Only a Heartbeat Away

Chapter 6

"Alright lads I know we're all really comfortable and everything but..." Niall, Liam and Zayn groaned loudly. "I do need to move Hazza to the bus so I can get him on the proper ventilator, this one is just a travel version. It's not as effective".

"Is he really that bad Lou?" Zayn asked while locking eyes with Louis, concern etching into his voice.

"Liam found him half unconscious Zee. I would just feel better if he were on the bus were I can access his proper asthma treatment easier." Niall nodded and stood up from the chair that he found after he Celt-ed out Sally. Zayn and Liam both made their way to the bed.

"Alright I can carry him I just need help removing the layers we have buried him under, and I need someone to grab this medication box and his suitcase." The lads nodded and got to work. Niall packing Harry's case as his OCD would insure nothing got left behind and while he was doing that Zayn got to work uncovering Harry and Liam repacked the meds box going into the bathroom to make sure nothing of importance got left behind. Once the three of them had everything sorted Louis got to work gently removing Harry from the Hotel's mattress and manoeuvring him into his arms so that he could carry Harry bridal style all the way to the bus.

"Ready when you are Tommo." Liam declared. Louis huffed as he took Harry's weight.

"Alright lads, let's get this done."

Once again, the boys from One Direction made their way towards the lobby. Thankfully, Sally wasn't in sight and the bus was parked fairly close to the front door of the Hotel. This makes seeing the boys comings and goings easier to hide. However just as they were about to exit the building Sally decided to make an appearance. Zayn quickly offered to play decoy and silently led Sally away from the rest of the boys without them being seen by her. Breathing out relieved sigh Niall and Liam raced to the bus in order to open the door and to make sure there was nothing Louis could trip on as he made his way towards the beds located at the back. Louis settled Harry down on his bunk and while Liam laid down the blankets including Harry's fluffy pink 'HER' and Louis' fluffy blue 'HIS' blankets over Harry's body.

"Thanks Payno." Louis muttered as he's placed Harry's ventilator mask on and switching on the machine.

"No problem Lou. You know that." Liam replied as he watch Harry's breathing mask fog up. Niall met Louis and Liam by Harry's side with a bottle of water each that he collected from the bus's fridge.

"I thought the mask had to be clear?" Niall expressed with worry in his tone.

'His lungs aren't clear mate. Until his body accepts the medication going into his lungs. The mask will stay foggy. Nothing to worry about. It should clear up in the next 15 minutes or so. Know what I mean?"

Niall nodded and made his way to the sitting room at the front of the bus, Liam patting Louis' back joined him. Louis however crawled in beside Harry, moving all the loose curls that got stuck underneath the mask and proceeded to press his lips to Harry's temple as he got settled, Zayn jumped onto the bus locking the door behind him and also locking the divider that allows the driver access. Niall and Liam stared at Zayn with concern and confusion.

"Just making sure that Sally can't come in, nor can she use the driver against us. luckily during a after party, we broke his access key, so she can't use that either." Understanding dawn on the two lads faces as they came to grips with Zayn's decision. Zayn looked around the sitting room/kitchen area for Louis, his eyebrows raised in question when he couldn't locate him. Liam eventually noticed and pointed towards the bunks, understanding the gesture Zayn immediately sat down on the sofa.

"Looks like we have a date with Netflix lads." he stated dramatically. Niall and Liam chuckled as Zayn picked-up the Television remote and started scanning through Netflix's catalogue. Meanwhile in the back Louis had indeed fallen asleep, tucked up against Harry's back as the sickly boy slept through his illness which was made easier with the ventilator. His mask now completely clear. Once an hour had passed Louis woke up and checked the time, he then set a timer/reminder to turn off Harry's ventilator as he can only have it on for 2 hours max per day, as soon as Louis had completed his task, he put his phone away and settled back down next to his husband and played with a loose curl. Twisting it around his finger, listening closely to Harry's breathing which thankfully had improved. Suddenly Louis jumped slightly when, he heard yelling from the front of the bus, sighing loudly Louis gently extracted himself from Harry's side went to investigate.

"What the fook is going on?" Louis snapped quietly, not wanting to wake his sleeping husband.

Three pairs of eyes quickly locked onto Louis' face as he appeared from the narrow hallway.

"Sorry Louis we're just watching the game and Ireland is losing against England." Niall sheepishly explained unaware of how loud he got.

"I'm sorry to say lad but doesn't the Ireland team always lose?" Louis replied after glaring at Niall for a few more seconds

"And that was Zayn's argument." Niall sighed sadly breaking eye contact

"So... what's the score?" Louis asked eventually as he settled down on the couch next Zayn,

"2 to 1 in favour of England." Liam explained

"Get in!" Louis cheered, "though lads let's keep it down, we don't want to wake..."

"I'm already awake Lou." Harry announced tiredly as he made himself known, "Is it alright if I watch the game too?" All the boys nodded and fondly smiled at the exhausted looking lad. Niall moved to a beanbag along with Liam. Zayn moved along to the other end of the couch; Harry proceeded to lay down using Louis' lap as a pillow. "You guys didn't have to move you know that right?" Harry stated as he made himself comfortable. Everybody shrugged.

"How are we feeling darling?" Louis asked as he tangled his hand in Harry's growing curls. Harry yet again made the so-so motion with his hand. Louis chuckled fondly and turned his attention back to the game. "At least your voice sounds a bit better but keep the talking to minim, alright darling." Harry nodded in response. Louis lovingly pecked Harry's temple and continued to play with his hair.