safe haven │ larry stylinson

44

Sorry guys, needed a break. But I'm back now. x

Harry's POV

Another sleepless night. The rings around his eyes were undeniable by now. To be honest Harry hadn't even tried to sleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, Louis face appeared. His words haunted him. The indifference in his eyes, the coldness. But Harry couldn't allow himself to let Louis into his mind. Three days. Two shows. Everything would be over after those three days.

Harry spent the day in his room. He had forced himself to eat something, had ordered breakfast with the room service. He had forced himself to take a shower while airing the room. He wouldn't allow himself to be that low again. Three days. Just three days. He would survive that. He had to.

For the sixth time he listened to his favourite album at the time. It was like evermore was written for him in this situation. He had texted Taylor already, still happy they were on good terms by now. They had always been. Just their managements hadn't.
He exited the shower and took the towel, starting to put lotion on his body. His favourite one, the vanilla with lavender one. It always made him feel better, reminded him of his childhood, of home. Lavender was still growing around his mom's house and he loved it.

When he looked in the mirror his eyes were still red and surrounded by dark circles. But it looked a lot better than before.
Harry put on a shirt and trousers and closed the windows of the room as his phone rang. He looked at it and exhaled. His mom.
She would know that something was off but he was glad that she called. He wasn't brave enough to do that. So without waiting any longer he picked up the facetime call.

"Mom, hi!" He gave her a smile as soon as he saw her face. She was sitting on the couch at home, one of the cats on her lap.
"Darling. Hello from the two of us" She waved and pointed the camera at the black and white cat on her lap. It made him smile even more.
"Hi there, little one"
"She's not that little anymore" Anne sighed and turned the camera back up.
"Well she was the last time I saw her"
"Which was over 4 months ago" She gave him a look and he nodded.
"I know, mom, I know. I can't wait to see y'all again"
"I'm looking forward to it. What would you like to eat after you arrive?"
"Mom, you really don't need to cook. It's fine. We can just order-"
"What do you want to ear, honey? You know I love to cook"
"Homemade lasagna? But the one-"
"The vegetarian one, got it" She showed him a thumbs up and he smiled at her.
"I miss you, mom"
"I miss you more, baby. What's going on? How are you? You look..-"
Again, he interrupted her. "I know. I'm tired. You know touring can be exhausting sometimes.."
"I know. But you know you can always stop it, just come home if you want to"
If it was that easy, mom...
"I know mom. But it's just three days by now. Two shows. And you know I love being on stage"
"I know, honey, I know. And you've got Louis"
He nodded and smiled as much as he could. "Exactly"
"What's wrong?" His mother looked at him and frowned.
"Nothing? Everything's fine mom"
"Don't lie to me. You are my son, Harold. I know you!"
"I'm just tired mom. It's really exhausting. The whole...hiding and touring and.. it's just very much"
"Oh honey.. Just three days. The two of you will be able to calm down afterwards"
Harry nodded and leaned back on the bed.
"I bought the last piece of your Christmas present yesterday" She grinned into the camera.
"Mom.. You know you don't need to get me something for Christmas.."
"I'm your mother. I will always get you something for Christmas!"
"I know, I know" He smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, Harold" She sighed with an amused look on her face.
"I'm sorry mom"
"Sure you are" She laughed and continued to tell him about the cats and her days. She told him everything he had missed and he just listened. Then she started asking about his days, the boys, the shows and everything that was going on. He told her nearly everything. The only detail he left out was what had happened with Louis. He would tell her as soon as he was back home.

"What has happened in between Lou and Zayn? There were rumours going on about a fight? I don't like the thought of anyone getting in a fight"
"Oh, that was nothing. Louis made a remark about Gigi. You know he isn't much into the whole model thing. And Zayn took it too personal. That's all. They're fine. Both of them. It's just.. the five of us, we haven't been together for that long. It can get loud sometimes. But don't worry"

He hated lying to her. But at the moment he couldn't tell her what was really going on. Not over the phone.
"If you say so. Apropos model thing. Have you heard anything from Kendall or Camille?"
He rolled his eyes. "Mom, please!"
"Oh come on, I just wanna know"
"Kendall is doing fine as far as I know, we don't speak often. And Camille, I don't know. We don't speak at all. Luckily."
"Your taste in women..is terrible most of the time. But I like your taste in men" She grinned and Harry smiled.

He didn't even realize how fast the time had passed until Paul knocked on the door.
"Harry, we need to leave in 10. Are you ready?"
"I'll be there, Paul!" Fastly, he stood up and said his goodbye to his mother, promising her she would get a video of one song tonight at least.

A few minutes later, he ran down the stairs to the lobby where everyone was waiting on him already. Everyone. Including him.
"Sorry- I didn't mean to be late" He looked at Paul in apology.
"I get it. Anne already texted me. Now come on, ladies, move."
Harry smiled to himself for a moment as they made their way to the van in the garage. Of course his mother had texted Paul. He kept looking down to prevent looking at him. In the van he took the seat in the front next to Paul again and kept quiet the whole time. The atmosphere was strange. Now and then Niall, Liam and Zayn tried to start a conversation but it never worked out so they gave up. None of the five of them was into talking at the moment. It felt weird. Normally they would've talked a lot, screaming around in excitement and trying to get on Paul's nerves. Paul had to have the most calm working days ever Harry thought as he got out of the car. Before they made their way to the pre-show area, Paul stopped them.

"Boys, one second" He looked at them and continued. "Just that we're clear. We don't tell the fans how that-" He pointed to Louis'face. "Happened. You are the best of friends and love each other very much, understood? That's what management told me to tell you. But since Mr. Cowell isn't here..- I don't know what happened. And I'm not sure I want to know. But you need to put on a good show tonight or they'll kick your arses. If there's anything I can do, please let me know"
Liam was the only one to answer "We appreciate that Paul, thank you. We'll figure something out"
Paul patted his shoulder and they continued walking to the dressing rooms. They arrived and Paul opened the door for then before he left with a wink. "See you later, ladies"

"For god's sake, what happened to your face!" Lou cried out. She then tried to cover up Louis' eye for 30 minutes - without success.
"You know what, we'll just leave it that way. It's the best anyone can do. You don't get a chance to cover this" She finally gave up and commanded Harry to sit down while Louis sat down on the couch.
Harry let her do his hair for the next few minutes. When she had finished he was about to stand up but she stopped him.
"Please don't let what this bitch drag you down. Those pictures were amazing Harry. Please don't listen to her"
He gave her a weak smile. "Thanks Lou" She kissed his cheek and let him stand up.
"What did she say? And who is she?" Niall looked at them curiously.
"Oh- doesn't matter" Harry shook his head as Niall took his place on the seat.
"Well it really doesn't matter. It's just bullshit"
"Ohhh Lou, spill the tea" Niall grinned and drank his juice.
"Candice Owens. She ranted about Harry in a dress. Bring back manly men and stuff. That's just- it's so homophobic and sexist and-"
"Calm down, Lou. It's fine" Harry tried to calm her and gave her a little smile. He didn't want to deal with this. He was just tired.
"That bitch said what?!" Niall choked on his juice.
"Can we please just don't talk about it? Thank you" Harry left the room and made his way to the toilet. When he walked out the door, he bumped into someone.
"Oh- I'm sorry, didn't mean to-" As soon as he saw who he had bumped into, he stopped. Green eyes met blue eyes.