Whispers To The Night

chapter 4. stars

L

  Louis' mind ached. But he felt...free for once. Not as heavy as he usually did. Harry was sitting next to him flipping through an old book Louis had lying around his flat, occasionally looking up to smile kindly at the lad.
 
  Louis closed his eyes and tilted his head back, fingers clasped loosely together in his lap and thoughts slowly slipping away until all that was left was a dull, serene hum, clearing his headache.

  Harry shifted forward to rest his head in Louis' lap, holding the book up so it lay against his collarbones and tapping at Louis' chest as he read, fingers gentle. The older lad carded his hands through his curls and softly smoothed the knots tying them together out, stroking his cheekbones, his jaw, his neck, until Harry was going lax, hold on his page loosening as his eyes started to cloud over, hooded.

  He feel asleep curled into a ball, Louis' fingers still in his hair and hands folded near his lips, steady breaths puffing out against the older lad's abdomen.
**

  Music poured from the small speakers lying tucked into the corners of the bakery, the beat bouncing around the room and through Louis' head, his body swaying slightly as his eyes closed, head tilting back. This was his contentment, his happy place, the curly haired giant that worked here being his home. Harry never went anywhere without taking Louis with him, always promising a sweet treat or a book in exchange for the skittish lad to come with him.

  Louis started and opened his eyes when someone touched his shoulder and turned to find Harry standing behind him, holding his hand out for him to take, the other holding a small white pastry bag. "C'mon, beb. I've gotta show you something." He said, smiling softly at him as Louis stood up and shrugged his (Harry's) jacket on, the sleeves falling over his hands.

  Their fingers entwined easily and fell by their sides, swinging between them and warming each other. Louis rested his head on Harry's shoulder and let out a soft sigh, hip checking the taller boy and giggling as he darted forward to avoid him, the heat his hand had been providing dissipating as he weaved through the people walking on the sidewalk, laughing as he ran, Harry chasing after him.

  When the lad finally did catch him, his arms held a vice like hold on his waist, lifting him into the air and spinning him, his laughs loud in his ear. Louis squealed and held tightly to his forearms, their happiness chiming together and lighting up anyone's path, brightening the days.

**
  Harry's face was impassive, dark and shadowed as he stared down at his boots, hands clasped behind him. Louis was sitting next to him, gaze caught on his bloodied arms, a dirty razor lying somewhere near the taller lad's foot. "Harry-" He started but the boy was already kneeling in front of him, shaky fingers reaching for the blade and picking it up, hazed green eyes studying it for a while before he threw it over his shoulder and stood up. "C'mere, Lou." He whispered, voice rough and low with emotion, offering a hand to the trembling lad and pulling him to his feet, thumbs pressing to his palms. Harry's gaze was heavy on his face, taking in every small detail, every look, until he was letting him go, taking a step back before turning and crouching by the tub, thighs hardening with the muscle pressing to his skin.

  He rolled the sleeves of his jumper up before turning on the water, testing it a few times with nimble fingers, face blank with concentration. He filled the tub nearly to the brim, standing and walking back over to the small lad, lifting his bloodied shirt over his head and tugging his tight jeans off of his hips, touch dipping under the waistband of his boxers until be was pulling those off too, helping him step out of them. 

  Louis hissed with the first contact the water made on his tingling skin, sinking down lower and lower until he was fully seated and allowing Harry to wash over him.

  He was gentle, fingers twisting softly through his hair, touch light on his bare body, expression becoming less impassive, less dark, until fat, crystalling tears were rolling down his ethereal cheeks, staining his happiness and dampening it. Sobs ripped out of his throat and he leaned forward, Louis' arms going around him as he cried, face pressed to his wet chest as his entire being shattered.

  They sar like that until the steaming waiter cooled, until the wind was heard in the silence, the night studying them with tired, sad eyes.

  Don't hate me.
***

  Harry's fingers were gentle on his chest, tracing and weaving little patterns that seemed perfectly imperfect.

  Louis hands were cold from where they rested on his neck, cooling the heated skin and evidnelty calming the tall lad, heart beating slowly in his chest and echoing in his ears.

  Harry looked up when Louis suddenly let out a sneeze, fingers pausing their voyage and eyes studying as the older lad sniffled, shaking his head. "Don't you sneeze, love." He whispered, reaching up to stroke at his cheek as he nuzzled further into his chest, cold nose pressed to his flaming skin. Louis' answering smile was almost sad, fingers threading through Harry's long curls and petting at them, the lad practically preening under his attention. "Don't you fret, love."
**
  Louis stared up at the night, blue eyes nearly unseeing and short, puffed breaths breaking past his lips. His entire being was throbbing with the pain that seemed to intensify with every second, tearing at him, desperate for his attention.

  The stars were shining their light on his wounds, trying to heal, wind howling it's agony in his ears, and the moon, watching as his life dripped away like the blood staining the street.

  Harry.
  _---------------

  I intend for this fic to be short, only about ten chapters, so if you think it's moving too fast, technically it isn't.

  If you disagree, idgaff.