Chapter Text
Mr. Louis Tomlinson was the head CEO at Tomlinson! Talent Agency and loved his perfectly placed life. The twenty-eight-year-old entrepreneur with a talent at finding talent got his start at the University of Cambridge. All his life he knew he was going to be somebody, little did he know he would be the man behind the scenes, helping everyone else’s dreams come true. His own dreams of being an international superstar got lost in the tides of life as he grew. He settled on living vicariously through the superb talent he released into the entertainment industry, as well as the stacks of cash he had accumulated while building up his name. Although Tomlinson! Talent specialized in music; they took actors, models, TV and radio personalities, anybody who would end up in the entertainment industry. Louis would, however, only take those he knew would make it. And he hadn’t failed yet.
Louis took a deep breath and looked around, folding his hands behind his head as he turned his chair to the immaculate picturesque windows overlooking the city. It was cold here in London. It was his first day back after his vacation in sunny Bora Bora. He had gone alone, but that was how he liked it. He liked things where they were supposed to be, and he liked for things to happen when they were supposed to happen. Traveling with another person always meant chaos and more stress than necessary. He was a perfectionist, and it was obvious by the way he ran his company. His office was clean, minimalist, and modern. He hated clutter and hated things disorganized. Everything was labeled, color-coded, and sorted. Applicants that were accepted in one bin applicants that had been rejected in the trashcan. Just the way Louis liked it. Everything and everyone at his company ran smoothly, no clutter in their personal cubicles, and a perpetually clean breakroom and bathrooms. He hired only the best of the best — the most qualified of those qualified. Louis was a smart man with million-dollar dreams and an eye for talent, of any kind.
“Mr. Tomlinson?” Louis’s assistant Zayn Malik knocked on the door, carrying two vanilla lattés and holding the applicant papers under his right arm, “I have your latté, sir, and the applications for this morning.” Zayn set both the coffee and the folders on Louis’s clean desk. Ah, Monday morning. Everybody who was anybody came out of Tomlinson! Talent and everybody wanted to be part of it. Louis himself read through nearly one hundred applications every other day, not until after they had passed through the other talent scouts of course. He just made the final decision. Louis nodded at Zayn implying a silent “thank you” since Louis Tomlinson rarely said please let alone thank you. Zayn left the room, drinking the other latté on his way.
As Louis thumbed through the applications, he came across an entirely different folder with only one paper in it. Usually, the applications had four- or five-pages including photos and whatever else the applicant, and the talent scouts, thought important. He opened it raising his eyebrow as a headshot of a disheveled, curly-haired college boy caught his eye. It was paperclipped to a one-page application Louis hadn’t ever seen before. He was cute, thick rim glasses, shaggy curly hair, crisp green eyes. What else does this boy have to offer? Louis thought. Holding the photo in his right hand and picking up the application, turning the one-sided piece of paper over in his left.
Louis read nothing but the last line of the “Reason of choosing” on the Tomlinson! Talent Agency intern application.
“I aspire to be as successful as Mr. Tomlinson!” Louis said out loud. A little shocked and a little flattered. That was why Louis hadn’t seen the application before. College students were too intimidated by him to apply for an unpaid position. He held the photo of the boy in his hand, flipping it over. On the back, it read “Harry Edward Styles. Year Three. 24 years old.” This was an original copy. Louis thought this was a nice touch, after all, it could be the only copy this boy had
“ZAYN!” Louis yelled, knowing Zayn hadn’t gone too far from his office door. Three feet from Louis’s office was not in Zayn’s job description unless he was asked to retrieve or take something somewhere.
“Yes, sir?” Zayn asked upon entering Louis’s office. The faint smell of old books, fresh printer paper and ink, and Louis’s cologne filled the air. Zayn took a deep breath. As much as he hated and was stressed out about his job, he did love the way Louis’s office smelled. Everyone was captivated by Louis, his smell, his confidence, his attitude, his sass. Everyone loved everything about him, or maybe they were just scared of him. Zayn included.
“Find this ‘Styles’ boy. Contact him, and tell him he will intern here, without pay, for six months,” Louis wasn’t suggesting, he was demanding, “We could use the help with the influx of applications these past few weeks. If I’m right, which I am, this trend will continue into the next quarter.”
