Chapter 53: Gone

Present

When Harry arrives at the hospital, he immediately sees Niall at the desk. The blonde is throwing his hands up in the air, looking panicked and frustrated. The worried boy walks over slowly, still crying from earlier. Arthur had calmed him down and drove him, but couldn't get the tears to stop falling completely. He had asked Harry if he wanted him to come in with him, and gave him a hug when Harry refused, telling him to call when he was ready for pick up.

When Niall turns around to leave the desk, he spots Harry and gives him a small, tight smile. "Hi, mate." Harry can see the tears in Niall's eyes, as well as the blood shots that fill the whites of them.

"Is-is he?" Harry chokes out and Niall steps forward, taking Harry's hand in his own and leading him to another room. A waiting room. It's empty besides from the two, it's clear and white. Nothing cozy or comforting about it.

"He has gone for tests. He is awake. He will be okay, Harry. I am sure of it," Niall rubs at Harry's back, unsure of how to react to Harry's struggle. "Thank you for looking after him until the ambulance got there. I can't imagine what would have happened if he was alone." Harry covers his face with his hands, taking some deep breaths as he nods to what Niall is saying. "He loves you, Harry," Niall whispers and feels Harry tense under his hand.

"Do you want anything from the cafe downstairs? I might get a coffee to keep me up..." Niall frowns, but fakes a smile and shakes his head. Harry scampers off, eyes wide, and hands pulling at his sweater nervously.

He arrives at the cafe after an elevator lift and buys a strong coffee, sipping it as soon as he receives it, struggling to stay awake as is, and wanting to cure that quickly. Harry also looks around the gift shop and buys Louis a pink flower, one that he thinks the boy would like. He feels kind of silly, especially since they are barely on talking terms, but can't bring himself to discard of the item before reaching back to Niall.

The doctor is talking to the blonde, and Harry slightly overhears the conversation about letting Louis have a minutes rest before going in to see him. Harry watches Niall agree and slows down his walking, waiting for the doctor to leave before getting too close.

"What did he say? Is Lou okay?" Harry rushes out, heart pumping in his chest. Niall sits down and smiles up at Harry, nodding and patting the seat beside him. Harry sits on the navy blue plastic that crackles harshly when he sits.

"He has had some tests done, they are still waiting for results. But, he is up and talking—even joking, the doctor said..." Harry purses his lips to hold a smile from being shown on his features. They sit in silence for a moment, Harry sipping on his coffee as Niall glances down at the flower, a knowing look on his face. "I might go home and get Louis some clothes... Would you go in and see him first when the doctor gives the okay? I don't want him to be alone longer than necessary."

Harry suddenly feels his insides shiver with nerves, but he agrees, eyes watching as Niall walks away.

-*-

"You can go see him whenever." The doctor gives Harry a smile and Harry stands immediately, stumbling quickly to the door that leads to Louis' room. What if Louis didn't want him there? With a shaky hand, Harry brings his fist to the white door, gently knocking on it, feeling it would be weird to just walk in.

"Come in," he hears Louis croak and Harry sniffles a little. He pushes the door open and Louis looks over at him. The smaller sits up straighter, hospital gown drowning his thin body. Harry lets out a sob and Louis tilts his head.

"Haz? What's wrong, Angel?" Louis blurts out as Harry nears him. He can tell Harry is trying not to cry, but failing to do so and it makes Louis' heartache. The next action Louis doesn't expect. Harry falls into his arms, sobbing against his chest. He drops the flower on Louis' bed, and Louis sees it, pouting at how cute the gesture is.

Louis scrambles to wrap his arms around the boy, holding him tightly. "It's okay." He whispers, pushing his hands through Harry's curls. His fingers stop when feeling a scar. The scar. Louis shudders and closes his eyes, feeling an overwhelming amount of guilt. He put that scar on Harry's body... He put all of them.

Harry stills and pulls back. He slumps himself down in the chair and wipes his eyes, skin sore and red from the amount of times he had done that recently.

"I'm sorry," is muttered from Harry as he stares down at his hands.

"No reason to be," Louis tells him gently.

"You scared me."

"I am sorry." Harry smiles softly, tearful eyes looking up at Louis, who lays with his head lolled towards him.

"I'm glad you are okay."

Just as Louis is about to speak again, the doctor walks in, a clipboard held against his stomach, a soft smile on his face. "Sorry to interrupt... Would I be able to speak to Louis alone, please? It won't take long..."

