Chapter 8

Liam and Mabel stayed late into the evening. All talked out, they decided on a room service dinner of pizza and hotdogs. It was a safer bet than trying to find somewhere local to eat, especially with Mabel, who was still in her seemingly never-ending 'shoe chewing and peeing on the carpet' phase.

Stuffed and sleepy, Harry lounged at one end of the biggest sofa, Mabel curled up on his lap, nibbling at his fingers with her needily puppy teeth. Louis, looking over at Mabel with only a hint of jealously, settled next to Harry, pressed flush to his side, playing idly with one of his curls.

The evening passed by comfortably, Louis and Liam chatting about random topics, including, but not limited to; whether custom Vans were cool or trying too hard; the merits of The Avengers vs XMen; and who'd win in a fight, cats or dogs. Depending on Harry for moral support, Louis started, 'Hazza, you're with me on the cat thing? Claws and teeth, and sneaky too, it's got to give them an edge, right?'

With no reply coming, and a 'Shhhh' from Liam, Louis turned to face Harry, and was met by one of the most adorable things he'd ever seen. Harry, face soft and relaxed, sleeping soundly, curled up with Mabel held loosely to his chest, both snoring gently. Wanting to capture the moment, Louis grabbed his phone, smiling as he took photo after photo. A cough from across the room startled him out of the moment. He pocketed his phone, turning his attention back to Liam, looking a bit sheepish, as he said, 'So yeah, definitely cats, cats win.'

'So which ones, going to be your lock screen then Tommo? You haven't got many to choose from, maybe take a couple more, just to be on the safe side!' and Liam looked smug as he said it, ducking and dodging the bit of pizza crust Louis chucked at him in revenge from across the room.

…..

The late night with their unexpected guests led to a deep and peaceful night's sleep. Sharing their news with their friend felt like a weight lifted. They slept, tangled together, Harry snuggled back into Louis, Louis with his arm draped around Harry's waist, face nuzzled into his hair.

A phone ringing in the living room finally signalled the start of a new day. Not bothering to get up and answer it at first, letting it ring and ring, finally after a sleep-blurred amount of time had passed, Harry turned in Louis' arms to face him. Noses touching, lips gently meeting.

'Hey Lou.'

'Hey you too.'

'Isn't that the ringtone for your mum?'

Louis stretched, trying to wake up, and talking though a yawn that was infectious, 'Yep, better go and call her back, see what she wants.'

…..

Getting up, and padding into the other room, he tracked his phone down, wedged between the cushions on the sofa. Smiling at the photo of Harry and Mabel as he unlocked it, seeing that his mum only actually called once, the rest voicemails.

Making two teas, leaning on the kitchen counter he called his mum. Jay answering on the first ring, 'Wow Mum, it's like you were expecting me to call or something', Louis laughed down the line.

Jay sounded a lot happier than the last time he'd spoken to her. But it didn't stop her telling him off, 'Well, yes Louis I was, I thought we were supposed to be checking in with each other more often. You know, after we spoke last time. It's been nearly a week!'

'I know mum, I know, I've just been a bit...distracted.' And Louis knew how his mum's mind worked, could tell exactly what her next question was going to be.

'Oh right Louis, distracted. Distracted how exactly?' Jay teased, amusement clear in her voice.

…..

Louis hadn't heard Harry getting up, hadn't heard him walk quietly to the living area, leaning in the doorway. Harry hadn't really thought about it, had heard the kettle boiling and had come to get his tea. But now, now he was intrigued to hear where this conversation was going.

Remaining still and quiet, with Louis' back to him, he waited, interested to hear at least one side of the phone call.

…..

'Mum, I'm not going to give you those kind of details', and Harry could hear the smile in Louis' voice.

'Ok fine, yes, yes I did talk to him'...'It went well, yeah it went really, really well. We talked everything though and we both feel the same.'...'I know, yeah we both know it's not going to be easy, but we love each other. And we've agreed that we're not going to lose each other again.'...'Only Liam knows'...'Yeah he was great, really, really happy for us, so that's good. I guess we'll tell the other boys soon. Just need to talk to Harry about what he wants to do.'

Hearing his own name snapped Harry out of his eavesdropping. He felt a little bit guilty listening in, but it was all stuff they'd already talked about, so in his own mind that meant it was ok.

….'He's amazing mum, I can't believe I coped at all for so long without being able to be with him.'...'He makes me so happy, And he seems really happy too. We went to the zoo the other day'...'yes, the zoo mum, and I was watching him driving us there and I couldn't believe he was mine. I'm so lucky.'...'I know we're young, but he's just it for me, I know he is.'

Louis went quiet for a while, Jay speaking on the other end of the line, and Harry could see Louis nodding, agreeing with whatever it was she was saying. Finally, a last, 'I know mum, yeah we will' and Louis was saying goodbyes and love you's, wrapping up the call.

…..

