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It’s not the first time he’s seen him. Well, it’s his first time seeing him in the flesh, which is different. So so different because first, as far as Harry and the whole world knows, Louis Tomlinson is 5’9, and the man he’s watching in front of him, singing and standing on his toes to reach his mic, definitely isn’t 5’9. 5’8 maybe, if he’s generous.
“How’s everyone doing?” Louis speaks into the mic, his accent booming through the speakers and the crowd goes wild. Harry finds himself smiling, getting comfortable in the sofas in the V.I.P. box, he’s not supposed to be here, he knows, but Harry was always the type to take a feel of a venue before performing in them and it’s more personal for him considering it’s his first world tour and his first time performing in London.
“Harry, you do know you’re not supposed to be here, right?” Mitch asks, head peeking through the door. Harry holds his finger up to his lips, shushing him. Mitch laughs, “He’s really good.” He nods. “Yeah well, he’s about to beat your arse in the charts, mate.”
Harry shrugs, “He can do more than that to my arse,” Mitch slaps his shoulder, “I’m kidding!” Harry laughs, turning his attention back to Louis. He’s singing a different song now, dancing on the stage, lost in his momentum. “If you look a bit closer, you can see his soul mark.” Mitch points to Louis, as he swings his arm with the music. Harry hums, “I’ve never seen it before actually.” He genuinely hasn’t. When Louis’ soul mark was leaked, it was the talk of the town for months. Article after article about it. Happened after Louis was being stalked by a few fans and got a glimpse of his mark. He always tries to wear a hoodie or a band around his arm so the mark is covered but, shit happens. Was his exact words in an interview.
“Really? Everyone has seen it now at this point.” Mitch shrugs, bringing the drink to his lips. “I mean it’s something personal for him and his soulmate, innit?” Harry points out, Mitch knows this but he feels like it’s necessary to say it out loud. “True,” he agrees easily, “I’ve never even seen your mark, mysterious you are.” Harry smiles lightly, looking down at his elbow instinctively where his soul mark is placed, a delicate rose covered by a black armband.
It’s a few weeks later when they properly meet. Harry has his “spill your guts or fill your guts” interview which he’s absolutely dreading if he’s honest. James gives him a smirk across the table when he reads the question on the card. He groans loudly, amusing the crowd. “Okay Harry, I’d like you to eat the….” he turns the table a few times, observing the disgusting food. “Cod Sperm!” The table stops turning in front of him, the Cod Sperm just sitting in a bowl. He tries not to overthink it.
“How many soul marks are on your arm right now?” Harry exhales. It’s a simple question he could answer. Considering he hasn’t found his soulmate, it’s easy to just say one because it’s true. He hasn’t had the pleasure of having his rose be combined with his soulmate’s mark. “One.” Harry says easily, hand rubbing up against his mark through his pink sweater.
James faces the crowd, “I wish I could tell you if he’s lying or not but I’ve got no fucking clue.” The crowd laughs.
Harry still ends up eating a 1000-year old egg but it’s fine. It barely sits on his tongue before he’s throwing it up in the bucket. Right now, he’s in his dressing room when he hears running outside. He’s waiting for James to finish his segments so he could say a proper goodbye, he won’t be back here for a long time. Harry cracks his door open, watching the hallways when he sees Louis’ feathery brown hair. He’s making a mess, teasing all the people he comes across and flinching when someone tries to grab him.
Louis’ got all the staff laughing, as usual, being the little shit that he is is just infectious for everyone. “Harry!” He sees James walk down from the other side of the hallway. “What are you doing? Come meet the staff and- oh! Louis!” Harry goes out of his room, seeing James walk to Louis and gives him a hug. Harry approaches them, he feels a bit nervous seeing Louis up close. He doesn’t usually act like this when meeting famous people because he’s in the scene as well but, still.
James and Louis are laughing about something when Harry finally reaches them, “Harry, meet Louis. Louis, Harry.” James moves away so they can face each other. Harry’s eyes instantly move to Louis’ soulmark. A dagger. Okay. Interesting.
Louis covers his arm when he notices what Harry is doing. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to stare.” He holds up his hand for Louis to shake, he takes Harry’s hand. The fact that Louis has smaller hands than him does not make him feel things. Not at all.
“‘S fine. Gonna have to get used to it at some point.” Louis says flatly, Harry frowns, he hates that he automatically made a bad impression. James starts making conversation to which Harry is half-listening. He takes the sight of Louis in and maybe even takes a small step towards him. He is definitely not 5’9. He’s at least 2 inches shorter than Harry and it’s cute.
When James says goodbye, he hugs both of them and leaves back to the studio. Louis immediately turns his attention back to him and Harry freezes. He doesn’t know why he’s so nervous but fuck this. He plays with his rings instead because he just needs to do something with his hands.
“I heard you were at my show, funny rumor that is.” Louis gives him a tight-lipped smile and okay. Harry can’t tell if it’s a bad thing or not. He nods, “Yeah, yeah I was actually.” Louis looks shocked. “Oh? And to what do I owe the pleasure of Harry Styles being in my show?” Harry gives him a smile, dimples showing and all. He just wants to make a good impression okay? Sue him.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing Louis Tomlinson perform live for free is the real question.” Harry can play this game, if it even is one. It’s fine, he can be himself and not this awkward, fidgeting person he is right now.
Louis laughs, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. “How did you even get in there? Just charmed your way in or summat?” Harry smirks, “Is this your way of calling me charming?” Louis rolls his eyes playfully, “Sure. If it makes you sleep at night, love.” Harry blushes from the endearment, he coughs to cover up his face for a moment but Louis doesn’t seem to notice anyways. Is he about to embarrass himself further? Maybe.
“I watched your segment, by the way.” Harry groans, he didn’t need Louis Tomlinson to see him spit out eggs in a bucket, thank you very much. Louis remains serious though, picking at his shirt, hand still covering his dagger. “Does it bother you that people ask about your mark?”
Harry looks at him seriously, he shakes his head. “I prefer to keep it private of course,” Louis nods, “but I guess it comes with the job. You lose all privacy the moment your name is in flashing lights.”
Louis shrugs, “True. There’s always this one thing you keep to yourself though.” Harry frowns, getting the underlying thing Louis is trying to say. “That was your soulmark for you.” He points out.
Louis shrugs, “It’s a soulmark for everyone. ” He corrects, “It’s everybody’s personal secret until they choose to share it with someone else.” Harry nods.
Louis Tomlinson writes poetry even in casual conversation. Who would have thought?
“So what’s your secret then?” It’s a long shot, they literally just met, he knows Louis won’t be telling him that. Louis shrugs, showing off his mark by stretching his arm and twisting it sideways. “Don’t have one now, do I?” Louis says, laughing to make the conversation light.
“That’s why you keep that,” Louis pats Harry’s arm, just nearing his rose by a bit. “to yourself as much as you can.” Harry flinches, Louis’ touch feeling like an electrocution despite Harry’s sweater being in the way. “See you when I see you, Harry. Congrats on the album, by the way!” Louis says on the way out. Already walking down to his own room.
Harry stays there, holding his arm. Feeling tingly and shocked.