Poor Boy - Complete | L.S

Chapter Four

Louis smiled at Harry's offer. It was very kind of the man. However, Louis couldn't ask him to do such a thing.

"Thank you very much Sir, but it's okay. Really." Louis smiled up at Harry. The two were now standing in the doorway next to each other, Louis had his satchel over his shoulder.

"Please, Louis it is no bother," Harry replied, beginning to walk forward, only for the small boy to stop him - taking hold of his shirt.

The curly haired man raised his eyebrows as he turned to face the little boy.

"Yes, Louis?"

"I can get home myself Mr Styles." Louis was nearly sixteen; he didn't need somebody to act as a father figure and ensure he got home safely.

Liam was enough.

Sadly, Harry didn't seem to agree.

"Louis. I am, driving you home." The curly haired man spoke with such authority, Louis almost dropped to his knees in awe at how deep his voice was.

One word... Hot.

"Ye-yes Sir."

---

Louis yawned as he attempted to keep his eyes open. He could vaguely hear the sound of Harry's GPS directing him to Louis' run down house; however, the small boy knew the trip took around 15 minutes by car.

Harry glanced over at Louis momentarily.

The boy looked so vulnerable in his sleepy state. It was like in his vulnerability; Harry could see all the flaws and troubles Louis had to endure during his life. The curly haired man sighed as a sad smile graced his features.

Louis was beautiful, both inside and out. He deserved the best, yet it seemed he had anything but that.

"Go to sleep Lou."

And for once, Louis listened to Harry - he didn't have to be told twice.

---

One knock.

Two knocks.

Three knocks.

Harry struggled to bang his fist on the flimsy scratched up wooden door. He was holding Louis' satchel over his shoulder and the small boy; who was remarkably still asleep, bridal style in his arms.

"Louis your home-Oh." Came to a voice behind the door. However, the person trailed off when they noticed Harry.

"Hello, my name is Harry Styles. I assume you are Louis' brother Liam. He told me about you." Harry smiled warmly as he adjusted the petite boy in his arms, he couldn't help but notice how weightless he was.

"Yes that is me, please come in. Do you mind taking him to his room? It is just down here." Harry nodded happy to comply.

The curly haired man followed Liam as he led him towards Louis' bedroom. Harry took notice of how old and run down everything was in the single story house.

He eventually placed Louis and the satchel onto the single bed and exited the room with Liam in tow.

"Thank you Harry; you must be the person Louis will be babysitting for?" Liam nodded in thanks.

"That is me yes. Louis agreed to work weekdays 8.30am to 5.30pm and the occasional weekend. Actually is your mum around? I would like to speak with her just let her know the arrangement."

Harry watched as Liam's face contorted into an uncomfortable expression.

"Umm, look Louis wouldn't want me to tell you this. He hates sympathy... but our mum is absent, alcoholic. Haven't seen her in weeks."

It was then that everything clicked in Harry's head. Louis needed money to support his family because his mother obviously wasn't any use. Louis had to drop out because his mother was absent. Their house was run down because they lacked money.

"Oh. Well, don't worry. I will look after him."

That very second, Harry saw something flash through Liam's eyes. The rugged brown haired man's eyes showed an emotion; maybe it was insecurity, perhaps it was worry... either way - Harry could tell that Liam was barely holding it together.

"Don't worry Liam. You can't stay strong for everyone all the time. Sometimes you need comfort too."

And when Harry said that, Liam felt like he finally had a father he had never had.