Louis looks so cute here omg

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Pain is relative. The weak often feel it immensely, with every inch of themselves; coursing through their veins and tearing into their gut. Unforgiving and uncontrolled

The strong have a different sense of pain, sometimes not even knowing that they're feeling it until it's too late; until it's taken its course through the body and ruined you entirely

And when you're damaged, sometimes you don't even notice the aftermath; the result of the undeniable neglect on the body

In Louis case, it was the hunger; the pain in his stomach that he'd become so accustomed to that he no longer noticed the minuscule amounts that he was eating. That was until someone noticed. Picking up on how he'd go hours at a time without eating and not showing up to eat the meals that the rest of the household would feast

His body was immune. Broken in the most wicked kind of ways. A way in which he didn't even notice the twinge of pain taking its course through each atom inside of him, the kind that worsened with time and healed for no one. The kind that was normal, harmless even; until it wasn't. Until The years of mental strength taking a toll on him physically until he was visually wearing away; his body disintegrating in spite of the strength in his mind

"Eat" Harry said, almost sharply as he pushed Louis' plate towards him

"I have eaten"

"Yes, two mouthfuls. That's not enough"

The boy shuffled uncomfortably, about to comply before he withdrew, unsure "I'm full" he argued, his voice merely a whisper

Harry blinked, confusions raw and evident in his eyes "How can you be full after two bites?" It was more accusatory than he'd initially intended; only heightened by raising his eyebrows at Louis when the boy didn't reply. Harry edged the plate closer towards him "Eat" he repeated firmly

"Don't make me"

A pause "I'm not going to make you do anything" followed by a sigh on Harry's part, expectant yet confused "However, I would like to know why you never eat" he added, looking at Louis expectantly "Do you not like the food here?" His tone was defensive in an innocent kind of way

The reply was just as fiercely guarded "No I do!" The exclamation nearly startled the gang leader "The food is... It's fine, I promise" he rushed out defensively "It's just- it's not that"

"Then what's your problem, Louis?"

The boy blinked, hesitant as he voiced his response "I-I wasn't... it's just, I never ate much back home" he admitted finally "Mark didn't... he didn't want me to... we could've lost customers if..." It was as revealing as it needed to be; Harry's own stomach turned as the few simple words summoned a lifetime of anguish.

"He starved you?"

"I wasn't starved" Louis promised- only half a lie "I'm just...not used to eating so much"

Harry swallowed "That's-" He started, but looked quite lost for words "God, that's awful of him" he said finally, not know what else to say

Louis looked away, unable to keep his eyes on Harry's conflicted face "I didn't mean to upset you" he stated slowly, a slight pout on his lips "I promise that the food is okay but I just can't eat much"

"I'm sorry,"

"You didn't do anything"

"For what you had to go through, I mean"

"It's not your fault"

"I'm sorry anyway"

There was a silence there, an open space in the middle of that night as the thorns in their throats resigned

"Think you can eat some more?" Harry finally asked "For me?" he added

Louis resisted the urge, materialised from nothing, to roll his eyes "For you" he echoed playfully

***

Friends don't always see eye to eye. Even though they may trust each other's decisions, it doesn't always mean that they have to agree with them

This is how Zayn felt every time his boss-slash-best-friend tried to make a decision on his behalf that, in his humble opinion, would eventually be the downfall of the entire gang. Granted, Harry was in fact the boss and it'd remain that way until the gang dismantled-or died, which seemed likely with the reckless decisions that Harry had recently been making, Zayn so kindly reminded

"Harry" Zayn said, placing a hand on the mans shoulder "They were your friends" he reminded, looking down at the picture that the gang leader had in his hands

Harry smiled at this, the pull of his lips just as mischievous as it was heart-warming "Were" he replied

"The point is, they're no enemies of ours" Zayn stated "Don't go burning bridges that we don't have to burn"

"They're despicable people"

There was no doubt in Zayn's mind that Harry was right with this one, but he argued nonetheless "None of our business" he stated "To us, they're innocent"

the flash of darkness that crossed Harry's eyes was unmistakable "Terrence killed his younger brother for entertainment" he snapped at Zayn "They're not innocent, Z"

