Finding Louis {l.s}

16

Week One (Louis):

"H-Harry... What are you doing here?"

"I came to buy a Tina-trinket. Is that a crime?"

"No, I just... You're going to get me in trouble," I whisper weakly. My chest goes ablaze from fear and I have to take a shaky step back, flinching when he lets out a cold, hard laugh.

"Am I that embarrassing to be seen around, Tomlinson? Cos we both know Miss C wouldn't care. Or what, you're scared your boyfriend will catch us?"

I don't reply. He gazes at me, searching for a reply in my eyes until I can't stand the pain in them. I break contact and he sniffles softly, slowly nodding his head then looking about for something to get. "I didn't come to get anyone in trouble. I just... Needed to see... I... Fuck it. Nevermind. Just... No. Nevermind. Forget I was ever here. Tell your sweetheart I only wanted to buy... This."

"You came all the way here to buy a corkscrew? Really, Hazz?" The nickname makes us both cringe.

"Yup. Don't judge my taste, Lou, things like these can be pretty useful in a variety of ways with just the right amount of pressure-"

"If you're trying to seduce me, remember you're the one with the pain kink, not me."

"Maybe I was trying to give you a hint, ever thought of that?" I can't help it. I burst out laughing, feeling joy and warmth swarm me for the first time in days. Harry's eyes flicker over my face, bright for a moment before they dim again. Why does he have to do that? Why does he have to look so sad that I'm gone? He should have forgotten about me by now, I certainly would have.

"Louis."

I gaze at him. Three words I hope he can hear in my tired gaze. Let me go. He stares back at me, fire in the green and softly shakes his head. Never. Fine, then. If this is what it will take. Clearly, I can't show my face as much, anymore. He'll just find me here again and I don't need that. I can't handle looking at him, not when I haven't figured out how to protect us yet.

Week Two (Harry):

Louis isn't going to work anymore. I haven't seen him since then and I'm completely thrown off by it, hardly going to work either. At least I knew where Louis could be before. The fact that he could disappear now and leave and I would never even realise fills me with dread. The boys are keeping a look out for him everywhere, Miss C is too but no one knows anything. It's like he went off the map.

The boys try to invite him out. They send text after text to Louis on our group chat - and privately too, I'm sure. I don't know if I can handle sending a message to him, knowing he won't respond. But when I'm drunk, I do. Of course I do. I don't dare glance at my spills and spills of raw, stupid feelings unless I'm in a haze again. It's so nice to just cry out to him but every morning, I hurt because he hasn't even read it. Not one line. I guess I'm the fool, huh?

I pick up the phone in time to notice he's sent the group a message.

Louis: I can't play footie with you boys, anymore. Please stop asking.

Niall: And why the hell not?

Louis: He just doesn't want me to get injured.

Harry: I'd never want you to get injured either but that doesn't mean I'll make you stop doing something you love.

Lou: You're not my boyfriend, Harry.

It... Hurts. That's the first thing he's speaking directly to me since I saw him at the shop last week. When I caught a glimpse of the sunshine in his soul for one single moment before it dimmed, again. I wish I could have held it, framed it, begged him not to shrink away and hide under layers of ice and cold again. I'd do anything to see my Louis again, doesn't he know that? Did I mean so little to him...?