Stranded with Niall Horan || n.h.

Chapter 17 - Living On A Prayer

My eyes were still closed and I was lying down on my back. I could hear thunder rumbling overhead and the steady downpour against the sea. There was something soft cushioning my head and something wet on my forehead. Something that felt like a damp cloth was gliding across my forearm. I heard Niall’s low muttering over the crackling fire. I lifted my eyelids slowly. 

For a moment, I stared at Niall. He seemed unaware of my wakening. He just continued to softly rub my skin, murmuring words that were incoherent to my ears. 

“Niall.” I finally whispered, disturbing the peace. 

He looked at me, relieved, and scooted closer to my head. “Nina! Oh my God, you had me worried sick!” He brought the cloth he held up to my face and ran it over my cheek. We shared a brief moment of silence as we looked at each other. “How are you feeling?” he asked, as the back of his hand shifted to different places on my face.

“I’ve had better days.” I said with a smile.

His quick smile left as soon as it came. He set the damp towel he held on his knee and cleared his throat. “Nina, I need you to tell me the symptoms you’ve had.”

“What are you, Doctor McDreamy now?” I asked with a light chuckle. The positivity drained out of me when I saw his somber expression, on his grave face. I wasn’t sure where to start. “Uh, I’ve been sweating more than usual. I’ve been more tired these last few days. I vomited earlier today-”

He let out a light gasp. The back of his hand slid off of my face and onto his lap. He looked defeated. “You’re burning up.” he said after a moment. His eyes overlooked my body. “Y-you have a fever, but it might be something more.”

I sat up and leaned against the rock wall. I looked past him, listening as the raindrops pattered against the sea and the tree tops.

Niall let out a shaky sigh. “This is all my fault.” he said, staring into the fire. 

I refocused on his face. He looked like he was in pain. “How is this your fault?” I questioned. 

“You had to do more because of me, because of my stupid arm. Your body couldn’t take it. I can’t believe I let you do all the work. I’m such an idiot.” his hand pounded his forehead. “It’s all my fault.” he repeated.

“Niall, shut up. It’s not your fault. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s my immune system’s. Crummy thing couldn’t even fend off a little fever.” I broke a smile, hoping he would too. But all I got was a stone-cold glare.

“This isn’t the time for joking around, Nina.”

“Then what is it the time for? Huh?” I said, my body leaning towards him as my hands found his. “Mourning? Does this fever equal a death sentence in your book?”

“Nina, you fainted! How could this possibly be ‘just a fever?’ It’s gotta be something else, something more. It could be fatal!”

“Be that as it may, you’re being negative again. You’re supposed to look at the coconut half-full, remember?”

“We don’t have a first-aid kit, medicine… anything!” He took his hands away from mine and placed them on my shoulder and shook me with every word he spoke. “You might die! Do you hear me?! How can I not be negative about that?! I can’t lose you! Not like this! I don’t want you to leave me.” he collapsed into me, his head falling onto my chest, holding me close to him.

I shushed him, cradling him in my arms, running a hand through his matted hair. A single tear fell from my eye and landed on the side of his head. Reality crashed down upon the both of us and we cried, silently, holding each other as close as we could.