tell, but that didn't stop his body from functioning.
"Ashton," Dr Styles said as he came in. Great, he had the results from the CT scan. Unfortunately, he didn't seem too happy about them. "Stage 5 anterior cranial lesion," He said as he showed Ashton the scan, and Ashton went pale.
"Shit."
"Yeah, I thought so. Induced seizures, I'm pretty sure that the dad's are innocent."
"What are you going to tell the police?"
"The truth," Dr Styles said before he left.

"All the charges against you have been dropped," Officer Hopkins told Liam and Louis before he left them.
"What?"
"Officer Hopkins? Officer Hopkins!" Liam called, but he was ignored.
"How were the charges just dropped? How?" Louis asked as Dr Styles came over to them.
"Hello. I'm Doctor Styles, are you both Niall's parents?"
"We are, yeah," Liam told him as he shook his hand, then Louis shook Dr Styles's hand as well.
"If you both could follow me, I need to have a chat with you?"
"What about our little boy?" Louis asked as he looked through the glass at his unconscious son.
"My colleague Ashton, is a medical student, and he's taking care of Niall alright. We won’t be very long, then you can be with your little boy again," Dr Styles reassured them.
"Is this about the charges against us being dropped?"
"Partly. I really need you to come with me."

Dr Styles closed the door and sat opposite Louis and Liam. Liam had his arm around Louis and they were anxious to know what was going on.
"There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'm just going to stay it. Niall has a stage 5 cancerous brain tumour," Dr Styles told them, and both Liam and Louis went pale.
"....what?" Louis asked after a moment.
"You're sure that it's... cancer?" Liam asked, not quite about to say the C word.
"I am very certain I'm afraid. It was very clear on the scan and I had a cancer consultant take a look at it as well."
"Can you erm..." Liam asked before he felt Louis shaking, so he pulled him close into his body. "What treatments are there?" Liam asked and Harry's face became sombre.
"I'm sorry, but stage 5 cancer..."
"No," Louis squeaked and Harry went over to him. He was leaning more against Liam and Harry could see that he was about to pass out.
"Let's get him onto the floor," He said gently and both he and Liam lay Louis onto the ground.
"Babe. Baby," Liam said to Louis before he kissed him on the forehead.
"Stage... 5..." Louis said before he fell unconscious.
"What is stage 5 can... cancer?" Liam asked Harry.
"It's when the cancer is highly developed and there's almost nothing that we can do."
"...almost?" Liam asked in hope.
"I'm really sorry Liam," Harry said as he put his hand onto Liam's shoulder. "There's no treatment that we can do for Niall to make him better," Harry said and Liam started crying.

~

Niall was trying to wake up. He felt awful and he was confused.
"Hey Niall. You're ok little man, just try opening your eyes for me," Ashton said as he watched Niall moving.
"Nurgh," Niall moaned and Ashton rubbed his shoulder.
"Come on Niall, keep waking up," He encouraged Niall, but he just moaned and didn't open his eyes. "Are you in pain buddy?" Ashton asked, and after a moment, Niall opened his eyes. "There you are, hi little man."
"Da... da?" Niall asked.
"Daddy's on his way," Ashton said before Niall closed his eyes again. "No bud, try to stay awake for me. Daddy's coming remember?"
"Daddy's here," Liam said as he came over, sat on Niall's bed and took his son's hand. "Is he awake?"
"He was. He's fading in and out at the moment."
"Oh baby," Liam said before he kissed Niall and Ashton properly looked at him. He had tear tracks stained down his face and he was pale.
"Has Dr Styles told you?"
"Yeah," Liam said as tears threatened to fall.
"Where's Niall's other dad?"
"With a nurse. He erm, fainted at the news."
"I see. Are you ok?"
"No. Of course I'm not ok," Liam said before a tear fell down his cheek. Then, Niall's hand moved in his own. "Hey," He said softly as he gently squeezed Niall's hand. "Hi honey, daddy's here. Daddy's here."

Niall's cancer was terminal. It was not clear why he'd only started having seizures a few days ago, but Harry knew that there was nothing they could do to make him better. They could however provide palliative care, and make sure Niall enjoyed his last few weeks of life with as little pain and discomfort as they could manage.

The policeman had dropped the charges as violent seizures can commonly cause the injuries that Niall came into hospital with. That and Dr Styles having a strong word with him.

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
The car came to a stop and there was a ringing in my ears.
“Louis…” A voice said as the sound slowly faded. “Louis, are you alright?” Paul asked me and I nodded.
“Yeah… What happened?”
“The car has come off the road and is on its side. Are you hurt?”
“I don't… think so…” I said as the ringing fully stopped, and I opened my eyes.
“I need to get you out of the car,” Paul told me.
“Ok.”
“I've got you,” Paul said and, with his help, I managed to get out of the car. “Are you ok?” Paul asked me again as I stood up.
“Yeah,” I said, and Paul turned back to the car. I got myself together and I felt my ears again before I looked at the scene: Our car was fully on its side. The front windscreen and both side windows had been smashed. I checked myself for glass as Harry climbed out of the car.
“Harry, are you ok?” I asked him.
“Yeah, I'm good,” Harry replied. He had a few bruises, but he seemed to be ok.
“Liam, look at me,” Paul called, and I went over to him.
“Is Liam ok?”
“He's hit his head,” Paul told me.
“Argh…” Liam groaned. I looked in and saw that Liam had blood by his head, and he had his eyes scrunched up in pain.
“Can you move Liam?” I called to him.
“Louis?” Liam asked me weakly.
“Yeah, it's me.”
“I think I… argh, my head…”
“How bad is the pain Liam?” Paul asked him.
“What… happened?”
“Our car crashed, you're on your side Liam,” I told him.
“Oh…”
“Can you move?” Paul pressed.
“I think… so…”
“Ok. We need to get you out of the car. Nice and slow,” Paul said, and Liam started to move. As he started to climb out, I noticed Niall’s hair poking between the seats and my body became cold.
“Paul. Niall’s not out of the car.”
“Paddy’s looking after him. We need to get Liam out of the car,” Paul said, and I swallowed. That meant that Niall was not in a good way. He wasn’t moving, so he was probably unconscious. Paddy was with him while Paul was looking after Harry, myself and Liam, and that meant… “Louis? Are you still with me?” Paul asked, and I looked at him. He had his hand on my shoulder and I nodded.
“I’m here Paul. Niall’s just…”
“I know. We’re looking after you all. Can you help me with Liam?”
“Yeah… yeah,” I said, and Paul turned back to Liam.
“Liam, how are you doing?”
“Where am I… going?” Liam asked as he was already climbing out of the car.
“Towards my voice. You’re doing really well Liam.”
“Keep coming to us Liam. You’re almost there.”
“We’ve almost got you,” Paul said, and Liam moved slightly more, which allowed Paul to get hold of Liam’s top and help him out.
“Are you ok?” I asked Liam as he came out.
“No my head’s…”
“Come with me, then sit down,” Liam said and I followed him and Paul. Paul sat Liam down on a log and inspected his head injury. Liam was clearly out of it, and he was in pain.

Harry’s POV
“I need to tell Paul how he’s doing. Tell me if anything changes,” Paddy told me.
“Ok,” I replied, and he went off to talk to Paul. Niall was lying on his side, broken glass surrounding him and he was unconscious. I gently wrapped my hand around one of his, but I had to be careful not to move him. Blood was by Niall’s head and he could have sustained serious injuries. “Niall, can you hear me? Niall?” I asked, knowing that it was a long-shot. It had been a fairly serious accident, and Liam was already injured. Having two injured parties, not including Louis and I as we both just had bruises and a few minor cuts, was really bad.
“Hmn… urh…” Niall groaned, and his return to consciousness took me by surprise.
“Niall? Hey, you’re ok. It’s Harry.”
“I…”
“Are you in pain?” I asked him gently as he started to move. “No. No, stay still Niall. You’re hurt.”
“Arh,” Niall said as I steadied him. “Stop,” He whispered.
“Does something hurt Niall?”
“Stop…” Niall whispered again before he fell unconscious.
“Harry. Has anything happened?” Paddy asked as he returned.
“Niall came round for a moment, and he tried to move.”
“He’s probably confused, but that’s a good sign. It means that he’s able to move.”
“We shouldn’t move him though?”
“No, just because he can move doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have an injury.”
“I see.”
“The emergency services are on their way.”
“They’re going to have to cut the car to get Niall out aren’t they?”
“It looks like it. You’re doing great job Harry, are you doing alright?” Paddy asked me as he leant forwards and started taking Niall’s pulse.
“I’m nervous, but ok.”
“Tell me if you feel ill or anything.”
“I will.”

~

Two ambulances, an air ambulance, three police cars and two fire engines turned up. As the firemen were cutting the front half of the car away in order to get Niall out, I got checked out by one of the paramedics. Liam was lying down on a bed having been diagnosed with a grade II concussion, but Louis and I were deemed as ‘ok with a few minor cuts and scrapes’.

Once Niall was extracted from the car, he was moved into an ambulance with spinal blocks around his head. I got into the ambulance with him and we blue lighted to the nearest hospital.
“H…” Niall whispered as he came to once more.
“I’m here Niall.”
“Where are… ened?” He asked and I squeezed his hand.
“We’re on the way to the hospital. There was a crash.”
“Hmn… eed you…”
“I’m here Niall. I’m here,” I told him before I kissed his hand. He seemed to fade out again, so I brushed my hand very gently through his hair and I kissed him on the forehead.
“Niall’s very lucky to have you all,” The paramedic told me as I sat back.
“We love each other to bits, and Niall’s badly hurt.”
“We’ll know the full extend of Niall’s injuries once we scan him at the hospital.”
“Yes. Thank you,” I said, and the ambulance rushed through the traffic.

~
At The Hospital

None’s POV
All the boys were asleep. Liam was spending a second night at the hospital, while Louis and Harry were getting some rest back at the hotel. It was 11pm at night when Niall's hand moved, and Paddy sat up.
“Niall? Can you hear me? It’s Paddy,” Paddy said as he took hold of Niall’s hand.
A squeeze.
“Can you say something to me?”
No squeeze.
“Niall, can you hear me?”
“I…”
“That’s it. Take your time bud.”
“I… ‘end?”
“You were involved in a car crash. You’re in hospital and being looked after. The other boys are ok.”
“Go… good.”
“How are you feeling?”
“No… not… good…”
“Ok. I’m going to call for your doctor,” Paddy said before he pressed the call button. Niall’s doctor came into the room, and he quickly assessed the Irishman. Niall had a brain injury, it’s extent not fully known, but he had one. His cuts and bleeding head wound had been tended to, and thankfully he hadn’t broken any of his bones.
“Can you say your name for me?” The doctor asked as he finished listening to Niall’s chest.
“Ni… Ni… all…”
“That’s good. Can you open your eyes for me?” The doctor asked, and Niall’s eyes slowly fluttered open. He squinted in the bright light, and the doctor shone a torch into his eyes. “Your pupil response is normal. You can close your eyes if it is too bright Niall.”
“Thank… thanks,” Niall said before he closed his eyes.
“Do you know who I am?” Paddy asked as he squeezed Niall’s hand.
“Com… fort.”
“Can you give me a name?”
“N… no,” Niall said with effort.
“Ok, that’s alright Niall.”
“Why do I… my head’s…”
“Are you in pain?” The doctor asked Niall.
“No, I… I’m not… ok…”
“You have a brain injury.”
“Pad… Paddy…”
“You do know my name,” Paddy said and Niall squeezed his hand.
“My head’s… I can’t remem… ember…”
“Keep waking up Niall. I’ll be back shortly ok?”
“Ok,” Niall said before he turned his head to Paddy. “Who was… was that?”
“That was your doctor.”
“Why do I… need a doctor?” Niall asked and Paddy leant close to the Irishman.
“Because you’ve been hurt. You’re in hospital.”
“Hmn.”

~
At The Hotel

“Boys,” Paul said as he came into the room the next morning and Harry, Louis and Liam all sat forward waiting for the news.
“How is he?” Louis asked Paul, talking about Niall.
“His head injury is worse than expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“Niall seems to be struggling to understand the reality around him. He’s confused, more than being concussed, and he’s getting tremors.”
“What do you mean by tremors?”
“Uncontrollable shakes, a kind of seizure if you would prefer.”
“Shit.”
“Is he going to get better?”
“No. His head injury is permanent.”
“Oh my God,” Liam said, and Harry remained silent.
“Bloody hell. Can we visit him?”
“Yes. Niall’s only allowed visitor at a time, but I can take you this afternoon.”

~
Hospital Visit

“I… can’t…” Niall said as he struggled to play his guitar. His brain could only longer work out how to play it.
“Ok. Let’s leave it for today Niall.”
“I can’t Louis… I can’t…” Niall said, as his hands struggled to pluck at the guitar strings.
“Ok. It’s ok Niall,” Louis said as he put his hands onto Niall’s guitar and his heart broke a little, something that had once brought so much joy to Niall was now only causing pain.
“Hi boys. I’ve got some good news,” Liam said as he came in, but Niall’s frustration and upset turned to furious anger.
“I CAN’T! PLAY! Niall screamed, before he smashed his guitar with tears flowing down his cheeks.
“Give us space Liam,” Louis said, and Liam left them. “Niall. Niall, Niall, Niall,” Louis said as Niall’s hands finally let go of his broken guitar. Wood fell onto the floor as Niall was in pieces. “Niall,” Louis said gently, and he embraced his distraught brother.
“I can’t…”
“I know. I know,” Louis said, and Niall kept crying as he was against Louis’s shoulder. “I love you. I love you so much Nialler.”
“I can’t…”
“I know. I know.”

~

“Hi Liam. Niall can't play his guitar any-more,” Louis told Liam as he met him for lunch. “His brain can’t work out how to play it.”
“Can he relearn how two?”
“He might be able to, but he’s smashed his guitar to pieces.”
“Oh Nialler. He loved that guitar.”
“He did. I’m glad it’s gone though, it was tearing Niall apart. I don’t want to him to feel like that,” Louis said as tears appeared in his eyes.
“His injury is permanent so change is inevitable.”
“But his music. It defines him Liam.”
“And we’ll support him and make sure that he gets it back. We’ll love him Louis,” Liam said as he took Louis’s hand. Louis had stayed strong for Niall, but all the boys were struggling with their new reality.
“We will,” Louis replied to Liam.
“Anyway, I have good news.”
“What is it?”
“Harry and I have found a holiday home. It's in Stonehaugh in Northumberland. It’s big enough for the four of us, and our entourage in the garden. It's a bungalow and it's beside a lake. It's also a very quiet area.”
“That's great news Liam. How long have you booked it for?”
“A month. We need to give Niall some space and Paul wants to see how he is day to day. I’m worried about how much this is going to change all of our lives.”
“You and me both Liam,” Louis said as tears threatened to fall from his eyes once more.
“Are you ok?” Liam asked as he retook Louis’s hand.
“No. Niall’s always been so confident, independent, and strong. But now…”
“He’s been injured. We still love him the same.”
“We do,” Louis said as he nodded.
“This is going to be hard for all of us, but myself and Harry are here for you too Louis.”
“We have to be here for each other.”
“Exactly,” Liam said and Louis hugged him.

After a few moments, Louis went back to his seat and he wiped his tears away.
“What did you do about Niall’s guitar?” Liam asked Louis.
“I cleared it up and recycled it. When, and if, Niall learns to play again: that guitar would only bring back painful memories for him.”
“That’s fair enough. Do you need some food?”
“I do,” Louis said and Liam waved a waiter over.
“Is Harry with Niall at the moment?” Liam asked.
“No, Niall’s getting some sleep. Harry’s got a meeting.”
“Ok,” Liam said, and Louis ordered fish and chips for lunch.

~
At The Holiday Home

“How’s Niall?” Harry asked as Paul came back into the room.
“He’s settled in and asleep.”
“That’s really good.”
“I have some concerns boys.”
“I think we should call it on the band,” Louis said and everyone looked at him. They were all thinking the same thing. They had only been at the holiday home for two weeks, but Niall was clearly a lot different from the cocky young lad who had auditioned on the X-factor just a few years ago. He was detached from reality, and when he had tremors (which was a few times a day, but the doctor said that the frequency of them should decrease), he properly lost touch of everything that was going on around him. Niall had periods when he was completely out of it, and he was sleeping for up to 20 hours a day. Niall would improve a little, but not enough to resume their normal, hectic life.
“I agree,” Liam commented.
“Me too. Niall can’t cope with the pace that we are going on at the moment.”
“He’s not well enough, it’s as simple as that,” Louis and Harry both said.
“I’m glad that you boys all agree. Niall’s been badly injured, and ending the band is the best thing for him,” Paul agreed. “Your 5th album comes out in a few months, do you think that Niall can cope with a few weeks of press and interviews?”
“A few of them Paul, but he’s not as he was.”
“If we pick and choose Niall’s appearances, then yes.”
“He have to be careful, but he can. We’ll look after him.”
“On another note,” Harry added. “Can we buy this holiday home? We all love it here, and it seems ideal for Niall.”
“You boys can contact the owner and see what they say.”
“We’ll do that.”
“I’ll tell Niall our decision in an hour or two, once he’s had a decent nap.”
“That sounds like a good plan Louis.”
“Who wants some food? I’ve made cookies.”
“I do Liam!” Harry called, and they both raced into the kitchen.

Chapter Text

~
On The Road

Niall's POV
I was with my family. We were doing press for our 5th music album, and we were on the road. I was sleeping a lot, but they had seemed to factor that in. I knew that I had sustained a brain injury from a car crash we'd been in a few weeks ago, or months. I couldn't remember the crash, only waking up in hospital.

Being back on tour, or what felt like tour, was overwhelming. I tried to hide how I was feeling from my family as they were already doing a lot to look after me. My whole head and body felt different. Things I had once loved and had been able to cope with: I couldn't any longer. It was scary.

~

I was sitting, waiting for an interview to start, and I was fiddling with my hands.
"Niall, are you ok?" Louis asked me gently as he put his hand onto my shoulder.
"Yeah," I said before I looked down.
"You don't seem to be ok," Harry told me gently, and my fidgeting became worse.
"I..." I said as I stood up and I put my hands into my hair. I still held onto it when I was nervous, good. It was one thing about me that hadn't changed.
"You're on in 5 boys."
"Give us a few minutes."
"Ok."
"Niall."
"Don't 'Niall' me!" I told Louis as I shrugged him off. I paced a little before I looked back at the boys with tears in my eyes. "I can't... it's..."
"Talk to me Niall," Liam said as he slowly came over to me.
"I can't..." I said as I started to cry. "I can't do this..."
"Ok. Can you tell me why?" Liam asked me gently as he put his hands onto my arms.
"It's too... it's overwhelming. My head... MY HEAD!" I screamed.
"Niall. Niall," Liam said sternly and I turned back to face him, tears flowing down my cheeks. "Are you in pain?"
"No," I whispered, as Liam was making me feel safe. "No... it's too much. Liam, my head. My head..." I whispered before I leant into Liam, and he embraced me.
"We're going to go on Liam. Make sure Niall's ok," Louis said quietly before both he and Harry left, and I breathed out.

It felt good: to be alone with Liam and everything was quiet.
"I want to go home," I whispered into him.
"I know Nialler. You're hurt, and we love you. But do you remember why we're doing this?"
"For our... music?" I asked after a moment.
"To promote our music and for our fans."
"Oh. Fans," I said. My brain had forgotten about those legions of Eccles cakes. No... directions. Directioneers...
"Niall? Are you still with me?" Liam asked me through the fog of my mind.
"Directions," I told him.
"Directioners. Our fans."
"Please Liam. My head..."
"You're overwhelmed. It's ok Niall. Always tell us how you're feeling, and I promise that we won't ever be upset with you."
"But... you're already doing so much."
"We know that this is a lot for you. We want to end our band on a high, but not at the risk of your health. If you get overwhelmed again, tell us. Please. We love you."
"I love you too."

"Niall, let's get you back to the hotel," Paul said gently as he put his hand onto my back.
"I need to join Harry and Louis onstage. Paul will look after you until we get back," Liam said as he finally let go of me, and he kissed me on the forehead.
"Ok," I conceded. I wasn't ok, and this really was overwhelming me. The boys were here to help me, and I had to accept that I wasn't who I'd been before the car crash, and I needed some help.
"Ok. Are you ok?"
"I'm ok," I told Liam before I smiled.
"Good. I love you Nialler."
"Love you too Payno!" I called as he went onstage, and a moment later I went back to our hotel with Paul.

I fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel. I had been thinking about how much I had changed as a person 💔.
"Niall. Time to go inside," Paul said as he gently shook me awake.
"Oh," I said before I coughed.
"Come on," Paul said, and he took me back to my room.
"I'm sorry, about getting overwhelmed Paul."
"It's ok Niall. Two more weeks then you can put the band behind you."
"Yeah. I'm going to sleep, thank the boys for me."
"I will. Get some rest," Paul said as he tucked me into my bed, and I fell asleep before Paul had even left my room.

~
The End of the Band

A week passed and I managed to get through three interviews. The world was a blur at times, but my brothers were with me. They were always by my side ❤️. On our final day as 'One Direction', I was struggling. We had just performed on the X-factor, which had gone well, and now we were backstage to meet some fans, then we were due to have an interview.
"Are you ready to meet our fans Niall?" Harry asked me.
"I think so."
"Do you need any support?"
"I think I'm ok. It was good to..." I said before I swallowed. "To sing. Our fans love us."
"They sure do."
"And we love you."
"Thanks Louis," I said, and he kissed my cheek. It made me smile, and we went out to meet our fans.

The meet was going well, but my head was starting to swim. I began fiddling with my hands, but I was enjoying it. A sick feeling was starting to fill my stomach, but Harry, Liam and Louis looked happy: so I didn't tell them about how I was feeling. A few minutes later, I started to shake. The sick feeling was growing and I was starting to lose my balance.
"Lou... Louis," I said as I stumbled, and he caught me.
"Niall? Boys," Louis called, and I closed my eyes.
"Lie Niall down."
"Is it a tremor?"
"I think so."
"You're alright Niall. You're ok," Liam said as the boys lay me onto the ground.
"Arh..." I gasped, and my body started to shake out of my control.
"You're ok."
"We're with you Niall," Harry said as Louis turned me onto my side, and the boys were around me.
"Just breathe."
"We're with you Niall," Liam said, and my body shook. I was gasping and the boys were comforting me, but my brain was underwater. Nothing and none was clear to me. I was scared.

Liam's POV
"It's stopping," I said as Niall stopped shaking.
"Is he unconscious?"
"I don't know."
"Niall? Niall, can you hear me?" Harry asked, but Niall didn't move.
"Is he ok?" One of the fans asked as she looked worried.
"He's alright love," Louis told her. "He just needs some help. He's ok."
"Ah," Niall gasped.
"Niall. It's Harry," Harry said gently as he took Niall's hand.
"Ah... Argh..."
"Niall, are you with us?" Louis asked him gently.
"Can you say something Niall? Just so we know that you're alright."
"H..." Niall whispered.
"It's me Niall, yeah," Harry said before he stroked his hand over Niall's cheek.
"We need to get him back to the hotel," Louis said to our crew.
"We'll get a car ready."
"Thank you," Louis said and he thanked our crew, before he turned back to Niall.
"We're going to get you back to the hotel Niall. So you can have a sleep."
"Sleep..." Niall said before he had a small tremor. "Ahaargh..."
"Shhh, you're ok," Harry reassured him.
"Niall's not going to join us in the interview."
"No."
"Ah..." Niall said as his tremor stopped.
"I'm here. You're ok Niall. We're looking after you."
"Thank... thank you," Niall said, and he fell asleep. Paddy carefully picked him up and carried him out of the studio. We all knew that our X-factor performance a few minutes ago would be our last performance for a long time. We couldn't put Niall through any more, he needed peace and stability.

~

None's POV
"So Louis, you said that you have big news," James said and Louis swallowed.
"I do. Basically, we're leaving the music industry. We won't be making any more music or touring."
"What?! How... why...?" James asked in confusion.
"You know that Niall has a permanent injury from the car crash?"
"Yes, some brain damage. Is he doing ok? He's not with you right now."
"No. He got a bit sick after our performance, and our security team have taken him back to the hotel."
"We would like to stress that Niall is ok. He's just not well enough to join us for this interview," Harry added.
"But you performed as a four, how did he get sick so quickly?"
"Niall's ability to keep up with our schedule has decreased. He's ok, as Harry has said, but he needs to rest."
"Ok, so he's gone back to the hotel to get some rest?"
"Yes, some sleep."
"Ok, that's good."
"And it's for Niall that we've decided to call it a day on the band," Liam said, getting the conversation back on track. "He's just not well enough for us to carry on. And as much as have, and do, love writing music and performing, we've made the decision to put Niall's health first."
"So his injury really is bad?"
"It's not good James," Louis told him.
"And it's permanent. Niall needs some time to come to terms with what's happened, then who knows where the future will take us."
"Wow," James said as he sat back. "Well, I want to send Niall my best, and you're sticking together right?"
"Yeah, we're staying as a four. We're all really close."
"And we're all that Niall has. He needs us, and we love him."
"I love all of you boys, and I will be keeping in touch with you and visiting you soon, as long as Niall can handle it?"
"He should be able to. We'll let you know James," Louis told him before he smiled.
"Thank you."
"Can I just say," Harry added. "That we are extremely grateful for everything that has happened to us, and our incredible fans who made it happen. We love them, we always will: and know that we have not come to this decision lightly."
"We all adore our fans, including Niall. And we would carry on if we could, but not at the cost of our health," Liam said.
"Are you upset, any of you, for having to finish this incredible journey so early?"
"I am," Louis said honestly. "Of course, we all wish that the car crash had never happened, but unfortunately it did. We need to do the right thing for Niall, but as Liam said, none knows the future, so this might not be the end of us making music," Louis said and the audience clapped. "Thank you."

James moved the conversation onto their album and what they're looking forward to, before he brought the boys into a big hug at the end of the interview.

