Calamity [Zarry Stylik AU]©️

Chapter 21: THAT'S ALL I REMEMBER, REALLY

L,

I stood by the door for what seemed to be forever. Part of me was fearful of entering and being subjected to questioning, the other part was just anxious about seeing Harry. He looked...different.

My heart clenched at the sight of his bruises and the message was clear: 'you fucked up and you won't get away with it. We will find anyone you love and break them into pieces until we have you.'

He was still handsome, though. Still beautiful. Even with the anger pouring from his dark blue eyes and despite his lips being nothing but a thin line of despise. He was still beautiful.

I walked into the room, closing the door behind me. I was walking into judgement day. I sat on an empty chair by his bed, looking around. Liam stood by the foot of the bed, Niall, and Zayn together by the window, probably peering outside.

For a moment, there was nothing. Nothing I could say. If guilt would be the cause of death, I would have died a long time ago.

"How did we get here?" I looked at him seeing the anger fully blowing in his eyes, but how composed he seemed. "How did I get here, Lou?"

I wiped my hands on my jeans. I should do the mea culpa.

I should.

It was indeed my fault, but...Zayn was there. I looked at him and he stared back. I wasn't going to allow him to see me weak or grovelling about to Harry. I needed to show him that I was the alpha here and he was not in charge.

"Which version do you want: the short story or the feature film?"

"Stop it," Harry ordered me. "No funny jokes, no fucking bullshit. What happened?"

"Harry, what do you want me to say here?"

"Well, it would be great if you apologised for starters, but I'm guessing your stubbornness will prevent you from it- "

"You do know me after all"

"Oh, Jesus..." Harry lamented, pinching his nose. I didn't want to see him suffer. I swear I didn't, but I couldn't help myself. "What happened, Louis?"

I wiped my hands again, taking a deep breath. One look at Liam and he assured me it would be okay. I had told Niall and Liam already - they knew what was happening. I showed up unannounced at Liam's house earlier that night and he nearly smothered me with a bear hug.

I had him call Niall, so we could sit together, and I could open my heart and share my burdens. They understood.

Lamented what happened, but understood my choice. Swearing they would be always by my side. Even though I loved them both, what mattered to me was Harry. When I heard he was in the hospital and Detective March confirmed it had been a direct result of my actions, my world crumbled.

I wanted to drive up to the Sphere, kick open the door and let them go to town on me until I bled out. Harry was a victim of my doing.

I needed to be honest with him. But Zayn, my rival, was standing right there. If he saw me begging Harry anything, he'd win and have that advantage over me. No. No way.

"I think this is a conversation to be had between the four of us. Since we're all friends, aside from one person here-"

"Are you serious?" Harry inquired.

"It's okay." Zayn stepped in. "I'll wait outside. I have to call my mum anyways."

"Zayn..." Harry whimpered.

The prick smiled back.

"It's okay. You're all friends. It's fine. I'll go."

"Come here,"