Four

Stockholm Syndrome

"So I wrote a song as well." Harry announced when they had gathered in the studio again the next day.

"Great! Let's hear it." Liam said.

Harry gave Louis a look before he turned to their pianist.
"Henry, can you please play Stockholm Syndrome?"

"Stock...oh my." Niall smirked.

Harry held Louis' gaze as he started to sing.

Who's that shadow holding me hostage?
I've been here for days
Who's this whisper telling me that I'm never gonna get away?

I know they'll be coming to find me soon
But I feel I'm getting used to
Being held by you

Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, look what you've done now
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh
Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, you've got me tied down
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh

Who's this man that's holding your hand
And talking about your eyes?
Used to sing about being free but now he's changed his mind

I know they'll be coming to find me soon
But my Stockholm syndrome is in your room
Yeah, I fell for you

Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, look what you've done now
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh
Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, you've got me tied down
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh

All my life I've been on my own
I use a light to guide me home
But now together we're alone
And there's no other place I'd ever wanna go

Baby, look what you've done (done, done)

Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, look what you've done now
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh
Oh, baby, look what you've done to me
Oh, baby, you've got me tied down
Oh, baby, I'll never leave if you keep holding me this way, oh o-oh

Louis was smiling brightly when the song was over and Harry returned the smile before he looked at the three others.
"So first we're gonna sing about Louis' dick in no control and now we're gonna sing about the two of you tying each other up in bed?"Zayn questioned.

Harry let out a surprised cackle.
"What? The song isn't about that!"

"You got me tied down." Zayn said.

"Read the lyrics again mate." Niall chuckled.

"You don't like it?" Harry questioned.

"I loved it!" Louis immediately reassured him.

"It's a good song, Harry. Don't worry." Liam answered.

Zayn was reading the lyrics and let out an "ahaaa! Clever!"

They recorded a song before they went home to pack their bags. It was time to continue their tour. The next morning they were on a flight to Canada. They were playing seven shows before they continued their tour in the USA. Even if they had a hectic schedule both Harry and Louis were relieved that they were on the road again and got a break from all the stunts. As a couple, they were always at their best when they were working. 

As their tour progressed Zayn was spinning more and more out of control. He had anxiety attacks before every show and started to self-medicate himself, which meant that he was high most of the time. They didn't know how to help him.

It wasn't like either of them was doing great. They were all beyond exhausted. But Zayn was at a breaking point and they all had different coping mechanisms. Liam tried to talk to their management and label who only dismissed him and it made Zayn angry as well. He refused to listen to Liam when he tried to talk to him instead. Harry focused on the fact that Zayn wasn't eating much and tried his best to put food in his body. Niall tried to cuddle him healthy and Louis got high with him, which Harry resented. It was one thing if Louis smoked occasionally in his free time but not when they were working. He didn't like how things were progressing and it frightened him even if he didn't argue with Louis about it.   

They were a mess. They somehow managed to get on stage night after night. Performing was the fresh breath of air they all needed because despite everything that was going on behind the stage they all loved to sing and they all had fun together on stage. Their concerts were like no one else's and their fans were the main reason.

They did talk shows and interviews and photoshoots and they all pretended that everything was fine. They had gotten a lot of media training so they knew how to play their part. But behind the scene, the band was falling apart.

They made it through 31 shows in two months and when they finally boarded the plane to go home to England they were glad to have some time off even if they still had to go to the studio to record the last few songs for their new album.

For Harry and Louis, it also meant stunt season.