The son of Harry Styles {EN}

Chapter 45

Two days later

Claire

In an hour, Silas will be here. I'm so nervous. Sara and Robin went to the park with Merlin. I thought it best to love Merlin and Silas. I don't know how I'm going to react when Silas gets here right now. I loved him, well, I still love him. It will never change. While I'm making tea, the bell rings. Shit, he's here. He's too early, I notice.

"Hello," I say. "Hey, I hear him say. What? That's not Silas, this is Niall. Shit.

"Niall?" Hi. What are you doing here?" I ask confused.

'I th-think we should talk pre-talk. About that one night,' he says nervously.

"Right, but can you do that another time?" I ask. "I'll have a guest later," I say.

"I see. Could it be that it's Silas?" he asks. How does he know that?

"He's standing right here next to me in case you're wondering how I know," he says. I can hear from his voice that he's annoyed.

"Yes, it's Silas," I say. This isn't going well.

"I'll go. See you later,' he says. His voice sounds bitter. He's obviously not yet about the things Silas has done.

"Niall?" I ask.

"No, he's gone," Silas says. Silas.

'Silas...' I say sighing.

"Hi," he says. "May I," he begins, but I interrupt him. "Yes, come," I say, and open the door. Soon he's at the door.

He looks different. How can a month change a human being? He's got puffiness. He doesn't sleep enough anymore. Does he have to work too much? He generally looks less happy than he used to. The twinkle in his eyes are gone. He sees me staring at him, but he's staring at me, too.

"You look good," he says. "As always," he adds, whispering.

'You, looks...' I'm starting. "I know, I don't look good," he says before I can finish my sentence.

"How did it happen?" I ask. "You're not here," he says, looking at his feet. I don't know what to say. I looked bad when he was just gone, too. Hell, I still feel bad. This is more difficult than thought. First Niall who suddenly stands here and then Silas who looks bad. This conversation between us will not proceed without tears.

"Do you want to freshen up differently?" Maybe take a quick shower after such a long flight,' I suggest to him.

"Yes, maybe it is. I'm going to get other clothes out of my trapies soon,' he says. "Where do you think you're going to stay, because there's still room here," I ask.

"Maybe it's okay if I stay with Uncle Sam," he says, somewhat awkwardly. I nod and then he goes to the bathroom. It's so strange to see him walking back here.

Meanwhile, I'm getting a message from Niall.

Niall: Are you back with Silas?

Claire: No, why?

Niall: Just.

Just? Okay, this is weird.

Claire: ??

He's not sending anything back. What was this about?

Eventually, Silas is done showering. He looks better. His hair is better, and he looks more awake.

"Hi," he says. "Hi," I say, laughing.

"Where is Merlin?" he asks. "Sara and Robin are out with it," I say, "That's how we can talk." I'm going to give him a cup of tea, which I was already making, and we're going to sit in the seat.