Work Text:
Harry was sitting outside of the campus eating his rocket and tomato sandwich while doodling in his sketch book. It was a beautiful summer day and he was done with all of his tasks for his last semester- apart from one.
He was slowly running out of time to come up with the perfect motif for his last drawing of his folder that was part of the final practical exam for his study. He was so close to successfully getting a degree but this damn drawing took his last nerves. He had tried it with different objects and people, landscapes and even with a freight train but nothing was good enough to hand it in. And now he only had one week left and still no perfect motif in prospect.
"I give up." He sighed defeated to himself and threw his pencil on the table carelessly staring grimly at the pathetic drawing of a simple tree.
The perfect way to get his mind off his misery was observing his surroundings just like he did so often when trying to distract himself, so that's what he did. His eyes wandered over the campus seeing groups of friends laughing, some boys playing basketball on the pitch, other students sitting together and eating and even six nerds sitting under a tree in a circle seemingly talking about some book seeing as all of them had the same copy in their hands.
It wasn't like Harry didn't have friends- he had loads of them- but lunch break was just his escape from the daily University drama where it was just him, his food and his sketch book. But today he wished one of his friends could just snatch it from under his nose and rip it to shreds because by now he was convinced he would never amount to anything with his pathetic pictures and sculptures.
Maybe he should really take over his parents' Company like they always wanted and give up his dream of owning an art gallery someday.
He was just about to get up and go back to his flat that was just five minutes away from Campus and skip the last lecture when something caught his eye. Or better someone.
He was walking down the sidewalk past a few students- who were either going off the property for lunch or leaving for good- with a sportsbag hanging from his shoulder. His messy caramel mop was softly bouncing in the wind and from his quick steps, his eyes were glued to the phone in his hands so Harry couldn't see them properly, but what took Harry's breath away wasn't the dark stubble that coated his cheeks nor his striking facial features, it were his hands. The veins on the back of them were poking out so strikingly that Harry could see them even from afar and his long and perfectly proportioned thumbs were running over the display of his phone in lightening speed.
Without much thinking of it Harry snatched his sketch book from the table and flung his bag over his shoulder and ran over the grass already panting heavily after just a few meters. The stranger was distancing more and more from him not seeming to walk onto the campus- what probably meant he wasn't studying here- so Harry gritted his teeth and picked up his speed almost slipping on a banana peel.
"Hey!" He shouted when he almost caught up to him.
The stranger didn't react, not thinking he was being called and just continued his way. Harry saw the imprint on his jersey and tried it again with the name on it.
"Hey, Messi!" He called again.
He faltered in his steps when he stopped and turned around and Harry almost fainted when deep blue eyes were staring at him confused.
"Hi." Harry waved out of breath holding up his finger to signal him to give him a second to catch his breath.
"Hi?" The stranger looked at him with a quirked eyebrow and a mixture of bewilderment and taunt, before he simply turned around unbothered about to continue his way.
"Hey!" Harry called perplexed.
"What?" The stranger spun around again annoyed.
"I wanted to ask you something. I have to hand in a folder for my final exam, right?..." Harry blabbered away not noticing the freaked out look the stranger threw at him making two steps backwards. "...oh, by the way, it's an art exam. And I have to draw different things and I was just sitting outside when I saw you and I instantly though 'wow, he looks like the perfect model' so my question is can you be the model for my last drawing?" He finished still out of breath with a hopeful glimmer in his eyes.
The stranger's look was still the same as earlier, now even a little more reserved and he scrunched up his nose.
"No." He simply said and turned around again.
"Oh, come on. Please! I only have a week left!" Harry pleaded.
"I couldn't give two fucks an now fuck off. I'm late for practice." The guy huffed not even turning around, but Harry didn't let up and simply followed him.
"I give you money." He tried.
"I don't need money." The guy said.
"I can buy you a car." Harry suggested instead.
"I don't need a car, freak." The guy muttered. "Can you fuck off now? Seriously, you're creeping me out."
"Look, just tell me what you want and I get it, but please. This is so important and it won't take long." Harry begged desperately.
The guy sighed deeply and turned back around stopping with raised eyebrows.
"How do I know you're not a serial killer or something? And how do you know that I'm not one?" He mocked.
"Because I couldn't harm a fly and you're too short to actually hurt anyone." Harry said without thinking and the guy's face turned into anger.