“Yes, sir. I will contact Mr. Styles for you, sir.” Zayn took the application and the folder out the door to his “office.” Which was only a desk, in the back corner of a supply closet.
Louis had held onto the wallet size photo. Edges worn and ripped. Original copy and all. There was something about this boy that had him addicted. Louis wasn’t easily captivated by things, let alone people. He sat staring at the photo for another five minutes before shaking his head, pulling out his wallet to put the picture away, and then getting back to work. After all, he had a lot of actual talent applications to go through.
Throughout the day, lunch included, Louis’s mind was flooded with the thoughts on who this boy was, and the reasons why he chose Tomlinson! Talent other than “I aspire to be as successful as Mr. Tomlinson.” Zayn noticed this distraction but knew better than to ask about it. Louis would never tell him anyway, Zayn was beneath him and he made that painfully clear.
A few blocks away in a tiny apartment, Harry Styles paced back and forth.
“Harry, chill,” the blond-haired boy laying on the couch tossing a pillow in the air had constantly been reassuring Harry for the past week, “Listen, mate, you just sent in your application last week. I’m sure they’ll get back to you soon.”
“Niall, still. What if they don’t like me?” Harry sat down, holding his face in his hands, “I need to get a good internship for school!” Niall knew this. He was in the same boat, but he didn’t apply for such a prestigious company. He did think Harry was a bit nuts applying to Tomlinson! Talent.
“Harry, didn’t you only apply there because you fancy Louis Tomlinson?” Niall teased Harry picked up the throw pillow on the other side of the couch and pelted Niall with it. Niall’s contagious laugh echoed through the otherwise empty, college-kid apartment, “I’m just teasing, mate. Don’t worry, let’s go out for a pint? I’ll buy.” Niall stood up, offering Harry a hand. Harry took it, and stood up. Just as he did, his phone started to ring. Frantically, he dove back on the couch to grab it and stood back up to answer.
“Hello, this is Zayn Malik from Tomlinson! Talent, am I speaking with a Mr. Harold Styles?” Harry was too shocked to speak, standing mouth open. His eyes unblinking as he turned to make eye contact with Niall. Niall grabbed the phone from Harry, pushing him back down on the couch and sitting next to him.
“Yeah, this is Harry Styles.” Niall said smacking Harry on the arm and silently arguing with him to take the phone and “man-up.”
“Hello, Mr. Styles, Mr. Tomlinson, has requested your presence as an intern with us for the next six months. However, I need you to understand that this is an unpaid position,” Harry nodded, forgetting that Zayn couldn’t see him, “Mr. Tomlinson has requested that you start tomorrow.”
“Umm, I have class tomorrow, and I work tomorrow evening…” Harry trailed off. Wondering how he was going to work the internship, the few classes he had left to take, and his job so he and Niall could keep the apartment. With a million thoughts swirling in his head, Zayn’s voice brought Harry back to reality.
“Mr. Styles, Mr. Tomlinson has requested that you join us, beginning tomorrow.” It was clear that Harry didn’t have a choice anymore. One day off wouldn’t kill him. Maybe when he got the chance to meet with Louis, he could work something out between that, his job, and his classes. He hoped. Harry agreed to show up at Tomlinson! Talent tomorrow morning at eight o’clock ready to go. He had no idea what he would be doing; Zayn left that information out.
“Niall!” Harry yelled into the kitchen. Niall turned to him, eyes wide, mouth full of food, “I need to go get my haircut, and I need new clothes, and I need—” Harry pulled at his hair and his clothes. Suddenly becoming painfully aware of how homeless he looked.
“C’mon mate. Let’s go; I’ll take you out for dinner to celebrate!” Niall exclaimed, putting his half-eaten sandwich back in the fridge, completely ready to eat another entire meal.
Louis knew that this Harry Styles character was supposed to come in today. He wanted to impress him more than he would like to admit. Louis had gotten his hair trimmed and done later that same evening; he told Zayn to bring him in. Louis was so excited, not that he’d let anyone else know that. It was 7:45 in the morning, and he knew Harry would be in any minute now. He stood by windows of his office. Overlooking the city once more and adjusting and re-adjusting his suit jacket. It was never correctly placed. He ran his hands through his hair, ruffling it as he went. The rugged, dirty blonde hair was the only thing in his life he didn’t mind wasn’t completely perfect all the time. The messy hair on top of his head is what he believed kept him humble.
