Only a Heartbeat Away

Chapter 14

2 hours later the Lads were still hard at work trying to divide up Harry's parts. The stage crews walking around them trying to make sure that the stage is set for the concert that will be taking place for the next couple of days. While the lads were sorting out the parts there was a sudden really loud bang, catching their attention. Looking up from the Lyrics and set list they all saw Harry stumble in from stage left.

"Babe what the hell? You need to be in bed." Louis called out as he got up from where he was sitting on the floor. Harry just continue to stumble towards the lads and eventually ended up in Louis' arms. "Hazza?" Louis questioned before it all clicked. "Liam can you come here for a second?"

"Sure." Liam removed his notebook from his lap, got up off the floor and went to Louis. "What's up?"

"This is going to sound strange, but can you see if he's asleep?"

"Um sure." Liam walked around Louis to see Harry's head hooked over his shoulder and was met with the cutest sight of Harry being dead to the world and drooling slightly on Louis' shoulder. Liam cooed at the sight and went back to Louis' face.

"He's a goner Lou."

"Bugger."
"I didn't even know Harry slept walked." Zayn called out.

"He doesn't." Louis replied, "He stayed awaked long enough to find us, well find me. Actually, I don't know to be honest but anyway. He was awake when he left the bus and somehow found us and then when he felt me hug him, he passed out again."

"It just shows how bloody tired he is. This illness is taking its toll and Louis don't think for 2 seconds that it's not affecting you too." Niall said as he too got up and went to help Louis and Liam move Harry towards the group's sitting spot.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Louis demanded as he settled down on the ground with Harry's head in his lap.

"Lou, I came to check in on you guys before Liam, Zayn and I went to the venue. I was trying to see if you needed anything, and I heard you, Louis. This pressure that you are putting on yourself is ridiculous." Niall spoke as he too re-situated himself back on the ground followed by Liam who threw his jacket over Harry knowing the lad liked cuddling into something while he's sleeping.

"Neal!"

"No! You don't get to be defensive right now Louis. I get it. You're over management, you're over worked, you're done with Sally in general and you feel you're no longer the man in charge because you don't live with your sisters anymore and you lost Harry. You're caught in a tailspin my friend and pushing your husband away pushing us away. It isn't doing yourself any favours. It's okay not to be okay Louis. It's alright to be weak sometimes and to remind you of that point I want to put 'Strong' on the set list." Niall concluded.

"Niall." Louis choked, "you weren't meant to hear that at all. I'm the eldest. I am meant to be..."

"Stop right there. Louis you're the most immature one out of all of us. We need to you to be you. Fuck everything and everybody else." Liam spoke up, "We want our Louis not this."

"They all have a point, Lou." Zayn added also speaking up for the first time "We love ya mate and its killing us to know you've been struggling so much lately. You need to talk to someone. We can help you look after Harry. He is our brother as well, but I will not continue to watch you self-destruct." Louis who now had tears running down his face nodded.

"Okay."

"Good." Liam replied, "Now I agree with Niall. We should put 'Strong' in the show."

"It has my vote." Zayn smiled. Louis who was at a loss of words sniffled and gave them the thumbs up.