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Louis and his friends from university had not seen each other in ages, since they all left their shared apartment five years ago when they graduated.
They all promised each other that they would see each other again, but with work and Niall moving back to Ireland, and Liam and Zayn moving to Wolverhampton, and Harry going to Italy for his fashion design studies, only Louis remained in London.
They all got to know each other during their first year at university. They had decided to get an apartment together before the start of the second year and lived together for the following years. Harry and Louis shared a room, and Liam and Niall, that changed when Zayn and Liam got together. They are the only ones who were in serious relationships during their university years. Louis and Eleanor had an on-off relationship since their university days, which ended when they finally broke up four years ago. Niall had always had a few women, but never anything serious.
Louis sat in his small office that he had as a teacher at the university. He taught drama/theater. Lottie danced in with a smile. "Hey little brother, this came for you," she handed him a card that looked really beautiful and elegant.
"She is from Niall and his fiancée," he said, surprised. "Oh, he's getting married! Who would have thot that Niall would be the first to get married?" laughed Lottie. "I'm invited," he said and read the invitation again. "You should go," said Lottie encouragingly. "I don't know, I haven't seen him in 5 years," she shook her head. "Louis, he thot of you and decided that he wants you to attend his wedding as a friend. You spent 4 years of your life together." He nodded knowingly and remembered a situation where Niall was crying in his arms after being rejected by Demi and being friend-zoned. They got terribly drunk and received a scolding from Harry. Those were the days. "Okay, okay, I'm going," Louis said, taking the card in his hand and writing an email to the address on it. "I've confirmed it, will you accompany me?" Lottie shook her head. "Lewis and I won't be there that weekend, we're taking the kids to the twins," she said, and he nodded. "Maybe I should come home with you," he suggested, but she glared at him. "You're going to that damn wedding, Louis!" he raised his arms defensively. "They don't know," he said dejectedly. "I think since Liam and Zayn are also gay, they probably won't react badly," she said and squeezed his hand. "Mh," he hummed, still not quite sure.
In the evening, he received an email from Amelia, Niall's fiancée, in which she sent him Niall's new number. He saved it and wrote to him, "Hey Nialler, Tommo here," he wrote briefly and put his phone away while pouring water over the instant noodles. A moment later, his phone rang, and it was a video call on WhatsApp. He answered it.
"Tommo," Niall shouted into the phone, and next to his picture, two more popped up. In one, there were Liam and Zayn, both beaming, and in the other, Harry appeared with short, slightly wavy hair and a beard. Louis got nervous and held his noodle packaging to his mouth to blow on it. "Hey guys," he said curtly. "He still eats that junk," Niall scoffed. Harry looked grimly into the camera. "Eleanor could cook something decent," he said sternly. Louis laughed. "If we hadn't broken up 4 years ago, that would definitely be an option, but I think I'll find a good man who will make sure I don't starve," he laughed.
Like struck by lightning, he stood rooted to the spot. Shit. "A man?" Liam screamed a few octaves too high, and Zayn slapped him on the arm. "Don't shout like that, darling," Liam nodded. Louis's eyes were wide open and he couldn't move. Niall was the first to start speaking again. "So how did it come to that?" Liam laughed. Zayn hit him again. Harry just sat there and stared at the screen. "I think... well... um, I always thot that I... well..." Louis tried to find words. "I think you just needed your time, like everyone else, to figure out who you are," said Zayn, and everyone just nodded. Not Harry, he was still staring and said nothing. Louis felt uncomfortable.
"Hey, I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement, Nialler," smiled Louis, trying to change the subject, and it seemed to work. "Unbelievable that he's the first one to settle down," laughed Liam, and everyone joined in. Harry's gaze was still so stiff, but at least he laughed with them. They talked for a while longer. "When exactly should we be there then?" Zayn asked after a while. "Oh shit," said Niall. From somewhere, a warning Niall could be heard calling. It seemed to be his fiancée. "We will all be together in Croatia." be there a week earlier, Amelia has planned it. Does that work for you?
Louis gasped for air. "A week?" he asked incredulously. Niall nodded, "I know you have students, but I want all my best friends with me on my big day." Louis's heart swelled; he still saw him and the others as some of his best friends. "You'll meet Lewis, he's an incredibly funny guy from Scotland." Zayn laughed, "We're looking forward to it, hopefully, Harry and Lou will come too." Harry nodded, "Of course, I just need to finish my move by then," everyone perked up. "Where are you going?" asked Niall. "Back to London," he said curtly. "Louis could help you," said Niall cheerfully. "Uh," he stuttered. "Of course, if you still need help," Harry nodded but looked rather lukewarmly enthusiastic. "I'll write to you," he said, and Louis nodded. "So Lou, are you in? Amelia wants to meet you, all of you," he nodded. "I think Celina can take over for me for the time being," he nodded again. "Yes," Niall shouted joyfully. "I'll send you everything and we'll see each other in 2 weeks," he said, and they said their goodbyes. "See you then, guys," Louis called and hung up.
He slept terribly that nite. He had come out to his college friends, and it shouldn't have felt the way it did. He hung around all day and struggled thru. Lottie was so annoyed with him at some point that she couldn't take it anymore. "Tell me what happened now!" she snapped at him in the coffee shop. "I came out to the others," he said. "We had a call after I gave Niall my number, everyone reacted positively but Harry... I don't know, he was weird," he said, staring at his coffee. "You should maybe ask him if everything is okay with him," she said, taking his hand in hers. "He was your friend, your best friend even." Louis nodded. "I'll write to him when I'm home," she shook her head. "Now I know you too well, you won't do it otherwise." he pulled out the phone, offended and defeated. "What should I write?" he asked her, and she took it from him. She wrote something and handed it back to him. "I think that's enough." his phone rang seconds later. "He answered," he said nervously. "Louis, you're an adult, let it go and respond," she said sternly. "Okay," he read the message. "Seriously?" he asked her. "How are you?" Louis snorted. "Yes," she laughed. "Now you can at least start talking to him," Louis nodded. "He is moving back to London," she exclaimed, her eyes widening. "You tell me this now." he nodded. "Write to him about it, maybe he needs help or something," he rolled his eyes.
He wrote to him 'Hey H, Lottie asked you the question, not that it doesn't matter to me how you're doing, but if you still need help. Let me know. Your Lou" he put it away and wouldn't look at it again for now as long as he was with Lottie. They talked about the week in Croatia. Lottie told him to go buy some new clothes. He agreed with her, and in the end, they decided to go together. "Okay, see you later," he said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "We'll see each other, little brother," she smiled and went to Lewis's car.
Louis was just going into the supermarket; he needed a few things for his dinner. Basically just unhealthy snacks and instant noodles. His phone rang, and he answered without looking. "Yes, please," he heard a snort. "If someone records this, they can make you agree to anything, and your voice will say yes directly," complained a voice he recognized. he chuckled. "What's up, Curly?" he laughed and reached for the package in front of him. "What are you doing?" Am I bothering you?" Harry asked him worriedly. "No, I'm just shopping." What's wrong? Harry exhaled. "I wanted to ask you for a favor." Louis nodded, aware that Harry didn't see it, a woman in the store looked at him angrily. "Yeah, well" Harry got back to the topic "So, I'm getting a delivery tomorrow and wanted to ask if you could accept it, the key would be handed over to you by the property manager." Louis nodded again, "Sure, send me the address," he was already at the checkout.