"Fuck you, asshole." He spun around once more and walked even faster.
"Oh come on, Harry. Stupid idiot." Harry muttered to himself before running after him again. "Hey, wait. I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you. Look- Messi, is that your name? That can't be your name, right? Anyway- I really really need your help and-"
"Woah, hang on." The stranger turned once more and looked at him outraged. "You don't know who Messi is? Are you dumb?" He asked genuinely shocked.
"Should I know who that is?" Harry frowned.
"Oh my god." The guy shook his head disappointed.
"What's your name?" Harry asked bluntly.
"As if I would tell you my name." He laughed sarcastically. "I don't even know you."
"Okay, then. I'm Harry. I'm twenty three and I'm soon graduating Uni. I'm from Holmes Chapel, Cheshire and I have an older sister, Gemma. My parents own a Company here in London, it's one of the biggest gaming companies in all England. I live not far from here and shared the flat with my ex boyfriend but he moved out after our split two months ago. I have a cat named dusty and a goldfish named Nemo, but they live with my sister." Harry rattled down.
"Okaaay..." The stranger said unfazed. "So I know that you exist for not even five minutes and already know your life story, great."
"Now, what's your name?" Harry pressed ignoring his sarcasm.
"Oh my god, you're so fucking annoying!" He groaned. "I'm Louis. And now leave me alone, unlike you I have a life."
"Please let me draw you, Louis!" Harry pleaded again.
"Still no. Here are hundreds of students, choose one of them." Louis huffed.
"But they're not as perfect as you!" Harry whined.
"Their bad, then." Louis shrugged. "Or better yours."
"Please, please, please!" Harry continued begging making Louis groan once more.
"Okay, fine."
"Really?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No. Go away." Louis stated and turned around continuing his way.
Harry really wanted to draw him and he always got what he wanted so he thought deeply what he could give him to make him agree and his eyes followed Louis who was already fifteen meters ahead of him. His eyes stopped on his worn out football shoes and the socks that had holes in them everywhere.
"I buy you an entire football uniform. You can choose whatever you want." He called taking Louis by surprise who stopped and slowly turned around crossing his arms in front of his chest.
He pursed his lips deep in thought and looked down on himself contemplating if it was worth it. He hadn't thought of that when Harry offered him money. New footie stuff was expensive and he didn't earn enough in his job as a worker in the hardware store to simply buy them just for his hobby. What was so bad about letting an innocent looking stranger that maybe talked a bit too much and was too straight forward for his liking draw him?
"Okay. You can draw me." He agreed eventually.
"Oh my- really? You're not messing with me again?" Harry checked and ran up to him excited.
"No. I'm serious. If you get me new shoes, new socks and a new jersey. And a new football. Oh, and when we're on it already new shorts as well." Louis said seriously.
"Deal." Harry grinned. "Are you free now?"
"I literally just told you I have practice. Do you think I run around like this for fun?" Louis pointed to his clothing and Harry frowned.
"You're really rude, you know that?"
"We can forget about the deal then if you have a problem with it." Louis scoffed.
"No! No, I just wanted to point it out. I'm an honest soul." Harry said quickly. Louis hummed not really caring. "When are you done? We could meet in front of the Campus later and start immediately."
"In my footie Uniform?" Louis quirked an eyebrow. "Do you even think before you speak or are the words just flowing out of your mouth?"
"Oh, right." Harry frowned not picking up on his mocking. "I can bring you clothes." He suggested.
"I will smell." Louis pointed out.
"I don't care."
"Fine. I'm there at five."
"Great!" Harry chirped. "See you later, Louis."
"Yeah, whatever." Louis huffed and turned around leaving for good now.
Harry squealed in happiness and jumped up throwing his arms in the air.
He went straight back home, not caring about his lecture and took a shower. He told himself he just wanted to freshen up because he would be out until late, but in reality he took more time to look best for Louis. He wasn't sure what it was but something about that rude idiot was attracting and also kind of cute, not even to start with how good he looked.
When he was done showering he plopped down on his couch and flipped through the tv program until he stopped on some sitcom and got comfortable in his bathrobe closing his eyes contently.
