Firstly, I know this took forever. I deleted like 3/4ths of the chapter because I really needed this one to just be a filler chapter. So please don't be disappointed in me! I know it seems like the story is coming to an end, which when i started writing it. This would absolutely be the ending. However there is still a lot more room for it to grow, and im taking the chances.
I love you guys so much for putting up with me and my extremely hectic schedule for time.
Also for putting up with these shitty typos. (ps I need a new beta again bc that one decided it would be cool to try and give Harry a different back story ????)
The nightmares will be addressed more in the future as well.
Chapter Nineteen
Harry knows this smell. The all too familiar musty and rotting smell of sick in his own little world. He knows this silence too. So silent that even the drop of a pin would bust the ear drums of anyone trying to listen. It's uncomfortable and it's not what he's used to anymore.
He goes to move but his body is stiff and sore, and he can't quite imagine why. The last he remembers is falling asleep in the warm and comforting grip of his older boyfriend.
"You destroyed the home we built." He hears a man say from afar. There is a soft echo in his ear, but it's not in a comforting sense. It's empty.
"You left me." He hears again, and the voice is familiar. So familiar. All feelings rushing in at once as he feels himself shiver.
"Wh--" Harry goes to speak, but his voice has managed to fall short. So he swallows and tries again.
"Where am--" Again, his voice falls.
He still can't make himself move, but he tries as he begins to hear footsteps stomping up to him. He can faintly see the outline of a man, light from the upstairs door shining down onto a single spot in the room.
And then he gets it.
It's him. He's not with Louis. He's with him.
He panics, working up the courage to pick himself up and run out of the house. But just as he goes to pull himself up, he feels a hard and heavy object smash against his head causing him to fall back almost violently.
He lies there, zoning in and out of reality each time he feels a kick, or hears a scream. His head is pounding and his ears are ringing . His face feels hot, like it's bleeding.
"H-"
He hears a whisper from far away.
So far away.
"Harry!" He hears the man yell out, kicking his ribs once more before suddenly--
"Harry! Wake up!"
Before he knew it, the image of the man burns away and Louis is there, hair sticking out in every direction, looking at him as if he were a ghost.
He still can't speak, he's shaking, he's sweating, and his head is in a tremendous amount of pain.
So he cries.
~
"I don't know what happened. He was just -- lying there sweating and shaking. It scared the shit out of me. . " Louis says into the phone, looking at his watch as he realizes it's almost time to head out.
"You said it was serious, Louis. And I agree. But he wont go to mum at night when he wakes up, he comes to me. . . So she doesn't think anything is wrong since he's acting the way he usually does during the day." Gemma says back, peeking through the bathroom door and into her room, watching the way Harry is soundly sleeping on her bed, as if last night didn't even happen.
"Wait, he had another?! Did you comfort him!? Keep him warm?! Where is he now!?"
"Calm down Louis! Yes, yes and yes! He's in my room. He wouldn't go back to his own, so I let him sleep in my bed with me. He's definitely a cuddler, but I couldn't really sleep after he woke me. So I stayed up to watch over him. I promise, He's in good hands. Please don't worry Louis."
Of course Louis is worried though. First the night they had fallen asleep in the blanket fort, and he thought he made it better for the boy, he really did. Because Harry was smiling and carrying on like normal after about fifteen minutes of Louis holding him and kissing him after he had woken. Even when Louis had to go home, Harry seemed okay. Gemma huddling close behind him like the big protective sister she should be. But now that Louis knows that he's had another nightmare and he couldn't be there. . . he's fucking terrified.
"Should I come over tonight, or?" Louis sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Probably not, Louis. But Harry hasn't been over to your house since he got here. Maybe you should see if he can sleep over with you? I really need some rest anyway--" She says quietly, but gasps quickly after.
"I--I mean, Im not mad or anything. Im just exhausted. How do you do it?" Gemma adds.
Louis laughs a fond laugh afterwards. Because he doesn't know how he takes care of the boy so well. He just does what he thinks is best and doesn't ask any questions, even if it puts his own health at risk.
"Yeah, I think i'll do that, actually. Ill call up Anne after class today." He says, specifically ignoring the second half of her statement from before.
"Okay, I need to go and wake him up anyway, it's time for breakfast. Let me know, alright? We'll make sure he's ready by the time you get home."
Louis kind of smiles after that, trying to ignore the fact that his boy is having relentless nightmares that make him see glimpses of the past. But imagining him being woken up, just one house over, and thinking of Harry wobbling out of bed and yawning as he scratches his stomach makes a warm feeling come over him. And that very thought is what led him to running out of the house ten minutes late for school.
That wasted ten minutes become longer upon walking out of his house though. Because there, stood in the driveway of his new home, was Harry. His hair a mess, his eyes hooded, and a hoodie that Louis had given to him. Louis stops in his tracks, wondering why and how Harry had managed to come outside and gather his thoughts so quickly. But he decides not to worry about it as he walks over to him and is shocked to see Harry flash him and smile and lift up on the tips of his toes to give him a kiss.
"Have a good day." Harry says to him, before looking to the ground and smiling.
Louis actually hadn't been able to kiss him back properly at that moment, too busy being shocked over the fact that Harry was outside to see him off to school for the first time since he's moved. So to make up for that, he lifts the boy's chin with a gentle touch and just looks at him for one moment longer before whispering.
"Be ready to come over after school, yeah?" Louis says with a soft smile, leaning a bit to kiss Harry properly once on the mouth, and then twice on the nose before giving him a small wave and shuffling towards the sidewalk.
And of course, Louis would assume that Harry would go inside after that, but he he can see out of the corner of his eye the way the boy sways a bit as he stands and watches him until he's out of sight. That made Louis feel safe. So he yells out to him before rounding the corner.
"I love you!"
He knows Harry wouldn't shout it back comfortably, but he can feel that the boy is probably smiling in return as he walks back inside to eat his breakfast with Gemma and the parents.
~
Harry doesn't start his home classes for another week or so, but he really wants to learn how to use the cell phone that Anne and Louis had gotten for him. Do they even teach that kind of thing anyway? Probably not.
So with that, Harry sits on the sofa for a good hour just pressing buttons-- he eventually gave up. Anne was outside trying to cover her plants in fear of them freezing over from the hectic winter air when she hears the boy walk out to her.
"Hi pumpkin, I saw you on your phone. Get the hang of it yet?" She asks with a bright smile, ignoring the fact that she just pricked her finger a bit on this weird thorny plant that Robin wanted her to plant.
Harry shakes his head in response and frowns a bit, hoping that asking her wont be too much. Regardless of how safe they make him feel, sometimes he can't bring himself to ask questions, or hold conversation with them. Simple yes or no answers get him by just fine, and they don't really force him to talk anyway.
Anna simply cocks her head at him before she smiles at the small voice that flows from his lips.
"Can you, maybe--um--help me do it?"
Without a thought Anne is forgetting about her dying plants and trotting inside with Harry following closely behind.
They sit for another good hour, Anne teaching him how to text, and showing him a list of contacts she had already put inside of the phone for him.
"See? Louis' is the first one because I put a little heart in front of his name. This button is the one that calls him, or you could just text him." She explains with a light voice, seeing the way Harry concentrates hard on the screen.
"One more thing though, If you click this little symbol down here, you get all of these little faces and animals to put into your messages!"
Harry's eyes light up immediately, swiping through the pages and pages of emojis he could use. They make him feel warm, he doesn't know why nor does he really care.
"I think that about covers it! Any questions?"
Harry actually looks at her, thinking to himself.
"Um--The background?" Harry speaks confidently, pointing to the phone.
"Oh! What do you want it changed to?" She asks with a smile that very much resembles the blushing emoticon.
Before Harry could answer though, she's throwing her arms in the air and almost shouting towards him.
"OH! Wait wait, I know! Close your eyes!"
When he is granted permission to open his eyes again, he looks at his phone and finds himself rather satisfied that now if he's feeling lonely all he does is have to look down and remind himself that he's happy with his boyfriend. The photo shows it all. Louis pinching Harry's cheeks with his eyes crossed, and Harry sitting in front of him, back to his boyfriend's chest, as one eye is shut from the tight pinch on his skin, and a very dopey smile.
He likes that picture.
~
Maths is stupid. Louis honestly couldn't hate anything more than maths. It's nothing but a bunch of numbers making babies and giving their babies away, and cheating with other numbers.
And just as Louis was about to imagine the numbers on Jerry Springer to make time pass more quickly, his phone vibrates in his pocket. Must be Zayn.
However, he can't seem to contain his smile as he checks and finds a notification from a number that was newly saved to his phone.
"Harry ♥ : im glad they got me a phone and i just figured out how to text i miss you louis do i get to come over tonight (sad emote - blushy emote - banana - sunshine) "
Louis kind of figures that Harry likes the emotes, since he sent a good five hundred in that text, and he is actually very thankful for auto correct, otherwise he's almost certain half of those words would be spelled terribly. Which is no laughing matter, if anything it's utterly pitiful that Harry never got the "joys" of learning. He did teach himself fairly well though, being able to read with ease as long as big words weren't used. (Louis learned that Harry had made up meaning for certain words that he didn't understand. His made up meanings actually weren't far off from the actual thing either.)
Louis texts him back with ease, his heart fluttering over the fact that his boy texted him in class, probably not even knowing it's not allowed -- dangerous.
"I'm so proud of you baby! I miss you a lot too, and I promise you're coming over tonight, I already asked Anne during my lunch period! Keep texting me please, ill miss you too much if you dont . xx (kissy emote)"
~
Anne and Harry were eating a late lunch when Robin came in. Needless to say, it felt pretty normal. But something about Robin kind of made Harry uneasy. Maybe it's because he's the same size of his own father? Maybe because his voice is deep, and could sound very threatening given a circumstance calls for it-- he isn't sure. Just something. Even if he knows deep down that Robin is a good person.
And you know, maybe Anne picks up on it when Harry had flinched when Robin got up to grab himself a glass of water shortly after he had sat down to eat lunch with them. And sure, Harry knows that Robin had simply forgotten to get himself something to drink before sitting down-- but his sudden movements scare him. He can't help it.
Anne gives him a concerned look, patting him on the knee under the table with a quick smile. And that's when Robin takes in the silence and realizes something is wrong. So he shares a quick look with Anne before he speaks.
