Extricate // l.s

19

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The first thing I wake up to isn't just the annoying sound of downtown traffic, but there's also an unruly head of curls resting on my chest. I can't help but smile softly and tug at one of the strands gently, being careful not to wake him but it's no use.

He opens his eyes slowly and blinks up at me with a lazy smile on his lips. "Morning..."

I hold back a moan at the sound of his deep, morning voice. Music to my ears. I keep my hands in his hair instead. "Good morning, sunshine. Sleep well?"

He stretches out his long limbs before nestling into me again. "Very well. What about you?"

I smile. "Best night of sleep I've had in awhile."

He stretches up to give me a kiss but I stop him by pressing my index finger to his lips. "No kissies until you brush your teeth." I order, smile still present on my face.

He pouts but gets out of the bed, stretching once more before walking into the bathroom. He looks around for a few seconds with a lost look. I watch him fondly.

"The extra toothbrushes are under the sink, darling."

He immediately smiles at me and reaches down to open the cupboard and pulling out a package of toothbrushes. I finally get out of bed and decide to join him, grabbing my toothbrush out of the cup and squeezing some paste onto it. I wet it before putting it into my mouth, scrubbing my teeth clean. Harry did the same next to me, over exaggerating it a bit which causes me to laugh and nearly choke on foam.

He looks at me in confused. "What?" He mumbles out, toothpaste dribbling down his chin.

I shake my head, continuing to brush and chuckle.

After he finishes and rinses his mouth, he waits patiently for me to do the same before inching towards me. "Kissy?"

I roll my eyes with a smile before leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

"What are you so cheeky about?" I ask, pinching his cheek playfully while grinning at him.

"Nothing. I have therapy today..." He says, frowning a bit. "Maybe you could come with?"

I give him a stern look. "Harry... This is just one on one time with your therapist. If I'm there, it might keep you from opening up. I'm sorry, love."

"Please? When you're around, I can control my temper." He pleads, looking into my eyes.

I place one hand on his cheek. "It'll be okay, I promise. Text me while you're there and let me know what's going on."

He nods slightly and looks down at his socked feet. "I wish I was normal..."

"Love, don't say that." I say softly, tilting his chin up with my finger. "You're perfect to me."

A light shade of pink invades his cheeks and he looks down once more. "Thanks."

He escapes my weak hold on him and walks back to the bedroom, not say anything more. I can tell a lot is going through his mind right now and I want to help him the best I can. It hurts me to see him hurting.

"I'm gonna get going, Lou. I'll see you in a couple hours." He calls from the door. "Maybe..."

The last part is almost inaudible but I still manage to catch it and dart out of the bathroom. When I get to the bedroom, the door is already closed and he's gone, leaving me alone in my thoughts.

-

Another day, another boring ass lecture from Zayn Malik.

"How have you been feeling these last few days, Harold?" Zayn dares to ask, glancing up at me from his clipboard.

"That's not my name, Zaynold."

He raises an eyebrow at me. "I'm going to guess not good. How has that boy been? Have you talked to him at all?"

Of course he's going to be nosy. "Louis' fine." I reply, giving him a short answer.

He clicks his tongue at me. "Look, Harry, I know how you're feeling right now. I have a boyfriend of my own that-"

"Wait, you're gay?" I nearly choke out, too shocked to speak correctly.

He purses his lips. "Bisexual. As I was saying, we don't get to see each other much because he always claims he's too busy with his business and his clients to see me once in awhile. I get it, Harry. Maybe I'm not in the exact situation, but I understand."

Wow. I would have never expected to hear that out of Zayn. "What's his name?"

Zayn looks up. "Hm?"

"Your boyfriend. What's his name?" I ask once more, curious now.

A small smile comes to his lips. "Liam. He's a personal trainer. He helps people reach their goals and also calm anxiety."

I nod a bit. "That's good. He sounds nice."

"He is very nice."

Silence stretches on between us.

"Maybe you could meet him sometime? We could all go out to a pub together when we're free. Maybe even bring that lad of yours along." He suggests, resting his elbows on his knees to settle into a more comfortable position.

I smile a bit. "Maybe, yeah. I'll talk to him."

A quiet knock on the door interrupts us and Zayn immediately gets up to see who it is. When he opens the door, Jeff stands there with a sinister look on his terrifying face.

I can't help but laugh when Zayn rolls his eyes. "What a pleasure."

Jeff only glances at him and walks into the room, not waiting for an invitation. "Good afternoon, Harry."

I look at him warily. "You're here because..."

"It's time to go. Your session is over so wrap it up because I'm really feeling a burrito right about now."

I scoff. "What are you? My parol officer?"

Zayn rolls his eyes in annoyance. He's never been a fan of Jeff which makes two of us. "Actually, we just got finished. Good seeing you, Harry. I'll see you next week."

I'm almost out the door when I hear Zayn calling my name. I turn back to look at him.

"Continue taking your medicine, Harry. It's working." He says with a smile.

I return it and turn around, catching up with Jeff who was already a few steps ahead. Happiness spread through my whole body.

It's working.

This is for you, Lou.

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