~
Going Home

Niall was asleep in the car, and the boys were on their way up to Stonehaugh. They had been able to buy the holiday home and although yesterday had been the end of One Direction, today was a new start.
"Hmn..." Niall said as he came round a little. He had been resting on Louis as both them and Liam were in the back seats.
"Niall? Hi buddy," Louis said as Niall woke up.
"Where are we?"
"We're going home. Our new home in Northumberland."
"The band?"
"It finished yesterday Niall. We explained the situation, and now we need to start afresh."
"I'm so tired," Niall said as he raised his hand and Louis took it.
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Yeah, just... this is a new me."
"It certainly is Niall."
"I have to... get used to it."
"We still love you Niall."
"So much," Louis said, and he kissed Niall on the forehead.
"I've got you."
"You do. And we've got you."
"We're not going to... have a crash on the way north?"
"I hope not."
"If we do, we're cushioning you. The rest of us will be injured, but you'll be fine."
"Tell me that life is going to get better."
"We never know what's going to happen. We're starting anew, and you will get used to our new life. We all will."
"I hope that I... don't sleep for so long."
"It's been a rough schedule to finish everything, but we're there now. Get some sleep Niall, we're with you."
"Thanks... Louis," Niall said, and he fell back asleep against him.
"Life will get better Louis. Niall's going to be in a better environment."
"And we're going to be in the countryside, it's going to be great."
"Sh," Niall said as he put his finger to his lips and the boys stopped talking. Louis kept his arm around Niall and by the time they arrived at their new home: all four of the boys were asleep, getting some much deserved rest ❤️.

Chapter Text

Niall's POV
We were eating lunch between takes for our 'You and I' video, and everyone had fish and chips to eat. I wandered over to the edge of the pier with mine to look out over the sea.

It was nice, even with the screams of both our fans and the seagulls. I leant over the side and closed my eyes. It was calming, if freezing, but my fluffy coat was keeping me nice and warm.

Just as I relaxed, something happened. I don't know what it was, but I was no longer on the pier. I was underwater, fully clothed and surrounded by chips. I tried to swim up, but the waves seemed huge and the current pulled me underneath the pier. Panic filled my mind, but I tried not to scream. I could see light on the other side of the pier before there was a sharp pain in my leg, then something pulled at my neck.

I gasped and bubbles left my mouth. I was bleeding, I could see the blood flowing from my leg into the water. My coat was pulling at my neck, but I couldn't move it. It was tangled around something.

I kicked, pulled and twisted as hard as I could to try and get loose before the world began going black. I felt cold now and my body was starting to relax. I let go of everything and gave into the feeling. The last thing I remembered was my head falling forwards and popping out of the coats' collar, freeing my throat.

Harry's POV
"Ok. Places boys!" The director shouted and we all got ready on the pier. Before they shouted action, I saw Louis looking round.
"Where's the Irish lad? Has he finished his chips yet?"
"What? He isn't here?"
"Niall? Niall!" I called and we all looked round for him.
"Could we find him please?" The director told us in annoyance. We had already been a pain to him for most of the day.
"He can't have gone far," Louis said before he jogged off. I walked back down the pier while looking over the sides, just in case Niall had decided to go for a swim.
"Help!" Louis screamed a few minutes later before I heard a splash. Everyone ran to where Louis had screamed and I looked over. My eyes widened in horror as I saw Niall's coat tangled up in the underwater part of the pier. "Help!" Louis screamed less than a minute later and all the crew ran to him. He was swimming with Niall, who was unconscious in his grip. Paul dived in to help Louis while Liam and I ran to the shore.
"He's unconscious Harry," Liam told me in shock.
"I know."
"Do we need an ambulance or something?"
"I don't know," I told him before I waded in. Paul and Louis were both struggling to keep Niall's head above the water, so I got to them and lifted his head up for them.

Between the three of us, we got Niall onto the sand and Paul listened for his breathing.
"Paul?"
"He's breathing."
"Do I need to get an ambulance?"
"Yes. Get an ambulance."
"Harry, give me your top," Louis said as Paul took Niall's pulse and I did so. He proceeded to wrap it tightly round Niall's leg, which was bleeding very heavily.
"His pulse is good. Help me get him onto his side boys," Paul said and Louis and I gave him a hand to roll Niall over. Paul placed a coat down so that Niall's face didn't end up in the sand when he was on his side. Paul then began rubbing Niall's breastbone and Louis and I watched in silence. After a moment, Niall began coughing up water.
"Niall!" I called as Paul put his hand onto Niall's back and Niall gagged and choked on the water as it came out.
"Paul, he's bleeding through Harry's top," Louis said and we both looked at Niall's left leg. Blood was gushing out of it and my top was indeed drenched in Niall's blood.
"Don't touch it, it's stopping sand getting into his wound. The paramedics should be here soon."
"Ok," I replied as Niall stopped gagging and our attention turned back to him.
"Niall? Can you hear us mate?" Louis asked, but Niall had gone limp.
"It was an involuntary action Louis. He's not awake."
"Oh."
"He's freezing," I said as I felt Niall's forehead. "Do we have a hot water bottle anywhere?"
"Here," Someone said before they handed me one.
"Thank you," I replied before I put it against Niall's chest.
"Come on Nialler, wake up," Louis begged as we waited for the paramedics to arrive.

Louis's POV
Niall had drowned. Drowned. Fucking drowned. I kept the words through my head as we got to the hospital and sat in the waiting room, waiting for news about our beloved Irishman. ♥

Fairly soon, a doctor called us and began walking us through a lot of corridors.
"Niall's doing well. We've had to do some surgery on his leg to stop the bleeding, but the nurses are moving him up to a ward now and he'll be ok."
"Thank goodness."
"What's the bad news?"
"There isn't any. Niall needs to be kept under observation for at least 72 hours in case he develops any symptoms of pulmonary edema, but given that he's just come out of surgery I would like to keep him in for that long anyway."
"What pulmonary edema?"
"It's when the lungs fill up with fluid. Given that he's had water in his lungs, this can cause irritation and it can cause fluid to start building up in the base of the lungs."
"Is it very common?"
"No. Not at all. But if it happens, we can treat it."
"Ok," I said as we reached Niall's bay. I went in first and took his hand. He was unconscious and connected up to lots of wires. Lines were going into him, delivering multiple different drugs, and tears came into my eyes.
"He looks really calm," Harry said as he went round to Niall's other side and took his hand.
"He's unconscious."
"And doing well Louis. You heard what the doctor said," Liam said as he put his hand onto my back.
"Yeah," I said before I ran my hand through Niall's hair and kissed his forehead. "What does his leg look like?"
"It's wrapped up in bandages," Harry told me and I nodded.
"Ok... He drowned Liam. He..."
"I know," Liam said before I started to cry.
"Louis," Harry said as he came over. "Let's get you a drink ok," He suggested and I nodded as he took me into his arms.
"Ni... Ni?" I sniffled.
"I'll stay with him Louis. It'll be ok," Liam told me and I turned to see him sitting on the bed while holding Niall's hand.
"Come on. He only got out of surgery recently Louis, it'll be a little while until he wakes up."
"Ok..." I agreed and Harry led me off.

Liam's POV
Niall was pale. Not very pale, but enough to justify being unconscious in a hospital bed. His heart rate and blood pressure were both good and his leg had been bandaged up well.

After the initial shock, I had calmed down and given the paramedics a hand to sort Niall out before they had transported him to hospital. Now, Louis was freaking out and I knew how much both he and Niall crushed on each other.
"Hmn," Niall moaned after a moment and my attention was moved to his face.
"Niall? Niall, it's Liam. You're ok. You're safe," I told him and his eyes moved underneath his eyelids.
"Hmn..."
"Niall? Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me," I said, but he didn't squeeze it.
"...hmn...chips," He murmured and I smiled. He was talking in his sleep, just like how Harry snored. "Wet...soggy...soggy...chips..." Niall continued and I guessed that he was thinking about soggy chips.

Soon enough, his mutterings became peppered with anxiety.
"...cold...cold...breathe...breathe...I..." Niall whispered and I began trying to calm him down. He was remembering drowning and I wanted nothing more than to make it all ok for him.
"Niall. Hey, shhhhh. Shhhhh, shush darling," I said as I remembered how my mum used to comfort me when I was upset. "You're ok. You're safe."
"Breathe... I..." Niall said as he became more anxious. "I... help... help... leg... I... blood..."
"Niall. Hey. Hey," I said as I began pressing on his body. Mum used a little bit of compression to calm me down when I started to have a panic attack.
"I... arh... arh..." Niall said as he started to gasp.
"Calm down Nialler. Shhhhh," I said as I put a little more pressure onto him.

Harry's POV
"Liam? What's going on?" I asked as I came back into Niall's bay. Louis was on a short walk to calm his nerves down while Liam was leaning on Niall?
"Shhhhh... I'm putting a little bit of pressure on him because he's panicking."
"Is he awake?"
"No. But he's talking in his sleep."
"Ok. Does the pressure help?"
"Yeah. Oh," Liam said before he stood up. "Niall?" He asked before he rubbed Niall's hand.
"Niall?" I asked as I came over. "Is he ok?"
"I hope so. He's gone quiet," Liam replied and I put my hand over Niall's mouth to make sure that he was ok.
"...Ha...za..." Niall whispered and both Liam and I got closer to him.
"Yeah, it's me Niall," I replied softly to him as I ran my hand through his hair, careful to contain my excitement.
"...safe?" He asked, his voice tired and weak.
"Yeah, you're safe," I told him. "You're safe and I'm here."
"...where...here?" Niall whispered, his voice getting quieter.
"Hospital. You've been hurt."
"Hmn..." Niall hummed and I sat onto the bed.
Should I find Louis? Liam mouthed to me and I nodded.
Yeah, I replied and he left. One person was enough for Niall at the moment. I then felt something pull at my shirt and I looked down to see that it was Niall trying to stroke me.
"Does that feel good Nialler?"
"Hmn..." He said with a tiny nod.
"Yeah?"
"Hmn..." He said before he tried to move his leg and he frowned. "...aza..."
"I know Niall. Just relax," I said as I gently put my hand onto his leg to stop him moving it.
"Urh," He moaned in discomfort.
"Sorry," I said before I took my hand away and I took his hand instead. "Your leg's been hurt."
"Leg..."
"Yeah, your leg," I said before I kissed his forehead.
"He's talking," The doctor said as he appeared.
"Yeah."
"Is he in any pain?"
"No. He was in a little when I pressed down on his leg, but otherwise no."
"That's good."
"Could you keep it down? I think thT Niall needs some quiet."
"Niall's unconscious, he's gone limp," The doctor said and I looked down at Niall's hand. "It's normal for people to fade in and out for a few hours after surgery. It's nothing to worry about."
"Oh, ok."
"He might be confused and dazed for a little while, so just take it slowly with him."
"I will."
"Hi Harry."
"Hi Paul," I said as he arrived.
"The doctor has caught me up on everything. How's he doing?"
"He's good. He woke up a few minutes ago, but he's still very out of it."
"That's to be expected. Liam's told Louis how he is and they're just having some more tea to relax their nerves. Why don't you join them and I'll stay with Niall for a bit."
"Yeah, ok," I said and I squeezed Niall's hand before Paul took my place and I left.

Niall's POV
I could breathe, and it felt good. Harry had been with me, and it had felt good to touch him. Touch made everything seem real. I moved again now and new hands touched me. It made me happy and, although I had no idea what was going on, I was just happy that I wasn't trapped anymore.
"Deep breaths Niall," Came a voice as something was put across my face and my breathing became easier. "That's a good lad."
"...mad..." I said. It was dad. My dad.

A sharp pain brought me out of my peaceful place and I felt two different hands in my own before I gripped them.
"It's ok Niall. It's ok," Came Louis's voice. My secret love, Louis.
"The wound looks good. It will heal well," Came an unknown voice and I tried to move my leg. It felt heavy and I whimpered.
"Niall. Hey, hey," Louis told me softly. "You're ok darlin."
"Niall, deep breaths remember," Dad said and I did so. Time then passed, as it did, and when I woke up, I felt Louis's hair resting against my neck.
"Lu... Nu... Ouieee," I tried to say and his finger ran over my mouth.
"Shhhhhh. Niaam's sleep," He muttered and I tried to move my head against his.
"Mou... Luieee," I said and Louis shifted. This made me whimper as I didn't want Louis to leave.
"Nooo, Niall... hmn? Wait. Niall?" Louis asked before I felt his hand against my face.
"Hmn... Ouie," I said as I tried to reach my hand up to hold his. He took my hand first and kissed my forehead.
"Niall. You're awake. Finally baby," Louis said and I smiled. I liked being called baby. "Are you ok?"
"Mkay... wi... u," I whispered and he left me. I started to cry because he was gone.
"Oh Nialler," Louis said before he kissed me and something warm touched my chest. "You're so cold."
"Ischt... you?"
"No. It's a hot water bottle. But I'm here too," Louis said before he cuddled up to me, with the water bottle in between us.
"Was... cold..."
"I know that you're cold."
"No... water..."
"Water? Ni, what do you remember?" Louis asked me, but he was so close that he may as well have whispered it in my ear.
"Falling... coat... breathe... cold..." I recited slowly for Louis.
"Coat? How did you get yourself untangled from it babe?"
"Breathe..."
"I don't understand Ni... Could you not breathe?"
"Throat..." I said and I saw that a light was turned on through my eyelids. "Hmn..." I moaned uncomfortably as Louis moved and he gently touched my neck. "Urgh..."
"Shit, you're bruised Nialler. Was this your coat?"
"Hmn... urgh..."
"Did that hurt?" Louis asked before he took his hands away.
"Hmn..." I moaned before I fell back asleep.

When I next woke up, my head was at an awkward angle.
"There is something there Louis."
"Yeah. So, it sounds like he fell, his coat got tangled up, which strangled him, and he couldn't get loose. Then, he drowned as well as cutting his leg on something."
"Shit. No wonder he was anxious before."
"He's doing really well now though. He slept for most of the night."
"That's really good," Harry said as his hand touched my hair and I groaned as I raised my hands.
"Oh hello."
"Niall. Niall, it's ok. Shhhhh," Louis told me but I kept groaning as I tried to move my head.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Murgh... gurgh..." Was all that I could muster.
"Niall?"
"Move his head. That position can't be comfortable for him," Harry said before my head was moved. "Put the oxygen back across too, he might be having trouble breathing."
"Ok. Ok. Sorry babe," Louis said before I could breathe again. He took my hand and Liam piped up.
"Babe Louis?"
"Shut up. We can talk about this later."
"...ike ...babe," I told them.
"Niall?" Harry asked before I gathered the words to reply.
"Like... babe... Lou..."
"Oh, thanks love," Louis said before he kissed me.
"How are you feeling Niall? Do you feel awake yet?" Liam asked as he took my hand.
"A little," I told him and I felt Harry's hand on my body as well. "Hmn... love, Lou."
"You love Lou?"
"No... Mouis."
"Louis. But it was close," Louis said before he kissed my hand.
"Hmn," I moaned happily.
"Do you know what's going on Niall?" Harry asked me.
"...no," I replied after a moment.
"You're in the hospital. You've been hurt."
"I'm... drowned," I said and the boys went quiet. "Oys...?"
"Are you ok?" Liam asked before he squeezed my hand.
"Mim in... ospital," I replied. What a stupid question. Am I ok? I was hurt.
"I found you Niall. I got you out," Louis told me.
"From, where?"
"The pier. We were filming a music video, remember?" Harry asked me, but I couldn't remember.
"No."
"Ok," Harry said before Louis kissed me. Then, I remembered that I was unable to move my leg.
"Egg... leg?"
"Does it hurt?" Louis asked me quickly, but I shook my head.
"No. I'm hurt... leg?" I asked again.
"Yes. You've had some surgery on your leg," Louis said and I felt a tear run down my face.
"They didn't do anything major Niall. It was just a deep wound," Harry told me before Louis wiped my tears away.
"Just relax Ni. You're doing great."
"Am I?"
"You are. Of course you are."
"Why don't you nap while Louis and I get you some food ok?"
"Ok," I agreed before the boys moved and I went back to sleep.

Louis's POV
"Niall's ok. He's actually doing ok Liam."
"I know," Liam said as we walked back down the street with four bagels in our hands. "He's awake and talking."
"Well, he was. He'll be asleep now."
"How did the fans reply to your post?"
"They replied really well. They're all super happy that Niall's awake."
"Good. You do know that Niall's recovery's not going to happen overnight Louis?"
"I know. But Liam, he can breathe. He can talk, and he's coming to after the surgery now. It's just his leg that'll need time to heal."
"And his head. He drowned Louis. He'll need time to get over that."
"I know," I said before I bounced in-front of Liam and tried to get to the hospital as fast as I could.

When I arrived back, Niall's bed was a little more upright and he had his eyes open. The doctor was checking his leg while Harry was chatting to him.
"Niall, you're awake!" I called before I dropped the bagles onto the bed and hugged him.
"Yeah. My leg's not... bad Louis."
"No, it's looking good," I said as I glanced at his wound.
"Niall's woken up a lot more since his nap," Harry told me.
"Yeah? How long did you nap for Ni?"
"Ten... minutes?" He asked before he looked at Harry.
"Yeah, about ten."
"And how are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Are you cold? Or in pain?"
"No. I'm all good," Niall said and I kissed him on the lips.
"What did I interrupt?" Liam asked as he came in and I broke the kiss off with Niall. Harry was looking at me with a shocked expression, before he looked like he was about to cry with laughter.
"Nothing. And shut up."
"Can you do it again?" Niall asked me and I smiled.
"In a minute."
"Ok," Niall said before the doctor did up his dressing.
"Your wound is healing nicely Niall. I think that we'll get you up and moving later on. Then, if everything looks good, we'll be free to discharge you tomorrow."
"Ok."
"Thank you," Harry said before Liam and I shared the bagles between the four of us.

Paul's POV
When I arrived late that evening, Niall was sitting up in bed and chatting with all of the other boys. He still was wearing the oxygen tube as a precaution, but he seemed much more like himself.
"Niall. It's good to see you awake."
"Yeah. It feels good to be awake. I can be discharged tomorrow."
"Oh, that's really good news because you boys have an interview in the morning," I told them and Louis took Niall's hand.
"Are you sure that Niall's going to be up to that Paul?"
"No, but you can just rest in the bus if you'd like to Niall."
"Yeah."
"I'll get you three on the bus now and then stay with Niall until he's been discharged."
"Yeah. That sounds like a plan... as long as you're happy Niall," Liam said.
"Yeah. I'm basically back to normal again, except for my leg."
"Ok. See you tomorrow then Niall."
"Yeah, see you then mate."
"See you later love," Louis said before he kissed Niall on the cheek and I raised an eyebrow, this was new.
"Come on boys. Stay out of trouble until I get back Niall," I told him as the boys filed out.
"I'll try to Paul," Niall said before I gave him a small smile and left with the boys.

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
"How is Niall?" The interviewer asked us.
"He's awake, and feeling like himself again. He's got a nasty cut on his leg, but otherwise he's good," I told her.
"Oh good. And how much does he remember about being underwater? Does he remember any of it?"
"He remembers some of it, definitely, but I don't really know how much of it he remembers in detail."
"We haven't asked him about it," Harry clarified. "We don't want to bring up any traumatic memories for him."
"No. Of course not. So, is he out of the hospital yet?"
"Yes. He should be. He's being discharged today so either he'll be leaving the hospital soon or he'll already be on the bus waiting for us."
"That is fantastic news, and I know that all of your fans are wishing Niall all the best."
"Of course they are, they're amazing," Liam chipped in.
"Is Niall going to be joining you for the charity gig later?"
"We have a charity gig later?"
"Yes, as far as I've heard, you're opening it. Didn't you know?"
"Not until right now. So... maybe?"
"We'll see how he's feeling when we get back to the bus."
"Ok. Well, I'll let you boys go and I look forward to watching you perform later."
"Yeah, that sounds good."
"Thank you for having us."
"No problem and I hope that Niall's doing well when you see him."
"So do we. Thank you," Liam said and we left.

~

When we got back to the bus, I climbed in first and looked around for Niall. It was empty.
"Niall! You're..." Liam began, but he trailed off as he came in behind me. "Where's Niall?"
"That's what I'm wondering."
"Where's Paul?" Harry asked
"I'll call him," Liam answered.
"It's lunchtime, he should have been discharged by now," I said before I went over to Niall's empty bed.
"Why are you still at the hospital?" Liam asked on the phone and Harry and I turned to him. "How's he gotten worse? Is it his breathing?" Liam asked and my blood ran cold. No. No. Niall was ok. He was better now. "Hypothermia? ...ok, we're on our way," Liam said before he hung up. "Niall's body temperature has dropped, he's close to being hypothermic. Paul says that we should get to the hospital."

We rushed to the hospital in a taxi before we ran to the ward that Niall was on.
"Boys stop," Paul told us and we stopped in our tracks. "Niall's doing ok. The nurses have him wrapped up, but he's only semi conscious."
"What happened?"
"Why's he nearly hypothermic?"
"Paul?"
"They're not sure. They think that it's an infection, but it's not affecting his lungs."
"Oh, that's a relief."
"Where is he? Can I be with him?"
"Of course you can. He's just under observation."
"Ok," I said before I rushed off and Liam and Harry asked Paul more questions. Niall was on his side on the bed and he was wrapped up in lots of blankets. He was shivering and small groans escape his lips before I got into his bed and cuddled up to him as much as I could.
"Shit. He doesn't look good," Liam said as he arrived.
"Shh," I told him as I tried to grip Niall tighter. He was freezing.
"I'll find some more blankets," Harry said before he rushed off.
"Shush darling... darling..." I said as I held Niall's body close to my own.

Harry's POV
I bumped into Niall's doctor and he warned me against giving Niall any more blankets as he might warm up too quickly. Instead he gave me a giant Stitch toy, from Lilo and Stitch, and I returned to Niall's bay.
"He's gone quiet," Liam told me before he saw the toy. "What the fuck is that Harry?"
"Something for Niall," I said before I put Stitch at the foot of the bed. Louis and Niall were both asleep, and Louis had his arms wrapped tightly around Niall.

At 4am Niall woke up, he was groaning and moving uncomfortably. I think that I woke up because of him, but never minding that, I went to him and checked his temperature. He was getting warmer, but he was clearly in some discomfort. I moved his blankets around and felt around his body to see if anything was pressing into him, but it wasn't.
"Urgh... murgh..." Niall moaned and I shook his shoulder gently to try and wake him up.
"Niall, what's wrong?" I asked but he just moaned more.
"Murghurgh," He said and I saw that he was refusing to grip Louis, so I got Stitch and placed it into his grip. Niall instantly went quiet as he hugged the toy and I kissed his forehead. Louis then moved and I went over to him.
"Louis? Are you comfortable there?"
"Hmn...? Nyo..." He groaned as I put my hand onto his side.
"Niall's fast asleep so you can move somewhere more comfortable alright."
"...yeah," Louis said and I gave him a hand as he sleepily tried to stand up. We took a few steps, but he stumbled and I lay him on the ground.
"We'll sleep here," I said and Louis attempted to nod.
"Hmn..."
"Ok Lou," I said before I lay down and let him rest his head against my chest. If he knew that he'd been replaced by a stuffed toy, he'd be very angry.

Niall's POV
When I woke up, I was on my side and there was something on my chest. It was cold and hard. I reached my hand out and someone took it. I felt their other hand in my hair before something touched my lips.

Unconsciously, I opened my mouth a little and a straw was placed into it. I sucked on it and got so much needed fluid. Soon, fluid stopped coming out, so I sucked harder.

Voices were around me, and they tried to take the straw out of my mouth so I gripped it with my teeth. I kept sucking and they kept pulling, so I reached my hand out to take hold of...

They won. They got it. And I whimpered.
"Niall, hey. Shhhhhh," Came a voice as a hand touched me. Then, the straw was put back into my mouth and I drank and drank, and drank.
"That's it. Keep drinking," Dad said.
"He must be parched," Liam added as I reached my hand out to help me drink it faster. "Awwww Ni."
"Not so fast," Dad said before he tried to take the straw, but I didn't let him. I gripped the straw tightly and growled.
"Oh, Paul, back away."
"I'm backing away," Dad said, even though he wasn't going anywhere, and I didn't want him to.
"Our little tiger's angry."
"He is indeed," Paul said before I finished drinking and something moved in my grip. Whatever it was, it was warm. "What do we do about Stitch?"
"Leave him. Niall seems happy enough with him."
"...Itch," I whispered as I gripped this 'Stitch' thing.
"Yeah, it's yours."
"Hmn..." I moaned uncomfortably.
"Niall? What's wrong?"
"Cold..." I answered before I curled up more.
"We know. We know Ni alright," Liam said before he pulled some blankets over me.
"Iam..."
"Yeah, that's me. Are you in pain at all?"
"No," I said as I pulled Stitch tighter into my body.
"That's good."
"That's really good," Dad said before someone kissed my forehead.
"Wheremam I?"
"What was that Niall?"
"Where... am I?"
"You're in a hospital. You got hurt a few days ago, remember?"
"...nyo," I replied after a moment, before I buried my head into Stitch.

People then talked and things moved around me.
"...just got a virus. There's no side effects from drowning. He could be confused because of the cold, but once he's fully warmed up, I'll let you take him home. You'll need to keep an eye on him and I'll give you some antibiotics, but he should heal faster at home than here."
"The boys are on tour, they don't have a home at the moment."
"We have the bus. And we have you."
"That's no home Liam."
"It is to us."
"Is it home enough for Niall?"
"Yes."
"Ok."
"...ome," I whispered and I felt Liam's hand run through my hair.
"Yeah, we'll get you home soon Niall."
"Hmn... home," I said as I curled up more.

