Code Black (N.S)

23.

Harry's POV

Eventually, Niall had managed to calm down. His fists were tightly gripping my shirt, dried tear stains on his face but at least he wasn't crying anymore. I didn't say anything the whole time after I promised to protect him, I just sat next to him as he cried. 

I let out a sigh, looking down at him. He hadn't looked at me since he first began to cry, his eyes were now locked on the crumpled paper. 

I felt terrible. He had been through so much since he had moved here. I knew that he and his mother moved from Ireland in order to have a better life but I knew that his life here was worse than his life in his old home.

My eyes also flickered to the scrunched up paper I had tossed aside. I hated the fact that Niall had been hurt so much. I get more and more disgusted in myself whenever I remembered that I was the one who had started this. 

I caused him to suffer. It was my fault for dragging him into the art room, for distracting him so neither of us could have escaped. All this guilt did was make me want to help him even more.

It was only then that I realised we were still sat on the floor of his living room. 

"I'm going to take you to your room, okay?" I told him, waiting for him to nod in confirmation. 

I stood up, my arms tightening around Niall as I pulled him up with me. I led the silent blond into his room, my arm around his waist in order to support him, feeling freaked out as I could easily feel his bones more prominently through his shirt.

Niall moved away from me, sitting on the edge of his bed and buried his face in his hands. I wasn't particularly sure if he was crying or not but he remained silent. Without saying anything, I sank down next to him, this time ensuring that I didn't touch him. 

Eventually, he looked up from his hands, turning to look at me, his face not showing what he was feeling. 

"Why did this have to h-happen to me?" he quietly asked, finally breaking the silence.

I didn't know exactly how to reply to something that, not actually knowing the answer myself. I guessed it was just how it was and unfortunately, it had to happen, no matter what we tried to do about it.

"I don't know, love," I replied. I tried not to think too much about the fact that I called him 'love.' 

"Something's g-going to happen to me, Harry. I-I can't avoid it," he mumbled. His body stiffened and I could practically feel him shaking. He was truly terrified and he had every right to be.

I shook my head, hoping that it would ease his fear and calm him down. I was determined to show him that he was safe with me and I wouldn't let him get hurt again.

"I won't let anyone touch you. No one is going to hurt you," I said, meaning every single word that came out of my mouth. After what I did, I would never want anyone to hurt Niall and I would do everything I could to prevent it from happening.

"Thanks, Harry," he said softly, biting his lip and leaning against me. 

"You're welcome, angel," I practically whispered, grinning when I saw him blush. I realised that I couldn't deny it any longer. I couldn't hide my feelings from myself because I found it blindingly obvious that I liked Niall.

I remained still, looking at the small blond that was now cuddled into my side, only to be interrupted by my phone, which had been turned on silent. I looked at the screen and noticed several texts from Louis and Zayn. After I had rushed out of Louis' house, they had non stop been texting me, and I hadn't had the opportunity to reply.