optional // l.s.

twenty (*)

small fast forward. like a few days. this chapter is really really important. louis is growing. its sad as fuck.

trigger warning: mentions of death, mentions of abuse & self harm, basically everything that has happened to louis but more into detail.

---

harry admired the way louis slept in the passenger seat while he was driving. louis was curled up against the seat, leaned back and tucked under a light blanket. he let out little puffs of air from his pouty lips and he looked so peaceful. he was still gripping harry's hand for dear life, as if he didn't want to lose his shield of protection. it stayed like that, silent because harry didn't want to disrupt his slumber until he pulled to a resting stop to get gas and something to snack on.

the man leaned over and brushed louis' hair out of his face, kissing his head. "love."

louis whined. "wha'?"

"are you thirsty? or hungry? or gotta pee?"

"pee," louis mumbled and stretched, letting out a little mewl and pulled his blanket tighter. "where are we?"

"almost there," harry said. "gotta fuel up. go pee."

louis nodded and sat up. harry followed him inside and paid for gas, plus snacks for them. louis sleepily carried their items back to the car and laid back down, cuddling with his food.

harry tapped on the window and pressed his nose against it. louis giggled at his smushed face and placed his hand on the glass, leaving fingerprints. once the tank was filled up, harry began to drive again after pulling his pretzels away from louis.

"not the pretzels," he whined.

harry steered with his knee and opened the bag, reaching over and slipped one between his boyfriend's lips. "whoops."

louis chuckled and yawned, laying on his back.

"harry?"

"yeah?"

"you're my best friend."

harry smiled softly and reached over, grabbing louis' hand and kissed it. "and you are mine."

louis grinned and squeezed his hand. "and i wanna say thank you for being here with me."

once harry pulled up to a red light, he leaned over and gently kissed the boy. "i would do anything for you."

louis pulled him down for another kiss, tangling his hand through harry's hair. harry kept a firm grip on the console between them, deepening their kiss and louis squeaked when there was a honk from the car behind them.

"green light," harry mumbled against his lips, pecking them one last time before situating himself to go through.

---

louis' stomach dropped when he realized where he was.

he was in doncaster, his mother's hometown. he knew what the downtown city looked like, with the buildings and stupid traffic. he remembered the big tree outside of the coffee shop on the corner of chestnut and willow avenues. the courthouse had a statue in front of it and the ground was covered in snow. he shuddered at the sight of the church he was last in a few years ago. why are they here?

harry nervously chewed on his lip as he made his way through the area. he didn't notice louis was awake, the lad was still laying down. he picked up his phone when he came to a stop sign and dialed a number, putting it on speaker.

"hello?"

"hey, li, it's harry."

"oh, hey, did you make it to donny?"