Objects of Virtue

Chapter 09

It took a second for Harry to understand what Louis was implying and when he did it hit smack in the stomach. "I'd think you would know better than that," Harry whispered against Louis cheek, his breath warm and tingly against the light stubble on Louis' face, before moving away and into the crowd, looking for Niall.

It was obvious to Louis that Harry knew something that he wasn't telling him and it bothered him endlessly. He could see it in Harry's eyes as he watched Lottie. What had he found out for fuckssake? He hoped she hadn't done something incredibly stupid. How was he to save her from all of this? Something told him that Simon Cowell was to blame and he didn't like it one bit. The sight of him so engrossed in conversation with his sister was suspicious to say the least and definitely had nothing to do with Lottie's business. There was little that he could do until his father's last rites were performed and he was laid to rest. He'd speak to her then. She owed him an explanation. He hoped to whatever higher power existed that she hadn't done something deadly – but the way things were going now – he wouldn't be too surprised.

Harry stood in a corner with Niall, nodding and smiling at people he had never seen before, as well as some people he'd read about. A large number of them turned out to be employees and then there was the portion of them that Harry knew weren't what one would call good company. He was beginning to see that Dt. Twist was right about the sort of business the Tomlinsons were involved in and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Louis' words from that fateful day in the car rang loud in his ears "There's so much here that you don't know about Harry. So much I can't let you know." So he knew. Louis knew what was going on here. He was part of something. Harry wished he wasn't. He wished he didn't feel these feelings that were beginning to choke him right now, tugging hard at his chest. Why him and why Louis? Harry was so lost in thought that he didn't realize was staring at him intently, a look of worry written clearly across his face.

"Harry?" Niall whispered as he gently shook his shoulders. "What's up mate?"

Harry turned to face Niall, "Just a little puzzled you know? I think Louis knows something more and he's just not telling us."

"He probably knows a whole lot, Haz. I mean look at the people here." Niall replied softly as his eyes wondered around the room. "What gets me most is, Charlotte. She's moving around and really working the room. Strange, don't you think? I mean, she's in cosmetics, right? What's she got to do with this lot?"

Harry sighed tiredly, nodding in agreement. "I saw that too and Louis noticed that I did too. Asked me if I was interested in his sister. The prick. But I know he was just trying to divert my attention."

Niall chuckled lightly. "Haven't seen you interested in a girl who wasn't your mum or your sister mate, shits funny!"

Niall and Harry followed the funeral party to the Hertford Cemetery. The sun was beating down on them mercilessly. Harry was sure it would rain that evening. Harry and Niall listened quietly as the final rites of Mr. Mark Tomlinson were performed. The twins sat in silence, tears flowing freely now, they made no attempt to disguise them. Louis face was emotionless and blank. His blue eyes stared ahead of him, glazed and glass-like. Charlotte sat next to Louis. Cold and emotionless. Either she was a very good actor or she didn't feel a thing. Strange. Soon the service was over, and the family stood up, picking up hand fulls of dirt to throw on the coffin as it made its final descent into the warm brown soil. From dust you are, to dust you will return. A final goodbye. Louis embraced his sisters as the cried into his coat, tear stains darkening the black fabric of his coat, getting larger by the second. A single tear rolled down Louis' face, his blue eyes swimming with tears that he would not let flow. Liam stood behind him as always, patting his back and massaging circles into it reassuringly. Charlotte stood separately; eyes fixated on the coffin as it descended. Lewis stood beside her; his arm flung across her shoulder.

Slowly people trickled away. Leaving behind just the closest family and friends. Niall left Harry to seek out Liam and Harry stood against a tree watching Louis as he said goodbyes to his family, an occasional hug and a peak on the cheek. It wasn't long before Louis noticed that Harry was staring and he made his way over to him, excusing himself from the bundle of aunties that had managed to capture him.

"Hey, you're still here then?" he asked as he approached Harry, smiling gently.

"That I am." Harry replied "How are you holding up?"

"Honestly? I don't know, Harry. Numb, I guess. Glad it's over." Louis said as he bit down on his lip in an attempt to stop it shivering ever so slightly. His head felt heavy and so did his heart. "They're reading the will tomorrow, I guess you should know."

"Thanks for telling me. Do you mind if we drop by?"

"Of course! Sure. I just want this all to be over with so that I can move on with my bloody life."

"I understand Louis. We are doing our best."

"Louis – Charlotte? Does she – well, does she move around with all these people much? I mean – I found it a little strange. I'm being candid with you here, but some of the people she was talking to – not the greatest associates. We've got an eye on a few of them too. What's she doing with them?" Harry asked staring straight at Louis in the eye, daring him to lie. He'd know if Louis lied. He'd know.

"I don't know Harry. I really don't fucking know either. It's been on my mind for a while now. It's been bothering me to no end. I hate that I barely know my sister now Harry. She was my best friend and now it feels like we've just drifted so far apart – I – I – I just don't know any more," Louis replied, his voice only slightly louder than a whisper, cracking as he continued. "I'm worried about her Harry. I really am. And I would never let anything to happen to her. No matter what." As he said the last few words, Louis' blues firmly locked in with Harry's greens. He was warning Harry and Harry understood. Louis was ready to do anything to protect his sister. What was it that he knew that made him believe that he would need to be ferociously protective of his sister, Harry wondered.

"Is there something that you know Louis?"

"Nothing you haven't already figured out Harry."

"I haven't figured out anything Louis."

"There's no need for games Styles. We both know that this is a losing game. Either way. But that's alright."

"You know I can't protect her Louis? I can't turn a blind eye to anything that I find, you do know that right?"

"Do what you must Harry. I'll look after her."

"I hate this. I hate that it's you."

"I know, Harry. Believe me I know. I hate that its us too. It could have been beautiful, you and me."

Louis turned around and walked away, leaving a gapping hole in the very middle of Harry's heart. It was true. It would have been beautiful. Exquisite. Mind blowing. Judging by that one kiss that they shared, Harry knew that the sex would have been incredible too. Now was definitely not the time to think of that. It was a wasted opportunity. But there was nothing that the either of them could do about it. They came from different worlds, colliding suddenly and being pulled apart roughly, when all they wanted to do is cling to each other. It was a cruel, cruel existence. Harry watched as Louis retreated back to his spot amongst his family. A cocoon of ladies – cousins, aunts, family friends embracing him and his sisters. He didn't look back at Harry. Not once as he made his way to a car that was waiting for him. Climbing into the back seat, it made its way down the winding road and away. Harry just stood there. Watching.