Free again ~ L. S. One-shot

2

Harry is having the time of his life on stage, knowing that these people in the auditorium will finally see that Louis Tomlinson is his, has been his for almost ten years. Everything goes well and the next song is Fine Line. The song starts playing and Harry immediately feels the butterflies in his stomach because he knows that Louis will come up here in a few minutes.

" We'll be a fine line, we'll be a fine line." The first teardrop falls from his eye, he is so happy to show everyone how much Louis and him love each other. He looks at the stairs on the side of the stage and people are gesturing, trying to tell him that something is wrong. His eyes are trying to find Louis but they are not succeeding. The blood in Harry's veins runs cold. Where is Louis? Why isn't he here? They've talked about the plan a thousand times, there is no way Louis has forgotten it. Louis doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to come out. Harry feels like he just got slapped in the face by the familiar emotion, disappointment. He lets the crowd continue the lyrics and turns around and runs backstage, not giving a shit that he should be singing Fine Line now. He has to find Louis. All the staff members are telling him to go back on stage but he doesn't care, he tries to open the door of the dressing room but it is locked.

" Lou, baby, are you in there?" Harry shouts.

The door slowly opens and Louis lets his husband in but locks the door again when they're both in the room full of clothes, mirrors and lamps. Harry's fingers caress Louis' cheeks but the shorter man won't meet the curly's eyes.

" What's wrong?" Harry whispers.

" You should be up on stage and-"

" Lou, you either tell me what's wrong or I'm just gonna leave this fucking arena."

" I am scared," Louis' voice is so quiet that Harry's brain needs a few seconds to figure out what he just said.

" I know you're scared. I am scared too," the curly admits," but, you know, I can't wait to start a new life with my one and only, the love of my life. And it's absolutely worth it, we won't be each other's secrets anymore," Harry's eyes fill with tears.

" I-"

" We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Harry says and he is trying to hold back his tears but he just can't.

Louis sees the distressed look in his husband's eyes and hates himself for hurting Harry. Because what the curly just said was true. It is all worth it. Being free, being with Harry is worth literally everything. Louis slowly shakes his head because... because they're gonna come out. Harry and him are going to fucking come out. He has made up his mind, the curly was right, they can do this. Louis is so nervous that he is about to pass out but let's do this, let's show the world who they really are.

" I love you Harry so much," Louis says, brushing his lips against Harry's," let's do this," he whispers.

Harry's face lights up and he hugs Louis so tightly that he is afraid he might crumble his tiny, graceful body.

" You sure?" the curly asks.

" I am sure, Harry. I've never been this sure of anything."

Harry frowns and Louis immediately corrects his sentence, laughing," except our love, baby. Our wonderful, everlasting love."

Harry's eyes are shining as he gives Louis a kiss and opens the door, grabbing Louis' hand to support him with all his might. They tell the staff that they're ready and they stop on the stairs next to the stage. All the lights go out, it's just Harry and Louis with their fingers laced, standing on the stairs, waiting for Habit to start playing. Louis gently squeezes Harry's hand and kisses his cheek, loving the soft touch of the curly's skin.

" Haz," Louis whispers as Harry turns to him," is it going to be alright?"

" Everything is going to be alright. I love you."

" Love you too, baby," Louis sighs and rests his head on Harry's broad shoulder. His heart is beating so fast that he fears that it might jump out of its place and run away, leaving Louis frozen on the stage.

The familiar melody of Habit starts playing and Harry takes a deep breath, gently leading Louis up the stage, wishing that all the nervousness they're feeling just suddenly went away. They walk up the stairs and find themselves standing in front of thousands of people shouting and screaming. Louis feels like he is about to faint so he holds on to Harry's arm, hoping that the strength that is left in him will be enough for him to make it through the scariest and the most surreal experience of his entire life. Coming out.