his hand feels so free without the wedding ring.
Harry runs his finger against the soft skin of his wedding ring finger, happy with the feeling of finally being let go of the relationship that had ruined him for years. his father agreed on letting them spilt apart but they would act like the married couple they were for the sake of the public, and while that was unpleasing to harry, he knew this is the best he could get.
they're all sitting together in the living room. Des and Anne are sitting near each other talking about something Harry hasn't fully grasped yet, Kris is busy sending glares at harry – which he gladly returns back with one pointed look– while Louis is sitting next to harry, nose planted in a book.
the world seems a bit complicated now, to harry, but sitting next to Louis is comforting, a hug to his soul and aching heart. Louis is tucked safely in another world, reading about the ancient history of Egypt, impressed, assuming by how his eyes are wider, lighter, and less clouded.
"Harry?" Kris calls out.
"hm?" Harry asks, distracted as he watched Louis take his every breath, blink his eyes slowly, smile when there's something funny in the book.
"you" she starts, nervously chuckling as she fiddles with her fingers. "you won't actually leave Kendall, will you?"
Harry scoffs, wanting nothing more than to just snap back with a snarkly reply, but he knew better than to let his ego take over him. "you know what happened, Kris, and you know that it won't ever work out again."
"but she's pregnant! you can't leave her in such conditions!" she bargains , trying to sneakily beg Harry to stay so her daughter wouldn't be labeled a divorced woman.
Harry's sets his jaw, staring furiously in her eyes as his body heat intensifies. his patience has run low with this family. he's about to open his mouth and let all his anger run loose when he's interrupted.
"so let Davis take care of her just like he had done in bed with her before" Louis replies, sticking up for Harry as he flips the pages, not once sparing Kris a glance.
she gasps, hand flying to her mouth. by the time she had showed the –overly dramatic– reaction, Des and Anne heard what Louis said, assuming by the smirk on Anne's face and the disapproving shake of head Des urges. "don't you dare talk to me you–"
Harry sends her a furious glare as Louis –as well– looks from his book and stares at her, blue eyes assessing her face with disgust.
"Why don't you finish that sentence?" Louis offers, closing his book as he leans back and stares, unaware of Harry's arm that is wrapped behind him on the couch. Kris looks at Louis with a panicked look on her face, the pressure of the four eyes staring at her getting too much. Harry looks livid, dark eyes taunting her – that if she finishes the result she's done for –.
they're cut off by Kendall waltzing into the room with her hair in a messy bun, eyes puffy and wrapped in a black robe. she takes a seat next to her mother and looks at harry. she offers a timid smile.
"hey baby" she softly says. Harry rolls his green eyes.
"don't try" Louis says as he shakes his head , smiling his brightest at her. Kendall huffs and eyes Harry's arm around Louis. "are you two" she gestures with her hand.
"god no, we're not" Louis hisses. Harry frowns, he feels as if someone's tugging on his heart and not wanting to let go. does Louis really hate him that much?
Louis looks at harry discreetly , noticing his frown , noticing that he's lost in his thoughts. he wants to kiss his pout away, maybe even cuddle him until he falls asleep, but he was once his, now he's not. his heart aches and emptiness roam his chest, labeling it as it's place.
Anne notices the change in atmosphere and clears her throat. "we have guests coming over in two hours" she changes the subject, giving Harry a schooling look when Kris isn't looking.
"better start getting ready then" Harry excuses himself and stands up, almost whining at the sudden coldness , having Louis warm him for as long as he can remember this morning. he walks upstairs to his room and makes his way to the bathroom to take a shower. when he enters the bathroom, he's met with his own reflection staring back at him through the mirror and he can't help but look back.
his eyes are rich green, less clouded than they were last week, his face is dancing with color, cheeks Rosy and healthy. he looked better. he was healing.
he can't help but smile, liking how he had started to look like his old self, apart from the fact that his speech now belongs to someone else, not him. he takes his shirt off and hops in the shower, hoping the hot water would melt away his worries and thoughts, leaving him to only relax for the time being. he doesn't want guests, all he wants is to stay and stare at Louis.
****
"wait so, you're single?" jack slurs , directing his speech to Louis who had a disgusted look on his face. they were all gathered in the living room talking to the guest, who's name is Jack, – who also might have had too many drinks–.
"yeah I am" Louis nods with a grimace as he looks at jack, who's looking at him with hungry eyes and parted lips. Harry grips his wine cup tighter. Anne , Kris , jay , Des and Kendall are all watching with bottled in laughter as louis sends them a pleading look.
"you're very pretty" the words tumble off of his tongue, mind hazed by the alcohol, tongue un-tied by common sense.
"thank you" Louis manages. Harry grits his teeth, truth to be said, Louis looked amazing, the suit hugged his body and showed his waist and thighs, but that only belonged to him.
"more drinks?" jack asks with a drunken smile. "yeah, no, enough drinks for you" Anne giggles as she sets the bottle away from him, laughing when he pouts.
"I think it's time for you to go home" Des advises , eyes noting how drunk the guest really is. "I'll show him out" Harry says as he stands up and gestures for Jack to follow after him, not sparing the tiniest glance, the tumbling confirming that he is being followed.
they walk through the hall until Harry gestures for the guards to open the gates. the large wooden door open, viewing the dark sky and grey clouds , sending a wave of cold air through the walls of the castle. they make it outside, the air is strangled with quietness , only the sound of crickets could he heard. a car us waiting for Jack, driver impatiently burying his head in his phone, fingers tapping against the driving wheel.
"oh and" Harry says just before jack walks away to the car. he turns around, moves slowed by the alcohol, slow with confusion.
"What?" he slurs.
Harry doesn't explain, instead he lets his fist do the explaining instead as it makes contact with Jack's face. jack emits a surprised gasp as pain fills his jaw, brain shaking within the walls of his thick skull.
"this is for fucking flirting with him" Harry spits venomously, eyes as dark as the night skies. jack holds his jaw as if it would fall if he leaves it "he told me he was single!"
"don't fucking show me your face again" Harry hisses, fists urging to touch Jack's face again but Harry stands his ground. the guards are alert now , steady hands resting on their guns just incase he tries to fight back, but jack just nods and immediately hurries inside of the car.
Harry watches as the car starts driving, getting smaller with every mile they drive before walking back into the castle, ignoring the wary looks his guards send his way. he doesn't watch his way as he walks, resulting in his accidental clashing with someone. he – instinctively– grabs their shoulder tightly, stopping them from falling to the ground.
"I'm sorry!" it's the same high pitched voice he dreams about, the same voice that roams his brain and keeps him awake at night. "Louis" he says breathlessly as he loosens his grip on Louis shoulder, but not once taking them off. Louis narrows his eyes, assessing Harry's face.
"are you alright?" he asks , voice as soft as water that holds the blaring reflection of the sun. as soothing as the sound of waves greeting the shore.
"yeah, I am alright" he response after a heartbeat of silence. "what are you doing here?" he asks, suddenly remembering that they are standing in the middle of the hall, with no one around but them. it's too quiet, the only sound that could be heard is the undeniable thumping against Harry's chest, heart raising furiously.
"took you too long, I was worried" louis murmurs, voice low and quiet, almost as if he raises his voice, he'd reveal fatal secrets.
"yeah?"
"yeah"