Only a Heartbeat Away

Chapter 11

Roughly an hour later the boys pulled up to the next venue. Niall and Zayn had managed to fall asleep. Liam on the other hand struggled to relax for that last hour of the trip he was up making sure there was nothing Louis needed and to keep an eye on Harry's temperature, to the point Louis had to ask Liam for a bit of space.

"I know you're worried lad. I am too but I've got this, know what I mean? Just go sit down. I promise I will call out for you if or when I need something." Louis smiled from his position behind a sleeping Harry who had chosen Louis' left arm as a pillow and his right arm as a blanket. Liam was endeared by the sight of Harry sleeping, holding Lou's hand tight to his chest.

"Are you sure there isn't anything you need?"

"Payno, I love you lad, but we are going to be at the venue in about 10 minutes or so. Why don't you wake up the vampire and the Leprechaun and ask them to collect their shit that they want to take into the hotel. We all know I will stay on the bus and also you and the lads can come up with a way to keep that devil woman off me bus and away from me husband. That is what you can help me with right now." Liam nodded and proceeded to wake up Niall and Zayn who basically cussed Liam out and stomped around collecting his things before remembering Harry's condition and Liam had to stop him from pulling back Louis' curtain.

"Leave him be Z. Louis wants to be left alone and he doesn't want Harry disturb by anymore. We will check in on them later but for let's get to our rooms, have something to eat, shower, write some lyrics and have a quick nap. How does that sound?"

"Is Louis staying on the bus?"

"Yep" Liam replied popping the 'P'. Zayn shrugged and quietly continued to gather everything he needed for the suite. Niall who was ready and waiting for Liam and Zayn, had already packed his stuff, somehow sneaked past the other two lads and ducked his head underneath Larry's curtain startling Louis in the process who swore quietly and glared at Niall who in return smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry mate."

"What do you want Neil?"

"Are you staying on the bus?" Louis didn't even bother answering, he just rolled his eyes and tucked Harry in closer to his chest.

"What do you really want Niall?"

"Are you okay?" Louis blinked at Niall, his ocean blue looking into Niall's sapphire blue

"Wot?"

"It's a simple question. You and Harry have been through trauma today and yet you have spent all your time making sure Harry is okay, that I'm worried no one has checked in on you."

"If I could hug you right now lad I would. Liam has been checking in on me. So, it's all okay and everything is okay. I am fine now that Harry is fine, and Sally is being kept away from us both. Please don't worry about me Niall." Louis offered up a small smile that Niall returned and lightly and awkwardly patted Lou's shoulder before closing the curtain and meeting up with Zayn and Liam who were already off the bus and had passed their things to Paul who had borrowed a baggage trolley.

"Did he need anything?" Liam asked as soon as Niall caught up and placed his bags on the trolley

"Didn't ask."

"What do you mean you didn't ask. Jesus Niall what if he needs something for Harry and with Harry being all cuddled up to him..." Niall raised his hand stopping Liam from continuing.

"I asked if he was okay. He said yes because Harry is in the best place for his health. Paul will be keeping Sally far away from that bloody bus as humanly fucking possible and you had already checked in on him. He doesn't need anything except for space. We need to let him be for now." Zayn pulled out a cigarette and lit it before adding to Niall's thoughts

"We need to let him play husband. Right now, he needs to reassure himself that Harry is really back with him and is in fact still breathing. What Sally did was not okay in the slightest and I would be extremely surprised if Harry doesn't end up having nightmares. The fact Louis didn't go psycho should be rewarded and the best way for us to do that is give them the space Louis is asking for. If or when he needs us, he will call but right now Louis needs to be in control of something and we are unintentionally getting in the way of him gaining that control by constantly being in his face." By the time Zayn had finished, his cigarette had burned down as well and with a final exhale he smashed the butt underneath his boot and found the nearest bin to put butt in before re-joining the lads and Paul, that was now making their way towards the hotel and checking out the venue where the boys will be performing later tonight.

"Liam, both Zayn and Niall have a point. Louis needs to be in control because he lost it and in turn lost Harry. We need to let him reconnect and find that security again. I know it sucks kid trust me I know. These are just the facts we have to live with for now. Louis will look after Harry and when Harry is better, he will make Louis look after himself. So, we all need to do our parts. You, Niall, and Zayn need to focus on tonight's performance, and I need to keep Sally away from Larry." Liam sighed but accepted the information and helped Paul push the trolley into the hotel while Niall and Zayn trailed behind.