The Night is Changing Overhead- Larry

Closer

On the sixth of September, Harry stood inside a small hardware shop. He passed by the rundown store everyday on his walk to work, never paying it too much mind. A few people were scattered throughout the aisles, their bodies lost between the aisles. Harry shifted his weight from foot to foot, his knuckles cracking behind his back.

"If I didn't know any better," The shop owner drawled out, his thick grey mustache twitching underneath a smile, "I'd say this isn't for you."

"It isn't," Harry bit the skin by his thumbnail, a slow grin tugging the corner of his mouth. "That obvious?"

The owner passed him a small package along with a receipt. His brown eyes warm and comforting as he said, "I've been doing this for nearly fifty-years, son. The only time someone gets giddy about picking up a copy of a house key, is when they're moving in with someone special."

Harry breathed out huff of laughter, "You've hit the nail on the head." He lamely jutted his thumb towards the row of hammer hanging to his right.

A surprised and slightly pained chuckle spat out from the owner's mouth. His skin was rosy from the blood rush. He shook his head and mumbled, "Alright, go on now."

"Thank you," Harry waved and left the shop.

He slotted the sachet into his coat pocket, turning left on the pavement. The autumn breeze sent a comfortable chill through Harry's body. Old Compton was uncharacteristically quiet as he strode back to the studio.

"Hazza?"

Harry pushed the door fully open, minding the array of boxes that were scattered by the doorway. Louis stood in front of the stove with a hand on his cocked hip. His attention was directed on a wok filled with sizzling stir-fry. A thin black headband pushed his hair away from his forehead and tucked behind his left ear, a stem of purple freesia that Harry had placed there in the morning.

Louis glanced over his shoulder, his jumper rucked up to the middle of his thigh. "Thought you were getting eggs?"

"Nope," Harry crowded behind Louis. He slipped his hands underneath the Louis' jumper and rubbed the pads of his thumbs against the warm skin. "Mmm, so warm," Harry hummed against Louis' neck.

A pleased sound mumbled from Louis' throat as he lolled his head to the side. He stabbed a sweet pepper with a fork and held it up to Harry's mouth, his hand cupping underneath the utensil. Harry opened his mouth and took the pepper between his teeth.

"Tastes delicious," Harry praised as he finished chewing. "I've got something for you."

Louis groaned as he turned off the stove, "That's the worst line you've tried to pull on me."

"That wasn't a line." Harry's eyebrows knitted together, "I genuinely got something for you. That's where I was."

Louis threw his elbow back as he turned around, promptly nailing Harry in the gut. "Well where is it? What is it?" he excitedly asked, his fingers prodding Harry's sides.

Harry's breaths came out in spurts as Louis continued to tickle him. "You – you little monster! Get your...grubby hands off me!"

When Louis had enough, he dropped his hands and clasped them behind his back. He rocked on his toes and looked at Harry expectantly.

"Well?"

Harry rolled his eyes as he dug into his pocket and pulled out the small parcel. "I know that you've been using the spare key," Harry quietly said as he handed the sachet to Louis, "But, I wanted you to have one that's specifically been made for you."

Louis' expression softened as he took the packet, his thumb flicking open the seal. He turned the small envelope upside down and held out his other palm. A small silver key fell into his palm. It was a plain key except for a small etching in the center. The overhead light illuminated the engraving: 9/6