Louis's POV
When I woke up, the doctor was leaving. I was lying on Harry on the floor before I turned and saw Paul and Liam standing by Niall's bed.
"...wrong, with me?" I heard Niall's small voice ask.
"You're a bit sick Ni, and that made you cold."
"Oh... I want to... go home..." Niall said before he started to cry. Liam began comforting him as I stood up. Why was I on the floor? I'd been asleep with Niall.
"We'll get you home soon, I promise."
"Thanks... dad," Niall whispered as I came over to him. He was hugging a huge Stitch toy and his hair was all messy and cute.
"Morning Louis," Paul said.
"Did you sleep ok?"
"Yeah, I slept fine. Niall, you're awake," I said as I took his hand and he opened his eyes to look at me. A beaming smile broke across my face and I felt tears come to my eyes. "Morning love."
"Lou..." He whispered and I kissed him.
"You're much warmer now," I said as I felt his face.
"Hmn... I'ham."
"Where did this toy come from?" I asked and Niall looked at Stitch.
"...dunno."
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah," Niall said before he cuddled it more.
"He's a bit confused Louis, but the doctor reckons that it's just because he's cold."
"Oh, ok."
"He's just got a virus. We can get him back to the bus once he's warmed up."
"Really? That soon?"
"Yeah," Paul said before I lay my hand on top of Niall's.
"Hi Lou," Niall said before he wiggled his fingers and giggled. His eyes were poking up from the top of Stitch and he was staring straight at me. It was the cutest that I've seen Niall in a very long time.
"You're so adorable."
"No, I’m not."
"You are mate," Liam said before Harry began snoring. We all turned to him and I sighed.
"Oh Harry..."
"Hmn..." Niall said, but he sounded scared, so I turned back to him.
"What's wrong, Ni?" I asked as I put my hand on his body, which was covered in blankets.
"What's... that noise?"
"It's just Harry. He's snoring," I told Niall, but he buried his head in Stitch and gripped the toy tighter.
"No... scary... argh!" He cried out as Harry snored again.
"I'll take Harry to the bus," Paul said before he picked Harry up and left.
"Scared..." Niall muttered and I sat on his bed.
"Harry's gone. You don't have to be scared, Ni."
"No... scary..."
"It was just him breathing. You're fine, trust me."
"Promise?"
"I promise," I said and Niall's eyes poked back above Stitch's head. "Hello. Can you squidge over so that I can cuddle Stitch too?"
"Yeah," Niall said and I gave him a hand to move before I climbed into his bed and cuddled up to him. Hopefully, my body heat would help him to warm up even faster.

Niall's POV
Soon, I was back on the bus with my dad and all the boys. I was tucked up in my bed, and Stitch was in my grip. My mind was still a haze and I felt ill. My leg stung a bit too, but the boys were looking after me, so that made me happy. "Niall? Hey bud, you with me?" Louis asked as he clicked his fingers in-front of my face.
"Hmn, yeah Lou?" I asked before I looked up at him.
"I just wanted to see how you're doing," Louis said before he kissed me.
"My head still feels funny, and I feel sick."
"Sick? Does your stomach hurt darling?"
"I don't know... I just don't feel great."
"Well, the doctor said that you have a virus and I've got some antibiotics for you to take."
"Ok," I said before I sat up a little and Louis helped me.
"That's it Niall. Are you ok?"
"Yeah," I said before Louis got the medication. I was holding Stitch in my grip as Louis came back over with both the tablets and some water.
"Ok, take them with some water Niall."
"Hmn," I said before I took them. "Love you," I mumbled to Louis after they went down my throat.
"I love you too," Louis said before he kissed me. "Ok Ni. The boys and I have got a thing to do with Vogue, so you just get some rest ok?"
"Ok," I said before I settled to sleep for what felt like the 100th time that day.
“Sleep well Niall,” Louis said and he kissed me again before he left. I cuddled stitch, pretending that it was Louis.

Chapter Text

Niall's POV
A week later, I was feeling much better and much more like myself. I wasn't sick anymore and it was my first time in public with the lads since I'd fallen off the pier. Thankfully, it was on James's show and I loved James.
"Niall! Hi!" James called with lots of enthusiasm when he saw me. He proceeded to give me a hug and hold me tight.
"Hi James," I replied and after a while he let me go. I then felt very light headed and Louis rushed to my aid, wrapping his arm around my waist as I swayed a little. While I had been sick, we had basically become boyfriends.
"Niall, are you ok? You've gone pale."
"Hmn," I replied as I closed my eyes. I really did feel like I was going to faint.
"Niall. Niall, hey. Ok..." Louis said as he began to take my weight. Then, as fast as it had come on, it went.
"I'm ok," I said as I stood up.
"Really? You went very pale Niall," James told me.
"I know, but I'm ok now."
"Are you sure Ni?" Louis asked me.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks Lou."
"Ok," Louis replied before he let go of me carefully. The audience cheered and I waved at them as we made our way over to the sofa.
"So, boys!" James called out and it made me laugh. "Niall. Niall. Niall. Niall."
"Here," I said as I raised my hand, making everyone laugh.
"You're alive."
"I am. Very much so James, thankfully."
"So... what's been going on with you? You drowned right, then got hypothermia?"
"Yeah that's right James. I got a virus after that too."
"Oh no."
"Yeah."
"These must have been a rough few weeks for you then."
"Yeah, it has been. I had surgery after I drowned as well."
"What?! Where?"
"My leg."
"Oh," James sighed in relief and I smiled as I rolled my trouser leg up, revealing the scar.
"I cut it on the pier underwater and they had to stitch it up in the theatre."
"Oh wow. That's a big scar."
"You should have seen it when we got him out of the water."
"And who rescued Niall?"
"I did," Louis answered.
"Were you scared Louis?"
"I was terrified. I jumped in as soon as I saw Niall underneath the pier."
"He was hardly breathing when Louis got him out."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"His leg was also bleeding heavily, so I had to use my top to put pressure on the wound."
"Oh my gosh."
"It was bad James."
"Have you heard this before Niall?"
"No, the boys never told me."
"Didn't we?"
"No."
"Oh, sorry mate. Did we tell you about the videos we took after you came out of surgery as well?"
"What videos?!" I asked Louis in horror and everyone laughed.
"We didn't take any videos," Harry reassured me.
"Oh, thank goodness."
"Are there any videos?" James asked Louis and he shook his head.
"No, I was joking. We wouldn't be that mean to Niall."
"Oh that's a shame. How were you after the surgery Niall?"
"I was alright. I was a bit loopy from the anaesthetic, but I recovered quite quickly, didn't I?"
"You did yeah."
"Yeah."
"So you recovered from that, then what happened?"
"The boys went off for some rest before an interview they had the next day while Paul stayed with me in the hospital. We played some cards and stuff before I went to bed. Then, I woke up three days later."
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"Were you unconscious for those three days then?"
"No, I was kind of fading in and out, and I was very confused."
"Yeah, it was an interesting time looking after Niall."
"What do you mean?"
"It was..."
"Let's not talk about it," Harry interrupted Liam. "Niall was in a very vulnerable state during that period James."
"Oh, I see."
"Let's move on to talking about band stuff."
"Yeah," James said before he changed the conversion topic.

Louis's POV
Soon, we were playing the “truth or eat something nasty” game. We sat at the table and looked at all the food that was on offer.
"Urgh, Scorpions," Liam said as he pointed at them.
"Urgh."
"Ok. Harry, you first," James started and one by one we answered questions. I got the rotten question, followed by the snake bile wine, which actually wasn't too bad.

When it got to Niall however, he was just staring at Harry and he had gone pale.
"Niall?" I asked, unsure if he was just grossed out by the food or if he was going to pass out.
"Hmn?" He asked as he looked at me, before he suddenly looked at the table and leapt out of his chair.
"Argh!"
"Niall?"
"What's wrong?" Liam and Harry asked, and I saw that Niall was visibly shaking.
"Ah! Ah!" Niall cried out before he slapped Harry hard in the face.
"Niall!" Liam shouted as we all ran to Harry.
"Harry, you ok?" I asked as I reached him. He was on the ground, as Niall had hit him that hard, and he was blinking rapidly.
"I think so... argh," He replied after a moment before Harry flexed his jaw.
"Niall. What the hell?"
"...sorry," Niall said after a second, and I saw that he was still shaking.
"Anything broken?" James asked and Harry shook his head. We all then gave him a hand to sit back up before James called the end of the show and I went over to Niall.
"Why did you do that to Harry Ni?"
"The scorpions... they were alive I swear."
"Alive? No. They're dead Niall."
"No... one crawled onto Harry's face and I hit him to get it off," Niall told me. Ok, that was worrying, but I tried not to let it get to me.
"You're just tired Niall. We're going to have an early night ok," I told him and he nodded. "Come here babe," I said and he rested his head onto my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around him and thanked James as we left.
"Are you ok Niall?"
"He just needs some sleep. He'll be fine," I told James before I told myself the same thing. Niall was ok now. Right?

Liam's POV
Louis told us what happened, and Harry and I also put it down to Niall being tired. He hadn't meant it. Of course he hadn't.

A short time later, we were getting ready to leave the hotel, but Niall hadn't joined us. I went over to his room and knocked on the door.
"Niall. It's time to go mate."
"Hmn... off..." Came the reply.
"Niall!" I shouted as I knocked on the door. What was he doing?
"Urgh...mugh...Iam..." He was either in the middle of a seizure or he was kissing someone. Neither of which I could do anything about on this side of the door.
"Niall. We need you right..." I said as I tried the handle and the door opened. There was Niall, snogging a cupboard door and groping what would be its arse, if it had one. "What the...?"
"Niall?" Louis asked as he joined me, and Niall opened his eyes and looked at us both.
"His isn't you...?" Niall asked as he looked at Louis, separating his lips from the wood and dribbling a little.
"No. I'm not made of wood Ni..."
"Oh. I'm fine," Niall said quickly before he wiped his mouth, soothed his lower regions and grabbed his bag.
"Mate, you were snogging a cupboard."
"I know that," Niall said as he rushed past us.
"We should keep an eye on him, Louis."
"Yeah," Louis replied before I picked up my bag and went to the car.

Niall's POV
I didn't know what was happening to me. I was supposed to be better now, and the boys would only freak out if they knew.

On our way into the next hotel that evening, I felt my feet starting to get hot. When I looked down at the floor, it was moving, bending and bubbling. I felt my heart start to beat faster and panic filled my mind.

It's not real, it's just in your head. It's not real Niall. I told this to myself, over and over, before we got into the lift and it started going up. I saw Liam watching me with one eye and I tried to stay as calm as I could.

Half way through the ride, I began fanning myself with my shirt.
"It's a bit hot in here isn't it guys?"
"No it's not," Louis said and I turned to him. He, Harry and Paul were all looking at me in worry.
"You're sweating Niall," Liam added and I looked at him before Paul spoke to me.
"Are you feeling claustrophobic Niall?"
"No. No, it's not that," I replied before I looked at the door. The edges of it were starting to glow red and smoke was coming into the lift.
"Niall?" Paul asked before he clicked his fingers in-front of my face.
"I'm fine," I said before I looked at him. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine Niall," Louis said as he touched my arm and I turned to him with tears in my eyes. "What's wrong, Ni?" He asked me gently as he put both of his hands onto my arms.
"I..." Was all I could say before I started to cry.
"Oh mate," Louis said before he took me into his arms. A few moments later, I heard the lift doors open.
"We've arrived Niall, it's ok."
"Give Niall some room boys," Paul said and the boys moved around me before I looked up at Louis.
"You doing ok Niall?"
"Yeah," I said with a nod before I looked out of the lift.

Suddenly, my breath went from my lungs as I saw the lava creeping into the lift.
"Niall? Niall?" Louis asked as he held onto me, but I was just flooded with panic. This was real, the heat was real and the panic inside of me was real.

I felt Paul's hand on my forehead, and I looked into his eyes as the lava reached my feet. Then, everything went black.

~

Slowly, I felt myself waking up. I opened my eyes and saw that I was in a darkened room. The curtains were drawn and I could feel Louis lying beside me. I groaned and got up, stumbling to the bathroom.

There was no lava now and I felt so ridiculous or how much I had overreacted. Had I even passed out?

I got back into the bed and snuggled up beside Louis. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard a floorboard move. My head whipped up and I saw a figure standing by the window. My blood went cold. This was... wasn't... might be... creak,

I held in a scream and covered my mouth as I lay back down. My hallucinations were silent, this was fucking real.
"Hmn. Mnurgh," Louis moaned as he tossed awkwardly in his sleep.
"Shh," I told him quickly as I gently hit his body.
"Hmn, nyo."
"Shush," I whispered as quickly as I could.
"Hmn, Ni?" Louis asked as he cracked an eye open. "Ni, hey," He said as he moved towards me. More floorboards creaked and I could have sworn that I heard a knife being run along some wood. "Why have you got your, hand over your mouth?" Louis asked as he raised his hand.

Suddenly, there was a knife by my throat and I screamed as I sat bolt upright.
"Fuck. Niall! Niall!" Louis cried out as I continued to scream. I felt his hands on me as I stared into the dark, empty room. "Niall!" Louis shouted again and the lights suddenly came on.

I screwed my eyes closed and tucked myself into Louis's body. His arms wrapped around me and there was movement around us.
"...he just woke up screaming and I didn't know what to do. He scared me so much. Paul, I'm fucking terrified," Louis said as he held me tighter, and I could tell that he was crying.
"It's ok Louis, he's going to be alright. Liam, go and ask for a doctor. Harry, turn on the side lights and then turn off the main light."
"Sure," Another voice said, and a moment later the lights became less bright.
"Niall. Niall, it's Paul. Look at me," Paul said and I swallowed. What the fuck was I doing? How much was I scaring my family? I felt Paul's gentle touch on my back and I turned to him. "There you are, good lad. Why were you screaming?"

I looked at Louis, then at Harry by the door, and they both looked very worried.
"Niall look at me," Paul said sternly and I looked at him. Louis was still holding me tightly and I noticed my shallow breaths. "Why did you scream?"
"I um..." I began. I had to tell them, I didn't have a choice. "I..."
"It's ok Niall, you're safe," Paul told me, but my gaze drifted past him to the beetle that was climbing up the wall.
"Beetle," I said as I pointed at the wall. "Can you see... a beetle?" I asked and everyone looked at where I was pointing.
"There's nothing there Niall," Harry said and Paul turned back to me. Suddenly, beetles filled the walls and they were climbing over each other to get onto the ceiling. I closed my eyes and felt Louis grip me tighter.
"Niall," Harry said as he came over, but his footsteps quickly stopped.
"You are hallucinating Niall. There were no beetles."
"I know," I said before I opened my eyes and looked at Paul again.
"You know?"
"Yeah... I..." I said, about to explain everything.
"It's ok," Paul interrupted me before I could go on. "Louis, you can release him a bit now."
"Ok," Louis said before I felt his arms loosen around me.
"Is there anything else, or is it just the hallucinations?"
"Just the hallucinations."
"Ok. Liam's gone to get a doctor so we'll sort you out alright."
"Yeah," I said before I felt a tear run down my face. Paul then waved to Harry and I felt Louis move on the bed before Harry sat beside me.
"Do you know how long the hallucinations have been going on for?"
"A few days," I said as Louis and Harry rubbed their hands around my back.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"I was scared..." I said before I started to cry. "There was lava... in the hotel. Then a figure in our room. I... I screamed because he had a knife."
"Ok," Paul said and Louis lifted up my shirt.
"Babe look. No knife marks," He said and I looked at my torso.
"No," I said before I turned to him and saw that he was crying too. "Ihm sorry. So sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry," Louis said before he wiped my tears away and smiled a little.
"Scorpions... Harry, I..." I said as I turned to him.
"You're already forgiven Niall."
"Just in here," Liam said and I turned to see him coming into the room with a doctor.
"I'm not mad," I said and the doctor smiled a little.
"I'm sure you're not. What's your name?"
"Ni... Niall," I began and all the boys and Paul stayed with me as the doctor checked me over.

Chapter Text

Louis's POV
It was a few days before our two week break, and we were in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. Niall hadn't managed to get a diagnosis for his hallucinations, and the medication that he was on was playing havoc with his moods. Some days, he would laugh and be jolly all day, while others he would just be at a constant low.
"Niall," Jimmy said half way through the interview. "Are you doing ok? You seem sad."
"I'm good Jimmy, it's just the medication. I'm in a strange mood today, that's all."
"Ok. Is everything going ok with that? I know that you boys want to keep it private, but are you doing alright at the moment Niall?"
"I am Jimmy, yeah. I haven't had any hallucinations for two weeks."
"Oh that's good," Jimmy said before he continued the interview. I glanced at Niall as I knew that that had been a lie. He hadn't had any big hallucinations, but he knew what were and weren't hallucinations now and he would tell us if something felt off.

The show soon ended and we left the stage. As he got out of sight of the audience, crew and Jimmy, Niall stopped and winced in pain. He brought his hand up to the shoulder and squeezed his eyes closed. Harry, Liam and I moved over to him.
"Niall? What's wrong?"
"Is it your shoulder?"
"What's going on babe?"
"Argh!" Niall screamed before he went pale and all our hands shot up to catch him.
"Niall. Woah!"
"Shit. What's wrong?"
"Shoulder... my..." Niall gasped as we began to take his weight.
"Niall... stay with us."
"Who screamed? What's going on?" Jimmy asked as he appeared.
"Niall, it's his shoulder."
"Argh! Argh!" Niall screamed again, but this time he looked at his arm.
"Niall. Talk to us," I said as I took a gentle hold of his arm.
"There's something... it's..." Niall said as he pulled his sleeve up. "Urgh. Argh," He groaned loudly as he buried his head into the wall.
"Do I need to get a medic?" Jimmy asked.
"No, give him a second," Harry said as I inspected Niall's arm.
"Babe, your arm's fine."
"No. No. Argh!" Niall screamed again before he tensed up his arm and stared at it. "Louis! Louis!"
"Niall. Look at me. You're fine. You're ok."
"No. It's moving! Can't you see it!" He screamed at me and I took his face into my hands.
"Ni. There's nothing there."
"There is, there is. Urgh," Niall said before he got out of Liam's grip and walked briskly backstage, gripping his arm tightly.
"Niall. Niall. Calm down," Paul said as he reached him.
"Scissors... I need scissors Paul... or a knife... just anything sharp!" Niall shouted as he looked around at us. My blood ran cold. Niall's eyes had gone wide and he looked scared. Paul went to grab Niall, but he dodged him and started running.
"Niall!" We all shouted as we ran after him.

Soon, our entire entourage was chasing him, but he was dodging our grips and going into every room to find something sharp. I tried not to imagine what he was going to do when he found something. Then, he gasped and ran into our dressing room. No. Harry had left his swiss army knife in the bathroom.
"Fuck! H!" I screamed as I ran after Niall, sprinting with everything that I had.

Niall's POV
I reached the bathroom, slammed the door closed and locked it. Then I pushed the stone table in-front of it and undid my belt. I whipped off my jumper and top before I used my belt as a tourniquet around my upper arm.

This wasn't a hallucination. I really was in pain and there really was something moving underneath the skin in my arm, and I knew that I had to get it out.
"Niall! Niall!" Everyone screamed outside of the door as I pulled the tourniquet tight with my teeth and got the knife out of Harry's swiss army knife. They were banging and hitting their fists hard on the door, but I hoped that it would hold until I could get this thing out of my arm.

Steeling myself for what was about to happen, I looked in the mirror and told myself,
"You're not crazy Niall. You're not crazy."
"Niall! Open this door! You're going to hurt yourself!" Paul shouted but I brushed the words aside as I rested my arm onto the sink and began cutting into where this parasite thing was.
"Argh! Argh!" I screamed as I half watched what I was doing and tried not to throw up.
"Niall!" Came the screams as my family panicked.
"Argh! Argh!" I kept screaming to deal with the pain. The parasite was wiggling around near to the surface and it fucking hurt. My blood oozed out into the sink in this deep red colour before I forced myself to look at the wound. It was deep. Very deep. But I couldn't see any patches of white bone, so that was good.
"Get the fire axe," Someone ordered and I knew that my time was running out. I could hear someone starting to cry outside the door, but I had to finish this. I could see the parasite and I forced it towards the wound.
"Urgh... gurgh..." I groaned as I tried to control the pain as the thing moved.
"Niall... Niall please," Louis said from the door but I gasped as I saw a grey end of this parasite. I reached inside of my arm and grabbed it.
"ARGH! ARGH!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I pulled the parasite out of my body and I heard the axe hitting the door.

Seconds... minutes... of screaming later, it came out and I flung it into the bath before I fell backwards, onto the floor. While struggling for breath, I could hear the screams of my family. They were so close now and I could hear the thudding of the axe as it hit the door and the sound of the wood splintering as it came away.

Paddy came in first, followed by Louis and Harry. Someone called for an ambulance while some pressure was put onto my arm and my family started talking to me.

They kept telling me to stay awake, to stay with them. But after three weeks of not being myself because of that... thing. I was ready to fall asleep.

Paddy's POV
Niall slammed the door closed and Louis tried to open it, but I had heard Niall slide the bolt across.
"Niall! Niall!"
"Is it locked?"
"Yeah."
"Out of the way boys," I said before I rammed my shoulder against it. "Urgh," I groaned as I hit it hard, but nothing had happened.
"Are you ok Paddy?" Paul asked as he put his hand onto my back and I massaged my shoulder.
"Yeah. Niall's wedged it closed with something, it's not just locked."
"You're not crazy Niall. You're not crazy," Niall said and everyone's attention turned to the door. Niall had Harry's swiss army knife, and none of us wanted to imagine what he was doing with it.
"Niall! Open this door! You're going to hurt yourself!" Paul shouted, but Niall started to scream on the other side.
"Fuck!" Louis cried out.
"Niall!"
"Niall!" Everyone called out in horror, and I looked at Paul as Niall screamed more. We needed to help Niall fast, and that meant getting into that bathroom by any means necessary.
"Get the fire axe," Paul told me and I nodded before I rushed off.

When I came back, Niall's screams had gotten louder and everyone was panicking.

Without hesitation, I raised the axe to the door and began breaking it down.

As the wood came away, we saw Niall. He was lying on the ground and he was quiet now. His eyes were only half open and there was blood everywhere: in the sink, on the floor and in the bath.

As soon as I could, I pulled myself through the hole in the door and rushed to his side. He was breathing in gasps, but the major issue was his heavily bleeding arm.
"Fuck. Niall," Louis said as he joined me.
"Give me your top Louis," I said and he immediately took it off. I pressed it down hard onto the wound and Niall barely reacted to the pressure. This wasn't good.
"Niall. Stay awake," Harry said as he also knelt down beside us and Liam called for an ambulance.
"Talk to me Paddy," Paul said as he put his hand onto my shoulder.
"He's breathing in gasps, but it's his arm's that's bleeding badly."
"Ok. The paramedics are on their way. Keep pressure on it. Louis. Harry. Keep Niall awake."
"We're trying."
"Paddy, how deep is the wound?" Liam asked me.
"It's pretty deep, not quite down to the bone but it's close."
"Niall honey, it's Louis. Can you look at me?" Louis asked as he desperately tried to stay calm.
"Niall?"
"Niall? Come on, please."
"Ok, that's new. Liam, let the paramedics know that there's a parasite in the bath."
"What?"
"A parasite?" Louis called out before I sat up enough to be able to look at it. It looked like a tapeworm, as my daughter had had one and the doctor had removed it by cutting into her skin.
"Where did it come from?" Harry asked and Louis turned to me.
"Niall told us that there was something in his arm..." Louis said as tears pricked at the edge of his eyes and I nodded.
"Niall might have known what he was doing," I told Louis and a few tears ran down his face.
"Louis, hey, it's ok," Harry comforted him as I kept pressure on Niall's wound. I knew that some parasites could cause hallucinations, and I hoped that Niall had cut into his arm to get the parasite out and not for any other reason.
"Niall, no. Stay awake," Louis said and I saw that Niall had closed his eyes.
"Niall? Wake up mate," Harry said as he shook Niall.
"Niall. Baby," Louis said, but Niall was out.
"They're on their way," Liam said as he joined us. "Is Niall awake?"
"No. I think he's out," Harry answered before I retook Niall's pulse.
"Come on Ni. Hold on."
"He's ok Louis, his pulse is good," I told Louis, but he just held Niall's hand as we waited for the paramedics to arrive.

"Hello. I'm Amy, I'm a doctor. The 999 team sent me because I can do simple surgery on site."
"Surgery...?" Louis asked as he went pale.
"Is this Niall?"
"It is."
"Ok, and is his arm the only place that's hurt?" Amy asked me as she got some gloves on.
"Yes. He complained about something being in his arm before he locked himself into the bathroom with a knife. He was on the ground and his arm already had the major wound when we got to him."
"Ok, thank you. Where's the parasite?"
"In the bath."
"Ok. It's fine in there for now. Can you take this away from his wound?"
"Of course," I said before I removed it and Amy inspected Niall's arm. Louis then chose this moment to pass out, hitting the bath with his head in the process.
"Louis!" Both Harry and Liam called out before they rushed over to him.
"Has he passed out?" Amy asked them.
"Yeah."
"Take him to the bed in the other room."
"Ok."
"Ok."
"I've got him," Paul said before he picked Louis up.
"Right, what's your name?" Amy asked me.
"Paddy."
"Ok Paddy, I'm going to need to stitch up Niall's wound so I'm going to need your help."
"Yep, anything you need."

Harry's POV
Paul lay Louis onto his side on the bed and Liam and I tried to make him comfortable with blankets and a pillow. I looked back at the bathroom and Amy had put a portable heart monitor and blood pressure onto Niall. There was also a bag of blood hanging from the shower rail and I could see her getting ready to stitch Niall's arm back up.

It had been horrific seeing Niall like that. First, hearing him screaming then trying to comfort him as he remained half awake. It was no wonder that Louis had fainted.
"Urgh..." Louis groaned before he threw up and I grabbed the bin. Panic crossed my mind for a moment, and I turned to Liam.
"Check that the parasite's still in the bath."
"Ok," Liam said before he left and I put my hand onto Louis's back as he relaxed back.
"Take some deep breaths Louis. Breathe."
"Ni..."
"He's ok. The doctor's with him."
"...dead?"
"No. He's alive, just unconscious."
"Ok..." Louis said before Liam returned.
"It's still there."
"Good," I said before I turned to him. "Liam, you're shaking."
"I saw... Niall's bone... I..." Liam said before Louis threw up again.
"Woah. Ok Louis. Liam, sit down before you pass out on me as well."
"Lie down Liam," Paul ordered as he came back into the room and Liam did so. "You're looking tired Harry. Get some sleep beside Liam and I'll look after Louis."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"What about Niall?"
"The doctor's sorting him out, and Paddy's with him. Now, get into bed."
"Ok," I said before I lay beside Liam.