"Harry, I don't want to bring this up or make you feel uncomfortable so please just tell me to stop if I say too much. Okay?" Robin says with a kind of sad voice.
"We haven't told you this yet, hon, but we do know what had happened to you before you came here. And we understand that sometimes you get scared or uncomfortable--" Anne is explaining before Robin almost frantically speaks out.
"But I want you to know that--that you're safe with us! We love you, and you're our son. That--that man isn't your father. As far as we know, he's no one. We are your family and family doesn't hurt each other. They--they love each other-- and we love you and support you no matter how long it takes. We will do everything we can and wait as long as we need to make you feel safe and comfortable with us--" Robin goes to breathe in so he can spout out a bunch more stuff that he really wants Harry to know, but Anne can see the way Harry looks entirely too overwhelmed to be hearing this.
That's when Harry simply nods, and then begins to cry.
Anne gives Robin a look of disappointment, and the man kind of sulks after that. Knowing he's overwhelmed the boy and probably scared him even more now.
But then a small "I--I know." Is sputtering from the boy's lips. He's crying, and his lips are shaking as he speaks but he continues. "I just--don't know how to trust anyone yet. . " Harry almost ends with a whisper, tasting the salt on his lips from the tears.
Anne rubs circles in his back and simply nods as she listens to him, but her hands stop for a moment when he had finished speaking as she came to realization that, no matter how good you are as a person, if someone is faced with nothing but evil and hurt-- they will eventually believe that's all there is in the world. And that scares her.
She quickly starts to rub circles in his back again, trying to hold in her own tears before she just decides to lean in and hug Harry. Robin quickly pulling himself up and joining the hug as well.
Nothing is said after that. Nearly everyone had lost their appetite by then, but still continued to poke at their food.
It was a strange sort of a comfort, Harry thinks.
And by now he should know to embrace any sort of comforting feeling, regardless of how strange it seems.
~
"Shh." Louis and Gemma both say as they walk through the front door. Anne simply plays along shortly after realizing she would be shushed anytime she tried to say something.
Gemma had been driving home when she saw Louis walking, so why not pick the little shit up? They decided that Harry probably didn't expect Louis showing up so suddenly, without a text or a knock on the door. So they're kind of excited for his reaction. His laugh is very important.
Tip-toeing through the living room, Louis tries to pull a cool James-Bond type move as he drops to the ground and tries to half roll/flip across the room and into the hallway. Sadly the move fell short as his foot slammed loudly into the bathroom door. He can hear Gemma laugh behind him as he quickly flips her off and whispers, "Shut up , you're gonna blow our cover!"
With that he's army crawling down the hallway, knowing he looks like a complete idiot and stops at Harry's door. And just as he gets prepared to peek under the door-- Robin shows up.
"Hello Louis." A loud and deep voice calls from the end of the hallway, and just as they turn to glare at Robin for ruining the surprise, Harry's door is flinging open and the boy is attempting to run out. Instead he finds himself tripping over some mass of man in the floor, mindlessly grabbing Gemma's arm for support and pulling her down with him.
The boy lays there in shock for a moment before Louis peeps his head up and just--
"Hi cutie!"
And now all three of them are just laughing. Trying to wiggle out of the tangled mess they managed to get themselves into.
"Jesus, Anne! Getta load of this!" Robin says, pointing at the pile of teenagers at the end of the hallway with a smirk.
As they finally all stood up, red faced and giggly. Louis pokes Harry on the nose and actually blushes at him. Gemma watches fondly, maybe slightly jealous that her boyfriend isn't like this with her.
"Ready for our sleep over at my house?"
And jesus he sounds like a twelve year old.
Harry simply nods with a smile before stopping and shaking his head.
"Gotta get some pajamas!" Harry squeaks as he runs back through his door and throws a random pile of clothes from his drawer into his bag.
It's clearly like a weeks worth of clothing.
"Haz- you don't need that many clothes!" Louis scolds with a fond laugh.
Harry simply shrugs in response before walking out of the room, directly past Louis, and straight to Robin.
"Thank you." Harry whispers simply and confidently as he pulls Robin in for a hug.
And honestly, Gemma has never seen a grown man cry like that, the moment the two boys were out the door.
Hiiii guys, Chapter nineteen (twenty for ao3). Quickly before I give you a giant novel of more information, PLEASE let me know if the beginning of this chapter is confusing. Keep in mind that when it comes to Robin asking Louis if he's staying, I go into explaining the night before. Anyway, Oh jesus! Im so sad that it's almost over. I do plan to go through each chapter after I'm finished and note all of the unanswered questions for side stories and the epilogue! On top of that, I will be going through and editing all of the typos and bad grammar! Especially since I've had no luck finding my beta. Apparently anyone willing to beta my stuff have no writing experience or a fast means of contact (kik,texting, etc.)
So if you're interested in helping me beta my future stories (I have plenty lined up) , Ill need you to view the notes after this chapter and apply for me! Or feel free to kik me and tell me that you're interested. I'm more than willing to simply ask you questions myself. But I do suggest you at least read my requirements on tumblr.
I love all of you so much for being so patient with me (minus those assholes who sent me hate on tumblr). I promise, the more I write, the better I'll get.
If you wish for my stories to be translated, simply send me an ask on tumblr or kik me about it. As long as it's not posted on wattpad and you credit me, i'm all for it.
Keep in mind, I do have this story posted on wattpad now, sadly. (Username is Hazzanal) Not that I hate wattpad, I just kind of fucking hate wattpad. But, I guess it wouldn't kill me to post it there since everyone is asking due to having an app and reading on the go.
So, Onto the chapter. Please do leave me some feedback. Im kind of second guessing myself when it comes to starting another chaptered story. So let me know if you absolutely fucking hate my writing, or want to see more of it.
(I always write novels in the A/N, I understand that it gets annoying. But communication with my readers, fellow writers, and shippers is very important to me.)
Masterpost
Chapter Eighteen
"So, can we see your super secret gifts now?" Louis says to Gemma in a sarcastic voice. All the while, Harry is scooting back into his lap.
He can't really think of what the gifts could be. I mean, they've only just met. What makes these gifts so fucking personal? If you can even call them personal. Did she buy him a rated R movie or something? Anne and Robin seem like the type to keep that from anyone literally under the age of seventeen. Especially Harry. And even if she did get him something he isn't yet old enough for. . .There is no way Louis would allow it. He can't let Harry watch anything bloody, or scary.
Just as he was beginning to question the gifts even harder, Gemma is slapping her knees and getting up to quietly close the door. She looks both ways before closing it completely and then she's pulling the boxes out from the top of Harry's closet and placing them in front of the two.
Harry shows utter excitement in his eyes as he looks at the paper. He actually almost throws one of the books Gemma and Anne got for him across the room leaping for one of the pretty boxes. He turns his face to look at Louis a moment later, and barely puckers his lips before twisting them into a frown.
"We can still kiss babe." Louis says as he leans his face forward a bit and gently kisses him once before pulling back.
"Yeah, you guys can kiss around me. It's not like I'm gonna tell mum on you." Gemma adds with a smile and a small blush.
Harry simply nods in response and kisses Louis once more before turing back towards the box and reaching to pull it towards himself.
The way his bum had pushed into Louis' lower region really shouldn't have felt as good as it did, and he has to hold back a groan when the boy sits back against him again.
"Jesus." He whispers to himself, not quite noticing the way Gemma knowingly giggles at him a bit.
They watch him silently for a short moment before Harry tears at the paper, realizing that he's in a comfortable atmosphere. He can be himself, he can do what he wants. This is his room. This is his Louis. This is his sister.
But the moment the lid is lifted off of the box, Louis sends a knowing look at a red-faced Gemma.
"Wow. . um. . I--" Louis says in shock, as he looks back into the box.
"Well? I kind of figured you guys needed something of the sort?" Gemma kind of asks, kind of says sweetly with a wink. Harry is sitting frozen on Louis with his eyes wide and mouth gaping open. He keeps reaching out like he wants to touch, but pulls his hand back as he eyes the items even harder.
"Look, I- - I don't think he needs these. . " Louis whispers, looking to make sure Harry is okay. And really, he seems fine. But, does he even know what these are?
Harry is still sitting, shocked. He's never seen any of these types of things. They're quite pretty, but shaped like something that has caused him both pleasure and pain. Well, some are shaped that way. One of them looks like a strange pearl necklace, and the other is something he knows quite well. Lube.
Just as Louis goes to close the box, Harry whispers and stretches his hands out protectively in front of the gift.
"Wait, I--"
"Harry, do you actually want these?!" Louis almost shouts before Gemma is covering his mouth and nearly hitting Harry with her elbow.
It's not that he wants to sound angry or shocked that the boy wants his gifts, he just kind of thinks it's too soon to even be suggesting something like this. Still, he's talking too loudly, and it startles Harry a bit as he frantically shakes his head and then nods. Obviously confused as to why Louis doesn't want him having the gifts.
"Shhh! I don't want them to know I got these for him- or you guys. I don't even know. I can take them back as long as they haven't been opened. But I figured-- even if it's not now-- or anytime soon, you guys could use these?" Gemma whispers to Louis, and she's gripping his shirt like she's about to punch him. But her face is soft. Meanwhile Harry is just sitting there leaning out of the way, still eyeing the box.
It's strange, Louis thinks Gemma kind of looks like Harry. Mouth curving the same way when they speak. So strange. And honestly, the situation could be very laughable to an outsider. But they're all three very serious about this. I mean, sex toys. Really?
Louis can't lie over the fact that he does want to keep them, but by doing so. . he doesn't want to scare Harry. Even if the boy doesn't know what they are. Or does he? Surely he knows something. I mean, there is a some-what moderate sized purple dildo sitting there, obviously shaped like a penis. Maybe Harry is interested because it's sparkly? Maybe. . ?
"I want them." Harry whispers.
Gemma looks pleased. Not even realizing how amazing the moment is that Harry is actually speaking towards her.
"Alright little bro, I'm sure Louis here can explain everything. But, do you like them?" She says, leaning in and attempting to hug the boy.
Harry really does seem quite pleased, Louis notes. Especially because he hugs Gemma back. So, he guesses he really will have to have a serious talk with Harry about this.
"Moving onto the next box then. It's not much different, but this is definitely more for both of you than just Harry." Gemma says with a smirk as she tears a bit of the paper off for him.
