the nightingale

Chapter Seven

Louis woke up in excruciating pain. His legs and thighs were burning. His mind went back to last night.

Scott had pulled out his belt on him. It had been months since he's hit him with it. Louis didn't even remember what he did. But Scott hit him over and over again, especially on his legs and thighs. Louis could feel the welts pressing up against his sleep pants. He absolutely hated the belt. The slap against skin sent him over the edge. He would cry out with every blow, which he hated since he never wanted to give Scott the satisfaction. He would rather be beat with the belt anyway. It was less painful than Scott's hard punches and kicks to the ribs.

Scott went to work without saying a word to Louis.

Louis got dressed weakly and watered his plants sadly. He left to go to the bakery all gloomy, sad, and hurt.

It wasn't anything new, but every time it happened, it wounded Louis deeply.

When Louis walked in slowly, as if in pain, Harry quickly picked up on it.

Louis smiled sadly at him, and ordered his normal order.

"Hi, Lou," Harry said with a worried glance. "How are you doing?"

Louis sniffed and put on a fake smile. "Good. What about you?"

"I'm okay," Harry said and gave Louis his food. "You going to stay for a bit?"

Louis thought about it, but remembered how tired he felt. He was in so much pain. He needed rest. Louis felt terrible. He prayed Harry wouldn't ask too many questions.

"I'm sorry. I'm — I'm a bit tired today," Louis mumbled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Harry."

Louis went to walk out, but Harry caught up with him. There wasn't any other customers in there thankfully.

"Hey... What is it?" Harry asked and touched Louis' shoulder comfortably.

Louis flinched and shook his head. He struggled to keep his crying in check.

"Do you want to talk about it? Would you like some tea?"

He was so nice to him. Why was he so nice?

Louis shook his head tearfully and shrugged. His legs were shaking. He tried to stop them but he couldn't. He squeezed his thighs together every so often.

Harry finally put two and two together. He realized that this was the second time he was walking funny in the morning. He figured Scott, his boyfriend, injured him down there.

"Would you like a hug?" Harry asked softly, opening up his arms for him. 

Louis thought about it. It's been a long time since someone hugged him. He hasn't seen his mother in months and Scott rarely shows him affection anymore.

So he nodded. He'll take a hug from Harry Styles.

Harry brought him slowly towards his chest and hugged him tight. Louis relaxed. Harry hugged him so gently but safe at the same time. That's exactly how he felt... Safe.

"There's an upstairs. Inside, I mean. We can go there and we can talk. I'd only be us, I promise," Harry told him gently. "You can talk to me. About anything. I won't judge."

Louis licked his lips. What if Scott came in and saw him talking to Harry? He reminded himself Scott was at work.

Scott's at work. He's at work. Scott's at work.

Louis thought about it. He nodded subtly.

Louis had the sudden urge to tell him everything. But he couldn't. He probably wouldn't believe him anyway. He'd laugh at him. He'd make fun and call him weak.