Against One's Wishes

Chapter 8

"Do you know how suspicious this is going to look?" Louis is telling Harry while he's helping him box up clothes and other things from his room a few days later.

"Suspicious?" Harry looks back at him while he's carefully placing his shirts in a box, "you mean, your night guard at the apartment and everyone, right?"

"Yeah," Louis admits in a whisper and continues to box up different items. He walks to Harry's dresser and looks at the photos there again... his mum, sister... then, the one of Harry and Ben.

"Would they really say anything to your dad though? Honestly?" Harry speaks up. "I mean, you could just be helping a friend out."

Louis looks away from the photo and back at Harry, "I'm... I'm not really sure. My dad loves you, obviously..."

Harry snickers lightly, "yeah, well, for now. I hope that continues to be honest."

"So do I," Louis whispers out. "Maybe we just tell him you needed a place to stay for a while... maybe because your place is being redone or something?"

"Are you really this worried about it?" Harry asks, his tone more serious, "I mean, I know you want to do what your dad wants and all that..."

"I'm not really worried," Louis interjects and takes a seat on Harry's bed while he watches Harry closing a box. "It's just... he comes by whenever he feels like it. I... I don't know how that's going to work."

"Here's a suggestion," Harry starts and sits the box at the end of the bed with 4 others, "I put my stuff in the guest room, make it look like I'm staying in there. Come on, your dad won't know any differently. He adores me, Lou."

Louis chuckles a little, "yeah, he really does."

"So," Harry says softly and stands in front of Louis, placing his hands on his shoulders gently, "why do you worry so much? I mean, if you're really concerned about this, I can just stay..."

"No," Louis is quick to interrupt as he stares up at Harry, "I want you there. I really do."

Harry grins a little and runs his fingers through Louis' hair, "you have more of a "fuck it" attitude when you're drunk and high, you know."

Louis can't help but nearly snort as he laughs, causing Harry to grin wider. "Yeah... I really do."

Harry removes his hands and looks around the room, "I think this is all I'm taking for now. I don't think I need much else."

"What happens when your friends come over and you're not here?" Louis decides to ask.

"Don't worry... I'll call them and tell them I won't be home for a while," Harry replies and grabs his coat.

"Does that include Ben?" Louis quietly gets out.

Harry glances back at him, "yeah, it does."

Louis nods and ends the conversation there; he won't make Harry talk about it... and he knows himself he doesn't want to talk about it.

Harry follows Louis to his apartment downtown; both of them manage to carry in all the boxes in 2 trips, Louis only smiling at the guard on duty. He knows him well and he's sure now of what to say to him if he even asks Louis what is going on.

Harry places the last box in the guest room, then stands and places his hands on his hips, glancing around the room.

Louis stands in the doorway watching him closely, creeping doubts coming to his mind. Are they doing the right thing? Or are they just setting themselves up for trouble?

It's not like Louis cares, however; he only wants this: Harry here with him every single day. He wants to be able to touch him, kiss him, talk to him whenever he can. He knows he has fallen so fast and so hard for this carefree spirit in front of him, but he doesn't care. And it's never been like Louis to not care.