A loud noise ripped him out of his sleep and his eyes shot open. A groan escaped his mouth and he lazily looked at the clock and jumped up in horror. It was ten to five and he wasn't even close to being done. He ran into his bedroom and tried to tame his long curls but gave up and put them in a bun before snatching black skinnies and an oversized jumper for himself and another pair of jeans and a dark blue sweater for Louis before exiting his flat in a rush. He was aware that his plan to look good for Louis didn't work but he had no other choice than to take it as it was.
When he arrived five minutes past five in front of the campus Louis was nowhere to be seen and his face fell. Either he had fooled him once again and never intended to show up or Harry was too late and he already left.
"Hey, bubble head." Harry spun around at the voice and took sight of Louis who was strolling down the sidewalk and up to him. Harry immediately felt how his heart rate calmed down and he relaxed, but then he realised what Louis said.
"Bubble head?" He asked confused.
Louis just shrugged and stopped in front of him.
"Now, here I am. Where to?" He asked.
"The art room in the building." Harry pointed to the University building and Louis groaned.
"What are you waiting for, then? I don't have all evening."
"With your attitude I doubt you have friends who want to spend time with you." Harry shot back.
"Good comeback, bubble head." Louis said impressed with an amused smirk on his lips.
"Thank you very much, pea brain." To Harry's surprise Louis started laughing and shook his head.
Together they went inside and Louis changed quickly while Harry placed the supplies he needed on the table next to his canvas.
"What now?" Louis asked when he came into the room. "How fucking long can legs even be? I'm drowning in your fucking pants...and don't even dare making fun of my height." He threatened.
"Just sit down there." Harry chuckled and pointed to the chair.
Louis sat down but Harry frowned not pleased. It looked too boring and he wanted a proper theme for his drawing, but he couldn't think of a way to spice it up a bit. But then the obvious hit him.
"Can you change back into your footie gear?" He asked excited but Louis just looked at him incredulous.
"Are you fucking serious?" He huffed.
"Please Louis." Harry whined. "It looks so boring, but when you change back and take your football it's so much better!"
"So I'm boring now? Great. Why don't just just paint the fucking chair, maybe that's more interesting than me." He complained but got up anyway and snatched his footie gear again.
"You're quite oversensitive, huh?" Harry grinned.
"Fuck off, Picasso." Louis grumbled and left the room.
When he came back he sat down and Harry grabbed the football satisfied and placed it in his lap stepping back thoughtfully tapping his index finger on his chin.
"Turn to the right a bit. Foot on the strut. No the other. Put your hand in your lap and the other one on top of the football. No-" Harry groaned and got up pulling Louis in the right position who didn't hide his annoyance when he grumbled incomprehensible things under his breath. "Oh, and Louis?" Harry asked when he strolled back to his seat.
"What?" Louis muttered.
"You were right earlier. You stink." Harry said.
"You wanted to draw me, deal with it." Louis huffed.
Harry just smiled to himself and started drawing.
Silence surrounded them and Louis was bored out of his mind and what made it even worse for him was that he couldn't even move and he regretted saying yes to Harry in the first place. He was already tempted to just get up and leave not even half an hour into the session, but he resisted when he saw how concentrated Harry looked and he couldn't take his eyes off him once they landed on his face. They wandered over his features starting with the creases on his forehead and the glowing green eyes that were so hypnotising down to his plump lips that were slightly parted and the tip of his tongue was poking out through them. His cheeks were flushed either from the warmth in the room or from concentration, Louis didn't know. But he couldn't deny that it was cute and that Harry was simply stunning. He felt his finger itching, tempted to get up and to brush the curl that had loosened from his bun behind his ear.
Louis got ripped out of his trance when Harry's eyes locked with his own and he quickly shook his head and cleared his throat.
"How long does this take?" He asked.
"The more you move the longer it will take." Harry muttered.
"Sorry." Louis mumbled and tried his best to sit still.
"How long are you free today?" Harry asked.
"Until eight. I have a date and need to shower and get dressed properly." Louis said without thinking much of it.
He didn't notice how Harry's frown increased slightly, but he was suprised by himself that he told Harry such an irrelevant thing when he was normally pretty closed up.
"Then we most likely won't get done today." Harry mumbled.
"So I have to come again?" Louis groaned.
Harry stopped drawing and leaned back staring at Louis. He dropped his pencil on the floor carelessly and his gaze hardened.