Niall's POV
"Ok Liam, can you feel his vein?" Someone asked as fingers touched my arm.
"Yeah. Yeah, I got it."
"Ok. Now relax, and position the needle like I showed you."
"Like this?"
"A bit shallower."
"This?"
"Yes, good. Now gently insert it in," Someone said before there was a prick in my arm.
"Urgh, mugh..."
"Woah. Niall's being stolen," Came Liam's voice as I was turned onto my side. I bent my arm a little to see if a needle was in it, but there was nothing there.
"That will keep him knocked out for 8 hours or so. He should be fine when he wakes up."
"Thank you," Liam said before I felt Louis's hair brush against my own.
"Murmh. Murr," Louis purred as he pulled me in tighter and I heard a camera snap before I was gone.

When I next woke up, I opened my eyes to see Louis beside me. He was fast asleep and, apart from a dull pain in my arm, I felt fine.
"Louee," I whispered before I kissed his nose. "Lou... baby?"
"Niall? Are you awake?" Paul whispered as he came over and I turned onto my back so that I could see him. "Hi bud. Are you doing ok?"
"Hmn... yeah. Just tired."
"I bet. We had a doctor sort you out and the parasite is gone alright."
"Really?"
"Really. You're going to be ok."
"Sorry... bout scarin... you."
"You're healthy and safe now Niall. That's all that matters."
"Thanks dad," I said and Paul kissed me on the cheek.
"Hmn... dad?" Louis asked as he woke up.
"Hey... Lou," I said and he turned to me.
"Ni... how's your arm?" He asked before he yawned.
"It's good. Did I scare you?"
"No. You just screamed and scared the living shit out of me."
"Sorry."
"It's ok. Mum's making waffles."
"Baby, you're not dreaming."
"What? But I want waffles."
"Niall's awake Louis. He's ok," Paul said and Louis properly looked at me.
"What? Ni? Are you really?"
"Really," I said and a beaming smile crossed his face before he kissed me.
"You scared me so much love. Never, ever do that to me again."
"I won't. I promise."
"Here Niall, have some water. Your throat's sounding a bit raw," Dad said and Louis gave me a hand to sit up.
"Is that ok?" He asked and I nodded.
"Yeah," I replied before Paul presented me with a straw and I drank from it.
"Does your arm hurt at all?" Louis asked me and I shook my head.
"Good, that means that the painkillers are working."
"Yeah," I said before I saw the hacked-to-bits bathroom door. "The door... oh," I said before I realised that I had spoken with a mouthful of water and it had landed all over the bed.
"It's ok Ni," Louis said before he wiped my chin.
"You're too nice to me Lou."
"I know. It's like I love you or something," Louis said before Paul sat down on the end of the bed.
"Now that the parasite's gone, you should be back to your normal self Niall."
"Did the doctor say that?"
"She did. All your symptoms: the hallucinations, the hypothermia, and the fever. They were all associated with the parasite."
"So I'm ok?"
"Yeah. You're ok."
"When I saw it moving under my skin... I just knew that I had to get it out. I'm really sorry about locking you all out, but... I couldn't suffer anymore."
"I'm sorry that we didn't believe you Niall. Who knows how much longer we would have had to wait to get an answer to all of this."
"So I'm forgiven?"
"Of course you are," Paul said before Louis hugged me.
"And as long as you never do it again."
"I won't. I promise not to get another parasite for as long as I live," I told Louis and Paul squeezed my knee.

Finally, I was better and I had ended up with Louis as my boyfriend. All the boys were around me and I squeezed Louis tight.
"Thanks for saving me when I drowned Lou."
"I never would have done anything different. I love you Niall."
"I love you too Louis," I said and I heard a camera click. It was Paul, so I turned my head so that it was resting against Louis's shoulder, and smiled at him.

Chapter Text

None’s POV
"Can someone find Lottie?"
"I'll get her."
"Thanks Zayn."
"Is Louis going to be ok?" Niall asked as Louis was lying on his side. He'd just been through a seizure and he was still unconscious.
"His pulse is improving," Mark said as he had his fingers on Louis's neck.
"That's good. Yes, he's going to be fine Niall," Paul told them. The boys knew that Louis had been diagnosed with epilepsy, but it was their first time seeing him go through a seizure.
"That was so scary," Liam said as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, seeing Louis jerk and move like that."
"It's caused by misfired signals in his brain. He's going to be alright boys."
"He's going to feel sore."
"Is he awake Paul?" Lottie asked as she arrived and she knelt beside her brother.
"Not yet, but he's doing well."
"I'm here Louis. I'm here."
"Why don't you boys get some lunch. Louis's in safe hands," Paul said as he stood up.
"We want to make sure that Louis's ok," Harry protested.
"I know, but Louis needs some space. Get yourselves some food, then you can come back and check on him."
"Ok Paul."
"Look after him."
"I need him to be ok."
"I know you do boys. Just relax, he's in safe hands," Paul said and the boys left the scene as Louis started to come round.
"Louis? Louis, can you hear me?"
"Ll... Lottts?"
"Yeah. Hi Louis," Lottie said as she took his hand.
"Head..."
"Does it hurt?"
"'Eah," Louis said and Lottie gently inspected her brother's head.
"You've got a bruise, but you're going to be ok."
"Epilp...?"
"Yeah, you've had a seizure."
"Lot... Lotts..."
"I'm with you Louis. You're ok," Lottie told him gently.

Once Louis was sitting up against the wall and he was a little more with it, Niall, Harry, Zayn and Liam returned.
"Louis, you're awake."
"Yeah," Louis said as Liam knelt down and took his hand.
"How are you feeling?"
"Not good."
"It was really scary seeing you go through that."
"It's not... not nice."
"We're looking after you Louis, just take it easy," Zayn told him and Louis nodded.
"Thanks Za…"
"Are you tired Louis?" Niall asked him.
"Yeah."
"One of our bodyguards will carry you to a bed so you can have a nap."
"That sounds good... Nialler."
"I'm really glad that you're awake and doing ok Louis."
"Thanks Liam... thanks."
"Get some rest Louis," Liam said as Paul came over and wrapped his arms under Louis's back and his knees.
"I've got you."
"Don't let go of Paul," Harry said as Paul picked Louis up, and he carried Louis off to get some much needed rest. Lottie followed behind Paul.

~

A few hours passed and while the boys were eating dinner, Louis came to join them.
“Louis’s here.”
“Hi Louis!”
“Are you doing ok?” Zayn asked as he stood up and went over to him.
“I’m good Zayn. Thanks,” Louis said as he hugged Zayn, then he came over to the table. “Honestly boys, I have a nap and I’m back to my normal self.”
“That’s great to hear Louis.”
“It was really scary seeing you have a seizure,” Liam told him.
“I bet it was. I have the comfort of being unconscious for them, but I saw how worried you all were about me when I was back with it.”
“Where’s Lottie?”
“She’s chatting to Lou. I think she’s getting used to my seizures, and she wants to focus on getting into the make-up industry.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get used to you seizing,” Niall said.
“I hate having then, but it’s my life now. I’m taking medication and people around me know how to handle them and how to look after me.”
“I want some training in how to cope with you,” Niall said as Louis sat at the table.
“Have a word with Paul. It would be good for you boys to know how to help me.”
“We’ll have a chat to him,” Harry said and Louis drummed on the table.
“Right, what’s for dinner?”
“Chicken and chips.”
“Oh, a fucking staple. Where’s mine?”
“Where you normally find it. Talk to our cooks.”
“Seriously Liam? I have a seizure and you don’t get any dinner for me?”
“Alright you two.”
“I’ll get you some Louis,” Niall said.
“Thanks Niall. You’re a true friend, unlike you Liam.”
“Hey!” Liam called and he smashed mashed potato into Louis’s hair.
“Oi!” Louis called and he retaliated with Harry’s left over mash. All the boys erupted into laughter as Louis and Liam fought, and everyone was very happy that things were back to normal.

Lottie came back just as Louis got tired and she caught her brother just as he was about to face-plant his meal.
“Is he ok?” Liam asked as Lottie rested Louis against her.
“He’s just tired. He’s needs an early night.”
“I can carry him to the taxi.”
“Let’s see you try,” Lottie said and Niall picked Louis up. Carrying their exhausted bandmate, Niall put him into a car and Louis went back to the hotel to get some much needed rest. Mark looked after him overnight, and the next day they were back to interviews and a concert like nothing had happened.

Chapter Text

Louis’s POV
I was going to have a seizure. I could feel it coming on, but my head was everywhere. I couldn’t deal with people, I couldn’t have anyone around me. I knew that I needed help, but I… I couldn’t…
“Are you ok Louis?”
“You’re looking pale,” Both Liam and Nialler said to me.
“Sorry boys. I…” I said before I left them, and I went back to our dressing room. Closing the door, I knew that I was going to seize. My vision began to swim and my hands began to shake.
“Louis?” I heard Liam ask from outside the door. “Are you ok?”
“Louis, we’re worried that you’re going to have a seizure,” Zayn said.
“I... I am,” I said as my voice broke and went high.
“Ok. Open this door Louis.”
“We need to help you.”
“I…” I said before I went over to the door and I put my fist against it. “No.”
“Louis. You need help.”
“You can’t go through a seizure alone Louis. It’s dangerous.”
“I have… have to…”
“Open this door. Please Louis,” Liam begged me.
“Aaaah,” I said as I started to lose control of my body.
“I’ll get Paul.”
“I’ll find an axe to get the door open.”
“Louis can still open the door. Louis, let us in.”
“I’ll find the arena’s masterkey,” Zayn said before he left.
“You shouldn’t seize alone Louis. You could get seriously hurt,” Liam said, but my vision went dark and I collapsed onto the ground.

My body began to shake and I came to the horrible realisation that I was going to remain awake.
“He’s collapsed. He’s collapsed, Mark. You can hear him,” Liam said and I could hear myself grunting and gurgling. Horrible, horrible sounds.
“Arh… arh…” My body cried out and I could feel my limbs hitting against my body and against the ground. Then my hand found the door and it was banging against it.
“It’s locked Paul, we can’t get in.”
“Is he seizing?”
“Yes, you can hear him.”
“Shit.”
“I’ve got an axe,” Niall said as my seizure continued. There were lots of people on the other side of the door now, but my mind was swimming.
“...could hurt yourself and Louis.”
“We have to do something. He’s on his own in there!” Liam cried out.
“Stay calm Liam. You said that Zayn was looking for a masterkey?”
“He is,” Harry said. The boys sounded worried.

My voice began to quieten, and the shaking became less.
“Louis? He’s not grunting anymore. Louis, can you hear me?” Liam asked.
“Can you hear us Louis?”
“You’re ok Louis. Turn onto your side… if you can.”
“We don’t know that he’s conscious Liam.”
“We have to do something, Harry.”
“I’ve got a masterkey,” Zayn said before a key was turned in the lock.

~

“Zayn, you’re the smallest, squeeze through the door,” Paul said and there was pressure on my body. I was lying beside the door.
"He's ok," Zayn said clearly, before he turned me onto my side. My head was still spinning and I was exhausted. People came in and there were hands on me.
“Louis?”
“Louis, can you hear us?”
“Louis.”
“Breathe Louis.”
“Where’s the medic?”
“Is he injured?”
“He doesn’t seem to be.”
“He’s still unconscious.”
“He’s going to be alright,” The voices said, but it was too much. There were too many of them.
“Out…”
“Louis?” Someone asked as the voices died down a little.
“Get… out,” I whispered. I wanted to scream it, but my voice could barely get over a whisper.
“I think there’s too many people around him.”
“Everyone quieten down.”
“Yes, we need the medic.”
“GET OUT!” I screamed suddenly, but the action took my whole conscious state with it.

~

When I came round, I was still lying on my side. It was quiet now, and there were only two hands on me. Liam and Emma’s, our medic.
“Is he going to be ok?” Liam asked Emma quietly.
“It looks like he will be. He’s got some bruises, but no cuts and he’s not bleeding.”
“Good.”
“Hi,” I whispered. My voice was raw and really sore.
“Louis. It’s just myself and Emma. How are you feeling?” Liam asked me gently.
“So… sorry…”
“What are you sorry for Louis?”
“Screaming. I just… the people…”
“You gave everyone a fright, but they got the message Louis. It’s just us with you now.”
“Keep coming round Louis.”
“I was… con… conscious.”
“Conscious during your seizure?”
“Yes.”
“Oh mate.”
“I could… hear you. And Niall with the… the axe.”
“He didn’t use the axe, thankfully,” Liam told me before an alarm went off.
“Your blood pressure’s falling again Louis.”
“Tired…”
“Don’t fall asleep yet. We need you to come round first.”
“Ok,” I replied to Liam, and I tried to wake up. I was feeling so exhausted.
“How are you feeling?” Liam asked me again as he took one of my hands into his own. “Does anything hurt?”
“Light headed… tired…”
“Any pain?”
“Just some… some bruises.”
“Ok. That’s good.”
“It’s settling again. Louis, I’m going to take you to the local urgent care. We need to make sure that your fluctuating heart rate and blood pressure are not causes for concern.”
“They’re fluc.. tuating? Liam,” I said as I was really struggling to stay awake.
“They are. Are you ok?”
“No.”
"Liam, can you carry Louis? I don't want him to stand up."
"Of course, come here Louis," Liam said, and I sat up to help Liam put his arms around me. Liam wrapped one of his arms around my back, and the other underneath my knees. I wrapped around Liam's neck in return as he lifted me up. Holding onto Liam, we walked through the corridors, medical monitors still on my upper arm and my finger, and we began making our way outside.
“It’s Louis,” Zayn said, and I heard footsteps around me.
“He’s really pale.”
“Has he woken up Liam?” Harry asked as they walked alongside us.
“He woke up a few minutes ago. He’s doing ok.”
“That’s good.”
“Is there anything we need to be concerned about?”
“His heart rate and blood pressure levels are fluctuating, so we’re going to get him checked over at the hospital.”
“Ok.”
“Let us know how it goes.”
“I will,” Liam said before we went outside.

The hospital staff tested me and they kept me in overnight for observation. I slept for 14 hours while Liam stayed beside me in an uncomfortable hospital chair. When I got back to our tour family, I apologised for locking them out when I had needed their help, but Harry simply hugged me. Then Niall hugged me. Then Zayn. They were all just really glad that I was ok 💕.
“Don’t do it again Louis. You need help when you go through a seizure.”
“I won’t. My head was just… everywhere.”
“It’s ok. We’re just really glad that you’re alright.”
“You could have been badly injured.”
“I know. Sorry, and thank… thank you.”
“Come here,” Niall said, and they all embraced me in a big bear hug ❤️.

Chapter Text

Niall's POV
"Nice. Louis, pay attention," The photographer said, and we turned to him. Louis was staring into the distance and my heart fell as I realised what was happening.
"He's having an absence seizure."
"What?"
"Louis?" Liam asked as the boys crowded round us.
"Louis, can you hear us?" Zayn asked, but Louis was staring straight ahead.
"You're ok Louis," I reassured him. "You're alright."
"What's wrong?" The photographer asked.
"Louis's having an absence seizure. He's ok," Harry explained, and Louis's eyes started to flicker.
"Louis?"
"Louis, can you hear me?"

"Arh," Louis said, before he started to fall.
"I've got him," Liam said and I helped Liam to lie Louis onto his side. Louis fell asleep and I got my polaroid camera. I snapped a photo and smiled, Louis always fell asleep after his seizures, and sometimes he slept for up to an hour.
"Why do you take pictures of Louis when he is asleep Niall?" The reporter asked me and I looked round at her as I was also lying on the floor.
"To remind Louis that we're with him and we love him."
"Louis always falls asleep after a seizure. He should come round soon."
"Ok. Let's take a break."
"Hey," I said gently as I tickled his face. "He looks good today."
"They did his hair and makeup well."
"How long is he going to sleep for?"
"I don't know," I said before I started playing with his hair.
"Stop it Niall. The stylist will get mad."
"So?" I asked and Louis moved a little.

~

"Hmn..."
"Louis. Hey bud," Liam said as he crouched beside me.
"Hi Louis," I said as Liam took Louis’s hand.
"Hmnmnmn," Louis said as he moved more.
"Can you wake up for us Louis?" Zayn added, and Louis opened his eyes.
"Hi Lou," I said, and he frowned.
"Where am I?"
"On the floor."
"Why?"
"You've had a seizure."
"Big... or small?"
"Small," I said, and Louis relaxed.
"Ok."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
"Good. We were worried abut you," I said before I took Louis's hand from Liam.
"You always worry about me..."
"Only when you have seizures," I said, and Louis smiled. He didn't like being vulnerable, but sometimes he needed help.
"I'm coming round... slowly."
"Take as long as you need."
"Do you want some food and water Louis?" Harry asked him and he nodded.
"Please Harry."
"Coming right up," Harry said before he left.
"I'm ok... boys."
"We know that you're not."
"I..."
"Louis?"
"I'm ok," Louis said before he started to sit up.
"Woah. Take it easy."
"Easy Louis," Liam said, and Louis fell against me.
"Are you ok?"
"Not as good as... I want..."
"Food and a drink Louis. Eat this before doing anything else," Harry said, and Louis opened his eyes. He took the sandwich and ate it, before drinking all of the water.
"I'm good," Louis announced: but myself, Liam, Zayn and Harry were not convinced.
"Slowly Louis."
"Easy," Zayn said, but Louis was standing up and we couldn't stop him.
"I'm ok."
"You're not. You're really not!" Liam called as Louis fell, but Harry caught him.
"Let's do the next pictures sitting down ok?" Harry said as he was holding Louis up.
"Ok," Louis agreed.

We took photo's on wooden boxes after the break, and Louis improved. He smiled when I showed him the picture of him asleep, and he went to bed early. We all loved Louis xx

Chapter Text

The stories below have been moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here (which has been replaced).

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Harry's POV
I was sat gently strumming my guitar as I looked out at the snow. It was New Year's eve and I was on my own.

I thought about how I'd had a panic attack in the airport toilets and bailed on the plan of going to see Louis for Christmas.

He'd been calling and texting me, but I hadn't picked up his calls. I felt lost and unsure. The tour had gone great, but now I didn't know what to do with myself.

I did want to meet Freddie, but Louis was dating Eleanor and I felt as though she had taken my spot.

The truth was that I had none to turn to. I had my family, but they weren't like Louis. He was on-top of the world and right now, I was at the bottom of it in my pyjama's and slippers watching the snow falling outside.

Then, someone rung the doorbell. I looked over at the door before I lazily got up and wandered over to it. It wasn't until I opened it and saw a new face that a fire was re-lit in my heart.
"Are you doing alright Harry? This little one was gutted at Christmas without his Uncle Harry there," Louis said as he bounced his three year old boy, Freddie, on his hip.
"Uncle Arry!" Freddie shouted.
"Freddie..." I began as I looked up at Louis. I could feel tears already forming in my eyes, and Louis's face instantly softened a he put Freddie down, who immediately began charging into my house.
"Don't go breaking anything Freddie!" Louis called before he looked up at me. "What's wrong Harry?" He asked before he hugged me and I let myself begin to cry onto his shoulder. "Oh babe."
"I'm sorry..."
"You don't have to be sorry. We can go through everything later, but have you seized or anything? Are you hurt?"
"No. No I'm ok," I said and Louis wiped my tears away.
"Ok then," He said before he kissed me on the cheek and looked beyond me. "Freddie. Let go of Harry's lamp," He said before he went over to his son. I closed the front door and went over to join them. "What did I say about not breaking anything?"
"I was just lookin," Freddie said as Louis took the lamp off him.
"You were messin. Come here," Louis said before he tickled starting Freddie and he laughed.
"Stop it daddy! Stop it!" Freddie shouted before he wiggled out of Louis's grip. He began running around the house and I chased him.
"Argh!" I yelled.
"No Arry, no!" Freddie screamed and laughed.
"Make sure you pull down his pants when you catch him Harry," Louis said and that just made Freddie scream more.

We then played hide and seek, but we couldn't find Freddie anywhere.
"Where is he Harry?" Louis asked in concern. "I usually would have found him by now."
"He'll be round here somewhere Louis, don't worry," I said as I continued looking.
"Harry. Why have you got a broken shed in your garden?" Louis asked and I looked out of the window.
"That was fine an hour ago, something must have happened to it."
"Like that?"
"Freddie?" I asked as I saw a piece of Freddie's blue top sticking out into the snow from underneath part of the broken shed.
"Freddie? He hasn't gone outside... Freddie!" Louis screamed as he realised what I was looking at and he opened the door and sprinted towards him. I was quick to follow and together we got the panel of wood off Freddie's little body. "Freddie? Freddie, it's dad. Freddie?" Louis asked gently as he knelt beside this little boy.

To my great relief, Freddie starting crying and Louis sighed in relief.
"Oh baby. What hurts?"
"My... wrist..." Freddie stuttered between his tears.
"Your wrist? Anything else?" Louis asked as he inspected Freddie's wrists. I also knelt down and pulled his shirt up.
"...no," Freddie replied as I looked at his back.
"No?"
"His back looks fine Lou."
"Good. Daddy's going to pick you up now ok," Louis said and Freddie nodded. Louis carefully picked him up and Freddie curled into his dad's shoulder. I looked back at my shed and wondered why it had collapsed so easily.

"It's ok baby, daddy's here. Daddy's here," Louis reassured Freddie as he sat down and cuddled him in his lap.
"Wrist..." Freddie said as he kept crying.
"How much does it hurt?"
"A lot," Freddie said and Louis took the wrist that Freddie was cradling and he kissed it.
"There. Daddy's going to give you something to take the pain away alright."
"Ok," Freddie said and Louis looked at me. "H, there's a bag in the car with children's medication in it. Could you grab it for me?"
"Yeah of course," I said before I went out to the car and opened the boot. The medical bag was covered in love hearts and I guess that that was Briana's work. "Found it," I said as I came back in Louis was checking Freddie for any other injuries.
"Good. Harry, can you take out the kids paracetamol and fill up the big side of the plastic spoon."
"Sure," I said before I put tbe bag on the side and looked through it. One kids paracetamol, but no plastic spoon. That wasn't an issue as I had one in my medical cabinate. "You need to get another plastic spoon Louis."
"Oh ok. There you go. How's that? Good? Yeah?" Louis replied as he gave Freddie a dummy. Freddie was a little old for dummy's now, but Louis was just trying to stall for time while I got his medication. "Oh H, could you grab some blankets as well? Freddie's freezing."
"Of course I can Louis," I said before I disappeared into my house.

I found the blankets first and brough them into the lounge.
"Here you go Freddie," I said as I wrapped one around him but Louis quickly took over.
"Here we go, snuggle up, lets wrap you up nice and warm ok."
"Warm," Freddie said before he curled into his dad.
"Here's another one Louis."
"Thanks H. Come on bud," Louis said as he took the blanket without looking at me. I helped to wrap it around around Freddie, but when I accidentally touched his wrist he cried out in pain.
"Argh!"
"Harry!" Louis shouted at me and it took me by surprise. He'd never shouted at me before. "Oh Freddie baby," Louis said before he kissed his son. "Can you get his medicine Harry?"
"Yeah, of course. Sorry," I said before I got up. I knew that Louis hadn't meant it, but it felt like he was blaming me for Freddie's injury.

Of course it had to be my fault. The shed collapsing: sending me out to get to get the medication: having to tell me to get blankets: forgetting to get his medication sooner: hurting him whilst I was trying to help.

I reached the bathroom and opened up my medicine cabinet. I found the plastic spoon quite quickly before I saw my epilepsy medication. I'd forgotten to take it. Should I take it now?

I looked at my watched before I heard Louis reassuring Freddie in the other room. I wanted to to be loved. I wanted my Louis, I didn't want him to shout at me. Would a seizure help to bring him back to my side?

I decided not to take my tablets and I returned to give Freddie some pain medication.
"Harry's getting you some medicine now. Keep being strong baby," Louis said as Freddie was curled up against him, sucking his dummy. I measure the paracetamol out before I came over to them.
"Open wide Freddie," I said and Louis took out his dummy before I gave him the medicine.
"There. All better," Louis said and Freddie buried himself into his dad's chest and Louis held him tightly.

Tears then came to my eyes, and I felt ridiculous. I was crying over Louis loving his own son more than me.
"Hey Harry, you're ok," Louis said as he wiped my eyes with his spare hand. "I'm sorry about shouting at you."
"It's ok. I'm just glad that Freddie's ok."
"Yeah. Thanks H," Louis said and it made me smile before I wiped my tears away. "Are you ok? You look pale."
"I'm fine," I lied. "I've got some pizza. Shall I put it on?"
"Yeah, that sounds good. Oh, and can we stay the night? I would have called ahead but that would have ruined the surprise."
"Yeah, sure you can."
"Thanks Harry," Louis said and I put the pizza on.

Both Freddie and Louis had a nap while the pizza cooked and I could feel myself getting worse. I would have a seizure soon, but it felt more and more like a ridiculous idea. Why on earth did I think that me having a seizure would break Louis's father-son bond with Freddie? Besides, he was exhausted from looking after Freddie.

I want him to love me. Not have sympathy for me.

I was a thick headed idiot, but it was too late now to take my medication. I had to get through a seizure on my own, there was nothing else for it.

The timer went off on the oven and I went over to it as both Louis and Freddie woke up.
"Hmn?" They both groaned as I took the pepperoni pizza out of the oven.
"Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!" Freddie shouted and I smiled.
"Yeah pizza," Louis said sleepily.
"Pizza daddy!"
"Yeah... what would you say to a TV dinner?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Freddie called out as I cut the pizza's up. "Grinch! Grinch! Grinch!" Freddie continued shouting in his excited voice.
"Again? We've seen that every night for the last week," Louis said before he yawned.
"The Grinch! The Grinch!"
"Ok," Louis agreed and he looked at me as I came over with the pizza's. "Your TV has Netflix right Harry?"
"It does yeah," I said as I put the pizza's down, and Louis put The Grinch on.

