Sand In Your Shoes ( A Larry Stylinson AU ) boyxboy

Chapter 8 (PART B) - Unexpected

AN : Listen to the song below while you're reading , it's amazing. It's called Arrival of the Birds&Tranformation by the Cinematic Orchestra if you're wondering :) enjoy.. and i'm sorry in advance for Harry in the next chapters , we are entering the ''problems''. Enjoy ! 

It was a blurry around him , he could imperceptibly hear laughs and mocking. His glare shifted around the room , he could only distinguish few forms without faces that were surrounding him. He heard sobs , but it wasn't his. He looked down and saw blood on his hands. Lots of blood. He tried to move but something was keeping him in place.He looked down to his feet nervously. Only one face came into focus , it was twisted with hurt. Two icy blue orbs were looking at him with an anger and a filth that froze him in place , unable to move. That gaze , that rather scary gaze , he saw it one day but couldn't put a finger on where exactly. The face was covered by their own protective hands , people were laughing at the small form lying on the ground , people were chanting.
''Harry! Harry! Get him, show him who's the man!''
He didn't want to do it , but he had too. It would be okay after all , they would stop hurting him if he was the one hurting people, right?
So he punched , and striked , and punched the small form until blood was pouring out of his face. The blue gaze haunted him , he could see the fear and the hatred in those eyes.
But he kept on hitting.
''Harry! Harry!Harry!'' the chants were getting louder.
Why was he doing it? Why ?
He looked back at the shaking form and suddenly gasped with fear.
The lips on the face he was striking had morphed into a confident smirk , the injured lad lying beneath rose up slowly and was now taller than him , bigger than him, stronger than him. The bloke raised a clinched fist near his face , ready to strike. He got too close, Harry could feel his almost toxic breath tickling his ear and the voice bitterly whispered.
''You're going to pay for it .''
Harry closed his eyes , waiting for the punch , but nothing came.
Only a light threatening snigger echoed around him before darkness wrapped his body in a thick silence.
He was alone again. He closed his eyes and covered his ears tightly with his own hands , pacing back and forth. 
''No .. no ..no ..NO!''
Harry opened his eyes , his breath hitching suddenly like he was choking. He found himself lying on a soft bed, his hand clinched to a pillow, a small tear was making its way on his cheek. He sat up sweaty and trembling , his sheets were sprawled on the floor and his head was pounding.
Another nightmare.
He thought it would be over with this new life style and the fact that he moved to a completely new town in a different house. But those dreams kept haunting him and he feared that he would never get rid of them.
''Hazza , you okay?'' A sleepy voice mumbled next to him. ''Go back to sleep , it's only 6 in the morning.''
Harry turned around to the form cosily wrapped in duvet still deep in his slumber.
''M'fine , just a bad dream.''
''You've been making a lot lately , you sure you don't want to talk about it?''
Louis. He was lucky he had Louis , if it wasn't for him , god knows where Harry would be at that very moment. Probably lost somewhere behind a garbage bin homeless and unwanted. God he was lucky. 
''No , s'kay. Can we cuddle?''
Louis opened his arms and Harry graced into the embrace promptly , feeling Louis' heat surrounding his trembling body. He buried his head further into his lover's chest and nuzzled his nose in his bare chest , breathing in Louis' musky smell. He always felt better in his arms.
''You're shaking , love.''
''Probably 'cause of the hangover , now hush. The boys are probably still asleep.''
After Liam's sudden announcement , the boys went mental. Literally. They decided that since Liam would have to be a figure of authority and a responsible man , he would use this one night in his benefits. Their neighbours had a huge pool , and when they say huge. It was huge. They dared each other to get naked and jump into that very same pool. Of course , with the influence of alcohol , that idea seemed like the most genius thing to do at 3 in the morning. They swallowed more bottles of beers before undressing themselves and sneaking into Louis and Harry's neighbours' yard and before you could say Canon Ball , Louis jumped into that pool fully naked , shouting something along the way of '' Mami Chula '' and "Bloody hell , my ass is freezing". Louis then prompted them to join him in the cool water and that's what they did. Luckily , the neighbours didn't seem to be there or were really deeply sleeping and the boys enjoyed the rest of their party , getting drunk , swimming naked in a stranger's pool and celebrating Liam's good news. They didn't know how or when but they fortunately find themselves asleep in Louis and Harry's house scattered between the floor and the couch. Harry and Louis were obviously sharing their usual bed.
