Louis' nightmares of a broken boy become re-occurring throughout the night. He's always protecting the little blue eyed boy that is cowering away from monsters. Louis knows this kid like the back of his hand because that boy is him. It's kind of fucked up really, that here Louis is at 25 years old and still dreaming of protecting his younger self but it's happening. With each dream, Louis' younger self is growing. Louis wants nothing more than to protect himself, and wishes that somehow all those years ago he had. If he had protected himself, maybe things might be different for himself now. By the time Louis' alarm suddenly blasts, Louis is already awake staring at his ceiling in a tired daze. The alarm doesn't faze him. It was a wise choice to use The Fray as an alarm tone, because it was an easier way to wake up.

The dread settles into Louis' stomach when he realizes it's actually time to get up. There's good and bad in today. Bad being that he has to go to school again and deal with more unpredictable shit, and good being that this was the last day before the weekend. Louis' morning routine is a rush and that's because Louis is making sure he has more than enough time to buy a coffee. He deserved it, especially after the night he just had. Louis doesn't care that he's wearing odd socks, or the fact his pants aren't ironed, and he throws on the first shirt he sees. He doesn't care to shave the stubble that is starting to grow, or fix his hair. He just runs his brush through his tangled hair before running out the door. Louis knows that he's doing the wrong thing when he places his large green water bottle in his satchel. He knows he's got a problem when he's going to be drinking vodka in his office in a fucking plastic bottle. He'll get caught and lose his job. However, it doesn't change the fact he's still going to do it.

When Louis walks parks his car at the mall, he makes it a quick trip to Starbucks for his coffee fix. He orders his usual cappuccino with double the shots and grabs a bagel. If he doesn't eat, he'll probably die. And that's not being dramatic either. Louis spends almost 15 minutes leaning against the hood of his car, closing his eyes as he drinks his coffee and feels the familiar buzz of the caffeine under his skin. When Eleanor sends him a text, he realizes he's just about late to start work, and starts his drive to hell.

How is everything today? Are you feeling better?

Everything is great today, perfectly fine. I'm brilliant.

Louis sends it, and knows that Eleanor will not get the sarcasm and will fall for it. It's great because he's looking forward to a day in his life that Eleanor isn't being a pest. It's when he pulls up and notices a ginger and blonde walking towards the courts, that the sudden realization that Harry isn't there hits him. Louis briefly knows what time the boy arrives, since he's almost always there when Louis arrives. And it's even more worrying because Louis is actually later than usual, so Harry really should be there. Louis jumps out of his car, locking it quickly and tries to make it not obvious that he's looking for Harry. He stops when he hears someone call his name. Louis looks towards the voice, and a part inside of him shrivels away when he sees the blonde student that is still pestering him about assignments. Before she can get any closer and open her stupid mouth, Louis holds his hand up.

"Before you speak. Do I look physically well enough right now to be explaining what is happening? They are all done. Expect them on Monday,"

The girls face is hard and lips a pursed in a sour pout, before she turns around abruptly and leaves. Louis huffs to himself and continues his way.

"Mr Horan," Louis yells, and notices Niall stop and look back

Louis actually doesn't know how to approach the situation. He chews the inside of his cheek as Niall starts to make his way over. Louis only has one chance to talk without making Harry's problem public. He inhales deeply once Niall is close enough to speak.

"Good morning Mr Tomlinson,"

"Good morning," Louis nods

"Is everything okay? I'm not in trouble am I?"

"In trouble for what? I haven't seen you do anything wrong. I was just wondering where Harry is?" Louis says carefully, trying not to sound like a creep

Niall raises an eyebrow and stares at Louis. Louis' shoulders hunch slightly, and he knows that he does sound like a creep and he's already fucked up.

"He's not here today,"

"Is he okay? I'm just worried about him,"

"I'm not sure. I haven't heard from him. He's probably just running late,"

"Okay. I'm sorry for asking, I'm just quite concerned,"

"No problems,"

Louis says a quick awkward goodbye and makes his way to his office. His coffee is almost gone much to Louis' distaste. He probably should have bought another one, especially if he needed to survive the day. As if on cue, Louis' stomach grumbles loudly.

Once Louis is in his office, he almost collapses into his chair, pulling out his bagel and eating it in almost 4 mouthfuls and swallows it all down with the rest of his coffee. Louis still feels so tired, and just wants to drive out of town for the weekend. Louis' phone buzzes on his desk and he reads it after putting his glasses on.