“Mr. Tomlinson?” Zayn opened the door only enough to stick his head in Louis’s office, “Your intern is here.” Louis felt the sting of nervousness. Louis Tomlinson was never nervous. He pleaded with himself to keep his cool and keep the reputation he so loved of being someone others should be afraid of. Hell, Louis hadn’t even met this Harry Styles yet, and he was already nervous, how was it supposed to go face to face.
“Get it together, Tomlinson.” He said under his breath as Zayn lead him through his office door.
“What was that, Sir?” Zayn turned around, catching Louis catch a glimpse of himself in the mirrors down the long hallway to his immaculate office.
“Nothing. Keep moving, Malik.” Louis ordered, and Zayn did as he was told.
Louis made his way down the stairs of the immaculate office building his company had purchased soon after they started. He followed Zayn down the staircase, coming face to face with a six foot, slender, disheveled, glasses wearing college boy. The binder he had, which Louis assumed held his school belongings, had papers spewing out in every direction possible and he nearly dropped it all as he held his hand out to Louis. Sporting the biggest most nervous grin Louis had ever seen on another’s face.
This boy possessed some of the most captivating green eyes Louis’s ever seen. The soft, jade green of his eyes being kissed delicately by the brown curls that met his eyelashes. Generally, Louis would be annoyed if his employees left their hair in their face like that, but Harry made it look angelic. Louis took a quick glance up and down Mr. Styles. He couldn’t help but notice the long, skinny legs; he even imagined how they would look straddled around his tiny body. Louis’s thoughts were interrupted when the boy in front of him spoke.
“Uh H—Hi, my name is Harry Styles. I’m the intern.” Harry reached out Louis took his hand, feeling the strength already from the early twenty-something boy in front of him. As Louis shook Harry's hand, he noticed the boy catching a glimpse of his tattoos; he tried desperately to keep hidden by his suit jackets and long sleeves. Louis stood, face to face with Harry, nearly six inches taller than him, but still, Louis could tell Harry was starting to become a little intimidated. Louis could read people like a book; he knew Harry was intimidated by his power, prestige, his attitude, and even his handshake; as strong and firm as Harry’s had been.
Maybe Louis stood too long, holding the hand of the younger boy and being caught in a trance by his eyes. So much more perfect in person, if that was even possible. However, Zayn broke the silence, “Let me show you where you’ll be for the next six months, Mr. Styles.” Zayn began leading Harry down the hall to a small closet-like office, still better than Zayn’s.
Louis took off back to his office, adjusting his trousers as he went.
Harry was physically shaking so bad he nearly dropped his binder, and the coffee Zayn had been ordered to prepare for him. Did Louis Tomlinson really shake my hand for that long? He thought as he tried hard to hide his rapidly shaking leg. Harry was almost sweaty, and his heart was racing. He had the same feeling he had when he almost got pulled over on the highway on his way back to Uni. He closed his eyes and silently pleaded with himself to keep it together for the day until he could gush about everything to Niall.
Niall was and always will be Harry’s best friend. He’d been there through everything. Through Harry’s first birthday parties, starting middle school together, and he even stood by Harry’s side when he came out to his family. Niall was a sweet lad that Harry couldn’t get enough of. Especially considering they almost ruined their friendship back when they first started at University. Harry wanted to fool around with someone, and Niall was right there. It only happened once, but it took them nearly a month to recover. Ultimately, they did, and Niall’s now boyfriend Liam is perfect for him.
“Mr. Styles,” Zayn started, “This is your desk. Mr. Tomlinson will be down in thirty minutes to explain your duties for the next six months.” Zayn closed the door aggressively; it was clear to Harry that Zayn was upset about something. He had noticed the disapproving look on Zayn’s face when Louis had ahold of his hand. Maybe Zayn and Louis are together? Harry fought the thought of the two sleeping together. Maybe Zayn wasn’t a big fan of someone coming in and working so closely with his boss, because he was secretly in love with him?