Harry is excited now, though still a tiny bit confused. Opening the next box wasn't a shock at all and kind of a relief. Inside were three different boxes of condoms, and even more lube. Louis smiles just a bit at the box, and then looks back up to Gemma.
"Should I take these home? Good timing by the way." He says to her a bit uncomfortable. I mean, it's obvious they have sex. But he really wasn't expecting this.
"Actually Louis, these are staying here."
"Sorry but no. We've been informed by my mum that no-no things will not be taking place here." Louis giggles a bit, poking Harry in the side as he speaks. The boy giggles a bit and tucks his face into his own chest, hiding his smile and blush.
"Well-- that's where the last gift comes into play. . ."
Louis eyes her down and nods before she opens the box for them. And before Louis can even see what's in it, she's explainging.
"Here, this is their schedules for the week. They're mostly off on weekends, but every other Saturday they both go out together and sometimes stay away for the entire night. They usually come home by the time I go to my classes, but that leaves me at home with Harry during the day--" She pauses, and gives Louis the paper, followed by a card titled "Gemma- The eyes."
"When they're gone, Louis, you can come over whenever you want, and if you need time alone just tell me. I'll give you both some time to yourself to do whatever you want. Rules are meant to be broken sometimes, yeah?" She adds with short breath, examining the way Harry stares blankly at her like he wants to cry.
"Is this okay?" She asks after a moment too long of silence.
Louis had been staring at the two pieces of paper with Harry for at least the past minute and a half with absolutely nothing to say back until now.
"Just--T-Thanks." Louis finally looks up and gives her a bright smile.
"Really, you have no idea how much this means to me-- to us."
Harry nods with him, finally giving Gemma a smile.
Louis is actually shocked when Harry leaps out of his lap and into Gemma. He hugs her tightly, and she simply wraps her arms around him and smiles at Louis with a wink.
"Anything for my brother." She whispers to him.
Once they've hidden Harry's new gifts where Robin and Anne couldn't find them and Gemma gives Louis his own copy of the schedule, she's picking herself up and preparing to leave the room. But she stops before opening the door and turns around.
"One more thing-- They are light sleepers, so I wouldn't attempt to do anything right now. But it'll comfort you to know that it's Friday, and tomorrow after they paint this room they will be going out, on their own of course. -- 'Gonna give you some time with him' as my mum said. But on Sunday they've asked me to invite you, Louis, to lunch with us. But that isn't the point. The point is, Tomorrow around six pm, they've decided to go out and plan to be gone until at least midnight. That gives you two six hours alone, and me six hours to wander around the city bored. Make use of that."
And then she leaves.
After not even three seconds, Harry speaks.
"I like her."
Louis simply hugs him tightly against himself with a sigh.
"Me too, love."
~
"Alright boys," Robin calls out, wiping some paint off of his hands and looking at Louis. "The room will take a while to dry, we don't have to do a third coat either. Louis, you're going to be staying a little longer, yeah?"
"If it's alright. I think I want to hang out with him and Gemma before going home, you know-- gotta make sure she knows how to take care of him!" Louis tries to sound sarcastic, but gets nudged by Gemma in the process of doing so.
"Shut up, you know im a good sister you little shit." She whispers to him and somehow it manages to pull a smile out of Harry. Which was enough of a response for her.
All four of them had been painting from the moment the were awoken by Robin knocking loudly on the door. When the man walked in, he only sighed in playful defeat as he saw the two boys sprawled out on the floor-- a little too close for his liking to be honest-- and Gemma wasn't too far off, huddled in a corner hugging a pillow.
That's right, after an hour or so went by and some lazy kissing between Harry and Louis the night before, Harry kind of hinted that he wanted Gemma to come back and talk with them. Louis may have been a little jealous that his alone time was being taken away again, but it really wouldn't hurt to test Gemma on her sisterly-abilities outside of their sex life. So Louis and Harry both had snuck to her room and sat with her in there for about twenty minutes before ushering her back into the boy's room.
At first it was only Louis and Gemma talking. Harry just sat and listened intently, an occasional giggle was heard but Louis always managed to muffle it with a kiss.
The quiet talks of summer life, and past events faded into Louis basically quizzing Gemma on how to care for Harry. You could tell the boy was a bit uncomfortable with that, and sadly Louis felt terrible when he realized Gemma truly did know how to deal with the boy. She was the one who halted the questions simply because Harry was uncomfortable. That made Louis feel like shit. It really did.
They had fallen asleep while playing a game though. All three faces red and hurting from smiling and trying to keep their laughter tamed. Harry had actually managed to play too after a few rounds between Louis and Gemma had gone by. And of course, such a game could have made Harry even more uncomfortable- but the boy assured Louis to play instead of refusing. So he did, holding Harry closely against his body and whispering into the air.
"Edward asshole hands. . " He says with a shaky voice, already trying so hard not to laugh.
"House of 1000 assholes. ." Gemma giggles back.
"The nutt- nu- nutty asshole!" Louis almost yelps back in a shaky giggle, causing Harry to laugh too.
It's not even that Harry has seen or even heard of these movies, but the things they're saying is just . . funny to him.
They all three had bursted into laughter after that one, the boy trying hard not to be heard still.
"Oh my god! Oh! I got one! " Gemma says in an excited voice. " Cloudy with a chance of. . . " She pauses and whispers, "assholes."
And before anyone could even laugh at that one, Harry is whispering out with a smile.
"The asshole of dorian gray."
It falls silent before Louis finally puts it together. It's not a movie title, but a book. One that he was basically forced into reading just this past year in school. He absolutely hated it, but the title seems rather fitting.
He laughs into Harry's shoulder after that, all of the giggles not quite halting for another hour or so. They all feel like they've not only named every movie ever made , but every book and video game too.
Harry eventually was the winner of course, hearing him half giggle " Final asshole seven" was enough to have Louis not quite able to breathe. Especially because Final Fantasy VII was one of his favorite childhood games that Harry had only recently began playing. Plus, how could it have been the actual final asshole since it was clearly the seventh of the series.
The floor wasn't all that comfortable, and Louis did have a hard time falling asleep with Gemma in the room, but the exhaustion ultimately took over his body and he fell asleep with Harry's body backed up against his own, already a sleeping mess.
And just before the painting had begun the next morning, Harry sleepily whispers something to Louis. Something that draws out a laugh and a mocking look towards the yawning Gemma.
"Gemma snores, it woke me up in the middle of the night. ."
Louis laughed fondly when he tried to respond.
"Does she? Why didnt you wake me up?"
Harry had only shrugged with a shy smile before picking out a paint roller and standing behind Robin as he opened the paint cans.
~
"Robin, Love. What about schooling him? I don't think a public school is the best idea for him. Poor boy has been through so much." Anne says as she looks out the window with her hand on her heart.
They had left the house only five minutes earlier, a new life weighing down their minds.
"You think? I thought he would do quite well. He's turning fifteen after all, so he'd be in the same school with Louis, wouldn't he?" Robin responds back, thinking hard about the conversation.
"Well, yeah. But Louis wouldn't be in any of his classes, now would he? He wouldn't be able to protect him, and you know damn well how protective he is over that boy. " She says, excusing her language quickly after.
"So what do you propose?" Robin pauses as he takes a left, heading for his co-worker's place. "Homeschooling?" He looks to his side, making eye contact with his wife and nodding his head.
"I think that would be best, love. Keep your eyes on the road."
Robin hums in agreement and decides that after tonight, they both will have to put a lot of effort into bonding with this boy. He deserves a good life, and moving too fast could ruin that.
Meanwhile at the house, Louis had given Gemma a look , kind of pleading for some time alone. To which she responded after little teasing.
"Okay, okay. I get it! You two have fun. Of course, not too much fun. Don't wanna come home to a wrecked and sticky house." She says with a wink.
Louis of course, was being impatient. After ten minutes of Gemma gathering important things and fixing her hair, he locks himself in her room with her and simply looks at her again. His eyes practically begging.
"Gemma, please. I need this." Louis pleads.
"Okay, jesus christ you fucking animal! I'm leaving, I'm leaving."
And without another word, she walks out, hugs Harry and gives him a small peck on the cheek, and is sauntering out the door with the phone to her ear. She gives a small wave behind her back right before the door closes, and then-- silence. Finally.
Louis sighs as he turns away from the door and looks to Harry. It's only been about a full day and a half since they were completely alone and free, but it feels so distant and awkward. He will be damned if he allows this.
Harry is standing against the wall looking to the floor. But Louis can see the way he is tightly clenching his fists and trying to avoid looking up.
"Haz. . ." Louis nearly whimpers, crowding infront of him and lifting his chin with his thumb.
Harry's eyes are a bit glassy like maybe he was attempting to keep from crying.
"Haz? Harry? What's wrong?!" Louis says in a panic, trying to stay calm to keep from ruining the peace surrounding them.
"N-nothing! No, no. I'm happy. I just mi-miss you?" And he says it like a question, which is so fucking confusing to Louis.
"But. I'm right here babe." Louis says, motioning with his hands towards his body mass standing not three inches away from the smaller boy.
"I know that!" Harry says with a sniff and a smile, playfully slapping at Louis' chest.
Louis kind of falls back dramatically with a laugh and an overly dramatic "Heyyyy!!" But then Harry pulls him back in by his shirt and clings to him, nuzzling his face into his chest and just, breathing.
"No i mean. . I miss being close to you all the time. ."
"We can still be close, Harry. All the time, everyday. Whenever you need me. Whenever I need you, yeah?"
Harry nods as he lifts his face up, and Louis swears no one could ever be more flawless than him. His face titled up towards him, the dimmed lights hitting it just right-- It warms his heart so much he feels he could burst into flames and be re-born again. His eyes are so green, and so bright. They've never been able to shine this way, like the boy is finally realizing that there is a better life for him, a life that he deserves.
"You're beautiful." Louis whispers, before Harry slightly hums and goes on his tip toes to finally kiss Louis without the feeling of Gemma watching.
Louis can't refrain from smiling, and he doesn't try to do so at all. He kisses and he smiles, and he feels, and loves, and jesus christ he wants to cry. So he does.
The moment Harry tastes the difference, the salt on his lips, he's kind of pulling back. But Louis just holds his face against his own and shakes his head with muffled words.
"Don-t--im happy." He says as he continues to kiss the boy, and Harry's fingers cling to his neck so tightly after that, Louis kind of winces in pain. But he loves it. Loves when the boy feels comfortable enough to just--touch him. Do what he wants with him.
