The trip is all too short for Harry, he decides as he climbs the stairs of the private jet. Reality seems far out of reach, and he wants to cling to this false reality as long as possible. Boarding the aircraft would mean having to deal with everything he left behind. Of course, the advice of Zair and Taylor throughout his time in France has been insightful, however the steps to correcting all of his shit seem impossible.

"That was fun, thank you for inviting me," Taylor hums softly as she takes her seat and fastens the seatbelt. Harry gives her a small nod as he takes the seat across from her. A flight attendant appears next to them and gathers their bags while another sets two glasses of champagne in front of them.

"You're welcome, thank you for dealing with... me, I guess," Harry sighs. He tries to turn the expression into a chuckle, but it comes out more serious than he had intended. While there's truth to his words, he doesn't want to give off too much vulnerability.

"You're my friend, Harry, it's what friends do. You just have to remember to do what makes you happy, even if it'll disappoint your parents. You can't go around hiding the rest for the rest of your life," Taylor explains. Harry gives her an absent-minded nod.

Taylor's eyes slowly start to droop as the flight takes off. The swaying back and forth motion as the plane travels is enough to put anyone to sleep. Harry feels it lingering in the back of his mind, but he pushes it away for now. He has other things he has to do.

HarryStheBest

Can we talk when I get back?

Of course, there's a chance that Niall won't forgive him. Maybe after everything Harry's done, he deserves it. He has to try at least. Niall has been his friend through everything and the thought of losing him forever is something that Harry doesn't want to consider. He goes to turn his phone over but stops as he sees that Niall is typing.

Niall_the_goatt

sure

~_~_~

Harry's stomach hasn't stopped twisting since seeing Niall's message. Sleep seemed to be the only thing that could keep the anxious thoughts at bay as the weight of the conversation he is going to have looms.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Just be genuine and I'm sure Niall will forgive you in time," Taylor explains. Harry's not quite as confident. Sure, Niall has overlooked a lot, but when he's made his mind up on something it's hard to sway him. Harry's not sure he'll ever get his best friend back, not like he had anyway.

By the time Harry gets back to his apartment the last thing he wants to do is have a serious conversation with Niall. He wants to curl up in his bed and disassociate for a while, but he knows that's not an option.

He takes in a deep breath as he opens the door to his apartment. Niall sits on the sofa in the living room on his phone. Harry eyes him carefully, not sure how to approach the conversation.

"Welcome back," Niall sighs as his eyes meet Harry's. Harry feels a cluster of nerves in his stomach as he does. "Did you enjoy running from your problems?"

Harry tries not to let Niall's comment get under his skin. He has every right to be upset, Harry reminds himself. Besides, he's been dealing with his dad's malicious underhanded comments for years. He can handle his friend's hurt ones.

"I'm sorry," Harry says. He grips his bag tighter.

Niall raises an eyebrow. "Is that it," He questions. Harry clears his throat. Navigating his emotions in a calm manner is new to him, but it's something important. He can't allow himself to become angry like his father or lash out like his sister or shut down like his mother.

"I'm sorry that I was a dick and for treating you like shit and embarrassing you. I don't want to turn this into me trying to excuse everything. I guess... I don't know... you're just my best friend and I hate that I made you feel that way," Harry explains.

He waits for Niall to say something, but a moment passes and then another. Suffocating silence fills the space as Harry waits for Niall to respond. His friend's eyebrows furrow and unfurrow as he contemplates what Harry has said.

"Thank you for apologizing. I think... I just need time on my own to figure shit out," Niall explains. Harry nods. Time. Of course. He doesn't know why he feels a sting behind his eyes. This isn't the end.

"Yeah," Harry croaks. He clears his throat and feels his cheeks going red from his voice crack. "You can stay here as long as you need. Don't worry about the cost."

For a moment a sympathetic look appears in Niall's eyes before the cold look takes over again. "Thanks." 

~_~_~

Hey guys. I know it's been a while but these sort of filler chapters give me really bad writer's block and I was also suPER busy with finishing school and family trips and whatnot. Anyway, another chappie I know that it's not the best, but we're getting there lol. As always, leave your predictions in the comments.