✯ Zianourry ⏯ OneShots ✯

Surgery? ⏯ L.T.

The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the poolside where One Direction lounged. Laughter rang out, mingling with the soft hum of conversation as the boys relished their rare moment of downtime. Louis, in particular, savoured the tranquility, though a gnawing anxiety lurked beneath his facade.

Niall, his carefree demeanour in full swing, stretched out lazily on a nearby lounge chair, his gaze wandering over Louis. "Hey, Lou, what's with those scars on your chest?"

Louis froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of his swim trunks. "Oh, uh, just an old surgery, mate," he replied casually, hoping the conversation would end there.

But Harry, ever observant, leaned in, his brow furrowed. "Surgery? What kind of surgery?"

Louis swallowed hard, his mind racing. He hadn't anticipated this line of questioning. "It's, uh, nothing, really. Just something I had done a while back," he mumbled, avoiding their curious gazes.

Liam, always the voice of reason, chimed in, concern evident in his tone. "Lou, if it's bothering you, you can talk to us about it. We're here for you, you know."

Louis forced a tight smile, his anxiety bubbling to the surface. "It's fine, Liam. Really. Just drop it, yeah?" His voice was sharper than intended, and he immediately regretted the edge to his words.

But Niall, never one to back down, persisted. "Come on, Lou. We're your mates. You can tell us anything."

The pressure mounted, suffocating him. Louis clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over. "I said it's none of your bloody business!" he snapped, the words laced with an intensity that silenced the group.

With a sharp inhale, Louis grabbed his t-shirt and hastily draped it over his torso, concealing the scars he had worked so hard to hide. Without another word, he pushed himself up from the lounge chair and stormed off, leaving the bewildered boys in his wake.

Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the distant sound of water lapping against the pool's edge. The weight of Louis's revelation settled over them like a dense fog, each of them grappling with the realisation that their friend was harbouring a secret they had yet to uncover.

Zayn, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice soft yet determined. "We need to give him some space, lads. Clearly, this is something he's not ready to talk about."

Agreeing nods passed between them as they watched Louis's retreating figure disappear into the depths of the house. They knew that they couldn't force him to open up, but they also knew that when he was ready, they would be there to support him, no matter what.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the deserted poolside, the bond between the boys remained unbroken, anchored by the unspoken promise of acceptance and understanding.

The morning dawned with a palpable tension lingering in the air as One Direction gathered around the breakfast table. Louis picked at his food, his mind consumed by the events of the previous evening. He knew he couldn't avoid the conversation any longer.

Harry, ever the peacemaker, cleared his throat, breaking the uneasy silence. "Hey, Lou, about last night..."

Louis looked up, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew he owed his friends an explanation. "I'm sorry for snapping," he interjected, his voice tinged with regret. "I was just... caught off guard."

Liam reached out, placing a comforting hand on Louis's shoulder. "It's okay, mate. We understand."

Louis took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "The thing is..." he began, his voice wavering slightly. "Those scars you saw... they're from top surgery. I'm... I'm transgender, FTM."

The revelation hung heavy in the air, the weight of Louis's words sinking in as the boys processed the information. Niall's eyes widened in surprise, while Zayn nodded in understanding.

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of Louis's ragged breathing. He felt exposed, vulnerable, as if the simple act of speaking his truth had laid bare every insecurity he had ever harboured.

Finally, it was Harry who spoke up, his voice gentle yet unwavering. "Louis, we're here for you, no matter what. You're still the same person we've always known and loved."

Tears welled in Louis's eyes, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "I know," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "But it's just... hard, you know? Knowing that you all see me differently now. That I'm not just Louis anymore. I'm... the trans Louis."

A chorus of reassurances filled the room as the boys gathered around Louis, enveloping him in a warm embrace. "You'll always be Louis to us," Liam insisted, his voice firm with conviction.

Niall nodded emphatically, a soft smile playing at his lips. "Yeah, mate. And if anyone has a problem with that, they'll have to answer to all of us."

Louis's tears flowed freely now, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over him. In that moment, surrounded by the unwavering support of his friends, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders, as if he had finally shed the last vestiges of the identity he had long since outgrown.

And as they sat there, united in their shared love and acceptance, Louis knew that no matter what the future held, he would always have One Direction by his side.