“Harold, stop.” Harry said under his breath, “You are fine; it is fine; everything is fine.”
As soon as Louis hit his office, he immediately fell onto the leather couch in the corner. Still pleading with himself to focus on something other than the luscious plump lips, soft, elegant curls, long beautiful legs and bitable thighs of Harry Styles. Oh, how badly he wanted to bring him up to his office and make him understand the consequences of coming into Louis Tomlinson’s company looking that good. Louis wanted to bite on Harry’s neck and make him beg for more. He wanted to undress him so slowly it would make him squirm from anticipation. He wanted to grab Harry roughly by his hips as he—
“Mr. Tomlinson,” Zayn cracked the door just enough to talk to Louis, “The intern is ready whenever you are.” Louis let out a soft Mmhmm, and Zayn shut the door. Louis liked the way the intern is ready whenever you are sounded. Still deep in his fantasy about bringing the intern into his office for some one-on-one instruction, Louis started to touch himself over his slacks, giving his body what it so desperately wanted, what it so fiercely needed.
Just as quickly as he began, he stopped. He had to explain to Harry what would be expected of him for the next half of the year. Louis stood up and made his way into his private ensuite. He splashed some cold water on his face and patted it dry. Louis took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. I’m going to go down there and keep my cool and make a good impression on this boy. He thought to himself. Louis was frustrated. He couldn’t figure out why in the world he was so nervous about talking to the twenty-four-year-old in his building.
He walked anyway.
He made it halfway to where Harry would be completing his internship when he realized he had left his suit jacket upstairs. Not wanting to seem unprofessional, but also not wanting to keep Harry waiting, Louis beat on. Strutting confidently down the hallway of the building he owned, wearing only a crisp white button down and black tie and the suit pants he had wrinkled on his office couch earlier. The dark tattoos on Louis’s arms are nearly showing through the thin white polyester of his shirt. Somehow, he didn’t care if Harry saw these. He almost believed that Harry would actually like them. Maybe Harry was into the bad boy aesthetic Lou tried hard to keep up for himself.
Louis reached for the doorknob on Harry’s office and hesitated. Did he really want to be with Harry alone right now? He was just thinking about bending Harry over his desk and making him a sweaty, moaning, begging mess of a man. Louis breathed deeply and wiped metaphorical sweat from his forehead. He never let anyone get into his brain like this and Harry hadn’t left since he sent in his photo.
Louis closed his eyes and turned the doorknob. Scaring a half-asleep Harry awake. Despite the coffee Zayn had brought, Harry’s head hung low on his desk when Louis opened the door. Frantically, he attempted to act busy straightening papers and sifting through his binder in a desperate attempt to impress his boss who was now feet from his body. Harry stopped shuffling and stood up, walking out from around his desk to meet Louis with a handshake.
“Hello again, Sir.” Harry held out a shaky hand, and Louis took it.
“Please, call me Louis. Sir is too old. I’m not your grandfather.” Louis said with a smirk. And in the back of his mind, he added, but I will be your Daddy.
The pair stood once again, holding their connected hands for an absurd amount of time. Harry tried to pull his hand back without it being too obvious. However, Louis’s grip was entirely too tight, and his body came with it, drawing in nearer to Harry’s body. Harry could smell the cologne Louis used mixed with his shampoo. Harry attempted another pull away, backing up a little this time. He was too close to his desk and ended up sitting on his desk in front of the boy he fancied. Louis took the opportunity to slide in, even closer to Harry than before. Their faces were nearly touching when Louis closed his eyes. He pulled away quickly and sat in the folding chair in the corner of Harry’s windowless office. “So, Harold,” Louis began, trying to stop the visible shaking of his hands and act as nothing happened. He noticed Harry trying desperately to catch his breath, “Let’s talk about what I expect from you for this internship, yeah?”
Harry ruffled his hair, nodded and exhaled, hopping down from the desk and walking behind it to sit in his folding chair. Louis loved the way Harry’s hands found their way through the curly locks he had. The more Louis looked at the college boy in front of him, the more he wanted him. In more ways than one.
