Modest Secrets - Larry Stylinson AU {Editing}

Chapter 16 - Heavy In Your Arms

Louis didn’t move, didn’t even so much as twitch and he wished he would open his eyes and see that Harry was there, waiting for him. 

“Come back to me,” Harry whispered kissing Louis cheek. His tears fell onto Louis face and Harry softly kissed his lips. 

Harry closed his eyes resting his head on Louis unmoving shoulder, he had always felt safe in Louis presence but in that moment Harry had never felt more alone. Behind lidded eyes he relived Louis’ overdose again and again, it was painful and terrifyingly real but his mind wouldn’t let him forget it. He fell into a dreamless sleep with the hum of machines droning out the sound of his silent cries. 

Harry hadn’t realised he had fallen asleep until a warm hand patted his shoulder and roused him from his deep slumber. At least asleep Harry forgot the pain of reality, everything was warm and safe behind closed eyes. Opening them slowly he looked up to see Liam staring down at him. 

“Harry, wake up,” Liam whispered softly. 

“Is he okay?” Harry’s voice was croaky and he looked up at Louis who was still soundlessly unconscious. 

The reality was too much and Harry dropped his head back on Louis shoulder intertwining his hand with Louis’. Liam looked over, worriedly at Niall who was standing silently on the other side of the bed, he leaned over and hesitantly placed his hand over Louis.

“Nothings changed,” Harry whispered, dejected. 

Liam sat on the chair beside Harry and stroked his hair, “we’ll be okay. We can get through this.”

Zayn walked into the room with a box carrying four coffee’s, he smiled weakly at Harry and shut the door. People were standing outside talking loudly and some arguing, Harry knew it was management and reporters. 

“His family can’t get back yet they’re stuck in America until tomorrow,” Niall told Harry as he took a cup from Zayn and sat down. Zayn sat on the edge of the bed and Harry wearily sat up to take the coffee. His hair was all pushed to one side from where he had fallen asleep and his clothes were still damp. 

“Management are talking to the public, someone released photos of the ambulance and one of the asshole hotel workers, well, ex workers now released the video of you on the floor with Louis.” Zayn said bitterly. 

“What the fuck is wrong with people?” Harry growled, rubbing his eyes. 

Liam sat in silence drinking his coffee and staring blankly at Louis, “He looks so peaceful,” Liam whispered. 

Niall wiped his face and turned away. “I don’t know if I can be here,” he confessed. 

“We’re all here for you, Niall, it’s okay to be upset.” Harry smiled faintly. 

“I, I just can’t believe this has happened,” Niall said meekly. 

“I am going to punch Louis so hard when he wakes up from this,” Zayn added. 

Harry laughed but it was forced and Liam rolled his eyes. 

They sat in silence watching Louis and Harry stood up to relieve himself, stretching he walked to the connecting bathroom and when he shut the door he just stared at his reflection. He looked gaunt, tired and a little messy. His hair was going in every direction, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy from all the tears he had shed. “I could fill the Atlantic ocean with tears for you, Louis,” he said to his reflection. 

When he reentered the room the boys looked up at him with worried looks on their tired faces, “You okay?” Niall asked. 

“Yeah, I suppose,” Harry replied, yawning he walked to the side of the room and picked up a chair he placed it next to Liam and took Louis hand instinctively. A nurse came in and shyly spoke, explaining that she needed to change his IV and take another blood sample for examination of his toxicity levels. Harry looked away as she drew the crimson blood from Louis arm. When she left he rested his head on the bed and listened as Liam began to sing 'Moments.'

Zayn and Niall joined in, Harry buried his head on Louis stomach and listened as they sung in unison. It filled the room with a beautiful warmth, the boys were united by their brotherly love and Louis tragic fall from grace. Niall’s voice caught as he sung ‘don’t wanna be without you, lights the night sky,’ Liam sung Louis verse which made Harry’s shoulders shake. 

‘If we could only turn back time,’ Zayn sung, his voice sounded heartbreakingly sad.

When they finished they stood up and all held each other tightly for a long time. Harry sighed and sat down leaning his head on the bed, his eyes were heavy as he held Louis hand. They all fell asleep in the darkness of the room and Harry hoped that Louis would hear them, know they were all here for him and want to come back to them, to Harry.