counter culture// l.s || bdsm

chapter nine

As Anne walked inside, she said "Oh and Harry, I have a surprise for y-"

"Gemma," Harry was nearly squealing, seeing his incredibly pregnant sister sitting on the couch. Louis was shocked at how he was so happy.

"Oh, you're so big, Gem! How's the baby? Is he well? Did you pick out a name?" Harry was smothering her, trying to help her stand from the couch while also hugging her.

"Get off of me, you loaf! The baby is fine, and you're being ridiculous."

Harry helped her stand up fully before leaving her alone, staring at her in shock and admiration. He was burning with questions about Gemma since he hadn't seen her in months.

"Since my brother is so rude and won't introduce us, I'm Gemma. You must be Louis." Gemma waddled over time Louis, who was still awkwardly standing by the door alone. She gave him a tight hug, and smiled at him genuinely.

"Alright, Haz, I know you're bursting with questions for Gem. Louis, why don't you come help me with dinner in the kitchen? We're just making steak and potatoes," Anne proposed.

Louis looked to Harry who nodded at him sternly before switching back to his happy self with Gemma. It confused him but he looked to Anne as if there was no issue.

"Yes ma'am, that sounds fine." He accepted, following her into the kitchen.

Their kitchen wasn't as large as Harry's but it was a nice size; Louis could tell Anne liked to cook. The decor wasn't minimal, it was practical and Louis liked it more than the kitchen at home. At least you could tell someone lived in Anne's house. At home, everything had a place and everything was hidden away from people. It was endearing to see cereal on top of the fridge and a toaster that didn't get put away after every use.

As Louis peeled potatoes, Anne prepared the steaks, trimming the fat from them and seasoning them well. She put them into a short marinade and placed them in the fridge. Louis was starting to cut the potatoes before he finally felt comfortable enough to ask about Niall.

"Ma'am?" Louis didn't know what to call her. He knew what her name was, but he didn't know if she was Mrs. Styles. He didn't guess so; Harry never talked about his father. Harry hadn't told him anything about his parents other than the rules he needed to follow.

"Oh sweetie, you can call me Anne." Anne was nice. Louis liked Anne.

"Sorry, Anne, I was just wondering if you could clear some things up for me..." Louis knew that Anne thought Harry had already told him everything there was to know about Niall, Harry's ex. He knew he would have to be selective with his questions or she would realize he didn't know as much as he was letting on.

Anne just smiled at him, giving him the silent invitation to ask whatever he was thinking. Louis took a breath, building his confidence before he finally, "Harry told me about Niall, but only about him leaving. I just...Harry has these mood swings sometimes and I know that it's because of Niall but I don't understand how to fix them."

Anne thought for a moment, Louis continuing to cut the potatoes into chunks so Anne could boil and mash them. He knew if Anne looked into his eyes, she would know he was lying. He didn't know anything about Niall, only that Harry had a rough past with him and he left Harry, but even with that he knew basically nothing.

"Well, Harry first took his test when he was 18. He was excited. He knew he was a dominant and he knew he wanted a girl submissive. When Harry got Niall, he was devastated, talked about how he could never fall in love with a boy. But then he did, he dropped all of his prejudices and gave himself away to Niall. And Niall was nice at the beginning. Classic sub; shy, quiet. Then there was this manipulating side of him, he would make Harry stay home while he went out, claimed it was because "that's just what submissives do for their masters." Harry didn't know any better, he wasn't talking to any of us because Niall had him wrapped around his finger. He never left the house, was closed off from the world, and lost his career because of it. I think he got so shut out by everyone except for Niall that when Niall left, his world came crumbling down."

Louis took a moment to process Anne's information. He didn't know Niall was such a bad person, only assumed Harry fell out of love with him and left it at that.

"So Harry is moody now because Niall left him? Does that mean he's still in love with Niall?"

"Oh absolutely not. Harry just...well he..." Anne took a moment. "Harry didn't know how to love anymore. He knew that if Niall's type of love was what love was, he simply didn't want it. He withdrew his application with the services and left them dormant. He didn't want anyone else, until I convinced him to go back and that was after 2 years of losing Niall."