“Harry, what I need from you is to follow around Zayn for a few months. Learn what he does for me as well as the company. Play your cards right, and you might end up with his job. He’s rubbish. In fact, I’d like to have someone else in his position. Don’t say any of this to him though; he’s already so high strung he can barely remember my latté order.” Louis giggled a little, and Harry found himself smiling as well. “After the next two months are up, well meet again to discuss what is happening after that. If you need me at all, here are both my office and my cell number.” Louis laid a crumbled-up piece of paper on the desk and stood, hand on the doorknob as he turned around to face Harry once more, “Remember, sweetcheeks, don’t tell Zayn what I told you. He already despises you because I gave you a better office.” Louis winked and shut the door almost squealing like a fangirl.
Louis' hands were shaking when he walked off to his office, nearly skipping out of excitement. His heart was racing, and his ever-present smile was making his cheeks hurt. He was interested in Harry but couldn’t quite tell if Harry was interested in him too. Louis wondered if he was thinking too much into Harry’s shuffling when he walked in, or the out of breath hair ruffle he did while sitting on his desk. He did find the long hair on that boy rather beautiful. He found almost everything about this boy beautiful. He wanted to know the boy behind the radiant smile and enchanting green eyes.
As Louis reached his office, it wasn’t long before he was completely swamped with applications and other work. He found himself wondering if Harry was having a good time or if he felt happy. He debated on whether or not to call Harry to his office even though he had nothing, in particular, to say to him. Louis wouldn’t mind running his own fingers through Harry’s hair, pulling it just enough to make kissing his neck easier. Louis could feel himself getting hard just thinking about Harry’s soft body.
Days later in the week, Louis had a glass of bourbon and was curled up on the couch Netflix open, about to watch another horror movie. He’d already watched one by himself and was going for a personal record before he fell asleep. The best part about being the boss was that it didn’t really matter when he showed up at work; someone always knew what was supposed to be happening and took the initiative and did it. Louis had just settled on a newly added horror movie and snuggled in under his Sherpa blanket. His phone rang.
“Hello?” He answered, not recognizing the number.
“Mr. Tomlinson?” a soft, slurred voice came through the phone, catching Louis by surprise, “I need to ask you a favor.”
“Who is this?” Louis asked, sitting up starting to become concerned for whoever was on the other end.
“Louis, it’s Zayn. I’m at the pub, and I need a ride home.” Louis breathed a sigh, a little disappointed it wasn’t Harry who drunk dialed him. Reluctantly Louis began getting up to put on his coat and shoes.
“Yeah, Zayn. I’ll be right there. Don’t move.” Louis didn’t exactly know why he was going to pick up Zayn. He knew Zayn had feelings for him, and maybe that’s why he did it. He cared for Zayn; he’d been there since Louis started the company a few years ago. Last time Zayn and Louis were alone things escalated, and Louis received a mediocre blowjob after a night of clubbing and drinking. Zayn never let those feelings go, but Louis tried hard to hide them from his memory.
A moment later Louis was in his blacked out Rolls Royce on his way to go pick up Zayn. Again, he found himself wondering why he even left his house. He knew what Zayn had in mind. He had other friends, Louis wasn’t the only one who would be awake at midnight and can drive. Louis went anyway despite every part of him saying he should turn around. Reluctantly, he turned down the street the pub was on and pulled up in front. Zayn stumbled over, and Louis didn’t even bother to get out and open the door.
“Thanks, Mate.” Zayn slurred, shutting the door behind him, “I appreciate it.” Louis nodded and said nothing in return. He put the car in drive and started rolling east toward Zayn’s flat he could barely even afford with his low salary.
The pair drove in complete silence for nearly five miles across town, stopping only at lights and finally, Zayn’s flat. Louis threw the car in park and unlocked the doors. He dropped his hands in his lap and looked at Zayn. The two locked eyes long enough for Zayn to assume it was an invitation. Zayn grabbed Louis’s face, kissing him instantly.
“Dammit, Zayn! Stop!” Louis yelled, pulling back and pushing Zayn’s chest hard. Zayn quickly grabbed Lou’s wrists, pinning them at his side while sliding over and straddling him with his back to the steering wheel, kissing him deeply once again, “Zayn! Get off of me!” Zayn stopped. He was staring at Louis for a moment. It was as if something clicked in his mind. Zayn quickly climbed off of Lou and left the car without a single word.
