Harry’s POV)
Turns out that wandering around a city like Vegas, when you’re from the UK and an international celebrity? Not a good idea. I have no goddamn idea where I am, I have girls throwing themselves at me and all I want is some peace and quiet. Fuck.
With every fan encounter I’m faking a smile, every new street I’m settling into more of a panic. Like, honestly, how dumb am I? No wonder Louis would rather be with Colin.
Okay, not with. It’s just coffee. Just coffee, just coffee, just coffee, I chant to myself. But my stomach sinks further as I walk around, knowing that I could lose my Louis at any time. Maybe he’ll see how great Colin is. How funny and cute and lovely. And maybe he’ll see my flaws. My anxiety, my insecurities, my stupid decisions. Like this one.
I turn down another darkened street, pulling Louis’ beanie further over my curls and trying not to cry.
Just coffee.
But fucking hell, it doesn’t feel like that. Maybe I am being a little overdramatic. It’s possible. But it’s also possible that I’m not.
Colin’s the perfect guy. He doesn’t run from his problems. He doesn’t over think, or flip out for no reason, or be jealous. That’s me. Right now. I’m jealous. Maybe I’m being possessive. But Louis liked that, didn’t he? I don’t know anymore. All I know is that every minute I know Lou is off with him and not me, the more I want to simultaneously run away and steal him back.
But I can’t steal him back, I love him enough to let him make his own decisions.
So I decide to just run. Irrational, maybe. But a decision nonetheless.
I’m about to hail a cab when someone calls my name, and on instinct, I turn. My heart drops.
Colin.
*************************************
(Louis’ POV)
We meet the boys behind the cafe across from our hotel (probably not the best option but what the fuck ever) and Paul is with them. Running on anger, as soon as they’re in sight I jog up to them and shove Liam backwards.
"You were supposed to look after him!" I shout, worry flooding through me. My Hazza is missing, give me a break.
"Oi!" Niall defends, pulling me away.
"Why is this my fault?" Liam counters and I would punch him if I could.
"You’re in charge, it’s implied! How did he even get away from all you?" I ask once Niall lets go, staring expectantly as they all sigh.
"We don’t even know, Lou. He snuck out. Avoided even security, he must have been desperate." Zayn explains, voice annoyingly collected.
"What the fuck, Haz." I mumble to myself. "You stupid, stupid idiot."
"Look, we’ll split up and find him, he can’t have gotten far." Paul suggests, and we nod, though I’m still numb with worry.
"Alright." I say, stealing the control that a few seconds ago I was trying to push on Liam. "Liam and Niall go together, Zayn and Paul, and I’ll go with Colin."
They raise their eyebrows as they notice Colin hesitating by his car, assumedly just seeing him now.
"Is that a good idea? That’s the reason he ran away…" Zayn mutters, and I slap him on the arm, not playful at all.
"I’m aware, it’s my fault, I made a mistake, I’m an idiot, fucking stupid, yeah? Let’s move on and find him. You guys go down the main street,” I say, gesturing to Paul and Zayn, “you two the side streets,” Liam and Niall, “and Colin knows his way around so we’ll take the backstreets, alleys, all that.”
They’re silent for a moment.
"What?" I snap harshly.
"Nothing. Let’s go." Paul says and that’s that.
I hop into the car with Colin and he takes off. It’s a blur for a bit, as he turns down small streets and I scan outside, dwelling at the same time. Stupid Hazza. Such an idiot. What was he thinking? He’ll get hurt, I know he will. He always gets hurt, or lost, or something of the sort. A year ago he ran from the house when he walked in on me and a girl (oh?) and he came back three hours later with minor frostbite and the flu. Didn’t bring a coat. He’s stupid when he’s upset. Fuck.
We turn down another street.
"What was he wearing?" Colin asks as we scan our respective sides.
"Fuck, um," I think. "I think he was wearing my clothes. Red beanie, maybe my grey sweater. He might have changed that but the beanie…no, he’ll still be wearing that. Won’t take it off, ‘specially not now."
Colin nods in my peripheral vision and I sigh. The thought of Harry, alone and worried about something he shouldn’t be so much as concerned about, makes tears spring to my eyes. My fingers drift to my wrist and rub there.
