ocean eyes [ l.s ]

~14~

a/n: what's this? an update? from me?! I do apologise for the little... hiatus. enjoy!

(i've sort of made some time hops and also i split this up, it's a bit long otherwise)

**

A few weeks pass and November rolls in along with the first night frost, ruthless ocean breeze and on some mornings Harry’s even witnessed some light snow flurries while rushing to the gym to his — now routinely —morning work out. Niall thinks he’s insane for getting up at arse crack of dawn, but Harry’s become used to it now and he likes the quiet, empty gym. His stamina on the field has improved immensely and he’s starting to see the results in his physical aspects, too. He hasn’t asked for Louis’ help for quite a while now.

They never talk about what happened on the night of the Gala on their spot on the awning. Harry figured Louis just needs some time. Seems like there’s a lot for him to think about and Harry doesn’t pressure him. They don’t kiss again, but Louis has become very tactile. Seems like he’s seeking Harry’s closeness another way, always playing with his hair, cuddling when they’re watching movies with the group – or alone —, he likes to play with Harry’s rings and his fingers and Harry doesn’t deny him any of those things, because he becomes putty under Louis’ undivided attention.

The first few days after Harry came into their room so upset, Niall was constantly hovering like a mother hen, making sure Harry was eating properly, keeping him entertained, carefully avoiding mentioning Louis. They had practice, but for the first week that was the only place they saw each other and it was awkward and stilted to say the least.

“I’m all right, you know,” Harry snaps one day while studying in bed after Niall has just wrapped him up in a plaid blanket and placed a cup of tea alongside a fruit bowl on Harry’s nightstand “you don’t have to baby me or walk around on eggshells. And you don’t have to avoid Louis. You’re best friends. I’m your roomie who has a stupid crush. It is what it is.”

Niall’s mouth drops open and he stares at Harry with wide blue eyes like a deer caught in headlights.

“I see what you’re doing. Stop coddling me. I’m fine.” Harry turns back to highlighting important lines in his literature book. His mind wanders as the lines in the book become blurry, words running together and becoming unintelligible.

It’s just that, Harry realises just how easy it is to fall into temptation with Louis. His carefree personality making Harry forget everything that’s important. Why he ended up in Fleetwood in the first place. All his responsibilities and worries, the promises he’d made his parents, school, football just evaporate. And he just gets carried away with this mysterious and fun person— Louis, who’s easily becoming Harry’s safe place.

He’d show up at Harry’s door late at night and invite him for a drive. They’d roll their windows down despite the cold, blasting music and singing on top of their lungs and laughing until their stomachs hurt and there’s tears in their eyes. Later, they’d share milkshake and chips while laying on top of Louis’ hood under the stars, speaking in whispers and sharing secrets and dreams.