safe haven │ larry stylinson

70

Harry's POV

Louis, his siblings and Freddie had already left for the airport. Harry was waiting a few minutes before he and Gemma would head there as well. The risk to be seen in a car together was too high and after everything that had happened and the topic of his mental health still being in the news, he just wanted to be invisible. Of course he knew that the paparazzi would haunt him like dogs.

"And make sure to call me when you get there, ok?" His mother repeated as she hugged him tightly.
"Mum, I won't call. We'll head to the hotel and I'll text you"
Anne sighed. "Fine. But don't forget about it!"
He smiled and hugged her again before following Gemma to the car.
"I love you!" She shouted at him and he waved back at her.
"I love you too mum!"
He placed his suitcase in the back of the car and couldn't help but chuckle at Gemma rolling her eyes over their mother's shouts.

Gemma started driving and Harry leaned back in his seat. He listened to the radio and constantly bit his lip, already anxious about the next few weeks.
"Sooo?" Gemma interrupted the silence and he looked at her, furrowing his brows.
"So what?"
"We haven't been alone in like two weeks. Tomlinson has been very very clingy-"
"His name is Louis and he wasn't clingy. He just..was there for me" He looked at his hands and started to play with his rings, a habit he had picked up when he was nervous.

"Okay. So Louis was with you every second. I didn't have the chance to ask you how you are"
"I'm fine" His sister gave him a look and he shrugged. "I just didn't expect that it would come out that way, you know.." He paused, playing with his rings. "I always thought I would be the one that would tell the public. I always thought that I was the one in control. I didn't think that someone would just...take that away from me. It just feels like an open wound. I tried to clean it for years and someone just..throws dirt at it again. And it fucking burns"

"It will heal, Harry. You will. I'm just worried"
"Worried? Why?" He frowned and looked at her.
"Because your entire mental health is based on Louis. He's always there. He holds you and- don't get me wrong. I'm happy that you both are back together. But- He left twice. If he leaves again you'll break if you continue to let him carry you" Her voice broke and Harry bit his lip.
For a moment none of them said a word.
"I'm scared that he'll leave again" He finally admitted as he stared out of the window.
"I know.."

"What am I supposed to do, Gem? I can't live without him" This time his own voice was trembling.
"I'm not saying you should. I'm just saying you should learn to live with yourself first. You can't expect him to heal and love you if you don't love yourself"
"Did you hang out with Jofferey?" He looked at her and noticed a little smile on her face.
"No. I just thought a lot about you. You're my little brother, I'm always worried about you- I want you to be happy"
He gave her a little smile and squeezed her hand as she took his.

"Allow yourself to be happy..with yourself first"
"And how do I do that, psychotherapist?" He couldn't help but tease her with his sarcasm.
"First step is to stop listening to Cowell. I don't care if you have to pay him something if you do. You've got enough money. Just stop listening to that son of a bitch"
"Language"
"You watched too much Avengers with Freddie" She sighed and Harry chuckled lightly.

"I can't, Gem. I can't stop listening to him"
"And why is that? Don't be frugal, Harold. You've got enough mone-"
"That's not it" He interrupted her calmly. She was already furious. "It's Louis." He finally admitted and looked back at his hands.
"He's threatening him. If something about us... or rather if we come out- He'll make him pay for it. I can't do anything that would harm Lou or his family.."
Gemma didn't say anything for a while. She just tightened her grip around the steering wheel. Harry knew she was furious, he didn't say anything as well, knowing that he should be quiet.

"But he thinks you both aren't a thing anymore" Gemma noticed and looked at him for a brief moment.
"Yeah. But if he only assumes that there's something with the two of us- I can't risk that, Gemma"
"Then don't. You don't have to involve Louis. Just-...make Cowell angry"
"And how am I supposed to do that?" He looked at her in confusion.
"Maybe you ditch that boring black suit for the Grammys..? Maybe you talk to your Gucci friends and decide to wear some feminine shit. Maybe in a very light shade of blue..?" A grin made its way on Harry's face.
"I know that would make you happy, Harry. Do it. Wear what you want. Please. Be who you are. Don't hide "
Their eyes met and both grinned. "Maybe I'll do that"
"Do things that make you happy. No matter what others think. Give a fuck about what others think. And when the time comes, Louis will be ready. And if he won't- do the things that make you happy. Think about yourself sometimes too. Your happiness is the most important thing"

When Gemma had parked the car, he hugged her tightly after texting Paul that he had arrived. "You're the best"
"I know, babe, I know" She grinned and kissed his cheek. He rolled his eyes.
"Keep me updated, will you?"
"I promise"
"And don't...give in Harry. If you ever feel that way, call me. I'll answer the call. You are not alone. No matter what time" She looked at him and he nodded with a smile on his face.
"I'll miss you"
"I'll miss you too" He hugged her again and got out of the car. As he took his suitcase out of the back of the car, Gemma looked at him with a grin on her face.
"And Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget to paint your nails"
He grinned back at her and closed the door.

Paul was already waiting and patted his back. "Great to see you again, man"
Harry smiled at him, noticing the worried look on his face.
"How many?"
"A lot. They're all waiting for you. Like wolves. It's disgusting. Just look down. I got you, ok?"
"Thanks Paul" He pulled the hood over his head and followed Paul to the entrance of the airport. As soon as the doors opened, the shouts and camera lights started to go off.

"Harry! Is it true?!"
"Are you suicidal?!"
"Will you continue the tour?!"
"Did you try to kill yourself?!"
"Are you facing mental health issues?!"
"Who's the girl you love?! Kendall?!"
"Harry! How are you doing?!"
"Do you want to die?!"
"Why did you try to kill yourself?!"
"Who are you dating?!"

Only with the help of nearly ten security guards Harry made it to the private terminal where Niall and Louis were already waiting. It was only a blurred glass wall separating them from the wolves but as soon as the door closed, it was quiet.
"Thank god that's over" He exclaimed and thanked the security. Paul just shook his head. "Like vultures those people. Can't they just let you breathe?!"
He was about to say something as his phone rang. "I've got to go. Liam's out there" With those words he went back outside and left Harry standing at the door.

He turned around and walked over to Niall, Louis and Freddie. As soon as Freddie saw him, the boy started running and jumped into Harry's arms. Harry caught him with a big smile.
"Long time no see" The blonde giggled and Harry smiled as he hugged him. The boy leaned in and whispered "Daddy missed you".
"I missed your dad too. But keep that a secret, promise?"
"Pinky promise"

Harry smiled and was about to let him down as the door opened - allowing every camera to take pictures of them. Lights flashed and Harry quickly put him down, knowing that it had been too late already.
Liam and Paul came in and Paul exhaled loudly. "I'm way too old for this job"
"Oh Paulyyyy" Niall teased with a smile and put his arms around Harry's shoulders, welcoming him with a pat on the back.
"Horan if you don't stop calling me that I'll make sure that you don't get your extra fries" The man threatened and Harry heard Louis laughing. "Oh no Niall"

Harry grinned and hugged Liam who grinned back at him. "Just like children. Can't you behave like grownups for one second?"
"No daddy" Louis teased and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Only Maya calls me Daddy, Lou bear. But if you want to call me that-"
"Payno that's fucking disgusting. I didn't need to know that" Louis made a face like he would throw up and Liam grinned even more.

"I really didn't need that information, Li" Harry agreed while Niall laughed loudly and Paul just shook his head. "I'm too old for this.. Come on ladies, our plane is waiting"
With those words he picked up Freddie and followed the man who transported their suitcases on a wagon. Harry chuckled and followed him while he was talking to Liam.
"I want to know everything, Harry"