"I thank you and please stop eating that junk." Louis laughed, "Let that be my concern," Harry snorted. "I guess, just write me when," Louis deflected. "Lou, you should eat healthier." "When I'm back in London, I'll cook you something decent!" said Harry excitedly. Louis giggled like a little girl, "Your lasagna was always good," he said as he was just paying and taking his bags. "I'll make it for you," Harry replied curtly. "I have to go now, we can talk again tomorrow," Louis said as he saw a student and waved him over. "Hey Mr. T," he said and greeted Louis. "Mr. T," Harry laughed, "I you too," he hung up and started a conversation with his student.
Later in the evening, he received a message from Harry with the time and planned his next day according to it.
He went to his office early the next morning; he had no lectures, just two tutoring students, one of whom was the student he met at the supermarket. When it was time to leave, he packed his things and drove to Harry's apartment. He was quite astonished when he saw how big the building was, he went inside and met a man who seemed to be waiting for him, "Mr. Tomlinson?" Louis nodded. "I'll give you the keys, I don't want to be rude, but could I see your ID?" Louis nodded and showed him his driver's license, then he handed over the keys. Louis received detailed instructions on where Harry's apartment was, as Curly hadn't told him. "Thank you very much," he said, and they said their goodbyes.
Louis entered the bright apartment and looked around. He would spend the whole day here since Harry apparently had everything delivered in one day. The first ones to arrive brought his bed, then the next ones came with the kitchen that was being set up, and Louis ordered food in the meantime. After that, it was the sofa and the cabinets. He had no plans for the evening and was considering whether he should start setting up. But first, he called Harry, this time via video call. "Hey Curly," he greeted him. Harry smiled, and Louis turned the camera to show him what was already there. "You are the best," said Harry affectionately. "Thanks, I know. I wanted to ask you if I should go ahead and set up the cabinets, or if you want to do it yourself?" he asked him. "I can't ask that of you, you've been here all day and have already accepted things for me." Louis laughed and shoved a piece of pizza into his mouth. "I like doing it," he said, then took a bite. "Hey, you should eat proper food," Harry complained. "Then you should hurry up, Styles, tomorrow I'll be eating my pasta again like almost every evening," he chuckled, gathering everything he would need to put it together.
"I'll build it together, you can hang up or keep me company," he put the phone down and took the first box and opened it. "I'll watch you," said Harry, who already seemed to be lying in bed. "You don't have to; you look tired," said Louis. Louis placed all the parts in their place and began assembling. "I'll stick with it, if I'm not there, then at least like this," Louis nodded. Harry was always a stubborn head. "How was your day?" he asked as the silence pressed on him. "Nothing special, just a few people dressed up," Louis nodded, then he remembered, upon seeing the assembled wardrobe, that he still had a floor lamp from Harry in his study; it was so ugly and would fit right in, he started to laugh. "What’s so funny?" asked Harry, his eye almost glued to the screen. "I was just thinking about the ugly floor lamp you used to have; it matches the cabinet." Harry nodded. "Unfortunately, Gemma doesn't know where we left it." Louis laughed even louder, "Gemma can search for a long time, that thing is in my study." Harry looked astonished at the camera, "You kept it?" Louis nodded, still smiling, "It was initially in my first apartment next to my sofa, and when I moved, I bought a smaller one." And I put it in my study."
Harry looked like he was thinking. "Do you want to have them?" "I mean, it's yours," said Louis, placing the second finished cabinet, which was just as ugly. "Yes, gladly, I didn't think you kept it, you found it hideous," Louis said, looking amused at the camera. "At first, I found you hideous too." Harry laughed, "Then I learned to love you, I felt the same way about her." Harry fell silent and looked sad. "Is it bad?" Louis finally brought it up. "WHAAT?" shouted Harry. "What do you mean, the lamp?" Louis snorted. "That I'm gay, you idiot." Does it bother you? Harry looked at him angrily, "Are you serious?" Louis didn't know what he had done wrong; he just wanted to clarify things.
"Lou, there is nothing you could say or do that I would hate." I'm happy for you." Louis nodded and swallowed the tears that Harry's words had triggered. "Thank you," he says quietly. "I didn't think I would tell you over the phone." Harry nodded. "You didn't plan it, but I'm grateful, and the guys are too, that you told us you're gay." We love you," Louis turned away. "I love you too," he said and grabbed the next package. He needed a hug more than anything, but he couldn't ask anyone for one. "We love you, Lou," Harry said once more, "Thank you." after that, they didn't speak for a while Harry hummed, and Louis had now rolled up his sleeves and was assembling a dresser for the hallway. A glance at his phone showed that Harry was already asleep, he looked at the clock and stopped his work for the day. "I love you too, good nite Curly," he whispered and then hung up.
The next few days went similarly in the evenings, and during the day, Louis accepted packages for Harry and continued to assemble cabinets and hang mirrors, letting Harry, who was always there, tell him exactly where everything should go. Maybe they argued 1-2 times, but in the end, Harry fell asleep every time. Louis didn't know exactly when Harry would arrive and move in. But his apartment was ready. He met the building manager in the hallway in the evening after he had put away a few things for Harry that had arrived in the afternoon.
"Mr. Tomlinson, how are you?" he asked, "Good, and you?" He nodded and looked at Harry's apartment. "You are a good friend for helping Mr. Styles like this," he nodded awkwardly. "Thank you," they took the elevator down together. "Then I guess I won't be seeing you as often soon, since he's moving in the day after tomorrow." Louis nodded, taken aback by the information. "I have accepted everything so far, could you give him the key when he moves in?" asked Louis. The manager nodded and took the key. "Goodbye," said Louis, and he nodded to him.
He certainly didn't want him to know when he arrived, and therefore Louis thot it would be better if he didn't go back to the apartment; if Harry had wanted him to know, he would have told him. His mood was soured, and he didn't respond to any calls that evening.
"So, shopping," Lottie grinned. "Yeah, let's just buy swimwear and a suit," he said annoyed. " She looked at him in astonishment, "Two days ago, your mood was good." "What happened?" she asked him. "Nothing," he said. She bombarded him with questions about suits, and when he was so annoyed that he could throw her thru the store window, he called Zayn. "Hey, can you tell me if there's a dress code or something, like colors for the suits?" he asked hastily. "Same to you." "Hey Lou, black suits, white pocket squares," he said tersely. "Thanks, Lottie drives me crazy." Zayn laughed. "You two have always been impossible." Louis nodded, "Did you hear? Black suit, white pocket square." Lottie put her hands on her hips. "Shoes, tie, socks?" she asked, annoyed. He passed the phone over, and she spoke with Zayn and sorted everything out. "He's impossible and in a bad mood, I hope you can cheer him up," she said and then hung up.
He wanted to reach for his phone, but she saw Harry's messages right away. "Reply to him!" she snapped. "He didn't even tell me when he's coming, I don't think he'll need my help anymore." I already imposed on him by helping him assemble the cabinets." She looked at him angrily, "Lou, he is your friend!" he nodded. "Let it be, Lotts," she relented. "Alright, but don't ignore him, write it just as you said it to me." he nodded and wrote to him, showed it to her, and put the phone away, only for it to start ringing a second later.
