One More Night

Chapter 7 - Day 7

This trip feels like it has lasted a lifetime, but at the same time, it feels like that lifetime passed in the blink of an eye. Harry is going home to his actual real life, with real life college and real life people outside of this building. He's grown quite attached to it all, so he's not sure what to think of that realisation. He's happy to go home to his mum and dog, though. He's missed them both in the midst of all the chaos, singing, and dancing.

"You sure you've got everything?" Louis asks him as he attempts to zip up his suitcase, all of his clothes and other shit haphazardly thrown in and crammed down into the corners so he would be able to close it. He woke up late and didn't have time to organise it neatly, as Harry had.

They had both fallen asleep in each other's arms on Louis' bunk, Harry pleasantly waking up to the sight of a sleeping Louis, his fingers twitching ever so slightly against Harry's neck. It tickled, but Harry didn't mind one bit. Louis woke up with a quiet, tired groan as he stretched out as much as he could on the cramped bed, and Harry knew right then that he would miss this. He had hoped it wouldn't be the last time he'd wake up next to Louis.

"Triple checked for both of us, everything is sorted."

"Hey, I double checked for myself!" Louis giggles, a pathetic attempt to defend himself.

"Sure you did," Harry grins, swinging his rucksack off one shoulder and unzipping it, "Here's your phone changer, by the way," He drops it gently on top of Louis' suitcase and Louis just stares blankly at it for a few seconds as Harry laughs to himself. Louis just shakes his head, giggling again at his own oblivion.

"What would you do without me?" Harry teases as Louis puts the charger in his own rucksack and stands, pulling his suitcase upright.

"Don't want to imagine it," Louis smiles against Harry's neck, giving it a gentle kiss before pulling away.

"Who would have thought you were such a sap?"

"You would," Louis smiles, "And only you. For now."

"What do you mean 'for now'?" Harry inquires with a curious smile.

"You made me realise, last night, that I want to do it."

"Do what?"

"Do us."

"You- you... really? You do?" Harry asks, unable to help the smile that spreads wide across his face.

"Yeah, I mean... If that's what you want?" Louis says, completely ready for Harry to say no, to tell him that this was all a big misunderstanding.

"Louis, of course it's what I want. Are you completely sure? What- what made you decide?"

"Well you calmed my fears about you, but I was worried because I was still scared about what those dickheads from my old course would say. But a wise person told me that I can be both scared and brave. And I can do that. So I want to be, for you."

Louis' words fill Harry with an overwhelming sense of pride, and he just wants to hold him forever and tell him that he won't let anyone hurt him. He knows he can't guarantee that, though, so he settles on telling him something he really wants Louis to know. Something Harry wished someone had told him years ago, when he needed it most.

"You can be brave for yourself too, you know."

"I am. Well, I'm getting there, at least."

"The best you can do is try. I'm proud of you, Louis. I'm really, really proud."

Louis gives Harry the most honest smile he's ever seen and Harry wants to live with this picture forever. He leans forward to take Louis' lips in his own, cradling one hand around his neck. Louis pulls Harry closer, wrapping his arms around his waist.