"You know what? Just go, if it's so horrible for you. Sorry for wasting your time." He snapped and shot up from his seat storming out of the room.
"Wha-" Louis started flabbergasted, but stopped shaking his head. He didn't care, why should he? Now he had the perfect opportunity to just leave and never see him again.
He got up and snatched his bag that was standing next to Harry's backpack he had brought with him for his supplies and caught a glimpse of the picture. He froze and dropped his bag in shock at how good it looked. He couldn't deny that Harry was an incredible artist, every line he had drawn until now was perfect and the shadows and little details were on point. He was not even done with half of Louis' face, but he wasn't surprised why it took him so long seeing such perfection on the canvas.
Feeling like the worst person to exist he sat back down in his correct position- at least he hoped it was the right one- and waited. He waited for almost ten minutes until Harry came back with his head hung low not noticing Louis yet and about to pack up his things and give up his dream of passing his exam with one picture missing.
He only looked up surprised when he saw the bag that was still standing there and then his head shot over to Louis.
"What are you still doing here?" He asked expressionless after collecting himself.
"I'm sorry, I won't complain anymore. Can you please continue?" Louis asked with a soft tone not wanting to piss him off even more.
"No, I can't work with someone who clearly despises me and my work. I thought I could, but that won't work out. Just leave." Harry huffed.
"I don't, okay? I'm sorry, really. It won't happen again." Louis said genuinely.
Harry sighed deeply. He needed this drawing and he wasn't far enough with the picture to draw the rest from his memory so he nodded curtly and sat back down.
"Can you turn a little more to the left?" He muttered and Louis did as told immediately careful to avoid making another mistake.
Harry continued drawing in silence and Louis waited patiently keeping his eyes on him the entire time and before he knew it Harry placed the pencil back down and looked up.
"It's eight." He stated.
"Oh, already?" Louis asked surprised.
"Yeah..." Harry muttered and got up.
"So, when do you want to continue?" Louis asked also getting up now.
"When are you free?" Harry wondered.
"Thursday? Same time?" Louis asked and Harry nodded. "Okay, then. So, I guess I see you in three days." He said and grabbed his bag.
"Yeah. See you." Harry said and both went their own way.
During his date with his boyfriend Louis couldn't get his mind off Harry and caught himself only half listening to Andy's rant about his job more than once. When he was in bed a few hours later he couldn't sleep and just stared at the dark ceiling, green eyes were burnt in his brain and suddenly he couldn't wait for thursday.
The days passed by terribly slowly and althought Harry thought Louis was an asshole without caring about attitude nor being nice he was excited to see him again. He didn't know what it was, but he guessed it was because of that exact reason. He had always been with nice guys- gentlemen really- and his friends were also lovely, so spending time with a person like Louis with such a strong character was strange but refreshing for once.
"Hey, bubble head." Louis greeted when he spotted Harry sitting on one of the tables on the deserted campus.
"Hey, pea brain." Harry greeted back grinning. "Ready for another boring drawing session?"
"Oh, come on. I apologised!" Louis groaned but a small smile was plastered on his face anyway.
"But I won't let it go." Harry chuckled.
"Of course not." Louis huffed.
When he was seated correctly Harry didn't waste time starting to draw and at first they were surrounded by silence, only the light scratches of the pencil on the canvas was heard.
"So, do you want to do this professionaly once you're done with Uni?" Louis asked after a while careful not to move.
"Yes, that's the plan. What about you?" Harry asked.
"I'm just working in a hardware store. Boring life." Louis shruggd but froze when Harry shot him a stern look because he moved.
"Didn't you go to Uni?" Harry wondered.
"No, didn't make it." Louis muttered.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"I had a footie scholarship but I got fouled badly during one of my last games in highschool and I needed surgery. My upcoming football career was over and my grades weren't the best." Louis explained shortly.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that." Harry said genuinely.
"Thanks..." Louis muttered. That topic still bugged him deeply and Harry noticed, feeling sorry for him.
"Did you try to apply once more? I mean, there are studies that don't need the best grades and stuff." Harry asked.
"No. I'm kinda lazy and after that I didn't bother to even try it." Louis said nonchalantly.
"I could help you." Harry offered taking Louis by surprise.
"Oh, no you don't have to. It's fine." Louis smiled slightly.
"No, seriously. You're saving my ass here, that's the least I can do." Harry said.