Glad you're doing better. Want to go out for dinner tonight?

Already have plans. Sorry

Louis does feel the pang of guilt when he presses send, but he will not let her interfere with his plans for a great weekend. He needed this more than anything.

-

The topic of break up was always hard for Harry, but last night's conversation was by far the worst he's ever had. He just couldn't muster up the courage of breaking up. Nick was in one those moods where if Harry had even mentioned the possibility of them having a split, he'd end up in a gutter somewhere. Harry had everything planned, and had even spent hour or two rehearsing what he was going to say, but when Nick rocked up in a terrible mood, Harry decided against it. There was a thought that if Nick stayed for a few hours and eventually got out of his bad mood, maybe he could do it then. But it just so happened to be that Nick wasn't around for long, only about 3 hours and he left in an even worse mood when he had to take a call. It wasn't until 2am when Nick was calling Harry to let him in, and Harry did so. He made sure that he wasn't going to wake up his mother or else everything would go to hell very fast. Nick was blind drunk, staggering and words slurring. Harry almost had to cover Nick's mouth to prevent the drunken idiot from waking up his mum.

It took much ease and carefully movements to get Nick into his bedroom, and slowly closing the door. Harry had listened out for his mother for a few minutes, and to his relief it sounded as if she were still asleep.

"What are you doing?"

"I came to visit you,"

"Why are you so drunk? It's a Thursday night. You left in a shit mood and now come back happy as shit and out of your mind drunk,"

Nick flops onto Harry's bed, stretching and closing his eyes. Harry stares at him angrily. Nick was never this bad, but lately he's gotten really out of control. If Harry wanted to be happy, he had to tell him now. In fact, with his mother in the house, if anything were to happen, the slightest noise would wake her up.

"I went out drinking,"

"With who? You barely drink,"

"I have a couple friends. I missed you and thought I'd come visit,"

"It's a school night,"

"Who gives a shit about school?"

"I do," Harry mutters

"You're the only person. Harry, we need to do something about this no sex thing. It's getting out of control,"

Harry's eyes widen and he purses his lips to prevent himself from exploding with rage. He stares as Nick drones on about how it's unfair on him and that the relationship won't last if Harry can't be manly. In the end, Harry says what he's been dreading to say.

"Shut up,"

Nick sits up, bloodshot eyes narrowing at Harry. He's swaying slightly, and Harry is suddenly aware of everything. He's aware of how drunk Nick is, he's also aware that the air smells of strong vodka and he's aware of how suddenly shit scared he is.

"Excuse me?" Nick frowns

"Nick. This isn't going to work out. There's no possible way. You want other things out of this relationship then I do. You want a relationship built on getting into each-others pants. I want a relationship with mutual respect and understanding and love. We are two different people and it's becoming very obvious. I can't do this anymore,"

Harry makes sure to keep his voice low, but his voice is becoming to waver slightly as he can feel the wave of tears coming. He doesn't want to cry, but he's about to. He focuses on all his strength, and watches Nick's reaction. Nick's face is blank for a few moments as his fuzzy brain tries to place the pieces together. Harry knows it's clicked when Nick straightens his shoulders and jaw clenches. The entire atmosphere of the room changes and Harry starts to panic. He doesn't make it obvious though. His hands are becoming increasingly clammier and heart is starting to beat faster than normal. Harry tries to keep his breathing even but it's virtually impossible with Nick like this.

"So. You mean to tell me that you're going to break up with me, because you won't just give up this whole innocent façade for me?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm not a fuck doll. You can't use me for sex whenever you want. I am a human being and I ask to be treated like one, with respect. I'm sorry. It hurts me so much to do this. I'm sorry," Harry's eyes are starting to fill with tears now.

It's in almost a split second that Harry's suddenly pushed against a wall with a quiet thud, and Nick's hands are wrapped around his throat. Nick's fingers dig hard into Harry's throat, and Harry is struggling to breathe. Nick is muttering words that Harry wishes he could never hear, but he can't focus on anything but the overwhelming smell of alcohol. Warm tears are dripping onto his cheeks and Harry's lips pull apart trying to gasp for air.

"You're never going to leave me," Nick mutters, pushing Harry harder into the wall.

Harry's head is starting to ache, as his head is being forced into the wall. His throat is closing up, and his body is shaking. He closes his eyes, begging for something to wake up his mother. He's too terrified to yell. If he yells, Nick will without a doubt beat him to a pulp.

