Royal || larry

XIV

Harry's head snaps to look at his father and it is like the world slows down. Harrys heart is beating in his chest and it feels like it is trying to escape. He grabs Louis' hand and drags him further through the garden until the reach the end of it. Louis just stares at him with wide, panicked eyes.

"Run. Grab my horse and don't look back," Harry tells him. He gives him a shove, but Louis does not move. He has tears in his eyes and he reaches to grab Harrys hand.

"What about you? Are you not coming?" he cries. Harry panics the more they stand there and he nudges Louis forward again. All he wants is for the boy to be safe.

"Meet me in two nights behind the stables. Run," he tells him again. This time Louis does run and Harry watches as he makes it to the stables.

"Harold!" he hears his father shout behind him. There are guards with him and Harry surges forward, pushing his father back. His father tries to move past him, but Harry keeps shoving and hitting him, giving Louis time to escape.

"Go to the stables," his father orders the guards. Harry lifts his head and eyes the guards.

"No! Stay!" he shouts. The guards - not knowing who to command - just look around at each other. Harry's father clenches his jaw and slaps his son.

"You are a disgusting little brat! You have shamed this whole family and I will make sure that boy is killed," his father spits at him.

"No! You will not touch him," Harry screams. He knows Louis is long gone by now and he just hopes he will be okay.

"You can not stop me. Bring him inside and do not mention this," his father orders the guards. The reach out to grab Harry, but he pulls out of their grasps and tries to lunge for his father. The guards do not let him get close and just grab him tighter. He kicks his feet and screams and cries. He hates his father. He hates the guards. He hates everything.

They sneak him through the castle until they reach his room. They put him on the bed and one of the guards stands by the door. Harry does not bother to try anything, instead he curls into a ball and cries some more.

His heart hurts and his eyes are puffy. He feels cold and lonely and most certainly this is heartbreak. Two days is such a long time to wait, but he must wait that long. He must.

~

Harry makes the days go quick by packing his bags. He stuffs clothes for himself and Louis, soaps, toothbrushes and paste and other things that peak his interest. He packs a few books - maybe more than a few - and the bag sits firmly under his bed. His father has been ignoring him and Harry wants to say he does not care, but it bothers him.

His father refuses to acknowledge his existence, even when people are in the room. He makes it obvious that something happened between them, but he will not tell anyone what it is. Harry just pouts around the castle miserably, wishing he was born to a family that actually loved him.

Vanessa has been around the castle too. She left today to retrieve her items and then she will be living here full time. The wedding is set for a months time, but Harry plans on being long gone. He will be with Louis and he will be happy.

It is just after dinner and Harry goes up to his room and pulls the bag out from under bed. He double checks to make sure he has everything and then throws some extra coins and cash into the bag and then sneaks from his room. The halls are empty as he quietly walks through them and he is thankful his father told the guards to stop watching his room.

He makes it to the yard without being noticed and sprints to the stables. He places the bag down and sits on the grass, waiting for Louis. He is not sure if he will be walking or with the horse, but Harry is prepared either way.