Once Upon A Time (l.s.)

To Have Met You

At 4pm sharp, Harry entered the cafe that Louis had mentioned. He looked around and saw that the man hadn't arrived yet, but he did find the man from the tattoo shop at the cash counter eyeing him, so he just went and sat at a table meant for two in the far corner. Ten minutes later, the bell dinged again and when Harry looked up, he saw that Louis had walked in, a backpack slung over his shoulder as he stopped at the counter to talk to that man, who inturn pointed to where he was sitting. Louis Looked back and found Harry sitting there, looking at them, he gave a weak smile. Louis just took a long, deep breathe and started walking towards the older man.

"Hi." Harry said once he sat down, putting on a smile. 

"Hi."

"Ummm... How are you doing?" 

"I've been better, but I'm fine. What about you."

"I'm alright."

"I've never seen you around here before. Are you new?"

"Yes, I just shifted here two days ago. I got a job at a photography agency, they needed me here."

"Oh, thats amazing. Congratulations." Louis emotionlessly commented.

"You look... Different, like, I don't know what it is, but you are different."

"Ten years, or eleven, is a long time Harry. I went from being stupid and lovestruck to being confident and independent, of course I'm going to look different. Well, the same goes for you. You look more... Sculpted." 

"Yeah, I've been... Yeah."

"Listen, enough of the small talk, lets just clear this all up and get it over with. I need to report to Ash before he comes barging in."

"Yeah, yeah sure. I'll go first, then, if you want, can you answer my questions?" Louis wordlessly nodded indicating Harry to start.

"Alright, when you told me, that you're gay, I was more surprised, than anything. I had been kinda friends with Liam and Zayn at that point, so I told them and Taylor." Louis made a disgusted face at that. 

"They told me its wrong. You know that the town is homophobic, we grew up believing in God and looking down at 'sinners'. They just made me believe that. I was stupid Lou..." 

"Don't call me that!" "What?" "Don't call me Lou. I am Louis to you." Harry's heart broke into a million pieces

"Right, right. I'm sorry. I was saying, I was stupid. Wanting to be popular, likeable, famous and all that. They promised me all that stuff. Made me believe that what they were doing was right. I am so sorry."

"Why did you beat Niall?"

"I was jealous." Louis was shocked to hear that. "What!?" 

"I was jealous, cause I was your best friend. I was the one you laughed with like that. I was the one whose jokes you would hear. I couldn't tolerate you doing the same with Niall."

"Thats sick Harry. A real dick move. If you were my best friend, you were also the one who punched me. If you made me laugh, you also made me cry myself to sleep. If you were the one whose jokes I'd hear, you were also the one who threw insults at me. What kind of an excuse is this!!"

"I am sorry. I've apologised to Niall as well. Took some time but he forgave me. I just need your forgiveness." but Louis ignored his last sentence and went on to ask.

"Why did you send them after me?" Louis quietly asked.

"Who?" "Josh, Cody, Zayn, Liam. Why?" He almost whispered. Harry's eyes widened as he realised what Louis had assumed all these years.