Half a heart

Chapter 76

Liam's POV

Charlie's room was bathed in a soft, comforting glow from the small nightlight we'd placed on his bedside table. The dim light helped him feel a bit more secure, especially after the long day he'd had. I watched for a few moments as his breathing evened out, his small form finally relaxing into sleep.

It was a relief to see him resting peacefully, even if I knew it wouldn't last all night. The day had been a tough one, filled with too many overwhelming moments for him, and I couldn't help but worry about how he'd cope with everything in the long run. But for now, he was okay, and that was what mattered.

I carefully stood up, making sure not to disturb him. As I left his room, I pulled the door halfway closed, just enough so I could hear him if he needed me during the night. I took a deep breath, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders, and made my way down the stairs.

The house was quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint hum of the fridge and the occasional creak of the floorboards. The peacefulness was a stark contrast to the constant noise that usually filled our lives, but it was a welcome change after everything that had happened.

When I reached the living room, I found Niall and Zayn where I'd left them earlier, curled up together on the couch. They were talking quietly, their voices low and soothing, and the sight of them instantly brought a sense of calm over me.

Zayn noticed me first, his dark eyes softening as he held out his hand to me. "How's Charlie?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"He's asleep," I replied, taking his hand and letting him pull me down onto the couch between them. "I think he'll be okay for the night."

Niall immediately shifted closer, wrapping his arms around me in a warm, reassuring hug. "You've done a good job looking after him, Liam," he murmured against my shoulder. "You're always so good with him."

I sighed, feeling the tension in my body start to ease as I leaned into Niall's embrace. "It's hard seeing him like this, you know? I just want him to be happy."

Zayn's hand gently rubbed my back, his touch soothing. "We all do, babe. But he's got us, and we'll make sure he's okay."

I nodded, grateful for their support. Being with Niall and Zayn always made everything seem a little easier, like I didn't have to carry the weight of the world on my own. I let out a deep breath, finally allowing myself to relax as Niall's warmth surrounded me.

"We should head to bed," Niall suggested after a few moments, his voice soft. "We could all use some rest."

Zayn agreed, and with that, the three of us stood up and headed upstairs. The day had been exhausting, and all I wanted now was to lie down with them and let the world fade away for a while.

In our bedroom, we quickly changed into our pajamas, the quiet routine comforting in its familiarity. Once we were all ready, I climbed into bed first, and Niall immediately curled up beside me, his arm draping over my waist. Zayn followed, lying on my other side, his hand resting gently on my chest.

The warmth of their bodies pressed against mine was a comforting weight, and I let out a contented sigh as I closed my eyes. "Goodnight, loves," I murmured, feeling the last of my tension melt away.

"Goodnight, Liam," Zayn whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder.

Niall hummed in agreement, already half-asleep as he nuzzled closer. "Night, babe."

I smiled softly, feeling safe and secure between them. It didn't take long for sleep to claim me, the sound of their breathing lulling me into a peaceful slumber.

Harry's POV

The house was finally quiet, the kind of stillness that comes when everyone is exactly where they're supposed to be. I glanced over at Louis, who was sitting beside me on the couch, his hand resting on my thigh as we watched the flickering images on the TV. The day had been long, and though I was grateful for the calm, there was still a part of me that couldn't fully relax.

Louis must have sensed my restlessness because he squeezed my leg gently. "You alright, Haz?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure if I was. "Yeah, just thinking about Charlie. It's been tough on him."

Louis smiled softly, the kind of smile that made me feel like everything was going to be okay, even when it didn't seem like it. "He's got us, love. He's going to be alright."

"I know," I replied, feeling some of the worry ease. "I just hate seeing him struggle."

Louis stood up and held out his hand to me. "Come on, let's get to bed. We can worry about it in the morning."

I took his hand, letting him pull me up from the couch. The comfort of his touch and the steadiness in his gaze helped ground me. We made our way upstairs, the silence of the house wrapping around us like a blanket.

When we reached our bedroom, Louis closed the door behind us, and I felt the last of my tension begin to dissipate. As we got ready for bed, I found myself grateful for moments like these, where it was just the two of us, and the world outside seemed far away.

Once we were under the covers, Louis pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me in a protective embrace. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in the familiar scent of him, and felt a sense of calm wash over me.

"Everything's going to be okay, Harry," Louis whispered, his lips brushing against my hair. "We're going to get through this together."

I nodded, my eyes already growing heavy with sleep. "I know. I just love you so much, Lou."

He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "I love you too, Haz. Now get some sleep, yeah?"

I hummed in agreement, my eyelids drooping as the warmth of his embrace lulled me into a peaceful sleep. With Louis beside me, I knew I could face whatever came next.