A Match Into Water (Neeroy Fanfiction)

Chapter 22

Niall Horan sat by Leeroy, glancing blankly at his flawless, pale face. He realised he was never going to see those perfect, copper brown eyes ever again. He wouldn't hear his laugh of ringing bells, or the sparkling white smile.

Liam was perched down on the chair next to him, but he wasn't looking at his brother. His heart thumped involuntarily, as if there was another person inside his head who was controlling all of his actions. Zayn, Harry and Louis were here too, but down at the coffee shop to give the three some privacy. Any last words, before they switched off Leeroy Payne's machine.

The fact Leeroy was going to die was surreal to both Niall and Liam, which is why they hadn't cried much. Even though it was a fact, obvious with Leeroy here still, unmoving, it hadn't sunk in. Perhaps because they still had that little bead of hope left, or because they had seen Leeroy for so long on support that they just didn't mind much anymore. Niall just couldn't get himself to cry.

Nobody spoke. Liam had occasionally peered at Niall, wishing he would say something- anything- but the blonde boy just stared expressionless into his love's face. Waiting? Wanting? Who knew?

After ten more minutes, Liam murmured, "I regret not being a real brother, you know? Not knowing him enough."

"It's not your fault, Liam," Niall whispered, not tearing his bright blue orbs away from Leeroy. "If you blame yourself, you'll never get through."

Liam swallowed, finally looking at his brother. Leeroy's body was covered by the sheet, but wires slipped out which connected to the life machine and other equipment neither of the boys had knowledge of. "Neither will you."

Niall hadn't told Liam about his plan to be with Leeroy. He didn't want to leave Liam behind, but he'd already explained it all to Harry, Louis and Zayn. They were supportive, but all emotional too. Seeing Zayn cry was something Niall had never seen, and it was very shocking. He knew those three understood, but Liam would be a wreck.

"I... I don't want him gone, Ni," Liam mumbled, his voice shaky. "I spent my whole life hating him, loathing him entirely. But I've realised you never really know what you had until you lose it. And I'm going to lose him, I'm going to lose everything. It's too soon for him to go. Why do all the good people die!? It's fucking unfair!" Liam stood up and kicked his chair in fury, squeezing his eyes shut to try stop the tears from escaping. It failed. Little droplets of water trickled down his reddened cheeks.

Niall was calm. "He's the love of my life. But, I'm going to be reunited with him."

"Yeah, in seventy years," Liam reminded him dryly. "Niall, we have to start planning and looking ahead. If we carry on like this, neither of us will ever be the same again. He wouldn't want us to mourn forever."

Niall didn't answer, mostly because he was offended. He was angry, because it wasn't like Liam even knew Leeroy like he did. Sure, they were brothers, but it wasn't like they'd acted like it for their lives. And plus, if he wasn't going to die with Leeroy, he knew he'd mourn forever. He wouldn't find anybody like him. He was too precious, one-of-a-kind. Liam didn't know him.

Niall knew he was being selfish, leaving his loved ones to grieve over both Leeroy and now him, but he couldn't imagine life without the dance teacher. It was as if everything had just spun upside down. Like he was stuck on top of Big Ben with a fear of heights.

The blonde, blue-eyed boy was always known as the outgoing, joyful kid who was full of life. If someone who hadn't seen him in a year had been told Niall was going to kill himself, they would never believe it. Leeroy changed him. Some may say in a bad way, but for Niall Horan, it was in a way that saved him from dangers, protected him from harm.

"Excuse me," an unfamiliar voice erupted from the door. Both Liam and Niall glanced in the direction and saw a man in a doctors uniform. He had short black hair and rounded glasses. "Sorry. I'm Dr Shaun. I understand if it's a bad time, but we're ready to perform the switch."

"Oh. Is my mum here?" Liam asked blankly, smiling at the doctor but it didn't touch his eyes.

"Yes. Mrs Payne is here, and so are three other boys. Also, Mrs Horan is also outside." Dr Shaun nodded at them, and both mothers, and Harry, Louis and Zayn fleeted in with sympathetic smiles.

Maura jogged straight up to her son, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Karen was in tears, holding onto Liam for support. The three boys were staring at Leeroy in sorrow, everybody silent.

Dr Shaun stood by Leeroy, right by the life support. Niall shut his eyes, not wanting to watch. He heard a beep, in which his eyes flew back open again. The switch had been done, and it was all over.

"So he's g-" Liam started, but Dr Shaun interrupted him with a shhh. Everyone furrowed their eyebrows, staring at the doctor in confusion. Karen swallowed, the only sound in the room, as Dr Shaun held up a finger.

Niall's voice was shaky. "What is going on, doctor? Is something wrong?"

"No, no," Dr Shaun answered happily. "No! Of course not! Look, he's breathing! He's breathing by himself! He's not dead, I swear!"

Zayn, Harry and Louis were all grinning. Liam, Karen and Maura were all shocked, eyes wide and staring at Leeroy who's chest was heaving through steady, controlled breaths. Niall was blank, puzzled with a hint of disbelief.

"T-That's impossible," he breathed, tears finally beginning to roll down his face. "This doesn't happen... I'm confused, Doctor."

"It does happen, Niall," Dr Shaun assured him, beaming. "It's rare, but it does happen sometimes. And your Leeroy is a strong, fighting young man. I'm very surprised. He was injured up to hell, and nobody thought he'd make it. But the kid fought through, pushing along any obstacles. He's a lucky boy. This is magnificent."

Niall stood up and stared at his love. He raised a hand and brushed it along Leeroy's clammy forehead, through his wheaty blonde hair and finally, on his moving chest. Niall shook his head in bewilderment, but in the first time in a long time...

He smiled.

***

This chapter is so short and I apologise so much! But hey, did any of you expect that?;)

Yeah, probably.

So this story will end fairly soon. I know it was so short, but I don't have anything else to write! If you guys give me another prompt or something, I'd be happy to make it longer (of course I'll give you credit).

Comment what you thought about this REALLY SMALL chapter and I'll try update very soon!

-ChloeTomlinson