Only a Heartbeat Away

Chapter 16

When the lads got off stage Harry immediately went to Louis and buried his head in the crook of Louis' neck.

"Nope, no sympathy from me, love. You tried to talk to the fans, and you tried to sing. Niall was well within his right to kick you. So no, however I will hug you." Harry sighed and allowed Louis to return his embrace.

"How cool was it that we got to play 'Strong' at the end?" Niall cheered.

"Yeah, it was epic!" Zayn quickly agreed and Liam just chuckled and nodded along with the enthusiasm that he was presented with.

"C'mon lads time to go to the Hotel." Louis suggested but Zayn and Niall shut down the idea pretty damn quickly.

"No, we need to celebrate our awesomeness!"

"Niall." Louis whined.

"Louis." Niall whined back in a mocking tone.

"We need rest."

"No, Harry needs rest and who said you two were invited. You're boring without Harry to show off to. Nope. Liam, Zayn and I will go clubbing to celebrate this night."

"Why this one? We still have the rest of the tour?"

"Simple Lou. Harry had no health concerns on stage, and it was a sold-out venue." Just than Paul appeared with a huge smile on his face. Niall, Liam, and Zayn embraced him and jumped right to the point. "Paul. Liam, Zayn and me want to go clubbing. Harry and Louis needs to go back to the Hotel. Pretty please."

"Really Niall?" Paul questioned.

"Yes Paul." Zayn answered instead, "We want to go clubbing."

"I will set you up with security but first we need to talk please follow me." Harry stumbled a bit while he followed his hand intwined with Louis who was keeping a close eye.

"Paul this isn't going to take long, is it?"

"Not at all Louis just a couple more meters. We are heading for the little café."

"Okay." Liam sensing Louis' distressed walked on the other side of Harry just in case he was needed. Louis smiled appreciatively. As the boys passed the next corner, the Café came into view. Louis bridely picked up Harry and basically ran the rest of the way to the Café and place him into one of the chairs, went to the counter and got himself a can of Red Bull, Harry a green tea mocha and collected the order before going back to the table. Sitting down finally. Harry gave Louis a kiss on the cheek as thanks.

"I wonder what we have to do to get that as a thank you?" Niall hollered; Harry silently laughed as Louis rolled his eyes. The rest of the group finally caught up to the couple and sat down though Paul didn't join the gang until he order them drinks as well and handed them out to the intended people.

Liam – Double shot cappuccino

Niall – Double shot Irish cream coffee

Zayn – Black no sugar

And Paul got himself a standard flat white.

"What's this about Paul?" Louis asked after everyone had gotten settled and Harry's head was resting on Louis shoulder.

"Sally quit." Paul stated calmly while looking down at his coffee but when he heard nothing, he looked up to see Niall, Louis, Zayn, and Liam smiling brightly. Harry on the other hand

"He fell asleep?!" Paul squawked.

"I told you all so." Louis sassed, "That's why I'm not goin' tonight and carried him here." Everybody rolled their eyes "though to be fair as happy as I am that the fookin' loser is gone, and I am pretty chuffed about this fact. This just opens the door for someone worse to walk through it innit and I..." Louis covered Harry's ears even though he was completely unconscious at this point in time, "Can't handle anymore stress, know what I mean?" Paul looked at the couple thoughtfully as Louis brought his hand down from Harry's ear and instead wrapped it around the younger lad's waist.

"I understand Lou. I really do. Let's just see what the future holds though at this point Mr. Cowell has put me in-charge of your wellbeing and I am hoping to convince him to leave it with me permanently. This was a more of a 'check in' to see how you're all doing." everyone laughed again except for Harry who was still very unconscious. "Yeah, okay I know. Now back to the Hotel with you. Niall and Zayn before you start, I will book that security detail for you to go to the nearest club. Liam I'm assuming you're going?"

"Well, someone has to keep them out of trouble." again everyone laughed.

"I'm goin' to bed with me husband and sleeping the night away." Louis stated as he slowly picked up the dead weight of Harry and left. Liam, Niall, and Zayn soon got up themselves.

"Boys." They all turned and looked at Paul, "be safe and keep an eye on the couple."

"Always." the boys smiled and replied in perfect sync. Said their goodbyes and left. Paul smiled fondly at the retreating figures. Finally, everything is going to be okay.

                                                                                   THE END