Ending the call and taking a sip of tea, thinking about the conversation he'd just had with his mum, he felt a strong pair of arms come to rest around his waist, soft kisses to the back of his neck, and a quiet, emotional, 'You're it for me too you know Lou, really you are.'

And turning in Harry's arms, looking into each other's eyes, foreheads touching, noses rubbing gentle Eskimo kisses before the lips met. They sighing into it, warmth and a feeling of home enveloping them. Louis revelled in the feel of Harry's tongue running along the roof of his mouth, hard and needy, meeting him with an equal passion, biting at his lower lip, teeth clattering together in a rush of meaning.

Breaking apart, looking at each other with emotion neither could really put into words, Louis put out into the room the only thought he could grasp hold of; 'I'm so lucky to have found you Harry', and in response a quiet, intimate, 'I am so lucky to have found you too Lou.'

…

An hour or so later, they were showered and ready to make the most of the day. Rehearsals were due to start in just a few days, bringing with it early starts, late nights, structure, and eventually Simon. They hadn't discussed what they wanted to do, what they wanted to say to him, since Liam had brought it up the evening before. Didn't want to think about it just yet. But, discussed out loud or not, it lingered in the recesses of both of their minds; just waiting for the moment when it would have to be laid out, faced up to, and an approach agreed upon.

Until then, there were more immediately pressing matters to deal with.

Pulling on a beanie and sunglasses as instructed, dressed down in jeans and a hoodie, Louis caught Harry's hand in his, and pulling him towards him, asked, confusion clear in his voice, 'Where are we going H? And why are you dressing us up like boyband ninjas?'

'I'm only taking you out for breakfast Lou, no need to panic.' Harry smiled, putting his own beanie on, pulling it down low to meet the upper edge of his sunglasses, '...but we need to do it on the down-low, don't want to get spotted!'.

Sneaking down the hotel corridor and into the lift, giggling at the 'covert' nature of it all, they tip toed through the lobby, and purely for dramatic effect darted behind a row of large potted plants in reception, before breaking out into the LA sunshine.

Dragging Louis along, away from the hotel, down the main road and taking lefts and rights, they soon left the bustle behind them. Just a road or two back from the tourists and locals rushing about, the streets became quieter, more low key. They bumped shoulders as they walked, not quite deserted enough to risk holding hands.

'So where exactly are you taking me Curly?' Louis asked, hat and ridiculously large glasses obscuring most of his face.

Not answering, just continuing to lead the way, they took one more left, and then, 'Ta-dah! I'm taking you here Lou!'

And in front of them stood a rather basic, slightly shabby looking diner, neon sign glowing even in the late morning sun.

And with a shrug, and a 'Well ok then' from Louis, they walked in, bell above the door ringing to announce their arrival.

The aroma of fried food hitting them as soon as they walked through the door, they found a booth in the far corner, both of them sitting on one side, pressed close. Tangling their fingers together under the table, knocking ankles, Harry spoke first, 'We don't need to keep our "disguises" on in here. Come here a lot when we're in LA, I've never been spotted by a fan, and the couple that own it aren't exactly our target market.'

With a laugh and a squeeze to Harry's hand, they both discarded their beanies and sunglasses, pausing only for a second to make sure no one had recognised them.

…

Noticing that Louis had his mouth full with another rasher of bacon dripping with maple syrup, Harry took a deep breath, and spoke, trying to keep the nerves out of his voice.

'Lou, I haven't brought you here by chance. There's a reason.' And Harry smiled shyly as he spoke.

'What do you mean, Hazza. I know the breakfast was brilliant. Thank you! Best place I've been to in a long time.'

'Look to your right' and now Harry looked shy and uncertain.

'Um ok...' and Louis turned, taking in the sight of the baby grand piano crammed into the corner of the diner. 'Erm…why is that in here?'

'Well the owner plays a bit and likes the look of it in here. But I thought you could really make use of it. For me. Away from everyone…' Looking around, in the time they'd taken to eat, they were now the only people in there.

'Do you want to know when I knew I was in love with you?' And Harry looked deadly serious as he spoke now.

'It was at judge's houses. You were already my favourite person, but seeing you come back from hospital, holding you in my arms, that's when I knew. And when we sung Torn, thinking about the lyrics, that was when I knew that I was in love with you. And don't laugh I know it's not exactly a romantic song…

'..But it made me realise how heartbroken I'd be if we were together, in love, and then I lost you.

'I've wanted to hear you play it ever since then, I want to hear you sing it, and play it. I want to hear your voice when you play it just to me. Please.' And there were the beginning of tears in Harry's' eyes now.

Looking overwhelmed, but understanding, Louis held both of Harry's hands tight, looked him in the eye and stated, 'Harry, I would be honoured to play it for you. But you know you're not going to lose me don't you? You've got me, you're stuck with me for good now.'

And there in the middle of the shabby little diner, Louis sung his heart out for an audience of one, delicate fingers playing a beautiful melody that meant so much to them, both of them knowing that a song of heartbreak might have cemented Harry's love, but that their story was going to have a very different ending.

