Frustration [Narry AU]

Part III

The sound of machines beeping around him woke him from his deep slumber. He'd dreamed of warmth and sunshine and endless days of cuddling in bed with his beloved. He fought the tears that threatened to spill when realisation hit him that all he'd dreamt of was simply just that, a dream.

It took a few moments before Niall realised that he wasn't in his room. The walls were white and everything smelled like the cleansing alcohol in hand sanitisers. And then he felt it; the clenching pain in his abdomen that made him curl into himself. That was also when he discovered that tube in his wrist.

What was going on? Where in the world was he? What the hell happened?

Slowly, moving his tube away and wincing, he sat up. The bed was hard and unfamiliar. Niall was scared. Why was he alone by himself in this strange place?

“Oh my! Honey! You're awake!” his mother's familiar voice called out as she rushed into the room, carrying two cups of tea. She immediately placed the cups on the side table and began to fawn over her son. “Niall, dear, how are you feeling?”

He tried to find his voice, but his throat was dry. He could barely manage a croak before realisation reached his mother's eyes and she hastily handed him a warm cup of tea. He gratefully took it and drank it with care, careful not to drink too fast.

“Wh-where am I?” he finally asked.

“The hospital. You passed out after you left for school,” his mother answered, taking his cup from his hands. He studied her face, noticing for the first time the dark circles that were failed to be covered up by the make-up she wore. “You've had us a right shock when we got a call from Mr. Hendrickson from down the road saying he's put you on an ambulance after you collapsed in front of his house.”

“H-how long have I been here?”

“You were out for two days,” his mother replied softly. “Oh Niall, you had us so worried. Don't ever do that again! The doctors said you were exhausted and lacking energy. You've even developed a stomach ulcer! You've got to take care of yourself, honey!”

Niall felt his breath knocked out of him as his mother pulled him into a tight hug, rubbing her hands soothingly on his back and whispering iloveyou, iloveyousomuch endlessly.

He reciprocated the hug, breathing in the familiar scent, tentatively resting his arms on her back. He felt like crying, how did he come to this? He used to be so happy, so contented and so full of joy. He was never weak and frail despite being smaller than other boys his age.

“You're better than this, Niall,” his mother whispered. “Don't let one dumb boy's decision ruin you.” She continued to pepper kissed on his head, gentle, soft touches warming his skin up.

A knock on the door interrupted their mother-son session.

“Hello Niall. I'm Dr. Bane. It's great to see you awake. I'm just gonna run some check ups on you and make sure you're fit to consume food, is that alright?”

***

It was Sunday, 2:16pm and Harry was running from the cab straight for the house he so often came to visit before he left for university.

“Niall,” he cried, banging on the door. “Niall, Niall, open up, I'm so sorry! Niall please, forgive me!”

A choked sob left his mouth as he continuously knocked on the front door, hoping, praying that someone would open and let him in. Let him find his Niall. His Niall. The Niall he left. His perfect angel that he wasn't worthy of.

Arms wrapped around him, pulling him back. “Nobody's home.” He turned around into the familiar warmth of his mother, clinging onto her as he sobbed into her chest.