red stone heart {l.s} • needs editing

chapter five

"Is that Louis?" Liam asked as Niall was driving to Three Coins around 12pm the next day.

"Where, love?" Niall hummed.

"At the park? Turn around, Ni," Liam demanded, leaning his head close to the window trying to see behind the Range Rover at the park close to town.

Niall drove, slowly down and pulling into the parking lot of the city park. Liam rushed out of the car, running to the benches right in front of the restrooms, Niall following close behind.

The feathery hair boy laid curled up on the bench, his head leaning on the arm of the bench in an uncomfortable looking position. His toffee colored locks covering his doe eyes and candy pink lips in a small pout made him look so terribly innocent.

"Oh, Ni." Liam whimpered, his hand over his mouth, his eyes full of shock and tears.

"He's gonna be okay, LiLi. I promise." Niall hugged his boyfriend tightly around his torso, his words not even convincing himself.

•••

"Hey guys. Sorry I'm late." Louis walked into the small diner, fists cutely rubbing at his tired, red, eyes.

Liam nor Niall wanted to wake up Louis, figuring he hadn't slept a lot. They also didn't want Louis to know they saw him. They wanted to see if he would tell them.

"It's alright, Lou. I'm sorry about last night; I've never seen Harry like that before. He must've been very stressed with work; it's a rich people thing. Did you find a place to sleep?" Liam rushed over to the boy, hands going to his cheeks checking for bruises.

"Yes, Liam." Louis giggled at the mans protective actions. "I found a place." Louis wasn't being dishonest. He just didn't tell the full truth.

"A good place?" Niall questioned from his job of wiping everything down.

Louis smiled a small smile, hesitated, then answered. "A well deserved place, yes Ni." Louis answered, eyes filled with hurt yet still managing a smile.

Liam broke down, tears falling down his chubby cheeks and shoulders slumped over. Niall rushed over to him, rubbing circles on his back and kissing his tears away.

Louis gasped. "I'm sorry, did I say something? Oh my, Liam I'm so sorry!" Louis frantically apologized.

Niall looked up at the small boy, shaking his head and making a harsh "go away" motion with his hand.

"Liam?" Louis asked quietly. "Go, Louis." Niall snapped unintentionally, too distracted with trying to comfort his weeping boyfriend.

"Oh...I'm sorry" Louis spoke softly, slowly  backing away, scared he might make too much noise.

He stepped out of the restaurant, and looked around, not really knowing where to go. He turned right and began walking aimlessly. He passed his old "home" next to Lulu's and what was currently Eli's Pizzeria.

He stepped into the small 50's style Pizzeria. A teenager was working at the front counter and he could see a tall man rolling dough in the back.

Louis hesitantly walked up to the counter. "Hi, how much is one slice of cheese pizza?" Louis squeaked.

The teenager smiled brightly. "$3, sir." Louis nodded, bending down to take some left overs from the money he always kept in his shoe.

He was supposed to have $30 dollars but what he found wasn't that much. It was a stack of 1 dollar bills adding up to 5. He shook his head confusedly. "No, no, no!" He muttered to himself, slipping off both shoes and shaking them seeing if maybe the money was in the other one. Nothing.