Stuck in a Rut (Boyxboy)

Part Two

Behind Louis, the snow was coming down like bullets. The wind was howling, whipping against Louis exposed skin.

"Hi." Louis spoke, his voice was flat. It made Harry's heart sink a little.

He looked tired, eyes with dark purple bags beneath them, his tan skin was dull, almost drained like his voice was.

When Harry didn't answer, Louis spoke again, sounding exhausted, "Look, my car broke down."

He looked up, directly into Harry's eyes this time, his blue eyes flickering with hopelessness. He almost looked like a child.

"I needed somewhere to stay, tried to contact all my friends and none of them would answer. So, I walked here since it wasn't too far away." He tightened his thin, tan jacket around his body, shivering.

"Oh..." Was all Harry could say.

Louis sighed, "All I'm asking is if I can stay the night here, just until morning and then I'll be on my way home."

In that moment Harry wasn't sure if he was grateful that he didn't have a car, or regretful, "'Course you can stay here." His voice sounded hoarse, like he was in pain.

He stepped aside for Louis, and when Louis walked in, he felt the cool air that Louis brought into the flat. It smelt like cigarettes, and fresh snow.

Louis stood in the middle of the kitchen and cleared his throat, "Er, doesn't really look like much has changed, has it?"

Louis wasn't looking at Harry, and Harry wasn't sure if he was talking about him, or the house.

"No, not much has changed I guess..."

The atmosphere was tight, and it was tense and weird - it just wasn't right. It made Harry feel out of place in his own home, because maybe Louis just wasn't meant to be there after all. Even though Harry was happy to see him, it just wasn't how he imagined it. It didn't feel right.

Louis started to turn towards Harry, until Harry's cat bolted into the room in a meowing fit. He went straight to Louis, rubbing and purring against him, wrapping his tail around Louis ankles as he weaved in and out, between his legs.

Louis laughed a little, "Well hi Sam." He bent down to pet the cat, making him purr with joy.

Harry watched Louis pick up the cat and cradle him, it was clear that he probably missed the cat more than he missed Harry. But it was understandable, Louis picked Sam out at the pet store a few years ago, claiming, "He's got your pretty green eyes Haz, and he's so sweet, can we get him...Please?"

That seemed like ages ago, the memory made Harry's throat tighten up.

"Would you like some tea?" Harry's voice rang through the cat's gentle purring. He was surprised at how normal it sounded.

Louis glanced up from Sam and stopped petting the back of his head for a moment, "Sure, yeah- that'd be nice."

As Harry walked over to the counter to start the tea he stopped himself, "Um," he turned around towards Louis, who was still holding Sam in his arms, and looked down at him, "Sorry, forgot to let you know you can take your jacket off and hang it there, if you'd like." Harry pointed towards a wooden coat hanger by the door.