"You're already paying me back." Louis reminded.
"But still. Louis, please. Let me help you." Harry asked.
"You won't let it go until I agree, right?" Louis checked and Harry nodded grinning. "Fine. But let's concentrate on your exam first."
"Yes and right after we get to work with your applications and stuff." Harry said excited.
"Yeah, whatever." Louis smiled.
Two hours later Harry was finally done and stretched his back. Louis stepped beside him and his jaw dropped in amazement.
"Wow, what the fuck?" He pressed out. "This is great, Harry! I love it!"
"Really?" Harry asked doubtfully. "I don't know. The lines are sloppy and the shadows are too dark." He frowned.
"Harry." Louis turned to him and grabbed his shoulders looking him deep in the eyes. "It's perfect. If you don't get full score for that then I don't know what will."
"Are you serious?" Harry checked again.
"Yes, I am." Louis smiled.
"Thank you." Harry breathed out.
"You're welcome." Louis mumbled not letting go of him.
Harry got lost in his eyes and he couldn't avert his gaze, not that he wanted to. The deep blue of Louis' eyes was hypnotising and he almost forgot how to breathe.
A buzzing sound ripped them both out of their moment and Louis quickly shook his head stepping back and dropping his hands. He grabbed his phone and frowned.
Harry turned to his bag flustered and hid his red cheeks stuffing his supplies inside, but when he turned back around Louis was still staring at his phone.
"Is everything alright?" He asked.
"Yes." Louis muttered. "My boyfriend just cheated on me and dumped me over text, no biggie." He laughed sarcastically shaking his head.
"Oh shit. I'm so sorry!" Harry said horrified.
"Nah, no need to be." Louis waved him off but he'd lie if he'd say he wasn't hurt.
"How about a drink to get your mind off that asshole?" Harry suggested and Louis thought for a moment glancing at the text once more with furrowed eyebrows.
"You know what? Why not? Let's celebrate our productive day and that you could finish your folder." He said eventually.
They left the campus together and walked down the sidewalk to a near pub making small talk and getting to know each other better. Once seated they didn't hesitate to order their first round of beer and from then the alcohol just flowed and they talked to no end until they were close to being drunk and just joked around and laughed about the dumbest things. It felt so normal that it seemed like they've known each other for years and not only for a total of four days.
"Gimme your phone." Louis demanded and reached his hand over the table wiggling his fingers.
"Why?" Harry asked confused but placed the device in his hand anyway.
"I give you my number and expect you to text me the results." Louis said as if it was obvious.
He quickly typed in his number and called himself so he could save Harry's number as well before handing it back to him. Harry bit his lip to contain the smile that dared to creep up on his face.
"Sorry, lads. But we're closing soon. Last round." The bartender came over to them smiling apologetically.
"Already?" Louis asked, but when he looked around himself he saw that they were the only ones left in the pub.
"It's half past three, normally I close at three." The bartender grinned.
"Oh, sorry about that." Harry apologised. "We take two beers to go." He placed a hundred pounds on the table.
"Thank you." The bartender said surprised for the generous tip and brought them two more beers.
Louis reached in his pocket taking out his last note of fifty pounds and slid it over to Harry- without thinking of the consequences that had for him when he couldn't go grocery shopping and only had a few leftovers for the rest of the week to eat- who just looked at him unfazed and slid it back.
"It's on me." Harry denied.
"No. Take it." Louis slid it back.
"No."
"Yes."
"Okay. Let me pay today and you pay next time?" Harry suggested.
"Okay, fine. Are you free next week?" Louis asked.
"Sure. Friday, here?"
"Let's go clubbing." Louis suggested.
"Clubbing?" Harry quirked an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I haven't been clubbing in ages and I'm freshly single, what's a better way to get some if not between hundreds of hot bodies grinding against you on the dancefloor?" Louis wiggled his eyebrows.
"Fine. But you are probably someone who just dumps their friends if getting the chance to hook up." Harry frowned.
"No, never." Louis shook his head. "Well, maybe. Guess you have to find out." He winked and got up.
"Great. Will there at least be other people with us I can hold on to if you disappear with some bloke?" Harry asked when they left the pub both with their bottles in their hands.
"Who says I'm only hooking up with guys?" Louis side-eyed him.
"Do you?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Louis nodded.
"So your question was completely useless." Harry huffed.
