Against One's Wishes

Chapter 32

The ocean waves are crashing down below as Louis stares into the darkness, wondering if he really does want to jump after all.

"Harry!" He's screaming again as he's glaring up into the cloudy skies above. The lightning flashes and it's the only light that Louis has as he stands on the very edge of this cliff. "Where are you? Harry?!"

"Lou, I'm right here," Harry calls to Louis as he gently shakes him in an attempt to wake him from this nightmare once again. "Babe..."

Louis jumps as his eyes finally shoot open. He looks to see Harry's hands holding him by the shoulders; and then, his eyes meet Harry's again.

"Jesus," Louis breathes as he's sitting up quickly and falling into Harry's arms. He holds him so tightly as he's burying his face in the side of Harry's neck again.

He can hear the rain falling outside the open bedroom windows; he can feel the cool breeze coming through the room. And Louis finally embraces his actual reality once more.

"You're alright," Harry's whispering as he's holding Louis. He closes his eyes and kisses the top of Louis' head before sighing, "I'm right here. And this is all real, love."

Louis takes a deep breath before he's blowing it out slowly. He just continues to hold Harry, and run his fingers up and down his back; just relishing in the feel of Harry's skin under his fingertips.

"You ground me," Louis impulsively states in a small whisper. "Just... touching you... feeling you... it completely grounds me again."

Louis can feel Harry begin to smile as he's resting his face against the side of Louis' head.

The 2 of them have been at this lake house for 8 glorious days now. Every moment has been absolute heaven for them as they have spent their hours fishing, canoeing, swimming in the lake waters; just making memories together, as an actual couple.

As themselves; their real, authentic selves.

With the passing days, Louis has begun to feel somewhat normal again... except for the lasting night terrors that he still seems to suffer from daily.

"You ground me, too, you know," Harry quietly says as his fingers run down Louis' bare back so softly, "more than you probably even realise."

Louis smirks some, "I think I do actually realise, to a certain degree..."

Louis lets Harry go, their eyes watching one another.

"... You're here, aren't you?" Louis asks with a gentle smile, "I mean, you... you had such a different life in New York before you met me, got involved with me... you lived and you loved in a completely different way before I came along. And now... look at you..."

Harry's looking at him confused as he smiles.

"You're here right now... in the middle of nowhere... taking care of me," Louis whispers as he's pointing to himself, "It's me. You chose someone like me... when you could've had anyone... literally anyone..."

"My heart chose you," Harry interrupts now, his tone serious as his eyes don't break from Louis', "I just... listened to it, Lou. Even... even if... in the beginning, I didn't want to listen to it..."