Only a Heartbeat Away

Chapter 2

In the lobby Niall took noticed of Louis' appearance and nudge Zayn who also seemed to have noticed Lou's well-being. Louis looked like shit! Still handsome but just more rugged than usual.

"Louis you look like shite mate." Niall said suddenly causing Zayn to wack him on the back of the head.

"What Niall was trying to say is you look miserable. You, okay?" Louis who was just gazing out the window which showed nothing more than more bloody buildings. Would it kill someone to show off some nature? Turning his head away from the window and capturing Zayn and Niall's look of concern.

"I miss him that's all and he wasn't well the last time we spoke".

"If you want to see him this bad Lou why not just go to him?" Zayn wondered.

"You know why Zee".

"Come on Louis, you need your not-so-little Cheshire lad." Niall argued. Louis shook his head and giving them both a pointed look. Having told Liam, Niall, and Zayn what Sally said to him the last time Louis and Harry were caught hanging out which was just really Louis getting Harry fresh air after coming off a very hot sold-out stage and trying to determine his state of mind.

"With all due respect Lou." Zayn expressed "you actually need Harry as much as he needs you. It has always been that way for the two of you." Louis rubbed his hands over his face and fixed his fringe to the side.

"It's not that simple".

"Bullshit!" Niall vociferated "the last time we checked you were married. Legally I might add."

"Management cannot force you to get divorced." Zayn asserted.

"True as that maybe lads. They can, however, kick him out of the band, they can ruin us and any chance we have of signing up with a different record label. They can make it impossible for me to even catch a glimpse of Harry. They could hurt you two and Liam just to enforce their rules and guarantee that I am following them to the letter." Louis inhaled deeply before continuing on, "I am the eldest Nialler. I can't afford to be selfish in this. It is my job to protect all of you and I have our families to think about as this doesn't just affect us. I don't want to lose any of you, and I especially don't want to lose my Hazza." Zayn and Niall looked at each other than locked gazes with Louis.

"That's a lot of pressure you're putting on yourself lad." Niall expressed while pulling Louis into a much-needed cuddle. Once he let go Zayn pulled him into a quick bro hug whispering in Louis' ear,

"All of us want you to be happy Louis and it's been clear from the start that Harry makes you happy. He's your sun, your light in the dark. We don't want you lose him because of all this".

"Zayn..." Louis was about to argue only to be interrupted by the arrival of Liam who looked like he just ran a marathon. He was all sweaty and puffy but the expression that crossed his face when saw the lads had Louis cocking his eyebrow.

"Please tell me, you have an inhaler or something on you right now." Liam spoke after catching his breath and barrelling into Louis. Louis just nodded and reached into his hoodie pocket, producing a blue canister. However, he didn't hand it over to Liam immediately.

"Why do you need this?" Liam didn't answer and started playing with his cap. "Liam?"

"Lou... Harry... He's poorly"

"Scale of one to ten Li?"

"Damnit Louis." Liam fidgeted "I didn't get that much of a look but the way his voice sounded I would have to say he has to be a solid seven maybe seven and half." and before anyone could blink Louis snatched Harry's room card out of Liam's hand that wasn't playing with his cap and rushed off. The three boys looked at each other, being very glad that Sally wasn't around and proceeded to catch-up with Louis. All of them forgetting how fast the football player/singer could run when he wanted to. Suddenly Liam's phone rang mid chase. Liam answered without looking at the ID and was greeted by, "In the bus on my junk bunk is a white box, ladled 'My Hazza May Need This!' get it for me please. It contains all his meds." And that was all Liam heard before the dial tone activated. Liam naturally had stopped running after Niall and Zayn and turned around heading back towards the lobby and out towards the bus.