Five minutes into dinner, Louis turned to me.
"Are you ok is we watch this Harry?" He asked me and I saw that Freddie was glued to the screen.
"Yeah. I don't mind."
"Oh, thanks for understanding. We'll talk once I've put Freddie to bed ok?" Louis said as he put his hand onto my thigh and I nodded.
"Yeah."

After the film and pizza, Louis carried a fully asleep Freddie to bed and read him a story. I went into the cupboard and took out some paracetamol and beta blockers. I had gotten some anxiety on tour, so the doctor had prescribed them to me. I was also starting to feel really rough and I needed to hold this seizure away for just a little bit longer.

I swallowed all the tablets and washed them back with some red wind, before I poured Louis some. When he came back in, I pretended to act normal and not pre-seizure.
"I got you some wine Louis."
"Amazing, thanks Harry," He said before he took it and he motioned towards the sofa. "Sorry about that, Freddie can be a bit demanding of my attention. I am so sorry about shouting at you. It was an instinctive reaction and I didn't mean it at all."
"I know. It's ok."
"What's going on with you Harry? You've been down from the moment we stepped through the door."
"It's nothing, I'm just post tour tired."
"I get that. We were always knackered after a world tour."
"I don't know what to do with myself Lou. You know that I love being on tour."
"I know that you do Harry," Louis said before he moved over to me. "But you have to have some time off as well. That way, you'll love it more."
"I know."
"Is that it? Is that everything that's on your mind?" Louis asked and I looked at him.

Of course it wasn't everything. I felt like my love for Louis had been stolen by a three year old. A three year old who was better looking and more energetic than I was. Everything was about him now, not me and Louis.
"H..." Louis said as he wiped the tears away from my eyes.
"I just miss you," I said instead.
"Oh Harry, I miss you too. I missed you a lot on Christmas day though, what happened?"
"I got scared..."
"Scared of what?"
"Your new life. You deserve it Lou, so much. But I don't know... I feel like I would be invading it with both Freddie and Eleanor being there. I'm not part of your new family."
"Oh Harry, you are part of it. I've known you for nearly a decade and we've been through so much together. And that's not counting all of the kisses."
"But do they mean anything? You're with Eleanor now."
"I am with Eleanor, but I love you as well. You're like a brother to me."
"A brother who you've kissed a lot of times?"
"Ok, it's a bad example, but just because we're not dating doesn't mean that I don't love you. I wanted to get back with Eleanor because well... I want to have a kid with her."
"You've already got Freddie."
"I know, but I share him with Briana and it's... complicated. I'm just trying to find a family Harry. And I want you to be in it. I'll bring you round about Eleanor, just you wait and see. You're the constant Harry, you're here for me and I'll always be here for you. I'll be your brother and your support, for whenever you need me ok?"
"Yeah," I said before we both finished our red wine and Louis yawned.
"Right, I'm exhausted. You don't mind if I go to bed do you?"
"No. Freddie keeps you busy."
"He does," Louis said before he kissed me on the forehead. "Night Harry."
"Night Louis," I said and off he went.

"Argh," I groaned as I finally let my fist clench up. I was about to have a seizure and I was petrified. I staggered over and closed the door to the hallway before I picked up my phone and called my most recent contact.
"Harry, hi! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Nick Grimshaw asked me and I put him on speaker phone.
"Not so loud. I'm at home and Louis's next door."
"Oh. Why are you calling me then? Is this a secret phone call?"
"Yeah, sort of. Urgh," I grunted as I moved the wine and lay down onto the floor.
"What was that? Harry, are you ok?"
"No... long story..." I told Nick. My mind was starting to get muddled and I knew that the seizure was about to start. "I'm gonna... seize..."
"What? Now? Harry, you need Louis."
"No... please... you..." I said before everything went black.

"Nick, can you hear me? ... Harry, it's Nick, can you hear me? ... Harry, it's Nick, can you hear me?"
"Yeah," I whispered as soon as I was able to form a few words.
"Oh thank God. You're doing great Harry alright. Just keep waking up for me."
"How... long...?"
"About 5 minutes. Just relax ok. Are you hurt at all?"
"No..."
"Ok. That's good."
"Louis..."
"Is he with you? Or do you want me to call him?"
"No..."
"Where are you Harry?"
"Lounge..."
"Your lounge?"
"Yeh," I said before I coughed.
"Are you ok? Do you feel sick at all?"
"No... just... achy..."
"Alright. Harry, why didn't you get Louis to help you?"
"Compli... ated..." I told Nick before I forced myself to sit up.
"It might be complicated, but you should never go through a seizure on your own Harry."
"I know. Never... again..."
"I'm glad to hear to it. How are you doing?"
"I'm... sitting..."
"Ok, that's good. I'm here for however long you need me ok."
"Yeah..." I said before I lay back, put my hand to my head and hung up on Nick. I just needed quiet. I was ok, somehow, and I just needed rest.

"I forgot Freddie's blankets," Came Louis's half asleep voice before I heard his footsteps stop. "H. Are you ok?"
"Hmn fine," I replied.
"I know that voice," Louis said before I heard the blankets gently land on the floor beside me. "Have you had a seizure?"
"No," I said as I felt his hands touch my arms and I forced myself to stand up. I stood up to fast though and I felt myself starting to fall back.
"Harry," Louis said before he caught me. "Woah, let's sit you down."
"No. I'm fine."
"Harry, you are not fine."
"I just stood up too fast. Louis, I'm ok."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"And you've not had a seizure?"
"Of course I haven't."
"Ok," Louis said and I realised that my voice had sounded a bit harsh.
"Sorry. I'm just tired and so are you. Go back to bed and I'll see you in the morning."
"Ok," Louis said before he picked up the blankets. "Thanks for letting us stay over Harry. Sleep well."
"Thanks. You too Lou," I said and Louis disappeared back down the hallway.

Brother. Louis had said that I was like a brother to him. So, had he dumped me?

I started to cry and I looked in the window to see tears falling down my face. Why did this hurt so much?

I loved Louis, but he loved me as a brother. Now, I really didn't know what to do with myself. Did I need to find someone else or learn to love Louis like this? Being a father had really changed him, but would that mean that I had to change too?

I got into my bed and began strumming at some guitar strings.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Louis's POV
"Hey Harry," I said as I picked up my phone.
"Hi Louis. I've just left my cousins and I'm on my way back."
"Great. Be safe and make sure you arrive back in time for the fireworks."
"I will, don't worry. I'll see you in under an hour."
"Ok, see you then. Oh H."
"Yeah?"
"You didn't drink at your cousins did you? Because you know that over 60% of car accidents happen..."
"When someone's intoxicated, I know Louis. I'm sober, and I'll see you soon."
"Ok. See you soon H," I said before I hung up and went back over to Eleanor.
"Is Harry on this way back?"
"Yeah, he's just left."
"Good," Eleanor said before she kissed me.
"Ewwww," Freddie said and I smiled.
"That's rude Freddie."
"Noo. That was gucky and yucky."
"Adults kiss. It's not yucky, it shows that we love each other."
"I don't want to grow up."
"I know you don't," I said before I went over to him and ruffled his hair. "I don't want you to grow up either."

While we waited for Harry, we got Freddie into his pyjama's and he sat sipping apple juice while Eleanor and I had wine.

11:59pm. No Harry.
"Well, here it is," I said as I stood up and so did Eleanor and Freddie. "To a good year."
"A good year!" Eleanor cheered.
"Yeah!" Freddie shouted before the fireworks went off. Freddie loved fireworks, so I picked him up and we watched them together.

"Ok. Bed time for you," Eleanor said as the fireworks finished and Freddie shook his head.
"No. Fireworks."
"The fireworks are over Freddie."
"No. More fireworks. More."
"There are no more. Bed time for you."
"You're mean," Freddie said as he buried his head into Eleanor's shoulder and she laughed a little.
"I'll get him to bed. Are you going to stay up until Harry gets back?"
"Yeah, I am. I do hope nothing's happened to him."
"I'm sure it hasn't," Eleanor said before she kissed me on the cheek. "He might just be going slowly in the dark."
"Yeah, or he stopped to see some fireworks."
"Exactly. I'm sure that he's fine Louis. Let's get you to bed little one."
"Hmn," Freddie said as he was already falling asleep and Eleanor left with Freddie in her grip.

Half an hour later, I was getting worried. Was Harry ok? Had something happened to him?

Then, thankfully, the doorbell rang and I ran over to it. I flung the door open and hugged him.
"Happy new year Harry!"
"Louis Tomlinson?" Came the reply and I stepped back.
"Oh, hello Officer. Yes, I'm Louis Tomlinson. What's going on? Why are you here?"
"I'm afraid I have to inform you that there's been an accident."
"An accident?" I asked as my heart dropped in my chest.
"Yes, involving Mr Styles. It's on our records that his residence is at this address."
"It is," I said as tears formed in my eyes. "What's happened?"
"His car came off the road and crashed. The fire crew managed to Mr Styles out and he's been taken to hospital. He's alive, but he's in a critical condition. I would recommend that you come with me to the hospital."
"Yes... um... yeah of..."
"I've got Freddie," Eleanor said as I felt her hand on my shoulder. "Harry needs you."
"Yeah..."
"Are you close to Mr Styles?"
"Harry, and yes we are. He's a close friend."
"Ok," The policeman said before I went with him.

The drive felt long. Harry had been seriously injured in a car crash and I couldn't help but think about what kind of injuries he might have. Was he awake? Did he need surgery? Would he be missing a limb or something horrific like that?

My questions were soon answered as we made our way onto the intensive care ward and I saw Harry. He had a tube in his throat and he was unconscious. He had a cast on his arm and on his ankle. His breaths were mechanised and he was covered in cuts and bruises.
"This is Louis Tomlinson. He's a close friend of Harry Styles," The policeman told someone as more tears came to my eyes.
"Thank you. You can leave him with me," They replied.
"I'm sorry about bringing you here on New Year's day."
"No... thank you," I told the policeman as the tears began rolling down my face. I heard him leave and a nurse came over to me.
"People are always overwhelmed when they see a loved on in intensive care. Why don't you come and hold his hand? It's ok to be scared," The nurse said and together walked over to Harry together.

I reached down and took one of Harry's hands in my own. It was limp and cold, so instead I brushed my hand through his hair and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Are you two close friends?" The nurse asked.
"We use to date, but now I've got a son."
"Ok."
"I miss Harry. I miss him a lot. He's erm... can I sit here?" I asked as I pointed at the spot beside Harry.
"Of course you can, just be careful of all of the wires," She said and I made sure that I didn't sit on any of the wires.
"He lives with me and my little boy. And my girlfriend."
"Is he taking it well?"
"Yeah, very well. I've got him with me and that's all that matters. We support each other."
"Good," The nurse said and I watched Harry for a few minutes.
"When's he going to wake up?" I asked and the nurse didn't reply. "He is going to wake up isn't he?"

Anne's POV
Gemma and I arrived at the hospital and I paid the taxi driver. After receiving the alarming phone call from the hospital, I'd picked up Gemma from work and we had gone straight to the airport.

But then it got worse, Harry was in intensive care. When we arrived, a nurse explained Harry's injuries to us, and he had a lot. Not just broken bones, but internal bruising and a potential head injury.

The scariest part of it all was the fact that he was in a coma. It was not medically induced, and they didn't know what was causing it. Gemma started to cry beside me and I took her into my arms.

When we got to Harry, Louis was sat on a chair beside him and his head was resting on the bed. He was fast asleep. Harry looked awful and I didn't want to wake Louis up, so I took Gemma round to the other side of him.

There were no words that needed to be said. Both Gemma and I were in shock, and Harry was needing help to breathe. I just took his hand and held Gemma tightly in my grip.

Louis's POV
When I woke up, I was surprised to see Anne and Gemma asleep on the other chair beside Harry. I mean, I was expecting them to be there, I was just startled after everything that had happened.

Of course, there was no change with Harry. He was still unconscious and his chest was still rising and falling in a very unnatural manner. I took my phone out and left the ward to get some fresh air.

Louis: Harry's in a coma. He's alive, but he's attached to a machine that's breathing for him.

Eleanor: Stay with him as long as you need to darling. We're only an hour away and Freddie's doing fine.

Louis: Thanks El, but I don't think that I can stay here much longer. It's a lot to process, and Gemma and Anne are here now. It's not like Harry can hear me.

Eleanor: You can visit him again Louis, he could be in a coma for a while. Let me know when you're on your way back and I'll put dinner on.

Louis: Yeah. I'm coming back now. I'll just let Liam and Niall know what's happened.

Eleanor: Alright darling.

I found Liam's number and called it. I figured that on New Year's Day they would be together. Harry and I had found out a little while ago that everything was ok now and Niall had forgiven Liam for beating him up.
"Hiii!" Liam called as he answer the video call.
"Who is it?" Niall asked before he came onto the call. "Oh! Louis! Hiii!"
"Are you both drunk?"
"Of course we are. It's 10am Louis, why aren't you drunk?"
"That's a good question."
"It doesn't matter, get yourself a bottle now. Where are you?"
"Oh! Happy new year!!" Liam shouted suddenly.
"Happy new year!!"
"Happy new year!"
"Happy new year!" I called and we all cheered. "Lewis? What are you doing there?" I asked as I saw Lewis Capaldi in the frame.
"It's a long story," He replied before Niall looked at my video more closely.
"Why are you in a hospital Louis?"
"You're in a hospital?!"
"Ok, what's happened to Harry?"
"How do you know it's Harry?"
"Who else is it going to be?"
"No! Louis, it's not Freddie is it?"
"No, Freddie's fine."
"Good," Liam said as he relaxed.
"Go on. What's Harry done? Has he hurt himself doing a stunt or something?"
"No."
"Oh. Has he burnt himself setting off a firework?"
"Was he been beaten up by Freddie in a fight?"
"No."
"Has he..."
"Guys this is serious," I told them and they went quiet.
"Ok. What's happened?" Liam tried to asked seriously as Niall opened a packet of crisps and started eating them.
"Put the crisps down Niall. This really is serious."
"Niall. Be respectful."
"Sorry Lewis. I was hungry," Niall said as he put them down.
"Has Harry had a bad seizure or something?"
"No, and I hope it's not related to that."
"What do you mean? What's going on?"
"Harry's been in a car crash."
"What?!"
"Is he ok?" Niall asked as he reached for the crisps again and Lewis slapped his hand. "Ow. Lewis."
"He's in a coma!" I shouted with impatience and they just stared at me.
"What?"
"He's in a coma," I said in a quieter voice. "He's got a tube down his throat that's breathing for him and..." I stopped to let the tears flow down my face.
"Shit. Louis."
"Is it medically induced?"
"No. No, they don't know what's caused it."
"Fuck."
"Aw mate. Do they know when he's going to wake up?"
"No. None knows."
"Louis."
"Louis," Came another voice and I turned round to see Gemma beside me with her arms open. I hugged her and she held me tightly as I moved my phone to my side. "Are you ok?"
"No. Are you?"
"Of course I'm not. Mum's grilling the doctor for more information, but thankfully Harry doesn't need any surgery."
"That' good..."
"Yeah. It is."

Niall's POV
Liam stopped the call when Gemma arrived.
"...Harry," I whispered after a moment.
"Yeah."
"I thought that he'd just had a seizure or something."
"I know. This is really serious."
"Really serious. He could be out for months, or years."
"Shit," Liam said as he put his phone down and stood up.
"Oh crisps," I said as I picked the crisps up.
"Really Niall?"
"I'm drunk and hungry, work it out. There's nothing that we can do about Harry anyway."
"I know, but I want to go and see him. It doesn't feel real."
"Oh, these are good crisps, do you want some?"
"No Niall."
"I'll book us an internal flight then. Which hospital did Louis say that Harry's at?"
"He didn't, but I can," Liam said before his phone pinged. "Oh, Louis's just sent it to me."
"Great," I said before I started the computer up.

When we arrived at the hospital, we found out that Louis had gone home while Anne and Gemma were having some food in the hospital cafe. Liam and I sat beside Harry before Liam took his hand.

Harry had never looked so sick, even when he'd nearly died of an asthma attack. He was pale and bruised all over, and that was not mentioning the casts on his arm and ankle, as well as the tube down his throat.
"What did the doctor say?" I asked Liam.
"He said that Harry's got some internal brusing and a possible head injury."
"Hmn. I hope that he doesn't have a head injury, or at least one that it isn't bad."
"Yeah. Having epilepsy is bad enough."
"I know. But he hasn't had a seizure for ages. Not around us at least. Oh, his hands are cold," I said as I touched one of Harry's hands.
"Yeah, it's eerie isn't it?"
"That's really freaky, I don't like that. No," I said before I let go of Harry's hand.
"Wake up soon H," Liam said before he brushed his hand though Harry's hair.
"Louis's got his debut album coming out soon and you'll have to wake up for it Harry. You're gonna so proud of him."

Chapter Text

Lewis's POV
"There's a letter here for you Niall. It says that it's from our energy company but I swear we changed them to... Niall?" I asked as I went into the lounge and saw him shaking on the ground. "Oh shit," I said as I realised that Niall was seizing. I dropped the letters and ran to him.

"Ok, ok, clear everything away," I told myself quickly before I moved everything that could hurt Niall away from him. I then went to turn him onto his side, but a spark made me stop. I looked more closely and saw that Niall's hand was gripping his phone charger tightly and the socket was sparking.

I ran into the kitchen, got the oven gloves and turned the plug off at the wall. Immediately, Niall's hand relaxed and I turned him onto his side. Although his seizure continued, he wasn't being exposed to live electricity any more.
"It's ok Niall. It's Lewis, I'm with you," I reassured him. I knew that Niall had had epilepsy so he knew what seizure felt like, but I had never seen him seize, so I was terrified.

Thankfully, the seizure soon stopped and I remembered that our neighbour was a doctor. I got out my phone and called his number.
"Hi Matt, it's Lewis. Are you at home at the moment? Great. I need your help. Niall's been electrocuted and he's had a seizure. I don't think that it's important enough for an ambulance and he seems ok now. He's had seizures before and I think he'll be ok, please can you just come and check him over? No, he's not awake yet. Ok, thank you," I said before I hung up.
"Lew...?" Niall whispered and I turned to him.
"Niall, hey. You're ok, you've just had a seizure."
"Hmn... hurts..."
"What hurts love?"
"Hand..."
"Ok. Let me have a look," I said before I pulled up his sleeve on his right hand. His hand was red and felt warm, but other than that, it was ok.
"It looks alright Niall. Matt's on his way over to check you over alright?"
"Matt?"
"He's our neighbour. Are you doing ok? Doing you need me to do anything?"
"Water..."
"Ok," I said as I went to the kitchen and got him a glass. I heard the door open and someone come inside.
"Lewis, it's Matt. Are you in the lounge?" He called before I came back into the lounge and saw him already kneeling beside Niall. "Hello Niall. Do you know who I am?"
"Yeah... Matt..."
"That's me," Matt said before he shone a light into his eyes. Niall recoiled a little, but he didn't have the energy to move more than a few centimetres.
"It's alright Niall, Matt's here to help," I said as I knelt beside Niall and rested my hand on his side.
"You've had seizures before haven't you Niall?"
"Yeh..."
"Ok. Does anything hurt, or feel weird?"
"My... hand."
"Which one?"
"His right one. It's red and feels warm," I told Matt before he inspected it.
"Is this the one that the electricity went through?"
"It is."
"Elec...?"
"I'll explain later babe," I told Niall before he relaxed and Matt began pressing on his hand. Niall winced from time to time in pain, but I made sure to keep him calm and relaxed.

After a few minutes of checking Niall's hand, pulse and blood pressure, Matt seemed satisfied.
"There doesn't appear to be any permanent damage, and Niall's body is recovering well from the seizure. I would recommended keeping an ice pack on his hand for the next twelve hours to stop any major swelling. The redness will fade, but keep an eye on it Lewis."
"I will."
"As for the seizure, I would say that it was a one off due to the electricity. You don't need to call for an ambulance as I'm happy, but if Niall has another seizure or loses parts of his memory I would recommend calling for an ambulance."
"I will. Thanks Matt."
"It's no problem. Will you be alright with Lewis now Niall?"
"Yeah. Think... so."
"Ok. Don't get up too fast alright. Stay lying down a for bit."
"I will."
"Good lad. Just rest and get Lewis to run round for you. He needs the exercise."
"Yeah," Niall said with a small smile.
"Oi."
"Ok, I'll leave you two to it."
"Thanks Matt."
"Your welcome," Matt said before he left.
"I've got some water for you Niall."
"Thanks," Niall said and I lifted his head up so that he could drink it. "More," He said once he'd finished.
"More?"
"Yeah..."
"Ok. Wait there," I said before I went into the kitchen and got another glass of water and a bag of frozen peas.
"Pillow... Li would... give... pillow," Niall told me as I came back.
"Oh, sorry," I said before I got a cushion and put it underneath his head. "Am I not as good as Liam was?" I asked as I got him comfortable.
"No."
"Right, you're on your own then," I joked as I stood up before I felt Niall touch my ankle with his hand.
"You. I love..."
"I know, I was joking. I love you too," I said before I kissed him. "I've just never seen you have a seizure before."
"I hope to... never have one... again," Niall said before he relaxed into the pillow.
"I hope you never have one again either," I said before I gently lifted Niall's hand up and put the frozen peas underneath it.
"Argh. Cold."
"It's cold?"
"Yeah."
"They're frozen peas, they're meant to be cold."
"Yeah..." Niall replied with a smile. "Tired."
"Go to sleep and I'll find you a blanket and a radio. It looks like we're going to have a relaxed day."
"Yeah..." Niall said and I went upstairs in search of what I needed.

When I came back, Niall was asleep so I lay the blanket over him and turned the radio on. Niall slept for an hour before he woke up.
"Hmn... electrician."
"Electrician love?"
"We're getting an, electrician in."
"Oh for the socket. You got me so confused for a moment there Niall," I told him and he laughed a little. "How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good. How's the hand?"
"Still sore, but ok," Niall said before he opened his eyes and he looked at me. "Thanks. For staying calm."
"I didn't think that I was calm. Just promise that you'll never do that to me again."
"I promise."
"Good," I said before I kissed him.

~

Ten minutes later, just as Niall was starting to fall asleep again, the doorbell went.
"Hmn."
"I'll see who that is," I told Niall before I got up and went over to the door.
"Ice cream?" Freddie asked as I opened the door. He was in his dad's grip and Louis had been crying.
"Hi Lewis. Where's um, where's Niall?"
"He's in the lounge. Come in."
"Thanks," Louis said before he stepped inside and I closed the door.
"Ice cream? Please?" Freddie asked and I ruffled his hair.
"I have ice cream."
"Yay!"
"Lewis?" Niall asked and I went into the lounge before Louis and Freddie followed me in.
"Yeah. Are you doing alright?"
"Yeah."
"What's happened?" Louis asked.
"Is that Louis?" Niall replied as he opened his eyes.
"Noooo," Freddie said as I took him off Louis.
"It's alright Freddie. We're going to get some ice cream" I reassured him.
"Ice cream?"
"Yeah, ice cream."
"Ice cream!"
"Argh," Niall groaned and I saw Louis become worried.
"Niall's had a seizure," I told him before I took Freddie into the kitchen.

Niall's POV
"What? Niall, are you ok?" Louis asked before he came over to me and knelt down.
"Yeah. Lewis's been... looking after me."
"Why did you seize? What happened?"
"I don't know. Louis was going to, explain it."
"Are you alright? Do I need to get an ambulance or is one already on the way?"
"No... I'm fine."
"You're not. If you need an ambulance, you need one. No matter what else is going on. That's what I told Harry when," Louis said before he paused and tears came to his eyes.
"I've been, sorted out. What's wrong Lou?" I asked Louis as I took his hand.
"H... Ni I..." Louis struggled to say, so I started to sit up. He sniffled and gave me a hand up before I hugged him. He cried against my shoulder before I heard giggling coming from the kitchen.
"Harry was in that... car accident. Wasn't he?"
"Yeah," Louis said before he calmed down a little and pulled out of the hug, being careful to keep me supported. "Let's get you onto the sofa."
"The bed would be better. I'm super tired."
"Ok," Louis said before I stood up with his help. He initially took hold of my bad hand, and I cried out in pain.
"Argh!"
"Niall!" Lewis shouted from the kitchen before he ran into the room.
"I'm good. Louis touched my... sore hand."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
"It's ok," I told Louis as he held me up.
"Where are you two going?"
"I'm taking Niall to bed. Are you ok to look after Freddie for a bit?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine. Just yell if you need me love."
"I will," I told Lewis before he kissed me.

"So, you and Lewis are boyfriends now?" Louis asked as he helped me up the stairs.
"Yeah."
"What does Liam think about all of this?"
"He's getting use to it. He loves Cheryl and, we're kinda his adoptive parents now."
"Yeah, it's the same with Ha," Louis said before he cut himself off.
"We'll talk in a minute, ok Lou?"
"Yeah. Thanks."

Once I was sat up in the bed, Louis got me some water and a fresh bag of frozen peas before he sat beside me.
"Are you worried about Harry?"
"Yeah. He's unconscious and cold. It's like he's dead," Louis said as more tears crept into his eyes.
"Everyone's worried about him Louis. It's ok."
"But it's not ok. What if he doesn't wake up? What if I loose him?"
"You won't loose him. None of us will let that happen," I told Louis before I took his hand.
"It's not up to us though. I lost my mum and sister, and I couldn't do anything then."
"Oh Lou," I said before he started crying and I took him into my arms. "You've had a really tough time, but Lewis, Liam and I are all here for you. We you love, and if you need anything, just say."
"Harry... I need... Ha."
"I know you need him. We all need him," I said before I held Louis tighter.
"I've lost so much... I..."
"I know. But you've got me, and my family, as well as Eleanor and little Freddie."
"Yeah... Fred..." Louis said before he gripped me tighter.
"What's wrong? Is it Freddie?"
"It's hard. What if H... Harry's head injury is bad. I can't look after two kids Ni."
"If Harry has a bad head injury we'll all help to look after him. You're not on your own. How are coping with Freddie?"
"It's hard. I love him, but. He's hard work."
"I know. Liam was hard work too, and he still is when I see him," I said and Louis smiled. "There's my Louis."
"Can I... can we stay with you for a bit?"
"Of course you can. I'd love to look after Freddie if you need some time to yourself. Or Lewis can have Freddie and I can look after you."
"Look after me. Please."
"Of course. That I can do," I said before I pulled a blanket over Louis and I let him rest his head against my chest. He'd been through so much that if he needed some love and support, I was going to be sure to give it to him.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Anne's POV
1 month. 4 weeks. 28 days. However you put it, my son had been unconscious for a long time. I wanted nothing than for him to wake up.

