Let's Roll- Larry Stylinson

Chapter XIV

"I think I'd like to stay." It's the first words that leave his mouth after hours of silence. Louis never uttered a word the entire drive home. He simply sat with the hum of the motor playing in the background, Harry casting him sorrowful glances. Once home, Louis ran to his room, shutting the door behind him with a slam. Harry left him alone, not wanting to upset Louis any further. Hours went by in which Harry tended to some unfinished business, letting the time pass on by. Now, Louis stands at the door of the foyer, small hands fidgeting as he waits for Harry's reply.

"You sure?" Louis nods and Harry beckons him closer. He sits an arm's length away from Harry on the couch, pulling his knees to his chest.

"If you stay, know that it'll be forever. Associating yourself with me is no game. You're either all in or you're dead." Louis nods again, scared of the commitment, but so ready nonetheless. Going back to his childhood home was possibly the worst idea Louis ever had. Not only did his theory of not being noticed become a reality, but now Louis has no choice but to accept the pain. He hates how someone can so easily be forgotten, dismissed when something better comes along.

"I can handle it." Harry studies Louis' face, eyeing him down to gauge the challenge in his eye. Louis returns the stare long enough to convince Harry.

"Well, I have an appointment early tomorrow morning. You'll be coming with me, so get some rest." Harry stands, shooing Louis back to his room.

Louis drops into the bed once inside, rolling over so he can stare up at the ceiling. He's gone and made is decision. It's official. He'll be staying with Harry. A smile makes its way onto his face and Louis gasps, hand touching his cheek. The sudden burst of happiness confuses him and he rolls over once more, burying his face in the duvet. It's not like he shouldn't be pleased or grateful rather. Harry had the decency to accept him into his home, him a total stranger. Others wouldn't hesitate to kick him to the curb during these harsh times. No one's looking for another mouth to feed, or body to cloth. Survival of the fittest exists for a reason.

Harry, however, welcomed Louis in. Sure, there was the small hiccup in the road from the start, but things changed it seems. If Louis didn't know any better, it almost seems as if Harry didn't want the boy to leave. He's been negotiating his time of stay since they met. Even the night before, he had added in how Louis staying wouldn't be an issue. Louis has never been so thankful for something as simple as the subtle invitation.

Louis has lived enough to know what it's like when others don't want you around. His parents are the main example, blatantly ignoring his existence. His own mother didn't even realize he had up and skipped town. Shows how much he was cared for back home. Friends were the same. He couldn't hold friendships because of his constant need to be working. They thought he was crazy. They couldn't understand why this adolescent boy wanted so quickly to grow up, to make a living for himself. What they didn't know was Louis didn't want to give up his childhood either. He was just scared, scared that if he decided to live like a child the rest of his life, he wouldn't be able to support himself. So he made up his mind from an early age. Being alone isn't the result of others not liking you; it's a choice of who sticks by you in the end. Louis knows no one will be a truer loyalist then himself. So alone he goes because no one has shown him that they can be in it for the long haul.

Maybe Harry will be different. Louis wants it to be different. He doesn't want to be cast aside this time. He wants to feel like he belongs and so far Harry has does a good job at making him feel that way, like maybe this is where Louis can make his life. His American dream seems to be changing the more he spends time with Harry. Picket fences have been replaced by marble steps and not just one place is set at the table, but two. The blur that once came with the design of his dream has solidified into actual rooms, one's he's seen before as he ventured through Harry's house.

A sudden inflection occurs with his heart beat, the sound echoing in his ears. He places a hand on his chest in surprise, sitting up in worry. What was that irregularity? When no more happens, he drops his hand to the bed, confused. Louis can't determine why that happened. Should he be worried? He waits another minute, but his heart beat remains the same. He shakes his head, thinking he's just overly anxious. The news made him excited is all. Nothing's wrong.

He scoots back on the bed, removing the duvet and tucking in for the night. He needs to sleep. He closes his eyes, his body slowly losing movement, His chest rises fully one more time before slowing, sleep having finally kicked in. He once heard that dreams are wishes your heart makes. If that is true, Harry being in his dream was no accident.