It is what it is

3

LOUIS POV

The drive back home is longer than usual, I'm flagged by two other security cars and police. When we finally pull up and into the undercover driveway of the house, I'm instructed to wait in the garage while the place is scoped out. It's eery and I'm surrounded by about 20 guards, they all look familiar but I don't know them too well, they normally are only called in for big events and emergencies like this one I guess. I don't understand why those people at the event want me though, who were they? I just don't get it. I look around and sigh, I'm not really comfortable with going into the house now, everyone who is anyone knows where we live and even though the place is guarded it may not stop whoever is after me. The thought is unnerving and suddenly I feel like I'm trapped and there is no way out, Charlotte is fighting for her life and mine, as well as so many others could have ended tonight. I'm struggling to keep my composure, I don't want to panic but I can't help it, everyone around me is nervous and tense as we all stand in the carpark. Harry finishes talking to another guard and comes over, he senses my distress instantly.

"Louis?" He asks me but I can't seem to focus, too many bad thoughts running through my head. He bends down in front of me and puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Hey, Louis, buddy. It's okay just relax we can go inside now the place is all clear" Harry tells me calmly.

I can sense movement around me and the other guards heading inside and into position, I don't want to go in though.

I shake my head no at Harry.

"It's okay I promise, I won't let anything happen to you. You can trust me" he tells me gently.

He reaches out and runs his thumb over my cheek, causing me to make eye contact with him. His gorgeous green eyes stare back at me, my stomach flutters and my heart skips a beat. I try to remind myself Harry is just doing his job but I can't help the feelings bubbling inside me, wishing Harry was in fact protecting me because he cared about me and not his job.

"I'm scared" I whisper towards him and I see his features soften at my confession.

"I know, I understand this must be really terrifying and I'm sorry, I really am so sorry but all I can do promise you everything will be okay and that I will keep you safe. You have my word" Harry tells me.

I look into his eyes and I can see he means everything he is saying, I trust Harry I do but I don't want Harry getting hurt either.

"But, what if they blow the house up or kill my parents or Fiz and what if Lottie dies....I can't I can't....." I shake my head as I say the words, trying to block out the violent images swirling in my head.

"Shhhhhh, Lou, Shhhhhh it's okay just take deep breaths for me" Harry says from in front of me, I can feel his hands carding through my hair as I struggle to gain my breathing back.

"That's it, you're okay, I'm here and you are safe" he tells me.

Eventually I calm down and come back to reality and as I do I realise I'm being tightly held against Harry's very muscly chest, his hand resting protectively on the back of my head. I gasp,

"I'm....I'm so sooorry I didn't mean to be such a baby I'm sorry" I say completely embarrassed at my behaviour.

"Don't be sorry, it's okay and you're not a baby, this is a dangerous situation and I think you are handling it all quite well" Harry smiles gently at me.

I smile shyly back at him.

"Now come on I will take you to your room and then we can get you safely in bed okay, your dads orders" Harry says.