Chapter Forty Seven

For this first time in as many years, London has since lost its feeling of light being a void concept. Home felt empty without Louis here, but there was still light lingering away from the shadows. Home feels like a strong word now for the house that surrounds him. He'd always thought of home as a person, hadn't known who right he was with that statement till he'd found Louis. But it truly was.

The contract between Eleanor and his Louis is over, ended four weeks ago whilst they'd been playing shows through California. Harry had sweet talked Jeff into letting all five of them have the full day before the evening show off, and had consequently spent its entirety wrapped up in bed with Louis. Harry had spent just three days away in Italy, shooting a promo ad for Gucci but apart from that he'd spent most of his time since being back in Europe hauled up here.

Apart from the two of them knowing it was over, nothing else much had changed. They'd still yet to decide whether coming out sooner rather than later was a solid game plan, and ignoring the matter had been the route both of them were apparently content to settle on for the time being. The problem they faced other than them deciding when was the right time was having to have their teams seed all the information before anything could explicitly be declared. He and Louis were both all to aware of the change of direction both of their public profiles would have to undertake in order for their announcement not to be received in the wrong way. As if they were using it as a publicity move, or worse that they were queer coding.

Harry didn't care for any of it. Didn't want the responsibility of having to own up to something that should never have to cause a fuss in the first place. It was his life, his choices, but that wasn't how his life worked. Hadn't been his life choices for a long while. Coming out, coming out with Louis right with him should be on their own terms. Consequences be dammed. But that simply wasn't the life either of them lived. So the waiting, uncertain game continued.

With everything still so up in the air regarding the end of tour and the events which would occur at its conclusion it seemed like the matter would just have to wait. They were both happy, could spend all of their spare time together and for now after all those years of being apart it was more than enough for both of them. Harry knew the time would come where they'd both feel ready to tell the world. To be open about loving one another, but that was still a way off. For now he would continue to cherish having Louis wake up beside him each morning and know there would be no more goodbyes.

The weather is overcast, despite summer being in full bloom. He'd been hauled up home alone since early this morning. Louis having left to spend the day with Phoebe and Daisy who'd driven down to London last night. He'd been invited along but knew Louis had been missing his siblings, instead opting to let them share the day together. He had Louis to himself most days, he was far from selfish enough to not spare him for a single one.

Instead, Harry busy's himself in the studio, notebook piled with scribbled lyrics including the song still lying unfinished he'd started with Mitch those few weeks back. Guitar in hand, seated precariously on the piano seat facing out towards the overcast day he sighs, glancing down between the notebook and fingers sprawled across the strings.

Distantly he hears the front door sound, the tell-tale sounds of footsteps passing over the wooden section of the floor. His eyes are trained on the door as Niall steps into view, choosing to lean against the open door frame.

"Accomplishing much?" Niall starts with, cocking his brow as his gaze is directed at the silent guitar perched in his lap.

"Oh, loads!" He replies sarcastically.

"Great, grab your coat and let's go!"

"It may be over cast but it's still summer out there."

"You know what I mean, the expression and all, come on Liam's waiting."

"Liam?"

"Sometime today Harold." Niall cries over his shoulder, already turned to retreat towards the front door.

"Can I inquire as to why I'm being kidnapped?"

"Nope!" Niall calls back cheerfully as Harry turns to lock the front door, setting the alarms in the process.

Trailing after Niall he pulls open the back seat door to the Porsche, climbing inside as he greets Liam and they pull away from the curb. The radio drifts quietly through the speakers in the car as Niall prattles on about the last time he visited Japan, where they happen to be jet setting off too tomorrow to kick start the Asian leg of their tour. Zayn had chosen to fly back to Gigi who was currently in LA, opting to fly straight from LAX to Japan. The South American leg had been a whirl wind of non-stop travelling, sneaking out of each and every hotel room late at night and adventuring off much to the horror of their security team. But it had been the pinnacle example, and perhaps re-emergence of what the five of them had once been together. In his eyes, despite their history as a group and the years since their formation, it was everything they needed to have lived like teenagers once more. Stolen moments in the night only meant for themselves.

