under the moon and stars || l.s ☽

the cut that always bleeds

twenty-eight | the cut that always bleeds
☽

trigger warning: some mention of abuse, no graphic details but don't read if you are triggered!

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Harry comes back with two cups of tea, hands one to Louis then sits down next to him.

"I think we need to talk, Lou," Harry says, grasping Lou's hand.

"Yeah," Louis sighs.

"What is it, Lou? You can tell me," Harry says, squeezing Lou's hand tighter.

"Promise me you won't freak out?"

"I promise I would never!" Harry responded.

"I know you say that, but Haz, you aren't expecting what I am about to tell you,"

"I promise, Lou, you can tell me anything!"

Louis took a deep breath.

"I-I-It's about Oliver...he um...he used to beat me," Louis sighed.

"What?" Harry shouted, wait no, he yelled.

Harry took a deep breath; he knew that he promised Lou that he wouldn't freak out.

"I'm sorry, I promised I wouldn't freak out. Please explain," Harry said, placing the cups of tea on the table so he can hold both of Lou's hands.

Lou started tearing up; he had never told anyone before; he knew that Harry was the only person that needed to know but hated the idea of telling him, telling Haz, made it real, he was finally admitting it.

"Um...I never loved Oliver. I think he knew it," Lou said, letting all the tears escape his eyes and stain his cheeks.

"Oh, Lou..."

"I didn't love him. I wouldn't give him what he wanted, so he beat me."

"I constantly had bruises and cuts all over me, I wouldn't let the boys see me, I didn't want anyone to know, so I hid it. I knew that if I told anyone there would be a huge case, and it would ruin me in the process, my word against his. I also knew that the boys would tell you and then you would come back, I wasn't ready for that."

"Niall still checked on me, though, so I would never let him come over if I had a new bruise. I didn't want anyone to see the blood or the marks on my body. I wouldn't let them see my pain. I was too scared to leave Olly, so I stayed. That was until I heard your song on the radio. Harry, you saved me again. You saved me from him and myself. I know I probably should've told you sooner, it's just I knew telling you would make it real, you're the love of my life, I'm sorry Harry," Louis said, sobbing into his hands.

Harry scooped Lou up in his arms and squeezed him as tight as possible.

"Lou, don't you dare apologize! It wasn't your fault! That son of a b-"

"Harry, language,"

"Sorry, it's just, no one lays a hand on my Lou. If I would've known, that jerk would be dead!"

Harry sighed.

"I love you, Lou, I'm glad you told me, you are the most important person in my life, I won't let anyone hurt you, ever again," Harry said, squeezing Lou tighter than before.

"You know when someone goes through something like this, they are normally scared of the men around them, but with you, I know you, I know you will never hurt me, you are the best person in my life, I'm so grateful for you, Hazzie, thank you,"

"You don't have to thank me, Lou, you are the most important person to me,"

It was silent for a couple of moments before Harry spoke up.