"It was. Leave me alone, I'm drunk and tired." Louis muttered. "And back to your question, no. My friends are more the kind of people to go to pubs and stuff. Unlike you want to bring anyone."
"No, I think I will survive your company for a night." Harry smirked.
"Maybe you get someone as well." Louis nudged him as they walked along the sidewalk.
"Nah, I'm not one for a random one-night stand." Harry denied.
"I'm not surprised." Louis grinned.
"And why is that?" Harry frowned.
"I don't know. You just don't seem like the guy for it. I can rather picture you in a long term relationship. You know, with fluff and romance and shit." Louis shrugged.
"Well, right. What about you? How long did your relationship last?" Harry wondered.
"Only a few months. It wasn't that serious but I'd lie if I'd say I don't want anything serious. I'm not a fuck boy who needs to get some every weekend, you know?" Louis said seriously.
"You're not?" Harry asked surprised.
"No. I just didn't find the right one yet. I'm only twenty four, I have my entire life to find the one true love or whatever." Louis smiled and turned his head slightly looking at Harry before averting his eyes quickly.
"That's quite cute." Harry chuckled.
"Oh, shut up." Louis pushed him laughing.
They continued walking planning when they'd meet up next week and where to go until Harry stopped and pointed to the building on the other side of the street.
"That's where I live. Is it far to yours?" He asked not even thinking of it until now.
"Oh..." Louis said surprised. "No, it's just a few blocks down here." He pointed into the direction ahead of them and smiled.
"Okay, then. Thanks for the evening, it was fun." Harry returned the smile.
"I have to thank you. You're actually not as bad as I thought." Louis chuckled what caused him a hit on the shoulder from Harry. "No, but seriously. It was really nice, thank you."
"I text you?" Harry asked and Louis nodded. "Okay, good night."
"Good night, Harry." Louis smiled and hugged him quickly before Harry rushed into his building and Louis waited until he was inside and then turned into the direction they were coming from. It was going to be a long walk home, but he rather had Harry safely home than letting him walk through the chilly London night all by himself and he definitely didn't want him to feel bad by telling him that he lived thirty walking minutes away and in a complete other direction. He didn't mind at all though, and he couldn't wait to see him again.
Just as predicted Harry's prof was astonished by his folder and he got full scoring. As soon as he left the building he texted Louis the good news unable to stop grinning the entire time.
To Louis:
Got full scoring!!! Thank you for saving my life! x
Almost immediately he received a text back and his heart skipped a beat.
From Louis:
See? Told you so ;) Let's celebrate on friday^^ looking forward to it x
Friday came quick and Harry went all out with his extra tight jeans and see through light green button up that accentuated his eyes leaving the top buttons undone to show off his tattoos. After telling himself continuously that he just wanted to look good in case he actually got laid tonight, eventually he accepted that he just wanted to impress Louis and hoped he didn't have to see him snogging some other guy on the dancefloor or worse, seeing him leave with one.
When he arrived in front of the club where he was supposed to meet Louis he couldn't see him yet so he pulled out his phone and texted him to ask him where he was. Louis replied quickly as usual and told him to just lift his head and Harry did but his mouth almost dropped open when Louis was suddenly standing in front of him wearing black ripped skinny jeans and a white tank top. When Harry couldn't resist anything, then it was chest tattoos and the font in black ink that was poking out over the hem of Louis' shirt was practically jumping in his face making his feet feel like jelly.
"Hello, bubble head." Louis greeted teasingly. Harry shook his head and ripped his eyes off his perfectly tanned chest- not noticing Louis licking his lips looking him up and down- and got himself together.
"Oh, pea brain, it's you. I didn't see you there, must've drowned in the crowd." Harry smirked.
"Fuck off." Louis laughed and pulled him in a hug. "Congrats to the passed exam." He muttered in his ear.
"Thank you. Wouldn't have done it without you." Harry mumbled back and squeezed him, inhaling deeply in hopes Louis wouldn't notice that he was sniffing him like some creep just because he smelled so damn good.
"I'm sure you would've." Louis smiled and let go of him. "But enough about that, let's get hammered." He cheered and they went inside.
Two hours later they were both pissed and hitting the dancefloor and it didn't take long until they were dancing so close together that there was almost no space between them.
