And Then There Was You

Zayn pulled Perrie closer to his side as they strolled through the chilly night. His arm was placed securely over her thin shoulders. Perrie didn’t object, taking the opportunity to wrap her arms around her boyfriend’s waist as they walked. They smiled to themselves, loving the feeling of being close to each other. No words were exchanged as they walked the last few blocks to their apartment building.

As they approached, they noticed to people talking outside. Their heads were close together, like they were sharing a secret. Perrie cooed at the obvious affection the two had for each other. The taller stepped away, pulling the door open, only to be stopped and pulled back onto the street. A few seconds later, their lips had found each other.

Zayn scoffed at the publicity of it all. They pulled apart and smile at each other for a moment. When they pulled apart, Zayn could see that the taller of the two was Harry. And the person he was kissing was a boy. His jaw nearly dropped to the ground as he watched them kiss some more. That was the last thing he expected from the quiet boy who lived next door.

“Is that Harry?” Perrie whispered to him, trying not to disturb the two. They had stopped walking all together, opting to watch the scene unfold from a safe distance away.

“That’s definitely Harry.” Zayn confirmed.

“Jade is gonna be disappointed when I tell her about this.” Perrie commented with a small laugh. “She’s obsessed with him. She’s convinced she would be the one to make him open up.”

“Oh my god, Perrie. You really need to get your gossiping habit under control.” Zayn told her. She rolled her eyes at him and look back the kissing couple. “We can’t stand here and stare at them. It’s creepy.”

“I don’t want to embarrass him.” Perrie said.

“Come on. Who knows when they’re going to be done? We’ll just slip by.” Zayn said, tugging her along. She came reluctantly, allowing Zayn to take her hand. The sound of their footsteps made the boys pull apart. Harry’s eyes met his and he froze.

“Evening, Harry.” Zayn greeted, a smug smile playing on his lips. Harry gaped at Zayn and Perrie, and detached himself from the boy’s embrace.

“Who’s your friend?” Perrie asked, smiling at him. Harry continued to stare.

“Louis Tomlinson.” He introduced himself, holding his hand out to Perrie. She took it with a wide smile and shook it enthusiastically.

“I’m Perrie and this is my boyfriend, Zayn.” She said as Zayn and Louis shook hands. “We’re Harry’s neighbors.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you.” Louis said, smiling brightly. Zayn eyed him carefully, watching his every movement. Louis shifted his weight on his feet and looked away from Zayn’s intense stare.

“Do you mind, Zayn?” Harry finally said, giving him a pointed glare.

“Not at all, Harry.” Zayn said with a wink. Harry pursed his lips and shook his head.

“I should get going.” Louis said, rubbing at his neck. “I’ll call you later, Harry. Nice to meet you two.” He told them as he backed away. Harry watched him leave with a look of longing in his eyes.

“He’s cute!” Perrie squealed as soon as she was out of earshot. “Where did you find him?”

“He’s a friend.” Harry snapped and pulled open the door to the building, stomping over the elevator.

“Are you mad?” Perrie asked, following after him, leaving Zayn behind. He followed Harry and Perrie to the elevator and couldn’t help but smirk at the glare Harry gave him.

“I was kind of in the middle of something.” Harry grumbled, pulling at his shirt.

“We know.” Perrie giggled. Harry sighed and nudged his shoulder.

“I think you and him being ‘friends’ is bullshit.” Zayn said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have plenty to friends, but only one that I snog on the streets.” He said, wrapping his arms around Perrie.

“That’s because he’s my boyfriend.” Perrie whispered loudly to Harry, as if she was letting him in on a huge secret.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Harry said, hitting his head on the wall of the elevator. As soon as the door opened on their floor, Harry was hurrying out. Perrie followed after him, asking more questions about Louis. Harry ignored them all, but seemed a little flustered. When he finally managed to get the door open, Liam was on the other side, grinning like a mad man.

“What’s this I hear about kissing?” He asked, looking at Harry, who glared at Perrie. Zayn laughed. Perrie had a really loud voice sometimes.