"Alright, where would he go? I doubt he’s really aware of it, but subconsciously I mean. Where would he go?" Colin questions, flicking his blonde hair out of his eyes.
I don’t even have to think about my answer, I know so much about him.
"Somewhere quiet. Secluded, probably. He tends to space out when he walks, or so he says. I’m thinking a place with lots of little alleys and such, like a maze. He needs to over think." I answer, straining my eyes in the dark.
The lamps barely give off enough light and as we pass a few people, I start to get impatient. And worried. Still very worried.
"Hold on, you mean somewhere where he can just wander?" Colin asks, and I look at him expectantly, nodding. "Fuck, I might know where he is. Hold on."
Colin turns the car around, back towards the hotel. When we get near it, he turns abruptly into a small backstreet.
"Watch for him." Is all Colin says.
And I do. As Colin drives us through a maze of little streets, alleys, paths, and stare out the window in a worried trance.
Until a red beanie catches my eye.
"There!" I shout, pointing past a crowd of people where Harry is walking, head down, shoulders tense.
"Where? Oh, you sure that’s him?" Colin asks and I scoff angrily.
"That’s my fucking idiot right there." I mutter.
Colin pulls over near where Harry is trudging away, and I go to undo my seatbelt, until Colin’s hand stops me.
"What?" I snap, feeling drawn towards my over thinking idiot of a boyfriend.
"Let me do it. He’ll run if it’s you, you know he will." Colin says, and though that’s not true, I hesitate. "He won’t go anywhere if it’s me. This is my fault, I’ve split you guys up, can you let me fix it?"
"It’s not your fault. But…fine." I sigh, slumping back into my seat as Colin smiles. Fuck, this better work out.
I don’t even realize, but my nails dig into my skin.
**********************************
(Harry’s POV)
“Um, hi?” Is all I can come up with. I almost forgot what Colin looks like, but now images of him and Louis float into my brain and fuck, this isn’t fun.
“Don’t run. Please. Just let me talk to you.” He quite nearly begs and I pause. Well I can’t just run, can I?
“What do you want?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. Nonetheless, I do indeed stop and cross my arms, scanning his face for any sign of dishonesty. I don’t find any.
“Friendship. God, Harry, I want friendship. From Louis and you. I would never get between you two, and I can’t believe that for even one second you thought he would leave you! He’s head over heels, completely, irrevocably, deeply in love with you.” Colin explains, and I huff slightly, knowing that I may have overreacted. Clearly, he takes it as something else. “You wanna know what he talked about? The first thing he talked about?”
I bite my lip and stare.
“How he knew that you were upset about him meeting up with me. How he noticed your movements were off.Movements, Harry. I don’t understand you two and I hardly think anyone else does either. Because you know each other inside and out. He knew you were upset because you held his hand differently. And he knew you’d still be wearing his beanie and he knew you’d need to wander. He’s a wreck, Harry, he’s so worried. I don’t think he’d admit it, but he was crying, and he was grabbing his wrist and-”
“His wrist?” I ask, panic floating through me. “Where is he?”
“-he needs you Harry, he knows all those things about you! So why on earth would you think he’d ever leave you? I barely know him and it’s clear he’d never.” Colin finishes.
I sigh, knowing he’s right. What the hell am I doing, anyways? Louis loves me. I know that. And I fucking ran away like I always do, like I’ve been trying so hard not to. Like I’d relapsed. And that only brings me back to Louis…
“I know, okay? Just, where is he?” I ask, and Colin turns to wave at a vehicle.
I can’t see in the darkened night, but after a few seconds Louis appears, looking worse for wear, apprehensive and sure enough, he’s holding his wrist, nails digging in. That’s my fault. Shit.
“Hey, love.” He says softly, looking at the ground.
“Fuck, I am so, so sorry.” I say, before I can think about it. “I just panicked, and I over thought everything and I never meant to worry you and I know you love me, I know that, I just got so freaked out and then the boys were talking about Colin and there’s nothing wrong with you mate-” I say, glancing at Colin before going back to those amazing blue eyes. “-but I couldn’t listen to it so I just ran. And I’ll never do it again, I made you cry, I’m a terrible boyfriend,”
I continue to ramble and soon there’s a small crowd of teenage-ish girls listening in not so subtly, a few even pulling out their phones, but it doesn’t matter because then Louis closes the gap and kisses me softly.
