Save Me (A One Direction Fanfiction)

IV

Louis was sitting at the round small table next to Zayn, they had been playing cars for the better half of and hour now, trying to pass the time. Harry was sitting on the couch at the back of the room, his iPod headphones in one ear, half listening to music half listening to Zayn and Louis chat.

Niall was curled up in the chair next to Liam's bedside, his hand tucked gently in Liam's. Harry kept wondering what Niall was thinking, hoping he wasn't torturing himself. He watched as Zayn played a King of Clubs on the pile making Louis swear loudly. Niall pulled his legs up on the chair, twisting his body as he adjusted, Liam's hand still held in his own.

Pretty Blue Eyes had come in and out a few times in the last hour, continuing to monitor Liam's status. Harry rubbed his lower back trying to relax the muscles he slid farther on the couch letting his legs drape over the cushions he propped his head up on the arm of the couch and closed his eyes trying to ignore the irritating twinge his back was making. He tried to fall asleep, but his mind was running a mile a minute and it was all he could do to relax. Liam kept on sleeping.

Niall slipped his hand under Liam's feeling the weight on his own. He squeezed his hand slightly hoping that Liam would squeeze back, but nothing happened. The day droned on and on and Liam didn't make a move.

Niall was starting to get worried with each tick of the clock that passed. He prayed to himself hoping that God would hear him, hoping that Liam could hear his words and wake up to tell him everything would be fine. But as far as Niall could tell neither of those had happened yet.

The chest tube that rested in Liam's throat was foggy with breath and Niall felt himself cling to the visible signs of life. The rise and fall of the heart rate monitor, the heat from his skin, the sound of his breaths. He sat watching him not looking away because he was afraid that if he looked away, even if only for a second Liam wouldn't be there to look back at him.

The room turned scarlet from the sunset outside the window, Zayn yawned as he snuggled into the couch with Harry closing his eyes. Louis still sitting in the chair at the table laid his head on the top the table, his arms positioned as a pillow underneath. Niall felt his own eye lids begin to droop, as gravity and sleep took him. It only took a few minutes before the soft sounds of sleep were the only noise in the room.

Pretty Blue Eyes opened the door again, quietly crossing the room to check on Liam. She smiled at the sight of the lads drifting off to sleep as she work in silence so as to not wake any of them. She finished checking on Liam, who seemed to be stable still.

Zayn slept curled up on the couch his arms hugging himself as he tried to stay warm, using Harry's lap as a pillow. Crossing over to him she pulled the extra blanket around his body. He stirred slightly as the blanket draped over him but then fell still once more. She gingerly moved over to Harry who was sitting up with his head suspended over the back of the couch she tucked a pillow behind his neck resting it on the couch. Smiling at how cute the lads were as they slept and crossed back to the door flipping the light switch as she left the room plunging them into darkness.

Niall could barely sleep, he kept waking up in a panic thinking that he'd lost Liam all over again. Waking up for what was probably the sixth time that night Niall wiped the cold sweat off his brow as he watched the rise and fall of Liam's chest.

The sight was a relief, as Niall tried to calm his mind, his hand was sweaty from the heat of Liam's. He pulled his hand from underneath Liam's and wiped off the sweat. Then adjusting in his seat, his left side had gone numb, he pulled his legs up to his chest tucking them under the arm of the chair and slipped his hand back into Liam's. His hand molded in to the shape of Liam's instantly and as he felt the heat from his fingertips.

Suddenly Niall felt a soft squeeze on his hand, almost sure he had imagined it he looked down at his hand still intertwined with Liam's and waited for more movement. He looked up just as Liam opened his eyes they scanned the room and landed on Niall's face. Sure that he was dreaming, Niall sat still hoping not to move and somehow wake himself. Liam weakly squeezed his hand around Niall's again and tried to take a deep breath.

A terrible gagging sound reached his ears as he watched Liam choke on the tube that was deep in his throat, the tube which once allowed him to breath, was now the reason he could not.

Niall frantically searched for button to call for help. He pressed it and grabbed Liam's hand tight with both of his just as the nurse with the pretty blue eyes rushed in and held Liam back as he began to thrash around grasping for some air, but finding none.

Niall kept a firm hold onto Liam's hand and watched as the nurse pulled the tube out of his throat. He gasped as the tube finally cleared his throat, and coughed as the nurse rubbed his back giving him some comfort. Both Liam and Niall's hands were chalk white, as the blood had completely drained from their fingertips from the force of how hard they were clinging on to each other.

Liam rubbed his left hand across his throat, his mouth completely dry he tried to talk and heard no sound. He tried again choking out the word 'water' as Pretty Blue Eyes walked over bringing a cup, with a straw up to his lips. He allowed the straw into his mouth and sucked, pulling some water out of the cup. It didn't taste like water, but he allowed the liquid to work its way around his mouth his tongue showing it where to go.

Swallowing he enjoyed the cool rush trickle down his throat, followed by a massive burn as his muscles yelled in protest. Gagging on the water, Pretty Blue Eyes held up a bucket to his face as he bent forward and allowed the contents of his stomach to resurface.

Finally finishing he slumped back to his pillow and moaned softly. His entire body ached, and he couldn't feel anything but pain. The nurse with the pretty blue eyes cooed softly in comfort to Liam, "Welcome back Liam, you must be in a lot of pain, but don't worry I have the good stuff right here." she tapped a bag of liquid with her hand as she hung it from his IV drip.

"Get some rest now son." She rested her hand on Liam's head gently rubbing the top of his head. At the same time she placed her other hand on Niall's shoulder and squeezed. Smiling she left the two of them alone walking out of the room.

Niall still had Liam's hand in his, he looked at him and felt the massive weight lift off his shoulders. He was awake, he could finally talk to his best friend again. He felt the walls he built up around his heart fall as the strength he was masking for the past four days shattered and he wept big sloppy tears

Liam watched as Niall burst into tears, burying his head into the side of Liam's bed. Reaching out Liam pulled his chin up and met his gaze.

"Hey..." Liam felt his voice crack as he tried to form the words. "Hey, Ni, don't cry, I’m sorry! So sorry, but it’s okay, I’m here now, don't be sad... “Liam touched his cheek as he wiped the tears off Niall's face. A shaky laugh broke through his tears, as he looked back into Liam's eyes with a small grin.

"I'm not sad mate, I’m so fucking happy! I thought I'd lost you! Niall finally broke contact with Liam's hand and pulled him into a soft hug.

The warmth from his chest radiated to Liam, he sunk into Niall's embrace grateful for the strong arms wrapped around him. Liam scooted over to one side of the bed as Niall climbed on to the other side. Tucking his arm under Liam's head he felt his band mate rest his head on his chest, Niall pulled the soft covers over their bodies.

Their hands found each other in the dark and clasped together intertwined amongst their bodies. Finally feeling comfort they both greeted the sleep that swept over them.