''Doesn't sound like a hangover to me , tell me what's going on , you maybe don't notice it but you've been having those a lot lately.'' Louis pointed out , twirling his fingers in Harry's soft locks.
''M'dunno. It's always the same thing anyway ..'' Harry replied vaguely. 
''Talk to me Harry.'' Louis encouraged , stroking Harry's spine softly. He didn't want to rush him , but sometimes he needed someone to open him up. Sometimes he found it weird how much things seemed to go through that pretty head of curls and he just wanted to take him by the shoulders and cuddle him until that constant look of fear in his innocent eyes disappeared. He wanted to know every inch of Harry, cherish every secret. It would take time, but Louis promised himself to never let go until he knew every single mystery hiding behind those frantic emerald eyes. 
''It's stupid.''
''Nothing is stupid if it keeps you awake babe.''
''I..''
Louis waited patiently , it was like that with Harry. He encouraged him and waited , Harry would talk at some point.
''Well , it begins with me in the middle of a bunch of people - in a school.''
Louis didn't answer , he just stroked his hair carefully , allowing him to take his time.
''And people are laughing , but not at me . It's strange. They are laughing at .. It's a-a guy and he is on the floor. I don't know , i've seen him somewhere but I can't-n't remember where.''
He gulped and continued.
''And people are chanting my name and I-I..you're going to think i'm horrible.''
Louis looked down at Harry's form , with frowned brows.
''No , I'm not . Whatever is going on, it's just a dream and I will never judge you , you know that.''
''Yeah...''
''Go on , love.''
''Well , i'm..I..hit him. Multiple times , and as I hit him , people chant my name louder. And..I ..in the dream ..I liked it.''
Louis was a bit concerned with Harry's words. Not because of what Harry was feeling but because of the depth of the dream. It looks like it meant so much more than just him hitting a man , something was hidden deep down in Harry and was only portrayed like that in the dream.
''But then , the guy , he becomes bigger and taller and stronger than me and-and..''
''It's okay , say it.''
''He rises his fist as if he was going to hit me , but doesn't do anything and disappears , living me alone in the dark. I don't know why the hell I always make this dream. You probably think I'm going bonkers , sorry Lou.''
''No I do not , stop it. It's obviously bothering you , I want to help Harry.''
''I don't know , i don't even know what's my problem.''
Tears were beginning to fall from Harry's eyelids , he buried his face in the pillow next to him.
''I'll help , we'll figure it out together. And it's only a dream remember, it never actually happened." Louis giggled "And anyway, You're not really the type of guy to hit someone innocent. ''
Harry bit his lower lip and looked down ashamed, hiding his face from Louis' sight. He didn't dare say it out loud, but he thought it.
"But it did happen for real." It wasn't just a dream , it was a memory haunting him.
-*-
"Good morning lads! What a lovely day, look at the sun! look at that bird!  this is absolutely stunning! Astonishing , even. Don't you think lads? Wow, I freaking love life, don't you?" 
Harry reluctantly raised his head at the sudden overflow of happiness that just rushed in the kitchen. His hands holding a cuppa , were burning in a good way , heating his body up deliciously. He mumbled a sort-of reply to Niall's rambling.
Louis arched a teasing brow in his friend's direction.
"Looks like someone got laid." 
Niall blushed and laughed nervously.
"I don't know what you're talking about." 
Harry winced.
"Laaads, not in here. Don't tell me your first time was in my own house." 
Niall sat on the seat next to him leaning on the kitchen counter with an enigmatic smirk filling his lips. 
"I couldn't say that , no."
Harry looked concerned for a minute there. 
"What does that even mean?" 
Louis laughed.
"It means that it isn't their first time, Haz."
Harry rolled his eyes and punched Niall's arm in a friendly move.
"You horny bastards." 
