Work Text:
2:28pm
H: Where are you?
2:42pm
H: Louiiiis?
3:04pm
H: You’re stressing me out
3:18pm
L: omw to your place
Harry puts his phone down on the counter and tries to think of all the possibilities. Louis had this big interview today with his bosses to maybe get a promotion. Three years of working his ass off for them without getting a raise so now it’s time for Louis to get it or quit. Working ten hours a day, five days a week without getting any recognition or thanks, this was Louis' time to ask for more. They argued a lot in the past because Harry wished Louis would stand up for himself more.
See, Louis is Harry’s best friend, his mate, his everything since they’re twelve. So Harry is quite involved in Louis’ life. He’s seen his share of shitty boyfriends, crappy jobs, and annoying friends. So, at almost thirty, he’s determined to help Louis get the life he deserves. To be honest, he’d love to help him with the love part, but that’s not what matters right now. Right now, it’s Louis’ job situation. The rest will have to wait.
Harry puts some water in the kettle and takes out two mugs and some scones he made this morning. Louis always loves his pastries, so depending on his mood, he'll be happy to find some comfort food... or a shoulder to cry on. Harry's shoulder. That's be a brilliant idea. Louis loves his pastries but he also loves cuddles, he loves to rest Harry's face in his neck, with his arms around his back and his hands…
The door opens with a jolt and Louis bursts into the flat jumping and screaming
"I got it!! I fucking got it! Harry!!!"
And he jumps into Harry's arms wrapping his legs around his waist, his face in Harry's hair.
"I got the promotion" he whispers now " I presented my case and they agreed, congratulated me on the last three years and gave me the fucking promotion" Louis' hands are in Harry's hair, playing with it and Harry is dying.
“I’m so proud of you Lou. You earned it, you worked so hard for it.” He doesn’t know why he keeps whispering like Louis. The moment feels fragile, intimate so Harry brings his mouth closer to Louis’ ear. “Think about the hours you spent there, all the Friday nights you missed with Liam and Zayn because you had a case to finish, all the Wednesday nights you couldn’t come with Niall and me to play tennis.”
“That was me avoiding sports Haz.”
Harry laughs and Louis uncrosses his legs to stand. Harry tries not to show his disappointment, but when Louis keeps his arms around his neck, it’s okay. Louis stares at him. Harry smiles, knowing his dimples must be popping out. Louis’ eyes are always so blue.
Harry’s gaze lingers on his eyes, his nose, his cheekbones, and finally his lips. Louis’ tongue slides out and along his lips, his eyes darkening slightly.
"Haz"
Harry's eyes reluctantly leave Louis' mouth to meet his gaze again.
"We need to talk," Louis says in a low, worried voice, and Harry doesn't like it at all. Louis has never been afraid to talk to Harry, he's always been honest and straightforward with him. He told him at thirteen that his parents were getting a divorce, at fifteen that he kissed a girl for the first time, at seventeen that he was gay, at twenty that his boyfriend was cheating on him, at twenty-four that he didn't like Harry's boyfriend, at twenty-seven that he hated his job, and at twenty-nine Harry waits.
“I got the promotion, Haz. I’m so happy.” He didn’t look like it. Louis’ hands played with Harry’s hair at the base of his neck. “This is what I’ve wanted for so long. You know better than anyone how hard I worked for them and finally…” A pause. “Finally, they’re acknowledging it.”
“Lou. Of course they were going to acknowledge your work. So…-”
“They’re sending me to New York.”
And the world stops.
Harry's hands fall from Louis' waist, he takes a step back, Louis' arms fall back to his sides.
"What? New York?"
"Their company here is winning contracts and they need me there to manage some of them."
Louis. Louis is leaving.
To fucking New York.
Louis is going to work abroad.
Without Harry.
No more baking for him. No more rants during movies. No more stealing his crisps. No more drunken hugs. No more Louis. No more.
"I'm making tea. And scones."
Harry picks up the kettle and pours water into the empty cup.
"Harry."
He opens the fridge
"Butter or jam?"
"Haz please"
Jam it is.
"Get two spoons and a knife"
Maybe he should have made cookies. Louis loves cookies.
"Stop it!"
"Oh fuck, I forgot to buy milk"
Maybe he'll go tonight.
"Fuck, look at me, Haz." Louis' outburst startles Harry who catches the jam jar at the last minute.
And Harry looks at him, tears in his eyes.
"What do you want me to say? Congrats?"
“Yes!” That’ll be nice. For fuck’s sake Harry! Three years that you ask me to do something, to ask for more and now that I get it you… you…”
“I what?”
"Snub me? I don’t know… aren’t you happy for me?”
Harry keeps his mouth shut, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Great! Fucking great Haz! Really mature."
He hears footsteps coming closer to him and Louis' warmth surrounds him.
"Harry..."
"Congratulations Louis! Really! I'm so proud, you deserve it. A new life awaits you. New job, new friends, new boyfriend."
"What the hell..-"
"Don't forget to call me once a week if you have time."
"Of course I'll have time to..."
"And set an alarm for my birthday, and your mother's..." Harry gets upset. Being angry is good. Being angry is better than sad, otherwise he'll start crying and begging Louis not to go.
"Harry, you're being ridiculous..."
"I’m being ridiculous? I'm rooting for you."
"No, no!" You're acting like an ass."
"Whoa! Okay. I think this is the new Louis, promoted and New Yorker."
"Why are you all-" he gestures with his hands at Harry's body "all... drama queen."
"Fuck you."
"No, fuck you."
"Oh, fuck it!"
And Harry kisses Louis.
On the mouth.
With his tongue. In Louis' mouth.
On a Friday afternoon. In his kitchen.
Harry kisses his best friend.
And his best friend kisses him back.
Louis pushes Harry back against the counter and aligns his body alongside his, taking Harry’s bum in his hands.
Oh god. He’s hard.
Louis is hard. And so is Harry.
Fuck fuck fuck
"Louis," he mumbles against his lips, "Louis, stop it." Harry places his hands on his chest and gently pushes him away.
"We... can't."
“ I turned it down”
Harry stares at him.
“The promotion. Oh and I quit.”
“Wh..”
“You were right. I need to stand for myself for once and go after what I want. And judging from the last three minutes I think you're pretty keen on my next project .”
And the bastard has the audacity to smirk.
"Baby." Harry moans and Louis' hands come back to him, to his cheeks where he lays a kiss next to Harry’s mouth.
"I'm staying here. With you. If you want me."
This boy, seriously…
“I can find a better job so I could woo you? Kiss you?”
A breath against his lips.
“Fuck you?”
Then Harry kisses him again.