Half a heart

Chapter 67

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Charlie's POV

The car ride back home was a blur. I barely remember the streets of London passing by as I clung to Jacob. My heart was still racing, but the familiar hum of the engine and the gentle motions of the car were soothing. I kept my eyes closed, focusing on the steady rhythm of Jacob's breathing and the warmth of his arms around me. Slowly, I began to feel a little safer.

When we finally arrived at the house, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my chest. Home. The word meant so much more to me now. It wasn't just a place; it was where I felt the safest, surrounded by the people who cared about me the most.

Jacob carried me inside, and I heard the familiar creak of the front door as it opened. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt like a warm blanket. I knew the boys were right behind us, making sure everything was okay, but they were giving me the space I needed.

"Do you want to go upstairs and rest?" Jacob asked softly, his voice low and comforting.

I nodded, too tired to speak. I just wanted to be in my bed, away from all the noise and the crowds. I wanted to feel safe again.

Jacob carefully carried me up the stairs, each step slow and deliberate. I kept my face buried in his shoulder, letting myself drift in and out of awareness. By the time we reached my room, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

Jacob gently set me down on my bed, and I immediately curled up under the blankets, pulling them up to my chin. The soft, familiar scent of my room filled my senses, and I felt a little more at ease.

"Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" Jacob asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

I nodded, reaching out to grab his hand. "Please..."

He squeezed my hand gently. "Of course, Charlie. I'm right here."

He didn't say anything else, just sat with me quietly, his presence comforting. I focused on the feeling of the blankets wrapped around me, the soft pillow under my head, and the sound of Jacob's steady breathing. Slowly, the panic that had been gripping my chest began to ease.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Jacob smiled down at me, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face. "You don't have to thank me, Charlie. You're safe now. Just try to get some rest."

I nodded, letting my eyes flutter shut. I felt the weight of the day slowly slipping away, replaced by the warm comfort of sleep. The last thing I remembered before drifting off was the gentle pressure of Jacob's hand in mine and the soft hum of the house around me.

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**Harry's POV**

We all stayed quiet as Jacob took Charlie upstairs. The house felt almost too quiet, like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. I exchanged a look with the others, and I could see the exhaustion on their faces. It had been a long tour, and we were all feeling the effects.

"He's going to be okay, right?" Niall asked, breaking the silence. His voice was soft, tinged with worry.

"He will be," Liam said firmly, though I could see the concern in his eyes too. "He just needs some time to adjust. It's been a lot for him."

We all knew how hard the tour had been on Charlie. He was strong, but the constant pressure, the crowds, the noise-it all took a toll. I felt a pang of guilt, wishing I could do more to make things easier for him.

Louis walked over to the kitchen and started making tea, his way of trying to bring some normalcy back into the house. "Let's give him some space to rest. We'll check on him in a bit."

I nodded, but my mind was still on Charlie. I couldn't shake the image of him clinging to Jacob at the airport, so scared and overwhelmed. It hurt to see him like that, and I knew we needed to do everything we could to help him feel safe again.

After a while, Jacob came back downstairs, his expression calm but tired. "He's asleep," he said quietly, as he joined us in the kitchen.

"Thanks for taking care of him," I said, meaning it more than words could express.

Jacob gave a small nod. "It's no problem. He's a strong kid. He just needs some time to process everything."

We all sat down together, sipping tea in the quiet of the kitchen. The house felt more like home with everyone there, but I knew things weren't going to be easy for Charlie, especially after everything he'd been through.

"We'll make sure he gets through this," I said, looking around at my bandmates-my brothers. "We've got each other, and that's what matters."

Everyone nodded in agreement, the unspoken bond between us stronger than ever. We were a family, and no matter what, we'd protect Charlie and help him find his way back to feeling safe again.