Half a heart

Chapter 68

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Charlie's POV

When I woke up, the house was quiet. The kind of quiet that comes when everyone's either asleep or lost in their own thoughts. I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness of sleep. My room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp that Jacob must've left on for me.

I rolled over, pulling the blanket closer to me, but the comfort I usually found in my bed wasn't there. Instead, I felt a gnawing sense of unease. The shadows in the room seemed to stretch farther, and the silence felt almost suffocating.

I tried to remind myself that I was home, that I was safe, but the thoughts in my head wouldn't stop swirling. Images from the tour, from the crowds, and the overwhelming feelings that came with them, played on a loop in my mind. It all felt too much. I didn't want to be alone. Not right now.

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly got out of bed, pulling the blanket around my shoulders like a shield. I made my way to the door, every step feeling heavier than the last. I paused for a moment before turning the knob and stepping out into the hallway. The house was dimly lit, and I could hear the faint sounds of the boys talking downstairs, their voices a soft murmur.

I knew where I wanted to go, where I felt the safest. Without really thinking about it, my feet took me to Harry and Louis' room. I stood outside the door for a moment, feeling a mix of embarrassment and fear. I wasn't a little kid; I shouldn't need this. But I couldn't stop the way my heart was racing, how much I wanted to be near them.

Finally, I took a deep breath and knocked softly. The door creaked open almost immediately, and I saw Harry's concerned face peeking out.

"Charlie?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with worry. "What's wrong?"

"I... I can't sleep," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "Can I... Can I stay with you and Louis?"

His expression softened instantly, and he opened the door wider. "Of course you can, mate. Come on in."

I stepped into the room, the familiar scent of Harry's cologne and the softness of the lighting instantly making me feel a little more at ease. Louis was already sitting up in bed, his eyes filled with the same concern Harry's had.

"Hey, Charlie," Louis said gently, patting the spot between him and Harry. "Come on, get in. We've got plenty of room."

I didn't need to be told twice. I climbed onto the bed, the warmth of their presence already making me feel a bit calmer. As soon as I settled between them, Louis pulled the blanket up over us, and Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, his voice soft and full of care.

I shrugged, not really knowing how to put what I was feeling into words. "I just... I didn't want to be alone."

"You're not alone," Louis said, squeezing my hand gently. "You've got us, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I was so grateful for them, more than I could ever say. Just being with them, feeling their warmth and hearing their steady breathing, made the fear start to fade, little by little.

Harry reached over and turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into a comforting darkness. "We're right here, Charlie," he whispered. "If you need anything, just let us know, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered back, closing my eyes and letting myself relax into the bed.

With them on either side of me, I finally started to feel safe again. The thoughts that had been racing in my head began to slow down, the anxiety that had gripped my chest easing with every passing minute. I focused on the rise and fall of Louis' breathing next to me, and the steady rhythm of Harry's heartbeat under my hand.

As I drifted off to sleep, I knew that no matter what, they'd always be there for me. And in that moment, that was all I needed.