Restricted

Chapter 12

Louis stared back at the boy who had immediately found his gaze for what seemed like forever. Only when Liam cleared his throat did Harry realize how inappropriate it was to stare at a different boy with your boyfriend in the room. Honestly, how could he help it? Louis was beautiful. The most beautiful boy he had ever seen by a long shot.

Not that Liam wasn't gorgeous, with his puppy chocolate brown eyes and defined biceps. But Louis was more his type and Harry loved that he could make him laugh. He loved Louis's quick wit and charm, that he stumbled over himself sometimes but was too proud to admit he was anything less than the best. His confidence was definitely Harry's favorite thing about him and when Liam had told him Louis was uninterested well, Harry was more than a little disappointed.

He gazed back into the eyes of the boy who'd been his boyfriend for the past few weeks and then back over to the boy he's dreamt of for the past few weeks.

He hadn't known how to react when Louis came on to him at his house the other day, all he knew was those were definitely not the actions of a disinterested person. So why would Liam lie? Looking back at Liam he got his answer. Liam was already so invested, Harry knew it wasn't smart to get involved when Liam was still so new to being gay. He was hurt that Louis didn't care about him and he needed a distraction. It was selfish, and it wasn't like Harry didn't care about Liam at all. But he was mostly a rebound for the relationship he never got the chance to have with Louis.

Looking between them, and reflecting on what he'd heard, he realized an even bigger issue. He was destroying their friendship. He couldn't stop the tears that rolled down his cheeks. Harry was usually the nice guy, he was kind as much of the time as he could be and he tried his hardest to put other people before himself. What had these two boys done to him to make him go against his basic nature? The only thing he knew for certain is that he needed to end it with Liam before things got any worse. Whether or not Louis actually wanted him, he couldn't lie to Liam anymore.

Looking back at both boys with concerned expressions on their face, he cleared his throat, "Louis" he breathed. Liam tensed, "Would you please leave Liam and I alone for a moment?" Louis's face visibly fell instantly. Harry's heart was breaking that he couldn't reach out and hold him, make him understand that there was never any choice. It was always him. Liam seemed relieved, to which Harry was also heart broken because he knew what was to follow on top of Louis's despising him, would wreck Liam. Harry never wanted to hurt him, never.

Louis silently exited the room, avoiding Harry's gaze. As the door shut, Harry stood a moment in silence before slowly walking over to where Liam sat, a hopeful look in his eyes. Whether or not Louis was Liam's friend, Liam would always be Harry's. That was obvious. But Harry didn't want Liam... Not in that way. He just couldn't figure out how to word it.

Liam seemed to sense something in Harry's expression because his features fell almost further than Louis's had. This was fucking awful. How could Harry do this? He wouldn't survive breaking Liam's heart. Before he could start, Liam spoke,

"I know I messed up, and I know how you feel about him. But Harry, I swear to God I'm better for you. You can't know how much I care about you. You don't know what Louis was like before he came here, you don't know his past. Harry, he wouldn't treat you as well as I would- as I will. If you'd only give me the chance I mean- just please. Please don't do this." Liam's eyes were begging and the tears were blanketing his cheeks thicker than ever. Harry's heart had shattered long before this confession and now the jagged pieces were raking along his throat, making it hard to breathe.

"Liam- I" Liam grabbed his face and Harry turned away. In a barely audible whisper he gave, "I can't."

Liam's replying sob was completely unbearable. Harry threw his arms around the older boy and held him as he cried muttering, "I'm so sorry, I am so incredibly sorry." Liam cried into Harry's shoulder as he held him, trying to will his pain away.

Liam stood abruptly and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Harry was left with his own tears and broken heart as he sat on the bed wondering how things got this bad over such a short period of time.

He sat, listening to the whir of the ceiling fan and endless nothing that surrounded him, for what seemed like an eternity. Only one thought kept him from breaking down completely. He stood and stared towards the door before making his way towards it. He laid his stomach against the doorway and raised his hands to hold on near his face. He slowly peered around the edging to the living room where Louis was sat.

He inhaled sharply at the sight of him there, the light from the window shining in in such a way that made him look almost heavenly, with his perfectly sculpted hair and smooth, tan skin. The blue of his eyes so vivid, Harry could make them out from where he stood. The slight bump of his Adam's apple in the mid section of his throat down to his impeccable choice of outfit.

Sensing Harry's gaze, Louis turned his head slowly to where he stood. A twitch of his lips served as a hesitant smile, which Harry returned with more of a turn to his lips. Louis gestured for him to join him on the couch, no doubt having seen Liam's devastated exit and understand Harry's choice. Harry spared but one more thought for the heart of the boy he'd just destroyed before he joined Louis there on the couch.

Time heals all wounds, he just had to hope that Liam would allow it.