Therapy (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 13 - I'll be watching you

‘Your turn !’ Harry said to his friend with a smirk. Niall placed his card on top of Harry’s and groaned to see he had lost.

Harry had spent five days of observation in the hospital. They had a psychiatric ward and wanted him to have a professional make sure he was able to go out without the same episode happening again. Dr Lucas was his designated psychiatrist and he was way better than Dr Romith. He was funny and nice and would make sure Harry felt comfortable talking to him. The boy was still not a hundred per cent back to himself so he would let everything out, unable to control anything, which was good to help him.

He was allowed to see visitors so Niall and Louis visited everyday. They were only allowed a few hours to chat in the visitor’s room, but it was enough for Harry to smile big and know they cared about him. His mom had come the first day but he refused to see her. Louis would give her news, thinking he was her son after all, and she seemed to care. He didn’t know her so he felt bad keeping her from knowing if her son was doing okay.

Harry had learned a lot about himself. He had talked to people like him without being judged, been involved in various kinds of therapies such as art therapy which he loved and group therapy, learning how to manage his emotions without repressing them whilst listening to other people’s struggle.

He was still weak and jumpy but he felt much better. Everything was clearer, he was spontaneous and couldn’t control himself enough to hide how he felt. He kept talking for hours and it made him so happy no one made him stop.

They were playing cards on the couch in the visitor’s room and Harry was winning, making him giggle as he bit his bottom lip and dance, twirling his hips and shaking his shoulders.

‘Here love.’ Louis came back with a cup of tea and sat next to the boy who immediately leaned into his chest and rested a hand on the man’s thigh before thanking him with a kiss on his cheek.

They had agreed to let him go home if he enrolled in an outpatient program to make sure he wouldn’t relapse. Harry wasn’t too keen on going back to this place, but he did like his new psychiatrist.

Louis and Stan had discussed the situation right after Harry had talked too much. Luckily enough for them, Stan liked Louis and he confessed he, himself, had had a crush on one of his patients once and understood how it could happen. Being so intimate mentally with a person makes it easier to get closer in other ways and he had always regretted never to try things out with this patient. He promised Louis never to tell anyone and keep his secret, making sure to shut down every person who would try to expose them.

Stan would keep Louis updated on Harry’s state and give him advice on how to behave around him as soon as he’ll discharge him. He would have to talk to him calmly, avoid any sort of stress and make sure he’s safe, meaning no sharp objects around him, no triggers, and a maximum of activities to relax him. Louis didn’t mind. He was already doing all of that before so it wasn’t such a change. He was glad to help his boy to be honest.

They came home to Louis’ flat that day. Harry was talking all the way about what he had learned. How it was never too late to make it right, how he would never hold his feelings for so long anymore, how he would work on exploring his interests and how lucky he was to have Louis.