A Match Into Water (Neeroy Fanfiction)

Chapter 23

Niall's POV

It had been a full two weeks since Leeroy had gotten back on his feet, and he's made amazing improvements. It was as if he was never sick, or even in hospital for an incredible amount of time. He acted so normal, apart from the crabbiness and tiredness. I'd never been so glad to see him back to his own self, his perfect self.

We'd rented The Notebook from our local video store. I never knew how much he adored cheesy romantic movies, but it was hilarious because so did I. We had a little fangirling stage at the shop where we'd exchange our favourite films, and we'd giggle as we both adored the same ones. I don't think I'd ever laughed so much in my life.

As I'd switched on the movie, Leeroy and I curled up on my sofa. I wrapped my arms around his newly skinny frame and rested my head in the crook of his neck, afraid if I wasn't so affectionate he'd just disappear out of nowhere.

I gazed up at him, but his beautiful copper brown eyes were entirely focused on the TV. It wasn't a bad thing- I could now stare at him fully, but this time as a healthier person with just a few bruises and cuts from an accident. It was as if it never happened, like he'd just fallen off a bike and had minor injuries instead of being knocked down by a lorry in order to save his brother.

As the introduction came on, I noticed that he wasn't wearing his usual light pink band around his forehead. I'd never seen him without it, his wheat blonde hair falling scruffily around his eyes and ears. He had dark purple bags under his eyes from exhaustion, and colourless cheeks. He had gotten so slim, it was like the muscular broad man I'd met at dance class was transformed into a skinny, helpless boy.

He wore baggy jogging bottoms and a white T-Shirt for our relaxing date, rather than his usual jumpsuit. I found him so sexy sitting here with his arms wrapped around my shoulders and a stubble forming from lack of shaving, so I couldn't help but stare.

He wasn't entirely for that idea though.

"Stop staring at me, Ni," he whined. "You wanted to rent this movie, babe- watch it."

I stifled a giggle. "I'm not staring! I just feel as though you're going to slip through my fingers and disappear, Lee. You have no idea what it was like for me, okay? I thought they were going to kill you. How would you feel if the situation was flipped?"

"You wouldn't be stupid enough to jump in front of a moving vehicle which weighed more than a hundred elephants," Leeroy snickered, the sarcasm and hyperbole loud in his soft, velvety tone. He was still a little croaky, but he was still my Leeroy.

"Quiet. You were saving Liam." I paused. "Have you spoken to him recently? It's just, I haven't seen him for ages. I've tried calling him, but he just won't answer me. Maybe he's with Sophie, but..."

"He hasn't been around," Leeroy answered dully. "I'm guessing he's staying around Zayn's, Louis's or Harry's, but I don't know. I do need to speak to him, but I have other things on my mind as well as my brother. Like being the perfect boyfriend to you," he smirked, "and my mum..."

I pressed my lips to his in effort to shut him up. I knew he was just avoiding Liam, and I didn't know why. I figured now they'd be brothers again, no questions asked, but I now realise that wasn't my assumptions. But by now, I know that not everything happens to make you happy. Sometimes, you have to suffer through pain to get to the joy.

I felt a little guilty. I'd been around for weeks spending all my time with Leeroy, completely ignoring the fact my best friend is AWOL, my mum and brother are still shaken up from my proposal when Leeroy was practically gone, and also school. I hadn't attended school in so long, and I'd practically scrapped dance class. I still wanted to learn to dance, but that wasn't a problem because now my beautiful boyfriend was here with me, healthy.