Chapter 3

Louis could not sleep that night, too caught up in his brain that was taunting him for slipping Harry his number. Beautiful Harry. Louis groaned bringing his fist down in his pillow as a pout made its way on his lips.

Why couldn't he get lucky for once?

Louis certainly did not have luck with finding a partner that fitted him. Too clingy, too distant, too.. Sex craved and too distant, again.

In Harry's eyes he found the spark, the colour that he wanted to see every morning when he'd wake up.

That was another thing. Louis caught a liking in men too quickly. He fell in love quickly and with full force and he did think it was kind of a bad habit.

His blue eyes stared back up at the ceiling in his dark room while he chewed on his lip. He probably wouldn't see Harry again.. And he didn't know what the boy had that fascinated him so much (well, he did know) but he couldn't explain why he didn't even text Louis to tell him that he's not interested.

Did he expect too much?

Louis shook his head, groaning at the throbbing headache that was suddenly creeping from his temples to the centre of his head. It resulted in him getting up to throw a Paracetamol in, gulping it down with a lot of water and a bit of spluttering since he just.. Sucked at swallowing pills.

Louis grinned at that and giggled once, brushing his teeth again because he always had the bitter taste of the medicament in his mouth since he was too dumb to swallow it right on the first try and it would already start to dissolve.

A soft sigh left his mouth as he trotted back to his bed, pulling his grey sweater over his wrists and rubbed his eyes with the sleeves. He used to sleep in a sweater and plain boxers.

He cuddled down again, listening to the rain that was falling and hitting gently against his window. A sound that would calm him down immediately, finally cooing him into a sweet dream.

Harry, though, did not like the sound of rain. He didn't like the loud splashing sound of the rain drops, felt his chest always tighten, he didn't know why. Maybe it was because no one cared about Harry. He was left alone, no friends, his family turned away from him.

No, they didn't turn from him, Harry pushed them away. Like he did to everyone that came too close.

He whimpered a little as he remembered the hurtful words he said to his mother. And that's how he fell asleep. Whimpering, curled into a ball while sadness washing over him like a wave that crashed mercilessly down against broken rocks.

~

Harry couldn't take a step out of the house because there was a blooming hand-shaped red bruise on his cheek. At some point, he got used to have his body covered in bruises. Maybe he would even find his body not normal if they wouldn't be there.

Harry blinked in the mirror and returned to brush his teeth, spitting the toothpaste out and groaned as he twisted his face, causing pain to shoot through his left cheek.

Will was strong. A boxer, to be honest. He was the one who had a job, demanding Harry to quit his music career. Singing used to be the thing that Harry loved. It helped him, the music made him free and happy.

But Will wanted Harry to be depended on him, and Harry did as he was told because he thought that Will only wanted his best.

Harry fell in love with him a few months ago, a bit over a year now actually. In his mind he still loved him. He didn't notice Will's influence till it was too late and he was already caught in a darkness that wouldn't let go of him ever again.

Harry's forest green eyes moved over to a picture in a small medallion he had on a necklace. It was open, showing him and his sister Gemma. She was graduating.. With him having an arm around her and sticking his tongue out.

He didn't like remembering. It made him sad.

He teared his gaze off, hiding the picture back under his mattress and smiled a little, pushing his hand through his hair and laid back down on his bed. He was tired.

~ a week later ~

"No no no! The pumpkin spice latte, please" Louis rolled his eyes, a soft blush appearing on his cheek at the curious gaze of the lady behind the counter. Did she have potatoes on her ears?

"Grande, please." Louis nodded and watched the woman finally make the right coffee for him. His mouth already watered. He loved the Fall time.. Halloween was just awesome! Dressing up scary, having little children come up to the door all cute. "Trick or treat!"

It reminded him of his own childhood, he used to go as a vampire and walk around with his best friend Niall. It was always such fun. Carving pumpkins with him, giggling as they ran from house to house. It brought a grin up to his lips.

"Thanks!" He happily paid and wrapped his cold small hands around his warm coffee, getting that paper thing and wrapped it around his Pumpkin flavoured coffee so he wouldn't burn his hands.

"erm.. I'd just have a.. Normal coffee?"Louis heard a deep low raspy voice behind him, one that he heard somewhere already. His eyes went wide. Harry. He turned around slowly looking up to a confused looking tall curly haired lad. That apparently didn't have a clue of Starbucks at all.

"We have different flavours as well! You really have to try out that Caramel Frappucchino blended beverage! Or Java Chips .." The lady behind the counter started to ramble and Harry's eyes went wide. He just wanted a coffee.

"Uh.. Do you have a Latte Macchiato?" He swallowed softly, tugging on the hem of his sweater. His curls looked so soft today..

"Of course! Flavoured with Caramel? Cacao?" Harry slowly shook his head. Why wasn't he able to just get a stinky normal coffee.

"No, just a normal coffee without any extra, please. Could I have a slice of that cheesecake though? It looks pretty good.." His raspy voice spoke up again causing Louis heart to skip a beat.

The lady nodded quickly, turning to get his order done. Meanwhile Louis stepped up to him, cheeks blushing adorably as the woman turned back to him.