“Nothing! God, you people!” Harry exclaimed. “He kissed me goodnight! I don’t understand when that needs to advertised to this whole building!”

“Just answer my question, Harry. Is he a good kisser, yes or no?” Perrie asked slowly, grabbing onto his arm.

“I’m going to bed.” Harry grunted, shoving past Liam. They all called after him, asking for answers, but he wasn’t in the mood to give them.

Ever.

_-_-_-_-_-

“That sounds gorgeous, Louis. The tone on those few measures is sublime.” George said, clapping his hands. Louis smiled, running his fingers along the strings softly. “I think we’re ready for opening night.”

Everyone in the orchestra cheered and clapped, Louis joining in. He was trying not to freak out at the prospect of there being an opening night, with people. All staring at him, waiting for him to mess up. Nick would get a kick out of that, Louis thought bitterly.

Last time he tried to do a solo, it was for the school orchestra freshmen year of university. It wasn’t a hard piece at all. He knew it by heart. The second he took his seat in front of the audience, he saw Nick, sitting front row. It was just days after their humiliating break up, and he just sat there, smirking at Louis. It was like he knew the power he had over him.

The orchestra started, his queue was coming up. All he could see was Nick. All he could think about was them together, and all of the signs he should have pick up on. He thought about everything he could have done differently. And when it came time for him to start, instead of his bow striking the string in a practiced perfection like he should have, he puked all over the stage. His instructor blamed it on food poisoning, but Louis and Nick knew the real reason.

Needless to say, he rejected every offer for a solo after that. He was too worried that Nick might show up, or worse, creep into his thoughts while he was trying to relax. He hoped to god that he could keep it together on opening night. It was one thing to puke in front of the school, another thing entirely to puke on stage with the London Symphony Orchestra.

The orchestra was excused from rehearsal for the day, and Louis hurried to clean up. Ever since their kiss a few weeks ago, him and Harry have slipped into this unspoken routine. Louis would go to rehearsal, Harry would finish his shift, and then they would meet at Terry’s for coffee. They had yet to put a name to what they were doing, but all Louis knew is that he loved it.

He pulled his phone from his pocket to see if Harry had texted him. He opened up a text that read, “class ran late. now I have a million things to do. meet me at the store later tonight?” It wasn’t a big deal. Not at all.

Meeting Harry at the store later at night meant they would make out for a few hours after Harry locked up for the night. Louis didn’t mind that at all. In fact, he would take making out with Harry over coffee any day.

He shoved his phone into his pocket and finished cleaning up. He chatted with a few people from the orchestra, made plans with George to have a private rehearsal tomorrow, and finally made his way to this bus station. He decided to go over his piece while he waited for closing time. But every few minutes, he kept glancing at the clock, willing the hours to fly by so he could see Harry.

When it finally struck nine, Louis was practically sprinting out the door. He arrived at the store in what was probably a record breaking time. It looked just like it did every time he’s been here before. Harry was usually working alone at closing time.

“Lock the door and flip the sign.” Harry said without looking up from the money we was counting at the register. Louis felt this odd sort of blush fill his cheeks when Harry knew it was him without looking up. Louis did as he was told and smiled predatorily at the curly haired boy whose brows were furrowed in concentration. He hopped up into the counter, hoping to capture his attention, but Harry didn’t take the bait.

“Are you done?” Louis said impatiently after watching Harry for a few minutes. Harry chuckled at shook his head, glancing up at Louis for a second. When his big green eyes met his, Louis couldn’t help but grin.

“What about now?” Louis said lowly. He hooked on finger into the collar of Harry’s t-shirt and pulled him towards him. Harry laughed and set the money down just in time for Louis lips to brush his.

“Hi.” Harry said after the brief kiss. Louis squawked in protest when Harry started to pull away.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Louis asked him, yanking him back in with more force.

“Louis, I have work to finish up. Then you have my undivided attention. I promise.” Harry chuckled, removing Louis hands from his shirt. Louis wasn’t having it, however. It only took one more time tugging Harry into contact with his mouth for him to stop protesting.

