The Butterfly Effect

10. Can We Try That Again?

Harry's POV

I would like to report that I stayed asleep the entire night but unfortunately that is not what happened. About an hour after I asked Louis to stay and cuddle me, I woke up nauseous and stumbled to the bathroom. I barely made it as I lurched over the toilet as my stomach expelled most of its contents. Great. How gross. You don't have to say it. I am a frat boy and I can handle my alcohol, trust me. Eating that Philly cheesesteak before drinking, though, that was a stupid mistake.

Louis wasn't in the bed when I woke up. I searched his apartment to find him asleep on his couch, blanket barley on his body. I saw them again, the bruises. You could see them shining off the stove clock light. Anyone can tell these are from a rough sexual encounter. He had bruises near his nipples, neck, and hips. I can't see the rest of his body, and maybe I don't want to.

I would like to rewind time and save him from this but I already lost one person: Kyle. What if next time it's Niall or Olivia? I just can't risk it. So I guess I am just going to eat my feelings away since my stomach is empty and growling.

I rummage through his refrigerator and cabinets, trying to not make a lot of noise. To have so much money, he sure eats unhealthy. As a broke college kid, I can get quite creative with culinary though.

I whip up some eggs and toast, just a light snack to do me until morning. As I go to put the bread in the toaster, I see a note on the counter.

Hey,
Next time I want what I pay for. You sucked tonight. I won't go so easy on you next time.
Trevor.

Who the fuck is Trevor? It has to be leather jacket man. God, I hate him. I hate him so much.

"What are you doing?!" Louis is standing in front of me, propped against the refrigerator with one leg over another, arms folded.

Concentrate Harry. Don't focus on those abs or that gritty look he's giving you. God, he doesn't even remember the love you made (okay, okay it was sex) in his bedroom....but I can't soon forget.

"I got hungry," I pout.

Sighing, he walked over to and snatched the note out of my hands. "I didn't invite you over to be a snoop!" He growls. "You seem sober enough. Should I call you a cab to go back to your precious fraternity?"

"No, no. Sorry..." I allow my eyes to focus on a crumb on the tiled floor. "I'll just eat my eggs and toast and go back to bed....actually the couch. I don't want to take your bed..."

I grab my food and sit down at the kitchen table, eating in awkward silence. Louis walks over to me, standing behind me. My breath hitches. I'm not sure what his intentions are. He's making me nervous, anxious, captivated. I can't read him.

"Thought you liked to be cuddled when you sleep, Curly," he says rubbing my shoulders. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. It's just 3:00 a.m. and my sleep has been shit lately."

"I understand," and I do. I have a lot on my mind all the time. Alcohol is one of the only things that put my mind at ease.

I eat my eggs and toast as Louis kept rubbing my shoulders. I wanted to melt into his touch right then and there. God, he's so gentle. You'd think he'd be the opposite. His persona is confident and poised, in charge. I mean this is the guy who wanted to go back to my place on our first time together...meeting just the day before. On the other hand, he seemed content with just cuddling.

He's such a conundrum, a puzzle I can't help but solve.

"I'm so tired," I say, my eyes fluttering between open and shut. The alcohol is still strong in my system.

"Then let's get you back to bed. I'm not going to let you be uncomfy on my couch. Besides, I don't believe those long legs would be able to stretch out," he chuckles.

"Fine," I do not protest. "But that means YOU'RE uncomfy on the couch...will you cuddle me and not leave this time?"

"You drive a hard bargain but my back is hurting so sure thing."

Yes!

I eagerly go and lay back down, anticipating to feel those sexy tattoo arms around me.

"Wanna continue getting to know each other?" He asked as he nestles behind me, pulling me closer to him.

Do not get hard, Harry Jr. This is not the time.

"Yes..." I instantly reply. "I am afraid of the dark."

"Oh, you are not," he rolls his eyes. Okay he caught me. It's not the dark I'm afraid of, it's what may be in the dark. "I am afraid of....hmm...that's a tough one. Let me get back to you on that. I have an obsession with vintage tees."

"Me too," I beam. "I came out to my family when I was 15."

"18," he mumbles. "And it was not pretty...one of the reasons I got into the service, actually. 'Step-Father' kicked me out. Oh well. Mom begged me to stay. You know the cliché." He giggles. "I think you're sexy."

Wait, did he just?

"Hmm?"

"I think you're sexy," he says raising his voice a little, making eye contact with me. His confidence shining through.

I'm starting to see he uses sex to escape. Whether it be uncomfortable situations or conversations, he'll initate it as a means of distraction. Lucky for him, I can't stop thinking about last Friday before he decided to try and kill himself.

Doesn't he know I will bring him back every time? Best not even try. I'm addicted to him.

"I think YOU'RE sexy," I throw back at him.

The room grows silent. We stare at each-other, neither daring to make the first move. He grips my hip bone and brings me closer to his face, fanning hot breath on my lips.

Should I have brushed my teeth? What if I have egg and toast breath? Will he notice?

"I have a kink for hair pulling," he continues the game.

"Is that so? I have a kink for having my hair pulled."

No idea if I do or not...maybe I shouldn't have said that.

"I have a thing for your pouty lips," he drags his thumb down my lips, parting them slightly before leaning in to kiss me. It's delicate, soft, but still a sense of urgency.

He leaves me breathless. I don't know what's happening right now. This feeling in the pit of my stomach. The butterflies belong on my stomach, not in it. How can someone I hardly know do this to me?

Our tongues brush against one another, slow and sweetly. I circle mine around his before he bites my bottom lip, slowly dragging his teeth across them until they're no longer in his mouth. My breath snags as I feel electricity jolting through my body.

"Wow," I gasp. "Can we try that again?"

He giggles at me, slightly blushing. Is he not used to be complimented?

"We can," he agrees, pulling me closer into his embrace. Our lips meet again, warmness filling my soul. I bend my knee, putting it between his thighs, and he let me keep it there. "Is that just as good?"

"Better," I mutter, taking him back into my mouth. I suck gently on his tongue, feeling him sigh under his breath.

He runs his hand down my torso, stopping below my navel. "Is this what you had in mind tonight?"

I purr. "I just want to get to you know is all," but in reality yes. God. Doesn't he know how he takes my breath away? I don't want to objectify him though. He gets enough of that from his line of trade. Besides, I do want to get to know him too.

"ALL of me?" He smirks, raising an eyebrow. I nod. I can't say no.