"Great" she took it away from him. "Hey Harry," she grinned at the camera. "Hey Lottie, can you give me Louis?" she nodded. "If you write such nonsense again, I'll send a search party after you!" he scolded him. "I just forgot to tell you," Louis nodded. "I'm coming back tomorrow, and then I want to see your ass in my apartment after your class. I owe you a meal." Louis nodded, "I gave the key to your manager." Harry snorted, "Why?" he went into the sun and didn't seem to be wearing a shirt Louis could see that he was hanging laundry. "I just thot you didn't want me to keep the key anymore." Harry called for Lottie, who immediately stood next to him. "Can you hit him on the back of the head?" she nodded, and before he could save himself, he had received a light smack on the back of the head. "Ouch," he snapped. "I would have told you if I had wanted him to get the key!" Louis nodded and felt stupid. "Talk to me before you assume anything or just jump to conclusions," Harry said now more calmly and lovingly. "Sorry," Harry nodded. "We'll see each other tomorrow, and Lottie, hopefully, we'll see each other again soon," she nodded. "I'll send you my number with Louis' phone, then we'll make plans." She went back to the stuff and searched for something.
"She's driving me crazy," Louis complained. "Why?" Harry asked quickly. "I'm going shopping with her, whatever, move your ass to London Styles, I haven't eaten anything good in a long time." Harry smiled and nodded. "On my way," he winked at him, and Lottie shouted a loud "hey" when she understood what Louis had said. "YOU love my food," she snapped. "Not as much as his," he stuck his tongue out. Louis's cheeks turned red as Lottie wiggled her eyebrows and nodded knowingly. "See you tomorrow," he said quickly and hung up.
Was Louis excited? Yes, anyone who saw him like that would be convinced; he had already changed his outfit for the sixth time and still wasn't sure. The day at the university was incredibly annoying; everyone asked him if everything was okay. Colleagues and students. He always just nodded. Now he stood here and was afraid, afraid to meet Harry, he didn't know why. They had lived together for 4 years, seen each other in uncomfortable situations. But this was somehow different. Even tho they talked and wrote for days, he was nervous. He had last seen him 5 years ago. He took a deep breath and, with the outfit he was wearing, walked to his door and put on his coat because if he wasted any more time, he believed Harry would really send out a search party. Halfway there, he remembered that he had forgotten the floor lamp. He ran back upstairs and got it. He had forgotten it again and again and wanted Harry to finally get it. Maybe he just wanted to see Harry's reaction. Who knows.
He drove to Harry's house and stopped there. He grasped the steering wheel and took a deep breath once again. "You can do this," he murmured to himself. "Come on," he said and got out of the car, unloaded the lamp, and went inside to the elevators. He went up to Harry's floor, where he had been so often in the past week that he had to laugh. He knocked softly. Maybe he wasn't there yet. But then the door opened, and a sun-tanned Harry beamed at him, wearing a green shirt and shorts. "Hi," he said cheerfully. Louis couldn't get a word out and handed him the lamp like an idiot. "Come in," Louis nodded. He took off his shoes and followed Harry into the kitchen. Harry gestures for him to take off his coat. "Everything okay?" he asked as he brought the lamp into the living room, placed it next to the sofa, and turned it on. Louis followed him, "It fits perfectly," he said, placing his hands on his hips and then turning to Louis, who stood in the middle of the living room like a lost puppy. Harry came up to him, "Thank you for taking care of her and not throwing her away," he hugged Louis and held him close. Finally, the smaller one relaxed. "I could never have done it, she was all I had of you," he said without knowing the power behind the words. But that was exactly the reason why, whenever he saw her and engaged with her, he had to think of Harry and everything they had experienced. She was a witness to their university days.
"You could have always called me," Harry said quietly, and Louis pressed himself closer to him, if that was even possible. "I wanted to do that, but I saw that you had found very good connections in Italy and didn't want to bring you back to the past." "You started anew," Harry nodded, they still hadn't separated. "We all somehow survived," Louis said after a while of silence. "Somehow," Harry said quietly. Louis's stomach interrupted the moment they were having. "You seem hungry, come on, the lasagna should be ready soon." Harry broke away and took Louis with him, holding his hand in his own. "I was just kidding, Harry." You just arrived today, you should rest, unpack. But don't cook for me."
Harry shook his head. "I've always enjoyed cooking for you," he smiled. Louis sat down on one of the chairs he had set up and watched Harry as he pulled the lasagna out of the oven. "According to your mom's recipe," said Harry and set it down. Louis looked at him and admired the big fool in front of him. "You are the best," he whispered. "Come on, let's eat," Louis helped him and brought 2 plates and 2 glasses to the table. Harry took the wine out of the fridge. He wished that this was not just a meal between two old friends. It almost felt like a date, and if it were one, it would be perfect.
Harry told him about his last years in Italy and why he moved back to London. He had applied to the university to teach there. "How will you be teaching?" he nodded awkwardly. "I love to design and create my own things, but even more, I love to show others and teach them how it works." "Do you understand?" Louis nodded; he understood it very well. As much as he loved being on stage, he loved even more teaching students and, if he was lucky, seeing them one day at the theater and watching them blossom. As if the seeds he scattered had grown into beautiful flowers that shone. "I understand that very well, you will be a great teacher," he said confidently to Harry. he said confidently to Harry. "Thanks, hopefully only half as good as the famous Mr. T," he laughed. "Hey," he complained.
They finished eating and moved their conversation to the sofa where Harry snuggled up in a blanket. "It's so cold in London," he whined. "Darling, you were in Italy for 5 years, so it's no wonder you find the weather cold," laughed Louis and sat cross-legged, turning to Harry. "Warm me up," he whined. Louis pulled Harry to him, who was sitting there wrapped up like a burrito. "Come here," he laughed and stretched out his legs so that Harry could cuddle up to his chest. It was like back in the day when the heating in their old apartment would break down in the winter and they would share a bed because Harry got cold so quickly, Louis thought, even tho he knew it was always him who asked because he was the one who froze. "Like before," he chuckled and absentmindedly stroked Harry's head. "No," said Harry, looking up at Louis. "Much better," he said and snuggled up to him again. Louis nodded. "Much better than before."
Louis doesn't know how or when, but he fell asleep with Harry on the sofa and apparently, he carried him to the bedroom because they were both lying next to each other. Harry was sleeping cuddled up to Louis. He had to grin. "Good morning," Harry murmured to his chest.
Louis had to quickly turn away from him. Because that voice Harry had, so sexy and sleepy, stirred something in him. His morning erection was now standing upright in his pants, where fortunately it couldn't be seen, but Harry would certainly feel it if he moved. "I'm going to the bathroom," Louis announced with red cheeks. After 10 minutes of deep breathing exercises and countless thoughts of old grandmas, the problem was resolved. He saw Harry standing in the kitchen in just his boxers, and the tent he had painstakingly tried to remove for 10 minutes was back up in his pants. He quickly sat down, thus covering his erection. "Good morning," Harry said again and smiled at Louis. "Morning," he smiled back. "We fell asleep and I didn't want to wake you, I hope that's okay?" asked Harry. Louis nodded. "Thanks," Harry said as he sat down next to him. "So, what are you doing today?" Harry asked him. "I don't know, I still have to go shopping later, and you?" It was Saturday, and Louis mostly just wasted his time until he could bring himself to go thru his work.
"I think I'll come along if that's okay, I need to make sure you're buying real food." Harry rested his head on his hand and supported it while looking at Louis. "I buy real groceries, Harry," he said, offended, even tho he knew Harry meant his instant noodles and snacks. "You can't just live on instant noodles." Louis smirked, "I've managed for the last 9 years, so 1-2 years won't make a difference." He took a sip from his cup, and finally felt warm. Sleeping in the clothes you wore all day is stupid; he was really very cold. "I'll come with you and you will shop properly," said Harry sternly. "Yeah, yeah," he brushed it off and clung to his cup. "Are you cold?" asked Harry with concern in his voice. "I shouldn't have slept with the stuff, it's fine." I'm going home right away and taking a shower, then I'll be warm. Then I'll pick you up for shopping, I don't think you have a car yet?" Harry nodded.