Liam entered the room seconds later , his hands slowly massaging his temples and his face wincing with pain.
"Well , looks like someone doesn't tolerate alcohol." 
Liam held his middle finger high in Louis' direction.
"Grumpy Captain Li, how adorable. Take a seat now, want a cup of tea?" 
Liam mumbled something that sounded like a positive answer before slamming his head against the counter and growling "never drinking again." 
"Earl grey or Yorkshire?" 
Liam pointed randomly at one of the two choices and Louis got a bottle of water on the stove to boil.
"What were you talking about?" He asked , his voice muffled by his crossed arms surrounding his pounding head.
"Zayn and Niall's hot filthy night on my couch." Louis replied blandly. 
"And apparently it wasn't their first time." Harry added , taking a sip of his fuming tea. 
Liam raised his head slowly with a horrified look on his face.
"Can I un-hear that please, just, please tell me I didn't just sleep two meters away of my two best friends getting it on, please." 
Niall giggled and ruffled Liam's hair a bit.
"Sorry mate." 
"I hate my life." He sighed , putting his head back where it was. 
"Talking about my lovely boyfriend , where is he?" Niall questioned. 
Louis turned around a poured a newly prepared tea in two mugs , pushing them in Liam and Niall's
hands. 
"I think I heard the shower open, he's probably in there." 
Niall's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I could go join-"
"Niall, please shut up. It's exactly like hearing your parents talk about their sex life. Please don't." 
Liam begged.
Niall winked at him without adding anything more and got up and left the kitchen , making his way to wherever he was heading. The lads decided they better not take a guess of where exactly.
The three lads conversed lightly with shared groans until Liam got a call from Danielle and had to go, followed by Niall and Zayn a bit later.
Harry and Louis waved goodbyes at their friends , their respective cars disappearing from their driveway. 
"There's only us now." Harry said with a small smile. 
"Let's go take a shower , shall we?" Louis proposed interwining his fingers with Harry's long ones. 
"First there wins!" Harry exclaimed rushing to the bathroom, clothes falling behind him. 
Louis rolled his eyes and followed him promptly , giggling .. like , well giggling like a school girl.
-*- 
Wrapped in a clean duvet, with washed clothes and a fresh scent the two boys were sprawled lazily on the couch watching the last episode of Keeping Up With Te Kardashians. It wasn't a show they particularly liked but out of boredom , they thought "why not?".
"Is this really how you get money and fame these days." Louis pointed out , he still didn't understand why the show was so popular in this world. Did people really had nothing to do else than follow the adventures of random sisters living in a world of glam? 
"But it's kind of entertaining." Harry admitted.
"Don't become one of those guys who worship their asses, babe. I have a better ass than any of them anyway." Louis said jokingly , rolling his eyes. 
"You've got a point. " Harry winked. 
The two boys focused back on the TV where one of the sisters was hitting the other one with a pan. 
"What a wonderful family they have. " The cerulean-eyed boy exclaimed sarcastically. " Kinda reminds me of my sister and cousins to be honest." Louis said , turning to Harry.
"Yeah? Me too, reminds me of my older sister. " He replied absent-mindly. He then realised that he was heading into a dangerous path , (he would have to talk about his sister and then his family- which wasn't something he wanted to do at all) so he quickly mumbled. " Talk to me about your family Lou." deciding that it was safer to direct the conversation to Louis instead of him. Maybe he could learn more about Louis' life and avoid the talk about his' subtly. 
"Nothing to say really, my step-dad is a complete prick , my mum doesn't know what she is doing, my younger sister lives with her four cousins and then there's me , the awkward gay rebel of the family that hopped on a plane , fell in love with a stranger and disappeared." 
Harry was a bit stunned by the completely honest answer. He was used to hiding and secrets from everyone and never really thought about sharing personal stuff so carelessly like Louis did.
"Step-Dad's a prick? Why is that?" Harry asked, his curious side taking over.
"Meh, he used to insult me at each opportunity he had and made his best to get me into a path I didn't want. He probably had a life-goal to ruin me or something. Hated the guy." 
