26. Ziggy Stardust

                                    

                                          
Three months turn into four months since Louis' tour does so good they add some more dates for the asian leg before he is supposed to go back to Europe, cancelling his break. 
Then four months turn into seven because during those weeks Louis is in England, Harry is gone for meetings in America and campaigns for health foundations in towns in Africa. 
Louis plays his shows in Europe with a throbbing heart and an insurmountable urge to see Harry again. He's craving him, all of him. 
Harry seems to feel the same, it is obvious in his words. Louis and Harry are suffering, but their relationship isn't. The letters in Louis' suitcase increase every week, they never stop, the notes in Louis' phone with half finished songs about Harry add up and when Louis walks through the front door of his London house during his break, he finds a big brown box that, according to Niall, came in the day before. On it is a small, scarlet letter. 
You once asked me to get you a guitar with that money. I figured the jar is no good standing around on my desk, so... 
Don't worry, I donated the same amount to charity, like we said. 
Missing you terribly, my love. Thinking of you every second of the day. Only a few more weeks. 
I love you dearest. 
Harry
"God, you two are disgusting" Niall comments, having read the words over Louis' shoulder while Zayn and Liam are already unpacking the box, pulling out a dark red Strat electric guitar. 
 Louis shakes his head with a breathless smile while Eleanor comes walking down the stairs with an empty bowl in her hand, probably to bring it to the kitchen. "Hi Lou- holy shit" 
After smashing a mini concert in his living room with his new guitar for all his friends, Louis sits with them and they watch a movie, enjoying being home again after such a long time. Touring is one of Louis' favourite things to do, but it's also really stressful and after so many months, there's nothing better than just hanging out with his friends, a good romcom, takeout pasta and a beer. 
"The guitar was a proper random present though, wasn't it?" Liam says as they bring their plates into the kitchen when the movie is finished. Eleanor and Niall have already gone to bed, it's just Louis Zayn and Liam in the from the moonlight illuminated kitchen. 
"Thing is" Louis says while he puts his empty bottle away. "It looks random but it's not" 
Zayn hops on the kitchen counter and Liam flicks on the kettle, both of them probably sensing that they're in for a longer conversation. Louis goes through his hair with a hand and walks over to Zayn, standing between his legs and leaning back against his chest, feeling Zayn's arms around him a second later. 
"We've got this thing going on" Louis explains slowly, a smile making its way onto his face at the thought of him. 
"No shit" Zayn comments and Liam lets out a snicker, taking three cups out of the cabinets. 
Louis slightly slaps Zayn's knee for that comment but smiles a little wider as he continues talking. "It's like a competition thing. We started it right in the beginning where I was trying to get his attention like some stupid High-school boy with a crush. Then it was the competition of who would give in and kiss the other one first, I lost. Then we had an official cooking competition and I lost again. And I think he gave me that guitar cause I've been sending him some expensive shit over the last months. I feel like we're starting a new competition and I already know he'll win and both our bank accounts will suffer" 
"Giving each other presents competition?" Liam sums up. 
Louis shrugs and nods, "Basically" 
"So what are your ideas?" Liam asks while filling the water into the mugs. "I suggest you start small so that you can make your way to the real good presents"