almost // l.s

eight

harry breathed in the warm summer-turning-into-autumn air as he walked the three residential blocks to louis' house. he was excited to see his boyfriend alone, as, ever since they first got together, they'd always had people around. the boy wondered whether they'd possibly do something more than kiss.

when he arrived at louis' home, he knocked politely on the door even though louis was expecting him. he answered with a stressed look on his face, "didn't you get my text?"

"no," harry replied, confused, "my phone's been on silent all day, what's up?"

"oh, it's nothing, just..." he paused and pinched the bridge of his nose, "my dad's come home. first time in years."

"so you wanna spend some time with him," harry nodded slowly, "i understand."

louis laughed dryly, lowering his voice, "actually, completely the opposite. he's awful and mum has no idea he's here i-"

"louis?" a female voice rang through the house and harry's jaw tensed, "who's at the door?"

"are you- are you cheating on me already?" harry whisper-shouted, completely outraged.

"no no no no no! first of all, i'm gay, and second" he took the younger boy's face in his hands, "i love you."

"well," harry huffed, "who's that then-"

all of a sudden, a tall, thin girl was standing behind louis. there was no mistaking who she was and harry felt sick to his stomach.

"harry!" eleanor exclaimed cheerily, "good to see you and lou are still good friends."

lou. that was his nickname, not hers. how dare the girl call him that, "well actually-"

"yeah, just as close as last time you saw us, aye h?" louis cut him off, harry was confused. why was apparently louis so worried about eleanor finding out if he wasn't cheating?

out of nowhere, the brunette gasped, "have you met louis' dad yet?" ah, that was the reason, "he's lovely! come in, come in." she grabbed harry's hand and pulled him into the house, louis following close behind.

"mr tomlinson," she smiled as they entered the living room, "this is louis' friend, harry."

"oh yes. i've heard about you," the man spoke with a voice that was, somehow, slightly creepy. his hair and beard were greying and his sharp suit gave off an air of importance. harry didn't like him.

"hello sir," he shook the man's outstretched hand and sat when he was motioned to do so.

harry wished he'd checked his phone that morning. he would much rather be at home, alone or with his mother, than next to eleanor. the girl who was flirting with his boyfriend, and his boyfriend who was flirting back. harry wanted to rip his hair out, or cry, or scream, or all three. it was too hard to bare. 

harry officially broke when eleanor placed her hand on louis' thigh and the boy placed his own on top of hers.

"oh dear," harry stood up quickly, all eyes on him, "my mum's expecting me home soon. better go."

he walked towards the door and exited fast as lightening. harry's heart was broken and so was his self control as tears flowed freely across his pale cheeks. the boy just about ran home and into his mothers arms. harry explained what had happened and anne sympathised with him. if only that was all it took.

-

"haz?" anne whispered, stepping cautiously into the broken boy's bedroom, "someone's here to see you."

"tell them to go away," he snuffled into his pillow.

"baby, no," his mother argued, "this needs to be sorted."

harry rolled over on his bed to find him mum had left the doorway and her presence had been replaced by louis'.

"leave me alone," harry spat, moving onto his tummy and hiding his face in the pillows. 

"harry, i need to expl-"

"surprised you have time, or had you already planned all this with your tounge down eleanor's throat?"

"harry styles," he shook his head in disbelief, "i swear on my own life there is nothing going on between her and i."

harry looked at louis, and curse him for being so damn beautiful, "then why were you practically proposing to her the whole time i was at your place."

"my dad," louis breathed, "i have to be as straight as line with him around. i'm so, so sorry h."

louis sat next to his boyfriend and ran a hand through his soft curls.

"so," harry said, "last time, was it real?"

"not at all. i've known i was gay for a while i just didn't know how to accept it. eleanor seemed interested, i was trying to straighten myself out- i thought it was a win-win."

"but it wasn't?"

"no way," louis chuckled, "she went onto my computer one day and saw something in my history she probably shouldn't have. i was confronted, denied everything but she still ditched me."

harry giggled, "what's she find?"

louis sighed, "nothing, harry. don't need your pretty little head thinking about that."

there was a few minutes of comfortable silence, where louis played with harry's hair and the younger lad leaned into his soothing touch.

"lou?"

"yeah, baby?"

"i still love you," harry smiled.

"i love you too."

-

"so you're telling me; he has to pretend he's straight so his dad doesn't go nato and he's basically hooking up with his ex to prove the point," niall sipped his tea with raised eyebrows, "weird, man."

"i know," harry slammed his fist into the wooden table of the coffee shop him and his friend were sitting in, "i just wish everyone was accepting."

"me too," niall shrugged, "and most are these days. guess you just got unlucky."

"i did not get unlucky!" harry insisted, "louis' perfect, just... his dad isn't."

"so you're unlucky," niall said with a smile.

the younger boy sighed in defeat, "i guess, a little."

"what're you gonna do about it, because i know stressed harry and he isn't good."

harry weighed up the options in his head, "think i'll just go with it for now. maybe i'll be blessed and his dad'll get locked up or... die."

niall erupted in laughter as he so often did, "brilliant."

"i need movie night nialler, get away from it for a little while."

"all the boys? just us?" the irish boy questioned.

"bring 'em all, lou included, i just wanna have fun," harry smiled at the thought. the five used to have movie nights every saturday, he missed it.

"that's my boy!" niall exclaimed excitedly, "this is gonna be the best."

♡♡♡

this chapter happened. hopefully the appearance of elevator isn't too scarring for anyone (jokes, kinda), and no hate towards louis' family- this is only fiction. hope you're all enjoying, vote and comment if you like my story.

thank you, treat people with kindness.

alyssa xxx