The kiss drags on, slow and sweet. And Harry feels more content than anyone else in the world being held against the wall by Louis' love. By his hands, his legs, his lips. He can feel the heat of Louis' body seeping into his own and he wants more of that. He wants all of the heat he has to offer. And he's beginning to believe that Louis will offer up everything he has just to make him happy for just a moment. Though one touch could keep him smiling for a life time.
After a long session of feeling lips on lips, Harry gets brave. Louis can sense that. He senses it the moment Harry uses the little tricks he picked up from all of the mid-sex kissing. He only slightly nibbles at Louis' lip and lightly traces his hand up his neck and into his hair. The moment he titled his head to the side for better access though, Louis knew that it was time to move forward. So cautiously--very cautiously, Louis traces his hands from the boys hips to his ass. Not quite gripping, but holding him there before pressing his body against him, allowing the boy to feel him growing harder against his jeans.
"Oh. ." Harry whispers against Louis' lips before willingly pressing himself against him harder. Louis grips him at that moment, holding him against his body and allowing himself to feel the pressure of it. They stay like that for a moment longer, just looking at each other. Their breath is uneven, lips swollen. And Louis can still see the brightness in Harry's half-hooded eyes. He's definitely going to be completely gone in the next few seconds if Harry doesn't move, or rut, or just--breathe. But he doesn't. He just looks at Louis, shifting his eyes to his lips for a moment before using his hands to pulls Louis' hair lightly, tilting his head to the side. He's done this a few times before, but never like this. Never without asking for permission. He lowers one of his hands and traces it over a spot on Louis' neck before attaching his lips there and sucking. Louis has to pick him up then, allowing Harry to wrap his legs around his waist before he braces them against the wall with one hand, and holding Harry up with the other.
"Harry. . " He slightly moans out, trying to speak normally. But he can't ignore the tingling on his neck and the heat in his pants. He can feel Harry too. He feels it stiffening against his stomach and he desperately wants to touch and love and just-- feel and see Harry fall apart in his arms.
"Harry--Haz-" Louis calls out again, and Harry just hums against his neck. He can feel the boy kitten licking at the spot that is becoming more and more sore by the second.
"Let's--Can we go to your room?"
And Harry is most definitely hitting a brave streak. More confident touching Louis in a more intimate way, you could say. He responds simply, and a bit demanding.
"Please. Now." Is all he mutters, before he goes back to kissing on Louis' neck.
He really doesn't have the heart to stop him, he doesn't want him to stop. So he grips at Harry's ass tightly, and attempts to keep his balance as he carries the boy to his room. Still feeling him becoming more and more content as he sucks harder and harder in that one spot. He bites him there as Louis kicks open the door, and they're both hit with the smell of fresh paint. But honestly, who cares?
Louis winces in pain when Harry bites him again, but then he's pulling back and wrapping his arms around Louis' neck as he's sat on the bed.
When he attempts to stand back up, Harry doesn't let go. He holds him tighter and lays himself down, pulling Louis on top of him and giggling a bit.
"Harry, I have to get the- you know.."
"The stuff?" Harry whispers with wide eyes.
"Yeah. . "
And honestly, the boy is becoming more and more cheeky by the moment as well.
"To save you a trip later?"
Louis just looks at him. Curls lying widely across the pillow and legs spread around him. His face is so sweet, so innocent. But this boy knows what he wants now. He knows Louis isn't here to hurt him.
"Alright then-- what're you waiting for?" Harry half-giggles as Louis leans down and kisses him.
"One second, I promise."
It takes more than a second though, Harry actually props himself up on one elbow as he watches Louis attempt to take his pants off and walk across the room at the same time. His laugh escapes before he covers his mouth, and Louis is turning to shoot him a cheeky look.
"Don't laugh at me, I'm trying to hit two birds with one stone here!"
"What?"
Harry doesn't get it of course, but Louis laughs is off as he decides to just waddle with his pants at his ankles back to the bed with lube and condoms in hand.
"Gemma is a good sister. Keeps us from getting pregnant." Louis laughs as he lets himself fall between Harry's legs again. He finally kicks his pants off and looks up to the boy.
"Of course, boys can't have babies. But still."
Harry giggles again, and then his face goes serious. Eyes looking straight to Louis' lips and no where else. Louis notices and works quickly with pulling his shirt off and lying himself back down on top of the boy.
"I miss you too." Louis says, and doesn't even allow himself to take in Harry's look of realization before leaning down and kissing him with enough force to freeze Harry in the moment.
He doesn't quite kiss back until he comes back to reality, realizing that both in this fantasy world and real world, it revolves around Louis. That he is everywhere and he will never get enough of it. But he will damn well get as much as he can. So he shoots his hands into his hair again and begins kissing him back just as desperately.
It doesn't take them long before they are fully hard and panting against each other's lips. And every now and then, Harry works his hands down to his neck, and presses his thumb into the messily formed bruise he had created only minutes before. Each time it draws a marvelous hiss out of his older boyfriend's mouth and he wants to play that sound in his head on repeat for the rest of his life.
"Babe. ." Louis whimpers as he pulls away and rests his head against Harry's chest.
Harry smiles, because he is so in love. Knowing that Louis can so easily touch him, and call him things like "babe" and "baby" . Especially because he does it in a voice that sounds so exhausted, but so ready to take on whatever Harry throws at him.
"Hm?" Harry says, running his hands up the back of Louis' neck and into his hair again.
Louis laughs against him, but says nothing else. He uses his hands to speak now. Telling him that these pants he is wearing are in the way, and that shirt is soaking up all of the heat meant for his own skin to feel.
When Louis unbuttons his pants, Harry simply lets him pulls them down his body, and he does attempt to help with a little shimmy, but that only makes Louis bite his lip as he traces his fingers up the boys legs and lightly across the heat in his briefs. Harry breathes out at that, watching the way Louis looks at his body as if the scars aren't there. As if he is just as normal, and more beautiful than any other person on the planet.
Still, Louis traces his fingers up the boy's body. Past his hips and belly and up his shirt, finally lying his hand flat against his chest and kissing him once before he is removing his hand and pulling the boy's shirt off of him.
Honestly though, the scars are difficult to ignore, but the only thing Louis can do is remind himself that he will never allow another scar to form on this body again. The only bruises will be from his own mouth and nothing else. The only other person who will ever touch this boy again is him, And that always helps. It definitely helps to keep the pain and hurt out of his heart when he runs his fingers over smooth skin but then suddenly feeling the uneven and raised scar tissue on the one person who never deserved such a thing.
"I love you." Louis whispers into the boy's neck as he kisses there, running his fingers back down his body. Constantly reminding himself that the scars are from the past and all he can do now is fill the boy's heart and soul with happiness, hopefully helping the boy erase all sadness from his body. So all they are, are scars with no story.
But there will always be a story, wont there?
Harry had shared his sadness, and it's time for Louis to share his happiness.
"I love you." He says again. Feeling the way Harry is allowing his hands to travel and explore down his spine, causing goose bumps to form all over like waves.
"I love you too. . " Harry whispers. But it's loud, and Louis can feel it against his ear as Harry whispers it back confidently.
"Can you please touch me. . .?" Harry adds.
Louis looks down the boy's body and he can see him twitch in his briefs, and yes. He will most definitely touch him now, letting his fingers make their way back to the only piece of clothing on the boy, grabbing lightly at him. And Harry gasps, which is all Louis needed to hear to keep it going.
He just barely touches at first, kissing him all the while. Not once allowing himself to stop tasting the boy against his lips. He works other his hand under the boy's body again, this time rubbing from his lower back to his ass, back up, and back down, After a few seconds, he allows his fingers to slightly find their way under the band of the boy's briefs and he keeps it there. But he wants to see his face, so he pulls back and watches how the boy catches his breath before opening his eyes to look at him.
Louis' eyes are hooded, and his mouth is even more swollen than before. And then he fully grabs the boy and half spreads him apart with one hand. At that time, Harry gasps again, feeling full skin on skin in a hidden and private place and that only makes him want more. Louis can tell by the way he kind of licks his bottom lip before blinking slowly. So, he pulls his other hand away from Harry's dick and uses it to spread him apart even more, letting the briefs stretch and slightly fall below his own wrists. Harry then, wraps his legs around Louis, and allows himself to be lifted slightly.
He leans up and kisses Louis once before he uses his hands and presses Louis' body back into his own.
Louis does a small circular motion with his hips before he loosens his grip on Harry's ass and completely pulls his briefs down. He doesn't looks down yet though, he just pulls Harry back up and feels his full and thick dick throbbing against his own clothed one. And fuck, he needs his own briefs off like, now.
When Harry traces his hands lower and rests them just above Louis' ass, he whispers.
"Can I?"
Louis nods.
"Yeah babe, take them off."
And so, he does. Pulling them down Louis' thighs and becoming even more brave as he hugs his waist tightly and yet again, pulls his body down onto his own.
Finally, skin against skin.
Louis doesn't make haste after that, he simply allows himself to feel the boy against him. He can feel the way Harry's chest rises and falls with each breath, and the way his legs twitch each time he actually does press his body a bit more into the boy's.
Harry's body speaks for itself though. It wants to be touched, even if his face doesn't show that.
Which at the moment, his face actually does show it. It shows everything. It shows his heart, and his voice. It shows what he's feeling and what he wants to feel. And it shows that he's actually a bit confused as to why Louis is just lying there on top of him, looking and fawning over him, but not really touching.
"Lou?" Harry whispers.
"I know." He says back, leaning down to kiss him before trailing his lips down to the boy's neck.
He stops there for a moment, sucking lightly in the same spot Harry had marked him. He doesn't intend to stay in that spot long, because the boy is actually beginning to wiggle a bit too much and he needs to stop teasing him and just, do something for him.
He makes his way down to the little patch of skin that hovers above Harry's belly button, and he kisses there more than a few times before moving over just a bit to kiss one of the scars that Harry's father had left. The pain Harry feels when one of the scars are touched is long gone, because all that Louis has to offer is love, and all the scars need is love.
The feeling of Louis pressing kisses onto that one spot feels a bit surreal to Harry though. It's not that he hasn't kissed his scars, bruises, or wounds before, because he has. Louis couldn't have been able to live with himself if he hadn't. It's just the fact that the feeling gets to stay. Instead of feeling new marks form, he gets to feel them slowly fade away with each kiss and tender word that falls from Louis' mouth.