Zayn blinked, almost having forgotten that gruesome fact "Okay fair, but they haven't done anything to hurt us" he reminded

"Nor will they get the chance to"

There was a sigh "Choose your battles wisely, Styles" Zayn said simply "That's all"

Harry shrugged a final time "I've chosen" he replied just as briefly "Better to watch them burn"

"Well then" Zayn replied as unenthusiastically as possible "What are we waiting for?" he questioned, opening the car door

***

Curiosity it a childish trait, characterised with wide eyes and open minds; wonder and whispers, prosperity and hope

The captive often remains curious, as it's not within their rights to explore. Some are captive by morals, religion and even ethics. Other captive by another, a family member or a friend; shielded from the world and held back from al that it evil, living in black and white rather than adventuring through the grey

Louis found himself trapped by circumstance and rotten luck; life choices and higher authorities that had made it almost impossible for him to explore. Unable to venture into the grey, he found himself bridles and tether to nothing but the same familiar walls and faces. A lifetime on a loop with a thousand years in perfect symmetry

Now he led a new life; with new faces and new walls. Strange voices, different skin. And, just like that, curiosity sparked once more, just as the grey expanded, pushing through the fine lines of black and white, pulsing in the pink of his brain and shining bright of wonder in his eyes

Each new face to explore, each new skill to learn. And, just like a child, he enquired

"What's that?" Louis asked, his legs swinging as he sat on the table, watching Niall and Liam flicking through some high tech computer monitors to track Zayn and Harry

"This" Niall started, gesturing to a TV screen "Give us eyes on Zayn and Harry" he explained

"We have camera's inside and outside the vehicle, and tracking devices set into the car and their phones" Liam added "Just to make sure they're safe"

"What happens if you see a threat?" Was Louis' line of reply

Liam held down a button and spoke into a small microphone attached to the table

"Everything alright boys?" he spoke loudly

There was a soft sigh followed by Zayn's voice "Not now, Liam" it sounded through the computer "We're literally on our way back now"

"Right, right" Liam replied apologetically

"Everything okay back home?" Zayn questioned

"Everything's fine"

"Good, then we'll see you soon"

There was a short pause, a break in verse "Oh" Louis said simply "That's cool"

"Wait til you see this" Niall replied excitedly, typing a code into the computer and instantly bringing up a connection to Harry's phone in which you could see everything through the eyes of his back phone camera

Louis raised his eyebrows "Impressive" he muttered, watching the screen that showed the windscreen of their car before Niall turned it off

"Right" Liam agreed

"Who did all of this?" Louis asked

"Well Zayn's sort of the brains behind everything" Liam replied "Did you know that he's a doctor?"

Louis blinked "Like...a real doctor?" He asked

"He took a medical degree" Niall explained "Harry funded it"

"After that he did an online medical engineering course" Liam added in "So he's the brains of the business" he stated

Louis let out a soft huff of surprise "Thought you guys just called him that" he muttered

The blonde grinned "If you ever get hurt, Zayn's the one to call" he said and Louis nodded in response; the information soaking into his brain

His persona faltered for a moment and the youngest boy nearly frowned, because he felt so stupid after hearing this. Zayn had two degrees and he hadn't even finished primary education because of his upbringing

"What's wrong?" Niall questioned once he saw Louis' smile fade

"Nothing" Louis replied quickly "Just wish I could have done something like that" he admitted

"You'd really want to spend 5 years doing a university course?" Liam practically scoffed "That's how long it took him, you know?" he added "He only finished a year ago, just after he'd turned 23"

Louis shrugged at this "Well it's good that he's medically trained" he replied "It helps if you ever get into trouble"

"Of course" Liam agreed "I remember he stopped me from dying when I got stabbed that time" he stated, looking towards Niall who shuddered

"That was awful" he added in "A proper trade mistake"

"We're never shipping to a Argentinian gang again" Liam said with a laugh "They're brutal"

"What happened?" Louis asked, crossing his legs on the tabletop as he got ready for the boys to tell their story

Yes, curiosity may be a childish thing, but it was the last grasp at innocence that Louis had

Hi! Hope you enjoyed this! I'm working so hard on revising all of these chapters. It takes so much motivation to really read through everything and improve it all. So thank you for your patience!

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