"Okay, but I'll cook for you again tonight," Louis nodded. "You don't have to, we can order something, Harry," they planned their day together. Louis's heart pounded wildly in his chest. "I want you to eat properly," Louis gave up. "Okay, but I'll help." Harry giggled and nodded at him. Louis stood up and didn't know how to say goodbye, Harry anticipated him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you later," Louis' cheeks turned rosy and he nodded, then walked out the door.
Could it be that he was a little bit in love with Harry? Is it possible that he always thot Harry was good-looking? Sure, he had always admitted that Harry was fit and damn hot, but back then he thot of it as a straight guy. His thoughts were interrupted by the ping of the elevator. He quickly arrived downstairs, drove home, and took a shower. When he came out of the shower, he saw 5 messages from Harry on his phone: "If you're staying over at my place again today, bring your sleepwear," followed by the second message, "Just in case we end up chatting for too long again." the next three made him laugh 'You don't have to', 'Only if you want to', 'You can also go home after dinner'
Louis wrote back to him. "I was in the shower, I'm taking something with me, we'll definitely chat way too much, I want to know everything you did in Italy, I'll pick you up in 40 minutes." "Your Lou," he wrote and pulled clothes from the closet. He decided on an Adidas tracksuit and packed long pants, a shirt, socks, and fresh underwear. He brushed his teeth and would buy a replacement toothbrush at the supermarket later.
He texted Harry when he arrived at his house that he was there, and five minutes later, he came downstairs and got into Louis's car. Louis smiled at him. "Where do you want to shop?" Harry thot for a moment, "Anywhere but the supermarket where you buy your instant noodles." Louis started the car, "Are you going to let it go, Curly?" he complained playfully. "Never" laughed Harry and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Louis smiled at him. "Now more than ever to that store," Harry laughed out loud.
Louis drove to his regular supermarket and they bought everything they needed for the evening and a few things Louis would need at home. "We'll drop yours off and then go to mine?" Harry asked him hopefully. "I'll drop you off and come back afterward if that's okay, I still have a few papers to grade," Harry looked briefly sad. "But you will really come back?" he nodded and drove up to Harry's door. "I'll be with you as soon as I've taken care of this," Harry said as he got out. "Are you already taking my things upstairs?" Harry smiled and took Louis' bag with him, just as he was about to grab the drink. "I'll bring it when I come back," Harry nodded and threw Louis a wink and a kiss. Louis hurried with his homework corrections and quickly put away his groceries.
Hours later, he stood at Harry's door with the drinks. Harry opened the door for him. "I'm back," he said, Harry taking it from him and putting it away while he took off his shoes and coat. "Can I help you?" he asked when he saw that Harry was already cooking. "No, everything is already taken care of." Louis pulled something out of his coat pocket and nodded to him. "Here, I found this," he handed it to Harry. They didn't have much money during their university days. They all had jobs, but most of the money went toward rent. Louis's mother had given Harry and him stuffed animals as good luck charms for their exams, which they always took with them. No matter how embarrassing it looked, they always had them with them. Harry's eyes became glassy. "They are from Jay," Louis nodded. "I thot you might want yours back," Harry nodded, and a tear ran down his cheek. "I miss Her," he said quietly. "I miss Her too," Louis wiped away the tear. "She would be damn proud of you," Harry smiled at Louis. "She loved you, Harry," he nodded and placed the little plush toy on the windowsill above the work surface.
"So she's always there when I cook for her boy," Louis pulled Harry close. "Do you plan to do this more often?" Harry nodded. "As often as you let me." Louis hummed, "Watch out, in the end, I might not let you go," as he went to the fridge and took a bottle of water to distract himself from his nervousness and the intensity he felt during the conversation.
"Maybe I don't want that either," Harry whispered softly. Louis didn't hear it because he was already sitting at the kitchen island, flipping thru a photo album and laughing. Harry went over to him and looked at the picture. "Oh God, we were so drunk," he laughed. "Yeah, it was Niall's 21st birthday, I thot we could maybe include it in the slideshow." Amelia had asked if I still had old pictures from university." Harry nodded. "I also checked, but somehow they stayed with my mom. I'll pick them up next week when I go to her before we fly to Croatia." Louis nodded. "She will be thrilled to have her boy back in England." Harry nodded and looked at him questioningly. "When she was here in London, she wrote to me, or Gemma, the two of them had coffee with me," Harry smiled at him. "They didn't tell you." Louis looked down at his fingers. "I asked them to, I'm sorry." Harry took Louis' hands in his. "Why?"
Louis looked up at him. "I told them, I mean I came out, I think I was afraid of your reaction, unfortunately, they saw me when a colleague tried to flirt with me, I think, but somehow, oh whatever," Louis said haltingly.
"Were you dating him or was it just a one-night stand?" Louis turned red. "I just made out with him, nothing more, I'm not a slut, Harry," he laughed. "But you've definitely had sex since Eleanor," laughed Harry, and Louis fell silent. "Oh," Louis shrugged. "So, not real sex." he shrugged. "Blowjobs and handjobs for sure, but never more," he said quietly.
"Why?" he turned to the window and didn't look at Harry. "I don't know, I'm 30, Harry, and back then I was already 27, I could hardly say 'Hey, just so you know, I'm still a virgin in that regard,'" he sighed.
"There's nothing wrong with it." Louis knew he had to explain it properly. "I know how to have anal sex, Harry, but... I didn't want to be the one who fucks... you know?" He was embarrassed and hid his face in his hands. "You wanted them to do it," he nodded. Harry took his hands off his face. "If they had been good men, they would have understood and given you time," Louis laughed. "Those kinds of guys don't go for scrawny little guys like me," he laughed bitterly. "They go for guys like you, for a man like you, they would do anything." Harry looked at him angrily. "Sorry, oh fuck," Harry stopped him. "If they had gotten to know you and taken the time for you, you might have trusted them. To open up about your desires. Please don't talk about yourself like that, Lou. You are beautiful and smart." Louis melted away. The beeping of the stove pulled him out of the moment.
"I'll get the food out." Louis nodded. "Thanks," he said, looking at Harry. "I mean it seriously," Louis wanted to kiss him. Pull him close and kiss him, but they were friends and he wouldn't do anything that could push Harry away from him again. "Food?" Harry asked, pointing at the casserole. "Yes, I'm starving," He said, placing everything on the table, and Louis covered it again with plates and glasses.
They ate and cuddled up in Harry's bed instead of on the couch; they would fall asleep anyway, said Harry. "Do you want to watch a movie?" he asked as he was already turning off all the lights in the apartment and struggling with Louis to set up the TV. "Yes," Harry crawled into bed with him. He lay down on the side where he had been this morning and snuggled into the blanket. "Come here," Louis said softly, lifting his blanket and hoping that Harry would come to him. He crawled over to him and snuggled up to him like a little kitten. "Better," Louis said softly and started playing Harry's favorite movie from university days. "I hope that's okay?" Harry nodded. "Still my favorite movie," Louis hummed. He had seen it so many times before. He had tried to watch it alone, but it never felt right. He scratched Harry's head and watched as Ryan Gosling vied for his love.
Harry fell asleep on him, Louis watched him and continued to stroke his head, the movie was long forgotten. He now fully realized how much he had missed Harry. His closeness and his laughter, his dimples when he grinned, and he was only back for the second day.
He also thot of Eleanor's words when they finally parted ways: "Don't waste your whole life by forbidding yourself to feel what you feel for the people you truly love," she said and then disappeared.