They travel together through the London streets, exploring as always as houses pass and people blur into one another. He wonders briefly as they pass the people by what struggles each goes through in their own lives, if any of them ever stop to wonder the same. If they wish their story was any other than what it is. He isn't sure if he could ever wish for another. Not even after every bad headline of heartbroken night could he imagine not living his life as he does so. It's not perfect, never has been, but it's his nonetheless.

Eventually, Liam pulls the vehicle in towards a curb. The city having emptied out slightly behind them, this place more open and freer than the crammed city lifestyle. They haven't left London, not completely, but they've left the business which envelopes it mostly.

The three of them bundle out of the vehicle, the air surprisingly warm despite the overcast and Harry follows diligently at Niall's side as they wonder towards a wooded area.

"Come to kill us off then?" Niall half-heartedly directs towards Liam with a chuckle, though the confusion in Niall's voice does little to quell his curiosity as to why they've been dragged out here.

"You mean you don't know why we're here either?" Harry questions towards Niall.

"No! Got kidnapped from my house just like you."

"Liam." They both whine together, causing the man to laugh and through his hands up in surrender.

"Hey, I just thought it would be nice to get some fresh air. No evil plan, promise. Don't attack the driver."

"You know we could always club him round the head a steal his keys. Imagine that, the headlines would be, Popstar found deceased, police suspects vindictive bandmates behind the brutal attack!"

"Vindictive?" Harry cries as they enter the shaded cover of the trees, no one else in sight.

"I have plenty to get Liam back for from years gone by don't you worry."

"Fairly unoriginal headline though, might have to kill that dream of yours about becoming a gossip column writer Irish." Liam pipes up, shooting a lighthearted smile towards them both.

"Don't crush my dreams like this Li, I'm too fragile for this shit."

"Says the one who can drink us all under the table." He points out.

"Anyways!" Liam cuts in loudly, "I dragged the both of you out here just to have some time together away from everything. I know Louis' busy today, rang him this morning, and Zayn isn't even in the country but thought it was better than nothing."

"We'll have some time together in Oceania and Asian you know?" Harry comments.

"Yeah, but it's not the same as being at home is it?"

"No, it's not."

The three of them spend hours stumbling their way through the small woodland area, only managing to frighten the life out of a few unsuspecting wildlife. They come across an elderly couple who they stop and talk with for several long minutes, the conversation somehow deviating towards the construction of Hammersmith bridge of all things. They make their slowly back in to the city as the afternoon wears on into early evening. Liam takes the wheel once more and before either of them can protest, Niall grabs for the aux chord and has them singing along to an old tour playlist which he never thought he'd hear again.

It's easy, and carefree between them as it's always been. Singing obnoxiously as they wind through the busy London streets.

By the time Liam pulls up once more outside his house, the light is beginning to creep slowly towards the fading horizon, even the summer light giving way to the night. Stepping forward out of the vehicle he gives one final wave to the boys and makes his way inside.

The lights are on, semi loud music coming through his home speaker system and Louis' voice carrying through from the kitchen.

"Dare I believe my eyes!" Harry exclaims as he steps into the kitchen, the sight of Louis scuttling around the kitchen, one of Harry's own ridiculously outrageous aprons thrown over a short sleeved band top he hasn't seen in years and casual black joggers. Louis' hair is wild and unruly, fluffed up as he smiles to him, pausing in his movements at the sound of Harry's voice.

"Well excuse you, I can cook some things you know."

"Don't you start!" He tries before Louis cuts him off.

"Don't you remember when I cooked you..."

"Say it, I dare you." Harry says though can't quite keep the laughter from his voice as he final pushes from the doorway and pulls Louis to him by his hips, refusing to relinquish his grip even when Louis is pressed flush against him.

"Chi..." Louis dares try but is cut short the next moment when Harry lunges forward and seals his lips to Louis.

