Stay With Me

Chapter 20

The watery daylight pushed back at the darkened edges of dawn, reclaiming the colours of day that had been washed into grey by the moonlit night. The world came back like a freshly developed photograph, every colour bright and new. It all contrasted against the gloomy atmosphere of everyone at the funeral though. In everyone there, it was a sad day. A day to mourn, comfort, and dwell in one's sadness. Maura and Bobby Horan both did this freely, as they had no shame crying over the death of their son.

It was a beautiful funeral really. Well to the sense where the flowers were picked perfectly, and the slick elegant casket was propped on its stand carefully with a football rested on top of it. Louis and Liam, were both in the front row with Harry and Zayn on their other side. Liam, Harry, and Louis all let tears fall, together. They comforted one another, and Harry hated that he'd have to get up in a few minutes looking like a mess. Zayn was calmed, and the only time his facade wavered, was when Harry would let out a whimper or sniffled.

The minister had called Harry up after a few more minutes of Niall's family and many friends crying together.

Zayn gave his hand a little squeeze, before he let harry go up in front of everyone. Digging in his tux pocket, Harry pulled the paper out and unfolded it slowly, trying to create some time to compose himself. Clearing his throat, Harry looked to everyone and then back to his eulogy.

"We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this we imagine that hour as placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive this same afternoon, this afternoon which is so certain and which has every hour filled in advance.

Niall, we used to call him "Brother". He was a brother, friend, best friend and a warrior in and out. We are all even gathered around outside in the freezing snow with frozen tears on our faces for him..."

The sadness flowed through his veins and deadened his mind. It was a poison to Harry's spirit, dulling him killing off his other emotions until it was the only one that remained.

"I am confident that Niall is smiling down at us from somewhere way beyond our imaginations. He's probably even managed to get himself a buffet, and a big white fluffy dog with him as well."

He puts on a fake smile to hide his pain from his friends. The reasons he does this is so he doesn't worry them, however the pains becoming to unbearable. It hurts now to even fake a smile. The crowd laughs at his last comment, and it kid of made his feel better. The faces were still sad though, and it wasn't like he was expecting anything different. Taking a deep breath, Harry used the back of his hand to remove the tears from his blurred vision.

"H-he will be in our hearts forever. I thank you Niall Horan, that I became part of your life's journey. We will always be proud of you."

After Niall's brother Greg spoke, the service ended with a prayer. Harry wanted to stay for when they finally put Niall in the ground . His head rested in Zayn's shoulder, as he boyfriend rubbed soothing small circles on the small of his back. The clouds were turning grey and heavy, and Harry's pretty sure that it was about to snow again. Ignoring it though, he watched as the men strapped the casket up, and lifted it in the air. They moved it only by the slightest so that they could slowly put Niall in his final resting place.

"The doctors told me...they told me what his last words were the night they told his he had died.." Harry said softly as he watched as another group of guys started to dump the soil over the casket. "They told me he said...that he said that it was 'alright'...and that he did the 'right thing' and that was all that mattered." Harry said as he let a tear fall.

"The short time that I had to have with him in that hospital room...he...he told me that I was smart to pick you. That...maybe he misjudged you Ze." Harry said lifting his head and turning to face Zayn. Their eyes made contact, and like always the kiss just came out of nowhere. The expected fireworks, tingles and desire burst though their bodies almost instantly. It was a short kiss, but it still had enough passion and warmth in it to calm Harry's tears a bit. Once they pulled apart, Zayn rubbed his thumb over Harry's cheek softly.