Gemma was having a girls night with Eleanor, as she really needed to relax, while I stayed with Harry, determined that someone should be with him at all times for when he woke up.

It was that night when Stevie Nicks decided to show up.
"Hello," I said as she came into the room.
"Hello. You must be Anne."
"Yes," I said before I shook her hand. "And I know who you are. Harry adores you, and so do I."
"Oh thank you," She said before he smiled, but it faded when she saw at Harry. "How is he?"
"The same thst he's been for a last month."
"The whole world's missing him."
"It is, but so am I. I want my son back."
"He will come back. He loves you and he won't leave you."
"I know."
"He's really kind hearted."
"He is."
"You know, he's taught me so much about what it's like to be a musician in today's generation," Stevie said as she sat beside Harry and took his hand.
"Has he?"
"Yeah. It's easier to get your music heard than in my day but it's a lot harder get the kind of fame that both Harry and I share."
"The fame is a lot sometimes. Even for Harry. The whole world knowing who you are and everything about you."
"Keeping them on side. That's the hard part."
"I suppose it is."
"Do I mind if I sing to him?"
"No, please do. It might help, and you could be the person who wakes him up. We've tried everything else," I said and she began singing Leather and Lace.

I knew that she and Harry had sung it together on stage and he often hummed it at family gatherings when his mind started drifting off. It was so nice that I even joined in for one of the chorus's.
"Lovers forever, face-to-face. My city, your mountain. Stay with me, stay. I need you to love me. I need you today. Give to me your leather. Take from me my lace," I smiled at the lyrics before something squeezed my hand. I looked down to see that Harry starting to move.

Niall's POV
I called Louis as soon as I hear the news from Anne.
"Hey Niall..." Louis said as he picked up.
"Harry's awake," I interrupted him before he could tell me that he was on a chat show and he couldn't talk now.
"What?!"
"Harry's awake. Stevie Nicks came to see him and she sang Leather and Lace to him. He's awake Louis. He's fucking awake."
"I..." Louis stuttered. "I coming there right now."
"See you soon," I said before Louis hung up. I then got into a taxi myself and headed straight to the airport.

As had I expected, everyone was there.
"Ok, I need everyone to wait outside. I'm going to assess Harry then you can come in one by one," The doctor told us.
"Ok."
"Come on boys," Anne said as she led us out of the ward, leaving the doctor to do what he needed to with Harry.
"I can't believe that he's awake," Liam said as we waited.
"Neither can I. I've been waiting for him to wake up."
"I'm sacred," Louis said and we all turned round to see that he was shaking.
"You don't have to be scared Louis. Harry's awake, he's ok."
"But what if he's not? He's been in a coma for a month and none knows why."
"I'm sure that the doctor's trying to figure that out now. Look, we can help him Louis, he's not unconscious anymore."
"I know," Louis said before he kept shaking and Liam hugged him.
"It's alright mate. Just breathe."
"Who's going in first?" Anne asked I turned round.
"You can go first. You're his mum."
"Yeah," Anne said as she nodded. "I will."

Soon, my phone pinged and I looked down at it.
"Gemma's asleep, Eleanor's going to let her know in the morning," I told everyone.
"Good. Gemma needs some sleep," Anne said before the doctor reappeared.
"Harry's awake and responsive. He can't remember what happened, and he's still very tired so I would ask you all to be very gentle with him. I can let two of you in at a time so that we don't overwhelm him.
"Can I come with you Anne? I think that Louis needs a minute," I asked and Anne nodded.
"Of course."
"This way," The doctor said and we followed him back to Harry's cubical.

Harry was sat up in the bed with an oxygen mask over his face and his eyes were half open.
"Hi Harry," Anne said as she sat on the edge of his bed. "Mum's here ok. You're ok."
"Mum," Harry whispered. His voice sounded raw and painful, but who could blame him after having a breathing tube down your throat for a whole month.
"Yes darling. Niall's here too, do you remember Niall?" Anne asked and Harry nodded.
"Good," I said before I sat on his other side and took hold of his hand. It was warm now, which was comforting, so I squeezed it.
"Hey H. I love you mate. You just had a little sleep ok," I told him and he looked over at me.
"Still, tired."
"I know, but I'm tired half the time as well," I said and Harry smiled a little.
"Do you know where you are darling?" Anne asked Harry and he looked around.
"Hos, pital?"
"Yeah."
"Heart... heart rate," Harry said as he touched his chest.
"Yeah, they're monitoring you darling. Just to make sure you're doing ok."
"Am I... sick?" Harry asked as tears came to his eyes.
"A little," Anne said as she nodded. "A little," She said before she starting crying.
"Anne," I said before I stood up and went over to her. She hugged me and Harry watched us as tears came to his eyes.
"Ni..."
"I know mate," I said as I squeezed his arm whilst I held Anne in my grip. "I think you need to go to sleep Anne," I said and she nodded. "We'll get you back to Louis's house alright. Come on," I said as I stood her up and took her into my grip.
"Ni..." I heard Harry say behind me as I left.

Part of me wanted to run to him and hug him as tightly as I could, but he was still very out of it and Anne was about to collapse in my arms.
"Anne!" Liam shouted as we came back into the corridor. She suddenly collapsed and both Liam and I caught her.
"Woah. She's ok, she's ok."
"Harry..." Louis said beside us and I looked over to see that he had gone very pale.
"Don't faint on us as well Louis. Harry's ok, that's why Anne's collapsed."
"I've got her Niall," Liam said as he knelt down with an unconscious Anne in his arms, so I went over to Louis.
"He's ok mate, you'll see him in a minute. Can Liam take Anne to your house?"
"Yeah," Louis said after a moment.
"Great. Liam."
"I've got her," Liam said before he lifted Anne into his arms and carried her out of the hospital.
"Come on Lou. Harry needs you alright," I said and he nodded.

Louis's POV
I rushed forwards as soon as we got to Harry and I took his hand and stroked my other hand across his face. His eyes fluttered open and he looked across at me.
"Harry," I said before I forced myself to breathe. "Harry... Harry..."
"Lou," Harry replied and I felt a tear run down my face.
"Breathe Louis," Niall said before he put his hand onto my shoulder.
"How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?" I asked him.
"Not so fast Lou," Niall told me and I looked into Harry's eyes.
"Harry love. Are you in pain?"
"No."
"Are you sore anywhere?"
"Little."
"Where?"
"Head."
"Ok, ok," I said as I felt adrenaline rush through me.
"Take some deep breaths Louis," Niall said and I tried to. "Are you doing alright Harry?" Niall asked and he looked over at Niall.
"Yeah."
"Good. Everyone's just excited that you're back with us."
"Where... have I, been?"
"Asleep, remember? You've just been asleep for a little while."
"Asleep," Harry said and Niall brushed some hair out of his face. "Are you more with it now Louis?" He asked me and I nodded.
"Do you... do you know what happened?" I asked Harry and he thought about it.
"Amy..."
"Yeah, your cousins."
"Why? Why was I... with them?"
"You were coming back from their house babe. Back home for New Year."
"Home?"
"Yeah. Our home," I said and Harry smiled.
"Can I... come home now?"
"Not right now Harry. The doctor's have to make you better," I said and Harry frowned.
"Doctors?"
"You're in hospital," Niall reminded him.
"Hospital? Who... Who are you? I..." Harry said and his heart rate began rising.
"What? Harry? Harry? Help. Help! We need some help over here!" I shouted and Harry's doctor came running over. When I turned back to Harry, Niall was brushing his hand over Harry's face and trying to calm him down.
"Breathe Harry. Just breathe."
"Excuse me," The doctor said and I moved out of the way for him. He looked at the monitors before he listened to Harry's lungs and shone a light into his eyes.

Harry put his hand up to shield his eyes before the doctor put his equipment away.
"Harry. Harry listen to me. You're ok. Take some deep breaths. In, and out. In. Good," The doctor reassured Harry as he calmed down.
"Was that a panic attack?" Niall asked the doctor a few minutes later.
"Why couldn't he remember us?" I asked the doctor and he turned to us.
"I think that now's a good time to have a word with you both," The doctor said and Niall and I shared a look with each other.

He took us outside of the curtain and closed it.
"Harry's suffered a head injured because of the crash, and he's getting some episodes of confusion, which I believe is related to his epilepsy. I've booked him in for a scan tomorrow morning, just to check that there's nothing else going on."
"Is he ok otherwise?" Niall asked.
"Apart from the injuries from the crash, he's doing very well. His breathing has recovered well from when we took him off the machine, which is very good."
"It is good."
"Is he going to get better? If it's just his epilepsy, is he on his usual medication?"
"I've stopped his epilepsy medication until I can confirm that there is nothing else going on. As soon as I'm happy, I'll put him back onto it."
"Ok. Can I go back in there now?"
"Yes," The doctor said and I rushed back into Harry's cubical.
"Lou," He said and I took his hand.
"You're ok Harry, I'm here," I said before I kissed him. "Are you doing ok?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Good."
"...scared," I heard the doctor say.
"I've got an idea," Came Niall's reply before I heard his footsteps leaving.
"What's going on... Lou?" Harry asked me.
"I don't know," I replied honestly as he closed his eyes. "Are you tired Harry?"
"Yeah," He whispered.
"Ok. Go to sleep," I said before I looked at my watch. It was already 11pm, which was way past his bedtime. "It's night time babe. Go to sleep, and I'll be here when you wake up ok," I said and Harry fell sleep.

Niall's POV
When I returned the next morning, after doing some shopping and falling asleep in a hotel bed (as it took a while to find what I was looking for), I found that Harry was on his side on the bed. Louis was beside him and he was brushing his hand through his hair.

The bed was fully flat now and Harry still had the oxygen mask over his face.
"Breathe Harry. Just breathe love."
"What's happened Louis?" I asked as I put the present onto the floor.
"Harry had a seizure during his scan."
"Is he ok?" I asked as came beside Harry.
"Yeah, he's ok and none's too worried, it's just epilepsy. Thankfully, there's nothing else going on."
"Oh, that's a relief."
"I know. Where have you been anyway?"
"I've got Harry this," I said as I lifted the present up.
"You've got Harry a giant teddy bear?"
"Yeah. Seeing as he's getting confused and scared at the moment, I thought this could help. It helps babies and they have no idea what's going on."
"Harry's not a baby."
"Hurgh," Harry groaned and we both turned our attention to him.
"Harry? Harry love, it's Louis," Louis said as he took hold of one of Harry's hands. "Can you hear me?"
"Lou?" Harry whispered.
"Yeah. Are you ok? Are you in pain?"
"No. Sei... seizure."
"Yeah, you've had seizure," Louis told him gently.
"Time?"
"9:15am."
"Morn... Morning Lou," Harry said as he opened his eyes.
"Morning love," Louis said before he kissed him.
"Ni?"
"I'm here Harry. Do you need anything?"
"Water."
"Ok, let's sit you up," Louis said before he gently began raising the bed up. I sat onto it and Harry looked at me as Louis went off to get him some water.
"I got you a present H."
"Pres... ent?"
"Yeah," I said as I lifted the teddy bear onto the bed and Harry's eyes lit up.
"For me?"
"Yeah. For you," I said and he hugged it.
"Oi, I'm meant to hug you," Louis complained as he came back with some water.
"You've been replaced," I told him but Harry stuck an arm out and motioned Louis towards him. Louis took the hint and hugged Harry.

After a few minutes, Harry's eyes changed and he became scared.
"Harry?" I asked as he let go of Louis.
"Harry love?" Louis asked but Harry just gripped the bear tightly and buried his head into it.
"Harry, do you know where you are?" I asked and Harry shook his head. "Ok," I said and Louis sat on the bed while we waiting for his confused episde to end. It only took three minutes until Harry's green eyes poked up from the top of the bear's head.
"Lou? Ni?"
"I'm here baby," Louis said as he got up and kissed Harry on the cheek. He had a hand on the bear and Harry pulled it away.
"You're hurting... Goldie," Harry said and I saw that the oxygen mask had dropped down from his face.
"Goldie?" I asked and Harry looked at me as he cuddled it more.
"Goldie."
"Is that his name babe?" Louis asked as he sat beside Harry. His tuned had changed in relation to the bear, but I was happy that my theory had worked. In some form, the bear had provided comfort to Harry.

Harry nodded, confirming that the bear's name was Goldie.
"He's yours babe. Niall gave him to you."
"Thank Ni," Harry muttered and Louis ruffled Harry's hair with his hand.
"Your welcome bud," I said and Harry smiled.

Harry's POV
"Harry! Harry Styles!" Louis shouted and I opened my eyes. He was standing beside my bed and in my arms was Goldie... no, Niall was in my arms and I was the big spoon. "You slept with Niall! I can't believe you!"
"Lou?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.
"Yeah, Lou what? We're done!" Louis shouted before he left and tears came to my eyes. What was going on?
"Lou?" I asked as I untangled myself from Niall and I went to get out of the bed.
"Missing this?" Liam asked as he lifted Goldie up. I looked up at him and frowned before Louis jumped on me and kissed me, a lot.
"Sorry. Sorry," He said between giggles. "Liam talked me into it."
"Oi," Liam said before he jumped on-top of Niall and he woke up.
"Argh. Guys," Niall said as he was forced awake.
"It was too cute," Louis continued as he started kissing my neck. "You fell asleep with Goldie and we substituted him for Niall."
"Harry? Why am I in my pants?" Niall asked and I felt a laugh rising in my throat.
"You slept with Harry," Liam told him.
"What? I didn't," Niall protested before I giggled.
"Got him," Louis said before he hugged me.
"Ok, we're ready to move..." My doctor said as he came in and he stopped. "20 year olds..."
"What's going on?" I asked between Louis's kisses.
"You're being move to a different ward," Liam told me.
"What?"
"No more intensive care for you H," Louis said before he kissed and straddled me.
"Ok. Time to get off the patient," The doctor said and all the boys got off me.
"No," I said before I giggled.
"We'll wait for you there Harry."
"Race you."
"You're on," Liam and Niall joked and they rushed off.
"See you in five minutes H," Louis said before he blew me a kiss and he followed Niall and Liam.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Harry's POV
When I got down to the ward, the boys were waiting for me and Liam was making Goldie wave, which made me smile. They got me set up and connected me up to more machines before the boys got comfy around me.
"Morning Harry," Louis said as he brushed his hand through my hair.
"Morning Louis. That was, fun."
"We thought it would be," Liam said before Louis kissed me on the forehead.
"You're not in intensive care anymore, and you have no idea how happy I am about that."
"How long was I... there for?" I asked and the boys looked at each other.
"Over a month," Niall told me and I stared at him. A month? A whole month?
"Harry? What's wrong?"
"Hmn?" I asked before I looked at Louis.
"Was that a seizure or are you ok?"
"I'm ok. Niall... said that it's been a month."
"It has. It's the 3rd of February today."
"What?" I asked as I felt tears coming to my eyes and Louis's gaze softened.
"Could you give us a minute guys?" He asked and Niall and Liam nodded.
"Of course," Liam said before they got up and Niall pulled the curtain around us before I heard him leave.
"What happened, to me?" I asked Louis and he kissed my hand that was in his grip.
"What can you remember?"
"I remember... visiting my cousins."
"Yeah, that was on New Year's Eve."
"Then... I went to come home and... and I called you?"
"You did. You told me that you were on your way back and that you would see me in under an hour."
"Then..." I said as tears starting rolling down my face. "I can't... remember."
"It's ok," Louis said before he hugged me and I cried into his shoulder. "It's alright Harry. It's ok, shhhhh," He shushed me and I calmed down. "You were involved in a car crash," He said before he let go of me and he wiped my tears away. "A policeman came to our house and told me what'd happened. I came straight to the hospital to see you."
"Was I... asleep?"
"Yeah. You were asleep."
"I'm sorry."
"No. Don't be sorry Harry," Louis said as I cried more. He looked sadly and lovingly at me before he pulled me into another hug. "None of this is your fault. None of it. We've all been super worried about you, and we've all been waiting for you to wake up."
"But... I..." I said before my mind went blank. "Where...? I... hmn...?" I asked and someone let go of me. They handed me a soft bear and I buried my head into it.

"...coma," I said as I remembered what we had been talking about.
"Harry?" Louis asked as I felt him touch my arm.
"Coma... that's what they call... things like me."
"You're not a thing Harry," Liam said and I lifted my head up from the bear to look at him.
"But... I'm here. In hospital."
"Yeah. But you're still Harry."
"My Harry," Louis corrected Liam.
"I need... looking after. Don't I?"
"You do, but it's ok. That's why we're here."
"What happened? ... Just then?"
"You got confused. You hit your head in the crash and sometimes you forget what's going on."
"Oh," I said and Louis kissed my forehead.
"I'm looking after you, so you don't need to worry. I love you."
"I love... you too."
"I know," Louis said before Niall took a picture of me.
"Ni?"
"You're so cute when you're holding Goldie like that Harry."
"Am I?" I asked as I squeezed Goldie tighter.
"Yeah. You're really adorable," Louis said and I giggled before I buried my head into Goldie.

"Hello boys. How's Harry settling in down here?" A new voice asked.
"He's doing really well. He's had a confused episode, but other than that, he's doing really well," Louis said and I poked my eyes above Goldie's head to see what was going on. Liam ruffled my hair as my doctor came over to me.
"Hello Harry. How are you and your bear holding up?"
"Goldie. And yeah, good," I said before Louis took my hand.
"I'm glad. Is this, Goldie, the bear that Niall got for you?"
"Yeah. It is."
"Great. Do you know why you're in hospital?"
"Car crash. I was in a..."
"We've just been talking about it," Louis finished for me.
"Ok, good. So, as I explained before Harry, your arm and ankle are broken but they will heal fine on their own. Your head injury isn't major, but due to it's complexity you might continue to have some seizures until your brain fully heals."
"Oh, ok."
"What type of seizures is Harry likely to have?"
"I'm not expecting any grand mal seizures, but absent seizures might be common for him in the next few weeks."
"Ok," Louis said before he squeezed my hand.
"The seizures shouldn't happen very often, and you should keep taking your medication as normal Harry."
"Ok."
"I'm also going to keep you in hospital for a few more days as I want to make sure that your head injury is stable enough for you to be sent home."
"Alright," I said before I hugged Goldie and my doctor's gaze softened.
"For now Harry, you need to rest and the nurses will keep an eye on you over the next few days."
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure," My doctor said before he left.

Niall's POV
Liam then sat on the bed and chatted to Harry while my gaze drifted to Louis. He was still holding Harry's hand, but hus eyes were closed and he was leaning forwards.
"Louis? Are you ok?" I asked as I put my chest onto his chest and gently pulled him upright.
"Yeah. Yeah, Niall I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I'm good. I'm just a bit tired."
"You should go home and rest. You've been with Harry for days."
"I'm fine. Harry needs me," Louis said before he sat beside Liam and joined in their conversation.

Liam left half an hour later because he had plans with Cheryl, so Louis and I chatted with Harry until lunch time. We caught him up on everything that had happened while he'd been unconscious as well as telling him some funny and embarrassing stories to help lighten the mood.

Not long after, we all got hungry so I went down to the canteen to get some food. Once I had three plates on my tray, I began to make my way back up to the ward.
"Louis?"
"Hey," Louis said as he walked down the corridor towards me. "I came to see if you needed a hand."
"No, I'm good. Is Harry on his own?"
"No. Eleanor's arrived and she getting her nail polish ready to paint Harry's nails."
"Oh cool," I said and we walked together down the corridor before Louis slowed and he lent against a wall. "Are you alright Louis?"
"Yeah, I'm just tired."
"You should to go home and get some proper rest. Harry will be fine with us for a while."
"No. No, I have to look after him. I..."
"Louis!" I shouted as he collapsed and I dropped the tray of food in order to catch him. "Louis? Louis, hey. It's Niall can you hear me?" I asked as I sat him on the ground and his back rested against the wall. "Say something to me Louis. It's Niall."
"Hmn," Louis groaned and I sighed in relief.
"Are you alright?" A hospital cleaner asked as she passed us.
"No. My friend's just collapsed."
"Shall I get a doctor for you?"
"No, no. He's ok, he just needs rest."
"Harry," Louis groaned as he moved, but I held him firmly in my grip.
"No Louis, you're going home. To bed."
"Who were you taking the food to?"
"Harry, he's on ward 26. Actally, would you mind doing me a huge favour?"
"I'd be happy to help."
"Could you take some food up to Harry for me? He's got short brown hair and a giant teddy bear on his bed."
"Of course. Are you going to be ok with Louis?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm going to take him home and get him to bed."
"Alright. What food does Harry like?"
"He asked for some fish and chips. I did get him some, but it's all over the floor now."
"That's no problem, I'll clean that up."
"That's fantastic, thank you so much."
"It's my pleasure. Ward 26 was it?"
"Yeah, ward 26."
"Ok," The cleaner said before she left and I turned back to Louis, who had closed his eyes again.
"Louis, hey. Wake up," I said as I shook him. He opened his eyes and looked at me. "I'm taking you home, but I need you to stand up so that I can get you into my car."
"Hmn... k..."
"Come on. I've got you," I said before I hauled him up and walked him out of the hospital to my car.

Louis was exhausted. He'd been at Harry's bedside for days, and we all knew that he hadn't been sleeping or eating properly.

I bundled Louis into my car before he fell asleep and I drove him back to his house. When we arrived, I walked him inside and sat him down. I then got his favourite pyjamas and helped him to put them on.
"There we go. Gorgeous little dogs Lou," I said as I straightened up his pyjamas and he rested his head against my shoulder. "Let's get you into bed."
"Hmn."
"Come on," I said before I half carried Louis to bed.

By the time I pulled the covers over him, he was already asleep. I got him a teddy bear from what seemed to be Freddie's room, and he snuggled up to it.

Then, I did some housework so that Louis wouldn't have to worry about it when he woke up, and I especially loved dancing to 'Single Ladies' while I hung up the washing. Once I was done, I wrote Louis a note.

Louis's POV
I rolled over and wrapped my arms around someone before they rolled towards me and I felt their hair on my face.
"El..." I whispered.
"Hmn," She replied before I felt her hand run through my hair. "Lou..."
"Time...?"
"Don't know," She said, so I rolled back over and turned the side light on. Looking at my watch, I jolted awake.
"Shit. El, it's midday," I said before I swung my legs out of bed, put my slippers on and threw on a jumper.
"Louis?" Eleanor asked in her half asleep voice as I raced downstairs, grabbed my car keys and ran out of the door. "Louis?" I heard Eleanor call as I was taken aback by the bright daylight.
"Louis wait!" Eleanor called as I saw my car and got into the drivers seat. "Louis!" Eleanor shouted as I turned the car on and got ready to reverse down our drive. "Wait!" Eleanor shouted before she stood behind my car.

I blinked at her, before watching her come round to the drivers side. She opened the door and handed me a note.
"I need to see Harry. What's this?"
"It's from Niall. He brought you home yesterday."
"What? Why did he bring me home?" I asked Eleanor and she crouched down and gently put her hands on my knees. My memories of yesterday were foggy, but I had been with Harry at the hospital.
"You collapsed at the hospital. You have been so busy looking after Harry that you haven't been looking after yourself."
"But Harry needs me."
"I know he does. But he needs you too. Read the note baby," Eleanor told me, so I looked down at the paper.

Morning Louis. Eleanor and I are going to look after Harry for a few days so that you can have a rest. You both need it and deserve it. You've done an amaazing job looking after Harry, but for now let us look after you.

"Is Niall with Harry at the moment?"
"He is. And I think that Liam is visiting him today with Cheryl and Bear."
"Oh," I said before I dropped the paper.
"What's wrong?" Eleanor asked as she stroked a hand along my face.
"Doesn't Harry need me?"
"Of course he needs you. If you come inside, I've got a video to show you."
"A video?"
"Yeah, of Harry. Come on."
"Ok," I agreed and Eleanor took the keys out of my car as I got out of the driver's seat. She locked the car behind me, and as I neared the door, a few tears fell down my face.
"What's wrong Louis?" Eleanor asked as she gently wiped my tears away.
"I... I want to be with Harry."
"I know you do. But you collapsed yesterday. We need to look after you Louis."
"We?"
"Niall and myself. Come inside and I'll show you the video."

Once we were inside and I got settled onto the sofa and Eleanor got the video up on the tv.
"Hi Louis," Niall began, who was sat beside Harry on his bed.
"Hey Lou. Niall um, said that you collapsed, so I hope that you're doing alright. Please be alright. I miss you, and I want you here, but Niall says that you need space and time to recover."
"You've worked really hard to be with Harry Louis, but you need looking after too."
"I love you Louis. We're brothers. You're looking after me, but I need to look after you too."
"You don't need to worry about Harry. He's safe and being well cared for."
"Yeah, I have super nice nurses and the food from the canteen is good. But for you, I've booked you into a... a spa is it Niall?"
"It's a fancy hotel. But it's by the beach and you're going to have a relaxing three days with Eleanor."
"With some surprises too."
"Surprises?" Niall asked Harry as he picked Goldie up from beside him.
"They're a secret, only for Louis," Harry said before he cuddled Goldie and I smiled as tears appeared in my eyes. "See you... spoon," Harry said before he buried his head into Goldie and Eleanor lowered the camera.
"Harry?" Niall asked before the recording stopped. I then felt Eleanor's hand on my back, so I turned to her and she hugged me.
"Are you ok baby?"
"Yeah," I said before I held her tighter. "Is Harry doing ok today?"
"Yeah, he's doing very well. They've just sent this picture through," Eleanor said before she showed me the picture.