My hands find his waist and his sling around my neck, pulling me closer, and I register a few camera flashes, and even an ‘awwww’ that sounds a lot like Colin, but I don’t think on it. I don’t want to think at all, anymore. So I just kiss Louis slowly, gently, hoping to god that I’m forgiven.
“Shush.” He whispers when we pull away. “It’s fine. No over thinking. You’re okay, and I’m okay, and I’m hoping we’re okay?”
I nod eagerly, making him chuckle, though his cheeks flush.
“Then this is what we’re going to do. We’re going to forget about this, then we’re going to let Colin drive us back to the hotel and we’ll snog in the back seat, and then once we’re there I’m going to let you make love to me because I loveyou and nobody else. And we’re also going to ignore how cheesy that was.” Louis explains and I giggle, a real grin forming on my lips.
“God, I was so stupid Lou-”
“I said shush, so shush Hazza.” Louis says and pecks me on the lips once more.
We wave bye to the little crowd and Colin follows, using Louis’ phone to tell the boys that they’d found me, and we do indeed crawl into the backseats, flopping down on top of each other with a laugh and maybe an inappropriate comment or two. And we do indeed snog as soon as Colin starts driving, little mewls of approval leaving Louis’ lips when my fingers stroke behind his ear.
“I love you.” I whisper there, feeling him shiver as my breath hits his ear.
“I love you too.” He pants.
“And I am so sorry that I made you do this-” I mumble, reaching up to pull his hand from my hair, so I can pull down the sleeve and find four crescent moon indents where his nails had been. “-because I promised you I’d never let you feel like that again.”
“And you won’t. It was just habit, I swear, Curly. It’s almost gone anyways.” Louis smiles and I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
“Promise you’ll never do it again?” I ask, pressing small, feather light kisses to the angry pink marks.
“If you promise never to run away again.” He teases and I groan, burying my head in his chest and finding solace in his vanilla cologne.
“Never.” I breathe, but then Louis tickles me and before we know it, were in an absolute tickle war.
Idiots, we are.
*************************************************************************************
(Louis’ POV)
A week later and we’re closer than ever. Colin decides to ditch his cousin’s wedding and instead hangs out with us for the few days we’re in the city, and he gets along with us well. Zayn and him click immediately, and they’re touchy feely on a level that rivals Haz and I. Liam seems pretty fond of him as well, and Niall’s of course just happy that there’s someone else around who likes Justin Bieber as much as him (though Colin swore us to secrecy). He even gets along with Harry, as they discuss footy (“It’s called soccer here, you guys are so weird.” “Nuh uh! Louis, back me up.” “I am not getting involved in this honey.”) and even stay up late watching movies, though I end that party early with a snog that goes on far too long and eventually Colin catches on and snickers, letting himself out. Apparently we were loud enough for him to hear even in the next room over, blaring music with Zayn.
But one night, cuddled up together in bed, Harry mentions something.
“You know, I think the one thing that stuck with me, was that Colin was your first guy kiss, and your first guy crush. And dance. We haven’t done that.” Harry mutters, playing with my fingers, kissing each softly.
“He wasn’t. I kissed you before, remember?” I ask, turning over to meet his steady green gaze.
“Didn’t think that counted.” Harry mumbles sheepishly, blushing.
I lean in to rub our noses together with a chuckle. “Of course it does. And you were my first guy crush, Hazza.”
His eyes widen a little, and an adorable smile quirks his lips. “Really?” He asks.
“You’re so daft, darling. Of course you were.” I tease fondly, leaning in to capture his lips.
Everything is more than solved after that, as our clothes get thrown to the floor and small moans leave our lips. Wandering hands map out skin we already know off by heart and I end up pinned to the bed as Harry marks me over and over again with his mouth. I certainly don’t mind.
Though, as I settle down with Harry, I realize that no, we haven’t danced. Well, we have. But not a proper dance, not a slow dance. I’m already forming a plan as I drift into a light sleep.
