Calloused

3

I sat in my living room, watching as Niall paced back and forth. He kept making phone calls to several different people, explaining everything that had went down.

I had changed out of my work clothes and into something more comfortable, sweat pants and a black tee-shirt. My thick, dark hair was up in a messy bun.

To think, a few years ago I wouldn't have blinked an eye at the sight of a man being murdered in the same room as me. But now I was a fucking mess. My eyes burned and my nose was runny, I felt physically sick.

Maybe I was falling apart because I had formed an attachment to Bruce, something I was taught not to do. My father always said, keep your friends close but at a distance. And always keep your enemies closer. I shivered again as a hard knock sounded from my front door. I perked up, ready and alert.

"It's just the guys, I'll get it." Niall reassured me. I nodded and continued to stare out the window. The sun had disappeared, a sky full of stars replaced it.

"We wait, that's what. So shut up and say hello." Niall grumbled at the door.

I turned my head to be greeted by two sets of very familiar eyes. A small smile found its way to my lips.

"Long time no see." One laughed, coming over to me and crushing me in a hug. He picked me up off of the couch. Liam was always so polite and happy to see me. He gave the best hugs no doubt.

"It has definitely felt like ages." The second one said, Louis. I smiled even wider, we had been partners in crime since we were kids. We somehow always found some kind of trouble to get into.

"Its been a long time." I admitted shyly.
"I'm really glad to have you guys here, I wouldn't have known what to do." I added, running my hands over my face.

"I talked with your father, he's sending more men this way just in case Vincent tries anything eles." Niall sighed, sitting on the couch. He looked exhausted and worn out.

"You can sleep in the spare room if you'd like." I offered.

"We'll take turns keeping watch. Liam and I will take the first shift while Louis sleeps." Niall agreed.

"I vote Niall sleeps first. Mate, you've got bags under your eyes and you look like shit." Louis protested, patting him on the back.

"I agree with Louis, you should get some sleep." Liam chimed in.

Niall hesitated for a moment, his body probably begging him for rest. He finally nodded, not bothering to say anything.

"I'll show you to the room." I gestured for him to follow me.

"Help yourselves to anything around the house, mi casa é sui casa." I said to them as we walked up the stairs to the second level.

"There's a bathroom across the hall here, feel free to use anything you need." I smiled.

"Thanks." Niall smiled, opening the door to the spare room.
"It's nice having you back, I just wish the circumstances were a bit different." He sighed.

"It's not like I could runaway from it forever, even if I wanted to. I am my father's legacy after all, the heir to the throne." I shrugged.

"Either way, we've all missed your annoying ass." He chuckled, closing the door.

"I'm not annoying!" I huffed, going to my room. I took a shower then headed to bed. I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. Restlessness was something I had forgotten about. When I left home it was hard to sleep but after a few weeks I finally settled.

But now my old sleeping habits were returning. Images of Bruce filled my mind, making it hard to breathe.

He was dead because of me. If I would have stayed home and never left, maybe he'd still be alive.