red stone heart {l.s} • needs editing

chapter nine

Liam glared, staring at Harry who currently stood in Louis' doorway.

"Liam, it's okay. He can come in," Louis mumbled, looking down at his hands as he sat on his bed.

"If you hurt him I'm beating your ass," Liam growled before slamming the door, leaving Harry and Louis alone.

"I-I've never been in here before," Harry awkwardly commented, sitting next to Louis on the bed, limbs stiff, contradicting with his lazy attire.

"You've never had reason before. You don't have much reason now, do you? Just to apologize like Liam and Niall want you to" the smaller boy said, noticeably broken.

Harry turned quickly, using two fingers to tilt Louis' head up. "Look at me," Harry said harsher than intended causing Louis to flinch and look into Harry's emerald eyes. "I do have a reason. A very good one, at that," Harry ran his thumb over Louis' cheekbone, "I'm in love with you. And I can't help it. I can't stop it. I care too much about you. Noticeably so.

"I act like I hate you. I don't. It's quite opposite really. I've never wanted to watch movies with popcorn and do sleepover type shit. Until you. We never did that until you, Lou. You change me into some cheesy motherfucker and you make me physically weak. I love you."

Harry didn't know what he said wrong when Louis began crying. His tears fell quickly, soaking his cheeks and chin.

Harry became frantic, not wanting to upset his love. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry. Was I offensive? I didn't mean to I swear. Please, stop crying. Louis, we don't ever have to talk about this again if you don't want to. Niall just thought it was a good idea to talk about my feelings for you. I'll leave, okay? I'll go but please don't tell Liam I made you upset! He would leave and Liam is my brother I couldn't-" Harry sighed, eyes wide and hands shaky. He quickly stood, making his way to the door. "I shouldn't have said anything. I apologize. I'm so very sorry. I'll tell the boys you fell asleep if you want privacy or something," Harry's voice was growing quiet. He slowly twisted the door knob and mumbled another apology before slipping through the door and walking away from Louis.

Harry went straight to his office, sitting down at his office in his pajamas and signing in quickly, needing something to distract him from his wandering heartbroken thoughts.  Watching the loading symbol on the screen, Harry's eyes filled with tears. He slammed his fist down on the desk and stood, letting out a painful sob.

He fell back into his chair and laid his head on the desk, crying into his arms.

Eventually, Niall came in to help Harry stand. He led the taller man to the bathroom, helped him undress kindly and made him take a shower. Harry brushed his teeth slowly while Niall watched sadly in the mirror. He'd seen Harry upset before, about many things. Work was a constant stressor in Harry's life along with his parents and whatever else happened to come along too. Harry wasn't a man of very many emotions however his eyes revealed everything. When he was stressed, Harry was always distracted, the wheels in his head clearly turning. With sadness, Harry became harsh, angry. He glared constantly, even at puppies which isn't easy. But heartbroken. You'd think it would be just like being Harry's sadness. But he was emotionless. His bright emerald eyes were filled with nothing. He was a dead man, walking as a robot and movements stiff.

Harry stared into the mirror, toothpaste dripping from his mouth and eyes droopy. "Come on, Haz. Let's get you to bed. It's time." Niall wiped off the side of Harry's mouth. He sighed as Harry's eyes met his, but he wasn't truly there. His thoughts had consumed him.

Harry allowed Niall to lead him back into his bedroom and under the covers. Niall turned on the bedside table lamp and walked out slowly, watching his friend stare at the blank television.

Louis rushed out of his room, finally getting ahold of his emotions. Liam was downstairs, head down in his hands and breath ragged. "Li? Where's Harry?"

"In the shower. He had a moment," Liam said, his teeth gritted.

Louis' eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Lou. I just need a second to calm down. I got really mad, that's all."

"Okay."

Louis walked up the stairs to Harry's room. Niall was exiting as Louis walked up to the door.

"Is..Is he okay?," Louis asked quietly.

"He's blank. Emotionless. I don't know what happened but it needs to be fixed," Niall said, voice flat. He was emotionally drained visually.

"What I'm doing now," Louis said simply before twisting the door handle and leaving Niall in the hallway alone.

"Harry? Harry? Hazza?"

Harry finally turned to look at the pixie lad calling his name. His eyes weren't focused as they watched Louis move.

"Harry."

Harry stared. Louis walked forward to Harry's side. He ran his fingers through the mans chocolate curls. Harry just stared at Louis.

Louis removed his hand before kissing the top of Harry's head. "You didn't say anything wrong. They were just tears of joy. I got caught in my emotions. I hope you can understand," Louis whispered. Harry made a slight nod in acknowledgement before grabbing Louis' hand and replacing it back on his head. Louis giggled at Harry's silly daze and climbed into bed with him. Louis pulled Harry into his chest, a position he never expected to be in with Harry.

"I love you," Harry whispered, gripping Louis' hip
tightly.

"I love you," Louis whispered in response before falling asleep, fingers tangled in Harry's hair.