Louis simply replied. Sharing all of his secrets with Harry was kind of removing a pressure on his shoulder. He felt lighter and lighter as the words left his lips, maybe his confessions would inspire Harry to open up. 
Harry continued.
"And your mom? Said something about her not knowing what she was doing." 
Louis let out an empty laugh.
"She doesn't even love Charles -my step-dad- and got a baby with the twat and now she's pregnant and the dad is a complete ass, yay for her." 
Harry didn't know how to react really, he let out a weak 'oh' and tried to change in a hopefully happier path.
"Sister?"
"She's a real angel, she doesn't deserve to have such bad parents the poor thing, I feel bad to leave but she's happy with her cousins, they are like real sisters so I'm not worrying about her. She's really smart like her brother, she'll probably find her way." 
Harry nodded with a small smile and then continued by asking shakily , not really knowing what to expect.
"What about your.. real dad?" He cleared his throat nervously. Bringing up fathers was always something hard to do for him.
Louis looked at Harry's face , smiling at the sight of the curls haphazardly swept over his forehead and replied blandly.
"Ran away after the divorce, dunno where he is , don't really want to anyway." 
Harry nodded slowly , biting his lip. 
Louis glared upwards , connecting blue with green and questioned carefully.
"What about your family Harry?" 
Harry froze , he really didn't want to have this talk. Not now, not tomorrow , never. He rose from his seating position stumbling something about making tea but got sharply pulled back by Louis' soft hand.
"I want to know Harry, you always seem to hide ten thousand things." 
Harry looked up and met Louis' blue orbs looking at him with such sincerity that his heart melted in his chest. He looked like he really wanted to know. Maybe ...Maybe he could..
"I don't really have a family."
Louis held Harry's hand softly and nodded.
Harry looked outside the window behind Louis' head , looking like he was lost in an ocean of thoughts, his eyes hardening.
"When I was seventeen, my parents died in a car crash. Well almost, my mother is ..almost there. She's in a coma in the hospital. My father is dead."
His lips were closed and formed a straight line , his eyes were hard and bitter. Louis didn't know what to do, he just wanted to make him feel better.
"I still visit her every week."
Louis' eyes lit up.
"Yeah? And how are the visits? "
"She's just always lying there refusing to talk to me 'cause she's half-dead." 
Louis face fell , he felt so sorry for Harry. He was such a gorgeous human being with such a big heart , he didn't deserve it at all. 
"And ..your sister? Was she in the - you know." He asked calmly.
Harry cleared his throat and shrugged.
"No, she just escaped to America after that, I don't know where she is. So I guess that's that. No family meeting for us."
Louis looked down and wondered how in the hell could he make up for Harry. He knew it wasn't his fault but he felt the need to help Harry. 
"What are you saying? Of course family meeting. We could- we could go visit your mother tomorrow? I want to meet her." 
"She's dead." Harry dead napped. 
Louis bit his lip, Harry said it with such coldness that it made him want to take Harry's life and relive it for him just so he wouldn't ever talk like that anymore. 
"She's not. She is in a coma , there's always hope." 
"She's been practically dead for two years, miracles doesn't exist Louis." 
"They do, we met each other " He said without thinking. He realised seconds later how cheesy it sounded and cursed himself out for being such a woman. But it succeeded in tearing a short laugh from Harry's lips.
"Okay then." 
Louis smiled.
"Okay what?"
"We can visit my mother."
Louis cheered mentally, this was the beginning of something. He felt like he had a puzzle that he'll have to figure out. Harry was the puzzle, Louis was the player...and he would fix the puzzle. He smiled and closed the conversation with a soft kiss. 
-*-
"Are you nervous?" 
"No." 
"Why is your hand shaking?"
Louis hid his hand in his pocket as a reflex.
"I'm not shaking." 
Harry gave him a knowing look.
"Okay, maybe i'm shaking a bit." Louis admitted.
"But why?" 
"I don't know...I just don't know what to expect , is all." 
"She's dead, you have nothing to worry about."
"Harry." Louis exclaimed, a bit shocked. "Stop saying things like that, if she is still here after two years, it means that there's always a chance and that her time isn't soon, okay? Now , stop it." 