Louis made the short drive home alone and in silence. He didn’t even waste his time turning on the radio. He couldn’t help but feel as though he had cheated on Harry. They weren’t together; in fact, they hadn’t even been on a date or even spoke of anything other than work the entire time they’ve known each other. Harry has only been working for him for a few days; they barely even knew each other at all. Still, Louis felt like he betrayed the young intern, even if the kiss wasn’t desired, or reciprocated.
Louis pulled into his driveway, sitting in his car for a moment. So many thoughts in his mind it felt as if there were no thoughts at all. He couldn’t focus on anyone long enough to understand what was happening. He took a deep breath and opened his car door. Knowing good and well, he needed to get to bed so he could get up for work. With good intentions, he laid in his bed in the darkness. Staring only at the ceiling, thinking only of Harry.
Work the following day went as most Friday’s usually do. Everyone was happier and worked a little quicker silently hoping the faster they worked, the faster the weekend would arrive. Louis sat in his office, chair facing the city through the window. He slept maybe two hours last night. Thinking of Harry, and what Harry would think about Zayn kissing Louis. Surprisingly, Zayn showed up for work today. He was bringing Lou his latté as usual. He didn’t say much other than “Good Morning.” To be completely honest, that was more than Louis wanted to hear from his mouth this morning.
Lunch had almost rolled around, and Louis still had yet to leave his office. Everyone left him alone, and he enjoyed that. He watched the city below him. So many people are walking, driving, and living their lives. So many stories he didn’t know about. So much undiscovered talent that hadn’t gathered the courage to turn in a resumé to Tomlinson! Talent. Louis breathed a sigh. Wanting so desperately to go back to before the company started and get one more try at his real dream.
The day was nearly over. Louis and everyone left at 5:30 each night, and it was 5:15 at the moment he glanced at his clock on the wall. Louis began to pick up his desk, stopping when he found the wallet photo Harry had attached to his application some weeks ago. Louis stared at it, running his fingers along the worn edges. Lou was deep in thought when a rapid knock was laid upon his office door. Zayn never knocked this way? Louis thought, getting up to answer it anyway. He believed, initially, it would be one of his scouts again convinced they had found the next big thing. As Louis drew closer to the door, the knocking had never ceased as the door began to open seconds before Louis reached it and a sobbing Harry fell in with it landing on his knees. Lou was taken aback by the twenty-something boy sobbing into his own hands on his office floor. However, Louis fell to his knees with him.
“Harry, mate?” Louis started, placing a delicate hand on Harry’s back and rubbing soft, slow circles, “What happened?” Harry sniffled and looked up, looking Louis in the eye with his own puffy, red ones.
“It was Zayn. I know I shouldn’t worry about it, but he..he…” Harry began sobbing once more, holding his face in his hands as Louis placed his arms around him, pulling the curly haired boy to his chest. Louis kept his hands moving up and down Harry’s bony back, letting out soft ‘It’s okay and shushing him.
“Harry, honey, what happened?” Louis was instantly embarrassed that the word honey had escaped his lips. He felt his face get instantly red, and he felt his body start to sweat. Suddenly he was painfully aware of how warm it was in his office and just how close Harry was to him.
Harry took a deep breath and pulled back from Louis. He sat on his bum this time, pulling his knees to his chest. He wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand and began, “Lou—Mr. Tomlinson, I am so sorry for this,” he started to get up, “I should go. I understand if you want to get rid of me.” Harry reached for the door with one hand. He stopped cold when he felt only the dainty hands and fingers of Louis grabbing the other.
“Harold. Sit.” Louis demanded, winding his fingers in with Harry’s as he led him to the couch, “I need to know what happened to be able to take care of it, alright?” Harry sniffled and nodded, taking the open seat next to Lou.
“Zayn told me that you hated my work and that I wasn’t doing enough. He said you mentioned that you planned to get rid of me. That would ruin my chances to graduate. I need this internship, but I understand if you aren’t satisfied. Zayn told me that I’d never amount to anything and that I wasn’t going to get anything with my degree, especially not at your company, Mr. Tomlinson.”
