The Inn | L.S.

chapter 6

The car ride into town was filled with some pop songs on the radio and Louis occasioanlly commenting on the nature around them. Louis was driving a dark green Land Rover and they had the windows down to let the wind surround them. It was moments like this where Harry felt most alive. Where he felt like he could get through anything.

"This is where I buy all the fresh stuff for the kitchen. They have amazing strawberries. I can get some for us if you want to", Louis said as he pointed to the Farmer's market they were driving past.

"Yeah, I really like strawberries. I can bake you a strawberry crumble if you'd like. I love baking."

"Is there anything you can't do?", Louis laughed and came to a halt when they reached the local grocery store.

They got out of the car and Louis reached into his pocket to lock the car with his keys.

"I'd really like for you to show me your famous strawberry crumble", he smiled and playfully nudged Harry with his shoulder.

"Don't expect too much though, we don't want you dissappointed when you try it", Harry responded and shoved his hands into his pockets. His head was bowed and his posture wasn't the best. He looked so shy, so full of insecurities. Louis wondered if Harry was gonna open up at some point.

"Alrighty, just put everything you want into the cart. And if you wanna have a specific meal in the next few days just tell me and I'll get the stuff for it."

Harry nodded thankfully and gave him a small smile. His dimples were showing. Louis thought he looked like a cute little frog.

Harry didn't know what most of the products were because the writing on them was Norwegian.

"Uhm Louis?", he asked quietly.
"Hm?"

"Where can I get flour?"

"I'll go fetch it for you", Louis smiled and went away, leaving Harry with the cart.

He looked around a bit and noticed mostly old people. All of them had to be at least sixty years old or older. It was very quiet in the supermarket, almost as if nobody dared to make a noise. Old people could be so boring.

"There you go", Louis said, smiling so wide his eyes crinkled.

"Thank you."

Harry was so polite, yet so quiet. Louis wondered if it had to do with him. Did Harry not enjoy his company? Did he say something that had upset Harry?

The reality was; Harry was simply an introvert. He enjoyed the company of fictional characters more than he enjoyed human contact and all he wanted was to get lost in his books and dream of a romantic lovestory. He was way too shy to meet new people and when he met Louis, he was simply intimidated.

Louis was just so talkative and sweet. Harry didn't know how to handle that. He wasn't used to that.

"Alright, I think I've got everything. You as well?"

"Yeah", Harry answered and pushed the cart in the direction of the exit where they could pay.

"I just need to go to the Farmer's market but after that you're free to spend the way however you like. Any plans?"

Harry fiddled with his fingers shyly and smiled a little.

"I'm gonna get my notebook and write a short story. Maybe sit by the lake a bit."

"Aw that sounds nice. The lake truly is a great place to relax. I'm glad you're enjoying that."

The younger man helped to put everything into the car after they have left the grocery store and they drove around the corner to get to the market.

"Right, I wanted to buy you some strawberries, I need coliflower, zucchini, Tomatoes, pears and I will buy a fresh bread. They make really good bread here, you'll love it."

"The bread in England is shit, innit?", Harry replied, laughing.

"Yeah it is. When I still lived there, I always went to a Belgian bakery to get good bread."

There weren't too many people at the market. Only some grandmas and some groups of friends. Everyone was eager to get some sweet fruits and have some waffles at a food truck.

"You wanna get pancakes or waffles?"

"Uhm no, I.. no thank you", said Harry. He was having a hard time eating that day. His stomach simply wouldn't accept food when he felt sad. He couldn't do anything except wait for the rain to turn into sun.