Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 26

"Thank you for staying to help clean up." Harry smiled gratefully at Louis, "I really appreciate it."

"Hey, I stayed to clean up too." Zayn pouted from the sofa.

"You're sleeping here, zip it." Harry turned around, pointing a warning finger at him.

"Bitch." Zayn muttered and Harry's face scrunched up as he tried to put on a serious face and avoid laughing.

"What did you just call me?" He raised his eyebrows, biting his lip.

"I called you a bitch, you...bitch." Zayn crossed his arms and Harry gasped.

"You are so going to regret that." He shook his head, darting to grab a tea towel and whipping it in Zayn's direction.

"Guys, guys, let's save the whipping for the bedroom if that's what you're into. At least wait until I've left." Louis was leaning against the wall with a smirk on his face.

Harry immediately turned flustered and he threw the towel at Zayn in defeat. "Not funny." He turned and pointed at Louis.

"Very funny." Louis countered. "Anyway, I better be off. I hope my tidying skills were good, I'm available for hire at 087654321. Call me." He clicked his tongue, nodding his head as he shot finger guns at Harry.

And that definitely wasn't as funny as Harry found it to be. He erupted into a small fit of giggles, his eyes bright despite his exhaustion. "I'll see you soon, thank you."

Louis opened his arms and Harry hugged him. Louis swayed them from side to side gently and Harry closed his eyes, relishing in the comfort. "Thank you for having me."

As the two pulled away, Louis turned to Zayn, giving him a wave. "I don't suppose you can be arsed to get off the sofa and I don't blame ya mate so I'll just give you a wave. It was lovely to see you."

"It was lovely to see you too, hopefully it won't be quite so long in-between next time." Zayn waved back.

"Goodbye!" Louis called out a final au reviour.

Harry waited by the door until Louis was safely in his car before he retired to the comfort of his own home.

"Look, I know I've not met Jake but I think you should break up with him." Zayn said as soon as Harry re-entered the living room.

"What? Why?" Harry tilted his head.

Zayn patted the space that lay unoccupied on the sofa next to him. Harry sat down, curling up against Zayn.

"Because I can guarantee that you don't look at him the way you look at Louis."

"It's not like that." Harry frowned, "Louis just means a lot to me, like you do."

"You don't look at me like you want to snog the face off of me. Look, H, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Then stop, please." Harry said softly. "If you think there's something going on between me and Louis, what's Jake going to think? He already doesn't like me hanging out with other people."

"He doesn't like you hanging out with other people?" Zayn frowned.

"No. He called me a slut last time. Apologised though, said he was just jealous. But I don't want him to get more jealous."

"I don't think I like him." Zayn said, "that's controlling behaviour."

"It's fine Zayn, it's okay. Can we not talk about this? I'd rather today stayed purely happy."

"Alright Harry, I'm sorry. How about we go to sleep?"

"I wanna get changed first. People who sleep in jeans are weird." He scrunched up his nose.

"Alright, get changed then we can sleep. I'm sleeping in your bed by the way."

"Okay." Harry nodded, yawning.

//

"Morning sunshine!" Zayn grinned, holding out a plate of pancakes. Harry blinked slowly, opening his eyes.

"Time is it?" He murmured.

"It's half 12."

"What?!" Harry sat up suddenly, "why didn't you wake me up?"

"Calm down, it's not that's late." Zayn laughed, sitting down on the bed.

"But I'm wasting time that I could have been spending with you."

"You're tired babes, you needed the rest." Zayn shrugged, "now eat the pancakes."

"Thank you Z." Harry smiled gratefully.

"May I ask you something?" Zayn's eyes flickered to Harry's arms.

"Is this just an attempt to butter me up?" Harry motioned to the pancakes.

"No, no. That was genuine kindness of my heart. I just, I've been meaning to ask you for a while, I just never found the right time."

"And this is the right time? Look, just don't ask me to marry you because these pancakes are so good and I'm so groggy that I may say yes."

"No, H," Zayn laughed a little at Harry's statement, "no, it's not that."

"What is it?" Harry swallowed his mouthful, pausing any motion.

"Have you, like, are all the bracelets because you've been hurting yourself?"

"Jesus, Zayn-" Harry choked on his breath. "No, of course not."

"Can you show me then?" Zayn asked gently. "Show me your wrists."

"I don't want to." Harry shook his head, "I just like having my bracelets on."

"I don't believe you."

"I'll finish these later." Harry placed the plate of pancakes on his bedside table. "Um, I think I'll have a shower now if that's okay." His voice was strained and his eyes were now looking everywhere but at Zayn.

Zayn's heart dropped as Harry indirectly confirmed his thoughts. He moved forwards, embracing Harry in a tight hug.

"I'm fine Zayn." He struggled to get out.

"You don't have to be okay." Zayn stroked his back, "you really don't have to be okay."

"How did you know? How did you fucking know? Please tell me it's not obvious."

"I just know you Harry. I know how you work. I know your history, and I know the way some people cope with these things. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Harry shook his head, pulling back. "I'm fine. There's nothing you can do, you're already doing enough by just being here for me whenever I need you. I appreciate that more than you know."

"Please just call me if you ever need anything. Call me if you ever need to talk or call me if you ever need me to drive down."

"I'm okay, I just, I know it's not ideal but it's not as big a deal as you think. It's just every now and then. Please Zayn, don't stress about me. And don't tell anyone else, especially not Gemma or Louis. Oh God, this isn't fair to make you keep it to yourself."

"It's okay, I won't tell anyone babes. Please, don't worry. It'll all be okay."

Harry just nodded, a frown set deep in his face.