Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 46

Harry's grip tightened around Louis's waist as he heard an all too familiar voice.

He tucked his head under Louis's chin, an attempt to hide himself from reality.

Louis stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Morning babe." He murmured groggily.

Harry didn't answer, he just clenched his fingers around Louis's t-shirt.

"Hey, are you alright?" Louis immediately frowned.

"She's here." He whispered.

"Your mum?"

"She's here." Harry repeated.

"Alright sweetheart, come on, come here. It's okay." Louis sat up, and Harry followed, falling into his chest immediately. 

"Why don't you come and have a cup of tea?" Michal could be heard coaxing Harry's mother towards the kitchen.

"I don't want a fucking cup of tea. I know he's here, Ken told me. He's here and he's brought another boy with him."

"Fucking Ken." Gemma groaned, "can't keep his fucking mouth shut, can he? Look, he's not here. He dropped by yesterday, but he's left."

"You're a fucking liar Gemma."

"Charming." Gemma scoffed.

The voices got closer and closer to their door, and Harry's grip got tighter and tighter, his finger tips pressing into Louis's skin.

He must be hurting Louis by now but his fingers wouldn't unfurl. Louis stayed still though, holding Harry closely.

"Mum, just come to the kitchen and we can talk." Gemma's voice was urgent now, urgent to protect her brother.

"I don't want to talk to you, I want to see my son."

"You don't act like he's your son. At least you occasionally have the decency to talk to me without insulting me."

"You deserve it, he doesn't." Was her reply, and Harry felt the tears sting his eyes. At that exact moment, the door burst open.

Harry looked to the door in fear. His mother was stood in the doorway, glaring at the pair.

"I see you've got yourself a new boy toy, fucking slut." She leered.

"He's my boyfriend." Harry replied quietly, "not my 'boy toy'."

"He's not going to last long with you." She muttered.

"Actually, I'm here for the long haul." Louis piped up. "Harry is a wonderful person and I'd like to spend the rest of my life with him."

She rolled her eyes, slumping into the doorframe.

"You'll find out what he's like soon enough. The pathetic cunt tried to kill himself again a month or two ago, you know?"

"What?" Gemma whispered, her restraint on her mother loosening.

"Yes, I do know." Louis glared, rubbing his thumb up and down against Harry's arm. "I don't see what relevance this has though."

Harry gulped, his eyes meeting Gemma's with a silent apology.

"He tore this family apart, he'll do the same to you." She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You tore this family apart." Harry whispered, "you did it and you know it.'

"Mum, get out of my house." Gemma said through gritted teeth.

"I think that would be wise." Louis nodded in agreement, his jaw clenched.

"Get him out of here and we can all have a nice conversation." Harry's mum put on an all too fake smile.

"Louis stays." Harry said lowly.

"This is a family matter." His mother replied, her eyes dark

"That's why he stays." Harry's voice was firm, though Louis could hear it shaking ever so slightly. "He's done more for me than you ever have."

"I suggest you get yourself out of this house before I call the police." Louis threatened, holding up his phone with his thumb hovered above the 9.

Harry's mother hit the doorframe, swearing aggressively before turning on her heel. She pushed past Gemma and Michal, storming out. Michal followed after, making sure she had left with a slam of the door.

"Are you okay Harry?" Gemma asked, stepping inside the room slightly. "Also, I'm sorry Louis."

Louis gave her a small smile in return.

"I'm okay." Harry returned quietly. "I just need a minute." He slipped out of Louis's grip, beginning to walk towards the bathroom.

"No, H, come here." Louis stood up after him, coaxing him into a hug. He knew if he let him go, Harry would most likely cut, and he knew it was hardly his place but he wanted to give Harry an alternative.

"I'll go and make breakfast." Gemma said, sensing that Harry needed to be alone with Louis for a moment. "Banana pancakes okay?"

"Lovely, thank you." Louis nodded gratefully. Gemma shut the door behind her and Louis lifted his hand to Harry's head. "I'm here Harry, I'm here."

Harry nodded, taking a deep breath. "It's fuckin' embarrassing." He muttered.

Louis closed his eyes, frowning as Harry shook against him.

"It's okay darling, shall we sit down? You're shaking a bit." Louis began to carefully lower them down to the floor.

Harry let him guide him, keeping his body pressed tightly against Louis's.

"That was nothing, Lou." Harry said, "that was nothing but it's still made me feel like shit."

"Just because it wasn't as bad as normal, it doesn't make it any better." Louis told him. "You're hurting. She's a bitch. Don't try to downplay your emotions."

Harry gave a singular nod, finally letting out a shaky sob. It spilled from his throat, tears flooding out onto Louis's shoulder.

"It wasn't meant to be this way." He whimpered. "I wanted you to meet Gemma and Michal and Rosie and just I don't know...I didn't want you to have to see mum because she's horrible-"

"Stop, H. Stop. Look, I've still had a wonderful time meeting your family, don't let your mum get in your head. That's what she wants, yeah? I've still had a good time with you and your family. Your true family. Let's just take a minute, yeah? Take a minute and then we can go and get brekkie."

Harry nodded again, blowing out a small puff of air. "Right, I'm okay, let's go." He said.

"Harry." Louis raised an eyebrow.

"I'm okay. Just, I'm alright. Gemma's seen me worse. Much worse. So's Michal actually, and Rosie." Harry's eyes were still glassy, and his trembling lips stretched into a fake grin. "Let's go eat breakfast."

"H, are you sure you don't want to just take a minute?" Louis frowned. "We can just sit on the bed and cuddle a little."

Harry paused for a moment before speaking in the smallest voice. "Okay." And more tears were flowing.

"Oh darling, come here."