…..

They spent the afternoon, back in their disguises, exploring the quiet back streets, buying vintage comics for Louis, and faded second hand band t-shirts for Harry. The afternoon drifted into dusk, and with a newfound lightness in their steps they made their way back to their hotel.

After deciding on a lazy evening in front of the TV, and worn out from trekking around the city, it didn't take one of them long to give into the temptation of sleep. Louis was the first to admit defeat. letting out soft snores from his place, snuggled into Harry's lap.

'Hey, sleepyhead, let's go to bed, come on, it might feel comfortable now, but in the morning you'll thank me for moving you.' and Harry shook Louis gently as he spoke, trying to wake him up just enough to get him on his feet and into the bedroom.

Louis was having none of it, and barely roused at all. 'Ok, you asked for it, this is going to be a bumpy ride.' And in one not so smooth and seamless manoeuvre Harry scooped Louis up and into his arms – all too aware of Louis' hot breath on his neck - and wobbled his way to the bedroom, placing him gently in the middle of the large bed.

Realising that Louis was still fully clothed, including battered Vans, Harry blushed and muttered to himself, 'Come on, he's asleep, just undress him and go to sleep, think with your brain for a change Styles!'

The Vans, it turned out were the easy part. The rest was another story. Mentally slapping himself Harry focussed on the task in hand, undoing buttons carefully, and concentrating on sliding down jeans without waking Louis.

Exhausted, but undeniably turned on, Harry undressed himself and slipped into bed next to Louis, carefully placing an arm over him, trying to be as quiet and delicate as possible, cursing as the bed creaked.

After a few minutes he figured he'd managed to get away with it and started to fall into a comfortable sleep himself.

A quiet, sleep-rough voice broke the silence, just as Harry was drifting off, 'That was some self-restraint you showed there Styles; please don't credit me with the same if the roles are ever reversed.'

And Louis, now seemingly wide awake, turned, chest flush against Harry's, hearts beating hard in time, breath ghosting on the features looking back at each of them, gaze locked and not wavering.

'Please let me fuck you Harry? I can feel how turned on you are,' Louis breathed out into the room. And even though it was phrased as a question, there was never any doubt in either of their minds of what the answer would be.

…

Moments of hard passionate kissing passed in a blur. Sometimes Harry found himself straddling Louis, then he would suddenly find himself pinned down onto the bed, struggling for breath, consumed by the lust he felt washing off of them. Other times they lay on their sides, facing each other, drinking each other in, letting passion, and love, and want, cradle them.

'Louis...Lou, I need you, now.' And even though the kissing was amazing, Louis had to admit himself that he was getting a little more turned on than kissing alone could contain.

Slowly, teasingly, he pulled Harry's boxers off, and then his own, leaving them both naked, flush to each other, skin on skin.

'Harry, I love you so much.' Louis managed while gently caressing between Harry's arse cheeks, relaxing him, making sure that he was ready, that it wouldn't hurt too much. ''I love you too; you're the best thing that's ever happened to me.' And Louis didn't know how much more he was going to be able to take - stroking at his own leaking cock - the mere sight of Harry, now straddling him, looking down at him cheeks flushed, uttering words of love and desire, was almost enough to push him over the edge on its own.

'Harry, you have no idea what you do to me...I need you, I need to be inside you now.' And with that Louis pulled Harry fully on to his lap, kissing him hard, fingers scissoring inside, massaging him further until he was sure he was ready, kissing and kissing. 'Lou, I'm ready, I'm...I need you inside me now, need you to fuck me.' Harry whimpered, leaning forward to give Louis one last kiss, before taking matters into his own hands. Sinking slowly, inch by careful inch, down on to Louis, sighing and groaning as he went, arching his back and exposing them both to sensations and feelings they could never have dreamed of.

As thoughts and feelings flashed though his mind, Harry fleetingly tried to pin down how he was feeling, wanting to remember this moment forever, this moment he'd waited so long for. How am I feeling...aroused to the point of exploding, on the verge of tears, happy to the point of laughing hysterically, content and comfortable, like I'm about to pass out, not sure where I end and he begins, heaven, home…

Suddenly drawn out of his thoughts by Louis' hand rubbing hard on his cock bouncing between them, Harry jerked forward, hips snapping into a rhythm Louis was clearly and loudly enjoying, each moan, and groan and whimper pushing Harry closer and closer to the edge himself.

'Oh god yes, yes, harder, harder…' Harry groaned, hips snapping and bucking, any semblance of rhythm lost in the moment 'oh god, fuck, that feels so good, so good… I'm going to…'

And as Harry's' muscles tensed, that, that was what pushed Louis over the edge, into the depths of the most mind blowing orgasm he'd ever experienced, with Harry coming, crashing along with him, hugging and trembling in his arms.

…..

And in their bubble they were happy. But although beautiful, bubbles are fragile things. It's only a matter of time before they burst.