Forbidden Desires {Ziall AU}

Chapter 33: I think I've seen this film before, but I didn't like the ending

chapter title from exile by Taylor Swift

Hello lovely people!!
Welcome to the beginning of the end, I had an existential crisis the other day when I realised that there are only around 3-5 chapters left of this story :(((((. I'm so happy that this story is finally taking its final shape but I'm so sad that I won't be doing weekly updates anymore. I do plan to have a Larry spin-off of this story, however, that will be posted when the story is completed (so maybe not for a year or more).
I'm so sorry in advance if I make you cry, but it's a crucial chapter of the story.
I hope you enjoy!

TRIGGER WARNING:
violence is present in this chapter, but no mention of blood.

Niall takes a bite, groaning into the small sweet pressed against his lips, "Oh my god..." The light from the windows rests elegantly on his cheekbones. It illuminates him to a light brighter than the room.

"They're good, right?" I ask. I take a bite from the chocolate, letting the sweetness melt in my mouth.

He nods, snatching another one from the packet, "Where the fuck did you get these?"

I smirk, "It's a secret," I put the lid on the box, placing it on the bedside table behind me. He lets out a whine, pouting at me. I pull him into my arms, kissing his hair with a smirk. He wraps his arms around my stomach, relaxing into me. "How would I ever be able to surprise you with the best chocolates in the world if you knew where to get them?"

He hums against me, "Still not fair though." I feel the moment his body becomes jelly when I rub soothing circles into his shoulder. "Promise me something?"

I nod, dancing my fingers around his arms, "anything."

He buries his head into my chest, "Don't leave?"

My heart aches in my chest, at the sheer desperate whisper that falls from his lips. "Never," I whisper, pulling him as close to me as possible to prove my point. He nods his head against my chest while I pepper his exposed cheek with kisses. He curls up against me, a grin taking over his face.

Suddenly, a bang carries its way up the staircase. I freeze, listening to the loud voices booming behind the door. Niall pulls away, looking at me with pure horror. I slip off the bed, Niall following behind me. I turn the door handle, tiptoeing out into the hallway. Peeking around the corner from the bottom of the stairs, I see Harry lunge at a large man standing in the living room. The man blocks Harry's attack, but Harry stands his ground. He lunges at the man again and again, but all his efforts are futile.

A shrill cry sounds from behind him.

He whips around.

An arm is holding Louis around his neck, his eyes blown wide with terror.

"No..."

"Come quietly, and we won't hurt him." The man simpers, looking all too pleased with himself.

Harry hangs his head, all the fight draining from his body in one fatal swoop, "I'll do whatever you want."

One of the men pushes a hand into Harry's back, prompting him along.

He lets Louis go. "Harry..." Louis begs, it seems to say everything. Please don't go. I need you. You can't leave me here. Are you going to be okay?

Harry smiles, "It'll be alright Lou, I promise."

Louis doesn't look too convinced, prompting Harry to peel away from the man and wrap his arms around Louis. Louis clings to him like it's the last time he'll ever feel him. Harry whispers something into his ear, but Louis shakes his head into his chest. He tightens his arms around Harry's neck. Harry looks up at the ceiling like someone will give him the guidance he's craving.

One of the men starts to pull Harry away, but Louis holds on as tight as he can, calling out for dear life. It's like one of the pivotal scenes from a movie. That one scene where the camera gets close and slows down the moment their fingers slip from each other. You can hear their agonizing cries as they get torn apart, uncertain of whether they'll ever mend themselves again. Louis is making a sound I've never heard. It sounds like someone is burning him alive. It's one of the most agonizing sounds I've ever heard. Physical pain could never replicate a sound like that.

One of the men drags Harry through the doorway despite his vocal protests. The other man gets fed up with Louis' wailing, slapping him hard across the face. My mouth drops open while Niall stifles a gasp. Louis falls silent.

We stay huddled on the stairs for a moment, waiting until the grinding of tires fades into the distance. We rush into the living room, pillows and blankets littering the ground. Louis has curled himself into a corner of the couch, his arms wrapped around his knees. He's staring into a corner of the room, eyes blown wide and red-rimmed. A nasty red mark is blooming on his face.

"Louis?" Niall asks, touching a hand to his arm.

Niall looks instantly apologetic when Louis flinches away from him. His face crumbles, registering who we are. Fresh tears retrace the tracks already caving down his face, "This is all your fault."

Niall pulls back, hurt flashing across his face, "what?"

Louis squares his jaw, a fire burning in his eyes, "they were here for you, right?" He doesn't wait for a reply, "They never would've-" he cuts himself off with a sob. He hides his face behind his hands, "Oh god... Harry."

Niall has those worried eyes, making him look like a lost puppy. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Louis," he tries, hanging his head.

I know what he's going to say before he says it while he looks between us. He looks down, "you should leave."

The statement hangs in the air for a moment, before Niall manages a whispered "But-"

I put a hand on his arm shaking my head. There's no changing Louis' mind when he blames us for ripping away the one person he loves the most.

We walk upstairs and pack our small bags in silence. I take stock of what's become our room while we've been here. All the late nights spent smiling into each other's necks and twisted into each other. All the times we would drag ourselves to bed after a long day spent laughing with the windows rolled down while the sun shone on our skin. When we get back into the living room, Louis is sitting where we left him. Niall touches a hand to his arm, but he turns his head away. He drops his hand, following me out the door without a word.

We dump our bags in the trunk of the car, slipping into the front seats. I sigh as I turn on the ignition, pulling away from the house I've started calling home. Niall stays silent in the passenger seat, but I know Harry being ripped away from him again was the last straw. All I can do is wait for his impending breakdown.