For weeks he hadn't understood it, in the end, he gave up. He had always loved Harry, he knew that, and now he had to admit to himself that it was more, always more than what he felt for Niall, Liam, or Zayn, even Stan or Oli, Tommy, or his other friends. Sure, he loved them all very much. But never as much as he loved the sleeping curly-haired boy who slept on his chest. Tears came to his eyes.
Did he even have a chance? Was it perhaps too late? He remained quiet and cried while the person who had ever made his heart beat the fastest slept curled up against him as if he had always belonged there, and Louis was just too proud to be scared to watch it when he was still young. "I'm such an idiot," he cursed quietly. He turned off the TV and went to sleep. He would figure out what to do. Just not tonight.
Harry's POV:
He woke up first the next morning, looked at the little man who had stolen his heart all those years ago, taken possession of it, and never let it go free again. Since he had found out that Louis had come out, he had been writing a lot with Niall, Liam, and Zayn; they all knew him. They encouraged him to do something. Now he lay here with him in a bed like before. The conversation from yesterday had caught up with him. Louis had wishes, and it hurt him to know that no one had appreciated him enough over the years to fulfilll them. Louis started to move and turned so that he pulled Harry, who was lying on his side, toward him. Harry could feel it, and his own penis immediately became hard. He suppressed a moan. Louis started rubbing against him in his sleep. Harry lay still and didn't know what to do. Should he wake him up, should he join in? He decided on the former. "Lou," he said with an excitedly strained voice, struggling to maintain his composure. Not to pin Louis down on the mattress and pounce on him in the next moment.
They were far from that. "Lou," he said again. He recoiled and widened his eyes. "I'm so sorry." he almost fell out of bed. Harry held him tightly to prevent that. "Everything's fine," he assured, but Louis' eyes were red, and he immediately forgot everything else. "Is everything okay?" he took Louis' face in his hands "Did you cry?" Louis nodded. "The movie, you fell asleep," Harry's tension eased. "Oh," Louis looked embarrassed at his pants and pulled the blanket closer to him. "You don't have to be embarrassed, it's me, Harry," he said and pulled Louis to his chest. "You're not making it any better, Styles." Harry laughed, "Maybe I don't want to," he wiggled his eyebrows. Louis snorted, "Don't mess with me."
Harry pulled him closer to himself. "I won't do that," he promised him. "You can't promise that," Louis whispered against his chest. "If you only knew," thot Harry. Louis got up and went to the bathroom. "I'll be right back," Harry laughed. "Take your time," Harry himself stood up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for them. He took out everything for pancakes, started with the batter, and turned on the pan.
Louis Pov:
Louis came out of the bathroom freshly showered. "You can," he said. "I'll be right back," Harry said, kissing his cheek and walking past him. "Don't mess up my kitchen," he called as he disappeared into the bathroom. "As if I'm that bad," Louis murmured to himself. Okay, Louis was bad in the kitchen. Maybe the smoke detector went off briefly because he was engrossed in his phone. Sue him. "Lou, you should leave my kitchen alone," laughed Harry, who ran into the kitchen wearing only a towel. "Sorry," Louis was just opening the window in the kitchen. "Put something on, I can't stand another cold shower!" he said sternly and turned back to the pan. Harry pulled him close. "Don't annoy me," Louis grumbled. "I want to cuddle you," Harry defended himself. "Put something on, Harry," Louis said, still staring at the pan to avoid burning something again. "I'm going, I'm going," he laughed and let go of Louis.
Louis shouldn't have turned around. Because Harry, that jerk, 'literally' pulled his towel from his hips, started drying his hair, and walked out of the kitchen with his bare butt. The tent was back up. Louis sighed. He made the last pancakes and set everything on the table. He made tea for both of them. Harry came back dressed. Thank God, Louis thot to himself. He would have enough to do at home later before his balls turned blue. They ate and briefly discussed their plans for the week. Harry would take the train to Holmes Chapel in the afternoon, returning on Thursday so he could move into his office at the university. Louis had lectures and a play would be performed by one of his year groups. Louis had lectures and a play would be performed by one of his year groups.
Louis got ready after breakfast to go home. "Should I take you to the train station?" he asked Harry, who was already standing next to him, dressed with a bag and coat. "That would be nice, but I can also call a taxi," Louis said, his expression offended. "I'll drive you," Harry nodded. "Thanks." They didn't talk about what had happened in bed anymore. Louis drove Harry to the train station and took him to his train. "We'll see each other on Friday," said Harry. "I can pick you up on Thursday," said Louis, trying to sound casual. "I would like that," Harry said, giving him a kiss on the forehead and then pulling him close. "We'll see each other," he then turned around and disappeared into the train.
Louis's week was exhausting. the preparations for the performance and the upcoming exams were driving him crazy. His ray of hope, Harry, whom he could finally see again on Thursday. He didn't need 20 minutes after he got home to rummage thru his nightstand and amuse himself with his dildo; should he be ashamed that he thot of Harry and moaned his name aloud as he trembled to climax? Maybe, but no one would ever find out.
He was just finishing up with the last students in the halls for the drama/theater classes on Tuesday evening when his phone started buzzing wildly. It was Niall. Louis quickly said goodbye and picked up. "Hey Nialler, wedding stress?" he asked. "Yeah, so just a quick question, are you coming with a plus one?" he asked excitedly. He thot of Harry. "I don't know why?" he asked back. "How you don't know?" Louis snorted, "It's complicated." Niall sounded desperate, "I'll add a plus one before Amelia freaks out," he said, and on the other end of the line came a loud "Don't be so cheeky, introduce him to us when you bring him," she said. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see," Louis said. "Talk to you later," then Niall hung up.
Harry's POV:
He had called Niall, he had poured his heart out to him. "Wait a second, I'll just call him," Harry said, looking at him questioningly, and Amelia whispered something in his ear. "Hey Lou," "Yeah, just a quick question, are you coming with someone?" Harry glared at him angrily. He turned it up loud. Louis said he didn't know and that it would be complicated. His face was first shocked and then sad. Niall hung up and looked at Harry again. "Maybe he means you," but Harry shook his head. "He knows I'm invited, Niall." He probably means his colleague. Mom and Gemma told me about him. He seemed really interested in him, they said." Amelia looked at him pityingly. "It'll be fine, I'm just glad if he's happy," said Harry and quickly said goodbye. Gemma looked at him with crossed arms, "You know he could be talking about you." Harry shot her an angry look. "Gemma," he whined and flopped onto the bed. "Call him and ask if he's bringing someone," Harry shook his head.
He spent Wednesday with his family and old friends whom he met at the pub. Who was that guy with whom it was complicated, he wondered incessantly. Surely the colleague. Harry drank way too much and cried to old friends. The hangover that hit him on Thursday morning was unbearable. His mother drove him to the station and told Harry to make sure to bring Louis next time. "I'll bring him along, but don't shout like that. Please," he said, holding his temples. "Okay, okay," she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "We'll see each other soon and don't forget the gift for the bride and groom," Harry nodded and took from her what she bought for Niall and Amelia. Harry would just add his name to it. "I love you," he said and got on the train.
Arriving in London, he saw Louis waiting by his car. A stab was given to him by the guy who stood there with him. "Hey," said Harry calmly, looking the guy up and down. "This is Ed, we're just dropping him off. I know him from my time at university." A weight was lifted off Harry's shoulders; he wasn't ready to meet the colleague who was into Louis. "Harry," he smiled and extended his hand. "Ed," he laughed, "You're like the famous Harry." Harry looked at Louis questioningly. "I think he heard about you, he was at our university," he shrugged. "Exactly," laughed Ed.
