TORN

Chapter 15: A Night of Uncertainty

Harry was the first to rush into the apartment. His heart pounded as he scanned the crowded living room filled with people drinking, smoking, and chatting as if nothing was wrong. But there was no sign of Louis. Without hesitation, Harry's instincts guided him toward a door at the end of the hallway. He didn't know the apartment, but something told him that was where he would find Louis.

He flung open the bedroom door, and the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks. Louis lay sprawled on the bed, completely naked, with two men at his sides. One kissed his neck while the other trailed his lips along Louis' inner thigh. The dim light of the room highlighted the empty look in Louis' eyes as they briefly met Harry's. Louis gave a lazy smile, but his gaze soon rolled back, indicating he wasn't fully present. Bottles of vodka and various other liquor were scattered across the floor.

The two men didn't even flinch when Harry barged in. Anger surged through him like a wildfire. "Hey!" he barked, his voice sharp with fury.

Both men turned to face him simultaneously, their expressions annoyed and predatory, like lions disturbed during their feast. Harry's chest tightened at the comparison—it made Louis seem like prey.

"You two, get the hell out of here, now," he commanded, pointing at the door. The men exchanged glances, muttering something under their breath, but didn't argue. They grabbed their scattered clothes and hastily left the room, brushing past Harry as they did.

The moment they were gone, Harry's urgency took over. He climbed onto the bed and pulled Louis into his arms, wrapping a blanket around his bare body. Louis' skin was cold to the touch, and he seemed so fragile. "What are you doing, Lou? What are you doing to yourself?" Harry whispered, his voice breaking with concern as he held Louis closer.

Louis blinked slowly, his pupils dilated as he looked at Harry. "Are you... an angel?" he murmured, a weak smile playing on his lips. "Am I in heaven?"

"Shh, Louis, you need to rest," Harry replied, stroking his hair gently. At that moment, Y/N, Zayn, and Liam appeared at the bedroom door, their faces filled with relief and concern as they saw Louis in Harry's arms.

"Is he okay?" Y/N asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"I'll take care of him," Harry said firmly. "Can you guys... just make sure everyone leaves and clean up a bit?"

They nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the situation. As they left to handle the crowd, Harry remained on the bed, cradling Louis. He listened as the sounds of the party gradually faded—music turned off, chatter died down, and eventually, the front door closed, signaling the last guest's departure. After a while, Y/N, Zayn, and Liam returned to check on them one last time.

"We're heading out," Zayn said quietly, his tone laced with worry. "If you need anything, call us, okay?"

Harry nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, guys."

With that, the three left, and the apartment was enveloped in silence. Harry could feel the exhaustion tugging at his own eyelids, but he stayed alert, watching over Louis. Louis' body was limp in his arms, and his breathing was uneven. Suddenly, he stirred, his voice slurred as he spoke. "So, are you finally gonna fuck me now?" he asked, his tone laced with a hollow emptiness that pierced through Harry's chest.

"No, Louis," Harry said softly, his voice shaking as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "You need to sober up." He ran his fingers gently through Louis' hair, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and heartache. Seeing Louis like this, so lost and broken, tore at him in a way he couldn't put into words.

After a while, Louis' expression shifted, and he grimaced. "I feel sick," he mumbled, clutching his stomach.

Harry glanced around the room and quickly found a small trash bin. He held it under Louis' chin just in time as Louis began to retch. Harry rubbed his back soothingly, whispering reassurances until Louis finished. Once Louis had emptied his stomach, he collapsed back into Harry's arms, completely drained. Moments later, sleep overtook him.

Harry's eyes felt heavy, but he didn't let himself rest. Instead, he sat there, holding Louis tightly, his gaze never leaving the young man's face. He watched as Louis' breathing gradually evened out, though his own mind raced with worry. Hours passed, and the darkness outside slowly turned to the faint light of dawn.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Louis began to stir. His eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked in confusion as he saw Harry beside him. He had no memory of how he ended up in bed with him. Louis glanced down, noticing his own nakedness beneath the covers. "Did we...?" he asked hesitantly, his voice rough from sleep.

"No, we didn't," Harry reassured him softly. "I've been here all night, looking after you. You were in a bad way."

Louis frowned, his brows knitting together as he tried to piece together the fragments of the last few days. "What day is it?" he asked, sounding bewildered.

"It's October 3rd," Harry replied.

Louis' eyes widened in realization. "Oh my god," he whispered. "I've been partying for five days straight." He rubbed his temples as if trying to alleviate the pounding headache that throbbed behind his eyes. "What must you think of me now?" he added, his voice filled with shame as he turned away from Harry, curling up with his back facing him.

Harry, unable to bear the distance, scooted closer and wrapped his arms around Louis from behind, spooning him. "It doesn't matter," he said, his voice quiet and raw from fatigue. "What matters is that you're okay." In his exhausted state, the truth slipped from his lips almost involuntarily. "I love you, Louis."

Louis stiffened in surprise at Harry's unexpected confession. A surge of warmth spread through him, and though he was unsure how to respond, a single tear rolled down his cheek. For a moment, he didn't say anything, still absorbing the weight of Harry's words. Harry's breathing slowed, and Louis assumed he had fallen asleep.

He turned around slowly, so that their foreheads were almost touching. Watching Harry's serene expression, he hesitated before whispering, "I love you too, Harry." He thought Harry was already asleep, but the faint curve of a smile formed on Harry's lips.

Louis' eyes widened in shock, realizing that Harry wasn't fully asleep after all. But the exhaustion soon took over them both, and as they lay together, they finally drifted into a deep, much-needed sleep.