safe haven │ larry stylinson

30

Louis' POV

Louis was scared. He could imagine Simon being furious. His hands trembled. He wasn't worried about himself, moreover it was Harry and his family he was worried about. He was used to Simon being furious, used to doing what he wanted. He was even used to him getting offensive. But he was scared that he would do something in front of Harry or even worse to Harry.

He flinched as Harry took his hand and squeezed it. Louis looked at him and saw him smiling a little. "It's gonna be alright, don't worry"
He nodded and they left the elevator. Louis let go of Harry's hand in front of the door to the room that was supposed to be Louis'. He took a deep breath and opened it.

Inside, Simon was waiting. He sat at the table reading something. When they came in, he looked up at them.
"Well look who's finally here"
"We're sorry. There were so many fans at the airport-" Harry started but was interrupted by Simon.
"And if you'd tell me why the fuck you were at the airport, I'd appreciate that very much" The man was calm but way too calm in Louis' eyes. He could hear Harry exhaling.
"Because we flew back to England for the 7th"
Without hesitation Simon went off. "And why did you do that without permission?!"
Louis flinched and wanted to say something to calm him down but Harry answered.
"I'm sorry in case we should've done that, I simply didn't know and I didn't think about asking for permission."
"Well you should've done that! Can you imagine-"
It was Louis who interrupted Simon this time. "Nothing happened, Simon. It's alright. We're back here"
"Oh shut up, Louis. I didn't ask for your opinion!"
He bit his lip and simply nodded as Simon continued. Harry made a step forward, shielding Louis in a way. It was at this moment that Louis realised he was weak. He was vulnerable and Harry was protecting him. Harry stood up for him. Years ago it had been the other way around.

"There are pictures all over the internet, everyone's looking at them! I thought I had said clearly enough that I don't want that! I don't want you two to be anywhere together! I said stop gaying around!"
"Well, you can't stop us from being seen together. We're in the same band after all. Also, I didn't thought they would take photos of us visiting a grave!"
"Well they did! Why would you visit a grave together! You should've stayed here."
"It was an important day for Louis and his family-"
"I don't care what day it was. You had one job and you failed miserably. It's a mess that I'll have to clean up just because the two of you had to fly to see a fucking grave!"
"Oh shut up Simon"
Louis eyes widened. He hid his own anger, knowing that it would get him nowhere to do to Simon what he desperately wanted to do. He knew Harry had stepped over the line even before Simon's fist hit the table.
"What?..!"
"You heard me" Harry's voice was calm and quiet. Silence filled the room, you could hear every move and every breath.
"How dare you-"
Harry interrupted him. "No, Simon. Just stop. If you want an apology for not asking for permission, fine. I'm sorry. But we won't apologize for flying there"
Simon looked like he was about to kill Harry. He clenched his teeth.
"You should really overthink the way you're talking to me, Harold"
"Anything else to say?" Harry gave him a cocky smile. Louis had never seen Harry that way before. The hatred the curlyhead felt for Simon was undeniable. Under different circumstances Louis would've thought of how attractive Harry looked when he was angry but he was too scared.

Louis expected Simon to burst out in screaming every second. Instead, the man just looked at Harry and said "I'd like to talk to Louis on my own, you can leave now"
Louis knew what that meant. He held his breath, not daring to move.
"You can say what you want to say now as well"
He hadn't expected Harry to stand up for him again. He hadn't expected him to be that strong. He thought of it as foolish but was also glad. Louis hated himself for being that vulnerable.

Simon gave Harry a look and turned his head. Now he was facing Louis.
"I expect you to act the way we discussed. No more of this bullshit. Get yourself together Tomlinson. You want someone to manage and produce your next album. I think your sisters would like that as well" Without another word, Simon left the two of them.

"We'll get you out of this"
Louis looked at Harry who had a determined look in his eyes. He knew it was a promise but he didn't believe in it.
"I tried, Harry. It's not possible, I can't do anything"
"We'll figure something out. I promise you don't have to go through this. It's not too late. This time I know everything"
He nodded and gave him a little smile. Louis knew that it was impossible. He was stuck with Simon and Modest! until his contract was finished and that wouldn't happen until the end of 2022. He had tried to get out of it several times. But he would lose everything. His lawyer had figured out that he could in fact leave but he wouldn't own any of his music. That wouldn't even end his world but the fact that he'd be in debt way too deep to be there for his sisters made it impossible to quit. Modest! and Syco would even make Lottie loose her contract with her agency.
It wasn't possible to leave. Louis could only hope that Harry wouldn't leave him for that.

"Lou?" Harry interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm, yeah?"
"Let's go to dinner. The others are waiting for us"
"Sure" He smiled again, earning a bad look from Harry.
"Stop that. I know you, Tomlinson. Stop worrying. We'll figure something out. I promise"
He bit his lip looking at the curlyhead.
"I tried, Harry. There's nothing I can do. I really tried. Even my lawyer said that. It's impossible"
"Maybe there's nothing you can do. But I still can do something about it. We can. Stop giving up already Lou. There has to be a way. And we'll find it"

There was something in Harry's words that gave Louis a little hope. Maybe there was a way? He knew hope was a dangerous thing. But after all that happened, it was hope that had brought them back together. Hope was never safe. But it was light in the dark.
"And what did I miss the last years? Where's your sass? The Tommo way? We'll kick Cowell's ass"
"I thought we treat people with kindness?"
Harry grinned. "Most people. Some things have to be done the Tommo way"