Bruises

Chapter 7

Louis hadn't come back. Harry didn't blame him. He wouldn't have. This didn't stop Harry from looking for Louis, though. He had driven around for hours, visiting places he thought Louis might go but there was nothing.

During his search, Harry had realised he knew very little about Louis' life. He knew all Louis' habits and little quirks. How he was useless in the kitchen and how he loved football. Harry knew the way Louis waved his hands when he was excited and the adorable snuffling sounds he made when he was sleepy but he didn't know where Louis lived or anything like that. He didn't even know about Louis' family. How many siblings did he have? Did he play football with his dad? Did he even have a dad? What sort of friend was he?

It had been two weeks since Louis had run out of Harry's life and there had been no contact between them. Harry felt empty and miserable. He hasn't smiled since Louis left and his life had become a chore. Trudging through the same routine every day. Sleep, work, eat, repeat. His thoughts were filled with Louis. Wherever he went, whatever he did, it was always Louis, Louis, Louis.

Then it changed...

It was raining. Again. It never seemed to stop. Harry had now learned to always carry and umbrella after being caught several times in a torrential downpour.

As he made his way toward his block of flats he noticed a bedraggled heap by the door. He drew closer and realised that the heap was making noises. Harry recognised those noises. It was- "Louis?" The heap shifted and a head appeared. Harry gasped. It was Louis but something was wrong. This Louis had no smile on his face or twinkle in his eye. His face was gaunt and his eyes were empty. Hollow. They scared Harry. As he bent down, Louis flinched away. "Hey Lou, babe, its me Harry. What are you doing here? What happened to you, love?"

"Harry? W-what are you doing?" Louis' voice was barely a whisper and he looked scared. So scared. What had happened? "I'm helping you babe"

"B-but why? I thought you hated me" Louis' eyes filled with tears.

"Oh god, Lou, no." Harry croaked. "Far from it. I could never hate you. Look- come inside. We'll clean you up." Louis looked at him doubtfully but he didn't resist when Harry helped him up.

Standing up, Louis looked worse. He was hunched over, as if trying to shrink into himself. His eyes darted nervously around and his hands were shaking. It broke Harry's heart to see him like this. He put his hand on Louis' back to encourage him forward but Louis hissed in pain and jerked away. Harry was frightened now. He opened the door, careful not to touch Louis and ushered him into the lobby.

They reached Harry's flat and Harry led Louis to the bathroom. "Come on babe, take your clothes off and I'll run a bath" Louis shook his head frantically. "You'll catch a cold if you don't get out of those clothes soon, love" Louis bit his lip then hesitantly peeled of his jumper and T-shirt. Harry gasped.