Therapy (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 15 - Weak

‘C’mon Louis !’ Zayn yelled out the window. Him, Liam and Perrie were waiting in the car for their friend who wouldn’t step away from the porch. Harry had his hands in his back pocket and Louis had his arms wrapped around his neck as they kissed goodbye, for way too long.

When Zayn honked for the fourth time, Louis pecked Harry’s cheek and ran to the car. He was already missing his boy and the weekend couldn’t end fast enough.

The ride was alright, apart from the awkwardness with Liam in the backseat. Harry had whispered how he’d kill him if he came near Louis before they part ways, so Louis was making sure not to get too close. He maintained a polite conversation, not too personal, and avoided any eye contact. There was a time when he was attracted to the man sat next to him, and he was determined to not let any kind of alcohol remind him of that.

Drunk Louis had never been responsible, which is why he doesn’t drink so much. He has endless stories about the days he used to party. He would be involved in weird group celebrations in private rooms and that is a past he doesn’t regret, but isn’t too proud of either. Now he had settled, kind of. He didn’t need to find anyone to hook up with, didn’t need any distraction, didn’t need to do too much. He was there to enjoy his friends and the countryside. Nothing else.

When he texted Harry to tell him they arrived safely, Louis felt a gulp in his throat. Was it okay to leave him alone yet ? Was he alright ? Would he stay safe ? Would Niall manage to keep him secure ?

Seeing how nervous his friend looked, Liam approached him and patted his shoulder.

‘You’re alright mate ?’ He asked, leaving his hand on the man’s shoulder a bit too long to be acceptable.

‘Yeah.’ Louis said, walking towards the house to brush his hand away.

‘He’s going to be fine.’ Liam said and Louis turned. ‘He’s not a baby Louis, he can manage.’

Louis knew that. He definitely knew that. Harry was twenty one, an adult. He could take care of himself. But Louis would be lying if he said he wasn’t concerned to leave him alone, without him anyway. He had changed a lot and was working on things, but what if he didn’t tell Louis everything, just like Taylor ? What if he was just pretending to be fine ? Louis would never forgive himself that.

‘This house is getting as old as us. That’s depressing.’ Louis said as he looked over the ceiling. He grabbed his bag and jogged upstairs to his usual room. He’d normally share it with someone at the end of the night and it already seemed too empty. He just wished Harry was there to enjoy the calm, the lake and, well, him. He proceeded to take a few pictures and sent it to him, pretend he was there with him. Harry didn’t answer right away and Louis was already hating being away from him.

He came back downstairs to help his friends set everything up for the first night and quickly got distracted. He was installing the speakers, getting the drinks in the fridge, moving over the tables…Just like last year and the years before that.

Around ten, the house was filled with his old friends and he was glad he had come along. He was having fun, forgetting about what was bothering him, enjoying the nostalgia of the college years. They’d talk about the past traditional weekends and were having a laugh, making Louis as happy as he would always be at this time. He decided that one drink couldn’t hurt and found himself taking his sixth shot after a while.