"I'll pay!" He said quickly, handing her the money and caused Harry to flinch in surprise.

"Louis?" He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and if he wouldn't be so baffled, he would have never let Louis pay for him. But he already got his change back and Harry did not want to make a scene in front of everyone. Louis took his food and just cheekily sat down on a round table in a corner of the Starbuck's coffee shop, glancing up at Harry.

"Uh.." He caught Harry off guard. He never expected to meet Louis here, or to generally meet anyone here.

"Please sit?" Louis called softly, his eyes sparkled and Harry scratched his neck once before he walked over to the taller lad, settling down and staring at his cake. He probably shouldn't eat it.

"How are you?" Louis soft voice chirped up again and if he was being honest with himself, he missed it. How was he? Harry hated that question. People never meant it. It was casual small talk, they never were interested in how you really feel. Yet, Louis' full attention was on him. He literally glowed, something Harry was jealous of. He had that glow once..

"Good." He said quietly, wrapping a hand around his coffee and brought it up to his lip, whining as he took a sip and burnt his tongue. His fingers were also hurting, because he forget to grab that paper thing. Was there even a name for it? Saves-you-from-burning-your-fingers-holder? Harry snorted before he watched Louis get up.

"I'll fetch you one!" And before Harry could say something his tiny feet moved causing Harry to shift. He didn't like people doing things for him.

"Thanks.." He muttered softly, giving Louis a small smile as he wrapped the paper thingy around his coffee.

"Weird, I don't even know how they're called.." Louis mumbled causing Harry to blush.

"Me neither.." He said softly and took a bite from the Strawberry cheesecake, his eyes fluttering because the taste is amazing.

"Since you don't like telling me how you really feel, I start?" Louis smiled kindly, delicate little fingers draped around his coffee, bringing it up to his lips and then he took a sip.

It smelled like pumpkin. Fall. Louis.

Harry just nodded dumbfounded.

"I'm kinda tired to be honest", Louis said softly, eyes focused on Harry's "not a lot of people come to the book shop and it does get a little boring from time to time" his cheeks flushed. "And I can't sleep lately because there's a thing bugging me. What I'm going to be on Halloween" he flicked an eyebrow up and took another sip, an adorable hum followed.

Harry's pupils broadened. Halloween. He used to walk around with Gemma, walking from door to door to repeat the same sentence over and over again. Trick or treat! They wouldn't return until nothing more would fit in their bag.

"Well what do you like the most? Dracula or Frankenstein.. Freddy from Nightmare on Elmstreet?" Harry suggested bluntly and it took Louis breath away. It was just the first time he really answered to one of his questions.

"Dracula, I think. I loved to go as a vampire while I was a kid" he smiled widely, revealing the crinkles by his eyes.

"I do like Dracula as well.." Harry nodded and smiled shyly. Not that it would matter.

"Oh really? We should totally meet up and watch it some time" Louis threw Harry a cheeky wink. Harry's throat felt dry. But he didn't mention Will. He couldn't explain it to himself. He just didn't want to poison this moment with his darkness.

"Don't they have like a little screen at the book shop? With a projector?" Harry raised an eyebrow up and smiled as Louis started to nod wildly.

"Yes! We should totally do that there.." He grinned and nodded quickly "Ah, by the way did you finish Harry Potter?" Louis asked curiously as he watched Harry chew on his strawberry cheesecake, his jaw muscles contracting.

"Yes!" Harry nodded quickly, curls bouncing. It was like Louis turned off that meanie in his head. The mean voice. "I loved it.. I spent one entire night reading it through and couldn't place it out of my hands it stuck to it like glue" Harry bit down on his lip as he moved his eyes up to Louis'.

His were sparkling. "I know that.. And I love it" he was smiling, soft cheeks blushing. Harry dug in his cake again, finishing up the last bit until he wrapped his hands back around his coffee, taking another small sip and hummed in content. Right temperature.

"It was really nice meeting you here, Harry" Louis said softly causing cheeks to pink a little. "I was wondering why you didn't text me but I shouldn't have been so pushy" he cleared his throat awkwardly "I mean.. A-a guy like you must be happily in love with a girl?" He was careful now. He didn't want to upset Harry, who just furrowed his brows though.

"No I'm.. I'm into guys actually." Harry shrugged.

To him, his sexuality was never a big thing. He liked boys and that was it. Will was possessive.. He wouldn't enjoy seeing Harry here. Having social contacts.

"Really?" Louis voice was high pitched again and it made Harry chuckle before his phone vibrated and he looked down at it quickly

Will: I'm home in an hour. Better be there if you don't want to repeat last week, sweet cheeks x - W

A frown came upon his face. "I've got to go." He was moving quickly now, gathering his Starbuck's together because he needed to get to his car and drive back. He was hoping there'd be no traffic today.

"Oh.. It was very nice" Louis smiled happily "so we're having that Dracula night, yeah?" Harry laughed softly and nodded.

"We do." He was going to text Louis. Even if he wasn't be able to be in a relationship with him (why would Louis want Harry as well) he may find a good friend in him. And this all was a thrill to Harry that set a tiny spark in him alive again.