The silence was long and beyond uncomfortable. Louis didn't let go of Harry's hand but Harry didn't even try to get free. He just stood there completely frozen.
And as uncomfortable as Louis felt, he still kept his eyes locked with Harry's.
His brain yelled at him to let go and turn his eyes away, but Louis couldn't do that. He had just dropped a huge bomb, the least he could do is wait and be there for whatever it is that Harry needs.
"She..." Harry shook his head and pulled his hand free. "It is what it is. You'll meet Troy tomorrow, you're healthy enough."
Louis stared Harry, mouth open. "You just going to ignore what I said? Harry, this isn't you! Let me help you!"
"I don't need your help", Harry said angrily, spreading his arms. "This is who I am now! Get it? You can't help me, you can't change me because there's nothing to change! Why can't you understand that?"
It all caught Louis off guard and he didn't know what to say back. Harry's words hit him really hard. Was Harry right? Was he trying to change something that didn't need changing? Trying to fix something that isn't broken?
He didn't know any more.
When Louis didn't say anything, Harry groaned and started walking around the room, frustrated.
"You need to say goodbyes to your mother", Louis muttered quietly after a moment. "And before you start again, yes, I heard you, you're who you are now and I can't change you. Maybe you're right, I shouldn't even try. But, however, I know that you still care. You're still Harry." Louis took a deep breathe and stood up, ignoring the pain. "You're still Harry but just tougher. You're a badass now but still. Harry."
That made Harry stop his frustrated walking. The lad stared at Louis in silence, his eyes scanning Louis' unsteady body. Louis tried really hard to stay still but he knew he was wobbling like a drunken person.
Harry crossed his arms. "How do we do that?"
"What?" Louis was beyond confused. He usually didn't miss this much things but now he felt like he had been raised in a box.
"Get out", Harry said. "How do we get out?"
Louis mouth dropped open. "You... I... What?" Louis sat back on the bed, rambling. "You're not bluffing, are you? You really wanna try to get out of here? Was it that easy? Why the fuck didn't I give that speech to you earlier— No, wait, I did. Didn't I?" Louis shook his head and turned his eyes on Harry. "You're seriously willing to try escaping with me? Regardless of all the risks?"
Harry shrugged, leaning against the wall. "Well... I have to go say goodbyes, right?"
***
"Before you get excited, we need to set some rules", Harry said. "First of all, we leave tonight."
Louis frowned. "And how exactly you think we're doing that? I can barely stand!"
"There's no other option, I wasn't kidding about Troy. He wants to see you tomorrow."
"But—"
"Second of all, keep your hands off me." Harry narrowed his eyes. "We are not dating, we are not brothers—"
"Stepbrothers", Louis muttered.
"—and we are only sticking together because it makes sense", Harry finished. "We will go our separate ways as soon as we're in somewhat clear waters. Got it? Teamwork until we're out of here and out off the country, understood?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, but who said anything about dating? Why would you bring that up?" Louis cried, spreading his arms.
Harry shrugged. "Because you have a thing for me and I wanted to make things clear."
YOU ARE READING
Stockholm Syndrome ✔
Fanfiction"What I did a year ago I didn't do because of love. I didn't love you, Louis, I still don't love you. I just sympathized you, felt sorry for you- There's a difference and you if someone should have known that difference." After Harry Styles is kidna...
