best kind of bad something » l.s.

part six

Louis was nearly finished with the cigarette in his hand when he saw Harry step out of the diner, holding two trash bags as he walked to the trash bins in the back. Louis smiled, tilting his head to the side and admiring his boy.

"Hey cutie," Louis called out, startling Harry, who turned to look at whoever called out. Louis smirked. "You up for a little fun?"

Harry laughed, looking absolutely delighted by Louis' flirtatious and amusing greeting. He walked over to where Louis was standing, toward the other end of the alley behind the diner. Louis quickly sucked the last bit of the cigarette before stubbing it on the ground with his feet.

"Hi," Harry said, once he reached him.

"Hi," Louis said, reaching out for him. Harry came easily, but when Louis leaned in to kiss him, Harry leaned back, shaking his head.

"You just smoked," he said, wrinkling his nose.

Louis frowned. "I'm offended."

"Nothing new, Lou. You know how much I hate the taste of cigarettes. Besides, what are you doing here? I'm not done for another few hours."

"I have a surprise for you," Louis said, reaching into his back pocket. He pulled out the brand new iPhone and presented it to Harry, who widened his eyes.

"What is this?"

"Your new phone...since I ruined the old one."

"Louis...what. I ̶ I can't take this," Harry gasped, shaking his head.

"Yes, you can!" Louis insisted. "I got it just for you. It's the least I could do."

Harry looked at him, brows furrowed, but Louis knew he was going to give in. "Where'd you get it from?" Harry asked. "iPhones are super expensive."

"Does it matter?"

"Of course it does."

Louis hesitated. Truth was, he'd taken a big chunk out of his savings. Money he'd put aside from family members when they'd gifted him on his birthdays or holidays. He also sold his laptop. However, he didn't know how to tell Harry all this. He knew Harry was wondering if it was money from selling drugs or maybe even stealing. It should hurt him that that would be Harry's default, but he knew he couldn't blame him. Not like Louis divulged Harry into what he did to get some extra cash.

"Just had some money saved up," Louis replied quietly. "From my birthdays and Christmas."

"But ̶ that's not fair. That's your money, Lou. I can just...wait until my last plan is up."

"No," Louis shook his head, pushing the phone into Harry's hand. "How am I going to reach you? Please take it, Harry. I fucked up that day at the carnival. Let me make it up to you. I love you, H."

Harry's expression softened and he immediately leaned in, kissing Louis, completely forgetting about the phone and the fact that Louis smoked a few minutes ago. Louis pressed into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist. "I love you," Harry mumbled against his lips. "Love you, love you, love you."

Butterflies swarmed in Louis's stomach and he wondered if he'd ever tire of hearing Harry tell him those words. He watched as Harry leaned away, smiling softly as he inspected the phone. "This is so, so, so sweet," Harry said. "Thank you."

"I felt like it was high time I treated you right," Louis confessed quietly against Harry's lips. Harry kissed him again before shaking his head.

"You've always been good for me. The other stuff doesn't matter, right? We're good together."