“Louis. It’s Louis.” He gave Harry a comforting smile, “Listen, Harry. Zayn is the one that should be worried about his time here being cut short. You have nothing to worry about. I am more than satisfied with your work. You show more professionalism in your little finger than Zayn has in his whole body. There’s a reason that he hasn’t been promoted in all the years we’ve been here. Harry, honestly, you are doing just fine, and you’ll graduate, and you’ll get a job at somewhere better than this company.” Louis choked back tears. He didn’t want Harry to work anywhere else, but he knew he was built for bigger things than Tomlinson! Talent. After all, Louis had an amazing eye for talent, and he hadn’t been wrong yet.
Harry wiped his eyes again. Squeezing Lou’s hand, he had been holding the entire time. Harry placed his other hand, ontop of Lou’s and smiled. He couldn’t believe he had embarrassed himself by coming in here sobbing about something that he knew in the back of his mind probably wasn’t true. He knew Zayn was jealous, but it didn’t hide the fact Harry believed he had disappointed Louis. Harry smiled at Louis, taking a deep breath and starting to get up.
“Harry, wait.” Louis’s grip tightened on Harry’s hand, “Harry let me take you out to dinner tonight. It’ll get your mind off everything.” Harry was shocked. He had already standing, and Louis had just shifted his position on the couch. He smiled up at Harry with a radiant smile and Harry found himself, once again, smiling back. He nodded in agreement. “Great, H. I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear something nice.”
The hour and a half passed far too slowly. Louis went straight to his stylist to give his hair a fresh cut while Harry went straight home to Niall to raid his closet for something cuter to wear. Louis sprayed his neck and wrists with is favorite, most expensive cologne. He took a deep breath in the mirror and fastened the cuff links on his favorite light, smoky grey suit jacket. Harry wrestled with his locks in a desperate attempt to tame the hair on his head. Harry too took a deep breath, checking his watch for the time.
Louis climbed in his Audi RS7 and lit a cigarette. Louis didn’t care if the smell lingered; he could just buy a new one tomorrow. Luckily, Harry was required to put his home address on his application. Louis punched the numbers into the GPS and rolled out of his garage. The drive across town seemed far longer than he had originally imagined. Shaking the entire way, Louis finally heard the GPS say his destination was on his right. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Louis adjusted his jacket and fiddles with his cufflinks again. He desperately wanted another cigarette as he found himself a few feet from Harry’s apartment door. He knocked anyway. He noticed he was a little late. It was 7:12. Louis suddenly felt sweaty and extra nervous, realizing that he was late. He closed his eyes and was about to knock again when the door opened.
A young looking, shirtless blonde boy held onto the doorknob and looked pleasantly surprised. Louis was shocked, Is there some chance Harry has a boyfriend already, and I’m just some old creep asking him to dinner? It finally hit Louis he had never asked if Harry was seeing someone, or even asked for clarification on his sexuality. Louis wanted to take Harry on an actual date. He even called ahead to the restaurant and asked for private seating. For all Louis knew, Harry could just think this was something fun to get his mind off of everything. Louis’s mind was racing, and his face probably showed that perfectly.
“Would you like to come in, Mr. Tomlison? I’m Harry’s roommate, Niall.” The boy offered along with a hand gesture motioning toward the beat-up couch in the middle of the floor. Louis looked around. The lack of décor and lack of furniture was not something he was not used to. He didn’t mind it though. The lackluster apartment reminded Louis of his humble beginnings. He took a cautions seat on the couch with the tears. He was wondering silently if it would fall apart if he got too comfortable. Louis sat on the sofa and watched as the blond boy What was it? Neil? Walked around the apartment and disappeared down a hallway. Louis gaze was caught by the coffee stain and empty solo cup sitting on the broken coffee table in front of him. He couldn’t help but wonder how embarrassed Harry will feel knowing that he was in his house. He hoped he wouldn’t feel too bad about it. Louis was at the same point when he was Harry’s age.
Why does this blonde boy look so familiar? Louis thought as he watched Niall walk back in the living room. Caught up in his own thoughts, he didn’t even notice the taller boy walk in behind him.
