Who We Were Born To Be (Niam) [ON HOLD]

Chapter 2: Discussions

Chapter 2

Harry's point of view

The five boys sat in a semicircle, having yet another session with Dr Blakefield. She hasn't even been here a day so far, and we're up to our third session already. Apparently James believed in the value of therapy, because he was insisting on it happening. Although apparently he doesn't believe it in enough to bother to be here himself. James had gone straight back to work for his organisation, as they dealt with the aftermath of Guantanamo. James claimed he didn't need counselling, and had seen people die before. Surprisingly, it only took James and Liam an hour of arguing to convince Niall to let him go.

“Niall,” Dr Blakefield said, “I've noticed there's quite a lot of tension between you and Zayn...” She left it hanging, inviting Niall to fill in the blanks.

Niall looked angry, and then hurt. Poor Niall. Harry knew exactly why Niall was upset with Zayn. Strangely, though, he doesn't seem to be upset with me. When Niall had refused to flee the prison with them and abandon James, both Zayn and Harry had used their powers on Niall to force him to do it. Zayn had failed, and Harry had succeeded. But the boy was upset at Zayn and not Harry.

“I'm sorry Niall,” Zayn said in a soft voice. “I was wrong to do that. I hope that, perhaps, you might be able to forgive me one day, and we can be brothers again. I promise I won't ever do that to you again. Or any of you boys.” After a paused, Zayn added in a softer voice, “I only did it because I love you and wanted you to be safe.”

There was silence. Niall still looked angry. “What did he do, Niall?” Dr Blakefield asked quietly.

Her question opened the floodgates. “What did he do?!” Niall exclaimed angrily. “He tried to use his power to control my mind! To make me do what he wanted and not what I wanted! When I wanted to rescue James and he wanted to run away, he tried to make me abandon my boyfriend!” Niall turned to glare at Zayn, who looked away, unable or unwilling to meet the boy's eyes. “I let him inside my head because I trusted him. Let him see my thoughts. And then he abused that privilege to try and take away my free will! Tried to make me not want to do the thing I most wanted to do!”

Harry felt guilt surge through him at Niall's words. Zayn had tried, and failed to stop Niall. But Harry had succeeded, and had dragged the boy kicking and screaming through the air toward safety. Guilt made Harry speak up, “Niall... I'm sorry too. Zayn tried to make you do what he wanted, but failed. But I'm the one who actually did drag you away, against your will. I thought I was helping you. I'm sorry.”

Niall looked surprised. He looked at Harry with his face scrunched up in confusion, as if he hadn't considered that Harry could be guilty of that crime.

Liam spoke up quickly. “Niall, we were all agreed, all four of us, that we were going to leave and that you were coming with us, like it or not. It was because we all love you and care about you, and so we weren't going to leave you behind. The four of us weren't going to go anywhere without you. So you can blame all of us if you like. But it's not Zayn or Harry's fault.”

Niall bit his lip. “It's... it's not so much that you guys wanted to leave and wanted to take me with you. I get that. I understand that. You were afraid. You thought I was stupid to stay. You thought it was dangerous.” Niall laughed, a bitter laugh, not at all like his normal carefree laughter. “Well you were right! It was dangerous! Fucking dangerous! So I understand that you wanted to take me out with you... I get why Harry dragged me along screaming, and I don't blame him for that. But... Zayn... It's one thing to pull me along physically. It's another thing to try and control my mind. To make me want to do something I don't want to do. I trusted you Zayn. What you did hurt me.”