Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 7

Cupping Louis’ jaw with his palms, Harry slowly caressed his cheekbone. Louis’ eyelashes kissed his skin as he closed his eyes, head lolling into the feeling. Freckles dotted over his complexion and Harry found that he wanted to count each one. Arching his spine, Harry lulled his eyes shut and brought their mouths together.

Louis hummed into his mouth, tilting his head back to better meet Harry’s. He cradled Louis as close as possible, pressing their chests together and tightly hugging the other man with his thighs. A sigh slipped from his lips and Louis was instantly swallowing it, chasing the sound with a flick of his tongue. Harry mewled into the sensation of Louis’ tongue sliding along his own.

Wet breaths were exchanged between the two of them, growing heavier with every kiss. Harry lightly sucked on Louis’ tongue and smirked when Louis breathily moaned in response. Louis quickly nipped his bottom lip, tugging the smirk right from Harry’s mouth. Heat bloomed from the center of his gut and he knew that he had to pull back soon if he didn’t want things to progress. Louis must have been able to read him like a well-worn novel, because he suckled on Harry’s lip and then let go to lean back. Harry roughly panted and Louis rested their foreheads together.

Harry kept his eyes closed as he whispered, “Can we please jus’ stay here?”

“Baby,” Louis heavily sighed, sounding as pained as Harry felt. He pecked Harry’s lips and minutely shook his head, “You know we can’t do that.”

Of course he knew that, but hearing reality be confirmed didn’t stop him from slumping over. Harry tucked his head into the dip of Louis’ shoulder as the other man started to rub his back.

“I won’t get this when we go back.”

Louis’ movements faltered, “What’d ya mean?”

“Like,” Harry shrugged, “M’ not gonna be able to sleep with you. Wake up with you.” He clenched his eyes and uselessly shrugged again, “Jus’ be with you like we have been here.”

Louis lightly laughed, “You’re makin’ it sound like I won’t see ya.”

Harry snuffed, “It won’t be the same, though.”

“Harry…I don’t want you to take this the wrong way –”

Harry jerked back, eyebrows already pulled together before Louis finished.

“Now don’t look at me like that,” Louis sighed, smoothing over Harry’s worry lines with his thumb. He dropped his hand, “I wanna make sure we’re not gonna move too fast.”

“Too fast?” Harry drawled out and folded his arms over his chest.

Louis nodded and ran his hands over Harry’s arms. He rocked forward and kissed Harry’s Adams apple. A puff of air fanned over Harry’s skin as he exhaled, “You want us to work out, yeah?”

“Obviously,” He easily responded with a tinge of annoyance lacing the word. Harry narrowed his eyes, “I thought we both wanted that.”

“We do. I do,” Louis rushed out, eyes widening. “Baby, I’m yours. I just – We should take it slow.”

“I – I don’t get it,” He mumbled, hating that their age difference was almost palpable in that moment. “Am I doing somethin’ wrong?”

“No, no,” Louis shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, “M’ not explaining it clearly.” He dropped his hand, “I feel like everythin’ else in your life is movin’ quickly. Always has. I mean, your mama was practically sendin’ out wedding invitations after one date with Faye,” He squeezed Harry’s shoulders then rested his weight back on one hand. Louis pointedly looked between their bodies, “I don’t want us to be like that.”