Just as he begins to trail his lips away from the raised tissue, Harry grabs onto his hair and pulls it slightly. Just enough to make Louis look at him.
The look in Harry's eyes at that time is something that completely flusters Louis. Out of all of these intimate and heated moments, this is the first time he's ever seen the boy look like this. Blushed cheeks and bruised lips, but he has this sweet smile that tells Louis he is truly becoming content with his life. And no one in the world could ever understand such a thing if you hadn't been through what they've experienced. The boy is healing fast, faster than expected. How is this even normal?
"Hmm?" Louis hums as he trails his eyes back down the boy's chest. Watching again at the way his even breath rises and falls.
"Lou?" Harry whispers, making Louis look back to him with a questionable expression.
"Yeah, love?" Louis mumbles back, going to kiss a few more times around the boy's stomach.
"Never leave me."
Oh.
Never leave me. Never leave him. Never leave Harry. Never ever leave the boy who would have been dead if it wasn't for Louis. Never leave the boy who he had watched his best mate beat the shit out of. Never ever ever leave the boy who had cried to him, and clinged to him as if he was the last bit of life he could feel. And never leave the boy who he had found barely breathing in the disgusting home that smelled of neglect and perversion. Of rot, of hate, of pain, of unwanted and silent tears.
Never leave.
And the reality of Harry's life is punching Louis in the gut for ever allowing himself to even know that the boy was in pain, and he did nothing about it until each time until it was almost too late.
Louis is almost too late for everything. But the one the he is sure of, is that he isn't too late at all to love. In fact, he is early. He found the one who completed him, and he went through hell to keep it. The one stable thing in his life is this boy lying beneath him with this explainable expression on his face. And he is scared as hell.
And then the silence of the boy's words are broken by a sob.
"Louis, don't."
And Louis again, doesn't speak.
"Don't you dare not say anything when I used every ounce of energy to talk for you. . ."
Louis gasps when Harry's content expression distorts into something sad and hurt. And he doesn't want this.
"I--" Louis tries, realizing that he had pulled a voice from Harry. But in return his own voice was taken away.
"I-- just. . . Sometimes Harry--"
The boy's eyes widen when Louis finally places a kiss against his skin again, for a moment he was afraid that he was going to be left alone again. And when Louis speaks out, he leaves his lips pressed against Harry and allows the vibrations of it to cause euphoria all across the frail and pale boy's skin.
"Sometimes you make it hard to breathe, and sometimes you make it hard to talk. But I love you, and I will always love you."
"And I will never leave you."
Not even a second goes by after the words are spoken before Harry smiles again, though his eyes looked slightly pained.
"I didn't--. . I didn't mean to not say anything. " Louis whispers, pulling himself up to kiss Harry again.
After four kisses and a nibble, Louis looks back at Harry and sighs.
"I've ruined the mood, haven't I?"
Harry smiles then, bigger than before.
"Maybe a little, you just scared me. ." He says it with a small chuckle, and that makes Louis' entire world spin far too fast.
"M'sorry. ." Louis whimpers like a child when he says it, whining and just flopping himself onto the boy like he had absolutely no energy.
"It's still been a while though."
"Oh? What exactly are you saying?" Louis says it playfully, poking Harry in the side and watching him squirm.
"Well, I suppose you're right. I mean, we have all of these supplies and we're already completely undressed. What on earth could we do in a situation like this?" The older boy adds after not really allowing Harry to talk, just letting him giggle.
And just like that, Harry is back to smiling and play fighting with Louis in an attempt to lighten the mood that was brought down in a matter of seconds.
"I ruined the mood, so I guess I'm just going to have to fix it then, right?" Louis says with a smile as he finally lifts himself back up. Harry looks at him, a smile still fixated on his face. And he nods. Harry actually nods. Like damn right you better fix this.
And so, Louis trails his eyes back down the boy's body. Noticing how he is softer than he was just moments before, and realizing that he definitely needs to touch him. Not just to apologize for the scare but to make him feel good, and to make him moan, and whimper, and cling to him as if he is about to drown.
~
The images of the night before will forever remain etched in Harry's mind. The freedom he felt the moment the door was closed and the two were alone, and the feeling of closeness with the only person who had ever truly rescued him.
Though the warmth and the highs were good for both of them, Harry thinks the moment they shared after their highs had dropped was far more memorable. Louis hopping up after catching his breath and uttering a small "c'mon" into his ear as he leaned over him.
Harry of course, followed instantly, wondering if they should at least put some clothes on. It wasn't too important, considering they still had at least four more hours alone. So around the house they went, in search for sheets and pillows that could go unnoticed at the stroke of midnight once Anne and Robin come home.
After a short time of gathering the needed supplies, Harry had simply sat back on his bed and watched Louis hop back into his underwear and snatch one of Harry's jumpers to put on.
The younger boy was in awe at the sight, never once realizing how lovely it is to see his boyfriend wearing his clothes as he prances around his room. He stifles a giggle more than a few times.
Louis constantly steals glimpses of Harry from under his fringe as he places the sheets perfectly around the room, creating a very fragile fort for the two. Of course, one wrong move would knock it down, so Louis made sure Harry was extra careful when he finally allows the boy to crawl inside.
"Wow, it's a lot bigger than I thought it would be." Harry giggles as he measures the space between the top of his head to the sheet hanging above them. Louis of course, manages to find a perverted joke in those words, but he chooses not to speak out about it.
"So I did good-- yeah?" The older boy asks, waiting for praise as if he was a puppy.
And honestly, Louis truly is proud of this little house inside of Harry's house. Because in a way it's like it's their own little space-- hidden and away from the rest of the world.
Harry easily praises him, leaping forward and nearly knocking down part of the little home Louis had created. Though he didn't, it's not like Louis would have really cared because Harry is currently kissing all over his face and giggling all the while.
"You did good." Harry murmured between the small and warm kisses.
"Your lips feels like butterflies."
Harry cocks his head at that and actually laughs at him.
"I like butterflies."
Louis smiles widely at the words though, because he wasn't entirely lying about it. Harry's lips really did feel light and fluttered as the wings of a butterfly would feel. It's all very overwhelming sometimes. How this boy is the very essence of nature. Like the entire world revolves around, and only listens to Harry through his emotions. When he is sad, the sky is sad, when he is warm, the wind is cooling. But when he is gone, no longer an existence of this world, it will break. All natural forces and spirits of this world will fall through and wander around looking for another core to plant themselves into.
That's the conclusion Louis had come to. The night the wind had carried him to the boy. As if the earth was the only thing that could save him. So Louis was the puppet. And he has never been more grateful for the wind, and the sun, and the flowers, and the sweet hum of all insects alike for carrying him to the one thing in this universe that matters to him.
Okay! I know, since chapter seventeen, the entire mood of the story has changed, including my writing style. There is a bit more of a light atmosphere. Harry is talking more, he and Louis are happy together. Keep in mind, the abuse from Harry's father is over now, and now it's just the aftermath. Technically he is much happier and recovering now since he's with Louis. And Louis still holds the title of the spoiled bad boy asshole by everyone but the people in his home life.
Harry's father wont be making anymore appearances in this story, so to say. Or rather, in person. There will be a few things involving him later, but it's not huge.. So let me quickly explain what has happened to him. The asshole is going to be locked up for a very very very long time. Let's just say he gets his ass kicked in prison by guys who are ten times bigger than him, and he's still a pervert who thinks about Louis and Harry often. He doesn't quite care about the beating he recieves. He's beginning to realize he was a piece of shit, because he is getting the same treatment he gave to Harry. c:
I did have a writing break and came back to re-read the final chapters of Speak. And honestly, what the fuck was I thinking? I wasn't too happy with the ending I had and I didn't think anyone else way too. Which is why I took nine hundred years to get this chapter out. There is probably typos. But I edited the fuck out of this chapter. You could say I basically re-wrote the entire thing. ANYWAY, I hope you guys like it.
D O N ' T F O R G E T ;; After Speak is over. I'll be filling at least five prompts before I start another chaptered story. That doesn't mean I'm open to new prompts either. I haven't been able to update my prompt section but I currently have over thirty prompts to write. And as a person who takes their writing very seriously, I intend to do all of them.
Sorry for the A/N novel again. I love you guys so much for being patient!
Official New Chapter Count ; Twenty Three (Twenty Four referring to Ao3, since the chaptering is a bit off due to the prologue.)
And, Onto chapter 18.
Masterpost
Chapter Seventeen
"I- I don't want to." Harry cries.
It has only been about an hour since Louis got home from school, and Harry just knew something was going to ruin this new life. Something always ruins the happiness. He felt like it was going to happen a week ago, but nothing of the sort happened. And because of that, he truly let himself believe that this time it was going to be different. That this time, he can actually live without worry of losing him again. However, it all turns out that he was wrong. With his boyfriend on the otherside of the door, pleading to come in. No, Louis doesn't want him here. He's pushing him out. He doesn't want him at all anymore. Though he didn't say it himself, Harry can feel it.
"Harry, h-hey. Hey! Please let me in. Just listen to me, yeah? Please?" Louis says in a panic, scooting closer to his bedroom door. Because yeah, maybe Harry locked him out of his own room.
Louis isn't mad about that though. He kind of understands why, he thinks. Knowing you have to leave in just two days. He would lock himself in a room that screams 'Harry!' too, just to soak up the feel, the scent, and the comfort. Don't get him wrong though. Louis definitely doesn't want Harry to leave at all, but he came to terms with it the moment his mother showed him the paperwork and told him that he's running out of time. He knew this would happen, of course. Harry would immediately curl in on himself and think the entire world is coming to an end. That happiness never lasts. But the thing is, the boy doesn't even know that he's literally just going to be across the yard. Louis isn't going anywhere and he wouldn't be totally opposed to having 'sleepovers' with him every night if that's what it takes.
He can hear Harry crying against the door. Almost too silent to notice for anyone that isn't Louis. He had grown quite accustomed to those cries during the summer. And it's kind of scary to hear them again. To hear him shut his voice off , to hear him distance himself. To feel this wall keeping him from his boy. It hurts.
