They made their way out of town, to the country. They climbed over a stone wall into a meadow with a few trees. Louis and Micky sat underneath one of the trees.

“Micky,” said Louis, “We have to talk.”

“About what?” asked Micky.

“About...well,” said Louis, taking a deep breath, “I...I have to tell you something. I like you, a lot. More than friends sort of liking. I couldn’t stand you going out with Max more because I was jealous than anything. I just...I want us to be more than friends and I want to know if you want that too.” He took another deep breath; feeling light-headed, and then looked at her.

She looked sat him, wide-eyed, “Lou...I...” She stopped, shook her head, and threw her arms around his neck, “All this time?”

“Almost since we met,” he admitted sheepishly.

She let him go and looked at his expectant face, “Oh Lou, do you know how long I’ve wanted to be more than friends? I’ve had a crush on you since I was 6!”

He laughed, “Harry said you did, a long time ago, but I never knew if you felt the same.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, “Let’s make it official. Micky, will you be my girl?”

She smiled, making Louis’ heart race, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

He stood up, and pulled her up into his arms, where she laid her head on his chest.

“Thank you Micky,” said Louis, resting his chin on the top of her head.

He slipped a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. She stared deep into his beautiful eyes, then he her, gentle but firm. He wrapped his long, muscular arms around Micky, holding her possessively. She closed her eyes and tried to respond, eventually gave up and let him take control. They parted after a long moment, both softly gasping for air, their foreheads touching. Louis was smiling smugly and Micky was drowning in his eyes.

“Good?” he asked.

She nodded, “Very.”

He cocked his head, “Then you wouldn’t mind if I did it again?”

She bit her lip slightly, “No. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

He grinned devilishly and dipped his head down again. She stretched out her neck to meet his lips and both of their eyes fluttered shut. She ended up with her back against the tree trunk with Louis tracing patterns on her collarbone with his thumb. The sunset was a brilliant, rich orange and turned the field gold.

“Let’s get you home,” said Louis, looking like he’d rather not.

“My dad will be worried,” she said, also not really ready to go.

“Yeah,” he nodded, and then he took hold of her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. They walked back to Micky’s house and again stood on the front step.

“How about the movies?” asked Louis, “Just you and me? A real date. At say...6?”

“I’d love to,” Micky replied, smiling up at him.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. He turned his head so their lips met and kissed her, angling his head to reach better.

The door opened behind them, and their eyes flew open. Harry and Mr. Stuart were standing there, mouths hanging open.

Micky turned and blushed deep red. Louis held her hand tightly and addressed them, “Mr. Stuart, sir. I think that you should know that I asked Micky to be my girlfriend, she accepted, and I’m taking her out tonight.”

He turned to Harry, “Haz, I’m dating your cousin now. You’re officially a third wheel.”

Harry looked like he was going to faint, but Mr. Stuart smiled warmly, and a bit knowingly, and shook Louis’ unoccupied hand, “I was wondering if you were ever going to ask her.”

Louis grinned, “I’ve been stupid to not ask her before.”

Mr. Stuart laughed, “We’ll leave you two alone then.”

He pulled a very pale Harry out of the doorway and shut the door.

“Shall we continue then?” asked Louis.

Micky smiled, “Do you really have to ask?”

Louis smiled back at her, and then leaned in one more time