✯ Zianourry ⏯ OneShots ✯

You don't have to explain. ⏯ N.H.

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Niall's room, casting soft, golden light on the bed where he lay. He stared blankly at the ceiling, the weight of his thoughts pinning him down. For months, he'd been fighting this battle with depression silently, but today, the struggle felt insurmountable. He couldn't muster the strength to move, let alone face the day.

The door creaked open, and Harry, Liam, Louis, and Zayn walked in, chatting and laughing. They expected to find Niall getting ready, but their laughter died down when they saw him still in bed, his eyes empty and distant.

"Niall?" Harry's voice was gentle as he approached the bed. "Mate, you alright?"

Niall slowly shook his head, barely able to acknowledge his friend's concern.

Liam sat on the edge of the bed, his face etched with worry. "What's going on, Niall? You don't look good."

Louis exchanged a glance with Zayn, then turned and quietly slipped out of the room to call Paul, their manager.

"Niall, talk to us," Zayn urged, sitting down on the other side of the bed. "We can help."

Niall remained silent, his chest heavy with the words he couldn't bring himself to say. The other boys sat around him, their concern palpable.

"It's alright, Niall," Harry said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to do anything today. We'll tell Paul you need to rest."

Louis re-entered the room, his phone still in hand. "Paul said it's okay for you to miss out on the interviews today. He'll handle everything."

Niall's eyes welled up with tears, but he still couldn't find his voice. The boys stayed close, offering their silent support.

"We're here for you, Niall," Liam said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it."

Zayn nodded in agreement. "You don't have to go through this alone, mate. We're a team, remember?"

Niall's lips quivered, and he finally managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I can't..."

"You don't have to explain," Harry interrupted gently. "We get it."

Louis knelt beside the bed, his usual playful demeanour replaced by a rare seriousness. "Niall, you're our brother. We're not going anywhere."

Niall looked at each of his bandmates, feeling their genuine concern and love. For the first time in months, he felt a flicker of hope amidst the darkness.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Harry gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We've got you, mate. One step at a time."

Niall nodded, a small but significant gesture. The boys stayed with him, talking about anything and everything, trying to lighten the atmosphere. They shared stories, jokes, and memories, their voices creating a cocoon of warmth and safety around Niall.

"Remember that time in Madrid?" Zayn said, grinning. "When we got lost trying to find that restaurant, and Niall ended up leading us straight to it just by following the smell of food?"

Niall managed a faint smile, the memory bringing a bit of light into his eyes. "Yeah, that was crazy. I was so hungry I could smell the food from blocks away."

Louis chuckled. "Classic Niall. You and your superhuman sense of smell."

Harry leaned in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or how about that prank war we had on tour? Niall, you got us good with the cling film over the toilet seats."

Liam laughed. "I swear, I've never heard Louis scream like that before or since."

Niall's smile grew a little wider, the corners of his mouth lifting as the memories and the warmth of his friends' presence began to thaw the chill in his heart.

"You guys are the best," he murmured, his voice still weak but filled with gratitude.

"And don't you forget it," Louis said, giving him a playful nudge. "We're always here, no matter what."

Harry stood up. "How about we get you some breakfast? Something nice and warm. We can have it right here if you don't feel like getting up yet."

Niall nodded appreciatively. "That sounds good. Thanks, Haz."

Liam and Zayn exchanged a look. "We'll help Harry with that," Liam said, standing up. "You with Niall," he said with a nod at Louis, who reciprocated the action

As they left the room, Louis moved to sit closer to Niall. "You're gonna get through this, you know. We all have tough times, but we're stronger together."

Niall took a deep breath, feeling the sincerity in Louis's words. "I know. It's just hard sometimes. Really hard."

"I get it," Louis said softly. "But you don't have to be strong all the time. Lean on us. We'll help you carry the weight."

A few minutes later, Harry, Liam, and Zayn returned with a tray loaded with toast, eggs, and a steaming cup of tea. They set it down gently on Niall's bedside table.

"Here you go, mate," Harry said, handing him a plate. "Eat up."

Niall took the plate, feeling a bit of his strength return with each bite. The boys stayed with him, their presence a comforting reminder that he wasn't alone in his struggle.

As the day wore on, Niall felt the heavy fog of his depression begin to lift, if only slightly. He knew he had a long way to go, but with his friends by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope.

By the evening, he even managed to laugh at one of Louis's terrible jokes, a sound that warmed the hearts of all the boys. They spent the rest of the night in Niall's room, talking and laughing until they fell asleep, a tangle of limbs and blankets, a testament to their unbreakable bond.

And as Niall drifted off, he realised that with his friends by his side, he could face the darkness and find his way back to the light.