fire | harry styles

t w e n t y o n e

>> it's bringing my demons out, your beauty could start a war <<

[ANGEL]

The slight breeze hit our bodies as Harry and I walked around the house to the front door, some of his body weight leaning on me. Without saying anything we both knew it was best to enter through the front instead of having to go back into the party to draw less attention. Even though a couple minutes ago he was the one giving all the punches to James, he was still badly hurt himself and was having trouble walking. I let him wrap his arm around my shoulders in order to help him out a bit as we walked in silence through the front door.

There was the faint sound of music and talking coming from the direction of the party lounge but besides that, and the sound of my heels clicking on the floor, it was quiet walking towards the kitchen. Neither one of us had said a word since we shared a hug outside, a couple minutes ago, and I wasn't sure exactly how to break the silence. The whole idea of his hug being the only thing to do more than comfort me still had me on edge. He didn't fight against me so I helped him sit down in a chair at the counter, having nostalgia about that night he came home drunk.

Getting a better view at him in the indoor light I noticed a few cuts and bruises left on his face.

"Oh god." I whispered. He looked up at me confused as I rummaged around in cabinets looking for supplies to help him. I finally got my hands on some rubbing alcohol, cotton pads and grabbed a bottle of water too. I walked over to him, placing the items on the counter, and took a final look at his damaged face before starting. I dipped a cotton pad in some alcohol before pressing it down on a cut he had on his temple. He winced and flinched at the contact and I quickly apologized before continuing, trying my hardest to be more gentle.

I took my bottom lip in between my teeth as I concentrated on carefully cleaning up his wounds and couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Thank you... for saving me out there." I said softly. He kept quiet for a couple seconds as he looked up at me through his lashes. I didn't meet his eyes but I could still feel his green gaze locked on my face.

"Did he hurt you?" He spoke quickly but that didn't hide what sounded almost like worry in his voice. The dabbing motion I had on the blood under his nose with the wet cotton pad slowed down a bit as the words left his lips. I gulped down a lump in my throat and hesitantly shook my head, still not daring to look into his eyes. I handed him the water bottle. "Drink."

"What did he do to you?" He urges for an answer. The earlier scene with James replayed in my head and tears were burning my eyes with threats to roll down my cheeks.

"What do you care?" I said simply as I turned my body to put back the supplies. I heard him chuckle softly then he took a careful pause before speaking again.

"I know you were raped in that orphanage, Angel." My eyes widen with shock and fear as flashbacks filled my mind. It was terrifying to see images of that man from the orphanage and James side to side. Before I could stop myself I was bawling and my breathing was heavy as my chest was rising up and down. My back was turned to him but I tried to control myself so he wouldn't have to see me like this but it wasn't working.

I felt his presence behind me and he hesitated to place his large hand on my shoulder, probably not sure what to do. I placed a hand over my mouth to muffle my cries and the other hand I wrapped around my torso.

"Did he touch you?" He whispered. I repeatedly shook my head in response.

"Don't lie to me, Angel."

"Y-you showed up before h-he could do anything." My voice was cracking and shaky as I made out the sentence. He gently placed his hand on my arm and I instinctively jumped at the contact of his skin on mine. He sighed before slowly turning my body around to face him. He looked down at me and I still didn't have the courage to look up at his face. I felt him move my short hair out the way and took a long pause, causing me to furrowed my eyebrows and slightly look up.