Harry sat at the kitchen table, his hands clasped tightly around a mug of now-cold tea. Louis was across from him, scrolling absentmindedly through his phone, completely unaware of the emotional turmoil tearing Harry apart inside.
The words had been circling in Harry's mind all morning. He'd woken up with a pit in his stomach, knowing he couldn't keep this from Louis any longer.
Harry: (clearing his throat) Lou?
Louis: (looking up with a small smile) Yeah, babe?
Harry's heart twisted at the sight of Louis's warm expression, the affection in his eyes. This was going to break him.
Harry: (softly) I need to tell you something.
Louis set his phone down, his brow furrowing. He could tell from Harry's tone that whatever this was, it wasn't good.
Louis: (concerned) What's wrong? You're scaring me.
Harry took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he placed the mug on the table.
Harry: (voice shaky) I... I met up with Zayn.
The words hit the air like a thunderclap, and Louis's expression immediately hardened.
Louis: (slowly) You what?
Harry: (rushing) It wasn't planned. He messaged me, and I thought maybe... maybe if I saw him, I could finally get some closure.
Louis leaned back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest. His jaw was tight, his blue eyes sharp as they bore into Harry.
Louis: (quietly) And did you? Get closure, I mean?
Harry swallowed hard, his throat dry. This was the moment of truth, the moment that would change everything.
Harry: (barely above a whisper) No. I didn't. Lou... I kissed him.
The silence that followed was deafening. Louis stared at Harry, his face a mixture of shock and hurt.
Louis: (after a long pause) You kissed him?
Harry nodded, his eyes brimming with tears.
Harry: (desperately) I didn't mean for it to happen. It was... it was a mistake. I'm so sorry, Lou. I didn't want to hurt you.
Louis stood abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. He began pacing the room, running his hands through his hair.
Louis: (voice rising) A mistake? Harry, you kissed your ex. The one you told me you were over. The one who's been stirring up trouble for weeks! And you call that a mistake?
Harry winced at the anger in Louis's voice, guilt crashing over him in waves.
Harry: (pleading) I know I messed up. I know I shouldn't have gone to see him, but I didn't go there to hurt you. I thought I could finally let go of him, but...
Louis: (interrupting) But what? You realized you still love him?
Harry's silence was answer enough. Louis let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
Louis: (angrily) Unbelievable. After everything, after all we've been through, you're still hung up on him?
Harry: (tears streaming down his face) It's not like that, Lou. I love you. I chose you. But seeing him... it brought back things I didn't expect. I don't know how to explain it.
Louis stopped pacing and turned to face Harry, his expression a mixture of anger and heartbreak.
Louis: (coldly) You don't have to explain. I get it. He's always been a part of you, hasn't he? Maybe I was stupid to think I could ever compete with that.
Harry: (desperately) Don't say that. Please. You mean everything to me, Louis.
Louis: (shaking his head) Not everything, apparently.
The room fell into an unbearable silence. Louis looked at Harry one last time, his eyes filled with unshed tears, before grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.
Louis: (softly, before leaving) I need time, Harry. Don't follow me.
As the door slammed shut behind Louis, Harry collapsed onto the chair, his head in his hands. The weight of his actions pressed down on him like a suffocating blanket.
He'd hurt the one person who'd stood by him through everything, and now he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to make it right.