Harry was sitting on the edge of his bed, with Bear on his knee and Liam, Niall and Cheryl were smiling around him.
"I've sent them a picture of you watching the video. Just to let them know that you're alright."
"Yeah," I said before I smiled. I then looked down and noticed that I was still in my pyjamas. "I should, get dressed."
"Yeah. Then we'll go to this hotel."
"Yeah. As long as I can call Harry later."
"Of course you can."

Harry's POV
Louis was alright. I'd chatted to him several times over the phone, and he was enjoying his retreat. He had loved the romatic meal and massage that I'd booked for him and Eleanor, and said he wouldn't be coming back after he'd had the jet skiing trip.

It had left like forever, but I knew that it had only been a few days.

Now I was crying, and the world was fuzzy. I'd just had a seizure, and I could feel someone reassuring me. Was Louis ever going to come back? Was he going to invite me to the beach with him? What was I going to do without him?
"Shhhh darling. You're ok," Came a familiar voice. I stretched out my aching hand they took it. "I'm right here. It's Louis," Louis said and I opened my eyes. "Hi," He whispered as he was crouching beside me. I was lying on my side and the blanket that Cheryl had given me as a present was wrapped over my body.
"Lou," I whispered back to him as a smile crossed my face.
"Yeah. I'm here. The hotel and beach was good. But not as good as you," He said before he kissed my forehead. "I love you, and I'm back to look after you."
"We both are," Eleanor said and I moved my head so that I could see her.
"Did you... like it?"
"I loved it. Thank you so much Hazza," Louis said before he squeezed my hand.
"Are you... doing ok?"
"Yeah, I'm feeling much better now, it's just what I needed. It's nice being cared for isn't it?" Louis said and I laughed a little.
"Yeah."
"How are feeling Harry? You've got a bit of a cold don't you?"
"Yeah... I got it, from Bear."
"Damn kids," Louis said and I smiled more.
"I'm like your kid."
"Yeah, you are a bit," Louis agreed before he rubbed his nose against mine.
"Why did I, seize?"
"The doctor gave you asprin for your cold, and that induced a seizure," Eleanor said.
"Oh."
"Yeah. So no more asprin for you."
"Ok..."
"Are you happy on your side, or do you want to turn over?"
"I'm good," I said before I closed my eyes and squeezed Louis's hand.
"Alright. Just rest," Louis said before he ran his hand through my hair.

When I next came to, I felt Louis cuddling me from behind. I blinked and needed to pee, so I went to get up.
"Hmn," Louis groaned before he held me tighter. So, I took hold of Goldie and carefully substituted him for me. "Hmn, urgh, hmnmn," Louis moaned as he snuggled into the bear. I ran my hand through his hair before I stood up, took all the wires off my chest and arms, and made my way to the ward's toilet.

Once I was done, I went to go back to my bed, but I hit a wall. Wrong direction. I turned round and headed in the right direction before I heard a voice.
"Harry? Harry?" Louis called and I quickly hid behind the nurses station. "Where...? Harry?" Louis asked and I poked my head round to see the night nurse giving me a, what are you up to now, look. I ignored her and focused on Louis, who was currently checking under the bed before me. I held in a giggle before I started to walk towards him. "Nurse?" Louis asked as he looked towards me.
"Yes?" I replied. Did he think that I was the nurse?
"Harry's vanished. Do you know..." Louis began but trailed off as I came into the light. "Harry!" He cried out and I smiled before I ran to him and hugged him. "Oh H, you're walking!"
"They got me out of bed a few days ago."
"Oh, I'm so happy. Harry, you're alright."
"I'm going to need your help with the seizures and confusion episodes Lou."
"Of course. Of course H. I've missed you so much," He said before he faced me with tears in his eyes.
"I've missed you too," I told him.
"Do you know when you can come home?"
"Not yet."
"Tomorrow morning," My doctor said as he appeared.
"Really?"
"Yes. Your head injury is stable enough."
"That's fantastic news!"
"It is," I said as tears formed in my eyes.

For the first time in 2020, I could go home.
"I have to tell mum and Gem."
"In the morning," Louis told me. "What time is it?"
"It's just coming up 3am."
"I'll call Niall when the sun's up and get him to take us home."
"Yeah," I said before Louis hugged me.
"Ok you two. Back to bed," The doctor said and we both lay back down in my hospital bed. This time Louis cuddled up to my left hand side while I had Goldie on my right.
"I'm not sure I like having to share sharing you with Goldie now," Louis said before he snuggled his head into my shoulder some more.
"You're warm, but Goldie's soft. It's the perfect combination."
"Hmn. I suppose in my bed, Eleanor's warm and you and Freddie are soft."
"Exactly. Wait, which part of me is soft?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes."
"Your hair."
"Oh," I said before I turned towards Goldie.
"Oi. H... I love more of you than just your hair you know."
"No you don't, you just admitted that you love my hair more than you love me."
"No I don't. I love you."
"Hmn," I grunted in protest.
"Harry?"
"Hmn."
"H. Don't make me come over there," Louis said in his dad voice and I smiled before I turned back to him and cuddled into him.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Louis said before we both fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Moved from 1D | I'll Always Be Here

Niall's POV
I pulled the car up and the back door swung open.
"Harry!" Gemma called as he got out of the car and they hugged him. "I missed you."
"We love you darling."
"Thanks Gem. Thanks mum."
"Good drive?" Liam asked me as I got out of the car.
"Yeah. Harry's really excited to be home."
"I thought that he would be."
"Let's get you inside Harry," Louis said and I turned to see Harry nod in agreement.
"Sounds good," Harry replied before he walked towards the door with his family while Liam and I got his stuff out of the car.
"Bear!" I heard Freddie shout as I got Goldie out of the car.
"This is Harry's bear Freddie," I told him.
"Nooo, I want a Bear."
"We'll get you a bear," Louis told Freddie as he crouched down and ruffled his hair.
"Yay! Bear!"
"Did mummy drop you off?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
"She dropped him off this morning."
"Hi litten," Harry said as he knelt down and Freddie hugged him.
"Arry!"
"Yeah. Hi buddy."

After a moment, Harry let go of Freddie and his eyes changed.
"Where...? Lou...?"
"Here," I said as he knelt down and handed Harry Goldie. He then clutched the bear tightly as he buried his head into it.
"Ok love," Louis said as he knelt down and rubbed his hand round Harry's back. We then just waited, except for Freddie. He hugged Goldie as well and Harry peaked out from the other side of Goldie.
"Who...?"
"Bear," Freddie said as he put his hand onto Goldie.
"Mine," Harry said as pulled Goldie towards him.
"Mine Arry."
"Arry?"
"You. Arry," Freddie said and Harry frowned before he looked at the ground.
"Harry? Talk to me," Louis said and Harry looked at him before he nodded.
"I'm back Lou," He said before he looked at Freddie. "Thanks Fred."
"Arry sad."
"I'm not sad anymore," Harry said before he kissed Freddie on his forehead. Freddie giggled and he hugged Goldie. "Here."
"Yes!" Freddie said as he gripped Goldie and walked a few steps before he fell and Goldie fell on top of him.
"I've got him," Liam said before he went over and picked both Freddie and Goldie up. He took him to the sofa and we soon followed.

"Ok Harry. Concert time," I said before I got a guitar and stood up in-front of them. "My album comes out next month, but I want to play something just for you," I said before I starting to perform 'Nothing'.

"Ok, my turn," Louis said as I was finished and he took the guitar off me. He was a bit ropey with playing it, but Harry relaxed against me as Louis sang, 'Always You'.

"Ok Harry," Liam said before he switched with Louis and began playing 'Midnight'.

When he had finished, I heard someone snoring so I turned to see who it was. It was Freddie.
"I think someone's tired."
"We've been up since 4am making a cake."
"What cake?"
"No cake," I said quickly and Louis looked at me. "There's no cake. Forget everything that was said about cake."
"Ok... is it one for Harry coming home?"
"Not exactly..." Eleanor began but she trailed off as I gave her dagger eyes. "Nope. That's it. I'll get Freddie to bed."
"Good idea."
"What's this about a cake?" Gemma asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. We'll do it now. Harry, come with me."
"Harry?"
"Yeah. Chat amongst yourselves," I said as I brought Harry into the kitchen with me.
"Is this it Niall?" Harry said as he lifted up a cake tin, which revealed a homemade sponge cake.
"It must be. I'll get the decorating stuff and you can do the icing."
"Yeah, sounds good," Harry said and I began collecting icing pens and decorations together as Anne came over.
"What's going on Niall? Why's Harry involved?"
"The cake's for Louis," Harry told her.
"What? Why's he getting a cake?"
"To say thank you. For looking after me."
"Aw, that's nice. Are you ok to do this Harry?"
"Yeah. I've got Niall with me."
"I'm keeping an eye on him Anne."
"Good. I'll leave you two boys to it then."
"Thanks."
"Let's watch something," Anne said as she went back over to the group.

They watched The Fellowship of the Ring, and I kept seeing Louis glance worringly in our direction.
"Louis's watching us," I told Harry as he licked the icing bowl and I was writing Louis's name on the cake.
"I know. Lou..." Harry said before he put the bowl down and lent against the sink.
"Harry? Are you ok?"
"I..." Harry said and I put the icing pen down before I went over to him.
"It's ok, I'm here."
"I don't..." Harry said before he started to cry.
"Ok. Sit down. Come on," I said before I gently sat him down on the kitchen floor. I only then noticed that the film had been paused and Louis was kneeling beside me.
"What's wrong Niall?"
"He's just confused. He's alright."
"Where... I..." Harry struggled and I calmed him the best I could.
"You're alright Harry. You're ok. You're safe. Take some deep breaths for me."
"Why does the cake say Louis?" Louis asked and I sighed.
"It was suppose to be a surprise."
"A surprise for who?"
"For you dumbass."
"Why's it for me?"
"Harry wanted to say thank you for looking after him. As well as sorry for everything that he'd said before, well... you know."
"Yeah," Louis said before he turned back to Harry, who had gone quiet and he brushed his hand gently along his neck. "H honey. Are you back with me?"
"Little."
"A little?"
"I don't know... Goldie, Lou?"
"Freddie's got him in a vice like grip I'm afraid," Eleanor said as she came over.
"Goldie..." Harry whispered before he hugged Louis.
"I'll be your bear, it's ok," Louis said as he sat down and embraced Harry back.

After a few minutes, Louis turned to Harry, then he turned to me.
"Could you get me some water please Niall."
"Sure," I said before I got a glass of water.
"Thanks," Louis said as I gave it to him and he carefully let Harry sip some. "How that's darling?"
"Better," Harry said before he looked at me.
"Are you alright Harry?"
"Yeah. I'm just tired."
"Do you want to have a nap?"
"Yeah. A little one would be good."
"Ok. Let's get you into bed," Louis said and I gave him a hand to stand Harry up.
"My bed?"
"Yeah. Your bed," Louis said and Harry smiled.
"My bed. Oh, wait. Wait."
"What is it?" Louis asked and Harry turned to me.
"The cake."
"I already kn..."
"Yep, good idea," I interrupted. "Guys! Come here!" I called and Lord of the Rings was stopped for a second time before everyone came into the kitchen. "Ok Harry."
"Louis," Harry said and Louis turned to him. "I wanted to say thanks. For putting up with me and looking after me. I've made some stupid mistakes, but you've forgiven me and I love you so much for that. I love everyone here. You've all put up with me and care about me, and I am so grateful. So although," Harry said before he stumbled a little, but Louis held him tightly. "This cake has Louis's name on it. It's for everyone. Everyone in my family."
"Come here," Liam said and we all brought Harry into the middle of a bear hug. "We love you too."
"Yeah."
"We'll always care about you."
"No matter how annoying you may be."
"We're so proud of you."
"You're all I ever could have asked for H."
"Yeah. You're the sweetest man that I know Harry," I said and we remained like that until we realised that Harry had fallen asleep.
"Harry?"
"I've got him," Louis said before he picked Harry up with Eleanor's help and they took him to his room.
"I think Eleanor's got two adopted children now," I said and everyone laughed.
"Let's cut the cake."
"Sounds good," I said and Anne and Gemma set about cutting the cake into 8 equal slices.

Louis's POV
Half way through The Two Towers I felt like I needed to check on Harry and Freddie. As I neared Freddie's room, I heard two sets of disgruntled abd sleepy grunts.

In confusion, I went inside and turned on one of the side lights. Harry was lying beside Freddie and they were both holding onto Goldie.
"Hmn."
"Hmnurgh," They both moaned as Freddie tugged Goldie's arm and Harry tugged his part of Goldie back. I sighed and turned the light off again. I needed to get Freddie his own bear, but they were both asleep and had a part of Goldie each, so I was happy.

Five hours later, after a tv dinner and the end of Return of the King, everyone went to bed as well. I was settling down to sleep when I heard commotion coming from Freddie's room.
"That'll be Harry and Freddie fighting over Goldie," I told Eleanor as I sat on the edge of our bed.
"It's Harry's bear, so go and sort them out."
"I will," I said before I got up and headed towards Freddie's room. A dim light was on at the end of the hallway, so I made a note to go and turn it off once I'd sorted out the fighting. "Ok you two," I said as I went into the room, only to find Freddie sat alone on his bed. I looked behind the door before I sat beside my son. "What's been going on Freddie?"
"Arry was sad."
"Was he?"
"Yeah. And Goldie... makes him less sad."
"He does. Where's Goldie now?"
"With Arry. I don't want Arry to be sad."
"Aw Fred," I said before I hugged him. "You let Harry have Goldie?"
"Yeah."
"I'm so proud of you, you know."
"Yay," Freddie said and I kissed him.
"Harry's been a bit hurt, so that's why he's sad."
"Arry's hurt?"
"Yeah. But he's getting better."
"I like Uncle Arry. He's warm."
"He his warm isn't he."
"And his hair's fluffy."
"It's very fluffy. Where is Uncle Harry at the moment?"
"Kitchen. He went for midnight munchies."
"Midnight munchies?"
"Yeh."
"He's not eating my cake is he?"
"No. No. He was going to bring some back for... oh, hehe," Freddie giggled and I kissed him.
"I'll bring you back a slice of cake."
"Yay, cake!"
"Shhh. You have to be quiet until I get back Fred."
"Ok daddy," He whispered and I kissed him before I tucked him back into the bed.

So Harry was in the kitchen. That would explain the light.

Once Freddie was tucked up in bed, I made my way down the corridor expecting to find Harry face deep in cake. Instead, I found him seizing on the floor with Goldie was beside him.
"Harry! Harry, Harry," I called out before I gathered my senses and got a cushion from the sofa. I placed it underneath his head and turned him onto his side. "Ok, you're alright," I told him as he grunted. "You're doing really well. I'm really proud of you. You're going to be alright."

After a few seconds, his seizure began to die down.
"Ok Harry. You're ok," I said, and after a moment, he gasped. "Harry? Darlin, it's Louis. You've had a seizure, but you're ok."
"Sei?" Harry whispered.
"Yeah, you've had a seizure," I reassured him before he drooled a little. "I'll get that," I said before I got some kitchen roll and cleaned him up.
"Lou..."
"I'm here. Are you doing ok Harry?"
"Yeah..." He said before he reached out his hand and I took it.
"Just relax. I'm here, and you're ok."
"K..." Harry said and I stayed beside him.

After a few minutes, he moved his legs and screwed up his face.
"What's wrong H?"
"Pee... I've..." Harry said and I looked down at his legs.
"Oh. Don't worry about that. I'll help give you shower in a minute."
"Hmn," Harry said before he tried to pull his trousers down.
"Hey, it's alright."
"Show, er."
"Alright H. Just open your eyes for me," I said and he tried to open them. "Take your time," I said as his eyes fluttered opened and closed. He then shut them and slowly opened them to look at me. "There you are," I said with a smile and he smiled back.
"Help," He whispered and I smiled.
"I'm helping you, it's alright. Do you think that you can sit up?"
"Yeah."
"Come on then," I said and I gave him a hand to sit up. The movement unfortunately loosened his bladder and more of the floor became damp. Harry went red with embarrassment and I kissed his forehead. "Don't worry about that."
"Sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry, it's ok. I own a mop," I said and Harry laughed a little. "Come on then," I said as I put one of my arms around his shoulders and the other one behind his knees. "Hold onto me. Pretend that you're Freddie," I said and Harry buried his head into my shoulder as I lifted him up. He was all wet, but I loved him so I didn't care.

I got him into the shower before I helped him strip down to his boxers, and I took my own pyjamas off. Harry rested on me as I turned the water on and began getting him clean.
"Was the... cake good?"
"It was very nice. Thanks Harry."
"Good."
"Freddie told me that you came into the kitchen for midnight munchies."
"Maybe."
"You cheeky lad. You could have just asked for some."
"I thought... you were, asleep."
"I know. But you seized. Why do you think you..." I trailed off as I answered my own question.
"Lou?"
"You didn't have your afternoon meds. I'm sorry Harry, I should have woken you up."
"No. You needed to... relax."
"I'm not relaxing now though am I?"
"No," Harry said and I realised that the last thing I'd said had sounded a bit harsh.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"I know," Harry said as he held me tightly.
"How are you doing?"
"Good. Just," Harry said before he yawned.
"Tired?"
"Mnhuh."
"I'm almost done, then I'll get you into bed and we can have cake together ok."
"Yeah. I love you."
"I love you too," I said before I started washing his hair.

After the shower, I quickly got into my dog pyjamas before helping Harry into his favourite melon ones. I helped him to stumble out of the shower, but thankfully he was just tired now rather than post seizure. I managed to get Harry to the sofa before he sat down and he rested back against it. Giving in for the moment, I went over and got two slices of cake.
"Here we go Harry."
"Thanks Louis," He said and I was about sit down when I remembered about Freddie. I ran to his room and he bounded out of it the second I opened the door.
"Cake!" He shouted as he ran into the kitchen and Harry shushed him.
"Here we go Fredester," I said as I handed him a plate of cake and he went over to Harry before curling up beside him and snaffling his piece. "Oh Harry. Do you want Goldie?" I asked as I picked Goldie up off a dry patch of floor.
"Yeah."
"Here you go," I said before I joined them both and gave Harry Goldie. Freddie opened his eyes to look at Goldie before he closed them and snuggled into both me and Harry. "I think Goldie's all yours Harry."
"Yeah. He is. Finally."
"I want a bear dad."
"I know you do," I tols Freddie before I ruffled his hair.
"I love your new family Lou."
"What? Oh, I knew you would get use to life like this."
"I love this life. I love you, Fred, and Eleanor."
"Uncle Arry."
"Yeah," I said before I realised that Eleanor wasn't with us. "Eleanor!" I shouted into the house.
"Louis," Harry told me in a disapproving tone.
"Eleanor should be here. To complete our family. Anyway, there's no way you're getting back to your bed tonight."
"That's true."

"What's wrong?" Eleanor asked as she ran in panicked.
"Nothing. I just want you to join us."
"Oh," Eleanor said before everyone else appeared.
"You're awake honey," Anne said as she came over to Harry.
"I am."
"What's wrong? What's going on?" Niall ask as he stumbled into the living room.
"Harry had a seizure while snacking on cake."
"What? Are you ok Harry?" Anne asked and Harry nodded.
"I'm good mum. Thanks."
"We forgot about his afternoon medication is all."
"Do you want me to clean up Louis?" Liam asked as he looked at the kitchen.
"If you want don't mind."
"I don't."
"Great."
"Are you planning on sleeping here?" Gemma asked me.
"Yeah. I think we are."
"I'll get some pillows and blankets then."
"I'll help."
"Why did you want me?" Eleanor asked as she knelt down and kissed me.
"To complete our family. Harry loves you."
"I do. I love my new life. And this family."
"Don't forget about us," Anne complained.
"I won't mum. I love you."
"I love you too."
"And I love you as well Harry. Louis wants you with us and I wouldn't have it any other way," Eleanor said and Harry smiled as Niall, Liam and Gemma returned with blankets.
"Let's get this party started."
"We've got enough bedding for all of us."
"Sleepover!" Freddie shouted and Eleanor kissed me.
"Family sleepover. Come on everyone," She said and soon we were all tucked up in one giant bed on the lounge floor. Everyone was sleeping on everyone, and I couldn't help but be overjoyed that I had such an amazing family. We would look after each other, always.

Harry's Twitter
Louis snapped this picture of me and Goldie. Sorry I've been gone for a while. I love you all x

Chapter Text

None's POV
"Now Harry Styles. We've got this," Graham said as he presented Goldie to everyone, Harry's bear. "I believe that this is yours?"
"It is mine. He's called Goldie."
"Goldie, good, wonderful. Why do you own a large teddy bear?"
"Did you get it when you were little?" The Rock asked Harry.
"I didn't. I actually got him at the start of this year."
"Ok. You're 27 right?"
"I am?" Harry asked Graham.
"Yes. Just checking."
"Ok," Harry said before he laughed. "I got him while I was in hospital."
"Oh," Graham said, and the tone of the show became serious.
"I was involved in a bad car accident on New Year's eve, and I put in intensive care. I was in a coma for a month."
"Oh wow."
"A whole month?"
"The whole of January, yeah."
"And that was this year?"
"It is. 11 months ago."
"Wow."
"Goldie was given to me by my bandmate, Niall," Harry said, and a couple of his fans in the audience cheered. "Thank you," He said, before he turned back to Graham. "I was badly injured after the crash, and when I woke up from my coma, I had these episodes of confusion. I didn't know where I was, who was around me, or what was going on. So Niall gave me Goldie to have a safe space when I had those episodes."
"And did he help? The bear?"
"He did. He's big enough to hug, and I would bury my head into him. It was a very scary time for me."
"I can imagine."
"How bad were your other injuries? If you don't mind me asking," The Rock asked Harry.
"No. I had a few broken bones, internal bruising, and I have epilepsy so..."
"Wow, you had a lot of injuries," Kevin added.
"I did. So I had some seizures while I was recovering."
"Is everything back to normal now? Are you ok?"
"I am ok."
"Good."
"It took me a while to recover fully, but I'm very well. My bones have healed, my head's better and the brusing's gone."
"And your insides?"
"They seem to be ok," Harry told Jodie before he laughed a little. "Yeah, I think they're ok."
"What was it like being in a coma?" Michael Paylin asked. "A month is a long time."
"I wasn't really aware of it. Because of my head injury, those first few months after the crash felt a bit surreal. I was confused, needing help, and having seizures. It wasn't very nice."
"Ok."
"Congratulations on recovering." The Rock said, and Harry smiled.
"Thank you. It's good to be myself again."
"We're all very glad that you're ok and recovered," Graham said and everyone clapped.
"Thank you. Thank you guys."
"How is Niall?" One of his fans shouted.
"We're all the boys there?" Someone else called, and Harry smiled.
"They were."
"The boys?" Jodie asked.
"My bandmates. One Direction."
"Right."
"One Direction are here!" Kevin shouted, and everyone laughed.
"No. They all knew, and they helped me in my recovery. Espically during the first weeks in Feburary, while I was still in hospital. Niall and Liam came to visit, but Louis was with me most of the time," Harry said, and his fans squeeled. "Don't scream too much, or you'll past out girls."
"Ok... ok..." His fans said as they calmed down.
"You ok?" Harry checked with them.
"Yeah. We're ok."
"Good. The boys helped me, they were incredibly supportive, patient and caring. It took me most of this year to regain my health, so it's been a long journey."
"Well that's not the story that I was expecting. Here."
"Thank you," Harry said as he took Goldie from Graham. "I'm good. I'm healthy and fully recovered," Harry said again, and everyone clapped. He hugged Goldie as they did so and his fans squealing the audience, so Harry purposefully looked cute for them.
"Oh wow, someone's fainted. Can we get them some help please," Graham said and Harry rested Goldie down. A medic went to them, and Harry sat back.
"Is she ok? Good. This tends to happen around me."
"I'd like to say that it happens with me too," Kevin said and everyone laughed. "I'm just saying."
"Ok, so back on topic..." Graham said, and he moved the conversation on.

Harry stayed behind after the camera's had cut and he made sure that all of his fans got a picture with him. He then hung out with them for as long as he could, reassuring everyone that he was alright and that he was back to his normal self.

Chapter Text

The following mini story is an old story that I've managed to find, yay! 😊

Warning! It's very sad 😭💔, but I hope you'll enjoy it.
(It's called: Niall's Last Days)

Chapter Text

Harry, Louis and Liam were chatting in their dressing room at the Jonathan Ross studio while they were waiting for Niall. He had been getting increasing knee pain over the last few concerts, and the boys had encouraged him to see a GP about it.

The door then opened and Niall came in on crutches.
"Why would you put peanut butter on toast?" Louis asked Liam before they all looked over at Niall.
"Hey Niall," Harry greeted him. "You've been gone for hours, is everything ok?"
"It's complicated," Niall replied before he used the crutches to support his weight as he walked painfully towards the boys.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you need a hand?" Harry asked as both he and Liam stood up.
"Yeah."
"We've got you Niall," Liam said as he and Harry came over.
"You're shaking," Harry said as he supported Niall.
"Yeah."
"Take a seat Niall."
"You look like you're in pain."
"I am," Niall said as he looked as he slowly sat down and the boys helped him.
"That's it. Careful Niall," Louis said as he held one of Niall's arms.
"Argh," Niall groaned as he sat down.
"It's not just your knee is it?" Liam asked and Niall shook his head.
"No," Niall replied and Harry and Louis sat on either side of him as Liam knelt in-front and took his hand in his own.
"What's wrong? What did the GP say?"
"He got very worried. Really quickly," Niall replied before his voice shook. "He sent me to the hospital," Niall said before tears formed in his eyes.
"It's ok Niall. Take your time," Liam told him. This was serious and Niall was starting to scare the boys.
"They did some tests and..."
"What did they find Niall?" Harry asked and all the boys increased their grip on Niall. Harry was praying that the answer wasn't cancer.
"Toxins," Niall said as tears began to run down his face.
"Toxins?" Louis repeated.
"From my bones... my body's poisoning itself," Niall said as he tried to hold himself together, and the boys went quiet.
"Can they...?" Harry began.
"No," Niall replied as he looked at Harry and tears ran down his face. "There's nothing they can do," Niall said before he gasped. Liam went deathly white and Harry just stared at Niall.
"How long?" Louis asked him softly.
"A week," Niall said as tears kept falling down his face, and the boys hugged him.

