Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 23

The door was opened carefully, and a sturdy hand reached out to stop Harry for slumping back.

"Hey," Louis spoke gently. "Thought it might be you out here. Well, I was hoping it was you and not a murderer." He hauled Harry up, allowing him to lean against him. "What's up? It's late, H."

"I'm sorry." He whimpered, not even acknowledging the nickname.

"No, don't be sorry. What's wrong? Has something happened?" He asked, guiding him go the living room.

Harry couldn't get any words out so instead he just nodded.

"Something's happened?" Louis frowned.

Harry nodded again, burying his face in his hands as he let out a sob. Tears poured down his face, soaking his hands and spilling down his arms.

"Jesus, Harry." Louis sighed, taking Harry into his arms. "You'll be okay. Just try and calm down for me and then we can talk about it."

"I-I'm so sorry and it's so stupid I just didn't know where else to go-" He choked, half of his words cutting out.

"No, no. It's okay darling. I'm perfectly fine with you coming here if you need somewhere to go." His hand found its way to Harry's head, playing with his curls and stroking his hair slowly.

It took a while for Harry to eventually calm down, but when he did Louis was filled with relief. He hated seeing Harry so distraught.

"Do you want tea?" Louis offered, but Harry had gone vacant, and in some ways that was scarier than the panic attack he had just had.

Harry was sat down on the sofa now, curled up in the corner. His face was blank, and the only giveaway that he was still alive was his laboured breathing.

"Harry, love, do you want tea?" Louis repeated, yet he still got no response. "Harry?" He spoke louder this time, and Harry's eyes finally snapped up to him. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

Harry gave a slight movement of his head, one that Louis could only assume was a nod.

"Okay, I'll be right back. I'll get you a jumper whilst I'm at it, you've got goosebumps." Louis observed the top of his arms, the bottom half being covered with bracelets. He frowned, but decided not to question it right now.

He left Harry for a minute or two, returning with a jumper and two cups of tea.

Harry took the jumper and tea with a small thanks, placing the tea on the coffee table and pulling the jumper on and wrapping his arms around himself.

"Are you ready to talk to me?" Louis shuffled next to him, putting an arm around him tentatively and Harry leaned into the touch.

"Think so." He croaked.

"Okay, take your time."

"It's not a big deal. I overreacted." Harry said.

"Well, it's obviously enough to upset you."

"I, Jake and I went to a party." He started, looking to the ends of his sleeves as he began to play with them. "I told him about my mum and asked him to stay away from any drugs. He...he said he would but then I found him doing coke and-and he forced me to sit with him whilst he did and then he tried to make me. He like, he tried to force it up my nose..."

"Oh my god." Louis shook his head in disbelief, "oh my god. What the fuck? Jesus Harry, that's fucked up."

"I got such bad flashbacks." Harry murmured, "it's bad enough seeing my mum on drugs, but seeing Jake actually do them brought me back to when I was a child and I had to watch her. I'm sorry for intruding Louis."

"It's fucked up that he even did that. God, I'm so sorry. And honey, I told you, you don't need to apologise for coming here. I'm glad you did."

"I don't understand why he did it. It's not that hard to stay away from drugs for even just one night but he said I was being controlling when I confronted him." Harry leaned forward, taking a sip of his tea. "Fuck, I feel like shit." He snuggled into Louis's side, closing his eyes.

"You'll be okay love. You can stay here tonight. I think that's probably the best option."

Harry nodded, whispering a small "thank you". His eyes fluttered open as a small weight landed on his legs. Oscar was sat on his legs, staring up at them. Harry reached a hand out, running it through his fur.

"He can sense you're upset." Louis said, and Harry gave the cat a sad smile.

"I'm okay, Oscar. Boyfriends are just dicks and I've got trauma so it's not the best mixture." He forced a laugh, tears springing back to his eyes as Oscar nosed against him. "I'm fine Ozzy." He said, his voice cracking.

"H, it's obvious you're not. I don't know who you're trying to convince."

"Everyone. Myself. I don't know, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Break up with him."

"I can't, Louis. He loves me." Harry sniffed.

"He treats you like actual shit Harry. Look, put me in your position. What would you tell me?"

"I'd tell you to break up with him." Harry muttered. "But that's different."

"How's it different?"

"I don't know, you just don't deserve that."

"Nor do you Harry, nor do you. You have such a low opinion of yourself and I wish you wouldn't. You do not deserve to be treated like complete and utter shit."

"I don't want to break up with him." Harry whispered.

"I'm not going to make you do anything. It's up to you." Louis stroked Harry's arm.