Harry put his bag in the back of the car. He wanted to hug Louis to say hello, but Louis beat him to it and pulled him close. "Hey," Harry giggled softly. "I missed you," Louis mumbled against his chest. "I missed you too." "How many instant soups have you eaten?" laughed Harry. "Too many," laughed Louis. Harry pushed him away, "You should eat properly." Ed laughed behind Harry, "Like an old married couple." Harry smiled at Louis. "Come on, husband," Louis laughed, and his cheeks turned rosy. "And you are the woman?" Louis laughed, but followed him. "In same-sex marriages among men, there are no women, and if there were, you would be my wife," he winked at Louis.
Louis got in on the driver's side and took Ed to his destination, bidding him farewell, but they had to promise him to go for a beer with him soon. "Take me home, husband," Harry smiled at Louis. When they arrived at Harry's, he helped him get the bag out of the trunk. "Tomorrow you'll meet your colleagues," Louis smiled at him. "Yes, also your colleague who is so into you. Are you bringing him to the wedding?" he asked outright. Louis looked at him confused. "Niall had called and asked if he should write plus one on my card; he said you got one," Harry said, only telling half the truth. "I'm not planning to take Greg with me, the fact that we kissed" was eight months ago and it was at a party in a pub, it was a one-time thing." Harry nodded. "No date?" Louis looked down at his shoes. "I thot maybe we could go together, I just couldn't tell Niall before I asked you." Harry wanted to kiss Louis. Gemma and Amelia were right. "I like going with you," Louis's head shot up. "Really?" Harry nodded. "May I invite you to dinner?" I'll cook us something." Louis looked at him angrily.
"You've been on the train all day," Harry looked at him lovingly, "I like cooking for you, it makes me happy. It's not work," Louis pulled him close. "I won't let you go if you keep this up," Harry stroked his cheek. "I don't plan on going anywhere unless you come with me," Louis stood on his tiptoes because Harry was a giant. He gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Let's get you upstairs," Harry said, letting Louis take the bag, and they walked into the house together, cuddling in the elevator. An elderly lady looked at them lovingly. "You really are a beautiful couple," she said to her husband, who looked at the two men. "Just like Mark and Anthony used to be," she nodded. Louis's cheeks turned red again, and Harry pressed closer to him. They hadn't said it out loud yet, but somehow it seemed clear to everyone.
Harry cooked for them, and they went together to his bed, cuddling up with a movie that Harry was watching and a book that Louis was reading in Harry's bed. "Tomorrow morning I have to stop by my place, but I can take you to the university," said Louis as Harry stood up and paused the movie. Harry nodded to him. When he came back, he turned off the TV and Louis went to get ready for bed. They snuggled under the blanket. In the morning, Louis's alarm clock rang and jolted them both awake. "Morning," Harry mumbled with a hoarse voice. "Morning, darling," Louis replied, pressing his face into the pillow. Harry made them a quick breakfast.
He had that damn performance today and just thinking about how much stress it would bring put him in a bad mood. "What's wrong?" asked Harry as Louis came out of the bathroom. "I have this performance with a class tonight, it will surely be stressful today," Harry nodded. "If you need help, let me know." Louis nodded gratefully. "I can handle it, Greg and Celina are also there." Harry shouldn't be jealous. But he was. "Can I come and watch it with you?" he asked as he turned around and put the cups down. "Sure," Louis nodded happily.
They drove to Louis' apartment, and Harry saw for the first time what it looked like. It was inviting and stylish but also cozy. "It's nothing special, it's just me," he said simply. And Harry wanted to punch him. "That's not nothing, it's your home Lou. Your comfort zone," he said, looking around. Many of the things seemed familiar to him. "There are things from the shared apartment in there," Harry remarked. Louis nodded, "They are the best part, our witnesses." Harry's heart swelled with emotion as he entered Louis' bedroom; there he saw the suitcase he had packed for the wedding. Then he saw a picture; it was from their move into their shared apartment, Niall, Liam, Zayn, Louis, and him, all beaming. "You still have it?" Harry asked, his voice hoarse. "I wouldn't throw away what reminds me of the best time in my life, especially not the moment when I moved in with my four most important people beside my family," Harry said, looking at him with tears in his eyes. "You really love us," he said, stroking the faded picture. "I will always do that," Louis whispered softly, glancing over his shoulder at the picture in Harry's hands.
Harry put it down again. "Do you have a copy of it? I'd like to put it up at my place." Louis nodded. "I still have it on my laptop." I can send it to you via WhatsApp when I find it." Harry nodded, "Please."
His gaze wandered further. "What is that?" he asked as he pointed to something green that was lying in Louis's bed. Louis's cheeks turned red. He had simply thrown the damn thing from the bathroom onto his bed before he left for the train station on Thursday. "Nothing," Louis threw the blanket over it. "Aha, so nothing," said Harry, thankfully not looking. "Come on, we have to introduce you to the faculty." He pulled Harry out of the room as if it were on fire. "Louis, it's okay if you have toys, I have those things too," Louis thot that wasn't the problem. The problem was that he shoved the thing up his ass almost every nite and thot of Harry.
"Whatever, come on now," Harry laughed all the way to the car. "Lou, you're an adult." Louis's gaze fell to the ground in front of him; he seemed so small in front of Harry. "I know, it's just uncomfortable if the one I imagine doing it sees it," he murmured, then got into his car. Harry stood there, bewildered. "Lou," he screamed and joined in. "Tell me what you just said again," Louis shook his head.
"Say it" within minutes their behavior took on a new dynamic. Harry was on fire; all he could think about was what Louis had imagined when he thot it was him inside him. God, he was so hard it was painful. "I'll drive us to the university now," he said, starting the car. "I want you to know, as soon as I get you alone, there's no turning back," said Harry, and Louis got goosebumps. The redness rose to his cheeks and up his neck. Harry grinned contentedly. "We're here," said Louis quietly. "I have to go to class," Louis said quietly. Harry took his face in his hands and forced Louis to look at him. "Do you want it?" Louis nodded. "We'll see each other later," Louis nodded again and then Harry kissed his cheek. Louis whimpered like a needy being. "I want to kiss you, but I don't know if I can stop once I've started. Tonight." Louis nodded and then Harry was gone.
He disappeared into the building behind them. Louis was so hyper that his students wondered if their teacher was okay. All day he was tempted to focus on the rehearsals. Harry, who joined after his tour, didn't make it any better. "Greg, can you realign the lights?" Louis called out irritably; he had already told him five times. He just stared at Harry. "Sure," he said that every 5 times before, Louis pushed him aside and did it himself. "Go talk to him and don't interrupt my work," he snapped at Greg. "You didn't want me, he's a real catch." Louis was getting angrier and angrier. Harry was talking to the dean, who spoke only good words about Louis's program. Greg went up to Harry and introduced himself. Louis was seething with anger. Greg was good-looking and tall, well-built. Harry was friendly but seemingly rejected him because Greg came back to Louis. "He has a boyfriend," he said curtly and took the remote control back from Louis. "Yeah, I guess he does," laughed Louis. "You could have warned me," Louis shook his head.
"I'm going to let the kids know," he called to Greg, and inspired by Harry's words, he grinned foolishly at him and shook his head. Louis winked at him. "Come on now, the performance starts in 20 minutes." After that, chaos broke out and tears were shed.
