Captain Of My Soul (Larry / Narry)

Comfort In Numbers

It had been four days since the press conference. Four LONG days. I had spent the last four days, pent up in the apartment, the boys brought me everything I needed - I was in no mood for going out and having more offensive questions spewed at me.

I was sat on the sofa, watching "Dear John" (not that I was really watching it, just passing time) when Niall sat next to me.

"The others have gone out, they said they were going to some girl's apartment", Niall was a heavy sleeper, the boys told me to tell him when he finally woke up. His blonde hair was shaggy and his usually bright eyes seemed hazy, "Is everythink okay mate?"

His eyes bored into  mine, "Ermm... yeah... I mean... erm... can I talk to you about something? I- If that's okay pal?" 

I looked at him, he seemed shy... ashamed. I was puzzled, "Of course mate, you seem really... what's going on?"

"Well it's just that I... I'm... Well, the thing is..." he took a breath "I'm gay and I didn't want to tell anyone incase they got angry, but I think I need to tell someone and I know I can trust you so-"

"Breathe Niall" His muscles relaxed "Ni, I'm proud of you. That must have been hard" 

Stupid Harry. That was so patronising. He won't talk to me now and he'll probably keep bottling it up. "Niall, that sounded really condescending, I just don't know what to say... Erm... I'm happy for you?" I said with an air of uncertainty. He chuckled before resting his head against my chest and sobbing.

His breaths were short and juttery "Th- thanks Harry. I haven't told any of the boys before apart from Li- Liam... he asked last year and I couldn't lie. I just... don't know what to do.... the fans don't love me like they love you, wh-what if they're disappointed in me? And what if..."

His voice had become muffled and his words were no longer audible... I just rubbed his back and occasionly provided a supportive "hmm". Niall was delicate, but he always seemed so happy, I never would have noticed that he was hiding something. Niall was different to the other boys, he ALWAYS smiled... He never told us when he was upset.

"Harry, could we maybe keep this between us for now? I just doin't feel ready to tell Lou and Zayn. I mean I love them, but I just don't th-"

"Of course Niall, I understand."

The door slammed open and Louis bounded in, "I was bored of the company so I thought I'd come back. I thought we should-" Niall leapt up and tried to compose himself, but Louis had seen Niall. "Ni, what's wrong?"

Niall ran into his room and locked the door, I tried to reason with him, but I didn't achieve anything. Louis sensed that he was intruding on private matters and apologised. In fairness, he didn't have reason to know about anything.

We waited. Minutes became hours and I eventually fell into a deep slumber while sitting outside Niall's room. Well, I didn't all of this to happen today...