“Oh, oh my god.” Louis’s gaze moved up only to be caught by one of his scouts in Harry Styles’s apartment.
“Liam?” Louis questioned standing up almost immediately and smoothing out his clothes. His number one scout was standing in front of him. Wearing only boxers and holding a horrified look on his face.
“Uh,” Liam stuttered, “Hello, Mr. Tomlinson.” Liam patted at his stomach, wanting desperately to have the safety blanket of clothes to busy his hands. Louis was simultaneously caught off guard and a little irritated that his attractive scout was nearly naked in Harry’s house. What exactly was Liam doing here? Louis began almost to wonder out loud. Louis decided to hold out a concerning hand for a half-naked Liam to shake.
“Hello, Payne.” The jealousy and anger filled tone rolled off of Louis’s tongue, leaving Liam speechless. Liam knew Louis had a hard-on for Harry…
“Mr. Tomlinson, I’m Ni—” Liam was cut off when Harry walked into the room, and Louis dropped his hand, no longer listening.
It was crazy, the way Harry lit up the room. Those piercing green eyes and bouncing curls always following where he went. His smile always present and always breathtaking. Harry had on a new pair of slacks he had bought when he went with Niall when he found out about the internship. Louis’s eyes ran into Harry’s on their search up the younger boys body. Harry cracked a smile and turned away.
“Really, Niall? You couldn’t have told your boyfriend to stay in your bedroom? And you couldn’t even have bothered to put clothes on?” Harry spoke sternly. Certain not to yell in front of Louis. He wanted to wait until Louis was the one making him scream before he heard that. Louis breathed a sigh of relief. Liam didn’t belong to Harry, but he did belong to his roommate. Strange. Come to think of it. Louis didn’t even create an intern application in the first place. He found interns annoying, useless, and a waste of space. Louis always told himself no interns. So when he was creating all the paperwork with his team for potential clients, he made sure there was no spot for interns. Louis made a mental note to have some choice words with Liam on Monday. As of right now, he was content standing across the room from Harold Styles.
As Harry rushed around the small apartment shoving Niall and Liam back down the hallway, Louis' eye was caught by the framed photo on the wall. Harry was maybe two, three years younger than he is right now, and he held onto an older woman with the cheesiest smile Louis had ever seen. He assumed the woman was his mother. Louis didn’t talk about it much, but he had lost his mum a few years back. He always felt both jealous and happy that others had such good relationships with their mums. He did, too; it just ended far too soon. The ever collected Louis stopped a single tear from rolling down his cheeks as he felt Harry’s hand grab his.
“Are you ready to go, Lou—are you okay?” Harry was genuinely concerned. Louis could feel it. Louis shrugged, nodded and smiled, and walked Harry out the door.
For it being mid-August it was still chilly this late at night. Louis was happy he brought his extra jacket in case Harry needed the one he had on. Louis gets a bit grouchy when he’s cold. The crisp night air did make the stars out already shone a little brighter. Louis was excited to see what the night had in store for them. As they reached the car, Harry’s eyes lit up. It was obvious to Louis that Harry had never been within five feet of a car this expensive. He didn’t even seem to want to touch the handle to get in. Louis opened the door for him. Harry smiled and sat down. Face still in awe of the car he was sitting in. Louis stepped around to his side and sat down. Pulling out another cigarette.
“I didn’t know you smoked,” Harry stated, looking at Louis slightly worried about the bad habit he carried along with him. Louis twirled the cigarette around in his fingers. Wondering silently if this habit would put Harry off. He took a deep breath.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing it for a few years now. I’ve been trying to quit, though. It’s a gross habit.” Louis spoke with his voice cracking. He didn’t want to tell Harry he had picked it up after his mum got sick. He was almost ashamed; that was the reason why. It felt almost pathetic.
“I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s a bad habit,” Louis nodded, he already knew this. “but, I’ll help you quit.” Harry smiled. Louis smiled. The way Harry already was showing that he was supportive and cared for Louis’s well being made him happy. All Lou ever wanted was someone who backed him up and helped make him better than he was before.
“I’d like that.” Louis looked Harry in the eye and smiled. Putting the car in drive and taking off.