Harry mumbled an okayokay. In fact, he was deeply shaken up that his mother was still in a coma after two years of wait and he used to cling to the little piece of hope every day , but now he felt like giving up. He hid his emotion behind a wall of coldness, saying
horrible things like "she's dead" but wanting to sob in Louis' arms at the same time. He had to be strong and strong meant no crying. At least, that was the definition in his head.
The elevator warned the two boys that they were at their floor. They stepped out of the small space and began their walk to the hospital room. Harry's breath was becoming heavier at each step , he wasn't prepared, he didn't know what Louis would think.
"Here we are." Harry sighed.
Louis nodded silently and held the doorknob to slowly open it. The usual nurse was checking on the needles and the heart monitor.
"Hi Marianne, any news?" Harry asked with no emotion , he knew the answer.
The nurse looked at him with pity.
"Always the same beat, I'm sorry Harry."
"It's okay."
She walked out of the room to leave them in privacy. 
Harry turned to Louis with shiny eyes. 
"Louis, Anne, Anne , Louis." 
Louis smiled and walked to the side of the bed where his a lady  was peacefully lying deep in her eternal slumber. 
"Hi, Anne." 
Harry bit his lower lip. It wasn't fair.
He wanted his mother to be alive, he wanted to let her know that he found the love of his life, he wanted her to meet him, to have a family dinner, Christmas , birthdays, kids, attend their wedding. Why can't she be alive for once? Why can't anyone be here to witness his happiness?
He bit back a sob and whispered. 
"I need a second." before rushing out of the room unexpectedly.
Louis was left alone with Anne, the sound of the heart monitor slowly pacing at a steady rhythm.
"I'm Louis." He said out loud , not really expecting a answer. "Your son's boyfriend." His gaze watched the lady's features. She was beautiful for a patient, her brown hair was softly sprawled around her head on the pillow. He knew where Harry's soft curls came from. Her eyes were closed and despite the few medical drugs that was keeping her alive , he could see that she was in peace. There was a softness on her face that he couldn't describe, it was like every trouble and problem in this world vanished. It was pure. 
"Heard that sometimes even if people don't seem to be there, there's always a bit of them with us and that you can hear me."
Louis continued not really understanding where he was going from there, he just wanted to confess his emotions to someone.
"Your son is quite possibly the most amazing thing that happened to me in a long time." He laughed to himself with no emotion. "I sound really cheesy but it's true. I- I had a lot of shit in my life, never really had a masculine figure to look up to, no one really cared about me as I was growing up. My own mother was too caught up with her own problems with the divorce." He didn't know why he was telling a silent room and basically a stranger in a coma his whole life but it felt good. " And then, I decided to just go away , that's where I took a plane and made the best decision of my entire
life. That is where I met Harry.. I... He is the most heartwarming, caring, funny, beautiful person I've ever met you know. First time I saw him , I just lost it and knew I wanted to be with him. I knew that he had problems too... It took quite a bit to have him open up about you and your husband. " The only answer was the bips from the heart monitor and the overwhelming silence. He moved his hand shyly ,   to hold Anne's. 
"I just - If your anywhere out there if you can hear me , I just want to say that I promise you to do everything in my will to fix him, to help him, to cherish him, to love him. I'm giving all my heart in this relationship, I don't want Harry to feel alone ever again. I'm not letting it happen, whatever- whatever he did , I love him and that will be forever. Hell, if I had to exchange our lives so he would never live what he went through I would gladly. I- I want you to know , I will take care of him. I won't let your son down, no matter what. You can trust me." 
He exhaled deeply after his speech. He neverinvolved himself in someone's life so much and anyway he wanted to be. He let go of her hand slowly but  suddenly felt a weak movement under him. His eyes quickly shifted to Anne's face and saw two opened eyes looking at him with the most heart-warming expression. A tear rolled from her eye lid and streamed down her face as she whispered.
"Thank you." 
******************************** ahhhh anne :') how was it with the song? I absolutely love writting with that song on ... I might do a playlist at the end of this fic .. Anyway , What do you guys think about the chap?