Chapter Text
Three months later…
Louis pulls up across the street from Stems By Styles, cutting the engine and glancing over to see the banner flapping in the breeze under the awning of the side entrance. Grand Opening is emblazoned in black lettering on a gold background, silver balloons bobbing along attached to the sandwich boards that frame the doorway, beckoning people inside.
There are a few people milling about, enjoying the sunny autumn day, although the action is likely out the back in the alfresco dining area if the pictures Harry sent are anything to go by. Louis notices a smattering of fans and a couple of paps mixed in with the actual customers, frowning to himself before he remembers Harry’s words. When Louis had raised his concerns about his life, the fame—and all that comes along with it—bleeding in and impacting Harry’s big day, his boyfriend had rolled his eyes and swatted him in the chest, assuring him that customers were customers and that Fernando would keep things under control if anything untoward were to occur. He scans the area for his trusty bodyguard and finds him leaning up against the flower shop window, shades down and coffee in hand as he scrolls through his phone awaiting Louis’ arrival.
He smiles to himself as he thinks back over the whirlwind that has been the last three months, arguably the best of his life. Sure, he’s successful on a scale he’d never dreamed of, and has the chart-topping records and awards to prove it, but what’s the point of all of that if there’s no one special to share it with? Someone that makes everywhere feel like home, as long as they’re there with you. It’s been nine months since the love of his life burst into his world and turned it upside down, forever making it fuller and richer and so much better than he could ever have imagined. With his deep voice and his open heart, his long legs and his dimpled smile, his curls and even his smell, everything about him brings joy to Louis’ life and he can’t imagine a future without him. Lucky for him, he doesn’t have to. Harry’s it for him, the one, the only person he wants to spend his life with, and he knows Harry feels the same.
After their first date turned into an entire weekend spent together, Monday morning came as a rude shock when they had to part. Louis had wanted to press pause and stay in their cocoon forever, but he knew they couldn’t; Harry had a shop to run with a building project to oversee and Louis had an album to finish. But Harry had come back on Tuesday evening, and then again on Thursday, and within a couple of weeks, he had half his wardrobe at Louis’ and had effectively moved in, not only to Louis’ house, but into his heart too. As Harry had spent the past few years sinking all his money into his business, choosing to save money by renting a small flat above a local chip shop, it was an easy enough sales pitch to get him to officially move into Louis’ house.
They hadn’t managed to keep their relationship a secret for long, the tabloid machine getting wind all too soon, and even though he and Harry had discussed what that would mean, it was still an unwelcome intrusion when it had inevitably happened. Louis didn’t want to hide Harry and Harry didn’t want to be hidden, so they’d agreed to just let it take its course, living their lives carefully, but as normally as possible. Pictures of them had been splashed across the pages and websites of the vulture press, but Harry, true to form, had taken it all in his stride. When they attended an opening for an art gallery a month into their relationship it served as their official announcement and that had been that, other more enticing and salacious stories taking centre stage shortly after. They still garner a bit of interest now and then, and things will likely heat up once Louis is doing promo for his album, but for the most part, they just exist in the media melting pot largely unaffected and Louis is okay with that.
Louis shoots Fernando a quick text to let him know he’s here and watches as he looks up and spots Louis’ car, giving a short nod and ambling over. His movement catches the attention of the paps, who are familiar with him after all these years, and it doesn’t take them long to realize Louis has arrived. They snap away through the tinted windows and it makes Louis laugh because he’s obviously about to get out of the damn car so what’s the point of taking pictures before he has. He shakes his head in disbelief and waits until Fernando opens his door.
“Hey, boss,” Fernando says as Louis jumps down.
“Hey, mate. Good morning?” He asks as the paps shout questions at him. He tunes them out for the most part, as Fernando ushers him across the road, and he goes with his stock-standard questions and comments. “Hello everyone. How are we all on this fine morning? Enjoying your little adventure in the countryside? The album is coming along nicely, thanks. Should be out early next year.”
As they reach the other side he sees the group of nervous-looking fans, phones at the ready. There’s only about ten of them so Fernando lets Louis go on his own while he wrangles the paps and keeps them at a distance.