Fifteen minutes later, Liam had given Niall some painkillers and Jonathan Ross had arrived for the show, he was going to set up for half an hour or so, then come and see the boys before the show began.
"How are you doing Niall?" Liam asked him gently as Louis and Harry were both cuddling him on either side.
"There's... less pain."
"Good," Liam said before he wiped his own tears away.
"Does your family know?"
"Yeah. They um... they called them while I was at the hospital and they're on their way over."
"Good. You're gonna need her around."
"Yeah," Niall said and Louis kissed him.
"Does Paul know?"
"Yeah... he does. I'm scared boys."
"We know, we're scared too Niall. We don't want to lose you," Harry told him and a tear fell down his face.
"Are your family coming to take you home Niall?" Liam asked as he gently wiped Niall's tear away.
"No," Niall told them as fear grew within him. "No. I want to perform. I need to perform before I go. I love this life and I don't want it to end," Niall said all the boys put their hands on Niall to comfort him as he began crying once more.
"Oh Niall, it's ok."
"Are you going to be up to performing Ni?"
"I don't know... but I want to for as long as I can."
"Come here," Harry said and Niall buried his head against Harry's shoulder.

"Have you signed a DNR Niall?" Liam asked after a moment, as gently as he could.
"Really Liam? Now?" Louis growled.
"Hmn," Niall replied as he nodded a little.
"Is that a yes Ni?" Harry asked and Niall sat up.
"Yeah. I... I don't want it to be drawn out."
"If that's what you want Niall, we support you," Louis comforted him.
"Thanks, Lou."
"So you want to come on tour with us?"
"Yes, please," Niall said as he held Harry tighter. "I need to carry on as normal. I need our music," Niall said as tears crept into his eyes and Louis wiped them away.
"That's fine Niall. We start our world tour on Monday and we can let you take the lead," Louis said and Niall smiled.
"Thanks."
"Are you going to get sick?" Liam asked and they all knew what he meant.
"A little. They said that, it will be like getting drunk. I will act strange at times... and feel a bit funny but it'll be fine until I. I um... I hit the stage."
"Ok. Well that's good."
"Me, hitting the stage?" Niall asked Harry as his voice shook.
"No. That you'll be able to perform."
"Yeah."
"What about the fans and the public? Are you going to let them know?"
"No. I just want to, keep it between us. Paul will sort out what happens next... next week."
"Ok. Just between us," Liam repeated and Niall smiled.
"Are you going to be able to do the interview?" Louis asked and Niall nodded.
"I think so. I feel ok, just shaken up."
"We get that Niall, and we'll be with you on stage. We'll just see how we go ok," Harry said and Niall nodded.
"We're not going to leave you Niall."
"And if you need anything just say."
"Knock, knock," Jonathan said and they turned to see him standing in the doorway.
"Hi Jonathan."
"How are you boys doing?"
"Yeah, we're good."
"I've heard that you've just come back from the hospital Niall, are you doing alright?" Jonathan asked and Niall went red.
"Yeah, I'm just having a bit of trouble with my knee."
"Ok, is that what your crutches are for?"
"Yeah. Just... can you not mention it on the show? I'm going to leave them here."
"If you need them Niall, you shouldn't be ashamed to use them. People will understand."
"No, I've got the boys," Niall said as he became more stressed.
"We've discussed it. We don't want any rumours to circulate before our world tour starts," Liam said and Jonathan seemed satisfied.
"Ok, if you boys are sure. I'll see you out there, you're on in 10."
"Great. See you then," Louis replied and Jonathan left. Niall breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you ok Niall?" Harry asked him.
"Yeah. I can do this."
"We're so proud of you mate."
"Yeah," Liam said and Niall smiled.

He plucked up the courage for the interview, which went well and Jonathan didn't mention Niall's crutches. The boys kept a careful eye on Niall throughout but afterwards he seemed happy and relaxed.

Chapter Text

Sunday went well. The boys hung out together and they ran through a few songs in the studio to calm Niall's nerves. After dinner, they went to their rooms to chat to family and friends. Niall went into his bathroom and took some painkillers before he looked at himself in the mirror.

Something then sparked fear in him and he stepped back. Things quickly escalated and soon, Niall was having a full on panic attack. He was being slowly poisoned, his body was dying and there was nothing that he could do about it.

In a moment of panic, he grabbed the painkillers and tipped a large handful of them into his mouth. He then gasped for breath and tried to pour himself a glass of water before the door opened.

~

Niall suddenly dropped the glass, spat the pills out into the sink and gasped for breath.
"Niall!" Louis called out in shock as he rushed over to him. "Breathe Niall, breathe," Louis said as he put his one hand on Niall's shoulder and wrapped the other round his waist. "Breathe for me mate, come on," Louis said and Niall began to calm down. "That's it," Louis said and Niall kept relaxing. "You doing ok?" Louis asked Niall nodded. "Ok, come with me," Louis said before he led Niall into the room and sat him onto the bed.

"Are you ok?" Louis asked Niall as he brushed a hair out of his face and he nodded. "Did you mean to swallow all those pills?" Louis asked him and Niall shook his head. "Ok," Louis told him gently as he rubbed his hand around Niall's back in circles. "Are you doing ok otherwise?"
"Yeah. Lou..."
"Take your time," Louis said and Niall focused on breathing before he rested his head against Louis's. "What pills were they?"
"Painkillers."
"Are you in any pain? Did you spit them all out?"
"No... I'm ok. I just, panicked."
"Ok," Louis said before he hugged Niall. "I'm sorry that we weren't here to help you."
"No. It's ok."
"It's not though. You need us, and we need you."
"Yeah..."
"Paul texted to say that your family's been delayed at the airport. Why don't we go to sleep and they'll be here when you wake up."
"Yeah... It all um. It just overwhelmed me."
"It would," Louis said before he kissed Niall. "Come on, let's get you into bed," Louis said and Niall nodded. "Come here mate," Louis said before he helped Niall to stand up and he pulled the covers back. Niall got in and Louis got into the other side beside him.

~

Niall opened his eyes to see Harry crouching beside his bed with his hand on his arm.
"Morning Ni. How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"I'm glad. Louis texted us and told us what happened."
"I didn't mean to Harry. Really sorry."
"Oh, you don't need to apologise Niall. You were scared and it was a moment of panic, everyone understands."
"Thanks," Niall said before he stretched his hand out and Harry took it.
"We're here to look after you Niall. Your family is just down the hall ok."
"K..." Niall said before he closed his eyes.

Harry then stood up and went over to Louis.
"Louis," He said as he gently shook Louis's shoulder. "Louis."
"Hmn? What?"
"It's time to get up," Harry told Louis as he opened his eyes.
"Oh, morning Harry."
"Morning Louis."
"How's Niall?"
"He's ok. I think he's gone back to sleep."
"Ok. Is his family here?"
"They are. They're just down the corridor."
"Good," Louis said before he pulled the covers back and got up.
"I'll see you and Niall in Liam's room in ten ok?"
"Yeah. Sounds good," Louis said and Harry left the room.

~

Ten minutes later, Louis and Niall came into Liam's room.
"Morning Niall," Liam said as he came over and hugged him.
"Morning Liam."
"How are you feeling?"
"Alright. I had some painkillers a few minutes ago."
"Are you ready for rehearsals?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it'll be good."
"Right, let's go," Harry said and they went to rehearsals.

Aside from Niall taking his pain medication and having regular breaks, he was happy and he was looking forward to getting back on the road.

When the evening came around, all the boys hid from Lou and it made management annoyed but they didn't care. Niall laughed when he was caught and he squirmed as Lou did his hair. His family were backstage and they joked with Niall before he had to go on stage.

~

The concert was amazing and the boys made sure that someone was close to Niall at all times. Liam noticed a bit of pain on Niall's face from time to time but he just brushed it aside.

After the show, the boys ran backstage and they were all whooping and full of adrenaline before Liam went over to Niall.
"Are you alright Niall?"
"Yeah, I just feel a bit sick."
"When did you last eat?"
"Lunchtime I think."
"Right, food then boys," Louis said as he wrapped his arms around both Niall and Liam and began walking them to catering.

They ate dinner before they went to relax together. On the way, Niall turned and threw up in a bin.
"Niall," Louis called as he went over and took a gentle but firm hold of Niall. Liam and Harry came over as Louis lay Niall onto the floor. "I've got you mate, you're ok."
"What happened Louis?"
"He threw up some blood," Louis said and the boys went cold. The reality was slowly hitting them that Niall was dying, and none was prepared for it.
"How are you feeling Niall?" Harry asked.
"I need water Harry," Niall whispered.
"Ok, I'm on it," Harry said before he left.
"Are you feeling sick? Do you think you're going to pass out?" Liam asked and Niall shook his head.
"I'm ok. I just taste blood."
'Alright mate," Louis said as he touched Niall's shoulder.
"I've got you some water Niall," Harry said as he returned.
"Let's sit you up," Louis said and Niall began sitting up.
"I've got you," Liam said as he gave Niall a hand. The boys sat beside Niall has he drank the water.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked and Niall nodded.
"Yeah."
"The crowd loved us, mate. That show was amazing."
"It was incredible Niall. Thanks to you."
"You don't need to patronise me. It was Louis ripping Liam's shirt off that everyone loved."
"I do have my great moments," Louis said and the boys laughed.
"Shall we get pissed lads?"
"You just threw up blood Nialler," Harry reminded him.
"And I'll be dead by the end of the week. I want to live a little."
"Of course we can get pissed. And if you're dying, that means that we're buying," Louis said and Liam glared at him. "Too far?"
"Too far, but still true. Come on Niall," Liam said and they helped him up.

That night they had a big party and they all got pissed. Niall threw up more blood and Louis, Liam and Harry took turns staying awake to make sure he was ok.

Chapter Text

Tuesday was a good day and the boys decided to start making videos for the fans. They wouldn't release them until later down the line but they needed their fans to know what the true story had been.

They laughed and had fun but Niall also began to get a headache throughout the day. They had to have a break during the concert to make sure that Niall was dosed up on painkillers. He threw up blood again after the concert, but he managed to hobble to bed with Harry helping him.

~

On Wednesday, Niall got worse. He didn't seem as upbeat and he was shaking. Some of the fans noticed but Niall was nice and explained that he was feeling a little under the weather and that the boys were looking out for him.

That night as they ate pizza in their hotel room, Niall had his first seizure. He and Louis had gone for a ham and cheese pizza while Harry and Liam had opted for pineapple and cheese pizza. Niall had been losing his appetite over the last few days and so his meals had been getting smaller and smaller.
"When your voice broke Harry, that was the funniest thing," Liam said and the boys laughed.
"Ok, ok," Harry said and Niall looked at the floor. Everything felt funny.
"It happens to the best of us mate," Louis said as Niall put his hand onto his chest.
"Niall?" Liam asked and Louis and Harry immediately directed their attention to the him.
"Niall? What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"I feel weird."
"Can you breathe?" Louis asked as he put his hand gently onto Niall.
"Yeah, but..." Niall said before he stopped, fell and began seizing.
"Shit!" Louis cried out. "Get Paul."
"I'm on it," Liam said before he left the room.
"Niall. Niall, you're ok. You're ok," Louis reassured Niall as he grunted and gripped his hand.
"Lift his head up," Harry said and they lifted Niall's head up before he tucked his jumper underneath Niall's head.
"Breathe mate, we've got you."
"You've protected his head, good," Paul said as he rushed into the room and knelt by Niall's head.

Ten seconds later, Niall's seizure stopped and he lay still.
"Just one of you talk to him," Paul told the boys.
"Niall? Can you hear me? It's Harry," Harry said as he brushed his hand through Niall's hair and Paul was taking his pulse. "I'm right here Niall, just open your eyes for me," Harry said and they all waited with bated breath. "Niall?"
"Hmn?" Niall groaned and Louis and Liam both gasped in relief.
"Can you hear me Niall?"
"Yeah."
"You've had a seizure Niall but you're ok."
"Seizure?"
"Yeah, but we're with you."
"I'm. Tired H," Niall said as he took Harry's hand.
"You've had a long day Ni."
"Can I go to bed?"
"Yeah, we'll get you into bed. I'm just going to chat to Paul for a second, ok?"
"Alright."
"Is he ok?" Harry whispered to Paul.
"His pulse is fast and he's sweaty but that'll be from the seizure. Normally, I would want him to see a doctor but given the circumstances, that wouldn't do much good. I think we should let Niall rest tomorrow. Your next concert is on Friday and with the state Niall is in, it might be his last."
"Shit,' Liam whispered as tears appeared at the edges of his eyes. Niall then began snoring and everyone looked at him.
"It's late," Paul said. "You should all go to bed."
"Agreed. Come on Liam," Louis said as he got Liam up and Harry carried Niall to his bed.

~

The next day, the boys spent some time in the empty area having a laugh and spending time with their crew. Niall had several seizures throughout the day and the boys supported him. Harry had worn a fluffy jumper just to support Niall's head.

They were all scared, but knew that they didn't have much time with Niall left. They recorded a few video's for the fans, one they released and it got half a million views in an hour and 5 news reports in three hours. The rest of the video's they would release later down the line. In one of the later ones, Niall had a seizure.
"Niall? Are you back with us?" Liam asked as Niall began to come to.
"Yeah," Niall replied. With each seizure, it was getting harder for Niall to breathe.
"Good," Louis said.
"Have you still got the camera?" Niall asked and they looked at Harry.
"I have yeah. Do you want me to film this Niall?"
"Yeah. I should let everyone know."
"When we release these, everyone will know what's happened," Louis said.
"I want them to hear it from me. The media will twist it, they always do."
"We won't let anyone say anything bad about you Niall."
"Put right those who do," Niall replied to Liam with a smile.
"Ok. Start the camera Harry," Louis said.
"Hi everyone, it's Harry here. By the time you see this, you should know what's happened, or about to happen for us. So, there's no nice way to say this and Niall wants to tell you himself so here he is," Harry says before he turns the camera towards Niall.
"Hi," Niall began. "I um... there's toxins in my blood. I'm being poisoned, and I only have a few days. I love you, the music. The boys. I love..." Niall said before he coughed and blood splattered onto the blood.
"Ok Niall, alright. Get him some water Liam," Louis said and Harry moved the camera back to him as Liam darted off.
"We're looking after Niall and we're making the most of his time with us."
"It's getting hard to breathe," Niall said in the background.
"I know mate, just relax, I'm here".
"We love you, and so does Niall," Harry said before he stopped recording and he sighed.
"Niall?" Louis asked. "Niall?" He asked again and Harry looked over.
"What's happened Louis?" Harry asked as he saw that Niall had closed his eyes.
"He's just dropped unconscious. Niall? Can you hear me?"
"Niall? Niall?" Harry asked as he shook Niall.
"Is he breathing?" Liam asked as he came over.
"He's got a pulse but it's getting worse," Louis said. Harry went off to get a security guard and Louis and Liam stayed with Niall as his heart fought on.

None of the boys slept as they watched over Niall, his breathing got worse over the course of the night and the boys were filled with stress as they paced around the room.

The next day, they took turns nursing Niall and sleeping. The concert came around and Niall was determined to make it. His family took over from the boys for two hours before and Harry, Louis and Liam were pale and dripping in sweat when they arrived for hair, makeup and clothes.

Chapter Text

Ten minutes to the concert. Ten minutes to Niall's last concert. Everyone felt it, and none felt it more than Niall. Niall felt like death, his body was weak and failing. The toxins were taking over and soon his heart would stop. Just one more hour, he kept telling himself. I just have to hang on for one more hour.

Five minutes to the concert, and the scream of the fans could be heard backstage. All the boys were dressed smartly and their hair was perfect. They came together and hugged as they always did.
"How are you feeling Niall?" Louis whispered.
"Awful."
"We're with you. Just say if you need us," Harry whispered and Niall nodded.
"We won't be far away. Make this your best night ever Niall."
"Thanks boys," Niall said and the boys pulled Niall into the middle of the circle and kissed him. He giggled.
"Lets go boys," Louis said and they put their hands in the middle as they always did.
"Hello New Mexico!" Harry called as they ran out and the fans cheered. Niall belted out the songs and the boys let him take centre stage.

The fans were cheering his name and, despite the fact the dizziness meant that Niall could barely see the crowd, he loved every second of it.

~

As soon as he began singing Infinity he felt something change. Niall’s heart slowed, his brain became muffled and he felt cold.

Liam began singing and Niall looked down, the dizziness began to overwhelm him and he felt very light headed. He stumbled and grabbed hold of the stage.
"Boys," He stuttered into his microphone as he closed his eyes. He was getting colder and he could feel his heart slowing. Louis and Harry immediately rushed over to Niall. Louis carefully lowered Niall onto the stage as Harry took the guitar off his chest.
"I've got you Niall. I'm here," Louis said as he got Niall onto the ground and three security guards climbed onto the stage to block Niall from view. Paul also got onto the stage before he put Harry's fluffy jumper underneath Niall's head.

Niall's body then jerked and he started shivering. Paul lay his waistcoat over Niall as Louis kept reassuring him.
"We've got you Niall. We're here," Louis said and Niall gasped.
"Breathe Niall, just breathe," Harry said and Niall relaxed. Louis and Harry were with him, and his family were nearby.
"Co, ld," Niall whispered slowly.
"We know, it's alright," Louis told him as he brushed his hand through Niall's hair.
"It's ok Niall. You're ok," Harry said as Paul had his fingers pressed against Niall's neck.
"His pulse is getting slower. He's not going to hold on much longer."
"I'm here. Is Niall?" Liam said as he arrived.
"He's still with us."
"Just," Paul said and Liam knelt down.
"Ni? It's Liam," Liam said as he took Niall's hand and tears came to his eyes. He could hear Niall's strained and weak breathing, and it broke his heart.
"I think he's past talking Liam."
"Ok. Is this it?"
"It is. Just keep talking to Niall, he's going to be gone soon."

"Niall," Greg said as he reached the stage and took hold of his brother's hand. He squeezed it as he saw Niall's bandmates helping to comfort him.
"He's trying to hold on," Paul said and Greg listened to Niall's wheezing breaths.
"Ni, hey," Greg said as he squeezed his brother's hand. "It's Greg. It's alright. You can let yourself go."
"No," Harry said and Greg felt Niall's finger curl slightly, so he kissed his hand.
"It's alright Niall, it's ok. You can go to sleep. You're struggling and I promise that everything will be ok. I love you so much."
"We'll be right here when you wake up Ni," Louis added and Greg smiled.
"Yeah. We'll be here."
"Let go bud, it's alright," Paul said and Niall stopped fighting. His breathing stopped and a few moments later, his heart followed.

~

Greg felt the moment that Niall passed away and he started to cry. His mum hugged him and he let go of Niall's hand.
"Paul?" Harry asked as his tears fell freely onto the stage and Louis put his ear beside Niall's mouth.
"He's going cold," Liam said as he squeezed Niall's hand.
"He's not breathing," Louis told them and Paul nodded.
"He's gone. Louis, can you get his body off the stage and Harry and Liam, you go with him."
"Yeah," Harry choked between his tears and Louis picked up Niall's body in his arms before walking off with the two lads. Paul got onto the stage and picked up a microphone.
"The concert is over. We will make sure that you are all escorted safely off the premises."

Chapter Text

"What happened to Niall Horan last night? I'm Sarah and welcome to WhatCulture. Last night at Belfast stadium, Niall Horan collapsed on stage. Louis, Harry and Liam were quick to rush to his side, along with a number of their security and Greg, his brother. He was taken offstage a few minutes later in Louis's arms and the concert was stopped. Unfortunately, neither the boys or their management have given us any information on our beloved Irishman. What we do know though, is that their upcoming gigs in Ireland and the UK for the coming fortnight have been cancelled, but no reason has been given. Any fan who purchased a ticket to these gigs will be fully refunded. As for the boys, if the rumours are to be believed, they are not in Belfast or with their families, so a lot of fans speculate that they are staying at a hospital with Niall. That's it for now, and we can't wait to get an update from our favourite boy band."

"The band, One Direction, has still not made an announcement about the incident that happened two nights ago. One of the members, Irish singer Niall Horan, was seen to collapse on stage at Belfast before being carried off by another band member. Fans at the concert said that the star seemed to be unconscious when he was carried off. They have dominated twitter with the hashtag wheres1d, while journalists have been targeting the band's management company. No announcements have been made so far."

~

"As the tour manager for One Direction," Paul began. He was addressing a crowd of journalists at a mini press conference and he had been dreading telling them the news. "It is with great regret that I announce the death of Niall Horan. He passed away two days ago."
"What? Are you telling us that Niall Horan is dead?"
"Yes. He died peacefully and without any pain."
"Were you with him when he passed away?"
"I was. He also had his family and the other members of One Direction with him at the time."
"Where are the rest of One Direction now?"
"They are safe but they need time and privacy to grieve. They were all very close to Niall."
"Are they still in the country?"
"I can't say.
"Is Niall really dead?"
"He is."
"When did he die?"
"He passed away shortly after he collapsed on stage."
"During the show, why didn't you react quicker?"
"We reacted as quickly as we could and we did everything in our power to keep Niall with us."
"Did he go to a hospital?"
"He did."
"What did he die of, and why was he performing?"
"I cannot give out his medical information, but he was deemed fit to perform that night and all nights leading up to it."
"How is his family coping?"
"I refuse to answer that. Questions are over," Paul said and people followed him with microphones as he got off the platform.

When he was out of sight, Paul took a moment to gather himself and he hoped that he hadn't said anything stupid. As for the boys, they were in a cottage in the middle of Ireland.

~

The fans understandably were going mad over social media while Harry, Liam and Louis were going on walks, playing cards and enjoying each other's company to cope with the grief. After four days, Harry finally felt the need to post something onto social media:

The boys and I are devastated about what happened. We loved Niall and we need some time to process our grief. We love you all and hope to see you soon. H.

~

The funeral was a week later and Liam finally broke down. He collapsed into tears and Louis had to take him to the side. Harry glanced over at Zayn during the ceremony. They had had their rough times but Harry knew how close they had once been and Niall's death would be affecting Zayn too.

Harry looked onto social media that evening and saw that thousands of people had posted messages and tributes to Niall. It brought tears to his eyes and he showed it to Liam and Louis.

~

They then agreed that it was time to start posting the video's of them and Niall. Two days later, they had a TV interview.
"Hello boys," The interviewer greeted them.
"Hello," Harry replied.
"How are you all? Are you doing ok?"
"We're still shaken up and a bit fragile, but we've got each other and some fantastic family and friends around us."
"That's good. How do you feel about returning and doing your next gig?"
"Nervous. It's going to be strange performing as a three, and obviously all the emotions are still there so I think it's going to be a pretty moving gig."
"Of course. Have you seen how your fans have been reacting to this? Because I know that you've been silent on social media for a while."
"We all have been looking on social media now and then, and I know that Harry posted something on twitter a little while ago. But yeah, they've all been amazing and they loved Niall as much as we did so it's great to see them celebrating his work and paying tributes to him online."
"I've seen some great artwork that our fans have done."
"Yeah, I mean some of the stuff is incredible."
"And you've been posting videos of you with Niall recently, when did you record these?"
"We recorded them when Niall was ill."
"When did you find out that he was ill?"
"A week before he passed away."
"Only a week?"
"Yeah, he told us the same day that he found out himself."
"But you kept performing didn't you?"
"We did, yeah. Niall wanted to keep performing. The illness he had meant that he was mostly ok until the last day and the last few hours."
"And how was he during that week?"
"He was bad, and it was hard for us because we wanted to support him so that he would be able to perform, but he was weak and shaking a lot of the time."
"He began coughing up blood on day two," Harry interrupted Liam. "And he was having multiple seizures a day by the end of the week and he got very tired."
"How did you boys cope?
"We tried not to focus on it. We lived each day as it came and we gave Niall as much love and support as we could."
"What was it like when Niall collapsed on stage? You must have known that it was getting towards the end."
"Yeah, it was horrible. We knew that it would be Niall's last show because he had gone really downhill the day before. When he asked for us in his microphone, which the fans may not have heard, Harry and I ran straight to him. He was nearly unconscious when I got to him and I lay him onto the floor as Harry took the guitar off his chest."
"Security came up and surrounded you didn't they?"
"They did. Niall was shaking, he could barely talk and I remember Paul keeping track of his pulse."
"The fans saw you carrying him off stage Louis and many think that he was gone by that point. Is that right?"
"Yeah. He died on stage."
"Wow. Ok, we'll thank you for being so open and honest."
"It's alright. Niall wanted us to tell you the truth of what happened."
"We actually have another video to put out," Liam said and the boys turned to him. "It's the last one we did and Niall wanted to film it for the fans."
"Yeah," Louis said with a sad smile. "We might put it up tomorrow."
"I look forward to watching it," The interviewer said and the boys went quiet. "I think that's all we need to talk about. Remind everyone, when your next show is."
"Yeah, so we're performing in the Dublin arena in a week's time. 7pm, so we'll see you there."
"Thank you for coming boys and best of luck with rehearsals."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for having us."

Chapter Text

Who am I kidding. Ever since I heard the news of Liam’s death: I haven’t been able to stop writing. The 1D boys are my fan-fiction obsession, and I have been grieving Liam’s death more than I realised that I would be. I didn’t know him, but I have studied the relationship between him: Louis, Harry, Niall and Zayn. I learnt all of the boys mannerisms in order to write them well, and whenever I write, I have a clip up to reference how they talk, move and interact with others.

I thought the story had ended. And for 1D it has. But 4/5 boys are still alive, and Liam's at rest ❤️. I have never wished anything bad on any of the boys, but if you want to read fan-fictions with no sexual content, only fluff and comfort. I am still writing.

The above video is my favourite version of Infinity^^^

An entire generation has been grieving Liam. My generation. I was 12 when the band was formed and they were marketed to teenage girls. We were their target audience, and it worked. Why?

Because the boys are gentlemen. Gentle, men. They hugged, were affectionate with each other, not afraid to show their emotions as men, gentle with fans, and just adorable. They were, and are still, not a threat to their fans. So an entire generation of young girls, now mid-twenties women, feel safe with them. 1D were, and are, gentlemen ❤️.