Chapter 4

                                    

                                          
Greasy pizza boxes littered the table, crushed chips scattered here and there and more beer bottles than the boys cared to admit lay strewn around. 
As Harry finished discreetly setting up his phone camera in the corner of the room, he turned to look at his boyfriend with a questioning gaze, Louis' heart leaping as he met Harry's green eyes and responded with a mischievous wink, his blood pumping with the andreniline of what they were about to do. 
"Angel, could you pass the salt?" He called across the table
"Sure thing, Sunshine." Harry said, reaching lazily across a confused looking Zayn and grabbing the salt, standing up to bring it to Louis. Well aware that everyone was watching, confused at their pet names, Harry took his time, walking slowly, enjoying the attention. When he reached Louis, he ruffled his hair lightly and poured salt over his chips for him. Louis pulled him down onto his lap and he snuggled into him, opening his mouth to accept the chip Louis was holding out to him. 
"Thanks love," he said out loud, winking at his boyfriend. Louis laughed, a throaty chuckle, and popped a chip into his own mouth. 
"What are you lot staring at?" He faced the others pretending to be cross. 
They just stared back the pair wordlessly, a small smile tugging at Niall's mouth as he understood what the couple were about to do. 
Louis was in no hurry to put the boys out of their confusion so he continued to stroke Harry's hair gently and feed him chips for another few minutes, while the boys awkwardly turned back to eachother and picked up the conversation for where they left off, occasionally glancing at the pair who were acting extremely coupley. 
Eventually, Niall rolled his eyes and groaned loudly. 
"Can you stop making it so bloody awkward for everyone else lads?" 
Harry and Louis burst out laughing as Liam and Zayn shot Niall a bewildered glance and looked at Harry and Louis expectantly. 
Not wanting to hold back another second, and not having the words to explain, Louis simply lifted Harry's head up and placed a short, tender kiss on his lips, taking his hand as they pulled apart. 
"Shit, did you get lipstick on me?" He turned cheekily to Harry, who was smiling serenely. 
"Shit did you get lipstick on me!?!" Niall yelped, "those are the first words you're gonna say after you and Hazza come out to us?! Bloody unbelievable." 
"Come out? You guys...wait..." Liam was processing out loud, Zayn just staring at them open mouthed. "Larry's fucking real!?" 
"Fuck yeah, Liam!! And guess who guessed it first??" Niall practically jumped over the table in his attempt to crush them both in a hug. He held them for a moment before whispering "you evil geniuses" and cackling his Niall laugh, holding out his arm across the table. 
Without hesitation, Zayn and Liam walked across to the boys and joined the group hug. The five of them stayed like that for a second until Liam pulled apart, glaring at the boyfriends. 
"I know you did not just come out without coming out" he said sternly, pulling Zayn away, "and Niall, how long have you known?" 
"Oh calm down, Dad, I only knew cuz I'm not blind and I guessed." Niall grinned, winking at Louis. 
Liam huffed, and took Zayn's hand, "come on Zayn, let's leave these peasants to their secrets since they're so happy without us."
Zayn grinned and winked at Harry briefly, "you got it Lima," the two of them turned around and pretended to walk out of the room insulted. Louis looked over at Harry and they burst out laughing. 
The band sank onto the couch again playing Fifa and listening as Harry and Louis caught them up on the last 2 years. Harry nuzzled his head into Louis shoulder, the smaller man with his fingers in Harry's hair, and his other hand lightly laying on his thigh. 
"I'll bet Louis tops," Niall said suddenly, his face lighting up with a cheeky grin
Harry blushed helplessly. Louis just raised his eyebrows. 
"There'll be no details, Nialler." He said crossly
"I'll take that as a yes." 
Harry whimpered, mortified and Louis pulled him close. "defend me, boo" Harry whispered. Without hesitation, Louis extracted himself from Harry and lunged at Niall, who shot up, hiding behind the couch. Louis frowned, "right, we're doing this the Tommo way." He muttered loud enough for the boys to hear. 
Liam's eyes widened in mock fear, "ooohhh, Niall you better run save your skin."
"Help me Lima!" Niall yelled, as Louis advanced on his crouched position. Liam sprang up and pinned Louis arms behind his back. 
"Harold! Harold! Tickle him or something!" Louis called out. But Harry just shook his head. "you're on your own Sunshine...a man doesn't get involved when someone else is defending his honor." He grinned over and Zayn, motioning for him to come sit with him. 
"So you're the man in the relationship?" Niall grinned,
"Nialler!!!" Harry groaned 
With a mighty tug, Louis wretched himself out of Liam's grip. "you're going down, leprechaun!" He roared, lifting Niall up and throwing him onto the couch pelting him with pillows. 
Liam grinned and left the room abruptly. 
Harry and Zayn watched in ammusent before Zayn turned to Harry. 
"Congrats, Haz." He said softly, "I always hoped...well, I'm glad you were brave enough to tell us."
"I just wish we didn't know exactly what would happen if we told management. I wish we could have faith that they would support us and all."
"I know, Haz," Zayn sighed. "but let's not think about that right now. Let's just celebrate you coming out with your soulmate, k? I want to hear everything...not in a creepy Niall way....just tell me, are you happy?"
"I'm so happy, Zayn" Harry sighed blissfully, watching his incredibly immature boyfriend be tackled down by a shrieking blonde. "he treats me so well, and, I just love him. I love him Ringo." He smiled softly. "you know, it's nice to talk to you, there were so many confusing times when I wanted to just cry with you, and tell you everything...but..." He spread his hands helplessly. 
"I wish I could've been there for you," Zayn replied quietly, "but what's past is past, from now on, I'm always available to listen. And I'm so proud of you for trusting us with this."
Harry smiled, his mind elsewhere.