Heya guys here's the next chapter of the story, I hope you like it, Leave me your feedback. 

Zayn's Pov:

He was closed off about something. That was the conclusion I had come to about Niall, I knew something wasn't right but if he wouldn't let me close enough how was I supposed to find out what that was? All I wanted was to help him but I couldn't unless he let me. I needed help, I needed advice. At first I thought maybe Liam again but then I thought no since he pretty much lectured me the last time. Don't get me wrong I love Li but he does everything by the book sometimes it can be pretty annoying. I had to find someone who liked breaking the rules, But who was also brilliant at giving advice. There was only one person I knew like that my friend from years ago Louis Tomlinson. See Louis is the expert at being persistent with people, His boyfriend Harry Styles was a closed off person, He never aloud anybody near him, Nobody could understand why, At first sight he looked so happy, Cocky, Confident, But once you saw the vulnerable side of him you knew something wasn't right. Louis was a teaching assistant at Harry's High School he had to give Harry a little extra help the same as I am with Niall, Anyway at first Harry was really quiet around Louis he never allowed him to see that something was wrong until one day Harry broke down his walls infront of Louis, Louis constant persistence made Harry see that he wasn't alone, That he could have someone to turn to. Louis became linked to Harry he wanted to protect him he wanted to be there, He lost his job for Harry's love. I never understood that sacrifice, I never understood that longing to be there for somebody you barley knew, Until I laid eyes on Niall. Now I knew exactly how Louis felt, Now I needed Louis help to crack Niall. 

A few hours later I heard a knock on my door, I walked to the door opening it seeing one of my best friends standing there with a huge smile on his face, I then spotted the mop of curly hair behind him, Harry. I smiled stepping aside letting them inside my home.

"What no hug, You don't love me no more?" Louis said cheekily, I rolled my eyes before hugging him.

"Still got the same cheeky remarks I see Lou" I replied pulling away from Lou, I turned my head and hugged Harry aswell. "Good to see you again mate" Harry nodded his head smiling brightly. 

"You too mate" He replied, I guided them to the living room offering them both a beer. Louis sat down pulling Harry down with him, Harry snuggled his head into Louis neck while Louis wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder. They were so adorable it was sickening, I'd never had a love like Louis and Harry's and I never thought I would.

"So Zayn what's up?" Louis asked snapping me from my train of thought.

"Well I sort of need your advice, I asked Li and well you know what he's like playing everything by the book" I replied, Louis nodded his head understandingly.

"So were talking about something that's rule breaking worthy?" Louis replied.

"Well no, Not necessarily, It's sort of complicated" I answered knowing I was making no sense at all.

"What's wrong then?" Harry piped up.

"See since I've gotten back from screwing shit up at uni dads given me a tutoring opportunity. It's been pretty great, I have one kid to teach so it hasn't been to bad but this one kid has gotten inside my brain, I can't seem to get him out you guys. He acts like the hard boy, Not scared of nothing, Cocky, Not interested in education any of it, But when were working he doesn't speak he's to busy trying even when he doesn't realize it, He's really closed off and there's something going on inside his head, Something hes scared of, I just can't put my finger on what it is" I replied sighing.

"Something as in what?" Louis replied his serious side suddenly showing.

"I don't know" I sighed "See the other night he called me up pretty late-" I was cut off by Harry.

"Wait he called you? How did he even get your number?" 

"I gave it to him, Incase he needed extra help with his work, But that's not the point" Harry and Louis exchanged looks before allowing me to continue. "Anyway he called me up really late asking me to come and pick him up, He sounded so scared, So I didn't hesitate, I went and got him. When I found him he was bleeding as if he'd been in a fight, I asked to take him home but he wouldn't let me, Not giving me a reason why, So I brought him back here, He seemed to let his walls down if only for a while he did, He told me he would tell me what happened, I cleaned him up we watched a film and ended up cuddling, He clung to me so tight guys as if he was scared to let go, As if the world was going to suck him away from me, But when I woke up the next morning he was gone as if he had disappeared off the face off this earth. I went to his home spoke to him, he pulled his shields back up he was rude, Hurtful and mean, Until I said I wasn't giving up on him that I wanted to be his friend, He seemed to hesitate then he spoke in a softer tone telling me I can't and to please stay away" I finished off sighing deeply "I don't know what to do guys". 

"Well he's definitely hiding something" Louis said tightening his grip on Harry.

"I know, I just don't know what it is, How can I be there for him when he wont let me?" I said.

"Maybe he doesn't want you to see him being weak" Harry mumbled, I looked at him confused, He continued speaking sensing my confusion. "Well if hes been representing this tough guy act, He won't want to show that hes actually a vulnerable person. It's easy for a person who's struggling to hide behind a lie, You sort of get good at it when you've had alot of practice, So maybe this has been a long term thing for him" Harry finished.

"Harry, How do you know all this?" I asked, Harry and Louis exchanged glances having a silent conversation with there eyes, I hated when they done that, It made me feel left out. Louis looked at Harry giving him the look as if asking if he was sure, Harry nodded his head before looking at me.

"He's scared Zayn. Somethings happened to him, Something that's made him scared to trust, That's why hes not letting you in. The night you came to his rescue you showed him that maybe somebody could be there, Somebody could understand the pain, He let down all his boundaries around you, The fear crashed away if only for awhile. Then when he went back to his own surroundings the walls came back up, His mind is telling him two different things, One would be to to let you in and the other would be to push you far away. Maybe he doesn't know what one to choose he's scared of himself" Harry replied.

"How do you know all this?" I asked.

"My dad beat me Zayn. He was an alcoholic, I wouldn't tell anybody because I was to proud. All I cared about was being the strong person, My strength was all I had the same as this Niall, I'm not saying hes being abused Zi, But something is scaring him, Something that's made him the way he is. Louis was persistent with me, He never gave up, He made me see that somebody could be there for me, If you want honesty Zayn all you can do is be there for him, Whenever he does lean on you" Harry replied.

"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry, I had no idea honestly" I said in total shock.

"It's not your fault, You didn't know. The point is Zayn, by what you've told us something is getting to Niall, If you want to find out you have to gain his trust first, If he doesn't trust you he won't tell you a thing, Patience is your best resort with him" Harry said, Louis hugged Harry from behind as if saying he was proud of him for opening up. 

"Thank you Harry, I will I'm not giving up on him" I said determination filling my voice.

"You care about him don't you?" Louis said catching me off guard.

"W-w-what?" I stuttered out.

"I said you care about him don't you?" Louis repeated again.

"Of course I do" I replied no shame filling my voice.

"Good luck Zayn whatever you need let us know" Harry replied. 

"I will guys". 

I sat with Louis and Harry for hours. The love they had for eachother was simply beautiful, I've always wanted someone to look at me the way they do. I've always wanted to protect someone the way they do, Now I had somebody to protect, That somebody was Niall, I wasn't going to let him down. Niall Horan whatever it takes I'm going to protect you.