Forever Young

Epilogue

Two years later...

Harry's perched at the end of the bar where he can be found most afternoons, laptop in front of him as he scrolls through his email. The Aviary is quiet for now, the lull between the lunchtime and after-work crowds always providing a good opportunity to pop in and see the boys while he gets some admin done for his online store.

His morning had been uneventful, which is always the best type; painting for a while after Louis had gone to work. Harry's on the look out now for his next subject as his current piece is almost finished, hoping to add the final touches this evening if the mood strikes him and Louis isn't being too distracting when he gets home, which, to be fair, is most of the time. Louis doesn't even have to do anything specific, just being in his presence is enough to draw Harry's attention. Not that Harry minds, of course; he wouldn't want it any other way.

It's a happy existence and one Harry relishes every single day. Louis is the sunshine of his mornings, the calm of his evenings, and Harry's source of joy for all the times in between.

His attention is drawn away from his screen by the man himself as he appears from the back carrying a crate of bottles. Louis smiles sweetly at Harry as he sets it on the floor and then crouches down to start unloading the beers into the fridge.

Louis has so many smiles, a different one for every occasion. Harry has catalogued them all. Big beaming ones that capture the attention of anyone lucky enough to be in his orbit, crinkly-eyed ones that elicit reflexive ones in return, small fond ones that he doesn't even realize he's doing when he's with friends, and then there are the ones that are reserved just for Harry. Harry likes those the best, stores them away in a safe place in his heart where his love grows more and more every day.

Harry's mind flashes back to the first time he stepped foot in the bar, remembering how nervous he'd been and how Louis' kind and welcoming nature had made him feel relaxed in a way he hadn't felt in so long. It seems like an eon ago now, even though it's only been two years. Two glorious, wonderful years with Louis by his side, just as he'd hoped for.

Louis had moved into Harry's cottage only a couple of weeks after the housewarming dinner party that turned Harry's world on its head. Within days it had become clear that neither of them wanted to be without the other, and after spending each of the subsequent nights together, it had only made sense for Louis to pack up his things and make the official move.

Coming to terms with being an Avian, and all that entailed, came easier than Harry had envisaged. All the boys have been amazing, but it's Louis who supported him with every step he took into this strange new life; never shying away from the difficult conversations, always happy to listen when Harry struggled, and ready with open arms to catch Harry when he stumbled.

So many things have changed, but so many have stayed the same. He and Louis have forged a wonderful relationship, true partners the likes of which Harry had only ever dreamed of, and equal in every way that matters.

Harry's art is still just as important to him, but his creations have more layers and textures and not just with the brush strokes; he sees people's wings in a different light now, deeper and more personal, and absent the edge of anger and frustration he used to feel.

The cat that had kept Harry company in those early days after he'd moved to town has become a permanent member of the household. She had surprised them a few months in with a litter of three gorgeous kittens at which point Harry and Louis decided they all needed names. Harry had gone to great lengths to choose monikers befitting their personalities and so Starling, and her babies Swan, Stork, and Sparrow, had officially joined their family. Louis had found great amusement in the fact that Harry had named a family of cats after birds, but Harry had assured him that they fit perfectly. Louis had just nodded and then returned home the next day with little collars engraved with their names. Harry had cried happy tears and fallen even more in love with him, even though he hadn't thought that was possible.