Harry was right in the middle of it and helped wherever he could. Two hours later, they were sitting in Louis' car, laughing their heads off. "We're ordering today, right?" he asked Harry, pulling out his phone and simply ordering two pizzas for them. When he had calmed down, Harry looked at him. "Just this once," he said sternly. "I have a lot planned for you as long as you still want it." Louis nodded eagerly. "Can you drive us home?" Louis started the engine and drove way too fast. Harry looked at him amused. "So we need to discuss the unpleasant things," he started. "I did all of this, I'm clean, and I did it all for my... you know." Harry nodded.
"Please say it," Louis stared blankly at the road. "Dildo," he said, not looking over at Harry. "Tell me, what did I do to you?" What did you imagine?" Louis's cheeks were hot; his ears were probably bright red if he looked in the mirror now. "Please, Harry," he whimpered. "I can only do these things with you if you tell me." Louis looked over at him. "I imagined you opening me up very slowly, taking your time, stretching it out until I begged you to finally fuck me, and then you fucked me hard," he said the last part quietly. He was ashamed. He arrived at the parking lot and looked over at Harry for the first time, and there he sat, his eyes dark, almost black, his pupils dilated, his breath quickening. He reached for Louis and pulled him close. "Upstairs with you before I take you here in the car." Louis immediately got out and ran toward the house in front of Harry. He felt like hunted prey, and he loved feeling that way. Harry obviously made sure not to pressure Louis in the elevator, but as soon as the apartment door closed behind them, he pushed him against it and kissed him.
After so many years in which Louis wished for Harry's lips on his, it finally happened. And God help him, it was heavenly. Harry deepened the kiss and licked over Louis' lips, who gave him complete access and handed over the reins to Harry. If they were ever in his hands. He could feel it. Pressed hard against his stomach Harry was excited, completely out of breath, and after some time, they separated from each other. Harry carried Louis into the shower and undressed him. They showered together, kissed, and Louis wanted to please Harry and knelt before him. "Lou," Harry moaned and held him back. "Please" Louis looked at him pleadingly, Harry nodded dazedly. Louis licked the tip and slowly took him into his mouth, relaxing his throat. Harry watched him closely, and Louis whimpered and moaned at the taste of Harry's pre-cum. He set a slow pace and didn't take his eyes off Harry. "Fuck Lou," he groaned repeatedly between curses and hymns of praise he uttered, his hand buried in Louis' hair, guiding him.
"If you don't stop, I'm going to come." he wanted Harry to fuck him but he also wanted Harry to come in his mouth. "I want it all," he said and took Harry back into his mouth. Harry came the moment he reached Louis's throat and shot everything into his throat and mouth, screaming Louis's name so loudly that half of London surely heard him. He tensed up and let his head fall back against the tiles behind him. Louis licked up every drop as if it were precious. Harry pulled him up to himself. "Baby," he breathed in short gasps. "You are incredible," Louis kissed him. "I've wanted to do this for so long," he said honestly. "Since I first saw you naked coming out of the shower in our shared apartment," Harry attacked him with a kiss. "Fuck, baby," Harry's cock was half-hard again, and Louis completely ignored his own erection and led himself and Harry out of the shower. Harry dried them off poorly from the shower and went with him to Harry's bed. "I want you," Harry moaned between their kisses. "Just give me a moment," Harry said, leaving Louis standing for a moment as he crawled onto the bed and lay down. Harry came back a few moments later. "Show it to me," Harry looked down at Louis, and Louis understood and turned around to crouch on all four. He looked at it and said, "I don't just want to make you come once, baby, I want you to beg me to stop." Louis whimpered and rubbed his butt against Harry's cock, "I'm clean, can I go without?" Louis nodded. He trusted Harry, and Harry began applying lubricant to his fingers. "How many do you use?" Harry asked him. "2" Harry looked at him in astonishment. "I like it when it hurts," he said and buried his face in the pillows. Harry pulled him close. Up Louis's back rested against his chest. "I want you to be well, I'll take my time, and then I'll fuck you." Louis nodded, and just from that, he could come as Harry spoke to him.
He felt Harry's finger moving in circular motions along his entrance. Louis moaned and whimpered, nearly collapsing as Harry slowly inserted his finger into him. "You're doing so well, baby," Harry praised him. "Can I add a second one?" he asked him, and Louis nodded, "Please," he whimpered to himself. Harry inserted the second finger and moved his fingers in and out of him. Excruciatingly slowly, and Louis loved it; it was better than anything he had imagined. Harry spread his fingers in a scissor to open him up, and Louis pushed his hips thru. "All good, baby," Louis nodded eagerly. "Please, Harry, please..." he begged him. "Lou, baby, it will be too much if I go in now." Louis arched his back. "Please, I need you, I want you so much, I want to feel you tomorrow, the whole next week, please Harry." Harry's cock dripped with pre-cum and he pulled out of Louis and positioned himself at his entrance.
"Are you sure?" Louis turned to Harry, looking over his shoulder, took Harry's cock in his hand, and pressed against it, his eyes widening. The pain and pleasure mixed together, and slowly he slid onto Harry's cock, who watched him with incredible arousal as Louis took his cock inside him. He thrust his hips forward, and Harry sank into Louis in one go, causing him to cry out and fall forward into the pillows. "Fuck," Louis moaned loudly. "Should I pull it out again?" Louis looked at him angrily. "If you don't fuck me right now, I'll tie you to this bed and ride you, Styles," he growled at him. Harry's grip around Louis' waist tightened, and he would surely leave marks. "Please move," Louis whimpered needily, the angry Louis was nowhere to be seen. "Anything you want, baby, you're incredible," Harry moaned and pulled back slightly, thrusting into Louis. He collapsed into the pillows beneath him and moaned loudly. "Harry," something animalistic, something Harry had only felt a few times and never so intensely, was unleashed within him; all he wanted was for Louis to scream his name like that forever. "Just like that, baby," he moaned and thrust again as he pulled back. "Yeah, fuck, Harry," Louis screamed, and Harry fucked him mercilessly into the mattress, and Louis came just moments later, spilling onto the blanket beneath him.
Harry pulled him close. "God, Louis," he groaned in admiration, not wanting to let him go ever again. He looked simply divine, so destroyed just for him. He was the first to see Louis like this, the first to fuck him. He would do anything to ensure that he remained the last and only one. Louis was only half present and cuddled up to Harry. "Lou," he kissed his forehead. "We'll clean ourselves up and then sleep?" Louis shook his head. "First, I have to" then he pushed back on Harry and moved his hips up and down, and Harry came with a loud scream, gripping Louis' shoulders tightly and lightly biting his neck. "I still wanted to fuck you," Louis kissed him, "You can have me for as long as you want." Harry kissed Louis and pulled him onto himself, "For the rest of our lives, I won't let you go." Louis nodded, "I like that," he hummed against Harry's lips.
Harry woke up the next morning and Louis was no longer beside him. Immediately, panic set in, and he quickly got up, ran thru his apartment, and he was gone. Harry stood on the verge of tears, lost in his apartment. Completely naked. "Shit," he cursed, and then he heard a key in the door lock. It could be his housekeeper, he still had Louis' keys. Harry hid in the living room. It wasn't the housekeeper, it was Louis, and he had two bags from a bakery in his hand and a huge bouquet of flowers. He was bundled up and had some of Harry's favorite flowers with him. He placed a vase that he had filled with water. Harry had no idea why he thot Louis might have run away. Now he stood there, preparing a romantic breakfast for himself. Harry sneaked out of the living room back into his bedroom. His heart raced like crazy. He loved that idiot so much.
