California Sold

Chapter 12

AO3 AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hiya loves!

This is unfortunately the last update of California Sold, two parts: the last chapter plus a short epilogue.

I can't begin to say thank you for how amazing the support has been throughout this entire process. Every message and comment I've received have been so incredibly kind, and I've sat reading the things you've got to say with awe, completely overwhelmed. I can't thank you for your support enough.

As I tweeted yesterday, sharing this with you have been the best, and I don't think I've ever been this sad to end a story before. It's without a doubt my best writing experience within this fandom. It's been so interesting and cool to write from Louis' perspective as a character who is demisexual, and I have learned a lot from it. I have done my very best portray him and his sexuality accurately and I've tried so hard to do him justice. As I said in the preface of this story, feel free to come to me with thoughts or opinions on my characterisation if you identify as demi or on the asexual spectrum.

Thank you again for being so lovely and kind to me. I'm genuinely sad to say goodbye to this universe. This story has meant a lot to me, and it's been fucking awesome! Take care everyone, and lots of love!!!!!!!! <3

~

Sleeping in is wonderful.

Sleeping in with Harry's warm body in his arms is even better.

Sleeping in with Harry's warm body in his arms and sharing lazy kisses is the best.

With his nose slotted with Louis', cheeks touching, lips easily moulding in unison, Harry nibbles on Louis' top lip. Fingers linked between their chests, Louis' free hand falls over Harry's waist, exploring the expanse of his naked back. He can feel how his skin prickles, and how his stomach jumps when he reaches the place just beneath his ribs where he's ticklish. He is the softest.

"I love you," Harry whispers, placing another sweet, sweet kiss to his mouth. "Love you," he exhales, moving in to give a second one to his chin. "Love you." He gently presses another to the corner of his mouth.

Louis inhales quietly, humming sleepily as he feels his lips attach to the skin beneath his jaw. His lips are soft and plump, silent and light.

"I..." Harry murmurs, "love you."

Louis' hand flattens out against his spine. He pushes him closer so their stomachs rub, their laced fingers jammed between their chests. He once again lets his hand trace over his skin, sliding over every softness, blemish, or knot. Harry could do with a proper massage... he breezily mulls over, pressing two fingers into a spot in his back where stress has gotten to him. Harry grunts in slight discomfort under the pressure of his hand.

Louis shuffles down slightly, burrowing into the curve of the younger boy's shoulder. "I love you," he breathes. "Very much..."

"Love you, a lot." His hand sinks into the hair at the nape of Louis' neck, tenderly tugging on a few strands. "You smell good."

Louis giggles into his neck. "You're lying," he whispers slowly, and sucks a bitey kiss into his throat. He briefly considers leaving a mark there.

"You smell like booze and cigarettes, yes," Harry grins, humming, "but also like your cologne, and my perfume that you always steal even though we're fighting."

Louis' eyes widen just a bit. "You don't know about that...!"

"I've always known about that, Lou."

"No," he groans. He has been stealing his perfumes since he was sixteen. "You don't know about that."

"Okay... I don't."