"Oh my god, that's my song!" Harry yelled over the loud music when his favourite song came on.
Louis laughed loudly and just went with the flow and before he knew it Harry was grinding against him rubbing is ass over his groin.
"Fuck." Louis choked out through gritted teeth when he felt something shifting in his body and his skin felt like it was catching fire. He didn't intend to, but his hands automatically wandered to Harry's hips and he grabbed him tightly helping him move against him.
He was just as wasted as Harry not realising how hard he actually already was who didn't notice either and just enjoyed the music and Louis being close to him. The room started spinning and he had touble orientating so he reached behind him and grabbed Louis' neck for support pressing his entire body against him and dropping his head on his shoulder.
"Fuck, Harry. You should really stop that." Louis growled in his ear at some point when he couldn't bear the heat inside of him anymore and pressed his fingers in his sides to somehow contain himself.
"What?" Harry slurred in his ear.
"That." Louis choked out and pressed his hips against him so he could feel it properly.
"Fuck, I-" Harry pressed out and swallowed down a groan.
Before one of them could make another move someone next to them fell against them causing Harry to stumble and almost knocking out Louis who could grab him just in time before he could fall and held him by his waist tightly. Automatically Harry's arms flung around his neck to steady himself, their faces inches apart. They looked at each other in shock, not quite getting around what just happened and both too drunk to grasp a clear thought.
"I think-" Louis swallowed thickly and leaned back slowly letting go of Harry. "I think we should call it a night."
Harry just nodded disoriented and Louis grabbed his hand guiding him out of the club. The fresh air hit them like a train and they needed a few minutes to not throw up right in the corner of the building.
"I should...call an Uber." Harry mumbled holding his head and fumbled his phone out of his pocket.
"No, you sleep at mine. Come on, I live only two blocks from here." Louis grabbed his arm once more and Harry just accepted it.
"Pretty flat." Harry murmured suddenly really tired when they entered Louis' flat steadying each other.
"Ha, no. But thanks." Louis chuckled. "Come on, let's go to bed. Need a bucket in case you throw up?"
"No. I never throw up." Harry shook his head quickly.
"Okay, then. I do, so I get one just in case." Louis mumbled.
"As long as you don't throw up on me." Harry huffed and stumbled through the hallway, no clue where to go and where Louis left to, but he was sure he'd find a bed and he was right. He opened a bedroom and there it was. A cozy looking bed, so he didn't waste time getting rid of his clothes apart from his boxers and slid under the covers.
Two minutes later Louis appeared in the room with a bucket in his hand looking at him amused.
"Get comfy, no worries." He teased and closed the door behind him swaying a bit when he turned around.
"Mhm, come 'ere." Harry patted the spot next to him with closed eyes already half asleep.
Louis chuckeld and got rid of his own clothes before getting in bed himself and within two minutes they were both fast asleep.
He woke up with a terrible headache and had trouble even blinking his eyes open. The room was spinning and everything was blurry and as usual he regretted drinking so much and told himself that he'd never drink again although he knew he would anyway. He heard a groan next to himself and slowly turned his head looking at Harry's slowly opening eyes.
"Morning." He croaked out.
"Shh." Harry lifted his hand and felt for Louis' face placing it on his mouth to shut him up making him chuckle weakly. "I think the bucket wasn't a bad idea."
"Do you need it?" Louis muttered behind his hand and reached up peeling it off his mouth and dropping it on his chest.
"Dunno. Guess we'll see." Harry mumbled and kept his hand where it was feeling Louis' rapidly beating heart.
"Let's just stay exactly like this and don't move for three days." Louis groaned.
"Good idea." Harry agreed.
After over an hour of just laying there without talking but without falling back asleep either, they felt slightly better.
"Hey, Lou?" Harry mumbled, turning on his side so he could look at Louis.
"Yeah?" Louis breathed out with closed eyes.
"Sorry for yesterday." Harry apologised.
"Nothing to apologise for. That's clubbing." Louis chuckled which was a bad idea when his stomach turned and he groaned.
"Still. I don't want it to be awkward now." Harry whispered causing Louis to open his eyes and turn his head to look at him.
"Why awkward?" Louis asked confused.
"I don't know." Harry shrugged with faint pink cheeks.
"It's not. Don't worry." Louis smiled uneasily.