*
The next day, I get everything ready. I brief the guys (Colin included as he’s still hanging around, no complaints from anyone), and assign jobs. Zayn’s off to get twinkle lights, Niall’s in charge of food. Colin knows the places around here somewhat, so I send him off with Paul to find somewhere perfect for this, perfect for us. Liam’s in charge of distracting Harry, and I make the crucial phone call.
“Hello?” He answers, and I smile.
“Hey, Ed. It’s Louis.” I say, checking over my shoulder to make sure Liam is keeping a Harry busy with Twitter or something.
“Hey man! What’s up? How’s Harry?” Ed asks and I fight down a beaming grin.
“Well that’s why I’m calling.” I start.
“Trouble in paradise?” He teases and I chuckle.
“Um, no. Well. I want to do something for him, right? I realized we’ve never slow danced together.” I begin, hoping he agrees to what I’m going to ask.
“And?”
“And I know you’re in Vegas tonight so…”
“Spit it out Lou.”
“So we found somewhere private and it would mean a lot to me if you came and sang Lego House because that’s sort of become our song and Harry hums it all the time and I feel like I need to give him this and…” I ramble, not bothering to pause.
“Breathe, Louis.”
“So?” I ask hopefully.
“So I’ll be there. Text me the address and time.” He says and I shriek happily.
“Thank you so much, Eddie!” I beam, doing a little happy dance.
“Don’t call me Eddie.” He laughs, and hangs up.
Perfect. Now, to make sure tonight is perfect.
*
I wait anxiously on the rooftop area we’ve rented, bouncing up and down as the guys putter about around me. It’s gorgeous, really. The sun is setting, and as Zayn plugs in the twinkle lights, the whole space glows. Niall’s chatting up the lady who helped him set up the food and I would totally scowl at him if I wasn’t so nervous. Ed is exchanging banter with Liam, catching up on the latest news and drama. Paul and Colin are downstairs with Harry, who only knows that there’s a surprise for him up here.
I check my phone. Two minutes until he’s supposed to get up here. Fuck. I start to worry again, making sure my outfit (red shirt, white suspenders, skinny black jeans that according to Harry ‘make my boyfriend’s ass look perfect’ and of course, my TOMS) looks immaculate. I fix my fringe obsessively, realizing that I’m shaking. Hell.
“Relax.” Comes Zayn’s voice and I turn to him, biting my lip.
“I can’t.” I mutter, stomach fluttering. I shouldn’t be so nervous, it’s just a surprise date/dance/super cheesy and romantic thing. Right?
“C’mere.” Zayn chuckles, hugging me. I deflate into his arms, and think back to all those months ago when I was crying into his shoulder about being gay and self harming. Wow, a lot has changed.
I pull back, teary eyed, and he nods. “I know.”
Though, my phone dings and it says they’re on their way up and my nerves go crazy. Ed sits down on his stool, adjusting his microphone. Niall says goodbye to the food girl (did he just get her number?) and settles back against the wall with Liam. Zayn winks at me and walks over there as well, grabbing a beer. I start to panic.
But then the door opens and Paul enters, followed by a smirking Colin, and then Harry. And he looks gorgeous, so gorgeous, just like always. His curls are messy but perfect, he’s wearing his usual white t-shirt and navy jeans, converse and necklaces. And like always, my heart skips a beat.
I watch as his steps falter in surprise, him scanning the area (the glowing twinkle lights, the small tables with five star food, the boys all grinning obscenely, the orange sky, Ed Sheeran sitting with a guitar, and then me, fiddling with my hands nervously as I smile in a shy way) with a look of genuine surprise, and is that admiration?
Finally, he breaks out into a huge grin, eyes sparkling. He jogs up to me and envelopes me into a hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around as I laugh with him, threading my fingers through his hair and burying my face in his neck.
“Oh my fucking god, Boo!” He raves, shooting a small glare at Ed, who’s in hysterics.
“I…yeah.” I say lamely, sighing.
“Not that I’m not totally in love with you, and not that this isn’t totally amazing, but…why? What’s this for?” He asks, taking my hands and his and getting sort of distracted by it all.
