Helpless (( Larry Stylinson Fan Fiction ))

Chapter Three - I'll Be Your Strength

I'll Be Your Strength - Harry's PoV

The rest of that day had passed slowly, since Louis had went out and didn't return until after I had passed out on the couch.  The next morning was almost as bad, but neither of us spoke to the other - so it wasn't exactly bad.  Simply awkward and tense.  This process was repeated for two more days, until I finally decided I would attempt to speak to Louis.  I don't know when I decided it, but I guess I just opened my eyes and forced myself onto speaking to my best friend.  Er, can I even call him that anymore?  With a frown, I threw a pair of - hopefully - clean Calvin Klein boxers and grey joggers on.  As I padded down the stairs, I just jumped down onto the last step as Louis crossed my path without sparing me a glance.  Hardly hesitating for a moment, I called out after him.

"Lou?  Wait, Louis.  Can we talk?"  I watched as Louis' pace slowly halted, and his torso heaved slightly as he sighed.

"What, Harry?"  The older boy mumbled, shaking his head and dipping it down to stare at the ground - hands burying themselves into his jean pockets.  I hesitated for a moment longer before taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, alright Louis?  I'm not trying to be nosy, but you have to believe me when I say that I just want to help you.  I'm not expecting you to jump up into my arms and tell me everything's going to be okay.  I don't expect everything to go back to normal again - I just want to know that you're okay.  Louis, are you okay?"  I demanded, stepping closer towards him and keeping my gaze locked with the Doncaster boy's.  He hesitated, glancing around the room and licking his lips painfully slowly.

"I..."  He began before choking, swallowing hard and bringing his blue eyes back to mine.  Louis' walls were breaking again before me, slowly crumbling and waiting to be completely torn down.  I carefully lifted my hand out to touch his cheek, caressing it in my hand.

"Boobear... are you okay?"  My face creased into that of a painful, demanding expression.  His jaw flapped open and shut multiple times as if he were a fish out of water, the boy's composure completely shattered.

"N-no, Harry.  I'm not okay."  Louis finally admitted, shifting his chipped eyes away from mine and shrugging my hand away from his body, "But I don't need your pity.  I don't want help, so you shouldn't waste your time.  Move on with your life, Harry.  I'll fix myself."  I practically growled in frustration, tugging harshly at my mob of chocolatey curls.

"Listen to yourself, Louis!  You can't fix yourself.  You need help.  If you don't want to talk to me, at least talk to a therapist or one of the other boys'.  Bloody hell, you can even talk to Simon.  Anyone, Lou!  Please, just... stop shutting yourself out.  I want you back.  I want my Boobear back.  I want my best friend back."  I was practically begging now, desperation clear on my face.

Louis shook his head rapidly, eyes closed in concentration - but he still didn't respond for a few minutes, "Harry, I'm sorry - I can't... I can't.  Stop trying.  It's not working."  His voice just grew stronger as he spoke, slowly collecting himself.

"Lou..."  I began, but the older boy cut me off.

"No.  Just shut up and leave me alone."  He snarled, spinning around on his heel and storming off in the direction of the front door of our flat.  Panicking, I started after Louis.

"But Lou, I-"  I tried to speak again, reaching out to catch his wrist.  Unfortunately for me, I had forgotten his 'no touch' rule, however I had broken it earlier.

Louis spun around, his fist lifted and bringing it down against my cheek.  I groaned in pain, stumbling backwards and clenching my eyes shut in shock and pain.  "Ah-oh... ow..."  I moaned, brushing my fingertips over the sensitive patch of skin.  Only a few seconds later, I heard the 'bang' of the front door to signal Louis' leaving.