"Mhh," Louis hums against his lips pulled into a smile, "you taste like strawberries."

"Ugh, that's awful!" He laughs moving down to press soft kisses into Louis neck. Getting lost in everything that stills seems so familiar to him, yet matured and new in a way he's still endlessly enjoying relearning once more. "Don't use my own lyrics against me."

"Was worth a try." Louis replies somewhat breathlessly.

"Anyway my love." He starts, forcing himself to pull away from Louis, "How was your day and also just what are you cooking?"

"Excuse me Harold, I've worked very hard to make my darling partner a loving meal."

"Oh did you now?" Harry answers, humour laced in his tone as he peers down into one of the simmering pots, noodles bubbling away beneath the surface.

"In other news, my day was lovely. Though I heard Niall and Liam dragged you out for some exploring."

"Something like that yeah." He smiles as he takes over Louis attempt at making something edible.

The two of them spend the next hour simply enjoying going over their day, talking about the places they wish to visit once they're once more flown across the world and it feels just like it always used to. Conversation easy as Harry works his way around the kitchen whilst Louis grabs cutlery and they navigate their way towards the living room, settling down together with steaming bowls of spaghetti held in their laps.

"You what?" Louis cries, bowls now placed securely on the table, Harry lounging lazily over the sofa tucked in between Louis legs. Louis' hands don't stop their tracing, swirling over his forearm in a relaxing motion as Harry smiles with his eyes half closed.

"I was waiting to tell you until I knew for sure."

"That's what you were reading at the start of the year?"

"How do you remember the novel I was reading when we were barely spending any time together?"

"You still doubt that whenever I'm around you I don't take in everything you do. Don't try an argue that you don't do the same, I know you curly."

"Alright fine, but back to the original topic, yes, I accepted the role."

"The surprises just never end with you do they?"

"I like to surprise."

"Hmm." Louis hums in agreement. Feeling Louis' weight shift down as he places a delicate kiss to the underside of his jaw. "The movie, tell me about it."

"If I give you the book, would you read it?"

"Of course."

"Truly?"

"I'm offended in your lack of faith in my reading abilities Harold, I will definitely be reading the bloody novel of which your starring as the main character."

"The filming is supposedly being filmed here in the UK you know, Birmingham I think is the current location choice."

"That's not the plot but it's still a nice tidbit to note. I think it's amazing Haz, that you're stepping into a role such as this. I'm really proud of you." Louis says as he flattens his hands over Harry's stomach.

"I'm excited for it. It feels like the right thing to do you know, it's nice having a slight break away from music. Not that my love for performing and writing has lessened at all, but it's just a temporary change in lifestyle you know. A few months of exploring what's it's like to live as if another life in a different time."

"I have to say, I'm rather partial to the person you are here with me." Louis says with a smile in his voice.

"Good to know." Harry answers, covering Louis' hands with his own.

"You know... we won't be home for a while."

It's Harry's turn to hum in response to that.

"And hotel rooms are never quite the same as..."

"Louis Tomlinson, are you trying to convince me to fall into bed with you?"

They both bark out a laugh to that, Harry lifts himself up, half twisting as he presses a chaste kiss to Louis parted lips. Allowing himself to get lost in the sensation if only for a moment.

"You did not just say it like that."

"I did indeed." He mutters, lips brushing over Louis still as he smirks.

"You're the worst."

"You're not making a very convincing case here mister, I feel I require better wooing beforehand."

"I will up and leave you right here on this sofa and command the entire master bedroom to myself if you don't stop with these daft attempts at humour Styles."

"Oh, Styles is it now? Not Harold? Not curly?"

"You've had a single glass of wine, there's no way you're drunk right now." Louis groans though half-heartedly as he sports a charming smirk. "And don't you dare start with one of your corny lines following on from that."

"If I recall correctly, those corny lines are what made you fall in love with me."

"Yes, when you were sixteen."

"You love me." Harry smiles up at him.

"Strangely enough," Louis says, slowly leaning forward to press his lips to Harry's ever so gently, "I do."