“I..um. You seemed stuck on the fact that we haven’t slow danced. And to be honest, after that, I got stuck on it too. So…problem solved.” I explain, flushing a deep red.
His jaw drops a little, giving me some satisfaction. “You…so you rented out a rooftop, hired the boys as your assistants, got Ed to fucking perform for us, all so we can slow dance?” Harry asks in shock.
“Mhm. I love you, I wanted us to have something special.” I admit.
And Harry’s lips collide with mine, me lifting myself up with a grip behind his neck. He pulls me impossibly closer, and I smile as we break away only to capture each other once again.
“Anytime now!” Ed calls and we laugh, breaking away.
Harry takes my hand and pulls me to the center of the space, nodding to Ed. I get butterflies in my stomach as he settles his hands on my waist. I wrap mine around his neck, ignoring the fond chuckle coming from Niall, and grin up at him.
A familiar song starts to play, and Harry immediately wells up, and great, now I am too. Another cry fest.
“Is this our song?” He asks, and I kiss the shock from his lips.
“Yes.” I answer when I pull away.
“I’m gonna pick up the pieces,
And build a lego house,
If things go wrong we can knock it down,”
“God, I love you.” Harry breathes as I settle my head against his neck, us swaying back and forth to the music.
His fingers tap the rhythm on my lower back and I press a kiss to his collarbone, letting one hand play with his curls.
“My three words have two meanings,
There’s one thing on my mind,
It’s all for you,”
“I can’t believe you did this.” Harry mumbles, still swaying us in small circles as I try to hold back tears. There’s just something about this damn song that wants to ruin me.
“Always.” I say stupidly, leaning my head away so I can meet his gaze.
Green meets blue. An ocean and a sky, emerald and sapphire, calm and the storm. Protective and protected. Sparkling and bubbly, bright and brighter. Harry and Louis.
“And it’s dark in a cold December,
But I’ve got ya to keep me warm,”
At some point, I notice that Niall’s got that girl out on the dance floor with us, but I pay it no attention as Harry has his lips on mine. My eyes flutter closed and his hands travel to link behind my back, though not without squeezing my bum playfully, making me giggle into his mouth.
“And if you’re broken I will mend ya,
And keep you sheltered from the storm that’s raging on now,”
I’m amazed at my self restraint, making myself pull away just to nudge our noses together. Harry chuckles and nods, understanding my need to have this perfect, have this special, have this something to remember.
I glance around, seeing Niall talking to that girl, Ed grinning as he strums his guitar, and- Oh my god. Zayn is slow dancing with none other than Colin, arms up around his neck, whispering in his ear.
“Holy shit.” I mutter, and Harry raises an eyebrow.
I glance to them and back, and watch as Harry’s mouth forms an ‘o’ before breaking into a shit eating grin. Oh he’ll be teasing them, for sure.
But I let myself be happy, nuzzling back into the crook of Harry’s neck, where I belong.
“I’m out of touch, I’m out of love,
I’ll pick you up when you’re getting down,”
Haz kisses the spot behind my ear, and I tug his curls in response, both of us swaying to the beat, happy.
He reaches up to pull one of my hands away, but before I can be worried, he runs his thumb over the old, never to be repeated, scars. I smile, blushing, but he leans in and kisses them softly. It’s nothing he hasn’t done before, but there’s something about it, with this song, with these people, with this relationship and everything we’ve done together, how far we’ve come, all that we’ve gotten through…I can’t blink away my tears.
“Love you, Hazza.” I whisper, quiet voice cracking.
His eyes twinkle like the lights behind him, and he wipes away the wetness on my face.
“Love you, LouLou.” He mumbles back.
Drawn like magnets, our lips touch, and I sigh contently as we kiss, stars peeking out in the sky above. I never, ever want to forget this.
Though that shouldn’t be a problem, because I turn away just to realize Liam and Paul have been filming the entire time, and I have a feeling this will be on Twitter by morning.
I don’t mind, though. Not with the way Harry kisses my cheek, lingering there with a whispered “Mine.”
“ And out of all these things I’ve done,
I think I love you better now”
End.