Through the Dark

Unspoken Words

Louis drove in silence, the hum of the car engine the only sound between them. Harry stared out of the window, his reflection flickering in the glass, eyes unfocused. The city lights passed in a blur, but all Louis could think about was the man sitting next to him, so close yet feeling miles away.

Louis wanted to say something, anything, to break the tension that hung heavy in the air. But words felt inadequate, like they couldn't possibly fix what had happened or make Harry feel better. So, he simply drove, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel, trying to piece together the Harry he thought he knew and the one he had found tonight.

Eventually, they pulled up to Louis's flat. He cut the engine and turned to Harry, who hadn't moved an inch. His head was still turned towards the window, his expression unreadable.

"Harry," Louis said softly, breaking the silence. "You don't have to talk about it right now, but... I'm here for you. You know that, right?"

Harry finally looked at him, and Louis saw the tears glistening in his eyes, threatening to fall. He nodded, but his voice was strained when he spoke. "I know, Lou. It's just... it's all a mess."

Louis nodded, understanding. "Come inside? Stay the night?"

Harry hesitated for a moment, then nodded again. "Yeah. I'd like that."

They exited the car and walked up the stairs to Louis's flat. Once inside, Louis flicked on the lights, the warm glow casting shadows on the walls. It was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt comforting, safe. Louis watched as Harry walked into the living room, looking lost and out of place, like he didn't belong anywhere.

"Sit down," Louis urged, gesturing to the couch. "I'll make us some tea."

Harry sat, his body sinking into the cushions, but he still looked tense, as if he couldn't quite relax. Louis busied himself in the kitchen, giving Harry a moment to gather his thoughts. The kettle hissed, and soon, Louis returned with two steaming mugs.

He handed one to Harry and sat down next to him, their knees almost touching. Harry wrapped his hands around the mug, the warmth seeping into his cold fingers.

For a while, they just sat there, sipping their tea in silence. But Louis couldn't shake the image of Harry at the club, couldn't ignore the questions that were burning in his mind. Finally, he put his mug down and turned to Harry.

"What happened, Haz?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. "How did things get so bad?"

Harry closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he spoke. "After... after everything with the band ended, things just got hard. Really hard. The money was running out faster than I expected, and I... I didn't want to ask for help. I didn't want anyone to know how bad it was. So, when I got offered a way to make some quick cash, I... I took it. I thought I could handle it."

Louis's heart ached as he listened. He knew Harry had always been proud, always wanting to solve his problems on his own. But this... this was too much for anyone to handle alone.

"You don't have to do this, Harry," Louis said softly, his eyes pleading. "You're not alone. We're all here for you-me, the boys. We'll figure something out."

Harry shook his head, a tear finally slipping down his cheek. "It's not that simple, Lou. It's not just about the money anymore. I've gotten in deep with some bad people. They... they won't just let me walk away."

Louis felt a surge of anger and fear. "We'll find a way," he insisted. "We'll go to the police, or-"

"No," Harry interrupted, his voice firm despite the tears. "You don't understand, Louis. These people... they're dangerous. If I try to leave, they'll come after me. And after you. I can't put you in that kind of danger."

Louis's mind raced, trying to think of a solution, but all he could focus on was the fact that Harry was in trouble, and he couldn't stand the thought of losing him.

"There has to be something we can do," Louis said, more to himself than to Harry.

Harry just shook his head, looking defeated. "I don't know, Lou. I just don't know."

Louis reached out, taking Harry's hand in his. "We'll figure it out. We'll get through this, together. I promise."

Harry squeezed Louis's hand, holding on like it was the only thing keeping him from falling apart completely. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Louis nodded, his heart heavy but determined. "You don't have to thank me, Haz. You're family. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

They sat there in the quiet of Louis's flat, holding on to each other as the weight of the night pressed down on them. Louis knew that whatever happened next, it wasn't going to be easy. But he also knew that he wasn't going to let Harry face it alone.

Not now, not ever.