Louis woke up in the morning with pain in his butt. He enjoyed it and yet had to convince himself that it would be better to go home and get some pills. Harry was huge, he knew that from their university days, he had seen him naked often enough. But having him inside was magical; everything felt like it had been newly awakened. He would do anything to ensure he would never lose Harry again. He was also angry with himself for waiting too long to be this close to Harry. To feel him like this. Harry was still asleep, and he hoped he would make it back before he woke up. Halfway to his apartment, he realized how it might look if Harry woke up and he wasn't there. He took his suitcase and put it in the trunk of his car for the wedding and drove to a bakery nearby, where there was also a flower shop. He bought the most beautiful bouquet and just wanted to return to Harry.
When he finally arrived at Harry's, he realized he didn't have a key. His luck was that the house manager, Paul, as he learned, looked at him with a smile. "Do you need a key?" he laughed, and Louis nodded, "I want to surprise him." Paul gave him the key. "I don't think I'll need to keep this anymore," Louis said, taking it in his hand and smiling at Paul. "No, this is mine now," he grinned and waved goodbye to Paul. "Thanks," he trilled, almost skipping. He came into the apartment and Harry seemed to still be asleep. He prepared everything and then went to Harry, armed with a tablet and his flowers, who was sitting on the bed leaning against the headboard. "Good morning," he smiled as he caught Harry's attention. "You are incredible," Harry whispered and took the flowers from him. "For you, only the best." Louis set the tablet down and waddled to the bathroom. Well, he waddled rather. "I just need to put something away," he said, taking the box of tablets from his sweater pocket and placing it in Harry's medicine cabinet. Harry looked at him questioningly, "Was I too rough?" Louis shook his head. "You were perfect," he kissed Harry. He climbed onto the bed and took the tablet on his lap. "Now we're eating," he smiled at Harry. "Tea?" he asked and handed him the tea as he received a nod. "So," Louis began. "We said a lot yesterday," Harry said, looking at him questioningly and tensing up slightly. "I meant everything I said" Harry said firmly, before Louis could say anything, he continued. "But if you don't want it that way, then that's okay." Louis snorted. "I want this, I want all of this Harry, with you and no one else," he said, looking offended. "I love you, you idiot," Louis stumbled over his own words. "So... um... fuck," Harry stopped him. "I love you too," he kissed him and almost knocked over the tablet.
"You don't understand how much and for how long I wanted to hear that from you," Harry whispered against his lips. "I'm sorry for being an idiot for so long," Louis apologized. Harry put a finger to his lips to stop him. "You needed time, now we're here." Louis nodded, "Harry, do you want to be my boyfriend?" he asked like a 15-year-old teen. Harry giggled and nodded, "Yes, yes, yes," he said, and they kissed each other passionately once more. Harry's laughter was magical but also unfair; how else was he supposed to ask him? "Hey, stop laughing, I can't just propose to you directly!" Louis pretended to snap at him. Harry paused and looked at him in astonishment. "What do you think, I would waste even a moment calling you mine?" he looked at Harry challengingly. "I was always yours," he said lovingly. "Do you really want to ask me someday?" Louis nodded. "I wouldn't want anyone else by my side forever."
They had sweet conversations all day and had intense, loving, and passionate sex. On the sofa, bent over the backrest, and in the bathtub where they bumped their heads several times. They laughed together, cried over the foolishness of their youth, and how often it almost slipped out that they had feelings for each other. Louis apologized to Harry a thousand times when he learned that he was deeply hurt after Louis spent a week in bed with him following their winter incident in their third year of college, acting like a couple, and then he showed up with Eleanor. Harry had long since forgiven him, but hearing that he was sorry healed the wounds they had left gaping open over the years, which they had ignored.
When they met Zayn and Liam at the airport in London, the two didn't even look surprised. Hand in hand, they went to Niall's wedding and celebrated their best friend for a week. Harry caught the bridal bouquet and Louis just beamed at him. "We're probably next," Harry laughed, and he just nodded.
He would come up with something for that, he already had an idea, and Lottie called him "hopelessly romantic," but he didn't care.
Louis had invested his savings in a house years ago, and Harry's jaw dropped when he realized where it was as he read the papers one morning while sorting thru Louis's documents. So that he could move in with him. It was the house they had lived in; it stood empty and would need a lot of love to make it livable again, but he loved it. "Princess Park" was their home, said Louis. Harry kissed him almost senseless that day. He had never given up in everything he did, that one day he would live here with the man he loved. Harry saw the date; it was signed two weeks before they moved out when they graduated, on the purchase contract.
Niall, Liam, and Zayn came over to celebrate Harry's birthday. Amelia, Lottie, Daisy, and Phobie were also there with their partners. Harry had to muster all his strength not to tell anyone about the house. "May I please" he begged at the party. Louis nodded, "Go on, show them what a lovesick fool I am," he took a sip from his beer and watched Harry present the piece of paper to the guys.
It's ridiculous, but Harry had it framed. He hung it up in their apartment, and every time he walked past it, he smiled and mumbled "Home." Niall, Liam, and Zayn stared at him in disbelief. "What? I always loved him, I couldn't have him, but I could capture that like in a time capsule," he shrugged. "Wait, the apartment is empty, we had someone throw everything away back then," said Zayn. Louis looked at the rammed piece of paper. "I couldn't," he whispered. "Are you saying everything is still the same as it was during our university days?" Niall shouted way too loudly. "Except for the things you took with you and the lamp." Otherwise, yes, the furniture and everything is still there." Everyone looked at each other, and Harry looked at him incredulously, "I want to see it, is it dusty?" Louis shakes his head. "The neighbors get money from me monthly to dust and stuff," Harry pulled him close. "I love you and your love for all that is important to you." Niall took it in hand, "We're going right now, the others can get drunk." I want to see our old home." Everyone followed him and dispersed in their cars. Only family, no colleagues or old acquaintances. Only Niall, his fiancée, Liam and Zayn, Harry and Louis. They drove to the house.
"I'm excited," whispered Amelia. Then they stepped into the house, and when they arrived in the living room, they all looked around. "It's like a time travel," Liam said, stroking the fabric of the old sofa they bought from a woman thru an ad in the supermarket. "We dragged it here for 2 hours," Niall laughed with tears in his eyes. All of them. "You fought so fiercely," Zayn laughed and wiped away a tear as he pointed at the table. "Niall wanted to kill Liam because he had spent so much on the table." 200 pounds, I think it was, we had to eat instant soups for the rest of the month," Niall looked at Zayn angrily. "I was almost starving" he complained. "You wouldn't have," Liam snapped at him but had to laugh at the memory. "They're still as bad as ever," laughed Louis. Harry snuggled up to him. "You are simply the best." Louis kissed him and pulled him closer. "I just didn't want to let go."
Harry nodded. "We're going to live here someday or are we going to turn it into a museum?" he chuckled. "I want to marry you and then live here with you if you want." Louis pulled him with him into their old room. When he turned on the light, Harry saw that rose petals were scattered everyplace, and he turned around in astonishment. "I didn't know how else to ask you, this place was the beginning of everything for us, and I want us to start our new life together here, the one we had started before and lost. I want you and me to be a "Us" forever. Please, Harry, marry me?" Harry's eyes filled with tears. Louis crouched on one knee in front of him and held out a box. "YES," he said and pulled Louis to his feet. "I love you so much," they kissed, behind them four very tearful people sniffled. "God, I love you all so much," Niall sniffled. "Thank you for marrying him, without you I might never have seen Louis again," said Harry, pulling Amelia close to him. "You are all so sweet," she said and hugged them all. "Welcome to the family," Zayn grinned at her. "Thank you," she murmured, crying in the arms of the guys who had grown close to her during the week in Croatia.