Niall, answer the door please

Breakups, Bed Baths and Boxers

Liam collapsed onto the couch in Harry's dressing room. The dark wall hangings made it feel like a cave and  a cave would be the perfect hiding place, Liam thought. The final Sheffield show was over and he was ready to go back home, see Niall and disappear from view for a few days. It had been three days since Louis had given them the great news that had lifted their spirits. If it hadn't been for his break up with Sophia, Liam would have been on top of the world. His phone buzzed and he groaned when he saw the caller's name. Management! Frowning, he accepted the call..

"Hi Li, it's Samantha. How are you doing?" Stephen's secretary's voice held a sympathetic tone.

"Not great, Sam, but muddling through. Staying busy"

"All you can do, sweetie. You stay strong. Look, I'm sorry to get on your back but Stephen has arranged some appointments for you all for tomorrow. You'll  all need to head down to London tonight I'm afraid"

"You're joking, this is a joke?"

"Sorry Liam, no joke"

"But it's our day off. We want to go see Niall now he's awake. I don't want to go do some crappy interviews with some idiot getting in my business" Liam's voice was raised now in anger and he was shaking. 

"Honey, it's not interviews. Actually,  medicals have been scheduled for all of you, Zayn included. And before he acts up, it is in his temporary contract so he can't back out." Samantha warned ." The Boss man got chewed out by Niall's doctor. It was brilliant. I have never seen him do what he's been told. I doubt he's ever been talked back to by anyone in his life. It was a beautiful thing". Even Liam had to smile slightly at the glee in Samantha's voice.

"OK, times and places then , Sam" .Liam grabbed some paper and wrote down the information she dictated to him. It was just something else to make his life even more miserable. "Yeah, got it all. Thanks. And Sam?"

"Yes honey?"

"Sorry I yelled at you. It's not your fault and I'm just...."

"Don't worry, I understand. See you soon" . Samantha ended the call and Liam slumped back on the couch, eyes closed. The others were not going to be pleased but another  precious day off had been stolen from them...again.

The following morning:

Niall's nurse had to smile at the sight in front of her. He just looked so absolutely adorable. His bottom lip was stuck out, his cheeks were scarlet and even the tips of his ears were red. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at her. Just like a cranky toddler, she thought.

"NO!'

"But you'll feel much better, after"

"NO!"

"Niall, now don't be silly."

"NO. NO. NO"

The nurse had to bite the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from laughing. Even having a temper tantrum, Niall  didn't  manage to look intimidating, just cute. She moved closer to the bed and Niall scooted back against the pillows. She could see how exhausted his little bout of temper had made him and knew he'd have to give up and give in very soon.

"Niall, I have been washing you every day for several weeks now. Now please, be a big boy and let's get this done."

"I don't care, you're not doing it now" Niall said petulantly

"Niall. I've already seen everything you have. I'm a nurse..and I need to wash you"

"NO!"

"Niall, please"

"No, don't come near me" 

"OK, I'll  get Claire.". Chanelle turned and walked out of the room and Niall huffed out a breath. The battle with his nurse had exhausted him and he just wanted to sleep.His eyes drifted shut only to snap  open again when his other nurse, Claire, entered then room, then pulled the  trolley closer to the bed.

"Niall, it's bath time" Claire's tone made it quite clear that she was going to take no hassle from him. He groaned but realised he'd have to comply. Claire gently but quickly started to blanket bath Niall, chatting about inconsequential things as she moved down his body. Niall felt his face getting redder and redder as she reached his private areas. A glance at his face had Claire smiling to herself. "You men are just big babies" she said lightly. "There, you can stop blushing now" Niall just huffed at her.

"You look ready for a nap now". Claire cleared everything away, lowered the blinds and dimmed the lights. Niall had already started to drift into sleep, totally exhausted by his bout of temper and the process of being bathed. It was going to be a long journey towards recovery and not all of  the challenges he would have to face had become apparent. Claire carefully adjusted his bedding, pinned the call bell to his pillow and left the room, the only sound from Niall being random gentle snores.

                    

Their driver pulled up in front of the Medical Centre and the four young men got out of the  dark SUV .

The bodyguards all looked around, checking for fans and the paps but this had been kept so well under wraps that nobody appeared to be about.

"The Center has been closed down for the morning.. It's just open for you guys" Paddy announced as he guided the  boys across the car park and into the building. The Receptionist asked them all to take seats then handed them clipboards , requesting they fill in all the forms as required. They boys were not in the mood to talk, even amongst themselves so the only sound was the scratching on pens across paper. random sighs and the occasional ringing of phones. One by one the lads returned the completed forms to the desk where they were quietly thanked.

"I'm not up for this" Zayn suddenly announced. "Why have Management suddenly got concerned? They never have before"

"Got a boll*%king from Niall's doctor, apparently" Louis replied as he rolled his head around on his shoulders ,freeing up a few post concert kinks in his neck

It fell silent again.

"Mr Styles, would you come this way?"

"Mr Malik?"

"Mr Tomlinson?"

"Mr Payne?"

One by one they were called  by nurses and escorted to individual examination rooms where they were requested to undress and don gowns prior to their medicals. Their respective nurses then left them to get ready.  Although they were all separated, they all made the same decision. The boxers were staying on!