Louis opened his knees a little, letting Harry step in between his legs. This was his favorite place to kiss Harry. Perched on top of the counter of the record store with Harry’s large hands running up and down his thighs. Harry was still getting the hang of the whole kissing thing. He was a little sloppy in his technique sometimes, but Louis didn’t mind. He loved teaching Harry. He loved the blush Harry got when Louis whispered instructions into his mouth, he loved the way Harry would grip his hips when Louis tried something new.
Louis had never had so much fun just kissing someone. He didn’t try to go any farther than that thought. Harry was still his adorable stuttering self most of the time. They weren’t anywhere neat being ready to go farther. Louis didn’t mind though.

It was nice to go slow for once.
~~~

“What’s that?” Ed asked when Harry came into work the next day. Harry’s hand immediately flew to the angry red blemish on his neck that Louis was so proud of. His turned redder than a tomato and tried to brush past Ed and not talk about it, but that didn’t seem to be an option. “Harry, is that a hickey?”

“I-I-I-I…” Harry said, ducking his head away from Ed who was grinning wider than he needed to. “It’s nothing!”

“Oh my god. It is! Come here, let me see!” Ed said. He grabbed the arm that was covering the mark and tried to pry it away. Harry immediately started to squirm, feeling absolutely horrified at the events going on.

“No! Stop!” Harry pleaded in vain. Ed just laughed, still pulling at his arms. What Harry had in height, he seriously lacking in strength. It didn’t take long for Ed to have his arms pinned against the wall, examining the hickey Louis left on his neck.

“My baby’s growing up!” Ed said, pretending to be chocked up. “His very first hickey!”

“Oh my god! Stop!” Harry groaned, pushed Ed off him. Ed seemed to think he was really funny, and kept laughing as Harry ran into the back room, desperate to escape the teasing. Once Ed told Niall, which was inevitable, he would be hearing about this for weeks. Possibly forever.

“I think it’s sweet!” Ed yelled after him. “There’s nothing wrong with getting frisky with your boyfriend!”

“Oh my god!” Harry squeaked, poking his head back around the corner. “He’s not my boyfriend and we were not getting frisky.”

“Wait.” Ed said, putting up a hand. “He’s not your boyfriend?”

“No!” Harry confirmed. He shoved Ed’s shoulder roughly, trying to indicate to him that he didn’t want to talk about it.

“Well why the fuck not?” Ed insisted. “You’ve been dating him for weeks and you’ve been pining over him for months.”

“We just haven’t talked about it.” Harry shrugged.

“Do you want me to talk to him?” Ed said, cracking his knuckles in a way that Harry thought was supposed to look intimidating. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

“Absolutely not. I swear to god if you talk to him, I’ll-“ Harry started.

“Kill me?” Ed finished with a smirk on his face.

“I’ll kill myself.” Harry warned. Ed only laughed at him, which he seemed be doing a lot that day.

~~~

That night Harry invited him to the store again. Louis was excited to check the status of his hickey. He enjoyed himself a little too much while he was giving it to him. Turns out Harry is really sensitive on his neck, and the whole time Harry was taking sharp breaths and surprising small moans. It was the hottest thing Louis had ever heard.

When he entered the store, he was not met with the dark head of curls counting money like he usually did. Instead there were two guy, staring at him with vacant expressions. Louis recognized them as the ginger and the blond from the bar months ago.

“You Louis?” The redheaded one asked him. Louis really wished he could remember his name. The blond one next to him crossed his arms over his chest when Louis took too long to answer.

“Well?” He said in a thick Irish accent.

“Er. Yeah, I’m Louis.” He confirmed. He scratched his eyebrow nervously as the two continued to stare at him.

“I’m Ed. That’s Niall.” The redhead said. “You can come in, you know.”

Louis was frozen in his spot in front of the door. At Ed’s invitation he approached the counter slowly. “Is Harry around, he told me to meet him here.”

Ed and Niall snickered. Niall held up Harry’s phone with a smirk on his face. Louis eyed them cautiously, caught between the urge to run away and ask where Harry was. Their staring was really weird, and he didn’t know what to do.

