Summer love

2- Stubborn but in need of help

Suggested by thetea13 ♥️

Louis manages to get dressed fueled by anger. He feels humiliated. He was just supposed to steal Harry's jewelry and get away with it so he could sell it and get something to eat, maybe a bed to sleep in at a shelter or a sleazy Hotel. Instead, Harry knows now that he's a homeless loser.

He gets up from the bed and Harry doesn't say a word. He just sighs. Louis jumps on one leg towards the door. He managed to get downstairs on pure stubbornness. He sways away Harry's helping hand. When he reached the front door he's covered in sweat and he's exhausted. When was the last time he ate? He can't remember.

His leg is shaking and he doesn't say goodbye before he opens the door and Harry doesn't try and stop him. So much for wanting him to work here. Harry just tries to look like a fucking saint.

He steps out and it's pouring outside. Really fucking great! He manages to get outside the gate but then all his strength disappears and he sits down with his back against the fence, trying to catch his breath.

He's already soaked. He's gonna catch pneumonia. There's no way he can find shelter somewhere close. He wants to cry so badly but before his tears start to roll down his cheeks Harry stands next to him with an umbrella.
"Please come back inside. Stay until your leg is healed at least. You're just skin and bones Lou. You're going to get sick. Don't be so damn stubborn."

Louis stares at him. His teeth are already shattering. He can't stay out here. He's hungry and tired and he knows that Harry's right so he gives in. "Fine." He agrees reluctantly.

Harry immediately helps him to get up and supports him while they make their way back to the mansion. He takes him upstairs to the same bedroom he woke up in but brings him to the bathroom.
"I'm gonna draw you a bath Lou." Harry says.

"I have a fucking cast." Louis mutters. His whole body is shaking from coldness.

"I'll help you get in. Just keep the leg outside. Here, you can lay it on this stool." Harry suggests while he runs a bath.

A bath sounds heavenly. Louis can't remember the last time he had one but he still hesitates. That means that Harry has to see him naked. Harry seems to understand why he's so reluctant to get undressed.
"Oh, come on. I've seen you naked before. It's no big deal."

"Please don't remind me." Louis grunts and Harry looks hurt and Louis feels like such an asshole.

Their summer together is one of the best times in his life. The aftermath of it was brutal tho. He knows deep down that it's not Harry's fault but he has to blame someone. The hate has helped him survive on the streets. Without it, he doesn't know who he is. It has become a part of his life, the one thing that fueled him to not just give up.

He takes off his hoodie and removes his sweats carefully. He takes off his socks and hesitates before he pulls down the boxers as well, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Harry seems to hesitate as well so he glares at him angrily.
"Am I just gonna stand here or what?"

That makes Harry spring into action. He pushes the stool closer to the bathtub and helps Louis get inside. It's not pretty or graceful but they manage somehow. Harry helps him put his injured leg on the stool before he leaves the bathroom.

Louis leans back and rests his head on the edge with his eyes closed. The warm water makes wonders for his frozen limbs. He has forgotten how wonderful a warm bath can be.

He soaks for a good twenty minutes before he opens his eyes and looks around. He finds shampoo and conditioner and some body wash. He opens the bottle of soap and starts to clean himself. He grabs a washcloth and scrubs his skin from the layer of dirt he has collected since his last wash-up. Being homeless doesn't exactly help your personal hygiene.

He shampoos his hair and looks for a way to rinse it. The shower hose is hanging on the wall and he lets out a bunch of swearing words. He doesn't want to wash it in the dirty bathwater. It's not like he can scooch down enough to do it anyway.

He pulls the plug and waits for the water to disappear. When Harry comes into the bathroom with a fresh set of clothes he's trying to stand up.
"Woah! Take it easy Lou."

Harry sets the pile of clothes on the sink and reaches for the shower hose and turns it on. He checks the temperature before he starts to rinse Louis's hair.

Louis mumbles a lame protest but Harry doesn't listen. He grabs the bottle of conditioner instead and squirts a fair amount in his palm before he divides it in Louis's hair, making sure to massage his scalp with his fingertips. Louis can't help it. He closes his eyes and relaxes. No one has touched him in years and he secretly craves it even if it's Harry. Harry washes his hair once more.

Louis opens his eyes again when Harry turns off the water. Harry helps him to stand up and supports him while he gives him a towel to cover up himself. Louis wraps it around his waist and Harry helps him get out from the bathtub.

Harry leaves so he can get dressed in private which he appreciates. He dries himself with the towel and takes a look in the mirror. He drags a hand over his stomach and looks down on his ribcage that's really prominent. He can feel how hungry he is but he has gotten excellent at ignoring it. He gets dressed with a sigh and he has just pulled the sweatshirt over his head when there's a soft knock on the door.
"Yeah?"

"Are you decent?" Harry asks.

Louis scratches his untamed beard. He really needs to shave.
"Yes."

Harry comes inside the bathroom again and helps him get to the bed. A tray with chicken noodle soup is placed on the nightstand and Louis's stomach growls from the delicious smell.
"I thought you might be hungry." Harry says softly as he helps him to sit down on the bed.

Louis leans against a pile of pillows and Harry moves the tray to his lap. Louis immediately starts to eat but forces himself to take it slow considering his stomach isn't used to food.

Harry watches him in silence and Louis looks up at him.
"Are you gonna stare at me while I eat?"

Harry looks emotional.
"No, I'll leave you alone. Just call if you need anything. I'll be close by."

"Why are you so fucking nice to me?" Louis shouts as he leaves.

Harry turns around in the doorway.
"Because I kept my promise and I haven't forgotten what we had."

What happens next?

How can Harry live In a mansion by himself at age 18?