"No." Harry's head turns to Louis. He watches the boy narrow his eyes at the doctors and then soften as he glances at Harry. "I want him to stay here. It can't be that serious. I want him here with me, please." The doctor looks unsure as Harry reaches over to hold Louis' hand, causing Louis' heart to flutter.

"Louis... We have run some tests and some of the results have come up a little unusual. It seems your body hasn't been getting enough nutrients." The doctor pauses and Harry shifts uncomfortably. "We have noticed you are extremely underweight, as well..."

Louis shakes his head quickly, a nervous laugh falling from his lips. He glances at Harry and Louis pulls a confused look, offering him a mere shrug. "May I ask some questions about your diet?"

"I'd like to go home, please," Louis turns to his attention to Harry, fully this time, eyes full of pain and fear. "Please take me home, Harry," his voice is dripping in panic and Harry squeezes his hand reassuringly.

"Lou... I think you should—you should listen to the doctor."

"I eat like any bloody normal person!" Louis growls out darkly and Harry flinches and is quick to try and move away, fearful of Louis when seeing him yell like when they were younger. Louis is quick to notice this and holds onto Harry's hand, rubbing his thumb over the skin.

"Wasn't talking to you, H."

"We'd like you to see a therapist," the doctor interrupts, tapping a pen against the clipboard, looking slightly impatient. Harry grits his teeth. 

"What the fuck," Louis breathes out, deflating against the pillow. "Please, just—leave!" Louis covers his face with his free arm, chest heaving with deep breaths.

The doctor opens his mouth to say something, but Harry speaks up. "Please leave. I'll talk to him, but having you in the room won't help." The man glances at Louis' hyperventilating self and bites his lip, before moving to leave. Harry, still with Louis' hand in his own, moves closer to Louis, sitting on the bed next to the now-crying boy. "Louis... Don't cry, love. We can work this out."

"We can't." Louis mumbles, moving his arm to look at Harry. "Harry—you don't understand." Louis stares ahead, small body trembling. "He-he... Stan." Louis curls in on himself, bringing his legs to his chest and pressing his face against his knees.

"We can get you help, Lou. I can hook you up with a therapist through work, I'll pay for it. Even just talking about it might help..." Harry tries desperately, large hand running down Louis' back, gliding against Louis' spine that sticks our dreadfully. "Just try... For me? What happened tonight will happen again. It will get worse. I can't see that happen to you, Louis. You are too important."

Louis snorts. "I deserve this. I hurt you so bad, Harry. Mentally and physically." Louis looks at him, eyes watery. "You once told me that you hope the people who bullied you now had a bad life," Louis smiles sadly. "You got your wish."

"I didn't mean—"

"Isn't Arthur in town?... You should go spend time with him," Louis rests his chin on his knees. "He is nice. Perfect for you. He deserves you."

"Louis, I don't know what you are talking about."

"I don't belong here, Harry. I can't be around someone like you. I can't let myself hurt you again. I won't."

"I know you won't. You are different."

"You don't know that. I'm the same person."

"I don't believe that."

"Deep down you do. Deep down you know that we aren't meant for each other. You know that I am better off... Gone." The look on Louis' face conveys nothing but seriousness and Harry gulps audibly. He moves his hand to Louis' cheek and wipes away tears.

"I'll look after you, darling. Whatever you need to make you feel better, you tell me, okay?"

"Is it possible..." Louis' voice dies down and Harry motions for him to continue. "Do you think you could get me a hotel for tonight? I can't face Niall. Not tonight anyway."

"Come stay with me?" Harry rushes out before his brain catches up to his mouth. Louis' jaw drops a little, and he begins shaking his head. "I have a big house, plenty of room. Arthur is in the guest room, but there are three others. I want you to stay with me, please."

Louis ponders what Harry says, looking over the boys face, that is full of nothing but honesty. "Okay."

A/N: Hi darlings! How are you? A bit of self-promo: I have four new books coming out when I hit 4k followers! So if you are interested in checking them out, they'll be on my account (hopefully) soon. (Prom Queen will be very similar to this story!)

- Did you enjoy this chapter?

- What do you think of the results?

- Thoughts on Harry finding out?

- Do you think it is a good idea for Louis to stay at Harry's? Why/why not?

- What do you think will happen at Harry's house?

- What do you think will happen next?

Please leave me some comments! This chapter is longer than usual and took a lot more effort! And have a great day/night! xo