“We locked him in the storage room.” Ed told him casually. “We wanted to meet you, but Harry kept saying no.”

“So you locked him in a closet and lured me down here.” Louis finished. “Why exactly are you so determined to meet me?”

“Harry’s totally gone for you, you realize that, right?” Niall said, narrowing his eyes at Louis.

“Okay. I like him too.” Louis said slowly, nodding his head.

“Good. That’s good. So then can someone please explain to me why you and him have been dating for almost two months and no one has made it official?” Ed said, pounding a fist on the surface in front of him. Louis jumped.

“Christ, Ed. Relax.” Niall whispered to him.

“Sorry. I’m just passionate about this.” Ed apologized quickly and continued looking at Louis.

“Oh. Well I guess we don’t really want to rush things? And that’s always a weird conversation, right? So I guess we’re just getting to know each other before we make something official.” Louis explained, but he didn’t really know the answer himself.

“You have to establish the relationship. That’s like, the first rule. Or someone going to get hurt because of misinterpretations due to the ambiguity of the expectations.” Ed said. Niall and Louis looked at him curiously.

“My mom is a dating counselor, okay?” Ed said as way of explanation.

“Right. Sure. Establish the relationship. Got it. Can I uh, see Harry now?” Louis asked.

“Nope.” Niall said. “What are your intentions with him?”

“Are you serious?” Louis said incredulously.

“Yes.” Niall replied.

“I like him okay? I would just really like to keep seeing him.” Louis said.

“What’s his favorite sport?” Ed asked suddenly.

“Harry hates sports. But he likes to watch baseball when he’s sick. And he is also a Manchester United fan because Niall, I assume you’re the only Niall he knows, is a Derby fan and it bothers him.” Louis said without even thinking about it.

“Wow.” Niall said.

“What’s his mums name?” Ed asked.

“Anne.” Louis replied.

“Birthday?”

“February first.”

“Biggest pet peeve?”

“Automatic sinks.” Louis said easily.

“Cat’s name?”

“He doesn’t have a cat, but he wants one even though he’s allergic.” Louis said. “Look, I get that you’re trying to protect him and whatever, but I’m dating him because I like him, not because I just want to get into his pants.”

Niall and Ed exchanged looks. Louis shifted uncomfortably. Eventually they broke out into huge grins. Louis raised an eyebrow at them.

“Alright. We approve.” Ed said nodding his head.

“But if you hurt him, I’ll break your dick. Go it?” Niall said with narrowed eyes. Louis nodded and smiled tightly, trying not to think about how painful that would be.

“Remember. Establish the relationship.” Ed said. Louis nodded again.

“Establish the relationship.” Louis repeated.

“Great! I’ll go get Harry and you two can be on your way.” Ed said brightly, disappearing into the back. Louis waited patiently, occasionally glancing over at Niall, who was typing at his phone, now uninterested in the events of the night. Louis jumped when he heard a crash and muffled yelling.

“-lock me in a goddammed broom closet!” He heard Harry more clearly as he stormed into the main store area. “You two are ridiculous. I was in there for an hour and it smelling shit!”

He hit Niall in the arm as he passed them, causing him to drop the phone. Despite the rage on Harry’s face, Niall and Ed laughed. Harry took his mobile from Ed and punched him in arm once more. He came up to Louis and grabbed his hand and yanked him along as he stomped out of the store.

Ed and Niall called after them, still giggling like girls. Harry gave them the finger over his shoulder. The bell above the door rang violently as Harry pulled it open roughly. Louis couldn’t help but smile at Harry’s mad face, which was all pouting and boyish.

“Be my boyfriend.” Louis said as soon as the door slammed behind them.

“What?” Harry said, totally taken off guard.

“Ed said to establish the relationship. So I’m telling you what I want.” Louis explained. Harry gaped at him, opened mouthed. “So be my boyfriend.”

“Yeah. Yeah okay. I can do that.” Harry nodded furiously, grabbing Louis shirt and pulling him into a bruising kiss.

His very first one with his boyfriend.