"Don't cry. Please just let me in. . " Louis whispers lowly as he hears footsteps. He can kind of tell his mom is coming upstairs, but he pays no mind to it. He continues to plead through the door as she spots him, and she feels this pain in her chest at the sight. She can kind of hear Harry murmur to Louis on the other side of the door, but she doesn't listen close enough in fear of joining their business. She promised Louis he could be the one to tell him, and if . . if this is how it has to be, then so be it. Everything is out of their hands, and forgive her if she isn't quite up to par with ripping young boys from their comfort like some parents. She nearly wants to cry at the sight of Louis tearing up though. He's touching the door as if he's touching Harry. Like if he touches it too hard, it will shatter and turn to dust in front of him. She watches as his hand traces down the door's frame until it reaches the bottom, and tries not to whimper at the way he trails his fingers across Harry's beneath the door. He quietly continues his soft and soothing whispers. Only then,does she allow herself to hear him, and then she's off downstairs again, holding her heart and hating herself for moving so quickly with finding Harry a home.
"I promise I'll be right beside you the whole time Haz. I'm not going to let you get ripped away from me again. "
That's what she heard him say, and never in her life has she ever heard Louis' voice so soft and gentle. She's a bit ashamed actually, that she put them in this situation. And the fact that she thinks she may have heard something reserved only for this boy. Fuck. Is there nothing she can do to make it easier? And then she's smacking herself in the head and calling Anne up. Within the hour she was out the door and heading into town with guilt weighing heavy on her heart.
Because it may not be the biggest and most brilliant idea, but it'll just have to do.
~
This goes on between Harry and Louis for almost an hour more. Soft fingers touching beneath the door, whispers, and cries. Harry just wont give Louis the chance to explain. The fact that he is leaving, that this is no longer his home, it's just enough to break everything all over again that was in the process of being fixed. But Louis had gone silent almost fifteen minutes ago, and his fingers had disappeared from under the door. Harry thinks he'd left him. Louis promised he would never leave.
It's over now, isn't it?
Harry has to leave, and Louis is mad at him.
"L-Louis?" Harry says against the door.
No answer.
It doesn't take long for the tears to burn his eyes again. He had thought he cried it all out already, he was even willing to try and listen to Louis. But now he can't because he's gone.
The emptiness is creeping back on Harry as he looks at a room that isn't his, with the things that belong to the boy that probably isn't, and never will be his. This is all his fault, Louis left him because he refused to listen. Now he is left to do it all by himself and he's kind of considering flinging himself out of this two-story window.
But he waits, and he waits. Fifteen more minutes, nothing.
He sniffles, wipes his face off, and then is pulling himself up. He takes a deep breath before he unlocks the door and is pulling it open. He's prepared to walk out of an empty house to live somewhere on the streets, and he really did think Louis would be gone, that he wouldn't be curled up in front of the door with his arms covering his face. He assumed Louis would have left to hang out with people who would listen to him. Or maybe he would have left to just stop caring about Harry with hopes that he would already be gone by the time he comes back. But that wasn't the case, and he kind of wants to slap himself for thinking anything of the sort. Because it seems he had just fallen asleep.
He really needs to just trust him, doesn't he?
"Louis?" Harry whispers, standing above him.
With no answer, he simply lays there in the floor and pulls Louis' arm around him. Harry's hooded and heavy eyes begin to close at the soft breaths coming from Louis' mouth before he hears him speak.
"Don't lock yourself away from me again." Louis says tiredly, tightening his arm around Harry and moving the other to hold him even closer.
"Do- do you want to go into your room?" Harry manages to whisper back.
Louis doesn't nod, he doesn't say anything. Because right now he could care less. School kept him away from Harry all day, and then his door had locked him away for nearly three more hours. Now the boy is pressed up against him and he's kind of afraid to move. So he just lays there in the hallway with him. And he doesn't dare say anything about the situation.
"Are you mad at me?" Harry finally says with a small voice.
"I don't think I could ever be mad at you." Louis sighs with a smile against his hair.
Harry turns over now, so he's facing Louis. And they just look at each other for a long time.
"Louis. . Why do I have to go. . ?" He whispers after a moment, much calmer now that Louis was looking at him with so much love in his eyes.
He sighs again for a moment though, because he doesn't want another repeat of what just happened. Maybe if he takes it slow, and tells Harry exactly what he's thinking first. . it will go by more smoothly?
"I don't want you to go and if it were my choice you would be living with me forever and ever. ." Harry lets out a soft giggle before Louis continues with a small sigh. "But, my mum thought it would be better for you to have a mum and dad that would be here for you. And you know, my mum and dad isn't reall--"
"I don't need a mum and dad. I have you. ." Harry interrupts him.
Louis smiles at that. Because he knows he could love Harry more than anyone else in this world. Way more than Robin and Anne ever could, way more than his own parents. . Not that it's wrong or anything. They're parents, they're not meant to look at Harry the way he looks at him. But in a way, after so long of Harry not having a mother and having a father that-- well, never mind that. It's just that Louis understands Harry deserves the pleasure of having a family who will love him. He deserves so much. As a good boyfriend, he can't keep the boy from the other pleasures in the world. He may be able to give Harry things that a family wouldn't, but they can also give things that Louis couldn't give to him. Regardless of how selfish he is, regardless of how much he wants to keep Harry for himself forever, he can't.
"Harry, please just listen to me. I would never ever want you to go anywhere if it were my choice. I would keep you here with me forever, and never let anyone else even look at you. But then I would be no better than. . well, him." He pauses for a moment, and Harry shows no signs of speaking up yet. So he continues. "I've known this family for a very long time, and Im almost relieved that they're the ones to want to take you in. Harry please, just listen. They live right next door. You know, the house with the pretty flowers that always has the nice lady in the yard? The one who waves to you every morning when you kiss me goodbye for school?" Louis had held his breath trying to explain it as quickly as possible in fear of Harry closing in on himself again. Instead the boy's eyes widen at the words. Almost like a blissful realization.
"You mean, I'm not going far away again?" He whispers, looking down at his hands.
"I'd never allow you to be any further than right next door, please believe me. ." Louis adds, pulling Harry's face back up to look at him. "And I promise we will see each other every single day. I'll come over to your house anytime you want, and you can come over to mine too. I already made sure that it wouldn't be a problem. . "
"I'd never send you away. . " He adds with a kiss, after just a moment too long of Harry's silence.
"How long before I have to go again?" Harry says after the kiss. And Louis was a bit relieved to see that he wasn't frowning too hard when he said it.
"We still have tonight and tomorrow. ." Louis responds with another kiss, and a hug, and another kiss.
"You still have to go to school tomorrow too. ." Harry says back with a huff.
Louis tries not to giggle.
"Yeah. . . But it'll fly by, and I can try to come home early, yeah?"
Harry nods before nuzzling into Louis' chest.
Little did Harry know, he wasn't going to school. As much as he would love to stay home with the boy all day and just, breathe him in. He can't. Because Anne had called him up and he got permission from his mother to go shopping with her. To spoil to fuck out of his boy for his first night away.
~
First, clothes. Of course, he's going to give Harry a bunch of his own clothes to wear but he also couldn't resist buying the little sweater vest that would look absolutely fucking adorable on him. Secondly, decor. Which is mainly a bundle of posters that he finds fit. Nothing violent or scary, nothing boring or covered with school related bullshit. Definitely his own favorite bands followed by the ones Harry always asks to hear. Tons and tons of posters. And maybe, you know, maybe he also bought a giant poster with a kitty holding onto a little rope saying, " Hang in there, tiger! " .
He also buys the boy a bundle of bathroom supplies. The same shampoo he uses, because Harry seems to have grown very fond of the smell of strawberries and cream. He buys him a hair brush and a wide-tooth comb, because no way in hell will he be the reasoning behind frizzy curls. Even though he kind of thinks Harry could pull off a fro.
He buys candy, three pairs of shoes, socks, maybe he bought him a few candles-- "It smells like happiness. ." Harry had said to Louis after his mother lit a candle titled "Summer nights."
Smiling like an idiot the whole time, Louis; accidentally, he would say, imagined always shopping for Harry. Picking out the sugary cereal secretly because Harry likes that kind. Maybe he imagines grocery shopping in the future with him, too. He's not sure.
Either way, he has his arms full of gifts, and bags hitting his legs as he walks. Anne takes him back to her house with her, and he has to be sneaky going inside. Because Harry absolutely cannot see him with all of this stuff. And he certainly can't see that Louis had told a lie about going to school either. So, he pulls out his past-stalker self and creeps around bushes, runs quickly to the door, and closes it behind him.
He sits with Anne for an hour more, wrapping gifts and re-arranging everything so Harry would know who got what for him. But then, as he's finishing the last gift and fighting with the paper, he notices a somewhat small box wrapped up neatly. It's placed on top of all of the other gifts and says "To: Harry , Love: Jay".
"Hey Anne, what's that one? I didn't know my mum bought something for him too?"
Anne keeps quiet, remembering that Jay had nearly begged for her not to tell Louis about it yet.
"Ohhh, It's nothing love, you'll see soon. Yeah?"
And now she's ignoring everything he says about the gift.
~
The two days Harry had with Louis passed by fairly quickly. Though he didn't feel as upset about the situation anymore, he still doesn't exactly want to go anywhere. Leaving the comfort of Louis' bedroom is a bit hectic to think about, and the fact that he actually has to do it just makes it that much more difficult.
The last day they had together was quiet. Louis had finally gotten to skip out on school under the approval of Jay, mainly because Harry begged her. Well, not really begged. It was more like a small "please?" when Louis had asked.
That entire day was nothing but lovely with a hint of sadness. They both avoided the fact that the next morning is the time Harry has to walk out of this room. A mere nine hours away from them. This will be the last time it's "their room". The last time Louis can come home to Harry sitting in a mess of blankets and curls as he attempts to defeat Sephiroth with an angry look on his face. That's a heart breaking thought. Those small things have become so dear to Louis, he thinks he may be more upset than Harry is about this. He tries not to tear up with a dopey smile on his face each time he looks into the boy's eyes. Realizing that they're not that sad anymore, and the fact that he is the cause just makes him want to. . . melt away into a universe of just them. With the smell of him, and the feel of him. His laugh playing in the wind, and his breath chilling the night. He thinks it's quite cliche but it's also quite perfect.
