Baby, look what you've done to me || L.S AU

X.

"Sir thank goodness you're home, your father" Alfred pauses still holding on to Harry's shoulders as he made his way inside the house.

"Your father has fallen ill, he requested for you to see him as soon as you returned" Harry was caught off guard, his father was healthy as a horse last time he remembered, Steven was always cautious about his eating habits, his exercises and taking tablets to help reduce the risk of diseases but it does come to a shock that he's fallen sick this early. He didn't react for all he knew it could just be the common cold but thoughts still inferred in his mind, if Steven was not as sick as he is assuming he would never asked to see him.

He briskly made his way to his father's large expanse of a room, Harry briefly wondered when was the last time he was ever in this room, he doesn't think he has, he made his way across the floor, watching his father curled up under the sheets in bed, his soft snores fill the room, he doesn't notice when Harry enters for his eyes were still closed, Harry cautiously inched closer not sure what to do, his eyes briefly glimpses the bedside table and a small picture frame adorns the space, his eyes land on the beautiful lady in a dark red dress a smiling toddler on her laps, looking straight up to her with the hugest smile plastered on his face, a younger version of his father sitting next to the woman. Tears almost fell from Harry's eyes he didn't think his father cared for his mother anymore, he was the one that caused his mother to leave in the first place, he picks up the picture, his hands trembling as he touches his mother's figure, the tears roll out dropping on the glass frame, he missed her so much, he regretted everyday he spent apart from her being as stubborn as he was and forever blaming her for the fall of the marriage with his father. He regretted he didn't get to say goodbye, he didn't get to tell her he was sorry and that he loved her, she was snatched away so fast, no one saw it coming.

"You're here" Harry jumps quickly replacing the picture back on the table wiping the excess tears from his face hoping his father didn't see him crying.

"Yeah, I am, how are you feeling?" His hand reaches up instinctively to check the temperature of his father on his forehead, he was burning up, his lips quiver, his eyes bloodshot, the dark circles under his eyes prominent, his eye looks sucked into his face, his cheeks sinked in, he looked horrible.

"I'll go get some tablets" Harry attempts to get up from the edge of the bed but Steven grabs ahold of his arm.
"No please I need to tell you some-" his hands drops together with his body.
"Dad!" Harry screams gripping him by his shirt shaking him awake. Steven groans, relief sweeping through Harry, for a second he thought he had lost him. Harry sits him up right in bed, so he is better able to speak, Steven is so weak he droops on his own, deep down Harry knew this was far worse than he has anticipated.
"I hid something from you Harry all these years and I'm ashamed" Harry shifts closer on the bed holding his father in place.

"Don't speak dad you're really sick" Harry presses on encouraging Steven to take rest but with the little strength he has he's fighting to push Harry away, he tries to get his attention, so he could listen to what he has to say.

"You were always so stubborn Harold" he lets out a painful lush which turns into a fit of coughs, Steven bucks up from the bed holding on to his stomach, the pain emanating from his voice, Harry just watches on in awe. Steven relaxes again bending over to the table to retrieve a handkerchief. He lets out a long breath before getting caught up in a husky cough again, he places the hanky to his mouth, coughing into it. He leans forward so he's much closer to Harry, who is patting his back.

"I don't have much time Harry, I'm dying" his words send a silence in the air, it seems colder now, the whole room seems bigger, the entire distance deafened by silence, Harry is stunned at his father's revelation but couldn't find the words to respond.
"Everything you need to know is on this flash drive, you'll figure it out, I know you will" he motions to the top draw to his side, Harry shaking as he retrieves the hard drive in his hands.

"Alfred!" Harry calls when he sees Steven's demeanor changes, his eyes closing.
"Yes sir!" Alfred comes rushing in
"Call the ambulance, quick!"
"I did sir they are on their way" Harry grabs hold of his father's hand, rubbing the cold surface hoping the warmth returns.

...

Six hours sitting in this room clueless about his father's condition. Alfred by his side, he was the only one he had now, he had no one. The waiting door room swings open revealing Zayn in a dark jeans and t shirt causal from his usual attire, he rushes over to Harry who was clearly taken back by his presence.

"I took the liberty of letting them know sir" Alfred speaks softly to Harry as Zayn throws his arms around him. It felt comforting and he was relieved he has someone here during this difficult time. Harry looks up disconnecting his arms from Zayn, his eyes still strained on the entrance of the room where Perrie emerges with a holder filled with cups of coffee and close behind her a tiny frame appears making Harry stand from his chair. Perrie walks up to him blocking his view for a brief moment to hand him a cup of coffee. He shifts his head landing back on the spot he left off, the boy still standing with his head down by the door.

Harry although devastated by his current situation couldn't help the smile that crept on his face, Louis doesn't move from his spot but Harry strolls over stopping just a few steps away from him, his height towering Louis.

"I-I hope he's okay" Louis stutters in his words, knotting his fingers together desperately avoiding Harry's piercing gaze.

"I'm so happy you're here" Harry, surprising everyone in the room, wrapped his arms around Louis in a hug, his head coming to rest on Louis'. The tears spill from his eyes, tightening his grip around Louis' waist. Louis taken off guard, knew pushing would only hurt Harry more than he already was, he knew Harry was going through a lot right now hence why he chose to come, he thought for sure after this long Harry would have forgotten about him, he thought Harry moved on, found someone else but no here he was standing holding in his arms the most beautiful boy he's ever seen. He snakes his hands around Harry, stroking soothingly on his back, snuggling his head deeper into Harry's warmth.

It felt good to be in his arms again, Louis wasn't sure if Harry was crying because of his father or if he was crying because he was this excited to see him but either way he couldn't deny the fact that it felt good to see Harry again.

Louis unhooks his arms from Harry's back, reaching to cup his chin, Harry's face is covered with tears, his lips shaking, his eyes swollen from crying, the bright emerald sparkle now turned to a dull grey, even at this state Louis is mesmerized by his beauty. It's been a long time since he's seen Harry.

"Everything will be okay, I promise" he wipes the moisture of Harry's cheeks smiling slightly so the boy returns one, he hooks his hand in Harry's escorting him back to Zayn who is now seated in one of the chairs. Zayn looks at Louis mentally questioning what happened in here just a few minutes ago, he didn't know Harry and him were this close, Louis just gives him a smile and mouths "later" taking the seat next to Harry.
They sit in silence and for what seems like another couple of hours finally a nurse walks into the room asking to speak to Harry privately. He exits the room and follows the nurse to a nearby office where a doctor is seated behind a desk looking at a folder of paperwork in his hand.

"Have a seat Mr. Styles" he hesitantly takes a seat waiting for the doctor to continue.
"Your father is in stable condition now"
"Oh thank god"
"But I'm afraid there isn't much we can do about the cancer"
"Wh-What?"
"It's already spread to 90% of his body, chemo therapy even at this stage will not help"
"What are you saying?"

"Your father doesn't have long, I'd give it for the most a month" Harry didn't even know his father had cancer. Now comes this doctor weighing all this information heavy on his chest, it was too much to take in, he can feel his blood boil from the anger surfacing.
"This is bullshit!" He stands from his chair tumbling it to the floor, making a hard thud alarming the security outside. Harry slams his fist on the desk, leaning over to get closer to the doctor.

"There must be something you can do" the doctor pushes his chair so he's further away from Harry.
"Doctor is everything alright in here?"
"Everything is fine" The doctor calls to the two securities who have now appeared by the door. They walk away Harry turning his attention back to the doctor.
"I'm sorry" the doctor gets up from his seat rushing over to exit leaving Harry to drop on his knees, defeated, weak forcing to keep in the tears failing miserably.