Chasing Empty Spaces

Chapter 8

After alternating between four different outfits, Harry settled on a three-piece charcoal suit. He was carefully patting down a flyaway hair as a pair of headlights appeared at the end of the drive. Snagging a velvet box from the top of his bed, Harry sprinted towards the front door. He darted outside and slowed to a jog as Louis pulled into park.

"Careful," A smirk quirked Louis' mouth as he shut the truck door, "Or I might think you're excited to see me, Stud."

Louis looked stunning in the black suit, somehow even more beautiful than the first time he wore it to the club. Harry nipped on his bottom lip as he pulled a small velvet box from his front pocket. He held it between his hands and steeled himself a breath before passing it to Louis.

"I wanted to, um, give you something. Before we went in," He mumbled as Louis cautiously took the box.

Louis' brows were knitted in confusion as he slowly flipped open the lid of the box. Harry anxiously fidgeted with the hem of his jacket while he watched Louis' pupils enlarge.

"Harry..." Louis quietly said, shaking his head.

Inside the box was a pair of silver cufflinks, polished to immaculate perfection. They were fashioned into the shape of two small birds. Each design was etched to perfection and specially designed for Harry by the local jewler. Harry had them made three weeks prior, but didn't know when to give them to Louis until he agreed to dinner.

"They're swallows," Harry murmured, heat coloring his neck. "They're lovers and just, um, sweet kind of creatures, ya know?" Harry awkwardly cleared his throat, "That's what I was taught, anyways. And, well...They make me think of you."

Louis' eyes were glassy as Harry spoke. His petal pink lips were parted a touch as he shakily exhaled.

When Louis didn't say anything after another moment, Harry flinched, "Sorry, it's probably stup -"

"Shut up and put them on me," Louis sniffed, voice watery and raw.

Harry laughed and Louis chuckled, both vibrating with a deeper layer of emotions that were one breath away from boiling over the edge. Glancing towards the front of the house, Harry was relieved that Martha hadn't come to the door yet. He positioned his back so that if someone was to look out front, they wouldn't see the way he was fastening the delicate cufflinks to Louis' dress shirt.

"I really wish I could kiss you," Louis said under his breath as Harry secured the second swallow.

"I do, too."

Louis' fingers brushed over Harry's wrist before he pulled away, "Thank you." He looked down at the swallows and disbelievingly shook his head, "Really, Harry, this means so much to me."

"Well," Harry self-consciously shrugged, "You mean a lot to me."

I love you.

"You're gonna make me a mess before I even get in there," Louis teased, lightening the mood. He stepped away from Harry and jutted his thumb towards the plantation, "Shall we?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded.

They walked up the steps to the porch, pausing for a moment before Harry opened the front door. He gestured for Louis to walk in first and said a small prayer before following behind. As he shut the front door, he heard Martha patter from the dining room.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," She immediately blundered. "I didn't hear the bell, sir. Apologies."

"I got it right before he rang, Martha," Harry assured, not wanting the woman to have a mild panic attack.

Martha nodded, relief clearing expression, "Excellent. Mr. and Mrs. Styles are in the parlor, if you'd like to follow me."

When Martha turned to lead the way, Louis flashed Harry a quick wink before he straightened his spine and followed behind her. Harry clasped his hands hiding his back and mentally prepared for the following few hours.