They had both planned to stay awake all night in an attempt to make their last hours worth it. Even though they will be spending plenty more time together in the future. This is the last time the air is theirs alone. Where Harry conquers everything in this room as much as Louis does. But the plan of staying up was kind of cut short when it hit the four am mark. Harry was trying to keep his eyes open, but it was so damn hard when all they were doing was lying there and just. . looking at each other. Yet neither of them really planned to do anything else. It's a comforting hobby that they share, Louis thinks. Most people would become bored after a few moments in the silence of just looking at one another. But not for these two. Harry enjoyed the way he could see everything Louis was in those moments. Just seeing that small smile and soft look in his eyes. He knew that this is love. He just knew it.
When Jay had knocked loudly on the door just five hours after they had both drifted together in a pile of love and warmth, Harry was the first to open his eyes. Immediately the anxiety sets in and he just grabs onto Louis and holds him tightly trying so hard not to cry. The sound of the door opening combined with Harry's shaking and warm hands nearly breaking his skin woke Louis up. Without even thinking, he reaches for Harry and completely ignores the fact that his mother is in the room now. He knows immediately that the boy is over run with nervousness and fear, and he doesn't plan to allow him to leave right this moment.
"I wont let you leave yet, I promise. ." Louis whispers, and Harry curls in just a bit more.
"Louis, you know that they're expecting him in an hour. ." Jay says in a hushed tone towards them, looking away as Harry starts crying.
"Then leave us the fuck alone until then!" He says back with a raised voice, suddenly so angry at this feeling. I mean, yeah. Harry isn't being ripped from him, but goddamn it just feels so familiar. He feels that small caving in his chest, afraid that he'll come home one day to find Harry dead. What if Anne and Robin aren't good people? What if they hurt him? He can't just trust someone with his whole life.
He really does feel like Harry is being ripped away now, only this time it's by his mother. And believe him, he knows she means no harm but that doesn't stop the heat from rising to his ears as he turns his face and glares at her. He can't trust anyone in this moment. Not even himself.
"But Lou-"
"Just get out."
Jay silently gasps at the look in his eyes. So protective and hurt, it's painful. He was fine yesterday, coming home and kissing her lightly on the cheek with a small 'thank you' for everything she had gone through with the two. But now? Now he just seems so full of hate towards anyone but the boy. She knew today would be long and difficult, but she didn't think Louis would be the cause of it.
She silently stands for a moment longer, feeling a bit small to the world as Louis turns away from her and envelopes himself around Harry's entire body. She realizes that she means nothing in this moment. Nothing matters to either of the boys but each other, and she knows that she's coming between them. They're like magnets forcing themselves together and she is the air between being pushed away and forgotten about. Strangely, she understands. So with a small nod and a sniffle, she turns and walks through the door. But before closing it, she looks back at the two and can't refrain from crying.
They love each other so strongly she can feel it seeping out of their skin. The warmth that was in Louis' room just the night before is now gone, and it looks as though they're struggling to keep warm. So young, and so completely and utterly in love.
The first tear falls at the way Louis nuzzles his face into Harry's hair. Closing his eyes tightly and just inhaling, almost like he's saying a final goodbye. The second, third, and fourth tear comes from Harry. She can't see him at all, considering Louis is completely wrapped around him. But when his little hand finds it's way around her son, and grabs him so tightly she can see the white in his knuckles, she almost breaks completely.
The two aren't meant to be apart. But they have to be, and they know it.
~
Louis counts in his head how much time they have left. His mother hasn't come back into the room, but now that he's got a tighter grasp on reality he knows what needs to be done. Quietly he pulls himself away from Harry. Feeling the warmth they had created drift into the air and away from them.
"Come on love, you have to get ready." He tries to say lightly. But his voice almost breaks.
Harry simply pulls himself up, trying to be stronger than he truly is as he nods to Louis, leaping forward to kiss him.
"You'll come with me, wont you?" He says, voice not breaking even for a moment.
Harry can at least try to be okay, right? It hurts so bad to have to go, but Louis is hurting too. If he continues to show his own pain then Louis will feel it and reflect it. If he seems okay with this, maybe Louis will calm down too.
They kiss continuously for about ten minutes before Harry pulls himself up with a small smile.
"Wont you?" He says, looking at Louis with the illusion of a bright and happy face. And Louis can hardly even respond properly. His breath being caught in his throat as he looks up at him. Eyes so so green, and lips so fucking red.
"Ye- yeah. Already planned on it." He says to him, biting his tongue. Realizing he sounded a bit bland when Harry kind of krooks his head to the side and narrows his eyes.
"I mean, I want to be with you the entire time. Will you hold my hand?" He says sweetly, with a small smile. And Harry is leaning back down onto him and kissing his nose.
"I love you, and I want you to be with me." Harry says quietly back with confidence showing through his voice.
Louis can only grin back at him. The atmosphere in the room completely changing and warmth coming back into the air. He shakes his head in realization that they're going to be okay. Harry is still breaking inside though. Trying so hard to be strong for him. He thinks it's working and in a way, maybe he's lying to himself, but maybe he really does feel a tiny bit relieved too.
So with that, Louis is hoisting Harry up, letting the boy wrap his legs around his waist, and carrying him to the bathroom.
Jay peeks up the stairs with the sound of giggles, and actually feels so relieved at Harry's smiling face. The two share a small moment then. One of those moments that just makes her feel so close to the boy. Like so many of the small moments before, Harry makes eye contact with her and he's smiling widely as Louis hums his favorite song loudly into his shoulder. His curls are bouncing as he gives her a small wave and is carried around the corner to the bathroom.
Louis then sits him on the counter and begins talking him through his morning routine so Harry does his hair properly when he's by himself. And the boy really does listen, taking mental notes on the way Louis picks the comb in the back of his hair, but brushes the front of it. He also notes that he uses children's "no tear" detangler on his hair. It smells like strawberry's and he kind of feels completely intoxicated.
"Okay, now when you wash your face, you go like this." Louis says, scrunching up his face.
So Harry scrunches his face up too.
"Remember, Do not put it in your eyes. We don't want another repeat of that time you decided it would be okay to shower without me." Louis scolds playfully, thumbing under Harry's eyes and remembering fondly at the way he came running into Louis' room with with a towel and his eyes closed tightly; And you know, maybe running into the wall.
It was so strange for him to know that Harry had never used face wash, or even knew how to properly wash his hair. It's both cute and disturbing at the same time. Even during those nights when he watched him in the shower during summer camp, he hadn't noticed the way Harry would just stand under the water as his way of getting clean. Kind of feels like you're raising a child that you're completely head over heels in love with, and enjoy touching every now and then, Louis thinks.
After a moment, Louis rests his forehead against Harry's and just sighs.
" M'gonna miss you." He says, breathing him in for the hundredth time today.
"Gonna miss you kicking me and stealing the blankets at night." He adds, kissing him on the forehead. And Harry does giggle a bit at that, remembering of the night he woke up with all of the blankets and Louis shivering next to him with an angry look on his face.
"Do you wanna wear one of my shirts today, then?" Louis says as he backs up with a sniffle and a smile. Harry nods immediately, feeling his heart flip and flop inside of him. So Louis pulls his shirt off and gives it to Harry, watching the way the boy tries to pretend he doesn't smell the shirt as he puts it on. And now Louis is feeling just a little embarrassed at how bare he really is right now. Regardless, he slips Harry's shirt on, which actually fits him pretty well.
"Right then. . " Louis says, finally pulling himself out of this weird daze he has found himself in.
He continues his routine with Harry. Suddenly remembering all of the gifts he had gotten for him, and also realizing that in about ten minutes they will be walking out of the house, hand in hand. Completely scared out of their skin over the entire situation.
~
Once they finally knock on Anne's door, everything kind of fades away. Not in a good sense either. With the way Harry had his fingers digging into Louis' side, and the way Louis' throat hurts trying to hold in tears, it's a bit difficult to face the future family that Harry now belongs to.
Harry hesitated to walk out of Louis' room when the time came, and Jay didn't say a word about it. She ended up having to call Anne to let her know that Harry was having a few issues with leaving at the moment, and that they would be a bit late. Louis was thankful when he overheard, but it didn't end this dreadful feeling he was holding in his gut. And really, he doesn't think it's overreacting. Harry has never truly had a real family. Louis was the first person to truly love him. He got ripped away twice before this time-- That is, if you count the time the supervisor at camp made Harry go back to his own cabin. But regardless of all that. Harry is being ripped away for a good reason this time, right?
But the ripping hurts, even if Louis gets to see him every single day and sleep over whenever he wants. It's the fact that he can't come home to find Harry in the comfort of their bedroom. He can't take showers with him, he can't even sleep in the same bed with him. -- Anne had told Jay that she knew they were in love, but she can't allow the boys to be doing. . those things, in her house.
Regardless of the pain, time keeps ticking and they're both scared shitless.
~
"It hurts so bad to let someone else have him." Louis whispers to his mother, watching Harry's face glow as he opens gift after gift. And it's not even that Louis is scared or sad anymore. He's just hurting, and he's jealous, and he's happy, and warm, and maybe a bit too calm for his mother's liking. Because Louis isn't a calm person. He's never been so calm. To but it shortly, Louis feels temporarily forgotten.
"I know, love. But you need to let him have this. Let him go for a little while, yeah? He's got to explore these new feelings." Jay whispers back, scooting closer to Louis in the floor. Their knees touch for a moment, and Louis kind of jumps a bit at that. Okay yeah, he may seem a bit too calm on the outside, but on the inside his mind is racing and he's angry, and jealous, and needy, and happy, and so fucking in love.
In the middle of opening a gift, suddenly Harry jolts and fixes his eyes on Louis. His eyes are filled with question and Louis is a bit confused until he realized that Harry had simply jumped because of Louis' reaction to a mere motherly touch. Harry searches for the reason as to why Louis didn't look so happy, and now his smile is fading for his older boyfriend. He kind of looks over at Anne, and then at Jay and shakes his head for a moment. Because he hasn't really felt And comfortable enough to say anything yet. when they look back at him confused, Gemma jumps up. Because she could kind of tell what's happening. Harry is thankful Gemma is his new sister, he really is.
"Mum, I think we need to take a break. It's even a bit overwhelming for me and he hasn't even gotten to Louis' gifts yet!" She says a bit too loudly, kind of nudging Harry towards Louis.
With a nod to her and a silent 'thank you' , Louis stands up and grabs Harry's hand. They both ignore the obvious confusion on Anne's face as Louis leads him to his room-- because they had already shown Harry so he could put the small amount of things he already had in there.