“Hi, Louis,” one of the girls says. “I’m such a big fan. Can I have a picture?”
She looks shy and a bit overwhelmed but Louis just gives her a soft smile. “Of course, love,” he says and takes the phone from her trembling hand, spinning around to take the picture for her.
He does the same with all of the others, always happy to make time for the people who have supported him throughout his career, posing with his middle finger in the air, as has become his trademark.
Some of the braver ones ask him questions about his upcoming tour and the album and he spends a few minutes chatting as they film the conversation that will likely make its way onto social media mere minutes after he leaves.
“Have you guys been inside yet?” He asks, pointing toward Harry’s new shop front, the Grand Opening banner sitting just below the name; Sweets By Styles.
“Oh, no. We didn’t know if that was okay,” another of the girls says. “We didn’t want to be in the way.”
“Nonsense! Come on. I’ll get you set up at a table out the back and you can have whatever you want, on me. But shhhh,” he says leaning in close. “Let’s just keep this as our little secret, yeah?”
The girls all nod and beam at him and while he very much expects it to be a secret for about as long as it takes them to upload their videos, there’ll be no harm done.
Louis leads them inside and directs them out the back, copious thanks and excited giggles following in their wake, while Fernando stays at the entrance to keep the paps out. The delicious aroma of baked goods wafts up into Louis’ nostrils as he greets a few people in the line. Harry has worked so hard to make his dream a reality and Louis is immensely proud of him. Every corner of the space reveals his special touches, from the wooden benches of reclaimed teak to the hanging baskets of greenery, to the antique shelves lined with jams and spreads, and the ornate ironwork of the lighting fixtures. It’s perfect and so quintessentially Harry.
The man in question comes out from the back, carrying a tray of muffins, his apron covered in flour with a small spot on his flushed cheek, his radiance belying the tiredness that Louis knows is being masked by all the adrenaline right now.
Harry spots him immediately, smiling brightly, and Louis can’t help the fond smile that reflexively forms on his face. “Lou!” He shouts as he slides the tray into the glass display case and starts walking towards him, wiping his hands on the tea towel hanging from his waist.
Louis chuckles at his exuberance and heads behind the counter, meeting him halfway. “Hey, babe,” he says and rises on his toes to place a chaste kiss on Harry’s lips. “How’s it going?”
“Good. Great! So busy. So many people,” Harry answers in short sentences, mind probably a swirling mess as he tries to keep everything under control.
Louis brushes the flour from his cheek. “Can I help with anything?”
“Uhm… I think everything’s okay. The staff are doing really well, but it’s hard because I can’t be out here. I mean, you could maybe schmooze a bit, if that’s alright with Fernando? Make sure everyone has what they need?”
“Can do, babe. Fernando has the paps held outside and I’ve brought the fans inside and sent them out the back.”
“Awww… that’s sweet of you. Tell them they can have whatever they want, on the house,” Harry offers and Louis grins at him. “You already told them that, didn’t you?”
Louis just shrugs. “Yeah. Figured it’d be okay. I’ll pay for it though. Don’t want to impact the takings on your big day.”
“It’s fine, really,” Harry says as his name is called from the kitchen. “Oops. Better get back to it,” he says and leans down, kissing Louis on the cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” he says as Harry turns and he seats him on the arse, earning a squawk thrown over his shoulder as he disappears into the kitchen.
Louis sighs happily before wandering into the inside seating area, tending to the fire and adding another log. He clears some plates, some of the customers recognizing him and asking for pictures which he’s happy to do, before he does the rounds of the outdoor seating area. Harry’s really outdone himself out here, the gardens are immaculate, flower beds brimming with annuals and carefully selected sculptural pieces dotted throughout. The area isn’t enormous, about enough for ten picnic tables with heavy-based umbrellas, most of which are down today so the customers can soak up the welcome sunshine.
He spots the table of his fans, their eyes following his every move, phones held up in front of them to capture the memories. He gives them a small wave and they titter happily before their attention is drawn by one of the wait staff approaching to take their order.
Another staff member walks past him, coffees balanced on a tray with a plate of treats in the middle. Louis smiles to himself as he sees it’s piled with Longevity Peach Buns, the little spanked bums that started it all.