Let's Roll- Larry Stylinson

Chapter XXXI

Once the initial shock blows over, it's time to decide what happens next. Harry thinks it's time to go back to Chicago, but Louis has other ideas.

"Do you think we could go to New York?" Louis asks, tugging on Harry's shirt as he sits on his lap. He's pulling on the collar of Harry's shirt, Harry's eyes on a book in front of him. His gaze flickers over to Louis, whose way too invested in Harry's shirt to even glance up at him.

"Why do you want to go to New York?" Louis shrugs noncommittedly, biting his lip and dropping his hands to their conjoined laps.

"Last time I went, I didn't get to enjoy it fully and maybe we'd... visit your mom." Louis holds his breath, waiting for Harry to lash out at him for invading on his home life. It's not his life, he has no reason to meddle, but if Harry's involved, he's bound to at least try. He chances a sneak peek, watching the way Harry's face twitches at the mere idea of seeing his mother. Harry closes the book he's holding and tosses it on the desk.

The room they're staying in only fits one bed and a small study. It was all Harry could find with such short notice. Plus, it was away from any immediate danger, hidden in the scarcer parts of Virginia. Louis has pretty much clung to Harry since they've arrived, holed up in Harry's arms even when Harry had things to do. Harry doesn't mind, enjoys the intimacy he feels when Louis is so close to his heart. Even now, with Louis asking him to go to New York because of his mother, he feels at peace. Louis understands how life can change from one second to the next, Harry having lived it for so long. It's only natural that after the encounter with Malik, Louis wants to rekindle some familiarity, not just for him, but for Harry too.

"I suppose the time has come to see my mother again." Louis gasps, wide eyes meeting Harry's.

"You mean it." Harry nods, caressing Louis' cheek and coaxing him forward. He catches Louis' lips with his for a few moments, pecking his lips again and again. Louis giggles in between each one.

"I do. We'll set out for New York tonight as a precaution. Never know what's lurking around the corner." Harry is still on edge about the whole ordeal, moving with the cover of night when need be. He just can't believe he's made it out alive, that he still gets to hold Louis like this.

Louis squeals in his lap, leaning up to steal a kiss. "Hurray."

As promised, the moment the sun sets, they gang leaves Virginia, headed north for New York. Louis refuses to let go of Harry resulting in their sitting in the back seat. Louis sticks to Harry like glue the whole drive there, cradled in Harry's arms like a child. His legs are tucked to his chest and his head falls delicately on Harry's shoulder. Every time Harry shifts in his seat, Louis' hands go flying gripping onto the material of Harry's coat and keeping him still. Harry places a kiss to his forehead each time as reassurance that he isn't going anywhere. Louis seems to have a hard time believing it.

They arrive in New York in two days, having driven the entirety of two days and one night, only stopping for bathroom breaks and food. New York was all hustle, just as it always is, people flooding the streets in every direction. They're held up in traffic for a while, too much car traffic mixing with the masses. Eventually, they make it downtown, Harry shouting off directions to his mom's house.

What waits for them is something Louis sort of expected, but seeing it made it so much more real. It's a town house much like the house they hid away in, cream white and broad. It rests between similar houses, suburban in a city made practically of skyscrapers. Harry has an arm hooked around Louis as they make their way up the yard, tall grass tickling their ankles. Harry raps on the door, the echo of it bouncing out into the yard. It's a few minutes before a woman opens it, shock replacing her friendly smile.

"H- Harry?" Her arm stretches so that her hand connects with the plane of his face, tracing his features gently. "It's really you." She cries, diving forward to embrace him. Louis stands off to the side for the time being, small smile playing on his lips at the heartwarming reunion. He can tell from the way Harry so effortlessly holds her that he's missed her. When he pulls away, he reaches a hand to Louis, placing him in between mother and son.

"Ma, I'd like you to meet Louis." Her gaze flickers down to the boy, warm smile on her face. "This boy means the world to me, Ma. I love him." She gasps, encasing the boy in her arms much like she did to Harry.

"My boy in love." She whispers, wiping at her tears as they part. "I never thought the day would come." She looks up at him again. "You shut so many people out then, to see you admit it so freely now." A new wave of tears hits, arms reaching for the both of them. A group hug ensues, Louis sandwiched between the two and feeling for the first time like he belongs, like he's part of something. It feels like sunshine on a chilly day, Louis smiling as Harry's arms tighten around him.

Harry's mother offers them crackers and water, apologizing for her lack of variety. "I usually only eat for one." She explains, handing out glasses of water. Harry thanks her for her hospitality, telling her not to worry about it.

"I plan on having a celebratory dinner in town, you included Ma. It's been a hectic couple of days and we sure deserve it." His men are rowdy with the news, jostling each other in a friendly fight. Harry's mother regards her son with a warm smile, fond of her boy even still.

"Still such a sweetheart." She says wistfully. "It's nice to have to have you back." Her breath catches as her words tumble out. "I never thought I'd see you again- you left without a word- I was so worried." Louis didn't know Harry had run away. "Didn't even bother with a note, just up and left." Each word follows with a hiccup, shaky cries making her words less comprehensible. "I just wish- you had told me- only a letter- once- year. " Harry rounds her chair, dropping to his knees in front of her. He holds her hands, gazing up at her from the floor. He looks much younger like that, vulnerable. Louis thinks he knows why the man ran, why he thought it would be much easier to be alone. He could put a brave face on for the word, never for his mother.

"It hurt me too, Ma. I wanted to come back, to show you I was doing well, but I was scared someone would follow. If you were found and held up against your will because of me, I wouldn't have been able to handle it." His mother leans forward, kissing his forehead.

"It's okay. You're back now, that's what's important." She tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, as any mother would, because he's still her baby, still such a young man. And to be what's he's been through has taken his youth, dark bags under his eyes and boyish face gone manly. In such a short amount of time, he's become wiser beyond his years. His mother can't believe it. She pets his cheek, a mix between a smile and frown happening on her face. "You'll always be my son." She breathes, gaze never breaking his. Harry nods, humming as he accepts his mother's love after so long.

"Always."

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