Hi! This is a shorter one. It takes place right after Louis is given the news his mom had died. I hope you enjoy! (I cried writing it so have fun).

And I listened to Human by Christa Perri while writing it, completely by coincidence, but it fits well and makes it sadder if you feel like crying.

Word Count: 1248

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of death, self-harm

It took a while for the news to sink in, and once it did, it hit him like a ton of bricks. "No," he whispered. "No, this isn't happening. This isn't real." His eyes filled with tears. "Nononono,"

He barely registered Harry's hand on his arm, barely registered the hug. He barely noticed the tears. All he could feel was pain. It took over him, making him numb to the world.

"It's not real," he whispered. "This is all just a bad dream."

"Louis," Harry said voice quivering. "She's really gone."

He struggled from Harry's grip. "They're lying. It's not true," he said over and over. He looked around, a frantic look in his eyes.

"Louis stop, you're scaring me."

Louis ran.

Harry found him sitting atop a hill, his arms wrapped around himself as he cried.

Harry put a hand on his shoulder and Louis shook him off. "Go away!" he yelled. "I don't need you!"

Harry turned hurt shining in his already tear-filled eyes. He looked over his shoulder as he ran, waiting for Louis to come after him. To say he was sorry and he really does need him. But he never did.

He waited all night for Louis to come back. He waited as the sun rose and lit up the sky. He waited as breakfast and lunch and soon dinner faded away. He waited. But he never came. Never came home. It didn't really feel like home anymore.

...

Days passed. 

Harry spent his time pacing by the front door. He waited and waited for Louis to come home, growing more worried by the minute.

He was angry at himself. If only he could have done something, anything, to make her better, so this mess never happened. To make him happy. If he had been better, then maybe he wouldn't have ever run away. He wished he could have been better at protecting what he loved most. But he wasn't. He wasn't. And now all that he loved was gone. Out the door. Telling him he didn't need him.

Harry just wanted him back. Needed him back. Needed him safe.

A million possibilities ran through his mind.

What if he had gotten hit by a car? Eaten by a bear? Overdosed? Smoked too much and his lungs gave out? Died of alcohol poisoning? What if he- what if he found a bridge and-

'No,' Harry told himself. 'Don't think about that.'

He ran to the phone, dialing Zayn's number.

"Harry," Zayn said. "What's up?"

Harry choked back a sob.

"Harry?"

"Is he with you?"

"What? Louis? No, he's not here."

"He's gone. I tried following, but he shook me off, told me he didn't need me."

"Harry are you-"

"I thought maybe he would cool off a bit, and come home. Zayn, he hasn't. He hasn't come home. I'm scared."

"I'm on my way. Have you called the others?"

"No, I haven't. I will once-"

"Harry, I'll call them. Stay where you are. We're coming."

Zayn went to hang up.

"Wait!" Harry said. "Could you stay on the line, please? I just need to know someone's there."

"I have to call the others, but I promise that as soon as I do, I will call you back. Or I can have Niall call you when I get off with him."

"Please," Harry said, his voice cracking. "I want someone to hold me."

"We'll be there soon," Zayn said. "I love you."

Harry couldn't even bring himself to say it back.

"Harry," Liam said, opening the door. He rushed over, pulling Harry into a hug. "Oh Haz, I'm so sorry." 

Harry let out a sob, clinging to him.

"I'm scared. What if he's not okay. What if he's in some sort of trouble and I'm not there to help him."

"It's gonna be okay," Liam said soothingly. "We're going to go look for him. Do you want to come?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't- I don't want to scare him off. He'll probably react better to you guys."

"Harry, I think you're what he needs most right now."

This triggered a fresh round of tears.

"No," he sniffed. "If you find him and he doesn't want to see me, I don't want him to run off again. I can't take that risk. I'd rather know he was safe with one of you, than out there on his own." 

"Okay," Liam said. "Do want someone to stay with you?"

Harry nodded.

"Okay. As soon as Niall and Zayn get here, we'll have Niall stay with you while Zayn and I go out and look, okay?"

Harry nodded again, burying his face into Liam's neck.

When Niall arrived, he immediately pulled Harry into a hug, while Liam and Zayn headed to the door, their coats never having left their bodies.

Niall guided Harry to the couch, sitting down. Harry attached himself to him. He had always had a tendency to cling, but usually Louis was there to be clung to.

"I'm scared, Niall," Harry whispered against him.

"I know," Niall said softly. "I know."

The second Liam and Zayn stepped through the door, Harry ran to them. 

"Did you find him? he asked.

They shook their heads.

"I'm really sorry, Harry," Liam said, "We couldn't find him."

Harry looked down at the floor, his eyes filling with tears again.

"Come home, Lou," he whispered. "I need you."

...

Weeks passed.

Harry had barely eaten, barely slept. He just waited. He was scared out of his mind. If anything had happened to Louis- anything at all- he couldn't go on. He was already so close to shutting down. If Louis was gone...

The boys came around every once in a while to check in on him. They made him food, begged him to eat something. Begged him to talk to them. To tell them he was okay. That he was going to be okay.

None of them had heard anything from Louis, and it was killing them all slowly. But Harry- they were barely hanging on to him. They were close to losing him too.

...

Months passed.

Louis still hadn't returned. 

Harry wouldn't talk to anyone. His mother. His sister. He friends. He wouldn't let anyone help him. Wouldn't let anyone touch him. 

He just wanted his Louis safe.

He had started cutting. Harsh red scars littered his arms, his hips, his thighs. 

"You should have been there," he told himself. "You could have helped him. Made sure he didn't run. And now he's gone."

Tears slipped down his cheeks for the millionth time. The feeling was so familiar he almost didn't notice it.

...

One day a knock sounded at the door.

Harry opened the door to find Louis standing with a tear-stained face.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I know it's been months, but please just listen to what I have to say. I know I hurt you. I didn't mean what I said. I do need you. I'm sorry. I love you."

Harry stared. "I needed you. I needed you and you left. Do you have any idea how scared I was?"

"I know. I'm sorry. I was so afraid of not being able to protect you. I was scared of being the one in need of protection. I know I messed up. I understand if you can never forgive me. But do you think maybe one day we could try again?"

Harry kissed him.

It was filled with passion and love and hope. Eventually, they pulled away, resting their foreheads against each other. "I would run to you in a heartbeat, Lou," Harry said breathlessly. "I need you. I love you."

"I love you."

I hope you liked it! This wasn't my best, I feel like it was lacking plot a bit, but definitely not my worst.

Have a lovely day/night! Take care of yourselves!

I love you all so much <333

-Addie