The Graffiti Bridge

I only know peace when I'm with you

    When they get to the house its not at all what Harry was expecting. It a little green modern-esque two story house with white stutters, that are only slightly tarnished from the weather, and its got a red door right in the center of it. It looks almost welcoming, but if Louis' situation is anything to go by Harry shouldn't judge, as many people hide behind the facade of a picture perfect family, when in reality everyone inside is suffering.

    Louis takes a deep breath beside him, head pointing in the direction of the seemingly normal house. Harrys chewing his bottom lip nervously, now unsure of bringing the boy back to the place that has caused him so much distress. Louis reaches to undo his seatbelt, but Harry stops his movements. "You sure its safe... to go in", Harry asks. Louis smiles at his scrunched demeanor. "Yeah, he wont be hear for another 2 hours at the least" .

    "Alright, do you need me to come in with you", Louis shakes his head at that. Making his way out of the car he sees Louis walk over and lift their house mat to retrieve a key. He turns to Harry wiggling it in his hand with a smile, before he steps through the threshold. Harry holds his breath the entire time Louis is in there, nervously tapping his fingers on his thighs. It isn't until Louis finally steps back out, with two backpacks in hand, that Harry lets out a long breath.

Louis hops back into the car, small smile plastered on his face. "Good to go" he chirps. Harry smiles back at the boy, putting the car in gear and leaving behind the house.

****

    "What do you wanna be when you grow up?" Louis asks staring up at Harry as he's strewn across the mans couch with his head resting on Harrys thighs. Harrys attention tentative on the movie playing before him while his hands card through Louis fringe. His brows furrowing are the only confirmation that he heard the question. After a minute his brows go back to normal and he looks down at the small boy who's still staring up at him. He smiles softly and Louis reciprocates the action. Blue eyes wide open, brows raising slightly to spur his answer.

    "I always wanted to be a teacher" he says breathlessly eyes locked intently on Louis'. "My parents always wanted me to go after the big jobs that earn big money, but I don't want to spend my most of my adult life working just to hate what it is I do. I want to enjoy what I do because it brings me joy and leaves a little something to those I teach". Louis smile grows significantly bigger by the time Harry is finished with his sentence.

    "You're a good person Harry", Louis states randomly blue eyes staring back at Harrys green. Harry laughs at that, eyes crinkling as he bends forward with the the motion of it. "Im serious, I happen to be a very good judge of character," Louis adds smiling through his words. "and though I've known you for so little time I just know it."

    Harry ruffles Louis hair, fixing their position again and looking back onto the screen of the tv. Though the smile on his face never drops, even as he feels Louis' intent gaze on him. The night continues in a similar manner. Louis asking questions, perched on Harrys lap, and Harrys slow and delicate responses.

***
    After 3 movies, two of which Harry missed due to Louis insistent chatter, does the man realize that the small boy finally fell asleep. Harry lowers the volume of the tv not daring to wake Louis, and reaches to the end of the sofa for a small throw blanket to cover him with. He himself feels the tiredness of the last few days creep up on him, as he feel his eyelids get heavier and finally succumbing to the sleep.

Harry is startled awake an hour later by the sound of the front door slamming shut. He tentatively reaches over to the coffee table trying not to disturb the small boy who is still curled up in his lap, and retrieves his phone. It's half nine as Zayn walks into the main room and scans the dark surroundings. His eyes soon landing on Harry, and the human shaped lumped atop him. He releases a snort at Harrys fondness for the boy.

"Hey Z, how was your shift?" Harry asks as Zayn approaches the couch, taking a seat on the end where Louis feet lie. Zayn slowly lifts them up and places them on his lap and he sags onto the couch. Zayn releases a deep sigh, "Not to bad, one of our guys quit so we've been having to pick up the slack". Harry hums his understanding and then returns his attention back to the screen where a new show has started to play. Louis wiggles around a bit snuggling closes to Harry. Causing Harry to smile down at the boy and stroke his fringe in attempt to halt his movements.

Zayns' voice breaks Harry from his trance, "You care about him", he says as a statement rather than a question. Harry looks up at Zayn who's already tracking his movements, "I don't think he's got many people on his corner, and I mean, how could I not", he finishes by looking down at Louis sleep ridden face. Zayn hums looking at Louis then whispers, "Its late, you should put him to bed".

"Yeah I know, he just looks so peaceful", Harry sighs. Zayn lifts Louis' feet before going to stand and leave Harry to tend to his boy. He mutters a 'night mate' as he goes to down the hall to his own room.

Once Harry hears the door to Zayns' shut he reaches forward for the remote, and shuts the tv off. He carefully lifts Louis head off his lap and stands. He then crouches down scooping Louis into his arm, the boy remaining completely unbothered. Stumbling his way to the room in the dark proves itself to be an easy task, being that Louis weighs close to nothing. Harry sets Louis down moving the covers around to make sure the boy nicely snuggle up.

Once Louis is tucked in, Harry stands thinking out his next move. The day before Louis had been distressed and in need of solace, so Harry happily complied when Louis sought that comfort. But today, Harry isn't sure of what to do.

'Screw it' Harry thinks, as he crawls into the other side of the bed, leaving enough space between them. Louis stirs at the shift of the bed, turning over to face Harry. Harry remains still as Louis snuggles into Harry's side, humming contently at the warmth of Harrys body. Louis didn't seem to mind yesterday when he'd woken up at Harrys side, so Harry figures they'll be fine. 

'Yeah, they'll be fine' are his last thoughts as Louis nose nuzzles deep into Harrys shoulder, and he lets sleep envelope him.