the nightingale

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Louis got situated within only a few days. Clifford was very excited to see Louis again. Louis loved moving in with Harry, and adjusted quickly to him, loving the affection Harry gave him.

Harry told him he loved him as much as he could. He reminded him that what happened to him wasn't Louis' fault at all. He reminded Louis how much he was worthy of many things, especially love. He knew Louis hasn't heard those words in such a long time, so he made sure Louis believed them.

He still had a habit of panic attacks and profusely apologizing for trivial things, but Harry didn't mind at all. Harry told him it was normal after living that life for years.

The first few days, Louis was trained to wake up super early and make breakfast. It was the start of his day for two and a half years, so his body was so used to waking up at 6 AM.

Harry woke up shortly after. He woke up from the smell of pancakes. He checked the time and read 7:13 AM. He groaned because it was way too early.

He got up, stepped into his slippers, and went into the kitchen.

Louis was making breakfast, singing to himself a little. Harry felt terrible that he woke up so early just for him.

"Morning, love," Harry said and yawned.

"Good morning!" Louis cheered and prepared his plate. "I made breakfast."

Harry took two weeks off of work to stay home with Louis, mainly to get him situated and feel secure in his new home. He didn't plan on waking up until around ten.

"Thank you, but you didn't have to do this, baby. I'll cook," Harry said and sat down.

"But..." Louis mumbled, confused. He was so used to people wanting him to take care of them. That's all he knew.

"You need rest after what happened, Lou. I don't want you to wake up so early and cook for me. I'm not him. I'll never be him, love."

"But... breakfast," Louis said and sat down.

"If you like cooking, you can, but please don't make it an everyday thing. Especially this early. I need to cook for you, too," Harry said softly and began to eat. It tasted very good.

Louis nodded in shock, beginning to eat as well.

"We can talk later about house work around here, okay?" Harry said.

"Okay," Louis said and smiled, eating.

After breakfast, they decided to figure out their housework schedule. Louis was so used to doing all the cooking and cleaning, so having a partner willing to do work too was completely new to him.

They came to the decision that they would switch every other day on who cooks breakfast and dinner, but for now Harry will cook for him since he cooked every day for almost three years.

Louis liked doing laundry, so they decided Louis would do the laundry and Harry the dishes.

Louis watered his plants while singing. Clifford was running around excitedly.

"I'm back for good now, Cliff!" Louis said happily and picked him up.

Clifford barked happily. Louis smiled at Harry.

"Can we take Clifford for a walk?" Louis asked.

Harry smiled big. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."

Louis ran to get Clifford's leash and put it on him.

They went out the door, Louis feeling much happier than he has in days. It was bright and sunny, and it was a beautiful day. Walking Clifford with Harry cleared his mind. He's been through a rough ordeal for the past few years and the feeling of being free was amazing.

Harry held his hand while walking. Louis felt a shiver run down his spine from the feeling.

"I say we go to the movies tonight," Harry said, and kissed his cheek.

Louis hasn't been to the cinema in so long. He was very excited for the opportunity.

"I'd love to!" Louis said happily. "But no scary movies because I don't like them."

"Of course. No scary movies," Harry said, smiling. "We can watch a funny movie."

They walked back to the house and went inside. Louis took off Clifford's leash and petted him.

"We'll be back soon, Clifford," Louis said and kissed Clifford on the head.

Clifford barked in response and wagged his tail.

"Ready to go?" Harry asked and grabbed his keys.

"Yep!" Louis chirped and scurried out the door.

Harry drove to the movie theaters, talking over with Louis what movie they should see. They both decided on a comedy.

"Hopefully we don't lose our parking space," Harry said with a laugh.

Louis giggled. "We don't want that."

They went inside. Harry bought two tickets after standing in line for a few minutes.

Harry asked, "Do you want popcorn and a drink?"

Louis blushed and nodded. "Yes, please."

Harry ordered them both a medium popcorn and a drink. They quickly entered the cinema, finding seats in the middle of the room.

The movie was only an hour and a half long. Harry and Louis held hands the entire time, sometimes feeding each other popcorn to be silly.

After the movie was over, they were both very sleepy. Harry helped Louis into the car because he knew how tired he was. Harry turned on the music on low volume and headed home. They both couldn't wait to get in their pajamas and chill.

As soon as they went inside, Louis said, "I'm gonna take a shower."

"Okay," Harry said and plopped down on the couch.

Louis got in the shower. He was singing while washing his hair. Harry was listening in the living room. He loved his beautiful voice. He brought him joy.

Once Louis got out of the shower, dried off, and got into his pajamas, Harry asked, "How's your ribs?"

Louis felt them. He didn't wince, so that was a good sign.

"They're better," Louis said and laid his head in his lap. "They don't hurt as much anymore."

"That's good," Harry said and held him. "Want me to read to you?"

Louis smiled and sat up. "Yes, please. It helps me sleep."

Harry nodded and grabbed the book they were currently reading together. They got into bed, getting comfortable under the covers. Harry began to read.

Louis was in love with the way the words fell out of Harry's lips. He calmed him greatly. He could have the most stressful day ever, and Harry would fix that in a second. He got super drowsy in about ten minutes.

He fell asleep to the feeling of being free.
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