He didn't want it to be awkward, he wanted to take it further. But he didn't even know Harry properly and he didn't want to fuck up. Little did he know that Harry was haunted by the same thoughts.
They spent the day together just laying in bed, drinking coffee and eating fast food- which was the best medicine for hangovers- and watching random movies talking to no end.
"You lied to me." Harry stated randomly in the middle of the movie.
Louis turned to him confused trying to think of a situation where he had lied to Harry and how he came up with that now, but he didn't remember.
"I never lied to you." He frowned.
"Yes, you did." Harry stated. "The night at the pub. You told me you only live a few blocks from me but we're far away from my flat."
"Oh." Louis said in realisation and heat rushed through his body up to his cheeks.
"Why?" Harry wanted to know.
"Because..." Louis said nervously, but then took a heart and decided to be honest. What was so wrong about it? "Because I wanted to bring you home and I didn't want you to feel bad." He admitted.
"But now I feel bad." Harry frowned, but he couldn't suppress the butterflies that were flying around like crazy in his stomach.
"Don't." Louis shook his head. "I did this because I wanted it, okay? It's all good." He smiled.
"Okay, but never lie to me again." Harry pouted.
Louis just laughed and promised him to always be honest with him no matter what.
The days passed with them texting back and forth but they barely saw each other. Their schedules were both packed and it was difficult meeting up. Louis had to work and practice and he made plans with his friends not wanting to neglect them and Harry had similar priorites. He had sworn to himself after his last failed relationship that he would never forget about his friends ever again, so they only met up twice for coffee and lunch. That was until three weeks after their night out when Harry suggested to start working on Louis' applications. He invited him over and they continued where they stopped when they parted the last time. It was like always, they talked a lot and joked around but both noticed how much they had missed properly spending time the other.
"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Louis asked when they agreed to make a cut after working for three hours now.
"Yes, sure. If it's no bother." Harry smiled.
"Never." Louis grinned and got up from the couch to get some takeout brochures.
After eating they got comfortable on the couch again and watched a movie, but Louis fell asleep halfway through it with his head thrown back on the backrest and his arm draped over it behind Harry who didn't notice at first, only when a soft snore came out of Louis' open mouth. His head turned to him and he chuckled at the sight.
"Lou?" He whispered, but got no reaction from him.
He contemplated what to do, if he should just continue to watch or to leave quietly but he decided against it and carefully scooted closer to him yearning for Louis' proximity. He glanced up at him as he slowly dropped his head on his shoulder not wanting to wake him up and Louis moved making him hold his breath fearing he could've fucked up now, but Louis only put his arm around him and pulled him closer.
Harry sighed contently and enjoyed the peace snuggling closer to him until the movie was over and he started a new one. He didn't even know what it was about, he just watched Louis sleeping and admired his beauty. When he thought back to when their paths first crossed he had never thought they would get along so well and now he couldn't even deny his feelings anymore and wished they could be more than what they were.
It was early to say how strong those feelings were, but the more he spent time with him, the more he wanted him and not only physically. He could picture them together, doing couple things and silly things together, but also doing their own thing and having their space by still seeing their separate group of friends and keeping track on their hobbies. That's what he always wanted and now he was convinced he had found the perfect partner for those things- that was if Louis even wanted that. But he'd never know if he didn't try.
He almost missed how Louis' eyelids fluttered and quickly closed his eyes acting like he was asleep but it was too late.
"I know you're not sleeping." Louis rasped out, but Harry could hear the smile in his voice. He slowly opened his eyes and almost choked on his breath at how close they were.
"Sorry." He mumbled sheepishly.
"For what?" Louis asked softly.
"That." Harry took a heart and leaned in until he could feel his breath on his lips and heard it falter.
"Don't be." Louis mumbled before closing the gap between them and connecting their lips.
Their kiss was slow and soft, not rushed at all and with no tongue or it turning into a snogging session. It was just filled with emotion and just the right amount of passion as their lips moved in sync. Harry reached up his hand and closed it around his neck pulling him closer and Louis let him.
He broke the kiss after a while and rested his forehead against Harry's smiling softly.
"What does this mean?" He whispered.
"What do you want it to mean?" Harry asked back just as quietly.
"Maybe I found the one." Louis admitted and he watched how Harry's eyes started glowing with happiness.
"And it started with a drawing." Harry smiled and connected their lips once more.