"Nick, just please,"

"What is it that's making you leave? No one could ever beat me. You're my princess," Nick places a hard, uncomfortable kiss on Harry's quivering lips

"I-I'm not,"

"Yes you are," Nick almost hisses

"I'm sorry. Please stop hurting me,"

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't beat the life out of you right now?"

"B-Because. I don't want to be hurt. Please,"

Harry cannot believe it. He's actually begging for his life right now. He would have had never even thought for a moment this would be the relationship just a few months ago. There's an overwhelming sense of relief when Harry can suddenly gasp for air as Nick lets go. But there isn't much hesitation as Nick's hand is on Harry's cheek in one swift and hard movement. It leaves Harry's cheek burning, and Harry crying even harder. Harry doesn't give an actual fuck if he wakes his mother up now. Because he can sense that he is going to be extremely hurt. If his mother doesn't find out now, she'd still find out in the morning.

"Stop hurting me!" Harry suddenly screeches, his voice ricocheting around the once silent house.

Nick places a hand over Harry's mouth, grunting to himself. Nick's even stronger when drunk, and before Harry can register it, he can feel Nick starting to tug at his pants. Harry wasn't going to win this fight this time. He couldn't move. He was paralyzed with fear and dread. He tries to make as much noise as possible, slamming his fist against the wall until he has to use it to try and push Nick off. Harry's pants are only halfway off when Harry's name is suddenly screamed from the doorway. Harry looks up through tear filled eyes and see's the outline of his mother. Nick looks terrified. It doesn't take long for Anne to realize what is happening right now, and she's set off. She screams at Nick, almost dragging him out the door. She basically pushes him down the stairs. Nick's still screaming at Harry, threatening the boy's life.

The next part Harry wishes he never heard. He wishes he wasn't alive to hear it. The part where Nick yells that all he's ever done was cheat on Harry from day one. And that's all he hears as the front door is slammed shut and Anne is rushing back to her son.

Harry has spent his entire morning in bed. He doesn't want to move, he doesn't want to talk and quite frankly he doesn't want to live. He doesn't sleep a wink that night as he cries into his pillow for hours. Anne won't ask questions, not until the morning when the feeling of trauma has passed. But there's no denying this type of emotional trauma he will never get over. Anne runs her fingers through her son's hair, trying to tell him that everything will be okay. It takes almost the entire day until Harry starts to speak. His green eyes are bloodshot and swollen, his nose bright red and he's hiccupping loudly. He can barely speak and his body trembles with anxiety.

"What happened last night? I need you to tell me everything,"

"I broke up with him, and then he just...he attacked me. I didn't want to wake you up. I-I'm sorry,"

"No, don't be sorry. Why did you break up with him?"

Harry scrunches his face up, forcing back another wave of tears and shakes his head. His voice comes out broken.

"You don't want to know Mum,"

"I need to know,"

"He's been hurting me, a lot. Physically. He's angry because I can't give him what he wants and when I refuse, he just forces it and attacks me. I-I couldn't' do it anymore. I just needed to leave. I was so terrified he was actually going to do it last night."

"Harry, why didn't you tell me? I let that son of a bitch in my house! No one should ever hurt you. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior. I noticed he was drunk last night, has he been doing that a lot recently?"

"Y-Yeah,"

Anne doesn't continue as Harry starts to fall apart again. She pulls her son close, biting back tears herself as Harry heaves for air between sobs. His body shaking and his voice broken beyond repair. She rubs his back, trying to summon words to soothe him. This happens for hours, until the phone rings and Harry has finally fallen into a silent slumber on his bed. She quickly jogs down the stairs and grabs the home line.

"Hello, Anne speaking,"

"Uh. Hi Anne, are you Harry Styles' mother?"

"Yes that's me. Is everything okay?" She leans against the door frame, frowning to herself

"Yes, I think so. I was just calling to make sure that he is okay. Yesterday, I became aware of a serious situation and I needed to know that he is safe and unharmed. I noticed he was absent today, and it concerned me,"

"He's at home with me. He'll be at school next week. What has he told you?"

"I'm concerned for his safety. He has disclosed to me about ending his relationship but scared of being hurt. He said he was currently being hurt,"

"I became aware of that in the early hours of this morning. I'm going to spend the weekend talking to him about it and finding out the full story. Thank you for calling and checking up, it means a lot. Thanks Mr..?" Anne trails off

"Tomlinson,"