Sanctuary (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter One

Harry P.O.V.

"Another round please!" I raise my glass up to the bartender. I give a lopsided smile as my friends continue on with their conversation. We were reminiscing about our school days. Liam had just finished talking about a memory when Zayn's face lit up.

"Oh! Did you guys hear?!"

"What? Hear what?" We all say at once and laugh. Niall is at the edge of his sit, grinning ear to ear. He's all about gossip. Liam just stares blankly, eager to hear whatever Zayn has to say. Mickey, Austin, Jack and Ronald raise a glass to Zayn with smirks. I've never been one for gossip so I just roll my eyes a bit and gulp down the drink the bartender brought me. I hear a familiar name come out of Zayn's mouth, so I decide to listen in this time.

"Do you lads remember Louis? Louis Tomlinson? That really intelligent boy whom everyone swore would be the next Steve Jobs or something? I'm sure Niall and Liam remember him, we would hang out with him. He was our friend and Harry's ex-boyfriend!" Zayn smiles and I grow tense.

"Yeah, yeah, I think I remember him!" Ronald says.

"The innocent kid with the feathery hair right?" Mickey asks.

"Yeah, him! Haven't heard from him in ages. I miss him to be honest. What did you hear Zayn?" Niall asks.

"Go on, Zayn. Don't want Niall to explode all over me in anticipation." Liam smirks.

"Hey!!" Niall smirks back at Liam and slaps his thigh.

Harry remains silent."Tell us already!" Jack urges on.

Zayn chuckles and begins, "Susan and her boyfriend told me they seen him in Kensignton, under the L, on a corner. High heels and a shirt for a dress! Would you believe that? I wonder what could've led to that?" That's not true. He would never put himself out there like that! I'm close to losing my temper and I'm sick of these fucking rumors. That's all they are. Talk. False talk. I know Louis. My Louis would never..

"Who would've known.." Jack whispers. A laugh comes out of Mickey's mouth. I glare at him with an eyebrow raised.

"What? That's not news! I've known about that, I figured it out myself." He laughs louder and I just want to turn those laughs into screams. I've never been too fond of Mickey and the fact that he's laughing at this makes it no better. It's not true. My knuckles are white from gripping the counter too roughly. I slam my fist down.

"It's not true! Niall, Zayn, Liam, you guys know he would never do something like that! Lou's too innocent! You remember how shy he was?" They all nod in agreement.

"People can change though. I personally didn't know the kid, but I do know that things change." Austin finally speaks.

"Yeah well, I KNEW Louis! He wouldn't fucking do it!" Both of my knuckles have turned white. Mickey laughs.

"Relax Harold, your ex is a hooker now, a prostitute, a whore. You say you knew him, but there's that keyword-KNEW. Good thing you left him while you could right?" He chuckles. He lifts his glass to his lips. Niall gasps.

"Mickey, that's not nice. He's a dear friend.." Niall says teary eyed. Liam rubs his back in comfort.

"I'm not being mean, I'm only speaking the truth. The fucker's probably developed a new disease. Honestly, you guys haven't spoken to or seen him in over a year? A lot can happen. How is he even a dear friend after all that time? He gives more fucks for his multiple lovers then he does you guys. Obviously, if he thought the same about you he would've tried to contact you." Liam lets out what sounds like a growl. Niall is silent and teary eyed. Zayn's mouth is hung open. Austin and Jack are just watching. I am slowly seeing red. I punch the glass cup out of his hands. It shatters.