Guns & Roses (Larry Stylinson)

Author's Note

Hello everybody!

To start off this author's note, I want to thank you all so much for reading this story and sticking with it for so long. It's been a year since I published it, and I never expected so many people to love it and the characterization of the boys.

In this author's note, I will be breaking this down into a few sections. I will cover several different topics, so you can skip to whatever heading most interests you if you want.

Warning: Mentions of depression, suicide, PTSD, violence, and death in the explanations. Please read carefully!

Now, without further ado:

CHARACTERIZATION:

Louis-- Louis' character was rough around the edges, as is displayed from the get-go. Similar to the rose and dagger tattoo, Louis' character was all of the negative emotions of life, especially the death and destruction. However, his blatant disregard for others and common wants like romance and friendship, etc. is formed on a surface level by his father's actions. Since he had nothing all of his life, he decided to give nothing either. It is only when he meets Harry that he is able to slowly realize that emotions do linger within him.

Harry-- Harry represents all of the good in the world. Love, kindness, beauty, forgiveness, friendship, etc. He is literally this epitome of innocence. But that's also what makes him so alone and upset inside. Since losing his parents, he felt that he had to give much more in order for people to stay. He gave so much of himself without hesitation, and it's Louis who makes him realize that he has the right to take as well; that he deserves to take for himself every now and again. In conclusion, Louis gives Harry an edge he's never had while Harry gives Louis a softer side to his emotionless existence.

Niall-- Niall's character is definitely more for side drama, but he plays an important role in one of his phone calls with Louis. When he breaks down about how difficult being in the gang is, he is revealing those cracks in living such an empty lifestyle. It's after hearing Niall's rant that Harry asks Louis to be in the pie-off with him, and Louis agrees. Thus, the layers begin to peel off. Niall is also a very supportive character who will do anything for his friends.

Zayn-- Being the leader, Zayn does his best to appear calm and collective while also maintaining a sense of authority. However, Zayn does have moments of outburst because he was not raised to be the leader. His training and Louis' training went down completely different paths, but Zayn is a good friend. He took the leader position because he knew how much Louis didn't want it. Even if Zayn didn't want it, either, he still accepted it for Louis' sake. Also, the parallel between his protectiveness of Niall and Louis' protectiveness of Harry reveals hypocrisy, but it is mainly because Zayn is so afraid of what would occur with Louis in the event that Harry did get hurt. (And we do see that downfall.)

Liam-- Being the tech head, Liam knows a little bit more about every member of the gang than they know about one another in terms of facts. Not only is he the first to find out how much Harry means to Louis, but he is also the one keeping in touch with Niall because of how hesitant Zayn is, and the one trying to keep Zayn under control at base after Niall's disappearance. Essentially, Liam is like the glue behind the scenes.

Joan-- While she plays a small part in the story, Joan is sort of like a mother figure to Harry. But she becomes absent after a moment. Not because she doesn't care, but because it shows Harry moving on from needing a parental figure to trying to learn to stand on his own by Louis' side.

Now for some not so popular characters. 😅

Zander-- Zander is obviously not a good person. Not only is he abusive, but he is also someone who tries to gain authority or the upper ground because he needs to feel superior. It will be better explained in one of the extra chapters, but there is a reason for his need for power. Also, the abuse is a kind of physical manifestation of Harry's inner turmoil. It's his demons in physical form, not just inside his mind. It also displays how Louis is protective of him and tries to help him work through those demons-- physical and mental alike.