Losing Time (Niam)

"I'm Really Gonna Miss All This..."

The next morning, Niall woke up to the ringing of his phone. He groaned, rolling over and waking Liam in the process. He reached his shaking hand out, almost knocking the phone off the nightstand as he tried to grab it. He cursed, and managed to get a hold of it however, and slowly brought it to his ear. " 'Ello?" He mumbled, yawning.
"Mr. Horan?" The voice asked.
"Yeh, that's me." Niall furrowed his eyebrows, wincing as he sat up, his back sore. Liam looked over at him, concerned.
"Mm. Well this is Judy at East Mountain medical clinic."
"Oh." Niall said quietly, remembering she had been the receptionist the day before. He hadn't expected her to get back to them so soon.
"Sorry to call you so early, we just felt it was best considering the diagnosis." She explained. "We are hoping to get you in within an hour or two if possible? Dr Harvey would like to go over some things with you."
Niall gulped. "Yeah, Uh Okay. But, erm what is it?.... the diagnosis?" He asked quietly.
Liam sat up immediately looking at him and rubbing his back.
"Mr. Horan, you have ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Dr Harvey will see you in an hour and a half to go over things with you."
"Oh, um okay. Thanks." Niall mumbled, hanging up. What the hell was als?
"What did she say?" Liam asked curiously, taking Niall's phone from his hands.
Niall inhaled before shaking his head, "she wouldn't tell me."
He had no clue what the hell ALS was but Liam was smart and Niall knew that he would know. The early call meant that it was bad like he knew that it was going to be, and he didn't want Liam to know about it just yet.

"I've got to go back to the clinic in an hour and a half," Niall added.
"Okay, let's get moving then," Liam said as he slowly stood up, "do you want a shower?"

Niall looked up hopefully, "with you?"
"You remember how cramped it was last time we tried?" Liam smirked.
Niall smiled back and shrugged, "I don't care."

"Okay then, come on."
They undressed and got into the small shower together, Liam having his arms wrapped around Niall's middle. They were both thinking about what Niall had said the night before, neither of them wanting to bring it up. So they stayed silent.
"Ni, you're shaking." Liam murmured quietly after a bit. "Feeling alright?"
"Mmmm...." Niall mumbled, "Yeah. M'fine." He leaned into Liam's warmth, "tired." He added.
"I know love." Liam whispered, kissing his temple. "Hopefully you can nap this afternoon in between the appointment and the concert."
Niall hummed in agreement, liking the idea of a nap. He was so tired.
After Niall almost slipped in the shower, as he'd lost his balance again, Liam decided it was time to get out. He reached out for Niall's towel, wrapping it around the Irish man tightly, before scooping him up in his arms, making him giggle.
Liam laughed, and kept a hold on him, as he had a towel around his own waist, and made his way back to the back room so they could get dressed.
"I love you." Niall whispered.
"Not as much as I love you." Liam countered.
"Not that argument again!" Harry called out, having heard their lovey remarks as he'd been walking past.
Liam collected them both some clothes and then carefully set Niall down where they'd slept, handing over his fresh set of clothes. After dressing, they joined Louis and Harry for some breakfast, telling them about the follow up appointment. Both of them thought it was odd that the appointment was so soon, and upon Liam's gaze Niall swallowed and refused to look anywhere but his plate. Should he tell him what the receptionist had told him? Liam would definitely know what ALS was.

Niall chewed a mouthful and swallowed, deciding that no, he wouldn't say anything because Liam would find out soon at the doctors anyway.
"So do you want us to join this time? Or we can stay back if you'd rather." Louis said sipping his orange juice.
"Um.." Niall paused for a moment as it took a bit to gather his thoughts into words, "no, if you don't mind, maybe just Liam and I this time. If you d-don't mind."
"Yeah of course." Harry smiled, "Just let us know what they say."
Niall nodded, "for sure."

Niall was shaking with nerves, or maybe it was the ALS, he didn't know- as they waited for the doctor to call him back.
"I'm sure it'll be okay." Liam whispered rubbing his back, "don't stress."
Niall didn't acknowledge Liam's words, too lost in his own world as thoughts swirled through his head.
He registered being lead into the doctors office, and the voices around him, but remained submerged in his own mind until Liam's hand squeezing his hard enough to break it brought him out of it. When Niall looked up and saw that Liam was crying he felt horrendous for being the one to make him so upset, but all he could do was nod because really, he'd known what was coming.