The Takeover {Larry Stylinson}

Louis' POV

After we had been kissing for a while, I pulled back, realising where we were, and it wasn't really professional to be making out with your boss in his office while you are supposed to be working.

Both of us had giddy smiles on our faces, and the same flush graced both of our cheeks. I could see the genuine happiness and content in Harry's eyes, and found the same emotions echoed in my own heart.

He extended his arm, and grabbed a hold of my hand, raising it to his lips and kissing my knuckles. A giggle escaped my lips at his cheesiness, as he winked at me. Before I could open my mouth to say something, Harry leaned forward and gave a quick peck to my lips, effectively stopping my train of thought.

I didn't need to say anything, anyway, because Harry decided to speak.

"I can't explain in words how much you mean to me, Louis, and there is nothing I regret more than what happened that night." I opened my mouth to interrupt him, but he raised a hand, wanting to continue. I gestured for him to carry on. "In all my life, I never thought I would turn into one of those monsters who force themselves on others, but I did Lou. It wasn't just the fact that I did that to you, which was eating me alive. There was this part of my brain, the bigger part, that told me that I am dangerous, not just for you, but for anyone around me. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror. And I couldn't begin to think of forgiving myself. But then, you did this, told me you love me, and I can't thank you enough, because I have hope, however little it maybe, that I may have a chance of forgiving myself, and that maybe I am not a monster and that what happened that day was actually a mistake. I just want to say thank you, and that I love you."

I couldn't help but look at this man, with curly hair and very sincere eyes, and feel his pain because what he said made so much sense, that I wanted to cry for him. Maybe try to take his pain away. After that night, I focused on how I was hurting, but never once did I think how Harry must be feeling. The same Harry whom I got to know in the past few months after he took over Riveria. The same Harry who became one of my best friends and my confidant. The same Harry whom I slowly fell in love with.

And now that I got an insight on how he felt, I couldn't help but pull him into a tight hug, holding him close to me, so that he knew that I was there for him, by his side.

He pulled away after a few minutes and took my face in his hands. He leaned down to kiss my forehead and then smiled his very infectious smile at me, leaving me with no choice but to smile back.

"Harry, all through this weekend, I only focused on how I was feeling after going through that, and I never once stopped to realise how you must have felt. And I feel so selfish."

"No. You have been anything but selfish, Louis. I regret what happened, yes, and I wish I could take it back. I really don't know what happened to me that day. But I do not want you to think that you were selfish, because you did nothing wrong. You have a right to focus on yourself after what happened. I do not deserve any sympathy for that, because I deserve to feel the way I am feeling. My feelings are of guilt and regret, which I have to face due to my own actions. I am my own victim. I was in the wrong. You on the other hand, Louis, did nothing wrong. You were a victim of what I did. You didn't deserve the pain that came with it. What I did was exactly what Presco did. So you were not at all selfish, Lou. I do not deserve your sympathy."

"I - I don't know what to say to that Harry."

"I don't want you to say anything. I just want you to understand that just because I have feelings for you, and just because you reciprocate them, doesn't make what happened, alright.

Please tell me you understand, and that you will never feel selfish for the way you reacted?" He looked at me with so much pain and sincerity in his eyes. He really wanted me to understand what he was saying, and I was understanding, to a great extent.

"I understand, Harry."

Harry smiled at me and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. Then he pulled back and looked at me with a mock serious look. "Get to work, Mr. Tomlinson. I do not appreciate my employees relaxing while they are supposed to be working."

I laughed and stood on my toes to give him a quick peck on the lips. "Yes, Boss. I'll make sure it never happens again."

With that, I turned around and started heading towards the door. When I was about to turn the doorknob, Harry cleared his throat and said, "Um, Louis?"

I turned around and saw him looking at me with nervousness in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Would you like to, um, you know, go out for dinner with me tonight maybe?" His cheeks turned red and he looked down at his shoes, refusing to make eye contact with me.

"Oh, I don't know, Harry." I heard him take a sharp breath, and I could see he was about to say something when I beat him to it. "Will a movie and some pizza at your place count as a dinner date for you?"

I could see a small hint of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He tried to hide it, though.

"Who said anything about a date? I just wanted to discuss some important work related topics with you over dinner."

I rolled my eyes at that. "Oh is that so? I think we should definitely invite Paul too, then." I stifled my laughter.

He had an amused look on his face. "Oh yes! I'll just give him a call." With that, I smacked his arm, and he burst out with laughter. "Anyway, pizza and movie at my place sounds great. 7?"

"Cool, I'll see you at your place at 7 then." I turned around to leave when he pulled my back against his chest with an arm around my waist, and gave a quick peck to my cheek. I hid my blush and left his office. I couldn't hide the smile on my face the entire day.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Oh my God, Liam!"

"What? I am just worried about you, Louis. What if he tries it again? How do you know he won't do it again? And did you just tell me that you are falling for him? Are you insane?"

"Liam, relax. Deep breaths. I don't know if he will try anything again or not. But I trust him, okay? You weren't there and you didn't see the look in his eyes when he was telling me how he felt after that night. Come on, Liam. I know you are only looking out for me. And you do not know how much I love and appreciate you for it. You are the best friend any one can ever get, Li. I just want you to trust me, just this once. I know Harry. And I believe him when he says that he didn't know what he was doing."

"Alright, I can do that. But just promise me that you will always take care of yourself, and if at any point, you feel like he's trying something you don't want, you'll call me. Promise?"

"Yes, I promise, Li." I smiled at the worried expression on his face. He really is one of the best friends any one can ever get, always putting others before himself. "Now, Li, tell me. How have you been doing? All this time, I have been so selfish that I don't even know what's up with all of you."

"It's not selfish, Louis. You were going through so many things, dealing with your demons."

"I still feel selfish. But anyway, tell me, what have all of you been up to?"

"Well, I broke up with Sophia, so I'm single again. But I think you know that." I nodded. "Other than that, all is fine. Work's boring, as usual. So many cases, it's exhausting, honestly."

"Well, work sucks if you don't have your boyfriend working with you."

"Louis, you literally just got together with Harry today." Liam said, smiling softly. I replied by poking my tongue out at him.

"I think we should have a get together. You, me, Harry, Zayn, and Niall. It'll be so much fun Liam. We can have a lads' night!"

"Okay, Louis. I'll ask all of the other boys. You start getting ready for your date. Go!"

"Okay. Are you gonna stay till Harry gets here?"

"Nah. I am meeting Zayn and Niall. They wanted to hang out but since you have a date with
Harry, I told them that you won't be able to come. We'll probably just stuff our faces with Pizza and watch Finding Nemo or something. Niall says he wants to watch Finding Nemo again so that he is prepared for watching Finding Dory. I mean, what even? That boy, I swear-"

"Liam! Relax. Deep breaths!"

"Was I rambling again? Sorry. You get ready. I'll show myself out. Bye, Lou."

"Bye, Li. I'll call you today or tomorrow."

He nodded once and then left my room. A few moments later I heard the front door being shut.

Now to get ready for my first date with Harry.

Notes