You Sunshine, You Temptress

9

There are three soft knocks on the door and Harry, who was deep in thought after Louis stormed off, looks up in surprise. "Come in?" he calls uncertainly and sees Charlie sticking his head through the door. "May I come in?" he asks and Harry nods in agreement. The wolf steps in, closing the door behind him and eyeing Harry. Harry stares back blankly, not knowing what the Alpha wants from him. Is he in trouble?

"Fancy a walk?" Charlie asks and gives him a friendly smile. And yes, he hasn't been back for long, but as a fairy, it's always what helps him. Much like Louis when he's nesting. Louis.

He can't believe what he has confessed to him, too much input in the last few days and he's completely overwhelmed.
What if Louis doesn't want to be his friend anymore? What if Charlie came to tell him to go away? His thoughts appear to be reflected on his face as Charlie adds, "Don't worry, I just want to talk to you, it's all very harmless!"

Harry nods slightly and rises from Louis' bed and Charlie gives him an encouraging smile. They walk down the hall and down the stairs together. As they pass the living room, a few of the pack lookup and Harry sees questioning looks out of the corner of his eye. But he quickly lowers his gaze, feeling as if it's on his face showing he has hurt his best friend. Charlie leads the way outside and they silently walk side by side across the meadow and then enter the forest. Harry inhales deeply the smell of the dense firs and the other trees. The sun's rays find their way between the leaves onto his skin, the branches crack under their feet with every step they take and he tries to concentrate only on what he perceives, letting his mind and the racing thoughts come to rest.

"The forest always has a calming effect, don't you think?" Charlie asks him and gives him a friendly sideways glance.

"Yes, that's right. I usually go out every morning, preferably to the clearing in the woods, and recharge my energies." Harry agrees, relaxing more and more, the older wolf is a pleasant companion and exudes calm.

"Do you want to talk about why Louis was crying in front of our room? I like to have an open ear for you."

Harry cramps a little at the thought of making his friend cry and wishes he could undo it.

"Isn't your loyalty more to Louis and your pack? I'm just a stranger to you!" he finally asks Charlie and looks at him critically, he doesn't know the pack enough to be able to assess the individual wolves. But his gut tells him he's a laid back Alpha and there's something fatherly about him. What Harry never had, he was never able to seek advice from a male family member and he's painfully aware of that in that moment. Anne is a good mother even if they are currently arguing and the topic of father is like a gap between them. But what would it be like if his father were with him and gave him his opinion? Harry will probably never know. But maybe Charlie is a good substitute in that regard.

"Are you really a stranger Harry? You're a good friend of Louis and you're staying with us...at least temporarily. Sometimes advice from an outsider helps," Charlie says softly and lets his gaze wander through the forest. Harry stays silent and thinks, letting Charlie's words sink in.

"Believe me, between me and Helene there weren't always happy days either. But what connects you brings you back together, don't you think?" Charlie adds when he doesn't get an answer.

"But you are mates. What if I've lost Louis?" he asks, and the thought of it causes him great despair, his heart tightens and he runs his fingers stressed through his hair.

"What could you have done so bad that you lost him? I consider you as a good fairy...or whatever you are. The rumors spread quickly in the pack even though Krystal didn't reveal much..."

Harry sighs and decides to tell Charlie. He'll find out from Helene anyway, and why shouldn't he get some advice at this point?

"He loves me," he says curtly, he still can't believe it himself. Anyone loves Harry? And not just someone, but Louis. With his beautiful blue eyes and his delicate build. His friendly and shy nature.