flower crowns // l.s.

✿28✿

happy birthday to tronnorisrealaf she's the bomb and I hope you have the best day! love you bby, eat a lot. xx

Louis was standing in front of Harry in just seconds, protectively shielding his boyfriend from the man who had caused so much pain to Harry and Gemma. He was thankful for that and gladly stayed behind Louis, his hands clutching the back of his cardigan tightly. It was such a wonderful night and Harry was so loved up, he didn't think anything bad could ever happen. And then this happens. His father still has that dirty, slimy look to him. He'd gained weight, but there was a certain glint in his eyes that made him appear so much stronger than he'd ever been. Harry was taller, that's for sure, but he felt so small in his presence. This has to be a bad dream.

"Harry," he said, the word tainted by his thin, colorless lips.

He never wanted to hear his name come from him again.

His Dad stepped closer, but Louis (thank God for Louis), held his hand out defensively, his other hand making its way behind his back to grasp a part of Harry, keeping them as far apart as he could.

Harry was staring, still so shocked. He hadn't seen his father since he was cuffed and sent off to prison, where he thought he would be for the rest of his life. He suddenly can't remember how long he was sent to prison for. Did he escape? Why is he here? Thoughts were attacking him, minimizing his entire being as memories flooded into his brain, memories he thought he forgot. He inhaled sharply from lack of breath, his chest pinching at his heart. It suddenly felt like his lungs were closing up. Then he felt it. He felt everything; he felt his father's fingers on his small body, imprinting his skin in the ugliest of ways. He heard the low whispers in his hear, telling him he'd be next, and then he choked on air. Harry didn't want to cry, not in front of his Dad; he'd enjoy that too much. So he focused on his breath and clung to Louis, pulling him closer. Louis was speaking but there was such a loud ringing in his ears that he couldn't make out a word.

Louis turned to Harry and cupped his face. Harry saw snake-like eyes everywhere he looked; he shut his eyes and shook his head, hoping to shake the thoughts away, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Louis standing in front of him, combing his hands through his hair and telling him how to breathe. Harry tried, but when he did, he knew he couldn't, not with his father lingering there. He looked away from Louis and stared over him, expecting to see Cal, but when he only saw a building, he panicked.

"Louis," he finally spoke, looking around him with wide eyes. "Louis, where did he go? We have to call the police! We—we have to go." He went for the door, hoping to get away in time before the horrible man returned. He never wanted to see him again. He felt like he was going to vomit. His shaking fingers tried to unlock the door, but they couldn't insert the damn key.

Louis was by his side, placing his hand over Harry's, before taking the key from him and unlocking it himself. "I told him to leave, Harry. Harry. Calm down, okay? He's gone. You're okay."

He rushed himself inside and went straight to the stairs, knowing the elevator would be out, and trying his best to sprint up. He'd tripped on his way up but paid no mind to it, only picking himself back up and continuing his run. Harry was out of breath and he felt his heart pounding in his legs and fingers and neck and wanted to get away. He felt so dirty and disgusting knowing he was near Cal again; he needed to scrub himself with soap and sponges, anything to get this feeling off of him.

He reached his door and banged, not caring if he woke Liam and Niall up. Or even Old Lady. He didn't care. He needed to get inside and lock himself in to protect everyone from him. He heard heavy panting and a door close, fear having him knock even harder until the door opened. He calmed down when it was only Louis, but didn't think too much of it when he flung himself inside and took Louis with him, slamming the door shut and locking it, double-checking each lock to make sure no one could come in from the outside. When he was positive it was locked securely, he heaved and ran his fingers through his hair, pushing past Liam and Louis and heading straight for the bathroom.