Scared (L.S)

forty one

When Harry's mum got home that night, they had a quiet dinner, watching TV on the couch while Harry drifted closer and closer to sleep. Louis helped Anne clear the dishes and clean the kitchen, something he was getting quite good at. From the kitchen, they could hear Harry's choked snores and Louis couldn't help but laugh, making Anne smile.

"How's school, Louis?" Anne asked as they cleaned.

Louis shrugged and smiled, "It's alright, just trying to get through these last few months really."

Anne hummed, "Speaking of that, have you heard back from any universities?"

And Louis couldn't help but think that that might've been fate.

He hesitated but when he glanced at Anne's warm smile it reassured him. "I haven't told Harry yet, so please don't tell him."

"Of course."

"I heard back from UCL today, I got in."

Anne immediately gasped, "Did you really? Oh my god, Louis, that's such a great school!"

Louis shrugged but couldn't help the happy smile that graced his face when Anne wrapped him in a tight hug and whispered, "I am so proud of you."

"Thanks," Louis said after they had pulled away, "But I don't think I'm gonna go."

Anne frowned, "Why wouldn't you go?"

Louis looked down, "I don't want to leave."

"It's only three or four hours, hun, and it's such a good opportunity."

Louis looked towards the living room, where he could still hear Harry snoring, "I don't want to leave Harry. Or you, or my sisters... But Harry."

"Oh Louis," Anne sighed, "Come sit."

Anne led Louis over to the kitchen table and they sat down across from each other. Anne took Louis' hands in hers and held them tightly, "I know he's my son, but you can't stay here for him."

"I love him," Louis insisted. They never really said it in front of Anne.

"I know, love, I see it in you guys every single day..."

"But..." Louis added, raising his eyebrows slightly in anticipation.

"But if you stay here for him... I just don't want you to resent him, I don't want you to stay here for him and then years down the line, hate him for holding you back."

"I could never hate him," Louis argued.

"I know you think that now but, trust me, it happens." Louis thought back to what Harry had told him about his father and realized that he didn't actually know why the man had left.

Louis frowned and tried to swallow around the lump in his throat, "I want to go, I want to go so badly but I'm scared. I don't know how to live without Harry anymore. It's just another year anyway, then I'll just go wherever Harry goes."

Anne frowned sympathetically, "Just talk to Harry, love, you know he hates to be kept in the dark."

Louis nodded and watched as Anne stood up and headed to the stairs, saying a quick goodnight before disappearing. Louis couldn't help but let out a deep sigh as he sat at the table, lost in his thoughts, for a few minutes longer.

Finally, he got up and made his way to the living room where Harry was sprawled peacefully on the couch, snoring away. Louis looked down at the sleeping boy with his heart completely full before leaning down and pressing a few soft kisses to the side of his face.