Houseboy ➳ Larry AU |English|

Chapter 53.

Harry wakes up frightened, his pillow is wet and also his cheeks are. He had been crying in his dreams, and has woken up feeling an irrational raw fear. His heartbeat is racing, he is a complete mess of tears and snot. This hasn't happened to him since over a year ago when Jacob left him.

His trembling body spins on the bed, hoping to find comfort in Louis' arms, but he is in for a surprise when he discovers that the boy is not by his side. His fear grows, he feels his whole body shudder, and he jumps out of bed with incredible speed, stumbling under his own weight as his muscles are seized. His eyes won't stop leaking tears, Harry doesn't know the reason for his unjustified crying, but he can't stop it.

"Lou?" he says in a broken voice. He opens the door to the bathroom inside his room, expecting to find the bluish-eyed boy, but it is empty. Harry slurps his nose, and looks at his reflection in the mirror, feeling sorry for himself at the sight of his unpleasant appearance. How did it get to this point?

He's lonely. He hates that feeling. He hates feeling alone. He hates Jacob. He hates that he is able to make him cry even in his sleep.

He turns on the television, hoping the cartoons will chase away every fear that invades his mind. He curls up in bed, and is soon entertained by the Tom and Jerry show, tucked in with the blanket up to his neck, pouting.

Louis, on the other hand, is relieved. Relieved because he feels that justice was done, sure, full justice was not done, but for now he is satisfied with his punishment for Jacob.

When he gets home, the first thing Louis does is run to the bathroom before anyone can see his bloody knuckles. The last thing he wants to do is explain himself about what happened, let alone worry Harry or make him angry. Come on, they haven't been able to enjoy their courtship like they deserve to, so many problems surrounding Harry make Louis desperate.

After washing his hands, grinding his teeth as the water brushes against his wounds, he heads to the younger boy's room. He smiles broadly when he sees him curled up in the blanket watching cartoons. Louis wants to kiss him to pieces.... He stops smiling the instant Harry turns his face in his direction and notices those teary, pitiful eyes.

"What happened, love?" He asks very worried as he walks quickly towards him.

Harry looks up as Louis stops at the edge of the bed.

"One night. I only asked you for one night, Louis. I wanted to wake up with you for one day, but you did it again. I opened my eyes and you weren't here." He pouts slightly, and Louis feels his heart squeeze in his chest. "Do you think I would have asked you if I didn't need it?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I had to leave in a hurry this morning. I'll sleep with you tonight and I won't leave until you wake up." He promises, wiping away the streak of tears on his cheeks.

"But I only needed it today, Louis, it won't be the same tonight. And I hope it won't be, last night I was a mess, I was feeling very sad...." Louis frowns, still feeling resentful towards Jacob.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I swear. Tomorrow I'll wake up with you." Harry nods, not really in the mood to keep arguing over something that is hopeless.

"Where did you go?" He asks after a while. Louis sighs deeply.

"Uhm, I had some business to take care of." He shrugs. Harry looks at him intently, waiting for him to say something else, but Louis doesn't say another word.

"Oh, good." That's all he says, a little disappointed. He tells Louis his stuff, or almost everything. The note doesn't count because he didn't even manage to read it. Ignoring that, Harry tells Louis everything. The most important things at least. He's trusting him more, that's a big step.