After shutting the door, Louis just hugs him. All negative feeling draining out of his body and disappearing completely. And he actually wouldn't care at all to admit that it's more of a smothering embrace than a hug, but who is he kidding? He needs this boy in his arms right now.
"Lou, what's wrong?" Harry says, a bit shocked at the force of the hug.
"I just don't want to give you away." Louis almost whines to him. Because honestly, his negative feelings might be slowly draining, but he still really wants to cry.
Harry tightens his grip on him, pulling him just a bit closer and nuzzling his head into his chest. Louis can smell the detangler they had used just a little while ago and he wishes he was still in that moment, watching Harry scrunch up his face and teaching him how to groom himself so he doesn't look like a dope. Even though Louis would still love him endlessly as a dope.
"I'm just-- kind of jealous. ." Louis admits after a moment. Feeling anger as he thinks of how Harry's smile isn't caused by him this time. He has a family now. A family that loves him.
And somehow, Louis doesn't exactly understand it. . but Harry just knows. He knows everything Louis is feeling, and he speaks so perfectly in a sense that makes Louis melt away.
"You're the reason this is happening." Harry says first, and before Louis could speak back in protest, he talks again. "You're the reason I'm happy, and you're the reason he's in jail, and you're the reason I have a family, and a sister. A sister, Louis. I have someone to take care of me when you can't. And as long as you stay right next to me, i'll be happy, and okay." He's not nuzzled into his chest anymore, he had pulled away from him mid-way, and just looked at him as he spoke. Trying to get through to him that he's okay. And he's happy, and Louis is the reason why.
"You've never said so much at once before. . " Is all Louis can muster up before he leans down and kisses him. It's warm and full, and he suddenly just feels so fucking happy, and so proud of himself.
"I've practiced." Harry states between the kiss.
They giggle for a moment, but it's cut short by the sound of a cough. A cough that seems close-- too close.
~
"I swear, I was just coming to check on you!" Anne says a bit too dramatically.
Louis just glares at her before moving on.
"And you?" He questions towards Gemma.
"I--uh, yeah. . ."
"Mum?"
Jay simply smiles at him, and winks.
"Well if you guys are gonna be spying on us," Louis says with a pause, grabbing Harry's hand, making sure that all three of the women's eyes follow the movement. "Then I'll just have to sneak out with him every night and go to a hotel or something. ." And then he pauses again, glaring even harder at them. "For some privacy."
"Oh god! Louis, Don't be such a queen!" Gemma stands up to say, but at that moment Robin is walking in from work with a questionable look on his face.
"The only "queen" in this house is you, Gems. What's going on? Hows my boy?"
And when Louis heard the words "my boy", he grits his teeth and holds tightly onto Harry's hand in a way of saying that this boy is his. He has already made the mistake of letting another "Father" call the boy his own. And it honestly makes him sick to his stomach thinking about the things Harry had gone through because of his own ignorance. There is no way in hell he can allow Robin to claim the boy. Sure, call him your son. Call him anything, just don't call him "yours."
But then, Harry squeezes him back with a smile before releasing his hand and waving at Robin. Louis might feel a bit empty in that moment. The fact that Harry seems okay with this when he is completely breaking on the inside. It's kind of fucked up, really. How is Harry not afraid? How is he not freaking out about this family possibly treating him just as bad as his own father had done?
Well, maybe that's because he found this family through Louis, and there is no way in hell he would ever cause Harry any sort of pain.
Regardless of the things Louis has yet to realize, he glares at Robin only for a moment before he calms himself. Mainly because the man had only smiled at Louis before speaking again.
"Hey, there are still gifts to open! I didn't miss too much I see. Alright then, let me settle in and we can continue, yeah? "
With a nod of three out of four heads, Harry is pulling Louis into the floor and scooting in close to him. Jay simply smiles at the way Louis wraps his arms around Harry's torso and holds him possessively. Anne follows with a fond smile, remembering being that young, but not so in love.
"I love you." Louis whispers into Harry's shoulder causing him to giggle a bit. The whole room goes silent at the sound and at that moment Robin walks back in the room.
"What's with the sile-" He's interrupted by Anne jumping up with a not so quiet squeal.
"What?! What's wrong?!" Robin rushes, running towards her and bracing her shoulders.
"Oh. . oh goodness, I'm so sorry. I just got excited. ." Anne finally responds. She feels a bit dumb because hearing Harry make any kind of sound is almost like hearing the first cry from a new born baby to her. And all of these strange looks she is receiving bother her none as she reaches towards Harry and almost steals him away from Louis. But when she reaches down for his hand, he simply shakes his head and looks to the ground.
Feeling rejected and defeated, she ignores the hurt and glances at Louis, who is smiling proudly and possessively over the boy. She kind of has to remind herself that he is the only link between Harry's past and his future, and she can't just rip him away like that. She's already stolen legal ownership of him, the least she can do is allow him to sit against Louis' chest, right?
"Right then, um. . " Gemma tries to tame the awkward silence but is cut off by Louis loudly announcing his interest in a certain gift.
"Can I please , know what's in that stupid box that's been haunting me ?!"
~
Louis wasn't too shocked with the gifts, but he was pleased nevertheless. Jay had gotten Harry numerous things. At least ten different outfits, several CD's that Louis had to help her pick out, a laptop, and four large boxes filled with books that Gemma had found quite interesting. Of course, Gemma did play part in buying a few of her own personal gifts to her new little brother. Three of which were allowed to be opened infront of the family, and two of which that were to be opened in the privacy of his own room with only herself and Louis present.
Robin was the one to buy all of the typical bedroom needs. He had gotten an entirely new bedroom set for the boy, and had brought six different strips of paper with different colors on it.
"Which color do you like best?" He had said to him. And when Harry couldn't choose just one, he simply pointed at the two colors that he liked best.
Louis had snatched the strips out of his hands and called out the colors to Robin.
"Alright, We'll be painting your bedroom tomorrow then. I've already arranged for Louis to sleep over with you tonight if that's alright with Jay, and we'll start tomorrow morning!"
Louis' eyes kind of widen at the openness the man was showing in that moment, and noted that he should probably attempt to get him alone at one point soon. Jay had simply nodded her head in approval towards Robin after that before she's finally grabbing the tiny gift that had been pissing Louis off all night, and thrusting it into Harry's hands.
Jay had gotten Harry a cell phone, already filled with phone numbers that he will need. And Louis takes a quick five minutes to show Harry how to use it before moving on to his own gifts that have yet to be opened.
Harry knew Louis got him a gift. But what he didn't expect was a mountain of gifts that were terribly wrapped falling all over his lap. He may have had to fight a smile as Louis helped him open the gifts, laughing lightly in his ear at his reactions towards them.
"See! Harry! See? this poster has a kitten on it!" Louis squeals a bit too girly for his liking before glancing up at his mum.
Only then does Jay truly realize that Louis really isn't as tough as he looks. She knows he would never allow those in his school to see him this way, but god she wishes he would. He looks genuinely happy. He doesn't look tired, or angry all the time. He isn't wearing his ripped t shirts as much -- then again that may be because he gave them all to Harry-- and he's even cleaning himself up in the mornings. Styling his hair perfectly rather than letting it go wherever. It's a nice change, in her opinion. Maybe Louis wasn't the only savior in the room.
She takes a moment to look at Harry now. The boy's cheeks are rosy, and he is smiling brightly for anyone to see. It pains her when she thinks back to the night she had seen him sitting limply in that dreadful kitchen, and she can't even imagine what Louis felt when he found out about all of this. How he found out about all of it? She doesn't know. She does know though, that Louis went to camp jaded and selfish, and he came back broken and worried.
Through the pain, the hatred, and even the mood swings, she thinks this was meant to happen. Louis was destined to be with this boy. Someone who she had never known existed, and she's never been happier that Louis was in enough pain to tell her. Of course, she didn't want her son to be in pain at all. But through it, she learned about a whole new type of hurt. A type that no one should ever feel.
She thinks briefly about all of the other children who are still in the same boat that Harry was in just months before, and yeah, she's a lawyer. But now she thinks she'd like to be a different type of lawyer. Instead of one who is paid to get men like Harry's father out of jail, she'd like to be one to save children like Harry from men like him. Paid or not, there is something dreadful going on in the world, and it took her selfish seventeen year old son to show her that.
Nothing is going as planned for me and i feel like a terrible person. I've received a lot of hateful messages regarding my lack of updates lately. Im not going to give an excuse, as its very complicated. But please know and trust that I will be updating as soon as I can. I do have a lot planned for after after "speak" is complete. Please please please just have faith in me and dont hate me. I actually want to cry due to all of the pressure. Please cut me some slack. Im sorry. Honestly.
What fic are you reading right now that's your absolute favorite?
Speak
Summery: He doesn’t speak. Partly because his body would ache if he did, and partly because he doesn’t want to give people the pleasure of hearing him.
Or the one where Harry is fourteen and mute and Louis is a spoiled bad boy bully who is unnerved by the sadness he feels when Harry is around.
Trigger Warning: This story will contain violence, abuse, rape, underage, incest, sexual content, bullying, fluff, angst, talk of suicide , homophobia, and ignorance.
&
Unchain My Heart (Baby Set Me Free)
Summery: Harry was taken at a young age, and chained up in a slave pen. He’s been waiting years to be chosen by a passing noble or royal. He’s starting to think there’s something wrong with him because no one wants him. Then, Prince Louis shows up and decides to take him back to the palace. Suddenly, Harry isn’t sure if he was better off in the slave pen or if, maybe, he’s found a place to call home.
I’m reading a few but I would have too say these two are my favorites right now. xx
Wanted to let you know that I can’t update the prompt page yet but I’ve already received so many quality prompt requests so far!
I plan to write every single one of them! So keep sending them in, and keep in mind you can kik them too me as well! (Loushines)
Alsooo, would be much appreciated to send prompts off anon sometimes too, so i can link your blog in the post when I finish the fic!
Also, there will be a masterpost eventually for all of my prompters who send in their fic needs off anon!
One more thing.
Speak will be exactly twenty chapters, and two side stories when I finish the epilogue. And I may possibly be open to maybe more than two oneshots depending on how well it does!
With that being said, There will then be a post made for EVERYONE who helped me during the process of writing speak. Those who supported me and gave me feedback on the chapters will be going in that post as well!
