TW: mention of abuse.
It is only one sentence, quite early in the start...
Louis' POV:
It's been three weeks after my and Harry's moment in the school bathrooms. Three weeks of weird looks and whispers, because everyone in school was, as me, under the impression Harry hates me. But now, we missed two periods together, and he's sitting with me, Liam, and Zayn at break. I'd asked him first if I could tell them about what happened. He was weary first but eventually agreed. His friend, Niall, has also decided to join us. He'd known about this for a long time, apparently, trying to convince Harry that what he was feeling was normal and that he wasn't acting the right way about it all.
But ultimately, it all comes down to one simple thing: fear. Harry is scared and denies his emotions, not because he is against being gay, but because his father seems to have a huge problem with it. I'd come to learn that he lives with his father while his sister lives with his mum.
He's been coming to my house, with Liam and Zayn each afternoon after football to hang out with us. Niall tags along as well. I've always thought that Harry had a massive friend group and was busy with that after football practice, but he's been alone all this time. Sure, at school, he's completely surrounded, but he'd just go home after football, or sometimes to Niall's place, and he'd join his other friends at parties.
Today, Harry came to my house alone. My siblings all have their after-school activities on, and usually they go to my Nana's house afterward as well... the girls love being at Nana's, then mom would pick the four of them up on her way home. We don't have footy today because our coach is sick. Liam and Zayn decided to have some personal time alone, and Niall didn't want to be a third wheel.
"Want some tea?" I ask as we walk into the kitchen.
"Uhm, yes, please." Harry is standing quietly, watching me make our tea. "I'm gonna go up to your room, is that ok?" I nod and tell him I'll be with him in a few minutes.
Carefully, I walk up the stairs to my room, bumping the door open with my bum. Harry has already changed out of his school uniform. He is sitting on my bed, Clifford sitting between his legs, getting ear rubs. He loves his ear rubs.
"Here's your tea, H." Hy smiles and mumbles a 'thank you', taking the tea from my hand. "Something wrong?" I ask and sit down next to him.
"No, it's just... we've not been alone together since the other day." He takes a deep breath. "I was so open with you that day, and it kind of makes me feel shy around you. I feel like I'm ten years old with my brand new weekly crush." He gives a breathy laugh. "I've not even really... touched you. In any way." He looks at me as he says the words, a longing expression on his face.
I then decide to reach out and take his hand in mine. I softly rub my thumb over his skin. He blushes.
"Is this ok for you?" He bites his lip to hide his smile.
"Yeah." He gives my hand a squeeze.
"Ok, we'll. I'm gonna go change out of my uniform." I place my tea on my nightstand and get up, my hand leaving Harry's. I grab some black sweats and a white tee. I go into the bathroom to change. I make sure not to take too long, not wanting Harry to be alone.
When I'm back in my room, Harry's still right where I left him. I go sit next to him again, but I'm a bit closer to him this time. He takes a deep breath. He reaches out to take my hand in his on his own.
"Louis, I'm afraid." He admits softly.
"Afraid of what, Harry?" I ask, matching my tone to his.
"The things I'm feeling. The things I'm thinking." He meets my eyes. "Can I hold you?" I smile, hugging him from where I'm sitting. He wraps his arms around me, breathing in my scent as we just sit in silence.
