A gasp leaves Louis mouth when he jumps up, sweat covering his body and tears threatening to leave his eyes again. It's already the third times this happens tonight and it's only 2 o'clock.

"Sh, it's okay babe. They are just nightmares." Harry pulls Louis closer to him and strokes his hair to relax the boy. He has been jumping up and whimpering in his sleep all night. Harry is really worried about him.

"It looked so real... He was so close to me again. If I wouldn't have had you, Hazza, I'd..." Louis is sobbing, not able to finish his sentence and Harry's heart breaks. He wishes he could take the pain and the nightmares away.

"You'll always have me. Want to talk about it?"

Louis thinks for a bit but nods.

"I dreamt that he was in front of our school again and you weren't there. He just pulled me into his car and..."

"Sh, no need to finish that. That will never happen, okay Lou? Look at me."

Louis looks up, his blue teary eyes meeting Harry's soft green ones.

"I'm going to protect you. He will not come near you ever again. I promise."

"Thank you..." Louis' voice is barely audible.

"Tell me if you want me to cuddle you." Harry wipes the tears from Louis' cheek.

"I really want you to hold me."

Harry's heart is clenching and warming up at the same time.

"Come." Harry opens his arms and Louis cuddles completely into him, head resting on Harry's bare chest. It doesn't take long for him to fall asleep and Harry stays awake a little bit longer to make sure his breathing is even and there is no frown on his face. When he thinks Louis is alright he allows himself to close his eyes again after promising himself that tomorrow he would get rid of the problem.

--

"Are you sure that it's alright with you that I'm going to Zayn's place?" Louis asks for the billionth time when the boys are back from school.

"Really, Lou. He is your best friend. You shouldn't neglect him." Harry smiles at the smaller boy.

"I know I'm bad for not hanging around that much with them like I used to. It's just different. When I was with Eleanor we were two couples and now I'm just third wheeling. Also I just rather spend my time with you. I can't talk to anyone the way I can talk to you, Haz. I like to spend all my time with you."

Louis' confession makes Harry smile and he grabs Louis' hand.

"I really like to spend time with you as well. If you want we can even do something tomorrow night. Tomorrow is Friday anyway. We'll do whatever you want. Enjoy your night with Zayn today, okay Lou?"

"Whatever I want?" Louis asks.

"Whatever you want."

"I want to take you out on a date tomorrow then."

Harry's jaw drops and his heart is beating out of his chest.

"Louis, you don't have to do that."

"You said I can choose. I choose to take you out tomorrow on a date. I will never get to understand my feelings if I don't take any risks, right? It's a date. We get to know each other more, we'll go out together, anyway I don't kiss on the first date." Louis winks at Harry which makes the younger boy blush.

"Fine, take me out then." Harry stutters, blushing like crazy.

"See you later, Haz. I'm going to Zayn now." Louis stands up and softly presses his lips on Harry's cheeks. "Will miss you, curly."

Harry is standing frozen on his place. Louis is asking him out on a date. It's getting harder and harder for Harry to contain himself, but he will, for Louis' sake.

--

"Harry, finally you are here!" James sighs when the curly lad is standing in front of his door. "Can you tell me now what is so important that you needed to come to my house?"

"We have to go to Tristan's house and talk to him and his mother." Harry states. "Like you did three years ago. He is back in town and yesterday he was in front of our school. I beat him up yesterday but I obviously can't do that every time he shows up somewhere. We need him gone again, James. Louis is having nightmares knowing that he is here again. He is scared as hell and he doesn't feel safe."

"Where is Louis now?"

"With Zayn."

"And what about Stephanie, Harry? She can't be in the house when we go over to talk."

"It's Thursday. That's the day Liam and her always go out to Pizza Hut because it's cheaper. She won't be home. I have this planned out, James. I assumed you would be good back up because you handled this situation in the past."

"Harry, I don't know. Of course I want Tristan gone as well but..."

"I'm doing this with or without you, James. I can't stand it to see Louis like this any longer. You are not the one who is cuddling him to sleep, hear him scream because of his nightmares and shushes him when he is crying. I know you have done a lot for him but he is not doing better. Every single time we are leaving the house to go to school he looks around all the time, scared Tristan is there. I have to fix this, James. And I'd appreciate it if you would help out."

"Is he still doing that bad?"

"He is."

"And you are sure that Stephanie isn't at home?"

"I texted Liam before we came here, 100% sure."

James nods. "Let's go then."