Two Hearts || L.S

chapter 6 -

"How did you find me?" Harry asked Louis, staring at his feet in shame. They were sitting on the couch the next day, the bright morning sun glimmering through the windows. Harry held an ice pack to his head, experiencing what was probably the most painful hangover so far, and Louis was fidgeting awkwardly and playing with his hands. They both skipped class.

"You weren't home for a long time, and I texted Niall asking where you could be and told him about that chick..." he paused, "And well, I found out you were friends and you two would club a lot, he said."

Harry was quiet. He was addicted to alcohol in his late teenage years, and went through it all with Jessica. They'd party every day, and he probably drank more beer than he did water. It was an embarrassing time of his life and was too afraid to confess it. He was depressed and stuck in a dark place for many years where alcohol was his only coping mechanism. That alone made him reluctant to still go to clubs or even have a drink, afraid he'd be pulled into that cycle again.

"Yeah we were going through a lot.." he said, quietly. Remorse was clear in his tone, clearly uncomfortable and hoping the topic would be dropped. He hated thinking about it, let alone talking about it. 

"I was so scared Harry," Louis whispered, his voice trembling, "When I saw you with him..you were so drunk, I thought he was going to hurt you."

Harry felt tears blur his vision and roll down his cheek as he continued staring down at his feet. He was more ashamed than ever, heavy with more guilt now than when his family found out about his addiction or the looks on their face after he admitted into rehab.

"I'm so sorry Louis," he whispered, "I should have texted you."

"Just, please don't be afraid to reach out to me. I want to be here for you. Hell, I am here for you. I'll always be here if you need me, for anything," Louis murmured. "You mean so much to me Haz."

Harry sucked in a breath and placed his hand on Louis' knee, caressing it slightly. "I.."

I need you.

"Thank you."

Louis gave Harry a smile to try to lighten the mood, "Just don't scare me like that again okay?"

Harry bit his lip and nodded. He was sure to never do that again. And if he were to return to that club, he knew he'd go with Louis. He feels the safest when he's with him, after all.

Louis leaned over and placed a hand on Harry's face, wiping away his tears before placing hand on his cheek. Harry couldn't help but let out a small smile, gazing into Louis' eyes that reminded him of the ocean, captivating and drowning him in.

He held in his breath and words spilled out before he could process them, "I have something to tell you."

Louis gave him a puzzled look, "What's up?"

A weight felt like it dropped in his stomach. Butterflies erupted. He couldn't. 

"It's.. nothing," he lied.

"Harry, you're talking to an actor," Louis said, flashing his teeth, "No really love, what's wrong?"

"I think.. I'm stressed because I'm having a hard time at school.." Harry grimaced before continuing, "You've probably heard those gay rumours by now."

Louis was speechless.

"You did, didn't you!?" Harry exclaimed, standing up abruptly, ignoring the aching pain in his head, "Why didn't you tell me!?"

"I didn't want to- I, I didn't think it mattered because they're just rumours Haz," Louis let out in disbelief.

"Yeah, rumours that are threatening to destroy my life," Harry snorted, but it him harder than he initially imagined. It was true, the rumours were damaging him more than he could admit and he was threatened for fuck's sake. He couldn't help but jump at every sudden sound or look behind him when he's in an empty hallway.