Modest Delusions - Book 3 (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 19 - It was you who picked the pieces up

Chapter inspired by - ‘Sway’ - The Perishers 

(I know, I know… I always post songs but HOLY SHIT this song IS how the boys are all feeling, I listened to it and cried not even lying. Do it. It’s beautiful and sums everything up perfectly.)

‘The End Of All Things’ - Panic at the Disco (This song makes me cry a lot but I love it so much. To me it’s about Larry and nothing else)

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It was you who picked the pieces up

The cab ride was silent, dread hung in the air along with waves of unrelenting guilt and worry. Logan stared at his hands as he played with the frayed edge of his grey jumper, Niall stared out the window as the world passed by in a grey haze. He couldn’t stop thinking about Harry, about Louis and their unexpected argument. He wanted to hug Louis, pull his arms and cry and tell him how he felt but seeing Louis brought on a swift onset of anger. Anger he didn’t realise he had been harbouring, the look on Louis’ face when he told him Harry despised him made Niall feel sick with regret. Louis didn’t deserve that, Niall knew that he had been through so much. Just like Harry. He knew deep down, Louis was suffering. He could see it in his eyes, in the way his lips pursed and he visibly paled at the mention of Harry’s name. 

Harry. 

They piled out of the car in silence and Logan insisted he pay for the cab, Niall silently obliged as the city Police Station loomed ahead. Niall took a ragged breath and found he was frozen in place. 

“Hey?” Logan said softly. 

Niall looked at him, burdened with trepidation. What were they going to find? 

“I…” Niall shook his head, embarrassed.

Logan smiled softly and put an arm around Niall’s shoulder. “I know, I’m a prick and you boys don’t like me but-“

“No-“

“Shh,” Logan whispered as a few people walked by unaware of the anxiety that surrounded the two dishevelled boys. “Let me finish, I know I haven’t been the best to you. I suppose I am biased when it comes to Harry but I want you to know, I really do care about him. I care about you all, you have been such good friends to him and I hope we can be friends soon. I want you to see that I’m not this horrible person and-“

“I don’t hate you,” Niall whispered back. 

Logan smirked, “Well, it’s a relief to hear you say it.”

“I just…” Niall shook his head. 

“Louis?”

“It’s hard, I never thought I’d see them apart and now you’re-“

“I’m not doing it to hurt you,” Logan admitted. 

Niall nodded, “I know, it’s just hard.”

“He’ll be okay,” Logan said but Niall wasn’t sure he believed him. He wasn’t sure Logan even believed the statement. 

“What if-“

“Hey, let’s not play that game. He needs you, even if he kicks and screams until he’s completely blue in the face. That boy needs you, Niall.”

Niall smiled with a heavy heart and thanked Logan as they began to walk up the steps of the station. Niall looked up at the blackened sky, threatening a downpour of rain it it’s wake. He shuddered from the cold breeze and Logan opened the door, there was a bustle of activity as people in suits and uniforms walked to and fro. The building was stuffy, it smelt of petunias that sat in bunches on the main desk and Niall sneezed, he was allergic. Logan smiled as they walked slowly towards the main desk, the bright lights gave the whole building a yellow glow and Niall looked to his left.