Chapter 21

                                    

                                          
All the feelings 
Lila x
"Zayn called," Harry said casually one day as he set the table for dinner, "he's coming to town." 
"Okay." Louis said slowly, trying to gauge where Harry was headed with this, slipping his phone into his back pocket from his perch on the kitchen counter
"He wants to come over." Harry continued, "well...he doesn't really but I invited him over." He amended sheepishly as Louis bit his lip
"M not interested in seeing him H," he grumbled, "you know that." 
"Yeah well," Harry raised an eyebrow, "that's exactly why I invited him, the two of you need to sort your shit out from your stupid Twitter feud," he reached out his arms and Louis slid off the counter, wrapping his arms around his waist, "for you, fine." He smiled gently and Harry pressed a happy kiss to his forehead. "good," he grinned, "now you'll deserve what I bought to wear tonight." He teased
"That so?" Louis Laughed as they sat down to dinner, "what might that be,"
"Wait and see," Harry said, tilting his head sideways and Louis swallowed, watching his hair flow down his shoulders and tried to picture him without them. He had been confused at first when Harry told him about his movie opportunity, not realizing how much he wanted that and when Harry told him they wanted him to cut his hair, he almost protested the whole thing but he held himself back. They had decided right from the beginning to stay out of each other's careers entirely, only supporting, never interfering. Their once shared desk in their studio had become two, each painted by Harry, his in black and white checks with his logo in the corner, Harry's in mint green with an orange and blue mandala spanning the entire middle of it. There were nights when they would write together, and others when they would write alone, Louis hadn't gotten to see most of Harry's album until it was out, although Harry had played one tune for him on the guitar when they had reverted to age play. 
Since the band had broken up, Harry had helped him go down a bunch of times, and it became so comfortable for him to let go down that way, despite how possessive he became after, feeling the need to own Harry. 
"In that case," he teased back, snapping back into the present "you better eat up, you'll need your energy," 
Harry smiled at that and the two ate in a comfortable silence, "how was filming?" He asked curiously
"It was good." He said simply, "they mostly filmed me doing the actual recording, I was doing sign of the times today." He continued, knowing Louis loved that one, "Mitch sends regards." He smirked and Louis shrugged. When Harry had shown him pictures of his new band, he had immediately singled out Mitch as the good looking guy, totally Harry's type. But Harry had assured him over and over that he was straight so he let it go. 
"What's the deal with Zed then?" He asked, trying not to show his nervousness, "he'll be here next week, I asked him over for dinner on Tuesday," Harry sighed happily, "I've really missed him you know." 
"I know." Louis said quietly, reaching across the table to push one of Harry's curls aside, searching his eyes. "I'm okay baby," Harry said gently, recognizing Louis checking in on him and Louis kissed him softly. 
"What do you want to do after supper?" He asked him
"It's been a long day for me," Harry shrugged, "what did you get up to?" He asked 
"Just some writing mostly, although I did do some tidying in the bedroom" 
Harry smiled at that, "you tidied?" He laughed
"Yup." Louis grinned, "I even hoovered, figured you'd be busy with all your popstar shit," 
Harry smiled gratefully at him, "can't imagine you actually cleaning." He teased, "didn't think you knew how to turn on the hoover."
"Oi!" Louis laughed, "just because I don't like to, doesn't mean I'm not good at it." He mock grumbled and Harry smiled brightly at him, "can we just chill after supper? Watch something and cuddle?" 
Louis nodded, "course baby. Been a while since we had time for that." He paused for a minute, "but do we need to buy anything for when Zayn comes? Any food or anything?" 
Harry dimpled, "I can check if we're low on anything, but I think we'll be alright. It's Zed, he'd be okay with chicken and rice." 
Louis scoffed calmly and motioned for Harry to hand him his bowl of soup, leaving the table and coming back with Chinese takeout. 
"Sorry," he smiled, "between writing and tidying I didn't have time to cook. Besides, we know it would come out mediocre." 
Harry smiled, "I'll treat you to a nice dinner when BTA is finished." He said lightly, "and I'll cook for you the first day I spend at home." 
"Can hardly wait babe," Louis smiled, handing him chopsticks. Harry sighed suddenly and Louis looked over at him, brows raised in question. "nothing, just, been a long day." He dimpled again and Louis poked it gently. "anything I can do?" 
"Mhmm, you can cuddle with me and let me choose the show." He said, "if you dare."
Louis laughed lightly, reaching across the table to flick his cheek lightly, causing him to giggle. 
Harry watched Louis try to work his chopsticks through the noodles. He was tired, exhausted even.  but the good kind. He loved the music he was singing over and over every day. He loved the control that he had over it. He was the boss, his ideas weren't split in five, they were his. And filming BTA was a blast, he couldn't wait to put himself out there, with significant anxiety for how it would be received. But he was exhausted. And he wanted nothing more than for Louis to gather him up, just the two of them in a warm blue blanket and some strawberries and to be held tightly in his arms, feel the skin of his torso under his soft sweater, to feel Louis' beard prickling against his neck. And Louis would. He knew he would. It's one of the many things he loved about the quiet relationship they had built. They knew how to find comfort in each other and how to be there for each other when the other was in need. 
So after he had checked their back stock and assured a wound up, overthinking Louis that he had everything they could possibly need for Zayn's visit, the two of them settled on the couch with Harry's favourite blanket, a delicate pink one that was fuzzy and weighted, two plates of assorted fruits and potato chips on the table. Louis leaned back, encompassing Harry with his hands and legs, smiling at the feeling of his hands sneaking under his shirt and stroking his skin. 
"Hazza?" He said quietly, Harry turning around and looking up at him with his gorgeous green eyes, "I love you." He said softly 
"I love you too, Louis." He smiled, pecking him lightly on the lips. 
A comfortable quiet surrounded them for a little, TV turned to the Great British Baking Show. 
"You said you were writing today?" Harry asked suddenly "That's right." He answered, nodding, 
"What about?" He asked, leaning further back 
"Nothing coherent," he said lightly, "I had a tune in my head, just wanted to get some words to it. Had a few sentences bouncing around and scribbled them down. I'll probably go over then with someone when I actually sit down to think about my solo career." He shrugged, "now I'm resting." 
Harry nodded, "I know Lou, you deserve your rest." He smiled and looked up, "do you think I'm wrong for rushing ahead to get my own stuff out?" He asked quietly. "you deserve your name out there." Louis said simply, "we all want it, and you have the energy for it." 
Harry sighed again but dropped it, and Louis knew that he was still feeling guilty but dropped it too, playing mindlessly with his hair, surrounding them in a calm silence.